bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of Life and Caregiver Burden of Alzheimer’s Disease Among Community Dwelling Patients in Europe: Variation by Disease Severity and Progression
Authors: Froelich Lutz , Lladó Albert , Khandker Rezaul K. , Pedrós Montse , Black Christopher M. , Sánchez Díaz Emilio J. , Chekani Farid , Ambegaonkar Baishali 
Published: October 2021

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a significant burden on patients and caregivers. How this burden increases as disease progresses has not been well researched. Objective: To assess the association of caregiver burden and quality of life with Alzheimer’s disease severity and disease progression in community-dwelling patients in Germany, Spain, and the UK. Methods: This was a prospective observational longitudinal study of mild-to-moderate AD patients (assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE), and their caregivers. The humanistic burden was assessed using these instruments: [Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA), EuroQoL-5-Dimension Level (EQ-5D-5L)] and caregiver-reported [Dependence Scale (DS), EQ-5D-5L, Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI)]. Caregiver-reported healthcare resource use was assessed using the Resource Use in Dementia (RUD) and ad-hoc questions. Results: Of 616 patients recruited, 338 and 99 were followed-up at 12 and 18 months, respectively. The caregiver-reported EQ-5D-5L scores of patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) showed a negative trend over time (baseline: 0.76; 18 months: 0.67) while patient-reported HRQoL remained at 0.85. DS scores tended to worsen. Disease progression was an independent predictor of HRQoL and increased dependence. Mean ZBI score increased over time reflecting an increase in caregiver burden; MMSE being an independent predictor for caregiver burden. Patient resource utilization and caregiver time for caregiving tended to increase over time. Conclusion: We found significant association between disease progression and caregiver and patient burden. Independently, both disease-specific outcomes and disease burden measures increased over time, but as disease progresses, we also found incremental burden associated with it.
The acute effects of vibratory stimuli during exercise on the sensorimotor control of the shoulder complex: A pilot study
Authors: Kotoshiba Somu , Maeda Noriaki , Morikawa Masanori , Yoshimi Mitsuhiro , Sakai Shogo , Urabe Yukio 
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND: Functional stability of the shoulder requires a balance of active forces, passive forces, and control subsystems of the joint complex. Although whole-body vibration enhances shoulder muscle function and proprioception, the impact of vibration on the sensorimotor control of the shoulder joint remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acute effect of vibratory stimuli on the sensorimotor control of the shoulder joint. METHODS: Fifteen male participants (age, 22.7 ± 2.3 years) were included and performed the exercise in a modified push-up position with partial weight-bearing on a vibration platform with and without vibratory stimuli. The vibration protocol included six sets lasting for 30 s each with a 30-s rest between sets. The main outcome measures included the upper limb static stability test, Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (UQYBT), and electromyography data of the upper limb. RESULTS: Vibratory stimuli resulted in an increased UQYBT score (all directions; P< 0.01) and infraspinatus, serratus anterior, and lower trapezius muscle activity (P< 0.05) between pre- and post-exercise versus the control condition. Stabilometric parameters showed no significant interaction between condition and time. CONCLUSIONS: Vibratory stimuli could maximize training benefits while limiting injury risk for athletes. Our findings could guide the development of rehabilitation programs for patients with shoulder instability.
Comparison of the effect of the McKenzie method and spiral stabilization in patients with low back pain: A prospective, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Nechvátal Pavol , Hitrík Tomáš , Kendrová Lucia Demjanovič , Macej Michal 
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) causes disability in daily life, and presents not only a health but also a socio-economic problem. New treatment options need to be tested and confirmed. OBJECTIVE: Compare the effect of the McKenzie method and spiral stabilization in patients with LBP. METHODS: Sixty patients with an average age of 47 years, which were included in our prospective, comparative study were randomly divided into two 30-member groups. One group exercised according to the McKenzie method (MDT), the other one according to the Spiral Stabilization Method (SPS). During the initial examination the Aberdeen Back Pain Scale was used to determine the degree of managing with daily activities and functionality, and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire was used to determine the degree of disability. Check- up was performed after 2 and 6 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: In both groups, there was a significant improvement in results after 2 and 6 weeks of treatment (p< 0.05). When comparing the effect of 2 and 6 weeks of treatment of both therapeutic procedures (MDT and SPS), the difference was insignificant (p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: None of these two treatment methods achieved better results, as they both have a comparable effect on reducing disability and improving the management of daily activities and physical functions. Therefore, both are equally effective in patients with LBP.
Competency management and the financial results of the foreign subsidiaries of Polish MNCs: The empirical research findings
Authors: Stor Marzena , Haromszeki Łukasz 
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND: Competency management (CM) is one of the basic subfunctions of HRM, which can significantly affect the results achieved by organizations. This is because the competencies of employees have become the key capital of enterprises and a factor of their success. Research on the relationships between CM and organizational performance results in Polish MNCs creates a research gap due to the object and subject of research. OBJECTIVE: The main goal of the article is to identify the potential regularities that may exist between the advancement level of CM and its composing activities and the company financial performance results. Of particular interest are the relationships that may appear between the studied variables in the context of their relationships with other subfunctions of HRM and the significance of human capital as a competitive factor. METHODS: The research sample includes 200 non-financial business entities with Polish capital, whose headquarters are in Poland, and local subsidiaries are located outside the country. The research was conducted using CATI and CAWI methods. Descriptive and correlation statistics were used to analyze the collected empirical data. RESULTS: Two fundamental regularities are observable. It turns out that the higher the advancement level of activities within CM, and in particular its links with other HRM subfunctions, the better the financial results of enterprises. CONCLUSIONS: The empirical research results lead to the conclusion that human capital is treated as a company’s competitive factor, and CM is of significant meaning to the financial results of the organization.
Dynamics of biomarkers across the stages of traumatic spinal cord injury - implications for neural plasticity and repair
Authors: Begenisic Tatjana , Pavese Chiara , Aiachini Beatrice , Nardone Antonio , Rossi Daniela 
Published: October 2021

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex medical condition causing significant physical disability and psychological distress. While the adult spinal cord is characterized by poor regenerative potential, some recovery of neurological function is still possible through activation of neural plasticity mechanisms. We still have limited knowledge about the activation of these mechanisms in the different stages after human SCI. Objective: In this review, we discuss the potential role of biomarkers of SCI as indicators of the plasticity mechanisms at work during the different phases of SCI. Methods: An extensive review of literature related to SCI pathophysiology, neural plasticity and humoral biomarkers was conducted by consulting the PubMed database. Research and review articles from SCI animal models and SCI clinical trials published in English until January 2021 were reviewed. The selection of candidates for humoral biomarkers of plasticity after SCI was based on the following criteria: 1) strong evidence supporting involvement in neural plasticity (mandatory); 2) evidence supporting altered expression after SCI (optional). Results: Based on selected findings, we identified two main groups of potential humoral biomarkers of neural plasticity after SCI: 1) neurotrophic factors including: Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Nerve growth factor (NGF), Neurotrofin-3 (NT-3), and Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1); 2) other factors including: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs), and MicroRNAs (miRNAs). Plasticity changes associated with these biomarkers often can be both adaptive (promoting functional improvement) and maladaptive. This dual role seems to be influenced by their concentrations and time-window during SCI. Conclusions: Further studies of dynamics of biomarkers across the stages of SCI are necessary to elucidate the way in which they reflect the remodeling of neural pathways. A better knowledge about the mechanisms underlying plasticity could guide the selection of more appropriate therapeutic strategies to enhance positive spinal network reorganization.
Effect of conventional transcranial direct current stimulation devices and electrode sizes on motor cortical excitability of the quadriceps muscle
Authors: Gardi Adam Z. , Vogel Amanda K. , Dharia Aastha K. , Krishnan Chandramouli 
Published: October 2021

Background: There is a growing concern among the scientific community that the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are highly variable across studies. The use of different tDCS devices and electrode sizes may contribute to this variability; however, this issue has not been verified experimentally. Objective: To evaluate the effects of tDCS device and electrode size on quadriceps motor cortical excitability. Methods: The effect of tDCS device and electrode size on quadriceps motor cortical excitability was quantified across a range of TMS intensities using a novel evoked torque approach that has been previously shown to be highly reliable. In experiment 1, anodal tDCS-induced excitability changes were measured in twenty individuals using two devices (Empi and Soterix) on two separate days. In experiment 2, anodal tDCS-induced excitability changes were measured in thirty individuals divided into three groups based on the electrode size. A novel Bayesian approach was used in addition to the classical hypothesis testing during data analyses. Results: There were no significant main or interaction effects, indicating that cortical excitability did not differ between different tDCS devices or electrode sizes. The lack of pre-post time effect in both experiments indicated that cortical excitability was minimally affected by anodal tDCS. Bayesian analyses indicated that the null model was more favored than the main or the interaction effects model. Conclusions: Motor cortical excitability was not altered by anodal tDCS and did not differ by devices or electrode sizes used in the study. Future studies should examine if behavioral outcomes are different based on tDCS device or electrode size.
Design and analysis of a lightweight lower extremity exoskeleton with novel compliant ankle joints
Authors: He Yong , Liu Jingshuai , Li Feng , Cao Wujing , Wu Xinyu 
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND: The exoskeleton for lower limb rehabilitation is an uprising field of robot technology. However, since it is difficult to achieve all the optimal design values at the same time, each lower extremity exoskeleton has its own focus. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop a modular lightweight lower extremity exoskeleton (MOLLEE) with novel compliant ankle joints, and evaluate the movement performance through kinematics analysis. METHODS: The overall structure of the exoskeleton was proposed and the adjustable frames, active joint modules, and compliant ankle joints were designed. The forward and inverse kinematics models were established based on the geometric method. The theoretical models were validated by numerical simulations in ADAMS, and the kinematic performance was demonstrated through walking experiments. RESULTS: The proposed lower extremity offers six degrees of freedom (DoF). The exoskeleton frame was designed adjustable to fit wearers with a height between 1.55 m and 1.80 m, and waist width from 37 cm to 45 cm. The joint modules can provide maximum torque at 107 Nm for adequate knee and hip joint motion forces. The compliant ankle can bear large flexible deformation, and the relationship between its angular deformation and the contact force can be fitted with a quadratic polynomial function. The kinematics models were established and verified through numerical simulations, and the walking experiments in different action states have shown the expected kinematic characteristics of the designed exoskeleton. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed MOLLEE exoskeleton is adjustable, modular, and compliant. The designed adjustable frame and compliant ankle can ensure comfort and safety for different wearers. In addition, the kinematics characteristics of the exoskeleton can meet the needs of daily rehabilitation activities.
Büntetés-végrehajtási algoritmusok
Authors: Czenczer Orsolya , Bottyán Sándor 
Published: October 2021

A fejlett technológiák és a mesterséges intelligencia alkalmazása új horizontokat nyit meg a büntető igazságszolgáltatás területén is. Folyamatos fejlesztések zajlanak, de ezeknek a fejlesztéseknek a jogi szabályozása újabb és újabb kérdésekbe ütközik. A professzionalista MI-alkalmazásokkal szembeni kritikák egyidősek bevezetésükkel. S bár a kifogások nagy része nem kifejezetten az igazságügyben alkalmazott MI-megoldásokra, hanem általában az algoritmusok prediktív funkcióira irányul, mégis egyre többször merül fel a kérdés, hogy mennyire megbízható a gép az emberrel szemben?
A Büntetés-végrehajtási Szervezet fegyveres biztonsági őrsége
Authors: Lippai Zsolt 
Published: October 2021

A fegyveres biztonsági őrség és annak jogelőd szervezetei közel egy évszázados múltra tekinthetnek vissza. Ez hazánk egyetlen olyan sajátos fegyveres szervezete, amely sem a rendészeti szervekhez, sem pedig a honvédséghez nem tartozik, jellege polgári, mégis szigorúan hierarchikus és ellenőrzött szabályok között végzi tevékenységét. Rendszereken átívelő funkciója, küldetése pedig, amiért létrehozták, változatlan. Napjainkban, a közel 7000 fő összlétszámú FBŐ látja el az állam működése, illetőleg a lakosság ellátása szempontjából kiemelkedően fontos tevékenységek, létesítmények, szállítmányok védelemét. A fegyveres biztonsági őrséget és jogelőd szervezeteit tanulmányozva állapítható meg, hogy míg nemzetközi és hazai viszonylatban számos kutatás foglalkozik a kritikus infrastruktúra-védelem történetiségével, addig a hazai szervezeti előzmények történeti feldolgozása még nem valósult meg. Tanulmányomban, hiánypótló alkotásként, a büntetés-végrehajtás fegyveres biztonsági őrségének létrejöttét és jelenkori működését mutatom be.
Pengaruh Social Media Marketing dan Product Quality Terhadap Purchase Decision dengan Purchase Intention sebagai Interverning pada Produk Jims Honey
Authors: Setiawati Endah , Wiwoho Gunarso 
Published: October 2021

Perkembangan bisnis di dunia Industri fashion terus mengalami perubahan dalam periode waktu yang sangat singkat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji dan menganalisis pengaruh social media marketing, dan product quality terhadap purchase decision melalui purchase intention produk Jims Honey pada masyarakat di Kabupaten Kebumen. Teknik pengumpulan data dengan menggunakan teknik non probability sampling, sampel dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 100 responden. Hipotesis diuji dengan bantuan SPSS 25 for windows. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode kuantitatif menggunakan analisis jalur. Hasil penelitian ini yaitu: (1) social media marketing (X1) berpengaruh signifikan terhadap purchase intention (Y1); (2) product quality (X2) berpengaruh signifikan terhadap purchase intention (Y1) dan juga berpengaruh signifikan terhadap purchase decision (Y2); (3) social media marketing (X1) tidak berpengaruh terhadap purchase decision (Y2); (4) social media marketing (X1) dan product quality (X2) secara tidak langsung masing-masing berpengaruh terhadap purchase decision (Y2) melalui purchase intention (Y1).
Pengaruh Lingkungan Kerja Non Fisik, Motivasi dan Disiplin Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Guru SMP Negeri 1 Karangsambung pada Masa Pandemi Covid 19
Authors: Handayani Fitri , Azizah Siti Nur 
Published: October 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk untuk mengetahui pengaruh lingkungan kerja non fisik, motivasi dan disiplin kerja terhadap kinerja guru SMP Negeri 1 Karangsambung pada masa pandemi Covid-19. Metode pengambilan sampel yang digunakan di penelitian ini adalah sampel jenuh yaitu mengambil seluruh jumlah responden sebanyak 36 responden. Metode pengumpulan data menggunakan kuesioner. Analisis data yang digunakan yaitu uji instrument validitas dan reliabilitas, uji asumsi klasik, uji hipotesis dan regresi linier berganda dengan menggunakan program SPSS 25.0 for windows. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa semua item pernyataan setiap variabel valid dan reliable. Model penelitian memenuhi kriteria uji asumsi klasik tidak terdapat multikolonieritas, heterokedastisitas, dan memenuhi asumsi normalitas. Berdasarkan hasil uji parsial (uji t) diperoleh hasil bahwa variabel lingkungan kerja non fisik, motivasi dan disiplin kerja berpengaruh terhadap kinerja guru. Hasil uji simultan (Uji F) juga menunjukan bahwa penelitian ini berpengaruh secara bersama-sama dengan nilai F 53.296. Hasil uji koefisien determinasi pada penelitian ini sebesar 81,8% yang dapat mempengaruhi kinerja guru di SMP Negeri 1 Karangsambung.
Nilai-Nilai Keusahawanan Mahasiswa Akademi Pengajian Islam Kontemporari Terhadap Keinginan Membuka Perniagaan Selepas Tamat Pengajian
Authors: Noor Aznaim Abd Latib  
Published: October 2021

Bidang keusahawanan di Malaysia sangat berkembang hasil daripada bantuan pelbagai pihak dalam memberi ruang kepada usahawan untuk menyertai aspek keusahawanan ini. Jika dilihat peranan kerajaan amat penting dalam melahirkan usahawan yang berjaya yang mempunyai latar belakang pendidikan keusahawanan melalui bantuan sama ada dari segi kewangan dan khidmat nasihat kepada yang berminat menjadi usahawan. Selain pihak kerajaan, institusi pendidikan juga telah memainkan peranan penting dalam usaha meningkatkan minat para pelajar menceburi bidang keusahawanan selepas tamat pengajian. Namun begitu, bidang keusahawanan dilihat sebagai peluang terakhir kerana kurangnya kesedaran terhadap potensi kerjaya sebagai usahawan ini. Berdasarkan kepada permasalahan ini, satu kajian telah dijalankan bagi meninjau nilai-nilai keusahawanan yang mendorong keinginan pelajar Akademi Pengajian Islam Kontemporari, Cawangan Shah Alam terhadap keinginan mereka membuka perniagaan. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah tinjauan dengan soal selidik sebagai instrumen utama. Seramai 326 orang pelajar yang mengikuti kelas keusahawanan dijadikan sampel kajian yang dipilih secara rawak berstrata. Dapatan kajian mendapati nilai-nilai keusahawanan dalam diri telah membawa kepada peningkatan keyakinan pelajar untuk membuka perniagaan adalah pada tahap sederhana iaitu julat purata min antara 2.95 hingga 3.91. Pekali korelasi Pearson pula menunjukkan hubungan yang signifikan, lemah dan sederhana positif (0.25 ≤ r ≤ 0.58) pada aras signifikan 0.01. Kajian yang dijalankan ini terbatas kepada pelajar tahun akhir yang telah mengambil kursus keusahawanan bagi semester 2020/2021 di ACIS dan generalisasi perlu dibuat berdasarkan data yang terkumpul. Hasil kajian ini diharap dapat membantu pihak pentadbir pendidikan melakukan inovasi dan transformasi terhadap kurikulum pendidikan keusahawanan terutamanya di peringkat IPT dengan lebih berkesan supaya dapat memupuk ciri-ciri keusahawanan pada tahap yang tinggi dalam diri pelajar.
Faktor Penolakan Permohonan Kebenaran Poligami: Kajian Kes Mahkamah Tinggi Syariah Selangor (2009-2013)
Authors: Ana Faiza Md Nor  , Azri Bhari  , Rafeah Saidon  
Published: October 2021

Prosedur poligami telah lama wujud sejak tahun 1984 lagi di Selangor, namun amat sukar untuk dipatuhi oleh orang awam dengan pelbagai tohmahan telah dibuat terhadap Mahkamah Syariah, dengan proses yang dikatakan lewat dan menyusahkan. Ini terbukti dengan lambakan kes poligami yang telah dilakukan tanpa mendapat kebenaran Mahkamah Syariah yang telah dilakukan diluar negara seperti di Selatan Thailand, Indonesia atau perkahwinan secara sindiket di dalam negara. Namun ramai yang tidak dapat memenuhi kriteria dalam berpoligami. Justeru itu kajian ini dilaksanakan untuk mengkaji faktor penolakan permohonan kebenaran poligami berdasarkan seksyen 23(1) Enakmen Undang-Undang Keluarga Islam Selangor tahun 2003. Kajian ini telah dijalankan dari tahun 2009 sehingga tahun 2013 di Mahkamah Tinggi Syariah Selangor. Kajian ini telah dibuat secara analisis dokumen yang terdiri dari fail-fail kes Mahkamah berdasarkan Enakmen terkini yang telah ada pindaan pada tahun 2003. Hasil kajian mendapati terdapat faktor-faktor yang menyebabkan penolakan permohonan poligami di antaranya faktor ekonomi yang tidak kukuh, gagal membuktikan isu patut atau perlu, salah prosedur, bakal wali tidak bersetuju dan lain-lain lagi yang berpunca dari pihak pemohon sendiri yang gagal memenuhi kehendak enakmen.
Punca Penceraian Pasangan Dewasa Islam: Perspektif Badan Pelaksana
Authors: Rogayah Estar Mohamad  
Published: October 2021

Kes penceraian dewasa Islam di Malaysia didapati telah meningkat setiap tahun. Penceraian dewasa ini melibatkan pasangan yang berumur 40 tahun ke atas yang majoritinya telah mendirikan rumah tangga 10 tahun dan ke atas. Terdapat banyak kajian lepas mengenai perceraian pasangan muda atau tempoh perkahwinan 5 tahun telah dijalankan. Selain itu, belum ada kajian mengenai perceraian dewasa Islam di Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur yang terdedah kepada urbanisasi dan mempunyai penduduk padat. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk membincangkan punca-punca utama perceraian kalangan masyarakat Melayu daripada perspektif badan pelaksana di Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah kualitatif yang dianalisis secara deskriptif. Sebanyak dua orang pakar dari badan pelaksana Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (JAWI) dan Hakim Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur yang telah ditemubual secara semi berstrukur. Pandangan daripada badan pelaksana ini adalah penting kerana pendedahan skop kerja yang tertumpu dalam menguruskan pasangan-pasangan yang ingin bercerai. Hasil kajian menunjukkan punca penceraian dalam kalangan dewasa Islam adalah melibatkan faktor pengabaian nafkah dan tanggungjawab, penglibatan orang ketiga dan poligami, penglibatan dengan penagihan dadah dan kes-kes keganasan rumah tangga. Secara keseluruhannya faktor utama adalah melibatkan faktor intrinsik iaitu tiada pegangan agama yang kukuh. Kajian ini diharap dapat menjadi rujukan pihak berkepentingan dan masyarakat dalam mengambil langkah mengatasi peningkatan penceraian di Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur.