bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control of modes of operation of a heat-engineering installation
Authors: Федяев Ал.А. , Сергеевичев А.В. , Федяев Ар.А. , Вохмянин Н.А. , Вернер Н.Н.
Published: February 2023

Экспериментальным и расчетным путем определена рациональная аэродинамическая обстановка в топке пылеугольного котлоагрегата при различной ориентации в пространстве камеры потоков горячего воздуха из узла подачи заднего дутья. Численное моделирование процессов гидродинамики и тепломассообмена в топочном пространстве теплотехнологического устройства выполнено с помощью современного вычислительного комплекса PHOENICS. Показана возможность управления неравномерностью потоков энергоносителя в рабочей камере конкретного котлоагрегата, а значит и эффективными режимами его работы. Полученные как опытные, так и расчетные данные позволили определить не только оптимальные пространственные рабочие параметры узла подачи заднего дутья и расходные характеристики для двух типов горелок, но и получить набор рациональных параметров узла заднего дутья при изменении режима работы котлоагрегата, например, при плановых снижениях его нагрузки. Использование результатов исследований позволило практически исключить аварийные ситуации вследствие не эффективной работы воздушных завес заднего дутья.

The rational aerodynamic situation in the furnace of a pulverized coal boiler was determined experimentally and by calculation at different orientations in the space of the chamber of hot air flows from the rear blast supply unit. Numerical modeling of the processes of hydrodynamics and heat and mass transfer in the furnace space of a heat-technological device was performed using the modern PHOENICS computer complex. The possibility of controlling the non-uniformity of energy carrier flows in the working chamber of a particular boiler unit, and hence the effective modes of its operation, is shown. Both experimental and calculated data obtained made it possible to determine not only the optimal spatial operating parameters of the rear blast supply unit and flow characteristics for two types of burners, but also to obtain a set of rational parameters of the rear blast unit when changing the operating mode of the boiler unit, for example, when new reductions in its load. The use of research results made it possible to practically eliminate emergency situations due to inefficient operation of the rear air curtains.
Growth and condition of black pine (Pinus nigra var austriaca (Hoess) L.M. Neumann) in the Voronezh region
Authors: Левин С.В.
Published: February 2023

Оценка всех совокупных свойств сосны чёрной, как вида важна не только в целом, но и для ее разновидностей из изолированных популяций. Ассортимент достаточно устойчивых и декоративных видов сосен в регионе европейской части Российской Федерации оказывается весьма ограниченным, но в нем отведено место сосне черной австрийской. Отсюда цель исследования - рассмотреть особенности роста и состояния сосны черной австрийской в условиях интродукции на территории лесостепного района европейской части Российской Федерации (Воронежская область). По отношению к различным заболеваниям ее следует отнести к весьма устойчивой породе, подтверждением чего является соответствующая категория санитарного состояния на объекте – I,1. Расчеты показывают, что сосна черная австрийская на плодородной почве по запасу древесины превосходит сосну обыкновенную в характерных условиях последней. В результате дифференциации пород по декоративным признакам следует отдать первенство сосне черной (24 балла) с незначительным перевесом над сосной обыкновенной (20 баллов). С учетом полученных данных можно рекомендовать в условиях зеленого строительства куртинное размещение породы по три дерева на посадочное место с расстоянием между деревьями в куртине до 2,5 м, а между самими куртинами – 5 м.

Assessment of all aggregate properties of black pine as a species is important not only in general, but also for its varieties from isolated populations. The assortment of fairly stable and ornamental pine species in the region of the European part of the Russian Federation turns out to be very limited, but a place in it is given to Austrian black pine. Hence, the purpose of the study is to consider the features of the growth and condition of the Austrian black pine in the conditions of introduction in the foreststeppe region of the European part of the Russian Federation (Voronezh region). In relation to various diseases, it should be attributed to a very resistant species, which is confirmed by the corresponding category of sanitary condition at the site – I,1. Calculations show that the Austrian black pine on fertile soil surpasses the common pine in the characteristic conditions of the latter. As a result of differentiation of species by decorative features, we should give priority to black pine (24 points) with a slight preponderance over Scots pine (20 points). Taking into account the data obtained, we can recommend in terms of green building the location of the species in a cluster of three trees per planting place with a distance between trees in the cluster to 2.5 m, and between the clumps themselves – 5 m.
Prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) ELISA-positive cows and assessment of MAP transmission risk on organic dairy farms in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Pieper L. , Godkin A. , Sorge U. S. , Lissemore K. D. , DeVries T. J. , Kelton D. F.
Published: February 2023

Johne's disease (JD) is caused by Mycobacterium avium spp paratuberculosis (MAP). It is an incurable, chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract of cattle that causes diarrhea, weight loss, and reduced production. Commonly recognized risk factors for MAP transmission include purchase of subclinically infected cows and the infection of calves through ingestion of manure, colostrum or milk containing MAP shed by infected cattle. To limit the negative effects of JD on the dairy industry in Ontario, Canada, the voluntary Ontario Johne's Education and Management Assistance Program (OJEMAP) was implemented in January 2010. Producers can participate in MAP antibody ELISA testing and an on-farm risk assessment and management plan (RAMP) with their herd veterinarian. High RAMP scores are associated with high risk for MAP transmission.

Organic farming is one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors worldwide. In Ontario, approximately 80 dairy farms (2% of all dairy farms) are certified organic. While most organic farmers tend to maintain closed herds, which would reduce the risk for JD introduction, they also often support prolonged contact between newborn calves and their dams. These and other factors could potentially influence the risk of MAP transmission as well as JD prevalence and prevention efforts on organic dairy farms. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the Johne's ELISA prevalence and Johne's disease transmission risk on organic dairy farms in Ontario.
Bazı Yeni 1,2,3-Triazol-arilidenhidrazid Hibrit Bileşiklerinin Sentezi ve Anti-mikrobiyal Etkinliklerinin Belirlenmesi
Authors: ŞENOL Halil , DİNÇ Harika Öykü , TAK Beyza Nur
Published: February 2023

Günümüzde kansere ve diğer mikroorganizmalara karşı kullanılan ilaçların pek çoğunun
biyoyararlanımının düşük olması ve başta toksisite gibi yan etkilerinden dolayı tedavide yeni
ilaçların varlığına ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Her gün artan sayıda anti-kanser veya antibiyotik
ilaç geliştirilmesine rağmen, bu ilaçların seçiciliklerinin düşük olması ve çoklu ilaç
direncinin kazanılması, başarılı bir tedavinin önüne geçmektedir. Bu nedenle, tümör
hücrelerini veya mikroorganizmaları yok etmek veya en azından çoğalmasını durdurmak için
yeni, güçlü ve seçici ajanlarının keşfine önemli ölçüde ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Bu çalışma
kapsamında 18 adet yeni 1,2,3-triazol/arilidenhidrazid yapısında hibrit bileşik sentezlendi.
Elde edilen 18 yeni bileşiğin (17a-r) Staphylococcus Aureus ve Escheric1hia coli bakteri
türleri ve Candida albicans mantar türü üzerindeki anti-mikrobiyal etkinlikleri araştırıldı.
Elde edilen sonuçlar anti-mikrobiyal ilaç seftazidim ile karşılaştırıldı. Bileşiklerin anti fungal
etkinliklerinin MİK değerleri 62.5 μM olarak bulunurken anti-bakteriyel etkinliklerinin MİK
değerleri 62.5-125 μM olarak belirlendi.
Farklı Azot Dozu Uygulamalarının Patates (Solanum tuberosum L.) Yumrusunun Mineral Madde İçeriğine Etkisi
Authors: AKKAMIŞ Mustafa , ÇALIŞKAN Sevgi
Published: February 2023

Patates insan beslenmesinde kullanılan temel gıda ürünlerinden biridir ve patates yetiştiriciliğinde yumru kalitesini sağlamak için azot gübrelemesinin yapılış zamanı ve miktarı oldukça önemlidir. Bu araştırma, farklı azot dozlarının patateste yumru mineral madde içeriğine etkisini belirlemek amacıyla Niğde Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi Tarım Bilimleri ve Teknolojileri Fakültesi Araştırma ve Uygulama alanında yürütülmüştür. Materyal olarak Agria patates çeşidi ve azot kaynağı olarak üre (%46 N) gübresi kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada 6 farklı azot dozu (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 kg/da) uygulanmıştır. Denemeler, Tesadüf Blokları Deneme Desenine göre 4 tekrarlamalı olarak kurulmuştur. İncelenen özelliklere ilişkin verilerle yapılan varyans analiz sonuçlarına göre, azot dozlarının yumru azot, potasyum, magnezyum, demir, çinko, mangan ve bakır içeriklerine etkisi önemli bulunmuştur. Ancak yumru fosfor, kalsiyum ve kükürt içerikleri üzerine etkisi olmamıştır. Yumrudaki en yüksek azot miktarı 50 kg/da, potasyum, magnezyum ve mangan miktarı 10 kg/da demir miktarı 20 kg/da, çinko miktarı 0 kg/da bakır miktarı 20 kg/da uygulamasından elde edilmiştir. Azot miktarının 0 kg/da’dan 50 kg/da’ a kadar artmasıyla yumrudaki azot içeriğinin arttığı bulunmuştur. Bununla beraber bu artışın bazı elementlerin miktarını belli bir seviyeye kadar arttırdığı ancak diğer mineral maddelerde ise herhangi bir etki göstermediği tespit edilmiştir.
Kür Koşullarının Çimento Bulamacı Emdirilmiş Lifli Betonun (SIFCON) Kırılma Enerjisi ve Geçirimlilik Özelliklerine Etkileri
Authors: ÖZALP Fatih
Published: February 2023

Bu çalışmada, normal mukavemetli (3D) ve yüksek mukavemetli (5D) çelik lifler ve poliolefin esaslı sentetik lif içeren SIFCON’un 90°C buhar kürü ve 150°C etüv kürü sonrası mekanik davranışı ve özellikle de kırılma enerjisi değerleri incelenmiştir. Ayrıca ısıl kür işlemlerinin SIFCON’un geçirimlilik özelliklerine etkisi kılcal su emme testleri ile belirlenmiştir. Çelik lifler hacimce %4 ve %8 oranında kullanılmıştır. Bununla birlikte, poliolefin lif sadece %4 oranında kullanılmıştır. Karşılaştırma amacıyla lif kullanılmayan referans numunelerde hazırlanmıştır. En yüksek kırılma enerjisi değerleri, 19,7 kN/m olarak 5D tipi yüksek dayanımlı çelik lif içeren numunelerde elde edilmiştir. Lifli karışımlar arasında ise en düşük kırılma enerjisi, poliolefin lifleri içeren numunelerde 5,7 kN/m olarak belirlenmiştir. Geçirimlilik testlerinde ise etüv kürü uygulanan numunelerin kılcal su emme değerleri buhar kürü uygulanan numunelere göre daha yüksektir. Çalışma sonucunda, daha yüksek sıcaklıkta uygulanan etüv kürünün, SIFCON’un mekanik özelliklerini ve kırılma enerjisi değerlerini buhar kürüne göre daha fazla geliştirdiği tespit edilmiştir. Buna karşın, etüv kürünün SIFCON’un kılcal su emme değerlerini arttırdığı ve buhar kürüne kıyasla geçirimliliği olumsuz olarak etkilediği belirlenmiştir.
Arap Zamkı, Karboksimetil Selüloz ve Maltodekstrin ile Stabilize Edilmiş Su İçinde Yağ Bazlı Emülsiyon Sistemlerinin Stabilite Davranışları
Authors: BAŞYİĞİT Bülent
Published: February 2023

Bu çalışmada Arap zamkı, karboksimetil selüloz ve maltodekstrin su içinde yağ bazlı emülsiyon sistemlerinde emülgatör olarak kullanılmıştır. Emülgatör olarak seçilen karbonhidratlardaki özel yapılar FTIR spektroskopisi ile araştırılmıştır. Emülsiyonlarda Arap zamkının mevcudiyeti üstün emülsiyon aktivitesi ve emülsiyon stabilitesi ile sonuçlanmıştır. Stabilite indeks için elde edilen görüntülerde yağ damlacıklarının maltodekstrinin emülgatör olarak kullanıldığı emülsiyonlardan kolay bir şekilde ayrıldığı tespit edilmiştir. Ancak Arap zamkı ve karboksimetil selüloz içeren emülsiyonlarda net bir yağ ayrımı gözlemlenmemiştir. Stabilite katsayısı, Arap zamkı (0.80) kullanılarak hazırlanan emülsiyonlarda karboksimetil selüloz (0.63) ve maltodekstrin (0.50) ile hazırlanan örneklerden daha yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir. Stabilite ile ters orantılı olan santrifüj çökme oranı Arap zamkını, karboksimetil selülozü ve maltodekstrini ihtiva eden örneklerde sırasıyla %10.65, 16.15 ve 23.55 bulunmuştur.
The Complex-type Narayana-Fibonacci Numbers
Authors: AKÜZÜM Yeşim
Published: February 2023

In this paper, the complex-type Narayana-Fibonacci numbers are defined. Additionally, we arrive at correlations between the complex-type Narayana-Fibonacci numbers and this generating matrix after deriving the generating matrix for these numbers. Eventually, we get their the Binet formula, the combinatorial, permanental, determinantal, exponential representations, and the sums by matrix methods are just a few examples of numerous features.
Ağrı ve Erzurum İllerinde Satılan Buy Otu Tohumu Unlarının Bazı Özelliklerinin Araştırılması
Authors: ERDEMİR Ebru
Published: February 2023

Latince adı Trigonella foenum-graecum L. olan buy otu halk arasında genellikle çemen otu olarak bilinmektedir. Buy otu birçok alanda kullanılmakla birlikte gıda sanayinde gıdaları lezzetlendirmek, bozucu ya da patojen mikroorganizmaların gelişmesini önlemek ve gıdaların raf ömrünü uzatmak için kullanılmaktadır. Araştırmada, Ağrı ve Erzurum illerinden toplanan 13 adet buy otu tohum ununda (BOTU) mineral madde, toplam fenolik madde (TFM), serbest radikal giderme aktivitesi ve renk analizleri yapılmıştır. Örneklerde en fazla miktarda bulunan makro mineral madde fosfor (P) iken miktar olarak tespit edilen en yüksek mikro mineral madde sodyum (Na)’dur. BOTU’larda TFM değerleri en yüksek 426.71 mg GAE 100 /g ve en düşük 137.30 mg GAE 100 /g olarak belirlenmiştir. Bulunan en yüksek serbest radikal giderme aktivitesi değeri 100.11 IC50 mg /mL iken en düşük ise 31.67 IC50 mg /mL’dir. L*, a* ve b* renk değerleri ise sırasıyla ortalama 73.70, 0.63 ve 27.37 olarak tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak farklı marketlerden alınan örneklerin mineral madde, TFM, antioksidan ve renk özelliklerinin birbirinden farklı olduğu görülmüştür.
Ethical and Legal Aspects of the Dispute Over the Legalization of Assisted Suicide in Italy in 2017-2022
Authors: Kobyliński Andrzej
Published: February 2023

The main purpose of the study undertaken in this paper is a synthetic presentation of the major stages of the dispute over the legalization of assisted suicide in Italy as well as an analysis of selected ethical and legal aspects related to this issue. Assisted suicide is medical and administrative aid provided to a person who has decided to take their own life. It differs from direct euthanasia in the fact that the final act of taking one’s own life, involving deliberate administration of the necessary substances is performed entirely by the patient themself without interference of any third parties. In 2017, the institution of the living will was introduced in Italy, which allows to make a declaration of intent for potential future loss of consciousness and ability to make decisions regarding one’s treatment and saving one’s life. In 2019, the Constitutional Court obliged the parliament to draft a law regulating the termination of life on request. In March 2022, the relevant provisions were voted in the Chamber of Deputies. They were then forwarded to the Senate. Ultimately, this bill was not passed, due to the collapse of the government in July 2022 and the dissolution of the parliament. The conducted analyses showed that the Italian ethical and legal dispute regarding the legalization of assisted suicide is an important element of the contemporary global debate, concerning, among others, medical ethics, value and quality of human life, conscience clause, ethical aspects of suffering and death.
Experiment on Multi-hop LoRa for Tracking Application
Authors: Sagala Albert , Lubis Ramot , Silalahi Gomgom , Ginting Estika V. , Simorangkir Andreas J.D.
Published: February 2023

Background:

The Internet of Things (IoT) is an embryonic model that converts realworld
things (objects) into smarter devices. IoT is applicable to a variety of application domains,
including healthcare, smart grid, and agriculture. Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology
can transmit data over long distances with a low data rate without using the internet. Therefore,
this technology is suitable for sending sensor measurement data in Internet of Things (IoT)
applications. LPWANs, such as LoRa, use a star topology to reach their coverage to the maximum
power that can be transmitted, considering the environmental conditions in the test area and the
LoRa parameters used. Whereas for application development in rural areas, there is no internet
connection, and often longer coverage is required from the sensor node to the gateway.

Objective:

This study aims to increase the transmission range from the end node to the gateway by
adding an intermediate node. It is used as a relay from the end node to the gateway.

Method:

Static routing was applied so that any broadcast data from the end node would be forwarded
first to the intermediate node and then to the gateway.

Results:

The LoRa transmission range expanded by changing the topology from peer-to-peer to
multi-hop. An intermediate node between the transmitter (end node) and the gateway is available.
In the experiment performed, a multi-hop with static routes successfully expanded the distance
from 150 meters (single hop) to 250 meters (multi-hop), with a packet delivery ratio of 97%. In this
experiment, GPS Ublox Neo was used for the sensor position and was successfully tested on the
end node with an accuracy rate of 2.4% for latitude and 0.2% for longitude.

Conclusion:

The transmission range from the sensor node to the gateway can be extended using
static routing by installing an intermediate node between the gateway and the sensor node. The data
from the end node is successfully received by the gateway.
Parameters Optimization of Turning Process under Extended Carbon
Emissions Accounting Method
Authors: Liu Zhaohui , Zheng Dateng , Guo Yuming , Xiao Zhongyue , Wang Qiang
Published: February 2023

Aims:

To evaluate the environmental benefits of the manufacturing system and optimize
the process parameters, a more effective method of evaluating environmental benefits should be
adopted, which can be used for process parameters optimization.

Background:

Mechanical manufacturing systems generally include raw materials, energy, products,
waste emissions, capital, labor, and other elements. The Extended Carbon-Emissions Accounting
(ECEA) method is an extension of the traditional Carbon Emissions Accounting (CEA) method, which
can account for capital and labor elements in equivalent carbon emissions similar to other elements.

Methods:

Through the ECEA method, the Extended Carbon Dioxide Emissions (Ex-CDE) of the
manufacturing system are obtained by accumulating the value by multiplying the consumption of
each element and its Extended Carbon Emission Factor (Ex-CEF), which can be used as the environmental
benefits of the manufacturing system. Then, a comprehensive optimization case of lowcarbon,
high-efficiency, and low-cost can be built, including all consumption elements, and the
COMPLEX algorithm is used to solve this optimization problem.

Results:

Taking a turning process as an example, through the ECEA method combined with the
COMPLEX algorithm, the process parameters for environmental benefits or comprehensive optimization
can be solved.

Conclusion:

ECEA method is suitable for environmental benefits analysis and optimization of the manufacturing system.
Development and testing of a flexible test bench for high-speed impact shear-cutting with linear motors
Authors: Krutz P.
Published: February 2023

Abstract. Due to the use of high-strength steels to achieve lightweight construction goals, conventional shear cutting processes are reaching their limits. Therefore, so-called high-speed impact cutting (HSIC) is used to achieve the required cut surface qualities. A new machine concept consisting of linear motors and an impact mass is presented to investigate HSIC. It allows all relevant parameters to be flexibly adjusted and measured. The design and construction of the test bench are described. The validation was performed with HSIC of a mild deep-drawing steel sheet. The velocities as well as the cut surface were analysed.
Investigation on the shear cutting of functional components manufactured in an orbital forming process
Authors: Hertzel A.
Published: February 2023

Abstract. Applying forming operations for the manufacturing of complex functional components instead of conventional shearing or milling is an effective way to increase the material efficiency of the process as well as the mechanical properties of the part. Nevertheless, in many cases subsequent cutting operations are mandatory to reach the final geometry or to add functional surfaces for the later assembly. During forming, hardening effects or different strain states can cause difficulties for the subsequent cutting operation. These characteristics are commonly determined for sheet metal forming processes like deep drawing or bending. However, the complex stress and strain states during sheet-bulk metal forming operations and their influence on the cutting parameters or the part properties have not been investigated comprehensively so far. Furthermore, different assigned processes, like for example orbital forming, allow a local material distribution, realizing a gradient in sheet thickness. Therefore, this contribution focuses on the establishment of a fundamental process understanding on the influence of a sheet-bulk metal forming process on the cutting parameters and the resulting part properties. Functional components are manufactured from C10 sheet metal by orbital forming and subsequently shear cut to generate the final contour. During cutting, specific force-stroke diagrams are evaluated, in order to analyze the influence on the process parameters. The resulting properties of the parts are investigated regarding the quality of the cutting surface and a potential geometrical distortion in consequence of elastic spring back. The influence of the forming process is outlined by a direct comparison with conventionally cut components.
Revealing misinterpretation on the meaning of Bharata for political target by Buton to four surrounding kingdoms in the 17th - 20th centuries
Authors: Aderlaepe Aderlaepe , Ninsiana Widhiya , Tambunan Tambunan
Published: February 2023

Language is not only used as the means of communication, but also the device of achieving dominance. This article aims at describing and analyzing the real meaning of bharata and revealing misinterpretation on the meaning of bharata by Buton Kingdom for political dominance device on four surrounding kingdoms: Muna, Tiworo, Kaledupa, and Kulisusu in the 17th – 20th centuries. The study was designed descriptive qualitativey with four steps of framework: (1) exploring data, (2) data verification, (3) analysis, and (4) writing results of analysis. Data were analyzed by applying Wodak’s critical discourse analysis approach (CDA). Results of the analysis concluded the real meaning of bharata is “front area and center of battle”. The term of bharata was firstly acquainted by Laki Laponto, the king of Buton at the beginning of 16th century when he organized military alliance by involving the four surrounding kingdoms to face Ternate’s threaten.  Since at the beginning of 17th century people of Butonese misinterpreted the meaning of bharata subjectively for political interest. Buton kingdom then established their misinterpretation instituonally and performed hegemony to the four surrounding kingdoms by the assistance of Dutch after welcoming and signing bilateral coalition with Dutch at the beginning of 17th century.
Teacher competence in improving student learning outcomes in social studies subjects at SMP Negeri 2 Lembang, Bandung Regency
Authors: Muchtarom Muchtarom , Saefurridjal Achmad
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study was to find out: Implementation of social studies teacher competence for class VII at SMP Negeri 2 Lembang (2). Student learning outcomes in social studies subjects through educational programs. The research method uses a qualitative approach that describes teacher competence in the social studies learning process in class VII. Data collection techniques were through interviews with several teachers who teach social studies, observations at school locations to observe learning teachers, and documentation studies in the form of archives, official meeting notes, and photographs of learning activities. The results of the research are: (1). The teacher's competency in social studies class VII is very good which is proven by the teacher fulfilling the indicators in managing learning materials, learning processes and how to convey learning (2). Student learning outcomes have improved with 6, 7, 8 which tend to increase, which is supported by student talent and innate (3). The teacher's inhibiting factor in carrying out the learning process is still monotonous because the mastery factor of ICT learning media is not proficient. The learning method used is less innovative, so it affects students' interest and motivation in learning.
Construction of Alphabetic Character Recognition Systems: A Review
Authors: D. Majeed Hamsa , Nariman Goran Saman
Published: February 2023

Character recognition (CR) systems were attracted by a massive number of authors’ interest in this field, and lot of research has been proposed, developed, and published in this regard with different algorithms and techniques due to the great interest and demand of raising the accuracy of the recognition rate and the reliability of the presented system. This work is proposed to provide a guideline for CR system construction to afford a clear view to the authors on building their systems. All the required phases and steps have been listed and clarified within sections and subsections along with detailed graphs and tables beside the possibilities of techniques and algorithms that might be used, developed, or merged to create a high-performance recognition system. This guideline also could be useful for readers interested in this field by helping them extract the information from such papers easily and efficiently to reach the main structure along with the differences between the systems. In addition, this work recommends to researchers in this field to comprehend a specified categorical table in their work to provide readers with the main structure of their work that shows the proposed system’s structural layout and enables them to easily find the information and interests.
A Virtual Reading Center Model Using Crowdsourcing to Grade Photographs for Trachoma: Validation Study
Authors: Brady Christopher J , Cockrell R Chase , Aldrich Lindsay R , Wolle Meraf A , West Sheila K
Published: February 2023

Background

As trachoma is eliminated, skilled field graders become less adept at correctly identifying active disease (trachomatous inflammation—follicular [TF]). Deciding if trachoma has been eliminated from a district or if treatment strategies need to be continued or reinstated is of critical public health importance. Telemedicine solutions require both connectivity, which can be poor in the resource-limited regions of the world in which trachoma occurs, and accurate grading of the images.

Objective

Our purpose was to develop and validate a cloud-based “virtual reading center” (VRC) model using crowdsourcing for image interpretation.

Methods

The Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT) platform was used to recruit lay graders to interpret 2299 gradable images from a prior field trial of a smartphone-based camera system. Each image received 7 grades for US $0.05 per grade in this VRC. The resultant data set was divided into training and test sets to internally validate the VRC. In the training set, crowdsourcing scores were summed, and the optimal raw score cutoff was chosen to optimize kappa agreement and the resulting prevalence of TF. The best method was then applied to the test set, and the sensitivity, specificity, kappa, and TF prevalence were calculated.

Results

In this trial, over 16,000 grades were rendered in just over 60 minutes for US $1098 including AMT fees. After choosing an AMT raw score cut point to optimize kappa near the World Health Organization (WHO)–endorsed level of 0.7 (with a simulated 40% prevalence TF), crowdsourcing was 95% sensitive and 87% specific for TF in the training set with a kappa of 0.797. All 196 crowdsourced-positive images received a skilled overread to mimic a tiered reading center and specificity improved to 99%, while sensitivity remained above 78%. Kappa for the entire sample improved from 0.162 to 0.685 with overreads, and the skilled grader burden was reduced by over 80%. This tiered VRC model was then applied to the test set and produced a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 76% with a kappa of 0.775 in the entire set. The prevalence estimated by the VRC was 2.70% (95% CI 1.84%-3.80%) compared to the ground truth prevalence of 2.87% (95% CI 1.98%-4.01%).

Conclusions

A VRC model using crowdsourcing as a first pass with skilled grading of positive images was able to identify TF rapidly and accurately in a low prevalence setting. The findings from this study support further validation of a VRC and crowdsourcing for image grading and estimation of trachoma prevalence from field-acquired images, although further prospective field testing is required to determine if diagnostic characteristics are acceptable in real-world surveys with a low prevalence of the disease.
Quality of Life and Mental Health of Chinese Sexual and Gender Minority Women and Cisgender Heterosexual Women: Cross-sectional Survey and Mediation Analysis
Authors: Wu Chanchan , Chau Pui Hing , Choi Edmond Pui Hang
Published: February 2023

Background

Health-related research on sexual minority populations in China is lacking, and research on sexual and gender minority women (SGMW, including transgender women and persons of other gender identities assigned female at birth of all sexual orientations, and cisgender women with nonheterosexual orientations) is even less. Currently, there are limited surveys related to mental health in Chinese SGMW, but there are no studies on their quality of life (QOL), no studies comparing the QOL of SGMW with that of cisgender heterosexual women (CHW), and no studies on the relationship between sexual identity and the QOL as well as associated mental health variables.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the QOL and mental health in a diverse sample of Chinese women and make comparisons between SGMW and CHW and then investigate the relationship between sexual identity and the QOL through the role of mental health.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from July to September 2021. All participants completed a structured questionnaire containing the World Health Organization Quality of Life–abbreviated short version (WHOQOL-BREF), the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES).

Results

In total, 509 women aged 18-56 years were recruited, including 250 (49.1%) CHW and 259 (50.9%) SGMW. Independent t tests showed that the SGMW reported significantly lower levels of QOL, higher levels of depression and anxiety symptoms, and lower self-esteem than the CHW. Pearson correlations showed that every domain and the overall QOL were positively associated with mental health variables, with moderate-to-strong correlations (r range 0.42-0.75, P<.001). Multiple linear regressions found that participants belonging to the SGMW group, current smokers, and women with no steady partner were associated with a worse overall QOL. The mediation analysis found that depression, anxiety, and self-esteem significantly completely mediated the relationship between sexual identity and physical, social, and environment domains of the QOL, while the relationship between sexual identity and the overall QOL and psychological QOL was partially mediated by depression and self-esteem.

Conclusions

The SGMW had poorer levels of QOL and a worse mental health status than the CHW. The study ﬁndings afﬁrm the importance of assessing mental health and highlight the need to design targeted health improvement programs for the SGMW population, who may be at higher risk of a poor QOL and mental health.
Conceptualizing and Measuring Social Media Use in Health and Well-being Studies: Systematic Review
Authors: Bekalu Mesfin Awoke , Sato Taisuke , Viswanath K
Published: February 2023

Background

Despite an increasing number of studies revealing both the benefits and harms of social media use on well-being, there is heterogeneity and a lack of consensus on how social media use is conceptualized, defined, and measured. Additionally, little is known whether existing literature focuses on ill-being or well-being outcomes and whether studies use theories.

Objective

The main objective of this review was to examine (1) how social media use has been conceptualized and measured, (2) what health and well-being outcomes have been focused on, and (3) whether studies used theories.

Methods

Studies were located through a comprehensive search strategy involving 4 steps. First, keyword searches were conducted on 6 major databases: PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, ProQuest, and Annual Reviews. Second, a search was conducted on Google Scholar using the same sets of search terms, and the first 100 results were examined. Third, the reference sections of reviews identified in the first 2 rounds of searches were examined, and finally, the reference lists of the final set of papers included in the review were searched. Through a multistage screening, papers that met our inclusion criteria were analyzed.

Results

The review included a total of 233 papers published between 2007 and 2020 in 51 different countries. While 66 (28%) of the studies investigated the effects of the problematic use or addiction of social media on health and well-being, 167 (72%) studied the effects of social media use as a “normal” behavior. Most of the studies used measures assessing the time users spend using social media. Most of the studies that examined the effects of problematic social media use or addiction used addiction scales. Most studies examined the association of social media use with mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and loneliness. While there are a considerable number of studies investigating physical health outcomes such as self-rated health, sleep, and sitting time or lack of physical activity, relatively a small number of studies examined social, psychological, and emotional well-being. Most of the studies 183 (79%) did not use any theory.

Conclusions

Most studies conceptualized social media use as a “normal” behavior and mostly used time-spent measures, whereas a considerable number of studies conceptualized social media use as an addiction and used various addiction measures. The studies disproportionately focused on investigating the associations of social media use with negative health and well-being outcomes. The findings suggest the need for going beyond time spent to more sophisticated measurement approaches that consider the multiplicity of activities that users perform on social media platforms and the need for more theory-based studies on the association of social media use with not only negative well-being or “ill-being” but also with positive health and well-being outcomes.
Data Challenges for Externally Controlled Trials: Viewpoint
Authors: Velummailum Russanthy Ruthiran , McKibbon Chelsea , Brenner Darren R , Stringer Elizabeth Ann , Ekstrom Leeland , Dron Louis
Published: February 2023

The preferred evidence of a large randomized controlled trial is difficult to adopt in scenarios, such as rare conditions or clinical subgroups with high unmet needs, and evidence from external sources, including real-world data, is being increasingly considered by decision makers. Real-world data originate from many sources, and identifying suitable real-world data that can be used to contextualize a single-arm trial, as an external control arm, has several challenges. In this viewpoint article, we provide an overview of the technical challenges raised by regulatory and health reimbursement agencies when evaluating comparative efficacy, such as identification, outcome, and time selection challenges. By breaking down these challenges, we provide practical solutions for researchers to consider through the approaches of detailed planning, collection, and record linkage to analyze external data for comparative efficacy.
Dining-Out Behavior as a Proxy for the Superspreading Potential of SARS-CoV-2 Infections: Modeling Analysis
Authors: Chong Ka Chun , Li Kehang , Guo Zihao , Jia Katherine Min , Leung Eman Yee Man , Zhao Shi , Hung Chi Tim , Yam Carrie Ho Kwan , Chow Tsz Yu , Dong Dong , Wang Huwen , Wei Yuchen , Yeoh Eng Kiong
Published: February 2023

Background

While many studies evaluated the reliability of digital mobility metrics as a proxy of SARS-CoV-2 transmission potential, none examined the relationship between dining-out behavior and the superspreading potential of COVID-19.

Objective

We employed the mobility proxy of dining out in eateries to examine this association in Hong Kong with COVID-19 outbreaks highly characterized by superspreading events.

Methods

We retrieved the illness onset date and contact-tracing history of all laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 from February 16, 2020, to April 30, 2021. We estimated the time-varying reproduction number (Rt) and dispersion parameter (k), a measure of superspreading potential, and related them to the mobility proxy of dining out in eateries. We compared the relative contribution to the superspreading potential with other common proxies derived by Google LLC and Apple Inc.

Results

A total of 6391 clusters involving 8375 cases were used in the estimation. A high correlation between dining-out mobility and superspreading potential was observed. Compared to other mobility proxies derived by Google and Apple, the mobility of dining-out behavior explained the highest variability of k (ΔR-sq=9.7%, 95% credible interval: 5.7% to 13.2%) and Rt (ΔR-sq=15.7%, 95% credible interval: 13.6% to 17.7%).

Conclusions

We demonstrated that there was a strong link between dining-out behaviors and the superspreading potential of COVID-19. The methodological innovation suggests a further development using digital mobility proxies of dining-out patterns to generate early warnings of superspreading events.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Therapy for Anxiety in Williams Beuren Syndrome Using a Smartphone App: Protocol for a Single-Case Experiment
Authors: Lehman Natacha , Trouillet Raphaël , Genevieve David
Published: February 2023

Background

Williams syndrome (WS-OMIM 194050, orphaned number: Orpha 904) is a rare condition mostly associated with intellectual disability. People with Williams syndrome are 8 times more likely to have anxiety disorders than the general population. Therapeutic solutions to treat the anxiety remain limited, particularly nonpharmacological therapy. However, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found efficacious in managing anxiety disorders and can be used for people with intellectual disability.

Objective

This paper describes a protocol to assess the efficiency of a CBT program based on digital support for people with Williams syndrome and anxiety based on a research methodology designed for rare diseases.

Methods

We will recruit 5 individuals with Williams syndrome and anxiety. They will participate in 9 CBT sessions. Participants will perform daily self-assessments of anxiety using a digital app, which will allow for ecological and repeated evaluation of their anxiety. This digital app will provide support for each therapy session. Anxiety and quality of life will be externally assessed before and after the program and at a 3-month follow-up. This is a single-case intervention research design with multiple baselines implying repeated measures of judgment criteria. The present protocol ensures high internal validity and will help identify encouraging contributions for later clinical trials.

Results

Participant recruitment and data collection began in September 2019, and we project that the study findings will be available for dissemination by spring 2023.

Conclusions

This study will allow the assessment of the efficiency of a CBT program based on digital support to treat anxiety in people with Williams syndrome. Finally, the program could be used as an example of nonpharmacological therapy for rare diseases.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03827525; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03827525

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/44393
mHealth Systems Need a Privacy-by-Design Approach: Commentary on “Federated Machine Learning, Privacy-Enhancing Technologies, and Data Protection Laws in Medical Research: Scoping Review”
Authors: Tewari Ambuj
Published: February 2023

Brauneck and colleagues have combined technical and legal perspectives in their timely and valuable paper “Federated Machine Learning, Privacy-Enhancing Technologies, and Data Protection Laws in Medical Research: Scoping Review.” Researchers who design mobile health (mHealth) systems must adopt the same privacy-by-design approach that privacy regulations (eg, General Data Protection Regulation) do. In order to do this successfully, we will have to overcome implementation challenges in privacy-enhancing technologies such as differential privacy. We will also have to pay close attention to emerging technologies such as private synthetic data generation.
Non-Face-to-Face Treatment for Patients with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Quasi-Experimental Observation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Lee Rugyeom , Lee Joon , Jo Min-Woo , Oh In-Hwan
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

In January 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread quickly across South Korea, and by March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. In response to the widespread outbreak of COVID-19 infections and elevated risk of infection within the hospital setting, the Korean government allowed for the temporary provision of non-face-to-face healthcare services from February 24, 2020. This measure was supported by the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the utilization rates of non-face-to-face healthcare service for hypertension (HTN) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic by the patients with disabilities.

METHODS

Using the 2019–2020 claims data from the National Health Insurance Service, we compared the numbers of outpatient visits for HTN made by patients with disabilities between 2019 and 2020. Visits that occurred between March and December in 2019 were defined as outpatient visits prior to COVID-19. Non-face-to-face outpatient visits that occurred between March and December in 2020 were considered visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multivariable regression and difference-in-difference (DID) analyses were performed to compare the use of outpatient and non-face-to-face healthcare services for HTN before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

Of the patients with disabilities who utilized outpatient care for HTN diagnosis in 2019, 9,254 received non-face-to-face treatment in 2020 (controls: 635,959 patients). After 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM), the non-face-to-face treatment and control groups each comprised 9,170 patients. After adjusting for other variables, the number of outpatient visits decreased by 0.57 cases (P < .001) in the non-face-to-face group compared to that in the control group, and after 1:1 PSM, the number decreased by 0.30 cases (P < .001). DID analysis showed that the number of outpatient visits in the non-face-to-face group had decreased by 0.9 cases (P < .001) compared to that in the control group, and after PSM, the number of visits decreased further by 1.0 case (P < .001) in the non-face-to-face group.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-face-to-face services are beneficial to patients with limited access to healthcare and may be favorable during crises (e.g., epidemics and pandemics). Hence, such services are necessary. Moreover, it is essential to institutionalize non-face-to-face healthcare services for patients with disabilities or for medically disadvantaged groups as a means of healthcare delivery during pandemics. The results may be used to promote evidence-based policies regarding non-face-to-face healthcare services.
Geographical and seasonal distribution of tidal body force field in the Sea of Okhotsk in the context of internal wave dynamics
Authors: Kokoulina Maria , Kurkina Oxana , Rouvinskaya Ekaterina , Kurkin Andrey
Published: February 2023

Estimates of the barotropic tidal body force for diurnal and semidiurnal tides are obtained for the Sea of Okhotsk for the summer and winter periods. It is shown that in the study area, the tidal body force for diurnal tides is significantly greater than for semidiurnal ones. The maximum values of this quantity can reach about 2-8 m2s-2, and these values are typical for areas with a sharp bathymetric gradient. A comparison of the tidal body force for the two seasons showed noticeable differences. The features of the transformation of a barotropic tidal wave propagating in the zone of large values of the tidal body force for the K1, O1, M2 tidal constituents are demonstrated. Numerical simulations indicate that baroclinic tidal waves are effectively generated in this area, and intense short-period internal waves are likely to occur.
Metrics of TOUGMA
Authors:   Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie de l'Environnement Also at Physics Dpartment, Joseph KI ZERBO University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, WENDKOUNI JEAN LUC TOUGMA
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we present a TOUGMA's Field Equation solutions. A no electrical charge and nonrotating body in vacuum is used to determine the metrics that TOUGMA's field equation allows us. Then we calculate the ricci scalar and tensor components and deduce solutions. Two solutions are found, one real and the other is complex. Those solutions describe others universe properties that still unknow.
Deriving the physical phenomena of real TOUGMA's solution
Authors:   Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie de l'Environnement Also at Physics Dpartment, Joseph KI ZERBO University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, TOUGMA JEAN LUC WENDKOUNI
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we derive the physical phenomena that implies the real TOUGMA's metric. We fristly found radial light geodesics and orbits of material bodies and finish by studied theirs physical charactericties. Due to astrophysical applications, the interest of studing the TOUGMA metric right now is to implement using a metric concrete the new physical concepts that implies this metric.
An Initiatory Review on Bryophytes Diversity
Authors: Modi Gajanand , Arora Bhumika , Bhardwaj Nivedan , Jasina  , Jasina
Published: February 2023

Abstract: The varied group of terrestrial plants known as bryophytes is tiny in stature but has significant ecological effects. The biggest group of terrestrial plants, excluding flowering plants, they have over 23,000 known species worldwide. Mosses, hornworts, and liverworts are among the three phylogenetically separate lineages that make up the category. Mosses are typically regarded as a "key group" in our comprehension of the phylogenetically relatedness and origin of contemporary land plants (embryophytes). Bryophytes are able to live in a wide range of settings and have various growth habits. Although, mosses exhibit high species diversity, a major limitation in using mosses as study organisms has been the lack of basic floristic, ecological, and alpha-taxonomical knowledge of plants in many regions