bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SOFTWARE APPLICATION FOR THE POST-OPERATIVE FUNCTIONAL-ADAPTIVE BRA DESIGN
Authors: Raru Aliona , Floreaburduja Elena , Farima Daniela , Irovan Marcela , Lupu Iuliana gabriela
Published: February 2023

The functionality of the clothing product is determined by its structure, namely by the textile structure, the design solution, the processing technology. The post-operative functional-adaptive bra, intended for women wearing external breast prostheses, has the role of providing the necessary breast support and fixing the external breast prosthesis in the necessary position. Bras for women wearing external breast prostheses are provided with bra pockets to fix the prosthesis. Functional and ergonomic design of clothing products for people with special needs involves the customization (individualization) of clothing design methods, depending on the wearer's requirements (type of disability, anthropometric peculiarities) as well as the characteristics of the field of use (environmental conditions and body state). All these involve a large amount of work and time. The paper presents a software application for the basic pattern bra product design for women post mastectomy. As initial data for the application there were used: the type of fabric from which the bra is made, anthropometric data on the wearer as well as characteristics of the external breast prosthesis. The application is based on combining knowledge in the field of clothing design with the possibilities of mathematical modelling of the design stages and solving them with the help of computer science theory. The application is an open architecture which allows its completion and / or modification according to needs. The software application can be used as an e-learning tool in teaching and research activities. As a further direction of development it is proposed to supplement the application database with the data needed to build the bra model.
CHALLENGES IN THE CURRENT DISTANCE EDUCATION PARADIGM
Authors: Dumbraveanu Roza
Published: February 2023

The transfer to distance education imposed to the universities in an emergency regime raised many challenges for the teachers, regardless of their level of readiness for this process. In addition to the management and the infrastructure aspects, the shift to distance education revealed a set of problems inherent to the teaching & learning & assessment regardless the face-to-face, blended, online or distance forms of education. The paper highlights the challenges related to adoption of e-didactics; the common features and differences between classical didactics and didactics integrated with Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), focused on learning design; the weaknesses and the impediments for the implementation of Open Educational Resources (OER); the professional competences that teachers must demonstrate in the digital age. Not only the purely digital competencies of teachers are important, but to a much greater extent, the professional competencies related to the scientific content they teach, to didactics in general and didactics of the discipline in particular, to transposing content into digital format via ICT, to skills in e-didactics. The concept of e-didactics is practically missing in the Romanian Education area; respectively there is no research in this field to be made public by academics in Romanian space. The descriptions and statements in this article are based on works from English, available on the Web. The Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework model is described shortly. Some aspects related to the digital divide are discussed. The development of the concept didactics in e-didactics and the understanding of the correlation between them offer new opportunities to implement the teaching & learning & assessment process in the digital age.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists in the treatment of obesity
Authors: Mazurek Magdalena , Białowąs Edyta , Dybała Ewelina , Cuber Iwona , Aghadi Artur
Published: February 2023

Background: Obesity is an increasing problem in the modern world due to increased morbidity and due to its clinical consequences. It is a chronic disease that causes the development of numerous complications, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes or cancer. The problem of the excessive body weight is global and affects over 2 billion people around the world. Due to the increasing problem of obesity, pharmacotherapy is recommended in patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 or BMI ≥27 kg/m2 with accompanying risk factors.
To fight obesity, however, we primarily use lifestyle modification methods, such as a rational and balanced diet based on reduced caloric content and a low-carbohydrate diet. Another aspect is the use of the optimal amount of exercise of moderate intensity. Only the combination of all these methods gives a real chance for long-term weight loss and maintenance.
Scientific research on GLP-1 analogue drugs such as semaglutide and liraglutide brings us a lot of prospects. The mechanism of their action is based on mimicking the natural GLP-1 secreted in the body.
Aim of the study: The following article as an analysis of the current medical knowledge on the effectiveness and safety of obesity treatment with GLP-1 agonists based on available publications.
Methods and materials: Literature review based on PubMed data using the following key words: obesity; semaglutide; Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists
State of knowledge: GLP-1 receptor agonists are incretin drugs. This class of drugs has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Results: Numerous studies have shown that chronic systemic delivery of GLP-1 agonists led to weight loss and helped to maintain a lower body weight. Reduction in food intake is reported as the main mechanism.
The impact of educating blood donors on plasmapheresis and plasma applications on the availability of plasma-derived medicinal products
Authors: Sutkowski Jakub , Wilczewska Ewelina , Matyka Kamila , Słowiaczek Anna , Baranowska Alicja , Wojnar Marcin , Matyszewska Aleksandra
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Human plasma contains valuable proteins such as albumin, globulins and coagulation factors. These ingredients are used to obtain medicinal products (PDMPs - plasma-derived medicinal products) used in many fields of medicine. The growing number of indications for their use causes an increase in the demand for plasma collected from blood donors. Most donors, however, choose to donate whole blood, which provides a lower amount of plasma than plasmapheresis.

Purpose of the study: This study aims to indicate the reasons why donors do not decide to donate plasma by apheresis, to show the role of informing donors about the plasmapheresis, about the uses of plasma collected and about the safety of the process. The work also presents examples of PDMPs applications that can be used in the process of educating donors, which may contribute to increasing the number of plasma donors and, at the same time, the availability of PDMPs.

Material and methods: A review of scientific research (using Pubmed, Google Scholar databases), medical books and materials published on websites of institutions related to blood donation regulations was conducted.

Results: The reasons why blood donors do not decide to donate plasma include, among others, longer donation time and lack of knowledge about plasmapheresis. The decision to donate plasma via plasmapheresis is influenced not only by the fact of informing the donor about such a possibility, but also by the content and manner of providing the information. Due to the greater amount of plasma obtained each time by plasmapheresis compared to the separation of whole blood, an increase in the number of donors undergoing plasmapheresis may indirectly positively affect the availability of plasma-derived medicinal products
Rosyjska agresja militarna na Ukrainę a bezpieczeństwo energetyczne Polski
Authors: Hebda Wiktor
Published: February 2023

The chapter presents selected aspects of Poland’s energy security in the context of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. An analysis of the updates to the Energy Policy of Poland until 2040, adopted in March 2022 is offered. The next section describes the condition of the Polish fossil fuel sector in 2022. Finally, a concise prognostic analysis of Poland’s energy security in the coming months of 2023 is outlined.
Bezpieczeństwo wywiadowcze Polski po 24 lutego 2022 roku
Authors: Kolaszyński Mateusz
Published: February 2023

The aim of this chapter is to analyze the current state of Poland’s intelligence community. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine marked the beginning of a sea change in this area of functioning intelligence worldwide. This article is composed of two main parts. The first part provides the activity of the Polish intelligence services in the new situation. The second section focusses on the perspective of reform in the Polish intelligence community.
Democracy on the Periphery of Modern Society: Structures, Semantics and Expectations
Authors: Farías Raúl Zamorano
Published: February 2023

The problem of social order in the periphery of modern society is problematized on the conceptual architecture of the General Theory of Social Systems (TGSS), tracing the semantic and expectative forms of the structures’ institutionalization, and the reproduced and parasitized artifacts in those structures which, paradoxically, construct the functional and differentiated preeminent order in the modernity of modern society. The capture of the state apparatus by particular structures has been one of the characteristics that define the articulation of order in the region. Structures (family, group, clientelistic inclusion networks) that have been stabilizing, and even define the expectations that guide the assumptions of functional differentiation, operating factually with the logic of a stratified social order, promoting clientelist relations and practices and excluding exclusivity that, rather than weakening, strengthens the ‘citizen’ experience, promoting the permanent oscillation between ‘legality’ and illegality that permeates deeply the organic and structural interstices of the social order in this periphery.
“Yo no sé caminar Comodoro”. Pluralismo jurídico y garantía de derechos para personas migrantes en contextos de desigualdades sociales (Patagonia, Argentina)
Authors: Baeza Brígida , Oyarzo Carlos Barria
Published: February 2023

“I DON’T KNOW HOW TO WALK COMODORO”: LEGAL PLURALISM AND GUARANTEE OF RIGHTS FOR MIGRANTS IN THE CONTEXTS OF SOCIAL INEQUALITIES (PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA)
In this paper, we analyze the difficulties in access to social rights in Argentina by migrant groups from neighboring countries, particularly women from the Andean world (Bolivia), in the justice field. In an ethnographic approach and with contributions from the decolonial perspective, we present various situations that Quechua‑speaking women experience in the Cuenca del Golfo San Jorge (Argentina) which exemplify a set of restrictions and violence that operate in the context of social inequalities. Thus, some social practices linked to differential ways of understanding life in society and justice stand out, resignified in the migratory context that accounts for the agency of migrant groups. State institutions must initiate a process of transformation focused on legal pluralism, the intercultural approach, and the intersectionality of gender perspectives.
IDENTIFICAÇÃO DOS RISCOS NA PRODUÇÃO DE FLORES E PLANTAS ORNAMENTAIS: EVIDÊNCIAS A PARTIR DA REGIÃO DE HOLAMBRA/ SP
Authors: Alvarenga Mayara Davoli , Silveira Rodrigo Lanna Franco da , Buainain Antônio Márcio
Published: February 2023

O objetivo deste trabalho é identificar os principais fatores de risco existentes no segmento produtor de flores e plantas ornamentais. A partir de entrevistas com produtores da região de Holambra-SP, foram avaliados os eventos de risco mais frequentes e aqueles de maior impacto financeiro na atividade. Os resultados mostram que, dentre os cinco principais fatores de risco deste setor, três deles estão associados ao risco de produção – possibilidade de incidência de praga e doenças na planta e ocorrência de vento. Eventos atrelados ao risco de mercado, relativo à oscilação do preço da flor, e ao risco operacional, ligado a problemas de qualificação da mão-de-obra, também se fizeram presentes. As evidências obtidas se constituem em um primeiro passo para análise e execução de políticas de gestão integrada de risco para esta atividade.
ANÁLISE ESCALAR DO DESENVOLVIMENTO NAS POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS PARA O ARRANJO E SITEMA PRODUTIVO E INOVATIVO LOCAL - Aspil
Authors: Oliveira Do Bu Araújo Thayse Andrezza , Cavalcanti Ramalho Ângela Maria
Published: February 2023

Este artigo analisa as políticas públicas de fomento do Arranjo e Sistema Produtivo e Inovativo Local - ASPIL de artefatos e confecções de algodão colorido da Paraíba, a partir da perspectiva escalar do desenvolvimento. Para tanto, foi traçada uma pesquisa usando um campo, com aplicação de entrevistas e questionários na coleta de dados, além de revisão da literatura. Verificou-se que o ASPIL aqui analisado se desenvolveu a partir de estratégias de órgãos públicos locais. Contudo, depois de 2010, a falta de políticas públicas de apoio ao arranjo culminou no alargamento de entraves. Mesmo assim, as empresas do arranjo têm se destacado no cenário da moda internacional, devido às parcerias com os atores da escala macro. Por outro lado, desde 2016, tem sido estruturada uma política pública com visão multi-escalar de fomento aos arranjos, por se entender que, a análise a partir das escalas proporcionam a orientação das políticas de desenvolvimento.
Keragaman jenis dan persen penutupan tumbuhan air di ekosistem Danau Laut Tawar, Takengon, Provinsi Aceh
Authors: Dewiyanti Irma
Published: February 2023

Abstract. Primary production in freshwater can be observed with the existing of aquatic plants includes micro and macrophyte. The study of aquatic plant is necessary due to the plant has important in aquatic environments, such as providing habitat, spawning ground, feeding ground, and nursery ground for aquatic biota. This study was conducted in June 2012, and the purposes were to identify species of aquatic plants and their percent cover in Lake Laut Tawar, Takengon. Sampling were conducted using quadrate transects of 0.5 x 0.5 m2, and the every transect was divided into 25 sampling points. A total of 10 species of aquatic plants were found and there were divided into four groups based on their morpho-ecology i.e. emergent, free floating, free submerged and rooted with floating leaves. Of these, emergent group was the most predominant (six species), followed by free floating (two species), free submerged (one species), and rooted with floating leave (one species). Hydrilla verticillata (free submerged group) and Eichhornia crassipes (free floating group) had the highest percent covers and density.
Uji kadar formalin, kadar garam dan total bakteri ikan asin tenggiri asal Kabupaten Sarmi Provinsi Papua
Authors: Y. Salosa Yenni
Published: February 2023

Abstract.  Food safety is depending on the accurence of a dangerous fisical, chemical and microbiology components. Quality of food with healty and a complete safe nutrient is the most important things in the food material. Because of food that consume influencing people brain and health. The aim of this research was  to determine the content of formaldehyde, salt and Total Plate Count of bacteria in the  tenggiri salty fish from Sarmi Papua. Formsaldehyde was indentificated by using cromatofat acid method as qualitative and spectrophotometer as quantitative method. Choman method was used to analize salt content. Total Plate Count (TPC) was used for bacterial content analysis. The result showed that Tenggiri salty fish from Sarmi is not contain formaldehyde. About 9.76 % to 16.31 % of salt contant and approximately 24.5 x 10- 5- 49.5 x 10 5 colony/gram of bacterial in total.  This conclude that Tenggiri salty fish have already contaminated by bacterial because it’s higher than Standard National Indonesia obligation for fisheries product about 1 x 105 colony/gram. Keywords: Food safety, chemical and microbiology    Abstrak. Keamanan pangan ditentukan oleh ada tidaknya komponen yang berbahaya secara fisik, kimia maupun mikrobiologi. Makanan yang sehat dengan kandungan gizi yang lengkap dan aman merupakan syarat mutlak yang harus dipenuhi oleh bahan pangan karena pembangunan manusia yang sehat dan cerdas tidak terlepas dari bahan makanan yang dikonsumsi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan kadar formalin, garam serta total bakteri yang terdapat pada produk ikan asin Tenggiri asal Kabupaten Sarmi Provinsi Papua. Identifikasi keberadaan formalin pada ikan asin dilakukan secara kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Pengujian secara kuantitatif memakai spektrofotometer sedangkan uji kualitatif menggunakan metode Asam Kromatofat. Analisis kadar garam ini menggunakan metode Khoman. Sedangkan pada penentuan keberadaan bakteri dilakukan dengan metode Total Plate Count. Hasil penelitian ini diketahui bahwa sampel ikan Tengiri asal Kabupaten Sarmi bebas formalin. Kadar garam dihasilkan  rendah berkisar antara 9,76 % - 16,31 % dan Total bakteri yang dihasilkan pada pengenceran 10-5 total bakteri yang ditemukan berkisar antara 24,5 x 10-5- 49,5 x 105 koloni/gram.  Hal ini menunjukan bahwa ikan asin tenggiri asal Kabupaten Sarmi telah terkontaminasi bakteri dalam kadar Standart Nasional Indonesia untuk produk perikanan dengan garam yang mensyaratkan Total Plate Count 1 x 105 koloni/gram.Kata kunci: Keamanan pangan,  kimia dan mikrobiologi
Penilaian tingkat risiko terumbu karang akibat dampak aktivitas penangkapan ikan dan wisata bahari di Pulau Biawak, Jawa Barat
Authors: Taofiqurohman Ankiq
Published: February 2023

Abstract. Risk assesment of a habitat and its mappingis considerably important in environment appraisal. Biawak Island is a conservation and touristic area, one of its purpose is to bring positive influence to marine resource, both ecologically and economically. Biawak Island is inhibited by coral reefs, where human activities often occurs. Field survey was held during February 2013 in Biawak Island. The observation purpose was to assess coral reef risk in the islandby comparing three marine activities: fishing, diving, and snorkeling. Spatial modelling showed that every coral reef area in Biawak Island had high risk level, especially the southern part. Euclidean calculation result indicated that fishery had been the most influential activity toward coral reef habitat in Biawak Island.Keyword: Biawak Island; Coral reef; Risk assessment. Abstrak . Penilaian risiko terhadap suatu habitat dan pemetaannya sangat penting dalam penilaian keadaan lingkungan. Pulau Biawak merupakan daerah konservasi dan pariwisata, yang salah satu tujuannya adalah untuk memberikan dampak positif pada sumber daya laut baik ekologi maupun ekonomi. Pulau Biawak dikelilingi oleh terumbu karang dan banyak aktivitas manusia terjadi pada terumbu karang tersebut.Survey lapangan telah dilaksanakan pada bulan Februari 2013 di Pulau Biawak. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menilai risiko terumbu karang di Pulau Biawak, dengan membandingkan tiga aktivitas kelautan yaitu penangkapan ikan, menyelam dan snorkeling. Pemodelan spasial menunjukan bahwa semua kawasan terumbu karang di Pulau Biawak pada tingkat kondisi risiko tinggi, terutama di daerah selatan. Hasil perhitungan Euclidean menunjukan bahwa kegiatan penangkapan ikan memberikan dampak yang paling tinggi terhadap habitat terumbu karang di Pulau BiawakKata kunci: Pulau Biawak; Terumbu karang; penilaian risiko.
Penggunaan berbagai asam organik dan bakteri asam laktat terhadap nilai nutrisi limbah ikan
Authors: Handajani Hany , Dwi Hastuti Sri , . Sujono
Published: February 2023

Abstract. Fish silage is a liquid product from fish by product preserved in acid, and could potentially be used as feedstuff. The fish sialge can be produced through both biological andchemical methods, however to date  the the quality of result was low, therefore this study was crucially needed. The research objective was to acquire the right method to improve the nutritional quality of fish silage and produce cheap fish feed ingredients. The factorial completely randomized design was used in the study. The first treatment was the effect of various types of organic acids (formic acid, propionic acid, benzoic acid, sorbic acid, citric acid, acetic acid) and LAB (Lactobacillus casei) to fish silage quality. The second treatment was the effect fermentation time (3, 7 and 14 days) to fish silage quality. The results showed that the highest protein content (45.95%) was occured on treatment using L. casei with fermentation time of 14 days. The highest fat content (5.87%) wasfound on treatment using  L. casei with fermentation time of 14 days. In addition, the lower protein content (30.02%) is occured on treatment using propionic acid  with fermentation time of 3 days, while the lowest fat content (4.77%) was occured on treatment using benzoic acid with fermentation time of 3 days. It was concluded that the best quality of  fish silage was occured on treatment using   L. casei with fermentation time of 14 days.Keywords : fish silage; organic acid; LAB Abstrak. Silase ikan merupakan produk cair dari ikan-ikan yang terbuang/rucah yang diawetkan dalam suasana asam, dan berpotensi digunakan sebagai bahan baku pakan ikan. Pembuatan silase ikan dapat dilakukan dengan cara biologis maupun kimia, dan sampai saat ini belum didapatkan metode yang optimal, sehingga mendapatkan kualitas silase ikan yang tinggi. Tujuan penelitian adalah memperoleh teknologi yang tepat untuk meningkatkan kualitas nutrisi silase limbah ikan dan menghasilkan bahan baku pakan ikan yang murah, mudah didapat dan berkualitas. Rancangan percobaan yang digunakan adalah rancangan acak lengkap pola faktorial. Perlakuan pertama adalah pemberian berbagai jenis asam organik (asam formiat, asam propionat, asam benzoat, asam sorbat, asam sitrat, asam asetat) dan BAL (Lactobacillus casei). Perlakuan kedua adalah waktu fermentasi (3, 7 dan 14 hari). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kandungan protein tertinggi (45,95%) pada silase ikan menggunakan L. casei, waktu fermentasi 14 hari. Kandungan lemak tertinggi (5,87%) pada silase ikan menggunakan L. casei, waktu fermentasi 14 hari.  Kandungan protein terendah (30,02%) pada silase ikan dengan menggunakan asam propionat waktu fermentasi 3 hari, kandungan lemak terendah (4,77%) pada silase ikan menggunakan asam benzoat waktu fermentasi 3 hari. Pembuatan silase ikan yang terbaik adalah dengan cara biologis menggunakan BAL (L. casei) dan waktu fermentasi 14 hari.Kata kunci :silase ikan; asam organik; BAL
Kajian beberapa karakteristik siklon tropis (kasus topan Choi-wan dan Nida di lautan Pasifik Utara bagian barat)
Authors: Asrianti Putri , Bey Ahmad , Ilhamsyah Yopi
Published: February 2023

Abstract. The objective of the research is to analyze the frequency of Tropical Cyclone between 2007-2011 and to analyze Typhoon Choi-wan and Typhoon Nida. Geographical location of the research is between 30-195E, 15-180W dan 60-60N.  Tropical cyclone is a cyclonic originates from tropical oceans and is driven principally by heat transfer from the ocean. Tropical region is an area that receives more intensive solar radiation, so that sea surface temperature is relatively higher then in the pole. High sea surface temperature drive then a low pressure to form which can lead to tropical cyclone that begins with a tropical disturbance and tropical depression, tropical storms and then tropical cyclones. Frequencies of Tropical cyclone occurrences over northern hemisphere are 320 events which are higher than frequencies of tropical cyclone over southern hemisphere, i.e., 132 occasions. Tropical cyclones are analogues to Carnot heat engines. The size of the energy can be expressed as the total entropy s per unit of air mass and its mechanical energy. Carnot cycle is a closed process. During the cycle entropy is produce near sea level where the sea surface temperature is warm and it will be loss near the top of the clouds where the temperature is cold. Carnot cycle in tropical cyclones can produce mechanical energy. Typhoon Choi-wan and Nida produced mechanical energy of 14790.72 J/kg and 13297.28 J/kg, respectively.Keywords : Carnot cycle; Mechanical energy; Tropical cycloneAbstrak. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menganalisis frekuensi kejadian siklon tropis antara tahun 2007-2011 dan menganalisis Topan Choi-wan dan Topan Nida. Domain geografi pada penelitian ini yaitu 30-195˚BT, 15-180˚BB dan 60-60˚LU. Siklon tropis adalah gerakan siklonik yang berasal dari lautan tropik dan digerakkan oleh transfer panas dari lautan. Daerah tropika merupakan daerah yang lebih intensif menerima radiasi matahari, sehingga suhu permukaan laut di daerah tropika lebih tinggi daripada di daerah kutub. Ketika suhu permukaan laut tinggi maka terbentuk pusat tekanan rendah yang dapat memicu terjadinya siklon tropis yang dimulai dengan gangguan tropis lalu depresi tropis, badai tropis selanjutnya terjadi siklon tropis. Frekuensi kejadian siklon tropis di BBU adalah 320 kejadian lebih besar daripada frekuensi kejadian siklon tropis di BBS yaitu 132 siklon tropis. Siklon tropis dianalogikan sebagai mesin Carnot. Ukuran dari energi dapat dihitung melalui total entropi s per unit masa udara dan energi mekanik dari siklon tersebut. Siklus Carnot merupakan proses tertutup. Selama siklus tersebut berlangsung entropi diperoleh dekat permukaan laut dengan suhu yang hangat, dan entropi dapat hilang di dekat awan bagian atas karena suhu awan semakin dingin. Siklus Carnot pada siklon tropis dapat menghasilkan energi mekanik. Energi mekanik siklon tropis Choi-wan yaitu 14790,72 J/kg dan siklon tropis Nida yaitu 13297,28 J/kg.Kata kunci : Siklus Carnot; Energi mekanik; Siklon tropis
Solid-state 360° optical beamforming for reconfigurable multicast optical wireless communications
Authors: Zeng Shihao , Zhang Yanfeng , Liu Junyi , Lin Zhenrui , Lin Zhongzheng , Chen Hongjia , Liu Jie , Yu Siyuan
Published: February 2023

Optical wireless communication is an attractive technique for data center interconnects due to its low latency line-of-sight connectivity. Multicast, on the other hand, is an important data center network function that can improve traffic throughput, reduce latency, and make efficient use of network resources. To enable reconfigurable multicast in data center optical wireless networks, we propose a novel 360° optical beamforming scheme based on the principle of superposition of orbital angular momentum modes, emitting beams from the source rack pointing towards any combination of other racks so that connections are established between the source and multiple destination racks. We experimentally demonstrate the scheme using solid state devices for a scenario where racks are arranged in a hexagonal formation in which a source rack can connect with any number of adjacent racks simultaneously, with each link transmitting 70 Gb/s on-off-keying modulations at bit error rates of <10−6 at 1.5-m and 2.0-m link distances.
Sensitivity and predictive value of dysentery in diagnosing shigellosis among under five children in Zambia
Authors: Miti Sam , Chilyabanyama Obvious N. , Chisenga Caroline C. , Chibuye Mwelwa , Bosomprah Samuel , Mumba Chisenga , Chitondo Salome , Siziya Seter , Cohen Dani , Chilengi Roma , Simuyandi Michelo
Published: February 2023

Background

Shigella is a leading cause of bacterial diarrhea morbidity and mortality affecting mainly children under five in the developing world. In Zambia, Shigella has a high prevalence of 34.7% in children with diarrhea and an attributable fraction of 6.7% in Zambian children with moderate to severe diarrhea. Zambian diarrhea management guidelines and the health ministry reporting tool Health Management Information System (HMIS) heavily rely on the WHO clinical classification of dysentery to potentially identify and estimate the burden of Shigella in children. This reliance on clinical dysentery as a proxy to shigellosis in under five children may be resulting in gross under-estimation of shigella disease burden in Zambia.

Methods

We used existing laboratory and clinical data to examine the sensitivity and predictive value of dysentery to correctly identify Shigella infection in under five children with PCR confirmed Shigella infection in Lusaka and Ndola districts, Zambia.

Results

Clinical dysentery had a sensitivity of 8.5% (34/401) in identifying under five children with Shigella by stool PCR. Dysentery was able to correctly classify Shigella in 34 of 68 bloody stool samples giving a corresponding positive predictive value of 50%. Of the 1087 with non-bloody diarrhea, 720 did not have Shigella giving a negative predictive value of 66.2%.

Conclusions

Use of clinical dysentery as a screening symptom for Shigella infection in children under five presenting with moderate to severe diarrhea has low sensitivity and low positive predictive value respectively. Clinical dysentery as a screening symptom for Shigella contributes to gross under diagnosis and reporting of Shigella infection among under five children in Zambia. Further research is required to better inform practice on more accurate methods or tools to use in support of routine diagnosis, particularly in low middle-income settings where laboratory diagnosis remains a challenge.
Surface defect detection method for electronic panels based on double branching and decoupling head structure
Authors: Wang Le , Huang Xixia , Zheng Zhangjing , Ruan Hui
Published: February 2023

During the production of electronic panels, surface defects will inevitably appear. How to quickly and accurately detect these defects is very important to improve product quality. However, some problems such as high cost and low accuracy are still prominent when existing manual detection and traditional techniques are used to solve such problems. Therefore, more and more computer vision techniques are proposed to solve such problems, but the current application of deep learning-based object detection networks for surface defect detection of electronic panels is in a gap. The analysis found that there are two main reasons for this phenomenon. On the one hand, the surface defects of electronic panels have their unique characteristics such as multi-scale and irregular shape, and the current object detection networks cannot effectively solve these problems. On the other hand, the regression and classification tasks coupled in the current computational mechanism of each network are commonly found to cause the problem of conflict between them, which makes it more difficult to adapt these network models to the detection tasks in this scenario. Based on this, we design a supervised object detection network for electronic panel surface defect detection scenario for the first time. The computational mechanism of this network includes a prediction box generation strategy based on the double branch structure and a detection head design strategy that decouples the regression task from the classification task. In addition, we validated the designed network and the proposed method on our own collected dataset of surface defects in electronic panels. The final results of the comparative and ablation experiments show that our proposed method achieves an average accuracy of 78.897% for 64 surface defect categories, proving that its application to electronic panel surface defect detection scenarios can achieve better results.
Acceptability of risk stratification within population-based cancer screening from the perspective of healthcare professionals: A mixed methods systematic review and recommendations to support implementation
Authors: Taylor Lily C. , Law Katie , Hutchinson Alison , Dennison Rebecca A. , Usher-Smith Juliet A.
Published: February 2023

Background

Introduction of risk stratification within population-based cancer screening programmes has the potential to optimise resource allocation by targeting screening towards members of the population who will benefit from it most. Endorsement from healthcare professionals is necessary to facilitate successful development and implementation of risk-stratified interventions. Therefore, this review aims to explore whether using risk stratification within population-based cancer screening programmes is acceptable to healthcare professionals and to identify any requirements for successful implementation.

Methods

We searched four electronic databases from January 2010 to October 2021 for quantitative, qualitative, or primary mixed methods studies reporting healthcare professional and/or other stakeholder opinions on acceptability of risk-stratified population-based cancer screening. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data were analysed using the Joanna Briggs Institute convergent integrated approach to mixed methods analysis and mapped onto the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research using a ‘best fit’ approach. PROSPERO record CRD42021286667.

Results

A total of 12,039 papers were identified through the literature search and seven papers were included in the review, six in the context of breast cancer screening and one considering screening for ovarian cancer. Risk stratification was broadly considered acceptable, with the findings covering all five domains of the framework: intervention characteristics, outer setting, inner setting, characteristics of individuals, and process. Across these five domains, key areas that were identified as needing further consideration to support implementation were: a need for greater evidence, particularly for de-intensifying screening; resource limitations; need for staff training and clear communication; and the importance of public involvement.

Conclusions

Risk stratification of population-based cancer screening programmes is largely acceptable to healthcare professionals, but support and training will be required to successfully facilitate implementation. Future research should focus on strengthening the evidence base for risk stratification, particularly in relation to reducing screening frequency among low-risk cohorts and the acceptability of this approach across different cancer types.
Mode of HIV acquisition among adolescents living with HIV in resource-limited settings: A data-driven approach from South Africa
Authors: He Eda , Tolmay Janke , Zhou Siyanai , Saal Wylene , Toska Elona
Published: February 2023

Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) face unique treatment and care challenges which may differ by how they acquired HIV, whether vertically (in-utero, perinatal or postnatal exposure during breastfeeding) or sexually (sexual exposure). Distinguishing and documenting the mode of HIV acquisition (MOHA) is crucial to further research on the different needs and outcomes for ALHIV and to tailor HIV services to their needs. Age-based cut-offs have been used to attribute MOHA but have not been validated. We analysed data from a three-wave cohort of n = 1107 ALHIV part of a longitudinal study in South Africa. Age-based MOHA was allocated using age at ART initiation, validated against a logic-tree model based on literature-hypothesised factors: self-reported HIV, sexual, and family history. After testing six ART initiation age cut-offs (10 to 15 years old), we determined the optimal MOHA cut-off age by calculating the sensitivity and specificity for each cut-off, measured against the final logic-tree allocation. Following validation using this longitudinal study, the methodology is extended to 214 additional third-wave participants—adolescent girls and young women living with HIV who became mothers before the age of 20. Finally, descriptive statistics of the final allocations are presented. Among the 1,063 (96.0%) cohort study participants classified, 68.7% acquired HIV vertically, following validation. ART initiation before cut-off age 10 had the highest sensitivity (58.9%) but cut-off age 12 had the largest area under the curve (AUC) (0.712). Among the additional young mothers living with HIV, 95.3% were estimated to have acquired it sexually, following the same algorithm. For this group, while cut-off ages 10 to 12 had the highest sensitivity (92.2%), age 14 had the highest AUC (0.703). ART initiation before 10 years old is strongly associated with vertical HIV acquisition. Therefore, a cut-off age of 10 would remain the recommendation in LMIC regions with similar epidemiology as South Africa for determining MOHA in research and clinic settings.
Orthostatic hypotension and neurocognitive disorders in older women: Results from the EPIDOS cohort study
Authors: Duval Guillaume T. , Schott Anne-Marie , Rolland Yves , Gautier Jennifer , Blain Hubert , Duque Gustavo , Annweiler Cedric
Published: February 2023

Background

Although it is well-admitted that cardiovascular health affects cognition, the association between orthostatic hypotension (OH) and cognition remains unclear. The objectives of the present study were i) to determine among the EPIDOS cohort (EPIdémiologie de l’OStéoporose) whether OH was cross-sectionally associated with cognitive impairment at baseline, and ii) whether baseline OH could predict incident cognitive decline after 7 years of follow-up.

Methods

Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure (SBP and DBP) changes while standing (ie, ΔSBP and ΔDBP, in %) were measured at baseline among 2,715 community-dwelling older women aged 75 years and older using no antihypertensive drugs from the French EPIDOS cohort. OH was defined as a decrease in SBP ≥20 mmHg and/or a decrease in DBP ≥10 mmHg within 3 min after standing. Cognitive impairment was defined as a Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) score <8 (/10). Among those without cognitive impairment at baseline, a possible incident onset of cognitive decline was then sought after 7 years of follow-up among 257 participants.

Results

Baseline ΔSBP was associated with baseline cognitive impairment (adjusted OR = 1.01, p = 0.047), but not with incident onset of cognitive decline after 7 years (adjusted OR = 0.98, p = 0.371). Neither baseline OH nor baseline ΔDBP were associated with cognitive impairment neither at baseline (p = 0.426 and p = 0.325 respectively) nor after 7 years (p = 0.180 and p = 0.345 respectively).

Conclusions

SBP drop while standing, but neither OH per se nor DBP drop while standing, was associated with baseline cognitive impairment in older women. The relationship between OH and cognitive impairment appears more complex than previously expected.
Dominance analysis of competing protein assembly pathways
Authors: Lankeit Johannes , Förste Stefanie , Rudorf Sophia
Published: February 2023

Most proteins form complexes consisting of two or more subunits, where complex assembly can proceed via two competing pathways: co-translational assembly of a mature and a nascent subunit, and post-translational assembly by two mature protein subunits. Assembly pathway dominance, i.e., which of the two pathways is predominant under which conditions, is poorly understood. Here, we introduce a reaction-diffusion system that describes protein complex formation via post- and co-translational assembly and use it to analyze the dominance of both pathways. Special features of this new system are (i) spatially inhomogeneous sources of reacting species, (ii) a combination of diffusing and immobile species, and (iii) an asymmetric binding competition between the species. We study assembly pathway dominance for the spatially homogeneous system and find that the ratio of production rates of the two protein subunits determines the long-term pathway dominance. This result is independent of the binding rate constants for post- and co-translational assembly and implies that a system with an initial post-translational assembly dominance can eventually exhibit co-translational assembly dominance and vice versa. For exactly balanced production of both subunits, the assembly pathway dominance is determined by the steady state concentration of the subunit that can bind both nascent and mature partners. The introduced system of equations can be applied to describe general dynamics of assembly processes involving both diffusing and immobile components.
The skills that help employees adapt: Empirical validation of a four-category framework
Authors: Ybarra Oscar
Published: February 2023

Globalization, technological advances, economic and geopolitical shocks, pandemics, and any number of novel or unanticipated events have one thing in common: they represent change and require dynamic responses and adaptation from organizations, teams, and individuals. A critical resource for individuals to be adaptive are broad skills relevant to varied organizational conditions. These adaptive skills have been discussed in diverse venues but rarely in the organizational literature. Also, most, if not all, of extant conceptual frameworks related to adaptive skills remain unvalidated. The purpose of this research was to organize these skills, define and situate them in the relevant organizational and psychological literatures, and empirically test a proposed four-category framework. The experimental results supported the C+MAC framework, as skills were better categorized in terms of their theoretically related category. Additionally, the four-category framework proved a better fit to the skills compared to an influential, alternative model. The findings’ implications are discussed, noting how an empirically validated framework can facilitate understanding of how individuals engage with organizational environments and organizations get their work done.
Visualization and quantification of coconut using advanced computed tomography postprocessing technology
Authors: Lin Shenghuang , Zhang Yu , Luo Li’an , Huang Mengxing , Cao Hongxing , Hu Jinyue , Sun Chengxu , Chen Jing
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Computed tomography (CT) is a non-invasive examination tool that is widely used in medicine. In this study, we explored its value in visualizing and quantifying coconut.

Materials and methods

Twelve coconuts were scanned using CT for three months. Axial CT images of the coconuts were obtained using a dual-source CT scanner. In postprocessing process, various three-dimensional models were created by volume rendering (VR), and the plane sections of different angles were obtained through multiplanar reformation (MPR). The morphological parameters and the CT values of the exocarp, mesocarp, endocarp, embryo, bud, solid endosperm, liquid endosperm, and coconut apple were measured. The analysis of variances was used for temporal repeated measures and linear and non-linear regressions were used to analyze the relationship between the data.

Results

The MPR images and VR models provide excellent visualization of the different structures of the coconut. The statistical results showed that the weight of coconut and liquid endosperm volume decreased significantly during the three months, while the CT value of coconut apple decreased slightly. We observed a complete germination of a coconut, its data showed a significant negative correlation between the CT value of the bud and the liquid endosperm volume (y = −2.6955x + 244.91; R2 = 0.9859), and a strong positive correlation between the height and CT value of the bud (y = 1.9576 ln(x) −2.1655; R2 = 0.9691).

Conclusion

CT technology can be used for visualization and quantitative analysis of the internal structure of the coconut, and some morphological changes and composition changes of the coconut during the germination process were observed during the three-month experiment. Therefore, CT is a potential tool for analyzing coconuts.
Is absorptive capacity the "panacea" for organizational development? A META analysis of absorptive capacity and firm performance from the perspective of constructivism
Authors: Pu Kun , Liu Wei
Published: February 2023

There is a long-standing academic consensus that the higher the absorptive capacity of an organization is, the better its performance. Recently, however, the assumption that absorptive capacity can unconditionally contribute to firm performance has begun to be challenged, and empirical results differentiating absorptive capacity and firm performance have also begun to emerge. Therefore, to effectively integrate the variability of different empirical results and reveal the mechanism by which absorptive capacity acts on firm performance, this paper explores the relationship between absorptive capacity and firm performance from the perspectives of both theoretical exploration and META analysis. Through the process of theoretical combing, this paper finds that the existing core concept of absorptive capacity is based on cognitivism, and the existing process behind absorptive capacity is based on a linear cognitive information processing process that focuses on the internal cognitive structure and process of the subject. However, due to the dynamic and complex nature of social phenomena, the process model cannot effectively reflect the influence of contextual factors on their relationships. Next, based on the results of theoretical sorting, the results of existing empirical studies are synthesized by means of META analysis and different contexts are examined, finding that the role of absorptive capacity on firm performance has significant contextual characteristics, among which the research context, economic context and sample context all have significant but distinct moderating effects on absorptive capacity and firm performance. Overall, by including contextual factors, this paper further deepens the understanding of the relationship between absorptive capacity and firm performance. It also provides a preliminary basis for the role of contextual factors in absorptive capacity.
Postoperative complications and hospital costs following open radical cystectomy: A retrospective study
Authors: Weinberg Laurence , Aitken Sarah Aishah Azlina , Kaldas Peter , Fletcher Luke , Lloyd-Donald Patryck , Le Peter , Do Daniel , Caruana Carla Borg , Walpole Dominic , Ischia Joseph , Ma Ronald , Tan Chong Oon , Lee Dong-Kyu
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To evaluate primarily the relationship between postoperative complications and hospital costs, and secondarily the relationship between postoperative complications and mortality, following radical cystectomy.

Methods

Postoperative complications were retrospectively examined for 147 patients undergoing radical cystectomy at a university hospital between January 2012 and July 2021. Complications were defined and graded using the Clavien–Dindo classification system. In-hospital cost was calculated using an activity-based costing methodology. Regression modelling was used to investigate the relationships among a priori selected perioperative variables, complications, and costs. The effect of complications on postoperative mortality was ascertained using time-dependent coefficients in a Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results

135 (92%) patients experienced one or more postoperative complications. The medians of hospital cost for patients who experienced no complications and those who experienced complications were $42,796.3 (29,222.9–53,532.5) and $81,050.1 (49,614.8–122,533.6) respectively, p < 0.001. Hospital costs were strongly associated with complication severity: Clavien-Dindo grade II complications increased costs by 45.2% (p < 0.001, 95% CI 19.1%–76.6%), and Clavien-Dindo grade III to V complications increased costs by 107.5% (p < 0.001, 95% CI 52.4%–181.8%). Each additional count of complication and increase in Clavien-Dindo complication grade increased the risk of mortality 1.28-fold (RR = 1.28, p = 0.006, 95% CI 1.08–1.53) and 2.50-fold (RR = 2.50, p = 0.012 95% CI 1.23–5.07) respectively.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate a high prevalence of complications following cystectomy and significant associated increases in hospital costs and mortality. Postoperative complications are a key target for cost-containment strategies.

Trial registration

Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN:12622000057785.