bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practical use of the markers for prediction of adverse left ventricular remodeling after acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Petyunina O. V. , Kopytsya M. P. , Vyshnevska I. R. , Storozhenko T. Y. , Kobets A. V.
Published: July 2022

Objective — to determine the most important markers for predicting of the development of prediction of adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling in patients within 1 year after acute ST‑segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
Materials and methods. The study involved 134 patients with acute STEMI, 95 (70.9 %) men and 39 (29.1 %) women, who satisfied inclusion criteria and had no exclusion criteria. All of them were hospitalized in the emergency department of L.T. Mala National Therapy Institute of NAMS of Ukraine from January 2018 to February 2021. All patients underwent myocardial revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 2 — 12 hours after the event in the V. T. Zaytsev Institute of General and Emergency Surgery. TIMI — 3 flow was restored in all 134 patients. Within 1 — 3 days after revascularization patients were transferred to the research center.
Late adverse LV remodeling was defined as elevated LV end diastolic volume (LVEDV) > 10 % and/or LV end systolic volume (LVESV) > 10 % within 1 year after the index event. Serum soluble tumor suppressor‑2 (sST2) levels were determined by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (Presage ST2 Assay, Critical Diagnostics, USA), N‑Terminal Pro‑Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT‑proBNP) was detected by R&D Systems GmbH, Wiesbaden‑Nordenstadt, Germany), macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) in blood serum serum was determined by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay RayBio®Human MIF ELISA KIT, USA). Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 8.0 (Stat Soft Inc, USA).
Results. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included 48 patients with adverse LV remodeling and group 2 consisted of 86 patients without LV remodeling. Uni‑ and multivariate log‑regression analysis demonstrated that LV ejection fraction (EF), MIF, number of damaged coronary vessels, sST2, longitudinal strain were independent predictors of adverse LV remodeling. Analysis of ROC curves showed that the cumulative value of markers such as MIF, ST2, longitudinal strain, number of damaged vessels, LV ejection fraction (AUC = 0.718; p < 0.0001, 95 %, CI 0.634 — 0.792) allows to identify patients with high risk of the development of adverse LV remodeling in patients within 1 year after acute STEMI. The formula with these markers was found out, that can be used to predict adverse LV remodeling: the prognosis of positive effect at Y ≥ 0.5, negative — at Y < 0.5.
Conclusions. The study results demonstrated that LV ejection fraction, MIF, number of damaged coronary arteries, sST2, and global longitudinal strain can be used as predictors of adverse LV remodeling.
The Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Soundness of Islamic Banks in Indonesia
Authors: SISWANTORO SISWANTORO
Published: July 2022

The purpose of this study is to answer the debate regarding the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the soundness of Islamic banks in Indonesia. In this study, the soundness of Islamic banking is measured using the RGEC method. The object of the research is focused on all Islamic banking companies operating in Indonesia with a total population of 14 companies. The data is the annual reports of the company in the period before and after the pandemic, namely the 2019 and 2020 periods. After the sample selection process was carried out, only 12 companies remained that met the criteria for further analysis. The data analysis technique used descriptive statistical analysis and different tests with paired sample t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test which had previously passed the normality test. The results showed that only the capital adequacy ratio indicator experienced significant differences before and after the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia, while the other three indicators showed no significant differences. This indicates that Islamic banking is still quite capable of overcoming the impact of the pandemic so that it does not have a serious effect on the soundness of Islamic banking.
Analisis Kepuasan Nasabah Pengadain Syariah: Bukti Empiris dari Shopping Centre Manado
Authors: Radja Elsita Mayaranti , Muarif Sukmawati , Bukido Rosdalina
Published: July 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh kualitas pelayanan karyawan terhadap kepuasan nasabah di unit Pegadaian Syariah (UPS) Shopping Center Manado. Metode yang digunakan metode kuantitatif deskriptif, dimana data yang dikumpulkan adalah respon nasabah (95 responden) Unit Pegadaian Syariah (UPS) Shopping Center Manado dengan menggunakan teknik pengumpulan melalui Observasi dan Kuesioner. Teknik Analisis data yang digunakan adalah regresi linear sederhana dan data penelitian ini diolah menggunakan SPSS versi 25. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kualitas pelayanan Pegadaian Syariah berpengaruh dan signifikan terhadap kepuasan nasabah dibuktikan dengan uji korelasi product moment yang memperoleh hasil 0,702 >0. Maka Ho ditolak dan Ha diterima. Berdasarkan hasil uji koefisien determinasi diketahui nilai R2 (R Square) 0,493 atau sekitar 49,3%. Hal ini berarti bahwa pengaruh variabel independen terhadap variabel dependen adalah sebesar 49,3%. Sedangkan, sisanya 51,7% dijelaskan oleh variabel lain yang tidak diteliti dalam penelitian ini. Sehingga Variabel Independen (Kualitas Pelayanan) berpengaruh signifikan terhadap Variabel Dependen (Kepuasan Nasabah).
Gambaran tingkat aspirasi karir siswa sekolah menengah atas
Authors: Akbar Alif Nahdatul , Hamzah Hamzah
Published: July 2022

career aspiration is one of the career competencies that students need to have. Career aspirations need to be developed optimally in students. The aim of this study was to find out how the description of the career aspirations of students. This research is a quantitative research with descriptive type. The population in this study amounted to 1,219 students. Samples were drawn randomly with a degree of error of 0.1. Through the Slovin formula, it is known that the sample size is 92 students. Career aspirations in this study were measured using a career aspiration scale. Data were analyzed descriptively. The results showed that the level of students' career aspirations was in the medium category. These results need to be followed up by providing counseling services in order to minimize the long-term effects that will arise if career aspirations do not run optimally
Nephus includens Kirsch (Coleoptera: Coccınellidae)’in Asma unlubiti, Planococcus fıcus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) üzerindeki bazı tüketim özellikleri
Authors: TARHANACI Betül , MUŞTU Murat
Published: July 2022

Çalışmada, en önemli unlubit avcılarından biri olan Nephus includens Kirsch (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)’in, bağların önemli zararlılarından biri olan Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)’un farklı dönemleri üzerindeki tüketim kapasitesi ve unlubit dönem tercihi araştırılmıştır. Denemeler 25 ± 1 ºC sıcaklık, %60 ± 10 nem ve 16:8 (aydınlık/karanlık) koşullarındaki iklim kabinlerinde yürütülmüştür. N. includens’in tüm dönemlerinin en fazla P. ficus’un yumurta dönemini tükettiği ve unlubitin dönemleri ilerledikçe tüketim oranının azaldığı belirlenmiştir. Avcının dönemleri ilerledikçe tüketim kapasitesinin arttığı ve en fazla tüketimin unlubitin yumurta dönemi hariç ergin döneminde olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Avcının 1., 2., 3. larva ve ergin dönemlerinin unlubitin 1. nimf dönemini daha çok tercih ettiği, 4. larva döneminin ise en çok yumurta dönemini tercih ettiği belirlenmiştir.
Farklı sıcaklıkların Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)’nin biyolojisi üzerindeki etkileri
Authors: KAYAHAN Ali , KARACA İsmail
Published: July 2022

Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) kabuklubitlerin avcısı olarak bilinmektedir. Çalışmada türlerin daha verimli olduğu optimum sıcaklık değerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu çalışmada 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 ve 32 °C, %60 orantılı nem ve uzun gün aydınlatmalı iklim koşullarında R. lophanthae'nin yaşam çizelgesi parametreleri Euler-Lotka eşitliğine göre RmStat-3 kullanılarak hesaplanmıştır. 26, 28 ve 30 °C elde edilen sonuçlara göre Kalıtsal üreme yeteneği (rm) 0.120, 0.142, 0.132 dişi/dişi/gün olarak hesaplanırken, Net üreme gücü (R0) 56.883, 80.944, 31.149 dişi/dişi/döl olarak hesaplanmıştır. Ortalama döl süresi (T0) sırasıyla 33.801, 30.866, 25.978 gün olmuştur. Toplam üreme oranı (GRR) 177.779, 303.751, 105.751 yumurta/dişi olarak hesaplanmıştır. Çalışmada laboratuvar koşullarında R. lophanthae'nin etkinliği için 28 °C’nin optimum sıcaklık olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre avcılar ve zararlıların çevresel koşullardaki etkileşimleri hakkında daha fazla çalışmaya ihtiyaç duyulduğu gözlenmiştir.
A Starting Point: Gender, Hot Cognition, and Trans-Informed Administrative Guidance
Authors: McQuillan Mollie T.
Published: July 2022

Trans-informed administrative guidance introduces concepts from trans studies to educational leaders, but researchers have relatively ignored these policy implementation tools. This content analysis describes the design of administrative guidance using a representative sample of 112 Illinois districts: the who, what, how, and why of supporting transgender students. The results substantiated evidence of trans-informed guidance that introduced complex gender “definitions” and legitimized students’ identity. Many of these same texts also included barriers to supporting students with administrative gatekeeping, definitions reinforcing the gender binary, and mandates to involve parents in access decisions. All but one district (96%) highlighted existing state and local policies to motivate administrative actions around 13 issues. A minority of the texts provided specific directions to guide decision-making and reform efforts. This paper includes areas of concern and suggestions as policymakers initiate gender reforms.
The impact of corporate social responsibility on customer loyalty and employee satisfaction in Bosnia And Herzegovina
Authors: Poturak Mersid , Mulaahmetovic Inda
Published: July 2022

The aim of the study is to investigate consumer attitudes towards specific Customer Social Responsibility Activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In order to support this research, a case study method, combined with qualitative and quantitative research methods (referenced survey) was used. To get an insight into the companies’ perspective, when it comes to an engagement in the employment practices, as an integral part of Corporate Social Responsibility, data regarding “The Most Desirable Employer” project- “Najpoželjniji poslodavac”, organized by Kolektiv d.o.o.-MojPosao.ba, for years 2020, 2019 and 2018 will be analyzed. The study should illustrate the exact scenario of customer loyalty in Bosnia and Herzegovina to the companies included in CSR activities and contribute to an advancement of overall knowledge in the field of CSR in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The directing outcome uncovers those corporate capacities have a critical part in fortifying the relationship between corporate social responsibility drives and customer trust in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in light of the fact that high corporate capacities with professional corporate social responsibility actions lead to high faithfulness of customers. The examination features the meaning of the corporate social responsibility activities, which are obligatory for authoritative achievement and guides the policymakers of companies, supervisors, and researchers.
Unifying the budget accounts in accordance with the financial accounting system and their compatibility with international accounting standards
Authors: Rashid Chnar Abdullah
Published: July 2022

International accounting standards improve comparability between companies, thereby reducing investor risk and facilitating cross-border financing and investment. It also reduces the cost of preparing consolidated financial statements for multinational companies. Thus, this work reviewed 15 articles among different countries about the role of IAS in unifying budget accounts with accordance with financial accounting system. The findings reveal that most of the reviewed articles recommend that IAS can play a significant role on the mentioned mission. Although, the existing IAS still need to improvement and changes based on the accounting development.
The effectiveness of organizational change on organizational success
Authors: Mohammed Mohammed Ali
Published: July 2022

This research illustrates organizational change process that can involve succeeding and developing process of the organization and aims to being more stable in case of doing this process correctly and scientifically. This process contributes to show right way to managements care more about essential factors which have the most important effect on organizational success. This study collected the data from a private company with doing interview to 23 employees of total 28 employees because of limitation of total attentive employees inside the company. The correlation coefficient formula and regression formula were used to analyze the collected data. It was clear that leadership and training and job design are the most effective variables in organizational change process. Further, the leadership was the most important factor on turnover intention of employees.
Effects of the Topical Use of the Natural Antioxidant Alpha-Lipoic Acid on the Ocular Surface of Diabetic Patients with Dry Eye Symptoms
Authors: Roszkowska Anna M. , Spinella Rosaria , Oliverio Giovanni W. , Postorino Elisa I. , Signorino Giuseppe A. , Rusciano Dario , Aragona Pasquale
Published: July 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the treatment with eye-drops based on a combination of antioxidant and mucomimetic molecules, namely 0.1% alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and 0.3% hydroxy-propyl-methylcellulose (HPMC) on the ocular surface of diabetic patients with dry eye symptoms. Methods: Seventy patients, 42 M and 28 F, aged from 50 to79 years (mean 62.1 ± 10.5), affected by type II diabetes mellitus, were enrolled and divided in two groups treated for 2 months as follows: Group 1 (35 patients), received topical ALA/HPMC three times a day, Group 2 (35 patients) received topical HPMC (0.3%) alone, three times a day. The main outcome measures were: Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear film break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer I test, corneal sensitivity. An examination of tear film morphology with confocal microscopy was carried out in a subset of patients of each group at baseline and after two months. Statistical analysis was performed with t-test for the parametric data and Mann-Whitney U-test or chi-squared test for the nonparametric data. Results: Both treatments resulted in significant improvements of BUT, OSDI and tear film morphology, although the improvements observed in group 1 showed a higher trend than what observed for group 2. Moreover, only in group 1 a significant improvement was visible for corneal staining, and no significant improvements were observed in any group for Schirmer I and sensitivity. Conclusions: These results confirmed the efficacy of HPMC in the treatment of diabetic dry eye and indicated that the addition of a strong self-regenerating antioxidant like ALA may give a distinctive advantage for the healing of corneal defects (as evidenced by corneal staining), beside improving HPMC efficacy on three other parameters (BUT, OSDI score, tear morphology). Therefore, the addition of a strong antioxidant like ALA can be helpful in preventing or treating ocular surface defects in diabetic patients, in which the oxidative damage is predominant.
Exosomes in Liquid Biopsy: A Nanotool for Postradiotherapy Cancer Monitoring
Authors: Shi Yixin , Qiu Bingrun , Huang Linyang , Li Yiling , Ze Yiting , Yao Yang
Published: July 2022

Liquid biopsy has advantages over traditional biopsy, which cannot determine tumor dynamics. As a noninvasive and precise test, liquid biopsy detects biomarkers that carry information on tumor progression and has undergone tremendous development in recent years. Exosome detection is one of the methods of liquid biopsy. Radiotherapy affects the release of exosomes and intercellular communication. Based on the properties, extractability, and detectability of exosomes, key exosomal cargoes after tumor radiotherapy can be used as biomarkers for tumor prognosis. Exosomes after tumor radiotherapy can be used for liquid biopsy. The main applications include (1) predicting radiotherapy efficacy, (2) predicting tumor prognosis, and (3) optimizing the regimen of tumor treatment. This review provides further research directions for liquid biopsy after tumor radiotherapy.
The Molecular Mechanism of Exercise for Treatment of Patients with Major Depression: A Preliminary Report on the Dynamics of Metabolites of Nitric Oxide and Catecholamines
Authors: Ikenouchi Atsuko , Okamoto Naomichi , Igata Ryohei , Natsuyama Tomoya , Yoshimura Reiji
Published: July 2022

Background: There has been increasing evidence that exercise therapy is effective in the treatment and prevention of major depression (MD). However, the basic molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of exercise on MD remain unclear. We conducted a preliminary study to clarify the effect of exercise therapy on MD, focusing on the dynamics of nitric oxide (NO) and catecholamine metabolites, which have been found to be associated with MD. Methods: Eleven outpatients with mild to moderate MD and 37 healthy controls (HC) were included in the study. The participants’ clinical records and questionnaires were screened for their past medical history. For their exercise therapy, the participants were instructed to walk the equivalent of 17.5 kcal/kg/week for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected from all participants at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after the start of exercise therapy, and plasma metabolites of NO (NOx), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were analyzed. We also assessed the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-17) in patients with MD. A mixed-effects regression model was used to compare the mean values by time (baseline, 4, and 8 weeks) for the three corresponding groups (NOx, MHPG, and HVA). Results: HRSD-17 scores decreased significantly in the MD group after 8 weeks of exercise therapy. NOx and MHPG increased, but there was no significant change in HVA in the MD group after the exercise therapy. NOx decreased after exercise, and HVA increased significantly from baseline after 4 weeks of exercise but decreased after 8 weeks of exercise in the HC group. Conclusions: The effects of exercise on NOx, MHPG, and HVA may differ between MD and HC. The potential mechanisms for the benefits of walking exercise in MD patients will be the subject for future research.
Correlation between Doppler Echocardiography and Right Heart Catheterization Assessment of Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Patients with Mitral Regurgitation: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Haddad Ali , Tsarenko Olga , Szalai Cynthia , Mohamed Ahmed , Hochreiter Marcel , Berger Marc Moritz , Schmack Bastian , Ruhparwar Arjang , Brenner Thorsten , Shehada Sharaf-Eldin
Published: July 2022

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is common in patients with left-side valvular diseases, especially with mitral regurgitation (MR). Measurement using pulmonal artery catheter (PAC) is the gold standard to asses pulmonary vascular pressures. During mitral valve surgery echocardiography is routinely used for valvular management and to evaluate pulmonary hemodynamic. The accuracy of echocardiographic measurements is controversial in the literature. We aimed to evaluate the reliability and accuracy of the noninvasive measurement for systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) using Doppler echocardiography compared to the invasive measurement using PAC in patients presenting with MR undergoing surgery. Methods: This prospective observational study evaluated 146 patients with MR undergoing cardiac surgery between 09/2020 and 10/2021. All patients underwent simultaneous SPAP assessment by PAC and transesophageal echocardiography at three different time points: before heart-lung-machine (HLM), after weaning from HLM and at the end of surgery. Results: Mean patients’ age was 61 ± 11.5 years, and 51 (35%) patients were female. Most of patients presented with severe MR (n = 126; 86.3%) or endocarditis (n = 18; 12.3%). Patients underwent either isolated mitral valve surgery (n = 65; 44.5%) or mitral valve surgery combined with other surgeries (n = 81; 55.5%). Mean SPAP was underestimated by transesophageal echocardiographic measurement in comparison to PAC measurement before HLM (41.9 ± 13.1 mmHg vs. 44.8 ± 13.8 mmHg, p < 0.001), after weaning from HLM (37.6 ± 9.3 mmHg vs. 42.4 ± 10.1 mmHg, p < 0.001), and at the end of surgery (35.6 ± 9.1 mmHg vs. 39.9 ± 9.9 mmHg, p < 0.001). This difference remained within the sub-analysis in patients presented with moderate or severe PH during all the time points. Bland-Altman analysis showed that transesophageal echocardiographic measurement underestimate SPAP in comparison to PAC as these two approaches are significantly different from one another. Conclusions: In patients presented with MR, transesophageal Doppler echocardiography could asses the presence of PH with high probability. This assessment is however underestimated and the use of PAC in those patients to diagnose, classify and monitor the therapy of PH remains recommended if required.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance and Ventricular Arrhythmia Risk Assessment in Chronic Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: An Unmet Need?
Authors: Jáuregui Beatriz , Calvo Naiara , Olóriz Teresa , López-Perales Carlos , Asso Antonio
Published: July 2022

Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) constitutes a major public health issue, directly involved in the prevalence and incidence of heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Severe impairment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is considered a high-risk marker for SCD, conditioning the criteria that determine an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) placement in primary prevention according to current clinical guidelines. However, its sensitivity and specificity values for the prediction of SCD in ICM may not be highest. Myocardial characterization using cardiac magnetic resonance with late gadolinium enhancement (CMR-LGE) sequences has made it possible to answer clinically relevant questions that are currently not assessable with LVEF alone. There is growing scientific evidence in favor of the relationship between fibrosis evaluated with CMR and the appearance of VA/SCD in patients with ICM. This evidence should make us contemplate a more realistic clinical value of LVEF in our daily clinical decision-making.
Construction of Prediction Model for Atrial Fibrillation with Valvular Heart Disease Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Li Qiaoqiao , Lei Shenghong , Luo Xueshan , He Jintao , Fang Yuan , Yang Hui , Liu Yang , Deng Chun-Yu , Wu Shulin , Xue Yu-Mei , Rao Fang
Published: July 2022

Background: Valvular heart disease (VHD) is a major precipitating factor of atrial fibrillation (AF) that contributes to decreased cardiac function, heart failure, and stroke. Stroke induced by VHD combined with atrial fibrillation (AF-VHD) is a much more serious condition in comparison to VHD alone. The aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanism governing VHD progression and to provide candidate treatment targets for AF-VHD. Methods: Four public mRNA microarray datasets were downloaded and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) screening was performed. Weighted gene correlation network analysis was carried out to detect key modules and explore their relationships and disease status. Candidate hub signature genes were then screened within the key module using machine learning methods. The receiver operating characteristic curve and nomogram model analysis were used to determine the potential clinical significance of the hub genes. Subsequently, target gene protein levels in independent human atrial tissue samples were detected using western blotting. Specific expression analysis of the hub genes in the tissue and cell samples was performed using single-cell sequencing analysis in the Human Protein Atlas tool. Results: A total of 819 common DEGs in combined datasets were screened. Fourteen modules were identified using the cut tree dynamic function. The cyan and purple modules were considered the most clinically significant for AF-VHD. Then, 25 hub genes in the cyan and purple modules were selected for further analysis. The pathways related to dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and heart contraction were concentrated in the purple and cyan modules of the AF-VHD. Genes of importance (CSRP3, MCOLN3, SLC25A5, and FIBP) were then identified based on machine learning. Of these, CSRP3 had a potential clinical significance and was specifically expressed in the heart tissue. Conclusions: The identified genes may play critical roles in the pathophysiological process of AF-VHD, providing new insights into VHD development to AF and helping to determine potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for treating AF-VHD.
Influence of the Single Coronary Vessel on Acute Outcomes of In-Stent CTO Recanalization
Authors: Guelker Jan-Erik , Blockhaus Christian , Kemala Edward , Ingerfurth Klaus , Kuervers Julian , Bufe Alexander
Published: July 2022

Objective: Recanalization of in-stent chronic total occlusion (IS-CTO) is challenging and has resulted in inconsistent results. The aim of our study was to analyze the influence of the individual coronary vessels on the acute outcomes following IS-CTO PCI. Methods: This was an observational retrospective study, including 66 patients undergoing recanalization of a CTO. The CTO interventions were performed bi-femoral using 7-French guiding catheters. A composite endpoint summarizing severe complications was evaluated, including emergency coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) and cardiac death. Results: We subdivided our cohort into three groups (LAD group, LCX group, RCA group). The retrograde technique and the utilization of an extension catheter were used more frequently in patients with a RCA IS-CTO. There was no significant difference between the composite safety endpoints amongst the three groups. Technical success was independent of the involved vessel. Conclusions: Success and complication rates are independent of the occluded vessel. This challenging and complex coronary intervention is feasible and can be carried out in complete safety.
Competition and sustainability of Ecuadorian microfinance institutions (MFIs)
Authors: Naranjo Galindo Fernando Xavier
Published: July 2022

Competition is often praised for enhancing efficiency in the process of resource-allocation. However, it could also put at risk the sustainability of firms operating within certain industries such as the financial sector. This could have further managerial implications when it comes to social enterprises such as microfinance institutions (MFIs). Using data from Superintendencia de Economía Popular y Solidaria over the period 2016-2019, this study aims at analyzing the aspects of competition on sustainability of Ecuadorian MFIs. More specifically, the research focuses on savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs). Relying on both the structural and non-structural approach to measure competition at a firm level, findings are in line with an important portion of the microfinance literature claiming that competition is negatively associated with the main measures of financial sustainability and portfolio quality.
Explorando el Uso de la Tecnología Educativa en la Educación Básica
Authors: Jaramillo Dominguez Diana Carolina , Tene Pucha Jhanet Esperanza
Published: July 2022

La tecnología móvil ha venido evolucionando rápidamente y en la educación presenta diferentes ventajas que requieren el replanteamiento de metodologías, modernización de diseños instruccionales y estándares de educación, sin embargo, no se sabe mucho sobre la percepción que tienen los docentes en cuanto al uso de la tecnología móvil en el proceso de enseñanza, ni sobre la frecuencia de uso de las aplicaciones móviles (Apps) en el aula. De allí que este estudio tiene como objetivo el indagar sobre esta percepción. La población de estudio correspondió a 123 docentes de 12 diferentes colegios de la ciudad de Loja, quienes participaron de una encuesta. Los resultados indican que los docentes conocen de la existencia de las aplicaciones móviles y las consideran importantes en la enseñanza, pero no las utilizan.
One year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Global South: Uneven vulnerabilities in Brazilian cities
Authors: Santos Alexandre Pereira , Rodriguez Lopez Juan Miguel , Heider Katharina , Steinwärder Laszlo , Scheffran Jürgen , Vargas Julio Celso Borello
Published: July 2022

The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil provided one of the most severe examples of its impacts on health and society. The country had death rates above the global average and acute impacts in increased unemployment, poverty, and threats to food security marked along ethnic and social lines. This study asks how different degrees of vulnerability between Brazilian cities lead to varying survival probabilities of their population in the phases of the pandemic in the country. To answer this question, this research presents a descriptive and analytic exploration of the relationship between vulnerability and COVID-19 from February 2020 to February 2021. We describe this period in seven distinct phases, characterised by geographic units, vectors of virus transmission, and infected cases and fatality numbers. In this context, we implement an exploratory survival analysis of COVID-19 fatalities using the Kaplan-Meier estimator (KME) in a set of cities with different social vulnerability degrees. The KME is a common analytic tool in medicine, and we implement it in a geographic investigation to focus on the temporal dimension of the crisis and examine socio-territorial vulnerability. Our results present a clear association between vulnerability and COVID-19 deaths. Highly vulnerable cities show low survival probabilities, and there are statistically significant differences in survival probability between low- and high-vulnerability cities. Further research should advance by investigating spatio-temporal dynamics, providing fine-resolution empirical information, and addressing behavioural components related to COVID-19 cases and deaths in the Global South.
The uneven effects of COVID-19 on the German restaurant and bar industry
Authors: Verfürth Philip , Neise Thomas , Franz Martin , Sohns Franziska
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 crisis in the restaurant and bar industry is affecting an industry that has been under significant pressure before. Using the concept of organizational resilience from a spatial perspective, we analyze how individual/company factors and regional factors influence owner’s assessment of resilience in the German restaurant and bar industry. Findings from an online survey with 445 owners and managers and 46 qualitative interviews in Germany show that enterprises in peripheral locations are perceived as more resilient. Similarly, the age of the respondents, the ownership of property and the provision of delivery and takeaway service play a positive role in enterprises being seen as resilient, while, owner-managed enterprises, financing by loans or credit, and lower ex-ante sales reduce the likelihood of the assessment of resilience. Overall, the study contributes to the evolving strand of research that aims to analyze the resilience of enterprises from a spatial perspective.
Informality as crisis management? – Work relationships in inter-municipal cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Authors: Haße Maximilian , Scharfenort Nadine
Published: July 2022

Planning and networking are largely determined not only by existing regulations, but also by human relationships. Formal work relationships in professional contexts benefit in particular from informal communication, which in turn gives these work relationships a personal aspect. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting control measures were also challenging for work relationships, including those in planning contexts. A planning project in Germany, which forms the basis for this article, demonstrates this. Qualitative research was used to investigate the impact of the pandemic on project work and how the project participants dealt with the pandemic. Through comparative and retrospective observations of the cooperation over time, it was possible to identify participants’ strategies to continue work on the project. This analysis is based on 25 qualitative stakeholder interviews. The results show that the pandemic had varying impacts on the project’s networks. The strategic use of informal communication contributed significantly to the continuation of the project’s work, although this communication was used in different ways. In addition, for a long time, the project stakeholders were neither aware of the differentiation between formal and informal communication, nor of the relevance of informal communication. Analysing this understanding represents a central aspect of this article. In sum, strengthening informality in formal planning projects contributes to their success.
The Effectiveness of Role Play Method in technical Learning English among Fifth Grade Pupils in Iraq
Authors: Noor Mohammed Kadhim Researcher
Published: July 2022

English is one of the most important and basic subjects among the study subjects, The English language is one of the international languages spread in all countries of the world, and it is one of the means of social communication between peoples in different countries, And the aim of this study is to apply a modern method in teaching English language (representative role), which depends on the easy representative roles in the classroom through which the students interact and the topic becomes clear, the researcher used the experimental design with partial control for the research, and the researcher chose one of the primary schools in Wasit Governorate, intentionally, and the research sample consisted of (67) students divided into two divisions (A) and (B), and he was rewarded among the students of the two research groups in the pre-test variable.
The researcher confirmed the validity of the test by presenting it to a group of experts, and according to its statistical stability using the Pearson correlation coefficient, as the reliability coefficient reached (1.035), and the duration of the experiment for the research lasted two months, The result of the experiment ended with the superiority of the experimental group to the controlled group which refers to the significant differences on ( 0.05 ), The results of this research were the commitment of the students to perform the representative roles, which raises the motivation for preparation and creativity in the lesson and increases their attention throughout the lesson.
تداعي الأحداث الإيجابية
Authors: شهلاء رياض جبارالحرداني الباحثة: , أمل حسن طاهر ا. م. د
Published: July 2022

يقع تداعي صراع الأحداث بين طرفين أو فئتين إذ يحاول كل من الطرفين إلحاق الهزيمة بالطرف الآخر, فان تداعي صراع الاحداث تكون فيها الغلبة أو النصر لرموز الدهر أو لرموز الحياة الإنسانية, التي تكافح من أجل البقاء.
دور ألاسرة في غرس ثقافة السلم الاجتماعي عند الابناء دراسة اجتماعية تحليلية
Authors: .زينب عبد الله محمد أ. م. د
Published: July 2022

تعد الاسرة العمود الفقري للمجتمع ومن أهم الانظمة الاجتماعية التي تسعى جميع المكنونات الكونية  الحفاظ عليها لما لها من دور في عملية بناء الاجيال من خلال زرع قيم تربوية تقوم على تأصيل ‏مفاهيم قيم التسامح وقبول الاخر ونبذ كل المفاهيم التي تؤدي الى تفكك وهدم النسيج ‏الاجتماعي للمجتمع العراقي الاجتماعية  فضلا عن دور المؤسسة التعليمية في تنمية مفاهيم التعايش السلمي وقبول اراء الاخرين ‏  بالاضافة الى ‏دور السلطة الرابعة في تعزيز ثقافة السلم الاجتماعي وتوصلت دراستنا الى ضرورة تعاون الاسرة والمدرسة والاعلام في ترسيخ هذه القيم .
Linguistic Taboo its Concept, Causes, and Methods of Formulating it in the Hebrew Language
Authors: Ahmed Jasim Mohammed Lect.
Published: July 2022

This study is an attempt to emphasize the importance of the social aspect in the study of language and the discovery of its secrets related to community life, especially decency, politeness, and the like of society. And social values ​​in the life of the individual and society. In light of this, this study dealt with the phenomenon of linguistic taboo in the Hebrew language in several aspects, namely: the concept of the word taboo in language and terminology, the situations in which the speaker intends to use the taboo, and the study indicated two situations: one is individually based on quick wit, wisdom, and intelligence. The other is collective, in which the individual imitates his society and succumbs to what society decides in his speech, imitating him in most of the motives relating to social life, such as politeness, fanaticism and optimism, fear and panic, and so on. Taboo motives and causes, when the study pointed out the importance of these motives, and the study pointed out the most prominent of them, such as politeness, optimism and pessimism, awe, respect, fear, and admiration. Also, this study addresses how substitute verbs are formed, i.e., the use of euphemisms and a statement of the most important means of clean language against taboo language, which is the figurative use through metonymy and the like, and phonetic distortion and the like. In contrast, this study highlighted some areas where taboo words should be used and points to the functions of using these words. At the end of this study will come the most important conclusions the study has reached.
מחקר זה הוא ניסיון להדגיש את חשיבות ההיבט החברתי בחקר השפה ובגילוי סודותיה הקשורים לחיי הקהילה, במיוחד הגינות, נימוס וכדומה של החברה. וערכים חברתיים בחיים של הפרט והחברה. לאור זאת עסק מחקר זה בתופעת הטאבו הלשוני בשפה העברית מכמה היבטים, דהיינו: מושג המילה טאבו בשפה ובטרמינולוגיה, המצבים בהם מתכוון הדובר להשתמש בטאבו, והמחקר הצביע על שני מצבים: אחד מהם הוא אינדיבידואלי המבוסס על שנינות מהירה, חוכמה ואינטליגנציה. האחר הוא קולקטיבי, בו הפרט מחקה את חברתו ונכנע למה שהחברה מחליטה בדיבורו, מחקה אותו ברוב המניעים המתייחסים לחיי החברה, כגון נימוס, קנאות ואופטימיות, פחד ובהלה, וכולי. מניעי הטאבו וסיבותיו, כאשר המחקר הצביע על חשיבותם של מניעים אלו, והמחקר הצביע על הבולטים שבהם, כגון: נימוס, אופטימיות ופסימיות, יראה, כבוד, פחד, והערצה. כמו כן, המחקר הזה מתייחס לדרכי היווצרותם של מילות תחליף של הטאבו השלוני, כלומר, השימוש בלשון נקייה ובהצהרה על האמצעים החשובים ביותר של לשון נקייה כנגד שפת טאבו, שהוא השימוש הפיגורטיבי באמצעות המטונימיה וכדומה, והעיוות הפונטי וכדומה. לעומת זאת, המחקר הזה והדגיש את כמה תחומים שבהם יש לשמש במילות טאבו ומצביע על פונקציות השימוש במילים אלו. בסופו של המחקר הזה תבאנה המסקנות החשובים ביותר שהגיע אליהן המחקר.
توظيف برامج العلاقات العامة الرقمية لتحقيق متطلبات التنمية المستدامة دراسة مسحية لصفحة United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq-UNAMI / بعثة الأمم المتحدة العراق / Facebook
Authors: رائد عبد الكاظم الوائلي ا. م. د
Published: July 2022

ساهمت التقنية الرقمية بمجالات الإعلام في تحقيق مقاربات تفاعلية بين المؤسسة وجمهورها ، مما انعكست تلك المقاربات على ممارسة العلاقات العامة لأنشطتها الاتصالية ، ولأن التقنيات الرقمية أصبحت جزءا مهما من حياة الفرد أخذت تلك الإدارات على عاتقتها تنفيذ برامجها الاتصالية وحملاتها الإعلامية وكافة الأنشطة الاتصالية الأخرى بشكل رقمي من خلال استثمار منصات التواصل الاجتماعي كوسائل اتصال رئيسية للوصول الى الجمهور ، إذ اهتم الباحث بتسليط الضوء على إدارة العلاقات العامة الرقمية لبعثة الأمم المتحدة في العراق / UNAMI في تنفيذ برامجها الاتصالية في تحقيق متطلبات التنمية المستدامة ، وتناولت الدراسة محاولة الوصول الى فروضها العلمية وتساؤلاتها البحثية من خلال دراسة الصفحة الرسمية لبعثة الأمم المتحدة في العراق / UNAMI للتعرف على كيفية تحقيق أهداف تلك البعثة من خلال برامجها الاتصالية ، وتناولت الدراسة مفهوم العلاقات العامة الرقمية ودورها في الوصول الى الجمهور من خلال أنشطتها المتنوعة ، مع التطرق الى مفهوم التنمية المستدامة وأهداف تلك التنمية وأبعادها المختلفة ، هذا بالإضافة اعتماد الباحث على نظرية رأس المال الاجتماعي في تحقيق التنمية وقد توصلت الدراسة الى أن بعثة الأمم المتحدة في العراق / UNAMI كانت تركز في رسائلها الاتصالية الموجهة الى الجمهور العراقي على تنفيذ برامج مخططة مسبقة وهذه البرامج تم تنفيذها وفق حملات إعلامية مكثفة ، وكذلك تم التوصل الى أن بعثة الأمم المتحدة كانت تركز على البعد الاجتماعي والبيئي والاقتصادي أكثر من البعد التكنلوجي وهذا يرجع الى أن هذه الابعاد تعتبر كأولوية لها الأسبقية في تنفيذ برامجها واستنتج الباحث في هذه الدراسة أن بعثة الأمم المتحدة في العراق لم تتدخل في سياسات الحكومة العراقية بل كان دورها استشاريا فقط من حيث تعاملها مع الحكومة وكانت اهتماماتها تتجلى بتطوير البنى البشرية في المجتمع العراقي .
Prediction of Erosion and Sedimentation in Micro Catchment Area of Air Lanang Using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) Model
Authors: Putra Teja Alta , Hindarto Kanang Setyo , Prawito Priyono
Published: July 2022

This research aims to obtain erosion and sedimentation rate data in the micro catchment area of Air Lanang using soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) modelling within existing and scenario land uses. Geographically, the study area is located between latitude 3°26`23.48” - 3°31`46.09” S and longitude 102°24`11.74” - 102°28`26.35” E with a total area of 2987.06 ha. Soil analysis was conducted in the Soil Science Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu. The research data was analysed using SWAT model. Recorded data in this study were including soil analysis data, soil type map from land unit and soil map book Bengkulu sheet (0912) Sumatra, data of status area from KLHK, Digital Elevation Model National data from BIG, a set of climate data from BMKG, data of administrative border from RBI map Bengkulu Province and data of land use from the interpretation of satellite image and ground checking, as well as the scenario land use which was prepared following the community forest program from the government in the protected forest by converting the coffee plantation located within the protected forest area to woody plants with economic, social and conservative values. The results showed total erosion in the micro catchment area of Air Lanang with the existing land use in 2020 was 820731.87 ton year-1, while in the scenario land use was 288212.45 ton/year which were classified to very light, light, moderate, heavy and very heavy in class erosion. Based on the existing land use data, there was a decrease of erosion in the moderate to very heavy class of erosion for 7.27 % resulting in the very light and light class of erosion become 15.55 % after the simulation of the scenario land use model. The use of scenario land use model is effective to decrease erosion and sedimentation rate. The total sedimentation in the micro catchment area of Air Lanang in existing land use in 2020 was 354949.98 ton year-1 with the highest sedimentation in sub-basin 2 while the lowest sedimentation was found in sub-basin 12. On the other hand, the total sedimentation in the scenario land use model was 137365.04 ton year-1. The reduction of total sedimentation in existing land use in 2020 to the scenario land use model was 36.76 %.
Tafsir transformatif Hasan hanafi
Authors: Amaliyah Nurul
Published: July 2022

Tafsir transformative ini dengan karakter yang sama dengan penafsiran yang lainnya yaitu tafsir yang realitis, dari tafsir ini mengutamakan dengan tafsir transformative. Dalam metodologi ini yang ditawarkan oleh hasan Hanafi sendiri dalam menunjukan suatu bingkai pembaharuan suatu pemikiran yang sekaligus juga untuk menampakan digiringnya sebagaimana melegimitasikamn suatu proyek pembaharuan yang bercorak kiri. Dalam penafsiran dalam penafsiran ini perlu juga dipertimbangkan oleh adanya sebab pada kenyataan hasan Hanafi yang terjebak oleh suatu problem-problem social yang bernuansa pembebasan, dan juga problem problem yang menang selalu dihadapi dalam kehidpuanya.
Base Rate Neglect as a Source of Inaccurate Statistical Discrimination
Authors: Hagmann David , Sajons Gwendolin , Tinsley Catherine
Published: July 2022

Statistical discrimination relies on people inferring unobservable characteristics of group members based on their beliefs about the group. Across four pre-registered experiments (N = 9,002), we show that accurate information about the composition of top performers can induce incorrect beliefs about performance differences across groups when the groups are of unequal size. Because people fail to account for base rates, they underestimate the performance of members of smaller groups. As a result, when participants in our experiments receive true information about the gender composition of top performers in a male-dominated candidate pool, they are less likely to hire women, even when there are no gender differences in performance (Study 1). Similarly, they are less likely to hire better-performing non-White candidates when the racial demographics of the candidate pool reflect the US population (Study 4). We show that these choices reflect an error in statistical reasoning, rather than being motivated by a desire to discriminate against any particular group (Study 2). Despite leading to less accurate beliefs, given the choice, participants disproportionately seek out information about top performers and discrimination thus persists when information selection is endogenous (Study 3).
Participatory and receptive arts engagement in older adults: Associations with cognition over a seven-year period
Authors: Bone Jessica Katherine , Fancourt Daisy , Sonke Jill , Bu Feifei
Published: July 2022

There is growing evidence for the impact of arts engagement on later life cognition. However, confounding by socioeconomic factors may have led to an overestimation of this association. We analyzed data from 4,344 older adults in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. We measured participatory (e.g., painting, making music, crafts) and receptive (e.g., concert, play, museum) arts engagement separately. Six neurocognitive tests measured two aspects of cognition (episodic/working memory and executive function/language) concurrently and seven years later. We used inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to remove confounding by a range of demographic and socioeconomic factors. Engaging in participatory or receptive arts for up to one hour per week (but not more frequently) was associated with better subsequent executive function/language. Similarly, engaging in receptive arts activities for up to three hours per week (but not more frequently) was associated with better subsequent episodic/working memory. These effects were of similar sizes to doing vigorous physical activity for up to one hour per week. However, our findings also highlight key methodological issues when exploring the relationship between arts engagement and cognition that should be considered in future studies, including measurement bias, life-course stage, length of follow-up, variation in outcomes, attrition, and missing data.