bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gut microbiota induces high platelet response in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after ticagrelor treatment
Authors: Zhang Xi , Zhang Xiaolin , Tong Fangnian , Cai Yi , Zhang Yujie , Song Haixu , Tian Xiaoxiang , Yan Chenghui , Han Yaling
Published: January 2024

Aims: Ticagrelor has become a new antiplatelet drug recommended by the
acute coronary syndrome guidelines. Several studies have shown that high
platelet reactivity occurs in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
(STEMI) patients after taking ticagrelor. Here, we investigated whether
gut microbiota play an important role in the change of platelet
reactivity. Methods and Results: The rate of platelet aggregation (PA)
was measured using light transmittance aggregometry. Pharmacokinetic
assessment was used to analyze the plasma concentration of ticagrelor
and its main active metabolite AR-C124910XX. Patients were classified
into the normal platelet reactivity group (NPR) and high platelet
reactivity group (HPR) according to PA at 2h after ticagrelor
administration. High-throughput sequencing and 1H NMR profiling were
used to investigate gut microbiota characteristics in patients. Finally,
we transplanted the microbiota gut of patients into two groups of
sterile mice to verify its effect on platelet reactivity. PA of HPR was
higher than that of NPR at each time point after ticagrelor
administration. The plasma concentrations of ticagrelor and AR-C124910XX
were lower in HPR than in NPR. The diversity of gut microflora in HPR
was greater than that in NPR. Through fecal transplantation high
platelet reactivity could be transmitted to sterile mice. Conclusions:
Gut microbiota variance and their metabolism between HPR and NPR may be
an important mechanism for the difference in PA after ticagrelor
administration. Gut microbiota could help improve our understanding of
the pathogenesis of high platelet reactivity and support the potential
therapeutic options that modify gut microbiota.
Improving the Accuracy of the Delft Model to Predict the Structured Packing's Performance in a Dehydration Pilot Plant
Authors: Nasr Mohammad Jafari , Kalatjari Hamid , Farahani Farzan
Published: January 2024

In this study, the Delft model has been modified for the prediction of
pressure drop, load point, liquid hold-up, and surface area design in
the “wet gas-Tri Ethylene Glycol (TEG)” dehydration pilot plant. These
parameters were used to predict the height of a transfer unit (HTU) and
height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP) for different commercial
structured packing materials and compared with existing experimental
data. Improved modeling of the effective interfacial area is a key
requirement for increasing the reliability and overall accuracy of the
models. The mass-transfer model has been reviewed against a variety of
structured packings for desorber and absorber pressures ranging from
3.81 to 9.83 barg. In this paper, the Separations Research Program
(SRP), Delft and modified Delft models have been validated for different
types of corrugated metal type structured packings.
Influence of nurse-patient therapeutic relationship on uncertainty during rehabilitation for urinary incontinence: validation of the novel MUIS-Pelvic Floor scale.
Authors: Terzoni Stefano , Ferrara Paolo , Bellotti Giancarlo Celeri , Mora Cristina , Alessandrini Sara , Marconi Pietro , Wallace Eva , Destrebecq Anne
Published: January 2024

Rationale, aims and objectives: Urinary incontinence has a high
prevalence worldwide, ranging from 25 to 45%. Incontinence is often
treatable with conservative interventions, which however demand a long
and intensive commitment from the patient. Results are not immediate and
relapses are possible; patients can experience uncertainty and
difficulty to comply with rehabilitation programs, hence the importance
of therapeutic relationship with a healthcare professional. Mishel’s
theory of uncertainty can be used to measure uncertainty and the effects
of such relationship, but no instrument currently exist to this purpose.
We sought to create an Italian version of the MUIS (Mishel’s Uncertainty
in Illness Scale) dedicated to people undergoing conservative
rehabilitation for urinary incontinence. Method: a prospective
observational study enrolling all male and female adult patients
admitted to a nurse-led outpatient pelvic clinic for non-neurogenic
urinary incontinence, exluding puerpera. A scale named MUIS-PF (pelvic
floor) was created , based on previous versions of Mishel’s scale, and
administered during the first consultation and at the end of the
rehabilitation program. Internal consistency was assessed and an
exploratory factor analysis was conducted. Results: 109 patients
enrolled (54 M, 55 F) aged 64±5 years, medial initial leakage 245
grams/day, IQR[90;370]. Seventy-nine percent of the patients
obtained continence; there were no dropouts during the study. Internal
consistency of the MUIS-PF was high (93%) and structure analysis
yielded clear separation of the factors. Patients uncertainty decreased
significantly at the end of the program, compared to the first
consultation (p<0.001). Conclusions: The MUIS-PF is valid and
reliable. Utilising the correct approach the nurse could significantly
reduce the uncertainty of persons with incontinence during the process,
by listening, giving clear information and searching for the best
solution for their continence issues. Future studies could focus on
specific features of programs run by professionals other than nurses.
Changes in intestinal microbiota of Northern sheatfish ( Silurus soldatovi ) associated with concurrent infections of Aeromonas veronii and Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Qing Mao , Sun Jingfeng , Jing Tan , Han Zhuoran , Yi Wang , lv Aijun , Hu Xiucai , Jun Guo
Published: January 2024

In human beings and mammals, disorder of the intestinal microbiota was
closely with some metabolic and inflammatory diseases. To date, there
were few studies focusing on the relationship between intestinal
microbiota composition and disease occurrence in fish. Recently, an
acute infectious disease of northern sheatfish ( Silurus
soldatovi) emerged in a fish farm in Tianjin, China. Two dominant
bacterial strains named S1 and S2 were isolated from the diseased fish
and identified as Aeromonas veronii and Vibrio cholerae
respectively,  according to their physiological and biochemical
characteristics and genotype. Then, 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing
was conducted to compare the intestinal microbiota community of diseased
fish with that of healthy fish. The microbial
composition analysis showed that the dominant phylum in both diseased
and healthy fish were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Fusobacteria.
At genus level, the differences in bacterial community compositions
between diseased and healthy fish were mainly reflected by the changes
in the relative abundances of bacterium, Aeromonas, and
Vibrio. This was consist with the result of LEfSe analysis.
PICRUSt function prediction indicated that the changes in the function
of intestinal microbiota of diseased northern sheatfish were mainly
reflected by different enrichment of some KEGG pathways such as
“membrane transport”, “cellular processes and signaling”, “cell
motility”, “signal transduction”, “infectious diseases”,
“replication and repair”, “translation”, “nucleotide metabolism”,
“folding, sorting and degradation”, and “cell growth and death”. The
presented results indicated that the disease occurrence in the northern
sheatfish associated with the bacterial infection was closely related to
the changes in the composition and function of its intestinal
microbiota.
Use of inhaled corticosteroids on an intermittent or as-needed basis in pediatric asthma: a systematic review of the literature.
Authors: Rodriguez-Martinez Carlos , Sossa-Briceño Monica , Garcia-Marcos Luis
Published: January 2024

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to summarize the principal
findings of all available studies that have evaluated the use of ICS on
an intermittent or as-needed basis as an add-on therapy to short-acting
β2-agonists (SABAs) or fast-acting β2-agonists (FABAs), given alone or
in addition to daily controller therapy, in pediatric asthmatic
patients. Methods: Studies published by February 2021 that evaluate the
use of ICS on an intermittent or as-needed basis as an add-on therapy to
SABAs or FABAs given alone or in addition to daily controller therapy in
pediatric asthma were identified. The quality of the studies was
assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias and the AMSTAR 2 tools.
Results: Of 294 references identified, 14 studies were included. The use
of ICS on an intermittent or as-needed basis (as an add-on therapy to
SABAs) has been shown to be more effective than treatment with SABA
alone and to be similarly or less effective compared to regular daily
ICS administration. Furthermore, strategies involving increasing the
dose of ICS only when needed (as an add-on therapy to FABAs such as
formoterol) and keeping it low during stable stages of the disease have
been shown to be similarly or more effective than comparators.
Conclusion: The use of ICS on an intermittent or as-needed basis as an
add-on therapy to SABAs or FABAs, given alone or in addition to daily
controller therapy in pediatric asthmatic patients, is an effective and
well-tolerated treatment strategy.
Genotoxic and mutagenic evaluation of Ayahuasca in peripheral blood and bone marrow of Mus musculus.
Authors: Feitosa Patrícia , Viana Melquisedeque , Figueredo-Silva José , Ferreira Danniel , Oliveira Maria de , Oliveira André , Leite Lucas , Santos Mônica , Silva Maria , AMARAL Maurício do , AMARAL FABRÍCIO do
Published: January 2024

Ayahuasca (Santo Daime or Daime tea) is the Quechua name for a tea
obtained from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine (B. caapi)
with the leaves of the Psychotria viridis (P.viridis)
shrub. For generations, this beverage has been used in spiritual rituals
by indigenous communities in the Amazon. Its promising
neuropharmacological properties and its use as an alternative therapy in
medical procedures has generated discussions about its safety. In this
context, more experimental investigations must be encouraged so that the
scientific data generated can contribute to its more correct use. For
this work, we conducted an in vivo investigation of the possible
genotoxic and mutagenic effects of ayahuasca. We used peripheral blood
(COMET assay) and bone marrow (MN micronucleus test) from Mus
musculus after oral administration of the tea. The results did not
indicate genotoxic effects for the COM assay (tail length and percentage
of DNA) when compared to the negative control, nor mutagenic effects for
the MN test. Therefore, we found no evidence of genotoxicity or
mutagenicity that reinforces the discussion about the harmful effects of
this beverage.
Analysis of national surveillance of respiratory pathogen for children and adolescents' community acquired pneumonia
Authors: Roh Eui jeong , Lee Mi-Hee , Lee Jeeyoung , Kim Hyo Bin , Ahn Youngmin , Kim Ja kyoung , Kim Hyoung young , Kim Min ji , Kang Eun kyoung , Yang Eun-Ae , Lee Su Jin , Park Yang , Seo Juhee , Lee Eun , Yang En seok , Cho Hyoung min , Shin Mi yong , Chung Hae lee , Jang Yoon Young , Choi Bong Seok , Jung Jin A , You Seung taek , Sung Myong Soon , Kim Jintaek , Kim Bong-Seong , Whang Yoon ha , Shim Jung Yeon , Yang Hyeon Jong , Han Man Yong , Yew Hae young , Kim Dong hyuk , Jeong Sangun , Whang Kyujam , Chung Eun hee
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Respiratory infection in particular community acquired
pneumonia (CAP) in children is a major disease that ranks high in
outpatient and inpatient cases. The causes of CAP vary depending on the
individual susceptibility, epidemiological characteristics of the
community, and season. We performed this study to establish nationwide
survillance network system and identify the causative agents for CAP and
antibiotics resistance in Korean children with CAP.. Methods: The
monitoring network was composed of the 28 secondary and tertiary medical
institutions. Upper and lower respiratory samples were assayed using
culture or Polymerase chaini reaction (PCR) from Aug 2018 to May 2020.
Results: A total of 1023 cases were registered in patients with CAP, and
264 cases (25.8%) were isolated by culture, S. aureus 131 cases
(12.8%), S. pneumoniae 92 cases (9%), H. influenzae 20 cases (2%).
PCR of atypical pneumonia pathogen revealed 422 cases of M. pneumoniae
(41.3%). Respiratory virus showed positive rates in 65.7% by multiplex
PCR test and of them, human rhinovirus was most highest with 312 cases
(30.5%). The proportion of mixed infection was 49.2%. The rate of
antibiotics resistance showed similar results as previous reports.
Conclusion: It will identify the pathogens that cause respiratory
infections, and analyze the current status of antibiotic resistance to
provide scientific evidence for management policies of domestic
respiratory infection. Also, in preparation for the new epidemic,
including COVID19, monitoring of respiratory infections in children and
adolescents, has become more important, and research should be
continuously conducted in the future.
Availability of personal protective equipment among healthcare workers in Jordan during the COVID-19 pandemic: A web based survey
Authors: NEMAT ARASH , Raufi Nahid , kheirallah khalid , Zein Eva Inam Al , Mubarak Mohammad Yousuf
Published: January 2024

Aim of the study: The inception of the COVID-19 has put healthcare
workers (HCWs) in a precarious situation across the world. Despite the
challenges in Jordan, the high awareness and preparedness of HCWs made
it feasible for the country to control the contagious virus. COVID-19
has created a critical situation in the health sector for many countries
in the world. Healthcare workers (HCWs) include physicians, dentists,
nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians etc.; have provided the
front-line healthcare services facing challenges. The study aimed to
provide a useful insight into availability of Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) among HCWs in Jordan, which could help the
policy/decision makers of public health to design better programs based
on the information reported. Method: This cross-sectional online survey
was conducted during July 2020 for the evaluation of the availability of
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among HCWs in Jordan. Result: A
total of 751 HCWs responded from different parts of the country, who
were actively working at different hospitals in Jordan. Most of the
participants (94%) had sufficient knowledge about COVID-19, and more
than two-thirds of participants (68%) reported that Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) were provided by Jordan ministry of health. The majority
(91%) of participants reported availability of medical face masks,
while only 26% reported having facial protective shields. Conclusion:
The study highlighted sufficient availability of personal protective
equipment (PPE) which could prevent exposure of the front-line health
workers from the high dose of virus as well as the best management of
Jordanian HCWs during COVID-19 pandemic. It is obvious that availability
and proper donning and doffing of the PPE is important for the safety of
the HCWs specifically in the pandemic settings. Keywords: Jordan,
COVID-19, healthcare workers, personal protective equipment
The synthesis of vanillin-chitosan Schiff base chelating zinc complex and its application in vitro sustained release
Authors: Huang Chaoqiang , Liao Haiyan , Liu Xuhong , Liao Songyi , Gong Sheng , Yang Fujie , shu xugang , zhou xinhua
Published: January 2024

Zinc is an essential element for animals, while zinc salt cannot be
absorbed effectively. In this work, a sustained release
vanillin-chitosan Schiff base (VCSB) zinc complex additives (VCSB-Zn2+)
was prepared and a new in vitro sustained release system suited for this
complex was effectively constructed. The structure of VCSB and VCSB-Zn2+
were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, TGA, XPS and SEM. VCSB exhibited a
more rapid End-point and higher capacity of chelating Zn2+ than
chitosan, and it was also closely related to the content of -C=N.
Furthermore, VCSB-Zn2+ showed excellent sustained release ability at
simulated gastric fluid (SGF) because of the acid slow-dissolving
ability. And the L-cysteine at simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) absorbed
Zn2+. Additionally, the sustained release curves followed first-order
and Korsmeyer-Peppas models, which described Zn2+ sustained release
cause by the dissolution of VCSB-Zn2+ and Fick diffusion. Therefore,
VCSB-Zn2+ is facilitating the application and promotion of zinc
additives.
Cracking the code: An evidence-based approach to teaching Python in an undergraduate earth science setting
Authors: Campbell Ethan C. , Christensen Katy M. , Nuwer Mikelle , Ahuja Amrita , Boram Owen , Miller Reese , Liu Junzhe , Osuna Isabelle , Riser Stephen C.
Published: January 2024

Scientific programming has become increasingly essential for
manipulating, visualizing, and interpreting the large volumes of data
acquired in earth science research. Yet few discipline-specific
instructional approaches have been documented and assessed for their
effectiveness in equipping geoscience undergraduate students with coding
skills. Here we report on an evidence-based redesign of an introductory
Python programming course, taught fully remotely in 2020 in the School
of Oceanography at the University of Washington. Key components included
a flipped structure, synchronous activities infused with active
learning, an individualized final research project, and a focus on
creating an accessible learning environment. Cloud-based notebooks were
used to teach fundamental Python syntax as well as functions from
packages widely used in climate-related disciplines. By analyzing
quantitative and qualitative data from surveys, online learning
platforms, student work, assessments, and a focus group, we conclude
that the instructional design facilitated learning and supported
self-guided scientific inquiry. Students with less or no prior exposure
to coding achieved similar success to peers with more previous
experience, an outcome likely mediated by higher engagement with course
resources. We believe that the constructivist approach to teaching
introductory programming and data literacy that we present could be
broadly applicable across the earth sciences and in other scientific
domains.
COVID-19 response survey study on health personnel in Jeju Special Self-governing Province
Authors: Kang Nam-Hun , Bae Jong-Myon
Published: January 2024

The purpose of this study is to determine the issues of supplementation and improvement to prepare for the outbreak of new infectious diseases such as new variants of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to guide work for a strategic new response to infectious disease. Public officials of Jeju Special Self-governing Province and health personnel responding to COVID-19, working at six public health centers in Jeju-do region were administered a survey about additional preparations to be made in the future, based on the period when COVID-19 was treated legally as a first-class infectious disease. Frequency analysis was conducted on the collected data. The Likert 5-point scale and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the scores for effective response to emerging infectious diseases according to demographics. Among the important factors identified for effective response to new infectious diseases, ‘facilitation of cooperation with public institutions’ and ‘facilitation of cooperation with private institutions’ had the highest scores. In the future, when a patient presents with a new infectious disease, the step that needs to be supplemented in each phase of the public health center’s response is ‘immediate response team operation’. Further, public health centers responded that ‘expansion of dedicated personnel related to infectious diseases’ needs to be improved to respond to new infectious diseases. Along with the results of this study, considering the difficulties experienced by health personnel responding to new infectious diseases in preparation for future outbreaks of new infectious diseases, and to respond effectively, detailed and clear guidelines for responding to quarantine of patients of new infectious diseases will be needed.
Impact of different zinc concentrations on growth, yield, fruit quality, and nutrient acquisition traits of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) grown under salinity stress
Authors: Rabbi Rakibul , Aktar Nayema , Mahamud Asif , Paul Newton , Halder Dipok , Imran Shahin
Published: January 2024

Salinity stress affects plant growth, development, nutrient uptake, and yield. Applications of micronutrients, specifically zinc (Zn), can mitigate the harmful consequences of salt stress. During the winter season of 2022, an experiment was conducted in the net house of BINA substation Satkhira, Bangladesh, to examine the impact of different Zn concentrations (5 and 10 kg ha-1) on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) growth, yield, fruit quality, and nutrient acquisition abilities under different salt stress (SS) conditions (SS0.5%, SS1.0%, and SS1.5% NaCl). The result of the study showed that different stress conditions lowered the plant height, the number of branches per plant, flower clusters, and fruits per plant, plant yield, vitamin C, protein and lycopene contents, and the acquisition of different nutrients, i.e., nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe). The application of 10 kg Zn ha-1 (Zn10) increased all previously mentioned parameters in both saline and usual conditions. On the other hand, a decrease in the amount of Na in fruit was observed when Zn application was increased from 5 to 10 kg ha-1. Plant Na/K ratios were consequently lowest at the highest Zn concentration. Therefore, the findings indicate that Zn application improves tomato growth, yield, fruit quality, and nutrient acquisition traits by mitigating the negative impacts of saline environments.
Parameter Extraction of Photovoltaic Models by Honey Badger algorithm and Wild Horse Optimizer
Authors: KOÇ Kezban , DEMİRTAŞ Mehmet , ÇETİNBAŞ İpek
Published: January 2024

Analyzing the processes ranging from the determination of the installation configuration of the photovoltaic (PV) systems to the operation at the maximum power, from the technical and economic feasibility study to the positive contribution to the region where the production is planned are just possible with the accurate and efficient simulation models of the PV systems. PV parameter extraction, which is a topic frequently discussed recently, is crucial for the detailed modeling of PV cells and modules and simulating the behavior of these systems. For this reason, the current study examined PV parameter extraction and solved this optimization problem with the honey badger algorithm (HBA) and wild horse optimizer (WHO). PV cells and modules were modeled with the single diode model (SDM) and double diode model (DDM) and tested with actual measurement data. The root-mean-square error (RMSE) was chosen as the objective function, and the results were compared with the evaluation metrics for computational accuracy and time. Based on four PV model results, RMSE values were calculated between 9.9318E-04 to 1.7011E-03 for HBA and between 9.8602E-04 and 1.7298E-03 for WHO. As a result, even though both algorithms produce successful, stable, and fast results in PV parameter extraction, the WHO yielded better results.
Ressurs og mangel: Barnehagelærarars oppfatningar av det komplekse språkarbeidet i den fleirspråklege barnehagen
Authors: Høyland Randi , Hofslundsengen Hilde Christine
Published: January 2024

Denne studien undersøkjer barnehagelærarars forteljingar om språkarbeid med fleirspråklege barn i barnehagen. Målet med studien var å få innsikt i barnehagelærars oppfatningar som dei byggjer praksisen med fleirspråklege barn i barnehagen på. Fire fokusgruppeintervju med totalt 20 barnehagelærarar blei gjennomførte. Den narrative analysen identifiserte fire sentrale tolkingsrepertoar for barnehagelæraranes oppfatningar av fleirspråkleg praksis: det ressursprega, det kompensatoriske, det monospråklege og det profesjonelle avmaktsrepertoaret. Tolkingsrepertoara kom til syne i alle fire intervjua, og dette tyder på eit mønster i oppfatningane. Tolkingsrepertoara var ikkje gjensidig utelukkande, til dømes kunne barnehagelærar både gi uttrykk for å oppfatte fleirspråklegheit som ressurs og samtidig kjenne avmakt i si eiga rolle. Likeins blei norskspråkleg utvikling trekt fram som målsetting for barnehagens språkarbeid samtidig som deltakarane fortalde om spontane transspråkingsaktivitetar. Dette tyder på ein variert og kompleks språkpraksis bygd på både formell og erfaringsbasert kompetanse og personlege oppfatningar. Funna gir innblikk i korleis barnehagelærarar forstår sin eigen og barnas posisjon i ein fleirspråkleg barnehagekontekst og har implikasjonar for utvikling av ein ressursbasert fleirspråkleg pedagogisk praksis. 
ENGLISH ABSTRACT
Resource and Deficiency: Teachers’ Views on Complex Multilingual Practices in Early Childhood Education and Care
This study explores teachers’ experiences of multilingual practices in early childhood education and care (ECEC). The purpose was to gain insight into the underlying assumptions that shape ECEC teachers’ multilingual practices. Data were collected through four focus group interviews with 20 teachers. The analysis of the ECEC teachers’ narratives identified four emerging interpretative repertoires: resource-based, compensatory, monolingual, and feelings of professional powerlessness. All four interpretative repertoires appeared in all the interviews, which suggests a pattern of views. The interpretative repertoires were not mutually exclusive. One participant could, for instance, explicitly view multilingualism as a resource while simultaneously expressing feelings of powerlessness regarding how to practice multilingual didactics. Similarly, monolingual Norwegian development was identified as the objective of planned  activities while teachers described spontaneous translingual activities. These findings indicate varied and complex linguistic practices built on formal and experience-based competencies and personal beliefs and provide insight into ECEC teachers’ understandings of their own and the children’s positions within a complex multilingual ECEC context. The results have implications for further research- based development of multilingual practices.
Navigating between traditional and innovative music teaching: Analyzing practicum conversations through practice architecture theory
Authors: Bjørnevoll Silje
Published: January 2024

There is limited research on the practicum component of music teacher education in Scandinavia. I address this gap by investigating practicum conversations preservice music teachers (PMTs) engage in during their practice-based placements in Norwegian primary and lower secondary schools. Through an analytical lens based on practice architecture theory, I illuminate how differing discourses, expectations, and relationship patterns among PMTs and teacher educators (functioning as mentors) influence the selection of certain music activities. The main findings indicate how differing discourses and expectations led to continuous negotiations about which repertoire and content to choose. At the same time, musical interaction and engagement in spaces of “shared” knowledge between PMTs and mentors served as alternative ways to select activities in practicum conversations. Based on the findings, I emphasize the importance of providing more spaces for PMTs’ voices and resources to renew and change the content and repertoire of the music subject in schools.
The mediating role of the left ventricular mass index on the relationship between the fluid balance and left ventricular diastolic function in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Han Byoung-Geun , Lee Jun Young , Kim Jae-Seok , Yang Jae-Won , Park Sang Wook
Published: January 2024

Background: The pathophysiological mechanism of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is complicated. Mediation analysis is an important statistical tool for gaining insight into the complex mechanisms of exposure-outcome effects. We investigated the potential mediating role of the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) on the association between fluid balance (overhydration/extracellular water, OH/ECW) and left ventricular diastolic function (E/e´ ratio) in patients with CKD not yet on dialysis.Methods: Bioimpedance spectroscopy, echocardiography, and laboratory evaluations were performed on 425 consecutive patients on the same day. The patients were classified into two groups according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate corresponding to CKD stages 3 and 5. Mediation analysis was performed using the PROCESS macro and bootstrapping methods.Results: OH/ECW and LVMI were positively correlated with the E/e´ ratio in both the CKD stages 3 and five groups. In CKD stage 5, there was a statistically significant association between OH/ECW and LVMI, whereas no correlation was observed in CKD stage 3. In the mediation analysis, LVMI positively mediated the relationship between OH/ECW and E/e´ ratio when controlling for confounders in patients with CKD stage 5 (B = 2.602; Boot 95% confidence interval, 1.313–4.076).Conclusion: In our analysis, the indirect effect of mediators was significant in patients with advanced CKD. Therefore, our study suggests that further research on several other risk factors may be needed to determine the underlying mechanisms of association between the associated factors in all CKD stages.
Dragonfly (Odonata) Species Diversity in the Sigolo-Golo Tourism Area, Jombang, East Java
Authors: Zumar Muhammad Rifqi , Romzalis Ahmad Alfin , Wibisana Oki Rahmatirta , Susanto Muhamad Azmi Dwi
Published: January 2024

The sigolo-golo area is a tourist area with waterfalls and rivers. It is located in a secondary forest far enough from settlements, so it has the potential to be a habitat for dragonfly diversity. This study aims to analyze the composition and diversity of dragonflies in the Sigolo-golo tourist area. Data collection was carried out using the Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method. The results of research conducted in three locations showed that there were 12 species from five families, namely Libellulidae, Euphaeidae, Calopterygidae, Chlorocyphidae, and Platicnemididae, with a total of 319 individuals. The species with the highest relative abundance value in this study was Pantala flavescens with a value of 77.40%. The value of species diversity at this location is H' = 0.984, which indicates that the diversity index value is low.ABSTRAK: Kawasan Sigolo-golo merupakan area wisata dengan terdapat air terjun dan sungai, yang terletak di dalam hutan sekunder yang cukup jauh dari pemukiman, sehingga berpotensi sebagai habitat bagi keanekaragaman capung. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis komposisi, dan keanekaragaman capung di kawasan wisata Sigolo-golo. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode Visual Encounter Survey (VES). Hasil penelitian yang dilakukan di tiga lokasi menunjukkan bahwa terdapat 12 spesies dari lima famili, yaitu Libellulidae, Euphaeidae, Calopterygidae, Chlorocyphidae, Platicnemididae dengan total 319 individu. Nilai kelimpahan relatif yang tinggi pada penelitian ini yaitu Pantala flavescens dengan nilai sebesar 77.40%. Nilai keanekaragaman jenis pada lokasi ini adalah H' = 0.984, yang menunjukkan bahwa nilai indeks keanekaragaman tergolong rendah.
USING PODCAST CONTENT FOR ONLINE DEBATE TO HONE SPEAKING ABILITIES
Authors: Suseno Edy
Published: January 2024

Many EFL students find it difficult to participate in debates. They find it challenging to speak clearly due to their pronunciation and vocabulary challenges. Ten freshmen participated in the therapy to fix it. They are pupils in the English education program. In advance, the instructor created a WhatsApp group to use as a teaching resource. To begin the class, the instructor distributed URLs. Podcasting is the center of attention. The podcast's monologue and conversation are chosen by the teacher to present to the class. The pupils read the transcript while also hearing the voice. They go to their electronic dictionary to comprehend the information.  After finishing it, each student was requested to share his thoughts and experiences with the class regarding the subject matter. After the speaker finished speaking, the crowd asked questions that the speaker would respond to.  The teacher then provided feedback when the question-and-answer session was finished. To determine the results, all the data gathered during the treatment was quantitatively examined. It is claimed that the podcast lesson materials help students become more proficient public speakers. These kinds of discoveries can be used by educators to teach the relevant disciplines. It motivates other researchers to carry out relevant research.
INVESTIGATING EFL STUDENTS’ SATISFACTION AND EXPECTATION IN VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
Authors: Yasa I Gede Bayu Kartika , Santosa Made Hery , Kusuma I Putu Indra
Published: January 2024

Online learning became a learning adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the post-pandemic era, learning still implements online learning in blended learning. The satisfaction and expectation terms were used to measure the effectiveness of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for a practical blended learning experience. This study aims to investigate EFL junior high school students’ satisfaction with online learning and delve into the students’ expectations of blended learning in the post-pandemic era. An explanatory sequential mixed method design was conducted through an online survey of 151 eighth-grade students and interviews with ten students among the survey respondents comprising five in each high and low satisfaction category. The study collected the data through a purposive sampling technique analyzed using descriptive analysis for the quantitative data and thematic analysis for the qualitative data. The result explained that most students were satisfied with online learning: instructor pedagogical skills, interaction, technology, and learning resources factor. Furthermore, for blended learning, the students expect to keep blended learning and be able to use technology used in online learning, such as a smartphone. These results help the EFL teacher to raise students’ satisfaction with online and blended learning at the junior high school level.
Ószövetségi teológia és ókori vallástörténet. A 11. zsoltár
Authors: KARASSZON István
Published: January 2024

Old Testament Theology and the Religion of the Ancient Near East
The study discusses how mythical elements of the Ancient Near East have entered Old Testament theology and how they are placed within the statements of Old Testament faith. As an example, Psalm 11 is tackled with which originally was explained by exegetes as an individual lament. It turns out that the pivotal term, God’s throne, originated in the mythology of the Ancient Near East, but in its actual place it represents the presence of the God of Israel amongst His people.
A logoterápia és az emberi életérték „mégis” öröme. Avagy boldoggá tehet-e az életértelem?
Authors: VIK János
Published: January 2024

Logotherapy and the „Defiant” Joy of Human Life-Value. Or Can the Meaning of Life Make You Happy?
The starting point for this paper is the anthropology of Viktor E. Frankl, which, in addition to the physical and psychological dimensions, also considers the third one, the spiritual dimension of human being. Frankl believes that the most important motivation of man is to be found in his constant search for the meaning of life. In this context, the research question posed in this paper is: can finding concrete answers to the question of the meaning of life make man happy? In the first part of the paper, the concepts of “pleasure”, “joy”, and “happiness” are distinguished in the light of Frankl’s writings. In the second section, and in the light of the initial question posed, we come to the realization that the most important characteristic of people who have emerged unscathed from the most adverse circumstances is a kind of individualism and a strong sense of purpose, which, unlike narcissism and egocentrism of any kind, can forget itself. These are the people who have found joy in situations that ordinary people would have found unbearable.
A befogadó közösség, avagy lelkigondozás másként? – Kiselőadás
Authors: BERSZÁN Lídia
Published: January 2024

Receptive Community or a Different Kind of Pastoral Care? – Workshop
Inclusive attitude can be learned and taught at the same time. We are provided with plenty of chances to acquire it personally, as individuals, particularly in the context of the natural encounters and relationships born out of the everyday realities of our lives. However, it can be learnt as a community as well – how to become a home to those who are “special” in a certain way. As a pastoral care worker, too, taking those internal and external steps leading from compassion to participation is a key learning task of acceptance and inclusion.
Horft um öxl
Authors: Ólafsson Waage Ingimar
Published: January 2024

Í þessari grein, sem er persónuleg frásögn, segir frá starfendarannsókn sem höfundur framkvæmdi með það fyrir augum að öðlast betri skilning á eigin vegferð á löngum ferli í starfi sem listamaður, kennari og rannsakandi. Fræðilegur grunnur rannsóknarinnar byggist á hugmyndum Maxine Greene um siðferðislegt gildi kennarastarfsins ásamt mikilvægi þess að kennarar séu meðvitaðir um margbrotið hlutverk sitt og mæti áskorunum með skýr áform og vilja að leiðarljósi. Til þess að svo megi verða þarf einstaklingurinn að leita leiðsagnar dygðanna, einkum og sér í lagi þeirrar yfirdygðar sem Aristóteles nefndi hyggindi. Gagna var m.a. aflað með skrifum í rannsóknardagbók þar sem örsögur, minningar og afturblik léku lykilhlutverk auk viðtals við rannsóknarvin. Í niðurstöðukaflanum setur höfundur þroskaferli sitt í röklegt samhengi og greinir þróun sjálfsmyndar frá listamanni, yfir í kennara og síðar rannsakanda. Þroskaferlið leiðir höfundinn loks á upphafsreit þar sem hann lýsir því að hvernig listamaðurinn er aftur sestur undir stýrið á ferðalaginu og hefur boðið kennaranum og rannsakandanum far í von um að þeir hjálpi til í ferðinni. Niðurstöður benda til mikilvægis þess að kennarar horfi inn á við jafnframt því sem þeir sinna margbrotnum störfum sínum og gæti þess að ígrunda eigið starf af kostgæfni, íhygli og ekki síður að þeir leiti leiða til að eiga í gjöfulum samræðum við aðra kennara og rannsakendur um störf sín og áskoranir.
Convergence of EU countries according to economic complexity
Authors: Maličká Lenka
Published: January 2024

The economic complexity approach presents a shift from quantitative to qualitative measures of economic performance, while economic complexity refers to the accumulation of know-how. Economic complexity is considered a predictor of economic growth and research evidences a positive relationship between economic complexity and economic growth. In the EU countries, economic convergence is observed. Hence the question of economic complexity convergence arises, too. The paper aims to analyze the convergence of 27 EU countries considering their economic complexity from 1999 to 2021 computing the beta convergence. Using the Barro-type regressions, the econometric estimations focus on four indices of economic complexity—the economic complexity index published by Harvard’s Growth Lab, and economic complexity indices on research, trade, and technology published by the Observatory of Economic Complexity. The absolute beta convergence is observed in the EU except for the economic complexity index referring to trade. When including the dummy referring to the location of EU countries in the West or East of the EU considering their wealth, the conditional beta convergence is observed except for the trade-economic complexity index, again. When altering the condition of location by the GDP per capita and other controls, the conditional beta convergence of economic complexity in the EU is observed when estimating both fixed-effect models and dynamic panel data models based on the system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator.
Do Psychopathic Traits, Sexual Victimisation Experiences and Emotional Intelligence Predict Attitudes Towards Rape? Examining the Psychosocial correlates of Rape Myth Beliefs among a cross-sectional community sample
Authors: Ioannides Alexander , Willmott Dominic
Published: January 2024

Vast research has sought to better understand the origins and development of rape myth beliefs given the problematic influence of such misconceptions throughout global societies and criminal justice pathways. The current research aims to build on this body of literature by examining the contribution that psychopathic personality traits (affective responsiveness, cognitive responsiveness, interpersonal manipulation, egocentricity) and emotional intelligence may have upon rape myth beliefs. Furthermore, this study will investigate the extent to which sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, education), and prior experience of sexual victimisation, contribute to variance in rape myth acceptance scores. In total 251 participants (M Age = 31.66) completed an online, self-report questionnaire which included contemporary measures of psychopathy and rape myth acceptance, never previously tested in combination. Results of a hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicate that egocentricity, age, and gender were significantly associated with rape myth beliefs. Emotional intelligence, as well as affective and interpersonal traits of psychopathy, were not directly related with rape mythology. Findings are interpreted alongside previous research, where we suggest there is an urgent need for larger, nationally representative samples, systematically recruited from the general population to help clarify uncertainty in existing literature emerging from small-scale opportunistic datasets.
Biodiversity conservation under green extractivism and armed neoliberalism in Colombia
Authors: Feeney Jane Kathryn
Published: January 2024

In the context of the global climate and ecological crisis, increasing pressure on governments and the private sector to act, combined with inertia and resistance to transformative change, has led to a new form of extractivism. Green extractivism refers to actions or activities that are promoted as environmentally sustainable but that rely on or facilitate the unsustainable extraction of natural resources. Conservation tools such as environmental offsets are embraced by governments and the private sector as a solution to address the contradictions between economic development and environmental conservation. How do such conservation measures play out in places afflicted by a history of armed conflict? Examining the evolution of environmental compensation policy in Colombia and a case study of the Hidrosogamoso dam, this article explores multiple manifestations of green extractivism intertwined with armed neoliberalism. These include the creation of biodiversity and carbon sacrifice zones that facilitate the concentration of land and the capture of natural assets; the promotion of green narratives that distract from the extensive social and ecological impacts; and the use of violent tactics to quieten dissent from local communities and environmental defenders.
Dimensions of Visitor Satisfaction at Attractions: A Study of Kakum National Park, Ghana
Authors: Tengan Cornelius , Maayir Gordon , Sakyi Richmond , Kuusogre Augustine
Published: January 2024

Attractions are crucial in contributing to the overall satisfaction of visitors in tourism, and ensuring the satisfaction of visitors is key to the sustenance of attractions at destinations. Therefore, this study sought to ascertain the extent to which visitors are satisfied with the service dimensions at Kakum National Park (KNP), and to ascertain whether service dimensions vary with visitors’ socio-demographic characteristics. The study adopted a cross-sectional field survey and sampled 367 respondents for data collection using a questionnaire. Data were analysed via the mean scores and standard deviation. Independent t-tests and ANOVA were used to explore the difference between dimensions of satisfaction and socio-demographic characteristics of visitors. The study found that some satisfaction dimensions at the KNP in the Central region of Ghana vary with certain socio-demographic characteristics of visitors, namely age, continent of origin and level of education, at p-value ≤ 0.05. Visitors were found to be satisfied with all measured dimensions except the price. The study therefore recommends that the management of the attractions adopt conscious service strategies to enrich the experience of visitors in order to ensure better value for their money. This study’s findings expand knowledge about visitor satisfaction and how satisfaction dimensions vary with socio-demographic characteristics at destinations.
Sentiment analysis of reviews on cappadocia: The land of beautiful horses in the eyes of tourists
Authors: Barış-Tüzemen Özge , Tüzemen Samet , Çelik Ali Kemal
Published: January 2024

The Cappadocia region is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey, and its tourism sector has a significant share in the Turkish economy. In this study, we scraped TripAdvisor reviews of visitors of the Cappadocia region with the Python programming language and used them to analyse public sentiment using various supervised machine learning algorithms. The main purpose of the study is to help create competitive intelligence on both regional and global scales using social media data. For this, we applied Random Forest, Naïve Bayes, and Support Vector Machine methods to classify 4,770 reviews and get insights about the visitors’ perspectives. Results show that the majority of the tourists (90%) had a positive experience during their visit. Most of the complaints focused on the attitudes of staff members. In addition, all three supervised machine learning methods achieved high accuracy in their classification of the reviews. This study is significant in terms of providing a meaningful database for understanding visitor comments, the most important data for the development of tourism in the region, through state-of-the-art machine learning methods, and to direct improvements accordingly.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel behavior: A case study of domestic inbound travelers in Turkey
Authors: Sariişik Mehmet , Ceylan Veli , Kapucuoğlu Mustafa İnanç
Published: January 2024

The main aim of this study is to examine post-pandemic travel intentions and the factors affecting domestic tourism in Turkey. For this purpose, a scale adapted to the field of tourism, based on Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour, was used to collect the data forming the basis of the research. A total of 611 valid questionnaires were collected through the popular social media platform LinkedIn, with the questionnaire prepared between January 10 and April 29, 2022. SmartPLS 3 and SPSS were used for analysis. The resulting data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). It was determined that the variables of Attitude, Subjective Norm, and Perceived Behavioural Control had a significant effect on post-pandemic travel intention. It was determined that domestic tourism participants intend to travel, but have a desire to do preliminary research on pandemic controls in the city they plan to visit.