bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of the physical learning environment on students’ health, enjoyment and learning
Authors: Che Ahmad Che Nidzam , Amirul Nurul Jannah
Published: November 2020

This study was conducted to analyze the suitability of the physical classroom learning environment and its effect on students’ health, enjoyment and learning. The participants of this study were 400 form four science students from six secondary schools in Johor, Malaysia. Students’ perception on physical aspects and its effect were measured using Physical Aspects Classroom Environment Inventory (PACE). The PACE consists of nine constructs. Six constructs which were furniture, facilities, space, lighting, indoor air quality and colour were used to measure the suitability of the physical classroom environment. While three constructs which were health, enjoyment, and learning were used to measure the effects of physical environment on students. The findings revealed that students perceived the suitability of physical environment is at high level for furniture, facilities, and lighting aspects, while moderate level for indoor air quality, space, and colour aspects. Results also showed that students perceived the physical environment have moderate effect on student’s health, enjoyment, and learning. Further analysis indicated that the physical environment have significant impact on students’ health, enjoyment and learning. These results provide valuable feedback to institutions and to educators in setting their learning environment.
Pengetahuan dan pelaksanaan Kemahiran Proses Sains (KPS) dalam dalam kalangan guru
Authors: Sembak Saniah , Abdullah Norazilawati
Published: November 2020

This study aims to assess the level of knowledge and the implementation of five Integrated Science Process Skills (ISPS) comprising Build hypothesis, control variables, redefinition In operation, interpreting data and experimenting in School Based Assessment (PBS). In addition, this study is to identify the difference between knowledge and implementation of the ISPS gender and school location. The sample consisted of 407 lower secondary science teachers in Melaka and randomly selected from 66 schools. Quantitative data analysis using SPSS version 19. The instrument consists of a questionnaire (Cronbach Alpha 0.884), and Knowledge Test ISPS and implementation checklist ISPS. Descriptive statistics as a whole that the level of knowledge and implementation of ISPS is moderate (Mean = 3.11 and 32.81). MANOVA analysis found no significant difference in terms of the mean scores of Knowledge and implementation between male and female teachers. While the mean score of knowledge Build hypothesis teachers in rural schools, higher and significantly different than the city school teacher. A number of recommendations put forward to improve the knowledge and implementation of the ISPS teachers. This is expected to meet the goals of the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025 that is to achieve the vision and aspirations of the student’s education system that can meet the needs of the country in the field of science and technology.
The development of an assessment instrument of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) for primary science teachers in Malaysia
Authors: Mai Mohammed Yousef , Hamzah Mahizer
Published: November 2020

The TPACK framework represents the knowledge needed by teachers bringing together content knowledge, technological knowledge and pedagogical knowledge with the aim of integrating ICTs into teaching-learning processes. The aim of this study is to addresses the need for a survey instrument designed to assess TPACK for primary science teachers in Malaysia. The paper describes survey development process and results from 220 prımary science teachers in Malaysia (Female= 106, Male= 104). Data were collected through “Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge” (TPACK) scale. The questionnaire consisted of 47 questions within 7 factors about TPACK and is based on the survey instrument developed by Schmidt et al., (2009). Data analysis procedures included Cronbach’s alpha statistics on the TPACK knowledge domains and factor analysis for each domain. Results suggest that, with the modification and/or deletion of 5 of the survey items, the survey is a reliable and valid instrument that will help researchers to assess primary science teachers’ perceptions of TPACK. In future research, other variables might be included to analyze their impact on preservice science teachers’ TPACK.
Ways To Develop The Performance Skills Of Future Music Teachers
Authors:   Jizzakh State Pedagogical Institute, Uzbekistan, A. Makhammatov , M. Abilov ,   Jizzakh State Pedagogical Institute, Uzbekistan
Published: November 2020

The article highlights the ways to improve the perception of the abilities of future music teachers.
The Future of Health Care: Managed Care to Population Health
Authors: Stern Craig
Published: November 2020

Federal and state regulations have driven change in health care from the volume of care delivered to the value of care provided. Yet, regulations are only part of the story. Major technology, commercial, and social drivers are making changes in health care that place the patient at the center and reorganize the communication and information avenues to change the dynamic of care itself and how it is delivered. As a result, the original intent of managed care to place the patient at the center of a market-based delivery system is being realized.

When managed care was conceived, health care was delivered by silos that practiced in general vacuums leading to coordination of care inconsistencies and producing problems with handoffs between sites of care. The patient experience was variable and provided the majority of provider complaints. Outcomes of care were, and are, a priority but difficult to achieve without coordinated communication. Medicare and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) required a change but could not direct patient-centered outcomes without independent forces driving patient-centered care, communication between patients and all providers, and data repositories feeding analytics to identify actionable approaches to improving care.

Managed care evolved with a focus on shifting care to the ambulatory sector. As a result, medication therapy became the primary cost-effective choice for care. Cost was a major consideration within the pharmacy benefit, because benefit models did not reduce physician and acute care hospital reimbursement to pay for ambulatory treatment. However, with the introduction of biotechnology methods to produce new and improved diagnostics, as well as treatments for previously untreatable or poorly treated illness, the boundary between site of care and expert providers blurred. The cost of production of these biotechnology “specialty” medications now requires that the entire expense of care is considered, and the division of benefits into medical and pharmacy is not an acceptable method for judging payment.

This paper will attempt to discuss the future of health care, from general principles to how the changes will impact all providers. This is not forecasting using crystal ball gazing but rather predictions that are based on forces that already exist in the marketplace today.
Specialty Pharmaceuticals – The New Frontier
Authors: Stern Craig
Published: November 2020

Specialty medications, both injectable and oral, have gained significant interest due to their cost. Yet cost is only one factor. Specialty medications have moved into chronic therapy from their original position as treatments for rare and “orphan” diseases that affect very few patients. Specialty medications are replacing older small-molecule medications, primarily in treatments for cancer, blood diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, new entrants are providing treatment options for multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS that improve patient lives and provide a level of effectiveness that was previously unattainable. This article will address the specialty space, definitions and coding issues, methods for evaluation, pricing/payment, and context. Our goal is to understand these agents in the context of their definitions and the resulting impact on providers and payers.
Specialty Pharmaceuticals – Utilization Management
Authors: Stern Craig
Published: November 2020

Specialty medications are complicated, treat complicated diseases, and are costly. Yet, even if their cost was to be decreased by 50%, many of the specialty medications would still be too costly either with high copays, or be unaffordable under any circumstance. Hence the use and oversight of Specialty medications is more complex than just cost: effectiveness, risk and cost must be evaluated concurrently. Utilization is actually the great multiplier. No matter the individual cost of a medication, uncontrolled expansion of medication use leads to more drugs, and therefore, higher drug spend. Utilization management of Specialty medications is, thus, a multifactorial process that is as important as cost management.

Human Insulin was the first of the so-called “Specialty Medication.” Specialty treatments followed for orphan and previously untreated diseases. Treatments for chronic diseases followed where Specialty medications replaced older small molecules. The major complication was that the cost of these new treatments rivals, and often exceeds, acute care hospital stays. Unfortunately, evidence has not always matched the comparative benefits of Specialty medications over their small molecule counterparts. As a result, the explosion of new Specialty medications has also stimulated the need for strong evidence that these medications are significant improvements over prior therapies. If so, how can they be affordable?

Utilization management of Specialty medications shares many of the same elements that have been used for decades to monitor and manage all treatments; namely, prior authorization, drug utilization review, step therapy, and quantity limits. This paper will examine the approach to utilization management of Specialty medications with the goals of providing a template for providers to participate in this management as well as to understand the metrics applied when these medications are submitted for payment.
Animal Prescriptions in a Human World – Handling Veterinary Prescriptions in the Community-Practice Setting
Authors: Forsythe Lauren
Published: November 2020

Veterinary prescriptions are becoming more common in the community-practice setting due to a variety of factors, including cost, availability, convenience and legislation changes. However, veterinary patients are not simply small humans with regards to drug use, and this can be seen in dosages that drastically differ from those used in humans, beyond adjustment for size differences. Therefore, it is important for a pharmacist filling these prescriptions to have an understanding of basic differences regarding drug disposition in veterinary patients as well as factors that may influence toxicity and/or adverse effects. This article also reviews commonly used veterinary drug references that a pharmacist can use in the community-practice setting to aid in review of veterinary prescriptions.
O Grande Órgão de Tibães e o seu contexto de produção
Authors: Le Gac Agnès , Oliveira Paulo , Dias Costa Maria João
Published: November 2020

Em 1984, sobre o órgão existente na Igreja do Mosteiro de Tibães, W. D. Jordan divulgou os nomes do organeiro, do entalhador da bacia e do ensamblador responsável pela caixa, bem como o montante que estes receberam pelo seu trabalho, mas ficou quase tudo por dizer em termos de logística, recursos materiais e humanos. Com o intuito de alimentar a fortuna crítica sobre a organaria em particular e as Artes Decorativas em geral, este artigo explora o Livro das Obras onde foram registadas todas as despesas suportadas com esta monumental empreitada.Permite assim reavaliar o período da sua execução, os pagamentos parcelares e o seu custo global, ter uma melhor apreciação quanto às matérias-primas usadas, à natureza dos serviços prestados e à diversidade dos ofícios envolvidos. Esta leitura permite retratar, num contexto tanto civil como religioso, aspetos históricos, geográficos, socio-económicos, tecnológicos e artísticos próprios do último quartel do século XVIII, em Portugal.
O Concílio dos Deuses de Cyrillo Volkmar Machado – Análise da Pintura Decorativa no tecto do Salão de Baile do Palácio Barão de Quintela e Conde de Farrobo (Lisboa)
Authors: Ferreira Braga Helena Sofia
Published: November 2020

O presente trabalho centra-se na análise da pintura mural O Concílio dos Deuses, que o artista Cyrillo Volkmar Machado realizou para o tecto do salão de baile da antiga residência do Barão de Quintela. Esta é talvez a sua obra mais emblemática, pois é provavelmente a primeira vez que um artista, no âmbito da arte da pintura mural portuguesa, se reporta à utilização de uma fonte literária lusitana para o décor de um espaço coeso com os novos conceitos de sociabilidade emergente na segunda metade do século XVIII.
Non-Oil Exports and Manufacturing Sector Growth in an Oil-Rich Country in Africa
Authors: Ogunewe Nwanneka Cynthia , Ananwude Amalachukwu , Nduka Dr Joseph Afamefuna
Published: November 2020

Purpose: This paper presents an analysis of the effect of non-oil exports on the manufacturing sector growth in an oil-rich country in Africa – Nigeria from 1986 to 2018. In clear terms, we evaluated how manufacturing sector capacity utilization is affected by non-oil exports.

Methods: The Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimation technique was applied in estimating the model and was lagged by two years. The long-run relationship was determined using the traditional Johansen co-integration methodology. How manufacturing sector growth is affected by non-oil exports was evaluated using the Granger Causality technique. The Augmented Dicky-Fuller (ADF) and Phillips-Perron tests were applied to check the stationarity properties of the data.

Results: The growth in the manufacturing sector in Nigeria has not been significantly affected by non-oil export despite the various non-oil export promotion strategies initiated by the government.

Implication: A major implication of the finding is that the cost and access to financial services for non-oil exporters should be reduced or relaxed by the Central Bank of Nigeria. High-interest rates charged by commercial banks and little disbursement characterized by the volume of commercial banks credit affect manufacturing firms concerning acquiring modern plants and machinery which results in a poor quality of non-oil exports.
MEASURING VALUE-ADDED-ORIENTED BIM CLIMATE IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: DIMENSIONS AND INDICATORS
Authors: Zhang Lei , Yuan Jingfeng , Xia Nini , Ning Yan , Ma Junwei , Skibniewski Mirosław J.
Published: November 2020

A value-added-oriented (VAO) BIM climate is the organizational climate of BIM value-added. However, a lack of research on VAO BIM climate has thwarted progress on BIM knowledge systems. By using the socio-technical systems approach and the competing value approach, 12 dimensions and 39 indicators of a VAO BIM climate are proposed and tested using 306 questionnaires collected from workers engaged in BIM construction projects across China. Data was analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis. The results show that the proposed dimensions and indicators are highly reliable and valid. The VAO BIM climate is heavily influenced by autonomy, career development, and task orientation. The top 10 indicators were mainly related to participation, task orientation, and goal effectiveness. And the MWD-BIM, RCS-BIM, CDMT-BIM, and SMD-BIM were mistaken as key indicators of participation, autonomy, peer relations, and organizational adaptability, respectively. The proposed dimensions and indicators can be used to advance scholarly understanding and theory on BIM climate in construction projects through directing resource allocation, enhancing the understanding of human–BIM interactions, improving the BIM knowledge system and facilitating decision framework of BIM adoption. Practical implications for managers in construction projects are provided in the end.
Fast Radio Burst Breakouts from Magnetar Burst Fireballs
Authors: Ioka Kunihito
Published: November 2020

The recent discovery of a Mega-Jansky radio burst occurring simultaneously with short X-ray bursts from the Galactic magnetar (strongly magnetized neutron star (NS)) SGR 1935+2154 is a smoking gun for the hypothesis that some cosmological fast radio bursts (FRBs) arise from magnetar bursts. We argue that the X-ray bursts with high temperature T ≳ 30 keV entail an electron–positron (e
±) outflow from a trapped–expanding fireball, polluting the NS magnetosphere before the FRB emission. The e
± outflow is opaque to induced Compton scatterings of FRB photons, and is strongly Compton-dragged by the X-ray bursts. Nevertheless, the FRB photons can break out of the e
± outflow with radiation forces if the FRB emission radius is larger than a few tens of NS radii. A FRB is choked if the FRB is weaker or the X-ray bursts are stronger, possibly explaining why there are no FRBs with giant flares and no detectable X-ray bursts with weak FRBs. We also speculate that the e
± outflow may be inevitable for FRBs, solving the problem of why the FRBs occur only with high-T X-ray bursts. The breakout physics is important for constraining the emission mechanism and electromagnetic counterparts to future FRBs.
Game Changer: Integrating Technology to Bring Competency and Policy to Life
Authors: Bradley Kathleen , Godin Margie , Ascano Froiland Agana
Published: November 2020

Using technology can transform methodologies for staff education and clinical practice while addressing different learning styles and competency needs. Video can enhance competency standardization and policy use. Videos increase staff engagement and level of confidence when supplementing clinical education and policy management.

[
J Contin Educ Nurs
. 2020;51(12):544–546.]
Developing Competencies of Nurses in Wound Care: The Impact of a New Service Delivery Model Including Teleassistance
Authors: Corriveau Genevieve , Couturier Yves , Camden Chantal
Published: November 2020

Background:

The implementation of a new wound care model of service delivery, including training and teleassistance, provided us with the opportunity to study nursing competencies in a primary health care context.

Method:

A mixed-methods study was chosen to address the complexity related to the development of competencies from two complementary perspectives.

Results:

Nurses' self-perceived knowledge and skills improved immediately after training. Factors identified as influencing the development process were grouped into three themes: Acquired Skills and Knowledge, Personal Factors, and Work Organization Factors.

Conclusion:

Our study demonstrates that the skills and knowledge can be enhanced through integrated continuing education efforts, and brings a deeper understanding of factors that influence the competency development. Finally, the research team highlighted the potential of telehealth technologies.

[
J Contin Educ Nurs
. 2020;51(12):547–555.]
Specific Competencies of Prehospital Emergency Nursing: The Views of Spanish University Professors
Authors: Vázquez-Casares Ana , Vidal Javier
Published: November 2020

Background:

The guarantee of nursing competence in prehospital urgent care requires the identification and delimitation of the specific competencies. This work describes the importance attributed by professors of Spanish universities to the competencies of prehospital nursing positions and indicates the most appropriate training level required to achieve them.

Method:

The current work consisted of a survey with an online questionnaire. Sixty competencies over 10 domains were studied.

Results:

The most valued domains were those of general and personal competencies. The competencies considered most important were “Recognizes the vital risk and knows how to perform basic and advanced life support maneuvers” and “Provides quality health care.” The nursing degree is considered appropriate to train students to the required level in only eight competencies.

Conclusion:

The proposed competencies can be considered as specific competencies necessary in prehospital emergency nursing. Effective performance requires training to a higher level than a nursing degree.

[
J Contin Educ Nurs.
2020;51(12):556–567.]
Informal Caregiving, Poor Mental Health, and Subjective Cognitive Decline: Results From a Population-Based Sample
Authors: Brown Monique J. , Cohen Steven A.
Published: November 2020

The current study examined potential gender differences in the associations between informal caregiving, poor mental health, and subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Data were obtained from the U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (
N
= 16,042; 9,410 women, 6,632 men). Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to obtain adjusted βs and odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) depicting the association between informal caregiving, poor mental health, and SCD overall and by gender. Caregiving was positively associated with poor mental health among men (adjusted β = 2.60; 95% CI [2.59, 2.62]) and women (adjusted β = 0.40; 95% CI [0.23, 0.57]). Poor mental health was positively associated with SCD among men (adjusted OR = 1.05; 95% CI [1.02, 1.08]) and women (adjusted OR = 1.07; 95% CI [1.04, 1.10]). Poor mental health may be associated with SCD, irrespective of gender, and additional studies are needed that will identify key variables influencing SCD among male and female informal caregivers. [
Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 46
(12), 31–41.]
Posterior Segment Characterization in Children With Pierson Syndrome
Authors: AlTaisan Abdulaziz , Magliyah Moustafa , Abouammoh Marwan A. , Taskintuna Ibrahim , Alzahrani Yahya , Chang Emmanuel , Alsulaiman Sulaiman M.
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Pierson syndrome is a rare genetic disease defined by congenital nephrotic syndrome in association with microcoria. The authors aim to describe the posterior segment and retinal features in Pierson syndrome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

A retrospective chart review of nine patients diagnosed with Pierson syndrome was ascertained. Details of ophthalmic history, ocular examination, retinal imaging, and surgical interventions were obtained during a median duration of 17 months of follow-up (range: 6 to 60 months). Retinal interventions included scatter laser photocoagulation and surgical retinal repair.

RESULTS:

Sixteen eyes of nine patients were included. The axial length of five eyes with flat retina was 26.59 mm ± 0.99 mm. Highly myopic features including tessellated fundus with accompanying optic disc pallor, unidentifiable cup, and abnormal retinal vascular emanation from the disc were observed in all eyes (100%), whereas 12 eyes (75%) had parapapillary chorioretinal atrophy. Features of abnormal retinal vascularization included avascular peripheral retina on fluorescein angiography, aberrant course of the temporal arcades in 13 eyes (81.3%), and straightened nasal retinal blood vessels in 12 eyes (75%). Tortuous retinal blood vessels were observed in three eyes (18.75%). Surgical repair was performed in five out of seven eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Recurrence was observed in all eyes, which required two to three procedures to achieve final reattachment.

CONCLUSIONS:

Combined features of high axial myopia with incomplete peripheral vascular maturation characterize the posterior segment in Pierson syndrome. Careful posterior segment examination is essential to detect RRD or retinal neovascularization.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2020;51:618–627.]
Baseline Visual Acuity at Wet AMD Diagnosis Predicts Long-Term Vision Outcomes: An Analysis of the IRIS Registry
Authors: Ho Allen C. , Kleinman David M. , Lum Flora C. , Heier Jeffrey S. , Lindstrom Richard L. , Orr Susan C. , Chang Grace C. , Smith Eleanor L. , Pollack John S.
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Clinical trials in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) demonstrate that high visual acuity (VA) can be maintained, and low VA can be improved with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment. Few real-world data investigating the relationship between baseline VA and long-term outcomes exist. This study compares VA at diagnosis and after treatment using data from a large patient registry.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Retrospective study of IRIS Registry patients diagnosed with nAMD in one or both eyes between January 2013 and June 2017. Patients received at least two anti-VEGF injections in the study eye(s) less than 45 days apart during the study period. Primary outcomes were the percentage of eyes with 20/40 VA or better at diagnosis and association of VA at diagnosis with longer-term visual outcomes.

RESULTS:

The study included 162,902 eyes. Among all included eyes, 34.3% presented with 20/40 VA or better at diagnosis. Patients with 20/40 vision or better at baseline maintained a mean VA of 20/40 or better for 2 years after treatment initiation.

CONCLUSIONS:

Baseline VA at nAMD diagnosis predicts long-term VA outcomes. Early diagnosis before VA is adversely affected is a key factor in preserving vision in patients with nAMD.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2020;51:633–639.]
A Novel Sutureless Scleral-Fixated Lens That Eliminates Extra Ocular Haptic Manipulation: The CM-T Flex Lens
Authors: Madanagopalan V. G. , Madhivanan Nivean , Selvam V. Panneer
Published: November 2020

The authors present their experience with an innovative model of scleral-fixated intraocular lens (SFIOL): the CM-T Flex intraocular lens (IOL). By its unique design, the CM-T Flex IOL simplifies the process of SFIOL fixation by limiting the process to simply exteriorizing and releasing the haptic. This retrospective cohort study included nine eyes with surgical aphakia. The CM-T Flex IOL was used in these nine aphakic eyes that had completed a 3-month follow-up. Improvement in visual acuity (0.34 ± 0.25 logMAR [range: 0.2 to 1] to 0.22 ± 0.32 logMAR [range: 0 to 0.77]) was recorded with no major complications. IOL stability and centration was established. The authors concluded that the CM-T Flex IOL was effective for refractive rehabilitation in aphakic eyes.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2020;51:648–650.]
Dejando el pasado atrás, adaptándose al futuro: escribas de transición y escribas poligráficos visigótica-carolina
Authors: Castro Correa Ainoa
Published: November 2020

El presente capítulo versa sobre los escribas que, en las primeras décadas del siglo IX en el noreste de la península Ibérica y del siglo XII en el norte y noroeste, fueron más o menos diplomáticamente empujados hacia el cambio de sus modelos gráficos pasando de la escritura visigótica a la carolina. Trataremos brevemente sobre cuándo y por qué cada centro de producción, tradicional o de nueva creación, adoptó el nuevo sistema de escritura dominante en Europa y cómo ese cambio fue implementado y percibido por sus contemporáneos. Atención especial se prestará a los escribas y copistas que se muestran entre dos contextos culturales diferentes mediante el análisis de los pocos ejemplos conservados de poligrafismo en escritura latina en Iberia.
Reliable and Hybridized Trust Based Algorithm to Thwart Blackhole Attacks in MANETs using Network Preponderant Determinants
Authors: M Thebiga , Pramila Suji R
Published: November 2020

This Mobile adhoc networks is a perpetual and autogenous organization without framework, and the mobile nodes are coupled cordlessly. Owing to the deficiency of framework assistance, reliable data distribution is a demanding process in mobile adhoc networks and this mobile adhoc network is unguarded to many categories of attacks. A black hole attack in Mobile Adhoc networks cites to an attack by the malevolent node which strongly get hold of the path from sender to the receiver, by means of perversion of subsequence word. With regard to diminish the menace from the malevolent node, the authors encompass the notion of trust in mobile adhoc networks. In this paper, we cope with a packet dropping misconduct named Black hole Attack and we propounded  a new hybrid trust based secured algorithm hinged on four new parameters to scrutinize, whether the transitional nodes are transmitting the packets correctly to the adjacent nodes. This paper presents a new hybrid trust based concept to pinpoint the malevolent node hinged on the computation of trust value. Using ns2 simulator, we analyse the performance of our proposed method and proved the detection efficiency. The investigated results shows that our proposed work can precisely diagnose the malevolent nodes and assure a good packet delivery ratio and network throughput.
Digital Flipbook Imunopedia (DFI): A Development in Immune System e-Learning Media
Authors: Ristanto Rizhal Hendi , Rusdi R , Mahardika Reza Dino , Darmawan Ericka , Ismirawati Nur
Published: November 2020

Immune system content along with body defense mechanism tends to be an abstract content that is hard to comprehend by students. Digital flipbook learning media become an innovative learning medium to facilitate the immune system content understanding for students. Method used in the research is ADDIE research and development with the following stages: analysis, define, design, implement, and evaluation. The research is limited to the development stage. The number of respondents in the research consists of 30 senior high school students aged 17-19 years and 3 (three) Biology teachers aged 30-40 years for needs analysis. Learning media expert validation includes 3 (three) teachers and ten students for small group test. The medium is developed using applications of Microsoft PowerPoint 2010, Movavi Video Editor 14 and Flip PDF Professional. The assessment results of Digital Flipbook Imunopedia (DFI) learning media development by the three Biology education experts indicate valid and feasible to be used in immune system learning process. Average of each feasibility test aspect is content aspect (3.05), media aspect (2.95), and language aspect (2.95). The trial test results to small group regarding the DFI content, display, and benefits indicate a very feasible criterion (3.62).
AI Chatbot for Tourist Recommendations: A Case Study in the City of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alotaibi Reem , Ali Ahlam , Alharthi Haya , Almehamdi Renad
Published: November 2020

Chatbots have gained increasing importance in today research with a lot of available applications. They are flexible and can be applied in many application domains.  In tourism, Chatbots can recommend sights, hotels, activities, or even full travel plans. Usually, users are required to visit plenty of websites and install different Apps into their mobile phones in order to navigate the city and planning for the trip which is inconvenient and time-consuming. To address this issue, this paper proposes “Smart Guidance”, an AI text-based chatbot that is developed as a mobile application. It simulates a chat with users in a natural language, it also provides a two-way interaction and it is a single point of contact for all user communications. We provide a use case in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Jeddah is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia and tourists have various choices when it comes to moving around the city. The final evaluation of the chatbot showed that the bot could understand meanings and users’ requests. Moreover, users found that the interaction is effective, and the responses are provided immediately. Users were satisfied and like the idea that they could express their needs in their natural language. Furthermore, users enjoyed the interaction and felt engaged.
Password-free Authentication for Smartphone Touchscreen Based on Finger Size Pattern
Authors: Enaya Yaser Ali , Jawad Mohammed Mohammed
Published: November 2020

This study introduces a novel authentication methodology; it is based on pattern recognition of fingers size and pressure when users touch smartphone screen. By analyzing diagrams of these touches and applying data mining for the first time as an authentication technique, this paper presents three new approaches. First, an exact-range evaluation approach has been verified that size is more recognition consistency than pressure. Second, a pattern-range is a new technique reliance on size frequency position. At last, using a size-range has been facilitated the login. The association rules have been modified to work on finger touchscreen data files. To login, 94.1111% of 18 authorized users are succeeded and 98.9% of 20 unauthorized users are failed. Android device and Android studio are used. Size and pressure are normalized to 1; a training set is applied; the password is not considered.
L'argent dans la culture moderne
Authors: Simmel Georg
Published: November 2020

« L’argent est la seule création culturelle qui soit de pure énergie, qui se soit complètement abstraite de son support matériel, n’étant plus qu’absolu symbole. Il est le plus significatif des phénomènes de notre temps dans la mesure où sa dynamique a envahi le sens de toute théorie et de toute pratique. »La Philosophie de l’argent de Georg Simmel, dont la première édition parut en 1900, suivie d’une édition augmentée en 1907, a donné à la sociologie, au moment même où elle naissait en Allemagne, un tour très particulier. Comme le marxisme Simmel traite du capital et du travail ; comme Max Weber il traite des formations sociales et des forces morales qui les portent. Mais il le fait en des termes qui, tout à la fois, sont profondément marqués par le contexte spirituel de l’époque – en particulier la « philosophie de la Vie » – et qui ont révélé toutes leurs potentialités critiques en ce qui concerne l’interprétation de la « vie moderne ».Les cinq textes de ce recueil portent précisément sur le rapport entre l’argent et « l’économie de la vie ». Il ne s’agit nullement de parega mais, dans l’optique de la sociologie de la culture dont Simmel est le fondateur, d’études qui permettent d’appréhender l’ensemble de sa pensée et qu’il a d’ailleurs en partie intégrées à certaines de ses publications majeures, et notamment à son ouvrage-testament Lebensanschauung.
Causal Feature Selection
Authors: Carvalho Walisson Ferreira , Zarate Luis
Published: November 2020

Feature selection is a process of the data preprocessing task in business intelligence (BI), analytics, and data mining that urges for new methods that can handle with high dimensionality. One alternative that have been researched to deal with the curse of dimensionality is causal feature selection. Causal feature selection is not based on correlation, but the causality relationship among variables. The main goal of this chapter is to present, based on the issues identified on other methods, a new strategy that considers attributes beyond those that compounds the Markov blanket of a node and calculate the causal effect to ensure the causality relationship.
A Novel Approach Using Steganography and Cryptography in Business Intelligence
Authors: Pramanik Sabyasachi , Ghosh Ramkrishna , Ghonge Mangesh M. , Narayan Vipul , Sinha Mudita , Pandey Digvijay , Samanta Debabrata
Published: November 2020

In the information technology community, communication is a vital issue. And image transfer creates a major role in the communication of data through various insecure channels. Security concerns may forestall the direct sharing of information and how these different gatherings cooperatively direct data mining without penetrating information security presents a challenge. Cryptography includes changing over a message text into an unintelligible figure and steganography inserts message into a spread media and shroud its reality. Both these plans are successfully actualized in images. To facilitate a safer transfer of image, many cryptosystems have been proposed for the image encryption scheme. This chapter proposes an innovative image encryption method that is quicker than the current researches. The secret key is encrypted using an asymmetric cryptographic algorithm and it is embedded in the ciphered image using the LSB technique. Statistical analysis of the proposed approach shows that the researcher's approach is faster and has optimal accuracy.
COVID-19 and smoking habits: a smoky situation!
Authors: Di Vincenzo Angelo , Vettor Roberto , Rossato Marco
Published: November 2020

Dear Editor,

the issues recently raised by Carratù et al. on the role of smoking/former smoking in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 all around the world as widely reported in many different published papers, are important for different reasons...
Comparison of the Prognostic Value of Platelet-Related Indices in Biliary Tract Cancer Undergoing Surgical Resection
Authors: Sun Lejia , Wei Yuxi , Chen Yang , Hu Wenmo , Ji Xin , Xu Haifeng , Du Shunda , Zhao Haitao , Lu Xin , Sang Xinting , Zhong Shouxian , Yang Huayu , Mao Yilei
Published: November 2020

Purpose Platelet-related indices, including mean platelet volume (MPV) and plateletocrit (PCT), have been reported as new prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) in many cancers, but not yet in biliary tract cancer (BTC). We intended to assess these indices in predicting OS in BTC patients with the aim to build a new prognostic model for patients with BTC after surgical resection. Materials and Methods Survival analysis and time receiver operating characteristic analysis were applied to screen the platelet indices. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were used to identify independent prognostic factors and develop a new prognostic model. Harrell’s C-statistics, calibration curves, and decisive curve analysis were used to assess the model. Results MPV and platelet distribution width (PDW)/PCT showed the best prognostic accuracy among the platelet indices. In multivariable analysis, factors predictive of poor OS were presence of nodal involvement, Non-radical surgery, poor tumor differentiation, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 > 100 U/mL, MPV > 8.1 fl, and PDW/PCT > 190. The new model was found to be superior to the TNM staging system and our new staging system showed higher discriminative power.Conclusion MPV and PDW/PCT have high prognostic value in BTC patients, and the novel staging system based on these two indices showed good discrimination and accuracy compared with the American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th TNM staging system.
A couple of real hyperbolic disc bundles over surfaces
Authors: Anan'in Sasha , Chiovetto Philipy V.
Published: November 2020

Applying the techniques developed in [1], we construct new real hyperbolic manifolds whose underlying topology is that of a disc bundle over a closed orientable surface. By the Gromov–Lawson–Thurston conjecture [6], such bundles

M \to S

should satisfy the inequality

|eM/\chi S|\leq 1

, where

eM

stands for the Euler number of the bundle and

\chi S

, for the Euler characteristic of the surface. In this paper, we construct new examples that provide a maximal value of

|eM/\chi S|=\frac {3}{5}

among all known examples. The former maximum, belonging to Feng Luo [10], was

|eM/\chi S|=\frac {1}{2}

.
Сходимость в среднем периодических псевдотраекторий
и инвариантные меры динамических систем
Authors: Osipenko Georgy Sergeevich
Published: November 2020

Рассматривается дискретная динамическая система, порожденная
гомеоморфизмом компактного многообразия. Последовательность $\omega_n$
периодических $\varepsilon_n$-траекторий сходится в среднем
при $\varepsilon_n\to 0$, если для любой непрерывной функции $\varphi$
средние значения на периоде $\overline\varphi(\omega_n)$ сходятся
при $n\to\infty$. Показано, что $\omega_n$ сходится в среднем
тогда и только тогда, когда существует инвариантная мера $\mu$
такая, что $\overline\varphi(\omega_n)$ сходится к $\int\varphi d\mu$.
Если последовательность $\omega_n$ сходится в среднем и сходится
равномерно к траектории $\operatorname{Tr}$, то
траектория $\operatorname{Tr}$ является рекуррентной и ее
замыкание является минимальным строго эргодическим множеством.
Библиография: 13 названий.
Lassa Fever among Children in Eastern Province, Sierra Leone: A 7-year Retrospective Analysis (2012–2018)
Authors: Samuels Robert J. , Moon Troy D. , Starnes Joseph R. , Alhasan Foday , Gbakie Michael , Goba Augustine , Koroma Veronica , Momoh Mambu , Sandi John Demby , Garry Robert F. , Engel Emily J. , Shaffer Jeffrey G. , Schieffelin John S. , Grant Donald S.
Published: November 2020

Pediatric Lassa fever (LF) usually presents as a nonspecific febrile illness, similar to other endemic diseases in countries like Sierra Leone, where LF is considered to be hyperendemic. The nonspecificity of presentation and lack of research have made it difficult to fully understand best practices for pediatric management. We aim to describe clinical characteristics of hospitalized pediatric patients suspected or diagnosed with LF and assess factors associated with hospital outcomes among those with LF antigen–positive results. We conducted a 7-year retrospective cohort study using routine data for all children younger than 18 years admitted at the Kenema Government Hospital’s LF ward. A total of 292 children with suspected or confirmed LF were analyzed. Overall, mortality was high (21%). Children with antigen-positive results had a high case fatality rate of 63% (P < 0.01). In univariate analyses, children who presented with unexplained bleeding (odds ratio [OR]: 3.58; 95% CI: 1.08–11.86; P = 0.040) and confusion (altered sensorium) (OR: 5.37; 95% CI: 1.34–21.48; P = 0.020) had increased odds of death. Abnormal serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.001), creatinine (P = 0.004), and potassium (P = 0.003) were associated with increased likelihood of death in these children. Treatment with ribavirin was not significantly associated with survival (P = 0.916). Our findings provide insights into current pediatric LF clinical presentation and management. More evidence-based, high-quality research in creating predictive algorithms of antigen-positivity and hospital outcomes is needed in the management of pediatric LF.
Case Report: Successful Treatment of Pulmonary Talaromyces marneffei Infection with Posaconazole in a Renal Transplant Recipient
Authors: Lang Qin , Pasheed Chughtai Aamer , Kong Wei-Fang , Yan Hai-Ying
Published: November 2020

Talaromyces marneffei (T. marneffei), formerly Penicillium marneffei, is a dimorphic fungus prevalent in Southeast Asia that can cause severe systemic infection, especially in immunocompromised patients. There are few reports about the use of posaconazole in T. marneffei infection. Here, we present a case of pulmonary T. marneffei infection in a renal transplant recipient. The patient responded rapidly to oral posaconazole administration but experienced serum creatinine fluctuation because of the interaction between posaconazole and immunosuppressants. Seven months after adjusting the dose of immunosuppressants, the patient recovered completely. Posaconazole is a potentially promising therapy for T. marneffei infection, but it should be administered under close monitoring.
Case Report: Erysipeloid Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Treated with Oral Miltefosine
Authors: Parajuli Niraj , Adhikary Sabeena , Karki Anupama , Tiwari Sumida
Published: November 2020

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) can present with various skin lesions ranging from a single ulcer to diffuse multiple nodules. Here, we present a case of a 67-year-old man with a large erythematous well-defined indurated plaque over the left face for a duration of 4 months. A slit skin smear was performed, and it was stained with Giemsa stain which showed multiple amastigotes confirming the diagnosis of CL. Oral miltefosine was started at a dose of 150 mg/day but had to be stopped after 20 days as the patient developed diarrhea, bipedal edema, and renal impairment. This case emphasizes an uncommon variant of CL and the role of systemic treatment with oral miltefosine and its associated adverse effects.
Sustained Malaria Transmission despite Reactive Screen-and-Treat in a Low-Transmission Area of Southern Zambia
Authors: Searle Kelly M. , Katowa Ben , Musonda Michael , Pringle Julia C. , Hamapumbu Harry , Matoba Japhet , Lubinda Mukuma , Shields Timothy , Kobayashi Tamaki , Stevenson Jennifer C. , Norris Douglas E. , Thuma Philip E. , Wesolowski Amy , Moss William J. , _ _
Published: November 2020

Malaria elimination strategies are designed to more effectively identify and treat infected individuals to interrupt transmission. One strategy, reactive screen-and-treat, starts with passive detection of symptomatic cases at health facilities. Individuals residing within the index case and neighboring households are screened with a malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and treated if positive. However, it is unclear to what extent this strategy is effective in reducing transmission. Reactive screen-and-treat was implemented in Choma district, Southern Province, Zambia, in 2013, in which residents of the index case and neighboring households within 140 m were screened with an RDT. From March 2016 to July 2018, the screening radius was extended to 250-m, and additional follow-up visits at 30 and 90 days were added to evaluate the strategy. Plasmodium falciparum parasite prevalence was measured using an RDT and by quantitative PCR (qPCR). A 24-single nucleotide polymorphism molecular bar-code assay was used to genotype parasites. Eighty-four index case households with 676 residents were enrolled between March 2016 and March 2018. Within each season, parasite prevalence declined significantly in index households at the 30-day visit and remained low at the 90-day visit. However, parasite prevalence was not reduced to zero. Infections identified by qPCR persisted between study visits and were not identified by RDT. Parasites identified within the same household were most genetically related; however, overall parasite relatedness was low and similar across time and space. Thus, despite implementation of a reactive screen-and-treat program, parasitemia was not eliminated, and persisted in targeted households for at least 3 months.
Persistence of IgM Antibodies after Vaccination with Live Attenuated Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine
Authors: Hills Susan L. , Van Keulen Alex , Feser Jodi , Panella Amanda , Letson G. William , Staples J. Erin , Marfin Anthony A. , Brault Aaron C.
Published: November 2020

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a vaccine-preventable, mosquito-borne disease. Substantial progress with JE control in Asia has been made during the past decade, with most endemic countries now having JE vaccination programs, commonly using live attenuated SA14-14-2 JE vaccine (trade name CD-JEV). If a child develops encephalitis during the weeks to months following CD-JEV vaccination and anti-JE virus IgM (JE IgM) antibody is detected in serum, the question arises if this is JE virus infection indicating vaccine failure, or persistent JE IgM antibody postvaccination. To better understand JE IgM seropositivity following vaccination, sera from 268 children from a previous CD-JEV study were tested by two different JE IgM assays to determine JE IgM antibody frequency on days 28, 180, and 365 postvaccination. With the CDC JE IgM antibody capture ELISA (MAC-ELISA), 110 children (41%) had JE IgM positive or equivocal results on their day 28 sample, and eight (3%) and two (1%) had positive or equivocal results on day 180 and day 365 samples, respectively. With the InBios JE Detect™ MAC-ELISA (Seattle, WA), 118 (44%) children had positive or equivocal results on day 28 sample, and three (1%) and one (0.4%) had positive or equivocal results on day 180 and day 365 samples, respectively. Our results indicate that more than 40% children vaccinated with CD-JEV can have JE IgM antibodies in their serum at 1 month postvaccination but JE IgM antibody is rare by 6 months. These data will help healthcare workers assess the likelihood that JE IgM antibodies in the serum of a child with encephalitis after vaccination are vaccine related.