bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Ant Colony Algorithm Using Improved Circle Strategy for TSP Problem
Authors: Li Qingshun , Dong Xueshi , Guo Qingteng
Published: May 2022

Based on the problems existing in the traditional ant colony algorithm in solving the traveling salesman problem, a hybrid ant colony algorithm combining the improved circle strategy and the ant colony algorithm is proposed. In the proposed hybrid ant colony algorithm, an improved circle strategy is used to optimize the solution obtained by the ant colony algorithm, so as to improve the search efficiency and search ability. At the same time, the uniform design method is used to find the optimal parameter combination of the algorithm. The improved circle strategy is based on the nearest neighbor strategy to optimize the solution obtained by the ant colony algorithm into a better solution. This paper uses 8 standard instances in the TSPLIB standard library to experimentally verify the algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed hybrid ant colony algorithm can effectively improve the convergence ability of the algorithm, obtain higher quality solutions, and have better optimization ability and stability for solving TSP problems.
Client-Side Hashing for Efficient Typo-Tolerant Password Checkers
Authors: Blanchard Enka
Published: May 2022

Credential leaks still happen with regular frequency, and show evidence that, despite decades of warnings, password hashing is still not correctly implemented in practice. The common practice today, inherited from previous but obsolete constraints, is to transmit the password in cleartext to the server, where it is hashed and stored. This allows some usability improvements, such as typo-tolerant password checkers — which can correct up to 32% of typos, with no negative impact on security — formally introduced by Chatterjee et al. in 2016, but used in some preliminary forms since 2012. This article investigates the advantages and drawbacks of the alternative of hashing client-side, and shows that it is present today exclusively on Chinese websites. It introduces an alternative typo-correction framework based on client-side hashing, which corrects up to 57% of typos without affecting user experience, at no computational cost to the server. Finally, it proposes some potential ways to improve the industry standards by enforcing accountability on password security.
Reviewing the Ethics and Philosophy Behind Social Media's Crowdsourced Panopticon
Authors: Furiasse Amanda
Published: May 2022

Philosopher Jeremy Weissman theorizes a new approach to social media surveillance by utilizing a familiar theoretical model: the Panopticon. In effect, Weissman argues that social media has transformed ordinary people into prison guards within the Panopticon's public watchtower and endowed ordinary individuals with the power to track, survey, and discipline elite officials, once shielded from public scrutiny. This new power, however, comes with a catch. Social media subsumes individuals within an anonymous, de-individualized public, which erases individual difference while simultaneously and paradoxically promising to amplify that very difference. This review critically examines this paradoxical tension and the ethical concerns and challenges raised by social media's propensity to elicit anonymity.
Improving the Ethical Dimension in the Innovation Process
Authors: Lecomte Robin , Jean Camille
Published: May 2022

Large companies' engineering design processes rarely consider the ethical and moral dimensions of innovation projects. This need for ethics is increasingly felt, particularly with the advent of digital technologies. The research mainly focuses on product designers in large companies during the innovation/creativity phase. The authors propose and evaluate the efficiency of a method allowing them to consider ethics from this first stage of product development. A specific database incorporating ethical categories and problems from the early stages of idea generation supports this study. This database is inspired by a research project funded by the European Commission called ETICA. The authors evaluate the proposal with a detailed case study in a large automotive company. This case study highlights the contribution of the extended ethical design method from an ethical point of view and a financial one for the company. They believe that the proposal will boost creativity by addressing innovative product designers' usual fixations.
The Cultural Influence of Control Sharing in Autonomous Driving
Authors: Wan Yun , Akpan Emem , Guo Hongyu
Published: May 2022

This research investigated the cross-cultural perspectives on control-sharing in ethical decision-making when both human and AI-enabled auto-driven vehicles to involve. We reviewed the current practices. We then illustrated a survey we conducted related to this topic on a total of 771 subjects from three nations, the U.S., India, and Nigeria. We found participants from individualistic culture tend to emphasize personal choice and human control. We also found though most subjects prefer human drivers to take full control, India's subjects were more ambivalent in their attitude due to lower uncertainty avoidance. Also, subjects with higher incomes were more likely to cede control. There was consistent proportional distribution across nations in the control sharing configuration, with 2/3 chose full customization, and 1/3 chose limited customization. Car owners are more likely to have more control and full customization. Our findings shed important insights on both research in this domain and industry practitioners.
Squiride Rank
Authors: Sankpal Lata Jaywant , Patil Suhas H.
Published: May 2022

The proposed SquiRide Rank algorithm is designed by integrating the Squirrel Search Algorithm (SSA) with the Rider Optimization Algorithm (ROA), respectively. The concept of fictional computing and the foraging behavior realize the re-ranking process more effectively in the web environment. However, the features extracted from the web pages makes the process more effective and achieve global optimal solution through the fitness measure. The proposed SquiRide Rank algorithm effectively captures and analyzes the ranking scores of different search engines in order to generate the re-ranked score result. However, the proposed SquiRide Rank algorithm provides satisfactory results using the metrics, like precision, recall, and F-measure, which acquired with the values of 0.964, 0.996, and 0.980, respectively.
Management of an Aquifer Threatened by Saltwater Intrusion: Borrowing from Pollution Control Strategies
Authors: Woolverton Allison
Published: May 2022

In a region that is surrounded by multiple bodies of water, inundated by seasonal rains, and threatened by floods, water is not a resource that South Louisianians often think much about over consuming. However, over-pumping threatens one of the state’s largest groundwater reserves and sources of high-quality drinking water: the Southern Hills Aquifer System, which provides valuable freshwater supply to over 44,000 residents. This analysis assesses the relative effectiveness of three policy measures that could be implemented to limit saltwater intrusion into the aquifer: a cap-and-trade scheme for pumping permits, a tax on the water withdrawn, and a subsidy for industrial users not to withdraw. While each policy measure has both strengths and weaknesses in its ability to mitigate saltwater intrusion, a cap-and-trade scheme is the most feasible for the aquifer. The availability of data from the aquifer’s regulatory body, the high costs of conducting further studies, and the difficulty of measuring the numerous and extensive social and environmental externalities associated with over-extraction from the aquifer make the cap-and-trade scheme the most feasible of the three policy measures in this analysis.
The efficacy of transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy on reducing negative affect, anxiety sensitivity and improving perceived control in children with emotional disorders - a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Qanbari Alaee Elham , Saed Omid , Khakpoor Sahel , Ahmadi Reza , Ali Mohammadi Mahsa , Yoosefi Afrashteh Majid , Morovati Zekrolah
Published: May 2022

In response to the high rate of comorbidity among different types of emotional disorders in children, Transdiagnostic Unified Protocol of Emotional disorder in children (UP-C) was developed to address common underlying mechanisms in the development and maintenance of emotional disorders using empirically supported cognitive and behavioural strategies. Although, studies supported the effectiveness of this protocol in the treatment of wide range of emotional disorders, further studies are needed to examine its effect on transdiagnostic factors. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the UP-C on negative affect, anxiety sensitivity and perceived control in children with emotional disorders. During this randomized controlled trial, 34 children aged 7 to 13 with emotional disorders were randomly assigned to treatment (n=18) and control (n=16) groups. The treatment group and their parents received 15 sessions of UP-C. Negative Affect Schedule for Children (PANASNA- C), Children’s Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI), Anxiety Control Questionnaire-Children (ACQ-C) were carried out in all phases (pre-treatment, post-treatment, 3 and 8 months follow- up). The results showed that following UP-C, negative affect (hedges’g=2.01) and anxiety sensitivity (hedges’g=1.05) were significantly reduced, and perceived control (hedges’g= –2.36) was significantly improved. The results remained relatively constant during the follow-ups. Findings provide evidence that the UP-C has significant effect on negative affect, anxiety sensitivity and perceived control as roots of emotional disorders.
Comparison of Dexmedetomidine, Lidocaine, Magnesium Sulfate, and Remifentanil in Cough Suppression During Endotracheal Extubation
Authors: Jafarzadeh Ehsan , Modir Hesameddin , Moshiri Esmail , Barsari Farzad Zamani , Almasi-Hashiani Amir
Published: May 2022

Background:

This study was undertaken to compare the effects of several drugs on attenuation of stimulatory responses and cough suppression at the end of endotracheal extubation under general anesthesia.

Patients and Methods:

This trial was conducted on 120 patients who were candidates for general anesthesia in Arak, Iran. The patients were randomly assigned into four groups. All groups received the study drugs 10 min prior to the end of surgery in the following manner: group 1, 0.5 μg/kg intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine; group 2, 1.5 mg/kg IV lidocaine; group 3, 1 μg/kg IV remifentanil; and group 4, 30 mg/kg IV magnesium sulfate 50%. Laryngospasm, the presence of cough, mean arterial pressure, heart rate (HR), arterial oxygen saturation, and sedation were assessed and recorded.

Results:

No significant difference was observed in the number of coughs (P = .740) among the study groups. Although the dexmedetomidine group showed more sedation, the lowest increase in HR (P = .001) was observed in lidocaine and dexmedetomidine groups, respectively. The lowest and highest HR was observed in lidocaine and magnesium sulfate groups, respectively. The patients did not have laryngospasm during the assessment. In addition, dexmedetomidine had the highest Ramsay score (P = .019).

Conclusion:

There was no difference in the amount of laryngospasm and cough in the groups, and due to the lack of no serious complication requiring treatment, the study drugs can be recommended to be used for attenuating and suppressing stimulatory responses during endotracheal extubation.
A cross-sectional survey of psychosocial effects of COVID-19 on doctors working in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Kota Sushmitha , Kumar Shankar , Kayarpady Anvitha , Gopal Archana , Prashanth N. R.
Published: May 2022

Background:

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has made great psychological impact on the medical fraternity. Concerns such as fear of infection and inadequate PPE can lead to psychological distress impairing functioning.

Aims:

The aim of the study was to assess psychosocial effects among doctors working with COVID-19 patients and to study the association of these concerns with psychological distress.

Settings and Design:

It was a cross-sectional study conducted among 150 doctors in a tertiary care hospital treating COVID-19 patients for a period of 2 months.

Materials and Methods:

A pro forma containing sociodemographic details, concerns regarding COVID-19 and perceived needs that could reduce stress among the doctors, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 was sent using Google Forms to consenting doctors. Data were entered on SPSSv20. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test to compare concerns, univariate and multivariate logistic regression was done to predict stress using concerns.

Results:

Out of 150 doctors, 53 (35.33%) were male and 97 (52.67%) were female. The main concerns were fear of infecting colleagues and family members (55.33%), not getting adequate support from the management (47.33%), fear of infecting themselves (22%), and fear of death (22.66%). Working as a team (76.67%), provision of adequate PPE (63.33%), positive attitude of colleagues (62.67%), recognition of work by the management (58.67%), provision of adequate training (56.67%), and family support (53.33%) were the main perceived needs of the doctors which could reduce stress. Those with “high stress” significantly had greater helplessness, loneliness, and feeling avoided by people and fear of death due to COVID-19 (P: 0.05, 0.001, 0.002, and 0.01, respectively).

Conclusions:

The chief concerns among doctors working in COVID hospitals were regarding safety (infecting family members) and stigma and discrimination by the society. Factors which they perceived would reduce stress were working in a team, social support, and provision of safety measures by administration/management.
The role of Technetium-99m-Ethambutol scintigraphy in the management of spinal tuberculosis
Authors: Diah Lisa Herawati , Kartamihardja Achmad Hussein Sundawa
Published: May 2022

Spines is a common site of extrapulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (MTI). Spine destruction due to MTI can mimic other etiologies. Treatment of choice for spinal tuberculosis (STB) is anti-TB drugs while surgery could be needed in other causes. The gold standard for STB diagnosis is histopathology examination from biopsy tissue. Technetium-99m-ethambutol (99mTc-EMB) scintigraphy can be used to detect and localize of TB. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of 99mTc-EMB scintigraphy in STB management. Retrospective study was carried out from 2006 to 2014. Subject STB were patient STB with suspected of STB and underwent 99mTc-EMB scintigraphy. The histopathologic result was used as gold standard. Whole body planar acquisition was taken at 1 and 3 h postinjection of 370 MBq. Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography acquisition was performed on suspected area. 99mTc-EMB image were analyzed by two nuclear medicine
specialis. The 93 subject STB were included in this study. Histopathologic data were available in 40/93 subject STB. Positive and negative 99mTc-EMB scintigraphy were 32 and 8 subject STB. 99mTc-EMB scintigraphy result STB was concordance with the histopathologic finding in 37 subject STB. Sensitivity, specivicity, positive- and negative-predictive value, and accuracy of 99mTc-EMB scintigraphy 90.91%, 71.43%, 93.75%, 62.5%, and 87.5%, respectively. This study showed that patient STB with suspected 99mTc-EMB scintigraphy result could be directly treated with anti-TB. 99mTc-EMB scintigraphy has significant role in the management of STB.
Cancer Screening in Refugees and Immigrants: A Global Perspective
Authors: Walker Patricia F. , Settgast Ann M. , DeSilva Malini B.
Published: May 2022

Clinicians in the United States are trained to screen for cancer based on patient age, gender, family history, and environmental risk factors such as smoking. These cancers generally include, breast, cervical, colon, lung, and prostate cancers. We know that refugees and other immigrants to the United States experience dramatic disparities in cancer screening. Additionally, many immigrants experience elevated risks from infection-attributable cancers due to their country or region of origin. U.S.- based clinicians may not routinely consider these unique risk factors. Although this article focuses on refugees, it is also intended to guide clinicians caring for other foreign-born immigrant groups living in the United States (hereafter referred to as “immigrants”). The document contains two sections: 1) special considerations for U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines cancer screening recommendations in immigrants and 2) cancer risks and screening recommendation unique to certain immigrant groups. Disparities in cancer screening and prevalence are often greater for specific immigrant groups than for broader racial or ethnic groups (e.g., Black, Asian, Hispanic) into which they may fit. Disaggregation of data by language or country of origin is useful to identify such disparities and to design intervention opportunities within specific communities that are culturally distinct and/or who have different environmental exposures. Unique cancer risks and disparities in screening support a nuanced approach to cancer screening for immigrant and refugee populations, which is the focus of this narrative review.
Automated Vehicles: A Human/Machine Co-learning Perspective
Authors:   Stevens Institute of Technology, Nickerson Jeffrey , Lyytinen Kalle ,   Case Western Reserve University, King John L ,   University of Michigan
Published: May 2022

Automated vehicles (AVs)—and the automated driving systems (ADSs) that enable them—are increasing in prevalence but remain far from ubiquitous. Progress has occurred in spurts, followed by lulls, while the motor transportation system learns to design, deploy, and regulate AVs. Automated Vehicles: A Human/Machine Co-learning Experience focuses on how engineers, regulators, and road users are all learning about a technology that has the potential to transform society. Those engaged in the design of ADSs and AVs may find it useful to consider that the spurts and lulls and stakeholder tussles are a normal part of technology transformations; however, this report will provide suggestions for effective stakeholder engagement.
Deployment of Parallel Kinematic Machines in Manufacturing
Authors:   Cranfield University, Webb Philip
Published: May 2022

The field of parallel kinematics was viewed as being potentially transformational in manufacturing, having multiple potential advantages over conventional serial machine tools and robots. However, the technology never quite achieved market penetration or broad success envisaged. Yet, many of the inherent advantages still exist in terms of stiffness, force capability, and flexibility when compared to more conventional machine structures. Deployment of Parallel Kinematic Machines in Manufacturing examines why parallel kinematic machines have not lived up to original excitement and market interest and what needs to be done to rekindle that interest. A number of key questions and issues need to be explored to advance the technology further.
New Developments in Chinese Studies of Contemporary Inductive Logic
Authors: Ren Xiaoming
Published: May 2022

Contemporary Chinese studies in inductive logic have long revolved around the unfolding of a philosophical investigation into Hume’s problem. Led by research in probabilistic logic, the principal content of contemporary Chinese logic consists of research into Pascalean and non-Pascalean probabilistic logic, precise and imprecise probabilistic logic, pure inductive logic and material inductive logic. A newly arisen trend in the development of Chinese inductive logic is represented by the research on causal inference, which came into vogue within the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in the last few years. Consequently, the future developmental tendency will probably gravitate towards the new paradigms that will emerge from the mutual contest and interactions between probabilistic logic and causal logic.
Chinese Studies on the Logic of Natural Language
Authors: Zou Chongli , Li Kesheng
Published: May 2022

This paper makes a historic review on the development of the Logic of Natural Language (LNL) in China, which can be roughly divided into three periods: the first period which spanned from the late 1950s to the late 1980s was the initial period of LNL in China; the second period, a transitional period from the preliminarily integrated mode of LNL to the deeply integrated mode of LNL, lasted for the whole decade of the 1990s; the third period was from 2000 on, and during this period the deeply integrated mode became the mainstream of LNL. In today’s China, LNL is not only an important research field of logic, but has also exerted a great impact on linguistic studies and the studies in the field of natural language processing (NLP).
Asian Studies and the History of Chinese Logic
Authors: Rošker Jana S.
Published: May 2022

This special issue outlines the process of the introduction of logic in 20th century China. It describes the institutional as well as the conceptual and theoretical dimensions of this process, and presents the work of numerous eminent intellectuals who devoted their lives to promoting and introducing a public discourse of logic during this period. It also presents the Chinese institutional background that enabled the development of logic in China, such as academies, university departments, journals, and academic societies.
The Philosophy of Logic in China
Authors: Hu Yang , Hu Zehong
Published: May 2022

This 70-year retrospective of the Chinese work on philosophy of logic is presented mainly in terms of the notion of the “philosophy of logic”, the notion of logic and the social-cultural role of logic. It generally involves three kinds of questions, namely, how to distinguish philosophical logic from the philosophy of logic, what the nature and scope of logic is from Chinese scholars’ point of view, and why the social-cultural role of logic is underscored in the Chinese context. Finally, some of the prospects for the future studies of philosophy of logic in China are indicated.
Condom use and risk factors of inconsistent or low use of the condoms during heterosexual anal intercourse in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Nyoni Princess , James Nigel
Published: May 2022

Background: Anal intercourse (AI) has been reported to be the riskiest among other sexual intercourses in spreading human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the risk could be minimized by the use of condoms. Whilst AI is believed to be practised mainly by men who have sex with men, AI has also been reported to occur in heterosexual relationships. However, data on condom use during heterosexual AI are inadequate in sub-Saharan Africa.

Method: A scoping review of English language published articles on condom use during heterosexual anal sex, whose studies were conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa from January 2010 to May 2020 was conducted. Articles were searched systematically on PubMed and Google Scholar electronic databases. Heterosexual AI was defined as penile penetrative anal sexbetween a man and a woman regardless of the sexual orientation of the 2 parties involved in the act of heterosexual AI.

Findings: A total of 21 studies were eligible for analysis. Most of the studies (17 out of 21) reported females to be involved in heterosexual AI whilst 9 out of 21 studies reported males to be involved in heterosexual AI. The lifetime prevalence estimate of condom use during heterosexual AI ranged from 29%-97.5%. Other prevalence estimates of condom use duringheterosexual anal intercourse were reported over various recall periods which were: 12 months’ recall period with prevalence estimates ranging from 2.9%-59%; prevalence estimates for the past 3 months which ranged from 50%-94.4%; 1 month’s recall period with prevalence estimates ranging from 5%-96% and prevalence estimates for the last intercourse experienced ranging from 1%-55%. Condom use during heterosexual AI was generally low and/or inconsistent among female sex workers (FSWs), men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) and some women in the general population. There were no risk factors identified in the study for the inconsistent or low use of condoms during heterosexual AI.

Conclusion: Evidence from this study suggests condom use during heterosexual AI could be fairly low especially among groups such as FSWs, MSMW and some women in the general population. Risk factors for using condoms inconsistently or using condoms less during heterosexual AI are not clear. Heterosexual anal intercourse and condom use during the AIpractice is generally an under-studied subject in Sub-Saharan Africa. Future studies need to explore on heterosexual AI and condom use practices during AI comprehensively so that there can be concrete evidence on the subject which will inform targeted interventions aimed at reducing HIV among heterosexual populations in SSA.

Keywords: Heterosexual anal intercourse; condom use; sub-Saharan Africa.
Association of MTHFR gene polymorphism C677T (rs1801133) studies with early primary knee osteoarthritis in a South Indian population: a hospital-based study
Authors: Poornima Subhadra , Daram Swarnalatha , Krishna Devaki Rama , Merugu Ramchander , Subramanyam Krishna
Published: May 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most commonly occurring disease of middle and elderly population, which is characterized by focal loss of joint articular cartilage, osteophyte formation and sub chondral bone remodeling. Classical risk factors of OA include age, gender, weight, joint injury, trauma, however hereditary component is one of the main crucial factors. Severalgenome wide association studies and candidate gene approaches have identified genetic variants involved in the influence and association of OA. In the current study influence of Methylene tetra hydro folate reductase MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) gene with early primary knee OA was evaluated.In this study 400 samples were included (200 cases & 200 controls). DNA was extracted & processed for PCR- RFLP evaluation and genotype analysis. Statistical analysis was performed & results indicated a lack of association between MTHFR gene polymorphism and early primary KOA. The stratification was done based on age & gender and also both. Individual’si.e females below the age of 40 years are more prone to the disease when compared with males. MTHFR gene polymorphism showed a lack of association with early primary knee osteoarthritis. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study from south India.

Keywords: Polymorphism; MTHFR gene; Osteoarthritis; molecular analysis.
Incidence of Dengue fever, serotypes, clinical features, and laboratory markers: a case study of 2019 outbreak at district Shangla, KP, Pakistan
Authors: Ur Rehman Abid , Anwar Faheem , Tayyab Muhammad , Haq Ihteshamul , Haq Mohsina , Ahmed Ashfaq , Hala Haq  , Saleem Khan Abbas
Published: May 2022

Background: Dengue is a widely spread mosquito-borne infection in humans, which in recent decades declared is public health problem globally. The dengue virus contains 4 different serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4) which belong to the genus Flavivirus.

Aims: A descriptive experimental study was conducted to determine the epidemiology, types of Dengue serotypes, clinical features, laboratory probe, and markers for primary diagnosis of dengue virus infection in hospitalized patients.

Methodology: A total of 691 suspects were diagnosed from August to October 2019 in district Shangla KP, Pakistan. Serological tests were used for nonstructural protein-1 antigen (NS1), and antibodies (immunoglobulin-M (IgM) & Immunoglobulin-G (IgG)) while real-time PCR was used to confirm the cases. The data was statistically analyzed using IBM-SPSS Statistics 20 version.

Results: The dengue virus infection was more prevalent in the male group (68.09%) than the female group (31.1%). A large number of patients were from rural areas (63.5%) while from urban areas were (36.4%), whereas Besham tehsil was found the most affected compared to other regions. The most prevalent serotype observed in our study was DENV-3 (56.60%) while DENV-4 was the least prevalent serotype (1.88%). Among the age-wise analysis of dengue-virus-infected individuals, the age group of 19–37 years (64.07%) was found the most affected group. The month-wise analysis revealed that the highest number of infections (49.8%) were recorded in September. Significant differences were noticed among blood parameters.

Conclusion: The possible reasons for the dengue overwhelming in the study area could be less or lack of awareness particularly regarding the transmission of viral infections, improper sewage management, and no effective vector control strategies that lead the dengue outbreaks in the study population.

Keywords: Dengue; Outbreak; DENV; real-time PCR; RNA Virus; Pakistan.
Anxiety and depression levels of healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Turan Onur , Yılmaz Demirci Nilgün , AK Güntülü , Akçay Şule , Aka Aktürk Ülkü , Bilaçeroğlu Semra , Coşkun Funda , Köktürk Oğuz , Mirici Arzu , Özdemir Cengiz , Şen Nazan , Yilmaz Ülkü
Published: May 2022

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19), which causes a pandemic in the world, has started to appear in turkey since March 2020. Healthcare workers are at the top of the groups most at risk for covid-19 infection, which can have a negative impact on psychological state.

Objectives: It was aimed to evaluate anxiety and depression levels among healthcare workers.

Methods: this cross-sectional study performed via an online survey in april 2020. Participants answered questions about sociodemographic features, personal views and experiences about covid-19 and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (hads).

Results: A total of 300 healthcare workers,193 men and 107 women, participated in the survey. According to hads, 44.6% of participants scored above anxiety and 68.2% scored above depression cut-off points. Being younger than 50 and taking care of covid-19 patients in hospitals were independently associated with anxiety risk. Female gender, young age (less than 50) and having comorbidity were independent risk factors for depression.

Conclusion: Healthcare workers were at high risk of anxiety and depression during covid-19 outbreak. For this reason, psychological support should be given, especially to the group with high risk.

Keywords: Healthcare workers; anxiety; depression; covid-19
A gender comparison of psychological distress among medical students in Nigeria during the Coronavirus pandemic: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Mercy Idowu Oluwaseun , Gloria Adaramola OyinOluwa , Samson Aderounmu Boluwatife , Delight Olugbamigbe Ifeoluwa , Ezekiel Dada Olaoluwa , Christopher Osifeso Adeyinka , Peter Ogunnubi Oluseun , Ololade Odukoya Oluwakemi
Published: May 2022

Background: The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as a large scale stressor could have negative effects on the mental health of medical students. Since gender differences in mental health may exist, it is important to see if a large scale stressor like the pandemic may be associated with variances in the psychological distress between both genders.
Objectives: To assess and compare the psychological distress of male and female medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 1010 medical students from three universities in southwestern Nigeria within the first six months of the first reported case of the COVID-19 pandemic. The respondents were purposively selected. Data was obtained online on participants’ demographic and psychological distress using the General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12). Data was analyzed using the SPSS version 21, student t and chi-square tests were used to assess gender differences, and multivariate regression to assess the predictors of psychological distress among both genders. p values less than 0.05were considered statistically significant.
Results: Overall, female participants (OR=1.455, 95% CI= 1.095-1.936) were twice more likely to have experienced psychological distress than males during the COVID-19 pandemic. Age (OR=0.922, 95% CI= 0.867-0.979), being in pre-clinical years (OR= 1.394, 95% CI= 1.004-1.938), having a family income less than 100,000 naira (OR= 1.379, 95% CI=1.442-6.723) a previous history of mental illness (OR=3.077, 95% CI= 1.430-6.615) and having a relative/acquaintance diagnosed with COVID 19(OR=1.646, 95% CI= 1.062-2.551) were independently associated with psychological distress among the respondents. When comparing both genders,among females, age (OR=0.886, 95% CI= 0.803-0.978), family income less than 100,000 naira (OR=1.898, 95% CI= 1.306-2.759) and a previous history of mental illness (OR=5.266, 95% CI= 1.894-14.635) were associated with psychological distress, while, being in pre-clinical years (OR= 1.713, 95% CI= 1.052-2.790) was associated with psychological distress among males.
Conclusion: Females had more psychological distress compared to male students. It is recommended that gender-specific interventions addressing psychological distress among medical students are instituted.
Keywords: Psychological distress; psychological impact; gender; COVID-19; medical students.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis mixed infections and drug resistance in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review
Authors: Nkatha Micheni Lisa , Deyno Serawit , Bazira Joel
Published: May 2022

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa, is a region that records high rates of TB infection. Mycobacterium tuberculosis mixed strain infection, especially when the strains involved are of different susceptibilities, is an area of great interest because it is linked with an increased risk of treatment failure and transmission of resistant strains within the population. This paper reviewed original studies that reported MTB mixed infection and heteroresistance in the region between 2010 and 2020 to understand the extent of mixed strain infection and heteroresistance in the region. This information is very critical in the control of TB and ending the TB epidemic by 2035 as per the World Health Organization's vision.

Methods: Pubmed, Scopus, JSTOR, AJOL, and Google Scholar databases were searched through both key terms and subject headings. The literature was screened, assessed for the quality and evidence synthesized.

Results: Eighteen original articles were included in this review after having met the inclusion criteria. The frequency of mixed strain infection reported in these studies varied between 2.8% and 21.1% while drug resistance range between 0.06% to 19% depending on the study design and the drug susceptibility screening technique utilized. The majority of the studies (50%) utilized Spoligotyping in conjunction with MIRU-VNTR typing in the detection of mixed infections.

Conclusion: Despite the scarcity of data on mixed infections and heteroresistance in sub–Saharan Africa, various studies have revealed that these conditions are frequent in the region than previously thought. Given the evidence of the effect of mixed infections on drug resistance and treatment outcome, we conclude that mixed infection is an unavoidable topic for future studies.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; mixed infection; drug resistance.
Factors associated with risky sexual behaviour among clients undertaking HIV testing and counselling services at a secondary referral hospital Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Adedeji Adejumo Olusola , Ibironke Adebayo Bisola , Adesola Sunday , Bowale Abimbola , Ngozi Adejumo Esther , Atewe Stella , Sijuade Olayinka , Airauhi Andrew , Sodipo Oluwajimi , Shogbamimu Yeside
Published: May 2022

Background: This study determined the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour and its associated factors among clients who accessed HIV counselling and testing services at a secondary referral hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: A retrospective review of clients’ records was conducted. The Client Intake Form of people who accessed HIV counselling and testing services at Mainland Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria between July 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017, were reviewed. Multivariate analysis was conducted to determine the associated factors of risky sexual behaviour.

Results: A total of 4273 client’s records were analyzed, 3884 (90.9%) reported having sex before HIV counselling and testing (HCT). The prevalence of risky sexual behaviour among clients was 41.5%. More males and HIV positive clients had unprotected sex with a casual partner three months before HIV counselling and testing (p < 0.05). More singles than the married had unprotected sex with casual partners (p <0.001) and multiple sexual partners (p =0.002). The prevalence of risky sexual behaviour reduced with advancing age. Being single and having an HIV infection were associated with risky sexual behaviour in this study.

Conclusion: Age, marital status and HIV status were associated factors of risky sexual behaviour.

Keywords: Risky sexual behaviour; associated factors; HIV counselling; testing.
Predictivity of fatty liver index for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in lean females with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Arıkan Didem , Önmez Attila , Aksu Erson , Taşdemir Nicel
Published: May 2022

Background: Fatty liver index (FLI) is a simple tool used to predict non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The role of FLI in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) for the prediction of NAFLD has not been elucidated.

Methods: This case-control study was from January 2014 to January 2016. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical testing, and abdominal ultrasonography were performed in 83 premenopausal otherwise healthy women with PCOS and 58 controls. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasound. The predictivity of FLI for NAFLD in lean and overweight/obese females with PCOS was analyzed.

Results: The γ-glutamyl transferase levels were significantly higher in the females with PCOS than in the controls (p = 0.001). In women with PCOS, FLI was significantly higher in females with NAFLD comparing to those without NAFLD (47.1 ± 33.6 vs. 16.9 ± 21.6; p = 0.001). For the PCOS group, Body Mass Index had the strongest relationship with FLI (p < 0.05, r = 0.908). FLI < 30 was calculated for all the lean females. The lean females with PCOS had a significantly higher rate of NAFLD (27.5%vs. 8.8%; p = 0.041) than lean controls.

Conclusion: An FLI < 30 was not sufficient to rule out NAFLD in the lean PCOS patients.

Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; fatty liver index.
Mathematical Modelling of Syphilis Transmission Dynamics: Impacts of Mass Media Report, Risky Sexual Behavior and Treatment
Authors: Mwanga Gasper G.
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Syphilis is one of the deadly sexually-transmitted diseases. This paper studied the impacts of sexual behavior, mass media report and treatment of infected individuals on the dynamics of syphilis transmission. The analytical and numerical analyses of the model are presented. The disease free equilibrium of the model is both locally and globally asymptotic stable when the associated reproduction number is less than unity.  Analysis of the Reproduction number shows that it is not possible to control syphilis disease transmission if the rate of individuals practicing risky sexual behavior is high. Furthermore, the treatment of late (latent and tertiary) syphilis infection is beneficial to the infected individuals, but has no impact in the lowering of the reproduction number. This study suggests that the effective control strategy of syphilis must focus on lowering the number of individuals practicing risky sexual behavior and applying higher treatment rates for early syphilis infections. Furthermore, the media function should address the issues regarding safe sexual behavior.

Keywords: Syphilis, sexually transmitted infection, Risky sexual behavior, Mass media
ZENGEZUR KORİDORUNUN ULUSLARARASI TİCARET POLİTİKASI VE LOJİSTİK AÇIDAN ÖNEMİ
Authors: TÜTÜNSATAR Alper
Published: May 2022

Türkiye ve Azerbaycan arasındaki uluslararası ticaret her iki ülke için de bu nedenle önemlidir. Azerbaycan’ın ihracat yaptığı başlıca ülkeler sıralandığında Türkiye %19 pay ile 2. sırada yer almaktadır. Azerbaycan’ın ithalat verilerine incelendiğinde toplam ithalatın 10,7 milyar dolar olduğu ve dünya genelinde 92. sırada bulunduğu anlaşılmaktadır. Türkiye %15 pay ile yine Azerbaycan’ın 2. en büyük ihracat ortağı konumundadır. İthalat ve ihracat verilerinin Türkiye açısından değerlendirilmesi sonucunda, Türkiye’nin toplam ihracat hacminin 169 milyar dolar olduğu, toplam ithalat hacminin ise 219,5 milyar dolar olduğu görülmüştür. Bu hacim değerlerinden ihracatın 1,3 milyar doları Azerbaycan’a, ithalatın 328 milyon doları ise Azerbaycan’dan yapılmıştır. 2020 yılı için Azerbaycan tarafından gerçekleşen ihracat ve ithalat verilerinden sırasıyla 1,7 milyar dolar ve 8,2 milyar dolar boyutlarındaki hacmi karayolu ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu değerler Türkiye için ise sırasıyla 53 milyar dolar ve 41 milyar dolar hacmindedir. Karayolu taşımacılığının maliyetleri uluslararası ticarette önemli bir konudur. Gerçekleştirilen bu çalışma ile açılması planlanan Zengezur koridorunun Azerbaycan ile Türkiye arasındaki uluslararası ticarete muhtemel etkileri araştırılmıştır. Yapılan incelemeye göre mevcut durumda karayolu taşımacılığında Gürbulak sınır kapısından çıkılarak İran üzerinden Bilasuvar sınır kapısına ulaşılmaktadır. Bilasuvar sınır kapısından Azerbaycan’a giriş yapılarak Bakü’ye ulaşım söz konusudur. Bu ulaşım hattı değerlendirildiğinde ise ortalama 819 km mesafe olduğu görülmüştür. Zengezur koridorunun tamamlanması ile yeni güzergâh Dilucu sınır kapısından Nahcivan’a geçilmesi ve oradan devam edilmesi şeklinde devam edilecektir. Oluşturulması planlanan yeni güzergâh ile ortalama seyahat mesafesi 618 km olacaktır. Burada yaklaşık %25 mesafe kazancı olacaktır ve bu durum neticesinde karayolu taşımacılığının maliyetleri düşürülebilecektir.
Indonesian Gastronomy (Volumes 1 and 2)
Authors: Trihartono Agus , Santoso Budhy , Bayu Patriadi Himawan
Published: May 2022

The books “Indonesian Gastronomy Volumes 1 and 2,” written by Professor Murdijati-Gardjito and colleagues, are interesting because they are among the first gastronomic books authored by experts in Food Science and Technology. While representing a coherent work, the two volumes focus on different aspects. The first one explains aspects of Indonesian culinary history at the national and global levels, including the changes that have taken place in the contemporary era. The second volume pays attention to the technical aspects of physical changes and chemical reactions in the food-making process. Volume 2 also describes Indonesian cuisine based on geographical location and ethnic affiliation.
Mevcut Bir Kamu Binasının Deprem Güvenliğinin İncelenmesi
Authors: ODAMAN KAYA Hande , ALAKAVUK Ebru
Published: May 2022

Depremin can kayıplarına neden olmadığı, binaların neden olduğu gerçeğiyle binalarda deprem güvenliğinin önemi daha net anlaşılabilir. Bu çalışmada İzmir İl’inde bulunan Ege Gümrük İl Müdürlüğü Binası için yapılan deprem güvenliği incelemesi ele alınmıştır. Yapılan performans analiziyle binanın ‘göçme’ durumunda çıkması üzerine mevcut bina için geliştirilen güçlendirme önerisi ve binanın yıkılıp yerine yeni bina yapılma olasılıkları irdelenmiştir. Her iki durum için uygulama maliyeti hesaplanmıştır; Ege Gümrük Binasının güçlendirme maliyeti yeniden yapım maliyetinin %60'ı kadardır. Sonuçta binayı korumaya veya yıkıp yeniden inşa etmeye karar vermek için veri oluşturulmuştur.
Distribution, growth and productivity of Larix decidua Mill. plantations in the western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine
Authors: Debryniuk Iurii , Hayda Yuriy , Myklush Stepan , Myklush Yuriy
Published: May 2022

This study provides an analysis of the distribution of European larch in artificial forest stands in Ukraine. It was found that the potential area for the successful cultivation of this species can be not only the Western but also the Right-Bank and Left-Bank Forest-Steppe. The study has confirmed that European larch plantations, with the appropriate technology for planting and cultivation, are marked by rapid growth, high productivity and resistance. Under the forest site conditions of types C2, D2, and D3, in which the largest number of larch stands were built, a tendency was revealed towards an increased volume of stemwood with an increasing share of larch in the stand composition. Constructed regression models formalize this dependence. With advancing age, the influence of larch on an increase in the growing stock of plantations is reduced. Productivity and growth character of larch plantations in different types of forest growth conditions are different. European larch can form steady-state and highly productive plantations not only in fresh, but also in moist types of forest growth conditions. Under conditions of a fresh fertile site type (D2), as evidenced by the results of ANOVA, the share of larch in the composition of the stand has a significant impact on the main mensuration indices of the stand. The highest values for the average height are characteristic of larch with its significant share in the composition of plantations (6-10 units), and the highest values for the average stem diameter were observed with an average share of the species (3, 5-8 units). It is noted that the technology for the establishment and management of artificial larch plantations should be differentiated depending on the type of forest growth conditions by using optimal mixing and spacing schemes and appropriate silviculture regimes that regulate the share of larch in these stands. Keywords: European larch, forest plantation, forest stand, type of site conditions, stand composition
Minería a microescala para el desarrollo regional sostenible: Análisis exergético de un caso en Guerrero, México
Authors: Real-Cornejo Anabel , Maldonado-Astudillo Rayma Ireri , Plascencia Gabriel
Published: May 2022

La minería a microescala o gambusina representa una oportunidad para el desarrollo social y económico de algunas comunidades rurales. Sin embargo, la naturaleza extractiva de esta actividad también representa impactos ambientales negativos. Este trabajo busca generar propuestas que respalden la producción gambusina bajo un esquema sostenible que pueda ser aplicado por los propios gambusinos. La investigación fue de naturaleza cuantitativa, aplicada y con alcance descriptivo. El estudio se desarrolló con un grupo de gambusinos ubicado en el distrito minero de Coyuca de Catalán, Guerrero, México, a partir del análisis de costos de exergía de las operaciones de extracción y refinación de oro, para conocer los costos ocultos que impactan la actividad minera de los gambusinos. Los resultados mostraron que el consumo de agua y mercurio son los elementos que más afectan a la comunidad. Finalmente, se generaron propuestas orientadas a reducir costos económicos e impactos ambientales negativos, al tiempo de propiciar el desarrollo económico y social de la comunidad.