bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modern trends in the development of the economy of the Republic of Crimea
Authors: Nalivaychenko Ekaterina , Kirilchuk Svetlana
Published: February 2023

Based on the analysis of the dynamics of the gross regional product (GRP) production, the GRP structure and the GRP volume index of the Republic of Crimea, positive and negative aspects of the development of the region's economy have been identified. The tendency of the region's transition to the post-industrial stage of development has been established; a decrease in the share of the raw materials sector and energy in the total volume of investments in fixed assets – industries of previous technological structures, and an increase in the share of funds invested in modern branches of the "new economy", which provide recreational and tourist specialization of the Crimea: activities of hotels and catering enterprises; activities in the field of health and social services.

The mapping of economic sectors (types of economic activity) of the Republic of Crimea on the basis of signs of competitiveness and technological effectiveness, dynamics of investments and profits, growth of labor productivity and nominal accrued wages of employees allowed us to substantiate the main trends in the development of the economy of the Republic of Crimea and to identify the growth sectors of the regional economy: construction; real estate operations; wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, as well as types of economic activities representing creative industries of the economy based on the production of goods and services through creative activity and management of intellectual property rights. As trends in need of refraction there are highlighted a decrease in the share of the economy of activities in the field of health and social services; education; activities in the field of information and communication; activities in the field of culture, sports, leisure and entertainment; insufficient efficiency of transport development and low share of fixed capital investments in manufacturing industries.
Trends in the Sectorial and Professional Structure of Employment in the Tula Region
Authors: Basovskaya Elena
Published: February 2023

The purpose of the work was to study trends in the sectoral and professional structure of employment in the region. The paper uses data on the number of employed people by industry (type of activity) and occupational groups, which are presented by the Federal State Statistics Service of Russia for the Tula region. To assess trends in the structure of employment by industry and occupational groups, linear regression models were used, reflecting the number of employees by industry and occupational groups by year. The obtained results indicate that the development of the region’s economy is contradictory. The predominance of employment in the service sector indicates a transition to a post-industrial economy, but the absence of a trend in the redistribution of employment between the sectors of material production and the service sector may indicate a slow development of the transition process. Employment reduction trends in agriculture, forestry, hunting, fishing and fish farming, and mining reflect trends in the development of the post-industrial economy. But the trends in the reduction of employment in the field of information and communications, activities in health care and social services do not correspond to the main trends of post-industrial development. The growth in the number of specialists in the field of business and administration, specialists in information and communication technologies, specialists in the field of law, humanitarian fields and culture reflect the development trends of the post-industrial economy. But the growth trends in the number of workers, including unskilled workers, in material production correspond to the main trends of post-industrial development. The results obtained can be used to develop measures to improve the economic policy and plan the staffing.
Degradation of the Main Function of Education As a Managerial Problem
Authors: Basovskiy Leonid
Published: February 2023

Studies based on the data of the Russian Monitoring of the Health and Economic Situation of the Population of the Higher School of Economics and the Survey of Wages by Occupations of Rosstat show that in modern Russia there is a degradation of the main function of education as a means of forming human capital. The degradation of the function of education is the result of methodological errors generated by the Bologna process, for example, the use of a competency-based approach, as well as the use of outdated archaic management principles based on the principles of a command-and-control approach to management. To overcome the degradation trends of the function of forming human capital in the education system, it is necessary to reject the methodological errors generated by the Bologna process, and abandon the outdated archaic principles of command and control management, and the transition to management based on modern approaches. Education quality control should be focused on assessing the human capital that graduates of educational institutions are endowed with, measured by their wages, while educational institutions should be spared from petty reporting and inspections that disorganize the educational process and contribute to the degradation of the main function of education.
Digital Platform Solutions in the Strategic Planning System Russian Federation
Authors: Belyaevskaya-Plotnik L.
Published: February 2023

The stated trends in the digitalization of the Russian economy have predetermined the need to develop ways to automate the collection and transmission of departmental and other data, which, after appropriate analytical processing, can be used as a decision support tool by authorities in the field of public administration. The implementation of this task is possible by creating digital platform solutions, including in the strategic planning system, which is the purpose of this study. The paper determines that there is no system of interrelated elements in the existing register of strategic planning documents; the possibility of quantifying the contribution of the document to the achievement of national goals and strategic national priorities is not presented. It is shown that one of the ways to improve the effectiveness of the strategic planning system is the transition from the existing format of the register of documents to a set of documents in the format of an interconnected system of elements “goal-task-event-indicator” strictly in accordance with the accepted architecture, which can be implemented by creating a single digital information and analytical platform for strategic management. As a result, it is noted that in order to take into account a large number of relationships between the elements of strategic planning documents on the one hand and the resource provision of socio-economic development and national security on the other hand, the relationships within digital platform solutions should be expressed in the form of mathematical dependencies, which will ensure continuity, balance and consistency between the elements of strategic planning documents.
The importance of ticket price in public transport in nonmetropolitan rural areas in Poland
Authors: Fiedeń Łukasz , Štraub Daniel
Published: February 2023

The need to move is an inherent feature of every human life. Public transport should be one of the means of transport available to every human being. A fare-free public transport (FFPT) policy is under constant debate. Research among residents in rural areas provides an opportunity to discover whether FFPT is a key element of socially equitable development and understand the role of price, which can, at the same time, reduce car dependency. This research aims to understand the role of public transport fares in the travel decisions of people living in non-metropolitan rural areas in Poland. The primary data source used in this study is a survey conducted with the residents of 12 peripheral communes. This study revealed that price might not be as crucial in mobility strategies regarding free or paid public transport in non-metropolitan locations. This is mainly due to the poor quality of public transport.
territorial exchange between Poland and the USSR in 1951: demographic development and settlement network transformation over a 70-year period
Authors: Lozynskyy Roman , Slyvka Roman , Pantyley Viktoriya , Braychevskyy Yulian
Published: February 2023

In this article, we present a comparative analysis of the demographic development and changes in the settlement network over the last 70 years in the territories exchanged in 1951 between the USSR and Poland. We found that, within the territory ceded to the USSR, the traditional settlement pattern was restored and the settlement network was renewed up to 90%. Industrialization in the area resulted in the population growth reaching, at maximum, 40% greater numbers than in 1939. The territory ceded to Poland featured a “colonizational” pattern of resettlement and the population size remained much smaller as compared to 1951, directly before the exchange. However, in Poland, local people faced no obstacles to returning to the area. Conversely, the USSR deported most of the local inhabitants to distant parts of Ukraine and prevented people from the neighbouring locations from entering the area. Overall, based on the resettlement policy comparison we argue that, on the part of the USSR, an important rationale behind the exchange was to strengthen totalitarian control over the western regions of Ukraine by means of deportation and population dispersion
The Collection of Egyptian Mummies of the University of Warsaw and their Role in the ‘Prehistory’ of Polish Egyptology
Authors: Ejsmond Wojciech , Ożarek-Szilke Marzena
Published: February 2023

The University of Warsaw has a collection of ancient Egyptian objects, including four human mummies (200334 MNW, 236805/3 MNW, 236806 MNW, along with the mummy remains under two numbers KMS St. 0089 and KMS St. 0096 from the coffin 236804 MNW). They were donated by various persons in the nineteenth century. This paper establishes their dating, history, provenances, and research history in the context of the university’s antiquities collection, interests in ancient Egypt, and the development of Egyptology in Poland, especially in Warsaw. Previous studies on the subject were problematic owing to the limited and dispersed nature of sources and the fact that some of them were ambiguous and sometimes contradictory. Since then, more information has become available, especially computed tomography and X-ray scans of the mummies made by the Warsaw Mummy Project in cooperation with the National Museum in Warsaw. This has allowed further elaboration on the history of the collection and to re-establish identities of some of the deceased.
$\alpha$-$(h,e)$-convex operators and applications for Riemann-Liouville fractional differential equations
Authors: Zhou Bibo , Zhang Lingling
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we consider a class of $\alpha$-$(h,e)$-convex operators defined
in set $P_{h,e}$ and applications with $\alpha> 1$. Without assuming the operator
to be completely continuous or compact, by employing cone theory and monotone
iterative technique, we not only obtain the existence and uniqueness of fixed point
of $\alpha$-$(h,e)$-convex operators, but also construct two monotone iterative
sequences to approximate the unique fixed point. At last, we investigate the
existence-uniqueness of a nontrivial solution for Riemann-Liouville fractional differential equations integral boundary value problems by employing
$\alpha$-$(h,e)$-convex operators fixed point theorem.
Lift factors for the Nielsen root theory on $n$-valued maps
Authors: Brown Robert F. , Gonçalves Daciberg Lima
Published: February 2023

A root of an $n$-valued map $\varphi \colon X \to D_n(Y)$ at $a \in Y$
is a point $x \in X$ such that $a \in \varphi(x)$. We lift the map
$\varphi$ to a split $n$-valued map of finite covering spaces and
its single-valued factors are defined to be the lift factors of
$\varphi$. We describe the relationship between the root classes at $a$
of the lift factors and those of $\varphi$. We define the
Reidemeister root number $\RR (\varphi)$ in terms
of the Reidemeister root numbers of the lift factors. We prove that the
Reidemeister root number is a homotopy invariant upper bound for
the Nielsen root number $NR(\varphi)$, the number of essential root classes,
and we characterize essentiality by means of an
equivalence relation called the $\Phi$-relation. A theorem of Brooks states that
a single-valued map to a closed connected manifold is root-uniform, that is,
its root classes are either all essential or all inessential. It
follows that if $Y$ is a closed connected manifold, then the lift factors are
root-uniform and we relate this property to the root-uniformity of $\varphi$.
If $X$ and $Y$ are closed connected oriented manifolds of the same dimension then, by means of the lift factors, we define an integer-valued
index of a root class of $\varphi$ that is invariant under $\Phi$-relation and this
implies that if its index is non-zero, then the root class is essential.
Parametrized topological complexity of sphere bundles
Authors: Farber Michael , Weinberger Shmuel Weinberger
Published: February 2023

Parametrized motion planning algorithms \cite{CFW}
have high degree of flexibility and universality, they can work under a variety of external conditions,
which are viewed as parameters and form part of the input of the algorithm.
In this paper we analyse the parameterized motion planning problem in the case of sphere bundles.
Our main results provide upper and lower bounds for the parametrized topological complexity;
the upper bounds typically involve sectional categories of the associated fibrations and the lower bounds are given in terms of characteristic classes and their properties.
We explicitly compute the parametrized topological complexity in many examples and show that it may assume arbitrarily large values.
Rank-two solenoidal endomorphisms
Authors: Ha Ku Yong , Lee Jong Bum
Published: February 2023

Let $G$ be a torsion-free abelian group of rank two and let
$\phi$ be an endomorphism of $G$, called a rank-two \emph{solenoidal endomorphism}.
Then it is represented by a $2\times 2$-matrix $M_\phi$ with rational entries.
The purpose of this article is to prove the following:
The group, $\mathrm{coker}(\phi)$, of the cokernut of $\phi$ is finite
if and only if $M_\phi$ is nonsingular, and if it is so, then
we give an explicit formula for the order of $\mathrm{coker}(\phi)$, $[G:\mathrm{im}(\phi)]$,
in terms of $p$-adic absolute values of the determinant of $M_\phi$.
Since $G$ is abelian, the Reidemeister number of $\phi$ is equal to the order of the cokernut of $\mathrm{id}-\phi$ and, when it is finite,
it is equal to the number of fixed points of the Pontryagin dual $\widehat\phi$ of $\phi$.
Thereby, we solve completely the problem raised in \cite{Miles} of finding the possible sequences of periodic point counts
for \emph{all} endomorphisms of the rank-two solenoids.
Equilibria of vortex type Hamiltonians on closed surfaces
Authors: Ahmedou Mohameden , Bartsch Thomas , Fiernkranz Tim
Published: February 2023

We prove the existence of critical points of vortex type Hamiltonians
\[
H(p_1,\ldots, p_N)
= \sum_{{i,j=1}\atop{i\ne j}}
^N \Gamma_i\Gamma_jG(p_i,p_j)+\Psi(p_1,\dots,p_N)
\]
on a closed Riemannian surface $(\Sigma,g)$ which is not homeomorphic to the sphere
or the projective plane. Here $G$ denotes the Green function of the Laplace-Beltrami
operator in $\Sigma$, $\Psi\colon \Sigma^N\to\mathbb{R}$ may be any function of class ${\mathcal C}^1$,
and $\Gamma_1,\dots,\Gamma_N\in\mathbb{R}\setminus\{0\}$ are the vorticities.
The Kirchhoff-Routh Hamiltonian from fluid dynamics corresponds to
$\Psi(p) = -\sum\limits_{i=1}^N \Gamma_i^2h(p_i,p_i)$ where
$h\colon \Sigma\times\Sigma\to\mathbb{R}$ is the regular part of the Laplace-Beltrami operator.
We obtain critical points $p=(p_1,\dots,p_N)$ for arbitrary $N$ and vorticities
$(\Gamma_1,\dots,\Gamma_N)$ in $\mathbb{R}^N\setminus V$ where $V$ is an explicitly given algebraic variety of codimension 1.
Unexpected Interruptions, Idle Time, and Creativity: Evidence from a Natural Experiment
Authors: Schweisfurth Tim G. , Greul Anne
Published: February 2023

Interruptions are common in organizational life and last from seconds and minutes to hours and days. We rely on a quantitative abductive strategy to determine how extended work interruptions shape employees’ creativity. We start by studying how surprising interruptions that cause idle time affect employees’ creative performance. We do so by exploiting a natural experiment—a supply chain shortage that caused unexpected stops in production plants—to show that individuals exposed to such an interruption produce 58% more ideas than uninterrupted employees in the three weeks after the interruption. We corroborate this effect in a replication and extend it to idea quality. Investigating the effect’s causes, we then show that we do not find the same effects for two other interruption types: for unexpected interruptions without idle time (i.e., intrusions), we find a negative effect on creative performance because employees forcefully disengage from their work and switch their attention to the interrupting task. For expected interruptions with idle time (i.e., planned breaks), we also find no positive effect on creative performance because employees discretionally disengage from work and focus on nonwork and leisure goals. We consider and evaluate three different theoretical explanations for our findings: attention residue, cognitive stimulation, and recovery. We end our abductive process by putting attention residue forward as the most likely explanation. Finally, we suggest three propositions based on our findings and discuss our contributions to the literature on interruptions and creativity in organizations.

Funding: T. G. Schweisfurth acknowledges funding from the Tempowerk Technology Center Hamburg.
tempos de infância: linguagem e experiência
Authors: Habowski Adilson Cristiano , Ratto Cleber Gibbon
Published: February 2023

We approach in the essay the temporality of childhood, taking as horizon the language and experience. Walter Benjamin and Giorgio Agamben are the main thinkers who help us to address the fragile experience in contemporaneity, in the sense that the current ways of life are full of everyday practices that are not transformed into experience. To restore experience it is necessary to understand childhood as a condition of existence that accompanies all life; it is a subject who is exposed to historicity and who makes history, discontinuous history and singular event. With this in mind, through Manuel de Barros' poetic power we rekindle the relationship between childhood temporalities, language and experience, because ins this relation present itself the intensity of a lived that is devoid of a successive and chronological time. The creative power of this language has in the becoming-child the artisan for the creation of another perspective in the search for the inaugural source of words: to advance to the beginning and reach the childing of words. From these constructed approaches, we understand that together, Walter Benjamin, Giorgio Agamben and Manuel de Barros invite us to resume our childhood, in the search for the first meaning of words, which we only find with the presence of childhood. Here, it is not about establishing an absolute truth about childhoods and their times, but of finding ways to think about how to constitute other relationships with and in time.
VALIDAÇÃO DA ACURÁCIA POSICIONAL DE IMAGENS CBERS-4A EM CONTEXTO URBANO
Authors: Souza Mariany Kerriany Gonçalves de , Machado Vagner Souza , Marcato Junior José , Osco Lucas Prado , Ramos Ana Paula Marques
Published: February 2023

Uma vasta gama de trabalhos em diversos setores, indo do agronegócio ao planejamento urbano, é beneficiada pelo uso de imagens de sensoriamento remoto. Isso se deve, sobretudo, à resolução espacial, espectral, radiométrica e (ou) temporal cada vez maior apresentada por essas imagens. Todavia, averiguar a confiabilidade geométrica desses dados por meio de um processo de validação da acurácia posicional é algo necessário para garantir a adequabilidade dos dados à escala cartográfica requerida. Dentre os recentes sistemas satélites que fornecem dados gratuitos, tem-se o CBERS-4a, o qual desde 2020 disponibiliza imagens multiespectrais de 08 metros resolução espacial e imagens pancromáticas de 2m mensalmente. Esse cenário abre oportunidade para uso dessas imagens visando o atendimento a questões arquitetônicas, de engenharia e ambientais no contexto urbano. Todavia, a confiabilidade geométrica dessas imagens é algo, ainda, a ser verificado. Com vistas a preencher essa lacuna, esse trabalho realiza a avaliação da acurácia posicional de imagens do satélite CBERS-4a com base no Padrão de Exatidão Cartográfica dos Produtos Cartográficos Digitais (PEC-PCD). Para tanto, compara-se a acurácia posicional dessas imagens com a apresentada pelas imagens de alta resolução da constelação Planet (03 m de resolução) e com ortofotos (10 cm de resolução espacial). Como área de estudo, selecionou-se a bacia hidrográfica da Prosa que está no perímetro urbano de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. Nessa área, um conjunto amostral de 100 pontos representando cantos de edificações foi usado no processo de  validação. Esses pontos foram fotoidentificados nas imagens CBERS 4a, Planet e nas ortofotos, sendo essas adotadas como dados de referência. As imagens multiespectrais (bandas RGB321) CBERS-4a foram fusionadas com a banda pancromática, obtendo-se imagens com resolução de 2m. Os resultados apontam para uma escala 1:25.000, classe B (PEC inferior a 10,00 m e Erro Padrão abaixo de 6,66 m) para uso das imagens CBERS-4a, e PlanetScope. Isso implica na possibilidade de mapeamento a nível regional com esses dados, representando uma fonte acurada para apoiar trabalhos, dentre outros, no contexto de planejamento urbano.
SENSORIAMENTO REMOTO E APRENDIZADO DE MÁQUINA APLICADOS NO MAPEAMENTO HÍDRICO DO SISTEMA CANTAREIRA
Authors: Oliveira Lucas , Prado Osco Lucas , Marcato Jr José , Marques Ramos Ana Paula , De Souza Mauricio
Published: February 2023

O monitoramento de recursos hídricos serve como base para tomada de decisão e para amenizar os efeitos de futuras crises hídricas, como, por exemplo, a crise no Sistema Cantareira, área de estudo deste trabalho, no biênio 2013/14. Investigamos a confiabilidade da classificação de imagens, utilizando técnicas de sensoriamento remoto e aprendizado de máquina no contexto de recursos hídricos, que é um recurso indispensável para a sociedade. Os experimentos foram realizados nas seis represas que compõem o Sistema Cantareira, e utilizamos imagens multiespectrais orbitais RapidEye, que apresentam uma resolução espacial de 5 metros. Foram testados quatro métodos de classificação, sendo eles: Distância Mínima, Máxima Verossimilhança, Mapeamento do Ângulo Espectral e Random Forest. Os métodos Distância Mínima, Máxima Verossimilhança e Random Forest atingiram uma acurácia superior a 95%, sendo Random Forest, o único método de aprendizado de máquina, com a maior acurácia (98,06%). Os resultados mostram que a combinação de imagens RapidEye com as técnicas clássicas e de aprendizado de máquina permitiram o mapeamento detalhado e acurado de recursos hídricos no Sistema Cantareira, podendo ser replicados em outras áreas de estudo. Como resultado, tem-se também a geração de um conjunto de dados rotulados, disponibilizado para a realização de experimentos futuros.
Using wearable devices in cardiac rehabilitation to increase uptake and intensity of physical activity: a pilot evaluation
Authors: Jones Sam , Davies Jonathan , Hannibal Spencer , Evans Hayley , Tye Emma
Published: February 2023

Background/Aims

Wearable devices to track exercise parameters have received increasing interest in the healthcare sector as a potential tool to help improve patient outcomes, particularly in cardiac rehabilitation. This pilot evaluation assessed the effectiveness of the Fitbit Inspire HR wearable device in increasing exercise intensity and step counts among patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.

Methods

A total of 39 patients (35 men, four women) undergoing an 8-week cardiac rehabilitation programme participated in the study. All participants were given a Fitbit Inspire HR device to wear both during and outside of sessions. Data regarding their step count, heart rate reserve and Borg scale score were collected at weeks 1, 5 and 8. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27 was used to analyse the differences between the time points, with significance set at P≤0.05.

Results

Participants’ heart rate reserves and step counts increased significantly between weeks 1 and 5 (P=0.008), then the values were maintained up to week 8. There were no differences between Borg scale scores across the study.

Conclusions

Wearable devices, such as Fitbit Inspire HR, can help patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation to track and improve their physical activity both in and outside of the clinical setting, but more research is needed to understand the role of positive feedback and the efficacy of these devices for older patients and women.
ECG of the month
Authors: Bloe Charles
Published: February 2023

In this issue&s ECG of the month, Charles Bloe presents the case of a 65-year-old man with severe shortness of breath but no obvious symptoms to suggest an acute coronary event.
Erectile dysfunction as a marker of cardiovascular risk: is it really so difficult to talk about?
Authors: Dunn Catherine
Published: February 2023

In this month's BANCC column, cardiac nurse and lecturer Catherine Dunn discusses her PhD findings on the topic of erectile dysfunction and its relationship with cardiovascular risk.
Real-time LIBS monitoring of laser-based layered controlled paint removal from aircraft skin based on random forest
Authors: Lin Dehui , Yang Wenfeng , Qian Ziran , Li Shaolong , Hu Yue , Li Guo , Zhang Sai
Published: February 2023

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is expected to be used for real-time monitoring and closed-loop control of laser-based layered controlled paint removal (LLCPR) from aircraft skin. However, the LIBS spectrum must be rapidly and accurately analyzed, and the monitoring criteria should be established based on machine learning algorithms. Hence, this study develops a self-built LIBS monitoring platform for the paint removal process utilizing a high-frequency (kilohertz-level) nanosecond infrared pulsed laser and collects the LIBS spectrum during the laser removal process of the top coating (TC), primer (PR), and aluminum substrate (AS). After subtracting the spectrum’s continuous background and screening the key features, we construct a classification model of three types of spectra (TC, PR, and AS) based on a random forest algorithm, and the real-time monitoring criterion based on the classification model and multiple LIBS spectra was established and verified experimentally. The results show that the classification accuracy is 98.89%, the time-consuming classification is about 0.03 ms per spectrum, and the monitoring results of the paint removal process are consistent with the macroscopic observation and microscopic profile analysis results of the samples. Overall, this research provides core technical support for the real-time monitoring and closed-loop control of LLCPR from aircraft skin.
Investigating the technology of UV nanosecond laser milling for cutting CFRP laminates
Authors: Lu Yao , Gao PeiYing , Xu Jianan , Wang Yang , Yang LiJun
Published: February 2023

An enhanced ultraviolet (UV) nanosecond laser milling cutting method is innovatively adopted to cut carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites. This paper aims to achieve a more efficient and facile way to cut the thicker sheet cutting mode. The technology of UV nanosecond laser milling cutting is studied in detail. The effects of milling mode and filling spacing on the cutting effect are explored in milling mode cutting. Cutting with the milling method can obtain a smaller heat-affected zone at the slit entrance and a shorter effective processing time. When the longitudinal milling method is adopted, the machining effect of the lower side of the slit is better when the filling spacing is 20 µm and 50 µm, with no burr or other defects. Additionally, the filling spacing below 50 µm can obtain a better machining effect. The coupled photochemical and photothermal effects of UV laser cutting CFRP are elucidated, and the experiments verify this phenomenon successfully. Overall, it is anticipated that this study can offer a practical reference for UV nanosecond laser milling cutting CFRP composites and make contributions to military fields.
Auf der Suche nach ökonomisch tragfähigen Identitäts-Ökosystemen: Gibt es einen Markt für digitale IDs?
Authors: Kubach Michael , Roßnagel Heiko
Published: February 2023

Die Unzufriedenheit mit bestehenden digitalen Identitätslösungen ist groß. Insbesondere Politik und Wirtschaft drängen auf die Entwicklung neuer Identitäts-Ökosysteme. Anstatt auf Defizite in Usability, Security und Datenschutz bestehender Lösungen zu fokussieren, nimmt diese Arbeit die für die Verbreitung von digitalen Identitätsmanagementlösungen ebenso bedeutsamen ökonomischen Aspekte in den Blick. Es wird analysiert, wie ID-Ökosysteme ökonomisch tragfähig aufgebaut und betrieben werden könnten, was entsprechend eine Zahlungs- oder Investitionsbereitschaft von irgendeiner Seite erfordert. Die Analyse wird über eine Betrachtung der Endnutzer-Anreize zur Adoption hinaus über die weiteren Ökosystemteilnehmer insbesondere auf die Serviceprovider erweitert, da bei diesen am Ehesten eine Zahlungsbereitschaft für ID-Services erwartbar ist. Somit stellt sich die Frage, ob und unter welchen Rahmenbedingungen ein Markt für digitale Identitäten entstehen kann und welche Einführungsstrategien – unter Beteiligung der öffentlichen Hand – bestehen.
Sub-cellular level resolution of common genetic variation in the photoreceptor layer identifies continuum between rare disease and common variation
Authors: Currant Hannah , Fitzgerald Tomas W. , Patel Praveen J. , Khawaja Anthony P. ,   UK Biobank Eye and Vision Consortium, Webster Andrew R. , Mahroo Omar A. , Birney Ewan
Published: February 2023

Photoreceptor cells (PRCs) are the light-detecting cells of the retina. Such cells can be non-invasively imaged using optical coherence tomography (OCT) which is used in clinical settings to diagnose and monitor ocular diseases. Here we present the largest genome-wide association study of PRC morphology to date utilising quantitative phenotypes extracted from OCT images within the UK Biobank. We discovered 111 loci associated with the thickness of one or more of the PRC layers, many of which had prior associations to ocular phenotypes and pathologies, and 27 with no prior associations. We further identified 10 genes associated with PRC thickness through gene burden testing using exome data. In both cases there was a significant enrichment for genes involved in rare eye pathologies, in particular retinitis pigmentosa. There was evidence for an interaction effect between common genetic variants, VSX2 involved in eye development and PRPH2 known to be involved in retinal dystrophies. We further identified a number of genetic variants with a differential effect across the macular spatial field. Our results suggest a continuum between common and rare variation which impacts retinal structure, sometimes leading to disease.
Impact of facilitating continued accessibility to cancer care during COVID-19 lockdown on perceived wellbeing of cancer patients at a rural cancer center in Rwanda
Authors: Niyigena Anne , Cubaka Vincent K. , Uwamahoro Pacifique , Mutsinzi Robert Gatsinzi , Uwizeye Benigne , Mukamasabo Blandine , Shyirambere Cyprien , Bigirimana Bosco Jean , Mubiligi Joel , Barnhart Dale A.
Published: February 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda, Partners In Health Inshuti Mu Buzima collaborated with the Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence (BCCOE) to mitigate disruptions to cancer care by providing patients with free transportation to treatment sites and medication delivery at patients’ local health facilities. We assessed the relationship between facilitated access to care and self-reported wellbeing outcomes. This cross-sectional telephone survey included cancer patients enrolled at BCCOE in March 2020. We used linear regression to compare six dimensions of quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and financial toxicity (COST) among patients who did and did not receive facilitated access to care. We also assessed access to cancer care and whether patient wellbeing and its association with facilitated access to care differed by socioeconomic status. Of 214 respondents, 34.6% received facilitated access to care. Facilitated patients were more likely to have breast cancer and be on chemotherapy. Facilitation was significantly associated with more frequent in-person clinical encounters, improved perceived quality of cancer care, and reduced transportation-related barriers. Facilitated patients had significantly better global health status (β = 9.14, 95% CI: 2.3, 16.0, p <0.01) and less financial toxicity (β = 2.62, 95% CI: 0.2,5.0, p = 0.03). However, over half of patients reported missing or delaying appointment. Patient wellbeing was low overall and differed by patient socioeconomic status, with poor patients consistently showing worse outcomes. Socioeconomic status did not modify the association between facilitated access to care and wellbeing indicators. Further, facilitation did not lead to equitable wellbeing outcomes between richer and poorer patients. Facilitated access to care during COVID-19 pandemic was associated with some improvements in access to cancer care and patient wellbeing. However, cancer patients still experienced substantial disruptions to care and reported low overall levels of wellbeing, with socioeconomic disparities persisting despite facilitated access to care. Implementing more robust, equity-minded facilitation and better patient outreach programs during health emergencies may promote better care and strengthen patient care overall and effect better patients’ outcomes.
Effect of remdesivir on adverse kidney outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and impaired kidney function
Authors: Seethapathy Rituvanthikaa , Wang Qiyu , Zhao Sophia , Strohbehn Ian A. , Long Joshua D. , Dinulos James E. , Harden Destiny , Kadiyala Vinay B. , Moreno Daiana , Sise Meghan E.
Published: February 2023

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important risk factor for mortality from COVID-19. Remdesivir has been shown to shorten time to recovery in patients with severe COVID-19. However, exclusion of patients with severe kidney function impairment in clinical trials has led to concerns about kidney safety of remdesivir in patients with pre-existing kidney disease.

Methods

Retrospective propensity score matched cohort study of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 admitted with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 15 − 60 mL/min/1.73m2. Remdesivir-treated patients were 1:1 matched to historical comparators admitted during the first wave of COVID-19 (between March-April 2020) prior to emergency use authorization of remdesivir using propensity scores accounting for factors predicting treatment assignment. Dependent outcomes included in-hospital peak creatinine, incidence of doubling of creatine, rate of kidney replacement therapy initiation and eGFR among surviving patients at day 90.

Results

175 remdesivir-treated patients were 1:1 matched to untreated historical comparators. Mean age was 74.1 (SD 12.8), 56.9% were male, 59% patients were white, and the majority (83.1%) had at least one co-morbidity. There were no statistically significant differences in peak creatinine during hospitalization (2.3mg/dL vs. 2.5 mg/dL, P = 0.34), incidence of doubling of creatinine (10.3% vs. 13.1%, P = 0.48), and rate of kidney replacement therapy initiation (4.6% vs. 6.3%, P = 0.49) in remdesivir-treated patients versus matched untreated historical comparators, respectively. Among surviving patients, there was no difference of the average eGFR at day 90 (54.7 ± 20.0 mL/min/1.73m2 for remdesivir-treated patients vs. 51.7 ± 19.5 mL/min/1.73m2 for untreated comparators, P = 0.41).

Conclusions

Remdesivir use in patients with impaired kidney function (eGFR between 15 − 60 mL/min/1.73m2) who present to the hospital with COVID-19 is not associated with increased risk of adverse kidney outcomes.
Spatio-temporal patterns of the crustacean demersal fishery discard from the south Humboldt Current System, based on scientific observer program (2014–2019)
Authors: Landaeta Mauricio F. , Hernández-Santoro Carola , Search Francesca V. , Castillo Manuel I. , Bernal Claudio , Navarrete Sergio A. , Wieters Evie A. , Beldade Ricardo , Navarro Campoi Ana , Pérez-Matus Alejandro
Published: February 2023

This study summarises six years of spatio-temporal patterns of the discarded demersal community fauna recorded by onboard scientific observer program for both artisanal and industrial crustacean fisheries between 2014 and 2019, from mesophotic to aphotic depths (96 to 650 m) along the southern Humboldt Current System (28–38°S). In this period, one cold and two warm climatic events were observed during the austral summer 2014, 2015–2016 (ENSO Godzilla), and 2016–2017 (coastal ENSO), respectively. Satellite information showed that Chlorophyll-a concentration varied seasonally and latitudinally, associated with upwelling centres, while equatorial wind stress decreased southward of 36°S. Discards were composed of 108 species, dominated by finfish and molluscs. The Chilean hake Merluccius gayi was dominant and ubiquitous (occurrence, 95% of 9104 hauls), being the most vulnerable species of the bycatch. Three assemblages were identified: assemblage 1 (~200 m deep), dominated by flounders Hippoglossina macrops and lemon crabs Platymera gaudichaudii, assemblage 2 (~260 m deep), dominated by squat lobsters Pleuroncodes monodon and Cervimunida johni and assemblage 3 (~320 m depth), dominated by grenadiers Coelorinchus aconcagua and cardinalfish Epigonus crassicaudus. These assemblages were segregated by depth, and varied by year, and geographic zone. The latter represented changes in the width of the continental shelf, increasing southward of 36°S. Alpha-diversity indexes (richness, Shannon, Simpson, and Pielou) also varied with depth and latitude, with higher diversity in deeper continental waters (>300 m), between 2018–2019. Finally, at a spatial scale of tens of kilometres, and a monthly basis, interannual variations of biodiversity occurred in the demersal community. Surface sea temperature, chlorophyll-a, or wind stress did not correlate with discarded demersal fauna diversity of the crustacean fishery operating along central Chile.
The ROX index (Index combining the respiratory rate with oxygenation) is a prognostic factor for acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Nishiyama Kenta , Ichikado Kazuya , Anan Keisuke , Nakamura Kazunori , Kawamura Kodai , Suga Moritaka , Sakagami Takuro
Published: February 2023

Background

There is no existing reliable and practical method for predicting the prognosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Objective

We aimed to clarify the association between the ROX index, which is calculated as the ratio of peripheral oxygen saturation divided by the fraction of inspired oxygen to the respiratory rate, and the prognosis of patients with ARDS under ventilator support.

Methods

In this single-center retrospective cohort study from prospectively collected database, eligible patients were categorized into three groups based on ROX tertiles. The primary outcome was the 28-day survival, and the secondary outcome was 28-day liberation from ventilator support. We performed multivariable analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

Among 93 eligible patients, 24 (26%) patients died. The patients were divided into three groups according to the ROX index (< 7.4, 7.4–11, ≥ 11), with 13, 7, and 4 patients dying in the groups, respectively. A higher ROX index was associated with lower mortality; adjusted hazard ratios [95% CIs] for increasing tertiles of ROX index: 1[reference], 0.54[0.21–1.41], 0.23[0.074–0.72] (P = 0.011 for trend) and a higher rate of successful 28-day liberation from ventilator support; adjusted hazard ratios [95% CIs] for increasing tertiles of ROX index: 1[reference], 1.41[0.68–2.94], 2.80[1.42–5.52] (P = 0.001 for trend).

Conclusions

The ROX index at 24 h after initiating ventilator support is a predictor of outcomes in patients with ARDS and might inform initiation of more advanced treatments.
EPViz: A flexible and lightweight visualizer to facilitate predictive modeling for multi-channel EEG
Authors: Currey Danielle , Craley Jeff , Hsu David , Ahmed Raheel , Venkataraman Archana
Published: February 2023

Scalp Electroencephalography (EEG) is one of the most popular noninvasive modalities for studying real-time neural phenomena. While traditional EEG studies have focused on identifying group-level statistical effects, the rise of machine learning has prompted a shift in computational neuroscience towards spatio-temporal predictive analyses. We introduce a novel open-source viewer, the EEG Prediction Visualizer (EPViz), to aid researchers in developing, validating, and reporting their predictive modeling outputs. EPViz is a lightweight and standalone software package developed in Python. Beyond viewing and manipulating the EEG data, EPViz allows researchers to load a PyTorch deep learning model, apply it to EEG features, and overlay the output channel-wise or subject-level temporal predictions on top of the original time series. These results can be saved as high-resolution images for use in manuscripts and presentations. EPViz also provides valuable tools for clinician-scientists, including spectrum visualization, computation of basic data statistics, and annotation editing. Finally, we have included a built-in EDF anonymization module to facilitate sharing of clinical data. Taken together, EPViz fills a much needed gap in EEG visualization. Our user-friendly interface and rich collection of features may also help to promote collaboration between engineers and clinicians.
Enhancement of Interfacial Wettability between Al-Zn Alloy Matrix and
MnO2 Decorated with Ni for Effective Cathodic Protection Systems
Authors: Jacob Sunil , Binoj K.K. , Benny Dona , Jinu P.Y.
Published: February 2023

Substrates made of steel used in coastal applications are regularly exposed to harsh salty environments;
as a result, it is essential to adopt reliable strategies for preventing corrosion. Utilization of aluminum
rich sacrificial anodes is an efficient anticorrosive technique owing to its high columbic amplitude,
low density, inherent negative potential and galvanic economy. In this work, the electrochemical and
micro-structural was characterized by catalytic effect of MnO2-Ni on anode activation. MnO2-Ni present
in anode matrix results in destroyed passive alumina film and facilitates the galvanic growth on an
anode. The anode exhibited active operating potential and high columbic efficiency during prolonged
marine exposure studies. High anodic efficacy was performed by fine tuning composites into the
metal matrix Al based alloy. The results revealed that the preferential dissolution of intermetallic
particles induced effective sacrificial anode action.
An Amino Acid Grafted Graphene Oxide as Promising Material in
Poly(urea-formaldehyde)-Epoxy Microcapsules for Enhancing the
Interfacial Adhesion of Epoxy Coatings
Authors: Priyanka D. , Nalini D.
Published: February 2023

Novel microencapsulated materials with superior anti-corrosion properties and improved adhesive
strength on the metal substrate were produced by emulsion polymerization and characterized
successfully. Initially, serine grafted graphene oxide was prepared and characterized through various
sophisticated techniques. Then, MC-GO/epoxy and MC-GO-Ser were individually impregnated into
th epoxy system and applied on the mild steel substrates. Corrosion tests were performed to evaluate
the non-corrosive nature of MC-GO/epoxy and MC-GO-Ser/epoxy samples. After 7 days of exposure
in saline media, MC-GO-Ser microcapsules demonstrated 80.6 % protective efficiency. Furthermore,
the peel strength of 2.90 N revealed that the coating loaded with MC-GO-Ser microcapsules had
improved adherence to the mild steel surface. Results of urea-formaldehyde GO-Ser microcapsules
showed better corrosion protection and greater adhesive strength, which is probably because of the
exceptional barrier action of microcapsules against the incursion of corrosion solution onto the mild
steel surface.
Influence of Synergistic Tributyl Phosphate and Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric Acid for
Separation of Gadolinium and Samarium by Emulsion Liquid Membrane
Authors: Effendi S. , Hardianto A. , Wyantuti S. , Pratomo U. , Bahti H.H. , Anggraeni A.
Published: February 2023

Gadolinium is one of the rare earth elements, which plays an essential role in modern industry. Its
separation from mixtures of other rare earth elements is challenging due to similar physical and chemical
properties. The extraction method using an emulsion liquid membrane is an effective and simple
method for separating low concentration gadolinium from other rare earth elements mixtures. It is
more eco-friendly than the liquid-liquid extraction process and also has various advantages. This
study aims to determine the effectiveness, permeability and optimum formulation conditions for the
separation of gadolinium and samarium using synergistic ligands tributyl phosphate and
di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid. The results showed a quantitative extraction (87.40%) of gadolinium
ion at the optimum conditions of 0.025 M tributyl phosphate + 0.075 M di-(2-ethylhexyl phosphate),
4% span 80 as surfactant, 9000 rpm emulsification stirring speed and 0.5 M nitric acid as stripping
phase, for a feed containing 1.5 mg/L gadolinium ion and 3 mg/L samarium ion at 5 M HNO3.
Gas Chromatography: Method Development and Validation for Identification and
Quantification of delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol by Calibration Approach
Authors: Patil K. , Dixit A. , Pandey A.
Published: February 2023

Cannabinoids like cannabidiol, cannabinol, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and several others
are present in Cannabis drug. Under the NDPS Act of 1985, the cultivation, possession, use,
transportation and trade of cannabis is crime. It is crucial forensic laboratory practice to identify and
quantify Δ9-THC for prosecuting and reward purposes. In current study, a routine method for detecting
Δ9-THC in cannabis based on fast gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detector (fast
GC-FID) was developed and validated. The method has analysis time of 7.0 min and outstanding
linearity (r2 > 0.999), with good repeatability (intraday < 2.55%; interday < 4.5%) and sensitivity
(LOD = 1.86 ppm LOQ = 6.214). The fast GC-FID method suitability for detection and quantitation
of Δ9-THC in cannabis, was tested successfully. Therefore, the developed Fast GC-FID method could
be a valid alternative for a fast, robust and sensitive determination of Δ9-THC present in seized cannabis.