bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precision Medicine in Type 2 Diabetes: Using Individualized Prediction Models to Optimize Selection of Treatment
Authors: Dennis John M.
Published: August 2020

Despite the known heterogeneity of type 2 diabetes and variable response to glucose lowering medications, current evidence on optimal treatment is predominantly based on average effects in clinical trials rather than individual-level characteristics. A precision medicine approach based on treatment response would aim to improve on this by identifying predictors of differential drug response for people based on their characteristics and then using this information to select optimal treatment. Recent research has demonstrated robust and clinically relevant differential drug response with all noninsulin treatments after metformin (sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 [DPP-4] inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide 1 [GLP-1] receptor agonists, and sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 [SGLT2] inhibitors) using routinely available clinical features. This Perspective reviews this current evidence and discusses how differences in drug response could inform selection of optimal type 2 diabetes treatment in the near future. It presents a novel framework for developing and testing precision medicine–based strategies to optimize treatment, harnessing existing routine clinical and trial data sources. This framework was recently applied to demonstrate that “subtype” approaches, in which people are classified into subgroups based on features reflecting underlying pathophysiology, are likely to have less clinical utility compared with approaches that combine the same features as continuous measures in probabilistic “individualized prediction” models.
Defining Heterogeneity Among Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Powe Camille E. , Hivert Marie-France , Udler Miriam S.
Published: August 2020

Attention to precision medicine in type 2 diabetes (T2D) has provided two favored approaches to subclassifying affected individuals and parsing heterogeneity apparent in this condition: phenotype-based and genotype-based. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) shares phenotypic characteristics with T2D. However, unlike T2D, GDM emerges in the setting of profound pregnancy-related physiologic changes in glucose metabolism. T2D and GDM also share common genetic architecture, but there are likely to be unique genetic influences on pregnancy glycemic regulation that contribute to GDM. In this Perspective, we describe efforts to decipher heterogeneity in T2D and detail how we and others are applying approaches developed for T2D to the study of heterogeneity in GDM. Emerging results reveal the potential of phenotype- and genotype-based subclassification of GDM to deliver the promise of precision medicine to the obstetric population.
Baseline Vitamin D Status, Sleep Patterns, and the Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes in Data From the UK Biobank Study
Authors: Wang Mengying , Zhou Tao , Li Xiang , Ma Hao , Liang Zhaoxia , Fonseca Vivian A. , Heianza Yoriko , Qi Lu
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVE

Circulating vitamin D concentrations have been associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the results are inconsistent. Emerging evidence suggests that vitamin D metabolism is linked to sleep behaviors. We investigated the prospective association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and the risk of incident T2D and whether such association was modified by sleep behaviors.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study included 350,211 individuals free of diabetes in the UK Biobank. Serum 25OHD (nmol/L) concentrations were measured. Five sleep behaviors including sleep duration, insomnia, snoring, chronotype, and daytime sleepiness were included to generate overall sleep patterns, defined by healthy sleep scores. We also calculated genetic risk scores of sleep patterns.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 8.1 years, we documented 6,940 case subjects with incident T2D. We found that serum 25OHD was significantly associated with a lower risk of incident T2D, and the multivariate adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) per 10 nmol/L increase was 0.88 (0.87–0.90). We found a significant interaction between 25OHD and overall sleep patterns on the risk of incident T2D (P for interaction = 0.002). The inverse association between high 25OHD and T2D was more prominent among participants with healthier sleep patterns. Among the individual sleep behaviors, daytime sleepiness showed the strongest interaction with 25OHD (P for interaction = 0.0006). The reduced HR of T2D associated with high 25OHD appeared to be more evident among participants with no frequent daytime sleepiness compared with those with excessive daytime sleepiness. The genetic variations of the sleep patterns did not modify the relation between 25OHD and T2D.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that higher serum 25OHD concentrations are associated with a lower risk of incident T2D, and such relations are modified by overall sleep patterns, with daytime sleepiness being the major contributor.
Diabetes as a Risk Factor for Poor Early Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19
Authors: Seiglie Jacqueline , Platt Jesse , Cromer Sara Jane , Bunda Bridget , Foulkes Andrea S. , Bassett Ingrid V. , Hsu John , Meigs James B. , Leong Aaron , Putman Melissa S. , Triant Virginia A. , Wexler Deborah J. , Manne-Goehler Jennifer
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes and obesity are highly prevalent among hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but little is known about their contributions to early COVID-19 outcomes. We tested the hypothesis that diabetes is a risk factor for poor early outcomes, after adjustment for obesity, among a cohort of patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used data from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) COVID-19 Data Registry of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between 11 March 2020 and 30 April 2020. Primary outcomes were admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), need for mechanical ventilation, and death within 14 days of presentation to care. Logistic regression models were adjusted for demographic characteristics, obesity, and relevant comorbidities.

RESULTS

Among 450 patients, 178 (39.6%) had diabetes—mostly type 2 diabetes. Among patients with diabetes versus patients without diabetes, a higher proportion was admitted to the ICU (42.1% vs. 29.8%, respectively, P = 0.007), required mechanical ventilation (37.1% vs. 23.2%, P = 0.001), and died (15.9% vs. 7.9%, P = 0.009). In multivariable logistic regression models, diabetes was associated with greater odds of ICU admission (odds ratio 1.59 [95% CI 1.01–2.52]), mechanical ventilation (1.97 [1.21–3.20]), and death (2.02 [1.01–4.03]) at 14 days. Obesity was associated with greater odds of ICU admission (2.16 [1.20–3.88]) and mechanical ventilation (2.13 [1.14–4.00]) but not with death.

CONCLUSIONS

Among hospitalized patients with COVID-19, diabetes was associated with poor early outcomes, after adjustment for obesity. These findings can help inform patient-centered care decision making for people with diabetes at risk for COVID-19.
Säkerhet samt upplevelsebaserat lärande i en variation av lärmiljöer – två centrala policyer i mobila förskolor
Authors: Gustafson Katarina , Ekman Ladru Danielle , Joelsson Tanja
Published: August 2020

Since about a decade there is a new phenomenon in Nordic early childhood education and care, the mobile preschool. It is an ECEC practice conducted on a bus that travels to various locations to perform everyday preschool activities and routines. With theory of policy enactment this article analyzes workshop discussions with mobile preschool professionals. The results show two main policies within mobile preschools; safety as well as experiential learning in a variety of learning environments. While discussing how to handle these policies, the professionals construct the mobile preschool simultaneously as ordinary and unique in relation to ordinary stationary preschools.
Barnehager som konkurrerende virksomheter
Authors: Dahle Hanne Fehn
Published: August 2020

Whenever the amount of placements in kindergarten exceeds the number of children, the various kindergartens are inclined to compete in order to attract the families. Drawing on Freidson’s (2001) theory on professionalism, the present article focuses on the ways in which teachers in kindergarten experience and assess such competition. The empirical data stem from interviews with 18 teachers employed by large enterprises of private kindergartens. The analysis demonstrates that while they identify with the “third logic”, the teachers are faced with a competitive market regulated by supply and demand. Thus, they find themselves caught in the tension between, on one hand, the ethical values inherent to the profession, stressing their own professional judgement and the interests of all the children, and on the other, the owner’s need to win the competition, leading to product orientation, marketing, and secrecy.
‘St Helena, an island between’: Multiple migrations, small island resilience, and survival
Authors: Parker Charlotte
Published: August 2020

St Helena is a non-sovereign British Overseas Territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. When full British citizenship was removed in 1981, migration destinations were reduced to Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands. The islanders of St Helena are not only transnational; they are trans-islander. With the return of citizenship in 2002, many St Helenians migrated to the UK, depleting the population on the island, creating doubts regarding the island’s future. Whilst the islanders defended their British national identity, they simultaneously questioned it. This paper demonstrates how although St Helena officially economically relies on the British Government, the islanders themselves support their island through economic remittances. This paper offers an insight into how communities survive during times when their national identity is ruptured. The St Helenian community remains intact; the islanders have ensured this. A suit of Bourdieu’s concepts have been utilised for a theoretically driven understanding of islandness. Islander identity is formed as outward-looking desiring opportunity, freedom of movement and capital, and inward-looking with a strong sense of feeling and attachment to the island. Continuity and survival for this small island community is composed of migration, shift, and rupture.
Ranking Resistance of Buxus Cultivars to Boxwood Blight – an Integrated Analysis1
Authors: Kramer Matthew , Guo Yonghong , Pooler Margaret
Published: August 2020

Boxwood (Buxus L. spp., Buxaceae) are popular woody landscape shrubs grown for their diverse forms and broad-leaved evergreen foliage, with an estimated $126 million economic impact in the U.S. alone. Boxwood plants grown in temperate zones worldwide are now threatened by a destructive blight disease caused by the ascomycete fungi, Calonectria pseudonaviculata and C. henricotiae. While the disease can be mitigated somewhat through cultural practices and fungicides, the most sustainable long-term solution is the development of disease-resistant boxwood cultivars. Hundreds of boxwood accessions from the National Boxwood Collection at the U.S. National Arboretum were screened for resistance using a lab-based, detached-leaf assay. Initial comparisons of our results with those of multiple other disease resistance assays found inconsistent ranking of cultivar resistance among studies. We used a meta-analysis approach on compiled data from six studies and were able to produce a consistent ordering of cultivars sorted by their susceptibility to boxwood blight, despite the diversity in materials and methods of the studies.

Index words: Boxwood, Calonectria pseudonaviculata, Cylindrocladium buxicola, meta-analysis, plant breeding, resistance screening.

Species used in this study: Buxus bodinieri H. Lev.; B. harlandii Hance; B. microphylla Seibold & Zucc.; B. sempervirens L.; B. sinica var. insularis (Nakai) M. Cheng; B. wallichiana Baill.; Calonectria pseudonaviculata (Crous, J.Z. Groenew. & C.F. Hill) L. Lombard M.J. Wingf. & Crous 2010.
Factors Affecting Foreign Direct Investment: The Afghanistan Case
Authors: Eryigit Mehmet , Shafaq Abdul Qayum
Published: August 2020

This study examined the factors affecting foreign direct investments (FDI) for the case of Afghanistan. Generally, the literature has focused on the factors affecting direct investments towards developing and underdeveloped countries. The primary purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting FDI inflow to Afghanistan. Different from previous studies, this study examined the effects of the following factors; globalization indices, gross domestic product, export volume, import volume, and exchange rate (USD/AFN) of Afghani. The factors were determined based on a review of the literature. Regarding the interaction across variables, three different regression models were tested to examine the effects of those factors on FDI inflows to Afghanistan. Ordinary Least Squares estimation was employed. According to the results of the integrated model (the model that covers all exploratory variables), globalization has a statistically significant positive effect on FDI, whereas the gross domestic product (GDP) has a statistically significant negative effect on FDI. When we test the effect of GDP and exchange rate (EXC) jointly on FDI, we find the statistically significant positive effect of those variables on FDI. The results of this study recommend the economy politicians in Afghanistan implement exchange rate policies that promote the FDI and to increase the inflowing of FDI into the country.
DEVELOPING INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA FOR TEACHING DESCRIPTIVE TEXTS BASED ON PALEMBANG LOCAL CULTURE
Authors: Elviana Ria , Inderawati Rita , Mirizon Soni
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this study was to find out the validity, practicality, and potential effect of the developed interactive multimedia for teaching descriptive texts based on Palembang local culture. With Research and Development (R&D) study, this research procedure was adapted from ADDIE model consisted of five phases, i.e. analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. In evaluation phase, formative evaluation which consisted of self-evaluation, expert review, one to one evaluation, small group evaluation, and field test. Formative evaluation was conducted to see the validity, practicality, and potential effect of the product. Validity was evaluated in expert review phase for its content, construct, and media. Based on experts review the result showed that the average score of all aspects of the developed product was 3.58 which can be categorized as very highly valid. The practicality was evaluated in one to one evaluation and small group evaluation. The result showed that the product was very highly practical since the average score in both phases were 3.69 and 3.74 respectively. The potential effect was evaluated in the field test. The product also had very high potential effect after being tried out in the field test as 100 % of the students achieved the minimum mastery criterion which was 75. In conclusion, the developed product was potentially effective to be applied for the tenth grade students.Keywords: development research; interactive multimedia; descriptive texts; Palembang local culture
http://dx.doi.org/10.17977/um017v24i22019p0xx PEMERIKSAAN POHON BERISIKO TUMBANG DI UNIVERSITAS AIRLANGGA DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE TREE RISK ASSESSMENT
Authors: Kurniawan Dedy
Published: August 2020

Universitas Airlangga merupakan salah satu kampus yang memiliki suasana yang asri dan teduh. Hal ini dapat dilihat pada semua fakultas ditumbuhi pohon-pohon yang rapat dan menjulang tinggi. Pohon yangsekarang ini ada di kawasan kampus merupakan pohon yang sengaja ditanam, maka perlu dilakukan perawatan agar manfaatnya dapat dirasakan terus menerus. Risiko bahaya yang dapat diakibatkan olehkeberadaan pohon yang mungkin mengalami jatuhnya batang pohon atau tumbang dapat berdampak pada keselamatan warga kampus, pengunjung, merusak koleksi lain dan merusak properti di sekitar pohon.Penilaian risiko pohon menjadi sangat penting karena pohon dapat tumbang pada saat kapan saja karena banyak faktor. Objek koleksi pohon yang diteliti adalah pohon dengan keadaan pohon dan berada di daerah ramai dari pengunjung dan sepanjang tepian di kampus A, kampus B dan kampus C dengan metode Tree Risk Assesment. Ada 30 koleksi pohon yang menjadi objek penilaian. Hasil penilaian menunjukkan bahwa ada sembilan pohon dengan risiko risiko tinggi.
Avaliação da longitudinalidade em unidades básicas de saúde tradicionais e com estratégia de saúde da família utilizando o Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool)
Authors: Oliveira André Vinícius de , Sabino Barbara Correia Neves , Dias Luis Regagnan , Gouvea Ana Beatriz Viana , Garbelini Giulia Ugucioni , Paiva Isabela Galliazzi , Timpone Larissa de Assis , Moreira Paulo Ricardo Alves , Lima Leonardo Vieira de , Filho Paulo Appollonio
Published: August 2020

Objetivo: Avaliar e comparar a qualidade da longitudinalidade ofertada em unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) com e sem estratégia de saúde da família (ESF). Métodos: Estudo transversal, de abordagem quantitativa realizado na cidade de Rio verde. Utilizou-se o questionário Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool)-Brasil versão adulto e uma questionário sociodemográfico. A coleta de dados foi realizada nas UBS estudadas através de usuários do SUS de 18 a 65 anos. Após a coleta utilizou-se o programa SPSS para aplicar o teste t de student para análise das médias entre as variáveis utilizadas. Resultados: As UBS com ESF obtiveram escore médio de 6,99, e as tradicionais, 6,47, mas sem significância estatística entre esses dois grupos. A média entre todas as UBS foi de 6,77 o que satisfaz o ponto de corte estabelecido na literatura que considera satisfatória uma média ≥6,6. Verificou-se ainda que 5 dos 14 quesitos da longitudinalidade abordados no PCATool foram maiores entre as UBS com ESF com p < 0,05. Conclusão: As UBS com ESF apresentaram desempenho moderadamente superior às tradicionais e avaliação geral condiz com o encontrado em outros estudos similares.
Análise da saúde mental na população geral durante a pandemia de Covid-19
Authors: Ladeia Diana Neves , Silva Abner Fernandes da , Gonçalves Bruna Brito Silva , Damasceno Carolina Montenegro Castro , Vieira João Paulo Garcia , Silva Juliana Andressa Lopes , Lopes Larissa Magalhães de Moraes , Queiroz Nathalia Oliveira , Lopes Adriel Gustavo
Published: August 2020

Objetivo: Analisar a influência da pandemia da COVID-19 na saúde mental da população em geral; e avaliaros fatores que levam e agravam os transtornos psicológicos e fatores que trazem tranquilidade à população.Métodos: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática com buscas nas plataformas Medline/PubMed com osdescritores: Anxiety; Depression; Mental health; Mental disorders; Coronavirus, além das palavras-chave:Covid-19, Pandemic e Psichological impact. A busca encontrou 312 textos onde excluiu-se 234 por se tratarde estudos idênticos, restando 78 que foram avaliados a partir da leitura de seus títulos e resumos, restandoum total de 12 textos para inclusão no estudo. Resultados: A literatura aponta o aumento de problemas desaúde mental como estresse, ansiedade, depressão, insônia e medo durante a pandemia de COVID-19 nosdiversos grupos populacionais, além da maior prevalência de depressão em pessoas com a doença.Pequenos grupos demonstraram satisfação com o fato de ter mais tempo para prestar atenção na própriasaúde mental. Considerações finais: Tornam-se necessárias estratégias de apoio psicológico e social, a fimde mitigar os possíveis distúrbios psicológicos, e a realização de mais estudos que avaliem o impactolongitudinal e as respostas psicossociais entre os diferentes subgrupos populacionais durante a pandemia.
Carbenaporphyrins: A Missing Ligand in N-Heterocyclic Carbene Chemistry
Authors: Maulbetsch Theo , Kunz Doris
Published: August 2020

The successful synthesis of a carbenaporphyrin ligand based on carbazole and triazolylidene (CTP) is reported. Instead of a macrocyclic aromatic or antiaromatic character, the aromaticity of each heterocyclic moiety is preserved, which results in optical properties different from porphyrins, e.g. fluorescence. In Li+ and Sc3+ complexes the ligand reveals striking geometric similarity to porphyrins, but is stronger electron donating.
Selective N-Terminal Cysteine Protein Modification with Cyclopropenones
Authors: Istrate Alena , Navo Claudio D. , Sousa Bárbara B. , Marques Marta C. , Deery Michael , Bond Andrew , Corzana Francisco , Jiménez-Osés Gonzalo , Bernardes Gonçalo
Published: August 2020

Protein conjugates are valuable tools to create therapeutics, such as antibody-drug conjugates, or to study biological processes. Despite a number of protein conjugation strategies having been developed over recent years, the ability to modify one specific amino acid on a protein in the presence of other side chains with similar reactivity remains a challenge. We used the reaction between a monosubstituted cyclopropenone (CPO) probe and the 1,2-aminothiol of an N-terminal cysteine to give a stable 1,4-thiazepa-5-none linkage under mild, biocompatible conditions. The method relies on the ability of cyclopropenones to ring-open after sequential sulfhydryl and α-amine conjugation to be truly specific for N-terminal cysteine. We show that our CPO probes selectively label N-terminal cysteine containing peptides and proteins even in the presence of internal, solvent-exposed cysteines, which can be subsequently modified by using conventional cysteine modification reagents. The ability to distinguish and specifically target N-terminal cysteine residues on a protein will facilitate the construction of elaborate multi-labelled bioconjugates.
Molecular Docking Studies of Aromatherapy Oils Against SARS-COV-2
Authors: De Jesus Maurice , Gaza Jokent , Junio Hiyas A. , Nellas Ricky
Published: August 2020

Emerging from Wuhan, China in December 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread rapidly, prompting an immediate international response to contain the disease. In this paper, the most abundant volatile compounds in household aromatherapy ointments, namely, methyl salicylate, eucalyptol, α-pinene, menthol, camphor, linalool, and trans-pinocarveol were docked to key structures in SARS-CoV-2 invasion: its spike protein, and the human ACE2 and TMPRSS2 proteins. Based on the molecular docking results, the essential oil compounds methyl salicylate, eucalyptol, and α-pinene exhibit favorable binding to ACE2 and spike proteins. These compounds may be considered for clinical investigation.
Awareness on the possible role of ayurveda as an immunity booster in the covid19 pandemic
Authors: Mohamed Arsaath N  , Gheena S
Published: August 2020

Covid 19 is pneumonia associated viral infection that originated from Wuhan city in December 2019. The virus appears to be spherical in appearance with proteins called spikes protruding from the surface. Ayurveda plays a vital role in boosting the immunity of our body against the pandemic outbreak covid19. This study was carried out to analyse the awareness of people on Ayurveda being a possible option for boosting our immunity. An online survey was conducted with a self-structured questionnaire using an online survey platform google forms. The link was shared through social media. A total of 100 responses were received. The reactions recorded and were analysed, and statistical analysis was performed. The responses recorded from the participants showed that the participants possess adequate knowledge about the covid19 infection, and they possess sufficient awareness of the possible role of Ayurveda on boosting immunity against covid19. 83.9% of the respondents are aware of the pandemic outbreak covid19, and among them, 59.5% believe that Ayurveda plays a role in boosting immunity against covid19. Around 50% of the participants believe herbs used in Ayurveda are potential inhibitors against covid19. The study conducted concludes that during this pandemic outbreak most of the participants are aware of the origin, cause, mode of the spread and are also aware of the role of Ayurveda in boosting our immunity level.
Evaluation of the effects of Covid-19 in a dentist’s daily routine - A Survey
Authors: Akansha Kishen  , Anjali A K  , Brundha M P  , Muralidharan N P
Published: August 2020

Covid 19 is considered to be a pandemic virus infection. SARS-Cov-2 causes it. It is a viral infection that is transmitted through aerosol and droplet contamination, cross-infection, etc. Dentists are at a higher risk due to this corona. It has affected daily routines of dentist's life as they are unavailable to run the clinic and attend to patients. Different search engines like PubMed, and Google Scholar was used. The questionnaire consisting of twenty questions was prepared by using online survey google forms and circulated among the participants. SPSS software was used to evaluate the results and data collection. Statistical analysis was done by chi-square test. Later, results were being tabulated. This survey that is taken among dental students, dentists, and random public, it is seen that the majority of them are well aware of this recent pandemic attack. (COVID-19). It is concluded that dentists are affected to a significant extent due to coronavirus as their daily routine is affected severely. This study aims to identify the effect on dentist life on a routine basis due to the pandemic COVID - 19.
Sustainability Key Performance Indicators in Islamic Banking Sectors of Malaysia and Pakistan: A Scale Based Evidence
Authors:   Institute of Management Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Bannu, Pakistan, Ur Rahman Haseeb , Zahid Muhammad ,   Department of Management Sciences, City University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan, Asif Muhammad ,   Department of Management Sciences, City University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan, Ullah Zabeeh ,   Department of Management Sciences, City University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan
Published: August 2020

The marvelous development in the Islamic banking necessitates sustainable practices in the emerging industry. This study intends to ascertain the most followed or usual sustainability key performance indicators (KPIs) in the Islamic banking industry of Malaysia and Pakistan. For developing the sustainability KPIs index, the study follows the systematic steps as highlighted by prior such studies. The index composed of 109 items in 7 main sections of sustainability reporting adapted to collect data through content analysis for 21 Islamic banks from both the countries for the year 2016. Despite significant heterogeneity among the Islamic banks of the two countries, it is found that they show good compliance with the sustainability indicators. Though the Islamic banking industry of Pakistan is small than that of Malaysia, but still it is good in reporting sustainable practices except for environment and product responsibility, where the latter has an edge over the former. The study contributes a theoretical deliverable i.e. sustainability KPIs index for the Islamic banking industry through testing it with data from 21 Islamic banks from Malaysia and Pakistan. The findings could be significant for practitioners, regulators, policymakers, and especially the Islamic banking industry of both countries.
Strength of Bank-Firm Nexus: Evidence from Islamic and Conventional Banks
Authors:   Faculty of Management Sciences, Foundation University Islamabad, Pakistan, Khan Shahbaz , Baig Nida ,   College of Public Administration, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, Hussain Shahzad ,   Faculty of Management Sciences, Foundation University Islamabad, Pakistan, Ur Rehman Ajid ,   Faculty of Management Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Published: August 2020

This article discovers that whether there is a closer liaison between Islamic banks and non-financial firms, or conventional banks and non-financial firms, specifically in Muslim countries economies where dual banking systems exist. Based on a sample, drawn from a cross-section of OIC countries, the results of univariate analysis on our full sample shows that mean values of conventional bank-firm relationship variables are higher than the mean values of Islamic bank-firm relationship variables, suggesting the competitive edge of conventional banks over Islamic banks. However, the results of a sub-sample where fraction of Islamic banks operating in a country is larger than conventional banks provide evidence in favour of Islamic banks. As per the recent report of IMF, Islamic banks are growing at a considerable pace in Muslim countries, so it might be estimated that they contain a stronger potential to surpass their conventional counterparts while building and maintaining a closer nexus with the non-financial firms operating in these countries.
The Role of Media, Word of Mouth, and Subjective Norms in determining Attitude and Intentions to Purchase Family Takaful ¯ Schemes
Authors:   Business Studies Department, Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan, Aziz Shahab , Afaq Zahra ,   Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan, Muhammad Lakhi ,   Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
Published: August 2020

The paper investigate the factors affecting individual’s intention towards purchase of family takaful ¯ schemes and to investigate the impact of media referent and word of mouth on subjective norms. The study also examines the influence of subjective norms on attitude and intention for purchase of family takaful ¯ schemes. The study data were collected from 377 salaried individuals. The data was analysed by variance based partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).The results of the study shows that word of mouth and media referent are significant determinants of subjective norms, while subjective norms have a significant relationship with both attitude and intention to purchase family takaful ¯ schemes. Attitude towards family takaful ¯ is also a significant determinant of purchase of family takaful ¯ .
Alignment between Brand & Religion: Does it exist?
Authors:   Faculty of Management Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan, Zia Mubashar Hassan , Hussain Sajjad ,   Faculty of Management Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan, Haider Ali ,   Faculty of Management Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan, Shafique Shoaib ,   Faculty of Management Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan, Rajput Amer ,   Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Published: August 2020

Religion is one of the most important source of beliefs and values, which play a pivotal role in shaping behavior, while its implications particularly for consumers’ psychology remain nascent. Grounding on Social Exchange Theory (SET), this study will address the impact of antecedents on brand loyalty in the presence of religiosity. For the purpose, total 460 consumers responded to the survey questionnaire. Based on Structural Equation Modeling, the study found that religious values play a major part in shaping consumer’s brand loyalty and develop theoretical linkages in previously neglected area. As regards practical implications of the study, managers can make better customer engagement programs like involving them in social causes. Study also highlights some future avenues.
Veiled and Unveiled University Faculty: A Comparison on their Needs for Effective Classroom Management in Relevance with the Islamic Perspective
Authors:   Department of Education, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan, Malik Summera , Azeem Malik Faisal ,   Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan, Paracha Adil T. ,   Department of Management Sciences, IQRA University Islamabad, Pakistan
Published: August 2020

Religion is one of the most important source of beliefs and values, which play a pivotal role in shaping behavior, while its implications particularly for consumers’ psychology remain nascent. Grounding on Social Exchange Theory (SET), this study will address the impact of antecedents on brand loyalty in the presence of religiosity. For the purpose, total 460 consumers responded to the survey questionnaire. Based on Structural Equation Modeling, the study found that religious values play a major part in shaping consumer’s brand loyalty and develop theoretical linkages in previously neglected area. AS regards practical implications of the study, managers can make better customer engagement programs like involving them in social causes. Study also highlights some future avenues.
Developing and validating the Arabic version of the Diabetes Quality of Life questionnaire
Authors: Al-Qerem Walid , Al-Maayah Buthaina , Ling Jonathan
Published: August 2020

Background: The Diabetes Quality of Life (DQoL) questionnaire has been used frequently among people with diabetes. Aims: To develop and validate a revised Arabic version of the DQoL questionnaire for patients in Jordan with type 2 diabetes. Methods: We recruited patients with type 2 diabetes from 3 public health clinics in Jordan. The original DQoL questionnaire was translated to Arabic and then back-translated by a different translator, and the 2 versions were compared. Prior to circulating the final version of the questionnaire, a cognitive validity test was applied to ensure that all the questions were clear. The final Arabic version of the DQoL questionnaire, along with a questionnaire that included demographic and other health-related questions, were circulated to the participants. The questionnaire data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis after excluding duplicated questions and questions that included > 10% missing data. Cronbach’s α was also conducted to confirm internal consistency. Results: Analysis validated an Arabic version of DQoL questionnaire that included 29 items divided into 3 factors: worries, impact and satisfaction. Different variables were associated with DQoL scores including insulin administration, low income status, marital status, and presence of diabetic complications. Conclusions: We validated an Arabic tool that can be used to evaluate QoL among Arabic-speaking patients with type 2 diabetes.
Balance of the Federal Budget
Authors: Kupriyanova L. M. , Surkhaev I. D.
Published: August 2020

The article is devoted to the problem of balancing the budget from the point of view of the form of implementation of the principle of building the budgetary system of the Russian Federation and the state of the federal budget, provided that all its expenses are covered by its revenues. If income is insufficient, a budget deficit occurs. The research methodology provides for a comparative analysis of the concepts and content of budget balance, tools for its provision, the main directions of budget policy and solutions to strategic problems. The result of the study is the proposals for assessing the balance of the budget to cover the deficit and the need for sources of financing the budget deficit. The formulated recommendations are focused on the optimisation of income, expenditures, the formation and use of budgetary reserves, public debt management, as well as effective regulation of intergovernmental fiscal relations. The federal budget deficit is subject to regulation in the direction of its reduction, for which the instruments for balancing it and priority directions for the activities of the financial bodies of the Government of the Russian Federation have been determined.
CRISIS OF FEMININE IDENTITY: A CRITICAL STUDY OF OSCAR WILDE’S LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN FROM FEMINIST PERSPECTIVE
Authors: ABDULRAZZAQ Dulfqar Mhaibes , ABBAS Mohammed Mahmood
Published: August 2020

This study explores the play Lady Windermere’s Fan by Oscar Wilde, and the feminist figures in the play and their role, to illustrate the dominant control of men in the Victorian period. And the discrimination towards women as a human being base on gender. This paper shows a piece of brief information about the author for what it has to do with Lady Windermere’s fan events. And demonstrates the feminism meaning and its impact on the events of the play, besides a short summary of the play. This paper focuses on the role of the fallen woman and how the author gradually transforms the audience's thinking about the fallen woman and contradicts the conventional view of it. And illustrate the inferiority view of women in the Victorian era and how the woman only meant to be part of domestic life. In addition to the motherhood and how a fallen woman acts with that in Victorian society according to Wilde’s point of view.
Abses Otak
Authors: Valentino Andrea , Angraini Gebby Puspita
Published: August 2020

Cerebral abscess may rise from hematogenous spread, contiguous spread, or direct trauma. Some risk factors includepulmonary abcess or AV fistulas, congenital cyanotic heart disease, immune compromise, chonic sinusitis / otitis,dental problems. Symptoms are similar to any other mass lessions but tend to progress rapidly. Streptococcus is mostcommon organism that recovered, while up to 25% of cases sterile. Staging of cerebral abcess is very important todifferentiate therapeutic management based on clinical findings and imaging. Mortality and morbidity rate has beenreduced due to improvement in antibiotics, surgery and ability to diagnose.
HYDROGEN GENERATION OF Al-NaCl POWDERS IN DIFFERENT REACTION MEDIUMS
Authors: YOLCULAR KARAOĞLU Sevim
Published: August 2020

This work is a study of hydrogen generation of Al-NaCl powders in different reaction mediums. Water, KOH and NaOH were used as reaction mediums for the comparison of the hydrogen generation rate. The effects of the milling time, NaCl wt%, reaction temperature and reaction mediums were investigated. Al was milled with NaCl in order to increase the hydrogen generation rate. Increasing NaCl wt% and reaction temperature also increased the hydrogen generation rate. Al reactivity can be enhanced by increasing milling time, NaCl wt%, reaction temperature and by using alkaline solutions.
A STUDY ON GENERALIZED 5-PRIMES NUMBERS
Authors: SOYKAN Yüksel
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we introduce the generalized 5-primes numbers sequences and we deal with, in detail, three special cases which we call them 5-primes, Lucas 5-primes and modified 5-primes sequences. We present Binet's formulas, generating functions, Simson formulas, and the summation formulas for these sequences. Moreover, we give some identities and matrices related with these sequences.
Systematic Review: Enhanced Recovery After Cholecystectomy Surgery
Authors: Cole Meghan
Published: August 2020

This systematic review aimed to answer the clinical question, which perioperative enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) techniques are most effective in decreasing recovery time and length of stay for adults, aged 18-65, undergoing cholecystectomy surgery? In an effort to curb healthcare spending, ERAS is one way to reduce hospital- associated costs. Originally developed in Denmark, ERAS is a patient-centered initiative that aims to reduce the body’s stress response, leading to improved patient outcomes and decreased hospital lengths of stay. Betty Neuman’s Systems Model was used as a theoretical framework to enrich the understanding of enhanced recovery and how it works to improve patient care.
The Impact of Corticosteroids on Mortality in Adult Patients with Septic Shock
Authors: Henriques Anthony
Published: August 2020

Septic shock is a complication that affects thousands of patients leading to high mortality rates and increased healthcare costs. One treatment in the attempt to decrease poor outcomes is corticosteroids. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the impact of corticosteroids on mortality in adult patients with septic shock. Databases searched were CINAHL, PubMed, OVID, and Cochrane Library. A literature review was performed and pertinent data from each article was recorded in data collection tables. A total of six articles were critically analyzed. The Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist and flow diagram were used to guide this systematic review. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist assisted in assessing the quality of the articles selected. Cross study analysis was performed via the data collection tables developed by this author. This analysis revealed five of the six trials did not detect a decrease in mortality using corticosteroids in adult patients with septic shock; the sixth study did document a reduction in mortality rate. Four studies were underpowered which may affect the generalizability of their outcomes. Two studies were adequately powered with one demonstrating positive outcomes. Possible benefits were seen in the secondary outcomes such as faster resolution of shock and decreased vasopressor use. Advanced practice nurses are having an increased prominent role in patient care within healthcare. This role provides an opportunity for high quality evidence-based results to be applied to improve patient care. Results of this systematic review provide information to guide decision making by the advanced practice nurse as well as suggestions for further study.
Methadone Use in Postoperative Pain Management: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mahoney Olivia
Published: August 2020

Postoperative pain is a commonly discussed topic in patients undergoing anesthesia for cardiac and thoracic surgery. Uncontrolled or poorly treated postoperative pain has been studied to cause poor outcomes in patients. Prolonged pain experienced by the patient can increase the risk of infection, respiratory compromise, development of chronic pain, and death. Current studies look at multiple modalities of treatment of postoperative pain, however, a long acting drug that is often under looked and underused is methadone. Methadone has a prolonged effect that can provide analgesia for an extended period of time. ). The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic review to determine if intraoperative methadone administration will affect postoperative pain after cardiothoracic and thoracic surgery as evidenced by pain score levels and documented postoperative opioid use. This systematic review was created using guidelines put forth by both PRISMA and CONSORT. A literature review was performed, and data was gathered from each study. A cross study analysis was performed using data collection tables designed by the author of this systematic review. Methadone was found to have a prolonged effect, but evidence was inconclusive due to many limitations by each of the studies. It is suggested that methadone should be further evaluated in additional systematic reviews.
DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION WITH REGARD TO RURAL POPULATION ECONOMY THROUGH RURAL LIBRARY: A CASE STUDY OF CHIKKABALLAPUR DISRICT
Authors: Kumar N S Ravi , K N Prasad
Published: August 2020

Information is raw material used to derive the facts and figures, which can be used by the layman of the nation. The information dissemination is required to build up strong nation and to develop strong economy through the agriculture. The rural public libraries play a pivotal role in nation building by providing information to the rural public and it intern helps in to build up strong economy of the country. The article deals the type of respondents, their educational background, the rural libraries selected for the study, their economic background, their dependence on news channels etc.
OPTIMIZATION MODELS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND POST-DISASTER DELIVERY LOGISTICS: A REVIEW OF CURRENT APPROACHES
Authors: Akwafuo Sampson E. , Mikler Armin R. , Irany Fariba A.
Published: August 2020

Emergency response preparedness increases disaster resilience and mitigates its possible impacts, mostly in public health emergencies. Prompt activation of these response plans and rapid optimization of delivery models and are essential for effective management of emergencies and disaster. In this paper, existing computational models and algorithms for routing deliveries and logistics during public health emergencies are identified. An overview of recent developments of optimization models and contributions, with emphasis on their applications in situations of uncertainties and unreliability, as obtainable in low-resource countries, is presented. Specific recent improvements in biologically-inspired and intelligent algorithms, genetic algorithms, and artificial immune systems techniques are surveyed. The research gaps are identified, and suggestions for potential future research concentrations are proffered.
A study of components of behavioral addiction to social media use in current generation of Pakistani youth.
Authors: Mazhar Nauman , Khan Touseef Bilal , Zafar Khansa , Warris Shahid H. , Nikhet Sadia , Tahir Amina
Published: August 2020

Information Technology has brought significant changes to the human social interaction & behaviors. Behavioral addiction to social media use is a rather novel concept in psychiatric “classification of diseases”. Some foreign studies have reported it to be as high as 29.5%.7,8 There is need to study this relatively neglected area specially among our youth. This will help provide reliable data to understand the magnitude of current problem. Objectives: To study the Components of Behavioral addiction to Social Media use: Conflict, Mood Modification, Relapse, Salience, Tolerance and Withdrawal, among the youth in Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Psychiatry Services Institute and Medical Sciences, Lahore. Period: March 2019 to May 2019. Material & Methods: Among University students was conducted Purposive sampling technique was employed. Questionnaire forms were given to students of a University. Each questionnaire had 12 questions. There were specific questions for each component of addiction: Conflict, Mood Modification, Relapse, Salience, Tolerance and Withdrawal. Each respondent’s bio-data, preferred social networking medium and frequency of social media use were recorded. They were also asked about their perception about excessive social media use. The responses were based on Likert scale. The respondents were asked to give the single best response to each question. A total of 210 responses were obtained. They were assessed using the software, IBM SPSS version 25. Results: The sample population reported positive for all the components of addiction tested. The majority (greater than 50%) of responses for each component were in “Always” to “Sometimes” range of Likert scale. Conclusion: The current generation of Pakistani youth might be suffering from Behavioral Addiction to Social Media use.
Quality Analysis of E-government Services Using SERVQUAL Method (Case Study of SAMSAT Office in Kolaka Regency)
Authors: Ningsi Nurfitria , Z Noorhasanah , Gusnawati Gusnawati
Published: August 2020

This study discusses the measurement of the quality of motor vehicle tax of information system services at the SAMSAT Kolaka office using the servqual method by emphasizing the five dimensions of servqual namely Tangibles, Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance and empathy. This study aims to understand the level of user satisfaction by comparing expectations and expectations and updating the standards provided by SAMSAT Kolaka through the application of the SIZ application. Data collection activities were carried out by distributing 100 questionnaires to all SIZ service users. The results of this study indicate that the use of SIZ is not by customer needs; this can be demonstrated by the high value of the gap between expectations and perceptions. The Assurance dimension obtaining the most top difference is the Tangibles dimension indicating that the limitations of the IT facilities used are still limited. It is evidenced by the continued complaints of customers regarding queue buildup due to a system that suddenly goes down while the service is in progress. It is necessary to improve IT infrastructure that can improve customer satisfaction in the future.