bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Field Evaluation of Heat Stress-Resilient Maize Hybrids for Improved and Stable Maize Production in Nepal
Authors: Koirala KB , Tripathi MP , Seetharam K , Vinayan MT , Zaidi PH
Published: August 2021

In recent years, National Maize Research Program (NMRP) aimed a paradigm shift from open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) towards hybrid maize to achieve self-sufficiency in maize for food, feed, and hybrid seed within the country. In this mission, it is necessary to identify and deploy high-yielding stress-resilient maize hybrids that can cope with climate change effects, including heat stress. Under the project “Heat Tolerant Maize for Asia (HTMA)”, NMRP introduced the hybrids that performed better in previous years in different environments from International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Hyderabad for multilocation on-farm testing. Fifteen genotypes were evaluated at two locations, two sites in Madi, Chitwan, and one in Ghorahi, Dang, along with Rampur Hybrid-8 as a heat-tolerant check, and RML-86/RML-96 and RML-95/RML-96 as normal checks. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with three replicates during the spring of 2016/17. Likewise, another 20 and 18 promising hybrids were demonstrated during the winter of 2016/17 and 2017/18, respectively, in different hybrid growing pockets considering a site – a replication. Grain yield and yield attributing traits at all locations were recorded. From the across-site data analysis, selected heat-tolerant hybrids from the experiment were CAH1432, ZH15405, ZH141592, and CAH1715 which were statistically at par with promising normal hybrid RML-86/RML-96 and superior to already released heat-tolerant Rampur Hybrid-8. In 2016/17, ZH138098, ZH1620, and VH121062 were farmers’ preferred heat-tolerant hybrids. In 2017/18, Rampur Hybrid-10, ZH141592, CAH1715, and ZH15440 were preferred by farmers. The selected bestbet are taken forward for official release/registration followed by commercialization through a public-private partnership with Nepali seed companies/cooperatives.
SAARC J. Agric., 19(1): 27-43 (2021)
Effect of Ethephon and Packaging Practices On Ripening of Mango cv. Maldah
Authors: Sapkota S , Kc D , Giri H , Saud M , Basnet M , Gautam S
Published: August 2021

The present research was conducted on two factor Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with eight treatments and three replications. A set of experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of postharvest ethephon treatment and packaging on ripening of mango cv. Maldah. The treatments consisted of ripening agent i.e., ethephon and control treatment under different packaging condition i.e., fiber with hole, fiber without hole, plastic with hole and plastic without hole. The result revealed that different packaging condition and ripening agents influenced the ripening behavior of mango. The highest TSS (15.26), sugar-acid ratio (23.66) and juice content (126.05) were recorded with fiber (without hole) and the lowest TSS (12.60), sugar-acid ratio (9.01) and juice content (116.05) with plastic (without hole). The highest TA (1.44) was recorded with plastic (without hole) and the lowest (0.66) with fiber (without hole). Similarly, the highest BT (2.83) was recorded with fiber (with hole) and the lowest (1.66) with plastic (without hole). Firmness, sweetness, TSS and juice content were the highest with the interaction effect of fiber bag (without hole) and ethephon treatment. In conclusion, mango fruits with ethephon treatment packed in fiber bag (without hole) enhances quality and ripening of mango whereas under controlled condition and without hole plastic packaging mangoes had low quality performance in terms of physio-chemical properties.
SAARC J. Agric., 19(1): 155-163 (2021)
Socio-Economic Characteristics and Present Scenario of Sheep Farmers at Sherpur District In Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain MA , Sun MA , Islam T , Rahman MM , Rahman MW , Hashem MA
Published: August 2021

This study was aimed to investigate the socio-economic characteristics and present scenario of farmers engaged in sheep production at Sherpur district in Bangladesh. Data were primarily collected with a pre-tested interview schedule from the local sheep farmers. Results showed that average family size, male and female ratio and age was 5.58, 3:10, and 45.23 year, respectively. Family size, land size and yearly livestock income was found significant (P<0.01). Most of the farmers belong to primary education (46.70%) and illiterate (30.00%). Maximum numbers of farmers belong to small holder (81.91 decimal of land). The average monthly income and expenditure of farmers was estimated BDT 10123.00 and 11476.00, respectively. The male partner was dominant over female partner in different decision-making process. The co-efficient of family size (-9843.99), land size (404.27) and yearly livestock income (1.02) was significantly different (P<0.05). It is implied that one unit increases of land size and yearly livestock income might help in increasing 404.27 and 1.02 unit in family yearly income, respectively whereas, one unit increase of family size, resulted 9843.99 unit decreases of yearly family income, considering all other variables constant. It is concluded that there is great opportunity to improve livelihood of the small farmers particularly increase family income through sheep farming in the study areas.
SAARC J. Agric., 19(1): 185-199 (2021)
TINJAUAN HUKUM TERHADAP NOMINEE AGREEMENT KEPEMILIKAN SAHAM PADA PENANAMAN MODAL ASING BERBENTUK PERUSAHAAN JOINT VENTURE
Authors: Yanuar Muh. Afdal
Published: August 2021

Melalui tulisan ini, akan dijelaskan konsep dan pengaturan nominee agreement kepemilikan saham dalam kegiatan investasi, serta reformulasi terhadap nominee shareholders dalam kegiatan Penanaman Modal Asing melalui Perusahaan Joint Venture di Indonesia. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian normatif dengan pendekatan konseptual dan pendekatan peraturan perundang-undangan dengan menggunakan data sekunder. Dalam penelitian ini, dipahami bahwa keberadaan Peraturan Presiden Nomor 10 Tahun 2021 membatasi investor asing pada bidang-bidang usaha tertentu untuk menanamkan modalnya di Indonesia. Hal tersebut memungkinkan bagi investor asing untuk melakukan pengelabuan terhadap hukum yang berlaku, ketika pendirian perusahaan joint venture di Indonesia, diantaranya dengan menunjuk nominee shareholders pada perusahaan joint venture tersebut. Hubungan hukum antara beneficiary (entitas asing) dengan nominee shareholders tersebut didasarkan pada nominee agreement. Melalui nominee agreement, nominee shareholders bertindak untuk dan atas nama beneficiary (entitas asing). Hal tersebut, status quo, dilarang dalam UU Penanaman Modal dan UU Perseroan Terbatas di Indonesia. Akan tetapi, dengan melihat keberadaan Peraturan Presiden tentang Pemilik Manfaat, terdapat kewajiban bagi korporasi untuk menentukan pemilik manfaatnya (termasuk Pemilik manfaat sebenarnya). Sehingga, seharusnya terhadap nominee shareholders (yang dilakukan berdasarkan nominee agreement) tidaklah dilarang sebagaimana status quo, melainkan dibatasi oleh hukum, perihal mana yang boleh dan mana yang tidak boleh dilakukannya.
DOMINASI PERAN PEMERINTAH DALAM PERTUMBUHAN EKONOMI NASIONAL DI MASA COVID-19
Authors: Nuralia Nuralia , Andrianto Nico
Published: August 2021

Dalam RPJMN 2015-2019, yang menekankan pada pembangunan infrastruktur dijelaskan bahwa pemerintahmembuka peluang terjadinya kerjasama antara pemerintah dan swasta dalam berbagai proyek strategis dengan melibatkan sektor swasta sebagai pemilik modal dengan konsesi selama jangka waktu tertentu. Mekanisme ini semakin mapan dalam RPJMN berikutnya yang memberikan penekanan pada pembangunan SDM unggul dan berdaya saing. Pertanyaan yang mengemuka, sebesar apakah peran pemerintah. Tulisan ini berupaya memotret peran pemerintah dalam pembangunan perekonomian, khususnya saat terjadi pandemi Covid-19 dan pasca implementasi UU Cipta Kerja. Penulis menggambarkan sebesar apa peran pemerintah dalam proses pertumbuhan ekonomi dan upaya yang mendorong pemerataan, sebagai bagian dari sebuah proses pembangunan yang terencana. Analisis yang dihasilkan didukung dengan data statistik yang memberikan gambaran perekonomian nasional saat ini. Pemahaman atas seberapa besar peran pemerintah ini bisa menjadi bahan evaluasi ke depan mengenai bagaimana optimalisasi pembangunan ekonomi bisa dilakukan, dengan memahami aktor-aktornya yang berpengaruh dan peran penting yang bisa dilaksanakan.
Reduction of Radiation Exposure by Modifying Imaging Manner and Fluoroscopic Settings during Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Insertion
Authors: Kim Hyun Jun , Park Eun Soo , Lee Sang Ho , Park Chan Hong , Chung Seok Won
Published: August 2021

Objective : Percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) fixation is a needle based procedure that requires fluoroscopic image guidance. Consequently, radiation exposure is inevitable for patients, surgeons, and operation room staff. We hypothesize that reducing the production of radiation emission will result in reduced radiation exposure for everyone in the operation room. Research was performed to evaluate reduction of radiation exposure by modifying imaging manner and mode of radiation source.Methods : A total of 170 patients (680 screws) who underwent fusion surgery with PPS fixation from September 2019 to March 2020 were analyzed in this study. Personal dosimeters (Polimaster Ltd.) were worn at the collar outside a lead apron to measure radiation exposure. Patients were assigned to four groups based on imaging manner of fluoroscopy and radiation modification (pulse mode with reduced dose) : continuous use without radiation modification (group 1, n=34), intermittent use without radiation modification (group 2, n=54), continuous use with radiation modification (group 3, n=26), and intermittent use with radiation modification (group 4, n=56). Post hoc Tukey Honest significant difference test was used for individual comparisons of radiation exposure/screw and fluoroscopic time/screw.Results : The average radiation exposure/screw was 71.45±45.75 μSv/screw for group 1, 18.77±11.51 μSv/screw for group 2, 19.58±7.00 μSv/screw for group 3, and 4.26±2.89 μSv/screw for group 4. By changing imaging manner from continuous multiple shot to intermittent single shot, 73.7% radiation reduction was achieved in the no radiation modification groups (groups 1, 2), and 78.2% radiation reduction was achieved in the radiation modification groups (groups 3, 4). Radiation source modification from continuous mode with standard dose to pulse mode with reduced dose resulted in 72.6% radiation reduction in continuous imaging groups (groups 1, 3) and 77.3% radiation reduction in intermittent imaging groups (groups 2, 4). The average radiation exposure/screw was reduced 94.1% by changing imaging manner and modifying radiation source from continuous imaging with standard fluoroscopy setting (group 1) to intermittent imaging with modified fluoroscopy setting (group 4). A total of 680 screws were reviewed postoperatively, and 99.3% (675) were evaluated as pedicle breach grade 0 (<2 mm).Conclusion : The average radiation exposure/screw for a spinal surgeon can be reduced 94.1% by changing imaging manner and modifying radiation source from real-time imaging with standard dose to intermittent imaging with modified dose. These modifications can be instantly applied to any procedure using fluoroscopic guidance and may reduce the overall radiation exposure of spine surgeons.
THE SYMPTOMS AND CO-MORBIDITIES OF COVID-19 PATIENTS AT HOME ISOLATION IN INDIA
Authors: MURARKAR Sujata , MAHAJAN Sudhanshu , GOTHANKAR Jayashree
Published: August 2021

Introduction: An Indian Government has issued the guidelines on home isolation for very mild/pre-symptomatic COVID-19 cases based on a proposal of the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. This has originated when COVID-19 designated hospitals started to shift asymptomatic and stable patients to quarantine facilities to reserve beds for those in need of treatment.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of symptoms and co-morbidities of COVID-19 positive patients at home isolation OPD.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a designated COVID-19 tertiary care hospital in Pune, India, which had included all COVID-19 positive patients enrolled for the home isolation care from the 15th July to 15th August 2020.

Results: There were total 639 adults out of which 362 were males and 277 females. The most common presenting symptom present in 49.4% cases was fever. Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity noticed in 10% of patients followed by Diabetes in 6.7%. The maximum time lag of positive COVID-19 test to registration for home isolation OPD of 8 days was observed in only 1 patient. The significant association was seen between symptom of fever with the adults (males) and in the age group of 31-50 years(p
THE EFFECT OF SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING ON SURGICAL FEAR IN PATIENTS SCHEDULED TO HAVE ABDOMINAL SURGERY
Authors: KAPIKIRAN Gürkan , DEMİR Bilsev , BÜLBÜLOĞLU Semra , SARITAŞ Serdar
Published: August 2021

Abdominal surgery and postoperative period are a very risky experience. Individuals with fear of surgery will be under high stress and in a state of depression. In this context, the state of spiritual well-being overcoming surgical fears in patients undergoing planned abdominal surgery was examined. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the levels of spiritual well-being of patients who are planned to have abdominal surgery on their surgical fear. The study was carried out with the participation of 150 patients at the General Surgery and Transplant clinics at a university hospital between December 2019 and May 2020. It was determined that there was a negative significant relationship between surgical fear and spiritual well-being, and the highest score for surgical fear was observed in the individuals who were 65 years old or older. The awareness of healthcare professionals about spiritual well-being should be raised, and they should provide healthcare which ensures supporting patients in spiritual and social aspects.
DETERMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPATHIC SKILLS AND BURNOUT LEVELS OF NURSES WORKING IN A CITY HOSPITAL
Authors: ŞİMŞEKLİ BAKIRHAN Derya , İRTEGÜN Sinan , YÜKSEKOL Özlem Doğan
Published: August 2021

Abstract: Empathy is a process which helps a person to understand the feelings, thoughts and emotions of the other person by putting oneself in that person’s shoes. Nursing is a profession that requires emphatic skills in which communication between people is important in patient care. Not being able to approach the patient and the patient family with empathy, not being able to understand others can create a perception of providing incomplete service and is one of the causes of burnout in nurses. Burnout is important as it may cause anorexia, insomnia and lack of motivation individually in nurses, and also a decrease in the quality of nursing services. The aim of this study is to examine the association between nurses’ empathic skills and their burnout levels. The study was conducted with 289 nurses working in Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital between July and September2020. The data were collected by using a questionnaire form prepared by the researchers, Empathic Skills Scale B-Form and Maslach Burnout Inventory. The study was designed as a correlational study to find out the association between nurses’ empathic skill levels and burnout levels. Mean age of the nurses in the study was 35.83±9.72. Mean working time in the profession was 12.57±9.7 years. Total mean score of nurses from Empathic Skills Scale was 138.93±18.11, while their mean scores from Masclach Burnout Inventory were 22.8±7.2 in emotional exhaustion subscale, 9.1±4.2 in depersonalization subscale and 20.0±6.3 in personal accomplishment subscale. Statistically significant difference was found between empathic skills scale and depersonalization subscale (p0.05). Negative association was found between empathic skills scale and depersonalization subscale. As the empathic scale scores increase, depersonalization subscale scores decrease.
The war on COVID-19 and vaccination mandates: Ethical code of conduct
Authors: Visagie Norma
Published: August 2021

N/A
Balancing Risk of Thromboembolism and Bleeding in Patients with Cancer: Selecting Anticoagulant Therapy Based on Recent Clinical Trials
Authors: Rygiel Katarzyna
Published: August 2021

Patients with cancer may experience venous thromboembolism (VTE), leading to various medical complications or death, more often than the population without cancer. Moreover, patients with cancer usually experience both higher rates of recurrent VTE and bleeding. For the past decade, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has been considered a standard therapy for VTE related to cancer; however, daily injections of LMWH have augmented the burden of neoplastic disease and decreased adherence to therapy in some patients.

At present, direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) such as factor Xa inhibitors (e.g., rivaroxaban, edoxaban, and apixaban) have been recommended as a new treatment modality, mostly because of their convenient use (i.e., the oral route of delivery) for the patient population with cancer. Notably, large recent randomised controlled trials that have compared DOACs with LMWH in patients with malignancies have revealed that DOACs represent a valuable alternative to LMWH for the therapy of VTE related to cancer. Despite their unique advantages, the DOACs may not be appropriate for some groups of patients with cancer due to their elevated risk of bleeding, among other factors.

This mini-review presents the main findings from some recent randomised controlled trials, comparing the use of DOACs and LMWH for the management of VTE associated with malignancy. It highlights the efficacy, safety, and various other considerations of treatment and prophylaxis of VTE depending on the individual patient context. It provides current guidance on the selection of the optimal anticoagulant for comprehensive and personalised patient care.
The Impact of Covid-19 amongst International Students in UNIMAS
Authors: Florianna Lendai Michael  , Shanti Faridah Salleh  , Ernisa Marzuki
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the landscape of the education domain. It affects the way we teach, the way we learn, and imposes novel obstacles in the way institutions of higher learning conventionally manage themselves. While all students in higher learning institutions would certainly feel the impact, there is a need to focus on the experience of international students. In an effort to combat the pandemic, Malaysia has issued a directive for Movement Control Order (MCO), starting 18 March 2020. Amongst others, this directive directly affected all universities in the country. This study aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 amongst the international students in a higher education institution in Sarawak, Malaysia. Data was gathered via an online questionnaire adapted from the QS Survey Report 2020 on COVID-19. Our findings revealed that while most of the international students perceived their studies to be affected, most planned to continue with the programs that they were currently enrolled in. The students expressed deep concerns about the impact of the pandemic on their exams and classes and preferred reassurance in terms of updates on information related to academic matters.
Hot Money and Stock Market in China: Empirical Evidence from ARDL and NARDL Approaches
Authors: Kwang-Jing Yii  , Chai-Thing Tan  , Nian-Meng Tan  , Xue-Wen Teng  , Ting-En Khor  , Sui-Hang Fan
Published: August 2021

This study discusses the relationship between hot money and stock market in China by employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) methods. The data used in this study is quarterly data over the period 2000: Q1 to 2017: Q4. The results show that oil price, economic growth and hot money possess a long-run relationship towards stock market in China, whereas, no effect is found from inflation. The oil price and economic growth are both positively related to stock market while there is a negative relationship from hot money. Furthermore, the study supports the existence of an asymmetric effect between hot money and stock market. The findings imply that policymakers should form better monitoring systems to control the inflow of hot money, thus, strengthening investors’ confidence and avoiding unwanted bubbles in China’s stock market.
Synergized Network Asset: A Driver for Indonesia’s Furniture Industries to Elevate Marketing Performance
Authors: Ahmad Ikhwan Setiawan  , Augusty Tae Ferdinand
Published: August 2021

The main focus of this study is developing synergized network asset as a mediator variable for improving marketing performance. The research model was tested using AMOS SEM on 280 local market-oriented furniture makers. The output of the statistical analysis confirms that two buffer variables, namely relational capability and market dynamic adaptability, sustain synergized network asset and marketing performance. However, synergized network asset does not play a strong mediation role in increasing marketing performance. The slow-growing furniture industry is in greater need of responsive rather than synergistic cooperation. The concept of synergized network asset, which is characterized by the sustainability of collaboration quality, contributes to the development of business network theory as one of the main factors in marketing relationships.
Hiring the Right CEO: How Does the Type of CEO Industry Experience Affect Firm Performance, Firm Risk-Taking Behavior, and CEO Compensation?
Authors: Candra Chahyadi  , Trang Doan  , Junnatun Naym
Published: August 2021

This paper examines how the type of CEOs’ industry experience (whether a CEO has cross-industry or specific-industry experience) on firm performance, firm risk-taking behavior, and their own compensation. We find that CEOs with cross-industry experience tend to relatively lower the firm performance as well as invest less on R&D. On the other hand, CEOs with specific-industry experience lead firm to higher performance and invest more on R&D expenditures until it reaches a certain threshold, especially among high-growth firms. Total compensation paid to the CEO does not seem to be affected by the type of CEO industry experience. This paper contributes to the literature that examines the impact of CEO characteristics on firm outcomes and CEO compensation. One important business application of our paper is that to optimize firm performance, firms should hire CEOs with the length of specific-industry experience not beyond the threshold levels.
Application of Cost-Benefit and Break-Even Analysis for the Development of Stingless Bees Farming in Malaysia
Authors: Ilmas Abdurofi  , Mohd Mansor Ismail  , Normaz Wana Ismail  , Amin Mahir Abdullah
Published: August 2021

The information about the economic and financial aspects of stingless bees farming is still limited along with some issues of high selling price and expenses. Therefore, the study initially aims to describe comprehensively cost-benefit, and break-even analysis of stingless bees farming in Malaysia. The study uses primary data and employs about 124 stingless beekeepers in all regions in Malaysia as number observation. The sampling method uses non-probability sampling, while the costing analysis, net return, input-output ratio, cost-benefit ratio and breakeven analysis are applied as analytical techniques. As a result, the stingless bees farming may generate considerable earnings, mainly in the area of Peninsular Malaysia, whilst the Sarawak region shows efficient cost of production in the break-even point. Furthermore, labor expense constitutes a predominant concern in the production and hive investment is required as high capital expenditure. The study recommended that the government and beekeepers should find alternative hive systems in order to reduce cost and focus on the massive production of stingless honey bees in the Sarawak area, while Peninsular Malaysia may turn into a main concentration of trading and marketing honey products.
Analysing Educational Campaign’s Outcome in Donation-Based Crowdfunding: Social Capital as a Determinant Factor
Authors: Nur Adyani binti Sabarudin  , Suhaili binti Alma’amun  , Riayati Ahmad
Published: August 2021

A new financing alternative, known as crowdfunding, has expanded rapidly. Not all crowdfunding projects or campaigns can successfully reach the desired funding amount. Many studies have shown that social capital is a determinant of crowdfunding success, and some of it could be applied to the education domain. This study investigates the influence of the multidimensional social capital on the donation-based crowdfunding within the scope of educational campaigns belonging to higher education institutions students. This study uses the primary data extracted from the Skolafund crowdfunding site, a specialised third-party platform for higher education. This study, using the theory of multidimensional social capital as the theoretical foundation, develops a logit model linking all three social capital dimensions. The findings imply that only two social capital dimensions, namely structural and relational, are significant factors influencing the crowdfunding success likelihood. This study also finds that campaigns with lower funding targets are more likely to succeed. The practical implications of this study suggest the students should leverage their social capital to increase the fundraising amount. Higher education institutions also should consider to set up their crowdfunding platforms quickly or encourage students to utilise a third-party platform, such as Skolafund.
Location, Working Capital, Corporate Governance, and Profitability: The Case of Indonesian Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Irene Rini Demi Pangestuti  , Komang Yuli Pridarsanti  , Robiyanto Robiyanto
Published: August 2021

This study scrutinizes the effect of location, working capital and corporate governance toward return on assets (ROA) in Indonesian manufacturing firms. 61 manufacturing firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange were taken as samples in this study. The results show that location does not affect manufacturing firms’ profitability. Furthermore, this study proves that working capital management, as measured by current ratio (CR) and quick ratio (QR), has a positive and significant influence on return on assets (ROA), but cash ratio (CR) and the cash conversion cycle does not have a significant influence on return on assets (ROA). This study also found that the Good Corporate Governance Index (GCGI) has a positive and significant influence on return on assets (ROA) in Indonesian manufacturing firms.
Do Social-Economy Vulnerability Index and Poverty Index Have Correlation? Study in Bengawan Solo Watershed
Authors: Suryanto  , Ratih Kumalasari  , Danur C. Guritno  , Nugroho Saputro  , Sabar Marniyati
Published: August 2021

The components to measure of disaster risk (i.e flood) are level of hazard, vulnerability of individual/community, and capacity of individual/community. Research related to vulnerability is based on the level of probability of a region experiencing a disaster, while vulnerability is based on conditions where individual/community cannot cope with disasters. The aim of the study was to measure the level of vulnerability of the socio-economic and institutional society. This research tried to explain the level of social vulnerability among the communities in upper Bengawan Solo watershed. SoVI makes more appropriate parameters for measuring social vulnerability than relying only on partial socioeconomic data. The data generated from relevan institution, such as Central Bureau of Statistic (Badan Pusat Statistik–BPS), Social Service Institution (Dinas Sosial), National Population and Family Planning Board. Data needed such as socio-economic community, demography, age, family structure, village-city, education, and unemployment rate. We find the data from the related agencies. The first step analysis is to adapt the measurement of vulnerability (SoVI) that has been developed. After the measurement of the SoVI is carried out then it is classified relatively between districts (Sragen, Sukoharjo, Wonogiri, and Karanganyar) in the upstream Bengawan Solo Watershed. The results show highest SoVI total score (the most vulnerability) is Sragen Regency, followed by Wonogiri and Sukoharjo, and the lowest is Karanganyar. Meanwhile, Sragen has the highest scores in social-economy components score such as age, gender, rural/urban, occupation, and family structure. It implies that when disasters attack to Sragen, their community will be more suffering potentially.
Sarawak Covid-19: Effects of Pre-Festival Mobility and Festival Gatherings
Authors: Jane Labadin  , Boon-Hao Hong  , Poline Bala  , Juna Liau  , Helmy Hazmi
Published: August 2021

Gathering to celebrate festivals is a common socio-cultural practice amongst Sarawak’s diverse groups. For untold years, individuals, households, villages and at times the entire communities get together to observe their various religious, cultural and community festivals. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic period, the practice of gathering to celebrate those festivals became a challenging practice. This is because density of population and intensity of social contacts are deemed to increase SARS-CoV-2 high transmissibility. In this paper, we analyzed the trend of COVID-19 active cases in Sarawak in the first half of the year 2021 and calibrated the parameter signifying the proportion of exposed population taking effective precautionary measures, κ in our model. Our findings suggest that after every festival celebration the value of κ is decreased, leading to the increased number of active cases. In addition, the pre-festival mobility change involving visits to the retail and grocery stores are higher than any other time. Therefore, the festival gatherings and increased pre-festival mobility are catalysts that accelerated the increment of the number of active COVID-19 cases in Sarawak. In light of this, we proposed that any form of festival related gathering ought to be avoided in order to curb any forms of outbreak in Sarawak.
Hilbert arithmetic as a Pythagorean arithmetic: arithmetic as transcendental
Authors: Penchev Vasil
Published: August 2021

The paper considers a generalization of Peano arithmetic, Hilbert arithmetic as the basis of the world in a Pythagorean manner. Hilbert arithmetic unifies the foundations of mathematics (Peano arithmetic and set theory), foundations of physics (quantum mechanics and information), and philosophical transcendentalism (Husserl’s phenomenology) into a formal theory and mathematical structure literally following Husserl’s tracе of “philosophy as a rigorous science”. In the pathway to that objective, Hilbert arithmetic identifies by itself information related to finite sets and series and quantum information referring to infinite one as both appearing in three “hypostases”: correspondingly, mathematical, physical and ontological, each of which is able to generate a relevant science and area of cognition. Scientific transcendentalism is a falsifiable counterpart of philosophical transcendentalism. The underlying concept of the totality can be interpreted mathematically, as consistent completeness, and physically, as the universe
Short Note on the Riemann Hypothesis
Authors: Vega Frank
Published: August 2021

Robin criterion states that the Riemann Hypothesis is true if and only if the inequality $\sigma(n) < e^{\gamma } \times n \times \log \log n$ holds for all $n > 5040$, where $\sigma(n)$ is the sum-of-divisors function and $\gamma \approx 0.57721$ is the Euler-Mascheroni constant. This is known as the Robin inequality. We know that the Robin inequality is true for all $n > 5040$ which are not divisible by $2$. In addition, we prove the Robin inequality is true for all $n > 5040$ which are divisible by $2$. In this way, we show the Robin inequality is true for all $n > 5040$ and thus, the Riemann Hypothesis is true.
Respuestas cardiovasculares al ejercicio con un circuito funcional mediado por tecnología en estudiantes universitarios: estudio piloto
Authors: Vargas Pinilla Olga Cecilia , García-Salazar Luisa Fernanda , Alfonso Mantilla Jose Ivan
Published: August 2021

Introducción: La tecnología basada en video juegos activos es una herramienta atractiva para la realización de actividad física, adicionar esta tecnología a un circuito funcional promueve la integración de estímulos visuales, audlitivos, propioceptivos y genera una respuesta aeróbica. Este estudio piloto tuvo como objetivo evaluar la respuesta cardiovascular de estudiantes universitarios, a través de un circuito que incluye actividades con X-box Kinect y Fitlight trainer™. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, que incluyó, mediante convocatoria abierta, estudiantes de una institución universitaria entre 18 y 25 años, aparentemente sanos, quienes realizaron un circuito conformado por 4 estaciones, el cual repetían tres veces con un minuto de recuperación, para una duración total de 20 minutos. Se evaluaron las variables de frecuencia cardiaca (FC), esfuerzo percibido y porcentaje de la FC alcanzada con respecto a la FC máxima según Tanaka. Resultados: 13 participantes, 8 hombres y 5 mujeres, clasificados en activos y sedentarios, alcanzaron durante el entrenamiento niveles de intensidad moderada a alta, cercana a un 90% de la FC máxima; en cuanto al esfuerzo percibido ambos grupos clasificaron la actividad como “intensa”. Conclusiones: El circuito funcional propuesto estimula el umbral aeróbico en población activa y sedentaria. Esto puede estar relacionado con la alta intensidad manejada en el circuito en un corto periodo de tiempo, además de la exigencia muscular durante el uso de elementos virtuales como el X-box Kinect. Es posible generar programas de ejercicio con el uso de tecnología que sean novedosos y atractivos en la población joven, para reducir el sedentarismo.

Palabras clave: Entrenamiento de Intervalos de Alta Intensidad; Ejercicio en Circuitos; Realidad Virtual; Exergaming
Efectos de las maniobras de reclutamiento alveolar sobre el nivel de oxigenación en pacientes pediátricos bajo ventilación mecánica invasiva
Authors: JUYO HERNANDEZ LAURA MILENA , Villamil Wilder Andres
Published: August 2021

Introducción. La ventilación mecánica (VM) ha contribuido a mejorar la supervivencia en diferentes situaciones clínicas de alta complejidad, pero a pesar de sus grandes avances, puede aumentar la tasa de morbilidad y mortalidad cuando se utiliza de forma inadecuada. A pesar de conocer los beneficios, efectos y contraindicaciones de las maniobras de reclutamiento alveolar para mejorar el índice de oxigenación (IO) en pacientes en condiciones críticas con requerimiento de soporte ventilatorio, no se han establecido las estrategias óptimas sobre reclutamiento para el SDRA en la población pediátrica. Método. Estudio descriptivo que recolecta la información de manera sistemática, recopilando artículos científicos (estudios piloto, ensayo clínico controlados y/o aleatorizados, ensayos sistemáticos y publicaciones en revistas indexadas). Resultados. 6 artículos desarrollaron la maniobra de reclutamiento con PEEP escalonada o incremental, 3 artículos desarrollaron la maniobra de reclutamiento de inspiración sostenida (SI) y 5 artículos desarrollaron más de dos maniobras de reclutamiento en las cuales está la utilización de CPAP, SI, PEEP incremental, suspiros, posicionamiento en prono, estrategia de reclutamiento máximo y reclutamiento prolongado. A pesar de los posibles efectos beneficiosos a corto plazo sobre la oxigenación, la RM en niños ventilados y críticamente enfermos puede producir un aumento de las citoquinas circulantes, lo que sugiere que la RM repetida puede dar lugar a un aumento prolongado de citoquinas sistémicas, que se ha asociado con el síndrome de disfunción multiorgánico.
Propuesta de estimador de la fiabilidad mediante Alfa-Game
Authors: González José , Aspeé Juan
Published: August 2021

Generalmente cuando el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach es superior a 0.7 se indica por consenso que una prueba cualquiera es fiable, sin embargo, dicho umbral es un criterio subjetivo que carece de respaldo inferencial, y en algunas ocasiones, se utiliza desconociendo las limitaciones de este coeficiente. Así, en el presente se propone de un soporte compacto para el estimador de la fiabilidad, de manera de superar las restricciones del efecto de las covarianzas negativas. De esta manera, se expone el uso del Coeficiente alfa Game y la definición de la estadística p-valor en este contexto, lo que permite disponer de una herramienta objetiva en la decisión en significancia para el estimador de fiabilidad, reemplazando así el consenso en la comunidad científica. Con ello, alfa Game hace posible obtener afirmaciones en significancia y superar situaciones adversas para el estimador de fiabilidad alfa de Cronbach que tienden a confundir a las y los investigadores no expertos en estadística.Palabras clave: alfa de Cronbach; fiabilidad; significancia; inferencia; modelo distribucional.
Escala de Desesperanza de Beck (BHS): ventajas de una administración adaptativa
Authors: Abal Facundo Juan Pablo , Sánchez González Juan Franco , Lozzia Gabriela Susana , Attorresi Horacio Félix
Published: August 2021

La escala de Desesperanza de Beck (BHS) es usada con frecuencia como screening para la detección de riesgo suicida y/o depresión aun cuando, por su extensión de 20 ítems, resulta poco eficiente. En este trabajo se analiza si una estrategia de administración adaptativa podría abreviar el tiempo de aplicación de la BHS. Participaron 783 individuos de población general (50.9% mujeres). Se seleccionó aleatoriamente un 70% de los casos para calibrar los ítems con el Modelo Logístico de 2 parámetros de la Teoría de Respuesta al Ítem. Se eliminaron dos elementos que presentaron funcionamiento inadecuado. El 30% restante de la muestra se utilizó para simular una administración adaptativa de los 18 ítems calibrados. Se compararon dos modalidades de interrupción: a) al administrar 9 ítems y b) al alcanzar un error de estimación ≤ 0.35 o administrar 9 ítems (criterio mixto). Bajo ambas condiciones se registraron correlaciones de .95 con el nivel de Desesperanza estimado a partir de los 18 ítems. No obstante, la interrupción basada en el criterio mixto no mostró un impacto adicional en la eficiencia de la medida. Al igual que la versión de 18 ítems, las aplicaciones adaptativas estimaron con más precisión los niveles elevados del rasgo. La medición adaptativa no afectó las evidencias de validez al estudiar la asociación del rasgo con facetas del Neuroticismo y dimensiones sintomatológicas. Se concluye que una administración adaptativa de 9 ítems puede abreviar considerablemente la BHS sin perjudicar la validez y confiabilidad de la medida.
Occupational Allergic Sensitization Among Workers Processing King Crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) and Edible Crab (Cancer pagurus) in Norway and Identification of Novel Putative Allergenic Proteins
Authors: Thomassen Marte R. , Kamath Sandip D. , Bang Berit E. , Nugraha Roni , Nie Shuai , Williamson Nicholas A. , Lopata Andreas L. , Aasmoe Lisbeth
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Asthma and allergy occur frequently among seafood processing workers, with the highest prevalence seen in the crustacean processing industry. In this study we established for the first time the prevalence of allergic sensitization in the Norwegian king- and edible crab processing industry and characterized the IgE-reactive proteins.

Materials and Methods: Two populations of crab processing workers participated; 119 king crab and 65 edible crab workers. The investigation included information on work tasks and health through a detailed questionnaire. Allergic sensitization was investigated by crab-specific IgE quantification and skin prick tests (SPT) to four in-house prepared crab extracts; raw meat, cooked meat, raw intestines and raw shell. Allergen-specific IgE binding patterns were analyzed by IgE immunoblotting to the four allergen extracts using worker serum samples. Total proteins in crab SPT extracts and immunoblot-based IgE binding proteins were identified by mass spectrometric analysis.

Results: Positive SPTs were established in 17.5% of king- and 18.1% of edible crab workers, while elevated IgE to crab were demonstrated in 8.9% of king- and 12.2% of edible crab processing workers. There was no significant difference between the king and edible crab workers with respect to self-reported respiratory symptoms, elevated specific IgE to crab or SPT results. Individual workers exhibited differential IgE binding patterns to different crab extracts, with most frequent binding to tropomyosin and arginine kinase and two novel IgE binding proteins, hemocyanin and enolase, identified as king- and edible crab allergens.

Conclusions: Occupational exposure to king- and edible crabs may frequently cause IgE mediated allergic sensitization. Future investigations addressing the diagnostic value of crab allergens including tropomyosin and arginine kinase and the less well-known IgE-binding proteins hemocyanin and enolase in a component-resolved diagnostic approach to crab allergy should be encouraged.
Early Detection of Diarrhea in Weaned Piglets From Individual Feed, Water and Weighing Data
Authors: Thomas Johan , Rousselière Yvonnick , Marcon Michel , Hémonic Anne
Published: August 2021

This study analyzed individual water and feed consumption related to weight of weaned piglets and their link to diarrhea. Data were collected from 15 batches of 102 piglets each, using specific automata (connected feeders, connected drinkers, automatic weighing stations, RFID ear tags). Analyses were carried out every week on the 138 healthy animals compared by weight category. The average feed consumption had no significant difference between weight categories (light, medium, heavy pigs) whatever the week and was close to 4% of the live weight. For the average water consumption according to weight, it was close to 10%. There was no significant difference between weight groups, except at the end of the period, where the variability of one heavy pig was so high that its own water consumption caused significant difference when compared with the light group. But these overall stable averages do not highlight the high intra-individual variabilities, which was around 40% for both water and feed data at the beginning of trial. At the end, it was almost 16% for feed consumption and 25% for water. The comparison between healthy and diarrheic piglets showed no statistical difference for average water consumption on the day of the first clinical signs and even 1 and 2 days before. In contrast, the average feed consumption had a very significant difference (P ≤ 0.001) for days 5–7 after the weaning and a significant difference for day 8 (P ≤ 0.05). Differences were also significant for data 24 and 48 h before first clinical signs. This means either that diarrheic piglets decrease their feed consumption the first days after weaning or that it is because they eat less that they become diarrheic. So, the hypothesis was that feed consumption could be an interesting indicator to detect early sick animals. Nevertheless, despite this difference, machine learning methods failed in detecting individually diarrheic animals from water and feed consumption related to weight, because of considerable individual variability. To improve these results, one solution could be to collect other data from new sensors like automatic measurement of body temperature or location of piglets in the pen by image analysis.
Elevated Neopterin Levels Predict Fatal Outcome in SARS-CoV-2-Infected Patients
Authors: Chauvin Manon , Larsen Martin , Quirant Bibiana , Quentric Paul , Dorgham Karim , Royer Luca , Vallet Hélène , Guihot Amelie , Combadière Béhazine , Combadière Christophe , Barallat Jaume , Mayaux Julien , Luyt Charles-Edouard , Mathian Alexis , Amoura Zahir , Boddaert Jacques , Armestar Fernando , Gorochov Guy , Martinez-Caceres Eva , Sauce Delphine
Published: August 2021

Highlights

Innate immune activation during Covid-19 infection is associated with pernicious clinical outcome.

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is a worldwide threat that has already caused more than 3 000 000 deaths. It is characterized by different patterns of disease evolution depending on host factors among which old-age and pre-existing comorbidities play a detrimental role. Previous coronavirus epidemics, notably SARS-CoV, were associated with increased serum neopterin levels, which can be interpreted as a sign of acute innate immunity in response to viral infection. Here we hypothesize that neopterin may serve as a biomarker of SARS-CoV-2 viral infection and Covid-19 disease severity.

Methods

We measured neopterin blood levels by ELISA. Seric concentration was quantified from 256 healthy donors and 374 Covid-19 patients at hospital admission. Enrolled Covid-19 patients were all symptomatic and displayed a large spectrum of comorbidities. Patients were followed until disease resolution or death.

Results

Severe and critically ill SARS-CoV-2 infected patients were characterized by a profound exacerbation of immune activation characterized by elevated neopterin blood levels. Systemic neopterin levels above 19nM stratified healthy individuals from Covid-19 patients with 87% specificity and 100% sensitivity. Moreover, systemic neopterin levels above 53nM differentiated non-survivors from survivors with 64% specificity and 100% sensitivity.

Conclusion

We propose that neopterin concentration measured at arrival to hospital is a hallmark of severe Covid-19 and identifies a high-risk population of pernicious clinical outcome with a need for special medical care.
RIP1/RIP3/MLKL Mediates Myocardial Function Through Necroptosis in Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis
Authors: Wu Yujing , Zheng Zhenzhong , Cao Xiantong , Yang Qing , Norton Vikram , Adini Avner , Maiti Amit K. , Adini Irit , Wu Hao
Published: August 2021

Cardiomyopathy often leads to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) when caused by viral myocarditis. Apoptosis is long considered as the principal process of cell death in cardiomyocytes, but programmed necrosis or necroptosis is recently believed to play an important role in cardiomyocyte cell death. We investigated the role of necroptosis and its interdependency with other processes of cell death, autophagy, and apoptosis in a rat system of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). We successfully created a rat model system of EAM by injecting porcine cardiac myosin (PCM) and showed that in EAM, all three forms of cell death increase considerably, resulting in the deterioration of cardiac conditions with an increase in inflammatory infiltration in cardiomyocytes. To explore whether necroptosis occurs in EAM rats independent of autophagy, we treated EAM rats with a RIP1/RIP3/MLKL kinase-mediated necroptosis inhibitor, Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1). In Nec-1 treated rats, cell death proceeds through apoptosis but has no significant effect on autophagy. In contrast, autophagy inhibitor 3-Methyl Adenine (3-MA) increases necroptosis, implying that blockage of autophagy must be compensated through necroptosis. Caspase 8 inhibitor zVAD-fmk blocks apoptosis but increases both necroptosis and autophagy. However, all necroptosis, apoptosis, and autophagy inhibitors independently reduce inflammatory infiltration in cardiomyocytes and improve cardiac conditions. Since apoptosis or autophagy is involved in many important cellular aspects, instead of suppressing these two major cell death processes, Nec1 can be developed as a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory myocarditis.