bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Work- Family Conflict and Absenteeism in Selected Hotels in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Okolie Ugo Chuks , Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho Victory
Published: September 2022

This study determined the effect of work-family conflict on workers absenteeism in selected hotels in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional research design and convenience sampling technique were adopted. A questionnaire was employed as the research instrument for this study with 73 respondents deemed usable. Spillover theory was employed as the theoretical framework to guide the study. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the study revealed that work-family conflict and burnout have positive significant influence on workers’ absenteeism, while work-family balance has no significant effect on workers’ absenteeism in selected hotels in Abraka, Delta State. Thus, the study recommends among others that managers of hotels in Abraka should develop and implement, family-friendly policies such as flexi-time, compressed work week and dependent care assistance in order to eliminate or reduced both involuntary and voluntary absenteeism among the workers.
Balance Scorecard As a Tools For Measuring The Performance of Government Institutions : A Literature Review
Authors: Abdullah Sulthan Yusuf , Susilawati Illa , Alfathimi Nadi Azkia Ali , Widyaningsih Aristanti , Andriana Denny
Published: September 2022

Balanced Scorecard (BSC) was introduced in the United States in the early 1990s and is used as a performance measure in future organizations and as a measurement tool in all institutions. This study aims to explain how the implementation of the balanced scorecard in government agencies in Indonesia in assessing its contribution to the accountability of their performance. This study uses the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method by reviewing and reviewing several journal articles within a period of 5 years starting from 2017 to 2021. The results of this study indicate that the application of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) in government institutions in Indonesia is used as a tool to measure performance and as information for improving employee performance has been successfully applied in all government sectors. The limitations of this study are the supporting references for research are still inadequate and the theories used have not been updated. This research is expected to add and update insights about the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) in government institutions.
Integrating Behavior and Technology-based Quality Management System to Improve Raw Milk Quality Collected by Bandung Dairy Cooperative
Authors: Nurhutami Meita Annisa , Wibisono Dermawan
Published: September 2022

Abstract. Milk quality is represented by Total Plate Count (TPC) value, the indicator of microbial contamination number in milk after production. The standard value is determined and set by the Codex and SNI 3141:1:2011 standards. The higher the TPC value, the lower the quality of the raw milk. This value determines the category of milk quality which impacts the payment scheme and the quantity of milk supplied to the Milk Processing Industry. As a consequence, farmers who collected lower quality milk received unfavorable financial outcomes.The aim of the research was to eliminate defects in milk quality by focusing on the quality control in the production system using Six Sigma approach. The Defects per Million Opportunity (DPMO) calculation was used to measure the quality of product in every one million opportunities. In this study, the DPMO showed 155,854 defects in every one million milk bulk collection held in 5 TPK. Two factors which decreased milk quality were the contamination in the milking process and in the milk collection process.To overcome the issue, technology and behavioral-based quality management systems are integrated to control the milk production and collection effectively and efficiently. Digital milk collection point is proposed to avoid contamination during milk collection through digitalization of data recording, milk test performed to individual samples, and access to test results. The digitalization can decrease the required time of milk collection and testing process. To raise the awareness of farmers towards quality and good farming practice, barn inspection is implemented using farming procedure infographics, Good Farming Practice training, and farmer certification.Keyword. quality management system; dairy industry; digital milk collection; technology; behavior
Biomarkers approach in the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis: A review
Authors:   University of Gothenburg, Irani-Shemirani Mahnaz
Published: September 2022

Introduction Sepsis is a systematic host response to infection accompanied by suppression of immune system and organ failure. Rapid diagnosis of sepsis has prompted researchers to use circulating biomarkers for diagnosis sepsis. Method The PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were searched from 2010 until 2020 using the keyorganis “sepsis”, “biomarker”, “pathophysiology”, “pathogenesis”, and “diagnose” with restriction by language to English. For each individual biomarker the databases were searched again by the biomarker name. Results Although CRP and Procalcitonin are the most common biomarkers in the diagnosis of sepsis, other biomarkers such as pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, monocyte and lymphocyte biomarkers, antibody and nucleic acid biomarkers may help in diagnosis of sepsis. Conclusion The biomarkers verified capability in disease progress, prognosis of disorder, risk stratification, and treatment effect rather than diagnosis at early stage of sepsis. Defining molecular properties in septic patients opens up new means to diagnose and manage sepsis in a shorter time compared to conventional methods currently used at hospitals however further clinical evaluation of biomarkers should be performed. Keywords. Sepsis. Biomarkers. Prognosis. Diagnosis
Putting Health at the Heart of Local Planning Through an Integrated Municipal Health Strategy
Authors: Freitas Angela , Santana Paula
Published: September 2022

As a cross-sectoral issue, the promotion of health needs to be addressed across all policies. In Portugal, as more competencies are being transferred to local governments, the integration of health considerations into municipal plans remains a challenge and guidance on how to develop an integrated municipal health strategy is absent. The aim of this study is to describe the conceptual and methodological approach that informed the development of an integrated and multisectoral municipal health strategy in the City of Coimbra. Its design followed a population health approach with a geographic lens, looking at how the population’s health outcomes and health determinants were geographically distributed across the municipality, as well as the extent to which policies from multiple sectors can address them. The planning cycle followed an iterative workflow of five actions: assessing, prioritizing, planning, implementing, and monitoring. Following a participatory planning approach, several participatory processes were conducted involving local stakeholders and citizens (e.g., population-based surveys, workshops, Delphi, collaborative sessions) to identify problems, establish priorities, and define measures and actions. The strategic framework for action integrates 94 actions across multisectoral domains of municipal intervention: sustainable mobility and public places, safe and adequate housing, accessible healthcare, social cohesion and participation, education and health literacy, and intersectoral and collaborative leadership. Findings shed light on important aspects that can inform other municipal strategies, such as the adoption of a place-based approach, focused on geographic inequalities, health determinants and stakeholder participation, and the application of a health in all policies framework.
Covid 19 Pandemisi ve Deliryum
Authors: BİRİCİK Ebru , GÜNEŞ Yasemin
Published: September 2022

Covid 19 pandemisi ciddi akut solunum ve organ yetmezlikleri ile seyreden mortalite ile sonuçlanabilen bir salgın olarak tarihe geçmektedir. Covid 19 enfeksiyonuna yakalanan bu hastalarda ciddi bir izolasyonun yanı sıra medikal tedavi de uygulanması hatta mekanik ventilatör ihtiyacı da doğmaktadır. Hastalar Covid 19 enfeksiyonunun santral sinir sistemine yapmış olduğu etkilerden dolayı da deliryum tablosuna girebilmektedir. Deliryumun önlenmesi ve tedavisi hem ortamın hasta açısından düzenlenmesi hem de medikal tedavinin uygulanması ile sağlanabilir. Bu hastalarda oluşan deliryuma yaklaşım multidisipliner olmalı ve öncelik deliryumun önlenmesi amaçlanmalıdır. Çünkü gelişen deliryum ile hastanede kalış süresi, sekonder enfeksiyonlar ve mortalite artabilmektedir. Bu derlemenin amacı Covid 19 salgını ile deliryumun önlenmesi ve yönetimini yorumlamaktır.
Dünya Tıp Birliği Helsinki Bildirgesi: Türk Mevzuatı Çerçevesinde Bir Değerlendirme
Authors: ERGÜN Yusuf
Published: September 2022

Klinik araştırmalar dâhil insanlar veya insanlardan elde edilen veriler veya materyaller kullanılarak yapılan tıbbi araştırmalarla ilişkili gerek uluslararası gerekse ulusal mevzuatta birçok belge bulunmaktadır. Düzenleme makamlarındaki görevliler, etik kurul üyeleri ve araştırmacılar bu düzenlemelere paralel olarak çalışmak, karar almak ve tıbbi araştırma yapmak durumundadır. Tüm bunlar içerisinde şemsiye düzenleme olarak adlandırılabilecek olan Helsinki Bildirgesi başta araştırmacılar olmak üzere tüm taraflar tarafından okunmalı ve felsefesi tam olarak kavranmalıdır. Bu derlemede Helsinki Bildirgesi Türkiye mevzuatındaki karşılıkları ortaya konularak okuyucuya sunulacaktır.
Βeta 3 Adrenoseptörlerin Hikayesi ve Etkileri
Authors: PEKMEZEKMEK Ayper
Published: September 2022

Sempatik sinirlerin insan vücudunda çeşitli etkilere yol açtığı 19.yüzyıldan itibaren bilinmektedir. Birden fazla adrenerjik reseptör olduğu Ahlquist tarafından ilk olarak 1948 yılında ileri sürülmüş ve birçok araştırıcı tarafından bu reseptörlerin sayısının bilinmediği ifade edilmiştir. Daha sonra 1984 yılında Arch adlı bilim adamı tarafından kemirgenlerde beyaz ve kahverengi yağda atipik bir β adrenoseptor (AR) varlığı ortaya konulmuş ve bu AR’ ler β3 AR olarak adlandırılmıştır. Bu bilgilerin ışığında 1989 yılında ilk insan β3-ARs klonlanmış ve bu AR’lerin kemirgen β3-AR’lerdeki gibi barsak ve yağ dokusunda lokalize olduğu bulunmuştur. Hayvan modellerinde yapılan çalışmalarda, β3 AR agonistlerinin termojenik, antilipojenik, anti obesitik, antidepresan etki gösterdiği, insan safra kesesi ve idrar kesesinde gevşemeye neden olduğu ve preterm doğumu önlemede kullanılabileceği yönünde bulgular elde edilmiştir. Preterm doğum, obstetrideki en karmaşık ve önemli zorluklardan biridir. Yaklaşık 40 yıllık araştırma ve klinik ilerlemeye rağmen günümüzde preterm doğum insidansı maalesef değişmemiştir. Bu konuda ileri çalışmalara ihtiyaç olduğu düşünülmektedir.
Mavi Işık Tehlikeli midir?
Authors: PELİT Aykut
Published: September 2022

Mavi ışık insan gözünün görebildiği, görünür ışık spektrumunun bir parçasıdır. 380 ile 500 nanometre aralığında titreşen, görünür ışık spektrumunda en kısa dalga boyuna ve en yüksek enerjiye sahip olan bu ışık, görünür ışığın yaklaşık üçte birini oluşturur.

Mavi ışık bilgisayarlarda, telefonlarda, tabletlerde, televizyonlarda bulunan bir ışıktır. Bu gibi elektronik aletlerin dışında ise güneşte de mavi ışık bulunur. Mavi ışığın iyi ve kötü olmak üzere iki türü vardır. Bilgisayardan, telefondan, tabletten ve televizyon gibi cihazlardan alınan mavi ışık zararlı iken güneşten aldığımız mavi ışık ise belirli miktarda alındığı zaman faydalıdır.

Mavi ışık özellikle gözün retina tabakası için toksik olabilmektedir. Mavi ışığa maruz kalmak özellikle retinada fototoksiteye neden olarak yaşa bağlı maküla hastalığına (sarı nokta hastalığı olarak da bilinir) yol açar. Korunma için, mavi ışık filtrelemesi içeren ekran koruyucular, gözlükler, intraoküler lensler kullanılmaktadır ve bu konu ile ilgili çalışmalar devam etmektedir.
North Korean Asylum Seekers in the West: Is Dual Nationality Dispositive?
Authors: Wolman Andrew
Published: September 2022

Since at least 2013, Western courts judging refugee cases have accepted that North Koreans are, with rare exceptions, considered to be South Korean nationals under South Korean law. This Article explores the implications of this holding. Given this dual nationality, are North Koreans necessarily refused refugee status because they can be protected in South Korea? Or are there still routes to refugeestatus that may be available? This Article finds that North Koreans continue to have potential paths forward in their search for refugee status in the West. There are, broadly speaking, four different types of protection arguments evident in the jurisprudence from major host states. These are: (1) that an asylum seeker possesses a well-founded fear of persecution in South Korea as well as NorthKorea; (2) that South Korean nationality does not provide a right to enter the country, and should therefore be disregarded; (3) that South Korean nationality should not be recognized because it is not bestowed in a manner consistent with international norms; and (4) that an individual asylum seeker falls into an exceptional category whereby he or she lacks South Korean nationality. Each ofthese arguments has proved successful in certain cases, at least provisionally.
Música tradicional afroesmeraldeña para las futuras generaciones
Authors: Viteri Juan Pablo
Published: September 2022

Los afroecuatorianos son uno de los grupos étnicos históricamente más excluidos del país. Sin embargo, su música y danza tradicionales han servido para mantener viva y trascendente su herencia cultural. La orquesta Los Chigualeros es una prominente representante cultural de la provincia de Esmeraldas que, a través de la música, ha generado una estrecha relación con su comunidad, transmitiendo el legado cultural afro a través de talleres de formación musical con niños y jóvenes de la provincia. Por este motivo, miembros del cuerpo docente del Colegiode Comunicación y Artes del Colegio de Música de la Universidad San Francisco de Quito decidieron desarrollar una serie de estrategias para apoyar la importante iniciativa que la orquesta viene emprendiendo para su comunidad.
Soluciones societarias contemporáneas: aspectos no previstos en los tipos sociales tradicionales
Authors: Urbano Martin
Published: September 2022

A lo largo de este trabajo se realiza un análisis sobre las implicaciones que tienen las nuevas regulaciones de la paradigmática Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada y la Ley de Modernización a la Ley de Compañías, pues se considera que han introducido en nuestra legislación, figuras modernas que se encargan de regular aspectos que no se han previsto en el ambito de los tipos sociales tradicionales. A proposito de aquello, se plantea en -primera instancia- la coexistencia de un régimen imperativo de regulaciones con un régimen dispositivo, lo cual sirve para dilucidar el impacto que tiene la falta de reconocimiento expreso de figuras cómo: abuso del derecho de voto, administradores de hecho, unanimidad para la inclusión de cláusula arbitral y,  la mediación como mecanismo de resolución de controversias societarias. En la misma línea, dada la falta de reconocimiento expreso de estas figuras, a lo largo de este paper se plantean posibles soluciones que sirven para solventar controversias relacionadas a estas figuras en los tipos sociales tradicionales. Dichas soluciones, provienen esencialmente de los reenvíos normativos contemplados dentro de la Ley de Compañías que, de manera principal, derivan a la aplicación del Código Civil.

Finalmente, se plantea dentro de este trabajo que, a pesar, de las soluciones que se puedan encontrar, es necesaria una reforma que permita estandarizar los aspectos relacionados a las nuevas figuras previstas en la Ley de Compañías, pues se requiere dotar a toda la Ley de Compañías de normas eficientes que respondan a las necesidades de comercio actuales.
efecto de la sucesión en el impuesto a la utilidad en la transferencia de predios urbanos
Authors: Camacho Baquero Mariela Sara
Published: September 2022

Este ensayo parte de la hipótesis en la cual, a consecuencia de la sucesión por causa de muerte, el heredero adquiere un inmueble urbano que a su vez lo enajena y como resultado genera una utilidad. Así, se busca determinar el efecto de la sucesión por causa de muerte en el impuesto a la utilidad en la transferencia de predios urbanos y plusvalía de los mismos. Para este fin, se analiza el régimen jurídico aplicable para el derecho sucesorio y tributario. De esta forma se llega a la conclusión que, contrario a lo resuelto por la Dirección Metropolitana Tributaria del Distrito Metropolitano de Quito, el heredero es un sucesor de la personalidad jurídica del causante, adquiriendo para sí los derechos y obligaciones transmisibles. En consecuencia, se convierte en el sujeto pasivo del impuesto a la utilidad y tiene derecho a deducir los mismos valores que hubiese podido deducir el difunto.
Marital Commitment and Mental Health in Different Patterns of Mate Selection: A Comparison of Modern, Mixed, and Traditional Patterns
Authors: Nemati Mahboobeh , Behmanesh Fereshteh , Kheirkhah Farzan , Geraili Zahra , Pasha Hajar
Published: September 2022

Objective: Marital commitments and mental health are the important indicators of marital quality. Considering the modern and mixed marriage pattern in recent years, compared to the traditional pattern, as well as the increase in divorce rates due to reduced marital commitment, the present study was conducted to compare marital commitment and mental health in various patterns of mate selection among married women.
Method: This cross-sectional study was performed on 160 married women aged 15-49 years in Babol city, Iran, who were selected by convenience sampling from health centers under the auspices of Babol University of Medical Sciences. Data collection tools included the spouse-selecting style, marital commitment (Adams and Jones), and general health questionnaires. Data analysis was performed in SPSS V.25 software, using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Chi square tests.
Results: Results showed that the mean score of marital commitment and its three dimensions (commitment to spouse, commitment to marriage and sense of commitment); general health; physical, anxiety and sleep disorders; as well as social function of married women are not significantly different in traditional, mixed and modern marriage patterns. There was a significant difference in the mean score of depression between traditional, mixed and modern marriage patterns. Pairwise, ANOVA revealed that the mean of the depression score was significantly higher in traditional marriage than in the mixed marriage pattern (P = 0.012). Different marriage patterns had statistically significant differences in demographic variables such as age, the place of birth of the wife and the husband, duration of marriage, number of children and the level of education (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: It seems that there is a kind of convergence in marital commitment in various patterns of marriage among married women in Babol city.
Psychometric Characteristics of the Iranian Version of the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (I-MOGQ)
Authors: Dowran Behnaz , Yekta Fatemeh Forouzesh , Aghaie Elham
Published: September 2022

Objective: The growing popularity of computer games has attracted the attention of researchers in this field. The underlying psychological motives of gamers are important to prevention of disorders related to online gaming. This study was aimed at evaluating the psychometric characteristics of the Iranian version of the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (I-MOGQ) and its association with Internet Gaming Disorders (IGD).
Method: Four hundred and fifty-two Iranian adult gamers (mean age = 21.5 years, SD = 4.14) voluntarily responded to the anonymous survey online. All participants in this study were males. The questionnaires used in this study were MOGQ and IGD Scale. We performed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for MOGQ. Also, the correlation between MOGQ and IGD was evaluated.
Results: CFA supports the construct validity of the questionnaire (RMSEA < 0.08). Cronbach's alpha, as an indicator of internal consistency of the questionnaire, was 0.91 (Social = 0.85, Escape = 0.84, Competition = 0.83, Coping = 0.79, Skill Development = 0.89, Fantasy = 0.85 and Recreation = 0.83). Also, the scale displayed adequate convergent validity, as shown by significant positive correlations with IGD scores. The highest correlation was found with the Escape motive (0.57) and the lowest was found with Recreation (0.15).
Conclusion: This study showed that the Iranian version of the MOGQ is a valid and reliable scale for identifying the motives for online gaming among young adults.
Investigating the Relation between Meteorological Parameters and the Number of Patients and Clinical Symptoms of Outpatients with COVID-19: A Case Study in Abarkouh, Iran
Authors: Fallahzadeh Reza Ali , Omidi Fariborz , Ghadirian Davoud , Shukohifar Marzieh , Eshaghpanah Mohammad Sadegh , Gerdefaramarzi Najmeh Soltani , Nateghi Omolbanin , Istadeh Farnaz
Published: September 2022

Introduction: SARS CoV-2 pandemic has caused illness and death in millions of people worldwide. Extensive studies are being conducted on the effect of meteorological parameters on the number of patients and clinical symptoms of COVID-19.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Abarkouh city with a population of 51199 people during 215 days (from April 20, 2020 to November 20, 2020).  The present study aimed to investigate the effect of meteorological parameters, such as temperature, humidity, sunshine hours, evaporation, and maximum wind speed on the number of cases with definite diagnosis of COVID-19. Moreover, symptoms in the infected patients were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficient and regression coefficient.
Results: During the 215 days of the study, a total of 2526 symptoms were diagnosed in 1298 outpatients. Among which, fever and body aches were the most common symptoms in the subjects. The results of examining the relationship between meteorological parameters and the prevalence of symptoms showed that there was a negative correlation between the minimum and maximum temperature, sunshine hours, evaporation, and wind speed with the number of cases and the prevalence of symptoms. The results of regression coefficient also showed that among the meteorological parameters, the minimum temperature variable had the most negative effect on the prevalence of symptoms as well as the number of cases.
Conclusion: The results showed that changing the meteorological parameters in cold weather can increase both the number of patients and clinical symptoms of outpatients with COVID-19.
Evaluation of Safety Culture and the Effect of Lean Safety Approach on the Improvement of Safety Culture (Case Study: Sarv Combined Cycle Power Plant [Chadormelo] of MAPNA Operation and Repair Company)
Authors: Nodoushan Reza Jafari , Hajihosseini Ali Reza , Ahmadzadeh Roozbeh , Anooshe Vida Sadat
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Accidents in the workplace hurt people and sometimes cause death. One of the ways to prevent occupational accidents is to change the behavior and attitude of people towards safety. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of the lean approach on the promotion of safety culture in Sarv combined cycle power plant of MAPNA exploitation.
Materials and Methods: In this study, to evaluate the safety culture before performing the lean approach interventions, a safety culture questionnaire was distributed among 110 people who were randomly selected from 294 employees of the company. The results were analyzed as pre-intervention data. Then, with the introduction of lean tools that can be implemented in the power plant and their selection by a group of managers who came together for this purpose, the necessary measures were defined and performed in line with the lean approach. After six months from the beginning of the intervention, the questionnaire was distributed and collected among the selected individuals in the second stage.
Results: Based on the findings, safety culture had no significant relationship with the demographic data of the sample. The results of paired t-tests showed that the safety culture score increased in all dimensions after the intervention. As a result, the total safety culture score showed a significant increase compared to the safety culture score before the intervention.
Conclusion: The findings indicated that the pure approach has a great impact on safety culture and it is important to pay attention to it.
Is low level of serum phosphorus within normal range a predictive parameter for disease severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients?
Authors: BİLGE Müge , KİBAR AKİLLİ Isil , KARAAYVAZ Ekrem Bilal , KART YAŞAR Kadriye
Published: September 2022

Background: Patients with COVID-19 may develop several electrolyte imbalances that can cause multiple clinical complications. Low serum phosphorous level usually leads to a decreased muscle ATP synthesis which may cause diaphragmatic or other kinds of respiratory muscle weakness. We investigated the predictive power of serum phosphorus levels in patients with hospitalized COVID-19.

Material and Methods: This is a retrospective and observational study of 957 patients with SARS-CoV-2, who were diagnosed with COVID-19 by real-time PCR testing and hospitalized due to moderate and severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Results: Among 957 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, 387 (40,4%) were moderate and 570 (59,6%) were severe. Phosphorus was significantly lower in severe patients, within the reference range. Our final analysis showed that age, respiratory rate, d-dimer, and phosphorus level were independent risk factors for disease severity. Phosphorus was found to be negative correlated with respiratory rate (r: 0,091, p=0,005) and was positive correlated with SPO2 (r: 0,069, p=0,03).

Conclusion: Our results suggest prognostic significance of phosphorus level, which has correlation with the respiratory rate and has considered to be independent risk factor for disease status, especially in severe patients. It is concluded that phosphorus monitoring, at least in severe patients, may prevent serious clinical consequences such as respiratory insufficiency.

Keyword; COVID-19, pneumonia, phosphorus, respiratory muscle, disease status, predictive value
Teaching Narrative Reading Texts by Using MURDER Method to the Eleventh Grade Students
Authors: Kavorina Anadya
Published: September 2022

Mood, understand, recall, detect, elaborate and review (MURDER) method is an alternative method which enables the students comprehending reading texts, particularly narrative texts, by collaboration working between two groups. The objectives of this study were to find out (1) the significant improvement on the eleventh grade students’ reading comprehension achievement in narrative reading texts before and after being taught by using MURDER method and (2) the significant difference on the eleventh grade students’ reading comprehension achievement in narrative reading texts between those who were taught by using MURDER method and those who were not. This study used quasi experimental design by using pretest and posttest non-equivalent groups design. There were 111 eleventh grade students of SMA Muhammadiyah 2 Palembang in academic year 2016/2017 were used as the population of this study. 57 students from two classes were taken as sample by using convenience sampling. 28 students from class XI IPA 2 were as the experimental group and 29 students from class XI IPA 1 were as the control group. In collecting the data, multiple choice tests were used in pretest and posttest to experimental and control groups. The data of pretest and posttest were analyzed by using independent sample t-test and paired sample t-test in SPSS program. The findings showed that the p-output from independent sample t-test was lower than 0.05 and the result of p-output from paired sample t-test was lower than 0.05. It means that MURDER method can be implemented as one of alternative method in teaching narrative reading texts.
EFL Students’ Digital Literacy: Barriers to Development and Effective Web Application Programs
Authors: Rahmah Annisa Luthfia Dayu , Eryansyah Eryansyah , Silvhiany Sary
Published: September 2022

This study was a mixed method research which was aimed to examine EFL students' digital literacy skills, as well as the factors impacting their growth and effective web application programs for enhancing their digital literacy skills. This study was conducted at a state-owned university in South Sumatra Province where the participants involved were the sixth semester students of English Education Study Program students from the university. Questionnaires (adapted from Ravitz, 2014) and interviews were used to gather data for the study. The questionnaire data were collected and analyzed using Google form while the interview data were collected through Zoom meetings and were analyzed using thematic analysis. Based on the findings of this study, the vast majority of sixth semester English Education Study Program students were in good to excellent level of digital literacy. More than half of them believed that the lack of digital devices on campus was the most significant problem impeding their development of digital literacy abilities. Furthermore, the vast majority of the participants (90,3%) thought YouTube was the most influential web application program for improving their digital literacy skills.
The Implementation of the Cambridge Lower Secondary English Curriculum: Teachers’ Voices at One Private School in Palembang
Authors: Holandyah Muhamad , Erlina Dian , Marzulina Lenny , Yulianti Diah
Published: September 2022

The Cambridge curriculum is one of the international curricula. In Indonesia, Cambridge curriculum has been implemented, especially for teaching English. This study was aimed at finding out English teachers' perceptions toward the implementation of the Cambridge Lower Secondary English Curriculum at one private school in Palembang, Indonesia. A qualitative design with a case study was employed for this study. The data were gathered through in-depth interviews with two English teachers. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the research data. The results of the study revealed the three stages of implementing the curriculum: (1) program development, (2) implementation of learning, and (3) evaluation.
PENENTU LOYALITAS KONSUMEN PADA BANK KONVENSIONAL BERDASARKAN FAKTOR PRIBADI DAN PSIKOLOGIS
Authors: Karim Kasnaeny , Tajibu Muhammad Jibril
Published: September 2022

This study aims to analyze the impact of personal and psychological factors on customer loyalty to continue transacting in conventional banking amid incessant calls to switch to Islamic banking, especially for Muslim customers. The people of Makassar city became the population in this study, with a sample of 100 respondents. The sampling method was based on quotas, namely, 25 respondents representing the North Makassar region, 25 representing East Makassar, 25 representing West Makassar, and 25 representing South Makassar. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed that personal and psychological factors significantly and positively influenced customer loyalty to continue to transact in conventional banking.

Keywords: conventional banking, loyalty, personal factors, psychological factors.
Indian Agriculture in the Globalization Era: The Performance and Determinants
Authors: Pradhan R. P.
Published: September 2022

There is a general consent on the desirability of economic reforms in India, though the opinion is divided on sequencing, pace, implementation and impact. A continuous debate is taking place in this regard particularly in view of benefits and costs of globalization. The debate has become highly polarized, as there are two camps of scholars arguing in favour and against of economic reforms. In brief, the performance of Indian economy under the reforms as executed until now shows a mixed picture of notable achievements and failures. On the achievement side, increasing trade openness and inflows of FDI, stability in inflation and current account BOP, accretion of foreign exchange reserve, reduction of poverty and increasing economic growth are most important. On the failure side, growing fiscal deficit with revenue deficit, declining tax-GDP ratio, infrastructural bottlenecks and its regional variation, low human development and social sector expenditure, falling growth of agriculture and jobless growth, particularly, rural employment are mainly imperative. But it is to be noted that every thing may not be attributed to the reforms program only. Keeping in above view, present paper seeks to examine the performance of Indian agriculture and their causes and determinants thereof during the era of 1990s.
Dampak Pandemi COVID-19 Terhadap Perubahan Perilaku Makan Mahasiswa di Indonesia
Authors: Mardiyah Sarah , Dwiyana Parlin , Wicaksono Dipo , Sitoayu Laras , Fransiska
Published: September 2022

Latar Belakang: COVID-19, pada awalnya terdeteksi pada Desember tahun 2019 di Negara China, tepatnya di Kota Wuhan, Provinsi Hubei. Penyebaran penyakit ini terjadi secara cepat dan luas hingga ke seluruh dunia. Hingga saat ini, COVID-19 telah menjadi perhatian utama di setiap negara, termasuk Indonesia. Peraturan pemerintah untuk membatasi aktivitas atau kegiatan di luar dan himbauan untuk tetap di rumah, menyebabkan berbagai perubahan perilaku hidup masyarakat, termasuk perubahan perilaku makan. Dampak pandemi COVID-19 sangat dirasakan oleh seluruh golongan masyarakat termasuk mahasiswa, baik secara sosiologis, psikologis maupun fisiologis.Tujuan: Adapun tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu untuk mengetahui dampak pandemi COVID-19 terhadap perubahan perilaku makan mahasiswa di Indonesia.Metode: Penelitian ini merupakan studi kuantitatif deskriptif. Data dikumpulkan secara online pada bulan April-Mei 2021 dengan menggunakan kuesioner. Jumlah sampel diperoleh sebanyak 1.185 mahasiswa yang diambil dengan metode Snowball Sampling.Hasil: Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ini, diketahui bahwa perubahan perilaku makan selama masa pandemi COVID-19 yang terjadi pada mahasiswa di Indonesia, diantaranya yaitu peningkatan frekuensi masak di rumah (52.3%), peningkatan konsumsi cemilan (47.1%), peningkatan konsumsi sayur (52.9%), penurunan konsumsi fast food (41.4%), dan penurunan kebiasaan membeli makanan/minuman/jajan di luar rumah secara langsung (41.6%). Selain itu, sebagian besar mahasiswa (34.8%) mengaku tidak pernah mengonsumsi suplemen selama masa pandemi.Kesimpulan: Disarankan kepada mahasiswa Indonesia, untuk tetap menjaga pola makan selama masa pandemi COVID-19 dengan menerapkan prinsip gizi seimbang.
The Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Suta Putu Diva Dharma , Silakarma Dedi
Published: September 2022

Background: Patients with COVID-19 have experienced numerous symptoms prior to and after hospitalization, particularly in the respiratory system. The symptoms vary widely. Based on symptoms occurring through patients’ airways, most patients who have recovered from COVID-19 still have enduring symptoms of breathlessness. Pulmonary rehabilitation can be an option of rehabilitation programs directed to the patients.
Aim: Explore the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation specifically in COVID-19 patients. This literature review seeks to provide an agenda for further research related to adjusted treatment on pulmonary rehabilitation based on the patients’ needs.
Material and Methods: The author synthesized, reviewed, and analyzed 10 literatures employing semi-systematic review technique.
Results: The short-term aim of pulmonary rehabilitation is to reduce dyspnea and anxiety as well as depression, meanwhile the long-term aim is to maintain patients’ functional status to the maximum extent, improve quality of life and facilitate patients to return to performing daily activities. In addition, a 6-minute walking test and sit-to-stand test might be the alternative exercise to improve respiratory functions.
Conclusion: Pulmonary rehabilitation should be provided during the treatment process, including inpatients or outpatients phase to ensure returning patients’ recovery of respiratory function. Moreover, exercise recommendations should be tailored based on patients’ specific needs.
A Possible Explanation for the Twin Paradox and Action at a Distance—The Relative Independence of Space and the Absoluteness of Simultaneity
Authors: Qin Sheng
Published: September 2022

This paper is mainly based on a stricter premise of the twin paradox and the assumption of inertial frame, discusses the properties of time and space under the premise of complete symmetry, and draws an interesting conclusion: the simultaneity of different reference frames is possible realized, and the space is relatively independent. And based on this, the twin paradox, cosmic inflation, ultra-distance action of quantum entanglement, microscopic space motion of particles, measurement problems and other phenomena are tentatively explained from a new angle. This interpretation is exploratory and new. At the same time, the author also proposes an experimental way to test the relative independence of space.At the same time, this paper attempts to strictly prove that Einstein's definition of simultaneity and spatial absoluteness in special relativity may be problematic.
On the Basic Convex Polytopes and n-Balls in Complex Dimensions
Authors: Łukaszyk Szymon
Published: September 2022

This paper extends the findings of the prior research concerning n-balls, regular n-simplices, and n-orthoplices in real dimensions using recurrence relations that removed the indefiniteness present in known formulas. The main result of this paper is the proof that these recurrence relations are continuous for complex n, whereas in the indefinite points their values are given in the sense of a limit of a function. It is shown that the volume of an n-simplex is a bivalued function for n < 0, and thus the surfaces of n-simplices and n-orthoplices are also bivalued functions for n < 1. Applications of these formulas to these omnidimensional polytopes inscribed in and circumscribed about n-balls reveal previously unknown properties of these geometric objects in negative, real dimensions. In particular for 0 < n < 1 the volumes of the omnidimensional polytopes are larger than volumes of circumscribing n-balls, while their volumes and surfaces are smaller than volumes of inscribed n-balls.
Nature’s Wind Turbines: The Measured Aerodynamic Efficiency of Spinning Seeds Approaches Theoretical Limits
Authors: Molteno Timothy
Published: September 2022

This paper describe a procedure to measure experimentally the power coefficient, Cp, of winged seeds, and apply this technique to seeds from the Norway maple (Acer platanoides). We measure Cp=56.9±2% at a tip speed ratio of 3.21±0.06. Our results are in agreement with previously published CFD simulations that indicate that these seeds – operating in low-Reynolds number conditions – approach the Betz limit (Cp=59.3%) the maximum possible efficiency for a wind turbine. In addition, this result is not consistent with the recent theoretical work of Okulov & Sørensen, which suggests that a single-bladed turbine with a tip-speed ratio of 3.2 can achieve a power efficiency of no more than 30%.
Effects of Pruning Frequency on Biomass Productivity, Nonstructural Carbohydrates and Nitrogen Fixation Rates of Sesbania Sesban
Authors: Makhubedu Thabo Irvin , Letty Brigid A. , Mafongoya Paramu L. , Scogings Peter F.
Published: September 2022

Tree pruning is a management tool in agroforestry systems for reducing shade, enhancing nutrient cycling or providing fodder. However, little information is available on the effect of pruning management on plant growth, non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) levels in the roots and N2 fixation of Sesbania sesban. A glasshouse experiment was conducted to assess the effect of pruning frequency on biomass production, NSC levels and N2 fixation of Sesbania sesban. Treatments included pruning at (i) 3 months only, (ii) 3 and 6 months, and (iii) 3, 6 and 9 months, with each pruning removing shoot biomass above 50% of the initial height. Increased pruning frequency decreased above- and belowground dry matter (DM), and root NSC levels. The decrease in aboveground DM correlated with reduced levels of starch, sugar and total non-structural carbohydrates. Pruning more frequently significantly decreased nodulation, the percentage N derived from the atmosphere and N2 fixed. It could be concluded that more frequent prunings decreases biomass and NSC levels which could reduce the regeneration capacity of trees since they rely on NSCs to regrow. The suppressive effects of increased pruning frequency on N2 fixation could decrease the desirable benefits of legume trees on soil N fertility improvement.
Anticholinesterase and Pro-dopaminergic Effects of Instant Coffee
Authors: Köhn Daniele O. , Molska Graziella R. , Paula-Freire Lyvia Izaura G. , Negri Giuseppina , Carlini Elisaldo A. , Mendes Fúlvio R.
Published: September 2022

Epidemiologic studies suggest an inverse correlation between coffee consumption and the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases, but the role of caffeine and roasting degree are still matter of debate. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of caffeinated (light, medium, and dark roast) and decaffeinated instant coffee samples in acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant assays, as well as in animal models of Parkinson’s disease. Caffeinated coffees inhibited the acetylcholinesterase in much smaller concentrations than decaffeinated coffee. All coffee samples showed antioxidant capacity without relation with the caffeine content. Dopaminergic-like activity in the haloperidol-induced catalepsy test was observed with caffeinated coffee, but not in the decaffeinated sample. The medium roast coffee reduced the number of rotations of rats after methamphetamine administration on the 6-hydroxydopamine unilateral lesion of the medial forebrain bundle. However, the coffee treatment did not avoid the loss of dopaminergic neurons on substantia nigra pars compact and only the smallest dose of coffee was able to avoid the decrease of dopamine levels in the lesioned side of the striatum. Altogether, these results suggest that coffee exerts moderate pro-cholinergic and pro-dopaminergic effects and caffeine seems to be the main responsible for these effects.
XOR Chain and Perfect Encryption at the Dawn of the Quantum Era
Authors: Lizama-Perez Luis Adrián
Published: September 2022

In this work we present a new algorithm that achieves the perfect Shannon secret by means of the XOR function and a method that we call multiple key reuse. The algorithm has two execution modes: message authentication and data encryption. The XOR encryption scheme allows for batch encryption and exhibits Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS). Furthermore, based on our fundamental algorithm, we have developed a new strategy for blockchain implementation that does not require Proof of Work (PoW), but defines a fair mechanism for miner selection and secure addition of blocks to the chain.
Since our method is mainly based on the Boolean XOR function, the strength of the cryptosystem can be directly established thanks to its mathematical properties. Due to the risk that quantum computers represent for current cryptosystems based on prime factorization or discrete logarithm, we postulate that our method represents a promising alternative in the quantum era for the security of communications between Internet of Things devices as well as Blockchain technology.
Alterations of the Antioxidant and Inflammatory Response of the Peripheral Blood Granulocytes to SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Deceased COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Zarkovic Neven , Biernacki Michał , Wójcik Piotr , Jarocka-Karpowicz Iwona , Orehovec Biserka , Baršić Bruno , Tarle Marko , Kmet Marta , Lukšić Ivica , Skrzydlewska Elżbieta
Published: September 2022

Abstract: It is assumed that upon SARS-CoV-2 infection granulocytes can undergo potentially destructive oxidative burst. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate some parameters of redox and inflammatory signaling in granulocytes of recovered and of deceased COVID-19 pa-tients. Granulocytes were isolated from the blood of 32 COVID-19 patients on admission to the hospital (16 survived and 16 died within a week). The levels of proteins (immunoassay), eico-sanoids (UPLC-MS) and antioxidants activity (spectrophotometry) were examined. Enhanced activation of Nrf2 and NFκB and the levels of heme oxygenase and proinflammatory cytokines where found in granulocytes of all COVID-19 patients, while Cu,Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD activities were decreased, especially in deceased patients. Moreover, in patients who died increased levels of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids (PGE2 and TXB2) and decreased of anti-inflammatory (15d-PGJ2 and 5-HETE) were observed. However TXB2 was decreased, and IL-2 and IL-10 levels were in-creased in survivors, if compared both to healthy subjects and deceased patients, who did not change their cytokine generation. Therefore, it seems that by triggering transcription factors granulocytes activate redox signaling, leading to the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, while reducing cellular antioxidant capacity via SOD, they express altered response to COVID-19, which might result in the onset of the vicious cycle of systemic oxidative stress in deceased patients.
Computer-Based Blood Type Identification Using Image Processing and Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Rosales Marife A. ,   Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, De La Salle Lipa  1962 J.P. Laurel National Highway, Mataas na Lupa, Batangas 4217, Philippines, Luna Robert G. de
Published: September 2022

Blood type identification is a method used for determining the specific blood type of a person. It is a requirement before blood transfusions or blood donations is undertaken especially during emergency situations. Presently, the tests are performed manually by medical technologists in the laboratories. Sometimes, manual blood typing is prone to human error, resulting to incorrect blood grouping and wrong typing in the report, leading to fatal transfusion reactions. The study was focused on the development of a device that is capable of identifying the blood type of an individual using an image processing and machine learning algorithms. The study covered the identification of eight blood types, specifically rhesus positive and negative, A, B, O, and AB, by developing a capturing box integrated with a web camera system that could effectively capture blood sample images. In this study, the methodologies utilized were image processing through segmentation, feature extraction by color and texture properties, and different machine learning algorithms. After training, the results showed that coarse tree DT has the best performance accuracy score of 97.77% using 70:30 holdout validation. The testing results showed that the system is 100% accurate as validated by a registered medical technologist.