bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MANAGEMENT ELEMENTS OF THE EMERGENT METROPOLITAN AREAS IN A TRANSITION COUNTRY. ROMANIA, AS CASE STUDY
Authors: IANOȘ Ioan , PEPTENATU Daniel , DRĂGHICI Cristian , PINTILII Radu Daniel
Published: October 2020

Complex processes, specific to the countries in transition, have had major impacts on restructuring the territorial management systems. The removal of restrictions of limiting urban expansion, imposed by the totalitarian regime, has allowed the rapid expansion of cities, beyond administrative boundaries, since 1989. The concept of emerging metropolitan area is explained by the multitude of problems posed by the sketching of these areas and especially by their functioning. Synthesizing, there are presented some managerial experiences considered inchoate, of some emerging Romanian metropolitan areas, with an emphasis on Bucharest’s metropolitan area. The conclusions of these descriptive analysis show the complexity of the problems that can occur during the process of building of the metropolitan areas under the circumstances of lack of an inter-municipal cooperation culture. Integrated management takes into account two realities: firstly, that the management of emerging metropolitan areas is trans-scalar, achieving the partial mergence of the management types (including the collegiate one), and secondly, that insuring a multi-level governance without implementing a polycentric intra-metropolitan development policy, is not sufficient.
GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAND-USE MIXTURE AND HOME– BASED TRIP MAKING AND MORE: CASE OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
Authors: MA Yin-Shan , CHEN Xueming
Published: October 2020

Richmond, Virginia has implemented numerous mixed land-use policies to encourage non-private-vehicle commuting for decades based on the best practices of other cities and the assumption that land-use mixture would positively lead to trip reduction. This paper uses both Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and statistical tools to empirically test this hypothesis. With local land use and trip making data as inputs, it first calculates two common indices of land-use mixture - entropy and dissimilarity indices, using GIS tool, supplemented by Microsoft Excel. Afterwards, it uses Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to calculate the correlation matrices among land-use mixture indices, socioeconomic variables, and home-based work/other trip rates, followed by a series of regression model runs on these variables. Through this study, it has been found that land-use mixture has some but weak effects on home-based work trip rate, and virtually no effects on home-based other trip rate. In contrast, socioeconomic variables, especially auto ownership, have larger effects on home-based trip making.
HOPES FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE’S FUTURE. AN ANALYSIS OF TWO ENDOGENOUS DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCES IN SOUTH-EASTERN GALICIA
Authors: PAÜL Valerià
Published: October 2020

The Galician countryside is commonly interpreted as being dominated by a deep socio-economic depression that even the reception of generous European Union rural and regional development funds over the last few decades has not been able to overcome. The aim of this paper is to refine this negative understanding at regional scale by examining specific case-studies at local level through a qualitative study of two self-proclaimed “rural development centres” located in south-eastern Galicia (the province of Ourense). The research is carried out within a theoretical framework on development, based mainly on the core notion of endogenous development. After outlining the regional setting, the selected experiences in the hamlets of Lodoselo (municipality of Sarreaus, district of A Limia) and Arzádegos (municipality of Vilardevós, district of Val de Monterrei) are analysed. The paper concludes by discussing to what extent both initiatives follow endogenous development conception and contribute towards real rural development, thus avoiding the bleak regional picture. The relevance of qualitative readings is stressed in this respect.
Importância da capacitação da equipe bioterista em um novo modelo operacional na experimentação animal e na reprodutibilidade dos resultados
Authors:   Rodrigo Müller, Bruno Jorge Duque da Silva, Alex Costa de Almeida, Leandro Thomaz Vilela, Plínio de Araújo Oliveira Neto, Tatiana de Souza Freitas and Izabela Gimenes Lopes
Published: October 2020

O presente estudo tem como objetivo mostrar a capacidade técnica e operacional do Laboratório de Experimentação Animal de Bio-Manguinhos / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz – Rio de janeiro – Brasil, bem como o seu funcionamento, alinhado aos modelos internacionais de operacionalização, refletindo dessa forma nos ganhos técnicos, éticos, financeiros, institucionais, de refinamento experimental, na redução do uso de animais e na eficiência da reprodutibilidade experimental. Este novo modelo vem se estruturando desde o ano de 2005.
High intensity focused ultrasound enhances anti-tumor immunity through promoting CD4 Th1 effector T cell response
Authors: Zhang Haiying , Han Kun
Published: October 2020

Background: Melanoma accounts for more than 80% of deaths from all dermatologic cancers, mainly due to its widespread metastasis. High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a promising technique for cancer therapy. Here, we investigated the efficacy of HIFU against melanoma and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: A melanoma allograft mouse model was established to examine the tumor progression and survival rate. Anti-tumor immunity was determined by measuring cytokines, regulatory T cells (Tregs), Th17 cells and CD8+ effector T cells. Western blot, qPCR, RNAi and luciferase assay were performed to confirm the expression and regulation of microRNA (miR)-9-5p and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β).

Results: HIFU exposure significantly suppressed melanoma growth and metastasis by activating interferon gamma (IFN-γ) secretion, inhibiting Tregs and Th17 cells, and stimulating CD8+ effector T cells. TGF-β was a direct target of miR-9-5p. The anti-tumor effect of HIFU might be mediated through the miR-9-5p/TGF-β pathway.

Conclusion: HIFU activates anti-tumor response and alters tumor microenvironment, which may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for melanoma treatment.
Menakar Kembali Materi Pendidikan Agama Islam Untuk Menangkal Tuduhan Faham Radikalisme Kepada Umat Islam
Authors: Nasri Ulyan
Published: October 2020

Istilah radikalisme sudah menjadi istilah yang familer dilekatkan pada suatu kelompok dalam Islam. Indikator-indikator untuk menyebut kelompok dalam Islam radikalisme di antaranya adalah terorisme, anarkis, pemberontak dan ekstrim. Salah satu penyebab terjebaknya oknum kepada prilaku radikalisme yaitu pemahaman agama yang parsial dan cenderung kepada sifat fanatisme. Sifat inilah yang kemudian mengakibatkan rasa superioritas atas pemeluk agama lain. Gagal faham tentang konsep jihad dalam agama menjadikan seseorang mengambil jalan pintas yaitu dengan menebar teror kepada orang-orang yang justru tidak bersalah. konsekuensi logis dari interpretasi ini adalah penyandingan terorisme sebagai buah dari radikalisme. Hipotesa ini adalah sesuatu yang wajar, mengingat berbagai aktivitas teror di berbagai belahan dunia senantiasa mengatasnamakan jihad yang dilakukan umat Islam sebagai bentuk ketaatan kepada Tuhan. Hal ini menimbulkan berbagai gejolak yang tanpa disadari tidak hanya berimplikasi pada menurunnya stabilitas nasional, tapi bahkan menyulut respon negatif dari berbagai belahan dunia. Oleh karena itu diperlukan adanya pemahaman inklusif terhadap agama sehingga pemeluk agama menyadari bahwa pluralitas adalah sebuah keniscayaan. Melihat permasalahan tersebut, perlu ada penguatan dan penegasan kembali tentang originalitas ajaran Islam yang mengandung nilai-nilai humanis-pluralistik dan toleran. Maka, peran yang sangat strategis dalam hal ini adalah materi pendidikan agama Islam harus mampu merekonstruksi materi-materi yang yang relevan untuk menangkal tuduhan tersebut. Pada titik inilah fokus kajian dalam artikel ini yaitu berusaha menakar kembali materi-materi pendidikan agama Islam yang cenderung bernilai humanis-pluralis dan toleran untuk menangkal tuduhan radikalisme pada agama Islam.
Deducing a Variational Principle with Minimal A Priori Assumptions
Authors: Krieger Andrew , Menz Georg , Tassy Martin
Published: October 2020

We study the well-known variational and large deviation principle for graph homomorphisms from $\mathbb{Z}^m$ to $\mathbb{Z}$. We provide a robust method to deduce those principles under minimal a priori assumptions. The only ingredient specific to the model is a discrete Kirszbraun theorem i.e. an extension theorem for graph homomorphisms. All other ingredients are of a general nature not specific to the model. They include elementary combinatorics, the compactness of Lipschitz functions, and a simplicial Rademacher theorem. Compared to the literature, our proof does not need any other preliminary results like e.g. concentration or strict convexity of the local surface tension. Therefore, the method is very robust and extends to more complex and subtle models, as e.g. the homogenization of limit shapes or graph-homomorphisms to a regular tree.
PENGGUNAAN MEDIA TANAMAN LOKAL UNTUK MENINGKATKAN AKTIVITAS BELAJAR IPA DI SEKOLAH DASAR
Authors: Roru Maria Dolorosa , Sariyyah Nining , Henakin Stefanus Tebajak
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study is (1) To find out the Application of Local Plant Media in Increasing Student Learning Activities of Grade IV SDI Onekore 4, Ende Utara District, Ende Regency. (2). To find out the increase in student learning activities in class IV SDI Onekore 4, Ende Utara District, Ende Regency. This type of research used is classroom action research. The subjects in this study were 32 students in grade IV Onekore 4 SDI. Furthermore, data collection techniques are carried out through observation and tests. Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that the use of local plant media to identify science learning activities in class IV SDI Onekore 4 from cycle I to cycle II has increased. Cycle I obtained an average yield of 59.84 and in the cycle obtained an average of 70.80. From the results of the study it can be concluded that the science learning process by using local plant media can increase the learning activities of grade IV students of SDI Onekore 4, Ende Utara subdistrict, Ende Regency.
META-ANALISIS PENGARUH STRATEGI PQ4R DALAM PEMBELAJARAN BAHASA INDONESIA DI SEKOLAH DASAR
Authors: Kurniawan Mohammad Heru Dwi , Mujiwati Endang Sri , Kurnia Ita
Published: October 2020

This research aimed to analyze the effect of the PQ4R strategy on Indonesian Language material. The PQ4R strategy was a learning strategy used that make students remember what they read and what they  can help in  teaching and learning process in the class which was conducted by reading the books. The research used a meta-analysis method by using two national journal articles. The calculations on the two articles provided  different results. The results of the first analysis article had an effect size of (1.33) which means that it had the highest effect size. While , in  the second article it had the effect size of (0.84) which means the effect size is high. The PQ4R strategy affected in  learning outcomes and it can be used in Indonesian in  the high of the elementary school.
Edgebond and Edgefill Induced Loading Effect on Large WLCSP Thermal Cycling Performance
Authors: Hsiao Andy , Baty Greg , Ibe Edward , Loh Karl , Perng Steve , Xie Weidong , Lee Tae-Kyu
Published: October 2020

Various external load conditions affecting components on electronic devices and modules are constant factors, which need to be considered for the component long-term reliability. Recently, to enhance the high stress component thermo-mechanical cycling performance, various types and configuration using edgebond and edgefill technology are introduced and tested. These applications induce a multi-axis loading condition, which alter the degradation mechanism and failure location during thermal cycling, which need closer investigation. In this study, high stress 12x12mm2 wafer level chip scale packages (WLCSP) were selected and subject to thermal cycling with full-edgebond, dot-edgebond and edgefill adhesive, which improves the characteristic lifecycle numbers base on the configurations, but altered the failure location due to different stress conditions. The -40 to 125oC thermal cycling profile revealed localized degradation per configuration during thermal cycling, showed a shift of the crack propagation path, based on full-edgebond, dot-edgebond and edgefill adhesive sample conditions. Through these series of observation, the interconnect thermal cycling degradation mechanisms are able to be explained. The correlation between the stress condition and microstructure are  presented and discussed based on Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis.
Trust dan Perceived Usefulness dan Pengaruhnya Terhadap Preferensi Konsumen Dalam Menggunakan E-wallet
Authors: Hermawan Vania Katherine , Paramita Eristia Lidia
Published: October 2020

The bloom of banking and fintech companies in Indonesia is marked by the rapid growth of e-wallet users in recent years. The bloom is encouraged by the government by establishing the Gerakan Nasional Non Tunai program to promote cashless society among millennials who are already familiar with cashless lifestyle. There are many factors which attract people to use e-wallet, such as trust, usefulness, and promotion. This research aims to examine the effect of trust and perceived usefulness moderated by the promotion variable on consumers’ preference towards two e-wallet brands—OVO and GoPay. This quantitative research is conducted using Likert scale. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) method is used to examine whether each variable has different effect in shaping consumers’ preference. The samples used in this research are active users of OVO and GoPay who are currently living in Semarang. The ANOVA results show that trust, usefulness, and promotion does not have different effect in shaping consumers’ preference. However, they do attract consumers to use e-wallet. This research might be useful to help develop better quality of e-wallet service, security, and utility and build a perfect marketing strategy for banking and fintech companies.
Does Fiscal Policy Tools have the Potential to Stimulate Performance of Manufacturing Sector in Nigeria?
Authors: Ubesie Cyril Madubuko , Ananwude Amalachukwu , Cyracus Ezechi Nwanekpe , Emmanuel Ebe
Published: October 2020

Purpose: There is no denying the fact that the Nigerian manufacturing sector is not performing up to the expectation. The poor performance of the manufacturing sector is attributed largely to the poor state of basic infrastructures, especially power supply, and good road networks. To this end, this study examined the potential of fiscal policy to stimulate manufacturing sector performance in Nigeria.

Methods: The model estimation employed the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimation technique, while the effect of estimation was carried out using the Granger causality test based on the data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for the period of 1986 to 2019.

Results: The result of the analysis revealed that recurrent expenditure has no significant effect on manufacturing sector performance. However, capital expenditure, fiscal deficit, and the company’s income tax significantly affect manufacturing sector performance.

Implications: The Federal, State, and Local governments should stop wasteful expenditure on unnecessary entertainment on meetings, seminars, workshops, foreign trips, etc. to increase spending on basic industrial infrastructures, most importantly on the power supply and road network to stimulate the manufacturing sector performance.
Profitability Determinants of Palm Oil Marketing in Umuahia Agricultural Zone of Abia State, Nigeria
Authors: Anyanwu Uchechi Gerarada , Osuji Emeka Emmanuel , Ben-Chendo Nkiruka Glory
Published: October 2020

Purpose: This study aims to ascertain the profitability determinants of palm oil marketing in Umuahia Agricultural Zone of Abia State, Nigeria.

Methods: Data on socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, cost, and returns of palm oil marketing in the area were collected using a multi-stage sampling technique from 60 palm oil marketers in Abia State. A descriptive statistical technique, marketing margin, profitability models, and the ordinary least squares multiple regression techniques were used to analyze the data obtained.

Results: The empirical analysis showed that palm oil marketers mean age to be 47 years with a household size of 5 persons. 77% of the palm oil marketers were males while only 23% were females. The mean marketing experience of the palm oil marketers was estimated to be 16 years. The gross and net marketing margins were estimated at N55, 288.91, and N54, 076.91 respectively. The marketing margin was found to be ₦81,221.22 and profitability was estimated at 0.33. Age, household size, education, and marketing experience were statistically significant at 5% and influenced the profitability of palm oil marketing in the area.

Implications: Considering the net profit obtained from palm oil marketing in the area, there is a need to intensify its management and marketing strategies to further harness more profitable outcomes in the future. Also enabling environment should be created to make production and marketing of the product less stressful, especially for women entrepreneurs.
Paradigms of Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Republic of Belarus
Authors: Efimov Denis , Shcherba Aliakesei , Korotkov Sergei , Rummo Oleg
Published: October 2020

Poster presented at Forum for Interdisciplinary Research in Medicine, Science & Technology Conference, Moscow 2020
Peer reviewed by JS Bamrah, Ananthakrishnan Raghuraman, Soumit Dasgupta & Jyothi Srinivasan
Epidemiological Characteristics of Major Depression of Hospitalized Patients in Psychiatric Hospital “Demir Hisar” – Demir Hisar for a Five Year Period from 2013 to 2017
Authors: Iliev Biljana , Bonevski Dimitar , Naumovska Andromahi
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: Severe depression is a mental disorder with a wide range of changes in psychic functions, primarily of affectivity, and is manifested by dysphoric mood and reductive changes in cognitive, conative, and other psychic dynamics, with the presence of psychosomatic complaints and suicidal thoughts. There is always a triad of symptoms: Alteration of affectivity, anhedonia, and low energy with fatigue, but in her clinical picture, there are other symptoms, such as feeling guilty and helpless, obsessed with “black thoughts” with loss of confidence in themselves, with hopelessness, loss of appetite, and weight loss with present insomnia or hypersomnia, and more frequent thinking about death due to the feeling of worthlessness of life. This mental illness covers a vast area of the affective life of a human with a broad spectrum classified by ICD - 10- F 32, F 32.2, and F 32.3.
AIM: The main goal is to determine the total number of patients with the major depression treated at “Demir Hisar” Psychiatric Hospital for a period of 5 years, retrospectively in 2013 until 2017 and to determine the impact of socio-demographic variables as risk factors and predictors.
METHODS: The study is retrospective, and the necessary parameters for achieving the goals of the research are provided by analyzing the medical histories of all hospitalized patients treated in psychiatric hospitals Demir Hisar in the period from 2013 to 2017. Incidence rates and indexes of the dynamics of hospitalized patients with major depression were determined.
RESULTS: About 61.8% of the patients are men and 38.2% women. Patients with no education and elementary school were 64.5% versus patients with high school and university 35.5% and are significantly underpowered. Regarding the employment status, 38.2% of patients are unemployed, and 61.8% of patients are employed. According to the cross-sectional study, 64.7% of men without education have severe depression and live in the city, and 53.3% of women with secondary education live in urban areas (city), meaning rural residence is associated with a reduced rate of severe depression.
CONCLUSION: We can conclude that socio-demographic characteristics – age, gender, marital status, level of education, employment/unemployment status, and place of residence are related to the severity of depression.
Awareness and Attitude Toward Eye Donation among Medical Students in Qassim University – A Cross-sectional Study, 2019
Authors: Alzuhairy Sultan Abdulaziz , Alfarraj Abdulrahman Sulaiman , Alharbi Meshari Mubarak , Alhomidani Raghad Juidan
Published: October 2020

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of awareness and attitude for eye donation among medical students of Qassim University.
METHODS: All medical students of Qassim University were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study in 2019. The survey contains 10 questions regarding knowledge for different aspects of eye donation, one question on their attitude to donate eye, and one question to specify reasons for reservation for eye donation which were inquired. Awareness score of 50% and more was defined as “good awareness.” Awareness was associated to variables such as gender, grade of medical school, and if they attended ophthalmology course.
RESULTS: Of the 600 students, 386 were surveyed. The good knowledge regarding eye donation was in 19.2% (95% CI 15.2; 23.1) participants. Attitude to donate eye was positive in 102 (26.4% [95% CI 22.0; 30.8]) participants. One hundred and seventy-nine (46.5%) participants were undecided for eye donation. The level of knowledge was positively and significantly associated to attitude to donate eyes. (OR = 2.44 [95% CI 1.4; 4.2], p = 0.001). The awareness was not associated to gender (p = 0.97) and years in medical college (p = 0.6). Attending ophthalmology course did not significantly affect the knowledge about eye donation (p = 0.8). Lack of adequate information was the main barrier among 146 (37.6%) students for their unwillingness for eye donation.
CONCLUSIONS: Awareness about eye donation among medical students was low. Health promotion, inclusion of eye donation in undergraduate curriculum, and ophthalmic training are recommended to improve both knowledge and attitude of medical student
Nurse Needs, Hope, and Satisfaction during Hemodialysis Care in Medan Indonesia
Authors: Siregar Cholina Trisa , Zulkarnain Zulkarnain , Nasution Siti Zahara , Ariga Reni Asmara
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic kidney disease need hemodialysis kidney replacement. Nurses in providing hemodialysis services require the needs during treatment, have hopes / desires and feel satisfaction while doing patient nurses.
AIM: This study aims to identify the needs, hopes/desires and satisfaction of nurses in providing care to hemodialysis patients in Medan.
METHODS: The research design used is descriptive, sampling method using purposive sampling with a sample of 41 respondents. Inclusion criteria were permanent nurses in government hospitals, working period of more than 2 years, nurses working in hemodialysis units. Data collection is done by distributing questionnaires, questionnaires are made based on literature reviews that have been tested by content validation by experts. Reliability tests using Cronbach’s Alpha with 0.88 test results so that the instrument is feasible to use.
RESULT: The results showed that the majority of nurses said that the need for hemodialysis nurses was highest, namely the latest information on HD services by 39 respondents (98%), the hopes and desires of nurses during the care of HD patients comfortably and well as many as 37 respondents (93%), satisfaction while caring Patients who monitored the patient’s weight reached 38 respondents (98%),
CONCLUSIONS: This study recommends that hospitals, especially the Hemodialysis room, continue to provide maximum service to every patient who is undergoing Hemodialysis as a motivation for patients to stay motivated in living their daily lives.
Psychophysiological Status and Life Quality in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome Living in Central Kazakhstan
Authors: Koichubekov Berik , Sorokina Marina , Korshukov Ilya , Bakirova Riszhan , Bekov Ernur , Omarbekova Nazgul
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: Morbidity rate of circulatory system diseases (CSD) in Kazakhstan continues to grow and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) contributes significantly to cardiovascular risk development. It was known that MetS altered autonomic nervous system (ANS) by decreasing parasympathetic activity and global heart rate variability (HRV), at the same time, the decrease in sympathetic modulation is unclear. Studies investigated associations between anxiety and MetS disorders are rather controversial. Research findings of the MetS influence on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were also contradictory. The above-mentioned justifies the necessity of research to clarify and deepen the MetS etiology and pathogenesis, as well as to improve its diagnostics efficiency and treatment.
AIM: The research goals were to study psychophysiological status and HRQoL in individuals with MetS living in Central Kazakhstan.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred MetS patients were examined in Karaganda city clinical hospital. Statistical methods and spectral analysis of HRV, simple visual-motor reaction (SVMR), the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Lüscher color test were used. SF-36 questionnaire was used for HRQoL assessment.
RESULTS: General decrease in the activity of both sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of ANS was observed in MetS patients. More than half of the examined MetS patients have had a high level of trait anxiety. Most MetS patients have had a low level of the central nervous system (CNS) functional activity. MetS patients are active both in physical and social spheres. Bodily pain syndrome greatly influences MetS patients’ life quality. The patients evaluate their health level as being low.
CONCLUSION: Individuals with MetS living in Central Kazakhstan had decreased activity of ANS, prevalence of inhibition processes in CNS, high level of trait anxiety, and bodily pain syndrome affecting life quality.
Interactive Training and Education Improves Basic Hypertension Knowledge of Woman Cadres in Surabaya
Authors: Andrianto Andrianto , Ardiana Meity , Aditya Muhammad , Sitorus Sondang Jasmine , Rachmi Dita Aulia , Septianda Imanita , Al Farabi Makhyan Jibril
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of premature death and disability. Interactive education and training are potentially used to improve hypertension knowledge.
AIM: This study aimed to identify the impact of training and education programs toward knowledge in hypertension for women cadres.
METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in Surabaya, Indonesia, involving 100 women cadre. The data were collected through interviews, pre- and post-training using a validated researcher-made questionnaire of demographic characteristics, and knowledge tests of hypertension. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.
RESULTS: Knowledge of cadre was significantly increased by 50% after the training and education program (p < 0.001). The median score of the pre-test and post-test was 40.00 (30.00–50.00) and 60.00 (50.00–70.00), respectively. The level of education found to have a negative correlation with the post-test score (p = 0.008). There was no difference in knowledge increment after training among age groups (p = 0.261), marital status (p = 0.849), or occupations type (p = 0.827).
CONCLUSION: Training and education programs significantly improve the hypertension knowledge of woman cadre. This method can be a preferable early public health intervention to tackle hypertension.
The Level Assessment of Extracellular Nucleic Acids in the Blood of Pregnant Women with Chronic Hypertension with Superimposed Preeclampsia
Authors: Omertayeva Dinara , Muravlyova Larissa , Ponomaryova Olga , Molotov-Luchanskiy Vilen , Bakirova Ryszhan , Klyuev Dmitriy , Mugazov Miras
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia, chronic arterial hypertension is one of the causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.
AIM: The aim of our study was to assess the level of extracellular nucleic acids in red blood cells and blood plasma in pregnant women with severe preeclampsia, severe chronic hypertension, and pregnant women with chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia.
METHODS: A total of 107 pregnant women were examined who were hospitalized at the Regional Clinical Hospital and at the Regional Perinatal Center in Karaganda and 29 healthy non-pregnant women. Pregnant women were divided into four groups: 1 group – 32 pregnant with severe chronic hypertension, 2 group – 48 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia, 3 group – 35 women entered the group with chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia, and group control – 29 healthy non-pregnant women of child bearing age (4th group – control).
RESULTS: The content of ecNA in the erythrocytes of pregnant women with chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia sharply increases relative to the control and comparison groups; in pregnant women with severe hypertension and severe preeclampsia, the level of ecNA is moderately higher relative to the control, but lower than in the main group.
CONCLUSION: Our data indicate significant changes in the level of ecNA in pregnant women with various types of hypertension and require further research, but now, changes in the concentration of ecNA can be considered as one of the links in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Prevalence, Comparison, and Determinants of Smoking among Young Schoolchildren in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ansari Khalid , Farooqi Faraz Ahmed , Abidi Syed Taha , Al Mubarak Jaffar Shawqi , Ali Saqib
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: Smoking is one of the most serious health issues among all age groups, particularly in children globally including the Gulf region. However, there are little data about the prevalence in public and private schools and determinants of smoking among adolescents in Saudi Arabia.
AIM: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence, compare, and determine smoking habits among male children in public and private schools.
METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Dammam city, KSA. The data were collected from 866 male children studying in public and private schools. Sample was calculated through stratified random sampling. The modified “Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS)” was used to collect information.
RESULTS: The total number of children recruited was 866 (223 from private and 643 from public schools). The mean age of children studied was 14.20 ± 1.03 years in both groups. The result shows that overall 27.8% of children tried to smoke cigarette both in public and private schools. The prevalence of smoking is higher in public schools’ children than in private schools (30% vs. 21%; p = 0.005). In addition, wrong perception of comfortable feeling after smoking, easy access to cigarettes, parent’s addiction, and smoking in front of children are the determining factors.
CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the prevalence of cigarettes smoking among children exists in considerable proportion. It is higher in public schools children. The health and education authorities should take urgent steps to encounter this major health issue.
Public Health Expenditure and Under-five Mortality in Nigeria: An Overview for Policy Intervention
Authors: Azuh Dominic E. , Osabohien Romanus , Orbih Mary , Godwin Abigail
Published: October 2020

AIM: This study looked at the contribution of the health expenditure by the government on under-five mortality in Nigeria.
METHODS: The autoregressive distribution lag technique was employed in this study in examining the long-run effect of public health expenditure on under-five mortality in Nigeria. Data were sourced from the World Development Indicators for the period 1985–2017.
RESULTS: Results from the study showed that though public health expenditure is statistically significant, it showed a positive relationship with the under-five mortality.
CONCLUSION: The implication of this result is that 1 unit increase in public health expenditure would improve increase under-five mortality rate by 1.56 units. However, in the Nigerian context, this can be better explained by the lack of proper health-fund coordination and other factors such as maternal education. Therefore, the study concluded by recommending that proper health-fund coordination should be put in place to ensure that budget allocated to the health sector is being spent properly.
Blood Pressure and Blood Pressure Deficits as Predictors of Acute Kidney Injury in Vasopressor Dependent Patients Post Cardiovascular Surgery
Authors: Farghaly Ahmed , Fahmy AbdelRaof , Ameen Mohamed , Taema Khaled M. , Hamed Gamal
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious post-operative complication following cardiovascular surgery.
AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the value of blood pressure and blood pressure deficits as predictors of AKI in post cardiovascular surgery vasopressors’ dependent patients.
METHODS: A prospective observational, single center study, conducted on 100 patients requiring vasopressor support for more than 4 h after cardiovascular surgery. All included patients were subjected to the measurements of three or more systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) readings from the ward charts before surgery and the mean of these measures was calculated, was recorded and pre-operative systolic perfusion pressure (SPP), diastolic perfusion pressure (DPP), and mean perfusion pressure (MPP) were calculated. A vasopressor-associated average values for hemodynamic pressure-related parameters (SAP, DAP, MAP, CVP, SPP, DPP, and MPP) were calculated on the 1st 24 h after admission. The percent deficit in post-operative average parameters in relation to pre-operative parameters was determined as % parameter deficit.
RESULTS: The pre-operative SAP, DAP, MAP, SPP, DPP, and MPP were significantly higher in the non-AKI compared to AKI patients while pre-operative central venous pressure (CVP) was significantly higher in AKI patients. The post-operative DAP, MAP, DPP, and MPP were also higher in non-AKI and the post-operative CVP was lower in non-AKI compared to AKI patients.
CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that the relative decrease in the perfusion pressures could be significant predictors of AKI after cardiovascular surgery in vasopressor dependent patients. The higher pre- or post-operative CVP or its relative decrease after cardiac surgery was seen also to be associated with higher incidence of AKI.
Lack of Association between Factor V Leiden G1691A, Prothrombin G20210A, MTHFC677T Mutations, and Early Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in a Group of Sudanese Women
Authors: Babker Asaad Ma. , Ahmed Itedal Abdelraheem Mohamed , Ismail Marwan , Hassan Fathelrahman Mahdi , Osman Ahmed L. , Kandakurti Praveen Kumar , Altoum Abd Elgadir A.
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: Recurrent pregnancy loss is classically defined as the occurrence of three or more consecutive pregnancy loss. Recurrent pregnancy loss affects from 1-5% of the reproductive age couples. This diagnosis is both emotionally challenging and confusing for most couples, as the definitive diagnosis using conventional evaluations is found in fewer than half of the couples experiencing repeated loss.
AIM: The purpose of this study was to define the association between Factor V Leiden G1691A, Prothrombin G20210A, MTHFC677T mutations and recurrent pregnancy loss in a group of Sudanese women.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This a retrospective analytical case control study was carried out at Omdurman Maternal Hospital, Sudan between July 2013 to July 2015. Consent was obtained from the ethical committee of the Faculty Research Board and Hospital of Omdurman Maternity Hospital (Sudan). The study included a hundred pregnant females with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion as the (case group) and ninety-five healthy reproductive Sudanese women as the (control group). The data was collected with the help of a structured questionnaire and direct interview to collect information. Identification of point mutation in factor V Leiden G1691A, prothrombin G20210A and MTHF C677T gene by polymerase chain reaction was performed. The odds ratio and the 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated for the presence of mutation case group and the control group and analyzed by SPSS program, version 17.0.
RESULTS: The frequency of prothrombin G20210A, MTHFC677T, was low overall, except for the Factor V Leiden G1691A. The differences between patients and controls had no statistical significance (P- Value>0.05).
CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the low prevalence of inherited thrombophilias in Sudanese populations and it is unlikely that the tested thrombophilias play a role in the pathogenesis of recurrent pregnancy loss in the Sudanse population.Therefore, we conclude that the low prevalence of Factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A and MTHFC677T in Sudanese women with RPL and does not play a role in the pathogenesis of recurrent pregnancy loss among our population.
"Flora of Russia" on iNaturalist: a dataset
Authors: Seregin Alexey , Bochkov Dmitriy , Shner Julia , Garin Eduard , Pospelov Igor , Prokhorov Vadim , Golyakov Pavel , Mayorov Sergey , Svirin Sergey , Khimin Alexander , Gorbunova Marina , Kashirina Ekaterina , Kuryakova Olga , Bolshakov Boris , Ebel Aleksandr , Khapugin Anatoliy , Mallaliev Maxim , Mirvoda Sergey , Lednev Sergey , Nesterkova Dina , Zelenova Nadezhda , Nesterova Svetlana , Zelenkova Viktoriya , Vinogradov Georgy , Biryukova Olga , Verkhozina Alla , Zyrianov Alexey , Gerasimov Sergey , Murtazaliev Ramazan , Basov Yurii , Marchenkova Kira , Vladimirov Dmitry , Safina Dina , Dudov Sergey , Degtyarev Nikolai , Tretyakova Diana , Chimitov Daba , Sklyar Evgenij , Kandaurova Alesya , Bogdanovich Svetlana , Dubynin Alexander , Chernyagina Olga , Lebedev Aleksandr , Knyazev Mikhail , Mitjushina Irina , Filippova Nina , Dudova Kseniia , Kuzmin Igor , Svetasheva Tatyana , Zakharov Vladimir , Travkin Vladimir , Magazov Yaroslav , Teploukhov Vladimir , Efremov Andrey , Deineko Olesya , Stepanov Viktor , Popov Eugene , Kuzmenckin Dmitry , Strus Tatiana , Zarubo Tatyana , Romanov Konstantin , Ebel Alexei , Tishin Denis , Arkhipov Vladimir , Korotkov Vladimir , Kutueva Svetlana , Gostev Vladimir , Krivosheev Mikhail , Gamova Natalia , Belova Veronica , Kosterin Oleg , Prokopenko Sergey , Sultanov Rinat , Kobuzeva Irina , Dorofeev Nikolay , Yakovlev Alexander , Danilevsky Yuriy , Zolotukhina Irina , Yumagulov Damir , Glazunov Valerii , Bakutov Vladimir , Danilin Andrey , Pavlov Igor , Pushay Elena , Tikhonova Elena , Samodurov Konstantin , Epikhin Dmitrii , Silaeva Tatyana , Pyak Andrei , Fedorova Yulia , Samarin Evgeniy , Shilov Denis , Borodulina Valentina , Kropocheva Ekaterina , Kosenkov Gennadiy , Bury Uladzimir , Mitroshenkova Anna , Karpenko Tatiana , Osmanov Ruslan , Kozlova Maria , Gavrilova Tatiana , Senator Stepan , Khomutovskiy Maxim , Borovichev Eugene , Filippov Ilya , Ponomarenko Serguei , Shumikhina Elena , Lyskov Dmitry , Belyakov Evgeny , Kozhin Mikhail , Poryadin Leonid , Leostrin Artem
Published: October 2020

The "Flora of Russia" project on iNaturalist brought together professional scientists and amateur naturalists from all over the country. Over 10,000 people are involved in the data collection.

Within 20 months the participants accumulated over 750,000 photo observations of 6,853 species of the Russian flora. This constitutes the largest dataset of open spatial data on the country’s biodiversity and a leading source of data on the current state of the national flora. About 85% of all project data are available under free licenses (CC0, CC-BY, CC-BY-NC) and can be freely used in scientific, educational and environmental activities.
Identification and quantitative analysis of furostanol glycosides in caltrop
Authors: Burda Nadiia , Zhuravel Iryna , Dababneh Moeen F. , Kotov Andrii , Kotova Elina , Popyk Andrii
Published: October 2020

This study describes the identification and quantitative determination of furostanol glycosides in caltrop herb harvested in the fructification period. Furostanol glycosides were identified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and quantified by UV-vis spectrophotometry. The furostanol glycosides were visualized on the TLC plate as pink spots after treatment with dimethylamine benzaldehyde solution. UV-vis spectrophotometry quantified these substances to the amount of at least 0.4 %. The data on the identification and quantification of furostanol glycosides obtained in the course of this research was implemented in the development of the Ukrainian State Pharmacopoeia for caltrop herb.
Pharmacotherapy costs and medicines reimbursement policies of osteoporosis in the Republic of Bulgaria and Republic of North Macedonia
Authors: Chakuleska Lidija , Simeonova Rumyana , Danchev Nikolay
Published: October 2020

The aim of the present study was to analyze and compare the number of health insured persons suffering from osteoporosis and antiosteoporotic drugs reimbursed by the National Health Insurance Funds (NHIF) in the Republic of Bulgaria (RBG) and Republic of North Macedonia (RNM) for the period 2015–2018. The reimbursement cost paid by the NHIF for the same period in both countries was surveyed.

The results show an increase in both the number of patients with osteoporosis and the cost of the treatment. The most prescribed drug in R. Bulgaria is denosumab and it has the highest costs respectively, while in R.N. Macedonia the most prescribed and respectively the most expensive treatment is the bisphosphonate ibandronic acid, tablets of 150 mg. The trend of rising costs in both countries is likely to continue due to the increasing number of patients with osteoporosis.

The number of patients and cost of pharmacotherapy in RNM and RBG are increasing but the reimbursement policy in RNM is more restrictive in terms of reimbursed medicines. On the other side, the RNM is with a higher level of reimbursement that might positively affect the cost of pharmacotherapy.
The segetal flora of Italy: an occurrence dataset from relevés in winter cereals and allied crop types
Authors: Fanfarillo Emanuele , Latini Marta , Iberite Mauro , Abbate Giovanna
Published: October 2020

The segetal flora of winter crops includes mostly native or archaeophyte annual species that are often strong specialists of their habitats. Threatened by the intensification of agriculture, segetal flora is particularly valuable from a perspective of biodiversity conservation and evolution. Moreover, it contributes to maintain biodiversity in agroecosystems and provides several ecosystem services. The dataset here described was set up to provide the first inventory of the segetal flora of Italian winter cereal crops and allied crop types, the latter including flax and autumn-sown legumes. It includes 24,676 georeferenced occurrence data deriving from 1,240 floristic and phytosociological relevés. The data were collected from the greater part of Italian territory, in a temporal range spanning from 1946 to 2018.
Evolutionary analyses of phylum Chaetognatha based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene
Authors: PETER Sam , BHASKARAN NAIR Manoj Kumar , PILLAI Devika
Published: October 2020

Chaetognaths (arrow worms) are an enigmatic group of transparent planktonic invertebrates and play an important role in the marine food web. Their morphological and developmental features have raised extensive debates since the discovery of the phylum in the 18th century. Uncertainty in the phylogenetic placement of certain chaetognath species still exists and is puzzling many scientists who have tried to clarify this task. Studies using a portion of both small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (SSU rRNA) and large subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (LSU rRNA) genes when integrated with conventional taxonomy were contributed to resolve taxonomical issues in this group. Here we present the first phylogenetic study of Chaetognatha based on a portion of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene and compare our results with the earlier morphological and molecular evolutionary hypotheses. This study includes 16 extant species, representing 8 genera and 6 of which are among the 9 extant families. We recommend the following clade structure for the phylum: Aphragmophora comprising Sagittidae with Pterosagittidae and Krohnittidae included in the Sagittidae and Phragmophora comprising Eukrohniidae, Spadellidae, and Heterokrohniidae. Phylogenetic analyses also supported the division of Phragmophora into two monophyletic groups: the Monophragmophora and Biphragmophora. Moreover, Ctenodontina/Flabellodontina and Syngonata/Chorismogonata suborders were not validated. Precise phylogenetic investigations using various molecular markers and specimens from diverse regions are definitely needed to provide an exact evolutionary concept on this phylum.
Intermittent Electric Generation Technologies and Smart Meters: Substitutes or Complements
Authors: Chiba Fadoua , Rouillon Sébastien
Published: October 2020

Nous modélisons un marché électrique simplifié avec des producteurs utilisant des générateurs électriques conventionnels ou intermittents et des consommateurs équipés soit de compteurs intelligents avec tarification en temps réel, soit de compteurs traditionnels avec tarification forfaitaire. Nous calculons l’investissement dans les technologies intermittentes et les compteurs intelligents à l’optimum social. Nous montrons que la pénétration optimale des compteurs intelligents croît avec la volatilité du prix de l’électricité au comptant. Il s’ensuit que les capacités de production intermittentes et les compteurs intelligents sont complémentaires, uniquement s’il existe une corrélation négative entre l’énergie intermittente et la demande ou si la capacité des générateurs intermittents est suffisamment importante. Dans le cas contraire, des capacités de production intermittentes plus importantes contribuent en fait à réduire la volatilité du prix de l’électricité au comptant, ce qui rend les compteurs intelligents moins utiles. Nous proposons également une application numérique, calibrée pour représenter le marché électrique français en 2018 et les objectifs politiques pour 2030.
Substituabilité entre assurance et auto-assurance : une propriété robuste à l’asymétrie d’information et à l’ambiguïté
Authors: Brunette Marielle , Corcos Anne , Couture Stéphane , Pannequin François
Published: October 2020

Nous étudions l’effet de l’inobservabilité par l’assureur de l’effort d’auto-assurance de l’assuré sur la relation de substitution entre assurance et auto-assurance. Nous appréhendons l’effet de cette inobservabilité d’abord dans un contexte de risque, puis nous étendons l’analyse au cas où l’assuré, contrairement à l’assureur, n’a qu’une connaissance ambiguë de son risque d’accident. Nous trouvons que l’information quant au niveau d’effort ne revêt de dimension stratégique ni dans le risque ni dans l’ambiguïté : les assurés choisissent des niveaux d’effort identiques que l’effort soit observable ou non. Il en résulte que la propriété de substituabilité entre assurance et auto-assurance est robuste à la fois à l’asymétrie d’information et à l’ambiguïté. Les implications pour les pouvoirs publics et pour les assureurs sont discutées. Code JEL : D81