bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Carriage of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Among Pregnant Women in the Primary Health Care Center and Hospital Setting in Indonesia
Authors: Oktaviani Rochmanah , Hasanah Miratul , Setyarini Wahyu , Parathon Hari , Kitagawa Koichi , Nakanishi Noriko , Nomoto Ryohei , Osawa Kayo , Kinoshita Shohiro , Hirai Itaru , Shirakawa Toshiro , Kuntaman K
Published: July 2020

Background: The incidence of healthy individuals carrying Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E), especially E. coli (ESBL-EC) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP), is increasing worldwide. ESBL-E causes early or late onset of neonatal sepsis, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality rates. Although maternal-neonatal transmissions of ESBL-E have been reported in several countries, the prevalence of ESBL-E carriage among pregnant women in Indonesia is not clear. In the present study, we compared the prevalence of carriage of ESBL-E among pregnant women in a primary health care center (PHC) versus two hospitals in Indonesia and identified the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the isolated ESBL-E strains. Methods: We collected rectal swab samples from 200 pregnant women who visited a PHC (101 women) or were admitted to Dr. Soetomo Referral Hospital or Airlangga University Hospital (99 women) in Surabaya, Indonesia from July to October 2018. The samples were cultivated on MacConkey Agar plates supplemented with cefotaxime 2 mg/L, at 37oC overnight. The isolated strains were identified by Bruker MALDI BiotyperÒ System, phenotypic detection of ESBL was performed by the combination disk method, and antibiotic susceptibility was tested by the disk diffusion method. In addition, ESBL gene was identified by PCR and DNA sequencing and molecular epidemiological studies were performed by PFGE. Results: ESBL-E strains were isolated from 25 (rate of fecal carriage; 24.8%) pregnant women who visited the PHC and 49 (49.5%) pregnant women who were admitted to the hospitals. The rate of ESBL-E carriage of pregnant women in the hospitals was significantly higher than that in the PHC. Among the 74 isolated ESBL-E strains, ESBL-EC was most frequently isolated (62 strains), followed by ESBL-KP (12 strains). In addition, blaCTX-M15 was the most frequent ESBL gene type of the isolated ESBL-E strains. Conclusion: Our results revealed the high prevalence of ESBL-E carriage in pregnant women, especially those who were admitted to the hospitals. CTX-M15 ESBL-EC was the most frequent type of ESBL-E in the pregnant women in our study. Continuous surveillance for ESBL-E carriage in pregnant women is strongly recommended to reduce the incidence of neonatal sepsis in Indonesia.
A novel cell permeability assay for macromolecules
Authors: Bueso Yensi Alejandra Flores , Walker Sidney Peter , Tangney Mark
Published: July 2020

Background
Many cell permeabilisation methods to mediate internalisation of various molecules to mammalian or bacterial cells have been developed. However, no size-specific permeability assay suitable for all cells exists.
Results
We report for the first time, use of intrinsically biotinylated cell components as the target for reporter molecules for assessing permeabilisation. Due to its well-described biotin binding activity, we developed an assay using Streptavidin (SAv) as a molecular weight marker for assessing eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell internalisation, using flow cytometry as a readout. This concept was tested here in the development of host DNA depletion strategies for microbiome analysis of formalin-fixed samples. This strategy requires differential cell permeabilisation, where mammalian cells but not bacterial cells are permeabilised, and are subsequently treated with a nuclease. Here, the internalisation of a SAv-conjugate was used as a reference for nucleases of similar dimensions. With this assay, it was possible to demonstrate that FF does not generate pores which allow the introduction of 60 KDa molecules in both mammalian and bacterial membranes/envelopes. Among surfactants tested, Saponin showed the best selectivity for mammalian cell permeabilisation, which, when coupled with Benzonase nuclease, provided the best results for host DNA depletion, representing a new host depletion strategy for formalin fixed samples.
Conclusion
The assay presented provides researchers with a sensitive and accessible tool for discerning membrane/cell envelop permeability for different size macromolecules.
The role of carbon ion radiotherapy for unresectable locally recurrent rectal cancer: a single institutional experience
Authors: Cai Xin , Du Yueyao , Wang Zheng , Li Ping , Yu Zhan , Zhang Qing , zhang zhen
Published: July 2020

Background
Treatment for locally recurrent rectal cancer after surgery is still a challenge. With the physical and biological advantages, carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) could be a choice for these patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of CIRT for unresectable locally recurrent rectal cancer in Chinese patients.
Methods
Date from 25 patients with unresectable locally recurrent rectal cancer treated by CIRT from July 2015 to April 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The endpoints of this study were overall survival (OS), local control (LC) and acute and late toxicity.
Results
With the median follow-up of 19.6 (range 5.1–52.5) months, data of all 25 patients were collected. Median prescribed dose for tumor was 72 Gy (relative biologic efficacy (RBE)) (range 48-75.6 Gy (RBE)). The LC rates at 1 and 2 years were 90.4% and 71.8%. Overall LC at 1- and 2-year were 76.2% and 30.5% for 9 patients whose prescribed tumor doses of CIRT < 66 Gy (RBE), 100% and 100% for 16 patients whose prescribed doses of CIRT ≥ 66 Gy (RBE). Patients received ≥ 66 Gy (RBE) had obviously better LC rates than those received < 66 Gy (RBE) (P = 0.001). The OS rates at 1 and 2 years were 82.9% and 65.1%, respectively. No acute toxicity over grade 2 was observed, grade 3 late toxicity were observed in 3 patients: gastrointestinal toxicity (n = 1), neuropathy (n = 1), pelvic infection (n = 1). No Grade 4 or higher toxicity was observed.
Conclusion
Our study shows that CIRT is effective for unresectable locally recurrent rectal cancer patients with acceptable toxicity.
Per-Fraction Positional and Dosimetric Performance of Prone Breast Tangential Radiotherapy Assessed with Daily Rapid Kilo-voltage Cone Beam Computed Tomography: Key Statistics, Predictors, and Recommendations
Authors: Yoon Suk Whan , Taunk Neil K , Freedman Gary M , Hubley Emily , O'Reilly Shannon , Teo Boon-Keng K , Anamalayil Shibu , Dong Lei , Kennedy Christopher , Zou Wei , Metz James M , Li Taoran
Published: July 2020

Background
This study investigates daily breast geometry and delivered dose to prone-positioned patients undergoing tangential whole breast radiation therapy (WBRT) on an O-ring linear accelerator with 6X flattening filter free mode (6X-FFF), planned with electronic compensation (ECOMP) method. Most practices rely on skin marks or daily planar image matching for prone breast WBRT. This system provides low dose daily CBCT, which was used to study daily robustness of delivered dose parameters for prone-positioned WBRT.
Methods
Eight patients treated with 16-fraction prone-breast WBRT were retrospectively studied. Planning CTs were deformed to daily CBCT to generate daily synthetic CTs, on which delivered dose distributions were calculated. A total of 8 × 16 = 128 synthetic CTs were generated. Consensus ASTRO definition was used to contour Breast PTV Eval for each daily deformed CT. Breast PTV Eval coverage (V90%) and hotspot (V105% and Dmax) were monitored daily to compare prescription dose with daily delivered dose. Various predictors including patient weight, breast width diameter (BWD), and Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) were fit into an analysis of covariance model predicting V90% and V105% deviation from prescribed (ΔV90%, ΔV105%). Statistical significance is indicated with asterisks (* for p < 0.05; ** for p < 0.001).
Results
Daily delivered Breast PTV Eval V90% was moderately smaller than prescribed (median ΔV90%=-0.1%*), while V105% was much larger (median ΔV105%=+10.1%** or + 92.4cc**). Patient’s weight loss correlated with significantly increased ΔV105% (+ 4.6% / -1% weight., R2 = 0.4**) and moderately decreased ΔV90% (-0.071%/-1% wt., R2 = 0.2**). Comprehensive ANCOVA models indicated three factors affect ΔV90% and ΔV105% the most: (1) BWD decrease (-0.09%* and + 10%**/-1cm respectively), (2) PTV Eval volume decrease (-0.4%** and + 9%**/-100 cc), and for ΔV105% only, (3) the extent of breast deformation (+ 10%**/-0.01 DSC). Breast PTV Eval volume also decreased with time (-2.21*cc/fx), possibly indicating seroma resolution and increase in V105% over time.
Conclusions
Daily CBCT revealed key delivered dose parameters vary significantly for patients undergoing tangential prone breast WBRT planned with ECOMP using 6X-FFF. Patient weight, BWD, and breast shape deformation could be used to predict dosimetric variations from prescribed. Preliminary findings suggest an adaptive plan based on daily CBCT could reduce excessive dose to the breast.
Effect of inhaled anesthetics gases on cytokines and oxidative stress alterations for the staff health status in hospitals
Authors: Al-Rasheedi Khaled , Alqasoumi Abdulmajeed , Emara Ashraf
Published: July 2020

Background

Waste anesthetic gases are few amounts of inhalational anesthesia that escape during its administration. Waste anesthetic gases such as sevoflurane and nitrous oxide can induce toxic effects among health team members working in hospitals. The objective of this study was to identify the harmful effects of upon the waste anesthetic gases exposure on oxidative stress and cytokines of health team members working in hospitals.
Methods

This study involved a control group and waste anesthetic gases exposure group. The exposed group was divided into six subgroups (Surgeons; Surgeon's assistants; Anaesthesiologists; Anesthesiologists' assistants; Nurses and Workers). Serum fluoride, tumor necrosis alpha, interleukin 2 and plasma malondialdehyde, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were measured.
Results

A significant elevation was detected in fluoride, tumor necrosis alpha and interleukin 2 levels in anesthesia specialists and anesthesia assistances as compared with the surgeon, surgeon assistants, nurses and workers groups. On the other hand; a significant elevation in levels of malondialdehyde and a significant decline in levels of glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase in surgeon group as compared with other exposed groups. However, a significant elevation was detected in serum interleukin 4 level among anesthesia specialists as compared with exposed groups.
Conclusions

Exposure to waste anesthetic gases explained a high prevalence of morbidity among operating room personnel which was observed in the present study due to exposure to oxidative stress and cytokines storm. Oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines are responsible for induction or progression of some diseases. The studied groups (anesthesia specialists and anesthesia assistances) had exposure to high levels of waste anesthetic gases and were more risky to its toxic effects. Accordingly, an education program should be focusing on how to manage these gases to reduce its toxic effects on health staff, and continuous effort evaluating the safety of anesthesia in various aspects is required.
Anaemia is Associated with Severe Illness in COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Tao Zheying , Liu Mingyu , Wu Jingyi , Xu Jing , Chen Wei , Yang Zhitao , Xu Xiaoman , Liu Ling , Chen Ruwu , Xie Jingyuan , Wang Huiming , Liu Jialin
Published: July 2020

Background and objective:Anaemia commonly aggravates the severity of respiratory diseases, whereas thus far, no study has elucidated the impact of anaemiaonCorona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with anaemia, and to further explore the relationship between anaemiaand the severity of COVID-19.METHODS:In this single-center, retrospective, observational study, a total of 222 patients were recruited, including 79 patients with anaemia and 143 patients without anaemia. Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, disease progression and prognosis were collected and analyzed. Risk factors associated with the severe illness in COVID-19were established by univariable and multivariable logistic regression models.Result：In our cohort, compared to patients without anaemia, patients with anaemia were more likely to experience one or more comorbidities and severe COVID-19 illness, as well as higher mortality. More patients demonstrated elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin(PCT) and creatinine in anaemia group. Levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), D-dimer, myoglobin, T-pro brain natriuretic peptide(T-pro-BNP) and urea nitrogen(BUN)in patients with anaemia were significantly higher than those without. In addition,the proportion of patients with dyspnoea，elevated CRP and PCT was positively associated with the severity of anaemia. The Odd Ratio (OR) of anaemia related to the severe condition of COVID-19 was 5.07 (95% CI:1.82-14.18, P=0.002) and 3.47 (95% CI:1.02-11.75, P=0.046) after adjustment for baseline date and laboratory indices, respectively.Conclusion:Anaemia is an independent risk factor associated with the severe illness of COVID-19, and healthcare professionals should be more sensitive to the haemoglobin levels of COVID-19 patients on admission. To avoid rapid deterioration, more intensive care should be given to patients with anaemia.Trial registration: Ethics committee of Wuhan University People's Hospital (wdry2020-k064)
A Solitary Giant Neurofibroma of Inguinal Region—A Case Report
Authors: Zhou Haiying , Lu Hui
Published: July 2020

Background:Neurofibroma is a rare nerve sheath tumorofneuroectodermal origin, especially the huge and isolated neurofibroma located in the inguinal region. To our knowledge, no such case has previously been reported.Case presentation:We report a case of 34-year-old male patient with a 4-year history of progressive enlargement of the medial root mass in his left thigh with sitting and standing disorders along with pain. The tumor was completely removed by operation, and pathological diagnosisshowed neurofibroma. There was no obvious neurologic defect after surgery, and no recurrence tendency was found in the follow-up of 2years.Conclusions:For a large solitary mass with slow growth and no malignant clinical manifestations for a long time, clinicians can not rule out the hypothetical diagnosis of neurofibroma, even though its growth site is very rare, such as this case of a huge tumor located in the groin. For neurogenic tumors, early operation should be performed, and the prognosis of patients after tumor resection isexcellent.
Health related quality of life among end stage renal disease patients from low income country, Nepal: a cross sectional study using WHOQOL-BREF
Authors: Ranabhat Kamal , Khanal Pratik , Mishra Shiva Raj , Khanal Anu , Tripathi Sangita , Sigdel Mahesh Raj
Published: July 2020

Background
Little is known about the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among end stage renal diseases (ESRD) patients in Nepal. This study examined the health-related quality of life of among the dialysis and transplant patients in Nepal.
Methods
Nepali Version of WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was administered using face to face interviews among ESRD patients, from two large national referral centers in Nepal. The differences in socio-demographic characteristics among ESRD patients were examined using Chi-square test. The group differences in QOL were examined using Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-wallis tests.
Results
Of the 161 participants, 92 (57.1%) were transplant patients and 62 (42.9%) were dialysis patients. Hypertension (70.9%) was the commonest co-morbidity among ESRD patients. Dialysis patients scored significantly lower than the transplant patients in all the four domains as well as in overall perception of quality of life and general health. Ethnicity (p = 0.020), socio-economic status (p < 0.001), educational status (p < 0.001) and employment status (p = 0.009) was significantly associated with the overall QOL in ESRD patients. Across patient groups, educational status (p = 0.012) was positively significant with the QOL in dialysis patients while residence (p = 0.023), socio-economic status (p < 0.001), educational status (p = 0.004) and diabetes status (p = 0.010) was significantly associated with the QOL in transplant patients.
Conclusion
The overall QOL of the renal transplant recipient was higher than those of the patients on maintenance hemodialysis; this was true in all the four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. ESRD patient with low HRQOL should be prioritized for risk modification intervention.
Nonlinear Ridge Regression Improves Robustness of Cell-Type-Specific Differential Expression Studies
Authors: Takeuchi Fumihiko , Kato Norihiro
Published: July 2020

Background: Epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) and differential gene expression analyses are generally performed on tissue samples, which consist of multiple cell types. Cell-type-specific effects of a trait, such as disease, on the omics expression are of interest but difficult or costly to measure experimentally. By measuring omics data for the bulk tissue, cell type composition of a sample can be inferred statistically. Subsequently, cell-type-specific effects are estimated by linear regression that includes terms representing the interaction between the cell type proportions and the trait. This approach involves two issues, scaling and multicollinearity.Results: First, although cell composition is analyzed in linear scale, differential methylation/expression is analyzed suitably in the logit/log scale. To simultaneously analyze two scales, we developed nonlinear regression. Second, we show that the interaction terms are highly collinear, which is obstructive to ordinary regression. To cope with the multicollinearity, we applied ridge regularization. In simulated and real data, the improvement was modest by nonlinear regression and substantial by ridge regularization. Conclusion: Nonlinear ridge regression performed cell-type-specific association test on bulk omics data more robustly than previous methods. The omicwas package for R implements nonlinear ridge regression for cell-type-specific EWAS, differential gene expression and QTL analyses. The software is freely available from https://github.com/fumi-github/omicwas
Low expression of lncRNA CTB-104H12.5 induces resistance to adriamycin in HER2 negative breast cancer by downregulating GAS7C
Authors: Nian Wei-Qi , He Yong-Peng , Xue Wei-Wei , Tang Wan-Yan , Li Zheng , Wu Hai-bo , Ran Jing , Lin Chang-Hai , Wang En-Wen , Zhang Haiwei
Published: July 2020

Background

Adriamycin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy is widely used in HER2- breast cancer patients, however, some patients have no response or acquire resistance to these regimens. Therefore, it is important to screen patients who respond to adriamycin with biomarkers.

Methods

A human lncRNA microarray analysis followed by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was utilized to identify the differentially expressed lncRNAs. The proliferation viability of cells transfected with or without CTB 104H12.5 was measured by CCK-8 and clone formation assay, cell apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated by Flow cytometry. And the expression of RNA and proteins was tested by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

Results

Ten whole blood samples from HER2- breast cancer patients who received docetaxel combined with adriamycin regimen were enrolled, a human lncRNA microarray analysis showed that the low expression of CTB-104H12.5 was associated unfavorable prognosis. And the mRNA and protein level of CTB-104H12.5 is much lower in MCF-7/ADR cells than that of MCF-7 cells while CTB-104H12.5 knockdown in MCF cells induces cell resistance to adriamycin, while CTB-104H12.5 overexpression in MCF7/ADR cells reversed their resistance to adriamycin. Also, the mRNA and protein levels of GAS7C were associated with CTB-104H12.5.

Conclusions

Low expression of CTB-10412.5 predicted resistance to adriamycin in HER2 negative breast cancer, which may serve as a potential biomarker to dynamically monitor adriamycin resistance for breast cancer patients.
PROBLEMS OF USING CUSTOMER-ORIENTED MARKETING STRATEGY IN THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Authors: Bogoyavlenskiy Oleg , Bolotova Tetiana , Dmitruk Boris , Nepran Andrey , Radchenko Yaroslav , Vuko Vuksan
Published: July 2020

The object of research: marketing activities in higher education to remain competitive.

Investigated problem: setting up a management system of relations with stakeholders in the educational services market, which can adjust quickly to any market changes.

The main scientific results: trends in changes of higher education students in Ukraine in the last 20 years have been researched. Reasons, which supported growth of the number of universities and academies between 1991 and 2009, and their reduction between 2010 and 2019, have been analyzed. Distinctive features of the market creation, which led to the structural disproportions, have been identified. Conclusions made about the possibility of introducing a customer-orientated approach to manage marketing activities in Ukrainian higher educational services market. Considerable differences in concepts of “client” and “consumer” in operations of educational establishments have been analyzed.

The area of practical use of the research results: higher education and professional education organizations

Technological innovation: blueprint for process implementation of customer-oriented approach was suggested to be adopted by higher educational establishments, developed key basic principles for strategy implementation to achieve competitive advantages of higher educational establishments within the educational services market, given recommendations on setting up an organizational structure for managing marketing activities in higher educational establishments.

Scope of application for technological innovation: practical activity in the marketing field and relations with stakeholders of educational organizations.
THE IDEAL OF KALOKAGATHIA OF THE TOTALITARIAN AND LIBERAL REGIMES AS A MEANS OF PERSONALITY FORMATION
Authors: Kobzieva Іryna , Prykhodko Tetiana , Kunicheva Tetiana , Korolevsky Jakub , Grover Vanika
Published: July 2020

The object of research is the relationship between the state and the individual under totalitarian and liberal regimes.

Investigated problem: in the article the concepts of totalitarian and liberal regime is analyzed, their nature and relation are revealed. The characteristics of each of them are considered. It highlights the impact that they have on the ideal of kalokagathia is highlighted. In a society in which the ideas of kalokagathia can be realized, there must be freedom, which is the most important value of the individual. Both directions of democratic thought ‒ totalitarianism and liberalism welcome the higher value of freedom.

A person can’t independently distinguish what is good, harmonious for it, and what is evil, it is not able to make competent decisions, it is always under the influence of the outside world and its conditions. Political regimes can be considered to a large extent, as the basic conditions for human existence. In some cases, these conditions can both stimulate a person and suppress it. This can lead to the fact that government agencies of direct action and coercion can make decisions for it or give rise to the right of permissiveness and thought only of oneself.

The main scientific results: historically, the state is called upon to realize the protective function of comprehensive harmonious human development (the ideal of kalokagathia) at the national level, but under the conditions of the presented regimes, this process undergoes various transformations and can’t be fully realized and does not correspond to reality. The harmonious development of man is always full of dissonances and struggles of various forces in the human being.
ADVISORY MANAGEMENT IN THE FIELD OF HIGHER EDUCATION: DIRECTIONS AND MODELS
Authors: Marchenko Olga , Radchenko Lyudmyla , Guzenko Hanna , Kryvosheeva Nadiya , Shcheblykina Tamila
Published: July 2020

The Object of Research: management of higher improvements and advisory services, aimed at achieving the program outputs of the educational process by creating conditions for effective advisory support for applicants and staff of educational institutions.

The issue to study: the introduction of measures and methods of advisory management in the quality of higher education management.

The Main Scientific Results: the conceptual bases of advisory management as a system of principles, measures and methods of advisory management are revealed. Based on the subject approach, the models of the advisory process in higher education institutions are identified and characterized, the effectiveness of combining the models of internal and external counseling to ensure the quality of higher education is proved.

The Area of Practical Application of Research Outputs: higher education institutions and institutions managing higher education.

Innovative technological product: on the basis of the subject approach the technologies of advisory management are revealed. The introduction of these technologies into management of higher education improvements allows to use effectively the opportunities of advisory models of knowledge and information flow to achieve program outputs of educational process.

The field of application of innovative technological product: practice of formation, implementation and development of management system of educational services improvements.
COMPETENCY-BASED APPROACH IN HIGHER EDUCATION: COMPETENCY-BASED MODEL OF THE ENGINEER FOR THE FOOD INDUSTRY
Authors: Radchenko Anna , Dyukareva Galina , Afanasyeva Tatyana , Kornitskaya Anastasia , Yakubyan Sarkis , Karapandzha Stevo
Published: July 2020

The competency-based approach in higher education is considered, and in particular, scientific views on the competencies of an engineer for the food industry are studied. A comparative analysis was carried out in order to identify the key competencies necessary for a modern specialist to successfully realize its creative potential in a market economy, information society and innovative technologies. A developed competency-based model for training an engineer in the food industry is proposed.

The object of research is the competency-based approach in the preparation of a food process engineer.

Investigated problem is that engineering education should not only prepare a specialist endowed with knowledge and skills. It should be aimed at creating a competitive specialist and a successful personality. At present, in Ukraine, the food industry does not have a competency system that is common for employers, specialists, and higher education institutions. This study aims to create such a framework in the form of a competence model of an engineer for the food industry.

Main scientific results: the necessary components of the competent model of a modern engineer for the food industry were identified. The essence of the competency-based approach to the professional training of an engineer in the context of modernization of education is revealed. The modern scientific view of the requirements for food engineers is analyzed. The results obtained are adapted to the needs prevailing in the food industry and the field of public catering.

Field of practical use of research results: a comparative analysis allows to systematize scientific views on the desired competencies of scientists, researchers and engineers in the food industry. Which, in turn, will help to better inform students about the sought-after qualities and make a decision on revising the curriculum in the future.

Innovative technological product: developed competency-based model of an engineer for the food industry.

Scope of the innovative technological product: application of the competency-based approach in higher education using the proposed competency-based model of an engineer for the food industry.
DIGITALIZATION OF EDUCATION AS A DRIVER OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF UKRAINE
Authors: Rossikhin Vasyl , Rossikhina Halyna , Radchenko Lyudmyla , Marenych Viktoria , Bilenko Leonida
Published: July 2020

The article analyzes the development of the education system of Ukraine, taking into account the potential of digitalization in the context of globalization. A specific object of research is the process of transformation of the education system through the introduction of digital services and technologies. In order to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the digitalization potential of the educational system of Ukraine, the disadvantages and advantages of digitalization of educational institutions are analyzed using the example of the implementation of distance learning. The process of digitalization of modern education under the influence of the process of universal computerization and the requirements of the modern information society is considered. Examples of modern computer technologies that are already used in the learning process, their impact on society are given. The scheme of the implementation of international experience in Ukrainian educational institutions is given, the norms and directives of the EU governments in the formation and development of the European Higher Education Area are analyzed. The description of international projects to be implemented by universities is presented. The elements of E-learning are introduced into the educational process based on the results of the projects, including measures aimed at improving the quality of educational services and the qualifications of the teaching staff: a series of trainings related to modern teaching methods of education, practical seminars for teachers and students, etc. Structural model of the functioning of the electronic knowledge platform is presented, elements of the platform for providing educational activities in the field of digitalization in Ukraine are described. Based on a review of publications, regulatory requirements and directives, the article discusses the trends in the process of digital transformation of Ukraine.
EXPLOITATION OF THE BORDER ISSUE IN GEORGE SAUNDERS’S THE BRIEF AND FRIGHTENING REIGN OF PHIL
Authors: NAYEBPOUR Karam , VARGHAİYAN Naghmeh
Published: July 2020

The border issue stands at the heart of American writer George Saunders’s novella “Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil” (2005). In his political satire, Saunders shows the symbolic meanings of border and highlights its significance between ethnicities, nations, and states through creating a fantasy world populated by not-quite-human inhabitants who possess anthropomorphic characteristics. In his fable, Saunders deliberately draws an analogy between the functioning of a modern human world and that of the non-human creatures by focusing on the role of border, territory, self and group identity, and state. Saunders’s novella primarily shows how the border issue is potential to be exploited by a populist racist political leader whose personal complexes and desire for power mostly control his actions and decisions. As we argue in this paper, by using the issue of border area, Phil quickly tumbles his nation into an ultra-nationalistic, authoritarian regime which mainly functions by its self-proclaimed leader’s exploitation of the militia, the economy, the bureaucrats, and the media.
Law and Public Relations in Indonesia: Viewed from the Theory of John Henry Merryman on Strategies of Legal Development
Authors: Djatmiko Wahju Prijo
Published: July 2020

Principally, legal development is a sustainable development, its function  as human interest protection, legal aims to reach an order and balance. Order in society guarantees the protection on human interest.  Even though, the development on law is directed to create order in society, meaning law and society are interconnected, there are still plenty of legal products that are not able to meet people needs, and one of them is the judicial review on  the Act no. 19 year 2013 on Protection and Enforcement to Farmers. This  reflects that the Act does not represent social factors. This shows no harmony and benefit connections between the Act no.19 year 2013 as written legal product and society. This phenomenon, then, is analyzed from Theory of John Henry Merryman on Legal Development Strategy (Orthodox and Responsive). The process of making a responsive legal product is a participative one meaning that the process involves greatly the participation of society through social groups and individual in community. Reversely, orthodox legal product is characterized by its centralistic process in which state institutions dominate the process, especially  the authority of executives.
Sustainable Tourism and Culture: A Symbiotic Relationship
Authors: El-Khadrawy Reham Kamel , Attia Amr Abdalla , Khalifa Marwa , Rashed Rowaida
Published: July 2020

Cultural Tourism offers a strong motivation to preserve the elements of cultural heritage in tourist destinations. It helps to preserve cultural elements as important tourist attractions. Cultural tourism’s notion is unlimited to visiting monumental attractions only, but it has also become an interactive experience with the social fabric of the community through attending exhibitions, festivals and events, and the purchase of traditional local products. Thus, the human capital factor in tourism is linked to the quality of tourism products. With the growth of international tourism, the importance of sustainable tourism development has emerged to protect natural, cultural, and human resources, in addition to achieving economic development. As non-sustainable tourism development has led to the deterioration of tourism resources. This research paper examines if cultural tourism contributes to decrease tourism seasonality and achieve sustainable tourism development in cultural heritage sites. A case study of Aswan was selected. Aswan has unique and important elements of cultural heritage (Tangible and Intangible), but it still faces many problems like tourism seasonality, besides its tourism is still weak compared with other cities that have the same tourism potential. Based on a literature review and analytical study of global examples that achieved sustainability in cultural heritage sites, a field study of Aswan was conducted to evaluate the current status of cultural tourism, besides illustrating the challenges of achieving sustainability. The major result that has emerged from the study is paying attention to cultural tourism is the possible solution to the challenges that Aswan tourism faces. Finally, the paper concluded that investment in human capital creates opportunities for cultural tourism which in return resolves one of tourism’s major challenges: seasonality.
Determination of optimum operational conditions for the removal of 2-MIB from drinking water by peroxone process: a pilot-scale study
Authors: Fakioglu M. , Gulhan H. , Ozgun H. , Ersahin M. E. , Ozturk I.
Published: July 2020

Taste and odor in drinking water are one of the main problems of the water supply and treatment sector. Peroxone is an effective advanced oxidation process, which combines ozone with hydrogen peroxide to create hydroxyl radicals that decompose organic compounds. 2-Methylisoborneol (2-MIB) is one of the significant taste and odor causing compounds, which can be removed with the peroxone process. In this study, removal of a 2-MIB compound by peroxone process was investigated in a pilot-scale treatment plant and optimum operational conditions were determined. For safety reasons, it is important that residual O3 and H2O2 concentrations in the water leaving the reactor should not exceed 0.1 and 0.5 mg/L, respectively. Results indicate that while dissolved ozone concentration was below the indicated limit for all experiments, concentrations over 0.5 mg/L residual H2O2 were observed during the experiments with an H2O2:O3 ratio of 0.5. This limit exceedance affected the decision on the ideal peroxone ratio along with the 2-MIB removal results. Therefore; optimum H2O2:O3 ratio was determined as 0.3. 2-MIB removal efficiency of 81% was achieved at the optimum H2O2:O3 ratio with a contact time of 15 min. According to the results, 2-MIB removal rate had a linear correlation with the contact time.
Simultaneous Determination of Penicillin G and Chloramphenicol in Milk by a Magnetic Nanoparticle-Based Fluorescent Immunoassay
Authors: Atanasova Milka , Ivanov Yavor , Zvereva Elena , Zherdev Anatoly , Godjevargova Tzonka
Published: July 2020

Background:

Antibiotic residues are a problem of increasing importance and have direct consequences for human and animal health. The frequent use of antibiotics in veterinary practice causes their excretion in milk in dairy cattle. This way, they can easily enter the human body through the consumption of milk and dairy products.

Objectives:

This induces the need for accurate and sensitive methods to monitor antibiotic levels in milk. The aim of this study was to develop a rapid and sensitive magnetic nanoparticle-based fluorescence immunoassay for the simultaneous detection of chloramphenicol and penicillin G in milk.

Methods:

Magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and functionalized with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane. Chloramphenicol-Ovalbumin and Chloramphenicol-Ovalbumin-Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate conjugates were prepared. Penicillin G – ATTO 633 fluorescent conjugate was synthesized. Antibodies against chloramphenicol and penicillin G were immobilized onto the magnetic nanoparticles. The competitive fluorescent immunoassay was developed. The optimal concentration of the antibody-magnetic nanoparticles and the fluorescent conjugates for the assay was determined. The calibration curves for the antibiotics in buffer and milk were plotted. Fluorescent immunoassay for the simultaneous determination of chloramphenicol and penicillin G in milk was developed.

Results:

The limit of detection by the simultaneous immunoassay of chloramphenicol and penicillin G in milk was 0.85 ng/mL and 1.6 ng/mL, respectively. The recovery of different concentrations of chloramphenicol and penicillin G in milk samples varied from 98% to 106%.

Conclusions:

A rapid and sensitive magnetic nanoparticle-based immunofluorescent assay for the simultaneous determination of chloramphenicol and penicillin G in milk was developed. The magnetic nanoparticles ensured rapid and easy procedure.
Correlation between Serum Vitamin A and D Levels in Acute Phase Ischemic Stroke and Clinical Outcome
Authors: Kadri Alfansuri , Sjahrir Hasan , Sembiring Rosita J. , Ichwan Muhammad
Published: July 2020

Background:

In the last decade, a number of studies have examined the relationship between serum vitamin D concentration and the risk of cerebrovascular events. Besides vitamin D, the latest evidence shows that vitamin A is also a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease. Vitamin A and its derivatives act biologically via specific nuclear receptors that regulate gene transcription. Vitamin A receptors can also interact with other nuclear receptors that have neuroprotective effects such as vitamin D, against stroke. Although many studies suggested the synergism of vitamin A and D, there is still no study that evaluates their levels simultaneously in acute phase ischemic stroke, and the relationship to outcome.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to analyze the correlation between serum vitamin A and D levels on admission in Acute Ischemic Stroke patients and clinical outcome by using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).

Methods:

A prospective cohort study was conducted, and samples were followed since the diagnosis of acute-phase Ischemic Stroke was established until the clinical outcome of day 14 after stroke onset. A total of 50 subjects enrolled for this study would be examined for serum levels of vitamins A and D on admission, and on the 14th day were assessed for NIHSS as a clinical outcome.

Results:

From 50 research subjects, the mean of vitamin A and D level in the acute phase of Ischemic Stroke was 463.35 ± 116.97 µg/L and 21.65 ± 6.51 ng/mL, respectively. By using the Spearman’s correlation test, it was found that the acute phase vitamin A level and NIHSS on day 14 had a significant and strong correlation with p = 0.045 (r = -0.672). Along with it, vitamin D serum levels and NIHSS also had a significant and strong correlation with p = 0.026 (r = -0.754). Both of these results showed that vitamin A and D had an inverse association with NIHSS, meaning that the higher vitamin A and D serum levels, the better the clinical outcome would be.

Conclusion:

Both serum vitamin A and D levels in the acute phase of Ischemic Stroke was correlated strongly with short time clinical outcome. The higher vitamin A and D serum levels in the acute phase, the better the clinical outcome would be for Ischemic Stroke patients.
Investigating Learning Challenges from the Perspective of Nursing Students and Educators at a University in Casablanca, Morocco
Authors: Gouifrane Rachid , Lajane Halima , Benmokhtar Said , Dehbi Fatima , Radid Mohamed
Published: July 2020

Background:

Whether in an academic or clinical setting, many students often consider nursing studies to be difficult. Identifying learning challenges could help to improve the quality of the training and students’ skills.

Objective:

This study aimed to identify the main learning challenges of nursing students.

Methods:

The study utilised a two-phase mixed methods design. First, a focus group discussion with nine teachers and tutors was conducted to explore the learning challenges observed by staff. Then, based on the results, a questionnaire was developed for 54 students to explore and estimate the frequency of learning challenges perceived by them.

Results:

The data analysis confirmed 15 major learning challenges, including cognitive challenges, consisting of theoretical gaps, and challenges related to clinical reasoning, and non-cognitive procedural and behavioural challenges. Challenges related to clinical reasoning, such as the difficulty in developing care plans (100%) and choosing care actions (90.2%), remain the most frequent regardless of the level of study.

Conclusion:

Supervisors should consider students’ learning challenges when designing, developing and implementing their educational interventions.
EVALUASI TINGKAT PENERIMAAN E-LEARNING PADA MAHASISWA BIDANG KEILMUAN SOSIAL DAN TEKNIK DENGAN TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL(TAM)
Authors: Dewi Liana , Kharisma Anisa Sains , Asy’ari Adib Noor
Published: July 2020

Belum optimalnya penggunaan e-learning sebagai media pembelajaran di perguruan tinggi merupakan salah satu hal yang menarik untuk diteliti. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melakukan evaluasi terhadap penggunaan e-learning sebagai media pembelajaran yang diterapkan di suatu institusi pendidikan dengan menggunakan pendekatan Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Penelitian ini mencoba mengukur tingkat penerimaan penggunaan metode e-learning sebagai media pembelajaran pada mahasiswa jurusan Akuntansi dan Teknik Informatika. Sample dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 60 orang mahasiswa jurusan Akuntansi dan Teknik Informatika yang pernah menggunakan e-learning dalam proses perkuliahan. Data dikumpulkan dengan cara kuisioner, terdiri dari 30 pertanyaan dan dianalisis menggunakan metode regresi. Hasil dari pengujian dengan regresi menyatakan bahwa mahasiswa jurusan Akuntansi dan Teknik Informatika memiliki motivasi yang baik dalam penggunaan e-learning sebagai media pembelajaran. Pada mahasiswa jurusan Akuntansi persepsi kegunaan lebih mendominasi motivasi mahasiswa dalam penggunaan e-learnig, sedangkan pada mahasiswa jurusan Teknik Informatika persepsi kemudahan mendominasi motivasi penggunaan e-learning.
PENINGKATAN AKTIVITAS DAN HASIL BELAJAR AKUNTANSI MELALUI IMPLEMENTASI MODEL PEMBELAJARAN KOOPERATIF TEAMS GAMES TOURNAMENT
Authors: Nashiroh Marfuatun , Sukirno Sukirno
Published: July 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan Aktivitas dan Hasil Belajar Akuntansi Siswa Kelas X AKL 2 SMK Negeri 1 Pengasih Tahun Ajaran 2019/2020 melalui implementasi Model Pembelajaran Kooperatif Tipe Teams Games Tournament (TGT). Penelitian ini merupakan Penelitian Tindakan Kelas yang dilaksanakan dalam dua siklus. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah observasi partisipatif, tes, dokumentasi, dan catatan lapangan. Teknik analisis data dalam penelitian ini yaitu analisis data deskriptif kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa implementasi Model Pembelajaran Kooperatif Tipe Teams Games Tournament (TGT) dapat meningkatkan Aktivitas dan Hasil Belajar Akuntansi Siswa. Skor rata-rata Aktivitas Belajar Akuntansi meningkat dari siklus I sebesar 73,44% menjadi 88,47% pada siklus II. Rata-rata Hasil Belajar Akuntansi pada pre test siklus I sebesar 32,27 meningkat menjadi 76,63 pada post test. Pada siklus II, rata-rata Hasil Belajar Akuntansi pre test sebesar 30,81 meningkat menjadi 88,80 pada post test. Ketuntasan Hasil Belajar Akuntansi pada I sebesar 65,71%. Pada siklus II, Ketuntasan Hasil Belajar Akuntansi sebesar 88,57%.Kata kunci: Aktivitas Belajar Akuntansi, Hasil Belajar Akuntansi, TGT.
Psychological Stress in Final Year Nursing Students: The role of clinical environment
Authors: Nasir Norhayati , Abdul Mulud Zamzaliza
Published: July 2020

Past studies have shown that nursing students are stressed. The purpose of this study is to examine the clinical environment factors associated with stress among final year nursing students by adapting the Transactional Stress and Coping Model (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984). The cross-sectional study design was used, data were collected over two months in 2019. A self-administered questionnaire, used to collect data. 420 final year students recruited using a simple random sampling technique. Based on one-way ANOVA, there was a significant mean difference of primary appraisal score and secondary appraisal score. Resilience level was significantly associated with the level of stress.    Keywords: nursing students, stress, resilience.    eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bsby e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, UniversitiTeknologi MARA, Malaysia.    DOI:
Understandability and Actionability of Web-based Education Materials on Hypertension Management
Authors: Ab Hamid Mohd Ramadan , Mohd Isamudin Mastura , Baderol Allam Fatimah Najihah , Buhari Siti Sabariah
Published: July 2020

Hypertension websites are widely and easily accessible. This study aims to assess the understandability and actionability of hypertension websites. Eight websites that met the inclusion criteria were included. Eight experts were appointed to evaluate the websites using PEMAT instrument. The overall mean scores for understandability and actionability were 76.08% and 52.83% respectively. One website did not meet the criteria for understandability (score of ≥70%), while almost all materials failed to meet the criteria for actionability (score of ≤70%). In conclusion, this study provides evidence that many of the available hypertension websites can be easily understood but are less actionable.
Keywords: Hypertension; Health promotion; Internet; Website quality
eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bsby e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, UniversitiTeknologi MARA, Malaysia.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i14.2230