bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The occurrence of self-reported illnesses and their analyses into influenza-like and gastrointestinal syndromes in a rural community in Western Kenya, 2019
Authors: Chweya Reagan N. , Mambo Susan N. , Gachohi John M.
Published: April 2021

Background: Data-driven population studies focusing on clinical symptoms and syndromes with the potential to improve diagnostic strategies are rare in Africa. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of influenza-like illness (ILI) and gastrointestinal (GI) syndromes in a rural community in western Kenya.Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we collected data on self-reported symptoms experienced during the week preceding the study and clustered them into syndromes using case definitions in western Kenya. The study randomly enrolled 92 households and recruited 390 subjects aged between 5 and 83 years. On one hand, reporting at least any four prespecified respiratory-related symptoms attained influenza-like illness (ILI) syndrome while on the other, gastrointestinal (GI) syndrome constituted the reporting of at least any three of prespecified GI system symptoms. Data on individual and household-level independent variables were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Using multivariable logistic regression models, we assessed relationships between the occurrence of these syndromes and the independent variables at a significance level of p≤0.05.Results: Respectively, 27% and 9% of subjects attained ILI and GI syndromes. Twenty-four subjects attained both syndromes. Visiting outside the local sub-county of residence was associated with attaining ILI (OR=2.3, 95% CI 1.4, 3.7) and GI syndromes (OR=3.4, 95% CI 1.6, 6.9). Besides, the absence of active medical insurance was independently associated with attaining GI syndrome (OR=0.12, 95% CI 0.02, 0.94).Conclusions: Study findings suggested the existence of a higher burden of ILI relative to GI syndrome making the study area critical for investigating disease exposures related to visiting outside the study area and the link between medical insurance and ill health occurrence.
Model of health service effectiveness in public health center based on dimensions and measuring indicators
Authors: Sarifudin Diding , Hadisaputro Suharyo , Suwandono Agus
Published: April 2021

Background: Moreover, the effectiveness of the outputs was measured and the effectiveness model was completely implemented to include the input and process. However, the results obtained from measuring the input and process element were not documented effectively, thereby, leading to the use of a perception proxy which is the measurement power on the effectiveness. This research was, therefore, conducted to produce a model of health service effectiveness in public health centers based on dimensions and measuring indicators.Methods: This research was conducted quantitatively using a cross-sectional approach. The study population includes the employees of public health centers in Cirebon Regency out of which a sample of 212 respondents. The data obtained were subsequently analyzed using SmartPLS.Results: The effectiveness was measured using 5 dimensions including inputs dimension which consists of utilization of budget and human resource (2 indicators), process dimension which consists of improvement efforts (2 indicators) and innovation efforts (4 indicators), and output dimension which consists of employee satisfaction (3 indicators) and program (1 indicator). Most of the respondents, represented by 60.3%, stated that health services at the public health center were effective.Conclusions: The health service effectiveness model in the public health center was formed by five dimensions and twelve measuring indicators.
A comparative study of locking plate by minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis versus closed interlocking intramedullary nail in extra-articular distal tibia fractures
Authors: Chitten Jojin Jose , Balasubramaniam R.
Published: April 2021

Background: To compare functional outcome between minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) and intramedullary interlocking nail (IMIL) in the distal one-third extra-articular tibia fracture.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed 32 patients with closed distal tibia extra-articular fractures who underwent IMIL nail and locking plate MIPO technique in 16 patients each. All patients were followed for at least one year with assessment of clinico-radiological union and functional outcome scoring.

Results: There was comparable functional outcomes, time to union and surgical time both in IMIL nail and MIPO fixation of closed distal extra-articular tibia fractures with similar complication rate.   

Conclusions: Our study suggests that both IMIL nail and MIPO fixation could be used for closed distal extra-articular tibia fractures as per surgeon’s preference. However, due to small sample size in our study, we cannot draw any definitive conclusions from our preliminary results but consider them as valuable basis for future studies.
Prevalence of dermatoses in adult migrant workers attending dermatology OPD in a tertiary care centre in Puducherry
Authors: Sampadarao Bhavana , Kumar Govardhan J. , Kaliaperumal Damayandhi , Dileep Jude E. , Sekar Sucharita , Parthasarathi Umadevi K.
Published: April 2021

Background: Migrant workers are exposed to dangerous and unhygienic work environments, which puts them at risk of developing skin diseases. This study aims to assess the prevalence of skin diseases and provide epidemiological data regarding various dermatoses among migrant workers in Puducherry.

Methods: This is a hospital-based, cross-sectional study conducted in Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital from August 2019 to February 2021. 350 migrant workers were randomly selected and examined for the prevalence of infective and non-infective dermatoses. The observations were documented and data were analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 22.

Results: A total of 350 migrant workers were included in the study. Of most migrants, 90.9% (n=318) were males, while the remaining 9.1% (n=32) were females. The prevalence of infective dermatoses was found to be 76% (n=266) and the prevalence of non-infective dermatoses was 43.10% (n=151) in this study. Fungal infections are the most common infective dermatoses affecting 51.5% of the workers, followed by bacterial skin lesions in 27.4%.

Conclusions: This study reveals a high prevalence of infective and non-infective dermatoses among migrant workers, with fungal infections being the most commonly occurring infective skin disease. Eczema was the commonly occurring non-infective dermatoses, according to this study.
Citizen Experience Design for Digital Transformation
Authors: Colina Unda Vanessa
Published: April 2021

How many times have you heard the term "human-centered design"? How about "human-centered technology"? These terms are often used interchangeably in conversations involving digital transformation. The purpose of this paper is to provide a path for policymakers to start considering user-centric design to better understand citizens characteristics, challenges, and needs. The guidelines and case studies presented here are meant to be timeless, high-level, and strategic. There is a focus on principles throughout the publication that can be used and adapted for any particular starting point. The paper also describes suggested metrics to measure and improve the quality of the citizen experience.
Transformación digital en instituciones de educación inicial
Authors: Espinoza Cindy
Published: April 2021

La educación es uno de los motores más poderosos y probados para garantizar el desarrollo sostenible. En este sentido, se ha creado el proyecto “Transformación digital en instituciones de educación inicial” (TDEI), con una duración de un año desde que se implementó en el Centro de Niños de Fátima. El proyecto TDEI ha incorporado en su malla curricular la enseñanza del uso de plataformas LMS, repositorios, material disponible en la web y programas de ofimática. Una vez la institución ha adoptado la transformación digital, ha sido capaz de mantener las clases del periodo 2020 en un entorno completamente digital, lo cual benefició a los estudiantes, profesores, personal administrativo y padres de familia. Por consiguiente, se ha logrado contribuir a comprender cómo utilizar las herramientas digitales, y a fomentar la discusión, el debate, la práctica guiada y el dominio del aprendizaje híbrido en los niños y docentes. Esto se demuestra en los resultados de la investigación cualitativa, mediante entrevistas a profundidad, así como en las encuestas que se aplicaron al finalizar cada módulo. Al tabular los resultados, se obtuvo un 98% de satisfacción, considerando cuatro indicadores claves: calidad, aplicación de lo aprendido, contenido de la malla curricular y utilidad del material entregado. En este sentido, el proyecto TDEI benefició a 200 personas de manera directa e indirecta.
Dejando huellas: experiencias que enriquecen a la educación
Authors: Lasso María Dolores
Published: April 2021

Ser educador es mucho más que impartir conocimientos en el aula, y ser formador de educadores exige un compromiso con la educación que va más allá de las aulas. Cada educador debe liderar oportunidades para fortalecer procesos educativos en la comunidad y, cuando lo hace, debe asegurar que sus iniciativas perduren en el tiempo para lograr un impacto en la formación de las futuras generaciones [1]. Este proyecto busca mejorar el potencial educativo de niños de escasos recursos, mediante un Campamento de Verano anual organizado y ejecutado por estudiantes de Educación de la Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) y estudiantes voluntarios de la Universidad de Michigan (UM). Hasta la actualidad, se han llevado a cabo seis Campamentos de Verano durante seis años consecutivos, en donde los niños beneficiarios y los tutores voluntarios se han beneficiado mutuamente. Este ensayo busca compartir los aciertos y oportunidades que han permitido que un proyecto de vinculación con la comunidad perdure en el tiempo y enriquezca las vivencias de aprendizaje de niños de escasos recursos y futuros educadores. El ensayo describe cómo las experiencias de los diferentes actores de este proyecto permiten visibilizar aquellos elementos que han hecho posible que esta iniciativa se sostenga en el tiempo, que los actores se mantengan comprometidos con el propósito del proyecto y que el proceso de mejoramiento se fundamente en la retroalimentación de todos los actores. La sostenibilidad del proyecto se fundamenta en tres elementos esenciales: compromiso de liderazgo por parte de la persona responsable del proyecto, un proceso estructurado de recaudación de fondos para cubrir los gastos y un eficiente método de renovación de liderazgo de los voluntarios en las dos universidades. En la parte final se describen los retos que el proyecto ha enfrentado durante 2020. Se espera poder emprender nuevos proyectos similares en otros contextos, una vez que se haya estabilizado la situación pospandemia. Se espera que este ensayo motive a todos los educadores a crear proyectos que mejoren las experiencias educativas de quienes más lo necesitan.
La experiencia de implementación de “Cuéntame”: una intervención en salud mental
Authors: Zamora Moncayo Emilia , Coello Baquero Diana , Alvarez Frank Nicolás , Sáenz Hinojosa Mateo , Moreno Montenegro Erick , Toledo Jara Cristian , Neira Irigoyen Gabriela
Published: April 2021

Este ensayo describe la implementación y ejecución de “Cuéntame”, un proyecto de asistencia psicológica para el personal de la primera línea de acción en el contexto de la pandemia de Covid-19 en el Ecuador, que aún se mantiene vigente. Los principales objetivos del proyecto son reducir la brecha de acceso a servicios de salud mental para personal de la primera línea de acción, ofrecerles atención en salud mental a través de asistencia psicológica remota, y mitigar los efectos psicológicos negativos a corto y largo plazo en esta población. Se comentarán las principales barreras que surgieron durante el desarrollo del proyecto, y las potenciales soluciones que se siguen ejecutando. Finalmente, se concluirá discutiendo la relevancia e impacto de la iniciativa en torno a otras que puedan construirse a futuro en el ámbito de la salud mental, así como también testimonios de algunas de las partes involucradas en la implementación y ejecución.
La trampa entomológica Gravid-Aedes Trap, como una alternativa para el monitoreo del mosquito Aedes aegypti, vector del dengue, en las islas Galápagos
Authors: Leon Renato , Carrazco Montalvo Andres Ricardo , Llerena Martillo Ivis Alexi , Hinojosa Gavilanes Agustín
Published: April 2021

El mosquito Aedes aegypti es un insecto díptero de importancia médica y es vector de varios arbovirus, entre ellos el dengue, el chikungunya y el Zika. Esta especie es diurna y está adaptada a vivir cerca del ser humano en ambientes urbanos. En 1988 ocurrió el primer brote epidémico de dengue en Ecuador. Desde entonces, es endémico y ocasiona picos de transmisión cada cuatro o cinco años. En las islas Galápagos, el dengue fue introducido en 2002, cuando se reportaron los primeros casos en la isla Santa Cruz. Luego, un brote epidémico de magnitud ocurrió en 2010 en la isla San Cristóbal y, desde entonces, se reportan casos esporádicos cada año. Pocos casos de chikungunya y de Zika también han sido reportados. En el archipiélago, las medidas para controlar a la población de mosquitos se restringen al control vectorial mediante abatización que elimina las larvas, y fumigación con el insecticida Deltametrina para matar a los adultos. Actualmente, no hay un sistema de monitoreo rutinario de las poblaciones de mosquitos, que se considera crucial para evaluar los métodos de control más adecuados y adoptar las medidas más convenientes para combatir al mosquito vector y disminuir la transmisión de enfermedades. Se presenta la trampa Gravid-Aedes Trap (GAT) como una herramienta de monitoreo pasivo y fácil de usar. Su precio es asequible y no requiere de una fuente de electricidad para funcionar. Estudios de evaluación en Brasil muestran la utilidad de esta trampa para el monitoreo y también para el control vectorial. Se reporta un estudio piloto con 10 trampas GAT que se colocaron en Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, en la isla San Cristóbal, y en Puerto Ayora, en Santa Cruz, para monitorear mosquitos. Los resultados preliminares sugieren que esta metodología puede ser efectiva para colectar Aedes aegypti y, por tanto, de potencial utilidad para complementar las estrategias de control vectorial que se llevan a cabo rutinariamente en las islas Galápagos. Otras especies de mosquitos colectadas fueron Culex quinquefasciatus y Aedes taeniorhynchus. Son necesarios estudios a mayor escala para seguir evaluando la utilidad de esta nueva trampa.
Reverse Sural Fascio-Cutaneous Flap for Management of Patients with Distal Third of Lower Limb Soft Tissue Defects Referring to the Emergency Department Following Traumatic Events; A Review of 13 Cases
Authors: Abdorrazzaghi Hosseinali , Hajibarati Babak , Mohammadi Fateme
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Soft tissue defects over the distal leg and/or heel are probable injuries that need a flap. Various coverage techniques have been described in this regard. It seems that applying Reverse Sural Fascio-Cutaneous Flap (RSFCF) for reconstructing soft tissue defects of lower limbs has superiorities over other techniques. Objective: We intend to present a case series with soft tissue defect over the distal third of lower limb, covered using RSFCF technique.
 
Methods: This is a case series and longitudinal study in which patients with crush injuries who referred to the emergency department (Sina hospital, Tehran, Iran) from 2013 until 2020 and were treated with RSFCF technique were included. The data were collected using patients’ charts, by interviewing the patients, and from hospital records. The patients' wounds were prepared, examined, and the surgery was done. Tendon and bone defects were repaired, and wounds were closed using reverse sural Fascio-Cutaneous Flap.
Results: A total of 13 patients were eligible during the 6-year study period. Men were more commonly affected with no conclusive gender trend. The posterolateral part of the foot of the right leg was the most frequently injured part (53.8%). Only 1 patient had mentioned complications after surgery including mild congestion and abnormal sensory and motor examination. Patients were followed by the surgeons until 3 months after the operation and all of them had been able to resume their daily life activities by then.
Conclusion: According to our findings, almost all of the patients (except one) had received their flaps without any complications. All the patients had been able to resume their daily life activities three months after the surgery. This may show that RSFCF, which can be quickly performed and does not need microsurgical skills, could be a suitable option for the coverage of distal third of lower limb soft tissue defects caused mainly by trauma
MEDIATING ROLE OF ETHICAL LEADERSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYEES EMPOWERMENT AND COMPETITIVE EDGE: A CASE OF COMMERCIAL BANKS IN PAKISTAN
Authors: Azizullah Khan Muhammad , Ullah Mahboob
Published: April 2021

Purpose of the study: The current study aimed to examine the impact of employee empowerment on reaching a better level of competitive edge through the mediating influence of ethical leadership. Methodology: Dimensions of competitive edge were employed, including (quality, responsiveness, innovation, and efficiency). A quantitative approach was adopted to attain the main objective of the study. A questionnaire was employed to collect data from 258 individuals' of Pakistani commercial banks. SPSS/ AMOS was used to screen and analyze the gathered data. Cronbach's Alpha was used to test the reliability of the study tool. Multiple regression analysis was performed to test the hypotheses of the study. Preacher and Hayes model was deployed to test the mediation effect. Principal Findings: The study's results indicated that ethical leadership mediates the relationship between empowerment and competitive edge. Besides, the study highlighted that ethical leadership influences empowerment in a way that leads to better efficiency and service quality, launching from leaderships' role in increasing awareness of service quality importance and leading employees towards being more creative and innovative. Application of this Study: The study recommended that workers in the bank sector should submit proposals that affect skills training and the expansion of their fields of empowerment in comparison with the previous stage and offer workers with proven skills a chance to engage in decision making to strengthen their skills and provide them with the ability to learn further in the field of banking. Novelty/Originality of this study: This is the first study that has analyzed the mediating role of ethical leadership between employees' empowerment and competitive edge in the context of listed Pakistani commercial Banks.
Can Prevention of Erection with Sulpride be a Way to Increase Success in Hypospadias Surgery? A Case Report
Authors: KARA Halil , ÖZTÜRK Ayşe Betül , ÇETİNKAYA Miray
Published: April 2021

Hypospadias is treated surgically and different methods can useable for this way. Due to involuntary erections during adolescence and later, neourethra seems at risk until wound healing is complete. Erections following penile surgery are painful and can affect the healing process negatively, because the stitches may not withstand a strong erection. Therefore, prevention of erection and management of pain are extremely important after the hypospadias surgery; especially in adolescents. Preventing erection may increase the chance of success from surgery. Short-term use of antipsychotics may be beneficial to prevent erection. In this case report, the use of sulpride in an eighteen-year-old patient after hypospadias repair and the effect of this treatment on the results of the surgery was presented.
Comparison of Sympathetic Activity by Use of Skin Conductance Monitor in Patients with and without Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Authors: GÜNGÖR Semih
Published: April 2021

Aim: Sympathetic system dysfunction has been described among the theories involved in the pathophysiology of complex regional pain syndrome. Objective measurement of the sympathetic activity of the affected extremity in patients with complex regional pain syndrome has not been compared to normal subjects in the literature. The skin conductance monitor is a non-invasive monitor that can objectively measure sympathetic skin activity of the extremity. In this study, we aimed to compare the differences in sympathetic activity of extremities in subjects with and without complex regional pain syndrome by using a skin conductance monitor.
Material and Methods: Sympathetic skin responses were evaluated in 63 subjects, including 25 measurements on the affected extremities in 13 patients with lower extremity complex regional pain syndrome type 1 and 50 measurements in 50 normal subjects in the control group. Among the skin conductance indices, the "peaks per second (0.02)" index was used as the main sympathetic skin response index. Descriptive criteria and the mean values of sympathetic skin response measurements were compared.
Results: When sympathetic skin responses were compared with a skin conductance monitor using the "peaks per second (0.02)" index, no statistically significant difference was found between the complex regional pain syndrome and control groups in terms of sympathetic activity in the extremities (p=0.837).
Conclusion: In this study, skin sympathetic nerve activity in the affected limb of patients with complex regional pain syndrome was similar to normal subjects. Further studies are required to assess the changes in sympathetic activity in complex regional pain syndrome.
How to Trick a Neural Network? Synthesising Noise to Reduce the Accuracy of Neural Network Image Classification
Authors: Karpenko A.P. , Ovchinnikov V.A.
Published: April 2021

The study aims to develop an algorithm and then software to synthesise noise that could be used to attack deep learning neural networks designed to classify images. We present the results of our analysis of methods for conducting this type of attacks. The synthesis of attack noise is stated as a problem of multidimensional constrained optimization. The main features of the attack noise synthesis algorithm proposed are as follows: we employ the clip function to take constraints on noise into account; we use the top-1 and top-5 classification error ratings as attack noise efficiency criteria; we train our neural networks using backpropagation and Adam's gradient descent algorithm; stochastic gradient descent is employed to solve the optimisation problem indicated above; neural network training also makes use of the augmentation technique. The software was developed in Python using the Pytorch framework to dynamically differentiate the calculation graph and runs under Ubuntu 18.04 and CentOS 7. Our IDE was Visual Studio Code. We accelerated the computation via CUDA executed on a NVIDIA Titan XP GPU. The paper presents the results of a broad computational experiment in synthesising non-universal and universal attack noise types for eight deep neural networks. We show that the attack algorithm proposed is able to increase the neural network error by eight times
Functional Simulation of Medical Organization Management System
Authors: Kostyrin E.V. , Goryunova I.S.
Published: April 2021

Key stages in the process of providing medical services to population were considered. Treatment and prophylactic institution financial, economic and accounting services (departments) operation were studied. Functional model of medical organization management system was formalized and developed, which appeared as a set of diagrams describing all aspects of the system under study. When creating the functional model, structural approach to design, IDEF0 methodology (Structured Analysis & Design Technique subset) and AllFusion toolkit were used. Functional cost analysis role was noted in the process of reliable determination of costs in providing medical services and improving financial performance of the medical institutions. Medical institution management system role in organizational and functional structure of a medical institution was revealed. Composition and sequence of procedures were determined for application of economic and mathematical models in managing the tariffs optimal distribution and the financial result of a medical organization operation. Separately, recommendations are provided on implementation of medical savings accounts in the activities of treatment and prophylactic institution and integration thereof with the patient medical treatment record. Analysis of the designed system was carried out as a toolkit in improving quality of the patient medical care and increasing the treatment and prophylactic institution income. Developed integrated medical organization management system is relevant for the medical institution financial and economic units and is aimed at improving their operation effectiveness
Study of Steady-State Periodic Motions of Crawling Robot Modules under External Disturbances
Authors: Vorochaeva L.Yu. , Savin S.I.
Published: April 2021

The development and design of a multi-module crawling robot requires an elaboration of each aspect of its motion in the implementation of various tasks, including holding the position of such a robot under a driving force. This problem has been solved for a three-module crawling robot, one of the end supports of which was fixed on the surface, and the other was affected by the harmonic external force changing according to the meander law. For this purpose, a module control system based on the CTC controller has been proposed. Numerical simulation has been used to study the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of robot module vibrations depending on the ratio of the amplitudes of the vertical and horizontal components of the force and the phase mismatch between them. It is found that when the external force vertical and horizontal amplitudes are equal, the module angles fluctuate relative to the set values, and when there is a certain ratio between the amplitudes, a static error appears which increases as the specified ratio moves away from 1.
Computer Simulation of the Press Fit Connection
Authors: Lyubchenko M.A. , Garcia Martinez Juan Marcos , Samora Quintana Laura Angelica , Syromyatnikov V.S.
Published: April 2021

The design of modern technology is associated with increased requirements for strength and manufacturability. Press fit connections of small size parts can withstand significant workloads, so they are widely used in mechanisms and machines. Traditionally, the calculation of press fit connections is performed according to classical formulas using a large amount of reference data. The calculations use standard recommendations that make it easier to obtain solutions with a minimum investment of time. However, the time saving limits the search to a few joints, which are not always the best in some indicators. Modeling press fit joints with different combinations of parameters leads to the formation of hundreds of potential joints. To check their performance, it is necessary to use modern computing facilities. The computer has almost unlimited possibilities for computing speed and storing arrays of information. Simulation of press fit connections on a computer allows obtaining regression metamodels, accessing the statistical significance of parameters, and determining the area of workable connections. It becomes possible to optimize the design of the joint in terms of strength, weight and assembly technology. The system for calculating and statistical analysis of press fit connections has been developed on the basis of existing standards. A program has been developed providing the joints formation and verification with an assessment of their suitability for the specified requirements.
Further Development of a New Concept in Small Scale Forestry: “Forest-Management-Service-Contracts” in Bavaria
Authors: Lutze Dr. Michael
Published: April 2021

The forests in Bavaria cover about one third of its land area or 2.56 Mio hectares (ha) and the major part of this forest is held by private forest owners. Around 700 000 landlords manage approximately 1.4 Mio ha. In Bavaria, about 130 Forest Owner Associations (FOAs) play a key role in managing the small scale forests. In the last years, a new concept in small scale forest management arose, “Forest-Management-Service-Contract” (FMSC). The statutory corporations needed a proper management for their forests accordingly the German forest laws and the FOA took the chance to adopt a new business concept. In Bavaria exist about 3000 forest-management-service-contracts, covering over 40.000 hectares. In a current project “Further development of the successful concept – Forest-Management-Service-Contracts – through economic analysis” will be elaborated a data base for the better understanding of the crucial to success factors of FMSC. The economic analysis of the FMSC will base on business process analysis related to the administration of FMSC, on economic operating figures deviated from a single contract analysis and performance data. This information base aims to optimize the contracting process and to reduce the risks related to unknown hazards of the single FMSC.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Study in Companies in the State of Sao Paulo
Authors: Cesar de Oliveira Edenis , Cezar Carraro Nilton
Published: April 2021

The research aimed to map the positioning of companies located in the Administrative Region of Sorocaba – SP, affiliated with the Ethos Institute, regarding the practice of Corporate Social Responsibility. Of an exploratorydescriptive nature, bibliographic and documentary research was used by collecting data/information made available digitally on the websites of the companies surveyed. The data were catalogued and systematised with the aid of the SigmaPlot® software. Fifteen companies, present in nine municipalities, fulfilled the requirements required for the study. Four companies did not present any type of social publication. Of the others, one published using the GRI model exclusively, nine had their social publications made using the GRI model adding guidelines from the Global Compact (GC-UN). Only one company adopted the ISO 26000 standard exclusively. The study provides a panoramic view of the companies located in the RAS, especially the publication of their CSR actions, through information collected and systematised on their websites, serving an aid to decision-makers at the corporate level, as well as to policymakers and sectoral, in addition to increasing the visibility of business practices to the entire community.
Oxygation to Unlock Yield Potential of Crops: A Review
Authors: Parameshwarareddy R. , Dhage S. Sagar
Published: April 2021

Irrigated agriculture has played a vital role in supporting a dramatic increase in global food production over recent decades. However, only 20 per cent of the world’s agricultural land is irrigated. It produces 40 per cent of world’s food supply. Even the traditional practices of irrigation, in whatever form, will have transient of long term depressive effects of soil oxygen content. The depressive effect of irrigation on soil oxygen is higher for a given soil water potential on heavy clay soils (e.g., for vertisols) than on lighter soils Hence plants suffered from sub-optimal oxygen supply in the root zone and causes hypoxia and anoxia. Aeration of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) has been shown to alleviate soil hypoxia/anoxia by providing air/oxygen to an oxygen-depleted plant root zone. This can be achieved by coupling an air injector venturi to draw air into the subsurface drip irrigation system is known as oxygation/aerogation/air injection. Oxygation assures optimal root function, microbial activity and mineral transformations, which lead to enhanced yield and water use efficiency under hypoxic (anaerobic) conditions. It also improves plant performance and yield under irrigated conditions (i.e. crops such as radish by 9.87 per cent and cotton lint yields by 10 per cent) previously considered to be satisfactory for crop growth and offers scope to offset some of the negative impacts of compaction and salinity related to poor soil aeration on crop growth. The aeration condition of irrigated soils deserves more attention than it has received in the past, if we wish to unlock yield potential constraints by soil oxygen limitations in irrigated areas and enhance the yield potential to meet the future food (and fibre) demand.
Effect of Legume Crop Residues and Nitrogen Management on Growth Parameters and Growth Indices of Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Shukla Monika , Sadhu A.C. , Mevada K.D. , Shitap Mayur , Patel Pratik
Published: April 2021

Background: Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the important cereal crop and its demand is increasing due to its versatile use but the productivity in India is still low. The basic requirement for improving the crop productivity is soil fertility and it is highly related with soil organic matter. Due to unavailability of organic manure and their higher cost, cheaper the organic source available at farm should be explored to meet the requirement. Methods: A field experiment was conducted at College Agronomy Farm, B.A. College of Agriculture, AAU, Anand during summer-kharif seasons of years 2017 and 2018 to examine the impact of legume crop residue and nitrogen levels on maize crop. Experiment comprised of three legume crops grown in summer season viz., green gram, groundnut and cluster bean, two residue management treatments viz., residue removal and incorporation and three nitrogen levels in kharif maize viz., 100%, 75% and 50% recommended dose of nitrogen. Result: Results indicated that cluster bean-maize sequence provided the highest leaf area and leaf area index at 60 days after sowing, chlorophyll content and dry matter production at 30 and 60 days after sowing and crop growth rate for of maize crop. Incorporation of legume residues also had significant effect on plant height, dry matter production and chlorophyll content; leaf area and leaf area index at 60 days after sowing and crop growth rate and absolute growth rate of maize crop. Application of 100% RDN beneficially affected all the growth parameter and indices. Overall, summer legume cropping with their residue incorporation and higher nitrogen levels favourably impacts on various growth parameters and growth indices of maize crop.
Effects of Orem's Self-Care Model of Nursing on Hand Symptoms and Life Activities in Geriatric Individuals Diagnosed With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Tuna Halil Ibrahim , Alparslan Guler Balci
Published: April 2021

Background and Purpose

According to Orem's self-care deficit theory, when patients cannot meet their care needs, they need nursing systems for maintaining their health. Nursing care for elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should be based on maintaining self-care. This study aims to determine the effects of Orem's self-care model of nursing care given to geriatric patients with RA on hand symptoms, life activities, and hand pain.

Methods

The study sample comprised a total of 22 patients (intervention group, 11; control group, 11) who met the sample selection criteria at a rheumatology outpatient clinic of a university hospital between June 17, 2019 and September 20, 2019. All interviews with patients in the intervention group were conducted by daily phone calls and a face-to-face interview at the hospital every 4 weeks. Patients continued to receive routine prescription by a physician during the course of application.

Results

No difference was observed between the groups in terms of descriptive patient characteristics (p > .05). Hand pain, hand symptoms, and life activities of patients in the intervention group were measured at study initiation, week 4, and week 8. Intragroup comparison revealed that hand pain, hand symptoms, and life activity scores were lowest at week 8 in the intervention group (p < .05).

Implications for Practice

This study indicates that nursing care given according to Orem's self-care model is effective in reducing pain, improving hand functions, and performing life activities.
Knowledge and Attitudes Towards COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study in Portugal
Authors: Pires Olga , Oliveira Ana Andrade , Moreira Pedro , Santa-Cruz André , Carvalho Alexandre , Alves Joana
Published: April 2021

N/a.
Aplicação do alinhamento cognitivo em disciplinas de Geociências de um Curso de Engenharia de Petróleo e Gás
Authors: Simas Joemes de Lima , Basilici Giorgio , Carneiro Celso Dal Ré
Published: April 2021

Com o avanço tecnológico graças a expansão da indústria de petróleo e gás no Estado do Amazonas incentivaram a Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM) a criar em 2010 curso de graduação em Engenharia de Petróleo e Gás. Neste curso as disciplinas de Geociências são essenciais para o estudante entender a origem das jazidas de hidrocarbonetos e, posteriormente, desenvolver atividades de pesquisa, explotação e beneficiamento. Este artigo descreve estratégias de ensino baseadas no conceito de alinhamento cognitivo que despertaram o interesse dos alunos e fomentaram participação em disciplinas de Geofísica do Petróleo e Modelagem Geológica com o uso de: mapas conceituais, softwares livres e/ou comerciais em sala de aula, montagem de equipamentos didáticos e uso de ambientes virtuais de ensino-aprendizagem. A utilização das estratégias didáticas nas disciplinas de Modelagem Geológica de Reservatórios e Geofísica do Petróleo permitiu atingir resultados importantes no processo de ensino-aprendizagem. As alternativas de ensino podem ser replicadas em outros cursos técnicos e superiores de Engenharia de Petróleo e Gás.
Estrategia didáctica para mejorar la producción oral del idioma francés en los estudiantes del nivel básico de una institución educativa superior de Lima
Authors:   , Solis Alva Lesly Sofía
Published: April 2021

La presente investigación tiene por objetivo proponer un modelo de estrategia didáctica que permita mejorar la producción oral del idioma francés en los estudiantes del nivel básico de una institución educativa superior de Lima. Dicho estudio se enmarca dentro del paradigma socio-crítico e interpretativo, con un enfoque cualitativo de carácter interpretativo, y el tipo de investigación es educacional de tipo aplicada. El diseño es no experimental, de corte transversal descriptivo. La selección de la muestra fue no probabilística y la conformaron dos docentes y 17 estudiantes de la población. Las técnicas utilizadas fueron la entrevista a docentes, encuesta a los estudiantes y la observación, por lo que los instrumentos fueron la guía de entrevista, el cuestionario, la prueba pedagógica y la guía de observación. Los hallazgos más representativos del trabajo de campo indicaron que existían ciertos elementos que dificultaban la producción oral como: la falta de motivación en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, las limitaciones en el uso de herramientas tecnológicas, el deficiente desempeño de los estudiantes en las otras competencias del idioma y la falta de diversificación en las evaluaciones con énfasis en la autoevaluación. Como conclusión, se propone integrar el enfoque cognitivo, comunicativo y sociocultural con el juego de roles en una estrategia didáctica para mejorar la producción oral del idioma francés en un nivel básico y así guiar al docente en su quehacer pedagógico y a los estudiantes en su proceso de aprendizaje.
Rentabilidad y riesgos en la producción de Papa Blanca comercial y nativa en el distrito Huasahuasi, Tarma, Junín
Authors:   , Frías Capcha Jeymiri Irene
Published: April 2021

La presente investigación tiene como finalidad evaluar la rentabilidad que obtienen los agricultores del distrito de Huasahuasi, provincia de Tarma, región Junín, a partir de la oferta de papa blanca y nativa. Se empleó para ello el método de simulación estocástica de Monte Carlo para analizar el riesgo de las variables explicativas en el modelo. La hipótesis central del estudio: la rentabilidad económica de la papa blanca es significativamente superior al de la papa nativa en el distrito de Huasahuasi, se rechaza debido a que las dos variedades de papa ofertadas en este distrito, presentan niveles similares de rentabilidad y riesgo. Las principales variables agrícolas que generan mayor riesgo en la rentabilidad por hectárea, en ambos cultivos, son el precio en chacra y la productividad por unidad de tierra; y en una menor proporción, los costos de las semillas y mano de obra. Por consiguiente, se concluye que el diferencial de rentabilidad, y el riesgo intrínseco en cada variedad de papa, no son factores determinantes para que los productores de Huasahuasi opten por ofertar, en su mayoría, papa blanca. En base a información primaria, se determinó que la mayor certidumbre respecto de compra efectiva, por parte de intermediarios y acceso a mercados, en general, son los factores más significativos en la toma de decisiones racionales en Huasahuasi.
Diseño de producto para la prevención del duelo patológico generado por las normas sanitarias en el contexto Covid-19 en ciudadanos de 40 años a más en Lima Metropolitana
Authors:   , Chang Huancaya Mailing Mijaru
Published: April 2021

Actualmente el desarrollo y propagación del virus COVID-19 a nivel mundial, ha generado pánico y desorden en la población. Muchas personas vieron afectada la salud, el trabajo e incluso la libertad con la que vivían día a día; sin embargo, la pérdida más dolorosa ha sido la de aquellos que vieron partir a sus seres queridos a causa del virus, viviendo esta tragedia en medio de mucha confusión y dolor que ha hecho del duelo una experiencia intensa. Despedir a un ser querido hoy, ha cambiado radicalmente. Las normas sanitarias dictadas por el gobierno con el objetivo de resguardar la salud pública han interferido tanto en el ritual funerario como en la fabricación del proceso de duelo. Es así como surge un conflicto con el desarrollo de este, pues los dolientes no encuentran formas saludables de calmar la pena, encontrándose totalmente vulnerables al desarrollo de un duelo patológico que puede traer consecuencias muy graves para la salud mental de las personas. Por esta razón se diseñó el proyecto “Abrazo en caja” que tiene el objetivo principal de ayudar a las personas en el duelo, para que logren asimilar su pérdida de forma saludable y así poder retomar sus vidas y elaborar un recuerdo que no les cause dolor, evitando de esta forma que la pérdida se torne patológica. Este consiste en un producto que incluye 7 piezas contenidas en una caja, cada una está pensada para aportar diferentes estímulos durante el proceso de duelo.
Oblici protekcionizma u međunarodnoj razmjeni
Authors: Aćimović Mihajlo
Published: April 2021

Protekcionizam označava sustav mjera ekonomske države sa ciljem zaštite domaće proizvodnje u odnosu na konkurenciju inozemnih proizvođača. Javlja se nakon pojave međunarodne razmjene. Međutim, suvremena protekcionistička politika i praksa obavezuje da se istražuje fenomen protekcionizma u suvremenim uvjetima. Posebno je u suvremenoj teoriji za međunarodnu razmjenu značajan agrarni protekcionizam.
Prilog boljem poznavanju Jurja Matije Šporera - jednog od pionira turizma u Opatiji
Authors: Blažević Ivan
Published: April 2021

Smještena na prisojnoj strani gorskog masiva Učke, koji se dosta strmo ruši prema obali zapadnog Kvarnera, Opatija je tijekom 19. stoljeća zaplovila u turističke vode. Za buđenje Opatije iz gospodarskog drijemeža i njenu uspješnu turističku promociju najviše su zaslužni: Higinij Scarpa, Juraj Matija Šporer, Friedrich Julius Schüler i dr. Theodor Billroth. Dr. Juraj Matija Šporer, rođeni Karlovčanin, dugo je živio i radio u Rijeci. On zarana spoznaje ambijentalne i klimatske pogodnosti Liburnijskog primorja, pa se zalaže za izgradnju Opatije u morsko kupalište i klimatsko lječilište. Sedamdesetih godina prošlog stoljeća dolazi u kontakt s glasovitim austrijskim balneologom dr. Leopoldom Schrötterom, da bi ubrzo nakon toga započeo fenomenalni uspon Opatije. O mogućnostima razvitka kupališnog i zdravstvenog turizma u Opatiji, Šporer je napisao (neobjavljeno) djelo "Inhalation, Seebäder und mechanische Heilkraft, gegen Langenleiden, Skropheln und Obstructionen". U ovom se radu osvjetljava ličnost Jurja Matije Šporera, poznatog liječnika i znanstvenika, te njegov doprinos počecima razvoja turizma u Opatiji. Prilog je napisan povodom stopedesete obljetnice opatijskog turizma.
Recentne promjene demografske slike i stupnja urbanizacije na Kvarneru
Authors: Blažević Ivan
Published: April 2021

Smješten između istarskog poluotoka i gorskog trupa Velebita, Kvarner zauzima 3 264 km površine i broji 309 759 stanovnika (1991. godine). Demografska slika, inače promjenjiva u prostoru i vremenu, ukazuje na nisku stopu prirodnog kretanja, neujednačenu strukturu stanovništva i njegovu pretežnu koncentraciju u gradska središta. Opće značajke Kvarnera mogu se svesti na sljedeće: populacija stari, Hrvati neprestano i uvjerljivo drže brojčanu prevagu, tercijarni sektor djelatnosti apsorbira većinu aktivnog stanovništva, ruralna naselja pretežno stagniraju ili opadaju, urbana središta mahom bilježe porast broja stanovnika tako da stupanj urbanizacije prati uzlazni trend. Autor vrši analizu i usporedbu demografskih kretanja na kopneno-otočnom dijelu Kvarnera.
Development of Phosphodiesterase-Protein Kinase Complexes as Novel Targets for Discovery of Inhibitors with Enhanced Specificity
Authors: Tulsian Nikhil Kumar , Sin Valerie Jia-En , Anand Ganesh Srinivasan , Koh Hwee-Ling
Published: April 2021

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides to modulate multiple signaling events in cells. PDEs are recognized to actively associate with cyclic nucleotide receptors (Protein Kinases, PK) in larger macromolecular assemblies referred to as signalosomes. Complexation of PDEs with PK generates an expanded active site which enhances PDE activity. This facilitates signalosome-associated PDEs to preferentially catalyze active hydrolysis of cyclic nucleotides bound to PK, and aid in signal termination. PDEs are important drug targets and current strategies for inhibitor discovery are based entirely on targeting conserved PDE catalytic domains. This often results in inhibitors with cross-reactivity amongst closely related PDEs and attendant unwanted side effects. Here, our approach targets PDE-PK complexes as they would occur in signalosomes, thereby offering greater specificity. Our developed fluorescence polarization assay has been adapted to identify inhibitors that block cyclic nucleotide pockets in PDE-PK complexes in one mode, and disrupt protein-protein interactions between PDEs and cyclic nucleotide activating protein kinases in a second mode. We tested this approach with three different systems: cAMP-specific PDE8-PKAR, cGMP-specific PDE5-PKG and dual-specificity RegA-RD complexes and ranked inhibitors according to their inhibition potency. Targeting PDE-PK complexes offers biochemical tools for describing the exquisite specificity of cyclic nucleotide signaling networks in cells.