bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tough Talks™ Virtual Simulation HIV Disclosure Intervention for Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Development and Usability Testing (Preprint)
Authors: Hightow-Weidman Lisa B. , Muessig Kathryn , Soberano Zach , Rosso Matthew T. , Currie Andrew , Adams Larsen Margo , Knudtson Kelly , Vecchio Alyssa
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

HIV status disclosure is an important decision with barriers specific to young men who have sex with men (YMSM), who have the highest rates of new HIV infections in the United States (US). Behavioral and social determinants of the difficulty to disclose can include fear of rejection, stigma, loss of financial stability, and a lack of communication skills. Once able to disclose, a person may have increased access to social support, improved medication adherence, and informed risk reduction conversations. Despite the known challenges and advantages of disclosure, there are few effective tools supporting this behavior.

OBJECTIVE

To address this gap in disclosure interventions, Tough Talks™ App (TT), an mHealth intervention using artificially intelligent (AI)-facilitated role-playing scenarios, was developed for YMSM. Here we report stages of developing the integrated app and the results of the usability testing.

METHODS

Building on the results of a successful phase 1, we subsequently developed an enhanced interactive dialogue feature for YMSM to practice disclosing their HIV status and placed this feature within the context of an comprehensive intervention app to support disclosure. We assessed the new iteration for acceptability and relevance in a usability study with eight YMSM with HIV. Participants completed a pre-survey, app modules, and a semi-structured qualitative interview.

RESULTS

TT content and activities were based on Social Cognitive Theory and Disclosure Process Model framework and expanded into a 4-module curriculum. The AI-facilitated scenarios and associated utterance database were refined from a crowdsourced comic book contest. In usability testing, YMSM reported high satisfaction with TT, with 31 out of 33 activities (93%) receiving positive ratings. Participants found the AI-facilitated scenarios and activities to be representative and relevant to their lived experiences, though, they noted difficulty having nuanced disclosure conversations with the AI.

CONCLUSIONS

TT was an engaging and practical intervention for self-disclosure among YMSM with HIV. Facilitating informed disclosure decisions has the potential to impact engagement in sexual risk behaviors and HIV care. More information is needed about the ideal environment, technical support, and clinical connection for an mHealth disclosure intervention. TT is being tested as a scalable intervention in a multi-site, randomized control trial to address outstanding questions on accessibility and effect on viral suppression.

CLINICALTRIAL

NCT03414372
The Effectiveness of Supervised Machine Learning in Screening and Diagnosing Voice Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Alhussain Ghada , Shuweihdi Farag , Abd-Alrazaq Alaa , Alali Haitham , Househ Mowafa
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Voice screening and diagnosis are processes that are used during voice disorders investigations. Both have limited standardized tests, which are affected by the clinician’s experience and subjective judgment. Machine learning (ML) algorithms were introduced and employed in screening/diagnosing patients’ voices as an objective tool. The effectiveness of ML algorithms in assessing and diagnosing voice disorders has been investigated by numerous studies.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of ML algorithms in screening and diagnosing voice disorders.

METHODS

An electronic search was conducted in five databases. We included studies that examined the performance (accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity) of any ML algorithms in detecting abnormal voice samples. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, extracted data from the included studies, and assessed the risk of bias in the included studies. The methodological quality of each study was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. Characteristics of studies, population, and index tests were extracted. Meta-analyses were conducted for pooling accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of ML techniques. Sources of heterogeneity were addressed by excluding some studies and discussing the possible sources of it.

RESULTS

Out of 1409 records retrieved, 13 studies were included (participants: 4079) in this review. Thirteen machine learning techniques were used in the included studies, but the most commonly used technique was SVM. The pooled accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of ML techniques in screening voice disorders were 93%, 96%, and 93%, respectively. LS-SVM had the highest accuracy (99%) while K-NN had the highest sensitivity (98%) and specificity (98%). Quadric Discriminant analysis (QDA) achieved the lowest accuracy (91%), sensitivity (89%), and specificity (89%).

CONCLUSIONS

ML showed promising findings in screening voice disorders. However, the findings could not be conclusive in diagnosing voice disorders due to the limited number of studies that used ML for diagnosing purposes, thus, more investigations need to be made. Accordingly, it might not be possible to use ML as a substitution for the current diagnostic tools. Instead, it might be used as a decision support tool for clinicians to assess their patients, this could improve the management process for voice disorders assessment.
“Virtual care yes, but it has to be in addendum”:
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults’ perceptions of virtual care (Preprint)
Authors: Abdallah Lama , Stolee Paul , Lopez Kimberly J. , Whate Alexandra , Boger Jennifer , Tong Catherine
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults across the globe have increasingly received health care virtually; and health care organizations and professional bodies have indicated that virtual care is “here to stay.”

OBJECTIVE

This research aimed to understand older adults’ perspectives and experiences of virtual care during the pandemic.

METHODS

As part of a larger study on older adults’ technology use during the pandemic, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 diverse older Canadians (mean age 79 years) at two points: Summer 2020 and Winter/early Spring 2021. Participants were asked about their technology skills, experiences with virtual appointments, and perspectives on this type of care delivery. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed. A combination of team-based and framework analyses were used to interpret the data.

RESULTS

Participants were generally satisfied with the virtual care they received during the pandemic. Participants described the benefits of virtual care (e.g., increased convenience and efficiency), the limitations of virtual care (e.g., need for physical examination and touch, lack of non-verbal communication, systemic barriers in access), and their perspectives on the future of virtual care.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our research has identified both the perceived benefits and limitations of virtual care, and our older adult participants emphasized their wishes for a hybrid model of virtual care, in which virtual care is viewed as an addendum, not a replacement for in-person care. Findings from this study can be mobilized as part of broader efforts to support older patients and providers engaged in virtual, and in-person care, particularly post-COVID-19.

CLINICALTRIAL

n/a
A Deep Learning Approach for Generating Mark-up Code from Sketch Images
Authors: Lohana Bhavesh , Tanna Muskan , Pamnani Gautam , Sahijwani Tanish , Temkar Rohini
Published: April 2022

Abstract: User Interface (UI) design is an important part of software development. Creating an intuitive and engaging user experience is a key goal for businesses of all sizes and is a process driven by rapid prototyping, design, and user testing cycles. It requires a significant amount of money and effort just to build a production-grade website. It's difficult to generate code from photos. The insight goal is to use modern Deep Learning algorithms to significantly simplify the design workflow and enable any business to quickly create and test web pages. The proposed Deep Learning model consists of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) encoder segment and a Gated Recurrent Network (GRU) decoder segment which is trained on a custom database of wireframe sketches and their corresponding code. The network will produce the HTML code, corresponding to the sketch image that is fed into the proposed model. Keywords: Computational Neural Network, Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Gated Recurrent Unit, Mark-Up Code Generation
Optimization of CO2 Laser Cutting Process Parameter for AL7075-T6 Sheet Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: More Pramod S. , Sathe Dr. Y. U.
Published: April 2022

Abstract: Aluminium alloys are used in the aerospace and automotive industries because of their light weight and excellent corrosion resistance. Since aluminium material has highly reflective and thermally conductive in nature, it is difficult to apply laser cut on it. The cut quality is mainly determined by the combination of the laser processing parameters. Surface roughness, cutting width and cutting cone were the most important quality indices for evaluating CO2 laser cutting, and the processing parameters considered were laser power, speed and gas pressure. For analysing the laser cutting variables and to determine the optimal value for the surface roughness mainly three approaches are used - Design of Experiments (DOE), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The analysis in proposed work shows that the pressure has a greater influence on the response behaviour than the cutting speed and the laser power. In proposed work, the optimized values for above mentioned parameters are calculated for laser cutting process.
Design and Development of E-Kart
Authors: Shelke Prof. Mayur , Dikondwar Ashutosh , Patil Atharva , Goyte Gokul , Tapase Vivek , Dahake Ankush , Wase Akash
Published: April 2022

Abstract: This paper represents the design and development of E-kart. This is Electric kart powered using batteries and motor and there won't be any harmful hazardous gases emissions with this kart this is the main objective behind development of the kart. In this kart we have used BLDC motor and lithium ion batteries. The motor used is 900 watt power and the batteries are 27 amp each we have use four batteries. The batteries are rechargeable. The chassis made of AISI 4130 material and it weighs around 18 kg and the whole kart is about 140 kg. This paper includes design and calculation of all components like batteries, motor, brake, etc. The maximum speed of the kart is 40 km/hr i.e. 11.11 m/s. It can go up to 45 km the motor is of 1.20 hp. International standards were followed for all the calculations
MAPPING POTENTIAL VILLAGES TOWARDS AGRICULTURE-BASED TOURISM VILLAGE IN KUMPULREJO, ARGOMULYO SALATIGA DISTRICT
Authors: Samtono Samtono , Krisnawati Setyaningrum Nugraheni Krisnawati Setyaningrum Nugraheni , Mistriani Nina , Maryani Tri
Published: April 2022

The mapping of tourism potential in the village of kumpulrejo is important for the development of pioneering tourism villages. The tourist attraction of Kumpulrejo village as a tourist destination is tani rukun santosa group and coffee plantation. The pioneering development of the kumpulrejo tourism village requires creative efforts to create and issue a unique character. Kumpulrejo Village is one of the pioneering tourism villages in the city of Salatiga, Argomulyo district. The community service activity is a collaboration of the STIEPARI Semarang service team with the Salatiga city government to support the tourism development program of the city of Salatiga as a gastronomy city. The purpose of this service is to map the tourism potential of the kumpulrejo village and map the strategies that need to be done to become an agriculture-based tourism village. With the mapping of the tourism potential of Kumpulrejo village, it is hoped that this roadmap will be the first step in developing the Kumpulrejo tourist village.
AROMATHERAPY AS A COMPLEMENT OF COVID-19 THERAPY
Authors: Abdullah Dessy Abdullah , Dewi Nadia Purnama , Vani Ade Teti , Amelia Rinita
Published: April 2022

Aromatherapy helps COVID-19 patients to prevent, increase immunity, and relieve symptoms of COVID-19 so that it can be used as adjuvant COVID-19 therapy. This Community Service aims to introduce aromatherapy that can be used as a complementary therapy for COVID-19 and refute the myth that aromatherapy functions as the primary therapy for COVID-19. This activity is carried out in three stages, in the form of pre-test, presentation of material, and post-test. The pre-test was given together before the presentation of the material. The first material introduces aromatherapy, its benefits, and refuting the myth in the community, namely aromatherapy as the primary therapy for COVID-19. The last stage is to give a post-test after the delivery of the material. The participants of this service were 52 people, which was carried out online through the zoom application. This activity showed an increase in participants' knowledge about using aromatherapy as a complement of COVID-19 therapy.
MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION DESSERT FROM GREEN BEAN MILK CARROT FLAVOR FOR THE ELDERLY
Authors: Tuti U Yuyun Triastuti , Rettagung Diana Tri , Vebrianti Julia
Published: April 2022

Physical and psychological changes in the elderly affect the management of food administration, especially for dessert. Dessert made from green bean milk with carrot flavor into hot pudding and cold pudding. The purpose of this study was to determine the physical characteristics and acceptance of the elderly, as well as the nutritional content of dessert. This research method uses are methods of observation, counseling, experimentation, description test, hedonic test, chemical test, and documentation. Experiment in making hot pudding using whole eggs and egg whites and cold pudding using gelatin flour and konyaku flour, as well as a combination of using low-calorie sugar, nutritional content test. The results of the research on the best characteristics of hot pudding taste sweet and savory, soft texture, distinctive aroma of green beans and carrots, and attractive brownish orange color. The cold pudding tastes sweet, has a characteristic aroma of medium carrot green beans, foamy texture, and a bright orange-white color. The results of the hedonic test showed that hot pudding with the use of whole eggs and 100 g of low-calorie sugar was the most preferred, while cold pudding with the use of konyaku and 100 g of low-calorie sugar was the most preferred. The chemical test results of the selected hot pudding contained 2.3% cholesterol, 26% vitamin A, and 10% protein, while the selected cold pudding contained 2% cholesterol, 27% vitamin A, and 12% protein.
CONTROL OF HEAVY CONCRETE CHARACTERISTICS AF-FECTING STRUCTURAL STIFFNESS
Authors: Kaprielov Semen , Sheinfeld Andrey , Selyutin Nikita
Published: April 2022

New experimental data have been obtained on the strength and deformation characteristics of heavy concrete o strength classes B30-B100 (strength from 36.2 to 115.1 MPa), prepared from self-compacting mixtures using crushed stone from various dense rocks as a coarse aggregate - granite, basalt and gabbro-diabase, as well as crushed stone from gravel.

It has been established that the values of the compressive strength of concrete "Rbn" (prism strength) are 24% higher than the normalized indicators given in Table 6.7 of the current set of Building Code of the Russian Federation SP 63.13330.2018. For high-strength concrete on crushed granite of strength classes from B70 to B100, the values of the static modulus of elasticity Eb, which largely determines the stiffness of reinforced concrete structures, exceed by 5-14% the values given in Table 6.11 of SP 63.13330.2018. At the same time, the use of gabbro-diabase or basalt crushed stone as a coarse aggregate instead of granite does not affect the strength and Poison’s ratio. However, this allows increasing the static modulus of elasticity of concrete by 9 and 19%, respectively. The values of the dynamic modulus of elasticity of heavy concrete are in the range from 41.1 to 60.4 GPa and exceed the static modulus of elasticity of concrete by 2.2-5.3 GPa depending on the classes of concrete. The paper shows the possibility of using a less time-consuming method for monitoring the values of the static modulus of elasticity of concrete in structures by determining the dynamic modulus using the calibration dependence Eb - Ed.

The obtained results indicate that the real potential of high-strength concretes is not fully used in structures designed in accordance with normative characteristics Rbn and Eb provided for by SP 63.13330.2018. The actual values of these characteristics are higher and can be controlled by technological tricks.
Jejaring Ibu Nyai Pesantren Untuk Penguatan Kampanye Kesehatan Masyarakat
Authors: Arifin Samsul
Published: April 2022

Ibu Nyai (female scholars from pesantren) have high social capital in a paternalistic society, but their existence has yet to be studied. This paper aims to describe the potences of Ibu Nyai, concern for healthy lifestyles, and the network of Ibu Nyai pesantren which can be used for education related to the public health. The research method used a qualitative hermeneutic-ethnographic approach. This research indicate that first, Ibu Nyai has a great potential and plays an important role to the decision-making of female students. Second, Ibu Nyai cares about a healthy and hygiene lifestyle with a strong religious rationalization. Ibu Nyai plays as a role model for female students in developing health care. Third, Ibu Nyai has a very close social network to both physical and inner relationships among her fellows. Thus, the district health office have to strengthen cooperation with the pesantren to provide a better public health education.

Abstrak

Ibu nyai memiliki modal sosial (social capital) yang tinggi pada masyarakat paternalistik namun keberadaan mereka masih banyak yang belum diungkap. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan potensi, kepedulian terhadap pola hidup sehat, dan jejaring ibu nyai pesantren yang dapat dimanfaatkan untuk edukasi terkait kesehatan masyarakat. Metode penelitian dengan pendekatan kualitatif hermeneutik-etnografi. Hasil dari studi ini menunjukkan bahwa pertama, ibu nyai mempunyai potensi yang besar dan berperan penting dalam pengambil keputusan para santriwati. Kedua, ibu nyai memiliki kepedulian terhadap pola hidup sehat dan bersih dengan rasionalisasi keagamaan yang kuat. Ibu nyai berperan sebagai teladan bagi santriwati dalam menumbuhkembangkan kepedulian kesehatan. Ketiga, ibu nyai mempunyai jejaring sosial (social of network) yang sangat erat, meliputi hubungan lahiriyah dan batiniyah dengan para pengikutnya. Dinas kesehatan diharapkan menjalin kerjasama yang lebih baik dengan kalangan pesantren untuk memberikan edukasi kesehatan masyarakat.
Orang dengan Disabilitas: Situasi Tantangan dan Layanan di Indonesia
Authors: Apsari Nurliana Cipta , Raharjo Santoso Tri
Published: April 2022

People with disabilities experience discrimination for their rights. This discrimination makes them experiencing difficulties in their lives. This article explores the challenges facing people with disabilities and what services are available to the disability population in Indonesia. A literature study used to capture the phenomenon of challenges and services for the disability population in Indonesia. This study indicated that people with disabilities still experience social injustice and discrimination. These challenges demonstrate the public perception to the disability population that those were not independent or depends on the other compassion. The services are centralized in some cities so that the challenge appeared for those living in the countryside. Social workers may actively provide excellent services by considering local wisdom and commitment to social justice by fulfilling the rights of people with disabilities. In addition, they also promote the participation of the beneficiaries at all levels to fulfilment of needs.

Abstrak

Orang dengan disabilitas mengalami diskriminasi dalam keterpenuhan haknya. Diskriminasi dalam pemenuhan hak tersebut membuat orang dengan disabilitas kesulitan dalam kehidupannya. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi tantangan yang dihadapi orang dengan disabilitas dan layanan apa yang tersedia bagi populasi disabilitas di Indonesia. Metode yang digunakan adalah studi kepustakaan tentang fenomena tantangan dan layanan bagi populasi disabilitas di Indonesia. Hasil penelitian menemukan bahwa di Indonesia, populasi disabilitas masih mengalami ketidakadilan sosial dan diskriminasi. Tantangan tersebut menunjukkan cara pandang orang umum terhadap populasi disabilitas sebagai populasi yang tidak mandiri dan tergantung pada bantuan orang lain yang berdasar pada belas kasihan. Layanan yang tersedia bagi populasi disabilitas di Indonesia terpusat di kota-kota besar Indonesia, sehingga menjadi tantangan tambahan bagi populasi disabilitas terutama yang tinggal di pedesaan. Profesi pekerjaan sosial memberikan layanan kompeten dengan mempertimbangkan budaya yang berkembang di masyarakat, kemudian berkomitmen untuk mengusung keadilan sosial dengan mengupayakan pemenuhan hak orang dengan disabilitas, serta mempromosikan partisipasi penerima layanan di semua level usaha pemenuhan kebutuhan.

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Faktor Risiko Masalah Mental Emosional Pada Anak Prasekolah Di Kota Sukabumi
Authors: Utami Shinta , Hanifah Dewi
Published: April 2022

Impairment of mental and emotional development in children can be an early sign of crime at a young age. Risk factors for mental and emotional disorders in children are influenced by external and internal factors. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors influencing mental-emotional problems in pre-school children in Sukabumi City in 2020. The study design was cross-sectional. The number of samples of pre-school children is 385 children. The data was collected with the help of a checklist and a questionnaire on psychological emotional problems (KMME). Logistic regression was used in the data analysis. The result of the prevalence of mental emotional disorders is 25.7% (99 children). The results of the multivariate analysis showed that emotional psychological problems in children caused by authoritarian upbringing [OR = 5.88 (95% CI; 3.45-10.02)], birth complications [OR = 3.36 (95% CI); 1.95-5.81)] is affected. , divorced parents [OR = 3.00 (95% CI; 1.09–8.23)], working mother [OR = 1.77 (95% CI; 1.04–3.00)] and mother with a low level of education [OR = 1.74 (95% CI; 1.02–2.95.))], authoritarian upbringing is the dominant factor in emotional psychological problems in children. Routine detection by health workers is required so that mental emotional problems in children can be detected as early as possible.

Abstrak

Perkembangan mental emosional anak yang terganggu dapat menjadi tanda awal kejahatan pada usia remaja. Faktor risiko masalah mental dan emosional pada anak dipengaruhi faktor eksternal dan internal. Studi ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui prevalensi dan faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi masalah mental emosional pada anak prasekolah di Kota Sukabumi pada tahun 2020. Disain studi potong lintang. Jumlah sampel anak prasekolah adalah 385 anak. Pengambilan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan daftar ceklist dan juga kuesienor masalah mental emosional (KMME). Analisis data menggunakan regresi logistik. Hasil prevalensi masalah mental emosional sebesar 25,7% (99 anak). Hasil analisis multivariat menunjukkan bahwa masalah mental emosional terdapat pada anak dipengaruhi oleh pola asuh otoriter [OR =5,88 (CI 95%;3,45-10,02)], komplikasi saat lahir [OR=3,36 (CI 95%;1,95-5,81)], orangtua bercerai [OR=3,00 (CI 95%; 1,09-8,23)], ibu bekerja [OR= 1,77 (CI 95%;1,04-3,00)], dan pendidikan ibu rendah [OR=1,74 (CI 95%; 1,02-2,95)], Faktor yang paling dominan terhadap masalah mental emosional anak adalah pola asuh otoriter. Perlu dilakukan deteksi secara rutin oleh tenaga kesehatan agar masalah mental emosional pada anak dapat terdeteksi sedini mungkin.
Pengelompokan Provinsi Di Indonesia Berdasarkan Faktor Penyebab Balita Stunting
Authors: SATRIAWAN DODI
Published: April 2022

The stunting condition is characterized by the growth of childrens who are slow and fail to reach normal height. Some of the causes of stunting include household access to sanitation and drinking water sources, initiation of early breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, full immunization, household income, and household access to nutritious food. Basically, to make it easier to see the characteristics of the factors that cause stunting under five in Indonesia, it can be done through group formation. The formation of this group is based on the similarity of the characteristics of the factors causing stunting under five in each province in Indonesia. This study aims to classify provinces in Indonesia based on the causes of stunting. The source of the data used is secondary data from the Ministry of Health and BPS in 2017. Clustering was carried out using the ward method cluster analysis. The clustering results are four groups with different characteristics. The 1st group consisting of 4 provinces is a group with a very high stunting factor. The 2nd group of 16 provinces was a group with a high stunting factor. The 3rd group consisting of 8 provinces was a group with a moderate stunting factor. The 4th group consisting of 6 provinces is a group with a low stunting factor.

Abstrak

Kondisi stunting ditandai dengan pertumbuhan anak-anak yang lambat dan gagal mencapai tinggi badan normal. Beberapa faktor penyebab stunting antara lain akses rumah tangga terhadap sanitasi dan sumber air minum, inisiasi menyusui dini, pemberian ASI eksklusif, pemberian imunisasi lengkap, pendapatan rumah tangga, serta akses rumah tangga terhadap makanan bergizi. Pada dasarnya untuk mempermudah melihat karakteristik faktor penyebab balita stunting di Indonesia dapat melalui pembentukan kelompok. Pembentukan kelompok ini didasarkan pada kesamaan karakteristik faktor penyebab balita stunting pada setiap provinsi di Indonesia. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengelompokkan provinsi di Indonesia berdasarkan faktor penyebab stunting. Sumber data yang digunakan adalah data sekunder dari Kementerian Kesehatan dan BPS tahun 2017. Pengelompokan dilakukan dengan menggunakan analisis cluster metode ward. Hasil pengelompokan adalah empat kelompok dengan karakteristik yang berbeda-beda. Kelompok pertama beranggotakan 4 provinsi yang merupakan kelompok dengan faktor stunting sangat tinggi. Kelompok kedua beranggotakan 16 provinsi yang merupakan kelompok dengan faktor stunting tinggi. Kelompok ketiga beranggotakan 8 provinsi yang merupakan kelompok dengan faktor stunting sedang. Sedangkan kelompok keempat beranggotakan 6 provinsi yang merupakan kelompok dengan faktor stunting rendah.
Laying low: Rugged lowland rainforest preferred by feral cats in the Australian Wet Tropics.
Authors: Bruce Tom
Published: April 2022

Invasive mesopredators, particularly feral cats, are responsible for the
decline of many species of native mammals worldwide. In Australia, there
is currently limited understanding of the drivers of feral cat occupancy
in tropical rainforests, the most biodiverse ecosystem in the continent.
We carried out camera-trapping surveys at 108 sites across eight study
sites. Camera-trap pairs were placed at 2.2km intervals along roads,
with one camera-trap facing the road and another 50m into the forest to
ensure that individuals who prefer or avoid roads could be detected.
Single-species occupancy analysis was implemented to investigate how
environmental factors influence feral cat distribution in the Australian
Wet Tropics. There were 524 independent feral cat detections, 11 times
higher than previously recorded in the Australian Wet Tropics. The main
environmental factors influencing feral cat distribution were a positive
association with terrain ruggedness, a negative association with
elevation, and a higher affinity for rainforest than eucalypt forest.
These findings were congruent with global studies on feral cat ecology
but disagreed with similar surveys within Australia. Understory
complexity is reduced in rugged terrain, which could improve feral cats’
hunting efficiency, while increasingly harsh and consistently wet
weather conditions at higher elevations drive their preference for
lowland rainforest. Feral cats were heavily associated with roads,
supporting the theory that roads facilitate access and proliferation of
feral cats within more remote parts of the rainforest. Higher elevation
rainforest with no roads could act as refugia for native prey species
within the critical weight range. Regular monitoring of existing roads
should be implemented to monitor feral cats, and new linear
infrastructure should be limited to prevent encroachment into these
areas. This is pertinent as climate change modelling suggests that
habitats at higher elevations will become similar to lower elevations,
potentially making the environment more suitable for feral cat
populations.
Surgical Coronary revascularization in patients with COVID-19; complications and outcomes
Authors: Ayati Aryan , hosseini kaveh , Hadizadeh Alireza , Jalali Arash , Lotfi-Tokaldany Masoumeh , Milan Nesa , Bagheri Jamshid , Tafti Seyed Hossein Ahmadi
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Coronary artery disease is high-risk comorbidity
of COVID-19 infection. Non-elective coronary artery revascularization in
COVID-19 patients carries substantial risk. Therefore, it is essential
to understand the risk factors and outcomes fully. This study aims to
evaluate the prognosis of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) Surgery
in patients with COVID-19. Materials and methods: This
retrospective cohort study assesses 171 patients who underwent urgent
and emergent CABG in Tehran Heart Center from March 2020 to September
2021. The patients were allocated to cases and controls based on
COVID-19 infection status. Demographic and clinical features, alongside
the complications and outcomes, were compared between the two groups.
Results: According to diagnostic criteria, 62 patients were
diagnosed with COVID 19 (Case), and 109 patients had no COVID diagnosis
(Control). Regarding the demographics and risk factors, hypertension was
more prevalent among patients with COVID 19 (64.5% compared to 43.1%
p-value= 0.007). Length of hospital stay, ventilation time, and ICU stay
time were significantly higher in patients infected with COVID 19. Post
Operative complications, including stroke, atrial fibrillation, pleural
effusion, blood transfusion, and Inotrope use, were significantly higher
in the case group. Mortality rates were also higher in COVID-19 patients
with an Odds ratio of 1.53; however, this difference is not
statistically significant (p-value 0.44, 95%CI= 0.50-4.01).
Conclusion: COVID-19 is associated with a significantly higher
hospital stay, ventilation time, and ICU stay. Mortality rates are also
higher, albeit insignificantly. Various postoperative complications are
also higher with COVID-19.
On the ground states for the X-ray free electron lasers Schrödinger equation
Authors: Hu Hangzhou , Li Yuan , Zhao Dun
Published: April 2022

We consider the following X-ray free electron lasers
Schr\”{o}dinger equation
\begin{equation*}
(i\nabla-A)^2u+V(x)u-\frac{\mu}{|x|}
u=\left(\frac{1}{|x|}*|u|^2\right)
u-K(x)|u|^{q-2} u,
\,\, x\in
\mathbb{R}^3, \end{equation*} where
$A\in
L_{loc}^2(\mathbb{R}^3,\mathbb{R}^3)$
denotes the magnetic potential such that the magnetic field
$B=\text{curl} \, A$ is
$\mathbb{Z}^{3}$-periodic,
$\mu\in \mathbb{R}$,
$K \in
L^{\infty}\left(\mathbb{R}^3\right)$
is $\mathbb{Z}^{3}$ -periodic and non-negative,
$q\in(2,4)$. Using the variational method, based on a
profile decomposition of the Cerami sequence in
$H^1_A\left(\mathbb{R}^3\right)$,
we obtain the existence of the ground state solution for suitable
$\mu\geq0$. When
$\mu<0$ is small, we also obtain the
non-existence. Furthermore, we give a description for the asymptotic
behaviour of the ground states as $\mu
\to 0^+$.
Random sampling stability in weighted reproducing kernel subspaces of $L_\nu^p(\mathbb{R}^d)$
Authors: Jiang Yingchun , Zhang Yajing , Li Wan
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we mainly study the random sampling stability for signals
in a weighted reproducing kernel subspace of
$L_\nu^p(\mathbb{R}^d)$ without
the additional requirement that the kernel function has symmetry. The
sampling set is independently and randomly drawn from a general
probability distribution over $\mathbb{R}^d$.
Based on the frame characterization of weighted reproducing kernel
subspaces, we first approximate the weighted reproducing kernel space by
a finite dimensional subspace on any bounded domains. Then, we prove
that the random sampling stability holds with high probability for all
signals in weighted reproducing kernel subspaces whose energy
concentrate on a cube when the sampling size is large enough.
COVID-19 co-infection in a patient with brucellosis
Authors: Shabani Shiva , Ghadimi Saleh
Published: April 2022

An 89-year-old male case was hospitalized in the COVID-19 department.
His computerized chest tomography scan showed nodular opacities with
glass halo including peripheral distribution. The patient showed active
brucellosis.Finally, his respiratory symptoms and the radiologic images
had got better and the second SARS-COV-2 test and the serologic tests
were negative
Pulmonary embolism triggered by cold agglutinin syndrome in mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia requiring VV ECMO treatment
Authors: Wang Zeyu , Yang Ni , Song Wenliang , Wu Bo , Yan Jingli , Xu Wei
Published: April 2022

Mycoplasma (M.) pneumoniae is a common pathogen causing respiratory
infections in children. Pulmonary embolism is a rare complication that
may be life-threatening if not diagnosed early and treated promptly.
Here, we report the case of an 11-year-old patient with pulmonary
embolism associated with M. pneumoniae pneumonia. The patient developed
uncorrectable hypoxemia and received venovenous extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation treatment. Although the mechanism of thrombosis after M.
pneumoniae infection remains unknown, an increase in the cold agglutinin
titer indicates that cold agglutinin syndrome might be the mechanism of
this pathological change. Finally, the patient was cured with antibiotic
and anticoagulant therapies. Patients who have significantly increased
C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels and positive cold agglutinin after
M. pneumoniae infection should be monitored for the possibility of
thrombosis formation.
Soil C: N: P stoichiometric characteristics and soil quality evaluation under different restoration modes in the loess region of Northern Shaanxi Province
Authors: Gao Rui , Ai Ning , Liu Guangquan , Liu Changhai , Zhang Zhiyong
Published: April 2022

The vegetation restoration is very important for the stability of the
ecological system structure and function in the loess region of North
Shaanxi Province. Natural restoration and artificial restoration are the
two primary modes for vegetation recovery and soil quality improvement
in this region. In this study, two adjacent watersheds with similar
ecological environment conditions but different restoration modes were
selected for research; and one watershed adopted natural restoration (He
Gou watershed) and the other adopted artificial restoration (Chai Gou
watershed). According to the study of soil stoichiometric
characteristics and soil quality after the vegetation restoration in
these two watersheds, the results showed: (1) Compared with the natural
restoration, artificial restoration was more effective in increasing the
content of SOC and TN, but insignificantly effective in increasing the
content of TP. (2) The ratios of soil C:N, C:P and N:P showed a
decreasing trend with the soil depth increased at these two restoration
modes. (3) in the 0 -60 cm soil layer, the soil quality using the
artificial restoration mode was better than the natural restoration,
especially for the soil layer beneath 20 cm. (4) The minimal data set on
the soil quality evaluation in the study area included 5 indicators
including SOC, CWHC, AK, SWC and AP. The minimal data set showed a
linear relation with the total index data set (y=0.829x+0.058，R
=0.76) and the minimal data set can reflect the soil
quality more sensitively than the total indicators data set.
Restoration of Agroecosystems with Conservation Agriculture for Food Security to achieve UN-Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Srivastava Pankaj , Kumawat Anita , YADAV DEVIDEEN , Babu Subhash , Kumar Dinesh , Singh Deepak , Vishwakarma Dinesh Kumar , Sharma V.K. , MADHU M.
Published: April 2022

Sustainability of agroecosystems is the most challenging task for humans
in this anthropocentric era. The faulty agriculture practices and
several undesirable anthropological factors caused substantial soil
erosion, desertification, and soil dryness, resulting in a severe
decline in soil biodiversity and crop productivity. The mismanagement of
agriculture land has deteriorated around 25% of the world’s total land
area, resulting in the annual loss of approximately 24 billion tonnes of
soil. By 2050, 95% world’s land might be degraded if current trends
continue. The tillage practices are responsible for more than 150 t ha
of annual soil loss around the world. Soil erosion
is responsible for 40% of all soil deterioration worldwide.
Agricultural land degradation is mainly caused by intensive soil
ploughing, removal or burning of crop leftovers, poor pasture
management, and insufficient crop rotations. Conservation Agriculture
(CA) practices are essential for soil quality restoration and
improvement. The global annual adoption rate of CA has been 7 M ha year
over the last ten years. By decreasing soil
erosion, maintaining soil structure, and encouraging soil organisms, by
using CA practices, Brazil has stored around 12 million tonnes of carbon
from 23.6 M ha of land. The regenerative CA practices are also important
to the achievement the sustainable development goals (SDGs). This review
seeks to gather and provide collective literature on the global
agroecosystem situation and the impact of CA methods in restoring our
degraded agroecosystems for food security.
Comparison of Natural Salicylic Acid Level in Serum and Urine in Early-Onset and Late-Onset Preeclampsia, Case-control study
Authors: muthmainah murthy , Wibowo Noroyono , Irwinda Rima , Prasmusinto Damar , Saroyo Yudianto , Purwosunu Yuditiya
Published: April 2022

Objective: To determine the natural salicylic acid levels in
normotension and preeclampsia who were not taking Acetylsalicylic Acid
Design: A case-control study Setting: A university medical center
Population: A case-control study of 148 pregnant women divided into four
groups: normotension 20-34 weeks (n=35), normotension >34 -
40 weeks (n=39), early-onset preeclampsia (n=35), and late-onset
preeclampsia (n=39). Method: The four groups were matched at a ratio of
1:1 concerning a gestational week. Socio-demographic characteristics and
reproductive history were compared among the four groups. The numeric
data were checked for normal distribution using the Kolmogorov Smirnov
test, presented as mean ± SD if normally distributed and as median (IQR)
if not normally distributed, Kruskal Wallis test was used to identify
significances among groups and performed with Mann Whitney test. Result:
Serum SUA level in EOP were significantly different from normotension
with median 1.43 μmol/L (min-max 0.001-9.32) versus 0.21 μmol/L
(0.002-15.78) (p<0.05), albumin in EOP significantly lower
from normotension, median 3 gr/dl (2.1-3.8) vs 3.7 gr/dl (3.4-4.3)
(p<0.05), and protein intake significantly lower than
normotension (13% vs 14%, p<0,05) and correlates with SUA
serum (r -0.572).There was no significant difference of SA and SUA in
LOP and normotension, albumin level on LOP significantly lower with
median 3 gr/dl vs 3.4 gr/dl(p<0.05). Conclusion: There was no
significant difference in salicylic acid and salicyluric acid levels in
serum and urine in preeclampsia and normotension. The serum SUA levels
in the EOP group were greater and associated with low albumin levels and
low protein intake.
High-Volume and High-Intensity Functional Training in Patients with Multiple Clerosis: A Pilot Study on Feasibility and Functional Capacity
Authors: Derikx Tom C. A. , Brands Ingrid M. H. , Goedhart Arne T. , Hoens Wouter H. , Heijenbrok–Kal Majanka H. , Van den Berg-Emons Rita H. J. G.
Published: April 2022

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of a high-volume and high-intensity functional training programme in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to explore whether functional capacity improves. A further objective was to explore changes in muscle strengthand aerobic capacity.Methods: This pilot study comprised a 12-week intervention, with an 8-week follow-up period. The intervention consisted of 3 weekly 3-h training sessions, comprising functional resistance-, endurance-, and skills training. Feasibility (questionnaire), functional capacity (Timed Up and Go Test, 10-Meter Walk Test, and 6-Minute Walk Test), aerobic capacity (cardiopulmonary exercise test) and muscle strength (1 repetition maximum (RM) leg press) were evaluated.Results: Seven patients completed the study. Patients attended a mean of 93% of the training sessions. One adverse event was reported, which was not related to the training programme. Patients scored positive or very positive on 86% of the feasibility aspects and scored an overall grade of 8.9 on a scale of 1–10 regarding satisfaction with the training programme. Functional capacity, aerobic capacity, and muscle strength seemed to be improved after the training programme, but the improvements were not always sustained.Conclusion: This new high-volume and high-intensity functional training programme appeared to be feasible in patients with MS, and may improve their functional capacity, aerobic capacity and muscle strength. A large-scale controlled trial over a longer period of time is required to evaluate the added value of the training programme.
High accurate method to calculate a singular integral related to Hankel transform
Authors:   LGEMS Laboratory, National School of Applied Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Assoudi R. ,   Department of physics, Moulay Ismail University, Bougtab S. ,   Research Team MANTA, Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Allouche H. ,   Research Team MANTA, Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Lamzoud K. ,   Department of Physics, Moulay Ismail University, Feuillebois F. ,   LIMSI–CNRS, Orsay, France, Chaoui M. ,   Department of Physics, Moulay Ismail University
Published: April 2022

In this paper we are interested in the approximation of the integral \[I_0(f,\omega)=\int_0^\infty f(t)\,e^{-t}\,J_0(\omega t)\,dt\] for fairly large $\omega$ values. This singular integral comes from the Hankel transformation of order $0$, $f(x)$ is a function with which the integral is convergent. For fairly large values of $\omega$, the classical quadrature methods are not appropriate, on the other side, these methods are applicable for relatively small values of $\omega$. Moreover, all quadrature methods are reduced to the evaluation of the function to be integrated into the nodes of the subdivision of the integration interval, hence the obligation to evaluate the exponential function and the Bessel function at rather large nodes of the interval $]0,+\infty[$. The idea is to have the value of $I_0(f,\omega)$ with great precision for large $\omega$ without having to improve the numerical method of calculation of the integrals, just by studying the behavior of the function $I_0(f,\omega)$ and extrapolating it. We will use two approaches to extrapolation of $I_0(f,\omega)$. The first one is the Padé approximant of $I_0(f,\omega)$ and the second one is the rational interpolation.
On the maximal output set of fractional-order discrete-time linear systems
Authors:   Laboratory of Analysis, Modeling and Simulation, Hassan II University Casablanca, El Bhih A. , Benfatah Y. ,   Laboratory of Analysis, Modeling and Simulation, Hassan II University Casablanca, Ghazaoui A. ,   Laboratory of Analysis, Modeling and Simulation, Hassan II University Casablanca, Rachik M. ,   Laboratory of Analysis, Modeling and Simulation, Hassan II University Casablanca
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we consider a linear discrete-time fractional-order system defined by \[\Delta ^{\alpha }x_ {k+1}=Ax_k+B u_k, \quad k \geq 0, \quad x_{0} \in \mathbb{R}^{n};\] \[y_{k}=Cx_k, \quad k \geq 0,\] where $A$, $B$ and $C$ are appropriate matrices, $x_{0}$ is the initial state, $\alpha$ is the order of the derivative, $y_k$ is the signal output and $u_k=K x_k$ is feedback control. By defining the fractional derivative in the Grunwald–Letnikov sense, we investigate the characterization of the maximal output set, $\Gamma(\Omega)=\lbrace x_{0} \in \mathbb{R}^{n}/y_{i} \in \Omega,\forall i \geq 0 \rbrace$, where $\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^{p}$ is a constraint set; and, by using some hypotheses of stability and observability, we prove that $\Gamma(\Omega)$ can be derived from a finite number of inequations. A powerful algorithm approach is included to identify the maximal output set; also, some appropriate algorithms and numerical simulations are given to illustrate the theoretical results.
An Improvement of Computer Based Test System Based on TCExam for Usage with A Large Number of Concurrent Users
Authors: Anang Yunarso , Utama Rahadi Jalu Yoga , Takahashi Masakazu , Watanabe Yoshimichi
Published: April 2022

Computer-based test or assessment has been used widely, especially in the current COVID-19 pandemic, where many schools are conducting distance learning as well as distance examination. The need for a computer or software system to support education is inevitable. A range of solutions, from the free/open source software systems to the paid/proprietary ones have been publicly available. Still, an organization with limited resources prefers to find free or low-budget, while yet demanding reliable solutions. We have reported the use of the computer-based test in a new student recruitment test which is held country-wide. We developed the system based on TCExam, a free and open source computer-based test software, and successfully fulfilled the requirements, but with some tweaks. We found that the TCExam has a performance degradation when used by a large number of examinees concurrently, especially during specific phases during the test. This paper reports the result of our investigation to address the problem and suggests some modifications to the base codes as well as a recommendation of the hardware configuration. We evaluated the modified system in a simulated environment. We successfully achieved up to 56% performance gain using the modified system.
A Diagnostic Test on Grammatical Structures for English Teachers
Authors: Tyas Agnes Siwi Purwaning
Published: April 2022

Grammar is a significant part of English proficiency. English proficiency also coverscommunicative linguistic aspects that require the speakers to comprehend and use thelinguistic aspects of language, as well as their functions and rules (Common EuropeanFramework of Reference for languages, 1971). Considering the importance of grammaraccuracy in English proficiency, teachers need to master the language forms, the functionsand the contexts of use before they can share their knowledge to their students. In order tomeasure teachers proficiency on grammatical structures, this research is conducted to designa diagnostic test. A needs analysis questionnaire was distributed to 24 English teachers toidentify the grammatical structures that they need to review and the urgency. The result of thequestionnaire was used to determine the number of test items for each structure. The resultsof the diagnostic test were used to design a review program to help teachers review andimprove their competence on grammatical structures based on their needs. Keywords: grammar, diagnostic test, proficiency