bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceptions and Experiences of Nursing Students in Caring for People Living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Mabhiza Ruwadzano Dorcas , Bhana V. , Sedibe Heather
Published: May 2024

Background: Although previous studies focusing on nurses’ perceptions of caring for people living with HIV (PLHIV) have been done in numerous countries, little is known about first-year student nurses’ perceptions and experiences regarding their role in caring for PLHIV in South Africa. To ensure quality care for PLHIV, it is essential to explore first-year student nurses’ roles in caring for PLHIV.Purpose: The study aimed to describe and explore the perceptions and experiences of first-year nursing students on their role in caring for PLHIV in South Africa.Methods: A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was employed in this study and a purposive sampling method was used to recruit 18 participants. Data were gathered using two focus group discussions, one consisting of eight participants and the other ten participants. The collected data was analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: Four main themes were drawn from two focus group discussions, including (1) students’ unpreparedness in their role to care for PLHIV, (2) disclosure practices and student safety concerns, (3) personal backgrounds and attitudes towards PLHIV care, and (4) physical and psychological wellbeing of students while caring for PLHIV. Furthermore, thirteen (13) sub-themes were subsequently drawn from these main themes. Thematic sub-themes and individual focus group responses were relied on to reach data saturation despite the small number of focus group discussion sessions.Conclusion: First-year nursing students had negative and positive perceptions and experiences when caring for PLHIV. There is a need for these students to acquire adequate theoretical knowledge and practical skills to enhance clinical preparation for their role in clinical facilities. This could improve their perceptions regarding caring for PLHIV in the clinical setting and result in improved care.
Stressors and Coping Strategies as Perceived among Nursing Students during Related Learning Experience (RLE)
Authors: Ridad Geraldine Sabate , Angintaopan Haniya , Ayunan Princess Haniefa Mae , Manalocon Saipoden
Published: May 2024

Background: Stress in relation to academic studies is identified to be one of the reasons behind suicide cases in higher education institutions around the world. Locally, there is none to less studies that explored this area among nursing students. As stress is inevitable in nursing students’ Related Learning Experience (RLE), recognizing the stressors that affect their quality of RLE is necessary.Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the stressors and coping strategies that nursing students commonly use in managing stress during their RLE and their relationship to each other.Methods: A descriptive correlational research design with total enumeration sampling was employed. A pilot-tested questionnaire was used to gather data from 191 junior and senior nursing students from two nursing schools in Iligan City. Weighted mean, standard deviation, percentages, and Spearman rho were used to analyze the data.Results: The findings show that the "Clinical Instructor" (Mean=3.01) is perceived to cause higher stress among all the intrapersonal and interpersonal stressors identified. Students highly utilize both intrapersonal (Self-Concept Mean=3.75) and interpersonal strategies (Role Function Mean=4.13, Interdependence Mean=3.46) to cope with stress. When students’ clinical “skill confusion” increases, they tend to work less with others (r=-0.259, p=0.000). When “staff nurses” cause them less stress, their use of positive “self-concept” decreases as well (r=0.152, p=0.035). Furthermore, when students are stressed with their “Duty-mates,” they rely more on “physiological” coping mechanisms (r=0.160, p=0.027). When their “clinical instructor” causes them stress, they cope less with “physiological” (r=-0.237, p=0.001) and “interdependence” strategies (r=-0.317, p=0.000).Conclusion:Among all the stressors, clinical instructor causes more stress to the students. The students’ perceived stressors affect their effective use of intra and interpersonal coping strategies. Nurse educators, nursing schools and regulating bodies can consider these results in designing a holistic curriculum and helping students manage stress healthily.
Development of a Holistic Nursing Model Based on Transcultural Nursing to Improve the Quality of Life of Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Suniyadewi Ni Wayan , Arief Yuni Sufyanti , Kurniawati Ninuk Dian , Rismayanti I Dewa Ayu , Trisnadewi Ni Wayan , Iswatun Iswatun
Published: May 2024

Introduction: The management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) primarily emphasizes physical care, yet the quality of life (QoL) remains suboptimal. Often, the management of diabetes neglects psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual aspects, which are essential components of transcultural nursing. Developing a holistic nursing model rooted in transcultural nursing is imperative to enhance QoL in individuals with T2DM.Purpose: This study aimed to develop a nursing model based on transcultural nursing to enhance the QoL of individuals with T2DM.Methods: In this study, an explanatory research design with a cross-sectional approach was employed. A sample of 145 individuals diagnosed with T2DM was recruited using a simple random sampling technique. A self-developed questionnaire was utilized, incorporating factors from Dossey's holistic nursing model, Leininger's transcultural nursing model, and a Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire. The study's variables included respondent characteristics, technological factors, religious and life philosophy factors, social and kinship factors, cultural and lifestyle factors, biological factors, psychological factors, holistic nursing based on transcultural nursing, and QoL. Inferential statistics, specifically Smart PLS-Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), were employed for data analysis.Results: The findings revealed that the holistic nursing model based on transcultural nursing in individuals with T2DM was directly influenced by several factors. Specifically, respondent characteristics (t=3.313, p=0.001), religious and life philosophy (t=2.836, p=0.005), social and kinship (t=2.579, p=0.010), cultural and lifestyle (t=2.833, p=0.005), biological (t=2.718, p=0.007), and psychological (t=2.497, p=0.013) factors showed significant influence. However, the technological factor was not significant (t=0.802, p=0.423). Furthermore, there was a direct influence of holistic nursing based on transcultural nursing on the quality of life (t=9.124, p=0.000).Conclusion: The holistic nursing model based on transcultural nursing encompasses six variables: respondent characteristics, religious and life philosophy, social and kinship, cultural and lifestyle, biological, and psychological factors. This model directly impacts and proves useful in enhancing the quality of life of individuals with T2DM.
Patterns of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Staff Nurses in the Emergency Department in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Alrimali Afaf Mufadhi , Alreshidi Nashi Masnad , Alshammari Aljazi Albshri , Alenzy Aeedah Rfadah , Thomas Riya , Dinoy May Ann , Alanzi Fouz Aziz , Pasay-an Eddieson
Published: May 2024

Background: The physically demanding and high-stress environment of Emergency Departments (EDs) significantly contributes to the heightened risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among ED nurses. Despite this known association, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of the prevalence rates and contributing factors within ED settings in Saudi Arabia, necessitating further investigation.Purpose: This study delves into the prevalence and potential predictors of MSDs among nurses in this critical healthcare setting.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in March 2023 using convenience sampling of 177 ED nurses across 16 public hospitals in Hail, Saudi Arabia. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was employed, with SPSS analyses covering frequency and percentage of pain prevalence via cross-tabulation, and logistic regression to identify risk factors.Results: Over the past year, 68.9% of participants reported lower back pain affecting normal activities in 55.4% of cases. Neck pain was more likely in individuals aged 20-29 and former smokers accounting for 47.6% of the variance (p=0.001). Shorter shifts under 8 hours reduced neck pain risk, whereas a schedule with 50% of night shifts heightened the risk, contributing to 28.4% of the variance (p=0.001). Nurses aged 40-49 and those with significant childcare duties faced higher shoulder pain risk (p=0.024), and adult caregiving duties was linked to upper back pain explaining 40.6% of the variance (p=0.017). No significant links were found for other musculoskeletal pains.Conclusion: The study reveals a significant prevalence of MSDs among the evaluated ED nurses, significantly influenced by specific demographic and work-related factors. Addressing these through ergonomic interventions, optimal scheduling, and wellness programs is crucial for nurse well-being and patient care. Future research should focus on creating holistic wellness programs that support nurses musculoskeletal health.
Persepsi Mahasiswa Ilmu Perpustakaan Universitas Diponegoro Angkatan 2019 terhadap Kompetensi Profesi Pustakawan di Era Digital
Authors: Saifuddin Sayyid , Perdani SP Nur’aini
Published: May 2024

Penelitian ini membahas mengenai persepsi mahasiswa Ilmu Perpustakaan Universitas Diponegoro angkatan 2019 terhadap kompetensi profesi pustakawan di era digital. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui persepsi mahasiswa Ilmu Perpustakaan Universitas Diponegoro angkatan 2019 terhadap kompetensi profesi pustakawan di era digital. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif dengan pendekatan fenomenologi. Data penelitian diperoleh melalui observasi, wawancara semi terstruktur, dan dokumentasi. Informan dalam penelitian ini diperoleh menggunakan teknik nonprobability sampling menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Hasil dalam penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa persepsi mahasiswa Ilmu Perpustakaan Universitas Diponegoro angkatan 2019 memiliki persepsi bahwa profesi pustakawan perlu meningkatkan kompetensi mereka sehingga kebutuhan pemustaka dapat lebih terpenuhi dengan baik. Peningkatan kompetensi juga bertujuan agar pustakawan dapat beradaptasi dengan baik di era digital.
Analisis Tema pada Novel Dua Belas Cerita Glenn Anggara Berdasarkan Tingkatan Tema Menurut Shipley
Authors: Bela Sofi Esa
Published: May 2024

This research is motivated by the author who wants to determine the theme in the story excerpts of Glen Anggara's novel Dua Belas Cerita based on Shipley's categories, as evidenced by the data according to the story fragments on each page. The purpose of this research is to analyze the themes in Glen Anggara's novel Dua Belas Cerita based on Shipley's categories. The benefits of this research are to add insight and knowledge about the categories of theme levels according to Shipley in Glen Anggara's novel Dua Belas Cerita which refers to daily activities. The research theory is the level of themes according to Shipley, namely physical themes, organic themes, selfish themes, divine themes, and social themes. The type of research used is descriptive qualitative. The data used, namely analyzing the plot on each fragment of the story per page. The author examines the plot of the novel using data analysis techniques. The author collects accurate data using documentation techniques. In this study, the source of document data is the novel Twelve Stories of Glen Anggara by Luluk HF. The results showed that the level of theme according to Shipley was a social theme with a total of 133 data from 27 chapters in the story excerpt.
Digitalization of Accounting Profession: A Decade of Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Awang Yunita , Nasir Noor Emilina Mohd , Taib Azuraidah , Shuhidan Shazalina Mohamed , Ifada Luluk Muhimatul
Published: May 2024

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) has altered the global industry requirement to replace human labour with greater digital software and robotic function automation. Similar developments are anticipated in the accounting sector as well, with the shift towards digitalization of the accounting industry. The accounting profession gets more difficult in a digital world because accountants must have greater knowledge of information technology and accounting information systems. To better comprehend this problem, the present study examines the development of research articles on the digitalization of the accounting profession by analysing data from the Scopus database between 2014 and 2023, using bibliometric analysis. The analysis involved looking for patterns in research publications to establish the document type; languages; subject area, publication categories by authors, countries and sources titles, citation metrics and keywords. For this reason, 182 relevant documents were examined in Mac 2024 and the data were analysed using software of Microsoft Excel, VOSviewer, Harzing’s Publish or Perish. This study offers some insights regarding the future development and advancement of the digitalization of the accounting profession topic in the academic literature of Business, Management and Accounting; Economics, Econometrics and Finance; Social Sciences and Decision Sciences, as well as provides helpful information for academics and practitioners looking to analyse and delve deeper within this particular field of research.
The Impact of Culturally Responsive Leadership Traits on Alabama K-12 Teachers’ Intention to Leave and Job Satisfaction
Authors: Baker Samuel , Epstein Michael , Rabas Audrey , Domingo Aldwin
Published: May 2024

Previous research has shown that culturally responsive leadership leads to improvements in teachers’ performance and job satisfaction. The goal of the current research study is to examine if there is a linear relationship between the Alabama state high school teachers’ perception of their school principals’ Culturally Responsive Leadership Traits upon the dependent variables of job satisfaction and turnover intention. Based on a sample of 95 Alabama state high school teachers, the key findings of this research study showed that school principals’ providing professional development had a marginally statistically significant negative linear relationship with school teacher self-reported total job satisfaction along with the statistically significant relationship between the increasing level of a school teacher’s intention to leave their job due to the increasing amounts instructional resources that are being offered to them by their school principals. In contrast, fostering the Culturally Responsive Leadership Trait of Maximizing the Instruction Time for subordinate teachers by school principals in the state of Alabama can be a cornerstone to build upon for future school principals’ professional development to further improve job satisfaction among their subordinate Alabama K-12 school teachers.
Changes in Education: Towards a New Paradigm
Authors: Koutsopoulos K. C
Published: May 2024

This paper in reacting to the reality of the present days education system suggests that there is a need to work within a susceptible to present conditions educational paradigm. More specifically, the unambiguous position of this paper is that a new paradigm shift has appeared in teaching and learning leading to alterations of operating within, between and outside the classrooms as a result of the changes that have taken place of the principal dimensions of education such as: the form and approach to teaching and learning; the factors responding to the evolution and adaptation to changing needs and expectations in education; and the way education is perceived and practiced through time. This new paradigm, the integration-centred, should replace the student-centred, which itself has replaced the teacher-centred one. Therefore, the paper presents a new paradigm, which should be based on the integrated dimension of education, where the importance of the effectiveness and efficiency of teaching and learning implies a tautological integrated approach in considering education.
The librettos of Moniuszko’s operas and the European literary tradition: a comparative perspective on the opposition between serious drama and comedy
Authors: Bajer Michał
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study is to indicate several features of serious drama and comedy proper to Moniuszko’s operatic output and to describe them within the context of European points of reference (Pierre de Beaumarchais, Alfred de Musset, Jane Austen, Italian librettists). The network of generic and intertextual relationships shows that an important feature of Moniuszko librettos is not their supposed closure within the circle of national inspiration, but on the contrary – a seemingly insatiable openness to the most valuable areas of foreign legacies. The consistent comparison of comic and serious works in a single study also reveals an affinity between the issues at the heart of Moniuszko’s musical dramas, regardless of the tone of particular works. Moniuszko’s oeuvre, both in its comical and serious aspects, reflects, in different ways, one of the themes that has recurred in Europe after cataclysms, such as the holy wars of the Renaissance, the French Revolution (or the Partitions of Poland during the same period) and the conflicts of the twentieth century. One issue at the core of Polish opera turns out to be the disintegration of the social order and the transition to its opposite – the sudden or gradual, but ineluctable movement from harmony to confusion and violence-filled chaos. Halka and The Pariahforge models of a community based on the exploitation of the weak by the strong. Highlighted are instances of individuals refusing to conform to the anti-order. In the comic variant of Moniuszko’s output, meanwhile (The Haunted Manor, The Countess), the relationship between the order and its contradiction takes on the form of an unjustified renouncing of communal values. At the same time, the comparison between serious and comical works refutes the thesis that Moniuszko was an unequivocal eulogist of an ethics based on the unconditional belonging to a national community.
The characterization of (𝑛 − 1)-spheres with 𝑛 + 4 vertices having maximal Buchstaber number
Authors: Choi Suyoung , Jang Hyeontae , Vallée Mathieu
Published: May 2024

We present a computationally efficient algorithm that is suitable for graphic processing unit implementation.
This algorithm enables the identification of all weak pseudo-manifolds that meet specific facet conditions, drawn from a given input set.
We employ this approach to enumerate toric colorable seeds.
Consequently, we achieve a comprehensive characterization of

(

n
−
1

)

(n-1)

-dimensional PL spheres with

n
+
4

n+4

vertices that possess a maximal Buchstaber number.
A primary focus of this research is the fundamental categorization of non-singular complete toric varieties of Picard number 4.
This classification serves as a valuable tool for addressing questions related to toric manifolds of Picard number 4.
Notably, we have determined which of these manifolds satisfy equality within an inequality regarding the number of minimal components in their rational curve space.
This addresses a question posed by Chen, Fu, and Hwang in 2014 for this specific case.
The Regulation of Corporate Governance in European Financial Market Infrastructures: A Critique
Authors: Ferran Eilís , Hickman Eleanore
Published: May 2024

1This article is the first to consider the variations in governance requirements applicable to European financial market infrastructures. It charts the tangled combination of laws, codes and regulations that apply to the governance of the largest European central counterparties, central securities depositories, and international central securities depositories. Despite the similarity of these institutions in terms of their sector, criticality, complexity and purpose, there are substantive variations in what is required of their governance. Here we question whether this variance is an appropriate reflection of differing institutional needs or a by-product of piecemeal regulatory reform.Our research found no apparent need to regulate for consistency of board size or structure, nor in relation to specificities of committee requirements. However, there are convincing arguments that change is needed around the meaning and application of independence. The current approach to FMI directorial independence is a poor fit given the sectors highly technical nature, its interconnectedness, and the limited pool of available expertise. On top of this, expertise, diversity, and commitment can become trade-offs for adherence to the requirements of independence. We argue that regulation needs to be sensitively calibrated to ensure these important factors do not get squeezed out under the weight of formalized independence. It is our view that independence requirements can be structured to create better balanced boards where the needs of independence, expertise, diversity, and commitment can be weighed against each other in context.
Research on grammatical error correction algorithm in English translation via deep learning
Authors: Cai Lihua
Published: May 2024

This study provides a concise overview of a grammatical error correction algorithm that is based on an encoder-decoder machine translation structure. Additionally, it incorporates the attention mechanism to enhance the algorithm’s performance. Subsequently, simulation experiments were conducted to compare the improved algorithm with an algorithm based on a classification model and an algorithm based on the traditional translation model using open corpus data and English translations from freshmen. The results demonstrated that the optimized algorithm yielded superior intuitive error correction outcomes. When applied to both the open corpus and the English translations of college freshmen, the optimized error correction algorithm outperformed the others. The traditional translation model-based algorithm came in second, while the classification model-based algorithm showed the least favorable performance. Furthermore, all three error correction algorithms experienced a decrease in performance when dealing with English compositions from freshmen. However, the optimized algorithm exhibited a relatively smaller decline.
Location strategy for logistics distribution centers utilizing improved whale optimization algorithm
Authors: Chen Xinjian
Published: May 2024

An enhanced whale optimization algorithm is introduced to address the challenges associated with the logistics distribution center location problem, aiming to overcome the traditional heuristic algorithm’s susceptibility to local optima and enhance the overall efficiency of the logistics system. This improvement involves the integration of stochastic sinusoidal inertia weights and a variational strategy to augment the global search capability and convergence accuracy of the conventional algorithm. The results of experimental simulations indicate that the upgraded whale algorithm exhibits superior computational performance compared to other heuristic algorithms. Furthermore, it demonstrates the ability to effectively compute optimal distribution center locations, thereby enhancing the delivery efficiency of the logistics distribution system.
Überwindung von Phasen Geistlicher Trockenheit: Strategien im Umgang und Erleben der Transformation
Authors: Büssing Arndt
Published: May 2024

Hintergrund:
Insbesondere in schwierigen Zeiten machen Menschen die Erfahrung, dass Gott ihnen nicht so antwortet, wie sie es erwarten, und dass er fern und desinteressiert zu sein scheint. Diese empfundene Gottferne kann als Geistliche Trockenheit operationalisiert werden. Anhand empirischer Daten soll beschrieben werden, wie häufig entsprechende Strategien gefunden werden konnten, um diese Phasen zu überwinden, und welche Reaktionen danach beobachtet wurden: 1) Zuwendung zu anderen und/oder 2) größere geistige Klarheit und Tiefe. Außerdem sollte geklärt werden, ob und in welcher Weise diese Auswirkungen in Beziehung stehen zu einer empfundenen Sehnsucht nach Gott bzw. zu Ehrfurcht und Dankbarkeit als Ausdruck einer Resonanzfähigkeit gegenüber dem Heiligen im Leben.

Material und Methoden:
Auswertung anonymisierter Datensätze von 3624 Personen mit christlicher Religionszugehörigkeit aus unterschiedliche Querschnittsanalysen mit standardisierten Fragebögen (SDS-6, GrAw-7).

Ergebnisse:
46,7 % fanden häufig bis regelmäßig Strategien, um mit Phasen Geistlicher Trockenheit umzugehen; 31,5 % nur manchmal und 21,7 % selten oder gar nicht. Diese Überwindungsstrategien gelangen den Jüngeren scheinbar schlechter als den Älteren. Wenn diese Phasen überwunden werden konnten, fühlten sich 34,3 % angespornt, anderen zu helfen, und 28,3 % empfanden danach eine größere geistige Klarheit und Tiefe. Die Einflussvariablen Sehnsucht nach Gott und Ehrfurcht/Dankbarkeit (als Fähigkeit, mit dem Heiligen im Leben in Resonanz zu gehen) war für diese Reaktionen bedeutsam.

Schlussfolgerungen:
Unterschiedlich lange und unterschiedlich intensive Phasen Geistlicher Trockenheit treten im Leben vieler religiöser Menschen auf. Sie können Hinweis auf Sinnkrisen oder emotionale Erschöpfung sein, die einer adäquater Unterstützung und Begleitung bedürfen. Die vorgestellten Befunde sind für Spiritual Care Prozesse bedeutsam, wenn Menschen, mit schwierigen Diagnosen konfrontiert, mit ihrem Glauben hadern und an Gott verzweifeln.
Ethnic, Linguistic, and Religious Heterogeneity and Preferences for Public Goods and Redistribution in Latin America
Authors: Berens Sarah , Brady David
Published: May 2024

One of the most prominent political-economic arguments is that heterogeneity undermines support for public goods and redistribution. Past research, however, has been mostly cross-sectional, used weak measures of heterogeneity, under-studied Latin America, and did not examine the multiple bases of heterogeneity. We assess negative (fractionalization and between-group inequality [BGI]) and positive (compensation) hypotheses with time-varying measures of ethnic, linguistic, and religious heterogeneity. We analyze four different preferences using up to six survey waves with over 200,000 Americas Barometer respondents across 24 Latin American and Caribbean countries. We estimate both fixed-effects models focusing on within-country variation and multilevel models focusing on between-country variation. Regardless of estimation technique, the prevailing pattern is statistical insignificance for both heterogeneity and BGI coefficients. The results largely contradict the fractionalization hypothesis, as only four of the 108 relevant heterogeneity coefficients are significantly negative. There is slightly more support for the BGI hypothesis, and especially ethnic BGI. Still, most BGI coefficients are insignificant and linguistic BGI is significantly positive in most models. The compensation hypothesis receives more support, as almost half of the heterogeneity coefficients are significantly positive. We conclude by cautioning against universal claims that heterogeneity undermines support for public goods and redistribution.
Programa estratégico de fortificação da alimentação infantil com micronutrientes em pó: vozes dos gestores
Authors: Vieira Douglas Oliveira , Martins Mariana Cavalcante , Gubert Fabiane do Amaral , Cavalcante Viviane Mamede Vasconcelos , Fernandes Maria Amanda Mesquita , Castro Tifanny Horta , Coelho Manuela de Mendonça Figueirêdo
Published: May 2024

Objetivo: descrever a percepção dos coordenadores de saúde e educação quanto à operacionalização, potencialidades e fragilidades do Programa Estratégico de Fortificação da Alimentação Infantil com Micronutrientes em Pó. Métodos: pesquisa qualitativa, abrangendo nove municípios que aderiram ao programa. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de um questionário semiestruturado com base no manual operacional do programa. Os depoimentos foram analisados à luz da análise de conteúdo. Resultados: participaram 11 coordenadores. Os dados apontaram divergências quanto ao armazenamento inadequado dos sachês e ao intervalo entre os ciclos. Foram encontradas dificuldades na comunicação, envolvimento das equipes e rotatividade de profissionais. Conclusão: evidenciou-se que ações direcionadas à alimentação infantil fortalecem os atributos da atenção primária à saúde e repercutem de forma positiva na identificação de grupos vulneráveis, para que se possa buscar a promoção de sua saúde e a prevenção de doenças. Contribuições para a prática: os resultados deste estudo podem contribuir no aperfeiçoamento da intersetorialidade e na problematização das dificuldades associadas, levando à ampliação do acesso às unidades básicas e estimulando as ações de promoção da alimentação adequada e saudável, bem como à organização da atenção nutricional.
Use of tacrolimus for managing csDMARD-failed rheumatoid arthritis: A real- time experience from a single tertiary care centre
Authors: Chandrashekara S  , Jayanna Sahana Nagathihalli , Panchagnula Renuka
Published: May 2024

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of tacrolimus in achieving disease activity score-28-c-reactive protein 3 [DAS28-CRP (3)] remission in patients managed with tacrolimus at the end of 24 week in a tertiary setting.
 
Methodology: The retrospective study included RA patients who fulfilled American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010 criteria and managed by tacrolimus as an add-on to the background DMARD or as a substitute to conventional synthetic DMARD. Apart from demographic data, TJC, SJC, ESR and CRP were recorded at each visit. Subjects were grouped as those who achieved remission (DAS28-CRP (3) <2.6) and not under remission (DAS28-CRP (3)>2.6). Descriptive analysis was carried out for different variables in the classified groups, chi-square test for categorical variables and ANOVA and t-test to compare the continuous variables.
 
Results: The study selected 100 patients who fulfilled the criteria for analysis. The corresponding number of subjects who received 4 mg, 3 mg, 2 mg, 1.5 mg and 1 mg of tacrolimus were 3, 23, 57, 2 and 15 respectively. The corresponding number of patients evaluated at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 100, 86, 71 and 56. Around 20% of the patients reached a state of remission by the end of 12 months. The DAS28-CRP (3) remission (<2.6) was achieved in 7 (7%) out of 100 at the end of 3 months, which increased to 17 (20%) out of 86 by 6th month. Around 9 out of 57 maintained the remission till the end of 12 months and 11 (20%) out of 57, who were followed till 12th month, had moderate response. Discriminate function analysis showed that the age and duration of disease were strong predictors of achieving remission. Baseline DAS score and duration of illness at the time of introduction of tacrolimus negatively predicted the patients achieving remission.
The co-occurrence of anti-CCP positive RA with IgA nephropathy
Authors: Haridas Vikram , Haridas Kiran , Mayya Mahabaleshwar , Ranade Ranjana D
Published: May 2024

Very few studies have explored the renal involvement in RA. This co-occurrence could be attributed to the disease itself or drug induced. The present case study discussing the co-occurrence of anti-CCP positive RA and IgA nephropathy highlights the need for having a collaborative treatment approach for managing the patients.
On the analytic continuation of Euler products
Authors: Stankus Eugenijus
Published: May 2024

There is not abstract.
Reduction of system of partial derivatives with nilpotent matrix
Authors: Jurgaitis Donatas , Janavičius Arvydas-Juozapgs
Published: May 2024

In this paper we explain the method of squaring of the partial derivatives system with nilpotent matrix into the system with simpler matrix next to the solving function. Asymptotical solutions of this new system can be found using the method of gradual rows.
Identifier syntax and mnemonics in programming languages
Authors: Grigaliūnas Mikas , Grigas Gintautas
Published: May 2024

The main attention in the paper is paid to the set of symbols, which can be used in identifiers. Modern computers uses 8 bit coding, and many programming languages does so. But only few of them (Logo, Component Pascal) takes all advantages of 8 bit coding and allows to use all letters of alphabet in identifiers. Proffesional languages such as Pascal and C have restrictions for a symbol set in identifiers. These restrictions comes back from 7 or even 6 bit coding. The recent standards of programming languages allows to extend symbol set. Such kind of extension –  interface between IbrboPascal and MS Word, which allows to use Lithuanian and Latvian letters in Pascal program identifiers, is presented in this paper. Some languages (Ada95, Java) already uses Unicode. The sets of symbols for identifiers in these languages are defined in different ways. Unicode itself provides syntax rules for identifiers, in order to ensure uniform treatment of identifiers.
Mathematical modelling and forecasting of the Lithuanian export
Authors: Kvedaras Virmantas , Rudzkis Rimantas
Published: May 2024

Economic activities and indicators of a small open country are crucially influenced by the dynamics of export volume. This paper examines the Lithuanian export trends by different countries using a modem non-stationary time series and econometric theory.To avoid spurious regression, time series are modelled as an integrated process. The stationarity of Lithuanian export and the main explored exogenous variables (GDP, import values, exchange rates and CPI) are analysed using the augmented Dicky–Fuller test. Most of the indicators are integrated of order one. Further investigated modelling alternatives are the vector autoregression (VAR) and the error correction model (ECM). Although according to the Granger representation theorem each finite order VAR has a respective ECM, it is known that, in general, co-integrated (in level) process does not admit a pure VAR representation in first differences. Hence VAR is used, when there is no statistical co-integration evidence. In eleven of fourteen cases ECM proved to be appropriate for the Lithuanian export modelling. VAR turned out to be needed only in three cases.The forecasted value of total Lithuanian exports in year 2000 is LTL 14293 mn. Export to the EU, the CIS, and the CEFTA groups are forecasted to be LTL 7006 mn, LTL 2420 mn, and LTL 1043 mn, respectively. The forecasts of Lithuanian exports to the three different country groups are formed assuming constant shares between the analysed and the remaining countries in a certain group. Conditional export forecasts are based on the exogenous variables forecasts. These are mo­delled using the SAS/ETS software as minimum RMSE trend, exponential smoothing or ARIMA model.
Nash equilibria – existence, uniqueness and convergence – in two person non-zero games of timing
Authors: Sūdžiūtė Daina
Published: May 2024

Special class of Nash equilibria with spectra S1 = S2 = {a,b} is investigated in two person non-zero games of timing.The formulas of the existing and unique equilibria are derived when the kernels satisfy some conditions of monotonicity and boundedness.Possibilities of convergence of sequences of the equilibria when their spectra {an, bn} con­verge, are surveyd.
Complejidad fisiológica de Phytophthora infestans en Costa Rica
Authors: Barquero Miguel , Brenes Arturo , Gómez Luis
Published: May 2024

Utilizando los clones diferenciales de papa que contienen genes R (1-11) se evaluó la composición de las razas fisiológicas de P. infestans presentes en una muestra de 40 aislamientos colectados en 5 zonas geográficas de Costa Rica. La estructura de las razas, respecto a los factores de virulencia, fue determinada mediante la inoculación del patógeno en foliolos separados de cada uno de los clones diferenciales. Se encontró una alta variabilidad y complejidad en la población evaluada de P. infestans, y diferencias entre las zonas geográficas y la estructura de las razas. De los 40 aislamientos, 37 resultaron ser razas diferentes y solamente 3 de los patotipos comparten los mismos factores de virulencia. De acuerdo con los índices relativos de Shannon y Gleason, en Zarcero y Cartago es donde existe la complejidad (factores de virulencia) y variabilidad (diferentes patotipos) más altas de la población. Los factores de virulencia que se expresan en una frecuencia mayor en la población estudiada son el 3, el 7 y el 8, mientras que el factor que se expresa con una frecuencia menor es el 5.
Efecto de la posición en la pendiente sobre la productividad de tres secuencias de suelos en ambientes ústicos de Costa Rica
Authors: Sancho Freddy , Villatoro Mario
Published: May 2024

Se determinó el efecto de la posición en la pendiente sobre la productividad de suelos en pendientes de tipo compleja. A lo largo de la pendiente se fijaron 4 posiciones, una en la parte superior, 2 a lo largo de la parte media (de mayor inclinación) y otra al pie donde ocurre deposición de sedimentos. Con este fin, se seleccionaron 3 paisajes en las cercanías del Valle Central de Costa Rica: Guachipelín, Rodeo y Puriscal. Los suelos clasificaron como Andic Dystrustepts, Entic Udic Haplusterts, Udic Haplusterts y Typic Haplustands en Guachipelín; Andic Dystrustepts, Typic Dystrustepts y Humic Haplustands en Rodeo y Typic Haplohumults y Andic Haplohumults en Puriscal. Se realizó una caracterización físico-química de los suelos y se sembró maíz (Zea mays) durante 2 ciclos de cultivo, evaluando el rendimiento de grano a la cosecha y la producción de biomasa seca 69 días después de la siembra en las 4 posiciones a lo largo de la pendiente. El análisis de varianza solo mostró diferencias entre posiciones en Puriscal. Se realizó una combinación de análisis de varianza de los 3 paisajes y hubo diferencia (p≤0,01) entre posiciones. Las posiciones lineales, en donde la pendiente era mayor, presentaron el menor rendimiento mientras que en promedio la posición deposicional presentó el mayor rendimiento.
Desarrollo, investigación y agricultura en Costa Rica
Authors: Alvarado Alfredo , Navarro Juan R.
Published: May 2024

En el artículo se resume la evolución y la interacción de los procesos de desarrollo e investigación agropecuaria en Costa Rica. Se describe los principales modelos de desarrollo utilizados, así como los factores que determinan el mismo, empleando una definición economisista del término, y mencionando las principales actividades agrícolas que se vieron afectadas en su momento por la aplicación de dichos modelos. El desarrollo de la investigación sigue también un proceso histórico evolutivo, de manera que se presenta los principales cambios producidos en el tiempo en los componentes más importantes que lo determinan. Una tercera sección incluye algunas reflexiones del por qué no hay relación entre los modelos de desarrollo y los principales logros de investigación, demostrándose que, a pesar de que la investigación tiene un costo, esta paga con creces su valor.
Tratamientos para reducir los daños por látex en mango (Mangifera indica)
Authors: Montero Marta , Molina Manuel Enrique
Published: May 2024

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar tratamientos alternativos para reducir las manchas de látex en mango. Se utilizaron frutos del cultivar Amarilla y soluciones (1% en agua) de eter lauril sulfonato de sodio (ELSS), ácido sulfónico (AS), amida de coco (AC) y nonil fenol etoxilado (NFE); hipoclorito de sodio (100 y 200 mg l-1 en agua); agua; con 3 tratamientos testigo (deslechado en seco y manchado intencional con limpieza posterior y sin ella). Se midió la incidencia y severidad de las manchas sobre la cáscara y en las lenticelas. Los residuos de látex y las manchas sobre la cáscara generalmente cubrieron menos de 5% del área total; sin embargo, cuando los frutos se deslecharon en agua, en las soluciones con los tensoactivos, o al mancharlos intencionalmente, las manchas fueron severas. Los tensoactivos AS, AC y NFE provocaron oscurecimiento de las lenticelas en el 60-100% de la superficie, con grado de severidad alto (3,8-4,0), sin estar asociados a residuos de látex sobre la cáscara. La severidad de la mancha de látex resultó leve cuando la fruta se deslechó en seco (0,8) y fue moderada cuando se hizo en agua y en las soluciones de cloro con 100 y 200 mg l-1 (1,7, 1,6 y 1,3, respectivamente). El tratamiento posterior con fungicida y agua caliente hizo más visibles las manchas. Los 3 mejores tratamientos fueron el deslechado en ELSS al 1%, en la solución de hipoclorito de sodio (100 mg l-1) y en seco.
Efecto de la Sigatoka negra (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) sobre la fotosíntesis y transpiración foliar del banano (Musa sp. AAA, cv. Valery)
Authors: Hidalgo Martín , Tapia Ana , Rodríguez Werner , Serrano Edgardo
Published: May 2024

Con el propósito de relacionar el ataque de la Sigatoka negra (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) con las tasas fotosintética y de transpiración foliares, se sembraron rebrotes del tercer ciclo de producción de una plantación del cv. Valery en potes plásticos de 4 litros. Las plantas se mantuvieron dentro de un invernadero a humedad relativa y temperatura del 90% y 27°C, respectivamente. Al emitir 6 hojas, las 4 más jóvenes fueron inoculadas con conidios de M. fijiensis a partir de cultivos monospóricos de aislamientos silvestres. Dos riegos diarios por aspersión mantuvieron una película de agua sobre las hojas. Se aplicó una suspensión de 150000 conidios ml-1 sobre el envés de las hojas utilizando un aerógrafo, en 2 fechas con un intervalo de 30 días entre ellas, para obtener diferentes grados de severidad y estadios de la enfermedad en hojas de diferentes edades. Tanto la determinación visual del porcentaje de severidad como la del estadio de desarrollo de la enfermedad, fueron llevadas a cabo en los 6,25 cm2 del área foliar cubierta por la cubeta del medidor infrarrojo de gases, utilizado para determinar las tasas fotosintéticas y transpiratorias foliares. La tasa fotosintética neta foliar (Fn; μmoles de CO2 reducidos por m2 s-1) decayó con el incremento del porcentaje de severidad (Fn=-0,1517 x+6,845; R2=0,72) y el estadio de la enfermedad (Fn=-1,62 x+8,36; R2=0,60). El impacto del patógeno sobre la tasa transpiratoria foliar (E; mmoles de agua m-2 s-1) fue relativamente menor, como lo mostró la regresión de E contra el porcentaje de severidad (E=-0,0122 x+2,429; R2=0,11).
Evaluación financiera de la fertilización nitrogenada del cultivo de arroz en siembra directa sobre rastrojos
Authors: Quirós Rodolfo , Ramírez Carlos
Published: May 2024

En mayor proporción que en otros granos básicos, los rendimientos en el cultivo del arroz dependen de la eficiencia en la fertilización nitrogenada. Para evaluar la respuesta del cultivo en los sistemas de siembra directa sobre rastrojos "SDR" y labranza mecanizada convencional "LMC" a diferentes alternativas de fertilización nitrogenada, se realizó una evaluación financiera durante un plazo de 5 años, con 2 ciclos de siembra anuales. El estudio fue realizado de acuerdo a las condiciones agronómicas y económicas de agroecosistemas arroceros inundados en la Región Pacífico Norte de Costa Rica. De las alternativas evaluadas, la fertilización nitrogenada con 3 fraccionamientos y el uso de mucuna (Mucuna deeringiana) como abono verde entre ciclos del cultivo fue la más rentable, con un valor actualizado neto "VAN" y un valor esperado de la tierra "VET" de 3031 y 33346 US.$ ha-1, respectivamente. La interacción entre el sistema SDR, el uso de mucuna como abono verde, y la fertilización nitrogenada dividida en 3 aplicaciones permitió mayores rendimientos y mayor rentabilidad con respecto a las otras alternativas evaluadas.
Respuesta de nueve palmas ornamentales a la suspensión del riego bajo un gradiente de sombra
Authors: Gutiérrez Marco V. , Chinchilla Cristina , Jiménez Kenneth
Published: May 2024

Se comparó la respuesta al estrés hídrico de 9 especies de palmas ornamentales cultivadas bajo 7 niveles de sombra en una casa de mallas, con el objetivo de comparar la tolerancia de estas especies al déficit hídrico y la frecuencia de riego necesaria para su crecimiento. El estrés hídrico consistió de la suspensión del riego por aproximadamente 2 semanas. Se midieron las condiciones ambientales durante el desarrollo del estrés hídrico tanto en el exterior como en el interior de la casa de mallas, y las variables fisiológicas: potencial hídrico de las hojas (ψH) y resistencia estomática (rs). Los cambios detectados en ψH y rs indicaron que el estrés impuesto efectivamente modificó las relaciones hídricas de las plantas. Chamaedorea costaricana, Chamaedorea tepejilote y Licuala elegans, fueron las especies que se desarrollan mejor bajo sombra profunda, y mantuvieron valores consistentemente altos de ψH. Roystonea regia, Phoenix roebelenii y Veitchia merrillii, las especies que crecen bien bajo sombra parcial y a pleno sol, mostraron valores de ψH de intermedios a altos. Mostraron valores de ψH consistentemente menores Caryota mitis, Ptychosperma macarthurii y Dypsis lutescens. Los resultados indican que las palmas tropicales cultivadas en bolsas son capaces de mantener balances hídricos favorables por 7- 10 días, el estrés hídrico se hace evidente en 2 semanas, y la recuperación de las plantas por lluvia o irrigación después de un estrés hídrico moderado es rápida y completa. Este estudio sugiere la existencia de un efecto amortiguador de la sombra sobre el deterioro de las relaciones hídricas de las palmas sujetas a estrés, y demuestra la importancia del uso de la sombra en los ecosistemas tropicales, donde la radiación solar puede alcanzar frecuentemente niveles excesivos, y donde el estrés hídrico es de naturaleza frecuente e impredecible.
Eficacia de aserrines para inhibir el desarrollo in vitro de larvas de parásitos gastrointestinales de ovinos
Authors: Álvarez C. Víctor , Hernández Jorge , WingChing-Jones Rodolfo
Published: May 2024

Los parásitos gastrointestinales juegan un papel importante en los sistemas de producción animal, particularmente en los ovinos. El desarrollo de resistencia a los productos químicos ha creado un enorme problema para la producción. En busca de nuevas alternativas para el control integrado de parásitos, se utilizó aserrín de: pochote (Bombacopsis quinata), melina (Gmelina arborea), ciprés (Cupressus lusitanica) y teca (Tectona grandis) en coprocultivos de larvas de parásitos gastrointestinales de ovinos. Se recolectó muestras fecales directamente del recto de los animales en una finca en San José, Costa Rica y se determinó la carga parasitaria. Posteriormente se realizó los coprocultivos, utilizando como control aserrín de laurel (Cordia alliodora). El análisis de la eficacia de cada uno de los aserrines demostró que redujeron el crecimiento de las larvas entre un 65,4 y un 98,0% con relación al control.
Efecto de los análogos de los brasinoesteroides B6 y MH-5 sobre el metabolismo de las proteínas durante la embriogénesis somática en caña de azúcar
Authors: Nieves Nadina , Rodríguez Kirenia , Cid Mariela , Castillo Ramiro , González Justo L. , Núñez Miriam
Published: May 2024

Efecto de los análogos de brasinoesteroides B6 y MH-5 sobre el metabolismo de las proteínas durante la embriogénesis somática en caña de azúcar. El B6 y el MH-5, fueron evaluados en caña de azúcar (Saccharum spp.), y su efecto correlacionado con el metabolismo de las proteínas. Callos con estructuras embriogénicas fueron cultivados con 2 concentraciones de BB-6 y MH-5 (0,001 y 0,01 mg l-1, respectivamente). Los controles fueron un tratamiento sin hormonas y otro con NAA. La producción de embrioides no mostró diferencias entre los controles y los BRs en la concentración más alta. Los BRs influenciaron los niveles de proteínas solubles, proteínas de almacenamiento y los de prolina libre. Cambios en la prolina libre podrían indicar que los BRs participan en respuestas de estrés.