bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intellectual Resources and Operational Cost-effectiveness in Banks: An Empirical Analysis from Vietnam
Authors: Chi Huu Lu
Published: December 2024

The central role of intellectual resources in business operations of banks has been recognised and unveiled in the extant literature in recent times. However, it seems to be a virtual absence of studies on the impacts of these resources on the efficiency of operational costs in the banking industry, especially in developing markets. Hence, this research aims to fulfill this research gap by employing VAIC model and investigating its role in operating cost management of 26 local banks in Vietnam during the 2006–2020 period. After performing various econometrics methods and robustness tests, the continuing evidence demonstrates that the effectiveness of operating expenditures may be enhanced significantly by relying specially on intellectual capital. Additionally, human and structural capitals are two ingredients of VAIC that can assist banks in managing operating costs more effectively. By contrast, an increase in capital employed – the third ingredient – may accelerate costs related to operational business. Taken together, it is expected that the empirical findings can provide the helpful guidance for managers and decision-makers in banks to optimise the cost-effectiveness in daily business operations and pay new paths for academicians to dig more into the role of knowledge-based management in coming future.
Debt sustainability analysis and its policy implications for Ukraine
Authors: Bogdan Tetiana
Published: December 2024

Since the outbreak of the russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine’s public debt has risen sharply, and debt sustainability turned out to be a matter of concern. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive debt sustainability analysis (DSA) for Ukraine, focusing on probabilistic judgments about the trajectory of public debt, the government’s gross financing needs in the 2025–2028 period, and essential policy measures to prevent an unsustainable debt situation. The DSA incorporates references to quantitative debt-related benchmarks and assessments of performing a debt treatment and changing the structure of budget deficit financing. Four medium-term scenarios are run: a baseline scenario, a negative scenario, a positive macro-scenario, and a policy shock scenario. The first three scenarios yield public debt stocks from 94.8% to 128.8% of GDP in 2028, above the intermediate threshold of 82% and far above the final threshold of 65%. Even under the baseline projections, public debt trajectory and gross financing needs magnitudes deviate considerably from the benchmark levels. Only the policy shock scenario is compatible with ensuring public debt sustainability, being conditional on a substantial extension of foreign grants, and applying a significant haircut through the second debt restructuring. The results suggest that avoiding public debt crisis while meeting recovery and reconstruction needs would require raising the share of grants up to around 45% in the structure of foreign official financing and debt reduction by at least 50% in the framework of new foreign debt restructuring, covering official bilateral debt and euro-bonds’ debt.
Acknowledgment This study is published as an output of the EURIZON project “Ukraine’s Foreign Financing Needs and the EU’s Role in Restoring External Sustainability and Long-Term Growth of the Ukrainian Economy,” which is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 871072.
Strategic Plan Formulation for the Tourism Sector of Bankura District using the SWOT and AHP Techniques
Authors: Raha Shrinwantu , Mondal Madhumita , Gayen Shasanka Kumar
Published: December 2024

The strategic plan is important for the management of tourism resources in the particular region. However, the strategic planning for the Bankura District is still very far from being accomplished. The study was aimed to formulate the strategic plan for the Bankura District by combining the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and SWOT (Strength-Weakness-Opportunities-Threats) techniques. The methodology involved a five-step approach, which included the identification of SWOT factors, formulation of pair-wise comparison matrices and the strategy formulation using the TOWS (Threats-Opportunities-Weakness-Strengths) matrix. The data was collected both from the primary and secondary sources. The purposive sampling technique was used to interview the key stakeholders (800 tourists, 120 souvenir people and 87 tourist guides and hotel managers) and the non-participant observation technique were utilized to observe the nature of tourism in the study area. The findings of the research showed that the strength (S) and opportunity (O) factor obtained the highest priorities within the group. Therefore the S-O combination dominates in the strategic planning and management in the study area. The development of tourism may significantly contribute to the community members' feeling of pride in their area and culture by offering a supplemental source of revenue and livelihood with careful planning and implementation.
Indeks Topologi Padmakar Ivan dan Szeged pada Graf Koprima Prima dari Grup Bilangan Bulat Modulo
Authors: Abdurahim Abdurahim , Pratiwi Lia Fitta , Karang Gusti Yogananda , Wardhana I Gede Adhiya Wisnu , Irwansyah Irwansyah , Awanis Zatta Yumni , Romdhini Mamika Ujianita
Published: December 2024

The Prime Coprime Graph is defined as a graph in which two distinct vertices are adjacent if and only if the greatest common divisor of their orders is 1, indicating that they are coprime. This research focuses on deriving general formulas for the Padmakar-Ivan index and the Szeged index for the coprime prime graph of the modulo integer group with n=p^k, where p is a prime number and k is not less than 2. As a result of this study, explicit formulas for the Padmakar-Ivan and Szeged indices were obtained, along with an analysis of the relationship between these two indices.Keywords: prime coprime graph, Padmakar-Ivan index, Szeged index.
Cognitive Processes in Post-Stroke Period
Authors: Lebedeva Sof'ya
Published: December 2024

Cognitive impairment is a common stroke-induced complication that aggravates the outcome of the disease. Post-stroke cognitive processes are an important research issue: unlike motor disorders, cognitive impairments prevent patients from adapting to their new state, which leads to social and professional maladjustment, as well as complicates the rehabilitation. This article describes the functioning of cognitive processes in post-stroke patients. The methods involved Schulte Table Test, Pictogram Method, Wartegg Test ("Circles"), Masselon Test, Gordon’s questionnaire, Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), McNair and Kahn’s Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R). Most participants demonstrated cognitive impairments. Moderate cognitive impairments of multifunctional amnestic type predominated; severe cognitive impairments were less numerous; mild cognitive impairments were scarce. Subjective cognitive disorders occurred very often and correlated with anxiety and depression. To test the age-dependance hypothesis, the participants were divided into two groups, i.e., those under 65 y.o. and those over 65 y.o. The 65-plusers were more prone to disorders of memory, attention, speech, thinking, imagination, gnosis, and praxis. The younger participants initially demonstrated subjective cognitive impairments, which were not confirmed by further neuropsychological tests.
Effect of Social Media on Cognitive Processes and Emotional States in University Teaching Staff
Authors: Elzon Alisa , Timokhovich Alexandra
Published: December 2024

Social media provide tools for sharing information and ideas. Various social nets have become daily routine for many teachers. The article describes the effect of social media on the cognitive processes and emotional manifestations in university academic personnel, i.e., attention span, memory capacity, and emotional status. The attention span and memory tests included those developed by J. R. Stroop, J. E. Raymond, K. L. Shapiro, and K. M. Arnell. The emotion tests included the PANAS method as adapted by E. N. Osin. A long-term interaction with social media affected the attention span, short-term memory, and emotional state of the participants. Those subjected to social media demonstrated a shorter attention-span compared to their own results before the exposure: they had a longer reaction time and could not concentrate on the tasks. The participants also experienced problems with remembering information: they had quite good short-term memory but failed to reproduce the information as required. They also reported an adverse effect of social media on their emotional state. The research prospects may include ways to optimize the use of social media by academics to increase their professional effectiveness.
Predominant Dysgraphia in Primary-School Students in Natural Tuvan-Russian Bilingual Environment
Authors: Lickevich Evgeniy
Published: December 2024

The article describes the predominant type of dysgraphia in primary-school students that live and study in a bicultural and bilingual environment of the Republic of Tuva, Russia. The research revealed the effect of social factors on the development of written expression as a manifestation of a higher mental function, i.e., speech. Domestic social psychology pays little scientific attention to speech formation in the conditions of natural bilingualism, which gives relevance and novelty to this neuropsychological research. Its objective was to identify the leading type of dysgraphia in primary-school children and subject it to quantitative and qualitative analyses. The author counted dysgraphic errors in a text written by primary-school students and used the neuropsychological approach to classify them. Acoustic-kinesthetic (phonemic) dysgraphia proved to be the most frequent type of dysgraphia. It was caused by Tuvan pronunciation and spelling peculiarities, which proved that the bilingual Tuvan-Russian environment affects written speech of primary-school students.
Patriotic Education in Russian Military Schools under Federal Penitentiary Service: Theoretical Aspects
Authors: Kambalina Polina
Published: December 2024

Spiritual and moral values are currently undergoing social re-evaluation. As a spiritual and moral value, patriotism plays an important role in personality education. Patriotic education is a state priority that requires special methods. Patriotism is a spiritual and moral value that is obligatory to military school students. The article offers a theoretical analysis of patriotic education in institutions supervised by the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia. Such standard methods of analysis as generalization and interpretation made it possible to analyze the regulatory framework related to patriotism and patriotic education. The analysis covered the concept of patriotism as part of military school curriculum, methods of its development, and the specifics of professional patriotism. The comprehensive survey of various methods of fostering patriotism in military school students revealed some basic principles and methods of raising patriotism in education institutions under the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia.
Raising Readiness for Innovative Activities in Future Teachers at Different Levels of Education
Authors: Kropotova Mariya
Published: December 2024

Innovative activities in education make it possible to follow the priority directions and state policy in the national economic development. This research featured the problems of preparing future teachers for innovative activities in education organizations of different levels. The author formulated the basic concepts of innovation, innovative activity, and readiness, as well as studied the experience in changing curriculum to develop the readiness for innovations in future school teachers. The theory was supported by cases of pedagogical colleges and pedagogical institutes. Readiness for innovative activity is a non-specific type of activity. First of all, it should be adopted by the teaching staff. The article describes the experience of organizing additional professional training programs for college professors to be engaged in shaping the readiness for innovative activities in future teachers. The course prepared them for adapting and updating the curriculum and methodological support for the academic disciplines of History of Pedagogy and Education, Design of Academic Programs, and Pedagogical Technologies. Another case featured an additional program for professional training for teachers seeking to improve their innovative competences. The list of research methods included a review of psychological and pedagogical articles; the method of survey revealed the readiness of teaching personnel for innovative activities; the method of observation made it possible to assess and self-assess the ability to participate in innovative activities. The research yielded new syllabuses and methodological support for developing the readiness of future teachers for innovative activities at different levels of education, as well as an additional professional training program that prepare specialists to participate in innovative activities in preschool and general education.
The Direct and The Indirect as Paired Forensic Categories
Authors: Garbuz Grigoriy
Published: December 2024

The categories of the direct and the indirect can be classified as paired. The author applied standard and interdisciplinary research methods to the direct and the indirect as criminalistic categories. The article is a review that investigates the direct and the indirect through the subject of criminology; it is an attempt to define their signs as paired categories of criminology. The resulting theoretical and practical rationale of the correlation between the direct and the indirect in criminology reveals the methodological and subject-practical levels. Investigative and judicial practice prove that the direct and the indirect manifest themselves as tandem phenomena in the process of forensic cognition; therefore, they are paired categories of criminology. This conclusion is of great practical importance in criminal investigation and court trials, especially in the sphere of crimes against environment.
Characteristic modes of hydrocarbon leakage during deep-water accidents
Authors:   Sterlitamak branch of Ufa University of Science and Technology, Sterlitamak, Russia, Kildibaeva S.R. , Kharisov E.I. , Suyargulova E.E.
Published: December 2024

Investigation of oil leaks that occur during emergency deep-water hydrocarbon outflows from a damaged well in cases of deposit development on the World Ocean shelf is of great importance for the safe production of hydrocarbons. To reduce the time required to eliminate those types of spills it is important to understand the hydrocarbon dispersion dynamics: trajectory, contents, temperature, velocity, etc. Article considers hydrocarbon flow (oil, gas, hydrate) for cases of their deep-water outflow from a damaged well, main thermophysical dependencies, typical stage transition coordinates, and coordinate change dynamics of transition of jet to plume depending on the initial conditions was analysed. Integral Lagrangian method of control volume was used for calculations.
The problem of the flow of a thermoviscous fluid in a channel with a cavity containing a cooling element
Authors:   Mavlyutov Institute of Mechanics UFRC RAS, Ufa, Russia, Mukhutdinova A.A.
Published: December 2024

Modeling of fluid flow in channels with a cavity is relevant for solving engineering problems, for example, related to the design features of devices associated, for example, with the processing and transportation of hydrocarbons, cooling systems. The presence of a cavity can lead to the occurrence of local hydrodynamic effects, such as self-oscillations or other complex flow regimes. The influence of rheological parameters of the fluid, heat exchange conditions and geometric parameters of the cavity and channel on the flow characteristics is numerically studied. The mathematical model of the problem consists of continuity equations, modified Navier–Stokes equations taking into account variable viscosity and energy conservation. To numerically solve these equations, the control volume method and the SIMPLE algorithm modified to take into account the variable viscosity coefficient were used. To demonstrate the influence of various heat exchange conditions on the flow character, a plate was located at the bottom of the cavity, on which a temperature was set that differed from the ambient temperature. An experimental measurement of the viscosity of a 45% aqueous solution of propylene glycol was carried out in the temperature range from −8 to 70 ◦C using a Thermo Scientific HAAKE MARS rotational rheometer of the Experimental Hydrodynamics laboratory of the Institute of Mechanics of the Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The results of numerical modeling were compared with photographs of the experiment of creeping flow around a rectangular cavity for three cases with the ratio of geometric parameters b/h = 0.5, 1, 2. The influence of the height of the main liquid layer and the parameters of the cavity on the main flow and on the process of vorticity formation in the cavity was considered.
Reflection of the incident gas from the wall
Authors:   Mavlyutov Institute of Mechanics of UFRC RAS, Ufa, Russia, Nikonorova R.F. , Urazbakhtina L.Z. ,   Ufa University of Science and Technology, Ufa, Russia
Published: December 2024

For the model of motion a monatomic gas in space the invariant submodel on a three-dimensional subalgebra consisting of translation operators, dilatation operators and a projective operator is considered, which is reduced to the Abel equation. The paper investigates an approximate solution obtained with the help the asymptotics of integral curves at infinity. This solution describes the vortex motion of a gas, the gas particles move along a plane curves lying on the surface of rotation. The gas spreads and cools down. This solution can be interpreted as a reflection of the incident gas from the wall.
Validation of panoramic radiography as a diagnostic image to identify mandibular skeletal asymmetries
Authors: Giraldo-Morales Katherine , Barreto-Franco Fabián Andrés , Ramírez-Molina Manuelita , Villegas-Trujillo Luisa Fernanda , Rivera-Quiroz Leidys Helena
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Mandibular asymmetry is an imbalance between the right and left sides, diagnosed through photographs, tomography, posteroanterior (AP), and panoramic (PN) radiography. However, despite the higher distortion and magnification rates, the PN is still widely used in the initial diagnosis of skeletal asymmetries. Objective: Validate PN as a diagnostic image to identify mandibular skeletal asymmetries compared to AP. Method: Diagnostic validation study compared 51 PN (index test) and 51 AP (reference test) of the same patient. Points, planes, and measurements were traced on the right and left sides, identifying asymmetries (discrepancies >3mm). PN's prevalence, sensitivity, specificity, and non-conventional parameters were calculated when compared to AP. Results: According to PN and AP, the prevalence of asymmetries was 92.2% and 84%, respectively. The agreement in the diagnostic classification of both radiographs did not exceed 50% in any of the distances evaluated, except for total asymmetry (80%). PN showed higher sensitivity than specificity in most distances but had lower predictive values. Conclusions: PN identifies many false negatives, overestimating patients with at least one type of asymmetry.
Antígeno prostático, conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre exámenes de detección de cáncer prostático en hombres de Duitama, Colombia
Authors: Durán-Suárez Mary Eugenia , Vega-Cárdenas Javier Eduardo , Aguilera-Becerra Astrid Maribel , Herrera-Díaz Yenny Gabriela , Perea-Rincón Laura Piedad , Porras-Muñoz Andrés Giovanny , Ramírez-López Laura Ximena
Published: December 2024

Introducción: la próstata produce nutrientes clave para la reproducción masculina entre ellos el antígeno prostático (PSA), utilizado para el tamizaje de cáncer prostático (CP). Objetivo: determinar concentraciones de PSA, los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre los exámenes utilizados en la detección temprana del CP en hombres de una empresa de transporte de la ciudad de Duitama, Boyacá, Colombia. Método: se analizó en sangre venosa el PSA y se aplicó un cuestionario validado sobre CAPS respecto a los exámenes utilizados en la detección temprana del CP. Resultado: De 38 transportadores entre 40 y 60 años la mediana del PSA fue 1,39 ng/mL, el 5,3% de la población presentó resultados superiores a 4 ng/mL, los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas fueron adecuados en un 60,5%, 21% y 63,5% de la población respectivamente. Conclusiones: estos resultados evidencian la necesidad de implementar estrategias IEC y prevención del CP para las poblaciones CAPS deficientes.
Cuidados de enfermería a adolescente con afrontamiento ineficaz en el contexto académico
Authors: Escobar-Velásquez Katty Dayana , Barajas-Lizarazo Mayra Alejandra , Gómez-Velásquez Alexa Fernanda
Published: December 2024

Introducción: la valoración del dominio de afrontamiento y tolerancia al estrés  y  los cuidados ofrecidos por el profesional de enfermería contribuyen a optimizar los recursos internos de las personas y proporcionar mecanismos de enseñanza para afrontar de una mejor manera los problemas de la vida  Caso clínico: se presenta caso de un adolescente de 14 años que cursa actualmente noveno grado en un colegio público de Pamplona, Colombia, quien presentaba dificultades para cumplir con actividades académicas a causa del desconocimiento de planificar actividades de forma organizada. Conclusión: las intervenciones de enfermería desde el enfoque de psicosocial favorecen el bienestar mental del adolescente, cuya premisa es reconocer los atributos y recursos propios de cada persona y a partir de allí potenciarlas para resolver de manera asertiva las situaciones estresantes. La adolescente expresó una mayor sensación de control sobre su tiempo y desempeño, lo cual se reflejó en su participación constante y preparación adecuada en clases y actividades grupales.
De vogal para semivogal: hiperalçamento vocálico
Authors: Linard Sérgio , Cunha Carla Maria , Cristina Ananias Thayná
Published: December 2024

Esta pesquisa objetiva assentar as semivogais como variantes de vogais no português brasileiro, com base no processo de hiperalçamento. O desenvolvimento do trabalho parte da constatação do estado límbico em que se encontram os segmentos semivocálicos, nas perspectivas de gramáticos normativos e de linguistas. É visto ainda o caráter articulatório-funcional de vogal e de semivogal na constituição de ditongos. Em seguida, há o delineamento do processo de alçamento na língua aplicado à variação entre segmentos vocálicos. Como as semivogais não são contempladas em processo de alçamento, propõem-se o processo de hiperalçamento vocálico para caracterizar formas fonéticas resultantes da variação com ultrapassagem de articulação da área vocálica. A análise desenvolvida fundamenta-se na Geometria de Traços, de Clements e Hume (1995), e na Fonologia Estrutural – delimitada, sobretudo, à descrição fonético-fonológica apresentada por Mattoso Camara Jr. (1988; 2015) para o português brasileiro. A análise do hiperalçamento descrito resulta no entendimento de que as semivogais [j] e [w] variam com vogais anteriores e posteriores arredondadas, respectivamente, atentando para a perda da posição de núcleo de uma vogal. A segmentos semivocálicos podem ser aplicadas duas interpretações articulatórias: (i) a constituição de segmento complexo a partir do acréscimo, na geometria de vogal, de traço(s) de Ponto de Consoante [coronal] ou [labial] e [dorsal]; e (ii) a constituição de segmento consonantal cuja geometria se diferencia da de vogal pela ausência do nó de Abertura. A pesquisa em foco estabelece, então, o hiperalçamento como um motivador para a criação de ditongos no português brasileiro.
As técnicas argumentativas mobilizadas numa redação nota 1000 do Enem
Authors: Pereira da Conceição Josiane
Published: December 2024

Atualmente, uma das formas de ingresso em universidades públicas e privadas no Brasil é por meio do Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio. Um dos critérios eliminatórios utilizados nesse processo é a produção de um texto dissertativo-argumentativo no qual o candidato defende, a partir de argumentos consistentes, um ponto de vista sobre um tema que geralmente aborda questões de cunho social. Sendo assim, neste artigo, nos propomos a fazer análise de uma das redações nota 1000 da cartilha do participante do Enem 2020 (Brasil, 2020) a fim de identificar e descrever as técnicas argumentativas nela mobilizadas. Como base teórica, nos alicerçamos nos estudos da Nova Retórica, conduzidos por Chaïm Perelman e Lucie Olbrechts-Tyteca ([1958] 2014). O recorte teórico concentra-se no logos - abordado através das técnicas argumentativas de ligação. Mas tendo em vista que o logos compõe a tríade retórica, o ethos e o páthos, esses também são levados em conta durante a análise. Metodologicamente, por meio de uma abordagem qualitativa, utilizamos a estrutura de grelhas de análise proposta por Madureira e Sá (2021), as quais foram preenchidas conforme as técnicas argumentativas levadas em consideração na análise. Desse modo, foi possível perceber que, visando ganhar a adesão do auditório ao seu discurso, o orador (na condição de candidato a uma vaga universitária por meio do Enem) mobilizou algumas técnicas argumentativas de ligação que contribuíram para alcançar a nota 1000 na redação. A análise revelou que, dentre essas técnicas, foram identificadas amostras de regra de justiça, de argumento de autoridade e de argumento por ilustração.
Post-COVID-19 Syndrome-associated Risk Factors for Acne Exacerbation
Authors: Sun Mingxia , Guo Jing , Li Yuanyuan , Chen Lamei , Meng Yunfang , Wu Jing , Dang Ningning
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

This study aimed to investigate the impact of coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19) syndrome on various aspects of acne exacerbation. Additionally,
we aimed to explore the risk factors for acne exacerbation after COVID-19 syndrome.

Method:

A total of 211 subjects with acne were enrolled, and their key demographic
characteristics and lifestyle factors were recorded. They were asked whether acne exacerbation
occurred after COVID-19 syndrome, as well as the latency of exacerbation, the
exacerbation location, and the form of skin lesions. The risk factors were analyzed using
the Cox proportional hazard regression model. Overall, 41.2% of cases reported exacerbation
of acne after COVID-19 syndrome. Age was found to be a protective factor. Additionally,
sufficient fruit intake may slightly prevent exacerbation. For participants engaging
in daily physical exercise, the likelihood of exacerbation was significantly increased
after COVID-19 syndrome.

Result:

The probability of exacerbation was significantly higher if an acne itch was present.
Patients who experienced exacerbation in the chin area were more likely to develop
acne-induced anxiety. Males had a higher risk of aggravation of the cyst form. Interestingly,
those with lower education levels were more likely to have aggravation in the
right cheek after COVID-19 syndrome. Moreover, physical exercise might prevent aggravation
in the front or back areas.

Conclusion:

Finally, fish intake of ≥240 g per week was related to the aggravation of
the hard nodule form. In conclusion, age and adequate fruit intake may play a protective
role, while acne itch and daily exercise may be risk factors for acne exacerbation.
Fibromyalgia Syndrome among Men and Women: Symptom Identification, Diagnosis, and Concurrence in a Nationally Representative Sample
Authors: Jacobs Molly , Crall Emma , Menzies Victoria
Published: December 2024

Introduction/Objective

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is characterized by chronic musculoskeletal pain and, no reliable biomarkers, diagnosis is difficult. While predominantly identified in women, men are also affected. This study examined FMS prevalence and racial/ethnic differences in clinical characteristics by gender.

Methods

We identified respondents in the 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) whose symptomology matched the 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria. The relative likelihood of having “identified FMS,” “clinically diagnosed FMS”, and “concurrently identified-diagnosed FMS” among men and women reporting pain was compared by demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic characteristic.

Results

Analyses indicated different characteristics were associated with identified, diagnosed, and concurrent FMS among women and men. Among both women and men, the likelihood of identified FMS was comparatively higher among those at older ages, living in the South, and with higher body masses. Both women and men earning less than $100,000 had a higher likelihood of FMS identification compared to higher earners; however, the likelihood of being diagnosed with FMS was not correlated with income. While Black women were significantly more likely than White women to be identified as having FMS, they were less likely to have an FMS diagnosis. Black men were significantly more likely to be identified as having FMS, but less likely to have an FMS diagnosis. Compared to White women, Black and Hispanic women had a lower likelihood of concurrent FMS.

Conclusion

Results showed lower incidence rates of males with FMS. Unexplained racial differences in FMS diagnosis, identification, and concurrence warrant further research.
Role of Environmental Factors Influencing Microbes and Microbiomes for Ecosystem Restoration
Authors: Pooja Divya , Prasad Shiv , Dinesh Govindaraj Kamalam , Avinash C.
Published: December 2024

Ecosystem degradation poses a significant and growing environmental
threat. Restoring degraded ecosystems is vital to restoring their ability to provide
essential services and benefits. In 2021, the United Nations declared the Decade of
Ecosystem Restoration to emphasize the importance of coordinated efforts in this area.
Microbes, with their stress tolerance, genetic diversity, adaptation to various
conditions, and capacity to break down substances, are crucial for ecosystem
sustainability. Their critical functions are vital in restoring ecosystem function and
biodiversity. This chapter describes the role of microbes in a microbiome and their
interactions, instilling optimism about their potential. It also covers how various factors
shape the soil microbiome spatially and temporally. Soil microorganisms such as
bacteria, archaea, and fungi are found around, on, and in plant roots, and they play an
essential role in responding to abiotic stressors. Factors like soil conditions,
geographical and climatic factors, and stressors like drought, pollutants, and salinity
can result in distinct microbial compositions and characteristics. This chapter provides
an in-depth overview of how these factors can impact soil microbial communities and
their role in ecological restoration. This chapter also covers beneficial microbiomebased strategies, including microbial engineering for ecosystem restoration. These
strategies are essential and a source of hope for the future.
Microbial-assisted Bioremediation: A Greener Approach for Restoration of Heavy Metal-contaminated Soil
Authors: Naik Yogesh Dashrath , Das Rohit , Kumar Santosh , Varma Konderu Niteesh , Aravindharajan S. T.M. , Upadhayay Viabhav Kumar
Published: December 2024

Heavy metals (HMs) pollution is a major environmental concern, posing
serious threats to human health and ecological systems. Anthropogenic activities have
increased the levels of HMs in the environment, and their pollution is a major issue.
Exposure to high levels of these metals can have harmful effects on human health, and
they can also damage soil structure, diminish microbial biodiversity, and inhibit plant
growth and development. In addition, traditional remediation methods for HMs
contaminated soil are often expensive and negatively impact the environment. In recent
years, microbial-assisted bioremediation has emerged as a promising and eco-friendly
alternative for HM remediation. This approach utilizes microorganisms to transform,
immobilize, or detoxify HMs, making them less harmful and more accessible for
removal. This chapter highlights the eco-friendly use of microorganisms, the
mechanisms that contribute to the bioremediation of HMs, and their potential use in the
future.
Role of Metagenomics and Microbial Diversity in the Restoration of Tropic and Temperate Ecosystems
Authors: Satpathy Anushka , Mukherjee Koel , Nigam Vinod Kumar
Published: December 2024

The geographical area where all the abiotic and biotic factors interact with
each other to make the bubble of life is known as the ecosystem. While many natural
and artificial calamities occur to destroy the ecosystem, microbial diversity plays a vital
role in maintaining and functioning it. The microbes constitute one-third of the earth's
biomass and are composed of enormous genetic diversity from extremely hot
(thermophilic) and moderate (mesophilic) to extreme cold (psychrophilic) climatic
conditions. Therefore, the principal objective of microbiome research is to elucidate the
relationship between microbial diversity and its function in maintaining or restoring the
ecosystem. Recent advances in microbial ecology and metagenomic approaches have
enabled detailed assessment of the highly complex communities, allowing the
establishment of the link between diversity and the function performed by microbes. In
this chapter, we will explore some advanced bioinformatic tools for metagenomic
studies that can provide quantitative insights into the functional ecology of microbial
communities. The detailed study will help us understand the complex microbial
diversity in tropical and temperate ecosystems and their functional aspects in
ecosystem restoration.
A Crisis like No Other: Understanding and Defeating Global Warming Second Edition
Authors: Saro Robert De
Published: December 2024

A Crisis Like No Other: Understanding and Defeating Global Warming couples engaging and creative storytelling with accurate
details to explain global warming. It covers both the technical and human issues of global warming by addressing what`s causing
global warming, and why people don`t believe it exists. The book tells readers how to convince others that global warming is not
only real, but life-threatening, and offers a clearly laid out path to solve it. The book is accurate and carefully researched, drawing
on the author`s thirty years of studying the science of global warming, and the human psyche that surrounds it.

The author breaks down the subject into four parts, which can be thought of as four mini-books in one. The first part covers the psychology of global
warming denial, how to defend ourselves against its lies and fake news, and how to convince others of global warming`s grave harm. The second part
describes exactly what global warming is. The third answers the question what makes us so sure? Finally, the last part provides a road map showing
us how to defeat global warming.

This book is comprehensive, fast-paced, and easily accessible to readers from all walks of life. It provides an overview of everything one needs to
know about global warming and, as such, is an excellent survey of global warming topics. In addition to being an easy and enjoyable read for the general
public, A Crisis Like No Other: Understanding and Defeating Global Warming serves as a handy primer on climate change for environmental science classes.
Data Security and Traffic Management Using Iot and Blockchain Application
Authors: Das Lipsa , Lohani Bhanu Prakash , Bhargava Deepshikha , Sharma Bhuvi
Published: December 2024

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain technologies
offers promising solutions for ensuring robust data security and efficient traffic
management in contemporary urban environments. This book chapter explores the
synergy between IoT and blockchain applications, presenting novel approaches to
address the evolving challenges of data integrity, privacy, and traffic congestion.
Through the convergence of these technologies, innovative mechanisms for securely
collecting, transmitting, and storing data from IoT devices are introduced, fostering
trust and transparency in data transactions. Additionally, leveraging blockchain's
decentralized ledger, smart contracts, and cryptographic principles, the chapter
elaborates on how immutable records can streamline traffic management systems,
enabling real-time monitoring, optimization, and enforcement of traffic regulations.
This chapter elucidates the potential of IoT and blockchain integration to revolutionize
data security and traffic management paradigms, paving the way for smarter, safer, and
more sustainable urban ecosystems.
Security Enhancement of Smart Grids using Blockchain Technology
Authors: Nelapati Praveen , Funde Nitesh A. , Viswanadapalli Anusha , Jain Khushboo , Dhabu Meera
Published: December 2024

The smart grid idea is implemented as a modern interpretation of the
traditional power grid; it enables a two-way flow of electricity and data, including
energy management, using different entities such as smart meters, appliances, and
renewable energy resources. The critical nature of smart grids evokes traditional
network attacks. Physical attacks, cyber-attacks, and natural disasters are significant
threats to smart grid deployment. These threats can lead to infrastructural failures and
various problems, including blackouts, energy theft, breaches of customer privacy, and
endangering safety of operating personnel.The blockchain has some significant features, making it an applicable technology for
smart grid standards to solve security issues and trust challenges. We categorize the
blockchain applications in the smart grid into three categories: energy trading,
infrastructure management, and smart-grid operations management. We present
different methods for security enhancement of Smart Grids (SG) using blockchain
technology. A wide range of energy applications have suggested a suitable blockchain
architecture in smart grid operations, a sample block structure and the potential
blockchain technicalities employed in it. There is a need to critically examine the
security issues aimed at preventing possible threats or failures. Various security
challenges and threats are discussed with respect to their possible sources of
occurrence. The important research problems and possible future research directions
are presented for addressing smart grid security concerns using blockchain.
Soil as a Living Habitat, General Considerations
Authors: Popoviciu Dan Răzvan
Published: December 2024

Soils cover most of the Earth’s landmasses. Soil is a complex system, under
continuous evolution and in perpetual relation to the atmosphere, hydrosphere,
lithosphere, and biosphere. It is polyphasic, composed of a solid (mineral and organic)
fraction, but also of liquid and gaseous fractions. A key aspect is its stratification into
several horizons. This complex structure determines the living conditions being
provided to the local biota, but also a major diversification of soil types on our planet.
Cycles of Matter in Soil, Carbon Cycle
Authors: Popoviciu Dan Răzvan
Published: December 2024

The entire organic chemistry is based on carbon, an essential element in all
substances that form living matter. The carbon cycle in soil comprises a wide variety of
processes, involving diverse groups of micro- and macroorganisms. Photoautotrophy
and chemoautotrophy are weakly represented, although they are not a negligible source
of organic matter. The dominant process, however, is decomposition. Sugars, lipids,
proteins, and other categories of compounds are being constantly degraded, through the
enzymatic activity of various heterotrophic microorganisms, forming humus (a
relatively stable organic complex) and, then, simpler and simpler products. In weakly
oxygenated soils, specific phenomena such as methanogenesis and its reverse,
methanotrophy, occur.
Prediction of the severity of acute urticaria in children, taking into account the type of autonomic dysfunction
Authors: Averkina L. A. , Posevina A. N. , Maltsev S. V. , Lebedenko A. A.
Published: December 2024

Objective: to study the features of the inﬂuence of the autonomic nervous system on the severity of acute urticaria in children.

Materials and methods: 73 children with acute urticaria were examined. Clinical research methods included an analysis of the life history and illness, an objective examination of the child, and recording of a cardiointervalogram.

Results: clinical and anamnestic data made it possible to identify features of the course of the disease that were not previously noted before the development of urticaria, such as complaints of pain in the heart, a feeling of diﬃculty breathing (without the presence of concomitant quincke's edema), dizziness, increased sweating (mainly of the palms and soles); analysis of the initial autonomic tone in children with acute urticaria; in cases of mild disease, a pronounced predominance of eutonia is observed, which indicates a coordinated increase in the activity of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts of the autonomic nervous system, and in patients with a pronounced clinical picture, a noticeable predominance of vagotonia is recorded.

Conclusion: The created model for predicting the severity of acute urticaria, taking into account clinical and anamnestic parameters, as well as changes in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, makes it possible to more objectively assess the severity of this pathology.
Weed Detection in Capsicum Annuum L. Crops Using Photogrammetry and Deep Learning Algorithms
Authors: Cornejo-Velázquez Eduardo , Camacho-Bello Cesar Joel , Duarte-Rangel Arturo , Clavel-Maqueda Mireya
Published: December 2024

Cuscuta spp. is a parasitic plant that causes losses estimated at 50 % of the yield of a wide variety of agricultural crops, including vegetables, forages, and trees. In the search for alternatives to solve this problem, small farmers are exploring the application of new technologies to food production. This paper presents a remote-sensing Cuscuta spp. classification model based on aerial images collected by UAVs to generate orthophotos showing infested areas. The proposed model segments the characteristic yellowish color of the stem of Cuscuta spp. in the HSV color space to train a deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). The experiments included RGB images of a Chili bell pepper (Capsicum annuum Linnaeus) crop with Cuscuta spp. In addition, we performed model 5-fold cross-validation with different datasets by using images collected during three consecutive weeks to identify the growth of the weed-affected area. According to the metrics used, ResNet architecture proved to be the best model for classifying Cuscuta spp. and non-Cuscuta. The proposed method allows smallholders to detect and locate the weed in the early stages of growth to facilitate removal and mitigation efforts.
Efecto de la desinfección, el desarrollo foliar y las fitohormonas en la inducción de callos de Simarouba amara Aubl.
Authors: Mori-Vásquez Jorge Arturo , Panduro Tenazoa Nadia Masaya , Muñoz Fernandez Vanessa Jhasmin , Herrera-Saavedra Mao Augusto , De Setta Nathalia , De Oliveira Ferreira Glêyce , Avalos-Díaz Ayda Guisella , Gonzales-Alvarado Antony Cristhian
Published: December 2024

Disinfection and callus induction in forest species is essential to improve genetic production. Although multiple methods exist, their application in forest plants requires further research. Therefore, this study focused on the effect of disinfection, leaf development and phytohormones on callus induction in Simarouba amara. The study was structured in two experiments. In the first experiment, the efficacy of leaflet disinfection was evaluated using a completely randomized design with three sodium hypochlorite treatments (0 %, 0.25 % and 0.5 %). The second experiment, focused on callus induction, was developed under a 3 x 6 factorial design, which included three stages of leaf development (young, intermediate and mature) and six combinations of phytohormones (BAP, TDZ, 2,4-D, BAP+TDZ, BAP+2,4-D, TDZ+2,4-D, all at 1 mg/L). The main results showed that 0.25 % sodium hypochlorite achieved 88.9 % asepsis, with a lower percentage of oxidation (17 %). It was observed that, combinations of BAP+2,4-D and TDZ+2,4-D promoted higher callus formation, increased callus area and fresh and dry matter production, especially in segments of intermediate leaf development stage. This study highlights the importance of adjusting disinfectant and phytohormones according to leaf development stage for successful callus induction in Simarouba amara.
Artificial Intelligence–Aided Diagnosis System for the Detection and Classification of Private-Part Skin Diseases: Decision Analytical Modeling Study
Authors: Wang Wei , Chen Xiang , Xu Licong , Huang Kai , Zhao Shuang , Wang Yong
Published: December 2024

Background

Private-part skin diseases (PPSDs) can cause a patient’s stigma, which may hinder the early diagnosis of these diseases. Artificial intelligence (AI) is an effective tool to improve the early diagnosis of PPSDs, especially in preventing the deterioration of skin tumors in private parts such as Paget disease. However, to our knowledge, there is currently no research on using AI to identify PPSDs due to the complex backgrounds of the lesion areas and the challenges in data collection.

Objective

This study aimed to develop and evaluate an AI-aided diagnosis system for the detection and classification of PPSDs: aiding patients in self-screening and supporting dermatologists’ diagnostic enhancement.

Methods

In this decision analytical modeling study, a 2-stage AI-aided diagnosis system was developed to classify PPSDs. In the first stage, a multitask detection network was trained to automatically detect and classify skin lesions (type, color, and shape). In the second stage, we proposed a knowledge graph based on dermatology expertise and constructed a decision network to classify seven PPSDs (condyloma acuminatum, Paget disease, eczema, pearly penile papules, genital herpes, syphilis, and Bowen disease). A reader study with 13 dermatologists of different experience levels was conducted. Dermatologists were asked to classify the testing cohort under reading room conditions, first without and then with system support. This AI-aided diagnostic study used the data of 635 patients from two institutes between July 2019 and April 2022. The data of Institute 1 contained 2701 skin lesion samples from 520 patients, which were used for the training of the multitask detection network in the first stage. In addition, the data of Institute 2 consisted of 115 clinical images and the corresponding medical records, which were used for the test of the whole 2-stage AI-aided diagnosis system.

Results

On the test data of Institute 2, the proposed system achieved the average precision, recall, and F1-score of 0.81, 0.86, and 0.83, respectively, better than existing advanced algorithms. For the reader performance test, our system improved the average F1-score of the junior, intermediate, and senior dermatologists by 16%, 7%, and 4%, respectively.

Conclusions

In this study, we constructed the first skin-lesion–based dataset and developed the first AI-aided diagnosis system for PPSDs. This system provides the final diagnosis result by simulating the diagnostic process of dermatologists. Compared with existing advanced algorithms, this system is more accurate in identifying PPSDs. Overall, our system can not only help patients achieve self-screening and alleviate their stigma but also assist dermatologists in diagnosing PPSDs.