bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experience with Human Tail and its Outcome
Authors: Islam Md. Nazrul , Adhikari Suman Bikram , Alam Mohammad Mahabubul , Munmun Umme Habiba Dilshad
Published: February 2021

There are some common genetic heritages between human and mammals. Human tail, though rare is one of the most noticeable. Till the date, around 60 cases reported in the literature. A true human tail is a benign vestigial caudal cutaneous structure composed of adipose, connective tissue, muscle, vessels and nerves. A true human tail can be distinguished from a pseudotail as the latter is commonly associated with underlying spinal dysraphism, which requires specialised management. We report a case series of four caudal appendages. Two clients were infants, while others two were toddler and presented with cutaneous appendage arising from the lumbosacral region. Out of four, only one had associated spinal dysraphism and neurological manifestation while others did not have spinal dysraphism and neurological manifestation. The appendage was removed by the surgical excision. Clinicians should emphasise the use of ’true tail’ and ’pseudo-tail’ as the specific disparate terms as the clinical, radiological and histological findings of these conditions differs significantly, along with the management strategies and outcomes.
Indications for Surgery amongst New Patients Presenting to the Paediatric Ophthalmology Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan
Authors: Ugalahi Mary Ogbenyi , Monye Henrietta Ifechukwude , Olusanya Bolutife Ayokunnu , Baiyeroju Aderonke Mojisola
Published: February 2021

Objective:

The objective of the study was to determine the proportion of children requiring ocular surgery amongst new patients presenting to the Paediatric Ophthalmology Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, over a 2-year period, to enhance planning and improve the efficiency of service delivery.

Methods:

The study was a retrospective review of records of all new patients aged 0–16 years who presented to the Paediatric Ophthalmology Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, over a 2-year period (May 2015–April 2017). Information on age and gender, clinical diagnosis and indications for surgery and type of surgery scheduled were retrieved from the diagnosis register of the unit, and a descriptive analysis was performed.

Results:

Of the 1240 children who presented to the clinic within the study period, 142 (11.5%) needed surgical interventions. Their ages ranged from 1 month to 16 years, with a mean age of 6.4 ± 4.7 years. Seventy-nine (55.6%) of these were males. The most common indications for surgery were cataract and cataract-related indications (n = 122, 85.9%), followed by glaucoma and strabismus. Other less common indications for surgery were nasolacrimal duct obstruction and epibulbar dermoid.

Conclusion:

Paediatric cataract, the leading cause of childhood blindness in this environment, presents the greatest surgical burden in our unit. It should, therefore, be a major focus of personnel training and equipment procurement for paediatric ophthalmology services in our environment.
Scope of Genetic Testing for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases in the Clinical Practice
Authors: Rangaraju Advithi , Dalal Ashwin
Published: February 2021

Inherited cardiac disorders are clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders where sudden cardiac death is mostly the first clinical presentation. The available clinical markers are insufficient to make an accurate diagnosis, and therefore, molecular genetic diagnostics is an important tool for clinical decision-making. The advancements in technology have tremendously improved the affordability of genetic testing. In India, though genetic testing is being largely applied in the pediatric settings for chromosomal abnormalities and metabolic disorders, it is still at a nascent stage in the cardiology practice. Since cardiomyopathies and channelopathies have become actionable because of new interventional therapies, this article highlights the importance and need of genetic testing for inherited cardiac disorders by practicing cardiologists, in-view of the American College of Medical Genetics, American College of Cardiology, European Heart Rhythm Association guidelines. Incorporating cardiovascular genetic testing in the routine clinical practice can take it forward by greatly improving the scope of disease management.
IoT Short-range Network protocols: Analytical study and operating models
Authors: Elhadi Sakina , Marzak Abdelaziz , Sael Nawal
Published: February 2021

Internet of Things (IoT) is a constantly evolving concept. Nonetheless, we can consider that the Internet of Things broadly refers to the trend towards generalized interconnection of all the objects that surround our daily lives, places and physical environments. Among the success keys of Iot there are protocols. However, the lack of a single connectivity protocol causes a lack of interoperability between IoT devices and applications. In this article, we present a detailed comparative study of the Short-range network protocols. Then, we will present the operating models of these protocols. There models facilitates the in-depth understanding of how network protocols work. Subsequently, from our comparative study already established and these proposed models we determine the priority of the criteria of these protocols. Using the projection of these criteria on the proposed operating models. This will help to choose the adaptable protocol for a type of IoT applications.
Effective finiteness of solutions to certain differential and difference equations
Authors: Ingram Patrick
Published: February 2021

For
$R(z, w)\in \mathbb {C}(z, w)$
of degree at least 2 in w, we show that the number of rational functions
$f(z)\in \mathbb {C}(z)$
solving the difference equation
$f(z+1)=R(z, f(z))$
is finite and bounded just in terms of the degrees of R in the two variables. This complements a result of Yanagihara, who showed that any finite-order meromorphic solution to this sort of difference equation must be a rational function. We prove a similar result for the differential equation
$f'(z)=R(z, f(z))$
, building on a result of Eremenko.
Palmoplantar Involvement in Leprosy: A Clinicopathological Study
Authors: Dabas Garima , Narang Tarun , Dogra Sunil , Aggarwal Divya , Radotra Bishan Das
Published: February 2021

Palmoplantar involvement has been infrequently reported in leprosy and is an easily misdiagnosed entity. The institutional database of leprosy clinic from 2015 to 2018 was accessed. Details pertaining to demography, clinical presentation, comorbidities (if any), treatment received, and outcome were analyzed in leprosy patients with palmoplantar involvement. Among the 520 patients studied, the involvement of palms and/or soles was reported in 49 (9.4%) patients. Isolated palm involvement was the most frequent (26/49, 53.1%), followed by both palm and sole involvement (12/49, 24.5%) and sole involvement alone (11/49, 22.4%). A higher incidence of lepra reactions and disabilities was noted in patients with palmoplantar involvement than in those without (P < 0.0001). Palmoplantar involvement in leprosy, although uncommon, is associated with a higher risk of reactions and disabilities. A knowledge of this aspect of leprosy can help in maintaining a high index of suspicion and reduce misdiagnosis.
Clinical Progress and Risk Factors for Death from Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome: A Multihospital Retrospective Investigation in Anhui, China
Authors: Gong Lei , Zhang Lei , Wu Jiabing , Lu Siqi , Lyu Yong , Zhu Meng , Liu Boxi , Zhu Yuliang , Song Dandan , Su Bin , Liu Zhirong
Published: February 2021

Knowledge of the clinical progress of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and the associated predictors of mortality is important for providing appropriate treatment in severe cases. A multihospital retrospective study was conducted in three SFTS-endemic cities, in 2018. Of the 208 SFTS-confirmed cases, there were 189 survivors and 19 deaths. The median age was 64 years; 104 (50.0%) patients were men, and 188 (90.4%) were farmers. Furthermore, 203 (97.6%) patients reported fever and 70 (33.7%) reported fatigue. Most fatal cases had complications including multiple-organ failure, central nervous syndrome (CNS) abnormalities, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. During the fever phase, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, D-dimer, glucose, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), procalcitonin, prothrombin time, and uric acid levels were higher in fatal than in nonfatal cases (P < 0.05). Creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB (CKMB), AST, and LDH levels were significantly lower in nonfatal than in fatal cases (P < 0.05). Central nervous syndrome abnormalities (odds ratio [OR] = 20.9, 95% CI: 4.3, 100), body temperature ≥ 38.5°C (OR = 23.2, 95% CI: 3.4, 158), BUN levels ≥ 6.4 mmol/L (OR = 9.9, 95% CI: 2.2, 44), CKMB levels ≥ 100 U/L (OR = 33.2, 95% CI: 5.8, 192), and LDH levels ≥ 1,000 U/L (OR = 8.3, 95% CI: 1.9, 37) were predictors of mortality. Our findings reveal that the presence of specific complications and laboratory parameters may serve as predictors of mortality and aid in early identification of severe SFTS cases in clinical practice.
Chemical composition of rainwater harvested in East Malaysia
Authors: Fazillah Abdullah Siti Nor , Ismail Azimah , Juahir Hafizan , Ahmad R Badlishah , Lananan Fathurrahman , Hashim Noor Muzlinda , Ariffin Nadiana , Zali Munirah Abdul , Tengku Mohd Tengku Azman , Hussin Md Hafriz Fikrie , Mahmood Raja Intan Sariah Raja , Jamil Jef Rizal Abdul , Desa Safari Mat
Published: February 2021

As part of the implementation of a rainwater harvesting system as an alternative water source supply for non-potable use, therefore the characteristic of chemical compounds was significantly explored. The Department of Chemistry, Malaysia, gave the data set for three years (2017-2019). Some chemometric techniques, including PCA, were performed to identify the dimensionality of the rainwater data, hence establishing the rainfall index's purity to determine the quality of rainwater in the study area. Discriminant analysis managed to differentiate each rain gauge station. Cluster analysis was then applied to perform smaller group of rain gauge stations. The result demonstrates that sea salt, secondary aerosols, trace metals, crustal origin, and organic acid dominated the dimensionality of rainwater data with a total variance of 53.38% and indicated that the PRI was significantly diversified into good purity of rainfall index (GPRI), (Labuan and Danum Valley), moderate purity of rainfall index (MPRI), (Kuching and Tawau) and bad purity of rainfall index (BPRI), (Kota Kinabalu and Bintulu). From the study, it can be stipulated that the chemical composition of rainwater in the study area was attributable to the local activities.
A Design Approach to Wireless High-Power Transfer to Multiple Receivers with Asymmetric Circuit
Authors: Akbar Sabriansyah Rizqika , Hodaka Ichijo
Published: February 2021

Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) system commonly compensates by a symmetric pair of inductor and capacitor on the primary-secondary circuits to use the idea of resonance. It should be noticed that an additional component compensation on the common WPT circuit is able to affect the power transferred to the load. Although it is useful to wirelessly transfer power to multiple receivers, the complexity of the system will increase with the number of receivers as well as the system loses symmetry, and then, it would be difficult to design high power transfer system. This study explores the WPT circuit compensated with a single capacitor in the primary side to transfer high power to dual receivers. Using a single capacitor on the primary side makes the circuit asymmetry, so the idea of resonance cannot be used. To find operating points that maximize transferred power, this paper uses a mathematical optimization technique with several design variables. The NSGA-II (Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II) is used to optimize the design variables of the mathematical system model. The results show that the proposed system is able to attain high power even though using only a single capacitor compensation without the idea of resonance.
On the Eclipse of Thales, Cycles and Probabilities
Authors: Querejeta Miguel
Published: February 2021

According to classical tradition, Thales of Miletus predicted the total solar eclipse that took place on 28 May 585 bce. Even if some authors have flatly denied the possibility of such a prediction, others have struggled to find cycles which would justify the achievement of the philosopher. Some of the proposed cycles have already been refuted, but two of them, namely those of Willy Hartner and Dirk Couprie, remain unchallenged. This paper presents some important objections to these two possibilities, based on the fact that these authors do not list all the eclipses potentially visible by their criteria. In addition, any explanation based on cycles will need to face the complex problem of visibility (smallest observable eclipse, weather…). The present article also includes a statistical study on the predictability of solar eclipses for a variety of periods, similar to that performed by Willy Hartner for lunar eclipses, resulting in lower probabilities in the solar case (and percentages depend on the chosen magnitude limit). The conclusion is that none of the cycles proposed so far provides a satisfactory explanation of the prediction, and, on statistical grounds, none of the periods studied leads to a significant probability of success with solar eclipse cycles.
Research Note: A Horoscope by André Breton
Authors: Campion Nicholas , Frawley John
Published: February 2021

This research note considers a hand-drawn horoscope cast by André Breton, the founder of surrealism
Parámetros morfo-funcionales básicos del rendimiento atlético evaluados en los deportes
Authors: Araujo Rivas Miguel Angel , Hernández Guerrero Antonio José
Published: February 2021

El rendimiento atlético es multifactorial, pero se sustenta en la preparación física, que comprende un conjunto de parámetros (componentes, factores) morfo-funcionales o físicos, los cuales se valoran por pruebas y mediciones. Aunque los deportes demandan de entrenamiento y pruebas específicas, existen pruebas básicas que conciernen a la mayoría de los deportes, que deben valorarse considerando los datos normativos y descriptivos de las pruebas, en función de la edad y el deporte. El objetivo del artículo fue determinar y reseñar los parámetros morfo-funcionales básicos que requieren ser medidos y valorados en la mayoría de los deportes e indicar aspectos a considerar del contenido de las pruebas físicas, para lo cual se realizó una revisión bibliográfica. Los parámetros morfo-funcionales determinados abarcan la antropometría, composición corporal, fuerza máxima, potencia y resistencia muscular, capacidades anaeróbica y aeróbica, velocidad, agilidad, flexibilidad, y balance y estabilidad. Se concluye que es fundamental que los atletas y entrenadores procuren desarrollar estos parámetros, valorarlos y conseguir un nivel apropiado en cada uno, a fin de favorecer el desempeño en las tareas motoras del deporte. Cualquier prueba que valore cada factor morfo-funcional del rendimiento debe suministrar información, confiable y válida, que permita guiar el proceso de entrenamiento y seleccionarse en concordancia al análisis metabólico, de movimientos y de lesiones en el deporte, el nivel, la edad y género del deportista, además en función del equipamiento disponible y los factores ambientales.
Efectos del trabajo con cuentos motores en Educación Infantil sobre el control inhibitorio y emociones
Authors: Cerezo Ros María del Carmen
Published: February 2021

En la actualidad son numerosos los estudios que demuestran los beneficios de la actividad física en las funciones ejecutivas. En la misma línea encontramos cada vez más propuestas educativas que incluyen la inteligencia emocional como un factor relevante en el éxito académico y en la formación integral de las personas. Dentro de estos dos temas de interés la presente propuesta de intervención educativa tiene como objetivo desarrollar el control inhibitorio y el reconocimiento de las emociones en niños de segundo ciclo de Educación Infantil por medio del recurso metodológico del cuento motor, mediante el cual se trabajarán contenidos motrices y de reconocimiento emocional. La conclusión más relevante es que el entrenamiento del control inhibitorio y las emociones puede contribuir cualitativamente en la mejora de las actividades realizadas en el contexto escolar infantil relacionadas con las áreas cognitivas, psicomotrices y relacionales.
Educação Física Escolar: em defesa da cultura corporal em contraposição à concepção de aptidão física
Authors: Scapin Gislei José , Souza Maristela da Silva
Published: February 2021

Este estudo tematiza a Cultura Corporal em contraponto à perspectiva da Aptidão Física no plano da Educação Física Escolar brasileira. Objetiva evidenciar o conhecimento da Cultura Corporal como produto do trabalho, na dimensão imaterial e indispensável para a existência humana como determinante da corporeidade cultural, superando por incorporação as formas de aptidão física. Metodologicamente trata-se de um teorizar bibliográfico com autores da Educação Física. Pauta-se pela filosofia marxista à luz do Materialismo Histórico-Dialético. Nosso estudo elucida a produção de conhecimento, sobretudo em Educação Física, e o embate histórico na Educação Física brasileira entre duas concepções teórico-pedagógicas e epistemológicas. Reiteramos, por fim, a importância da Cultura Corporal enquanto parte da cultura e produção humana constituinte da corporeidade dos sujeitos, a partir da sistematização das praticas corporais, ampliação do acervo cultural da humanidade e da superação das formas de manifestação corporal pautadas pela concepção de Aptidão Física.
Assoalho pélvico e exercício físico: uma análise da compreensão dos Educadores Físicos
Authors: Teixeira Luana Cristine Pittas , Martins Marília , Schwengber Maria Simone Vione , Dreher Daniela Zeni
Published: February 2021

Este artigo tem por objetivo identificar quais são os conhecimentos que os profissionais de Educação Física têm sobre a função do assoalho pélvico e sua relação com exercícios físicos. Trata-se de um estudo transversal descritivo com abordagem qualitativa e quantitativa por meio de perguntas abertas e um questionário autoaplicável. A maioria dos profissionais tem certo conhecimento acerca do tema assoalho pélvico, porém, não conseguem conceituá-lo com propriedade uma vez que as explicações são vagas, reticentes, até confusas. Há necessidade deste assunto ser abordado e discutido no processo de formação profissional e também ser foco de educação continuada.
Joint Stories and Layered Tales: Support, Contradiction and Me aning Construction in Focus Group Research
Authors: Kosny Agnieszka
Published: February 2021

This paper uses focus group data about women’s work experiences gathered in five Canadian east coast communities to examine some of the strengths and weakness associated with focus group research. I explore the case made against the use of focus group methods and the basis for some of the critiques aimed at focus group research. By examining the evolving discussions between focus group members, it is possible to understand some of the benefits of group-talk, including the creation of a unique opportunity for interaction, joint meaning creation and contradiction.
Meta-Inquiry: An Approach to Interview Success
Authors: Carlson Nancy , McCaslin Mark
Published: February 2021

Developing an effective interview strategy presents unique challenges for the novice and master researcher for if the questions one asks are not crucial, then differences in responses are not crucial either (Creswell, 1998, p. 335). To focus qualitative research in the human ecology of the study, our strategy uses an initial interview protocol and preanalysis process, called meta-inquiry, prior to developing our formal interview protocol. Meta-inquiry of initial interview data, obtained in dialogue with key informants in the researched culture, provides us with an inductive tool to assess, modify, enhance, and focus the formal interview protocol. Thus, preparing for the research journey requires a human ecology-based interview protocol to acquire data from which concepts, categories, properties, and theory can emerge.
Lives in Transition: Stories of Three Foreign Elementary Students from India
Authors: Mehra Beloo
Published: February 2021

This qualitative study tells the stories of three Asian Indian children dealing with the initial phases of adjustment and acculturation at a multicultural elementary school in USA. Constructed using data collected through classroom observations and in-depth interviews with children, parents, and school personnel, these stories reveal important linkages between families and schools, and their respective roles in foreign-born children’s acculturation into the host culture. The pressures to maintain Indian identity, language, food habits, and traditions are all important aspects of these children’s experiences. The school context shapes their educational experiences and adjustment. This study also touches upon some important policy issues for schools in relation to multicultural programs, ESL instruction, native language instruction, and support services for their increasingly diverse student and parent communities. One such issue pertains to the recognition of student’s ethnic and cultural identity in a public school.
A Critical Reconstruction of Care-in-Action
Authors: Korth Barbara
Published: February 2021

This paper uses the findings of a critical ethnography studying the interactions of adult colleagues (Korth, 1998) to propose a critical approach to care theory and research. The argument proceeds from Jaggar's (1995) critique of the scholarship on care. Her criticism voices concerns regarding the lack of attention to the justificatory potential of care research/theory and the over-dependence on particularities. This paper provides one set of responses capable of addressing these concerns and of reformulating the concerns into a more complex conceptualization of care. The resulting analysis implies a theory of care as a pragmatic-communicative construct, one that is more precise, but compatible with the interpersonal rationality to which Noddings (1991) attributes caring. Care emerges as a communicative act with a complex but definitive horizon structure. Care did not reconstruct from on-going interactions as a simple intention, nor a feeling, nor anything extra-rational or non-rational. This approach to understanding caring locates Jaggars concerns within the interpretive life of interactants. The papers specific contributions include exemplifying a refined analysis of care-in-action, articulating a meta-theory useful for the theory and study of care, introducing a typology of caring acts, demonstrating the critical potential of care research, and illustrating the connection between critique and justification.
Montserrat Place and Monsrat neaga: An Example of Impressionistic Autoethnography
Authors: Skinner Johnathan
Published: February 2021

This is an impressionistic tale from the field. It is a composite of fieldwork days, the dramatic recall of ethnographic work on Montserrat, a British Dependent Territory in the Eastern Caribbean. At the tail-end of my fieldwork research period, I was evacuated from the island as a volcano erupted, eventually destroying almost all of where this piece is set - where the ethnography was practiced. Though this is not salvage ethnography, there is thus an element of reconstruction to this piece, of paradise regained. On Montserrat, neaga is a term with derogatory connotations, but it is also an inclusive term referring to folk. This experimental insight into doing ethnography, autoethnography in this case, is dedicated to Pippa and those who have been killed and displaced by the volcano.
Teaching Qualitative Analysis Using QSR NVivo
Authors: Walsh Margaret
Published: February 2021

This paper describes new opportunities for teaching qualitative research methods to undergraduates using software as a tool. The author recounts her own experiences and challenges using one such program, QSR NVivo. The account includes students' reflections on how technology advances the analysis process. Strengths and weaknesses of the software and presented and discussed.
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Token Resistance to Sex amongst Nigerian Undergraduates
Authors: Igundunasse Alex Terver , Odiase Nathan
Published: February 2021

It is apparent that existing social conventions unofficially mandates women to refuse sexual advances even when there may be the intention to engage. The adherence to this social script is what is referred to as token resistance or scripted refusal. Some studies have explored the subject of token resistance from a number of perspectives that attempt to identify the underlying reasons why women engaging in token resistance. However, there is very little research on this subject from the Nigerian perspective. This this study sought to explore token resistance further in order to understand the cultural cogency or peculiarity of the concept in the Nigerian context. This is because based on available literature, the conceptualization of token resistance may be different. With the use of purposive sampling technique, four sexually active women and undergraduates, volunteered to participate in the study. They were interviewed to understand their unique experiences and perception about token resistance using the principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) It was discovered that factors like personal pride, self-control, emotional security of relationship and the gratification of increased attention were responsible for women’s rejection of sexual advances even when there was the intention to do so. The study also got a better understanding of how women culturally represent this concept in Nigeria. We highlight limitations of the study and suggest areas for further study research.
Transcribing in ESL: An Investigation into Role, Accuracy, and Skills
Authors: Patkin John
Published: February 2021

The role, accuracy, and skills of a team of ESL researchers who transcribed more than 3,000 English language learning histories (LLH) from university students in Hong Kong is examined in this paper. The paper provides an insight into the role of transcribers, how they approach their work, the problems they face, and how they overcome them including the conflict of their prior English language learning. A self-administered semi-structured interview and thematic analysis were used in this qualitative study. The findings show that transcribers learned experientially as they combined project guidelines and prior experience to achieve accuracy Transcribers feel more comfortable working on data that is closer to their English as a second language (ESL) background; however, this also contributed to personal conflict such as correcting grammatical errors. The outcomes suggest training, clear guidelines from supervisors, and incorporating feedback from transcribers can improve the richness and accuracy of data which is of great importance to second language data collection.
Washback of an English Language Assessment System in a Malaysian University Foundation Programme
Authors: Bokiev Umed , Samad Arshad Abd.
Published: February 2021

Washback refers to the influence of language assessment on teaching and learning. In contrast to the wealth of studies involving external large-scale language examinations, scant research has been conducted to explore the influence of internal language assessment on instruction, particularly in the context of a university foundation programme. This qualitative study investigated the washback effects of an English language assessment system (ELAS) on the teaching and learning of English in a Malaysian university foundation programme. Apart from an in-depth analysis of official documents on the ELAS, we conducted individual semi-structured interviews with three curriculum and assessment developers, three English language instructors, four students and four alumni of the foundation programme and analysed the collected data using Miles and Huberman’s (1994) framework for qualitative data analysis. Findings indicated that the ELAS, with its different assessment forms, exerted an overall positive washback on various aspects of English teaching and learning. Yet, a number of factors related to the assessment, teachers, students as well as context mediated the extent of washback experienced. Based on the findings of the study, we put forward a few recommendations on how to encourage positive washback.
Factors Affecting Successful Quality Assurance Implementation in Vietnamese Higher Education: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Nguyen Loc Thi My , Tran Trung , Pham Thuan Van , Nguyen Tien-Trung , Le Hien Thi Thu , Trinh Thao Thi Phuong , Nghiem Thanh Thi
Published: February 2021

Quality assurance and accreditation was officially introduced into the higher education system in Vietnam over ten years ago. It is evident that quality assurance has resulted in positive impacts on university management, teaching, learning and research activities. This paper aims to explore factors that aid the successful implementation of higher education quality assurance and accreditation in Vietnam. Through semi-structured interviews with 32 participants, this study identified a number of factors that contributed to quality assurance processes, including awareness of the importance of quality assurance, better institutional manager leadership, support of university lecturers, staff, and students, and the vital responsibility of internal quality assurance staff. These confirm that internal stakeholders play an important role in undertaking quality assurance programmes and activities.
Developing a Scale on Employee Involvement and Motivation in Effective Change Management: A Case of Canteen Stores Department
Authors:   Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology, Razzak Faryal
Published: February 2021

Effective Change Management (ECM) had emerged as new field of study. One of the most insightful attribute of organizational change efforts is their low success rate. Success rate of Change endeavors in organizations is alarming. Therefore, it is not viable to commit precious resources monetary or human capital for any change endeavor that do not bring anticipated results. Moreover, no change process can be effective if the employee’s involvement and motivation (EIM) is missing to embrace and make change effective. The current paper highlights the factors associated with EIM and proposes a framework and an indigenous scale based on the framework proposed by Razzaq (2010) ECM model. The pilot study was conducted in retail sector leading chain store, Canteen Store Department (CSD). Descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis are conducted to check the factor structure of the EIM construct. As hypothesized, the EIM is a composite of five underlying elements. The current paper will highlight the importance for effectiveness of change management and the suggested new scale will be a valuable tool for managers and practitioners to focus on the factors that define employees’ involvement in ECM or identify and rectify the short falls in executing the organizational change process.
The Impact of CCC and WC on The Profitability of KMI-30 Index
Authors:   IQRA University, Riaz Samina
Published: February 2021

This research purpose is to investigate the impact of WC and CCC on prosperity of the companies, listed in KMI-30 Index. For this research data was gathered from firm’s annual reports. Data of 30companies listed in KMI-30 Index was collected over the period of 2010 till 2014. Data was collected to check significance of ROE, Tobin’s Q, and ROA. To analyze these variables regression analysis was used to measure the impact on dependent variable through independent variables. The study concluded that cash conversion cycle and debt to assets ratio were most significant variable on the dependent variables i.e. ROA, Tobin’s Q and ROE. It was recommended to the companies of listed in the KMI-30 to maintain the CCC at their minimum level or in lines with the industry norms, so they can avoid the liquidity problem along with the reduce the shortfall of cash requirement which were needed to smoothly run the operations of the companies.
Effects of Dietary Proanthocyanidins Supplementation on Growth Performance, Digestive Enzymes Activities and Microbiota in the Intestine of Juvenile American Eels (Anguilla rostrata) Cultured in Cement Tanks
Authors: Wang Yue , Liang Piao , Chen Xue-Hao , Zhai Shao-Wei
Published: February 2021

This trial was conducted to investigate the effects of proanthocyanidins (PACs) on the growth performance, digestive enzymes activities and microbiota in the intestines of juvenile American eels (Anguilla rostrata) cultured in cement tanks. Six cement tanks stocked with similar fish size and weight (about 120 g/fish and 2116 kg/tank) were randomly divided into a control group fed with a commercial diet and a PACs group fed with a commercial diet supplemented 400 mg/kg PACs, with three replicates in each group. The trial period lasted 60 days. The finial fish weight and weight gain rate were significantly improved by PACs supplementation (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in feed efficiency and feeding rate between the control group and PACs group (P>0.05). Activities of protease in intestines were significantly enhanced by PACs supplementation (P<0.05), however dietary PACs supplementation had no significant effect on the activities of amylase and lipase (P>0.05). Furthermore, dietary PACs supplementation increased the richness and decrease the diversity of intestinal microbiota. At the phylum level, the higher relative abundance of Proteobacteria and the lower relative abundances of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were found in PACs group compared to control group. At the genus level, PACs supplemented in diet significantly increased the relative abundances of Candidatus Arthromitus, Paracoccus and Eubacterium hallii (P>0.05). In conclusion, dietary 400 mg/kg PACs supplementation improved growth performance and activity of protease in intestine, and modulate intestinal microbiota of juvenile American eel cultured in cement tanks.
Epidemiological characteristics of community-acquired pneumonia during the COVID-19 epidemic in the Russian Federation
Authors: Zhigarlovskiy BA , Nikityuk NF , Postupailo VB , Goryaev AA , Belov EV , Nosov NYu , Karmishin AM , Kruglov AA , Borisevich IV
Published: February 2021

COVID-19 belongs to the group of acute respiratory infections and it is often complicated with pneumonia. This study aimed to investigate manifestations of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) epidemic process during the COVID-19 epidemic in the Russian Federation. We analyzed the official statistical data reporting the incidence of CAP in the Russian Federation in 2013–2020 and incidence of COVID-19 as registered in March–July 2020. The mean average annual CAP incidence rate that we calculated and the 2020 CAP incidence prediction allowed assessing the relationship between CAP and COVID-19. It is shown that the long-term dynamics of the incidence of CAP in the Russian Federation is characterized by a pronounced upward trend with an average annual growth rate of 6.4%. The share of adult population among the CAP cases is the largest; on average, it is 64.7% (95% CI [63.1; 66.3]). In 2020, against the background of SARS-CoV-2 circulation, the discrepancy between the actual incidence of CAP and the predicted figures reached and exceeded 558% (in July 2020). As the COVID-19 epidemic developed, the incidence of CAP was registered to increase. There was established a direct and significant correlation between the incidence of CAP and COVID-19 (rxy = 0.932; p <0.01).
BİR MANZARA PERFORMANSÇISININ PORTRESİ: NİKHİL CHOPRA
Authors: ÜNAY Seniha , AKBULUT Doğan
Published: February 2021

Bu çalışmanın amacı sanatçı Nikhil Chopra’nın performans içeriklerinin, yöntemlerinin, farklılıklarının incelenmesidir. Bu bağlamda resim, fotoğraf, tiyatro, beden arasında şekillenen performanslarında Chopra’nın manzarayı ve portreyi nasıl ele aldığına, karakter yaratma tercihlerine, zaman kavramına, sanat tarihsel referanslara, bireysel anlatılara ve yöntemlere değinilmiştir. Ayrıca Chopra’nın, “Pamuk Üzerine Kömür, Sir Raja III-Bütün Bu Topraklarla Ne Yapacağım, Sir Raja III’ün Ölümü, Sir Raja II, Yog Raj Chitrakar: Bellek Çizimleri IX, Yog Raj Chitrakar: Bellek çizimleri VI ve Manzara Boyunca bir çizgi Çizmek: Çadır” performansları hikâyeleri, uygulama süreçleri ve sonuçları açısından ele alınmıştır.

Chopra’nın performanslarında toplumsal, kültürel ve tarihi olayları, bireysel geçmişine dayanan hikâyelerde kurguladığı; bu hikâyelerde geçmişinden hareketle bazı karakterler yarattığı ve anlatısını bu karakterler aracılığıyla aktardığı görülmüştür. Performanslarında manzara geleneksel yöntemlerle çizildiği halde; sürece yayılan performanslarında deneyimlenebilir, yaşayan, sabit olmayan bir form kazanmıştır. Portre, cinsiyet rollerine dayanan, tanınamayacak kadar değişen bedeninde yenilikçi yöntemlerle sunduğu bir biçim olmuştur. Performanslarında zamanın, mekânın, bedenin durağan olmadığı; Chopra’nın performanslarının hem öznesi hem nesnesi olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır.

Çalışma süresince Nikhil Chopra’nın web sayfasından, çalışmaları ve manifestolarından, Chopra ile yapılan röportajlardan faydalanılmıştır. Sanat tarihçisi, sanat eleştirmeni ve sanatçının kendi düşüncelerine yer verilmiştir. Kütüphane, arşiv ve süreli yayınlardan tarama, inceleme işlemi yapılmıştır.
Pengaruh Kepemimpinan, Kompensasi, dan Motivasi terhadap Kinerja Karyawan
Authors: Sari Abu , Zamzam Fakhry , Syamsudin Harun
Published: February 2021

Penelitian ini membahas tentang kepemimpinan, kompensasi, motivasi, dengan tujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh kepemimpinan, kompensasi dan motivasi terhadap kinerja karyawan. Dengan menggunakan teknik sensus, sampel penelitian yang digunakan adalah sebanyak 55 orang. Peneltian ini menggunakan metode analisis regresi berganda dan diolah dengan SPSS versi 22. Hasil pengujian membuktikan bahwa: (1) Secara parsial kepemimpinan berpengaruh signifikan terhadap kinerja karyawan, sedangkan kompensasi dan motivasi berpengaruh tidak signifikan terhadap kinerja karyawan; (2) Secara simultan didapatkan hasil bahwa kepemimpinan, kompensasi dan motivasi berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja karyawan.
This study discusses leadership, compensation, motivation, with the aim of knowing the effect of leadership, compensation and motivation on employee performance. By using the census technique, the research sample used was 55 people. This research uses multiple regression analysis method and is processed with SPSS version 22. The test results prove that: (1) Partially leadership has a significant effect on employee performance, while compensation and motivation have no significant effect on employee performance; (2) Simultaneously, the results show that leadership, compensation and motivation have a positive and significant effect on employee performance.
EFFECT OF HARD DRUG ADDICTION ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF PERSONS ATTENDING MAT CLINIC
Authors: Otoyo Alex Ivono
Published: February 2021

Purpose: The study, therefore, seeks to establish the effect of hard drug addiction on psychological well-being of persons attending mat clinic.Methodology: This study will adopt a descriptive survey design. The study will employ a population of 450 respondents, that is the, guardians /patients, and nurses of the clinic. The population of the study will include the patients attending and nurses working with the patients at MAT clinic in Kenya. According to Kothari (2004), a sample size of between 10 and 30% is a good representation of the target population, for populations not exceeding 1000. The target sample size for this study, therefore, will be 10% of the total respondents of the clinic, i.e., 45 respondents selected by simple random sampling method. Inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria will be used where the guardians/patients who attended the clinic and the nurses working in the clinic will be included, while the patients who are mentally incapacitated to respond to the questions as well as the nurses not directly involved with the patients will be excluded. The study will use questionnaires, key information and interview guides to collect the primary data. Analysis of data will be done by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software.Findings: The study finds that there is a significant impact of hard drug addiction on psychological well-being of persons attending mat clinic. Unique contribution to theory, policy, and practice: Both psychological well-being and substance abuse are influenced by numerous overlapping and interacting factors and as such, any psychometric scales trying to identify adolescents at risk for psychological problems and substance abuse would have to look at them in interaction. Fortunately, it seems that the Psychological Well-Being Scale used for the purpose of this research can serve this dual purpose, namely to identify adolescents with a negative psychological well-being and consequently identify those adolescents at risk for substance abuse.
FACTORS AFFECTING NURSES’ PERFORMANCE TOWARDS HEALTHCARE IMPROVEMENT: A CRITICAL REVIEW
Authors: Aroon Amira Dime
Published: February 2021

Purpose: The study, therefore, seeks to establish the factors that influence the performance of nurses towards the overall healthcare improvement.Methodology: This study adopted a desk survey design. This involved an in-depth review of studies in relation to nurses’ performance and healthcare improvement. An in-depth search of the top keywords related to nurses’ performance and healthcare improvement was done in various databases. Thus, the seminar paper was purely qualitative, drawing its findings from secondary sources of information.Findings: The study finds that workload, payment and salaries, working conditions and leadership affect the performance of nurses towards the overall healthcare improvement. Unique contribution to theory, policy, and practice: Mismatch of human resources with workload and lack of clarity with regard to duties have maximum correlation with poor quality of care. Organizational structure and communication program categories gained the highest and lowest importance respectively. This information could be used by nursing managers and policy makers to plan programs in order to improve the quality of clinical nursing services. Clinical governance is considered as a framework for improving the quality of clinical services in nursing. Professional nursing practice standards are valid expression tasks that are expected of all nurses regardless of their roles and expertise in communities to be done with merit.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PRACTICE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ACCOUNTING BY FIRMS IN KENYA: A CASE STUDY OF SAFARICOM KENYA
Authors: Wahome J.
Published: February 2021

Purpose: This study was an assessment of the practice of corporate social responsibility accounting by firms in Kenya in the case of Safaricom Kenya.Methodology: A case study design was appropriate for this study. The population used in this study entailed all the 1850 employees of safaricom. Judgmental sampling was used to select the respondents i.e. 24 in number, 8 respondents from the finance department, 8 respondents from the public relations department, 4 respondents from the sales department and 4 committee members of the Safaricom foundation. Primary data was collected by the use of a questionnaire and was the main data used in the research. The data collected was analyzed by use of inferential statistics. In particular, frequency tables, averages and percentages were used. The data was then presented using tables, graphs and charts.Results: The study findings showed that to a large extent, environmental management of the production process and environmental policy were issues reported in the safaricom CSR report. In addition, climate protection and energy eco-efficiency were reported in the safaricom CSR reports to a low extent respectively. Furthermore, its practice of CSR was driven by a genuine concern for creating shareholders wealth (business case) as well as engagement and accountability. It was also observed that another motive for practicing CSR was PR based (striving to better than competitors). However, some of the challenges facing accounting for social responsibility (social accounting) were related to verifiability requirements, comparability requirements, training requirements, standardization requirements, and quantification requirements.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that Safaricom should maintain its trend for addressing corporate social responsibility issues and come up with measures that can be used to make social accounting in the firm to be less costly. The researcher recommended an investigative study to establish the level of usefulness of the CSR reports to various users. In addition, a correlation and a regression study explaining the relationship between CSR and firms financial performance would be in order.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE USE OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES BY SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN KENYA
Authors: Kipsang Busieney , Mwangi Mirie
Published: February 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing the use of accounting services by small and medium enterprises in KenyaMethodology: The study adopted descriptive research design. A survey was done to establish the factors among owners of SMES in Kenya. There are about 850 such establishments in Kenya of which a sample of 85 firms was taken using stratified random sampling. Data was collected by use of questionnaire method which had both structured and unstructured questions. It was analyzed mainly by use of descriptive statistics such as the mean and inferential statistics such as regression.Results: The study findings revealed that knowledge and competence of the respondents was poor, there was high competition among the SMEs, the respondents had low levels of compliance with accounting legislation and the SME growth was low. In addition, the study findings revealed that there that the SMEs did not use accounting services. The study found that there was positive and significant relationship between knowledge and competence, competition, legislation and SME growth in size.Policy recommendation: The study recommended that training be emphasized as it has an effect on the use of accounting services. There is need to for management to emphasize on use of qualified accountants in order to face the competition facing the SMEs, the management should emphasize on good and proper book keeping of financial records and the SMEs to use services of qualified accountants so as to enhance growth of the business.