bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Works to Control COVID-19? Econometric Analysis of a Cross-Country Panel
Authors: Chen Liming , Raitzer David , Hasan Rana , Lavado Rouselle , Velarde Orlee
Published: December 2020

The paper examines the effects of nonpharmaceutical interventions on transmission of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as captured by its reproduction rate 𝑅t. Using cross-country panel data, the paper finds that while lockdown measures have strong effects on 𝑅t, gathering bans appear to be more effective than workplace and school closures. Ramping up the testing and tracing of COVID-19 cases is found to be especially effective in controlling the spread of the disease where there is greater coverage of paid sick leave benefits. Workplace and school closures are found to have large negative effects on gross domestic product compared with other measures, suggesting that a more targeted approach can be taken to keep the epidemic controlled at lower cost.
Chemical composition and consumer acceptability of cookies flavoured with vanilla-Aidan (Tetrapleura tetraptera) blends
Authors: Olatoye Kazeem , Lawal Adetunji , Olamilekan Idowu
Published: December 2020

Aidan is an underutilised spice with characteristic fragrant and pungent
aromatic odour, similar to vanilla flavour. Chemical composition and
consumer acceptability of cookies flavoured with vanilla-Aidan blends were
investigated. Aidan pulp was milled and substituted for vanilla powder
(25-100%) in cookies formulation. Cookies were characterised for chemical
contents and sensory properties using standard methods and panellists test.
Data were analysed using ANOVA at ?0.05. The study revealed that chemical
contents, (except carbohydrate and metabolizable energy) and sensory
properties of cookies significantly improved with increase in addition of
Aidan. Moisture content of the cookies ranged between (1.83-3.77%), crude
protein (9.83-12.86%), ash (0.55-0.71%), fat (0.98-1.29%), fibre
(0.35-0.46%), carbohydrate (81.35-86.45%) and metabolizable energy
(380.60-393.94 kcal). Mineral content was significantly influenced, with
phosphorus content ranging between (64.00-142.67mg/100g), iron (2.62-6.53
mg/100g) and zinc (3.80 mg/100g- 4.47 mg/100g). The ranges of tannin,
phytate, flavonoid and phenolic compounds in mg/100g were 0.07-0.08,
0.17-0.23, 0.53-0.82 and 0.76-1.53 respectively. Mean scores for cookies
appearance, taste, aroma, crispness and over all acceptability ranged
between 7.23-8.17, 7.30-7.87, 7.33-8.07, 7.20-7.80 and 7.72-8.31,
respectively. Panellists accepted sample with 3 g (75%) of Aidan and 1 g
(25%) of vanilla the most. Acceptable cookies with good nutritional
composition can be produced, using vanilla-Aidan blends as a flavouring
agent.
Stability of encapsulated Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) juice
Authors: Ezekiel Olufunke , Ojuola Oloruntobiloba , Adedeji Olajide
Published: December 2020

This study investigated the stability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in
cocoa juice. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was encapsulated separately with
sodium alginate and sodium alginate+gum Arabic, and incorporated into cocoa
pulp juice. Un-encapsulated LGG (free cell) served as a control. The
viability of free and encapsulated LGG in cocoa juice and simulated
gastrointestinal conditions was evaluated. The juice was stored at 4 ?C for
28 days and its chemical composition was determined weekly. Colour
attributes and sensory properties of the freshly prepared juice were also
determined. The percentage yield of LGG encapsulated with sodium alginate
and sodium alginate+gum Arabic was 80.8 and 89.9%, respectively. Sodium
alginate+gum Arabic encapsulated LGG showed higher viability in cocoa juice
and simulated gastrointestinal conditions than free cell and LGG
encapsulated with sodium alginate only. There was no significant (p>0.05)
difference in the pH of cocoa juice that contained sodium alginate only
(CJSA) and the one that contained sodium alginate+gum Arabic (CJAG).
Titratable acidity of CJAG was significantly (p<0.05) higher than CJSA
throughout the storage. Significantly higher pH, total soluble solids, and
sugar were recorded for cocoa juice that contained the free cell (CJFC)
compared to CJSA and CJAG. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference
between CJSA and CJAG in terms of the degree of lightness, however, the
samples differed significantly (p<0.05) in terms of chroma, and colour
intensity. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference between CJFC and
CJAG in terms of colour, appearance, aroma, taste, and consistency. This
study showed that the encapsulation of LGG with sodium alginate and gum
Arabic improved its stability in cocoa juice.
On the stability and instability criteria for circulatory systems: A review
Authors: Bulatovic Ranislav
Published: December 2020

A survey of the selected published criteria ? expressed by the properties of the system matrices ? for the stability and instability of linear mechanical systems subjected to potential and circulatory forces is presented. In particular, recent generalizations of the well-known Merkin instability theorem are reported. Several simple numerical examples are used to illustrate the usefulness of the presented criteria and also to compare them.
Auditor Commitment and Turnover Intentions Following Negative Inspection Findings: The Effects of Regulator Enforcement Style and Firm Response
Authors: Martinow Kristian , Moroney Robyn A. , Harding Noel
Published: December 2020

We examine the effect of the regulator's style (critical versus supportive) when enforcing negative inspection findings and the audit firm's response to those findings (increase or decrease audit process structure) on auditor professional and firm commitment and turnover intentions. We find no evidence that enforcement style impacts professional commitment, but that auditors are more inclined to leave the profession when the regulator adopts a critical enforcement style and when their firm increases audit process structure. We further find that firm commitment is lower when the firm increases audit process structure, and that this is most pronounced when the regulator adopts a supportive enforcement style. We find no evidence of firm turnover intentions being impacted by either enforcement style or firm response. Recognizing the importance of retaining competent and motivated auditors, our results highlight the care needed, and alternatives available, when regulators enforce, and firms respond to, negative inspection findings.

Data Availability: Data are available from the authors upon request.

JEL Classification: M42.
Office-Client Balance and Metro Area Audit Market Competition
Authors: Ettredge Michael L. , Sherwood Matthew G. , Sun Lili
Published: December 2020

We propose a new audit supplier competition construct, the Office-Client Balance (OCB), which consists of the relative abundance of competing audit offices and audit clients in a metropolitan (metro) area. From this construct, we derive a metro level audit competition proxy reflecting surpluses or shortfalls of total metro audit office numbers relative to the national metro OCB norm: the OCB_TOT. Consistent with the predictions of Porter's Five Forces theory, we find that OCB_TOT is associated with lower fees, more auditor turnover, and more (less) office exits (entrances) in metro audit markets. These findings validate OCB_TOT as a proxy for audit market competition. Our results indicate that greater metro level competition among auditors (more positive OCB_TOT) is associated with higher audit quality, proxied by fewer financial statement misstatements. Several additional analyses suggest that OCB_TOT is useful in explaining clients' choices of local (versus remote) audit offices and Big 4 (versus non-Big 4) offices.

Data Availability: Data used in this study are available from public sources.

JEL Classifications: G18; L10; M42.
COVID-19 Severity Is Tripled in the Diabetes Community: A Prospective Analysis of the Pandemic’s Impact in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Gregory Justin M. , Slaughter James C. , Duffus Sara H. , Smith T. Jordan , LeStourgeon Lauren M. , Jaser Sarah S. , McCoy Allison B. , Luther James M. , Giovannetti Erin R. , Boeder Schafer , Pettus Jeremy H. , Moore Daniel J.
Published: December 2020

OBJECTIVE

To quantify and contextualize the risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related hospitalization and illness severity in type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study to identify case subjects with COVID-19 across a regional health care network of 137 service locations. Using an electronic health record query, chart review, and patient contact, we identified clinical factors influencing illness severity.

RESULTS

We identified COVID-19 in 6,138, 40, and 273 patients without diabetes and with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively. Compared with not having diabetes, people with type 1 diabetes had adjusted odds ratios of 3.90 (95% CI 1.75–8.69) for hospitalization and 3.35 (95% CI 1.53–7.33) for greater illness severity, which was similar to risk in type 2 diabetes. Among patients with type 1 diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), hypertension, race, recent diabetic ketoacidosis, health insurance status, and less diabetes technology use were significantly associated with illness severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes status, both type 1 and type 2, independently increases the adverse impacts of COVID-19. Potentially modifiable factors (e.g., HbA1c) had significant but modest impact compared with comparatively static factors (e.g., race and insurance) in type 1 diabetes, indicating an urgent and continued need to mitigate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection risk in this community.
MODELING THE IMPACT OF GCI COMPONENTS ON UKRAINE COMPETITIVENESS
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Department of Foreign Trade and Customs, Dzvonyk R. , Horbal Natalia ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Hoshovska O. ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Department of Theoretical and Applied Economics
Published: December 2020

Global competition is growing not only on a products/firms level, but also among countries. There are many approaches to interpretation of a concept of the “country competitiveness”, which in particular means “the state of the country in the global market due to the international division of labor, national conditions and factors of production and its ability to compete effectively in world markets”. The competitiveness of countries is determined by many factors and is assessed by different approaches and methods. Some of the best known are the methodologies of the Institute for Management Development (IMD) and the World Economic Forum (WEF). Potential investors are guided by them when making decisions about investing in the economy, financial institutions – when evaluating countries as recipients of capital, etc. The WEF’s Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) is based on 12 groups of over 100 indicators and is regularly adjusted to meet current challenges facing national economies. The latest version – GCI 4.0 – includes: 1. Enabling Environment (1.1. Institutions. 1.2. Infrastructure. 1.3. ICT adoption. 1.4. Macroeconomic stability). 2. Human Capital (2.1. Health. 2.2. Skills). 3. Markets (3.1. Product market. 3.2. Labour market. 3.3. Financial system. 3.4. Market size). 4. Innovation Ecosystem (4.1. Business dynamism. 4.2. Innovation capability). According to GCI 2019, the top five are: Singapore, the United States, Hong Kong, Netherlands and Switzerland, while Ukraine – in the 85th place out of 141 countries. The competitiveness of Ukraine has been deteriorating for the third year in a row. The main regression is in the spheres of: financial systems, healthcare, ICT implementation, macroeconomic stability and innovation opportunities. Considering those 12 components, the multifactorial regression model for Ukraine competitiveness was designed based on aggregated and standardized GCI indicators of 2009– 2017 and 2018–2019. To estimate the parameters of the multifactor regression model, the least squares method and the application “Data Analysis” of the program MS EXCELL were used. The obtained model has been tested. As a result of modeling, it can be seen that – institutions indicator and – indicator of financial market development had the greatest influence on the competitiveness of Ukraine. Thus, they should become the priority areas of the state development and policy.
INTERACTION THEORY IN INNOVATION PROCESSES
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lisovska Lidia
Published: December 2020

The article is devoted to the research and substantiation of the author 's theory of interaction in innovation processes. The author proved the need to revise the provisions of modern theories in modern conditions, as they complicate the possibilities and lead to inefficiency of use for the implementation of innovation processes at different levels. The development of the innovation process was determined by the indicators of interaction between the stages and participants of innovation. This article examines the basic theories of economic and personal development, which are present in the information field of management and innovation. The author investigated the theoretical positions of theories of personal development, theories of innovative development, theories of interactions and theories of partnership, theories of innovative cooperation. The main theoretical contributions of these theories were analyzed, as well as the possibility of their use in the formation of the author's theory of interaction in innovation processes. Based on the analysis and research, the author identified the provisions of the theory of interaction in innovation processes, which take into account the paradigm shift of the innovation process, the evolution of models of innovation processes, types of interactions in innovation processes. The author's theory contains definitions of postulates, hypotheses and expected results. The developed theory can be used as a basis for ensuring the innovative development of regions and countries, provided the formation and implementation of an effective mechanism for establishing interaction between participants in the innovation process.
Osmanlı Devleti’nde Eğitimin Modernleşmesi Bağlamında Öncü Bir Şahsiyet: Ahmed Kemal Paşa’nın Eğitim Politika ve Uygulamaları (1847-1878)
Authors: CÜCÜK Eyüp , DOĞAN Ayhan
Published: December 2020

Osmanlı Devleti’nde eğitimin modernleşmesi sürecinde kritik rol oynamış figürlerin çok yönlü biyografileri ortaya konulmadan ve yaşadıkları dönemin eğitim politika ve uygulamalarına katkısı kapsamlı ve özgün bir yaklaşımla analiz edilmeden Tanzimat Dönemi eğitim modernleşmesini anlamak ve bu bağlamdaki çıktıları gelişimsel ve bütüncül bir bakışla değerlendirmek mümkün görülmemektedir. Bu araştırmanın amacı, Osmanlı Devletinde eğitimin modernleşmesi sürecinde öncü bir şahsiyet olan Ahmed Kemal Paşa’nın farklı tarihlerde sürdürdüğü üst düzey eğitim yöneticiliği görevlerinde ortaya koymuş olduğu eğitim politika ve uygulamalarının incelenmesidir. Nitel yaklaşımın kullanıldığı bu araştırma, özgün ve birincil kaynaklara dayalı bir tarih araştırması olarak tasarlanmıştır. Araştırma verileri, doküman incelemesi yöntemiyle toplanmış olup Kemal Paşa’nın mühür ve imzasını taşıyan çok sayıdaki arşiv belgesi başta olmak üzere veri çeşitliliğini sağlamak için farklı türden veri kaynakları da kullanılmıştır. İçerik analizi yöntemiyle çözümlenen verilerden hareketle Kemal Paşa’nın, yaşadığı dönemin eğitim hayatına etkisi tespit edilmeye çalışılmıştır. Sonuç olarak Kemal Paşa’nın, Tanzimat Döneminin reformist ve aydın bürokratlarından biri olarak özellikle Osmanlı eğitim modernleşmesi sürecinde yön tayin edici, belirleyici ve öncü bir hizmette bulunmuş bir eğitimci olduğu anlaşılmıştır. Bu süreçte çok yönlü eğitim politikalarının geliştirilmesine ve uygulanmasına hem teorisyen hem pratisyen rolleriyle katkı sunan Ahmed Kemal Paşa’nın yenilikçi, pragmatist özelliklere sahip bir eylem adamı olduğu söylenebilir.
Фотоны. Периодический процесс вместо волнового
Authors: Чеснаков Михаил
Published: December 2020

В статье устранён парадокс классической физики в отношении интерференции, показано, что Фотон не обладает свойством корпускулярно-волнового дуализма. Получен ответ на вопрос о механизме, который обеспечивает периодичность появления интерференционных максимумов (минимумов). Сделано обоснованное предположение о поведении Фотона в вакууме, объяснена причина когерентности Фотонов на малом отверстии.
Self-Censorship (of the Pre-Emptive Kind): English-written Discourses as a Lens into Romanian Self-Identification
Authors: Colăcel Onoriu
Published: December 2020

"In the aftermath of the Great War,
the view of the English-speaking world on
the Balkans posed a challenge to Romanian
self-identification patterns. English-language
memoirs by US servicemen and that of Marie,
Queen of Romania, capture the spirit of the
times. They spell out, on the one hand, the
conviction that the Romanian kingdom was
part and parcel of a new, thoroughly Balkanized
Europe, and demonstrate, on the other hand,
how the path forward for a new-found home
country can be shaped. Their stories feature the
Romanians as yet another imagined community
in the making, a nation whose identity is
otherized as a marginal offshoot of emerging
national traditions in the Balkans. In the process,
they reveal productive censorship and selfcensorship
on a discursive scale commonly seen
in colonial matrices of power."
La catastrofe del testo
Authors: Tassoni Luigi
Published: December 2020

"For Jacques Derrida, the autobiographical
writing of the Confessions of J. J. Rousseau
fills a void, comparing to an act of onanism,
not directly according to nature. The text is
catastrophe because it deceives and destroys
nature, if the writing, the supplement, or the text
introduces unnaturalness into life, in a narrative,
autobiographical key. The writing does not close
the circle of seduction, producing a text that is
sufficient unto itself, because the text needs the
other, the other one who is outside the text and
who gives the text the status of a social, shared,
existing object. I will try to demonstrate that all
the things which are out of the text communicate
with all the elements which stay inside the text.
The catastrophe of the text becomes a strategic
definition for describing the experimental processes
of language, the same processes which circumvent
the subjective censorship of autobiography and the
objective censorship of history."
Matei Vișniec : l’expérience de la limite
Authors: Sanna Antonietta
Published: December 2020

"The theme of the border intended
as limes, as separation and union in difference,
makes Matei Vișniec’s theatre a nostalgic
voice of the great Theatre of History. This pro-
European playwright invites us to reconsider
the Europe of globalized capitalism, with its
migrations and eradications. He warns us
that we can cross a border and remain on the
margins of society, victims of an internal border."
Schooling as a Possible Success Factor? A Novel Investigation of Determining Factors of Success in Four Summer Olympic Games
Authors: Soos I. , Kiss T. , Whyte I. , Hamar P. , Boros‐Balint I. , Szabo A.
Published: December 2020

"The exploration of factors underpinning Olympic success (number of medals won) extended to the Human Development Index (HDI). Analysis of the Rio Olympic Games supported the influence of geographic and social variables. Schooling was one of the most important predictors and together with population explained 64%; when adding geographic variables (North-West and temperature) 67% of Olympic medals won were explained. This relationship was validated in the last four Olympic Games (from 2004 to 2016). This is the first study ever to demonstrate that specific social and geographical factors determine more than two thirds of the variance in Olympic success.

Keywords: Olympic medals, HDI, schooling, population size."
Impact of Physical Activity on Obesity in Adults
Authors: Nut Ramona Ancuța
Published: December 2020

"The significant increase of the prevalence of overweight and obese adults raises the importance of approaching this major issue of public health. Our modern life style characterized by the intake of highly caloric food and low levels of physical activity, accompanied by long periods of sitting and a poor sleep interacts with our basic biology creating an environment where the circadian rhythms are disrupted which more often result in a higher number of metabolic disorders. The excess of body weight is associated with many negative effects upon health including but not limited to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, some form of cancers and muscle and bone disorders. Since the physical activity is more and more performed in organized environment, the importance of physical activity in the society increased in time, not only for the individual but for the public health. Our daily life becomes less and less physically active, while organized physical training increases. The average caloric intake is increasing, which means more unconsumed energy and as a result more overweight persons with health problems. Physical training seems to be an important factor in approaching this epidemic of obesity. This paperwork aims to revise the literature to determine if the physical activity can be associated with the prevention of weight gaining in obese adults.

Keywords: physical activity, obesity, overweight."
The Specific of Tourist Activities and Physical Effort on the Southern Face of Damavand Mountain (Iran, Alborz Mountains)
Authors: Bîca Ioan
Published: December 2020

"Mount Damavand is part of the 7th Volcano Circuit and is located in the central-southern part of the Alborz Mountains in Iran, 70 km north of Tehran. Due to its altitude of 5610 m, the mountain is a challenge for climbers and imposes a series of atmospheric conditions that induce certain physical stresses during the ascent to the top. The standard route is located on the southern face of the mountain and leaves from the village of Polour to two camps, Goosfand Sara (3000 m) and Bargah Sevom (4200 m). The access to the first camp can be done by car, and from there to the second camp on foot, the luggage being transported by mules by the locals. In the second camp, Bargah Sevom, is a modern stone refuge, which belongs to the Iranian Mountaineering Federation. Sports activities take place in two major stages: acclimatization and climbing to the top, for which at least 2-3 days are allocated. The present study, carried out on the occasion of a scientific, and sports expedition, aims to analyze the organization of tourist activities, the attractive potential and the peculiarities of the effort on the southern face of the mountain, between the altitudes of 3000 m and 5610 m.

Keywords: seven volcanoes circuit, mountaineering, mountain leisure, heart rate."
Comparative Study on the Use of a Portable Alternative Method for Measuring High Jump in Men's Volleyball Game
Authors: Stupar Radu‐Cristian , Monea Gheorghe , Șanta Cristian , Somâtcă Ioana Alexandra
Published: December 2020

"Hight jump is a very important skill in the modern volleyball game. The height of the vertical detachment can be measured in a variety of ways, from the most sophisticated (jumping platform, jumping mats) to those available to all (Sargent test, and Vertec). Through this study we followed the comparative analysis of an alternative method for measuring detachment on the spot, using the G-Vert device, with a device known and currently used by several federations for measuring vertical detachment. Following the application of the Counter-movement jump Test (CMJ) or Static Vertical Test (SVT) and Approach Vertical Test (AVT), the values obtained were recorded, analyzed, and compared using the Microsoft Xcel and IBM SPSS statistical processing and analysis programs. The results of the analysis show small differences between them, which attests to the G-Vert device, as a reliable device for measuring vertical detachment. The G-Vert device, in addition to the ability to record vertical detachment, gives us information about the gravitational force that is exerted on the body during the jump, and the force with which the detachment is performed on the spot, information that can be obtained by the jumping platform.

Keywords: G-Vert, high jump, measurements, tests."
Statistical Korovkin and Voronovskaya type theorem for the Cesaro second-order operator of fuzzy numbers
Authors: Braha Naim L. , Loku Valdete
Published: December 2020

In this paper we define the Ces\'aro second-order summability method for fuzzy numbers and prove Korovkin type theorem, then as the application of it, we prove the rate of convergence. In the last section, we prove the kind of Voronovskaya type theorem and give some concluding remarks related to the obtained results.
Stereopsis deficiency treatment using virtual reality games in exotropic candidate for firefighter
Authors: Maciaszek Dorota , Wojtczak-Kwaśniewska Monika
Published: December 2020

Background: Impaired stereopsis very often limits career options for patients with binocular vision disorders. Eyesight requirements for some occupations like police officers and firefighters usually include perfect visual acuity. In Poland, candidates for these professions must also demonstrate perfect stereopsis. The presented case study aims to demonstrate that vision therapy (VT1) mixed with new technologies may be an effective treatment for young adults who do not meet the chosen occupation's visual requirements.
Case report: A case of a young man diagnosed with intermittent exotropia and poor stereopsis is discussed. Poor stereopsis did not allow him to pass the ophthalmological qualification tests to the fire academy. Vision therapy was implemented to improve stereopsis. The case report presents the patient’s treatment implemented within 4 years. The patient started with prismatic correction, then received the office-based VT with home reinforcement. The improvement in fusional vergence and the control of deviation was observed. Nevertheless, the patient was still stereo-deficient. 3 years later, Binocular Vision Therapy in Virtual Reality (BVTVR2) was recommended. The patient received home-based therapy for 16 weeks (60 minutes per day), which has resulted in significant improvement of stereopsis. As a result, he finally met the visual requirements to become a firefighter.
Conclusion: BVTVR appears to be a promising rehabilitation method for patients with poor stereopsis. Three-dimensional anti-suppression therapy and dynamic, real-life stereopsis training seem to be a more effective treatment of poor stereopsis compared to standard VT techniques.
What can we learn about educational project management in times of covid-19?
Authors: Mahfoud Hassana
Published: December 2020

In the actual covid-19 crisis, Moroccan universities have been obliged to convert face-to-face education to online education context. This situation is much more challenging for students who are appealed to work collaboratively on their final project as well as for teachers who must monitor the project progress and students’ performance. This paper presents an experiment report of initial implementation of agile strategy in remote project management of undergraduate students. The study is approached from two point of view: communication and collaboration; data centralization and efficient monitoring. The discussion is based on student’s online activity analysis and structured survey of students’ perception on the applied method. The results reveal that the integration of the agile strategy has a significant positive impact on students’ performance in online project management and offers an interesting tool for teachers supervising project teamwork.
Disaster Medicine: Disaster planning for agricultural research programs
Authors: Harper Susan B.
Published: December 2020

Institutions that conduct agricultural research must plan for emergencies and disasters that have the potential to compromise the health and safety of research animals and personnel. Agricultural research facilities have unique challenges owing to the overall size and scope of operations, wide range of species housed, and various types of facilities maintained. Identification of hazards and development of strategies to minimize anticipated risks are important to creating a successful mitigation and recovery plan that will minimize both short- and long-term adverse effects on program operations and resources.
Prognostic value of packed cell volume and blood glucose concentration in 954 client-owned chelonians
Authors: Colon Violaine A. , Di Girolamo Nicola
Published: December 2020

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prognostic value of PCV and blood glucose concentration in chelonians presented for veterinary care and to develop risk categories on the basis of the interaction of these analytes.

ANIMALS

954 client-owned chelonians (34 genera).

PROCEDURES

Medical records of 1,059 client-owned chelonians presented to 2 veterinary institutions between 2014 and 2018 were reviewed. Logistic regression models were developed to evaluate factors associated with death, including PCV and blood glucose concentrations.

RESULTS

There were 954 chelonians (34 genera) for which the data required to be included in the analysis were available. Both PCV and blood glucose concentration were significant prognostic indicators of death. Odds of death for chelonians with severe anemia (PCV, < 10%) and moderate anemia (PCV, 11% to 20%) were 6.8 times (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 6.8; 95% CI, 3.8 to 12.3) and 1.6 times (aOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.01 to 2.7), respectively, the odds of death for chelonians with PCV within reference range. Odds of death for chelonians with severe hypoglycemia (< 30 mg/dL), moderate hyperglycemia (91 to 150 mg/dL), and severe hyperglycemia (> 181 mg/dL) were 5.3 times (aOR, 5.3; 95% CI; 2.4 to 11.4), 3 times (aOR, 3.0;95% CI, 1.4 to 6.3), and 4.3 times (aOR, 4.3; 95% CI, 2.4 to 7.6), respectively, the odds of death for chelonians with blood glucose concentration within reference range. Five risk categories were identified on the basis of PCV and blood glucose concentration.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Derangements in PCV and blood glucose concentration in client-owned chelonians were associated with increased odds of death. On the basis of these results, more aggressive diagnostic testing and treatments may be indicated in chelonians with similar alterations.
Acanthamoeba sclerokeratitis in a cat
Authors: Ledbetter Eric C. , McDonough Sean P. , Dong Longying , Liotta Janice L. , Bowman Dwight D. , Kim Sung G.
Published: December 2020

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 12-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat with chronic anterior uveitis and secondary glaucoma of the right eye was examined for persistent blepharospasm 2 weeks after corneal debridement and grid keratotomy for nonhealing superficial ulcerative keratitis.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

Examination of the right eye revealed a central superficial corneal ulcer associated with corneal epithelial and subepithelial infiltrates and mild aqueous flare. Structures consistent with amoeboid cysts and trophozoites were detected in the cornea by in vivo confocal microscopy. Suppurative keratitis was identified cytologically. An Acanthamoeba spp was isolated through culture and identified by a PCR assay of corneal specimens.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

Symptomatic and antiamoebic (polyhexamethylene biguanide 0.02% ophthalmic solution) treatments were instituted. Over the following 6 weeks, the cat lost vision in the affected eye and lesions progressed to nonulcerative stromal keratitis associated with a dense paracentral corneal stroma ring infiltrate and anterior lens luxation. The globe was enucleated, and lymphoplasmacytic sclerokeratitis, anterior uveitis, and retinal detachment were noted. Acanthamoeba organisms were detected within the corneal stroma and anterior sclera with histologic and immunohistochemical stains. The amoebae were classified to the Acanthamoeba T4 genotype by DNA sequencing. The cat had no medical problems attributed to Acanthamoeba infection over 36 months after enucleation, until the cat was lost to follow-up.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Naturally acquired Acanthamoeba sclerokeratitis is described in a cat for the first time. Acanthamoeba infection should be considered for cats with superficial corneal disease refractory to appropriate treatments and especially occurring after ocular trauma, including keratotomy.
Unusual splenic B-cell lymphoma in two related Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae)
Authors: Krol Lana , Vernau William , Mutlow Adrian G. , Brady Sean M. , Wack Raymund F. , Kubly Sarah , Zwingenberger Allison L. , Culp William T. N. , Palm Carrie , Rebhun Robert B.
Published: December 2020

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 14-year-old 120-kg (264-lb) sexually intact male Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) and its 10-year-old 130-kg (286-lb) sexually intact male offspring were housed separately and evaluated independently after experiencing weeks of ongoing malaise, weight loss, and anorexia.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

Both animals were immobilized and anesthetized for physical examinations and diagnostic testing. Complete blood counts revealed leukopenia and anemia in both tigers. Splenomegaly was identified on abdominal ultrasonography. Cytologic examination and immunohistochemical staining of splenic samples confirmed intermediate to large B-cell lymphoma; no evidence of lymphoma in surrounding organs was noted.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

The sire was treated with lomustine and prednisolone. This tiger was euthanized 21 months after initiation of treatment because of chronic progressive renal disease. The male offspring was treated with l-asparaginase but did not respond to the treatment. A splenectomy was performed, and malaise and anorexia resolved. No further chemotherapy was administered, and the male offspring was instead maintained on a low dose of prednisolone. Thirty-two months after diagnosis, the male offspring was still considered to be in remission.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

To our knowledge, this was the first known report of the diagnosis and management of a splenic B-cell lymphoma in a tiger. Both tigers achieved positive clinical responses and long-term survival by means of different treatment modalities. The finding of such an unusual neoplasm in a male tiger and its male offspring was noteworthy, raising the possibility of a genetic predisposition for this lymphoma type.
QRIS DI MATA UMKM: EKSPLORASI PERSEPSI DAN INTENSI UMKM MENGGUNAKAN QRIS
Authors: Setiawan I Wayan Arta , Mahyuni Luh Putu
Published: December 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan mengesplorasi bagaimana persepsi UMKM terhadap QRIS serta faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi intensinya menggunakan QRIS. Technology acceptance model dan theory of planned behavior digunakan sebagai panduan dalam proses penyusunan pertanyaan wawancara dan analisis data. Data dikumpulkan melalui proses wawancara mendalam semi-terstruktur yang melibatkan 16 pelaku usaha (UMKM) yang tinggal di kota Denpasar. Data kemudian dianalisis melalui proses coding dan themeing. Penelitian ini mengindikasikan bahwa UMKM memiliki persepsi positif terhadap QRIS, sebagai alternatif cara pembayaran yang mudah dan dapat mengurangi kontak fisik. Penelitian ini juga menemukan bahwa intensi UMKM menggunakan QRIS dipengaruhi oleh: 1. Persepsi positif terhadap QRIS; 2. Pengaruh pihak luar, antara lain pembeli, teman dekat, dan para influencer; 3. Persepsi hambatan menggunakan QRIS, antara lain kualitas koneksi internet, biaya penggunaan, dan batas transaksi. Penelitian ini menawarkan sebuah model komprehensif untuk memahami faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi intensi UMKM menggunakan QRIS. Model ini dapat dijadikan sebagai acuan bagi penelitian berikutnya untuk mengembangkan instrumen survey dalam upaya mendapatkan bukti empiris yang dapat digeneralisasi terkait faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi intensi UMKM menggunakan QRIS. Selain itu, penelitian ini juga dapat dijadikan sebagai sumber referensi berharga bagi lembaga bank atau non-bank untuk merumuskan strategi yang tepat menarik UMKM menggunakan QRIS.
Tor and the City: MSA-Level Correlates of Interest in Anonymous Web Browsing
Authors: Lindner Andrew M. , Pryciak Gina , Elsner Jamie
Published: December 2020

In the twenty-first century, Americans have put more of their lives online while the US government has expanded its mass surveillance apparatus. Interest in anonymity-granting technologies like The Onion Router (Tor) has grown substantially as citizens seek to protect their privacy. However, this same technology can be used to engage in illegal activity on the dark web. This study examines how interest in the dark web, public attention to the 2013 Snowden revelations, and metro-area political ideology are associated with public interest in Tor. We link data from multiple sources including Google Trends, the American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Cooperative Congressional Election Study for the forty-nine largest US Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) from 2006–2015 (n=490). Broadly, we find that metro areas with liberal citizen ideology and greater interest in the dark web were more likely to search for Tor. When controlling for the level of interest in the dark web, the Snowden revelations of 2013 had no significant impact on interest in Tor. These findings suggest that the lure of the dark web and left-leaning ideological contexts offer stronger explanations for interest in anonymity-granting technology than the public attention brought to mass surveillance by the Snowden revelations.
Indigenous Surveillance Cinema: Indian Education and the Truant On-Screen
Authors: Miner Joshua
Published: December 2020

Recent Indigenous boarding school movies have emphasized representations of surveillance together with the “living dead” as a central motif. After a brief review of surveillance in Indian education, this essay examines a cycle of films—The Only Good Indian (2009), Savage (2009), The Dead Can’t Dance (2010), Rhymes for Young Ghouls (2013), and SNIP (2016)—wherein the practices and technologies of surveillance mediate a dynamic interplay between settler educational institutions and the Native runaway or truant. These films converge a popular undead motif with this longstanding genre figure of resistance by Native/First Nations children to settler systems of administration, drawing on its literary formation that extends back to the first Indigenous writing on federal Indian education. Within this larger field of what we may call Indigenous surveillance cinema, discourses of bureaucratic rationality frame the figure of the truant. These films articulate the ways that representational practices ranging from literacy to cinema uphold systems of identification by which administrative surveillance of Indigenous people continues. Cinematic representations of the supervision of Indigenous bodies recall settler-colonialism’s mobilization of an array of early surveillance technologies for the assimilation of Native children. In this context, the watchful eye of the teacher—a proxy for administrative media—suggests a deeper embedding in settler systems of control. A visual poetics of truancy emerges in Indigenous surveillance cinema, as the truant figure operates dialectically with settler surveillance. The truant spatializes settler management and surveillance in her desire to escape cultural conversion at the hands of these proliferating technologies of representation.
Aerial Politics of Visibility: Actors, Spaces, and Drivers of Professional Drone Usage in Switzerland
Authors: Pauschinger Dennis , Klauser Francisco
Published: December 2020

This article draws upon a large-scale survey of professional (public institution and private company) drone usage in Switzerland. The authors argue that professional drone usage includes a wide range of applications and objectives and, thus, logics of vision and visibility. Instead of being systematic and predictable, the visibilities created by professional drone usage are punctual in occurrence, highly varying in spatial logics and articulations, and, therefore, often unpredictable. This raises important questions and problems with regard to the power dynamics unfolding from the visual and visualising capabilities of the technology that reach far beyond the usual focus on surveillance in current academic engagements with the topic.
Hiding in Plain Sight: Directed Surveillance as a Bodily Practice
Authors: Dahl Johanne Yttri , Svanaes Dag
Published: December 2020

In this article, we empirically explore directed surveillance as bodily practice—material bodies observing other material bodies. Such low-tech police surveillance practice (Haggerty 2012) relies on a police officer’s body as a tool and medium for information gathering. The theoretical framework used in this article is inspired by Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology of perception and the body (Merleau-Ponty [1945] 2005). The empirical starting point for our analysis is in-depth interviews with police officers conducting directed surveillance of mobile organised crime groups, supplemented by some observations. Findings illustrate how police officers conducting directed surveillance have internalised advanced perceptual and bodily skills that enable them to keep an optimal distance from the subject of their surveillance, suppress bodily responses, stay in character to protect their cover story, and appear relaxed when they are, in fact, vigilant. With this article we aim to contribute to increased knowledge and more precise discussions concerning the tacit and corporeal aspects of directed surveillance.
Kontaminasi Bakteri pada Sediaan Campuran Intravena di Bangsal Perawatan Rumah Sakit
Authors: Dewi Shinta Sari , Rahmawati Fita , Tunjung Pratiwi Sylvia Utami Utami
Published: December 2020

Pemberian sediaan campuran intravena yang terkontaminasi bakteri selama persiapan dan injeksi ke pasien dapat menyebabkan infeksi nosokomial. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui frekuensi kontaminasi bakteri dan jenis bakteri yang mengkontaminasi pada sediaan campuran intravena. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan di bangsal perawatan, Rumah Sakit Pemerintah Yogyakarta. Kontaminasi bakteri dilihat dengan menggunakan uji sterilitas dengan metode inokulasi langsung. Total 60 sediaan campuran intravena yang dikumpulkan terdiri dari 43 pencampuran intravena yang dilakukan oleh perawat di bangsal perawatan dan 17 pencampuran intravena yang dilakukan farmasis di ruang bersih. Frekuensi kontaminasi bakteri pada sediaan campuran intravena di bangsal perawatan adalah 1 dari 43 (2,3 %) dan di ruang bersih 0 %. Enterobacter cloacae dan Staphylococcus aureus mengkontaminasi satu sampel sediaan campuran intravena. Meskipun sanitasi dan pelatihan teknik aseptik dapat mengurangi risiko kontaminasi bakteri di bangsal perawatan, namun dengan menggunakan ruang bersih untuk pencampuran sediaan intravena bisa menjadi strategi terbaik
Pengaruh Dispersi Padat Irbesartan-Poloxamer 188 Terhadap Tekanan Darah dan Kadar Nitric Oxide (NO) Pada Tikus Putih Jantan Hipertensi
Authors: Harmely Fifi , Nasrul Ellyza , Umar Salman , Zaini Erizal , Aldi Yufri
Published: December 2020

Penelitian tentang pengaruh dispersi padat irbesartan-poloxamer 188 terhadap kadarNitrit Oxide (NO) pada tikus putih jantan hipertensi telah dilakukan . Penginduksi hipertensi yang digunakan adalah prednison 1,5 mg/kgBB dengan NaCl 2,5 %. Pada penelitian ini hewan percobaan dikelompokkan menjadi 4 kelompok. Kelompok I (kontrol negatif) diberikan makanan tikus dan minum, kelompok II (kontrol positif) diberikan penginduksi prednison 1,5 mg/kgBB dan NaCl 2,5%, kelompok III diberikan irbesartan nondispersi, kelompok IV diberikan irbesartan-poloxamer 188 1:0,5. Sediaan uji dalam bentuk dispersi padat irbesartan-poloxamer 188 terbukti dapat menurunkan tekanan darah dibandingkan terhadap kontrol positif dan meningkatkan kadar Nitric Oxide (NO). Ada perbedaan kadar Nitric Oxide (NO) yang diberikan  irbesartan non dispersi dan dispersi padat irbesartan-poloxamer 188 pada tikus putih jantan hipertensi. Pemberian sediaan irbesartan-poloxamer 188 1:0,5 menunjukkan hasil yang lebih baik dibandingkan dengan sediaan irbesartan nondispersi (P<0,05).
CONSTRUÇÃO DE CAPACIDADES NO AGRONEGÓCIO: ANÁLISE NO SINDICATO RURAL DE DOM PEDRITO/RS
Authors: De Ávila Mariana Rockenbach , Beuron Thiago Antonio , Nascimento Shirley Grazieli Da Silva , Alves Magnamara Alves
Published: December 2020

A capacitação profissional é um importante passo para atenuar a desigualdade, permitindo acesso à informação, renumeração e percepções para a inovação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar os principais desprovimentos que os jovens relatam possuir em sua formação profissional relacionada ao contexto do Agronegócio. O trabalho foi desenvolvido no estado do Rio Grande do Sul e caracteriza-se por um estudo de caso. Em termos metodológicos, foi realizada uma análise descritiva com abordagem qualitativa bem como a aplicação de um questionário. A partir dos resultados, verifica-se que grande maioria do universo amostral é um público feminino e de faixa etária jovem. Entretanto, os entrevistados de maneira geral, acreditam na importância dos cursos de capacitação e profissionalizantes para o desenvolvimento, geração de emprego e renda para o município e região. Embora os estudantes estejam bastante motivados, existe uma necessidade notória por abordarem de novos temas e horário diferenciado dos cursos, que os permitam conciliar com o horário de trabalho, visto que, a grande maioria do público labora.
Estudios recientes de ecos polares mesosféricos de verano bajo ondas HF
Authors: Pinedo Nava Henry O
Published: December 2020

La intensidad de una capa de los ecos polares mesosféricos de verano (EPMV) muestra una distribución con forma de “montaña”. En este trabajo se presenta evidencia que efectos en el EPMV, debido al calentamiento artificial de electrones ionosféricos causado por el HF heating, se manifiestan principalmente en la región interna alrededor del pico del EPMV. Evaluando sólo tal región interna conducirá a otras estimaciones de temperatura de electrones y otros estados de los procesos físicos como difusión de electrones y cargado de las partículas de polvo. En primera instancia, este descubrimiento puede servir a mejorar los modelos disponibles sobre EPMV bajo HFheating. Se discute acerca de posibles interpretaciones físicas considerando tamaño y densidad de electrones y las partículas de polvo. También se discute en términos de los principales procesos físicos: difusión de electrones y cargado eléctrico de partículas de polvo. No se ha encontrado efectos del HF-heating en los parámetros de la dinámica neutral: velocidad radial y ancho espectral. Un beneficio tecnológico del presente trabajo es que para detectar y evaluar los efectos del HF-hosting no se requieren potentes transmisiones de radar. Permitiendo usar tecnología más asequible que además permitirá realizar mediciones más continuas de la Mesosfera Polar.