bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TÜRKİYE VE ORTA ASYA TÜRK CUMHURİYETLERİNDE FELDSTEIN-HORIOKA BULMACASININ ASİMETRİK ETKİLERİ: SAKLI EŞBÜTÜNLEŞME TESTİ
Authors: Özek Yavuz , Bayat Tayfur
Published: October 2020

Yatırım-tasarruf ilişkisi önemli bir makroekonomik gösterge olup, yurtiçi yatırımların yurtiçi tasarruflarla karşılanamaması ekonomik büyüme ve kalkınma üzerinde olumsuz etki yaratmaktadır. Özellikle gelişen ekonomiler, sorun teşkil eden yurtiçi tasarruf açığını gidermek için yabancı yatırımlara ihtiyaç duymaktadırlar. Feldstein-Horioka ise yapmış oldukları çalışmada konuyu farklı bir boyuta taşımış ve Feldstein-Horioka bulmacası olarak tanımlanan bu durumu iktisat literatüründe tartışmaların odağı haline getirmişlerdir. Bu çalışmada 2002-2018 dönemine ait yıllık verilerle Azerbaycan, Kazakistan, Kırgızistan, Tacikistan ve Türkiye ekonomilerinde Feldstein-Horioka bulmacası saklı panel veri analiz yöntemiyle test edilmiştir. Parametre tahminlerinde Kırgızistan ve Tacikistan ekonomilerinde bulmacanın geçerli olmadığı sonucuna varılmıştır. Yurtiçi tasarrufların negatif bileşenlerinde yatırımın bileşenlerine doğru kısa dönemde nedensellik bulunmaktadır. Uzun dönemde ise yurtiçi tasarrufların hem ham hali hem de bileşenlerinden yatırımlara doğru nedensellik bulunmaktadır.
OKUL PSİKOLOJİK DANIŞMANLARINA GÖRE İLKOKULLARDAKİ REHBERLİK VE PSİKOLOJİK DANIŞMA HİZMETLERİNİN DURUMU VE SORUNLARI
Authors: Tuzgöl Dost Meliha
Published: October 2020

İlkokullardaki rehberlik hizmetleri eğitim sisteminin ayrılmaz bir bileşenidir. Eğitsel, kişisel, sosyal olarak çocukların tüm yönleriyle desteklenmesi ve gelişim görevlerini başarmasının sağlanması özellikle bu dönem için daha da önemlidir; çünkü yaşamın erken evrelerinin sağlıklı geçmesi bireylerin gelecekteki ruh sağlığının önemli bir belirleyicisidir. Bu araştırmada ilkokul düzeyinde çalışmakta olan okul psikolojik danışmanlarının psikolojik danışma ve rehberlik hizmetlerinin amaç, işlev ve öneminin ne olduğuna ilişkin görüşlerini; amaçlarına ulaşmalarını engelleyen faktörleri; yaşadıkları sorunları ve bu sorunların çözümüne ilişkin olarak ne gibi önerileri olduğunu saptamak amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu ilkokullarda “rehberlik öğretmeni” kadrosunda çalışmakta olan 47 kadın, 11 erkek toplam 58 okul psikolojik danışmanı oluşturmaktadır. Veriler, araştırmacı tarafından geliştirilen, “İlkokullarda Rehberlik Hizmetleri ve Sorunları Anketi” adlı yarı yapılandırılmış anket soruları kullanılarak elde edilmiştir. Katılımcıların yanıtları içerik analizi tekniği ile incelenmiştir. Verilerin kodlanmasında tümevarımcı analiz kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre okul psikolojik danışmanları ilkokuldaki rehberlik hizmetlerinin önleyici yönünün önemi üzerinde durmuş; ailelere konsültasyon yapmanın ve sınıf öğretmenleri ile ailenin işbirliğinin çok önemli olduğunu vurgulamışlardır. Aile, idare ve öğretmen desteği yetersizliği, aşırı iş yükü, uygun olmayan rol ve görevlendirmeler, yetersiz fiziksel şartlar ve donanım eksikliğini ise yaşanan önemli sorunlar olarak belirtmişlerdir. Okul psikolojik danışmanlarının çözüm için getirdikleri öneriler de değerlendirilerek çeşitli önerilerde bulunulmuştur.
ODAKLANMA STRATEJİSİ ve ÇEŞİTLENDİRME STRATEJİSİ İZLEYEN FONLARIN PERFORMANSLARININ KARŞILAŞTIRILMASI
Authors: Özer Ali , Çömlekçi İstemi
Published: October 2020

Yatırımcıların yüksek karlılığı minimum riskle sağlamaya çalıştıkları portföyler çok sayıda finansal varlıkla çeşitlenme stratejisi ile oluşturulmalı mı yoksa belirli bir finansal varlığa, firmaya ya da sektöre yoğunlaşarak odaklanma stratejisi ile mi oluşturulmalıdır? Çalışmanın amacı odaklanma stratejisi izleyen fonların performansı ile çeşitlendirme stratejisi izleyen fonların performansı değerlendirilerek, strateji farklılıklarından dolayı fon getirileri arasında anlamlı bir farklılık olup olmadığını test etmektir. Çalışmada Sharpe oranı, Treynor oranı ve Jensen Alfa değeri kullanılarak Nisan 2013- Nisan 2020 tarihleri arasında hisse senedi şemsiye fonları analiz edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda en yüksek getirinin teknoloji odaklı fonların sağladığı görülmüştür. Ayrıca odaklanma strateji ile oluşturulan portföyün, çeşitlendirme stratejisi ile oluşturulacak portföyden daha yüksek performansa sahip olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
KARA TAHTADAN ETKİLEŞİMLİ TAHTAYA GEÇİŞ: ÖĞRETMENLERİN ETKİLEŞİMLİ TAHTA KABUL VE KULLANIMLARININ İNCELENMESİ
Authors: Tosuntaş Şule Betül , Cubukcu Zuhal , Beauchamp Gary
Published: October 2020

FATİH Projesi ülkemizde teknoloji entegrasyonunun gerçekleştirilebilmesi için hayata geçirilen önemli bir reformdur. Literatüre bakıldığında, Türkiye’de etkileşimli tahta kullanımını açıklamaya yönelik yeterli çalışma olmadığı görülmektedir. Bu nedenle, ülkemizde öğretmenler açısından etkileşimli tahtanın eğitim öğretime entegrasyonunu etkileyen faktörlerin açıklanması gereklidir. Bu araştırmanın amacı, öğretmenlerin etkileşimli tahta kabul ve kullanımlarını açıklamak ve etkileşimli tahta kullanım becerilerine olan etkisini belirlemektir. Araştırma, değişkenler arasında neden-sonuç ilişkisi kurularak nedensel modelde desenlenmiştir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu İç Anadolu Bölgesinde yer alan ilkokul, ortaokul ve liselerde görev yapan 305 öğretmen oluşturmaktadır. Çalışma kapsamında geliştirilen Etkileşimli Tahta Geçiş Çerçevesi ve Etkileşimli Tahta Kabul ve Kullanım Ölçeği olmak üzere iki ölçek ile araştırmanın verileri toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde betimsel istatistikler, t testi, ANOVA, korelasyon ve regresyon analizleri kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda öğretmenlerin görüşleri eğitim durumuna göre farklılaşmazken; kolaylaştırıcı faktörler, işletim sistemi ve dosya yönetimi ve program değişkenleri alt ölçeklerinde erkek öğretmenler lehine anlamlı farklılıklar tespit edilmiştir. Etkileşimli tahta kabul ve kullanımı, etkileşimli tahta kullanım becerileri düzeyleri ile öğretmenlerin kıdemi arasında ise negatif yönlü küçük düzeyde ilişkiler bulunmuştur. Çoklu regresyon analizleri ise öğretmenlerin etkileşimli tahta benimseme ve kullanımlarının kullanım becerileri üzerinde etkisi olduğunu göstermiştir. Bu sonuçlara göre teknoloji entegrasyonunun sağlanmasında önemli bir nokta olan etkileşimli tahta kullanımına olan olumlu tutum ve inançların geliştirilmesi önemlidir. Teknoloji entegrasyonu yalnızca etkileşimli tahta veya tablet gibi teknolojilerle sınırlı olmadığından dolayı, öğretmenlerin yeni teknolojileri kullanımda öncü bireyler haline gelmesi teknolojilerin benimsenme ve adaptasyon sürecini kısaltacaktır.
KÜLTÜREL DEĞERLERE DUYARLI ÖĞRETMEN ÖLÇEĞİ GEÇERLİK VE GÜVENİRLİK ÇALIŞMASI
Authors: Karataş Kasım
Published: October 2020

Bu araştırmada öğretmenlerin kültürel değerlere duyarlı öğretmen özelliklerine sahip olma düzeylerini belirleyecek bir ölçek geliştirmek amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma grubu 2019 – 2020 eğitim yılında çeşitli okul türlerinde görev yapan, farklı branşlardan 300’ü erkek 181’i kadın olmak üzere toplam 481 öğretmenden oluşmaktadır. Ölçek geliştirmenin ilk aşamasında 42 maddelik taslak formla ilgili uzmanların görüşleri alındıktan sonra bazı maddeler revize edilmiş veya çıkartılmıştır. Sonrasında 24 maddelik form 226 kişiye uygulanarak Açımlayıcı Faktör Analizi (AFA) yapılmıştır. AFA sonucunda 3 faktörlü (pedagojik, duyarlık, farkındalık) toplam varyansın %61.53’ünü açıklayan 14 maddelik ölçek elde edilmiştir. Elde edilen 14 maddelik bu ölçek 255 kişilik farklı bir gruba uygulanarak Doğrulayıcı Faktör Analizi (DFA) yapılmıştır. DFA sonucunda 3 alt boyutlu yapının doğrulandığı görülmüştür. Ayrıca ölçeğin tümü Cronbach Alpha (α=0.89) ve 3 alt boyut için (Pedagojik α=.84, Farkındalık α=.74, Duyarlık α=.78) katsayıları hesaplanmış, pearson analizi ile faktörler arasındaki ilişkinin anlamlı olduğu görülmüştür. Araştırmanın bu bulgularından hareketle ölçeğin geçerli ve güvenilir bir ölçek olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır.
Job satisfaction in the academic sphere
Authors: Mikhalkina Elena V. , Skachkova Lyudmila S. , Dyuzhikov Sergei A.
Published: October 2020

The article analyzes job satisfaction among the academic staff in Russia. The materials on the social and professional well-being of the scientific and pedagogical personnel of the Southern Federal University provide empirical evidence for the study. The authors justify the new meanings for such concepts as «job satisfaction», «satisfaction with work results», «subjective metrics», «subjective value». The theoretical and methodological framework of the study includes indicators of the general level of job satisfaction, satisfaction with work-role inputs and factors that characterize work-role outputs. Based on empirical data, the results on job satisfaction for the Southern Federal University are compared with the data provided by the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey, RLMSHSE, for the Russian education system. The case of the Southern Federal University is suggested to test the method of cross-national comparisons authored by Alfonso SousaPoza and Andres Sousa-Poza, focused on the level of work satisfaction relying on workrole inputs and work-role outputs. This methodology allows the authors to build a comparative matrix of satisfaction with factors that ensure the work process and factors that assess satisfaction with work results. This matrix can serve as a theoretical basis for defining benchmarks for policies related to the academic personnel management through motivation.
İKLİM DEĞİŞİKLİĞİ VE BİLİM GAZETECİLİĞİ: AVUSTRALYA YANGINLARI HABERLERİNDE BİLİM İZİ
Authors: ŞAHİN Meltem
Published: October 2020

Tüm dünya insanlarının en önemli ortak sorunlarından biri olan iklim değişikliği ve buna bağlı olarak oluşan küresel ısınma; politik, ekonomik, kültürel tüm alanlarda etkisini hızla göstermektedir. Avustralya kıtasında 2019-2020 yaz döneminde yaşanan yangınlar, bilim insanları tarafından iklim değişikliğinin en önemli sonucu olarak görülmektedir. Bu çalışmanın konusu, Avustralya yangınları örneğinde, Türkiye’de yayınlanan internet haber sitelerinde yer alan haberlerin bilimle ilişkisidir. Çalışmada, Türkiye’de en çok ziyaret edilen haber siteleri örneklem olarak seçilmiştir. Bu haber siteleri sırasıyla; hurriyet.com.tr, sabah.com.tr, sozcu.com.tr, milliyet.com.tr’dir. Bu haber sitelerinde ‘Avustralya Yangın’, ‘Avustralya Yangınları’ kelime bazlarında tarama yapılmıştır. Tarama sonucunda hürriyet.com.tr’de Avustralya yangınlarını içeren 41 habere, sabah.com.tr’de 22, sozcu.com.tr’de 30 ve milliyet.com.tr’de 36 haber olmak üzere toplam 129 habere ulaşılmıştır. İçerik analizi yöntemiyle incelenen haberler önceden belirlenmiş 4 ana kategori ve 23 alt kategoride sınıflandırılmıştır. Araştırmanın bulgu ve sonuçlarına göre; haberlerin %77,52’sinde yangınların bilimsel ilişkisinin kurulmadığı görülmektedir. Haberlerin %72,87’sinde ise bilimsel kaynak kullanılmamıştır. İklim değişikliği gibi önemli bir sorunda bilimsel bilgilere ve kaynaklara duyulan ihtiyaçla bilim gazeteciliğinin önemi ortaya çıkmıştır.
MAHREMİYETİN DÖNÜŞÜMÜ VE İLETİŞİM ARAÇLARI
Authors: VATANDAŞ Saniye
Published: October 2020

Mahremiyet, bireyin diğer bireyler ve toplum kesimleri açısından özel olma durumuyla ilgilidir. Topluma ve zamana göre değişikliklere uğramakla birlikte bireyin vücudu, evi, kişisel bazı bilgi, hatıra, duygu, düşünce ve inançları en yaygın/temel mahrem konular olarak anlam kazanmaktadır. Fakat mahremiyet anlayışı ve uygulamaları değişkendir; toplumlara ve zamana göre değişim gösterir. Günümüz dünyasında özellikle bilim ve teknolojide gerçekleşen ilerlemeler ise mahremiyet algısını önemli düzeyde etkileyip, değiştirmiştir. Kitle iletişim araçları ise değişimin temel faktörü olup, değiştirici etkisi açısından televizyon ve internetin yeri çok ayrıcalıklıdır. İletişim teknik ve tarzında ulaşılan son aşamayı temsil eden sosyal medya aracılığıyla mahremiyet tutum ve davranışları radikal düzeyde değişme uğramıştır. Sosyal medya mecraları üzerinden mahremiyetin gerektirdiği “gizlilik” hızla yok olurken, “alenilik” genel eğilim haline gelmektedir. Bu inceleme, mahremiyetin anlam alanı ve değişim süreci ile ilgilidir. İnternet teknolojisine bağlı olarak sosyal medya mecralarının mahremiyet anlayış ve uygulamalarından ne tür değişikliklere yol açtığı incelenmiştir.
DÎVÂNU LUGÂTİ’T-TÜRK’TEKİ su- FİİLİ ÜZERİNE
Authors: ÇAĞLAR Yeşim
Published: October 2020

Karahanlı Türkçesi dönemine ait eserlerden biri olan Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk, Türk toplulukları ve dilleri hakkında önemli bilgiler veren kaynak bir eserdir. Makalede, Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk’te Ol anğar boyun sudı. “O, ona boyun eğdi, itaat etti.” ve Ol manğa yünğ sudı. “O bana, bükülmek için yün gönderdi.” cümlelerinde geçen ve “itaat etmek; bükülmek üzere sümek göndermek” anlamlarına gelen su- fiili üzerinde durulacaktır. Özellikle “bükülmek üzere sümek göndermek” anlamı merkeze alınarak su- fiilinin tarihi Türk lehçelerindeki kullanımları, çeşitli etimolojik sözlük ve kitaplardaki açıklamaları incelenecektir. Fiil üzerinde art zamanlı araştırma yapılarak Türk dilinin tarihi dönemlerinde yer alan metinler taranacaktır. Eş zamanlı araştırma yapılarak fiilin Türkiye Türkçesindeki ve ağızlardaki varlığı sorgulanacaktır. Dîvânu Lugâti’t-Türk’teki su- fiilinin kök anlam ortaklığı Doğu Türkçesi ile yazılmış bir eser olan Kasîde-i Bürde şerhinde tanıklanacaktır. Çalışmada su- fiilinin kullanım alanı ve anlam haritası ortaya konacaktır.
Child Behavior Checklist: Cuestionario de conductas socio-afectivas en una población preescolar de Cienfuegos, Cuba.
Authors: Ramírez-Benítez Yaser , Jiménez-Morales Rodneys Mauricio , Bermúdez-Monteagudo Bárbara
Published: October 2020

La evaluación del desarrollo afectivo en la infancia preescolar es una necesidad en Cuba debido a la baja tasa de mortalidad infantil que puede tener en adelante, como consecuencia, niños con diversos riesgos de salud; por otro lado y en el caso concreto de problemas afectivos, existen pocas pruebas válidas para su detección temprana. Objetivo: Comprobar la validez del cuestionario Child Behavior Checklist en la provincia de Cienfuegos, y caracterizar el desarrollo afectivo en una muestra de niños entre 4 y 6 años de edad con necesidades educativas especiales. Material y Métodos: Se utilizaron dos muestras, N1 (320 niños) como grupo de referencia para obtener percentiles y realizar la validación, y N2 (60 niños) como muestra con alteraciones de desarrollo, para validar los percentiles y caracterizar a potenciales pacientes. Resultados: Se encontraron adecuados valores de confiabilidad (alfa cuando el ítem se elimina entre 0.84 y 0.85). La validez de contenido indicó un adecuado ajuste cultural del cuestionario en la población cubana y un 96,7% de los ítems con buenos y/o aceptables niveles de discriminación. En N2 se encontraron varios niños con alteraciones emocionales y conductuales (88,3%, tres cuartas partes de los cuales eran varones): Las alteraciones fueron manifiestas en las sub-escalas: Introversión, Atención, Sueño y Ansiedad. Conclusiones: El cuestionario Child Behavior Checklist (versión para padres) es una herramienta valiosa para profesionales cubanos de salud mental, pues permite clasificar expresiones afectivas negativas de tipo exteriorizante o interiorizante en la infancia preescolar. Este tipo de estudio debe realizarse en una muestra de referencia nacional a fin de revisar los percentiles y comprobar o confirmar los hallazgos de validez y confiabilidad.
Trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH) en niños y adolescentes. Una revisión clínica.
Authors: Rusca-Jordán Fiorella , Cortez-Vergara Carla
Published: October 2020

El trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH) es una alteración del neurodesarrollo, cuyos síntomas principales son inatención, hiperactividad e impulsividad. El TDAH se ha asociado a un modelo de heterogeneidad fisiopatológica, en el que se encuentran afectadas, entre otras, las funciones ejecutivas, implicando significativas dificultades para responder a determinados estímulos, planificar y organizar acciones, reflexionar sobre posibles consecuencias e inhibir una respuesta automática inicial a fin de sustituirla por una más apropiada. El TDAH abarca hasta un 50% de las consultas en psiquiatría infantil y su prevalencia se ha estimado entre un 2 a 12% de la población pediátrica; es de origen multifactorial y en el 70% de casos, puede coexistir con otros trastornos psiquiátricos y neurológicos. El diagnóstico es básicamente clínico y requiere, idealmente, de un examen cuidadoso, así como de entrevistas exhaustivas a los padres o cuidadores y profesores además de la entrevista al niño(a) o adolescente en la medida de lo posible. Todo niño(a) o adolescente con TDAH debe tener un plan integral de tratamiento individualizado, que considere la potencial cronicidad y el impacto del cuadro, involucrando manejo psicofarmacológico y/o enfoques terapéuticos conductuales para mejorar las manifestaciones centrales de esta condición y un posible deterioro funcional asociado.
A Narrative Study Exploring the Process and Effectiveness of a State Agency’s Employee Performance Rating System to Remediate Skills Gaps
Authors: Obeng Raymond
Published: October 2020

This narrative study explored the experiences of five state employees who were either managers or supervisors. The subjects shared their experiences with the process and effectiveness of their employee performance rating system (EPRS) to remediate skills gaps in one of the agencies under the Secretariat of the Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). Nine study conclusions emerged from the study. First, EPRS helps to remediate skills gaps and identify areas that need special attention. Second, regional executive leaders have supported EPRS implementation to a large extent. Third, EPRS provides a justification to reward high-performing staff though the current various job descriptions upon which the reviews are based need to be updated to meet present needs. Fourth, the EPRS process is effective when management displays a culture of clear and respectful communication, clear and consistent review of targets, and when there is regular positive feedback. Fifth, EPRS puts managers and supervisors in charge of the process, and their direct involvement is relevant given their working relationship with their staff, though this part of their role may not be valued by some of their staff. Sixth, the agency’s EPRS process faces some challenges such as rigidity, bureaucracy, cumbersomeness, lack of co-operation from staff, lack of clarity of the process, and influence from some program directors. Seventh, the lack of effectiveness of the EPRS process affects business operations and growth and leads to demotivation and low productivity. Eighth, some of the staff seem to be displeased with the entire EPRS process and do not believe it provides accurate information as the agency’s EPRS process hasn’t been updated for a very long time. Finally, the EPRS has shaped the thinking and attitudes of managers and supervisors to help monitor staff’s performance and harness their abilities so they can perform better to achieve agency vision and mission.
Climatic Trend in Different Bioclimatic Zones in Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Nepal
Authors: Luitel Dol Raj , Jha Pramod Kumar , Siwakot Mohan , Shrestha Madan Lall , Munniappan Rangaswamy
Published: October 2020

Abstract Depending upon altitudinal gradient in the Himalayas, the rate of climate change varies from lowland to upland. The Chitwan Annapurna Landscape (CHAL) is the central part of the Himalayas and covers all bioclimatic zones. Analysis of time series data (1970-2019) of temperature and precipitation was carried out in seven bioclimatic zones extending from lowland Terai to higher Himalayas. The non-parametric Mann-Kendall test was applied to determine the trend, which was quantified by Sen’s slope. Annual and decade interval average temperature, precipitation trends, and lapse rate were analyzed in each bioclimatic zone. Out of seven bioclimatic zones, four zones showed a decreasing precipitation trend (lower tropical, upper tropical, upper subtropical, and alpine bioclimatic zones)at the rate of 1.8, 1.98, 2.06, and 1.80 mm/year, and in lower sub-tropical, temperate, and lower subalpine bioclimatic zones, increasing at the rate of 0.45, 1.81 and 1.28mm/year, respectively. Precipitation did not show any particular trend at decade intervals. The average annual temperature at different bioclimatic zones clearly indicates that temperature at higher elevations is significantly increasing more than at lower elevations. In lower tropical bioclimatic zone (LTBZ), upper tropical bioclimatic zone(UTBZ), lower subtropical bioclimatic zone (LSBZ), upper subtropical bioclimatic zone(USBZ), and temperate bioclimatic zone(TBZ), the average temperature increased by 0.022, 0.030, 0.036, 0.042 and 0.051oC/year, respectively. The decade level temperature scenario revealed that the hottest decade was from 1999-2009. The average temperature was found as 24.1, 21.8, 19.7, 17.5, and 13.3oC in LTBZ, UTBZ, LSBZ, USBZ, and TBZ, respectively, and the average annual precipitation in LTBZ, UTBZ, LSBZ, USBZ, TBZ, LBZ, and ABZ was 2002.1, 2613.1, 2223.9, 3146.9, 1447.2, 952.1, and 361.7mm/year, respectively, in CHAL. With the impact of climate change site and region-specific, this information highlights the need to mitigate climate change in different bioclimatic zones.
Anthropogenic Factors Affecting the Vegetation Dynamics in the Arid Middle East
Authors: Rousta Iman , Olafsson Haraldur , Zhang Hao , Moniruzzaman Md , Krzyszczak Jaromir , Baranowski Piotr
Published: October 2020

The spatiotemporal variability of vegetation in the Middle East was investigated for the period 2001–2019 using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 16-day/500 m composites of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI; MOD13A1). The results reveal a strong increase in the NDVI coverage in the Middle East during the study period (R = 0.75, p-value = 0.05). In Egypt, the annual coverage exhibits the strongest positive trend (R = 0.99, p-value = 0.05). In Turkey, both the vegetation coverage and density increased from 2001 to 2019, which can be attributed to the construction of some of the biggest dams in the Middle East, such as the Atatürk and Ilisu dams. Significant increases in the annual coverage and maximum and average NDVI in Saudi Arabia are due to farming in the northern part of the country for which groundwater and desalinated seawater are used. The results of this study suggest that the main factors affecting the vegetation coverage in the Middle East are governmental policies. These policies can have a positive effect on the vegetation coverage in some countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran, and Turkey.
The Sensory Evaluation and Mechanical Properties of Functional Gummy in the Malaysian Market
Authors: Mahat Mohd Muzamir , Mohmad Sabere Awis Sukarni , Shafiee Saiful 'Arifin , Nawawi Mohd Azizi , Hamzah Hairul Hisham , Jamil Muhammad Afiq Fikri Md , Che Roslan Nazreen , Abdul Halim Mohamed Izzharif , Safian Muhd Fauzi
Published: October 2020

The popularity of functional gummies has increased, which is evident from the growing line of functional gummies from almost every nutraceutical companies. Sensory evaluation serves the purpose of determining which brand of functional gummy would capture the largest market share. Texture profile analysis was used to determine the mechanical properties of functional gummies. The brands of functional gummies that came under the scope of this study were denoted as Brand A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy was utilised to detect organic material and functional groups in the functional gummies. Texture profile analysis gave valuable insights into the gummies’ mechanical properties which are cohesiveness, springiness, hardness, gumminess, and chewiness. Amongst the gummies that were studied, Brand F gummy has the highest value of cohesiveness of 0.92. Brand A gummy has a high springiness value of 1.0. Brand B gummy possesses the highest value of hardness, gumminess and chewiness of 12 532.2 g, 7617.6 N, and 6256.8 J, respectively. Qualitative sensory evaluation reveals that Brand G gummy has the best aesthetic qualities in terms of colour and appearance. Brand B gummy tastes the best while brand A gummy claims the top spot for gumminess and chewiness. Overall, the respondents in this study preferred brand A gummy over other brands.
Direct Injection of Biomineralizing Agents to Restore Injectivity and Wellbore Integrity
Authors: Kirkland Catherine M. , Hiebert Randy , Hyatt Robert , McCloskey Jay , Kirksey Jim , Thane Abby , Cunningham Alfred B. , Gerlach Robin , Spangler Lee , Phillips Adrienne J.
Published: October 2020

In this manuscript, we describe the second of two field demonstrations of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) performed in a failed waterflood injection well in Indiana. In 2012, fracture-related flow pathways developed in the wellbore cement, causing injection water to bypass the oil-bearing formation and enter a high-permeability sandstone thief zone, thereby substantially decreasing injection pressure. In the first field demonstration, our study team characterized the well's mode of failure and successfully applied MICP to decrease flow through the defective cement. However, because the MICP treatment was conducted using a bailer delivery system, the degree of permeability reduction achievable was not adequate to fully restore the historic injection pressure of 1,400 psi at 1 gal/min. For the second field demonstration (reported herein), a direct injection system was developed that substantially increased the injection volume of MICP-promoting fluids. Two strategies were implemented to produce more ureolytic microbes: resuspending concentrated frozen cells immediately before injection and scaling up the bioreactor growth capacity. Multiple pulses of microbes and urea-calcium media were pumped into a string of 1-in.-diameter tubing separated by brine spacers and injected continuously at a flow rate of 3.4 to 1.4 gal/min. During the third day of injection, an injection pressure of 1,384 psi at a flow rate of 1.4 gal/min was achieved, and the experiment was terminated. This study demonstrates that MICP can be successfully used in large-volume applications where the time frame for the delivery of reactants is limited. This finding has significant relevance for commercialization of the MICP biotechnology in the oil and gas industry.
enChIP systems with MSCV-based retroviral plasmids expressing 3xFLAG-Sp-dCas9
Authors: Yuno Miyuki , Fujita Toshitsugu , Fujii Hodaka
Published: October 2020

Engineered DNA-binding molecule–mediated chromatin immunoprecipitation (enChIP) is a technology for purifying specific genomic regions to facilitate identification of their associated molecules, including proteins, RNAs, and other genomic regions. In enChIP, the target genomic region is tagged with engineered DNA-binding molecules, e.g., a variant of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system consisting of a guide RNA (gRNA) and a catalytically inactive form of Cas9 (dCas9). In this study, to increase the flexibility of enChIP and expand the range of target cells, we generated murine stem cell virus (MSCV)-based retroviral plasmids for expressing dCas9. We constructed MSCV-based retroviral plasmids expressing Streptococcus pyogenes dCas9 fused to a 3xFLAG-tag (3xFLAG-Sp-dCas9) and various drug resistance genes. We showed that it is feasible to purify target genomic regions with high yields using these plasmids. These systems might give enChIP users greater flexibility in choosing optimal systems for drug selection of transduced cells. In addition, they could be used to analyze different types of target cells.
Overexpression of chalcone synthase gene improves flavonoid accumulation and drought tolerance in tobacco
Authors: Hu Ben , Yao Heng , Gao Yulong , Wang Ran , Li Feng , Guo Jinggong , Li Kun , Zhao Mingyue , jin lifeng
Published: October 2020

Flavonoids are important secondary metabolites in plants that play important roles in maintaining the cellular redox balance of cells. Chalcone synthase (CHS) is the key enzyme in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway and has been found to monitor changes due to drought stress tolerance. In this study, a CHS gene in tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum ) was overexpressed. Results revealed that transgenic tobacco plants were more tolerant than control plants to drought stress. Transcription levels of the key genes involved in the flavonoid pathway and the contents of seven flavonoids significantly increased in transgenic tobacco plants ( p < 0.01). Overexpression of the CHS gene led to lower concentrations of the oxidative stress product, malondialdehyde (MDA). Additionally, 11 CHS family genes were mined from the tobacco genome. Based on the phylogenetic tree, these genes split into two groups with eight genes clustered together with the bona fide Arabidopsis CHS gene, suggesting that those tobacco genes are CHS genes. Further phylogenetic analyses indicated that the tobacco CHS genes grouped further into three independent clades with the cloned tobacco CHS gene located within Clade iii. The tobacco CHS family genes exhibited a highly conserved CDS length, pI, and molecular weight of the encoded peptides. All CHS peptides contained two conserved domains, and the genes harbored two or three exons. Based on the results of this study, the NtCHS gene is considered a possible candidate gene for genetically engineering enhanced drought tolerance and improved responses to oxidative stress in plants.
Pulmonary cavitation in patients with thyroid cancer receiving antiangiogenic agents
Authors: Datar Saumil , Cabanillas Maria , Dadu Ramona , Ost David , Grosu Horiana
Published: October 2020

Background:Thyroid malignancies are among the most common endocrine cancers worldwide. Owing to the angiogenic nature of these malignancies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are an attractive potential treatment. However, TKIs have been associated with an increased risk of tumor cavitation, in turn linked to poor outcomes, in patients with malignancies in the lungs, where thyroid cancer commonly metastasizes. Method:We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with thyroid cancer and evidence of metastatic disease to the lung that were treated with multi-targeted antiangiogenic TKIs. The primary objective of this study was to determine the incidence of pulmonary cavitation. The secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of pulmonary cavitation on survival. Results: Of the 83 patients with pulmonary nodules,10 developed cavitation during treatment. Of these 83 patients, two patients had to stop the treatment due to pneumothorax. Additionally, cavitation did not demonstrate any significant effect on survival. Conclusion:In patients with thyroid cancer and evidence of metastatic disease to the chest, the use of multi-targeted TKIs led to cavitations that were not uncommon but clinical consequences were marginal. Treatment was stopped only in two patients that developed pneumothorax, however the small sample is a strong limitation of our study.
A systematic evaluation of the design, orientation, and sequence context dependencies of massively parallel reporter assays
Authors: Klein Jason , Agarwal Vikram , Inoue Fumitaka , Keith Aidan , Martin Beth , Kircher Martin , Ahituv Nadav , Shendure Jay
Published: October 2020

Massively parallel reporter assays (MPRAs) functionally screen thousands of sequences for regulatory activity in parallel. Here, we further develop and apply a novel method to assemble and functionally test libraries of greater than 2000 of the same putative enhancers as 192-mers, 354-mers, and 678-mers. We achieved a yield of 95% for 354-mers and 84% for 678-mers. Importantly, we observe surprisingly large differences in functional activity. This work provides a framework for the experimental design of high-throughput reporter assays, suggesting that the extended sequence context of tested elements, and to a lesser degree the precise assay, influence MPRA results.
Echocardiography-Guided Hemodynamic Management of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Alhabashy Walid S. , Shalaby Osama M. , Elgebaly Ahmed S. , Ghafar Mohammed S. Abd El
Published: October 2020

Background: Echocardiography (ECHO) is used to guide septic shock resuscitation, but without evidence for efficacy. Therefore, we compared the outcome of early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) and ECHO-guided management of hemodynamics in severe sepsis and septic shock. Materials and Methods: This is a single center, randomized controlled trial conducted on 100 adult patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Patients were assessed and treated with either EGDT protocol (EGDT group) or ECHO-guided resuscitation protocol (ECHO group). Results: Only 87 patients (45 in group I and 42 in group II) were analyzed. There was a significant increase of mean norepinephrine and dobutamine doses and a significant decrease in total fluids in the first 24 hours, time to normalization, time to weaning of vasopressors, total MV days, MV free days and ICU and hospital stays in ECHO group. At 30 days, the mortality rate in EGDT group was 35.6% which was significantly higher compared to 14.3% in ECHO group. At 90 days, the overall mortality was significantly higher in EGDT group compared to Echo group (40.0% vs 16.7% respectively). Hazardous ratio of mortality was 1.630 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.123 - 2.366) and 1.653 (95% CI: 1.137 - 2.404) at 30 and 90 days respectively in EGDT group compared to ECHO group. Conclusions: In severe sepsis and septic shock, ECHO-guided management of hemodynamics resulted in a decrease in mortality, lower total fluid intake, higher vasopressor and inotrope support, earlier weaning of vasopressors and less MV days, ICU and hospital stay.
Sex differences in the association between self-rated health and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in Koreans: A cross-sectional study using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Park Se-Won , Park Seong-Sik , Kim Eun-Jung , Sung Won-Suk , Ha In-Hyuk , Jung boyoung
Published: October 2020

Background: No studies have investigated the association between self-rated health (SRH) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in South Koreans. We explored this association and analyzed differences between sexes. Methods: Using cross-sectional data from the 2015–2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we analyzed the association between SRH and high hs-CRP levels (>1.0 mg/L) in 14,544 Koreans aged ≥19 years who responded to the SRH survey and had available hs-CRP test results. Differences in sociodemographic factors were analyzed using the Pearson’s chi-square test for categorical variables or the Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to measure the association between hs-CRP levels and SRH according to sex while adjusting for other possible confounders.Results: The percentage of very poor to poor SRH was higher in the high hs-CRP group (22.4%) than in the low hs-CRP group (17.66%). Among men, the risk of a high hs-CRP level increased with worse SRH (adjusted for confounders; P for trend <0.001). After adjusting for all confounders, including chronic diseases, men with very poor SRH showed a higher odds ratio (OR) for high hs-CRP levels than those with very good SRH (fully adjusted OR, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–2.90). Significant correlations were absent among women. Conclusions: Poor SRH was correlated with low-grade inflammation (high hs-CRP levels) among Korean male adults. These findings could be useful for developing health improvement programs and in goal setting at a national scale.
Statistical and Bioinformatic Analysis of Hemimethylation Patterns in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Sun Shuying , Zane Austin , Fulton Carolyn , Philipoom Jasmine
Published: October 2020

Background: DNA methylation is an epigenetic event involving the addition of a methyl-group to a cytosine-guanine base pair (i.e., CpG site). It is associated with different cancers. Our research focuses on studying non-small cell lung cancer hemimethylation, which refers to methylation occurring on only one of the two DNA strands. Many studies often assume that methylation occurs on both DNA strands at a CpG site. However, recent publications show the existence of hemimethylation and its significant impact. Therefore, it is important to identify cancer hemimethylation patterns. Methods: In this paper, we use the Wilcoxon signed rank test to identify hemimethylated CpG sites based on publicly available non-small cell lung cancer methylation sequencing data. We then identify two types of hemimethylated CpG clusters, regular and polarity clusters, and genes with large numbers of hemimethylated sites. Highly hemimethylated genes are then studied for their biological interactions using available bioinformatics tools. Results: In this paper, we have conducted the first-ever investigation of hemimethylation in lung cancer. Our results show that hemimethylation does exist in lung cells either as singletons or clusters. Most clusters contain only two or three CpG sites. Polarity clusters are much shorter than regular clusters and appear less frequently. The majority of clusters found in tumor samples have no overlap with clusters found in normal samples, and vice versa. Several genes that are known to be associated with cancer are hemimethylated differently between the cancerous and normal samples. Furthermore, highly hemimethylated genes exhibit many different interactions with other genes that may be associated with cancer. Hemimethylation has diverse patterns and frequencies that are comparable between normal and tumorous cells. Therefore, hemimethylation may be related to both normal and tumor cell development. Conclusions: Our research has identified CpG clusters and genes that are hemimethylated in normal and lung tumor samples. Due to the potential impact of hemimethylation on gene expression and cell function, these clusters and genes may be important to advance our understanding of the development and progression of non-small cell lung cancer.
Communication patterns in the doctor–patient relationship: evaluating determinants associated with low paternalism in Mexico.
Authors: Lazcano-Ponce Eduardo , Angeles-Llerenas Angelica , Rodríguez-Valentín Rocío , Salvador-Carulla Luis , Domínguez-Esponda Rosalinda , Astudillo-García Claudia Iveth , de León Eduardo Madrigal , Katz Gregorio
Published: October 2020

Background: Paternalism/overprotection limits communication between healthcare professionals and patients and does not promote shared therapeutic decision-making. In the global north, communication patterns have been regulated to promote autonomy, whereas in the global south, they reflect the physician’s personal choices. The goal of this work was contribute to knowledge of the communication patterns used in clinical practice in Mexico and to identify the determinants that favour a doctor-patient relationship characterized by low paternalism/autonomy.Methods: A self-report study of communication patterns within a sample of 761 mental healthcare professionals in Central and Western Mexico was conducted. Multiple ordinal logistic regression models were performed to analyse paternalism and associated factors. Results: A high prevalence (68.7% [95% CI 60.0-70.5]) of paternalism was observed among mental healthcare professionals in Mexico. The main determinants of low paternalism/autonomy were medical specialty (OR 1.67 [95% CI 1.16-2.40]) and gender, with female physicians more likely to explicitly share diagnoses and therapeutic strategies with patients and their families (OR 1.57 [95% CI 1.11-2.22]). A pattern of highly explicit communication was strongly associated with low paternalism/autonomy (OR 12.13 [95% CI 7.71-19.05]). Finally, a modifying effect of age strata on the association between communication pattern or specialty and low paternalism/autonomy was observed.Conclusions: Among mental healthcare professionals in Mexico, an elevated paternalism prevailed. Gender, specialty, and a pattern of open communication were closely associated with low paternalism/autonomy. Strengthening the competencies of health professionals and promoting explicit communication could contribute to the transition towards more autonomist communication in clinical practice in Mexico. The ethical implications will need to be resolved in the near future.
Gene expression-based immune infiltration analyses of renal cancer and their associations with survival outcome
Authors: Chen Lei , Yin Liang , Qi Zilong , Li Jinmin , Wang Xinning , Ma Kun , Liu Xiangyang
Published: October 2020

Background: Renal cancer is a common malignant tumor with an increasing incidence rate.Methods: In this study, based on the gene expression profiles, we analyzed the compositions of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) in renal cancer and paracancerous samples using CIBERSORT. The proportions of 22 TIICs subsets in 122 paired renal carcinoma and paracancerous samples, and 224 Wilms tumor (WT) samples varied between intragroup and intergroup. Results: After analyzed the difference of TIICs composition between renal cancer and paired paracancerous samples, we found that M0 macrophages and CD8 T cells were significantly elevated, while naive B cells were significantly decreased in renal cancer samples compared with paracancerous samples. Survival analysis showed that high overall TIICs proportion, the low proportion of resting mast cells and the high proportion of activated memory CD4 T cells were associated with poor prognosis of renal cancer patients. In addition, 3 clusters were identified by hierarchical clustering analysis, and they presented a distinct prognosis. Cluster 1 had superior survival outcomes, while cluster 2 had an inferior survival outcome.Conclusions: Our study indicated that overall TIICs proportion, certain TIICs subset proportion, including resting mast cells and activated memory CD4 T cells, and distinct cluster patterns were associated with the prognosis of renal cancer, which was significant for the clinical surveillance and treatment of renal cancer.
Functional polymorphisms and transcriptional analysis in the 5' region of the human serotonin receptor 1B gene (HTR1B) and their associations with psychiatric disorders
Authors: Xia Xi , Ding Mei , Xuan Jin-feng , Xing Jia-xin , Yao Jun , Wu Xue , Wang Bao-jie
Published: October 2020

Background The 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B receptor (5-HT1B) plays an essential role in the serotonin (5-HT) system and is widely involved in a variety of brain activities. HTR1B is the gene encoding 5-HT1B. Genome-wide association studies have shown that HTR1B polymorphisms are closely related to multiple mental and behavioral disorders; however, the functional mechanisms underlying these associations are unknown. This study investigated the effect of several HTR1B haplotypes on regulation of gene expression in vitro and the functional sequences in the 5' regulatory region of HTR1B to determine their potential association with mental and behavioral disorders. Methods Six haplotypes consisting of rs4140535, rs1778258, rs17273700, rs1228814, rs11568817, and rs130058 and several truncated fragments of the 5' regulatory region of HTR1B were transfected into SK-N-SH and HEK-293 cells. The relative fluorescence intensities of the different haplotypes and truncated fragments were detected using a dual-luciferase reporter assay system. Results Compared to the major haplotype T-G-T-C-T-A, the relative fluorescence intensities of haplotypes C-A-T-C-T-A, C-G-T-C-T-A, C-G-C-A-G-T, and C-G-T-A-T-A were significantly lower, and that of haplotype C-G-C-A-G-A was significantly higher. Furthermore, the effects of the rs4140535T allele, the rs17273700C-rs11568817G linkage combination, and the rs1228814A allele made their relative fluorescence intensities significantly higher than their counterparts at each locus. Conversely, the rs1778258A and rs130058T alleles decreased the relative fluorescence intensities. In addition, we found that regions from -1587 to -1371 bp (TSS, +1), -1149 to -894 bp, -39 to +130 bp, +130 to +341 bp, and +341 to +505 bp upregulated gene expression. In contrast, regions -603 to -316 bp and +130 to +341 bp downregulated gene expression. Region +341 to +505 bp played a decisive role in gene transcription. Conclusions HTR1B 5' regulatory region polymorphisms have regulatory effects on gene expression and potential correlate with several pathology and physiology conditions. This study suggests that a crucial sequence for transcription is located in region +341~+505 bp. Regions -1587 to -1371 bp, -1149 to -894 bp, -603 to -316 bp, -39 to +130 bp, and +130 to +341 bp contain functional sequences that can promote or suppress the HTR1B gene expression.
The awareness, visibility and support for young carers across Europe: a Delphi study
Authors: Nap Henk Herman , Hoefman Renske , de Jong Nynke , Lovink Lieke , Glimmerveen Ludo , Lewis Feylyn , Santini Sara , D’Amen Barbara , Socci Marco , Boccaletti Licia , Casu Giulia , Manattini Alessandra , Brolin Rosita , Sirk Karina , Hlebec Valentina , Rakar Tatjana , Hudobivnik Tjasa , Leu Agnes , Berger Fabian , Magnusson Lennart , Hanson Elizabeth
Published: October 2020

Background Across Europe, young carers (YCs) and their need for support receive limited attention in the media, policy and empirical research, even though, similar to adult carers, they also provide care to ill family members. The Delphi study, a qualitative research methodology, which provides the focus for this article, had the overall aim of exploring existing successful strategies to support YCs. Compared to YCs, even less is known about adolescent young carers (AYCs), a group that is in a critical life transition phase. The study forms part of an EU Horizon 2020 funded research project on AYCs aged 15-17 years old. Methods A two-round Delphi study was conducted with 66 experts on YCs from 10 European countries. Topics included: (i) visibility and awareness-raising of YCs at local, regional, and national levels, (ii) current interventions to support YCs, and (iii) future strategies to support YCs. Results Experts reported a lack of visibility and awareness about YCs in general, and AYCs in particular. Although awareness is slowly increasing in most countries, with the UK ranked highest, experts acknowledged that it remains challenging to identify YCs in many countries. Furthermore, the level and type of support available for YCs differs, with most countries mainly offering support on a local level. Diverse views were expressed regarding future strategies to support YCs. Experts highlighted the importance of specific legislation to formalise the rights of YCs, and the issue of whether young people should be safeguarded from caregiving or if this should be considered part of regular family life. They also emphasised the relevance of available integrated support services for YCs, including schools, family, health and social care. Conclusions In most European countries, there is a lack of awareness and visibility on YCs. Identification of YCs is a crucial first step and there is need for a common definition of YCs, together with greater opportunities for young adults to identify themselves as YCs.