bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ewolucja instytucji prezydentury w politycznej historii Ukrainy: ustanowienie prezydentury, kompetencje, rola i miejsce prezydenta w systemie rządów
Authors: Łytwyn Witalij
Published: January 2021

The Evolution of Institution of Presidency in Political History of Ukraine: Incipience, Powers, Role and Place in the System of Government The author determined phases of formation, powers, role and place of presidency in the government system of Ukraine at different stages of its political development, outlined historiography of presidency’s researches in Ukraine, incrementally structured the evolution of political and legal views about the nature and purpose of the presidency in Ukraine, outlined the factual authority, role and place of presidency in the government system of Ukraine (on Ukrainian ethnic territories) in the first decade of the twentieth century. He also described the influence of the USSR presidency on the characteristics of formation and role of the presidency in post‑Soviet Ukraine as well as revealed the dynamics of presidency in the independent Ukraine, 1991‑2014. The author also found out the problem of institutional inheritance of presidency (including his powers, role and place in system of government) in the context of impact of some historical milestones of Ukrainian statehood in the following historical milestones. As result, the researcher argued that the institution of presidency in Ukraine (including the government system at all) needs to be reformed because of the past institutional, legal and political legacy of the presidency in Ukraine, and given to the experience of presidency in Central and Eastern Europe countries.
Samorząd lokalny na Ukrainie: forma, która nie stała się treścią
Authors: Lendel Myrosława , Buła Switłana
Published: January 2021

Local government in Ukraine: the form without content
Ukrainian crisis of 2013/2014 that is perceived as Euromaidan can be explained, besides other external reasons, also in the terms of the mental and societal conflict between formally democratic, but non‑working legal norms, and the clientele, even feudal political practice. The ideal of democracy can be tested on the local level where the government structures are physically closer to citizens that can use the mechanisms of the direct and other forms of democracy. But in Ukraine the scenario of the rapid and radical transition towards the principles of the local democracy that was implemented in some Central‑European countries was not realized because of the inherited system of the centralized governance, the administrative and territorial division, lack of the motivated elite, non‑activist type of the political culture. The existing legal environment for functioning of the elected councils and mayors did not stimulated the efficient development of the local communities, as well as the faith of the citizens in the role of the political decision‑making, that is the core of the local democracy. Set of the political discourses that are vital in the modern Ukraine and connected with the question of the political system renovation is centered around the decentralization of power, construction of the new scheme of the administrative division of Ukrainian regions. The adoption of the new Constitution in the pair with the political activism of Ukrainian can be a starting point for the construction of the vital local government filled with the sense of democracy.
Media w aspekcie budowania świadomości marki narodowej
Authors: Tereszczuk Marina
Published: January 2021

Media Aspects of Nation Branding: Challenges for Ukraine Developing coherent and comprehensive nation brand is of vital importance for Ukraine today. Building the strong nation brand requires active use of available tools and resources, amongst which one of the key places is occupied by the mass media. This article explores how Ukraine uses the trans-border media to create and represent self-image for the world. The mass media (such as television and internet) as well as governmental websites that are focused on promoting the image (brand) Ukraine abroad were analyzed. This paper concentrates on the key problems and disadvantages of this practice.
IMAGE BUILDING THROUGH PUBLIC RELATION MANAGEMENT : A CASE STUDY ON PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOL IN BANTUL
Authors: Farizal Akhmad , Sulisworo Dwi , Santosa Achadi Budi
Published: January 2021

This study aims to 1) explore the process of developing public relation management (PR) implemented by the school to build school image 2) find out the implications of the image built by the school for the school progress, 3) provide the solution for the public relation management to build the image. This study applies a qualitative method with a case study approach at Excellent Elementary School of 'Aisyiyah Bantul, an Indonesian private elementary school. Data collection techniques are done by interviewing and collecting digital documents from the Facebook account and Instagram account. Purposive sampling done in selecting participant and triangulation is used to check the validity of the data. The results illustrate that the school applies public relation management through planned steps; those are: setting goals, organizing teamwork, skill-based task force division, planning strategies, maximizing the use of social media. A school's image has some implications for increasing the number of students, increasing school performance, improving the quality of school staff, expanding the school network, saving promotion costs, and school competitiveness. This study offers a solution in applying public relation by optimizing digital platforms to implement public relation management to build school image.
PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN EDUCATION: THE CASE OF CYPRUS
Authors: Karageorgos Christos , Kriemadis Athanasios , Travlos Antonios , Kokaridas Dimitrios
Published: January 2021

The transition of TQM from the business field in education started in 1994 to strengthen the humanistic nature of education and improve quality service with the full participation of all involved. Cyprus recognized as a country with highly developed education services and qualitative characteristics that are easily identifiable. However, no studies are published yet concerning the implementation of TQM in Cyprus. The purpose is to examine the design and implementation of TQM at primary and secondary school settings in Cyprus and create a reference point of collecting all partial findings of TQM implementation in Cypriot education. A systematic recording of research included the design and implementation of TQM in education settings using ten electronic databases and keywords including education, TQM and the six factors determining the quality of TQM services. The research included peer-reviewed articles, doctoral theses, and conference abstracts during the last 20 years, leading to future TQM implementation conclusions. Cyprus nowadays focuses on the overall evaluation and implementation of TQM through innovation and quality improvement in education, differentiated and virtual teaching, adapted learning and inclusion of students with disabilities, and hiring new teaching staff that will implement a holistic approach of promoting TQM within school settings.
TRANSLATION TOOL TECHNOLOGY TREND : WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS FOR THE STUDENTS?
Authors: Bangun Eka Uli Putri Br , Mustafa Siti Maisaroh
Published: January 2021

The popularization of the computer and its technology have brought about some significant changes.   Technology itself has impacted almost every aspect of life today, and education is no exception.   Technology provides not only a window to the world but also easy access to thousands of learning resources. Regarding English learning, translation is a part of learning activities in which students sometimes assigned for translation work. Hence, a specific translation tool, namely Google translate, is preferred and utilized.   This research aims to examine the impacts of using the translation tool for students and how frequently they use it in their learning activities. It is quantitative research and the methods of the data collections comprised tests, additional interviews and questionnaires. The samples of this research were 40 students at LP3I. It was evident that the translation tool had positive impacts on the students. The data could derive from the results of Pre-test and Post-test of the students. They got a higher score before and after using the translation tool. Although translation tool had good impacts for students, some problematic points were using the translation tool. Students suggested to check and recheck the result of their translation in the target language. The translation tool also helped students do writing tasks, even though there was some positive and negative impact on students' translation tool utilization.
DEVELOPMENT OF LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION AS CHARACTER BUILDING
Authors: Defitrika Fajar , Mahmudah Fitri Nur
Published: January 2021

The industrial era 4.0 requires that every individual must have superior competence and wise morals. Life skill education is an effective strategy to face the XXI century competition. However, there has been no development in line with the demands, resulting in much unemployment in Indonesia. Character education is encouraged to maintain and strengthen the culture and character of the nation. However, in reality, character education has not yet integrated into all school-based development programs. This research explores the development of character education based on life skill education at Pondok Pesantren Modern Muhammadiyah Boarding School (PPM MBS) Yogyakarta. This qualitative research uses an ethnographic approach.  Researchers' data is through the interview, observation, and documentation techniques—data analysis process with data reduction stages, data presentation, and conclusion. Triangulation sources and techniques used as a test of data validity. This study's findings show the strengthening of character education through life skills education orienting on self-development and boarding schools' cultural development. This study's findings recommend various life skill education programs that can develop and character education strategies in formal schools.
Hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19 disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Manzo-Toledo Amahirany , Torres-Rosas Rafael , Mendieta-Zerón Hugo , Arriaga-Pizano Lourdes , Argueta-Figueroa Liliana
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND Given the urgency of finding a specific treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), several approaches have been carried out, including the use of chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). This study was aimed to systematically evaluate the available evidence on the effectiveness of HCQ in the treatment of COVID-19 disease.

METHODS We searched 3 databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials) until May 31, 2020 for clinical studies in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 comparing conventional treatment with and without HCQ combined with or without azithromycin. The risk of bias assessment and quality evaluation was carried out according to the Cochrane recommendations.

RESULTS 5 articles (1 randomized clinical trial [RCT], 1 non-RCT, and 3 cohort studies) were included. The main outcome measure in 2 articles was the virological conversion determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; however, the findings of both studies were contrary. The main objective of the other studies was to determine the effects of HCQ on COVID-19 mortality, and the studies showed similar results. In general, the studies showed methodological limitations, risk of bias, and variable quality. A meta-analysis from 2,041 patients showed the odds ratio of mortality for patients having HCQ and standard care was 1.38 (95% CI 0.93–2.04).

CONCLUSIONS Considering the limited data available and the very low-to-moderate quality of the studies included in this systematic review, the evidence suggests that the HCQ administration does not decrease the risk of death from COVID-19.
Systematic design study of waveguides and waveguide bends in diamond-structured photonic crystals
Authors: Vishnoi Amit , Mudi Rina , Debnath Kapil
Published: January 2021

The lack of a systematic design strategy to precisely control bending and guiding of photons in three dimensions, as well as the requirement of advancements in the fabrication technology for realizing large-area, defect-free three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystals, has been the main hurdle toward exploiting the potential of three-dimensional photonic crystals. Here, we demonstrate a new, to the best of our knowledge, design methodology for 3D waveguides and bends in diamond-structured photonic crystals. The manipulation of photons in 3D by incorporating two combinations of four different linear defect configurations in two different photonic crystal topologies of a diamond lattice, namely rod-connected diamond and inverse-rod-connected diamond, has been successfully demonstrated. We have also shown 90-deg waveguide bends with near zero dB bending loss.
Fault detection sensitivity enhancement based on high-order spatial mode trend filtering for few-mode fiber link
Authors: Liu Feng , Zhang Wenping , Wu Ping , He Zhengxing
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we propose and experimentally verify a method for optimizing the fault detection sensitivity of few mode fiber (FMF) link based on high-order spatial mode trend filtering. The employment of high-order mode trend filtering as a signal processing tool identifies meaningful level shifts from FMF optical time-domain reflectometer (FMF-OTDR) profile, which is associated with the problem of the minimization of the intrinsic random noise and modal crosstalk impact on the acquired data. A FMF link fault detection system is built, and the proposed method is utilized to detect the fault loss characteristics of 7.2 km 6-mode fiber with three fusion splice points with different fusion quality, and the detection results of each mode are compared with the results obtained by FMF-OTDR. The experimental results show that our proposed method can effectively improve the low fault detection sensitivity of high-order spatial mode caused by random noise and mode crosstalk.
Coherent 420 nm light generated by the cavity-enhanced four-wave mixing process in Rb vapor
Authors: Yuan Jinpeng , Liu Hao , Wang Lirong , Xiao Liantuan , Jia Suotang
Published: January 2021

We have generated a stable and continuously tunable single frequency (420 nm) coherent blue light (CBL) by the cavity-enhanced four-wave mixing process in Rb vapor. With the bow-tie-type ring cavity, the output power was 3.3 mW, two orders of magnitude higher than that of the CBL generated by the single-pass four-wave mixing process. The measured power stabilities of the 420 nm CBL operated at 2.5 mW and 1.5 mW for 1000 s were 2.89% and 1.88%, respectively. Under the scanning pump laser frequency, the continuously tunable range of the generated CBL reached 1.68 GHz without mode hopping. The measured beam qualities of the generated laser were

M

x

2

=
1.117

and

M

y

2

=
1.179

. The excellent performance of the 420 nm CBL was characterized by velocity transfer spectroscopy with 780 nm probe laser. This high quality short wavelength coherent light is potentially applicable to photon-atom interactions in quantum optics and fundamental research fields.
Efficiency enhancement in a single bandgap silicon solar cell considering hot-carrier extraction using selective energy contacts
Authors: Shayan Sahra , Matloub Samiye , Rostami Ali
Published: January 2021

One of the most important and challenging loss factors of photovoltaics is the heat production of energetic carriers excited by high energy incident photons. The present work shows that if carriers are extracted at their high energies before cooling down due to scattering, the conversion efficiency can be noticeably enhanced. To increase the efficiency of a single-band gap solar cell in this work, selective energy contacts are introduced to a p-i-n structure to extract hot carriers. A selective energy contact solar cell is made up of many collecting contacts with particular energy differences from the conduction band of the cell. In other words, each contact could extract carriers with a special range of energies. The concept of selective energy contact solar cells is to collect high energy carriers, i.e. electrons in this case, within a range of energies onto external electrodes before they cool down. The comparison between conventional solar cells and selective energy contact solar cells shows a significant enhancement in electron collection and efficiency. Based on simulation results, it is observed that the efficiency of the selective energy contact solar cell has been enhanced substantially exceeding almost twice as much as a conventional solar cell’s and reaching a significant 34% efficiency.
Size-dependent optical properties of shallow quantum dot excitons close to a dielectric-hyperbolic material interface
Authors: Ahn Kwang Jun
Published: January 2021

The resonance frequency shift and the radiative decay rate of single quantum dot excitions in close proximity to a dielectric-hyperbolic material interface are theoretically investigated. The previous nonlocal susceptibility model for a quantum-confined exciton in inhomogeneous surroundings has been substantially upgraded in a way to incorporate exciton’s envelope functions with a non-zero orbital angular momentum and a dyadic Green function tensor for uniaxially anisotropic multilayer structures. Different eigenstates of spatially localized excitons are considered with a distance to the interface of half-infinite Tetradymites(Bi2Se3), a natural hyperbolic material in a visible-to-near infrared wavelength range. From numerically obtained self-energy corrections (SEC) of the exciton as a function of its spatial confinement, eigenfunction, and distance, where the real and imaginary parts correspond to the resonance frequency shift and the radiative decay rate of the exciton, respectively, both optical properties show a significant dependence on the spatial confinement of the exciton than expected. The SEC of very weakly confined (quasi free) two-dimensional excitons is almost immune to specific choice of the eigenfunction and to anisotropic properties of the hyperbolic material even at a close distance, while such conditions are decisive for the SEC of strongly confined excitons.
Design of deterministic light-trapping structures for thin silicon heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Nadi Samia Ahmed , Bittkau Karsten , Lentz Florian , Ding Kaining , Rau Uwe
Published: January 2021

We optically designed and investigated two deterministic light-trapping concepts named “Hutong” (wafer thickness dependent, patch-like arrangement of “V” grooves with alternating orientations) and “VOSTBAT” (one directional “V” grooves at the front and saw-tooth like structures at the back) for the application in emerging thin silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. Calculated photocurrent density (Jph) (by weighting the spectrally resolved absorptance with AM1.5g spectrum and integrating over the wavelength) showed that both the Hutong and VOSTBAT structures exceed the Lambertian reference and achieved Jph of 41.72 mA/cm2 and 41.86 mA/cm2, respectively, on 60 µm thin wafers in the case of directional, normal incidence.
Controlling cosine-Gaussian beams in linear media with quadratic external potential
Authors: Zhang Lifu , Li Haozhe , Liu Zhao , Zhang Jin , Cai Wangyang , Gao Yanxia , Fan Dianyuan
Published: January 2021

We investigate both analytically and numerically the propagation dynamic of on-axis and off-axis cosine-Gaussian (CG) beams in a linear medium with quadratic external potential. CG beam propagation evolves periodically with a period depended on the potential depth (α) and whether the beam shape is symmetrical with respect to optical axis. In each period, the CG beam first splits into two sub-beams with different accelerated direction; they then reverse the accelerated direction owing to the quadratic external potential and finally merge again to reproduce its initial shape, and the whole process repeats periodically. The intensity oscillation period of the off-axis CG beam is double times than that of the on-axis one. At the special position, the beam (or spectral) shape is strongly related to the initial spectral (beam) shape. The corresponding scaled relationship is that the spatial intensity I
x
(or spatial frequency axis k) is α times the spectral intensity I
k
(or space axis x). The interaction of two spatially separated CG beams still exhibit periodic evolution with complex structure in the regime of focal point. The propagation dynamics of two-dimensional CG beams are also presented. When the propagation distance is exactly an integer multiple of half period, there are four focal points in the diagonal position.
Hybrid modes in a single thermally excited asymmetric dimer antenna
Authors: Abou-Hamdan Loubnan , Li Claire , Haidar Riad , Krachmalnicoff Valentina , Bouchon Patrick , De Wilde Yannick
Published: January 2021

The study of hybrid modes in a single dimer of neighboring antennas is an essential step to optimize the far-field electromagnetic (EM) response of large-scale metasurfaces or any complex antenna structure made up of subwavelength building blocks. Here we present far-field infrared spatial modulation spectroscopy (IR-SMS) measurements of a single thermally excited asymmetric dimer of square metal-insulator-metal (MIM) antennas separated by a nanometric gap. Through thermal fluctuations, all the EM modes of the antennas are excited, and hybrid bonding and anti-bonding modes can be observed simultaneously. We study the latter within a plasmon hybridization model, and analyze their effect on the far-field response.
Inverse model for ultrashort pulse amplification in semiconductor optical amplifiers
Authors: De Vocht David , Vermeulen Nathalie
Published: January 2021

To describe ultrashort pulse amplification in semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), several models have been developed that calculate the amplified output pulse as a function of the input. Because of the many processes at play in SOAs (band filling, carrier heating, spectral hole burning, two-photon absorption, and the associated free-carrier absorption), it is challenging to predict which input is needed to generate a targeted output. In this Letter, we construct a generic inverse SOA model that calculates the required input pulse including its shape and phase to obtain a desired output. This inverse model will enable a more efficient and well-targeted design of SOA-based photonic systems, while also allowing better quality and performance control.
Spatial-frequency-based image reconstruction to improve image contrast in multi-offset adaptive optics ophthalmoscopy
Authors: Mecê Pedro , Gofas-Salas Elena , Rui Yuhua , Zhang Min , Sahel José-Alain , Rossi Ethan A.
Published: January 2021

Off-axis detection methods in adaptive optics (AO) ophthalmoscopy can enhance image contrast of translucent retinal structures such as cone inner segments and retinal ganglion cells. Here, we propose a 2D optical model showing that the phase contrast produced by these methods depends on the offset orientation. While one axis provides an asymmetric light distribution, hence high phase contrast, the perpendicular axis provides a symmetric one, thus substantially lower contrast. We support this model with in vivo human data acquired with a multi-offset AO scanning light ophthalmoscope. Then, using this finding, we provide a post-processing method, named spatial-frequency-based image reconstruction, to optimally combine images from different off-axis detector orientations, significantly increasing the structural cellular contrast of in vivo human retinal neurons such as cone inner segment, putative rods, and retinal ganglion cells.
Hypercubic cluster states in the phase-modulated quantum optical frequency comb
Authors: Zhu Xuan , Chang Chun-Hung , González-Arciniegas Carlos , Pe’er Avi , Higgins Jacob , Pfister Olivier
Published: January 2021

We propose and fully analyze the simplest technique to date (to our knowledge) for generating light-based universal quantum computing resources, namely, 2D, 3D, and

n

-hypercubic cluster states in general. The technique uses two standard optical components: first, a single optical parametric oscillator pumped below threshold by a monochromatic field, which generates Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen entangled states, a.k.a. two-mode squeezed states, over the quantum optical frequency comb; second, phase modulation at frequencies that are multiples of the comb spacing (via RF or optical means). The compactness of this technique paves the way to implementing quantum computing on chip using quantum nanophotonics.
Repurposing the orphan drug nitisinone to control the transmission of African trypanosomiasis
Authors: Sterkel Marcos , Haines Lee R. , Casas-Sánchez Aitor , Owino Adung’a Vincent , Vionette-Amaral Raquel J. , Quek Shannon , Rose Clair , Silva dos Santos Mariana , García Escude Natalia , Ismail Hanafy M. , Paine Mark I. , Barribeau Seth M. , Wagstaff Simon , MacRae James I. , Masiga Daniel , Yakob Laith , Oliveira Pedro L. , Acosta-Serrano Álvaro
Published: January 2021

Tsetse transmit African trypanosomiasis, which is a disease fatal to both humans and animals. A vaccine to protect against this disease does not exist so transmission control relies on eliminating tsetse populations. Although neurotoxic insecticides are the gold standard for insect control, they negatively impact the environment and reduce populations of insect pollinator species. Here we present a promising, environment-friendly alternative to current insecticides that targets the insect tyrosine metabolism pathway. A bloodmeal contains high levels of tyrosine, which is toxic to haematophagous insects if it is not degraded and eliminated. RNA interference (RNAi) of either the first two enzymes in the tyrosine degradation pathway (tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD)) was lethal to tsetse. Furthermore, nitisinone (NTBC), an FDA-approved tyrosine catabolism inhibitor, killed tsetse regardless if the drug was orally or topically applied. However, oral administration of NTBC to bumblebees did not affect their survival. Using a novel mathematical model, we show that NTBC could reduce the transmission of African trypanosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa, thus accelerating current disease elimination programmes.
Generalized linear models provide a measure of virulence for specific mutations in SARS-CoV-2 strains
Authors: Oulas Anastasis , Zanti Maria , Tomazou Marios , Zachariou Margarita , Minadakis George , Bourdakou Marilena M. , Pavlidis Pavlos , Spyrou George M.
Published: January 2021

This study aims to highlight SARS-COV-2 mutations which are associated with increased or decreased viral virulence. We utilize genetic data from all strains available from GISAID and countries’ regional information, such as deaths and cases per million, as well as COVID-19-related public health austerity measure response times. Initial indications of selective advantage of specific mutations can be obtained from calculating their frequencies across viral strains. By applying modelling approaches, we provide additional information that is not evident from standard statistics or mutation frequencies alone. We therefore, propose a more precise way of selecting informative mutations. We highlight two interesting mutations found in genes N (P13L) and ORF3a (Q57H). The former appears to be significantly associated with decreased deaths and cases per million according to our models, while the latter shows an opposing association with decreased deaths and increased cases per million. Moreover, protein structure prediction tools show that the mutations infer conformational changes to the protein that significantly alter its structure when compared to the reference protein.
Clinical outcome prediction from analysis of microelectrode recordings using deep learning in subthalamic deep brain stimulation for Parkinson`s disease
Authors: Park Kwang Hyon , Sun Sukkyu , Lim Yong Hoon , Park Hye Ran , Lee Jae Meen , Park Kawngwoo , Jeon Beomseok , Park Hee-Pyoung , Kim Hee Chan , Paek Sun Ha
Published: January 2021

Background

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an effective treatment for improving the motor symptoms of advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). Accurate positioning of the stimulation electrodes is necessary for better clinical outcomes.

Objective

We applied deep learning techniques to microelectrode recording (MER) signals to better predict motor function improvement, represented by the UPDRS part III scores, after bilateral STN DBS in patients with advanced PD. If we find the optimal stimulation point with MER by deep learning, we can improve the clinical outcome of STN DBS even under restrictions such as general anesthesia or non-cooperation of the patients.

Methods

In total, 696 4-second left-side MER segments from 34 patients with advanced PD who underwent bilateral STN DBS surgery under general anesthesia were included. We transformed the original signal into three wavelets of 1–50 Hz, 50–500 Hz, and 500–5,000 Hz. The wavelet-transformed MER was used for input data of the deep learning. The patients were divided into two groups, good response and moderate response groups, according to DBS on to off ratio of UPDRS part III score for the off-medication state, 6 months postoperatively. The ratio were used for output data in deep learning. The Visual Geometry Group (VGG)-16 model with a multitask learning algorithm was used to estimate the bilateral effect of DBS. Different ratios of the loss function in the task-specific layer were applied considering that DBS affects both sides differently.

Results

When we divided the MER signals according to the frequency, the maximal accuracy was higher in the 50–500 Hz group than in the 1–50 Hz and 500–5,000 Hz groups. In addition, when the multitask learning method was applied, the stability of the model was improved in comparison with single task learning. The maximal accuracy (80.21%) occurred when the right-to-left loss ratio was 5:1 or 6:1. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.88 in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Conclusion

Clinical improvements in PD patients who underwent bilateral STN DBS could be predicted based on a multitask deep learning-based MER analysis.
Which companies dominate the packaged food supply of New Zealand and how healthy are their products?
Authors: Mackay Sally , Eyles Helen , Gontijo de Castro Teresa , Young Leanne , Ni Mhurchu Cliona , Swinburn Boyd
Published: January 2021

Improvement of national food supplies are an opportunity to improve a country’s health. Our aim was to identify the major food companies manufacturing packaged foods and non-alcoholic beverages available in New Zealand supermarkets in 2018; to assess the healthiness of products using (1) the Health Star Rating (HSR) system, (2) Australian Dietary Guidelines classification (core/discretionary), and (3) by level of processing; to compare the healthiness of products displaying and not displaying the HSR and; to assess potential for food reformulation within selected food sub-categories. Information on packaged foods was obtained from the Nutritrack supermarket database. Companies that manufactured each food and brand were identified using company websites and the New Zealand companies register. In total, 13,506 packaged products were mapped to 1,767 brands and 1,214 companies. Based on market share of products available for sale (Euromonitor data), there were 22 dominating companies producing 31% of products and 17% of brands. Fifty-nine percent of products were classified as unhealthy (HSR <3.5/5 stars), 53% as discretionary, and 69% as ultra-processed. Products displaying the HSR on the package had a higher mean HSR ±SD than if the HSR was not displayed (3.2±1.3 versus 2.5±1.4, p = 0.000). Efforts to improve the healthiness of products should be directed to the 22 food companies dominating this market share, particularly in the core foods groups which are currently less likely to meet Heart Foundation reformulation targets (bread, breakfast cereals, cheese, canned baked beans, yoghurt). The New Zealand supermarket packaged food supply included in the Nutritrack database is dominated by a small number of companies and is mostly unhealthy. Government leadership is required to improve the healthiness of the packaged food supply and provide adequate information to consumers. This includes interventions setting reformulation targets for core food groups, setting population nutrient intake targets and mandating that the HSR is displayed on all products.
Socioeconomic determinants of hypertension and prehypertension in Peru: Evidence from the Peruvian Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Chambergo-Michilot Diego , Rebatta-Acuña Alexis , Delgado-Flores Carolina J. , Toro-Huamanchumo Carlos J.
Published: January 2021

Background

Peru is a Latin American country with a significant burden of hypertension that presents worrying rates of disparities in socioeconomic determinants. However, there is a lack of studies exploring the association between those determinants, hypertension and prehypertension in Peruvian population.

Objective

We aimed to assess the association betwgeen socioeconomic determinants, hypertension and prehypertension using a nationally representative survey of Peruvians.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the Peruvian Demographic and Health Survey (2018), which is a two-staged regional-level representative survey. We used data from 33,336 people aged 15 and older. The dependent variable was blood pressure classification (normal, prehypertension and hypertension) following the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee (JNC-7) on hypertension management. Independent variables were socioeconomic: age, sex, marital status, wealth index, health insurance, education, region and area of residence. Due to the nature of the dependent variable (more than two categories), we opted to use the multinomial regression model, adjusting the effect of the multistage sample using the svy command. We tested interactions with the adjusted Wald test.

Results

The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 33.68% and 19.77%, respectively. Awareness was higher in urban than in rural areas (9.61% vs. 8.31%, p = 0.008). Factors associated with a higher prevalence ratio of both prehypertension and hypertension were age (ratios rose with each age group), male sex (prehypertension aRPR 5.15, 95%CI 4.63–5.73; hypertension aRPR 3.85, 95% CI 3.37–4.40) and abdominal obesity (prehypertension aRPR 2.11, 95%CI 1.92–2.31; hypertension aRPR 3.04, 95% CI 2.69–3.43). Factors with a lower prevalence ratio of both diseases were secondary education (prehypertension aRPR 0.76, 95%CI 0.60–0.95; hypertension aRPR 0.75, 95% CI 0.58–0.97), higher education (prehypertension aRPR 0.78, 95%CI 0.61–0.99; hypertension aRPR 0.62, 95% CI 0.46–0.82), being married/cohabiting (prehypertension aRPR 0.87, 95%CI 0.79–0.95; hypertension aRPR 0.77, 95% CI 0.68–0.87), richest wealth index (only prehypertension aRPR 0.76, 95%CI 0.63–0.92) and living in cities different to Lima (rest of the Coastline, Highlands and Jungle). Having health insurance (only hypertension aRPR 1.26, 95%CI 1.03–1.53) and current drinking (only prehypertension aRPR 1.15, 95%CI 1.01–1.32) became significant factors in rural areas.

Conclusions

We evidenced socioeconomic disparities among people with hypertension and prehypertension. Better health policies on reducing the burden of risk factors are needed, besides, policy decision makers should focus on hypertension preventive strategies in Peru.
The spatial distribution of eye movements predicts the (false) recognition of emotional facial expressions
Authors: Poncet Fanny , Soussignan Robert , Jaffiol Margaux , Gaudelus Baptiste , Leleu Arnaud , Demily Caroline , Franck Nicolas , Baudouin Jean-Yves
Published: January 2021

Recognizing facial expressions of emotions is a fundamental ability for adaptation to the social environment. To date, it remains unclear whether the spatial distribution of eye movements predicts accurate recognition or, on the contrary, confusion in the recognition of facial emotions. In the present study, we asked participants to recognize facial emotions while monitoring their gaze behavior using eye-tracking technology. In Experiment 1a, 40 participants (20 women) performed a classic facial emotion recognition task with a 5-choice procedure (anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness). In Experiment 1b, a second group of 40 participants (20 women) was exposed to the same materials and procedure except that they were instructed to say whether (i.e., Yes/No response) the face expressed a specific emotion (e.g., anger), with the five emotion categories tested in distinct blocks. In Experiment 2, two groups of 32 participants performed the same task as in Experiment 1a while exposed to partial facial expressions composed of actions units (AUs) present or absent in some parts of the face (top, middle, or bottom). The coding of the AUs produced by the models showed complex facial configurations for most emotional expressions, with several AUs in common. Eye-tracking data indicated that relevant facial actions were actively gazed at by the decoders during both accurate recognition and errors. False recognition was mainly associated with the additional visual exploration of less relevant facial actions in regions containing ambiguous AUs or AUs relevant to other emotional expressions. Finally, the recognition of facial emotions from partial expressions showed that no single facial actions were necessary to effectively communicate an emotional state. In contrast, the recognition of facial emotions relied on the integration of a complex set of facial cues.
Fungi attacking historic wood of Fort Conger and the Peary Huts in the High Arctic
Authors: Blanchette Robert A. , Held Benjamin W. , Jurgens Joel , Stear Amanda , Dupont Catherine
Published: January 2021

Historic wooden structures in Polar Regions are being adversely affected by decay fungi and a warming climate will likely accelerate degradation. Fort Conger and the Peary Huts at Lady Franklin Bay in northern Ellesmere Island are important international heritage sites associated with early exploration in the High Arctic. Fort Conger, built by Adolphus Greely and expedition members during the First International Polar Year in 1881, was dismantled and used by Robert Peary and his expedition crew in the early 1900’s to build several smaller shelters. These historic structures remain at the site but are deteriorating. This investigation examines the fungi associated with wood decay in the historic woods. Soft rot was observed in all 125 wood samples obtained from the site. The major taxa found associated with the decayed wood were Coniochaeta (18%), Phoma (13%) Cadophora (12%), Graphium (9%), and Penicillium (9%) as well as many other Ascomycota that are known to cause soft rot in wood. Micromorphological observations using scanning electron microscopy of historic wooden timbers that were in ground contact revealed advanced stages of type I soft rot. No wood destroying Basidiomycota were found. Identification of the fungi associated with decay in these historic woods is a first step to better understand the unusual decomposition processes underway in this extreme environment and will aid future research to help control decay and preserve this important cultural heritage.
Peasant Agency and the Supernatural
Authors: Kohl Thomas
Published: January 2021

Engaging with supernatural forces was a necessity for Carolingian peasants – Christian authorities expected this and the belief in the inevitability of these acts seems to have been widely shared by contemporaries who lived in a world far beyond their control. Miracle collections show that peasants (and others) made conscious decisions about the way in which they wanted to interact with supernatural forces. In doing this, they also took into account the networks of individuals and institutions who controlled the saints’ resting places, which could provide invaluable support for those seeking help. Others chose practices beyond what contemporary elites regarded as legitimate, such as hiring weather-makers to prevent bad weather. In some cases, peasants actively sought to enter into a saint’s dependency, either by giving themselves to the saint or by convincing their lords to hand them over to a saint and his or her shrine.
Az online fogyasztói elégedettségmérés hatása a vállalatok versenyképességére (Effect of the online-customer satisfaction’s measurement to the corporate’s competitiveness)
Authors: Somogyi Ildikó
Published: January 2021

A versenyképes működés elengedhetetlen feltétele a fogyasztói elégedettség, melynek egyik meghatározó eleme az észlelt és elvárt minőség közti kapcsolat. A minőségi elvárások az internettel, mint napjaink egyik meghatározó csatornájával kapcsolatban is megfogalmazódtak már, így kapott jelentős szerepet az online szolgáltatás minőségének meghatározása, illetve ezzel összekapcsolódva az online fogyasztói elégedettségmérés. Jelen tanulmány első része szakirodalmi áttekintést nyújt az online szolgáltatás minőségének fogyasztói érzékelésével, értékelésével kapcsolatos elméletekről, melyek az online fogyasztók elégedettségmérésének alapját képezik. Ezután kerül sor a különböző mérési módszerek bemutatására, kiemelt szerepet szánva a szakirodalomban sokat tárgyalt E-S-QUAL és E-RecS-QUAL skálának. Az áttekintés középpontjában azok az elméletek állnak, melyek az online vásárlást is nyújtó honlapokra vonatkoznak. A cikk további része két empirikus kutatást tartalmaz. Az első az elégedettségmérés hazai helyzetét tárgyalja, a másik pedig a szakirodalomból ismert E-S-QUAL és E-RecS-QUAL skálákat felhasználva részletesen elemzi az elektronikus szolgáltatásminőség dimenziói és a fogyasztói elégedettség közötti fontosabb összefüggéseket, emellett röviden vizsgálja az alkalmazott skálák megbízhatóságát és érvényességét. A kutatás fő célja a gyakorlati szakemberek számára is releváns kapcsolatok feltárása és bemutatása. _______ A company’s competitiveness significantly depends on the satisfaction of its consumers, which is influenced by the relationship between the expected and perceived quality. As over the last decade internet has become a significant channel, in parallel its customers have built some expectation about the quality of different websites and online services. Therefore the marketing literature should focus on the dimensions of e-service quality (e-sq) and online-customer satisfaction. This study first resumes with different concepts of e-sq, which are the principles of the online-customer satisfaction’s measurement. Than the different e-sq measurement methods are reviewed and the dimensions of E-S-QUAL and ERecS- QUAL scales are deeply explained. The study is focusing on concepts relating to web shops. The next part of the article includes two empirical studies. The first is about the situation of satisfaction measurement at Hungarian companies. The other one analyzes the most relevant relationships between the dimension of e-sq and customer satisfaction based on the E-S-QUAL and E-RecS-QUAL scales for measuring e-sq and briefly outlines the reliability and validity of these scales. The main purpose of this empirical research is to summarise the managerial and practical implications.
Intensification of biokinetics of enzymes using ultrasound assisted methods: A critical review
Authors: Khan Altab , Beg Mohd Riyaz , Waghmare Pramod
Published: January 2021

The use of low intensity ultrasound has gotten surprising consideration over the last decade as a method for enhancing the catalytic activity of enzyme. Ultrasounds have the potential to significantly influence the activity of the enzymatic processes, provided that the energy input is not too high to inactivate the enzyme. By providing the variation in parameters, various physical and chemical effects can be attained that can enhance the enzymatic reaction. Ultrasonic reactors are known for their application in bioprocesses. However, the potential of their applications is still limited broadly due to the lack of proper information about their operational and performance parameters. In this review, the detailed information about ultrasonic reactors is provided by defining the different types of reactors, number and position of ultrasonic transducers. Also, it includes mechanism of intensification and influence of ultrasonic parameters (intensity, duty cycle and frequency) and enzymatic factors (enzyme concentration, temperature and pH) on the catalytic activity of enzyme during ultrasound treatment.
The Cooperative Integrated Reading And Composition (CIRC) Strategy In Teaching Reading Comprehension Teaching Comprehension
Authors: Asrifan Andi , Raskova Octaberlina Like
Published: January 2021

The objective of this research was : to find out whether or not a cooperative integrated reading composition strayegy can improve the reading comprehension of Eighth grade of students at SMP Negeri 2 Baranti.This research apply pre-experimental design with one group pre-test and post-test. The population of this research was four classes at SMP Negeri 2 Baranti in academic year 2019/2020 with the total population were 120 students. The sample of this research were VIII.A (30 students). This sample was taken by cluster sampling technique. This research applied reading test to know the students reading comprehension through cooperative integrated reading and composition strategy. The researcher found that by using cooperative integrated reading and composition in teaching reading comprehension, it could improved the reading comprehend of the eighth grade students of SMP Negeri 2 Baranti. It was proved by p-value of post-test was lower than the α (0,000<0,05). So, the researcher stated that H
0 was rejected and H
1 was accepted. Based on the data analysis, the researcher concluded that: Cooperative integrated reading and composition strategy could improved students reading comprehension.
Human Intestinal Barrier: Effects of Stressors, Diet, Prebiotics, and Probiotics
Authors: Camilleri Michael
Published: January 2021

The objectives of this article are to understand the effects of stressors (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, exercise, and pregnancy) and components in the diet, specifically prebiotics and probiotics, on intestinal barrier function. Stressors generally reduce barrier function, and these effects can be reversed by supplements such as zinc or glutamine that are among the substances that enhance the barrier. Other dietary factors in the diet that improve the barrier are vitamins A and D, tryptophan, cysteine, and fiber; by contrast, ethanol, fructose, and dietary emulsifiers increase permeability. Effects of prebiotics on barrier function are modest; on the other hand, probiotics exert direct and indirect antagonism of pathogens, and there are documented effects of diverse probiotic species, especially combination agents, on barrier function in vitro, in vivo in animal studies, and in human randomized controlled trials conducted in response to stress or disease. Clinical observations of benefits with combination probiotics in inflammatory diseases have simultaneously not appraised effects on intestinal permeability. In summary, probiotics and synbiotics enhance intestinal barrier function in response to stressor or disease states. Future studies should address the changes in barrier function and microbiota concomitant with assessment of clinical outcomes.