bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemosensory Dysfunction, Oral Disorders and Oral Health-Related Quality Of Life in Patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: Comparative Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Gobeljić Mirjana Šijan , Milić Vera , Pejnovic Nada , Damjanov Nemanja
Published: April 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate chemosensory function and oral disorders in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and to compare these findings with those of age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Methods: Olfactory and gustatory function, dysgeusia, burning sensations in the tongue (BST), halitosis, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) using the short-form Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) were evaluated in 58 patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) and 55 age- and gender-matched healthy controls in this comparative cross-sectional study. Results: Patients with pSS had significantly lower self-reported visual analogue scale (VAS) smell score (8.6±2.2 vs. 9.6±0.7, p=0.016) and VAS taste score (9.5±0.7 vs. 8.5±2.1, p=0.014) than healthy controls. A greater proportion of patients with pSS had anosmia (3.8% vs. 0.0%) or hyposmia (36.5% vs. 13.2%) and ageusia for basic tastes: sweetness (34.0% vs. 7.5%), sourness (10.6 % vs. 0.0), saltiness (10.0% vs. 5.7%) or bitterness (19.1% vs. 1.9%) as evaluated using Sniffin Sticks test and taste stripts, respectively. A higher proportion of pSS patients complained of dysgeusia (52.6% vs. 9.4%, p<0.0001) and BST (45.6% vs. 0.0%, p<0.0001) while similar number of pSS patients and controls reported halitosis (31.6% vs. 28.3%, p=0.434). The mean OHIP-14 score was significantly higher in patients with pSS (6.8±7.0 vs. 2.3±8.5, p<0.001) indicating patients’ poorer OHRQoL compared to controls. Conclusions: The majority of patients with pSS had impaired chemosensory function and indicators of oral health in comparison to the age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Further studies of oral hygiene habits and dietary intake of these patients are needed to ensure better management of oral health problems in patients with pSS.
Assessing the quality of midwifery care from the woman´s perspective
Authors: Schulz Anja , Wirtz Markus Antonius
Published: April 2020

Background: Midwives provide comprehensive care for women giving birth. The care processes must be tailored to the needs of the women. Hence, woman-centred quality of care requires good process organization as well as high communicative and interactive skills. Furthermore, the woman's perspective is essential to assess the quality of care. For this reason, established assessment scales from health care were adapted to the context of midwifery care for the constructs Shared Decision Making (SDM-Q9-M) , Empathy (CARE-M) , Internal Team Participation (TEAM-M) , and Professional Competence (PC-M) . The aim of this study is to determine the psychometric properties of the assessment instruments in a sample of women.Methods: N = 201 women, who received midwifery care, completed the questionnaire as part of a cross-sectional survey. The unidimensional structure of the adapted single scales as well as the multidimensional structure of the entire assessment were analysed by means of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).Results: Both for the single assessments (CFI ≥ .96; SRMR ≤ .032) and for the multidimensional model (CFI = .96; SRMR = .049) an appropriate to good model fit could be confirmed. Minor model modifications reflecting local item dependencies have to be regarded for the scales SDM-Q9-M , TEAM-M , and PC-M . For the CARE-M scale P articipatory Communication proved to be an independent structural component.Conclusions: To determine the quality of the midwifery care processes, an assessment is available that captures central components of woman-centred care from the perspective of woman. The assessment provides a validated basis for midwives to receive direct feedback on the quality of care and to evaluate woman-centred care.
Effects of novel multifocal soft contact lens on peripheral refraction of myopic eyes when looking at distant and near targets
Authors: Lu Fan , Mao Xinjie , Wen Shuyun , Lin Liang
Published: April 2020

Background It is generally accepted the association between hyperopic peripheral defocus and myopia progression. To search for a good optical method to slow the myopia progression for the children who need long-time near work, we compared the effects of novel multifocal soft contact lenses (MFSCLs) with single vision soft contact lenses (SVSCLs) on peripheral refraction when looking at both distant and near targets. Methods The refraction of 25 young myopic subjects’ right eye were measured at horizontal retina eccentricities in 10º steps from 30º temporal to 30º nasal, with no correction (baseline), novel MFSCLs and SVSCLs when looking at distant (5 m) and near (0.4 m) targets. Results Subjects wearing MFSCLs presented significantly more myopic relative peripheral refractive error (RPRE) profile than SVSCLs at all horizontal retina eccentricities when looking at distant targets (all p<0.01). Compared with looking at distant targets, subjects wearing SVSCLs or MFSCLs showed a hyperopic shift of peripheral defocus when looking at near targets, owning to the effects of accommodative lag and hyperopic RPRE change during accommodation (except T20º and T30º wearing SVSCLs and N30º wearing MFSCLs, p=0.822, p=0.950, p=0.390, respectively, all other eccentricities p<0.05). But subjects wearing MFSCLs could still maintain a certain magnitude of myopic peripheral defocus at horizontal retina eccentricities when looking at near targets (T20° and T30°, p=0.023 and p<0.001, respectively). Conclusions The novel MFSCLs imposed strong myopic peripheral defocus when looking at distant targets. They also maintain a certain magnitude of myopic peripheral defocus when looking at near targets, regardless of the hyperopic effect of accommodation lag and hyperopic shift in RPRE during accommodation.
Positive Epstein-Barr virus detection in corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients
Authors: Chen Ting , Song Jiayi , Liu Hongli , Zheng Hongmei , Chen Changzheng
Published: April 2020

Background Since December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused an outbreak of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China. The Objective of this study was to detect the EBV coinfection in COVID-19.Methods In this retrospective single-center study, we included 67 patients with confirmed COVID-19 in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 9 to February 29, 2020. Patients were divided into EBV seropositive group and seronegative group according to the serological results of EBV, and the characteristics differences between the two groups were compared.Results 67 COVID-19 patients were included in our study. The median age was 37 years, with 35 (52.2%) females. Among these COVID-19 patients, 37 (55.2%) patients were seropositive for EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM antibody. EBV seropositive COVID-19 patients had a 3.09-fold risk of having a fever symptom than EBV seronegative (95%CI, 1.11-8.56; P=0.03). C-reactive protein (CRP) (P=0.02) and the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P=0.04) in EBV seropositive COVID-19 patients were higher than that in EBV seronegative patients. EB seropositive patients had a higher portion of corticosteroid use than the EB seronegative patients (P=0.03).Conclusions EBV acute infection was found in COVID-19 patients. EBV seropositivity was associated with fever and increased inflammation. EBV reactivation may affected the treatment of COVID-19.
Utilization of longitudinal ultrasound measurements to quantify changes in knee joint synovial vascularity in a rabbit model of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Liu Hui , Huang Chao , Chen Shuqiang , Zheng Qing , Ye Yuhong , Ye Zhen , Lyu Guorong
Published: April 2020

Objective: This study of rabbits with ovalbumin-induced arthritis (OIA), a model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), examined the time course of changes in synovial neovascularization based on imaging from power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).Methods: 25 male New Zealand rabbits were in the OIA group and 5 were in the control group. Both rear knee joints of all rabbits were examined using conventional US and CEUS over 16 weeks. The knee synovia of OIA rabbits were sampled by US-guided biopsy, and the expression of CD31 and VEGF were determined by immunohistochemistry. The correlation of microvessel density (CD31 positivity) and VEGF at different times was analyzed using multimodal US.Results: OIA rabbits had increased synovial expression of CD31 and VEGF from week 6 to 12 (P<0.01). During the early stage of CEUS enhancement, dot enhancement was more common on weeks 6 and 8, and strip enhancement was more common on weeks 12 and 16 (P<0.05). There were significant positive correlations of synovial CD31 and VEGF expression with PDI grade, CEUS grade, and peak intensity (PI) (P<0.05 for all).Conclusions: OIA rabbits mimicked early-stage RA at 4 to 8 weeks, middle-stage RA at 8 to 12 weeks, and late-stage RA at 12 to 16 weeks. PDI, CEUS, and PI, especially when combined with CD31 expression, accurately characterized the extent of synovial vascularization. Increased vascular morphology based on CEUS may have value for the early diagnosis of RA.
Comparison of random and site directed mutation effects on the efficacy between lead SARS-CoV2 anti-protease drugs Indinavir and Hydroxychloroquine
Authors: Sunny Jithin S. , Saleena Lilly M. , Balachandran Saranya , S. Solaipriya
Published: April 2020

The diversification of virus can be attributed to random mutations leading to the development of drug resistance. The variations can be inherited from one generation to the other rendering the drug ineffective. However, a pharmacologically induced selection pressure can be countered by introducing drugs better adapted to work under rapid mutations. In this study we try to explore the effect of site directed and random substitution mutations simulated in the ligand binding region of SARS-CoV2 protease. Amongst six currently studied anti-protease drugs for COVID-19, Indinavir and Hydroxychloroquine were chosen for the study based on their high binding affinity scores, -6.81, and -4.81 respectively. The effect of mutations in protein-ligand binding was analysed in two steps. Initially, analysis of over 90 homologous protease and 100 SARS-CoV-2 orf1ab regions revealed un-conserved residues in the ligand binding sites. Gly170 and Thr190 were identified and interchanged with polar residues such as ARG, ASN and non-polar residues such as ALA, ILE. The resulting mutants were modelled, minimized and docked with Indinavir and Hydroxychloroquine. A higher binding affinity was observed for Indinavir; however, less variance in the binding affinity was observed for the latter. These results were consistent for random mutations as well. A Bio.seqIO based pipeline was build to simulate changes in the ligand binding site. Under the assumption that the ligand binding region has an equal probability of mutation over a given range for continuous distribution, 200 cycles of mutation was carried out in the nucleotide region corresponding to the ligand binding site. A paired t-test revealed a significant difference between the binding affinity of these mutant Indinavir and Hydroxychloroquine-protease complexes. Further, mean and variance was found to be higher for Indinavir-protease complex but Hydroxychloroquine displayed lesser variance pointing at a constant binding capability towards the mutant. Our study highlights the role of Hydroxychloroquine as a drug that can complement an evolving SARS-CoV2 main protease.
Cancer patients/survivors, lymphocytes, and severe COVID-19
Authors: He Jian-xing , liang Wen-hua , Li Cai-chen , Li Jian-fu , Xiong Shan , Zhong Ran , Cheng Bo , Ou Li-min , Chen Zi-sheng , He Qi-hua , Xie Zhan-hong
Published: April 2020

There is a heated debate on whether the cancer survivors have worse outcomes in corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-2019). This study showed that both cancer survivors and cancer patients have decreased lymphocytes, partially explaining why these patients were associated with poorer prognosis in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (SARS-CoV-2) in principle. Therefore, patients with cancer history, whether they are going active treatment or not, deserve special attention.
Parageneses of TiB2 in corundum xenoliths from Mt. Carmel, Israel: Siderophile behavior of boron under reducing conditions
Authors: Griffin William L. , Gain Sarah E.M. , Saunders Martin , Bindi Luca , Alard Olivier , Toledo Vered , O'Reilly Suzanne Y.
Published: April 2020

Titanium diboride (TiB2) is a minor but common phase in melt pockets trapped in the corundum aggregates that occur as xenoliths in Cretaceous basaltic volcanoes on Mt. Carmel, north Israel. These melt pockets show extensive textural evidence of immiscibility between metallic (Fe-Ti-C-Si) melts, Ca-Al-Mg-Si-O melts, and Ti-(oxy)nitride melts. The metallic melts commonly form spherules in the coexisting oxide glass. Most of the observed TiB2 crystallized from the Fe-Ti-C silicide melts and a smaller proportion from the oxide melts. The parageneses in the melt pockets of the xenoliths require fO2 ≤ ΔIW-6, probably generated through interaction between evolved silicate melts and mantle-derived CH4+H2 fluids near the crust-mantle boundary. Under these highly reducing conditions boron, like carbon and nitrogen, behaved mainly as a siderophile element during the separation of immiscible metallic and oxide melts. These parageneses have implications for the residence of boron in the peridotitic mantle and for the occurrence of TiB2 in other less well-constrained environments such as ophiolitic chromitites.
Exploiting Anti-Inflammation Effects of Flavonoids in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Hussain Tarique , Murtaza Ghulam , Yang Huansheng , Kalhoro Muhammad S. , Kalhoro Dildar H.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Inflammation is a complex response of the host defense system to different internal and external stimuli. It is believed that persistent inflammation may lead to chronic inflammatory diseases such as, inflammatory bowel disease, neurological and cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress is the main factor responsible for the augmentation of inflammation via various molecular pathways. Therefore, alleviating oxidative stress is effective a therapeutic option against chronic inflammatory diseases.

Methods:

This review article extends the knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms of flavonoids targeting inflammatory pathways in chronic diseases, which would be the best approach for the development of suitable therapeutic agents against chronic diseases.

Results:

Since the inflammatory response is initiated by numerous signaling molecules like NF-κB, MAPK, and Arachidonic acid pathways, their encountering function can be evaluated with the activation of Nrf2 pathway, a promising approach to inhibit/prevent chronic inflammatory diseases by flavonoids. Over the last few decades, flavonoids drew much attention as a potent alternative therapeutic agent. Recent clinical evidence has shown significant impacts of flavonoids on chronic diseases in different in-vivo and in-vitro models.

Conclusion:

Flavonoid compounds can interact with chronic inflammatory diseases at the cellular level and modulate the response of protein pathways. A promising approach is needed to overlook suitable alternative compounds providing more therapeutic efficacy and exerting fewer side effects than commercially available antiinflammatory drugs.
Use of Bimetallic Nanoparticles in the Synthesis of Heterocyclic Molecules
Authors: Poonam  , Singh Ram
Published: April 2020

The heterocyclic molecules are medicinally important and are applied in different other fields. The environmentally benign synthetic method for the synthesis of this important group of compounds is always explored. Bimetallic nanoparticles are getting attention as heterogeneous catalysts for their synthesis. The bimetallic nanoparticles have been usually synthesized by chemical or physical methods or both in combination. Chemists are also using part of plants in the synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles and these have been successful. The present review work will be going to enrich the existing literature by compiling the use of plant parts in the synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles and their utility in the synthesis of heterocyclic molecules.
A Review on Natural Products and Herbs Used in the Management of Diabetes
Authors: Patle Deepshikha , Vyas Manish , Khatik Gopal L.
Published: April 2020

Aim:

We aimed to review the importance of the natural products and herbs used in the management
of diabetes mellitus (DM) as medicinal agents.

Background:

Naturally occuring phytoactive compounds and herbs are very important because they are
found to be effective against several diseases. DM is a commonly occurring endocrinological disorder,
with the incidences increased four times in the last 34 years. There are several oral hypoglycemic agents
available in the market, which in the long term, may lead to a high risk of secondary failure rate.

Objectives:

This review focuses on natural products and herbs application for effective management of
diabetic conditions, and natural products that can be utilized as alternative therapy.

Methods:

We searched the various online databases (PubMed, Bentham, ScienceDirect) and scientific
publications from the library using a qualitative systematic review. The criteria of the review were
based on natural products and herbs application for possessing medicinal value against diabetes and the
literature of previous thirty years has been searched. The inclusion criteria of materials were based on
the quality and relevancy with our aim.

Results:

We observed that owing to the potential of natural products and herbs, different research
groups are searching for the potent natural antidiabetic agents with minimal side effects. Recent research
showed that there is a decline in a number of new molecules that fail in clinical trials because of
toxicity thus, natural products and herbs are considered as the alternative. Currently, some of the natural
products and herbs like coixol, andrographolide, Tinospora cordifolia, polypeptide p, charantin, Annona
squamosa, and Nigella are being explored for their potential to be used successfully for the management
of type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion:

The significance of natural products and herbs in the anticipation of diabetes and allied
complications are being described herein. We observed that a huge amount of work is being done to explore
the natural products and herbs to manage the diabetes and this review gives the highlights of them.
Bio-mimicking Shear Stress Environments for Enhancing Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation
Authors: Arora Seep , Srinivasan Akshaya , Leung Chak Ming , Toh Yi-Chin
Published: April 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells, with the ability to differentiate into mesodermal (e.g., adipocyte, chondrocyte, hematopoietic, myocyte, osteoblast), ectodermal (e.g., epithelial, neural) and endodermal (e.g., hepatocyte, islet cell) lineages based on the type of induction cues provided. As compared to embryonic stem cells, MSCs hold a multitude of advantages from a clinical translation perspective, including ease of isolation, low immunogenicity and limited ethical concerns. Therefore, MSCs are a promising stem cell source for different regenerative medicine applications. The in vitro differentiation of MSCs into different lineages relies on effective mimicking of the in vivo milieu, including both biochemical and mechanical stimuli. As compared to other biophysical cues, such as substrate stiffness and topography, the role of fluid shear stress (SS) in regulating MSC differentiation has been investigated to a lesser extent although the role of interstitial fluid and vascular flow in regulating the normal physiology of bone, muscle and cardiovascular tissues is well-known. This review aims to summarise the current state-of-the-art regarding the role of SS in the differentiation of MSCs into osteogenic, cardiovascular, chondrogenic, adipogenic and neurogenic lineages. We will also highlight and discuss the potential of employing SS to augment the differentiation of MSCs to other lineages, where SS is known to play a role physiologically but has not yet been successfully harnessed for in vitro differentiation, including liver, kidney and corneal tissue lineage cells. The incorporation of SS, in combination with biochemical and biophysical cues during MSC differentiation, may provide a promising avenue to improve the functionality of the differentiated cells by more closely mimicking the in vivo milieu.
Cyanidin 3-O-Glucoside Induces the Apoptosis in the Osteosarcoma Cells through Upregulation of the PPARγ and P21: AnIn VitroStudy
Authors: Atashi Hesam A. , Arani Hamid Z. , Shekarriz Amirhossein , Nazari Hamidreza , Zabolian Amirhossein , Rakhshan Rasul , Olya Maedeh
Published: April 2020

Background:

Osteosarcoma (OS) is known as the malignant tumors in the bone. Cyanidin 3-OGlucoside (C3G) has a potential to induce the apoptotic cell death in different cancer cells; however, the mechanisms of action for C3G have not been clarified yet.

Objective:

In this study, the apoptotic effects of C3G on three different osteosarcoma cell lines including Saso-2, MG-63, and G-292 (clone A141B1) were investigated.

Methods:

The 24-hr IC50 of C3G for Saso-2, G-292, and MG-63 cells was evaluated by the MTT assay. Apoptosis induction in these cell lines after treatment with the C3G was approved by the Annexin V/PI flow cytometry. Changes at the mRNA expression level of PPARγ, P21, Bax, and Bcl-xl genes were investigated by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique, and P21 expression was further confirmed by the western blotting.

Results:

The MTT assay results demonstrated that the 24-hr IC50 of C3G was equal to 110μg/ml for Saso-2 and G-292 cells while it was about 140μg/ml for the MG-63 cells. The results of real-time PCR clearly showed that treatment of the cells with 24hrs IC50 of C3G caused the upregulation of PPARγ, P21, and Bax genes. Moreover, western blot analysis confirmed that P21 protein overexpressed endogenously after treatment of the cells with the C3G, and it was more upregulated in the MG-63 cells compared to the other cell lines.

Conclusion:

According to the findings of the study, the C3G is a novel anti-osteosarcoma agent with the ability to induce the apoptosis in different osteosarcoma cells through upregulation of the PPARγ and P21 genes.
Review of Advanced Product Design Techniques Aiming to Capture Marketing Outcomes
Authors: Gilal Faheem Gul , Channa Nisar Ahmed , Gilal Naeem Gul , Gilal Rukhsana Gul
Published: April 2020

Background:

The purpose of this paper is to critically review the studies that deal with
advanced product design techniques in order to identify the research gaps and provide recommendations
for future research.

Methods:

To this end, a systematic review of literature on advanced product design techniques was
conducted over a period of nearly ten years between 2010 and 2019, and a new model has been developed
on the basis of insights from prior research.

Results:

Based on the extensive literature review, the authors identified key product design theories,
methodologies, and several research clusters, in which product design techniques appear to hold
particular promise in terms of capturing positive consumer behavior outcomes.

Conclusions:

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present review is the first of its kind to provide
deeper insights into advanced analytical areas for future product design research (presented as
propositions) aiming for high reliability.
Success in the Commercialization of Academic Life Science Discoveries in Poland – A Case Study from Jagiellonian University
Authors: Rudź Radosław
Published: April 2020

Jagiellonian University (JU) is one of the top universities in Central and
Eastern Europe. Several faculties of the university are conducting research in the
life sciences area. These projects include both direct drug discovery and
development activities as well as research aimed at the creation of novel
technologies with significant commercial potential. The present case study is based
on a series of examples illustrating the cooperation between JU and various
business entities, both in Poland and globally, which successfully implemented the
inventions made at the university. These cases include JU technologies already
commercialized and also some of the most promising inventions still awaiting
further development in close collaboration with various business partners. The
article also describes a few examples of JU world-class research centres and their
unique collaboration opportunities with scientific and business entities.
Top Concerns of Tweeters During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Infoveillance Study
Authors: Abd-Alrazaq Alaa , Alhuwail Dari , Househ Mowafa , Hamdi Mounir , Shah Zubair
Published: April 2020

Background

The recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is taking a toll on the world’s health care infrastructure as well as the social, economic, and psychological well-being of humanity. Individuals, organizations, and governments are using social media to communicate with each other on a number of issues relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not much is known about the topics being shared on social media platforms relating to COVID-19. Analyzing such information can help policy makers and health care organizations assess the needs of their stakeholders and address them appropriately.

Objective

This study aims to identify the main topics posted by Twitter users related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Leveraging a set of tools (Twitter’s search application programming interface (API), Tweepy Python library, and PostgreSQL database) and using a set of predefined search terms (“corona,” “2019-nCov,” and “COVID-19”), we extracted the text and metadata (number of likes and retweets, and user profile information including the number of followers) of public English language tweets from February 2, 2020, to March 15, 2020. We analyzed the collected tweets using word frequencies of single (unigrams) and double words (bigrams). We leveraged latent Dirichlet allocation for topic modeling to identify topics discussed in the tweets. We also performed sentiment analysis and extracted the mean number of retweets, likes, and followers for each topic and calculated the interaction rate per topic.

Results

Out of approximately 2.8 million tweets included, 167,073 unique tweets from 160,829 unique users met the inclusion criteria. Our analysis identified 12 topics, which were grouped into four main themes: origin of the virus; its sources; its impact on people, countries, and the economy; and ways of mitigating the risk of infection. The mean sentiment was positive for 10 topics and negative for 2 topics (deaths caused by COVID-19 and increased racism). The mean for tweet topics of account followers ranged from 2722 (increased racism) to 13,413 (economic losses). The highest mean of likes for the tweets was 15.4 (economic loss), while the lowest was 3.94 (travel bans and warnings).

Conclusions

Public health crisis response activities on the ground and online are becoming increasingly simultaneous and intertwined. Social media provides an opportunity to directly communicate health information to the public. Health systems should work on building national and international disease detection and surveillance systems through monitoring social media. There is also a need for a more proactive and agile public health presence on social media to combat the spread of fake news.
The Mapping of Sustainability Index in Small and Medium Enterprises: A Case Study in Lampung Indonesia
Authors: Madyaratry Lintang Harwina , Hardjomidjojo Hartrisari , Anggraeni Elisa
Published: April 2020

Small-medium enterprises (SMEs) generally have constraints on their performance efficiency and productivity. It affects the ability of SMEs to compete in the global market. Therefore, the mapping of SME conditions needs to be analyzed. This study aims to map the SME conditions and find out SME’s sustainability index. This study uses a multidimensional scaling method through ecological, social, economic, technological, and institutional dimensions. A case study was carried out at Banana Chips SMEs in Lampung Province. These SMEs are the mainstays of Lampung Province. The results show that the SME condition was divided into three categories: poor, good, and very good. The status of the sustainability of SMEs in each dimension was divided into two groups: the poor category for the technology dimension and the good category both for the ecological, social, economic, and institutional dimensions. The results of the mapping of SME’s sustainability index produced several improvement strategies for SMEs.
Teologi Pendidikan Multikultural Melacak Konsep Multikulturalisme dalam Islam
Authors: Fadly Haeri
Published: April 2020

Haeri Fadly
Sunan Drajat’s Influences to Islamic Education: 15th Century
Authors: Mukhlis Fahrudin
Published: April 2020

This paper attempts to provide a brief history of the nine saints named by walisongo, and more specifically Sunan Drajat and his role in the development of Islamic Education in various fields, such as da'wah, social, arts and culture and purification of aqīdah or creed. Specifficaly, this article will depict some points, such: First, the roles of Wali Songo to the propagation of Islam in Java; Second, Sunan Drajat’s method in Educating people; Third, Sunan Drajat’s Influences to Islamic Education. These aspects which give a description of a very good and successful method of preaching Islam in Indonesia especially in the land of Java
Germinated kamut wheat (Triticum turgidum), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and mung bean (Vigna radiata). An alternative for the feeding of colonies of ants Atta cephalotes under laboratory conditions.
Authors: Ramírez Olier Johana , Jaramillo Ciro Margarita María , González Agudelo Beatriz , Botero Botero Liliana Rocío
Published: April 2020

The establishment of colonies of Atta cephalotes cutter ants under laboratory conditions has been proposed for the study and development of plague control products. However, few laboratories in Colombia have colonies of Atta cephalotes cutter ants, with food being a limiting factor given their sensitivity, selectivity and voracity. In this study, the use of wheat germinated kamut (Triticum turgidum), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and mung bean (Vigna radiata) as an alternative for the feeding of colonies under laboratory conditions y mango leaves like control, using mini-colonies was evaluated. In the study, mung bean sprouts and kamut wheat were preferred (100% load, 24 hours), compared to quinoa (89 ± 10% load, 24 hours). The determination of the effect of the sprouts on the growth rate of the mini-colonies was evaluated during 8 weeks, showing that the germinated kamut wheat and control treatment generated the best growth rates of fungus in the exponential phase (3.19 and 3.73 g / week respectively) compared with mung beans and quinoa (1 g / wk), supporting the potential of kamut wheat for the maintenance of colonies under laboratory conditions.
Comments of the Auditing Standards Committee of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association on the Concept Release, Potential Approach to Revisions to PCAOB Quality Control Standards
Authors: Brown Veena Looknanan , Hermanson Dana R. , Higgs Julia L. , Jenkins J. Gregory , Nolder Christine , Schaefer Tammie J. , Smith Kecia Williams
Published: April 2020

On December 17, 2019, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the Board or PCAOB) issued a request for comment on its Concept Release, Potential Approach to Revisions to PCAOB Quality Control Standards. The Board is considering revising its Quality Controls (QC) standards to focus firms on improving their QC systems. To reduce the compliance burden, the Board is considering aligning its QC standards with those of the proposed International Standard on Quality Management 1, Quality Management for Firms That Perform Audits or Reviews of Financial Statements, or Other Assurance or Related Services Engagements (proposed ISQM 1). The comment period ended March 16, 2020. This commentary summarizes the participating committee members' views on selected questions on three aspects of a QC system presented in the Concept Release: Resources (Questions 31, 32, 34, 36, 37), The Monitoring and Remediation Process (Questions 45, 46, 47), and Roles and Responsibilities of Individuals (Question 52).

Data Availability: The Concept Release, Potential Approach to Revisions to PCAOB Quality Control Standards, including questions for respondents, is available at: https://pcaobus.org/Rulemaking/Docket046/2019-003-Quality-Control-Concept-Release.pdf.
The Predictability of Future Aggregate Earnings Growth and the Relation between Aggregate Analyst Recommendation Changes and Future Returns
Authors: Billings Bruce K. , Keskek Sami , Pierce Spencer
Published: April 2020

We extend prior research examining the relation between aggregate recommendation changes and future returns by documenting that this relation varies over time as a function of the predictability of future earnings growth. When industry-level earnings growth is more predictable, we find that recommendation changes relate negatively to future returns. Our evidence suggests that this negative relation results from analysts revising recommendations upward for higher expected earnings growth but failing to also adjust downward for a related decrease in expected returns arising from a decrease in investor risk aversion. In contrast, when industry-level earnings growth is less predictable, we find that recommendation changes relate positively to future returns. However, this positive relation results from analysts and investors similarly underestimating earnings growth persistence. Overall, the evidence fails to support the claim that analysts' recommendation changes incorporate aggregate information in a manner that adds value to investors by predicting future returns.

JEL Classifications: A10; E10; E44; E52; G11; G14; M40; M41.
Information Imprecision
Authors: Ball Ryan T. , Cuny Christine
Published: April 2020

This study develops and applies a model-implied measure of information imprecision. We define information imprecision as the degree of noise in investors' prior beliefs about the firm's asset value based on the information set that is currently available. We present a model of credit default swap (CDS) spreads in which the term structure is a function of information imprecision. We exploit observable CDS spreads with short and long maturities to extract an empirical measure of information imprecision. We then examine the moderating role of our measure in two settings. First, we show that the equity market response to credit rating changes increases in the level of information imprecision before the announcement. Second, we show that bond-market professionals' ability to charge a premium to smaller investors, relative to larger investors, increases in the issuing firm's information imprecision. This evidence illustrates the broad applicability of our model-implied measure of information imprecision.

JEL Classifications: D82; G14; G24.
Perancangan Pengendalian Kecepatan Motor Induksi Tiga Fasa Pada Mesin Sentrifugal Dengan Pendekatan Model Viteckova Orde Dua Menggunakan Metode Hybridfuzzy-SMC
Authors: Faizal Ahmad
Published: April 2020

Induction motor has a weakness in the speed settings, the speed will change when there is a change in load or control signal disturbance, it takes a controller that is able to overcome the shortcomings of the induction motor, one of the controller is fuzzy. Fuzzy controllers have the advantage of modeling a complex non-linear function. But fuzzy controllers have weaknesses in the form of overshoot and system oscillation. One of the controllers that is able to overcome the weakness of overshoot and oscillation of the system from the fuzzy controller is the Sliding Mode Control (SMC) controller. SMC has the advantage of being robust and able to work on non-linear system systems that have model or parameter uncertainty. Based on simulation results from fuzzy hybrid controller and SMC able to cover the weakness of fuzzy and robust controller in overcoming the load and disturbance changes. Proven with time response analysis on overshoot and steady state error better than fuzzy controller with longer transient time value at maximum load with steady state error 0,0085 Rpm with Maximum overshoot 0,38% and without system oscillation.
Penilaian Kinerja Karyawan Menggunakan Metode Key Performance Indicators (KPI) (STUDI KASUS: CV. BUNDA BAKERY PEKANBARU)
Authors: Lubis Putri Iglina
Published: April 2020

ABSTRAKCV. Bunda Bakery merupakan produsen kue yang telah lama berdiri. Dalam produksi kue, CV. Bunda Bakery mempunyai target dalam pembuatanya. Akan tetapi dalam produksi kue CV. Bunda Bakery tidak selalu terpenuhi atau mencapai target. permasalahan ini disebabkan karena kurangnya tenaga kerja tetap sehingga target produksi tidak terpenuhi. Untuk mengatasi permasalahan di CV. Bunda Bakery tersebut memerlukan perbaikan kinerja menggunakan metode Key Performance Indicators (KPI) yang bersifat mengukur dan memeberikan informasi sejauh mana sasaran strategis yang dibebankan kepada suatu perusahaan sudah berhasil dicapai. Key Performance Indicators(KPI) merupakan alat bantu atau instrument manajemen agar suatu kegiatan atau proses dapat diikuti, dikendalikan (bila menyimpang, dapat dikenali untuk dikoreksi), dan dipastikan untuk mewujudkan kinerja yang dikehendaki. Adapun hasil yang didapatkan adalah meningkatnya kinerja pekerja, meningkatya target produksi sesuai target yang telah ditetapkan pada setiap produksinya dan memberikan usulan strategi peningkatan kinerja pekerja
Sistem Administrasi Perpustakaan Pada Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan Negeri 03 Kota Bengkulu
Authors: Kanedi Indra
Published: April 2020

Sistem Administrasi merupakan salah satu program Perpustakaan Pada Sekolah Menegah Kejuruan Negeri 3 Kota Bengkulu. Untuk menentukan pengelolaan Perpustakaan Sekolah Menegah Kejuruan Negeri 3 Kota Bengkulu saat ini dilengkapi dengan sarana dan prasarana komputer namun demikian, dalam melakukan dokumentasi kearsipan baik dalam pencatatan buku-buku perpustakaan maupun siswa-siswa yang melakukan peminjaman buku-buku yang ada di Sekolah Menegah Kejuruan Negeri 3 Kota Bengkulu belum menggunakan sistem aplikasi khusus. Hal ini menyebabkan pendataan buku-buku dan peminjaman siswa petugas perpustakaan masih menggunakan cara-cara manual yaitu dengan melakukan pencatatan didalam buku besar dan buku induk perpustakaan sehingga membuat kinerja karyawan pada Perpustakaan Sekolah Menegah Kejuruan Negeri 3 Kota Bengkulu belum optimal dan maksimal. Sistem Administrasi ini mampu memberikan kemudahan dalam mengelola data kelas,data siswa, kategori buku, peminjaman buku, pengembalian buku sehingga laporan cetak kartu tanda anggota, laporan buku perkaregori, laporan peminjaman perkelas, laporan pengembalian perkelas, laporan denda peminjaman buku, rekapitulasi peminjaman buku dan rekapitulasi pengembalian buku. Hasil ini menunjukkan bahwa dengan adanya sistem administrasi perpustakaan pada Sekolah Menegah Kejuruan Negeri 3 Kota Bengkulu dapat memberikan manfaat yang cukup berarti antara lain proses pengolahan data dan hasil informasi dilakukan dengan cepat serta menghasilkan laporan yang cukup akurat sehingga membuat pekerjaan akan lebih cepat dan efisien.
Uso do geoprocessamento para mapeamento do uso e ocupação do solo com ênfase em métricas da paisagem: um estudo de caso na bacia hidrográfica do rio Água Branca
Authors: Da Silva Lorena Souza
Published: April 2020

A bacia hidrográfica do Rio Água Branca que assim como outras bacias tem sofrido alterações de origem antrópica, como desmatamento de matas ciliares, poluição dos rios e modificações na paisagem. Estes impactos podem variar de acordo com o uso e cobertura do solo e podem ser mitigados ou melhor ordenados com o uso do geoprocessamento. Neste sentido, a presente pesquisa objetivou mapear a cobertura do solo na bacia, utilizando imagens disponibilizadas gratuitamente pelo software TerraIcognita referentes ao ano de 2018 e processadas em ambiente SIG. Utilizou-se neste trabalho a classificação supervisionada das imagens, que possibilitou analisar a condição dos fragmentos florestais através das métricas da paisagem, esta metodologia também tornou possível a delimitação das áreas de preservação permanente juntamente a legislação vigente. Os métodos usados permitiram chegar nos seguintes resultados: caracterização da cobertura da bacia hidrográfica, onde a vegetação está disposta a paisagem como fragmentos, totalizando 8 fragmentos, variando entre 214 ha e 75 ha, que sob o ponto de vista da ecologia da paisagem representa matriz da paisagem, mas possui pequenos fragmentos altamente expostos as pressões do meio, bem como o uso conflitante de áreas destinadas à preservação.
Origen del polen de Artemisia en la atmósfera de Extremadura (SO España)
Authors: Silva Inmaculada , Tormo Rafael , Muñoz Adolfo F. , Tavira Juana , Moreno Alfonsa
Published: April 2020

Mediante tres captadores volumétricos de tipo Hirst se ha podido conocer la concentración de granos de polen de Artemisia en Extremadura entre 1993 y 1998 para Badajoz y entre 1996 y 1998 para Cáceres y Mérida. Su presencia es muy esporádica y la cantidad reducida, aparece centrada fundamentalmente entre agosto y noviembre, aunque se detectan también en menor cantidad entre enero y marzo, la cantidad encontrada nunca llega a los 15 granos por metro cúbico de media diaria y la suma total de las concentraciones diarias es algo inferior a 40. Dado que apenas existe representación de especies del género Artemisia se discute su transporte desde la parte oriental de la península ibérica donde su concentración es mucho más importante, esta hipótesis es apoyada por los resultados de las correlaciones con los vientos procedentes del este y la fenologfa de las especies presentes en dichas áreas.
Note sur la présence d'une forme stérile d'Oxalis pes-caprae L. au Maroc
Authors: Ater Mohammed
Published: April 2020

Note sur la présence d'une forme stérile d'Oxalis pes-caprae L. au Maroc
La vegetación caracterizada por Rhododendron ponticum L. en Andalucía (España). Una complicada historia nomenclatural para una realidad fitocenológica
Authors: Pérez Latorre Andrés V. , Galán de Mera Antonio , Cabezudo Baltasar
Published: April 2020

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Datos sobre cianobacterias presentes las lagunas de Hamisar, Bhuj, India
Authors: Shah Vishal , Garg Nikki , Madamwar Datta
Published: April 2020

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Briófitos nuevos o interesantes para la flora de Galicia
Authors: Reinoso Franco Juan , García Molares Aida
Published: April 2020

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Recesiones
Authors: Parmeggiani Rueda Marco , Crespillo Manuel
Published: April 2020

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Presente y futuro de los sistemas expertos: una perspectiva cognitiva
Authors: Benítez Rochel R. , Pérez de la Cruz J. L.
Published: April 2020

RESUMENLos sistemas expertos han sido durante los años 80 el logro más frecuentemente exhibido de la Inteligencia Artificial. Sin embargo, su empleo no ha alcanzado los niveles pronosticados por algunos. En este trabajo se intentan analizar las causas de ello, poniéndolas en relación con las limitaciones inherentes a este enfoque de los procesos cognitivos.ABSTRACTExpert systems have been the most frequently mentioned archievement of Artificial Intelligence. However, these systems have not been applied at the level foreseen by some researchers. In this paper we try to analyze the reasons and put them in relation to the inherent limitations of the chosen approach.
L'esprit-cerveau et la "revolution cognitive"
Authors: Missa Jean-Noëll
Published: April 2020

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Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Fragmentos Políticos
Authors: Rubio Carracedo José
Published: April 2020

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RESEÑAS 289-303
Authors: . .
Published: April 2020

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Influencia de la dieta y hábitos físico-saludables en escolares
Authors: Ubago-Jiménez J.L. , Chacón-Cuberos R , Puertas-Molero P , Ramírez-Granizo I.A.
Published: April 2020

La obesidad se ha convertido en una de las pandemias del s XXI y más concretamente entre la población escolar. Así pues, el presente trabajo tiene como objetivo el de describir los niveles de obesidad, el nivel de la dieta y la práctica de actividad física en alumnos de primaria. Para ello la muestra está compuesta por 150 estudiantes de educación primaria de tres centros públicos de Granada de entre 10-12 años (M=10.9; D.T.=1.8). Se ha utilizado el cuestionario KIDMED que ha dado como principales resultados que la muestra seleccionada se centra en torno a la dieta mejorable y óptima. Como principales conclusiones se extrae que la muestra presenta una dieta óptima y que, los niños practican deporte colectivo con contacto en mayor porcentaje que las niñas, mientras que estas prefieren los deportes individuales sin contacto.
Aprendizaje cooperativo, expresión corporal y competencias docentes en actividad física
Authors: Romero Martín MR , Arribas Galarraga S
Published: April 2020

Partiendo del concepto de competencias docentes como las que capacitan al estudiante de formación inicial del profesorado para diseñar, impartir y evaluar programas de Actividad Física, sean éstos o no en contextos de educación formal, presentamos una investigación en la que alumnos de primer curso del Grado en CC de la Actividad Física y el Deporte diseñaron sesiones en la asignatura de Expresión Corporal, mediante un modelo pedagógico de Aprendizaje cooperativo. Cada sesión la impartió un equipo, a todo el grupo-clase, siendo cada miembro responsable de una situación de aprendizaje, o parte de ella, la cual debía concluir en el aprendizaje constatable de acciones motrices expresivas concretas. Se analizó el progreso de la autopercepción de competencia docente durante la experiencia. Los resultados mostraron cambios significativos positivos en 17 y negativos en 2 de los 40 ítems estudiados.
Endüstri 4.0 ve Yaşlı Çalışanların İstihdam Edilebilirliği
Authors: ÖKTEM ÖZGÜR Ayşenur , DEMİRBİLEK Tunç
Published: April 2020

Nüfusun yaşlanması ile birlikte hızlı teknolojik yenilikler, işin geleceğini dönüştürmektedir. Endüstri 4.0 olarak nitelendirilen teknolojik dönüşüm bağlamında, sistem karmaşıklığının artması ve fiziksel çalışma ortamının giderek daha fazla otomatik hale gelmesi, yeni işler ile ilgili görevlerde karmaşık bilgiyi uygulama, yeni bilgi oluşturma ve bilgiyi aktarma gibi becerileri gerekli kılmaktadır. Bu durum, yeterli bilgi ve iletişim teknolojisi (BİT) becerisine sahip olmayan yaşlı çalışanların istihdam edilebilirliğini olumsuz etkileyebilmektedir. Ancak, günümüzde beklenen yaşam süresinin artmasıyla daha fazla yaşlı çalışan aktif olarak işgücü piyasasında yer aldığı için, teknolojik dönüşüm, işletmeler ve çalışanlar için esnek kariyer modelleri ve yaş dostu çalışma ortamları geliştiren politikaları mümkün kılmakta ve talep etmektedir. Dolayısıyla, Endüstri 4.0, yaşlı çalışanların istihdam edilebilirliği açısından birtakım tehditler içerirken, çeşitli teknolojik sistemlerle onların istihdamına katkı da sağlayabilmektedir. Buradan hareketle, çalışmada ilk olarak Endüstri 4.0 kavramı ve işin yapısı ve beceriler üzerine etkileri incelenecektir. Daha sonra, Endüstri 4.0 bağlamında yaşlı çalışanlar ve yaşlı çalışanlara yönelik uygulamalar irdelenecektir.