bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracing The Acid-Base Catalytic Properties Of MON2O Mixed Oxides (M=Be, Mg, Ca; N=Li, Na, K) By Theoretical Calculations
Authors: Faron Dawid , Skurski Piotr , Anusiewicz Iwona
Published: April 2021

The stability and acid-base properties of MON2O mixed oxides (where M = Be, Mg, Ca; N = Li, Na, K) are studied by using ab initio methods. It is demonstrated that (i) the basicity of such designed systems evaluated by estimation of electronic proton affinity and gas-phase basicity (defined as the electronic and Gibbs free energies of deprotonation processes for [MON2O]H+) were found significant (in the ranges of 272–333 kcal/mol and 260–322 kcal/mol, respectively); (ii) in each series of MOLi2O/MONa2O/MOK2O the basicity increases with an increase of the atomic number of alkali metal involved; (ii) the Lewis-acidity of the corresponding [MON2O]H+ determined with respect to hydride anion (assessed as the electronic and Gibbs free energies of H− detachment processes for [MON2O]H2) decreases as the basicity of the corresponding oxide increases. The thermodynamic stability of all [MON2O]H2 systems is confirmed by estimating the Gibbs free energies for the fragmentation processes yielding either H2 or H2O.
Postpartum depression and breastfeeding practices during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Mexican mothers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chávez-Tostado Mariana , Chavez Karla V , López-Valenzuela Genny , Hernández-Corona Diana Mercedes , González-Heredia Tonatiuh , Fuentes-Orozco Clotilde , Chejfec-Ciociano Jonathan Matias , Guzmán-Ramírez Bertha Georgina , Flores-Becerril Paola , Reyes-Elizalde Emilio Alberto , Guzmán-Barba José Aldo , Barbosa-Camacho Francisco José , Cervantes-Guevara Gabino , Cervantes-Pérez Enrique , Cervantes-Cardona Guillermo , Gonzalez-Ojeda Alejandro
Published: April 2021

BackgroundThe incidence of mental disorders during major events is higher in prenatal and postnatal women than in the general population. The COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent lockdown, and social distancing may have caused changes in newborn mothers’ mental health, postpartum depression (PPD), and breastfeeding practices. There is no information about this topic in Mexican mothers who have delivered newborns during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The objective of this study was to explore whether quarantine measures, social distancing, and hospital containment policies altered the incidence rates of PPD, breastfeeding adherence, and skin-to-skin contact (SSC) in women giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included women who delivered a healthy baby at term in February to July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed an anonymous online survey incorporating the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.ResultsA total of 211 participants were included; their mean age was 30.5 ± 4.6 years and the gestational age at the time of delivery was 38.3 ± 2.0 weeks. Sixty (28.4%) participants reported PPD, and 196 (92.9%) reported breastfeeding their baby during COVID-19. Mothers with PPD had lower levels of exclusive breastfeeding (P = 0.66) and breastfeeding with formula (P = 0.29). Only 23 participants (10.9%) stopped breastfeeding because of issues with latching (30.4%). SSC was reported by 63% of participants and was more frequent immediately after birth (46%). Mothers with PPD reported less frequent SSC (P = 0.001) and later initiation of SSC (P = 0.001) after childbirth. Mothers who initiated SSC used exclusive breastfeeding more frequently during the first 48 h after birth (P = 0.004).ConclusionsWe found a higher prevalence of PPD in new mothers during the pandemic. Mothers reporting PPD were less likely to initiate SSC after birth. These findings suggest that the pandemic and the measures adopted to fight its spread may have harmed maternal well-being during pregnancy and after delivery. Women giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic represent a vulnerable population that may need focused health care. SSC is a simple, cost-effective intervention that may help reduce the incidence of PPD.Trial registrationThis cross-sectional study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04769700).
Legal Status as a Life Course Determinant of Health: Parent Status, Adjudication Stages, and HIV Knowledge Among Highlanders in Thailand
Authors: Koning Stephanie M. , Flaim Amanda , Baldiga Leo , Feingold David A.
Published: April 2021

Background: Rising nativism and political volatility worldwide threaten to undermine hard-won achievements in human rights and public health. Risks are particularly acute for hundreds of millions of migrants, minorities, and Indigenous peoples, who face disproportionately high health burdens, including HIV/AIDS, and precarious legal status (LS). While LS is receiving increasing attention as a social determinant of health and HIV, understandings are still limited to select immigrant communities. Its effects on health among stateless communities, particularly in the Global South, remain largely unknown. Moreover, widespread limitations in census measures of LS reduce its complexity to a simplistic citizen/non-citizen binary or insufficient proxies. Thailand’s ethnolinguistically diverse highlander population experiences disproportionately high HIV prevalence and comprises one of the world’s largest and most protracted cases of statelessness, an acute condition of precarious LS. As such, analysis of LS and health outcomes among highlanders is both critically warranted, and useful as a case study outside of the migration paradigm.Methods: Drawing on the UNESCO Highland Peoples Survey II (2010), an unprecedented and unique cross-sectional census of highlanders in Thailand, we mobilize complex measures of LS in adjusted ordinal logistic regression models to assess how parent citizenship and LS adjudication over the early life course condition adult HIV knowledge—a key protective factor against transmission (n=8,079). Results: Adjusted ordinal logistic regression on knowledge scores reveal that parent citizenship predicts more complete knowledge by 32 to 88 percent, depending on ethnic group. This is partially explained by divergent stages of LS adjudication between birth and adulthood, including successful birth registration and adult citizenship acquisition, along with secondary school completion. Precisely how these factors contribute to HIV knowledge varies by ethnic group. Conclusions: This study advances knowledge of LS outside of the migration paradigm, reveals heretofore unexamined connections between LS and access to public health information, and elucidates how instabilities in LS adjudication stages underlie health inequalities over the life course. Findings indicate that securing success in public health and human rights agendas requires attention to how states deploy LS at birth, and beyond, to structure access and exclusion among migrant and non-migrant communities alike.
Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Symptom Experience Index.
Authors: Cachero-Rodriguez Judit , Menéndez-Aller Alvaro , Fernandez-Alvarez María del Mar , Llaneza-Folgueras Ana , Fu Mei , Martin-Payo Ruben
Published: April 2021

This study was designed to adapt the Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Symptoms Experience Index (BCLE-SEI) to the Spanish language (BCLE-SEI-Es) and to assess its psychometric properties in Spanish-speaking women diagnosed with breast cancer. 286 breast cancer survivors were recruited. Study measured demographic and medical data and the BCLE-SEI. Reliability was measured using Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest reliability (n = 29) after an interval of two weeks. A robust principal components analysis was conducted to explore the dimensions of each BCLE-SEI-Es subtest. Discriminant power of the BCLE-SEI was assessed through a non-parametric test evaluating score differences between non-lymphedema and lymphedema patients. A cut-off point was established via a ROC curve. Cronbach’s alpha: all scales had a value above 0.9. Test-retest reliability: Correlations between questionnaire administrations were above 0.7. The first and second subtests showed a good fit to a unidimensional and two-factor structure, respectively. Lymphedema patients score significantly higher in all BCLE-SEI scales (p < 0.001). A cut-off point was established to predict a possible lymphedema case. The BCLE-SEI-Es is a valid, reliable tool for assessing and identifying the presence of lymphedema among breast cancer survivors and assessing its impact on the physical, functional, psychological and emotional aspects.
Vertebrate Mitochondrial Genome Organization: Evidence of Convergent Evolution
Authors: Lozano Maria Paula Montaña , MorenoCarmona Manuela Alejandra , Capera Jesus Mauricio Ochoa , Camacho Natalia Sofía Medina , Boore Jeffrey L. , Quiroga Carlos Fernando Prada
Published: April 2021

The evolution of the vertebrate mitochondrial genome has been the focus of numerous genetic and evolutionary studies over the last several decades. Initially, sampling was heavily biased toward taxonomic orders of greatest economic or health importance, but recent advances in DNA sequencing technology have facilitated a much broader phylogenetic sampling from which we can clarify general evolutionary trends such as patterns of gene rearrangement. Toward this end, we performed a comparative genomic analysis of the 2,831 vertebrate mitochondrial genomes representing 12 classes that are available in the NCBI database. Using a combination of bioinformatics methods, we determined that there is a great variation in the proportion of rearrangement by gene and by taxonomic class, with higher rates being observed in Reptilia, Amphibia, Petromyzonti, Mammalia, and Actinopteri. Further, within each class, there is large variation in proportion of reorganization among different orders or even taxonomic families. Eleven events of convergence in the genic order among different taxonomic orders were determined, most of them not previously reported.
The Effectiveness of Low-investment Pachinko/pachislot in Reducing Gambling-related Harms: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Yokomitsu Kengo , Inoue Kazuya , Irie Tomonari
Published: April 2021

Background: Pachinko and pachislot are popular types of gambling activities in Japan. Prior studies in Japan have reported a concerning prevalence of gambling disorder among university students and adult players. While these studies have identified various gambling-related harms, Japanese research on harm-minimization strategies is scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of low-investment pachinko and pachislot as a harm-reduction strategy. Methods: We also called gamblers who played for the normal amount as “normal-pachi players,” those who played pachinko and pachislot for half of the normal amount were called “half-pachi players,” and those who played for a quarter of the normal amount were called “quarter-pachi players.” To assess the effect of harm reduction, a one-way ANCOVA was conducted to compare the impact of the groups (normal-pachi players [n= 101], half-pachi players [n= 104], and quarter-pachi players [n= 100]) on dependent variables, namely the number of days players had gambled during the prior month, the total time and amount of money spent on gambling, debts caused by gambling, gambling severity, cognitive distortion, depressive symptoms, and disability. Results: We demonstrated that the amount of money spent by quarter-pachi players on gambling during the past month was lower than that of normal-pachi players. However, we did not find significant differences with respect to any other gambling-related harms among normal-, half-, and quarter-pachi players. Conclusion: Low-investment pachinko and pachislot can reduce the amount of money spent on gambling. It can thus partly act as a harm-minimization strategy. Moreover, the results of present study indicate that the level of disability at work affects various outcomes for gamblers. Given that 90% of the participants in this study were employed, the results of this study may have important implications for employed gamblers. Interventions should be devised to reduce work-related disabilities among employed adults with a gambling disorder.
Accuracy of Analytical Models to Predict Primary and Secondary System Response in Seismically Isolated Buildings
Authors: Ipek Cengiz , Wolff Eric D. , Constantinou Michael C.
Published: April 2021

Seismic isolation is generally considered an effective earthquake protection strategy. As application of seismic isolation increases, decisions on the use of one particular isolator versus another isolator increasingly depend on computed responses with complex analytical models. Accordingly, validation of analytical models to predict primary (structural) and secondary system (non-structural component) response in seismically isolated buildings becomes very important. This paper presents comparisons of experimental and analytical results on the primary and secondary system response of a building model in order to provide information on the accuracy of the predicted response. The tested model was configured as a 6-story building at quarter length scale in a moment-frame configuration, and with the following seismic isolation systems: a) Low damping elastomeric bearings with and without linear or nonlinear viscous dampers, b) Single Friction Pendulum (FP) bearings with and without linear or nonlinear viscous dampers, and c) Lead-rubber bearings. Response quantities compared include story drifts and isolator shear forces and displacements for the primary system, and peak floor total velocities and floor response spectra that relate to secondary system response. This paper presents samples results out of a total of 288 comparisons of experimental and analytical results presented in an MCEER report. It is shown that the primary and secondary system response is computed with sufficient accuracy by the analytical models but some response quantities may be underestimated or overestimated by significant amounts.
Evaluation of Psychometric Properties and Differential Item Functioning of the Dental Anxiety Inventory (DAI-36) Questionnaire using Iterative Hybrid Ordinal Logistic Regression
Authors: Allahyari Elahe , Roustaei Narges
Published: April 2021

Background: Dental anxiety is a major dental problem. The difference of dental anxiety between groups may be reflect of the perception of individual of the items of questionnaire at the same level of the underlying dental anxiety. The propose of this study was to assess whether the Dental Anxiety Inventory (DAI-36) showed differential item functioning (DIF) by gender, age and education levels.Methods: By an iterative hybrid ordinal logistic regression model, we assessed measurement equivalence of DAI-36 items across gender, education, and age groups. All analysis was run by lordif package in R3.1.3 software for 950 participants.Results: The chi-square statistics declared 7, 7, and 4 non-uniform DIF items, and 2, 5, and 4 uniform DIF items across gender, education, and age groups, respectively. ΔR2 was always lower than 0.07 in all uniform and non-uniform DIF items. However, Δβ1 revealed significant uniform DIF in items 1 and 8 across gender ( Δβ1(item 1)=0.0137, Δβ1(item 8)=0.0124) and items 22 and 27 across age categories ( Δβ1(item 22)=0.0110, Δβ1(item 27)=0.0136). Conclusions: DIF items had no large magnitude or cancel out each other, so statements phrased in DAI-36 questionnaire have equivalent meaning across respondents, regardless of their gender, education, and age groups.
Interface Template Synthesis of Zein-Based Amorphous Tio2 Composite Microcapsules with Enhanced Photocatalysis
Authors: Xu Qunna , Bai Zhongxue , Ma Jianzhong , Qiu Ruijie , Huang Mengchen , Wu Jinbiao
Published: April 2021

In order to further enhance the application field of zein-based microcapsule. Zein-based amorphous TiO2 composite microcapsules (ZTCMs) were innovatively prepared from zein, tetra butyl ortho titanate (TBOT) and PEO106PPO70PEO106 (F127) via interface template synthesis. The Effects of TBOT amount on ZTCMs structures and photo-catalytic performances were mainly investigated. Chemical structure and microstructure of the obtained composite microcapsules were characterized mainly by fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS). The results show ZTCMs exhibited evident hollow structure with titanium dioxide (TiO2) wrapped in the outer layer. The average size of ZTCMs300 was approximately 4 µm, which increased as the increase of TBOT dosage. Significantly, ZTCMs showed excellent photo-catalytic ability on dyes, red wine and coffee alike. The degradation rate of Rhodamine B (RB) was more than 80% after irradiation for 5 h under sunlight. This study provides a facile method to fabricate natural-based photo-catalytic material, which will be a good candidate in many fields such as medicine, food packaging, leather and textile.
Developing an Integrated Curriculum for Patient Safety in an Undergraduate Nursing Program: A Case Study
Authors: Ji Yoonjung , Lee Taewha , Choi Mona , Lee Hyejung , Kim Sanghee , Do Hyunok , Kim Sunah , Chu Sang Hui , Park Jeongok , Kim Young Man , Park Soyoon , Lee Hyeonkyeong
Published: April 2021

Background: Nursing students’ practical training should begin when students can apply core knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to patient safety. This necessitates an integrated curriculum in nursing education that links practice to theory with regard to patient safety to enhance patient safety competencies and quality in nursing care. This study aimed to develop an integrated curriculum that incorporates patient safety factors in the existing curriculum to increase patient safety competencies in nursing students. Method: A case study approach was adopted to explain the development processes of a new curriculum integrating patient safety in the existing curriculum of a nursing college. Based on the current curriculum, a four-step process was performed to integrate patient safety factors, including quality improvement, into the curriculum: 1) literature review, 2) analysis of course syllabus, 3) selection of courses related to patient safety topics, and 4) evaluation of patient safety competency. Results: The integrated patient safety curriculum was based on six topics: patient safety principles, teamwork, communication, patient engagement, risk management and quality improvement, and International Patient Safety Goals. Based on the courses characteristics according to the level of students in each year, the curriculum was integrated to address patient safety topics in seven courses (four theoretical and three practical). A 23-item checklist was developed for evaluating students' patient safety competencies. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that patient safety topics should be addressed in both theoretical and practical settings across the entire nursing curriculum in accordance with the principles of continuity and sequence of education.
Sulfur, fresh cassava root, and urea independently enhanced gas production, ruminal characteristics, and in vitro degradability
Authors: Sumadong Phussorn , Cherdthong Anusorn , So Sarong , Wanapat Metha
Published: April 2021

Background: Cassava root (FCR) is one of the main energy source ingredients for ruminant and low price. The limitation of FCR utilization is due to the presence of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), which is toxic when animals, especially ruminants. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of sulfur, urea, and FCR at various levels on gas production, ruminal fermentation, and in vitro degradability. The study hypothesized that: 1) sulfur, urea, and FCR have no interaction effect and 2) effect of FCR and urea is related to sulfur addition. Results: The study aimed to elucidate the optimum level of elemental sulfur, fresh cassava root (FCR), and urea and their effect on gas production, ruminal fermentation, thiocyanate concentration, and in vitro degradability. A 3×2×4 in a completely randomized design were conducted. Factor A was level of sulfur at 0%, 1%, and 2% of concentrate dry matter (DM), factor B was level of urea at 2% and 4% of concentrate DM, and factor C was level of the FCR at 0, 200, 300, and 400 mg of the total substrate. The study found that elemental sulfur, urea, and FCR had no interaction effect on the kinetics of gas, ruminal fermentation, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and in vitro degradability. Elemental sulfur supplementation (P<0.05) significantly increased the gas produced from an insoluble fraction (b), in vitro DM degradability and either neutral detergent fiber or acid detergent fiber degradability, and propionate (C3) concentration while decreased the ruminal HCN concentration. Urea levels showed a (P<0.05) significant increase of the potential extent of gas production, ruminal NH3-N, and total volatile fatty acid (VFA). FCR supplementation (P<0.05) significantly increased the gas produced from an immediate soluble fraction (a), gas produced from insoluble fraction, gas production rate constant, total VFA, C3 concentration, and HCN while decreased ruminal pH, acetate, and butyrate concentration. It could be concluded that 2% elemental sulfur, 4% urea, and 300 mg FCR showed a greater effect on gas production, ruminal fermentation, and HCN reduction.Conclusions: The study found that elemental sulfur, urea, and FCR had no interaction effect on the kinetics of gas, total gas, ruminal fermentation, and HCN concentration. It could be concluded that 2% elemental sulfur, 4% urea, and 300 mg FCR showed a greater effect on gas production, ruminal fermentation, and HCN reduction.
Ramularia leaf spot: PCR-based methods reveal widespread distribution of Ramulariopsis pseudogycines and limited presence of R. gossypii in Brazil
Authors: Silva Aline Suelen , Renno Marcelo Henrique Lisboa , Quitania Ana Clara Ribeiro , Café-Filho Adalberto Correa , Miller Robert Neil Gerard , Araujo Alderi Emidio , Pinho Danilo Batista
Published: April 2021

Whilst Brazil is the fourth largest cotton producer globally, incidence of ramularia leaf spot (RLS) has decreased yield across all growing regions. In 2017-18 and 2018-19 growing seasons, ca. 300 fungal samples were collected from seven Brazilian states. Hyphal tip cultures were obtained for DNA extraction and amplification of partial sequences of the RNA polymerase II gene (RPB2), 28S rRNA, the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS), actin (ACT), elongation factor (EF1-α) and histone H3 (HIS3) gene regions. Genetic diversity of the isolates was evaluated using fourteen molecular markers. Clade assignments based on the concatenated-sequence tree (RPB2, LSU, EF1-α, ITS, ACT, and HIS3) were identical to those in tree clades generated by RPB2-sequences, as well as in an RPB2 haplotype network, in an ISSR (TGTC)4 dendrogram, and based on morphological comparisons. In total, 252 out of 267 isolates were identified as Ramulariopsis pseudoglycines, indicating this species as the most widespread causal agent of cotton RLS in the Brazilian growing regions today. Validation of the ISSR (TGTC)4 primer as a tool to study the diversity and distribution of Ramulariopsis species will make it possible to carry out extensive RLS sampling studies worldwide.
Use of iodine and selenium enriched fodder rations for production of fortified young lamb
Authors: Giro T. M. , Molchanov A. V. , Kozin A. N. , Giro A. V. , Fat’yanov E. V. , Svetlov V. V.
Published: April 2021

The article is devoted to preventive measures to eliminate the problem of dysmicroelementosis in order to increase the productivity of young sheep. The article presents the results of studies of the influence of feeding rations on the growth and development of young sheep of the Edilbaev breed, on the level of their meat productivity and the qualitative characteristics of biologically fortified lamb. Feed additives based on Yoddar-Zn and DAFS-25 were added to the main ration of lambs at the age of four months, once a day, being added into a fodder mixture with concentrates. For the experiment the herd of lambs was divided to four groups of 25 heads each.The changes in live weight at the age of four, five, six and seven months were analyzed, and it was found that at the age of seven months, the absolute average weight gain in the experimental groups varied from 3.45 kg to 4.49 kg, in the control group it was 3.1 kg, while the largest live weight gain was recorded in group III which received both feed additives based on Yoddar-Zn and DAFS-25.There were no significant differences in the parameters of body measurements, with the exception of group III, where the chest circumference increased by 7.2%, and the height of a lamb at the withers increased in average by 8.1%. It was found that group III had the highest meat density coefficient, equal to 3.9, and the cross-sectional area of m. Longissimus dorsi was equal to 13.61 cm2. It was noted that the amount of free amino acids of the lamb group III is 18.8% higher than the meat of the control group. The lamb obtained from the animals of the experimental groups showed a higher protein content and less fat. The ratio of water to protein in all samples was slightly higher than 3.7, which corresponds to the Federa number for meat raw materials. Enriching the rations of the Edilbaevskoy sheep with feed additives Yoddar-Zn and DAFS-25 promotes the stimulation of growth and development of animals, increases the productivity and nutritional value of lamb.
IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT FOR DIGITAL CORPORATE IMAGE
Authors: Safitri Yulianne , Evelina Lidya Wati
Published: April 2021

The official account of corporate social media is one tool in delivering campaign messages on social media through brand communication. Usually, the official account content of social media is made to attract public awareness about the company. This study aims to determine the impression of official social media accounts of service companies in Indonesia by usingthe concept of impression management in shaping digital corporate image. The research method used in this research is descriptive qualitative method. Primary data is collected by case study methods, observing the official YouTube account of telecommunications services and e-commerce services in Indonesia. The collected data is analyzed by reducing data, selecting data and categorizing the data obtained in accordance with the research objectives. The data validation used in this study is source triangulation, by interviewing social media practitioners to explore their opinions on how companies create content to form a certain impression. The results of this study show effective strategies that can be done to manage impressions on corporate social media accounts that can be applied in Indonesia. The research findings are known that impression management on corporate social media accounts can create digital corporate image, and the most effective social media platform for managing impression is YouTube, becausethe content in YouTube videos can have social value in life that is close to people's daily lives.
THE TATTOO AS ANCESTRAL LEGACY AND DICHOTOMIC ELEMENT OF NATIONAL IDENTITY
Authors: Trujillo Mónica Santillán , Alvarez Víctor Villavicencio , Morales Lorena Caiza , Ayala Eunice , Manosalvas Teresa Sánchez
Published: April 2021

Nowadays, tattoos are associated mostly with fashion; nevertheless, tattooing can constitute a tool of national identity due to its ancestral relation with the Latin American native culture.With regard to the art of the state, no work can be found that analyzes this specific topic. This paper discusses the determinant footprint of ancient symbols in the culture and its actual use as a national identity element. The study uses a deductive method and qualitative analysis to clear the situated premises and ascertain the problem solution through the use of ancient icons in tattoos as identity symbols, which may be reconstructed from the consideration that supports the national proud and development. Although the results still present a low percentage of users, there are citizens who don tattoos. The concept about its representation is positive, and the use of tattoo as an element of identity was found among 50% of citizens. This leads us to conclude that it is, indeed, used in this sense and that the trend could progressively increase. In order to validate this premise, a quarter of the population was necessary.
Congressos na Política Externa
Authors: Decresci Samuel , Pasquariello Mariano Karina Lília
Published: April 2021

A intensificação de iniciativas de integração regional na América do Sul teve os governos nacionais como protagonistas. A despeito disso, os Parlamentos representam um importante ator no processo de tomada de decisões no âmbito da política externa. Este artigo discute como o Parlamento uruguaio participou nas decisões sobre a integração regional entre os anos 2000-2015. A análise parte do debate promovido pela abordagem da Diplomacia Parlamentar para demonstrar que apesar das atribuições de formulação da política externa estarem institucionalmente no Poder Executivo, este depende de negociações com outras forças políticas, especialmente com o Parlamento, para a sua implementação.
RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF THE TURKISH VERSION OF THE CAREGIVER FUNCTIONAL USE SURVEY
Authors: YILDIZ Ayşe , YILDIZ Ramazan , EROL Erkan , APAYDIN Umut , GÖKMEN Derya , ELBASAN Bülent
Published: April 2021

Purpose: Poor bimanual performance is usually a major functional impairment for children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). This study was performed to examine the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Caregiver Functional Use Survey (CFUS), which assesses manual function of children with unilateral CP.Methods: Fifty children with unilateral CP and their parents were included in the study. The test-retest reliability was assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), and internal consistency by calculating Cronbach alpha values. Association level between other outcomes measures (Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test, JTT, and Manual Ability Classification System, MACS) and the Turkish version of the CFUS was analyzed to determine the criterion validity. Four onefactorial confirmatory factor analyses to validate uni-dimensionality of the CFUS were performed. Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the one-dimensional structure of the “amount of use” and“quality of movement” parts of the CFUS for unimanual and bimanual tasks.Results: The Turkish version of the CFUS showed a high degree of internal consistency (Cronbach alpha=0.92-0.94). The ICCs ranged between 0.90 and 0.93. There was a negative correlation between all the subscales of the CFUS and the MACS and the JTT (p<0.05).Conclusion: The Turkish version of CFUS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the upper extremity functions in children with unilateral CP.
Towards resilient water supply in centralized control and decentralized execution mode
Authors: Diao Kegong
Published: April 2021

This paper shares a vision that sustainable water supply requires resilient water infrastructures which are presumably in the centralized control and decentralized execution (CCDE) mode with multiscale resilience. The CCDE should be planned based on the multiscale structure of water infrastructures, in which the systems are divided into a number of hierarchically organized subsystems. The CCDE allows independent execution of all subsystems under normal situations yet coordination of subsystems at different scales to mitigate any disturbances during failure events, i.e. the multiscale resilience. This vision is discussed in detail for water distribution systems (WDSs). Specifically, the conceptual design of the multiscale CCDE is described, and progress on understanding the multiscale structures in WDSs is summarized based on the literature review. Furthermore, a few theories consistent with the multiscale CCDE concept are discussed which include the decomposition theorems, fractal theory, control theories, and complex network theory. The next step in the vision will be to identify the optimal multiscale structure for the CCDE based on the best trade-off of different goals of WDS analysis and management. This process needs support from not only innovative modelling tools and extensive datasets and theories but also inspiring exemplar systems, e.g. natural systems.
A triple bottom line approach to optimising odour removal from a residential water supply
Authors: Callingham Tara , Ooi Daniel , Fan Linhua , Roddick Felicity
Published: April 2021

Feedwater to Euroa Water Treatment Plant contains increasingly high levels of natural organic matter (NOM) which were determined to cause its strong earthy odour. A multidisciplinary approach was used to evaluate the coagulation process to better remove the taste and odour (T&O) causing organics from water supplied to the local towns. Such high levels of NOM require elevated doses of coagulant for removal, accounting for approximately 60% of the chemical costs. A need arose to reduce these operational costs. However, community expectations regarding T&O, and social and environmental impacts, are not typically considered in this process. The local water corporation, Goulburn Valley Water, undertook a case study involving a comparison of three coagulants to optimise the chemical coagulation process from a multidisciplinary (triple bottom line, TBL) perspective. The financial assessment incorporated operational costs and potential infrastructure requirements. The social assessment investigated the overall impacts on staff operating the water treatment plant and their broader community involvement. The environmental assessment focused on the impact on downstream infrastructure from changes in sludge volumes and wastewater quality, and third-party greenhouse gas emissions from chemical deliveries. From a TBL viewpoint, aluminium chlorohydrate was the most beneficial option.
Uso do desenho como ferramenta de percepção e transmissão
Authors: Machado Garcia Tanize , Borges Bezerra Daniele
Published: April 2021

Este artigo apresenta a contribuição do desenho para a apreensão da construção social dos espaços do Mercado Público de Pelotas (RS) e para a instrumentalização científica poético-narrativa em antropologia visual. A análise parte de uma audiência pública, ocorrida em 2017, em que múltiplos atores a partir do conflito, negociaram a utilização do local para eventos musicais. Como ferramenta nessa situação de pesquisa, o desenho em antropologia urbana, permitiu apreender diferentes perspectivas, usos e significados socioculturais atribuídos ao patrimônio cultural. Assim, as imagens desenhadas pela pesquisadora, anexadas à malha do texto, habitam as páginas como os territórios da cidade são habitados pelos citadinos em seus fluxos.
Thread Type and Stitch Density Suitable for Seams in Ghanaian Public Basic School Uniforms
Authors: Monnie Patience Danquah , Fianu Docea , Vandyck Efua
Published: April 2021

Background:

The serviceability of a sewn garment is influenced by the quality of its
seams, which form the basic structural element. The factors that affect seam quality in garments
include, sewing thread type and stitch density. Their right choice helps with the achievement of quality
seams in garments. However, the choice of suitable sewing threads and stitch densities for particular
fabrics can only be determined through testing.

Objective:

Problems associated with the poor performance of school uniforms include seam failure.
The aim of the study was to determine sewing thread brand and stitch density suitable for seams for
a selected fabric (79% polyester and 21% cotton) for Ghanaian public basic school uniforms.

Methods:

A 2×3 factorial design was employed, which involved two brands of sewing threads labelled
A` and B` and three ranges of stitch density, 10, 12, and 14. The total number of specimens prepared
from the selected fabric was 81. The parameters investigated included fabric weight, strength, and
elongation, seam strength, seam elongation, and efficiency. The data were analysed using the Predictive
Analytics Software (SPSS). Means and standard deviations of the fabric’s yarn count, weight, strength,
elongation and the linear density of the sewing threads were determined. Analysis of Variance and
Independent samples t-test at 0.05 alpha levels were employed in testing the hypotheses.

Results:

Differences in seam strength, efficiency, and elongation were significant for the two sewing
thread brands and the three stitch densities in both warp and weft directions of the fabric sample. The
sewing thread brand B′ with stitch density 14 performed best in terms of seam strength, elongation,
and efficiency.

Conclusion:

The sewing thread brand B′ and stitch density 14 are recommended to be used for the
construction of uniforms with the selected fabric to achieve quality in uniforms.
Buffer Zone Management Impact on Birds Assemblage in the High Nature Value Farmland (HNVf) : a study case on Meru Betiri National Park
Authors: Dewi Nilasari , Sih Kurnianto Agung
Published: April 2021

This study aims to analyze the distribution of bird communities and the impact of vegetation on bird habitat preferences in the buffer zone. Research is carried out in agricultural areas in the Buffer zone, Rehabilitation Zone, and on the edge of the plantation. The research location was determined at 37 points: Rajekwesi (4), Sukamade (12), Bandealit (8), Wonoasri (5), Andongrejo (3), Sanenrejo (5). We applied the point count method (r = 17.5 m) in this study, where each point is at least 100-150 meters apart. In the study, 74.6% of records were birds with agricultural specialities and 71.30% of individuals on tree habitats. Birds with specialization in agriculture were found in large numbers related to the protection provided by the TNMB conservation area to bird habitat. Sukamade is the area with the highest number of records. As many as 40.10% were found in tree habitats followed by seedling (16.28%), poles (15.93%), flying over (15.76%), and sapling (11.90%)
The Spatial Planning Policy Implementation of Gianyar Regency in Preserving Paddy Field
Authors: Vavorita Barlianti
Published: April 2021

The global phenomenon of agricultural land conversion struck in the most famous island in Indonesia, Bali especially Gianyar Regency. In 2017, Gianyar Regency known as one of Bali rice barns and got the highest Food Security Index (IKP) scores in Indonesia. Therefore, in order to maintain the availability of agricultural land to support the food security, the intervention from government needed. In this case is the spatial planning policy. This study explores the implementation of spatial planning policy in Gianyar Regency, Bali. The research use qualitative approach focused on four factors of effective implementation proposed by Edward III: communication, resource, disposition and bureaucratic structure. This study use interview, observation and documentary study to collect the data. The result shows that the communication among the local authority is need to improve because of inconsistently transmission to the farmer/ public. Furthermore, the bureaucratic structure fragmented in a local level result in less effective implementation. While for another factors is not urgently enough for further consideration.
Women’s Career Advancement Barriers in A Matrilineal Society: The Case of Minangkabau
Authors: Fitria Fitria
Published: April 2021

This study seeks to examine and to compare the patterns of women’s and men’s career advancement in a municipal government located within traditional area of the biggest matrilineal society in the world, the Minangkabau. This research employed a qualitative approach through a case study and suggests that the higher the position, the less the number of women occupying it. Further, this study also aims to explore thebarriers that impede career advancement of the female employees. Women face barriers that become more significant as they climb the hierarchical structure, including lack of experience, job segregation, work-family conflicts, and stereotypes. Applying newpolicies such as a quota system and flexible work arrangements can be implemented to address these issues. This research only studied one municipal region within the Minangkabau. Future and more extensive research can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation by observing more local governments
AN ANALYSIS OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN CIVIL SERVANTS (PNS) IN MINISTRY OF FINANCE
Authors: Elfadhila Sonya , Kurniawan Teguh
Published: April 2021

In global there has been an increase in the number of women who work in the public sector including Indonesia. However, it did not have much effect on the number of women civil servant representation in high managerial or structural positions as part of career development in PNS Management. This condition is also faced by the Ministry of Finance, which have a high commitment to the implementation of pro-gender staff development policies. This study aims to find out how the career development of women civil servants in the Ministry of Finance through the post-positivism approach uses qualitative methods with literature studies and in-depth interviews with officials related to career development. Theories from Viki and Fiona regarding women's career development through individual and organizational aspects are used in conducting analyzes. The results showed that the career development of women civil servants in the Ministry of Finance had not been running optimally. The high number of male civil servants affects the low number of women civil servants who will occupy higher-level structural positions.  Furthermore, it can be seen in the individual variables that there is still a lack of interest in female civil servants participating in education and training, and also not all female civil servants get female mentors who can become a role models because mentors are direct supervisors of employees.  while the organizational variables indicate that there are still gender issues faced by female civil servants in the Ministry of Finance.
EFFECTIVENESS OF URBAN FARMING POLICIES AND ECONOMIC HEROES IN POVERTY REDUCTION IN THE CITY OF SURABAYA
Authors: Kriswibowo Arimurti , Khothimah Khusnul , Ardhana Rhea
Published: April 2021

Poverty in Indonesia raises various complex problems such as unemployment, crime, and other social problems. Surabaya is one of metropolitan city in Indonesia, yet still has a high poverty rates. Various attempts have been made by the Surabaya City Government to overcome the problem of poverty. Some of the policies implemented by the Surabaya City Government are Urban Farming Program and UMKM Tangible Economy Heroes Program. This study wants to answer empirically how effective the program is. Effectiveness according to Budiani (2007: 53) can be measured through the determination of program objectives, program socialization, program objectives, and program monitoring. This program takes place in Kelurahan Keputih and Rungkut Lor, Surabaya using a comparative descriptive method with a qualitative approach. The Urban Farming Program is a program to spur improvement in the living standards of the poor who are engaged in strengthening the urban agriculture sector. The Urban Farming Program is felt to be lacking in accuracy of the program targets due to incompatible products produced with demand, incompatible characteristics of the area with what is planted, and products produced can only be consumed alone. Intangible UMKM Economic Heroes Program is a program to empower housewives from poor families and MSME entrepreneurs. The Intangible Economy Hero Program of UMKM is deemed effective in minimizing poverty.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION AND PARTICIPATION (THE ROLE OF VILLAGE COUNCIL AND PARTICIPATION IN PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PPMK AT SOUTH CIPINANG BESAR VILLAGE, DKI JAKARTA)
Authors: Thamrin M. Husni
Published: April 2021

Amid the debate of whether community-based organizations created by the government can increase citizen participation in public affairs, by conducting a case study on Village Council formed by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, this research aimed to investigate the way this organization works and whether this organization can increase citizen participation. This study used a mixed method to achieve research objectives. The result indicated the minimal role of the Village Council in encouraging citizen participation. The ability of community organization to establish a quality relationship with citizens become a significant determining factor for inviting citizens to participate. However, it is not enough because the context of the existence of community organizations also determines the ability of community organizations to play their roles such as the construction of legal formal and construction of relationships built between a community organization and the arena of policymaking.
THE STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION ROLES IN FLOOD DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN JAKARTA
Authors: Hidayat Hisyam Yusril , Hasyemi Syarif Amr , Saputra Muhammad Galih
Published: April 2021

The paradigm shift in disaster management places non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as the actors who contribute to the process. However, NGOs still face many challenges both internally and externally. The author tries to find challenges from the role of NGOs and tries to formulate the right strategy. This research is categorized as a post-positivist paradigm and uses a mixed active method. The NGOs analyzed were Yayasan Peta Bencana and MPBI. The results show that there are internal and external challenges. The challenges are the number of volunteers are limited, lack of volunteer knowledge, there is no program evaluation, and financial accountability from NGOs. Meanwhile, external environmental barriers are still low in understanding and role of society and the contribution of the private sector is still low. The authors formulate nine strategies to overcome these problems. A limitation in this study is that researchers only use secondary data to explain the role of either the government or other actors.