bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Will Quality Measures Debunk Quality Care in the Nursing Home Industry?
Authors: Winston Elaine R. , Pelaez Alexander , Medlin B. Dawn
Published: November 2020

This research analyzes publicly available information on the quality of services delivered by healthcare organizations. The accessibility and transparency of healthcare data is exponentially growing. Due to the complexity of different provider groups in healthcare, the focus is on the nursing home industry. A key objective of this research is to explore any association among the government-defined quality ratings, cost-effectiveness, and quality care provided by a nursing home. Quality and performance metrics for all nursing homes that receive reimbursements from CMS is in the public domain. The CMS purports that nursing homes with high overall star ratings provide excellent healthcare to their residents. A surprising result from this study found high-quality-rated nursing homes with more nurse hours per resident provided lower quality care than nursing homes, which had lower nursing hours per resident. The research also suggests that healthcare organizations, such as nursing homes, acquire business analytics (BA) capabilities for specific government metrics.
Effect of Automotive Emissions on Human Health
Authors: Gupta Alpana
Published: November 2020

Vehicular emissions are creating major problems to the urban residents following by health impacts. According to WHO, Gwalior ranks second in the most air polluted city in India. The study is carried out to estimate automotive emissions, health effects, and estimation of health damage cost. Seven major junctions have been identified in which the highest peak hour PCU is observed at Bada (13,859) followed by Railway Station and Gole ka Mandir which accounts for through as well as destined traffic of whole city. According to the BS Norms, reduction in emission is calculated for different a pollutant, which shows 40.02Kg of CO concentration in BS III which reduces to 20.06 Kg in BSVI. Lastly, health damage cost for different Norms has been calculated which shows Rs.4938.54 for BSIII & Rs.467.33 for BS VI under low cost scenario. Health damage cost under high cost scenario for BS III shares Rs.68436.63 and Rs.6424.64 for BSVI. Introduction of cleaner fuels, maintenance of vehicles, and regular inspection of vehicles should be done to improve the quality of life of people.
Revitalization of Coastal Java Society's Traditional Art in Multimedia Form
Authors: Irianto Agus Maladi , Hadiyanto Hadiyanto
Published: November 2020

This study examined the revitalization of the traditional art of Ngesti Pandowo as a product of the creative industry that responds to the demands of the era of globalization as an Indonesian cultural strategy model for reaching at an international level. Literature and field researches were conducted, and a comprehensive overview of the historical journey of Ngesti Pandowo was performed. The results revealed that Ngesti Pandowo emerged within the rural society but disappeared in the environment of the coastal society. Ngesti Pandowo, rooted in the agrarian society, became an entertainer and an integral part of the maritime society; however, they have disappeared within this society. Therefore, a strategy to promote the revitalization of Ngesti Pandowo in a multimedia form is required. The traditional revitalization of Ngesti Pandowo is not limited to inventory and identification but includes reconstruction, renovation, and refunctionalization, with dedicated production design, production packing, and marketing.
SMEs Development Strategy Model Based on Creative Economy With Quadruple Helix Approach
Authors: Farida Naili , Nugraha Hari Susanta , Naryoso Agus , Ardyan Elia
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of competitor-sensing capability and customer-sensing capability on the success of product innovation and SME performance. The sample of this study was 294 Islamic fashion business in Central Java. This study uses structural equation modeling. AMOS version 20 is used to process data. The results of this study indicate that there are different results between competitor and customer-sensing capability. Competitive sensing capability is a driving factor in creating success innovation products compared to customer sensing capabilities. This study also found that competitor and customer sensing capabilities were unable to improve marketing performance. Marketing performance can enhance if entrepreneurial orientation and product innovation success are also improved. This study contributes to practice.
Disaster Risk Communication and the Zero-Casualty Goal of Albay Province, Philippines
Authors: Naz Gremil Alessandro Alcazar , Malonzo Arvin G. , Salvador Jr. Benito L. , Daep Cedric D.
Published: November 2020

The province of Albay in the Philippines is highly vulnerable to climatic and geologic hazards, but it has largely achieved its zero-casualty goal for the past two decades. In recognition of this achievement, the province has garnered numerous awards from international and national organizations. Past studies have identified Albay's success factors, but the role of communication has been overlooked. Thus, this research discusses the communication projects and protocols of Albay on disaster management. Data were obtained from interviews of key informants and examination of official documents. Results showed that the province's communication activities are assigned to specific persons, embedded in an early warning system, enacted using multiple media, supported by multiple stakeholders, and implemented under a strict protocol. These make Albay's disaster communication practices effective in attaining its zero-casualty goal during disasters.
Partial Fuel Subsidy Removal in Nigeria
Authors: Ani Dorothy Patience , Onoja Emmanuel Adah , Humbe Isaac Terna
Published: November 2020

The ripple effects of the petrol crisis on the Nigerian economy is multi-faceted: price distortions, volatilities, dutch-disease, corruption, and inefficiencies. This study assessed the effects of partial fuel subsidy removal on agricultural sector and Nigerian economy. The study made use of secondary data obtained from Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletins, Petroleum Product Price Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), National Bureau of Statistics, Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (BNARDA), and FAO. Johansen co-integration model and t-test were the analytical tools used. After appropriate robustness checks and ensuring data stationarity, the study found that partial fuel subsidy removal had significant positive influence on the country's GDP, significantly reduced inflation rate, and also reduced life expectancy of Nigerians. Specifically, a percentage increase in petrol price significantly increases GDP by 9.8%; a percentage increase in petrol price increases the prices of rice and maize by 0.75% and 1.50% respectively. The study concludes that increased petrol price had positive effects on GDP and adverse effects on the prices of crop produce. Government should diversify and develop other economies and provide adequate infrastuctural facilities to cushion the effects of subsidy removal. Organic and low-input methods of farming should be adopted to reduce the need for fuel inputs to the food system at all levels.
Big Data Management System for U-Healthcare
Authors: Karl Yoki , Kim Haeng Kon , Lee Jong-Hak
Published: November 2020

U-Healthcare monitoring module can sometimes be monitored by using downloadable tracking applications necessary for its services due to the popularity of the smart phone devices, thus continuing to provide new services and healthcare contents and information at a lower cost but the need to analyze larger collections of data continues to evolve as time progresses. As u-healthcare service is published as an alternative to addressing national issues such as aging population, solitary elderly people, or even the child care monitoring, the related monitoring care is expected to grow beyond the normal data that it caters resulting to tougher data management. In this paper, the authors proposed a system that could help handle certain issues in u-healthcare big data management.
Cancer Classification From DNA Microarray Using Genetic Algorithms and Case-Based Reasoning
Authors: Machacha Lilybert , Bhattacharya Prabir
Published: November 2020

There are many similarities in the symptoms of several types of cancer and that makes it sometimes difficult for the physicians to do an accurate diagnosis. In addition, it is a technical challenge to classify accurately the cancer cells in order to differentiate one type of cancer from another. The DNA microarray technique (also called the DNA chip) has been used in the past for the classification of cancer but it generates a large volume of noisy data that has many features, and is difficult to analyze directly. This paper proposes a new method, combining the genetic algorithm, case-based reasoning, and the k-nearest neighbor classifier, which improves the performance of the classification considerably. The authors have also used the well-known Mahalanobis distance of multivariate statistics as a similarity measure that improves the accuracy. A case-based classifier approach together with the genetic algorithm has never been applied before for the classification of cancer, same with the application of the Mahalanobis distance. Thus, the proposed approach is a novel method for the cancer classification. Furthermore, the results from the proposed method show considerably better performance than other algorithms. Experiments were done on several benchmark datasets such as the leukemia dataset, the lymphoma dataset, ovarian cancer dataset, and breast cancer dataset.
Difficulties in Collecting Data From Children Aged 7–12
Authors: Aydin Selami , Harputlu Leyla , Uştuk Özgehan , Çelik Şeyda Savran , Güzel Serhat
Published: November 2020

Collecting data from children who learn a foreign language is a complex and problematic area when considering their lack of proficiency in the target language and their cognitive, psychological, and social development. In addition, research shows that the number of studies that focus on the problems related to scale administration to younger language learners is fairly limited, while studies on the foreign language context mainly concentrated on issues related to adult and proficient learners. Thus, this study aims to explore the difficulties in collecting data from Turkish children aged 7 – 12 in a foreign language context. The study was designed as a qualitative case study and involved reflections, an interview, and a diary kept by the subject. Findings indicated that the problems with data collection from children were related to time and space, the lack of coordination, children's cognition levels, teacher effect on children's behaviors, and physical environment. In light of the results, some practical recommendations were presented.
Paratext Analysis of Patronage Factors
Authors: Liu Hu
Published: November 2020

Drawing on André Lefevere's rewriting theory, this paper endeavours to explore how Howard Goldblatt translates Mo Yan's novel Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out (hereafter referred to as L&D) with regard to patronage control by way of paratext analysis. Seven categories of patronage factors, including original author, translator, literary cooperative, publisher and editor, market expectancy, literary agent, and target reader, are identified as the objective of paratext analysis. Paratext analysis of these patronage factors provides greater insights into the unique attributes of Goldblatt's translation. The results show that apart from adhering to the target ideological and poetological currents in his translation, Goldblatt also excels in mediating between various patronage factors, striving to seek a balance among external power constraints, and finally producing a translation geared to the reader's expectation.
Community screening for undiagnosed dysglycaemia in a semi-urban locality in Sri Lanka
Authors: Amarasinghe A. T. I. M. , Lekamwasam S. , Weerarathna T. P. , Sumanatilleke M.
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Previous studies on the prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes in Sri Lanka have shown conflicting results. We studied the prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes using fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 75g oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) test among a representative sample of adults in a semi-urban locality in Southern Sri Lanka. Sensitivity and specificity of FPG over OGTT in diagnosing pre-diabetes and diabetes were calculated. Methods: Healthy adults, aged 20-75 years, selected by multi-stage random sampling from one medical officer of health area in Southern Sri Lanka were screened with FPG and 75g OGTT. Subjects known to have diabetes were excluded. Results: Mean (SD) age of men (n=234) and women (n=593) were 44 (10.1) and 43(10.8) years, respectively. With OGTT, 157 (19.0%) subjects had impaired glucose tolerance while another 60(7.3%) had diabetes. WithFPG, 270 (32.6%) had impaired fasting glycaemia while another 51(6.2%) had diabetes. Prevalence of prediabetes or diabetes was not different among men and women by OGTT; 55 (23.5%) vs 162 (27.3%), p=0.293while it was significantly different by FPG; 107 (45.7%) vs 214 (36.1%), p=0.011. Prevalence of pre-diabetes or diabetes was significantly higher in age group ≥45 yrs compared to age <45 yrs by both tests. FPG showed low sensitivity (44.7%) but higher (76.1%) specificity of detecting dysglycaemia. FPG showed sensitivity of 53.3% and specificity of 97.5% in detecting undetected diabetes. Conclusions: Prevalence of pre-diabetes is higher than in previous studies in Sri Lanka. Significantly higher proportion of males compared to females, had pre-diabetes or diabetes by FPG test. Compared to subjects age <45 years, the prevalence of pre-diabetes or diabetes was significantly higher among those ≥45 years. FPG lacks adequate sensitivity and specificity to detect those with diabetes or dysglycaemia.
Comparison of maternal and foetal outcomes between adolescent and adult pregnancies; a descriptive cross sectional study
Authors: Dasanayake D. L. W. , Kularathna W. G. P. N.
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Adolescent pregnancy is a global issue and the trend is increasing specially in South East Asia. Pregnancies at a younger age have major maternal and fetal health consequences. The aim of this study was to compare selected maternal and fetal outcomes of adolescent pregnancies with its adult counterpart in atertiary care center. Methods: A hospital based descriptive study was conducted at Teaching Hospital Mahamodara (THM), Galle. One hundred adolescent mothers (10-19 years) were compared with 100 adult mothers (20 -35 years) who had singleton uncomplicated pregnancy. Pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire was used as the tool to collect data on basic demography, perinatal, maternal outcomes and mode of delivery. Chi-squared test and t-test were used to compare data and presented as proportions, mean (SD), with 95% CI. Results: Mean (SD) age at delivery of adolescent and adult mothers were 18 (0.2) and 27 (0.8) years respectively. Of the adolescent mothers 16% were unmarried. More adolescent mothers had anaemia compared to adults (38% vs. 32%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.37). Adolescent mothers had higher pre term delivery rate compared to adult mothers (23% vs.15%) but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.18). There were no significant differences in birth weight (2.77 vs. 2.82; p=0.5) rate of admissions to premature baby unit (6% vs. 7%; p=0.8) and mean APGAR scores (9.9 vs 9.8; p=0.3) between the two groups. A significantly greater proportion of vaginal deliveries were carried out in adolescents compared to adults (75% vs. 55%; p= 0.003). Conclusions: Adolescent mothers underwent a significantly larger proportion of vaginal deliveries compared to adults. Though not significant, anaemia and preterm deliveries were higher than in their adult counter-parts. There was no significant difference between the two groups for the selected perinatal outcomes.
Vertical transmission of dengue haemorrhagic fever; anticipation and early detection leading to success in management
Authors: Sinhabahu V. P. , De Silva M. L. K. , Sanjeewa M. A. G. A.
Published: November 2020

No abstract available
Overexpression of Macrophage-Inducible C-Type Lectin Mincle Aggravates Proinflammatory Responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae with Fatal Outcome in Mice
Authors: Hollwedel Femke D. , Maus Regina , Stolper Jennifer , Khan Ayesha , Stocker Bridget L. , Timmer Mattie S. M. , Lu Xiuyuan , Pich Andreas , Welte Tobias , Yamasaki Sho , Maus Ulrich A.
Published: November 2020

Macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle)–dependent sensing of pathogens triggers proinflammatory immune responses in professional phagocytes that contribute to protecting the host against pathogen invasion. In this study, we examined whether overexpression of Mincle that is designed to improve early pathogen sensing by professional phagocytes would improve lung-protective immunity against Streptococcus pneumoniae in mice. Proteomic profiling of alveolar macrophages of Mincle transgenic (tg) mice stimulated with the Mincle-specific pneumococcal ligand glucosyl-diacylglycerol (Glc-DAG) revealed increased Nlrp3 inflammasome activation and downstream IL-1β cytokine release that was not observed in Glc-DAG–stimulated Mincle knockout or Nlrp3 knockout macrophages. Along this line, Mincle tg mice also responded with a stronger Nlrp3 expression and early proinflammatory cytokine release after challenge with S. pneumoniae, ultimately leading to fatal pneumonia in the Mincle tg mice. Importantly, Nlrp3 inhibitor treatment of Mincle tg mice significantly mitigated the observed hyperinflammatory response to pneumococcal challenge. Together, we show that overexpression of the pattern recognition receptor Mincle triggers increased Glc-DAG–dependent Nlrp3 inflammasome activation in professional phagocytes leading to fatal pneumococcal pneumonia in mice that is amenable to Nlrp3 inhibitor treatment. These data show that ectopic expression of the Mincle receptor confers increased susceptibility rather than resistance to S. pneumoniae in mice, thus highlighting the importance of an inducible Mincle receptor expression in response to microbial challenge.
CD28 Agonism Improves Survival in Immunologically Experienced Septic Mice via IL-10 Released by Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells
Authors: Sun Yini , Xie Jianfeng , Anyalebechi Jerome C. , Chen Ching-wen , Sun He , Xue Ming , Liang Zhe , Morrow Kristen N. , Coopersmith Craig M. , Ford Mandy L.
Published: November 2020

Immune dysregulation during sepsis is mediated by an imbalance of T cell costimulatory and coinhibitory signaling. CD28 is downregulated during sepsis and is significantly altered on memory versus naive T cells. Thus, to study the role of CD28 during sepsis in a more physiologically relevant context, we developed a “memory mouse” model in which animals are subjected to pathogen infections to generate immunologic memory, followed by sepsis induction via cecal ligation and puncture. Using this system, we show that agonistic anti-CD28 treatment resulted in worsened survival in naive septic animals but conferred a significant survival advantage in immunologically experienced septic animals. Mechanistically, this differential response was driven by the ability of CD28 agonism to elicit IL-10 production from regulatory T cells uniquely in memory but not naive mice. Moreover, elevated IL-10 released by activated regulatory T cells in memory mice inhibited sepsis-induced T cell apoptosis via the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL. Together, these data demonstrate that immunologic experience is an important parameter that affects sepsis pathophysiology and can fundamentally change the outcome of modulating the CD28 pathway during sepsis. This study suggests that testing therapeutic strategies in immunologically experienced hosts may be one way to increase the physiologic relevance of rodent models in sepsis research.
Personhood and care in disorders of consciousness. An ontological, patient-centred perspective
Authors: Zilio Federico
Published: November 2020

People in unresponsive wakefulness syndrome/vegetative state or minimally conscious state are characterized by the alteration – or the complete loss – of self-awareness and consciousness of the external environment. According to the functionalist and brain-centred approach, this kind of clinical situations also implies the loss of the moral status of person. This paper critically discusses this perspective and proposes an alternative paradigm of personhood concerning the disorders of consciousness (DOC). After a preliminary analysis, I will compare the function-based approach with the pragmatic perspective, arguing that the latter seems to deal better with the evaluation of the status of personhood in patients with disorders of consciousness, and specifically criticising the functionalist view from both the theoretical and ethical levels. Nevertheless, I will claim that the pragmatic view only works as a provisional approach, falling back into the functionalist perspective once the uncertainty of the clinical diagnosis is resolved or decreased. I will thus propose an ontological personalist approach that avoids the radical separation of the concepts of person and human being, considering personhood as an intrinsic condition of human existence, instead of an emerging property from certain contingent faculties or decisions made by a community of moral subjects. In this sense, the patient with DOC is understood as a human being with some damaged features (rationality, consciousness, self, etc.) but still a person worthy of care and attention precisely because of her/his human nature in a fragile and non-autonomous condition. Moreover, I will argue that such an ontological personalism could guide healthcare professionals towards a proactive attitude for the wellbeing of these patients.
La responsabilità giuridica nella Consulenza Etica in Ambito Sanitario
Authors: Ceruti Silvia , Picozzi Mario
Published: November 2020

Scopo del presente contributo è delineare il perimetro entro il quale articolare una riflessione critica relativa alla questione della responsabilità giuridica connessa all’attività di Consulenza Etica in Ambito Sanitario (CEAS). Innanzitutto, saranno illustrate le ragioni per le quali ritenere che, al momento attuale, in Italia, la CEAS resa da un Consulente Etico singolo rappresenti il modello che meglio risponde all’esigenza di garantire un servizio di qualità ai pazienti e agli operatori sanitari. In secondo luogo, saranno analizzati gli elementi in base ai quali possa considerarsi ascrivibile in capo al Consulente Etico una responsabilità giuridica per violazione di una norma civile o penale. Infine, a partire dall’analisi dell’evoluzione giurisprudenziale e degli interventi legislativi di riforma in ambito sanitario, verrà avanzata una proposta in ordine alla disciplina applicabile all’operato del Consulente Etico in caso di danno procurato al paziente. Alla luce di quanto esposto, si tenterà di sostenere come il formale riconoscimento, anche giuridico, della figura del Consulente Etico possa risultare funzionale sia a dare contenuto all’effettivo ruolo svolto dal consulente nel processo di cura, sia a incentivare la stessa diffusione della cultura della CEAS, intesa come processo dialogico che ha lo scopo di contribuire al miglioramento dell’assistenza sanitaria mediante l’individuazione, l’analisi e la risoluzione dei dilemmi etici riconducibili alla pratica clinica.
Estimation of Under-5 Child Mortality Rates in 52 Low-migration Countries
Authors: Sapkota Nirmal , Gautam Nirmal , Lim Apiradee , Ueranantasun Attachai
Published: November 2020

Reduction of the under-5 mortality rate is a target of the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate under-5 child mortality rates in 52 low-migration countries using population data. The study utilized population data from the US Census Bureau from 1990 to 2015. The method involved first estimating mortality rates for countries with negligible net migration and then applying these rates to countries with matching mortality profiles, where it is reasonable to assume that migration is negligible for children under the age of 5 years. The highest child mortality was concentrated in the African region, followed by Asia and the Western region. However, steady progress in child mortality trends was concentrated in low-income countries. This simple method demonstrated that child mortality has significantly improved in high-income countries, followed by middle- and low-income countries. To reduce the under-5 mortality rates even further in these 52 countries, there is a need to accelerate equitable plans and policies related to child health to promote children's longevity and survival.
“Christie Regimen” palliative radiotherapy in advanced head-and-neck cancer
Authors: Srivastava Anurita , Adhikari Narayan , Sonkar Deepak Raj , Singh Kishore , Rathi Arun Kumar
Published: November 2020

Background:

Relevance of aggressive treatment in advanced head neck squamous cell cancers(HNSCC) is debatable in view of expected poor outcome. Long treatment duration only adds up to the cost of treatment without any improvements in outcomes.

Aims and Objectives:

To assess the outcomes of hypofractionated “Christie” palliative radiotherapy regimen in advanced HNSCC

Materials and Methods:

Patients of advanced HNSCC registered from June 2015 to June 2019 were treated by parallel pair field technique on Cobalt60 machine (Theatron 780E) to total dose of 50 Gray/16 fractions over 3.2 weeks. Toxicity was scored using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria and response was evaluated as per WHO criteria.

Results:

Records of 110 patients of HNSCC with mean age of 56.19 years were analysed. Evaluation at 4-8 weeks after radiotherapy resulted in a complete response (CR) in 19.1%, partial response (PR) in 32.7%, stable disease (SD) in 29.1% and progressive disease (PD) in 3.6%, while 15.5% patients did not report for post treatment evaluation. Median progression free survival was 9.52 months (95% CI 5.9 – 13.1 months). The median overall survival was 12.7 ± 2.2 months (95% CI 8.2 – 17.2). Median time to progression after completion of radiotherapy was 84 days. Grade IV dermatitis and mucositis was encountered in 2.7% and 1.8% cases respectively, requiring hospitalization.

Conclusion:

Christie regimen for advanced HNSCC is a clinically viable option with acceptable outcomes in a resource constrained setting.
Prognostic and clinicopathologic value of ki-67 and profilin 1 immunohistochemical expression in primary pT1 urothelial bladder cancer
Authors: Culpan Meftun , Turan Turgay , Ozkanli Sidika Seyma , Zenginkinet Tulay , Kazan Ozgur , Ucar Taha , Atis Gokhan , Caskurlu Turhan , Yildirim Asif
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

To investigate the prognostic and clinicopathologic value of Ki-67 and profilin 1 immunohistochemical expression in primary pT1 papillary urothelial bladder cancer.

Materials and Methods:

This study included 88 male and 13 female pT1 primary bladder cancer patients. Demographic characteristics, tumor histological grade, tumor number, presence of concomitant carcinoma in situ, tumor size, and status of recurrence or progression were recorded for each patient. Expression of Ki-67 and profilin 1 was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded tumor tissues. The Pearson's Chi-square test was used for the analysis of qualitative data, and the Kaplan–Meier method and the log-rank test were used for the survival analysis.

Results:

In the mean follow-up period of 52 months, 52 (51.5%) patients experienced recurrence, 24 (23.8%) patients experienced progression, and 17 (16.8%) patients died from bladder cancer-related causes. Ki-67 expression was significantly associated with tumor histological grade (P = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, Ki-67 positivity had significantly worse outcome for recurrence (P = 0.006) and mortality (P = 0.022). Ki-67-positive (Ki-67 index ≥15%) patients had shorter recurrence-free (P = 0.003), progression-free (P = 0.002), and cancer-specific (P = 0.003) survival. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between profilin 1 expression and clinicopathologic features and prognosis.

Conclusions:

Ki-67 is a highly predictive biomarker for recurrence-free, progression-free, and cancer-specific survival in pT1 bladder cancer patients, in whom prediction of recurrence and progression are difficult. Ki-67 expression can be safely combined with other prognostic factors. However, in pT1 bladder cancer patients, no significant relationship was found between profilin 1 expression and tumor characteristics or prognostic parameters.
Coagulation Activity of the Seed Extract from Zygia cauliflora (WILLD.) KILLIP applied in Water Treatment
Authors: Domingues Julia Aoki , Consolin Filho Nelson , Souza Luiz Augusto Gomes de , Medeiros Flávia Vieira da Silva
Published: November 2020

The use of natural coagulants is a promising alternative to replace or assist chemical coagulants due to its numerous advantages. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of a natural coagulant in water treatment. The coagulant was extracted from the Zygia cauliflora (Willd.) Killip seed in saline solutions and defatted using 95% ethanol. The tests were conducted using different concentrations of the coagulant (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 g L-1) and of NaCl (0.0 M, 1.0 M, and 5.0 M). The results showed that the use of 2 g L-1 of coagulant and 1.0 M of the salt achieved an effectiveness of 20% and 70%, respectively, of color and turbidity removal. The analysis showed an effectiveness of 70% and 30%, respectively, when removing the UV254 compound and DOM (dissolved organic matter). The mechanism for turbidity removal by the coagulants prepared with aqueous solution and with saline solution at 1.0 M of NaCl is supposed to be adsorption and charge neutralization, respectively, following the Freundlich and Langmuir models. However, the coagulant prepared with saline solution at 5.0 M of NaCl tends to form a netlike structure followed by turbidity removal through a sweep coagulation mechanism. Future papers should therefore focus on the use of Zygia cauliflora (Willd.) Killip as an alternative for replacement or use as an auxiliary chemical coagulant.
Extended mean-field games
Authors: Lions Pierre-Louis , Souganidis Panagiotis E.
Published: November 2020

We introduce a new class of coupled forward-backward in time systems consisting of a forward Hamilton–Jacobi and a backward quasilinear transport equation, which we call extended mean-field games system. This new class of equations strictly contains the classical mean-field games system with no common noise and its homogenization limit, and optimal transportation-type control problems. We also identify a new and meaningful ‘‘monotonicity’’-type condition that yields well-posedeness. The same condition yields uniqueness in the Hilbertian setting for the master equation without common noise as well as the hyperbolic system describing finite-state mean-field games.
Алгоритм распознавания сферической транзитивности
бинарного инициального автомата
Authors: Lipina Tatiana Igorevna
Published: November 2020

В работе представлен алгоритм, определяющий за конечное число шагов,
является ли инициальный конечный бинарный автомат
сферически транзитивным. Так как класс детерминированных функций
совпадает с классом функций, удовлетворяющих уcловию Липшица
с константой 1 на кольце целых $p$-адических чисел,
в качестве основы алгоритма используется критерий эргодичности
детерминированной функции, заданной рядом ван дер Пута.
Библиография: 9 названий.
Branko Cestnik. Sonce Petovione
Authors: Cergol Jadranka
Published: November 2020

Zgodovinskih romanov, ki bi obravnavali tematiko, postavljeno v čas antike, je v slovenski literaturi bolj malo. Zato pa je izid romana, uokvirjenega v to dobo, še kako dobrodošla novost, ki jo je potrebno primerno izpostaviti in ovrednotiti, ker širi vedenje in znanje o času rimskega imperija, še posebej, če se je avtor romanu posvetil po natančnem študiju zgodovinskih, arheoloških in filoloških virov, ki obravnavajo izbrani čas.
Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Extracts of Four Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used in Ethiopia for Skin Disorder
Authors: Zenebech Adela , Asres Kaleab , Tsige Gebre-Mariam
Published: November 2020

Hydroalcoholic extracts of four different plant species [Artimesia absinthum L. (Asteraceae), Asparagusafricanus Lam. (Liliaceae), Datura stramonium L. (Solanaceae) and Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculaceae)]commonly used in traditional medicine in Ethiopia for the treatment of skin disorders were evaluated fortheir potential antimicrobial activities against pathogenic bacteria (Escherhia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes) and fungi (Candida albicans, Epidermophyton floccosum,Microsporum canis, Trichophyton verrucosum, and Trichophyton violaceum) using agar diffusion method. Allthe extracts showed antibacterial activities against one or more test organisms. The extract of N. sativa seedsexhibited the highest antibacterial activity against all the bacterial species tested. The minimum inhibitoryconcentrations (MICs) of the methanolic extract of N. sativa seeds were 0.156 and 2.5 mg/ml on standardstrains of S. aureus and C. albicans, respectively. Successive extraction of the seeds of N. sativa withpetroleum ether, chloroform, acetone and methanol revealed that the chloroform extract exhibited largerdiameter of zone of inhibitions against the test organisms. Phytochemical screening of the total extract of N.sativa powdered seeds revealed the presence of flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenoids, and steroids which arethought to be responsible for the activity of the extracts of N. sativa seeds. Of the various, topicalformulations of the crude extract of N. sativa seeds, the O/W emulsion based formulation showed largerdiameter of zone of inhibition. In mice paw oedema induced by carrageenan, the crude extract of N. sativa ata dose of 300 mg/kg showed the strongest anti-inflammatory activity (64.2%) followed by A. Africanus(50.1%).

Keywords: skin disorders, plant extracts, antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory activity, minimum inhibitoryconcentration
Chemical composition and antiproliferative effects of Essential Oil from the aerial parts ofUrtica simensis Hochst.ex.A. Rich
Authors: Ayalew Hiwot , Tadesse Solomon , Bisrat Daniel , Lindemann Peter , Asres Kaleab
Published: November 2020

No Abstract.
Antibacterial activities and phytochemical screening of crude extract of Carica papaya leaf against selected pathogens
Authors: Ajiboye A.E. , Olawoyin R.A.
Published: November 2020

Carica papaya commonly known as paw paw belongs to the family of Curcubitaceae and commonly grown in tropical regions. It possesses  antimicrobial, antihelmintic and antioxidant properties. The study assessed the antibacterial potency of Carica papaya against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Acetone and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Carica papaya were obtained using standard methods. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was done using agar well diffusion methods. The Minimum inhibitory and Minimum bactericidal concentrations were done using standard procedures. The antibacterial activities of the crude extracts of Carica papaya against the test organisms revealed that acetone extract showed maximum zone of inhibition on Staphylococcus aureus with a diameter of 17.90±0.10mm at 500 mg/ml and the lowest inhibitory effect on Klebsiella pneumoniae with a zone of 6.50±0.50mm at 100 mg/ml, the aqueous extract showed maximum zone of  inhibition on Staphylococcus aureus with a diameter of 15.50±0.50mm at 500 mg/ml and the lowest zone of inhibition was on Staphylococcus aureus with a diameter of 6.50±0.50mm at 100 g/ml. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of acetone and aqueous extract was 40 mg/ml and 50mg/ml against Klebsiella pneumoniae respectively. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration of the extracts ranges from 40-60mg/ml. The qualitative  phytochemical screening result revealed the presence of tannins, saponnin, alkaloids and steroid. The quantitative phytochemicals revealed 0.70%  of flavonoids, 0.48% of alkaloids, 1.02% of tannin, 0.11% of steroids and 1.08% of glycoside. The result obtained revealed that crude extracts of Carica papaya leaves has antibacterial activities against the test organisms.

Keywords: Carica papaya, Phytochemical screening, Pathogens, Antibacterial  activity
Assessment of background ionizing radiation dose levels in quarry sites located in Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Authors: Echeweozo E.O. , Ugbede F.O.
Published: November 2020

The study presents a radiometric survey of Background Ionizing Radiation (BIR) dose levels in ten quarry sites located in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. In-situ BIR dose rate measurements, by means of nuclear radiation survey meter, at 1 m above ground level were carried out at the excavation section (ES) and quarrying section (QS) of the investigated quarry sites. The obtained results indicated dose rates ranging from from 0.14 to 0.18 μSv/h with mean of 0.15±0.01 μSv/h at the ES and 0.16 to 0.19 μSv/h with mean value of 0.18±0.01 μSv/h at the QS. While the values obtained at the QS are respectively higher than those measured at the ES, they are all higher than the worldwide average value of 84 nSv/h signifying BIR elevated environments. The estimated mean annual effective dose (AED) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) are 0.27±0.03 mSv/y and 0.94×10–3 respectively at the ES and 0.31±0.02 mSv/y and 1.07×10–3 at the QS. The obtained AED values for all the sites are well above the outdoor worldwide average value of 0.07 mSv/y but lower than the International Commission on Radiological Protection recommended permissible limits of 1.0 mSv/y for the general public. Generally, the BIR levels of the quarry sites are within acceptable limits and no immediate radiological health threat may be derived from the current levels. However, long-term health effects due to continuous exposure to low-level radiation doses may manifested in future over a lifetime exposure of 70 years as indicated by the ELCR values.

Keywords: Background ionizing radiation, Dose rate, Annual effective dose, Quarry site, Ebonyi State
Electromagnetic contribution to the resilience improvement against the Vrancea intermediate depth earthquakes, Romania
Authors: Stănică Dragoș Armand , Stănică Dumitru , Valeca Monica , Iordache Ștefan
Published: November 2020

In this paper we used the geomagnetic data, collected in real time on the intervals August- September and November-December, 2016, to emphasize possible relationships between the anomalous behavior of the normalized function Bzn and the both M5.7 and M5.6 earthquakes, generated at 72 km and, respectively 71 km depth, in the seismic active Vrancea zone on September 24 and December 28, 2016. Daily mean distributions of the Bzn and its standard deviation (SD) are obtained for the both time-intervals, in the ULF frequency range 0.001Hz - 0.0083Hz, by using the FFT band-pass filtering. We investigate the singularities of the pre-seismic anomalous signals related to the M5.7 and M5.6 earthquakes applying a statistical analysis based on a standardized random variable equation, and the results are presented as Bz* time series performed on the new time intervals 1-30 September and 1-31 December, 2016. Finally, two pre-seismic anomalous signals are observed: first one on September 21, with values greater than 5 SD, what means a lead time of 3 days before the onset of M5.7 earthquake; the second one, with values larger than 4 SD, which was identified on December 21 with 7 days prior to M5.6earhquake. In conclusion, as the work-station has specific programs for data processing, analyses and real time (daily) data display on the institute website, it may be used as an early warning system able to provide useful information for resilience improvement against the Vrancea intermediate depth seismicity.
Bilişsel Esneklik İle Uzaktan Eğitim Memnuniyetinin İlişkisi: Negatif Duygulanımın Aracı Rolü
Authors: ÖZKILIÇCI Gökçe , UYSAL CANTÜRK Pınar
Published: November 2020

Bu çalışmada pandemi döneminde uzaktan eğitim alan öğrencilerin bilişsel esneklik düzeyleri ve uygulanan uzaktan eğitimden memnuniyet düzeyleri arasındaki ilişki ve bu ilişkide negatif duygulanımın etkisinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Bu doğrultuda, İstanbul Yeni Yüzyıl Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesinde okuyan öğrencilere Demografik Bilgi Formu, Bilgi Teknolojilerine Dayalı Uzaktan Eğitim Öğrencileri Doyum Ölçeği, Bilişsel Esneklik Envanteri ve Negatif Duygulanım ile ilgili soruları içeren formlar uygulanmıştır. Veriler SPSS 23 programı ve Hayes (2013) tarafından SPSS için geliştirilmiş PROCESS makro eklentisi kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda, bilişsel esneklik arttıkça öğrenci memnuniyetinin de arttığı ve negatif duygulanımın bilişsel esneklik ile öğrenci memnuniyet düzeyi arasındaki ilişkide kısmi aracılık etkisine sahip olduğu görülmüştür. Öğrencilerin pandemi sürecinde uzaktan eğitime geçilmesini doğru bulmalarına rağmen, bu süreç tamamlandıktan sonra örgün eğitimi tercih ettikleri de tespit edilmiştir.
A case report of a Covid19 survivor –The Impact of the psychosocial burden on respiratory status
Authors: Islam Asma , Nasreen Sultana
Published: November 2020

The psycho-Social assault has more than a few substantial effects on the physical or somatic state of the human being. In our clinical practice often we find cases where the life-threatening situation appears owing to psycho-social issues. Along with the general people, this might also touch frontline health practitioners. Many studies in recent times explored that frontline health practitioners expressly females have a greater fear of the pandemic situation which made them being more defenseless for infection. Hence the study was aimed to share practical experience regarding the management of psychological issues along with the physical problem. This article also described the scientific correlation of psychosocial concerns with somatic involvement from different scholarly articles. The Case: The case was about a 29 years old female physician who had acute shortness of breath followed by a few psychosocial issues. Those instigated abrupt arousal of the symptoms and were efficaciously managed by advice and few physiotherapeutic interventions which were administrated by one of her family members. The entire treatment session was conducted through telecommunication (Video call) with one physiotherapist and the symptoms were minimized in a single session of 1 hour followed by a follow-up session after 3 days. Conclusion: An expert reasoning, psychological counseling along with positioning and breathing control techniques successfully helped to reduce the shortness of breath in the selected case. Therefore careful history taking is crucial in the management of sudden illness.
СЕПТІК КАТЕГОРИЯСЫНЫҢ ФУНКЦИОНАЛДЫ СИПАТЫ
Authors: Жолшаева М. C. , Әлішер А. А.
Published: November 2020

септік, категория, мағына, грамматика, форма, парадигма, синтетикалық тәсіл, грамматикалық тәсіл
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MODALITY IN ENGLISH AND KARAKALPAK LANGUAGES
Authors: Bayimbetova M. , Kurbanbaev D.
Published: November 2020

Modality is a semantic category indicating the degree of factuality the speaker ascribes to his message. A message can be presented by its author as a statement of basic, a request or an order, or something obligatory, possible or probable but not an established fact. Modal verbs are widely used in English to express various kinds of modality. The English language is rich in modal verbs and their equivalents. As for Karakalpak language, it uses complex verbs as modal expressions, which consist of the combination of simple verbs and modal words. This paper aims to analyse these modal verbs in Modern English and their equivalents in Karakalpak. Such comparative research is significant for nowadays as this approach has the potential to make the learning of English language easier for Karakalpak speakers, while the number of people who are willing to English is only arising. Until now, no scientific work made a comparison of modality in Karakalpak and English.
ЛАТЫН ӘЛІПБИІН ҚАБЫЛДАУ – БОЛАШАҚПЕН САНАСУ
Authors: Темірбаева А. Д. , Ордабекова Х.А.
Published: November 2020

Аңдатпа. Аталған мақалада латын әліпбиіне көшудегі мақсат, ұлттық жазуды қалыптастыру, жаңа әліпби негізіндегі қазақ тілі емлесінің ережелері, жазу мәдениетін компьютер техникасы арқылы дамыту қарастырылады. Мақаланың кіріспесінде латын әліпбиінің әлемде кеңінен қолданылуы, қазіргі латын әліпбиіндегі 25 таңба, әлем елдерінің 80-нен астамы латыннегізді әліпбиді пайдаланатындығы туралы ақпарат келтіріледі.

Әлемдік тәжірибеге сүйене отырып қазақ тілінің заңдылықтарына сай өз әліпбиімізді латын қарпі негізінде жасау мәселесі көтеріледі. Рухани жаңғыру негізінде қолға алынған қазақ жазуына реформа жасау «Цифрлы Қазақстан» мемлекеттік бағдарламасының аясында латын негізді әліпбиді оңтайлы әрі жеңіл қолданысқа енгізу цифрлық технологиялар арқылы жүзеге асыру көзделеді. Бұл бағдарламаның негізгі мақсаттарының бірі білім беру саласында сандық сауаттылықты меңгерту, білім сапасын арттыру үшін дүниежүзілік тәжірибеден үздік инновациялық әдіс-тәсілдерді қолдану аясында жүзеге асырылатындығы айтылады. Кілт сөздер: жаңа әліпби, латын, цифрлық технология, емле ереже, білім беру.

Түйін сөздер: жаңа әліпби, латын, цифрлық технология, емле ереже.
A cross sectional study to assess nasal carriage of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in healthcare professionals in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Fibhaa Syed  , Nasim Akhtar  , Mohammad Ali Arif  , Adil Ramzan  , Rauf Niazi  , Syed ubaid Hasnain  , Muhammad Danish Hanif  , Sana Asghar  , Aamna Naheed
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Objective: To determine the nasal carriage of staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus among healthcare workers in a tertiary care setting.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan, from April to July 2018, and comprised healthcare workers at the institution. Nasal swabs were collected and cultured on Mannitol salt agar. Mannitol fermenting colonies which were gram-positive cocci, catalase-positive and coagulase-positive were identified as staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Methicillin resistance was detected using cefoxitin disc diffusion method. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.

Results: Of the 210 nasal swabs, 52(24.76%) had a staphylococcus aureus growth, and, of them, 15(7.1%) were methicillin-resistant. No association could be established with either any single category of healthcare worker or an inter-department variation (p>0.05). Likewise, there was no association with age, gender, duration of service, smoking, co-morbidities, use of antibiotics in the preceding six months, treating a patient with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus in the preceding six months and hospitalisation in the preceding year (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The frequency of nasal carriage of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus amongst healthcare workers was regardless of the nature of their professional engagement.

Key Words: Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, Nasal carriage, Continuous...