bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among women of reproductive age group attending Gaur Provincial Hospital: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Chaurasiya Prem Shankar , Gurung Shekhar , Karki Saurab , Mandal Krishna Chandra , Mehta Binod , Rohita Dipesh Kumar , Mishra Babli , Yadav Gopal Kumar , Baral Surakshya , Sapkota Suhail
Published: November 2022

Background: Anemia is a principal public health concern. Worldwide one-third of women of reproductive age are affected. A 2016 survey showed that 41% of women in Nepal had anemia with the highest prevalence in Pradesh two. A complex interaction among socio-political, biological, and ecological elements determines anemia. Assessing the factors would help in minimizing anemia and its consequences. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia in the reproductive age group and the factors affecting anemia. 

 

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among women of the reproductive age group (15–45) from 15th April to 15th June 2022 after ethical clearance was obtained from the Nepal health research council (Ref. 2737/2022). Regarding data collection, 375 women participants were selected via a simple random sampling technique. Participants underwent an interview after informed written consent followed by blood sample collection. Through a semi-structured questionnaire, the data was obtained. Then data entry and its analysis were performed via Microsoft Excel 2019 and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0. 

Results: The study showed that 229 (61.3%) females of the reproductive age group had anemia. Inadequate nutrition (OR 3.0, 1.9–5.0), breastfeeding (OR 7.3, 4.5–11.9), and rural place of residence (OR 4.2, 2.5–7.0) were significantly associated with anemia, with a corresponding odds ratio at 95% confidence each. 

Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia was higher among women of the reproductive age group compared to provincial and national prevalence. The interventions should be focused on breastfeeding, nutrition, and rural women to combat anemia.
Voicing challenges: GDPR and AI research
Authors: Quezada-Tavarez Katherine , Dutkiewicz Lidia , Krack Noémie
Published: November 2022

EU data protection rules could be difficult for researchers to navigate, particularly when processing massive datasets containing personal data for Artificial Intelligence (AI) developments. This article examines how data protection intersects with AI research to elucidate the issues arising from the use of large-scale databases containing personal data to train, test and validate AI systems. The key objectives of this work are to (1) scrutinise the data protection requirements and limits for the processing of personal data in AI research, (2) reflect on possible complications regarding data quality requirements for trustworthy AI and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance, and (3) present possible ways forward to reconcile GDPR requirements and AI research. While reviewing and mapping relevant provisions and guidance, we identify data protection challenges posed by the use of massive databases containing personal data for AI research. The findings suggest that, while the legal regime for research under the GDPR resolves some of the challenges identified, others, such as legal basis for processing and processing of special categories of data, remain unaddressed. We argue that the nature of these complications will make it difficult for EU researchers to advance in trustworthy AI efforts. The analysis concludes by suggesting possible ways to tackle the remaining issues.
A secondary analysis of depression outcomes from a randomized controlled trial of adjunctive sertraline for HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis
Authors: Lofgren Sarah M. , Velamakanni Sruti S. , Huppler Hullsiek Katherine , Bangdiwala Ananta S. , Namudde Alice , Musubire Abdu K. , Mpoza Edward , Abassi Mahsa , Pastick Katelyn A. , Nuwagira Edwin , Evans Emily E. , Rajsasingham Radha , Williams Darlisha A. , Muzoora Conrad , Creswell Fiona V. , Rhein Joshua , Bond David J. , Nakasujja Noeline , Meya David B. , Boulware David R. ,   Adjunctive Sertraline for the Treatment of HIV Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis (ASTRO-CM) team)
Published: November 2022

Background: Depression is a risk factor for worse HIV outcomes in persons living with HIV/AIDS, including engagement-in-care, HIV medication adherence, and retention-in-care. Depression has a prevalence of more than three times as high as in the general population. Despite this, there are few randomized studies of antidepressants in HIV-infected Africans, including those with opportunistic infections.

Methods: We enrolled 460 HIV-infected Ugandans with cryptococcal meningitis into a randomized clinical trial of adjunctive sertraline vs placebo (2015-2017). We defined depression using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) score of >15, and severe depression as >26 at one and three months after meningitis diagnosis and initiation of treatment. We evaluated the relationship between sertraline and depression, as well as associations with persistent depression, at three months.

Results: At one- and three-months post meningitis diagnosis, 62% (108/174) and 44% (74/169) of all subjects had depression (CES>15), respectively. At three months, sertraline-treated subjects had consistent risk for depression as placebo-treated subjects but were significantly less likely to have severe depression (CES>26) (OR 0.335; 95%CI, 0.130-0.865). Of those with depression at one month, sertraline-treated subjects were less likely than placebo-treated subjects to be depressed at three months (p=0.05). Sertraline was the only factor we found significant in predicting persistent depression at three months among those with depression at one month.

Conclusions: Depression is highly prevalent in HIV-infected persons who have survived cryptococcal meningitis. We found that sertraline is associated with a modest reduction in depression in those with depression at baseline and a significant decrease in severe depression.
The Specifi cs of Assessing the Investment Attractiveness of Shares of a Public Company by Investors
Authors: Gribina E. , Savchenko E.
Published: November 2022

Th e article is devoted to the peculiarities of assessing the investment attractiveness of companies by private investors on the example of a fairly popular among investors (more than 50% of the company’s shares are in free fl oat) French transnational company LVMH. Th e work uses the approach of Benjamin Graham, based on fundamental analysis, while during the calculations it was found that there are some restrictions on its use, which required some modifi cation and the introduction of a number of new indicators.
Decompensated cirrhosis: targeted training of acute medical teams to improve quality of care in first 24 hours
Authors: Tan Maria , Adjetey Andrea , Wee Catalina , Perry Ian , Corbett Chris , Olajide Azeez , Yamamoto Aaron , Owen James , Mumtaz Saqib
Published: November 2022

Background:

A quality improvement project in a secondary care centre was initiated to investigate and evaluate the impact of staff education and the use of the British Society of Gastroenterology/British Association for the Study of the Liver cirrhosis care bundle in improving care of patients admitted to hospital with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Method:

A staff training programme was implemented, involving around 30 health professionals consisting of consultants, junior doctors, physician associates and nurses from the acute medical unit. A review of electronic documentation and analysis of key clinical parameters, pre- and post-intervention, was carried out.

Results:

The data show that the intervention has led to an improvement in patient management and clinical outcomes.

Conclusion:

This project illustrates that collaboration between hepatology and medical teams, with emphasis on education and training, benefits patients who present to hospital with decompensated liver cirrhosis.
Preventing ransomware – doing the impossible?
Authors: Harrison Henry
Published: November 2022

As cyber criminals and their tools become more sophisticated, organisations are becoming increasingly reliant on their first line of defence – their staff – to combat threats. This requires a high level of awareness. But is it reasonable to expect employees to have such an advanced understanding of the dangers?
Securing the organisation by protecting the individual
Authors: Petrillo Katie
Published: November 2022

The whole world has gone through a digital transformation, radically changing the nature of work. But are individual employees properly prepared for this change? And are they being given the protections they need to keep themselves – and the organisations they work for – safe?
Two-term scattering phase function for photon transport to model subdiffuse reflectance in superficial tissues
Authors: Jacques Steven L. , McCormick Norman J.
Published: November 2022

For Monte Carlo simulations of light transport in a variety of diffuse scattering applications, a single-scattering two-term phase function with five adjustable parameters is sufficiently flexible to separately control the forward and backward components of scattering. The forward component dominates light penetration into a tissue and the resulting diffuse reflectance. The backward component controls early subdiffuse scatter from superficial tissues. The phase function consists of a linear combination of two phase functions [Reynolds and McCormick, J. Opt. Soc. Am. 70, 1206 (1980)10.1364/JOSA.70.001206] that were derived from the generating function for Gegenbauer polynomials. The two-term phase function (TT) accommodates strongly-forward anisotropic scattering with enhanced backscattering and is a generalization of the two-term, three-parameter Henyey-Greenstein phase function. An analytical inverse of the cumulative distribution function for scattering is provided for implementation in Monte Carlo simulations. Explicit TT equations are given for the single-scattering metrics g1, g2, γ, and δ. Scattering data from previously published bio-optical data are shown to fit better with the TT than other phase function models. Example Monte Carlo simulations illustrate the use of the TT and its independent control of subdiffuse scatter.
Enhanced two-photon excited fluorescence from green fluorescent proteins by ultrafast fluctuations in intense light pulse
Authors: Eto Yujiro , Nuriya Mutsuo
Published: November 2022

The parametric down-conversion process in optical parametric generators causes bunching of light due to ultrafast intensity fluctuations, which enhances the efficiency of nonlinear interactions between light and matter. However, the bunching effect in a sufficiently intense light pulse light required for biological nonlinear imaging has not yet been investigated. We demonstrate enhanced two-photon excited fluorescence by ultrafast fluctuations in intense pulse using a wavelength-tunable optical parametric generator consisting of a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal pumped by nanosecond pulses at a wavelength of 532 nm and emitting pulses with a peak power of about 1 kW. The emission wavelength is tuned to about 927 nm, which is optimal for two-photon excitation of green fluorescent protein. The effect of bunching by ultrafast intensity fluctuations in the pulse is evaluated by an autocorrelator using a green fluorescent protein solution as a two-photon absorber. We found an about 1.9-fold enhancement compared with the coherent state of light. Using this calibrated optical parametric generator, we perform two-photon imaging of green fluorescent protein in brain tissue within a timescale of seconds. These experimental results using intense pulses demonstrate that the bunching effect by ultrafast fluctuations can enhance nonlinear imaging in biology and medicine.
Changes in apparent consumption of staple food in Mexico associated with the gradual implementation of the NAFTA
Authors: Sánchez-Ortiz Néstor A. , Unar-Munguía Mishel , Bautista-Arredondo Sergio , Shamah-Levy Teresa , Colchero M. Arantxa
Published: November 2022

In 1994, the United States, Canada, and Mexico signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to remove trade barriers and facilitate cross-border trade in goods and services. Worldwide, trade agreements, urbanization and economic development have shaped significant changes in dietary habits. This study aims to evaluate the association between the gradual implementation of NAFTA and changes in apparent consumption of staple foods in Mexico. We analyzed national apparent consumption of animal- and vegetable-source foods, using data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) from 1970 to 2018. Association between NAFTA and apparent consumption was estimated using interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) with synthetic controls and included two inflection points based on the implementation of NAFTA: 1994, when the agreement began, and 2008 when it was fully implemented. As a result, comparing Mexico with the synthetic control, we found a significant decrease in apparent consumption of pulses, -3.22 and -1.92 kcal/capita/day in the post-1994 and post-2008 periods, respectively. The vegetable-source foods showed an increase of 5.79 kcal/capita/day after 2008. The trends of apparent consumption of animal-source foods, eggs, and milk had significant increases after 1994 and 2008. The apparent consumption of meat increased only after 2008. The implementation of NAFTA was associated with an increase in apparent consumption of food from animal-source and a decrease in consumption of pulses. After 2008, an increase in apparent consumption of vegetable-source foods was observed.
Leveraging governance strategies adopted by health facility governing committees in response to COVID-19 outbreak at the local level in Tanzania: A qualitative study
Authors: Kesale Anosisye Mwandulusya , Mwkasangula Eliza , Muhanga Mikidadi , Mahonge Christopher
Published: November 2022

The governance of epidemics is very critical for curbing and responding to several infectious epidemics. This study was conducted to explore the experience of the Health Facility Governing Committees (HFGCs) on the governance strategies they adopted to levarage the COVID 19 epidemic in their primary health facilities in Tanzania. An exploratory qualitative design was employed to study the governance strategies adopted by HFGCs during the COVID19. In this study, fourteen (14) HFGC chairpersons and ninety one (91) HFGC members with experience regulating primary health centers during a COVID 19 pandemic were involved. The study included four (4) governance response metrics that were discovered to be commonly used by HFGCs. These included coordinating responders, providing health information, explaining health hazards, and conducting out health interventions. Despite variations in implementation strategies, only two (2) governance response measures, coordinating responders and implementing, were found to be consistently applied by the majority of HFGCs. The nature of the governance path chosen by the Tanzanian government has been found to have influenced the slow reaction of primary health care governance actors such as HFGCs. Despite being empowered by Direct Health Facility Financing, COVID 19 presented challenges to several HFGCs. Though observed to be autonomous and expected to make judgments based on their circumstances, higher-level governance actors’ opinions and actions on epidemics influenced the practices of local-level governance actors, including HFGCs. Indeed, for the HFGCs’ potential to be realized, they must be empowered in ways other than fiscal and political decentralization. Other aspects of empowering governance actors, such as capacity building and education level, should be considered in order for them to completely realize their potential.
Accuracy of computer-aided chest X-ray in community-based tuberculosis screening: Lessons from the 2016 Kenya National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey
Authors: Mungai Brenda , Ong‘angò Jane , Ku Chu Chang , Henrion Marc Y. R. , Morton Ben , Joekes Elizabeth , Onyango Elizabeth , Kiplimo Richard , Kirathe Dickson , Masini Enos , Sitienei Joseph , Manduku Veronica , Mugi Beatrice , Squire Stephen Bertel , MacPherson Peter ,   The IMPALA Consortium
Published: November 2022

Community-based screening for tuberculosis (TB) could improve detection but is resource intensive. We set out to evaluate the accuracy of computer-aided TB screening using digital chest X-ray (CXR) to determine if this approach met target product profiles (TPP) for community-based screening. CXR images from participants in the 2016 Kenya National TB Prevalence Survey were evaluated using CAD4TBv6 (Delft Imaging), giving a probabilistic score for pulmonary TB ranging from 0 (low probability) to 99 (high probability). We constructed a Bayesian latent class model to estimate the accuracy of CAD4TBv6 screening compared to bacteriologically-confirmed TB across CAD4TBv6 threshold cut-offs, incorporating data on Clinical Officer CXR interpretation, participant demographics (age, sex, TB symptoms, previous TB history), and sputum results. We compared model-estimated sensitivity and specificity of CAD4TBv6 to optimum and minimum TPPs. Of 63,050 prevalence survey participants, 61,848 (98%) had analysable CXR images, and 8,966 (14.5%) underwent sputum bacteriological testing; 298 had bacteriologically-confirmed pulmonary TB. Median CAD4TBv6 scores for participants with bacteriologically-confirmed TB were significantly higher (72, IQR: 58–82.75) compared to participants with bacteriologically-negative sputum results (49, IQR: 44–57, p<0.0001). CAD4TBv6 met the optimum TPP; with the threshold set to achieve a mean sensitivity of 95% (optimum TPP), specificity was 83.3%, (95% credible interval [CrI]: 83.0%—83.7%, CAD4TBv6 threshold: 55). There was considerable variation in accuracy by participant characteristics, with older individuals and those with previous TB having lowest specificity. CAD4TBv6 met the optimal TPP for TB community screening. To optimise screening accuracy and efficiency of confirmatory sputum testing, we recommend that an adaptive approach to threshold setting is adopted based on participant characteristics.
Host transcriptomic profiling of CD-1 outbred mice with severe clinical outcomes following infection with Orientia tsutsugamushi
Authors: Thiriot Joseph , Liang Yuejin , Fisher James , Walker David H. , Soong Lynn
Published: November 2022

Orientia tsutsugamushiis an obligately intracellular bacterium with endothelial tropism and can cause mild to lethal scrub typhus in humans. No vaccine is available for this reemerging and severely neglected infection. Previous scrub typhus studies have utilized inbred mice, yet such models have intrinsic limitations. Thus, the development of suitable mouse models that better mimic human diseases is in great need for immunologic investigation and future vaccine studies. This study is aimed at establishing scrub typhus in outbred CD-1 mice and defining immune biomarkers related to disease severity. CD-1 mice receivedO.tsutsugamushiKarp strain via the i.v. route; major organs were harvested at 2–12 days post-infection for kinetic analyses. We found that for our given infection doses, CD-1 mice were significantly more susceptible (90–100% lethal) than were inbred C57BL/6 mice (0–10% lethal). Gross pathology of infected CD-1 mouse organs revealed features that mimicked human scrub typhus, including pulmonary edema, interstitial pneumonia, perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates, and vasculitis. Alteration in angiopoietin/receptor expression in inflamed lungs implied endothelial dysfunction. Lung immune gene profiling using NanoString analysis displayed a Th1/CD8-skewed, but Th2 repressed profile, including novel biomarkers not previously investigated in other scrub typhus models. Bio-plex analysis revealed a robust inflammatory response in CD-1 mice as evidenced by increased serum cytokine and chemokine levels, correlating with immune cell recruitment during the severe stages of the disease. This study provides an important framework indicating a value of CD-1 mice for delineating host susceptibility toO.tsutsugamushi, immune dysregulation, and disease pathogenesis. This preclinical model is particularly useful for future translational and vaccine studies for severe scrub typhus.
The doubling effect of COVID-19 cases on key health indicators
Authors: Petrof Oana , Fajgenblat Maxime , Neyens Thomas , Molenberghs Geert , Faes Christel
Published: November 2022

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers advised policy makers to make informed decisions towards the adoption of mitigating interventions. Key easy-to-interpret metrics applied over time can measure the public health impact of epidemic outbreaks. We propose a novel method which quantifies the effect of hospitalizations or mortality when the number of COVID-19 cases doubles. Two analyses are used, a country-by-country analysis and a multi-country approach which considers all countries simultaneously. The new measure is applied to several European countries, where the presence of different variants, vaccination rates and intervention measures taken over time leads to a different risk. Based on our results, the vaccination campaign has a clear effect for all countries analyzed, reducing the risk over time. However, the constant emergence of new variants combined with distinct intervention measures impacts differently the risk per country.
Reversible shifts between interstitial and epibenthic habitats in evolutionary history: Molecular phylogeny of the marine flatworm family Boniniidae (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Cotylea) with descriptions of two new species
Authors: Tsuyuki Aoi , Oya Yuki , Kajihara Hiroshi
Published: November 2022

Tiny animals in various metazoan phyla inhabit the interstices between sand and/or gravel grains, and adaptive traits in their body plan, such as simplification and size reduction, have attracted research attention. Several possible explanations of how such animals colonized interstitial habitats have been proposed, but their adaptation to this environment has generally been regarded as irreversible. However, the actual evolutionary transitions are not well understood in almost all taxa. In the present study, we show reversible evolutionary shifts from interstitial to epibenthic habitats in the lineage of the polyclad flatworm genusBoninia. In addition, we establish two new species of this genus found from different microhabitats on a single beach in Okinawa Island, Japan: (i) the interstitial speciesBoninia urusp. nov. from gravelly sediments and (ii) the epibenthic speciesBoninia yambarensissp. nov. from rock undersurfaces. Our observations suggest that rigid microhabitat segregation exists between these two species. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the partial 18S and 28S rDNA sequences of the newBoniniaspecies and four other congeners, for which molecular sequences were available in public databases [Boninia antillara(epibenthic),Boninia divae(epibenthic),Boninia neotethydis(interstitial), and an unidentifiedBoniniasp. (habitat indeterminate)], revealed that the two interstitial species (B.neotethydisandB.urusp. nov.) were not monophyletic among the three epibenthic species. According to ancestral state reconstruction analysis, the last common ancestor of the analyzedBoniniaspecies inhabited interstitial realms, and a shift to the epibenthic environment occurred at least once. Such an “interstitial to noninterstitial” evolutionary route seems to be rare among Animalia; to date, it has been reported only in acochlidian slugs in the clade Hedylopsacea. Our phylogenetic tree also showed that the sympatricB.urusp. nov. andB.yambarensissp. nov. were not in a sister relationship, indicating that they colonized the same beach independently rather than descendedin situfrom a common ancestor that migrated and settled at the beach.
Eficacia del tratamiento quirúrgico del papiloma invertido nasosinusal
Authors: Martínez-Ruiz-Coello Maria del Mar , Bosco-Morales Gabriela , Amarillo-Espitia Elizabeth , Navarro-Mediano Andrés , Jaquero-Valero Mercedes I. , Rodriguez-Uribe Tamara , Plaza-Mayor Guillermo
Published: November 2022

Introducción y objetivo: El papiloma invertido nasosinusal tiene un comportamiento localmente agresivo con riesgo de recidiva, por lo que requiere un tratamiento quirúrgico adecuado y un seguimiento prolongado en consulta. Nuestro objetivo es determinar la eficacia del tratamiento quirúrgico de los papilomas invertidos mediante cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal (CENS), evaluando la incidencia de recurrencia y la persistencia de enfermedad tras la cirugía.
Método: Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo de 39 pacientes tratados de papiloma invertido entre 2006 y 2020 en un hospital universitario, registrando datos demográficos y características tumorales. Se analiza la persistencia (antes de 6 meses) o recidiva (después de 6 meses) tras tratamiento quirúrgico.
Resultados: El 82% (32/39) de los casos fueron varones y la edad media fue de 54 años. La localización más frecuente fue la pared lateral nasal (38,5%). El 89,7% (35/39) de los casos fue tratado quirúrgicamente mediante CENS, obteniendo un porcentaje de persistencia y recidiva del 2,6%. Un 7,7% (3/39), al ser lesiones del vestíbulo nasal, se resecaron de forma simple. En un caso concreto (2,6%), se necesitó realizar osteoplastia frontal por extensión del papiloma. No se encontró atipia ni malignización en ninguno de los casos.
Discusión y conclusiones: El tratamiento quirúrgico de elección del papiloma invertido es la CENS, considerando realizar maxilectomía medial en todos los casos. El tratamiento quirúrgico del PI mediante esta técnica presenta una baja tasa de persistencia y de recurrencia.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Papiloma invertido, senos paranasales, cirugía, recidiva, persistencia, malignización, maxilectomía medial.
Sordera súbita idiopática
Authors: Benito-Orejas José Ignacio , Ramírez-Salas Jesús Eduardo , Mena-Domínguez Eduardo Antonio , Duque-Holguera Victoria , Muñoz-Moreno María Fe , Santos-Pérez Jaime
Published: November 2022

Introducción y objetivos: La sordera súbita idiopática se define habitualmente, como una pérdida auditiva superior o igual a 30 dB HL, en 3 o más frecuencias consecutivas, con un tiempo de instauración inferior a 72 horas, de causa desconocida. Siendo actualmente motivo de discusión el efecto de la terapia esteroidea en este síndrome, evaluaremos la eficacia del corticoide intratimpánico (CIT) como tratamiento de rescate. Como objetivo secundario, estudiaremos la influencia de determinados factores considerados de riesgo o pronóstico. Pacientes y métodos: Se comparan los resultados de dos grupos de población con edad y pérdida auditiva similar. El primero, de 99 pacientes, recibió exclusivamente tratamiento sistémico con corticoides. En el segundo de 70, con una sordera súbita idiopática refractaria al tratamiento general, instilamos corticoide intratimpánico. Comparamos las diferencias de umbral medio auditivo en el momento del diagnóstico y a los 3 meses, además del grado general de recuperación. Resultados: La aplicación intratimpánica de 3 dosis de dexametasona (8mg/ml) en la sordera súbita idiopática refractaria, no ha producido, en nuestra población, un cambio significativo respecto al tratamiento sistémico. Analizamos también la influencia de los factores pronósticos seleccionados. Discusión: Desconocemos la eficacia del tratamiento con corticoides en la sordera súbita idiopática. El tipo de lesión y las características del paciente podrían ser decisivos en el pronóstico final y en el resultado terapéutico. Conclusiones: El tratamiento de rescate con CIT, no ha aportado mejoría auditiva significativa en la población estudiada. Los factores con peor pronóstico son: la presencia de síntomas vestibulares, la hipoacusia de grado profundo, la caída audiométrica hacia tonos agudos, el inicio del tratamiento después de 2 semanas y fundamentalmente, la falta de mejoría de al menos 10 dB el 4º día de tratamiento.
ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS IN ALTAI KRAI
Authors: Zinoviev A. G. , Dubina I. N. , Tarasov D. O.
Published: November 2022

This paper presents the analysis of the dynamics of the main economic and demographic indicators of the Altai Territory of Russia (Altai Krai) for the period 2000-2020 and defines the trends in their change, as well as their interconnectedness. The studied variables included such indicators as the number of births and deaths, arrivals and departures, average life expectancy, average per capita income, GRP, GRP per capita, etc., as well as the corresponding relative indicators. For the analysis, the methods of visual-graphical, correlation, and multivariate nonlinear regression analysis were used. More than 20 statistical indicators of the demographic and socio-economic development of the region for the period 2000-2020 were considered. As a basic model for regression analysis, a model based on the Cobb-Douglas function was applied. On the basis of correlation analysis and stepwise regression, taking into account the assessment of multicollinearity and the statistical significance of the model parameters, three factors were selected for inclusion in the econometric model, which are quite strongly and statistically significantly related to the population size: the number of people who left, the real income per capita, and GRP per capita in comparable prices. As a result of comparing the generalized indicator of the effectiveness of the influence of factors on the change in the total population with the indicator of the scale of the influence of factors on this change, it was concluded that there was a tendency for the population of the region to decrease over the study period with the increase in the scale of socio-economic factors, which indicates on the extensive development of the region's economy.
SISTEMAS DE CONTROLE GERENCIAL E EFICÁCIA DE EQUIPE: OS EFEITOS INTERVENIENTES DO COMPARTILHAMENTO DE INFORMAÇÕES E IDENTIFICAÇÃO ORGANIZACIONAL
Authors: Santos Edicreia Andrade dos , Lopes Iago França , Silva Sérgio Luiz Herder , Monteiro Januário José , Lunkes Rogério João
Published: November 2022

Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a influência dos Sistemas de Controle Gerencial (SCG’s) na eficácia de equipe, moderados pela identificação organizacional e mediados pelo compartilhamento de informações.
Método: Foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa e quantitativa realizada por meio de survey, que foi aplicada a 105 profissionais de um hospital militar localizado na região centro-oeste do Brasil. A modelagem de equações estruturais foi usada para análise.
Resultados/Discussão: Os resultados mostraram que as características formais e informais dos SCG têm uma influência positiva e significativa na eficácia de equipe e que a relação entre o SCG e o compartilhamento de informações é moderada pela identificação organizacional. No entanto, a existência de uma relação significativa entre os SCG e a eficácia de equipe não foi mediada pelo compartilhamento de informações.
Contribuições: Os gestores hospitalares devem estar atentos aos tipos de SCG, pois estão associados às atitudes e comportamentos dos indivíduos, que se refletem nos resultados organizacionais.
USO CORPORATIVO DE MÍDIAS SOCIAIS E A RELEVÂNCIA DA INFORMAÇÃO CONTÁBIL
Authors: Giordani Mikaéli da , Klann Roberto Carlos
Published: November 2022

(i) Objetivo: avaliar a influência do uso corporativo de mídias sociais sobre a relevância da informação contábil em empresas brasileiras.(ii) Método: os dados foram coletados na base da Thomson Reuters Eikon e mídias sociais, Facebook e Twitter. A análise ocorreu por meio de estatística descritiva, análise de correlação e regressão linear múltipla OLS. Além disso, utilizou-se o método MOORA para criar um score de uso corporativo das mídias sociais.(iii) Resultados: verificou-se que poucas empresas utilizam as mídias sociais para divulgar informações contábeis. No entanto, os resultados apontam que as informações contábeis divulgadas no Facebook e Twitter são relevantes, o que permite inferir que as mídias sociais podem ser um canal de comunicação importante das empresas com o mercado. Especificamente, em relação à influência da divulgação de informações contábeis no Facebook e no Twitter sobre a relevância da informação contábil, conclui-se que as mídias sociais, quando utilizadas para fins corporativos, aumentam a relevância da informação contábil. Adicionalmente, constatou-se que empresas mais lucrativas que divulgam informações contábeis em mídias sociais apresentam maior relevância da informação contábil, em comparação com empresas de menor lucratividade.(iv) Contribuições: fornece contribuição prática para gestores, ao constatar, por meio de evidências empíricas, que essas plataformas podem trazer benefícios para as organizações, como por exemplo, a possibilidade de aumentar a relevância da informação contábil e criar valor. Para os investidores, contribui ao indicar que as mídias sociais podem ser fonte importante de informação para alimentar seus modelos de decisão.
RELAÇÃO ENTRE CONSERVADORISMO E SUAVIZAÇÃO DOS RESULTADOS APÓS A ADOÇÃO DAS IFRS EM EMPRESAS BRASILEIRAS
Authors: Schlup Daiani , Soschinski Caroline Keidann , Klann Roberto Carlos , Silva Raquel Serrão Rodrigues
Published: November 2022

Objetivo: objetivou-se analisar a relação entre conservadorismo e suavização dos resultados após  implementação obrigatória das IFRS em empresas brasileiras de capital aberto.
Método: realizou-se uma pesquisa descritiva, documental e quantitativa. A amostra analisada corresponde a 92 empresas de capital aberto do Brasil, durante o período de 2000 a 2018, sendo o período antes (2000 a 2009) e após a implementação obrigatória das IFRS (2010 a 2018). As variáveis utilizadas na investigação foram coletadas do banco de dados da Refinitiv Eikon.
Resultados: Os resultados evidenciam que, ao contrário do esperado, houve um aumento no conservadorismo contábil e na suavização de resultados das empresas no período pós-IFRS. Destaca-se que o aumento da suavização não se deve às mudanças de reconhecimento oportuno de ganhos e perdas, mas sim ao gerenciamento de resultados. Chegou-se a esta conclusão, pois o conservadorismo das empresas aumentou pós-IFRS, não afetando a correlação negativa entre accruals e fluxo de caixa. 
Contribuição: Assim, contribui-se com a ampliação da literatura sobre os efeitos da adoção das IFRS em empresas brasileiras, e ainda, de forma prática chama-se a atenção dos usuários das informações contábeis para o reconhecimento oportuno de ganhos e perdas, visto que em determinados casos, isso pode influenciar a suavização dos resultados.
Influence of Hard Water on Solubility and Colorimetric Properties of Reactive Dyes
Authors: Faisal Saira , Farooq Salma , Hussain Ghazanfar , Bashir Erum
Published: November 2022

The dyeing process in the textile industry is not only highly water intensive, but also the quality of water plays a substantial role in determining the final shade of the product. Hardness is one of the crucial factors of water quality influencing the final shade of dyed products. The influence of hard water on solubility of reactive dyes and colorimetric properties of reactive-dyed cotton were studied. It was concluded that the solubility of reactive dyes decreased with increased water hardness. Also, hard water significantly affected the colorimetric properties (L*, a*, b*, C*, h°, and DE values) of reactive-dyed cotton fabric. Lightness value increase was accompanied by the decrease in chroma values for all three primary colors studied in this work.
High-Resolution Tiled Clothes Generation from a Model
Authors: Zeng Wei , Zhao Mingbo
Published: November 2022

Many image translation methods based on conditional generative adversarial networks can transform images from one domain to another, but the results of many methods are at a low resolution. We present a modified pix2pixHD model, which generates high-resolution tiled clothing from a model wearing clothes. We choose a single Markovian discriminator instead of a multi-scale discriminator for a faster training speed, added a perceptual loss term, and improved the feature matching loss. Deeper feature maps have lower weights when calculating losses. A dataset was specifically built for this improved model, which contains over 20,000 paired high-quality tiled clothing. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of our improved method and can be extended to other fields.
Design and Evaluation of a Somatosensory Hat: An Emotional Semantic Perspective
Authors: Wang Weizhen , Zou Jiawei , Fang Yuan
Published: November 2022

Interactive product design needs to be based on the human-centered design concept to meet the target users’ demands for affective interaction experience. Existing research on smart clothing mainly focuses on human-computer aspects of human physiological data monitoring and feedback, yet the potential emotional factors and behavioral interaction are ignored. This study adopts the somatosensory interactive hat as a carrier to explore an interactive clothing design method that reflects human emotions. The emotional semantic evaluation method is used to guide the design process of the prototype. Brain wave detection sensors and LEDs are embedded in the prototype. The results show that this dynamic interactive hat can enhance the visual attraction of the fashion accessories, and the humanistic emotional value of the smart clothing, improving the match between product attributes and users’ emotional response.
Extraction of Tea Natural Dye and its Dyeing Properties on Cotton Fabrics
Authors: Zhao Yunguo , Liu Jie
Published: November 2022

Natural dyestuffs are evaluated as green sources to color the fabric in the textile industry. In this study, tea natural dye extracted from Longjing tea was applied to dye cotton fabrics by different dyeing processes. The extraction process was investigated thoroughly according to orthogonal experiments to obtain the optimum results. The acid-base stability, storage stability, heat-resistance, and other properties of Longjing tea natural dye were studied. The rubbing fastness, washing fastness and color difference of natural tea dyed cotton fabrics using different dyeing processes were measured. It has been proved that pre-mordant dyeing process and reactive dyeing process are more suitable for Longjing tea natural dye. The rubbing fastness and washing fastness of the dyed cotton fabrics are both very good, fully meeting the dressing requirements.
Facile Fabrication of Silk Fibroin/Konjac Glucomannan Composite Membranes
Authors: Hu Zhanao , Akram Wasim , Chen Shixian , Yan Shuqin , Zhang Qiang
Published: November 2022

Silk fibroin (SF)-based biocomposites have attracted considerable attention for several decades, due to excellent biocompatibility and mechanical toughness. However, insufficient hydrophilicity and mechanical brittleness limit its practical application, especially in tissue engineering. In this study, by blending konjac glucomannan (KGM) with SF, along with the water-insoluble treatment of ethanol and ammonia, SF/KGM composite membranes were generated with good flexibility and water adsorption capacity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that KGM/SF membrane surfaces were uniform and dense. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that the silk II structure was dominant. Contact angle and mechanical testing showed that the use of KGM with SF in membranes helped to form more flexible and hydrophilic membranes for potential use in biomaterials and devices.
Pervitin Intoxication with Two-peak Massive Myoglobinemia, Acute Kidney Injury and Marked Procalcitonin Increase Not Associated with Sepsis
Authors: Svobodová Eva , Drábek Tomáš , Brodská Helena
Published: November 2022

Patients intoxicated with methamphetamine-like substances may present with myoglobinuria but rarely require admission. An 18-year-old female was admitted due to intoxication with pervitin, a methamphetamine derivative. She presented with an altered mental status, fever, and increased heart and respiratory rates. Biomarkers showed leukocytosis and markedly increased procalcitonin levels, suggestive of sepsis. However, blood cultures and infectious disease workup were unrevealing. Clinical course was heralded by rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria resulting in multi-organ failure including respiratory failure necessitating mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic compromise with need for inotropic support, and an acute renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy. Surprisingly, after a transient improvement, an unexpected second peak of myoglobin was observed on hospital day 5, controlled by intensifying the elimination methods, and administration of dantrolene. Acute kidney injury resolved by hospital day 15, and the patient could be discharged on day 22. While most patients with intoxications are discharged within 24 hours from emergency departments without being admitted, our case report highlights that the organ injury may evolve beyond the usual observation period, traditional renal-replacement therapies may not be sufficient to mitigate myoglobinemia with resulting acute kidney injury, and that procalcitonin may not be a reliable biomarker of infection in the setting of drug-induced rhabdomyolysis.
Teaching teachers to propose meaningful learning objectives: A MOOC case study
Authors: Lima Gusso Helder , Silveira dos Santos Maria Laura , De Aguiar Vieira Dias Maria Luiza , Rodriguez de Souza Song Jin , Schardosim de Oliveira Ruan
Published: November 2022

Learning objectives designate what students should be able to do to transform their social reality. Evidence shows tertiary education teachers usually do not know how to propose meaningful learning objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a MOOC to teach how to formulate relevant learning objectives. This study has measured participant’s retention, performance on the topic, satisfaction and learning perception. A pilot version of this course was made available for 40 days. Out of the 176 participants enrolled, 60.8% completed the course. The average score in the initial test was 5.71, while in the final test was 8.67. 91% of the participants evaluated the course positively. Considering the high retention rate, the proficient performance at the end of the course, and the positive evaluation by participants, it was concluded that the MOOC was effective.
Transition as one step on a transformational journey
Authors: Weeks Ruth , Thoeming Alix , Bridgeman Adam
Published: November 2022

Developing a sense of belonging is intimately linked to a successful transition and to student. The pandemic has acerbated existing problems with students across the sector reporting difficulties connecting with each other and their universities. This paper reports a simple activity to encourage meaningful dialogue between students and teachers in the first weeks of study. The ‘My journey’ activity involves students and teachers discussing key points and decisions in their educational journeys. It has been successfully used in-class, and synchronously and asynchronously online. The journeys are also captured through an interactive map to celebrate diversity.
Co-creating a digital learning innovation framework through design thinking approaches
Authors: Adachi Chie , O'Donnell Marcus , Elliott Jo
Published: November 2022

Although innovation is widely used as a marker of excellence by universities it remains a poorly conceptualised idea, particularly in the realm of teaching and learning. In this paper, we describe an institution-wide project to co-create a Digital Learning Innovation Framework at a large Australian university. Through design thinking approaches a central learning and teaching unit led a co-design process to investigate and define digital learning innovation within their institutional context. This initiative involved a total of 114 stakeholders who design and deliver digital learning innovations at the University. This paper reports on a tentative, working definition of digital learning innovation and six guiding principles that arose out of this Digital Learning Innovation Framework co-design process. In this way, this paper makes significant contributions in conceptualising and contextualising practice-based innovation for digital education. Future implications and limitations of this study are also noted.
Putting whanaungatanga at the heart of students’ online learning experiences
Authors: Brown Cheryl , Hartnett Maggie , Ratima Matiu , Forbes Dianne , Datt Ashwini , Gedera Dilani
Published: November 2022

This paper explores the role of relationships in students’ experiences of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa| New Zealand. Students’ voices are foregrounded through narratives and the analysis of four discrete stories of these specific circumstances. Using a conceptual framing of whanaungatanga, a M?ori view of the process of establishing and maintaining relationships, we move beyond who is involved in the relationship to explore how relationships are developed and what counts from the students’ perspectives. Sharing, an ethic of care, a sense of belonging, collaboration, scaffolding of learning, and feedback acknowledging students’ efforts were all considered important aspects of relationships between students and faculty which were enacted online. The importance of broader institutional relationships, such as those with the library and student support services, were also foregrounded.
Recorded audio feedback: bridging the chasm between educator and student in online assessment
Authors: Tsatsaronis James A. , Binger Katrina J. , Durand Fiona M.
Published: November 2022

Provision of detailed and constructive feedback on written assessments is a challenge in many contexts. Increasing instructor workloads due to growth in class sizes further complicates having personalised feedback to student achievements. This paper reports using recorded audio feedback on written assessments and evaluating student perceptions of this feedback using a mixed methods approach. Students receiving recorded audio feedback were surveyed and their perceptions towards the feedback they received further probed via semi-structured interviews. Survey numerical data indicate that students found the feedback convenient and easy to access, clear and easy to understand and more personal than written feedback. Survey open responses and interview responses were thematically analysed and identified major themes and subthemes that supported and further explained the numerical data. This study helps describe student perceptions to recorded audio feedback, which may be a useful tool for helping connect instructors and their students in different learning environments.