bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Potassium Iodide Absorption on the Concentration of Antioxidants in Tomato Fruits
Authors: Kini Medha , Flowers Kate
Published: April 2021

Antioxidants are molecules found in fruits and vegetables that have the ability to fight substances in the human body that are detrimental to cells and genetic material. There is a high need for antioxidants, and the current method for boosting antioxidants is genetic modification, which is controversial in society; however, there is a lack of research concerning increasing antioxidant concentrations in plants in a natural manner. Thus, the efficacy of an iodine water drip can be called into question. Iodine has been proven to increase antioxidant enzymatic activity in animals and certain leafy vegetables. This paper will evaluate the effectiveness of an potassium iodide enriched water drip on the concentration of antioxidants in tomato plants. potassium iodide (KI) solution was created from diluting KI crystals into water, and the tomatoes were watered every day over a three month growth period. At the end of the allotted growth period, four tomatoes were plucked from each group—the potassium iodide group, and the control group that was watered regularly. In order to calculate the increase in concentration, each tomato was mashed with an Efferdent denture-cleansing tablet so as to measure the absorbance of each sample using the blue dye from the tablet. Once obtaining the absorbance, the concentrations were found using Beer’s law. Using a 2 sample T-test for the difference in antioxidants, the increase in antioxidants was found to be statistically significant.
Correlating Musculoskeletal Exercise with the FITNESSGRAM Test Standards
Authors: Williams Liana , Flowers Kate , Mullen John , Garcia Darrin
Published: April 2021

The FITNESSGRAM test is the most broadly utilized wellness evaluation and instrument to report the strength of understudies in physical education classes. It has been a mandated fitness assessment for students in California in every other grade from fifth to ninth. While the main purpose of the Fitnessgram is to determine whether the student is already in decent fitness for their age group. There has been a lack of research comparing students to baseline standards of upper body muscular endurance exercises. A convenience sample of male and female students in their senior year of high school was examined in order to determine if healthy habits lead to larger numerical results. The experimental design involved observing students' completion of four exercises (shoulder stretch, trunk lift, curl-up, and modified pull-up) compared to the baseline standards of the Fitnessgram as well as to similar individuals in the sample. The results of the pre-test questionnaire and experiment led to a cause and effect relationship where the students from a suburban high school that participated in at least one hour of physical activity exceeded/ met the standards of the FITNESSGRAM upper body scores, it proved my hypothesis to be false. This suggests a positive relationship between the hours of physical activity and health. This study increases the current body of knowledge of FITNESSGRAM testing, allowing for a basis of further research.
Systematic optimization of Long Short-Term Memory model for predicting NYSE Arca Airline Index (XAL) during COVID-19
Authors: Dong Sarah , Wang Amber
Published: April 2021

Predicting stock prices has been both challenging and controversial. Since it first spread through the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the stock market in a multitude of ways. Thus, stock price prediction has become even more challenging. Recurrent neural networks (RNN) have been widely used in many fields to predict financial time series. In this study, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), a special form of RNN, is used to predict the stock market direction for the US airline industry by using NYSE Arca Airline Index (XAL). The LSTM model was optimized through changing different hyperparameters of the model architecture to find the best combination for increased accuracy and performance evaluated by several metrics, including raw RMSE (3.51) and MAPA (4.6%), and very high MAPA (95.4%) and R^2 (0.978).
South Korea’s Survival on a Tightrope: The Impacts of the Clash between the US and China on South Korea, in comparison to Japan
Authors: Kim Edward
Published: April 2021

Northeast Asia is a both a pivotal and a highly volatile region in the global political and economic landscape. The balance of power in the region rested upon the United States’ political and economic influence over its allies. However, China’s rapid economic growth following the diplomatic move away from its isolationist policies pose a direct challenge to the established power of the US. China has already assumed regional economic dominance, which is being echoed by China’s growing presence of high politics in Northeast Asia.

I investigate the effects of this China-US clash, which is developing into a power struggle, in the high and low politics of South Korea, comparing them to those of Japan when appropriate.

While South Korean low politics could benefit from increased competitiveness of industries in the global market as a result of the US-China trade war, there is also a risk of economic retaliations resulting from political decisions. Similarly, a thorough backing of the US may stabilise the South Korean high politics, but also increase the possibility of military conflict against a greater Chinese power. There will certainly be unavoidable trade-offs when prioritising high politics over low politics or vice versa.

South Korea is yet faced with an urgent necessity to embrace the American alliance at the expense of economic and political relations with China. Security provided by a military alliance with the US is certainly welcome, and it will provide time for South Korea to consolidate its low politics in its economy and global reputation.
Transcription and Cancer in Eukaryotes
Authors: Sun Junyao , Perdue Tyler David , Quick Kevin
Published: April 2021

Organisms demand pinpoint and correlated gene expression controls for growth, advancement, and operation. This control is also known as transcriptional regulation. It is a complicated process especially in eukaryotes since it is responsible for all biological processes. Transcription control and its concept were brought up about half a century ago1. These concepts gave a basic understanding on DNA binding transcription factors (trans-factors) which inhabit specific DNA sequences at control elements (cis-elements). They regulate transcription apparatus2. Mis-regulation of transcription may cause failure of gene expression that is responsible for cell division, through disproportionate activation of once positively acting transcriptional factors and nuclear oncogenes3. Epigenetic is learning heritable alterations in gene expression that do not occur and involve in DNA sequence. These changes can be established all the time almost randomly, and alternations are passed and inherited through cell division and replication, allowing cells to have different identities while having the same genetic sequence. Due to loss of epigenetic control and failure of keeping proper epigenetic marks, which result in inappropriate activation and will lead to disease state including cancer4. This review focuses on transcriptions, epigenetics, cancers, and potential therapies to regulate and control cancer cells.
Effect of Antacid Concentration on Acetaminophen-Alginate Sphere Diffusion in a Model Gastric System
Authors: Munir Mustafaa , Beasley Ben , Smith Alexander
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a growing awareness for socio-cultural and socio-economic factors in medical and pharmaceutical treatments through a review of the current literature, and a concurrent need to produce a cheap and vegetarian alternative to current capsules. It was hypothesized that increasing the concentration of antacid would increase the rate of diffusion of the contents of an acetaminophen-alginate sphere due to the neutralization of pH between stomach acid and the antacid. The methodology employed prepared these spheres with reverse spherification, tested them via spectrophotometry in a model stomach system, and analyzed the data using the Beer-Lambert Law. Finally, it was found that increasing antacid concentration has a direct, yet exponentially decreasing relationship with the rate of diffusion, therefore the hypothesis was only partially correct.
Exploring the Epigenome and Transcriptome to Identify Biomarkers in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Tipirneni Maegha , Merchant Fatima
Published: April 2021

DNA methylation plays a vital role in cancer by regulating gene transcription. Alteration in DNA methylation among some genes has been associated with various tumors and this change in methylation signature among various genes can be potentially used as a biomarker for cancer detection. In the current work the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was assessed for alterations in DNA methylation of 1816 genes in 600 ovarian cancer patients and 8 healthy subjects. Clustering of methylation patterns showed 5 major patient clusters.  Alteration in methylation and gene expression of known biomarkers BRCA1, IQGAP1, BLCAP, MSH2, HSF1 along with novel biomarkers hSulf1 and HMSH2 was assessed in the ovarian cancer and normal subjects.  The methylation levels were differentially expressed compared to healthy subjects.  Compared to normal subjects, in ovarian cancer patients hSulf1, BRCA1, HSF1, BLCAP were hypomethylated while genes IQGAP1 and MSH2 were hypermethylated.  The methylation levels for the specific genes considered biomarkers above were correlated with their mRNA expression level to see if there is an association between mRNA expression and methylation levels.  Genes hSulf1, BRCA1, HSF1, IQGAP1 were negatively correlated with their methylation levels while MSH2 and BLCAP were positively correlated in ovarian cancer patients.  Our study showed specific gene methylation clusters among the ovarian cancer patients suggesting this could potentially be used as a signature. In Cancer patients, methylation was significantly altered, and this alteration was correlated with its gene transcription.
How Medically Favorable Is the Replacement of the Invasive Colonoscopy With Cologuard Non-Invasive Colorectal Cancer Screening?
Authors: Bibidakis Markella , Talarczyk Patricia
Published: April 2021

In 2014, the FDA approved the non-invasive and economical Cologuard test for colorectal cancer diagnosis for people reaching the age of 50, a milestone previously met with the “gold standard” of colorectal cancer diagnosis: the colonoscopy. Though prevention and treatment for the third most common cancer in the world have been heavily researched, the diagnosis has been thought to be set with the colonoscopy, without much room for modifications. To assess the possibility of replacing the invasive and costly colonoscopy with Cologuard screening as the first step in colorectal cancer diagnosis, a retrospective cohort study was done with data collected from a medical health record database of a northeast Ohio hospital. Medical record numbers were matched with age, sex, any personal or family history, and the results of the colonoscopies of 111 patients with positive Cologuard tests. Of the 111 patients, 92 proceeded with the colonoscopy. The sensitivities, or true-positive rates of results, were calculated for groups organized with respect to age, sex, and previous family and personal oncologic history. Since the data is categorical, a goodness of fit chi-square was done for the statistical analysis, resulting in a failure to reject the null hypothesis with χ2=0.09318 and p=6.571. In conclusion, the replacement of the invasive colonoscopy with Cologuard non-invasive screening as the first step in colorectal cancer diagnosis could not be proven statistically significant and, therefore, medically favorable.
Trends in Gender Portrayal in the Avengers Series: A Conventional Content Analysis
Authors: Morales Haley , Olivo Daniel
Published: April 2021

The Bechdel test, used to examine the frequency and portrayal of women in film, consists of three criteria – (1) a movie must represent two or more women, (2) who have names and speak to each other, (3) about anything other than a man. In order to answer the research question “Based on the Bechdel test, how does the Avengers series portray their female characters compared to their male characters?”, this paper utilizes and extends beyond the Bechdel test by performing a conventional content analysis of same-gender conversations in four top-grossing superhero films – Marvel’s The Avengers (2012), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019). By combining the simplicity of the Bechdel test with a qualitative approach to code dialogue, this paper illustrates the underrepresentation of female characters and specific differences between the portrayal of men and women in modern Marvel films. While the films improved in the amount of female characters and female-to-female conversations over time, there is still a small amount of female-to-female conversations in these films compared to male-to-male conversations. Furthermore, while male characters rarely spoke to each other about women, female characters spoke to each other about men very often. Some common elements of dialogue for both male and female characters were worries about danger, discussions of violence, and insulting others. Implications regarding this portrayal’s impact on female viewers are discussed.
Maternal electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) and offspring asthma
Authors: Kraus Jacob , Havaldar Veebha , Chiu Lauren , Rehan Virender
Published: April 2021

Given that the rise of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) has become increasingly relevant to the younger generations of today’s society, this paper investigates the impact of e-cig components, specifically nicotine and various e-cig flavoring chemicals, to fetal exposure during pregnancy on offspring respiratory outcomes. Previous animal studies primarily document the fetal side effects attributed to nicotine, including impaired lung development, with a model of direct chemical exposure, but we have hypothesized that in e-cig users, such phenotypes could result from and be exacerbated by the additional amalgam of chemicals that are responsible for the flavoring of e-cigs.  Therefore, we have examined the harmful effects of nicotine and flavoring chemicals used in e-cigs in defense of the hypothesis that perinatal inhaled nicotine and e-cig flavoring exposure in vivo results in an airway asthmatic phenotype in offspring, which is transmitted transgenerationally, is characterized by Th2 polarization, and is more severe with combined exposure than with either constituent alone. The findings of this review support the hypothesis of this paper in regard to the potential detrimental respiratory effects of combined constituent exposure and indicate the need for the testing of further experimental animal models to better understand the foreseeable health implications of a rising e-cig use.
Transfer of Conditionability Between Planaria Through DNA and RNA
Authors: Schiavoni Cecilia , Genter Jessica
Published: April 2021

This experiment examined whether the transfer of DNA or RNA from conditioned planaria could make the recipients more susceptible to similar conditioning. It has been shown in prior experiments that cephalization is not necessary for memory retention in planaria, so there must be another, non-neural mechanism for memory. Thus, changes in DNA or RNA may be responsible for memory retention, and introducing these changes to naive planaria could transfer the "memory" of the conditioned donor. This study included 3 groups of 11 planaria: the control group, the DNA receival group, and the RNA receival group. After the control group was conditioned, each planarian’s RNA and DNA were extracted and given to its genetically identical counterparts in the DNA and RNA receival groups. The number of trials it took to condition the planaria in each group was measured and compared to see if the transfer of RNA or DNA made the recipients more easily conditionable than the control donor group. The results show that the transfer of RNA and DNA made insignificant changes to the conditionability of recipients. However, further research may be able to identify the location of memory bearing molecules, which, if applied to experiments similar to this one, would ensure that the planaria received a high enough concentration of genetic material for any changes present to make a significant effect.
The Marketing Strategies Used in Super Bowl Advertisements.
Authors: Estrada Juan , Brown Gaberiel
Published: April 2021

Abstract: Companies depend on advertising and other marketing tools to support their business by increasing revenue (Schuman, Wangenheim, & Groene, 2014). During the increase of social movements in the year 2016 spiked by large influencers such as Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem in support of racial equity, the researcher analyzed whether or not large companies would begin to use social values such as women empowerment, racial equity, etc. in their advertisements in order to appeal to a larger audience. Thus, in this research paper, the researcher performed a content analysis of a series of advertisements released through the 2016-2019 Super Bowls using a mixed qualitative and quantitative method of coding to determine which variable was most often found in Super Bowl advertisements: conventional marketing strategies or social value strategies.
Evaluating J.D. Salinger’s Female Characters Through Beauvoir's French Feminist Theory
Authors: Grier Cameron , Aaronson Russell
Published: April 2021

J.D. Salinger’s books have brought new and experimental ideas to post-World War II America; for example, the introduction of the adolescent perspective in The Catcher in the Rye. This innovation resulted in a majority of the critical analysis conducted to be based on the adolescent perspective. However, since this criticism is primarily focused on the main character, Holden Caulfield’s, perspective, analysis of Salinger’s female characters’ perspective has been discounted in the academic world. The lack of female perspective recognized in Salinger’s novels makes it difficult for female readers to identify with his characters. This study aims to bring forth Salinger’s most prominent female characters fromThe Catcher in the Rye and Franny and Zooey and evaluate their alignment with Simone De Beauvoir’s French feminist theory. The French feminist theory focuses on how women are taught that they are the “other” sex in comparison with men from a young age, and what situations a woman must be in to transcend subordination. The researcher designed a rubric including the primary ideas of Beauvoir’s French feminist theory as described in the second volume of her book The Second Sex and tested the ideas’ alignment with selected characters. All of the characters chosen aligned with ideas of the theory to some extent, which shows that many of Salinger’s most prominent female characters occupy subordinate positions in comparison to their male counterpart. This research can serve as a basis for how Salinger’s female characters can continue to be studied in the future.
Affluent Senior Citizens and Telemarketing Fraud
Authors: Bieda Joanna , Park Soo
Published: April 2021

Telemarketing fraud reports have profliferated to a rate never previously expected. In the age of information and technology, both profit and victims find themselves at a convenient intersection, with the industry amassing as much as $10 billion with their financiers clueless about their impact (Siesmaszko, 2018, Aziz, Bolick, Klienman, & Shadel, 2008). This paper aims to explore the most vulnerable population to these calls--senior citizens--and how they fare and choose to live post-scam. Through a methodology of both narrative interviews and thematic analysis, I sought to synthesize similarities in approaches to recuperation, if any, and allow for interviewees to tell their experiences to maximize on context and personal impact. My results shows a much more revealing truth that studies are remiss to acknowledge; those affected by fraud continue to be victims, regardless of the initial impact, and regardless of the caution now surrounding the issue; equally as important, those severely impacted never quite recover. This study affirms the necessity and importance of more protective measures desired to prevent scammers from successfully frauding their victims and to guide the less cognizant. The findings strongly recommend that doctors receive help to discern whether one of their patients holds the distinguishable characterisitcs that fraud victims possess, that legislators craft effective legislation, and that banks and credit card companies be more vigilant in their detection of exploitation.
Correlation Study: CEM Scores and Customer Perception Value in Chick-fil-A Teterboro from 2018-2019
Authors: Feliciano Amanda
Published: April 2021

The monitoring of customer service experiences for fast food restaurants has been on the rise for past three decades because of technological advances. Having access to the current features helps businesses determine what factors to consider for improving their company. There has been research done on research chains such as Chipotle, Subway, KFC, Dairy Queen, and Taco Bell. Each restaurant focuses on similar factors, but there has been little to no research done on the fast food restaurant, Chick-fil-A regarding CEM scores and customer perception. Chick-fil-A is an extremely well known fast food place known to have outstanding customer service because of their overall politeness and fast service. This study aims at looking into one specific Chick-fil-A location in Teterboro, New Jersey, which is known to be in the top 20% of Chick-fil-As in the United States. This research study used stratified sampling in order to conduct a Spearman Correlation Analysis that answered the research question, “Is there a correlation between 4 main components of customer service and an effect on the customer service environment in Chick-fil-A Teterboro, from the years 2018-2019?” Results concluded there were only two direct correlations between two components. The two factors that had the highest correlation with one another were Overall Customer Satisfaction levels and the Attentive/ Courteous component in connection to the overall value of the customer service environment.
Global Economic Policy Response in Asean Welcomes Changes in Market Behavior Towards the New Normal
Authors: Benson Linh , Sinh Ha Dai
Published: April 2021

This article addresses the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate, normally used to determine how quickly economic growth has contracted in a region, i.e. adverse growth. Thus, the Finance Ministers and the ASEAN Central Bank Governors have decided on a number of promises, including (1) that exceptional policy responses to resolve this pandemic would be washed away to restore economic activity. (2) to enhance the economic and financial monitoring efficiency of the area, and to promote readiness to act as an efficient financial safety net in the region and as an essential component of the global financial security net of the Chiang May Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM). (3) to facilitate greater intra-ASEAN exchange and investment by setting up eligible ASEAN banks (4) funding for local currency use programs for settlements, foreign investments and other operations between ASEAN countries, such as revenue and transfer transactions. (5) supports the advancement of partnership in the area of the funding of infrastructures, in the context of many recommendations to facilitate private investment growth, among other steps. (6) to promote initiatives to use digital financial services to enhance the financial inclusion of the area and to enhance cooperation on various cyber risk management material.
Determination of esomeprazole in rabbit plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Authors: Le Minh Anh , Nguyen Thach Tung , Nguyen Nhu Nam , Bui Quang Dong , Pham Thanh Dat , Nguyen Thi Hong Ngoc , Tran Cao Son ,   Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam,   Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam,   Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam,   National Institute for Food Control,   Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam,   National Institute for Food Control, Hanoi, Vietnam,   National Institute for Food Control
Published: April 2021

A rapid extraction method was developed and validated for esomeprazole determination in rabbit plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Esomeprazole in rabbit plasma was extracted and then cleaned up using QuEChERS technique. The analyte was separated using C18 column and quantified by MS/MS detector. Pantoprazole was used as the internal standard. The positive ESI source was used in this study together with the multi­-reactive ion monitoring mode. The validity of the method has been confirmed in accordance with ICH Harmonized guidelines on bioanalytical method validation. The method showed good specificity, good stability, with the linearity varying from 0.1 ng/mL to 20 ng/mL, the lower limit of quantification was 0.1 ng/mL, the accuracy and precision were within 85% and 115% which achieved the ICH Harmonized guideline requirements, FDA guideline and AOAC International requirements. The method has been applied to quantify the concentration of esomeprazole in rabbit plasma, and then to compare the bioavailability of two preparations containing esomeprazole.
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis)
Authors: Gramantíková Zuzana , Abusultan Mohanad , Beňo Jozef , Hajtman Andrej
Published: April 2021

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis is a rare, benign, idiopathic cause of lymphadenopathy. Typically, it presents with painful cervical lymphadenopathy, fever and less frequently night sweats, weight loss and chills. Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is more common among young Asian women with few cases reported among European population. We present a case of a 19 years old Slovak woman who presented with painful left side cervical lymphadenopathy not responding to therapy. An excision bio­psy of the largest cervical lymph node was made. The histopathological findings were compatible with necrotizing lymphadenitis more in keeping with Kikuchi’s lymphadenitis. At the review performed three months later, she was asymptomatic with reduction in the size of cervical lymph nodes.
A glance into the anatomy of monotonic maps
Authors: Buzyakova Raushan
Published: April 2021

Given an autohomeomorphism on an ordered topological space or its subspace, we show that it is sometimes possible to introduce a new topology-compatible order on that space so that the same map is monotonic with respect to the new ordering. We note that the existence of such a re-ordering for a given map is equivalent to the map being conjugate (topologically equivalent) to a monotonic map on some homeomorphic ordered space. We observe that the latter cannot always be chosen to be order-isomorphic to the original space. Also, we identify other routes that may lead to similar affirmative statements for other classes of spaces and maps.
On the Menger and almost Menger properties in locales
Authors: Bayih Tilahun , Dube Themba , Ighedo Oghenetega
Published: April 2021

The Menger and the almost Menger properties are extended to locales. Regarding the former, the extension is conservative (meaning that a space is Menger if and only if it is Menger as a locale), and the latter is conservative for sober TD-spaces. Non-spatial Menger (and hence almost Menger) locales do exist, so that the extensions genuinely transcend the topological notions. We also consider projectively Menger locales, and show that, as in spaces, a locale is Menger precisely when it is Lindelöf and projectively Menger. Transference of these properties along localic maps (via direct image or pullback) is considered.
(Des)igualdad de género y fútbol. ¿Qué fue del Comité de RSC de la RFEF en el caso de la Supercopa en Arabia Saudí de 2020?
Authors: López Martínez Gabriel , Terradellas Piferrer M. Rosa , Meseguer Sánchez J. Víctor
Published: April 2021

Este artículo analiza el recorrido que tuvo el denominado Comité de Responsabilidad Social Corporativa de la Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF). Se trata de un órgano consultivo constituido en 2019 y disuelto a mediados de 2020. Nos interesa conocer las acciones que llevó a cabo en ese periodo. Para ello, se interpretan los testimonios de entrevistas realizadas a algunos de los miembros externos que formaron parte del comité. Nos centramos en aquellas actuaciones en materia de igualdad de género y con esta intención se propone como caso paradigmático la celebración de la Super Copa de España en Arabia Saudí. Se trata de un acontecimiento controvertido, sobre el que el Comité planteó recomendaciones concretas.
Students’ perception to integrate education 4.0 in Science program
Authors: Halili Siti Hajar , Sulaiman Shukri
Published: April 2021

This study aims to explore students’ perception of integrating education 4.0 in the Science program. The technology acceptance model was used to determine students’ understanding of integrating education 4.0 focusing on the Science program. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach. The interview was used to collect the data. Five respondents among Science students were interviewed. They were undergraduate students pursue study in a science education program. The finding of the interview result showed that students had positive responses in integrating education 4.0 for technological sustainable development. The results of the study showed that students had a positive understanding of the three aspects namely, readiness in integrating education 4.0 for the Science program, the impact of technology facilities, and enhancing digital skills for employability. We recommend further research to evaluate the preparation or readiness of students to integrate training using technology 4.0. Based on the results, further research is proposed to take into account new education skills among Science students in line with the industrial revolution 4.0.
Students’ civic engagement in Ukraine and Canada: a comparative analysis
Authors: Zabolotna Oksana , Pidhaietska Anna
Published: April 2021

In this article, the authors have carried out a comparative analysis of students’ civic engagement in Ukraine and Canada. They have surveyed the students at Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University and compared the findings with the results of a study done by the Canadian researcher Catherine Broom at British Columbia University. Based on the research findings, the authors have identified Ukrainian students’ personal political and civic experience levels and compared them with the Canadian results. The study reveals Ukrainian students’ attitudes towards political and civic participation, democracy, the government in general and in comparison with Canadian data. The research results have identified the following key factors that influence Ukrainian students’ civic activity: students’ free time activities their attitudes and beliefs. According to the survey, gender, religious involvement, personality type, and family’s political involvement do not directly influence the students’ civic engagement. The survey has not reported any influence of school social study courses on civic engagement, stressing the importance of real-life experiences that result in attitudes and intrinsic motivation. The authors have also revealed examples of motivations and barriers for youth civic involvement.
Methodology to evaluate transversal competences in the master's degree in industrial engineering based on a system of rubrics and indicators
Authors: Llopis-Albert Carlos , Rubio Francisco
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a methodology to evaluate transversal competences in the context of the subject “Design and application of industrial equipment” in the Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering at Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain). The competency-based education implies several activities, such as a project-based learning that must be eventually defended in public by students in groups. Evidence of learning is collected based on a well-defined system of rubrics and indicators, which are known in advance by students. We have observed that the use of such techniques improves the students learning on the contents of the subject, allows to acquire the transversal competences related to the analysis and problem solving, and enhances the ability to understand concepts intuitively. Moreover, results clearly show a positive influence on the use of such tools for improving the professional and ethical commitment to the issues raised.
Use of Fenestrated Tracheostomy Tubes: A Comparative Study
Authors: Lakshmanan Somu , Saravanam Prasanna K
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Tracheostomy is commonly performed in patients requiring long-term ventilator support. There are many types of tracheostomy tubes like fenestrated and non-fenestrated tubes. This study is to compare the types of fenestrated tubes. Type I is a fenestrated tube with multiple small fenestrae and type II is a fenestrated tracheostomy tube with a single large fenestra.

Materials and methods

A total of 87 patients who underwent tracheostomy due to prolonged ventilation from January 2015 to January 2016 were included in the study. Type I tube was used in 40 patients and type II tube was used in 47 patients. Tube change was done on the 10th day, at the end of 1 month, and at the end of 3 months. Flexible laryngoscopy is done during every tube change to assess the airway.

Results

Two groups were compared in terms of granulation through fenestra, stomal granulation, frequency of suctioning, and inner tube block. Statistical analysis was done and the values were compared. A p value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. There was a statistically significant difference between both groups in terms of less incidence of granulation through the fenestra and stomal granulation in type II tube.

Conclusion

Type II tubes are more patient compliant. The incidence of inner tube block is comparatively less which makes it safe to use and avoid life-threatening situations. Decannulation can be done earlier and without complications in patients with type II tubes due to the less incidence of stomal granulation. Thus, type II tube is safer to use and has minimal complications.

How to cite this article

Lakshmanan S, Jeyabalakrishnan SP, Saravanam PK. Use of Fenestrated Tracheostomy Tubes: A Comparative Study. Int J Head Neck Surg 2021;12(1):15–18.
PERFIL HEMATOLÓGICO DOS IDOSOS ACOMETIDOS PELO COVID-19 NA CIDADE DE FRANCA-SP
Authors: Veiga Dayana Pereira , Tavares Cristiane Fernandes de Freitas
Published: April 2021

Introdução: Covid-19 é uma doença altamente contagiosa provocada pelo coronavírus denominado SARS-CoV2, síndrome respiratória aguda grave. Em 2020, a Covid-19 foi caracterizada pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) como uma pandemia, atingindo todo o mundo, porém acometendo gravemente os idosos. Estes são mencionados como o grupo mais vulnerável uma vez que possuem doenças crônicas como hipertensão, diabetes, cardiopatias, doenças respiratórias e renais. Objetivo: Correlacionar o perfil hematológico dos pacientes idosos da cidade de Franca-SP, acometidos pelo Covid-19, que apresentaram alguma comorbidade e vieram a óbito. Material e métodos: Para o levantamento de estudo foi realizado uma busca de dados na fonte da Vigilância Epidemiológica Municipal de Franca-SP. Resultados: O quadro clínico-laboratorial da Covid-19 teve relação com as alterações hematológicas e da coagulação, capazes de levar ao dano tecidual e morte. Dados laboratoriais relataram uma variação na contagem total de leucócitos, diminuição da hemoglobina, aumento da taxa de hemossedimentação de eritrócitos, linfopenia com depleção de linfócitos CD4 e CD8 e alteração plaquetária. Os pacientes, na faixa etária de 70 aos 89 anos apresentaram algum tipo de comorbidade relacionadas com alterações hematológicas, ocorrendo o óbito em 78,2% no mês de dezembro, 65,7% em janeiro e 76,8% em fevereiro de 2020. Conclusão: Esses dados evidenciam uma alta taxa de mortalidade em pacientes idosos e que apresentavam algum tipo de comorbidade. A análise laboratorial foi fundamental para o maior conhecimento da doença, na definição e avaliação do diagnóstico dos pacientes com Covid-19. Para a Vigilância Epidemiológica é crucial coletar amostras clínicas para detecção do vírus e para um protocolo melhor de tratamento.
Pengaruh Negatif Stunting terhadap Perkembangan Kognitif Anak
Authors: Daracantika Aprilia , Ainin Ainin , Besral Besral
Published: April 2021

Satu dari tiga anak di Indonesia mengalami stunting. Stunting dapat berdampak terhadap perkembangan motorik dan verbal, peningkatan penyakit degeneratif, kejadian kesakitan dan kematian. Selain itu, keadaan stunting akan mengakibatkan pertumbuhan dan perkembangan sel-sel neuron terhambat sehingga mempengaruhi perkembangan kognitif pada anak. Oleh karenanya, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dampak stunting terhadap kemampuan kognitif pada anak. Metode yang digunakan adalah literature review yang diambil dari jurnal nasional atau internasional maupun website. Penelusuran sumber pustaka dalam artikel ini melalui database Sinta, Google Scholar dan Pubmed dalam 10 tahun terakhir. Berdasarkan hasil telaah didapatkan hasil bahwa stunting memiliki implikasi biologis terhadap perkembangan otak dan neurologis yang diterjemahkan kedalam penurunan nilai kognitif. Anak dengan stunting mengalami 7% penurunan perkembangan kognitif dan nilai matematikanya lebih rendah 2,11 dibanding anak yang tidak stunting. Dalam Tes Kosakata Gambar Peabody dan tes Penilaian Kuantitatif, anak yang stunting mendapat skor 16,1% dan 48,8% lebih rendah dari anak yang tidak stunting. Anak yang mengalami stunting pada 2 tahun pertama kehidupan berpeluang memiliki IQ non verbal < 89 dan IQ lebih rendah 4,57 kali dibandingkan IQ anak yang tidak stunting. Dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa stunting memiliki pengaruh negatif terhadap kemampuan kognitif anak yang berdampak pada kurangnya prestasi belajar.
Identification of strengths and barriers among Pakistani SMEs: A financial management viewpoint
Authors: Et al., Asif Ali Shah
Published: April 2021

In Pakistan, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are considered as key indicators of the status of the national economy through contributing 90% in total businesses establishments and 80% employments in the non-agriculture sector. Pakistani government with the assistance of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) and other associated organizations are undertaking multiple activities to boost awareness and importance of adopting prudent financial management practices by SMEs. This research endeavor aimed at exploring the strengths and barriers faced by SMEs in planning and undertaking sound financial management practices. Keeping in view the exploratory nature of this research, based on qualitative research paradigm, semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers/owners of thirty SMEs. The study findings demonstrated that the component of capital found to act as strength and barrier among SMEs. On one side, the absence of external capital (loan) appeared beneficial for SMEs due to minimizing financial risk for the business and offering more freedom to managers in their decision making without having any fear regarding any restrictions imposed by external finance. However, on the other side, lack of financial resources due to having difficulty in acquiring external capital (loan) might restrict SMEs capability to undertake viable business opportunities. This study highlights the crucial role of adopting appropriate financial management practices in developing a sound capital structure for SMEs. This study finding could provide useful insight to SMEs pertinent to dealing with multiple business challenges and acquiring sustainable profitability.
Entrepreneurship and Value Creation: Curriculum at Macro, Meso, and Micro level
Authors: Et al., Muhammad Junaid
Published: April 2021

The paper advances the idea of entrepreneurship as value creation in a conceptual framework on macro, meso and micro levels with regards to value creation for oneself and others. To bridge together the three conceptual levels to which thus far too little at-tention has been made, the authors first weave together literature on value creation from fields of economics, sociology, Strategic Management and psychology in a framework to generate inputs for macro-level curriculum. The overarching and embedded nature of business generation model allows us to introduce the mechanisms for infusing value creation at meso level to operate within the institutional boundaries of the curriculum in consultation with salient stakeholders. In the same vein, at the micro level, the Harmonized model of the entrepreneurial process which reconciles seemingly con-tending views of Causation, effectuation, and Bricolage is proposed to generate input for micro-level curriculum at the classroom level. Finally, the paper reviews germinal learn-ing theories which afford a roadmap for the transition from the current practice of teaching to the desirable level of value creation based pedagogies.
Photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine-B under visible light region by ZnO nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon made from longan seed biomass
Authors: Nguyen Van Hung  , Bui Thi Minh Nguyet  , Bui Thi Thuy Linh  , Nguyen Huu Nghi  , Nguyen Thanh Tuoi  , Nguyen Anh Tien  , Le Lam Son
Published: April 2021

In the present study, the synthesis of ZnO/LSAC through pyrolysis of the carbonized material prepared from longan seed, zinc acetate in alkaline medium. The obtained materials was characterized by means of XRD, SEM, TEM, BET and UV-Vis-DRS. The XRD patterns of ZnO/LSAC nanocomposites were assigned to wurtzite structure of ZnO with crystallite size about 15 to 30 nm. SEM and TEM observations showed the spherical ZnO particles formed on the activated carbon. The band gap energy and specific surface area of ZnO/LSAC were found to be 2.79 eV and 294.4 m2/g, respectively. The photocatalytic activities of the prepared materials were evaluated for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye. The removal of RhB was found to be pH dependent, and the optimized removal efficiency reached to 93.75% and the mineralization level was over 84,09% at initial RhB concentration of 40 mg.L-1 and pH 7 following 120 min under visible-light illumination. The kinetic studies showed the decolorization of RhB followed pseudo first-order kinetics with the rate constant were determined kapp = 1.67x10-2 min−1.
Multiwalled carbon nanotubes synthesis from methane using a stainless steel foils as a catalyst
Authors: Huynh Minh Thuan  , Nguyen Sura  , Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan  , Nguyen Manh Huan  , Do Pham Noa Uy  , Nguyen Anh Thu Hang  , Nguyen Cong Danh  , Nguyen Huu Luong  , Nguyen Cat Tien
Published: April 2021

In this study, a thin stainless-steel foil was used as a catalyst for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using methane as a carbon source via the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Our results revealed that pre-treatment step of the catalyst plays an important role in CNT formation. In our experiments, a catalyst pre-treatment temperature of 850 oC have been found to facilitate the surface roughness and provide more active nucleation sites for CNTs formation. Multiwalled CNTs with 6 layers, their diameters of 10 – 20 nm and their length of app. 300 nm were grown. This finding might lead to a process for improving the quality of MWCNTs grown on steel foil as catalyst.
Study on synthesis and characterization of nano scale spinel Mn0.5­Fe2.5O4 by micro-emulsion method
Authors: Vu The Ninh  , Dinh Xuan Loc  , Tran Anh Tai
Published: April 2021

The single phase of Mn0.5Fe2.5O4 spinel crystals was prepared by the micro-emulsion method with the oil phase is DGDE (diethylene glycol diethyl ether). The characteristics of the materials have been determined by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunaure-Emmet-Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption and desorption, Vibration sampling magnetometer (VSM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the single phase of Fe0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 crystalline was formed due to the substitution of Fe by Mn in the Fe3O4 crystal lattice and single phase spinel crystal is formed with the size of 6.7 nm, specific surface area ≈ 193 m2.g-1, the saturation magnetization reaches ≈ 27 emu.g-1.
Secure Storage Implementation for Large Files in iOS Environment
Authors: Hovsepyan Levon , Mayilyan Aren
Published: April 2021

Mobile device storage services are not secure by nature as all databases and files are stored on the client side. We cannot ignore that because nowadays mobile devices are made of hardware, which is capable for building and running applications, which cover almost every functionality that computers have. There is an inherent risk of data exposure (confidentiality) and data tampering (integrity). To avoid the risks mentioned above, software engineers use some approaches, which are provided by the iOS SDK for securely storing sensitive data. However, those approaches currently work only for small amount of data (key-value pairs) and the issue still remains for large files.
In this paper, we introduced an approach of securely storing large files in iOS environment.
Experimenting with Acquisition of and Matching to Systemic Classifiers
Authors: Grigoryan Sedrak , Hakobyan Nairi
Published: April 2021

We are modeling acquisition and classification abilities for the machine. The research line we follow, is based on the ideas of inventors of algorithms letting constructively model human computations and on some extension of those ideas aimed to model constructively other mental doings [1, 2]. We question the issues of acquisition of and matching to systemic classifiers and experimenting to prove the adequacy of our models. We experiment in the frame of RGT class of combinatorial problems for a RGT kernel problem, chess.
Improved Model of Scheduling Algorithm
Authors: Vardanyan Artur
Published: April 2021

Cluster computing is becoming increasingly practical for high performance computing research and development. A computer cluster is a set of connected computers that work together so that, they can be viewed as a single system. Clusters offer a scalable means of linking computers together to provide an expansive environment for hosting enterprise applications. As the number of nodes in cluster configurations grows, the cluster administration becomes more challenging. We need to study the challenges of cluster management and to provide a solution. To have an effective cluster management we need to have an effective task scheduling algorithm. With the explosive growth of information, the demand on computing is sharply increasing. Due to a large number of computing tasks, the scheduling algorithm is an important part of cluster computing and has a great influence on the quality of claster service. In cluster computing, some large tasks may occupy too many resources and some small tasks may wait for a long time based on First-In-First-Out (FIFO) scheduling algorithm. This paper provides an overview of an improved scheduling algorithm that shortens the execution time of tasks and increases the resource utilization.