bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical model of investment evolution in European Union in the context of blockchain system
Authors: Anghel Mădălina-Gabriela , Anghelache Constantin , Barbu Cristian Marian , Dumbravă Gabriel Ștefan
Published: February 2020

The economic growth of the national economy, within international bodies, as well as in the European Union, is a priority under the present conditions. Capital placement in geographic areas is based on effective opportunity studies. Such an analysis involves access to databases that satisfy the criteria for selecting the place of investment. At the same time, the media interested in attracting national or international investments can take such a decision on the basis of the data that will lead it to the optimal decision. Usually study of the market and the investment fields is insufficient and as such the effectiveness of the project is reduced. Under the very big data base, investors will have the chance to have information that needs to be used in a short time, and such opportunities need to be endowed with ultra-modern information systems. The issue of national and international investment is of utmost interest for any Member State of the European Union. In this respect, major projects will be developed involving as many member countries as possible, provided that everyone has the supremacy (to provide benefits) in a particular project sub-domain. Only specialization can provide the path to a viable and yet prolific economic and scientific cooperation. Through its directives, the European Union pursues both the individual development of each country and, above all, the complex development of the whole of the Union. In the big data era, investments, attracting them or entering into intra-Community economic cooperation provide a much faster course.
On building early-warning systems for preventing the deterioration of financial institutions’ performance
Authors: Costea Adrian
Published: February 2020

This paper assesses the financial performance of Romania’s non-banking financial institutions (NFIs) using a neural network training algorithm proposed by Kohonen, namely the Self-Organizing Maps algorithm. The algorithm takes the financial dataset and positiones each observation into a self-organizing map (a two-dimensional map) which can be latter used to visualize the trajectories of an individual NFI and explain it based on different performance dimensions, such as capital adequacy, assets’ quality and profitability. Further, we use the map as an early-warning system that would accurately forecast the NFIs future performance (whether they would stay or be eliminated from the NFI’s Special Register three quarters into the future). The results are promising: the model is able to correctly predict NFIs’ performance movements. Finally, we compared the results of our SOM-based model with those obtained by applying a multivariate logit-based model. The SOM model performed worse in discriminating the NFIs’ performance: the performance classes were not clearly defined and the model lacked the interpretability of the results. In the contrary, the multivariate logit coefficients have nice interpretability and an individual default probability estimate is obtained for each new observation. However, we can benefit from the results of both techniques: the visualization capabilities of the SOM model and the interpretability of multivariate logit-based model.
Regional disparities in the public health care system: Evidence from Romania
Authors: Cristache Silvia-Elena , Marin Erika , Șerban Daniela
Published: February 2020

The European Pillar of Social Rights proclaimed the people’s right to access to healthcare facilities and services, irrespective of the geographic residence.

Currently, the health system in Romania has a number of major deficiencies, ranging from the lack of state-of-the-art equipment in some hospitals, inadequate medical staff in many hospital units, to the lack of essential, vital medicines needed for treatments prescribed to the sick.

The paper aims to analyze the differences in the public health care system between the eight development regions in Romania (Northwest, Center, North-East, South-East, South-Muntenia, Bucharest-Ilfov, South-West Oltenia and West) and to identify the reasons that led to their appearance. The paper presents a detailed examination of the main statistical indicators of the public health care system in Romania using a series of statistical analysis techniques. We founded significant differences amongst the eight development regions in Romania, regarding the functioning of the public health care system. Some regions (such as Bucharest Ilfov) is found to outperform others; these regional gaps are analyzed attempting to highlight the main reasons of the regional disparities.
Should Students Trust their Instructors in Statistics? Differences in PLS Path Modelling while using WarpPLS and R
Authors: Druică Elena , Goschin Zizi
Published: February 2020

A common problem with using different statistical packages for the same data and method is the risk of getting dissimilar results. While the reasons behind this outcome are often known and accepted, the negative consequences might be significant. In a teaching environment, usually involving toy models, with no practical implications, only a reputation risk is at stake. Nevertheless, students should be aware of such incongruities, their causes and possible solutions. Starting from these considerations, our paper addresses the differences that arise between R and WarpPLS while applying the Partial Least Squares Path Modelling (PLS-PM) method. To this end we estimate a PLS-PM model for analysing health-positioning data, compare the results and explain how the two statistical packages differ and complement each other in an attempt to derive the best fit for the data.
The Factors that Influence Postpaid Subscribers to Make Churn in a Romanian Telecommunication Company
Authors: Dumitrache Andreea , Matei Maer Monica Mihaela , Stancu Stelian , Popescu Oana
Published: February 2020

The telecommunication industry is growing every day, increasing its competitiveness. In almost all European countries, the market penetration of mobile network users exceeded 100% (for example in Croatia it is over 130%). Acquiring new users is virtually impossible because there are no new users. There are only users of rival companies who are exposed to numerous marketing campaigns carefully designed to try to win them. That’s why customer retention activity and churn prevention is a necessity. The purpose of this paper is to predict customers who are willing to migrate to another Romanian mobile telecommunications company and to determine the strongest factors of influence in the consumer’s decision to leave their current service provider for another provider. Migration behavior analysis is developed for customers with postpaid subscriptions. We applied the ROSE package for re-sampling and decision trees on the dataset to identify decision makers in the migration process. The combination of the two techniques in our study did not significantly improve the performance of the classifier measured by the AUC (Area Under the Curve). After balancing the sample, however, we obtain the optimal value of the AUC coefficient (0.724) for the second cluster, making the correct prediction of the churn phenomenon on the analyzed data set. The study is an addition of Churn Analysis in Romanian Telecommunications Company, M. M. Matei Maer and A. Dumitrache (2018), where ROSE and logistic regression was applied to the same dataset for the same purpose: balancing the sample and churn prediction, but the value of the AUC coefficient was really low, making it difficult to accurately predict the churn phenomenon. Therefore, another purpose of the current paper is to compare the performance of the two techniques used in combination with ROSE on the same set of data.
The impact of human capital on economic growth in EU-28: a Panel Data perspective
Authors: Prada Elena-Maria , Cimpoeru Smaranda
Published: February 2020

This paper investigates the influence of education and human capital on economic growth in European Union countries before Brexit, for a time span of 14 years in the period 2003 - 2016. A panel data regression model was applied taking into account the impact of human capital on the economic growth from the perspective of education levels and human capital movement. Therefore human capital is described by the variables number of researchers, youth not in education, employment or training, the migration changing rates and the labor force for three different education levels (basic, intermediate and advanced). The dependent variable used in the paper as a measurement of economic growth was considered annual growth rate of Gross Domestic Product. The results show that the hypothesis of the importance and impact of human capital on economic growth is supported.
Possibilities to quantify the road traffic on the national road network and motorways in Romania
Authors: Sandu Robert-Adrian , Răcănel Carmen , Manea Daniela-Ioana , Mihai Mihaela
Published: February 2020

As a result of the economic crisis of 2009-2010, the road traffic on the national road network, for the period 2011-2014, decreased considerably. Thus, the evolution coefficients, for the period 2020-2025, registered a trend of decrease in road traffic.

Based on the analysis of the results of the automatic traffic records, it was found that the average daily average traffic increased by about 4.7% in 2016 compared to 2015 (the year of the last general circulation census) and is in continuous growth, one of the reasons being removal of car registration tax. In 2015, for the development of evolution coefficients and the rates of evolution of traffic on the national road network, the linear regression method was used which took into account both the evolution of road traffic reported in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010, as well as the evolution of road traffic on the traffic counters network for the period 2010-2015.

The paper analyzes aspects of the efficiency of the method used until the present and the need to develop coefficients and rates of evolution based on more complex methods, based on several economic and social indicators, including the projected evolution of GDP.
Financial cycle. How does it look like in Romania?
Authors: Tatarici Luminita
Published: February 2020

The paper aims to identify the main characteristics of the financial cycle for Romania using both the classical and growth cycle approaches. The turning point methodology represents the classical approach, while a band-pass filter is applied to capture the growth cycle. First, the paper assesses the significance of the medium-term cyclical component and finds that its importance increased since 2000s. The second purpose is to identify the relevant variables for the construction of a composite measure of the financial cycle. The results reveal that total credit and real estate prices are the best candidates. Regarding cycles’ characteristics, the classical approach shows that credit cycles tend last around 10 years, while the real estate cycles are longer and exhibit higher corrections during downturns.
Prognostic Value of Serum Lactate Levels in Critically Ill Patients in an Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Gutiérrez Hedgar Berty , Concepción Yenisey Arteaga , Pérez Jorge Soneira , Lara Yanín Díaz , López Félix Mario Rivero , Contreras Pedro Rosales
Published: February 2020

Introduction

The patient in critical condition, regardless of the cause of admission, continues to be a challenge for health systems due to the high mortality that it reports. There is a need to identify some marker of early obtaining, easy to interpret and with high relevance in the prognosis of these patients.

Objective

To determine the prognostic value of serum lactate in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Method

One hundred and forty-five patients admitted to an ICU were enrolled in the study. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE) prognosis score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, hemodynamic support need, mechanical ventilation, cause of admission, stay in ICU, analytical and physiological variables were determined. The probability of survival of patients who had elevated and normal serum lactate levels was calculated. The risk of dying was determined using the Cox regression model.

Results

Twenty-eight patients died (19%) in the ICU. The serum lactate value was higher in the group of patients with trauma, infections, APACHE II and high creatinine levels; as well as with decreased mean arterial blood pressure, need for hemodynamic support and mechanical ventilation. The survival capacity was higher in patients who had normal serum lactate. Serum lactate was the sole independent predictor of mortality (AHR 1.28 [1.07-1.53], p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Patient assessment through the determination of serum lactate levels provides useful information in the initial evaluation of the critical patient.
Equations for predicting interrill erosion on steep slopes in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China
Authors: Feng Qian , Linyao Dong , Jigen Liu , Bei Sun , Honghu Liu , Jiesheng Huang , Hao Li
Published: February 2020

The Three Gorges Reservoir region suffers from severe soil erosion that leads to serious soil degradation and eutrophication. Interrill erosion models are commonly used in developing soil erosion control measures. Laboratory simulation experiments were conducted to investigate the relationship between interrill erosion rate and three commonly hydraulic parameters (flow velocity V, shear stress τ and stream power W). The slope gradients ranged from 17.6% to 36.4%, and the rainfall intensities varied from 0.6 to 2.54 mm·min−1.

The results showed that surface runoff volume and soil loss rates varied greatly with the change of slope and rainfall intensity. Surface runoff accounted for 67.2–85.4% of the precipitation on average. Soil loss rates increased with increases of rainfall intensity and slope gradient, Regression analysis showed that interrill erosion rate could be calculated by a linear function of V and W. Predictions based on V (R
2 = 0.843, ME = 0.843) and W (R
2 = 0.862, ME = 0.862) were powerful. τ (R
2 = 0.721, ME = 0.721) did not seem to be a good predictor for interrill erosion rates. Five ordinarily interrill erosion models were analyzed, the accuracy of the models in predicting soil loss rate was: Model 3 (ME = 0.977) > Model 4 (ME = 0.966) > Model 5 (ME = 0.963) > Model 2 (ME = 0.923) > Model 1 (ME = 0.852). The interrill erodibility used in the model 3 (WEPP) was calculated as 0.332×106 kg·s·m−4. The results can improve the precision of interrill erosion estimation on purple soil slopes in the Three Gorges Reservoir area.
The variability of ice phenomena on the rivers of the Baltic coastal zone in the Northern Poland
Authors: Łukaszewicz Jan Tadeusz , Graf Renata
Published: February 2020

The main purpose of the research was to determine the conditions affecting ice phenomena, including the three-phase cycle of ice: expansion, retention and decay of the ice cover on selected rivers of the Baltic coastal zone in the Northern Poland (Przymorze region). The analysis has been elaborated for the years 1951–2010 against the backdrop of currently occurring climatic changes, with particular emphasis on the development and phase variability of the NAO. The article presents the impact of the variability in atmospheric circulation which has manifested in an increase in air temperature, over the last 20 years, on thermal conditions during winter periods in the South Baltic Coastal Strip. The increase in air temperature has contributed to an increase in the temperature of river waters, thus leading to a shortening of the duration of ice phenomena on rivers in the Przymorze region. The article also brings to light an increased occurrence of winter seasons classified as cool, and a disruption in the occurrence of periods classified as normal over the last 30 observed years. The research has demonstrated a significant dependence between the seasonal change in air temperature and the variability of thermal conditions of water, which has a direct impact on the variability of the icing cycle of rivers in the Przymorze region. The authors also show that the variability in forms of ice phenomena for individual river sections is determined by the local factors, i.e. anthropogenic activity, impact of urbanized areas or inflow of pollutants.
Impact of secondary succession in abandoned fields on some properties of acidic sandy soils
Authors: Lichner Ľubomír , Iovino Massimo , Šurda Peter , Nagy Viliam , Zvala Anton , Kollár Jozef , Pecho Jozef , Píš Vladimír , Sepehrnia Nasrollah , Sándor Renáta
Published: February 2020

Abandonment of agricultural lands in recent decades is occurring mainly in Europe, North America and Oceania, and changing the fate of landscapes as the ecosystem recovers during fallow stage. The objective of this study was to find the impact of secondary succession in abandoned fields on some parameters of acidic sandy soils in the Borská nížina lowland (southwestern Slovakia). We investigated soil chemical (pH and soil organic carbon content), hydrophysical (water sorptivity, and hydraulic conductivity), and water repellency (water drop penetration time, water repellency cessation time, repellency index, and modified repellency index) parameters, as well as the ethanol sorptivity of the studied soils. Both the hydrophysical and chemical parameters decreased significantly during abandonment of the three investigated agricultural fields. On the other hand, the water repellency parameters increased significantly, but the ethanol sorptivity did not change during abandonment. As the ethanol sorptivity depends mainly on soil pore size, the last finding could mean that the pore size of acidic sandy soils did not change during succession.
Measuring Teachers-As-Learners’ Digital Skills and Readiness to Study Online for Successful e-Learning Experience
Authors: Mirķe Evija , Cakula Sarma , Tzivian Lilian
Published: February 2020

Previous studies have analysed the need to measure learners’ readiness for online learning. In the framework of education reform in Latvia, by the end of 2021 the National Centre for Education will implement online courses for all school teachers. However, there is a lack of studies investigating teachers-as-learners’ readiness to study online in Latvia. The aim of the study was to assess Latvian teachers’ readiness to study online with focus on the differences of respondents’ socio-demographic or professional characteristics. 1092 teachers from 100 schools filled in the self-evaluation survey form online. Statistically significant differences were found in all subscales of the survey. Differences in digital skills and in readiness to study online were found at all education levels by respondents’ gender, age group or place of living. Younger respondents, males or city inhabitants showed higher rates. E-learning course should be customized, taking into account learners’ socio-demographic parameters and online learning readiness rate.
Detailed Images for Sustainability Development in Cross-Sectional Human Anatomy
Authors: Kažoka Dzintra , Pilmane Māra
Published: February 2020

In medical education and preclinical, clinical and transdisciplinary studies, tutors should be able to perform and offer qualitative study courses with more articulated perspective on higher educational sustainable development in higher education. Digital images have found their direct way to education in different medical areas. The aims of the study are to assess and verify the impact of cross-sectional images on the study process of Human Anatomy. In 2018, two randomly selected groups of 200 students from 2nd study year, Faculty of Medicine (Rīga Stradiņš University) were asked by tutors to identify several anatomical structures, using a three-dimensional virtual dissection table “Anatomage”. Group I analyzed cross-sectional images after cutting and segmentation of human body with interactive tools. Group II studied X-ray pictures, computerized tomography scans and magnetic resonance images of different regions and systems. The present paper focuses on the rate of cross-sectional image effectiveness in both groups. Analyzed detailed images represent their role in teaching and learning of Human Anatomy. Interpretation of these medical images will require very deep anatomical knowledge from basic studies until clinical courses.
Students’ Participation in Search for Sustainability: A Case Study from Lithuania
Authors: Valackienė Asta , Kairienė Brigita
Published: February 2020

While many studies explain the contributions of economics and environmental protection to social sustainability, and discuss how to achieve sustainable development (SD) through education, less is known about change processes in order to ensure the sustainable development at school. The authors emphasize that as active members of the school community, students should get involved in the school transformation processes. However, is a contemporary school ready for this? The study aims at answering the following questions: How are students as active participants of educational relationship involved in the change processes and how should their involvement be managed seeking sustainability by examining the education institution located in Lithuania? The findings demonstrate that the process of the student involvement in the school transformation process has been explored applying the qualitative approach strategies (integrated theoretical model for change management and case study) from two points of view: theoretical (by analyzing the documents governing the school transformation process) and practical (by analyzing the reflections of the school principal’s in-depth interview concerning the student involvement in school transformation processes).
Relationship between Proactivity and Personal Pedagogical Knowledge in ESD among Pre-service Teachers: Sub-sampling on Social Media Usage and Subject Discipline
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Athira Chellamma , Bhaskaran Suresh , Ambujakshi Sudharma
Published: February 2020

Personal Pedagogical Knowledge (PPK), one of the elementary factors of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), explains how teacher personality influences his/her unique way of teaching. It is an inevitable part of the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Pre-service teachers, who are participating in the knowledge management program for sustainable development, should possess strengthened or organized PPK. The curriculum of Teacher Education should have been reconfigured to conceptualize PPK as a lens to observe various teaching competences needed for sustainability. The personality of a teacher is considered right only when he/she organizes his/her behavior in a proactive way. It means the teacher should develop an ability to be in patience on the right path even though the situation is unfavorable. Proactivity organizes PPK that means the teacher personality is strong enough to make gradual changes in the unfavorable situation and turn it into favorable. This study aims at examining the relationship between Pro-activity and PPK among pre-service teachers based on their social media usage and subject discipline in the context of ESD. The major objectives are as follows: (1) to find out the extent of Proactivity and PPK among pre-service teachers in the context of ESD and (2) to find out the relationship between Proactivity and PPK among pre-service teachers. The study adopted a normative survey method by sampling 60 pre-service teachers from science and arts/humanities discipline. The sample is also categorized based on whether the pre-service teachers are users or not users of social media for propagating sustainability. Major findings are as follows: (1) there are significant pairwise differences in the Proactivity and PPK scores of high, average and low levels in the context of sustainability among pre-service teachers; (2) pre-service teachers using social media and those from arts/humanities discipline are exhibiting high levels of Proactivity and PPK than those who are not using social media and those from Science Education; and (3) there is a substantial relationship between Proactivity and PPK among pre-service teachers in whole and relevant sub-samples based on social media usage and subject-discipline regarding ESD.
Willingness to Communicate, Possible Selves, Learner Autonomy, and Academic Target Needs: Implications for Sustainable Development in L2 Pedagogy
Authors: Esfandiari Rajab , Hesani Sepideh
Published: February 2020

Life-long learning requires that language learners be well prepared for the target situations they will be operating in. To achieve this goal and to improve education for sustainable development, language teachers and language educators need to motivate language learners to participate in the target language. The present study, therefore, investigated the relationships between willingness to communicate (WTC) and possible selves, WTC and learner autonomy, and WTC and academic target needs in an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) context to open up new horizons for sustainable L2 learning. In addition, the present study was aimed at examining the extent to which WTC, possible selves, and learner autonomy would predict academic target needs. Five hundred and ninety male and female undergraduate students from two state-run universities in Iran participated in this study. The present study used four questionnaires to collect the data, and SPSS (version 25) was used to analyze the data. The findings showed a significant positive relationship between WTC and possible selves. Finally, results from hierarchical multiple regression revealed that WTC, possible selves, and learner autonomy were predictors of academic target needs. The findings suggest that the interplay of several variables should be considered if language learners need to actively communicate in L2 academic settings. Implications for sustainable development in L2 pedagogy are also discussed.
Common Points in the Policy of Italy and Central Europe
Authors: Hamerli Petra
Published: February 2020

Recent news often compares current Italian policy to that of Central Europe – especially Hungary. The latest elections brought victory to right-wing populism in Italy and the Visegrad countries – especially in Hungary and Poland – with the key points of their discourse concentrated on similar topics such as Euroscepticism, migration and security, which are tightly connected to the refugee question. Right-wing theories have historical traditions both in Italy (Fascism) and Central Europe (rightist and extreme rightist parties) that I think important to summarise, as some of their elements can also be found in the political thinking of nowadays. The paper presents the main parties of Italy and those of the Visegrad countries and compares their common elements to see whether Italy can politically belong to Central Europe.
Political Sources of Hungarian Soft Power
Authors: Kacziba Péter
Published: February 2020

In the past decade, Joseph Nye’s concept of soft power has become a popular tool for analysing and explaining foreign policy directions of countries that lack significant capacities of hard power. Beyond other states, Hungary has also received special attention in this regard as several surveys and indexes have measured a high increase in its soft power efficiency. This paper attempts to analyse how Hungarian domestic and external political approaches supported this assumed progress and seeks to understand how political values, governance practices and foreign policy strategies have influenced the effectiveness of Hungarian soft power. The paper will argue that the recent Hungarian political directions have produced controversial outcomes and the populist orientation has increased and, at the same time, constrained the effectiveness of soft power. It has increased because populist rhetoric has created a much larger international fame and agenda-setting capacity than would have been expected from a small Central European country. However, it has also been constrained because controversial domestic and conflicting foreign policies were rejected by the European moderate majority. As a result, today, Hungarian external policies suffer from a serious deficit of legitimacy and moral authority which significantly limit the presumed progress of soft power.
Interpretasi Pemaknaan Relief Tokoh Gaja-Lakșmī Koleksi Museum Sonobudoyo, Yogyakarta
Authors: Murdihastomo Ashar , Tanzaq Yoses , Kirana Ayu Dipta , Fadhilah Fitra Nur
Published: February 2020

Abstract, The existence of Gaja-Lakșmī sculpture at Sonobudoyo Museum is interesting because it is rarely found in Indonesia. The figure of Gaja-Lakșmī is depicted in a sitting position. There are two elephants that carved on the right and left side of goddess. The elephants lift their trunks and showed that they are pouring water on the goddess. Certainly, the sculpture has a specific purpose, especially, because it was carved on media that indicated as the upper (dorpal) entrance of a temple building. The aim of disclosure of the sculpture is to find out the purpose and function of the depiction of the Gaja-Lakșmī  character in the past. Through the process of identifying iconography and literature studies, the purpose and function of the depiction of the Gaja-Lakșmī  figure is as a protector of people's welfare. Abstrak, Keberadaan relief tokoh Gaja-Lakșmī di Museum Sonobudoyo merupakan salah satu hal menarik mengingat gambaran ini sangat jarang ditemukan di Indonesia. Tokoh Gaja-Lakșmī tersebut digambarkan dalam posisi duduk yang pada sisi kanan dan kirinya terdapat dua ekor gajah yang mengangkat belalai seolah-olah menuangkan air kepada sang dewi. Tentunya penggambaran tokoh dewi ini memiliki maksud tertentu, terlebih, karena tokoh ini diletakkan di tempat yang diindikasikan sebagai bagian atas (dorpal) pintu masuk suatu bangunan candi. Pengungkapan makna penggambaran ini adalah untuk mengetahui tujuan dan fungsi tokoh Gaja-Lakșmī pada masa Matarām Kuno. Melalui proses identifikasi ikonografi dan kajian pustaka, diperoleh informasi bahwa tujuan dan fungsi penggambaran tokoh Gaja-Lakșmī adalah sebagai pelindung kesejahteraan masyarakat.
Effect of Governance on the Efficiency of the Indonesian Banking Industry
Authors: Indrianti Fransiska Novina Hayu , T. Sutrisno , Saraswati Erwin
Published: February 2020

This study aims to examine observations and determine the effects of corporate governance on the efficiency of the Indonesian banking sector. The research calculated DEA efficiency and performed logistic regression, with a total sample of 150 observations. Results show that independent commissioners, the educational level of commissioners, the board of commissioners meeting, and the term of office of the commissioners all have a significant impact on improving the efficiency of the banking industry. Conversely, the large number of commissioners as well as the gender differences among them do not have any effect on banking efficiency. These findings indicate that authorities should not focus on the size of the board and the gender differences among the board commissioners in finding ways to increase or decrease a firm’s efficiency. The results of this study can contribute to academic research through agency theory and resource dependence theory as well as provide insights that can be used by practitioners.

Keywords: Governance; banking efficiency; DEA
Transitional Portraits: Syrian Immigrants of the North American Mahjar in 'Abd Al-Masih Haddad's Prose
Authors: Smith Benjamin
Published: February 2020

This article argues that the 1921 collection of diasporic short stories Hikayat al-mahjar, written by ‘Abd al-Masih Haddad, makes a unique and notable contribution to mahjar literature by mobilizing formal literary techniques and innovative thematic content to capture a Syrian immigrant community engaged in a transitional moment in America. This paper situates Haddad (best known as the founder of the biweekly Arabic newspaper al-Saʼih, and a founding member of the literary society al-Rābiṭa al-qalamiyya) among his literary peers and provides an analysis of Hikayat al-mahjar that demonstrates the work’s points of convergence and divergence from the literary norms of the Arab diaspora in North America. Haddad, in highlighting the ambivalence and tension that overwhelmed Syrian immigrant characters navigating the boundaries of new social and cultural realities, broke ranks with his contemporaries in the Arab diaspora, whose output in Arabic was primarily fixated on nostalgic and romantic depictions of the homeland.
ОСНОВНЫЕ ГЕМАТОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ И МЕТАБОЛИЧЕСКИЕ ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ КРОВИ У ЛЕТНОГО СОСТАВА НА РАЗНЫХ СРОКАХ СЛУЖБЫ В УСЛОВИЯХ АРКТИКИ
Authors: Загородников Г.Г. , Коровин А.Е. , Миронов В.Г. , Загородников Г.Н. , Товпеко Д.В. , Чурилов Л.П.
Published: February 2020

Проведена оценка ряда показателей периферической крови военнослужащих летного состава в условиях Крайнего Севера на разных сроках службы: сразу по прибытии на Крайний Север и на третьем, шестом и двенадцатом месяцах службы. Определяли метаболические показатели (холестерин общий и в липопротеинах высокой, низкой и очень низкой плотности, триглицериды, глюкоза, билирубин и коэффициент атерогенности), лейкоцитарную формулу и содержание эритроцитов в крови. Эти показатели в группах с разными сроками службы в полярных условиях сравнивались между летчиками клинически здоровыми (контроль) и имеющим диагнозы различных заболеваний и пограничных состояний, не исключающих деятельность по специальности: остеохондроз позвоночника, гастродуодинит, миокардиодистрофии, нейроваскулярная дистония, пограничная артериальная гипертензия. При сравнении с контролем в последних трех группах выявлены статистически значимые возрастания содержания общего холестерина (на 11,7–17%); холестерина липопротеидов высокой плотности (5,1–7%); холестерина липопротеидов низкой плотности (10,4–14,1%); холестерина липопротеидов очень низкой плотности (17,2–27,6%); коэффициента атерогенности (9,8–11,8%) триглицеридов (15,6–18%); глюкозы (6,1–14,6%) общего билирубина (22,6–25%); палочкоядерных нейтрофилов (18,2–27,3%); сегментоядерных нейтрофилов (5,7–14,4%); эозинофилов (15,4– 23,1%); моноцитов (13,2–21,1%); лимфоцитов (9,1–11,4%); эритроцитов. Наиболее выраженными изменения были в случаях гипертензии. Результаты обсуждены в связи с особенностями адаптации летного состава к стрессу, вызываемому условиями Крайнего Севера.
PROJEKAT ARMIRANOBETONSKE VIŠESPRATNE ZGRADE U UGLJEVIKU PREMA EVROKOPSKIM STANDARDIMA
Authors: Marković Slobodan
Published: February 2020

U prvom dijelu rada prikazan je projekat armiranobetonske višespratne zgrade Po+Pr+4 a u drugom dijelu su uporedno analizirani propisi prema PBAB-u i Evrokodu.
ПРОЈЕКАТ КИНЕТИЧКЕ ФАСАДЕ НА ИТ ЦЕНТРУ У УЖИЦУ
Authors: Павловић Жељко , Тепавчевић Бојан
Published: February 2020

Циљ овога пројекта јесте да при­каже колики потенцијал носи примена кинетичке фа­саде на архитектонски наратив како би се надо­мес­тио контекстуални, меморијални и ликовни недоста­так простора, настао рушењем објекта који је био део једне синхронизоване целине.
PROCEDURALNO KREIRANJE RIG-A REALISTIČNOG LJUDSKOG LICA
Authors: Šunjka Nenad , Krstanović Lidija
Published: February 2020

U ovom radu je opisan koncept proceduralnog kreiranja rig-a realističnog ljudskog lica koji je u potpunosti automatizovan. Analizirana je i implementacija ovakvog sistema koji je razvijen unutar softvera Maya koristeći Python programski jezik. Rezultat je aplikacija pod nazivom Rigen koja nudi korisniku da u šest koraka samostalno kreira rig proizvoljnog karaktera i time ga pripremi za računarsku animaciju. Koraci su: kreiranje glavnog direktorijuma; definisanje modela karaktera; kreiranje digitalnog skeleta; kreiranje rig-a; korekcija oblika kontrolnih objekata; i zadavanje težinskih koeficijenata koji odgovaraju uticaju određenih kostiju na čvorove. Ti koraci su naizgled jednostavni, ukoliko se posmatraju iz ugla manuelnog kreairanja rig-a. Ipak, kao takvi, oni grade stabilan okvir koji omogućava proceduralnost čitavog procesa. Potpuna automatizacija ovog procesa se ogleda u koraku kreiranja digitalnog skeleta pomoću veštačke inteligencije. Za razliku od svih komercijalnih softvera, gde je neophodno manuelno kreirati digitalni skelet za lice karaktera, u ovom slučaju to se postiže automatski korišćenjem unapred istrenirane neuronske mreže.
Avaliação da tireóide em pacientes portadores de psoríase atendidos em um serviço de referência do estado do Pará
Authors: De Oliveira Bruna Lima , Nascimento Carlos Victor da Silva , Gadelha Maitê Silva Martins , Carneiro Francisca Regina Oliveira
Published: February 2020

Objetivo: Avaliar as principais disfunções tireoideanas em pacientes portadores de psoríase. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo clínico, transversal e prospectivo. Uma amostra de 40 pacientes com psoríase e 20 controles foram utilizados. O trabalho foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa Resultados: Houve uma diferença significativa (p <0.0001) entre as idades do grupo de pacientes com psoríase quando comparadas ao grupo controle. Os níveis de T4 livre estavam alterados em 38.3% e foi obtida uma média de 1.6 ± 2.1. O grupo controle apresentou uma média de 5.1 ± 3.7, com uma diferença significativa (p <0.0004) entre os grupos. Uma diferença considerável foi observada nos níveis de anti-tiroperoxidase (anti-TPO), entre os dois grupos (p<0.0015). Conclusão: Portanto, houve uma relação importante entre os níveis séricos aumentados de anti-TPO em pacientes portadores de psoríase, quando comparados ao grupo controle. Também foi observado um aumento considerável nos níveis de T4 livre entre os pacientes desse grupo. Não foram observadas relação entre o Índice de Severidade da Psoríase por Área (PASI) e disfunções tireoideanas.
Terapias regenerativas em implantodontia: avanços no uso da Fibrina rica em plaquetas (PRF)
Authors: Gama Aires Carolina Chaves , De Figueiredo Eugênia Leal , Pereira Vinícius Balan Santos , Vasconcellos Ricardo José de Holanda , Sabino Maria Eduarda , Medeiros Marcelo
Published: February 2020

Objetivo: realizar uma análise a respeito do uso da fibrina rica em plaquetas (PRF) na Implantodontia nos últimos 10 anos, suas aplicações, vantagens e limitações da técnica, mudanças de protocolo e visando incrementar a prática clínica dos cirurgiões-dentistas. Revisão bibliográfica: A fibrina rica em plaquetas (PRF), é um aditivo biológico derivado da centrifugação de uma amostra sanguínea do paciente, e vem sendo usado de várias formas na Odontologia. Na Implantodontia, os estudos vêm focando no potencial do PRF em acelerar a osseointegração, na preservação de rebordos alveolares após exodontias, bem como no aumento dos rebordos e reparo de defeitos periimplantares. Nos levantamentos de seios maxilares, o PRF demonstra ser um material versátil e seguro, além de possibilitar uma redução de custos associados aos biomaterias. Considerações finais: os estudos são promissores e apontam para avanços e ganhos nas regenerações teciduais associados ao emprego do PRF, apesar da necessidade de mais ensaios clínicos para comprovar os resultados positivos encontrados nos estudos pré-clínicos.
Analysis of Whole Genome Sequences and Homology Modelling of a 3-C Like Peptidase and a Non-Structural Protein of the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Shows Protein Ligand Interaction with an Aza-Peptide and a Noncovalent Lead Inhibitor with Possible Antiviral Properties
Authors: Shanker Arun , Bhanu Divya , Alluri Anajani
Published: February 2020

The family of viruses belonging to Coronaviridae mainly consist of virulent pathogens that have a zoonotic property, Severe Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) of this family have emerged before and now the Novel COVID-19 has emerged in China. Characterization of spike glycoproteins, polyproteins and other viral proteins from viruses are important for vaccine development. Homology modelling of these proteins with known templates offers the opportunity to discover ligand binding sites and possible antiviral properties of these protein ligand complexes. Any information emerging from these protein models can be used for vaccine development. In this study we did a complete bioinformatic analysis, sequence alignment, comparison of multiple sequences and homology modelling of the Novel COVID-19 whole genome sequences, the spike protein and the polyproteins for homology with known proteins, we also analysed receptor binding sites in these models for possible vaccine development. Our results showed that the tertiary structure of the polyprotein isolate COVID-19 _HKU-SZ-001_2020 had 98.94 percent identity with SARS-Coronavirus NSP12 bound to NSP7 and NSP8 co-factors. Our results indicate that a part of the viral genome (residues 254 to 13480 in Frame 2 with 4409 amino acids) of the Novel COVID-19 virus isolate Wuhan-Hu-1 (Genbank Accession Number MN908947.3) when modelled with template 2a5i of the PDB database had 96 percent identity with a 3C like peptidase of SARS-CoV which has ability to bind with Aza-Peptide Epoxide (APE) which is known for irreversible inhibition of SARS-CoV main peptidase. The part of the genome when modelled with template 3e9s of the PDB database had 82 percent identity with a papain-like protease/deubiquitinase which when complexed with ligand GRL0617 acts as inhibitor which can block SARS-CoV replication. It is possible that these viral inhibiters can be used for vaccine development for the Novel COVID-19.
Detection of pork in processed meat products by species-specific PCR for halal verification: food fraud cases in Hat Yai, Thailand
Authors: M.M. Mohd Hafidz , W.-H. Makatar , Adilan H. , Nawawee T.
Published: February 2020

Consumer confidence in halal integrity of the unique and various food products provides
Hat Yai, Thailand a great potential for a global destination of Muslim-friendly tourism.
Islam prohibits the consumption of pork and its derivatives in any food products. The
issue of food adulteration and contamination, particularly in the processed halal meat
products with pork and its derivatives, greatly concern Muslim consumers. The aim of this
study was to detect the presence of pork DNA from processed meat products collected
from self-proclaimed “halal” Muslim street food stalls at Hat Yai, Thailand. Thirty-six
samples of various processed meat products were randomly collected from seven Muslim
street food stalls including patties, meatballs, and sausages containing processed chicken,
beef, or a mixture of various meats. The detection of the presence of pork and its
derivatives was performed by a conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique
based on the pork-specific primers for a conserved region in the mitochondrial (mt) 12S
ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. The results revealed that three out of the thirty-six samples
(8.3%) were positively identified to contain porcine DNA by the detection of the expected
single band of size 387 bp. The DNA method conveniently provides reliable results for
routine food analysis for halal requirement. Overall, the study highlights the importance of
halal integrity between the producers, suppliers, and street food business owners to
provide halal food products particularly to Muslim consumers.
Aplikasi Penjualan Tiket Kelas Pelatihan Berbasis Mobile menggunakan Flutter
Authors: Enggar Krisnada Filian , Tanone Radius
Published: February 2020

Abstract — Pincher is an online platform that is useful for assisting in finding and registering for training classes aimed at facilitating users who want to find their identity and channel their talents and inspirations creatively. This pincher application provides information and distributes training classes by selling class tickets. In its development as an online platform, Pincher still uses the website as a means of distributing training classes owned by Pincher, so this tool is less effective and efficient for users because the Pincher website is too complicated to access using a mobile phone or smartphone. Therefore, to help users access the Pincher application using their mobile phones, Pincher applications are made in a simple form that is applied to mobile applications. In addition, Pincher also does not have a feature that can make it easier for customers to determine the class to be chosen. Therefore this mobile application will be equipped with a system that can make it easier for users to choose attractive classes for customers, namely with a recommendation system.

 

Keywords— Ticket Selling Application, Flutter, Mobile Application, Recommendation System.
IMPLEMENTASI BALANCE SCORECARD DALAM DASHBOARD KINERJA SUPPLIER. STUDI KASUS: ONLINE TRAVEL AGENT
Authors: Ibrahim Niko , Christian Andre
Published: February 2020

Tujuan dari penelitian adalah mengembangkan dashboard kinerja supplier untuk kebutuhan online travel agent (OTA). Dashboard kinerja adalah aplikasi sistem informasi yang menyajikan tampilan visual dari informasi penting, yang diperlukan untuk mencapai satu atau beberapa tujuan, dengan mengkonsolidasikan dan mengatur informasi dalam satu layar (single screen), sehingga kinerja organisasi dapat dimonitor dalam sekali waktu.  Klikhotel.com sebagai sebuah perusahaan online travel agent yang memiliki lebih dari 2000 supplier membutuhkan dashboard kinerja supplier berdasarkan metode balanced scorecard untuk memudahkan analisa kinerja supplier secara cepat dan akurat. Target diharapkan adalah dashboard bisa menggerakkan semua personil perusahaan untuk bekerja secara sinergis mencapai target perusahaan. Selain itu, sistem ini juga diharapkan dapat meningkatkan kepuasan supplier, sebagai partner penting dari OTA.
Sistem Pencatatan Data Penggunaan Air Berbasis Smartphone Android
Authors: Andrianto Heri , Hafidzar Kemal
Published: February 2020

Currently, the recording of water usage is still done manually. A more practical and efficient recording system for water usage is needed. In this paper, a water meter data logger system has been designed. This system consists of a water meter device and a smartphone application. Communication between the water meter device and smartphone via a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) connection. The water meter device uses the Wemos D1 Mini Module as a controller and flow sensor to find out the amount of water used. Data received by the smartphone from the water meter device will be processed and entered into the smartphone database (SQLite). From the test results, the water meter device can calculate water usage with an average error of 0.2957. Water usage data can be stored in a database on a smartphone. The distance of the wireless connection range between the water meter device and the smartphone is 37 meters without a barrier and 16 meters with a barrier.
Penggunaan Algoritma Clustering K-means Untuk Melihat Daerah-Daerah Penyuplai Mahasiswa Di Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, Salatiga.
Authors: Pormes Rivort , Manongga Daniel H. F.
Published: February 2020

The use of k-means algorithm in student supply process is done to see students supply tendency in each region who study at satya wacana christian university (SWCU). This data processing with k-meansis useful for extracting information and knowledge from students data at SWCU. With data mining processing, the stakeholders at SWCU can take strategic steps for the penetration process in regions with potential student supply indication. The use of k-meansalgorithms facilitates the process of data analysis as well as grouping on student data during a 5-year period. The aim of this study is to provide on target strategic picture for regions which potentially have a significant impact on students supply each year.