bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International banking business and bank strategy: global trends and benchmarks for post-Soviet states
Authors:   Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), Murshudli Fakhri , Zapotichna Roksolana ,   Lviv State University of Internal Affairs, Dilbazi Erkin ,   Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC)
Published: April 2021

The authors analyze the state of international banking business before and after the global economic crisis of 2007-2009, and make predictions on potential future effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on transformation of international banking and bank strategy. The analysis focuses on trends and changes in the two most important forms of trade in banking services, namely, cross-border banking flows, which include direct cross-border banking flows and local banking flows of international banks’ subsidiaries abroad, and foreign bank presence. It has been concluded that direct cross-border banking flows are more volatile than local banking flows of foreign banks during economic and social upheavals. The period under study has witnessed large increase in foreign bank presence, both in terms of number and local market share. The study determines changes of leading international banks and their home countries, highlighting the weakening position of banks from advanced countries and increase in the role of banks from emerging markets and developing countries. The authors review international expansion strategies of major banks from the post-Soviet states, that are influenced both by the opportunities and goals of banks going abroad, and by the institutional features of their banking systems; countries which these banks are targeting are predominantly comparable to the post-Soviet states in terms of economic development, and are chosen by criteria of their attractiveness, such as high level of trade and political relations with the bank’s home country, the presence of diaspora, the degree of saturation and growth dynamics of the banking market in the host country. The reasons behind the banks’ geographical expansion decision include, among many others, the dramatic growth of their economies, stimulated by the involvement in globalization processes, and liberal banking reforms. Obstacles of economic and non-economic nature that are hindering this expansion, encompass high level of competition in external banking markets, expensive financial resources of domestic banks, low level of expansion of the post-Soviet states-based enterprises to the non-post-Soviet states, discriminatory qualification requirements for personnel and composition of management bodies, problems related to banking licensing procedures and requirements, aspects of culture and communication; their transformation from local banks, operating in the local market, to banks with a clear manifestation of the tendency of their international expansion amidst changing global environment and uncertainty.
The panel data regression concept in consumption modelling
Authors:   Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Szwacka-Mokrzycka Joanna
Published: April 2021

Panel data research constitutes a new methodological approach to studies covering the area of food consumption. The modelling procedure described in this article was carried out taking into account the cross-section of individual types of households and product categories. Product categories included: bread and cereals, cakes and bakery products, meat, fish, milk, yoghurts and dairy drinks, cheese, oils and other vegetable fats, animal fats, fruits, vegetables, confectionery products and juices. Surveys focusing on households’ budgets in the period of 2003-2019 and provided by the Central Statistical Office of Poland (CSO) were the source of information used for the panel data analysis applied in this work. The author has undertaken the task of building all the presented models for panel data, namely fixed effects, random effects and pooled regression. It turned out that the correct models are those with fixed individual effects. In conclusion, it was established that panel models are a useful tool for modelling the consumption of food products. When analysing the constructed models, it is possible to observe significant differences in the consumption of the examined products between the correspondent quintile groups. This study confirms the tendency in food consumption in Poland, observed in 2003-2015.
Economic problems of dual quality of everyday consumer goods
Authors:   Matej Bel University, Zavadsky Jan , Hiadlovsky Vladimir ,   Matej Bel University
Published: April 2021

The dual quality of everyday consumer goods has been proven in the EU, although a geographical pattern dividing the EU into eastern and western parts has not been confirmed. This practice of some manufacturers is mainly mentioned from legislative and ethical points of view, yet its economic impact is also not negligible. It often happens that a consumer buys goods in his country in the same or very similar packaging as consumers abroad, however with a different composition (made with lower quality cheaper raw materials, containing a smaller proportion of basic raw materials or with a lower content of goods). The consumer can thus ask why he gets less or a lower quality product for his/her money than consumers abroad. In our research, we focused on Slovak consumers’ perception of the economic dimension of dual quality. According to the results of a survey of 987 respondents, 89% of the respondents have heard of dual quality and 84% of the respondents are concerned about this practice. Most of the respondents (44%) consider it to be an economic problem precisely because of the use of cheaper raw materials and other proportions of basic raw materials in goods. Based on the research results, we propose to incorporate a comparison of prices for goods (in terms of price per unit weight of goods and taking into account the quality and the price of raw materials used) into the uniform methodology of testing goods for dual quality adopted by the European Commission. Furthermore, we propose to include information on dual quality of goods and the use of different raw materials (which are locally available or are allowed in the country and facilitate the processing procedure) on the packaging, which should be taken into account in pricing.
Relationships between cycle theories, sustainable tourism, and the effects of the COVID-19 in Hungary
Authors:   Budapest Business School in Budapest, Remenyik Bulcsu , Horvath Daniel ,   Szent Istvan University, Vasa Laszlo ,   Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Published: April 2021

Examining cycle theories calls our attention to the fact that tourism will be described by descending and ascending curves within certain periods in the future. According to cycle theories, the downturn in the tourism industry will continue from four to five years. According to the study conducted by the authors, domestic tourism will become more intensive, trips will have spatial limitations, the length of stay will increase, and cars will be the most popular means of transport. As part of the research, the authors surveyed 230 respondents concerning tourism activities. An in-depth interview was carried out with Zoltan Somogyi, a former Deputy Secretary General of the UNWTO, about the possibilities of solving the effects of COVID-19. To address COVID-19 challenges, the Hungarian government is required to make quick decisions. Demand needs to be diversified, and new sustainable tourism products need to be introduced. Visits to Hungary should be extended in space and time, and an interest in domestic tourists in the state should be increased by implementing strong marketing. More serious regulations should be adopted with the participation of local entrepreneurs; more consideration should be given to contactless technologies. In the post-COVID-19 period, the overtourism in Hungary should be replaced by sustainable and creative tourism.
Monetary policy transmission mechanisms in Indonesia: revisiting the role of Divisia money
Authors:   Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Tang Maggie May-Jean , Puah Chin-Hong ,   University of Malaysia Sarawak, Purnamawati I Gusti Ayu ,   Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha
Published: April 2021

This study examines the performance of monetary policy transmission mechanisms in Indonesia from the money view. The best choice of a monetary policy transmission channel has been a topic of debate for many years among researchers as well as central banks. This is mainly due to the inconsistent performance of different channels across countries and period of time. Therefore, it is crucial for policymakers to have a prior understanding of the strengths of the various monetary policy transmission channels. The role of Divisia money in the process of transmission mechanism has also been considered in the Structural Vector Autoregressive (SVAR) model of this study with eight variables and quarterly data from 1984Q1 to 2019Q4. In Indonesia, interest-rates are the major tool used by the central bank to achieve the targeted inflation rate. However, our empirical analysis has shown otherwise, suggesting that other channels are better in ensuring the transmission smoothness of the monetary policy. In addition, depending on whether a short- or long-run effect is desired, a different channel should be adopted to transmit the intended impact. This study has affirmed the superiority of Divisia money since most of the fluctuations in the key domestic macroeconomic variables in Indonesia can be explained by the monetary aggregate.
Telecommunications sector of Armenia and Baltic countries: the impact of foreign direct investment attraction
Authors:   Armenian State University of Economics, Margaryan Atom , Terzyan Haroutyun ,   Armenian State University of Economics, Grigoryan Emil ,   Armenian State University of Economics
Published: April 2021

We examine the institutional and investment developments in the telecommunications sector of Armenia in the last two decades and compare them with those of the Baltic countries, namely, Latvia and Lithuania. In particular, directions of foreign investments made in the sector and the impacts on economic and technological systems of Armenia and the chosen Baltic countries have been thoroughly analyzed. During the analysis, an economic model has been used to assess the impact of foreign direct investments on the income (revenues) of the telecommunications sector of the countries under investigation. Econometric analysis made it possible to consider the above-mentioned links in more depth and in detail. First, a correlation analysis has been carried out which has proved the validity of the hypotheses that there is a strong connection between FDI and the revenue of the telecommunications sector in Armenia and Latvia in the considered time period of 2009-2019. The causal roots of the relationships between the two variables have been studied. After processing the statistical data and refining the model specifications, an econometric model for Armenia has been proposed with the help of which the key relationships have been clarified. The evaluated model, which satisfies the basic quality of econometric models, helped to draw important conclusions on the depth and nature of the impact of foreign direct investment volume on the income of the telecommunications sector in Armenia. The model clearly shows the unstable influence of foreign direct investments on income, which confirms the riskiness of the Armenian economy as a whole, since the country has been in an economic blockade and in a state of war with a neighbouring state for more than 20 years.
The loan-to-value ratio as a macroprudential tool and assessment of real estate in the post-crisis period
Authors:   Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Pisarska Aleksandra , Wasilewska Natalia ,   Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce
Published: April 2021

For more than a decade, banking systems of many countries around the world have been trying to recover from the effects of the global financial crisis. The dynamics of one of the most important indicators of the effective operation of the banking sector - the level of fulfilment of loan obligations by the debtor - is analysed in the present paper. A nonperforming loan ratio (NPL) more than doubled in the EU in the period from 2008 until 2012, and the value of this indicator increased more than 20 times in the period from 2008 until 2017 in Ukraine. Many countries worldwide have focused on activities that aim at minimizing the risks associated with lending. The experience of more than 4,000 banks in 46 countries shows that one of the most effective macroprudential tools used by European central banks for mortgage loans is the loan-to-value ratio (LTV). According to research, central banks have recommended lowering the level of LTV. Thus, in Poland, the loan-to-value ratio used to be 100% and even higher, but from 2017 the maximum level should not exceed 80%. In China, the LTV level has dropped to 40% for the secondary real estate market. In Germany, the maximum loan-to-value ratio is 80%, and mortgages with LTV of less than 60% are financed at more favourable conditions by banks. Using macroprudential policy has made it possible to stabilize the situation in the banking system, therefore in 2020 the average level of non-performing loans in the EU decreased to 2.8%. In Poland, the level of NPL is slightly higher and is 6.2%, however in Ukraine the figure remains high and reaches 41%. This study aims to identify the dependence between the adequacy of fulfilment of the collateral and the debtor’s loan obligations, which is extremely important in order to stabilize and increase the liquidity and profitability of banking institutions. The obtained results are based on the assessment of 200 loan cases for which the execution time has come.
International approaches to organizing an internal control system at an enterprise in the digital era
Authors:   Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University, Klius Yulia , Ivchenko Yevhen ,   Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University, Izhboldina Anzhelika ,   Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University, Ivchenko Yuliia ,   Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the study is to analyze the existing approaches to the organization of the internal control system used to effectively support the activities of enterprises in foreign countries and determine its influence and possible application in domestic practice. The study found that all elements of the internal control system are closely interconnected and ensure the effective functioning of the enterprise, providing management with reliable and impartial information on its status for management decisions. Thus, international approaches to the organization of the internal control system at the enterprise are based on the assessment of the control environment of the enterprise along with risk assessment and monitoring. Approaches to the organization of internal control of some international companies specializing in industrial engineering and the basic principles that guide them in the implementation of internal control are identified. Among the areas of increasing the efficiency of the internal control system, the possibility of using innovative technologies related to the introduction of cloud technologies, artificial intelligence, robotization of automated processes, the use of drones or blockchains is highlighted. It has been revealed that most companies abroad are focused on corporate risk management. The study determined that the internal control system should cover and organize financial and management accounting, strategic project management, operations, personnel, general management and should take into account the goals and objectives of the company. The authors found that the system of internal control in private companies differs in conditions of fierce competition.
Changes in the structure of Armenia’s labour resources between 1993 and 2020
Authors:   Gdansk University of Technology, Gomółka Krystyna , Flisikowski Karol ,   Gdansk University of Technology
Published: April 2021

The article characterises the structure of Armenia’s labour resources in the period between1993 and 2020. It aims to assess the changes on the Armenian labour market by means of a deductive analysis of historical data and observation of changes in the structure of resources based on generally available macroeconomic data. The authors evaluate these processes against the background of demographic and economic changes, by presenting and describing statistical data. Variables such as data on the economic situation of the country (income capita, inflation rate and unemployment), demographic data (employment structure, population structure, migration) are used for the analysis. The analysis demonstrates that the COVID-19 pandemic and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict led to an economic downturn in Armenia, with GDP per capita falling, and inflation rising. A more rapid decrease in employment could be observed in 2020, manifesting itself in a declining number of employees, self-employed and entrepreneurs. A much more significant drop in employment was observed in urban areas than in the countryside, although the total number of agricultural workers in Armenia decreased compared to the 1990s. The governmental measures and programmes aimed at protecting jobs and businesses and mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be insufficient. In 2020, fewer citizens emigrated from Armenia as a result of the state of the emergency maintained from March to June 2020 and the closing of state borders.
Analysis of the situation in higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic in the world: opportunities and threats of online training
Authors:   Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Kolomiets Olga , Litvinova Tatijana ,   Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
Published: April 2021

Introduction. the essence of the situation in education during the COVID-19 pandemic in the world is quite complex: due to the large number of restrictions in some countries, education is conducted completely remotely or hybrid. In the period of 2020, medical university students were forced to practice in hospitals in the context of the pandemic, helping local medical staff, which helped to fill the shortage of specialists. The quality of education will inexorably fall due to low involvement in remote education as well as many distractions which have already proven many researchers. Universities were not ready for mass digitalization due to government restrictions and social distancing, so the quality of material transfer cannot match the classical education. The purpose of the study is to examine the impact of the pandemic COVID-19 on the medical education market and its stakeholders. Results. Universities were not ready for the transition to online (distance) education, as evidenced by the decline in the quality of education, based on surveys of the faculty of some universities. As a result, on the one hand, you can get higher education online while in your country, on the other hand, the quality of education falls without an adequately commensurate practical part (for example, medical education cannot be of high quality when it is taught online). Over time, only the year 2025 is expected to surge technologies to improve online education and the full transfer of many universities to provide distance learning; it is a good chance to get an education to those who previously could not obtain it, including for economic reasons. Conclusion. The global COVID-19 pandemic has become a catalyst for global processes of digital transformation in all spheres of life. In such circumstances, the role of digital technologies in education has become extremely important. Among the many technological advantages, their ability to protect human lives and at the same time ensure the implementation of the educational process remained almost unnoticed. Current situation has accelerated the mass transition to the use of digital technologies, including digitalization of education, its technologization and standardization.
Economic analysis of data protection in systems with complex architecture using neural network methods
Authors:   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Nelub Vladimir , Gantimurov Andrey ,   BAUM-Inform, Borodulin Alexey ,   Bauman Moscow State Technical University
Published: April 2021

Introduction. In the United States, Europe, and Asia, there have been spikes in cyber attacks on protected and confidential information (including bank data, personal data, and confidential business information) over the period 2000-2020. Data protection in systems with complex architectures is a complex and non-trivial solution, which is suitable for flexible self-tuning and self-learning tools, such as neural networks as state modern studies. The described above state of things stipulates the importance and topicality of the direction of our research. Our research raises the question about the economic study of the data but attempts to create a mathematical apparatus to cause a loss of data in digital form, not made before The purpose of the study is to propose and test the calculation of the economic value of the data loss and economic benefit from data protection with multi-level neural networks. Results. Nowadays, almost every business that has access to the Internet has a threat of losing protected data, including banking data. To prevent this, the company must comply with the data protection management regulations. As an example, we studied the process of neural network reaction to an attack and its detection, when two types of attacks are threatened: botnet and UDP flood. Due to the result of a quick response to detect suspicious activity, neural network methods are excellent for use in economic analysis, because the neural network logs every event for every millisecond. Conclusions. As a result of using neural network tools for economic analysis of data protection in modern systems with complex architecture, we were able to obtain stable results of responding to an emerging attack in order to obtain protected data. Such protection is a preventive measure for the possibility of reducing business losses in the event of data loss. As we can see, the management of protection of systems with complex architecture is necessary for each company with the specified data level.
THE EFFECT OF ONLINE LEARNING AND STUDENT MOTIVATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Geta septiadi  , Firmansyah Dliss  , Abdul Sukur
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to obtain information about the effect of online learning media learning and student motivation during the Covid-19 pandemic on physical education learning outcomes. The method in this study uses Path Analysis. The sample included in this study amounted to 161 students. The results of the analysis show that the contribution of the influence of Online Learning (X1) on Learning Outcomes (Y) is significant at 0.807, Learning Media (X2) on Learning Outcomes (Y) is significant at 0.783, Motivation (X3) on Learning Outcomes (Y) which significant at 0.834, Online Learning (X1) on Motivation (X3) which is significant at 0.532, Media Learning (X2) on Motivation (X3) which is significant for 0.614. The conclusion in this study is that online learning, learning media and motivation have a direct effect on physical education learning outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online learning, learning media have a direct effect on motivation in students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
EVALUATION OF THE EXTRACULICULAR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF VOLYBALL IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Authors: Siswantoro  , Moch Asmawi  , James Tangkudung
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to find out the volleyball extracurricular development program in Tambun Utara sub-district using the CIPP eva-luation model (Context, Input, Process and Product). By using the CIPP method, which was presented by Daniel L. Stuflebeam, it is an evaluation of the Context discussion on the background of the program and the purpose of the coaching program. Input Evaluation is a discussion of the acceptance of athletes, coaches, funds, facilities and infrastructure. Process Evaluation, discussion on the implementation of training, consumption / nutrition, coordination and communication programs. Product evaluation, which is about the results of the guided program achievement which is obtained in the volleyball extracurricular program development. The results of this study were obtained from the results of interviews, observations and documentation studies obtained by the researchers that the volleyball extracurricular training program in Tambun North District Public Middle School had carried out the processes and procedures of sports achievement development programs in general. However, the implementation is constrained by funding, training facilities and infrastructure as well as other facilities that can support the training program. The importance of communication and coordination of sports stakeholders has not run as expected in seeking donors both local and private government.
Elimination of HLA antibodies by platelet adsorption
Authors: Jung J. , Barron C.
Published: April 2021

The presence of HLA antibodies in patient serum or plasma may make antibody identification difficult. These HLA antibodies may mask the presence of clinically significant red blood cell (RBC) alloantibodies. Because platelets strongly express HLA antigens, it is possible to remove HLA antibodies by adsorbing the patient’s serum or plasma using a platelet pool. Large numbers of random platelets are pooled to ensure a wide variety of HLA types are present. Elimination of the reactivity after adsorption suggests the presence of HLA antibodies in the patient’s serum or plasma. The adsorbed patient sample may then be used to evaluate RBC alloantibodies without HLA antibody interference.
Weak D types 38 and 11: determination of frequencies in a Brazilian population and validation of an easy molecular assay for detection
Authors: Dezan M.R. , Oliveira V.B. , Conrado M. , Luz F. , Gallucci A. , Oliveira T.G.M. , Sabino E.C. , Rocha V. , Mendrone A. , Dinardo C.L.
Published: April 2021

Recent evidence shows that, among Brazilians, the distribution of weak D types significantly differs from that represented in people of European descent, with a high percentage of weak D types 38 and 11. Our goal was to determine the population frequencies of weak D types 38 and 11 in a Brazilian population and to validate a molecular approach to identify these two variants. Blood donors were sequentially enrolled in the study in a 5-year period. Donors with serologic weak D phenotype had the RHD coding region sequenced. The frequencies of weak D type 38 and weak D type 11 (CDe-associated) were calculated. Two allele-specific– polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) assays were designed to detect RHD*weak D type 38 and RHD*weak partial 11 and were validated with samples positive and negative for these two variants, respectively. A total of 618,542 donors were enrolled, of which 265 presented with a serologic weak D phenotype. When considering all donors evaluated, the frequencies of weak D types 38 and 11 were 0.013 and 0.002 percent, respectively. In the subgroup of donors with a serologic weak D phenotype, the frequencies of weak D types 38 and 11 were 30.2 and 4.9 percent, respectively. The two proposed AS-PCR assays for detection of RHD*weak D type 38 and RHD*weak partial 11 showed 100 percent accuracy. The frequencies of weak D types 38 and 11 among Brazilians are high compared to that previously described for other populations. The AS-PCR assays to detect RHD*weak D type 38 and RHD*weak partial 11 represent potentially helpful tools for investigating Brazilian individuals with these weak D phenotypes.
Freezing and recovering rare red blood cells using glycerol
Authors: Eades B.
Published: April 2021

Rare red blood cells (RBCs) can be used in antibody identification or compatibility testing when antibodies to high-prevalence antigens or to other rare phenotypes are suspected. These rare RBCs are typically not readily available in commercial reagent RBC panels. When such RBCs are identified in donors or patients, however, laboratories can freeze and store the RBCs in a glycerol solution, which prevents severe freezing injury. When needed, the glycerolized RBCs can be thawed and the glycerol removed using decreasing concentrations of NaCl. The rare RBCs can then be used in testing.
Binding Partners of 14-3-3 (YWHA) Protein Isoforms among Mammalian Species, Tissues, and Developmental Stages
Authors: Covington Taylor R. , De Santanu
Published: April 2021

The 14-3-3 (YWHA or Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/Tryptophan 5-Monooxygenase Activation proteins) are a family of abundant, highly conserved, ubiquitous, acidic, and homologous proteins expressed in most eukaryotes ranging from plants to animals, including humans, important in regulating a multitude of cellular processes such as signal transduction, cell cycle, protein trafficking, metabolism, apoptosis, and development. Mammals have been noted contain seven isoforms of these proteins (beta, epsilon, eta, gamma, sigma, tau/theta, and zeta), encoded by separate genes. The 14-3-3 proteins are known to interact with over 200 binding partners in isoform-specific, tissue-specific, and developmental stage-specific ways. The present review article encapsulates previously published research articles that report 14-3-3-interactors, and investigates isoform-specific interactions within a wide array of mammalian species, cells, tissues, organs, and developmental stages. Of the hundreds of binding partners of 14-3-3 discovered till date, this paper focuses on analyzing selected, representative interactors with key functional roles. The study would help a better understanding of isoform-specific interactions of this critical protein family in mammals.
Analysing Road Traffic Situation in Lilongwe: An Agent Based Modelling (ABM) Approach
Authors: Sibale Khetwayo B , Munthali Kondwani G
Published: April 2021

A 15, 451 km road network forms the main mode of transport for Malawi with 26 % paved. With increasing number of vehicles and elongated travel times during rush hour the study analysed the traffic situation on the M1 road between Mchinji and Area 18 roundabouts in Lilongwe City using an agent-based model (ABM). The methodology used game theory’s traffic grip model to analyse traffic flow by controlling traffic variables such as lights, speed limits and the number of vehicles. Each intersection was treated as non-cooperative game where each agent tried to minimize its queue resulting into Q−Nash’s equilibrium as the solution. The ABM tested the empirical relationships of traffic flow parameters in terms of density, ﬂow, acceleration, deceleration, speed, time lost in traffic congestion and fuel consumption. The model was calibrated using traffic data collected through observing 1,312 vehicles sampled against 24,977. The observation results from the road junctions reveal that on average, a vehicle takes 20 mins 18 seconds, 37 minutes 6 seconds, 44 minutes 21 seconds and 58 minutes 53 seconds to exit Chitukuko, Bwandilo, Chilambula roads and Area 18 roundabout respectively upon entering the M1 at Mchinji roundabout. This data was then used to calibrate the business-as-usual model for the peak hour scenario for the road junctions. The model results show that a selected vehicle entering Chitukuko junction travels at an average speed of 22.60 km/hr, until it exits that junction. On average the selected motorists spend 2.52 l/km with a traffic density of 72 v/km. If dualized average speeds improved to 41.54 km/hr while the traffic density declined to 54.42 v/km, saving motorists MK 3,921,624.00 annually. The predictive model of the dual carriage informed that by 2021, commuters will spend MK 5,187,168 on fuel more than single-lane business as usual scenario of 2019.
Ground-state Shallow-donor Binding Energy in (In,Ga)N/GaN Double QWs Under Temperature, Size, and the Impurity Position Effects
Authors: En-nadir Redouane , El Ghazi Haddou , Jorio Anouar , Zorkani Izeddine
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we study the hydrogen-like donor-impurity binding energy of the ground-state change as a function of the well width under the effect of temperature, size, and impurity position. Within the framework of the effective mass approximation, the Schrodinger-Poisson equation has been solved taken account an on-center hydrogen-like impurity in double QWs with rectangular finite confinement potential profile for 10% of indium concentration in the (well region). The eigenvalues and their correspondent eigenvectors have been obtained by the fined element method (FEM). The obtained results are in good agreement with the literature and show that the temperature, size, and the impurity position have a significant impact on the binding energy of a hydrogen-like impurity in symmetric double coupled quantum wells based on non-polar wurtzite (In,Ga) N/GaN core/Shell.
The Use of Memes and Satire by the Alt-right and Gen Z Activists – Exclusion vs Inclusion
Authors: Greene Viveca
Published: April 2021

On November 27, 2020, Viveca S. Greene presented The Use of Memes and Satire by the Alt-right and Gen Z Activists – Exclusion vs Inclusion at the 2020 CASIS West Coast Security Conference. The presentation was followed by a group panel for questions and answers. Main discussion topics included humour studies, the Alt-Right, satire, and memes.
Combatting Terrorism and Extremism in Wales: Operational Policing
Authors: Hayes Andrew
Published: April 2021

On November 26th, 2020, Andrew Hayes, Detective Chief Inspector for the South Wales Police presented Combatting Terrorism and Extremism in Wales: Operational Policing at the 2020 CASIS West Coast Security Conference. Main discussion topics included terrorism and extremism in Wales, factors involved in radicalization, and some of the strategies used to safeguard individuals at risk of radicalization.
Mapping the Psychosocialcultural Aspects of Healthcare Professionals’ Information Security Practices: Systematic Mapping Study
Authors: Yeng Prosper Kandabongee , Szekeres Adam , Yang Bian , Snekkenes Einar Arthur
Published: April 2021

Background

Data breaches in health care are on the rise, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to mitigation efforts.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive framework for modeling and analyzing health care professionals’ information security practices related to their individual characteristics, such as their psychological, social, and cultural traits.

Methods

The study area was a hospital setting under an ongoing project called the Healthcare Security Practice Analysis, Modeling, and Incentivization (HSPAMI) project. A literature review was conducted for relevant theories and information security practices. The theories and security practices were used to develop an ontology and a comprehensive framework consisting of psychological, social, cultural, and demographic variables.

Results

In the review, a number of psychological, social, and cultural theories were identified, including the health belief model, protection motivation theory, theory of planned behavior, and social control theory, in addition to some social demographic variables, to form a comprehensive set of health care professionals’ characteristics. Furthermore, an ontology was developed from these theories to systematically organize the concepts. The framework, called the psychosociocultural (PSC) framework, was then developed from the various combined psychological and sociocultural attributes of the ontology. The Human Aspect of Information Security Questionnaire was adopted as a comprehensive tool for gathering staff security practices as mediating variables in the framework.

Conclusions

Data breaches occur often in health care today. This frequency has been attributed to the lack of experience of health care professionals in information security, the lack of development of conscious care security practices, and the lack of motivation to incentivize health care professionals. The frequent data breaches in health care threaten the mutual trust between health care professionals and patients, which implicitly impacts the quality of the health care service. The modeling and analysis of health care professionals’ security practices can be conducted with the PSC framework by combining methods of statistical survey, observations, and interviews in relation to PSC variables, such as perceptions (perceived benefits, perceived threats, and perceived barriers) or psychological traits, social factors, cultural factors, and social demographics.
Exergaming as a Functional Test Battery in Patients Who Received Arthroscopic Ankle Arthrodesis: Cross-sectional Pilot Study
Authors: Hendrickx Roel , van der Avoird Tim , Pilot Peter , Kerkhoffs Gino , Schotanus Martijn
Published: April 2021

Background

Recently, movement-based videogames (exergames) have gained popularity in improving the rehabilitation process after surgery. During exergaming, participants are physically challenged as the game component stimulates adherence to the training program. There is no literature on the effect of exergame training interventions in patients who received arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis.

Objective

This pilot study assessed the potency of an existing exergaming tool for the rehabilitation program of patients who received arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis.

Methods

A cross-sectional pilot study was performed, in which patients who received arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis (n=8) were subjected to an exergaming protocol. Gait analysis was performed with a treadmill system. A healthy age-matched control group (n=10) was used as the control group.

Results

The patient group was capable of performing exergaming exercises and they showed no floor or ceiling effect. Only in case of the overall stability, the patient group performed significantly less better than the control group (P=.03). Gait analysis showed equal step length with increased external rotation of the affected limb.

Conclusions

Exergaming seems to be a valuable tool for measuring the ability of patients who received AAA to perform activities of daily living and it has the potential to individualize rehabilitation programs. When exergaming is systematically integrated with patient-reported outcome measures and activity tracking, it has the potential to improve the quality of care.
Using Digital Tools to Engage Patients With Psychosis and Their Families in Research: Survey Recruitment and Completion in an Early Psychosis Intervention Program
Authors: Polillo Alexia , Voineskos Aristotle N , Foussias George , Kidd Sean A , Sav Andreea , Hawley Steve , Soklaridis Sophie , Stergiopoulos Vicky , Kozloff Nicole
Published: April 2021

Background

Barriers to recruiting and retaining people with psychosis and their families in research are well-established, potentially biasing clinical research samples. Digital research tools, such as online platforms, mobile apps, and text messaging, have the potential to address barriers to research by facilitating remote participation. However, there has been limited research on leveraging these technologies to engage people with psychosis and their families in research.

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the uptake of digital tools to engage patients with provisional psychosis and their families in research and their preferences for different research administration methods.

Methods

This study used Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap)—a secure web-based platform with built-in tools for data collection and storage—to send web-based consent forms and surveys on service engagement via text message or email to patients and families referred to early psychosis intervention services; potential participants were also approached or reminded about the study in person. We calculated completion rates and timing using remote and in-person methods and compensation preferences.

Results

A total of 447 patients with provisional psychosis and 187 of their family members agreed to receive the web-based consent form, and approximately half of the patients (216/447, 48.3%) and family members (109/187, 58.3%) consented to participate in the survey. Most patients (182/229, 79.5%) and family members (75/116, 64.7%) who completed the consent form did so remotely, with more family members (41/116, 35.3%) than patients (47/229, 20.5%) completing it in person. Of those who consented, 77.3% (167/216) of patients and 72.5% (79/109) of family members completed the survey, and most did the survey remotely. Almost all patients (418/462, 90.5%) and family members (174/190, 91.6%) requested to receive the consent form and survey by email, and only 4.1% (19/462) and 3.2% (6/190), respectively, preferred text message. Just over half of the patients (91/167, 54.5%) and family members (42/79, 53.2%) preferred to receive electronic gift cards from a coffee shop as study compensation. Most surveys were completed on weekdays between 12 PM and 6 PM.

Conclusions

When offered the choice, most participants with psychosis and their families chose remote administration methods, suggesting that digital tools may enhance research recruitment and participation in this population, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
A Digital Platform for Facilitating Personalized Dementia Care in Nursing Homes: Formative Evaluation Study
Authors: Wang Gubing , Albayrak Armagan , Kortuem Gerd , van der Cammen Tischa JM
Published: April 2021

Background

Care personalization is key to the well-being of people with dementia according to person-centered care. With the development of the internet of things, a large quantity of personal data can be collected securely and reliably, which has the potential to facilitate care personalization for people with dementia. Yet, there are limited assistive technologies developed for this purpose, and the user acceptance of assistive technologies is low in nursing homes. Therefore, through a data-enabled design approach, a digital platform was developed for helping the care team in a nursing home to personalize dementia care, specifically in the management of behavioral and psychological dementia symptoms.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the digital platform in a real-life context with potential users from the following two aspects: (1) to explore if the digital platform could help with generating insights on the current state of each person with dementia and (2) to gather feedback on the digital platform from the care team.

Methods

The digital platform was deployed in the nursing home for 7 weeks and the data collected were visualized and presented to the care team via the digital platform. The visualizations were analyzed by the researchers for pattern detection. Meanwhile, the care team was asked to examine the visualizations and were interviewed for the following: (1) if any insights and actions were generated from the examination, (2) the usefulness of the digital platform, and (3) the improvements they would like to see.

Results

The data collected on the digital platform demonstrated its potential for pattern detection. Insights were generated by the care team and categorized into “client level,” “ward level,” and “team level.” The corresponding actions taken by the care team were classified into “investigation” and “implementation.” User acceptance varied across the care team, and three aspects of improvement for the digital platform were identified.

Conclusions

By evaluating the digital platform, this study gained insights on applying data-enabled design for personalizing dementia care; besides, it offers future researchers some recommendations on how to integrate assistive technologies in the nursing home context.
Downregulation of high-affinity potassium and sodium symporter gene, EcHKT1;1, in Eucalyptus roots enhances salt tolerance
Authors: Aiyar BALASUBRAMANIAN , kamalabai Selvakesavan Rajendran , Krishnaraj Shamili , C Sandhya M , Jayachandran Usha , Selvam Sudha , V Siva kumar , Kottaipalayam-Somasundaram Sowmiya , C Suryaprabha A , Bachpai Vijaya Kumar Waman , Gherbi Hassen , Franche Claudine , Nambiar-Veetil Mathish
Published: April 2021

Engineering for restricted root Na+ uptake could potentially enhance
salt tolerance in Eucalyptus. High-affinity K+ transporters (HKTs) have
been implicated in Na+ uptake from the external medium as in the case of
TaHKT2;1 or in the unloading of Na+ from xylem like in AtHKT1;1. To
rapidly determine the in planta role of EcHKT1:1, composite transgenics
in which EcHKT1:1 was specifically downregulated via RNAi in the roots
were generated. Compared to the controls that failed to survive at 350
mM NaCl, 33 % of the composite transgenic plantlets generated using the
EcHKT1;1 silencing construct were able to tolerate up to 400 mM NaCl. In
these composite transgenics, EcHKT1;1 downregulation ranged from 37 %
to 74 %. The average shoot to root ratio of sodium was 4.9 folds lower
than the controls indicating restricted translocation of Na+ to the
shoots. Relative expression analysis in the leaves of two non-transgenic
genotypes contrasting for their salt tolerance also showed downregulated
EcHKT1;1 expression in the tolerant clone. The study thus determined
that EcHKT1;1 is a major gene determining Na+ transport from the roots
to shoots. This study also demonstrated the utility of the composite
transgenic approach for screening genes conferring salt tolerance in
tree species.
THE EFFICACY OF GREATER OCCIPITAL NERVE BLOCK IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC MIGRAINE
Authors: GÖLEN Meltem KARACAN , OKUYAN Dilek YILMAZ
Published: April 2021

Background and Purpose: In chronic migraines(CM), the rate of benefiting
from medical treatment is relatively low, and it is known that patients
use analgesics extensively. Greater occipital nerve (GON) block, have
been started to be used in chronic migraine patients who were refractory
to treatment. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the headache attack
frequency, analgesic use, VAS (Visual Analog Scale) and MIDAS (Migraine
Disability Assessment Scale) scores in the 3-month follow-up of patients
we had performed a GON block in our clinic for chronic migraine
refractory to medical treatment. Methods: A total of 120 CM patients
were included in the study. The number of analgesics used, the number of
days with pain, and the VAS and MIDAS scores were recorded before the
GON block and at one and three months of treatment. Results: There was a
statistically significant (p<0.001*) reduction in the number
of days with pain, analgesic use, and the VAS and MIDAS scores in the
first and third months compared to the pre-treatment baseline values in
patients who had undergone a GON block. No significant differences
between the first and third months. Conclusions: After the GON block, we
noted a significant reduction of headaches and improved quality of life
in patients who had been experiencing severe headaches despite medical
treatment. The GON block has an exceptionally high benefit rate, might
be considered as a treatment option before migraines gain chronicity,
patients are not exposed to an excessive medical burden and increased
treatment costs. Keywords: Headache; Chronic migraine; Greater occipital
nerve block.