bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Optimal Policies on International Product R&D under Price and Quantity Competition
Authors:   The Korea International Trade Research Institute, Yang Il-Seok
Published: January 2024

Purpose - The first objective is to analyze and compare Bertrand and Cournot equilibria in a model wherein two governments compete with regard to research and development (R&D) subsidies, and two firms compete in a third-country market through product R&D investment and substitute goods. The second purpose is to compare the results derived in the presence of government intervention in international trade with those obtained in the case of no-trade and non-intervention.
Design/Methodology/Approach - For this analysis, we extend Symeonidis’s (2003) work and develop an international R&D subsidy game consisting of three stages.
Findings - First, the equilibrium levels of R&D expenditure, product quality, subsidies, prices, and firm profits are higher under quantity competition compared to price competition in the presence of government intervention in international trade, as in Symeonidis’s (2003) no-trade and non-intervention model. Second, the rankings of output and consumer surplus in the third country under the two competitions differ from those derived by Symeonidis (2003), who finds that they depend on the degree of horizontal differentiation and R&D spillovers. Third, the ranking of social welfare under the two regimes differs from the results of Symeonidis (2003), who establishes that the ranking of social welfare depends on the degree of horizontal differentiation and R&D spillovers.
Research Implications - If a country is involved in international trade with substitute goods and its government faces R&D subsidy competition in the presence of product R&D spillovers, it is better for the government to provide R&D subsidies to domestic firms under quantity competition rather than those under price competition to ensure greater social welfare.
Zwischen Biologie und Bürokratie: Unheimliche Bürolandschaften in Georg Kleins Miakro und Jeff VanderMeers Authority
Authors: Müller Alexandra
Published: January 2024

Following a brief overview of various forms and functions of office settings in fantastic literature, this article will discuss the representation of the supernatural workplace in Georg Klein’s Miakro (2018) and Jeff VanderMeer’s Authority (2014). Both novels bring together seemingly disparate worlds: the natural and the bureaucratic sphere. Klein’s text is about a group of employees who work and live in an animated organic office without a traditional public-private divide, which turns out to be part of a giant mushroom. VanderMeer’s novel concerns itself with the stealthy invasion of a secret government agency by Area X, an ecosystem of extraterrestrial origin that transforms human beings into posthuman creatures. In this this paper, I analyze how Kleins novel deploys its grotesque office setting to reflect dystopian tendencies in contemporary work culture by discussing ramifications of capitalist labor practices such as alienation, worker exploitation, distorted work-life balance and social conformity. Moreover, I will argue that the parasitic office creature can be interpreted as a symbolic manifestation of hyperobject capitalism. VanderMeer, in contrast, uses the haunted house in decline trope as a metaphor for the downfall of human civilization: the bureau. The story of the destruction of the governmental agency by a pristine wilderness therefore questions an anhropocentric worldview by dissolving the dichotomy between the human and the nonhuman. I will demonstrate how the author links the collapse of the bureaucratic rule with the impending end of the human episteme. Paying particular attention to the description of spatial relations, I will furthermore examine how the texts use elements of Gothic and Weird Fiction in order to turn man-made uncanny places into monstrous nonhumanen spaces.
The Investigative Team as an Object Of Criminal Procedure Legal Relations: A Methodological Analysis
Authors: Lubyagin Mikhail
Published: January 2024

The author presents methodological research of an investigative team viewed as a category of the object of criminal procedure relations. Having studied the law enforcement practice of assigning preliminary investigation to an investigative team and the positions of different authors who examined the theoretical and methodological aspects of the institute of investigative teams in criminal proceedings, the author concludes that the work of investigative teams requires a specification of conceptual approaches that are, to some extent, aimed at improving the procedural order of the organization and the work of an investigative team. The author also describes the complex of general and specific research methods used to study various structural elements of the institute of preliminary investigation carried out by an investigation team in criminal proceedings: from the standpoint of historical-legal analysis of the development of the institute of collegiality of pre-trial proceedings in criminal cases; from the standpoint of analyzing theoretical and practical clauses on the procedure of normative regulation of the organization and work of an investigative group on investigating crime; specific features of the interconnection of key structural elements in the work of investigative teams and the problems of their correlation are identified. The application of a range of methodological research options allows the author to outline the theoretical legal provisions for an investigative team as an object of criminal procedure relations.
An Overview of Research Publications on the Problems of Investigating Crimes Against the Security of Air Traffic and Air Transport Operations
Authors: Mitrofanova Alyona , Kuzakov Dmitriy
Published: January 2024

The authors identified key stages for the criminalistic support of investigating and solving criminal violations of security rules of air traffic and air transport operations. It is noted that an active development of scientific provisions on the specifics of investigating such crimes began in Russia in the 1960s, which was probably due to the development of aviation and a growth in the number of aviation accidents. Currently, these problems require research that is based on modern achievements of criminalistics and takes into account innovations in aviation, specifically, the introduction of cutting-edge technologies, automation and digitization of the control of aircraft and air traffic, the development of artificial intelligence, and others.
Problems and Prospects of Housing Mortgage Lending Development in the Russian Federation
Authors: Zhilan Oksana , Gabrielyan Mariya
Published: January 2024

Currently, the issues of housing mortgage lending development are becoming particularly acute and important, since their relevance is obvious, both for the development of the entire economy and for individual consumers. This growth driver is appropriate not only for the banking system and a number of industries, but also it can be a solution of one of the main social problems, that is providing housing for residents of the country.
The analysis of scientific literature and the assessment of trends in the housing mortgage lending market indicates an increase in problems that need to be solved. At the same time, there is often a one-sided approach to solving the problems of housing mortgage lending, based on improving the system of bank mortgage lending or applying foreign experience in adapting mortgage models to the Russian credit market, or focusing on monetary methods of regulation. The article discusses various proposals for improving mortgage, mainly housing lending, and assesses the possibility of their implementation. It is proposed to approach the solution of problems in the field of housing mortgage lending in a comprehensive manner.
System Improvement of Aviation Protection of Forests from Fires
Authors: Kraskova Aleksandra , Antipin Aleksandr
Published: January 2024

Every year, millions of hectares of forest die as a result of forest fires around the world. Protection of forests from fires is one of the priority tasks of the Russian Federation state policy. One of the most effective ways of extinguishing forest fires is aerial protection as the use of aviation forces and means is considered to be an effective mechanism in combating this uncontrollable natural disaster, which creates risks of harm to people’s life and health. This work is aimed at analyzing the situation with forest fires not only for the Russian Federation, but also for other states, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of the forest protection system with the use of aviation forces to develop effective solutions for its improvement. The statistical data on forest fires in Russia and other states are given, the directions of improvement of the system of aviation forest protection and the current legislation in this and related sectors are defined. A number of measures necessary to improve the organization of forest protection from fires, the functioning of a stable and effective system of forest management, as well as to ensure efficient organization of activities in the conservation of forests has been defined.
The Use of “Digital Twin” Technologies to Ensure the City Residents Safety
Authors: Grishchenko Leonid , Korabelnikova Yuliya
Published: January 2024

The article discusses contemporary and advanced approaches to introduce the use of "digital twins" in modern cities to help them develop a system of city residents safety. After a brief historical and international analysis of technological development for creating and operating "digital twins" in cities, the authors consider the processes of putting new technologies into practice for future development of cities in the Russian Federation to be a complex. The research is aimed at suggesting solutions to reduce risks based on the analysis of contemporary and future threats to the population of cities through early modeling and forecasting of hazards using the potential of "digital twins" of cities. The methodological basis was a set of general scientific and specific scientific methods: dialectical, historical, comparative legal, analysis and synthesis of legal concepts and phenomena. The information and empirical basis of this research was the factual materials collected by the authors while studying the activities of those structures and organizations that are involved in developing and providing the physical protection of critical facilities in Russian and foreign cities by means of information technologies. Thus, the practical part of the work was based on implementing "digital twins" while exploring the vulnerability analysis and assessing the effectiveness of the safety of fuel and energy complex facilities, nuclear energy, and transport infrastructure of cities, and their impact on the urban population safety. The subject of research is public relations in the field of using digital technologies to ensure urban residents safety. The scientific novelty means, in the authors’ opinion, the conceptual approach to the use of technologies of the "digital twin" of a city to ensure its residents safety. The research results showed the necessity to improve digital city models in order to ensure the availability of medical and social services, provide access for urban space planning and introduce smart technologies into the housing and communal services sector as well as to develop digital mobility, ensure food and energy security, technological control and ensure the safety of the population in the face of increasing urbanization processes.
“I’m still not over feeling so isolated”: Métis women, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people’s experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Jones Carly , Auger Monique D. , Paul Willow , Monchalin Renée
Published: January 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore and learn from the experiences of Métis women, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people accessing health and social services in Victoria, British Columbia, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This paper comes from a larger study exploring Métis women, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people’s experiences accessing health and social services in Victoria. Using a by-and-for Métis approach that employed a conversational interview method, we conducted interviews with Métis women, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people who lived in and/or accessed services in Victoria in December 2020 and January 2021. This paper focuses specifically on data addressing how COVID-19 impacted these participants.

Results

A total of 24 Métis women, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people participated in the study. Overall, three themes specific to COVID-19 were identified. First, participants described the detrimental impacts of COVID-19 on their ability to connect with their Métis community and practice their culture, as well as their overall feelings of isolation. Second, participants highlighted some of the ways that COVID-19 has exacerbated existing barriers to culturally safe healthcare. Last, participants spoke about the mixed economic impacts that COVID-19 has had for them, sharing insight into the ways in which gender, in particular, has shaped their financial instability.

Conclusion

Improving access to culturally safe health and social services by incorporating the experiences and expertise of Métis women, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people is crucial to mitigating the disproportional negative impacts of the pandemic and improving overall health outcomes within Métis communities across Canada.
Corporate Strategies for Sustainable Development and Adoption of New Technologies
Authors:   Birmingham City University, Pirzada Kashan , Ahmed Kamran ,   La Trobe University, Moens Gabriel ,   The University of Queensland
Published: January 2024

Digital technologies and innovative solutions play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development. However, it is important to acknowledge that these technological advancements may positively and negatively impact sustainability (Gray, 1994; Al-Emran, Griffy-Brown, 2023). In 2015, the United Nations (UN) adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a plan of action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all people worldwide (UN, 2015). The Agenda contains 17 integrated sustainable development goals (SDGs) and 169 specific measurable targets. It emphasizes the private sector’s role in facilitating the advancement and achievement of the UN’s sustainable development initiatives, working in partnership with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders (UN, 2015). Even before adoption of this agenda, several social, environmental, and technological developments have impacted the operations and functions of companies. One of these developments is the emergence of green sustainability (Gray, 1994; Abbas, 2019), which helped evaluate companies’ overall performance and shaped the creation of customer value. The corporate (as well as institutional) responses to the emergence of green sustainability have provided an impetus for companies to develop relevant business models compatible with these developments and to share these models with shareholders and society at large. This impetus, in turn, has made it possible to implement sustainable development practices coherently and nurtures a new culture consistent with a large-scale transition to a green, sustainable future. Digital communications effectively eliminate the geographical boundaries for businesses and their customers, so the latter can quickly contact different suppliers worldwide, and locate substitute goods that fulfil their needs (Singh, 2020; Mather, 2020). This trend has thus made acquiring and maintaining competitive advantage a real challenge for companies. This challenge involves the task of achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligning business strategies with these SDGs. Hence, companies successfully adopt multiple strategies and generate knowledge to satisfy the needs of their customers and achieve their SDGs. The private sector’s contribution to the achievement of the SDGs can be realized through the integration of principles into corporate strategies and operations. In this context, given that the development and implementation of corporate strategy is the responsibility of the firm-level green sustainability model (including environmental, social, and governance aspects), it is essential to provide an understanding of whether and how, green sustainability models affect or influence the corporate sector’s engagement with SDGs (Mangena, 2012; Pirzada et al., 2017).
Determinants of Sustainable Consumption Intention
Authors:   FPT University, Truong Kiet Hong Vo Tuan , Nguyen Anh Vu Thai ,   FPT University, Vo Sang Minh ,   FPT University, Vo An Thien ,   FPT University
Published: January 2024

Sustainable consumption has received a lot of attention from many regions and countries around the world recently. This study investigates factors that influence consumers' sustainable consumption intentions in Vietnam. Despite the growing importance of sustainable consumption, marketing managers still lack adequate information on how to promote it to consumers. This study aims to address this gap by examining the impact of environmental knowledge, man-nature orientation, environmental advertising, and demographic factors such as income, major, degree, age, and gender on sustainable consumption intention. An online survey was used to collect data from 460 people in Vietnam. The data was processed using multivariate linear regression analysis, Cronbach alpha, ANOVA, and other methods to identify factors affecting sustainable consumption intentions in Vietnam. The results show that man-nature orientation and environmental advertising have a positive impact on sustainable consumption intentions. Furthermore, the study also found a strong relationship between environmental advertising and man-nature orientation as well as natural and environmental knowledge. In contrast, the study did not find a relationship between environmental knowledge and sustainable consumption intentions. These results provide theoretical and practical implications for marketing managers in developing effective communication strategies to promote sustainable consumption and encourage environmentally friendly consumption intentions.
Competitive Strategies for Corporate Sustainability
Authors:   Universiti Malaya, Mustapha Mohd Zulkhairi , Zakaria Zarina ,   Universiti Malaya, Md Rahin Nurliana ,   Universiti Malaya, Wahab Noorsakinah Binti Abdul ,   National University of Malaysia
Published: January 2024

This is an exploratory study to gain insight among tax and ESG practitioners on the linkage between ESG and tax compliance. Prior studies used secondary data to examine the association between ESG and tax avoidance and reported inconclusive results. This leads to speculative discussion to support the results, among which are corporate ethics and corporate hypocrisy. This motivates the study to examine the perception among parties involved to understand their views on the relationship. A total of 22 personnel representing firms, consultants, and regulator are interviewed. We found a gap between firms and tax regulators and consultant perception of the link between ESG and tax compliance. There is also an inconsistent perception among sustainability and tax personnel in firms. Interestingly, we found only the government-linked companies perceived tax compliance to be part of social components. Our study implies that there is evidence to support negative and no relationship between tax avoidance and ESG but no evidence to support corporate hypocrisy.
Bioanalyzer High Sensitivity DNA Kit v1
Authors: Sabic Ksenija
Published: January 2024

This protocol explains how to use the Agilent High Sensitivity DNA Bioanalyzer Kit.
JMN-MSMP NIA Automated Histological Staining v1
Authors: not provided ccherry
Published: January 2024

SenNet aged mouse histological staining from NIA
A novel approach to improve reliability of aerosol jet printing process
Authors: Winnicki Marcin , Łapa Wojciech , Świadkowski Bartosz
Published: January 2024

Additive manufacturing is gaining interest for printing of noble metals. In this study, aerosol jet printing was applied to fabricate traces from commercial silver nanoparticle ink. A self-built three dimensional printing machine was used without or with in-line substrate heating. Subsequently, sintering was conducted by furnace or near-infrared source. Examination of the sample using scanning electron and atomic force microscopy revealed the existence of both micro- and nanoscale pores in the structure. Local open porosity, aerosol extensive spatter and wide porous overspray were key defects found in samples printed without substrate heating. All the features affect the properties and reliability of silver prints. In-line process heating increased the concentration of nanoparticles and limited defects formation. The final structure was influenced by sintering method and its time. Elongated time of sintering decreased porosity and roughness of the printed traces. Nevertheless, IR sintering provided the smoothest sample surface, and significantly improved bonding of aggregates.
Reduction of dynamic loads in the drive system of mining scraper conveyors through the use of an innovative highly flexible metal coupling
Authors: Wieczorek Andrzej Norbert , Konieczny Łukasz , Wojnar Grzegorz , Wyroba Rafał , Filipowicz Krzysztof , Kuczaj Mariusz
Published: January 2024

The article provides a discussion on the results of the original studies of a power transmission system of a mining scraper conveyor coupled with an innovative highly flexible clutch, conducted in operating conditions. The research consisted in establishing the static characteristics of the highly flexible clutch in question, determining the torsional vibrations of the said highly flexible clutch and the vibrations of the transmission housings at a test rig, verifying if the coupling between the innovative flexible clutch and a typical scraper conveyor drive unit was correct, and testing durability of individual components of the highly flexible clutch. Following the aforementioned tests, one can distinguish three phases of its operation: initial, main, and final – all differing in terms of flexibility. Furthermore, upon increasing the flexibility of the metal clutch, a significant decline in the root mean square (RMS) values of linear vibration accelerations was observed compared to the blocked condition of the clutch.
Adsorption of Diclofenac from Aqueous Solution by Amine-Functionalized Poly (Acrylonitrile-Co-Acrylic Acid) Microparticles Adsorbent
Authors: Mohamad Zakira Amalin , Md Jamil Siti Nurul Ain , Subri Nur Nida Syamimi , Ismail Farhana Syakirah , Daik Rusli
Published: January 2024

In this study, the synthesis of poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) and poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) (poly(ACN-co-AAc)) was carried out via redox polymerization, using sodium bisulphate (SBS) and potassium persulphate (KPS) as initiators. Subsequently, the resulting poly(ACN-co-AAc) was functionalized with ethanolamine (ETA) and ethylenediamine (EDA) to utilize as adsorbents for the removal of diclofenac from an aqueous solution. Both unfunctionalized and functionalized poly(ACN-co-AAc) were characterized using Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. The effects of pH, initial concentration of diclofenac solution, contact time, and adsorbent dosage were investigated during the adsorption process. The isotherm data were best fitted by the Langmuir model, indicating a mono-layered adsorption mechanism. The maximum adsorption capacities obtained from the Langmuir equation were higher for ETA-functionalized poly(ACN-co-AAc) at 120.5 mg/g, as compared to EDA-functionalized poly(ACN-co-AAc) at 80.6 mg/g. The experimental kinetic results showed that the pseudo-second-order model was a good fit for describing the adsorption rate of diclofenac for both ETA-functionalized poly(ACN-co-AAc) and EDA-functionalized poly(ACN-co-AAc), with R2 values of 0.9930 and 0.9906, respectively. This suggests that the chemisorption process is more favourable for the adsorption of diclofenac when using both types of adsorbents.
Association Analysis of a GSTP1 Functional Polymorphism with Methamphetamine Dependence and Associated Symptoms in a Multiethnic Malaysian Population
Authors: Zakariah Hasif Adli , Nik Abdul Rahman Nik Nur Syaheerah , Wu Yuan Seng , Wahab Suzaily , Abdul Rashid Rusdi , Sim Maw Shin
Published: January 2024

Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant that is highly addictive and has been widely linked to the adverse effect on brain. METH-induced oxidative stress can be effectively protected by glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). Genetic polymorphism of GST gene family may affect the susceptibility of METH users to its dependence and associated symptoms. Therefore, this study investigated the association of a functional single nucleotide polymorphism rs1695 of GSTP1 gene with METH-induced symptoms and dependence in a Malaysian population, including Malay, Chinese, Kadazan-Dusun, and Bajau ethnic groups. Genotyping for GSTP1 rs1695 polymorphism from 230 METH-dependent male subjects and 232 healthy male controls was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RLFP). For statistical analyses, the χ2 test and Fisher’s were performed in this research. The results showed a significant difference between GSTP1 rs1695 polymorphism and METH dependence in the Malay and Chinese populations. Our findings suggest that the GSTP1 rs1695 polymorphism may have possibility to methamphetamine dependence in the Malay and Chinese populations but not in other ethnicities. Furthermore, the Malay ethnic group who carried the -105G allele might have a protective role for METH-induced mania.
Basic therapeutic approaches to the management of hematology/oncology patients with new coronavirus infection (COVID-19)
Authors: Misyurina E. N. , Baryakh E. A. , Frolova N. F. , Kotenko O. N. , Mutovina Z. Yu. , Andreev S. S. , Tolstykh T. N. , Yatskov K. V. , Karimova E. A. , Makeshova A. B. , Rukavitsyn O. A. , Misyurin A. V. , Polyakov Yu. Yu. , Mingalimov M. A. , Chudnova T. S. , Gagloeva D. E. , Ivanova D. D. , Koneva A. I. , Kochneva O. L. , Zotina E. N. , Grishina E. Yu. , Shimanovskaya L. T. , Yakimets V. N. , Zhelnova E. I.
Published: January 2024

In December 2019, cases of severe respiratory infection were reported in Wuhan, China. The disease was caused by a new, previously undescribed coronavirus, structurally similar to the then known SARS-CoV virus. The World Health Organization has named the new virus SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes COVID-19. The problem of COVID-19 is exacerbated by the rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the development of life-threatening complications, the main of which is pneumonia. Due to the severity of the condition, from 5 to 10 % of patients are treated in intensive care units.

SARS-CoV-2 initially attacks the respiratory system and causes symptoms such as fever, vomiting, headache, dizziness, general weakness, and diarrhea. Then these symptoms intensify in different directions, and the disease can often lead to death.

Initially, only a few methods of symptomatic treatment were available and clinical trials of drugs that had previously shown their effectiveness against infection with the MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV viruses began. Temporary recommendations have appeared suggesting the use of some drugs both in monotherapy and in combination.

In patients with hematologic malignancies, the immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is significantly reduced, which explains the high mortality rate (up to 38 %) of these patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recently, antiviral drugs and monoclonal antibodies have become available for pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis, as well as for early treatment of COVID-19. These treatments should be offered to patients at high risk of severe COVID-19 and to those who have not responded to vaccination. However, as changes in the genetic structure of the virus accumulate, some treatments may lose their clinical effectiveness against new variants.

The combination of hematological malignancies and new coronavirus infection causes a more severe course of COVID-19 compared to the population and high mortality. Factors for an unfavorable prognosis for new coronavirus infection in patients with hematological malignancies include age over 60 years, a high comorbidity index, diagnoses such as acute leukemia, especially acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, disease status (relapse, progression, as well as newly diagnosed acute leukemia), severe COVID-19, agranulocytosis (myelotoxic or tumor).
Treatment features of adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gagloeva D. E. , Misyurina E. N. , Tolstykh T. N. , Baryakh E. A. , Yatskov K. V. , Karimova E. A. , Makeshova A. B. , Mingalimov M. A. , Chudnova T. S. , Ivanova D. D. , Koneva A. I. , Kochneva O. L. , Zotina E. N. , Grishina E. Yu. , Shimanovskaya L. T. , Yakimets V. N. , Zhelnova E. I.
Published: January 2024

Background. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly aggressive oncological disease of the blood and bone marrow, requiring extremely toxic chemotherapy and massive supportive treatment to achieve stable remission. Currently, there is no work to provide medical care to these patients with a high risk of coronavirus infection. This paper presents treatment results of a large AML patient cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim. To assess the clinical features of coronavirus infection in AML patients.

Materials and methods. A retrospective cohort study included patients hospitalized at City Clinical Hospital No. 52 (Moscow) between March 2020 and March 2022. Study inclusion criteria: 1) AML diagnosed within the last 3 years before the development of the COVID-19 pandemic; 2) age over 18 years; 3) laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2. AML status (newly diagnosed AML, relapse/refractory disease, remission), age, gender, comorbidity index, previous AML therapy and its outcomes were also assessed.

Results. Among 218 patients with acute leukemia, 60 (27.5 %) patients had acute lymphoid leukemia, 158 (72.5 %) had AML. Patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia were allocated to a separate group - 20 (9 %) patients. The statistical data of the remaining 138 (63.5 %) patients with AML, their survival and mortality rates were assessed, and the main prognostic factors influencing the mortality and severity of coronavirus infection were identified. Also, our own results were compared with world statistics.

Conclusion. Coronavirus infection in AML patients significantly worsens the prognosis. The main factors influencing the severity of coronavirus infection and survival and mortality rates are age, somatic status of patients due to the presence of concomitant chronic diseases, the development of deep hypoplasia of hematopoiesis, and the active AML status (disease onset or resistant course).
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia in combination with COVID-19: clinical features and unfavorable prognosis factors
Authors: Kochneva O. L. , Baryakh E. A. , Misyurina E. N. , Zhelnova E. I. , Yatskov K. V. , Chudnova T. S. , Polyakov Yu. Yu. , Makeshova A. B. , Mingalimov M. A. , Ivanova D. D. , Shimanovskaya L. T. , Zotina E. N. , Tolstykh T. N. , Grishina E. Yu. , Gagloeva D. E. , Yakimets V. N. , Koneva A. I. , Karimova E. A.
Published: January 2024

Background. At the end of 2019, a new coronavirus infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus was registered. In March 2020, the first cases of COVID-19 were detected in Moscow. Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, characterized by profound immune dysfunction, have risk factors for severe viral disease.

Aim. To identify risk factors for hospital mortality and severe course of COVID-19, as well as to optimize therapeutic and preventive measures.

Materials and methods. The analysis included 238 patients (142 (59 %) men and 96 (41 %) women) with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and COVID-19 with a median age of 66 (37-90) years, who were hospitalized at City Clinical Hospital No. 52 (Moscow) between April 2020 and April 2023. To compare hospital mortality and severity of COVID-19, patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the hospitalization period: 2020-2021 and 2022-2023, which correlates with the prevalence of some SARS-CoV-2 variants from December 2021 and changes in Moscow epidemiological situation.

Results. Overall hospital mortality rate in 2020-2021 was 25 % (n = 45). Age over 73 years was a significant unfavorable factor in men. Cardiovascular diseases increase the risk of death by 2.3 times. Patients with a Charlson Comorbidity Index of 6 or more have a 2.2 times greater risk of death. A history of 1 or more lines of immunochemotherapy increased the risk of hospital mortality by 1.5 times. Relapse/progression of the disease were factors of unfavorable prognosis for patient survival. Binet stage C also showed a significant unfavorable prognosis. When studying all cases of death (n = 51), complications such as myelotoxic agranulocytosis, secondary bacterial complications and severe interstitial pulmonary damage >75 % were identified.

Conclusion. Coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 represents an infectious threat among patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and may affect the regimen and tactics of antitumor therapy. The use of a full range of preventive measures, vaccination and pre-exposure prophylaxis in this cohort of patients is of great importance.
Data Transmission Security and Legal Regulation in Clinical Application of Human Gene Editing from Perspective of Big Data
Authors: Liao Linsen , Cao Xinghua
Published: January 2024

Gene editing, as an emerging biotechnology, has enormous potential for application but also brings various risks. Considering the current development status of gene editing technology, the criminal regulation of gene editing is based on the theory of risk criminal law. Ethical safety should be protected as a legal interest, and specific criminalization standards should be used to distinguish gene editing for therapeutic purposes, human embryo gene editing, and other types of gene editing behavior. In view of the many problems currently existing in gene editing legislation, at the legislative level, it is necessary to balance the expansion of legal provisions brought about by risk criminal law theory and the exoneration brought about by allowed risk theory, with administrative legal norms in place, and the criminal law should exercise restraint on emerging technologies; At the judicial level, by referring to the understanding of judicial interpretations of similar crimes, corrections can be made to the elements of criminal composition, serious circumstances, and deficiencies in unit crimes.
San Andreas Fault Earthquake Hazard Model Validation Using Probabilistic Analysis of Precariously Balanced Rocks and Bayesian Updating
Authors: Rood Anna H. , Stafford Peter J. , Rood Dylan H.
Published: January 2024

The Mojave section of the San Andreas fault is the closest section to the megacity of greater Los Angeles. A major issue for the population is that the life-threatening hazard estimate of a future rare, large earthquake on this fault section is highly uncertain and untested at timescales and ground motions beyond limited historical recordings. Of relevance to this issue is that the nearby precariously balanced rocks at Lovejoy Buttes have survived these ground motions, despite the past tens of thousands of years of San Andreas fault earthquakes. Therefore, the fragility and age of these precariously balanced rocks provide crucial ground-motion constraints over the timescales of rare, large San Andreas fault earthquakes. We rigorously validate and update an earthquake hazard model for the Mojave section of the San Andreas fault using the independent observational data of precariously balanced rock survival at Lovejoy Buttes. The joint probability of survival of all five studied precariously balanced rocks was used to validate the hazard estimates and reweight the estimates using new Bayesian updating methods to deliver an improved, precariously balanced rock-informed earthquake hazard estimate. At an annual frequency of exceedance of 1×10−4  yr−1, equivalent to a mean return period of 10,000 yr, the precariously balanced rock survival data significantly reduced the mean hazard ground-motion estimate by 65% and the 5th–95th fractile uncertainty range by 72%. The magnitude of this inconsistency provides striking evidence for the need to reevaluate both the source and ground-motion components of our earthquake hazard model for the southern San Andreas fault.
Machine Learning Models for Detecting Pesticides in Chlorinated Drinking Water Distribution Systems
Authors:   , Fasnacht Angela Maria , Sales Christopher
Published: January 2024

This dissertation encompasses anomaly detection, pesticide kinetics, and optimized machine learning models. It demonstrates the potential of machine learning techniques in predicting the occurrence of pesticides in chlorinated drinking water distribution systems. By using data from online sensors that capture water quality parameters from a prototype drinking water system, in which pesticides such as glyphosate, Dicamba, and Aldicarb were introduced, regression models were successfully created that were capable of identifying anomalies associated with pesticide presence or their byproducts in an aqueous environment rich in chlorine. In total, six regression algorithms-Decision Tree Regressor (DTR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), KNN Regressor (KNNR), Random Forest Regressor (RFR), Gradient Boosting Regressor (GBR), and Ada Boost Regressor (ABR)-were created and assessed as prediction models for leveraging historical data to uncover patterns between input features and target variables, to predict pesticide presence in the piped system ultimately. This thesis project employed data preprocessing, division into training and testing subsets, feature selection, and hyperparameter tuning methods to enhance model accuracy and efficiency. For example, the evaluation of the six regression models was assessed through metrics such as R-squared (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MAE). The random forest regression (RFR) and gradient boosting regressor (GBR) algorithms demonstrate promising R2 scores for predicting glyphosate and Aldicarb. For Dicamba, meticulous hyperparameter tuning resulted in the RFR algorithm achieving an impressive R2 score of 0.87, closely followed by KNNR and GBR with R2 scores of 0.86, underscoring the critical role of hyperparameter tuning in optimizing the predictive capabilities of regression algorithms. By effectively integrating machine learning techniques with water quality data, this dissertation also offers valuable insights into water quality assessment, emphasizing the potential for early detection 15 of pesticide contamination within drinking water distribution systems. In addition to machine learning, early logistic regression detection was used to develop a model for identifying potential pesticide events. While the models developed in this dissertation have the potential to contribute significantly to the field of innovative contamination detection, promoting public health, and advancing sustainability, it is essential to acknowledge the limitation of the datasets used to develop the models and the interpretability of results of the models, to assess their potential benefits and shortcomings.
The Exploration of African American Male Alumni's Perspectives on the Experience and Impact of Attending an HBCU in the Atlanta Area
Authors:   , Green Murrell , Hill Deanna
Published: January 2024

African American male enrollment in higher education has been declining for decades and African American male completion rates in higher education continue to demonstrate wide disparities. Explanations for these statistics are too often framed through deficit lenses that reinforce negative stereotypes about the motivations and capabilities of African American males. Taking up calls to focus research on African American men who have been successful in higher education, this study sought to better understand the experiences of alumni from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the Atlanta area in selecting and successfully completing their bachelor's degrees. HBCUs, originally designed for the education of freed slaves, continue to educate a significant percentage of African American male collegians. The following research questions guided the study: Which academic and social factors influenced African American male alumni's selection of an HBCU? How did Black male alumni of HBCUs navigate their undergraduate experiences? How have Black male alumni of HBCUs come to define academic success? How has the HBCU experience affected African American male alumni's present-day lives? The study was informed by African American Male Theory which explicitly recognizes the distinctiveness of being Black and male, acknowledges the resilience and resistance of African American males, and seeks social justice. The researcher administered a demographic questionnaire, conducted semi-structured interviews, and collected artifacts from ten participants. Additionally, the researcher kept a researcher's journal to bracket bias and to capture field notes to augment the interview data. The researcher coded the data and identified three major themes and six subthemes. Based on the themes and subthemes, the researcher produced four results: 1) early exposure to HBCUs from family, mentors, and community members was pivotal to the selection of HBCUs by African American male students seeking higher education; 2) the exposure to HBCUs in television/movies, specifically the works of The Cosby Show and A Different World, played a major role in African American males' decisions to applying to and attend Atlanta University Center institutions; 3) the familial and caring culture of HBCUs is instrumental for academic success; and 4) the overall success of African American male HBCU alumni was not defined solely by material gain. The findings and results informed recommendations for practice and for future research.
Pembelajaran Bahasa Arab melalui Media WhatsApp
Authors: Hidayat Faza Itsnani , Asrori Imam
Published: January 2024

Aplikasi WhatsApp mulanya dirancang sebagai media komunikasi dapat dimanfaatkan menjadi media pembelajaran karena fiturnya mampu menunjang pelaksanaan pembelajaran secara daring. Permasalahan yang terjadi saat menggunakan WhatsApp pada siswa MTs adalah tidak adanya komunikasi yang membangun secara langsung dengan emosional dari guru. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan pemanfaatan, kesulitan yang dihadapi, dan upaya yang ditempuh dalam penggunaan aplikasi WhatsApp pada siswa MTs dan guru. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif. Lokasi penelitian bertempat di MTs Darul Hikmah Tawang­sari Tulungagung. Pengumpulan data menggunakan teknik observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi terhadap empat orang siswa dan guru bahasa Arab. Analisis data menggunakan teori Miles dan Hubberman dengan empat tahapan kemudian data yang diperoleh diolah hingga data teruji secara empiris. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan pemanfaatan WhatsApp dapat menciptakan sarana interaksi guru dan siswa dalam kegiatan belajar mengajar menjadi lebih efektif dan efisien, kesulitan yang dihadapi guru dan siswa melalui aplikasi WhatsApp yaitu faktor guru yang belum terbiasa serta gangguan layanan internet, meningkatnya kualitas dan kemampuan diri termasuk beradaptasi dengan pola-pola komunikasi yang baru dengan pemanfaatan teknologi digital sehingga penggunaan media pembelajaran WhatsApp dapat terlaksana sesuai dengan kebutuhan.
Kata Kunci: daring, pendidikan bahasa Arab, siswa, WhatsApp.
Arabic Language Learning through WhatsApp Media
The WhatsApp application, originally designed as a communication medium, can be utilized as a learning medium because its features can support online learning activities. However, the problem that arises when using WhatsApp for MTs students is the lack of direct and emotional communication with the teacher. This research aims to describe the utilization, difficulties faced, and efforts made in using the WhatsApp application for MTs students and teachers. The research uses a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, conducted at MTs Darul Hikmah Tawangsari Tulungagung. Data collection techniques include observation, interviews, and documentation of four Arabic language students and teachers. Data analysis uses Miles and Hubberman's theory with four stages, and the data obtained is processed until it is empirically tested. The results show that the use of WhatsApp can create a more effective and efficient means of interaction between teachers and students in teaching and learning activities. The difficulties faced by teachers and students through the WhatsApp application are the teacher's unfamiliarity with the application and internet service disruptions. However, the use of WhatsApp for learning can increase the quality and self-ability, including adapting to new communication patterns using digital technology, so that the use of WhatsApp as a learning medium can be implemented according to needs.
Keywords: online, Arabic language education, students, WhatsApp.
A comparative and prospective study of ventral hernia repair by laparoscopic and open technique
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Chumber Sunil
Published: January 2024

Background: Ventral hernia repair is becoming more common through laparoscopic techniques; however, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the associated complication rates. We undertook a prospective study to contrast the early establishments of laparoscopic and open ventral hernia surgeries in order to fill this gap. The aim of the study was to assess and contrast the efficiency and reliability of open and laparoscopic techniques for the treatment of ventral hernias.
Methods: A prospective study was carried out at All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi, India between 2011 and 2014 to assess the dissimilarities between open and laparoscopic approaches in ventral hernia repairs. The study included a total of 40 cases each for open/laparoscopic ventral hernia repair procedures.
Results: Eighty cases were investigated, forty of which underwent open repairs and forty of which underwent laparoscopic procedures. In this study, the oldest patient was 77 years old, and the youngest patient was 25 years old. The vast majority (49%) of patients were in their fourth to sixth decades of life. Incisional hernias were in bulk, that had formed from earlier midline lower scars. In both open and laparascopic surgery, there were 40 patients- 43 females and 37 males.  
Conclusions: Ventral hernia repair via laparoscopic surgery is showing encouraging results and is currently a widely used technique. When compared to open repairs, it has benefits like decreased postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and fewer short-term problems. Laparoscopic hernia surgery also results in a lower risk of wound infections, an earlier restoration of bowel function, and a quicker return to regular activities.