bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Merjenje napovednikov blagostanja med mladostniki v Sloveniji: psihometrične značilnosti mere MDI in dimenzij mere EPOCH
Authors: Kozina Ana , Čufar Valentina
Published: January 2020

Merjenje blagostanja pridobiva pozornost tako na področju psiholoških raziskav, kot tudi na področju vzgoje in izobraževanja. V slovenskem prostoru lahko zaznamo pomanjkanje psihometrično veljavnih mer blagostanja pri otrocih in mladostnikih. V pričujoči raziskavi sva se osredotočili na psihometrične lastnosti dveh mer, ki merita dejavnike blagostanja za mladostnike: Merjenje razvoja otrok MDI (angl. Middle Years Development Inventory; Schonert-Reichl idr., 2013) in Mera blagostanja mladostnikov EPOCH (angl. Measure of Adolescent Well-Being; Kern, Benson, Steinberg in Steinberg, 2016). Za namene validacije obeh mer sva preverjali njuno strukturo, zanesljivost ter konvergentno in diskriminativno veljavnost. Analize so bile izvedene na podvzorcu PISA 2015. Vzorec zajema 3224 udeležencev s povprečno starostjo 16,65 let in standardnim odklonom 4,19. Konfirmatorna faktorska analiza je bila izvedena posebej za vprašalnik MDI in za dve dimenziji vprašalnika EPOCH. Rezultati konfirmatorne faktorske analize so pokazali zadovoljivo prilaganje modela izvorni različici v skladu s predpostavljeno strukturo. Vse dimenzije in podlestvice izbranih mer so zadovoljivo zanesljive (alfa koeficienti se gibljejo med 0,72 in 0,92). Analizirali sva koeficiente povezanosti med podlestvicami oziroma dimenzijami MDI in EPOCH ter dosežki na Vprašalniku spodbujanja pozitivnega razvoja mladih (PYD, Geldof idr., 2014) ter razlike med spoloma. Zaključiva lahko, da sta vprašalnika MDI in dve dimenziji vprašalnika EPOCH ustrezno zanesljivi in veljavni za uporabo v raziskovalne namene tudi v slovenskem prostoru.
The competence approach as the basis to form training system for library professionals in the Republic of Cameroon
Authors: Zemengue J. , Mbila T.
Published: January 2020

The article deals with the attitude of specialists to the competence approach in higher education, the stages of the “competence” formation concept are shown. The authors share the point of view of specialists, who emphasize the practical orientation of competences, and the competence approach itself is based on the practical orientation of education. After the analysis of publications, the authors come to the conclusion that the training of librarians in the Republic of Cameroon should ensure the formation of the following three groups of competences: 1) academic competencies, including basic knowledge and skills; 2) social and personal competences, including cultural and value orientations connected with the attitude of a person to himself as a personality (personal competence) and related to the person as a subject of interpersonal communication (communicative competence); 3) professional competencies. The authors show the basic technological competences required by Cameroonian library staff and believe that they should be incorporated into special academic disciplines and curricula of the department of documentary information. The authors conclude that academic, socio-personal and professional competences should be the basis not only for the educational standard of higher library education (getting bachelor’s and master’s degrees), which should be developed in Cameroon, but also for the entire system of training of highly qualified library personnel in the country.
The training of cataloguers in Kemerovo State Institute of Culture
Authors: Taranenko L. G. , Sakova O. Ya.
Published: January 2020

The 50-year history of the cataloguers training at Kemerovo State Institute of Culture (KemSIC) is considered. The goal of the research is to summarize the experience of machine-readable cataloging training in the framework of specialization “The Library and Information Activity”. The modern characteristic of the educational process in the aspects of cataloging training, based on the principles of technological approach, is presented. The article deals with the main problems of cataloging tasks in the research activities of students and tutors of the Institute. Based on the analysis of documentary sources (scientific, educational), analysis of training experience in KemSIC the following results are obtained: basing on the theory of technological approach to library operations (the author – Dr. of Sciences (Pedagogy) I. S. Pilko) the department of documentary communications technology, cataloging of documents is regarded as a set of technological processes. This approach is used in the model of analytic-synthetic processing of information, promotes universal and professional competences in cataloguing acquired by students, and is used in research activities of students, bachelor’s papers and master’s theses. The relationship of the department of documentary communications technology with the leading library centers of the Russian Federation and libraries of Kuzbass in the field of cataloging testifies to the adaptability of the Kemerovo library school to modern requirements of cataloging training.
Book publishing and local government: the history of relations between publishers and regional administrations in Siberia and the Far East in the 90-ies of XX – 10-s of XXIst century
Authors: Posadskov A. L.
Published: January 2020

The article summarizes the historical experience on support of the Siberian and Far Eastern regional book publishing by regional and national republican authorities and management in the late twentieth – early twenty-first century. During 25 years regional administrations have passed a long way from unskillful attempts to copy the support measures practiced at the Federal center, from the single support of individual publications to an elaborate system of assistance for authors and publishers producing socially demanded books, mainly of local and regional content. The author considers the historical evolution of this process – development of management decisions on financing local publishing proposals aimed at strengthening the cultural, scientific and creative potential of the regions in the East of Russia. The classification, characteristics and evaluation of each of the forms for publishing support used in the regional practice are given. The author has come to conclusion that the best examples of publishing projects effective assistance are the activity of Omsk region and Krasnoyarsk Krai administrations. The former has the support model, in which distribution of funds is based on the publishing program of the regional Ministry of culture. In the latter the funds are allocated in the form of social grants to the regional winners of the annual contest “Book Krasnoyare”, that is fixed in its regional legislation as the protected item of expenditure. It is stated that not all administrations in the regions of Siberia and the Far East are concerned about the development of local publishing. In many regions the forms and level of support for the publishing environment do not meet the needs of society, remain unchanged since the end of the twentieth century.
Towards a Framework for Observational Causality from Time Series: When Shannon Meets Turing
Authors: Sigtermans David
Published: January 2020

We propose a novel tensor-based formalism for inferring causal structures from time series. An information theoretical analysis of transfer entropy (TE), shows that TE results from transmission of information over a set of communication channels. Tensors are the mathematical equivalents of these multi-channel causal channels. A multi-channel causal channel is a generalization of a discrete memoryless channel (DMC). We consider a DMC as a single-channel causal channel. Investigation of a system comprising three variables shows that in our formalism, bivariate analysis suffices to differentiate between direct and indirect relations. For this to be true, we have to combine the output of multi-channel causal channels with the output of single-channel causal channels. We can understand this result when we consider the role of noise. Subsequent transmission of information over noisy channels can never result in less noisy transmission overall. This implies that a Data Processing Inequality (DPI) exists for transfer entropy.
Modulation of Adhesion Process, E-Selectin and VEGF Production by Anthocyanins and Their Metabolites in an In-Vitro Model of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Marino Mirko , Del Bo’ Cristian , Tucci Massimiliano , Klimis-Zacas Dorothy , Riso Patrizia , Porrini Marisa
Published: January 2020

The present study aims to evaluate the ability of peonidin and petunidin-3-glucoside (Peo and Pet-3-glc) and their metabolites (vanillic acid; VA and methyl-gallic acid; MetGA), to prevent monocyte (THP-1) adhesion to endothelial cells (HUVECs), and to reduce the production of VCAM-1, E-selectin and VEGF in a stimulated pro-inflammatory environment, a pivotal step of atherogenesis. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α; 100 ng mL-1) was used to stimulate the adhesion of labelled monocytes (THP-1) to endothelial cells (HUVECs). Successively, different concentrations of Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc (0.02, 0.2, 2 and 20 µM) and VA and MetGA (0.05, 0.5, 5 and 50 µM) were tested. After 24 h, the production of VCAM-1, E-selectin and VEGF was quantified by ELISA kits, while the adhesion process was measured spectrophotometrically. Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc (from 0.02 to 20 µM) significantly (p<0.0001) decreased THP-1 adhesion to HUVECs at all concentrations (-37%, -24%, -30% and -47% for Peo-3-glc; -37%, -33%, -33% and -45% for Pet-3-glc). VA, but not MetGA, reduced the adhesion process at 50 µM (-21%; p<0.001). At the same concentrations, a significant (p<0.0001) reduction of E-selectin, but not VCAM-1, was documented. In addition, anthocyanins and their metabolites significantly decreased (p<0.001) VEGF production. The present findings suggest, that while Peo-3-glc and Pet-3-glc, but not their metabolites, reduced monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells through suppression of E-selectin production, VEGF production was reduced by both anthocyanins and their metabolites suggesting a role in regulation of angiogenesis.
Quantile Mapping Bias Correction on Rossby Centre Regional Climate Models for Precipitation Analysis over Kenya, East Africa
Authors: Ayugi Brian , Tan Guirong , Niu Rouyun , Babaousmail Hassen , Ojara Moses , Wido Hanggoro , Mumo Lucia , Nooni Isaac Kwesi , Ongoma Victor
Published: January 2020

Accurate assessment and projections of extreme climate events requires the use of climate datasets with no or minimal error. This study uses quantile mapping bias correction (QMBC) method to correct the bias of five Regional Climate Models (RCMs) from the latest output of Rossby Climate Model Center (RCA4) over Kenya, East Africa. The outputs were validated using various scalar metrics such as Root Mean Square Difference (RMSD), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and mean Bias. The study found that the QMBC algorithm demonstrate varying performance among the models in the study domain. The results show that most of the models exhibit significant improvement after corrections at seasonal and annual timescales. Specifically, the European community Earth-System (EC-EARTH) and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) models depict exemplary improvement as compared to other models. On the contrary, the Institute Pierre Simon Laplace Model CM5A-MR (IPSL-CM5A-MR) model show little improvement across various timescales (i.e. March-April-May (MAM) and October-November-December (OND)). The projections forced with bias corrected historical simulations tallied observed values demonstrate satisfactory simulations as compared to the uncorrected RCMs output models. This study has demonstrated that using QMBC on outputs from RCA4 is an important intermediate step to improve climate data prior to performing any regional impact analysis. The corrected models can be used for projections of drought and flood extreme events over the study area. This study analysis is crucial from the sustainable planning for adaptation and mitigation of climate change and disaster risk reduction perspective.
The World of Cyclic Dinucleotides in Bacterial Behavior
Authors: Dias da Purificação Aline , de Azevedo Nathalia Marins , Guarany de Araujo Gabriel , Francisco de Souza Robson , Rodrigues Guzzo Cristiane
Published: January 2020

The regulation of multiple bacterial phenotypes was found to depend on different cyclic di-nucleotides (CDNs) that constitute intracellular signalling second messenger systems. Most notably, c-di-GMP, along with proteins related to its synthesis, sensing and degradation, was identified as playing a central role in the switching from biofilm to planktonic modes of growth. Recently, this world has been under expansion, with the discoveries of other signalling CNDs in bacteria (c-di-AMP and cGAMP) and also in eukaryotes, novel protein and RNA receptors of CDNs, and the numerous functions related to these molecules. In this work, we comprehensively review and analyse the structural biology data about the systems that bacteria use to synthesise and recognise CDNs, detailing their interactions at molecular level with their products/ligands. Additional interesting observations were made, including that different receptor types can bind CDNs in similar conformations and that, based on genomic data, different CDN second messenger systems may coexist in many organisms. The large amount of sequence and structural data available allows a broad view of the importance of CDNs in bacteria, but how cells coordinate these molecules to ensure adaptation to changing environmental conditions is still open for much further exploration.
Weak Gravitational Lensing by Einstein-Non-Linear-Maxwell-Yukawa Black Hole
Authors: Javed Wajiha , Khadim Muhammad Bilal , Övgün Ali
Published: January 2020

In this article, we analyze the weak gravitational lensing in the context of Einstein-non-linear Maxwell-Yukawa black hole. To this desire, we derive the deflection angle of light by Einstein-non-linear Maxwell-Yukawa black hole using the Gibbons and Werner method. For this purpose, we obtain the Gaussian optical curvature and implement the Gauss-Bonnet theorem to investigate the deflection angle of Einstein-non-linear Maxwell-Yukawa black hole. Moreover, we derive the deflection angle of light in the presence of plasma medium. We also analyze the graphical behavior of deflection angle by Einstein-non-linear Maxwell-Yukawa black hole in the presence of plasma as well as non-plasma medium.
Surgical Approaches for Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty from Charnley to Now
Authors: Aggarwal Vinay K. , Iorio Richard , Zuckerman Joseph D. , Long William J.
Published: January 2020

» Total hip arthroplasty is one of the most successful surgical interventions of the last century, yet questions remain as to the best surgical approach to use in order to achieve an optimal result. The main approaches to access the hip joint, which will be reviewed in this article, have a long history in the orthopaedic literature.

» The evidence behind the advantages and disadvantages of each approach also will be reviewed. In general, it can be said that the anterior approach affords the best early recovery as measured in the first 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. Lateral approaches have the lowest rates of dislocation. The posterior approach has the lowest rates of overall complications, and concerns regarding dislocation have been mitigated with the use of larger-diameter prosthetic femoral heads and advanced soft-tissue repair techniques.

» In the end, the selection of approach for total hip arthroplasty should be based on surgeon experience and familiarity with the approach. The pros and cons of each approach seem to equalize by 6 weeks postoperatively. Overall, the reproducibility of the operation is a testament to its continued success.
Evaluation of Multicomponent Adsorption Kinetics for Carbon Dioxide Enhanced Gas Recovery from Tight Shales
Authors: Berawala Dhruvit Satishchandra , Andersen Pål Østebø
Published: January 2020

Only 3 to 10% of gas from tight shale is recovered economically through natural depletion, demonstrating a significant potential for enhanced shale-gas recovery (ESGR). Experimental studies have demonstrated that shale kerogen/organic matter has higher affinity for carbon dioxide (CO2) than methane (CH4), which opens possibilities for carbon storage and new production strategies.

This paper presents a new multicomponent adsorption isotherm that is coupled with a flow model for the evaluation of injection/production scenarios. The isotherm is dependent on the assumption that different gas species compete to adsorb on a limited specific surface area. Rather than assuming a capacity of a fixed number of sites or moles, this finite surface area is filled with species taking different amounts of space per mole. The final form is a generalized multicomponent Langmuir isotherm. Experimental adsorption data for CO2 and CH4 on Marcellus Shale are matched with the proposed isotherm using relevant fitting parameters. The isotherm is first applied in static examples to calculate gas-in-place reserves, recovery factors (RFs), and enhanced gas-recovery (EGR) potential according to the contributions from free-gas and adsorbed-gas components. The isotherm is further coupled with a dynamic flow model with application to CO2/CH4 substitution for CO2-ESGR, assuming only a gas phase exists in the system. We study the feasibility and effectiveness of CO2 injection in tight shale formations in an injection/production setting representative of laboratory and field implementation and compare that with regular pressure depletion.

The production scenario we consider is a 1D shale-core or matrix system first saturated with free and adsorbed CH4 gas with only the left-side (well) boundary open. During primary depletion, gas is produced from the shale to the well by advection and desorption. This process tends to give low recovery and is entirely dependent on the well pressure. Stopping production and then injecting CO2 into the shale leads to an increase in pressure, where CO2 is preferentially adsorbed over CH4. The injected CO2 displaces but also mixes with the in-situ CH4. Restarting production from the well then allows CH4 gas to be produced in the gas mixture. Diffusion allows the CO2 to travel farther into the matrix while keeping CH4 accessible to the well. Surface substitution further reduces the CO2 content and increases the CH4 content in the gas mixture that is produced to the well. A result of the isotherm and its application of Marcellus experimental data is that adsorption of CO2 with resulting desorption of CH4 will lead to a reduction in total pressure if the CO2 content in the gas composition is increased. That is in itself an important drive mechanism because the pressure gradient driving fluid flow is maintained (pressure buildup is avoided). This is because CO2 takes approximately 24 times less space per mole than CH4.
Public engagement in the development of the National Health Insurance: a study involving patients from a central hospital in South Africa.
Authors: Tandwa Lizeka Amanda , Dhai Ames
Published: January 2020

Background The National Health Insurance (NHI) is a proposed health policy in South Africa that aims to change the structure of the health system. Public involvement in the legislation development process is a constitutional requirement in South Africa. Patients are key stakeholders in health policy processes and should to be engaged in NHI policy processes. In order for patients to be engaged, they need to be provided with relevant information and an opportunity to be involved in the policy-making process. Methods This was cross sectional study. Two hundred and forty-four patients from the follow-up clinics at the Department of Internal Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in the Gauteng Province, South Africa. The patients were interviewed using a structured interview process, using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were run. Results The majority (79.51%) of the participants were not aware of the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) in South Africa even though the NHI policy process commenced in 2011. Most of the participants (86%) who were aware of the NHI responded that they had not been provided with an opportunity to be involved in the policy making process of the NHI. The odds of awareness were higher for male (OR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.11 – 3.9, p value: 0.02) than female participants. The odds of awareness were higher for White (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.06 – 5.26, p value: 0.04) and Indian (OR: 2.76, 95% CI: 0.10 – 7.60, p value: 0.05) participants when compared to Black participants. The odds of awareness were higher for retired (OR: 3.13, 95% CI: 1.35 – 7.25, p value: 0.008) than unemployed participants. Conclusions The South African Department of Health cannot claim that they have met the constitutional requirement to involve the public in the setting of this study, since majority of the patients in this study were not aware of the NHI. This requirement is essential to the validity of the NHI policy process. Without the awareness and information about the NHI, patients are not equipped and cannot be involved in the NHI policy process in a meaningful way.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Low Back Pain Among Hairdressers in Female Beauty Salons of Mekelle City, Tigray, Ethiopia; Cross-Sectional Study.
Authors: Tsegay Gebrerufael Solomon , Gebremeskel Berihu Fisseha , Gezahegn Selam Desalegn , Teklemichael Desalegn Massa
Published: January 2020

The authors have withdrawn this preprint from Research Square
MLST Application in Analysis of Relationship between Group B Streptococcus Resistance Gene and Induction Resistance in Shanghai, China
Authors: Gao Jing , Chen Yisheng , Peng Yiqian , Jiang Nanyan , Zhang Ying , Ying Chunmei
Published: January 2020

Background With the gradual severe bacterial resistance and slow development of antibiotics, drug-resistant bacterial strains are widely distributed and have become a serious public health problem. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) which cause Group B strep-related disease is the major cause of severe infection in newborns. However, Clindamycin resistance of GBS induced by Erythromycin is emerging and become important clinical concerns today. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on the drug resistance analysis of GBS strains isolated from Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from Jan 2016 to Dec 2017. The clinical and microbiological data including patient demographics, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, relative distribution drug resistance-associated genes mefA & ermB to Erythromycin, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST typing) were collected and analyzed. The Kirby-Bauer and VITEK2-compact were used to perform the susceptibility testing. The double disk diffusion method (D-test) was used for the detection of inducible clindamycin resistance. MLST was employed to identify sequence types of these strains. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was conducted to detect the drug resistance genes mefA & ermB to Erythromycin. Results A total of 1021 strains were cultured and isolated from 31894 specimens. Erythromycin and clindamycin resistance was 53.6%（547/1021）and 50.1 % (512/1021), respectively, in which 74.4%（407/547）had harbored constitutive macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramin B resistance (cMLS B ), 45.0%（63/140）were inducible MLS B (iMLS B ). Additionally, MLST identified 12 different ST types including a new ST type ST1072 in 63 iMLS B GBS strains and the dominant STs were ST12 (30.1%) and ST19 (25.4%). The resistance ratio of ST19 to Levofloxacin (75.0%) was higher than that of other ST types. The relevance resistance ratio of mefA and ermB was respectively 27.0% and 41.3% among 63 GBS isolates. Conclusion Our study not only demonstrated a genetic diversity in iMLS B GBS in Shanghai through the analysis of MLST typing and resistance genes, but also found that there exist different distribution patterns of resistance and related resistance genes between different ST types. These findings would provide theoretical support for clinical prevention and treatment of resistant iMLS B GBS infection.
Knowledge and attitudes toward cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV), and HPV vaccination among women in Taizhou area, China
Authors: Xie Jing , Qiu Yi , Zhang Pan-Xi , Feng Xing-Jun , Pan Fei-Yan , Yang Zhi , Hui-Hui Xu
Published: January 2020

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been licensed in mainland China since 2016; however, the acceptability of HPV vaccination is unclear. This study aimed to evaluates women’s knowledge and attitudes toward cervical cancer, HPV infection and its vaccination in Taizhou area, southeast of China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among women who visited the gynaecological clinic of Taizhou Hospital using a questionnaire-based interview. The process was divided into two periods, period I was May to August 2017, and period II was January to March 2019. Results: A total of 819 women were conducted, and 736 were included in the final analysis. Most women (92.4%) had ever heard of cervical cancer. Almost half of women had ever heard of HPV (57.5%) and HPV vaccines (53.1%). Knowledge level of cervical cancer, HPV infection and its vaccines was inadequate; only 12.2% achieved 21-30 scores (at a 30-point scale). Logistic regression analysis showed that marital status, education, occupation, and family annual income were statistically significantly related to the knowledge level ( P <0.05). Additionally, 64.8% of women knew that HPV vaccines are now available in mainland China; however, only 4.3% have been vaccinated. 37.8% of women knew about the preventable effect of HPV vaccines on cervical cancer (period I vs. period II, 31.0% vs. 48.9%, P <0.05). Although women with the low awareness of HPV, the willingness to receive HPV vaccination was high (94.1%) in the present study. Conclusion: Our survey indicated that there is an urgent need for the persistent public health education to ensure successful implementation of HPV vaccination program in Taizhou area, China. Emphasis should be directed to educate the knowledge on HPV infection and its association with cervical cancer, thereby helping to increase HPV vaccination and reduce incidence of cervical cancer.
The secular trend in CD4+ T cell count at initiation of antiretroviral therapy in China
Authors: Zhou Huan , Xie Jing , Xie Yunqiu , Li Bin , Liu Lu , Pan Wei , Wu Shuyin , Zhang Min , Gao Huaiquan
Published: January 2020

Background: We aimed to look at the trends in CD4 cells counts (at initiation of ART) over calendar years and to investigate its influential factors in Chinese populations.Methods: We searched PubMed, Wanfang, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure to acquire relevant papers published from January 2002 to Twelve 2015. We abstracted the mean or median CD4+ T cell counts from the included studies. Random-effect meta-regressions were used to estimate the mean CD4+ T cell counts across studies and corresponding 95% CIs. Results: A total of 220 eligible articles, which included 426283 HIV-positive individuals, were identified in this meta-analysis. The mean CD4+ T cell counts at ART initiation increased from 136.63 (95%CI=120.63–152.63) cells/µL in 2003 to 199 (95%CI=188.38–209.62) cells/µL in 2014. In the univariate meta-regression model, we found that the estimated change in CD4+ T cell counts at ART initiation was +8.73 cells/μL per year (95% CI= 4.57 to 12.90 cells/μL per year). The highest CD4+ T cell counts at ART initiation (441.00 cells/μL, 95% CI=438.96-186.33 cells/µL) was reported in serodiscordant couples, followed by pregnant women (385.82 cells/μL, 95% CI=327.19-444.44 cells/µL), MSM (293.78, 95% CI=126.59-460.96 cells/µL), and children（267.36 cells/μL, 95% CI=126.65-408.07 cells/µL）. Conclusions: In China, the CD4+ T cell counts at ART initiation have dramatically increased during the past decade. However, there remains a substantial gap between CD4+ T cell counts at ART initiation and the WHO updated HIV treatment guidelines in some groups, highlighting the need for strategies to improve earlier ART initiation.
Hospital Efficiency in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ravaghi Hamid , Afshari Mahnaz , Isfahani parvaneh , Mahboubahari Alireza , Belorgeot Victoria D
Published: January 2020

Background: Recent rising costs and shortages of healthcare resources make it necessary to address the issue of hospital efficiency. Increasing the efficiency of hospitals can result in better and sustainable achievement of their organizational goals.The purpose of the present research is to examine hospital efficiency in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR).Methods: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of all articles published on hospital efficiency in Eastern Mediterranean countries between January 1999 and May 2018, identified by searching three databases (PubMed through MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase) and two search engines (Google and Google Scholar). The reference lists of these articles were checked for additional relevant studies. Fifty articles were finally selected, and data was analyzed through the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software (v.2.2.064). Results: Using the random-effects model, the mean hospital efficiency in Eastern Mediterranean hospitals was 0.829 ± 0.026 at 95% CI. Three approaches were used to measure hospital efficiency: data envelope analysis (DEA), stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), and Pabón Lasso Analysis. Different mean and standard deviation values were obtained from DEA (0.428±0.024), DEA and Pabón Lasso Analysis (0.925±0.029), Pabón Lasso Analysis (0.790±0.086) and SFA (0.594±0.056), due to the different inputs and outputs used in these methods. Technical efficiency (TE) was higher in some countries such as Iraq (0.976±0.035), Oman (0.926 ± 0.032), Jordan (0.924±0.060) and Saudi Arabia (0.917±0.023). Conclusion: Efficiency plays a significant role in hospital growth and development. It is therefore important for healthcare managers and policymakers in the EMR to identify the causes of inefficiency, to improve TE and develop cost-effective strategies.
The Relationship between Sleep Duration, Body Mass Index, Physical Education Classes, Age and High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Cao Lei , Li Ge , Zhang Changhong , Tang Xiaohua
Published: January 2020

Background In order to study the high blood pressure of children and adolescents and its influencing factors, it provides evidence-based evidence for the high blood pressure prevention of primary and secondary school students. Methods This study is a cross-sectional survey, which uses stratified cluster sampling method to select students from 7 schools to participate in questionnaire survey and physical examination. The correlation between single factor and high blood pressure was analyzed by chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis. Results A total of 1,814 subjects, including 512 primary school students (28.22%), 499 junior high school students (27.51%), 563 senior high school (31.04%), and 240 vocational high school (13.23%). There were 1000 males (55.13%) and 814 females (44.70%). The average age was 13.64±2.65 years. The detection rate of high blood pressure was 9.76%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the age groups were 10~ and 14~ (OR=20.870, 95%CI=2.372-183.666; OR=10.049, 95%CI=1.306-77.353) , sleep duration < 7h (OR=4.136, 95%CI=4.136), and physical education class times ≤2 times per week (OR=5.073, 95%CI=2.497-10.306), which were risk factors for high blood pressure in children and adolescents. Normal weight and overweight group were protective factors compared to the obesity group (OR=0.094, 95%CI=0.061-0.146; OR=0.225, 95%CI=0.134-0.378). Conclusion The age groups of 14~ and 16~ years old, physical education classes ≤ 2 times per week, and sleep duration <7h were risk factors for primary and secondary school students, and BMI of Normal weight and overweight group were protective factors compared to the obesity group students.
Site suitability analysis of Solar PV Power generation in South Gonder, Amhara Region
Authors: Nebey Abraham , Zemene Biniyam , Gera Tewodros
Published: January 2020

Currently, Ethiopian government looked towards renewable energy resources to generate electrical power for the country needs. 85% of the total population of the country live in rural areas and use wood and fossil fuel for their domestic uses. Using wood and fossil fuel is danger for users and the environment. And the government of Ethiopia planned to electrify 85% rural community with abundantly available renewable resources around the community. Therefore, identifying potential locations for solar Photovoltaic with geographic information system is a decision support tool for proposing the suitable sites to stakeholder. The solar Photovoltaic suitability analysis provides optimal locations to solar Photovoltaic power plant installations. To find suitable locations for Solar Photovoltaic , factors that affect the suitability were identified and weighted by using Analytical Hierarchy processes. Then the weighted values and reclassified values were multiplied together to produce the final suitability map to solar Photovoltaic. Due to site unsuitability, solar Photovoltaic the efficiency drops and may malfunction. By identifying the most suitable locations, solar PV power plant was optimally located. Therefore, the objective of this study was to find the most suitable sites in South Gonder Zone for generating power from solar Photovoltaic . The suitability of the study area for solar Photovoltaic power plant was 86.5%. Eighty six (86%) of the criteria considered in the study area was found to fulfill all the criteria to be suitable for solar Photovoltaic power plant. Most of the suitable areas were found in the western part of the zone. Nature topography is a key factor in generating solar energy; it affects the solar irradiance coming to the solar Photovoltaic panel surface.
Genetic dissection of photosynthetic performances in maize under drought-stressed and well-watered environments
Authors: Zhao Xiaoqiang , Zhong Yuan , Li Wenli , Zhang Dan
Published: January 2020

BackgroundMaintaining photosynthetic capacity is a critical function that allows maize (Zea mays L.) to adapt to drought stress. The elucidation of genetic controls of photosynthetic performances, and tightly linked molecular markers under water stress are thus of great importance in marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding. Meanwhile, little is known regarding their genetic controls under drought stress. Two F4 populations were developed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and dissect the genetic variation underlying six photosynthetic-related traits, namely, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), transpiration rate (Tr), ribulose 1,5-biphosphate carboxylase activity (RuBP), and water use efficiency (WUE) under drought-stressed and well-watered environments.ResultsFor two populations, we detected 54 QTLs under drought-stressed and well-watered environments by single-environment mapping with composite interval mapping (CIM), approximately 81.8~100 % QTLs displayed non-additive effects, and 43 of the 54 QTLs were identified under drought-stressed environment. We also dissected 54 QTLs via joint analysis of all environments with mixed-linear-model-based composite interval mapping (MCIM), 24 QTLs involved in QTL × environment interactions (QEIs), approximately 87.5 % QEIs were identified under drought-stressed environments, as well as 14 pair epistasis exhibited dominance-by-additive/dominance (DA/DD) effects under constracting environments. We further identified 8 constitutive QTLs (cQTLs) across two populations by CIM/MCIM under multiple environments. Remarkably, bin 1.07_1.10 (cQTL2), bin 6.05 (cQTL5), bin 7.02_7.04 (cQTL6), bin 8.03 (cQTL7), and bin 10.03 (cQTL8) exhibited 5 pleiotropic cQTLs that were consistent with phenotypic correlations among all photosynthetic-related traits. Additionally, 17 candidate genes were validated in above cQTLs.Conclusions﻿Photosynthetic performances in maize were predominantly controlled by non-additive and QEIs effects, where more QEIs effects occurred in drought stress. 8 cQTLs affecting six photosynthetic-related traits could be useful for genetic improvement of these traits via QTL pyramiding, corresponding 5 QTLs clusters indicated tight linkage or pleiotropy in the inheritance of these traits, and 17 candidate genes involved in leaf morphology and development, photosynthesis, and stress reponse coincided with above corresponding cQTLs.
Generalized hydrodynamics regime from the thermodynamic bootstrap program
Authors: Cortes Cubero Axel , Panfil Milosz
Published: January 2020

Within the generalized hydrodynamics (GHD) formalism for quantum
integrable models, it is possible to compute simple expressions for a
number of correlation functions at the Eulerian scale. Specializing to
integrable relativistic field theories, we show the same correlators can
be computed as a sum over form factors, the GHD regime corresponding to
the leading contribution with one particle-hole pair on a finite
energy-density background. The thermodynamic bootstrap program (TBP)
formalism was recently introduced as an axiomatic approach to computing
such finite-energy-density form factors for integrable field theories.
We derive a new axiom within the TBP formalism from which we easily
recover the predicted GHD Eulerian correlators. We also compute higher
form factor contributions, with more particle-hole pairs, within the
TBP, allowing for the computation of correlation functions in the
diffusive, and beyond, GHD regimes. The two particle-hole form factors
agree with expressions recently conjectured within the GHD.
Local finance transparency in Ukraine
Authors: Shkolnyk Inna , Melnyk Tetyana , Havrysh Yuliia , Ivanchenko Andrii
Published: January 2020

Transparency in public and local finance is one of the most important factors in building a democratic society with high level of public confidence in the government. Democratic shifts in a country will only take place if citizens perceive the country’s government and local self-government as fully transparent and controlled by them. Citizens will be able to support and cooperate with the government if it informs them of all public activities: decision-making, financial reporting, planning, local budget expenditures, etc. Transparency in the formation and use of local financial resources is the most sensitive issue.Local finance transparency has been studied from the perspective of 21 online portals of local authorities from four Ukrainian regions, geographically remote in the context of two main blocks, namely, the state of public procurement and the budget process. The portals of Lviv, Vinnytsia, Sumy, Mykolaiv administrative centers and the city of Kyiv were identified in each region (oblast), and in each oblast, four cities with the district status, which are the largest by population, were identified. Significant discrepancies in local finance transparency have been identified, as portals of regional centers and a small number of districts have high levels of transparency. The vast majority have low transparency in local finances. In addition, the level of community involvement in the regional development problems through social networks was analyzed. The population of small cities was found to be more active. Most local governments should pay attention to the low level of portals in terms of making them user-friendly.
Author’s Strategies of the Interpretation of Russian Classical Literature in English-Speaking Community of Ficwriters
Authors: Petrov Vladimir V.
Published: January 2020

This article studies the problem of creating readers’ identity by the participants of interpretive communities joined around adaptations (fanfiction) of the Russian classical literature. In sociology and cultural studies, the researchers pay attention to the fact that in the active readers’ online communities, the boundaries of authorship are difficult to determine, which requires using the philological methods of text analysis. The research subject is the individual strategies of the transformation of Russian classics in the English-language readers’ texts (fics). The comprehensive analysis of these texts allows us to scrutinize the perception of the Russian classics in transcultural online communities. For the first time, the author’s identity in fanfiction is considered through literary commentary on the texts. The research goal is to highlight authorial strategies of interpreting Russian classics in fanfiction texts.
This article provides an overview of research approaches to the problem of authorship in fanfiction and the results of surveying Anglophone readers writing fanfiction based on the Russian literature. The questionnaire allowed distinguishing the author’s corpora of the fics based on L. Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina and popular serials and films. In addition, the author describes the system of narrative techniques, which allows identifying the authorship of the ficwriter. The results show that the individual reading strategies are most reflected in the composition and organization of artistic speech as parts of an authorial style.
Periodontal Pathogens and Neuropsychiatric Health
Authors: Wadhawan Abhishek , Reynolds Mark A. , Makkar Hina , Scott Alison J. , Potocki Eileen , Hoisington Andrew J. , Brenner Lisa A. , Dagdag Aline , Lowry Christopher A. , Dwivedi Yogesh , Postolache Teodor T.
Published: January 2020

Increasing evidence incriminates low-grade inflammation in cardiovascular, metabolic diseases, and neuropsychiatric clinical conditions, all important causes of morbidity and mortality. One of the upstream and modifiable precipitants and perpetrators of inflammation is chronic periodontitis, a polymicrobial infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) playing a central role in the disease pathogenesis. We review the association between P. gingivalis and cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric illness, and the molecular mechanisms potentially implicated in immune upregulation as well as downregulation induced by the pathogen. In addition to inflammation, translocation of the pathogens to the coronary and peripheral arteries, including brain vasculature, and gut and liver vasculature has important pathophysiological consequences. Distant effects via translocation rely on virulence factors of P. gingivalis such as gingipains, on its synergistic interactions with other pathogens, and on its capability to manipulate the immune system via several mechanisms, including its capacity to induce production of immune-downregulating micro-RNAs. Possible targets for intervention and drug development to manage distal consequences of infection with P. gingivalis are also reviewed.
Evaluation of Various Diagnostic Techniques for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary and Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis at a Tertiary Care Center in North India
Authors: Rajani Monika , Banerjee Molay
Published: January 2020

Introduction:

Tuberculosis (TB) is a one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Bactec MGIT (Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube) system is a rapid, reliable automated system for early diagnosis of pulmonary and extra pulmonary TB in setups where purchase of expensive instruments is not possible. The present study was thus carried out to evaluate AFB microscopy, culture on Lowenstein Jensen media and micro MGIT system for early and accurate diagnosis of Tuberculosis.

Methods:

A total of 280 samples were processed for direct AFB smear examination, and culture on micro MGIT and LJ media. The identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in positive cultures was done by MPT64 Ag card test (BD MGIT TBC Identification Test).

Results:

Out of the processed samples, (47.1%) 132/280 were positive for Mycobacterium spp by Micro MGIT, (35%) 98/280 on LJ medium and (25.7%) 72/280 by AFB smear. A total of (48.5%) 136 samples were positive by a combination of Micro MGIT and LJ medium. Among the total positive samples (136/280), Micro MGIT was found to be positive in 97% (132/136) of samples, LJ was positive in 72% (98/136), while 52.9% (72/136) were positive by AFB smear.

Conclusion:

Manual MGIT System is a simple and efficient, safe to use the diagnostic system. It does not require any expensive/special instrumentation other than the UV lamp for the detection of fluorescence. In areas with limited resources where the purchase of expensive instruments such as the MGIT 960 is out of scope, the use of manual MGIT for rapid susceptibility testing for MDR-TB could be an option. We would recommend testing MGIT 960 using first and secondline drugs to determine DST.
Analytical and Experimental Investigation on Slip-in Gusset Plate Connection for Double C-channel Sections of Cold-formed Steel
Authors: Aminuddin Kiagus , Saggaff Anis , Tahir Mahmood Md , Ngian Shek P. , Sulaiman Arizu , Firdaus Muhammad , Aghlara Reza
Published: January 2020

Background:

Beam-column connections are one of the most important parts of each building, which influence local/global behaviour of structures under vertical and lateral loads. From a practical point of view, a desirable connection is one that can be implemented conveniently in the construction site. For this reason, the connection with the gusset plate and bolts is one of the most commonly used connections to join structural members together. The application of this type of connection with cold-formed steels has not gotten enough attention in the literature and needs more investigation.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to evaluate the behaviour of the gusset plate connection with cold-formed steel sections based on its moment-rotation relation obtained experimentally when the beam depth is varied.

Methods:

Three specimens were built with three different depth of beams (i.e. 200, 250, and 300 mm) and constant depth of column (i.e. 300 mm). A same size gusset plate with a thickness of 10 mm was used for all the connections. A Full-Scale Isolated Joint test (FSIJ) was conducted as a testing method in this study to investigate the behaviour of the connection.

Results:

Three distinct modes of failure were distinguished based on observations in the experiments. Moreover, the obtained results implied that there is a meaningful difference between experimental and analytical results for moment capacity and rotational stiffness of the tested connections. Likewise, the results showed that the beam depth in this joint should be limited to have a ductile connection when the column depth is constant.

Conclusion:

The moment capacity of the tested connections was analytically underestimated by Eurocode 3 relative to the experimental results with an average amount of 75%, while the connection rotational stiffness overestimated by the analytical results with an average of 74%.