bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Species Identification of Mealie Meal Spoilage Organisms and Pathogenic Bacteria From Selected Food Stores in Lusaka District of Zambia.
Authors: Adeyemo Dayo , Hang`ombe Bernard Mudenda , Muma John Bwalya , Munyemme Musso
Published: June 2020

Mealie Meal is one of the by-products of maize from dry milling. It constitutes more significant part of the daily diet of growing population of the f Lusaka District of Zambia. However, reported cases of a cholera outbreak in October 2017-May 2018 were attributed to water contamination in the households of Lusaka. Hitherto there is no previous study or documented data for gastroenteritis caused by microbial contamination from food stores.The main objective of the study was to carry out species identification of Mealie meal spoilage organisms and pathogenic bacteria from selected food stores in Lusaka district from September 2019 – March 2020.Cross-sectional survey (prevalence study) was conducted for food spoilage organisms and pathogenic bacteria of packaged maize meal flour from a selected food store. The number of packaged Mealie meal samples from selected food stores included in the study was 143 samples. Samples were obtained by a simple stratified random selection from food stores in Lusaka District. Thus Mealie Meal samples bought from Street food vendors were 96 (67%), Shops-30 (21%), Malls-17 (11.9%). Subsequently isolation by spread and pour plate methods, and species identification of microbial contamination by Cell Culture processes coupled to microbial morphological and biochemical characterization was performed. Microsoft Office Excel (version 2007) Spreadsheet was employed for the categorical data analysis and summarized graphical presentation of data. The preliminary laboratory findings revealed the following: Spoilage organisms – Aspergillum species, Mucor Species, Candida Species, Clostridium Species and Bacillus Species; Pathogenic Bacteria Species-Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium tetani , Bacillus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Yesinia pestis.It can be established from the laboratory results earlier mentioned that the food poisoning outbreak could evolve from food stores in Lusaka district apart from water contamination.
Factors Associated With Willingness To Donate Oocytes Among Female Students In A Tertiary Institution
Authors: Mensah Paul Adomako , Asiamah Morrison , Nsoh Ronald Amoah , Kantum Rudolph Adageba , Udofia Emilia Asuquo
Published: June 2020

Background: The shortage of oocyte donors in the face of increasing demand for infertility treatment globally has become a concern for stakeholders involved in assisted reproduction. Local research on oocyte donation is relatively limited in Ghana and tends to neglect female university students who constitute a large donor group for oocyte donation.Objective: This research sought to investigate the knowledge and attitude of female university students towards oocyte donation in assisted reproduction.Method: A questionnaire-based, cross sectional study was conducted among 295 female undergraduate students. The outcome variable was willingness to donate an oocyte or not. Factors investigated were socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude towards oocyte donation. Knowledge items were measured on a binary scale, where a correct response scored ‘1’ and an incorrect response scored ‘0’. Knowledge was rated as either high (score >3) or low (score £3). Attitude items were measured on a 5-point Likert scale and rated as positive (score >24) or negative (score £24). Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed with STATA version 15, assuming statistical significance at p<0.05.Results: Majority of the students, 278 (94.2%), were Christians and had a low level of knowledge about oocyte donation (61%). Fifty-two percent and 44% of students showed a positive attitude towards oocyte donation and were willing to donate oocytes respectively. Being a Christian [AOR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.07-0.92], spending between GhC500-1000 a month [AOR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.48-4.11] and having a positive attitude towards oocyte donation [AOR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.30-3.34] were associated with willingness to donate oocytes.Conclusion: The low levels of knowledge among the female university students highlights the need for information regarding oocyte donation in assisted reproduction. Existing barriers can be addressed through further research, public education and by encouraging dialogue between health authorities, academia and religious leaders could be potentially beneficial in addressing the plight of infertile couples.
Elevated serum matrix metalloprotease (MMP-2) as a candidate biomarker for stable COPD
Authors: Mahor Durga , Kumari Vandana , Vashisht Kapil , Galgalekar Ruma , Samartha Ravindra M , Mishra Pradyumna K , Banerjee Nalok , Dixit Rajnikant , Saluja Rohit , De Sajal , Pandey Kailash C
Published: June 2020

Background
The increasing trend of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in becoming the third leading cause of deaths by 2020 is of great concern, globally as well as in India. Dysregulation of the protease/anti-protease balance in COPD has been reported to cause tissue destruction, inflammation and airway remodelling; which are peculiar characteristics of COPD. Therefore, it is imperative to explore various serum proteases involved in COPD pathogenesis, as candidate biomarkers.
Methods
The study was conducted on stable COPD patients, where we qualitatively and quantitatively analysed various serum proteases by ELISA and mass-spectrometry techniques. Statistical analysis for estimation of p-value was performed using unpaired t-test with 95% confidence interval.
Results
Amongst the significantly elevated proteases in COPD patients vs the controls- neutrophil elastase (NE) [P = 0.0241], caspase-7 [P < 0.0001] and matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) [P < 0.0001] were observed, along with increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [P < 0.0001]. The serum dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) [P < 0.0006) concentration was decreased in COPD patients as compared to controls. Interestingly, a distinct elevation in MMP-2 was observed only in COPD patients, but not in Asthma, as compared to controls. Mass spectrometry analysis further identified significant alterations (fold-change) in various proteases, anti-proteases and signalling mediators.
Conclusions
The preliminary study of various serum proteases in stable COPD patients identified elevated MMP-2 as a candidate biomarker for COPD, subject to its validation in large cohort studies.
Auto-diagnosis of COVID-19 using Lung CT Images with Semi-supervised Shallow Learning Network
Authors: Konar Debanjan , Panigrahi Bijaya Ketan , Bhattacharyya Siddhartha , Dey Nilanjan
Published: June 2020

Infection of Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on lung cells and human respiratory systems have raised real concern to the human lives during the current pandemic spread across the world. Recent observations on CT images of human lungs infected by COVID-19 is a challenging task for the researchers in finding suitable image patterns for automatic diagnosis. In this paper, a novel semi-supervised shallow learning network model comprising Parallel Quantum-Inspired Self-supervised Network (PQIS-Net) with Fully Connected (FC) layers is proposed for automatic segmentation followed by patch-based classifications on segmented lung CT images for the diagnosis of COVID-19 disease. The PQIS-Net model is incorporated for fully automated segmentation of lung CT scan images obviating pre-trained convolutional neural network models for feature learning. The PQIS-Net model comprises a trinity of layered structures of quantum bits inter-connected through rotation gates using an 8-connected second-order neighborhood topology for the segmentation of wide variation of local intensities of the CT images. Intensive experiments have been carried out on two publicly available lung CT image data sets thereby achieving promising segmentation outcome and diagnosis efficiency (F1-score and AUC) while compared with the state of the art pre-trained convolutional based models.
Evaluating context-specific evidence-based quality improvement intervention on lymphatic filariasis mass drug administration in Northern Ghana using the RE-AIM framework
Authors: Manyeh Alfred , Tobias Tobias , Ramaswamy Rohit , Baiden Frank , Ibisomi Latifat
Published: June 2020

BackgroundOver a decade of implementing a global strategy to eliminate lymphatic filariasis in Ghana through mass drug administration, the disease is still being transmitted in 22 districts out of an initial 98 endemic districts identified in 2000. A context-specific evidence-based quality improvement intervention was implemented in the Bole District of Northern Ghana after an initial needs assessment. This study aimed to evaluate the process and impact of the intervention on implementation of lymphatic filariasis mass drug administration in Bole District of Northern Ghana. MethodThe study used the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework based on a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the context-specific evidence-based quality improvement intervention. Results The findings of the evaluation showed that there was an improvement in social mobilization and sensitization, knowledge about LF and MDA process, willingness to ingest the medication, and adherence to the DOT Strategy. We observed a 6.3% increase in the district MDA coverage and reduction in self-reported adverse drug reaction. The level of reach, effectiveness and adoption as the district, sub-district and at the individual participants’ level suggest that the CEQI intervention is feasible to implement in LF hotspot districts based on initial context-specific needs assessment. ConclusionThe study provided the groundwork for future application of the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the implementation of context-specific evidence-based quality improvement intervention to improve LF MDAs towards the elimination of LF as a public health problem.
M-BiRank: Co-ranking developers and projects using multiple developer-project interactions in open source software community
Authors: Yan Dengcheng , Qi Bin , Zhang Yiwen , Shao Zhen
Published: June 2020

Social collaborative coding is a popular trend in software development and such platforms as GitHub provides rich social and technical functionalities for developers to collaborate on open source projects through multiple interactions. Developers often follow popular developers and projects for learning, technical selection and collaboration. Thus identifying popular developers and projects is very meaningful. In this paper, we propose a multiplex bipartite network ranking model, M-BiRank, to co-rank developers and projects using multiple developer-project interactions. Firstly, multiple developer-project interactions such as commit, issue and watch is extracted and a multiplex developer-project bipartite network is constructed. Secondly, a random layer is selected from this multiplex bipartite network and initial ranking scores are calculated for developers and projects using BiRank. Finally, initial ranking scores diffuse to other layers and mutual reinforcement is taken into consideration to iteratively calculate ranking scores of developers and projects in different layers. Experiments on real world GitHub dataset show that M-BiRank outperforms traditional single layer PageRank and BiRank.
Clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 patients: a French cross-sectional study in primary care
Authors: Sebo Paul , Tudrej Benoit , Lourdaux Julie , Cuzin Clara , Floquet Martin , Haller Dagmar M , Maisonneuve Hubert
Published: June 2020

Background: The early identification of patients suffering from SARS-CoV-2 infection in primary care is of outmost importance in the current pandemic.Aim: To gain a better understanding of the specific symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in primary care.Design and setting: We conducted a cross-sectional study between March 24 and May 7, 2020, involving consecutive patients undergoing RT-PCR testing in two community-based laboratories in Lyon (France) for a suspicion of COVID-19.Methods: We examined the association between various symptoms and a positive test using univariate and multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for clustering within the laboratories.Results: Of the 1561 patients tested, 1543 agreed to participate (participation rate: 99%). Among them, 253 were positive for SARS-Cov-2 (16%). In multivariate analysis, loss of taste (OR 3.8 [95%CI 3.3-4.4], p-value<0.001), loss of smell (OR 3.0 [95%CI 1.9-4.8], p-value<0.001), muscle pain (OR 1.6 [95%CI 1.2-2.0], p-value 0.001) and dry nose (OR 1.3 [95%CI 1.1-1.6], p-value 0.01) were significantly associated with a positive result. The strength of association with taste and smell disorders was higher for symptom combinations (OR 6.5 [95%CI 3.9-10.8] for loss of taste and smell, OR 6.7 [95%CI 5.9-7.5] for loss of taste or smell). In contrast, sore throat (OR 0.6 [95%CI 0.4-0.8], p-value 0.003), stuffy nose (OR 0.7 [95%CI 0.6-0.7], p-value<0.001), diarrhea (OR 0.6 [95%CI 0.5-0.6], p-value<0.001) and dyspnea (OR 0.5 [95%CI 0.3-0.7], p-value<0.001) were inversely associated with a positive test.Conclusion: Our data could further facilitate targeted screening and contribute to the triage and early identification of new clusters of cases.
Effectiveness of Nicergoline in Preventing Acoustic Trauma
Authors: Klamkam Pana , Pagcharoenpol Rongrat , Treesaranuwattana Treewit , Silpsrikul Pichayen , Jaruchinda Pariyanan , Wasuwat Piyalarp
Published: June 2020

Background: In Thailand, military personnel attending the annual firing practice are at risk for acoustic trauma (AT). Presently, hearing protection devices have been approved to prevent AT. Furthermore, N-acetyl-cysteine or magnesium were proved to be beneficial for hearing protective effect. However, the study of the effectiveness of nicergoline on preventing AT is limited. The study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of nicergoline in preventing AT.Methods: The study employed a randomized controlled trial design. Two hundred twenty-four participants were evaluated for general physical status, hearing threshold level and blood chemistry. The inform consent form was explained and signed, and participants were allocated to 2 groups. The study group (n=118) was prescribed nicergoline 30 mg twice daily for 2 weeks before the firing practice and 1 week after firing practice while the controlled group (n=106) was prescribed placebo. All participants had to wear the silicone ear plugs. The postfiring practice audiograms were measured within 48 hours. Aural symptoms (tinnitus and aural fullness) and the side effects of the medication were also recorded.Results: The incidence of AT was detected in 14 ears, 10 ears from the placebo group (p=0.075). The postfiring practice audiograms showed the average hearing threshold level of the study group significantly improved than that of the control group across all frequencies (p<0.05). Moreover, the audiograms from the placebo group worsened at 250Hz and 6,000 Hz (p<0.05). The presence of tinnitus and aural fullness in the study group occurred over a shorter period than that in the placebo group. Conclusion: The incidence of AT occurred in both groups. The effectiveness of nicergoline from this study demonstrated reduced tinnitus after firing practice. Furthermore, the hearing threshold significantly improved in the study group. Trial registration: Registered 16 October 2019 – Retrospectively registered, TCTR20200519002. http://www.clinicaltrials.in.th
A polo-like kinase modulates cytokinesis and flagella biogenesis in Giardia lamblia
Authors: Park Eun-Ah , Kim Juri , Shin Mee Young , Park Soon-Jung
Published: June 2020

Background
Polo-like kinases (PLKs) are conserved serine/threonine kinase, regulating cell cycle. Giardia lamblia PLK (GlPLK) role in its cell has not been yet studied. Here, the function of GlPLK was investigated to provide the insight of roles in Giardia cell division, especially during cytokinesis and in flagella formation.
Methods
To access the function of GlPLK, Giardia trophozoites were treated with PLK-specific inhibitor, GW843286X (GW) or anti-glplk morpholino, then growth of the cells was monitored and phenotypic characteristics of GlPLK-inhibited cells were observed by using mitotic index and flow cytometry assay. Transgenic G. lamblia expressing GlPLK as a hemagglutinin (HA)-tagging was constructed and used for immunofluorescence assay to detect the localization of GlPLK, followed by the subcellular fractionation. Furthermore, kinase assay was performed to assess the phosphorylation activities of GlPLK by purified proteins or in vitro synthesized proteins. To elucidate the role of phosphorylated GlPLK, the phosphorylation residues were mutated and expressed in Giardia trophozoites.
Results
After incubating trophozoites with 5 µM GW, the percentages of cells with four nuclei and/or longer flagella were increased. Immunofluorescence assays indicated that GlPLK was mainly localized at basal bodies and transiently localized at mitotic spindles in the dividing cells. Fractionation experiments demonstrated that GlPLK is present in the nuclear fraction, as did the centromeric histone H3. Morpholino-mediated GlPLK knockdown resulted in the same phenotypes as those observed in GW-treated cells, i.e., increased mitotic index and flagella length. Kinase assays using mutant recombinant GlPLKs indicated that mutation at Lys51 or at both Thr179 and Thr183 resulted in loss of kinase activity. Giardia expressing these mutant GlPLKs also demonstrated defects in cell growth, cytokinesis, and flagella.
Conclusions
These data indicated that GlPLK plays roles in Giardia cell division, especially during cytokinesis, and in flagella formation.
Assessment of pelvic floor and abdominal muscles three months postpartum: A reliability study
Authors: Vesting Sabine , Olsén Monika Fagevik , Gutke Annelie , Rembeck Gun , Larsson Maria EH
Published: June 2020

Background

Pregnancy and childbirth often result in alterations of core muscles, and women may require postpartum assessment of pelvic floor muscle function and abdominal wall changes, e.g. diastasis recti abdominis (DRA). However, there is currently no gold standard for postpartum assessment of these muscles´ function. Here we aimed to evaluate the reliability of clinically applicable methods for assessing pelvic floor muscles and DRA after pregnancy.

Methods

We recruited 222 postpartum women from Swedish antenatal and childbirth centers, and via social media. Pelvic floor and DRA assessment were performed via observation and palpation at three rehabilitation centers in Sweden. At each center, two independent physiotherapists performed the assessments in random order.

Results

Assessment of the maximal voluntary contraction and pelvic floor muscle endurance revealed kappa values ranging from 0.49–0.69. Assessments of voluntary contraction by observation, involuntary contraction, and voluntary relaxation yielded inconsistent results, with slight-to-moderate weighted kappa values ranging from 0.10–0.51. DRA assessment by caliper yielded ICC values of 0.73–0.83 after physiotherapists underwent 2 months of training in applying this assessment method. The standard error of measurements for this method was about 4 mm, and the minimal detectable change was 12 mm. Assessments of DRA depth and bulging showed moderate kappa values of 0.43–0.51, with reservation for some inconsistency between the centers.

Conclusions

Palpation of maximal voluntary contraction and pelvic floor muscle endurance are reliable postpartum assessment methods. With some experience and training, a caliper is a reliable instrument for assessing the postpartum DRA width. Additional research is needed to identify a reliable assessment method for pelvic floor muscle functions other than voluntary contraction, and for DRA depth and bulging.
Whitefly Abundance on Rooted Poinsettia Cuttings and Finished Poinsettias
Authors: Vafaie Erfan K. , Pemberton H. Brent , Gu Mengmeng , Kerns David , Eubanks Micky D. , Heinz Kevin M.
Published: June 2020

In this study, we surveyed the initial whitefly (Aleyrodidae) populations on rooted poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) cuttings at two commercial greenhouse facilities in both 2017 and 2018 to determine the initial whitefly population at the beginning of poinsettia production and surveyed finished poinsettias at multiple retailers in Tyler, TX, over 2 years to determine whitefly densities considered acceptable by retailers. The initial whitefly population (mean ± se) for all poinsettias was 0.02 ± 0.02 (2017) and 0.33 ± 0.13 (2018) nymphs per plant for grower facility A and 0.05 ± 0.05 (2017) and 0.02 ± 0.01 (2018) nymphs per plant for grower facility B. Of the total 2417 rooted poinsettia cuttings inspected at both locations over 2 years, 29 cuttings had whitefly nymphs (1.2%), 18 had pupae (0.7%), and 23 had exuviae (1.0%). On finished poinsettias sampled at retailers, 4.38 to 40.38 immatures (nymphs + pupae) per plant were found within 60 seconds for any given retailer over the 2 years. We found poinsettias with as many as 220 immatures and 32 adults on a single plant at retailers. This study is the first to quantify densities of whiteflies at retail stores over multiple years.
THE USE OF NEURO-FUZZY MODELS IN EXPERT SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR FORENSIC BUILDING-TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Authors: Pasko Roman , Terenchuk Svitlana
Published: June 2020

The paper is focused on solving the problem of assessing the impact of repair-building works on the technical condition of objects near which these works were or are being carried out. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the problems that accompany the creation of expert systems for supporting forensic building-technical expertise.

The main aim of the work: conceptual modeling of an expert system for supporting forensic building-technical expertise.

Object of research: the process of execution of forensic building-technical expertise and expert research.

Solved problem: automation of a system capable of functioning in conditions of fuzzy uncertainty caused by the non-uniformity of the logic of the process of performing forensic building-technical expertise and the ambiguity and inconsistency of the information provided for research.

Main scientific results: a model of a knowledge-based system is proposed and the use of neuro-fuzzy networks is justified to solve the problem of supporting the decision to assess the impact of repair-building works on the technical condition of the object, which has become the subject of expertise.

Field of practical use of research results: forensic activities in the framework of building-technical expertise to determine the possible causes of deterioration in the technical condition of structural elements of buildings and their individual premises.

Innovative technological product: a support system for forensic building-technical expertise based on knowledge and neuro-fuzzy models.

Scope of application of an innovative technological product: forensic and investigative practice in resolving issues requiring the use of special knowledge in assessing the impact of repair-building works on the technical condition of nearby facilities.
INSTITUTIONAL APPROACHES TO THE ORGANIZATION OF COMPLEX SELF-GOVERNING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
Authors: Zavgorodniy Konstantin , Tkachenko Vladimir , Voit Sergey
Published: June 2020

The object of research is complex self-regulatory socio-economic systems (such as: enterprise, company, corporation, civil society).

Investigated problem: the problem to be solved consists in substantiating conceptual approaches in the principles of organizing complex self-governing socio-economic systems and substantiating the concepts of their management system.

The main scientific results of the research are the conceptual substantiation of the approaches of both organizing complex self-governing socio-economic systems depending on the objective function of the main activity, and designing management systems to achieve the objective function in market conditions, through the use of existing production and intellectual potentials of the system.

It is shown that in modern conditions of activity, and in the near future, it is forecasting the functional approaches of complex self-governing socio-economic systems based on the use of organizational and production potential and the intellectual potential of workers. At the same time, their organizational structures and operational management systems will be designed, for the most part, taking into account activities in market relations.

The basis of such approaches is the level of organizational and technological production processes that can in a certain way contribute to the achievement of goals and the intelligence of the staff.

The scope of research results can be the design processes of civil societies, corporations by type of activity, enterprises as complex self-governing socio-economic systems.

An innovative technological product is the conceptual approaches of designing economically oriented elements in complex self-governing socio-economic systems.

The scope of the innovative technological product is any industry, line of business.
Energy from biomass: alternative for the reduction of atmospheric emissions
Authors: Galvis Martinez John Freddy , Torrado Gómez Luz Marina , SERRANO GUZMAN MARIA FERNANDA , Solarte Vanegas Norma Cristina , Perez Ruiz Diego Dario
Published: June 2020

Biomass produces the same amount of emissions of carbon dioxide absorbed during its growth that means that emits the same amount of CO2 processing during part of its life cycle, making it neutral emissions of carbon compounds. The mass use of this energy source in developing countries with high agricultural potential is not considered feasible. This article from a research project describes the processes for biomass utilization and environmental benefits of using this energy resource that has been booming in different countries. It is concluded that although it is feasible the inclusion of biomass for energysupply, exists a lack of guidelines for sustainable use.
Teachers' Perspective on Strategy for Teaching English Vocabulary to Young Learners
Authors: Deni Rahma , Fahriany Fahriany
Published: June 2020

Teaching and learning vocabulary is an integral part of foreign language learning since it is the basic sub-skill for someone who wants to learn a foreign language. Thus, it is essential to teach English vocabulary at an early age since students still in the scope of their golden age, and they could learn everything easily. In this case, the teachers' teaching strategy seems essential to be concerned. Moreover, this descriptive qualitative study as a case study is designed to explore the Qur'an Learning Center teachers' perspective on the strategy used to teach vocabulary to young learners. The data were gathered through a semi-structured interview with two English Teachers at the Qur'an Learning Center, one of the elementary schools in Jakarta Selatan. The result of this study revealed that teachers believe that teaching strategy is essential for teaching vocabulary to young learners. Thus, the teachers have various strategies that can be applied for teaching vocabulary to young learners, for example, using games, sing a song, and others. Also, the teachers used interesting media like video, a real thing, pictures, and others. Those strategies are effective in engaging students to learn new vocabulary in English. This study is expected to give reference and knowledge for the English teacher who teaches young learners so they could implement some suitable ways with their real class.
Experiences and Challenges Perceived by Indonesian EFL Teachers as Non-Native English Speaker Teachers (NNESTs) in Thailand
Authors: Putri Vincentia Aprilla
Published: June 2020

This study investigated the experiences and challenges perceived by Indonesian EFL teachers as the NNESTs in Thailand. The study used a questionnaire and interviews to collect primary data from seventeen Indonesian EFL teachers in Thailand. The study discovered that most of the Indonesian EFL teachers are eager to teach English in Thailand to have teaching experience abroad, to improve their English skills, and to earn higher salaries. Besides, the Indonesian EFL teachers did not find difficulties in adapting to the new cultures in Thailand, even though adjusting to the teaching environment became a challenge. Moreover, third, the Indonesian EFL teachers were treated equally as the NESTs, although their salaries were lower than those of NESTs. Lastly, the study reported issues in English classes, such as students' motivations, linguistic gaps, and plagiarisms, which trigger the creativity of Indonesian EFL teachers in English classes.
Threshold Detection Scheme Based on Parametric Distribution Fitting for Optical Fiber Channels
Authors: Usman Mohammed , Wajid Mohd , Shamim Muhammad Z. , Ansari Mohd D. , Gunjan Vinit K.
Published: June 2020

Background:

When data is transmitted by encoding it in the amplitude of the transmitted
signal, such as in Amplitude Shift Keying, the receiver makes a decision on the transmitted data by
observing the amplitude of the received signal.

Objective:

Depending on the level of the received signal, the receiver has to decode the received data,
with minimum probability of error. For binary transmission, this is achieved by choosing a decision
threshold.

Methods:

A threshold detection mechanism is evaluated in this paper, which uses parametric probability
distribution fitting to the received signal.

Results:

Based on our earlier work on visible light communication, the idea is extended to a fiber
optic channel and it is found that in a fiber optic channel, the threshold value obtained by fitting a
Rayleigh distribution to the received data results in error probability approaching zero.

Conclusion:

It is found that the proposed threshold estimation method works well for both equal as
well as unequal apriori probabilities of the binary symbols. The proposed method of threshold detection
is adaptive when the apriori probabilities for 1’s and 0’s change.
Distribución actual y potencial de Dendroctonus mexicanus Hopkins bajo dos escenarios de cambio climático
Authors: Méndez Encina Fátima Monserrat , Méndez González Jorge , Cerano Paredes Julián
Published: June 2020

El clima ejerce una función importante sobre la distribución natural de las especies. Los modelos bioclimáticos son una herramienta importante para evaluar la respuesta de las especies al cambio climático. El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar la distribución de Dendroctonus mexicanus Hopkins, bajo escenarios actuales y futuros (año 2050) de cambio climático y en dos valores (4.5 y 8.5) de trayectorias de concentración representativas (RCP´s). Los aspectos del modelo (creación, calibración, selección y evaluación) se realizaron con kuenm, un paquete de R con algoritmo de modelación Maxent. El modelo de idoneidad de D. mexicanus se constituyó principalmente de temperatura media del 1/4 anual más cálido (76.6%), intervalo de temperatura anual (12.5%) y precipitación de 1/4 anual más seco (5.5%). En México, el área de idoneidad alta de D. mexicanus se calculó en 121 310.7 km2, de los cuales el Estado de México (17 879.7 km2), Michoacán (15 669.8 km2), Puebla (14 693.1 km2), Oaxaca (14 380.1 km2) e Hidalgo (13 830 km2), representaron más de 63% de esta superficie. Se estima que para el 2050, la idoneidad climática disminuya 51 000 km2, especialmente en Michoacán, Jalisco y Guanajuato y, en contraste, aumente cerca de 25 000 km2 hacia el noroeste del país. Por lo que es factible una migración de este descortezador hacia mayores latitudes (30 km ± 15 km) y altitudes (~ 100 m), ampliando su registro hasta los 3700 m snm; estos cambios relevantes de su distribución pueden implicar daños forestales potenciales.
The Infection Rate of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: Combined Analysis of Population Samples (Preprint)
Authors: Qu Hui-Qi , Cheng Zhangkai Jason , Duan Zhifeng , Tian Lifeng , Hakonarson Hakon
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Wuhan had a much higher mortality rate than the rest of China. However, a large number of asymptomatic infections in Wuhan may have never been diagnosed, contributing to an overestimated mortality rate.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to obtain an accurate estimate of infections in Wuhan using internet data.

METHODS

In this study, we performed a combined analysis of the infection rate among evacuated foreign citizens to estimate the infection rate in Wuhan in late January and early February.

RESULTS

Based on our analysis, the combined infection rate of the foreign evacuees was 0.013 (95% CI 0.008-0.022). Therefore, we estimate the number of infected people in Wuhan to be 143,000 (range 88,000-242,000), which is significantly higher than previous estimates. Our study indicates that a large number of infections in Wuhan were not diagnosed, which has resulted in an overestimated case fatality rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased awareness of the original infection rate of Wuhan is critical for proper public health measures at all levels, as well as to eliminate panic caused by overestimated mortality rates that may bias health policy actions by the authorities.
Postmortem Aging Time and Marbling Class Effects on Flavor of Three Muscles From Beef Top Loin and Top Sirloin Subprimals
Authors: King D. Andy , Shackelford Steven D. , Wheeler Tommy L.
Published: June 2020

This study evaluated postmortem aging time and marbling class effects on flavor attributes of longissimus lumborum, gluteus medius, and biceps femoris steaks. Carcasses selected to have Lower Small (Small00 to Small49; n = 50) or Upper Slight (Slight50 to Slight99; n = 50) marbling were assigned to aging treatments (14, 21, 28, or 35 d) in an incomplete block arrangement. A trained sensory panel evaluated longissimus lumborum, gluteus medius, and biceps femoris steaks for tenderness, juiciness, and 31 flavor notes. Tenderness increases with aging time were linear (P < 0.001) in longissimus lumborum and gluteus medius steaks and quadratic (P = 0.001) in biceps femoris steaks. Aging response of rancid flavor in longissimus lumborum steaks was cubic (P = 0.01), whereas the aging response of bloody/serumy flavor in biceps femoris steaks was quadratic (P = 0.03). Compared with Upper Slight marbling, carcasses with Lower Small marbling produced longissimus lumborum steaks with greater (P < 0.01) beef flavor and lesser (P = 0.001) bitter flavor, gluteus medius steaks with greater (P = 0.05) brown/roasted flavor, and biceps femoris steaks with greater (P = 0.02) fat-like flavor, although differences were small. Principal component analysis indicated that bloody/serumy, sour, metallic, and bitter flavor attributes were the strongest contributors to a factor explaining 38% of longissimus lumborum flavor variation. Barnyard, bitter, sour, rancid, and bloody/serumy were the greatest contributors to a principal component explaining 41% of gluteus medius flavor. Barnyard, rancid, sour, bloody/serumy, and bitter were contributors to a component explaining 63% of biceps femoris sirloin cap flavor variance. Sample score plots indicated that neither aging time nor marbling class was associated with principal components and identified production lot as contributing to principal components explaining flavor variation in all 3 muscles. Results indicate that, in strip loin and top sirloin subprimals from carcasses with Upper Slight and Lower Small marbling scores, aging time and marbling class had little impact on beef flavor. Thus, increased aging times could be used to enhance tenderness with no adverse effects on other important palatability attributes.
Vowel harmony decay in Old Norwegian
Authors: Sandstedt Jade J.
Published: June 2020

Vowel harmony involves the systematic correspondence between vowels in some domain for some phonological feature. Though harmony represents one of the most natural and diachronically robust phonological phenomena that occurs in human language, how and why harmony systems emerge and decay over time remains unclear. Specifically, what motivates harmony decay and the pathways by which harmony languages lose harmony remains poorly understood since no consistent historical record in any single language has yet been identified which displays the full progression of this rare sound change (McCollum 2015, 2020; Kavitskaya 2013, Bobaljik 2018). In this paper, I explore the progression and causation of vowel harmony decay in Old Norwegian (c 1100–1350). Using a grapho‐phonologically tagged database of a sample of 13th‐ to 14th‐century manuscripts, I present novel corpus methods for tracking and visualising changes to vowel co‐occurrence patterns in historical records, demonstrating that the Old Norwegian corpus provides a consistent and coherent record of harmony decay. The corpus distinguishes categorical pre‐decay harmony, probabilistic intermediate stages, and post‐decay non‐harmony. Across the Old Norwegian manuscripts, we observe a variety of pathways of harmony decay, including increasing harmony variability via the collapse of harmony classes introduced by vowel mergers, the lexicalisation of historically harmonising morphemes, and trisyllabic vowel reductions which limit harmony iterativity. This paper provides the first detailed corpus study of the full spectrum and causation of this rare sound change in progress and provides valuable empirical diagnostics for identifying and analysing harmony change in contemporary languages.
Welding Training for Youth Organization in Dayeuh Village
Authors: Saepudin Asep , Sholih Hilman , Pracoyo Wisnu , Dharmanto Asep , Wilarso W.
Published: June 2020

During quite a high job competition, each individual must improve their abilities in various fields of science and skills. Development of human resources to improve product quality and selling value. Human Resources (HR) that are not supported by soft skills and hard skills will reduce the ability to work, of course, needed by young people with a higher desire to improve hard skills and soft skills. This welding training, one of the STTMC programs aimed at improving the quality of young people in STTMC and surrounding areas. Whereas in the industrial environment increasing human resources to compete in labor competition. In building good relationships between universities and communities around the industry.  Also, we can equip young people with the skills needed in the fields of welding, entrepreneurship, industry, and the world of projects. Where the majority of the world of work requires smart people and have the ability in the field of hard skills. Through this training, it can help the difficulties of young people in the field of welding in the industrial world and efforts to improve the ability of the field of welding skills by collaboration between STTMC and PT. CG Power Indonesia.
Faktor-Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Kesiapan Perawat Dalam Melaksanakan Evidence-Based Practice (EBP): A Literature Review
Authors: Rahmayanti Elifa Ihda , Kadar Kusrini S , Saleh Ariyanti
Published: June 2020

Evidenced-based Practice (EBP) functions integrally in health services as an ideal problem-solving approach and it emphasizes on the application of the best research in making health care decisions. The ability of nurses to conduct EBP is strongly influenced by several factors. The aim of this study was to identify factors related to the readiness of nurses in the implementation of EBP. This study was a literature review using several articles related to the theme which taken from the database of electronic publications such as Pubmed, SAGE Journal, ProQuest, and Science Direct. The results of this study showed that there were 12 journals that meet with the the inclusion criteria. There were six journals described that attitudes and beliefs, knowledge and skills, workplace cultures, information needs, education levels, work experiences, and ages are the things that can determine the readiness of nurses in the application of EBP. Furthermore, five different journals showed that the challenges in the EBP implementation are workplace cultures and organizations, lack of human resources, lack of time, lack of internet access, lack of knowledge and skills and workload. Moreover, one journal concluded that the need for training and guidance for nurses to improve their knowledge and skills about EBP. In conclusion, knowledge and skills, attitudes and beliefs regarding EBP are the most important factors for nurses in implementing EBP. However, the main inhibitory factors of the EBP implementation are workplace cultures and organizations that are resistant to change.
Factors Associated with Patient’s Family Anxiety in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Authors: Herlina Herlina , Hafifah Ifa , Diani Noor
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Critical and life-threatening patients cause anxiety in the family, which may be caused by many factors such as age, education, experience, knowledge, attitudes, and so on. Objective: The purpose of this study was factors assosiated patient’s family anxiety in the ICU. Method: Correlation research with cross sectional approach. Samples amounted to 30 people with consecutive sampling technique. The instrument used questionnaires respondent characteristics, knowledge, health services, and HARS anxiety. Data analysis using the Spearman rank test. Result: There was a relationship of age (p = 0,000), level of education (p = 0,000), experience (p = 0,000), knowledge (p = 0,000), with the patient's family anxiety and no gender relationship (p = 0.163) and health services ( p = 0.334) with patient’s family anxiety in the ICU. Age, level of education, experience, and knowledge influence the patient's family anxiety. Discussion: It is recommended to hospitals to provide regular counseling between families and health professionals in the ICU, as well as provide leaflets about care in the ICU.
ANALISIS PENGUJIAN KELAYAKAN PEMBIAYAAN BAIâ€™ BITSAMAN AJIL DALAM MEREDUKSI TINGKAT PEMBIAYAAN BERMASALAH PADA BAITUL QIRADH BAITURRAHMAN BAZNAS MADANI
Authors: Zuliani Rafiza
Published: June 2020

This research aims to find the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of Baitul Qiradh Baiturrahman Baznas Madani in the assessment process of Bai' Bitsaman Ajil financing and its influence in reducing the non-performing financing. The research employed descriptive analysis method in which the data presented systematically, factually and accurately into a research report. The sources of data obtained through the research literature by examining and studying various related literatures. Data was gathered through interview and documentation study. The findings showed that the Baitul Qiradh did not fully execute the procedure in accordance with the predefined SOP as the differences was still be found. In assessment of the prospective customers for the financing, Baitul Qiradh utilized the principle of 5C + 1C, namely character, capacity, capital, collateral, condition of economy, and constraint. In addition, the assessment was also include the aspects of judicial, market and marketing, technical, financial, assurance and management. The assessment has significantly reduced the number of non-performing financing at the Baitul Qiradh.

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Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mencari jawaban terhadap Standar Operasional Prosedur (SOP) Baitul Qiradh Baiturrahman Baznas Madani dalam proses pengujian kelayakan yang dilakukan pada pemohon pembiayaan baiâ€™ bitsaman ajil dan pengaruhnya terhadap jumlah pembiayaan bermasalah. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode deskriptif dengan cara mencari fakta-fakta yang kemudian dianalisa dan dipaparkan secara sistematis, faktual dan akurat dalam bentuk laporan penelitian. Sumber data diperoleh melalui penelitian kepustakaan, yaitu dengan menelaah dan mempelajari berbagai referensi yang berhubungan dengan judul seperti dari buku dan laporan Baitul Qiradh. Serta melalui penelitian lapangan, yaitu dengan melakukan wawancara dan memperoleh data dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Baitul Qiradh Baiturrahman Baznas Madani tidak sepenuhnya menjalankan SOP yang telah ditetapkan karena ada perbedaan pada praktiknya. Dalam melakukan pengujian kelayakan terhadap calon nasabahnya yang memohon pembiayaan, Baitul Qiradh menggunakan prinsip 5C+1C, yaitu character, capacity, capital, collateral, condition of economy, dan constraint serta menilai aspek yuridis, aspek pasar dan pemasaran, aspek teknis, aspek keuangan, aspek jaminan dan aspek manajemen. Pengaruh pengujian kelayakan tersebut sangat besar dalam mereduksi pembiayaan bermasalah pada Baitul Qiradh.
RETRACTED: DEFINING AND FRAMING ISLAMIC ECONOMICS AS ISLAMIC MORAL ECONOMY: AN ATTEMPT TO EMBED PUBLIC POLICY IN ISLAMIC ECONOMICS TO GENERATE EMERGENCE SCIENCE
Authors: Asutay Mehmet
Published: June 2020

This manuscript HAS BEEN RETRACTED on the request of the author. Therefore, a reasonable effort should be made to remove all references that links to this article.
UNA ACTUALIZACIÓN DE LA LÓGICA INTERNA DE LA COMPETICIÓN DEL COMBATE EN EL TAEKWONDO
Authors: Menescardi Cristina , Ruiz Sanchis Laura , Estevan Isaac , Falco Coral
Published: June 2020

O objetivo do manuscrito é abordar a lógica interna do taekwondo competição regulamentada pela Federação Mundial do Taekwondo para explicar a ação motora na competição. Uma revisão narrativa foi realizada com base nos parâmetros estruturais e funcionais do taekwondo nos bancos de dados do Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, Ebsco, PubMed, ProQuest e Dialnet, sem limitar o ano de publicação nem o idioma utilizado. Os autores se referem aos diversos elementos que compõem a lógica interna mencionada, como regulação, espaço, tempo, comunicação motora, papéis e subfunções, além dos modelos de técnica ou execução, explicando suas particularidades. Isso poderia nos ajudar a aprofundar as características desse esporte, definir a ação de combate e contextualizar a situação real da competição, adaptando as sequências táticas do taekwondo. O conhecimento das particularidades desse esporte permite criar uma estrutura necessária para continuar o trabalho da pesquisa no taekwondo olímpico.
A Review of the PCAOB's Enforcement Program: 2005–2017
Authors: Hollingsworth Carl W. , Irving James H.
Published: June 2020

This study examines the PCAOB's Division of Enforcement from 2005 to 2017, a time period when it expanded from a $5 million to a $22 million program area. We find that a pronounced increase in disciplinary orders issued during the latter years of the sample period is attributable to serious audit deficiencies and misconduct by triennially inspected audit firms, non-U.S. audit firms, and firms auditing brokers and dealers. We also find that more than two-thirds of the violations of PCAOB auditing standards described in these disciplinary orders pertain to failures in general audit principles and responsibilities, obtaining audit evidence, and review and communication. Finally, we find that the PCAOB levies punitive sanctions on an overwhelming majority of audit personnel and audit firms cited in these disciplinary orders. Overall, our results indicate that the PCAOB's enforcement function has actively disciplined audit personnel and audit firms that breached their professional obligations.

Data Availability: Publicly available.