bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of CSR Practices on Lebanese Banking Performance: The Mediating Effects of Customers’ Expectations
Authors: Hassanein Zeina , Yeşiltaş Mehmet
Published: December 2021

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues in developing markets have acquired a lot of attention. Organisations around the globe apply a diversified set of technologies to approaching customer expectations through banking performance. This study examines the impact of CSR on Lebanese banking performance. Primary data from questionnaires were used. A total of 1000 observations were collected using a 5-point Likert scale method adopted to formulate the items. The questionnaire was tested to assess its trustworthiness regarding data collection. Partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypothesis. The overall results demonstrated the significance of CSR in terms of meeting customers’ expectations and maintaining banking performance. All CSR dimensions demonstrated a positive impact on customer expectations and Lebanese banking performance. Moreover, customer expectations proved to be a mediator between CSR and banking performance, although there was partial mediation between CSR and banking performance.
Analysis of the Window Views of the Nearby Façades
Authors: Drobne Samo , Zbašnik-Senegačnik Martina , Kristl Živa , Koprivec Ljudmila , Fikfak Alenka
Published: December 2021

The view from the window is an important parameter of living comfort. Previous studies have defined several important characteristics of views, but there are very few studies that addressed window views in dense urban environments and their influence on the perceptual elements of the view. The scope of the study was to define the influence of design elements in window views that can trigger negative reactions from viewers. In our study the questionnaire survey was used as a method for obtaining the research data. A group of architecture students who participated as respondents selected different reactions to views and reasons for such responses. Only the window views that received poor responses were further investigated. The results were statistically analyzed according to the most frequent responses and the variability of responses. The homogeneity of the groups of responses as well as the groups of reasons was tested using the Fischer-Snedercor test. The analysis showed that the negative response to a window view depends not only on the short distance between the buildings, but also on the visual aesthetics, especially the composition quality, the surface characteristics and the maintenance of the observed building. The results show that interventions, especially natural elements such as vegetation, can increase the dynamics of the window view.
The Sustainable Innovation Design in Catering Service
Authors: Chung Jen-Chieh , Huang Yung-Fu , Weng Ming-Wei , Lin Ju-Chen
Published: December 2021

COVID-19 has impacted the whole world since 2019, especially the dietary patterns of customers. Before the pandemic, some companies had been monitoring the operation data for health and food safety situations. It has become a vital mission to improve the food production and service process if the companies wish to pursue the sustainability of their businesses due to the general environment being changed by the epidemic. The sustainability of food systems inherently implies not only customer satisfaction but also the saving of costs. The catering service must find new ways to increase customer loyalty and satisfaction while implementing improved practices for building their brand image and modern decoration. The objective of this article is to discuss the service innovation process in order to investigate the interrelationships of catering environmental policy and psychological effects in the service function. The data were collected from a DINESERV questionnaire, comprised service quality standards, to increase the customer satisfaction for a mobile dining car. Finally, the TRIZ or Kano is a standardized measure designed to improve the idealization of strategy for selecting the most appropriate service quality model. This study presents the results from the survey and discusses future perspectives of increasing the sustainability of service within a catering information system.
Determining Factors Affecting Customer Intention to Use Rooftop Solar Photovoltaics in Indonesia
Authors: Bekti Dafit Bagus Maha , Prasetyo Yogi Tri , Redi Anak Agung Ngurah Perwira , Budiman Arif S. , Mandala I Made Putra Loka , Putra Angga Ranggana , Persada Satria Fadil , Nadlifatin Reny , Young Michael Nayat
Published: December 2021

Many developing countries on the equator, including Indonesia, have the potential for renewable and sustainable resources, such as solar energy. However, despite the enormous potential, the adoption level remains low. Previously, several studies discussed the potential, the feasibility, and the supporting policy of this technology, but none have been discussed from the customers’ perspective on a national scale. Therefore, this study attempts to determine the factors affecting the customers’ intention to use solar photovoltaics in Indonesia to develop a sustainable circular supply chain for renewable energy. This investigation was conducted based on integrating the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2) and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Furthermore, an online questionnaire was successfully distributed with a total of 208 participants. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to derive the causal relationships of the proposed hypotheses. The results indicated that price value (PV) has a positive relationship and a significant influence on attitude toward use (ATU), which leads to the behavioral intention (BI) to make the construct the most affecting factor. This is the first comprehensive study to analyze the intention to use rooftop solar panels based on the UTAUT2 and TPB framework. The successful approach to support photovoltaic use will bring less waste and strengthen the circular supply chain to support sustainable development.
Is the “Green Washing” Effect Stronger than Real Scientific Knowledge? Are We Able to Transmit Formal Knowledge in the Face of Marketing Campaigns?
Authors: Alonso-Calero José M. , Cano Josefa , Guerrero-Pérez M. Olga
Published: December 2021

Nowadays, the majority of citizens are subjected to a great deal of (dis)information organized by marketing campaigns or by groups with political interests that indiscriminately abuse concepts such as sustainability, either bio or organic. One of the objectives of formal education in any developed country should be to transmit enough formal (scientific) knowledge about processes and products (related to chemistry, biology, economics, and mathematics) so that citizens can adequately reflect on what is really sustainable and what is not, and also to be able to evaluate the environmental impact of any process. In the first part of this work, we describe the results of a survey that has been carried out in order to assess whether citizens make decisions based on marketing campaigns or based on formal knowledge. It is analyzed if those that have followed STEM studies differ from the rest. In the second part, we propose an activity to be done, in a multidisciplinary approach, by students from both fine arts and engineering, with the objective of consolidating and putting into practice the formal knowledge they have acquired to adequately evaluate the sustainability of a process.
Synergistic Study of Solid Lubricant Nano-Additives Incorporated in canola oil for Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
Authors: Sikdar Soumya , Rahman Md Hafizur , Menezes Pradeep L.
Published: December 2021

In recent years, with the development of eco-friendly lubricants, different vegetable oils have been studied and found to improve the overall tribological performance compared to petroleum-based oils. Being one of the commonly used vegetable oils, canola oil has become popular due to its non-toxicity and low cost. However, this bio-lubricant lacks tribological performance compared to petroleum-based oils. To improve its performance, sustainable solid additives such as graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) have recently gained the researcher’s attention. While incorporating nanomaterials in the oil as additives is a promising way to improve base oil’s performance, the excessive use of nanoparticles can introduce undesirable effects. This study investigated canola oil’s tribological performances with the addition of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt.% GNP and 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt.% hBN nanoparticles. The dynamic viscosities of these seven settings showed higher viscosity for GNP-incorporated oils compared to that with hBN. The boundary lubrication regime was targeted for the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear analyses during each pin on the disk test. It was observed that for the GNP, 1.5 wt.% provided the minimum COF (52% less than base oil), whereas, for the hBN, 1.0 wt.% provided the lowest (40% less than base oil) values. Based on these insights, three nano lubricant mixtures were formulated by incorporating both GNP and hBN settings in different ratios. These mixtures provided an optimum positive synergy by reducing 56% friction and 90% wear compared to the base oil. These percentage values were significantly more compared to both GNP and hBN based lubricants in their individual settings. These improvements in the mixture were due to a composite film formed which protected the interacting surfaces and also due to the polishing mechanisms. Therefore, incorporating both these nanoparticles in canola oil could reduce friction and wear and thus help in better energy conservation.
The Conversion of Calcium-Containing Phases and Their Separation with NaCl in Molten Salt Chlorinated Slags at High Temperature
Authors: Chen Feng , Liu Changlin , Wen Yuekai , Zhu Fuxing , Yao Hongguo , Guo Yufeng , Wang Shuai , Yang Lingzhi
Published: December 2021

The titanium resources in Panxi reign, China, have a high-impurities content of Ca and Mg, which is usually processed by the molten salt chlorination process. This process allows higher Ca and Mg content in its furnace burdens. However, there is a huge amount of molten salt chlorinated slag produced by this process, consisting of complex compounds and waste NaCl/KCl salts. These slags are always stockpiled without efficient utilization, causing serious environmental pollutions. To recycle the NaCl in the slag back to the molten salt chlorination process, a novel process to deal with those molten salt chlorinated slags with phase conversion at high temperature is presented in this paper. The calcium-containing solid phase was generated when Na2SiO3 was added to the molten salt chlorinated slags at high temperature, while NaCl was kept as a liquid. Thus, liquid NaCl was easily separated from the calcium-containing solid phase, and it could be reused in the molten salt chlorination process. The conversion of calcium-containing phases and their separation of NaCl are the key parts of this work, and they have been systematically studied in this paper; thermodynamic analysis, phase transformation behavior, and calcium removal behavior have all been investigated. The calcium removal rate is 78.69% when the molar ratio of CaCl2:Na2SiO3 is 1:1.5 at 1173 K and N2 atmosphere.
Post-Pandemic Office Work: Perceived Challenges and Opportunities for a Sustainable Work Environment
Authors: Babapour Chafi Maral , Hultberg Annemarie , Bozic Yams Nina
Published: December 2021

The widespread adoption of remote and hybrid work due to COVID-19 calls for studies that explore the ramifications of these scenarios for office workers from an occupational health and wellbeing perspective. This paper aims to identify the needs and challenges in remote and hybrid work and the potential for a sustainable future work environment. Data collection involved two qualitative studies with a total of 53 participants, who represented employees, staff managers, and service/facility providers at three Swedish public service organisations (primarily healthcare and infrastructure administration). The results describe opportunities and challenges with the adoption of remote and hybrid work from individual, group, and leadership perspectives. The main benefits of remote work were increased flexibility, autonomy, work-life balance and individual performance, while major challenges were social aspects such as lost comradery and isolation. Hybrid work was perceived to provide the best of both worlds of remote and office work, given that employees and managers develop new skills and competencies to adjust to new ways of working. To achieve the expected individual and organisational benefits of hybrid work, employers are expected to provide support and flexibility and re-design the physical and digital workplaces to fit the new and diverse needs of employees.
Analysis on Evolution Characteristics and Dynamic Mechanism of Urban Green Innovation Network: A Case Study of Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Zhang Renjie , Tai Hsingwei , Cheng Kuo-Tai , Cao Zhengxu , Dong Huizhong , Hou Junjie
Published: December 2021

This study puts forward a logical framework for green innovation network analysis, which includes a spatial dimension, a relational dimension, and a systems dimension. Here, we put forward some basic research ideas concerning the optimization and regulation of green innovation networks in terms of the systems dimension and we investigate the micro-dynamic mechanisms of green innovation network expansion using a spatial econometric model. Our main research results are as follows: The efficiency of green innovation in the Yangtze River Economic Belt has improved significantly, however, the gap between cities has gradually increased, and a problem of efficiency regression has emerged. The green innovation network has changed from the primary stage dominated by Edge Network to the rapid growth stage dominated by Supporting Network, and formed a complex network pattern with diversified hierarchical structure. Node symmetry is helpful in forming more extroverted connections and promoting the expansion of green innovation networks. Node proximity and connection symmetry inhibit the growth and development of networks, and knowledge flow cooperation networks can accelerate the evolution of green innovation networks. Finally, this paper holds that we should combine the actual development needs, emphasize the basic principles of differentiated development, and construct the development pattern of regional collaborative innovation. This can also provide a theoretical reference for enriching our understanding of green innovation networks while narrowing the gap between cities.
Social Bots Detection via Fusing BERT and Graph Convolutional Networks
Authors: Guo Qinglang , Xie Haiyong , Li Yangyang , Ma Wen , Zhang Chao
Published: December 2021

The online social media ecosystem is becoming more and more confused because of more and more fake information and the social media of malicious users’ fake content; at the same time, unspeakable pain has been brought to mankind. Social robot detection uses supervised classification based on artificial feature extraction. However, user privacy is also involved in using these methods, and the hidden feature information is also ignored, such as semi-supervised algorithms with low utilization rates and graph features. In this work, we symmetrically combine BERT and GCN (Graph Convolutional Network, GCN) and propose a novel model that combines large scale pretraining and transductive learning for social robot detection, BGSRD. BGSRD constructs a heterogeneous graph over the dataset and represents Twitter as nodes using BERT representations. Corpus learning via text graph convolution network is a single text graph, which is mainly built for corpus-based on word co-occurrence and document word relationship. BERT and GCN modules can be jointly trained in BGSRD to achieve the best of merit, training data and unlabeled test data can spread label influence through graph convolution and can be carried out in the large-scale pre-training of massive raw data and the transduction learning of joint learning representation. The experiment shows that a better performance can also be achieved by BGSRD on a wide range of social robot detection datasets.
Uniqueness of the Inflationary Higgs Scalar for Neutron Stars and Failure of Non-Inflationary Approximations
Authors: Oikonomou Vasilis K.
Published: December 2021

Neutron stars are perfect candidates to investigate the effects of a modified gravity theory, since the curvature effects are significant and more importantly, potentially testable. In most cases studied in the literature in the context of massive scalar-tensor theories, inflationary models were examined. The most important of scalar-tensor models is the Higgs model, which, depending on the values of the scalar field, can be approximated by different scalar potentials, one of which is the inflationary. Since it is not certain how large the values of the scalar field will be at the near vicinity and inside a neutron star, in this work we will answer the question, which potential form of the Higgs model is more appropriate in order for it to describe consistently a static neutron star. As we will show numerically, the non-inflationary Higgs potential, which is valid for certain values of the scalar field in the Jordan frame, leads to extremely large maximum neutron star masses; however, the model is not self-consistent, because the scalar field approximation used for the derivation of the potential, is violated both at the center and at the surface of the star. These results shows the uniqueness of the inflationary Higgs potential, since it is the only approximation for the Higgs model, that provides self-consistent results.
Symmetry and Combinatorial Concepts for Cyclopolyarenes, Nanotubes and 2D-Sheets: Enumerations, Isomers, Structures Spectra & Properties
Authors: Balasubramanian Krishnan
Published: December 2021

This review article highlights recent developments in symmetry, combinatorics, topology, entropy, chirality, spectroscopy and thermochemistry pertinent to 2D and 1D nanomaterials such as circumscribed-cyclopolyarenes and their heterocyclic analogs, carbon and heteronanotubes and heteronano wires, as well as tessellations of cyclopolyarenes, for example, kekulenes, septulenes and octulenes. We establish that the generalization of Sheehan’s modification of Pólya’s theorem to all irreducible representations of point groups yields robust generating functions for the enumeration of chiral, achiral, position isomers, NMR, multiple quantum NMR and ESR hyperfine patterns. We also show distance, degree and graph entropy based topological measures combined with techniques for distance degree vector sequences, edge and vertex partitions of nanomaterials yield robust and powerful techniques for thermochemistry, bond energies and spectroscopic computations of these species. We have demonstrated the existence of isentropic tessellations of kekulenes which were further studied using combinatorial, topological and spectral techniques. The combinatorial generating functions obtained not only enumerate the chiral and achiral isomers but also aid in the machine construction of various spectroscopic and ESR hyperfine patterns of the nanomaterials that were considered in this review. Combinatorial and topological tools can become an integral part of robust machine learning techniques for rapid computation of the combinatorial library of isomers and their properties of nanomaterials. Future applications to metal organic frameworks and fullerene polymers are pointed out.
Use of Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (A, B, C, D, E, F, G)—(Equine) (BAT®) in Clinical Study Subjects and Patients: A 15-Year Systematic Safety Review
Authors: Parrera Geraldine S. , Astacio Hugo , Tunga Priya , Anderson Deborah M. , Hall Christine L. , Richardson Jason S.
Published: December 2021

Botulism is a rare, sometimes fatal paralytic illness caused by botulinum neurotoxins. BAT® (Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (A, B, C, D, E, F, G)—(Equine)) is an equine-derived heptavalent botulinum antitoxin indicated for the treatment of symptomatic botulism in adult and pediatric patients. This review assesses the cumulative safety profile for BAT product from 2006 to 2020, using data received from clinical studies, an expanded-access program, a post-licensure registry, spontaneous and literature reports. The adverse event (AE) incidence rate for BAT product was calculated conservatively using only BAT product exposures for individuals with a record (512) and was alternatively estimated using all BAT product exposure data, including post-licensure deployment information (1128). The most frequently reported BAT product-related AEs occurring in greater than 1% of the 512–1128 BAT product-exposed individuals were hypersensitivity, pyrexia, tachycardia, bradycardia, anaphylaxis, and blood pressure increase reported in 2.3–5.1%, 1.8–3.9%, 1.0–2.2%, 0.89–2.0%, 0.62–1.4%, and 0.62–1.4%, respectively. For patients properly managed in an intensive care setting, the advantages of BAT product appear to outweigh potential risks in patients due to morbidity and mortality of botulism. AEs of special interest, including bradycardia, hemodynamic instability, hypersensitivity, serum sickness, and febrile reactions in the registry, were specifically solicited.
Primordial Black Holes and a Common Origin of Baryons and Dark Matter
Authors: García-Bellido Juan , Carr Bernard , Clesse Sébastien
Published: December 2021

The origin of the baryon asymmetry of the Universe (BAU) and the nature of dark matter are two of the most challenging problems in cosmology. We propose a scenario in which the gravitational collapse of large inhomogeneities at the quark-hadron epoch generates both the baryon asymmetry and most of the dark matter in the form of primordial black holes (PBHs). This is due to the sudden drop in radiation pressure during the transition from a quark-gluon plasma to non-relativistic hadrons. The collapse to a PBH is induced by fluctuations of a light spectator scalar field in rare regions and is accompanied by the violent expulsion of surrounding material, which might be regarded as a sort of “primordial supernova". The acceleration of protons to relativistic speeds provides the ingredients for efficient baryogenesis around the collapsing regions and its subsequent propagation to the rest of the Universe. This scenario naturally explains why the observed BAU is of order the PBH collapse fraction and why the baryons and dark matter have comparable densities. The predicted PBH mass distribution ranges from subsolar to several hundred solar masses. This is compatible with current observational constraints and could explain the rate, mass and low spin of the black hole mergers detected by LIGO-Virgo. Future observations will soon be able to test this scenario.
Jordan and Einstein Frames Hamiltonian Analysis for FLRW Brans-Dicke Theory
Authors: Galaverni Matteo , Gionti S. J. Gabriele
Published: December 2021

We analyze the Hamiltonian equivalence between Jordan and Einstein frames considering a mini-superspace model of the flat Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) Universe in the Brans–Dicke theory. Hamiltonian equations of motion are derived in the Jordan, Einstein, and anti-gravity (or anti-Newtonian) frames. We show that, when applying the Weyl (conformal) transformations to the equations of motion in the Einstein frame, we did not obtain the equations of motion in the Jordan frame. Vice-versa, we re-obtain the equations of motion in the Jordan frame by applying the anti-gravity inverse transformation to the equations of motion in the anti-gravity frame.
The Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Bacterial Communities and Opportunistic Pathogens in a Drinking Water Treatment Plant
Authors: Tang Wei , Liu Yunsi , Li Qiuyan , Chen Ling , Li Qi , Li Pan , Xia Shengji
Published: December 2021

Drinking water treatment processes are highly effective at improving water quality, but pathogens can still persist in treated water, especially after extreme weather events. To identify how extreme weather events affected bacterial populations in source and treated water, water samples were collected from the Yangtze River Delta area and a local full-scale drinking water treatment plant. Bacterial community structure and the occurrence of pathogens were investigated in samples using 16S rRNA sequencing and qPCR techniques. In this study, the results show that intense rainfall can significantly increase levels of bacteria and opportunistic pathogens in river and drinking water treatment processes (p < 0.05); in particular, the relative abundance of Cyanobacteria increased after a super typhoon event (p < 0.05). The biological activated carbon (BAC) tank was identified as a potential pathogen reservoir and was responsible for 52 ± 6% of the bacteria released downstream, according to Bayesian-based SourceTracker analysis. Our results provide an insight into the challenges faced by maintaining finished water quality under changing weather conditions.
Resilience as a Strategic Imperative in the Age of Uncertainty
Authors:   Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Smorodinskaya Natalia V. , Malygin Viacheslav E. ,   Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: December 2021

The article examines resilience as a new approach to supporting economic growth under the global uncertainty and sudden shocks. We describe resilience as a method for dynamic stabilization of complex systems, as a new imperative for growth policy, and as a new standard of risk management.
Economic Consequences of Following the Nathaniel Bumpo and Nick Adams Trails
Authors:   Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation., Pobyvaev Sergei A.
Published: December 2021

In the proposed paper, the authors consider one of the directions of non-raw material economic development: the prospects for the outdoor recreation industry, and in particular the sub-industry of hunting, fishing and watching. According to the authors, the development of these industries can bring an increase in economic turnover by an amount comparable to the amount of income from the export of Russian arms. The authors consider the positive experience of the development of the outdoor recreation industry in a number of developed countries. In addition, the authors believe that the development of the outdoor recreation industry can contribute to solving such problems as improving the health of the population, consolidating the population in hard-to-reach and remote areas, and increasing the country's reputation capital due to inbound ecological hunting and fishing tourism.
О возможности классификации экономической роли государства, обусловленной хозяйственными операциями с участием государства или его имуществом
Authors:   Главное управление криминалистики Следственного комитета Российской Федерации, Опальский Александр Павлович ,   Мурманский филиал РАНХиГС, Алешин Александр Сергеевич ,   Некоммерческое партнерство "Коллегия ревизоров, экспертов и специалистов", Ушанов Пётр Владимирович ,   Некоммерческое партнерство "Коллегия ревизоров, экспертов и специалистов"
Published: December 2021

В экономических действиях (сделках, проектах, программах) с участием государства или совершаемых с государственным имуществом и обязательствами экономические интересы государства могут конфликтовать между собой. Каждая хозяйственная операция имеет свои логические события (этапы), в каждом из которых важно сформулировать задачи, которые государству необходимо решать для достижения того или иного государственного интереса. В статье предложена классификация задач государства, которые необходимо решать для достижения его интересов в проводимых хозяйственных операциях с участием государства или его имущества; рассмотрены особенности основных логических событий хозяйственных операций, проводимых с участием государства или его имущества.
Систематизация теоретико-методических подходов к исследованию конкурентоспособности предприятий на примере туризма и рекреации мезоуровня
Authors:   Казанский национальный исследовательский технологический университет, Рагимханов Анатолий Велибекович , Жуковская Ирина Викторовна ,   Казанский национальный исследовательский технологический университет
Published: December 2021

В научной статье выдвинуты теоретические и практические положения, в совокупности составляющие новый метод управления конкурентоспособностью в условиях рынка. Предложенная методика служит основой для выработки практических мер, и может применяться для последующих научно-теоретических исследований, а также в практической работе предприятий сферы туристических услуг и в ходе выработки эффективных управленческих решений. Исследован конкурентный рынок туристических услуг и рекреации на примере Республики Татарстан.
AVALIAÇÃO POR SENSORIAMENTO REMOTO DA FLORESTA URBANA DO BAIRRO VILA MONTEIRO, PIRACICABA, SP
Authors: Sillmann Thais Akemi , Da Silva Giovanna Maria , Maranhão Matos Alves dos Santos Matheus Felipe , Ferreira da Silva Filho Demóstenes
Published: December 2021

A floresta urbana proporciona inúmeros benefícios nas cidades, interferindo na qualidade de vida e ambiental. A falta de informações quali-quantitativas sobre a cobertura arbórea é vista como uma barreira para o correto planejamento e monitoramento da arborização de vias públicas. Tecnologias como o sensoriamento remoto são relevantes para a coleta de grande quantidade de dados de forma eficaz, a classificação supervisionada por imagens multiespectrais e Sistemas de Informações Geográficas (SIG) permitem obter descrições mais precisas da floresta urbana. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a cobertura arbórea viária do bairro Vila Monteiro, localizado em Piracicaba, SP, realizando pela classificação supervisionada a caracterização da floresta urbana do bairro e a descrição da arborização de cada via do local, inferindo a necessidade de plantio e substituição das árvores, por meio da avaliação remota. A classificação supervisionada foi considerada excelente, sendo uma boa representação da realidade. O bairro apresenta 14,91% de área vegetada, com 20 m2/habitante e índice de floresta urbana de 0,72. Há a necessidade de plantio de 653 árvores e substituição de 133 indivíduos nas vias. Considera-se a arborização existente não adequada para o bairro, ou seja, a floresta urbana não cumpre plenamente seu papel ambiental.
Combined Therapy of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Berezina O.I. , Valitova E.R. , Bystrovskaya E.V. , Bordin D.S.
Published: December 2021

Objective: to evaluate the benefits of co-administration of the esophagoprotector Alfazox and the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for the relief of symptoms and epithelialization of esophageal mucosal erosions in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Material and methods. 40 patients with GERD with reflux esophagitis were examined. Patients were randomized into two groups: 19 patients of the first group (8 men and 11 women, age 48,0 [39,0;60,5] years) received combination therapy: pantoprazole 40 mg per day and Alfazox 10 ml four times a day; 21 patients from the second group (13 men and 8 women, age 47,0 [33,0; 64,0] years) received pantoprazole 40 mg per day. The duration of therapy was 28 days. The dynamics of the frequency and severity of symptoms of the disease were evaluated on the Likert scale. According to the EGDS data, the effectiveness of the treatment of erosive esophagitis was evaluated. Results. The advantages in reducing the severity of symptoms in the first group were noted. On the first day of combined treatment, heartburn was stopped in 64% of patients (χ2 p < 0.05). By the fourth day of treatment in this group, heartburn persisted in 11% of patients and in 42% of patients receiving pantoprazole monotherapy (χ2 p < 0.05). Combination therapy was more effective in reducing the severity and frequency of belching and dysphagia (Wilcoxon p < 0.01, χ2 p < 0.05). Against the background of combined therapy, endoscopic remission of reflux esophagitis was achieved in all patients, and erosion of the esophageal mucosa persisted in 25% of patients in the control group (χ2 p = 0.033). Conclusions. The study showed the advantages of combination therapy (PPI + Alfazox) both in achieving the symptomatic response and in improving the endoscopic picture in patients with erosive reflux esophagitis.
Clinical and Endoscopic Characteristics of GERD in Obese Patients
Authors:   A.I. Yevdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Mayev I.V. , Bakulin I.G. , Bakulina N.V. , Tikhonov S.V. , Zhuravleva M.S. , Vasilyev R.V. , Kalashnikova N.G. , Fedulenkova L.V. , Valitova E.R. , Bordin D.S. ,   I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University,   Network of multidisciplinary clinics ῾OSNOVA’,   A.S. Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center,   Tver State Medical University
Published: December 2021

Relevance. Obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – diseases of the XXI century. Obesity is a risk factor for GERD, and has significant negative impact on its course, and causes the ineffectiveness of standard therapeutic approaches. Material and methods. The study involved 1,433 patients treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) or erosive esophagitis (EE). The observation period was two months and included three visits with a four-week interval. Special attention was paid to the influence of overweight (body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference (WC) in men more than 94 cm, in women − more than 80 cm) on the course of GERD and the effectiveness of acid-suppressive therapy. Results. NERD was diagnosed in 618 (48.1%) patients, EE – in 614 (47.8%) patients. Overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2) was detected in 901 (62.7%) patients, obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) – in 284 (19.9%) patients. Abdominal obesity was detected in 380 (56%) women and 193 (39%) men. Patients with BMI of 25 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity had more pronounced symptoms according to the results of the GERD Q questionnaire. Patients with NERD and EE did not differ in BMI and WC. The effectiveness of PPI therapy by the fourth week did not depend on BMI and WС, but patients without overweight and abdominal obesity were more likely to achieve clinical and endoscopic remission of the disease by the eighth week of therapy. The research participants received rabeprazole therapy in 96% of cases
The physical basis of application of positron emission tomography and modern radiopharms
Authors:   Irkutsk Regional Cancer Center, Galchenko L.I. , , Kalyagin A.N.
Published: December 2021

This article provides a review of the literature on the history, physical and technical foundations and features of the application of positron emission tomography (PET), which came into practice in the 1970s. PET is a method of visualizing the space-time distribution of a positron-emitting radiopharmaceutical (RP) in the patient‘s body by annihilation radiation. The classification of radiopharmaceuticals that are used in clinical and diagnostic practice is considered.
Samples clustering
Authors:   PRNRMU, Pyatnitskiy A.M.
Published: December 2021

statistically motivated clustering, probability based similarity measure, multiple comparisons, random coincidences, branching processes.
Desigualdad socioespacial y segregación escolar en la ciudad de Lima
Authors: Murillo F. Javier , Carrillo Sandra
Published: December 2021

Con esta investigación se pretende profundizar en la relación entre la desigualdad socioespacial y la segregación escolar centrándonos en Lima Metropolitana. Para ello se busca, en primer lugar, estimar la segregación escolar en el nivel de primaria en cada distrito y su relación con su nivel económico, así como la aportación diferencial de

las escuelas estatales y privadas y, en segundo término, describir la variación de la segregación escolar según la distribución socioespacial de tres distritos prototípicos. Para ello se realiza una explotación especial de los datos de la Evaluación Censal de Estudiantes (ECE) del 2018 del Ministerio de Educación y se utilizan el índice de Raíz Cuadrada de Hutchens. Se analizan datos de 113.233 estudiantes de 4º grado de Educación Primaria, distribuidos en 3.859 escuelas situadas en 41 distritos de Lima Metropolitana. Se encontró una fuerte relación entre la segregación socioespacial y la segregación escolar, espacialmente la segregación de los estudiantes más vulnerables, así como el importante peso de la educación privada en esta relación. Pero, también, que la desigualdad socioespacial no determina la segregación, hay distritos que tiene una segregación baja independientemente de sus características socioeconómicas. Todo ello lleva a concluir la necesidad de implementar medidas de política educativa publica de lucha valiente contra la segregación, que combinen marcos regulatorios comunes con intervenciones diferenciadas en distintos territorios en función de sus características. Una de esas medidas debe afectar a la educación privada en diferentes ámbitos.
Segregación socioeconómica en las escuelas de Lima Metropolitana
Authors: Garret Vargas Pedro Luis , Miranda Molina Liliana , Marcos Balabarca Manuel , Christiansen Andrés
Published: December 2021

Este estudio busca profundizar en el conocimiento de la segregación escolar por nivel socioeconómico (NSE) en Lima Metropolitana. Para ello, se estimó la magnitud de la segregación socioeconómica en las escuelas de este ámbito considerando el nivel educativo (primaria / secundaria), tipo de gestión (pública / privada), costo de pensiones (escuelas privadas) y zonificación geográfica. Se utilizó el índice socioeconómico de los estudiantes recogido en la Evaluación Censal de Estudiantes 2018. La estimación de la segregación se realizó a través del Índice de Disimilitud, del Coeficiente de Correlación Intraclase y del Índice de Aislamiento. También se categorizó a las escuelas por su condición de segregación socioeconómica.

Aunque los resultados varían según el índice utilizado, en general se encontró que existe una mayor segregación socioeconómica en las escuelas primarias que en las secundarias. La segregación no es un fenómeno uniforme, pues se manifiesta de manera diferenciada según el tipo de gestión de la escuela. Si bien se registran fuertes indicios de segregación tanto en escuelas públicas como privadas, en estas últimas son mayores para ambos niveles educativos. Respecto a las zonas geográficas, los índices de segregación tienden a valores más elevados en aquellas que concentran una mayor proporción de estudiantes de NSE más alto. No obstante, los estudiantes con NSE más bajo tienen una mayor probabilidad de coincidir con pares de su mismo estatus socioeconómico que asisten a escuelas de los distritos periféricos de Lima Metropolitana. En todos los distritos analizados al menos la tercera parte de las escuelas primarias y la cuarta parte de las de secundaria se encuentran en condición de segregación.
Antecedents of Packaging of Product and Its Effect on Customer’s Perception towards the Use of Perfumes
Authors: SAQIB SHAHZAD  , SHAHZAD KHAN  , DR. SHAHID JAN  , MUHAMMAD TUFAIL
Published: December 2021

The purpose of the study was to find out the antecedents of packaging of product and its impact on customer’s perception towards the purchase of perfumes. 250 questionnaires were distributed using convenient sampling technique. 179 properly filled questionnaires were returned forming a response rate of 71.6%.the results of the study revealed that packaging of product was found to have significant impact towards the perception of customers. The four factors of packaging i.e. color, design, material used and text and graphics used were also found to have significant impact on customer perception. Hence all the hypotheses of the study were accepted.
The Effect of Liquidity and Capital Structure on Organization Performance: Evidence from Banking Sector
Authors: YASIR KHAN  , DR. SAIMA BATOOL  , DR. MUHAMMAD ASAD KHAN  , MUHAMMAD IDRIS
Published: December 2021

This study title as Effect of liquidity and capital structure on Financial Performance: Evidence from Banking Sector. This study investigates Effect of liquidity and capital structure on Financial Performance in banking sector. The study was conducted using 10 banks as a sample out of 64 banks in the Pakistan. The results were obtained using correlation and step wise regression to know the direction, association and impact of variables and the effects of liquidity and capital structure on performance. The result found that liquidity and capital structure affects the performance positively in banking sector. Therefore it is suggested that banks should exercise such practice. All the hypotheses developed for this study has been achieved through the analysis of this research study
Impact of Relationship Marketing on Customer Loyalty in Banking Sector of Pakistan
Authors: NOUMAN SAEED  , DR. NAIMAT ULLAH KHAN
Published: December 2021

This study is a contribution towards marketing literature by analyzing the impact of Relationship Marketing (RM) on Customer Loyalty. Every business organization tries to attract and retain customers for a longer period of time. In recent years an intense competition in banking sector of Pakistan is witnessed as the industry has stretched and become very competitive, where retaining customers in long run become important for every bank. Relationship marketing emphasizes on the continuity of long term relationship with the patrons. Numerous marketing strategies have been employed by banking sector to increase customer base, reduce turn over and to spread positive word of mouth of product and services. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of relationship marketing practices such as (Trust, Commitment, Communication, Competence and Customer Satisfaction) on customer loyalty in Banking Sector of Pakistan. For this purpose, data is collected with the help of 150questionnaires across Pakistan. Statistical analysis is performed on the data using multiple regression analysis and reliability test. The results of the study show that all the five constructs of relationship marketing (mentioned above) have significant and positive relationship with customer loyalty. The factors are proved to be significant drivers of customer loyalty in banking sector of Pakistan. The study recommends that for retaining long-run customer loyalty, banks should consider relationship marketing as a core strategy. Hence, relationship marketing is important for banks to survive and excel in current intense competition.
Antecedents and Outcomes of Corporate Reputation Customer-based Analysis
Authors: MUHAMMAD TUFAIL  , AMIR ISHAQUE  , MUHAMMAD IRFAN
Published: December 2021

For any organization its image and reputation is the level of affectionateness in the minds of employees, customers, expected candidates, and competitors, Reputation is the most critical and strategic asset that a corporation possess (Cravens et al., 2003). The objectives of the study was to examine the antecedents and outcomes of corporate reputation. The study was quantitative in nature. Data were collected by using convenient sampling technique from twin cities (i.e. Islamabad and Rawalpindi) of Pakistan. Respondents were asked to answer the questions keeping in mind the mobile company whose connection they use frequently or on permanent basis. Simple correlation and regression methods were used for analysis of data. Results revealed that if a customer is satisfied with the products and services offered by the company than the reputation of the company in the eyes of the customer will increase. In the same way, when customer has trust on the services offered by the company his confidence level will increase on the future offers and service quality of company resulting an increase in the reputation of the firm and this company reputation will influence customer loyalty and positive word of mouth. Managerial implications and recommendations for future research are given at the end.
Performance of Banks in Pakistan based on determinants of Profitability
Authors: AQSA SIDDIQ  , KHURSHEED IQBAL  , SHAMS UR REHMAN
Published: December 2021

The study aims to seek the internal factors that affect the profitability of banks in Pakistan from a period of 2009 to 2013 by using two proxies i.e. Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE). The panel data of fifteen banks have been obtained from the financial statements of the banks. Therefore, Hausman test has verified that random effect model is most appropriate model for Return on Assets (ROA), conversely fixed effect model is prominent for Return on Equity (ROE) for the current study. The empirical results confirm that investment to total assets, leverage, Net Performing Loan (NPL) to gross advances, capital ratio and total deposits to total equity are the main determinants of profitability across both proxies (i.e. ROA and ROE). Leverage and capital ratio have significantly negative, however net performing loan to gross advance and total deposit to total equity have significantly positive influence on profitability of banks across both models. Moreover, NPL to gross advance is insignificant determinant of Return on Equity. The results are worthy for bankers and all stakeholders to make strategic decision for the competitiveness of banking sector in Pakistan.
A Study to Examine Teachers’ Classroom Time Management Strategies At Secondary School Level
Authors: KIFAYAT KHAN  , DR. TEHSIN TAHIR  , DR. UMBREEN ISHFAQ  , ASAD KHAN
Published: December 2021

Effective classroom management strategies can play an important role in teaching learning process. Classroom management encompasses many factors including management of subject matter, environment, discipline and time. These all are the byproducts of teacher’s effective classroom management strategies. This study was focused to investigate the teacher’s Classroom Time Management Strategies (CTMS) at secondary school level. All secondary school teachers of Khyber Pukhtunkhwah (KP) were considered as the population of the study. A sample of 480 teachers form 80 schools of five (5) districts (96 teachers to each district) was randomly selected. The sample was further distributed into eight (8) strata of male/female, urban/rural, science/arts, and public/private through stratified random sampling techniques such that the number of teachers in each stratum remains 240. The data was collected through a self-prepared questionnaire of reliability 0.87 and was analyzed through statistical tools. The analyzed data reflected that mostly teachers (62.7%) were in practice to utilize time management strategies. Further it was found that: male teachers were superior to female teachers; urban teachers were superior to the rural school teachers; science teachers were superior to the arts teachers; and public school teachers were superior to the private school teachers in classroom time management strategies CTMS; and. Classroom management oriented refresher courses for female teachers may be arranged to abridge gender gap in various CTMS and these strategies should be stressed more frequently in curriculum and pre-service teacher trainings.
Psychological Capital Intrusion Towards Employee Performance and Counter Productive Behaviour
Authors: ASIA ZAMAN  , MINHAS ALI KHAN  , ASAD SARFARAZ KHAN
Published: December 2021

The research study inspects the construct of three factor model i.e. Psychological Capital (PC), Counter Productive Work Behaviour (CWB) and Employee Performance (EP). Questionnaire on cross-sectional basis distributed among 285 faculty members of eight public and private universities of KP, Pakistan. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), structure equation modelling (SEM), multiple regression and correlation statistical tools were utilized to analyze the data. All the hypotheses of the study were supported. Study depicts that PC significantly intervene towards controlling CWB that further leads towards better EP. Recommendation and future area of research were also incorporate in the study.