bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency of intake of dietary fiber food groups, its determinants, and the relationship with hyperkalemia in hemodialysis patients in a multicenter study
Authors: Nerbass Fabiana Baggio , Scatone Natalia K , Malinovski Juliana , Sczip Andrea C , Oliveira Jorgiane C , Morais Jyana G , Ramos Christiane I , Santos Rafaela G
Published: April 2022

Purpose: Patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) treatment can have a low intake of dietary fiber-rich food groups to decrease hyperkalemia risk. This multicenter cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the frequency of intake of dietary fiber sources, its determinants, and the relationship with hyperkalemia in HD patients. Methods: HD patients from four dialysis clinics answered a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) involving the main dietary fiber sources with seven frequency possibilities. The answers were converted into scores. Each score point corresponded to one time per week. Demographic, nutritional, and laboratory data were obtained from the medical records. Univariate analysis was used to assess total score associations, and variables with P<0.20 were included in the regression analysis model.Results: A total of 305 HD patients were included (male: 51%; age: 52.2±14.7 years; hyperkalemia: 29%). The median (interquartile) FFQ scores were as follows: fruits, 6 (2–14); vegetables, 6 (3–10); legumes, 3 (1–7); whole-grain, 0 (0–1); and seeds, 0 (0–0); total score, 19 (14–28). No difference was found between the dietary fiber food groups and total scores with hyperkalemia. Independent predictors of dietary fiber total score were older age, higher HD vintage, higher body mass index (BMI), and higher educational level.Conclusion: The usual frequency of dietary fiber food groups intake was low, and its independent determinants were age, HD vintage, BMI, and education. The lack of association with hyperkalemia suggests that other dietary sources and clinical factors should be considered when managing hyperkalemia in this population.
Diagnostic value of plasma p-tau181, NfL and GFAP in a clinical setting cohort of prevalent neurodegenerative dementias
Authors: Parchi Piero , Baiardi Simone , Quadalti Corinne , Mammana Angela , Valle Sofia Della , Zenesini Corrado , Sambati Luisa , Pantieri Roberta , Polischi Barbara , Romano Luciano , Suffritti Matteo , Bentivenga Giuseppe Mario , Randi Vanda , Stanzani-Maserati Michelangelo , Capellari Sabina
Published: April 2022

Background. Increasing evidence support the clinical implementation of plasma biomarkers of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation for the screening and diagnosis of patients with dementia. However, confirmatory studies are required to demonstrate their usefulness in the real-world clinical setting, in which co-existence of multiple pathologies in dementia is common.Methods. We evaluated plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from consecutive patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (n=59), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) (n=31), corticobasal syndrome (CBS) (29), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) (49), and Alzheimer disease (AD) (n=97). Plasma samples from 60 healthy controls were also analysed. We measured neurofilament light chain (NfL), phospho-tau181 (p-tau181), and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) using Simoa (all plasma biomarkers and CSF GFAP), CLEIA (CSF p-tau181), and ELISA (CSF NfL) assays. To assess the effect of AD and Lewy body co-pathologies, we stratified the non-AD groups according to the A/T/N classification and the results of the CSF alpha-synuclein real-time quaking-induced conversion assay.Results. We found good correlations between CSF and plasma biomarkers for NfL (rho=0.651, p<0.001) and p-tau181 (rho=0.637, p<0.001). Plasma NfL was significantly higher in disease groups than in HC, and showed a greater increase in FTD than in AD [44.9 (28.1-68.6) vs. 21.9 (17.0-27.9) pg/ml, p<0.001]. Conversely, plasma p-tau and GFAP levels were significantly higher in the AD than in FTD [3.2 (2.4-4.3) vs. 1.1 (0.7-1.6) pg/ml, p<0.001; 404.7 (279.7-503.0) vs. 198.2 (143.9-316.8) pg/ml, p<0.001]. GFAP also allowed discriminating disease groups from HC. In the distinction between FTD and AD, plasma p-tau showed better accuracy (AUC 0.964) than NfL (AUC 0.791) and GFAP (AUC 0.818). In DLB and CBS, CSF amyloid positive (A+) subjects had higher plasma p-tau181 and GFAP levels than A- individuals.Conclusions. In a clinical setting, we confirm the high diagnostic value of plasma p-tau181 for distinguishing FTD from AD, and plasma NfL for discriminating degenerative dementias from HC. Plasma GFAP alone combines the value of distinguishing both AD from FTD and neurodegenerative dementias from HC, but with a lower accuracy than p-tau181 and NfL. In CBS and DLB, both plasma ptau181 and GFAP levels are significantly influenced by amyloid co-pathology.
Delocalized Photonic Deep Learning on the Internet's Edge
Authors: Sludds Alexander , Bandyopadhyay Saumil , Chen Zaijun , Zhong Zhizhen , Cochrane Jared , Bernstein Liane , Bunandar Darius , Dixon P. Ben , Hamilton Scott , Streshinsky Matthew , Novack Ari , Baehr-Jones Tom , Hochberg Michael , Ghobadi Manya , Hamerly Ryan , Englund Dirk
Published: April 2022

Advances in deep neural networks (DNNs) are transforming science and technology. However, the increasing computational demands of the most powerful DNNs limit deployment on low-power devices, such as smartphones and sensors – and this trend is accelerated by the simultaneous move towards Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. Numerous efforts are underway to lower power consumption, but a fundamental bottleneck remains due to energy consumption in matrix algebra, even for analog approaches including neuromorphic, analog memory and photonic meshes. Here we introduce and demonstrate a new approach that sharply reduces energy required for matrix algebra by doing away with weight memory access on edge devices, enabling orders of magnitude energy and latency reduction. At the core of our approach is a new concept that decentralizes the DNN for delocalized, optically accelerated matrix algebra on edge devices. Using a silicon photonic smart transceiver, we demonstrate experimentally that this scheme, termed Netcast, dramatically reduces energy consumption. We demonstrate operation in a photon-starved environment with 40 aJ/multiply of optical energy for 98.8% accurate image recognition and <1 photon/multiply using single photon detectors. Furthermore, we show realistic deployment of our system, classifying images with 3 THz of bandwidth over 86 km of deployed optical fiber in a Boston-area fiber network. Our approach enables computing on a new generation of edge devices with speeds comparable to modern digital electronics and power consumption that is orders of magnitude lower.
Estimated health-related physical fitness in Taiwan and itsimplications for body mass index distribution and overweight/obesity risk: Results from the Taiwan Scientific Physical Fitness Testing Program
Authors: Chen Yun-Tsung , Lee Po-Fu , Hung Chang-Tsen , Lin Chi-Fang , Hsu Chen-Te , Lin Yi-Tien , Lin Hsueh-Yi , Ho Chien-Chang
Published: April 2022

Background: Health-related physical fitness reduces the risk of chronic disease, promotes quality of life and has enormous economic benefits considering the global health care costs resulting from obesity. However, relatively limited information is available regarding the dose–response relationship between health-related physical fitness and obesity risk. This study aimed to determine the associations of health-related physical fitness with body mass index (BMI) distribution and overweight/obesity risk among adults aged 23-64 years in Taiwan.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and reviewed the data derived from the Scientific Physical Fitness Testing Program, Sports Administration, Ministry of Education in Taiwan. Responses from 16,939 participants (7,761 men; 9,178 women) aged 23-64 years from the database were collected in this study. Each participant completed a series of health-related physical fitness measurements, including cardiorespiratory fitness (3-min progressive knee-up and step [3MPKS] test), muscular fitness (hand grip strength), and flexibility (sit-and-reach test). Anthropometric measurements included body height, weight, and BMI. The quartiles of health-related physical fitness results were identified as the dependent variable in the multiple linear and multiple logistic regression analysis to determine the associations of the health-related physical fitness measurements with the BMI distribution and the overweight/obesity risk as well as the dose–response relationship.Results: The 3MPKS test and relative hand grip strength were significantly negatively associated with BMI and overweight/obesity risk with a dose–response relationship in both men and women. However, the sit-and-reach test was partially related to BMI and overweight/obesity risk in adults.Conclusions: Higher levels of the 3MPKS test and relative grip strength were associated with lower BMI and overweight/obesity risk in both sexes. Cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness were effective predictors of BMI distribution and overweight/obesity risk in Taiwanese adults.
ERP Staff versus AI Recruitment with Employment Real-Time Big Data
Authors: Sun Zhaohao , Strang Kenneth David
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of recruiters and an artificial intelligence (AI) program for processing internet employment big data in the enterprise resources planning (ERP) function. Previous AI implementations were discriminatory. Thus, the research question was: Could ERP staff perform better than AI in selecting the best candidate from internet employment real-time big data. A quasi-experiment was created using primary data. Job criteria were developed using machine learning to identify key skills from existing staff in a case study company. The skills were transformed into hiring criteria and a job description. AI software and a random sample of ERP recruiters assessed the same internet-based real-time big data. The results were compared between the ERP staff and AI using ANOVA followed by post-hoc Tukey. Contrary to the research question, AI out-performed ERP staff. The proposed approach might facilitate the research and development of big data, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and human resource management.
The clinical synergistic antitumor efficacy of Lienal Polypeptide combined with EGFR-TKIs for advanced NSCLC
Authors: Chen Yun , Liu Xinyin , Yao Jiaqi , Jin Shidai , Li Jun , Xu Jiali , Guo Renhua
Published: April 2022

Purpose: EGFR-TKIs are the first-line therapy for advanced NSCLC harboring EGFR-sensitive mutations. A robust immunity is an essential foundation for patients to tolerate continuous drug treatments. Lienal polypeptide (LP) is an immunomodulator widely applied to regulate immunity in clinical practice. Nevertheless, its potential impact on EGFR-TKIs therapy has not been illustrated. This study aimed to explore the immunomodulatory and antitumor efficacy of LP in combination with EGFR-TKIs threapy in advanced NSCLC.Patients and methods: Retrospective analysis on variation of lymphocytes in 106 NSCLC patients after EGFR-TKIs combined with LP treatment was performed. Proliferation experiment, transwell and wound healing assays were performed in PC9-GR cells to estimate influence of LP on tumor proliferation, invasion and migrati n in vitro . Flow cytometry was performed to detect cell apoptosis and cell cycle. The expression of p-EGFR and EGFR were detected by Western blot to investigate antitumor effect of LP.Results: The levels of CD3 + , CD4 + T cells and the CD4 + /CD8 + ratio were higher in NSCLC patients treated with Gefitinib in conjunction with LP. Gefitinib combined with LP inhibited tumor invasion and migration, triggered G0/G1 phase arrest to block cellular proliferation and promote cell apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, the expression of p-EGFR was decreased after Gefitinib-combining-LP treatment.Conclusions: LP had a synergistic anticancer effect with EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC. LP in combination with EGFR-TKIs therapy has clinical curative effect in treatment of advanced NSCLC with EGFR driving mutations, can effectively enhance physical immunity and resensitize drug-resistant cells to EGFR-TKIs, which has a certain clinical application value.
Community-based household survey to identify disability burden and health-related quality of life following road traffic accidents in Ujjain, India
Authors: Pathak Ashish , Mathur Aditya , Mehra Love , Pathak Deepali
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThe objective of the study was to report the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following road traffic accidents (RTAs) among children. MethodsA community-based survey using EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) in Hindi was used to collected data from community. The survey included 2620 households from urban and rural areas of Ujjain, India. ResultsFrom the 2620 households included in the study, 229 children aged 5–18 years with a history of RTA in the last 1 year were identified, with 27%, 63%, and 10% children reporting mild, moderate, and severe injury based on length of hospitalization. Motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians constituted most RTAs. Helmet use was low (12%). EQ-5D-5L revealed that the most severe and extreme problem post RTA in children was pain and discomfort, whereas the least severe problem was usual activity and self-care. The most common (65%) injuries were either abrasion or fracture and dislocation. EQ-5D-5L severity index was maximum (mean 72) for lower extremity injuries. ConclusionsThe results of the present study highlight the ability and requirement for quality-of-life measurement using EQ-5D-5L among children post-RTA.
Consensus Guideline on the Management of Epilepsy in Egypt: A National Delphi Consensus Study
Authors: Kishk Nirmeen , Hosny Hassan , Badry Reda , Elmenshawi Ibrahim , Hamdy Mohamed M. , Shaker Ehab , Shehata Hatem S. , Magdy Rehab , Ramzy Gihan M. , Hemeda Mahmoud , Gaber Ahmed , Abdelhamed Mohamed , Abohagar Ahmed , Yassine Imane A , Abbas Mohammed , Shaheen Hala A. , Moety Mahmoud Abdel , Metwally Hussein M H , Saeed Mohammad Ali , Essmat Ahmed , Abdou Ashraf , Soliman Rasha Hassan , Oraby Mohammed I. , Morad Abd El-Naser , Kasem Shaimaa Mohammed , Aidaros Magdy , Heneedy Yasser El , ElNemr Ahmed , Elkady Ahmed , Amin Ramy , Ghany Walid A. Abdel , Morsy Ahmed A. , Shamloul Reham
Published: April 2022

In epilepsy, early diagnosis, accurate determination of epilepsy type, proper selection of anti-seizure treatment, and monitoring; all are essential. However, despite recent therapeutic advances and conceptual reconsiderations in the classification and management of epilepsy, serious gaps are still encountered in day-to-day practice in Egypt as well as several other limited resources countries. Premature mortality, poor quality of life, disabilities, diminished family function, cognitive problems, poor treatment outcomes, comorbidities, and significant economic burden are major challenges that impose urgent actions to be implemented at all levels. In recognition of this, a group of Egyptian epilepsy experts met through a series of consecutive meetings to specify main concepts and questions concerning the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of Epilepsy, with an ultimate goal of establishing a nationwide Egyptian consensus to guide health care professionals in the management of patients with epilepsy in general and to declare a pragmatic pathway for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The consensus was developed through a modified Delphi methodology. A thorough review of the most recent relevant literature and international guidelines was performed to evaluate their applicability to the Egyptian situation. Afterward, several remote and live rounds were scheduled to reach a final agreement for all listed statements. With the implementation of these unified recommendations, we believe this will bring about substantial improvements in both the quality of care and treatment outcomes for persons with epilepsy in Egypt.
A National Study of Pregnancy Related Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Women with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Authors: Tarar Zahid Ijaz , Farooq Umer , Zafar Muhammad Usman , Saleem Saad , Nawaz Ahmed , Kamal Faisal , Ghous Ghulam , Inayat Faisal , Ghouri Yezaz A.
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims:The incidence of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) among women is highest during their reproductive years and current estimates suggest that rate of conception is low in female IBD patients. The aim of our study was to assess the burden of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes among female IBD patients.Methods:Using the national inpatient sample database from 2016 to 2018 we extracted data of all female patients above the age of 15 years admitted with a primary diagnosis of pregnancy and a secondary diagnosis of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of IBD on maternal and fetal outcomes.Results:Pregnant women with IBD had greater odds of gestational diabetes (AOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.04-2.3, p= 0.02), hypertensive complications (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.35, 95% CI 1.06-1.72, p= 0.01) and pre-term delivery (AOR, 1.41 95% CI 1.13-1.76, p= 0.003). Pregnancies with co-existent IBD were associated with fetal growth restriction (AOR 1.27, 95%CI 1-1.63, p= 0.04) and fetal death (AOR 3.21, 95% CI 1.72-6.00, p <0.01). Odds of experiencing postpartum hemorrhage or delivering large for gestational age infant were the same in IBD and general population.Conclusions:Women with IBD were associated with worse maternal and fetal outcomes as well higher resource utilization. We suggest that women who have moderate to severe disease should get pre-conceptional counselling and undergo appropriate treatment to achieve remission. This may reduce the fear associated with conception and decrease risk of maternal and fetal complications.
Hounsfield unit attenuation value can distinguish pyonephrosis from hydronephrosis in parents with upper urinary tract stones
Authors: Lu Xiaofei , Ding Yanting , Hu Dechao , Zhou benzheng
Published: April 2022

Objective: To evaluate the attenuation value [Hounsfield unit (HU)] in non-contrast CT for distinguishing pyonephrosis from hydronephrosis in parents with upper urinary tract (UTS) stones and to identify factors predicting the development of sepsis in patients with pyonephrosis. Methods: Between October 2019 and October 2021, patients with hydronephrosis or pyonephrosis secondary to upper urinary tract stones (UTS) were retrospectively searched in our study. All patients with UTS were treated with either percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) or surgical management (percutaneous nephrolithotomy / transurethral ureteroscope lithotripsy). We excluded patients treated with extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy or patients with bilateral upper urinary tract stones. Patients whose CT was not performed in our hospital or treated in another hospital were also excluded. Clinical data regarding basic information, clinical feature, co-morbidities, previous intervention, infection-related indicators, Calculi-related indicators, HU values of the renal pelvis, the thick wall of the renal pelvis on CT were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were performed. ROC curves were drawn to predict pyonephrosis and sepsis. Results: Two-hundred-forty patients with UTS were included in our study, 191 patients had hydronephrosis without pyonephrosis (Group 1), and 49 patients had hydronephrosis with pyonephrosis (Group 2). The HU value of the renal collecting system in Group 2 (mean, 15.46; range, +1/+30) was significantly higher than that in Group 1 (mean, 5.5;5 range -6/+24) (P = 0.02); the ROC curve analysis revealed that the HU value (AUC = 0.613) of 9.5 was the best cut-off value to predict calculi-related obstructive pyonephrosis, with 71.4% sensitivity and 70.2% specificity. But it cannot predict the development of sepsis in patients with postoperative pyonephrosis (p = 0.11). Multivariate analysis showed that age (P = 0.041), sex (p = 0.036), herpes labialis (p = 0.018), and serum albumin (p = 0.027) were significant predictors for the development of sepsis in patients with postoperative pyonephrosis. Conclusions: The HU attenuation value of the renal collecting system can distinguish pyonephrosis from hydronephrosis, but it cannot predict sepsis in patients with pyonephrosis postoperative. Older, low-serum albumin female patients with renal pyonephrosis caused by UUT stones are more likely to develop urogenic sepsis.
Disinfection effect of hexadecyl pyridinium chloride on SARS-CoV-2 in vitro
Authors: Chen Keda , Ma Feike , Wang Ying , Zhuang Xinyi , Zhang Xuning , Mao Haiyan , Zhang Yanjun
Published: April 2022

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19 or 2019-nCoV) is a respiratory virus that can exist in the mouth and saliva of patients and spreads through aerosol dispersion. Therefore, stomatological hospitals and departments have become high-infection-risk environments. Accordingly, the search for oral disinfectants that can effectively inactivate the virus has become a highly active area of research. Hexadecyl pyridinium chloride, povidone-iodine, and other common oral disinfectants are the natural primary choices for stomatological hospitals. Therefore, this study investigated the inhibitory effect of hexadecyl pyridinium chloride on SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Vero cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 were used to determine disinfection effect; the CCK-8 method was used to determine cytotoxicity; and viral load was determined by real-time PCR. The results showed that hexadecyl pyridinium chloride has no obvious cytotoxic effect on Vero cells in the concentration range 0.0125–0.05 mg/mL. The in vitro experiments showed that hexadecyl pyridinium chloride significantly inhibits the virus at concentrations of 0.1 mg/mL or above at 2 min of action. Thus, the results provide experimental support for the use of hexadecyl pyridinium chloride in stomatological hospitals.
Cut surface biliary complications in open and laparoscopic liver resections
Authors: Sucher Robert , Recknagel Sebastian , Guice Hanna , Sucher Elisabeth , Lederer Andri , Berg Thomas , Höhne Claudia , Scheuermann Uwe , Seehofer Daniel
Published: April 2022

Background/AimsAim of our study was to analyze surgical parameters and postoperative morbidity with special emphasis on cut surface biliary leakage (BL), after launching a minimally invasive liver resection program at our center.Patients and methodsA prospectively maintained medical database of patients who required liver resection was used for analysis. Exclusion criteria were liver resections with biliodigestive anastomosis. Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsA total of 141 patients were divided into a group of 47 patients (33.3%) receiving laparoscopic (LLR) and 94 patients (66.7%) undergoing open liver resections (OLR). We performed 62 major OLR (66.0%) and 31 major LLR (66.0%). In comparison with the LLR group, operation time was longer (326 ± 97 minutes vs. 287 ± 133 minutes; P = 0.080) and average blood loss was higher in the OLR group (529 ± 441 mL vs. 356 ± 459 mL; P = 0.052), without showing significancy. In the LLR group, morbidity was significantly lower than in the OLR group (OLR vs. LLR: 19 (20.2 %) vs. 3 (6.4%); P = 0.033). Overall BL rate was 4.3% (N = 6). All BL occurred in patients after OLR and were associated with a significantly longer hospital stay (hospital stay with biliary leakage vs. hospital stay without biliary leakage: 37.3 ± 19.3 days vs. 14.7 ± 11.1 days; P < 0.001).ConclusionThe introduction of different transection techniques in laparoscopic liver resections did not increase morbidity and BL rate.
DISPARATIS RIBA DAN BUNGA BANK; PERSPEKTIF HERMENEUTIKA DOUBLE MOVEMENT FAZLUR RAHMAN
Authors: Rosia Rina -
Published: April 2022

Abstrak: Artikel ini membahas tentang hermeneutika double movement Fazlur Rahman dalam memahami riba dan bunga bank dalam al-Qur’an. Pendekatan double movement Fazlur Rahman ini merupakan metode berpikir yang bersifat reflektif, bolak-balik antara deduksi dan induksi secara timbal balik, sehingga dapat menghidupkan kembali pintu ijtihad. Menurut Fazlur Rahman, bahwasanya riba dan bunga bank adalah sesuatu yang berbeda, karena riba merupakan sesuatu yang diharamkan dalam al-Qur’an dan hadis. Sedangkan bunga bank diperbolehkan asal tidak berisi pemerasan dan kezhaliman bagi masyarakat. Karena bunga bank sendiri termasuk bagian dari ekonomi modern yang kedudukannya sama penting dengan mekanisme harga. Kata kunci: Hermeneutika, Double Movement, Riba Abstract: This article discusses about Fazlur Rahman's dual movement hermeneutics in discussing usury in the Qur'an. The hermeneutics of Fazlur Rahman's dual movement is a method of thinking that reflects reflective, reversing back and forth between lead deduction and induction, so that it can reactivate the door of ijtihad. According to Fazlur Rahman, that usury and interest are something different, because usury is something that is forbidden by the Qur'an and hadith. While interest is permitted as long as it does not contain extortion and tyranny for the community. Because interest itself is part of a modern economy whose position is as important as price placement. Kata Kunci: Hermeneutics, Double Movement, Usury
PENGARUH INFLASI PADA SUKU BUNGA BANK INDONESIA PERIODE 2005-2015
Authors: Abidin Zainal
Published: April 2022

Abstrak: inflasi merupakan peristiwa ekonomi yang sering terjadi di berbagai negara baik negara berkembang maupun negara maju, inflasi ditandai dengan naiknya harga barang dan jasa yang berdampak menurunnya nilai mata uang suatu negara sehingga dapat mengakibatkan menurunnya daya beli konsumen pada akhirnya juga memepengaruhi pendapatan nasional. Pemerintah mengatasi inflasi melalui beberapa kebijakan salah satunya kebijakan  moneter dengan menaikkan atau menurunkan suku bunga BI. Metode penelitian yang digunakan pada penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif sedangkan sumber data berupa data sekunder. Data sekunder yang digunakan yaitu data inflasi dan suku bunga BI peroide Juli 2005-Desember 2015 dengan menggunakan metode analisis regresi linier sederhana menggunakan program SPSS versi 18.0. Hasil penelitian diperoleh bahwa variabel inflasi memiliki pengaruh terhadap variabel suku bunga BI yang ditunjukkan melalui nilai ttabel < thitung (1,65714 < 18,657) dan taraf signifikansi yang kuat sebesar 0,05. Persamaan regresi menunjukkan arah positif sehingga jika inflasi meningkat maka suku bunga juga meningkat. Variasi suku bunga dapat diterangkan oleh variasi inflasi sebesar 0,737% dan 0,263 dijelaskan oleh variable selain inflasi seperti investasi, tingkat peredaran uang di masyarakat dan valuta asing.
Cation ordering, twinning, and pseudo-symmetry in silicate garnet: The study of a birefringent garnet with orthorhombic structure
Authors: Xu Huifang , Jin Shiyun , Lee Seungyeol , Brown Philip E.
Published: April 2022

The crystal structure of a birefringent garnet (~Adr53Grs47) that occurs as a late-stage rim on andradite from Stanley Butte, Graham County, Arizona is analyzed and refined using single-crystal XRD. The structure has an orthorhombic I 2/a 1 2/d (unconventional setting for Fddd) space group symmetry, with unit-cell parameters of a = b = 11.966(3) Å, c = 11.964(3) Å, α = β = 90°, γ = 90.29(2)°, V = 1713.0(7) Å3, Z = 8. The orthorhombic garnet displays very high birefringence (δ ~0.021) produced by the strong Fe-Al ordering in the octahedral sites, with Fe occupancies of 0.804 and 0.221 in Y1 and Y2 sites, respectively. Diffraction peaks (such as 101 and 103) violating the Ia3d symmetry of cubic garnet are obvious even in powder XRD pattern. The homogenization temperatures of the fluid inclusions suggest that the low-crystallization temperature is responsible for the ordered orthorhombic structure. The strong ordering state of the structure and the sharp boundaries in the chemical zoning in the crystal (between ~Adr53Grs47 and ~Adr100) indicate the orthorhombic intermediate grandite garnet is a thermodynamically stable phase at low temperature, separated by wide miscibility gaps from the pure end-members (grossular and andradite) with cubic structures. Most of the previously reported triclinic garnet structures are likely artifacts produced by pseudo-merohedral twinning of less-ordered orthorhombic structure, as indicated by the characteristic pairing pattern of different Y-sites with the same occupancies.
Topological lattice models with constant Berry curvature
Authors: Varjas Daniel , Abouelkomsan Ahmed , Yang Kang , Bergholtz Emil
Published: April 2022

Band geometry plays a substantial role in topological lattice models. The Berry curvature, which resembles the effect of magnetic field in reciprocal space, usually fluctuates throughout the Brillouin zone.
Motivated by the analogy with Landau levels, constant Berry curvature has been suggested as an ideal condition for realizing fractional Chern insulators.
Here we show that while the Berry curvature cannot be made constant in a topological two-band model, lattice models with three or more degrees of freedom per unit cell can support exactly constant Berry curvature. However, contrary to the intuitive expectation,
we find that making the Berry curvature constant does not always improve the properties of fractional Chern insulator states.
In fact, we show that an ``ideal flatband'' cannot have constant Berry curvature, equivalently, we show that the density algebra of Landau levels cannot be realised in any tight-binding lattice system.
Talent management practices in a selected South African higher education institution
Authors: Musakuro Rhodrick
Published: April 2022

Organizations utilize talent management as one integrated method to attract and retain staff, resulting in long-term competitive advantage. However, it has emerged that higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa (SA) are experiencing talent management challenges. The study aimed to establish talent management practices that are poorly managed in a selected SA HEI and further recommend ways to improve talent management practices leading to sustainable competitive advantage. The study was carried out using mixed methods within the interpretive and positivist research paradigms. This study interviewed 7 non-academic staff using purposive sampling; questionnaires were randomly distributed to 153 academic staff working at one selected HEI. Results of the study indicate shortcomings in workforce planning, succession planning, and performance management. It became clear that these three talent management functions were poorly managed by the HEI. This study further recommended ways to improve talent management practices that should significantly lead to the sustainable competitive advantage of the institution.
Does company performance really improve following mergers? A pre-post analysis of differences in Greece
Authors: Pazarskis Michail , Giovanis Nikolaos , Chatzigeorgiou Panagiotis , Hatzikirou Haralampos
Published: April 2022

Merger transactions occur in various business sectors and are a drastic way of corporate restructuring. For several companies, mergers are the only path to gaining access to new resources, improving profitability, and achieving business excellence. The purpose of this study is to investigate the mergers that occurred among companies and reveal different aspects of their final results beyond the traditional and simple comparison methods of analysis. Thus, several merger events from Greek companies are tracked and compared by evaluating various accounting measures from their published financial accounts. The preliminary statistical results from univariate data analysis with accounting comparisons reveal no significant business performance changes after mergers. Then, the merger event is examined per company from each year’s released financial statements with a not used before proposed method of analysis: comparison of pre- and post-merger performance by employing a heat-map with a multi-step approach. The results showed that five companies out of eighteen examined present a deterioration on separate sections of accounting performance (profitability, capital structure, and leverage). While univariate statistical analysis of comparison in pre- and post-merger performance failed to signalize these differences, the heat-map methodology approach with a multi-step approach revealed them. The obtained results show important differences in the accounting performance of almost one-third (27.8%) from the examined sample companies. Thus, the findings reveal the usefulness of the new proposed approach in merger analysis.
Peningkatan Kemampuan Pemahaman Konsep Perkalian Melalui Penggunaan Media Tutup Botol Pada Siswa Kelas 2 Madrasah Ibtidaiyah
Authors: Wati Emy Eko , Purwanti Kristi Liani
Published: April 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan pemahaman konsep perkalian dua bilangan pada Tema “Bermain di Lingkunganku” melalui penggunaan media tutup botol pada siswa kelas 2 di Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Tarbiyatul Khairat Kota Semarang. Hal yang mendasari peneliti melakukan penelitian ini adalah karena hasil belajar perkalian sebagai penjumlahan berulang pada sebagian besar peserta didik masih di bawah Kriteria Ketuntasan Minimal (KKM). Penelitian ini menggunakan penelitian tindakan kelas (PTK) dengan 2 siklus. Setiap siklus meliputi perencanaan, pelaksanaan, pengamatan, evaluasi dan refleksi. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan tes. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pelaksanaan pembelajaran dengan media tutup botol dan teori Bruner dapat meningkatkan hasil belajar peserta didik dengan rata-rata ketercapaian dari 66% pada siklus 1 menjadi 97% pada siklus 2. Jadi dapat disimpulkan bahwa penggunaan tutup botol dengan menerapkan teori Bruner dapat meningkatkan pemahaman siswa kelas 2 terhadap konsep perkalian dua bilangan sebesar 97%. In English: This study aims to improve understanding of the concept of multiplication of two numbers on the theme "Playing in My Environment" through bottle cap media for grade 2 students at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Tarbiyatul Khairat Semarang. The thing that underlies the researchers doing this research is that the results of learning multiplication as repeated addition in most students are still below the Minimum Completeness Criteria (KKM). This research uses classroom action research (CAR) with two cycles. Each cycle includes planning, implementation, observation, evaluation, and reflection. The data collection technique used is the test. The results showed that the implementation of learning with bottle cap media and Bruner's theory could improve student learning outcomes with an average achievement of 66% in cycle 1 to 97% in cycle 2. So, using bottle caps by applying Bruner's theory can improve 2nd-grade students' understanding of the concept of multiplication of two numbers is 97%.
Pengembangan Produk Teh Sereh Instan Khas Saung Sarongge yang Pertama dan Satu-Satunya di Desa Ciputri
Authors:   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339, Kenneth Henrikus , Sadjoli Nicole ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339, Debian Rinaldy ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339, Dewi Anggraini Stefany Dewi Anggraini ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339, Yedidya Stefanus ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339, Reynaldi William ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339, Yuliati Retno ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339
Published: April 2022

Sereh Seungit is a dried lemongrass tea brand which is known as the drink of Kampung Sarongge, Cianjur. As a Small Medium Enterprise, its production is still lacking in consistency, quality, efficiency, and the partner’s capability on its production management. The community development programs aim to help partner to solve the problems by optimizing the production aspect of Sereh Seungit so it will be able to grow as a Small Medium Enterprise and increase the productivity of Saronge Village. The solutions offered includes the making of a Standard Operating Procedure, the addition in production equipment, and the partner’s training regarding production management From the solutions implemented, partner estab
Pengembangan Usaha Lampu Hias Pipa Mg Craft Melalui Kegiatan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Universitas Prasetiya Mulya
Authors:   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339, Rifqi Ramadhan Achmad , Sutjiadi Hansen ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339, Anggie Hendry ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339, Adriel Paseru Reydia ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339, Yul Selly ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339, Katrina Sonya ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339, Yenchristie Stephanie ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339, Agustiawan Sonny ,   School of Business and Economics Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, BSD City Kavling Edutown I.1, Jl. BSD Raya Utama No.1, BSD City, Kec. Pagedangan, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten 15339
Published: April 2022

Community Development is a lecture activity held by Prasetiya Mulya University for semester 5 students. On this occasion our group obtained business partners in the Wangunjaya Village, Cugenang District. Who owns the business consists of decorative lights which have raw materials consisting of paralon pipes made of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). Starting from the operational aspects, financial, human resources to marketing. The target that our group have discussed is to expand the scope of this business, so that the number of people who know this product and its development can increase significantly. In terms of operations, our partner have been able to produce up to 100 products per month after occupying a new place. Before he moved to the new place, our partner was only able to produce 50 products per month. For finance, our partner use Value-Based Pricing strategies to determine the selling price of each product. In addition, we also managed to increase our partner's monthly income from Rp 2.375.000,- to Rp 4.257.300,-. Then, for the marketing department, our group had suggested our partner to uses social media like Instagram to market our products. Instagram is used to promote existing products, while more information about products and special orders can be done via WhatsApp. And for the human resources section, our partners managed to increase the number of employees from 2 employees to 5 employees
MOTIVASI DAN SWADAYA MASYARAKAT PENERIMA BANTUAN STIMULAN PERUMAHAN SWADAYA
Authors:   Universitas Muara Bungo, Jalan Pendidikan, Sungai Binjai, Bungo, Jambi 37211 Indonesia, Asminar Asminar
Published: April 2022

The recipient of a self-help housing stimulus program (BSPS) must meet the conditions set by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, namely Indonesian citizens who have a family, own or control land, do not have a house or own and occupy the only house with conditions unfit for habitation, have never received stimulant assistance from self-help housing from the central government, earning the most worth the local provincial minimum wage, and most preferably people who want to support themselves until the house is built into a habitable house. The purpose of this service is to find out the motivation and self-reliance of the community in making a decent house in the village of Tirta kencana, Rimbo Bujang Subdistrict, Tebo.The activity is carried out on stairs 17 April to 30 July 2019. Community service methods carried out are counseling, surveying, monitoring and evaluation. The data obtained from this service were analyzed in a description of 2 groups of beneficiaries in the village of Tirta Kencana, consisting of 15 groups of people, so all of them were 30 people. The data used is primary data and secondary data. The results of the study showed that the motivation of the community to take part in the self-help housing (BSPS) stimulant assistance program was that there were many community members so that they could make a decent house with only Rp. 17,500,000, the size of a house that makes up a majority of more than 6X6 M.
PENINGKATAN PROFESIONALISME GURU DALAM PENYUSUNAN LAPORAN KEUANGAN PERUSAHAAN MANUFAKTUR DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE DRILL AND PRACTICE
Authors:   Universitas Negeri Padang, Fitria Sari Vita , Afriyenti Mayar ,   Universitas Negeri Padang, Elsa Betavia Ade ,   Universitas Negeri Padang
Published: April 2022

Pada tanggal 7 Juni 2018 telah diterbitkan Peraturan Direktur Jenderal Pendidikan Dasar dan Menengah Nomor 07/D.D5/KK 2018 tentang Struktur Kurikulum Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan (SMK)/ Madrasah Aliyah Kejurusan (MAK) sebagai bentuk revisi terbaru dari Struktur Kurikulum 2013. Sejak diterbitkannya revisi atas K13 telah membawa banyak perubahan dalam struktur kurikulum SMK kejuruan bisnis dan manajemen dengan jurusan akuntansi dan lembaga keuangan. Salah satunya adalah munculnya mata pelajaran “praktikum akuntansi jasa, dagang dan manufaktur” yang diajarkan pada kelas XI dan XII. Permasalahan yang dihadapi oleh tim MGMP Akuntansi Provinsi Sumatera Barat adalah materi akuntansi manufaktur yang merupakan bagian dari mata pelajaran “praktikum akuntansi jasa, dagang dan manufaktur” adalah hal baru sehingga membutuhkan peningkatan pemahaman dalam materi akuntansi manufaktur terutama praktek penyusunan laporan keuangan perusahaan manufaktur sebagai bentuk peningkatan profesionalisme guru dalam mengajarkan materi ini terutama untuk siswa kelas XII tahun ajaran 2019/2020. Tim pelaksana meyakini bahwa metode drill and practiceadalah metode yang paling tepat digunakan sebagai metode pembelajaran untuk mata pelajaran “praktikum akuntansi manufaktur”. Kegiatan ini dilaksanakan melalui dua pendekatan yakni capacity buildingyang memfokuskan pada konsep penting penyusunan laporan keuangan perusahaan manufaktur dan workshopyang menggunakan modul komprehensif sebagai praktik pembelajaran dengan metode drill and practice. Pada akhir kegiatan peserta dapat memahami 81.26% konsep penting penyusunan laporan keuangan manufakturdan mampu menyelesaikan 65.00% kasus penyusunan laporan keuangan manufaktur. Sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa kegiatan ini telah dapat meningkatkan profesionalisme guru dalam mengajar mata pelajaran “praktikum akuntansi manufaktur”
Quantum Dots as Theranostic Agents: Recent Advancements, Surface
Modifications, and Future Applications
Authors: Phafat Bhushan , Bhattacharya Sankha
Published: April 2022

The use of quantum technology to deliver drugs has the potential to increase the efficacy
of many rare disease treatments. Semiconductor nanoparticles are a new type of treatment for
life-threatening disorders. The term "quantum dots" refers to semiconductor nanoparticles. These
quantum dots have a one-of-a-kind shape, size, fluorescence characteristics, and shape-dependent
optoelectronic capacities. As a result, we believe that quantum dots (QDs) has the potential to be
destined as medication carriers, biosensors, etc. Due to improvements in research, medicinal, and
clinical domains, an in-depth examination of quantum dots is now possible. Quantum dots are also
classed as carbon-based quantum dots, graphene-based quantum dots, and cadmium-based quantum
dots, with variations in their main structure, leading to the discovery of more comparable and
diversified quantum dots. Semiconductor quantum dots, or QDs, have also made tremendous progress
in the field of fluorescence bioimaging research. After examining their in-vitro and in-vivo
applications, we may currently use QDs as agents for gene transport, medication delivery, and enhancing
the biocompatibility of other medications. This article discusses the significant breakthroughs
and challenges in the field of quantum dots as biosensors for bioimaging, surface changes,
quantum dots in the treatment of numerous diseases, and future features of quantum dots and
their improvements in biomedical applications.
Vitamin K as a Simple but Efficient Add-on to the Current Treatment
Regime of COVID-19: A Narrative Review
Authors: Sreelatha Souparnika , Devang Nayana , Marathe Aradhana
Published: April 2022

Background:

Intravascular thrombosis and pulmonary fibrosis in COVID-19 patients
with pneumonia are significantly associated with the severity of the disease. Vitamin K is known
to balance the coagulation mechanisms and also prevent calcification and fibrosis of the extrahepatic
soft tissues. This narrative review focuses on the role of vitamin K as a linking factor for
thrombotic as well as pulmonary complications of COVID-19.

Methods and Results:

Article search was performed in databases of WHO, PubMed, Scopus and
Clinical Trial Registry using appropriate keywords. Original articles included very few observational
studies which showed a reduced level of vitamin K as well as activated extrahepatic vitamin
K Dependent Proteins (VKDP) in COVID-19 patients when compared to healthy controls.
Chronic treatment with vitamin K Antagonists did not reduce the risk of in-hospital death. Docking
study was performed using Swiss dock, and it demonstrated a significant interaction between
menaquinone and SARS-CoV-2 main protease (SARS-CoV-2 Mpro).

Discussion:

Deficiency of vitamin K in COVID-19 can be due to excessive use of
antagonists or defective ingestion or absorption. This triggers an imbalance in the normal coagulation-
anticoagulation mechanism by channeling the available vitamin K to the liver, thereby
causing a deficiency of the same in extrahepatic tissues, thus finally leading to thrombosis. This
also prevents carboxylation and activation of extrahepatic VKDP required to prevent the calcification
of soft tissues, thus leading to lung fibrosis.

Conclutions:

Supplementation of vitamin K should be considered as a potentially modifiable risk
factor in severe COVID-19. Randomized control trials are highly recommended to provide clearer
evidence on the same.