bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An analysis of least squares regression and neural networks approximation for the pricing of swing options
Authors: Yeo Christian
Published: September 2023

Least squares regression was first introduced for the pricing of american-style options, but it has since been expanded to include swing options pricing. The swing options price may be viewed as a solution to a Backward Dynamic Programming Principle (BDPP), which involves a conditional expectation known as the continuation value. The approximation of the continuation value using least squares regression involves two levels of approximation. First, the continuation value is replaced by an orthogonal projection over a subspace spanned by a finite set of $m$ squared-integrable functions yielding a first approximation $V^m$ of the swing value function. In this paper, we prove that, with well-chosen regression functions, $V^m$ converges to the swing actual price $V$ as $m \to + \infty$. A similar result is proved when classic regression functions are replaced by neural networks. For both methods (least squares regression and neural networks), we analyze the second level of approximation involving practical computation of the swing price using Monte Carlo simulations and yielding an approximation $V^{m, N}$ (where $N$ denotes the Monte Carlo sample size). Especially, we prove that $V^{m, N} \to V^m$ as $N \to + \infty$ for both methods and using a Hilbert basis assumption in the least squares regression. Besides, a convergence rate of order $\mathcal{O}\big(\frac{1}{\sqrt{N}} \big)$ is proved in the least squares case.
Optimizing Crowdsourcing Task Assignment Policies Using Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning in Stochastic Games
Authors: Zhang Jie , He Wei , Chen Hao , He Qiangqiang , Wang Chongjun
Published: September 2023

Spatio-temporal crowdsourcing as a current widely used model, how to solve the equilibrium between the task planning efficiency and the worker's revenue is a challenging task, in order to overcome these problems, we firstly define crowdsourcing task allocation as a multi-party stochastic game, and solve the equilibrium for the case with perfect recall, which gives the optimal policy for the platform and the workers. Based on the previous work, we propose a framework based on the dual actor-critic approach, which learns the collaborative optimal strategies based on actor-critic. We solve the equilibrium by introducing a Monte Carlo tree search algorithm and use a strategy gradient-based approach to optimize the actor and critic parameters. To evaluate our approach, experiments are conducted in several different crowdsourcing scenarios. The experimental results show that our method is able to achieve good performance in different scenarios and has high accuracy and stability in equilibrium solving. We will open our source code to allow other researchers to reproduce our results.
Human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) detection and genome-wide host expression profiles implicate HHV-6B as a pulmonary pathogen after hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Hill Joshua , Lee Yeon Joo , Vusse Lisa Vande , Xie Hu , Chung E , Waghmare Alpana , Cheng Guang-Shing , Zhu Haiying , Huang Meei-Li , Hill Geoffrey , Jerome Keith , Leisenring Wendy , Zerr Danielle , Gharib Sina , Dadwal Sanjeet , Boeckh Michael
Published: September 2023

Limited understanding of the immunopathogenesis of human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) has prevented its acceptance as a pulmonary pathogen after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We conducted a prospective multicenter study of patients undergoing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for pneumonia after allogeneic HCT. We tested blood and BAL fluid (BALF) for HHV-6B DNA and mRNA transcripts associated with lytic infection and performed RNA-seq on paired blood. Among 116 participants, HHV-6B DNA was detected in 37% of BALs, 49% of which had HHV-6B mRNA detection. We established an HHV-6B DNA threshold (≥2.3 log10 copies/ml in BALF) that was highly predictive of HHV-6B mRNA detection and increased risk for death from respiratory failure (adjusted HR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.08-5.11). Participants with HHV-6B DNA in BALF exhibited distinct host gene expression signatures, notable for enriched interferon signaling pathways in participants clinically diagnosed with idiopathic pneumonia. These data implicate HHV-6B as a pulmonary pathogen after allogeneic HCT.
TD3-based Stochastic Workload Offloading for 5G-based Cloud Control System
Authors: Li Sha , Sun Lei , Wang Jianquan , Fu Meixia , Zhang Lifang , Joung Jinoo
Published: September 2023

The cloud control system is an emerging trend combining communication, computing, and automation techniques, it supports virtualization deployment of multiple programmable logic controllers (PLCs) in a central cloud server and interacts with remote actuators through communication networks. In the factory, there are massive control workloads in a workshop, which is usually managed by a cloud control system, it's an issue about how to make full use of communication and computation resources to bear as many control workloads as possible in this scenario. Therefore, a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) based stochastic workload offloading algorithm is studied in this paper, aiming to optimize the workload distribution and network resource allocation as well as to guarantee workload execution success rate. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed DRL-based algorithm outperforms other benchmark ones.
Air pollution modelling and forecasting using hybrid machine learning for Craiova City in Romania
Authors: UDRISTIOIU Mihaela T. , MGHOUGHI Youness EL , YILDIZHAN Hasan
Published: September 2023

Inadequate air quality has adverse impacts on human well-being and contributes to the progression of climate change, leading to fluctuations in temperature. Therefore, it holds great significance to gain a localized comprehension of the interplay between climate variations and air pollution to alleviate the health repercussions of air pollution. This study aims to investigate the associations between meteorological factors, encompassing temperature (T), humidity (H), and air pressure (P), and concentrations of particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10). Additionally, it explores the correlation between PM1, PM 2.5 and PM10, as well as between noise levels, CO2 emissions, and other variables. To achieve this objective, five hybrid Machine Learning models were employed for predicting PM concentrations and subsequently calculating the Air Quality Index (AQI). The dataset utilized was provided by an independent network of sensors and spans from September 22, 2021, to February 17, 2022. The results indicated that, in general, R² values exceeded 0.96 and, in most instances, approached 0.99. Humidity emerged as the least influential variable on PM concentrations, while the most accurate predictions were achieved by combining pressure with temperature. Moreover, PM10 concentrations exhibited a notable correlation with PM2.5 concentrations and a moderately strong connection with PM1. Nevertheless, the relationship between PM10 concentration and noise levels and CO2 data was relatively weak. Ultimately, this study has established novel relationships for forecasting PM concentrations and AQI based on the most effective combinations of predictor variables identified.
Paradigm shift of platinum oxidation below fuel cell open-circuit voltage
Authors: Chattot Raphaël , Campos-Roldàn Carlos , Gasmi Amir , Stodel Morgane , Martens Isaac , Filhol Jean-Sébastien , Drnec Jakub , Blanchard Pierre-Yves , Cavaliere Sara , Jones Deborah
Published: September 2023

The long-term stability of Pt catalysts is critical to the reliability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), and receives constant attention. However, the current knowledge of Pt oxidation is restricted to unrealistic PEMFC cathode environment or operation, which questions its practical relevance. Herein, Pt oxidation is investigated directly in a PEMFC with stroboscopic operando high energy X-ray scattering. The critical potential for the Pt-O dipole place-exchange mechanism is observed far below the previously reported value, and most importantly, below the open-circuit potential of PEMFC cathode. Such early oxidation is shown to control PEMFC performance and its role on Pt transient dissolution is verified by electrochemical on-line inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. By further demonstrating and resolving the limitations of currently employed accelerated stress test protocols in the light of place-exchange time constants, this new paradigm of Pt oxidation paves the way to new mitigation strategies against PEMFC degradation.
“I am in favour of organ donation, but I feel you should opt-in” - qualitative analysis of the #options 2020 survey free-text responses from NHS staff toward opt-out organ donation legislation in England
Authors: Clark Natalie L , Coe Dorothy , Newell Natasha , Jones Mark NA , Robb Matthew , Reaich David , Wroe Caroline
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND: In May 2020, England moved to an opt-out organ donation system, meaning adults are presumed to be an organ donor unless within an excluded group or have opted-out. This change aims to improve organ donation rates following brain or circulatory death. Healthcare staff in the UK are supportive of organ donation, however, both healthcare staff and the public have raised concerns and ethical issues regarding the change. The #options survey was completed by NHS organisations with the aim of understanding awareness and support of the change. This paper analyses the free-text responses to three questions from the survey.
METHODS: The #options survey was registered as a National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) portfolio trial [IRAS 275992] 14 February 2020, and was completed between July and December 2020 across NHS organisations in the North-East and North Cumbria, and North Thames. The survey contained 16 questions, consisting of demographic details, place of work, and if the respondent had contact with or worked in an area offering support to donors and recipients. Three of the questions filtered to a free-text response which was then thematically analysed.
RESULTS: The #options survey received 5789 responses from NHS staff with 1404 individuals leaving 1657 free-text responses for analysis. The family discussion question elicited the largest number of responses (66%), followed by those against the legislation (19%), and those requiring more information (15%). Analysis revealed six main themes with 22 sub-themes.
CONCLUSIONS: The overall #options survey indicated NHS staff are supportive of the legislative change. Analysis of the free-text responses indicates that the views of the NHS staff who are against the change reflect the reasons, misconceptions, and misunderstandings of the public. Additional concerns included the rationale for the change, informed decision making, easy access to information and information regarding organ donation processes. Educational materials and interventions need to be developed for NHS staff to address the concepts of autonomy and consent, organ donation processes, and promote family conversations. Wider public awareness campaigns should continue to promote the positives and refute the negatives thus reducing misconceptions and misunderstandings.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) [IRAS 275992].
The association of travel burden with prenatal care utilization, what happens after provider-selection
Authors: Deng Songyuan , Chen Yuche , Bennett Kevin
Published: September 2023

Background
Pregnant women in the United States encounter several challenges when accessing adequate prenatal care (PNC), with transportation being a significant hurdle. Nevertheless, assessing the proximity to the nearest provider may overstate the extent of the access inequality. Additionally, no prior research has explored the association between perceived travel burden and PNC utilization. This study aims to investigate whether travel distances to the initial visited and the predominant PNC provider and patients’ perceived travel burden, measured by the travel disadvantage index (TDI), are associated with PNC utilization.
Methods
A retrospective cohort of pregnant women with live births were identified from South Carolina Medicaid claims files in 2015–2018. Travel distances were calculated using Google Maps. The estimated TDI within the zip-code tabulate area was derived from local pilot survey data. PNC utilization was measured by PNC initiation and frequency during each pregnancy. Comparisons were drawn between pregnancies with long (> 24 miles) or short (≤ 24 miles) distance to the predominant PNC provider. Repeated measure logistic regression test was employed for categorical variables and one-way repeated measures ANOVA for continuous variables. Unadjusted and adjusted ordinal logistic regressions with repeated measure were utilised to examine the association of travel burdens with PNC usage.
Results
Among 25,801 pregnancies continuously enrolled in Medicaid, pregnant women traveled an average of 24.9/24.2 miles to their initial/predominant provider, with an average TDI of -11.4. Of these pregnancies, 60% initiated PNC in the first trimester, with an average of 8 total visits. Compared to women with long distance, those travelling shorter distance were less likely to initiate PNC in the first trimester (61% vs. 59%, p < 0.01) and had fewer total visits (8.2 vs. 8.1, p = 0.04). Multiple regression analysis revealed that women with doubled travel distance or TDI were less likely to initiate timely PNC (odds ratio: 0.95, p < 0.001; 0.94, p = 0.04; travel distance & TDI, respectively) and had a lower visit frequency (odds ratio: 0.85, p < 0.001, travel distance).
Conclusions
Findings suggest that the association between travel burden and PNC utilization was statistically significant but of limited practical significance.
Development and Application of a Computerized System for Medication Reconciliation in a Hospital Environment
Authors: Soares Alessandra Sá , Espindola Ana Cristina Claudino , Rosa David José Bittencourt da , Trevisol Daisson José , Trevisol Fabiana Schuelter
Published: September 2023

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned with ensuring patient safety in all health services. Thousands of people suffer from errors and adverse events related to medications2. Hospitals lack financial conditions, human resources, infrastructure, and computerized support systems for the implementation of clinical pharmacy, pharmacovigilance and medication reconciliation services. The introduction of systems that help the rational use of medicines (RMU), which is one of the pillars of safety in health services, is very relevant, especially for patients and pharmacists.
Objective: To develop and apply a computerized pharmaceutical decision support system for the medication reconciliation in a general hospital.
Method: Study of the development and application of a digital tool, with a cross-sectional design, for the comparison between manual medication reconciliation performed by the pharmacist and medication reconciliation performed with a computerized support system.
Results: In the medication reconciliation process, the computerized system reduced the time for analyzing prescriptions by eight minutes per patient. Of the 392 patients who were part of the sample, 97.7% used continuous medication at home. Among the list of home medications that were not prescribed in hospital prescriptions and identified through the system are: losartan (9.1%), levothyroxine (4.4%), metformin (3.6%), and medication for mental disorders. depression and anxiety such as: sertraline (2.9%), clonazepam (2.4%) fluoxetine (1.6%).
Conclusion: The developed computerized system proved to be superior to the pharmacist's manual search during medication reconciliation and clinical pharmacy and can be a valuable tool in pharmaceutical care.
CF-StyleGAN: Near-infrared image colorization of SE attention StyleGAN via color features
Authors: KONG LINGJUN , YANG XIN , WANG WENJU
Published: September 2023

With current Near-infrared (NIR) image colorization methods, the color and details of the colorized images are not well restored. Thus, in this paper, we propose an unsupervised color feature control SE attention StyleGAN (CF-StyleGAN) method for the NIR image colorization task. The proposed method is based on histogram LAB color and brightness feature extraction, which solves the problem whereby the color and brightness of the results do not match the actual situation. The proposed Squeeze-and-Excitation-based StyleGAN (SE-SGAN) method, which introduces a channel attention mechanism based on StyleGAN and utilizes both standard deviation adaptive normalization and the Mish activation function in the synthesis network, can improve the quality of the output image. The proposed method was evaluated experimentally on the KAIST dataset. We found that the proposed CF-StyleGAN outperformed existing methods and achieved state-of-the-art NIR image colorization results. Experimental results show that the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity (SSIM) values of the colorized images were 27.15 and 0.83, respectively.
Strenuous expression of Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus ORF3 protein suggests role in pathogenesis
Authors: Kamau Ndirangu , Park Eui-Soon , Yu Jung-Eun , Rho Jae-Rang , Hong Eui-Ju , Shin Hyun-Jin
Published: September 2023

Background and objective
The swine enteric disease etiology, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is attenuated upon adaptation to cell culture. Genomic analyses between the wild type and the cell adapted (ca) strains have demonstrated nucleotide deletions exclusively on ORF3 gene of ca PEDV. Curiously, we sought to express the ORF3 protein of the virus in both mammalian and bacteria cells as a prerequisite for investigation of the protein’s putative role in pathogenesis.
Materials and methods
For prokaryotic expression, two vector systems, pET28-a(+) and pGEX-4T-1 were constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli cells. For eukaryotic analyses, ORF3/pEGFP-C1 vector constructs were expressed in human embryonic (HEK-293T) cells, green monkey kidney (Vero) cell and mouse fibrous cells (NIH3T3) cells. Intriguingly, there was minimal expression of the ORF3 gene. Following a hint from Shmitz (1998), that truncated ORF3 revealed higher expression, ORF3 gene was truncated following the Simple Modular Architecture Research Tool (SMART). The analysis predicted two transmembrane domains, one at position amino acid (aa) 41-63 and aa 76-98. Consequently, we generated two fragments; ORF-N (aa 1-98) which included the transmembrane domains and ORF3-C (aa 99-224). These truncated sequences were constructed in similar fashion as the whole gene here referred to as ORF3 wild type (wt).
Results
Coomassie blue stained gels revealed bands of ORF3-C expressed as a fusion protein of 17.5 and 39 kDa in pET28-a(+) and pGEX-4T-1 vectors, respectively. In contrast, there were no apparent bands visualized for ORF3-N. In addition, ORF3-N induction decreased the total levels of cellular proteins suggesting inhibition of protein synthesis or metabolism in the transformed cells. Further, solubility tests carried out at 30oC, 25oC and 18oC showed that ORF3 formed inclusion bodies. Similar expression patterns were observed in mammalian cells.
Conclusion
The difficult expression of ORF3 protein and mutants may have resulted from host cell immune system. This would be true especially if the protein is critical in virus pathogenesis. Noteworthy, morphological distortions appeared exclusively in mammalian cells expressing ORF3 protein or truncated mutants suggesting that the protein may be significant in pathogenesis.
Physico-chemical characterization of a New supramolecular Hybrid 2,6- diaminopurinium Chloride hexacholorobismuthates(III) bihydrate
Authors: Elleuch Nour , Lhoste Jerome , Bulou Alain , Boujelbene Mohamed
Published: September 2023

The new hybrid bismuth(III)-based material (C5H8N6)3[BiCl6].4Cl.2H2O has been synthesized and crystallized at room temperature by slow evaporation in the centrosymectric triclinic space group \(\mathbf{P}\stackrel{-}{1}\) with the crystallographical parameters: a = 11.5777 (3) Å, b = 12.0847 (4) Å, c = 15.2286 (4) Å, β = 108.571 (6)° Z = 2 and V = 1132.6 (2) Å3. The crystal structure is consists of discrete Bi2Cl11 dioctahedron anions, four chloride surrounded by three 2,6 diaminopurinium cations and two molecule water. The atomic arrangement can be described as an alternation of organic and inorganic parts which are linked via N-H…Cl and O-H…Cl hydrogen bonds forming a three dimensional network. The infrared and Raman spectra were recorded in the 4000–500 cm− 1 and 3000–0 cm− 1 frequency region ,respectively. Furthermore, the thermal behavior studied by thermogravimetric analyses shows a good stability up to 150°C. The results of Hirshfeld analysis associated with 2D fingerplints plots revealed that in all potential molecular contacts, the H…Cl/Cl…H constitutes the most important interaction in the crystal (49%). Finally, photoluminescence measurement indicates that the synthesized material manifests luminescence property and can be practical for use in the optoelectronics domain.
Electrochemical determination of butylhydroxyanisol (BHA) using a carbon fiber microelectrode modified by electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles and p-NiTSPc film
Authors: TCHOUMI Honorine Hortence BOUGNA , NJANJA Evangeline , FOUKMENIOK Serge MBOKOU , MASSAH Raïssa TAGUEU , BAKO Yibor Fabrice Roland , PONTIÉ Maxime , KENFACK Ignas TONLE
Published: September 2023

We report an approach to the manual manufacture of carbon fiber microelectrodes modified by electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles and nickel phthalocyanine tetrasulphonated composite (CFME-AuNPs/pNiTSPc), for the sensitive determination of butylhydroxyanisol (BHA) using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive Xray spectroscopy (EDX) were used for the topographical, morphological and elemental characterizations of CFME, CFME-AuNPs, CFME-pNiTSPc and CFME-AuNPs/pNiTSPc, respectively. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique was used to evaluate the charge-transfer rate of the tested sensors. To establish optimum conditions for the electroanalysis of BHA, various parameters were studied such as the effect of scan rate, pH and the electrolysis potential. CFME-AuNPs/pNiTSPc showed better signal of BHA with a higher active surface area of 0.195 cm2 compared to those of CFME-pNiTSPc (0.182 cm2), CFME-AuNPs (0.142 cm2) and CFME (0.130 cm2). In phosphate buffer solution (PBS 0.1M; pH 3), good linearity (R2 = 0.998) was obtained between peak current intensities and BHA concentrations in the range from 10 to 70 µM, leading to a detection limit (LOD) of 3.60 µM (S/N=3) and a quantification limit (LOQ) of 12 µM (S/N=10). The interfering effect of certain species likely to affect the BHA oxidation signal was also evaluated, followed by the application of CFME-AuNPs/pNiTSPc in real water and mitosyl ointment samples. Recovery values of BHA were acceptable ranging from 96 to 99%, indicating that the developed sensor proved to be very sensitive and effective for detecting traces of BHA.
Evaluation of the Relationship between Optical Cohorence Tomography Findings and Visual Acuity and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Özen Kıvanç , Türe Gamze , Özen Tuğba Demir , Adıyeke Seda Karaca
Published: September 2023

Purpose
In our study, the relationship between optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the number of T2 hyperintense lesions in cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was investigated in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
Methods
A total of 188 eyes, including 118 eyes in the MS group and 70 eyes in the control group, were included in the study. MS group was also divided into two subgroups as those with history of optic neuritis (ON) (34 eyes) and those without history of ON (84 eyes). BCVA, anterior segment and fundus examination findings and OCT images of the cases were analyzed retrospectively. With OCT, total macular volume (TMV), macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), and outer nuclear layer (ONL) volumes and peripapiller RNFL thickness were calculated. The relationship between TMV and BCVA and the number of T2 hyperintense lesions on cranial MRI was examined.
Results
In the MS group, 34 eyes (28.8%) had history of ON. TMV, mRNFL, GCL and IPL volumes were found to be significantly higher in the control group than in the MS subgroups. mRNFL, GCL and IPL volumes were observed to be significantly higher in the MS group without history of ON. It was observed that the ONL volume was higher in MS group with history of ON, and there was a moderate negative correlation between TMV, BCVA and the number of MR lesions in this group. In MS group without history of ON, a high level of negative correlation was found between TMV and the number of MRI lesions. When all MS group were evaluated, it was observed that there was a weak negative correlation between TMV and BCVA, and a high level of negative correlation between the number of MRI lesions.
Conclusion
The study showed that OCT findings are associated with BCVA and MRI findings in MS patients. The MS patient with low TMV had lower visual acuity and more lesions on MRI.
Generalized Fixed Point Theory of a Class of Nonlinear Operators on the Positive Cone
Authors: Ren Guanlong , Yang Jiaxi
Published: September 2023

The paper has been motivated by the availability of new and unexploited techniques for solving the monotone concave operators, and by the direct implementation of corresponding theory. Based on Du's general results, we confine ourselves to a specific class of monotone order concave operators and then extend his results in multiple directions. These include developing sufficient conditions that assure existence of a concretely super-solution for the nonlinear operator possessing certain linear majorants, and providing uniqueness results and convergence of the iteration method over whole solid cones rather than just bounded order intervals. In addition, the sufficient conditions in our results have relatively weak requirements, making the underlying operator easy to deal with, and hence making the corresponding theorems easy to implement in practice.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2010). 54H25; 47H10.
Transnational social spaces, guanxi, and resource mobilization in US-China collaboration on COVID-19-related research
Authors: Haupt John P , Chen Morris , Lee Jenny J , Hu Die , Wen Wen
Published: September 2023

This study investigates the quality and intensity of collaborations between US and Chinese scientists. It examines differences in the self-reported roles and responsibilities of scientists across three groups: US Chinese, US non-Chinese, and China-based scientists, and the reasons why such differences may have emerged. The study employed a sequential exploratory mixed methods design, collecting interview and survey data from US-based and China-based scientists who co-published articles related to COVID-19. The findings generally showed that Chinese scientists in the US and China were more highly involved in research projects compared to their non-Chinese counterparts. Higher levels of involvement included greater intellectual contributions, more time and energy exerted, and more financial and material support provided. The findings also revealed that differences between the three groups of scientists can be explained by the US non-Chinese scientists’ limited involvement in many projects, by the US Chinese scientists’ transmigrant experiences and their embeddedness in transnational guanxi networks, and by the focus of many projects being on COVID-19 in China.
Antibiogram and Multi-drug Resistance Profile of Escherichia coli Isolated from Retail Poultry Feeds
Authors: Ogbu Cosmas C. , Ezema Chuka , Okoye J. O.
Published: September 2023

High cost of poultry feeds necessitate feed retailing to small scale farmers. Retailing of feeds however, breaches feed biosecurity, enhances microbial contamination including antimicrobial resistant bacteria. The present study evaluated the antibiogram and multi-drug resistance profile of E. coli from retail poultry feeds in Southeastern Nigeria. A total of 390 feed samples from broiler starter, broiler finisher, chick grower, and layer ration belonging to various feed brands were collected for the study. Presumptive E. coli bacteria were isolated from samples following standard microbiological techniques and confirmed as E. coli using biochemical tests. Isolate antibiotic resistance was evaluated using 10 antibiotic agents. There was high prevalence of zero inhibition zone diameters among resistance zone diameters, and extensive antibiotic resistance by isolates. Of the 114 isolates, eight (7 %) were completely sensitive while 29 (25.4 %) were completely resistant (MDRI: 1.0). Feed brand J and broiler starter yielded the most resistant isolates. Resistance to cell wall inhibitors were the most prevalent (79.2 %) while nalidixic acid was the most resisted antibiotic (n = 99, 86.8 %). Antibiotic resistance status and source of isolates showed significant association across feed brands (χ2 = 49.085, p < 0.000), and feed types (χ2 = 25.429, p < 0.000); and for feed brands within states (χ2 = 16.518, p < 0.001; χ2 = 30.768, p < 0.000; and χ2 = 20.025, p < 0.006 for Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu States, respectively). Antibiotic agent and resistance status of isolates were significantly related across feed brands in Abia State. There were 41 multi-drug resistance patterns of which the most frequent involved eight antibiotics (n = 12, 29.3 %). In conclusion, retail poultry feeds harbor multi-drug resistant E. coli bacteria. Feed retailing should be outlawed, and feed companies made to bag graded small quantities for resource poor farmers.
Statistical modeling of the attitudes toward mathematics from a school survey data of Mayotte
Authors: Manou-Abi Solym
Published: September 2023

Motivated by two survey data samples (student and teacher) obtained from institutional records in some school establishments of Mayotte, this paper has two main objectives. Firstly, a global application of statistical models for the analysis of students’ attitude toward mathematics (difficulty, interest or perception, value of the level in mathematics and others attitudes such as social factors, school environment) together with the teachers’ attitude toward mathematics (difficult courses, professional training experience, teaching preparation time, etc). Some didactic analysis have helped to reach conclusions to ensure the consistency of certain characterization. Secondly, we develop a theoretical methodology for parameter estimation of the density of the students’ level in mathematics and teachers’ attitude in the framework of stable and extreme values distributions which are suitable for studying non Gaussian and heavy-tailed distributions. More precisely, we described a new estimation method based on the tail regression estimation method for stable distributions. For the extreme family distributions, we consider a mixture estimation using the EM algorithm. Finaly, we end with a brief discussion on a current experimentation of the statistical and didactic analysis results in the form of Lesson study involving several teachers from the island of Mayotte.
Impact of Brand Association on Brand Equity in Organized Retail Sector
Authors: Choudhary Ashish , Dawar Sunny , Panwar Savita
Published: September 2023

The development of organized retail chains has had an enormous impact on changing consumer behaviour and brand dynamics in the retail sector in recent years. Research on brand equity has acquired substantial importance in the current competitive market situation. Brand equity is regarded as a required part of marketing strategies. It is essential to develop a strong bond with customers to gain a long-term customer base, so the study of different factors affecting consumer decision making becomes very important for marketers. Brand association is a link that buyers draw in their mind between their brand and an urge, interpretation, feeling, moment, someone, search, or interest. Buying judgments are significantly prompted by this linkage, which could be immediately favorable or unfavorable. Consumers’ overall opinions and relationships with a brand are represented by brand equity. Brand association can add value by facilitating knowledge repossession procedures, distinguishing brands, giving ways to purchase, and developing good feelings. Marketing must create and sustain effective sentimental bonds with consumers to gain their trust in the firm. Brand awareness helps customers develop strong attachment over an extended time period. Retailers may evaluate and supervise their brand’s opinion to establish a competitive edge for increasing customer loyalty and preference by understanding consumer brand equity. The intention of the research was to attain the association between brand association and brand equity in the organized retail sector. The research was conducted utilizing the survey technique incorporating the Likert Scale to collect the primary data from Jaipur city, the capital of Rajasthan State of India. The relationship between brand association and brand equity was conceptualized based on existing research in the organized retailing sector, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. For the study, responses from 225 customers were collected using the convenience sampling method. The outcomes of the analysis show a direct and significant relationship between brand associations and brand equity in the organized retail sector. The study will help marketers to include strategies related to brand association and brand equity in their marketing campaigns to connect more with customers to increase their repurchasing of brands.
Determination of the Relationship Between Lifestyle and Impulsive Purchasing Behaviour
Authors: Ocel Yusuf , Mutlu Hakan Tahiri , Bayat Murat
Published: September 2023

The main purpose of this study is to examine whether there is a relationship between impulse purchasing behaviour and lifestyle. It is necessary to understand the lifestyle types of consumers, who are heavily influenced by the sales and communication activities implemented by businesses and are inclined to engage in impulse purchasing behaviour. Impulse purchasing is encouraged in consideration of the tough competition between businesses. The population of the research is Duzce, which is one of the provinces that best represents Turkey due to its cosmopolitan structure and developed industry. More than 500 individuals were reached by employing the purposeful sampling method, and brief information about the research was given to them. Finally, 394 of them who had full knowledge of the subject were selected for the study. Frequency distribution, factor, correlation, regression, t test and ANOVA tests were applied to the obtained data. According to the frequency distribution results, the participants generally had prepared a list of needs (63%), purchased products that were not needed (80%), and defined themselves mostly as organizers, citizens and innovators. Based on the results of factor analysis, seven factors related to lifestyle emerged. These are the experiencers, strives, makers, believers, innovators, achievers, and survivors. A single factor has emerged in the impulse purchasing behaviour. According to the results of the correlation analysis, significant and positive relationships emerged between all subdimensions of lifestyle and impulse purchasing behaviour. The highest correlation was found between survivors and insurgent to impulse purchasing behaviour. Regarding the results of the regression analysis, it was concluded that the survivors, experiencers, and insurgent individuals under the lifestyle subdimensions had a significant and positive effect on impulse purchasing behaviour. According to the difference analysis, it has been revealed that lifestyle-oriented females have a more positive perception than males, singles than married, those who prepare a list of needs than those who do not, those with high incomes than those with low incomes, and middle-age groups than other groups. It has also been revealed that private sector employees had a more positive perception than those who were self-employed, unemployed, students and other professional groups. In the dimension of impulse purchasing behaviour, it was concluded that secondary school graduates had a more positive perception than the others and those who prepare need lists compared to those who do not prepare need lists. When the results are evaluated, it can be concluded that the lifestyle types that have the most impact on impulse purchasing behaviour are those who are strives, survivors, and experiencers.
Analysis of the Impact of Advertising on the Change of Voter Behavior of Consumers (Voters) in The Slovak Republic
Authors: Gburova Jaroslava , Gavurova Beata , Bacik Radovan , Tomasova Maria
Published: September 2023

In this day and age, where we are constantly exposed to advertising messages and information, it is not surprising that advertising also plays a significant role in the political sphere. The impact of advertising on changing voter behaviour in the Slovak Republic is a matter that deserves attention as political campaigns increasingly use advertising techniques and media to achieve their objectives. Advertising in elections is nothing new, but its form and scope have changed significantly with the advent of the digital era. Candidates and political parties are investing heavily in advertising campaigns, which range from traditional media such as television, radio and print to new online platforms and social media. The aim of the paper is to summarize the issue of advertising, as well as to analyse the impact of advertising i on the change in voting behaviour and decision-making of Slovak consumers (voters). The primary information was obtained by actual collection. The sample consisted of 362 respondents. The subjects of the research were consumers living in the region of eastern Slovakia. The obtained primary data were then processed in the statistical program, and Pearson’s chi-squared test and Cramer’s V were used to confirm or reject the established hypotheses. The second hypothesis examined has also been confirmed and shows us that there is a significant relationship between the means of advertising and the gender of respondents. The results of our research can be of benefit to various stakeholders. Political actors and parties will gain valuable information on how to use advertising effectively during campaigns. The media will have a better understanding of the impact of political advertisements and how to improve their services. The public will have a better understanding of the impact of political ads on voter decisions, and the academic community will have new insights to study and research. Overall, these results contribute to the transparency, information and quality of the political process in the Slovak Republic.
Maximum entanglement of mixed symmetric states under unitary transformations
Authors: Serrano-Ensástiga Eduardo , Martin John
Published: September 2023

We study the maximum entanglement that can be produced by a global unitary transformation for systems of two and three qubits constrained to the fully symmetric states. This restriction to the symmetric subspace appears naturally in the context of bosonic or collective spin systems. We also study the symmetric states that remain separable after any global unitary transformation, called symmetric absolutely separable (SAS) states, or absolutely classical for spin states. The results for the two-qubit system are deduced analytically. In particular, we determine the maximal radius of a ball of SAS states around the maximally mixed state in the symmetric sector, and the minimal radius of a ball that contains the set of SAS states. As an application of our results, we also analyse the temperature dependence of the maximum entanglement that can be obtained from the thermal state of a spin-1 system with a spin-squeezing Hamiltonian. For the symmetric three-qubit case, our results are mostly numerical, and we conjecture a 3-parameter family of states that achieves the maximum negativity in the unitary orbit of any mixed state. In addition, we derive upper bounds, apparently tight, on the radii of balls containing only/all SAS states.
The Tunka-Grande scintillation array: Current results
Authors: Ivanova Anna L. , Astapov I. , Bezyazeekov P. , Bonvech E. , Borodin A. , Budnev N. , Bulan A. , Chernov D. , Chiavassa Andrea , Dyachok A. , Gafarov A. , Garmash A. , Grebenyuk V. , Gress E. , Gress O. , Gress T. , Grinyuk A. , Grishin O. , Ivanova A. D. , Kalmykov N. , Kindin V. V. , Kiryuhin S. , Kokoulin R. P. , Kompaniets K. , Korosteleva E. , Kozhin V. , Kravchenko E. , Kryukov A. , Kuzmichev L. , Lagutin A. , Lavrova M. , Lemeshev Y. , Lubsandorzhiev B. , Lubsandorzhiev N. , Lukanov A. , Lukyantsev D. , Malakhov S. , Mirgazov R. , Monkhoev R. , Osipova E. , Pakhorukov A. , Pankov L. , Pan A. , Panov A. , Petrukhin A. A. , Poddubny I. , Podgrudkov D. , Poleschuk V. , Ponomareva V. , Popova E. , Postnikov E. , Prosin Vasily , Ptuskin V. , Pushnin A. , Raikin R. , Razumov Alexander , Rubtsov G. , Ryabov E. , Sagan Y. , Samoliga V. , Satyshev A. , Silaev Alexey A. , Silaev Alexander A. , Sidorenkov A. , Skurikhin A. , Sokolov A. , Sveshnikova L. , Tabolenko V. , Tkachev L. , Tanaev A. , Ternovoy M. , Togoo R. , Ushakov N. , Vaidyanathan A. , Volchugov P. , Volkov N. , Voronin D. , Zagorodnikov A. , Zhurov D. , Yashin I. I.
Published: September 2023

The Tunka-Grande experiment is a scintillation array with about 0.5 km^22 sensitive area at Tunka Valley, Siberia, for measuring charged particles and muons in extensive air showers (EASs). Tunka-Grande is optimized for cosmic ray studies in the energy range 10 PeV to about 1 EeV, where exploring the composition is of fundamental importance for understanding the transition from galactic to extragalactic origin of cosmic rays. This paper attempts to provide a synopsis of the current results of the experiment. In particular, the reconstruction of the all-particle energy spectrum in the range of 10 PeV to 1 EeV based on experimental data from four observation seasons is presented.
Recent results from LHCb for astroparticle physics
Authors: Dembinski Hans
Published: September 2023

The LHCb experiment is a general-purpose forward spectrometer designed for the study of heavy flavour physics at the LHC. The acceptance in the pseudorapidity range 2 < \eta < 52<η<5 with full tracking and particle identification capabilities down to very small transverse momentum make LHCb also ideal to study hadron production in the forward region. Measuring and modelling these processes is essential for the simulation of interactions of high-energy cosmic rays with matter, like Earth’s atmosphere or the interstellar medium. We present recently published analyses from the LHCb collaboration relevant for this application.
THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP FOR MODERN ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES
Authors:   Faculty of Liberal Arts, KrirkUniveresity, Thailand., Channuwong Sukhumpong , Wongsutthirat Kirati ,   B.T.Y. Development Company Limited, Thailand., Snongtaweeporn Teeradej ,   Faculty of Business Administration, North Bangkok University, Thailand., Patcharapitiyanon Darunya ,   Manager, DigiworldPatana Company Limited, Bangkok, Thailand., Sawangwong Boonyabaramee ,   Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kamphaeng Phet Rajabhat University, Thailand., Suebchaiwang Panisara ,   Asian Engineering Consultants Corporation Limited, Thailand., Niamsri Parkpoom ,   Faculty of Liberal Arts, KrirkUniveresity, Thailand., Benjawatanapon Wannee ,   Faculty of Liberal Arts, Krirk University, Thailand., Roung-Onnam Rapassa ,   Faculty of Business Administration, North Bangkok University, Thailand.
Published: September 2023

People have been seeking for more knowledge and technic about how to become an effective leader because they believe that leadership is a way to improve their work performance and drive an organization to be successful. Therefore, how leaders present themselves to others, influence and motivate the others to follow their vision and strategy is the most important role of leaders. At the same time, business companies want individuals who have leadership ability because they believe these individuals provide special assets to their organization, as such, leaders are necessary in each organization as they can give directions, and visions, and then motivate and lead people within the organization to achieve the same goals and purposes. This paper presents the meaning of leadership, the role of leadership, changing organizational culture and developing organizational strategies.
REVERSIBLE LUNG FIBROSIS FOLLOWING SEVERE COVID-19 INFECTIONA CASE REPORT
Authors:   Internal Medicine Department, Hatta Hospital, DAHC Dubai, UAE., Ramadan Muhammed Ahmed , Fawzy Kewan Hesham ,   Intensive Care Unit, Hatta, DAHC, Dubai, UAE., Omar Mohamed ,   Intensive Care Unit, Hatta, DAHC, Dubai, UAE., Samir Elwan Mohammed ,   Radiology Department, Hatta, DAHC, Dubai, UAE., Khaled Abou El Foul Rami ,   Internal Medicine Department, Hatta Hospital, DAHC Dubai, UAE., Darwish Abdelalim Haytham ,   Internal Medicine Department, Hatta Hospital, DAHC Dubai, UAE., Said Fouda Ghada ,   Surgical Department, Hatta hospital, DAHC, Dubai, UAE., Sayed Rezzek Manal ,   Internal Medicine Department, Hatta Hospital, DAHC Dubai, UAE., Alaqqad Mohamed ,   Emergency Department, Ajman, SKMCA.
Published: September 2023

After wide spread of COVID-19 pneumonia with thousands of cases complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of which high percentage fully recovered and resumed their normal life without any disability. It was known that those patients will have residual fibrosis which may affect their daily activity on the long run.There was always paramount question about the reversibility of such fibrosis especially with well-known concept about absence of any radical treatment for such etiology.We present a case of 54 years old male patient, non-smoker with irrelevant medical history apart from well controlled hypertension. He was referred to our facility with fever, productive cough, and shortness of breath. An initial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening for SARS-COV2 was positive. A high-resolution CT (HRCT) chest revealed Multi-focal patchy air-space ground glass density with peripheral and basal predominance more affecting the left side, suggestive of viral pneumonia. The patient was commenced on low flow oxygen therapy and symptomatic treatment. Four days later the symptoms aggravated and oxygen requirement increased to non-rebreathing oxygen mask (NRM). We treated him according to COVID protocol withtherapeutic anticoagulation, corticosteroids and oxygen therapy which was adjusted to maintain saturation 92%, but his condition deteriorated and was shifted to intensive care unit. Later patient improved andwas shifted back to the medical ward. We were able to wean him off oxygen and he was discharged home oncorticosteroidsand scheduled for a follow up visit in the pulmonology clinic. Repeated HRCT chest showed regressive course concerning both the airway space disease and the fibrotic changes. The patient returned to his normal life activity with no residual limitation of his physical activity or development of shortness of breath with exertion. Latest HRCT was completely normal.