bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intelligent Detection and Assessment of Damaged Buildings using UAV Imagery and YOLOv8
Authors: Azizi A. , Yaghoobi M. , Kamel S. R.
Published: July 2023

To improve disaster response and recovery, there is an increasing need for precise and rapid assessment of seismic building damage in urban communities through large-scale optical sensing. Recently, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced object detection algorithms have been increasingly adopted for rapid and accurate damage assessment. In this study, a method for post-disaster building location and damage assessment was developed using deep learning techniques. Specifically, we investigated the You Only Look Once (YOLOv8) object detection algorithm and its potential use for processing optical images obtained from UAVs. To achieve this, we consider a RescueNet image dataset that comprises 4494 images with a resolution of 3000 by 4000 pixels captured by UAVs in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael's landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida which we utilized 1603 images related to our project in this article. According to our experiments with different model configurations and data processing pipelines, object detection accuracy for damage assessment is 85% for buildings in different locations. The proposed method was qualitatively found to have a very good performance on densely distributed small buildings, demonstrating the potential of computer vision in UAV datasets for large-scale disaster management.
Mannose-Doped Metal-Organic Frameworks Induce Tumor Cell Pyroptosis Via the PERK Pathway
Authors: jin nianqiang , Wang Binhang , Liu Xinyao , Yin Chengcheng , Li Xing , Wang Zilin , Chen Xi , Liu Yunling , Bu Wenhuan , Sun Hongchen
Published: July 2023

Background
The induction of pyroptosis holds great promise as a strategy for improving the tumor immune microenvironment. Previous pyroptosis inducers have faced limitations, including drug resistance, toxic side effects, and a lack of targeting capabilities. As a result, there is a growing demand for tumor therapeutic molecules that can overcome these obstacles. With this in mind, the objective of this study is to develop a multifunctional nanospheres that addresses these challenges by enabling high-precision targeting of tumor cells and effective pyroptosis induction.
Results
We prepared a mannose-modified MOF called mannose-doped Fe3O4@NH2-MIL-100, referred to as M-FNM. M-FNM has the ability to enter CAL27 cells through MR-mediated endocytosis, which results in a significant increase in intracellular ROS levels. This increase subsequently triggers endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and activates the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway. CHOP then mediates the downstream cascade of Caspase-1, inducing pyroptosis. In in vivo experiments, M-FNM demonstrates excellent targeting ability and exhibits anti-tumor effects. Additionally, M-FNM reshapes the immune microenvironment by promoting the infiltration of anti-tumor immune cells, primarily T lymphocytes.
Conclusions
M-FNM significantly decreased tumor growth. This novel approach of inducing pyroptosis in tumor cells using M-FNM may offer new avenues for the development of effective immunotherapies for cancer treatment.
Establishing and Validation of the VBV Score for Assessing Lung Ground-Glass Nodules based on High-Resolution Computed Tomography
Authors: Zhou Yuwei , Cao Xiaoqing , Gu Haiyong , Gao Shenhu , Wu Yuxuan , Li Haoyang , Xiong Bing , Dong Haiyang , Lv Yan , Yang Rong , Wu Yihe
Published: July 2023

Background
The widespread utilization of chest High-resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) has prompted detection of pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGNs) in otherwise asymptomatic individuals. We aimed to establish a simple clinical risk score model for assessing GGNs based on HRCT.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 574 GGNs in 574 patients undergoing HOOK-WIRE puncture and pulmonary nodule surgery from January 2014 to November 2018. Clinical characteristics and imaging features of the GGNs were assessed. We analyzed the differences between malignant and benign nodules using binary logistic regression analysis and constructed a simple risk score model, the VBV Score, for predicting the malignancy status of GGNs. Then, we validated this model via other 1200 GGNs in 1041 patients collected from three independent clinical centers in 2022.
Results
For the exploratory phase of this study, out of the 574 GGNs, 481 were malignant and 93 were benign. Vacuole sign, air bronchogram, and intra-nodular vessel sign were important indicators of malignancy in GGNs. Then, we derived a VBV Score = vacuole sign + air bronchogram + intra-nodular vessel sign, to predict the malignancy of GGNs, with a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 95.6%, 80.6%, and 93.2%, respectively. We also validated it on other 1200 GGNs, with a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 96.0%, 82.6%, and 95.0%, respectively.
Conclusions
Vacuole sign, air bronchogram, and intra-nodular vessel sign were important indicators of malignancy in GGNs. VBV Score showed good sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for differentiating benign and malignant pulmonary GGNs.
Modeling population pharmacokinetics of morniflumate in healthy Korean men: Extending pharmacometrics analysis to niflumic acid, its major active metabolite
Authors: Jeong Seung-Hyun , Jang Ji-Hun , Lee Yong-Bok
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to quantify and explain inter-subject variability in morniflumate pharmacokinetics and identify effective covariates through population pharmacokinetic modeling. Models were constructed using bioequivalence pharmacokinetic results from healthy Korean males and individual physiological and biochemical parameters. Additionally, we incorporated previously reported pharmacokinetic results of niflumic acid, a major active metabolite of morniflumate, to extend the established population pharmacokinetic model and predict niflumic acid pharmacokinetics. Moreover, we used quantitative reports of leukotriene B4(LTB4) synthesis inhibition in response to niflumic acid exposure to predict drug efficacy using Sigmoid Emaxmodel. Population pharmacokinetic profiles of morniflumate were described using a multi-absorption (5-sequential) two-compartment model, and analysis of inter-individual variability suggested that volume of distribution in peripheral compartment was correlated with body mass index (BMI). Model simulation results showed that individuals with lower BMI had higher plasma concentrations of morniflumate and niflumic acid, resulting in increased and sustained inhibition of LTB4synthesis. Under steady-state conditions, average plasma concentrations of morniflumate and niflumic acid were 2.66–2.68 times higher in group with a BMI of 17.36 kg/m2compared to group with a BMI of 28.41 kg/m2. Additionally, inhibition of LTB4synthesis was 1.02 times higher in group with a BMI of 17.36 kg/m2compared to group with a BMI of 28.41 kg/m2, and the fluctuation was significantly reduced from 6.06–0.01%. These findings suggest that the concentration of active metabolite in plasma following morniflumate exposure was lower in the obese group compared to normal group, thus potentially reducing the drug's efficacy.
Assessing the histidine-rich protein 2/3 gene deletion in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Burkina Faso
Authors: Casimire Tarama , Harouna Soré , Mafama Siribié , Siaka Débé , Réné Kinda , Adama Ganou , Gérard Nonkani Wendyam , Farida Tiendrebeogo , Winnie Bantango , Kassoum Yira , Aladari Sagnon , Sonia Ilboudo , Esther Hien Yéri , Moussa Guelbéogo Wandaogo , NFale Sagnon , Yves Traoré , Didier Menard , Adama Gansané
Published: July 2023

Introduction. Dual hrp2/hrp3 genes deletions in P. falciparum isolates are increasingly reported in malaria-endemic countries and can produce false negative RDT results leading to inadequate case management. Data on the frequency of hrp2/hrp3 deleted parasites are rarely available and it has become necessary to investigate the issue in Burkina Faso
Methods. Plasmodium falciparum-positive dried blood spots were collected during the peak of transmission from Orodara, Gaoua, and Banfora. Amplicons from the target regions (exon 2 of hrp2 and hrp3 genes) were generated using multiplexed nested PCR and sequenced according to Illumina’s MiSeq protocol
Results. A total of 251 parasite isolates were sequenced to detect hrp2 and hrp3 gene deletion. The proportion of negative cases detected by RDTs was 12.7% (32/251). The highest prevalence of negative RDTs was found in Gaoua (9.6%), followed by Orodara (2.0%), and Banfora (1.2%). Our study found that 95.6% of the parasite isolates were wild type hrp2/ hrp3 while 4.4 % (11/251) had a single hrp2 deletion. Of the 11 hrp2deletion samples, 2 samples were RDT negatives (mean parasitaemia was 83 parasites/ μL) while 9 samples were RDT positive with a median parasitaemia of 520 parasites /μL (CI95%: 192-1239). The highest frequency hrp2 deletion 4/35 (11.4%) was found in Orodara, while it was similar in the other two sites (< 3.5%). No single deletion of the hrp3 or dual deletion hrp2/3 gene was detected through this study.
Conclusion. Results demonstrate that P. falciparum isolates lacking hrp2 genes are present in 4.4% of samples. They are circulating and causing malaria, but they are also still detectable by HRP2-based RTDs due to the presence of the intact pfhrp3 gene.
Modular structures inherited from high-temperature disordered parent ones: an example of Ca2SiO4, Na2SO4–K2SO4 sulfates and related minerals
Authors: Shablinskii Andrey , Filatov Stanislav , Biryukov Yaroslav
Published: July 2023

Crystal structures of Ca2SiO4, Na2SO4–K2SO4 sulfates and related minerals bubnovaite K2Na8Ca(SO4)6 and dobrovolskyite Na4Ca(SO4)3 were described as modular ones for the first time. A microblock, or a module [M(TO4)6] that is consisted of an octahedron interlinked by six vertices with six adjacent tetrahedra was considered as a structural unit inherited upon cooling from a high-temperature disordered parent one. A relationship between the parent and inherited microblocks was established. As a result, fifteen possible types of modules maintaining a trigonal symmetry of the microblocks were derived based on this relationship. It was shown, that the minerals and compounds structurally-related with α-Na2SO4 derived superstructures were formed as a result of a cooling of the high-temperature phases containing the disordered parent microblock. Here, a driving force of the inheritance is a tendency of the structure to order upon cooling. The reasons of a formation of a microblock from the parent one are mainly determined by ionic radius and type of a cation occupying the octahedral site. A finding of minerals with the described structural features could be a promising tool for a synthesis of novel compounds with useful properties.
Early Stage Diabetes Prediction by Approach Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Zarar Muhammad , Wang Yulin
Published: July 2023

Diabetes is the most viral and chronic disease throughout the world. A large number of people are affected by this chronic disease. Early detection of diabetes in a patient is crucial for ensuring a good quality of life. Machine learning techniques or Data Mining Techniques are playing a significant role in today’s life to detect diabetes and improve performance to make further accurate predictions. The aim of this research is diabetes prediction with the approach of machine learning techniques. In this technical approach, we have taken two data sets Pi-ma Indian diabetes data set and the Kaggle diabetes data set, and proposed a model for diabetes prediction. We have used four different machine learning algorithms such as Support Vector Machine, Decision Forest, Linear Regression, and Artificial Neural Network. In these machine learning algorithms, ANN gives the best prediction performance where the highest accuracy is 98.8% so, it could be used as an alternative method to support predict diabetes complication diseases at an initial stage. Further, this work can be extended to find how likely non-diabetic people can have diabetes in the next few years and also, this predicted model can be used for imaging processing in the future to find diabetes for the prediction of diabetic and non-diabetic.
Convolutional Neural Networks for Face Recognition: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Barcic Ena , Grd Petra , Tomicic Igor
Published: July 2023

This paper presents a comprehensive overview of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) in the context of face recognition. By analyzing 150 research papers, we investigate major publication channels, temporal trends, prevalent CNN models, primary data sets, accuracy levels, primary research focuses, and future prospects for improving CNN-based facial recognition. A major focus is placed on identifying prevalent CNN architectures, techniques used for facial recognition and shedding light on the evolving landscape of CNN designs. Furthermore, we examine the datasets used for training and testing CNNs, and evaluate the accuracy levels achieved by these models. Lastly, we discuss future directions for enhancing CNN-based facial recognition, including addressing bias and fairness, improving robustness to environmental variations, privacy preservation, and exploring transfer learning and multimodal fusion. This paper serves as a valuable resource, summarizing major trends in CNN-based face recognition. It provides insights for researchers and practitioners, guiding future advancements in this rapidly evolving field.
Predictors of Diarrhea Among Children Under the Age of Five Years in Ghana: Multivariate analysis of data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Kombat Marian Yenupini , Kushitor Sandra Boatemaa , Sutherland Edward Kofi , Boateng Millicent Ofori , Manortey Stephen
Published: July 2023

Background
Globally, childhood diarrhea is a major public health concern. Despite numerous interventions that have been put in place to reduce its incidence over the years, childhood diarrhea remains a problem and is the fourth leading cause of child mortality in Ghana. This study examined the predictors of diarrhea among children under the age of five in Ghana.
Methods
Data from the Ghana Demographic and Health survey, a cross-sectional study, was used for the purpose of this study. A total of 2,547 children under the age of five were included in this study from the 2014 GDHS. Logistic regression analysis was performed to establish the factors associated with childhood diarrhea and ascertain explanatory variables.
Results
The prevalence of diarrhea was 11.7%. Children aged younger than 35 months of age, maternal age and education, sex of children and region of residence were the predictors of diarrhea among children under the age of five years in this study.
Conclusion
To lessen the prevalence of diarrhea among children under five in Ghana, existing interventions must be evaluated in the context of the predictors identified. Various stakeholders including government and non-governmental agencies should take into account the predictors of diarrhea established in the design of interventions to effectively reduce morbidity and mortality associated with childhood diarrhea.
Superior mesenteric artery classification and morphometrical analysis
Authors: Chmiel Radosław , Batko Jakub , Juszczak Aleksiej , Walocha Jerzy A. , Moskała Artur , Dubrowski Andrzej , Woźniak Krzysztof , Pasternak Artur
Published: July 2023

Purpose
The superior mesenteric artery is one of the most important arteries in the abdominal cavity, which is of great clinical importance, especially in surgical procedures and fatal ischemic complications. The aim of this study was to develop a clinical classification of the superior mesenteric artery.
Methods
Postmortem contrast-enhanced computed tomography of 104 (29.8% female, age 50.7 ± 18.7) human bodies were analyzed. Based on anatomic predisposition to ischemic and iatrogenic complications, a three-tiered clinical classification of the superior mesenteric artery was developed. Type 0 was defined as standard risk for ischemic and iatrogenic complications. Type 1 was defined as increased thromboembolic risk with decreased risk of iatrogenic bleeding, and type 2 was defined as decreased ischemic risk with increased risk of iatrogenic bleeding. The supply area of the superior mesenteric artery was divided into 4 regions: pancreas, caecum, ascending colon, and transverse colon.
Results
Type 0 (standard risk) was found in 62.5% of cases. Type 1 was most frequently observed in the ascending colon region (15.4%). Type 2 was most frequently observed in the pancreatic region (17.3%). Regarding type, most abnormalities were found in the region of the ascending colon (18.3%), pancreas region (17.3%), and transverse colon (16.3%).
Conclusion
The proposed clinical classification of SMA links anatomic variations in morphology with their clinical significance. A simple, three-level classification can be easily applied in daily practice and serve as a great support for preoperative evaluation and recognition of patients at risk of iatrogenic or thromboembolic complications.
Assessment of noise pollution of fireworks during Christmas and New Year in the city of Buenos Aires: comparison with a different management strategy applied to the city of Santiago de Chile
Authors: Lombera Esteban N. , Bori Guillermo , Vergara Ramiro O.
Published: July 2023

Fireworks are widely celebrated worldwide but have raised environmental concerns due to pollutant emissions. This has prompted evolving legislation in many countries, necessitating scientific evidence for policy development. Existing literature mainly focuses on characterizing individual fireworks and quantifying noise variations between festive and non-festive periods. However, no such studies have been conducted in Argentina. This study aims to characterize noise levels generated by fireworks during the 2020 Christmas and New Year celebrations in Buenos Aires. Nine measurement systems were used, obtaining acoustic descriptors reflecting noise levels during these events. Results were compared with typical ambient noise levels in the city and those during the New Year's fireworks display in Santiago de Chile, where public access to individual fireworks is restricted. Findings indicate significant noise level increases during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, supported by the L01 percentile acoustic parameter, more effective in characterizing impulsive events than Equivalent continuous sound pressure level LeqA. Comparing results with Santiago de Chile, noise values in Argentina remained similar within a 1.1 km proximity to the fireworks show, whereas beyond that distance, Chilean residents experienced lower noise levels.
Design and Evaluation of Intelligent Blood Pressure Instrument for Older Adults Based on AHP and Fuzzy AHP
Authors: Yu Shun , Chen Longping , Chen Yanming , Zhu Xiurong , Su Nan
Published: July 2023

A design evaluation system for intelligent blood pressure instruments was constructed based on the characteristics of the needs of older adults. According to the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the object hierarchy was divided into 13 design factors by combining qualitative and quantitative methods, and the comprehensive weight was sorted. Three design schemes were obtained according to the comprehensive weight ranking. Secondly, the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) was adopted to quantify the fuzzy evaluation results of the design schemes and determine the design scheme with the highest evaluation score. The results show that each judgment matrix passed the consistency test, and the excellent evaluation score obtained by the final design scheme was consistent with the user needs model constructed by AHP. The evaluation system verifies the validity, scientificity, and consistency of the user need model constructed by AHP and FAHP. Therefore, the AHP-FAHP based design evaluation system proposed in this paper can objectively and precisely obtain the user’s needs, simplify the design process, improve the design scheme, help enterprises save design costs, and increase product competitiveness.
Implicitly Activating Mindfulness: Does Trait Self-Control Moderate Its Effect on Aggressive Behaviour?
Authors: Thériault Rémi , Dandeneau Stéphane
Published: July 2023

Objectives.
A novel experimental paradigm consisting of priming concepts associated with mindfulness has been shown to have some positive social effects. Still, its potential effects on other social behaviours—especially toward others—warrant further investigation. One possible effect is on aggression, as mindfulness negatively relates to aggression. In particular, the priming mindfulness paradigm has been shown to be moderated by personality traits, such as trait mindfulness.
Methods.
In a first hypothesis-generating (exploratory, non-preregistered) study, we investigated which of several personality variables most meaningfully related to the priming mindfulness procedure.
Results.
Self-control emerged as the single most meaningful moderator. Accordingly, we specifically tested the interaction between self-control and the mindfulness priming procedure in two additional hypothesis-testing (confirmatory, preregistered) studies using larger samples. The results from the first study did not replicate: the critical interaction of interest was not significant in both studies.
Conclusions.
We discuss the implications of these conflicting results and highlight the importance of preregistered replication studies in mindfulness research.
Toxic Leadership, Destructive Leadership, and Identity Leadership: What are the Relationships and Does Follower Personality Matter?
Authors: Batchelor John H. , Whelpley Christopher E. , Davis Maggie M. , Burch Gerald F. , Barber III Dennis
Published: July 2023

Integrating leadership theories and understanding the interactions between these theories is a goal for many leadership scholars. The dark side of leadership has become a topic of interest for researchers and practitioners alike in recent years. Dark leadership is likened to poison in an organization, embedding toxins in the company’s culture and instilling deep-rooted behaviors, attitudes, and actions that are a source of internal organizational decay. After viewing a brief introductory video, this article uses a cross-sectional design to investigate followers’ evaluations of a potential leader’s toxic leadership, destructive leadership, and identity leadership propensities. Relevant theory relating to identity leadership, toxic leadership, and destructive leadership constructs is reviewed and empirically tested to clarify how these topics interrelate. Most studies examining follower personality and leadership attributions have focused on positive leadership styles (e.g., transformation or transactional). This study addresses this gap in the literature in several ways. First, we examine how identity leadership is related to destructive and toxic leadership characteristics. We examine how the perceived relationship between these variables varies based on the follower’s personality, a need identified in previous studies. Further, this study contributes to Pelletier’s (2012) discussion of the lack of research that considers leader-follower relationships in the context of the dark side of leadership. Specifically, to clarify the influence of followers’ evaluations, the role of follower personality is explored as a moderating variable. These results support research from others showing that personality affects the interpretation of leadership actions. However, the current study extends this notion to show that even a short period of contact with the leader allows followers to make judgements about the leader.
The Impact of Effective Leadership on Public Sector’s Financial Instruments: Empirical Evidence from Greece
Authors: Gentsoudi Viktoria
Published: July 2023

Leadership management refers to leading and managing a team or an organization. It involves developing a vision, setting goals, and providing guidance and support to employees to achieve those goals. Effective leadership management is crucial for organizations to achieve their objectives, as it helps build a positive work environment, encourage innovation, and promote teamwork. Leadership plays a vital role in enhancing the performance of private holding organizations and driving quantitative and qualitative success in a nation’s public sector comprised of a range of services offered to the public. This paper aims to investigate the financial impact of leadership management on the Greek public sector using empirical data and analysis extracted from the dissertation under the title “Leadership and organizational change in the financial decision making in Greek public sector in a time of financial and humanitarian crises”, also written by the paper’s author. The study employs fixed OLS regression and UQR models to examine the effects of leadership on the systematic, idiosyncratic, and total risk as well as the value of the public sector, i.e., governance and corruption levels, during the aftermath of the financial crisis that hit the country between the years 2015 and 2019. Additionally, it explores the potential benefits of team leadership on public services’ quality. The results indicate that leadership demonstrates a statistically significant impact on all public sector risk components. Furthermore, increasing team leadership across public sector divisions may enhance the public sector’s overall value. While verifying the positive impact of leadership on value, and despite the confirmation of a risk-reducing effect of leadership only regarding idiosyncratic risk, this impact appears not only to be of low magnitude but also to account for minor statistical significance.
Employee Perceptions of Skill-Based Compensation in an Algerian Juice Company
Authors: Naga Nahla , Amalou Sif Islem
Published: July 2023

The management of salaries plays a vital role in achieving an organisation’s objectives, extending beyond recruitment, career planning, performance evaluation, competency assessment, and employee training. It encompasses the crucial responsibility of appropriately rewarding employees for their organisational contributions. Thus, compensation becomes a multifaceted element with both human and economic significance, presenting a complex challenge in organisational life and often becoming a subject of labor disputes. Despite the evolving economic landscape, the significance of the human element as a key factor in production and the influential role of wages in the lives of individuals and organisations remain substantial. In the Algerian context, many companies still adhere to traditional wage policies primarily based on job requirements and standardised pay scales, particularly within the public sector. However, this approach faces numerous challenges, hampering organisations from effectively fulfilling their roles and leading to a talent drain towards the private sector. These challenges primarily stem from organisational factors, such as declining wages and salaries that fail to reward workers for their performance and competencies adequately. As mentioned earlier, wages serve as crucial incentives for workers to fulfil their responsibilities. This article summarizes workers’ attitudes in an Algerian juice company towards the shift in wage policies that now prioritize evaluating skills. This new approach affects employees’ well-being within the organization and influences their task performance. Additionally, it brings about changes to long-established wage structures. Workers’ attitudes are influenced by socio-cultural factors resulting from social interactions and organizational culture. Within a company, these attitudes vary based on workers’ interests and perspectives on the desired change. While some workers support and embrace the new policy, others resist and reject it. Any organizational change the company introduces generates attitudes and behaviours that require careful analysis, as workers perceive such changes as threats to their accustomed organizational stability. Consequently, they exhibit specific behaviours and attitudes that reflect their opinions regarding the proposed modifications.
Content and Bibliometric Analysis of Education as a Competitive Advantage of Business
Authors: Kharchenko Diana
Published: July 2023

This article aims to ground education as a competitive advantage of business based on content and bibliometric analysis. The paper examines the relationship between education level and business quality and leadership. It is highlighted that matching the level of education with business needs can ensure a higher level of labour productivity and better company results. The higher the level of education, the more an employee can benefit the company by working more efficiently and working with more ideas and innovations. The article also considers the importance of continuous learning and skill development for increasing business competitiveness and leadership in the modern world. For reaching the research goal, the methodology of data collection, content analysis, and synthesis from various sources, as well as bibliometric analysis of scientific publications indexed by the Scopus database using Bibliometrix and VosViewer software and R Studio programming language, was used. Over the past few years, the impact of education on business has received significant interest in the scientific community, as evidenced by the growing number of publishing articles indexed by the Scopus database. Four research clusters covered 10,914 keywords, and 95,636 connections in this context were formed. Multiple Correspondence Analysis allows the discovery of underlying structures in a set of categorical data (niche topics; developing topics; declining themes; most common topics and main topics). The research also covers case studies of companies that invest in training their employees to study the impact of such investments on business efficiency and competitiveness and analyses the opinions of business and education experts to assess the impact of education on business and the economy. The results of the conducted analysis confirm that investing in education is useful for business, contributes to the attraction of highly qualified employees, increases the level of productivity and competitiveness, and is also a guarantee of ensuring the successful functioning of the company in unpredictable conditions.
HealthTech in ensuring the resilience of communities in the post-pandemic period
Authors: Pakhnenko Olena , Pudło Tomasz
Published: July 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased adoption of digital technologies in healthcare. According to most researchers, this contributed to increasing the resilience of medical institutions, healthcare systems and communities to the pandemic challenges. The dynamic development of HealthTech continues in the post-pandemic period. The article purpose is to summarise the current directions of HealthTech development, analyse main patterns of the global and Ukrainian digital health market development and study possibilities of HealthTech use to increase the resilience of communities and healthcare systems to natural and man-made emergencies. The article systematises the types of HealthTech by components, types of technology and stages of application. It was determined that all basic digital technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, BigData, AR/VR, 3D modelling and others are used in modern healthcare systems. Specific areas of applying digital technologies in healthcare are telemedicine, wearable devices recording health data, specialised mobile software, etc. The analysis of the global digital health market development allowed us to identify the largest volumes and growth dynamics of the digital health market in the European and North American regions. By type of technology, the largest share of investment is directed to mHealth and telemedicine. By components, the digital health market development is almost equal. The article defines the forecast volume of the global and European digital health market for 2024. It examines development of the Ukrainian Electronic Healthcare System, which registers electronic medical records of created and performed medical referrals, examinations, procedures, diagnostic reports, treatment plans, medical conditions, electronic prescriptions, vaccination records, medical conclusions on temporary disability and birth. Dynamics decrease in electronic medical records from March 2022 due to full-scale war invasion was revealed. Digital health technologies contribute to raising efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare systems by reducing costs; increasing availability of medical services, flexibility and adaptability of these systems. Achieving these benefits should be accompanied by ensuring the protection of patients’ personal data and clearly regulating levels of access to this data, as well as minimizing digital gaps and maximizing the coverage of the population with HealthTech services.
How Does Watermelon Grafting Impact Fruit Yield and Quality? A Systematic Review
Authors: Jordana Carley N. , Stapleton Suzanne C. , Colee James C. , Lee Sangyoul , Gao Zhifeng , Ray Zachary T. , Anrecio Lucas R. , Freed Daniel J. , Zhao Xin
Published: July 2023

Globally, there has been an increase in stringent regulations governing the use of chemical soil fumigants for controlling diseases, pests, and weeds. Grafting has been identified as an effective alternative to soil fumigation for managing soilborne diseases and pests in intensive vegetable cropping systems. The majority of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) grafting research confirms that selected rootstocks play a role in improving plant resistance or tolerance to common soilborne diseases. Currently, there is a lack of evidence-based literature on the effects of grafting on watermelon fruit quality attributes and yield components. Previous reviews report wide variation in the impact of grafting on watermelon production, depending on rootstock–scion combinations and environmental conditions. This review employed evidence-based synthesis methods to comprehensively and methodically summarize research results of the impact of grafting on watermelon, with a focus on fruit quality and yield. In this systematic review, 548 citations (studies published during 2011–21) were screened against strict inclusion criteria, and data were extracted from 47 studies. Meta-analysis of percent differences between the grafted watermelon treatment and the nongrafted or self-grafted watermelon control was performed using extracted data of yield components and a wide range of fruit quality attributes. Meta-analysis of research data with variance measures was also conducted based on a rather limited number of studies. Our findings showed higher levels of total yield, average fruit weight, fruit length and width, fruit lycopene and soluble solids content, rind thickness, flesh firmness, lightness, chroma, and flesh nitrogen (N) content in grafted watermelon treatments compared with the nongrafted or self-grafted control. In particular, total yield, average fruit weight, and flesh firmness exhibited significant increases of a more than 10% difference. In contrast, grafted plants demonstrated decreases in fruit pH, hue angle, and flesh calcium content, although the reduction was not greater than 10% relative to the control. Meta-analysis of research data with variance measures further confirmed significantly greater total yield and flesh N content in grafted watermelon treatments compared with the nongrafted or self-grafted control. In addition, the meta-analysis results confirmed greater benefits of watermelon grafting in the presence of known soilborne disease pressure in contrast to the production scenarios without soilborne disease problems.
Cognitive Levels of Questions By Indonesian Teachers of English
Authors: Febriyana Fani , Harjanto Ignatius
Published: July 2023

According to the 2013 English curriculum (K-13), teachers were required to create English test items covering higher-order thinking skills (HOTS). By answering HOTS questions, students are expected to understand information deeper rather than only focusing on recalling facts. This case study aimed to find the cognitive levels of questions used in teacher-made English final tests in a private senior high school in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Using the revised Bloom's taxonomy, this qualitative study investigated the written documents of teacher-made English final tests for grades X and XI in the academic years 2018-2019 for social and science programs. The findings showed that the cognitive levels of questions in the final test were dominated by the lower order of thinking skills (LOTS), with understanding as the highest level, followed by remembering and applying. The researchers identified potential sources of preference for LOTS questions. The paper concludes with research recommendations and a professional development program for English teachers.
Measuring the Impact of E-Portfolio Assessment on the Moroccan Undergraduate EFL Students’ Reading Skill at the University of Moulay Ismail: A Case Study
Authors: Ait Mama Assiya
Published: July 2023

Motivated by the conviction that formative assessment can foster positive changes in reading instruction, this study seeks to investigate the impact of e-portfolio as a formative assessment tool, on the reading skill of semester two EFL students at the Department of English Studies in Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, Morocco. A pre-posttest experimental design is adopted in this study. The sample of the study consists of thirty-two students who are randomly assigned into two groups: an experimental group with a number of sixteen respondents who have received an e-portfolio assessment and a control group of sixteen participants who had traditional standardized testing. The two groups received different assessment methods but had similar reading comprehension instruction. A reading proficiency Test was administered to the comparative groups on two occasions before and after the experiment. The reading proficiency test constitutes of three multilevel tasks of Literal, Inferential, and Evaluative comprehension. The test scores serve as criteria for statistical comparisons between the comparative groups. The results show that the experimental group demonstrated improved reading comprehension in all three tasks, whereas the control group upgraded only in the literal comprehension task. Overall results of the current study are consistent with past research that provides support for the use of e-portfolio to assess and monitor students’ reading proficiency. The findings and conclusions derived from the present study can serve as a starting point for such an assessment to take place. Decision-makers and teachers can thus promote the use of e-portfolios in language teaching and learning as a formative assessment.
Viewing Second Language Acquisition from the Philosophical Perspective of Mindfulness
Authors: Su Huanan
Published: July 2023

This current research study attempted to exploratively expose second language learners’ learning acquisition from a philosophical perspective of mindfulness. Regarding this, the researcher deeply studied and identified the behavioral performances of the second language learners in the process of second language acquisition (SLA), which led to the exposure of the close relationship between the theories of philosophy of mindfulness and SLA. As a qualitative research, the current research fully adopted the inductive-deductive method, the comparative analysis method, and the literature review method to deeply analyze the internal relationship between the philosophy of mindfulness and SLA. The research preliminarily found that the cognitive-behavioral theory, under the guidance of the theory of philosophy of mindfulness, provided a good theoretical basis for studying the thinking activities of second language learners’ brains. Thus it is indicated that studies on the operational processes of second language learners’ language cognition should require second language teachers to go deep into all levels of SLA. Consequently, it is suggested that second language teaching should properly follow the scientific laws of cognition and properly develop the potential mindfulness of second language learners, which is an important aspect that all second language teaching experts and teachers can no longer ignore.
Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics of biosorption of U(VI) by Jonesia quinghaiensis strain ZFSY-01 isolated from the wastewater of a uranium mine
Authors: Xie Gen , Chen Henglei , Mao Peihong , Feng Guangwen
Published: July 2023

The adsorption ability of a native Jonesia quinghaiensis strain ZFSY-01, a microorganism isolated from uranium tailing wastewater, to U(VI) in wastewater under different conditions was studied in this work. The results showed that 391.5 mg U/g and 78.3% of adsorption capacity and efficiency were achieved under an optimum adsorption condition, respectively. Especially, the adsorption capacity of this strain reached the maximum (Q=788.9 mg U/g) under 100 mg/L of strain dosage. Simultaneously, the linear regression coefficients for the used isothermal sorption model indicate that the biosorption process is compatible with the Freundlich isotherm, the Temkin isotherm and the Halsey isotherm model. Based on the fitted kinetic parameters, the data from the experiments fit well with models of pseudo-second-order kinetics and intraparticle diffusion, suggesting that the strain ZFSY-01 immobilized U(VI) by physical and chemical adsorption. In addition, thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that the sequestration of U(VI) by the strain is spontaneous and endothermic. Based on the above analysis, strain ZFSY-01 can effectively remove U(VI) ions from high- or low-concentration uranium-containing wastewater and is expected to become a promising biological adsorbent.
Immunochemical markers of effect under exposure to risk factors causing vibration disease of different etiogenesis: сomparative assessment
Authors:   East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research, 3 12 «А» mikroraion, Angarsk, 665826, Russian Federation, Bodienkova G.M. , Boklazhenko E.V. ,   East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research, 3 12 «А» mikroraion, Angarsk, 665826, Russian Federation
Published: July 2023

In recent years, it has become especially vital to identify prognostic risks of health disorders in workers exposed to harmful occupational factors. This is necessary for substantiating an occupational origin of a disease and biomarkers of exposure and for optimizing the occupational risk assessment methodology. The aim of this study was to compare and analyze immunochemical markers of effect (cytokines, heat shock proteins, and neuronal antibodies (AB)) in blood serum of patients with vibration disease (VD) induced by exposure to different types of vi-bration in order to substantiate the most informative diagnostic risk indicators concerning the disease development and clinical course. Cytokines, heat shock proteins, and antibodies to regulatory proteins of nervous tissue were identified in blood by ELISA tests. We established unidirectional statistically significantly more apparent changes in patients who had VD caused by combined exposure to both whole body vibration and local vibration against those who had VD caused by exposure to local vibration only. These changes included hyperactivated pro-inflammatory reactions of the immune response (IL-1β, TNF-α, INFγ), growing concentrations of antibodies to proteins: S-100, MBP, NF-200, GFAP, and voltage-gated Ca-channel. The differences were that patients with VD under combined exposure to both types of vibration had greater production of pro-inflammatory IL-8 and HSP27 whereas people with VD caused by exposure to local vibration only had a decrease in HSP70 levels. The study results confirmed more apparent neuro-immune inflammation in patients with VD caused by combined exposure to both whole body vibration and local vibration. This may indicate more significant risk factors of the disease and gives an opportunity to identify the most sensitive biomarkers eligible for diagnosing VD of different etiogenesis.
Exposure to airborne nickel and phenol and features of the immune response mediated by E and G immunoglobulins
Authors:   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation, Zaitseva N.V. , Dolgikh О.V. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation, Dianova D.G. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation
Published: July 2023

Ambient air pollution with potentially allergenic technogenic haptens facilitates occurrence of atopic reactions and creates favorable conditions for future development of allergic pathologies in exposed population. The aim of this study was to estimate formation of an IgE-mediated and IgG-mediated specific immune response to low-molecular chemical compounds introduced into the body by inhalation (nickel and phenol used as examples). The test groups were made of children (n = 99) and adults (n = 57) who lived under exposure to airborne nickel and phenol in levels not exceeding maximum permissible ones (up to 0.7 MPL). The reference groups included children (n = 95) and adults (n = 53) who lived on a conventionally clean territory. In the test groups, average daily exposure doses of airborne nickel and phenol varied between 0.7•10-6 and 9.3•10-6 mg/(kg•day) for children and between 3.5•10-6 and 5.0•10-5 mg/(kg•day) for adults (the doses were created by emissions from a non-ferrous metallurgy plant); this was 1.5–3.0 times higher than the same indicators in the reference groups. Levels of IgG specific to nickel were more than two times higher in the exposed groups; the exposed children had elevated levels of IgG specific to phenol in their blood, practically three times higher than in the reference group (р < 0.05). By using logistic regression models, we established a significant probabilistic cause-effect relation between elevated nickel levels in children’s blood and elevated levels of IgE-specific to nickel (R2 = 0.87; F = 468.58; р < 0.05). The assessment of the odds ratio made it possible to verify the relationship between nickel levels in blood and the increase in the level of IgE specific to nickel in children (OR = 8.96; 95% CI = 2.00–40.15) and in adults from the test group (OR = 3.12; 95 % CI = 1.10–9.40). The study results indicate that exposure to low levels of airborne nickel and phenol induces hypersensitivity to technogenic haptens in the exposed children and adults. Its distinctive features are an IgE-mediated reaction to nickel and IgG-mediated reaction to phenol. Hyperproduction of immunoglobulin E specific to nickel as well as IgG-antibodies specific to phenol in the exposed children and adults reflects levels of exposure to airborne nickel and phenol and is a peculiarity of a hyperactive immune response developing in the analyzed children on the test territory.