bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Labdarúgó akadémiák pedagógiai programjainak elemzése
Authors: Fenyő Imre , Rábai Dávid
Published: January 2021

Jelen kutatásunkban magyarországi labdarúgó akadémiák pedagógiai programjainak elemzését végeztük el, vizsgálatunkban igyekeztünk feltárni a labdarúgó akadémiák növendékeit körülvevő életvilág pedagógiai aspektusait. Korábbi kutatásaink során egyértelművé vált, hogy ez a terület a tudományos kutatás számára még teljesen feltáratlan, és az akadémiák által másodlagos fontosságúnak tekintett területnek számít. Kutatásunk célja az volt, hogy az akadémiák pedagógiai programjainak dokumentumelemzése során a dokumentumokat formai és tartalmi jegyek mentén összehasonlítsuk, illetve az intézmények pedagógiai- és szociális részlegének vezetőivel felvett interjúk elemzése során a kapott tapasztalatokat cáfoljuk vagy pedig megerősítsük. Kutatásunk eredményei hozzájárulnak ahhoz, hogy miképpen a közoktatás esetében a helyi pedagógiai programok elkészítése során ezt a kutatók elvégezték (például Brezsnyánszky, 2000), jobban megértsük a labdarúgó akadémiák pedagógiai világának elemeit, értékorientált összetevőit. Kutatásunk eredményeképpen elmondható, hogy az egyes labdarúgó akadémiák pedagógiai programjai mind a formai, mind pedig a tartalmi jegyek mentén erősen heterogének, és pedagógiai jellegű tartalmuk minősége gyakran megkérdőjelezhető. Az interjúelemzés során kapott eredmények alapján kijelenthetjük, hogy – bár minden általunk vizsgált akadémián működik az oktatási- és szociális részleg, mindenhol több munkatárssal – a dokumentumelemzés során a pedagógiai munka színvonalára vonatkozó következtetésünk helytálló volt. Az akadémiák szinte kivétel nélkül saját elgondolásaik alapján írják meg a pedagógiai programjaikat és szervezik pedagógiai tevékenységüket, elkerülve az egyes intézmények közötti kooperációt, az ebből fakadó egységesség lehetőségét, illetve a pedagógiai munka minőségének erősödését és annak szakszerű dokumentálását. Mindezek mellett maguk a részlegvezetők is érzik a fennálló hiányosságokat a szekcióik működését illetően, ami további bizonytalanságokra enged következtetni.
Megkerülhetetlen alapkutatások a felsőoktatási lemorzsolódás terén
Authors: Győri Krisztina
Published: January 2021

Pusztai Gabriella & Szigeti Fruzsina (2018, szerk.) Lemorzsolódás és perzisztencia a felsőoktatásban. Debrecen: Debreceni Egyetemi Kiadó. http://mek.oszk.hu/19000/19032
Effect of pH on nutrient removal and crop production of hydroponic systems treating brewery effluent
Authors: Taylor Richard P. , Jones Clifford L. W. , Laing Mark
Published: January 2021

The use of a crop to remove nutrients from brewery effluent and the influence of pH on these removal rates was evaluated. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) was grown in recirculating hydroponic systems fed with post-anaerobically digested brewery effluent (BE) either subject to pH adjustment (6.5–7.0) or unaltered pH (8.0–8.5). These were compared with cabbages grown in water only and in a inorganic fertiliser nutrient solution (NS). Hydroponic systems fed with pH adjusted BE removed significantly more nitrogen and phosphorus than systems fed with pH unadjusted BE (p < 0.05). The final weight of cabbages from the pH adjusted BE systems were 6.7 times greater than cabbages from the pH unadjusted BE systems, whereas pH adjustment had no influence on cabbage weight in the water-only and NS treatments. Anaerobically digested BE that is not pH adjusted is not a suitable water and nutrient source for the hydroponic production of cabbages. However, pH adjustment of BE renders it more suitable for hydroponic crop production with hydroponic systems decreasing dissolved inorganic nitrogen, ammonium, phosphate and chemical oxygen demand concentrations by 72.8, 31.8, 98.5 and 51.0%, respectively. Hydroponic systems can be used to treat post-anaerobically digested BE to a similar standard obtained by conventional activated sludge treatment system.
What removals of pathogen indicators can be expected within large-scale wastewater treatment facilities in the context of wastewater reuse in Paris conurbation?
Authors: Mailler R. , Mèche P. , Rocher V.
Published: January 2021

The fate of pathogen indicators (Escherichia coli – EC, intestinal enterococci – IE, RNA-F bacteriophages and spores of sulfite reducing bacteria – SSR) was extensively studied in Parisian large-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), based on conventional activated sludge, biofiltration or membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes. Between 14 and 87 campaigns were performed between 2014 and 2018 in five WWTPs. High removals of 3 log for both EC and IE, and lower removals of 1–2 log for SSR and RNA-F bacteriophages, were observed in conventional activated sludge and biofiltration WWTPs. The MBR WWTP achieves notably greater removals of 4.5–5.5 log for faecal bacteria and 3–4 log for SSR and RNA-F bacteriophages. This WWTP is the only one already in compliance with reuse standards, the other ones being non-compliant because of SSR and RNA-F bacteriophages. The implementation of a micro-grain activated carbon process would increase the WWTP removals of 0.8 log for faecal bacteria, due to particles retention, with no significant effect on both other pathogens. Ozonation (0.9–1.3 g O3/g dissolved organic carbon) or performic acid (0.8–1.2 ppm) would have greater benefits with additional removals of 1.5–2.5 log for EC, 1–2 log for IE and 0.5–1 log for SSR and RNA-F bacteriophages. Correlations between pathogen indicator removals and initial concentrations were found, as well as a significant decrease of RNA-F bacteriophage concentrations in Parisian raw wastewater, below 2 log. Thus, RNA-F bacteriophages could be a real issue to evaluate the compliance of Parisian wastewater with reuse. The time evolution of removals demonstrated that SSR is the most problematic parameter regarding reuse in conventional activated sludge and biofiltration WWTPs, as its initial concentration is high (5 log) but removals insufficient (<2 log). In contrast, removals of RNA-F bacteriophages greater than 2 log can be obtained within WWTPs completed or not with a tertiary treatment when the initial concentration in raw wastewater is sufficient. Correlations were also found between the removals of pathogen indicators and the removals of physico-chemical parameters, but they are not good enough to allow performance predictions.
Sistema de avaliação de desempenho para apoio à gestão da coordenadoria dos processos licitatórios de um Hospital Universitário
Authors: Souza de Araújo Samuel , Dos Santos Matos Lucas , Rolim Ensslin Sandra
Published: January 2021

Objetivo: O objetivo da pesquisa é estruturar um modelo para apoiar a gestão da Coordenadoria de Processos Licitatórios do Hospital Universitário Professor Polydoro Ernani de São Thiago da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, visando construir, no seu gestor, conhecimento acerca do contexto que administra, permitindo a visualização dos aspectos julgados como necessários e suficientes para se ter em consideração nesse processo.

Metodologia: Utiliza-se a metodologia Multicritério de Apoio à Decisão-Construtivista (MCDA-C) para a estruturação de um sistema de avaliação de desempenho específico às particularidades do contexto e de seu gestor. Assim, a pesquisa utiliza-se de uma abordagem qualitativa, sob forma de estudo de caso, com coleta de dados primários, a partir de entrevistas com o gestor da coordenadoria.

Resultados: A estruturação do sistema permite o desenvolvimento de uma estrutura hierárquica de valor e indicadores qualitativos de desempenho. A criação dos indicadores de desempenho possibilita o efetivo acompanhamento das atividades desenvolvidas pelo setor, conduzindo a uma gestão eficiente e à melhor aplicação dos recursos públicos. Permite, ainda, a visualização dos aspectos em níveis comprometedores, de mercado e de excelência, evidenciando os fatores relevantes para a gestão.

Contribuições do Estudo: O estudo contribui para o preenchimento de lacuna evidenciada com base na análise da literatura sobre o tema. Considera-se que o sistema subsidia o gestor com informações específicas para a tomada de decisão e promove uma discussão, ainda não encontrada na literatura, a respeito do uso de abordagens construtivistas para o setor licitatório de um hospital universitário.
Indicadores econômico-financeiros de empresas brasileiras: uma comparação entre setores
Authors: Jacintho Vinícius , Kroenke Adriana
Published: January 2021

Objetivo: Analisar pesos de indicadores econômico-financeiros de diferentes setores da B3 e avaliar o impacto destes pesos ao se trabalhar com rankings de empresas de diversos setores simultaneamente.

Metodologia: A população compreende as empresas pertencentes ao IBrX100 e a amostra é formada pelas 43 empresas que apresentaram todos os dados na base Economática para o ano de 2017. Foram criados quatro lotes de indicadores: Liquidez, Endividamento, Rentabilidade e Atividade a partir do agrupamento de nove indicadores distintos. Esta pesquisa emprega um conjunto de técnicas de Análise Multicritério, sendo (i) o método Moora (Multi-Objective Optimization on the basis of Ratio Analysis) para formação dos lotes, (ii) o método Critic (Criteria Importance Throught Intercriteria Correlation) para a formação de pesos, e (iii) o Método da Soma Ponderada para formação de um ranking alternativo.

Resultados: Os resultados indicam que as mudanças identificadas nas 10 primeiras posições ao se analisar os rankings foram ocasionadas pela construção dos pesos, permitindo uma avaliação mais justa das empresas. A partir desta abordagem destacam-se as empresas que obtiveram bons resultados nos indicadores relevantes para o seu setor, de modo que resultados em indicadores de menor peso não interferem substancialmente na avaliação da empresa. A rentabilidade e atividade foram os lotes de maior destaque.

Contribuições do Estudo: A comparação de setores utilizando indicadores é uma limitação no uso destes e na literatura acerca do tema, de modo que uma abordagem multicritério foi adotada para solucionar tal limitação. Esta pesquisa contribui para a área de avaliação de desempenho pois oferece uma ferramenta que permita ampliar o uso dos indicadores, sendo útil tanto para usuários internos quanto externo. Como contribuição teórica, os resultados desta pesquisa podem servir como base para justificar a escolha dos indicadores adequados de acordo com os objetivos de cada pesquisa.
Qual é o valor da empresa? O caso de valuation da empresa Magazine Luiza
Authors: Jacques Kelly Aparecida Silva , Fernandes Vivian Duarte Couto , Queiroz Lísia de Melo , Moisés Ferreira da Cunha
Published: January 2021

Objetivo: A empresa Magazine Luiza, fundada em novembro/1957, ícone do varejo nacional, abriu seu capital em 2011 na B3, com crescimento exponencial na valorização de suas ações. Este caso proporciona os seguintes objetivos pedagógicos: a) promover a análise de problemas, propor e indagar decisões em relação à valuation; b) estimular a reflexão entre a teoria que sustenta os propósitos de avaliação e a forma como ela deve ser desenvolvida e aplicada; c) ampliar a capacidade de relacionar os pressupostos teóricos de valuation e a sua adequação à realidade.
Metodologia: As Demonstrações Contábeis foram extraídas do site da empresa MGL, na Economática® e no site da B3. Também foi utilizada a base de dados do professor Damodaran. Destaca-se que os dados são reais, porém, em contrapartida, considera-se como situação hipotética a existência da empresa Alpha Varejo e sua proposta de aquisição da empresa Magazine Luiza.
Resultados: Sob o ponto de vista comportamental, permite que estudantes e docente tenham diálogos e discussões saudáveis de modo que haja respeito mútuo às opiniões e ideias divergentes, permitindo a exposição de seus pontos de vista. Estimar o valor da empresa pelos métodos do Fluxo de Caixa Descontado e Avaliação Relativa é uma tarefa complexa, e pode ser considerada como um processo importante para tomada de decisão, principalmente para o acionista da empresa. No uso dos métodos, reside a necessidade de escolhas de premissas adequadas que melhor refletem a realidade da empresa.
Contribuições do Estudo: A realização da atividade proposta, com estudantes de graduação ou pós-graduação na área de negócios em disciplinas voltadas para análise de viabilidade financeira de empresas e valuation, contribui para a formação destes estudantes com desenvolvimento de análise crítica e estímulo à discussão na área de finanças.
Traços de personalidade e variáveis do comportamento planejado do indivíduo: um estudo de seus efeitos nas intenções empreendedoras
Authors: Andrade dos Santos Edicreia , Lourenço Xavier Gabriel , Alves da Silva Moura Cristiane , Miguel Renda dos Santos Luiz
Published: January 2021

Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo investigar quais os efeitos dos traços de personalidade sobre as intenções empreendedoras dos alunos concluintes dos cursos de Ciências Contábeis de duas instituições de ensino superior privadas e uma pública, localizadas na região centro-oeste do Brasil.
Metodologia: Estudo descritivo, realizado a partir de uma pesquisa de levantamento, com a amostra constituída por 173 alunos sendo 86 de uma universidade pública e 87 de duas universidades privadas. O instrumento de pesquisa foi aplicado presencialmente aos respondentes e para a análise dos dados adotou-se a técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais.
Resultados: Dentre os resultados constatou-se que as atitudes afetam as intenções empreendedoras dos alunos de maneira estatisticamente significante permitindo inferir que ela é um dos princípios mais forte para se iniciar uma carreira empreendedora pelo fato da avaliação dos prós e contras. Também confirmou-se que os traços de personalidade (personalidade proativa e lócus de controle) são muito relevantes para se entender os interesses empreendedores de um indivíduo. A personalidade proativa é uma característica que afeta positivamente a atitude, a norma subjetiva, o controle comportamental percebido e também as intenções empreendedoras do indivíduo. O lócus de controle por sua vez afeta tanto nas normas subjetivas quanto no controle comportamental percebido do indivíduo.
Contribuições do estudo: Seus resultados permitem inferir que os traços de personalidade e as variáveis da Teoria do Comportamento Planejado são em partes boas preditoras das intenções comportamentais.
COVID-19: An Update on Pathogenesis and Treatment
Authors: AL Dhamen Marwa A. , Alhashim Abrar F. , Alqattan Hawra H. , Pottoo Faheem H.
Published: January 2021

In 2019, a new virus -SARS-COV2 possibly emerged in China, which infected many people affecting
mainly the respiratory system. SARS-COV2 gets transmitted by inhalation of droplets from the infected persons.
Symptoms start to appear after the incubation period of the virus which ranges from 2 to 14 days. In most
people, symptoms are usually mild such as fever, sore throat, cough, chest tightness and fatigue. In other people,
the disease might progress into severe pneumonia leading to several fatal consequences. Treatment is usually
supportive and the role of antiviral is not established yet. Home isolation for mild cases is important for the
prevention of the transmission of infection. Although the rate of transmission of this virus is faster than other
viruses from the family, such as MERS-CoV, it has a lower fatality rate. The main difference in the genome
structure of this family, which makes it distinguishable from other viruses is its use of (+) ssRNA as genetic material,
which comprise 5’ cap located at one end and 3' polyadenylation tract at the other end. During infection
of an exposed host cell, viral-encoded protease cleaves the polyprotein that results from translation of 5’ open
reading frame (ORF) of the genome, culminating in the release of multiple nonstructural proteins such as helicase
(Hel), adenosine triphosphate (ATPase) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (Rep). These proteins are
responsible for the replication process in addition to the syntheses of the sub genomic mRNA used as transcription
template strand. In this review article, we discussed the transmission pathways, genetic sequence and current
treatment approach of COVID-19.
Luteolin Stimulates Proliferation and Inhibits Late Differentiation of Primary Rat Calvarial Osteoblast Induced by High-dose Dexamethasone via Sema3A /NRP1/Pleixin A1
Authors: Zheng Li
Published: January 2021

Background:

Although Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A)/ Neuropilin-1(NRP1)/Plexin A1 is one
of the important targets in bone metabolism, few studies are performed on this target in the glucocorticoids-
induced osteoporosis. Luteolin is a chemical component of Honeysuckle and it has various bioactivities.
The effect of Luteolin on the glucocorticoids-induced osteoporosis (primary osteoblasts
model) remain unknown.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the action of Sema3A/ NRP1/Plexin A1 in Luteolin-
induced osteoprotection against high-dose Dexamethasone.

Methods:

The effect of Luteolin on the proliferation, late differentiation, and apoptosis of primary osteoblasts
model of glucocorticoids-induced osteoporosis in vitro as well as the expression of Sema3A/
NRP1/Plexin A1 are investigated by using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-Htetrazolium
bromide, Cell Counting Kit-8, reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase
chain reaction, western bolting and so on.

Results:

Suckling SD rats’ calvarial osteoblasts were isolated and identified. The glucocorticoidsinduced
primary osteoporosis cell model was established by 100 μM Dexamethasone in 48 h
(P<0.01). Luteolin promotes osteoblasts either in physiological condition (without Dexamethasone) or
pathological condition (with Dexamethasone) at 1 μM concentration for 48h (P<0.01). Luteolin partly
reverses down-regulated expression of proliferation markers such as proliferating cell nuclear and CyclinD1.
(P<0.01) Similarly, Luteolin partly reverses up-regulated expression of apoptosis markers
such as Bax/B-cell lymphoma-2. (P<0.01) The expression of mRNA and protein of Sema3A/
NRP1/Plexin A1 decreased in model one which significantly increased in Luteolin protecting one.
(P<0.05) Interestingly, the late differentiation marker such as osteocalcin and collagenase sharply
decreased in Luteolin protecting group compared with model one. (P<0.01).

Conclusion:

The thesis concludes that Luteolin promoted the proliferation of osteoblast and inhibited
its apoptosis and late differentiation in this glucocorticoids-induced primary osteoporosis cell model.
This function may be related to the expression of up-regulated Sema3A/NRP1/Plexin A1. Therefore,
Luteolin may be a potential medicine for the glucocorticoids-induced osteoporosis.
Catalyst-free Synthesis of Aminomethylphenol Derivatives in Cyclopentyl Methyl Ether via Petasis Borono-Mannich Reaction
Authors: Di Jia-Qi , Wang Hao-Jie , Cui Zhen-Shui , Hu Jin-Yong , Zhang Zhan-Hui
Published: January 2021

Objective:

Aminomethylphenol molecules have wider applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals,
plant protection and promising functional materials. The development of an efficient and practical method to
prepare this class of compound is highly desirable from both environmental and economical points of view.

Materials and Methods:

In order to establish an effective synthetic method for preparing aminomethylphenol
derivatives, the Petasis borono-Mannich reaction of salicylaldehyde, phenylboronic acid and 1,2,3,4-
tetrahydroisoquinoline was selected as a model reaction. A variety of reaction conditions are investigated,
including solvent and temperature. The generality and limitation of the established method were also evaluated.

Results and Discussion:

It was found that model reaction can be carried out in cyclopentyl methyl ether at 80 °C
under catalyst-free conditions. This protocol, with broad substrate applicability, the reaction of various arylboronic
acid, secondary amine and salicylaldehyde proceeded smoothly under optimal reaction conditions to
afford various aminomethylphenol derivatives in high yields. A practical, scalable, and high-yielding synthesis of
aminomethylphenol derivatives was successfully accomplished.

Conclusion:

A catalyst-free practical method for the synthesis of minomethylphenol derivatives based on Petasis
borono–Mannich (PBM) reaction of various arylboronic acid, secondary amine and salicylaldehyde in cyclopentyl
methyl ether has been developed. The salient features of this protocol are avoidance of any additive/catalyst
and toxic organic solvents, use of cyclopentyl methyl ether as the reaction medium, clean reaction profiles, easy
operation, and high to excellent yield.
Novel Dithranol Loaded Cyclodextrin Nanosponges for Augmentation of Solubility, Photostability and Cytocompatibility
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Rao Rekha
Published: January 2021

Background:

Drug loaded β-cyclodextrin based nanosponges (CDNS) are of special interest
for the entrapment of moieties with the view to address their physicochemical challenges, and
to improve their delivery characteristics and utility. Dithranol (DTH), the standard drug for psoriasis,
has poor stability and solubility, which limit its pharmaceutical applications.

Objective:

The objective of the current study was to entrap DTH in CDNS in order to alleviate the
above-mentioned challenges.

Methods:

To synthesize CDNS, β-cyclodextrin was treated with diphenyl carbonate in various molar
ratios. The obtained placebo CDNS were loaded with DTH by lyophilisation. The particle size of the
DTH loaded CDNS was found to lie between 150 and 450 nm, with a narrow polydispersity index
range. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, zeta potential and
electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were conducted for characterization
of DTH-CDNS.

Results:

Findings from spectral examinations confirmed the formation of inclusion complexes. Solubilisation
efficiency of DTH (in distilled water) was found augmented 4.54 folds with optimized
CDNS. The cytocompatibility study was performed by the MTT assay employing THP1 cell lines. A
remarkable amelioration in stability and photostability of DTH was also observed by its inclusion in
nanosponges.

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, we report the rational engineering and characterization of DTH loaded
cyclodextrin-based nanosponges, and subsequently, their stepwise screening for photostability, in
vitro release, in vitro cytocompatibility, in vitro antioxidant and in vitro inflammatory activity in a
top-down manner, yielding the best carrier for this drug.
Curcumin Decorated Silver Nanoparticles as Bioinspired Corrosion
Inhibitor for Carbon Steel
Authors: Joshi Prathamesh G. , Chauhan Dheeraj Singh , Srivastava Vandana , Quraishi Mumtaz Ahmad
Published: January 2021

Background:

Curcumin-stabilized silver nanoparticles (Cur-AgNp) synthesized by a facile chemical method.
The synthesized AgNp was, for the first time, used as a bio-derived corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in the 1M
sulphamic acid medium.

Methods:

The electrochemical studies via impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic polarization, and surface analysis are
reported in the communication. The maximum inhibition efficiency of 92.87% obtained at 800 mgL-1
.

Results:

The impedance measurements revealed an elevation in the polarization resistance with growth in the inhibitor
concentration, which supports the adsorption and inhibition behavior of Cur-AgNp on the steel surface. The inhibitor
functioned by adsorption on the steel surface and obeyed the Langmuir kinetic-thermodynamic isotherm with a mixed
mode of physical/ chemical adsorption. The potentiodynamic polarization study revealed cathodic predominating
behavior.

Conclusion:

The SEM analysis depicted the development of a protective inhibitor film on the steel substrate, and FTIRATR analysis of the inhibited steel surface supported the adsorption of the corrosion inhibitor on the metallic surface.
Avaliação de recursos computacionais para o português
Authors: Gonçalves Matilde , Coheur Luisa , Baptista Jorge , Mineiro Ana
Published: January 2021

Têm sido desenvolvidas várias ferramentas para o processamento da língua portuguesa. No entanto, devido a escolhas variadas na base dos comportamentos destas ferramentas (diferentes opções de pré-processamento, diferentes conjuntos de etiquetas morfossintáticas e de dependências, etc.), torna-se difícil ter uma ideia do desempenho comparativo de cada uma. Neste trabalho, avaliamos um conjunto de ferramentas gratuitas e publicamente disponíveis, que realizam as tarefas de Etiquetação Morfossintática e de Reconhecimento de Entidades Mencionadas, para a língua portuguesa. São tidos em conta doze modelos diferentes para a primeira tarefa e oito para a segunda. Todos os recursos usados nesta avaliação (tabelas de mapeamento de etiquetas, corpora de referência, etc.) são disponibilizados, permitindo replicar/afinar os resultados. Apresentamos ainda um estudo qualitativo de dois analisadores de dependências. Não temos conhecimento de nenhum trabalho similar recente, isto é, que tenha em conta as ferramentas atuais disponíveis, realizado para a língua portuguesa.
Formality and investments: Evidence of Vietnamese SMEs
Authors:   School of Banking and Finance, National Economics University, Hanoi, Vietnam, Phan Hong Mai , Hien Phan Thi Thu ,   Faculty of Investment, National Economics University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Published: January 2021

Business formality is considered a key driver in the development of the private sector in developing countries, which can contribute to enhancing the capacity and competitiveness of firms. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of formality on investments of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. Different from previous work, we apply a two-stage method with random-effects Probit and Tobit regressions to control for endogeneity surrounding formality and investments. Results show that formality measured by having a tax code fosters all types of investments. However, formality proxied by having a full set of business registration documents decreases total and fixed investments but increases non-fixed investments. Our findings suggest that relaxing complex procedures, enhancing the knowledge of the owner, and improving the ease of doing business play a crucial role in the formalization of Vietnamese SMEs.
Yoga Training Impacts Physical Function 12 Months Post Intervention for Care Partners of those with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors:   Mayo Clinic Florida , 4500 San Pablo Rd, Jacksonville, FL, USA, Chandler Melanie J. , Radford Michelle Graff , Lucas Pauline , Locke Dona E.C. , Crook Julia , Ball Colleen , Caselli Maria , Lunde Angela , Phatak Vaishali , Smith Glenn E.
Published: January 2021

Physical exercise has been demonstrated to help maintain cognition in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (pwMCI). We previously demonstrated yoga’s benefit in maintenance of memory related activities of daily living in pwMCI. Our research also has shown yoga helps sustain positive psychological well-being of care partners at 12 months. In this analysis, we sought to examine the impact of yoga training on physical performance in pwMCI and their care partners. In this multisite, randomized clinical trial, we enrolled 272 patients meeting National Institute on Aging–Alzheimer’s Association criteria for MCI and a care partner. The intervention program was modeled on the Mayo Clinic HABIT Healthy Action to Benefit Independence and Thinking® program. Of 5 possible interventions (memory compensation training, computerized cognitive training, yoga, support group, and wellness education), 1 of 5 interventions was randomly selected to be withheld for each intervention group. This randomization allowed for the examination of the impact of receiving yoga or no yoga on physical functioning [as measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)] up to 1 year post intervention, as well as the comparative effectiveness on physical functioning of the various interventions. There was a general pattern of physical decline on the SPPB over the year in pwMCI, regardless of yoga training (yoga vs. no yoga d=0.06, p=0.79). Among care partners, those who received yoga had better physical function at 12 months compared to those who did not (d=0.39 points, p=0.041). While not reaching statistical significance, yoga training tended to have a greater effect on SPPB than computerized cognitive training (d = 0.46 points, p = .063) or wellness education (d = 0.42 points, p =.088). Participation in yoga had a positive impact on physical performance outcomes at 12 month follow-up for care partners, but did not counteract general physical decline in pwMCI.
Acknowlegement to Reviewers of OBM Neurobiology in 2020
Authors:   LIDSEN Publishing Inc., 2000 Auburn Drive, One Chagrin Highlands, Suite 200, Beachwood, OH, USA, LIDSEN Publishing Inc. OBM Neurobiology Editorial Office
Published: January 2021

The editors of OBM Neurobiology would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2020. We greatly appreciate the contribution of expert reviewers, which is crucial to the journal's editorial process. We aim to recognize reviewer contributions through several mechanisms, of which the annual publication of reviewer names is one. Reviewers receive a voucher entitling them to a discount on their next LIDSEN publication and can download a certificate of recognition directly from our submission system. Additionally, reviewers can sign up to the service Publons (https://publons.com) to receive recognition. Of course, in these initiatives we are careful not to compromise reviewer confidentiality. Many reviewers see their work as a voluntary and often unseen part of their role as researchers. We are grateful to the time reviewers donate to our journals and the contribution they make.
Patterns of Routes of Administration and Drug Tampering for Nonmedical Opioid Consumption: Data Mining and Content Analysis of Reddit Discussions
Authors: Balsamo Duilio , Bajardi Paolo , Salomone Alberto , Schifanella Rossano
Published: January 2021

Background

The complex unfolding of the US opioid epidemic in the last 20 years has been the subject of a large body of medical and pharmacological research, and it has sparked a multidisciplinary discussion on how to implement interventions and policies to effectively control its impact on public health.

Objective

This study leverages Reddit, a social media platform, as the primary data source to investigate the opioid crisis. We aimed to find a large cohort of Reddit users interested in discussing the use of opioids, trace the temporal evolution of their interest, and extensively characterize patterns of the nonmedical consumption of opioids, with a focus on routes of administration and drug tampering.

Methods

We used a semiautomatic information retrieval algorithm to identify subreddits discussing nonmedical opioid consumption and developed a methodology based on word embedding to find alternative colloquial and nonmedical terms referring to opioid substances, routes of administration, and drug-tampering methods. We modeled the preferences of adoption of substances and routes of administration, estimating their prevalence and temporal unfolding. Ultimately, through the evaluation of odds ratios based on co-mentions, we measured the strength of association between opioid substances, routes of administration, and drug tampering.

Results

We identified 32 subreddits discussing nonmedical opioid usage from 2014 to 2018 and observed the evolution of interest among over 86,000 Reddit users potentially involved in firsthand opioid usage. We learned the language model of opioid consumption and provided alternative vocabularies for opioid substances, routes of administration, and drug tampering. A data-driven taxonomy of nonmedical routes of administration was proposed. We modeled the temporal evolution of interest in opioid consumption by ranking the popularity of the adoption of opioid substances and routes of administration, observing relevant trends, such as the surge in synthetic opioids like fentanyl and an increasing interest in rectal administration. In addition, we measured the strength of association between drug tampering, routes of administration, and substance consumption, finding evidence of understudied abusive behaviors, like chewing fentanyl patches and dissolving buprenorphine sublingually.

Conclusions

This work investigated some important consumption-related aspects of the opioid epidemic using Reddit data. We believe that our approach may provide a novel perspective for a more comprehensive understanding of nonmedical abuse of opioids substances and inform the prevention, treatment, and control of the public health effects.
Instagram Posts Related to Backwoods Cigarillo Blunts: Content Analysis
Authors: Kim Stephanie , Mourali Alia , Allem Jon-Patrick , Unger Jennifer B , Boley Cruz Tess , Smiley Sabrina L
Published: January 2021

Background

Instagram, one of the most popular social media platforms among youth, offers a unique opportunity to examine blunts—partially or fully hollowed-out large cigars, little cigars, and cigarillos that are filled with marijuana. Cigarillo brands like Backwoods (Imperial Tobacco Group Brands LLC) have product features that facilitate blunt making, including a variety of brand-specific flavors that enhance the smoking experience (eg, honey, dark stout). Backwoods has an active online presence with a user-friendly website.

Objective

This study examined the extent to which Backwoods cigarillo–related posts on Instagram showed blunt making. Instagram offers a unique opportunity to examine blunt making as Instagram accounts will contain images reflective of behavior occurring without the prime of a researcher.

Methods

Data consisted of publicly available Instagram posts with the hashtag #backwoods collected from August 30 to September 12, 2018. Inclusion criteria for this study included an Instagram post with the hashtag “#backwoods”. Rules were established to content analyze posts. Categories included Type of post (ie, photo, video, or both); Blunt-related hashtags (ie, the corresponding post caption contained one or more hashtags like #blunts, #cannabis, and #weed that were identified in previous social media research); Rolling blunts (ie, the post contained an image of one or more individuals rolling a Backwoods cigarillo visibly containing marijuana); and Smoking blunts (ie, the post contained an image of one or more individuals blowing smoke or holding a lit blunt). We coded images for Product flavor reference, where a code of 1 showed a Backwoods cigarillo pack with a brand-specific flavor (eg, honey, dark stout, Russian crème) visible in the blunt-related image, and a code of 0 indicated that it was not visible anywhere in the image.

Results

Among all posts (N=1206), 871 (72.2%) were coded as Blunt-related hashtags. A total of 125 (10.4%) images were coded as Smoking blunts, and 25 (2.1%) were coded as Rolling blunts (ie, Backwoods cigarillo explicitly used to roll blunts). Among blunt images, 434 of 836 (51.9%) were coded as Product flavor (ie, a Backwoods pack with a brand-specific flavor was visible).

Conclusions

Most Backwoods cigarillo–related Instagram images were blunt-related, and these blunt-related images showed Backwoods packages indicating flavor preference. Continued monitoring and surveillance of blunt-related posts on Instagram is needed to inform policies and interventions that reduce the risk that youth may experiment with blunts. Specific policies could include restrictions on product features (eg, flavors, perforated lines, attractive resealable foil pouches, sale as singles) that facilitate blunt making.
Prevalence of Misinformation and Factchecks on the COVID-19 Pandemic in 35 Countries: Observational Infodemiology Study
Authors: Cha Meeyoung , Cha Chiyoung , Singh Karandeep , Lima Gabriel , Ahn Yong-Yeol , Kulshrestha Juhi , Varol Onur
Published: January 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by an infodemic, in which a plethora of false information has been rapidly disseminated online, leading to serious harm worldwide.

Objective

This study aims to analyze the prevalence of common misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted an online survey via social media platforms and a survey company to determine whether respondents have been exposed to a broad set of false claims and fact-checked information on the disease.

Results

We obtained more than 41,000 responses from 1257 participants in 85 countries, but for our analysis, we only included responses from 35 countries that had at least 15 respondents. We identified a strong negative correlation between a country’s Gross Domestic Product per-capita and the prevalence of misinformation, with poorer countries having a higher prevalence of misinformation (Spearman ρ=–0.72; P<.001). We also found that fact checks spread to a lesser degree than their respective false claims, following a sublinear trend (β=.64).

Conclusions

Our results imply that the potential harm of misinformation could be more substantial for low-income countries than high-income countries. Countries with poor infrastructures might have to combat not only the spreading pandemic but also the COVID-19 infodemic, which can derail efforts in saving lives.
Using an Extended Technology Acceptance Model to Understand the Factors Influencing Telehealth Utilization After Flattening the COVID-19 Curve in South Korea: Cross-sectional Survey Study
Authors: An Min Ho , You Seng Chan , Park Rae Woong , Lee Seongwon
Published: January 2021

Background

Although telehealth is considered a key component in combating the worldwide crisis caused by COVID-19, the factors that influence its acceptance by the general population after the flattening of the COVID-19 curve remain unclear.

Objective

We aimed to identify factors affecting telehealth acceptance, including anxiety related to COVID-19, after the initial rapid spread of the disease in South Korea.

Methods

We proposed an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) and performed a cross-sectional survey of individuals aged ≥30 years. In total, 471 usable responses were collected. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the validity of measurements, and the partial least squares (PLS) method was used to investigate factors influencing telehealth acceptance and the impacts of COVID-19.

Results

PLS analysis showed that increased accessibility, enhanced care, and ease of telehealth use had positive effects on its perceived usefulness (P=.002, P<.001, and P<.001, respectively). Furthermore, perceived usefulness, ease, and privacy/discomfort significantly impacted the acceptance of telehealth (P<.001, P<.001, and P<.001, respectively). However, anxiety toward COVID-19 was not associated with telehealth acceptance (P=.112), and this insignificant relationship was consistent in the cluster (n=216, 46%) of respondents with chronic diseases (P=.185).

Conclusions

Increased accessibility, enhanced care, usefulness, ease of use, and privacy/discomfort are decisive variables affecting telehealth acceptance in the Korean general population, whereas anxiety about COVID-19 is not. This study may lead to a tailored promotion of telehealth after the pandemic subsides.
The Use of Smart Speakers in Care Home Residents: Implementation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Edwards Katie J , Jones Ray B , Shenton Deborah , Page Toni , Maramba Inocencio , Warren Alison , Fraser Fiona , Križaj Tanja , Coombe Tristan , Cowls Hazel , Chatterjee Arunangsu
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

The use of smart speakers to improve well-being had been trialed in social care by others; however, we were not aware of their implementation in most care homes across a region in the Southwest of the United Kingdom. For the widespread adoption of new technology, it must be locally demonstrable and become normalized.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to install smart speakers in care homes in a rural and coastal region and to explore if and how the devices were being used, the barriers to their implementation, and their potential benefits.

METHODS

Email, workshops, drop-in sessions, phone, and cold calling was used to contact all 230 care homes, offering a free smart speaker and some advisory support. Care homes accepting the devices were asked to complete a feedback diary. Nonresponse rate for diary completion was high and was thus supplemented with a telephone survey.

RESULTS

Over the course of 7 months, we installed 156 devices in 92 care homes for older people, 50 devices for people with physical or mental health needs, and 8 for others. The devices were used mainly for music but also for poetry, recipes, light controls, jokes, and video calls. Care home managers reported the benefits for the residents, including enhanced engagement with home activities, enjoyment, calming effects, and the acquisition of new skills. Implementation problems included internet connectivity, staff capacity, and skills.

CONCLUSIONS

Affordable consumer devices such as smart speakers should be installed in all care homes to benefit residents. Voice-activated technologies are easy to use and promote interaction. This study indicates that implementation in care homes was possible and that smart speakers had multifaceted benefits for residents and staff. Most care homes in this region now use smart speakers for their residents, thereby normalizing this practice.
Public Attitudes and Factors of COVID-19 Testing Hesitancy in the United Kingdom and China: Comparative Infodemiology Study (Preprint)
Authors: Lin Leesa , Song Yi , Wang Qian , Pu Jialu , Sun Fiona Yueqian , Zhang Yixuan , Zhou Xinyu , Larson Heidi J , Hou Zhiyuan
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Massive community-wide testing has become the cornerstone of management strategies for the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

This study was a comparative analysis between the United Kingdom and China, which aimed to assess public attitudes and uptake regarding COVID-19 testing, with a focus on factors of COVID-19 testing hesitancy, including effectiveness, access, risk perception, and communication.

METHODS

We collected and manually coded 3856 UK tweets and 9299 Chinese Sina Weibo posts mentioning COVID-19 testing from June 1 to July 15, 2020. Adapted from the World Health Organization’s 3C Model of Vaccine Hesitancy, we employed social listening analysis examining key factors of COVID-19 testing hesitancy (confidence, complacency, convenience, and communication). Descriptive analysis, time trends, geographical mapping, and chi-squared tests were performed to assess the temporal, spatial, and sociodemographic characteristics that determine the difference in attitudes or uptake of COVID-19 tests.

RESULTS

The UK tweets demonstrated a higher percentage of support toward COVID-19 testing than the posts from China. There were much wider reports of public uptake of COVID-19 tests in mainland China than in the United Kingdom; however, uncomfortable experiences and logistical barriers to testing were more expressed in China. The driving forces for undergoing COVID-19 testing were personal health needs, community-wide testing, and mandatory testing policies for travel, with major differences in the ranking order between the two countries. Rumors and information inquiries about COVID-19 testing were also identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Public attitudes and acceptance toward COVID-19 testing constantly evolve with local epidemic situations. Policies and information campaigns that emphasize the importance of timely testing and rapid communication responses to inquiries and rumors, and provide a supportive environment for accessing tests are key to tackling COVID-19 testing hesitancy and increasing uptake.
Rainfall trend and variability over Opak River basin, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Nurfaida Wakhidatik , Ramdhani Hendra , Shimozono Takenori , Triawati Indri , Sulaiman Muhammad
Published: January 2021

Rainfall intensity seems to be increasing nowadays due to climate change as presented in many studies of both global and regional scale. Consequently, cities worldwide are now more vulnerable to flooding. In Indonesia, increasing frequency of floods was reported for the past decades by The National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB). To understand the rainfall changes, long-term trend evaluation over a specific area is then crucial due to the large variability of spatial and temporal rainfall distribution. This study investigates the homogeneity and trend of rainfall data from 20 stations over the Opak River basin, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. A long-term ground observation rainfall data whose period varies from 1979 to 2019 were analyzed. Non-parametric Mann – Kendall test was applied to assess the trend, while the magnitude was calculated using the Sen’s slope estimator. An increasing annual maximum of daily rainfall intensity was observed at four stations on a 0.95 confidence level based on the Mann – Kendall test, while the Sen’s slope estimator shows a positive trend at almost all stations. The trend of heavy rainfall frequency was also found to be significantly increased, with only one station showed a decreasing trend. Furthermore, this paper also described the spatial and temporal rainfall variability. Positive trend was mostly found during the rainy season, while the negative trend occurred during the dry season. This could pose a challenge for water resource management engineering and design, such as water supply systems or reservoir management. Understanding this phenomena will benefit hydrologists in preparing future water resource engineering and management.
Striking Similarities: The Origins of the European Economic Community
Authors: Blake David
Published: January 2021

A Plan for a European Economic Community was developed at the University of Berlin in 1942. There are striking similarities with the European Economic Community that was introduced in 1957—and which became the foundation stone of the European Union. Particularly striking is the innate hostility both to liberal economic values and to democracy—a hostility that permeates the EU to this very day.
Stability of a general p-radical functional equation related to additive mappings in 2-Banach spaces
Authors: AL-Ali Sadeq A. A. , Almahalebi Muaadh , Elkettani Youssfi
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we introduce and solve a new general p-radical functional equation Also, we investigate some stability and hyperstability results for the considered equation in 2-Banach spaces. In addition, we prove the hyperstability of the inhomogeneous p-radical functional equation
The Role of Educational Tourism for Indonesian Development
Authors: Ekasani Kadek Ayu , Bhuanaputri Ni Kadek Ajeng Wangi , Yosephanny Paulin , Alberta Felicia Johny
Published: January 2021

Educational Tourism is one of the types of tourism in Indonesia. There are still limited studies that attempt to discover the relationship between tourism education and education tourism (edu-tourism). Educational Tourism is one of the types of tourism activities that has been recognized by the Indonesian government, which is a field trip related to an activity or trip whose purpose is for recreation or entertainment and contains educational activities in it. The data method is done by interview was used in collecting the data to get some information from local people or society, and data is descriptive qualitative. The results showed that English educational tourism through the phenomenon of Kampung Inggris is one of the Educational Tourism destinations in Indonesia. Educational Tourism has many benefits, such as creating jobs, improving the educational system, and increasing young generations' competitiveness. The role of education can make the country is able to have highly developed and foremost competitiveness.