bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sorting OAM modes with metasurfaces based on raytracing improved optical coordinate transformation
Authors: Liu Zhibing , Zou Jiahui , Lai Zhaoyu , Tu Jiajing , Gao Shecheng , Liu Weiping , Li Zhaohui
Published: September 2021

Optical coordinate transformation (OCT) has attracted widespread attention in the field of orbital angular momentum (OAM) (de)multiplexing or manipulation, but the performance of OCT would suffer from its distortion. In this paper, we quantitatively analyze the distortion of OCT from the perspective of ray optics and explain its rationality to work under non-normal incident light. For the special case of log-polar coordinate transformation (LPCT), we use a raytracing assisted optimization scheme to improve its distortion, which is related to a Zernike polynomial based phase compensation. After raytracing optimization, the root mean square error (RMSE) of the focused rays is reduced to 1/5 of the original value and the physical optic simulation also shows great improvement. In the experiment, we use three phase masks which are realized by metasurfaces, the measured results show well consistency with the simulation. Results in this paper have great potential to improve the performance of OCT related applications.
Iterative parallel registration of strongly misaligned wavefront segments
Authors: Berlakovich Nikolaus , Csencsics Ernst , Fuerst Martin , Schitter Georg
Published: September 2021

The paper presents an algorithm for the precise registration of multiple wavefront segments containing large misalignment and phase differences. The measurement of a wavefront with huge dynamics or a large aperture size can be carried out in multiple Shack-Hartmann sensor measurements of segments of the wavefront. The registration algorithm is flexible with respect to the shape of the wavefront and can reconstruct a plane as well as divergent wavefronts, making it suitable for freeform wavefronts. The algorithm enables parallel registration of the wavefront segments which is carried out in an iterative manner to compensate for large misalignment errors. A simulative analysis of the proposed algorithm compares its performance to a fast parallel registration (FPR) algorithm and the established iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm. For a sensor misalignment of up to 100 μm and 3 mrad the algorithm registers a plane and a divergent wavefront with a precision that is a factor 4 and 12 better than the registration precision of the FPR and ICP algorithm.
Investors’ exit timing of PPP projects based on escalation of commitment
Authors: Wang Yinglin , Chen Jingyi , Liu Jicai , Zhou Chuhan
Published: September 2021

Long project cycle and uncertainties are important characteristics of public-private partnership (PPP) projects. Since the introduction of PPP projects in China, the timing of capital withdrawal has become important. With the emergence of risk factors during the course of the project, it will face the problem of investment withdrawal by social capital financial investors. Escalation of commitment (EOC) refers to the erroneous behaviour of project decision makers who do not promptly withdraw from a project when they receive negative feedback and continue to invest resources in the project. EOC not only causes more unnecessary losses but also adversely affects decision makers. Therefore, it is crucial to clarify the impact of EOC on the choice of the exit timing of social capital. This article adopts literature survey method and quantitative analysis method: introducing the theory of maximization of income into the real option model, combining the net present value method with the binary tree option pricing model, constructing the decision-making model to analyze the exit timing of PPP social capital in the context of EOC. Then combined numerical simulation and empirical analysis to verify the effectiveness of the decision-making model, discussed the reasons why the social capital party chooses EOC, and proposes measures for controlling EOC. The higher the degree of completion of the project, the easier it is for the person in charge of the project to make inaccurate judgements about the project due to personal psychological factors, and the easier it is for EOC to occur. Therefore, after setting the minimum goal of the project, the decision maker needs to accurately evaluate the existing value of the project to avoid falling into decision-making errors.
Sudden infant death syndrome: Melatonin, serotonin, and CD34 factor as possible diagnostic markers and prophylactic targets
Authors: Ivanov Dmitry , Mironova Ekaterina , Polyakova Victoria , Evsyukova Inna , Osetrov Michail , Kvetnoy Igor , Nasyrov Ruslan
Published: September 2021

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is one of the primary causes of death of infants in the first year of life. According to the WHO’s data, the global infant mortality rate is 0.64–2 per 1,000 live-born children. Molecular and cellular aspects of SIDS development have not been identified so far. The purpose of this paper is to verify and analyze the expression of melatonin 1 and 2 receptors, serotonin (as a melatonin precursor), and CD34 molecules (as hematopoietic and endothelial markers of cardiovascular damage) in the medulla, heart, and aorta in infants who died from SIDS. An immunohistochemical method was used to investigate samples of medulla, heart, and aorta tissues of infants 3 to 9 months of age who died from SIDS. The control group included children who died from accidents. It has been shown that the expression of melatonin receptors as well as serotonin and CD34 angiogenesis markers in tissues of the medulla, heart, and aorta of infants who died from SIDS is statistically lower as compared with their expression in the same tissues in children who died from accidents. The obtained data help to clarify in detail the role of melatonin and such signaling molecules as serotonin and CD34 in SIDS pathogenesis, which can open new prospects for devising novel methods for predictive diagnosis of development and targeted prophylaxis of SIDS.
Unmet need of essential treatments for critical illness in Malawi
Authors: Kayambankadzanja Raphael Kazidule , Schell Carl Otto , Mbingwani Isaac , Mndolo Samson Kwazizira , Castegren Markus , Baker Tim
Published: September 2021

Background

Critical illness is common throughout the world and has been the focus of a dramatic increase in attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Severely deranged vital signs such as hypoxia, hypotension and low conscious level can identify critical illness. These vital signs are simple to check and treatments that aim to correct derangements are established, basic and low-cost. The aim of the study was to estimate the unmet need of such essential treatments for severely deranged vital signs in all adults admitted to hospitals in Malawi.

Methods

We conducted a point prevalence cross-sectional study of adult hospitalized patients in Malawi. All in-patients aged ≥18 on single days Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) and Chiradzulu District Hospital (CDH) were screened. Patients with hypoxia (oxygen saturation <90%), hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90mmHg) and reduced conscious level (Glasgow Coma Scale <9) were included in the study. The a-priori defined essential treatments were oxygen therapy for hypoxia, intravenous fluid for hypotension and an action to protect the airway for reduced consciousness (placing the patient in the lateral position, insertion of an oro-pharyngeal airway or endo-tracheal tube or manual airway protection).

Results

Of the 1135 hospital in-patients screened, 45 (4.0%) had hypoxia, 103 (9.1%) had hypotension, and 17 (1.5%) had a reduced conscious level. Of those with hypoxia, 40 were not receiving oxygen (88.9%). Of those with hypotension, 94 were not receiving intravenous fluids (91.3%). Of those with a reduced conscious level, nine were not receiving an action to protect the airway (53.0%).

Conclusion

There was a large unmet need of essential treatments for critical illness in two hospitals in Malawi.
Evaluation of uric acid disorders and associated factors in essential hypertensive patients at Wolkite University specialized hospital, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Timerga Abebe , Haile Kassahun
Published: September 2021

Background

Essential hypertension is a condition characterized by a rise in blood pressure of undetermined cause, includes 90% of all hypertensive cases and is a highly important public health challenge with major modifiable cause of morbidity and mortality. Uric acids disorders in particular hyperuricemia are significant problems in essential hypertensive patients and can cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Determination of uric acid disorders may play a major role in the management and early aversion of complications in hypertensive patient. Therefore, this study aimed to determine uric acid disorders and associated factors among essential hypertensive adults in the outpatient department at Wolkite University specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia from November 1 to February 30, 2021.

Methods and materials

An institional based cross sectional study was conducted on 270 essential hypertensive adults on follow-up in outpatient department from November 1 to February 30, 2021. Structured questionnaires through face to face interviews and participants’ medical records were used to collect information on determinants related with uric acid disorders. The blood specimen was collected and level of serum uric acid, blood sugar and lipid profile was measured using standard principles and procedures with an ABX Pentra 400 automated chemistry analyzer. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with hyperuricemia. The p-value was set at <0.05 with a 95% confidence interval of the adjusted odds ratio.

Results

A total of 270 adult essential hypertensive patients were participated in the study, among those 196(27.4%) of study participants were hyperuricemic with 95%CI (21.9, 33.3). Being alcoholic [(AOR: 15.68, 95% CI: (5.93, 21.41)], taking antihypertensive medication [(AOR: 11.56, 95% CI: (3.94, 23.80)], BMI > = 30 [(AOR: 4.89, 95% CI: (1.46, 25.5)] and being centrally obese [(AOR: 6.87, 95% CI: (2.53, 18.63)] were factors significantly associated with hyperuricemia.

Conclusion

In this study, the high burden of hyperuricemia (27.4%) was observed in essential hypertensive patients with follow-up in outpatient department. Taking alcohol and antihypertensive medication, being overweight and centrally obese were identified factors of uric acid disorders. The finding of this study should be taken into consideration to implement preventive interventions on identified predictors in hypertensive patients. Taking fruit and vegetable, and promoting physical exercise and determinations of serum uric acid level in adult essential hypertensive patients was recommended to minimize the emergence of hyperuricemia.
Match-related physical performance in professional soccer: Position or player specific?
Authors: Altmann Stefan , Forcher Leon , Ruf Ludwig , Beavan Adam , Groß Timo , Lussi Philipp , Woll Alexander , Härtel Sascha
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine to what extent the physical match performance of professional soccer players is both position and player specific. First, official match data from the 2019/20 German Bundesliga season was used to search for players that met the inclusion criteria of playing a minimum of four entire matches in at least two different playing positions. Overall, 25 players met the criteria prior to the COVID-19 induced break, playing a minimum of eight matches. Second, the physical match performance of these players was analyzed separately for each position they played. The following four parameters were captured: total distance, high-intensity distance, sprinting distance, and accelerations. Third, the 25 players’ physical match performance data was then compared to normative data for each position they played to understand whether players adapted their physical performance (position dependent), or maintained their performance regardless of which position they were assigned to (position independent). When switching the position, the change in physical match performance of the respective players could be explained by 44–58% through the normative positional data. Moreover, there existed large individual differences in the way players adapted or maintained their performance when acting in different positions. Coaches and practitioners should be aware that some professional soccer players will likely incur differences in the composition of physical match performance when switching positions and therefore should pay special consideration for such differences in the training and recovery process of these players.
Temporal partitioning and spatiotemporal avoidance among large carnivores in a human-impacted African landscape
Authors: Searle Charlotte E. , Smit Josephine B. , Cusack Jeremy J. , Strampelli Paolo , Grau Ana , Mkuburo Lameck , Macdonald David W. , Loveridge Andrew J. , Dickman Amy J.
Published: September 2021

Africa is home to some of the world’s most functionally diverse guilds of large carnivores. However, they are increasingly under threat from anthropogenic pressures that may exacerbate already intense intra-guild competition. Understanding the coexistence mechanisms employed by these species in human-impacted landscapes could help shed light on some of the more subtle ways in which humans may impact wildlife populations, and inform multi-species conservation planning. We used camera trap data from Tanzania’s Ruaha-Rungwa landscape to explore temporal and spatiotemporal associations between members of an intact East African large carnivore guild, and determine how these varied across gradients of anthropogenic impact and protection. All large carnivores except African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) exhibited predominantly nocturnal road-travel behaviour. Leopard (Panthera pardus) appeared to employ minor temporal avoidance of lion (Panthera leo) in all sites except those where human impacts were highest, suggesting that leopard may have been freed up from avoidance of lion in areas where the dominant competitor was less abundant, or that the need for leopard to avoid humans outweighed the need to avoid sympatric competitors. Lion appeared to modify their activity patterns to avoid humans in the most impacted areas. We also found evidence of avoidance and attraction among large carnivores: lion and spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) followed leopard; leopard avoided lion; spotted hyaena followed lion; and lion avoided spotted hyaena. Our findings suggest that large carnivores in Ruaha-Rungwa employ fine-scale partitioning mechanisms to facilitate coexistence with both sympatric species and humans, and that growing human pressures may interfere with these behaviours.
Estrogen and COVID-19 symptoms: Associations in women from the COVID Symptom Study
Authors: Costeira Ricardo , Lee Karla A. , Murray Benjamin , Christiansen Colette , Castillo-Fernandez Juan , Ni Lochlainn Mary , Capdevila Pujol Joan , Macfarlane Heather , Kenny Louise C. , Buchan Iain , Wolf Jonathan , Rymer Janice , Ourselin Sebastien , Steves Claire J. , Spector Timothy D. , Newson Louise R. , Bell Jordana T.
Published: September 2021

It has been widely observed that adult men of all ages are at higher risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19 when compared with women. This study aimed to investigate the association of COVID-19 positivity and severity with estrogen exposure in women, in a population based matched cohort study of female users of the COVID Symptom Study application in the UK. Analyses included 152,637 women for menopausal status, 295,689 women for exogenous estrogen intake in the form of the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), and 151,193 menopausal women for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Data were collected using the COVID Symptom Study in May-June 2020. Analyses investigated associations between predicted or tested COVID-19 status and menopausal status, COCP use, and HRT use, adjusting for age, smoking and BMI, with follow-up age sensitivity analysis, and validation in a subset of participants from the TwinsUK cohort. Menopausal women had higher rates of predicted COVID-19 (P = 0.003). COCP-users had lower rates of predicted COVID-19 (P = 8.03E-05), with reduction in hospital attendance (P = 0.023). Menopausal women using HRT or hormonal therapies did not exhibit consistent associations, including increased rates of predicted COVID-19 (P = 2.22E-05) for HRT users alone. The findings support a protective effect of estrogen exposure on COVID-19, based on positive association between predicted COVID-19 with menopausal status, and negative association with COCP use. HRT use was positively associated with COVID-19, but the results should be considered with caution due to lack of data on HRT type, route of administration, duration of treatment, and potential unaccounted for confounders and comorbidities.
A predictive analysis on the risk of peste des petits ruminants in livestock in the Trans-Himalayan region and validation of its transboundary transmission paths
Authors: Zeng Zan , Gao Shan , Wang Hao-Ning , Huang Li-Ya , Wang Xiao-Long
Published: September 2021

Although the Trans-Himalayan region (THR) is an important endemic and rendezvous area of peste des petits ruminants (PPR), monitoring and prevention measurements are difficult to execute because of the rough geographical conditions. Besides, a heterogeneous breeding system and the poor veterinary service of susceptible animals compound the existing problems. Here, we propose a forecasting system to define the key points of PPR prevention and aid the countries in saving time, labor, and products to achieve the goal of the global eradication project of PPR. The spatial distribution of PPR was predicted in the THR for the first time using a niche model that was constructed with a combination of eco-geographical, anthropoid, meteorological, and host variables. The transboundary least-cost paths (LCPs) of small ruminants in the THR were also calculated. Our results reveal that the low-elevation area of the THR had a higher PPR risk and was mainly dominated by human variables. The high-elevation area had lower risk and was mainly dominated by natural variables. Eight LCPs representing corridors among India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and China were obtained. This confirmed the potential risk of transboundary communication by relying on PPR contamination on the grasslands for the first time. The predicted potential risk communication between the two livestock systems and landscapes (high and low elevation) might play a role in driving PPR transboundary transmission.
Risk factor of plasmodium knowlesi infection in Sabah Borneo Malaysia, 2020: A population-based case-control study
Authors: Chin Abraham Zefong , Avoi Richard , Atil Azman , Awang Lukman Khamisah , Syed Abdul Rahim Syed Sharizman , Ibrahim Mohd Yusof , Ahmed Kamruddin , Jeffree Mohammad Saffree
Published: September 2021

Background

In the Malaysian state of Sabah, P. knowlesi notifications increased from 2% (59/2,741) of total malaria notifications in 2004 to 98% (2030/2,078) in 2017. There was a gap regarding P. knowlesi acquisition risk factors related to practice specifically in working age group. The main objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for acquiring P. knowlesi infection in Sabah among the working age group.

Methods and methods

This retrospective population-based case-control study was conducted in Ranau district to assess sociodemographic, behavioural and medical history risk factors using a pretested questionnaire. The data were entered and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Bivariate analysis was conducted using binary logistic regression whereas multivariate analysis was conducted using multivariable logistic regression. We set a statistical significance at p-value less than or equal to 0.05.

Results

A total of 266 cases and 532 controls were included in the study. Male gender (AOR = 2.71; 95% CI: 1.63–4.50), spending overnight in forest (AOR = 1.92; 95% CI: 1.20–3.06), not using mosquito repellent (AOR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.36–4.56) and history of previous malaria infection (AOR = 49.34; 95% CI: 39.09–78.32) were found to be independent predictors of P. knowlesi infection.

Conclusions

This study showed the need to strengthen the strategies in preventing and controlling P. knowlesi infection specifically in changing the practice of spending overnight in forest and increasing the usage of personal mosquito repellent.
BERTtoCNN: Similarity-preserving enhanced knowledge distillation for stance detection
Authors: Li Yang , Sun Yuqing , Zhu Nana
Published: September 2021

In recent years, text sentiment analysis has attracted wide attention, and promoted the rise and development of stance detection research. The purpose of stance detection is to determine the author’s stance (favor or against) towards a specific target or proposition in the text. Pre-trained language models like BERT have been proven to perform well in this task. However, in many reality scenes, they are usually very expensive in computation, because such heavy models are difficult to implement with limited resources. To improve the efficiency while ensuring the performance, we propose a knowledge distillation model BERTtoCNN, which combines the classic distillation loss and similarity-preserving loss in a joint knowledge distillation framework. On the one hand, BERTtoCNN provides an efficient distillation process to train a novel ‘student’ CNN structure from a much larger ‘teacher’ language model BERT. On the other hand, based on the similarity-preserving loss function, BERTtoCNN guides the training of a student network, so that input pairs with similar (dissimilar) activation in the teacher network have similar (dissimilar) activation in the student network. We conduct experiments and test the proposed model on the open Chinese and English stance detection datasets. The experimental results show that our model outperforms the competitive baseline methods obviously.
FAM9B serves as a novel meiosis-related protein localized in meiotic chromosome cores and is associated with human gametogenesis
Authors: Zhuang Xin-jie , Feng Xue , Tang Wen-hao , Zhu Jin-liang , Li Ming , Li Jun-sheng , Zheng Xiao-ying , Li Rong , Liu Ping , Qiao Jie
Published: September 2021

Meiosis is a complex process involving the expression and interaction of numerous genes in a series of highly orchestrated molecular events. Fam9b localized in Xp22.3 has been found to be expressed in testes. However, FAM9B expression, localization, and its role in meiosis have not been previously reported. In this study, FAM9B expression was evaluated in the human testes and ovaries by RT-PCR, qPCR, and western blotting. FAM9B was found in the nuclei of primary spermatocytes in testes and specifically localized in the synaptonemal complex (SC) region of spermatocytes. FAM9B was also evident in the follicle cell nuclei and diffusely dispersed in the granular cell cytoplasm. FAM9B was partly co-localized with SYCP3, which is essential for both formation and maintenance of lateral SC elements. In addition, FAM9B had a similar distribution pattern and co-localization as γH2AX, which is a novel biomarker for DNA double-strand breaks during meiosis. All results indicate that FAM9B is a novel meiosis-associated protein that is co-localized with SYCP3 and γH2AX and may play an important role in SC formation and DNA recombination during meiosis. These findings offer a new perspective for understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in meiosis of human gametogenesis.
Magnitude of syphilis sero-status and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Jinka town public health facilities, Southern Ethiopia, 2020
Authors: Enbiale Mulusew , Getie Asmare , Haile Frehiwot , Tekabe Beemnet , Misekir Direslgn
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Syphilis is one of the leading causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality and is one of the most important public health problems. There was no study showing syphilis serostatus and its related factors among pregnant women in the current study area. This study was aimed to assess the magnitude of syphilis serostatus and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Jinka town public health facilities.

Method

Institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Jinka town public health facilities, southern Ethiopia from the 1st July to the 1st September, 2020. A systematic sampling technique was used to select 629 study subjects. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews and records were reviewed to check syphilis test results. Data were coded and entered by using Epi-data version 4.432 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. The binary logistic regression model was used to investigate factors associated with syphilis. A p-value of < 0.05 at multivariable analysis was considered statistically significant.

Result

In this study, syphilis sero-prevalence among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics was 4.8% (95% CI: 3.12, 6.48). Rural residence [AOR: 2.873; 95%CI (1.171, 7.050)], alcohol use [AOR: 3.340; 95% CI (1.354, 8.241)] and having multiple sexual partner [AOR: 5.012; 95% CI (1.929, 13.020)] were statistically significantly associated with syphilis.

Conclusion

Sero-prevalence of syphilis was high. Being a rural residence, having multiple sexual partners, alcohol use were factors associated with syphilis. Therefore, substantial efforts have to be made to provide regular health education for pregnant women at the antenatal clinic on the avoidance of risky behaviors and the risk of syphilis on their pregnancy.
Sexual-risk behaviours and HIV and syphilis prevalence among in- and out-of-school adolescent girls and young women in Uganda: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Matovu Joseph K. B. , Bukenya Justine N. , Kasozi Dickson , Kisaka Stephens , Kisa Rose , Nyabigambo Agnes , Tugume Abdulaziz , Bwanika John Baptist , Mugenyi Levicatus , Murungi Irene , Serwadda David , Wanyenze Rhoda K.
Published: September 2021

Background

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We assessed sexual-risk behaviours and HIV and syphilis prevalence among AGYW in Uganda to inform the design of target-specific risk-reduction interventions.

Methods

This analysis utilizes data from 8,236 AGYW aged 10–24 years, collected in 20 districts, between July and August 2018. AGYW engaged in sexual-risk behaviour if they: a) reported a history of STIs; or b) had their sexual debut before age 15; or c) engaged in sex with 2+ partners in the past 12 months; or c) did not use or used condoms inconsistently with their most recent partners. We diagnosed HIV using DetermineTM HIV-1/2, Stat-PakTM HIV-1/2 and SD Bioline. We used SD Bioline Syphilis test kits to diagnose syphilis and Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination Assay for confirmatory syphilis testing. Comparison of proportions was done using Chi-square (χ2) tests. Data were analysed using STATA (version 14.1).

Results

Of 4,488 AGYW (54.5%) that had ever had sex, 12.9% (n = 581) had their sexual debut before age 15; 19.1% (n = 858) reported a history of STIs. Of those that had ever had sex, 79.6% (n = 3,573) had sex in the 12 months preceding the survey; 75.6% (n = 2,707) with one (1) and 24.2% (n = 866) with 2+ partners. Condom use with the most recent sexual partner was low, with only 20.4% (n = 728) reporting consistent condom use while 79.6% (n = 2,842) reported inconsistent or no condom use. In-school AGYW were significantly less likely to have ever had sex (35.6% vs. 73.6%, P<0.001), to have had sexual debut before age 15 (7.7% vs. 15.5%, P<0.001) or to engage in sex with 2+ partners (5.3% vs. 15.8%, P<0.001). Consistent condom use was significantly higher among in-school than out-of-school AGYW (40.1% vs. 12.7%, P<0.001). Overall, 1.7% (n = 143) had HIV while 1.3% (n = 104) had syphilis. HIV and syphilis prevalence was higher among out-of-school than in-school AGYW (HIV: 2.6% vs. 0.9%; syphilis: 2.1% vs. 0.5%, respectively).

Conclusion

In-school AGYW engaged in more protective sexual behaviors and had less HIV and syphilis than their out-of-school counterparts. These findings suggest a need for target-specific risk-reduction interventions stratified by schooling status.
Orality, writing, imagery and the rise of the imagistic
Authors: Boulting Noel
Published: September 2021

Language can be cast through words and images where truth claims are thought to lie. They may be either embodied within language or indicate what transcends it. Yet expression is formed through the spoken, written words or images. But what about the imagistic: words doing the work of an image without employing the visual? To grasp how the latter has emerged, the shift in authority from the spoken to the written word will be undertaken. The importance of the shift from the written word to the image can be illustrated in the case of the Renaissance, for example, where the image in the book legitimated, the word. Today the word merely amplifies or justifies the image, located on a screen! From that development the imagistic has evolved raising the problem of its authority and thereby the issue of a concern for truth.
THE ROLE OF N-DOPING TO THE PORE CHARACTERISTICS OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM VETIVER ROOT DISTILLATION WASTE
Authors: Ferawati Yohana Fransiska , Susanti Ratna Frida
Published: September 2021

This work studied the effect of nitrogen functional group modification on activated carbon synthesized from vetiver root waste on pores development. Synthesis of activated carbon was carried out by hydrothermal carbonization of vetiver root waste at a temperature of 225 ⁰C for 18 hours followed by chemical activation using K2FeO4as activated agent in a furnace at temperature of 800 ⁰C for 2 hours with nitrogen atmosphere flowed at a rate of 100 mL/minute. Urea was used as a nitrogen source. The variation of urea concentration was 1:0 (AC0–800), 1:3 (AC3–800) and 1:5 (AC5–800). The results showed that these activated carbons have mesoporous characteristics with the largest Brunauer Emmett Teller (SBET) surface area of 552.90 m2g-1 and average pore width 3,43 nm. The presence of nitrogen functional group was observed in the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer analysis. Synthesis of activated carbon from vetiver root waste with an addition of urea is the newest method to produce mesoporous activated carbon for electrode and  support catalyst purposes.
First Reported Case of Deglutition Syncope With Underlying Suppurative Parotitis
Authors: Waqar Syed Hamza Bin , Khan Anosh Aslam , Mohiuddin Osama , Sheikh Taha
Published: September 2021

Deglutition syncope and carotid sinus hypersensitivity are neurally mediated events, leading to potentially dangerous arrhythmias and cardiovascular events. Mostly related to underlying gastroesophageal or cardiovascular causes, sometimes, this might not be the case. We report the first-ever documented case of deglutition syncope with acute suppurative parotitis, which resolved after resolving the parotid gland's swelling.
“L’enfer, c’est les autres”: Proximity as an Ethical Problem during COVID-19
Authors: Strong Thomas , Trnka Susanna , Wynn L. L.
Published: September 2021

During the COVID-19 emergency, people around the world are debating concepts like physical distancing, lockdown, and sheltering in place. The ethical significance of proximity—that is, closeness or farness as ethical qualities of relations (Strathern 2020)—is thus being newly troubled across a range of habits, practices, and personal relationships. Through five case studies from Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States, contributors to this Colloquy shed light on what the hype of the pandemic often conceals: the forms of ethical reflection, reasoning, and conduct fashioned during the pandemic.
Be Kind: Negotiating Ethical Proximities in Aotearoa/New Zealand during COVID-19
Authors: Trnka Susanna
Published: September 2021

Citizens do not merely respond to states of emergency; in democratic societies, they help constitute them. This essay analyzes New Zealanders’ engagements in ethical reasoning during the country’s first COVID-19 lockdown. Specifically, I examine how we can understand a variety of public responses to emergency measures—including breaching regulations, threatening rule-breakers, sealing off neighborhoods, and recasting citizen-returnees as “strangers”—as negotiations of ethical proximities focused on keeping appropriately close that which is thought should be near, and keeping distanced that deemed best held afar.
Modified skyline query to measure priority region for personal protective equipment recipient of COVID-19 health workers
Authors: Purwayoga Vega
Published: September 2021

The distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a vital role in meeting the needs of PPE in an area. This study aims to measure the priority of PPE recipient regions in West Java Province using a skyline query algorithm, namely Sort Filter Skyline (SFS). In this study, the SFS algorithm is modified to optimize the dominance measurement section. Regions that do not have hospitals will not be prioritized for PPE recipients. The preferences used in this study are maximum and minimum. The maximum preference rule is used for the number of ODP, PDP, positive and dead cases, while the minimum preference rule is used for the cured and distance attributes. The application of SFS for calculating priority regions has been successfully carried out by developing two models, namely MS1 using unmodified SFS and MS2 using modified SFS by adding a selection process for regions with no hospitals. The MS1 produces 21 skyline objects (55.55 %), while MS2 15 (66.66 %) skyline objects. The MS2 is faster than that of MS1 because fewer objects are being tested. The MS1 takes 0.0222 seconds, while MS2 only 0.0193 seconds.
Internal Influences on Consumer Behavior of Burgarooh Restaurant: A Case in the Fast Food Industry of Oman
Authors: Matriano Maria Teresa
Published: September 2021

Internal Influences on Consumer Behavior of Burgarooh Restaurant:

A Case in the Fast Food Industry of Oman

 

Nasser Juma Al Harthi

MBA, Middle East College

Email: PG19S2039@mec.edu.com

Dr. Maria Teresa Matriano

 Assistant Professor, Department of Post-Graduate Studies, Middle East College, Oman

Email: maria@mec.edu.om

 

Abstract

Purpose:- The Sultanate of Oman is one of the countries where the restaurant and fast food sectors are active. The study aims to analyze the factors affecting customers' choice of fast food. This research measures both personal and psychological elements on buying fast food in the Sultanate of Oman. This project is concerned with the internal influences of personal factors and factors that interact with the individual consumer.

 

Design / methodology / approach:- The research has attempted to sample 486 customers of the restaurant from its various branches and used survey questionnaire and online interviews for data collection. Interviews were facilitated with group of customers in the restaurant branches in the Governorate of Muscat.

Findings:- The study concluded that the most critical factor in choosing a burger for the consumer is that it is a means for family and friends' participation by 44%. In comparison, 43% of the participants considered that the preparation speed is one of the main factors in choosing burger meals. The study also indicated that the product's price is one of the least influencing factors for selecting the product. Moreover, the study has also concluded that fast food consumption is based on community participation and accessibility rather than direct personal choices.

 

Research limitation / Implications:-  The study indicated that product's price is the least influencing factors for selecting the product and concluded that fast food consumption is based on community participation and accessibility rather than direct personal choices.

 

Originality / value:-  There are no previous studies conducted on internal influences on consumer behavior. The study places psychological factors, which represent convictions and beliefs, at the forefront of the factors affecting the consumer's buying decision.
The Catalogs of Vices and Virtues in the Pauline Literature
Authors: Padilla José David
Published: September 2021

It was common to find in the writings of the different Greco-Roman philosophical schools of the first century certain catalogs of two or more vices and virtues. They were used to teach that a virtuous life ensured well-being and health while encouraging their disciples to abandon their vicious life leading to ruin. These catalogs influenced the composition of moral catalogs in the New Testament, especially in the letters written or attributed to Paul. Their catalogs were used as a rhetorical tool where the moral teachings of Christianity were developed and taught. According to the divine plan in Christ Jesus, good acts or virtues were considered divinely inspired because they helped the growth of the human person. On the other hand, bad actions or vices were seen as unworthy or sinful because they go against God’s plan and as a sign of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God. Thus, the catalogs of vices and virtues invited conversion and invited us to wait for the day when God will make all evil and corruption disappear from the world when love (agape), the Christian virtue per excellence, would be the norm for all.
FACTORS AFFECTING EMPLOYMENT MOTIVATION AND PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYEES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF POPULATION AND CIVIL REGISTRATION
Authors: Raka Agung Raka
Published: September 2021

Public service employee are required to provide good performance to people who need population administration services. This study aimed to analyze the factors that influence work motivation and official employee performance. This study used a sample of 108 state civil servants through the purposive sampling technique at the Department of Population and Civil Registration. The exogenous variables in this study are incentives and workload, while the endogenous variables are work motivation and employee performance. The measurement of the variables was carried out using a Likert scale. Path Analysis did data analysis with a multiple linear regression approach. The study results indicate a direct and positive, and significant effect between the incentive variables and employee work motivation, workload and employee work motivation, incentives and employee performance, workload and employee performance, and work motivation and employee performance. This effect can be shown by the coefficient values of 0.154, 0.132, 0.145, 0.126, and 0.529. The results of this study support that the incentive factors and workload are given to employees can improve the performance of the Population and Civil Registration Service employees. Clarity and openness to sources of motivation need to be done to support employee performance. Research provides recommendations on the importance of attention to improve employee professionalism so that employees will be able to perform well.
Entrepreneurship Education: A Veritable Tool for Employment Generation Among Faculty of Education Graduates, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Authors: Chinyere Nwankwo, Madeleine , Nnajiofor F. N.
Published: September 2021

The study examined entrepreneurship education (EE) as a veritable tool for employment generation among Nigerian graduates. A survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study was all the 987 final year students of faculty of education 2019/2020 academic session in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. Stratified sampling technique was used to select 10 % of students in each department, making a total of 99 students who constituted the study sample. The instrument for data collection for the study was a 31-item researcher-constructed questionnaire divided into four clusters. The instrument was validated by experts and tested for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha which yielded a reliability index of 0.71. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the Data. The findings of the study showed among others that the method and techniques of teaching EE in Nigerian universities is not adequate. Based on the findings, recommendations were made which included among others that government should strive to adequately fund EE and provide functional EE centers in every Nigerian University.
Survey and Assessment of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Economy of Tra Vinh Province, Viet Nam and Policy Implications
Authors: NGUYEN Ha Hong
Published: September 2021

This study aims to evaluate the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the business performance in Tra Vinh province, Viet Nam and suggests a feasible policy to overcome the challenges in the coming time. By collecting secondary data from the surveyed results report, the authors evaluate the impacts of Covid-19 on the business performance in Tra Vinh province via two surveys announced by Tra Vinh Statistical Office in April 2020 and September 2020; at the same time, by the method of evaluation, comparison and analysis, the current affairs and business activities of Tra Vinh province in the Covid-2019 pandemic period will also be effectively assessed; the effects of the epidemic on the business activities of the local enterprises. At the same time, we propose the implications of policies in the coming time, towards the dual goal of "Preventing of pandemic and ensuring the economic growth in Tra Vinh Province".
Avaliação da presença de biotoxinas marinhas em moluscos bivalves na região da Costeira do Ribeirão em Florianópolis, Santa Catarina
Authors: Pigozzi Luiza , Santiago Freitas Valentina , Salazar Valéria Americo , Verruck Silvani
Published: September 2021

Santa Catarina representa a maior parte da produção de moluscos bivalves no Brasil e sua capital, Florianópolis, é um grande polo de cultivo sendo a Costeira do Ribeirão da Ilha, bairro localizado no sul da ilha, um local de grande produtividade. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os resultados das análises de monitoramento de ficotoxinas realizadas em ostras e mexilhões provenientes da Costeira do Ribeirão da Ilha no período de outubro de 2019 até outubro de 2020. A compilação dos dados demonstrou ocorrência de biotoxinas marinhas na região em cinco datas. Os laudos apresentaram valores de ácido okadaico de 243,7; 350,0; 335,0; 173,8; e 186,2µg/kg. Nessas ocasiões os valores estavam acima do máximo permitido pela legislação brasileira e, por isso, a retirada e comercialização dos moluscos foi proibida temporariamente no período em que as contaminações estavam presentes. Sendo, assim, este trabalho demonstra que o monitoramento da qualidade das águas e moluscos bivalves têm grande importância para garantir a saúde do consumidor, tendo em vista a tendência de expansão do cultivo e consumo desse alimento nos próximos anos.
Características nutricionais de doces em pasta de Araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.)
Authors: Barros Dias Bianca , Dos Santos Oliveira Maria Olivia , Alves de Morais Rômulo , Bastos Freitas Bárbara Catarina , Aparecida de Souza Martins Glêndara
Published: September 2021

Fruto nativo do Cerrado, o Araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.) é muito consumido in natura. Devido a sua sazonalidade a aplicação de tecnologias de processamento são alternativas que garantem o aumento de sua vida útil, e consequentemente agrega valor econômico, entre elas, uma das formas mais aceitas pelos consumidores, é a transformação dos frutos em doces. Diante disso, o conhecimento da composição nutricional, bem como o desenvolvimento da tabela de composição nutricional de acordo com a legislação é de grande importância. Portanto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo aproveitar a polpa do Araticum na forma de doce em pasta com substituições da pectina usada comercialmente por albedo de maracujá, e ainda avaliar a qualidade nutricional de formulações, com foco na inserção do fruto no mercado consumidor. Para o processamento, foi utilizado um delineamento experimental 2³ com 11 ensaios e 3 variáveis independentes (ácido cítrico, polpa/açúcar e albedo de maracujá). Foi procedida a informação nutricional das formulações de acordo com as legislações vigentes e dispostas em tabelas de composição nutricional. As formulações apresentaram baixo valor calórico, valores estes, menores do que aqueles encontrados para doces comerciais, o que amplia as possibilidades de consumo do produto, como na alimentação escolar.
Otimização e correlação sensorial de formulações de doces em pasta de Araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.)
Authors: Dos Santos Oliveira Maria Olivia , Alves de Morais Rômulo , Barros Dias Bianca , Mariane da Silva Soares Camila , Fonseca Moreira da Silva Juliana , Aparecida de Souza Martins Glêndara
Published: September 2021

Araticum é um fruto nativo do bioma Cerrado que possui alto potencial nutricional, funcional e econômico. No entanto, o fruto é sazonal, o seu processamento além de agregar valor, permite o aumento da vida útil e o consumo de produtos independente do período de colheita. Diante disso, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo aproveitar o fruto do Araticum sob a forma de doce em pasta com substituição da pectina comercial por albedo de maracujá, bem como a avaliação da qualidade microbiológica e nutricional, e otimização sensorial das formulações, com foco na inserção do fruto no mercado consumidor. Para o processamento, foi utilizado um delineamento experimental 2³ com 11 ensaios e 3 variáveis independentes (ácido cítrico, polpa/açúcar e albedo de maracujá). Foram realizadas análises microbiológicas, testes sensoriais de aceitação para otimização das formulações, correlação entre os atributos sensoriais. As 11 formulações obtiveram boa aceitação dos provadores, sendo que, as formulações 9, 10 e 11 foram preferidas pelos modelos de otimização.
Volatile fraction and aroma properties of microalgae Scenedesmus obliquus
Authors: Lasta Paola , Rodrigues Vieira Karem , Nass Pinheiro Pricila , Wagner Roger , Queiroz Zepka Leila , Jacob-Lopes Eduardo
Published: September 2021

Microalgae have great potential to become a new crop that could significantly impact the world's need for food in the 21st century. Despite their potential as a food ingredient, microalgae need social acceptance as food. In addition, organoleptic traits, such as aroma, are key factors for humans to accept microalgae as part of their diet. In this sense, some requirements such as culture, species, and environmental conditions are extremely important for these microorganisms that are capable of producing a wide range of volatile organic compounds, such as alcohols, hydrocarbons, esters, aldehydes, terpenes, ketones, and lactones. Thus, the aim of the study was to characterize volatile organic compounds with an aroma descriptor from the microalgal biomass of Scenedesmus obliquus. The volatile compounds were isolated by solid-phase microextraction applied in the headspace, detected by gas chromatography, and differentiated by mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS). The results showed that hexanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and 1-propanol were identified as the most abundant volatiles in the biomass of Scenedesmus obliquus.