bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Penggunaan Pembiayaan Gadai Emas Syariah Pada Nasabah Bsm Bangkalan Madura
Authors: Komala Desi Noe , Sirin Khaeron
Published: April 2022

This article discusses the motives and customer satisfaction in the use of Islamic gold pawning financing products at BSM Bangkalan Madura. This research was conducted through a descriptive qualitative method. The concept used in this study is an approach to the culture of Bangkalan people who have a penchant for collecting gold so that from the craze there is a high interest in the gold pawning in Bangkalan. The results of the study show that the motivation of customers to mortgage gold in BSM Bangkalan varies greatly but has one goal which is to meet economic needs, economic needs in question are needs that are productive or consumptive. While the factors that influence customer satisfaction include: in terms of product, price, service or company location. These four factors will make customers feel satisfied with the use of BSM Bangkalan sharia gold pawn. Artikel ini membahas tentang motif dan kepuasan konsumen dalam penggunaan produk pembiayaan gadai emas syariah di BSM Bangkalan Madura. Penelitian ini dilakukan melalui metode deskriptif kualitatif. Konsep yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah pendekatan budaya masyarakat Bangkalan yang memiliki kegemaran mengoleksi emas sehingga dari kegemaran tersebut muncul minat yang tinggi terhadap gadai emas di Bangkalan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa motivasi nasabah untuk menggadaikan emas di BSM Bangkalan sangat bervariasi namun mempunyai satu tujuan yaitu untuk memenuhi kebutuhan ekonomi, kebutuhan ekonomi yang dimaksud adalah kebutuhan yang bersifat produktif atau konsumtif. Sedangkan faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi kepuasan konsumen antara lain: dari segi produk, harga, pelayanan atau lokasi perusahaan. Keempat faktor tersebut akan membuat nasabah merasa puas dengan penggunaan gadai emas syariah BSM Bangkalan. Kata kunci: Gunakan; Pembiayaan Gadai Emas Syariah; Nasabah Gadai BSM Bangkalan
How is the Use of Digital Dental Radiology in a Developing Country? An Overview of Brazil
Authors: Moreira-Souza Larissa , Reis Larissa  de Oliveira , Nogueira-Reis Fernanda , Da Costa Eliana Dantas , Freitas Deborah Q.
Published: April 2022

The aim of this study was to assess the use of digital dental radiology in Brazil, by focusing on the use of image receptors, imaging exams and digital image enhancement tools, also assessing the methods of professional image transfer. Questionnaires were distributed in person on dental meetings and digitally via messaging (WhatsApp®) and mailings list. The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 478 questionnaires. Most participants were woman (n=315, 65.9%), with average age of 33.8±9.2 years. Descriptive and frequency analysis was performed. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used (α=0.05). Most dentists worked at shared dental clinics (34.7%) and use digital image receptors (51.1%), but a representative percentage (48.9%) still exclusively use radiographic films. Photostimulable phosphor plate is the most used digital image receptor. Among extraoral exams, panoramic radiography (PAN) is the most used. Regarding dental specialties, oral radiologists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons mostly use cone-beam computed tomography (p<0.001). Most dentists who use digital systems make use of digital image enhancement tools (87.8%), mainly contrast, zoom, brightness and measurements. The most common method of professional image transfer (professional-professional and professional-patiens) is by email, with few dentists using online app and social media (26%). Therefore, while most Brazilian dentists use digital imaging systems, a significant percentage still exclusively use radiographic films. The most extraoral imaging exams used is PAN. Regarding image enhancement tools, brightness and contrast adjustments, zoom and measurements are the most applied. Finally, dentists generally use email for professional image transfer.
Machine-learning correction to density-functional crystal structure optimization
Authors: Hussein Robert , Schmidt Jonathan , Barros Tomás , Marques Miguel A. L. , Botti Silvana
Published: April 2022

Density functional theory is routinely applied to predict crystal structures. The most common exchange-correlation functionals used to this end are the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) approximation and its variant PBEsol. We investigate the performance of these functionals for the prediction of lattice parameters and show how to enhance their accuracy using machine learning. Our data set is constituted by experimental crystal structures of the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database matched with PBE-optimized structures stored in the materials project database. We complement these data with PBEsol calculations. We demonstrate that the accuracy and precision of PBE/PBEsol volume predictions can be noticeably improved a posteriori by employing simple, explainable machine learning models. These models can improve PBE unit cell volumes to match the accuracy of PBEsol calculations, and reduce the error of the latter with respect to experiment by 35 percent. Further, the error of PBE lattice constants is reduced by a factor of 3–5. A further benefit of our approach is the implicit correction of finite temperature effects without performing phonon calculations.

Impact statement

Knowledge about the crystal structure of solids is essential for describing their elastic and electronic properties. In particular, their accurate prediction is essential to predict the electronic properties of not-yet-synthesized materials. Lattice parameters are most commonly calculated by density functional theory using the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) approximation and its variant PBEsol as exchange-correlation functional. They are successful in describing materials properties but do, however, not always achieve the desired accuracy in comparison with experiments. We propose a computationally efficient scheme based on interpretable machine learning to optimize crystal structures. We demonstrate that the accuracy of PBE- and PBEsol-structures can be, therewith, enhanced noticeably. In particular, the PBE unit cells, available in materials databases, can be improved to the level of the more accurate PBEsol calculations and the error of the latter with respect to the experiment can be reduced by 35 percent. An additional advantage of our scheme is the implicit inclusion of finite temperature corrections, which makes expensive phonon calculations unnecessary.

Graphical abstract
El pensamiento político de Jaime Guzmán en el contexto de la historia chilena (1964-1980)
Authors:   , Moncada Belén
Published: April 2022

La tesis doctoral constituye un análisis histórico y político de la figura del chileno Jaime Guzmán Errázuriz entre los años 1964 y 1980. Para ello, se ha realizado una investigación detallada a través de la historia chilena, especialmente de los gobiernos de Frei Montalva (1964-1970), Allende Gossens (1970-1973), y Pinochet Ugarte (1973-1990), hasta la década de los años 80. En el análisis de los gobiernos de Frei y Allende se ha otorgado especial atención a las posturas gubernamentales que constituyeron una ruptura con el modo de hacer política anterior. A la vez, se ha intentado reflejar el profundo camibo que supuso para Chile la llegada de la sociedad de masas a las puertas del poder público, con las mudanzas política, sociales y económicas que ello genera. La elaboración de la historia de estos años se ha hecho atendiendo primordialmente a los aspectos ideológicos y políticos que constituyen la actuación política y doctrinal de Guzman. A lo largo de este análisis se ha estudiado la labor política e intelectual de Jaime Guzmán y su influencia en la vida política de Chile; primero como opositor a los gobiernos de Frei y Allende, y después como asesor y colaborador del régimen militar de Augusto Pinochet. Junto con el análisis histórico, el trabajo contempla un análisis del pensamiento político de dicho autor, con particular interés por su concepto de democracia, libertad económica y sociedad civil.
Samorząd w kształtowaniu profilaktyki i wychowania do trzeźwości
Authors:   Dr, Uniwersytet Opolski, Polska, Matusiak Renata
Published: April 2022

The Act of October 26, 1982 on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism obliges communes to undertake activities related to the prevention of alcohol-related problems. The article deals with the tasks of the commune in this area and entities supporting the activities of the local government in the framework of counteracting alcoholism and upbringing to sobriety. On the basis of the Municipal Program for Prevention and Solving Alcohol-related Problems of the City of Lublin for 2021, an analysis was made of the structure of the municipal program for the prevention and resolution of alcohol-related problems, which must be established annually by the municipality and is a tool helping to carry out the tasks of the municipality contained in the Act of 1982.
Inspiracje religijne w odbudowywaniu języka osób z afazją a potrzeba wrażliwości w komunikowaniu religijnym
Authors:   Dr hab., Wydział Humanistyczny, Uniwersytet Jana Kochanowskiego w Kielcach, Polska, Grzesiak-Witek Danuta , Pastwa Rafał Jakub ,   Dr, Wydział Nauk Społecznych, Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II, Polska
Published: April 2022

Aphasia is a speech disorder involving a total or partial loss of the ability to communicate verbally with the environment. Its main causes are strokes, craniocerebral injuries, and brain tumors. The available publications focus primarily on presenting methods of diagnosing aphasia, methods of conducting speech therapy and presenting methods of improving language skills. However, there are no publications presenting methods of motivating patients to participate in therapy when it does not bring tangible results. The article shows the possibility of using religious inspiration in speech therapy for people with aphatic speech disorders, and also draws attention to the need for sensitivity in the process of religious communication. The category of physical compassion can play a special role in a world dominated by digital media and communication technologies.
Teaching digital competencies after the pandemic: adaptation of higher education and b-learning in Spain
Authors:   University of Zaragoza, Spain, Lafarga Ostáriz Pablo , Soler Costa Rebeca ,   Dr., University of Zaragoza, Spain
Published: April 2022

The Spanish educational system has been significantly altered due to the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, a fact that has encouraged the paradigm shift that was taking place during the last decade in relation to the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in educational contexts. New contexts imply constant reflection on the teaching-learning process, especially in a society whose commitment to digital integration increases annually. The most appreciable aspect of these new environments affects the field of higher educationwhich during the last decade has already begun to delve into digital teaching and learning media for different contexts. For this reason, in the present work, a theoretical analysis is carried out that considers the role of ICTs in Spanish society with special interest in their adaptation to higher education - issues that support approaches that go beyond the pure application of ICTs and that highlight new needs in the training of teachers whose Digital Teaching Competence is in constant controversy and analysis. To favor the applicability of this theory, the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and the Open Educational Resources (OERs) are considered as two key tools of the present and future in relation to teacher training in higher education in Spain. All this is discussed in view of the need of the Institutions to adapt to the development of society and not remain in the sideline.
Forming intending teachers’ health preserving competence in the educational environment of higher educational institution
Authors: Ihnatenko Hanna , Samus Теtianа , Іhnatenkо Оleksandr , Оpanasenkо Vitaliy , Vovk Bohdan
Published: April 2022

Professional training in higher educational institutions is determined not only by the amount of obtained knowledge, but also by solving the problem of preserving and strengthening health, students’ need for healthy lifestyle, the need to find and implement ways to form their health preserving competence. The article deals with the problem of forming health preserving competence of intending teachers in the educational environment of HEI. The current state of research of the specified problem was analyzed in the paper, the maintenance of the concept “health preserving competence of intending teacher”, the structure of the investigated phenomenon, including value-motivational, cognitive, operational-activity and reflexive components was specified. Criteria, indicators and levels of formation of the studied competence were determined. The pedagogical conditions of its forming were revealed and theoretically substantiated: creating and realizing integral educational and methodical support by supplementing the content of disciplines of the professional and practical training cycle and practice with the health preserving component; forming the need for self-education, developing the ability to self-control and professional self-assessment of health preserving competence; creating the healthy educational environment. The model of forming health preserving competence of intending teachers in the process of professional training, suggested in the educational environment of HEI, includes three blocks: target (coverage of the purpose, tasks, principles and approaches), organizational and semantic (pedagogical conditions, pedagogical technologies, concretized by organizational forms, methods and the maintenance of training) and reflective and effective (criteria, indicators and levels of health competence). The results of the experimental verification of the pedagogical conditions of forming health preserving competence of intending teachers were given
Implementation of preschool universal education in rural preschools of Ukraine (1963-1984)
Authors: Melenets Liudmyla
Published: April 2022

Emphasis is placed on the periodization of the development of preschool institutions in rural areas of Ukraine in the chronological boundaries of 1945-1991. There are three periods of formation and development of rural preschool institutions: 1st period (1945-1963) refers to the revival and formation of preschool institutions in rural areas, 2nd period (1963-1984) refers to the implementation of preschool education in rural preschools, 3rd period (1984-1991) refers to the renewal of the educational space of preschools in rural areas. The historical facts of the organization of public preschool education in the Ukrainian village in 1963-1984 are generalized – period of dynamic development of rural preschools: intensive construction of preschools in the village according to standard projects, merging nurseries and kindergartens into one institution, mass transformation of seasonal preschools into permanent ones, period of critical analysis, use and implementation of pedagogical experience, scientific and methodological developments, organization of patronage (mentoring) work, creation of "kindergarten schools". The author's periodization is based on scientific achievements in the periodization of the history of pedagogy by socio-economic and political characteristics and periods of formation of Ukrainian statehood. It is emphasized, that periodization is only an author's version, which can be accepted by scientists or refuted by replacing it with another. The following methods were used in the process of scientific research: analysis, generalization, systematization of archival documents, legislative acts, substantiation of the initial positions of scientists and practitioners on the researched problem. Chronological-systemic and historical methods were used in the dynamics and sequence of time to consider the peculiarities of the functioning of preschool institutions in rural areas of Ukraine in the period 1963-1984.
Saúde mental e cotidiano dos estudantes de terapia ocupacional frente à Covid-19: possíveis impactos e repercussões
Authors: Morato Giovana Garcia , Fernandes Amanda Dourado Souza Akahosi , Santos Ana Paula Nascimento dos
Published: April 2022

Resumo A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo identificar os impactos na saúde mental e no cotidiano dos estudantes do curso de graduação em terapia ocupacional de uma universidade pública federal frente ao cenário de enfrentamento da COVID-19. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório e descritivo, de abordagem quantiqualitativa. Para coleta de dados, utilizou-se um questionário semiestruturado organizado no Google Formulários®. Participaram do estudo 53 graduandos do primeiro ao último ano do curso. Os resultados apontam que 94% dos participantes são do gênero feminino, com idade entre 20 e 25 anos (78%). Antes da pandemia, os estudantes realizavam uma vasta gama de atividades semanais, sendo que 68% não apresentavam questões prévias de saúde mental ou não apresentavam dificuldades que impactavam a sua vida de forma significativa. Com o advento da pandemia e suas consequências, o estudo apontou que 94% dos participantes observaram sua saúde mental impactada e, desses, 92% sinalizaram a ansiedade como a manifestação mais recorrente. Verificou-se ainda que praticamente todas as atividades que compunham o cotidiano dos estudantes antes da pandemia da COVID-19 foram alteradas de alguma maneira, sendo a categoria socialização a segunda mais citada. Diante do cenário atual de permanência da pandemia há mais de um ano, importa investigar como e quais estratégias de enfrentamento os estudantes, mas também a população geral, têm adotado para lidar com os persistentes e permanentes desafios. Assim, aponta-se para a necessidade e importância de se investir em pesquisas que aprofundem a compreensão desses impactos e das possíveis estratégias de enfrentamento adotadas.
A Logic-Based Explanation Generation Framework for Classical and Hybrid Planning Problems
Authors: Vasileiou Stylianos Loukas , Yeoh William , Cao Son Tran , Kumar Ashwin , Cashmore Michael , Magazzeni Dianele
Published: April 2022

In human-aware planning systems, a planning agent might need to explain its plan to a human user when that plan appears to be non-feasible or sub-optimal. A popular approach, called model reconciliation, has been proposed as a way to bring the model of the human user closer to the agent’s model. To do so, the agent provides an explanation that can be used to update the model of human such that the agent’s plan is feasible or optimal to the human user. Existing approaches to solve this problem have been based on automated planning methods and have been limited to classical planning problems only.

In this paper, we approach the model reconciliation problem from a different perspective, that of knowledge representation and reasoning, and demonstrate that our approach can be applied not only to classical planning problems but also hybrid systems planning problems with durative actions and events/processes. In particular, we propose a logic-based framework for explanation generation, where given a knowledge base KBa (of an agent) and a knowledge base KBh (of a human user), each encoding their knowledge of a planning problem, and that KBa entails a query q (e.g., that a proposed plan of the agent is valid), the goal is to identify an explanation ε ⊆ KBa such that when it is used to update KBh, then the updated KBh also entails q. More specifically, we make the following contributions in this paper: (1) We formally define the notion of logic-based explanations in the context of model reconciliation problems; (2) We introduce a number of cost functions that can be used to reflect preferences between explanations; (3) We present algorithms to compute explanations for both classical planning and hybrid systems planning problems; and (4) We empirically evaluate their performance on such problems. Our empirical results demonstrate that, on classical planning problems, our approach is faster than the state of the art when the explanations are long or when the size of the knowledge base is small (e.g., the plans to be explained are short). They also demonstrate that our approach is efficient for hybrid systems planning problems.

Finally, we evaluate the real-world efficacy of explanations generated by our algorithms through a controlled human user study, where we develop a proof-of-concept visualization system and use it as a medium for explanation communication.
Assessing temperature dependence of soil water adsorption strength by molecular simulation
Authors: Wang Jianbo , Qiu Zemin , Zhang Chao , Chen Renpeng
Published: April 2022

Soil water adsorption strength represents the changing rate of adsorptive water content with regard to soil suction or water potential changes, dictating the magnitude of the soil water-retention curve at the dry end. Non-isothermal conditions are frequently encountered in energy and environmental geotechnics, posing the requirement to assess temperature effects on soil water adsorption strength. Yet, it remains challenging in assessing the temperature effects at the high suction range due to limitations in available experimental techniques. Here, the grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulation was explored as a method to address this challenge. A series of GCMC simulations has been performed to assess the temperature effect on the external surface adsorption of three representative soil minerals – that is, K-muscovite, Na-montmorillonite and α-quartz. Molecular simulation results preliminarily reveal that the water adsorption strength of the external surface of these soil minerals only demonstrates marginal dependence on temperature. This observation is consistent with experimental results, substantiating the feasibility of the proposed method.
La mort de l’altérité ou le déclin de l’illusion interculturelle
Authors: DEBONO Marc , CASTELLOTTI Véronique
Published: April 2022

En 1995, R. Galisson développe une utopie séduisante, selon laquelle la démarche interculturelle (DI) pourrait constituer l'avenir de l'approche communicative (AC), en la rendant moins strictement fonctionnelle et en lui apportant des dimensions plus humanistes. Nous proposons dans cette contribution de revenir sur les relations entre AC et DI, en interrogeant dans quelle mesure ce rapprochement, qui s'est selon nous confirmé et accentué, construit une conception de l'interculturel qui se contente de servir des objectifs communicativo-actionnels et ne pense plus la question de l'altérité, voire se développe contre elle. En se cantonnant aux dimensions pragmatiques d'efficacité et de gestion, qui restent en outre le plus souvent très superficielles, le primat de l'efficacité communicative conduit à vider l'interculturel de ses enjeux, en réduisant l'altérité à ses manifestations de surface ou à ses conséquences managériales. Prendre au sérieux l'altérité, à l'inverse, c'est la penser comme constitutive de la relation. Nous exposons en conséquence les bases d'une autre orientation se fondant sur le conflit herméneutique, qui prend la diversité au sérieux en s'appuyant sur une diversité d'interprétations du monde et sur leur confrontation. On peut ainsi esquisser une conception de la didactique des langues où l'enjeu est la rencontre des autres, avec leur expérience, et non la «gestion efficace» de la diversité que promeut le management interculturel, qui selon nous imprègne la didactique actuelle.
Interculturalité, corps et sport
Authors: PHILIPPE Tanguy
Published: April 2022

Cette recherche questionne les modalités de mise en place d'une valence interculturelle dans la formation des étudiants en sciences du sport. Dans ce contexte aux enjeux multiples (grandes promotions d'étudiants, taux d'échec important, débouchés professionnels dirigés vers le monde de l'enseignement et de la formation), cette formation est l'occasion de reposer la question du sens de la formation, de développer une approche dynamique et réflexive de la notion de culture. Par un partage d'expérience et la venue d'invités-témoins, les étudiants sont donc amenés à se projeter dans des situations d'apprentissage interculturelles, où ils doivent tenir compte de représentations variées dans le rapport au corps et à leur mise en jeu ou systèmes idéologico-somatiques (Alter, 1992), à commencer par leurs propres représentations de futurs enseignants et formateurs. Les étudiants, mis en posture d'enquête, peuvent ainsi identifier la dimension à la fois discrète et centrale du corps dans les parcours et rencontres interculturelles.
Former à la réconciliation avec les peuples autochtones dans le cadre de la formation initiale des enseignants
Authors: LEMAIRE Eva
Published: April 2022

Ancré dans le contexte canadien de la réconciliation entre peuples autochtones et non autochtones, cet article se base sur la littérature anglo-saxonne pertinente dans le domaine pour revisiter certaines notions et pratiques pédagogiques liées au champs de l'interculturel. La recherche se base sur une analyse de pratique de l'enseignante-chercheure ainsi que sur l'analyse thématique de travaux réalisés par des étudiants en éducation, futurs enseignants en formation initiale. Après avoir pointé quelques écueils pédagogiques à éviter, l'article propose quelques pistes de pratiques de classe prometteuses, parmi lesquelles l'apprentissage par le service à la communauté, l'immersion en milieu communautaire et la pédagogie de la terre.
External Debt and Economic Growth in Emerging Economies: Panel Causality Analysis
Authors: GÜLCEMAL Tuba
Published: April 2022

This paper is conducted to obtain information about the explanation power of GDP, consumer price index, and trade openness variables on total external debt and the relationship between these variables for six emerging countries: Argentina, Brazil, Russia, Turkey, Philippines, and South Africa. To control for cross-sectional dependency heterogeneity across cross-sectional units, using panel data on six emerging economies for the period 1990-2019, panel unit root tests, panel cointegration tests such as Gengenbach, Urbain and Westerlund, and Pedroni’s PDOLS, DOLSMG, and Heterogenous Dumistrescu & Hurlin Causality Test and Heterogenous VAR Model applied. The empirical results by appropriate estimators show the different effects of GDP, inflation and trade openness on long-run total external debt in the sample countries for the analysis period. There is also a causality from the total external debt to the GDP variable for all panel data. When the VAR model results for the units are examined, the lagged total external debt variable is meaningful in explaining the GDP in Russia and South Africa. In addition, it has been concluded that causality from the total external debt to the inflation and the total external debt variable is meaningful in explaining the inflation in the Philippines, South Africa, and Turkey.
Is It Possible to Reduce Cigarette Consumption by Taxes? A Comparison Between Turkey and The European Union
Authors: TOSUN Ayşe Nil , TEKDEMİR Nazmiye
Published: April 2022

This study investigates whether tax structures are significant determinants of cigarette consumption patterns. The study analysed the tax burden on cigarettes in Turkey, and the tax rates were compared with the European Union (EU) countries. Then, it compares smoking trends in Turkey and EU countries. In the study, data from the statistical office of the European Union and the official institutions of Turkey were used. This study concludes that, in contrast to EU countries, ad valorem taxes in Turkey have a larger share than specific taxes. In addition, taxes on cigarettes have a deterrent effect in EU countries but not in Turkey. Thus, taxation techniques may be as important as tax rates in changing consumer preferences.
The Independent Advisory Board for Turkish Social Security Institution: A Policy Transfer Trail from the United Kingdom Case
Authors: DUR Varol , ŞAHİN Muhiddin
Published: April 2022

Social security is a policy area requiring technical, bipartisan, and objective expertise and a high level of consultation and consensus with stakeholders for proper decision-making and implementation. For assuring these necessities in the context of social security challenges, the UK government system employs an impartial advisory body. Using this example, this study intends to examine the historical and political backdrop and the implementation of the advisory committee and provide an outline for possible Turkish application. Based on the case study analysis executed in this paper, an obvious need for an independent advisory body in the Turkish social security system has been identified. However, the implementation and boundaries of such a body’s independence would directly determine its efficiency and requirement of existence.
Metaverse and metaverse cryptocurrencies (meta coins): bubbles or future
Authors: Akkus Hilmi Tunahan , Gursoy Samet , Dogan Mesut , Demir Ahmet Burak
Published: April 2022

Purpose- Metaverse is one of the blockchain-based digital assets developed in recent years. The concept of metaverse refers to an alternative virtual universe in which individuals are represented by their avatars (virtual representation), they can create applications, socialize, buy and sell goods and services, and share. In addition, there are meta coins, i.e. local crypto coins, used in the metaverse. In this study, the concepts of metaverse and meta coin, which have become popular recently, are explained, and the existence of price bubbles in MANA, the meta coin of the Decentraland digital reality platform, which has the largest market value among meta coins, is investigated.
Methodology- The existence of price bubbles is investigated by the newly developed GSADF multiple bubble test.
Findings- According to the result of the analysis carried out with the GSADF test, the existence of price bubbles in MANA prices in different periods has been determined. Especially the bubbles that have formed in the recent period have been realized as a longer term. This situation shows the impression that significant speculative movements have occurred in the MANA token recently.
Conclusion- According to the findings, MANA prices are open to speculation. It is important for those investing or considering investing in MANA and other meta coins to consider the existence of bubbles in the respective token prices.

Keywords: Price bubbles, token, cryptocurrency, metaverse, meta coin.
JEL Codes: G11, G14, G15
IMPACT OF INVESTORS SENTIMENT ON IPO PERFORMANCE: EVIDENCE FROM NASDAQ AND NYSE
Authors: Ibrahim Fatouma Ahmed , Benli Vahit Ferhan
Published: April 2022

Purpose- The paper explores the correlation between investors’ sentiment, underpricing and performance over a period of 36 months of newly issued American stocks with a sample of 199 newly listed firms on NASDAQ and NYSE within the period of January 2015 to April 2021. IPOs listed on US stock exchanges have received little attention even though anomalies related to new stock issues are well documented. We aim to fill the existing academic gap.
Methodology- We have hypothesized investor sentiment as the potential explaining variable inducing the anomalies observed and we extract this variable from the American Association of Individual Investors survey results per the nearest date of each IPO issue. We compute the returns in two separate timeframes. The Market Adjusted Initial Returns (MAIRs) are computed as the price change observed during the offer day, adjusted to the S&P500 index. We investigate long-term performance by calculating the Buy-and-Hold Abnormal Return (BHARs) of each IPO for a period of 36months. The company characteristics, which are age, proceeds, number of issued shares, venture capital backing status and economic sector, are retrieved from Thomson Reuter’s screens to control on IPO pricing. Then we use a regression model to see whether the predictor variable has an effect on the outcome variable.
Findings- We found that the correlation between the bullish ratio and the MAIRs confirms results found in previous literature and no relationship between investor sentiment and long run performance have been observed.
Conclusion- We conclude that on American stock markets, the existing underpricing can be explained by investors overreacting to new issues while findings relative to the long run performance contradict earlier research, as there is no evidence of underperformance among companies that went public between January 2015 and April 2021. Further research can be oriented toward understand why the documented poor performance related to IPOs no longer exists, as well as the particular characteristics of US markets which are favorable to the profitability of the new issues in the long-term.

Keywords: Investor sentiment, behavioral finance, long-term performance, underpricing, initial public offering, IPO.
JEL Codes: D91, G10, G41
SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING AND THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF BANKS IN AFRICA
Authors: Botchwey Edward Attah , Soku Michael Gift , Awadzie David Mensah
Published: April 2022

Purpose– This study examined the relationship between sustainability reporting and bank performance in Africa. Unlike previous studies that solely dwelled on accounting measures of performance, this study adopted both accounting (i.e., return on assets) and market-based measures of firm performance (i.e., Tobin's Q).
Methodology– The study relied on secondary data gathered from the audited financial statements of listed banks in Africa over ten years from 2010 to 2020. Notably, the financial statements of 20 listed banks (drawn from Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa) were subjected to quantitative content analysis to quantify the extent of sustainability content. It was guided by the sustainability reporting framework developed by the global reporting initiative. The content analysis aims to identify and classify the extent to which firms report on Economic, governance, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability. Besides, the financial statement figures aided the computation of a performance measure (return on assets and Tobin's Q) for the banks. Concerning data analysis, the study utilized a panel fixed effect regression model to estimate the relationship between sustainability reporting and firm performance.
Findings– The results suggest that economic, social, and governance reporting of sustainability content (in the financial statement) has a significant positive association with Tobin's Q and Return on Assets (ROA). Furthermore, the study's findings suggest that banks ' reportage of environmental sustainability content has a significant positive effect on ROA. However, it has no significant effect on Tobin's Q.
Conclusion– Generally, the study concludes that increased sustainability reporting enhances bank performance in the long term. Among others, the study recommends that policymakers develop a sustainability framework specific to the banking industry's needs.

Keywords: Sustainability, return on assets, bank performance, framework.
JEL Codes: E44, F40, F43
Role and Significance of c-KIT Receptor Tyrosine Kinase in Cancer: A Review
Authors: Sheikh Emana , Tran Tony , Vranic Semir , Levy Arkene , Bonfil R. Daniel
Published: April 2022

c-kit is a classical proto-oncogene that encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that responds to stem cell factor (SCF). C-KIT signaling is a critical regulator of cell proliferation, survival, and migration and is implicated in several physiological processes, including pigmentation, hematopoiesis and gut movement. Accumulating evidence suggests that dysregulated c-KIT function, caused by either overexpression or mutations in c-kit, promotes tumor development and progression in various human cancers. In this review, we discuss the most important structural and biological features of c-KIT, as well as insights into the activation of intracellular signaling pathways following SCF binding to this RTK. We then illustrate how different c-kit alterations are associated with specific human cancers and describe recent studies that highlight the contribution of c-KIT to cancer stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and progression to metastatic disease in different experimental models. The impact of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in treating c-KIT-positive tumors and limitations due to their propensity to develop drug resistance are summarized. Finally, we appraise the potential of novel therapeutic approaches targeting c-KIT more selectively while minimizing toxicity to normal tissue.
The interconnection of efficiency and the degree of aggregation of nanofiller in polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Козлов Георгий Владимирович , Долбин Игорь Викторович
Published: April 2022

The rule of mixtures was the first theoretical model, used for a description of the elastic modulus of multicomponent systems, including those of polymer nanocomposites. However, the use of nominal magnitudes of the characteristics of system components in such an approach led to overestimated values of their elastic modulus. Therefore, various modified versions of the rule of mixtures are currently used for this purpose, which significantly complicate its application and do not indicate the physical factors leading to overestimated theoretical results.         In this study, a modified rule of mixtures was proposed, taking into account the decrease in the effective (actual) elastic modulus of the nanofiller in a polymer matrix of the nanocomposite compared to the nominal value determined only by the aggregation of the nanofiller. It is known that the aggregation process is the main negative factor reducing the final properties of nanomaterials, while other factors (for example, the interfacial adhesion level, nanofiller orientation, etc.) depend on the degree of aggregation. The physical sence of the aggregation process is a decrease in the relative proportion of nanofiller-polymer matrix interfacial regions, i.e., the effectiveness of a nanofiller as a reinforcing element of a nanocomposite is determined by its ability to generate high-modulus interfacial regions.          The rule of mixtures modified in this way correctly describes the dependence of the elastic modulus of the nanocomposite on the content of the nanofiller, regardless of the type of the latter (carbon nanotubes, graphene, etc.). Therefore, the nanofiller efficiency indicator can serve as a complex parameter that is characteristic of the nanocomposite quality.
Investigation of the effect of a multicomponent additive on the structure formation and hardening of cement composites
Authors: Шведова Мария Александровна , Артамонова Ольга Владимировна , Славчева Галина Станиславовна
Published: April 2022

The development and application of multicomponent multifunctional additives for cement composites is an important research area since the use of such additives allows controlling both the rheological properties of the freshly prepared mixture and the physical and mechanical characteristics of the finished composite.      This work proposes to use a multicomponent multifunctional additive with the composition of “SiO2 nanoparticle - superplasticiser - polypropylene fibre” for the modification of cement composite materials based on sand and chalky flour. We studied the peculiarities of the influence of this additive on the technological characteristics of mixtures (plasticity and form stability) and the processes of setting-up, hydration, structure formation, and strength gain of the composite materials.        It was shown that the introduction of this additive allows increasing the plasticity limit and structural strength and reducing relative plastic deformations of the cement mixture at the manufacturing stage. At the same time, this additive accelerates the processes of setting-up, hydration, and strength gain of cement composites. It was proved that the increase in strength is due to the formation of a dense structure of hydrated new growths of the cement substance formed by phases of low and highly basic calcium silicate hydrates of various compositions and morphologies, as well as the absence of a portlanditephase.
Экспресс-метод определения летучих органических примесей в спиртных дистиллированных напитках на основе сочетания ГХ/ПИД и ГХ/МСД
Authors: Шелехова Наталия Викторовна
Published: April 2022

Недостаточная разработанность инструментальных методик высокоточной и надежной идентификации химического состава алкогольной продукции является предпосылкой для проведения исследований в данном векторе. В работе реализована возможность одновременной селективной идентификации 20 химических соединений наиболее характерных для дистиллированных напитков с использованием метода газовой хроматографии с пламенно-ионизационным детектированием и метода газовой хроматографии-масс-спектрометрии. Подобраны условия хроматографического разделения и масс-спектрометрического детектирования летучих органических примесей в спиртных напитках: объем вводимой пробы 0.7 мкл, газ-носитель гелий, температура инжектора 150°С, температура термостата 75оС, программирование температуры до 220°С, температура источника ионов 230°С. Регистрацию масс-спектров осуществляли в режиме SCAN в диапазоне масс m/z 19-600 а.е.м., идентификацию проводили путем сравнения полученных экспериментальных спектров с данными библиотек.  Для оценки матричного эффекта проведена серия экспериментов с использованием реальных проб спиртных напитков. Дрейф времен удерживания, вызванный повторными вводами анализируемых проб не обнаружен, значения коэффициента вариации не превышает 3%, что свидетельствует об отсутствии влияния матрицы. Сформирована тематическая пользовательская библиотека Whiskey 22, преимуществом которой являются стандартные условия регистрации масс-спектров, благодаря чему достигается большая схожесть спектров одних и тех же соединений, полученных на разных приборах, что обеспечивает повышенную надёжность идентификации. В ходе исследований выявлена и экспериментально подтверждена возможность селективной идентификации летучих органических веществ в спиртных напитках при использования газового хроматографа с масс-спектрометрическим детектированием. Разработанный методический подход универсален и применим для исследования химического состава зерновых дистиллятов, виски, рома, ромовых дистиллятов, текилы, самогона. К достоинствам нового подхода можно отнести: одновременное селективное определение 20 компонентов за 19 мин, отсутствие пробоподготовки, экспрессность, приемлемую воспроизводимость, высокую точность идентификации, отсутствие необходимости кондиционирования колонки между водами пробы и возможность использования для рутинного анализа. Перспективой разработанного подхода является возможность применения в качестве референтной методики при анализе качества и безопасности алкогольной продукции методом газовой хроматографии с пламенно-ионизационным детектированием.
Single-Cell Isolation of Human Articular Cartilage v1
Authors: not provided hswahn , Lotz Martin
Published: April 2022

This is a protocol that describes the process of isolating single cells from healthy knee cartilage for single cell RNAseq.
Human Knee Cartilage Collection Protocol for Single Cell RNAseq v1
Authors: not provided molmer , Lotz Martin
Published: April 2022

Cartilage from the medial femoral condyle is shaved for Single Cell RNAseq processing. The attached image indicates where the cartilage shavings are collected from.
Knee Cartilage Grading Protocol v1
Authors: not provided molmer , Lotz Martin
Published: April 2022

The attached document shows the Gross Morphological Assessment Sheet we use to score and grade knee cartilage.
The role of mutuals in social protection policies: innovative experiences around the world v1
Authors: Niang Marietou , Gélinas Émilie , Mallé Samb Oumar , Ridde Valery
Published: April 2022

The objective of this scoping review is to produce a state of knowledge on the experiences of countries that have used community-based or health mutuals in their national social protection systems and the functions delegated to these mutuals. As this topic is to our knowledge not very developed in the literature, our review will be extended to all countries of the world. There are two main questions to be answered: 1.What are the existing experiences in the world that have usedcommunity-based health insurance orhealth mutuals in their national social protection policies? 2.What functions have been delegated to these mutuals in these country experiences?
Treatment of Extension Knee Contractures with Ilizarov Apparatus Versus Orthopedic Hexapod Ortho-SUV Frame
Authors: Rokhoev Saigidula A. , Chugaev Dmitrii V. , Solomin Leonid N.
Published: April 2022

Background. In case if it is impossible to eliminate the knee contracture by soft tissue release, external fixation is additionally used. Most often, the Ilizarov apparatus with a uniaxial hinge is used for this purpose. Orthopedic hexapods, unlike the Ilizarov frame, are able to reproduce the kinematics of movements in the knee joint.
Aim of the study to evaluate the effectiveness of orthopedic hexapod for the treatment of patients with knee extension contractures in comparison with the Ilizarov apparatus.
Methods. We analyzed 64 cases of combined treatment of extension knee contractures, which were divided into two groups. In the 1st group (31 patients) in addition to the soft tissue release, the orthopedic hexapod Ortho-SUV Frame (OSF) was used. In the 2nd group (33 patients) the Ilizarov apparatus with an uniaxial hinge was used. In a comparative analysis between groups, the number of flexion-extension cycles, the time required to complete them, and the time needed for complete knee range of motion (ROM) restoration were evaluated. Functional results were assessed using specialized scales-questionnaires KSS, Lysholm, LEFS in 2 days, 6 and 12 mon. after frame dismantling.
Results. Comparing the total external fixation period, as well as the time needed for ROM restoration, no significant difference between groups was found (р0.05). When using the orthopedic hexapod, in comparison with the Ilizarov apparatus, fewer flexion-extension cycles were required. When assessing the amplitude of movements in 12 mon. in the first group, excellent results were found in 27 patients and good results in 4. In the second group, in all 33 patients good ROM was evaluated. On average, the ROM in the 1st group was 20 more than in the 2nd group. The knee function in 12 mon. was 16 points higher on the KSS in the 1st group, 5 points higher on the Lysholm scale, and 15 points higher on the LEFS scale than in the 2nd group. When analyzing the frequency of complications, no significant differences were found (р0.05).
Conclusions. The results obtained indicate the effectiveness of the orthopedic hexapod in the treatment of patients with knee extension contractures.