bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hirschman meets Williamson: Relationship-specific investment and loyalty
Authors: Mike Károly
Published: January 2022

In Albert Hirschman’s theory, loyalty plays a key role in the equilibrium between exit and voice. This article extends economic (rational choice) analysis to the emergence of loyalty, which Hirschman considers an exogenous factor. This is accomplished by linking Williamson’s theory of specific investment to Hirschman’s model. Three cases are distinguished: (1) loyalty is due to specific investment; (2) loyalty is due to (intermediate) factors influenced by specific investment; and, (3) loyalty is independent of specific investment. A simple model formalizes the first case. A paradoxical dynamic of loyalty is identified: a lower degree of specificity may lead to a weakening of loyalty in the short run but astrengthening of loyalty in the long run. An application to the process of European integration is sketched.
Modeling frequency and type of interaction in event networks
Authors: Lerner Juergen , Bussmann Margit , Snijders Tom A. B. , Brandes Ulrik
Published: January 2022

Longitudinal social networks are increasingly given by event data, i.e., data coding the time and type of interaction between social actors. Examples include networks stemming from computer-mediated communication, open collaboration in wikis, phone call data, and interaction among political actors. In this paper we propose a general model for networks of dyadic, typed events. We decompose the probability of events into two components: the first modeling the frequency of interaction and the second modeling the conditional event type, i.e., the quality of interaction, given that interaction takes place. While our main contribution is methodological, for illustration we apply our model to data about political cooperation and conflicts collected with the Kansas Event Data System. Special emphasis is given to the fact that some explanatory variables affect the frequency of interaction while others rather determine the level of cooperativeness vs. hostility, if interaction takes place. Furthermore, we analyze if and how model components controlling for network dependencies affect findings on the effects of more traditional predictors such as geographic proximity or joint alliance membership. We argue that modeling the conditional event type is a valuable - and in some cases superior - alternative to previously proposed models for networks of typed events.
"It's so little money you could make as much at home" - options for work in an impoverished rural region of high unemployment.
Authors: Husz Ildiko
Published: January 2022

Hungary has a higher unemployment rate than the member states of the European Union and even most former socialist countries. This rate for 15-64 year-olds has been around 56% since 1999, as against 66% in the European Union (OECD Employment Database). There is also a high degree of regional unevenness within the country. The situation is worst in North Hungary, an area of multiple economic and social deprivations. Several pieces of research have analysed the causes of long-term unemployment and have highlighted the main social, geographical and institutional factors behind it. People of low educational attainment who live in small villages and members of the Roma minority are particularly likely to have been without jobs for a long time.
The solution-seeking behavior of small Hungarian enterprises between 2006 and 2010
Authors: Győri Ágnes
Published: January 2022

This paper describes the results of an investigation into the finance-related innovative ability of Hungarian micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) by using two datasets (from 2006 and 2010). The author explored SMEs’ levels of openness to new financial solutions and identified features which influence their innovative solution-seeking behavior. Additionally, changes in innovation between 2006 and 2010 were analyzed according to the SME sector and whether there is a correlation between having an active solution seeking attitude and business performance was examined. The findings show that shared/multiple ownership in businesses (having interests in different enterprises simultaneously) has a significant positive effect on flexibility and innovative ability. However, the size of the business, industrial sector, type of ownership and market of the SME also have some effect. Furthermore, the hypothesis that an active solution-seeking attitude increases after-tax performance per employee was confirmed.
Embeddedness and beyond. Conference on the state of economic sociology
Authors: Ihász-Tóth Dániel , Nagy-Crosby Michelle
Published: January 2022

Do Sociological Theories Meet Economic Realities?– went the provocative subtitle of the most recent international economic sociology conference ´Embeddedness and Beyon ´, held in Moscow, October 2012. Indeed, approaches towards dealing with the current economic turbulence show how different narratives can sometimes coexist in contested spaces without speaking to each other, as was the case of the Occupy Movement. Here, with their post capitalist vision, participants pitched their tents in front of the very symbol of capitalism: the London Stock Exchange. At the conference, Sandy Ross from the London School of Economics suggested that, as with the Occupy Movement, speaking at cross-purposes should be avoided in science as well. To better capture reality scholars should breach boundaries within economic sociology and between disciplines. To this end the conference was a success, as scholars with various academic backgrounds and inspiration ranging in fields from sociology to cognitive science, economic history and complex system research to science and technology studies gathered from around the world with their palette of research techniques, from ethnographic research to the state-of-the-art mathematicised (network) analytics.
A Note on Roma Mental Health and the Statement by Géza Jeszenszky
Authors: Ryder Andrew Richard , Nagy Beáta , Rostás Iulius
Published: January 2022

In 2005 a course text book was published which was written by Géza Jeszenszky and used for courses taught by Jeszenszky at the Corvinus University. In the text book there is a sentence which generated a great deal of debate and controversy. "The reason why many Roma are mentally ill is because in Roma culture it is permitted for sisters and brothers or cousins to marry each other or just to have sexual intercourse with each other" (Jeszenszky, 2005, 273). In November 2012 the Corvinus Rector issued a statement which declared the Corvinus University did not agree with the sentence. Péter Csermely in a Magyar Nemzet (newspaper) editorial responded to criticism of Jeszenszky’s sentence and stated that the author had simply drawn some conclusions from “evident facts”, “supported by many researchers” (Magyar Nemzet, 2012). It was suggested in late 2012 that the Corvinus University establish a commission to provide an academic and scientific statement on the sentence with a view to seeking Jeszenszky’s endorsement of the note and clarifying the actual expert opinion on these matters in order to diminish the damage caused by confusion and or acceptance of unsubstantiated claims. In May 2013 at a conference on Roma issues hosted by the Corvinus University the Vice Rector Zoltán Szántó stated he now felt it was an appropriate time to initiate the commission. The scientific note summarises the findings of the commission which was established to investigate this issue.
From policy to practice – Migrant integration projects in 5 European countries
Authors: Feleky Gábor Attila
Published: January 2022

This recent book titled From learning the language to political participation is the result of a vast research program named ‘European Integration Modules – Exchange of Experience’ carried out by the ICCR-Budapest Foundation. The aim of this initiative was to select and explore European good practices of migrant integrations, which can be used as schemes for implementing integration projects in Hungary. The rationale behind the program is quite straightforward. Lists of integration good or ‘best’ practices are not hard to find, however, as a rule, only short descriptions are available, which makes it hard – if not impossible – to get to know the details of a given project, or even harder to examine whether its success is related to a specific social or cultural environment. Moreover, questions may arise whether projects baptized ‘good practices’ by some experts are implemented exactly as it appears in the descriptions, or these portrayals omit the least successful aspects of a project.
Critical sociology or sociology of critique. Report on the 11th Conference of The European Sociological Association (28-31 August 2013, Turin)
Authors: Hrubos Ildikó
Published: January 2022

This year, more participants than ever (about 2600 persons) registered for the biannual professional conference of European sociologists. Over three days a total of 2700 presentations and poster displays took place.The ESA had chosen an important and timely, real European theme for the conference again: “Crises, Critique and Change”. More specifically, it intended to explore three questions: Which crisis? Whose critique? What changes? The participants of the conference attempted to provide a thorough response to the first two questions from various points of view. Answering the third question was less powerfully successful which indicates that the sociologist profession has to make significant efforts to strengthen its social and professional prestige, which appears to have been shaken.
Iron Deficiency in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is Associated With Low Levels of Vitamin D Modulating Serum Hepcidin and Intestinal Ceruloplasmin Expression
Authors: Stallhofer Johannes , Veith Lisa , Diegelmann Julia , Probst Philipp , Brand Stephan , Schnitzler Fabian , Olszak Torsten , Török Helga , Mayerle Julia , Stallmach Andreas , Beigel Florian
Published: January 2022

INTRODUCTION:

Iron deficiency and vitamin D deficiency are common comorbidities in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Accumulating evidence indicates that active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)D) may enhance iron absorption by suppressing hepcidin. We investigated the influence of vitamin D on iron metabolism in patients with IBD and on the expression of genes facilitating intestinal epithelial iron absorption.

METHODS:

Iron parameters and serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), 1,25(OH)D, and hepcidin were measured in 104 adult patients with IBD (67 with Crohn's disease and 37 with ulcerative colitis). Genes involved in iron absorption were tested for induction by 1,25(OH)D in Caco-2 cells, which resemble the small intestinal epithelium.

RESULTS:

In multiple regression models controlling for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, disease activity, and C-reactive protein levels, low 25(OH)D levels were associated with iron deficiency in patients with IBD (β [SE] = −0.064 [0.030], P = 0.029). Vitamin D sufficiency was associated with increased levels of ferritin (β [SE] = 0.25 [0.11], P = 0.024) and transferrin saturation (β [SE] = 8.41 [4.07], P = 0.044). Higher 1,25(OH)D:25(OH)D ratios were associated with lower hepcidin levels (β [SE] = −4.31 [1.67], P = 0.012). Especially in Crohn's disease, increased 1,25(OH)D correlated with higher transferrin saturation (β [SE] = 0.43 [0.18], P = 0.027). Furthermore, 1,25(OH)D strongly induced the expression of the ferroxidase ceruloplasmin in Caco-2 cells.

DISCUSSION:

Low vitamin D levels in IBD correlate with iron deficiency. Vitamin D may ameliorate iron deficiency, potentially by downregulating hepcidin and upregulating ceruloplasmin, enhancing intestinal iron absorption.
Le buzz ou l’art de pimenter les émissions-débats
Authors: Landolsi Houda
Published: January 2022

Cet article s’intéresse aux rôles énonciatifs que joue le producteur-présentateur de l’émission Les Terriens du dimanche, Thierry Ardisson, lors de l’affaire Zemmour/Sy ; une affaire qui éclate suite à un commentaire fait par le polémiste Éric Zemmour sur le prénom de la chroniqueuse Hapsatou Sy. L’objectif de l’article est d’analyser l’articulation entre postures énonciatives et rôles interactionnels du producteur/présentateur de l’émission avant, pendant et après le clash. L’étude essaiera de montrer que dans son rôle de producteur, Thierry Ardisson agit en tant que sur-énonciateur ; alors que dans son rôle de présentateur/modérateur du débat, il choisit plutôt la posture d’effacement énonciatif, mais cette posture bascule, rapidement, vers une forme de sur-énonciation. L’étude s’arrêtera également sur le lien sous-jacent entre la responsabilité énonciative du journaliste et sa responsabilité éthique ; un lien explicitement évoqué par des commentateurs de différentes professions et colorations politiques.
Relevance of the Annual National Program for NATO Accession - Case of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors:   International Burch University, Kozljak Alija , Sehovic Haris ,   International Burch University
Published: January 2022

NATO integration processes have been constantly a complex topic for the public to grasp, in particular in the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Several confronting efforts were constantly in place, which often created confusion and slowed down the progress. To explain the problem, the research question has been set as: “How relevant is ANP for the NATO Accession?” The objective is to examine what the ANP as a document stands for, and how does it assist or hinder the aspiring states on their NATO path. The relevance for examination of this question lies in the fact that most political actors within Bosnia and Herzegovina use the lack of knowledge of the public on the topic to promote their agenda or present themselves as the defenders of the narrow interest of their ethnic group. To provide the society with accurate analysis, this research will examine if ANP will assist Bosnia and Herzegovina on its NATO accession path. Data will be collected using qualitative research methods and secondary research.
The Investments Efficiency Toward Economic Growth: ICOR of the Republic of Croatia and Slovenia - Comparative Analysis
Authors:   South East European University, Mazllami Jeton
Published: January 2022

Most developing and developed countries, today are faced with a lot of economic, social, and political challenges as a result of internal or external factors such as the World Financial Crisis and Covid19. In these circumstances, the crucial objective of any government is to improve the national economic performance by increasing domestics and foreign investments. Investments efficiency is the main pillar in the increase of the economic growth of any economy. This paper aims to measure the efficiency of the investments towards economic growth in the Republic of Croatia and Slovenia by applying a comparative analysis. The specific objective of our paper is to determine the best ICOR level, the correlation between ICOR and GDP, and the impact on the economic growth of both countries. The research methodology will include the analysis of the efficiency of the investment measured by the indicators Incremental Capital-Output Ratio (ICOR) based on the World Bank approach. The period of observation includes the period from the year 1995 to 2020. The investment efficiency (ICOR) in both countries is expected to move between 1 and 6. The findings of this research are that each one-point decrease of the ICOR level of Croatia increases the economic growth by 1.961 percent, while the ICOR level of Slovenia increases less the Economic growth by 0.259 percent.
Learned cardinality estimation
Authors: Sun Ji , Zhang Jintao , Sun Zhaoyan , Li Guoliang , Tang Nan
Published: January 2022

Cardinality estimation is core to the query optimizers of DBMSs. Non-learned methods, especially based on histograms and samplings, have been widely used in commercial and open-source DBMSs. Nevertheless, histograms and samplings can only be used to summarize one or few columns, which fall short of capturing the joint data distribution over an arbitrary combination of columns, because of the oversimplification of histograms and samplings over the original relational table(s). Consequently, these traditional methods typically make bad predictions for hard cases such as queries over multiple columns, with multiple predicates, and joins between multiple tables. Recently,
learned
cardinality estimators have been widely studied. Because these learned estimators can better capture the data distribution and query characteristics, empowered by the recent advance of (deep learning) models, they outperform non-learned methods on many cases. The goals of this paper are to provide a design space exploration of learned cardinality estimators and to have a comprehensive comparison of the SOTA learned approaches so as to provide a guidance for practitioners to decide what method to use under various practical scenarios.
Cosine
Authors: Chatterjee Subarna , Jagadeesan Meena , Qin Wilson , Idreos Stratos
Published: January 2022

We present a self-designing key-value storage engine, Cosine, which can always take the shape of the close to "perfect" engine architecture given an input workload, a cloud budget, a target performance, and required cloud SLAs. By identifying and formalizing the first principles of storage engine layouts and core key-value algorithms, Cosine constructs a massive design space comprising of sextillion (10
36
) possible storage engine designs over a diverse space of hardware and cloud pricing policies for three cloud providers - AWS, GCP, and Azure. Cosine spans across diverse designs such as Log-Structured Merge-trees, B-trees, Log-Structured Hash-tables, in-memory accelerators for filters and indexes as well as trillions of hybrid designs that do not appear in the literature or industry but emerge as valid combinations of the above. Cosine includes a unified distribution-aware I/O model and a learned concurrency-aware CPU model that with high accuracy can calculate the performance and cloud cost of any possible design on any workload and virtual machines. Cosine can then search through that space in a matter of seconds to find the best design and materializes the actual code of the resulting storage engine design using a templated Rust implementation. We demonstrate that on average Cosine outperforms state-of-the-art storage engines such as write-optimized RocksDB, read-optimized WiredTiger, and very write-optimized FASTER by 53x, 25x, and 20x, respectively, for diverse workloads, data sizes, and cloud budgets across all YCSB core workloads and many variants.
Photo-modulated optical and electrical properties of graphene
Authors: Tang Hongyu , Menabde Sergey G. , Anwar Tarique , Kim Junhyung , Jang Min Seok , Tagliabue Giulia
Published: January 2022

Photo-modulation is a promising strategy for contactless and ultrafast control of optical and electrical properties of photoactive materials. Graphene is an attractive candidate material for photo-modulation due to its extraordinary physical properties and its relevance to a wide range of devices, from photodetectors to energy converters. In this review, we survey different strategies for photo-modulation of electrical and optical properties of graphene, including photogating, generation of hot carriers, and thermo-optical effects. We briefly discuss the role of nanophotonic strategies to maximize these effects and highlight promising fields for application of these techniques.
Indole based prostate cancer agents
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Patil Madhuri T. , Salunke Deepak B.
Published: January 2022

Cancer weakens the immune system which fails to fight against the rapidly growing cells. Among the various types of cancers, prostate cancer (PCa) is causing greater number of deaths in men after lung cancer, demanding advancement to prevent, detect and treat PCa. Several small molecule heterocycles and few peptides are being used as oncological drugs targeting PCa. Heterocycles are playing crucial role in the development of novel cancer chemotherapeutics as well as immunotherapeutics. Indole skeleton, being a privileged structure has been extensively used for the discovery of novel anticancer agents and the application of indole derivatives against breast cancer is well documented. The present article highlights the usefulness of indole linked heterocyclic compounds as well as the fused indole derivatives against prostate cancer.
Sugammadex affects GH/GHR’s signaling transduction on muscle cells by regulating the membrane-localized GHR level
Authors: Lyu Xiaoqian , Xie Fei , Tao Yujuan , Bai Jie
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Sugammadex (also known as bridion) is a modified γ-cyclodextrin, which is a reversal agent for the neuromuscular block. Growth hormone (GH) has an important biological effect on muscle, regulating muscle growth and development. In the current work, we explored the effect of Sugammadex on GH’s bioactivities.

Methods

Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), flow cytometry, indirect immunofluorescence, Western-blot, and IP-WB were used to explore the effect of Sugammadex on GH’s bioactivities.

Results

We found that Sugammadex reduced the activity of GH on muscle cells, which down-regulated GH/GHR-mediated intracellular signaling pathway, such as Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducers and activators of transcription 5 (STAT5). We further study the potential biological mechanism by which Sugammadex down-regulated GH/GHR-mediated signaling pathway, a series of related experiments were conducted, and found that Sugammadex may inhibit the proliferation of C2C12 cell via regulating the membrane-localized GHR, which may be the underlying mechanism by which Sugammadex suppressed GHR-induced signaling transduction. This work has laid the theoretical and experimental basis for further exploring the relationship between Sugammadex and GH’s activity.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this study laid a foundation for further study on the relationship between Sugammadex and GH’s activity.
Electron density of a benzoylated tetrafructopyranose
Authors: Luger Peter , Dittrich Birger
Published: January 2022

The electron density distribution (EDD) of a tetrasaccharide composed of four benzoylated fructopyranosyl units was obtained by refinement with scattering factors from the invariom library. X-ray diffraction data was downloaded from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). Bond topological and atomic properties were obtained by application of Bader’s QTAIM formalism. From a large number of 105 C–C bonds in the molecule average bond orders for 33 single and 72 aromatic bonds were calculated yielding values of 1.33 and 1.61. Molecular Hirshfeld and electrostatic potential (ESP) surfaces show that only weak non-covalent interactions exist. The phenyl rings of the benzoyl fragments in the outer regions of the molecule generate a positive ESP shell with repulsive properties between adjacent molecules. Weak surface interactions result in a rather unusual low density around 1.3 g cm−3, which is understandable when compared to other carbohydrates where strong O–H⋯O hydrogen bonds allow a 20% more dense packing with densities >1.5 g cm−3 as determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.
The Austrian Lloyd’s Marine Trade in Fiume (1871–1913)
Authors: Pelles Márton
Published: January 2022

The purpose of the study. In my paper I would like to introduce the history of an important trading company, the Austrian Lloyd, in terms of its connection to Hungary between 1871 and 1913 with a particular focus on Port of Fiume. This company connected Fiume (and Hungary) with the eastern ports of the Adriatic Sea, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea (Levante) until 1891 with the beneficial support of the Hungarian Government; and later by the company’s own interests. Applied methods. In the paper I analyse the agreements made in the governmental contracts and why the contracts were terminated in 1891. I’m also having a look at the turnover of ships and goods the company had in Fiume’s life between 1889 and 1913. Besides presenting the company’s life and operations I also would like to classify it in terms of turnover among other marine trading steam ship companies receiving government support. For references I’ve been using and working with relevant bibliographies, laws, statistical publications and scripts from the Državni Arhiv u Rijeci (National Archives of Rijeka). Outcomes. I expect the research results to reveal details of an important slice of the Hungarian export which is not very much processed as yet.
The Role of Vilmos Tarján in the History of the Newyork Coffeehouse
Authors: Czina Sára
Published: January 2022

The purpose of the study. To examine how the Newyork Coffeehouse was run between 1920 and 1936. What were Vilmos Tarján’s, the executive board member and main shareholder’s, business policies. What profile did he intend for the Coffeehouse? The Coffeehouses were struggling between the two World Wars. What were the Coffeehouse’s solutions for the post- World War challenges and the problems of the Great Depression? Applied methods. To get to know the Newyork Coffeehouse Company Limited, the sources were the documents of the Company Registry. These helped to reconstruct the list of the shareholders. The balance and profit loss accounts were used to examine the profitability of the Coffeehouse. The problems of the Coffeehouses in Budapest between 1920 and 1936 were examined through the articles of professional journals. To understand Vilmos Tarján’s aspirations, his own books and articles of the daily newspapers were used. Outcomes. Vilmos Tarján wanted to turn the Newyork Coffeehouse into a luxorious, highend Coffeehouse. In order to reach this goal, he renovated the interior, later refurbished and modernized it several times. He established one of the best kitchen in the city and engaged the audience with frequent performances and concerts. With these aspirations he could solve the post-World War problems successfully. However, his skills and role in the associations of the industry were not enough to face the challenges that arose during the Great Depression.
The Origins of Early Sapiens Behaviour: Origins Centre, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Authors: Sahle Yonatan
Published: January 2022

This exhibition showcases the results of archaeological research at three coastal sites in the southern Cape of South Africa: Blombos Cave, Klipdrift Shelter and Klasies River main sites. Part of a long-term programme aiming to make palaeosciences accessible to the public, the exhibition befittingly started more locally, first at Stellenbosch and then at the Iziko South African Museums in Cape Town, before moving to Johannesburg. The exhibition opened at the Origins Centre of the University of the Witwatersrand on 25 November 2021. To those of us who attended the opening, it provided an opportunity to hear from the archaeologists, curators and designers behind the exhibition. The exhibition opened to the public on 27 November.
Transient Coupling between Infragranular and Subplate Layers to Layer 1 Neurons Before Ear Opening and throughout the Critical Period Depends on Peripheral Activity
Authors: Xue Binghan , Meng Xiangying , Xu Yanqing , Kao Joseph P.Y. , Kanold Patrick O.
Published: January 2022

Cortical layer 1 (L1) contains a diverse population of interneurons that can modulate processing in superficial cortical layers, but the intracortical sources of synaptic input to these neurons and how these inputs change over development and with sensory experience is unknown. We here investigated the changing intracortical connectivity to L1 in the primary auditory cortex (A1) of mice of both sexes inin vitroslices across development using laser-scanning photostimulation. Before postnatal day (P)10, L1 cells receive excitatory input from within L1, L2/3, L4, and L5/6 as well as from subplate. Excitatory inputs from all layers increase, especially from L4, and peak during P10–P16, around the peak of the critical period for tonotopy. Inhibitory inputs followed a similar pattern. Functional circuit diversity in L1 emerges after P16. In adults, L1 neurons receive ascending inputs from L2/3 and L5/6, but only few inputs from L4. The transient hyperconnectivity from deep layers but not L2/3 is absent in deaf mice. Our results demonstrate that deep excitatory and superficial inhibitory circuits are tightly linked in early development and might provide a functional scaffold for the layers in between. These results suggest that early thalamically driven spontaneous and sensory activity in subplate can be relayed to L1 from the earliest ages on and shape L1 connectivity from deep layers. Our results also reveal a period of high transient columnar hyperconnectivity after ear opening coinciding with the critical period, suggesting that circuits originating in deep layers might play a key role in this process.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTL1 contains a diverse population of interneurons that can modulate processing in superficial cortical layers but the sources of synaptic input to these neurons and how these inputs change over development is unknown. We found that during the critical period a large fraction of excitatory inputs to L1 originated in L5/6 and the cortical subplate. This hyperconnectivity is absent in deaf mice. Our results directly demonstrate that deep excitatory and superficial inhibitory circuits are tightly linked in early development and might provide a functional scaffold for the layers in between.
Sedentary lifestyle and precocious puberty in girls during the COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian experience
Authors: Chioma Laura , Bizzarri Carla , Verzani Martina , Fava Daniela , Salerno Mariacarolina , Capalbo Donatella , Guzzetti Chiara , Penta Laura , Di Luigi Luigi , di Iorgi Natascia , Maghnie Mohamad , Loche Sandro , Cappa Marco
Published: January 2022

Objective

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate children observed for suspected precocious puberty in five Italian centers of Pediatric Endocrinology during the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (March–September 2020), compared to subjects observed in the same period of the previous year.

Design

The study population (490 children) was divided according to the year of observation and final diagnosis: transient thelarche, non-progressive precocious puberty, central precocious puberty (CPP), or early puberty.

Results

Between March and September 2020, 338 subjects were referred for suspected precocious puberty, compared to 152 subjects in the same period of 2019 (+122%). The increase was observed in girls (328 subjects in 2020 vs 140 in 2019, P  < 0.05), especially during the second half of the period considered (92 girls from March to May vs 236 girls from June to September); while no difference was observed in boys (10 subjects in 2020 vs 12 in 2019). The percentage of girls with confirmed CPP was higher in 2020, compared to 2019 (135/328 girls (41%) vs 37/140 (26%), P  < 0.01). Anthropometric and hormonal parameters in 2019 and 2020 CPP girls were not different; 2020 CPP girls showed more prolonged use of electronic devices and a more sedentary lifestyle both before and during the pandemic, compared to the rest of the 2020 population.

Conclusions

The present findings corroborate the recently reported association between the complex lifestyle changes related to the lockdown and a higher incidence of CPP in Italian girls.
Computational study of some potential inhibitors of COVID‐19: A DFT analysis
Authors: Ranjan Prabhat , Gaurav Kumar , Chakraborty Tanmoy
Published: January 2022

Background

There is an urgent demand of drug or therapy to control the COVID‐19. Until July 22, 2021 the worldwide total number of cases reported is more than 192 million and the total number of deaths reported is more than 4.12 million. Several countries have given emergency permission for use of repurposed drugs for the treatment of COVID‐19 patients. This report presents a computational analysis on repurposing drugs—tenofovir, bepotastine, epirubicin, epoprostenol, tirazavirin, aprepitant and valrubicin, which can be potential inhibitors of the COVID‐19.

Method

Density functional theory (DFT) technique is applied for computation of these repurposed drug. For geometry optimization, functional B3LYP/6‐311G (d, p) is selected within DFT framework.

Results

DFT based descriptors—highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)‐lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gap, molecular hardness, softness, electronegativity, electrophilicity index, nucleophilicity index and dipole moment of these species are computed. IR and Raman activities are also analysed and studied. The result shows that the HOMO‐LUMO gap of these species varies from 1.061 eV to 5.327 eV. Compound aprepitant with a HOMO‐LUMO gap of 1.419 eV shows the maximum intensity of IR (786.176 km mol‒1) and Raman spectra (15036.702 a.u.).

Conclusion

Some potential inhibitors of COVID‐19 are studied by using DFT technique. This study shows that epirubicin is the most reactive compound whereas tenofovir is found to be the most stable. Further analysis and clinical trials of these compounds will provide more insight.
ASTM: Developing the web service for anthrax related spatiotemporal characteristics and meteorology study
Authors: Fan Shiwei , Xiao Ming , Sun Boyu , Zhou Weizhong , Chen Qingrong , Lv Weimin , Zhang Pengfei , Zhang Le
Published: January 2022

Background

Anthrax is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. Investigating the spatiotemporal characteristics of anthrax and the impact of meteorological factors on the incidence of anthrax is helpful for the prevention and control of anthrax.

Methods

At first, we applied the Granger causality test to explore the spatiotemporal characteristics of anthrax transmission between the counties and cities of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province of China. Then, we constructed three generalized linear models to analyze the impact of meteorological factors on the monthly number of anthrax cases in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Finally, we developed an easy‐to‐use online web server that integrates the above functions.

Results

This study developed an online service website (ASTM Anthrax in Gannan, Zhang Lab) for the analysis and visualization of anthrax, which not only can investigate the correlation of anthrax among different regions in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, but also can analyze the correlation between meteorological factors and the number of anthrax cases.

Conclusions

Our study not only explored spatiotemporal characteristics of anthrax transmission, but also analyzed the impact of seven meteorological factors on the monthly number of anthrax cases. Meanwhile, the online service website which integrates the above functions is useful for the prevention and control of anthrax.
Expert Opinions on the Debate of Pericardial Reconstruction in Cardiovascular Surgery: To Close or Not to Close?
Authors: Rego Alfredo , Boyd W. Douglas , Gongora Enrique , Johnson, III William E. , Munfakh Nabil A. , Pirris John , Wolf Randall K.
Published: January 2022

Background: As of 2019, pericardial closure was performed in only a small portion of the over 320,000 cardiac surgeries performed annually. However, evidence regarding the benefits of pericardial closure or reconstruction has been accruing, particularly with the publication of the RECON study in 2019.
 Methods: This group of authors convened to try to arrive at consensus expert opinion regarding pericardial reconstruction. Structured topic questions initially were used to stimulate discussion. Subsequently, a survey of proposed expert opinion statements was conducted among the authors. Based on that survey, consensus expert opinion statements and recommendations were compiled.
Results: The expert opinions encompass various topics relating to pericardial reconstruction, including definitions, benefits/risks, and technique. Observed benefits include reductions in: (1) adhesions; (2) postoperative pericardial effusion, atrial fibrillation, and bleeding; and (3) readmissions and length of hospital stay. Expert opinion recommendations regarding surgical technique are compiled into a single chart. Complete pericardial reconstruction should be performed, using native pericardial tissue if available and viable; if not feasible, a patch may be used. Patches that stimulate the formation of site-specific tissue in situ (such as natural extracellular matrix) may have additional benefits (including bioregenerative properties and lack of inflammatory response). Closure should be taut, but tension-free. Adequate drainage of the closed pericardium must be ensured.
Conclusions: Based on available data and collective surgical experience, we endorse pericardial reconstruction as standard approach in appropriately selected patients. We also endorse adoption of standardized pericardial reconstruction techniques to optimize patient outcomes and improve evidence quality in future studies.
Diagnostic Value of Procalcitonin and Interleukin-6 on Early Postoperative Pneumonia after Adult Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Xie Man , Chen Ya Ting , Zhang He , Zhang Hai Tao , Pan Ke , Chen Xiao Fang , Xie Xiao Li
Published: January 2022

Background: Postoperative pneumonia (PP) is the most common primary infection after cardiac surgery, increasing the hospitalization expense and causing the consumption of healthcare resources. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) on early postoperative pneumonia after adult cardiac surgery.
Methods: In this prospective observational study, patients with pneumonia and age- and sex-matched cases in our center from October 10, 2020 to January 31, 2021 were included. Patients diagnosed with pneumonia in this study needed meet both clinical and microbiological diagnostic criteria. Blood samples were collected in all patients from postoperative day (POD) 1 to postoperative day 5 to detect PCT, IL-6, white blood cell count, and C-reactive protein. The diagnostic performance of different biomarkers was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curves.
Results: Our study enrolled 272 patients, including 24 patients with postoperative pneumonia and 248 age- and sex-matched cases. From POD1 to POD5, the absolute value of PCT and PCT variations showed diagnostic significance for pneumonia (P < .05); the diagnostic value of the absolute value of IL-6 and IL-6 variations was not satisfying. White blood cell count showed no differences; C-reactive protein had no diagnostic value before POD4. Multivariable logistic regression showed that PCT variation and IL-6 variation from POD3 to POD1 were the strongest risk factors for postoperative pneumonia [OR:12.50, 95% CI: (3.40-45.5); OR:13.71, 95% CI: (1.11-168.47)]. According to the above results, we defined the PL Index. PL Index showed the best diagnostic value among those biomarkers in POD3 [AUC: 0.90, 95% CI: (0.79-0.95)]. Multivariable logistic regression showed PL Index POD3 has significant correlation with postoperative pneumonia [OR:1.23, 95% CI: (1.11-1.37), P = .041].
Conclusions: PCT variation and IL-6 were more accurate than C-reactive protein and white blood cell count to predict early postoperative pneumonia, but the diagnostic properties of PCT could not be observed during the first three postoperative days due to the inflammatory process. By combining the variations of PCT and IL-6, we defined the PL Index, which shows the best diagnostic ability on early postoperative pneumonia after adult cardiac surgery.
Da Intuição de Ideias à Manipulação Simbólica
Authors: Fortes Fabrício
Published: January 2022

Este trabalho busca apresentar e discutir as concepções de Descartes e Leibniz acerca do método da filosofia, em especial nas investigações metafísicas. A partir de um exame do método cartesiano, que toma a geometria euclidiana como modelo paradigmático, diretamente atrelado, na filosofia, à linguagem ordinária, apresentamos a ideia leibniziana de uma característica filosófica como alternativa a esse modelo. Com isso, buscamos mostrar que a alternativa metodológica de Leibniz representa a substituição do modelo geométrico pelo modelo algébrico, e que tal substituição se vincula diretamente ao papel atribuído pelo autor ao uso de signos no pensamento em geral.
Analysis and modelling of territorial vulnerability to epidemiological diseases in the Wilaya of batna (Algeria) – case of tuberculosis
Authors: Douha Asma , Kalla Mahdi
Published: January 2022

Some epidemiological situations, because of their magnitude and their propagation dynamics, can escape local or national control. For example, the world is currently experiencing an uncontrollable cross-border spread of the corona virus (Covid-19). The Wilaya of Batna is among the most affected in Algeria by many epidemiological diseases, including tuberculosis, which raises questions about possible causal links between this contagious and often fatal disease and the environmental and socio-economic reality of this territory. We based our study on a number of factors, covering economic, societal and health aspects, which constitute indicators of the standard of living in each of the 61 communes of the Wilaya of Batna. The relationship between the epidemiological status of tuberculosis in these communes and these indicators showed significant correlations and thus confirmed the reliability of the choice of parameters of vulnerability to tuberculosis. To understand their interaction and impact on the disease and its spatial distribution, we used the hierarchical multicriteria analysis (AHP) method, the results of which were implemented in a GIS database. The aim was to provide health and territorial decision makers with a decision support tool. The results show that the spatial distribution of tuberculosis cases which reappeared in the Wilaya of Batna after its eradication since years is in good correlation with the socio-economic situation of each commune of the territory and confirm that this scourge of tuberculosis is closely linked to the degradation of the living conditions of the inhabitants.
Exploring the effects of positive organizational behaviour (POB) models on occupational eustress amongst construction employees
Authors: Ogwueleka A. C. , Ikediashi D. I.
Published: January 2022

The general perspective of organizational behaviour (OB) has been characterized more by negativity than positively. The introduction of a positive approach into OB is known as positive organizational behaviour (POB), which focuses on employees' positive emotions and strengths to enable them to thrive and reinforce the organization. The study assesses the effects of POB constructs on eustress amongst construction employees in Nigeria. Data were collected from 326 respondents practising in the construction firms using a quantitative survey and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential surveys, including structural equation modelling (SEM). The study identified five constructs of POB models and five parameters of eustress that have a significant influence on eustress. The study focuses on identifying the areas that can propel positive mental health among construction employees to improve their performances and increase work productivity. Therefore, it recommends that construction stakeholders should consider adopting company policies that can drive their implementations.
Keywords: Construction employees, distress, occupational eustress, positive organizational behaviour delivery.
Islamic Counseling Guidance with Tahajud Prayer Therapy to Reduce Overthinking Habits
Authors: Rofi'atin Alfita Fajar Inayati , Dewi Riwandah Kusuma , Fadillahwati Fitria
Published: January 2022

Overthinking is an attitude that usually happens to anyone who is involved in the human thinking process. Without realizing that overthinking will waste our time and energy, people who are always overthinking will find it difficult to take action. Therefore, this can cause a person to fall into anxiety or experience anxiety disorders. Factors from overthinking usually occur because of family problems, relevance, work, studies, and stress. The psychotherapy chosen by the researcher is tahajjud prayer therapy. The selection of the tahajjud prayer is based on the results of previous studies. Judging from the results of previous studies, researchers with knowledge of Islamic psychotherapy are looking for suitable treatment to overcome the problems raised, namely the habit of overthinking in adolescents. Overthinking is overthinking something. People who think too much are more likely to experience constant sadness and negative thoughts, so this also prevents individuals from getting along with themselves. So that researchers can provide solutions in the form of Islamic guidance and counseling through tahajjud prayer therapy. The research method in this study is a literature review sourced from related books and journals.
Creative Communications on Tiktok
Authors: Nurdin Ali , Rahmadani Desy
Published: January 2022

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia created a TikTok account @kemenkesri to educate the public about COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to describe the construction of creativity and communication innovation on Tiktok social media in preventing COVID-19. This study uses a constructivist approach to the type of analysis of the framing model of Robert N. Entman. Data was collected through TikTok video content documentation and analyzed with Robert N. Entman's framing framework. The results of the study describe that define problems constructed by the TikTok account @kemenkesri using simple, popular sentences, and according to the public's niche. Diagnose causes is constructed using examples of realities that are often present in life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Make moral judgment using sentences that are relevant to the mood of the audience. Treatment recommendations are constructed using sentences that direct an action that can be taken by the public. The key to successful communication on TikTok Social media is creativity and innovation that is carried out continuously to win the hearts of netizens.
Reinforcement Techniques in Overcoming Post-Power Syndrome Anxiety Disorders in The Elderly
Authors: M. Athoiful Fanan  , Moh. Ilham  , Amriana  , Ulfa Aulia Handayani
Published: January 2022

Everyone lives with a variety of presumptions that are not always to their liking, this allows a person to experience tremendous pressure and will foster a prolonged new problem. Post-power syndrome is a phenomenon that occurs in an elderly person who is not ready for old age, motivated by job loss and decreased function of certain organs. Researchers used qualitative research methods through case studies and observations of primary subjects. In this study apply reinforcement work or reinforcement in helping sufferers towards healing, in the form of positive reinforcement on daily good behavior. The results of this study showed that this reinforcement technique has an effect on the healing of post-power syndrome, while involving the participation of the family and the surrounding environment to bring out the meaning in the subject.
Isra'iliyyat dalam Tafsir Modern: Studi Tentang Turunnya Adam dari Surga
Authors: Mufida Luluk Inda Rini , Mubarok Ghozi
Published: January 2022

The narration of isrā’īlīyāt in the Qur’anic exegesis has been an object of criticism in modern times. However, the modern Qur’anic exegesis are not entirely free from the isrā’īlīyāt. This article seeks to examine the distribution of the isrā’īlīyāt in the writings of modern Qur’anic exegesis and their attitude towards it. By explicating the story of Adam’s falling from the heaven, it attempts to delve into four modern Qur’anic exegeses, namely Rashīd Riḍā, Hamka, M. Quraish Shihab, and Thoifur ‘Ali Wafa. This article argues that, first, those Qur’anic exegesis are not uninfected with the isrā’īlīyāt, although the number varies each other. In this case, Tafsīr Firdaws al-Na‘īm and Tafsir Al-Azhar ranks as the highest interpretation used isrā’īlīyāt. Second, the attitude of modern exegetes towards the isrā’īlīyāt is also not singular. Rashīd Riḍā and Buya Hamka tend to approach the isrā’īlīyāt in a critical manner. Quraish Shihab, although still narrating isrā’īlīyāt in his work, he tends to regard it as an insignificant source in the Qur’anic exegesis. While Thoifur tends to be loose and accommodating the isrā’īlīyāt.