bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 Survivors: The Role of Religion and Religiosity
Authors: . Sudarman , Adnan Reza Faısal
Published: September 2023

This study aims to explore the role of religion and determine the impact of using religion and religiosity on COVID-19 survivors. This research was conducted in Lampung Province, Indonesia. This study uses a qualitative method, with a phenomenological approach and data analysis—interpretative phenomenological analysis. The instruments used are in-depth interviews and observations toward eight positive COVID-19 patients with the criteria of experiencing moderate or severe symptoms and undergoing isolation in the hospital. This study found results, namely, 1. A deep belief in the greatness of God, deep appreciation of the sensation of asking and praying to God, surrender and ridho of God’s decree, gratitude and meaning in life; 2. Religious practice (prayer, dhikr, reciting, saying Asma Allah); 3. Social support (information, emotional, instrumental, appreciation appraisal support). The impact of the meaning of religiosity felt by COVID-19 survivors has increased their beliefs in God, feeling more stable emotions, reducing anxiety, being able to think positively, feeling more optimistic about healing, and feeling a deep spiritual sensation. This study concludes that religion and religiosity can provide energy so that a person can survive COVID-19.
Keywords: Religion, COVID-19, Phenomenology
Indonesian Islamic Tradition is a Wisdom that Liberates Society from the Shackles of Globalization
Authors: Iryana Wahyu , Jamaluddin Z Wan
Published: September 2023

This study aims to describe Islamic traditions in Indonesia as a source of law to free society from the shackles of globalization. This research is qualitative with a literature model. Research data in the form of Islamic traditional activities in the community. Data sources were obtained from several recent studies. Data collection was done using documentation technique. Meanwhile, data analysis was done using content analysis. The research findings show that Indonesian Islamic traditions have inherent values and teachings that can help communities strengthen their local strength and resist the negative influences of consumer culture and global hedonism. By integrating Islamic values with the local context, critical education can serve as a powerful tool to empower individuals and communities to resist the damaging effects of globalization. In conclusion, the Indonesian Islamic tradition holds valuable wisdom that can guide us in navigating the complexities of the modern world. By harnessing this wisdom and integrating it with critical education, we can strengthen local forces and resist external pressures, thus freeing ourselves from the shackles of globalization.
Keywords: globalization, Indonesian Islamic tradition, neoliberalism
Formulation of the Concept of Economic Strengthening: Optimizing the Empowerment of Women in Rural Families Islamic Perspectives in Pringsewu
Authors: Setiawati Rini , Badiáh Siti
Published: September 2023

This qualitative research aims to describe formulations related to the concept and optimization of women’s empowerment in rural families Muslimat Nahdatul, Ulama Pringsewu. Data collection is carried out through in-depth interview techniques, documentation, and observation and is interactive with data analysis. The results of this study show that several strategies were carried out. First, sustainable self-development; second, conducting education and coaching to the community, where skills drive the community’s economy. Third, namely, implementing and encouraging zakat and ink. The impact of women’s empowerment, carried out by NU Muslimat, is that there is an increase in the contribution of women in the economic sector, especially to some families in NU Muslimat congregations. Several families in NU Muslim congregations have succeeded in expanding the market and developing their businesses because they have has received intervention from other parties, local governments, and other institutions such as LAZISNU, cooperatives, and other community institutions. ”
Keywords: empowerment, women, Nahdatul Ulama Muslimat Family
University Student Perspectives on Collective Action through Social-Media Activity on Campus Democracy
Authors: Hadiati Eti , Dwiyanto Agus , Ayu Setianingrum Diah
Published: September 2023

Campus democracy is useful for creating a condition that allows all groups within the university (students, rectors, teaching staff, employees, and workers) to have equal rights in formulating policies, and the orientation of the implementation of education in tertiary institutions. However, implementing democracy in educational contexts, particularly in Indonesia, is still hindered by obstacles visible through the presence of some issues with democratic principles being violated. The purpose of this study was to examine and provide an overview of university student perspectives on collective action through social-media activity on campus democracy. This study utilizes qualitative research methods by deploying questionnaires, and uses documentation as data collection techniques. It studies the students of one university in Lampung as the subject of the research. The data collection was performed at different time intervals since depth comprehension through questionnaires is required in this study. The results indicated the importance of social media for students in campus democracy, one of which is to cultivate the student’s critical awareness of events that occur on campus. This refers to not only political collective action but also social collective action as well. Given the limitations of this study which only used students from one department on one campus, the researchers hope that further research with a similar topic in the future can expand this type of research to not only include students, but also intra-community interactions, and not only on a scale of one room.
Keywords: Campus’ Democracy, Collective Action, Students’ Perspectives, Social Media
The Relationship Between Brand-Minded Lifestyles and Reference Groups with Intentions to Buy Cosmetic Products in Working Women
Authors: Ira Hidayati , Ira Hidayati
Published: September 2023

The emergence of cosmetic products is growing with time, technology, and lifestyle. Its impact can be easily found in women as the main sales target who have a tendency to have a brand-oriented lifestyle, otherwise known as brand minded lifestyles. Individuals who have these lifestyles are only oriented to buying and using well-known, expensive and exclusive branded products. This buying behavior is also entangled with the existence of a reference group that acts as a reference point in forming beliefs, attitudes and behavior. This study aims to determine the relationship between brand-minded style and reference groups with the intention of buying cosmetic products among working women. The population is women who work at PT Amaan Indonesia Sejahtera South Lampung Area, amounting to 45 people with a total sampling technique. The data collection method used a 27-item intention scale (α = 0,903), a 19-item brand-minded lifestyle scale (α = 0,866) and a 25-item reference group scale (α = 0,864). The data analysis technique used a multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed that the value of R = 0,556 and the value of F = 0,9401 with sig 0,000 (p<0,05); stating that there is a relationship between a brand-minded lifestyle and reference group with the intentions to buy cosmetics products in working women, with an effective contribution of 30.9% consisting of 21.9% in the reference group, and 9% from the brand minded lifestyle group.
Keywords: Strategy, Culture, Conflict, Society, Multicultural
Social-Religious Life Among the Elderly In a Petaling Village
Authors: Riani Mareta , Zarkasi Ahmad
Published: September 2023

Religious social activities refer to a group’s way of interacting with their environment and applying religious teachings to the social field. Like the social religious activities of the elderly who have good interactions and communication with fellow members of the community, through helping each other, mutual cooperation, and participating in KWT activities. The involvement of the elderly in religious activities ranged from praying in the mosque, attending Koran recitations, attending lectures, and managing the care of corpses and takziyah. In this study, the existence of socio-religious activities for the elderly enabled the elderly able to interact and communicate with the surrounding community which made them happy and less lonely. The elderly who are active in Koran recitation have influence over their level of religiosity, they are also increasingly diligent in praying on time, while those who usually pray at home now carry out congregational prayers at the mosque evolving into a habit. Researchers are thus interested in studying the socio-religious activities of the elderly in Petaling village. The purpose of this specific research is to identify the social religious activities of the elderly and to discover the effect of recitation activities on the social religion of the elderly. The method used in this study is a qualitative field research, while data collection was carried out using three techniques – observation, interviews and documentation.
Keywords: Religious Social Life, Elderly
Religious Leaders and Social Transformation at Ogan Ilir Regency Indonesia
Authors: . Muslimin
Published: September 2023

Religion encompasses a process of inheriting values by its adherents from generation to generation through a learning process. The process of inheriting religious values was instilled by religious elites who not only transferred religious teachings but also transformed the nature and character of a society. One of the areas experiencing this phenomenon is Ogan Ilir Regency, South Sumatra, and its people, who are known to have tough characters and solve problems using physical violence even though the area has had traditional institutions since its ancient days, which although traditional in nature, have modern elements such as democratic traditions in politics. They also set the social order to avoid violent attitudes written in the code of laws in Simbur Cahaya. For this reason, we will discuss how the pattern of religious leaders transforms the characteristics of society, and how the model of social transformation occurs. This article describes and analyzes the above using a sociological and anthropological approach. Data collection was carried out through observation and involvement of the author in religious activities as well as in-depth interviews with ideational ethnographic methods. The data was analyzed using several relevant theories. The findings in this study are as follows: in general, when religion is seen as part of a culture, it will continue to develop and ”change”, bearing in mind that society itself continues to change dynamically. For this reason, strategies are needed so that religious values can be embedded properly and can change the character of society. One of these strategies is through the Cawisan tradition, which is a medium for non-formal education and a place for religious learning for the people of Ogan Ilir and is a public space as well as a mode of strength of the Civil Society – the agency of religious leaders in dealing with various social problems. Religious leaders instill a sense of Besemon (having a sense of shame) to take action against violations of religious teachings and rules.
Keywords: Religious Figures, Strategy, Transformation
Enhancing Religious Life for Positive Impact on Narcotics Offenders in Penalty Institutions
Authors: Margaretta Indarti Sahaji , Thahir Andi , Harris Allan , Anwar L Nata Andrian
Published: September 2023

Religious behavior is a theological construction. Religious institutions are greatly influenced by factors including ignorance and ignorance of the human ability to deal with certain problems and the scarcity of resources that can provide satisfactory answers. Thus, religious behavior is a form of response or action against the teachings of religion that is adhered to or believed. Religion is one of the factors that can change a person to have a better personality, while it is also a life-guide to follow the right path. Religion can reassure one’s soul and mind psychologically and physically. Religious people perform religious activities based on the theological system. Fundamentally, the theological system will be maintained by its adherents. Religion refers to the behavior of someone who understands their God in various ways according to their socialization. Thus a psychological approach can be used in various ways, one of which is rehabilitation for narcotics abuse. Some narcotics abusers, according to research, have unfavorable mental conditions characterized by aggression, restlessness, and loss of self-confidence. To overcome these conditions they need services which can aid recovery both physically and mentally. Psychological approaches to Islamic studies can play a role in therapy through methods like prayer therapy, Al-Quran reading therapy and giving advice based on religious teachings. With the psychological approach used in rehabilitation it is hoped that it can help people who are struggling both physically and psychologically.
Keywords: Religious Life To Give, Narcotics Confidents
The Role of Al-Ikhlas Park Reading in The Culturing of Social-Religious Behavior in Scavenger Children
Authors: Dyah Purwanıngsıh Yulia , . Suhandi
Published: September 2023

The Al-Ikhlas public reading park is a place for scavenger children to develop their potential, open up insights, gain experience, and grow self-confidence. This motivates and supports children to learn for free, especially scavengers who are less skilled. This study aimed to examine the socio-religious behavior of scavenger children in the Al-Ikhlas public reading park in TPST Bantar Gebang Bekasi, West Java. It aims to examine the role of the public reading gardens in improving the socio-religious behavior of scavenger children at the park. This researcher uses a field research method, and a qualitative method using a sociological approach. The results of this study contain the role of the Al-Ikhlas public reading garden in the effort of instilling religious social behavior in scavenger children. Efforts to inculcate socio-religious behavior in the development of religiosity include learning to pray by explaining what prayer is, how important prayer is in daily life, introducing prayer readings, learning to fast, and breaking the fast together starting with a cult from a public reading garden. Similarly, reciting the Koran by learning to read iqro, Al-quran, juz-amma, and muroja’ah, as well as the commemoration of Islamic holidays are ways of instilling socio-religious behavior.
Keywords: Social Religious Behavior, Scavenger Children, Education
Editorial – War in Sudan: The Impact on Maternal and Perinatal Health
Authors: A Hassan Ahmed , Adam Ishag , Husain Nazik Elmalaika
Published: September 2023

This is an Editorial and does not have an abstract. Please download the PDF or view the article in HTML.
Prognozowanie upadłości przedsiębiorstw
Authors: Kopczyński Paweł
Published: September 2023

Zarządzanie współczesnym przedsiębiorstwem wymaga stałego dopływu informacji. Są one niezbędne do podejmowania decyzji i monitorowania sytuacji firmy oraz analizowania kondycji jej interesariuszy. Bardzo duże znaczenie mają informacje dotyczące zagrożenia upadłością. Firma, która chce utrzymać się na rynku, powinna analizować swoją sytuację finansową w celu identyfikacji pojawiających się problemów i jak najszybciej je rozwiązywać. W przypadku pojawienia się ryzyka upadłości, należy je jak najszybciej określić i podjąć skuteczne działania zapobiegawcze. Znajomość metod prognozowania upadłości ułatwia zarządzanie przedsiębiorstwem, pozwala też inwestorom unikać strat związanych z nieświadomym inwestowaniem w akcje zagrożonych przedsiębiorstw. Publikacja poświęcona jest problematyce upadłości, pokazano w niej m.in. genezę i rozwój prawa upadłościowego, przedstawione zostało znaczenie tego terminu oraz terminów pokrewnych. Prognozowanie upadłości wymaga stałego dopływu informacji, dlatego omówiono także znaczenie i rolę systemów informacyjnych przedsiębiorstw. Ich efektywne funkcjonowanie nie pozwoli całkowicie wyeliminować ryzyka bankructwa, ale ułatwi jego identyfikację, a tym samym umożliwi podejmowanie działań naprawczych i restrukturyzacyjnych. Od ich skuteczności zależało będzie przetrwanie przedsiębiorstwa i jego sukces rynkowy. Kryzys dotykający firmę wymusza reorganizację, której często nie chciałoby się przeprowadzić menedżerom. Głębokie zmiany wprowadzone w przedsiębiorstwie przekładają się często na jego sukces rynkowy w przyszłości. Publikacja zawiera szczegółowe omówienie wskaźników finansowych pozwalających przewidywać upadłość firm. Pokazano w niej rozwój nowoczesnych metod prognozowania bankructwa, takich jak wielowymiarowa analiza dyskryminacyjna, a także ich skuteczność. Zaprezentowano wybrane modele, które można wykorzystać w praktyce. Pokazano też model wielowymiarowej analizy dyskryminacyjnej, opracowany przez autora, który liczy na jego wykorzystanie przez przedsiębiorców. Zastosowanie tego typu metody do oceny ryzyka upadłości nie wymaga zaawansowanych umiejętności ze strony finalnego użytkownika, sprowadza się do przeprowadzenia kilku prostych obliczeń, a może przyczynić się do znaczącego usprawnienia procesu zarządzania firmą.
Educación en contextos diversos: El aula como un escenario de paz
Authors: Castañeda Rueda Luisa , Numpaque Acosta Galo Christian
Published: September 2023

Este libro es el resultado de un ejercicio investigativo, por querer identificar las influencias de los contextos socioculturales en los procesos de formación de los niños y niñas del Corregimiento La Quitaz del Municipio de la Belleza, en el departamento de Santander, Colombia. Se debe resaltar la permanente colaboración de los informantes, léase: niños, niñas, padres de familia y profesores, pues, no es sencillo, en oportunidades, enfrentarse a nuestras propias realidades. A su vez, es importante tener en cuenta el contexto sociocultural del corregimiento de la Quitaz, ubicado a 3 horas del municipio de la Belleza, el cual    basa    su    economía    en    la    agricultura    -producción de plátano, cacao y ganadería-; es una sociedad en su mayoría católica, golpeada por la violencia armada.
Los elementos de esta sociedad influyen en la formación y en el proceso de enseñanza - aprendizaje de los niños y de las niñas, puesto que ninguna persona vive en realidades imaginadas, sino reales y, en ella, aprende del ejemplo de sus padres, sus compañeros, los amigos del barrio, en el parque y de todas las personas con las que comparten su cultura.
Así pues, el equipo investigador consideró que es labor de los maestros y maestras intervenir en los contextos de los estudiantes que tienen a su cargo, para lograr en ellos reflexiones y transformaciones que les permitan generar nuevos procesos educativos, sociales, económicos, políticos y culturales. De ese modo, los niños y niñas en su proceso de formación requieren del apoyo de sus padres, profesores y familiares en el camino educativo, en que se busca regular su conducta y aprender a participar en este nuevo contexto sociocultural, adaptarse a él y lograr excelentes resultados académicos y formativos.
Por razones como estas, en Colombia se han hecho estudios en que
Muertos sembrados, espíritus germinados: conflicto, vida y muerte en la paz y el orden territorial de Nasa Wesx, sur del Tolima
Authors: Ospina Enciso Andrés Felipe
Published: September 2023

Las experiencias de conflicto armado y negociación de paz en la comunidad indígena Nasa Wesx del sur del Tolima, están mediadas por una práctica referente: los muertos de la guerra son sembrados en la tierra y de estos germina una cosecha de espíritus que inciden en la resolución de diferencias y tensiones entre indígenas y grupos armados. Esta síntesis narrativa y experiencial, da cuenta de lógicas de confrontación, mediación y ordenamiento territorial en un contexto de violencia y reconciliación como ha sido el suroccidente de Colombia en las últimas décadas. Además, permite comprender la forma en que se gestó un acuerdo de paz regional entre los Nasa Wesx y la guerrilla de las Farc en 1996 que ha perdurado hasta el presente, y es referente en tiempos de postconflicto y de una inconclusa implementación de la paz a escala nacional.El intercambio entre vivos que entierran muertos producto de la violencia, y espíritus de muertos que conducen a los vivos a dirimir esa violencia, es un proceso presente en historias contadas, descripciones etnográficas, y conceptos emergentes que sostienen este manuscrito. La antropología de la muerte es un campo para comprender la lucha entre actores sociales, humanos y no humanos, que reivindican posiciones y actuaciones en un contexto de alteridad y encuentro, de confrontación y reconciliación.
Could federated data analysis be the catalyst accelerating the introduction of newborn genome screening for the detection of genetic disease?
Authors: Tsipouras Petros , Dunford Maria Chatzou , Sheppard Hadley , Gaimster Hannah , Zaoutis Theoklis
Published: September 2023

Data federation intermediated through trusted research environments can help accelerate the adoption and utilization of newborn genome screening worldwide. Data federation will protect individual datasets from unauthorized security breaches, allow analysis in situ , and bypass the need for cumbersome data sharing agreements between parties. Finally, data federation could accelerate the adoption of new therapies for rare genetic diseases with the use of synthetic clinical trials.
Determinants of green organizational identity and its impact on green competitive strategy
Authors: Desak Desak Nyoman Sri Werastuti , Putri Rumanintya Lisaria , Mayasari Mayasari , Amelia Rizka Wahyuni , Purwanti  , Wahyono Eko , Sriyono  , Kilmanun Juliana Carolina , Hidayatulloh A. Nururrochman , Sutoto Agung
Published: September 2023

This study aims to examine the effect of green intellectual capital and organizational environmental management on green organizational identity and its impact on the green competitive strategy. In this study, green intellectual capital is represented by green human capital, green structural capital, and green relational capital. Meanwhile, the organization's environmental management is represented by an environmental-oriented organizational culture, environmental-oriented leadership, and environmental-oriented capabilities. This study applies a survey that is distributed to 170 respondents who have managerial positions. The sample selection for functional is that respondents have influence and experience in the organization where the respondent works. The number of questionnaires that were successfully returned from the respondents was 146 pieces. From the results of hypothesis testing, it is known that green human capital and environmentally oriented culture have a significant positive effect on green organizational identity. Meanwhile, green structural capital, green relational capital, environmentally oriented leadership, and environmentally oriented abilities do not affect green organizational identity. Green structural capital and green relational capital have a significant positive effect on the green competitive strategy. In contrast, green human capital, environmentally oriented culture, environmental-oriented leadership, and environmental-oriented abilities, green organizational identity do not affect the green competitive strategy.
Individual taxpayer’s compliance during Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Sulistiyanti Umi , Pratidina Evi Damayanti
Published: September 2023

The Covid-19 pandemic made economic conditions decline due to the cessation of many economic activities. The government needs the community's participation in tax compliance to restore the national economy. This study aims to analyze the effects of tax incentive policy, modernization of tax administration, religiosity, and tax awareness of taxpayers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample of this study is the registered individual taxpayers in the Boyolali Small Tax Office. The data of this study were collected by distributing the questionnaires to 100 respondents, in which the sample size was determined according to the Slovin formula. The data analysis methods used include multiple linear regression test, T-test, and coefficient of determination test using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25. The results of this study show that the modernization of tax administration and tax awareness have positive and significant effects on taxpayer compliance, while tax incentive policy and religiosity have no effects on taxpayer compliance.
Does accountant CFO matter to auditor?
Authors: Handoyo Gabriella , Permatasari Yani , Anridho Nadia , Kamarudin Khairul Anuar , Ngelo Agnes Aurora
Published: September 2023

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a chief executive whose responsibilities are related to accounting and audit work. However, there is a downward trend in hiring CFOs with an accounting background. Therefore, we aim to study the relationship between accountant CFO and audit outcomes. This paper use samples of non-financial firms listed on the Indonesia Exchange Stock (IDX) from 2010 to 2018 and using OLS with a cluster by the firm in Stata 17.0 to analyze the relationship between accountant CFO and audit outcomes. We document that accountant CFOs tend to appoint Big4 accounting firms because they demand a higher audit quality. Furthermore, the results suggest that accountant CFOs are more likely to have a higher audit fee, a higher audit quality, and a shorter audit report lag. This finding shows that the accountant CFO can be related to the audit outcomes and this shows how auditors value the accountant CFOs. We expect this paper contributes to enrich the literature on accountant CFO and helps firms in hiring their CFO.
Geopolymer Composites: Manufacturing of Sandwich Steel and Geopolymer Structures with Spray Technology without Formwork
Authors: Le Su Van , Pławecka Kinga
Published: September 2023

This research examines the fire resistance of geopolymer composites (GCs), formulated using alka-li-activated metakaolin and aluminum powder. The production method involves spray-coating carbon steel plates with fresh GCs, followed by a 28-day curing period at room temperature. Sub-sequently, fire performance and aging tests are conducted to evaluate fire resistance. The study investigates GC properties, including apparent density, bending strength, compression strength, thermal conductivity, porosity, and production cost. Morphological changes before and after fire and aging tests are analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results demonstrate GC foams' outstanding thermal insulation, providing up to 75 minutes of fire resistance with a 6 mm coating, reducing temperatures by 300 °C compared to uncoated steel. GCs exhibit a density of 670 kg/m³, thermal conductivity of 0.166 W/m·K, 68% porosity, and cost efficiency at 250 dollars per cubic meter. This study underscores the potential of foamed geopolymer coatings for effective and economical surface protection.
Observational Study of Super Typhoon Saola in 2023 When It Was Close to Hong Kong
Authors: Chan P.W. , Choy Chun Wing , Chiu Y.Y.
Published: September 2023

Super Typhoon Saola came very close to Hong Kong on 1 and 2 September 2023, necessitating the issuance of No. 10 hurricane signal, the highest tropical cyclone warning signal, in Hong Kong. While there were widespread damages in Hong Kong, no people were killed in the event with effective early warning. It is rare that a super typhoon came very close to Hong Kong and this paper is the first part in the series of the documentation of Saola to summarize the interesting observations of Saola near Hong Kong for future reference by weather forecasters, including sur-face observations, upper air observations, microburst alert from weather radars, and turbulence intensity based on spectral width measurement of radars.
Smart Packaging Based on Polylactic Acid: Effect of Antibacterial and Antioxidant Agents from Natural Extract on Physical-Mechanical Properties, Colony Reduction, and Perishable Food Shelf Life
Authors: Nasution Halimatuddahliana , Harahap Hamidah , Julianti Elisa , Safitri Aida , Jaafar Mariatti
Published: September 2023

The changes in consumer lifestyles have raised awareness of the variety of food options and packaging technologies. Active and smart packaging represents an innovative technology that serves to enhance the safety and quality of products. Smart packaging, as a subset of this technology, entails the integration of additives into packaging materials, thereby facilitating the preservation or extension of product quality and shelf life. This technological approach stimulates a heightened demand for safer food products with prolonged shelf life. Active packaging predominantly relies on the utilization of natural active substances. Therefore, the combination of active substances has a significant impact on the characteristics of active packaging particularly on polymeric blend like Polylactic acid (PLA) as a matrix. So, This review will summarize and explains how the addition of natural active agents influenced the properties related to the performance of active packaging through systematic analysis, providing new insights about the relationship between the types of active agents on physical-mechanical properties, bacterial colony reduction, and applications in foods packaging such as meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables. Through their integration, the market for active and smart packaging systems is expected to have a bright future.
High Variability Phonetic Training Facilitates Transfer of Learning from Perception to Production in Children with Cochlear Implants
Authors: Zhang Hao , Dai Xuequn , Ma Wen , Ding Hongwei , Zhang Yang
Published: September 2023

Purpose: This study builds upon an established effective training method to investigate the advantages of high variability phonetic identification training for enhancing lexical tone perception and production in Mandarin-speaking pediatric cochlear implant (CI) recipients, who typically face ongoing challenges in these areas. Method: Thirty two Mandarin-speaking children with CIs were quasi-randomly assigned into the training group (TG) and the control group (CG). The sixteen TG participants received five sessions of high variability phonetic training (HVPT) within a period of three weeks. The CG participants did not receive the training. Perception and production of Mandarin tones were administered before (pretest) and immediately after (posttest) the completion of HVPT via lexical tone recognition task and picture naming task. Both groups participated in the identical pretest and posttest with the same time frame between the two test sessions. Results: TG showed significant improvement from pretest to posttest in identifying Mandarin tones for both trained and untrained speech stimuli. Moreover, perceptual learning of HVPT facilitated trainees’ lexical tone production as rated by a cohort of 10 Mandarin-speaking adults with normal hearing. In contrast, CG did not exhibit significant changes in either perception or production. Conclusion: The results represent initial evidence of HVPT-induced transfer of perceptual learning to lexical tone production in CI users, which supports the application of this speech training protocol to aural rehabilitation practice.
Aggravation of Health Problems Subsequent to COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Efil Fatma Nese , Qureshi Sania , Gokbulut Nezihal , Hınçal Evren , Soomro Amanullah
Published: September 2023

Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected the whole world since the beginning and it continues to affect it. The main aim of this study is to show how Covid-19 affect other mortal diseases; cancer, heart diseases, and diabetes in near future. With this purpose two mathematical models are proposed via Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs); one for the relationship between Covid-19 and cancer and one for the relationship between Covid-19, diabetes and heart diseases. Afterwards, stability analyses of these models are demonstrated. In order to see the effect of parameters on the disease compartments, sensitivity analysis is applied. Results of sensitivity analysis revealed that huge percentage of people are still scared of visiting doctors and this may lead a massive increase in the diagnosis of other diseases for upcoming years. Moreover, figures displayed that there exists a relationship between diabetes and heart diseases. Especially, diabetes patients should be careful about their health situations and take care of their heart. In order to provide these, awareness of people should be developed.
Novel Cyclodextrin-Chitosan Polymer for Adsorption of Pharmaceutical Residues
Authors: Fadila Hammache , Skiba Mohamed , Lamia Moulahcene , Milon Nicolas , Bounoure Frederic , Malika Lahiani- Skiba
Published: September 2023

A novel polymer containing β-cyclodextrin, α-cyclodextrin, γ -cyclodextrin and chitosan (cy-clodextrin-chitosan) was synthesized, characterized and used for extracting two kinds of pharmaceuticals ibuprofen and progesterone. This polymer is amorphous and porous with a high swelling capacity. The cyclodextrin-chitosan polymer exhibits high extraction capacity towards progesterone and ibuprofen. Add to that, the effect of different operator variables was studied and discussed (i.e., the effects of contact time, solute concentration, pH, ionic strength and temperature). In this study adsorption kinetic was investigated, where it follows a pseudo-second order model in case of ibuprofen and progesterone.
Influence of Implant Base Material on Secondary Bone Healing: An In-Silico Study
Authors: Nayak Gargi Shankar , Roland Michael , Wiese Björn , Hort Norbert , Diebels Stefan
Published: September 2023

The type of implant at the fracture site has effects not only from biological perspective but also from mechanical perspective in fracture healing. Biodegradable implants such as magnesium (Mg) based alloys have shown faster secondary bone healing properties as compared to bioinert implants such as titanium (Ti). The general reasoning behind this is the benefit of Mg from biocompatibility perspectives. We study the effect of Ti and Mg as base materials for implants with their different mechanical properties. The focus of our work is on the displacements at the fracture site of the tibia and their influence on the stimulus for bone healing. We have found that in comparison to Ti, Mg implants have minimal stress shielding problem, only which led to better mechanical stimulus at the fracture site.
Development of qPCR and LAMP Assays for the Surveillance and Diagnosis of Herpes B Virus Infection
Authors: Amano Murasaki , Sapkanarak Krittiga , Thbthimthong Wipaporn , Meesawat Suthirote , Kemthong Taratorn , Suttisan Nutchanat , Abe Haruka , Malaivijitnond Suchinda , Yasuda Jiro
Published: September 2023

Herpes B virus (BV) is a zoonotic virus which can be transmitted from macaques to humans, which is often associated with high mortality rates. Because macaques often exhibit asymptomatic infections, individuals who come into contact with these animals face unexpected risks of BV infections. Serological test is widely performed to investigate BV infections. However, the assay’s sensitivity and specificity appeared to be inadequate, and it does not necessarily indicate ongoing viral shedding. Here, we developed LAMP and qPCR assays aiming to detect BVs with high sensitivity and specificity in various macaque species and validated them using oral swab samples collected from 97 wild cynomolgus macaques living in Thailand. Our LAMP and qPCR assays detected more than 50 and 10 copies of the target sequences per reaction, respectively. The LAMP assay could detect BV within 25 min, indicating its advantages for the rapid detection of BV. Collectively, our findings indicated that both assays developed in this study exhibit advantages and usefulness for BV surveillance and diagnosis of BV infections in macaques. Furthermore, for the first time, we determined the partial genome sequences of BVs detected in cynomolgus macaques in Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the species-specific evolution of BV within macaques.
Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of A Novel Hemp-Based Building Material
Authors: Rivas-Aybar Daniela , John Michele , Biswas Wahidul
Published: September 2023

The global construction sector contributes a significant share of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Australia, infrastructure activity alone generates 18% of the GHG emissions budget. The use of low-embodied carbon building materials is crucial to achieving sustainability in the construction sector and to fulfill national and international climate goals. Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is considered a promising feedstock for sustainable construction materials because of its biogenic carbon content, fast-growing cycles with low agricultural input requirements, and technical functionality which is comparable to traditional materials. This study has applied the life cycle assessment (LCA) guideline of ISO 14040:2006 to estimate the carbon footprint (CF) expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) emissions of hemp-based building materials in Western Australia. The functional unit is 1 m2 of hemp-based board, and the system boundary includes cradle-to-gate stages, i.e., pre-farm, on-farm, and post-farm activities. The production of 1 m2 of hemp-based board is estimated to be - 2.302 kgCO2eq. Electricity from the public grid for lignin extraction during the post-farm stage is the main contributor to total CO2eq emissions (26%), followed by urea production (14%) during the pre-farm stage. Overall, the use of electricity from the SWIS during the post-farm stage accounts for 45% of total emissions. Sensitivity analysis shows that the CF of hemp-based boards is highly sensitive to the source of energy, i.e., total replacement of the SWIS by solar power decreases the CF from - 2.30 to -6.07 kgCO2eq (164%). The results suggest that hemp-based boards exhibit lower embodied GHG emissions compared to traditional materials, such as gypsum plasterboards.
Role of IgG avidity in the eyes with active Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis
Authors: Lakhmavar Pratik , Kelgaonkar Anup , Patel Anamika , Khalsa Ashish , Basu Soumyava
Published: September 2023

Purpose: To study toxoplasma IgG avidity to evaluate the stage of infection and clinical implications in cases of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis in eastern India.
Methods: Retrospective review of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis cases with toxoplasma serology for IgG, IgM, and IgG avidity.
Results: Included in this study were 17 eyes of 17 patients which had active retinitis located in the macula (14), mid-periphery (2), or periphery (1). They were either primary lesions (12) or reactivations (5). All the cases had toxoplasma IgG positive; one case had IgM positivity while all the cases had high IgG avidity values. IgG avidity had a positive correlation with the duration of symptoms.
Conclusions: We observed high IgG avidity values in active retinochoroiditis in both primary ocular toxoplasmosis and reactivation subgroups. These results indicate a late ocular manifestation after initial systemic infection.
Metronomic cyclophosphamide and metformin inhibited tumor growth and repopulated tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in experimental carcinoma model
Authors: Zaki Heba M , Ali Khadiga M , Allah Mona Y Y Abd , Abouelnaga Amoura M , Abdraboh Mohamed E , Hussein Osama
Published: September 2023

Metformin is a widely used antidiabetic biguanide. Retrospective data demonstrated the association of metformin use with survival benefit in multiple tumor types. Interest in repurposing metformin to treat cancer has not been translated into encouraging clinical benefit. In animal models, metformin activated cytotoxic T cells and exerted an immune-mediated anticancer effect. The current research was conducted to investigate the possible therapeutic benefit of metformin in combination with metronomic cyclophosphamide in an experimental cancer model. Ehrlich ascites carcinoma was injected into the subcutaneous tissue to induce solid tumors in syngeneic mice. Exponential solid tumor growth ensued and was effectively arrested with the administration of a cytotoxic dose of parenteral cyclophosphamide. Alternatively, oral metformin and continuous, low-dose cyclophosphamide significantly inhibited tumor growth relative to untreated mice. The drug combination was well tolerated. Histopathological examination of the tumor showed an increased number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and enhanced expression of granzyme B by this drug combination. The current data suggests a potential role of metformin and metronomic chemotherapy that warrants further investigation.
Comparison The role of auto-HSCT and allo-HSCT in extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma
Authors: peng yin-yin
Published: September 2023

Objectives: As advanced-stage or relapsed/refractory (R/R) extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKL)is highly progressive and sometimes multi-drug resistant, there is so far no standard management for them. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) are considered optional consolidation therapy for advanced-stage or R/R ENKL, but their applications to ENKL is currently limited.
Methods: We collected cases of advanced-stage or R/R ENKL patients with auto- or allo-HSCT, including 17 newly diagnosed patients from our hospital, (15 with auto-HSCT, 2 with allo-HSCT), and 489 cases from literatures in recent 21 years, (331 with auto-HSCT, 158 with allo-HSCT). We summarized the patients’ characteristics and conducted survival analysis of the 17 cases from our hospital, and analyzed the potential benefits of auto- and allo-HSCT to ENKL patients according to the reported information in literatures.
Results: Of the 17 cases of our hospital, with the median follow-up time of 36 month (range: 10~93 months), 1 relapsed but recovered, 1 relapsed and died of disease progression, and 1 died of severe pneumonia respectively, the others were CR and survived for more than 20 months. Of the cases from literatures, in the patients with auto-HSCT (average follow-up time 43.3 months), 127 (38.4%) relapsed, 106 (32.0%) died (treatment-related mortality TRM=14.2%), and in the patients with allo-HSCT (average follow-up time 31.0 months), 58 (36.7%) relapsed, 82 (51.9%) died (TRM=18.3%).
Conclusions: Auto-HSCT and allo-HSCT are indeed options to advanced-stage or R/R ENKL, but further studies are still required with more strict disease management.
Renal Sonographic Indices as Predictive Markers for Acute Kidney Injury in Critical Care Patients: A Case Study of COVID-19 Patients
Authors: gerami reza , bolouki elham , pashaei fakhereh , kargar jalal , Dormanesh Banafshe , Dadmanesh Maryam
Published: September 2023

Introduction:Preliminary studies have shown that up to 30% of covid-19 patients hospitalized have acute kidney injury (AKI). This study investigates the predictive potential of renal sonographic indices, including renal arterial resistive index (RRI) and pulsatility index (PI), as prognostic markers for AKI.Methods:The cohort study was conducted from September 2021 to April 2022, involving 140 COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients were followed for 6 months during hospitalization to monitor hourly urine output and daily serum creatinine levels for AKI incidence determination. Renal sonographic indices, including RRI and PI, were measured in both kidneys using color-doppler ultrasound upon ICU admission. Patients were divided into case (RRI ≥ 0.7 in at least one kidney) and control (RRI < 0.7 in both kidneys) groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis examined RRI and PI as predictors for AKI, considering other risk factors.Results: Patients at case group (RRI ≥ 0.7) had substantially higher odds of developing AKI compared to control group (OR = 34.91, p < 0.001). For each unit increase in the mean of kidneys' PI (left/right), the odds of developing AKI decreased significantly (OR = 0.16, p < 0.001). The other factors, including sex, age group, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking status, did not show statistically significant associations with AKI (p-values > 0.05).Conclusions: the results highlight the importance of RRI and PI as non-invasive and valuable indicators for predicting the development of AKI in COVID-19 patients. Monitoring these renal sonographic indices could aid in the early identification and management of kidney-related complications in critically ill patients.
DeepGO-SE: Protein function prediction as
Approximate Semantic Entailment
Authors: Kulmanov Maxat , Guzmán-Vega Francisco , Duek Paula , Lane Lydie , Arold Stefan , Hoehndorf Robert
Published: September 2023

The Gene Ontology (GO) is one of the most successful ontologies in the biological domain. GO is a formal theory with over 100,000 axioms that describe the molecular functions, biological processes, and cellular locations of proteins in three sub-ontologies. Many methods have been developed to automatically predict protein functions. However, only few of them use the background knowledge provided in the axioms of GO for knowledge-enhanced machine learning, or adjust and evaluate the model for the differences between the sub-ontologies.
We have developed DeepGO-SE, a novel method which predicts GO functions from protein sequences using a pretrained large language model combined with a neuro-symbolic model that exploits GO axioms and performs protein function prediction as a form of approximate semantic entailment. We specifically evaluate DeepGO-SE on proteins that have no significant similarity with training proteins and demonstrate that DeepGO-SE can improve function prediction for those proteins.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Burden, Grades and Erythrocytosis at a Tertiary Hospital in Western Uganda
Authors: Banturaki Amon , Munyambalu Dalton Kambale , Kajoba Dickson , Onchoke Verah Bella , Peris Alina , Ryamugwiza Prosper , Amandua Jacinto
Published: September 2023

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide among people over 40 years of age, and erythrocytosis is one of the major complications associated with increased mortality among COPD patients.Methods and materials: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. A consecutive sampling technique was used to obtain study participants at the Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital outpatient clinic. Focused history and physical examination were carried out to select eligible participants. Participants were screened using the COPD population screener for spirometry after consenting to participate. Spirometry was carried out according to GOLD guidelines, and haemoglobin concentration was measured.Results: A total of 180 participants were enrolled in the study, of whom the majority were females. Thirty-one (68.9%) patients had a modal age of < 50 years and a median age of 60 years. The prevalence of COPD was 25% (45) [95% CI 18.9 – 32] and highest among females (68.9%) and those aged 60 years and above (70%). The combined COPD assessment tool groups had a prevalence of 55.6%, 37.8%, 4.4%, and 2.2% for groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. Age <50 years was protective against COPD, while for every additional year of smoking, there was an associated 6.5% increased risk compared to the general population. Additionally, the prevalence of erythrocytosis among COPD participants was 6.7%.Conclusions and recommendations: There was a high prevalence of COPD among study participants (25%), with a 6.7% prevalence of erythrocytosis. A complete blood count should be performed for every patient with COPD at diagnosis and follow-up.