bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dosimetric comparison of single-arc/partial-arc volumetric modulated arc therapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy for peripheral and central lung cancer
Authors: Akcay Melek , Etiz Durmus , Duruer Kerem , Bozdogan Ozge , Ozen Alaattin 
Published: March 2021

Aim:
The aim of this study is to compare the differences between intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and single-arc/partial-arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (SA/PA-VMAT) techniques in locally advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials and Methods:
Locally advanced 22 patients with NSCLC were evaluated retrospectively. Each patient underwent radiation therapy with either IMRT or SA-VMAT or 2PA-VMAT technique. Homogeneity index, conformity number, and dosimetric parameters were evaluated.

Results:
Ten peripheral and 12 central lung tumors were evaluated. In the entire patient group, tV5-10-60, total mean lung dose (tMLD), iV5-10-30-50-60, iMLD, and esophagus Dmean and Dmax were lower in IMRT technique, cV5-10-20-30, kMLD, and medulla spinalis Dmax were lower in PA-VMAT technique, whereas iMLD is the highest in the SA-VMAT technique. In peripheral tumors, tV5-10-60, iV5-10-20-30-40-60, iMLD, and esophagus Dmean were lower in IMRT technique and kV5-10 was lower in the 2PA-VMAT technique. In central tumors, tV5-10, tMLD, iV5-60, iMLD, and esophagus Dmean and Dmax were lower in IMRT technique, whereas cV10-20 and medulla spinalis Dmax were lower in 2PA-VMAT, and all contralateral lung doses are high in the SA-VMAT technique (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
IMRT and VMAT techniques have different advantages in locally advanced lung cancer, and the use of those two techniques as a hybrid can provide a single collection of these advantages.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor with analysis of various prognostic factors
Authors: Sharma Mohit R. , Puj Ketul Sureshbhai , Salunke Abhijeet A. , Pandya Shashank J. , Gandhi Jahnavi S. , Parikh Ankita R. 
Published: March 2021

Context:
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a rare and aggressive soft-tissue sarcoma.

Aims:
The aim of this study was to analyze various prognostic factors and treatment outcome of patients with MPNST.

Settings and Design:
This was a retrospective study.

Subjects and Methods:
Ninety-two patients, who presented with MPNST at a tertiary care cancer center from 2011 to 2018, were included in this study. The median follow-up of all living patients was 33 months. Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) was seen in 12 (13%) patients. Sixty (65.2%) patients received curative-intent treatment.

Statistical Analysis Used:
Kaplan–Meier method was used for survival analysis. Log-rank test was used for univariate analysis, and multivariate analysis was done by Cox proportional hazard ratio method.

Results:
The 5-year overall survival (OS) of all patients was 47.2% and the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) of operated patients was 41.5%. On univariate analysis, association with NF1 (P = 0.009), grade (P = 0.017), and margin status (P = 0.002) had a significant effect on DFS, whereas association with NF1 (P = 0.025), metastatic disease on presentation (P < 0.0001), palliative intent of treatment (P < 0.0001), grade (P = 0.049), and margin status (P = 0.036) had a significant effect on OS. On multivariate analysis for patients who were treated with curative-intent treatment, grade (P = 0.015), and margin status (P = 0.028) had a significant effect on DFS, whereas association with NF1 (P = 0.00026) and location of tumor (P = 0.040) had a significant effect on OS.

Conclusions:
The presence of distant metastasis, palliative intent of treatment, association with NF1, location of the tumor in the head and neck, high tumor grade, and positive margin status were the risk factors associated with poor survival for the patients with MPNST. Wide local excision with negative resection margin is the highly recommended treatment.
Clinical characteristics, natural history, and outcomes of Crohn's-related intra-abdominal collections
Authors: Alharbi Othman , Almadi Majid A. , Azzam Nahla , Aljebreen Abdulrahman M. , AlAmeel Turki , Schreiber Stefan , Mosli Mahmoud H. 
Published: March 2021

Background:
Intra-abdominal collections in the form of abscesses or matted bowel loops, called phlegmons, might occur in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The clinical characteristics and management of such conditions are not well described. We aim to characterize CD-related intra-abdominal collections clinically, and identify predictors of need for surgical interventions and the time to surgery.

Methods:
We utilized the Saudi Inflammatory Bowel Disease Information System (IBDIS) database to identify all patients treated for radiologically proven intra-abdominal abscesses or phlegmons since inception. Demographics, clinical data, clinical course, and treatment outcomes were recorded. Logistic regression analysis and survival analysis were used to identify predictors of surgical resection and differences in time to surgery between patient subgroups, respectively.

Results:
A total of 734 patients with a diagnosis of CD were screened and 75 patients were identified. The mean age was 25.6 ± 9.9 years and 51% were males. Nearly 60% of patients had abscesses larger than 3 cm while 13% had smaller abscesses and 36% had phlegmons. On presentation, the most commonly reported symptom was abdominal pain (99%) followed by weight loss (27%). About 89% of patients were treated with antibiotics during hospitalization for an average of 2.7 weeks. Steroids were prescribed for 52% of patients and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists for 17%. Surgical resection was required for 33 patients (44% of the cohort) while 51% were managed with antibiotics and/or percutaneous drainage. The most common surgical intervention was ileocecal resection (45%). Although patients who underwent follow-up imaging were more likely to require early surgical intervention (P = 0.04), no statistically significant predictor of surgery could be identified from this cohort. Time to surgery varied numerically according to abscess size (HR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.62–2.27, P = 0.61).

Conclusions:
Although the majority of patients with CD-related intra-abdominal collections underwent surgical resection in this cohort, no obvious predictors of surgical intervention could be identified. The decision to perform early surgery appeared to be influenced by the findings observed on cross-sectional imaging during the follow-up of these collections.
EFFECTS OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY ON PERFORMANCE OF FINANCIAL MARKETS IN KENYA
Authors: Aketch Sarah , Mwambia Felix , Baimwera Bernard 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: The study sought to establish the effects of blockchain technology on the performance of financial markets in Kenya.
Methodology: The study adopted an explanatory research design. The study target population was drawn from the commercial banks located in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study targeted 84 bank managers in the IT and finance department of the 42 commercial banks in Kenya. Thus the target population of the study was 84 financial market managers selected. The study population was grouped into simple identifiable group called strata and adopted a stratified simple random sampling technique with inclusion of commercial banks. A sample size of a sample size of 50 respondents was arrived at. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The data collected was cleaned and coded, quantified and analyzed quantitatively. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS 24 where descriptive and inferential statistics were used to capture the data in order to understand the pattern and nature of relationships. Results were presented using tables.
Findings: The study findings showed that the correlation analysis showed that the adoption of blockchain technology had a positive and significant correlation to government policy R = 0.240. Adoption of blockchain technology had a positive and significant correlation to internet infrastructure by R = 0.293. Adoption of blockchain technology had a positive and significant correlation to transaction cost at R = 0.583. Lastly, adoption of blockchain technology had a positive and significant correlation to risk analysis at R = 0.507.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that there should be policy review on issues relating to risk analysis so as to curb illegal money transfers and enhance performance of financial markets in Kenya. The study recommends for a thorough scrutiny by the government and ensures such issues are keenly analyzed to help bring peace and stability in the world. The aspect of having good internet connectivity is beneficial to the nation in that access to proper information will be available and it enables many users to have wide access to services as well as creation of employment. There is need to conduct a study on stability of blockchain technologies use and their impact to the economic growth. The study incorporated Technology Acceptance Model and Innovation Diffusion Theory to link the study topic to the concepts
PALLIATIVE CARE RECOVERY OUTCOMES: NATURE OF RECOVERY OUTCOMES AMONG CANCER PATIENTS IN NAIROBI AND NYERI COUNTIES, KENYA
Authors: Wang’ombe Joyce , Kathungu Beatrice 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: This study sought to find out nature of recovery outcomes among cancer patients attending palliative care in Nairobi and Nyeri County
Methodology: The study adopted a correlation research design. The target population were the cancer patients, attending treatment at the three palliative care units in Nairobi and Nyeri Counties. Systematic random sampling technique was used in the study to obtain a sample of 96 participants. Semi structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, namely Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient(r).
Findings: Result showed that, majority of the respondents (65.5%) had a low level of recovery outcomes, while 32.1% had a high level of recovery outcomes. results indicate that the lowest score on recovery outcomes was 31, while the highest score was 74. The mean score was 47.0+9.465, which indicates that the recovery outcomes fell in the low range. These findings were not unusual considering that most of the patients were newly diagnosed with cancer and for some respondent’s metastasis had set in.
Conclusion: The study concluded that the two most significant challenges encountered in palliative care were, patient experiencing isolation and lacking finances. Provision of financial support and increasing the number of counselling sessions were suggested as possible strategies for enhancing patient recovery outcomes
Recommendation: This study recommended that the palliative care units staff should encourage participation of family members, friends and significant others in the cancer continuum, so as to provide psychological and social support to patients
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy Patients under palliative care could adopt group psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioural, informational, non-behavioral, social support, and using unusual treatments such as music and art therapy to curb cancer. More cancer related programs enhancing patients AQ should be put in place by the counsellors in order to increase the patients AQ in the palliative care units from moderate level to high level of AQ in order to boost recovery outcomes
Variabilidad espacio temporal de la comunidad bentónica de la Laguna de Piuray – Cusco
Authors: Cruz-Fernández Baca Katherine M. , Cruz-Miranda Luciano J. 
Published: March 2021

Los organismos bentónicos en los ecosistemas acuáticos participan en la transferencia de energía dentro de la cadena trófica, actúan como bioindicadores y permiten evaluar el grado de perturbación en diferentes épocas y espacios de la cubeta de la laguna, se determinó la composición, abundancia y diversidad de la comunidad bentónica de la laguna de Piuray, con la finalidad de evaluar su variabilidad espacio-temporal, muestreando con una draga Eckman con área de cobertura de 0.04 m2 y volumen de 0.0033 m3, a profundidades de 1, 1.5 y 2 metros, en tres zonas de la laguna; se registró 7508 individuos, distribuidos en 9 familias y 5 órdenes (Gasterópoda, Veneroida, Oligochaeta, Díptera e Hirudinea). El 44.40 % de familias corresponden al Orden Gasterópoda, 22.22 % al Orden Díptera y 11.11% a cada orden Veneroida, Oligochaeta e Hirudinea. La mayor densidad se registra cerca a la orilla, descendiendo con la profundidad; con la familia Planorbidae con 58215 individuos/m3 y la menor densidad se registró con la familia Ceratopogonidae con 135 individuos/m3, mientras que las familias con mayor abundancia fueron Planorbidae y Tubificidae. La diversidad alfa mediante el Índice de Shannon es de 0 – 1.45 y de Simpson de 0 – 0.7 mostrando una baja diversidad; la diversidad beta mediante el Índice de Jaccard registra similaridad entre 15 y 100%; mientras que el Índice de Morisita registra homogeneidad entre 8 y 100%, indicando que existe variación en el espacio y tiempo de la comunidad bentónica de la laguna de Piuray en los meses evaluados.
The enigma of relict large sorted stone stripes in the tropical Ethiopian Highlands
Authors: Groos Alexander R. , Niederhauser Janik , Wraase Luise , Hänsel Falk , Nauss Thomas , Akçar Naki , Veit Heinz 
Published: March 2021

Abstract. Large forms of sorted patterned ground belong to the most prominent geomorphic features of periglacial and permafrost environments of the mid-latitudes and polar regions, but they were hitherto unknown in the tropics. Here, we report on relict large sorted stone stripes (up to 1000 m long, 15 m wide, and 2 m deep) on the ca. 4000 m high central Sanetti Plateau of the tropical Bale Mountains in the southern Ethiopian Highlands. These geomorphic features are enigmatic since forms of patterned ground exceeding several metres are commonly associated with distinct seasonal ground temperatures, oscillating around 0 ∘C. To systematically investigate present frost phenomena and relict periglacial landforms in the Bale Mountains, we conducted extensive geomorphological mapping. The sorted stone stripes were studied in more detail by applying aerial photogrammetry, ground-penetrating radar measurements, and 36Cl surface exposure dating. In addition, we installed ground temperature data loggers between 3877 and 4377 m to analyse present frost occurrence and seasonal ground temperature variations. Superficial nocturnal ground frost was measured at 35–90 d per year, but the ground beneath the upper few centimetres remains unfrozen the entire year. Seasonal frost occurrence would require a mean annual ground temperature depression of about 11 ∘C, corresponding to an air temperature decrease of about 6–8 ∘C (relative to today) as inferred from a simple statistical ground temperature model experiment. Our results suggest the formation of the large sorted stone stripes under past periglacial conditions related to lateral and vertical frost sorting in the course of cyclic freezing and thawing of the ground. It is likely that the stone stripes formed either in proximity to a former ice cap on the Sanetti Plateau over the last glacial period due to seasonal frost heave and sorting or they developed over multiple cold phases during the Pleistocene. Although certain aspects of the genesis of the large sorted stone stripes remain unresolved, the presence of these geomorphic features provides independent evidence besides glacial landforms for unprecedented palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental changes in the tropical Bale Mountains during the (Late) Pleistocene.
First occurrence of brachyopid temnospondyls in Southeast Asia and review of the Mesozoic amphibians from Thailand
Authors: Nonsrirach Thanit , Manitkoon Sita , Lauprasert Komsorn 
Published: March 2021

Abstract. The non-marine Mesozoic sedimentary rocks of Thailand, which consist of the Indochina block and the Sibumasu block, have yielded several terrestrial and aquatic vertebrate fossils, but only few amphibian remains have been reported. Here, we present an overview on the Thai amphibian palaeo-diversity based on the literature, re-examination of published material, new findings, and unpublished material. Thai amphibian fossil remains are assigned to Stereospondyli (Cyclotosauridae, Plagiosauridae, and Brachyopoidea) and Anura and were discovered from four formations, ranging from the Upper Triassic to Lower Cretaceous of Thailand. The occurrence of Brachyopidae in Thailand, which are related to Chinese forms, supports the previous hypothesis of physical connections between the Indochina blocks and the Sibumasu block during the Mesozoic era.
Evaluation of the dual-polarization weather radar quantitative precipitation estimation using long-term datasets
Authors: Voormansik Tanel , Cremonini Roberto , Post Piia , Moisseev Dmitri 
Published: March 2021

Abstract. Accurate, timely, and reliable precipitation observations are
mandatory for hydrological forecast and early warning systems. In the case
of convective precipitation, traditional rain gauge networks often miss
precipitation maxima, due to density limitations and the high spatial
variability of the rainfall field. Despite several limitations like attenuation
or partial beam blocking, the use of C-band weather radar has become
operational in most European weather services. Traditionally, weather-radar-based quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) is derived from
horizontal reflectivity data. Nevertheless, dual-polarization weather radar
can overcome several shortcomings of the conventional horizontal-reflectivity-based estimation. As weather radar archives are growing, they
are becoming increasingly important for climatological purposes in addition
to operational use. For the first time, the present study analyses one of
the longest datasets from fully operational polarimetric C-band weather
radars; these are located in Estonia and Italy, in very different climate
conditions and environments. The length of the datasets used in the study is
5 years for both Estonia and Italy. The study focuses on long-term
observations of summertime precipitation and their quantitative estimations
by polarimetric observations. From such derived QPEs, accumulations for 1 h, 24 h, and 1-month durations are calculated and compared with
reference rain gauges to quantify uncertainties and evaluate performances.
Overall, the radar products showed similar results in Estonia and Italy when
compared to each other. The product where radar reflectivity and specific
differential phase were combined based on a threshold exhibited the best
agreement with gauge values in all accumulation periods. In both countries
reflectivity-based rainfall QPE underestimated and specific differential-phase-based product overestimated gauge measurements.
Peran Sekretaris Desa Setelah Pengangkatan Menjadi Pegawai Negeri Sipil
Authors: Muhammad Muhammad 
Published: March 2021

This study aims to identify and report the effectiveness of the role and function of the Village secretary after his appointment as a Civil Servant. This research is a descriptive qualitative research that generates data in the form of written or spoken words from observable events and behaviors. The technique of obtaining data through observation, interviews, and documentation. The results showed that of the 47 Gampong (a village in the Aceh province called Gampong) in Tanah Jambo Aye sub-district, North Aceh, only 16 Gampong have village secretaries with the status of Civil Servants. The inference of the study is that the roles and functions of the Gampong secretary after his appointment as Civil Servants in 16 Gampong in Tanah Jambo Aye District have been carried out according to their respective abilities, even though the implementation of their main duties and functions has not been realized effectively. It is recommended that the Gampong Secretary who has been appointed as a Civil Servant can carry out his main duties and functions professionally by having competence in the administrative field.
ANALISIS KUALITAS PELAYANAN PESERTA BPJS KESEHATAN DAN HUBUNGANNYA DENGAN KEPUASAN PASIEN DI RUMAH SAKIT UMUM DAERAH ASEMBAGUS KABUPATEN SITUBONDO
Authors: Wahyuningtyastutik Ririn 
Published: March 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisa Kualitas Pelayanan Pasien BPJS Kesehatan di Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah Asembagus, Kabupaten Situbondo. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah kualitatif deskriptif. Informan berjumlah 18 orang yaitu Pasien atau keluarga pasien yang memperoleh pelayanan, Kabid Pelayanan Medis sebagai yang mengetahui segala proses dan kondisi pelayanan oleh pegawai di loket pelayanan, salah satu Pegawai rekam medis bagian pelayanan BPJS Kesehatan Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah (RSUD) Asembagus Kabupaten Situbondo. Sumber data yang digunakan adalah data primer yang diperoleh secara langsung dari informan sedangkan data sekunder bersumber dari data yang ada di Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah (RSUD) Asembagus Kabupaten Situbondo, dokumen-dokumen yang berkaitan dengan masalah yang akan diteliti.
Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa kualitas pelayanan BPJS Kesehatan di (RSUD) Asembagus Kabupaten Situbondo secara umum sudah berjalan baik, meskipun masih ada beberapa hal yang perlu diperbaiki seperti sikap yang kurang ramah dari petugas medis yang masih muda dan petugas administrasi yang masih baru, Kehandalan dan kepercayaan terhadap petugas administarsi dan petugas medis masih belum maksimal, masih perlu untuk ditingkatkan lagi. Gambaran keseluruhan pelayanan baik klinis maupun managerial di RSUD Asembagus sudah berjalan cukup baik dan dari 6 dimensi yang diteliti pasien meras puas dan hal ini juga disampaikan oleh petugas perwakilan BPJS di RSUD Asembagus.
IMPLEMENTASI DEA DALAM ANALISA EFISIENSI KINERJA DEPNAKERTRANS JAWA BARAT BERDASARKAN TINGKAT PENDIDIKAN
Authors: Rosmita  , Nurhayaty Ety , Setyorini Dini 
Published: March 2021

Depnakertrans Jawa Barat merupakan Instansi teknis yang melaksanakan sebagian urusan pemerintahan dan pembangunan di bidang ketenagakerjaan dan ketransmigrasian. Salah satu program dari depnakertrans adalah peningkatan kesempatan kerja dengan melakukan berbagai kegiatan.
Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui efesiensi kinerja depnakertrans dalam memberikan kesempatan kerja kepada penduduk Jawa Barat berdasarkan tingkat pendidikan mereka dengan metode Data Enfelopment Analisis (DEA).
Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa tidak semua tingkat pendidikan dapat dilakukan dengan efesien dalam penempatan kerja oleh depnakertran khusus nya untuk tingkat pendidikan SD ke bawah.
PENGARUH SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING PADA CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT DAN DAMPAKNYA TERHADAP BRAND LOYALTY DI BUTTONSCARVES
Authors: Hidayat Kanya Azalea , Martini Erni 
Published: March 2021

Tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu untuk mengetahui bagaimana pengaruh social media marketing terhadap customer engagement dan dampaknya terhadap brand loyalty dengan objek penelitian Buttonscarves sebagai salah satu pelopor hemming di Indonesia, yaitu laser cut.
Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode kuantitatif dengan pengumpulan data melalui kuesioner menggunakan skala likert. Dengan jumlah sampel yang diambil sebanyak 400 responden. Kriteria responden diukur dengan menggunakan teknik convenience sampling dengan kriteria responden yang dilibatkan adalah responden yang sudah menjadi pengikut pada akun Instagram Buttonscarves. Setelah itu data di analisis menggunakan teknik analisis jalur (Path Analysis) dan diolah menggunakan software statistik SPSS versi 25. Berdasarkan hasil pengujian hipotesis menunjukkan bahwa terdapat pengaruh social media marketing terhadap customer engagement di Buttonscarves, terdapat pengaruh social media marketing terhadap brand loyalty di Buttonscarves, terdapat pengaruh customer engagement terhadap brand loyalty di Buttonscarves, serta terdapat pengaruh secara simultan social media marketing dan customer engagement terhadap brand loyalty di Buttonscarves.