bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prednisolone prescribing practices for dogs in Australia
Authors: Purcell Bonnie , Wiethoelter Anke , Dandrieux Julien
Published: February 2023

Although prednisolone is a routinely prescribed medication in dogs, there is a lack of information regarding prednisolone prescribing practices by veterinarians. This study aims to describe characteristics of dogs receiving prednisolone, disease processes treated, doses prescribed as well as to identify factors influencing the dose rate in Australia. The VetCompass Australia database was queried to identify dogs prescribed prednisolone between 1 July 2016 to 31 July 2018 (inclusive). A random sample of 2,000 dogs from this population were selected. Dog demographic data, prednisolone dose and indication for prescription were collated. Indicated dose for the condition treated was compared to prescribed dose. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify patient-level characteristics associated with prescribed prednisolone dose. A large and small breed dog cohort, treated for the same disease process, were compared for differences in dosing. Median age of dogs was 73 (range 2 to 247) months and median body weight was 17 (range 1.56 to 90) kg. Median prescribed prednisolone dose was 0.8 mg/kg/day, with most dogs receiving an anti-inflammatory dose (0.3–1 mg/kg/day, 58%). Prednisolone prescriptions were predominantly for diseases of the integument (n = 1645, 82%) followed by unknown indication and respiratory disease. A total of 152 dogs (8%) were prescribed immunosuppressive doses of prednisolone for conditions where an anti-inflammatory dose would be recommended. Increases in bodyweight were associated with lower doses on mg/kg scale but higher doses on a mg/m2 scale (p < 0.001). Overall, prednisolone was primarily used as an anti-inflammatory in this population, with some inappropriate use of immunosuppressive doses. Increasing bodyweight was associated with a small reduction in dose in mg/kg, suggesting that clinicians are adjusting prednisolone dose rates based on dog bodyweight.
Art education through the sustainable design of learning spaces
Authors: Marqués Ibáñez Ana María
Published: February 2023

Art education is a valuable tool for achieving quality education by fostering creativity and an appreciation of learning and culture. Well-designed learning spaces are conducive to art learning. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the author to review the design of learning spaces employed in previous pandemics and other outdoor learning spaces developed over time. A project was carried out at the university level with future secondary school art teachers to design a sustainable art learning space as a multidisciplinary exercise, combining art, architecture and design. Solutions were analysed across multiple criteria. The results demonstrate the suitability of the proposed activity to promote critical creativity among students in Tenerife in the Canary Islands. This type of project in art education is essential for academics and educators so that they become involved in sustainability issues so present in contemporary life.
Adorn to be wild: Pornification in the age of hype fashion
Authors: Khan Ali
Published: February 2023

A quick stroll through the fast fashion shops on any high street these days and it becomes clear the influence porn has on fashion. However, the mainstream fashion industry has always been reluctant to acknowledge that connection due to concerns for ‘brand image’. But just like the relation between sex and art goes back beyond Roman times, the relation between porn and fashion is of course not new, and even within the contemporary fashion from the last 100 years there have been countless examples of such collaborations and crossovers. At a time when hype culture is arguably at its peak and the merging of streetwear and fashion is complete, these illustrations aim to bring into conversation the often-denied influence of porn on this phenomenon. By framing the hype brands into explicitly graphic sex acts, the illustrations aim to present an honest perspective on this multi-faceted relationship and the often-denied pornification within hype fashion society.
Adapting Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid’s Tale and Beyond, Shannon Wells-Lassagne and Fiona Mcmahon (Eds) (2021)
Authors: Strickland-Pajtok Agnes
Published: February 2023

Review of: Adapting Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid’s Tale and Beyond, Shannon Wells-Lassagne and Fiona Mcmahon (Eds) (2021)

Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 266 pp.,

ISBN 978-3-03073-685-9, p/bk, £24.99

ISBN 978-3-030-73686-6, e-book, £18.67
SAFETY AND TOLERABILITY OF HIGH-RESOLUTION ESOPHAGEAL MANOMETRY IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS
Authors: Oh Janice , Huang Lizhou , Takakura Will , Khuu Kevin , Wang Jiajing , Kowalewski Edward , Huang Shao-Chi , Chang Bianca , Pimentel Mark , Rezaie Ali
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND:

While high-resolution manometry (HRM) is widely accepted as a safe procedure, no study has assessed the safety profile of HRM in clinical practice. This study aimed to determine the safety and tolerability of HRM and to investigate potential determinants of intolerability.

METHODS:

We obtained HRM procedure reports, demographics, and clinical data (2005-2022), at a tertiary center using electronic chart review. Our primary outcome was HRM tolerability. Multivariable regression was performed to identify associations between the outcome and covariates including age, sex, race, and comorbidities.

RESULTS:

A total of 5,107 patients (60.3% female) were included. Of these, 5,050 patients (98.9%) tolerated HRM well, and 57 patients (1.1%) did not. Age had a statistically significant effect on tolerance: those <18 years had over a 5-fold increase in not tolerating HRM compared to those 18-79 years (5.77% vs 0.99%; odds ratio [OR]=5.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.60–18.45; P=0.007), and those ≥80 years were also more likely to terminate HRM (2.43% vs 0.99%; OR=2.56, 95%CI 1.13–5.76; P=0.024). While prior foregut surgery had a significant effect on tolerance (OR=8.06, 95%CI 2.29-28.39; P=0.001), other factors of race, sex, BMI, psychological or cognitive disorders had no significant impact. No serious complications were identified.

DISCUSSION:

HRM is safe and well-tolerated with approximately 1 in every 100 patients being unable to tolerate HRM. Intolerance was more commonly seen in children and seniors, due to minor symptoms of discomfort without serious complications. These datapoints are crucial to counsel patients in whom HRM is being considered.
Many Faces of Singularities in Robotics
Authors: Dulęba Ignacy , Karcz-Dulęba Iwona
Published: February 2023

In this survey paper some issues concerning a singularity concept in robotics are addressed. Singularities are analyzed in the scope of inverse kinematics for serial manipulator, a motion planning task of nonholonomic systems and the optimal control covering a large area of practical robotic systems. An attempt has been made to define the term singularity, which is independent on a specific task. A few classifications of singularities with respect to different criteria are proposed and illustrated on simple examples. Singularities are analyzed from a numerical and physical point of view. Generally, singularities pose some problems in motion planning and/or control of robots. However, as illustrated on the example on force/momenta transformation in serial manipulators, they can also be desirable is some cases. Singularity detection techniques and some methods to cope with them are also provided. The paper is intended to be didactic and to help robotic researchers to get a general view on the singularity issue.
Prototype of the Arm-Z Modular Hyper-Redundant Manipulator
Authors: Zawidzka Ela , Zawidzki Machi , Kiński Wojciech
Published: February 2023

Arm-Z is a concept of a robotic manipulator comprised of linearly joined congruent modules with possibility of relative twist (1 DOF). The advantages of Arm-Z are: economization (mass-production) and robustness (modules which failed can be replaced, also if some fail the system can perform certain tasks). Non-intuitive and difficult control are the disadvantages of Arm-Z. In other words, the combination of non-trivial module shape with forming of practical modular structures and their control (from state A to B) is computationally expensive. However, due to availability of modern computational power, proposed here approach is rational and competitive, especially considering the high cost and sensitivity of non-standard solutions. This paper outlines the general concept of Arm-Z manipulator and presents preliminary work towards making a proof-of-the-concept prototype.
Differential levels of soybean resistance to the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) under controlled and uncontrolled environments are associated with plant age, damage intensity, and trichome density
Authors: Krisnawati Ayda , Adie Mochammad Muchlish , Krisdiana Ruly , Prayogo Yusmani , Soehendi Rudy , Baliadi Yuliantoro
Published: February 2023

Whiteflies are a severe threat to soybean production in the tropics. This study aimed to evaluate the soybean resistance level of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci in controlled and uncontrolled environments that is associated with plant age, damage intensity, and trichome density. The research was conducted under two conditions: non-sprayed (NS) and sprayed (SP). This study used 50 soybean genotypes arranged in a randomized block design with three replicates. The whitefly population was derived from natural infestations. The results showed that the highest wild population of B. tabaci occurred at 40 days after planting (DAP), i.e., 126.08 adults/plant in the NS environment and 22.57 adults/plant in the SP environment. The peak damage intensity occurred at 50 DAP, 20.71% in the NS environment, and 17.15% in the SP environment. In the NS environment, there were six resistant genotypes (including the resistant control G100H), 25 moderate, and 19 susceptible genotypes. In the SP environment, 19 genotypes were resistant, 22 genotypes were moderate, and nine genotypes were susceptible, respectively. Six soybean genotypes showed consistent resistance to B. tabaci in NS and SP environments. The low density of leaf trichomes in soybean may influence the high resistance to B. tabaci. The resistant genotypes identified in this study could be utilized in breeding programs for B. tabaci resistance.
Potential of Tetradenia riparia leaf essential oil and its fractions in controlling Aedes aegypti and Rhipicephalus microplus larvae
Authors: Ferarrese Letícia , De Oliveira Herika Line Marko , De Oliveira Gabriella Santana , Mendonça Juliana Aparecida , Cella Wilsandrei , De Luca Neto Mário , Inumaro Rodrigo Sadao , Ferreira Larissa Rafaela de Paula , Perfeito Heris Lorenzi dos Santos , Jacomassi Ezilda , Gonçalves José Eduardo , Piau Junior Ranulfo , Gonçalves Daniela Dib , Fernandez Carla Maria Mariano , Gazim Zilda Cristiani
Published: February 2023

Tetradenia riparia (Hochst.) Codd (Lamiaceae) is a shrub, commonly known as ginger bush or false myrrh, and several studies have shown that T. riparia exhibits a variety of biological properties. This study aimed to determine the chemical composition of T. riparia essential oil and its fractions, investigate their anticholinesterase activity, and assess their larvicidal activity against the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus and the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Eleven essential oil fractions were obtained by fractionation and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Larvicidal activity against R. microplus and third-instar A. aegypti was assessed using a larval packet test and a larval immersion test, respectively. Anticholinesterase activity was determined by a bioautographic method. Forty-nine compounds were identified in the essential oil, of which the major classes were oxygenated sesquiterpenes (45.95%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (35.20%) and the major components were isospathulenol (17.40%), β-caryophyllene (15.61%), 14-hydroxy-9-epi-caryophyllene (10.07%), 14-hydroxy-α-muurolene (8.32%), and 9β,13β-epoxy-7-abietene (5.53%). Bioassays showed that T. riparia essential oil (LC50 = 1.56 µg/mL) and FR3 (LC50 = 0.30 µg/mL) were the most active against R. microplus and A. aegypti larvae, respectively. The essential oil and FR1, FR2, and FR3 exhibited acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. These results indicate that T. riparia essential oil and its fractions hold promise in the development of novel, environmentally safe agents for the control of R. microplus and A. aegypti larvae.
The presence of parasitic structures in sandy soil samples from beaches located along the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Da Silva Josandro dos Santos , Dalzochio Thaís
Published: February 2023

Beaches are a source of parasite contamination because protozoan cysts and helminth eggs and larvae can remain viable in sandy soils for months. Parasitic infections are mainly related to hygiene conditions, health, and environmental education, and can affect the life quality of the population. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the presence of parasitic structures in five beaches located along the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Eighty samples were collected in August and September 2020 at the beaches of Torres, Tramandaí, Capão da Canoa, Arroio Teixeira, and Arroio do Sal and processed with the spontaneous sedimentation method for microscopic analyses. The results showed that 32% (26/80) of samples were positive for the presence of parasitic structures, and there was a significantly higher frequency of positive samples in September than in August. Torres was the beach with the highest frequency of positive samples, while Arroio Teixeira and Arroio do Sal presented the lowest frequency of contamination. Nematode larvae, including hookworm larvae, were the most prevalent parasitic structures in the samples. Hence, the sandy soil from beaches must be monitored to develop programs and strategies for improving infrastructures and basic sanitation conditions, thus ensuring the health of the population.
Quick bioassay test from tillers for detecting ALS herbicide resistance of weedy rice and barnyardgrass
Authors: Agostinetto Dirceu , Tessaro Daniela , Schmitz Maicon  Fernando , Martins Matheus  Bastos , Vargas Leandro , Ulguim André da Rosa
Published: February 2023

Resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors have increased recently in South Brazil where the major weeds of flooded rice (barnyardgrass and weedy rice) have evolved resistance to imazapyr+imazapic. The aim of this research was to evaluate a growth medium for tissue regeneration of tillers in barnyardgrass, as well as an agar-based bioassays test (also from tillers) to detect susceptible and resistant biotypes of weedy rice and barnyardgrass to imazapyr+imazapic in vitro. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to detect ALS-resistant (R) and susceptible (S) weedy rice and barnyardgrass biotypes, and bioassays were carried out to evaluate an adequate growth medium for barnyardgrass tiller regeneration and determine the concentration of herbicide to distinguish R and S plants. The culture medium that provided a suitable barnyardgrass growth was MS 50% with the addition of benzylamino-purine. The tissue regeneration in vitro with the growth medium containing imazapyr+imazapic allowed to discriminate between R and S barnyardgrass and weedy rice plants. The concentration required for satisfactory control of susceptible barnyardgrass and weedy rice explants grown in vitro was 0.9 μM and 1.3 μM of imazapyr+imazapic herbicide, respectively. The bioassay in vitro using tiller regeneration provides an opportunity to predict effectively imazapyr+imazapic resistance in barnyardgrass and weedy rice.
Ezetimibe increases resistance to oxidative stress and extends lifespan mimicking dietary restriction in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Park Suhyeon , Park Ji-Soo , Park Sang-Kyu
Published: February 2023

Ezetimibe is an approved drug for lowering plasma LDL (low-density lipoprotein) level via inhibition of cholesterol absorption. Derivatives of ezetimibe reduce inflammatory response and oxidative stress. In the present study, we investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with ezetimibe in response to environmental stressors and found that ezetimibe increases resistance to oxidative stress and ultraviolet irradiation. Ezetimibe also significantly extended lifespan accompanying reduced fertility, which is a common trade-off for longevity in C. elegans. Cellular level of reactive oxygen species was increased and the expression of stress-responsive genes, hsp-16.2 and sod-3, was induced by dietary supplementation with ezetimibe, suggesting a hormetic effect on oxidative stress response and lifespan. Ezetimibe also significantly prevented amyloid beta-induced toxicity and completely reversed increased mortality by high-glucose diet. Nuclear localization of DAF-16 required for the prevention of amyloid beta-induced toxicity was enhanced by ezetimibe supplementation. Lifespan assay using known long-lived mutants, age-1, clk-1, and eat-2, revealed that lifespan extension by ezetimibe specifically overlapped with that of eat-2 mutants, which are genetic models of dietary restriction. Effect of ezetimibe on lifespan of worms fed with diluted bacteria suggested that ezetimibe mimics the effect of dietary restriction on lifespan. These findings suggest that ezetimibe exhibits anti-oxidative and anti-aging effects through hormesis and works as a dietary-restriction mimetic on lifespan extension.
Pain factors related to dental implant surgery: A 7-day observational clinical study
Authors: Rizzatto Laura Vitória , Di Domênico Marielle Bazzo , Collares Kauê , De Carli João Paulo , Corazza Pedro Henrique
Published: February 2023

This article aims to associate patient-reported pain intensity in the immediate seven days after dental implant surgery with surgical factors, sex and patient age. The sample was composed of 108 patients from a dental school in southern Brazilian, between 2018 and 2020. The variables torque, pre- and postoperative medication, healing of first and second intention, gender, age, number of quadrants, number of implants and type of surgery were related to the outcome pain. Pain was reported every day by the patient until the seventh day after surgery, using a visual analogic scale (VAS). Univariate Poisson regression models were used to assess the relationship among pain and the factors. Rate ratios were obtained with 95% of confidence intervals. Overall pain was reported as moderate/intense (VAS: 3-10) by 30.56% of patients, mild pain (VAS: 1-3) by 55.56%, and no pain symptoms were reported by 13.89% of patients. Individuals which the implants were installed with high torques (50-80 N) showed more pain (p=0.03) compared to patients which the implants were installed with regular torque (30-45 N). The other factors evaluated were not significant. The torque was the most relevant factor related to pain among the evaluated by the study. High torque generates more postoperative pain than lower torque. The factors gender, age, number of operated quadrants, number of installed implants, type of surgery and pre and postoperative analgesic did not interfere in the patient's pain during the first week after surgery.
Complications after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and associated factors
Authors: Cardoso Gabriela Lucas , Felix Márcia Marques dos Santos , Raponi Maria Beatriz Guimarães , De Martino Fernando , Pires Patrícia da Silva , Barbosa Maria Helena
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to analyze the incidence of vascular complications and associated factors in patients undergoing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. This study is observational, quantitative, and longitudinal, and followed 50 patients undergoing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. An instrument for the sociodemographic, clinical, procedure, and vascular complications characterization was used for data collection. And descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multiple binomial logistic regression were used for data analysis. The level of statistical significance considered was 95%. It was detected the prevalence of male patients (70%), elderly (54%), and diagnosed with systemic arterial hypertension (72%). As for the percutaneous access route prevailed the radial approach (64%). Age and body mass index were identified as possible risk factors for vascular complications. In the 50 procedures performed, there was a prevalence of hematomas (20%) and bleeding (10%). Among the complications prevailed radial Early Discharge After Transradial Stenting of Coronary (60%), large femoral hematoma (20%), small femoral hematoma (20%), and bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 2) (100%). The results concluded an elevated incidence of vascular complications in the first 24 hours after elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. This study contributes to research, assistance, and training in health and nursing by identifying post-PTCA vascular complications, minimizing their progression, handling their management, and developing health care safety protocols.
Upaya Peningkatan Hasil Belajar IPS Melalui Metode Inkuiri
Authors: Abadi Fauzan
Published: February 2023

ABSTRAK

Tujuan – Penelitian bertujuan untuk meningkatkan hasil belajar IPS melalui metode inkuiri pada siswa kelas VII A MTsN 6 Gunungkidul tahun pelajaran 2021/2022.

Metode – Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian tindakan kelas (PTK) yaitu kajian yang dilakukan secara sistematis dan reflektif terhadap berbagai tindakan guru dalam kegiatan belajar mengajar didalam kelas sehingga dapat memperbaiki kualitas pembelajaran maupun kualitas prestasi belajar. Proses pengumpulan data dalam penelitian tindakan kelas ini adalah dengan teknik tes yaitu Lembar Kerja Siswa (LKS) yang tercantum dalam RPP, maupun non tes yang berupa lembar observasi, dan dokumentasi.

Hasil – Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa hasil belajar siswa kelas VIIA MTsN 6 Gunungkidul, pada mata pelajaran IPS menunjukkan bahwa sejak diawali dari pra-siklus kemudian pada saat siklus I dan siklus II mengalami peningkatan yang cukup signifikan sekali. Ini dapat dilihat pada hasil skor nilai ulangan harian siswa pada saat pra-siklus, siklus I dan siklus II berikut ini : pada saat prasiklus siswa yang dapat mencapai nilai KKM 75 baru mencapai ada 22%  artinya baru ada 7 anak dari 30 siswa selanjutnya setelah diadakan tindakan siklus I meningkat menjadi 58 % dan pada siklus II meningkat menjadi 93% artinya sejak pra-siklus  hingga siklus II meningkat pesat dari 22% menjadi 93% atau meningkat sebesar 71%. Dengan demikian maka penggunaan metode inkuiri mampu memberikan kontribusi kenaikan atau peningkatan hasil belajar siswa kelas VIIA MTsN 6 Gunungkidul.
Pembelajaran Think Pair Share Sebagai Upaya Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Pancasila dan Kewarganegaraan Peserta Didik Kelas VII
Authors: Nakulanang Awang
Published: February 2023

Tujuan – Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk  mengetahui peningkatan hasil belajar siswa dalam Pendidikan Pancasila dan Kewarganegaraan dengan penerapan pembelajaran model kooperatif tipe think pair share (TPS) di kelas VII A di MTs Mu’allimin Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta.

Metode – Penelitian ini merupkan penelitian tindakan kelas model Kurt Lewin yang model penelitian tindakannya terdiri dari empat tahapan (perencanaan, aksi, pengamatan, dan refleksi). Subjek penelitian adalah seluruh peserta didik kelas VII A yang bejumlah 32 peserta didik dan guru mata  pelajaran PPKn kelas VII A MTs Mu’allimin. Teknik Pengambilan data menggunakan teknik wawancara dan observasi. Teknik analisis data secara induktif melalui tahapan reduksi data, penyajian data, dan pengambilan kesimpulan.

Hasil – Berdasarkan hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pada siklus pertama setelah dilakukan tindakan oleh peneliti kemudian diadakan post-test yang menunjukkan sebanyak 13 peserta didik dinyatakan tuntas dan 19 peserta didik dinyatakan belum tuntas yang artinya masih diperlukan tindakan pada siklus selanjutnya. Pada siklus kedua setelah dilakukan tindakan oleh peneliti menunjukkan sebanyak 29 peserta didik tuntas dan 3 peserta didik tidak tuntas Prosentase ketuntasan peserta didik dari siklus pertama ke siklus kedua mengalami peningkatan yaitu sebesar 41% menjadi 91% setelah dilakukan penerapan pembelajaran TPS pada mata pelajaran PPKn.
Peningkatan Keaktifan Belajar Siswa Melalui Metode Analyzing, Singing, and Presenting (ASIP) pada Mata Pelajaran Bahasa Inggris Materi Song Lyrics Siswa Kelas X
Authors: Hayanti Noor
Published: February 2023

Tujuan – Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan keaktifan belajar siswa kelas X MIPA MAN 5 Sleman melalui penggunaan metode analyzing, singing, and presenting (ASIP) pada mata pelajaran bahasa Inggris.

Metode – Jenis Penelitian ini adalah penelitian tindakan kelas (PTK) yang menggunakan model penelitian Kemis dan Mc Taggart. Model Mc Taggart ini terdiri dari empat komponen yang berurutan yaitu perencanaan, tindakan, pengamatan dan refleksi, yang dalam pelaksanaan dan pengamatannya dilakukan secara bersamaan. Subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah siswa-siswi kelas X MIPA MAN 5 Sleman. Untuk mengetahui respon dan keaktifan siswa, penulis melakukan observasi dengan menggunakan instrument keaktifan belajar siswa. Pengamatan dilakukan dua kali, yakni sebelum dilakukan tindakan dan setelah diberi tindakan dengan menggunakan metode ASIP. Data yang diperoleh melalui tes tersebut kemudian dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis statistik deskriptif.

Hasil – Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diperoleh hasil pengamatan kondisi awal menunjukkan bahwa siswa yang kekatifannya pada kategori rendah mencapai 35,7%, kategori sedang 46,4%, dan kategori tinggi hanya sebesar 17,9%. Sedangkan hasil pengamatan kondisi akhir menunjukkan bahwa pada kategori rendah mencapai 0%, kategori sedang 60,7%, dan kategori tinggi hanya sebesar 39,3%. Data tersebut menunjukkan terjadi peningkatan keaktifan belajar yang cukup berarti. Dengan demikian strategi mengajar Bahasa Inggris guru metode ASIP memberi dampak pada peningkatan keaktifan belajar Bahasa Inggris.
Kemandirian Kekuasaan Kehakiman dalam Mekanisme Pengangkatan dan Pemberhentian Hakim Konstitusi
Authors: Anwar Ahmad Syaifudin , Saputro Lilik Agus
Published: February 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membahas mengenai pola seleksi Hakim di Mahkamah Konstitusi yang sesuai dengan asas-asas kekuasaan kehakiman sebagaimana mestinya. Walaupun penekanan dalam Undang-Undang menyebutkan bahwa mekanisme seleksi Hakim Konstitusi dijalankan berdasarkan prinsip akuntabel dan transparan, namun ketentuan tersebut masih memungkinkan untuk ditafsirkan bebas oleh masing-masing lembaga dalam pelaksanaan proses seleksi Hakim Konstitusi itu sendiri. Atas dasar inilah kemudian lahir berbagai macam corak mekanisme seleksi yang beda-beda. Terkadang bentuk pelaksanaan seleksi dilaksanakan secara internal dan mutlak oleh lembaga tersebut, dan adakalanya seleksi dilakukan oleh tim panitia seleksi yang modelnya beragam. Ada yang panitia seleksi bagian dari lembaga pengusul dan dari pihak eksternal yaitu akademisi, praktisi dan mantan Hakim Konstitusi. Kajian yang dilakukan penulis menggunakan metode kajian hukum normatif yang menggunakan pendekatan undang-undang dan pendekatan konsep dan sumber data dalam kajian. Kemudian pokok bahasan yang dihasilkan Periode masa jabatan hakim konstitusi 5 (lima) tahun dan dapat dipilih kembali hanya untuk 1 (satu) kali masa jabatan berikutnya merupakan open legal policy dan belum pernah dinyatakan bertentangan dengan UUD NRI Tahun 1945 oleh MK. Meskipun demikian, periode masa jabatan hakim konstitusi perlu diubah dengan memperpanjang masa jabatan menjadi 9 (sembilan), 10 (sepuluh), atau 12 (dua belas) tahun tanpa ada tambahan periode kedua. Masa jabatan yang diperpanjang tanpa periode ini perlu dikombinasikan dengan usia pensiun 70 (tujuh puluh) tahun, sehingga hakim konstitusi berhenti dengan hormat pada saat berusia 70 (tujuh puluh) tahun atau telah menyelesaikan masa jabatannya.
From Vices to Corruption to Misanthropy
Authors: Kidd Ian
Published: February 2023

The main part of the paper describes the deep connections between the concepts of vices, corruption, and misanthropy. I argue that the full significance of the concept of human vices or failings is only fully appreciated when it is connected to an account of the ways that our social practices and institutions are corrupting, in the sense of facilitating or encouraging the development and exercise of those failings. Moreover, reflection on failings and corruption can lead us to misanthropy, defined in a revisionary sense as a negative, critical verdict on the collective moral character and performance of humankind as it has come to be. At the end of the paper, I tentatively ask if there can be forms of Christian misanthropy.
Parliamentary Elections in Latvia in the Year 2022
Authors: Maluzinas Martinas
Published: February 2023

The present article covers parliamentary elections in the Republic of Latvia. An analysis of the conduct and institutional conditions of the 2022 parliamentary elections in Latvia is undertaken. Unlike the previous elections in 2018, there were no radical changes in Latvia. It was only two new parties with radical, populist, conservative, Eurosceptic and anti-systemic profiles with a right-wing orientation that managed to enter the Parliament. The party system remained moderately fragmented with a balance between the parties. A centre-right coalition formed the government and it is this coalition that the future government coalition will be formed around. The present analysis is based on a case study, which made it possible to look at a particular case and to draw conclusions about the conduct and outcome of the Latvian parliamentary elections.
Effectiveness of FES-supported leg exercise for promotion of paralysed lower limb muscle and bone health—a systematic review
Authors: Ibitoye Morufu Olusola , Hamzaid Nur Azah , Ahmed Yusuf Kola
Published: February 2023

Leg exercises through standing, cycling and walking with/without FES may be used to preserve lower limb muscle and bone health in persons with physical disability due to SCI. This study sought to examine the effectiveness of leg exercises on bone mineral density and muscle cross-sectional area based on their clinical efficacy in persons with SCI. Several literature databases were searched for potential eligible studies from the earliest return date to January 2022. The primary outcome targeted was the change in muscle mass/volume and bone mineral density as measured by CT, MRI and similar devices. Relevant studies indicated that persons with SCI that undertook FES- and frame-supported leg exercise exhibited better improvement in muscle and bone health preservation in comparison to those who were confined to frame-assisted leg exercise only. However, this observation is only valid for exercise initiated early (i.e., within 3 months after injury) and for ≥30 min/day for ≥ thrice a week and for up to 24 months or as long as desired and/or tolerable. Consequently, apart from the positive psychological effects on the users, leg exercise may reduce fracture rate and its effectiveness may be improved if augmented with FES.
A review of pharmacogenetic studies in the Bangladeshi population
Authors: Mostaid Md. Shaki , Aziz Md. Abdul , Maisha Jeba Atkia , Islam Mohammad Safiqul , Maruf Abdullah Al
Published: February 2023

Pharmacogenetics (PGx)-guided prescribing is an evidence-based precision medicine strategy. Although the past two decades have reported significant advancements in both the quality and quantity of PGx research studies, they are seldom done in developing countries like Bangladesh. This review identified and summarized PGx studies conducted in the Bangladeshi population by searching PubMed and Google Scholar. Additionally, a quality evaluation of the identified studies was also carried out. Eleven PGx studies were identified that looked at the effects of genetic variants on blood thinners (CYP2C9, VKORC1, and ITGB3), cancer drugs (TPMT, MTHFR, DPYD, ERCC1, GSTP1, XPC, XRCC1, TP53, XPD, and ABCC4), statins (COQ2, CYP2D6, and CYP3A5), and prednisolone (ABCB1, CYP3A5, and NR3C1) in the Bangladeshi population. Most studies were of low to moderate quality. Although the identified studies demonstrated the potential for PGx testing, the limited PGx literature in the Bangladeshi population poses a significant challenge in the widespread implementation of PGx testing in Bangladesh.
Coupling-enabled chirality in terahertz metasurfaces
Authors: Yin Shan , Chen Yuting , Quan Baogang , Liu Songyi , Huang Wei , Liu Meng , Zhang Wentao , Han Jiaguang
Published: February 2023

Chirality prevails in nature and is of great value for molecular biology, medicine, and bioscience. Due to the enhancement of chiroptical responses, chiral metasurfaces has attracted enormous attentions. In this paper, some novel polarization-sensitive transmission effects in terahertz chiral metasurfaces are exhibited. In the chiral metasurfaces whose unit cell consists of two basic resonators – a wire and a split ring resonator (SRR), we observe the asymmetrical transmission for circularly polarized state from the circular cross-polarization conversion spectra and the circular conversion dichroism (CCD). More importantly, we verify that the chiroptical activities can be affected by the coupling between the two resonators by simply moving their relative position in the terahertz metasurfaces. From the experimental and simulated results, we observe the distinguished variation in the circular cross-polarization conversion spectra and CCD, and combining with the theoretical analysis using coupled mode theory, we reveal that the chirality of the metasurfaces is strongly correlated to the coupling between the two modes determined by the wire and SRR. Finally, we demonstrate the coupling-enabled chirality by investigating the dependence of CCD on the coupling discrepancy with different relative positions of the two resonators. These findings offer the insights into the relationship between chirality and mode coupling and provide a theoretical method to design chiral metasurfaces and enhance the circular conversion dichroism, which have potential applications in the fields such as optical sensing, polarization imaging, and biological/chemical detection.
Citizen and Elite Perceptions of Corruption: Insights into the Global Opinion Process
Authors: Rusciano Frank L.
Published: February 2023

Previous articles have analyzed the relationships between standardized measures of corruption and mean perceptions of corruption in various nations (Rusciano, F. L. 2013. “International’s Index of Corruption and Global Survey Results.” Studies of Changing Societies: Corruption Studies 2 (8): 4–12.; Rusciano, F. L. 2014. “Corruption in World Opinion.” In Corruption in the Contemporary World: Theory, Practice, and Hotspots, edited by J. Mendilow, and I. Pelig. Lanham: Lexington Books; Rusciano, F. L. 2016. “Are Democracies Less Corrupt than Other Systems?” In Corruption & Governmental Legitimacy: A Twentieth-First Perspective, edited by J. Mendilow, and I. Pelig. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield). It was discovered that relationships exist between two indices of global corruption that Transparency International creates annually: the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) and the Global Corruption Barometer (GCB). The former bases its ratings of corruption in various nations upon surveys primarily of elites and includes a score and an international ranking. The latter is an international survey of citizens’ perceptions of corruption in their own countries. This article explores the relationships between these two indices over time, asking the following questions: (1) Are there factors that explain the changes in a nation’s ranking on the CPI over time? (2) Are there factors that explain the changes in mean citizen perceptions in the GCB over time? (3) Are there relationships between the changes in the CPI and the GCB over time? (4) If a relationship does exist between changes in the two measures over time, are their factors which explain why the two indices covary? This article will address these questions methodologically, and then discuss the implications for international corruption studies and more generally, global opinion theory.
Nonlinear adaptive sliding mode control with application to quadcopters
Authors: Mathewson Ryan , Fahimi Farbod
Published: February 2023

Nonlinear adaptive sliding mode control (NASMC) has the capability to adequately control a system whose parameters are unknown to the controller designer. Conventional model-based controllers require a mathematical dynamic model of the system with known parameters. These system parameters are normally determined by extensive system identification experiments, which are expensive and time-consuming to perform. A NASMC approach that does not require known system parameters is proposed. Using NASMC, a controller designer can skip the expensive and time-consuming system parameter identification and fast-forward to the control implementation. In addition, once a controller is derived for a quadcopter using NASMC, the same controller will work on any quadcopter with the same equations of motion but different dynamic parameters. The formulation of the NASMC is presented for general second-order and fourth-order systems. Then, as an implementation example, the application of the general NASMC approach is demonstrated by applying it to a quadcopter unmanned aerial vehicle in simulation.
Contributing Factors for (Non)Adherence to a Physical Exercise Program for People With Neurocognitive Disorder From the Caregivers’ Perspective
Authors: Borges-Machado Flávia , Barros Duarte , Silva Paula , Marques Pedro , Carvalho Joana , Ribeiro Oscar
Published: February 2023

Background and Purpose:

To explore the perception of informal caregivers about the barriers, motivators, and facilitators toward the participation of care recipients with neurocognitive disorder (NCD) in a physical exercise program.

Methods:

This is an exploratory qualitative study, including 20 informal caregivers (67.5 ± 13.94 years old; age range: 37-86; 65% male) from the “Body & Brain” community intervention project. Semistructured interviews were performed by a trained researcher; data analysis followed Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis guidelines, under the socioecological framework.

Results:

Two main barriers, 3 motivators, and 5 facilitators to participation in a physical exercise program were perceived by caregivers, illustrating the relationship between the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community levels toward individuals’ participation. Care recipients’ reluctance to participate and physical environment constraints emerged as the main barriers to participation, whereas the health professionals’ advice, the need for a stimulating activity, and the potential physical and mental health benefits emerged as motivators. Factors facilitating the involvement and maintenance in the program included care recipients’ satisfaction and enjoyment, benefits on their general health, routine, and social connectedness; an overall positive evaluation of the physical exercise program's structure and organization was also highlighted.

Conclusions:

Exercise interventions targeting people with NCD should promote a welcoming environment that facilitates individuals’ well-being and social interaction. Caregivers have a key role in promoting care recipients’ motivation. Health professionals play an important role in recommending participation by raising awareness of potential benefits to recipients and caregivers. Future interventions should be conducted in appropriate community settings and implemented by a specialized professional in small groups. These findings provide insights into the factors that may increase the success rate of exercise interventions specifically designed for individuals with NCD.
REFLECTION OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR IN THE FIRST CZECH IMMIGRANT PERIODICALS IN THE USA
Authors: Jaklová Alena
Published: February 2023

The topic of the paper is the image of the American Civil War North versus South in the first periodicals published by Czech immigrants in the USA. The paper begins with a brief description of the mass emigration from Bohemia and Moravia to the USA between 1848 and 1914, and outlines the methodology applied in the paper and the corpus of material that formed the basis of the analysis that informed the text. It also provides an overview of the first Czech-language periodicals/newspapers published in the USA in the 1860s. This is followed by excerpts from newspaper texts illustrating the reflection of the North versus South Civil War in the Czech immigrant press. From the documented excerpts, it is clear that Czechs were continually interested in the American Civil War and, having gone through a difficult experience of oppression themselves in their old homeland, rejected slavery. Therefore, after the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, they sympathized with the Union. In contrast, they saw Confederate secession as a threat to freedom and democracy, the values they valued most in America.
METODA PŘEVRÁCENÉ TŘÍDY VE VÝUCE ODBORNÉ OBCHODNÍ ANGLIČTINY
Authors: Pavlíková Stanislava
Published: February 2023

The article deals with one of many possibilities for implementing online study materials in combination with face-to-face teaching, the flipped classroom method. This method was gradually created based on the pedagogical principles of strengthening autonomous learning, student activation, and the efficient use of limited lesson time. The availability of various types of teaching materials in digital form and the emergence of appropriate software support contributed to its expansion. The practical part of the paper describes a concrete example of the application of the flipped classroom method in teaching business English as part of a bachelor's program at a university. The designed study material and lesson plan was verified in the teaching and evaluated by both the teacher and the students as a suitable method for the enrichment of teaching.
JAK UČIT TANEC ON-LINE?
Authors: Prchalová Aneta , Hájková Jana , Panská Šárka , Jandová Soňa
Published: February 2023

This article discusses an alternative way of teaching movement that has been necessitated by coronavirus restrictions. The authors try to introduce online teaching to other teachers, trainers, lecturers, coaches, etc., using the example of teaching dance techniques. The aim of the research was to find out whether dance instructors had used online teaching during the coronavirus epidemic and, if so, which applications had worked best for them. The qualitative research was based on a questionnaire survey conducted with a group of 13 instructors and 10 students during the coronavirus restrictions and subsequent analysis of the responses. Of the available apps, dance instructors used the Zoom app the most. Based on the results, a methodology was further developed to teach general movement online via the Zoom app, which had been validated by more than a year of practical online teaching.
TVORBA VÝUKOVÝCH MATERIÁLŮ PRO STAVEBNÍ OBORY A TRUHLÁŘE NA PŘÍKLADU ODBORNÉHO CIZÍHO JAZYKA – NĚMČINY
Authors: Blažková Blanka , Kahounová Eva
Published: February 2023

The paper deals with the creation of a digital educational resource (DER) for teaching the German language for specific purposes (GSP) for building trades and carpenters, which was created within the project “Professional foreign language for building trades and carpenters with the implementation of digital education. Builders, let’s go!” It is a comprehensive study material created by teachers from the German Language Department at the Institute of Language Training at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. It informs about the topics of the individual lessons, their structure, and about the types of exercises that have been created for the Internet e-learning portal Moodle. It also mentions teaching videos from the professional environment that had been filmed within the project.
Disentangling the Contributions of Repeating Targets, Distractors, and Stimulus Positions to Practice Benefits in D2-Like Tests of Attention
Authors: Wühr Peter , Wühr Bianca
Published: February 2023

When a test of attention, such as the d2 test, is repeated, performance improves. These practice benefits threaten the validity of a test because it is impossible to separate the contributions of ability and practice, respectively, to a particular result. A possible solution to this dilemma would be to determine the sources of practice effects, and to use this knowledge for constructing tests that are less prone to practice. The present study investigates the contribution of three components of a d2-like test of attention to practice benefits: targets, distractors, and stimulus configurations. In Experiment 1, we compared practice effects in a target-change condition, where targets changed between sessions, to a target-repetition condition. Similarly, in Experiment 2, we compared practice effects in a distractor-change condition to a distractor-repetition condition. Finally, in Experiment 3, we compared practice effects in a position-repetition condition, where stimulus configurations were repeated within and between tests, to a position-change condition. Results showed that repeating targets and repeating distractors contribute to practice effects, whereas repeating stimulus configurations does not. Hence, in order to reduce practice effects, one might construct tests in which target learning is prevented, for example, by using multiple targets.
Authenticity and Its Perils
Authors: Cavanaugh Jillian R.
Published: February 2023

This article focuses on absence and exclusion within heritage food making in northern Italy. These absences and exclusions are structured by race and gender inequalities and not incidental to heritage food making but built into it. I argue for an understanding of heritage foods as what Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing (2015) has called “capitalist ruins,” or that which is left behind when capitalist structures and forms recede from particular landscapes and sites, leaving people to piece together livelihoods in the aftermath. To do this, I draw from my long-term ethnographic and linguistic anthropological research with heritage food makers in northern Italy, who primarily create various types of meat-based products, like salamis and sausages. The local concept of “nostrano” (our local) generates a type of authenticity that is also a chronotope, or a fusion of notions of time and space, which is key to how exclusions and absences are structured. Thinking of heritage food as a capitalist ruin, that is, as a product of capitalism and the inequalities it perpetuates, shows that although heritage food may be an answer for some—to save our way of doing things, our history, our livelihoods—it may also, perhaps always and simultaneously, be perilous and exclusionary for others.
Malachite green removal from aqueous solutions by MgO(86%).Se(7%).Te(7%) nanocomposites
Authors:   Department of Physics, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), P.O.Box 90950, Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia, Idriss H. , Alakhras A. I. ,   Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), P.O.Box 90950, Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia, El Khair H. M. ,   Department of Physics, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), P.O.Box 90950, Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia
Published: February 2023

In this work, MgO.Se.Te nanocomposites was fabricated and applied as an inexpensive and effective treatment for malachite green. The materials were characterized for morphology, cryptography, surface area using different techniques. In addition, adsorption tests have been performed as a function of contact time, pH, and initial dye concentration to study their impact on the decolorization of malachite green via MgOSeTe nanocomposite. The result verified nanocomposite formation with crystallite size 10.5 nm and a relative surface area of 42.0525 m²/g. Meanwhile, the MgOSeTe nanocomposite was employed for malachite green removal in an aquatic solution. The findings revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity value was 30.67 mg/g. Furthermore, the adsorption was found to follow the Freundlich isotherm models and follow the pseudo-second-order kinetics.