bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust Spectral Features for Emotion Recognition using GMM and SVM with PCA
Authors:   Research Scholar, JNTU Kakinada, JNTUK UCEN, narasaraopet, India, Krishna S. Radha , Rao R. Rajeswara ,   Professor, University College of Engineering, JNTUK UCEV, Vizianagaram
Published: October 2019

In this paper, the research work investigated on various spectral accents, for example, M.F.C.C, pitch-chroma, skew-ness, and centroid for feeling acknowledgment. For the test arrangement, the feelings considered in this investigation are Fear, Anger, Neutral, and Happy. The framework is assessed for different blends of spectral accents. At last, it makes sense of the blend of MFCC and skewness gave a superior acknowledgment execution when contrasted with different mixes. The previously mentioned accents are inspected utilizing Gaussian Mixture models (G.M.M.s) and Support Vector Machines (S.V.M.s). To expand the framework execution and evacuate insignificant data shape the recently produced vigorous accents, in this paper investigated an approach, namely Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is utilized to expel high dimensional information. It was set up that the acknowledgment execution for include sets in the wake of applying PCA got expanded in both grouping models utilizing GMMs and SVMs. The general framework is perceived 35% preceding PCA 58.3% later than PCA utilizing GMMs, and 28% preceding PCA, 50.5% later than PCA utilizing SVMs. The database utilized as a part of this examination is Telugu feeling speech corpus (IIT-KGP)
Implementation of GSM Communication on Flood Monitoring Systems Based on Multiple Locations Visualization
Authors:   Computer Engineering Department, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia., Satria* Dedi , Yana Syaifuddin ,   Industrial Engineering Department, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia., Yusibani Elin ,   Electronic Engineering Department, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia., Syahreza Saumi ,   Physics Department, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia., Maizi Zahrul ,   Computer Engineering Department, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia.
Published: October 2019

Flooding is one of the national disaster tragedies that currently often occurs in various countries. Therefore the government encourages various government, private and community institutions to develop disaster mitigation systems. Disaster mitigation systems are short-term programs aimed at reducing disaster victims. Therefore, this paper aims to describe the results of research in building flood monitoring information systems by developing flood data visualization systems in many locations. The system as a whole consists of two systems namely a flood detection system as a client and a flood monitoring information system as a server. the two systems communicate in sending flood data using GSM services, namely SMS. Flood detection systems are designed using ultrasonic sensors, temperature sensors, rain sensors, Arduino Uno microcontrollers and GSM modules. While the flood monitoring information system server was designed using a GSM modem, web server application, mySQL database, PHP engine and Gammu. The results showed that the flood detection system can send flood data consisting of flood locations, water levels, temperatures and rain conditions to the flood monitoring information system using SMS. SMS data received can already be converted by a flood monitoring information system server to a flood visualization-based interface for many locations in real time.
Decision Tree Ensemble Techniques To Predict Thyroid Disease
Authors:   Department of Computer Applications, Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, India., Yadav* Dhyan Chandra , Pal Saurabh ,   Department of Computer Applications, Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, India.
Published: October 2019

Decision tree provides help in making decision for very complex and large dataset. Decision tree techniques are used for gathering knowledge. Classification tree algorithms predict the experimental values of women thyroid dataset. The objective of this research paper observation is to determine hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and euthyroidism participation in hormones can be good predictor of the final result of laboratories and to examination whether the propose ensemble approach can be similar accuracy to other single classification algorithm. In the proposed experiment real data from 499 thyroid patients were used classifications algorithms in predicting whether thyroid detected or not detected on the basis of T3, T4 and TSH experimental values. The results show that the expectation of maximization classification tree algorithms in those of the best classification algorithm especially when using only a group of selected attributes. Finally we predict batch size, tree confidential factor, min number of observation, num folds, seed, accuracy and time build model with different classes of thyroid sickness. Different classification algorithms are analyzed using thyroid dataset. The results obtained by individual classification algorithms like J48, Random Tree and Hoeffding gives accuracy 99.12%, 97.59% and 92.37 respectively. Then we developed a new ensemble method and apply again on the same dataset, which gives a better accuracy of 99.2% and sensitivity of 99.36%. This new proposed ensemble method can be used for better classification of thyroid patients.
Application Running Text Information Berbasis Android
Authors: Putrawansyah Ferry
Published: October 2019

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengembangkan Running Text diatur menggunakan android sebagai pengigat waktu adzan, sholat dan petugas khotbah pada hari jumat yang sering mengalami perubahan secara berkala. Masalah dalam penelitian ini yaitu Masjid Sekolah Tinggi Teknologi Pagaralam masih menggunakan jam dinding konvensional untuk pengaturan waktu sholat dan adzan dan pemberian petugas jumat yang masih menggunakan media papan tulis sehingga mempersulit marbot untuk mengganti jadwal secara berkala. Metode pengembangan sistem yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu metode rapid application development (RAD). Adapun tahap yang digunakan yaitu requirement planning, design workshop, build the system dan implementation. Untuk memperoleh data dalam penelitian ini, dilakukan teknik pengumpulan data diantaranya observasi, wawancara dan studi pustaka. Perangkat yang digunakan diantaranya smartphone, controller jam waktu sholat atmega328, Bluetooth HC-05, GPS, papan LED matrix P10 16x32, buzzer. Hasil dari application running text information berbasis android ini meemudahkan marbot mensinkronkan waktu sholat dan petugas jumat yang telah ditetapkan oleh Departemen Agama Kota Pagar Alam menggunakan Handphone Android..
PENGARUH KUALITAS PELAYANAN TERHADAP KEPUASAN PELANGGAN PT. SAMUDRA BINTANG ANGKASA TOUR AND TRAVEL BANJARMASIN
Authors: Puspita Dini
Published: October 2019

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to know and analyze the influence of service quality on customer satisfaction at PT Samudra Bintang Angkasa Tour and Travel. The research method used is the analytical survey research method. The approach chosen in this study is the Cross Sectional approach. The population in this study are customers who use the services of PT Samudra Bintang Angkasa Tour and Travel, from August to November 2018. The sample in this study used accidental sampling techniques totaling 60 customers who used the services of PT Samudra Bintang Angkasa Tour and Travel in December 2018. Data collection techniques used questionnaires, documentation, and observation. The results of the study can be concluded that there is a simultaneous significant influence between service quality consisting of Tangible , Reliability , Responsiveness, Assurance and Empathy on Customer satisfaction PT. Samudra Bintang Angkasa Tour and Travel Banjarmasin. There is a partial significant influence between the quality of service consisting of Tangible, Reliability, Responsiveness , and Empathy on Customer satisfaction PT. Samudra Bintang Angkasa Tour and Travel Banjarmasin. Reliability Factoris the most influential factor (predominantly on Customer satisfaction at PT. Samudra Bintang Angkasa Tour and Travel Banjarmasin. Keywords: Service Quality, Satisfaction, Customers Abstrak: Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mengetahui dan menganalisis pengaruh kualitas layanan terhadap kepuasan pelanggan pada PT Samudra Bintang Angkasa Tour and Travel. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode penelitian survey analitik. Pendekatan yang dipilih dalam penelitian ini adalah pendekatan Cross Sectional. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah pelanggan yang menggunakan jasa PT Samudra Bintang Angkasa Tour and Travel, dari bulan Agustus sampai dengan November 2018. Sampel dalam penelitian ini menggunakan teknik accidental sampling berjumlah 60 orang pelanggan yang menggunakan jasa PT Samudra Bintang Angkasa Tour and Travel pada bulan Desember tahun 2018. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan kuesioner, dokumentasi, dan observasi. Hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa ada pengaruh signifikan secara simultan antara kualitas layanan yang terdiri atas Tangible, Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance dan Empathy terhadap kepuasan Pelanggan PT. Samudra Bintang Angkasa Tour and Travel Banjarmasin. Ada pengaruh signifikan secara parsial antara kualitas layanan yang terdiri atas Tangible, Reliability, Responsiveness, dan Empathy terhadap kepuasan Pelanggan PT. Samudra Bintang Angkasa Tour and Travel Banjarmasin. Faktor Reliability merupakan faktor yang paling berpengaruh (secara dominan terhadap kepuasan Pelanggan PT. Samudra Bintang Angkasa Tour and Travel Banjarmasin. Kata kunci : Kualitas Pelayanan, Kepuasan, Pelanggan
ANALISIS HUBUNGAN STRES KERJA DENGAN PRESTASI KERJA KARYAWAN PADA PT. CJ CHEILJEDANG FEED KALIMANTAN
Authors: Zagladi Arief Noviarakhman , Nurmalisa Nurmalisa
Published: October 2019

Abstract: This study aims to determine the level and relationship between work stress variable with employee performance at PT. CJ CheilJedang Feed Kalimantan. Sampling using nonprobability sampling technique is by incidental sampling type which means that sampling does not give equal opportunity or opportunity for every member of the population to be selected as sample and sample determination based on chance to meet the researcher with the respondent. And to determine the number of samples using a Slovin formula so as to obtain a minimum number of 90 (ninety) respondents out of 116 (one hundred and sixteen) populations assisted with SPSS computer application program to obtain relevant analysis results. The results of the research analysis showed that the level of job stress on employee performance is low but not very low. And the relation between work stress and employee performance got insignificant result because correlation analysis more than 0,05. Keywords: work Stress, Job Performance, correlation Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat dan hubungan antara variabel stres kerja dengan prestasi kerja karyawan pada PT. CJ CheilJedang Feed Kalimantan.  Pengambilan sampel menggunakan teknik nonprobability sampling yaitu dengan jenis incidental sampling yang artinya pengambilan sampel yang tidak memberi peluang atau kesempatan sama bagi setiap anggota populasi untuk dipilih menjadi sampel dan penentuan sampel berdasarkan kebetulan bertemu peneliti dengan responden. Dan untuk menentukan jumlah sampel menggunakan rumus dari Slovin sehingga mendapatkan jumlah minimum 90 (sembilan puluh) responden dari 116 (seratus enam belas) populasi dibantu dengan program aplikasi komputer SPSS untuk mendapatkan hasil analisis yang relevan. Hasil analisis penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tingkat stres kerja terhadap prestasi kerja karyawan tergolong rendah namun tidak sangat rendah. Dan hubungan antara stres kerja dengan prestasi kerja karyawan mendapatkan hasil yang tidak signifikan karena hasil analisis korelasinya lebih dari 0,05. Kata kunci : : Stres Kerja, Prestasi Kerja, hubungan
analysis of the use of Business Intelligence technologies as facilitators of university management
Authors: Ciupak Liége Franken , Boscarioli Clodis , Catarino Maria Elisabete
Published: October 2019

The concept of Business Intelligence (BI) approaches several technologies that aim at arranging the extraction and visualization of information, and just like in a competitive company the university management must also update itself, therefore adopting the use of processes that aid and speed decision making. Information Systems (IS) are indispensable elements and should mean more than the processing of routine activities, thereby starting to contribute to a strategic vision. The Western State University of Paraná (UNIOESTE) has many IS, but its users still face difficulties in extracting information in the desired format. Thus, this paper reports the outcomes of a research developed during the dissertation of a Master's Degree on Information Technology Management which is aimed at researching BI technologies. More specifically the Online Analytical Processing (OLAP), as well as implementing an operation prototype that could facilitate the retrieval of information from the dean’s office for planning, whose sources are many UNIOESTE information systems. In order to reach that goal, an exploratory/descriptive research of the qualitative type was developed by means of a documentary and bibliographical research. A prototype with the Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS) tool, which is a component of Microsoft SQL Server 2008, here integrated with Excel 2010 spreadsheet editor for end-user interface, was developed and evaluated. As part of the evaluation system, the SUS questionnaire was used to measure user satisfaction, where the average score given by participants was 91.5 on a 0 to 100 scale, which means quite a positive evaluation.
Trondenes Seminarium: Et lærdomsmiljø grunnlegges
Authors: Willumsen Liv Helene
Published: October 2019

Trondenes Teacher Training Institute: The Creation of an Educational EnvironmentThe present article investigates the foundation of the very first government-financed teacher training institute in Norway, Trondenes Seminarium. Esta-blished in 1826 in northern Norway, its aim was to train primary school teachers and catechists for the northernmost areas of the country, in response to the growing demand for qualified elementary school teachers. Discussing central factors related to the decision to locate this institution in the north, the article highlights the debate in the National Assembly and the interaction between central and regional levels within the national educational system. In addition, its first years of operation are examined, indicating the challenges met by the fledgling institute. As a micro-study, the article sheds light on some connections between regional and central factors, emphasizing the interplay between the state and the church during the early development of the Norwegian primary school system.
Samernas folkhögskola och de samiska språken 1942–1990
Authors: Hansson Johan
Published: October 2019

The Sami folk high school and the Sami languages 1942–1990The Swedish Mission Society – SMS (Svenska missionssällskapet – SMS), wanted to improve the opportunities’ for Sami youth in Sweden and therefore they started a folk high school (folkhögskola) for the Sami in 1942. One of the aims of SMS was to help the Sámi to preserve and develop the Sami culture and languages. Over time Sami themes, the languages being one, became more prominent at the school. However some of the problems regarding the language teaching remained: the students wanted to learn different Sami languages, their linguistic skills varied a lot, and there was not that many students who wanted to learn Sami. Despite these problems, the teaching improved over the years and the Sami folk high school remained important for the Sami people during the researched period.
Differentiation of Students in the Early Danish Welfare State: Professional Entanglements Between Educational Psychologists and Psychiatrists
Authors: Ydesen Christian , Hamre Bjørn , Andreasen Karen E.
Published: October 2019

Historically, numerous contextual factors have influenced the practice of differentiating students. Scholars and practitioners consider it a context-sensitive practice subject to negotiations and entanglements among various agents, groups, interests, ideas, and values. Drawing on Foucault, this article pursues the practices, negotiations, and entanglements surrounding differentiation processes and IQ testing’s use in the early Danish welfare state. We argue that the differentiating practice of IQ testing in the Danish educational system resulted from various factors, including the increasing professionalisation of the educational system. This practice entailed an increased division of labour among professional groups; debates reflecting differing ideas about eugenics, heredity, and social equality; the schooling of psychologists and psychiatrists in Denmark; and the development of psychology and psychiatry as academic disciplines. In that sense, we will demonstrate that changes in society’s understanding of intelligence incorporating a greater use of environmental explanations can be said to reflect the emerging welfare society’s security mechanisms, and a willingness to cope with and address social inequality in an evolving and supposedly universalistic Danish welfare state.
Influência do fumarato de beta-aminopropionitrila associada ao exercício na cicatrização tendínea eqüina - Avaliação clínica e ultra-sonográfica
Authors: Alves Ana Liz Garcia , Rodrigues Maria Aparecida Marchesan , Borges Alexandre Secorun , Nicoletti José Luiz de Mello , Thomassian Armen , Hussni Carlos Alberto
Published: October 2019

No presente estudo, analisou-se a influência da administração intralesional do fumarato de betaaminopropionitrila (FBAPN) na reparação tendínea de eqüinos, após agressão pela colagenase. Foram utilizados 16 eqüinos, da raça Puro Sangue Árabe, com idade média de 2 anos, selecionados quanto à normalidade do aparelho locomotor, distribuídos em dois grupos (G I e G2), sendo o grupo I(Repouso) e o grupo 2 (Exercício). A tendinite foi induzida pela injeção de colagenase (Q,5m1; 2,5 mg/ml) nos tendões flexores superficiais de ambos os membros anteriores. Após 20 dias da indução de tendinite, administraram-se em um dos membros, de ambos os grupos, 5 injeções, em dias alternados, de solução de FBAPN (3ml; 0,8mglml). O membro contralateral serviu como controle. A evolução do processo de reparação tendínea foi monitorada por parâmetros clínicos e ultra-sonográficos até o1500 dia do experimento. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que o fumarato de beta-aminopropionitrila associado à atividade física controlada, atuou na fase de remodelamento do processo de reparação, favorecendo a maturação da cicatriz tendínea.
Toracoscopia em eqüinos: estudo comparativo entre duas técnicas de abordagem
Authors: De Zoppa André Luís do Valle , Da Silva Luis Cláudio Lopes Correia , De Alvarenga José , Fantoni Denise Tabacchi
Published: October 2019

A toracoscopia tem sido cada vez mais indicada como exame auxiliar para diagnóstico das diversas afecções do tórax. Com o objetivo de comparar duas técnicas de abordagem para inspeção da cavidade pleural, foram utilizados 16 animais hígidos, que foram submetidos à toracoscopia, dos quais dez sob anestesia geral com intubação orobronquial seletiva e seis em posição quadrupedal sob sedação associada à anestesia local. Foram abordados os hemitórax direito e esquerdo, com intervalo de 15 dias entre cada procedimento. Durante a abordagem, pôde-se observar as diversas estruturas da cavidade torácica, a saber: músculo diafragma (porção muscular e tendínea), hiato esofágico, mediastino, artéria aorta, troncos dorsal e ventral do nervo vago, ducto torácico, veia ázigos, veias intercostais, músculos intercostais, costelas, tronco nervoso simpático, tronco vascular toracocervical, traquéia, pulmão (lobo cranial e caudal), esôfago, pericárdio, veia cava caudal, nervo frênico, linfonodos aórticos. A realização do exame toracoscópico com os animais sedados e mantidos em posição quadrupedal possibilitou a identificação de um maior número de estruturas. A toracoscopia mostrou ser exame de grande auxilio, pela facilidade e rapidez de execução e ampla inspeção da cavidade pleural, mas a escolha de posicionamento do animal irá depender do órgão ou estrutura a ser preferencialmente abordada. Nos casos em que se optar pelo decúbito, há que se considerar o emprego da ventilação mecânica com intubação orobronquial seletiva.
Abate humanitário de bovinos
Authors: Roça Roberto de Oliveira
Published: October 2019

Abate humanitário pode ser definido como o conjunto de procedimentos técnicos e científicos que garantem o bem-estar dos animais desde o embarque na propriedade rural até a operação de sangria no matadouro-frigorífico. O abate de animais deve ser realizado sem sofrimentos desnecessários. As condições humanitárias devem prevalecer em todos os momentos precedentes ao abate. A insensibilização de animais é considerada a operação mais crítica durante o abate de bovinos. Tem por objetivo colocar o animal em estado de inconsciência, que perdure até o fim da sangria, não causando sofrimento desnecessário e promovendo uma sangria tão completa quanto possível. Neste artigo são abordados os temas referentes às operações ante-mortem, como transporte, manejo nos currais e operações de insensibilização e sangria e seus efeitos no bem-estar animal e na qualidade da carne.
Ocorrência de um surto de "footrot" em um rebanho de ovinos na região de Araçatuba; SP; Brasil
Authors: Rodrigues Celso Antônio , Mendes Luiz Cláudio Nogueira , Peiró Juliana Regina , Feitosa Francisco Leydson Formiga
Published: October 2019

O "footrot" é uma infecção bacteriana, contagiosa, multi fatorial que atinge o espaço interdigital e o tecido córneo dos dígitos, especialmente de ovinos. Causada pela ação do Dichelobacter nodosus (Bacteroides nodosus), possuidor de uma menor (forma benigna) ou maior (forma virulenta) capacidade proteolítica, que determina a extensão de invasão da matriz epidermal e, conseqüentemente, o grau de destruição tecidual. A afecção é freqüentemente encontrada nos Estados do Sul do País, sendo pouco observada no Estado de São Paulo. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram relatar a ocorrência da enfermidade, verificar e classificar as lesões encontradas nos dígitos e avaliar a eficácia do tratamento utilizado. O surto ocorreu em uma propriedade com 400 ovinos, oriundos do Estado do Paraná. As primeiras alterações podais foram observadas em 15 animais e posteriormente, durante o período de tratamento, os demais animais do rebanho desenvolveram a doença. As lesões encontradas invadiam a matriz epidermal, com elevado grau de destruição tecidual e descolamento da sola, implicando deformações no crescimento dos cascos, sendo classificadas quanto ao grau de destruição tecidual, variando em leve, moderada e severa, predominando a ocorrência nos quatro membros e o acometimento em 5, 10 e 85% dos animais do rebanho respectivamente. No tratamento foram realizados casqueamento dos membros afetados, vacinação com suspensão inativada de D. nodosus e pedilúvio contendo solução de sulfato de cobre 10% + Formalina 3%. Foi observada a recuperação de 98,75% dos animais. O tratamento utilizado demonstrou ser eficiente, de baixo custo, garantindo a recuperação destes animais, mesmo ante uma cepa virulenta de bactéria.
Mastite dos bovinos: histórico de suas formas clínicas
Authors: Gregory Lilian , Birgel Eduardo Harry , Hoedemaker Martina , Grunert Eberhard
Published: October 2019

Na presente revisão estudou-se a evolução histórica da mastite dos bovinos e sua classificação em diferentes formas clínicas. O levantamento das informações só foi possível por meio de um estudo retrospectivo na biblioteca da Escola Superior de Veterinária de Hannover, onde se conseguiu dados do século XVIII até hoje.
Acidentes botrópicos de interesse em animais domésticos
Authors: Fonteque Joandes Henrique , De Barros Filho Ivan Roque , Sakate Michiko
Published: October 2019

Apresentam-se, neste artigo de revisão, informações sobre os acidentes botrópicos em animais domésticos. Descrevem-se as principais espécies do gênero Bothrops, a sensibilidade dos animais ao veneno, a patogenia, os sinais clínicos, as seqüelas e complicações, os achados laboratoriais e de necropsia, bem como, o diagnóstico, tratamento e reações à soroterapia.
أحكام الصلح وأثره في فض النزاعات
في الشريعة الإسلامية- والقانون الوضعي
Authors: معتوق أحمد علي
Published: October 2019

يهدف هذا البحث إلى بيان الطرق التي تنهى الخلافات بين الخصوم، وتقارب وجهة نظرهم في المشكلة الواقعة بينهم، بأحكام منظمة، سواء بقوانين وضعية، أو بأحكام شرعية، وفق ما نصت عليه الآيات القرآنية، والأحاديث النبوية .
وأن هذا الصلح يتميز بعلاج المشاكل التي تقوم بين الأفراد، بطريقة تختلف عن الأحكام القضائية، حيث يتضمن شروطا وأحكاما خاصة، في علاج الخلافات .
ويعطي الصلح النتائج الآتية :
1- إيجاد الحلول المرضية للطرفين بتنازل كل منهما عن جزء من حقه .
2-إنهاء النزاعات والخصومات بين الخصوم.
3- تقريب وجه نظرهم في المشكلة الواقعة بينهم .
4- لا يجوز لأحدهما تغيير بنود الصلح الا بموافقة الطرف آخر.
5- يثبت الحقوق وملكية المتنازع عليه لأحدهما .
Il protagonista simbolo della classe borghese ne La coscienza di Zeno di Italo Svevo
Authors: Issa Fawzi
Published: October 2019

Questo studio mira a prendere in esame la figura del protagonista dell'opera di Italo Svelo, La coscienza di Zeno, in quanto simbolo della classe borghese, oramai alla soglia del tramonto e del disfacimento. Prendremo anche in analisi il contesto storico e socio-culturale in cui venne scritta l'opera, soprattutto in un momento così importante della storia dei tempi moderni. Si tratta di un momento carico di avvenimenti storici e culturali di primo piano in ambiti italiano e europeo che hanno influenzato tutti gli aspetti della vita, inclusa la produzione letteraria. Grazie agli studi pubblicati da Sigmond Freud nasce la cosiddetta psicanalisi che rappresenta una dimensione principale dell'opera presa in esame in questo studio e sarà approfondita in questa sede. Studieremo anche il ruolo del destino nella vita del protagonista e cercheremo di chiarire fino a che punto quest'ultimo riuscirà a contrastarlo.
EXAMINING THE BELIEF CHANGE OF LIBYAN TEACHERS OF ENGLISH WHO UNDERTAKE POSTGRADUATE STUDIES ABROAD
Authors: Elzawawi Fatma
Published: October 2019

Recent research has made a significant contribution to the exploration of teachers' beliefs and the relationship between teachers' beliefs and practices. This paper reports on a study in which I investigated the beliefs about English Language Teaching of ten experienced Libyan teachers of English who were engaged in MA and PhD studies abroad. Diaries and interviews were used in the data collection. Two aspects of their beliefs were examined: whether, and how, their beliefs changed as a result of studying abroad, and the sources of these beliefs. In this study, it was found that while some of the teachers' previously held beliefs changed and others remained the same, in every case awareness of alternative beliefs had been raised. In addition, the results also showed that the beliefs held by this group of Libyan teachers were derived from a variety of sources, and had been influenced by more than one source, with consequent effects on their teaching perceptions and practices. Key words: Teacher Believes, Belief Change, Professional Development, Libya.
Cost‐Utility Analysis of Pembrolizumab Versus Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment for Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Different PD-L1 Expression Levels
Authors: Weng Xiuhua , Luo Shaohong , Lin Shen , Zhong Lixian , Li Meiyue , Xin Rao , Huang Pinfang , Xu Xiongwei
Published: October 2019

To evaluate the cost‐utility of pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy as the first-line setting for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from the US health care system perspective, a Markov model was developed to compare the lifetime cost and effectiveness of pembrolizumab
versus chemotherapy for untreated metastatic NSCLC, based on the clinical data derived from phase III randomized controlled trial (KEYNOTE-042; ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT02220894). Weibull distribution was fitted to simulate the parametric survival functions. Drug costs were collected from official
websites, and utility values were obtained from published literature. Total costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were computed as primary output indicators. The impact of different PD-L1 expression levels on ICER was also evaluated.
One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the model uncertainty. Compared with chemotherapy, patients treated with pembrolizumab provided an additional 1.13, 1.01, and 0.59 QALYs in patients with PD-L1 expression levels of ≥50%, ≥20%, and ≥1%, with corresponding
incremental cost of 53,784, 47,479, and 39,827, respectively. The resultant ICERs of pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy were 47,596, 47,184, and 68,061/QALY, in three expression levels of PD-L1, respectively, all of which did not exceed the WTP threshold of 180,000/QALY. Probability sensitivity
analysis outcome supported that pembrolizumab exhibited evident advantage over chemotherapy to be cost-effective. One-way sensitivity analysis found that ICERs were most sensitive to utility value of pembrolizumab in progression survival state. All the adjustment of parameters did not qualitatively
change the result. For treatment-naive, metastatic NSCLC patients with PD-L1+, pembrolizumab was estimated to be cost-effective compared with chemotherapy for all PD-L1 expression levels at a WTP threshold of 180,000/QALY in the context of the US health care system.
Optimization and performance of nitrogen-doped carbon dots as a color conversion layer for white-LED applications
Authors: Guner Tugrul , Yuce Hurriyet , Tascioglu Didem , Simsek Eren , Savaci Umut , Genc Aziz , Turan Servet , Demir Mustafa M
Published: October 2019

In this study, green-emitting nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDots) were synthesized and incorporated into drop-cast composite films for use as color conversion layers in a white-LED configuration to generate white light. In order to resolve the red deficiency of this configuration, a commercial red phosphor was integrated into the system. Moreover, the N-CDots were also processed into polymer/N-CDot composite fibers, for which we determined the amount of N-CDots that yielded adequate white-light properties. Finally, we showed that white light with excellent properties could be generated by employing both of the fabricated N-CDot composites either as drop-cast films or composite fibers. Hence, N-CDots provide a promising alternative to inorganic phosphors that are commonly employed in white-LED configurations.
Photosensitizer-Promoted Photoaddition Reactions of α-Silyl Group Containing N-Alkyl Glycinates to Dimethyl Acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD)
Authors: Lim Suk Hyun , Cho Dae Won
Published: October 2019

Photosensitizer-promoted photoaddition reactions of N-α-trimethylsilyl-N-alkylglycinates with DMAD were conducted to explore the scope of glycinate substrates and how product distributions can be influenced by structural nature of glycinates. The results show that two competitive reaction pathways are involved, in which one route is cycloaddition of in situ formed azomethine ylides to DMAD to generate pyrroles and the other is Michael addition of in situ generated secondary amines to DMAD to produce enamino-esters. Importantly, product distributions patterns are dependent on structural nature of glycinates and kinds of photosensitizers. Especially, photoaddition reaction of cyclic glycinate took place chemoselectively to produce pyrrole adduct.
A statistical approach for improvement of Best Worst Method (BWM)
Authors: Yazdani Morteza , Hernandez Violeta Doval , Chatterjee Prasenjit , Zavadskas Edmundas Kazimieras
Published: October 2019

This paper endeavors to measure the consistency of a decision-making tool, popularly known as Best Worst Method (BWM),
which is one of the latest developments in multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). BWM is finding a vast arra of applications in
the literature. Several investigators have extended this tool. BWM measures the weight of decision-making criterion and is recognized
as a subjective decision tool. The first step in this method is to find the best and worst criterion, while we suppose several experts are
asked to present their evaluation over set of criteria. The aim is to measure how these judgments are consistent and reliable. So, we
statistically (using χ2 distribution) add a pre-evaluation to experts’ opinion and analyze whether the agreement of experts’ opinions is
satisfactory and group opinion is established. This action improves the quality of the decision-making process by incorporating the
reliability evaluation of experts’ idea. This extension for BWM helps decision makers in facilitating and getting results that are more
consistent for criteria evaluation. We present examples in sustainable construction and architecture project.
The risk assessment model for construction projects including value creation and protection aspects
Authors: Tamošaitienė Jolanta , Lapeikytė Miglė
Published: October 2019

The article focuses on the identification and classification of key risk management criteria that represent the value creation and protection aspects for the construction industry. Nowadays, the assessment of the risk level of a construction project is especially important for the quality of construction projects as well as the growth of enterprises and the sector. To establish the most important criteria for the successful growth of the construction sector including value creation and protection aspects are developed.
THE VALUE OF RESTATEMENT TO FRAUD PREDICTION
Authors: Qiu Shi , He Hong-Qu , Luo Yuan-sheng
Published: October 2019

A financial report restatement reflects errors in the previous financial statement, and thus it increases investors’ doubt about the credibility of the financial statement. The primary objective of this paper is to examine whether restatement announcements imply increased fraud risks in Chinese firms in the context that up to one quarter of listed companies have restated their financial reports in China, and explore the implications of the content, severity and reasons for restatements with respect to fraud. In this paper, firms with financial restatements prove to be more likely to be labeled as fraudulent by regulators in China. Second, the following results also are revealed: (1) financial statements, except balance sheet restatements, provide insights into the revelation of fraudulent behaviors, (2) the severity of restatements is positively correlated with future fraud disclosures, and (3) restatements due to negligence are positively correlated with future fraud occurrences. These results imply that restatement announcements and their different characteristics provide important information for detecting financial statement fraud.
Mysterious Coherence in Several-megaparsec Scales between Galaxy Rotation and Neighbor Motion
Authors: Lee Joon Hyeop , Pak Mina , Song Hyunmi , Lee Hye-Ran , Kim Suk , Jeong Hyunjin
Published: October 2019

In our recent report, observational evidence supports that the rotational direction of a galaxy tends to be coherent with the average motion of its nearby neighbors within 1 Mpc. We extend the investigation to neighbors at farther distances in order to examine if such dynamical coherence is found even in large scales. The Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area (CALIFA) survey data and the NASA-Sloan Atlas (NSA) catalog are used. From the composite map of velocity distribution of “neighbor” galaxies within 15 Mpc from the CALIFA galaxies, the composite radial profiles of the luminosity-weighted mean velocity of neighbors are derived. These profiles show unexpectedly strong evidence of the dynamical coherence between the rotation of the CALIFA galaxies and the average line-of-sight motion of their neighbors within several-megaparsec distances. Such a signal is particularly strong when the neighbors are limited to red ones: the luminosity-weighted mean velocity at 1 < D ≤ 6 Mpc is as large as 30.6 ± 10.9 km s−1 (2.8σ significance to random spin-axis uncertainty) for central rotation (R ≤ R

e
). In the comparison of several subsamples, the dynamical coherence tends to be marginally stronger for the diffuse or kinematically well-aligned CALIFA galaxies. For this mysterious coherence in large scales, we cautiously suggest a scenario in which it results from a possible relationship between the long-term motion of a large-scale structure and the rotations of galaxies in it.
Magnetohydrodynamic Seismology of Quiet Solar Active Regions
Authors: Anfinogentov Sergey A. , Nakariakov V. M.
Published: October 2019

The ubiquity of recently discovered low-amplitude decayless kink oscillations of plasma loops allows for the seismological probing of the corona on a regular basis. In particular, in contrast to traditionally applied seismology that is based on the large-amplitude decaying kink oscillations excited by flares and eruptions, decayless oscillations can potentially provide the diagnostics necessary for their forecasting. We analyzed decayless kink oscillations in several distinct loops belonging to active region NOAA 12107 on 2010 July 10 during its quiet time period, when it was observed on the west limb in extreme ultraviolet by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The oscillation periods were estimated with the use of the motion magnification technique. The lengths of the oscillating loops were determined within the assumption of its semicircular shape by measuring the position of their footpoints. The density contrast in the loops was estimated from the observed intensity contrast accounting for the unknown spatial scale of the background plasma. The combination of those measurements allows us to determine the distribution of kink and Alfvén speeds in the active region. Thus, we demonstrate the possibility of obtaining seismological information about coronal active regions during the quiet periods of time.
A New Type of Jet in a Polar Limb of the Solar Coronal Hole
Authors: Cho Il-Hyun , Moon Yong-Jae , Cho Kyung-Suk , Nakariakov Valery M. , Lee Jin-Yi , Kim Yeon-Han
Published: October 2019

A new type of chromospheric jet in a polar limb of a coronal hole is discovered in the Ca ii filtergram of the Solar Optical Telescope on board the Hinode. We identify 30 jets in a filtered Ca ii movie with a duration of 53 minutes. The average speed at their maximum heights is found to be 132 ± 44 km s−1 ranging from 57 to 264 km s−1 along the propagation direction. The average lifetime is 20 ± 6 ranging from 11 to 36 s. The speed and lifetime of the jets are located at end-tails of those parameters determined for type II spicules, hence implying a new type of jets. To confirm whether these jets are different from conventional spicules, we construct a time–height image averaged over a horizontal region of 1″, and calculate lagged cross-correlations of intensity profiles at each height with the intensity at 2 Mm. From this, we obtain a cross-correlation map as a function of lag and height. We find that the correlation curve as a function of lag time is well fitted into three different Gaussian functions whose standard deviations of the lag time are 193, 42, and 17 s. The corresponding propagation speeds are calculated to be 9 km s−1, 67 km s−1, and 121 km s−1, respectively. The kinematic properties of the former two components seem to correspond to the 3-minute oscillations and type II spicules, while the latter component to the jets is addressed in this study.
Antimicrobial resistance and molecular characterization of Streptococcus agalactiae from pregnant women in southern China
Authors: Guo Huiwu , Fu Maozhang , Peng Qing , Chen Zhuoran , Liu Jun , Qiu Yingkun , Huang Yuanchun
Published: October 2019

Introduction: This study aimed to characterize antimicrobial resistance (AMR), molecular determinants of AMR and virulence, as well as clonal relationship of Streptococcus agalactiae isolates from women at 35-37 weeks of gestation in the Chaoshan metropolitan area of southern China.
Methodology: Bacterial strains isolated from vaginal swabs were identified and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed by using a Vitek 2 Compact system (BioMérieux, France). Resistance and virulence genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the clonal relationship was analysed by multiple locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). Statistical analysis was carried out by using SPSS software, version 19.0.
Results: All GBS were susceptible to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, tigecycline, linezolid and vancomycin, but a considerable proportion was resistant to clindamycin (29.67%), erythromycin (46.15%)， azithromycin (63.74%), tetracycline (84.62%) and quinolones (25.27%). The carrier rates of ermB (69.04%) and mefA/E (64.28%) were detected in these GBS strains resistant to erythromycin. In terms of MLVA detection, 91 GBS strains were categorized into 43 genotypes and 6 clusters. All GBS harboured hylB and cylE genes, most of which carried a combination of PI-1 and PI-2a genes as a common virulence gene profile.
Conclusions: The high level of resistance conferred by some corresponding resistance genes to macrolides, lincosamides and quinolones of GBS isolates from pregnant women in southern China, has reinforced the necessity for monitoring GBS strain resistance to the above agents. Comparative genetic studies of GBS isolates, especially efforts to understand the relationship between pilus islands and genotype, were essential for conducting infection control and epidemiological comparisons between countries.
Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase producing Salmonella Lindenberg gastroenteritis
Authors: Prabhurajan Rajan , Kiran Rajasekharapanicker , Padmavathy Kesavaram
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Increasing antimicrobial resistance among non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) is a major public health issue especially in developing countries and is partly due to the use of antimicrobials in animal feeds as growth promoters. NTS are often associated with self-limiting acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Nevertheless, fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins are currently used in the treatment of severe diarrhoeal infections.

Methodology: We report the case of a 30-year-old male who presented with clinical symptoms of moderate gastroenteritis. Stool culture and antibiotic susceptibility was performed as per standard microbiological methods. Molecular detection of bla genes was carried out by PCR.

Results: The isolate was confirmed as S. Lindenberg by serotyping. The isolate exhibited dual resistance to fluoroquinolone and third generation cephalosporins. The isolate was an ESBL producer and harboured blaSHV. Based on the antibiotic susceptibility pattern, the patient was successfully treated with ceftriaxone-tazobactam.

Conclusion: Presently, there are no Indian reports on the blaSHV positive ESBL producing S. Lindenberg gastroenteritis. We report on the successful management of the first case of acute gastroenteritis caused by S. Lindenberg that exhibited dual resistance to fluoroquinolone and third generation cephalosporins. Continued surveillance of the antibiotic resistance pattern of the Non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars circulating in the geographical region is warranted.
Endocan serum concentration in uninfected newborn infants
Authors: Zonda Gabriela I , Zonda Radu , Cernomaz Andrei T , Paduraru Luminita , Grigoriu Bogdan D
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Endocan is a specific endothelial mediator involved in the inflammatory response. Its role in the diagnosis of sepsis has been studied in adult patients and late onset neonatal sepsis. The clinical signs of early onset sepsis (EOS) are nonspecific and routinely used biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein and procalcitonin, have low sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value. Endocan could be useful as a biomarker for diagnosis of EOS, but at present normal range values for this molecule have not been reported. The aim of this study is to establish the normal values range for serum endocan in term and preterm newborns without risk factors for EOS and to characterize the variation pattern of its levels at different postnatal moments.
Methodology: Mean endocan serum concentration (ESC) was measured in term and preterm newborns without clinical suspicion of EOS at different moments from birth.
Results: ESC (ng/mL) in term newborns was 1.74+/-0.13 on day 1 and 2.02+/-0.41 on day 3 respectively, (p=0.09). In preterm newborns ESC (ng/mL) was 2.02+/-0.11 and 1.97+/-0.18, (p=0.8) for day 1 and 3 respectively. ESC was not significantly influenced by sex, mode of delivery, evidence of fetal distress or presence of minor birth trauma.
Conclusions: ESC (ng/mL) between the first and third day of life in either term or preterm infants don’t appear to be significantly influenced by factors that are associated with elevation of inflammatory markers, thus using this biomarker for the diagnosis of EOS might reduce the false positive results.
Levels of different cytokines in women and men with asymptomatic genital infection caused by Chlamydia
Authors: Bua Alessandra , Cannas Sara , Zanetti Stefania , Molicotti Paola
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Immune response to genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is involved in both immunity and pathology. The cytokine profile during infection has been implicated in the disease outcome, either resolution or severe sequelae.

Methodology: In total, 3900 patients were analyzed for presence of genital infections caused by Chlamydia using molecular assays. Interleukins (IL) IL-10, IL-17, IL-6, IL-2 and chemokine IP-10 were estimated by ELISA in urine, cervical swabs and semen samples. Statistical analysis was performed using the T student test.

Results: A total of 47 out of 3900 samples (1.2%) were found to be positive for Chlamydia trachomatis based on the Real Time (RT) PCR results. Statistical analysis revealed that the differences between Chlamydia trachomatis positive and negative samples regarding levels of cytokines were not signiﬁcant.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that no signiﬁcant difference in cytokine concentrations exists in Chlamydia trachomatis infected patients when compared to healthy controls. In further study, we aim to test on a greater number of positive samples a greater number of cytokines involved in the immune response to Chlamydia trachomatis infections.