bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fractional flow reserve in patients with type 1 or type 2 non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Arena Marco , Caretta Giorgio , Gistri Roberto , Tonelli Giorgio , Scardigli Veronica , Rezzaghi Marco , Ragazzini Andrea , Menozzi Alberto
Published: November 2021

Aims

We assessed a combined strategy of fractional flow reserve (FFR) plus angiography in stratifying cardiovascular risk in patients with type 1 myocardial infarction (T1MI) or type 2 (T2MI) non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Methods

A cohort of 150 NSTEMI patients were prospectively studied. Clinical and angiographic features guided the identification of T1MI vs T2MI and the treatment of culprit lesions. Subsequently, T1MI patients underwent FFR evaluation of nonculprit stenoses. In T2MI patients all angiographically significant stenoses were evaluated by FFR. FFR < 0.80 was an indication for revascularization. Based on FFR results, two groups were compared: patients with all lesions ≥0.80 (‘defer’ group, n = 87) and those with at least one lesion <0.80 (‘perform’ group, n = 63). The primary end point was the composite of all-cause death, nonfatal MI and unplanned coronary revascularization.

Results

Median clinical follow-up was of 35 months (interquartile range 14–44). Primary end-point rates in the ‘defer’ and ‘perform’ groups were 14.5% and 30.0% at 12 months and 28% and 46% at 36 months, respectively (log-rank test: at 1 year, P = 0.007; at the end of follow-up P = 0.014). On multivariable analysis, chronic kidney disease (HR 3.50, 95% CI: 1.89–6.46, P = 0.0001) and FFR group (‘perform’ vs ‘defer’: HR 1.75 95% CI: 1.01–3.04, P = 0.046) were independent predictors of adverse events.

Conclusions

In NSTEMI patients, our results indicated that FFR combined with angiography allowed the treatment of nonfunctional significant lesions to be safely deferred and patient cardiovascular risk to be identified.
Cardiac biomarkers retain prognostic significance in patients with heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Vergaro Giuseppe , Aimo Alberto , Januzzi James L. , Richards A. Mark , Lam Carolyn S.P. , Latini Roberto , Staszewsky Lidia , Anand Inder S. , Ueland Thor , Rocca Hans-Peter Brunner-La , Bayes-Genis Antoni , Lupón Josep , de Boer Rudolf A. , Yoshihisa Akiomi , Takeishi Yasuchika , Gustafsson Ida , Eggers Kai M. , Huber Kurt , Gamble Greg D. , Leong Kui Toh Gerard , Yeo Poh Shuan Daniel , Ong Hean Yee , Jaufeerally Fazlur , Ng Tze P. , Troughton Richard , Doughty Robert N. , Emdin Michele , Passino Claudio
Published: November 2021

Aims

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a frequent comorbidity in patients with heart failure (HF). We assessed the influence of COPD on circulating levels and prognostic value of three HF biomarkers: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT), and soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 (sST2).

Methods

Individual data from patients with chronic HF, known COPD status, NT-proBNP and hs-TnT values (n = 8088) were analysed. A subgroup (n = 3414) had also sST2 values.

Results

Patients had a median age of 66 years (interquartile interval 57–74), 77% were men and 82% had HF with reduced ejection fraction. NT-proBNP, hs-TnT and sST2 were 1207 ng/l (487–2725), 17 ng/l (9–31) and 30 ng/ml (22–44), respectively. Patients with COPD (n = 1249, 15%) had higher NT-proBNP (P = 0.042) and hs-TnT (P < 0.001), but not sST2 (P = 0.165). Over a median 2.0-year follow-up (1.5–2.5), 1717 patients (21%) died, and 1298 (16%) died from cardiovascular causes; 2255 patients (28%) were hospitalized for HF over 1.8 years (0.9–2.1). NT-proBNP, hs-TnT and sST2 predicted the three end points regardless of COPD status. The best cut-offs from receiver-operating characteristics analysis were higher in patients with COPD than in those without. Patients with all three biomarkers higher than or equal to end-point- and COPD-status-specific cut-offs were also those with the worst prognosis.

Conclusions

Among patients with HF, those with COPD have higher NT-proBNP and hs-TnT, but not sST2. All these biomarkers yield prognostic significance regardless of the COPD status.
The Effect of Sulphoraphane on Brain Glucose Uptake during Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy in Newborn Rats
Authors: Kapoor S. , Kala D. , Svoboda J. , Brnoliakova Z. , Otahal J.
Published: November 2021

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic insult (HII) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in newborns. It has long-term consequences and represents a socioeconomic burden. It is an urgent issue in current neonatology. The aim of the present pilot study was to evaluate the possible effect of sulforaphane on brain glucose uptake expressed as 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) activity at the acute, subacute, and subchronic time intervals after the experimental perinatal HII in rats. Significant protection has been observed in the hippocampus 5 weeks after the insult as represented by normalisations of interhemispheric ratio of measured 18F-FDG activity. In conclusion, positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-FDG revealed a protective effect of SFN on glucose metabolism in the subchronic phase after HII. Further research within the field of neonatal HII in newborn rats will be necessary.
Hoverflies (Syrphidae: Diptera) in areas contaminated with heavy metals (Cd, Zn, Pb)
Authors: Mielczarek Anna , Mielczarek Łukasz , Wojciechowicz-Żytko Elżbieta
Published: November 2021

The aim of the research was to study the diversity of hoverflies (Syrphidae: Diptera) living in areas under the influence of heavy metal emissions (Cd, Zn and Pb). Although the area of the Olkusz Ore-bearing Region (OOR), where the research was partially conducted, belongs to the contaminated regions, where a relatively high species richness of Syrphids has been noted. During the research period, a total of 1,180 syrphids, belonging to 165 species were caught, which constitutes 39.76% of all the Polish Syrphidae fauna. These species represented all the trophic groups with the dominance of zoophagous species (48.48%); however, the most numerous (quantitatively abundant) were saprophagous. Among the collected syrphids, common and numerous species, such as: E. arbustorum (LINNAEUS, 1758), E. tenax (LINNAEUS, 1758), Episyrphus balteatus (DE GEER, 1776) and S. pipiens (LINNAEUS, 1758), as well as rare species such as Callicera aenea (FABRICIUS, 1777) (NT), Chalcosyrphus piger (FABRICIUS, 1794) (DD), Epistrophe ochrostoma (ZETTERSTEDT, 1849) (VU), Orthonevra geniculata (MEIGEN, 1830) (DD), Rhingia rostrata (LINNAEUS, 1758) (DD), Sphegina sibirica STACKELBERG, 1953 (LC) and Spilomyia diophthalma (LINNAEUS, 1758) (NT), were noted. Eleven of the collected species have been included in the Polish Red List of Endangered Species. Melangyna ericarum (COLLIN, 1946) is recorded as a new one among the Polish fauna. Numerous observations did not indicate that the area covered by the study was characterised by a significantly lower species diversity compared to other sites. In fact, the samples taken were usually characterised by a relatively high biodiversity. The obtained results may suggest that anthropogenic activities, including those leading to environmental pollution with heavy metals and to a strong transformation of natural habitats, do not completely destroy biodiversity, and in some cases leave space for nature to create habitats where even rare species of organisms such as Syrphidae can develop.
Ranking and Classification of Cryptocurrency Exchanges Using the Methods of a Multidimensional Comparative Analysis
Authors: Kądziołka Kinga
Published: November 2021

Research background: The multidimensional assessment of the attractiveness of cryptocurrency exchanges seems to be an important issue, because the risk of the collapse of such an exchange or its use for illegal purposes is higher than in the case of traditional exchanges.

Purpose: The aim of the work is to create ranking and identify groups of cryptocurrency exchanges with a similar level of attractiveness.

Research methodology: 13 different composite indicators were considered. Finally, one of them was chosen as a representative according to the similarity of the obtained rankings. Clustering methods were used to identify groups of exchanges with a similar level of the constructed measure.

Result: The best according to the adopted criteria of rankings similarity was the taxonomic measure constructed using the standardized sum method with equal weights. Combining hierarchical clustering with the k-means algorithm allowed to improve the quality of clustering measured with the silhouette index.

Novelty: The originality of the paper lies in the use of different methods of a multidimensional comparative analysis on the cryptocurrency market.
Sustaining South African Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Through Monetary Access and Literacy in the COVID-19 ERA
Authors: Msomi Thabiso Sthembiso , Olarewaju Odunayo Magret , Ngcobo Xolani
Published: November 2021

Research background: Monetary access and literacy are significant factors of concern confronting the survival and sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Purpose: This led to this paper seeking to understand the impact monetary access and monetary literacy have on the sustainability of SMEs in the COVID-19 era.

Research methodology: The method was employed by this study is a quantitative research method, which is supported by a positivism research paradigm. Data was collected using a questionnaire completed by 310 sampled participants. Using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences to analyse data, descriptive, the Pearson correlation and regression analyses were used to estimate the model.

Results: The Pearson correlation indicated a positive and significant correlation between monetary access and monetary literacy to the sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises (r = 0.564). The result indicated that some small and medium-sized enterprises do possess basic monetary skills while some do not. A significant number of small and medium-sized enterprises do not understand basic monetary terms, which justifies the lack of monetary literacy.

Novelty: The study recommends that government agencies that assist with business registration should include a monetary training course as part of registration formalities. Further to that, the study recommended that government, banks and other business support institutions should simplify support programmes for the prosperity of small and medium-sized enterprises during and post COVID-19 pandemic.
An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Bankruptcy Prediction Models – an Industry Approach
Authors: Pilch Bartłomiej
Published: November 2021

Research background: Bankruptcy prediction models are frequently used in research. However, an industry approach is not often carried out. Due to this, this study included trends observable between the number of bankruptcies and its prediction by models.

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to verify if changes in the number of actual bankruptcy in individual industries are properly predicted by the models. Also, if analyzed models are providing consistent information according to the risk of bankruptcy between industries.

Research methodology: The data were collected from the Orbis database and the Coface reports. The period included in the study is 2014–2019. 5 Polish bankruptcy prediction models were used: these by D. Hadasik, E. Mączyńska and M. Zawadzki, M. Pogodzińska and S. Sojak, D. Wierzba and the Poznan one.

Results: The analyzed models do not properly predict changes in the number of bankruptcy in individual industries, however, 3 out of 5 correctly predicted the trend for the entire sample. Analyzed models often provide inconsistent information. Hence, it seems sensible to use more than a few models in any further analyzes.

Novelty: In the literature of the subject, there are often carried out analyses focused on the effectiveness of bankruptcy prediction models regarding individual companies. This research is focused on the prediction of changes in the number of companies to be considered as at bankruptcy risk between industries, and also on comparing these models.
Are EU Members’ Economies an “Engine” of the EU Candidates’ Economies?
Authors: Radulović Marija , Kostić Milan
Published: November 2021

Research background: Economic relations between countries members of the EU and EU candidates are very strong. Germany and France have the leading economies of the EU, are in the top ten economies worldwide, and drivers of EU development. Serbia has strong economic relations with Germany and France, especially with Germany. Therefore, it is necessary to examine whether Germany and France impact the development of Serbia.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to determine if there is a positive influence of a developed country on a developing country. The aim of the paper is to determine whether there is a long- and short-term positive relationship between Germany and France (EU members) and the Serbian economy (EU candidate).

Research methodology: A Vector Error Correction Model is used to analyze quarterly data from 2002Q2 to 2018Q2.

Results: The results showed a statistically significant long-term relationship between Germany and France and Serbia’s real GDPs, so EU members have a long-term positive impact on the economy of EU candidates. In the case of the French, there is a short-run positive impact on the Serbian economy. For Germany, it is not the case.

Novelty: This paper fills the literature gap about the influence of a developed country on a developing country. Recommendations for policymakers in EU candidates could be that if they want to motivate people to accept the process of access to the EU, they must provide them with more information about long-run economic benefits from the association to the EU.
A Taxonomic Analysis of the Structure of Prime Costs in Polish Clinical Hospitals
Authors: Sikora-Alicka Joanna
Published: November 2021

Research background: The analysis of the genesis and the way of defining clinical hospitals allows us to conclude that the evaluation of their activities should consider many criteria, not only the treatment process in itself. Activities characteristic for a clinical hospital include, apart from the medical, also prophylaxis and preventative measures, preceded by the identification of health risks, soliciting research and creating new directions of medical research, as well as implementing new medical technologies and treatment methods (Article 3, paragraph 2, points 1–2, Journal of Laws of 2020, items 295, 567, 1493, 2112, i.e.) combined with the training of medical personnel. Which all makes those units unique among hospitals.

Purpose: The article aims to confirm the thesis that, despite significant organizational and functional differences, due to the specific nature of their activities, clinical hospitals do not differ significantly in the structure of generated costs.

Research methodology: The article proposes using the taxonomic method as a tool for a comparative analysis of Polish clinical hospitals between the years 2012–2016. The study was conducted from a space-time perspective and concerned 20 hospitals. The use of the hierarchical agglomeration method to assess the cost structure of clinical hospitals is, according to the author, a tool that should be used, in addition to standard methods, by both external and internal decision-makers, in the process of assessing the coherence of the activities of units.

Results: The conducted research confirmed that despite the differences between the analyzed units, they are characterized by the same structure of prime costs.

Novelty: These studies should form the basis for further, a more detailed, cause-and-effect analysis of the cost structure to identify the main determinants shaping total operating costs.
Testing the Validity of the Long Run Neutrality of Money in Nigeria
Authors: Ugwu Ephraim , Ehinomen Christopher , Nwosa Philip , Efuntade Olubunmi
Published: November 2021

Research background: There is no consensus among scholars on the interaction effect between money supply, price, and wages despite various studies conducted to that effect.

Purpose: This study investigates whether the neutrality of money assumption holds in the long run in Nigeria, using annual data from 1970 to 2018.

Research methodology: The study utilized the Johansen cointegration test and the Vector Error Correction (VECM) approach for estimation.

Results: The results from the Phillips curve model contradict the classical school of economics assumption that money is neutral in the long run. This implies that in the Nigerian economy, money is not neutral in the long run. The long run Fishers’ effect model shows that the coefficient of LOG (CPI) exhibits a negative sign and is statistically significant at a 5% significant level, thus contradicting the hypothesis which states that a one percent increase in consumer prices will lead to an increase in the rate of interest by one percent. The coefficient of nominal money supply indicates a negative sign and insignificant statistically on the interest rate. The Short-run estimated results showed that the coefficient of the error correction term ECM (–1) indicates a negative sign and is significant statistically in the Fishers’ effect model. The result shows the actual and equilibrium values are corrected with adjustment speeds equal to 31% yearly.

Novelty: The study recommends that the Central Bank of Nigeria should ensure an effective implementation of monetary targeting measures in fine-tuning the economy and curbing inflationary pressures.
Art - Identity – Ideology
Authors: Crişan Sorin
Published: November 2021

The search for the specificity of the arts implies a reevaluation of the concept of identity and of the relations it draws with the ideology and morality of the time in which the work is represented, on the one hand, and with becoming, and, thus, with the being of creation, on the other hand. Our study takes into account the performing arts (but also the figurative ones), in order to retain those features of convergence or, on the contrary, of divergence, born from the need of the art (any art) to assert itself by difference from the other, and, paradoxically, together with the other.
Embracing The Phantom Or The Imaginary Show
Authors: Badea Gelu
Published: November 2021

Hundreds or maybe thousands of ghosts haunt our theatre. When I say ours, I do not want to refer to the Romanian one, but neither to the territory proposed and researched by Monique Borie in her already famous book dedicated to spectres. All my shows, and here we talk about more than seventy performances, now appear like ghosts to me. They were played sometime and constitute, not only for me, but for thousands, or tens of thousands of spectators, memories, true glimpses of moments, sometimes beautiful, sometimes sad, relics that begin to fade into a mnemonic mechanism of decomposition of the sensations once arisen by the scenic action and the image proposed through the presence of the actor. Thus, the spirit places the theatre under the protective wing of the document-memory, remaking, for those who were not in the position of witnesses, the way of late understanding for the one who can only imagine. The Romanian theatre does not have too many moments, perhaps astral, that could elucidate us on a certain artistic approach or against another. Too often the document-memory is activated by chronicles that bear far too many subjective opinions or timid analyzes on the work of a profession that deserves more in this regard. A very important director of the end of the last century, a student of Professor Radu Penciulescu, defined his own phantasma through the imaginary shows he left us. Blessed is he. Aureliu Manea’s writing allows us to imagine more than the chronicles of his shows played on Romanian stages could do. The document-memory of these documents concerns me and holds me in an embrace that I feel violently present.
Towards an Aesthetic of „Straniety” in Postmodern and Contemporary Dance
Authors: Stanciu Alba Simina
Published: November 2021

The complicated physiognomy of dance in the XX-th and XXI-th century obviously exeedes the stable marks of „beauty” as an aesthetic category, by extending the limits of imaginary and techniques of artistic productions beyond any restraints. Both form and artistic expressions become suitable for specific interpretations, through the instruments and postmodern categories. The argumentation frequently refer to three moments of avantgardes, swiftly mentioning the reform’s beginings on the european artistic environment as a starting point, and underlying theBlack Montain Collegephenomenon, and its consequences through the 80-ties and after. The fluctuations of artistic objectives are also “organized” having a starting point two texts with an essential theoretical value,No Manifesto(Yvonne Reiner) andYes Manifesto(Mette Ingvarsen) which permit the systematization of the dance creators’s “attitude”, underline the philosophical ideas contained by image, which generate the postmodern „straniety”.
Prince Charming and the problem of morality from a pragmatic point of view. A reflection on the imaginary born of truth
Authors: Gheorghe Mihaela Brebinaru
Published: November 2021

Fairy tale characters have a special status for children, as they become the bearers of values and emotions with a major impact on the development of the young viewer in whose universe anything is possible. Children often place the action at a subordinate level of their brain and the text loses its value to the character construction, which they remember at the expense of the actions the characters perform. Young audiences’ conclusions about a character can boil down to two simple characterizations: GOOD or BAD, but their subconscious picks up complex information that can affect the core values and influence future decisions or actions. This assessment of the moral character that a fairy tale character has is only valid because the fairy tale is used for an educational purpose and is supposed to contribute to the development of cognitive and affective processes in the formation of fundamental character traits. The aim of the critical approach of this research is to identify the real values of a character through behavioural analysis in order to render it scenically.
The Impact Of SARS Cov-2 Pandemic On Children’s Behaviour In Society And Their Reintegration Through Drama Classes
Authors: Hedeş Bianca
Published: November 2021

The aim of this article is to point out the acute need of artistic classes for children with ages between 5 and 12 years after one year and a half of online activitities imposed by the SARS CoV-2 pandemic. The 2021 school year brought to the parents’ attention the gaps their children have experienced in terms of sociability. The ease they used to have in communicating with the others has almost disappeared along with the joy of interaction. They got so used to the virtual world that they began to see it as routine and to believe that this is the way our lives should be looking like from now on. As a result, the inauguration of this new school year in comparison to other typical school years, except for the pandemic years, has been registered as the year with the highest number of requests for children’s theatre classes. Teachers saw their students regressing and they also observed that it was very difficult for their students to assimilate any kind of new information, a reason why they came up with the idea of participating in such classes. The worst challenge for the students was to start coming back again physically to classes. Their enthusiasm disappeared alongside with their inability to concentrate and their difficulty in paying attention to the teaching process. The masks on their faces represented another disadvantage that they didn’t have to comply with any longer while attending online classes. Anyhow, it was the first year as a freelance theatre teacher in which the demand increased in such a manner that neither I nor my guild colleagues could honor all the requests we received in terms of drama classes for children at this age. The benefits of such classes in the education and in the evolution of its participants have already been demonstrated by many theatre personalities and they are now being amplified with the increased interest coming from the children’s parents who noticed serious disorders in their children’s’ behavior. In the next lines we are going to analyse the outcome results after questioning 60 children with ages between 5 and 12 years old.
The Significance Of Theatre Play In The Pediatric Oncology Ward
Authors: Vicovan Ana
Published: November 2021

When a child is forced to begin treatment for a lifethreatening condition, both the child and his or her entire family are affected. The shock of diagnosis, the effects and the costs of treatment, can have powerful consequences on a number of levels, both immediate and long-term. Most people see the hospital as an environment that has nothing to do with creativity, imagination, or artistic activities in general. However, research shows increasing evidence that art can help cancer patients by giving them a safe space to express their emotions, relax, detach from worry and regain control. Both child patients and their parents and careers can enjoy the beneficial effects of theatre play. The approach to this social group must take into account the individual characteristics of each patient and be adapted to the emotional state of the people involved. The coordinator of these games will also fulfil to some extent a therapeutic function, and will therefore benefit from knowledge gained within other disciplines, such as psychology, but also other art forms that can be integrated and adapted according to the patient’s interests, in order to offer them a multifaceted and positive experience with therapeutic implications. In my experience working with children and adolescents in the onco-pediatric ward of the Oncology Institute in Bucharest, I have approached theatre games in pairs, puppet theatre, musical and rhythm exercises, with and without instruments. The data gathered from the observations made during these activities will contribute to the elaboration of a useful methodology for the actor coordinator of theatrical games in the hospital and to the drafting of a manual of theatrical games adapted to this unconventional environment.
The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Body Perception of the Actor in Theatre Performance
Authors: Teodorescu Marius-Alexandru
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed our perception of our own bodies and, implicitly, of the bodies of those around us. One’s body becomes a potential source of disease and needs to be protected, permanently isolated from the others and hidden behind different kinds of personal protection equipment. The aim of this study is to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our interactions with others and to outline the ways in which theatre can fight changes in body perception and social interaction. Another person’s body is perceived as a source of danger which needs to be pushed as far away as possible and must be put under intense scrutiny. In this context, theatre becomes an instrument that contributes to the healing of these ruptures, forcing spectators to have a kind of kinestezic empathy with the actor. Moreover, unlike other public spaces, theatre forces us to engage with those around us and with those on stage. Theatre forces us to watch and connect with the bodies on stage that act independently from our fears, outside of our own corporality. Through this and some other means, theatre can determine its spectators to reconsider and reconstruct their relationships with their own bodies and with the bodies of those around.
Thermal Conductivity of Building Materials in Iraq
Authors: Al-Doury Madgeed A. , Hasan Atif Ali , Mohammed Raheem Kadhim , Al-Jawad Riyadh H.
Published: November 2021

Thermophysical Properties of Building Materials are Considered to have high importance in predicting building thermal performance, calculating thermal loads inside building, and optimizing the use of a building and insulating materials. Due to the lack of measurements of local building materials properties, designers and air- conditioning engineers have no choice but to use the published foreign data, which probably leads to inaccurate predictions of thermal loads and may give a false thermal performance. At the same time, it leads to an over-designed capacity of air- conditioning systems that lead to increased energy consumption in the building. Thus, it is clear that it was important to conduct this research to evaluate the thermal conductivity and thermal resistance of Iraqi building materials. The number of the local building materials were listed, and specimens were collected from their sites, factories, and suppliers such as bricks, stones, concrete products, gypsum, etc. Those samples were dimensioned to the specific size required when a measurement was conducted by the Hot Wire method. All measurements were carried out at room temperature. The relationship between thermal conductivity, density, moisture content, and pressure for a number of materials was Studied. A comparison between the measurements of the Iraqi building materials and results published in the ASHRAE, CIBS Guide, Australian Specifications, and Jordanian Specifications was made. However, the availability of such data is important for the climatic design of buildings, thermal load calculations for air- conditioning, and choosing the insulating materials.
Place, space and time: resolving Quaternary records
Authors: Knight J. , Fitchett J.M.
Published: November 2021

Principles of place, space and time can frame an understanding of the context and interpretation of Quaternary palaeo-records, and this is particularly the case for the varied proxies used for late Quaternary climate and environmental reconstruction in southern Africa. Place refers to the specific topographic setting or context of any one record, which has implications for the operation of physical processes in the landscape that control the accumulation of different records. Space refers to the spatial scale or footprint of any one record or proxy, and this varies from one proxy to another. Time refers to not only the time period covered by individual records, but also the temporal resolution of the record, which depends on accumulation rates and availability and quality of any radiometric dating. These three principles are discussed specifically in the context of the Quaternary of southern Africa and through the papers that form this special issue, but are also relevant globally. Future research directions in Quaternary research in southern Africa are identified, including opportunities for refining regional chronostratigraphies.
Macroseismic survey of the 6 February 2016 KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa earthquake
Authors: Mapuranga V. , Kijko A. , Saunders I. , Singh A. , Singh M. , Zulu S.
Published: November 2021

On the 6th of February 2016 at 11:00 hours local time (0900 UTC), KwaZulu-Natal was struck by an earthquake of local magnitude ML=3.8. The epicentre of the earthquake was located offshore in the Durban Basin. The earthquake shaking was widely felt within the province as well as in East London in the Eastern Cape province and was reported by various national media outlets. Minor structural damage was reported. A macroseismic survey using questionnaires was conducted by the Council for Geoscience (CGS) in collaboration with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) which yielded 41 intensity data points. Additional intensity data points were obtained from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Did You Feel It? programme. An attempt was made to define a local intensity attenuation model. Generally, the earthquake was more strongly felt in low-cost housing neighbourhoods than in more affluent suburbs.
ON VERBASCUM (SCROPHULARIACEAE) IN ADVENTIVE FLORA OF THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST
Authors:   Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia, Prokopenko S.V. , Kozhevnikova Z.V. ,   Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok 690022, Russia, Kudryavtseva E.P. ,   Pacific Institute of Geography, FEB RAS, Vladovostok, Russia
Published: November 2021

Two new species of the genus Verbascum, V. densiflorum Bertol. and V. phlomoides L., are reported for the adventive flora of the Russian Far East. The differences of these species from V. thapsus L. are discussed. Information of the locations of the species Verbascum L. known in the Russian Far East is presented.
THE ENTOMOPHYLIC FUNGI STUDY IN THE PRYMORYE (RUSSIAN FAR EAST)
Authors:   Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia, Bogacheva A.V. , Bochkareva Yu.V. ,   The Far Eastern Federal University, B8119-06.03.01bio, Vladivostok, Russia
Published: November 2021

After a long break, research on entomophylic fungi has been restarted in the Prymorye. Earlier surveys showed an exceptional species diversity of the territory - about 70 species. This is 20-25% of the total species number known in the world. This group of fungi is given unjustifiably little attention in our region. They significantly affect the dynamics of insect populations in the ecosystem. In addition, the use of compounds produced by entomophylic fungi in medicine is gaining increasing popularity. We studied 31 samples from the collection of entomophilic fungi of the Far Eastern Regional Herbarium (VLA). The analysis of the obtained data allowed us to clarify the distribution and diversity of entomophilic species in the Region. Data on the distribution of Cordyceps deflectens, C. militaris, C. takaomontana, Ophiocordyceps crinalis, O. nutans, O. sphecocephala, O. tricentri and O. variabilis have been clarified and supplemented. For O. tricentri data on the spectrum of host insects are expanded.
STECCHERINUM AURANTILAETUM (CORNER) BERNICCHIA ET GORJÓN (BASIDIOMYCOTA) IN THE FAR EAST OF RUSSIA
Authors:   Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia, Bukharova N.V.
Published: November 2021

Steccherinum aurantilaetum is a predominantly East Asian polyporoid fungus from the Steccherinaceae. It was first discovered in the Krasnoarmeisky District of the Primorye and in the Khabarovsk Territory. Previously, it was known only in the «Kedrovaya Pad» Nature Reserve in the Primorye and in the «Bastak» Nature Reserve in the Jewish Autonomous Region (for the territory of Russia). An original description of the species based on Far Eastern material is given, and a map of the general distribution of S. aurantilaetum is presented for the first time.
Hemşirelik Öğrencilerinde Uyku Kalitesi ile Akademik Başarı Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi
Authors: EKENLER Gizem , ALTINEL Büşra
Published: November 2021

Amaç: Bu araştırmanın amacı; hemşirelik öğrencilerinde uyku kalitesi ile akademik başarı arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektir.Materyal ve Metot: Tanımlayıcı tipteki bu araştırma; Şubat 2020- Haziran 2020 tarihleri arasında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma; bir üniversitenin Hemşirelik Fakültesinde okuyan 280 öğrenci ile yürütülmüştür. Araştırma verileri Covid-19 salgını nedeniyle online formlar kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Araştırmada öğrencilerin özelliklerini değerlendirmeye yönelik bilgi formu ve Pittsburgh Uyku Kalitesi İndeksi (PUKİ) kullanılmıştır.Bulgular: Araştırmaya katılanların PUKİ puan ortalaması 6,36±2,54’tür. Öğrencilerin %58,2’si PUKİ’ ye göre kötü uyku kalitesine sahiptir. Araştırmada sigara kullananların PUKİ puan ortalaması 7,68±2,56; yatmadan önce kafeinli içecek tüketenlerin PUKİ puan ortalaması 7,16±2,59; ders dinlerken uyuklayan öğrencilerin PUKİ puan ortalaması ise 6,55±2,63’tür. Sigara kullanan, yatmadan önce kafeinli içecek tüketen ve ders dinlerken uyuklayan öğrencilerin PUKİ’ye göre uyku kalitelerinin daha kötü olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Araştırmaya katılanların PUKİ puan ortalamaları ile akademik puan ortalamaları arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmuştur (r<0,20, p<0,05).Sonuç: Hemşirelik öğrencilerinin genel olarak uyku kalitelerinin kötü olduğu; uyku kalitesi PUKİ puanına göre kötü olanların akademik puan ortalamalarının daha düşük olduğu belirlenmiştir. Gelecekte profesyonel sağlık hizmetlerinin sunumunda yer alacak olan hemşirelik öğrencilerinin uyku kalitesinin önemi konusunda bilinçlendirilmesi için uygun danışmanlık hizmetleri verilebilir.
COVID-19 Sürecinde Gelişen Persistan Hıçkırık: Nadir Bir Olgu
Authors: AYDIN Muhammet Raşit , ETÇİOĞLU Erkut
Published: November 2021

SARS-CoV-2 patogenezinin tanımlanmasından günümüze kadar birçok klinik tablo karşımıza çıkmıştır ve bu klinik tablolara her geçen gün yenileri eklenmektedir. Hastalığın hem prezentasyonunda hem de hastalık sonrası dönemde farklı belirtiler görülebilmektedir; diyaframın ve interkostal kasların spontan, miyoklonik kasılmaları sonucu oluşan hıçkırık da bunlardan biridir. Bu olgu sunumunda, COVID-19 tanısı aldıktan 12 gün sonra başlayan ve üç gün süren kesintisiz hıçkırık yakınması olan hasta sunulmuştur.
Bleaching optimization of tuna (Thunnus sp.) oil using response surface
methodology
Authors: Suseno S.H. , Jacoeb A.M. , Nugraha R. , Salia
Published: November 2021

The quality of crude tuna (Thunnus sp.) oil aimed for food-sector-purpose can be
improved by performing purification. The present study was aimed to optimize the
bleaching step during the purification process and determine the optimum variable
conditions using response surface methodology (RSM) in obtaining the lowest oxidation
parameters value to meet the International Fish Oil Standard (IFOS) standard. A total of
five responses including free fatty acids (FFA) value, acid value (AV), peroxide value
(PV), anisidine value (AnV) and total oxidation (Totox) value were studied using central
composite design (CCD), a full factorial design with all combinations of the factors at two
levels (high, +1, and low, −1 level), repeated thrice; applied for two variable factors
(adsorbent concentration [A];% and adsorption time [B]; mins). The optimum model
suggested by the program was a quadratic model for FFA and AnV, and a linear model for
AV, PV and Totox value. The optimum response was reached by the combination of 5%
adsorbent concentration [A] with adsorption time [B] of 20 mins. This formula reduced
the FFA value, AV, PV, AnV, and Totox Value up to 56.57%, 55.36%, 88.86%, 69.69%
and 77.03%, respectively. The purified tuna oil has a clear yellow colour appearance with
a rising percentage of pure fish oil for EPA and DHA of 10.71% and 11.50% from crude
tuna fish oil.
Different serving shapes of cooked jasmine rice on a plate affect the consumer's
visual preference
Authors: Sophitanontrat W. , Khajarern K.
Published: November 2021

This research aimed to investigate how five different serving shapes of cooked jasmine
rice (round, square, triangular, flower, and heart shapes) affected visual hedonic
preference and consumer perception (n = 100). Cooked rice was placed on a plate without
food, the heart, flower, and triangle serving shapes had higher artistic mean scores than
the round shape. And cooked rice placed in the shape of a heart on a plate with food had a
higher mean score on ‘liking in shape’ than round or square shapes. The findings of this
study could be beneficial to food styling, presenting, and catering in the foodservice
industry, resulting in increased sales, particularly in restaurants and hotels. Furthermore,
for more successful food marketing and advertising, one can use the shapes of a heart as a
serving shape for cooked jasmine rice box labels.
A formação de comportamentos financeiros através da educação orientadora a luz da ótica dos protagonistas
Authors: Márcia Antônia , Carlos Ruan , Ribeiro Rogeane , Lima Alexandre
Published: November 2021

O estudo apresenta as contribuições e os direcionamentos de um projeto de educação orientado para o empreendedorismo e a formação de pensamentos que norteiam as finanças comportamentais de estudantes universitários. A pesquisa se caracterizou de maneira quantitativa, utilizando a pesquisa descritiva para subsidiá-la na análise documental. O lócus do estudo é uma Instituição de Ensino Superior no Ceará. Participaram da pesquisa alunos e professores envolvidos no projeto denominado de Feirão do Imposto, realizado há oito anos na instituição. Os dados foram coletados pelos métodos de observação participante, relato de experiências e documentos institucionais. Os dados foram analisados a partir de uma adequação da técnica de análise de conteúdo. Os resultados apontaram que os estudantes compreendem a necessidade de implantação de ações efetivas para cobrar dos poderes executivos e legislativos melhorias na oferta dos serviços públicos, no controle do aumento dos impostos e na transparência da aplicação dos recursos.Entretanto, não demonstraram influências diretamente na formação dos seus comportamentos financeiros.
E-Readiness Evaluation of High School Student Biology Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Jamaluddin Jamaluddin , Jufri A. Wahab , Ramdani Agus
Published: November 2021

E-Readiness is the level of readiness that a person needs to understand and apply information and communication technology. E-Readiness can also be interpreted as readiness to sort, interpret, and process digital knowledge. E-Readiness is very important for students to be able to take part in online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to describe the level of E-Readiness in learning biology for high school students in West Lombok Regency in participating in online learning of biology subjects. This study uses a quantitative descriptive research method. The instrument used to obtain student E-Readiness data is the E-Readiness questionnaire. Data collection was carried out using a survey technique by distributing questionnaires using the google form application. The number of respondents who filled out the questionnaire was 622 students. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistical analysis techniques that refer to the An Integration Information Rich E-Readiness Assessment Tool evaluation model. Data analysis using the evaluation model was carried out on each indicator of the E-readiness segment. The results of data analysis found that: (1) Enterprise E-Readiness segment 79.88% ready; (2) ICT readiness segment 82.96 ready; (3) Human resources readiness 83.88 ready, 4. Information readiness segment, 70.72% ready, and 5. External environment readiness 84.42% is ready. From the data analysis, it was found that the E-Readiness of studying biology for high school students was 3.1% Very Unprepared, 16.4% Unprepared, 54.9% Ready, and 25.6% Very Ready. On average 80.5% of high school students have good skills in using information and communication technology. Thus, it can be concluded that an average of 80.5% of students' E-Readiness in learning biology had a good level of readiness, and 19.5% did not yet have a readiness level to participate in online biology learning in West Lombok Regency
Caracterização de Propriedades Acústicas e Mecânicas de Materiais Simuladores de Tecido por Ultrassom
Authors: S. S. Gomes Jheferson , Vieira Sílvio Leão
Published: November 2021

Materiais simuladores de tecidos biológicos são de extrema importância no campo da Imagenologia Médica. Esses materiais são também conhecidos por fantomas, objetos simuladores ou mais comumente “phantoms”. Os phantoms são materiais que imitam ou simulam tecidos biológicos em sua interação com radiação ionizante ou não-ionizante. Assim, conhecer as propriedades físicas desses materiais é de grande importância na produção e desenvolvimento de novos materiais para uso como objetos simuladores. Nesse trabalho, ondas mecânicas longitudinais foram aplicadas em um material polimérico objetivando caracterizar suas propriedades acústicas e mecânicas por meio de ultrassom pulso-eco. A extração de tais atributos se deu por meio de algoritmo computacional, o qual possibilitou a obtenção dos módulos elásticos e viscosos do polímero. Foram encontrados os seguintes parâmetros por meio do processamento de dados: o coeficiente de atenuação α = 0,152 dB/cm, e a velocidade longitudinal c = 1448,60 m/s. Dessa forma, foi possível estimar o módulo de elasticidade de armazenamento e de perda do módulo de elasticidade longitudinal, L' = 2,098 GPa e L'' = 0,386 MPa, e de cisalhamento, G '= 0,424 GPa e G'' = 0,068 MPa, dentre outros de interesse. Esse estudo evidenciou a possibilidade de se obter informações importantes a respeito das propriedades mecânicas de polímeros por meio de sondagem via ultrassom pulso-eco. No entanto, estudos subsequentes são necessários com a finalidade de se realizar a validação desse método. Para isso, os resultados devem ser comparados com os obtidos por meio de outra técnica padrão, tal como analise dinâmico-mecânico.
Calibração de Gama Câmara para Utilização em Programa de Monitoração Interna de IOEs Expostos a I-131 em um Serviço de Medicina Nuclear
Authors: Marques de Oliveira Salomão , Oliveira Cassio Miri , Leite Melissa Furlaneto Lellis , Santos Bianca Maciel dos , Dantas Ana Letícia Almeida , Dantas Bernardo Maranhão
Published: November 2021

O 131I é um dos radionuclídeos mais utilizados na prática de medicina nuclear. É aplicado tanto em procedimentos diagnósticos quanto terapêuticos, pratica esta que representa um risco de incorporação deste radionuclídeo. A Agência Internacional de Energia Atômica (AIEA) recomenda a implementação de programas de monitoração interna em trabalhadores potencialmente expostos a doses anuais maiores que 1 mSv devido à incorporação de 131I, como, por exemplo, trabalhadores que manipulam 131I para terapia. A Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear (CNEN) estabelece que trabalhadores potencialmente expostos a doses anuais maiores que 1 mSv devido à incorporação de 131I devam ser submetidos a um programa de monitoração interna de rotina. Entretanto, no Brasil existem apenas cinco laboratórios capacitados a prestar serviços de monitoração interna e caso a exigência de monitoração interna dos trabalhadores fosse aplicada pela CNEN, os laboratórios não teriam como atender a toda possível demanda por monitoração interna, além de que geraria um custo elevado para os Serviços de Medicina Nuclear (SMN). Este trabalho utilizou uma metodologia simples e de baixo custo para calibração da gama câmara para utilização em um programa de monitoração interna in vivo de rotina de 131I. As técnicas de calibração realizadas neste trabalho mostraram-se de fácil e rápida execução, além de permitir a implantação de um programa de monitoração interna de rotina conduzido pelo próprio SMN, o que permite cumprir ao requisito de monitoração interna de 131I exigido pela CNEN sem custos adicionais significativos.