bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGARUH KOMPENSASI DAN PENEMPATAN KERJA TERHADAP KEPUASAN KERJA DAN DAMPAKNYA PADA KINERJA TENAGA KEPENDIDIKAN UNIVERSITAS “MJ”
Authors: Fathurachman
Published: August 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh kompensasi dan penempatan kerja terhadap kepuasan dan dampaknya terhadap kinerja tenaga kependidikan Universitas “MJ”. Metode penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan metode explanatory. Populasi penelitian adalah Tenaga Kependidikan Univeritas “MJ” dengan sampel sebanyak 69 responden. Teknik pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan teknik sample random sampling. Metode pengumpulan data menggunakan kuesioner. Data yang diperoleh kemudian diolah dengan menggunakan alat bantu WarpPLS versi 7.0. Teknik analisis yang digunakan meliputi; merancang inner model, merancang outer model, mengkonstruksi diagram jalur, mengkonversi diagram jalur menjadi persamaan, estimasi parameter, goodness of fit, dan pengujian hipotesis, Hasil analisis memberikan kesimpulan (a) kompensasi berpengaruh signifikan dan positif terhadap kepuasan kerja, (b) Penempatan kerja berpengaruh signifikan dan positif terhadap kepuasan kerja, (c) Kompensasi berpengaruh tetapi tidak signifikan terhadap kinerja, (d) Penempatan kerja berpengaruh signifikan dan positif terhadap kinerja, (e) Kepuasan kerja berpengaruh signifikan dan positif terhadap kinerja, (f) Kompensasi berpengaruh signifikan dan positif terhadap penempatan kerja, dan (g) Kepuasan kerja memberikan peranan yang baik sebagai variabel intervening berpengaruh signifikan terhadap kinerja karyawan.
PENGARUH KEPEMIMPINAN DAN KEPUASAN KERJA TERHADAP TURNOVER INTENTION SERTA DAMPAKNYA TERHADAP KINERJA KARYAWAN PT. NKI.
Authors: Gusroni Imron
Published: August 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh (a) kepemimpinan terhadap turnover intention, (b) kepemimpinan terhadap kinerja karyawan, (c) kepuasan kerja terhadap turnover intention karyawan, (d) kepuasan kerja terhadap kinerja karyawan, (e) turnover intention terhadap kinerja karyawan, (f) kepemimpinan dan kepuasan kerja terhadap turnover intention serta dampaknya terhadap kinerja karyawan. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian kuantitatif. Sampel berjumlah 156 responden. Data diperoleh dengan teknik kuesioner. Untuk menguji keabsahan data dilakukan uji validitas, uji reliabilitas, dan uji asumsi klasik. Selanjutnya data dianalisis dengan koefisien korelasi, koefisien determinasi, uji T dan Analisa Jalur. Hasil penelitian sebagai berikut (a) tidak ada pengaruh Kepemimpinan secara signifikan terhadap Turnover Intention, (b) tidak ada pengaruh Kepuasan Kerja secara signifikan terhadap Turnover Intention, (c) Ada pengaruh Kepemimpinan secara signifikan terhadap Kinerja, (d) Tidak ada pengaruh Kepuasan Kerja secara signifikan terhadap Kinerja, (e) Ada pengaruh Turnover Intention secara signifikan terhadap Kinerja, dan (f) Tidak ada pengaruh kepemimpinan, kepuasan kerja terhadap turnover intention dan dampaknya terhadap kinerja secara simultan.
PENDIDIKAN BAHASA PRANCIS BERBASIS HUMANISTIK YANG BERORIENTASI PADA PENGEMBANGAN PEMINATAN STUDI KE NEGARA PRANCIS
Authors: Finistya Zubariska
Published: August 2021

Penulisan artikel ilmiah ini didasari atas latar belakang penulis yang telah menjalani pendidikan bahasa Prancis selama perkuliahan strata satu terdahulu. Dikenalkan dengan ragam budaya yang tidak sejalan dengan budaya dan kondisi masyarakat di Indonesia. Pada penuilsan artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengajak peserta didik mempelajari bahasa Prancis sebagai pilihan bahasa asing yang penting. Terkait isu-isu yang membuat ragu untuk belajar di negara Prancis dengan kultur yang bertolak belakang dengan prinsip bangsa dan negara Indonesia. Dengan melakukan pendekatan pendidikan bahasa Prancis yang berbasis humanistik dapat mengembangkan peminatan untuk melanjutkan jenjang studi ke Prancis tanpa terjadi culture shock di negara tersebut.
PENDEKATAN PENGUKURAN KINERJA PERUSAHAAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE MARKET VALUE ADDED (MVA)
Authors: Nasution Suci Chasara
Published: August 2021

Pengukuran kinerja telah menjadi indikator penting tidak hanya bagi perusahaan tetapi juga untuk Investor. Hal ini menunjukkan kemampuan perusahaan dalam mengelola modalnya. Pengukuran kinerja dapat dibagi menjadi pengukuran kinerja keuangan dan non keuangan. Artikel ini akan membahas lebih lanjut tentang pengukuran kinerja keuangan menggunakan Nilai Tambah Pasar (MVA). Nilai Tambah Ekonomi dikembangkan olehSfern, Stewart & Company, yang merupakan hasil kumulatif dari kinerja perusahaan yang dihasilkan oleh berbagai investasi yang telah dilakukan maupun yang diantisipasi akan dilakukan, sehingga keberhasilan dari MVA merupakan tolak ukur keberhasilan dalam memaksimalkan pemegang saham dengan alokasi sumbersumber yang sesuai sedangkan Financial Value Added atau Financial EVA adalah indikator baru yangdikembangkan sebagai peningkatan EVA. Di akhir artikel, akan ada perbandingan darikelebihan dan kekurangan dari MVA
ANALISIS TINGKAT KEPATUHAN WAJIB PAJAK BADAN ATAS PELAPORAN E-SPT PAJAK PENGHASILAN (PPh) PASAL 23 PADA KANTOR PELAYANAN PAJAK PRATAMA MEDAN PETISAH
Authors: Suprayetno Edi Suprayetno
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT

This study aims to analyze the realization of e-SPT Income Tax (PPh) Article 23 revenue of corporate taxpayers and the level of corporate taxpayer compliance on e-SPT Income Tax (PPh) article 23 reporting at Medan Petisah Pratama Tax Office. The research method used in this sudy was descriptive analysis. The data were compiled, interpreted, explained, and analyzed to answer the reseach questions. The type of data used in this study was qualitative data, where the data was obtained from KPP Pratama Medan Petisah from 2017-2019. The results of this study were: 1) The realization of e-SPT PPh Article 23 revenue for corporate taxpayers listed from 2017 tax year to 2019 tax year did not reach significant changes. In 2017, it was gained 384 from the total 12,897 taxpayers listed or 3.0%. In 2018 tax year it was gained 472 from the total listed of 13,449 or 3.5% and in the 2019 tax year it was gained 518 from the total of 14,118 taxpayers listed or 3.7%. 2) The compliance level of corporate taxpayers in reporting e-SPT PPh Article 23 from 2017 tax year to 2019 tax year was also very low and had no significant changes. In 2017 it was gained only 8.6% or 384 from  4,448 of corporate taxpayers listed. In  2018 tax year, there were 10.2% or 472 from 4649 corporate taxpayers listed, and in 2019 tax year it was gained 10.5% or 518 from 4,953 corporate taxpayers listed which reported e-SPT. So it can be stated that the compliiance level wa on non-compliant category.

 

Keywords: Compliance Level, Corporate Taxpayer, e-SPT Income Tax (PPh) Article 23.
Pengaruh Perputaran Kas Dan Piutang Terhadap Rasio Profitabilitas PT. Akari Indonesia Cabang Medan
Authors: Vince Ariany  , Nomika Riati Pasaribu
Published: August 2021

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui perputaran kas dan perputaran piutang PT. Akari Indonesia  dengan menggunakan rasio profitabilitas. Pada penelitian ini menggunakan jenis penelitian deskriptif kualitatif yang bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan kondisi yang terjadi untuk melihat, mengungkapkan dan menggambarkan secara tepat hal-hal yang sedang dihadapi serta menarik kesimpulan. Jenis data yang digunakan adalah data primer yaitu data yang merupakan kumpulan dari data yang bukan angka seperti sejarah berdirinya perusahaan dan struktur organisasinya serta data sekunder yaitu data yang merupakan kumpilan dari data angka-angka atau data yang dapat dihitung serta dapat dianalisis secara sistematis.

Hasil penelitian dari perhitungan perputaran kas  dan perputaran piutang menunjukkan efektivitas rasio profitabilitas PT. Akari Indonesia cabang Medan selama kurun waktu 3 tahun (2015-2017) kurang efektif, dilihat dari perhitungan perputaran kas dan piutangnya  tahun 2015 kas bersih dari aktivitas operasi menunjukkan nilai negatif, dan beberapa rasio selama tahun 2016-2017 juga menunjukkan nilai negatif dan rasio profitabilitas operasi dibawah 1 yang menggambarkan bahwa perusahaan kurang mampu memenuhi kewajiban serta komitmennya.
Pengaruh Deviden Terhadap Harga Saham Pada PT. Astra International yang Go Public di Bursa Efek Indonesia
Authors: Simatupang Leo Fernando
Published: August 2021

Penelitian ini termasuk ke dalam jenis penelitian asosiatif kausal bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara 2 (dua) variabel yaitu Deviden (X1) dan terhadap Harga Saham (Y). Populasi dalam penelitian ini yang diperlukan adalah perusahaan otomotif industry perakitan kendaraan bermotor yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia. Teknik pengambil sampel dengan cara purposive random sampling, yaitu teknik penentuan sampel dengan pertimbangan tertentu. Sampel yang akan digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah berasal dari Pusat Referensi Pasar Modal di Bursa Efek Indonesia. Sampel diperoleh yaitu PT. Astra International Tbk,dengan data laporan keuangan dari per triwulan tahun 2005 sampai dengan akhir triwulan tahun 2012, semua data tersebut diperoleh dari Pusat Referensi Pasar Modal di Bursa Efek Indonesia.metode penelitian yang digunakan kausal komparatif.indikator deviden adalah payout ratio ,dan harga saham yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah harga penutupan saham.Bersadarkan penelitian menunjukkan terdapat hubungan yang sangat kuat dan positif antara deviden (X) dengan harga saham (Y).
A comparative Study of Health Seeking Behaviour of Elderly in Rural and Urban Area of Prayagraj
Authors: Verma Vandana , Prakash Shiv , Parveen Khurshid , Shaikh Shama
Published: August 2021

Background: Health of elderly is already a neglected area as general ageing comes with acceptance of diseases. The aim was to compare the health seeking behaviour of elderly in Prayagraj district in Uttar Pradesh.

Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on elderly aged 60 years and above; selected from urban and rural areas of Prayagraj district by multistage random sampling and were interviewed using pre tested schedule. Data analysis was done on SPSS 16 version.

Results: A total of 400 elderly were surveyed, majority were lived in joint families (59%), illiterate (43.75%), and belonged to lower class (34.75%). More of urban elderly were seeking treatment (76%) than rural elderly (66%) whereas Allopathic therapy was preferred in both the group. In urban areas elderly prefer private facilities for the treatment (64.5%) whereas more of rural elderly preferred government health facilities (53%). The common cause of having no faith in government health services as stated by elderly in both rural (41.7%) and urban (29.3%) area was non availability of medicine.

Conclusion: Over all the study showed that more of urban elderly seek treatment for their health problems as compared to rural elderly which could be attributed to inaccessibility to health care services.
The Analysis of the Relation Between Preschool Teachers’ Decision Making and Attachment Styles
Authors: Polatlar Duygu Yalman , Öztabak Muhammet Ü.
Published: August 2021

The aim of this study is to analyze the relation between preschool teachers’ decision making styles and attachment styles in the context of classroom management. Correlational Survey Method, which is one of the quantitative research methods, has been used in the study. The universe of the study comprises preschool teachers working in state and private schools in the European part of İstanbul. The sample of the study, which is 380 preschool teachers, has been selected through random selection. The data of the study have been collected through Teacher Information Form, Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire I-II and Relationship Scale. Considering the relation between decision making styles and attachment styles as a result of the study, no significant relation has been found between vigilance decision making and attachment styles. There is weak and very weak relation between buck-passing, procrastination and hypervigilance decision making styles and fearful, preoccupied and dismissing attachment styles. A significant relation has been observed between decision making styles and income level and fathers’ educational level. A significant relation has been noted between attachment styles and income level. There is no significant relation between other variables (sex, age, level of education) and the two styles.
Bootstrap Based Confidence Interval Estimation of \\[6pt]Quantiles for Current Status Data
Authors: Chen Wei , Ren Fengling
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we proposed a bootstrap approach to construct the confidence interval of quantiles for current status data, which is computationally simple and efficient without estimating nuisance parameters. The reasonability of the proposed method is verified by the well performance presented in the extensive simulation study. We also analyzed a real data set as illustration.
Severity of Infestation Levels of Tunga Penetrans in Central, Kenya: A Bayesian Cumulative Logit Model
Authors: Mbunzi Stephen M. , Mung'atu Joseph K. , Waititu Anthony G. , Mwalili Samuel M. , Ogila Kenneth O. , Achia Thomas N. O. , Nthiwa Daniel
Published: August 2021

Tungiasis is a neglected parasitic disease that significantly affects communities, especially in developing countries. This study developed a Bayesian severity of the jigger infestation model and its spatial counterpart. Putative determinants leading to different levels of infestation and the most affected areas were to be identified through the model. We collected data through a cross-sectional study with a multi-stage sampling design. A structured questionnaire was administered in each household to capture variables used for modelling jigger infestations. The severity of jigger infestation categorized for each individual was modelled against all the other predictor variables. It was also integrated with spatial data to determine the spatial distribution pattern of jigger infestation. A Bayesian multinomial logistic regression model was used to assess the association between various predictors and different infestation levels. Specifically, an ordered Bayesian Severity Hierarchical (OBSH) categorical model was obtained. This model was categorical based on the Counties (1-Nyeri, 2-Murang'a and 3-Kiambu). Results from this model showed that for a one-unit decrease in the poverty index at level 1 (individuals categorized as poor) there was about a 69% increase in the severity of jigger infestation. A one-unit increase in the percentage of clay in the soil increased the odds ratio of the severity of jigger infestation by a factor of 11.21 while a high percentage of nitrogen in the soil lowered the severity of infestation.  Severity of jigger infestation reduced from the baseline, Nyeri County to Kiambu County. It also increased with increasing altitude due to a decrease in nitrogen levels.
Assessment of Environmental Impact and Economic Viability of Domestic Biogas Plant Technology in Bangladesh
Authors: Akter Suraya , Kabir Humayun , Akhter Shamima , Hasan Md. Mehedi
Published: August 2021

The study investigated the distinct environmental impacts and economic viability of domestic biogas technology in the countryside of Bangladesh. The study was carried out by a survey through personal interviews with biogas users. Seventy households were selected purposively and interviews were conducted through semi-structured questionnaires. The study mainly highlighted the potential reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and economic benefits of biogas utilization which were evaluated considering the substitution of traditional biomass fuels, by saving Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and cost of chemical fertilizer, and carbon trading. The economic benefits are addressed using some well-known economic indicators like Net Present Value (NPV), Payback Period (PBP), and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR). The results of the study revealed that a small-scale household anaerobic cow dung biogas digester not only exhibited the potential to cut carbon emissions on average by about 7.8 tons of CO2 equivalents yearly, but it also demonstrated the economic feasibility of doing so as the value of NPV and BCR was positive. This study recommends that the government approach, awareness program, and continuous and proper performing of the biogas technology are needed to intensify the multiples environmental benefits of the technology.
Exploring the Determinants Attractiveness to Foreign Direct Investments: Do Public Governance, Infrastructure and Macroeconomic Policies Matter?
Authors: BOGARI Adel
Published: August 2021

The aim of this paper is to determine the factors that attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) to Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) and Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Countries (SEMCs). To this end, this paper tested three variables representing public governance, physical infrastructure and macroeconomic quality, over a ten-year period stretching from 2008 to 2017. The results of the regressions estimated on CEE countries show that entrepreneurs are attracted to this region mainly for governance and infrastructure quality. Macroeconomic policy variables seem to attract less FDIs to these countries. Using aggregated  variables, the results of the regressions estimated on SEMCs show that the governance variable becomes statistically significant but retains a low value. The other variables of physical infrastructure and macroeconomic policies seem to be more robust and better explain FDI inflows to this region.
The oxidation of WC-Co knives in wood extract
Authors: Barlak Marek , Wilkowski Jacek , Ostrowski Krzysztof , Werner Zbigniew , Zagórski Jerzy
Published: August 2021

The oxidation of WC-Co knives in wood extract. The virgin WC-Co knives for wood machining and those implanted with Mg, Cr, Zn and Ni were corroded in pH 4 wood extract. A change of oxygen content throughout the experiment was determined using EDS method. The obtained results suggest a passivation of the corroded WC-Co material implanted with selected elements.
Effect of sawn zone on the quality of lumber in the evaluation of selected pine wood defects
Authors: Wieruszwski Marek , Mirski Radosław , Ttrociński Adrian , Kawalerczyk Jakub
Published: August 2021

Effect of sawn zone on the quality of lumber in the evaluation of selected pine wood defects.
In the course of research on the sawn pine raw material with defined distribution of the defects, a variable level of change in the presence of knots was assessed. Initially, the experimental material was classified in terms of the general-purpose timber, and then the strength classes of wood for structural applications were assigned. The proportion of sound knots increased in case of wood obtained from the middle and top zones. In the case of butt-end logs, an increase in the share of the rotten knots having an average diameter of 2-4 cm was observed. The intensity of the defect’s occurrence corresponded with the zone of origin along the large-sized roundwood length.
Raman Spectroscopy in the investigations of indexable knives for wood-based materials machining
Authors: Barlak Marek , Wilkowski Jacek , Wilczopolska Magdalena , Werner Zbigniew , Staszkiewicz Bogdan , Zagórski Jerzy
Published: August 2021

Raman spectroscopy for examination of WC-Co tools in wood-base machining. An attempt is undertaken to apply Raman Spectroscopy for examination of WC-Co tools for wood-base machining. The virgin tools were compared with those implanted with nitrogen, modified by electron beam and plasma beam pulses. The preliminary results suggest a possibility of applying this method for fast, non-destructive analysis of phase composition and phase changes in the microstructure of the investigated tools
Influence of pH and Cellic® CTec2 enzymes dose on the glucose yield after enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose at 50 °C
Authors: Marchwicka Monika
Published: August 2021

Influence of pH and Cellic® CTec2 enzymes dose on the glucose yield after enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose at 50 °C. Cellulose obtained by the Kürschner-Hoffer method from the wood of 3-year-old poplar (Populus trichocarpa) was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis. Cellic® CTec2 enzymes (Novozymes, Denmark) were used. The enzymatic hydrolysis was tested within the conditions recommended by the manufacturer and the literature. The process was carried out at 50 °C at various pH – 4.8, 5.0, 5.5 and enzymes doses - 25, 50 and 100 mg per 100 mg of the dry mass of cellulose. The process was ended after 24 h. The hydrolysates were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine the glucose content, and then the highest glucose yield. The highest glucose yield was obtained for pH 4.8 and 100 mg of enzymes per 100 mg of the dry mass of cellulose – 72 %.
Effects of protein content and the inclusion of protein sources with different amino acid release dynamics on the nitrogen utilization of weaned piglets
Authors: Hu Nianzhi , Shen Zhiwen , Pan Li , Qin Guixin , Zhao Yuan , Bao Nan
Published: August 2021

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effect of the differing amino acid (AA) release dynamics of two protein sources on the growth performance, nitrogen deposition, plasma biochemical parameters, and muscle synthesis and degradation of piglets when included in their diets at normal and low concentrations.Methods: Forty-eight piglets (Duroc×Landrace×Large White) with initial body weight of 7.45±0.58 kg were assigned to six groups and fed one of 6 diets. The 6 dietary treatments were arranged by 3×2 factorial with 3 protein sources and 2 dietary protein levels. They are NCAS (a normal protein content with casein), NBlend (a normal protein content with blend of casein and corn gluten meal), NCGM (a normal protein content with corn gluten meal), LCAS (a low protein content with casein), LBlend (a low protein content with blend of casein and corn gluten meal), LCGM (a low protein content with corn gluten meal). The release dynamics of AA in these diets were determined by in vitro digestion. The digestibility, utilization and biological value of nitrogen in piglets were determined by micro Kjeldahl method. Plasma insulin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The protein expression of mediators of muscle synthesis and degradation was determined by western blotting.Results: Although the consumption of a low-protein diet supplemented with crystalline AA was associated with greater nitrogen digestion and utilization (p<0.05), the final body weight, growth performance, nitrogen deposition, and phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 and eIF4E binding protein 1 in the muscle of pigs in the low-protein diet-fed groups were lower than those of the normal-protein diet-fed groups (p<0.05) because of the absence of non-essential AA. Because of the more balanced release of AA, the casein (CAS) and Blend-fed groups showed superior growth performance, final body weight and nitrogen deposition, and lower expression of muscle ring finger 1 and muscle atrophy F-box than the CGM-fed groups (p<0.05).Conclusion: We conclude that the balanced release of AA from CAS containing diets and mixed diets could reduce muscle degradation, favor nitrogen retention, % intake and improve growth performance in pigs consuming either a normal- or low-protein diet.
Cysteine improves boar sperm quality via glutathione biosynthesis during the liquid storage
Authors: Zhu Zhendong , Zeng Yao , Zeng Wenxian
Published: August 2021

Objective: Sperm is particularly susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress. Glutathione (GSH) is an endogenous antioxidant that regulates sperm redox homeostasis. However, it is not clear whether boar sperm could utilize cysteine for synthesis GSH to protect sperm quality from ROS damage. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanism of how cysteine is involved in protecting boar sperm quality during liquid storage.Methods: Sperm motility, membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxyIlonenal (4-HNE) modifications, mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as the levels of ROS, GSH, and, ATP were evaluated. Moreover, the enzymes (GCLC: glutamate cysteine ligase; GSS: glutathione synthetase) that are involved in glutathione synthesis from cysteine precursor were detected by western blotting.Results: Compared to the control, addition of 1.25 mM cysteine to the liquid storage significantly increased boar sperm progressive motility, straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, beat-cross frequency, membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP level, acrosome integrity, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and GSH level, while reducing the ROS level, lipid peroxidation and 4-HNE modifications. It was also observed that the GCLC and GSS were expressed in boar sperm. Interestingly, when we used menadione to induce sperm with ROS stress, the menadione associated damages were observed to be reduced by the cysteine supplementation. Moreover, compared to the cysteine treatment, the γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) activity, GSH level, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP level, membrane integrity and progressive motility in boar sperm were decreased by supplementing with an inhibitor of GSH synthesis, buthionine sulfoximine.Conclusion: These data suggest that boar sperm could biosynthesize the GSH from cysteine in vitro. Therefore, during storage, addition of cysteine improves boar sperm quality via enhancing the GSH synthesis to resist ROS stress.
Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Delayed Cerebral Vasospasm in a Patient with COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Sommer Björn , Maurer Christoph , Berlis Ansgar , Shiban Ehab
Published: August 2021

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 may cause vasculitis and thromboembolic events. We report on an unusual case of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and delayed cerebral vasospasms in a patient with COVID-19. Case Presentation: A 65-year-old male was transferred to the emergency department due to a short period of unconsciousness. Twenty-two hours prior to presentation, the patient had a 39.5°C fever with breathing difficulties. Initial COVID-19 PCR was positive. While conscious and without any neurological impairment, a large right frontal intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was detected. A preoperative angiogram showed no pathological blood vessels or vasospasm. The patients had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure due to ICH progression, which led to an immediate microsurgical ICH removal. Thirteen days thereafter, the patient became unconscious again. Angiography revealed severe cerebral vasospasm (CV) that required repetitive percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and intra-arterial nimodipine treatment. Conclusions: We present the first case of ICH and delayed vasospasm associated with COVID-19. In these patients, combined maximum surgical and endovascular therapy is needed.
False-Negative Results in Taqman One-Step RT-PCR Test: Evaluation of Endogenous Internal Control Function Used in SARS-CoV-2 Detection Tests
Authors: Choobin Hamzeh , Asiyabi Sanaz , Hesamizadeh Khashayar , Bamdad Taravat
Published: August 2021

Background: Taqman one-step real-time PCR (RT-PCR) has special importance due to its high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of infectious diseases such as viral infections. In the recent pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, diagnostic kits based on this method are commonly used for molecular detection. One of the main systematic errors that misinterpret the results is using inaccurate internal control in RT-PCR diagnostic kits. Designing primers and probes that span exon-exon junction will avoid genomic DNA amplification and lead to obtaining high specific results. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the endogenous internal control of primers and probe for RNase P RNA to reduce false-negative results in respiratory samples. Methods: In this study, 30 samples of patients who were negative for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B were re-evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 using newly designed primers and probes for RNase P RNA (ultra-specific primers and probe). We also performed bioinformatics analysis on CDC-approved primers and probes of RNase P endogenous internal control. Results: In this analysis, we specified the location of these newly designed primers and probe on target mRNA and genomic DNA. Then, the Taqman one-step RT-PCR method was performed using both CDC-approved primers and probes along with our ultra-specific primers and probe for RNase P RNA. Based on bioinformatics analysis, the attachment sites of the CDC-approved primers and probe for endogenous internal control of RNase P are located on the first exon of this gene. In addition to identifying the target gene sequence, these primers and probe also non-specifically detect similar sequences on the genomic DNA. Conclusions: The present study showed that the use of specific primers and probes introduced by CDC for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus may cause false results due to non-specific binding to the genomic DNA. Therefore, choosing the right internal control for RNase P RNA can be useful in achieving very accurate results.
The Occurrence and Characterization of Class I, II, and III Integrons Among Carbapenemase-Producing Clinical Strains of Acinetobacter baumannii in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Azizi Omid , Fereshteh Sepideh , Nasiri Omid , Ghorbani Mohammad , Barzi Seyed Mahmoud , Badmasti Farzad
Published: August 2021

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a critical pathogen with high morbidity and mortality in long-term hospitalized patients who stay in intensive care units. Carbapenemases and integrons are two critical DNA elements that contribute to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii. Objectives: The current study aimed at characterization and molecular detection of class 1, 2, and 3 integrons among carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii strains recovered from a clinical setting in Tehran, Iran. Methods: A total of 65 non-replicated clinical strains were considered in this study. Class 1, 2, and 3 carbapenemase genes and clonal relatedness of the isolates were investigated by PCR assay. Results: The prevalence of carbapenemases was as follows: blaOXA23 (92.31%), blaVIM (69.23%), and blaNDM (1.54%). In addition, PCR sequencing confirmed the presence of gene cassette arrays consisting of aacA4-catB8-aadA1 (12/46, 26.09%), aadB-aadA1 (26.09%, 12/46), arr2-cm1A5 (30.43%, 14/46), and dfrA1-aadA1 (7.39%, 8/46) in class 1 integron and dfrA1-sat2 (52.94%, 9/17), and sat2-aadA1 (47.06%, 8/17) in class 2 integron. Sequence-based typing of both blaOXA-51-like and ampC revealed the following distribution of three different clone types among isolates: clonal complex (CC) 10 (46.15%, 30/65), CC2 (40%, 26/65), and CC3 (13.85%, 9/65). Statistical analysis showed that the presence of the intI1, blaOXA23, blaVIM, or blaNDM genes can significantly increase the acquiring MDR phenotypes in A. baumannii isolates. Conclusions: High prevalence of carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii harboring integrons is alarming public health. It seems that class 1 integron can be served as a predictive biomarker for the presence of MDR phenotypes in the clinical setting. However, integrons do not carry carbapenemases in these strains.
Facial Ulcer: A Harbinger of Post-COVID-19 Mucormycosis, a Case Report
Authors: Belgaumkar Vasudha Abhijit , Chavan Ravindranath Brahmadeo , Bhatt Neelam , Shriniwas Ambike Jheel
Published: August 2021

: Facial ulcers may be the manifestation of a wide variety of disorders with infective, inflammatory, granulomatous, or malignant etiopathogenesis, leading to challenges in differential diagnosis and management. Mucormycosis is an angio-invasive, rapidly spreading, and potentially fatal fungal infection beginning from the nose and paranasal sinuses after the inhalation of fungal spores, manifesting with cutaneous necrotic eschar. The rhinomaxillary region is the commonest site involved, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Mucormycosis incidence in people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is on the rise, especially in India during the second wave. Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 infection, as well as for mucormycosis. We report an elderly gentleman with uncontrolled diabetes, treated for the COVID-19 infection, who presented with an ulcer over the left nasal ala. This case report highlights the importance of high-index suspicion and prompt and aggressive multidisciplinary management of mucormycosis, as a life-saving measure.
Evaluation of the Effect of Scheduled Family Appointments on Agitation of ICU Patients: A Quasi-experimental Study
Authors: Shahriyari Esmaeell , Salar Alireza , Payandeh Abolfazl
Published: August 2021

Background: One of the main stressors for patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) is being away from family members and severe appointment time limits. Currently, the treatment environment is made of family members and patients, and the presence of family members plays an important role in the patient’s health. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of scheduled family appointments on the agitation of ICU patients. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 70 patients admitted to the ICU of medical centers affiliated to Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2020. The patients were selected using convenience sampling from among those who met the inclusion criteria. The selected patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups of control and intervention (n = 35 in each). The patients in the control group were visited via routine appointments. In contrast, the patients in the intervention group were visited both routinely and via scheduled appointments by a fixed member of the family for 20 minutes at 10-12 AM and 8-10 PM for three days. The data were collected using a demographic information form and Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS), which was completed by the researcher for each patient on the first day before and the third day after the intervention. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software (version 24) with the chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, independent samples t-test, and Mann–Whitney U test. The significance level was considered less than 0.05. Results: The two groups were similar in terms of age, sex, level of consciousness, and history of hospitalization in the ICU and there was no statistically significant intergroup difference (P > 0.05). According to the results of Mann–Whitney U and chi-square tests, there was a significant difference between the groups in terms of agitation at the end of the study (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Scheduled appointments for ICU patients can reduce patients’ agitation without affecting nurses’ care activities. This accelerates the recovery process for patients. Hence, the appointment-based policy needs to be implemented in ICUs.
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura in a Child with COVID-19: A Case Report
Authors: Tariverdi Marjan , Mohammadzadeh Esini Maliheh , Pazarkar Hanie , Naghmehsanj Zahra , Farahbakhsh Nazanin
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It may have many undescribed clinical manifestations. Case Presentation: In this study, we report a 7-year-old male COVID-19 patient with low platelet count who presented with gingival bleeding and ecchymosis and had a good response to corticosteroid therapy. Conclusions: This case highlights the need to be vigilant for atypical presentations or complications of COVID-19, one of which is SARS-CoV-2-induced immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). It is necessary to pay attention to platelet count in addition to typical clinical features and radiographic findings. On the other hand, viral testing in thrombocytopenic patients should be considered for timely diagnosis of COVID-19 and taking necessary measurements for patient isolation in order to prevent the spread of disease and healthcare workers’ infection during this pandemic.
An Investigation of Associations and Incidence of Anxiety, Depression, Perceived Vulnerability to Diseases, and Fear of COVID-19 Among Nigerian Health Care Workers
Authors: Osagiator Ariyo Joy , Olutope Akinnawo Ebenezer , Chinonye Akpunne Bede , Oluwasanmi Kumuyi Daniel , Foluke Onisile Deborah
Published: August 2021

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are the frontline of coping COVID-19 pandemic, which indicates the importance of improving their mental wellness to better cope with the situation. Objectives: The current study aimed to firstly assess the severity of anxiety and depression and perceived vulnerability to diseases, and secondly to investigate their association with the fear of COVID-19 among Nigerian HCWs. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, a purposefully selected sample of 413 HCWs from two tertiary healthcare institutions in Benin City, Edo State, South-South Nigeria, responded to the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Scale. Data was collected between October 2020 and February 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize socio-demographic variables, while inferential statistics (t-test for independent samples, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression) were used to test hypotheses. Results: A high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and perceived vulnerability to diseases (PVD) was observed. Perceived infectability (β = 0.244, P = 0.000), germ aversion (β = 0.166, P = 0.000), and composite PVD (β = 0.96, P = 0.000) were identified as independent and significant predictors of fear of COVID-19, accounting for 7.5; 3.3, and 9.9% variance in the severities of Fear of COVID-19, respectively. Anxiety and depression showed a significant joint prediction of Fear of COVID-19 severity, accounting for a 4.0% variance in the severity. Fear of COVID-19 was not found to be influenced by sex or job type differences among the HCWs. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a high incidence of anxiety, depression, and perceived vulnerability to COVID-19 among Nigerian HCWs. These reported symptoms of psychopathology are also strong independent and joint predictors of fear of COVID-19.
Challenges of Oral Radiography Prescriptions During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Shiraz, Iran
Authors: Hasani Mahvash , Razavi Nasim , Dokohaki Sonia
Published: August 2021

Background: Considering the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak and its rapid person-to-person transmission and the challenges it has brought about in dentistry, especially in intraoral radiography, following the established guidelines in prescribing radiographs is of great prominence. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the necessity of prescribed intraoral radiographs and to estimate the number of unnecessary prescriptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 143 patients with a mean age of 29.36 ± 14.11 years who visited the Radiology Department of Shiraz Dental School during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. Information, including gender, age, systemic diseases, referring department, and type and urgency of radiography, was collected using a checklist. Chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test were run to assess the relationships between variables. Results: Among all the patients referred to the Radiology Department, the endodontics and oral medicine departments accounted for the highest percentage of referrals. The relationship between the necessity of radiography prescriptions and dental departments was significant (P < 0.05). The lowest rate of unnecessary referrals was reported in the Department of Endodontics (13.3%), whereas the highest rate of unnecessary referrals was attributed to the aesthetic and restorative dentistry departments (73.3%). There was a significant association between dental department and the type of prescribed radiographs (extraoral/intraoral). The Orthodontics Department was the only department with more extraoral radiograph prescriptions than intraoral radiographs. One-third of the prescribed intraoral radiographs and half of the extraoral radiographs were unnecessary, with a significant difference during the pandemic (P = 0.019). Conclusions: Although there has been some success in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, this pandemic will not be easily eradicated. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the established guidelines and postpone unnecessary dental procedures to improve the safety of our community and the world in general.
Francis Bacon and the Aristotelian Tradition on the Nature of Sound
Authors: Dumitru Claudia ,   Zeta Books
Published: August 2021

Centuries II and III of Francis Bacon’s posthumous natural history Sylva Sylvarum are largely dedicated to sound. This paper claims that Bacon’s investigation on this topic is fruitfully read against the background of the Aristotelian theory of sound, as presented in De anima commentaries. I argue that Bacon agreed with the general lines of this tradition in a crucial aspect: he rejected the reduction of sound to local motion. Many of the experimental instances and more theoretical remarks from his natural history of sound can be elucidated against this wider concern of distinguishing sound from motion, a theme that had been a staple of Aristotelian discussions of sound and hearing since the Middle Ages. Bacon admits that local motion is part of the efficient cause of sound, but he denies that it is its form, which means that sound cannot be reduced to a type of local motion. This position places him outside subsequent developments in natural philosophy in the seventeenth century.
Spiders, Ants, and Bees
Authors: Rusu Doina-Cristina ,   Zeta Books
Published: August 2021

This paper argues that the methodology Francis Bacon used in his natural histories abides by the theoretical commitments presented in his methodological writings. On the one hand, Bacon advocated a middle way between idle speculation and mere gathering of facts. On the other hand, he took a strong stance against the theorisation based on very few facts. Using two of his sources whom Bacon takes to be the reflection of these two extremes—Giambattista della Porta as an instance of idle speculations, and Hugh Platt as an instance of gathering facts without extracting knowledge—I show how Bacon chose the middle way, which consists of gathering facts and gradually extracting theory out of them. In addition, it will become clear how Bacon used the expertise of contemporary practitioners to criticise fantastical theories and purge natural history of misconceived notions and false speculations.
Of the Beard of a Wild Oat
Authors: Deckard Michael ,   Zeta Books
Published: August 2021

In 1665–1666, both Margaret Cavendish and Robert Hooke wrote about the beard of a wild oat. After looking through the microscope at the wild oat, Hooke describes the nature of what he is seeing in terms of a “small black or brown bristle” and believes that the microscope can improve the human senses. Cavendish responds to him regarding the seeing of the texture of a wild oat through the microscope and critiques his mechanistic explanation. This paper takes up the controversy between Cavendish and Hooke regarding the wild oat as two forms of a broadly Baconian enterprise. Challenging Lisa Walters and Eve Keller, who suppose that Cavendish was against the “Baconian enterprise as a whole,” the argument in this paper is that Cavendish is opposed to Hooke’s defense of instruments as recovering Edenic glory in the Micrographia, but not to the Baconian enterprise as a whole.
Parageneses of cryogenic formations of gas emission funnels (Part 1). Morphology of cryogenic formations
Authors: Khimenkov Aleksandr Nikolaevich , Koshurnikov Andrei Viktorovich , Stanilovskaya Julia Viktorovna
Published: August 2021

The subject of this research is the cryogenic formations found in gas emission funnels in the north of Western Siberia. The object of this research is cryogenic processes that prepare the explosion, which forms a gas emission funnel. The study of cryogenic structures that shape the walls of gas emission funnels is based on the structural-genetic analysis, which reveals the peculiarities of the initial cryogenic structure of frozen rock, as well as the cryogenic textures modified as a result of dynamic metamorphism. The authors examine such aspects of the topic as the general orientation of plastic and explosive deformations under the influence of high pressure. Analysis is conducted on the role of intra-ground gas filtration in transformation of the initial cryogenic structure. Special attention is given to the patterns of emergence and development of the local geodynamic system that ultimately substantiates the formation of gas emission funnel. The novelty of this research consists in the establishment of paragenetic relations between the processes of gas filtration and deformations of gas-saturated ice surface material (from viscoplastic motion to brittle fracture). The main conclusions are as follows: such external influences as increase in the temperature or pressure change thermodynamic conditions, which lead to multi-phase structural transformation of the initial cryogenic structure of the cryolithic zone; a series of plastic and explosive deformations instigates the intense heat and mass transfer, redistributing the substance in the liquid, solid and gaseous state; in frozen rocks, ice is the most deformable component, thus, most information on the processes preceding the formation of gas funnels can be acquired by studying the morphology of cryogenic formations observed in the walls of the funnels, as well as in the unthawed fragments of frozen rocks thrown to the surface. The authors’ special contribution lies in examination of the complete lifecycle of the development of selected geosystems, from the initial stage –  formation of conditions for decomposition of the gas hydrates, to the final stage – explosion and emission of ice surface material.
Palynological diagrams of Holocene sediments and ice wedges at the mouth of the Seyakha River (Zelenaya), Yamal Peninsula
Authors: Vasil'chuk Alla Constantinovna , Vasil'chuk Yurij Kirillovich
Published: August 2021

This article examines the sections of the high floodplain of the Seyakha River (Zelenaya) and sections of Holocene peat layers with ice wedges on the third terrace. Palynospectra from sediments and ice wedges of the high floodplain are characterized by a rhythmic fluctuations typical to floodplain facies. The presence of spruce pollen is related to resedimentation, since spruce pollen is detected in the samples with the composition of verifiably resedimented palynomorphs around 10% or higher. The change in composition of the pollen of Siberian pine, scots pine, and birch tree is associated with a change in wind drift, since fluctuations in the composition of the pollen of these taxonomic units do not correlate with fluctuations in resedimented palynomorphs. Therefore, the three periods of increased wind drift and possible increase in pollen productivity can be determined based on mid-period contrast changes in the structure of palynospectra. At the same time, the local peak of cereals is replaced three times by the maximum pollen of dwarf birch and alder. The absence of larch trunks can be substantiated by fires, the traces of which are observed in the section, as well as that larch at the northern limit of its habitat has crumbly wood tissue, which is being rapidly destroyed. Tree limb, needles, and cones usually remain, while the wood tissue is absent. It is assumed that ice wedges formed here 8.5-6 thousand years ago during a single cycle of the change in wind direction and speed , when prevalence of birch tree pollen with some alder pollen at a relatively low pollen concentration was replaced by the dominance of gramineae pollen, and then, dwarf birch pollen in the spring pollen rain. Palynospectra of these ice wedges indicates an increase in the sum of positive temperatures from 8.3 to 6 thousand years.