bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Social Media and Investment Decisions in the Nepali Stock Market
Authors: Khadka Suresh , Chapagain Bal Ram
Published: May 2023

The growing pervasiveness and influence of social media in different spheres of life cannot be denied at all. In this light, this study aims to examine the relationship between different aspects of social media and investment decisions in the context of the Nepali stock market. The study sample included 384 retail investors, and the data was collected through structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and standard multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Although significantly positive relationships were found between all aspects of social media and investment decisions, content on social media has a stronger relationship with investment decisions relative to the online community behavior on social media and corporate image on social media. This is among the limited studies of its kind in the distinct socio-economic context of Nepal. Corporate managers may regularly update relevant information on their social media platforms for attracting potential investors and increase their firm value. Likewise, regulators may run investor education programs in order to protect investors, particularly immature retail investors, from the risk associated with potentially less reliable information on social media platforms. Future researchers may employ a mixed-method research design to uncover the comprehensive set of factors influencing investment decisions in the context of the Nepali stock market.
Pemanfaatan Prototype Model Dalam Pembuatan Aplikasi Manajemen Aset Pada Badan Keuangan dan Aset Daerah Provinsi Kalimantan Barat
Authors: Firmansyah Yoki , Maulana Reza , Linawati Safitri , Maulana Fadil
Published: May 2023

Badan Keuangan dan Aset Daerah (BKAD) Prov. Kalimantan Barat merupakan salah satu pemerintahan yang fokus membantu Gubernur dalam melaksanakan unsur penunjang urusan pemerintahan yang menjadi kewenangan daerah dan tugas pembantuan di bidang keuangan daerah sesuai dengan ketentuan peraturan perundang-undangan. Proses pengurusan sertifikat deposito di Kas Daerah Prov. Kalbar masih menerapkan cara konvensi yaitu pencatatan dilakukan pada media fisik atau berupa buku, sehingga pencatatan dengan media buku dianggap tidak efektif karena berdampak pada proses pencarian catatan transaksi yang memakan waktu, serta pembuatan laporan yang harus mengulang tahapan yang dirangkum setiap bulan membutuhkan ketelitian dan kesabaran karena jika ada transaksi yang bukti tiketnya hilang, akan menyulitkan operator untuk membuat laporan. Oleh karena itu, pada penelitian ini dirancang sebuah aplikasi berbasis web dengan menggunakan model prototype untuk mengatasi permasalahan yang terjadi. Dan dengan adanya aplikasi ini diharapkan kinerja Badan Keuangan dan Aset Daerah (BKAD) Provinsi Kalimantan Barat dapat meningkatkan kinerjanya dalam hal pengelolaan pengelolaan transaksi simpanan.
Pendekatan Metode Prototype Pada Aplikasi Presensi Berbasis Mobile (Studi Kasus: Kantor Desa Mekar Jaya)
Authors: Bayu Pratama Eri , Hendin Ade , Fristian Angga
Published: May 2023

The village office as a government agency at the lowest level requires an information system that can help manage employee attendance data more efficiently. This research aims to design a mobile-based attendance application for the village office using the prototype method. The prototype method was chosen to facilitate the application design, so that the application can be immediately used by village office employees. This research was conducted by collecting data through interviews and observations at the village office that became the subject of the study. The data was then used as a basis for designing the attendance application using the prototype method. The result of this research is a mobile-based attendance application that can be used by the village office to manage employee attendance data more efficiently. This application can also help improve the accuracy of employee attendance data and reduce the risk of errors in the data management process. In conclusion, the use of the prototype method can help accelerate the process of developing attendance applications at the village office and improve the effectiveness of managing employee attendance data.
Perancangan Sistem Informasi Pengolahan Data Transaksi Pada Toko Kelontong Tebas Berbasis Web
Authors: Rezki Muhammad , IFAN RIFANI IHSAN Muhammad , Nurdiani Siti
Published: May 2023

Teknologi informasi dan komunikasi saat berkembang pesat, sala satunya dengan mengubah kegiatan di dunia perdagangan  (e-commerce). Perkembangan pesat itu, membantu memberikan solusi bagi aktivitas manusia dalam hal perdagangan.  Toko Kelontong Tebas yang beralamat jalan raya Tebas di Kecamatan Tebas menyediakan kebutuhan pokok.  Dalam menjalankan usahanya, toko kelontong Tebas menggunakan cara manual untuk transaksi dan pendataan. Memanfaatkan teknologi dapat membantu kegiatan tersebut, seperti menggunakan sistem informasi berbasis website.  Dalam perancangan sistem ini, penulis menggunakan metode System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) untuk mengembangkan sistem informasi kasir. Sistem informasi ini menyediakan fitur untuk mengelola data barang seperti nama, stok, transaksi, mencetak struk sampai membuat laporan. Test case pada sistem informasi ini menghasilkan semua fitur valid atau dapat dioperasikan sesuai harapan. Kesimpulannya, sistem informasi ini memudahkan pemilik dalam mengelola data transaksi, mempermudah dan mempercepat proses pencarian data penjualan dan mengurangi ruangan penyimpanan serta menjaga keamanan data dari kehilangan data atau data yang rusak.
Socio-demographic Factors Affecting Health-related-quality of Life in Post-renal-transplant Patients
Authors: Adeeb Humera , Ullah Ihsan , Amin Raheelah
Published: May 2023

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the socio-demographic factors affecting health related quality of life in renal transplant recipients. Material and Methods: A census of all registered post-renal-transplant patients was conducted from October 1, 2018, to January 31, 2019. Data were collected on a Kidney Disease Quality of Life questionnaire (SF-1.3) and analysed by Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). Scores in the three main domains, physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS), and kidney disease component summary, were calculated. Mean scores for gender, type of donor, and employment were compared by unpaired t-test, while mean scores for age, level of education, and duration of transplant were compared by analysis of variance. Results: Out of 315 patients, 277 (87.9%) were males and 38 (12.1%) were females. The mean age was 37.26 (±10.14) years. Live unrelated transplants were 58.41% while live related transplants were 41.58%. Males had a significantly higher average (p-value=0.001) PCS score, but females had significantly higher average (p-value=0.05) MCS score. There was variation with respect to the PCS (p-value=0.031) and MCS (p-value=0.001) scores in the different age categories. The education groups varied significantly with respect to MCS (p-value=0.05). The recipients of live unrelated transplants had significantly lower average PCS score. Conclusion: The female gender, live related donor and variations in ages were associated with lower PCS scores, while male gender, variations in ages, and education were associated with lower MCS scores. This study demonstrates that the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form-1.3 (KDQOL SF-1.3) is a good tool to reveal differences in HRQOL scores in renal transplant recipients.
Використання ментальних карт для розвитку пізнавальних стратегій учнів на уроках хімії
Authors: Гиря Олексій
Published: May 2023

У статті актуалізовано проблему використання ментальних карт в процесі цілеспрямованого розвитку індивідуальних пізнавальних стратегій учнів на навчальних заняттях з хімії. Виходячи з низки завдань, які перед педагогами ставить концепція Нової української школи, обґрунтовано необхідність індивідуалізації навчання для формування індивідуального пізнавального досвіду школярів та ключових компетентностей. З’ясовано, що індивідуальна пізнавальна стратегія – це організована, цілеспрямована і регульована послідовність визначених дій, які виконують учні під час навчальної діяльності, для того щоб навчання стало легшим, більш швидким та ефективним.

Метою статті є дослідження методичних прийомів використання ментальних карт як засобу розвитку індивідуальних пізнавальних стратегій учнів на уроках хімії.

Використано теоретичні методи дослідження – аналіз, синтез, моделювання, а також емпіричні методи – педагогічний експеримент для з’ясування ефективності використання ментальних карт у процесі розвитку основних пізнавальних стратегій учнів – мнемічних, когнітивних та соціальних. З’ясовано, що найбільший ефект інтелект-карти дають у процесі аналізу учнями хімічних явищ та об’єктів, а також розв’язування розрахункових задач.

На емпіричному рівні доведено позитивний вплив технології створення ментальних карт на формування пізнавального досвіду учнів, зокрема їх аналітичних та прогностичних умінь, а також як засобу міжгрупової комунікації. Обґрунтовано значення інтелект-карт для інтегрованого сприйняття навчального матеріалу, в забезпеченні взаємозв’язку між теоретичними та практичними навичками учнів. З’ясовано, що використання технології створення ментальних карт надає можливість учням моделювати індивідуальні пізнавальні стратегії в залежності від складності та практичної спрямованості навчального матеріалу з хімії. Наведено приклади ментальних карт, які орієнтовані на формування в учнів відповідних індивідуальних стратегій.
Перспективи використання інноваційних методів у хімічній освіті
Authors: Денисенко Тетяна , Стець Надія
Published: May 2023

У статті проведений аналіз наукових джерел щодо ключових напрямків змін у хімічній освіті, і визначено можливості застосування європейського та світового досвіду під час викладання та навчання хімії. У якості освітніх перспектив запропоновані наступні: змінити цілі викладання та навчання хімії таким чином, щоб сприяти їх доречності у повсякденному житті та в професійній діяльності; зв‟язати знання, які були отримані в ході вивчення природничих наук на більш ранніх етапах, та модифікувати їх під задачі, що розглядаються вищою хімічною освітою; визнати, що викладання хімії є науково- обґрунтованою професією, що постійно розвивається та осучаснюється.

У роботі розглянута доцільність застосування інноваційних засобів навчання таких, як онлайн-платформа BACON, додаток для смартфонів Backside Attack, програми QR Chem, технології віртуальної реальності (VR) і доповненої реальності (AR), технологій адитивного виробництва, відомих як 2D- і 3D-друк для викладання хімічних дисциплін. Продемонстровано можливість адаптації YouTube-каналу під навчальні цілі та підкреслено необхідність створення хімічного YouTube-каналу.

Проведений аналіз наукових джерел свідчить про те, що використання сучасних підходів, способів та засобів викладання і навчання хімії спрямовує студентів на формування особистих навичок. Отриманий досвід студенти зможуть реалізовувати у професійній діяльності та використовувати у побуті, а також покращувати протягом усього життя. Очікуваним результатом таких освітніх інновацій є виховання міждисциплінарних, кваліфікованих, креативних спеціалістів, які володіють системним та критичним мисленням, та сучасних викладачів, які максимально орієнтовані на студентів.

Планується впровадження означених інноваційних підходів для викладання університетських курсів загальної та неорганічної хімії, колоїдної хімії, медичної хімії, фізичної хімії, органічної хімії, хімічного матеріалознавства, сучасного хімічного перфомансу та інших
Типові недоліки в знаннях і уміннях учнів з органічної хімії
Authors: Решнова Світлана , Блажко Олег
Published: May 2023

Мета статті полягає у представленні класифікації типових недоліків в знаннях і уміннях учнів з органічної хімії, розкритті причин їх виникнення та негативних наслідків їх існування, визначенні способів їх усунення.

Використано теоретичні методи дослідження − аналіз, синтез, порівняння, моделювання, а також емпіричні методи – вивчення передового педагогічного досвіду.

Запропоновано класифікацію типових недоліків в знаннях і уміннях учнів з органічної хімії, в основу якої покладена причина їх виникнення. Виділено чотири групи типових недоліків, що виникають внаслідок: неправильного формування понять; недостатнього формування понять; вибору нераціонального шляху формування понять; відсутності формування деяких понять.

Використання практикуючими вчителями вищенаведеної класифікації типових недоліків у знаннях та вміннях учнів з хімії дозволить подолати їх формалізм, забезпечити їх дієвість і, відповідно, підвищить ефективність формування та розвитку предметної компетентності з хімії. Також розроблену класифікацію можна використовувати як навчальний матеріал методичних дисциплін, що вивчаються майбутніми вчителями хімії. Під час реалізації власної педагогічної діяльності пропонуємо здобувачам вищої освіти спеціальності 014 Середня освіта (хімія) різні типи задач з методики навчання хімії, зокрема, задачі на типові недоліки в знаннях і вміннях з наведеним текстом відповіді учня та зі спільною вимогою: «Вкажіть суть недоліку, наслідки існування, причини виникнення, способи усунення». Розв‟язуючи ці задачі, майбутні вчителі хімії застосовують теоретичні знання на практиці, формують вміння запобігати виникненню типових недоліків з хімії в знаннях і вміннях учнів, що загалом сприяє формуванню професійно-методичної компетентності фахівця.
Limits, Genealogies, and Openings
Authors: Bandak Andreas , Stjernholm Simon
Published: May 2023

This article, which introduces a special collection of articles, is intended to invite scholarly reflection on the study of religion in the present day. We believe that a meaningful conversation about what happens when we engage religion for scholarly purposes forces us to consider the ways in which the very category ‘religion’ shapes our research interests and scholarly communities. A focus on ‘engagements’ is furthermore useful as we seek an open conversation about what is lost and what can be found in the translations and transitions between analytical categories and empirical findings. We contend that much can be learned by exploring what, exactly, is engaging us—and how we engage—in the study of religion. It is therefore the aim of this article and those that follow to participate in joint interdisciplinary thinking about the means, ends, methods, and results of academic analyses that deal with religions and religiosity.
Culture and Religion
Authors: Scheer Monique
Published: May 2023

Religion is often viewed as a subset of ‘culture’, that is, the two terms are often used interchangeably. At the same time, it is possible to view religion and culture as clearly distinct, perhaps even opposed to each other. This article ponders the ways in which what counts as religion in the present day is intertwined with a concept of culture. Each has an essentialist and postmodern variant, and how they are related, whether conflated or separated, carries normative claims about each. Bringing together theoretical insights on these two highly debated concepts, this piece offers an analysis of the nested indeterminacies between both and urges analytical attention toward them in the interplay of essentializing and de-essentializing practices.
Waiting for Utopia
Authors: Cordova Giovanni
Published: May 2023

In this article I consider the connection between Islam and utopia, using the renewed visibility that Islamic actors and moral economies have gained in the post-revolutionary Tunisian public sphere as a starting point. In particular, based on ethnographic findings from field research in Tunisia, I take into account the interest in Salafism expressed by young Muslims, recently fascinated by the Salafi tradition even if not necessarily joining any formal Salafi organization. The recovery of an original and mythical perfection, rooted in the example of the ancestors (the salaf), that is, the Prophet and his Companions, has been the inspiration on which many young Tunisian Muslims draw in order to shape their subjectivity on the basis of a complex relationship with time and politics.
Shaping Memory through Visuality
Authors: Topolska Anna
Published: May 2023

This article focuses on war photography as a cultural phenomenon as used in secondary school history textbooks in the context of post-1989 Poland. It argues that the focus on the Second World War, its military aspects, and the threads previously erased from public memory, was specific to the Polish context. It also proves that the visuality of Polish textbooks after 1989 tends to correspond with the broader Western iconosphere as a result of political and cultural transformation. The mechanisms of visual communication underpinning these tendencies consist in several overlapping layers of experiencing and perceiving photography, such as studium, punctum (Roland Barthes), and spectrality (Michel de Certeau, Maciej Bugajewski). The article also postulates a visual literacy that holistically considers all of these aspects.
Looking without Seeing
Authors: Busch Christophe
Published: May 2023

The Holocaust was one of the most photographed genocides of the twentieth century. Since 1945, images from the liberation of the camps were used as shaming and shocking instruments of visual denazification. Many decades later, these icons are still used in educational contexts such as school textbooks, exhibitions, and documentaries and are presented almost exclusively as mere illustrations and not as independent sources. By approaching the image as a source, this contribution reflects on the different ways of looking at and seeing Holocaust photography. By moving from a purely emotional and illustrative approach to a more integrated visual approach, the complex dynamics underlying the Holocaust and the timeless mechanisms of totalitarianism (victimization, perpetration, and implication) can be better understood.
War on Terror in Afghanistan; an Analysis of U.S Failed Policy
Authors: Khan Muhammed Bilal , Ahmad Zeeshan , Ullah Maghfoor
Published: May 2023

Bush's presidency begins with Al Qaeda attack on US territory, they adopted new strategies to counter radical Islamist groups and ensure American security, and the new setup established a new central agency, known as 'The Department of Homeland Security.' Secondly, they decided to keep the war out of American territory and invaded Afghanistan and quash the sanctuaries of Al-Qaeda and get rid of the government in Afghanistan. Another strategy was 'the doctrine of Preventive war' and the last action was against Saddam Hussain about whom they used to claim that Iraq possessed "Weapon of Mass Destruction." They pursued Afghan Taliban, too, as the enemies of the United States. The reason for such war was that the Bush administration or war policy makers had no understanding of Afghan society. To such an ignorant invader over the complex society, the ethnically diverse and religiously traditional fault lines caused tremendous trouble.
U.S Foreign Policies and Strategies of Bush, Obama and Trump Administration in Afghanistan
Authors: Ullah Muhammad Usman , Rehman Saif Ur , Gul Azka
Published: May 2023

President Bush focused on military action and regime change, with the goal of disrupting Al Qaeda's ability to launch terrorist attacks. Obama increased the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan and focused on building up the capacity of Afghan security forces and increasing diplomatic efforts. Conversely, Trump continued the drawdown of U.S. troops, increased airstrikes and attempted to revive peace talks with the Taliban. In February 2020, the U.S. signed a peace agreement with the Taliban, including a timetable for the withdrawal of all troops by May 2021. However, the peace process stalled, leading the Biden administration to extend the withdrawal deadline to August 31, 2021, and eventually withdraw all U.S. troops from the country.
Diabetic Self-Management Among Diabetic Patients
Authors: Lata Prem , Aslam Muhammad , Ahmed Noman
Published: May 2023

People all around the world are affected by the deadly, complicated, and rising prevalent condition known as diabetes mellitus. The assessment of self-management among diabetic patients is very important. By self-monitoring of the blood glucose, eating healthy foods, doing exercise they can remain healthy despite of disease. The goal of the study is to determine how well diabetic patients manage their condition on their own. The study was conducted among diabetic patients in Hyderabad was convenient. Data was collected by DSMQ questionnaire. The statistical software for social sciences (SPSS) 21 version was used to examine the data. 100 individuals completed the survey, which was then returned for analysis (response rate of 100%). 46% of people frequently check their blood sugar levels, 49% take medications, 32% engage in physical activity, and just 32% adhere to the recommended diet. Majority of the diabetic patients do self- management but still there are a number of patients were unable to follow self-management regimes.
Impact of Malarial Infection on Hematological Parameters in Patients at Tertiary Care Hospitals in D.I. Khan
Authors: Ahmad Sajad , Amir Muhammad , Shahbaz Muhammad , Nazir Sarwat , Islam Sabeen
Published: May 2023

Malaria is among the leading parasitic infections in world causing major health problems. Plasmodium, being a blood parasite, causes changes in blood parameters. This study was aimed at identifying the Plasmodium specie and measuring the changes that occurred in hematological parameters, in malaria patients. The sample size consisted of 109 individuals divided into two (Infected and Control) groups: 71 malaria-positive and 38 malaria-negative individuals. The diagnosis was based on staining and direct visualization of the parasite under a microscope. Blood CP was performed on the "Sysmex XP 300 analyzer". Non-normally distributed continuous variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. An association between malaria and thrombocytopenia and anemia was noted but severe cases were not observed. Female patients were more Anaemic and the reduction in leukocyte count was also observed among malaria patients. Malaria causes changes in hematological parameters with thrombocytopenia during malarial infection. However, anemia was observed in female patients.
Formulation and In-Vitro Evaluation of Sustained Release Pilocarpine Ocuserts Using Modified Karaya Gum Extracted from Sterculia urens
Authors: Shareef Sajida , Khan Muhammad Imran , Sohail Muhammad Farhan , Akhtar Muhammad Furqan , Masood Athar , Usmani Sufyan Junaid
Published: May 2023

Ocular inserts of Pilocarpine nitrate (PN) were prepared using modified karaya gum (MKG) alone as release retarding polymer and in combination with the copolymer sodium alginate. Modification of the karaya gum was done by treating it with the trisodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) by cross linking method and evaluated for its physicochemical properties. Films of the MKG were prepared by employing solvent casting method using varying concentrations (600mg, 500mg and 400mg) of MKG and the sandwiching technique was used for the loading of drug. Sodium alginate (SA) and PN blend were prepared by triturating their appropriate amounts. Six ocusert formulations (F1-F6) were prepared with different concentrations of the polymer i.e MKG and SA while the amount of PN was kept constant in formulations. Formulations F1-F3 contained the MKG alone in varying concentrations (600mg, 500mg and 400mg) and F4-F6 contained SA (0.5 mg) in addition to MKG. The surface pH of prepared ocuserts from the formulations (F1-F6) was in the range of 6.63 to 6.8. Thickness range of the ocuserts was from 0.21 to 0.32 mm. Dissolution profiles of prepared ocuserts were studied and drug release was found within the range of 69.2± 1.36 % (F4, minimum) to 90.5± 3.21% (F3, maximum). Overall results of the study concluded that ocuserts fabricated with MKG and SA at optimized concentrations have the potential to sustain the release of PN and therefore reducing dosing frequency and adverse effects.
Where Does Salvation Come From? A Reading of 2 Kings 5:1–27
Authors: Ska Jean Louis
Published: May 2023

2 Kings 5:1–27 describes the healing of a foreigner, Naaman the Syrian, a high officer of the King of Damascus, by Elisha, a prophet in Israel. Naaman the Syrian suffers from a kind of skin disease called “leprosy” in the Bible. He thinks that, being rich and powerful, he is in possession of the means to get healed. He has to change his mind and his behaviour, though. He is healed when he agrees to listen to an Israelian maidservant, a slave, to the prophet Elisha, and to his own servants. When he bathes in the Jordan, he symbolically enters the Promised Land because he is healed and, at the same time, he acknowledges that Yhwh is the only Lord of the universe.
A Novel PSEN1 Variant Leading to Posterior Cortical Atrophy: A Case Report
Authors: Roveta Fausto , Marcinnò Andrea , Grassini Alberto , Ferrandes Fabio , Cermelli Aurora , Boschi Silvia , Gallone Salvatore , Atzori Cristiana , Imperiale Daniele , Dentelli Patrizia , Pasini Barbara , Brusco Alfredo , Rubino Elisa , Rainero Innocenzo
Published: May 2023

We describe a 52-year-old patient with a progressive visuospatial disorder and apraxia. Neuropsychological assessment, neuroradiological findings, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) core biomarker assay on cerebrospinal fluid led to a diagnosis of posterior cortical atrophy due to AD. We performed a next generation sequencing dementia-gene panel and found the c.1301 C>T p.(Ala434Val) variant in the Presenilin1 ( PSEN1) gene. The missense change affects the PAL (Pro433-Ala434-Leu435) motif critical for catalytic activity of the macromolecular γ-secretase complex. Evolutionary and integrated bioinformatic tools predicted a deleterious effect of the variant supporting its role in the AD pathogenesis.
Poor Oral Health and Risk of Incident Dementia: A Prospective Cohort Study of 425,183 Participants
Authors: Zhang Rui-Qi , Ou Ya-Nan , Huang Shu-Yi , Li Yu-Zhu , Huang Yu-Yuan , Zhang Ya-Ru , Chen Shi-Dong , Dong Qiang , Feng Jian-Feng , Cheng Wei , Yu Jin-Tai
Published: May 2023

Background: The association between poor oral health and the risk of incident dementia remains unclear. Objective: To investigate the associations of poor oral health with incident dementia, cognitive decline, and brain structure in a large population-based cohort study. Methods: A total of 425,183 participants free of dementia at baseline were included from the UK Biobank study. The associations between oral health problems (mouth ulcers, painful gums, bleeding gums, loose teeth, toothaches, and dentures) and incident dementia were examined using Cox proportional hazards models. Mixed linear models were used to investigate whether oral health problems were associated with prospective cognitive decline. We examined the associations between oral health problems and regional cortical surface area using linear regression models. We further explored the potential mediating effects underlying the relationships between oral health problems and dementia. Results: Painful gums (HR = 1.47, 95% CI [1.317–1.647], p < 0.001), toothaches (HR = 1.38, 95% CI [1.244–1.538], p < 0.001), and dentures (HR = 1.28, 95% CI [1.223–1.349], p < 0.001) were associated with increased risk of incident dementia. Dentures were associated with a faster decline in cognitive functions, including longer reaction time, worse numeric memory, and worse prospective memory. Participants with dentures had smaller surface areas of the inferior temporal cortex, inferior parietal cortex, and middle temporal cortex. Brain structural changes, smoking, alcohol drinking, and diabetes may mediate the associations between oral health problems and incident dementia. Conclusion: Poor oral health is associated with a higher risk of incident dementia. Dentures may predict accelerated cognitive decline and are associated with regional cortical surface area changes. Improvement of oral health care could be beneficial for the prevention of dementia.
Incidence of Newly-Diagnosed Dementia After COVID-19 Infection versus Acute Upper Respiratory Infection: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Gollop Celina , Zingel Rebecca , Jacob Louis , Smith Lee , Koyanagi Ai , Kostev Karel
Published: May 2023

Background: There is emerging evidence that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is giving rise to seemingly unrelated clinical conditions long after the infection has resolved. Objective: The aim of this study is to examine whether COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of dementia including Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: This retrospective cohort study is based on longitudinal data from the IQVIATM Disease Analyzer database and included patients aged≥65 with an initial diagnosis of COVID-19 or acute upper respiratory infection (AURI) from 1,293 general practitioner practices between January 2020 and November 2021. AURI patients were matched 1 : 1 with COVID-19 patients using propensity scores based on sex, age, index quarter, health insurance type, the number of doctor visits, and comorbidities associated with dementia risk. Incidence rates of newly-diagnosed dementia were calculated using the person-years method. Poisson regression models were used to compute the incidence rate ratios (IRR). Results: The present study included 8,129 matched pairs (mean age 75.1 years, 58.9% females). After 12 months of follow-up, 1.84% of the COVID-19 patients and 1.78% of the AURI patients had been diagnosed with dementia. The Poisson regression model resulted in an IRR of 1.05 (95% CI: 0.85–1.29). Conclusion: This study did not find any association between COVID-19 infection and one-year dementia incidence after controlling for all common risk factors for dementia. Because dementia is a progressive disease, which can be difficult to diagnose, a longer follow-up period might offer a better insight into a possible association between COVID-19 infection and an increased incidence of dementia cases in the future.
Area-Level Infant Mortality Exposure in Early Life and Alzheimer’s Disease Mortality: Examining Variation Based on Age, Sex, and Place of Birth
Authors: Topping Michael , Kim Jinho , Fletcher Jason
Published: May 2023

Background: Growing evidence suggests that critical periods in early life may contribute to one’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in later life. In this paper we explore the role that exposure to infant mortality plays in later life ADRD. Objective: To determine if exposure to early life infant mortality is associated with later mortality from ADRD. Also, we explore how these associations differ by sex and age group, along with the role of state of birth and competing risks of death. Methods: We use a sample of over 400,000 individuals aged 50 and above with the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study with mortality follow-up, allowing us to examine how early life infant mortality rates along with other risk factors play in one’s individual mortality risk. Results: We show that infant mortality rates are associated with death from ADRD among those under 65 years of age, but not those over 65 at baseline interview. Moreover, when factoring in competing risks of death, the associations are relatively unchanged. Conclusion: These results suggest that those exposed to worse adverse conditions during critical periods increase their likelihood of death from ADRD earlier than average, due to that exposure increasing their susceptibility to develop illness later on in life.
Multifactorial Modeling of Cognitive Trajectories Using an Advanced Regression Technique: Improving Our Understanding of Biomarkers and Modifiable Variables that Support Cognition
Authors: Fletcher Evan
Published: May 2023

Current research trends emphasize complex models of cognitive outcomes, with multiple, interacting predictors, including factors amenable to interventions toward sustaining healthy cognitive aging. Such models often require advanced analysis techniques. The article by Stark et al., ‘Partial least squares regression analysis of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, modifiable health variables, and cognitive change in older adults with mild cognitive impairment’, uses partial least squares regression to examine the associations to memory and executive change of 29 biomarker and demographic variables. This commentary discusses the significance of their results and methods within the context of current research foci.
Evolutionary Selection of APOEɛ4 Encourages Increased Focus on Immunity in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Wheeler Christopher J.
Published: May 2023

Smith and Ashford present a compelling hypothesis on evolution of APOE alleles, namely that ɛ4 prevalence is mediated by immune selection pressure against enteric pathogens. While the ɛ3 allele is more prevalent today, it outcompetedɛ4 only relatively recently, as immune selection pressure for more effective immune responses to such pathogens was alleviated with transition to agrarian from hunter-gatherer lifestyles. Smith and Ashford’s hypothesis is intriguing in itself, but the implications for APOE ɛ4 function in Alzheimer’s disease are even more so and encourage greater focus on specific aspects of immunity in accounting for both ɛ4-mediated and general Alzheimer’s disease risk.
Enhanced energy efficient sleep awake aware intelligent sensor network routing protocol for wireless sensor network
Authors: Devika M. , Shaby Maflin
Published: May 2023

One of the major challenge in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN’s) deployment is efficient energy consumption. Critical distance, proper routing algorithm and error control coding techniques can be used for energy optimization. As WSN contains a large number of power constrained sensors, the sensed data from the environment should be transmitted in a cooperative way to the base station (BS). The pattern of the clustering structure can extend the sensor network life time, reduce the total consumed energy and regulate the data transmission. Clustering concept combines group of sensors which are located in the same communication range. Some of the routing protocol like, SEED, LEACH, SEP, Z-SEP etc., suffers from idle listening problem, which cannot cope with an environment with sensor nodes. It leads to energy wastage across the network. To manage energy efficiency and traffic heterogeneity issues, a new routing protocol called enhanced energy efficient sleep awake aware intelligent sensor network (EEESAA) is proposed. Here, one sensor in each group will be in active mode whereas other sensors entered in sleep mode. Based on the nodes energy, sleep and awake node pairs will be altered. In the proposed method, one slot is allotted for group of pairs. The proposed approach is evaluated and compared against LEACH, SEP and Z-SEP protocols. Simulation results show that EEESAA protocol performs better than LEACH, SEP, Z-SEP in terms of cluster head selection, throughput, number of alive & dead nodes and network lifetime.
Impact of Early Non-Invasive Ventilation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sarasate Mikel , González Nuria , Córdoba-Izquierdo Ana , Prats Enric , Gonzalez-Moro Jose Miguel Rodriguez , Martí Sergi , Lujan Manel , Calle Myriam , Antón Antonio , Povedano Mónica , Farrero Eva
Published: May 2023

Background and objective:

Forced vital capacity (FVC) less than 50% of predicted is one of the main parameters used for Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) initiation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Recent studies suggest that higher values of FVC could be considered as a threshold. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether early use of NIV improves the prognosis of ALS patients compared with standard initiation.

Methods:

This is a randomized, parallel, multicenter, open-label, controlled clinical trial, with recruitment at the ALS outpatient multidisciplinary units of six Spanish hospitals. Patients were included when their FVC reached the 75% threshold and were randomized by computer, stratifying by center in an allocation ratio of 1:1 to Early NIV (FVC below 75%) or Standard NIV (FVC below 50%) initiation. The primary outcome was time to death or tracheostomy. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01641965.

Results:

Between May 2012 and June 2014, 42 patients were randomized to two groups, 20 to Early NIV and 22 to Standard NIV initiation. We found differences in survival in favor of the intervention group: an incidence of mortality (2.68 [1.87–5.50] vs. 3.33 [1.34–4.80] person-months) and a median survival (25.2 vs. 19.4 months), although without reaching statistical significance ( p = 0.267).

Conclusions:

This trial did not reach the primary endpoint of survival; nevertheless, it is the first Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to demonstrate the benefits of early NIV in slowing the decline of respiratory muscle strength and reducing adverse events. Although not all the results reached statistical significance, all the analyzed data favor early NIV. In addition, this study demonstrates good tolerance and compliance with early NIV without quality of sleep impairment. These data reinforce the early respiratory evaluation of ALS patients and NIV initiation with an FVC of around 75%.
Relative Meaningfulness and Impacts of Symptoms in People with Early-Stage Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Mammen Jennifer R. , Speck Rebecca M. , Stebbins Glenn T. , Müller Martijn L.T.M. , Yang Phillip T. , Campbell Michelle , Cosman Josh , Crawford John E. , Dam Tien , Hellsten Johan , Jensen-Roberts Stella , Kostrzebski Melissa , Simuni Tanya , Barowicz Kimberly Ward , Cedarbaum Jesse M. , Dorsey E. Ray , Stephenson Diane , Adams Jamie L.
Published: May 2023

Background:

Patient perspectives on meaningful symptoms and impacts in early Parkinson’s disease (PD) are lacking and are urgently needed to clarify priority areas for monitoring, management, and new therapies.

Objective:

To examine experiences of people with early-stage PD, systematically describe meaningful symptoms and impacts, and determine which are most bothersome or important.

Methods:

Forty adults with early PD who participated in a study evaluating smartwatch and smartphone digital measures (WATCH-PD study) completed online interviews with symptom mapping to hierarchically delineate symptoms and impacts of disease from “Most bothersome” to “Not present,” and to identify which of these were viewed as most important and why. Individual symptom maps were coded for types, frequencies, and bothersomeness of symptoms and their impacts, with thematic analysis of narratives to explore perceptions.

Results:

The three most bothersome and important symptoms were tremor, fine motor difficulties, and slow movements. Symptoms had the greatest impact on sleep, job functioning, exercise, communication, relationships, and self-concept— commonly expressed as a sense of being limited by PD. Thematically, most bothersome symptoms were those that were personally limiting with broadest negative impact on well-being and activities. However, symptoms could be important to patients even when not present or limiting (e.g., speech, cognition).

Conclusion:

Meaningful symptoms of early PD can include symptoms that are present or anticipated future symptoms that are important to the individual. Systematic assessment of meaningful symptoms should aim to assess the extent to which symptoms are personally important, present, bothersome, and limiting
Mapping Relevance of Digital Measures to Meaningful Symptoms and Impacts in Early Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Mammen Jennifer R. , Speck Rebecca M. , Stebbins Glenn M. , Müller Martijn L.T.M. , Yang Phillip T. , Campbell Michelle , Cosman Josh , Crawford John E. , Dam Tien , Hellsten Johan , Jensen-Roberts Stella , Kostrzebski Melissa , Simuni Tanya , Barowicz Kimberly Ward , Cedarbaum Jesse M. , Dorsey E. Ray , Stephenson Diane , Adams Jamie L.
Published: May 2023

Background:

Adoption of new digital measures for clinical trials and practice has been hindered by lack of actionable qualitative data demonstrating relevance of these metrics to people with Parkinson’s disease.

Objective:

This study evaluated of relevance of WATCH-PD digital measures to monitoring meaningful symptoms and impacts of early Parkinson’s disease from the patient perspective.

Methods:

Participants with early Parkinson’s disease (N = 40) completed surveys and 1:1 online-interviews. Interviews combined: 1) symptom mapping to delineate meaningful symptoms/impacts of disease, 2) cognitive interviewing to assess content validity of digital measures, and 3) mapping of digital measures back to personal symptoms to assess relevance from the patient perspective. Content analysis and descriptive techniques were used to analyze data.

Results:

Participants perceived mapping as deeply engaging, with 39/40 reporting improved ability to communicate important symptoms and relevance of measures. Most measures (9/10) were rated relevant by both cognitive interviewing (70–92.5%) and mapping (80–100%). Two measures related to actively bothersome symptoms for more than 80% of participants ( Tremor, Shape rotation). Tasks were generally deemed relevant if they met three participant context criteria: 1) understanding what the task measured, 2) believing it targeted an important symptom of PD (past, present, or future), and 3) believing the task was a good test of that important symptom. Participants did not require that a task relate to active symptoms or “real” life to be relevant.

Conclusion:

Digital measures of tremor and hand dexterity were rated most relevant in early PD. Use of mapping enabled precise quantification of qualitative data for more rigorous evaluation of new measures.
One- and two-slit experiments with photons and electrons: A proper resolution
Authors: Arulsamy Andrew Das
Published: May 2023

We construct proper microscopic propositions to consistently explain the interference patterns obtained for electrons and photons in well-defined one- and two-slit experiments. Our propositions are also made explicit on the basis of quantum mechanics with proper quantitative analysis to support the correctness of the physical mechanisms proposed herein, which obey the wave-particle duality. In particular, our propositions and theoretical analysis demonstrate that for single-photon detection (after time integration), we cannot produce interference pattern if the usual diffraction slits are replaced with slit holes such that the non-transparent slit material does not permit photons to transmit, reflect internally or refract. However, the said non-transparent slit material with slit holes can produce the usual interference pattern with electromagnetic waves.
Tecnologias aplicadas ao monitoramento de parâmetros fisiológicos na produção de ruminantes
Authors:   Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Conceição Aline Rabello , Coeli Amanda Candian ,   Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Braga Pedro Henrique Silva ,   Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Oliveira Polliany da Costa Santos ,   Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Schultz Erica Beatriz ,   Universidade Federal de Viçosa
Published: May 2023

The objective was to review the main technologies in ruminant production for measuring respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR) and body temperature (BT). Physiological changes may indicate imbalance of vital body functions, so identifying their cause is crucial for early and assertive decision making. The use of technology aids in remote and continuous monitoring of the animals. The main technologies used for HR and RR were motion and optic sensors, such as those based on photoplethysmography, visible spectrum imaging or thermography (TIV). For body temperature the main technologies used are TIV and sensors (thermometers and thermocouples) for body and room temperature. It is concluded that the application of the technologies allows a greater volume of data while maintaining animal welfare.
Patterns of the process of starch nitration with nitric acid
Authors:   Shostka Institute of Sumy State University, Lukashov V. , Tishchenko S. , Sereda V. , Artyukhov A.
Published: May 2023

The article presents the results of the experimental study on the starch nitration process with aqueous solutions of nitric acid. This nitrating medium has a number of advantages over the nitric and sulfuric acids mixture commonly used in industry, in particular it concerns the chemical stability of resulting starch nitrate. The aim of this work is to establish the dependence of nitration degree of starch on the nitration process parameters, taking into account changes in the chemical composition of its macromolecules. The experimental research method involved the use of ferrous sulfate method to determine the nitration degree of starch and IR-Fourier spectroscopy to analyze the macromolecules chemical composition. The parameters of the nitration process were changed in the following ranges: the mass fraction of water in acid solution of 0 to 35%, the temperature of 3.4 to 800С, the nitration module, as the ratio of the mass of the acid solution to the mass of potato starch of 1 to 40, and the nitration time of 1 to 180 min or 24 h. Based on the experimental results, it was found that the maximum degree of starch nitration is achieved with a water mass fraction in the nitrating solution of about 2%; a further increase in its content leads to a decrease in the starch nitration degree. The increase in the starch nitration degree to the maximum value in this case indicates the nucleophilic mechanism of starch nitration. It is shown that the temperature has a weak effect on the starch nitration degree, and nitrates of oxidized starch are formed under the conditions of high temperature. Increasing the nitration modulus leads to an increase in the starch nitration degree. The effect of nitration time on the starch nitration degree is related to the starch property to dissolve in nitric acid. The initial stage of starch nitration process proceeds at a high rate, which is a consequence of the acid intense penetration into the starch amorphous regions and their dissolution. In the following stages, the nitration process is slowed down due to the acid diffusion into the starch crystalline regions. If nitration is continued, a practically stable value of the nitration degree is achieved in the resulting starch nitrate. The obtained results allow choosing rational conditions for preparation of starch nitrate, which is a powerful explosive.
Evaluation of the possibility of using regenerating oil and fat industry waste in elastomeric compound
Authors:   Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology, Sokolova L.O. , Sukha I.V. ,   Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology, Panfilova O.A. , Ovcharov V.I. ,   Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology, Tyshchenko V.O. ,   Zaporizhzhia National University
Published: May 2023

The paper reports the way of regenerating the oil and fat industry waste by using in elastomeric composition based on polydiene. Chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties of oil- and wax-containing fraction as a secondary raw material of sunflower oil production were determined using modern instrumental methods. The complex of technological, vulcanization, physical, mechanical, and other properties of filled and non-filled model elastomeric composition based on butadiene--methylstyrene rubber with 1.5 phr of oil- and wax-containing fraction was studied. The feasibility of using the studied bio-additives in filled elastomeric compositions with provides a high level of their properties and widens the range of ecologically safe ingredients from renewable plant raw material.