bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Banks’ Digital Challenges
Authors: Stavrova Elena
Published: November 2021

Digital currencies make transfers in digital markets, providing transaction participants with many advantages: easy access to markets, maintaining the identity of participants in transfer transactions, even their application is constantly expanding when buying new and innovative goods. Banks are an integral and significant part of this turnover, which gives them additional advantages and direct effects and exposes them to additional difficulties and dangers. The increased interest in them was noted mainly due to the continuous growth of their market rate and the additional growth of cryptocurrency extraction. Most transactions with them are based on the regulations of the applicable law. Still, the possibility of being the object of a crime has provoked a backlash from financial supervisors to protect the rights of other market participants and especially banks as the most accessible of all. Although it is a legal system in place to prevent banking institutions from being involved in money laundering operations, digital currencies are now a new opportunity with the specific advantages that ensure their smooth transfer to the network. The leading business companies such as TESLA have offered the opportunity to buy electric cars with digital currencies, with the growing demand for cryptocurrency services. Partly aided by the rising value of essential natural resources, important components for building information infrastructure, and the Covid-19 pandemic, significant financial institutions have permanently established themselves in digital markets such as JPMorgan, BNY Mellon, and Morgan Stanley, BlackRock and many others. Despite the targeted actions of state regulatory institutions, whose duty is to ensure the public good “cybersecurity”, the mass entry into these markets leaves consumers relatively unprotected. Money laundering or terrorist financing often provokes crises among regulatory institutions because they are usually accompanied by arms deals, drug trafficking, tax evasion, and others, as well as tax fraud, terrorism, and drug trafficking. A current application of digital currencies is their use to pay for services related to cyber attacks on financial institutions, objects of national security, etc. when the entire population suffers the damage. The new roles of financial institutions in the digital markets strengthen the notion of compliance as possible risk threats, realizing through compliance functions to automate and implement the integrated approach to all types of risk that accompanies the movement of digital financial assets. For some banking intermediaries, this has changed their cybersecurity strategy.
Enhancing Business Integrity as a Mechanism for Combating Corruption and Shadow Schemes in the Country
Authors: Bozhenko Victoria
Published: November 2021

This paper summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the relationship between business integrity and corruption in the country. The main purpose of the research is to analyze the mechanism of the business integrity impact on combating corruption and shadow economy in the country and identify key triggers for violating the business integrity principles. The relevance of this scientific problem is that corruption is gradually turning from a domestic problem into a global threat, which requires changing the combating and detecting corruption instruments. Investigation of the relationship between the corruption level in the country and the shadow economy scale in the paper is carried out in the following logical sequence: at first, scientific publications on corruption and integrity in the corporate sector are monitored, then, current and retrospective levels of corruption in Ukraine and the world are assessed and triggers of breach the business integrity principles are identified. Methodological tools of the research methods were empirical (observation, description) and theoretical (grouping, synthesis, abstraction) research methods. A comprehensive analysis of corruption from the standpoint of the diachronic relationship between wrongdoers and recipients has shown that bribery costs will outweigh the benefits to the entity in the long run. According to the results of the study, it is established that breach of the integrity principles by business representatives arise due to gaps in the regulatory framework and unregulated by law certain aspects of the enterprise; non-transparent procedure of interaction with public authorities; low working conditions for state regulation, supervision and control bodies; lack of a formalized procedure for lobbying the interests of stakeholders in public authorities; high level of oligarchization in society. The article substantiates that the creation of a culture of business integrity will have a synergistic effect on the development of the national economy by increasing transparency and transparency of public authorities, increasing foreign investment, increasing the competitiveness of domestic products at the international level, implementing innovative projects, improving welfare.
Managing Resilience Against Climate Effects And Risks : The need For Insidious Socio-Economic Dynamics
Authors: Beyi Wendgoudi Appolinaire
Published: November 2021

This article examines the issues of climate change in the African context. The question is: what are the blueprints for addressing the dimensions of climate change in Africa and the implementation of SDG13 of the 2030 Agenda? The relief, the climate, the hydrography and the vegetation appear as fundamental bases in the restoration of the natural potentialities. The paradox of demography and the history of installations of cities without planning constitute “paths” of pertinent reflection in the constitution and exposure to risks. To restore the natural potentialities of practices and measures against drought, floods, destabilization of biotopes, overgrazing and deforestation appear as requirements. However, individual initiatives are futile without resorting to resilience supports, insemination forces and impetus impulses to structural engagement through the availability of green economy and individual commitments. The focal point of action for resilience appears with the consolidation of the economic being. This is what this reflection poses as a postulate: starting from the constitution of the awareness of needs to reveal in the subject his responsibility as a dynamic actor by necessity and / or by awareness of a need for action. This resilience appears with a co-construction of the external environment (physical, ecological, sustainability of resources, etc.) and the internal environment (consciousness, needs, new patterns, path and pattern of action, etc.) of the individual. Individual action becomes a socio-environmentally constructed act, socioculturally acceptable and socio-economically viable. The act is therefore part of a micro system, with springs and consequences on systems with a meso and macro dimension, therefore, included in the SDG13 of the 2030 Agenda. A guideline appears in the presentation of the research with a socio-economic actor positioning himself in his micro environment with instruments of collective action which consolidates socio-economic, environmental and climatic systems at the meso and macro level in Africa.
Analysis Of Key Indicators Of The Insurance Market Of Western Europe
Authors: Sidelnyk Natalia
Published: November 2021

This paper summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the key indicators of the insurance market. The research’s primary purpose is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the main indicators of the insurance market of Western Europe with the visualization of the results. Insurance markets are adapting to a single trade regime in insurance services. It is formed under the influence of national and regional economic development strategies. The experience of integration in the insurance markets of the European Union shows that not all countries benefit equally from integration processes. The relevance of the decision of this scientific problem is caused by сomparative analysis of the share of European countries in the world market by volume insurance premiums. It showed a broad scope, reflecting the high-level asymmetries in the development of the insurance market, as the most developed to less developed countries of Europe. Investigation of the topic of theoretical principles of insurance in the paper is carried out in the following logical sequence: selection of input indicators; analysis of the dynamics and structure of indicators of the insurance market of Western Europe; research of insurance market indicators using correlation and regression analysis; visualization of the results. The research methods’ methodological tools were basic descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. The period of research is 2009-2019. Given the results obtained, we can say that the dynamics of change in the studied indicators are abrupt. Some indicators have a clear trend to change, in particular, the share of life insurance. Given the structural analysis, the following results were obtained. The largest share of the country’s insurance market share among OECD countries is observed in the following countries: Germany and France. The Czech Republic and Latvia occupy the smallest share in this indicator. Correlation-regression analysis shows an increase in the total number of insurance premiums (fees for the insurance company’s services) shows an increase in the general interest of the population in insurance services, which will contribute to the growth of all areas of insurance.
The Determinants Of Primary Employment In U.S. States
Authors: Kaya Halil Dincer
Published: November 2021

We examine the relationship between `primary employment` and `business friendliness` of U.S. states. Do states with a low score in `business friendliness` worry small business owners too much and hence force them to run their business as their primary job? We look at several main components of `business friendliness` including `Ease of start`, `Ease of hire`, `Overall regulations`, and `Training and networking`. We also look at subcomponents including the different types of regulations and technology use. How does each of these factors affect a business owner’s decision to focus mainly on his/her business? We use the `United States Small Business Friendliness Survey` done by Kauffman Foundation and Thumptack.com in 2013 and converted the letter scores ranging from A+ to F in the survey to numerical scores ranging from 12 to 1 (i.e. 1 being the lowest score which corresponds to F). Therefore, after the conversion, each state has a numerical score on each business-friendliness category. The survey also asks business owners if they use the internet when starting a business, when paying their taxes, or when licensing. For each state, we compute the percentage of owners in each state using the internet when starting a business, when paying their taxes, or when licensing. We call these three percentage numbers for each state their `Internetstart`, `Internettax`, and `Internetlicensing` scores. Then, using the mean score for all states for each type of regulation or internet score, we divide the states into two groups: the `high-score states` and the `low-score states`. In our analysis, we use non-parametric tests to compare the `high-score states` to the `low-score states`. Our non-parametric tests show that although none of the main components (i.e. `Ease of start`, `Ease of hire`, `Overall regulations`, and `Training and networking`) seem to affect `primary employment`, the overall business friendliness score of a state significantly affects `primary employment`. When we examine the different types of regulations, we find that `Health and safety regulations`, `Licensing regulations`, and `Zoning regulations` affect `primary employment`. `Employment regulations`, `Tax code`, or `Environmental regulations` does not have a significant impact. These findings may indicate that business owners are more worried with regard to Health and safety regulations, Licensing regulations, and Zoning regulations, therefore more of them choose to take matters into their own hands. Another possible explanation may be the relative complexity of the tasks associated with these regulations. Finally, our results show that technology use in the entrepreneurial process does not affect `Primary employment`.
Kasnodon Ukraine: History/Culture/Presumptions and Helping Developing Nations Move Forward
Authors: Colson, Esq. R. Scott
Published: November 2021

This article chronicles some of my work in Ukraine in the late 90’s until 2006 especially in the Donbas Region of Ukraine. This was a program funded by USAID through the US-Ukraine Foundation to promote democratic development in cities in Ukraine by establishing partnerships between American cities and Ukrainian cities. The partnership between Birmingham and Krasnodon became a model for the entire program and regular communication continued until the war in Donbas ended communications for most people. The program included topics including citizen involvement, water/sewer, transparency, economic development, education, transportation and public health. I served under five different Mayoral administrations for 35 years in Birmingham and worked on a wide range of issues in that time including public safety, youth programs, arts and museums, international programs and economic development. This experience allowed me to access resources in Birmingham on a broad range of issues and create relationships between professionals in both communities. It also was the source of my love and admiration for the Ukrainian people which continues to this day in my role as Honorary Consul for Ukraine to Alabama. Much has changed in Ukraine during the 25 years I have worked with them. This article chronicles a couple of stories that exemplify some of the hazards and opportunities I have been a part of and hopefully can add to the wisdom and understanding of our two nations. The younger generation of Ukrainians born to independence are showing more openness to change and attempting good new things. Helping them channel their idealism and energy in the face of threats and inertia is an honor and a real opportunity to fight for freedom.
Emergent supersymmetry on the edges
Authors: Bae Jinbeom , Lee Sungjay
Published: November 2021

The WZW models describe the dynamics of the edge modes of
Chern-Simons theories in three dimensions. We explore the WZW models
which can be mapped to supersymmetric theories via the generalized
Jordan-Wigner transformation. Some of such models have supersymmetric
Ramond vacua, but the others break the supersymmetry spontaneously. We
also make a comment on recent proposals that
the Read-Rezayi states at filling fraction
\nu=1/2,~2/3ν=1/2,2/3
are able to support supersymmetry.
E-BUSINESS PROCESSES IN FOOD SERVICES
Authors:   Research Scholar, College of Management & Commerce, Srinivas University, Mangalore- 575001, India. Qualification: Masters in Business Administration, (Ph.D)., Prima Frederick Dsouza , a Krithi ,   Research Scholar, College of Management & Commerce, Srinivas University, Mangalore- 575001, India. Qualification: Masters in Business Administration, (Ph.D)., Nayak Priyanka ,   Research Scholar, College of Management & Commerce, Srinivas University, Mangalore- 575001, India. Qualification: Masters in Commerce, (Ph.D)., R. Bhuvana ,   Research Scholar, College of Management & Commerce, Srinivas University, Mangalore- 575001, India. Qualification: Masters in Commerce, (Ph.D).
Published: November 2021

Purpose: The core aim of this article is to study the influence of E-Business Processes of foodservice companies on increasing food security. Objectives: To study the theoretical background of the creation of foodservice business processes describe their function in the production cycle evaluate foodservice predictors to understand the framework on how the business processes grounded on digital technologies which have positive impact on food security. Methodology: This paper is based on a variety of existing research on E-Business Processes in the Food Service Industry. The research employed secondary data from a literature analysis of journal publications. Findings: The development and modernisation of digital business process management principle, as well as the intricate performance of all structural elements of the food business, including information and computer technological progressions, all helps in contributing to the firms catering processes that are carried out efficaciously. Originality: In the concept of production and management, the paper mentions the business process and its attributes. The study analyses the various forms and attributes of business processes in the sphere of food services, as well as their content and objectives. The researcher aims to investigate the role of modernization of business processes in the system and management process, as well as the influence on the key outcomes that define successful service market activity. The study contains foodservice industry information with its trends and issues. Value: The study proposes a series of tech methods to enhance the business processes of foodservice companies, with a beneficial influence on food security. Type of paper: Conceptual Research Paper.
Implementasi Evaluasi Menurut Daniel F. Stufflebeam pada Program PJJ selama Pandemi Covid-19
Authors: Rohmah Fatimatur , Wahid Abdul , Hasanah Silviatul
Published: November 2021

The covid-19 pandemic is hitting Indonesia, on the other hand activities in the world of education mut keep going. In 2020 the training Center Religious (BDK) Semarang has implemented Distance Training (PJJ) online. PJJ is implemented to provide more space train employees of the Ministry of Religion in Yogyakarta and Central Java, at amid the limitation tha hit during the covid-19 pandemic. However on in practice, researched found several problems.purpose this riset is to determine the context of PJJ implementation, input, process and product. This research uses are interviews, document review and obsercation. The result of research in the input aspect in the form of a work system applied are one day work at home and one day work at the office, the curriculum is applied in the implementationof PJJ it has adjusted to the provisions of the Ministry of Religion the center, although in the implementation of teaching sometimes innovation are made. In the PJJ process, the institution has held technical guidance for all employees, so there is no gap in using technology, quantity more and more participant, but there are problems with signal difficulties and each participant are given pulses during the training. While the result achieved in the implementation of PJJ all participants passed with an average score of 90, 60. Recommendations for the institution so that the implementation of PJJ is prioritized for entered into the work program in the coming year in the form ot the number of participants and reproduced classes, as well as institutional facilities for conducting education in a manner online enhanced.
Perspectives of intracellular polymers in functional evaluation of the microbes for EBPR
Authors: Srivastava Ghazal , Kazmi Absar Ahmad
Published: November 2021

To substantiate and interpret the performance of the Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) processes with simultaneous nitrogen removal in five full-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBR) systems (with or without pre-anoxic/anaerobic selector) across India, conventional microscopic examinations were performed. Regular examining and cyclic behavior evaluation studies specified that these systems worked for EBPR with effectiveness depending on the wastewater quality and operational steadiness. Treatment with Neisser stain for identifying polyphosphates (poly-P) and Sudan black B stain for observing poly-β-hydroxybutyrates (PHB) granules showed that the enriched biomass of the SBR plants was very diverse concerning morphology, residing populations of traditional rod-shaped PAOs, tetrad (or Sarcina-like cells) forming organisms (submitted as TFOs instead of GAOs), diplococci-shaped cells, and staphylococci-like clustered populations (CC), including few filaments which correlate well with biochemical processes undergoing in SBR plants. SBR plants with readily biodegradable chemical oxygen demand (rbCOD) fraction in COD > 16% and rbCOD/TP ∼10–20 in Varanasi, Mumbai, and Gurgaon, respectively, have performed for >20% EBPR (∼77.8%, ∼76.6%, and ∼84.8% TP removal, respectively) as well as >85% Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification (SND). This study can open novel dimensions for optimization by relating microscopic observations (qualitative examination) with the processes undergoing in the plants under varied physicochemical parameters.
Theoretical Formulation Strategies towards Neutralizing Inter-individual Variability
Associated with Tacrolimus Immunosuppressant Therapy: A Case Study on Nextgeneration
Personalized Medicine
Authors: Radhakrishnan Arun , Kuppusamy Gowthamarajan
Published: November 2021

:

Individualizing drug therapy and attaining maximum benefits of a drug devoid of adverse reactions is the
benefit of personalized medicine. One of the important factors contributing to inter-individual variability is genetic
polymorphism. As of now, dose titration is the only followed golden standard for implementing personalized medicine.
Converting the genotypic data into an optimized dose has become easier now due to technology development.
However, for many drugs, finding an individualized dose may not be successful, which further leads to a trial and
error approach. These dose titration strategies are generally followed at the clinical level, and so industrial involvement
and further standardizations are not feasible. On the other side, technologically driven pharmaceutical industries
have multiple smart drug delivery systems which are underutilized towards personalized medicine. Transdisciplinary
research with drug delivery science can additionally support the personalization by converting the traditional concept
of “dose titration towards personalization” with novel “dose-cum-dosage form modification towards next-generation
personalized medicine”; the latter approach is useful to overcome gene-based inter-individual variability by either
blocking, to downregulate, or bypassing the biological protein generated by the polymorphic gene. This article elaborates
an advanced approach to implementing personalized medicine with the support of novel drug delivery systems.
As a case study, we further reviewed the genetic polymorphisms associated with tacrolimus and customized novel
drug delivery systems to overcome these challenges factored towards personalized medicine for better clinical outcomes,
thereby paving a new strategy for implementing personalized medicine for all other drug candidates.
AMINO ACID PROFILE ANALYSIS OF RED AND GREEN MELINJO PEELS TEA
Authors:   Institut Teknologi Indonesia, Saragih Raskita , Tamizi Ermiziar ,   Institut Teknologi Indonesia, Leonita Shinta ,   Institut Teknologi Indonesia
Published: November 2021

The study aims to analyze the profile of non-essential and essential amino acids in the peels and herbal tea products made from red and green melinjo peels. The processing of melinjo seeds into chips in Pandeglang Regency in Banten Provence, produces large amounts of melinjo peels waste. The processed tea from red and green melinjo peels contains polyphenol compounds, antioxidants, protein and amino acids that are good for health. The processing stages of the melinjo peel tea by sorting the peels for red and green melinjo peels, then washed, made them into thin slices, and dried using an oven blower at 65oC of temperature for 4 hours. Both green and red melinjo peels tea were analyzed for the amino acid profile using the UPLC method. Based on the results of the analysis, it was found that the amino acid content of melinjo peels and melinjo peels tea, both green and red, consisted of 7 non-essential amino acids and 8 essential amino acids. L-glutamic acid and L-aspartic acid are the highest amino acid components which can give melinjo peels tea a characteristic aroma and taste.
Ocena jakości życia pacjentów po przebytym udarze mózgu
Authors: Witkowska Kamila
Published: November 2021

Wstęp. Udary mózgu, stanowią jeden z głównych problemów współczesnej medycyny. W Polsce rocznie dochodzi do około 70 tyś. udarów są one jednym z najczęstszych przyczyn inwalidztwa oraz drugim z zakresu częstości zgonów. W czasie pierwszego miesiąca od wystąpienia epizodu co 6 chory umiera, natomiast pozostała grupa to osoby z deficytem w zakresie samodzielności wymagający wsparcia osób trzecich.

Cel. Celem badań była ocena jakości życia pacjentów po przebytym udarze mózgu.

Materiały i metody. Badaniem objęto grupę 100 pacjentów po przebytym incydencie udarowym. Respondenci przebywali w oddziale rehabilitacji poudarowej.  Do oceny jakości życia wykorzystany został kwestionariusz

oceny jakości życia SF – 36. oraz kwestionariusz WHOQOL-BREF jest o narzędzie wystandaryzowane służące do oceny jakości życia osób zarówno zdrowych jak i chorych.

Wyniki. Uzyskane wyniki dotyczące ogólnej oceny zdrowia fizycznego na podstawie danych z kwestionariusza WHOQOL-BREF wyniósł 30,35±4,54, ogólna ocena zdrowia mentalnego 46,02±7,15. Natomiast ogólny wskaźnik jakości życia 38,18±4,13. Analiza statystyczna wykazała istotną zależność pomiędzy wiekiem ankietowanych a ich oceną jakości życia w dziedzinie somatycznej oraz środowiskowej. Im osoby starsze tym wyższy poziom zadowolenia z jakości życia. Analiza statystyczna nie wykazała istotnej zależności pomiędzy płcią ankietowanych a ich oceną jakości życia w każdej z dziedzin. Analiza statystyczna wykazała istotną zależność pomiędzy wiekiem ankietowanych a ich ogólną oceną zdrowia mentalnego . Im osoby starsze tym wyższa ocen zdrowia mentalnego.

Wnioski. Subiektywna ocena jakości życia osób po udarze mózgu w zakresie obniżenia funkcjonowania fizycznego oraz w aspekcie psycho-społecznym jest wprost uzależniona od poziomu samodzielności (...).
Chroniczne zmęczenie oraz bezsenność wśród pielęgniarek
Authors: Dudek Aleksandra
Published: November 2021

Wstęp. Pielęgniarstwo to zawód obciążony wieloma czynnikami. Jednymi z wielu problemów jest praca zmianowa, narażenie na zmęczenie, problemy ze snem, bezsenność. Do czynników społecznych zaliczyć można błędy w komunikacji między personelem i pacjentem. W pracy przybliżono zagadnienie zespołu przewlekłego zmęczenia.

Cel. Celem pracy jest ocena chronicznego zmęczenia i bezsenności wśród pielęgniarek oraz określenie jaki wpływ mają one na relacje w zespole pielęgniarskim.

Materiał i metody. Populacją, która została poddana badaniu była grupa 100 pielęgniarek pediatrycznych, chirurgicznych, internistycznych oraz podstawowej opieki zdrowotnej. Narzędziami były: Skala Zmęczenia Chronicznego (FAS),  Ateńska Skala Bezsenności (AIS), kwestionariusz ankiety własnego autorstwa. W pracy wykorzystano metodę sondażu diagnostycznego oraz metodę szacowania.

Wyniki. Blisko połowa pielęgniarek w grupie badanej miała objawy zmęczenia chronicznego, a 36% pielęgniarek w grupie badanej przejawiała bezsenność.

Wnioski. Chroniczne zmęczenie pielęgniarek często jest spowodowane specyfiką oddziałów, na których pracują. Na bezsenność wpływa praca zmianowa, która zwiększa odczuwanie zmęczenia i desynchronizuje biologiczny zegar. Lata stażu nie wpływają znacząco na poziom zmęczenia i senności pielęgniarekNa bezsenność wpływa praca zmianowa oraz zła organizacja pracy.
Analysis of mathematics test items quality for high school
Authors: Manfaat Budi , Nurazizah Ayu , Misri Muhamad Ali
Published: November 2021

This study aims to determine the quality of the mathematics test items at high school in terms of validity, reliability, differentiation, difficulty level, and distractor effectiveness. This study is an evaluation type of research with a quantitative approach. The subjects in this study were 44 class XII students of SMKN 3 Kuningan and 39 class XII students of SMAN 1 Jalaksana. The results show that the majority (96.67%) of the items are declared valid in content by the experts. The test has very high reliability (0.90). The items have the ideal difficulty level. Most of the questions (70%) have medium difficulty, a few questions (6.67%) are very easy, and a few questions (20%) are difficult, and (3.3%) are very difficult. Most of the items (83.33%) have good discriminating power, and only a few questions (16.67%) have poor discriminating power. Most (90%) of the questions have a well-functioning answer choice, and only a few questions (10%) have the answer choice not functioning properly. Overall, this study can be concluded that the Mathematics Test Questions at SMKN 3 Kuningan are of good quality.
К модельному описанию электронного спектра графеноподобных Янус-структур
Authors: Давыдов С.Ю.
Published: November 2021

Model of C – AB – D Janus structure as the compound formed by the interacting through atoms А and В dimers А – С and В – D, where А and В atoms are in the sites of two-dimensional hexagonal lattice and C and D atoms are on the opposite sides from AB list is proposed. In the scope of tight-binding theory and Green’s function method general equation for the dispersion low is obtained. The particular cases of C – AА – D и А – AB – В compounds are considered and analytical expressions for their electronic spectra is fulfilled. The effect of the external mechanical deformation on the band parameters including effective masses is examined. Problem of the magnetic states in Janus compounds is discussed.
Effect of Mineral Additives on Fusion Behavior of Agricultural Residue Ashes during Combustion or Co-combustion with Lignite
Authors:   School of Mineral Resources Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania 73100, Greece, Vamvuka Despina , Deli Maria ,   School of Mineral Resources Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania 73100, Greece, Stratakis Antonios ,   School of Mineral Resources Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania 73100, Greece
Published: November 2021

In this work, the ash fusibility behaviour of selected agricultural residues and their blends with lignite was studied, by carrying out chemical, mineralogical, fusibility and thermogravimetric analyses and calculating slagging/fouling indicators for predicting deposition tendencies in boilers. Two additives, bauxite, and clinochlore, were used at varying amounts to reduce ash melting, followed by examining their anti-fusion mechanisms. Initial deformation and softening temperatures of biomass materials were low for combustion processes operating above 900 °C due to their high concentration in K, Na, and P compounds. When the additives were mixed with raw fuels or lignite/biomass blends, the initial deformation of ashes started at temperatures up to 340 °C higher, whereas the fluid temperature in most cases exceeded 1500 °C. Bauxite was more effective than clinochlore. The positive impact of additives was attributed to the mineralogical transformations during ashing to phases with a high melting point through reactions with K, Na-bearing minerals, or CaO of fuel ashes.
The inhibitory effect of aqueous and alcoholic extract of red pepper on some isolated pathogenic bacteria from different areas of human body
Authors: Qays Yaseen Lina , Hameed Nayyef Sura , Ibraheem Salih Nadia
Published: November 2021

In most underdeveloped nations, traditional medicine, including herbal treatment, is still widely used. Due to the growth of antibiotic resistance, this study aims to use pepper as an anti-bacterial as alternative to antibiotics. Pepper is one of the most important plants used as a medicine for a long time in various countries and civilizations. This study aims to use pepper as an anti-bacterial in alternative to antibiotics.

The current study included the inhibitory efficacy of aqueous and alcoholic red pepper extract on seven bacterial isolates: -Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp, Escherichia coli, Klebseilla spp, Salmonella spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus spp. These isolates were isolated from different pathologies and regions, and they were diagnosed according to the site of infection. Several antibiotics were also used as a standard control sample for germs.

This study shows that the highest inhibitory Effect against E. coli bacterium, as the average inhibition diameter was about 16.5 mm, and it is an excellent inhibitory when compared to the antagonist's gentamicin and nitrofurantoin as it showed good inhibitory efficacy against the bacteria such as S. aureus P. aeruginosa, and Salmonella spp. While the effect on Klebsiella was equal, on the other hand, the aqueous extract did not show any efficacy against Proteus spp, as was shown in the results. The results also showed that Staph. Aureus bacteria were the most affected by the alcohol extract of the red pepper as it showed a high inhibition zone compared with the control sample tetracycline and nitrofurantoin. The plant's aqueous and alcoholic red pepper extracts were effective against the tested bacterial isolates. The plant's aqueous and alcoholic red pepper extract has good inhibitory efficacy against the studied bacterial isolates.
Fitness Tracker Information and Privacy Management: Empirical Study
Authors: Abdelhamid Mohamed
Published: November 2021

Background

Fitness trackers allow users to collect, manage, track, and monitor fitness-related activities, such as distance walked, calorie intake, sleep quality, and heart rate. Fitness trackers have become increasingly popular in the past decade. One in five Americans use a device or an app to track their fitness-related activities. These devices generate massive and important data that could help physicians make better assessments of their patients’ health if shared with health providers. This ultimately could lead to better health outcomes and perhaps even lower costs for patients. However, sharing personal fitness information with health care providers has drawbacks, mainly related to the risk of privacy loss and information misuse.

Objective

This study investigates the influence of granting users granular privacy control on their willingness to share fitness information.

Methods

The study used 270 valid responses collected from Mtrurkers through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The conceptual model was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The dependent variable was the intention to share fitness information. The independent variables were perceived risk, perceived benefits, and trust in the system.

Results

SEM explained about 60% of the variance in the dependent variable. Three of the four hypotheses were supported. Perceived risk and trust in the system had a significant relationship with the dependent variable, while trust in the system was not significant.

Conclusions

The findings show that people are willing to share their fitness information if they have granular privacy control. This study has practical and theoretical implications. It integrates communication privacy management (CPM) theory with the privacy calculus model.
Real-world Health Data and Precision for the Diagnosis of Acute Kidney Injury, Acute-on-Chronic Kidney Disease, and Chronic Kidney Disease: Observational Study
Authors: Triep Karen , Leichtle Alexander Benedikt , Meister Martin , Fiedler Georg Martin , Endrich Olga
Published: November 2021

Background

The criteria for the diagnosis of kidney disease outlined in the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines are based on a patient’s current, historical, and baseline data. The diagnosis of acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and acute-on-chronic kidney disease requires previous measurements of creatinine, back-calculation, and the interpretation of several laboratory values over a certain period. Diagnoses may be hindered by unclear definitions of the individual creatinine baseline and rough ranges of normal values that are set without adjusting for age, ethnicity, comorbidities, and treatment. The classification of correct diagnoses and sufficient staging improves coding, data quality, reimbursement, the choice of therapeutic approach, and a patient’s outcome.

Objective

In this study, we aim to apply a data-driven approach to assign diagnoses of acute, chronic, and acute-on-chronic kidney diseases with the help of a complex rule engine.

Methods

Real-time and retrospective data from the hospital’s clinical data warehouse of inpatient and outpatient cases treated between 2014 and 2019 were used. Delta serum creatinine, baseline values, and admission and discharge data were analyzed. A Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes–based SQL algorithm applied specific diagnosis-based International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes to inpatient stays. Text mining on discharge documentation was also conducted to measure the effects on diagnosis.

Results

We show that this approach yielded an increased number of diagnoses (4491 cases in 2014 vs 11,124 cases of ICD-coded kidney disease and injury in 2019) and higher precision in documentation and coding. The percentage of unspecific ICD N19-coded diagnoses of N19 codes generated dropped from 19.71% (1544/7833) in 2016 to 4.38% (416/9501) in 2019. The percentage of specific ICD N18-coded diagnoses of N19 codes generated increased from 50.1% (3924/7833) in 2016 to 62.04% (5894/9501) in 2019.

Conclusions

Our data-driven method supports the process and reliability of diagnosis and staging and improves the quality of documentation and data. Measuring patient outcomes will be the next step in this project.
Game Plan, a Web-Based Intervention to Improve Adherence and Persistence to HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Reduce Heavy Drinking in Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men: Usability and User Experience Testing
Authors: Wray Tyler B , Chan Philip A , Kahler Christopher W
Published: November 2021

Background

Encouraging consistent use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is essential for reducing HIV incidence, particularly among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM), and especially those who engage in heavy drinking. Although practice guidelines recommend providing adherence counseling to PrEP patients, clinics and providers may not have the resources or expertise to provide it. Internet-facilitated interventions have been shown to improve HIV prevention outcomes, including medication and care adherence. Game Plan is a website we created to help users make a tangible plan for reducing their HIV risk. We designed additional components of Game Plan to address key individual level barriers to PrEP use.

Objective

The aim of this mixed methods research is to test the usability and user experience of these components with intended users: GBM who drink heavily and are on PrEP.

Methods

In study 1 (usability), we completed a detailed individual interview in which participants (n=10) walked through a prototype of the website, thinking aloud as they did, and completed a follow-up interview and web-based survey afterward. Study 2 (user experience) involved providing participants (n=40) with a link to the prototype website to explore on their own and asking them to complete the same follow-up survey afterward. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data.

Results

Users in both studies gave the website excellent ratings for usability, overall satisfaction, and quality, and most often described the site as informative, helpful, and supportive. Users also rated the site’s content and feel as respectful of them and their autonomy, empathetic, and they stated that it conveyed confidence in their ability to change. The study 1 interviews highlighted the importance of the website’s esthetics to the participants’ engagement with it and its credibility in prompting genuine reflection.

Conclusions

GBM who reported heavy drinking and used PrEP generally found a website focused on helping them to create a plan to use PrEP consistently to be helpful. Adopting user-centered design methods and attending to the esthetics of mobile health interventions are important steps toward encouraging engagement and reducing at-risk behaviors.
A Cell-Phone Medication Error eHealth App for Managing Safety in Chronically-Ill Young Patients at Home: a Prospective Study (Preprint)
Authors: Tiozzo Emanuela , Rosati Paola , Brancaccio Matilde , Biagioli Valentina , Ricci Riccardo , d'Inzeo Victoria , Scarselletta Gianna , Piga Simone , Vanzi Valentina , Dall'Oglio Immacolata , Gawronski Orsola , Offidani Caterina , Pulimeno Ausilia Maria L. , Raponi Massimiliano
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Hospitalized children with complex treatment plans risk medication errors (ME) after discharge. Whereas ample information describes ME in children or in mixed populations including pediatric and adult populations discharged from hospital to community settings with acute or chronic diseases, ME are still a major concern in children and adolescents with chronic diseases discharged home.

OBJECTIVE

To promote home medication safety, we trained parents of children discharged with chronic diseases to record ME with a tailored cell-phone eHealth app.

METHODS

In a one-year prospective study, we used the app to monitor ME in patients with chronic diseases discharged home from a tertiary hospital in Rome, Italy. Univariate and multivariate analyses detected the ME incidence rate ratio (IRR).

RESULTS

Of the 310 parents enrolled, 194 used the app. The 41 ME involved all drug-management phases. The ME IRR was 0.46 errors per child. Children <1 year had the highest ME risk (1.69 vs 0.35, P .002). Children discharged from the cardiology unit had a statistically higher ME IRR than others (3.66, 95% CI: 1.01-13.23%).

CONCLUSIONS

The highest ME risk at home involves children with chronic diseases < 1-year. A significant ME IRR at home concerns children with heart diseases of any age. Parents find a tailored eHealth app for monitoring and reporting ME at home easy to use. At discharge, clinical teams need to identify age-related and disease-residual risks to target additional actions for monitoring ME thus increasing medication safety at home.
Virtual Reality in Medical Students’ Education: Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Jiang Haowen , Vimalesvaran Sunitha , Wang Jeremy King , Lim Kee Boon , Mogali Sreenivasulu Reddy , Car Lorainne Tudor
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality (VR) produces a virtual manifestation of the real world and has been shown to be useful as a digital education modality. As VR encompasses different modalities, tools, and applications, there is a need to explore how VR has been used in medical education.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this scoping review is to map existing research on the use of VR in undergraduate medical education and to identify areas of future research.

METHODS

We performed a search of 4 bibliographic databases in December 2020. Data were extracted using a standardized data extraction form. The study was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and reported in line with the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines.

RESULTS

Of the 114 included studies, 69 (60.5%) reported the use of commercially available surgical VR simulators. Other VR modalities included 3D models (15/114, 13.2%) and virtual worlds (20/114, 17.5%), which were mainly used for anatomy education. Most of the VR modalities included were semi-immersive (68/114, 59.6%) and were of high interactivity (79/114, 69.3%). There is limited evidence on the use of more novel VR modalities, such as mobile VR and virtual dissection tables (8/114, 7%), as well as the use of VR for nonsurgical and nonpsychomotor skills training (20/114, 17.5%) or in a group setting (16/114, 14%). Only 2.6% (3/114) of the studies reported the use of conceptual frameworks or theories in the design of VR.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the extensive research available on VR in medical education, there continue to be important gaps in the evidence. Future studies should explore the use of VR for the development of nonpsychomotor skills and in areas other than surgery and anatomy.

CLINICALTRIAL

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046986
A Cancer Exercise Toolkit Developed Using Co-Design: Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)
Authors: Dennett Amy M , Tang Clarice Y , Chiu April , Osadnik Christian , Granger Catherine L , Taylor Nicholas F , Campbell Kristin L , Barton Christian
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Access to exercise therapy for cancer survivors is poor. Professional development to support exercise professionals in delivering these interventions is needed. Few online resources exist for exercise professionals to address this issue.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and evaluate a freely available online toolkit to support exercise professionals working with cancer survivors.

METHODS

A 2-phase, experience-based co-design approach was used to develop and evaluate the online toolkit. The two phases were as follows: 1) needs identification and co-design of resources and platform and 2) pilot evaluation. Four co-design workshops were conducted, transcribed, and thematically analyzed to identify key elements for the toolkit. For the pilot evaluation, a customized survey (the Determinants of Implementation Behavior Questionnaire) was distributed to exercise professionals at baseline and 3 months after launch of the online toolkit to determine its usability, utility, and effectiveness in improving their knowledge, confidence, and behavior. Results were reported as the median and interquartile range and changes were calculated using non-parametric tests. Website analytics described site usage after the initial evaluation.

RESULTS

Twenty-five exercise professionals participated in co-designing 8 key elements of the online Cancer Exercise Toolkit: the homepage and pages for getting started, screening and safety, assessment, exercise prescription, education, locations, and resources. For the pilot evaluation, 277/320 respondents (87% of whom were physiotherapists) from 26 countries completed the survey at baseline, with 58 exercise professionals completing follow-up surveys at 3 months. Exercise professionals’ knowledge, skills, and confidence in delivering exercise therapy to cancer survivors increased 3 months after baseline (items 1, 6, and 8: median score 5, IQR 3 to 6) to follow-up (items 1 and 6: median score 6, IQR 5 to 6; item 8: median score 5, IQR 5 to 7; P<.001) on a 1 to 7 Likert scale. Most participants (35/44, 80%) agreed or strongly agreed they would recommend the toolkit to colleagues. In the 6 months following the pilot evaluation, the toolkit received an average of 866 views per month.

CONCLUSIONS

The co-designed online Cancer Exercise Toolkit was a useful resource for exercise professionals that may increase their knowledge, skills, and confidence in providing exercise therapy to cancer survivors.
РАЗВИТИЕ ЗАЩИЩЕННОЙ АППАРАТНОЙ ПЛАТФОРМЫ NE32 НА БАЗЕ АРХИТЕКТУРЫ RISC-V ДЛЯ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ В СОСТАВЕ ДОВЕРЕННЫХ МИКРОКОНТРОЛЛЕРОВ
Authors: Нуйкин А.В. , Кравцов А.С. , Васильев Е.С. , Гордиенко А.В.
Published: November 2021

В статье рассматриваются разработки АО «НИИМЭ» на базе процессорной архитектуры RISC-V. NE32 - это новая защищенная аппаратная платформа для реализации проектов микроконтроллера со сверхнизким потреблением, микроконтроллера для SIM-карт, микроконтроллера для идентификационных документов и банковских карт, модуля безопасности для Интернета вещей и др.