bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review on Coronaviruses: The Infectious Agent to Animals and Human
Authors: Dharmayanti NiLuh Putu Indi , Nurjanah Diana
Published: May 2020

Coronavirus is a non-segmented, positive-stranded RNA virus with four main structural proteins, namely Spike (S), Membrane (M), Envelope (E), and Nucleocapsid (N) proteins. Coronavirus can cause diseases in the respiratory and digestive tract, as well as in central nervous system of animals and humans. There are four genera in the Orthocoronavirinae subfamily, including Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Gammacoronavirus, and Deltacoronavirus. Alphacoronavirus and Betacoronavirus are commonly found in mammals, while Gammacoronavirus and Deltacoronavirus are found to infect  birds and mammals. Until 2018, zoonoses coronaviruses consisted of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Coronavirus became worldwide concern after it was identified as the cause of the pneumonia outbreak occurred at the end of 2019 in China. The coronavirus is associated with the fish market in Wuhan, then the disease is called COVID-19 (Coronavirus Infectious Diseases-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2. Virus SARS-CoV-2 has infected >1.6 million people around the world and until the end of March 2020, it caused more than 99.000 deaths including 3.512 cases with the total number of deaths to 306 in Indonesia. This paper discusses Coronavirus and scientific information related to Coronaviruses in which several variants are zoonoses.
TRIPLICIDADE E INTERAÇÕES ESPACIAIS: A CENTRALIDADE DOS TRÊS NÚCLEOS EM MARABÁ-PA
Authors: Silva Mauro Emílio Costa , Nascimento Núbia Nogueira do
Published: May 2020

Este artigo discute uma das propostas analisadas e desenvolvidas em pesquisa de doutorado, ainda em transição. Procuramos traçar definições de alguns teóricos para discutir as interações espaciais existentes entre três centros (núcleos) na cidade de Marabá-PA. A geografia é uma ciência que busca compreender a produção do seu principal objeto conceitual, espaço. Faz-se uma retrospectiva histórica da cidade de Marabá-PA, levando em consideração o processo de povoamento e urbanização e as atividades econômicas consolidadas ao longo dos anos. Busca-se a compreensão das interações espaciais da cidade de Marabá-PA e seus núcleos urbanos, Marabá Pioneira, Nova Marabá e Cidade Nova e seus distritos, que aqui não serão privilegiados, como Morada Nova, São Felix e Distrito Industrial. O estudo teve como procedimento metodológico pesquisa bibliográfica e duas entrevistas, realizadas com passageiros em táxis e com passageiros nos dois Terminais Rodoviários. Ao findar desse processo, obtivemos como resposta uma reflexão do intenso fluxo de pessoas e do processo econômico predominante na cidade de Marabá-PA.
OS MEGAEVENTOS ESPORTIVOS NO BRASIL E O USO CORPORATIVO DO TERRITÓRIO: O CASO EMBLEMÁTICO DA VILA AUTÓDROMO NO RIO DE JANEIRO
Authors: Vico Roberto Paolo , Azevedo Francisco Fransualdo de
Published: May 2020

O uso dos territórios pelas grandes empresas e organizações esportivas internacionais tende atualmente a ocorrer de acordo com seus interesses e demandas que são cada vez mais influenciadas pelo capital internacional. Deste modo, a utilização de espaços selecionados do território nacional fica submetido a uma dinâmica que, por intermédio de instituições e empresas internacionais e com a tutela do Estado e dos governos locais, acaba se subordinando a uma lógica global. Este artigo tem como campo de estudo o fenômeno dos megaeventos esportivos como instrumentos de transformações socio-territoriais, problematizando de que forma as grandes organizações esportivas internacionais como a FIFA e o COI, junto com seus parceiros comerciais e o Estado, utilizam e planejam o espaço geográfico brasileiro para fins de realização dos megaeventos esportivos. Ao longo do estudo abordam-se questões relativas ao uso corporativo hierárquico do território pelos grandes grupos e organizações esportivas e os efeitos derivantes, com particular ênfase nos recentes megaeventos esportivos no Brasil: Copa do Mundo de Futebol de 2014 e Jogos Olímpicos do Rio de Janeiro de 2016. Finalmente aborda-se o caso de estudo da Vila Autódromo, na Zona Oeste do Rio de Janeiro, como exemplo de significativa transformação do espaço pelos megaeventos esportivos.
ESTRUTURA FUNDIÁRIA E CONSERVAÇÃO DE FLORESTAS EM PROPRIEDADES RURAIS DO CIRCUITO DAS FRUTAS/SP: UMA ANÁLISE DOS IMPACTOS DA LEI 12.651/2012 NA CONFORMAÇÃO DE RESERVAS LEGAIS E COTAS DE RESERVA AMBIENTAL
Authors: Gavioli Felipe Rosafa , Melillo Raquel Carnivalle Silva , Oliveira Cristiane Ronchi de
Published: May 2020

Com a Lei 12.651/2012, a estrutura fundiária passou a condicionar as ações de proteção florestal, variáveis conforme o tamanho dos imóveis rurais. Este estudo analisou, a partir de geoprocessamento, a estrutura fundiária e a cobertura florestal em imóveis rurais do Circuito das Frutas/SP, com vistas a avaliar os impactos da Lei 12.651/2012 na instituição de Reservas Legais (RLs) e Cotas de Reserva Ambiental (CRAs) no território. No Circuito das Frutas há 5.784 propriedades cadastradas no Cadastro Ambiental Rural, com área de 125 mil hectares, das quais 91,60% são pequenas propriedades. A cobertura florestal incidente nas propriedades soma 32,5 mil hectares. O artigo 67 da lei florestal reduz em 3,79 mil hectares (ou 68,22%) as RLs das pequenas propriedades, e a demanda potencial por CRAs é de 3,45 mil hectares, sendo que há 8,14 mil hectares de florestas que poderiam compensar este déficit garantindo adicionalidade. Conclui-se que o impacto do artigo 67 da lei florestal no território é relevante, afetando a conservação da biodiversidade. De outro lado, há potencial para proteger florestas passíveis de supressão legal pela instituição de CRAs, sendo que a regulamentação da lei florestal deve buscar critérios ecológicos e de adicionalidade para viabilizar estes arranjos de compensação.
Distributed Generation: A Critical Review of Technologies, Grid Integration Issues, Growth Drivers and Potential Benefits
Authors: Khetrapal Pavan
Published: May 2020

Owing to liberalization of electricity market, technology evolution, energy security, environmental issues and growing concerns of energy cost, the penetration of distributed energy units in distribution network is increasingly observed worldwide. Penetratingrembedded generation, or distributedrgeneration (DG), in powerrdistribution grid requires asnumber of issues to be considered, such as definition of DG, rating of DG, the best DG technology etc. This paper presents an extensive critical review of various dimensions of distributed generation (DG) including definitions, generation technologies and their status, impact on distribution network performance etc. The study also presents comparative study between the various technologies in terms of most important technological characteristics of each DG technology. The policy makers, utility regulators and DG planning engineers can use this critical review, withoutigoing through complicatedicomputations, as guidelines to makeipolicies, standards andidecisions in DG penetration andirelated issues.
An Efficient Algorithm for Power Prediction in PV Generation System
Authors: Alsafasfeh Qais
Published: May 2020

Aiming at the existing photovoltaic power generation prediction methods, the modeling is complicated, the prediction accuracy is low, and it is difficult to meet the actual needs. Based on the improvement of the traditional wavelet neural network, a dual-mode cuckoo search wavelet neural network algorithm combined prediction method is proposed, which takes into account the extraction of chaotic features of surface solar radiation and photovoltaic output power. The proposed algorithm first reconstructs the chaotic phase space of the hidden information of each influencing factor in the data history of PV generation and according to the correlation analysis, the solar radiation is utilized as additional input. Next, the proposed algorithm overcomes the limitations of the cuckoo search algorithm such as the sensitivity to the initial value and searchability and convergence speed by dual-mode cuckoo search wavelet neural network algorithm. Lastly, a prediction model of the proposed algorithm is proposed and the prediction analysis is performed under different weather conditions. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm shows better performance than the existing algorithms under different weather conditions. Under various weather conditions, the mean values of TIC, EMAE and ENRMSE error indicators of the proposed forecasting algorithm were reduced by 43.70%, 45.75%, and 45.41%, respectively. Compared with the Chaos-WNN prediction method, the prediction performance has been further improved under various weather conditions and the mean values of TIC, EMAE and ENRMSE error indicators have been reduced by 25.55%, 27.26%, and 36.83%, respectively.
Estimating Weibull Parameters for Wind Energy Applications using Seven Numerical Methods: Case studies of three costal sites in West Africa
Authors: Guenoukpati Agbassou , Salami Adekunlé Akim , Kodjo Mawugno Koffi , Napo Kossi
Published: May 2020

In this study, the effectiveness of seven numerical methods is evaluated to determine the shape (K) and scale (C) parameters of Weibull distribution function for the purpose of calculating the wind speed characteristics and wind power density. The selected methods are graphical method (GPM), empirical method of Justus (EMJ), empirical method of Lysen (EML), energy pattern factor method (EPFM), maximum likelihood method (MLM) moment method (MOM) and the proposed. Hybrid method (HM) derived from EPFM and EMJ. The purpose is to identify the most appropriate method for computing the mean wind speed, wind speed standard deviation and wind power density for different costal locations in West Africa. Three costal sites (Lomé, Accra and Cotonou) are selected. The input data was collected, from January 2004 to December 2015 for Lomé site, from January 2009 to December 2015 for Accra site and from January 2009 to December 2012 for Cotonou. The results indicate that the precision of the computed mean wind speed, wind speed standard deviation and wind power density values change when different parameters estimation methods are used. Five of them which are EMJ, EML, EPF, MOM, ML, and HM method present very good accuracy while GPM shows weak ability for all three sites.
Bioethanol Production from Sugarcane Bagasse Using Neurospora intermedia in an Airlift Bioreactor
Authors: Restiawaty Elvi , Gani Kindi Pyta , Dewi Arinta , Arina Linea Alfa , Kurniawati Katarina Ika , Budhi Yogi Wibisono , Akhmaloka Akhmaloka
Published: May 2020

Bagasse as solid waste in sugarcane industry can be utilized as one of the potential raw materials in the bioprocess industry. This research aims to investigate the conversion of bagasse to bioethanol using simultaneous saccharification and fermentation in an airlift bioreactor. Neurospora intermedia was used as a biological agent that carried out the saccharification and fermentation of sugarcane bagasse simultaneously for bioethanol production. Cell morphology of N. intermedia in the form of pellet was required to provide free movement in the axial flow of airlift bioreactor. The medium pH strongly affects the morphological shape of N. intermedia. Therefore, the formation of good pellets of inoculum was observed under acidic conditions, i.e. pH 3.0 – 3.5. The effect of the initial concentration of nutrient on the inoculum growth was also investigated. Inoculums cultured in potato dextrose broth (PDB) medium with a half the strength of the common nutrient concentration of PDB qualitatively indicated good growth in terms of the size and density of cells. The inoculums with good morphological form were fed into the airlift bioreactor, which already contained a liquid medium with initial pH of 3.5 and also contained pre-treated bagasse. In experiments using the airlift bioreactor, the pre-treated bagasse was added to various nutrient concentrations of the PDB infusion medium. The highest bioethanol production from bagasse was monitored in the medium culture of half strength PDB infusion. The yield of bioethanol obtained from total sugarcane bagasse and PDB in an air lift bioreactor achieved approximately 40%, which has an infusion medium with a half-strength PDB and initial pH of 3.0.
Neural network performance based on backpropagation and LVQ as the LoRa RSS fingerprint algorithms for positioning in an open space
Authors: Misbahuddin Misbahuddin , Iqbal Muhamad Syamsu , Wiriasto Giri Wahyu , Ahmad L , Akbar S. Irfan , Irwan Muhammad
Published: May 2020

Outdoor positioning is one of the important applications in the Internet of things (IoT). The usage of GPS is unsuitable for low-power IoT devices. Alternatively, it can use the LoRa devices. This research aims to find a better method as the fingerprint algorithm for determining the outdoor position using RSS LoRa. The methods used as the fingerprint algorithm were two artificial neural network models, i.e. backpropagation (BP) with four types of training methods and learning vector quantization (LVQ) with two types of training methods. The experiment results show the performance of LVQ1 better than those of LVQ2. Besides, the LVQ1 was also better than the BP method. However, both BP and LVQ2 have a performance that is almost similar to about 70 %. Both of the artificial neural network models, BP and LVQ, can be used as a fingerprint algorithm to determine quite accurate the outdoor object position.
The Effect Of Punishment On Employee Productivity In Pt. Asuransi Bintang TBK Makassar Branch
Authors: . Nurlina , Ramli Anwar
Published: May 2020

This study aims to determine the magnitude of the influence of Punishmant on employee productivity at PT. Asuransi Bintang Tbk. Makassar branch. The population in this study were all employees of PT. Asuransi Bintang Tbk. Makassar branch, amounting to 25 people. The number of samples used was 25 people using saturated sample toeri. Data collection was carried out using interview, observation and questionnaire methods. The data analysis technique used is simple regression analysis using Statistical Product Standard Solution (SPSS) for window. This shows that punishment has a significant effect on employee work productivity at PT. Asuransi Bintang Tbk. Makassar branch.
SERVICE QUALITY MEDIATION EFFECT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION, AND LEARNING ORIENTATION, ON THE PERFORMANCE OF STARS HOTELS IN EAST KALIMANTAN
Authors: Yudhyani Eka
Published: May 2020

This study aims to prove and analyze service quality as a mediating variable of the influence of entrepreneurial  orientation, and learning orientation on the performance of star hotels in East Kalimantan.

The results of research and testing using PLS with the SmartPLS v.3 program show (1) Entrepreneurial orientation has no signifikan effect on service quality.(2) Learning orientation has a positive and significant effect on service quality.(3) Entrepreneurial orientation has a positive and significant effect on hotel performance. (4) Learning orientation has no significant effect on hotel performance.(5)Sevice quality has a positive and significant effect on hotel performance

This study was conducted to test the model of the effect of entrepreneurial orientation, and learning orientation on service quality and hotel performance and the result show that the model developed in this study is acceptable, meaning that the model in this study can be used as a model to improve performance star hotel in East Kalimantan.
Factors influencing social media usage among Farm youth in rural communities of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria
Authors: Oluyaire Bankole , S. B. Abdulkarim , G. Lukman , Danbaki C. A. , O. O. Samson , C. O. Akure , A. F. Aderounmu , L. G. Lapkat , A. A. Adetunji , Bako Amos
Published: May 2020

The study assessed factors influencing social media usage for agricultural information dissemination among farm youth in rural communities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 212 respondents. Structured interview schedule was used to collect data, and analysed with descriptive statistics and factor analysis. The result from the study showed that  majority (59.9%) of the farm youth were between the ages of 15 and 24 years with mean age range of 23.82.76, 68% had completed secondary school while 68%  practiced Christianity. The study further identified socioeconomic and social media related as two factors that emerged from factor analysis of ten variables. The study recommended that the use of social media for agricultural information dissemination should consider users’ education, values and culture as well as the availability and accessibility of the media and, the level of knowledge of social media the beneficiaries have for maximum benefit.
THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF BODABODA TRANSPORT BUSINESS AMONG YOUTHS IN ARUSHA- COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
Authors: Luvinga Kepha , Kilasara Simon
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACT

This study reports upon the findings on the cost and profitability of bodaboda transport business among youths in Arusha. As used in this study, the term bodaboda applies for a two wheeled motorized taxi which provides ‘for hire’ type transport services to passengers and goods. The bodaboda have became an employment opportunity to many unskilled urban labour and further job opportunity to informal sector workers who wish to switch jobs in search of higher rewards. The questionnaires were used to collect data to 90 respondents from two districts of Arusha region namely Arusha and Meru district. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and cost benefit analysis. The finding from the study indicates that the bodaboda transport business is profitable with the benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 2.8 and the net present value (NPV) of 8,494,920Tsh for five years project duration.

By having the benefit cost ratio and the net present value greater than 1, the bodaboda business is profitable and worth being undertaken. Based on the findings from the study it is recommended that the government authorities and all key stakeholders should regulate, and support the implementation of bodaboda bussiness through formalization of bodaboda associations, assurance of financial supports and capacity building to youths who engage or willing to engage in the business.
Microbiological quality of poultry food and water used in chicken breeding farm in the peri-urban area of Bamako, Mali
Authors: Toure H. , Maiga O. S. , SAMAKE Mamadou , Touré O. , Traoré A. , Touré I. , Traoré A. S. , S. Kéita , Maiga A. , Coulibaly M. , Camara M. , Babana A. , Traoré M. , Ouattara M. , Yattara I. I.
Published: May 2020

The peri-urban area of Bamako contains many chicken breeding production farms. The conditions of these farms can constitute risk factors. The insufficiency of scientific data relating to the environment of those farms and to the various inputs makes it difficult to determine their real impact on the sanitary quality of food.

Our study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of the food and water used in 15 farms in the peri-urban area of Bamako.

The results showed that all of the analyzed water samples had more or less aflatoxin content with a maximum value of 12.2 ppb observed on the Bamako-Tienfala axis. The presence of mould was also detected in 46.6% of the water samples analyzed with a higher frequency in well water, i.e. 26.66%.

Salmonella contamination of water has been observed in samples taken on all axes, with a strong dominance on the Bamako-Kati axis. For poultry foods the samples taken from farms on the Bamako-Kassela and Bamako-Siby axes were positive.

Poultry food and water used in chicken breeding production are risk factors identified in the production system.
Perception of creative economy in supporting family economy In Jayapura City.
Authors: Iek Mesak , Ratang Sarlota Arrang
Published: May 2020

Iek Mesak , Ratang sarlota, 2019,  perception of creative economy in supporting family Peekonomian in Jayapura city. (case study on culinary and craft subfields)

               With 51 respondents creative economic actors on sub-fields of culinary and sub-field of crafts in Jayapura city. The purpose of this research is to analyze the perception of creative economic actors (Asar fish and noken bags) in supporting the family economy in Jayapura City., analyzing the influence of capital and Labor on the income of business actors (culinary target fish and A noken bag maker) in Jayapura City. The results of the study are: 1) for the characteristics of the respondent indicates that the average age of respondents showed that most at the age of 31 – 40 years as much as 30 respondents or 58.8%. It shows that the creative business in Jayapura is at a productive age. While seen from the most genders, women who do creative effort 40 respondents or 94.1%. This shows that women are a very important role in the creative business in Jayapura City. And the last is the type of business that is Almost balanced between the culinary creative effort one of them is the making of the target fish and from the side of the craft is making a noken bag. 2). For the factor that affects the income there are 2 namely capital and labor. And the analysis shows that the capital (X1) has a significant influence between the capital to the income of Business (Y).. While the workforce (X2) has a weak and insignificant impact on the income of businessmen
Strategies for New Product Development in an Emerging Market
Authors: BASHIR USMAN , SAEED SANA , ABBAS SYED KAZIM
Published: May 2020

In competitive environment, selection of right strategy for new product development is considered as essential component for any business’s survival. In all available strategies, innovation and competitive strategies are the most important. Many organizations have to face failure while implementing this strategy because of having lack and integration among Research Development., Marketing, Customer and Competitor. This integration is considered the driver for new product development. Accordingly, this study is focusing the importance of right selection within Pakistani context by interviewing key informants working in different organizations. Implications will be beneficial for strategy makers working on new product development
Healthcare professional awareness of eating disorders in people with type 1 diabetes: a staff survey
Authors: Brewster Sarah , Partridge Helen , Cross Caroline , Price Hermione
Published: May 2020

Background: People with type 1 diabetes are at increased risk of eating disorders. ‘Diabulimia’ is a term used in academic literature and social media to describe insulin omission/restriction in type 1 diabetes for fear of weight gain. The condition is associated with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality.Aim: To determine healthcare professional awareness and knowledge of eating disorders in type 1 diabetes.Method: A short, cross-sectional, online healthcare professional survey across primary, secondary and community settings.Results: The study will report in 2020.Discussion and Conclusion: Results from the survey will establish the awareness and knowledge of diabulimia amongst healthcare professionals, helping to inform the requirement for subsequent healthcare professional training on the identification, sign posting and referring of vulnerable individuals to specialist care as appropriate. These data are important in the subsequent development of services to support people with eating disorders in the context of type 1 diabetes.
Development of Analogy-Based Material Physics Module to Provide Analogy Ability of Physics Teachers Candidates
Authors: Yanti F. A. , Kuswanto H. , Habibi H. , Kinasih A.
Published: May 2020

It is known that the 'electronic structure of atoms' in material physics is microscopic. This atomic structure has an abstract and complicated concept, therefore good analogy skills are needed to study comprehensively. This research develops a free analogy-based material physics module to supply analogy skills to prospective physics teacher students. Module development uses the 4D model namely Define, Design, Development and Disseminate. The feasibility aspects are required based on the presentation, content, and grammar. Data obtained from expert assessment and trials using questionnaires, interviews, and tests. Increased student analogy skills were analyzed using normalized N-gain. The results obtained are: (1) the characteristics of the module that has learning steps such as teaching with analogy models, namely: introducing the concept of targets, reviewing the concept of analogies, identifying the relevant nature of targets and analogies, mapping analogies with targets, identifying analogies that are not relevant to targets, and make conclusions, (2) module quality on atomic electronic structure material developed is categorized as feasible, (3) modules are proven to increase mastery of the concept of atomic electronic structure (N-gain = 54%) and analytical skills prospective teachers physics (N-gain = 56%). The development of physics modules based on free analogies can be applied to other learning, such as biology, chemistry, and mathematics to explain abstract material.
Political Reading of Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions
Authors: Alenezi Majed
Published: May 2020

This paper explores Tsitsi Dangarembga’s debut novel, Nervous Conditions, from a political perspective. It has been read as portraying of gender relationships, social hierarchies and oppression of African women. This paper takes a different route as it analyses the role of masculinities through a political perspective. The conflict and struggle between genders in the text can be read through a political and historical perspective. This particular reading is permitted through a close analysis of the male characters in the novel. The research argues that male characters resemble or behave in away similar to white colonizers in their treatment of African women. Reading the novel through a political perspective provides the reader with the benefit of understanding the changes that occur in the characters and the role of gender conflict in the text. The triumph of Tambu and Nyasha at the end underscores the failure of colonial power to colonize Zimbabwe.
Physiotherapy and Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises for the Prevention and Treatment of Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Khorasani Fahime , Ghaderi Fariba , Sarbakhsh Parvin , Ahadi Parisa , Khorasani Elahe , Ansari Fereshteh , Vahed Nafiseh
Published: May 2020

Objectives: The present systematic review focused on the prevention or treatment of three main types of pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFDs) specifically pelvic organ prolapse (POP), urinary incontinence (UI), and fecal incontinence (FI) using physiotherapy and pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs). With regard to the breadth of the problem, there is not much evidence grounded on the best management. The main purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of physiotherapy and PFMEs on the prevention and treatment of pregnancy-related PFDs; namely, POP, FI, and UI. Therefore, this review incorporated studies comparing the use of physiotherapy and PFMEs with every other existing interventions. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on randomized-controlled-trial (RCT) articles and quasi-RCT designs through a search in the studies published with no time limits until December 2017 in the databases of PubMed (Medline), Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest. The meta-analysis was also applied for data synthesis. Moreover, heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q test and I2 index. Results: A total number of 26 RCTs were examined in this review in which the outcome variables were related to POP, UI, and FI prevalence; POP, UI, and FI severity, as well as pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength and endurance. In most articles, UI prevalence or severity in intervention groups had significantly improved compared with those in controls. The number of studies examining POP and FI was also relatively low. In two studies, FI severity or prevalence in intervention groups had significantly enhanced in comparison with those in control groups; however, FI prevalence in two articles had been reported lower in intervention groups than that in control groups although no significant difference had been observed. There was also no significant improvement in intervention groups in two other studies in this respect. Besides, three articles had not reported traces of improvement in POP, as well as a significant difference between intervention and control groups. Nevertheless, two studies had found a significant improvement in POP in this regard. Based on meta-analysis results for the variable of PFM strength, Cochran’s Q test (P<0.001) and I2 index (90.02) indicated heterogeneity between studies; so, a random-effect meta-analysis was applied to estimate overall effect sizes. The overall mean differences following intervention between the study groups were also equal to 6.94, with a 95% CI (1.36 to 12.52). Conclusions: It was concluded that physiotherapy and PFMEs might have effects on pregnancy-related UI, but they had not consistently reduced FI severity or prevalence and failed to constantly improve POP.
Effect of Nimodipine on Premature Luteinizing Hormone Surge in Women Undergoing Intrauterine Insemination
Authors: Razghandi Zahra , Taheripanah Robabeh , Heidar Zahra
Published: May 2020

Objectives: To determine the effect of nimodipine on premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in women undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI). Patients and Methods: Fifty-six infertile women participated in this randomized clinical trial after referring to Mahdiyeh hospital, Tehran, Iran and undergoing IUI treatment in 2017. Participants were randomly divided into nimodipine (n=34) and placebo (n=22) groups. The demographic and clinical profile of women were collected using a predesigned checklist. In the nimodipine group, 30 mg tablets were given to patients three times daily for 2 days. Finally, the serum levels of LH and estradiol were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Based on the results, the LH surge was observed in 8 (34.8%) women in the placebo group (P=0.04) while it was not detected in 29 (78.4%) women in the nimodipine group. There were no statistical differences in the serum levels of estradiol and LH between the 2 groups before the intervention. The serum levels of estradiol in both groups increased after intervention although this increase was not significant. Eventually, no statistical difference was found between the 2 groups in terms of fertility rate. Conclusions: In general, nimodipine can significantly reduce premature LH surge in patients undergoing IUI compared to the placebo group.
Effect of Psyllium Supplementation on Insulin Resistance and Lipid Profile in Non-diabetic Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Pourbehi Fatemeh , Ayremlou Parvin , Mehdizadeh Alireza , Zarrin Rasoul
Published: May 2020

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of infertility in women. In addition, the risk of type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance is higher among women with PCOS. Psyllium can reduce the levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin resistance, and lipid profile. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of psyllium supplementation on insulin resistance and the lipid profile in non-diabetic women with PCOS. Materials and Methods: In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 54 eligible non-diabetic women with PCOS aged 18-45 were recruited from an endocrinology clinic and divided into 2 groups based on their body mass index (BMI) through stratified-block randomization. Participants in intervention and placebo groups received 5 g of psyllium or cellulose microcrystalline twice a day for 8 weeks. Fasting insulin, FBS, and insulin resistance indicators including HOMA1-IR, HOMA2-IR, along with quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and the lipid profile were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: In the psyllium group, the FBS, fasting insulin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), HOMA1-IR, and HOMA2-IR indicators decreased significantly (P<0.05) after 8 weeks, but the changes were not significant in the placebo group. The mean changes in LDL-C (0.28±0.58 and 0.11±0.67 in intervention and placebo groups, respectively, P=0.036) and QUICKI (0.01±0.03 and 0.02±0.06 in intervention and placebo groups, respectively, P=0.044) were significant between the two groups from the baseline. Conclusions: Psyllium supplementation decreased FBS, fasting insulin, and the lipid profile while improving insulin resistance in non-diabetic women with PCOS.
Results of Surgical Coronary Revascularization Alone Versus Combined Surgical Revascularization and Mitral Valve Repair in Patients With Moderate Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Khallaf Ahmed , Elzayadi Mahmoud , Alkady Hesham , El Naggar Ahmed
Published: May 2020

Background: This is a prospective randomized-controlled study done to evaluate the best surgical option for moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation through either coronary artery bypass grafting only or by performing additional mitral repair.
Methods: Over a nine-month period, 60 patients with ischemic heart disease associated with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation were equally divided into two groups. Group 1 included 30 patients who had coronary artery bypass grafting with mitral valve repair; Group 2 included 30 patients who had only coronary artery bypass grafting.
Results: There were no significant differences between the study groups, regarding operative data, apart from the cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamp time, which were significantly longer in group 1 (P < 0.001). Only one patient died in group 1 due to severe myocardial dysfunction. During the follow up, the NYHA class improved in group 1, from 2.7 to 1.35 (P < 0.004), compared with group 2, where the NYHA class improved from 2.6 to 1.72 (P = 0.07). The degree of MR improved in 28 patients (93%) in group 1 and 22 patients (73%) in group 2 (P < 0.0001).
Conclusion: The study revealed many advantages of adding mitral repair to surgical revascularization in patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation, with improvement in the degree of MR and NYHA functional class. On the other hand there were no significant differences between the groups, regarding the postoperative course and incidence of mortality.
Serum Chemerin Predicts the Prognosis of Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Chen Dan , Wang Juan , Fu Jianglin
Published: May 2020

Background: Chemerin is a newly discovered adipokine, which has been reported to be associated with the presence of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The present study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of serum chemerin in patients with DCM.
Methods: A total of 214 patients with DCM was recruited and divided into 4 groups, according to quartiles of chemerin levels. Kaplan–Meier analysis was conducted to compare the survival rates among patients with different levels of chemerin, using the log-rank test. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the association of serum chemerin levels and occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), including cardiac mortality, stroke and myocardial infarction.
Results: The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients with higher concentration of chemerin had shorter event-free survivals for MACEs (P < .01). Cox regression analysis showed that chemerin was a significant predictor of MACEs (Quartile 3 versus Quartile 1: HR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.31-2.79; Quartile 4 versus Quartile 1: HR=2.87, 95% CI: 1.79-4.25) and all-cause death (Quartile 3 versus Quartile 1: HR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.20-2.42; Quartile 4 versus Quartile 1: HR=2.28, 95% CI: 1.52-3.96) after adjusting for potential risk factors.
Conclusion: Serum chemerin should be a potential prognostic indicator in patients with DCM.
Preoperative Vitamin D Level is Associated with Postoperative Delirium After Cardiac Surgery in Patients Over 65 Years of Age
Authors: Tumer Naim Boran , Tekeli Kunt Atike , Gunaydin Serdar , Ozisik Kanat
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Delirium after cardiac surgery is a devastating and important complication. Delirium is defined as “disturbance in attention (i.e., reduced ability to direct, focus, sustain, and shift attention) and awareness (reduced orientation to the environment).” In this study, we analyzed the association of preoperative vitamin D levels and postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery in patients over 65 years.
Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 212 adult patients above 65 years of age who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery from January 2016 to January 2018. The mean age for Group I was 69.7 ± 7.4 and Group II was 70.6 ± 4.8 years. There were 112 female patients in Group I and 46 female patients in Group II. The patient population was divided into 2 groups based on preoperative serum vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-OHD]) levels (normal range of 25-75nmol/L). Group I included patients with preoperative serum 25-OHD level<25nmol/L. Group II included patients with preoperative serum 25-OHD level ≥25nmol/L.
Results: The incidence of delirium in this study was 30.2%. In this study, 138 patients (65.1%) had preoperative serum 25-OHD levels <25 nmol/L, and 74 patients (34.9%) had preoperative serum 25-OHD levels ≥25 nmol/L. Preoperative serum 25-OHD levels were associated with postoperative delirium after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Our retrospective study illustrated that a lower preoperative serum level of 25-OHD was associated with postoperative delirium. Our results showed that 65.1% of patients had preoperative serum 25-OHD levels <25 nmol/L, and this was associated with postoperative delirium.
Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency exacerbates delirium after coronary artery bypass surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Whether the effects of vitamin D deficiency during this event represent separate or interrelated activities with cardiopulmonary bypass is an important question to address and prospective randomized studies are necessary to confirm these results.
Fear and Foxes: An Educational Primer for Use with “Anterior Pituitary Transcriptome Suggests Differences in ACTH Release in Tame and Aggressive Foxes”
Authors: Simpson Julie H
Published: May 2020

The way genes contribute to behavior is complicated. Although there are some single genes with large contributions, most behavioral differences are due to small effects from many interacting genes. This makes it hard to identify the genes that cause behavioral differences. Mutagenesis screens in model organisms, selective breeding experiments in animals, comparisons between related populations with different behaviors, and genome-wide association studies in humans are promising and complementary approaches to understanding the heritable aspects of complex behaviors. To connect genes to behaviors requires measuring behavioral differences, locating correlated genetic changes, determining when, where, and how these candidate genes act, and designing causative confirmatory experiments. This area of research has implications from basic discovery science to human mental health.
Phenotypic Plasticity: From Theory and Genetics to Current and Future Challenges
Authors: Sommer Ralf J
Published: May 2020

Phenotypic plasticity is defined as the property of organisms to produce distinct phenotypes in response to environmental variation. While for more than a century, biologists have proposed this organismal feature...

Phenotypic plasticity is defined as the property of organisms to produce distinct phenotypes in response to environmental variation. While for more than a century, biologists have proposed this organismal feature to play an important role in evolution and the origin of novelty, the idea has remained contentious. Plasticity is found in all domains of life, but only recently has there been an increase in empirical studies. This contribution is intended as a fresh view and will discuss current and future challenges of plasticity research, and the need to identify associated molecular mechanisms. After a brief summary of conceptual, theoretical, and historical aspects, some of which were responsible for confusion and contention, I will formulate three major research directions and predictions for the role of plasticity as a facilitator of novelty. These predictions result in a four-step model that, when properly filled with molecular mechanisms, will reveal plasticity as a major factor of evolution. Such mechanistic insight must be complemented with comparative investigations to show that plasticity has indeed created novelty and innovation. Together, such studies will help develop a true developmental evolutionary biology.
Realismo mágico y real maravilloso: modelos interpretativos para la historia cultural de América Latina
Authors: Álvarez Pitaluga Antonio
Published: May 2020

Se propone un acercamiento histórico a las categorías literarias, realismo mágico y real maravilloso, mediante un análisis de sus potencialidades como modelos interpretativos para la historia cultural de Latinoamérica. Se demuestra, además, que sus más reconocidos representantes, Miguel Ángel Asturias y Alejo Carpentier, estructuraron dichas aportaciones desde una perspectiva historicista como modelos transdiciplinarios para la comprensión cultural de América Latina.
La memoria de los pueblos en la Colección de Preguntas y Respuestas del Instituto Centroamericano de Extensión de la Cultura (ICECU)
Authors: Bonilla Matamoros Daniel
Published: May 2020

La Colección de Preguntas y Respuestas del ICECU constituye una fuente documental privilegiada, única, poco explorada y con una amplia riqueza. En este texto se realiza una descripción del trabajo del ICECU y de su archivo, y se brinda una aproximación a las diferentes temáticas que lo conforman.
Application of Agent-based Modeling for Cultural Information-based Decisions Making
Authors: Laužikas Rimvydas , Plikynas Darius , Dulskis Vytautas , Sakalauskas Leonidas , Miliauskas Arūnas
Published: May 2020

The impact of cultural processes on personal and social changes is one of the important research issues not only in contemporary social sciences but also for simulation of future development scenarios and evidence-based policy decision making. In the context of the theoretical concept of cultural values, based on the system theory and theory of social capital, the impact of cultural events could be analyzed and simulated by focussing on the construction/deconstruction of social capital, which takes place throughout the actor’s cultural participation. The main goal of this research is the development of measuring metrics, and agent-based simulation model aimed at investigation of the social impact of cultural processes.  This paper provides new insights of modeling the social capital changes in a society and its groups, depending on cultural participation. The proposed measurement metrics provide the measurement facility of three key components: actors, cultural events and events flow and social capital. It provides the initial proof of concept simulation results, - simplified agent-based simulation model showcase. The NetLogo MAS platform is used as a simulation environment.
Relations between Organizational Culture and Human Resources Management in a Modern Organization
Authors: Pavlova Oksana
Published: May 2020

This article presents the development of organizational culture in terms of a rapidly changing environment in a modern labor market. Old definitions had to bring new persuasion into the field in order to compete among modern organizations. We can witness those changes firstly by analyzing how the meaning of an organizational culture has been changed over the previous decades from a very narrow function to a wide and meaningful definition including soft skills and psychological aspects. The most common reason why it happened is economic and technological growth and changes in demand which come along with it. Organizations must adapt to those changes; otherwise, consequences can be crucial. Organizational culture nowadays includes more supporting disciplines, and one of them is Human Resources Management (HRM).
Organizational culture and Human Resources Management have been merged as supporting disciplines approximately in the late nineties. The meaning of that phenomena got even stronger when American psychologists admitted its relevance and supported the idea that organizational culture consists not only of an external context. HRM’s components, such as employee’s engagement, the management of cultural differences among parties, creative leadership, the identification of a specific and individual needs, etc., became relevant in shaping organizational culture in a modern organization. The article presents components which belong to the side of organizational culture as well as to the side of HRM and the most important relations between two disciplines and common components which glued those disciplines together.
Tummy Time and Infant Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hewitt Lyndel , Kerr Erin , Stanley Rebecca M. , Okely Anthony D.
Published: May 2020

CONTEXT:

The World Health Organization recommends tummy time for infants because of the benefits of improved motor development and reduced likelihood of plagiocephaly. Because of poor uptake of these recommendations, the association of tummy time with other health outcomes requires further investigation.

OBJECTIVE:

To review existing evidence regarding the association of tummy time with a broad and specific range of infant health outcomes.

DATA SOURCES:

Electronic databases were searched between June 2018 and April 2019.

STUDY SELECTION:

Peer-reviewed English-language articles were included if they investigated a population of healthy infants (0 to 12 months), using an observational or experimental study design containing an objective or subjective measure of tummy time which examined the association with a health outcome (adiposity, motor development, psychosocial health, cognitive development, fitness, cardiometabolic health, or risks/harms).

DATA EXTRACTION:

Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed their quality.

RESULTS:

Sixteen articles representing 4237 participants from 8 countries were included. Tummy time was positively associated with gross motor and total development, a reduction in the BMI-z score, prevention of brachycephaly, and the ability to move while prone, supine, crawling, and rolling. An indeterminate association was found for social and cognitive domains, plagiocephaly, walking, standing, and sitting. No association was found for fine motor development and communication.

LIMITATIONS:

Most studies were observational in design and lacked the robustness of a randomized controlled trial. High selection and performance bias were also present.

CONCLUSIONS:

These findings guide the prioritization of interventions aimed at assisting parents meet the global and national physical activity guidelines.