bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of nebulized colistin as a substitutive strategy against nosocomial pneumonia caused by CR-GNB in intensive care units: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Feng Jia-Yih , Huang Jhong-Ru , Lee Chang-Ching , Tseng Yen-Han , Pan Sheng-Wei , Chen Yuh-Min , Yang Kuang-Yao
Published: January 2023

Background

Adverse reactions, especially nephrotoxicity, are great concerns of intravenous colistin treatment. The role of substitutive nebulized colistin in treating nosocomial pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacterial (CR-GNB) in critically ill patients remains unknown.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled patients with nosocomial pneumonia caused by colistin-susceptible CRGNB in the intensive care unit (ICU) without intravenous colistin treatment. Patients were categorized based on whether substitutive nebulized colistin was used alongside other intravenous antibiotics. Clinical responses and mortality rates were compared between the two groups in the original and propensity score (PS)-matched cohorts. This study aimed to investigate the clinical effectiveness of substitutive nebulized colistin in treatment outcomes of nosocomial pneumonia caused by CR-GNB. The impact of dosing strategy of nebulized colistin was also explored.

Results

In total, 343 and 214 patients with and without substitutive nebulized colistin, respectively, were enrolled for analysis. In the PS-matched cohort, clinical failure rates on day 7 (22.6 vs. 42.6%, p = 0.001), day 14 (27.0 vs. 42.6%, p = 0.013), and day 28 (27.8 vs. 41.7%, p = 0.027) were significantly lower in patients with nebulized colistin. In multivariate analysis, nebulized colistin was an independent factor associated with lower day 14 clinical failure (Original cohort: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30–0.67; PS-matched cohort: aOR 0.48, 95% CI 0.27–0.87). There were no differences in clinical failure rate and mortality rate between patients receiving high (> 6 MIU/day) and low (≤ 6 MIU/day) dose nebulized colistin in the PS-matched cohort.

Conclusions

In ICU-admitted patients with nosocomial pneumonia caused by colistin-susceptible CRGNB, substitutive nebulized colistin was associated with better clinical outcomes.
Load balancing and service discovery using Docker Swarm for microservice based big data applications
Authors: Singh Neelam , Hamid Yasir , Juneja Sapna , Srivastava Gautam , Dhiman Gaurav , Gadekallu Thippa Reddy , Shah Mohd Asif
Published: January 2023

Big Data applications require extensive resources and environments to store, process and analyze this colossal collection of data in a distributed manner. Containerization with cloud computing provides a pertinent remedy to accommodate big data requirements, however requires a precise and appropriate load-balancing mechanism. The load on servers increases exponentially with increased resource usage thus making load balancing an essential requirement. Moreover, the adjustment of containers accurately and rapidly according to load as per services is one of the crucial aspects in big data applications. This study provides a review relating to containerized environments like Docker for big data applications with load balancing. A novel scheduling mechanism of containers for big data applications established on Docker Swarm and Microservice architecture is proposed. The concept of Docker Swarm is utilized to effectively handle big data applications' workload and service discovery. Results shows that increasing workloads with respect to big data applications can be effectively managed by utilizing microservices in containerized environments and load balancing is efficiently achieved using Docker Swarm. The implementation is done using a case study deployed on a single server and then scaled to four instances. Applications developed using containerized microservices reduces average deployment time and continuous integration.
A study on endovascular treatment alone and bridging treatment for acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Ji Xiyang , Song Bo , Zhu Hao , Jiang Zhao , Hua Feng , Wang Sa , Zhou Jianbo , Li Lin , Dai Changfei , Zhang Mijuan , Wei Dong , Zhang Lele , Zhang Xiaojie , Zhang Qun , Chen Ping
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To investigate whether intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with alteplase (a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, rt-PA) before endovascular treatment (EVT) is beneficial for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients in different periods.

Methods

This study enrolled a total of 140 patients hospitalized between 2019 and 2022 with AIS from large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation. Those patients were divided into the EVT alone group and IVT + EVT group, in which EVT was preceded by intravenous rt-PA. According to the time from onset to femoral artery puncture, the above two groups were divided into the following subgroups: < 4.5 h, between 4.5 and 6 h, between 6 and 8 h, and between 8 and 10 h. There were 78 patients in the EVT alone group and 62 patients in the IVT + EVT group.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in functional independence, recanalization rate, favorable outcome rate, or mortality between the EVT and IVT + EVT groups (P > 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, a lower incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage was observed in the EVT group (P < 0.05). A comparison of time-dependent efficacy between the two groups showed that within 6–8 h, there were statistically significant differences between admission and postoperation in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at 24 h (P = 0.01) or 7 days (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Although there was no difference in clinical efficacy and safety between the abovementioned two groups, treatment with IVT + EVT could increase the risk of bleeding compared to EVT. Moreover, in the 6–8 h subgroup, the efficacy of EVT alone was better than that of IVT + EVT.
The impact of partial and complete lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic on acute surgical services: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Al manasra Abdel Rahman A. , Alabdallah Nadeem B. , Mesmar Zaid , Almasarweh Sami A. , Nofal Mohammad , Shattarah Osama , Aljarrah Qusai , Ibrahim Khalid S. , Al-qaoud Doaa
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The burden of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the healthcare sector has been overwhelming, leading to drastic changes in access to healthcare for the public. We aimed to establish the impact of implemented government partial and complete lockdown policies on the volume of surgical patient admissions at a tertiary referral center during the pandemic.

Methods

A database was retrospectively created from records of patients admitted to the surgical ward through the emergency department. Three 6-week periods were examined: The complete lockdown period (CLP), which included a ban on the use of cars with the exception of health service providers and essential sector workers; A pre-COVID period (PCP) 1 year earlier (no lockdown); and a partial lockdown period (PLP) that involved a comprehensive curfew and implementing social distancing regulations and wear of personal protective equipment (e.g., masks) in public places.

Results

The number of patients admitted to the surgery ward was significantly higher in the PCP cohort compared to the CLP and PLP cohorts (p = 0.009), with a 42.1% and 37% decline in patients’ admissions, respectively. Admission rates for patients with biliary pathologies and vascular thrombotic events increased. 30-day mortality rates did not differ significantly between the three periods (p = 0.378).

Conclusions

While COVID-19 lockdown regulations had a significant impact on patient admission rates, surgical outcomes were not affected and the standards of care were maintained. Future protocols should strive to improve access to healthcare to avoid complications caused by delayed diagnosis and treatment.
The association between blood manganese and liver stiffness in participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2017–2018
Authors: Han Kexing , Shen Jiapei , Tan Kexuan , Liu Jiaying , Sun Weijie , Gao Yufeng
Published: January 2023

Background

To explore the relationship between blood manganese and liver stiffness in the United States among participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

All data were obtained from the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database (NHANES). A total of 4690 participants were included in the study. All participants included complete information on COPD, liver stiffness, and blood manganese. Liver stiffness (kPa) was measured from “Examination Date” and blood manganese (ug/L) was obtained from “Laboratory Data”. A multiple linear regression model was used to assess the correlation between blood manganese and liver stiffness.

Results

Among the 4690 participants, blood manganese was lower in the COPD group but liver stiffness was higher (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between blood manganese and liver stiffness (β = 0.08, 95% CI 0.03, 0.12). This positive association was more pronounced in COPD participants (β = 0.25, 95% CI 0.08, 0.42) and there was a non-linear relationship, which was more significant when blood manganese exceeded 14.43 ug/L (β = 1.76, 95% CI 1.10, 2.41).

Conclusions

The association between blood manganese and liver stiffness was positive, which was more apparent in COPD patients.
Bipolar disorders in Nigeria: a mixed-methods study of patients, family caregivers, clinicians, and the community members’ perspectives
Authors: Jidong Dung Ezekiel , Husain M. Ishrat , Ike Tarela J. , Husain Nusrat , Taru Maigari Yusufu , Nnaemeka Nwoga Charles , Francis Christopher , Jack David B. , Mwankon Shadrack B. , Xue Siqi , Pwajok Juliet Y. , Nyam Pam P. , Murshed Maisha
Published: January 2023

Background

Bipolar Disorders (BDs) are chronic mental health disorders that often result in functional impairment and contribute significantly to the disability-adjusted life years (DALY). BDs are historically under-researched compared to other mental health disorders, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria.

Design

We adopted a mixed-methods design. Study 1 examined the public knowledge of BDs in relation to sociodemographic outcomes using quantitative data whilst Study 2 qualitatively assessed the lived experiences of patients with BDs, clinicians, and family caregivers.

Methods

In Study 1, a non-clinical sample of n = 575 participants responded to a compact questionnaire that examined their knowledge of BDs and how they relate to certain sociodemographic variables. One-way ANOVA was used to analyse quantitative data. Study 2 interviewed N = 15 participants (n = 5 patients with BDs; n = 7 clinicians; n = 3 family caregivers). These semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed.

Results

In Study 1, findings showed no statistically significant differences, suggesting low awareness of BDs, especially among vulnerable populations such as young people and older adults. However, there was a trajectory in increased knowledge of BDs among participants between the ages of 25–44 years and part-time workers compared to other ages and employment statuses. In Study 2, qualitative findings showed that BDs are perceived to be genetically and psycho-socially induced by specific lived experiences of patients and their family caregivers. Although psychotropic medications and psychotherapy are available treatment options in Nigeria, cultural and religious beliefs were significant barriers to treatment uptake.

Conclusions

This study provides insight into knowledge and beliefs about BDs, including the lived experiences of patients with BDs, their caregivers and clinicians in Nigeria. It highlights the need for further studies assessing Nigeria's feasibility and acceptability of culturally adapted psychosocial interventions for patients with BDs.
Amide Proton Transfer-weighted MRI combined with serum prostate-specific antigen levels for differentiating malignant prostate lesions from benign prostate lesions: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yang Lu , Wang Lei , Tan Yuchuan , Dan Hanli , Xian Peng , Zhang Yipeng , Tan Yong , Lin Meng , Zhang Jiuquan
Published: January 2023

Background

Early diagnosis of prostate cancer improves its prognosis, while it is essential to upgrade screening tools. This study aimed to explore the value of a novel functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique, namely amide proton transfer (APT)-weighted MRI, combined with serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels to differentiate malignant prostate lesions from benign prostate lesions.

Methods

Data of patients who underwent prostate examinations at Chongqing University Cancer Hospital between July 2019 and March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), APT, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI. Two radiologists analyzed the images independently. The ability of the quantitative parameters alone or in different combinations in differentiating malignant prostate lesions from benign prostate lesions were compared by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. According to the DeLong test, the combined parameters were significantly different from the corresponding single parameter (P < 0.05).

Results

A total of 79 patients were finally enrolled, including 52 patients in the malignant group and 27 patients in the benign group. The separate assessment of indexes revealed that APTmax, APTmean, mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean), ADCmax, ADCmin, tPAD, free prostate-specific antigen (FPSA), FPSA/total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA), and PSA density (PSAD) were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05), while APTmin was not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). APTmax and APTmean had the high values of area under the ROC curve (AUC), which were 0.780 and 0.710, respectively. APTmax had a high sensitivity, and APTmean had a high specificity. The combination of APTmax, APTmean, ADCmean, and PSAD had the highest AUC value (AUC: 0.880, sensitivity: 86.540, specificity: 78.260).

Conclusion

APTmax, APTmean, ADCmean, ADCmin, tPAD, FPSA, and PSAD showed to have a high value in differentiating malignant prostate lesions from benign prostate lesions in the separate assessment of indexes. The combination of APTmax, APTmean, ADCmean, and PSAD had the highest diagnostic value.
Perceptions and factors affecting the adoption of digital games for engineering education: a mixed-method research
Authors: Udeozor Chioma , Russo-Abegão Fernando , Glassey Jarka
Published: January 2023

Digital games are considered relevant in higher education due to their ability to foster authentic, active and experiential learning opportunities that are of importance in engineering education. However, as a relatively new pedagogical tool, there is the need to understand the perceptions of engineering students as well as to identify factors that influence their adoption of games for learning. So far, only a few studies have investigated the perceptions of higher education students towards learning games and even fewer for engineering students. To bridge this research gap, the current study utilises a mixed-method research design to identify factors that influence the adoption of digital learning games by engineering students as well as their overall perceptions of the use of games for engineering education. Results from the analysed quantitative and qualitative data suggest that engineering students value fun and engagement as well as relevance to the curriculum as factors that would influence their intentions to use digital games for engineering education. Students also showed openness to the use of digital games for learning, but resistance to their use for assessment. These findings have implications for the design of games and classroom deployment of games, as these provide insights to game designers and educators on the factors to consider in the design and classroom deployment of games, respectively.
Gentiana lutea attenuates hepatotoxicity induced by ketoconazole in rats by fortifying the cellular antioxidant defense system
Authors: Hamza Alaaeldin Ahmed , Gamel Mona , Abdalla Ali , Abdalla Youssef , Amin Amr
Published: January 2023

Background

Ketoconazole (KET) is a broad-spectrum antifungal drug that has been reported to induce hepatotoxicity in humans and animals.

Methods

The safe guarding response of Gentiana extract (GEN) against KET-induced hepatotoxicity was investigated in this study using male Wistar rats. GEN ethanol extract was orally administered to rats (1 g/kg b.wt) for 30 days. Beginning on day 26, KET was intraperitoneally administered once daily for 5 days using a dose of 100 mg/kg. The hepatoprotective effects of GEN against liver damage induced by KET were monitored through significant decrements in serum levels of aminotransferase and alpha-fetoprotein as well as recorded hepatic histopathological changes.

Results

The hepatotoxicity of KET treatment was accompanied with a marked oxidative damage to hepatic proteins, lipids, and DNA, and depletions in natural antioxidants (glutathione and superoxide dismutase). GEN inhibited KET-induced oxidative stress by diminishing lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and oxidative stress in DNA. These free radical mediated effects were greatly decreased with GEN treatment.

Conclusions

This study suggests that GEN’s hepatoprotective effects could be attributed to its antioxidant properties.
BURNOUT SYNDROME AMONG THE REPRESENTATIVES OF DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS
Authors: Khudalova Madina Z. , Gagiev Aleksandr G. , Laletina Anastasiya M.
Published: January 2023

Burnout Syndrome (BS) is a serious problem for which both individuals and organizations pay a lot. Nowadays the problem of maintaining professional and psychological health among specialists of various professions attracts attention of scientists from different fields: psychology, medicine and psychotherapy.

The main aim of the study is a comparative analysis of the burnout syndrome in specialists of different professions. Sample: 105 respondents: teachers, medical workers, firefighters-rescuers aged from 23 to 68, with experience from 1 year to 43 years.

We use the data obtained by questioning respondents and testing for achieving the purpose of the study such as the V.V. Boyko’s “Method for diagnosing the level of emotional burnout”; - a clinical questionnaire for the detection and evaluation of neurotic conditions by K.K. Yakhin, D.M. Mendelevich; - a technique for measuring the level of anxiety (J. Taylor scale).

Data processing was carried out in the form of statistical analysis in the SPSS.22.0 program. As a result, we revealed correlation links between indicators of emotional burnout and work experience, satisfaction with the work schedule, labor incentives, functional content of the work, individual personal and psychological characteristics. The study reasonably shows the factors in the formation of the burnout syndrome, identified causal and concomitant relationships.
ROLE OF VISUALIZATION OF EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION IN THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS OF MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL STUDENTS IN THE “ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY” DISCIPLINE
Authors: Uranova Valeria V. , Bliznyak Olga V. , Mazhitova Marina V. , Isyakaeva Ralina R.
Published: January 2023

Introduction. This article is devoted to the study and development of visual material in the discipline “Analytical Chemistry” and determining the effectiveness of its introduction into the educational environment.

The purpose of the study was to study the role of visual information in the process of teaching students of medical and biological profile and in determining the prospects for its further implementation.

Methods. The study was conducted among second-year students by the method of a social experiment and a subsequent survey of participants about the advantages and disadvantages of the innovative system of the educational process. Statistical processing was carried out using the «Statistica 10» package.

Results. It was found that the group of students who engaged with the use of visual material, showed high results by the indicators: “Achievement, %” and “Quality, %”. An algorithm for creating visual material using three basic methods was developed.

Scope of the results. The results of the study can serve as a basis for expanding the implementation of visual forms in the educational process of higher education institutions on a permanent basis. Visual concepts and algorithms created by the authors can be used as educational material.

Conclusion. It was revealed that in the context of the development of innovative technologies, the traditional format of the educational process is less effective and the introduction of visual material is necessary for its further development. The results of the experiment and the survey revealed the disadvantages and advantages in the transition from a traditional format to an innovative one. Visualization has many advantages, but it should be borne in mind that a complete transition to a visual model of the educational process is impossible, since in order to obtain a high-quality education and a set of practical skills, it is necessary to study the full amount of information and then structure it.
SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE STAND AS A MODERN TOOL FOR TEACHING STUDENTS TO CONFIGURE WIRELESS NETWORKS
Authors: Kaliberda Elena A. , Shabalin Andrey M.
Published: January 2023

Goal. Theoretical justification and development of a software and hardware stand in order to train future information security specialists in setting up modern wireless networks.

Work methodology or method. The study is based on scientific regulations of the practice-oriented learning organization. The competence-based approach was used as its methodological base, theoretical (comparison, analysis, generalization, concretization, modeling) methods were used. The development and implementation of a software and hardware stand in the educational process was carried out at Tyumen State University in 2021-2022 with the involvement of students from the “Computer Security” direction of training.

Results. The authors have developed and applied in the educational process a software and hardware laboratory stand that combines virtualization tools for software and hardware components of a computer network.

The stand is used to study the modern infrastructure of a computer network which is used in enterprises and companies by students of the “Computer Security” specialization. It can also be used while teaching modern wireless networks configuration for students of the directions: “Mathematical support and administration of information systems”, “Computer science and computer technology”, “Software engineering”.

On the basis of the stand a cycle of laboratory works was developed for senior students of the “Computer security” specialization as part of the study of the “Wireless computer networks security” discipline.

Scope of results. The results of the study can be applied in the field of training future IT-specialists in the higher education system.
TEACHING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE USING DIGITAL MEANS OF TELECOLLABORATION
Authors: Kudinova Olga A. , Kudinova Valentina I.
Published: January 2023

Purpose. The article is devoted to the study of telecollaboration technology as one of the means of digital communication aimed at developing interaction between students from different geographical, cultural and/or linguistic contexts and facilitating exchange, dialogue, debate and consolidation of linguistic, cultural and digital competencies.

Methodology. The research is based on the theoretical study and synthesis of scientific and methodological literature, as well as Internet resources related to the research topic; general scientific method – analysis is used. Evaluation of the effectiveness of educational material visualization was carried out by observing the students’ educational activity, conversations.

Results. The results of the study showed that collaboration technology as a kind of ICT can be used in foreign language classes to activate students’ educational activities, increase their language competence and motivation. As a result of the analysis of the scientific material, it was suggested that the use of blended learning tools and Web 2.0, which are aimed at taking advantage of collaborative learning and the assimilation of experience, will allow teachers to develop their ICT skills and improve their teaching methods, and students to participate in active and interactive learning, which also makes students’ progress visible and facilitates the assessment of knowledge.

Practical implications. The results of the study will help to implement the tools of blended learning and Web 2.0 in teaching a foreign language at school.
Effect of vitamin D on the course of COVID-19 infection
Authors: Walczak Klaudia , Walczak Patrycja , Zdun Sylwia , Nemeczek Sylwia , Merkisz Konrad , Grzybowski Jakub , Marciniak Agnieszka , Grzywna Natalia , Jaskuła Karolina , Orłowski Władysław
Published: January 2023

Introduction and purpose of work: COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Vitamin D is categorized as a steroid hormone that affects the body's calcium-phosphate balance. It also exerts an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory function. Numerous studies indicate that vitamin D levels may have an impact on the course of COVID-19 infection.
The purpose of this study is to describe the potential health benefits of vitamin D supplementation in COVID-19 patients. The literature available in the PubMed database was reviewed using the following keywords: "vitamin D"; "COVID-19 infection"; "SARS-Cov-2 virus".
Stan wiedzy: Witamina D zmniejsza ryzyko ciężkiej ostrej infekcji górnych dróg oddechowych i COVID-19 poprzez jej wpływ na zmniejszenie replikacji wirusa, zmniejszenie produkcji cytokin prozapalnych i zwiększenie integralności komórek śródbłonka w drogach oddechowych. Stymuluje również syntezę katelicydyny i beta-defensyn. Białka, o których mowa, wykazują bezpośrednią aktywność przeciwwirusową. Część badań dowodzi, że niedobór witaminy D zwiększa śmiertelność, potrzebę inwazyjnej i nieinwazyjnej wentylacji u pacjentów z SARS-Cov-2-dodatnim. Udowodniono, że odpowiednia suplementacja omawianej witaminy zmniejsza ryzyko zakażenia COVID-19 nawet u osób wrażliwych.
Wnioski: Wykazano, że obniżony poziom witaminy D zwiększa częstość występowania i nasilenie infekcji COVID-19. Istnieje potrzeba dalszych badań w celu potwierdzenia suplementacji witaminy jako skutecznej metody zapobiegania i łagodzenia infekcji wirusem SARS-Cov-2.
Concerns of patients with bronchial asthma against the use of inhaled glucocorticosteroids
Authors: Czerwińska Pawluk Iwona , Pawluk Elwira Paula , Szymaszek Angelo Daniel , Zukow Walery
Published: January 2023

The medical literature describes the problem of anxiety and fear of using glucocorticosteroid drugs and their side effects in patients with bronchial asthma. Frequently, unjustified fears of patients are the cause of non-compliance with therapeutic recommendations, which in turn results in the lack of therapeutic effects [24]. In order to counteract this unfavorable phenomenon, to increase the safety and effectiveness of therapy in patients with bronchial asthma, large-scale educational activities should be carried out both among medical staff and patients on the importance of glucocorticosteroids in the treatment of bronchial asthma and their impact on the degree of control of the disease.
Challenging the insider outsider approach to advocacy: how collaboration networks and belief similarities shape strategy choices
Authors: Wagner Paul M. , Ocelík Petr , Gronow Antti , Ylä-Anttila Tuomas , Metz Florence
Published: January 2023

Advocacy strategies are a key success factor for public, private and third sector actors who participate in and seek to influence policy choices. Despite this, research on policy networks has paid little attention to the forms of advocacy studied by interest groups scholars. The interest groups’ literature differentiates insider from outsider strategies and assumes that interest groups with strong access to policymakers opt for insider strategies, while those with weak access are constrained to the use of outsider strategies. This literature has not considered how the full set of actors that constitute a policy network use advocacy strategies. Furthermore, the insider/outsider dichotomy oversimplifies and neglects the possibility that actors’ choices are interdependent. Using climate change policy network data from four countries that vary by interest group system, we investigate if policy actors’ choices of advocacy strategies are similar to those in their collaboration network and to those with similar policy beliefs as their own. Results show that, irrespective of the context, actors are likely to use the same advocacy strategies as their collaboration partners and those whose policy beliefs are like their own. This research demonstrates the value of using a policy network approach to move beyond the insider/outsider dichotomy on interest groups’ use of advocacy strategies. It makes a clear contribution to this scholarship by advancing the debate on strategies that policy actors employ to influence policymaking through evidencing interdependencies between the strategies used by policy actors due to belief similarity and a ‘networking effect’.
Efficient fixed-point iteration for generalized nonexpansive mappings and its stability in Banach spaces
Authors: Ali Danish , Hussain Aftab , Karapinar Erdal , Cholamjiak Prasit
Published: January 2023

The aim of this article is to design a new iteration process for solving certain fixed-point problems. In particular, we prove weak and strong convergence theorems for generalized nonexpansive mappings in the framework of uniformly convex Banach spaces. In addition, we discuss the stability of the solution under mild conditions. Further, we provide some numerical examples to indicate that the proposed method works properly.
On generalized extragradient implicit method for systems of variational inequalities with constraints of variational inclusion and fixed point problems
Authors: Ceng Lu-Chuan , Zhu Li-Jun , Yin Tzu-Chien
Published: January 2023

In a real Banach space, let the VI indicate a variational inclusion for two accretive operators and let the CFPP denote a common fixed point problem of countably many nonexpansive mappings. In this article, we introduce a generalized extragradient implicit method for solving a general system of variational inequalities (GSVI) with the VI and CFPP constraints. Strong convergence of the suggested method to a solution of the GSVI with the VI and CFPP constraints under some suitable assumptions is established.
Acoustic mitigation of noise in ports: an original methodology for the identification of intervention priorities
Authors: Schiavoni Samuele , Baldinelli Giorgio , Presciutti Andrea , D’Alessandro Francesco
Published: January 2023

The paper presents an original methodology for the identification of intervention priorities through a tailored priority index IP in areas that are highly-exposed to port noise. The methodology is applied to a case study developed in the framework of the European project ANCHOR, acronym of Advanced Noise Control strategies in HarbOuR, funded as part of the announcement Life 2017.

In detail, the paper discusses the results of its application in the assessment of the evolution of port noise impacts in the city of Melilla, Spain. The methodology has been applied considering the port with or without the realization of an expansion project on three different time periods; differences between standard and the summer traffic peak season have been considered. Finally, the paper evaluates the realization of cold ironing in the most impacting port area, the passenger (Ro-Pax) terminal. The results of the analyses demonstrate how the measure is a key action to mitigate noise in port areas.

The methodology is not limited to the identification of city areas that needs to be protected; it also aims to identify port areas where anti-noise actions would produce the greatest effect.

The index also allows to build a ranking to understand where anti-noise actions are more useful and urgent.
Knowledge and Attitudes about Precautionary Measures of COVID-19 among Undergraduate Students: A Comparative Study
Authors:   Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Hawler Medical University and Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq., Rasheed Halmat
Published: January 2023

Background and objective: The pandemic caused by novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus that first appeared in China at the end of December 2019 and quickly spread worldwide. The aims of this study are to assess undergraduate students’ knowledge and attitudes of the precautionary measures toward COVID-19. Methods: A descriptive comparative study design was used from 2nd January to 1st March 2022. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect the data. All students (240 students) in second grade from the nursing department and the English department at Gasha Technical Institute, Kurdistan Region/Iraq, were recruited and completed a self-reported questionnaire. Result: Around 70% of nursing students and 69% of students in the English department were males, and most students in both fields were aged between 18 and 22 years old. A total of 83.3 % of students in nursing and 77.5% of students in the English department were single. However, the rate of married students (21.7%) was higher in the English department. More than half of the nursing students (63.3%) showed good knowledge, 31.7% showed medium knowledge, and 5.0% showed poor knowledge. Nursing students’ good attitude was 15.8%. In contrast, 30.0% of students in the English department had good knowledge, 50.8% had medium knowledge, and 19.2% had poor knowledge. Good attitude of students in the English department was 5%. Conclusion: Overall, a higher level of knowledge was observed in nursing students than students in the English department. Also, positive attitude toward COVID-19 was higher among nursing students.
Senecio anastasioi (Asteraceae / Compositae: Senecioneae), a new caespitose species from the South Andes of Peru
Authors:   Instituto Científico Michael Owen Dillon, Arequipa, Perú, Montesinos-Tubée Daniel B. ,   Instituto de Ciencia y Gestión Ambiental de la Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, Arequipa, Perú,   Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
Published: January 2023

Senecio anastasioi Montesinos, a new species of Asteraceae / Compositae: Senecioneae allied to Senecio ser. Suffruticosi subser. Caespitosi, is described from the Andean regions located in South Peru. In morphological terms, S. anastasioi is similar to S. gamolepis Cabrera but clearly distinguished by its larger habit size, irregular arrangement of leaves, greater length and width of leaves, leaf lamina covered by scarce fimbriate or sericeous trichomes, capitules with larger, calycular bracts and phyllaries, both densely pubescent apically, and longer pedicels and pappus bristles. The morphological differences between these species are identified and further discussed. The preliminary IUCN status for the new species is assessed.
Species of the genera Chrysomyxa and Rossmanomyces (Pucciniales) in Ukraine
Authors:   M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Tykhonenko Yu.Ya.
Published: January 2023

Three species of the genus Chrysomyxa, C. abietis, C. empetri, and C. ledi, and one species of the genus Rossmanomyces, R. pyrolae, have been reported in Ukraine. During the 20th century, they were sporadically recorded in the western part of Ukraine; however, there is no data on their findings in this part of the country in the 21st century. Mycological studies carried out since 2019 in various regions of Ukrainian Polissya have not revealed any of these rust fungi. Obviously, species of both genera are either very rare or completely extinct in Ukraine today. The article is illustrated by micrographs obtained by scanning electron microscopy.
Analysis of the range dynamics of rare species of vascular plants of the flora of Ukraine. 1. Cymbaria borysthenica (Orobanchaceae)
Authors:   M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Fedoronchuk M.M.
Published: January 2023

The range dynamics of Cymbaria borysthenica Pall. ex Schltdl. (≡ Cymbochasma borysthenica (Pall. ex Schltdl.) Klokov) (Orobanchaceae) during almost 100 years has been analyzed. This relict species endemic to the Northern Black Sea – Sea of Azov region sporadically occurs in the southern steppe part of Ukraine (with several localities in adjacent eastern territories). It grows mainly on steppe slopes with washed-out soils in steppe, petrophyte steppe and petrophyte communities of the class Festuco-Brometea. The modern range of the species is rapidly shrinking under the influence of anthropogenic factors (plowing of the steppes, construction of hydrotechnical facilities, mining industry in the valleys of the rivers Saksagan, Ingulets, Kamenka, and now also military activities). At present, the species has disappeared from the territories of Crimea and Donbas. Therefore, in order to protect the species, it is necessary to carry out urgent measures to record and confirm the areas of its occurrence and to ban economic activities in these territories until their efficient protection.
Analisis Fatwa MUI Tentang Pelarangan Dan Penyesatan Kepada Kelompok Ahmadiyah di Indonesia
Authors: Dayyin Denden Matin , Ismail Ahmad Zuhdi
Published: January 2023

Hadirnya gerakan keagamaan kelompok Ahmadiyah di Indonesia menjadi sebuah kajian yang menarik untuk dikaji karena terjadinya pro dan kontra dikalangan umat muslim Indonesia. Pelbagai ketidakterpenuhan hak asasi manusia jemaat ahmadiyah menjadi polemik dan memberi ruang yang menakutkan. Diskriminasi danpersekusi dilakukan beberapa kelompok organisasi masyarakat islam lainnya. Ditambah fatwa MUI yang mendorong ternilainya jemaat Ahmadiyah menjadi sesat dan dilarang kehadirannya di Indonesia. Pelarangan dan penyesatan jemaat Ahmadiyah di Indonesia membuat stigma buruk dimasyarakat. Ahmadiyah memahami bahwa ajaran modernisasi yang dibawa ke Indonesia menjadi bantuan untuk umat muslim. Hingga saat ini jemaat Ahmadiyah dengan masyarakay muslim lainnya masih memiliki hubungan yang kurang baik. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui fatwa MUI yang melakukan pelarangan dan penyesatan kepada kelompok Ahmadiyah di Indonesia.
Cara Menganalisis Ragam Sumber Tafsir Al-Qur’an
Authors: Fauziah Annisa Nur , Putri Deswanti Nabilah
Published: January 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan membahas ragam sumber tafsir al-Qur’an baik yang primer maupun sekunder. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini ialah bersifat kualitatif dengan metode kepustakaan (library research) yaitu mencari sumber dari bahan-bahan tertulis dengan pendekatan sejarah. Hasil dari pembahasan penelitian ini meliputi definisi sumber tafsir, perbedaan pendapat mengenai sumber dan corak tafsir, sumber tafsir yang bersifat primer, dan sumber tafsir yang bersifat sekunder. Sumber tafsir adalah rujukan yang digunakan oleh para mufassir dalam menafsirkan ayat-ayat al-Quran. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa para ulama tafsir membagi rujukan tersebut kepada dua jenis, yaitu sumber tafsir primer atau disebut juga dengan mashadir asliyah dan sumber sekunder atau mashadir tsanawiyah. Sumber primer (mashadir asliyah) adalah sumber yang berasal dari wahyu, hadits, serta qaul sahabat dan tabi’in. Sedangkan sumber sekunder (mashadir tsanawiyah) adalah sumber-sumber pendukung yang membantu.memperkaya isi penafsiran, baik berupa karya-karya milik mufassir lain yang relevan. atau kitab lainnya. Selanjutnya, terdapat perbedaan pendapat mengenai perbedaan antara sumber tafsir dan corak tafsir. Beberapa ulama menjadikan disiplin ilmu lain seperti fikih, ilmu balaghah, dan lain-lain sebagai sumber penafsiran. Sedangkan ulama lain, seperti M. Quraish Shihab memasukkan disiplin ilmu ini sebagai sandaran yang mempengaruhi para mufassir sebagai corak tafsir.
Simbolisasi Ragam Tradisi Pembacaan Al-Qur’an di Pondok Pesantren Al-Muhajirin Purwakarta
Authors: Ain Aini Qurotul , Taufiq Wildan
Published: January 2023

Penulisan ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui simbol ragam pembacaan al-Qur’an di masyarakat dengan kajian Semiotika Charles Sanders Peirce guna mengetahui Representamen (R), Objek (O), dan Interpretan (I) pada data penelitian. Adapun metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu dengan library research, kajian pustaka dan kualitatif analisis deskriptif yakni dengan mendeskripsikan data penelitian yang berlandaskan pada teori Semiotika Charles Sanders Peirce. Hasil dari penelitian ini, ditemukan pokok bahasan bahwasannya representamen, objek, dan interpretan dalam ragam pembacaan al-qur’an di pesantren al-Muhajirin diantaranya yaitu terdiri dari Representamennya (R) adalah photo dari kegiatannya yaitu pembacaan surat Yasin, al-Kahfi, dan al-Waqi’ah. Objeknya (O) yaitu ketiganya merupakan pembacaan ayat suci al-Qur’an. Sedangkan Interpretannya (I) adalah interpretasi dari masing-masing yang ada dalam benaknya terhadap photo data yang dianalisis yakni pembacaan ayat suci al-Qur’an tersebut selain sebagai ibadah juga karena untuk mengambil keberkahan dan beberapa keutamaan.
Perspektif Kesetaraan Gender pada Tenaga Kerja Wanita di Kabupaten Bandung Barat
Authors: Subagja Yayang Hendri
Published: January 2023

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menunjukkan bahwa tantangan untuk mencapai kesetaraan gender adalah adanya perbedaan pandangan antara laki-laki dan perempuan dalam hal hak, kewajiban, peran dan status sosial. Salah satunya, isu kesetaraan gender dalam  ketenagakerjaan  masih menjadi perbincangan. Hal ini sering dibicarakan karena mengacu pada hak dan kewajiban  warga negara Indonesia yang dijamin oleh  UUD 1945. Kesetaraan gender dalam pekerjaan adalah tanggung jawab pemerintah untuk melindungi hak-hak rakyat, tetapi juga memiliki latar belakang budaya. Masih ada beberapa hambatan kelembagaan dan sosial budaya untuk meningkatkan kesetaraan gender dalam pekerjaan, seperti kesadaran pekerja akan hak dan rendahnya daya tawar pekerja perempuan. Untuk itu, diyakini bahwa pemerintah  perlu berperan dalam kesetaraan gender dengan memperkuat penegakan hukum terkait kesetaraan gender di bidang ketenagakerjaan dan memperkuat sistem pengawasan ketenagakerjaan. Selain itu, meningkatkan kesadaran  kesetaraan gender di kalangan pekerja perempuan dan memberikan perlindungan sosial kepada pekerja perempuan di sektor informal.
Analisis Semantik terhadap Konsep Al-Falah di dalam Al-Qur'an
Authors: Rifaldi Muhammad
Published: January 2023

Fenomena kemunduran umat Islam saat dibandingkan dengan orang Barat pada era ini menjadi sebab dilakukannya penelitian ini. Al-Qur’an mengidentikkan orang Islam dengan kesuksesan di dunia dan akhirat, sedangkan orang non-muslim diidentikkan dengan kerugian. Sehingga terlihat telah terjadi paradoks antara Al-Qur’an dan realita, maka menjadi penting mengkaji konsep kesuksesan dalam Al-Qur’an yang tertuang dalam kata Al-Falah dan derivasinya. Al-Falah akan dianalisis dengan semantik ensiklopedik yang merupakan gabungan antara Tafsir Maudhu’i dan semantik Al-Qur’an versi Toshihiko Izutsu. Secara metodologis, penelitian ini dilakukan dengan pendekatan kualitatif karena data yang dikumpulkan dan dikaji adalah data-data yang sifatnya pustaka. Data-data tersebut, selanjutnya dianalisis dengan menggunakan metode deskriptif analisis yang aplikasinya diterapkan dengan menggunakan teknik analisis konten. Temuan dalam penelitian ini antara lain, makna dasar Al-Falah adalah kesuksesan duniawi dan ukhrawi yang diperoleh melalui proses yang relatif konsisten dan karakteristiknya relatif bertahan lama. Sedangkan makna relasional Al-Falah pra-Islam adalah kesuksesan menyenangkan hati di dunia yang diperoleh dengan usaha sungguh-sungguh dan makna relasional term Al-Falah setelah Al-Qur’an turun adalah kesuksesan mendekatkan diri pada Allah di dunia dan akhirat dengan usaha yang sesuai dan layak. Konsep Al-Falah dapat diaplikasikan sebagai salah satu dasar bagi seorang muslim untuk menyikapi fenomena kemunduran umat Islam dari orang Barat saat ini. Dengan memahami konsep Al-Falah akan membawa seseorang mengenal identitas hamba dan Tuhan serta bagaimana seharusnya bentuk hubungan antara keduanya di dunia. Penelitian ini menemukan, konsep Al-Falah di dalam Al-Qur’an berdiri atas tiga dasar yaitu, proses yang sesuai, tujuan yang tepat, dan pemahaman yang mendalam. Konsep Al-Falah ini berbeda dengan konsep kesuksesan pada umumnya karena dalam konsep ini, kesuksesan di dunia adalah sebuah proses dan bukannya hasil dari sebuah proses. Sedangkan, kesuksesan di akhirat adalah hasil atau kelanjutan dari kesuksesan di dunia.
Pengalaman Keberagamaan Mahasiswa Muslim di Era Pandemi
Authors: Ilahi Restu Prana , Kuswana Dadang
Published: January 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengalaman keagamaan mahasiswa pada masa pembatasan sosial di kampus. Oleh sebab itu, penelitian ini berfokus pada mahasiswa program magister, yakni Studi Agama-Agama (SAA) di Pascasarjana UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah kualitatif melalui pengumpulan data observasi, wawancara, dan studi dokumen. Penelitian ini memperoleh temuan bahwa pengalaman keagamaan mahasiswa dapat mendorong dirinya untuk beradaptasi dengan perubahan sehingga terbiasa dengan kebaruan yang ada, diantaranya yaitu tetap konsisten melaksanakan ibadah dan praktik sosial keagamaan lainnya di masa pandemi dengan melakukan penyesuaian-penyesuaian kondisi. Penyesuaian ini pada akhirnya mampu menciptakan suasana pandemi yang lebih bersahabat dengan masyarakat.
Penghayatan Nilai-Nilai Moral pada Upacara Seba dalam Meningkatkan Spiritualitas Masyarakat Adat Kabuyutan Ciburuy Kabupaten Garut
Authors: Setiati Atu , Resita Awis
Published: January 2023

Realitas pelaksanaan upacara seba sebagai bentuk tradisi budaya yang dijalankan oleh masyarakat adat kabuyutan ciburuy memiliki pengaruh yang besar didalam kehidupan sebagai penyeimbang spiritual sehingga upacara seba masih dijalankan pada setiap generasi. Tujuan dilakukannya penelitian ini yaitu untuk mengetahui nilai-nilai moral yang terkandung didalam upacara seba pada masyarakat adat kabuyutan ciburuy dalam meningkatkan spiritual. Metode penelitian yang digunakan kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif. Teori yang digunakan yaitu teori nilai moral. Data diperoleh melalui teknik pengumpulan datanya kepada para tokoh setempat, warga sekitar, pengunjung yang datang melalui proses wawancara dan observasi.  Hasil penelitian didapatkan bahwa prosesi upacara Seba yang dilaksanakan di Situs Kabuyutan Ciburuy ada tiga tahapan yaitu persiapan upacara, puncak upacara, dan penutupan upacara. Nilai-nilai moral yang terdapat dalam upacara seba meningkatkan spiritual masyarakat adat karena makna didalamnya yang dipegang teguh dalam kehidupan bermasyarakat.