bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional and temporal variations in COVID-19 cases and deaths in Ethiopia: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 enhanced surveillance and response
Authors: Teka Gizaw , Woldeab Adane , Dereje Nebiyu , Eshetu Frehywot , Gizachew Lehageru , Tazu Zelalem , Lisanwork Leuel , Tigabu Eyasu , Gebeyehu Ayele , Tayachew Adamu , Biru Mengistu , Berkessa Tsegaye , Keraleme Abrham , Bikale Fentahun , Shure Wolde , Agune Admikew , Haile Bizuwork , Addis Beza , Moges Muluken , Gonta Melaku , Hailemariam Aster , Binkley Laura , Nawaz Saira , Wang Shu-Hua , Mekuria Zelalem , Aklilu Ayalew , Aliy Jemal , Lulseged Sileshi , Girmay Abiy , Patrick Abok , Amare Berhanu , Delelegn Hulemenaw , Daves Sharon , Yimer Getnet , Abate Ebba , Wossen Mesfin , Melaku Zenebe , Gebreyes Wondwossen , Williams Desmond E. , Abayneh Aschalew
Published: May 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most devastating public health emergencies of international concern to have occurred in the past century. To ensure a safe, scalable, and sustainable response, it is imperative to understand the burden of disease, epidemiological trends, and responses to activities that have already been implemented. We aimed to analyze how COVID-19 tests, cases, and deaths varied by time and region in the general population and healthcare workers (HCWs) in Ethiopia.

Methods

COVID-19 data were captured between October 01, 2021, and September 30, 2022, in 64 systematically selected health facilities throughout Ethiopia. The number of health facilities included in the study was proportionally allocated to the regional states of Ethiopia. Data were captured by standardized tools and formats. Analysis of COVID-19 testing performed, cases detected, and deaths registered by region and time was carried out.

Results

We analyzed 215,024 individuals’ data that were captured through COVID-19 surveillance in Ethiopia. Of the 215,024 total tests, 18,964 COVID-19 cases (8.8%, 95% CI: 8.7%– 9.0%) were identified and 534 (2.8%, 95% CI: 2.6%– 3.1%) were deceased. The positivity rate ranged from 1% in the Afar region to 15% in the Sidama region. Eight (1.2%, 95% CI: 0.4%– 2.0%) HCWs died out of 664 infected HCWs, of which 81.5% were from Addis Ababa. Three waves of outbreaks were detected during the analysis period, with the highest positivity rate of 35% during the Omicron period and the highest rate of ICU beds and mechanical ventilators (38%) occupied by COVID-19 patients during the Delta period.

Conclusions

The temporal and regional variations in COVID-19 cases and deaths in Ethiopia underscore the need for concerted efforts to address the disparities in the COVID-19 surveillance and response system. These lessons should be critically considered during the integration of the COVID-19 surveillance system into the routine surveillance system.
Designing multimedia patient education materials for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A protocol for a feasibility randomized controlled trial of patient education videos
Authors: Van Oirschot Garett , Doherty Cailbhe
Published: May 2024

Triple-masked three-armed feasibility parallel randomized controlled trial. Multimedia patient education materials are increasingly used in healthcare. While much research focuses on optimising their scientific content, research is equally needed to optimise design and implementation. This study aims to determine the feasibility of a study examining how the implementation of scientific advice on design affects patient outcomes. Participants aged 10–18 with radiographically confirmed adolescent idiopathic scoliosis will be recruited from community settings in Ireland and randomized into usual care or receiving multimedia educational videos with or without evidence-informed design principles. Participants will be masked in the two video intervention arms, as will the therapist sending the educational videos. Outcomes will include the number of participants recruited and randomized, the number analysed post-intervention and at week eight, and the outcomes for baseline, post-intervention, and week 8. Adverse events will also be reported. This feasibility randomized controlled trial will offer insight into the feasibility of implementing advice from the literature in designing a trial of multimedia patient education materials for a population with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Trial registration: Clinical Trail: Trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT06090344.
Socioeconomic impact and sufficiency of government financial support during COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective study
Authors: Lau Wee Yeap , Ke Guek Nee , Yip Tien Ming , Wong Rachel Mei Ming , Kamal Khalil Anwar , Lee Shen Ching , Carter Stephen , Khairudin Rozainee , Grajfoner Dasha
Published: May 2024

This study examines the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the sufficiency of government support. Based on an online survey with 920 respondents, the cross-tabulation and binary logistic regression results show: firstly, in terms of loss of income, male respondents are more likely to have a loss of income as compared to female counterparts, and secondly, among different categories of employment status, the self-employed respondents are the most vulnerable group, given that more than 20 percent of them experienced loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, respondents working in small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) and the informal sector are more likely to face loss of income as compared to respondents working in other sectors of employment. Likewise, respondents without tertiary education level are more likely to have a loss of income as compared to respondents with university certification. The baseline results highlight the insufficiency of government financial support programs based on the perspective of Malaysians from different demographic backgrounds. As a policy implication, the findings could guide the State in formulating the right policies for target groups who need more assistance than others in the community.
High-resolution hybrid micro-CT imaging pipeline for mouse brain region segmentation and volumetric morphometry
Authors: Nadkarni Rohan , Han Zay Yar , Anderson Robert J. , Allphin Alex J. , Clark Darin P. , Badea Alexandra , Badea Cristian T.
Published: May 2024

Background

Brain region segmentation and morphometry in humanized apolipoprotein E (APOE) mouse models with a human NOS2 background (HN) contribute to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research by demonstrating how various risk factors affect the brain. Photon-counting detector (PCD) micro-CT provides faster scan times than MRI, with superior contrast and spatial resolution to energy-integrating detector (EID) micro-CT. This paper presents a pipeline for mouse brain imaging, segmentation, and morphometry from PCD micro-CT.

Methods

We used brains of 26 mice from 3 genotypes (APOE22HN, APOE33HN, APOE44HN). The pipeline included PCD and EID micro-CT scanning, hybrid (PCD and EID) iterative reconstruction, and brain region segmentation using the Small Animal Multivariate Brain Analysis (SAMBA) tool. We applied SAMBA to transfer brain region labels from our new PCD CT atlas to individual PCD brains via diffeomorphic registration. Region-based and voxel-based analyses were used for comparisons by genotype and sex.

Results

Together, PCD and EID scanning take ~5 hours to produce images with a voxel size of 22 μm, which is faster than MRI protocols for mouse brain morphometry with voxel size above 40 μm. Hybrid iterative reconstruction generates PCD images with minimal artifacts and higher spatial resolution and contrast than EID images. Our PCD atlas is qualitatively and quantitatively similar to the prior MRI atlas and successfully transfers labels to PCD brains in SAMBA. Male and female mice had significant volume differences in 26 regions, including parts of the entorhinal cortex and cingulate cortex. APOE22HN brains were larger than APOE44HN brains in clusters from the hippocampus, a region where atrophy is associated with AD.

Conclusions

This work establishes a pipeline for mouse brain analysis using PCD CT, from staining to imaging and labeling brain images. Our results validate the effectiveness of the approach, setting a foundation for research on AD mouse models while reducing scanning durations.
Optimization of offshore wind farm inspection paths based on K-means-GA
Authors: Peng Zhongbo , Sun Shijie , Tong Liang , Fan Qiang , Wang Lumeng , Liu Dan
Published: May 2024

As global demand for offshore wind energy continues to rise, the imperative to enhance the profitability of wind power projects and reduce their operational costs becomes increasingly urgent. This study proposes an innovative approach to optimize the inspection routes of offshore wind farms, which integrates the K-means clustering algorithm and genetic algorithm (GA). In this paper, the inspection route planning problem is formulated as a multiple traveling salesman problem (mTSP), and the advantages of the K-means clustering algorithm in distance similarity are utilized to effectively group the positions of wind turbines, thereby optimizing the inspection schedule for vessels. Subsequently, by harnessing the powerful optimization capability and robustness of genetic algorithms, further refinement is conducted to search for the optimal inspection routes, aiming to achieve cost reduction objectives. The results of simulation experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of this integrated approach. Compared to traditional genetic algorithms, the inspection route length has been significantly reduced, from 93 kilometers to 79.36 kilometers. Simultaneously, operational costs have also experienced a notable decrease, dropping from 141,500 Chinese Yuan to 125,600 Chinese Yuan.
Development and assessment of immediate-release tablets containing clopidogrel bisulphate & aspirin—strategy for optimizing the combination formulation
Authors: Usman Shahnaz , Akram Muhammad , Usman Anab , Fatima Sakina , Islam Quamrul
Published: May 2024

The main goal of the study was to improve the compliance and convenience of patients by designing and development of an immediate release (IR) fixed-dose combination (Clopidogrel bisulphate and Aspirin) tablets. The proposed combination product utilizes Clopidogrel to protect the moisture-sensitive aspirin component, enhancing its stability against atmospheric conditions. Response-surface approach (Design Expert vs. 13) was used to generate this IR tablet by calculating the right composition of independent variables such as Microcrystalline cellulose 102, pregelatinized starch and Hydroxypropyl cellulose. 32factorial design was used to estimate the effects of these independent variables on the responses of dependent variables (disintegration & friability) and constructed a total of nine (9) formulations. Pre and Post formulation, quality control parameters were investigated as per pharmacopeia. A systematic approach was used for the optimization process and a prototype checkpoint batch (CPB) based on the better contrast of independent variables was prepared. In vitro analysis of formulations was carried out to estimate the responses. Friability was found in the range of 0.088–1.076%w/w, except F1 = 1.076 all are within limits (NMT 1.0%). Disintegration time was recorded 7.3 ± 1.20 as lower and 24.5 ± 1.63 min was the highest. The release of drugs from their dosage form was fast and rapid, for clopidogrel after 15min was 70.42–96.82% with SD ± 8.71 and aspirin was 69.88–91.49% in 15 min with SD ± 6.41, all the tablets were released more than 80% in 20 min. The stability outcomes of CPB tablets after 15 days of stress study (60 ± 2°C and 75 ± 5%) indicated good compatibility and stability of APIs with excipients. It was concluded that the direct compression method can be preferred to prepare a combination product with cost-effectiveness. It was also concluded that the proposed methodology could increase Aspirin’s stability and allow for an aqueous coating system to finish the product with a film coating. By using Design Expert software, the best composition of the formulation can be selected and optimized in a short period of time with minimum trial and errors. The results also demonstrated that the use of a fixed-dose combination tablet instead of the individual is expected to be more convenient to patients and thus improves patient compliance and decreases the occurrence of adverse effects and side effects.
Analysis of peak locomotor demands in women’s football–the influence of different epoch lengths
Authors: Baptista Ivan , Winther Andreas K. , Johansen Dag , Pettersen Svein Arne
Published: May 2024

The quantification of peak locomotor demands has been gathering researchers’ attention in the past years. Regardless of the different methodological approaches used, the most selected epochs are between 1-, 3-, 5- and 15-minutes time windows. However, the selection of these time frames is frequently arbitrary. The aim of this study was to analyse the peak locomotor demands of short time epochs (15, 30, 45, and 60 seconds) in women’s football, with special emphasis over the high-speed metrics. During two seasons, the match physical performance of 100 female football players was collected with Global Positioning System units (STATSports Apex). Peak locomotor demands for the selected variables were calculated by using a 1-second moving average approach. For statistical procedures, linear mixed modelling was used, with total distance, high-speed running distance (>16 km∙h-1), sprint distance (>20 km∙h-1), and acceleration and deceleration distance (±2.26 m∙s-2) considered as the dependent variables and the epoch lengths (15, 30, 45, and 60 seconds) considered as the independent variables. A novel finding was the high ratio observed in the 15 seconds epochs of high-speed running distance and sprint distance (77.6% and 91.3%, respectively). The results show that most peak high-speed demands within 60 seconds are completed within just 15 seconds. Thus, intensity-related variables, such as high-speed metrics, would be better contextualised and adapted into training practices if analysed in shorter epoch lengths (15–30 seconds), while longer periods might be used for volume-related metrics (i.e., total distance), depending on the purpose of the analysis.
Study protocol: Examining sexual and reproductive health literacy in Mexican American young women using a positive deviance approach
Authors: Batek Lindsay M. , Leblanc Natalie M. , Alio Amina P. , McMahon James M.
Published: May 2024

Health literacy is generally low in marginalized groups, leading to delays in accessing care, poor health outcomes, and health disparities. Yet, some individuals in these groups demonstrate higher health literacy and better health outcomes. These exceptional cases exemplify ‘positive deviance’ because they have found ways to be successful where others have not. Identifying the methods, practices, and resources that these individuals have used to gain health literacy and healthcare access may have generalized application to improve health literacy, access to care, and health outcomes. Using the Integrated Model of Health Literacy, the main objectives of this study are to (1) identify facilitators, barriers, and strategies to gain sexual and reproductive health literacy and healthcare access and (2) to explore each of the core domains of health literacy as they relate to successful access of sexual and reproductive healthcare services among individuals identified as positive deviants. For the purposes of this mixed methods community engaged study, positive deviants are defined as Mexican American young women aged 18–29 years old living in Rural Western New York who have accessed sexual and reproductive healthcare within the past year. A community advisory committee will be formed to provide community-engaged guidance and support for the recruitment of participants. Positive deviants will participate in a survey and semi-structured interview. Data collection and analysis will be simultaneous and iterative. Results will provide evidence of positive deviant methods, practices, and strategies to gain health literacy and access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. Findings may reveal characteristics and patterns in the relationship of health literacy and healthcare access that can inform interventions to improve health literacy and make healthcare more accessible for this demographic group and context.
Cerebral cortex activation and functional connectivity during low-load resistance training with blood flow restriction: An fNIRS study
Authors: Jia Binbin , Lv Chennan , Li Danyang , Lv Wangang
Published: May 2024

Despite accumulating evidence that blood flow restriction (BFR) training promotes muscle hypertrophy and strength gain, the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms have rarely been explored. The primary goal of this study is to investigate characteristics of cerebral cortex activity during BFR training under different pressure intensities. 24 males participated in 30% 1RM squat exercise, changes in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration (HbO) in the primary motor cortex (M1), pre-motor cortex (PMC), supplementary motor area (SMA), and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), were measured by fNIRS. The results showed that HbO increased from 0 mmHg (non-BFR) to 250 mmHg but dropped sharply under 350 mmHg pressure intensity. In addition, HbO and functional connectivity were higher in M1 and PMC-SMA than in DLPFC. Moreover, the significant interaction effect between pressure intensity and ROI for HbO revealed that the regulation of cerebral cortex during BFR training was more pronounced in M1 and PMC-SMA than in DLPFC. In conclusion, low-load resistance training with BFR triggers acute responses in the cerebral cortex, and moderate pressure intensity achieves optimal neural benefits in enhancing cortical activation. M1 and PMC-SMA play crucial roles during BFR training through activation and functional connectivity regulation.
Clinical efficacy and applicability of natural products in the treatment and prevention of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: A systematic review
Authors: Zhang Wen , Fan Lu , Xie Yifang , Gao Tenghui , Zeng Jieping
Published: May 2024

The aim of this systematic review was to describe the efficacy and acceptability of natural products in the management of oral mucositis caused by radiation. From the day it started to August 7, 2023, a thorough search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was carried out among seven databases: the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, OVID, Scopus, the Cochrane Library and the CINAHL database. Only English-language articles were identified during the search. Using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, version 2, two researchers screened the articles, collected information on study characteristics, and appraised risks of bias. The data were analyzed and descriptively presented with a narrative synthesis methodology involving the Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis (SWiM) reporting element applied in detail. The PROSPERO registration number of this study is CRD42023476932. Thirty-six clinical trials were included in the study; the included studies included a variety of 20 types of natural products. Honey and Curcuma longa were the most commonly assessed natural products. A total of 2,400 participants reported taking part in therapy with natural products for oral mucositis. Natural products demonstrated substantial efficacy in terms of influencing intensity, incidence, pain score, quality of life, and symptoms such as xerostomia and dysphagia. Except for manuka honey, most natural products were well accepted. Regarding the clinical trials’ risk of bias, 2 clinical trials (5.56%) had a high risk of bias, 17 studies (47.2%) had a low risk of bias, and 17 studies (47.2%) were rated with “some concern.” Natural remedies work well as alternate treatments for managing oral mucositis caused by radiation therapy. However, additional clinical trials are still needed. The safety of these conventional medications as well as their effectiveness and safety when used in combination with other conventional or naturopathic therapies should be fully examined.
Understanding the log file data from educational and psychological computer-based testing: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Chen Guanyu , Liu Yan , Mao Yue
Published: May 2024

With the advancement of computer-based testing, log file data has drawn considerable attention from researchers. Although emerging studies have begun to explore log file data, there is a gap in the exploitation of log file data for capturing and understanding participants’ cognitive processes. The debate on how to maximize insights from log file data has not yet reached a consensus. Therefore, we present this protocol for a scoping review that aims to characterize the application of log file data in current publications, including the data pre-processing techniques, analytical methodologies, and theoretical frameworks used by researchers. This review will also aim to illuminate how log file data can enhance psychological and educational assessments. Our findings will highlight the opportunities and challenges presented by log file data as an emerging and essential source of evidence for future advancements in psychological and educational assessment.
Metabolomics and transcriptomics reveal the mechanism of alkaloid synthesis in Corydalis yanhusuo bulbs
Authors: Zhao Xiao , Pan Yuan , Tan Jun , Lv Hui , Wang Yu , Chen Da-xia
Published: May 2024

Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang is a traditional herb. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are the main pharmacological active ingredients that play an important role in sedation, relieving pain, promoting blood circulation, and inhibiting cancer cells. However, there are few studies on the biosynthetic pathway of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in Corydalis yanhusuo, especially on some specific components, such as tetrahydropalmatine. We carried out widely targeted metabolome and transcriptomic analyses to construct the biosynthetic pathway of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids and identified candidate genes. In this study, 702 metabolites were detected, including 216 alkaloids. Protoberberine-type and aporphine-type alkaloids are the main chemical components in C. yanhusuo bulbs. Key genes for benzylisoquinoline alkaloids biosynthesis, including 6-OMT, CNMT, NMCH, BBE, SOMT1, CFS, SPS, STOX, MSH, TNMT and P6H, were successfully identified. There was no significant difference in the content of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids and the expression level of genes between the two suborgans (mother-bulb and son-bulb). The expression levels of BIA genes in the expansion stage (MB-A and SB-A) were significantly higher than those in the maturity stage (MB-C and SB-C), and the content of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids was consistent with the pattern of gene regulation. Five complete single genes were likely to encode the functional enzyme of CoOMT, which participated in tetrahydropalmatine biosynthesis in C. yanhusuo bulbs. These studies provide a strong theoretical basis for the subsequent development of metabolic engineering of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (especially tetrahydropalmatine) of C. yanhusuo.
Effects of short-term pre-competition weight loss on certain physiological parameters and strength change in elite boxers
Authors: Yasul Yavuz , Akçınar Faruk , Yasul Muhammet Enes , Kurtoğlu Ahmet , Eken Özgür , Badicu Georgian , Ardigò Luca Paolo
Published: May 2024

Background

Athletes in certain sports aim to gain an advantage by competing in a lower body mass class instead of competing in their own body mass class. This study aims to reveal certain physiologic and strength changes in elite male boxers who lost body mass rapidly before the competition.

Methods

30 thirty boxers who were aged between 19–24 years and having a mean age of 7.4 years participated in the study. To evaluate the effect of short-term dietary intake interventions on body composition and muscle strength before the competition, boxers were divided into three groups: control (C), exercise+diet1 (E+D1) and exercise+diet2 (E+D2) groups. The dietary habits of the participants were controlled and they participated in the training program. The data of the study consisted of variables such as body mass, height, regional muscle mass, body fat percentage, biceps and femur bicondylar circumference measurements before the competitions. Isometric strength measurements of knee extensors and flexors and shoulder internal and external rotators were also recorded.

Results

Physiologic parameters such as body mass change, BMI level, body fat percentage and leg muscle ratios of E+D2 were significantly decreased compared to C and E+D1 groups. Furthermore, submaximal and maximal strength production in knee extensors and flexors as well as shoulder internal and external rotators were significantly decreased in E+D2 compared to C and E+D1 groups.

Conclusion

The tendency to lose body mass quickly in a short of time may give the desired results in terms of BMI, body mass and fat percentage, but it may cause strength losses in boxers during the competition period.
Black Metal Rainbows, Daniel Lukes and Stanimir Panayotov (eds) (2022), Designed by Jaci Raia
Authors: Coggins Owen
Published: May 2024

Review of: Black Metal Rainbows, Daniel Lukes and Stanimir Panayotov (eds) (2022), Designed by Jaci Raia

Binghamton, NY: PM Press, 439 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-62963-881-2, p/bk, £28.99

ISBN 978-1-62963-882-9, h/bk, £56.99
Staphylococcus aureus as a foodborne pathogen in eggs and egg products in Indonesia: A review
Authors: Thaha Aminah Hajah , Malaka Ratmawati , Hatta Wahniyati , Maruddin Fatma
Published: May 2024

Staphylococcus aureus causes foodborne disease in eggs. It is characteristic of pathogenicity and harmful to human health if contaminated eggs and products are contaminated from pre-production at the manufacturer until post-production. S. aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium normally present in the skin and mucosa of humans and other animals. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a strain of S. aureus that is resistant to several types of antibiotics, including tetracycline, amoxicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, beta-lactam, and azithromycin. Impure S. aureus infections in eggs and processed egg products have been reported in Indonesia for for 5 years. However, only a limited number of cases have been reported. Based on the Indonesian National Standard, S. aureus contamination in fresh poultry eggs is limited to <1×102 colony forming unit/g, eggs processed from salty eggs as much as <1 × 101 colonies/g, and food processed from base eggs, e.g., custard a must negative/gram. One Health is an approach to collaborative cross-recognized sector linkages between human health, animal health, and the environment, which should be managed holistically. It is expected that one health approach will be able to prevent and control the risk of S. aureus contamination in eggs and processed egg proucts. This review describes the incidence of S. aureus and MRSA in Indonesia compared with other countries. This review provides information on the One Health approach for preventing and controlling S. aureus contamination of eggs in Indonesia so that it can be adopted elsewhere.

Keywords: eggs and egg products, foodborne, Indonesia, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Empreendedorismo Estratégico em Pequenas e Médias Empresas do Setor Aeronáutico Brasileiro e Canadense
Authors: Moraes Marcela Barbosa de , Lima Edmilson
Published: May 2024

Objetivo: O objetivo geral deste artigo é analisar o processo do empreendedorismo estratégico em pequenas e médias empresas do setor aeronáutico brasileiro e canadense.Método: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo de casos múltiplos. Os dados foram coletados com entrevistas semiestruturadas em profundidade. Análises intra e intercasos foram usadas para encontrar similaridades e diferenças de segmentos dos dados visando-se resultados finais válidos para todos os casos.Originalidade/Relevância: O artigo foca uma importante carência de estudos sobre empreendedorismo estratégico em pequenas e médias empresas de alta geração de desenvolvimento, especificamente as tecnológicas e abordadas segundo um comparativo internacional.Resultados: Em seu empreendedorismo estratégico, as empresas brasileiras identificam uma nova oportunidade no monitoramento do ambiente, tanto interno quanto externo, e participando em grupos de pesquisa e exploram a oportunidade com parcerias estratégicas e desenvolvimento da inovação. Ao mesmo tempo, criam uma vantagem competitiva com gestão dos recursos estratégicos, as ações estratégicas e o conhecimento estratégico; e sustentam essa vantagem elaborando uma gestão estratégica como líder tecnológico e com uma postura competitiva prospectora. As empresas canadenses identificam uma nova oportunidade promovendo um ambiente favorável à criatividade, ao monitoramento dos ambientes interno e externo e ao gerenciamento das informações, e exploram a oportunidade também com parcerias estratégicas e desenvolvimento da inovação. Concomitantemente, criam uma vantagem competitiva pela elaboração de um processo de formulação e mapeamento estratégicos, e sustentam a vantagem elaborando uma gestão estratégica ofensiva focada em tecnologia e aprendizagem.Contribuições teóricas/metodológicas: O artigo amplia o conhecimento acerca da identificação e da exploração de novas oportunidades, assim como da criação e da sustentação de vantagens competitivas em pequenas e médias empresas tecnológicas, podendo seus resultados ser aproveitados para fins teóricos e práticos.
Template de Submissão e Documentação Suplementar - REGEPE
Authors: ADM Template
Published: May 2024

DOCUMENTAÇÃO SUPLEMENTARBiografia dos autores: é OBRIGATÓRIO que os autores enviem no ato da submissão, a título de documentação suplementar, a biografia de todos os autores, informando ORCID, nome, titulação, afiliação institucional, cidade/país de origem e titulação.Resumo Estruturado: é OBRIGATÓRIO que os autores enviem no ato da submissão, a título de documentação suplementar, um resumo estruturado dos artigos no idioma do mesmo (com limite máximo de 250 palavras), conforme modelo padronizado da REGEPE .Os autores devem ser ordenados conforme o nível de envolvimento e contribuição para o manuscrito.
THE METHOD OF QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF THE AMOUNT OF FLAVONOIDS IN THE FLOWERS OF GIANT CEPHALARIA
Authors: Kalashnikova Olga Aleksandrovna , Ryzhov Vitaly Mikhailovich , Kurkin Vladimir Aleksandrovich
Published: May 2024

Giant cephalaria (Cephalaria gigantea (LEDEB.) BOBROV) is a powerful perennial whose height reaches two meters. This plant is found in Southern Europe, Western and Central Asia, as well as in North and South Africa. It is cultivated in the Botanical garden of Samara University. The extracts of giant cephalaria have been used in traditional medicine for many years due to their antimicrobial, antifungal, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antidiabetic and antipyretic activities, which may be due to various biologically active compounds. It is known that the leaves contain triterpenoids, phenolic carboxylic acids and their derivatives, flavonoids, and the flowers contain flavonoid compounds: luteolin, quercetin, cynaroside, quercimeritrin and gigantoside A.
The article describes the development of a technique for quantifying of the amount of flavonoids in the flowers of giant cephalaria. Spectrophotometric analysis of water-alcohol extracts from giant cephalaria flowers allowed us to establish that the main contribution to the absorption curve of their UV-spectra in the presence of AlCl3 is made by flavonols having a free OH group at the C-3 position, and in the differential version, the maximum absorption of the tested solution is close to that of the standard sample of quercetin (428±2 nm). Optimal conditions for the extraction of flavonoids in giant cephalaria flowers were determined: extractant 70% ethyl alcohol; the ratio "raw material-extractant" – 1 : 50; extraction time – extraction in a boiling water bath for 60 minutes, the degree of grinding of raw materials – 2 mm, analytical wavelength – 426 nm.
It was determined that the content of the total flavonoids calculated on quercetin in the flowers of giant cephalaria varies from 1.58±0.05% to 2.63±0.05%. The error of a single determination with a 95% confidence probability is ±1.75%.
The obtained results were used in the development of the FS project for a new type of medicinal plant raw materials "Cephalaria giant flowers" for introduction into the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation.
Noninfectious Ascites Neutrophilia in a Patient With Polycythemia Vera
Authors: Mazumder Ritika , Chatterjee Arjun , Carey William , Sengupta Shreya
Published: May 2024

A 59-year-old woman with polycythemia vera-related portal hypertension requiring frequent paracentesis was admitted for asymptomatic recurrent spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, which was diagnosed based on elevated polymorphonuclear (PMN) count. She had multiple similar admissions during which she was treated with antibiotics. The patient had chronic baseline leukocytosis due to polycythemia vera. Repeat paracentesis after intravenous antibiotics demonstrated persistent elevation of PMN count without clinical symptoms. A multidisciplinary team concluded that the increased PMN count was secondary to polycythemia. The patient was diagnosed with omental extramedullary hematopoiesis, a rare condition causing elevated PMN count in the absence of bacterial contamination.
دور القيادة الداعمة في تعزيز الاغناء الوظيفي
Authors: مجيد صادق زانا , عبدالله دەرون فريدون
Published: May 2024

يهدف البحث الحالي الى تحديد العلاقة والاثر بين القيادة الداعمة والاغناء الوظيفي. وتم اعتماد المنهج الوصفي التحليلي لتحديد الاطار النظري لمفاهيم ومتغيرات البحث. وقد استخدم الباحثان استمارة الاستبانة كأداة لجمع البيانات الاولية من عينة البحث البالغ عددهم (683) مفردة المأخوذة من المجتمع البحثي المتمثل في العاملين في (44) مستشفى خاص بأقليم كوردستان العراق. وتم الاعتماد على البرنامج الاحصائي 24 SPSS لأجراء التحليلات الاحصائية المطلوبة مثل ايجاد التكرارات وقيم الأوساط الحسابية والانحرافات المعيارية لابعاد متغيرات البحث، واختبار فرضيات البحث المتمثلة بعلاقات الارتباط والتاثير بأستخدام برنامج 24 AMOS. وتوصل البحث الى مجموعة من الاستنتاجات منها وجود علاقة ارتباط طردية ذات دلالة احصائية وتاثير موجب بين متغيري البحث في المستشفيات المبحوثة من وجهة نظر كوادرها. وقدم البحث مجموعة من المقترحات من اهمها تعزيز ابعاد القيادة الداعمة وضرورة تطبيقها في بيئة القطاع الصحي والقطاعات الاخرى والتي لها اثر ايجابي في تعزيز الاغناء الوظيفي وبما يتوافق مع طبيعة وثقافات وهياكل المستشفيات الخاصة عينة الدراسة بشكل خاص ومنظمات الاعمال بشكل عام.
دانانی ژنەکاهینی باڵاو مەراسیمەکانی لە هەردوو شارستانییەتی میزۆپۆتامیاو مصری کۆندا
Authors: Jalal Kameran M. , Hamashireen Dlgash I.
Published: May 2024

پوختە
هەموو ئەرکەکانی ژنەکاهینەکان لە هەردو شارستانییەتی میزۆپۆتامیاو میسری کۆندا لە ئەرکە ئایینییەکانی ناو پەرستگادا کورتنەکرابۆوە، بەڵکو هەندێکیان پەیوەندییان بە کۆشکەوە هەبوو، بەتایبەت ئەوانەی کە ئەرکی سیاسیان لە لایەن پاشاوە باوک یان هاوسەرەکانیان پێ سپێردرا بوو. ئەم ئەرکە سیاسییە بە تەریبی لە هەریەک لە میزۆپۆتامیاو مییسردا خۆی لە پێگەیەک دەبینییەوە ئەویش ژنەکاهینی باڵا بوو، ئەو کاینەی  کە بە رۆڵی هاوسەری خودایی پەرستراوە سەرەکییەکانی هەردوو شارستانییەتەکەی دەبینی، لێرەوە گرنگییە سیاسی و کۆمەڵایەتیەکانی بەخۆوە بینی کە هەلی ئەوەی بۆی رەخساند چەند بەپرسیارێتییەکی سیاسی بۆ بەڕێوەبردنی بەشێکی وڵات بگرێتە دەست.
پێدەچێت ئەم هاوتەریبییەی ئەم پێگە ئایینییە سیاسییەی ژنەکاهینەکان لە هەردوو شارستانییەتە دێرینەکەدا لەسەر هەندێ وردەکاری تایبەت بە پاڵنەرەکانی دانانیان لەم پێگەیەدا و تەنانەت  لە هەندێ ڕیوڕەسمی دانان و ناسناوەکانی و ناوەکانی کە هەڵیانگرتون رەنگی داوەتەوە. ئەم توێژینەوەیە ئامانجێتی کە تیشک بخاتە سەر هۆکارەکانی لەیەکچوون و نزیکی لەنێوان ناسناوەکانییان لەهەردوو شارستانییەتەکەدا و ناسینی پسپۆڕییەکانیان و بەتایبەت رۆڵە سیاسییەکانیان، بەتایبەت شوێن و رۆڵی سیاسی کە پاشایانی هەردوو شارستانییەتەکە کە دەیانویست لە رێگەی دانانی کچ یان ژنانی خۆیان لەم پێگەیەدا بەدەستی بهێنن. ئایا ئەم پێگەیە ئەوەندە گرنگ بو کە والەپاشایان بکات کە لە نێو کچ یان هاوسەرە شاهانەکانیاندا بیهێلنەوە؟ ئەمە لەلایەک، لەلایەکی ترەوە ئامانجی ئەم توێژینەوەیە ئەوەیە کە ئایا لەم پێگەیەدا هیچ خواوەندێک یان ژنەخواوەندێک یان پەرستگایەک پێشخراوە ؟ ئەوەی زانراوە ئەوەیە کە پەرستگا رەهەندی ئایینی هەردوو شارستانییەتەکە رۆڵی سەرەکییان هەبوە لە دەستبەسەرداگرتنی هزریی لەسەر کۆمەڵگا کۆنەکان و ئێستاش.
The Romantic Self in The Poetry of Piramerd and Mirzada Ashqe
Authors: Sabr Rozhgar M. , Dashty Osman H. , Rashid Jihad Sh.
Published: May 2024

The notion creativity in the Western civilization has a long history. It has influenced various aspects of human life since Greek and Roman times. Western thinkers have significantly contributed to literary growth in art and literature. Western intellectuals have also led literary research and developed theoretical approaches to literature. After their development, the western literary traditions were imported to other countries for various reasons. Thus, the non-Western writers adapted several aspects of Western literary movements including romanticism. Romanticism, a literary and artistic movement that emerged in late 18th-century Europe, opposed the basic tenant of classicism. The movement introduced new literary forms and radical ideas. Influenced by Western romanticism, Kurdish and Persian romantic literature evolved and reached its peak.  The term “romantic self” is used to describe how a poet reveals his hidden and spontaneous feelings, desires and anguish using various romantic features. Drawing from American  Romanticism, this comparative study explores how both Piramerd and Mirzada Ashqe emphasize the romantic self in their poems. This helps to understand the similarities and differences in the poets’ approaches to the notion of romantic self in their works.
Analysis Report on the Development of the Chinese Film Industry in 2023
Authors: Liu Hanwen , Shi Hang
Published: May 2024

The year 2023 marked a period of burgeoning opportunities and a return to rationality for the Chinese film industry. Throughout the year, favorable policies continued to guide the comprehensive recovery of the industry. The film market flourished again, and segmented distribution officially commenced, with new directors achieving notable successes. However, the Chinese film industry also faced challenges, such as lukewarm investment enthusiasm, uneven market demand during different periods, a shortage of high-quality films, and the rise in profit share for micro and short dramas. In the future, it will be necessary to adhere to policy-driven, creativity-driven, market-driven, enterprise-driven, and technology-driven strategies to achieve high-quality recovery and sustainable development.
Sharp bounds for causal effects based on Ding and VanderWeele's sensitivity parameters
Authors: Sjölander Arvid
Published: May 2024

In a seminal article, Ding and VanderWeele proposed a method of constructing bounds for causal effects that has become widely recognized in causal inference. This method requires the analyst to provide guesses of certain “sensitivity parameters,” loosely defined as the maximal strength of association that an unmeasured confounder may have with the exposure and with the outcome. Ding and VanderWeele stated that their bounds are sharp, but without defining this term. Using a common definition of sharpness, Sjölander A. A note on a sensitivity analysis for unmeasured confounding, and the related E-value. J Causal Inference. 2020;8(1):229–48 showed that Ding and VanderWeele’s bounds are sharp in some regions of the sensitivity parameters, but are non-sharp in other regions. In this note, we follow up the work by Sjölander A. A note on a sensitivity analysis for unmeasured confounding, and the related E-value. J Causal Inference. 2020;8(1):229–48, by deriving bounds that are guaranteed to be sharp in all regions of Ding and VanderWeele’s sensitivity parameters. We illustrate the discrepancy between Ding and VanderWeele’s bounds and the sharp bounds with a real data example on vitamin D insufficiency and urine incontinence in pregnant women.
Asymptotic behavior of solutions of a viscoelastic Shear beam model with no rotary inertia: General and optimal decay results
Authors: Al-Mahdi Adel M.
Published: May 2024

In this study, we consider a viscoelastic Shear beam model with no rotary inertia. Specifically, we study

ρ

1

φ

t
t

−
κ

(

φ

x

+
ψ

)

x

+

(

g
∗

φ

x
x

)

(

t

)

=

0
,

−
b

ψ

x
x

+
κ

(

φ

x

+
ψ

)

=

0
,

\begin{array}{rcl}{\rho }_{1}{\varphi }_{tt}-\kappa {\left({\varphi }_{x}+\psi )}_{x}+\left(g\ast {\varphi }_{xx})\left(t)& =& 0,\\ -b{\psi }_{xx}+\kappa \left({\varphi }_{x}+\psi )& =& 0,\end{array}

where the convolution memory function

g

g

belongs to a class of

L

1

(

0
,
∞

)

{L}^{1}\left(0,\infty )

functions that satisfies

g
′

(

t

)

≤
−
ξ

(

t

)

ϒ

(

g

(

t

)

)

,

∀

t
≥
0
,

g^{\prime} \left(t)\le -\xi \left(t)\Upsilon \left(g\left(t)),\hspace{1.0em}\forall t\ge 0,

where

ξ

\xi

is a positive nonincreasing differentiable function and

ϒ

\Upsilon

is an increasing and convex function near the origin. Using just this general assumptions on the behavior of

g

g

at infinity, we provide optimal and explicit general energy decay rates from which we recover the exponential and polynomial rates when

ϒ

(

s

)

=

s

p

\Upsilon \left(s)={s}^{p}

and

p

p

covers the full admissible range

[

1
,
2

)

\left[1,2)

. Given this degree of generality, our results improve some of earlier related results in the literature.
Crystal structure of bis[(triaqua-4-iodopyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato-κ
3
N,O,O
″)cobalt(II)] trihydrate, C14H22N2O17I2Co2
Authors: Wang Liye , Zhang Xiaofan , Dong Hongxu
Published: May 2024

C14H22N2O17I2Co2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 7.13476(14) Å, b = 11.1853(2) Å, c = 32.5727(5) Å, β = 93.5815(16)°, Z = 4, V = 2594.38(8) Å3, R

gt
(F) = 0.0447, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.0865, T = 293.0 K.
Effectiveness after immunization with BNT162b2 and Gam-COVID-Vac for SARS-CoV-2 and neutralizing antibody titers in health care workers
Authors: Emin Melda , Cibrev Dragan , Kerala Coskun , Petrovska-Cvetkovska Dragana , Ajeti Valdrina , Ampova Hristina , Kostovska Irena , Tosheska-Trajkovska Katerina
Published: May 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe the effectiveness of the vaccines (Tozinameran and Sputnik V), administered on a convenience sample of healthcare workers, and also to describe the relationship between the levels of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and the type of vaccine used, as well as their association with incident cases during follow-up.

Methods

The study included 262 participants, who underwent vaccination during the period from September 2021 until August 2022. For determining the levels of NAbs we used the CLIA based method, and all the samples were processed with the SNIBE Maglumi 800 analyzer. The patients were observed for one year for occurrence of incident infection.

Results

The participants with prior SARS-CoV-2 positivity showed substantially higher titer of NAbs (8.86 vs. 0.94, p<0.001). The participants in the Gam-COVID-Vac group had median levels of NAbs of 1.57 (IQR 0.42–5.73), while they in the Tozinameran group showed substantially higher levels of 2.37 (IQR 0.9–6.27). The incident cases after immunization had substantially lower median values of NAbs when compared to the rest (0.48 vs. 3.97, p<0.001), and the interval between the second dose and the serological measurements were similar.

Conclusions

The current study showed that the tested vaccines demonstrated vaccine effectiveness of over 50 % during the first year after the vaccination in a sample of health care workers. Although health care workers remain separate population group, when compared to the rest, the results could be extrapolated to populations with similar age and immune experience.
Load-Velocity Profiles Before and After Heated Resistance Exercise
Authors: Sweet Daniel K. , Qiao JianBo , Rosbrook Paul , Pryor J. Luke
Published: May 2024

Sweet, DK, Qiao, J, Rosbrook, P, and Pryor, JL. Load-velocity profiles before and after heated resistance exercise. J Strength Cond Res 38(6): 1019–1024, 2024—This study examined neuromuscular performance using load-velocity (L-V) profiles in men and women before and after resistance exercise (RE) in hot (HOT; 40° C) and temperate (TEMP; 21° C) environments. Sixteen (f = 8, m = 8) resistance-trained individuals completed a single 70-minute whole-body high-volume load (6 exercises, 4 sets of 10 repetitions) RE bout in HOT and TEMP. Before and after RE, rectal temperature (TRE), muscle temperature of the vastus lateralis (TVL) and triceps brachii (TTB), and an L-V profile for the deadlift and bench press were recorded. Thermoregulatory and L-V data were analyzed using separate 2-way repeated measures analysis of variances (ANOVAs; condition [hot, temperate] and time [pre, post]) with significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. Deadlift peak velocity was reduced at 60% 1 repetition maximum (1RM) after RE in HOT but not TEMP. Peak velocity of 40% 1RM bench press was lower in TEMP vs. HOT pre-RE (p < 0.01). Peak velocity was decreased at all loads in the deadlift L-V profile after RE, regardless of condition. Despite elevated TRE (TEMP; 37.58 ± 0.35, HOT; 38.20 ± 0.39° C), TVL (TEMP; 35.24 ± 0.62, HOT; 37.92 ± 0.55° C), and TTB (TEMP; 35.05 ± 0.78, HOT; 38.00 ± 0.16° C) after RE in HOT vs. TEMP (p < 0.01), RE in HOT did not broadly affect L-V profiles. This indicates heated resistance exercise can be performed with high-volume load and high ambient temperature with minimal performance impairment.
Validity of the Hawkin Dynamics Wireless Dual Force Platform System Against a Piezoelectric Laboratory Grade System for Vertical Countermovement Jump Variables
Authors: Dos'Santos Thomas , Evans Daniel T. , Read Dale B.
Published: May 2024

Dos'Santos, T, Evans, DT, and Read, DB. Validity of the Hawkin dynamics wireless dual force platform system against a piezoelectric laboratory grade system for vertical countermovement jump variables. J Strength Cond Res 38(6): 1144–1148, 2024—The aim of this study was to determine the criterion validity of the Hawkin Dynamics (HD) wireless dual force platform system for assessing vertical countermovement jump (CMJ) variables, compared with those derived from a Kistler piezoelectric laboratory grade force platform system. During a single testing session, HD force platforms were placed directly on top of 2 adjacent Kistler force platforms to simultaneously collect vertical ground reaction forces produced by 2 male recreational soccer players (age: 29.0 ± 2.8 years, height: 1.79 ± 0.01 m, mass: 85.6 ± 4.7 kg) that performed 25 vertical CMJs each. Sixteen vertical CMJ variables pertaining to jump height (JH), flight time (FT), time-to-take off (TTT), countermovement depth, body weight (BW), propulsive and braking mean, and peak powers, forces, and impulses were compared between systems. Fixed bias was observed for 6 of 16 variables (peak and mean braking power, mean propulsion force, TTT, FT, and BW), while proportional bias was present for 10 of 16 variables (peak and mean propulsive and braking force, TTT, FT, peak and mean braking power, mean propulsive power, and BW). For all variables regardless of fixed or proportional bias, percentage differences were ≤3.4% between force platform systems, with near perfect to perfect correlations (r or ρ = 0.977–1.000) observed for 15 of 16 variables. The HD dual wireless force platform system can be considered a valid alternative to a piezoelectric laboratory grade force platform system for the collection of vertical CMJ variables, particularly outcome (i.e., JH, reactive strength index modified) and strategy variables (countermovement depth).