bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection in Non-Operative Treatment of Partial-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhu Pengfei , Wang Zhengchao , Li Hongmei , Cai Yu
Published: July 2022

Objective: Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears have a high prevalence in older people. Treatment for such tears remains controversial. Platelet-rich plasma has recently attracted attention for treating partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, due to its regenerative characteristics. However, the results of application of platelet-rich plasma in non-operative treatments are unclear. The aim of this review is to evaluate the effects on shoulder function improvement and pain relief of platelet-rich plasma injection in partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, at different follow-up times (3–6 weeks, 8–12 weeks, and more than 24 weeks after treatment) compared with placebo or corticosteroids.Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods: Several databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane, were searched. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. The quality of research was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma was calculated as the difference between baseline measurements and post-injection outcomes. The standardized mean difference was used to compare different outcome scales or questionnaire measurements. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 15.0.Results: The analysis included 11 studies, with a total of 641 patients (318 treated with platelet-rich plasma and 323 controls). Compared with placebo, platelet-rich plasma exhibited significantly better effects on shoulder function improvement and pain relief at all 3 follow-up times. Compared with other conservative treatments, platelet-rich plasma exhibited significantly better effects on shoulder function and pain relief at 8–12 weeks and at more than 24 weeks after treatment. Conclusion: This review showed positive effects on shoulder function improvement and pain relief of the use of platelet-rich plasma in treating partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, especially in relatively late stages of follow-up (more than 8 weeks) after treatment.
LAY ABSTRACTPartial-thickness rotator cuff tears are common, especially in older people, and can cause shoulder pain and movement limitation. Platelet-rich plasma is a platelet concentrate made from autologous blood, which may have anti-inflammatory and healing effects. This systematic review and meta-analysis collected data from existing studies to determine the specific effects of platelet-rich plasma injection on partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. The results showed that, compared with both no treatment and other conservative treatments, platelet-rich plasma reduced pain and improved shoulder function when used to treat partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. Meanwhile, the effects were most significant at 8–12 weeks and at more than 24 weeks after treatment.
Comparative Effectiveness of Robot-Assisted Training Versus Enhanced Upper Extremity Therapy on Upper and Lower Extremity for Stroke Survivors: A Multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lin Yingnan , Li Qin-ying , Qu Qingming , Ding Li , Chen Zhen , Huang Fubiao , Hu Shihong , Deng Wei , Guo Fengxian , Wang Chuankai , Deng Panmo , Li Li , Jin Hao , Gao Cong , Shu Beibei , Jia Jie
Published: July 2022

Objective: Robot-assisted neuro-rehabilitation therapy plays a central role in upper extremity recovery of stroke. However, the efficacy of robotic training on the upper extremity is not yet well defined, and little attention has been devoted to its potential effect on the lower extremity. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of robot-assisted training and therapist-mediated enhanced upper extremity therapy on the upper and lower extremities.Methods: A randomized clinical trial involving 172 stroke survivors was conducted in China. All participants received either robot-assisted training or enhanced upper extremity therapy for 3 weeks. Fugl-Meyer assessment upper extremity subscale (FMA-UE), Fugl-Meyer assessment lower extremity subscale (FMA-LE), and Modified Barthel Index were administered at baseline, mid-treatment (1 week after treatment start), and post-treatment.Results: Participants in the robot-assisted training group showed a significant improvement in the hemiplegia extremity, which was non-inferior to the enhanced upper extremity therapy group in FMA-UE (p < 0.05), while suggesting greater motor recovery of lower extremity in FMA-LE (p < 0.05) compared with the enhanced upper extremity therapy group. A marked increase in Modified Barthel Index was observed within groups; however, no significant difference was found between groups.Conclusion: Robot-assisted training is non-inferior but not better in reducing impairment of the upper extremity and appears to be superior in reducing impairment of the lower extremity compared with enhanced upper extremity therapy for stroke survivors.
LAY ABSTRACTAlthough post-stroke robot-assisted training of the upper extremity has been widely studied, its efficacy is not yet well defined, and its effects on the lower extremity are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of upper extremity robot-assisted training on the upper and lower extremities in stroke survivors. Robot-assisted training is non-inferior in improving the function of the upper extremity and superior in improving the function of the lower extremity compared with enhanced upper extremity therapy. Robot-assisted training can be used for functional recovery of the upper and lower extremities in stroke survivors.
Korean Society of Nephrology 2022 Recommendations on controversial issues in diagnosis and management of hyponatremia
Authors: Lee Yeonhee , Yoo Kyung Don , Baek Seon Ha , Kim Yang Gyun , Kim Hyo Jin , Ryu Ji Young , Paek Jin Hyuk , Suh Sang Heon , Oh Se Won , Lee Jeonghwan , Jhee Jong Hyun , Suh Jin-Soon , Yang Eun Mi , Park Young Ho , Kim Yae Lim , Choi Miyoung , Oh Kook-Hwan , Kim Sejoong ,   on behalf of the Hyponatremia Guideline Development Group
Published: July 2022

The Korean Society for Electrolyte and Blood Pressure Research, in collaboration with the Korean Society of Nephrology, has published a clinical practice guideline (CPG) document for hyponatremia treatment. The document is based on an extensive evidence-based review of the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of hyponatremia with the multidisciplinary participation of representative experts in hyponatremia with methodologist support for guideline development. This CPG consists of 12 recommendations (two for diagnosis, eight for treatment, and two for special situations) based on eight detailed topics and nine key questions. Each recommendation begins with statements graded by the strength of the recommendations and the quality of the evidence. Each statement is followed by rationale supporting the recommendations. The committee issued conditional recommendations in favor of rapid intermittent bolus administration of hypertonic saline in severe hyponatremia, the use of vasopressin receptor antagonists in heart failure with hypervolemic hyponatremia, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis with moderate to severe hyponatremia, the individualization of desmopressin use, and strong recommendation on the administration of isotonic fluids as maintenance fluid therapy in hospitalized pediatric patients. We hope that this CPG will provide useful recommendations in practice, with the aim of providing clinical support for shared decision-making to improve patient outcomes.
Spot Urine Sodium and Potassium Ratio as a Predictor of Acute Kidney Injury and Survival in Decompensated Cirrhosis
Authors: Bhuyan Sambit Kumar , Karunakaran Premkumar , K. Muthukumaran , A. Aravind , Selvi Caroline , R. Murali , A. Chezhian , I. Shubha
Published: July 2022

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with high mortality in decompensated cirrhosis, so early prediction is vital. Urinary sodium excretion may have an association with mortality in decompensated cirrhosis. The study aims to investigate the spot urinary Na+/K+ ratio & fractional excretion of sodium in patients admitted with decompensated cirrhosis and evaluate its relationship with AKI and short-term survival. Method: It was a prospective analysis of 200 patients with decompensated cirrhosis over 6 months. Urinary sodium excretion was analyzed by spot urine Na+/K+ ratio & FENa. Receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis was done to find cut-off values of Na+/K+ in predicting AKI at admission, during the hospital stay, and survival probability. P-value <0.05 was considered significant. Result: AKI of admission was observed in 36.5% of patients and associated with low urine Na+/K+ and low urine Na+. 24.5% of patients who had no AKI at admission progressed to AKI during the hospital stay and were associated with low spot urine Na+/K+ and low FENa+. Area under curve (AUC) for urinary Na+/K+ (cutoff, sensitivity/specificity) at admission was 68.6% (≤1.36, 75.5/59.1), during hospital stay was 73.4% (≤ 1.64,77.6/67.5) and of short-term mortality was 73.4% (≤ 1.34, 93.3% /58.8). Conclusion: Spot urine Na+/K+ ratio at admission is a simple, predictable tool to predict AKI during the hospital stay and 30 days mortality in decompensated cirrhosis.
PELATIHAN DAN PENDAMPINGAN MENUMBUHKAN JIWA KEWIRAUSAHAAN DI KALANGAN IBU RUMAH TANGGA
Authors: Khamimah Wininatin , Syahrenny Nenny , Tegowati Tegowati
Published: July 2022

The Objectives of Community Service Activities Training to Grow the Spirit of Entrepreneurship among Housewives is to provide insight into entrepreneurship so that it becomes an alternative to increase family income and mothers can be more productive using their free time. The method used in the form of training to foster entrepreneurial spirit among housewives and mentoring in the form of consultations about the potential of participants in entrepreneurship and the problems faced. The results obtained from this training activity are: a.) Participants know the importance of entrepreneurship for themselves and their families. b.) Participants are able to identify their potential and know the problems commonly faced in entrepreneurship.Community service activities implemented through this training can benefit a wide audience. Furthermore, it suggests the need for continuity of activities and evaluations after these community service activities are carried out. So that housewives can be more empowered and can contribute in improving family welfare
The Effect of Explicit Training of Metacognitive Reading Strategies on Online Reading Comprehension
Authors: Babashamasi Parastoo , Shakib Kotamjani Sedigheh , Binti Noordin Nooreen
Published: July 2022

Few studies have investigated the detailed procedure of systematically delivering and teaching metacognitive strategies in higher education. This study investigates whether explicit training in metacognitive strategies could improve undergraduates’ online reading comprehension over the pandemic. The results of this study contribute to teacher education programs to teach and apply regularly metacognitive reading strategies. In a quasi-experimental design, the experimental group and control group underwent 14 sessions of training. Semi-structured interviews and a Metacognitive Reading Awareness Strategy Assessment were conducted among experimental students. The data were collected using the reading test, Metacognitive Reading Awareness Strategy inventory, and semi-structured interviews in Malaysia. The results of Repeated Measure ANOVA showed the mean scores of students in the metacognitive group were significantly higher than the mean score of the students in the conventional reading group (F= 1.3,82.3) = 215.973. p <0.001). The results of the Metacognitive Reading Awareness Strategy Assessment showed that students had more awareness of global reading strategies (M= 3.511), followed by supporting reading strategies (M=3.468) and problem-solving strategies (M= 3.427). The thematic analysis result supported that students were moderate users of planning and monitoring strategies while evaluative ones were less frequent. The results also revealed that students perceived that lack of vocabulary knowledge, heavy dependence on their teachers, and lack of strategy training were the main causes of their reading difficulties. The findings implied that EFL teachers should introduce metacognitive reading strategies through appropriate and systematic instructions to enable the students to implement them in their academic reading.
Artificial Intelligence in Language Learning: What Are We Afraid of
Authors: Lesia Viktorivna Kushmar , Andrii Oleksandrovych Vornachev , Iryna Oleksandrivna Korobova , Nadia Oleksandrivna Kaida
Published: July 2022

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been an essential part of human lives in the XXI century. The research paper focuses on examining the role of AI in English language learning, how effective it is, and what practical methods can be used to apply it effectively. AI has the potential to transform the functioning of the education system, increase the competitiveness of institutions and empower teachers and students at all levels. With intelligent content of instructions and testing, artificial intelligence allows focusing on the needs of the students. This review paper discusses what we are afraid of AI in language learning. The survey was conducted in 2021 for English language learners at Ukrainian Universities: Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics and Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University. The study analyzes the responses of 418 students. Responses show a very high level (83-100%) of understanding AI in language learning. It determines the opinion that cyber-attacks will happen about future personalized accounts. It was the risk of losing personal information. Students fear losing a natural environment with speakers and their real emotions. Furthermore, this paper evaluates a very high level (98%) of the learners’ spontaneity and creativity lack using AI in language learning. The report concludes with the notion that using AI in language learning requires the wisdom of human content designers and educational experts.
Fatores de risco para o câncer em adultos jovens
Authors: Sabóia Vera Maria , Souza Sônia Regina de , Santiago Adriana da Silva , Trindade Elisama Livramento , Rosa Julia Vilhena Alves da Silva
Published: July 2022

Uma em cada cinco pessoas no mundo enfrentará um diagnóstico de câncer durante a vida. Portanto, são recomendadas investigações voltadas a identificar e mitigar precocemente os fatores de risco para o câncer. Objetivou-se classificar os estudos selecionados quanto ao Nível de Evidência Científica por Tipo de Estudo - “Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine”; descrever as metodologias/ instrumentos utilizados na avaliação de fatores de risco para o câncer em adultos jovens. Trata-se de uma Revisão Integrativa focada na síntese de evidências, utilizando a estratégia de busca PVO. Foram selecionados seis artigos que atenderam aos critérios da pesquisa. Ao identificar fatores de risco para o câncer em adultos jovens, pretende-se contribuir para melhores práticas de prevenção do câncer e redução da morbimortalidade.

Descritores: Prevenção Primária, Fatores de Risco, Adulto Jovem, Carcinoma.

 

Risk factors for cancer in young adults

Abstract: One of five people in the world will face a diagnosis of cancer in their lifetime. Therefore, investigations aimed at early identification and mitigation of risk factors for cancer are recommended. The objective was to classify the selected studies according to the Level of Scientific Evidence by Type of Study - “Oxford Center for Evidence-based Medicine”; describe the methodologies/instruments used to assess risk factors for cancer in young adults. This is an integrative review focused on the synthesis of evidence, using the PVO search strategy. Six articles that met the search criteria were selected. By identifying risk factors for cancer in young adults, we intend to contribute to better practices for preventing cancer and reducing morbidity and mortality.

Descriptors: Primary Prevention, Risk Factors, Young Adult, Carcinoma.

 

Factores de riesgo de cáncer en adultos jóvenes

Resumen: Una de cada cinco personas en el mundo se enfrentará a un diagnóstico de cáncer en su vida. Por lo tanto, se recomiendan las investigaciones destinadas a la identificación temprana y la mitigación de los factores de riesgo de cáncer. El objetivo fue clasificar los estudios seleccionados con respecto al Nivel de Evidencia Científica por Tipo de Estudio - “Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine”; describir las metodologías / instrumentos utilizados para evaluar los factores de riesgo de cáncer en adultos jóvenes. Se trata de una revisión integradora centrada en la síntesis de evidencia, utilizando la estrategia de búsqueda PVO. Se seleccionaron seis artículos que cumplieron con los criterios de la investigación. Al identificar los factores de riesgo de cáncer en adultos jóvenes, pretendemos contribuir a mejores prácticas para prevenir el cáncer y reducir la morbilidad y la mortalidad.

Descriptores: Prevención Primaria, Factores de Riesgo, Adulto Joven, Carcinoma.
Effect of Osmo- and Convective Dehydrofreezing on Energy Efficiency and Some Physicochemical Properties of Frozen Red Pepper
Authors: BAŞÜNAL GÜLMEZ Handan , TOPUZ Ayhan
Published: July 2022

The effect of osmotic and convective drying treatments on main physicochemical properties of frozen sliced red peppers was investigated. Sliced red peppers were dried partially using either osmotic dehydration or convective hot air drying before freezing in an air blast freezer at constant air velocity (2 m/s) and temperature (-25°C). The center temperature of osmo- and convective dehydrofrozen peppers reached -25°C in about 105 min, while it took 270 min for control samples. Frozen samples were stored at -18±2°C for 60 days, and the color, texture, ascorbic acid, enzyme activities, antioxidant activity (DPPH and ORAC) and total carotenoid content of samples were monitored during storage. Results showed that skin puncture values of samples decreased by storage time. The ascorbic acid content of sliced red pepper decreased by both treatments and storage time. The antioxidant activity values of control samples were higher than those of convective dehydrofrozen and osmo-dehydrofrozen samples. Both partial drying treatments reduced carotenoid loss significantly. The losses in total carotenoid contents were 58.0, 47.5 and 46.9% at the end of the storage period in control, osmo-dehydrofrozen and convective dehydrofrozen peppers, respectively. Significantly lower energy was used in osmotic dehydration compared to convective drying since no heating required for osmotic dehydration. Moreover, pre-drying of sliced red pepper required one-third of lower energy for freezing compared to direct freezing. This study showed that osmo-dehydrofreezing can be an economical method for sliced red peppers production.
Compound Conditionals as Random Quantities and Boolean Algebras
Authors: Flaminio Tommaso , Gilio Angelo , Godo Lluis , Sanfilippo Giuseppe
Published: July 2022

Conditionals play a key role in different areas of logic and probabilistic reasoning, and they have been studied and formalised from different angles. In this paper we focus on the de Finetti's notion of conditional as a three-valued object, with betting-based semantics, and its related approach as random quantity as mainly developed by two of the authors. Compound conditionals have been studied in the literature, but not in full generality. In this paper we provide a natural procedure to explicitly attach conditional random quantities to arbitrary compound conditionals that also allows us to compute their previsions. By studying the properties of these random quantities, we show that, in fact, the set of compound conditionals can be endowed with a Boolean algebraic structure. In doing so, we pave the way to build a bridge between the long standing tradition of three-valued conditionals and a more recent proposal of looking at conditionals as elements from suitable Boolean algebras.
Unique Characterisability and Learnability of Temporal Instance Queries
Authors: Fortin Marie , Konev Boris , Ryzhikov Vladislav , Savateev Yury , Wolter Frank , Zakharyaschev Michael
Published: July 2022

We aim to determine which temporal instance queries can be uniquely characterised by a (polynomial-size) set of positive and negative temporal data examples. We start by considering queries formulated in fragments of propositional linear temporal logic LTL that correspond to conjunctive queries (CQs) or extensions thereof induced by the until operator. Not all of these queries admit polynomial characterisations, but by imposing a further restriction to path-shaped queries we identify natural classes that do. We then investigate how far the obtained characterisations can be lifted to temporal knowledge graphs queried by 2D languages combining LTL with concepts in description logics EL or ELI (i.e., tree-shaped CQs). While temporal operators in the scope of description logic constructors can destroy polynomial characterisability, we obtain general transfer results for the case when description logic constructors are within the scope of temporal operators. Finally, we apply our characterisations to establish (polynomial) learnability of temporal instance queries using membership queries in the active learning framework.
Who’s the Expert? On Multi-source Belief Change
Authors: Singleton Joseph , Booth Richard
Published: July 2022

Consider the following belief change/merging scenario. A group of information sources give a sequence of reports about the state of the world at various instances (e.g. different points in time). The true states at these instances are unknown to us. The sources have varying levels of expertise, also unknown to us, and may be knowledgeable on some topics but not others. This may cause sources to report false statements in areas they lack expertise. What should we believe on the basis of these reports? We provide a framework in which to explore this problem, based on an extension of propositional logic with expertise formulas. This extended language allows us to express beliefs about the state of the world at each instance, as well as beliefs about the expertise of each source. We propose several postulates, provide a couple of families of concrete operators, and analyse these operators with respect to the postulates.
A Minimal Deductive System for RDFS with Negative Statements
Authors: Straccia Umberto , Casini Giovanni
Published: July 2022

The triple language RDFS is designed to represent and reason with positive statements only (e.g., "antipyretics are drugs"). In this paper, we extend RDFS to deal with various forms of negative statements under the Open World Assumption (OWA). To do so, we consider ρdf, a minimal, but significant RDFS fragment that covers all essential features of RDFS, and then extend it to ρdf¬⊥, allowing express also statements such as ``radio therapies are non drug treatments", "Ebola has no treatment", or "opioids and antipyretics are disjoint classes". The main features of our proposal are: (i) ρdf¬⊥ remains syntactically a triple language by extending ρdf with new symbols with specific semantics and there is no need to revert to the reification method to represent negative triples; (ii) the logic is defined in such a way that any RDFS reasoner/store may handle the new predicates as ordinary terms if it does not want to take account of the extra capabilities; (iii) despite negated statements, every ρdf¬⊥ knowledge base is satisfiable; (iv) the ρdf¬⊥ entailment decision procedure is obtained from ρdf via additional inference rules favouring a potential implementation; and (v) deciding entailment in ρdf¬⊥ ranges from P to NP.
Act for Your Duties but Maintain Your Rights
Authors: Zhu Shufang , De Giacomo Giuseppe
Published: July 2022

Most of the synthesis literature has focused on studying how to synthesize a strategy to fulfill a task. This task is a duty for the agent. In this paper, we argue that intelligent agents should also be equipped with rights, that is, tasks that the agent itself can choose to fulfill (e.g., the right of recharging the battery). The agent should be able to maintain these rights while acting for its duties. We study this issue in the context of LTLf synthesis: we give duties and rights in terms of LTLf specifications, and synthesize a suitable strategy to achieve the duties that can be modified on-the-fly to achieve also the rights, if the agent chooses to do so. We show that handling rights does not make synthesis substantially more difficult, although it requires a more sophisticated solution concept than standard LTLf synthesis. We also extend our results to the case in which further duties and rights are given to the agent while already executing.
The Topology of Surprise
Authors: Baltag Alexandru , Bezhanishvili Nick , Fernández-Duque David
Published: July 2022

In this paper we present a topological epistemic logic, with modalities for knowledge (modeled as the universal modality), knowability (represented by the topological interior operator), and unknowability of the actual world. The last notion has a non-self-referential reading (modeled by Cantor derivative: the set of limit points of a given set) and a self-referential one (modeled by Cantor's perfect core of a given set: its largest subset without isolated points). We completely axiomatize this logic, showing that it is decidable and PSPACE-complete, and we apply it to the analysis of a famous epistemic puzzle: the Surprise Exam Paradox.
Projection of Belief in the Presence of Nondeterministic Actions and Fallible Sensing
Authors: Claßen Jens , Delgrande James P.
Published: July 2022

In a recent paper, we presented a Situation Calculus-based framework for modelling an agent that has incomplete or inaccurate knowledge about its environments, whose actions are non-deterministic, and whose sensor might give incorrect results. Generalizing earlier proposals, the presented approach represented the agent's epistemic state by a set of situations ranked by their respective plausibility, which would then be updated by modifying the plausibility ranks accordingly. In this short paper, we extend our earlier work by considering the problem of projection in this framework, i.e. the question whether a certain (epistemic) formula will hold after a given sequence of actions. We present results on both regression, where the query is transformed into an equivalent one about the initial situation, as well as progression, where the knowledge base is updated to reflect the situation after executing the action sequence in question.
Iterated Belief Change, Computationally
Authors: Sauerwald Kai , Beierle Christoph
Published: July 2022

This paper considers belief change in the Darwiche-Pearl framework. We demonstrate that iterative belief revision is Turing complete by showing how revision operators over ranking functions can simulate every Turing machine. Our result holds even under the condition that the broadly accepted Darwiche-Pearl postulates for iterated revision hold.
Chasing Streams with Existential Rules
Authors: Urbani Jacopo , Krötzsch Markus , Eiter Thomas
Published: July 2022

We study reasoning with existential rules to perform query answering over streams of data. On static databases, this problem has been widely studied, but its extension to rapidly changing data has not yet been considered. To bridge this gap, we extend LARS, a well-known framework for rule-based stream reasoning, to support existential rules. For that, we show how to translate LARS with existentials into a semantics-preserving set of existential rules. As query answering with such rules is undecidable in general, we describe how to leverage the temporal nature of streams and present suitable notions of acyclicity that ensure decidability.
Sum-Product Loop Programming: From Probabilistic Circuits to Loop Programming
Authors: Pfanschilling Viktor , Shindo Hikaru , Dhami Devendra Singh , Kersting Kristian
Published: July 2022

Recently, Probabilistic Circuits such as Sum-Product Networks have received growing attention, as they can represent complex features but still provide tractable inference. Although quite successful, unfortunately, they lack the capability of handling control structures, such as for and while loops. In this work, we introduce Sum-Product Loop Language (SPLL), a novel programming language that is capable of tractable inference on complex probabilistic code that includes loops.
SPLL has dual semantics: every program has generative semantics familiar to most programmers and
probabilistic semantics that assign a probability to each possible result. This way, the programmer can describe how to generate samples almost like in any standard programming language. The language takes care of computing the probability values of all results for free at run time.
We demonstrate that SPLL inherits the beneficial properties of PCs, namely tractability and differentiability, while generalizing to other distributions and programs, and retains substantial computational similarities.
Faithful Approaches to Rule Learning
Authors: Tena Cucala David J. , Cuenca Grau Bernardo , Motik Boris
Published: July 2022

Rule learning involves developing machine learning models that can be applied to a set of logical facts to predict additional facts, as well as providing methods for extracting from the learned model a set of logical rules that explain symbolically the model's predictions. Existing such approaches, however, do not describe formally the relationship between the model's predictions and the derivations of the extracted rules; rather, it is often claimed without justification that the extracted rules `approximate' or `explain' the model, and rule quality is evaluated by manual inspection. In this paper, we study the formal properties of Neural-LP--a prominent rule learning approach. We show that the rules extracted from Neural-LP models can be both unsound and incomplete: on the same input dataset, the extracted rules can derive facts not predicted by the model, and the model can make predictions not derived by the extracted rules. We also propose a modification to the Neural-LP model that ensures that the extracted rules are always sound and complete. Finally, we show that, on several prominent benchmarks, the classification performance of our modified model is comparable to that of the standard Neural-LP model. Thus, faithful learning of rules is feasible from both a theoretical and practical point of view.
Effect of Sintering on Phase Transformation Behavior and Morphology of Calcinated 5 Wt% Mg-PSZ
Authors: Yusuf Dedek , Septawendar Rifki , Noviyanti Atiek Rostika
Published: July 2022

The zirconia structure can undergo a transformation during cooling after the sintering. The zirconia phase is stabilized by adding a doped magnesia stabilizer to the zirconia matrix. This study observed the effect of calcination temperature on the synthesis of Mg-PSZ on its phase transformation. The synthesis process was carried out with various calcinated temperatures of 600, 800 and 1000°C, with a concentration of MgO 5 wt%. Based on XRD analysis, Mg-PSZ crystal size was in the nanometer scale. The Mg-PSZ phases with 5% MgO at calcinated temperatures of 600, 800 and 1000°C were cubic, tetragonal and monoclinic respectively with each space group being Fm3m, P42/nmc and P21/c. In addition to the phase transition, the calcination temperature also affected the crystallinity of Mg-PSZ; the higher is calcination temperature, the lower is crystallinity. Based on TEM analysis at a calcination temperature of 800°C, the Mg-PSZ microstructure showed predominantly spherical nanoparticles.
Anti-diabetic activity and Phytochemicals Screening of C. revoluta rachis on alloxan-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Prakash V. , Kaur H. , Kumari A. , Gupta S. , Bala R.
Published: July 2022

The objective of this study is to examine the control of hastily increasing diabetes mellitus which has become a serious problem all over the world. Traditionally antidiabetic plants help to treat diabetes with no side effect. So, an effort has been made to study the helpful properties of Cycas revoluta rachis extract on alloxan-induced diabetic rat’s protocol. The preliminary phytochemicals analysis has revealed the presence of alkaloids, amino acids, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids and terpenoids which might be contributing to antidiabetic activity. The doses of crude extract from 50 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg have shown that the plant is non-toxic in nature under observable conditions. The ~ 70% ethanolic extract of C. revoluta has been administrated at doses level of 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg b.w. orally. The blood samples have been collected from the retro-orbital plexus to examine blood glucose level and biological parameters such as serum cholesterol, TG, HDL and LDL respectively. At the dose level 300 mg/kg, the reduction in blood glucose level by 289.5 ± 24.57 to 98.33 ± 7.89 has been observed at 14th day’s protocol. The serum lipid profile has also been reversed to normal as compared with standard drug.
In silico study, Synthesis and evaluation purine analogues as potential antimalarial agents
Authors: Verma P. , Chauhan B. , Singh R. , Gupta A.K. , Rani D.
Published: July 2022

The challenges concerning the control of malaria remain due to the continuous emergence of drug resistant strains. Available treatments for this disease present several limitations such as lack of efficacy, toxic side effects and drug resistance. One of the most striking differences was found in the purine metabolism, because parasites are incapable of de novo purine biosynthesis in which enzyme HGPRT is central to the purine salvage pathway and whose activity is critical for the production of the nucleotides required for DNA/RNA synthesis within this protozoan parasite. Thus, new drugs are urgently needed. Herein we have designed, docked, synthesized and screened 9-alkyl purine derivatives for antimalarial activity against pfHGPRT. We have reported four compounds with promising activity against the highly artimisnin resistant P. falciparum namely: compounds 2,6-dichloro-9-(propan-2-yl)-9H-purine (1a), 9-Butyl-2,6-dichloro-9H-purine (1b), 2,6-dichloro-9-(2-methylbutyl)-9H-purine (1c), 2,6-dichloro-9-pentyl-9H-purine (1d) and binding energies to predictable antimalarial agents (-5.1, -5.3, -5.5 and -5.6 kcal/mole and rmsd 1.198, 1.238, 1.354 and 1.554 respectively). These analogs have acceptable binding interactions, Moreover, an in silico docking study revealed that P. falciparum and hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase enzymes could be the potential targets of those compounds. Our study identified novel, purine-based chemotypes that could be further optimized to generate potent and diversified anti-parasitic drugs against malaria.
Ditetradecyldiphenylmethane- 4,4-dicarbamate supramolecular gelator: Synthesis, characterization and Oil trapping
Authors: Saharan Yajvinder , Singh Joginder
Published: July 2022

In the present research work, supramolecular organo oil gelator was synthesized using diphenylmethane diisocyanate (DMI) and 1-Tetradecanol for the sorption of oil from oil contaminated soil/water mixture. The prepared gelator was characterized using FTIR, mass spectral techniques and SEM analysis. The FTIR and mass spectra assured the formation of oil gelator. Further, SEM analysis showed porous, fiber-like structures. In mechanism, it was proposed that the organo oil gel leads to self-assembly and further entanglements forming the fibres which finally help in oil uptake/trapping. The maximum uptake of the oil was around 50% initially and it was further increased to 92% using gasoline as the co-congealed solvent. Interestingly, the complete gelation of the oil from oil water emulsion was accomplished inside 20 min of application with good oil recovery. This research work confirmed that the oil removal by organo oil gelator could be employed for treating oil contaminated soil/water mixture.
Heteropolyacid salts as catalyst in the biodiesel production: A review
Authors: Sharma N. , Kumar M. , Yadav S. , Sharma J.
Published: July 2022

Heteropolyacids have been used as marvellous catalyst in various type of organic transformations such as oxidation/reduction and transesterification reactions etc. Many novel and exciting developments are going on in this research area attracting worldwide attention of the researcher as well as industrialists. In this review, we seek out to bring application of heteropolyacid as a catalyst in the production of biodiesel through esterification and transesterification reaction.
CONFIDENCE OF THE POPULATION IN PUBLIC GOVERNMENT BODIES AS A FACTOR OF CONSOLIDATION OF MODERN SOCIETY AND STATE SECURITY
Authors:   Dnipropetrovsk State University of Internal Affairs, Shevchenko Serhii
Published: July 2022

The subject of this study was the theoretical-methodological and applied aspects of studying and analyzing the level of public trust in public authorities as a factor in the consolidation of society and state security. The authors used systemic and structural-functional approaches to analyze external and internal factors that affect the trust of the country’s population in public administration bodies, and a situational approach to study the influence of spatial and temporal factors on the formation and development of public trust in government structures. The problem of studying the formation and development of trust in public bodies among the population is quite urgent, especially in the context of modern structural changes in the country, and the material proposed in the article allows us to identify the necessary trajectories of research into this phenomenon.
On a black hole effect in bilinear curve resolution based on least squares
Authors: Vitale Raffaele , Ruckebusch Cyril
Published: July 2022

Least squares-based estimations lay behind most chemometric methodologies. Their properties, though, have been extensively studied mainly in the domain of regression, in relation to which the effect of well-known deleterious factors (like object leverage or data distributions deviating from ideal conditions) on the accuracy of the prediction of an external response variable have been thoroughly assessed. Conversely, much less attention has been paid to what these factors might yield in alternative scenarios, where least squares approaches are still utilised, yet the objectives of data modelling may be very different. As an example, one can think of multivariate curve resolution (MCR) problems which are usually addressed by means of Multivariate Curve Resolution-Alternating Least Squares (MCR-ALS). In this respect, this article wants to offer a perspective on the basic principles of MCR-ALS from the regression point of view. In particular, the following critical aspects will be highlighted: i) in the presence of minor components, if the number of analysed data points is too large, the leverage of those that may be essential for a MCR-ALS resolution might become too low for guaranteeing its correctness and ii) in order to overcome this black hole effect and improve the accuracy of the MCR-ALS output, data pruning can be exploited. More in detail, this communication will provide a practical illustration of such aspects in the field of hyperspectral imaging where even single experimental runs may lead to the generation of massive amounts of spectral recordings.
Preparation and Evaluation of Topical Polyherbal Emulgel Formulation for its Wound Healing Potential
Authors: Manish Kumar Gupta  , Sujit Nagare  , Birendra Shrivastava  , Supriya Hyam  , Ketaki Dhane
Published: July 2022

Physical harm that causes the skin to break or open up are known as wounds. For the repair of broken anatomical continuity and compromised functional status of the skin, proper wound healing is crucial. It is the end result of a coordinated response to harm from various cell types. The contraction and closure of the wound as well as the restoration of a functional barrier are the consequences of the intricate, multifactorial process known as wound healing. Due to its lower risk of side effects and lower cost, traditional medicine has seen increased use in recent years. When more than one herb is included in a single formulation, this is known as a polyherbal formulation, and the potency of the single herbal medications is increased. The purpose of the current study was to assess an emulgel made of developed polyherbal ingredients against wound healing. The current study aims to assess the created formulation’s ability to treat burns and excision wounds in terms of wound healing potential. Excise and burn wounds largely recovered. A group of rats given the medication showed signs of re-epithelialization of cells in newly formed tissue. At the healing site, there was also evidence of fibroblastic and vascular procreation. Without the presence of any microorganisms, the formulation effectively increases the rate of epithelialization and collagen viability across the wound region. According to the findings, the produced formulation (EG1) was superior to the extract in terms of effectiveness for wound healing.
Deepfakes, Deep Harms
Authors: Rini Regina , Cohen Leah
Published: July 2022

Deepfakes are algorithmically modified video and audio recordings that project one person’s appearance on to that of another, creating an apparent recording of an event that never took place. Many scholars and journalists have begun attending to the political risks of deepfake deception. Here we investigate other ways in which deepfakes have the potential to cause deeper harms than have been appreciated. First, we consider a form of objectification that occurs in deepfaked ‘frankenporn’ that digitally fuses the parts of different women to create pliable characters incapable of giving consent to their depiction. Next, we develop the idea of ‘illocutionary wronging’, in which an individual is forced to engage in speech acts they would prefer to avoid in order to deny or correct the misleading evidence of a publicized deepfake. Finally, we consider the risk that deepfakes may facilitate campaigns of ‘panoptic gaslighting’, where many systematically altered recordings of a single person's life undermine their memory, eroding their sense of self and ability to engage with others. Taken together, these harms illustrate the roles that social epistemology and technological vulnerabilities play in human ethical life.
Overview on corrosion, classification and control measure: a study
Authors: Mitali Sharma , Harsh Jindal , Devanshu Kumar , Santosh Kumar , Rakesh Kumar
Published: July 2022

Corrosion is a universal natural phenomenon that causes degradation in metal and alloy properties by chemical or electrochemical interaction with their environment. In the United States, the total direct cost of corrosion is estimated at about 300 billion dollars per year, which is about 3.2 percent of the domestic product. This means corrosion has a huge economic loss on national infrastructure, such as bridges, chemical processing, buildings, and waste water treatment. In addition, corrosion not only increases the costs of components, but it is also responsible for life losses or injuries to people, and it reduces the value of goods owing to deterioration of appearance as well as safety hazards. Thus, by retarding either the cathodic or anodic reactions, the rate of corrosion can be reduced by coating, addition of chemical additives (corrosion inhibitors) etc. Hence, the aim of this research paper is to provide an overview of corrosion, its history, importance, classification, and preventive measures.
A review on the relation of the sexuality of patients suffering from different type of cancers
Authors: Komal Abdul Rahim , Sarmad Muhammad Soomar , Anmol Minaz , Salman Muhammad Soomar
Published: July 2022

Cancer, being a life-limiting illness affects many domains of health including sexual health. The negative outcomes related to sexual health living with cancer and after getting cancer treatment pose serious physical and emotional suffering amongst the survivors. Some of the most common outcomes are having less pleasure, decreased libido, inability to achieve orgasm and loss of sensation in the genital area. The younger generation, which includes adolescents and young adults, is the most vulnerable. Cancer affects the sexuality of both men and women based on the type of cancer. For example, a woman with breast cancer might not feel attracted and sexually withdrawn from her partner. Similarly, a man with lung cancer might not have the ability to have successful intercourse because of getting fatigued easily. To address the sexual health concerns and problems amongst cancer patients, their concerns must be deeply evaluated including those related to their sexual life.
Depression among nurses working in ministry of health hospitals in RAS AL khaimah united arab emirates
Authors: Ahmed Jamil , Kumaradhas Vijaya , Salgado Arnel B.
Published: July 2022

Nurses are front line workers in the healthcare services. A heavy workload as a career can leave them overworked and stressed which gives high risk of developing negative mental states like depression. For individuals with depression, the severity of depressive symptoms increases and their ability to function is affected as well. A high standard of nursing care is only possible if nurses can maintain sound physical and mental health. In the United Arab Emirates, there are no published data regarding the prevalence of depression among nurses. Hence, this study sought to identify the prevalence of depression among nurses working in the Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, and to assess the association of demographic variables with the prevalence of depression. The selected MOH hospitals were Saqr Hospital, Ibrahim Bin Hamad Obaidullah Hospital, and Obaidullah Geriatric Hospital. A crosssectional descriptive study design was used and the data was collected from 136 nurses through a self-administered Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). The overall prevalence of depression, according to the BDI-II, was 17.6% in the present study, mild depression was 6.6%, moderate depression was 8.8%, and severe depression was 2.2%. Overall results showed that the prevalence of depression among nurses working in the MOHAP hospitals of Ras Al Khaimah were low. A significant association (p<0.05) with nationality, work experience, marital status, and financial dependence of family members of the nurses were found with depression. In order to conclude the prevalence of depression among nurses working in MOHAP hospitals of Ras Al Khaimah, the findings provided useful baseline data for policymakers regarding decisions that can positively affect the health of nurses and patients. Encouraging nurses' mental wellbeing will help optimize patient health outcomes too.