bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts on and Care of Psychiatric Patients during the Outbreak of COVID-19
Authors: Puangsri Pavarud , Jinanarong Vinn , Wattanapisit Apichai
Published: July 2021

The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in December 2019 has led to massive lifestyle, economic, and health changes. The COVID-19 pandemic has had broad impacts on psychiatric patients, exacerbating symptoms such as psychosis, depression, and suicidal ideation. Therefore, we aimed to review the psychological impacts of COVID-19 on psychiatric patients and mental healthcare staff and provide practical guidance for medical staff and authorities.

The main findings of this review included the impacts of COVID-19 on psychiatric patients and mental health professionals as well as the transformation of mental health care. Greater consideration should be given to the care of patients with psychosis and depression because of their lack of self-care ability, neurocognitive impairment, and impaired immune function. Depressive symptoms can be exacerbated due to several factors, such as economic crises, social isolation, and limited physical activity. Unemployment and financial problems can lead to an increased suicide rate. Consequently, mental healthcare workers’ workload can increase, which could lead to burnout and psychological symptoms such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

A transformation of psychiatric care is needed during the time of the pandemic. While emergency care should be maintained, outpatient care should be limited to decrease viral spread. Shifting care to telemedicine and community-based psychiatry can be helpful. Inpatient services should be adapted by tightening admission criteria, shortening the length of hospital stays, suspending some group activities, limiting visitors, and preparing for quarantine if necessary. Mental healthcare workers can be supported with telecommunication, appropriate work shifts, alternative accommodations, and good communication between the team leader and staff.
Recent Patents on a Discharge State Detection of EDM
Authors: Xie Baocheng , Liu Le , Ji Xuhui , Wang Yi , Zeng Zhaoqi , Gou Haoliang , Zhang Bing
Published: July 2021

Background:

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) has been widely applied in manufacturing
high strength and high hardness of mental material due to no mechanical forces in the EDM
process. The discharge state, an important process parameter of EDM, directly affects the machining
quality and machining efficiency. So, it is necessary to detect the real-time discharge state of EDM.
Therefore, discharge state detection of EDM at present has been paid more and more attention.

Objective:

To meet the increasing requirement of machining quality and machining efficiency in the
EDM process, the methods for discharge state detection of EDM are being improved continuously.

Methods:

This paper reviews various representative patents related to the methods for discharge
state detection of EDM.

Results:

By summarizing numerous patents about the methods for discharge state detection of
EDM, the main problems such as low detection accuracy and long delay time of discharge state detection
of EDM are summarized and analyzed. In addition, the further development of discharge
state detection method of EDM is discussed.

Conclusion:

The optimization of methods for discharge state detection is conducive to improving
machining quality and machining efficiency in the EDM process. Moreover, more relevant patents
will be invented in the future.
Effect of Low-Dose Corticosteroid Use on HBV Reactivation in HBsAg-positive Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Authors: Jeong Wooseong , Choe Jung-Yoon , Song Byung-Cheol , Lee Chang-Keun , Cha Hoon-Suk , Ghang Byeongzu , Kim Jinseok
Published: July 2021

Background:

It is well known that the use of corticosteroids (CS) results in increased viral replication and elevated alanine aminotransferase in hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients. However, only a few studies have investigated the effect of low-dose CS on HBV reactivation. In addition, there are few studies on the effects of synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on HBV reactivation.

Objective:

We investigated the reactivation of HBV in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with long-term low-dose corticosteroids. In addition, we analyzed factors affecting HBV reactivation, including disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed medical records and analyzed the incidence of HBV reactivation in RA patients who were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and who were receiving ≤10 mg of prednisolone over 4 weeks. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors that increase the risk of HBV reactivation.

Results:

A total of 141 patients were included in the study, out of which 24 (17.0%) patients had HBV reactivation. The administration of low-dose corticosteroids did not affect HBV reactivation in HBsAg-positive RA patients (odds ratio: 0.807, 95% confidence interval: 0.143–4.546, p = 0.808), nor did the duration of corticosteroid administration, average daily corticosteroid dose, and cumulative corticosteroid dose. Administration of leflunomide was found to significantly increase the risk of HBV reactivation (odds ratio: 3.851, 95% confidence interval: 1.026–14.459, p = 0.046).

Conclusion:

The administration of low-dose corticosteroids did not affect the rate of HBV reactivation, suggesting that it can be used safely. Leflunomide may increase the risk of HBV reactivation; therefore, HBV patients should be carefully monitored when receiving this drug.
Aqueous-based Nanoemulsion Containing (-)-α-bisabolol for Topical
Treatment of Skin Burns
Authors: Gelfuso Guilherme M. , Almeida Edson A.T. , Ferreira-Nunes Ricardo , Aguiar Beatriz R.L. , dos Reis Paula E.D. , Gratieri Tais , Cunha-Filho Marcilio
Published: July 2021

Background:

α-Bisabolol (BIS) is a sesquiterpene extracted from the chamomile flowers, whose use to topically treat burn skin has been reported. High lipophilicity of BIS, however, is a problem for both skin application and washing.

Objective:

The present study aimed to prepare and characterize a stable and safe aqueous-based nanoemulsion to incorporate BIS and favor skin penetration focusing on skin burns' topical treatment.

Method:

Oil-in-water nanoemulsions were obtained from a pseudo-ternary phase diagram. The selected nanoemulsion was characterized (droplet size, PDI, and zeta potential), and the stability was assessed for 60 days at 6ºC and room temperature. The irritability of the formulation was determined by HET-CAM. Skin permeation studies were carried out in vitro intact skin, hot wa-ter burn skin, and hot plate burn skin.

Results:

The nanoemulsion incorporated 1% (w/w) BIS, presented droplets' size of 14.0±0.8 nm (PDI= 0.13±0.02), the zeta potential of +7.5±1.9 mV, and was physically stable over 60 days. The HET-CAM did not show any irritability process provided by the nanoformulation. In the skin permeation experiments, when compared to an oily control solution of BIS, nanoemulsion increased 3.7-fold penetration of the drug in intact skin, likely because the nanoformulation act-ed as an absorption drug enhancer. On a hot water burn skin model, the increase in drug pene-tration was 1.7-fold, and in the hot plate burn skin, it was 2.3-fold.

Conclusion:

The nanoemulsion seems to be a promising alternative for skin burns' topical treatment using this natural active.
Fases de implementación de Blended Learning en las universidades españolas. Estudio basado en análisis de segmentación.
Authors: Martín García Antonio Víctor , Gutiérrez Pérez Bárbara Mariana , Martín Lucas Judith
Published: July 2021

El objetivo principal de este estudio es conocer y describir las fases de adopción de lamodalidad formativa denominada blended learning (BL). Se aplicó una encuesta a 980profesores de universidades públicas de todo el estado español. El análisis de los datosse realizó mediante técnicas de clustering para la agrupación de los sujetos (análisis desegmentación mediante el algoritmo CHAID). Los resultados ofrecen claves paracomprender por qué los docentes universitarios adoptan o no esta modalidad deenseñanza, identificando perfiles o rasgos que caracterizan cada uno de los subgruposagrupados en cada una de las fases de adopción (tomadas como variables criterio), enfunción de una serie de características personales y profesionales (Sexo, Edad;Categoría profesional, Área de conocimiento, Experiencia docente, Actitud hacia BL,Nivel de Autoeficacia), y variables contextuales relacionadas con Formación recibidasobre BL en la universidad. Todas ellas variables predictoras. De manera indirecta, esteconocimiento sobre las fases de adopción puede aportar información sobre el estadio dedifusión institucional de la metodología B-Learning en el conjunto de la universidadespañola.
Que fatores contribuem para o sucesso da gestão escolar? A perspetiva dos diretores
Authors: Delgado João Paulo , Carvalho João M.S. , Romão Paula , Martins Pedro
Published: July 2021

Este estudo pretende fazer um balanço, na perspetiva dos diretores, da sua atuação à luz do presente modelo de administração escolar, na tentativa de apontar fatores de sucesso na gestão, bem como potenciais mudanças ao atual modelo, por eles propostas. Os dados foram recolhidos, em 2018, através de entrevistas exploratórias numa amostra estratificada, composta por 30 diretores em funções, no distrito do Porto, com uma experiência de gestão de, pelo menos, 4 anos. Os principais parâmetros que os diretores mais associam a uma melhor gestão são a formação especializada, as assessorias, a relação com a comunidade e o trabalho colegial. No que diz respeito às mudanças, as sugestões principais são o reforço da autonomia, a alteração da composição e das competências do Conselho Geral, a estabilidade legislativa e o apoio jurídico e contabilístico.
Editorial
Authors: Martinho Maria Helena , Pereira Íris Susana Pires , Fernandes José António
Published: July 2021

Nao se aplica
Модификация эмиссионной поверхности науглероженного иридиевого полевого эмиттера при адсорбции атомов бария
Authors: Бернацкий Д.П. , Павлов В.Г.
Published: July 2021

Field electron microscopy was used to study the modification of the emission surface of a carbonized iridium field emitter when the concentration of barium atoms on the surface changes within the monolayer coating. When barium atoms are adsorbed at a temperature of T=300 K, no significant changes in the field electronic images of the emission surface are observed. The formation of barium islands on graphene in the region of the (100) iridium face at the annealing temperature T=1200 K was detected. At the annealing temperature T=1500 K, the barium island is dissolved and graphene is intercalated by barium atoms. The emission surface increases and becomes uniform in emission.
Фурье-спектры амплитудных вариаций суперпозиции сигналов навигационных спутников вблизи поверхностей с различными свойствами
Authors: Кузьмин Е.В. , Сорокин А.В.
Published: July 2021

The experimentally recorded amplitude-time dependences of the interference superposition of signals from navigation satellites and their copies reflected by the boundaries of the "atmosphere-water" and "atmosphere-land" media are presented. Fourier spectra of these dependences are obtained. It was found that for different electrophysical properties of reflecting surfaces, noticeable features of the spectra appear.
Дважды отрицательные среды на основе антиферромагнитных метаматериалов для терагерцевого диапазона частот
Authors: Гришин С.В. , Амельченко М.Д. , Шараевский Ю.П. , Никитов С.А.
Published: July 2021

The paper presents the theoretical study results of the dispersion characteristics of electromagnet-ic waves existing in antiferromagnetic (AFM) metamaterial. The AFM metamaterial consists of a transversely magnetized antiferromagnet, inside of which a two-dimensional periodic structure of thin conducting wires surrounded by insulators is placed. It has been established that the AFM metamaterial has two frequency ranges, in which there are backward waves, and the material pa-rameters of the medium are twice negative. The indicated areas are located in the terahertz range.
Волноводный СВЧ-плазмотрон атмосферного давления с суммированием мощности в зоне формирования плазмы
Authors: Антонов И.Н. , Комаров В.В. , Пименов А.Н.
Published: July 2021

The design of an atmospheric pressure plasmatron on a rectangular waveguide with a two-sided microwave energy supply to the interaction domain is considered. It is shown that the use of two magnetron sources makes it possible to obtain a stable discharge in the plasmatron, providing a continuous input of power into the gas flow. The results of studies of the operating modes of the microwave plasmatron, which prove its advantages over analogs, are presented.
Модель растворения пор на границах зерен при отжиге ультрамелкозернистого алюминиевого сплава
Authors: Гуткин М.Ю. , Орлова Т.С. , Скиба Н.В.
Published: July 2021

A theoretical model which describes the mechanism of pore dissolution at grain boundaries in ultrafine-grained materials during the ageing annealing is suggested. Within the framework of the model, pore dissolution occurs due to the emission of vacancies and the climb of grain-boundary dislocations along the grain boundary towards the pore. It is shown that in this case there is a significant decrease in the total energy of the system. The results of the model are in good agreement with the available experimental observations of pore dissolution during annealing of ultrafine-grained Al-Zr alloy.
Исследование потерь пропускания в поликристаллическом CVD-алмазе в миллиметровом диапазоне длин волн методом свободного пространства
Authors: Гнатюк Д.Л. , Зуев А.В. , Крапухин Д.В. , Мальцев П.П. , Совык Д.Н. , Ральченко В.Г.
Published: July 2021

Radio transparency of polycrystalline CVD-diamond disks with diameter up to 75 mm in millimeter-wave range was measured by free-space method. The structure of the disks was characterized by Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Dielectric loss tangent tan δ of the samples in the frequency range of 50 – 67 GHz was found to be in the range of 7.5·10−3 − 2.8·10−2, increasing with frequency. The transmission loss due to the radiation absorption is about 1%.
Urinary fistulas after partial nephrectomy in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Guliev B. G.
Published: July 2021

Urinary fistulas after partial nephrectomy are rare complications of this operation. There are various reasons for their development, prevention and treatment. This review analyzes the results of the cases' prevalence of urine leakage after partial nephrectomy with various approaches, occurrence's predictors of urinary fistulas, possible ways of their intraoperative prevention and treatment methods. The obtained data show that the size of tumors, their endophytic nature and proximity to the kidney pelvicalyceal system, as well as suturing of its defect, can be predictors of the development of urinary fistulas (UFs). Some authors point to the influence of long ischemia time and high blood loss on the occurrence of UFs. The main method of treating UFs is ureteral stenting or percutaneous drainage of the kidney pelvicalyceal system. For long-term persistent UFs, the method of choice can be simultaneous introduction of 2 stents, retrograde or percutaneous injection of fibrin glue, percutaneous cryoablation of the UFs.
XVII Congress «Men's health»: an event report
Authors: Sorokin N. I. , Kamalov A. A.
Published: July 2021

The congress report details the structure and content of the 3-day meetings. Keynote speakers provided specific points of view on various topics in their presentations. The variety of scientific meetings made it possible to interest a wide audience of physicians of various specialities. The multidisciplinarity of the congress as the most important feature was realized with the highest potential.
Anatomical premises for the variability of the results of transobturator mid-urethral sling
Authors: Kovalev G. V. , Shkarupa D. D. , Kubin N. D. , Nichiporuk G. I. , Gaivoronsky I. V.
Published: July 2021

Introduction. The implantation of a synthetic sub-urethral sling is the main method of surgical correction of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). However, the investigation results of long-term effectiveness indicate the ambiguity of the surgery outcomes. In addition, the problem of pain in the perineum remains relevant for everyday practice. One of the important aspects in this matter may be a variant technique for installing a suburethral sling, including based on the anatomical variability of the small pelvis.

Purpose of the study. To identify key anatomical factors that can negatively affect the effectiveness and safety of the environment of suburethral sling surgery for urinary incontinence in women.

Materials and methods. The study consisted of 2 parts - anatomical and clinical. In the anatomical part of the study, a suburethral sling was implanted on 20 preparations of a female pelvis with a lower limb and preserved soft tissues. The clinical part of the study involved 50 patients with stress urinary incontinence. These patients underwent installation of a transobturator suburethral sling in two ways using the “inside-out” technique: using the standard “external landmarks” technique and using the proposed anatomical technique developed in the first part of the study. After visualization of the suburethral sling using the original method, the outcomes of the operations were assessed depending on the location of the sling in the patient's tissues.

Results. In the anatomical part of the study, the most atraumatic method of suburethral sling implantation was determined by rotating the tool around the lower branch of the pubic bone. In the clinical part of the study, this method demonstrated a higher efficiency of the operation at a follow-up of 1 year, presumably due to the U-shaped angle of the «hammock» for the urethra, which is characteristic of the retropubic sling.

Conclusion. Outcomes of operations for SUI depend, among other things, on the method of the suburethral sling implantation.
Benign masses of the female paraurethral region
Authors: Mansur A. , Shaplygin L. V. , Derevianko T. I. , Pospelova O. M. , Kabardokov T. A.
Published: July 2021

Introduction. Benign female paraurethral masses (BFPM) are not often found during practice. This is due to the small size of the BMP and the low specificity and effectiveness of imaging techniques (urethrocystography, ultrasound, computed tomography).

Purpose of the study. To determine the frequency and structure of female BMP.

Materials and methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the female medical records (n = 5,112) who went to the urologist in 2018 with complaints of a frequent and painful urination. In this population, 92 (1.79%) patients were diagnosed with BFPM.

Results. In the structure of BFPM, the most common is urethral diverticulum -57 (61.9%) and paraurethral cyst - 24 (26%). In other cases, we identified a urethral polyp and leiomyoma in 7 (7,6%) и 4 (4,5%) of cases, respectively. The average womens' age who were diagnosed with was 29.2 ± 7.3 years. BFPM were detected most often in women aged 26 to 35 years (48.9%). All patients complained of frequent urination. We have recorded the following complaints as well: feeling of a foreign body in the perineum - 77.1%, imperative urinary urgency - 64.1%, perineal pain - 28.2%, dyspareunia - 26%, difficulty urinating - 14.1%. The above-mentioned complaints were noted within 1 year by more than half of women (72.8%).

Conclusions. BFPM were diagnosed in 1.79% of women. Of these, 2/3 of cases were urethral diverticula, and % of cases were paraurethral cyst. The diagnosis of BFPM should be comprehensive and combine examination, palpation and instrumental (ultrasound, urethrocystoscopy, MRI) diagnosis of the urethral region.
Dependencia de los mercados de valores de Argentina, Brasil y México respecto del estadounidense: Covid19 y otras crisis financieras recientes
Authors: Rodríguez Benavides Domingo , Gurrola Ríos César , López Herrera Francisco
Published: July 2021

Este artículo muestra el análisis efectuado para comparar la estructura de dependencia de la caída de los rendimientos accionarios de los mercados de los tres países más grandes de América Latina (Argentina, Brasil y México) en los rendimientos del mercado de valores estadounidense. Se compara la caída propiciada por el surgimiento de la pandemia de Covid-19 con otros episodios de crisis financieras acaecidas a partir de la última década del siglo XX. Mediante cópulas bivariadas de Clayton con regímenes conducidos por cambios markovianos, se estudia el grado de la dependencia en la cola inferior de la distribución, encontrando patrones distintos de dependencia que sugieren que los mercados de Brasil y México son más dependientes que el argentino. Una limitante es que no termina aún la recuperación económica derivada de la pandemia, por lo que los resultados en relación con los efectos de la Covid-19 podrían considerarse sólo como provisionales, sin embargo, este artículo contribuye a entender cómo ha sido el proceso de globalización y las posibles consecuencias para la internacionalización de los mercados bursátiles latinoamericanos y la inversión en la región, incluyendo la de portafolio.
PENERAPAN DISCRETE COSINE TRANSFORM (DCT) TERHADAP KOMPRESI CITRA DIGITAL
Authors: Raharja Bayu Dwi
Published: July 2021

Image compression is a process that can reduce image size. In general, there are two types, lossless compression and loss compression. The method usually used in the JPEG standard is lossy compression, which removes some of the image information and takes advantage of the weakness in the insensitivity of the human eye in recognizing color gradations. With such large storage, data transfer or exchange is also increasingly difficult, especially data exchange using small storage areas. Tools that usually limit the size of storage for exchanging data. From the existing results using the DCT method is able to compress files up to 96%. Can be seen from the overall file average up to 74%
Cross-Canada Release of the Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI): Protocol for a Cross-sectional, Repeated Measures Study
Authors: Linden Brooke
Published: July 2021

Background

The prevalence of mental health–related problems, including stress, psychological distress, and symptoms of mental illnesses, continues to increase among Canadian postsecondary student populations. Excessive stress in this population has been linked to a number of negative academic and health outcomes. Despite attempts to improve mental health at postsecondary institutions, a persistent gap exists in the evaluation of the specific sources of stress for students within the postsecondary setting.

Objective

The purpose of this paper is to report the study protocol for a cross-Canada, multisite launch of the Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI), which will engage postsecondary institutions across the country as partners and facilitate improved measurement of the sources of student stress, in addition to contributing toward improved tailoring of upstream mental health services and support.

Methods

Created in collaboration with students, the PSSI is a validated 46-item tool assessing stressors across five domains: academics, learning environment, campus culture, interpersonal, and personal stressors. The tool is designed to be applicable to students at all years, levels, and areas of study. Data will be collected longitudinally at multiple time points over the course of each academic year.

Results

We recruited 15 postsecondary institutions across Canada for the first year, inviting students to participate in an online survey including questions concerning sociodemographic characteristics, stress, mental health, and resiliency. Analyses, including appropriate data visualization, will be conducted to determine the impact of specific stressors on mental health, linking responses over time to allow for the observation of changes in trends.

Conclusions

The PSSI is an intuitive and evidence-informed tool that can aid postsecondary institutions in evaluating the sources of student stress on their campuses. This multisite project will make a substantial contribution to the current literature regarding postsecondary student stress and allow institutions across the country to improve the tailoring of upstream mental health services in order to directly support the unique needs of their student body. Opportunities for knowledge translation and exchange are discussed.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/27713
Understanding the Role of Social Media–Based Mental Health Support Among College Students: Survey and Semistructured Interviews (Preprint)
Authors: Vornholt Piper , De Choudhury Munmun
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Mental illness is a growing concern within many college campuses. Limited access to therapy resources, along with the fear of stigma, often prevents students from seeking help. Introducing supportive interventions, coping strategies, and mitigation programs might decrease the negative effects of mental illness among college students.

OBJECTIVE

Many college students find social support for a variety of needs through social media platforms. With the pervasive adoption of social media sites in college populations, in this study, we examine whether and how these platforms may help meet college students’ mental health needs.

METHODS

We first conducted a survey among 101 students, followed by semistructured interviews (n=11), of a large public university in the southeast region of the United States to understand whether, to what extent, and how students appropriate social media platforms to suit their struggle with mental health concerns. The interviews were intended to provide comprehensive information on students’ attitudes and their perceived benefits and limitations of social media as platforms for mental health support.

RESULTS

Our survey revealed that a large number of participating students (71/101, 70.3%) had recently experienced some form of stress, anxiety, or other mental health challenges related to college life. Half of them (52/101, 51.5%) also reported having appropriated some social media platforms for self-disclosure or help, indicating the pervasiveness of this practice. Through our interviews, we obtained deeper insights into these initial observations. We identified specific academic, personal, and social life stressors; motivations behind social media use for mental health needs; and specific platform affordances that helped or hindered this use.

CONCLUSIONS

Students recognized the benefits of social media in helping connect with peers on campus and promoting informal and candid disclosures. However, they argued against complete anonymity in platforms for mental health help and advocated the need for privacy and boundary regulation mechanisms in social media platforms supporting this use. Our findings bear implications for informing campus counseling efforts and in designing social media–based mental health support tools for college students.
Authors’ Responses to Peer Reviews of “In-hospital Mortality and the Predictive Ability of the Modified Early Warning Score in Ghana: Single-Center, Retrospective Study” (Preprint)
Authors: Abbey Enoch Joseph , Mammen Jennifer S R , Soghoian Samara E , Cadorette Maureen A F , Ariyo Promise
Published: July 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

These are authors responses to peer review.
Prediction of Incident Atrial Fibrillation in Chronic Kidney Disease: The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study
Authors: Zelnick Leila R. , Shlipak Michael G. , Soliman Elsayed Z. , Anderson Amanda , Christenson Robert , Lash James , Deo Rajat , Rao Panduranga , Afshinnia Farsad , Chen Jing , He Jiang , Seliger Stephen , Townsend Raymond , Cohen Debbie L. , Go Alan , Bansal Nisha
Published: July 2021

Background and objectives

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in CKD and associated with poor kidney and cardiovascular outcomes. Prediction models developed using novel methods may be useful to identify patients with CKD at highest risk of incident AF. We compared a previously published prediction model with models developed using machine learning methods in a CKD population.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

We studied 2766 participants in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study without prior AF with complete cardiac biomarker (N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity troponin T) and clinical data. We evaluated the utility of machine learning methods as well as a previously validated clinical prediction model (Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology [CHARGE]-AF, which included 11 predictors, using original and re-estimated coefficients) to predict incident AF. Discriminatory ability of each model was assessed using the ten-fold cross-validated C-index; calibration was evaluated graphically and with the Grønnesby and Borgan test.

Results

Mean (SD) age of participants was 57 (11) years, 55% were men, 38% were Black, and mean (SD) eGFR was 45 (15) ml/min per 1.73 m2; 259 incident AF events occurred during a median of 8 years of follow-up. The CHARGE-AF prediction equation using original and re-estimated coefficients had C-indices of 0.67 (95% confidence interval, 0.64 to 0.71) and 0.67 (95% confidence interval, 0.64 to 0.70), respectively. A likelihood-based boosting model using clinical variables only had a C-index of 0.67 (95% confidence interval, 0.64 to 0.70); adding N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity troponin T, or both biomarkers improved the C-index by 0.04, 0.01, and 0.04, respectively. In addition to N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity troponin T, the final model included age, non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity, Hispanic race/ethnicity, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, height, and weight.

Conclusions

Using machine learning algorithms, a model that included 12 standard clinical variables and cardiac-specific biomarkers N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity troponin T had moderate discrimination for incident AF in a CKD population.
Covid-19 and Precarity in South Africa’s Minibus Taxi Industry
Authors: Fobosi Dr. Siyabulela C.
Published: July 2021

This article considers covid-19 and precarity in South Africa’s minibus taxi industry. Covid-19 and the resulting national lockdown interrupted the operations of the industry (like other businesses) in South Africa. During the lockdown (from level 5 to level 1), some taxi operators complained that the lockdown resulted in them losing profit. Taxi drivers also complained that they are making less money through taxi fares (noting that each day they give collected fares to taxi owners and keep some of the money for petrol). The labour inspectors of the Department of Employment and Labour (DOEL) continue to find it difficult to exercise their role of inspecting working conditions in the industry. Despite the fact that the DOEL issued a Sectoral Determination for the taxi industry (Basic Condition of Employment Act 95 of 1997, Sectoral Determination 11: Taxi Sector 2005), which specifies basic employment conditions, the industry is still predominantly informal and employees have no job protection. Taxi drivers remain exempt from job-related benefits such as the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), which makes it impossible for them to benefit during difficult times such as Covid-19 and unemployment. Therefore, the virus and the lockdown revealed further the precariousness of taxi drivers and the concerns around making profit by taxi owners.
Renaissance and Development of Translation in the Arab World
Authors: Mansoor Dr. Khalid Rokan
Published: July 2021

The primary purpose of this paper is to discuss the history of translation in the Arab world and the methods were used at that time by Arab translators. The discussion presented in this paper also shows the importance of translation in the Arab world and its role in many fields of life such as science, economy, culture and religion. The paper also sheds light on the important changes that occurred in the Arab translations along the centuries. The literary translation and the vital role of translators are to be taken under consideration.
Simulation of IEEE 9 Bus System in PSCAD Software
Authors: Sharma Ram Gopal
Published: July 2021

Fault analysis study is the important parameter of economic, reliable and secure power system planning and operation. Power system studies are important during the planning and conceptual design stages of the project. This paper presents the fault analysis on IEEE-9 bus system. The line to ground fault is created on bus 5th and analyzed the variation in Voltage, Real power, Reactive power on different buses. The fault at 5th bus of IEEE-9 bus system is analyzed on PSCAD software.
Peak to Average Power Ratio Reduction Techniques
Authors: Reddy Mohan
Published: July 2021

Multiple-input to multiple-output (MIMO) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) are the utmost widely used wireless communication system because of its large benefits and advantageous. Though MIMO OFDM systems have high advantages there is a major drawback that makes the system noisy and the inefficient use of bandwidth. This drawback mainly occurred due to the spikes in the transmitting signal. These spikes make the value of peak to average power ratio of the signal high and results in distortion and noise in the signal. To avoid these spikes there are number of techniques introduced. We will discuss about the three methods namely partial transmit sequence, clipping and filtering method, Selective Mapping technique. All these methods are used to decrease the high peak to the average ratio by removing the spikes in the signal. And we will see the outputs obtained by using MATLAB software. Clipping and filtering technique would be the simplest technique to lower the peak to average power ratio while partial transmit technique is the most efficient method to diminish the peak to the average power ratio.
IOT Based Smart Robot
Authors: Srivastava Harsh
Published: July 2021

This paper presents a software design and a hardware implementation of a smart robot based on IOT application. This smart robot has several features; wireless access, surveillance during alarming situation and human body thermal detection for retrieval from dangerous zones. Besides this, the robot can detect seismic movement by monitoring ground vibration. The robot transmits Passive Infrared sensor and accelerometer sensor data to the users via internet. The robots movement is controlled via internet using am IOT based application. This robot is easy to handle, has wide area of applications and is cost effective.
Simulation of Charging and Discharging Process of a Hybrid Storage System in DC Microgrid
Authors: Mukhi Bhukya Yuktha
Published: July 2021

Due to intermittency in the natural resources and discrepancies in DC load, the stable power supply demands a storage device, generally low power density battery storage used, but the demand of quick power surges increases its rate of charge & discharge cycle which leads to a reduction in life of the battery (High energy density device), so which is compensated by using a supercapacitor (High power density device) which delivers high power in a short period, whereas battery delivers energy for a longer duration, however in this project work we have used an ideal Dc voltage source to simulate how the adopted control strategy is making power-sharing from battery & supercapacitor to DC bus and to observe their charging and discharging processes, also prevents them from overcharging and undercharging.
Pygame: Develop Games using Python
Authors: Shinde Piyush N
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we will present the process of creating a simple game(Dracula) made in Python. For the purposes of this work, we created the game Dracula using the Pygame package. The aim of this paper is to show the process of creating a game, i.e the gradual construction of each element of the game. The game was created in several phases, and we will describe and explain each in detail. We will start from the construction of the basic skeleton of the game, that is. a graphical representation of the background image window. We will gradually introduce and add new elements (heroes, enemies, bullets, levels ...) all the way to a fully built and functional game. We will point out the possibilities and limitations that arise when programming the dracula game.
Vehicle Theft Detecting System using GPS Tracking
Authors: Nithin Chatla
Published: July 2021

Nowadays, automobile thefts and the production of vehicle are increasing in yearly throughout the world. So, vehicle theft is a universal problem. Yearly around 10 million property and automobile cases are reporting. There are so many recent technologies evolving and new methods are being upgraded to overcome this issue. The methods involved in vehicle theft detection have become aware to everyone including the burglars and they try to break the system and steal the vehicle.It is important to keep our properties secure. Ofcourse as the technology increases the thieves are looking for better plans.Prevention of accidents is better than facing them later. Today we have many approaches to prevent the accidents. prevention is nothing but allowing people to do things under limit. This paper work presents an model which can solve the addressed problem.
Bioremediation of Vanki River Water & Industrial Effluents using Calotropis procera Latex Exudate and its Comparative Analysis against Moringa oleifera Leaves Extract
Authors: Barot Riya S.
Published: July 2021

This study was carried out to check the effectiveness of Calotropis procera latex for bioremediation and to compare its efficacy with Moringa oleifera leaves extract. It was observed that considerable reduction in various physicochemical and bacteriological properties of the samples took place with Calotropis procera latex. After 1 hour of treatment itself, it carried out pH reduction of 11.11%, 30.00% and 12.50%, while Moringa oleifera leaves extract carried out 0.00%, 20.00% and 0.00% reduction and after 24 hours, turbidity was reduced to 90.00%, 61.87% and 65.36% with Calotropis procera latex and 75.00%, 60.43% and 32.03% with Moringa oleifera leaves extract for Vanki river water, Textile effluent and Paper & Pulp Industrial effluent, respectively. Vanki river water showed a reduction in TSS and TDS of 2000 mg/L and 34000 mg/L with Calotropis procera latex and 3000 mg/L and 46000 mg/L, respectively with Moringa oleifera leaves extract. With Calotropis procera latex, the COD and BOD values were 544 mg/L, 608 mg/L and 800 mg/L; and 0.04 mg/L, 0.240 mg/L and 0.012 mg/L for Vanki river water, Textile effluent and Paper & Pulp Industrial effluent, respectively. When treated with Moringa oleifera leaves extract, the COD values reduced to 864 mg/L, 800 mg/L and 896 mg/L and BOD values reduced to 0.004 mg/L, 0.251 mg/L and 0.022 mg/L, respectively. The total coliform count reduced to 130 MPN/100 ml, <1.8 MPN/100 ml and 7.8 MPN/100 ml for Vanki river water, Textile effluent and Paper & Pulp Industrial effluent, respectively after treatment with Calotropis procera latex. Thus, Calotropis procera showed better results in comparison with Moringa oleifera. So, it could be considered as the best alternative to prevent pollution.
Virtual Voice Assistant
Authors: Tejaswi Ch. V.
Published: July 2021

This is desktop application which can assist people with basic tasks using natural language. Virtual Voice Assistants can go online and search for an answer to a user’s question. Actions can be triggered using text or voice. Voice is the key. A virtual voice assistant is a personal assistant which uses natural language processing (NLP) , voice recognition and speech synthesis to provide a service through a particular application. Natural Language Processing in short is called as NLP. It is basically a branch of artificial intelligence which mainly deals with the interaction between personal computers and human beings using the natural language. The main objective of NLP is to read, convert, understand, and make use of the human languages in a manner that is valuable. Voice recognition is a hardware device or computer software program with the potential to decode the voice of human beings. Voice recognition is usually used to operate a gadget, execute commands, or write without making use of any mouse, keyboard, or press any buttons. Artificial production of human speech is called as Speech Synthesis. A system used for this purpose is called a speech computer or speech synthesizer and can be implemented in many products of software’s and hardware’s.
Lean Construction Technique
Authors: Suryawanshi Raj
Published: July 2021

Lean construction is as an effective management tool to enhance the productivity in construction field. Large research is being done in recent past and is an on-going process to adopt lean principles from manufacturing industry to the construction industry. In order to improve the efficiency, reduction of waste, the lean construction has been introduced as new management tool. There are many challenges in implementing the lean concept in construction industry in India. Due to lack of attention and illiteracy towards the lean management principle, stake holders associated to this like builder, contractor, and engineering and project management firms etc. are still in process of adopting this principle for construction project. In this project report efforts are made to find out main barriers towards the implementation of lean techniques in Indian construction industry with the help of questionnaire survey and actual site implementations are made to develop a process map for on-going projects. Results of the survey showed that some of the lean techniques should be given more focus to enhance the process. The framework results show that the NVA (Non Value Added) and ENVA (Essential Non Value Added) activities have the highest impact on the project duration. Therefore with implementation of the proposed lean techniques, the NVA and ENVA activities have found to be improved and their durations can be reduced considerably.
Power Quality Enhancement of Solar PV Interfaced Distribution System by Delta-Bar-Delta Neural Network
Authors: Kaliappan Kannan
Published: July 2021

This project presents incremental conductance method for maximum power point tracker (MPPT). Main reason to develop solar photovoltaic energy source is to reduce deterioration in power. Power quality cannot be increases by the week distribution of grid. To increases the power of the grid solar energy conversion system paramount by implementation of a robust control technique. In this project we are we have control algorithm such as delta bar delta but neural network which is in control technique by this active power will be fed to the loads and remaining power to the grid as a function of distribution static compensator it has the capability of mitigating harmonics and balancing of loss and improving power factor. The delta bar delta neural network control algorithm has a capability to adjust weight adaptively in an independent manner and it offers alleviation in the model complexity predominant during an abnormal great conditions along with a reduction in complexion time. This model is efficient utilization accomplished with incremental conductance based on maximum power point tracking techniques for validating the behaviour of proposed system and we can expect this results in the simulation via MATLAB. The realization of MPPT controller can be based on different methods and algorithms. The results and technique include incremental conductance techniques due to the reduced oscillations while determining the Maximum PowerPoint is preferred here and it is also suitable for commercial purpose.
Formulation of Poly Herbal Hair Oils and Evaluation of its Anti-Dandruff Activity against the Fungus Malassezia (Malassezia furfur)
Authors: Fatima Syeda Arziyath
Published: July 2021

In the present study, hair formulations were prepared using Trigonella foenum-graecum, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Phyllanthus emblica, Murraya koenigii, Rosa damascena, Azadirachta indica, Citrus limon, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Mentha arvensis, Jasminum sambac, Aloe barbedensis, Camellia sinensis. Seven formulations were made using definite ratios of extracts. The antifungal activity of formulated polyherbal hair oils was evaluated by the agar well diffusion method against the fungus Malassezia furfur, a causative agent of the dandruff problem. Among the seven different combination samples, Sample II and Sample VI showed better inhibition effect against M.furfur. Hence, the formulated herbal oils are eco-friendly, natural and can be used as an alternative for synthetic anti-dandruff products.
Design and Development of Mechanical Ventilator
Authors: Kumbhar Nilesh Arjun
Published: July 2021

Respiratory diseases and injury-induced respiratory failure constitute a significant public healthiness in both developed and fewer developed countries. Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other chronic respiratory conditions are spread globally. These conditions are exacerbated by pollution , smoking, and burning of biomass for fuel, all of which are on the rise in developing countries1,2 Patients with underlying lung disease may develop respiratory failure under a selection of challenges and should be supported mechanical ventilation. These are machines which mechanically assist patients inspire and exhale, allowing the exchange of oxygen and CO2 to occur within the lungs, a process mentioned as procedure. Design and prototyping of a inexpensive portable mechanical ventilator to be utilized in mass casualty cases and resource-poor environments. The ventilator delivers breaths by compressing a typical bag-valve mask (BVM) with a pivoting cam arm, eliminating the need for an individual's operator for the BVM. Now a days, COVID-19 is one among the main issue goes on, and during this disease ventilator is plays the important role. during this project report, we've focused on to style and development of semi-automatic low cost mechanical ventilator.
Humanoid Robotics
Authors: Pawar Shweta Madhukar
Published: July 2021

An automaton may be a automaton with its body form designed to give the body. the look could also be for purposeful functions, like interacting with human tools and environments, for experimental functions, like the study of two-footed locomotion, or for alternative functions. In general, automaton robots have a body, a head, two arms, and 2 legs, though' some sorts of automaton robots could model solely a part of the body, for instance, from the waist up. Some automaton robots even have heads designed to duplicate human face expression like eyes and mouths. Androids area unit automaton robots designed to aesthetically gibe humans. Humanoid robots square measure expected to exist and add a detailed relationship with people at large |individuals| personalities} within the everyday world and to serve the wants of physically unfit people. These robots should be ready to address the wide range of tasks and objects encountered in dynamic unstructured environments. robot robots for private use for old and disabled folks should be safe and simple to use. Therefore, robot robots would like a light-weight body, high flexibility, several forms of sensors and high intelligence. The victorious introduction of those robots into human environments can have confidence the event of human friendly part