bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Povezanost krvnih grupa ABO i RhD sa smrtnošću od bolesti COVID-19 u pacijenata hospitaliziranih na COVID odjelu Opće bolnice Karlovac
Authors: Kramberger Maja , Biloglav Zrinka , Talapko Jasminka , Škrlec Ivana
Published: June 2023

Cilj: Cilj ovog istraživanja je ispitati povezanost krvnih grupa ABO i RhD sa smrtnošću od bolesti COVID-19 u pacijenata hospitaliziranih na COVID odjelu Opće bolnice Karlovac. Ispitanici i metode: U istraživanje je uključeno 778 pacijenata oboljelih od bolesti COVID-19 hospitaliziranih na COVID odjelu Opće bolnice Karlovac od 1. ožujka 2020. do 31. prosinca 2021. Za istraživanje su prikupljeni podatci iz bolničkog informacijskog sustava hospitaliziranih bolesnika o dobi, spolu, krvnim grupama i RhD statusu, komorbiditetima, primjeni kisika i respiratora, cijepljenju, tijeku i ishodu bolesti. Nadalje, ispitana je povezanost ABO i RhD krvnih grupa s brojem dana u bolnici i stopom mortaliteta. Rezultati: Najzastupljenija krvna grupa bila je O s 283 bolesnika (36,4 %), dok je krvna grupa A bila druga po zastupljenosti (35,8 %). Krvna grupa AB bila je najmanje zastupljena sa 7,6 %. U trenutku hospitalizacije procijepljenost je iznosila svega 8,1 %. Ukupna smrtnost povezana s COVID-om iznosila je 25,9 %. Stopa smrtnosti u osoba krvne grupe A bila je 39,7 %, krvne grupe B 24,2 %, krvne grupe AB 23,7 % i krvne grupe O 23,7 % (P = 0,588). Stopa smrtnosti od bolesti COVID-19 bila je veća u RhD-pozitivnih osoba (26,4 %) u odnosu na RhD-negativne osobe (23,7 %). Najveći udio bolesnika liječenih na respiratoru (16,5 %) imao je krvnu grupu A. Zaključak: U istraživanju nije pronađena značajna povezanost između ABO i RhD sustava krvnih grupa i težine i smrtnosti od bolesti COVID-19 među bolesnicima hospitaliziranim na COVID odjelu Opće bolnice Karlovac.
Deep Learning Prediction of Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Using Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter Electrocardiograms: A Machine-Learning Study (Preprint)
Authors: Kwon Soonil , Chung SooMin , Lee So-Ryoung , Kim Kwangsoo , Kim Junmo , Baek Dahyeon , Yang Hyun-Lim , Choi Eue-Keun , Oh Seil
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Although the evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL) is crucial for appropriate medical management, echocardiography is often required.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate deep learning approaches to predict reduced LVEF (<50%) in patients with AF/AFL electrocardiograms (ECGs) and easily obtainable clinical information.

METHODS

Patients with 12-lead ECG of AF/AFL and echocardiography were divided into those with LVEF<50% and ≥50%. A deep learning model was based on a convolutional neural network. ECG signals, ECG features, and clinical features (demographic information, comorbidities, blood cell counts, and blood test results) were collected for training. A hold-out test dataset was constructed using a different recruitment period. Five-fold cross-validation and calibration plots were used to evaluate performance.

RESULTS

15,683 patients were analyzed (mean age, 70.0±11.7 years; 61.2% men), with 82.2% having LVEF≥50% and 17.8% having LVEF<50%. Patients with reduced LVEF were more likely to be men and have diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and chronic kidney disease. Using ECG signals alone, the model predicted reduced LVEF with the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) of 0.80, area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC) of 0.51, sensitivity of 0.70, and specificity of 0.75. Additional training with ECG features and clinical features significantly improved AUROC (0.82 vs. 0.80, p=0.041), AUPRC (0.55 vs. 0.51, P<0.001), and sensitivity (0.77 vs. 0.70, P<0.001). Among the subgroups, the best overall performance was observed in patients with ischemic heart disease (AUROC of 0.87, AUPRC of 0.91, F1-score of 0.79, and sensitivity of 0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

The deep learning prediction of reduced LVEF was feasible using AF/AFL ECGs and readily available clinical information. This model might be helpful for early determination of optimal therapeutics for patients with AF/AFL.

CLINICALTRIAL

None.
Evolution and Aspects of Child Mortality in Alagoas in the Period from 2016 to 2021
Authors: Pereira Mylena Laura dos Santos , Carvalho Júlia Maria Brandão Povoas de , Madeiro Lays Bezerra , Santos Thamirys Cavalcanti Cordeiro dos , Silva Lucas Rogério Lessa Leite , Vital Rafael Augusto Eugenio , Pereira Beatriz Lins , Barros Maria Sofia Acioli , Marinho Luana de Almeida Paiva Lima , Oliveira Arlete Bulhões Cavalcanti Madeiro de , Fachin Laercio Pol
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Infant mortality represents one of the main public health problems in the world, with a great impact on middle and low-income countries, which have as their main guidelines the definition of strategic plans for public policies aimed at guaranteeing the survival of children. Objective: To understand the evolution of cases of infant mortality in the state of Alagoas, Northeastern Brazil, through the analysis of epidemiological characteristics and their relationship with public health care. Methodology: This is an analytical cross-sectional study that included all infant deaths in the 0-4 year age group that occurred in the state of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil, from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2021. Results: From the analysis of the data, it was observed that the median number of infant deaths in Alagoas was 658 cases between 2016 and 2021 and the total in these 5 years analyzed was 3,912 deaths, in an average of 782.4 per year . The largest among all federative units considering the proportion of the child population. Most of the cases of death of children under 5 years old, represented in 70%, are due to causes considered preventable. Preventable causes are those that would have avoided death, totally or partially, in Alagoas, these values vary between approximately 400 and 500 deaths per year, and are mainly due to issues associated with care for newborns and women during pregnancy. Conclusion: The analysis of aspects of infant mortality in Alagoas, a state that was once the worst national reference in this health marker, shows us that the process of health, illness and death must be observed in different ways, considering the socioeconomic, cultural and social challenges. geographical areas of the population. The need for policies and interventions at all levels of health and in other areas such as education and infrastructure must be carried out in order to also minimize the social inequality that reflects in infant deaths.
FORMING ICT COMPETENCES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS STUDENTS
Authors: Dobrova Tatyana
Published: June 2023

The information flood we face today is constantly increasing. The total amount of information is now far beyond what a human being can acquire for the whole life. So, the ability to pick up the relevant information, estimate its reliability and analyze them, is getting more and more important. Therefore, it is not surprising that Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) competences are among the key ones for every educated person nowadays. Specialists in the sphere of International Relations (IR) are not an exclusion being supposed to cope with the increasing flood of information steadily. The goal of this research is to define the most effective way of forming ICT competences of IR students. To reach the goal we consider the structure of ICT competences focusing on their components. Based on the Russian Federation State Standards we analyze the needs of IR specialists in terms of information competences and develop questionnaires to analyze ICT competences development of IR students. The analysis of the obtained data results with some recommendations aimed at enhancing the efficiency of ICT forming competences.
HARD-CORE VS SOFT-CORE ESP IN THE LIGHT OF EDUCATION FORESIGHT
Authors: Kopylovskaya Maria Y. , Bajeva Galina A.
Published: June 2023

The paper is devoted to the implications of education foresight prognoses for two major contraposed ESP areas: English for Science and Technology (hard-core ESP, EST) and English for Humanitarian Sciences (soft-core ESP, EHS) taught for adult learners in higher education. In the article the authors quote the mismatch between graduates’ qualifications and real demands of the job market reported by employers and analyze the concepts of foresight and education foresight with the prognoses for education as performed as an attempt to eliminate this mismatch. The authors also consider the major trends and content of the most outstanding foresight prognoses and provide arguments of their relevance to the field of ESP teaching. The paper evaluates the relevance, implications and aspects of education foresight prognoses to three major ESP teaching areas: language (linguistic input and communication), didactics (course design and classroom management) and language pedagogy (axiology of ESP learning) in the context of contraposed branches of EST and EHS.
El estado ruinoso de la casa de bombas de Nativitas y su condición patrimonial en Xochimilco
Authors: Euroza Antúnez Rocío Bárbara
Published: June 2023

El estado ruinoso de la casa de bombas Nativitas en la actualidad es un testimonio que contribuye a reflexionar sobre qué significa el patrimonio arquitectónico y poder apreciar el valor del sitio. Esta investigación histórica propone una metodología cualitativa, descriptiva y valorativa, cuyo objetivo es contribuir con la conservación de este patrimonio y visibilizar el desequilibrio ecológico. El abastecimiento de agua ha sido esencial en el desarrollo de Ciudad de México. A finales del siglo xix, cuando el crecimiento urbano provocó escasez de agua y crisis sanitaria, se buscaron nuevos abastecimientos. Al comienzo del siglo xx se puso en marcha una infraestructura con aportaciones urbanísticas, arquitectónicas, constructivas y tecnoló- gicas, cuya operatividad a la postre contribuyó con la transformación ecológica de la cuenca lacustre.
STUDY OF SAP WATER QUALITY BASED ON VISCOSITY AND DIELECTRIC CONSTANTS
Authors:   Universitas Islam Negeri Mataram, Zalpiana Zalpiana , Bahtiar Bahtiar ,   Universitas Islam Negeri Mataram, Didik Meiliyadi Lalu Ahmad ,   Universitas Islam Negeri Mataram
Published: June 2023

This study aims to determine the quality of sap water by measuring its viscosity and dielectric constant. The sample used is pure sap water and sap water mixed with coconut water. The dielectric constant was measured using the parallel plate method while the viscosity was measured using the Oswald viscometer method. Based on the measurement results, the viscosity coefficient value of pure sap water is 1.558 Poise. The value of the viscosity coefficient decreases as the concentration of the sap water decreases where the viscosity coefficient value is 1.005 Poise for the sap water with a concentration of 50% and 0.753 Poise for the sap water with a concentration of 10%. In measuring the value of the dielectric constant, the dielectric constant of pure sap water is 7.38 x 105. The dielectric constant value of the sap water decreases with the addition of coconut water which is 4.90 x 105 at a concentration of 50%, and 3.39 x 105 at a concentration 10%. Pure sap water has a higher level of viscosity than coconut water which is indicated by a higher coefficient of viscosity compared to sap water which has been mixed with coconut water so that it is able to store more electrical energy, as a result the capacitance increases and the dielectric constant also increases.
A Fast Sand Dust Image Enhancement Algorithm and Number Plate Detection
Authors: James Jeswin
Published: June 2023

Abstract: The color variation and limited visibility of images taken in sand-dust conditions have a significant negative impact on computer vision systems. We suggest a quick and efficient approach to improve photographs taken in sand-dust weather in order to address the aforementioned issues. First, we make amends for the blue channel's loss value. The color of the image that has been damaged by sand dust is then corrected using white balance technology. In order to improve the image contrast and edge accuracy, guided image filtering is utilized, and an adaptive approach is used to determine the detail layer's magnification factor in order to improve the image detail information. We also added an additional feature of number plate detection of the sandy images.The aim of this task is to develop an automated system that can accurately and efficiently detect and recognize number plates from sandy images captured by a camera. This technology has various applications, such as traffic control, toll collection, parking management, and law enforcement. The experimental results demonstrate that the approach can successfully restore the fading characteristics of a large number of sand-dust-damaged photos. The proposed method may considerably improve the photos acquired during sand-dust weather conditions, and the results are better than those of existing methods, according to experimental results via qualitative and quantitative assessments
POTENSI PENGEMBANGAN INDUSTRI KARET GELANG SKALA HOME INDUSTRY DI KABUPATEN MUSI BANYUASIN, SUMATRA SELATAN
Authors: Agustina Dwi Shinta , Nugraha Iman Satra , Alamsyah Aprizal , Syarifa Lina Fatayati
Published: June 2023

Kondisi harga karet yang berfluktuasi dengan tren menurun dapat memengaruhi pendapatan yang diterima petani. Paradigma yang berkembang selama ini di tingkat petani hanya berfokus pada peningkatan produktivitas, tanpa memikirkan bagaimana upaya untuk meningkatkan nilai tambah dari bahan olahan karet. Peningkatan nilai tambah merupakan salah satu upaya yang dapat dilakukan agar petani menerima pendapatan yang memadai pada saat harga karet rendah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui potensi pasar pengembangan industri pengolahan karet gelang. Penelitian dilakukan dengan metode survei di beberapa pasar di Kabupaten Musi Banyuasin. Pasar yang menjadi objek penelitian dianggap dapat menggambarkan potensi penyerapan karet gelang di kabupaten Musi Banyuasin, yaitu pasar Sekayu, pasar Sungei Lilin, pasar Babat Toman, dan pasar Bayung Lincir. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ditinjau dari potensi pasar, peluang pengembangan industri pengolahan karet gelang skala kecil di tingkat petani sangat memungkinkan. Saat ini, kebutuhan karet gelang di Kabupaten Musi Banyuasin masih dipenuhi oleh produsen dari kota Palembang.
Geometric phases along quantum trajectories
Authors: Viotti Ludmila , Gramajo Ana Laura , Villar Paula I. , Lombardo Fernando C. , Fazio Rosario
Published: June 2023

A monitored quantum system undergoing a cyclic evolution of the parameters governing its Hamiltonian accumulates a geometric phase that depends on the quantum trajectory followed by the system on its evolution. The phase value will be determined both by the unitary dynamics and by the interaction of the system with the environment. Consequently, the geometric phase will acquire a stochastic character due to the occurrence of random quantum jumps. Here we study the distribution function of geometric phases in monitored quantum systems and discuss when/if different quantities, proposed to measure geometric phases in open quantum systems, are representative of the distribution. We also consider a monitored echo protocol and discuss in which cases the distribution of the interference pattern extracted in the experiment is linked to the geometric phase. Furthermore, we unveil, for the single trajectory exhibiting no quantum jumps, a topological transition in the phase acquired after a cycle and show how this critical behavior can be observed in an echo protocol. For the same parameters, the density matrix does not show any singularity. We illustrate all our main results by considering a paradigmatic case, a spin-1/2 immersed in time-varying a magnetic field in presence of an external environment. The major outcomes of our analysis are however quite general and do not depend, in their qualitative features, on the choice of the model studied.
IDEO Workbook in English Lessons: A Fit Analysis to Skola2030 Transversal Skills
Authors:   University of Latvia, Margeviča-Grinberga, Ieva , Sidorova Anna
Published: June 2023

The concept of transversal skills is a crucial element in competency-based approach in Latvia, which is specified in project Skola2030 and gradually has been approbated since 2017 in schools in Latvia. Teachers were provided with the methodological tools to practise these skills successfully, however, there are still struggles in this field. The objective of the research was to demonstrate the evidence regarding whether the principles of IDEO workbook are appropriate (‘fits’) Latvian educational context, particularly, the notion of Skola2030 transversal skills. Based on fit and feasibility theory this work addressed the research question: ‘How does the design of IDEO workbook’s skill set fit to the transversal skills of Skola2030 methodological tool in English lessons?’ The examination used statistical descriptive frequency analysis of the transversal skills of each document and comparative analysis between the two document sets included in each of them, using Excel software. The results show that the Skola2030 methodological tool for teachers on transversal skills in language areas stresses critical thinking, collaboration, and digital skills, whereas IDEO workbook underlines critical thinking, creativity and entrepreneurship, and self-directed learning. The high fit of both documents suggests that the adaptation of the IDEO workbook in the schools of Latvia could considerably enrich the Skola2030 educational offer. Suggestions for the improvement of the IDEO workbook and its adaptation are put forward.
Focusing on Arts Education from the Perspectives of Well-Being
Authors:   Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Vītols Edgars , Zīsberga Anda ,   Andas Rages Dance School “Colour Point”
Published: June 2023

The place of well-being has been the focus of arts pedagogy and research and practice of lifelong learning for some time. This is because arts education itself is seen as a challenge today, as it is included in performance-oriented curricula. They are based on the contradiction between organizing and maintaining high-quality learning experiences and achievements through a well-being perspective. Within the framework of this research, one of the sub-branches of art pedagogy – dance pedagogy – has been studied. Dance pedagogy has been chosen because, firstly, it still has implications of authoritarian pedagogy in its particular cultural environment, and secondly, dance pedagogy as a component of quality of life and healthy ageing in the context of lifelong learning is beginning to significantly strengthen its place. The purpose of this publication is to identify the components of well-being formation in an adult dance class from the teacher’s point of view. This choice of focus was determined by the results of the previous research stage, where one of the criteria of well-being was identified in the dancers’ interviews: the personality and professional mastery of the teacher, as well as the still current idea that the vital aspect of art pedagogy is how the teacher conceptualizes the pedagogical process. The respondents were selected during the nomination process, i.e., the candidates were nominated by the dancers and industry professionals themselves. Data were analysed using the qualitative data processing program NVivo 12.0. As a result, the dance teachers’ vision of the pedagogical process was identified, which promotes the dancer’s well-being, where the following criteria are established as an essential part of the pedagogical process: the student’s personality understanding, involvement and preparedness, and psychological knowledge. The results of this research will serve as a basis for the creation of a professional development program for art teachers.
Sketching – an Undervalued Tool in General Education
Authors:   University of Latvia, Urdziņa-Deruma Māra , Celmiņa-Ķeirāne Austra , Avotiņa Austra , Karlsone Inguna
Published: June 2023

Sketching is one of the key activities that characterise the process of visualising ideas in the creation of design products and artworks. Sketching skills are necessary to record observations. In addition, sketching can be used to capture new information. In the new State basic education standard of Latvia, sketching has a noticeable place in both design and technologies and art. The study aimed to investigate the role of sketching in the general education of students – future teachers of primary school education, future design and technologies teachers, and future designers. A survey (n = 126) was used to achieve the aim. The results show that sketching is to a greater extent and more diversely taught in visual arts than in home economics and technologies. Almost a fifth of the respondents (19%) did not learn sketching in visual arts, and almost half (48%) – in home economics and technologies. Most respondents consider that a sketch is a rough idea for a work, a draft of a work, and its main characteristic is quickness. 43% associate sketching with drawing techniques. Students use sketching most in free sketching situations and in generating ideas for visual artworks. Students sketch equally to record observations and stylize them as well as to visualize design product ideas. Most students emphasise that sketching needs to be practised, it is a way to visualise thoughts and ideas, and it stimulates creativity. Most students believe that sketching has an impact on the result of product design (both speed and quality), and they also stress that sketching ideas makes it easier to choose which idea to pursue.
Integrating Computational Thinking into Classroom Practice: A Case Study
Authors:   University of Malta, Vassallo Diane , Busuttil Leonard
Published: June 2023

Recent educational developments have seen increasing attention attributed to Computational Thinking (CT) and its integration into school curricula. This has brought along a series of challenges for teachers integrating CT into their practice. The study presented in this article explores the journey of a Maltese secondary school teacher in his efforts to integrate CT within the context of a Math club. The teacher participant was recruited from the Malta EU Codeweek summer school, a pilot initiative that stemmed from the EU Codeweek’s Train the Trainer programme carried out during summer 2021. The qualitative methodology involved a case study research, with data collected from an online discussion forum, interviews with the participant teacher as well as an analysis of the teaching material developed by the teacher. The results shed light on the CT aspects that were used to scaffold the teaching of mathematical concepts and highlight the challenges and obstacles that the teacher encountered in his integration efforts. The discussion proposes that non-formal learning environments, such as in-break activities, can serve as test-beds for CT integration and emphasises the need for CT to be introduced much earlier on in Maltese schools. Ultimately, this study can substantially help inform further research and practice around the integration of CT in classroom practice.
Maths Games without Frontiers
Authors:   Dept. of Mathematical Sciences ‘G.L. Lagrange’, Politecnico di Torino, Ballatore Maria Giulia , Damonte Luca , Tabacco Anita ,   Dept. of Economic and Finance, Luiss University, Roma
Published: June 2023

The use of games in higher education significantly benefits cognitive, motivational, affective, and sociocultural perspectives. This paper describes a mathematical challenge for first-year STEM students at the “College of Merit Camplus”, located in different cities in Italy from South to Nord, during the autumn of 2020 and 2021. Students in pairs play different puzzler games to reinforce mathematical prerequisites and basic knowledge. Due to the pandemic situation, non-digital games were forced to adjust to the remote environment. On the one hand, moving online was a challenge both from the organisational side and for the students that sometimes need to cooperate from different locations. On the other end, approaching the games remotely allowed students from colleges all around Italy to participate. The work describes and comments on each game in detail, considering the students’ performance. In general, it can be stated that students liked the playful experience, although they found themselves not wholly confident with some topics and the related time restriction. These games, first-of-all helped review and train the basic concepts; therefore, the students have a better approach to studying the first Mathematical course at the University. They found the games’ dynamics helpful in highlighting some simple tricks and common mistakes.
Reasons for Rapid Growth in Addition Strategy Use in 1st Grade Students
Authors:   University of Latvia, Čakāne Ildze , Cirulis Astrida , France Ilze ,   Concordia University Chicago
Published: June 2023

Today’s quickly evolving world requires citizens to use the tools of mathematics to make informed decisions. This involves understanding the meaning and properties of mathematical operations and the ability to use them in an intuitive and flexible manner to solve problems. Working with mathematical operations begins in early primary school and establishes a basis for future work in mathematics. Choosing the best addition strategy to compute effectively and accurately and the ability to explain their work is often challenging for young children. They often rely on familiar and safe solutions without thinking about why they chose a certain method. The purpose of this research was to gain understanding of the factors that influence students’ fluency with addition, their ability to explain their work and along with that gain flexibility and confidence in mathematics. This is action research, that involves 16 first grade students, all of whom were struggling with math at the beginning of the school year, but some of them made great gains in their ability to solve mathematics problems involving addition. The students with high performance improved in their ability to explain their actions verbally and use multiple strategies and choose appropriate and effective strategies for each task. The aim of this research is to understand the reasons for the rapid improvement of the high performance subjects and compare it to the lower performing groups in order to help improve understanding of number operations for all students. The research involves observations and written work over a school year, and individual interviews with the students. Data about the home environment was collected from parents. The research shows that a tendency for rapid progress is due to active participation in guided class discussions and use of advanced strategies for routine tasks.
Indicators of Social Emotional Health (SEHS-T) and Resilience in the Latvian Teachers’ Sample
Authors:   University of Latvia, Svence Guna , Briška Ilze , Apse Vineta
Published: June 2023

In crisis situations, on the one hand, teachers must be resilient, know not only how the didactic of the subject works, but also technologies, the psychology of pupils, classroom management, self- regulation, time management, self-compassion etc. Research on teachers’ social emotional health and resilience is important for quality learning and well-being at school, especially during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following paper provides a description of the study that was carried out in Latvia on the problems of teachers’ social and emotional health distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the context of an international study in the Erasmus + project research “Teacher resilience: problems and solutions. Supporting teachers to face the challenge of distance teaching’’. Therefore, the samples are denoted by N1 = 23, N2 = 635, N3 = 380, N4 = 245. The main question of the paper is: Which of the variables (burnout, work engagement strategies) most significantly predict teachers’ social-emotional health indicators? The results showed that there were statistically significant positive correlations between teachers’ SEHS-T, teacher engagement, and emotional burnout rates. The other results show low scores from SEHS-T which could indicate that teachers’ self-confidence could be problematic, which could be explained by their uncertainty about their work during distance learning in a stressful COVID-19 crisis and that they need support for developing their strengths. The other results show that Resilience are moderate medium, but about 18% of the sample demonstrates the lowest Resilience scores. Results from SEHS-T: the subscale of teacher work engagement Cognitive engagement (p< 0.001) is significant in predicting SEH-T indicators.
Parents’ Expectations about Children’s Education Targets in the Future Perspective in Latvia
Authors:   University of Latvia, Barone Inese , Kaļķe Baiba
Published: June 2023

Parents are important educational partners in schools as they are the first educators of their children and play an important role in their children’s education, educational targets, and future professions for their children. Parents have their expectations about their children’s educational targets but are these expectations connected with targets defined in education documents, and more important – are these expectations aimed at the future perspective of education? The purpose of the study was to compare the educational targets of parents with educational targets defined in education documents – Latvia education system change project “School 2030” (Skola 2030), Sustainable Development Strategy of Latvia until 2030, and UNESCO new social contract for education for 2050. The methodology used in this study was an express – survey for parents, in May 2022, with the open question “What do you expect for your child’s educational targets?”; literature and source analysis with mapping review strategy, documents detecting the perspective of the education; finding educational target keywords, analysing data, and synthesising categories with data collected in express – survey; data analysis was done using data identifying method by selected keywords. Analysing three educational documents with the future perspective, 7 educational targets as keywords were found and analysed – curricula and skills, cooperation and collaboration, digitalization, inclusion, sustainability, research and innovations, and globalisation. 240 respondents participated in the express survey, detecting the problem of the research, that parents’ expectations only partly overlap educational targets defined in education documents. Analysing survey data, family and parents cannot be considered as educational partners in the educational process as is shown in literature and document analysis. There are two main survey answer tendencies – child-centred education and education based on knowledge and achievements. Parents’ behaviour is customer – centred, what is that school can provide for a child’s education.
Turismo médico en Colombia: dinámica y ventaja competitiva
Authors: López Rodríguez Alba Ligia , López Rodríguez Sergio Andrés , Pinzón Hoyos Benjamín , Vásquez Bernal Oscar Alejandro
Published: June 2023

La cadena global de valor del turismo médico tiene alto potencial para generar beneficios en Colombia porque el país ha desarrollado capacidades relevantes en el sector de la salud y en la cadena turística especializada para atender la demanda de este sector, posicionándolo como destino reconocido en turismo de salud. Pero aún falta mayor conocimiento de su dinámica, por lo que el objetivo de esta investigación se centró en analizar la capacidad de la cadena global de valor de turismo médico a nivel nacional para crear ventaja competitiva según el postulado del economista estadounidense, Michael Porter. La metodología de investigación se basó en el diseño documental y análisis cualitativo. Así, los resultados obtenidos reflejaron que las ventajas competitivas están en la diferenciación de precios y calidad, reforzadas por las políticas públicas y privadas, que han derivado en un alto crecimiento del sector desde 2012 hasta 2019, antes de la pandemia del SARS-CoV2. El turismo médico es un sector emergente y valioso para la economía del país, por lo que hace parte del Programa de Transformación Productiva -PTP (política pública de competitividad nacional para impulsar veinte sectores económicos estratégicos para el país, emitida en 2012). Como proyección, se espera que el crecimiento del turismo médico en el país se pueda recuperar y sobrepasar la dinámica de crecimiento que tenía antes de la pandemia, con las estrategias de reactivación económica de la postpandemia, en el corto y mediano plazo, a partir del segundo semestre del año 2021, ya que la infraestructura del sector de salud se mejoró sustancialmente con la emergencia sanitaria debido a la alta inversión pública y privada.
Reactions of stock returns to asymmetric changes in exchange rates and oil prices
Authors: Umoru David , Effiong Solomon Edem , Umar Salisu Shehu , Okpara Enyinna , Ugbaka Malachy Ashywel , Otu Christopher Awa , Ofie Francis Ejime , Tizhe Anna Nuhu , Ekeoba Anthony Aziegbemin
Published: June 2023

When an economy does well as a result of crude oil proceeds, it is expected that its financial market records a boost. So, when the economy regresses due to fluctuations in oil prices, its financial market also reacts in tandem. To shed light on the uninterrupted fluctuations, we empirically estimated the effect of changes in exchange rates and oil prices on stock returns in developing countries using the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) methodology. Results reveal that a 1 percent negative shock to the exchange rate diminished returns significantly by 1.015 percent and 2.191 percent for Egypt and Nigeria respectively whereas, in Tunisia, Morocco, and Tanzania, stock returns increased significantly by 0.118 percent, 0.176 percent, and 1.145 percent respectively. For every 1 percent positive shock to exchange rates in Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Tanzania, returns declined by 1.012 percent, 1.04 percent, 0.015 percent, 0.112 percent, and 0.214 percent respectively. A 1 percent positive shock in oil price negatively influences returns by 0.02 percent, 0.05 percent, 0.18% percent, 1.09 percent, and 0.25 percent in Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Tanzania while a 1 percent negative shock stimulated stock returns by 1.02 percent, 0.128 percent, 0.199 percent, 1.029 percent and 0.091 percent in Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Tanzania respectively. Different policy reaction functions should be executed differently for depreciation, appreciation, and oil price shock to enhance the favorable flow of returns in stock markets
Machine learning in accounting: Insight from the March 2023 bank failures
Authors: Mulyadi Martin , Anwar Yunita
Published: June 2023

This research investigates the bank failures in the United States in March 2023, concentrating on the impact of held-to-maturity debt instruments in the event and the implications for accounting methods. Our research deciphers the alleged “accounting loophole” (Farrell, 2023) associated with these securities and provides an in-depth analysis of the associated accounting treatment. We analyze the accounting treatment using the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Furthermore, our study employs automated machine learning techniques and the local interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME) method to identify key accounting features that could explain bank failures. The research identifies five essential accounting aspects, two of which are related to held-to-maturity assets. The findings underscore the importance of these accounting features in evaluating financial institutions, thereby providing valuable insights for stakeholders, decision-makers, and future research. Our research also advocates for increased transparency and accuracy in accounting practices, via ASC 825 (Financial Accounting Standards Board [FASB], n.d.-a), particularly related to the fair value of held-to-maturity securities.
Cell-based homologous expression system for in-vitro characterization of environmental effects on transmembrane peptide transport in fish.
Authors: Con Pazit , Hamar Jens , Biran Jakob , Kültz Dietmar , Cnaani Avner
Published: June 2023

All organisms encounter environmental changes that lead to physiological
adjustments and drive evolutionary adaptations. These, in turn, induce
behavioral, physiological and molecular changes that affect each other.
Deciphering the role of molecular adjustments in physiological changes
will help to understand how multiple levels of biological organization
are synchronized during adaptations. Transmembrane transporters are
prime targets for molecular studies of environmental effects, as they
facilitate the ability of cells to interact with the external
surrounding. Fish are subjected to fluctuations of environmental factors
of their aquatic surrounding and exhibit different coping mechanisms. To
study the molecular adjustments of fish proteins to their unique
external surrounding, suitable experimental systems must be established.
Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) is an excellent model for
environmental stress studies due to its extreme osmotolerance. We
established a homologues cellular-based expression system, and an uptake
assay, that allowed us to study effects of environmental conditions on
transmembrane transport. We applied it to study the effects of
environmental conditions on the activity of PepT2, a widely studied
transporter due to its importance in absorption of dietary peptides and
drugs. We created a stable, modified fish cell-line, exogenously
expressing the tilapia PepT2 and tested the effects of temperature and
water salinity on the uptake of fluorescent di-peptide, β-Ala-Lys-AMCA.
While temperature affected the Vmax of the transport, salinity affected
both the Vmax and the Km. These assays demonstrate the importance of
suitable experimental systems for fish ecophysiology studies. The
presented tools and methods can be adapted to study other transporters
in-vitro.
A rapidly selected 4.3kb transposon-containing structural variation is driving a P450-based resistance to pyrethroids in the African malaria vector Anopheles funestus
Authors: Leon Mugenzi , Tekoh Theofelix , Ntadoun Stevia , Chi Achille , Gadji Mahamat , Menze Benjamin , Tchouakui Magellan , Irving Helen , Wondji Murielle , Weedall Gareth , Hearn Jack , Wondji Charles
Published: June 2023

Deciphering the evolutionary forces controlling insecticide resistance
in malaria vectors remains a prerequisite to designing molecular tools
to detect and assess resistance impact on control tools. Here, we
demonstrate that a 4.3kb transposon-containing structural variation
drives pyrethroid resistance in central/eastern African populations of
the malaria vector Anopheles funestus. In this study, we analysed Pooled
template sequencing data and direct sequencing to identify an insertion
of 4.3kb containing putative transposons in the intergenic region of two
P450s CYP6P5-CYP6P9b in mosquitoes of the malaria vector Anopheles
funestus from Uganda. We then designed a PCR assay to track its spread
temporally and regionally and decipher its role in insecticide
resistance. The insertion originates in or near Uganda in East Africa,
where it is fixed and has spread to high frequencies in the Central
African nation of Cameroon but is still at low frequency in West Africa
and absent in Southern Africa. A strong association was established
between this SV and pyrethroid resistance in field populations (SV+ vs
SV-; OR=29, P< 0.0001) and is reducing pyrethroid-only nets’
efficacy. Genetic crosses and qRT-PCR revealed that this SV enhances the
overexpression of CYP6P9a/b but not CYP6P5. A marked and rapid selection
was observed with the 4.3kb-SV frequency increasing from 3% in 2014 to
98 % in 2021 in Cameroon. Our findings highlight the underexplored role
and rapid spread of SVs in the evolution of insecticide resistance and
provide additional tools for molecular surveillance of insecticide
resistance.
Tackling EEG test-retest reliability with a pre-processing pipeline based on ICA and wavelet-ICA
Authors: Isaza Veronica Henao , Castro Valeria Cadavid , Saldarriaga Luisa Zapata , Mantilla-Ramos Yorguin , Quintero Carlos Tobón , Suarez-Revelo Jazmin , Gómez John Ochoa
Published: June 2023

The reliability of Electroencephalography (EEG) measurements on normal
human neurophysiology can be used to determine whether changes in brain
electrical activity in subjects with neurological diseases have
potential in the diagnosis or follow-up of the patients, being more
crucial in neurodegenerative diseases where reliable measures across
time might be needed. The objective of this study is to report the
reliability of relative band powers extracted from a two-year
four-session resting-EEG longitudinal study conditioned by an automated
pipeline that leverages state of the art EEG signal-processing
approaches involving ICA, wavelet-ICA, and normalization by a
recording-specific constant. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient
(ICC) was used as a measure of reliability. Similarly, to assess the
association between age and relative performance. The results of the ICC
for EEG data acquisition and preprocessing process showed high
significant reliability, where an average ICC of 0.91 ± 0.04 was
obtained for neural related Independent Components (ICs) and 0.92 ± 0.03
for ROIs (p-value < 5% for all data). This study shows that
after performing four EEG recording sessions for 43-subject, the
recorded measurements were replicable, and the correlation of relative
power with the age of healthy subjects is consistent with the
literature. These results suggest that relative power measured from EEGs
preprocessed with the automated pipeline is a replicable metric across
sessions, and, consequently, is useful for the study of relative power
changes caused by the progression of neurodegenerative pathologies such
as Alzheimer’s disease.
Can Genotypic Differences in Rice Response to Elevated CO 2 be Predicted with Proxy Traits Measured under Ambient CO 2 Levels?
Authors: dingkuhn michael , Fabre Denis , Chemier Apolline , Aguillar Gregory , Roques Sandrine , Yin Xinyou
Published: June 2023

Rising atmospheric [CO ] causes global warming but
may also benefit photosynthesis and yield of C3 crops such as rice.
Previous research showed that positive effects depend on a cultivar’s
sink-source ratio as sink limitation incurs acclimation of
photosynthesis to elevated [CO ] (e-CO
). To enable breeding for e-CO
response, predictive, easily measurable proxy traits under ambient [CO
] are needed. The local source-sink ratio (LSSR: flag
leaf/panicle size) is a potential proxy trait, proposed by a previous
study. We evaluated this and similar trait indices for two diverse rice
cultivar samples under e-CO vs ambient level in
controlled environments. The significant negative effect of genotypic
LSSR on maximum photosynthesis ( A) under
e-CO , and a similar but weaker effect on the grain
yield response, was confirmed. However, LSSR observed was more
predictive under e-CO than ambient, rendering this
proxy trait impractical for field-based selection. This difference was
due to the phenotypic plasticity of LSSR between [CO
] levels in our populations. Variants of LSSR
incorporating SPAD leaf chlorophyll content and panicle sink capacity
improved LSSR predictive power under ambient [CO ]
for A. We conclude that genotypic sink-source
ratio is an important physiological determinant of [CO
] response, but proxy traits need to be further
refined and field-validated to become useful selection or phenotyping
tools for improved e-CO response of rice.
Rządowy Fundusz Rozwoju Dróg jako instrument finansowy wsparcia rozwoju dróg lokalnych
Authors: Kusto Barbara , Wikiński Marek
Published: June 2023

Celem opracowania jest prezentacja i ocena efektów działania Rządowego Funduszu Rozwoju Dróg jako nowo powstałego mechanizmu finansowego mającego przyczynić się do rozwoju dróg lokalnych w Polsce. Zakres czasowy badań obejmuje lata 2019–2020. W badaniach wykorzystano dane statystyczne, udostępnione przez Ministerstwo Infrastruktury, akty prawne oraz literaturę przedmiotu. W opracowaniu zastosowano metodę monograficzną oraz porównawczą. Do przedstawienia wyników wykorzystano metodę opisową i tabelaryczną. Rządowy Fundusz Rozwoju Dróg jest mechanizmem wieloletnim, który, zgodnie z założeniami, ma w perspektywie dziesięciu lat przyczynić się do utworzenia spójnej sieci dróg lokalnych w Polsce. Stwierdzono duże zainteresowanie samorządów środkami Rządowego Funduszu Rozwoju Dróg w pierwszych latach jego funkcjonowania. W badanym okresie ze środków Funduszu zrealizowano 7492 zadania dotyczące przebudowy i modernizacji dróg lokalnych. W 2020 roku odnotowano znaczący wzrost wykorzystania środków Funduszu w porównaniu z rokiem 2019 roku z 85 do 93%. Wykorzystanie środków Funduszu w poszczególnych województwach było zróżnicowane. W największym stopniu środki Funduszu w 2019 roku zostały wykorzystane w województwach: mazowieckim, podlaskim i wielkopolskim, a w 2020 roku w zachodniopomorskim, lubuskim, pomorskim oraz kujawsko-pomorskim. Najmniejszy poziom wykorzystania środków RFRD w 2019 roku stwierdzono w regionach: pomorskim,warmińsko-mazurskim i dolnośląskim, w 2020 roku świętokrzyskim, dolnośląskim, podlaskim i warmińsko-mazurskim.
Ocena ryzyka w łańcuchu dostaw na przykładzie hurtowni spożywczej
Authors: Malaga-Toboła Urszula , Pawlarczyk Robert , Kwaśniewski Dariusz , Kuboń Maciej
Published: June 2023

Do efektywnego zarządzania łańcuchem dostaw konieczna jest wiedza o ryzyku związanym z jego funkcjonowaniem. Stąd też celem pracy była ocena ryzyka występującego w łańcuchu dostaw na przykładzie hurtowni spożywczej. W celu analizy porównawczej, łańcuch dostaw podzielono na cztery etapy tj. przyjęcie towaru, magazynowanie, transport oraz przepływ informacji. Oceny ryzyka dokonano z wykorzystaniem metody Risk Score, poprzez wyłonienie dwunastu podstawowych i najczęściej spotykanych zagrożeń, występujących podczas dystrybucji żywności. Wyniki przeprowadzonych badań wykazały, że najwięcej zagrożeń wynika z kradzieży towaru, awarii pojazdu oraz kolizji czy wypadku drogowego. Stosunkowo duże ryzyko dotyczy również pomyłek przy wprowadzaniu towaru na stan magazynu oraz awarii bądź przerwania wewnętrznego przepływu informacji. Najmniejsze ryzyko wystąpiło przy nieprawidłowym oznakowaniu towarów.
Toward new data for IT and IoT project management method prediction
Authors:   Laboratory of Information Technology and Modeling, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Merzouk S. , Gandoul R. ,   Laboratory of Sciences and Technology of Information and Education, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Marzak A. ,   Laboratory of Information Technology and Modeling, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Sael N. ,   Laboratory of Information Technology and Modeling, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca
Published: June 2023

Selecting the best project management method at the workplace helps to deliver a high-quality product to the customer. Hence, the need for good knowledge of management methods, their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages, is necessary to be able to select the best for the specific project. However, until now, no large dataset for Machine Learning and decision-making model, model or system has been proposed to help project managers to the most efficient method adapted to the constraints of their projects. This work develops the construction of the dataset for agile and IoT project management method based on the real experiences. In this paper, our objective is to propose a criteria-based model that allows the choice of the best management method to adopt for such an IT or IoT project according to a set of criteria.