bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting and Reducing Quitting in Online Learning
Authors: Broeke Nick ten , Hofman Abe Dirk , Kruis Joost , de Mooij Susanne M.M. , van der Maas Han
Published: July 2022

Online learning environments (OLEs) often show high frequencies of quitting. As this hinders the learning progress of users, it is important to understand when and why such behavior occurs and to test interventions aimed at reducing quitting. We investigated this in two studies. In Study 1 we analyzed quitting in a computerized adaptive testing system, known in the literature as Math Garden, where children can practice their maths and language skills. We defined two distinct quitting states,a soft-quit (premature quit of a game) and hard-quit (leaving the learning system), and investigate which factors increased or decreased the risk of each state transition. Results showed that soft-quitting increased the probability of a subsequent hard-quit; that indicators for self-regulatory learning are associated with a lower probability of quitting; that a fast error is associated with a higher risk ofquitting (as opposed to a slow error) and that subsequent errors strongly increase the risk of quitting. The latter finding inspired Study 2 in which we implemented a large scale A/B test to test whether presenting an easier item after an error reduced the probability of a child making subsequent errors and thereby would reduce quitting. Our intervention was shown to be effective and reduced the probability to quit by 5%. Together, these results demonstrate how we can bridge the gap betweenpredictive models and intervention studies to combat the problem of quitting within OLEs.
Vision impairment puts the mind at risk
Authors: AISDL Mindsponge
Published: July 2022

Losing the ability to see seems to deeply affect the human mind. Studies have shown that older adults with vision impairment have a higher risk of cognitive impairment and dementia
A new consistent framework for assignment of safe operating space to B2C and B2B industries for use in Absolute Environmental Sustainability Assessments
Authors: Oosterhoff Hendrik , Golsteijn Laura , Laurent Alexis , Ryberg Morten
Published: July 2022

The planetary boundaries define a safe operating space for humanity to act within without potentially destabilizing the planet. The safe operating space is often used a sustainability reference in Absolute Environmental Sustainability Assessments (AESAs) where a share of the safe operating space (SoSOS) is assigned to the assessed activity. An identified challenge, is that current methods are suited for business-to-consumer (B2C) industries and companies, but ill-suited for assessments of business-to-business (B2B) as the sharing is often based on the direct value to humans. Thus, this study presents a systematic framework for assigning a SoSOS to both B2C and B2B industries and companies. The framework uses multi-region input-output models to link industries and estimate the direct and indirect value to humans for both B2B and B2C industries. The framework was tested in a case study for a B2B company to show its application and to evaluate the sensitivity of the framework towards different modelling choices. The results of the case study and sensitivity analysis was used to provide recommendations for further improvement of the framework. While there is still need for improvement and refinement, the framework shows large potential. Mainly because it directly facilitate AESA of B2B industries and companies to help gauging their environmental performance relative to absolute boundaries and, thus, provide better basis supporting strategic sustainability related activities.
Sampling across large-scale geological gradients to study geosphere-biosphere interactions
Authors: Giovannelli Donato , Barry Peter , de Moor Joost , Jessen Gerdhard , Schrenk Matthew , Lloyd Karen
Published: July 2022

Despite being one of the largest microbial ecosystems on Earth, with >1029 microbial cells, many basic open questions remain about how life exists and thrives in the deep subsurface biosphere, inside Earth’s crust. Much of this ambiguity is due to the fact that it is exceedingly difficult and (often prohibitively expensive) to directly sample the deep subsurface, requiring elaborate drilling programs and/or access to deep mines. We propose a sampling approach which involves collection of a large suite of geological, geochemical, and biological data from numerous deeply-sourced seeps—including lower temperature sites—over large spatial scales. This enables research into interactions between the geosphere and the biosphere, expanding the classic local approach to regional or even planetary scales. Understanding the interplay between geology, geochemistry and biology on such scales is essential for building models of the subsurface ecosystem and extrapolating ecological and biogeochemical roles of subsurface microbes beyond single site interpretations. This approach has been used successfully across the Central American and South American Convergent Margins, and can be applied more broadly to other types of geological regions (i.e., actively rifting, intraplate volcanic and/or hydrothermal settings). Working across geological spatial scales, inherently encompasses broad temporal scales (e.g., millions of years of volatile cycling across a single convergent margin), providing access to a framework for interpreting evolution and ecosystem functions through deep time and space. We pose that tectonic interactions are fundamental to maintaining planetary habitability through feedbacks that stabilize the ecosphere (e.g., plate tectonics controlling the distribution of volatiles throughout Earth), and deep biosphere studies are fundamental to understanding geo-bio feedbacks on these processes on a global scale.
Cross-National Replication of Prosocial Simulation Effect Using Cumulative Link Mixed Modelling
Authors: Peng Ding-Cheng , Moreau David , Cowie Sarah , Addis Donna Rose
Published: July 2022

Previous work has found mentally simulating events of helping others can enhance prosocial intentions. However, to date, this ‘prosocial simulation effect’ (PSE) has only been demonstrated in North America. We provide the first pre-registered replication of PSE outside of North America in a New Zealand sample, following existing protocols (Experiment 1: N=40) and with modifications to rule out an additional confound (Experiment 2: N=40). Moreover, given evidence that metric models are problematic for assessing ordinal data, we conducted cumulative link model (CLM)-based analyses. Both experiments provide statistically-robust support for the PSE outside of North America, lending greater credence to this effect. We also show that, relative to CLM-based analyses, metric models can underestimate effects in ordinal data, yielding inconsistent results across near-identical experimental designs. We consider this issue against the backdrop of the replication crisis, and recommend the use of CLM-based analyses in all research reliant on ordinal scales.
A Bayesian statistical model is able to predict target-by-target selection behaviour in a human foraging task
Authors: Clarke Alasdair D F , Hunt Amelia R. , Hughes Anna
Published: July 2022

Foraging refers to search involving multiple targets or multiple types of targets, and as a model task has a long history in animal behaviour and human cognition research. Foraging behaviour is usually operationalized using summary statistics, such as average distance covered during target collection (the path length) and the frequency of switching between target types. We recently introduced an alternative approach, which is to model each instance of target selection as random selection without replacement. Our model produces estimates of a set of foraging biases, such as a bias to select closer targets or targets of a particular category. Here we apply this model to predict individual target selection events. We add a new start position bias to the model, and generate foraging paths using the parameters estimated from individual participants’ pre-existing data. The model predicts which target the participant will select next with a range of accuracy from 43\% to 69\% across participants (chance is 11\%). The model therefore explains a substantial proportion of foraging behaviour in this paradigm. The situations where the model makes errors reveal useful information to guide future research on those aspects of foraging that we have not yet explained.
Evaluation of keyness metrics: Reliability and interpretability
Authors: Sönning Lukas
Published: July 2022

While keyword analysis has become an essential tool in corpus-based work, the question of how to quantify keyness has been subject to considerable methodological debate. This has given rise to a variety of computerized metrics for detecting and ranking candidate items based on the comparison of a target to a reference corpus. Building on previous work, the present paper starts out by delineating four dimensions of keyness, which distinguish between frequency- and dispersion-related perspectives and identify substantively different aspects of typicalness. Existing measures are then organized according to these dimensions and evaluated with regard to two specific criteria, their interpretability and reliability. The first of these, which has been neglected in previous work, is a critical feature if metrics are to offer informative indications of keyness. The second criterion is performance-oriented and reflects the degree to which a metric produces stable and replicable rankings across repeated studies on the same pair of text varieties. Our illustrative analysis, which deals with the identification of key verbs in academic writing, shows considerable differences among indicators with regard to these two criteria. Our findings provide further support for the superiority of the Wilcoxon rank sum test and allow us to identify, within each dimension of keyness, metrics that may be given preference in applied work in light of our criteria.
Seeing the wood for the trees: Predictive margins for random forests
Authors: Sönning Lukas , Grafmiller Jason
Published: July 2022

Recursive partitioning techniques such as classification trees and random forests offer a number of attractive features to corpus data analysts. However, the way in which these models are typically reported – a decision tree and/or set of variable importance scores – usually offers insufficient information to language researchers. Thus, we are usually interested in the (form of) relationship between (multiple) predictors and the outcome, which can be difficult to read from individual trees or variable importance scores. This paper develops predictive margins as an interpretative approach to ensemble techniques such as random forests. Predictive margins are model summaries in the form of adjusted predictions, which allow us to extract from a model the equivalent of what are sometimes referred to as main effects and interaction effects. This provides a clearer picture of patterns in the data and allows us to query a model on potential non-linear associations and interactions among predictor variables. Further, the fact that ensemble methods generate a batch of predictions for a specific condition allows us to obtain indications of statistical uncertainty. The present paper outlines the general strategy for forming predictive margins and addresses methodological issues from an explicitly (corpus) linguistic perspective. We illustrate the technique using data on the English genitive alternation (Grafmiller 2014) and provide an online tutorial on the implementation of predictive margins in R.
A continuous time approach to intensive longitudinal data: What, Why and How?
Authors: Ryan Oisín , Kuiper Rebecca M. , Hamaker Ellen
Published: July 2022

The aim of this chapter is to (a) provide a broad didactical treatment of the first-order stochastic differential equation model—also known as the continuous-time (CT) first-order vector autoregressive (VAR(1)) model—and (b) argue for and illustrate the potential of this model for the study of psychological processes using intensive longitudinal data. We begin by describing what the CT-VAR(1) model is and how it relates to the more commonly used discrete-time VAR(1) model. Assuming no prior knowledge on the part of the reader, we introduce important concepts for the analysis of dynamic systems, such as stability and fixed points. In addition we examine why applied researchers should take a continuous-time approach to psychological phenomena, focusing on both the practical and conceptual benefits of this approach. Finally, we elucidate how researchers can interpret CT models, describing the direct interpretation of CT model parameters as well as tools such as impulse response functions, vector fields, and lagged parameter plots. To illustrate this methodology, we reanalyze a single-subject experience-sampling dataset with the R package ctsem; for didactical purposes, R code for this analysis is included, and the dataset itself is publicly available.
Examining the effects of the killing of George Floyd by police in the United States on attitudes of Black Londoners: A replication
Authors: Nivette Amy , Nägel Christof , Gilbert Emily
Published: July 2022

High-profile incidents of police misconduct can have serious consequences for public trust in the police. A recent study in the British Journal of Political Science found that Eric Garner’s death in NYC lead to more negative attitudes towards the police in London among Black residents compared to White and Asian residents. The current study aimed to replicate this transnational effect by assessing the impact of George Floyd’s death on Londoners’ perceptions of police. Using the same data and methodological approach, we did not replicate the immediate effect on Black Londoners’ attitudes. We did find that attitudes across ethnic groups became more negative when using a wider temporal bandwidth. However, we discovered violations to the excludability assumption, meaning we cannot be certain that the effect is solely due to the murder of George Floyd, or at least partly due to different dynamics, like the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying policies. This means that while police killings in other contexts are likely to play a role in shaping attitudes towards local police, these effects are difficult to disentangle from other global and local factors.
Перспективы евразийской социально-экономической интерграции (взгляд из Армении)
Authors: Погосян Геворк
Published: July 2022

В работе утверждается, что анализ перспектив социально-экономической интеграции стран – членов ЕАЭС невозможно проводить без учета тех коренных перемен в мировом порядке, которые происходят в настоящее время в результате военной операции России в Украине. Показано, что Армения как страна, непосредственно участвующая в евразийской интеграции в рамках ЕАЭС, стала ощущать последствия изменений, начавшихся вследствие военного российско-украинского конфликта.
Европейская экономическая интеграция в реалиях коронакризиса (Обзор)
Authors: Чувычкина И.А.
Published: July 2022

Экзогенные кризисы могут способствовать углублению интеграции или, наоборот, усилению дифференциации и порождать дезинтеграционные процессы. В результате коронакризиса государства – члены Европейского союза и наднациональные акторы оказались перед новыми вызовами их солидарности и устойчивости интеграции. В работе рассматриваются антикризисные меры и механизмы сдерживания негативного влияния пандемии COVID-19 на экономику ЕС, а также анализируются возможности евроинтеграции в постковидный период.
Феномен Брексита: что изменилось для экономики Великобритании
Authors: Пехтерева Е.А.
Published: July 2022

Статья посвящена рассмотрению условий и первых результатов выхода Великобритании из Европейского союза. Подчеркивается, что этот шаг, целью которого было возвращение экономического и политического суверенитета, вызвал множество проблем, которые приходится решать в настоящее время правительству Бориса Джонсона. Анализируются результаты достигнутых договоренностей и вопросы, переговоры по которым все еще ведутся. Отмечается, что противоречия между Великобританией и странами континентальной Европы не утихают и приобрели новую остроту в связи с санкционной политикой в отношении России.
Формирование институциональной экосистемы цифровой экономики в ЕС и ЕАЭС: сравнительный анализ
Authors: Криштаносов В.б.
Published: July 2022

В работе представлены авторские подходы к методологии формирования регуляторной экосистемы цифровой экономики. Предложена соответствующая модель, включающая такие институциональные блоки, как: стратегии; механизмы внедрения концепций и инноваций и регулирование ими; регулирование финансового рынка; защита киберпространства. Проецирование предложенной модели на практики Европейского союза как региона с наиболее развитой институциональной средой позволило выделить особенности европейской матрицы регулирования развития цифровой экономики. Также определены особенности матрицы регуляторной экосистемы цифровой экономики Евразийского экономического союза. На основании построенных матриц проведен сравнительный анализ регуляторных экосред формирования цифровой экономики Европейского и Евразийского союзов.
Determinants of Farmers' Participation in Banana Insurance in Chitwan District, Nepal
Authors: Timilsina S. , Khanal M. , Pradhan R. , Bhattarai A. , Sapkota M.
Published: July 2022

This study was conducted to identify the factors affecting the adoption of banana insurance in Chitwan district of Nepal. A total of 160 samples (80 insurers and 80 non-insurers of banana producers) were selected randomly to collect primary data. Primary data were collected by conducting household survey using personal interview method in the month of September 2019. The logit model was used to identify the factors affecting the adoption of banana insurance policy among farmers. The result showed that the explanatory variables, area under banana cultivation, membership to cooperatives, and awareness about the agriculture insurance, perception of farmer about the necessity of crop insurance, agriculture extension services, and age of banana orchard were significantly contributing to the adoption of banana insurance policy. It also revealed that organization of awareness program, mobilization of groups and cooperatives were the important tools to promote banana insurance program. The findings would be helpful to make the insurance program more effective and hence increase the adoption of insurance policy and ultimately benefit farmers by enhancing their ability to manage risks in agriculture.
Evaluation of Rapeseed Genotypes against Alternaria Blight under Field Conditions in Nawalparasi-West, Nepal
Authors: Bhandari S. , Shrestha S.M. , Manandhar H.K. , Bhattarai B. , Aryal L.
Published: July 2022

Alternaria blight disease causes both yield and quality loss in Brassica crops. A field evaluation of ten rapeseed genotypes against Alternaria blight disease was conducted during November 2018 to February 2019 in Parasi, Nawalparasi-west district. Experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with individual plot size of 2.25 m2 with three replications. Post-harvest in-vitro seed infection test was done in a completely randomized design with four replications. Disease scoring was done as percentage of leaf area and pod infection on individual 15 sample plants per plot at seven days intervals. Genotype ICT 2001-35 was found moderately resistant based on categorization of mean leaf AUDPC (308.52) and mean pod infection AUDPC values (391.48) with low seed infection (12.50%). Preeti, Bikash and Pragati showed highly susceptible reactions to both leaf blight and pod infection. Therefore, genotype ICT 2001-35 could be used in a varietal improvement program for disease resistance against Alternaria blight.
High Altitude Rangelands Invasion by Non-Palatable Plant Species in the Perception of Yak Herders
Authors: Barsila S.R.
Published: July 2022

The biological and socio-ecological dimensions of alpine rangelands degradation by invasive species have been considered in a field survey conducted in two yaks (Bos grunniens) rearing areas i.e., Langtang National Park (LNP) and Kanchanjunga Conservation Area (KCA). Data were collected by herder’s interview using the well-prepared and pretested set of questionnaires (60), followed by a focus group discussion (FGD) and key informants survey (KIS) each five at each site by following a set of checklists.  There was a common perception about the invasive species among the herders in the study sites. The Rumex nepalensis was the most invasive species reported (75% of the respondents) at altitudes up to 3000 m in the KCA, while it was additionally with Eupatorium adenophorum (60%) in the LNP, while the Lyonia and Juniperus were the common invasive species in both sites. Altogether, twelve plant species were reported as invasive and non-palatable species from various botanical groups were indifferent to the changes made by invasive species in rangelands soil characteristics but gave well insight into the declining productivity of grasslands and herbage productivity and quality. Herders established bush clearance and slash and burn agriculture in rangelands as traditional adaptation measures to control the invasive species. Mapping of risk zones of invasive and alien species in the alpine rangelands is necessary across the alpine rangelands of Nepal and a long-term monitoring framework is desirable to confirm the herder's information on invasive alpine species of Nepalese Himalayas.
Effect of Gibberellic Acid (GA3) on Yield and Fruit Quality of Table Grape var. Himrod in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Authors: Poudel P. , Atreya P.N. , Dahal K.C.
Published: July 2022

The experiment was conducted at Warm Temperate Horticulture Center, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal with an aim to improve the yield and fruit quality of seedless table grape var. Himrod. Different treatments of GA3 (0 ppm,10 ppm, 20 ppm, 30 ppm, 40 ppm) were applied for two times on grape bunches after berry set. The quantitative and qualitative attributes of bunch and berry were recorded. Berry size, berry weight, berry volume, bunch weight and berry color were improved significantly in GA3 treated grape bunches whereas TA was significantly decreased. The effect of GA3 on berry diameter had significant impact on berry weight and berry volume, and thus in yield. As the yield of a vine is the product of bunch number and bunch weight, GA3 influenced the current season bunch weight by improving the berry attributes, and also affected quality attributes of grape berries in var. Himrod.
Perception and experience of online classes among undergraduate and postgraduate medical students during COVID-19
Authors: Sharma Suman , Sigdel Brihaspati
Published: July 2022

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to analyze the perception and experiences of online classes among undergraduate and post-graduate medical students during COVID-19.
Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Medical College of Nepal. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was developed through extensive review of related literature. It was sent among 304 students. Student who did not want to take part in a survey, didn’t respond to all questions were excluded from the study. The data was received via email and completeness was checked. Out of 304 student, 265 students met the criteria for study. Two parts of the questionnaire included: demographic data related to medical students and online classes; and five perception-related questions which are measured by Likert scale. Perception of student were divided into positive, neutral and negative.
Results: About 265 students out of 304 students completed the form which is 87.1% response rate. The mean age of the students was 24.5±2.5 years. Majorities of students (87.5%) used wifi and almost two third students (66%) wanted two classes per day. Nearly half (49.4%) students felt happy with initiation with online classes and 50.1% said voice was clear during classes. Overall, positive perception was found on was 72.15% of students toward online classes.
Conclusions: Majorities of students used wifi. Nearly 50% of the student feel happy with initiation of online classes. More than two third students had a positive perception toward online classes. Online learning became the alternative option to continue academics during COVID-19.
Oral and systemic health: An inextricable linkage
Authors: Ranjit Rebicca
Published: July 2022

No Abstract
Adherigaun Narratives and Subaltern Myth Making in Maidaro
Authors: Chalise Keshav Raj
Published: July 2022

The theory of subaltern studies, as the postcolonial way of analyzing and understanding literature and social relations, examines the context of the marginal ideologies, socio-political or literary. The basic value of subaltern philosophy, therefore, is the marginal case of social and political castration however it also includes the issues of domination, marginalization and discrimination caused by already established cultural politics of the society with social and economic diversity. The cultural politics keeps certain group of people under the marginal domain in the process of mythmaking. The society and social values do not accept these groups existing in the cultural politics, but still exploit them, their labour, work and ability in the name of their power as cultural power. Recently, such myths have been on the way to break down as the result of subaltern consciousness. With this sense of cultural politics of mythmaking, this study examines on how social and cultural narratives have raised the subaltern issues in Bhupeen’s novel Maidaro. The aspiration of this research is to unearth the subaltern narratives of the society depicted in the novel and to find out on how these narratives have become the central factors to dominate and overshadow certain group of people in the name of culture.
मुक्तकका आधारभूत उपकरणका दृष्टिबाट यानी मुक्तक सङ्ग्रहको विश्लेषण
Authors: बस्ताकोटी भूमिराज
Published: July 2022

प्रस्तुत लेख पोखरेली मुक्तककार सञ्जीव पौडेलको मुक्तक सङ्गह ‘यानी’ को आधारभूत उपकरणका दृष्टिले विश्लेषण गर्नमा केन्द्रित छ । आधारभूत उपकरणका आधारमा गरिने विश्लेषणले कृतिको साङ्गोपाङ्ग चित्र प्रस्तुत गर्दछ । यानीका बारेमा दैनिक पत्रिकाको एक ‘पुस्तक समीक्षा’ बाहेक अन्य कुनै पनि कोणबाट अध्ययन गरेको नपाइएकाले विश्लेषणको यस ढाँचा अवलम्बन गरिएको हो । विषयगत विविधता, रुबाई लय ढाँचाको प्रयोग, भावप्रधान, विचारप्रधान तथा दुबैको उचित संयोजनयुक्त प्रस्तुति, बिम्ब, प्रतीक तथा अलङ्कारको सार्थक उपयोग, मूलत: प्रगीतात्मक संरचनाको अवलम्बनजस्ता विशेषता विश्लेषणबाट देखिन आएका तथ्य हुन् । मुक्तकको मारकता सिद्ध गर्ने व्यञ्जना सामथ्र्य केही मुक्तकमा देखिए पनि कलात्मक उच्चता प्राप्तिका लागि सर्जकमा पर्याप्त साधनको खाँचो रहेको निष्कर्ष प्रस्तुत लेखको छ ।
ऐना : उत्तरआधुनिक अध्ययन
Authors: अधिकारी लक्ष्मीशरण
Published: July 2022

प्रस्तुत लेखमा उत्तरआधुनिक सैद्धान्तिक कोणबाट ‘ऐना’ कथा सङ्ग्रहको अध्ययन गरिएको छ । उत्तरआधुनिकता केन्द्रलाई मान्दैन, यो केन्द्रविरोधी विचार हो । रामलाल जोशीका कथामा परम्परागत नायकलाई ध्वस्त गरेर पुनर्निर्माण गरिएको छ । स्थानिक सत्यमा जोड, अधिनायकवादी पितृसत्ताप्रति असहमति, प्रगतिहीनता, अनिश्चितता, स्थानिक संस्कृतिको चित्रणमा जोड, बहुलता, सभ्य भनाउँदो मान्छेको मृत्यु जस्ता उत्तरआधुनिक मान्यता उनका कथामा भेटिएका छन् । लोकतन्त्र, सामाजिक न्याय तथा प्रगतिसम्बन्धी आधुनिकताको धारणा कतिपय कथामा मसिनो स्वरले व्यक्त भए पनि उनको मूल स्वर विविधता र बहुलताको अनुमोदन, सीमान्तकृतहरूतर्फ सहानुभाव राख्ने रहेकाले ‘ऐना’ उत्तर आधुनिकताका कोणबाट पठनीय कृति बनेको छ भन्ने निष्कर्षमा पुगिएको छ ।
Prevalence of Staphylococci in Environmental Surfaces and Characterization of Isolates by Antibiotic Susceptibility
Authors: Arjyal Charu , Joshi Prabhu Raj , Nepal Divya , Kafle Rachana , Panthi Anuja , Thapa Radhika , Pandey Puspa
Published: July 2022

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to determine the extent of staphylococcal contamination in various environmental sites and to characterize the isolates by antibiotic susceptibility.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and 123 samples were collected from 9 different sites around Kathmandu valley. Isolation of S. aureus was done through cultural and biochemical analysis. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test was employed to test the susceptibility of isolates to antibiotics.
Results: A total of 25 S. aureus (20.33%) were isolated; among which 12 isolates exhibited methicillin resistance i.e. 48% (MRSA) and 13 isolates were methicillin susceptible, 52% (MSSA). Similarly, 53 Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) were isolated; among which 17(32.07%) were resistant to methicillin. The antibiotic resistance patterns of MRSA were reported as: erythromycin(n=2;16.6%.), clindamycin (n=2;16.6%), cotrimoxazole (n=2;16.6%), ciprofloxacin (n=2;16.6%) and gentamicin (n = 1;8.3%). MRCoNS showed high resistance to erythromycin (n=6; 35.2%), followed by co-trimoxazole (n=4; 23.5%), novobiocin (n=4; 23.5%) and ciprofloxacin (n=3; 17.6%). All MRSA and MRCoNS isolates were susceptible to linezolid and clindamycin.
Conclusion: This study reports relatively high prevalence of MRSA on environmental surfaces, pre-dominating in areas having heavy crowds. There may be a likely connection between humans and the environment to share MRSA and MSSA.
Biofilm Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Authors: Chhunju Sabina , Nayaju Tulsi , Bhandari Kabita , Angbuhang Khadga Bikram , Lekhak Binod , Prajapati Krishna Govinda , Shrestha Upendra Thapa , Upreti Milan Kumar
Published: July 2022

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Gram-negative bacteria in lower respiratory tract infections and study the biofilm producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Methods: This study was conducted at B & B Hospital Pvt. Ltd., Lalitpur, Nepal from February to September 2018. The samples were collected from the patients (n=420) with signs and symptoms suggestive of LRTIs. The isolated organisms were identified and antimicrobial sensitivity was performed. Among all the isolates, P. aeruginosa isolates were subjected for biofilm detection by microtitre plate method.
Results: Out of 420 specimens, 90 (21.6%) were culture positive. Klebsiella pneumoniae (42.9%) was found to be the predominant organism with higher rate of resistance to antibiotics. A total of 25 isolates of P. aeruginosa were isolated among which 15 (60%) were biofilm producers. Biofilm-producing isolates of P. aeruginosa were found more resistant to the tested antibiotics.
Conclusion: Gram-negative bacteria were found to be the predominant etiological agents in causing the LRTIs; K. pneumoniae, being the most commonly isolated bacteria. Most P. aeruginosa were capable of producing the biofilm. The biofilm producers were more resistant to the antibiotics. The biofilm may help increase the resistivity nature of the bacteria.
Antifungal Susceptibility and Biofilm Formation of Candida albicans Isolated from Different Clinical Specimens
Authors: Lamsal Shirshak , Adhikari Sanjib , Raghubanshi Bijendra Raj , Sapkota Sanjeep , Rijal Komal Raj , Ghimire Prakash , Banjara Meha Raj
Published: July 2022

Objective: Increasing antifungal resistance and biofilm formation among Candida species is an intimidating public health concern, especially at the hospital settings. In light of this, the current study was designed to assess the biofilm-forming ability of clinically isolated Candida albicans and determine their antifungal susceptibility against both the planktonic and sessile forms.
Methods: A total of 58 Candida isolates from different clinical samples received at the Microbiology laboratory of KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal in between April to October 2018 were included in the study. Isolation and identification of C. albicans was done following standard microbiological procedures that comprised of microscopic observations along with germ tube formation and biochemical tests. Besides qualitative investigation of biofilm by tube method, it was also investigated quantitatively by crystal violet staining method and metabolic activity of the biofilm was assayed by tetrazolium (XTT) salt reduction method. Antifungal susceptibility pattern against common antifungal drugs was determined as planktonic and sessile Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) by broth micro-dilution method.
Results: Out of 58 Candida recovered from the total samples, 21(36.2%) were identified as C. albicans. The vaginal swabs showed a higher prevalence (57.14%, 4/7) of C. albicans whereas none were recovered from the wound swabs. Qualitative study of biofilm formation showed that 4 (19.1%) Candida albicans were strong biofilm producers, 11 (52.3%) isolates were moderate and 6 (28.6%) produced weak or none biofilms, whereas a majority (85.7%) of the isolates gave biofilm positive test in microtiter plate assay. The metabolic activity of the biofilm revealed that the average absorbance following the metabolic reduction of tetrazolium salt was 0.577. Interestingly, both the methods used for assessing biofilm productions correlated well (r=0.569, p=0.007). Most of the isolates were susceptible to Fluconazole (80.9%) at MIC 0.12 μg/mL, Amphotericin B (76.19 %) at MIC 0.25 μg/mL and Clotrimazole (80.9%) at MIC 0.25 μg/mL. In addition, sessile forms of C. albicans was found to have 2 to 8 fold increases in MIC compared to the planktonic cells.
Conclusion: High prevalence of C. albicans in vaginal swabs may implicate that the women are more prone to vaginosis. The sessile forms are more resistant to antifungal agents and proper administration of antifungal targeting the biofilms should be prioritized only with susceptibility result interpretations.
Prevalence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Dumpsite Workers in Kathmandu Valley
Authors: Manandhar Dinju , Subedi Binita , Sharma Dikshya , KC Kelija , Shakya Ashika , Shrestha Angela
Published: July 2022

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine prevalence of methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus among dumpsite workers.
Methods: Total 60 nasal swab samples were collected. Conventional microbiological methods were used to isolate and identify S. aureus. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by Kriby Bauer disc diffusion method. MRSA was confirmed by using Cefoxitin disc. The organism showing resistance against three or more class were considered as MDRSA.
Results: The prevalence rate of S. aureus and MRSA was found to be 46.67% (28/60) and 6.67% (4/60) in total population. The nasal carriage rate of S. aureus was found to be higher in age group 28-37 (70.06%, 12/17), gender male (47.5%, 19/40), district Kathmandu (70%, 14/20) and dumpsite workers (50%, 15/30). The isolated S. aureus were resistant to Penicillin (35.7%), Erythromycin (35.7%), Cefoxitin (14.3%) and Oxacillin (10.7%). S. aureus was susceptible (100%) to Tetracycline, Gentamycin, Ciprofloxacin, Co-trimoxazole, Chloramphenicol, and Vancomycin. Multidrug resistant S. aureus was not found in community of Kathmandu Valley.
Conclusion: The study shows prevalence of MRSA strains of S. aureus in Kathmandu Valley. The occurrence of MRSA indicates development of Community acquired-antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Prevalence of Candida Carriage and in Vitro Evaluation of Phospholipase and Haemolysin Activity of Oral Candida albicans among Tobacco Users and Smokers in Dharan, Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Bijay Kumar , Shakya Jenish , Khanal Hemanta
Published: July 2022

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Candida carriage among tobacco users and smokers along with in vitro evaluation of phospholipase and hemolysin activity of Candida albicans.
Methods: A laboratory based cross-sectional study was carried out in Dharan Sub-Metropolitan city, Eastern Nepal from June 2018 to November 2018. During the study 150 oral rinse samples were obtained from smokers (50), smokeless tobacco consumers (50) and non-tobacco users (50) as control group. The participants were provided 10 ml of normal saline and were asked to oral rinse for 1 minute. Oral rinse was collected in a sterile screw capped container and was transported to microbiology laboratory by maintaining the cold chain. The oral rinse sample was inoculated onto the Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and was incubated at 37°C for 3-4 days. The number of colonies of Candida was counted and C. albicans were identified by cultural characteristics, staining, germ tube test and chlamydospore formation test.
Results: The prevalence of Candida carriage was reported to be 22 (44%) in smoker group, 26 (52%) among smokeless tobacco users and 13 (26%) among control groups. The prevalence of Candida carriage was found to be significantly higher in the study group associated with tobacco chewers (P=0.008). However, the Candida carriage among smoker’s group was not found to be statistically significant (P=0.059). Isolation of Candida albicans was higher among smokeless tobacco users 15 (30%), smokers 5 (10%) and non-users 6 (12%).
Conclusion: Colonization and carriage of Candida in the oral cavity of smokers and tobacco chewers were found to be higher than in controls. In addition, individuals with poor oral hygiene increase the risk of Candida colonization and infection under host debilitated condition.
Предметный мир примет и поверий (Цикл рождения) / Priedmietnyj mir primiet i powierij (Cykł rożdienija)
Authors: Czerwiński Piotr
Published: July 2022

The paper deals with Russian folk tales and legends describing the cycle of birth, actions and roles of their protagonists with regard not only to their present state and condition but also to their future ones. The woman in childbirth is presented as a key character from the point of view of her role and meaning in the stages preceding the birth of a human being. The world of objects is described as a special one with regard to the reality, influencing people and being influenced by them. The author suggests a number of attitudes towards the potential, virtual typologies connected with the meanings of the paradigmatic units. The units are also discussed in terms of their internal structure and position in general semantics.
The Impact of Good Governance on Human Development Iraq case study for the period (2005-2018)
Authors:   Center for Future Studies, قادر احمد
Published: July 2022

Good governance has a major role in most economic, social and political variables, among them human development, as the success or failure of any country’s efforts to enhance the level of human development is closely linked to the nature and level of good governance. The latter constitutes the establishment of a sound environment for economic, social and human development. The study’s significance comes from the subject matter which explores good governance and its impact on human development. The study is based on the hypothesis that the relationship between good governance as an independent variable and human development as a dependent variable is a direct or positive one. In order to verify the research hypothesis, the level of both variables was studied as well as revealing the effect and the relationship between them, by using the descriptive method alongside the quantitative method represented by the econometric analysis. Finally, the study concluded with several findings which validate the hypothesis of the research, the most important of which is the existence of a positive relationship between the indicators of good governance and human development and that Iraq is experiencing a low level of good governance as it reached (7.9%) during the research period, leading to a poor level of human development which was (0.609) for the same period. In light of the findings, several proposals were put forward to raise the level of good governance in Iraq, the most important of which, as suggested by the researcher, is to elevate the level of political stability, absence of violence and combating corruption. Also the rule of law index should be increased due to its high level of influence among the indicators of good governance in Human Development.
The National and Geographical Identity of the Cut-Off Areas from Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Authors:   Center for Future Studies, عبدالرحمن پشکۆ , فەتاح ماجید
Published: July 2022

The geographical review of those areas needs academic and scientific research. The national and geographical identity of the cutoff areas Kurdistan regions was an obscure issue in the relations between the Kurds and the Iraqi government in the stages of history. In fact, the region in terms of national and geographical identity faced many crises, and the efforts and attempts to distort the national, ethnic and geographical identity of that region were many and varied, including: ethnic cleansing, displacement and Arabization, and with all that they also tried from a cultural, linguistic and ideological perspective to obliterate the historical reality of that region and its Kurdistan. Therefore, in this research, I refer to the history of these areas in terms of the national identity of those areas, with a precise indication of the geographical borders of Southern Kurdistan, and a definition of the national, ethnic and religious minorities in it. The research consists of six axes: In it, the Kurdish regions located in the areas of Mosul, Kirkuk, Diyala and Wasit were precisely identified and defined. We also referred to scientific sources and academic research, and mentioned writers and travelers interested in Kurdish studies, official documents related to the region, and documents that confirm the truth and entitlement of nationalism, geography and national identity. and geography of that region. All of this is analyzed in this research.
A review: phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ) impacts fertilisation and improves human-assisted reproductive technology
Authors:   Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thu Dau Mot University, Nguyen Thanh Binh ,   Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ngo Thai Minh Quan ,   Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Duong Thi Phuong Thanh ,   Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine
Published: July 2022

The change of concentration of intracellular Ca2+oscillations leads to oocyte activation and preparation for early embryogenesis. Phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ) plays an essential role in fertilisation. Clinical reports have suggested a link between defective PLCζ and male infertility. In particular, oocyte activation deficiency was mentioned as the cause of failure in many cases of infertility treated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Some results about advances in research and clinical applications were reviewed in this article, including PLCζ - Sperm oocyte activating factor, the structure of PLCζ, localisation of PLCζ in sperm, defective PLCζ and relation to male infertility, and clinical applications of PLCζ in treatment and improvement of human insemination procedures. At the same time, the authors summarised and analysed research results and applications to support infertility treatment on the basis of sperm improvement through PLCζ - sperm factor. Finally, the authors discussed the direction of using PLCζto help embryologists, clinicians, and researchers improve the embryogenesis process, with the aim to bring the best results for patients, especially in the case of rare embryos.
Characteristics of haematological and morphology in pulmonary tuberculosis patients using drugs with ADR at the National Lung Hospital from January 2021 to June 2021
Authors:   National Lung Hospital, Vo Trong Thanh , Nguyen Kim Cuong ,   Hanoi Medical University, Pham Thi Vuong ,   National Lung Hospital
Published: July 2022

Background: ADR (Adverse drug reactions) is also known as an adverse drug effect. ADRs of anti-tuberculosis drugs are quite common, causing changes in haematological tests. Objective: to study the characteristics of some haematological index and peripheral blood cell morphology in pulmonary tuberculosis patients with tuberculosis drugs with ADR who were treated at the National Lung Hospital from January 2021 to June 2021. Subjects and methods: 134 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were diagnosed with tuberculosis drugs with ADR at the National Lung Hospital using a cross-sectional descriptive study. Results showed that the mean erythrocyte index was 3.69±0.92x1012/l in men and 3.81±0.74x1012/l in women, mean haemoglobin was 102.42±26.44 g/l in men and 96±22.81 g/l in women. The rate of anaemia was 73.47% in men and 61.11% in women. Average white blood cell count was 11.88±6.38x109/l, average platelet index was 371.45±198.16x109/l. Common morphology: roulaux cells, target cells and hypochromic RBCs. Neutrophils increase segmentation and granulocytosis. Giant platelets. Conclusion: pulmonary tuberculosis patients with tuberculosis drugs with ADR have anaemia, appearance of granulocytosis, giant platelets, rouleaux cells, target cells and hypochromic RBCs.
A study on the origin of the buds related to the yield of the “cam sanh Bo Ha” variety grown in Thai Nguyen province
Authors:   Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tong Hoang Huyen , Nguyen Tien Dung ,   Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Thai Nguyen University, Nguyen Van Duy ,   Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Thai Nguyen University, Bui Quang Dang ,   Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Bui Tri Thuc ,   Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Thai Nguyen University, Nguyen Thi Tinh ,   Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Thai Nguyen University, Ngo Xuan Binh ,   Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Thai Nguyen University
Published: July 2022

With the four-year-old “cam sanh Bo Ha” cultivar grown at Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Thai Nguyen University, results conducted from the phenology showed that: 4 seasoning branches named after the time duration originated, viz spring, summer, autumn and winter branches that were accordingly developed from different buds related closely to the yield of the trees in which the spring branches considered as flower and fruit bearers and the autumn ones considered as mother branches of the proceeded fruit bearers played an important role. It is also mentioned that a high percentage of the spring branch and low ratio of autumn one was recorded in the on-season year (heavy crop). In contrast, a low ratio of spring branch and a high ratio of autumn ones, were reported in the off-season (light crop). And, what is more, there existed a closely positive linear correlation between the ratio of autumn branches and fruit yield in the following year (correlation coefficient r=0.81). The study’s results should be of good basic for developing technical solutions to regulate the appropriate ratio of spring and autumn branches to ensure high and stable yield.