bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic Access Control Model of Electric Power Information System Based on an Artificial Intelligence Semantic Network
Authors: Zhang Ying
Published: August 2022

In order to solve the requirements of scheduling automation system for access control and the defects of access control model, an automatic access control model of power information system based on intelligent semantic network was designed. The overall structure of access control model of power information system is given. The detector is designed by artificial intelligence technology, combining artificial neural network and artificial immune algorithm, which provides the basis for checking access request module. By checking the access request module to find out whether there is a detector matching the access request, to judge whether the access request is legitimate. The verification results show that, the model can effectively support the access and modification of legitimate users and prevent the access of illegal users with high control precision.
Research and Application of the Internet of Things Service Platform Based on Semantic Network
Authors: Ren Min
Published: August 2022

In order to study the Internet of Things service platform based on semantic Network, a service-oriented clustering labeling method is proposed, firstly, a semantic Web service similarity computing method is proposed to solve the shortcomings of the existing methods. This method describes the designed semantic Web service annotation clustering algorithm based on AP algorithm. The distance matrix and related parameters of the algorithm are calculated and assigned according to the results of similarity calculation. The correctness of preference parameter selection will be compared and verified in the service discovery system. The greater the value of damping coefficient, the more iterations, and the slower the convergence rate. However, when the value of damping coefficient is 0.7, the number of iterations is moderate and the convergence rate is the best, which proves that this method has a better effect on service function matching.
A New Reduced Form for Real-Time Identification of PV Panels Operating Under Arbitrary Conditions
Authors: Tifidat Kawtar , Maouhoub Noureddine , Benahmida Abdelaaziz
Published: August 2022

In this work, an efficient solution based on the reducing forms approach is presented to extract the five parameters of the single-diode model of PV generators from their I-V curves. Thus, by reducing the number of the five unknown parameters to two unknowns, the analytical expression of the current based on the LambertW function will then depend only on the ideality factor and the series resistance, as the two unknowns to predict numerically using the non-linear least square technique. The three other parameters are calculated as functions of the two predicted parameters using a linear system of three equations. Two sets of experiments are used for the validation of the proposed approach, which first showed its rapidity and high accuracy compared to the best approaches from the literature. Then, the method was applied for the real-time identification of four PV modules operating outdoors during one reference day at Cocoa (Florida).
A User-Friendly Interface for an Educational Travel English Game Supported with Virtual Reality
Authors: Çağlar Ceren , Şimşek İrfan
Published: August 2022

In this research, it is aimed to develop a virtual reality application which has the right interface and lets users experience the travel processes and as well as improve their speaking skills for travel English. For this purpose, the first module of the application that is the airport module for Oculus Go was developed to experience with a head-mounted display. On the developed module, a usability test was applied with the eye-tracking technique with 8 participants. User reviews were taken with this test simultaneously. Based on the findings, a user-friendly virtual reality interface was created in the field of education by updating the airport module. As a result of the update, a prototype module has been developed in which the feeling of being presence and immersion can be achieved, immersive and motivating features were revealed.
Measuring Implicit and Explicit Grammatical Knowledge in Second Language Acquisition
Authors: Gunawardena C. P.
Published: August 2022

Previous research shows that due to non-facilitative first language (L1) transfer, second language (L2) speakers do not develop implicit knowledge of certain grammatical structures. Therefore, the present paper investigates whether L1-Sinhala–L2-English speakers could acquire implicit knowledge of English object pronouns. To achieve this goal, the paper compares data collected via an untimed grammaticality judgment task (untimed GJT) and an oral production task (OPT). The untimed GJT measured explicit knowledge, whereas implicit knowledge was measured by the OPT. The two tasks tested the knowledge of object pronouns by L2 English speakers. The object pronominalization differs in Sinhala and English. Object pronouns are expressed overtly in English. Sinhala has overt and null object pronouns. However, null object pronouns are ungrammatical in English. Under the facilitative transfer from Sinhala, L2 speakers would accept overt object pronouns (grammatical structure). On the other hand, under the non-facilitative transfer, they would accept null object pronouns (ungrammatical structure). A prediction was also made regarding the two tasks. If L2 English speakers had acquired explicit and implicit knowledge of object pronouns, they would be target-like on object pronouns in the two tasks. In the untimed GJT, the L2 speakers differentiated between grammatical and ungrammatical structures. However, they frequently used ungrammatical structures in the OPT. Therefore, the results suggest that implicit knowledge of object pronouns is still unavailable in Sinhala–English interlanguage.
Nexus Between Transaction Cost and Livelihood Success of Samurdhi Beneficiaries in Sri Lanka
Authors: Priyanath H. M. S. , Hathella H. V. R. G.
Published: August 2022

The study explores the effect of transaction costs on the livelihood success of Samurdhi beneficiaries in Sri Lanka. Data were collected from 1820 Samurdhi beneficiaries selected from Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces employing a multi-stage sampling method, while a well-structured questionnaire was equipped for the data collection process. Data analysis was done with the help of Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The current study tested four hypothetical relationships between four dimensions of transaction cost; searching cost, negotiation cost, monitoring cost, enforcement cost, and livelihood success of Samurdhi beneficiaries. The transaction cost of beneficiaries was assessed from both the marketing perspective and the Samurdhi activities perspective. The result revealed that there exists a negative association between transaction costs and the livelihood success of Samurdhi beneficiaries. Results further exhibit that searching costs and monitoring costs are higher on the marketing side. When moving to the Samurdhi activities context, there showed high costs related to negotiation and enforcement. Thus, the research confirmed that transaction costs have a negative impact on the livelihood success of Samurdhi beneficiaries in Sri Lanka. Developing a mechanism to empower Samurdhi beneficiaries to access information relating to the transaction using modern technology to contact reliable transaction partners and integrate them with the market properly and reducing complex administration processes that led to the waste of money and time of Samurdhi beneficiaries would lead to improving livelihoods of Samurdhi beneficiaries by minimising transaction costs.
Online Examinations in the State Universities of Sri Lanka: Perceptions of Examiners and Students
Authors: Abeywickrama R. , Thasneen M. M. A.
Published: August 2022

Sri Lanka’s educational system has negatively been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Especially, drastic changes in the regular pattern of learning and evaluation have serious impacts on undergraduates and lecturers in Sri Lankan universities. The aim of this study is to explore the state university undergraduates’ and the test administrators’ perceptions of online examinations, thereby understanding the challenges and issues of online assessments. To this end, a qualitative investigation was undertaken with forty undergraduates of four government universities and seven lecturers of two universities in Sri Lanka. The study used questionnaires to gather data from the undergraduates and interviews with lecturers. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Ninety percent of the undergraduates and university lecturers reported that online evaluation has become ineffective due to their lack of expertise in the learning management systems and inadequate knowledge of using digitized internet-assisted platforms. Moreover, under-graduates’ economical, technical and personal issues have also hindered the effectiveness of online evaluation. Since the online examinations could not evaluate undergraduates’ learning outcomes accurately as onsite examinations, the results of online examinations cannot be considered valid and reliable. The current study has implications for the university undergraduates, test administrators, and university management.
Examining the Challenges and Prospects of Women’s Political empowerment in Cameroon Democratic Process
Authors: Kinge Ruth F.
Published: August 2022

Democratic governance in most nation-states across the globe has seemingly not been able to maximally address the widespread marginalization, and exclusion of women in decision-making processes and administration in mainstream democratic activities. In Cameroon, the narrative has remained the same amidst the low rate of women’s ascension into key political offices. This paper examines Cameroonian women’s political empowerment vis-à-vis their capacities to influence state power amidst constitutional provisions and public policies which guarantee women’s political rights. The paper argues that the lopsided institutional framework, deep-rooted traditional and cultural barriers exacerbated by poor funding, rough political terrain, and socioeconomic underdevelopment promote women’s political disempowerment. Using context analysis the correlation between the variables was determined. Situating its argument within the participatory democracy approach and power theory the findings reveal that women have not advanced to a level where many of them who are academically and professionally qualified can be elected to high executive positions. The paper concludes that the massive mobilization of women into civic activities and political engagement resulting in women’s sponsorship of choice candidates in political parties and beyond is a prerequisite for Cameroonian women’s political empowerment.
Carers’ needs assessment for patients with dementia in Ghana
Authors: Ayisi-Boateng Nana K. , Opoku Douglas A. , Tawiah Phyllis , Owusu-Antwi Ruth , Konadu Emmanuel , Apenteng Georgina T. , Essuman Akye , Mock Charles , Barnie Bernard , Donkor Peter , Sarfo Fred S.
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackground: Carers of people with dementia (PWD) face a myriad of challenges. As dementia prevalence surges in the sub-Saharan population, the provision of data on the met and unmet needs of caregivers has become paramount.Aim: This study aimed to identify the needs of carers of older adults living with dementia in Ghana.Setting: This study was conducted in Kumasi, Ghana, among participants ≥ 18 years old, serving as carers for PWD.Methods: This was a multicentre cross-sectional study involving carers of patients (≥ 50 years) with dementia. The authors administered the Carer’s Needs Assessment for Dementia (CNA-D) questionnaire, containing 18 problem areas with interventions for each problem area. Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed to establish a relationship between demographic characteristics, problem areas and intervention score.Results: Fifty participants were recruited with a mean age of 48.8 (± 16.9) years, 72.0% were female participants and 98.0% were family members of PWD. The problem area most frequently identified as no/mild problem was ‘legal issues’ (92.0%, n = 46), and ‘lack of information about dementia’ was assessed as severe (48.0%, n = 24). The commonest unmet need was ‘printed information material’ (84.0%, n = 42), and the commonest met need was ‘diagnosis and treatment of carer by a general practitioner’ (42.0%, n = 21). There was a statistically negative correlation between age of carer and number of unmet needs (r = −0.308, p = 0.011) and a positive correlation between problem area score and number of unmet needs (r = 0.308, p = 0.030).Conclusion: Effective public education and provision of information on dementia to carers are essential interventions needed to equip them in performing their roles.Contribution: Carers in this study revealed that they lacked information on dementia but their commonest met need was accessibility to their general practitioner. This highlights the importance of promoting knowledge and awareness of dementia among primary care practitioners.
Female gender representation in selected South African magazines
Authors: Shabangu Nonkululeko N. , Rossouw Sandra , Smith Cornelia G.
Published: August 2022

Background: There has been an increase in the number of women’s magazines in South Africa, which also contributes to the country’s economic growth and development.Objective: Magazines serve as a source of entertainment and information and they cater for readers interested in learning more about what features in society and even globally, which underscores the importance of quality and gender-sensitive material. The portrayal of females in magazines surfaced as a source of interest in the light of women’s liberation and gender equity.Method/Results: The purpose of this study was to explore the language and content of selected South African women’s magazines. The objectives were to determine how language and content are used to represent females in selected South African women’s magazines; and determine the professional editors’, journalists’ and readers’ perceptions of the representation of females in the selected English women’s magazines.Conclusion: A qualitative case study design was used, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from the selected participants. The corpus spanned three professional journalists and nine readers, including seven females and five males, purposefully selected, who participated. The data collected through interviews were analysed and thematically discussed. Readers’ reception aesthetics were used, in conjunction with feminist literary criticism, as theoretical lenses.Contribution: The study found that sexualisation and objectification continue especially in advertisements, but that much progress has been made in magazines to represent women as powerful and significant.
How educators commit to enhancing children’s participation in early childhood education pedagogical plans
Authors: Heikka Johanna , Kettukangas Titta , Turja Leena , Heiskanen Nina
Published: August 2022

Background: This is a descriptive study of children’s participation plans in early childhood education (ECE) settings in Finland. The study adopted a multidimensional approach to find out how practices of children’s participation were conceived in pedagogical plans made by ECE staff, representing a focus that is rare in the existing body of research.Aim: Aim of the study was to investigate educators’ commitments to enhancing children’s participation in pedagogical practices in their ECE settings.Setting: Ten centre-based plans for children’s participation composed by ECE staff at ECE centres were selected for the document data in this study.Methods: This study employs the categorisation of the prerequisites and dimensions of children’s participation in deductive qualitative content analysis (Turja 2017).Results: Results of the analysis concludes that in early childhood education plans, there were comprehensive notions of prerequisites for participation. However, the study indicates that the level of participation varied between plans for different activities; it was highest in play and limited in terms of time and effect in other pedagogical and caregiving activities.Conclusion: Understanding the prerequisites and dimensions of children’s participation is fundamental for planning and enacting participative pedagogy in child groups at ECE centres. In conclusion, this study suggests how to support ECE staff in interpreting and implementing children’s participation in early childhood education.
The value of integrated reporting in South Africa
Authors: Mokabane Maatabudi , Du Toit Elda
Published: August 2022

Background: South Africa is currently the only country in the world where its largest stock exchange has adopted integrated reporting on an ‘apply and explain’ basis, through the implementation of the King Code for Corporate Governance (King IV). However, there exists significant uncertainty regarding the value of adopting integrated reporting.Aim: The objective of this study is to establish whether organisations, perceived to produce higher-quality integrated reports, achieve better financial performance or if the value of integrated reporting lies in improving organisational legitimacy and managing stakeholders’ impressions.Setting: The sample consists of the Ernst Young (EY) ranked companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) from 2011 to 2020.Method: The study examines whether the quality of integrated reporting is associated with various financial performance measures, namely liquidity, solvency, profitability, and market performance, using multinomial logistic regression.Results: The multinomial logistic regression model is weak and indicates no direct relationship between integrated reporting quality and financial performance. An investigation into specific variables in the model indicates that top-performing companies, in terms of integrated reporting quality, tend to have significantly lower price-to-book value ratios and higher return on equity values. Companies with the best quality integrated reports also appear to be larger in terms of market capitalisation than those companies who prepare integrated reports of lesser quality.Conclusion: The results of the study do not record a significant relationship between integrated reporting quality and financial performance. The results indicate that larger companies listed on the JSE produce better quality integrated reports. This may be an indication that companies produce integrated reports, not for their financial value-adding benefits but to maintain organisational legitimacy and to manage the impressions of stakeholders.
Theoretical frameworks applied in integrated reporting and sustainability reporting research
Authors: Lakhani Liya , Herbert Shelly
Published: August 2022

Background: Over the last few decades, with the emergence of integrated reporting (IR) and sustainability reporting (SR) as new reporting methods, corporate reporting practices attracted substantial interest as a topic of research. Throughout the literature, many theories have been adopted to explain IR and SR practices and there is currently an increased focus on non-financial reporting.Aim: The purpose of this study is to identify and analyse the theories used in the growing body of IR and SR research, to gather insight into current trends in the use and dominance of these theories in the related literature.Setting: Research articles in the Scopus database for the period spanning from 2010 to 2019 were included in the study.Method: Using a systematic review methodology, 574 articles on IR and SR published in the Scopus database for the period spanning from 2010 to 2019, were systematically searched for the presence of theories that may be used to explain these practices.Results: The results show that the most dominant theories in the last decade are the legitimacy, stakeholder, institutional, agency and signalling theories.Conclusion: Supported by extensive numerical data, this research provides insights into the theoretical perspectives used in the study of IR and SR and contributes to the existing discourse surrounding applicable theoretical frameworks for studying corporate reporting practices. These insights can be used to study IR and SR as the world grapples with changes in the reporting and business environment.
Validation of the COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette (BNCP – 402 and BNCP402) in a South African setting
Authors: Mensky Gilad , Pillay Tristan , Von Klemperer Alexander , Tsitsi Merika J. , Venter Michelle , Menezes Colin N. , Van Blydenstein Sarah A.
Published: August 2022

Background: Different diagnostic tools could improve early detection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A number of antibody-based serological point-of-care tests have been developed to supplement real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based diagnosis. This study describes the validity of an antibody test, namely the immunoglobulin G (IgG)/immunoglobulin M (IgM) Rapid Test Cassette® (BNCP – 402 and BNCP402), manufactured by Spring Healthcare Services.Methods: A prospective cohort validation study was undertaken at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital between 16 July 2020 and 12 August 2020. A total of 101 patients admitted as COVID-19 cases under investigation were included in the study. They were divided into two categories depending on time since symptom onset: testing performed within seven days (early cohort) and after seven days (late cohort). The rapid antibody test was compared to the RT-PCR.Results: Overall, the test has a sensitivity and specificity of 85.2% and 80.0%, respectively, for a combination of IgG and IgM. Sensitivity and specificity of IgG testing alone were 81.5% and 85%. Sensitivity improved for testing with increasing time from symptom onset; however, specifity was not significantly different.Conclusion: The study data adds to the body of evidence that because of relatively low sensitivity and specificity, there is a limited role for antibody-based point-of-care testing in the acute phase of COVID-19 infection, as was the case with this IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette (BNCP – 402 and BNCP402). There may exist a role for such testing in patients recovered from prior COVID-19 infection or in seroprevalence studies; however, additional evaluations at later timepoints from symptom onset are required.
SİGORTA ŞİRKETLERİNİN İNSAN KAYNAKLARI İLETİŞİM FAALİYETLERİ
Authors: GÜLER Hale Nur
Published: August 2022

Kurumları başarıya ulaştıracak en önemli güç kaynaklarından biri de insan kaynağıdır. Kurumların çalışanları doğru yöntemlerle seçip işe yerleştirmelerinin yanında etkin ve verimli sonuçları almaları ve tercih edilebilir olmaları için çalışanların eğitim ve gelişim faaliyetlerine destek olmaları, iletişimde etkin ve çalışan tatminini sağlamaları gerekmektedir. Kurumsal iletişim şirketlerin amaçlarına ulaşmak için planladıkları iletişim faaliyetlerinin bütünüdür. Teknolojik ilerlemeler ışığında günümüzde sosyal medya uygulamaları kurumların ve bireylerin hayatında önemli rol oynamaktadır. Kurumlar oluşturdukları hesaplarla Instagram Facebook Twitter gibi kanallar ile paydaşlarına hızlı ve düşük maliyet ile ulaşabilmektedir. Bu çalışmada yoğun rekabetin yaşandığı sektörlerden biri olan sigortacılık alanında faaliyetlerine devam eden beş şirketin insan kaynakları alanında Instagram üzerinden paylaşımlarının anlaşılması amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmanın verilerine belirlenen kurumların resmi insan kaynakları Instagram hesapları aracılığı ile ulaşılmıştır. Bu amaca yönelik Mayıs 2021 dönemi itibari ile elde edilen veriler için nitel bir araştırma yapılmış olup içerik analizi ile paylaşımların gruplandırmasına gidilmiştir. Sigorta şirketlerinin insan kaynakları alanında yaptıkları paylaşımların daha çok özel günler ve haftalar, insan kaynakları uygulamaları hakkında bilgilendirme, yapılan ya da katılım sağlanan etkinlik haberlerinin iletilmesi şeklinde olduğu görülmüştür. Sigorta şirketlerinin paylaşımlarının ağırlıkları şirket politikaları doğrultusunda farklılık göstermektedir. Çalışmanın alanla ilgilenen araştırmacı yöneticilere yararlı olacağı düşünülmektedir.
On the domination number of $t$-constrained de Bruijn graphs
Authors: Calamoneri Tiziana , Monti Angelo , Sinaimeri Blerina
Published: August 2022

Motivated by the work on the domination number of directed de Bruijn graphs
and some of its generalizations, in this paper we introduce a natural
generalization of de Bruijn graphs (directed and undirected), namely
$t$-constrained de Bruijn graphs, where $t$ is a positive integer, and then
study the domination number of these graphs.
Within the definition of $t$-constrained de Bruijn graphs, de Bruijn and
Kautz graphs correspond to 1-constrained and 2-constrained de Bruijn graphs,
respectively. This generalization inherits many structural properties of de
Bruijn graphs and may have similar applications in interconnection networks or
bioinformatics.
We establish upper and lower bounds for the domination number on
$t$-constrained de Bruijn graphs both in the directed and in the undirected
case. These bounds are often very close and in some cases we are able to find
the exact value.
Limits of real numbers in the binary signed digit representation
Authors: Wiesnet Franziskus , Köpp Nils
Published: August 2022

We extract verified algorithms for exact real number computation from
constructive proofs. To this end we use a coinductive representation of reals
as streams of binary signed digits. The main objective of this paper is the
formalisation of a constructive proof that real numbers are closed with respect
to limits. All the proofs of the main theorem and the first application are
implemented in the Minlog proof system and the extracted terms are further
translated into Haskell. We compare two approaches. The first approach is a
direct proof. In the second approach we make use of the representation of reals
by a Cauchy-sequence of rationals. Utilizing translations between the two
represenation and using the completeness of the Cauchy-reals, the proof is very
short. In both cases we use Minlog's program extraction mechanism to
automatically extract a formally verified program that transforms a converging
sequence of reals, i.e.~a sequence of streams of binary signed digits together
with a modulus of convergence, into the binary signed digit representation of
its limit. The correctness of the extracted terms follows directly from the
soundness theorem of program extraction. As a first application we use the
extracted algorithms together with Heron's method to construct an algorithm
that computes square roots with respect to the binary signed digit
representation. In a second application we use the convergence theorem to show
that the signed digit representation of real numbers is closed under
multiplication.
Valoraciones de la violencia como mal: consideraciones a partir de Nietzsche y Sloterdijk
Authors: Lazo Briones Pablo
Published: August 2022

En este artículo se llevará a cabo una reflexión sobre las condiciones que llevan a valorar la violencia como mal en algunos discursos culturales contemporáneos, y se criticará desde las filosofías de Nietzsche y Sloterdijk la igualación entre ambas. Con ello, se buscará desmitificar a la violencia como locus naturalizado y fuente única del mal, para indagar si existe una violencia potenciadora de vida en sentido nietzscheano, así como de transformación social en el sentido kínico que le interesa a Sloterdijk. Para conseguir estos objetivos, se indagará la relación de la valoración de la violencia como mal siguiendo el plan genealógico de Nietzsche, a la par que se expondrá la explicación de Sloterdijk sobre la violencia como espectáculo en las sociedades contemporáneas.
Introducción. El mal: la vida dañada
Authors: Yébenes Escardó Zenia
Published: August 2022

Este dossier plantea la cuestión del mal. El mal que sufrimos y el mal que causamos. A lo largo de sus páginas situamos histórica y socialmente algunas de sus formas en la Ilustración y la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Nos preguntamos por su relación con la violencia extrema y la injusticia. Recorremos sus aspectos más familiares y cotidianos y reflexionamos sobre la necesidad de una escucha radical que nos permita dar cuenta de ello.
PRAVNA REGULATIVA I PRUŽANjE USLUGA U SUVREMENOM ŽIVOTU
Authors:   University „Josip Juraj Strossmayer“ of Osijek, Faculty of Law, Jelinić Zvonimir , Jelinić Srećko
Published: August 2022

In this paper, the authors debate about some controversial issues regarding the violation of consumer rights in the area of provision of services, violations which are manifestly contrary to European regulations accepted and transposed into the national legislation by the Republic of Croatia in the phase of its accession to the European Union. Focus is on the issue of the role of public notaries and financial agency - government controlled enterprise in debt collection proceedings and the problem of imprecise legal norms on variable interest rates from the Consumer Credit Act.
USLUŽNA PRAVILA U CRNOGORSKOM PRAVU (NEKAD I SAD)
Authors:   University of Montenegro, Faculty of Law, Miladinović Snežana
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we will present the rules on services in the light of Montenegrin law, in particular, through the history of Montenegrin law, as a distinctive and, in many ways, a unique, legal milieu. We will present a retrospective of development of rules on services, from their beginnings to contemporary positive legal solutions created under the influence of the process of harmonization and unification. We will present the rules on services in Montenegrin legislation as they used to be and what they are today.
USLUGE PRIVATNOG OBEZBEĐENjA U SRBIJI – EKONOMSKI ZNAČAJ
Authors:   Faculty for Diplomacy and Security, Belgrade, Simović Slobodan , Manić Mihajlo
Published: August 2022

The end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century are characterized by privatization of the public goods, border transparency is getting bigger, common market and primarily the basic functions of the state are getting weaker, which leads to weakening of her efficiency in law enforcement, as well as fragmentation of the security sector, which was traditionally in jurisdiction of the state. Pressed from all sides, political, economical and variety of different threats, processes and actors, countries have lost monopoly over conducting organized violence. The consequence of that process is that countries, some voluntarily, led by economic reasons, and some regarding political and security pressures, have given up their role of the ultimate legitimate provider and guarantor of security to the private military and security companies. Development of the private security sector, inside which private and non- state providers of security are functioning, elsewhere, excessively independent of the parent state, represent very significant moment in the development of the contemporary international relations, as well as for functioning the states themselves. Private security industry, private security companies and private military companies have built, in the world, industrial chain which is functioning freely on global market, and it is organized along permanent and firm corporation relations and it is constantly growing and getting stronger.
Electrical Consumption in the Industrial Sector of Pakistan: A Structural Time Series Analysis
Authors: Faridi Muhammad Zahir , Ali Hina , Qasim Tahira Bano , Sadaf Maheen
Published: August 2022

The usage of energy is the central factor in promoting the contribution of the industrial sector economy to develop the economy. Indeed, Pakistan is a growing but recently united country with severe shortages of electricity resources. Therefore, the industry has a growing quantity of growth that leads to economic progress and also prioritizes inevitable challenges to stimulate industrial growth. The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between electrical consumption, oil consumption, and gas usage in manufacturing and its impact on the economic growth in Pakistan. Results declared electricity and gas have a positive and significant impact in the short and long run while fuel consumption has a negative shock on the economy in the short run but is positive in long run. The fault correction model (VECM) ensures bilateral relations in the industrialized sector, oil consumption and financial progress in Pakistan. In addition, findings revealed a strong correlation between the variables tested and suggested that the Pakistani government must develop a strong policy to reduce gas and oil to produce electricity, instead of relying on solar energy, water, airstream and biomass sources. Therefore, the government should increase stokes and storage of oil and gas to provide the industrial sector at a cheap rate.
ASSESSMENT OF THE RESPONSE OF SOME MELON GENOTYPES (CUCUMIS MELO. L) TO DIFFERENT DOSES OF SODIUM CHLORIDE (NACI)
Authors: Funga Ulrich , Pinar Hasan , Uzun Aydin
Published: August 2022

Soil salinity is one of the major problems in agriculture, most saline soils are found in arid and semiarid regions. As in other plant species, soil salinity also affects melon production. It is important to use tolerant varieties to be least affected by soil salinity. In present study, two local Turkish cultivar and three their crossed population (Semame, Uzbek, SemamexAnanas, AnanasxSemame and MidyatxAnanas) were tested under in vitro and pot experiments using different NaCI conditions(0, 100,150 and 200 mM). The results have shown that selection for salt tolerance high salt concentration (150 mMol) has negative significant effect on melon performance. Among the five tested cultivars, Midyat x Ananas and Uzbek showed more tolerance compared to other cultivars. In greenhouse, plant heigh, stem diameter and leaf length of Midyat x Ananas had their highest value at 100, 150 and 200 mM, respectively. Meanwhile, best performances of Uzbek for plant height, root dry matter content, root length, leaf length and diameter were obtained at 100 mM. Except for MidyatxAnanas, increase in salt concentration had less impact on plant growth. There was more correlation among morphological and physiological variable in greenhouse experiment compared to in-vitro experiment, therefore it is advised to select melon plants once they start flowering or at least after three months as it has been demonstrated in this experiment.
Nanopartículas de lignina kraft para modificação do adesivo ureia-formaldeído para colagem de madeira
Authors:   , Lopes Thamirys Andrade
Published: August 2022

Estudos envolvendo adesivos para colagem de madeira tem ganhado destaque em todo mundo. Esse fato é explicado pela necessidade de tentar substituir matérias primas de origem fóssil por aquelas de origem natural para obtenção de adesivos sustentáveis, e pelo fato de que alguns desses adesivos, como é o caso da ureia-formaldeído, que apesar de ser o mais utilizado na indústria moveleira para fabricação de painéis de madeira, pelo seu baixo custo e facilidade de uso, terem baixa resistência à umidade, além de emitirem formaldeído. Nesse sentido, no “Capítulo 1”, buscou-se levantar os principais materiais, em escala nanométrica, com potencial para modificação e síntese de adesivos ureia-formaldeído para madeira, de modo a contribuir de forma significativa para melhorar a qualidade dos produtos fornecidos pela indústria moveleira. No “Capítulo 2”, foi abordado sobre a obtenção e caracterização de nanolignina kraft de Pinus sp. e Eucalyptus sp. e a adição de suspensões aquosas contendo essas nanoligninas e seus efeitos nas propriedades do adesivo ureia-formaldeído comercial. No “Capítulo 3” foi realizada a secagem dessas suspensões de nanolignina, por meio do processo de liofilização, e estas foram adicionadas ao adesivo ureia-formaldeído comercial, em diferentes proporções e então suas propriedades reológicas e mecânicas foram avaliadas. Além disso, foi realizada também a quantificação da emissão de formaldeído pelas formulações adesivas. Por fim, no “Capítulo 4” foram sintetizados adesivos ureia formaldeído contendo nanolignina em diferentes porcentagens e então foram avaliadas as propriedades adesivas, além da quantificação da emissão de formaldeído. Dentre as conclusões desse estudo, destacam-se: (i) Um dos principais desafios enfrentados tem sido promover a melhora integrada das propriedades adesivas bem como das propriedades dos painéis produzidos com esses adesivos, assim como a utilização de nanomateriais renováveis. (ii) Foi possível a obtenção das nanopartículas de lignina pelo método escolhido e, em geral, adição de suspensão aquosa de nanoligninas ao adesivo ureia-formaldeído ocasionou piora das propriedades do mesmo. (iii) A adição de nanoligninas liofilizadas ao adesivo ureia-formaldeído, em geral, promoveu a melhora da resistência mecânica de algumas formulações adesivas em até 10% e a redução da emissão de formaldeído em até 50%. (iv) A adição de nanoligninas liofilizadas à síntese do adesivo ureia-formaldeído, em geral, promoveu a melhora da resistência mecânica de algumas formulações adesivas em até 13% e a redução da emissão de formaldeído em até 75%. Palavras-chave: Painéis de madeira. Indústria de móveis. Nanomateriais. Liofilização.
Karotis Endarterektomi Operasyonu Sırasında Serebral Perfüzyonun Takibi ve Korunması: NIRS ve Kök Basıncı Rehberliğinde Seçici Şant Kullanımı
Authors: YAZMAN Serkan , DEPBOYLU Burak Can , HARMANDAR Buğra , ARSLAN Kadir , TETİK SARUHAN Mürüvvet Funda , YILMAZ Ersin
Published: August 2022

Karotis arter cerrahisinde endarterektomi ve eversiyon metotları semptomatik veya asemptomatik hastalarda inme ve mortalite oranını azaltmaya yönelik uygulanan düşük riskli altın standart tedavi yöntemleridir. Serebral hipoperfuzyon ve iskeminin erken tespiti için yakın kızılötesi spektroskopi (NIRS) yöntemi ile rejyonel serebral oksijen saturasyonu (rSO2) ve karotis kök basıncı ölçümü yaygın kullanılan yöntemlerdir. Serebral hipoperfuzyonu engellemek ve serebral iskemi riskini azaltmak amaçlı en yaygın kullanılan yöntem intraoperatif şant kullanılmasıdır. Çalışmamızda karotis kök basıncı eşik değeri ≤40mmhg şant kullanımına karar verilen hastalarda, NIRS rSO2 değerindeki azalma, şant kullanımının peroperatif inme ve mortalite üzerine etkilerini araştırmayı amaçladık. 2018-2020 yılları arasında Kuzey Amerika semptomatik karotis endarterektomi çalışması (NASCET) kriterlerine göre %70-99 oranında darlık saptanan ve opere edilen 40 hasta retrospektif olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Şant kullanılan ve kullanılmayan grupta ipsilateral NIRS değerleri sırası ile ortalama klemp öncesi 70.33±8.40 ve 65.1±4.52, klemp konulduktan sonraki ilk dakikada 57.87±8.4 ve 62.01±4.6 saptandı (p<0.05). Çalışmamızda NIRS rSO2’deki ≥%15 düşme ile kök basıncı ≤40mmhg eşik değeri arasında iyi bir korelasyon olduğunu düşünmekteyiz. Bu değerler ile şant kullanım kararı verilen hastalarımızda peroperatif inme ve ölüm ile karşılaşılmamıştır. Ancak rSO2’deki düşmenin net bir sınır değerinin belirlenebilmesi için daha fazla prospektif ve çok merkezli çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.
Kolorektal Cerrahide Anastomoz Kaçaklarının Erken ve Uzun Dönem Sonuçları
Authors: NAZLI Okay
Published: August 2022

Anastomoz kaçağı, gastrointestinal sistem cerrahisinde yapılan anastomozun, postoperatif dönemde klinik ve/veya radyolojik yöntemlerle belirlenebilen, çeşitli nedenlerle kısmen veya tamamen ayrışmasıdır. Bu durum oluştuğunda hastanın cerrahi mortalite oranının artması yanında, erken ya da geç dönemde birçok komplikasyonların görülme oranları da yükselmektedir. Bu komplikasyonların başında tekrar ameliyat, yaşam kalitesini bozan başta stoma ve stoma sorunları, hastanın hastanede daha uzun süre kalması, lokorejyonel nükslerin oluşması, beş yıllık sağkalımın azalması ve ekonomik sonuçlar gelmektedir.
Sigara Bağımlısı ve Sigarayı Bırakan Kişilerde Psikolojik Faktörlerin Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: YIĞMAN Fatih , ÜNVER Hasan , AKSU Muhammed Hakan , ÖZDEL Kadir
Published: August 2022

Tütün kullanımı önemli bir halk sağlığı sorunudur. Hem sigara kullanımı hem de sigarayı bırakma tedavisi için psikolojik faktörlerin de önemli olduğu bilinmektedir. Çalışmaya toplam 172 sigara kullanan, 84 sigarayı bırakan olmak üzere 256 kişi katılmış, katılımcılara Sosyodemografik veri formu, Fagerström Nikotin Bağımlılığı Ölçeği ve Madde Kullanımı Risk Profili Ölçeği uygulanmıştır. Sonuçlarımıza göre sigarayı bırakan kişilerde sadece anksiyete duyarlılığı puanları, halen sigara kullanan kişilere göre anlamlı olarak yüksek bulunmuştur (p=0.005). Ayrıca halen sigara kullanan kişiler, kullanma düzeylerine göre düşük, orta ve ağır bağımlı olmak üzere üç gruba ayrılmışlardır. Dürtüselliğin, ağır bağımlı grupta düşük ve orta bağımlı gruplardan anlamlı şekilde daha yüksek puanlar aldığı (p=0.005 ve p=0.047); anksiyete duyarlılığında ise ağır bağımlı grubun, düşük bağımlı gruptan anlamlı şekilde daha düşük puanlar aldığı saptanmıştır (p=0.002). Çalışmamızın sonuçları, sigara bağımlılığında özellikle dürtüsellik ve anksiyete duyarlılığı faktörlerinin önemine işaret etmektedir. Bu faktörlerin ele alınması, bağımlılığın hem tedavisinde hem de remisyon sürecinde yol gösterici olabilir. Sigara bağımlılığını anlamak ve bırakma sürecindeki başarıyı artırmak için psikolojik faktörleri anlamak önemlidir. Bu nedenle sigara bağımlılığındaki psikolojik faktörlerin gözden geçirilmesini amaçladık.
Sternal Steel Wire Combined with Sternal Closure Systems for The First Sternotomy Closures in Patients with High Risk for Sternal Complications; Thermoractive Nitinol Clips or Titanium Sternal Closure Plate?
Authors: ÇELİK Ersin , ÇORA Ahmet , GÜLMEN Şenol
Published: August 2022

In this study, we aimed to compare the sternal complication rates of traditional steel wire closure, steel wire combined with thermoreactive nitinol clips (TRC) or steel wire combined with titanium sternal closure plate (TSCP) methods used in first sternotomy closures in high risk patients. 210 patients (153 males, 57 females, mean age 62.87±10.21, distribution 21-86 years) that underwent open heart surgery via median sternotomy between May 2018-October 2020 were studied retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups according to the methods used for sternal closure as; steel wire only (n=179), steel wire combined with TRC (n=17) and steel wire combined with TSCP (n=14). The groups were compared in terms of demographic changes, clinical specifications, and sternal complication rates. Sternal dehiscence was evaluated in 2 patients (1.1%) whose sternums were closed with only steel wire, and among all the patients included in the study, superficial wound infection was seen in these 2 patients (1.1%). Superficial wound infection was seen in 1 patient (7.1%) in the group where TSCP combined steel wire was used. No sternal dehiscence was seen in patient groups in which TSCP and TRC were used. There was no statistical significance observed regarding sternal complications among three group. DM ratio was higher among the TRC and TSCP groups (p=0.002). The patients were divided into four groups according to their body mass indexes (BMI). The BMI rates of 35-39.9 and> 40 kg/m2 were found to be significant in the patients for whom TRC and TSCP used (p <0.001) in comparison with the BMI rates of the patients to whom conventional steel wiring was applied. A forward stepwise multinomial logistic regression model was created to evaluate the use of TRC and TSCP. DM (OR=8.26) and 30-34.9 kg/m2 BMI (OR=14.28) were found significantly effective for TRC. 30-34.9 kg/m2 and 35-39.9 kg/m2 BMI (OR=10.75) were found significantly effective for TSCP. We believe that using reinforced stell wire with TSCP and TRC for closure of first sternotomies was safe and could prevent further possible sternal complications among the patients that have high risks of sternal dehiscence.
The Evaluation of Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Stroke Patients
Authors: CİNAR Cigdem , ONES Kadriye , BARDAK Ayse Nur , YILDIRIM Mustafa Aziz , BAGATİR Nazire
Published: August 2022

Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) is common after stroke, and it is a condition that negatively affects the functional status and quality of life of the patients. This study aimed to evaluate bladder functions and explore the risk factors for NLUTD in chronic stroke patients. Seventy-one patients with a history of stroke attack at least 6 months ago were included in the study. Case group consisted of 35 patients having NLUTD diagnosed by urodynamic study and the control group consisted of 36 patients without any urinary complaints. The demographics of the patients were evaluated. In addition, presenting complaints, urinary histories and voiding methods of the patients were questioned. Bladder functions of stroke patients with urinary complaints were evaluated through urodynamic study reports. There were no significant differences between both groups in terms of age, gender, educational status, time since stroke, lesion side and lesion type (p>0.05). Urodynamic studies revealed overactive detrusor and decreased bladder capacity in 85.7% of the patients. Urinary dysfunction did not show any significant difference (p˃0.05) according to lesion side and etiology. The rate of urinary dysfunction was significantly higher (p=0.019) in patients with large lesions. Large infarct size, low cognitive level, and presence of accompanying pathologies were described as risk factors for NLUTD. A detailed history and videourodynamic evaluation are important in the diagnosis of NLUTD.
Göz Kapağı Kitlelerinde Özellikler ve Prognoza Etkili Faktörler
Authors: ÖRÜM Çağlar , ERDA Yaşar Sait , ALAÇAMLI Göksu
Published: August 2022

Bu çalışmada, kliniğimizde göz kapağı tümörü nedeniyle başvuran olgularda epidemiyolojik özellikleri, tümör çeşitleri ve görülme sıklığı, yaş ve cinsiyet dağılımına göre lokalizasyonları, klinik ve histopatolojik tanılar arasındaki uyumu incelemeyi amaçladık. Çalışmada 1995-2011 yılları arasında göz kapağında kitle yakınmasıyla Göz Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı’na başvurarak Orbita Birimi’nde tetkik edilen, tedavi uygulanan, düzenli olarak kontrole gelmiş toplam 311 olgunun, 352 kapak tümörü tıbbi kayıtlardan retrospektif olarak değerlendirildi. Çalışmaya alınan olguların 150’si (%48.24) erkek, 161’i (%51.76) kadındı. Olgularda yakınmanın başladığı yaş ortalaması 48.6±10.6 yıl, ilk başvurudaki yaş ortalaması ise 49.7±12.5 yıl (7 ile 92 yaş arasında) idi. Tüm göz kapağı kitlelerinin %78.97’si iyi huylu, %21.03’ü kötü huylu lezyonlardı. İyi huylu göz kapağı tümörlerini kaynak aldıkları dokuya göre sınıfladığımızda ilk sırayı epitelyal tümörler 84 (%53.16) aldı. Onu sırasıyla ksantomatöz tümörler 50 (%31.64), melanositik tümörler 13 (%8.22), vasküler tümörler 7 (%4.43), adneksiyel tümörler 3 (%1.29) ve nöral tümörler 1 (%0.66) takip etti. Bazal hücreli karsinom 67 (%90.54) olgu grubumuzda en sık görülen kötü huylu göz kapağı tümörüydü. Onu YHK 6 (%8.11) ve MM 1 (%1.35) takip etti. İyi huylu kapak tümörlerinin %90’ına makroskobik olarak histopatolojik inceleme ile uyumlu tanı konurken, kötü huylu kapak tümörlerinin %77.5’ine histopatolojik inceleme ile uyumlu makroskobik ön tanı konulabildi. Göz kapaklarında şüphe uyandıran her türlü lezyonun erken dönemde eksize edilerek histopatolojik tanı koyulmasının önemi vardır.