bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of Chlamydia trachomatis in preterm delivery: a case-control study in Besat Hospital, Sanandaj, Iran (2018-2019)
Authors: Jahan Ahmadi Seyedeh , Farhadifar Fariba , Yousefi Sharami1 Seyedeh Reyhaneh , Zare Shamsi , Rezaei Masomeh , Soofizadeh Nasrin , Babaei Erfan , Moradi Ghobad , Ahmadi Amjad
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives: Preterm delivery is an important subject in gynecology, obstetrics and pediatrics. It is defined as regular uterine contractions every five to eight minutes or less, lasting for 30 seconds. It is associated with progressive changes in the cervix, resulting in delivery after 22 weeks and before 37 weeks of gestation. This study aimed to evaluate the role of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women with preterm delivery.
Materials and Methods: This case-control study was performed on 75 women with preterm delivery (case group) and 75 women with term delivery (control group). The research tools included a questionnaire, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay of cervical swab samples and ELISA assay of umbilical cord blood samples. Fisher’s exact test and t test were also performed to compare qualitative variables between the two groups.
Results: In this study, the mean age of subjects was 26.55 ± 0.53 years in the control group and 26.76 ± 0.56 years in the case group. The prevalence of C. trachomatis in the cervical swab samples was 7 (9.33%) in the control group and 2 (2.67%) in the case group. There was no C. trachomatis IgM antibody in either of the groups, while there was 1 (1.33%) C. trachomatis IgG antibody in both groups.
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that there was no significant relationship between C. trachomatis infection and preterm delivery.
Detection and identification of Chlamydia spp. from pigeons in Iran by nested PCR and sequencing
Authors: Golestani Nadia , Haghighi Khoshkhoo Payam , Hosseini Hossein , Akbari Azad Gita
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives: Chlamydia psittaci, an obligate intracellular, Gram-negative zoonotic pathogen, has eight serovars and nine genotypes isolated from avian species with higher frequency in parrots and pigeons. The aim of this study was to characterize Chlamydia spp. using nested PCR and sequencing.
Materials and Methods: A total of 270 pharyngeal swab samples collected randomly from asymptomatic pigeons of 30 pigeon aviaries in Tehran province. DNA was extracted with specific kit and amplified by specific primers in the first PCR and outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene in the second PCR. Positive samples were sequenced and phylogenetic tree analyzed based on the ompA gene. 
Results: Records showed that 16 of 30 (53%) pigeon aviaries were positive for Chlamydia spp. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that 15 of 16 (93.7%) positive samples, belonged to C. psittaci genotype B whereas the other sample belonged to C. avium. C. psittaci detected in 50% of pigeon aviaries that is high rate in Tehran province.
Conclusion: As C. psittaci is a zoonosis and life threaten pathogen for human being, these results indicate the significance of it detection in asymptomatic pigeons. Also, this is the first report of Chlamydia avium presence in Iranian pigeons which its zoonotic potential is still unknown.
Epidemiology, laboratory diagnosis and clinical aspects of fungal pulmonary infections in 384 patients hospitalized in pulmonary units in Guilan province, Iran
Authors: Rafat Zahra , Hashemi Seyed Jamal , Ashrafi Keyhan , Nikokar Iraj , Jafari Alireza , Rahimi Foroushani Abbas , Roohi Behrad , Borjian Boroujeni Zeinab , Najar-Shahri Niki
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives: The respiratory tract is the most common site for developing fungal infections. People who have a weakened immune system are more susceptible to respiratory system involvement with fungi. Fungal infections of the respiratory tract are largely unrecognized and their true burden is elusive. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the clinical spectrum, demographic characteristics, risk factors, and etiology of fungal respiratory infections in 384 patients hospitalized in pulmonary units of Razi hospital, Guilan province, Iran.
Materials and Methods: A total of 384 lung specimens (192 Bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) and 192 sputa) were obtained from patients who met the inclusion criteria. All samples were analyzed by direct microscopy and culture. Fungal identification was accomplished by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and beta-tubulin sequencing. Also, in patients suspected to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis BAL specimens were tested for galactomannan (GM) antigen. According to the host factors (clinical symptoms, radiology findings and predisposing factors which were defined as inclusion criteria)and the positive results in direct examination, culture and serology (GM for aspergillosis) the infection was confirmed.
Results: Fungal respiratory infection was confirmed in 137 cases (35.67%) including 86 (62.77%) males and 51 (37.23%) females and the highest prevalence of infection was found in the age group of 46-72 years (n=75, 54.74%). Cough (n=129, 94.16%), dyspnea (n=111, 81.02%), purulent sputum (n=85, 62.04%) and weight loss (n=77, 56.2%) were the predominant symptoms. Tuberculosis (n=34, 24.81%), taking chemotherapy regimen (n=30, 21.89%) and diabetes mellitus (n=27, 19.70%) were the predominant underlying conditions. Candida albicans (37.22%) and Candida tropicalis (21.89%) represent the two most commonly isolated species in the current study. Furthermore, according to revised EORTC/MSG (2008) definitions for invasive fungal infections, from 5 cases of pulmonary aspergillosis, 2 (40%) cases of probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) and 3 (60%) cases of possible IPA were diagnosed. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, infected infants with congenital CMV infection could identify at early stage by testing Guthrie cards (within 21 days of life). Furthermore, since there is a lack of CMV knowledge in our population, educating and effective counseling by obstetricians/ gynecologists to the pregnant women are recommended.
Corticosteroids on the Management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: YOUSEFIFARD Mahmoud , MOHAMED ALI Kosar , AGHAEI Abbas , ZALI Alireza , MADANI NEISHABOORI Arian , ZARGHI Afshin , SAFARI Saeed , HASHEMI Behrooz , FOROUZANFAR Mohammad Mehdi , HOSSEINI Mostafa
Published: August 2020

Background: We aimed to examine the available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of corticosteroids on the management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV).
Method: An extensive search was conducted in Medline, Embase, and Central databases until the end of March 2020, using keywords related to corticosteroids, COVID-19, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. The main outcome was considered to be the mortality rate, length of stay, virus clearance time, symptom improvement, and lung function improvement. The findings are presented as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI).
Results: Fifteen paper compromising 5 studies on COVID-19, 8 studies on SARS-CoV and 2 studies on MERS-CoV were included. One study was clinical trial and the rest were cohort. The analyses showed that corticosteroids were not reduce the mortality rate of COVID-19 (OR=1.08; 95% CI: 0.34 to 3.50) and SARSCoV (OR=0.77; 95% CI: 0.34 to 1.3) patients, while they were associated with higher mortality rate of patients with MERS-CoV (OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.41 to 4.50). Moreover, it appears that corticosteroids administration would not be effective in shortening viral clearance time, length of hospitalization, and duration of relief symptoms following viral severe acute respiratory infections.
Conclusion: There is no evidences that corticosteroids are safe and effective on the treatment of severe acute respiratory infection when COVID-19 disease is suspected. Therefore, corticosteroids prescription in COVID19 patients should be avoided.
Effect of a 12-Week Rehabilitation Exercise Program on Shoulder Proprioception, Instability and Pain in Baseball Players with Shoulder Instability
Authors: YOON Jin-Ho , SONG Ki-Jae , JI Mu-Yeop , LEE Bang-Sub , OH Jae-Keun
Published: August 2020

Background: The shoulder joint has a wide range of motion, but is vulnerable to sport-related injuries. We aimed to evaluate the differences in the proprioception of the shoulder should instability, and shoulder pain in high school baseball players with shoulder instability following a 12-week rehabilitation exercise program.
Methods: We enrolled 13 baseball players with shoulder instability who visited the Orthopedics Department at Konkook University Hospital in Seoul, South Korea and 12 controls without shoulder instability. We examined the dominant shoulder and the non-dominant shoulder for both groups. We restricted participation to individuals who had no other orthomechanical disease in the past six months, except for instability of the shoulder, and no physical limitation to participate in the exercise. We measured the proprioception of the shoulder and shoulder instability, and we also evaluated pain with the Visual Analog Scale before and after the rehabilitation program. To verify the differences between groups, we used a two-way analysis of variance, and a two-way analysis of covariance was used when a significant difference was found at the pretest (baseline between groups).
Results: Proprioception was associated with shoulder instability. The Visual Analog Scale rating improved in the dominant shoulder with instability; and a positive change was found in the dominant shoulder without instability after the rehabilitation program (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The 12-week rehabilitation exercise program might improve the proprioception and pain of patients with shoulder instability. However, further studies with more participants and a rehabilitation exercise program should be undertaken.
Hair Metal Levels and Childhood Weight Gain
Authors: VIGEH Mohsen , YOKOYAMA Kazuhito , MATSUKAWA Takehisa , SHINOHARA Atsuko , OHTANI Katsumi , SHARIAT Mamak
Published: August 2020

Background: Exposure to toxic metals remains a public health problem with lifelong impacts on childhood growth and development. We aimed to investigate metals effects on preschool children’s anthropometric variables.
Methods: The study was conducted in Tehran, Iran, from Jul 2013 to Mar 2016. We measured scalp hair metal concentrations (lead, cadmium, arsenic, zinc, manganese, and cobalt), using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, in 207 preschool children’s (36 to 72 months old).
Results: A significant negative correlation between children's hair lead levels and children's weight was found (r= −0.178, P<0.05). Linear regression analysis confirmed the relationship when adjusted for the confounders, including children's age, sex, height, family income, and maternal education (β= −0.191; t= −3.426, P< 0.01). The ANOVA analysis showed a significant (P<0.01) difference between hair lead level and children's weightfor-age percentiles. Totally and separately, in almost all weight percentiles, hair lead levels were higher in girls than boys.
Conclusion: The present study on Iranian children showed the current levels of lead exposure might negatively influence on children growth, with higher risk for girls than boys.
Assessment Synergistic Effects of Integrated Therapy with Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) & Arsenic Trioxide and Irradiation on Breast Cancer Cell Line
Authors: CHANGIZI Vahid , AZARIASL Samayeh , MOTEVASELI Elahe , JAFARI NODOOSHAN Saeedeh
Published: August 2020

Background: Breast cancer is the most common invasive malignancy among women in the world. The current breast cancer therapies pose significant clinical challenges. Low-dose chemotherapy represents a new strategy to treat solid tumors in combination with natural products such as green tea catechins. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major polyphenolic extract from green tea with potent anticancer and antioxidant effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of EGCG, Arsenic trioxide (ATO) and gamma radiation on MCF-7 cell line.
Methods: The anti-proliferative effects of EGCG and ATO individually, moreover in combination with radiation on MCF-7 cells were evaluated with MTT assay. The expression of apoptotic gens (Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and Fas) was assessed by real-time PCR.
Results: Based on the results of MTT assay, EGCG and ATO exhibited dose and time-dependent antiproliferative effects on MCF-7 cells. The combined therapy of EGCG and ATO in presence and absence radiation could rise cell death up to 80%. Moreover, integrated therapy made Bax up-regulated and Bcl-2 downregulated.
Conclusion: In assessment synergistic effects of integrated therapy with EGCG and ATO and irradiation had been significant impact on low dose chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment.
Childhood Cancer in Pakistan
Authors: SOHAIL AFZAL Muhammad
Published: August 2020

The article's abstract is no available.
Management of Forgotten Groups after an Earthquake: Care Services for Drug Addicts
Authors: HEYDARPOUR Behzad , NAJAFI Sahar , JANATMAKAN Maryam , KOMASI Saeid
Published: August 2020

The article's abstract is no available.
Quickly SOFA Score Can Be Used as a High-Efficiency Classified Method for COVID-19 Infected Patients
Authors: FENG Ke , CHEN Zhongwei , MEI Bin , Du Xing , FU Xufeng
Published: August 2020

The article's abstract is no available.
Building a Digital Entrepreneurial Platform Through Local Community Activity and Digital Skills with Ngemba First Nation, Australia
Authors: Beetson Susan J. , Pradhan Sojen , Gordon Grace , Ford Jason
Published: August 2020

In collaboration with Ngemba First Nation in Brewarrina, Australia, this research involves co-designing and co-developing an innovative community digital entrepreneurial platform that includes a mobile app and a website. The methodology is informed by theories of relatedness, Indigenist standpoint, and by the principles of Indigenist research and related ways of being, knowing, and doing research. It uses an Indigenist technology co-design and co-development method (ITCD2). The platform proposes several practical applications, including individual and community entrepreneurship promotion and skills development. This research is motivated by the Australian government’s First Nations priorities through the Close the Gap initiative, including the digital divide, employment and business, and economic development. This research project proposes a paradigm shift from a focus on welfare to a focus on entrepreneurial enterprise.
EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL NO MUNICÍPIO DE TURVO : UM MAPEAMENTO DA OFERTA E DA ESTRUTURA DA REDE
Authors: Cândido Juceli
Published: August 2020

Este artigo apresenta um estudo sobre a Educação Infantil no municipio de Turvo, estado de Santa Catarina. Partindo de um referencial teórico que examina as prerrogativas dos documentos legais, realizou-se uma pesquisa de campo que buscou investigar qual a oferta de Educação Infantil no município e como esta rede está estruturada em termos de gestão. Dados obidos por meio do histórico da educação no municipio e de entrevista com gestores revelaram que o município conta com instituições públicas e privadas para atender as crianças em creches e pré-escolas e que a rede pública possui unidades na zona urbana e rural. Também existe uma equipe gestora multidisciplinar ,que atua na Secretaria de Educação do município, dando suporte a todas as unidades de Educação Infantil da rede pública municipal.
VIVER A PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO: LER E ESCREVER É PRECISO!
Authors: Wolniewicz Eveline Boppré Besen , Silva Marimar Da , Otani Nilo
Published: August 2020

Na pós-graduação, ler e escrever são habilidades linguísticas requisitadas com muita frequência aos estudantes. De cunho bibliográfico e reflexivo, o objetivo desse artigo é promover a reflexão sobre a importância da leitura crítica e da escrita acadêmica na formação de estudantes que escolheram viver a experiência da pós-graduação. Percebeu-se que é fundamental aprender a estudar, ler e escrever funcionalmente, como uma interação com o mundo mediada por sons e sinais gráficos. Por conseguinte, as informações disponíveis precisam ser transformadas em novas relações com o mundo e o desafio não se mostra de pequena proporção, uma vez que as pesquisas científicas sobre o tema apontam deficiências relacionadas à escolarização precária, dependência excessiva da bibliografia e esvanecimento do desejo de pensar dos estudantes.
MEDIAÇÃO PEDAGÓGICA E EDUCAÇÃO MEDIADA POR TECNOLOGIAS DIGITAIS EM TEMPOS DE PANDEMIA
Authors: Goedert Lidiane , Arndt Klalter Bez Fontana
Published: August 2020

Esse artigo apresenta reflexões em torno do processo de mediação pedagógica e educação mediada por tecnologias digitais em um momento histórico marcado por uma pandemia. As restrições necessárias para o enfrentamento da pandemia, dentre elas o isolamento social, têm levado instituições de ensino de todos os níveis, públicas e privadas, a adotarem metodologias de ensino visando a continuidade das aulas de modo não presencial. Para analisar esse contexto educacional pelo viés da mediação pedagógica, apresentamos o conceito de mediação pedagógica, com enfoque no papel mediador do professor e na mediatização de conteúdos e da comunicação por meio das tecnologias digitais. Esperamos que as reflexões em torno desse processo contribuam na análise de antigos e novos desafios educacionais da cultura digital em tempos de pandemia.
APRESENTAÇÃO DO DOSSIÊ: REFLEXÕES INTERDISCIPLINARES SOBRE A PANDEMIA CAUSADA PELA COVID-19
Authors: Ripa Roselaine
Published: August 2020

[...] somente o anjo esquerdada história escovada acontrapelo com suamultigirante espada po-dera (quem dera!) um diaconvocar do rornebuloso dos dias vin-douros o diaafinal sobrevivente dojustoajuste decontas(Haroldo de Campos)
Bidirectional DC–DC Converter with Coupled Inductor Fordc-Bus Regulation in Microgrid Applications
Authors: Mayer Robson , Kattel Menaouar Berrehil El , Oliveira Sérgio Vidal Garcia
Published: August 2020

This paper presents a theoretical analysis and the experimental results of the bidirectional coupled inductor dc-dc converter for dc-bus voltage regulation and power compensation in dc-microgrid applications. In dc-microgrids, a power distribution system requires a bidirectional converter to control the power flow between dc-bus and batteries. Furthermore, the dc-bus needs to be kept stabilized within certain limits and the converter handles a large range of voltage variation in the accumulators. The proposed topology is also relatively feasible for low-input-voltage applications for interfacing energy storage elements, such as batteries, ultracapacitors with the high voltage dc-bus in electric vehicles. The converter allows greater voltage gain compared to classic non-isolated topologies and can better deal with the wide range of voltage variation imposed by the source/load. The operation principles, the DC voltage gain, the design of the filters, the voltage/current stresses and a comparison are discussed. The experimental results confirmed and validated the theoretical study as well as the converter performance so that the measurements performed obtained from a 600 W laboratory prototype.
An Improved Methodology for Switching Losses Estimation in SiC MOSFETs
Authors: De Paula Wesley J. , Tavares Gabriel H. M. , Soares Guilherme M. , Almeida Pedro S. , Braga Henrique A. C.
Published: August 2020

This work presents an improved analytical model concerning the prediction of switching losses in power MOSFETs by considering the influence of parasitic elements in the high-frequency operation of devices. By using the transistor voltage and current waveforms, it is possible to predict switching losses under hard-switching conditions adopting only parameters that can be obtained from the device datasheet. The method employs the nonlinearities associated with the junction capacitances, which are incorporated into the model through curve fitting. Besides, the sensitivity analysis is used to identify which parameters have a major influence on the estimated losses. The methodology is described in details and verified by means of experimental results concerning a SiC MOSFET, which is tested under various current and voltage conditions
Impactos da Modulação por Múltiplas Variáveis no transformador e na Comutação Suave do Conversor Dual-Active-Bridge
Authors: Fraytag Jeferson , Kirsten André Luís , Heldwein Marcelo Lobo
Published: August 2020

Devido à atual importância dos conversores Dual-Active-Bridge (DAB), este trabalho propõe uma estrutura de análise para modelar o comportamento estático do conversor quando submetido a uma modulação por múltiplas variáveis. Neste tipo de modulação, além da mudança da defasagem angular, as razões-cíclicas da tensão do primário e do secundário também são variadas. As análises apresentadas propõem ferramentas para definir o ponto de operação mais adequado para um conversor DAB, analisando o impacto da escolha desse ponto de operação em relação ao volume do núcleo magnético, as perdas no cobre e as fronteiras de comutação suave dos interruptores do primário e do secundário do conversor. Resultados experimentais para um protótipo de 800 W, 1200 W e 1600 W são apresentados para validar as análises propostas, onde diferenças de volume de até 35% são obtidas.
Empirical Negation, Co-negation and Contraposition Rule I: Semantical Investigations
Authors: Niki Satoru
Published: August 2020

We investigate the relationship between M. De's empirical negation in Kripke and Beth Semantics. It turns out empirical negation, as well as co-negation, corresponds to different logics under different semantics. We then establish the relationship between logics related to these negations under unified syntax and semantics based on R. Sylvan's CCω.
Exchange-Traded Funds: What You Need to Know?
Authors: Nyukorong Remy
Published: August 2020

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) have become one of the most interesting and valuable innovations in the financial industry today. These funds are expected to remain growing at a pace more rapidly than mutual funds and hedge funds in the next couple of years. Educating a new and expanding investors has become a global imperative among ETF issuers. Sensible and engaged investors need to know what makes ETFs unique. The purpose of this article is to help asset owners and investors understand and use ETFs to build institutional-quality portfolios. Through literature search in books, journal articles and the internet, the current research article explored what ETFs are, the regulatory and legal environment, benefits, drawbacks, and criticisms levelled against them as investment vehicles. The results indicated that ETFs are passive and diversified investment instruments with lower management fees, tax efficiency, transparent and easily accessible. However, the strategic investment decision in ETFs are determined by investorsâ€™ objectives, risk aversion and time horizon of investment. Thus, this article is useful to CEOs, Board of Directors, Investment Managers, investors of all sizes, and prospectus investors to help them navigate the risks and rewards and decide whether these securities, now three decades old, make sense for their portfolios. The article is also useful for charterholders, graduate students in economics and finance and CFA candidates to fully absorb. Both practitioners and academics can use this article as a reference and guide.
Teachersâ€™ Perceptions about Language Learning Difficulties in English as a Foreign Language EFL Classes
Authors: Haggag Haggag Mohamed , Bakr Eman Mohy-Eldeen
Published: August 2020

The research aimed at verifying English language teachers' perceptions about English language learning difficulties in their classes. Using a descriptive analytical approach, it utilized a questionnaire which included (60) items which were divided over four parts; the first was about the basic concepts, the second was about the intervention techniques, the third included class barriers while the fourth was about class assessment techniques. The second instrument is an online reflection journal to record participants' views about language learning difficulties. The participants (N. 99) were English language teachers from different stages at The Red Sea Governorate in Egypt. Following a descriptive analytical research design, the research utilized the instruments to record the results and interpret them in the light of its hypotheses. Results showed that there was a strong correlation between participants' concepts over the four parts of the questionnaire (basic concepts, intervention techniques, class barriers and assessment techniques. Results also showed that there were significant mean differences between participant's scores in the four parts of the questionnaire favoring the concepts part. Recommendations of the research included integrating language learning difficulties modules in both pre-service and in-service teachersâ€™ education and training programs as well as highlighting intervention techniques in EFL curricula as well as LD assessment procedures and techniques.
The Relationship between Corporate Governance, Financial Characteristics, Macroeconomic Factors and Performance of Firms Listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange
Authors: Aluoch Moses Odhiambo , Mwangi Cyrus Iraya , Kaijage Erasmus S. , Ogutu Martin
Published: August 2020

This study sought to examine the relationships among corporate governance, financial characteristics, macroeconomic factors and performance of firms listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. This study used wealth maximisation theory, agency theory, stewardship theory and stakeholdersâ€™ theory to explain the relationships among dependent, intervening, moderating and independent variables. This study employed a census approach and a target population of the study comprised of all companies listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange from 2002 to 2016. A total of sixty five were used. The data on corporate governance, financial characteristics and performance of firms were extracted from annual reports of the individuals firms and additional data on macroeconomic factors in relation to gross domestic product, interest rates and inflation rates were extracted from Central Bank of Kenya and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics economic reports. This study employed longitudinal descriptive research design to determine relationships amongst variables. A panel data regression analysis was conducted using random effects model which allowed the firms to have a common mean value of the intercept to determine whether corporate governance influence firm performance. The study established that most of the corporate governance practices adopted by listed firms in Kenya had significant effect of the performance of firms. The intervening effect of financial characteristics was determined, while macroeconomic factors were found to have moderating effect in the relationship between corporate governance and performance of listed firms. The study finally established that corporate governance, financial characteristics and macroeconomic factors had a significant joint effect on performance of firms listed on Nairobi Securities Exchange. Based on the findings the study made various conclusions. The study concluded that listed firms in Kenya adopted corporate governance practices as part of the requirements of the regulating authority which had impact on Returns of Assets and Tobinâ€™s Q. The study further concluded that some listed firms in Kenya strengthened their corporate governance due to poor performance; some of the corporate governance practices used by listed firms had negative impact on performance of firms. This study contributed to the existing knowledge since it established that the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance heavily relied on the context under study and for this reason, studies conducted in different context have conflicting results.
Relationship Between Metacognitive Skills and Information Processing Skills Among Al-Quds University Students
Authors: Rimawi Omar , Rimawi Amira
Published: August 2020

Metacognitive skills and information processing are key concepts in the field of education, they are crucial in the learning process. The present study aimed to identify the relationship between metacognitive skills and information processing skills among the students of Al-Quds University. The study instruments were applied on a sample of 393 male and female students. The results showed that there was a positive correlation between metacognitive skills and information processing among Al-Quds University students. The findings revealed statistically significant differences in the level of metacognitive skills, attributed to gender in favor of female students. However, there were no statistically significant differences due to faculty or academic level. The findings also showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the level of information processing skills attributable to gender and academic level. However, there were statistically significant differences in the level of information processing due to the faculty variable in favor of the Faculty of Science.
The Relationship between Board Structure and Performance of Firms Listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange
Authors: Aluoch Moses Odhiambo , Mwangi Cyrus Iraya , Kaijage Erasmus S. , Ogutu Martin
Published: August 2020

This study examines the relationship between board structure and performance of firms listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The study is anchored on agency theory, resource dependency theory, transaction cost theory, political theory and a census approach. A population of the study comprising sixty five companies listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange between 2002 and 2016 were used. Data was extracted from annual reports of listed firms. This study employed longitudinal descriptive research design to determine the relationship. Panel data regression analysis was conducted using the random effects model. The results revealed that gender diversity and occupational expertise had significant effect on Return on Assets, while board independence and board age had significant effect on Tobinâ€™s Q of listed firms in Kenya. On the other hand, board size had an insignificant effect on both Return on Assets and Tobinâ€™s Q. The overall effect of board structure on Returns on Assets and Tobinâ€™s Q was significant. The study concluded that various board structure mechanisms except board size have significant effect on performance of listed firms in Kenya, and the overall board structure had significant effect on performance of listed firms. The study recommended that management should incorporate board structure mechanisms to enhance performance of firms and regulatory authorities should review the current board structure variables to make them more relevant to improve performance of listed firms in Kenya.
Transformation Digitale de Lâ€™Administration Publique au Maroc : Revue de la littÃ©rature et Ã©tat des lieux
Authors: Ouajdouni Abdelaziz , Chafik Khalid , Boubker Omar
Published: August 2020

La transformation digitale aura certes le mÃªme impact proÃ©minent en termes dâ€™apport technologique que ce soit dans le secteur public ou privÃ©, mais se met en avant de faÃ§on diffÃ©rente dans les deux (02) secteurs. Dans le secteur public, aucune administration publique ne cherche Ã  sâ€™accaparer lâ€™avantage compÃ©titif par rapport Ã  lâ€™autre du fait du monopole dÃ©tenu par lâ€™Ã©tat, cependant, les organisations Ã©tatiques cherchent Ã  prodiguer un meilleur service aux citoyens/usagers en mettant lâ€™accent sur leur efficacitÃ© pÃ©renne advienne que pourra le coÃ»t engagÃ©. Ce papier vise Ã  Ã©tablir une synthÃ¨se de la revue de la littÃ©rature et de dresser un Ã©tat des lieux sur la problÃ©matique de la transformation digitale de lâ€™administration publique au Maroc.
Digital transformation will certainly have the same prominent impact in terms of technological contribution, whether in the public or private sector, but highlighted in different ways in both sectors. As regarding the public sector, no public administration seeks to capture the competitive advantage over others because of the monopoly held by the state. However, state organizations seek to provide a better service to citizens/users by focusing on their long-term efficiency whatever the cost incurred. This paper aims to establish a synthesis of the literature review and to draw up an inventory or status report on the problem of the digital transformation of public administration in Morocco.
Organizational Performance and Chief Executive Officerâ€™s (CEOâ€™s) Compensation for Firms Listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
Authors: Anne Omamo , Kâ€™obonyo Peter , Muindi Florence
Published: August 2020

This study examined the link between organizational performance and CEOâ€™S compensation of firms listed at the NSE. Past studies on the determinants of CEOâ€™S compensation revealed a lack of consensus to the explanation of increases in CEOâ€™S compensation. While most of the studies confirm linkages between organizational performance and CEOâ€™S compensation, they measured organizational performance using financial indicators of performance, the current study investigates the relationship between organizational performance and CEOâ€™S compensation but differs from the previous studies by expanding the measures of organizational performance to include the balanced scorecard measures of performance. The theoretical foundations of this study were based on agency theory. The studyâ€™s population constituted 60 firms listed at the NSE. Descriptive crossectional survey was adopted for this study. Both Primary and Secondary data were used to gather information required for the study. Descriptive statistics and regression were used to analyze and interpret the collected data. The study revealed that there wassignificant and positive relationship between organizational performance and CEOâ€™S compensation. The findings of this study are of benefit to board members of organizations in identifying the performance measures that are important to consider when making decisions on CEOâ€™S compensation.
Social-Cultural Environment and Performance of Donor Funded Health Projects in Kenya
Authors: Mobegi Jones Ongâ€™era , James Rosemary , Sang Paul
Published: August 2020

This study provides an empirical investigation on the effect of the social-cultural environment; local community literacy levels, support from local communities, language, and corruption levels on the performance of donor-funded health projects in Kenya. Empirical evidence indicatesthat most donor-funded health projects in Kenya experience time and cost overruns as well as quality issues. This study investigated a population of 69 donor-funded health projects that were initiated between 2008 and 2018 and were ongoing during the study period. A census study was conducted to ensure efficiency, representativeness, reliability, and flexibility since the population was small. The study adopted explanatory and descriptive research designs. Regression results indicated that language, support from the local communities, and the level of literacy in the local communities had positive relationships with the performance of donor-funded health projects in Kenya with coefficients of 0.021, 0.045, and 0.042 respectively. These factors were significant at a 5 percent significance level with p-values of 0.018, 0.019, and 0.047 respectively. Corruption levels had a negative relationship with the performance of donor-funded health projects in Kenya with a coefficient of - 0.031 that was significant at a 5 percent significance level with a p-value of 0.013. The study recommends that the government develops policies and frameworks that will help projects to minimize the negative effects of the social-cultural environment and enhance the positive effects, and that all decision-makers and other donor-funded health project stakeholders devise policies and strategies for controlling the effect of the social-cultural environment on the donor-funded health projects.
Social Web Applications as Means to Enhance Lifelong Learning and Professional Development of Teachers: A Tool to Support Assessment of Their Impact
Authors: Koskeris Andreas , Boura Georgia , Garofalakis John
Published: August 2020

The application of new technologies in classroom has made the need for constant professional development more important for teachers. They should be able to keep up with the technological development in the classroom. Their professional development includes constant upgrade of their skills and knowledge on how they can meet the needs of their students or address issues derived from ICTs application in classroom. Social Web applications are providing new opportunities to build and gain such professional development by assisting to remain current on skills and issues important for a professional role. Aim of the present work is to contribute to the assessment of impact of Social Web applications for teachersâ€™ professional development by presenting specific case studies and proposing an ICT tool to be used for the collection of useful quantitative indicators supporting this impact assessment. The assesment derived from a specific showcase of its application, provided real case results on the usage of Social Web tools from teachers which could be a useful asset towards the design of teacher training programs for the effective use of social networking tools.
DÃ©limitation des territoires et rapports de pouvoir dans la zone diamantifÃ¨re de SÃ©guÃ©la (CÃ´te dâ€™Ivoire) : le lien social familial en question
Authors: Jules-Michel Bah Mahier , Louis Niamke Jean , Tiamba Traore
Published: August 2020

Lâ€™Ã©tude vise Ã  analyser les changements opÃ©rÃ©s dans les rapports interfamiliaux en lien avec le processus de dÃ©limitation des territoires des villages dans la zone diamantifÃ¨re de SÃ©guÃ©la. Lâ€™Ã©tude a consistÃ© Ã  recueillir les donnÃ©es qualitatives Ã  partir de la recherche documentaire et lâ€™entretien. Les rÃ©sultats obtenus indiquent que le processus de dÃ©limitation initiÃ© durant ces derniÃ¨res annÃ©es dans la zone diamantifÃ¨re de SÃ©guÃ©la, a permis aux grandes familles de revisiter leurs liens ancestraux avec les enjeux socioÃ©conomiques du moment. Cela passe par la mise en place de stratÃ©gies de contrÃ´le familial et par la rÃ©affirmation du contrÃ´le foncier Ã  travers le renouvellement de redevabilitÃ©. Ainsi, lâ€™alignement ou le dÃ©salignement des acteurs locaux aux liens socio-historiques et la dynamique Ã©conomique dans la rÃ©gion renforcent ou affaiblissent la cohÃ©sion sociale entre les familles autochtones dans les villages.
The study aims to analyze the changes made in interfamilial relations in relation to the process of delimitation of village territories in the SÃ©guÃ©la diamondiferous zone. The study consisted of collecting qualitative data from desk research and interview. The results obtained indicate that the delimitation process initiated in recent years in the diamondiferous zone of SÃ©guÃ©la has allowed large families to revisit their ancestral links with the socio-economic issues of the moment. This requires the implementation of family control strategies and the reaffirmation of land control through the renewal of accountability. Thus, the alignment ormisalignment of local actors with sociohistorical links and the economic dynamics in the region reinforce or weaken the social cohesion between the indigenous families in the villages.
Culture Technique of Sunu Grouper (Plectropomus Leopardus) Broodstock in a concrete pond in Gondol, Bali Marine Research and Development Center
Authors: Ghassani Gia Asasa , Sahidu Adriana Monica
Published: August 2020

(Plectropomus leopardus) or grouper coral trout is one kind of commodities that have high economic value. As marine fisheries commodities are much in demand for large-scale farmers or household level will require broodstock who have qualified to produce quality eggs and a good seed. qualified to produce quality eggs and a good seed. The purpose of research is to gain knowledge in maintenance activities of the broodstock grouper coral trout on a concrete tank by comparing theory and application in the field. Maintenance engineering of coral trout grouper broodstock includes the preparation of concrete tanks, broodstock selection, water quality management, feeding, spawning and harvesting of eggs, and disease. Research in Balai Besar Penelitian dan Pengembangan Budidaya Laut (BBPPBL) Gondol. Penyabangan Village, Subdistrict Gerokgak, Buleleng, Bali. On 18th January – 18th February 2016. Methods of work used in this research is descriptive data retrieval methods include primary data and secondary data. Data retrieval is done by means of active participation, observation, interviews and literature study. Results of Field Work Practice is the broodstock of grouper coral trout are maintained as much 217 with an average weight of 512.9 kg and an average length of 56.1 cm. Maintenance of broodstock grouper coral trout performed in container maintenance the round-shaped sized 100 m3 with a depth of 3 m with inlet and outlet Water management is performed by using a system is running water that flowing water as much as 300% -400%, the quality of sea water showing the value of 34.9 ppt salinity, DO 6.0 ppm, pH 8, and the temperature of 29 ˚C. Feed given in the form trash fish as much as 7-10 kg a day. Grouper coral trout spawning is done naturally by the male and female parent ratio of 1: 2, which produce eggs an average 2,252,292 items. During maintenance activities parasites invade have been found. Parasites invade the broodstock of grouper coral trout is Benedenia sp., Cryptocaryon sp., And viral infections Viral Nervous Necrosis (VNN)
Extraction Process and Physics Chemical Characterization of Agar Powders from Gracilaria sp. Laboratory Scale in PT. Java Biocolloid Surabaya.
Authors: Yolanda Nidya Tria , Agustono Agustono
Published: August 2020

Seaweed is one of the sea commodities have high economic value, because of extensive utilization, in daily activity as well as in the industrial world, so it has a vast domestic market and abroad. Seaweed contains hidrocoloid compounds such as carrageenan, agar and alginate. It has the main product from Rhodophycae, such as Gracilaria,Gellidium. The purpose of Research is to determine the characteristics of chemical physics powdered agar fromGracilariasp. PT. Biocolloid Java, Surabaya. Activity Research will be implemented at PT. Java Biocolloid, Kembangan Sub-District, District Krembangan, Surabaya. This activity will be held on February 1 to February 26, 2016. The research methods used in Field Work Practice is descriptive method with data collection included primary data and secondary data. Data were collected by observation, interview, active participation, and literature. The of chemical physics powder to be conducted by the quality control, research and development PT. Java Biocolloid Surabaya include granulometri, turbidity, pH, gel strength, viscosity and water content. The value of granulometri powder that is 100% pass meshsize 60. The powder that has a turbidity value of 11.0 to 29.9 NTU, pH 6.4 to 6.8, the gel strength 800-1000 g / cm, viscosity 17-19 cP and moisture content 8- 11%. The quality of chemical physics powdered agar produced by PT. Java Biocolloid already meets the quality standards to be a good powder in accordance with the quality standards powdered agar by the consumer both nationally and internationally.
Research of Contact Response of an Elastic Sphere Impacting a Rigid Plate Based on the Mass-Spring-Damped Oscillator Model and Dimensionless Parameter \omega_\Omega
Authors: Yang Yang , Zeng Qingliang , Wan Lirong , Wang Liang , Yin Guangjun
Published: August 2020

The contact theory, such as the Hertz theory and Hunt-Crossley model can just solve the contact response when the sphere goes to the maximum compression but can't solve the contact process. In traditional research the impact process is considered as a single degree of freedom dynamical spring-damping system, however, the calculated contact force is much greater than the actual one. Based on the shortage of the conducted studies, a new dimensionless parameter Omega is proposed in this paper, the mass-spring-damped oscillator model (MSDOM) and the new contact theory with the consideration of the sphere mass and Omega are established. The correctness of the theoretical model is verified by 3D simulation, and the optimal contact force model is obtained. Furthermore, influence rules of material properties and contact parameters on contact response were studied. The results show that the contact deformation, velocity, piecewise nonlinear contact force and acceleration based on MSDOM and Omega are effective to calculate the contact response. The contact stiffness, damping, material properties of sphere and elastic modulus of the plate have different influence on the contact response while the Poisson's ratio nu_2 has little effect on it.
Time-Varying Characteristics of the Longitudinal Vibration of a High-Speed Traction Elevator Lifting System
Authors: Zhang Qing , Hou Tao , Zhang Rui-Jun , Liu Jie
Published: August 2020

Hoisting rope in a high-speed traction elevator lifting system exhibits strong time-varying characteristics, which, to a large extent, affect the comfort and safety of high-speed elevators. In order to analyse the influence of the time-varying characteristics on the vibration of elevators during the whole operation process, the longitudinal vibration of the hoisting rope of a lifting elevator is introduced to study the effect of the time varying characteristics of a lifting system on the time-varying characteristics of longitudinal vibration. The nonlinear time-varying model of the longitudinal vibration of the hoisting rope is established using the Hamilton principle and energy method. The Galerkin method is used to discretize the partial differential equations of vibration. The quintic polynomial is used to fit the ideal operating state of the elevator. Following this, the quintic polynomial is input as the motion parameter. The precise integration for the time-varying model of longitudinal vibration of the lift system is put forward. The time variant of elevator hoisting system is solved and vibration analysis is carried out with elevator case. It is observed that, during operation, as the length of the hoist rope increases, the acceleration of the longitudinal vibration of the elevator increases too. As the tensile force, provided by the tensioning device, increases, the acceleration decreases.
The Exact Frequency Equations for the Euler-Bernoulli Beam Subject to Boundary Damping
Authors: Biselli Angela , Coleman Matthew P.
Published: August 2020

The Euler-Bernoulli (E-B) beam is the most commonly utilized model in the study of vibrating beams. The exact frequency equations for this problem, subject to energy-conserving boundary conditions, are well-known; however, the corresponding dissipative problem has been solved only approximately, via asymptotic methods. These methods, of course, are not accurate when looking at the low end of the spectrum. Here, we solve for the exact frequency equations for the E-B beam subject to boundary damping. Numerous numerical examples are provided, showing plots of both the complex wave numbers and the exponential damping rates for the first five frequencies in each case. Some of these results are surprising.