bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Value Engineering in Government Housing Projects in Developing Countries to Improve Value
Authors: Zaki Mahmoud , Omar Nermeen , Zoair Alaa
Published: January 2022

Government housing projects are among the complex issues facing developing countries’ governments. There have been many attempts to solve problems related to this issue and a lot of effort has been made in this direction. The main problem is lowering the cost of lodging, without sacrificing its quality and the effectiveness by which it fulfills the needs of its occupants. This became possible upon the use of the value engineering technique. Value engineering is an effective tool used to solve problems related to housing, by lowering cost on one hand and sustaining or even ameliorating quality and performance.The purpose of this study is to try to identify a series of proposed solutions and value indicators and to describe their role in improving value in government housing projects. This process may assist the designer in choosing and managing, value indicators during the creative phase, using references from the literature and the analysis of case studies.The literature review identified the reasons for high costs and poor performance, which are often a result of a misunderstanding of the fundamental principles of design criteria and value indicators, followed in government housing projects. The review also pinpointed the most important considerations that improve value.Results obtained in this study feature the positive effects of methods under the umbrella of value engineering, applied in government housing projects. It was found that savings of 15% to 40% can be achieved in the total cost of a certain project, using this technique. Generating ideas in the creative phase is one of the most important stages in value engineering studies. A set of value indicators and proposed solutions in the form of a checklist were derived and can be used in the future, during the creative phase of value engineering studies in the initial design stage of government housing projects.
Smart streetlamps as part of a smart city approach in Macau
Authors: Chen Yile , Zheng Liang
Published: January 2022

Smart cities are the mainstream trend of modern city development. With the promotion of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area policies, Macau, as one of the four central cities in the Greater Bay Area, has pioneered the development of smart cities. The development goal of the smart city is to use modern electronic information technology to manage, coordinate, share efficiently, and interoperate the city's transportation, logistics, energy resources, and communication services. Comprehensive perception and information collection are the basis for its smart urban management. As one of the important node devices at the perception level of the smart city, smart street lights in Macau are not only the lighting infrastructure, but also include environmental monitoring, video surveillance, communication networks, Internet of Things, information interaction, charging piles and other economic functions of the people's livelihood. Under the above premise, this article discusses the urban policies, applications and prospects of smart streetlamps in Macau. At the same time, it compares the social nature and related policies of the mainland, analyzes the particularity of building smart streetlamps in Macau, and based on the application of smart streetlamps in Macau, propose optimization and development suggestions to promote the construction and development of Macau's smart city.
Cultural Landscapes Preservation at the Interface of Urban Planning and Sprawl
Authors: Imene Laouar
Published: January 2022

From ancient times, the sea has played a key role in shaping and generating settlements and cities. The history of civilizations has been marked by the cultural development of human societies along coastlines. Accordingly, these territories are harbor of an important coastal heritage; that plays a pivotal role in maintaining the link between the past and the future. In fact, while cities grow and their populations increase, their planning becomes a challenge for sustainable development. Through different forms and mechanisms, coastal sprawl is materialized, by the massive occupation of populations and industrial activities along coastlines. In this vein, coastlines endure many conflicts, which lead to the degradation of cultural and natural resources and may result in loss of cultural identity associated with the presence of cultural landscapes. The paper aims, to discuss planning approaches and challenges related to managing cultural and coastal landscapes, facing the impact of coastal sprawl. The paper is based on a landscape analysis; it interviews the urban, social, juridical and morphological frame. An understanding of urban sprawl through the lens of Annaba’s coastline is required for its implication as a social support of the identity and the history of the city. The paper also examines how the coastalization affects the cultural heritage based on the monograph of one of the valuable French colonial constructions in Algeria. Lastly, the study demonstrates, some key opportunities for advancing future adjustments, and coastal management approaches. For instance, new tools and more appropriate methodologies that combine the preservation of the coastline and the preservation of the cultural heritage.
Towards Programs Sustainability: Assessment of Institutional Determinants for Effective Community Participation in Development Programs in Tanzania
Authors: Naku Daniel Wandera Clief , Kihila Jacob , Mwageni Eluether
Published: January 2022

This paper brings to the fore an assessment of institutional determinants for effective community participation in development programs for the case of Tanzania. It is highly acknowledged in various scholarly literature that there is a strong link between community participation and development programs.  In fact, literature shows that community-based development programs that have allowed community members to be fully involved in various programs have been successful when compared to those where community members are seen as spectators.However, in order for community members to take part in the programs, there are several determining factors, ranging from socio-economic, socio-cultural to institutional based factors.This study therefore sought to assess institutional determinants with the aim of identifying the major institutional determinants capable of influencing effective community participation in development programs. The study used four programs that were categorized as Locally Funded, Government Funded, Donor Funded and Joint Funded development programs. A combined sample size of 316 participants from all the four programs was employed. Collected data were analyzed through the within-case analysis and the comparative analysis approaches.Results of the study revealed that program benefits, objectives and leadership were the major institutional determinants for promoting effective community participation in development programs. when compared to methods used in the other three examined programs. Hence, the study concluded by emphasizing on the need to ensure these institutional based factors (program benefits, objectives and leadership) should always be given due attention in any development program.
Challenges facing components reuse in industrialized housing: A literature review
Authors: Margherita Lisco , Carlos Martinez , Urban Persson
Published: January 2022

Concerns over the earth’s ability to sustain itself over the long term as a consequence of human consumption of natural resources points towards sustainable development. Since a large proportion of human consumption is linked to buildings and construction, this means managing the construction process in more sustainable ways. Strategies that target greater material efficiency and which promote circular economy concepts are among several approaches that are gaining in popularity. The adoption of life-cycle thinking and practices in design, construction and end of life through the reuse of construction components and materials is one such action to achieve a sustainable built environment. Reuse is not a new concept and technical solutions do exist; however, practical realization is hampered by many interrelated challenges. This review paper is the result of a literature review for an exploratory study that aims to identify obstacles to the reuse of building components and materials. The context is industrialized housing, particularly timber-based construction, as this is a sector where modern manufacturing and onsite practices have become established. The main obstacles identified and corroborated in the literature, along with their potential solutions, are summarized and conclusions drawn on the future direction of research needs.
Rural Regeneration in Egypt: A Review of Existing Typologies in Borderline Areas
Authors: Abdel-Razek Shahira Assem , Moanis Yasmin
Published: January 2022

Tracking rural areas and studying them may not be an easy task. The concept of whether the area at hand is urban or rural could be simple, but lately rural areas could carry many features that may deviate the definition into one which is unclear. In urbanized rural development, reversing the urbanization spotted may not be the ideal way to go, urban developers often suggest that to go back to the roots is to regenerate the area back into rural, however, regenerating rural areas using rural parameters and definitions may not be what the urban area in hand needs and the changes and challenges that are facing rural communities in Egypt need to be understood before any plan can be deemed as effective or even worthwhile The rapid increase in urbanization and how it affects agriculture land, shorelines, and rural land, has affected badly the rural capacity, and led to a constant threat of overhaul in place of towns, cities, and other urban activities. However, rural areas are the lungs of the planet alongside forests and other green areas and having them diminish substantially will lead to an inevitable catastrophe. Regenerating rural areas should focus on revitalizing and embedding them into the social, cultural, and economic structure of the region, however, it may not always involve turning them back to what is commonly termed as rural.This research attempts to review and discuss the meaning and definitions of rural regeneration with a view to propose a strategic plan to regenerate borderline areas in Egypt.
The impact of the spread of COVID-19 сoronavirus infection on the implementation of the national project "International cooperation and export" in the short and long terms
Authors: Izutina T. A.
Published: January 2022

The relevance of the study is explained by the fact that the spread of the coronavirus epidemic has become a serious challenge to achieve the goals and objectives set by the national project, especially taking into account the need to obtain relevant results already in 2030. The author analyzed the impact of the pandemic on the results of achieving the corresponding milestones of federal projects in the short term - in particular, the degree of achievement of the parameters of federal projects in the dock 2019 and in the crisis year 2020 was considered. The long-term implications of the coronavirus-related restrictions are also considered, including in the aspect of a qualitative change in the national project as a whole, associated with a change in the federal projects that fill it. Based on the results of studying the issue, the author presents scenarios about the possibility of implementing a national project by 2030, taking into account the existing market situation, and also gives recommendations on possible mechanisms for the successful completion of all project activities within the timeframes determined by the President of the Russian Federation.
Current stage of higher education internationalization: new characteristics, world leaders and challenges for Russia
Authors: Frolova E. D. , Beliaeva V. S. , Ishukov A. A. , Frolov A. A.
Published: January 2022

At its present stage of internationalization of education, its architecture and forms have changed. The study of these aspects requires an integrated approach. Increasing the volume of exports of educational services remains a priority for Russia, which, according to the authors, does not realize its educational export potential sufficiently. The purpose of the article is to reveal the features of the current stage of internationalization of higher education through the compilation of its complex characteristics by a set of cross-sections, to interpret the calculations obtained in a new way, to identify new facts and factors affecting the development trend and to develop proposals for Russia as an exporter of educational services. The main sources used were the statistical databases of the WTO, the EEC of the EAEU. Analytical approach, comparative and statistical analysis were used. As a result, the authors found confirmation of the continuing trend of growth in global spending on education, the volume of investments in the global market of educational services, an increase in the number of foreign students, and the preservation of Russia's share in the number of foreign students. The authors also identified new characteristics of the global educational services market, such as: the acceleration of the growth rate of global exports of educational services, the decline in the share of the United States and the growth of the share of the UAE in the global educational services market, the transformation of Asian countries from donors to recipient countries of educational services.
Risks and perspectives of higher school transformation for the russian economy in conditions of gobalization and digitalization
Authors: Novikova Е. S.
Published: January 2022

The article examines the risks and possible prospects for the transformation of higher education from the standpoint of the Russian and world economy, identifies the main reasons for the current situation in terms of the influence of foreign capital on the level of competitiveness of the domestic economy's production capacities and its involvement in global value chains. An analysis of the risks of increasing the dependence of Russian higher education on the global market of educational services is carried out. This may negatively affect the preservation of the potential of human capital in the domestic market of the country. In this regard, the current trends in the field of educational activity, including the globalization of higher education in the context of digitalization, as well as the process of internationalization of scientific research, are considered. Additional trends in the transformation of higher education were identified that could contribute to the sustainable development of the Russian economy, primarily in the domestic market, taking into account the involvement of Russia in the system of international division of labor. Based on the results obtained, the key directions of the development of Russian higher education are identified, taking into account possible risks and prospects in order to achieve sustainable development of the Russian economy based on the long-term development of the domestic market, where special attention is paid to the human capital of the country, including not only material, but also moral aspects of society.
Buy national campaigns promotionin the EU and EAEU countries
Authors: Elikbaev K. N. , Podbiralina G. V.
Published: January 2022

It is determined in the article that the promotion of the “Buy National” policy is of a protectionist nature and often may not comply with international trade rules, including within the framework of integration associations. It was determined that this approach of the states participating in integration associations (the EAEU is no exception) is a certain brake on the development of integration processes. As a result of the analysis of studies on this issue, it was revealed that consumers in certain countries support the policy “Buy national, but their purchasing habits are not fundamentally changed. The study analyzes individual ways of using the Buy National campaigns in the countries of the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union and shows that countries are actively using this policy, explaining these measures by supporting the national economy, but such actions threaten the development of integration. Based on the results obtained, possible recommendations for cooperation of the EAEU member states have been developed for an equal representation of goods from the five countries in retail facilities. In particular, it was proposed to develop and adopt a model code of good practices for retail chains as norms of "soft" law, enshrining in it the principle of non-discrimination towards goods from the EAEU member states.
Substitution effect in high-tech industry in the USA in foreign trade share and domestic market protection
Authors: Minat V. N.
Published: January 2022

The transition to the sixth technological order, characterized by the systemic elements of the information revolution, requires a comprehensive analysis of the aggregate dynamic processes trade operations in the context of the respective commodity groups. Using the traditional methods of the statistical and economic method, in general terms, reduced to the formula: "domestic production + import - export", the relative quantitative indicators of the share of imports and exports of products of the leading high-tech industries of the United States were calculated for specific periods of time in the period 1951–2020, correlated with domestic production for the same period. Thus, an assessment of the impact of the "substitution effect" in the high-tech industry of the United States is given in relation to the volume of exports and imports in the context of certain groups of analyzed industries. The empirical results obtained contributed to the identification of trends in the regulation of American imports of high-tech industry products to protect the domestic market under the influence of the substitution effect in US foreign trade in the period under consideration. The main conclusion is that the priority in the focus of American foreign trade policy in terms of protecting the domestic market of high-tech industrial products, was and remains a flexible, expedient (in terms of substitution and integration vectors) combination of tariff and non-tariff restrictions on imports.
Trade-based money laundering: development of the «red flags» system
Authors: Girich M. G. , Levashenko A. D.
Published: January 2022

The OECD and the FATF highlight the problem of money laundering via international trade with a view to disguising illicit gains and moving value through the use of trade transactions. For example, inaccurate invoices may be used, which, according to the Global Financial Integrity estimates, resulted in $0,9 trillion to $1,7 trillion losses in 148 countries in 2006–2015. In Russia, the authorities attempt to reduce the risks of money laundering within the framework of international trade through the use of currency regulation, while foreign countries are using a risk-based approach by developing the “red flags” systems that allow financial intelligence agencies, customs and other state bodies as well as subjects of financial market (through which the payments for export-import transactions are made) and the companies participating in international trade themselves to determine whether a transaction entails risks of money laundering. In addition, internal and international inter-agency exchange of information related to money laundering in international trade, including trade and financial data, is being developed.
The trends of export activities development of small and medium enterprises: world experience and russian practice
Authors: Malysheva E. V.
Published: January 2022

The article analyzes the peculiarities of export activities of small and medium-sized businesses, shows the high involvement of companies belonging to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the high-tech sector. The contribution of SMEs to the creation of the value of a product/service through the introduction of innovations and their adaptation to different contexts by providing new or niche products that meet the diverse needs of customers is noted. Based on the analysis of the world practice of export activities of SMEs, the author concludes that SMEs can contribute to economic diversification and economic sustainability. This is especially true for resource-rich countries that are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in raw material prices. The emphasis is placed on the analysis of the export activity of Russian SMEs, an insignificant share of SMEs in the total volume of exports in comparison with other countries is highlighted. It is concluded that Russian small and medium-sized businesses are in the process of formation, which makes them vulnerable to the influence of both external and internal threats. It is shown what impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on SMEs. It was emphasized that the main problems for such companies were non-fulfillment of contractual obligations and a sharp decline in demand.
International trade between Hungary and Russia within the development of the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Asmyatullin R. R. , Aydrus I. A. , Szabolcs Nagy
Published: January 2022

The global pharmaceutical market is one of the most innovative and dynamically developing sectors of the global economy. In addition, this industry can be considered highly profitable. Its role has especially increased in the context during the coronavirus pandemic. This article examines trade relations between Russia and Hungary in the pharmaceutical sector. For the Hungarian economy, the pharmaceutical industry is one of the traditional and most innovative sectors of the economy: about 86% of the manufactured products are exported. Hungary is among the top 20 largest exporting and importing countries of pharmaceutical products. The main partners of Hungary are the EU countries. Russia remains an important partner of Hungary in the export of pharmaceutical products, however, it we should note the downward trend of the Russian share in Hungarian exports, due to the sanctions policy on the part of the EU. After the imposition of sanctions in 2014, the growth rate of the Russian pharmaceutical market slowed down, which also negatively affected the volume of trade cooperation with European partners. Russia has traditionally been a major importer in the global pharmaceutical market. An important problem is the reduction of drug import dependence and the expansion of exports. For Russia, this will be possible thanks to the development of unique innovative products. Hungary is an attractive country for the development and expansion of Russia's trade relations in the global pharmaceutical market. For both countries, the pharmaceutical industry is strategically important. The situation with the coronavirus pandemic has shown that political differences can be leveled. Hungary became the first European country to conclude a contract with Russia for the supply of Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine. Thus, there is a high economic potential to make up for the lost pharmaceutical relationship between the two countries.
Strengthening Indonesia-Russia trade economy relations: Indonesia’s effort to access Eurasia market
Authors: Manurung Hendra , Rezasyah Teuku , Bainus Arry , Kantaprawira Rusadi
Published: January 2022

The article discusses economic cooperation between Indonesia and Russia, as well as the possibility of Indonesia entering the Eurasian market. Indonesia is recognized as the largest economy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the leader of Southeast Asian countries with high rates of economic growth. The growth of the regional economy is expected to support global economic stability. Russia is an unconventional market for Indonesia's main goods in the Eurasian region, so Indonesian goods can be found quite rarely on Russian markets and in supermarkets. In this regard, it is important to understand which Indonesian export goods are of interest to Russians and how these goods can fall into Russia. To do this, it is necessary to study the business potential of partners with whom you can start working together. Since 2016, Indonesia has been emphasizing the importance of cooperation and trade and economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region, Eurasia and Southeast Asia. In the midst of a global pandemic, it is necessary to develop diplomacy and economic cooperation between Indonesia and Russia in order to prevent potential conflicts in the South China Sea involving the United States and China. At the same time, Indonesia should develop its economy and trade through bilateral and multilateral cooperation in international organizations. The study showed that economic cooperation between the two countries should contribute to strengthening trade relations, increasing investment and increasing the competitiveness of Indonesia's export products.
Self-insertion as discursive and core-identity of Gibran's Al Mustafa
Authors: Al-Khazraji Nidaa Hussain Fahmi
Published: January 2022

This paper studies the core identity of Al Mustafa (the chosen) in Gibran's book The Prophet (1923) as an individual property by investigating its discursive features as revealed in the words and deeds of the participants in the discourse. The study deals with how Gibran refers to the protagonist and how this portrayal reflects on the identity of the writer. It examines how the prophet refers to himself, his worries and needs, how the interlocutors address him in the discourse, and finally how the telling of the ongoing actions leads to the perception of Al-Mustafa as a prophetic figure. The results show that the source of the power of such a discursive identity is neither nature, nor certain established institutions, but the people of Orphalese themselves (the participants in the discourse), plus those readers of Gibran's book who discern a prophetic figure in his words. The process through which these power works is that of “recognition”, in that rational individuals recognize Al-Mustafa as a Prophet in the discourse. Such recognition is realized as an active “self-achievement” arising as a deserved property of how the prophet's words and deeds are recognized by his followers.
Turbine recommender: The selection of wind turbine type using one of a machine learning technique
Authors:   Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, et al. Alrige
Published: January 2022

This study aims to utilize the machine learning technique to build a model to recommend the suitable wind turbine type based on some variables, such as air speed and air density, as well as visualize the location of the recommended wind turbine selection on a 3D map. Particularly, we applied the K-nearest neighbor model (KNN) to determine the amount of energy produced by a single wind turbine. We applied it on 10 separate wind farms in Saudi Arabia. The results indicate that the model performs very well in predicting the best wind turbine type with the mean accuracy of 88%, where ten wind stations resulted from the optimized model with the suggested turbine type in each station. Adding more wind attributes and other factors may assist in increasing the model mean accuracy. The project’s findings will assist decision-makers in Saudi Arabia to make informed decisions as to what kind of wind turbine is suitable for a specific location. In the long run, this will help to make wind energy-a sustainable source of energy-one of the main goals of the 2030 vision, specifically under National Industrial Development and Logistics Program.
Using a Convolutional Neural Network and Convolutional Long Short-term Memory to Automatically Detect Aneurysms on 2D Digital Subtraction Angiography Images: Framework Development and Validation
Authors: Liao JunHua , Liu LunXin , Duan HaiHan , Huang YunZhi , Zhou LiangXue , Chen LiangYin , Wang ChaoHua
Published: January 2022

Background

It is hard to distinguish cerebral aneurysms from overlapping vessels in 2D digital subtraction angiography (DSA) images due to these images’ lack of spatial information.

Objective

The aims of this study were to (1) construct a deep learning diagnostic system to improve the ability to detect posterior communicating artery aneurysms on 2D DSA images and (2) validate the efficiency of the deep learning diagnostic system in 2D DSA aneurysm detection.

Methods

We proposed a 2-stage detection system. First, we established the region localization stage to automatically locate specific detection regions of raw 2D DSA sequences. Second, in the intracranial aneurysm detection stage, we constructed a bi-input+RetinaNet+convolutional long short-term memory (C-LSTM) framework to compare its performance for aneurysm detection with that of 3 existing frameworks. Each of the frameworks had a 5-fold cross-validation scheme. The receiver operating characteristic curve, the area under the curve (AUC) value, mean average precision, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were used to assess the abilities of different frameworks.

Results

A total of 255 patients with posterior communicating artery aneurysms and 20 patients without aneurysms were included in this study. The best AUC values of the RetinaNet, RetinaNet+C-LSTM, bi-input+RetinaNet, and bi-input+RetinaNet+C-LSTM frameworks were 0.95, 0.96, 0.92, and 0.97, respectively. The mean sensitivities of the RetinaNet, RetinaNet+C-LSTM, bi-input+RetinaNet, and bi-input+RetinaNet+C-LSTM frameworks and human experts were 89% (range 67.02%-98.43%), 88% (range 65.76%-98.06%), 87% (range 64.53%-97.66%), 89% (range 67.02%-98.43%), and 90% (range 68.30%-98.77%), respectively. The mean specificities of the RetinaNet, RetinaNet+C-LSTM, bi-input+RetinaNet, and bi-input+RetinaNet+C-LSTM frameworks and human experts were 80% (range 56.34%-94.27%), 89% (range 67.02%-98.43%), 86% (range 63.31%-97.24%), 93% (range 72.30%-99.56%), and 90% (range 68.30%-98.77%), respectively. The mean accuracies of the RetinaNet, RetinaNet+C-LSTM, bi-input+RetinaNet, and bi-input+RetinaNet+C-LSTM frameworks and human experts were 84.50% (range 69.57%-93.97%), 88.50% (range 74.44%-96.39%), 86.50% (range 71.97%-95.22%), 91% (range 77.63%-97.72%), and 90% (range 76.34%-97.21%), respectively.

Conclusions

According to our results, more spatial and temporal information can help improve the performance of the frameworks. Therefore, the bi-input+RetinaNet+C-LSTM framework had the best performance when compared to that of the other frameworks. Our study demonstrates that our system can assist physicians in detecting intracranial aneurysms on 2D DSA images.
Current and Future Needs for Human Resources for Ethiopia’s National Health Information System: Survey and Forecasting Study
Authors: Tilahun Binyam , Endehabtu Berhanu F , Gashu Kassahun D , Mekonnen Zeleke A , Animut Netsanet , Belay Hiwot , Denboba Wubshet , Alemu Hibret , Mohammed Mesoud , Abate Biruk
Published: January 2022

Background

Strengthening the national health information system is one of Ethiopia’s priority transformation agendas. A well-trained and competent workforce is the essential ingredient to a strong health information system. However, this workforce has neither been quantified nor characterized well, and there is no roadmap of required human resources to enhance the national health information system.

Objective

We aimed to determine the current state of the health information system workforce and to forecast the human resources needed for the health information system by 2030.

Methods

We conducted a survey to estimate the current number of individuals employed in the health information system unit and the turnover rate. Document review and key-informant interviews were used to collect current human resources and available health information system position data from 110 institutions, including the Ministry of Health, federal agencies, regional health bureaus, zonal health departments, district health offices, and health facilities. The Delphi technique was used to forecast human resources required for the health information system in the next ten years: 3 rounds of workshops with experts from the Ministry of Health, universities, agencies, and regional health bureaus were held. In the first expert meeting, we set criteria, which was followed by expert suggestions and feedback.

Results

As of April 2020, there were 10,344 health information system professionals working in the governmental health system. Nearly 95% (20/21) of district health offices and 86.7% (26/30) of health centers reported that the current number of health information system positions was inadequate. In the period from June 2015 to June 2019, health information technicians had high turnover (48/244, 19.7%) at all levels of the health system. In the next ten years, we estimate that 50,656 health information system professionals will be needed to effectively implement the Ethiopia's national health information system.

Conclusions

Current health information system–related staffing levels were found to be inadequate. To meet the estimated need of 50,656 multidisciplinary health information system professionals by 2030, the Ministry of Health and regional health bureaus, in collaboration with partners and academic institutions, need to work on retaining existing and training additional health information system professionals.
Identifying Video Game Preferences Among Adults Interested in Quitting Smoking Cigarettes: Survey Study
Authors: Upton Caitlyn R , Nastasi Jessica A , Raiff Bethany R
Published: January 2022

Background

Smoking is the most prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Although most individuals who smoke express a desire to quit smoking, only a small percentage are successful. Serious games have become popular in health sectors as a potential avenue for delivering a scalable treatment that is both accessible and engaging for the smoking population. Several smoking cessation games have already been developed, but these games feature a broad range of gameplay elements and are not necessarily based on existing video game preferences in the general or smoking population.

Objective

To better inform treatment development, this study aims to evaluate video game genre preferences among treatment-seeking individuals who smoke (N=473).

Methods

Participants responded to a screening survey to enroll in a larger, serious game intervention for smoking cessation. During this screening survey, participants were asked to disclose their favorite video games, which resulted in 277 unique game titles. These titles were coded for genre categories based on publisher listings and game features. The genres were then analyzed for the frequency of reporting overall and across age groups.

Results

Action, Role-Playing, and Action-Adventure were the most reported genres among adults aged ≤34 years; Action, Action-Adventure, and Logic were the most reported genres among adults aged 35-44 years; and Logic and Action were the most reported genres among adults aged ≥45 years.

Conclusions

These data indicate that treatment-seeking individuals who smoke have different game preferences across age groups, and the data provide novel information to inform the development of future serious games targeting the smoking population that are tailored to the preferences of their age group.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03929003; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03929003
The Disparity and Dynamics of Social Distancing Behaviors in Japan: Investigation of Mobile Phone Mobility Data
Authors: Lyu Zeyu , Takikawa Hiroki
Published: January 2022

Background

The availability of large-scale and fine-grained aggregated mobility data has allowed researchers to observe the dynamics of social distancing behaviors at high spatial and temporal resolutions. Despite the increasing attention paid to this research agenda, limited studies have focused on the demographic factors related to mobility, and the dynamics of social distancing behaviors have not been fully investigated.

Objective

This study aims to assist in designing and implementing public health policies by exploring how social distancing behaviors varied among various demographic groups over time.

Methods

We combined several data sources, including mobile tracking mobility data and geographical statistics, to estimate the visiting population of entertainment venues across demographic groups, which can be considered the proxy of social distancing behaviors. Next, we used time series analysis methods to investigate how voluntary and policy-induced social distancing behaviors shifted over time across demographic groups.

Results

Our findings demonstrate distinct patterns of social distancing behaviors and their dynamics across age groups. On the one hand, although entertainment venues’ population comprises mainly individuals aged 20-40 years, a more significant proportion of the youth has adopted social distancing behaviors and complied with policy implementations compared to older age groups. From this perspective, the increasing contribution to infections by the youth should be more likely to be attributed to their number rather than their violation of social distancing behaviors. On the other hand, although risk perception and self-restriction recommendations can induce social distancing behaviors, their impact and effectiveness appear to be largely weakened during Japan’s second state of emergency.

Conclusions

This study provides a timely reference for policymakers about the current situation on how different demographic groups adopt social distancing behaviors over time. On the one hand, the age-dependent disparity requires more nuanced and targeted mitigation strategies to increase the intention of elderly individuals to adopt mobility restriction behaviors. On the other hand, considering that the effectiveness of policy implementations requesting social distancing behaviors appears to decline over time, in extreme cases, the government should consider imposing stricter social distancing interventions, as they are necessary to promote social distancing behaviors and mitigate the transmission of COVID-19.
The Potential Application of Commercially Available Active Video Games to Cardiac Rehabilitation: Scoping Review
Authors: Sawa Ryuichi , Saitoh Masakazu , Morisawa Tomoyuki , Takahashi Tetsuya , Morimoto Yuh , Kagiyama Nobuyuki , Kasai Takatoshi , Dinesen Birthe , Daida Hiroyuki
Published: January 2022

Background

Commercially available active video games (AVGs) have recently been used for rehabilitation in some specific patient populations but rarely in those with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Commercially available AVGs are designed to increase motivation for continuous play, which could be applicable to the long-term cardiac rehabilitation process.

Objective

The objective of this scoping review was to assess the effectiveness of AVG-induced physical exercise, safety management, and patient adherence by applying commercially available AVGs to cardiac rehabilitation.

Methods

Four databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus) were searched for all years up to August 12, 2020. Articles were retained if they were written in English, included patients with CVD who were aged 18 years or older, and used AVGs as part of a physical exercise program. The included studies were then evaluated from the viewpoints of effectiveness as physical exercise, safety, and adherence management.

Results

Among 120 nonduplicate articles reviewed, 5 (4.2%) were eligible for inclusion, of which 3 (2.5%) were reported by the same research group. The AVG consoles used were Xbox Kinect and Nintendo Wii, and sports-related programs were adopted for the intervention. No adverse cardiac events occurred in the identified studies, and dropout rates tended to be low.

Conclusions

AVGs appear to be safe and feasible for promoting an active lifestyle in patients with CVD. However, the effectiveness of AVGs alone as a therapeutic exercise to improve physical function may be limited.
The Effect of Artificial Intelligence on the Nutritional Status of Children After Cardiac Surgery: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Zahid Maryam , Sughra Ume
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is the most common problem in congenital heart disease patients. Health-based mobile apps play an important role in the planning and tracking of diet for better nutritional status.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper was to assess the effect of artificial intelligence on the nutritional status of children after cardiac surgery in comparison to the usual care group. We also aimed to assess the usefulness of a diet-related mobile app in comparison to the usual care group.

METHODS

This is a two-arm randomized controlled trial, which was conducted at a tertiary care hospital, Rawalpindi. The study duration was 6 months from February 2021 until July 2021. The sample size was calculated to be 88. The intervention group was given a diet-related mobile app, and the usual care group was handed a pamphlet with diet instructions on discharge.

RESULTS

The mean weight of all participants was 15 (SD 5.7) kg at the time of discharge. However, at the end of the 8th week, the mean weight of the participants in the usual care group was 16.5 (SD 7.2) kg and that of the intervention group was 17.1 (SD 5) kg. The average calories consumed by the usual care group was 972 (SD 252) kcal and 1000.75 (SD 210) kcal by the intervention group after 8 weeks of discharge. The average proteins consumed by the usual care group was 34.3 (SD 12.5) grams and 39 (SD 6.4) grams by the intervention group after 8 weeks of discharge. At the end of the intervention, the preferred diet planning tool for 79% of the participants was mobile app. At the 8th week, 93% of the participants considered the visual cues useful, 80% thought that the mobile app’s language was understandable, 79% thought nutritional goal setting is a useful feature in the mobile app, and 55% thought the recipes provided in the app were useful.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed strength for the future of scalable modern technology for self-nutrition monitoring. There was a slight increase in the weight and nutritional intake of both groups, as the intervention period was limited.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04782635; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04782635
Phân loại ý kiến công chúng về sự kiện xã hội
Authors: Nguyễn Văn Toàn , Trần Thanh Điền , Nguyễn Tí Hon , Phạm Thanh Sơn , Trần Lan Anh , Lê Thanh Sang
Published: January 2022

Dư luận xã hội, đặc biệt là dư luận được thể hiện trên các trang mạng xã hội, là vấn đề đang được quan tâm hiện nay; nó có tác động mạnh mẽ đến đời sống hàng ngày của mọi người, đến hoạt động của các tổ chức, doanh nghiệp và cơ quan nhà nước, chính phủ. Do đó, phân tích dư luận xã hội có ý nghĩa rất quan trọng đối với sự điều chỉnh cách ứng xử của cá nhân và tổ chức. Mục tiêu của nghiên cứu này là đánh giá dư luận xã hội thông qua phân tích thông tin các bình luận trên các trang mạng xã hội (cụ thể là Facebook) liên quan đến Trường Đại học Cần Thơ; từ đó giúp nhà trường đưa ra các chính sách điều chỉnh cho phù hợp. Để thực hiện điều này, 5.848 dư luận (bình luận) có liên quan đến các hoạt động của nhà trường được thu thập, với sự trợ giúp của những người có chuyên môn phân loại các bình luận thành các ý kiến đồng thuận (cùng chiều) hoặc không đồng thuận (trái chiều). Sau đó, hai mô hình máy học là SVM (Support Vector Machine) và Neural Network được sử dụng để huấn luyện, đánh giá thực nghiệm và so sánh độ chính xác và tin cậy nhằm lựa chọn được mô hình phù hợp cho việc xây dựng công cụ tự phân loại các bình luận trên mạng xã hội. Kết quả thực nghiệm cho thấy mô hình máy học Neural Network có kết quả đánh giá khá cao là 85%, và mô hình dựa trên giải thuật SVM đạt 83%.
Tính chất điện tử của hexagonal chromium nitride
Authors: Nguyễn Thị Kim Quyên , Phạm Nguyễn Hữu Hạnh , Vũ Thanh Trà
Published: January 2022

Trong nghiên cứu này, phương pháp gần đúng liên kết mạnh (TB) được sử dụng để xây dựng mô hình Hamiltonian tính toán đặc trưng điện tử của hexagonal chromium nitride (h-CrN) cho cấu trúc phẳng và nhấp nhô. Từ kết quả tính toán thu được, đồng thời so sánh với kết quả  tính toán từ mô hình tương tự theo phương pháp ab initio trên các cấu trúc khác nhau, bộ tham số cấu trúc cho các tương tác lân cận bậc một của các nguyên tử cấu thành vật liệu được xác định. Ngoài ra, kết quả cũng chỉ ra rằng ở trạng thái phẳng và nhấp nhô, h-CrN thể hiện tính chất kim loại của vật liệu mỏng dạng tổ ong. Tuy nhiên, cấu trúc điện tử vật liệu ở trạng thái nhấp nhô có nhiều thay đổi hơn so với cấu trúc phẳng, dự đoán những thay đổi thú vị về tính chất điện của vật liệu dưới tác động của kích thích bên ngoài cũng như khả năng ứng dụng vào công nghệ spintronic trong tương lai.
Khảo sát điều kiện trích ly và tinh sạch lectin từ đậu ma (Pueraria phaseoloides) bằng sắc ký ái lực
Authors: Võ Văn Song Toàn , Trần Khoa Nguyên , Kim Thị Thu Xương , Nguyễn Thị Bảo Trân , Nhan Hoàng Thịnh , Tào Việt Hà
Published: January 2022

Nghiên cứu được thực hiện nhằm xác định điều kiện trích ly và tinh sạch lectin từ đậu ma Pueraria phaseoloides. Lectin đậu ma được trích ly cùng với dung dịch NaCl 0,9% ở các tỷ lệ (w/v), thời gian và nhiệt độ ủ khác nhau. Dịch chiết thô được tinh sạch bằng phương pháp tủa phân đoạn với muối ammonium sulfate, tiếp theo là sắc ký ái lực trên gel Sepharose D-galactose để cải thiện độ tinh sạch. Kết quả cho thấy lectin đậu ma đạt hiệu quả trích ly tối ưu với hoạt tính đặc hiệu đạt là 1.579 HAA (Hemagglutination assay)/mg ở tỉ lệ với dung môi trích ly là 1:4 (w/v), tại 50oC, trong 10 phút. Dịch trích lectin đậu ma sau khi tủa phân đoạn ở nồng độ muối 40% - 50% cho hiệu suất thu hồi 35,4% với độ tinh sạch tăng 6,38 lần so với dịch trích thô; trong khi phân đoạn F1 từ sắc ký ái lực cho hiệu suất thu hồi 9,85% với độ tinh sạch tăng 16,2 lần. Kết quả điện di SDS-PAGE xuất hiện hai băng protein có khối lượng phân tử 66,0 kDa và 56,0 kDa.