bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of atrial fibrillation in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Podzolkov V. I. , Tarzimanova A. I. , Bragina A. E. , Loriya I. Zh. , Pokrovskaya A. E. , Bykova E. E. , Ivannikov A. A. , Shvedov I. I. , Vanina D. D. 
Published: August 2022

Early diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) predictors in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the appointment of additional therapy to prevent arrhythmias will improve the prognosis of patients.Aim. To identify predictors of AF in patients with COVID-19.Material and methods. This retrospective study included 1473 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Depending on AF occurrence, the patients were divided into 2 groups as follows: group I included 95 patients with AF episodes during hospitalization; group II consisted of 1378 patients who did not have AF during hospitalization. All patients underwent a complete blood count and urine tests, a biochemical and coagulation blood tests, 12-lead electrocardiography, chest computed tomography (CT), and echocardiography.Results. Chest CT found that lung tissue involvement in patients of group I was significantly greater than in group II (p<0,05). The number of patients with significant lung involvement >50% (CT-3 and CT-4) was significantly higher in the AF group than in the control group. The average room air oxygen saturation upon admission to the hospital were significantly lower in patients with AF than in the comparison group (p<0,05). Multivariate analysis showed that following factors have a significant effect on AF development in COVID-19 patients: age >60 years, hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, increased left atrial volume, large lung tissue involvement, and increased interleukin- 6 level.Conclusion. There are two following groups of predictors initiating AF in COVID-19: generally known (older age, cardiovascular disease, increased left atrial volume) and those that determine the severe COVID-19 course (large lung damage and high interleukin-6 levels).
Clinical efficacy of a personalized exercise program in the rehabilitation of patients with atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Bubnova M. G. , Aronov D. M. , Makhinova M. M. , Davtyan K. V. 
Published: August 2022

Aim. To study the clinical efficacy and safety of a personalized exercise program in the rehabilitation of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) after primary pulmonary vein radiofrequency ablation (RFA).Material and methods. Patients (n=48) with paroxysmal AF who underwent RFA were randomized into two groups: main (n=24) — patients involved in the exercise program and received standard therapy; control (n=24) — patients received standard therapy. The program included exercise complexes with the calculation of energy consumption, step training and walking. The program lasted 6 months, while the follow-up period — 12 months. All patients in the study underwent a faceto-face learning interview.Results. After 6-month exercise program, bicycle ergometer test revealed an increase in duration (by 18,6%, p<0,001) and power (by 24,8%, p<0,01) of the load, while these changes were not revealed in the control group. The positive aftereffect of training on these parameters persisted even after the completion of program. Left atrial and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension remained stable in exercise program group and significantly increased in the control group. In contrast to the control group, the following parameters significantly decreased in trained patients after 6 months: body mass index by 2,8% (p<0,05), systolic blood pressure by 2,1% (p<0,05), heart rate by 12,1% (p<0,05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration by 18,8% (p<0,001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein by 22,9% (p<0,05), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide by 28,2% ( p<0,05), aldosterone by 41,5% (p<0,001) and angiotensin II by 41,3%, p<0,05). In addition, in the exercise program group an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 20,6% (p<0,05) and physical activity level by 23,8% (p=0,001) was revealed. At the same time, both groups showed a significant decrease in the concentration of fibrinogen and transforming growth factor-β1. After 6 months, in the exercise program group versus the control group, there was a decrease in the number of registered supraventricular premature beats (p<0,01), episodes of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (p<0,05), including AF (p<0,05).Conclusion. Involvement of patients with AF after catheter RFA in a cardiac rehabilitation program based on moderate-intensity aerobic training improves exercise tolerance, cardiac function, corrects thrombogenic factors, and reduces the likelihood of arrhythmia recurrence, including AF.
Analysis of electrocardiographic signs in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy before and after septal myectomy. New criterion for proximal left bundle branch block
Authors: Malishevsky L. M. , Zubarev S. V. , Gurshchenkov A. V. , Lebedeva V. K. , Lyubimtseva T. A. , Malishevskaya D. S. , Zaitsev V. V. , Gordeev M. L. , Lebedev D. S. 
Published: August 2022

Aim. To analyze 20 electrocardiographic (ECG) signs of left bundle branch block (LBBB) before and after septal myectomy in patients with hypertrophic cardio myopathy (HCM) and develop a criterion for proximal LBBB based on the selected signs.Material and methods. This retrospective non-randomized study included 50 patients with obstructive HCM who underwent septal myectomy. There were following inclusion criteria: QRS width <120 ms before surgery, transaortic access during septal myectomy, and QRS width ≥120 ms in the early postoperative period. For each patient, ECGs were analyzed before septal myectomy and in the first week after surgery. At the same time, 20 ECG signs proposed earlier in the LBBB criteria were independently assessed.Results. Exsection of a small myocardial area of the basal interventricular septal parts, weighing an average of 4,9±2 grams, led to a significant increase in the QRS width (by 61±14,6 ms) and the prevalence of almost all ECG signs of LBBB. In 100% of cases (n=50), the following signs demonstrated significant dynamics after surgery: (1) midQRS notching or slurring in ≥2 contiguous leads (I, aVL, V1-V2, V5-V6); (2) absence of q wave in V5-V6 and (3) discordant T wave in at least two leads (I, aVL, V5, V6). Based on the design of the study, (4) QRS width ≥120 ms was additionally included. These ECG characteristics were combined into a new criterion for proximal LBBBConclusion. A new criterion for proximal LBBB was developed using the pathophysiological model of iatrogenic conduction block of left bundle branch. Further estimation of this criterion on a set of candidates for CRT with heterogeneous level of LBBB is necessary.
Effectiveness of beta-blockers in the treatment of idiopathic premature ventricular contractions in children
Authors: Alekseeva K. B. , Kruchina T. K. , Malyarova M. Sh. , Novik G. A. 
Published: August 2022

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of beta-blockers (BB) in the treatment of idiopathic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in children.Material and methods. BBs were prescribed to 27 children with idiopathic PVCs. In 3 (11,1%) patients, side effects (hypotension, bronchial obstruction) was revealed at the beginning of therapy. A total of 24 children were included in the further study (15 boys (62,5%), 9 girls (37,5%). The mean age was 8,3±5,4 years. Data from anamnesis, electrocardiography (ECG), 24-hour ECG monitoring, and echocardiography were analyzed.Results. The 24-hour PVC rate was 33,2±17,7 thousand/day or 26,6±13,2%. In 14 (58,3%) children, we recorded paired PVCs, in 3 (12,5%) — multiform, in 10 (41,7%) — runs of non-sustained VT. There were complaints in 7 (29,2%) children. The follow-up period lasted 369,8±119,1 days. Propranolol was received by 17 (70,8%) patients, metoprolol — by 7 (29,2%). The therapy was effective in 11 (45,8%) patients, while ineffective in 13 (54,2%), among which 5 (20,8%) had an increase in the number of PVCs. The effectiveness of BBs was higher in children under the age of 1 year (p=0,043). Propranolol showed greater efficacy than metoprolol (p=0,047). Less efficiency was observed in female patients and those with pathological heart rate turbulence parameters (p=0,04).Conclusion. The effectiveness of BBs in children with idiopathic PVCs is 45,8%, higher in children aged <1 year and declines with age, decreasing in adolescents to 25%. The use of BBs is limited by non-cardiac side effects in 11,1% of children. Propranolol is more effective than metoprolol.
Does it make sense to study heart rate variability in episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during the 24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring?
Authors: Arkhipov M. V. , Markov N. S. , Bozhko Ya. G. , Ushenin K. S. , Solovieva O. E. 
Published: August 2022

Aim. To study the characteristics of heart rate variability (HRV) in episodes of paro xysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and sinus rhythm (SR) during the 24-hour Holter electro cardiographic (ECG) monitoring and to assess the presence and nature of their relationships.Material and methods. We analyzed 37 records of 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring obtained from patients with paroxysmal AF. For analysis, records were selected from the Long Term Atrial Fibrillation database (LTAFDB) (n=26), as well as from the long-term storage database “Myocard-holter” of the Sverdlovsk Regional Clinical Hospital № 1 (n=11). Each record contained at least 120 min of SR and at least 120 min of paroxysmal AF episodes. In addition, 48 HRV indices were calculated independently for SR and for AF episodes, after which the 96 HRV parameters obtained for each record were subjected to exploratory data analysis.Results. Analysis of HRV in AF paroxysm showed a significant increase in the RMSSD, SD1, pNN50 indices, which confirmed the great importance of parasympathetic influence in the regulation of AF. Despite the fact that single HRV parameters in AF are not directly related to any single parameters in SR, we have shown that the AF is not completely chaotic and independent of the characteristics of baseline HR variability. We found that for some of the HRV indices determined during AF paroxysm (PAF_CVI, PAF_pNN20, PAF_pNN50, PAF_ApEn, PAF_SDNN, PAF_SD2), up to 74% of the variance of these indices can be explained using multivariate linear models, including 4 HRV indices for SR and taken as predictors. It was shown that among all the indices analyzed, only the PAF_HTI, calculated in paroxysmal AF, had a moderate negative correlation with the duration of AF episodes (r=0,60, p<0,01).Conclusion. It is shown that the study of HRV indices on AF paroxysm has a wide clinical and electrophysiological potential. The paper proposes statistical models that demonstrate the relationship between HRV in SR and in the rhythm of AF episode. The PAF_HTI index, assessed on episodes of AF, showed a relationship with the duration of AF episodes, which suggests the expediency of using HRV characteristics on AF to assess the possibility of SR recovery.
The morphological faces of Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
Authors: Pasquotto Geise Brizotti 
Published: August 2022

The urban revolution of Barra da Tijuca-RJ was characterized by a late growth, due to its location, to be an immense sand and concentration of great extensions of land in the hands of a few. This finding reflects subsequent actions in the region, where the real state growth process and road connections were the focus of urban actions. Lucio Costa's pilot plan, with modernist characteristics, arises from the need to anticipate the uncontrolled and inevitable ocupation process of the area. The plan aimed to prevent the reprodution of what had happened with other neighborhoods on the Rio de Janeiro coast, which were experiencing intense densification.
After 50 years, several changes were made to update the plan to the present, to remedy some points in which the plan did not have enough detail and many that succumbed to real estate pressures.
In this way, this article aims to analyze the transformations that took place in Barra da Tijuca, from the implementation of the plan to the current urban fabric, and verify the urban design performance and real estate pressure as modelers of the neighborhood.
EDUCAÇÃO PARA O RISCO: CONTRIBUIÇÕES DA COMPLEXIDADE, DA REFLEXIVIDADE E DAS PRODUÇÕES SOCIOAMBIENTAIS
Authors: Carvalho Fernanda , David Luis , Santos Carla , Masaharu Fabricio , Cuzziol Gabriel , Ribeiro Thiago , Chierecci Ricardo , Watanabe Giselle 
Published: August 2022

Os riscos referem-se a um conjunto de situações que nos afetam, sejam eles cotidianos ou mais globais. Para promover uma formação mais crítica e complexa, capaz de lidar com essas incertezas, nos parece essencial delinear um conjunto de parâmetros que definem uma Educação para o Risco. Para isso, esse artigo propõe investigar as principais ideias trazidas pelas pesquisas sobre Educação Ambiental, incluindo alguns referenciais teóricos da complexidade e reflexividade. Metodologicamente, identificam-se (i) os pressupostos teóricos da complexidade e reflexividade que contribuem para definir uma Educação para o Risco; e (ii) aspectos nos trabalhos sobre Educação Ambiental da área que contribuem para definir uma Educação para o Risco. Para essa análise toma-se como referência os pressupostos da Análise Textual Discursiva. Dos resultados, nota-se a quase ausência de uma discussão explícita sobre o risco pelos pesquisadores da área; no entanto, é possível identificar alguns aspectos que podem delinear o conceito tais como a diferenciação entre Educação Ambiental e Educação para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável; aproximações envolvendo aspectos da complexidade, do decrescimento, e da reflexividade.
The implementation of mobile apps for visually impaired students’ mobility in undergraduate programme, Faculty of Education
Authors: Pamuji Pamuji , Andajani Sri Joeda , Sartinah Endang Pudjiastuti 
Published: August 2022

This study aims to test the results of mobile applications, namely social mobility and communication orientation models that can be used on android mobiles. This application is applied for problem-solving learning in understanding the concept of a campus environment for undergraduate visually impaired students majoring in special education, Universitas Negeri Surabaya. This research was conducted to measure the feasibility of a mobile application implemented through a questionnaire; then it was reviewed by a validation expert. Furthermore, performance test was conducted in order to be tested by the users. The application was deliberately created so that it can be operated via a cell phone. Based on the process of validity testing and practicality evaluation of the mobile application by the validator (electrical engineer) of all assessment items, the score obtained was 3.3 (good results). Meanwhile, the assessment to test application users as practitioners obtained a score of 3.2 (good results). Thus, it can be concluded that the application of the social mobility orientation model and mobile application-based communication to solve the problem of understanding the campus environment concept in the Special Education Department of undergraduate students for visually impaired students proved its worthiness.

Keywords: Social mobility and communication, mobile apps.
The usage of modern educational technology among resource room teachers in Jordan
Authors: Sakarneh Mohammad Abed , Alramamneh Abdellatif , Zyadat Ayed 
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to identify the degree to which resource room teachers use modern educational technological means in teaching students with learning disabilities in Al-Salt city and to identify the obstacles facing the application of EdTech in schools. The study sample consisted of (48) resource room teachers who were chosen purposefully. The findings indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in the degree of using modern technological means attributed to the scientific qualification variable, and there were statistically significant differences attributed to the variable practical experience and in favour of the variable "experience category" (10 years and more). The results showed that the obstacles to using modern technology in all fields were of a (moderate) degree. The study recommends enhancing the use of technological means in teaching students with learning disabilities in resource rooms and finding effective solutions for the obstacles that hinder the use of these methods.

Keywords: modern educational technology, resources rooms' teachers, students with learning disabilities.
Evaluation of an online teacher-made test through blackboard in an English as a foreign language writing context
Authors: Nazim Mohd 
Published: August 2022

The significance of this study is to improve the assessment quality of future online English as a Foreign Language (EFL) writing tests through Blackboard, a learning management system (LMS), and to avert any potential inclusion of odd items. This study aims to examine the Blackboard (Bb) test quality at the Preparatory Year Program (PYP) in an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) writing course using item analysis and a questionnaire of EFL teachers’ practices for constructing a good quality test. To achieve the study objectives, 30 objective-type questions from the final Technical Writing course examination, attempted by 97 level two preparatory year students, were analyzed to check three indices: difficulty index, discrimination index, and distractor efficiency. In addition, a questionnaire was administered to rate the EFL teachers’ (N=50) practices of constructing their technical writing test for the final examination in terms of good quality test norms. The item analysis has shown that the test proved to be valid and reliable; however, it was easy. Many items had no discrimination indices, and many distractors were not functioning. The analysis of the questionnaire data showed that there was a high level of commitment by the EFL teachers to apply the required norms for constructing a good quality language test. Genders and teaching experience had no significant differences in the EFL teachers’ degree of the test norms employment. In the light of the findings, recommendations and further research are suggested.

Keywords: Blackboard, evaluation, good quality test, Saudi EFL writing context, teacher-made test
The Level of University Performance Using Advanced Balanced Score Card: an Empirical Study of Tebessa University - ALGERIA
Authors: Naoufel Smaili , Boutora Fadila 
Published: August 2022

Abstract: The adoption of the Balanced Score Card in the field of higher education has great benefits, including on-going development of methods, tools and means used by universities to achieve their goals, so as to respond to the community’s evolving needs and requirements. Consequently, the evaluation of the strategic performance of the university achieves an accurate examination of the current situation to determine strengths and enhance them, and to pinpoint weaknesses and address them. Results indicate that the Balanced Score Card can be adopted and adapted to measure and evaluate the performance of Tebessa University. It is also possible to measure the dimensions of Balanced Score Card which should be made available since it is one of the modern techniques, which assist in developing administrative performance and achieving a comprehensive measure for university performance and development. Based on the study results, a set of recommendations was proposed.
Motivations to Enroll in Education Graduate Programs in Jordan: A Qualitative Field Study at Yarmouk University
Authors: Alqudah Mohammad Farhan  A. , Asiri Mohammad Ali  M. 
Published: August 2022

The present study aimed to identify the causes and motives of Yarmouk University students to enroll in graduate programs of educational disciplines in Jordan. Ten students (6 males and 4 females) participated in the study. The study used qualitative research method by means of in-depth interviews during which the participants were given various open questions in each session so as to express their views about the issue under investigation. After the analysis of participants’ responses, it was found that they focused on the following motives: career advancement; creation of wider job opportunities; social motivation, which focuses on improving the social status; formation of social relationships; friends and family’s encouragement to pursue graduate studies. Then economic motives were brought in by the participants, who believed that to get a graduate degree would increase their income, career promotion, personal living standards, and job opportunities abroad. The results also pointed to the role of psychological motivation for admission to the College of Graduate Studies. This would provide psychological stability and satisfaction, and self-esteem. There was also a reference to the admission policies at universities which became more flexible than before, whereby standards have also changed. This made admission more open than before, which encouraged more students to apply to graduate programs. They also added that in view of these standards and policies, it is clear that more students will apply to the graduate programs in the future; and other new disciplines would be opened in the future as well.
Keywords: Motivations of enrollment, Graduate studies, Programs, Educational disciplines, Qualitative study, Yarmouk University, Jordan.
The Relationship between Administrative Innovation and Competitive Advantage in Yemeni Private Universities
Authors: Al-Nashmi Murad M. , Aldois Huda Ahmed 
Published: August 2022

The study aimed to identify the relationship of administrative innovation to achieve competitive advantage in private universities in Yemen. The researchers used quantitative method to answer the questions of the study and used a questionnaire for collecting data about the variables of the study: administrative innovation and competitive advantage. The results of the statistical analysis showed a positive significant relationship between three dimensions of administrative innovation (innovation climate, innovative behavior, implementation of innovation) and competitive advantage in private universities in Yemen. The correlation was (0.72) at the significant level of (0.05); however, there was no relationship between innovative capabilities and competitive advantage. The study results showed that the universities which encourage the adoption of administrative innovation have a better chance to achieve sustainable competitive advantage which cannot be overtaken.
Keywords: Administrative innovation, Competitive advantage, Private universities.