bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Admissions among Preterm Babies in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Basnet Sahisnuta , Adhikari Suraj , Jha Jyoti , Pandey Mahendra Raj
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Preterm babies are born before 37 completed weeks of gestation. It is an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of neonatal intensive care unit admissions among preterm babies in a tertiary care centre.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study on a total of 133 preterm infants was conducted in a tertiary care centre from November, 2020 to April, 2021 with ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 380). Preterm babies who met the eligibility criteria were included in the study. Convenience sampling was done. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage for binary data.
Results: Out of 133 preterm babies, 54 (40.60%) (32.25-48.95 at 95% Confidence Interval) had neonatal intensive care unit admissions. Hyaline membrane disease was the most common illness in preterm neonates 34 (62.96%) followed by neonatal sepsis 20 (37.03%).
Conclusions: The prevalence of neonatal intensive care unit admissions among preterm babies in our study was similar to other studies done in similar settings. Preterm newborns are significantly vulnerable and maternal risk factors should be taken into account. Anticipated preterm deliveries should have mandatory institutional delivery and adequate postnatal care is needed to improve the outcomes of preterm babies.
Aspiration of a Row of Artificial Dentures in an Adult: A Case Report
Authors: Dulal Malati , Tripathi Prashant , Shrestha Amit , Acharya Kunjan , Niroula Sailesh
Published: April 2022

Clinical findings of foreign body aspiration, generally, are subtle. Scrutinous clinical suspicion is always recommended. Here, we present a rare case of an adult male, who under the influence of alcohol had aspirated a row of his artificial denture without his conscience of where his denture got missing and presented to our outpatient department with non-specific symptoms. With clinical examination and advanced diagnostics, he was successfully managed with rigid bronchoscopy. With the advancement in diagnostic techniques and our widened knowledge of the condition, utmost early detection has been possible and our case report reinforces the need for a low threshold for foreign body aspiration suspicion, especially in adults with dentures, and the use of rigid bronchoscopy as a plausible tool for the prompt management of the aspiration.
Minimal Change Disease in an Adult: A Case Report
Authors: Neupane Shashank , Pudasaini Prasamsa , Sharma Anupam , Sharma Shriya , Adhikari Aakriti , Roka Kumar
Published: April 2022

Minimal change disease is an important cause of nephrotic syndrome in children, however, few cases are seen among adults. There is very little literature regarding the occurrence of minimal change disease in adults. We reported a case of a 63-year-old male who presented with the complaint of swelling around the eyes mostly during the morning for 18 days and frothing of urine for 7 days. On examination, the patient was ill-looking and had edema around the eyes and over the ankles. After preliminary investigations, renal biopsy was performed and electron microscopy revealed diffuse effacement of foot processes of visceral epithelial cells suggesting minimal change disease (podocytopathy). The patient has been treated with tablet prednisolone 60 mg per oral once daily, tablet ramipril 2.5 mg per oral once daily, and tablet torsemide 20 mg per oral twice daily. Hence, minimal change disease should also be considered as a differential diagnosis in adults presenting with the features of nephrotic syndrome.
Alcoholic Liver Disease among Patients Admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Chaudhary Ashlesha , Chaudhary Arun Kumar , Chaudhary Aashutosh , Bhandari Abashesh , Dahal Sujata , Bhusal Suzit
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Alcoholic liver diseases comprise a spectrum of liver diseases including fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Diagnosis at advanced stages is frequent for this condition and data regarding the prevalence of such patients at early stages are limited. The aim of this study is to find out the prevalence of alcoholic liver disease among patients admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine of a tertiary care centre.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 538 patients admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine of a tertiary care centre in Nepal between 3rd November, 2021 and 22nd February, 2022 after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee of the hospital (Reference number: 006-078/079). Convenience sampling was done. Data were collected and entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24.0. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage for binary data along with mean and standard deviation for continuous data.
Results: Among 538 patients, alcoholic liver disease was seen in 42 (7.80%) (5.53-10.07 at 95% Confidence Interval). The mean age of the patients was 53.85±10.88 years. Among these patients 25 (59.52%) were males and 17 (40.47%) of them were females.
Conclusions: Our study showed that the prevalence of alcoholic liver disease was lower as compared to similarly reported literature.
INFLUENCE OF INPUT MOTION SCALING METHODS ON DECOUPLED SSI DYNAMIC ANALYSIS
Authors: GUZEL Yusuf , GUZEL Fidan
Published: April 2022

Propagation of seismic waves through soil deposits may considerably alter theircharacteristics at surface. This ultimately influences the seismic performance of structures.The influences of soil deposits are included in seismic codes (e.g. Eurocode 8, EC8) by meansof proposed design response spectra for different soil classes used in design or retrofittingof structures. Nevertheless, a smooth design response spectrum cannot always representspectral response of an actual input motion over an engineering period of interest due toits irregular spectral shape. Subsequently, the seismic performance of a structure may beinsufficient when a design response spectrum is used. The interaction between soil andstructure may also affect the structural behaviour. This study aims to demonstrate theimpact of adoption of input motions and soil deposits with soil classes B, C and D on theseismic behaviour of one-bay, 1-storey structure modelled in OpenSEES For this purpose,two different approaches are chosen; (i) seven input motions recorded on ground surfaceare modified and applied to the model, (ii) seven outcrop motions are scaled according toEC8 and processed through the ideal soil deposits by conducting nonlinear site responseanalysis, then applied to the model. The results indicate that the model is exposed to moredrift responses when it is on softer soil deposit. In addition, imposing input motionsobtained at surface from nonlinear site response analysis cause higher drift responses thandirectly applying input motions.
Поетика густативів (на матеріалі сучасної української прози)
Authors: Ковпік Світлана Іванівна
Published: April 2022

Монографія присвячена дослідженню основних питань і проблем поетики густативів, густативного та сапористичного у творах сучасної української прози. При цьому, конкретні густативи і системи густативів розглядаються перш за все як сформовані практичним досвідом людей уявлення й поняття про конкретні смакові якості й характеристики страв і тих інгредієнтів, із яких вони виготовляються, а категорії “густативне” та “сапористичне” тлумачаться й використовуються як узагальнені аспекти процесів приготування й споживання харчосмаків, пригощання ними людей різних категорій. Вищою метою дослідження обрано вияв і вивчення поетичних засобів та прийомів творення письменниками як окремих густативів, так і системи густативностей страв. Окрім цього, значну увагу приділено дослідженню уміння автора й персонажів не стільки характеризувати страви і способи їхнього приготування, скільки здатності виявляти індивідуальні й типові риси характерів персонажів Монографія призначена для літературознавців, етнологів, українознавців, студентів, аспірантів та вчителів шкіл.
Имидж преподавателя вуза как интегративный компонент его профессиональной компетентности
Authors: Белоус Е. С.
Published: April 2022

В статье рассматривается проблема формирования имиджа педагога ВУЗа как одной из основ его профессиональной деятельности. Раскрываются структурные компоненты имиджа педагога, его основные составляющие и роль имиджевого воздействия на студентов.
Педагогічні умови формування інноваційного розвитку молодого вчителя засобами методичної роботи школи
Authors: Волощук І. А.
Published: April 2022

У статті розглядаються педагогічні умови інноваційного розвитку молодого вчителя.
Тема 15. Закономірності, принципи й правила навчання; Тема 18. Види навчання. Сучасні технології навчання
Authors: Білоус Олена Сергіївна , Пермяков Олександр Анатольович
Published: April 2022

У навчальному посібнику представлений зміст різних розділів педагогіки (загальні основи педагогіки, теорія виховання і навчання, питання школознавства). Це стислий варіант посібника з курсу педагогіка. Його мета – полегшити підготовку студентів до модульного контролю, заліку, екзамену. За змістом посібник відповідає програмі курсу «Педагогіка», що викладається студентам педагогічних навчальних закладів. Посібник буде корисний студентам та викладачам педагогічних навчальних закладів.
Творческая активность студентов в процессе личностно-ориентированного обучения
Authors: Белоус Е. С.
Published: April 2022

Расскрывается теоретическа разработка, методическое обоснование и экспериментальная проверка дидактических условий, которые определяют эффективность формирования творческой активности студентов в процессе личностно-ориентированного обучения.
Творча активність як важлива характеристика професіоналізму сучасного педагога музики
Authors: Білоус О. С.
Published: April 2022

В статті обґрунтовується необхідність модернізації підготовки педагогічних кадрів в умовах вищої школи. Розглядається проблема формування творчої активності сучасного фахівця як важливої складової його самостійної креативної професійно-педагогічної діяльності.
MODERN METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO ASSESSING THE INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS OF INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES
Authors: YEPIFANOVA Iryna , Dzhedzhula Viacheslav , KOVAL Katerina ,   Vinnytsia National Technical University
Published: April 2022

The article summarizes the existing methodological approaches to assessing the level of investment attractiveness of industrial enterprises. The main methodological approaches to assessing the state of investment attractiveness management are studied. It was found that the most used methods of assessing investment attractiveness are: the method of expert assessments; rating method; integrated assessment of investment attractiveness; method of comparisons; matrix method; profitability triangle; differentiated approach; methods that are based on the use of artificial intelligence. The advantages and disadvantages of each of the methods are analyzed. The matrix approach to the assessment of the level of investment attractiveness of the researched enterprise has been further developed. Given the current state of domestic industrial enterprises, in the matrix method of assessing investment attractiveness in the matrix of quantitative indicators (liquidity, financial stability, return on capital, property indicators) indicators of business activity are replaced by indicators of bankruptcy probability. This is due to the fact that both indicators of business activity and profitability indicators characterize the efficiency of the enterprise. The absence of signs of bankruptcy will allow the investor to better assess the investment attractiveness of the enterprise. Indicators that should be included in the matrix include depreciation rate, renewal rate, asset mobility ratio, coverage ratio, quick liquidity ratio, absolute liquidity ratio, autonomy ratio, equity maneuverability ratio, financial risk ratio; return on assets; return on equity; profitability ratio of operating activities; beaver ratio, financial leverage ratio, asset coverage ratio with net working capital.
ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF WAGE TRENDS IN UKRAINE
Authors:   Oles Honchar Dnipro National University, Yelisyeyeva Oksana , Kutova NATALIIA ,   Kryvyi Rih National University, Stolietova IRYNA ,   Kyiv National University Of Trade And Economics
Published: April 2022

The article is devoted to the analysis of wages as an economic category, as the main factor in the functioning of the labor market, an assessment of multiple indicators is carried out such as: annual average wage size dynamics and changes in the standard of the population living, taking into account inflationary processes. The index of real wages and the level of purchasing power of the population are analyzed. The assessment of the average monthly salary in the regions of Ukraine showed that in regions with a high average salary, it exceeds the new approved minimum only 1.8 times. The exception is the Dnipropetrovsk region, where the average wage is one of the highest (after Kiev, Donetsk and Kiev regions), and exceeds the minimum wage by 2.32 times, which is 20% better than in general about Ukraine. To analyze the dynamics of wages in Ukraine, forecasting of the average nominal wage was carried out using a multiplicative model of nonlinear autoregression of the fifth degree based on the input data of the five previous periods. An assessment of the average nominal wage based on the developed model showed that a decrease in the growth rate of nominal wages is expected in the near future, together with the identified trends (a decrease in real wages and a decrease in the gap between the minimum and nominal wages) indicates an increase in the crisis in Ukraine.
THE IMPACT OF DIGITALIZATION ON FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
Authors: BOZHENKO Victoria , PIHUL Yevgenii ,   Sumy State University
Published: April 2022

The rapid growth of digital technologies, increasing Internet coverage and improving its quality is the basis of the Industry 4.0, which permeates the financial system. The emergence of new entrants to the financial services market enhances market competition and the search for innovative ways to meet customer needs. The article is devoted to the impact digital technologies on the financial technologies, as well as the analysis of the main trends in the development of the financial technology market in Ukraine and the world. The article highlights and substantiates the main drivers of finance digitalization. The authors of the article analyze the impact of new technologies (blockchain, big data, cloud technologies, artificial intelligence and machine learning, biometric technologies, virtual reality technologies) on the transformation of such areas of financial relations as payments and remittances, financing and lending, wealth management, insurance, communication with clients of financial institutions, as well as security and protection. The COVID-19 pandemic has also made adjustments to the financial systems around the world, including the provision of digital financial services and the organization of the FinTech market. On the one hand, the demand for digital financial products has almost doubled, and on the other hand, the volume of investments in the fintech industry in the world in 2020 has decreased by a third. The authors of the article pay special attention to cyber-fraud as one of the key threats to digitalization, which have negative consequences for the stable functioning of financial service providers and their consumers, namely: loss of information, lack of access, unauthorized interference in corporate information systems, dissemination of personal financial information about customers, etc. The results of this study can be useful for regulators and supervisors of financial institutions in decision-making to stimulate the development of FinTech-solutions, as well as financial companies in improving their strategy in the transition to the digital development model.
METHOD OF ASSESSING THE LEVEL OF FINANCIAL SECURITY ENTERPRISES OF THE HOTEL INDUSTRY
Authors: Cheban Tetyana , Zaitseva Olena ,   Kherson National Technical University
Published: April 2022

The article is devoted to the methods of assessing the level of financial security of hotel enterprises. Based on the generalization of research on the methodology of the main approaches to assessing the financial security of enterprises, the authors systematized the advantages of the indicator method: the objectivity of the results based on quantitative assessments of indicators; the ability to quickly monitor negative trends in the enterprise; simplicity of calculations; coverage of various spheres of activity of enterprises; availability of objective information presented in openly published financial statements of enterprises; low time cost and no need for deep special skills for practical application. It is established that the use of the indicator method involves the solution of certain methodological problems, the main of which is the adaptation of normative values of indicators to the specifics of the hotel industry. Given the solution of this problem, the use of the indicator method to assess the level of financial security of hotel enterprises is quite justified and appropriate. Determining the industry characteristics of the hotel industry, which affect the limit values of indicators of the group of financial stability indicators, allowed to offer the use of individual standards for the group of financial stability indicators, namely the coefficient of autonomy, financial leverage, manоeuvrability of equity, current assets and working capital their limit values. For the purpose of practical approbation of the offered technique the comparative analysis of integral indicators of financial stability of the hotel enterprise under classical and author’s approaches is carried out. The obtained results prove that the proposed model allows to obtain a more substantiated partial and aggregate integrated assessment of the level of financial security of the hotel enterprise, as it takes into account industry specifics of the hospitality industry, in terms of factors influencing capital structure optimization. The use of the author’s approach will help to improve the methodological support of financial security management of the hotel industry.
MODELING RELATION BETWEEN ATM LOCAL AND IMPLIED VOLATILITY FOR MICROSOFT STOCKS
Authors: BONDARENKO Maksym , BONDARENKO VICTOR ,   National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute"
Published: April 2022

In this work simple linear and polynomial regression to model the relation between at-the-money (ATM) implied and at-the-money local volatility of Microsoft stocks has been applied. Local volatility is extracted from the set of Vanilla option prices on Microsoft stocks by assuming that Microsoft stock price follows Dupire local volatility process. ATM Local volatility is then used in linear regression predictor while implied volatility is a resulting variable. The model is validated by predicting out-of-sample implied volatility with local volatility. The statistical significance and predictive ability of such model have been measured and autocorrelation tendencies have been studied. The conclusion that assumptions to use linear regression are held has been made. No autocorrelation tendencies were discovered in the time series. Finally, the conclusion that both the 1st and the 3rd order linear regression models demonstrate good predictive ability of local volatility over out-of-sample implied volatility has been made. None of the models proves statistical significance of local volatility as a predictor of the implied volatility but both can be actually used for practical purpose as they predict well out-of-the-sample implied volatilities. This is an important practical result as it means that complex non-linear relationship between implied and local volatilities formalized by Dupire can actually be reduced to simplier linear relationship that demonstrates reasonable discrepancies. Despite the 3rd order model fits the data better, but for the reasons of overfitting in general it’s safer to apply the 1st order model as it demonstrates more stable predictions over datasets with jumps.
Border Management and Gender Issues in sub-Saharan Africa’s Cross-Border Trade under COVID-19
Authors: O. Ashe Muesiri , B. Ojong Vivian
Published: April 2022

Abstract The study is an analysis of border management in relation to the gender structure of cross-border trade in sub-Saharan Africa. It is partly a response to recent policy briefs of the United Nations on gender issues under COVID-19. The study adopted a historical approach and combined data from personal fieldwork with those from both published and unpublished works. It posits that there still exists gross gender imbalance in the region’s cross-border trade and that the agencies in charge of border control can do more to minimise the imbalance. One of its key findings is that policies protecting small-scale cross-border commerce constitute one means of increasing the participation of women and therefore reducing gender imbalance in the system. Among its recommendations is the adoption of relevant initiatives of regional organisations and international agencies that have given gender issues in cross-border trade a priority and embarked on relevant fieldwork on the way forward.
Grappling with Weeds: Invasive Species and Hybrid Landscapes in Cape York Peninsula, Far Northeast Australia
Authors: Reardon-Smith Mardi
Published: April 2022

The control of various introduced species brings to the fore questions around how species are categorised as ‘native’ or ‘invasive’, belonging or not belonging. In far north Queensland, Australia, the Cape York region is a complex mixture of land tenures, including pastoral leases, National Parks and Aboriginal land, and overlapping management agreements. Weed control comprises much of the work that land managers in Cape York do. However, different land managers target different introduced species for control, and the ways in which certain species are understood as more or less problematic indicate how land managers understand and seek to order landscapes. Through investigating the various positions that introduced species occupy, I will explore how Cape York emerges as a ‘hybrid landscape’ that is produced in contested, overlapping and ambiguous ways, and is rife with ‘feral dynamics’.
Asymptotic behaviour of a linearized water waves system in a rectangle
Authors: Su Pei
Published: April 2022

We consider the asymptotic behaviour of small-amplitude gravity water waves in a rectangular domain where the water depth is much smaller than the horizontal scale. The control acts on one lateral boundary, by imposing the horizontal acceleration of the water along that boundary, as a scalar input function u. The state z of the system consists of two functions: the water level ζ along the top boundary, and its time derivative [Formula: see text]. We prove that the solution of the water waves system converges to the solution of the one dimensional wave equation with Neumann boundary control, when taking the shallowness limit. Our approach is based on a special change of variables and a scattering semigroup, which provide the possiblity to apply the Trotter–Kato approximation theorem. Moreover, we use a detailed analysis of Fourier series for the dimensionless version of the partial Dirichlet to Neumann and Neumann to Neumann operators.
Smooth dynamics of a Timoshenko system with hybrid dissipation
Authors: Qin Yuming , Muñoz Rivera Jaime E. , Ma To Fu
Published: April 2022

In this paper we study the longtime dynamics of a class of thermoelastic Timoshenko beams with history in a nonlinear elastic foundation. Our main result establishes the existence of a global attractor with finite fractal dimension without requiring the so-called equal wave speeds assumption. In addition, the attractor belongs to the phase space of strong solutions. The results are based on properties of gradient systems and a concept of quasi-stability. We believe this is the first study on the existence of global attractors for semilinear Timoshenko systems with hybrid dissipation (heat and memory).
Block-sequence of plyometric and balance training is superior to the alternating-sequence for enhancing motor function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A comparative randomized clinical trial
Authors: Elnaggar Ragab K. , Diab Reham H. , Alghadier Mshari , Azab Alshimaa R.
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND:

Postural control deficits are prevalent in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CwHCP). Therefore, the best rehabilitative strategies for remediating these deficits are warranted, which could then enhance function.

OBJECTIVE:

To examine effects of a block versus an alternating sequence of balance training (BT) and plyometric training (PT) on postural control in CwHCP.

METHODS:

Forty-eight CwHCP (812 years) were randomized to a block or an alternating BT/PT training. The block BT/PT group ([Formula: see text] 24) received a six-week BT followed by a six-week PT, twice/week over 12 consecutive weeks. The alternating BT/PT group ([Formula: see text] 24) received an interchanging sequence of BT and PT changed every two weeks for 12 weeks. Postural control [center-of-pressure reaction time (RT), movement velocity (MV), maximum excursion (ME), end-point excursion (EE), and directional control (DC)], functional balance (indicated by pediatric balance scale; PBS), and balance/risk-of-falls during walking (denoted by dynamic gait index; DGI) were assessed before and after training.

RESULTS:

The block BT/PT group showed greater enhancements in postural control variables [RT ([Formula: see text] 0.004), MV ([Formula: see text] 0.028), ME ([Formula: see text] 0.002), EE ([Formula: see text] 0.003), and DC ([Formula: see text] 0.012)] and functional balance ([Formula: see text] 0.006), and lesser risk-of-falls during walking ([Formula: see text] 0.018) when compared to the alternating BT/PT group.

CONCLUSION:

The block BT/PT sequence is more effective to enhance postural control than the alternating sequence in CwHCP.
The effect of external-focus using a paper balloon on the activity of upper limb and trunk muscles during static and dynamic tasks
Authors: Murofushi Koji , Oshikawa Tomoki , Kaneoka Koji , Yamaguchi Daisuke , Hirohata Kenji , Furuya Hidetaka , Mitomo Sho , Akuzawa Hiroshi , Yagishita Kazuyoshi
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND:

External focus isometric exercises using a paper balloon can change trunk muscle activation in the chest squeeze; however, it is unknown whether this method affects muscle activities in conventional exercises.

OBJECTIVE:

To check variations of trunk muscle activity during front plank (static task) and shoulder press (dynamic task) both with and without instruction to avoid crushing an object.

METHODS:

Twenty-six healthy adult males aged 19–49 were recruited. Ten trunk muscle activities were measured using surface electromyography during a front plank and dynamic shoulder press exercises, both with and without external-focus instruction.

RESULTS:

Adding the external-focus using the paper balloon to the front plank significantly activated 8 out of the 10 muscles. In the downward shoulder press, 5 out of 10 muscles with 50% 1 RM, 2 out of 10 muscles with 100% 1 RM were significantly activated.

CONCLUSIONS:

Adding external-focus instruction using paper balloon increases trunk muscles in front plank and shoulder press while possibly improving trunk stability. Novel exercises using paper balloon may efficiently activate specific muscles without external loading thus possibly reducing the stress on the involved joints during exercise.
Biomarkers of Prevalent and Incident Cognitive Dysfunction in People with Dysglycemia: Data from the ORIGIN Trial
Authors: Cukierman-Yaffe Tali , Lee Shun-Fu , Pare Guillaume , McQueen Matthew , Hess Sibylle , Gerstein Hertzel C.
Published: April 2022

Background: Diabetes and cardiovascular disease increase the risk of incident cognitive dysfunction. Identification of novel biochemical markers for cognitive dysfunction may identify people at the highest risk while yielding insights regarding the pathophysiology of cognitive dysfunction. Objective: To identify cardiovascular biomarkers in serum that are independent predictors of cognitive dysfunction in individuals with dysglycemia. Methods: This analysis was conducted in 8,365 participants in the Outcome Reduction with an Initial Glargine Intervention (ORIGIN) trial whose stored serum was analyzed for 238 cardio-metabolic biomarkers and completed a baseline Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Fine and Gray sub distribution hazard models accounting for the competing risk of death accounting for clinical risk factors and the baseline MMSE were used to identify biomarkers that predicted incident cognitive dysfunction (MMSE < 24 or dementia) using forward selection with an inclusion p-value < 0.0002 to account for multiplicity. Results: During a median follow-up period of 6.2 years, 939 individuals developed cognitive dysfunction. After accounting for 17 clinical risk factors, glargine allocation, and the baseline MMSE, three biomarkers (α-2 Macroglobulin, HR 1.19; 95% CI 1.12, 1.27; Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 1α, HR 1.11; 95% CI 1.06, 1.16; and Growth Hormone, HR 0.91; 95% CI 0.87, 0.96) independently predicted incident cognitive dysfunction (p < 0.0002). Addition of these biomarkers to a model that included clinical risk factors, however, did not improve the ability to predict cognitive dysfunction. Conclusion: Addition of independent biomarkers to clinical risk factors for cognitive dysfunction in people with dysglycemia did not predict incident cognitive dysfunction better than clinical risk factors alone.
Decision-Making Profiles and Their Associations with Cognitive Performance in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Zhang Ying , Wang Jing , Sun Tingting , Wang Luchun , Li Tao , Li Huizi , Zheng Yaonan , Fan Zili , Zhang Ming , Tu Lihui , Yu Xin , Wang Huali
Published: April 2022

Background: It is crucial for older adults, especially those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), to make profitable decisions routinely. However, the results regarding decision-making (DM) remain inconsistent. Objective: The present study assessed DM profiles under uncertainty conditions in individuals with MCI and their associations with multi-domain cognitive performance. Method: Fifty-three patients with MCI and forty-two age-, gender-, and education level-matched healthy controls (HCs) were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery test. The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and Game of Dice Task (GDT) were used to assess DM competence in conditions involving ambiguity and risk, respectively. In addition, Spearman’s correlations were used to examine relationships between GDT and multi-domain cognitive performance. Result: The final capital (FC) and frequency of utilization of negative feedback (FUNF) and positive feedback (FUPF) in the GDT were lower in MCI patients than in HCs. In addition, the number of shifts between safe and risky alternatives was significantly different across groups. However, IGT performance was comparable across groups. In the MCI patients, risky DM performance was associated with language, whereas in HCs was correlated with memory and executive functions. Besides, in MCI, performance on IGT was significantly correlated with social cognition. Conclusion: Individuals with mild cognitive impairment have difficulty utilizing feedback to make optimal decisions under risky situations. The association between decision-making performance and cognitive function is divergent regarding situational uncertainty and individuals’ cognitive status. In mild cognitive impairment and normal aging, decision-making under ambiguity needs further investigation.
Cross-Cultural Longitudinal Study on Cognitive Decline (CLoCODE) for Subjective Cognitive Decline in China and Germany: A Protocol for Study Design
Authors: Sheng Can , Yang Kun , He Beiqi , Li Taoran , Wang Xiaoqi , Du Wenying , Hu Xiaochen , Jiang Jiehui , Jiang Xueyan , Jessen Frank , Han Ying
Published: April 2022

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is considered as the first symptomatic manifestation of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is also affected by different cultural backgrounds. Establishing cross-cultural prediction models of SCD is challenging. Objective: To establish prediction models of SCD available for both the Chinese and European populations. Methods: In this project, 330 SCD from China and 380 SCD from Germany are intended to be recruited. For all participants, standardized assessments, including clinical, neuropsychological, apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, blood, and multi-parameter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline will be conducted. Participants will voluntarily undergo amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) and are classified into amyloid-β (Aβ) positive SCD (SCD+) and Aβ negative SCD (SCD-). First, baseline data of all SCD individuals between the two cohorts will be compared. Then, key features associated with brain amyloidosis will be extracted in SCD+ individuals, and the diagnosis model will be established using the radiomics method. Finally, the follow-up visits will be conducted every 12 months and the primary outcome is the conversion to mild cognitive impairment or dementia. After a 4-year follow-up, we will extract factors associated with the conversion risk of SCD using Cox regression analysis. Results: At present, 141 SCD from China and 338 SCD from Germany have been recruited. Initial analysis showed significant differences in demographic information, neuropsychological tests, and regional brain atrophy in SCD compared with controls in both cohorts. Conclusion: This project may be of great value for future implications of SCD studies in different cultural backgrounds. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04696315. Registered 3 January 2021.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment: Normative Data for Cognitively Healthy Swedish 80- to 94-Year-Olds
Authors: Classon Elisabet , van den Hurk Wobbie , Lyth Johan , Johansson Maria M.
Published: April 2022

Background: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is sensitive to cognitive impairment; however, it is also sensitive to demographic and socio-cultural factors. This necessitates reliable sub-population norms, but these are often lacking for older adults. Objective: To present demographically adjusted regression-based MoCA norms for cognitively healthy Swedish older adults. Methods: A pseudo-random sample of community-dwelling 80- to 94-year-olds, stratified by age and gender, was invited to the study. Initial telephone interviews and medical records searches (n = 218) were conducted to screen for cognitive impairment. N = 181 eligible participants were administered a protocol including the Swedish version of the MoCA and assessments of global cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9). Individuals scoring in the range of possible cognitive impairment on the MMSE or more than mild depression on the PHQ-9 were excluded (n = 23); three discontinued the test-session. Results: Norms were derived from the remaining n = 158. They were evenly distributed by gender, on average 85 years old, and with a mean education of 11 years. MoCA scores were independently influenced by age and education, together explaining 17.2% of the total variance. Higher age and lower education were associated with lower performance and 46% performed below the original cut-off (< 26/30). Conclusion: The negative impact of increasing age on MoCA performance continues linearly into the nineties in normal aging. Demographic factors should be considered when interpreting MoCA performance and a tool for computing demographically corrected standard scores is provided.
Lipid Rafts Act as a Common Platform for Amyloid-β Oligomer-Induced Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology
Authors: Kawarabayashi Takeshi , Nakamura Takumi , Sato Kaoru , Seino Yusuke , Ichii Sadanobu , Nakahata Naoko , Takatama Masamitsu , Westaway David , George-Hyslop Peter St. , Shoji Mikio
Published: April 2022

Background: Amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers induce the overproduction of phosphorylated tau and neurodegeneration. These cascades gradually cause cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While each pathological event in AD has been studied in detail separately, the spatial and temporal relationships between pathological events in AD remain unclear. Objective: We demonstrated that lipid rafts function as a common platform for the pathological cascades of AD. Methods: Cellular and synaptosomal lipid rafts were prepared from the brains of Aβ amyloid model mice (Tg2576 mice) and double transgenic mice (Tg2576 x TgTauP301L mice) and longitudinally analyzed. Results: Aβ dimers, the cellular prion protein (PrPc), and Aβ dimer/PrPc complexes were detected in the lipid rafts. The levels of Fyn, the phosphorylated NR2B subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, glycogen synthase kinase 3β, total tau, phosphorylated tau, and tau oligomers increased with Aβ dimer accumulation in both the cellular and synaptosomal lipid rafts. Increases in the levels of these molecules were first seen at 6 months of age and corresponded with the early stages of Aβ accumulation in the amyloid model mice. Conclusion: Lipid rafts act as a common platform for the progression of AD pathology. The findings of this study suggest a novel therapeutic approach to AD, involving the modification of lipid raft components and the inhibition of their roles in the sequential pathological events of AD.
Stability of Montreal Cognitive Assessment in Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Potential Influence of Practice Effect
Authors: Lei Lauren K.S. , Lam Bess Y.H. , Lai Daniel W.L. , Bai Xue , Li Jessica , Zou Zhi , Chan Chetwyn C.H.
Published: April 2022

Background: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a standard test for screening and monitoring cognitive functions. Objective: This study explored the two-year changes in MoCA scores in older adults. Methods: Fifty-seven participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 87 participants with normal cognition completed the baseline and two-year follow-up assessments. Apart from MoCA, tests on visuospatial judgment, memory, and motor-related executive function were administered. Results: The results identified three MCI subgroups based on the differential changes in MoCA scores. They were the consistently low, consistently high, and low-to-high between-time performances. These heterogeneous test performances are on contrary to the significant deteriorations in executive function and finger dexterity across all subgroups. Repeated exposure to MoCA tests during the follow-up period was found to be a plausible indicator of the MCI subgroup categorization. Conclusion: Findings raise concerns over adopting brief clinical instrument for repeated testing, such as MoCA, for monitoring MCI conditions among older adults.
Multicoil torque modeling of reluctance spherical motor based on linear interpolation
Authors: Wang Lei , Wang Qunjing , Zhou Rui , Zhang Tao , Feng Youliang
Published: April 2022

Due to the large amount of finite element calculation resources, the calculation stability is low. In order to obtain accurate torque data conveniently, a new torque modeling method is proposed in this paper. By establishing the minimum torque model, the finite element software is used to obtain elementary torque map, and the torque within the whole rotor motion range is built by polynomial fitting, and then the position torque in the process of rotor motion under different currents is obtained by multiple linear interpolation method, and converted to the global coordinate system by projection. The multicoil torque is superimposed and corrected by using the dynamic error coefficient to obtain the final synthetic torque. Finally, the effectiveness of the modeling method is verified by simulation and experiments. The results show that this method not only ensures the modeling accuracy, but also speeds up the calculation.
Thymic Lesions in Myasthenia Gravis: A Clinicopathological Study from India
Authors: Nishadham Vikas , Bardhan Mainak , Polavarapu Kiran , Vengalil Seena , Nashi Saraswati , Menon Deepak , Ganaraja Valakunja Harikrishna , Preethish-Kumar Veeramani , Valasani Ravi Kiran , Huddar Akshata , Unnikrishnan Gopi Krishnan , Thomas Abel , Saravanan Akshaya , Kulanthaivelu Karthik , Nalini Atchayaram , Nandeesh Bevinahalli Nanjegowda
Published: April 2022

Background and Objectives:

Thymic pathology is common in Myasthenia Gravis(MG) and plays a crucial role in its pathogenesis and clinical outcome. This study aims to discuss the clinicohistopathological spectrum of thymic lesions in MG.

Methods:

In this retrospective study, MG patients who underwent thymectomy from 2011 to 2020 were included. Clinical, radiological, serological, and histopathological details are described.

Results:

Of 83 patients( F = 45; M = 38), 7(8%) had ocular myasthenia, and the remaining 76(92%) had the generalized form. At onset, the median age was 36 years( M = 44; F = 31). AChR antibody was positive in 71/79 patients. RNST showed decrement response in 68/78 patients. The histopathological study demonstrated thymoma in 44(53%), thymic hyperplasias [32(38%)], involuted thymus [5(6%)], thymic cyst (1) and thymic lipoma (1). WHO grading of thymoma: B2- 48%, AB-18%, B-18%, B3-14%, A-2.3%. In these, capsular infiltration was noted in 11/44, 9 had focal and 2 had diffuse infiltration. Active germinal centers were present in 20/32 patients with thymic hyperplasia and 4/44 with thymoma. Thymomas were predominant in males and thymic hyperplasia in females. The age of onset and antibody positivity rate was higher in thymoma patients.

Conclusion:

In our cohort, there is a female preponderance. Thymoma was the commonest pathology followed by hyperplasia. We observed earlier onset of myasthenia in females. AChR antibody positivity rate was more frequent in thymomas. This study indicates that clinico-radiological evaluation adequately supported by serology and histopathology can effectively recognize the type of thymic pathology that can guide these patients’ treatment planning, management, prognosis and follow-up.
Role of international, regional and country organizations in adapting to statistical standards and regional differences: The case of food and agriculture statistics
Authors: Bizier Valerie , Gennari Pietro , Kalamvrezos Navarro Dorian
Published: April 2022

The adoption of international standards is essential to producing internationally comparable official statistics. However, as the particular case of the adoption of SDG indicators demonstrates, this is by no means a linear process. According to FAO’s SDG data gap assessment conducted in 2019 and other statistical capacity assessment reports (e.g., World Bank, AfDB…), financial, professional and technological capacities of national statistical agencies vary greatly between countries and regions, as does the level of political support and commitment to statistics. These differences call for more targeted interventions by international institutions to support the uptake of statistical standards. To face this challenge, FAO is increasingly building the capacity of its regional and country offices to better mainstream food and agricultural statistics in regional and national cooperation strategies and activities, while also stepping up its resource mobilization efforts. Regional roadmaps are currently being rolled out to support countries in adopting food- and agriculture-related SDG indicators and other statistical standards, taking into consideration regional particularities, the impact of UN reform, action plans developed by UN Regional Commissions and other relevant regional partnership opportunities. This paper will highlight some of the key regional differences in countries’ capacity to adapt to statistical standards, describe FAO’s regional targeted interventions in the context of food and agricultural statistics, and discuss the remaining main challenges.
Multivariate small area estimation of undernutrition for children under five using official statistics
Authors: Yilema Seyifemickael Amare , Shiferaw Yegnanew A. , Zewotir Temesgen , Muluneh Essey Kebede
Published: April 2022

Surveys are mainly used to obtain reliable estimates for planned domains at national and regional levels. However, the unplanned domains (lower administrative layers) with small sample sizes must be estimated. The direct survey estimates of the non-planned domains with small sample sizes lead to large sampling variability. Thus, small area estimations dealt with managing this variability by borrowing the strength of neighboring areas. The target variables of the study were obtained from the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey (EDHS) and the auxiliary variables taken from the 2007 population and housing census data. Multivariate Fay Herriot (MFH) model was used by incorporating the correlations among the target variables. The model diagnostic measures assured the normality assumption, and the consistency of multivariate small area estimates are valid. Multivariate EBLUPs of the target variables produced the lowest percent coefficient of variation (CV) and root mean square error (MSE). Therefore, multivariate EBLUP has improved the direct survey estimates of undernutrition (stunting, wasting, and underweight) for small sample sizes (even zero sample sizes). It also provided better estimates compared to the univariate EBLUPs. Generally, multivariate EBLUPs of undernutrition produced the best reliable, efficient, and precise estimates for small sample sizes in all zones. Zones are essential domains for planning and monitoring purposes in the country, and therefore these results provide valuable estimates for policymakers, planners, and legislative organs of the government. One of the novelties of this paper is estimating the non-sampled zones, and therefore the policymakers will give equal attention similar to the sampled zones.
Conflict detection in Task Heterogeneous Information Networks
Authors: Hu Zhonghui , Zhang Rui , Li Xichang , Yu Zhipei , Li Xiaojie , Zhao Wenfeng , Zhang Xudong , Li Lin
Published: April 2022

Task scheduling problems are involved in various fields, such as personal travel planning, UAV group path planning, intelligent furniture task scheduling and so on. As most of these task scheduling problems are subject to constraints of time, space and resource, conflicts often arise. However, the existing methods are typically limited to specific areas or geared to meet one or two types of constraints. As a result, they are unable to solve all conflicts systematically. This paper proposes a Task Heterogeneous Information Network (THIN) to model scheduling tasks and constraints comprehensively. Then, by dynamically exploring and converting Task Heterogeneous Information Networks, a series of algorithms are designed to detect and resolve all types of conflicts. Finally, conflict-free task plans are produced as outputs. Experiments have been conducted on datasets of different sizes, and the results show that our methods are effective.