bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do health policies address the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality of human resources for health?: Analysis of three decades of National Health Policy of India
Authors: Dubey Sweta , Vasa Jeel , Zadey Siddhesh
Published: November 2020

Background: Human Resources for Health (HRH) are crucial to improve health services coverage and population health outcomes. The World Health Organisation (WHO) promotes four dimensions - availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality (AAAQ) for HRH strengthening. Integrating AAAQ dimensions in policymaking is essential to reduce the critical shortage of HRH in India. Methods: We created a multilevel framework to evaluate the incorporation of AAAQ dimensions along with strategies and actions that can improve them in HRH-related policies. HRH-related recommendations of all versions of the National Health Policy of India (NHPI) were classified according to targeted dimensions and cadres. We evaluated the extent to which NHPIs incorporated AAAQ dimensions over three decades. Furthermore, dimension-wise normalized indices were formulated to calculate HRH deficits for pre-NHPI years to assess situational deficiencies. Finally, we evaluated whether or not the HRH recommendations of NHPIs addressed the deficient cadres and dimensions for the corresponding year. Results: We observed that HRH availability and quality were focused more in NHPI compared to accessibility and acceptability. Doctors were prioritized over auxiliary nurses-midwives and health assistants. AAAQ indices showed deficits in all dimensions in almost all cadres over the years. The cadres focused by NHPI recommendations did not completely correspond to the deficient cadres. Conclusion: The framework and indices based method can help identify the gaps between targeted and needed dimensions and cadres for effective HRH strengthening in countries. At the global level, the application of framework and indices will allow a comparison of strengths and weaknesses of HRH-related policies of various nations.
Stateless Iraqi Kurdish children and adolescents’ mental health: A Scoping Review
Authors: Chen En Chi
Published: November 2020

Kurdistan is one of the largest stateless nations in the world. Due to its geographical location, straddled between four major nation-states often in conflict with one another, Kurds face a disproportional level of conflict. Research has shown that there are significant mental health consequences as a result of living in conflict zones. It is suspected that the experience of statelessness in Kurdistan differs from the experience of individuals in neighbouring states, regardless of similar conflicts (Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey). This could be due to the compounding effects of a sense of ‘not belonging’, as well as having barriers to accessing mental healthcare as a stateless individual. The current paper seeks to highlight the present literature on the understanding of conflict-related mental health consequences specifically affecting Iraqi Kurdish children and adolescents and to outline gaps in knowledge through a scoping review.
Fungi Outcompete Bacteria for Straw and Soil Organic Matter Mineralization
Authors: Xiao Dan , He Xunyang , Wang Guihong , Xu Xuechi , Hu Yajun , Chen Xiangbi , Zhang Wei , Su Yirong , Wang Kelin , Kuzyakov Yakov
Published: November 2020

Background: Understanding the effects of straw return and nitrogen (N) fertilization on soil organic matter (SOM) transformations will help to mitigate climate change and maintain crop production and soil function. A 100-day soil incubation experiment was conducted using a two-factorial design with three fertilization levels and four 13C-labeled maize straw and N addition treatments. The competition and contributions of the bacterial and fungal communities were assessed with relation to straw mineralization.Results: Mineral fertilizer alone and with straw increased straw decomposition by 59% and 55% and SOM mineralization by 27% and 37%, respectively, compared with the unfertilized soil, due to raised β-N-acetylglucosaminidase and cellobiohyrolase activities. Conversely, priming effect was decreased by 59% and 39%, respectively. Priming effect increased with higher N additions and decreased with lower N additions because an improved C:N ratio for microorganisms. Straw additions increased bacterial and fungal abundance by 1.4 and 4.9 times. Fungal diversity decreased with N fertilization because lower C:N ratios increased the bacterial competition. Bacterial abundance decreased but diversity increased with the duration of incubation as bacteria preferred to utilize labile organic compounds abundant in the initial stages. Along with labile organic compounds depletion, fungal abundance was increased. Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria bacterial as well as Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mucoromycota fungi dominated straw and SOM decomposition. Firmicutes were mostly involved in straw and SOM mineralization on day one because of their capacity for labile compound decomposition. Integrated co-occurrence networks revealed that fungal taxa had a stronger correlation with straw decomposition than bacterial groups. Straw and N addition increased the number of negative edges among bacterial taxa but these decreased within fungal groups when compared to trials without straw and N. The ratio for pairwise correlations between abundant fungal taxa, straw, and SOM mineralization (29.9%) was greater than with bacteria (1.2%).Conclusions: Straw with low N additions increased soil C sequestration by decreasing priming effect. Straw alone and with N addition decreased competition for C and N among fungal groups, but increased competition within bacterial taxa. Fungi outcompete bacteria for straw and soil organic matter mineralization in long-term fertilized soils.
Asymmetric Effects of Capital Flight on Domestic Investment in Nigeria: Evidence from Non-Linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model
Authors: EFFIOM LIONEL , UCHE EMMANUEL , OTEI OTEI ASUQUO , EFFIONG FRANCIS ARCHIBONG
Published: November 2020

Capital flight is a challenge for many developing countries. The problem is more severe in a nation like Nigeria where domestic investment has been affected. On theoretical grounds, domestic investment should be a decreasing function of capital flight, but is there a possibility that reversals or downturns in capital flight in Nigeria might lead to a decline in investment levels? Put differently, is there a tendency for domestic investment to maintain a downward spiral, a ratchet effect, even in the face of lower levels or magnitude of capital flight? This study is a modest first attempt at investigating these possibilities. Employing the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model (NARDL), the study finds evidence of asymmetric impact of capital flight on investment undertaken at the national level. However, investment by subnational governments revealed the existence of symmetry, while overall, total public sector investments (by both States and Federal Governments) indicated the existence of asymmetric effects between positive and negative deviations of capital flight. The paper re-echoes the need for the strengthening of institutions at all levels to curb the menace.
Enhancing Student Nurses’ Clinical Education in Aged Care Homes: A Qualitative Study of Challenges Perceived by Faculty Staff
Authors: Laugaland Kristin Alstveit , Billett Stephen , Akerjordet Kristin , Frøiland Christina , Grealish Laurie , Aase Ingunn
Published: November 2020

Background: The ageing population is increasing the demand for geriatric care services. As nursing schools respond to this demand, more clinical placements are required, and aged care homes are suitable placement sites. Although an aged care experience for students is beneficial, the basis for effective implementation of these placements is yet to be fully established. The aim of this study was to explore faculty staff perspectives on the challenges associated with providing clinical education in aged care homes to first-year student nurses.Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews (n=15) with program leaders of nurse bachelor programs (n=4), course leaders (n=6) and practice coordinators (n=5) in three Norwegian universities. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The standards for Reporting of Qualitative Research (SRQR) checklist were used to report the findings. Results: Five themes describe the perceived challenges to implementing clinical education in aged care homes: (1) the staffing model limits capacity to host students; (2) prevalence of part-time teachers can compromise the quality of students’ learning experiences; (3) tension about required qualifications and competence exist; (4) variation in learning assessments; and (5) lack of quality assurance. Conclusions: These challenges signal key areas for attention in quality assurance for aged care placements. Further research into the minimum levels of staffing required to support student learning in the aged care setting is required. Methods for developing shared practices around facilitation of learning in aged care homes is required to address the preference for part-time teaching appointments. Further research into the levels of qualification and competence required to support student learning can assist with setting standards for this sector. Finally, academic-practice institutions must engage with bureaucrats and national nursing bodies to develop national standards for clinical education in aged care homes.
Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes and Signaling Pathways in Human Conjunctiva and Reproductive Tract Infected With Chlamydia Trachomatis
Authors: Zhu Guo-Dong , Cao Xun-Jie , Li Ya-Ping , Li Jia-Xin , Leng Zi-Jian , Xie Li-Min , Guo Xu-guang
Published: November 2020

BackgroundCurrently, Chlamydia trachomatis–specific host defense mechanisms in humans remain poorly defined. To study the characteristics of host cells infected early with chlamydia trachomatis, we used bioinformatics methods to analyze the RNA transcription profiles of the conjunctiva, fallopian tubes, and endometrium in humans infected with chlamydia trachomatis.MethodThe gene expression profiles of GSE20430, GSE20436, GSE26692, and GSE41075 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Synthesis (GEO) database. Then we obtained the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through the R 4.0.1 software. STRING was used to construct protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, then the Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to visualize the PPI and screen hub genes. GraphPad Prism 8.0 software was used to verify the expression of the hub gene. In addition, the gene–miRNA interaction was constructed on the NetworkAnalyst 3.0 platform using the miRTarBase v8.0 database ResultsA total of 600 and 135 DEGs were screened out in the conjunctival infection group and the reproductive tract infection group, respectively. After constructing a PPI network and verifying the hub genes, CSF2, CD40, and CSF3 in the reproductive tract infection group proved to have considerable statistical significance.ConclusionIn our research, the key genes in the biological process of reproductive tract infection with Chlamydia trachomatis were clarified through bioinformatics analysis. These hub genes may be further used in clinical treatment and clinical diagnosis.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Hip Fracture Management in a Tertiary Referral Hospital; Pearls and Pitfalls.
Authors: MG Curran , P Hickey , C Reddin , R Murphy , NA Mohd Asri , Lenehan B , F Condon , J Ryan
Published: November 2020

Background COVID-19 has caused significant challenges in the provision of safe and effective healthcare globally. Safeguarding the management of frail older adults is imperative in hip fracture care moving forward. Aims This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes of hip fracture care during the COVID-19 pandemic with the same timeframe in 2019, following significant reconfigurations in hip fracture management pathways during the pandemic. Methods We conducted a retrospective study comparing all patients treated for a hip fracture between two timeframes; March 1st2020 - May 1st 2020 and March 1st 2019 – May 1st 2019. Data was collected using the Irish Hip Fracture Database and the UHL electronic patient administration system. Results 118 patients were included in the study; 60 patients in the COVID-19 cohort and 58 patients in the control cohort. Demographic characteristics were comparable between groups. Improvements in adherence to Irish Hip Fracture Standards were noted during the COVID-19 cohort, however they were not significant. Three patients tested positive for COVID-19 during the timeframe of interest. Their length of stay (LOS) was noticeably longer than the median LOS of both groups. A significant decrease in femoral nerve blocks was noted during the COVID-19 cohort (p = < 0.001). There was a trend towards higher inpatient mortality, 30 day mortality rates and 30 day readmission in the COVID-19 cohort which was not statistically significant. ConclusionsOur study demonstrates continued adherence to the Irish Hip Fracture Standards at our institution and suggests the necessary alterations in hip fracture management did not negatively impact patient outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Different Body Fluids Using RT-PCR – An Autopsy Based Study
Authors: KYADA HETAL , TRANGADIA MAHESH , VADGAMA DIVYESH , VARU PRATIK , BHUVA SHAILESH , MANVAR PRINCE , RATHOD BHOOMI
Published: November 2020

World is in mid of dreaded pandemic – Covid-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. To curb it tremendous efforts has been put worldwide to enhance scientific knowledge related to SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we collected postmortem samples of tracheal swab, vitreous humor, pleural fluid, CSF and pericardial fluid by conducting complete autopsy on 24 patients with known SARS-CoV-2 infection at department of forensic medicine, P.D.U. Government College, Rajkot (India). RT-PCR was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 from these samples. SARS-CoV-2 was detected from tracheal swab in 54.55% cases and from pleural fluid in 13.34% cases. SARS-CoV-2 wasn’t detected from any sample of CSF, vitreous humor and pericardial fluid. Positive and negative cases for postmortem tracheal swabs were analyzed to find out of its relationship with duration of Covid-19 illness. No significant relationship was found between detectability of SARS-CoV-2 in postmortem samples of tracheal swab and duration of Covid-19 illness.
ANÁLISE DA SITUAÇÃO ECONÔMICO-FINANCEIRA DE UMA OPERADORA DE PLANO DE SAÚDE DO SUL DO BRASIL
Authors: Monteiro Januario , Mariot Michele Colle Rosso , Ritta Cleyton de Oliveira
Published: November 2020

A pesquisa teve por objetivo, verificar a situação econômico-financeira de operadora de plano de saúde localizada no sul do Brasil no período entre 2015 e 2018. Para tal, realizou-se uma pesquisa de natureza descritiva com abordagem qualitativa por meio de estudo de caso e pesquisa documental. Os resultados mostraram que a Operadora apresentava uma situação desfavorável entre os anos de 2015 e 2017. A partir de 2018 os indicadores revelaram uma situação econômico-financeira favorável com indicadores positivos de lucratividade e de rentabilidade, bem como uma melhoria na capacidade de pagamento e na redução de dívidas com terceiros. Conclui-se que o elevado custo de serviços prestados, a política comercial limitada, os procedimentos autorizados via processo judicial e a alta sinistralidade nos contratos impõem baixa margem de lucratividade para a Operadora. Tudo isso prejudica a geração de recursos para fazer frente às demandas operacionais do negócio. Portanto, os gestores devem ficar atentos à estrutura do modelo de negócio para assegurar o atendimento adequado aos beneficiários e a sobrevivência organizacional.
EFICIÊNCIA NA AQUISIÇÃO DE MEDICAMENTOS ATRAVÉS DE CONSÓRCIOS INTERMUNICIPAIS DE SAÚDE
Authors: Guimaraes Djalma , Miranda Gonçalves Lívia Maria , Sette de Lima Maria Cristina
Published: November 2020

Os gastos com o sistema de saúde representam uma parcela significativa do orçamento dos municípios brasileiros, a aquisição de medicamentos destaca-se como uma das maiores despesas em saúde. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a economicidade da compra pública de medicamentos a partir da utilização de um consórcio intermunicipal. Foram analisados relatórios de custos de aquisição de medicamentos em um município antes e depois do ingresso de um município no consórcio. A aquisição de medicamentos através do consórcio mostrou uma economia para o município analisado de 23,5% do total gasto, além disso, o ingresso no consórcio mostrou-se uma boa estratégia administrativa, propiciando agilidade e racionalidade no uso dos recursos financeiros.
PANORAMA DO ENSINO DE ADMINISTRAÇÃO NA PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO EM ENFERMAGEM NO BRASIL
Authors: Nascimento Figueredo Wilton , Teles Santana de Macêdo Tássia
Published: November 2020

O objetivo é identificar a distribuição das áreas de concentração e linhas de pesquisa relacionadas ao ensino de Administração nos Programas de Pós-graduação (PPG), mestrado e doutorado, em Enfermagem do Brasil. Pesquisa documental, descritiva e exploratória realizada por meio da Plataforma Sucupira da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) e homepages dos PPG. Foram identificadas 84 áreas de concentração e 221 linhas de pesquisa em 80 PPG em Enfermagem, localizados nas cinco regiões do Brasil, em instituições de ensino públicas federais e estaduais, e privadas com e sem fins lucrativos. Conclui-se que as áreas de concentração e linhas de pesquisa não se assemelham equitativamente com outras áreas de interesse para a Enfermagem e há disparidade da oferta de cursos e, consequentemente, de áreas de concentração e linhas de pesquisa entre as cinco regiões do Brasil.
Exploring the Students’ Response of Flipped Learning through Social Networking Sites (SNSs)
Authors: Arsanti Lutvy , Wijayanto Agus , Suparno Suparno
Published: November 2020

Flipped learning has developed a particular approach that facilitates the students to acquire new knowledge outside the classroom. In this digital era, it grows as technology does. MALL (Mobile Assisted Language Learning) has a vital role in supporting English language teaching implementation. It has several applications, which can be a tool to teach English. One of the applications is using Social Networking Sites (SNSs), which the students have a high interest in using it in daily life. The research is a case study that aims to investigate the students' perception of flipped learning through Social Networking Sites (SNSs) to develop their writing ability. The participants of the research are 30 English department students in the second semester. There are ten men and 20 women in the class. The data collection was from an interview and a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire. This research indicates that the students have more ideas to write, and they can collaborate with their friends in writing through Social Networking Sites (SNSs). The result shows that the flipped classroom's implementation through SNSs is an alternative way for teachers to facilitate the learning of EFL writing in this digital era.
The Effect of Graphic Organizers on ELT Students’ Writing Quality
Authors: Styati Erlik Widiyani , Irawati Lulus
Published: November 2020

Graphic organizers are used in ELT classroom to help the students learn better. It refers to the way the students use graphic organizers in writing. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of graphic organizers on ELT students’ writing quality. This study was a quasi-experimental research design. The experimental group was taught by using graphic organizers. The control group was administered by using conventional strategy. The participants of the research were the second semester students of English Department, in one of the private universities in Madiun. The data were analyzed by utilizing independent t-test and one-way ANOVA based on the level of significance at .05. The result of the study shows that there is a significant difference between the mean scores of the students in the experimental and control groups. The students who are taught by using graphic organizers are better than the students who are taught using conventional strategy. The students in the experimental group perform better on writing quality in terms of content, vocabulary, and mechanics than those who do in the control group. It can be concluded that graphic organizers have a significant effect on ELT students’ writing quality. It is effective to be used in order to help the students write better. The students are successful in generating the ideas of writing and it can create a social community. We recommend for the future researchers to realize other various graphic organizer models into research.
Interaction Management Strategies in English Literature Lectures in Indonesian University Setting
Authors: Rido Akhyar , Kuswoyo Heri , Ayu Rameliya
Published: November 2020

Interaction management strategies are increasingly set to become a vital factor in fostering active participants in university lectures. Following Rido, Ibrahim & Nambiar’s (2015) framework, this study investigated interaction management strategies used in English literature lectures in a university setting in Indonesia. This study employed a qualitative method and the data were gathered through video recordings. The findings showed that all literature lecturers employed three kinds of interaction management strategies such as code strategies, emotional strategies, and managing strategies. In code strategies, the lecturers used English during the entire class for clarity in opening, explanation, example, and closing. Meanwhile, in emotional strategies, the lecturers shared common strategies namely using non-verbal gestures and using humours or jokes in order to invite participation, to increase student’s motivation, and to create conducive learning environment. Then, in terms of managing strategies, the lecturers decided topic, controlled or switched the topic of discussion, decided who speaks, gave direction or commanded the students, gave extended wait time, and offered opportunity for student to speak in order to enable the students express their ideas and engage with the lectures. It is hoped that insights gleamed from this study will assist such lecturers to successfully manage their lectures and navigate the distribution of participation as well as content of the lesson.
A guarantor in the quality management system of educational programs: a case of Ukrainian universities
Authors: Velychko Oleksandr , Velychko Liudmyla , Khalatur Svitlana , Roubík Hynek
Published: November 2020

Development of the system of ensuring quality in higher education of Ukraine grounded the creation of such management subject as a guarantor of the educational program. However, a formal understanding of the role and uncertainty of the guarantor’s status in the contemporary area of managing higher education institutions became the widespread consequence of those innovations. Considering the stated above, various models of managing the quality of educational programs with the help of the guarantor have been developed in the research, and conditions for efficient application of such models in Ukrainian universities have been grounded. The research is based on the application of the strategic analysis method GAP for identifying issues and features of organizing management in systems of internal quality assurance in universities, and methods of modeling and graphical analysis method for creating alternative management systems in educational programs with and without such professional educational-scientific structural subdivisions as departments. As a result, the developed models include the rational organization of management of educational programs under the conditions of centralized and decentralized systems of internal educational quality assurance provision. For instance, it could create favorable conditions for decreasing bureaucracy and repetition of functions in the management system of universities and lead to the realization of the individual potential of guarantors as managers-experts in educational programs. Acknowledgment To the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance for the possibility to take part in accreditation expertise and consulting evaluation of educational programs in universities of Ukraine. The research was carried out also within the context of the tasks of Ukrainian-American international project “Program of professional development of them managerial staff in Ukrainian universities,” which was initiated by the investment company “Rayter Inc.” (The USA). In addition, we are thankful to the Czech Development Cooperation support, which allowed this scientific cooperation to start (through projects: “Strengthening scientific capacities and cooperation of Ukrainian universities in AgriSciences” and “Interuniversity cooperation as a tool to improve the quality of selected universities in Ukraine”).
ORDEM OU PROGRESSO: RELAÇÕES ENTRE DRAMA E TEATRO DO OPRIMIDO NO ENSINO MÉDIO
Authors: Pohl Sanches Maria Jade , Berselli Marcia , Blini Strasser Victória
Published: November 2020

O presente artigo trata de uma prática desenvolvida durante o estágio do curso de Licenciatura em Teatro da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) realizado com uma turma de 1º ano do Ensino Médio. Após as primeiras observações em campo, a dupla de estagiárias identificou a importância de que a aula de teatro pudesse tratar de assuntos relacionados a opressões, uma vez que a presença de estruturas hierárquicas rígidas no contexto social dos estudantes os levava a se identificarem como oprimidos e opressores. Iniciamos, portanto, com o Teatro do Oprimido, em busca da autonomia e o protagonismo dos estudantes de modo que fossem agentes das práticas em sala de aula, o que nos possibilitou propor a exploração do Teatro do Oprimido como estratégia para o processo de Drama, em busca de relações entre estas metodologias.
Wkład ekologii w naukę
Authors: Hałaczek Bernard
Published: November 2020

The article is an analysis of the creative function of ecology into knowledge. This function is based on the category of valves. That's why the ecology asks “how should be”. In this way, it stands by true human problems.
Czym jest współczesna ekologia człowieka
Authors: Siniarska Anna , Wolański Napoleon
Published: November 2020

Human ecology is a synthetic transdisciplinary science concerned with human life and culture as a dynamic component of ecosystems. Human ecology (HE) synthesizes parts of the knowledge of several classical disciplines in a specific way. The essence of HE is the interaction between humans and the total environment. While the whole idea of HE is originated in anthropology, the first time the term .human ecology" was used in geography and next in sociology. Historically, in its monodisciplinary stage of development, the problems of several classical disciplines related to man and environment were called human ecology. The next stage was the multidisciplinary state, related to IBP (International Biological Programme), presenting a patchwork of information without syntheses. Contemporary HE offers more than a patchwork of knowledge and is based on system theory. In human ecology, human evolution and ontogeny are understood as processes of adaptation and adjustment to the environment. HE may be considered to have two parallel foci: an academic HE as a scientific discipline, and an action-oriented HE (environmental engineering, preservation, education, and health protection against environmental deterioration). In HE several divisions and research perspectives may be defined: 1. Philosophical problems of HE; 2. Social and biological problems of human-environment; 3. Environmental problems of human biology and 4. Cultural adaptive behavior.
Żywienie a prewencja chorób układu krążenia
Authors: Nowicka Grażyna
Published: November 2020

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has been recognized as the leading cause of death for both men and women in developed countries. During the past century epidemiological and observational studies established that inappropriate nutrition together with reduced physical activity and increased tobacco consumption are key factors for cardiovascular disease development. Recent epidemiological and clinical trial data provide evidence of the great effectiveness of dietary interventions in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment. Therefore, the efforts to improve diet play an important role in shifting population disease risk. In this paper, the scientific background and current recommendations for dietary prevention of cardiovascular disease are summarized.
Filozoficzne aspekty modelowania cybernetycznego w metodologii działań politycznych w zakresie zrównoważonego rozwoju
Authors: Haliniak Marek
Published: November 2020

The article deals with the experience and results of attempts aimed at using cybernetic system methods for modeling the policy of sustainable development. The analysis is made from the ecophilosophical perspective. The cybernetics is presented as the sub-philosophical, general, and inter-disciplinary science with a high level of influence on the process of policy-making and policy-makers. However, the barriers of philosophy and cybernetics in that respect are strictly connected with the limits of philosophy. The question concerns the problem of transferring the ideas into practice by the method of cybernetic modeling. Whereas the conceptual model should reflect the objective reality it should be based on some general, politically accepted ideas. This necessity is obvious because of the link between the basic axioms of a given model with the general results generated by it. The author analyses the possibility of appliance the Sage-Michnowski model as the instrument for planning the sustainable development policy as the interrelated social, economic, and ecological system.
W kierunku dziedziny i dyscypliny nauk ekologicznych (środowiskowych)
Authors: Dołęga Józef M.
Published: November 2020

Przedstawiona w tym artykule treść wskazuje na potrzebę uwzględnienia w polskich klasyfikacjach nauk dziedziny nauk ekologicznych lub w innym sformułowaniu dziedziny nauk środowiskowych. Oba wyrażenia są wystarczająco uzasadnione, aby je przyjąć i uwzględnić w polskiej klasyfikacji nauk. Ponadto w tej klasyfikacji wyróżniono dyscyplinę: nauki ekologiczne lub nauki środowiskowe. Wprowadzenie takiej dziedziny nauk ekologicznych (środowiskowych) i dyscypliny nauk ekologicznych (środowiskowych) umożliwi uczelniom wyższym nadawanie stopni naukowych i tytułu naukowego w dziedzinie nauk ekologicznych (środowiskowych) i w zakresie określonych dyscyplin nauk ekologicznych (środowiskowych) oraz w kierunku studiów: ochrona środowiska. Wykształceni specjaliści w tym kierunku studiów, w tak określonej dyscyplinie i dziedzinie nauk ekologicznych (środowiskowych) mieliby formalną podstawę do prowadzenia badań naukowych o charakterze interdyscyplinarnym i systemowym oraz do tworzenia jednostek organizacyjnych z uprawnieniami do nadawania stopni naukowych w dyscyplinie nauk ekologicznych (środowiskowych) i tytułu naukowego w dziedzinie nauk ekologicznych (środowiskowych).
Człowiek i prawda w aspekcie nauk przyrodniczych
Authors: Abdank-Kozubski Andrzej
Published: November 2020

Human plays a crucial role in the creation of science and the process of its development. The accepted idea of science determines, in turn, the position of humans in nature. Both modernity and contemporaneity suggest certain general concepts of science, as well as substantially and specifically influence the vision of mutual relations between humans and nature. The simple relationship between science and truth, which stemmed from positivism and which justified any form of the exploitation of nature, has been seriously questioned in the new idea of science. Consequently, the scheme, in which nature was treated as an object of unlimited use disappeared. Approaching the truth became a process showing various relationships and connections between humans and nature. Being still a subject in relation to nature, humans appeared one of its definitely determined components.
Nano-Neurotherapeutics (NNTs): An Emergent and Multifaceted Tool for CNS Disorders
Authors: Sharma Aashish , Manchanda Romila , Pottoo Faheem H. , Ashraf Ghulam Md.
Published: November 2020

Impressive research steps have been taken for the treatment of neurological disorders in the last few
decades. Still, effective treatments of brain related disorders are very less due to problems associated with crossing
the blood-brain barrier (BBB), non-specific therapies, and delay in functional recovery of the central nervous
system (CNS) after treatment. Striving for novel treatment options for neurological disorders, nanotechnology-
derived materials, and devices have gained ground due to inherent features of derivatization/encapsulation
with drugs as per the neurological ailments and pharmacological targets. Facile developments/syntheses of the
nanomaterials-drug conjugates have also been the driving force for researchers to get into this field. Moreover,
the tunable size and hydro/lipophilicity of these nanomaterials are the added advantages that make these materials
more acceptable for CNS disorders. These nano-neurotherapeutics (NNTs) systems provide the platform
for diagnosis, theranostics, treatments, restoration of CNS disorders, and encourage the translation of NNTs
from “bench to bedside”. Still, these techniques are in the primary stages of medical development. This review
describes the latest advancements and future scenarios of developmental and clinical aspects of polymeric
NNTs.
Recent Advances in Nanotechnology: A Novel Therapeutic System for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Chauhan Pallavi Singh , Yadav Dhananjay , Koul Bhupendra , Mohanta Yugal Kishore , Jin Jun-O
Published: November 2020

:

A amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque formation in the brain is known to be the root cause of Alzheimer’s disease
(AD), which affects the behavior, memory, and cognitive ability in humans. The brain starts undergoing
changes several years before the actual appearance of the symptoms. Nanotechnology could prove to be an alternative
strategy for treating the disease effectively. It encompasses the diagnosis as well as the therapeutic aspect
using validated biomarkers and nano-based drug delivery systems, respectively. A nano-based therapy
may provide an alternate strategy, wherein one targets the protofibrillar amyloid-β (Aβ) structures, and this is
followed by their disaggregation as random coils. Conventional/routine drug therapies are inefficient in crossing
the blood-brain barrier; however, this hurdle can be overcome with the aid of nanoparticles. The present review
highlights the various challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of AD. Meticulous and collaborative research
using nanotherapeutic systems could provide remarkable breakthroughs in the early-stage diagnosis and
therapy of AD.
Current and Advanced Nanomaterials in Dentistry as Regeneration Agents: An Update
Authors: Yazdanian Mohsen , Rahmani Aghil , Tahmasebi Elahe , Tebyanian Hamid , Yazdanian Alireza , Mosaddad Seyed Ali
Published: November 2020

In modern dentistry, nanomaterials have strengthened their foothold among tissue engineering strategies for treating bone and dental defects due to a variety of reasons, including trauma and tumors. Besides their finest physiochemical features, the biomimetic characteristics of nanomaterials promote cell growth and stimulate tissue regeneration. The single units of these chemical substances are small-sized particles, usually between 1 to 100 nm, in an unbound state. This unbound state allows particles to constitute aggregates with one or more external dimensions and provide a high surface area. Nanomaterials have brought advances in regenerative dentistry from the laboratory to clinical practice. They are particularly used for creating novel biomimetic nanostructures for cell regeneration, targeted treatment, diagnostics, imaging, and the production of dental materials. In regenerative dentistry, nanostructured matrices and scaffolds help control cell differentiation better. Nanomaterials recapitulate the natural dental architecture and structure and form functional tissues better compared to the conventional autologous and allogenic tissues or alloplastic materials. The reason is that novel nanostructures provide an improved platform for supporting and regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. In restorative dentistry, nanomaterials are widely used in constructing nanocomposite resins, bonding agents, endodontic sealants, coating materials, and bioceramics. They are also used for making daily dental hygiene products such as mouth rinses. The present article classifies nanostructures and nanocarriers in addition to reviewing their design and applications for bone and dental regeneration.
Vaccination Schedules and COVID-19 Risk
Authors: Allam Mohamed Farouk , Andraous Fady , Amin Ghada Essam El-Din
Published: November 2020

A significant difference in the number of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) cases and mortality has been noted among different World Health Organization (WHO) regions and countries. We compared the vaccination schedules for 2 countries from WHO Europe Region (Italy and Spain) and 2 countries from WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (Iran and Egypt). Both Iran and Egypt included the Sabin vaccine as part of the obligatory vaccination programs; meanwhile, Italy and Spain used the Salk vaccine. Recently, Iran and Egypt added a single dose of the Salk vaccine to the 6-7 doses of Sabin vaccine because of the new evidence showing that the use of the Salk vaccine in conjunction with Sabin vaccine achieves better mucosal immunity. Italy and Spain used an acellular vaccine against pertussis. Meanwhile, Iran and Egypt used a whole-cell vaccine. Taking into consideration the lower number of deaths in Iran and Egypt compared to Italy and Spain, we could hypothesize that the whole-cell pertussis vaccine could have a cross-immunity against COVID-19. Further research is warranted to identify the main reasons for the lower number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in certain countries in order to control COVID-19.
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE VALUES AND SENSE OF PLACE OF KAMPUNG MORTEN, MELAKA
Authors: Mohd Rahil Nur Raqena , Abdul Ghani Mimi Zaleha , Sarkom Yazid
Published: November 2020

Architectural heritage holds a variety of values towards the community and helps to enhance the image of a city. Currently, heritage sites all over the world are facing intense pressure from modernisation. This paper attempts to explore the relationship between the values of the architectural heritage of Kampung Morten, Melaka to its ‘sense of place’ amongst the community. To achieve this aim, the authors examine the occurrence of ‘a sense of place’, identify the architectural heritage values and analyse the challenges set by the surrounding modernisation. Methods of observation and interview were utilised in this study involving the heritage village of Kampung Morten in Melaka and its community. The findings from this study would highlight Kampung Morten’s community level of attachment to their heritage village as they reflect their experience involving the ‘sense of place’. In developing more sustainable urbanisation for Kampung Morten, this study also explores the community’s level of awareness regarding the risk of modernisation.
PUBLIC AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE TOWARDS TRANSPORTATION LOW CARBON CITY PROGRAMME. A COMPARISON STUDY OF MBSA AND DBKL
Authors: Nasrudin Na’asah , George Ainatul Isnoriza , Abdullah Yusfida Ayu , Marzukhi Marlyana Azyyati , Oliver Hoon Leh Ling , Rashid Kushairi
Published: November 2020

This paper examines public awareness and acceptance towards Transportation Low Carbon City’s (LCC) programme by two local authorities: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Shah Alam City Council (MBSA). This paper also will measure the residents’ satisfaction level on the LCC programme initiatives prepared by both authorities. The data were gathered through a survey conducted randomly from 202 respondents who represented the residents of Kuala Lumpur city and 122 respondents who represented the residents of Shah Alam city. The findings suggested that the awareness of the respondents about the Transportation LCC's programme was more positive in Kuala Lumpur as compared to Shah Alam. This was because almost 90 per cent of Kuala Lumpur respondents were aware of the programme. For feedback of willingness to change to non-motorised transportation as a support to Transportation LCC programme, Kuala Lumpur had a bright hope to fully achieve the successfulness of the LCC's programme as compared to Shah Alam. With regards to implementation of public transportation, the majority of the both respondents’ groups agreed that the available public transportation was reliable, well-connected and reachable for their desired destination. This comparison study is essential to know how well the local authority manages their LCC programme. It is hoped that the two local authorities can learn and cooperate in future to make this programme a success.
TRAVELLERS' PERCEPTION OF WORSHIP FACILITIES FOR MULTIMODAL USERS OF MRT SBK LINE
Authors: A. Kadir Nur Athifah , Mohamad Muhammad Rijal , Olabayonle Oladejo Aliu , Mohd Zahari Mohammad Zarif , Bachok Syahriah , Mohamed Osman Mariana
Published: November 2020

The complete opening of the new Mass Rapid Transit System (MRT) Sungai Buloh - Kajang (SBK) of Klang Valley, Malaysia since July 2017 has been supported positively by transit researchers and public transport advocators alike. Multimodal public transport users make trips, usually involving transferring at interchanges. These interchanges are provided with several amenities facilitating each trip leg. This research recorded the perception of users of worship facilities provided at an interchanging node where several rails, bus, taxi, and other paratransit systems meet. This new rail system intersects with the other systems at Muzium Negara station. Using intercept off-board face to face questionnaire survey method, perception of the quality of worship facilities was captured between May and August 2019. Several explanatory variables such as socio economic and trip characteristics were set against the perception to identify factors influencing the perception. Results of the correlational analysis showed that both socio-demographic and trip characteristics influenced perception to various statistical significance degrees. Findings suggested that worship facilities were most utilised by passengers of MRT who relatively lower income, engaged in the public, specifically educational sector. Usage of MRT for commuting within the Klang Valley on monthly basis. The improvements in ventilation systems, prayer hall size and design, floor cleanliness, lighting and mirror design as well as shoe rack/clean area design were most sought by these passengers. As such, these should be the focus of strategies to be promptly adopted by interchanging nodes building managers to increase the quality of worship places provision.
MASJID’S ADMINISTRATOR PERCEPTION ON CHILDREN AT MASJID IN MALAYSIA – SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS
Authors: Abu Bakar Aniza , Zulkifely Zur Atiqa
Published: November 2020

Masjid is the symbol of the greatness of Islam. It is the focal point of the life of every muslim. As such, the administration of masjid acts as its backbone and plays a vital role in ensuring the purpose of the masjid is holistic and comprehensive in reaching the community, including the interest of children. Their needs must be fulfilled spiritually, physically, and socially. This study aims to identify the perceptions of the masjid's administrator on children at the masjid. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview. Nine representatives from nine masjids in the Peninsular Malaysia (7 in Kuala Lumpur, 1 in Selangor and 1 in Pahang) were interviewed. The NVivo software was used to analyse the in-depth interview data to explore and understand the issues and challenges of handling the masjid's community socially and physically when it comes to having children at the masjid, as well as initiatives taken by the masjid's administration in accommodating children at the masjid. The findings suggest that the masjid's administrators are optimistic towards the presence of children in the masjid but faced some challenges - physically and socially. Some of the masjids are in the process of realising the children-friendly masjid aspirations. They provide spaces and activities/programmes for children in the masjid. The perception of masjid’s administrator is important to be understood as these are the people responsible in managing and engaging the people with masjid.
Analyzing the Tropospheric Delay Estimates on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) with Precise Point Positioning (PPP) Services using the goGPS software
Authors: Arief Syachrul , Gatti Andrea
Published: November 2020

The tropospheric delay is an essential source of error for positioning using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Scientific applications of GNSS positioning such as the study of earth crust deformation and earthquake prediction require high accuracy in positioning, an analysis of tropospheric delay calculations is needed to improve the accuracy of GNSS positioning. One part of the tropospheric delay is Zenith tropospheric delays (ZTD), which are estimated using the Precise Point Positioning (PPP) method. ZTD estimates can be beneficial for meteorological applications, for example, is the estimation of water vapor levels in the atmosphere from the estimated ZTD. We use GNSS data from the BAKO station in Cibinong and JOG2 station located in Yogyakarta. The GNSS data format is an Independent Exchange Receiver (RINEX), which we extracted using the sophisticated open-source GNSS software, called goGPS version 1.0 Beta from Geomatics Research and Development s.r.l. - Lomazzo, Italy. We validate the results of the extraction process with two international tropospheric products from International GNSS Services (IGS) with commercial software Bernese version 5 and the University of Nevada Reno (UNR) with software from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) namely GIPSY / OASIS II. Epoch in this study, we use days of the year (DOY) 022-025 / 22-25 January representing the rainy season and DOY 230-233 to coincide on August 17-20 representing the dry season 2018. Our results obtained ZTD values both in January and August, and the two BAKO and JOG2 stations were consistent and worked well at different times and stations. RMS throughout DOY, both at BAKO and JOG2 stations, show small values <2 mm. The RMS value is relatively small, meaning that the troposphere estimation process with goGPS shows a good agreement because it is almost the same as the international troposphere products from UNR and IGS. This means that the ZTD estimation process from goGPS software can be an alternative to paid software. The range of ZTD values in January tends to be higher than in August, meaning the value of ZTD has a strong correlation with changes in the rainy and dry seasons, this shows that ZTD can be useful for meteorological purposes.