bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essays in auction theory with applications in corporate finance
Authors: Ζαρπαλά Λαμπρινή
Published: November 2021

Αυτή η διατριβή είναι μία συλλογή τριών επιστημονικών δοκιμίων με κεντρικό θέμα την εφαρμογή της θεωρία δημοπρασιών στην εταιρική χρηματοδότηση. Σε κάθε κεφάλαιο της διατριβής παρουσιάζεται το κάθε επιστημονικό δοκίμιο ξεχωριστά εκτός από το Κεφάλαιο 1.Το κεφάλαιο 1 είναι ένα εισαγωγικό κεφάλαιο στο οποίο επεξηγούμε κάποιες βασικές εργαλειοθήκες της θεωρίας δημοπρασιών έτσι ώστε ο αναγνώστης να μπορέσει να κατανοήσει σε βάθος την ανάλυση των επόμενων κεφαλαίων. Σε αυτό το κεφάλαιο συζητάμε κάποια θεμελιώδη επιστημονικά άρθρα τα οποία χρησιμοποιήσαμε ως βάση της έρευνας μας και τα οποία συγκαταλέγονται ανάμεσα στους ακρογωνιαίους λίθους της θεωρίας δημοπρασιών. Το δεύτερο κεφάλαιο διερευνά πώς μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν οι δημοπρασίες της «ενιαίας-τιμής» (uniform-price) στη τιμολόγηση των εταιρικών ομολόγων. Για να έχουμε μία ρεαλιστική προσέγγιση, ενσωματώνουμε στο θεωρητικό μοντέλο τις επενδυτικές εντολές και τα όρια του προϋπολογισμού με τα οποία έρχονται αντιμέτωποι οι διαχειριστές κεφαλαίων, κατά την υποβολή των προσφορών τους για την έκδοση των εταιρικών ομολόγων. Εξ όσων γνωρίζουμε, είμαστε οι πρώτοι οι οποίοι ενσωματώνουν σε ένα μοντέλο όλες αυτές τις μεταβλητές, υπό τη παρουσία της δευτερογενής αγοράς, καταλήγοντας σε κάποια πολύ ενδιαφέροντα αποτελέσματα, τα οποία παρουσιάζονται στο Ενότητα 2.4. του Κεφαλαίου 2 και στο Κεφάλαιο 5.Στα επόμενα κεφάλαια εξετάζουμε πώς μπορούμε να σχεδιάσουμε μία βέλτιστη δημοπρασία για τη διαπραγμάτευση ενός χαρτοφυλακίου μετοχών. Συγκεκριμένα, στο τρίτο Κεφάλαιο προτείνουμε ένα σχέδιο δημοπρασίας σε δύο γύρους για τη τιμολόγηση ενός «τυφλού» χαρτοφυλακίου μετοχών - ένα καλάθι από άγνωστες μετοχές δημοπρατείται σε μία προκαθορισμένη τιμή εκτέλεσης. Ο μηχανισμός επιτρέπει την απελευθέρωση πληροφορίας στο ενδιάμεσο και αυτό το χαρακτηριστικό όχι μόνο μπορεί να μειώσει τα κόστη ρευστοποίησης για τους διαχειριστές κεφαλαίων αλλά μπορεί να μειώσει και τη «κατάρα του νικητή» για τους ίδιους τους χρηματιστές. Στο τέταρτο κεφάλαιο εξετάζουμε ένα μηχανισμό σε δύο γύρους για ένα χαρτοφυλάκιο μετοχών που έχει υποδιαιρεθεί σε επιμέρους πακέτα. Ο διαχειριστής κεφαλαίου δύναται να πουλήσει είτε ολόκληρο το χαρτοφυλάκιο είτε το κάθε πακέτο ξεχωριστά. Ομοίως, η δημοπρασία σε δύο γύρους επιτρέπει την απελευθέρωση της πληροφορίας στο ενδιάμεσο, το οποίο μπορεί να αντισταθμίσει το φαινόμενο της «κατάρας του νικητή». Η βασική μας συνεισφορά και καινοτομία είναι ένας νέος κανόνας τιμολόγησης που προκύπτει πάνω στο «πυρήνα» και επεκτείνει το κανόνα (Nearest-VCG), που ήδη χρησιμοποιείται, σε ένα δυναμικό περιβάλλον μία δημοπρασίας σε δύο γύρους. Ο κανόνας που προτείνουμε αντισταθμίζει το «φαινόμενο του λαθρεπιβάτη» για τους χρηματιστές, παροτρύνοντας τους να υποβάλουν προσφορά σύμφωνη με την εκτίμηση που έχουν για το κάθε πακέτο. Το τελευταίο κεφάλαιο συνοψίζει τα αποτελέσματα από τα προηγούμενα κεφάλαια.
Essays on epidemic models and their statistical analysis
Authors: Χατζηλένα Αναστασία
Published: November 2021

Οι αποφάσεις που αφορούν τη δημόσια υγεία σχετικά με τις μολυσματικές ασθένειες χαρακτηρίζονται από τη χρήση πολύπλοκων μαθηματικών μοντέλων προκειμένου να κατανοηθεί η δυναμική των μολυσματικών ασθενειών και να σχεδιαστούν στρατηγικές παρέμβασης. Η αποτελεσματική μοντελοποίηση και οι διαδικασίες εξαγωγής συμπερασμάτων για την εκμάθηση των παραμέτρων του μοντέλου μέσω των δεδομένα έχουν κεντρικό ενδιαφέρον. Σε αυτή τη διατριβή, πραγματοποιήθηκε μια ολοκληρωμένη ανασκόπηση δύο νέων και αποτελεσματικών στατιστικών μεθόδων μηχανικής μάθησης, ονομαστικά των μεθόδων Hamiltonian Monte Carlo και Variational Inference, όπως υλοποιούνται στο ελεύθερα διαθέσιμο λογισμικό Stan. Εξερευνήσαμε πώς το Stan θα μπορούσε να χρησιμοποιηθεί για την προσαρμογή μιας κατηγορίας μοντέλων επιδημίας που βασίζονται σε συστήματα συνήθων διαφορικών εξισώσεων και δείξαμε τις δυνατότητές του σε μια εφαρμογή σε πραγματικά δεδομένα.Υπό το πρίσμα της πανδημίας COVID-19, αυτή η διατριβή επικεντρώθηκε σε προσεγγίσεις που βασίζονται σε μοντέλα για την εκτίμηση της μεταδοτικότητας του SARS-CoV2, εστιάζοντας σε δύο διαφορετικές κατηγορίες επιδημικών μοντέλων. Αδυναμίες στην παγκόσμια επιδημιολογική επιτήρηση, οδήγησαν στη χρήση έμμεσων εκτιμήσεων των λοιμώξεων, μέσω των θανάτων. Αυτή η προσέγγιση υιοθετήθηκε για να εκτιμηθεί μια επέκταση του ντετερμινιστικού μοντέλου SEIR (ευπαθείς-εκτεθειμένοι-μολυσμένοι-ανοσοποιημένοι/διαγραμμένοι), όπου ο ρυθμός μετάδοσης είναι μια στοχαστική διαδικασία, επιτρέποντας στο μοντέλο να αντικατοπτρίσει τόσο την επίδραση των στρατηγικών ελέγχου όσο και των αλλαγών στη συμπεριφορά των ατόμων. Στη συνέχεια χρησιμοποιήθηκε ένα κατάλληλα προσαρμοσμένο επιδημικό μοντέλο που ανήκει στην ευρύτερη κλάση των διωνυμικών-αλυσιδωτών (chain-binomial) μοντέλων, το οποίο αργότερα επεκτάθηκε για να συμπεριλάβει την ετερογένεια του πληθυσμού, εισάγοντας αβεβαιότητα γύρω από το μέσο αριθμό επαφών σε ένα άκρως ιεραρχικό πλαίσιο, προσπαθώντας να αποκαλύψει την ηλικιακή κατανομή των λοιμώξεων μέσω των αθροιστικών θανάτων. Επί της ουσίας, η προσεκτική εξέταση των δεδομένων σε συνδυασμό με τη χρήση των σύγχρονων εξελίξεων στη στατιστική, μπορεί να είναι ένα ουσιαστικό εργαλείο για προηγμένη ανάλυση που βασίζεται σε ρεαλιστικά πολύπλοκα μοντέλα.
Identification of potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 S protein–ACE2 interaction by in silico drug repurposing
Authors: Tristán-Flores Fabiola E , Casique-Aguirre Diana , Pliego-Arreaga Raquel , Cervantes-Montelongo Juan A , García-Gutierrez Ponciano , Acosta-García Gerardo , Silva-Martínez Guillermo A
Published: November 2021

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a new coronavirus discovered that appeared in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, causes COVID-19 disease which have resulted in cases similar to SARS-atypical pneumonia. Worldwide, around 116 million cases and 2.57 million deaths are reported with new cases and increasing mortality every day. To date, there is no specific commercial treatment to control the infection. Repurpose drugs targeting the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor represents an alternative strategy to block the binding of SARS-CoV-2 protein S and forestall virus adhesion, internalization, and replication in the host cell.

Methods: We performed a rigid molecular docking using the receptor binding domain of the S1 subunit of S protein (RBD S1)-ACE2 (PDB ID: 6VW1) interaction site and 1,283 drugs FDA approved. The docking score, frequency of the drug in receptor site, and interactions at the binding site residues were used as analyzing criteria.

Results: This research yielded 40 drugs identified as a potential inhibitor of RBD S1-ACE2 interaction. Among the inhibitors, compounds such as ipratropium, formoterol, and fexofenadine can be found. Specialists employ these drugs as therapies to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and virtually any respiratory infection.

Conclusions: Our results will serve as the basis for in vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate the potential use of those drugs to generate affordable and convenient therapies to treat COVID-19.
Fermented medicinal herbs improve hematological and physiological profile of Striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)
Authors: Syawal Henni , Kurniawan Ronal , Effendi Irwan , Austin Brian
Published: November 2021

This study sought to determine the effect of fermented medicinal herbs (FMH), i.e. cutchery (Kaempferia galanga), turmeric (Curcuma longa) and curcuma (Curcuma xanthorrhiza) in combination with molasses and probiotic drink (Yakult), administered orally on the hematological and physiological profile of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus). A complete randomized design (CRD) experiment was used with four levels of treatments, namely P0 (control), P1 (FMH 100 mL/kg), P2 (FMH 200 mL/kg) and P3 (FMH 300 mL/kg) of feed. The fish were kept in a farm in cages at 75 fish/m3 and fed with the experimental diets for 60 days. The results revealed that FMH (P2) dietary administration improved hematological and physiological profile of catfish, i.e total erythrocytes of 2.81 x 106 cells/mm3, hematocrit values of 39.00%, hemoglobin levels of 10.73 g/dL, total leukocytes of 11.41 x 104 cells/mm3, blood glucose 97.33 mg/dL, and total serum protein 4.10 mg/dL compared to controls with 1.89 x 106 cells/mm3, 32.33 %, g/dL, 9.67 x 104 cells/mm3, 67.33 mg/dL, and total serum protein of 3.10 mg/dL, respectively. Moreover, the diet improved special growth rate, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency and the survival rate of catfish. The hematological and physiological profile of catfish improvement are considered to be due to the content of secondary metabolites of FMH, namely curcuminoids, vitamin C, essential oils, tannins, and flavonoids, which trigger immunostimulation. The presence of curcuminoids provide an antioxidant effect on cell membranes reducing erythrocyte cell membrane damage due to oxidation. Similarly, flavonoids are natural antioxidants, which are credited with the ability of reducing free radicals and anti-free radicals.
Conceptual design of smart multi-farm produce dehydrator using a low-cost programmable logic controller and raspberry pi
Authors: Oluwaleye Sunkanmi , Oguntosin Victoria , Idachaba Francis
Published: November 2021

Background: Acceptable food processing techniques require the removal of water contents from the crop or food sample without destroying the nutritional qualities of the food sample. This poses a strict requirement on the dehydrator or oven that will be used in the dehydrating techniques to have the ability to control both temperature and humidity of its drying chamber.

Methods: This work centres on how an autonomous multi-farm produce dehydrator that can also serve as an oven can be designed with a raspberry pi and a low-cost programmable logic controller (PLC). The dehydrator gives the users the flexibility to control both the drying chamber’s temperature and humidity from its web interface via a mobile device or the dehydrator’s HMI. Heat energy from the Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) is used so that the dehydrator can be readily available for commercial or industrial use.  The small electricity required to power the electronics devices is obtained from the hybrid power solution with an electric energy source from either the mains electricity supply or solar..

The design was tested by creating an operation profile from the proposed web application for the dehydrator. The operation trend was analysed from the web application’s Trendlines page.

Results: The report showed that both the temperature and humidity of the dehydrator could be controlled, and access to historical operation data will give insight to the user on how to create a better operation profile.

Conclusion: The setup described in this work, when implemented was able to produce a dehydrator/oven whose temperature and humidity can be perfectly controlled and its generated heat is evenly distributed in its drying chamber to ensure efficient and effective drying techniques use in crop preservation and food processing.
An intelligent decision support system for crop yield prediction using hybrid machine learning algorithms
Authors: Anbananthen Kalaiarasi Sonai Muthu , Subbiah Sridevi , Chelliah Deisy , Sivakumar Prithika , Somasundaram Varsha , Velshankar Kethaarini Harshana , Khan M.K.A.Ahamed
Published: November 2021

Background: In recent times, digitization is gaining importance in different domains of knowledge such as agriculture, medicine, recommendation platforms, the Internet of Things (IoT), and weather forecasting. In agriculture, crop yield estimation is essential for improving productivity and decision-making processes such as financial market forecasting, and addressing food security issues. The main objective of the article is to predict and improve the accuracy of crop yield forecasting using hybrid machine learning (ML) algorithms.

Methods: This article proposes hybrid ML algorithms that use specialized ensembling methods such as stacked generalization, gradient boosting, random forest, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. Stacked generalization is a new model which learns how to best combine the predictions from two or more models trained on the dataset. To demonstrate the applications of the proposed algorithm, aerial-intel datasets from the github data science repository are used.

Results: Based on the experimental results done on the agricultural data, the following observations have been made. The performance of the individual algorithm and hybrid ML algorithms are compared using cross-validation to identify the most promising performers for the agricultural dataset.  The accuracy of random forest regressor, gradient boosted tree regression, and stacked generalization ensemble methods are 87.71%, 86.98%, and 88.89% respectively.

Conclusions: The proposed stacked generalization ML algorithm statistically outperforms with an accuracy of 88.89% and hence demonstrates that the proposed approach is an effective algorithm for predicting crop yield. The system also gives fast and accurate responses to the farmers.
Case Report: Silicosis and IgA nephropathy, an exceptional association
Authors: Mami Ikram , Hsinet Jihen , Tlili Syrine , Jebali Hela , Ben Othmani Ilhem , Ismail Saloua , Khouja Nihel , Madiha Krid , Rais Lamia , Benzarti Aida , Abdelmajid Ben Jemaa , Ben Fatma Lilia , Zouaghi Karim
Published: November 2021

A 57-year-old male who had been working in masonry for 33 years was hospitalized for renal function decline associated with exertional dyspnea. He presented with hypertension and limb edema. Urinalysis revealed an active urine sediment with glomerular proteinuria at 1.5 g/24h and the renal biopsy identified mesangial IgA Nephropathy. Chest tomography scans showed signs of silicosis. The patient received Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors with stable renal function. To our knowledge, the association of silicosis-IgA nephropathy has rarely been reported in the literature. This case highlights the effect of chronic exposure to silica dust and its association with both silica and renal disease.
Nutrient dynamics in water and soil under conventional rice cultivation in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta
Authors: Ngan Nguyen Vo Chau , Thao Huynh Van , Giang Nam Nguyen Dinh
Published: November 2021

Background The evaluation of nutrient variability plays a crucial role in accessing soil potentials and practical intervention responses in rice production systems. Synthetic fertilizer applications and cultivation practices are considered key factors affecting nutrient dynamics and availability. Here, we assessed the nutrient dynamics in surface, subsurface water and soil under local water management and conventional rice cultivation practices in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta.

Methods We implemented a field experiment (200 m 2) in the 2018 wet season and the 2019 dry season in a triple rice-cropping field. Eight samples of surface water, subsurface water (30–45 cm), and topsoil (0–20 cm) were collected and analysed during the rice-growing seasons.

Results The results showed that N-NH 4+, P-PO 43- and total P peaks were achieved after fertilizing. Irrespective of seasons, the nutrient content in surface water was always greater than that of subsurface water (P<0.001), with the exception of N-NO 3-, which was insignificant (P>0.05). When comparing the wet and dry seasons, nutrient concentrations exhibited minor differences (P>0.05). Under conventional rice cultivation, the effects of synthetic fertilizer topdressing on the total N, soil organic matter (SOM), and total P were negligible in the soil. Higher rates of N fertilizer application did not significantly increase soil N-NH 4+, total N, yet larger P fertilizer amounts substantially enhanced soil total P (P<0.001).

Conclusions Under conventional rice cultivation, N-NH 4+, P-PO 43- and total P losses mainly occur through runoff rather than leaching. While N-NO 3- loss is similar in surface water and subsurface water. Notably, nutrient content in soil was high; whilst SOM was seen to be low-to-medium between seasons. Future work should consider the nutrient balance and dynamic simulation in the lowland soil of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta’s paddy fields.
Impact of sublethal pyrethroid exposure on resistant Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes’ fitness
Authors: Fodjo Behi Kouadio , Kropf Alida , Gonse Zoh Marius , Gba Sadia Christabelle , France-Paraudie Kouadio Affoué , Guibéhi Benjamin Koudou , Seidou Mouhamadou Chouaïbou
Published: November 2021

Background: There is increasing evidence of insecticide resistance spreading among wild mosquito populations, which is widely believed to compromise vector control once it reaches a threshold that enables mosquitoes to survive exposure to long lasting treated bed-net (LLIN) or indoor residual spraying (IRS). However, very little is known about the long-term impact of insecticide resistance on malaria transmission, which makes the consequence of insecticide resistance spreading difficult to predict.

Methods: To gain more clarity, we have assessed five life-history traits of a resistant Anopheles gambiae laboratory strain that was repeatedly exposed to a LLIN and compared with individuals issued from the same strain but exposed to an untreated bed-net.

Results: Out of the five measured life-history traits, four were significantly affected by exposure to insecticides. Indeed, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov non-parametric test revealed a significant (i) drop in blood feeding mean rates (P=0.000000494), (ii) increase in 24-hours post-exposure (P= 0.000008559) and (iii) end of gonotrophic cycle mortality (P =0.0005749), and (iv) drop in egg laying rate (P=0.000107) when mosquitoes were exposed.

Conclusion: Our study shows that in a context of widespread of resistance to insecticides, current pyrethroid-based vector control tools can still confer protection against malaria
Using simulation exercises to improve student skills and patient safety
Authors: Mitchell Aby , Assadi Georgiana
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the delivery of nursing training in higher education and how workforce development programmes are delivered. Using simulated practice is an opportunity for experiential and immersive learning in a safe and supported environment that replaces real life. This article discusses the use of simulation in nurse education to improve patient safety.
Working to reduce the problem of thromboembolism in pregnant women
Authors: Lorusso Ediscyll
Published: November 2021

Ediscyll Lorusso, Senior Thrombosis Specialist Nurse Practitioner, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded third place in the Nurse of the Year category in the BJN Awards 2021
Inequality is ‘baked in’ to our education system
Authors: Wigdortz Brett
Published: November 2021

Although Brett Wigdortz says that inequality is ‘baked in’ to our education system, he thinks that we can change the recipe. From exploring new ways of offering early years education to changing the language we use to describe the sector, Brett addresses a number of important issues in this short, thought-provoking piece.
Fossil Fuels, Rising Population, and Global Warming: The Interlinked Phenomena
Authors: Yusuf Mohammad , Abdullah Bawadi
Published: November 2021

Global warming is increasing due to accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the earth’s atmosphere. This is leading to devastating consequences causing floods and droughts in different areas of the globe. The exploitation and burning of fossil fuels on a tremendous scale is the main reason for rising global warming. The approach of sustainable development may help in controlling the rising temperatures. Hydrogen fuel is one such promising alternative clean fuel, that could change the scenario as per the vision of ‘Hydrogen Economy’. A combined approach of switching to cleaner and greener fuel with increased natural sinks for CO2 can provide a better solution to global warming.
Optical glass selection for color corrected broadband instrumentation:
an overview
Authors: Sola La Serna Paula , Sánchez-Capuchino Revuelta Jorge
Published: November 2021

The aim of this paper is to provide a complete and helpful review of
all existing techniques for the selection of optical glasses that are
applied during the design of color corrected lens-based systems. The
paper fills a gap in the related literature, where there was no
contribution bringing all approaches together under a common notation.
This allows to identify commonalities and discrepancies, as well as to
compare their fundamentals. Special attention has been paid to its
application to optical instrumentation working in a wide spectral
range (visible and short-wave infrared). All glass selection
strategies have been implemented to the design of a broadband
lens-based camera case study, which allows establishing a comparison
among all methods and their results. A new, to the best of our
knowledge, approach is suggested to adapt the focal shift curve over a
continuous working spectral range at convenience.
Experimental observation of multiple edge and corner states in photonic slabs heterostructures
Authors: Li Mingxing , Wang Yueke , Sang Tian , Chu Hongchen , Lai Yun , Yang Guofeng
Published: November 2021

The photonic topological insulator has become an important research topic with a wide range of applications. Especially the higher-order topological insulator, which possesses gapped edge states and corner or hinge states in the gap, provides a new scheme for the control of light in a hierarchy of dimensions. In this paper, we propose a heterostructure composed of ordinary-topological-ordinary (OTO) photonic crystal slabs. Two coupled edge states (CESs) are generated due to the coupling between the topological edge states of the ordinary-topological interfaces, which opens up an effective way for high-capacity photonic transport. In addition, we obtain a new band gap between the CESs, and the two kinds of coupled corner states (CCSs) appear in the OTO bend structure. In addition, the topological corner state is also found, which arises from the filling anomaly of a lattice. Compared with the previous topological photonic crystal based on C-4 lattice, CESs, CCSs, and the topological corner state are all directly observed in experiment by using the near-field scanning technique, which makes the manipulation of the electromagnetic wave more flexible. We also verify that the three corner states are all robust to defects. Our work opens up a new way for guiding and trapping the light flow and provides a useful case for the coupling of topological photonic states.
FERONIA and microtubules independently contribute to mechanical integrity in the Arabidopsis shoot
Authors: Malivert Alice , Erguvan Özer , Chevallier Antoine , Dehem Antoine , Friaud Rodrigue , Liu Mengying , Martin Marjolaine , Peyraud Théophile , Hamant Olivier , Verger Stéphane
Published: November 2021

To survive, cells must constantly resist mechanical stress. In plants, this involves the reinforcement of cell walls, notably through microtubule-dependent cellulose deposition. How wall sensing might contribute to this response is unknown. Here, we tested whether the microtubule response to stress acts downstream of known wall sensors. Using a multistep screen with 11 mutant lines, we identify FERONIA (FER) as the primary candidate for the cell’s response to stress in the shoot. However, this does not imply that FER acts upstream of the microtubule response to stress. In fact, when performing mechanical perturbations, we instead show that the expected microtubule response to stress does not require FER. We reveal that the feronia phenotype can be partially rescued by reducing tensile stress levels. Conversely, in the absence of both microtubules and FER, cells appear to swell and burst. Altogether, this shows that the microtubule response to stress acts as an independent pathway to resist stress, in parallel to FER. We propose that both pathways are required to maintain the mechanical integrity of plant cells.
Bacterial uropathogens and burden of antimicrobial resistance pattern in urine specimens referred to Ethiopian Public Health Institute
Authors: Addis Tesfa , Mekonnen Yonas , Ayenew Zeleke , Fentaw Surafel , Biazin Habtamu
Published: November 2021

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the leading causes of morbidity in the general population, and is the second most common infectious disease after respiratory infections. Appropriate antibiotic therapy is essential to achieving good therapeutic results. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the profile of pathogens cultured from urinary tract infections and to determine their resistance profiles to commonly prescribed antibiotics.

Method

A cross-sectional study was carried out at the National Referral Laboratory of the Ethiopian Institute of Public Health from January 2017 to December 2018. All positive cultures were characterized by colony morphology, Gram stain, and standard biochemical tests. The antimicrobial susceptibility test of the isolate was performed using the Kirby- Bauer disk diffusion test on Muller-Hinton agar. In addition, bacterial identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and phenotypic detection of MDR were performed with VITEK 2 Compact according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Result

Out of 1012 cultured urine specimens, 325 (32.1%) was showed significant bacteriuria. The overall prevalence of UTIs was 325(32.1%) and the highest prevalence rate was obtained from 21–30 years age group 73(22.5%). Among UTIs patients, 583(57.6%) were females and 429(42.4%) were males. The UTIs of 179 (55%) women is relatively higher than that of men 146 (45%). Among 325 isolates, Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) appeared more frequently 252 (51.7%) than Gram-positive bacteria 63 (19.4%).

In GNB, E. coli 168(66.7%), Klebsiella species 32(12.7%), and Enterobacter species 13 (5.2%) were dominated isolates whereas in GPB accounted for coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) 33(52.4%), Enterococcus species 16(25.4%), and Staphylococcus aureus 10(15.9%). Major of the isolates showed high levels of antibiotic resistance to commonly prescribed antimicrobials. Imipenem, Amikacin, and Nitrofurantoin were the most sensitive antibiotics for Gram-negative isolates while Nitrofurantoin, clindamycin, and Gentamycin were effective against gram-positive uropathogens. Overall, 156/256(60.9%), 56/256(22.4%), 10/256(4%) of gram-negative isolates were MDR, XDR, and PDR respectively while among the GPB isolates, 34/63(53.1%), 10/63(15.8%), and 1/63(1.6%) were MDR, XDR, and PDR isolates respectively. Among the tested bacterial strains, 190/319 (59.5%) were MDR, 66/319 (20.7%) strains were XDR, and 11/319 (3.45%) were PDR isolated.

Conclusion

The prevalence of urinary tract infection was high, and Gram-negative organisms were the most common causes of UTIs in this study. It was found that the resistance to commonly used antibiotics is very high. Early detection and close monitoring of MDR, XDR, or even PDR bacterial strains must be started by all clinical microbiology laboratories to reduce the menace of antimicrobial resistance that is now a global problem.
Health-related vulnerability to climate extremes in homoclimatic zones of Amazonia and Northeast region of Brazil
Authors: Andrade Lara de Melo Barbosa , Guedes Gilvan Ramalho , Noronha Kenya Valeria Micaela de Souza , Santos e Silva Cláudio Moisés , Andrade Jéferson Pereira , Martins Albert Smith Feitosa Suassuna
Published: November 2021

Amazonia and the Northeast region of Brazil exhibit the highest levels of climate vulnerability in the country. While Amazonia is characterized by an extremely hot and humid climate and hosts the world largest rainforest, the Northeast is home to sharp climatic contrasts, ranging from rainy areas along the coast to semiarid regions that are often affected by droughts. Both regions are subject to extremely high temperatures and are susceptible to many tropical diseases. This study develops a multidimensional Extreme Climate Vulnerability Index (ECVI) for Brazilian Amazonia and the Northeast region based on the Alkire-Foster method. Vulnerability is defined by three components, encompassing exposure (proxied by seven climate extreme indicators), susceptibility (proxied by sociodemographic indicators), and adaptive capacity (proxied by sanitation conditions, urbanization rate, and healthcare provision). In addition to the estimated vulnerability levels and intensity, we break down the ECVI by indicators, dimensions, and regions, in order to explore how the incidence levels of climate-sensitive infectious and parasitic diseases correlate with regional vulnerability. We use the Grade of Membership method to reclassify the mesoregions into homoclimatic zones based on extreme climatic events, so climate and population/health data can be analyzed at comparable resolutions. We find two homoclimatic zones: Extreme Rain (ER) and Extreme Drought and High Temperature (ED-HT). Vulnerability is higher in the ED-HT areas than in the ER. The contribution of each dimension to overall vulnerability levels varies by homoclimatic zone. In the ER zone, adaptive capacity (39%) prevails as the main driver of vulnerability among the three dimensions, in contrast with the approximately even dimensional contribution in the ED-HT. When we compare areas by disease incidence levels, exposure emerges as the most influential dimension. Our results suggest that climate can exacerbate existing infrastructure deficiencies and socioeconomic conditions that are correlated with tropical disease incidence in impoverished areas.
8. helburua: guztiontzako hazkunde ekonomikoa, enplegu betea eta lan duina sustatzea. Urrutitik hamalau, gerturatu eta lau
Authors: Bengoetxea Alkorta Aitor , Etxezarreta Etxarri Enekoitz
Published: November 2021

Garapen Iraunkorrerako 8. Helburuak (GIH) aski ezagunak diren kontzeptu sozioekonomiko sakonen alde egiten du, guztiontzako sustatu nahian hazkunde ekonomiko jarraitua, inklusiboa eta jasangarria, enplegu betea eta produktiboa eta lan duina. Artikulu honetan, kontzeptu nagusi horien irakurketa egiten saiatu gara, lau atal desberdinduz: hazkunde ekonomiko jarraitua, enplegua eta lana, enplegu betea, eta lan duina. Gure balorazioa oso kritikoa izan da. Hazkunde ekonomiko jarraituari dagokionez, paradigma klasikoan mugitzen da, Barne Produktu Gordinaren eta per capita errentaren inguruan. Tresna horiekin nekez birbideratuko da egungo eredu ekonomiko suntsitzailea ekonomia jasangarri baterantz eta nekez ezabatuko da pobrezia, helburuak dioen moduan. Per capita errenta neurtzaile oso mugatua da: ez du balio desberdintasunak eta pobrezia neurtzeko. Per capita errentaren alternatiba gisa, Giza Garapearen Indizea proposatuko genuke, baina 8. GIHak ez du aintzat hartu. Enplegu beteari dagokionez, egungo eredu liberala aldatu ezean, enplegua esparru ekonomikoko faktore produktiboa izanik oinarrizko giza eskubide bat baino gehiago, nekez joko dugu enplegu beterantz: kontrako norabidean goaz. Lan duina helburu desiragarria da, baina, langileen lan-baldintzak merkatu-logikaren barruan erabakitzen diren bitartean, ez dugu lan duinik lortuko, historiak aski argi erakutsi digun bezala. Azken finean, GIHen enplegu- eta lan-helburuak ondo idatzita daude, baina haien aldeko borondate politiko irmorik eta horren tamainako neurri juridikorik ez dugu ikusten.
Recensão ao Livro Lengua, literatura y ciencias de la educación en los sistemas educativos del África Subsahariana
Authors: Damião Maria Helena
Published: November 2021

Hernández Díaz, J. M. & Eyeang, E. (Coord.) (2014). Lengua, literatura y ciencias de la educación en los sistemas educativos del África Subsahariana. Salamanca: Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca.
INFORMATION LITERACY LEVEL OF STATE UNIVERSITY OF MALANG STUDENTS PARTICIPANT IN NATIONAL STUDENTS SCIENTIFIC WEEK 2018-2019
Authors: Indriyani Mutia , Safii Moh. , Pratiwi Yuni
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to describe the level of literacy information of State University of Malang students participants in PIMNAS 2018 and 2019 based on six standards of literacy information. This research used descriptive research method with a quantitative approach. The results showed that the information literacy level of the State University of Malang students who participated in the PIMNAS 2018 and 2019 based on six sub-variables, there are average score of identifying information needs was 3.43; average score of information-searching behavior and information sources was 3.15; average score of information search techniques and strategies was 2.96; average score of information organization and evaluation was 3.19; average score of information use and related issues was 3.14; and average score of information sharing and knowledge creation was 3.76. The author argue that the State University of Malang Library should be involved in improving student literacy in the category of using techniques and information search strategies.
Water Suspension and its Effect on Total Light Attenuation in Lake Waters
Authors: Akulova O.B. , Bukatyi V.I. , Kirillov V.V. , Frolenkov O.M.
Published: November 2021

The paper presents the data obtained by the authors in 2012-2021 during field trips to freshwater reservoirs of Altai Krai. According to hydro-optical measurements, values of light attenuation index in the range of 400-800 nm calculated using the natural logarithm varied greatly within 2.3-19.7 m-1 and 2.9-35.0 m-1 in the surface layer of lakes Lapa and Krasilovskoye during the study period. The relative spectral contribution of water suspension and contributions of yellow matter, chlorophyll, and pure water constituents at wavelengths of 430, 550, and 670 nm were estimated to assess the optical effect of water suspension on the total light attenuation index. The calculation results demonstrated that water suspension had the maximum effect on light attenuation in waters of eutrophic lake Lapa during the autumn-winter period. The maximum effect at all three wavelengths was observed in autumn of 2015, and the contribution of water suspension to light attenuation reached 88.5%, whereas its minimum (1.8-2.4 %) was recorded in 2017. The maximum contribution of water suspension on light attenuation in waters of eutrophic-hypereutrophic lake Krasilovskoye slightly exceeded the value of 70% during the winter of 2014. The next maximums were revealed during the spring of 2014 and had values of 71.3 % at λ =430 nm and 71.1 % at λ =550 nm.

Optical microscopy was used to estimate the size and concentration of water suspense particles. The average weighted value of radius for water suspense particles in the surface layer of lakes Lapa and Krasilovskoye was found to be 1.2 and 1.4 microns, respectively. The average particulate count for water suspense during the observation period varied in the range of 0.2·106 cm-3-14.7·106 cm-3 with values of 3.3·106 cm-3 for lake Lapa and 3.0·106 cm-3 for lake Krasilovskoye.
Computer Simulation of the Semiconductor Nanoelectromechanical Systems AIIBIVAs2 Stability after Attosecond Impulse Exposure
Authors: Gaydukova А.А. , Terentyeva Yu.V. , Beznosyuk S.A.
Published: November 2021

The article deals with computer modeling of responses of multicomponent semiconductor nanoelectromechanical systems of arsenides to an attosecond radiation pulse at cryogenic (T1=77 K) and standard temperatures (T2=298 K). Kinetic curves of relaxation processes in ternary semiconductor nanolayers CdSiAs2, CdGeAs2, ZnSiAs2, ZnGeAs2, and nanolayers of variable composition CdSi1-xGex As2, ZnSi1-xGexAs2, Cd1-xZnxSiAs2 и Cd1-xZnxGeAs2 are obtained. This research reveals the differences in the average relaxation energy of nanolayers that depend on temperature and the amplitudes of energy fluctuations, and the time of reaching the plateau. A comparison with relaxation processes taking place at absolute zero temperatures is demonstrated. The radial distribution functions of atoms in the system before and after relaxation processes caused by impulsive action on the system of atoms in the semiconductor layer are considered. The modification of the peaks corresponding to the coordination spheres of atomic distribution depending on the composition of the nanolayer is described. The regularities of relaxation changes of the first order coordination spheres, as well as the regularities of relaxation destructions of the second and the third order coordination spheres at cryogenic and standard temperatures are revealed.
Modeling of Tumor Occurrence and Growth-III
Authors: Antontsev S.N. , Papin A.A. , Tokareva M.A. , Leonova E.I. , Gridushko E.A.
Published: November 2021

The last part of the article examines mathematical models of four types of oncological diseases: breast cancer (early stage), colorectal cancer (bowel cancer), glioma, and prostate cancer. Each of these models has its own individual characteristics and, accordingly, their approaches to modeling are different. The approach to modeling breast cancer involves complex interactions between tumor cells, fibroblasts, immunocytes, epithelial cells, extracellular matrix, vascular system, and cytokines. Colorectal cancer takes into account the multiscale approach, cell cycle, and gene mutations that were discussed in the previous sections. Glioma is one of the most aggressive brain tumors. Its model includes equations for glioma cell density, extracellular matrix concentration, matrix metalloproteinase concentration, and nutrient concentration. There is another model for glioma that considers an approach using oncolytic viruses. Prostate cancer takes into account the presence of testosterone and its effect on the further development of the disease.
On Invariant Semisymmetric Connections on Three-Dimensional Non-Unimodular Lie Groups with the Metric of the Ricci Soliton
Authors: Vylegzhanin D.V. , Klepikov P.N. , Rodionov E.D. , Khromova O.P.
Published: November 2021

Metric connections with vector torsion, or semisymmetric connections, were first discovered by E. Cartan. They are a natural generalization of the Levi-Civita connection. The properties of such connections and the basic tensor fields were investigated by I. Agrikola, K. Yano, and other mathematicians.

Ricci solitons are the solution to the Ricci flow and a natural generalization of Einstein's metrics. In the general case, they were investigated by many mathematicians, which was reflected in the reviews by H.-D. Cao, R.M. Aroyo — R. Lafuente. This question is best studied in the case of trivial Ricci solitons, or Einstein metrics, as well as the homogeneous Riemannian case.

This paper investigates semisymmetric connections on three-dimensional Lie groups with the metric of an invariant Ricci soliton. A classification of these connections on three-dimensional non-unimodularLie groups with the left-invariant Riemannian metric of the Ricci soliton is obtained. It is proved that there are nontrivial invariant semisymmetric connections in this case. In addition, it is shown that there are nontrivial invariant Ricci solitons.
A szolgáltatásminőség mérésének és értékelésének gyakorlata a felsőoktatásban. Főszerepben a hallgatók
Authors: Tóth Zsuzsanna Eszter , Surman Vivien
Published: November 2021

Az elmúlt évtizedekben nemcsak a szolgáltatási, hanem szűkebben a felsőoktatási szektorban lezajlott strukturális és finanszírozási változások, a társadalmi-gazdasági környezet támasztotta növekvő elvárások, a hazai és nemzetközi színtéren is intenzívebbé váló verseny a szolgáltatásminőség menedzselése terén is folyamatosan új kihívások elé állítja az intézményeket. A cikk elsődleges célja a felsőoktatásban megjelenő, sokszínű szolgáltatásminőség-mérési és -értékelési törekvések bemutatása. Ennek során a szerzők áttekintik a legfontosabb előzményeket, a hallgatók felsőoktatási érdekelt felek között betöltött elsődleges szerepét és a SERVQUAL, illetve a SERVPERF modellre épülő népszerű megközelítéseket. A cél azon intézményi feladatok összefoglalása, amelyek megbízható és érvényes szolgáltatásminőség-mérési és -értékelési módszertani alkalmazások megalapozását és kapcsolódó keretrendszer kialakítását teszik lehetővé.
Maqasidi Leadership of Minority Religions Figure for Maintaining Tolerance in Manado, Indonesia
Authors: Ismail Feiby , Arifin Zainal , Rahmi Sri
Published: November 2021

Manado's Muslim minority mindset stops social, political, and religious activities. Although Islam is the second-largest religion after Protestantism, this mindset can be seen by the impression that Manado is a 'Christian City' known as the “Tower of a Thousand Churches.” This article describes the strategy of minority religious leaders (Islam) in tolerating the perspective of Maqasid al-Syari'ah. The research data was collected through observation and in-depth interviews with religious leaders from the Islamic boarding school Kiai, IAIN Manado lecturers, and Muslim youth. The research findings show that first, the values ​​of religious tolerance in Manado have developed in the form of slogans, such as "Torang Samua Basudara," " Torang Samua Ciptaan Tuhan, "and "Si Tou Timou Tumou Tou," second, the strategy of Islamic religious leaders in maintaining tolerance through (1) mutual respect for beliefs, (2) fighting for religious teachers and places of worship (mushola) in public schools, (3) creating dialogue forums between religious communities, (4) enlivening Islamic syi'ar, such as majlis taklim, the graduation ceremony for students from all over North Sulawesi, and (5) halal certification. This finding has implications for the Maqasidi type for religious minority leaders in tolerance to protect Muslims' faith.
Construyendo lo contemporáneo. Apuntes acerca de la creación de una imagen de contemporaneidad en arteBA
Authors: Rojas Pedro Pablo
Published: November 2021

El presente artículo tiene por objetivo analizar la feria arteBA, que se realiza anualmente desde 1991 en Buenos Aires, Se estudiará su mirada sobre el arte contemporáneo y su lugar dentro del campo artístico local e internacional. Se tomarán en cuenta algunas de sus acciones y dimensiones organizativas para trabajar nociones vinculadas a la construcción de una imagen de contemporaneidad bajo la mirada hegemónica del sistema de circulación artística global. En este sentido, se trabajará bajo el supuesto de un funcionamiento reticular del campo, que condiciona el lugar de arteBA como agente de legitimación del arte.
Agilität und Weltkulturerbe: Erfahrungen mit sieben Jahren agilen Methoden an der Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin – Eine Fallstudie II/II
Authors: Zellhöfer David
Published: November 2021

Die zweiteilige Artikelreihe beschreibt die Einführung und Etablierung agiler Methoden an der Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin im Rahmen der digitalen Transformation. Der vorliegende Artikel präsentiert dabei die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse aus dem Einführungsprozess agiler Zusammenarbeit und diskutiert Lösungsansätze, um mit typischen Herausforderungen umzugehen. Abschließend werden die gewonnenen Erfahrungen in den Kontext der Transformation der Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz gestellt und Handlungsempfehlungen abgeleitet.
Conceptualizing Epistemic Power: The Changing Relationship Between Economic Policy Paradigms and Academic Disciplines
Authors: Ylönen Matti , Jaakkola Jussi , Saari Leevi
Published: November 2021

The ways in which epistemic foundations of academic disciplines shape policy paradigms have been an understudied area. We illustrate such dynamics by focusing on paradigm shifts between economics and legal scholarship. Our case study focuses on the evolution of the Finnish corporate tax policy between 1991 and 2014 to illuminate complex policy diffusion through professions. First, in 1993, Finnish corporate tax policy was aligned with the neoclassical ideas of the time in a lawyer-driven process. Second, in the early 2000s, initiatives from the EU and the OECD provided these lawyers a new epistemic source for broadening their argumentation. Third, in the 2010s, the disciplinary base shifted from legal studies to economics, which coincided with administrative reforms emphasizing quantitative impact assessments. These transformations completed the shift from legal scholarship to economics in tax policy design, paving way to the entrance of economic theoretical arguments to tax policy discussions. Our findings highlight five overlapping and mutually reinforcing factors that shape knowledge production in expert groups that influence economic policy: (1) the extent to which politicians rely on expertise; (2) the balance of power between academic disciplines in evidence-based policy-making; (3) the disciplinary base to which the dominant expert groups rely on; (4) the shifts in the epistemological, ontological and methodological mainstream within particular disciplines; and, (5) the extent to which international organizations are seen as epistemic versus policy-driven authorities.
Accounting for Pandemic: Better Numbers for Management and Policy
Authors: Biondi Yuri
Published: November 2021

Infection, hospitalization and mortality statistics have played a pivotal role in forming social attitudes and support for policy decisions about the 2020-21 SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. This article raises some questions on some of the most widely-used indicators, such as the case fatality rate, derived from these statistics, recommending replacing them with information based on regular stratified statistical sampling, coupled with diagnostic assessment. Some implications for public health policies and pandemic management are developed, opposing individualistic and holistic approaches.
Exploring the impact of a teacher development programme using a digital application on linguistic interactions in the classroom: a multiple case study
Authors: Gràcia Marta , Adam-Alcocer Ana Luisa , Castillo Mardones Pamela
Published: November 2021

This article reports on the use of a digital application (EVALOE-SSD) for the professional development of teachers to improve the linguistic competence of their students. We conducted a multiple case study that involved five teachers and their students from different schools. Over a period of three months, the teachers used the digital application to assess their classes, make decisions and introduce changes in their teaching practices. The results show that the change process includes stages of progress and stages of regression, but in general the trend was to a progressive increase in scores. Therefore, the use of the digital application improved the competences of teachers and students, regardless of the type of school or students’ age. This is shown in the cases of two teachers, which are analysed in greater depth. We believe that our findings are important as they document how self-reflection, stimulated by aids such as video recordings, reflective questions and pictures, facilitates a change in teaching practices. At the end of the programme, all the teachers stated that the experience of using the digital tool had clearly been enriching, and they had learnt and improved teaching practice linked to communicative competence.
Der Wiener Studentenverein Bar Giora und sein Einfluss auf die Entstehungsgeschichte des Zionismus im kroatischen und südosteuropäischen Raum des Habsburgerreiches
Authors: Bitunjac Martina
Published: November 2021

The establishment of the Bar Giora Zionist student association at the University of Vienna in 1904 was an important factor in the development of Zionism in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. The Verein jüdischer Akademiker aus den südslavischen Ländern (Association of Jewish Alumni from the South Slavic Countries) and its committed members had great influence on the transfer of the idea of a Jewish nation-state to the South Slavic region by creating multicultural supra-regional networks, organising conferences and publishing nationally oriented journals. The young Zionists from the Balkans also faced strong criticism from assimilated Jews. This paper explores the origins of Bar Giora, its self-understanding and its impact, as well as the assimilationist challenges faced by the Zionists.