bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preliminary findings from stimulated spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions during COVID-19 pandemic: an experience from Ghana
Authors: A. Darko Delese , K. Seaneke Seth , T. Sabblah George , Ashie Adela , Asamoa-Amoakohene Abena , S. Ewudzie Jeremiah , Asa-Eck Theodora , Ernest Agyei-Kwame Ernest , Dwamena Felicia , Mensah Josephine , Boateng Jennifer
Published: February 2021

Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There is limited information on the safety of drugs used for the treatment of COVID-19.Objective: Objective of this study is to describe the pattern of stimulated spontaneous adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports received from healthcare professionals for SARS-CoV-2 positive patients in Ghana and lessons learnt particularly for low- and middle-income countries.Methods: This is a study of individual case safety reports (ICSRs) received from healthcare professionals between 1st April 2020 to 31st July 2020 in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients in Ghana. The ICSRs were retrieved from the SafetyWatch System and descriptive statistics used to describe the ADRs by System Organ Classification and Preferred Term.Results: Information was received from 40 COVID-19 Treatment Centres across the country with 9 centres submitting a total of 53 ICSRs containing 101 ADRs; approximately two ADRs per ICSR. Females accounted for 29(54.7%) of the ICSRs and males 24(45.3%). Newly reported ADRs of interest were one report each of tremor for doxycycline; scrotal pain, dyspnoea, gait disturbances and dysgeusia for chloroquine; and dry throat, hyperhidrosis, restlessness and micturition frequency increased for hydroxychloroquine. A strong spontaneous system with the availability of focal persons at the Treatment Centres played a key role in reporting ADRs during the pandemic.Conclusion: This is the first experience with spontaneous reporting during COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. The profile of most of the ADRs reported appears consistent with what is expected from the summary of product characteristics. A study with a larger sample size with well-defined denominator in future studies is paramount in determining the relative risk of these medications in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients.
COVID-19 pandemic: ten research questions Africa must answer for itself
Authors: Y. Bonney Evelyn , Lamptey Helena , Puplampu Peter , B. Kyei George
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading through Africa and governments are making frantic efforts to control spread, hospitalizations and deaths. While control measures are being taken, research into the biomedical and socio-cultural aspects of the pandemic, relevant to the African population, should not be ignored. It should not be assumed that research performed in Asian, American and European populations will always be applicable to Africa. Rather, research should be done in Africa to answer questions peculiar to the epidemic on the continent and help inform international guidelines. National guidelines for treatment and prevention, patient recoveries and discharge, and public health control measures should be based on research performed in the appropriate context for them to be effective and robust. Urgent research is needed in viral immunology and shedding, treatment and prevention trials, protection of healthcare personnel, and antimicrobial use among others. In this article, we propose ten research questions that when answered in a timely manner by scientists in Africa, will enhance Africa’s response to the pandemic.
Epidemiology of COVID-19 outbreak in Ghana, 2020
Authors: A. Odikro Magdalene , Kenu Ernest , L. Malm Keziah , Asiedu-Bekoe Franklin , L. Noora Charles , L. Noora Charles , Frimpong Joseph , Calys-Tagoe Benedict , A. Koram Kwadwo
Published: February 2021

Coronaviruses are RNA viruses that cause respiratory, hepatic and neurological diseases in domestic and wild animals, and humans. Among humans, six species of coronavirus have been identified to cause disease. Among these, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) are of zoonotic origin and have been known to cause severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreaks among humans.
Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the first cohort of COVID-19 recoveries at two national treatment centres in Accra, Ghana
Authors: N.L. Calys-Tagoe Benedict , Owoo Christian , A. Oliver-Commey Joseph , Oduro- Mensah Ebenezer , Ofori-Boadu Lawrence , Adjei-Mensah Evelyn , Kenu Ernest , Samba Ali , E. Yawson Alfred , Lartey Margaret
Published: February 2021

Introduction COVID-19 is a new disease, knowledge on the mode of transmission and clinical features are still evolving, new tests are being developed with inherent challenges regarding interpretation of tests results. There is generally, a gap in knowledge on the virus globally as the pandemic evolves and in Ghana, there is dearth of information and documentation on the clinical characteristics of the virus. With these in mind, we set out to profile the initial cohort of COVID-19 patients who recovered in Ghana.

Methods: We reviewed clinical records of all confirmed cases of COVID-19 who had recovered from the two main treatment centres in Accra, Ghana. Descriptive data analysis was employed and presented in simple and relational tables. Independent t-test and ANOVA were used to determine differences in the mean age of the sexes and the number of days taken for the first and second retesting to be done per selected patient characteristics.

Results: Of the 146 records reviewed, 54% were male; mean age of patients was 41.9 ± 17.5 years, nearly half were asymptomatic, with 9% being severely ill. The commonest presenting symptoms were cough (22.6%), headache (13%) and sore throat (11%) while the commonest co-morbidities were hypertension (25.3%), diabetes mellitus (14%) and heart disease (3.4%).

Conclusion: COVID-19 affected more males than females; nearly half of those infected were asymptomatic. Cough, headache and sore throat were the commonest symptoms and mean duration from case confirmation to full recovery was 19 days. Further research is required as pandemic evolves
Clinical features of COVID-19 in Ghana: symptomatology, illness severity and comorbid non-communicable diseases
Authors: E Yawson Alfred , Oduro-Mensah Ebenezer , Tetteh John , Adomako Isaac , Adjei-Mensah Evelyn , Owoo Christian , O. Yawson Anita , A. Oliver-Commey Joseph , Puplampu Peter , Samba Ali , Lartey Margaret
Published: February 2021

Objective: This analysis described the clinical features of COVID-19 in the early phase of the pandemic in Ghana.Methods: Data were extracted from two national COVID-19 treatment centers in Ghana for over 11 weeks(from March to May 2020). Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Modified Ordered Logistic and Negative Binomial Regression analysis were applied to establish factors associated with illness severity and Non-communicable Disease (NCDs) counts respectively. All analysis was conducted at the 95% confidence level (p-value ≤ 0.05) using Stata 16.Results: Among the 275 patients, the average age was 40.7±16.4, with a preponderance of males (54.5%). The three commonest symptoms presented were cough (21.3%), headache (15.7%), and sore throat (11.7%). Only 7.6% of the patients had a history of fever. Most patients were asymptomatic (51.65). Approximately 38.9% have an underlying co-morbid NCDs, with Hypertension (32.1%), Diabetes (9.9%), and Asthma (5.2%) being the three commonest. The odds of Moderate/severe (MoS) was significantly higher for those with unknown exposures to similar illness [aOR(95%CI) = 4.27(1.12-10.2)] compared with non-exposure to similar illness. An increased unit of NCD’s count significantly increased the odds of COVID-19 MoS illness by 26%[cOR(95%CI) =1.26(1.09-1.84)] and 67% (adjusting for age) [aOR(95%CI)=1.67(1.13-2.49)].Conclusion: The presence of cardiovascular co-morbidities dictated the frequency of reported symptoms and severity of COVID-19 infection in this sample of Ghanaians. Physicians should be aware of the presence of co-morbid NCDs and prepare to manage effectively among COVID-19 patients.
Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients admitted at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
Authors: Adjei Patrick , Afriyie-Mensah Jane , J. Ganu Vincent , Puplampu Peter , Opoku-Asare Bismark , Dzefi-Tettey Klenam , Amissah-Arthur Maame-Boatemaa , Tachi Kenneth , Boima Vincent , Dey Dzifa , Akamah Joseph , Akpalu Albert , Akpalu Josephine , Amoo Phillip , Otchi Elom , Marfoh Kissinger , Agyei-Nkansah Adwoa
Published: February 2021

Design: Study design was a retrospective single-center review of hospital data.Setting: The study was conducted at the COVID-19 Treatment Center of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics of the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital in Accra, Ghana.Participants and study tools: A total of fifty patients with laboratory (rRT-PCR) confirmed COVID-19 infection were involved in the study. A chart review of the medical records of the patients was conducted and the data obtained was documented using a data extraction form.Results: The median age was 53 years and most (36% (18/50)) of the patients were at least 60 years of age. Eighty percent (40/50) of the patients were symptomatic, with cough and difficulty in breathing being the commonest presenting symptoms. The mean duration of hospitalization was 12.3 ± 7.3 days. Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus were the commonest co-morbidities occurring in 52% (26/50) and 42% (21/50) of patients respectively. Fifty percent of patients developed COVID-19 pneumonia as a complication. The mortality rate was 12% (6/50).Conclusion: In this study, SARS-CoV2 infection affected older adults with hypertension and diabetes mellitus being the common comorbidities. Patients with these comorbid conditions should be counselled by their clinicians to strictly observe the COVID-19 prevention protocols to reduce their risk of acquiring the infection. There is a need to pay critical and prompt attention to the management of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia particularly among people with diabetes to improve outcomes.
A review of chest radiographic patterns in mild to moderate novel corona virus disease 2019 at an urban hospital in Ghana
Authors: Asare-Boateng Kwame , B. Mensah Yaw , Mensah Naa Adjeley , Oliver-Commey Joseph , Oduro-Mensah Ebenezer
Published: February 2021

Introduction: The novel corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was diagnosed in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and, in Ghana, in March 2020. As of 30th July 2020, Ghana had recorded 35,142 cases. COVID-19 which can be transmitted by both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals usually manifest as pneumonia with symptoms like fever, cough, dyspnoea and fatigue. The current non-availability of a vaccine or drug for COVID-19 management calls for early detection and isolation of affected individuals. Chest imaging has become an integral part of patient management with chest radiography serving as a primary imaging modality in many centres.Methods: The study was a retrospective study conducted at Ga East Municipal Hospital (GEMH). Chest radiographs of patients with mild to moderate disease managed at GEMH were evaluated. The age, gender, symptom status, comorbidities and chest x-ray findings of the patients were documented. Results: 11.4 % of the patients had some form of respiratory abnormality on chest radiography with 88.9% showing COVID-19 pneumonia features. 93.8% showed ground glass opacities (GGO), with 3.1% each showing consolidation (CN) only and CN with GGO. There was a significant association between COVID-19 radiographic features and patient’s age, symptom status and comorbidities but not with gender.Conclusion: Most radiographs were normal with only 11% showing COVID-19-like abnormality. There was a significant association between age, symptom status and comorbidities with the presence of COVID-19 like features but not for gender. There was no association between the extent of the lung changes and patient characteristics.
Geochemical assessment of heavy metal impact on soil around Ewu-Elepe Dumpsite, Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Olorunfemi A.O. , Alao-Daniel A.B. , Adesiyan T.A. , Onah C.E.
Published: February 2021

The concentrations of certain heavy metals in the top soils around the Ewu-Elepe dumpsite and its environs were determined with a view to  ascertaining the level of metal pollution in the soils of the dumpsite vicinity. Thirty-two (32) soil samples were randomly collected within the dumpsite vicinity and one control sample was collected from a distance of about 9.0 km from the dumpsite. The samples were prepared according  to standard procedures and analyzed for some heavy metals (Ni, Mn, Co, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer at the Geochemistry Laboratory of the Department of Geology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The geochemical data was subjected to both  univariate and multivariate statistical treatments and comparisons were made with various world standards. The results obtained showed that the mean concentrations of Ni (12.00 ppm), Mn (525.60 ppm), Co (5.64 ppm), Cu (44.59 ppm), and Zn (105.28 ppm) were within the acceptable limits for agricultural soils while those of Cd (1.40 ppm) and Pb (33.74 ppm) exceeded the limits. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factor revealed that the soils around the dumpsite were moderately contaminated with Cd and slightly contaminated with Pb. The overall decreasing order of heavy metal concentration in the dumpsite soil is: Cd > Pb > Zn > Cu > Mn > Co > Ni. The study concluded that the soils around the Ewu-Elepe dumpsite was contaminated with Cd and Pb and as such should be discouraged in its usage for agricultural related purposes as these highly toxic trace elements can be absorbed by plants. A well-engineered landfill that takes into consideration the local geology and the topography of the area should be designed so as to prevent infiltration of leachates into the soil and shallow groundwater systems.

Keywords - Heavy metals, Soil,Ewu-Elepe,Nigeria,Dumpsite,Contamination.
Phylogroup profiling and the genetic determinants of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli isolated from clinical samples in lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Olalekan A.O. , Onwugamba F. , Iwalokun B.
Published: February 2021

No Abstract.
Assessment of species diversity and distribution of woody species on selected plots in Olokemeji Forest Reserve, Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Taiwo D.M. , Udoh S.I. , Olaoti-Laaro S.O. , Jeminiwa O.R. , Jeminiwa M.S.
Published: February 2021

The Assessment of forest species composition and species diversity is essential in understanding the status of tree population and diversity for conservation purpose. Olokemeji forest reserve is situated in the lowland rain  forest of south-western Nigeria and it occupies a total land area of 58.88 km2 . Six study plots of 50m2 each were randomly selected and designated as Frequently Burnt Plot 1, Frequently Burnt Plot 2, Harvested Plot, Unharvested Unburnt Plot, Arable Plot 1 and Arable Plot 2 for the purpose of assessment of species diversity and distribution of woody species. Seven species of trees were identified belonging to five families. One hundred and eighty two stands were enumerated, with Unharvested Unburnt Plot having the highest number of trees at 50. The dominance index for the woody flora was 1 in Frequently Burnt Plot 1 and 2 as well as Arable Plot 1 and 2 except for the Harvested Plot that had the lowest (0.29) while the Unharvested Unburnt Plot had 0.75. Highest species richness was recorded at the Harvested Plot at 0.71. The species diversity in Harvested Plot was low (1.54), while it was extremely low in Unharvested Unburnt Plot (0.43). Evenness index was lowest in the Unharvested Unburnt Plot at 0.43. Tectona grandis had the highest relative importance value in the Frequently Burnt Plot 1. The low species richness and species diversity is a direct indication of anthropogenic interference in the study plots and the forest reserve; this requires urgent mitigation to prevent a total loss of its structure and function as expected of a forest reserve.

Keywords: Species, Diversity, Evenness, Anthropogenic, Forest, Dynamics
In vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and thrombolytic properties of leaf extract and fractions of Pterocarpus mildbraedii harms
Authors: Fajobi O.A. , Emma-Okon B.O. , Oyedapo O.O.
Published: February 2021

The study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and thrombolytic properties of methanolic extract (PMME) and fractions of the leaf of Pterocarpus mildbraedii with a view to exploring the therapeutic potentials of the plant especially as far as treatment and management of oxidative, inflammatory and heart related disorders are concerned. The study involved collection, identification, extraction with 80%methanol, fractionation of hydromethanolic extract of P. mildbraedii leaves with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and nbutanol; evaluation of the contents for total phenolics, flavonoids as well as vitamins C and E. Evaluation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials of the plant using 2, 2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing power, hydrogen peroxide reduction, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and stabilization of erythrocyte membrane and inhibition of albumin denaturation were also carried out. The total phenolic content ranged between 13.31 ± 0.12 and 234.99 ± 2.64 GAE (gallic acid equivalent)/g, flavonoid content ranged between 44.30 ± 0.74 and 228.74 ± 7.44 QE (quercetin equivalent)/g, vitamin C content was 11.98 ± 0.04 mg/g while vitamin E content was 8.62 ± 0.29 ìg/g. The fractions exhibited potent and significant antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities which are concentration-dependent, as well as appreciable thrombolytic activities. Moreover, the extract and fractions compared favourably with various reference drugs used in the study. It was observed that the extract and its fractions possessed bioactive components with beneficial effects in the management of oxidative, inflammatory and heart-related conditions.

Keywords: Pterocarpus mildbraedii methanolic extract, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Thrombolytic, Membrane stability, Haemoglobin, Denaturation.
Morphological characterization of natural populations of Sarotherodon galilaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) from three selected reservoirs in South Western, Nigeria
Authors: Oladimeji T.E. , Awodiran M.O. , Ola-Oladimeji F.A.
Published: February 2021

Morphological characterization of Sarotherodon galilaeus (Linnaeus, 1758)from Opa, Asejire and Ero reservoirs in southwest, Nigeria was carried out with a view to determining the morphological heterogeneity or homogeneity among the three different populations and to determine whether there are morphotypes of this species in the selected study areas. Twenty five morphometric measurements and six meristic counts were recorded on 150 specimens; fifty from each reservoir population. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA) were performed on the morphometric and meristic data using PAST software. All the clusters produced by the PCA and CVA analyses on the morphometric and meristic data overlapped widely; indicating a low level of morphological differentiation among the three populations of Sarotherodon galilaeus. The study concluded that the Sarotherodon galilaeus populations from Opa, Asejire and Ero reservoirs are morphologically similar and phenotypically inseparable.

Keywords: Morphometric, Meristic, Morphological differentiation, Reservoirs in south-western Nigeria, Sarotherodon galilaeus
Comparison of numerical methods to price zero coupon bonds in a two-factor CIR model
Authors: Emslie S. , Mataramvura S.
Published: February 2021

In this paper we price a zero coupon bond under a Cox–Ingersoll–Ross (CIR) two-factor model using various numerical schemes. To the best of our knowledge, a closed-form or explicit price functional is not trivial and has been less studied. The use and comparison of several numerical methods to determine the bond price is one contribution of this paper. Ordinary differential equations (ODEs) , finite difference schemes and simulation are the three classes of numerical methods considered. These are compared on the basis of computational efficiency and accuracy, with the second aim of this paper being to identify the most efficient numerical method. The numerical ODE methods used to solve the system of ODEs arising as a result of the affine structure of the CIR model are more accurate and efficient than the other classes of methods considered, with the Runge–Kutta ODE method being the most efficient. The Alternating Direction Implicit (ADI) method is the most efficient of the finite difference scheme methods considered, while the simulation methods are shown to be inefficient. Our choice of considering these methods instead of the other known and apparently new numerical methods (eg Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) method, Cosine (COS) method, etc.) is motivated by their popularity in handling interest rate instruments.

Keywords: Cox–Ingersoll–Ross model; numerical methods; Runge–Kutta method; zero-coupon bonds; Alternating Direction Implicit method
The contribution of South Africa’s insurers to systemic risk: thoughts for policymakers
Authors: Rusconi Rob
Published: February 2021

The rationale for regulating financial markets is strong. First, these markets have a critical role to play in the well-being of economies of all sizes. Second, the consequences of failure of these markets is frequently felt well outside of the markets themselves. This regulation should be based on the foundation of a clearly-written publicly-stated set of objectives. One of these objectives ought to be the mitigation of systemic risk, that is the risk that the actions of a financial-sector entity could trigger widespread damage to large parts of the financial markets and to the real economy. Establishing and utilising an appropriate mix of regulatory methods, however, is rendered extraordinarily challenging by the intrinsic complexity, delicacy even, of these markets. This paper explores these issues, applies them to insurance markets, in general and then in South Africa, and asks whether more could be done by South Africa’s insurance regulators to mitigate the systemic risk attributable to the country’s insurers. At heart is the concern that increasingly sophisticated efforts to measure and manage entity-specific risk may have the consequence of adding materially to systemic risk.

Keywords: Financial markets, insurance, systemic risk, regulation
Mustafa Çiftci’nin “Elif, Tina, Tolga” Hikâyesine Merkez-Çevre Karşıtlığı Bağlamında Bir Bakış
Authors: BOLAT Tuncay
Published: February 2021

Osmanlı-Türk modernleşmesi, başlangıcından itibaren güçlü bir Doğu-Batı çatışması içinde ilerlemiştir. Bu çatışma, Tanzimat sonrası Türk edebiyatının da ana konularından biri olmuştur. Osmanlı döneminde gelenekle modernliği uzlaştırma çabası ön plandadır. Cumhuriyet’in ilanıyla modernleşme, devrimci bir kimlik kazanır. Fakat devletin kendini Batılı bir ulus devlet olarak sunması, geniş halk kitlelerinin yaşamında belirleyici olan geleneği ortadan kaldırmaya yetmez. Devrimler, merkezdeki eğitimli kadrolar arasında ve büyük şehirlerde benimsense de nüfusun büyük çoğunluğunu barındıran taşrada açık ya da örtük bir dirençle karşılaşır. Merkez ve çevre/taşra arasındaki bu fark, Osmanlı-Türk modernleşmesinin temel çatışması olan Doğu-Batı farklılığının yeni bir görünümüdür. Son dönem Türk edebiyatında sohbet üslubu ve özgün taşra yaklaşımıyla öne çıkan Mustafa Çiftci’nin “Elif, Tina, Tolga” hikâyesi, Cumhuriyet döneminde oluşan ve günümüzde anlamını yitirmiş olan bu merkez-çevre karşıtlığı üzerine kurulmuştur. Bir kısmı Türkiye’nin taşrasında, bir kısmı ise dünyanın önemli merkezlerinden Londra’da geçen hikâye, Çiftci’nin mekân bağlamında taşranın sınırlarını aşmayan diğer metinlerinden ayrı bir noktada durmaktadır. Bu makalede öncelikle Doğu-Batı çatışmasının merkez-çevre karşıtlığına eviriliş süreci üzerinde durulmuş; ardından 2000’li yıllarda değişen merkez-çevre ilişkileri içinde yazarın konumuna temas edilmiştir. Sonrasında “Elif, Tina, Tolga” hikâyesi, merkez-çevre, Doğu-Batı ve oryantalizmin farklı görünümleri bağlamında analiz edilmiştir.
Antik Çağ'ın Opus Spicatum Zemin Döşemeleri
Authors: SAYIN Esra
Published: February 2021

Zemin döşemeleri, en eski uygarlıklardan günümüze kadar, ihtiyaçlar ve mimari mekânlara estetik değerler katma amacı ile daima var olmuştur. Hem estetik kaygılar hem de kullanım avantajları gözetilerek mimari mekânlarda uygulanan döşemelerin pek çok farklı tekniği vardır. Bu çalışmada, özellikle Geç Antik Çağ’da popülerliği artan opus spicatum döşemelerinin teknik ve işlevsel özellikleri ile tercih edildiği kullanım alanları değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışma kapsamında, opus spicatum döşemelerin teknik özellikleri incelenmiş ve uygulama ölçütleri bulundukları mekânlarla birlikte değerlendirilmiştir. Döşemelerin tercih edildiği mimari yapıların tipolojik ve kronolojik değerlendirmeleri ile işlevsel özellikleri ortaya çıkartılmaya çalışılmıştır. Böylece işlevsellik temelindeki mekân-döşeme ilişkisi tespit edilerek bugüne kadar gerçekleştirilen benzer çalışmalar ve arkeolojik bulgular çerçevesinde değerlendirilmiştir. Ayrıca, Anadolu ve Anadolu dışındaki opus spicatum döşemelerinin de incelenmesi ile döşemenin kökeni ve gelişiminin yanı sıra Anadolu coğrafyasındaki önemi de ortaya çıkarılmıştır. Sonuç olarak, opus spicatum tekniğindeki zemin döşemelerinin teknik özelliklerinin, yapımında tercih edilen pişmiş toprak malzemenin hammadde özellikleri ile de bağlantılı olacak şekilde; yüksek mukavemet, dış etkenlere karşı dayanıklılık ve hijyen avantajı olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
Применение норм иностранного права: актуальная практика
Authors: Стельмах А.В. , Есманский А.А.
Published: February 2021

В СТАТЬЕ РАССМОТРЕНЫ АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ТЕНДЕНЦИИ ПРАКТИКИ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ ИНОСТРАННОГО ПРАВА РОССИЙСКИМИ АРБИТРАЖНЫМИ СУДАМИ. ПРОВЕДЕН АНАЛИЗ ПРОБЛЕМ УСТАНОВЛЕНИЯ СОДЕРЖАНИЯ ИНОСТРАННОГО ПРАВА И ОГРАНИЧЕНИЙ ЕГО ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ. ВЫЯВЛЕНЫ И ПРОАНАЛИЗИРОВАНЫ ЗАКОНОМЕРНОСТИ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ СУДАМИ СПОСОБОВ УСТАНОВЛЕНИЯ СОДЕРЖАНИЯ ИНОСТРАННОГО ПРАВА, А ТАКЖЕ ОТКАЗА ОТ ЕГО ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ В ПРЕДУСМОТРЕННЫХ ЗАКОНОМ СЛУЧАЯХ.
Application of Linear Programming in Oil Production Distribution Networks: Literature Review
Authors: Salih Yasir , Rubiani Hani
Published: February 2021

In the oil production distribution network, there are three main nodes, namely the supply node, the transshipment node, and the demand node. The pattern of distribution of oil production from the supply node to the demand node is very diverse and can affect the costs to be incurred. Therefore, a company must be able to determine the right distribution pattern, so that the costs incurred are optimal. This paper intends to conduct a study of how to determine and calculate the distribution patterns and the minimum total costs incurred, using the primal-dual linear program method. Based on the results of the case analysis, it is known that the number of supply commodities will be the same as the number of demand commodities, but the distribution from each source does not necessarily have the same capacity and costs. Therefore, the distribution pattern is determined based on the existing cost and capacity, so that cost optimization can be achieved.
Comparative Analysis of Elementary School Student Knowledge Regarding Flood Mitigation in the Citarum Watershed
Authors: Sukono Sukono , Lesmana Eman , Napitupulu Herlina
Published: February 2021

Flooding is a natural event, one of which is caused by the overflow of rivers. This disaster often occurs in the Dayeuhkolot area, Bandung Regency. Geographical conditions that are close to the flow of the Citarum River and the plains that are lower than the surrounding area cause this area to be flooded especially during the rainy season. This paper aims to analyze the effectiveness of disaster training given at a young age and analyze the effectiveness of training methods provided in the form of games and PowerPoint media. This activity is aimed at grade 6th students at BojongAsih Elementary School starting with the questionnaire I which functions as a pre-test and ends with questionnaire II which functions as a post-test. Questionnaires were given at the beginning and at the end to see the extent to which the material provided new influence and knowledge to BojongAsih Elementary School students. The results of the questionnaire showed that before counseling about flood mitigation, samples were categorized as having a good knowledge of 91% and having poor knowledge of 9%. After counseling about flood disaster mitigation using games and PowerPoint media there was an increase in knowledge, samples that had good knowledge were 98% and those with less good knowledge were 2%. Based on the pre-test and post-test results, this activity was proven successful in increasing the knowledge of BojongAsihElementary School related to flood mitigation.
Guidance on Making Compost from Organic Waste in Jatimukti Village, Jatinangor District, Sumedang Regency, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: Suyudi Mochamad , Kartiwa Alit
Published: February 2021

Compost is a fertilizer that is produced from the decomposition of organic matter by active microorganisms. Jatimukti Village, Jatinangor Subdistrict, Sumedang Regency is a village that produces a lot of waste. Based on observations, the village looks suitable and has the potential to be introduced to the type of compost as organic material in farmers’ gardens. This service aims to foster and direct the people of Jatimukti Village community to have the skills to make compost from organic waste. Community service is carried out through socialization and training on composting. The demonstration of composting is done by using the composting facility that has been prepared. This dedication involves lecturers and students of the Department of Mathematics, Universitas Padjadjaran, as well as the people of Jatimukti Village. The results achieved were made of composters and compost made together, and the ways of making compost by utilizing waste in the community. After being given good and proper waste management training, the community can overcome the surrounding waste problems, and it is hoped that the community can evaluate the management that has been carried out before.
Marking Topic or Marking Case: A Comparative Investigation of Heritage Japanese and Heritage Korean
Authors: Laleko Oksana , Polinsky Maria
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we examine the relationship between grammatical and discourse-related domains of linguistic organization in heritage speakers by comparing their knowledge of categories mediated at different structural levels: grammatical case marking, which is mediated within the structure of the clause, and the marking of information structure, grammatically mediated at the syntax-discourse interface. To this end, we examine the knowledge of case and topic particles in heritage speakers and L2 learners of Japanese and Korean as assessed through a series of rating tasks. We find that heritage speakers in both languages experience different degrees of difficulty with elements that belong to different linguistic modules: phenomena which involve semantic and discourse computation are found to be more difficult than phenomena governed primarily by structural syntactic constraints.
A Psychometric Approach to Heritage Language Studies
Authors: Sekerina Irina
Published: February 2021

The central goal of the heritage language (HL) curriculum is to facilitate ultimate attainment of the language by advanced speakers. However, the field of HL studies faces a problem in how to accurately and efficiently identify and measure weaknesses and strengths of advanced HL speakers on their way to ultimate attainment. So far, only the age of arrival to the country where the dominant language is spoken has been formally investigated as the most critical factor that influences full professional proficiency and ultimate attainment of the HL. The field of HL studies needs to embrace a formal psychometric approach that will allow us to go beyond the effect of age of arrival to uncover contributions of other naturally occurring factors, i.e., genetic, physiological, cognitive, developmental and environmental. At the core of this approach lies a comprehensive standardized assessment of (a) proficiency in HL and (b) general cognitive abilities.
The Heritage and Non-Heritage Learner in the Overseas Immersion Context: Comparing Learning Outcomes and Target-Language Utilization in the Russian Flagship
Authors: Davidson Dan E. , Lekic Maria D.
Published: February 2021

While the domestic heritage language learner has received increased attention in the literature over the past two decades, relatively little research has been devoted to the heritage student engaged in overseas immersion study (or re-learning) of the home language. Heritage learners have the capacity to become “balanced bilinguals” in their first language with all the cultural and metalinguistic awareness that this entails (Polinsky, 2010). Overseas immersion study may provide a pathway to near-native proficiency (defined here as Level 3+ or Level 4 across modalities) for the heritage learner, based on structured overseas immersion as a language learner, university student, intern, and homestay resident. The present study compares pre- and post-immersion measured proficiency outcomes across modalities for heritage and non-heritage students participating in the Russian Overseas Flagship at St. Petersburg State University between 2004 and 2012.
Introduction: Vitality of Heritage Languages in the United States: The Role of Capacity, Opportunity, and Desire
Authors: Lo Bianco Joseph , Kreeft Peyton Joy
Published: February 2021

A framework to examine vitality of languages in a specific context, developed by Francois Grin and elaborated by Joseph Lo Bianco, specifies that three conditions are necessary for language vitality and revitalization: Capacity Development, Opportunity Creation, and Desire (COD). This framework was developed as a tool to help communities and governments support regional and minority languages and to promote policy development at the national level related to language revitalization and use. The framework is used in this issue as a guide for examining the vitality of languages spoken in the United States as “heritage” languages, which are spoken by individuals who have home, community, and intergenerational connections with the languages as well as some proficiency in them.
Can German Remain a Vital Heritage Language in the United States?
Authors: Ludanyi Renate
Published: February 2021

The demise of German as a pervasive language for 300 years in the United States is due to historical and demographic reasons. Creating an awareness of Germany as an important country and strengthening the role of German teaching has gained advocates in educational and political circles in Germany as well as in the United States. Less understood and supported is the situation of German as a heritage language,despite a multitude of native German speakers who reside in the United States, in part due to global economic needs and who continue to be attracted to German as a language of use. This article describes the work of private German language schools to develop language proficiency, opportunities to use German, and a desire to speak it,and pleads for more research on German as a heritage language and interest in German language conservation.Although Austria and Switzerland also contribute to the preservation of their culture and language abroad by maintaining schools, cultural forums, etc., this article will focus primarily on Germany’s efforts to develop German language instruction in the U.S.
French Heritage Language Vitality in the United States
Authors: Ross Jane , Jaumont Fabrice
Published: February 2021

Although French is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the United States, speakers of French as a heritage language face multiple challenges in maintaining and transmitting their distinctive French language to future generations, resulting in language loss over time. This article demonstrates the importance of Capacity Development, Opportunity Creation, and Desire in maintaining and revitalizing French as a heritage language in French-speaking communities in Maine, Louisiana, and New York City.
Expanding Capacity, Opportunity, and Desire to Learn Korean as a Heritage Language
Authors: Shin Sarah J. , Lee Jin Sook
Published: February 2021

Informed by the Capacity development, Opportunity creation, and Desire (COD) framework, this paper examines the current status and future development of Korean as a heritage language in the United States. Compared to a generation ago, the current heritage Korean learner population includes a greater percentage of children who come from homes where Korean is not spoken daily. We explain the importance of understanding the needs of these "non-traditional" heritage students and discuss how parents and heritage program staff are finding innovative ways to create domains for the naturalistic use of Korean and for stimulating children’s desire to learn Korean.
The Role of Desire, Opportunity, and Capacity in the Revitalization of Native American Languages
Authors: Flynn Haynes Erin
Published: February 2021

Language loss affects many Native American communities in the United States, threatening the vitality of the indigenous languages of the North American continent. This article discusses current and historic reasons for this loss and provides an overview of language revitalization with reference to a framework of desire, opportunity,and capacity.
College Chinese Heritage Language Learners’ Implicit Knowledge of Compound Sentences
Authors: Zhang Lihua
Published: February 2021

This preliminary study investigates beginning college Chinese heritage language learners
(CHLLs)’ implicit knowledge of compound sentences with pairs of correlatives. Drawing on Valdés’s (2005) categorization of HLLs as L1 speakers and HLLs as L1/L2 users, the study examines CHLLs’ ability to comprehend compound sentences with pairs of correlatives, as well as their comprehension level as compared to native Chinese language speakers and Chinese foreign language learners (CFLLs). The study also examines the characteristics of CHLLs’ implicit knowledge of compound sentences. The data was collected using an acceptability judgment task. The CHL subjects’ overall performance was somewhere between that of native speakers and CFLLs who had studied Chinese for two years. Their performance shows that their comprehension of compound sentences acquired before the onset of learning English at the age of 4 or 5 was retained and even somewhat developed. This is because CHL subjects still received some amount of input from home and community Chinese schools even though they favored English over Chinese. The findings on CHLLs’ linguistic habitus can inform and frame CHLLappropriate pedagogies that exploit their implicit knowledge and systematically build on it.
Re-envisioning Heritage Language Education: A Study of Middle School Students Learning Mandarin Chinese
Authors: Wu Ming-Hsuan , Leung Genevieve
Published: February 2021

This article takes a language ecology perspective on the interdependence of multiple Chinese languages in the heritage communities and classrooms of middle-school students. We describe how these students struggle with Mandarin as an imposed identity and consider productive classroom exercises of linguistic rescaling that help them to critically examine the diversity of Chinese languages. This study addresses the dearth of critical examination of non-Mandarin Chinese heritage students’ lived experiences by showing interactions in which they actively engage in disrupting and dismantling conventional notions of “Chinese”.
Clinically, Radiologically and Biochemically Metastatic Cancer Prostate: Could be Treated without Biopsy? A Clinical Case Study and Review of Literature
Authors:   Clinical Oncology, Oncologist, King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital, Aljouf, KSA, Bader A Abdelmaksoud ,   Lecturer of Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt, Fayez G Alruwaily ,   Consultant Family Medicine and Palliative Care Physician, King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital, Aljouf, KSA, Zaki Alalem ,   FRCR, Consultant Radiologist, King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital, Aljouf, KSA, Ahmad A Dafaallah ,   Urologist, King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital, Aljouf, KSA
Published: February 2021

Diagnosis of prostate cancer is suspected if there are abnormalities during digital rectal examination (DRE) and/or steady rising in levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and the confirmative diagnosis is established by histopathological confirmation of malignancy by biopsy from the prostate. A 87 years old male not diabetic nor hypertensive or other co-morbidities was well apart from mild lower back pain associated with mild irritative urinary symptoms, diagnosed clinically (DRE), radiologically and biochemically (markedly elevated PSA level) as a case of advanced prostate cancer and started treatment without biopsy by androgen deprivation therapy with other symptomatic support. After one month of treatment and then after, general conditions of the patient started to be significantly improved, the first follow-up CT showed considerable decrease of the mass size, then total non visualization of the previous prostatic mass, with marked decrease of the lymph nodal size in subsequent follow-up, PSA level decreased markedly, dropped from ≥700 ng/mL to 6.867 ng/mL, and then continued to decrease in subsequent monthly evaluations to reach 0.212 ng/mL at the last measurement after 8 months of treatment, that mean near complete radiologic and biochemical response. Treatment of advanced prostate cancer might be started without biopsy if there is high probabilities malignancy by DRE, imaging studies and significant rising in PSA levelin exceptional cases.
De-Novo Genitourinary Neoplasms in Transplant Recipients: The Present and Future
Authors:   Department of Urology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, Subodh K Regmi , Song Jiang ,   Department of Urology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, Christopher A. Warlick ,   Department of Urology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Published: February 2021

The risk of genitourinary cancers following transplantation is increased following majority of solid organ transplants but is best described following renal transplantation. Increasing average age of the transplant recipient as well as increases in post- transplant survival increases the risk of these malignancies. The risk of Kidney cancer is the highest following most solid organ transplants, whereas prostate cancer risk is lower than the general population in multiple large population-based studies. The etiology of increased risk of cancer following transplant is multifactorial with the predominant influence of immunosuppression and direct toxicity of immunosuppressants, however, the significance of end stage disease particularly in the causation of renal cancer in renal transplant recipients is undeniable. Modifications in immunosuppression regimens as well as changes in the standard treatment principles of some cancers may require changes in the management of some post-transplant malignancies. Standard screening guidelines have not been established but screening for renal tumors in renal transplant recipients is the only widely studied entity. Further work is needed to prepare the urologic oncological community with this once rare population group and standardized recommendations need to be established for screening and for the use of new age cancer therapeutics like immunotherapy.
Effective Ways of Breaking Bad News in Terminal Ill Diagnosis: Focus on Strategies
Authors:   People's College of Paramedical Science and Research Center, PU, Bhopal, India, Suantak Demkhosei Vaiphei
Published: February 2021

In terminal diagnosis breaking bad news is one of the most difficult tasks for every clinicians working in the palliative endof-life care, but a must in its clinical practices. It requires special skills and the ability to deliver the bad news without hurting the sentiment of the patient and the loved ones. Many clinicians working in the palliative care are incompetent in handling the process of delivering the bad news, mainly due to the lack of effective communication skills and sometime were preoccupied with fear and nervousness. A time of breaking bad news is consider to the most crucial moment where the dying individuals are mostly accompanied with several negative feelings and emotional breakdown, which require a well structure manner and well design techniques to put forward. Yet little of its skills and techniques are known among the medical practitioners as a whole in their medical curriculum during their training period. Delivering bad news requires clinicians advance preparations on how much information the patient and the family would like to acquire, quality therapeutic relationship, and emotionally well prepared. The challenges lies in breaking bad news an important domain in terminal diagnosis, but the clinicians are mostly not aware on how, when, and where to deliver in its clinical practices that usually creates a communication gap between the clinicians and the patient.