bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Conventional Root Canal Sealers With Ones That Use Green Synthesized Nanoparticles for Antimicrobial Activity: Protocol for a Systematic Review (Preprint)
Authors: Mohamed Abubaker , Ismail Enas , Adam Razia Z
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Root canal failure and secondary endodontic infection are frequent clinical scenarios in dentistry. The main microorganisms implicated in root canal therapy failure are persistent Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus. To combat the impact of disease resistance, scientists are concentrating on alternative antimicrobial root canal sealers. Nanomaterials are a recent development in endodontic materials that exhibit great antimicrobial properties, making them an ideal material choice for root canal sealers.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aims to compare the antimicrobial properties of conventional root canal sealers to those incorporating green synthesized nanoparticles between 2010 and 2024.

METHODS

A well-constructed protocol was established and registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021286373). Ethics approval was obtained from the Biomedical Research and Ethics Committee from the University of the Western Cape (UWC; BM22/1/4). PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) reporting guidelines were followed. The included criteria demonstrate the green synthesized nanoparticles studies where the nanoparticles (NPs) are incorporated in root canal sealers. MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms were used for the search strategy of the systematic electronic databases for articles published in English between 2010 and 2024. The selected databases included Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, EBSCOhost, SpringerLink, and Wiley Online. A quality assessment tool for laboratory studies will be used to critically appraise the included studies. If applicable, statistical measures (mean, SD, etc) will be used for data analysis and presentation of the results.

RESULTS

The protocol is registered with PROSPERO. A preliminary search was conducted using a determined search strategy across 8 electronic databases, and the review is now complete.

CONCLUSIONS

It is anticipated that the results of this systematic review may reveal the increased interest and application for nanoparticle-enhanced root canal sealers. This will aid in the future development of root canal sealants and mitigate the risk of endodontic failure.

CLINICALTRIAL

PROSPERO CRD42021286373; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=286373

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/51351
Perceptions of the Use of Mobile Technologies for Smoking Cessation: Focus Group Study With Individuals of Low Socioeconomic Status Who Smoke (Preprint)
Authors: Wakeman Michael , Tesfaye Lydia , Gregory Tim , Leahy Erin , Kendrick Brandon , El-Toukhy Sherine
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

The use of mobile technologies to deliver behavioral health interventions, including smoking cessation support, has grown. Users’ perceptions are important determinants of the adoption and use of new technologies. However, little is known about users’ perceptions of mobile technologies as smoking cessation aids, particularly among disadvantaged individuals who smoke.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the acceptance of mobile technologies for smoking cessation among young adults with low socioeconomic status who smoke.

METHODS

In total, 38 current cigarette smokers, 18 to 29 years old, who wanted to quit and did not have a 4-year college degree nor were enrolled in a 4-year college, participated in 12 semistructured digital focus groups. The moderation guide was guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Discussions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded for the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology constructs (ie, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, performance expectancy, and social influence), sentiment (ie, negative, neutral, and positive), and purpose of using mobile technologies (ie, lifestyle and health management and smoking cessation) following a deductive thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

Participants had positive experiences using mobile technologies for lifestyle and health management, primarily for fitness and dietary purposes. Salient themes were facilitating conditions of use (44/80, 55%), with prior experiences and costs subthemes, followed by perceived usefulness of mobile technologies in helping users attain health goals (22/80, 27.50%), which were generally positive. Ease of use (11/80, 13.75%) and social influences (3/80, 3.75%) were minimally discussed. Conversely, participants had limited awareness of smoking cessation uses of mobile technologies, which was the primary barrier under facilitating conditions discussed (33/51, 64.70%). Participants expressed skepticism about the usefulness of mobile technologies in helping them quit smoking (14/51, 27.45%). Effort expectancy was not discussed, given participants’ limited prior use. Social influences on mobile technology use for smoking cessation were minimally discussed (4/51, 7.84%).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of mobile technologies for smoking cessation was unknown to young adults with low socioeconomic status who smoke. To reduce cigarette smoking and associated health disparities, increasing awareness and use of evidence-based mobile-based smoking cessation interventions are needed. Smoking cessation interventions should incorporate features perceived as useful and easy to use to capitalize on positive user experiences and the acceptability of mobile technologies for lifestyle and health management.
The Stanford Social Media Safety Plan: Proposing a New Approach for Youth and Social Media Use (Preprint)
Authors: Djordjevic Darja , Vasan Nina
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

We propose the [Anonymized] Social Media Safety Plan as a user-friendly, collaborative, and effective tool to mitigate the imminent dangers and risks to mental health that are associated with social media use by children, adolescents, and young adults. This tool is informed and inspired by suicide safety plans as part of suicide safety planning (SSP), which have long shaped the standard of care for psychiatric discharges from inpatient units, emergency rooms, and comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs (CPEPs), as well as longitudinal outpatient care following occurrences of suicidal ideation or suicide attempts. In many systems including those of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) where we first encountered them early in the course of our clinical training, they constitute an absolute requirement prior to discharge of the patient. Our social media safety plan is to be used proactively, in times of normalcy as well as crisis. While parental controls for digital devices and online platforms, official legal age requirements for online accounts, and individual parenting approaches abound, there is a dearth of practical tools that youth, families, schools, and communities can use to shape and alter social media use parameters, rules, and habits. Furthermore, providers in psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and mental health at large are often confronted with behaviors and issues related to social media use during already time and resource-limited appointments, providing a massive opportunity for interventions that are harm reduction-oriented and easy to disseminate. While it has not yet been studied in a clinical trial, we have piloted its use with patients and families, worked on revisions and potential distinct versions of it, and presented it to larger audiences at mental health and technology conferences over the past year. The responses and feedback we have received, as well as reported anecdotal experiences with using it, have been overwhelmingly positive.

OBJECTIVE

See above.

METHODS

See article.

RESULTS

See article.

CONCLUSIONS

An already unfolding child and adolescent mental health epidemic in the US has been aggravated and deepened partly by way of easy access to social media (and digital-screen time) with inadequate safeguards and monitoring in place. Legal regulation of tech companies and their social media platforms remains controversial to some extent—we believe it is necessary. Yet social media’s impacts and related interventions require a multitiered biopsychosocial and cultural approach: at the level of the individual child, the family, the school, the state, the market, and the nation. At the level of youth and their parents or caregivers, practical tools are desperately needed. We propose the Stanford Brainstorm Social Media Safety Plan as one such significant tool.

CLINICALTRIAL

N/A
Implementation of Telemedicine in Nursing Facilities and Clinics During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)
Authors: Xiong Glen , Marco Noachim , Yellowlees Barb , Alejandrez Leticia , O'Ryan Kyle , McPeak Sunne Wright
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Telemedicine utilization grew exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Long-term care facilities were the most vulnerable, hardest hit, and least resourced to combat the pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

During the pandemic 2 Telemedicine implementation studies were performed in nursing homes and community clinics. The objectives included an analysis of Telemedicine impact on patients, staff, and providers, and identification of the implications for managing the COVID-19 virus first in closed nursing home facilities, and then later in community clinics. Also, the identification of possible barriers, challenges, and the formulation of recommendations for policymakers and regulators.

METHODS

The two studies used a diverse set of research methods including data collection from Monthly Learning Community Meetings (stakeholders involved with setting up the TM systems in their facilities), Telemedicine-Visit Documentation forms, and Bi-Weekly Telemedicine Utilization Check-Ins meetings.

RESULTS

In study 1 five long-term care facilities (LTCF) in California participated, with 3 contributing 37 patients in total. In the broadened community clinic second study a total of 8756 patients were seen, primarily for routine follow-up care. Patient comfort level was high with over 90% reporting comfort in both studies and clinicians reporting over 85% comfort in both studies. The findings emphasize the need for leadership to support staff buy-in and change management, the need for quality and consistent training, and the need for technical assessments of WiFi capacity, cybersecurity, and compatibility with software and networks.

CONCLUSIONS

Nursing home uptake of Telemedicine at the beginning of the pandemic was poor, mainly because of lack of internal resourcing and high staff turnover, but expansion of the Telemedicine program to several community clinics later on proved to be successful. The studies provided recommendations for policymakers, funders, and clinicians to support successful Telemedicine programs. Telemedicine holds great promise for providing positive patient outcomes and improvements in overall population health. However, optimizing the potential of Telemedicine is a matter of transforming culture and healthcare systems, not just providing technology.
Medical Students’ Attitudes and Competence in eHealth and Digitalization – A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in 2016–2022 (Preprint)
Authors: Veikkolainen Paula , Tuovinen Timo , Kulmala Petri , Jarva Erika , Juntunen Jonna , Tuomikoski Anna-Maria , Männistö Merja , Pihlajasalo Teemu , Reponen Jarmo
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Modern healthcare systems worldwide are facing challenges, and digitalization is viewed as a means to strengthen healthcare globally. As digitalization in healthcare demands adjustments in practices, policies, and workflows, assessing healthcare professionals' competencies is crucial for effective integration into their work environment.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyse how the attitudes, skills and knowledge of medical student concerning eHealth and healthcare digitalization have shifted from 2016 to 2022 in connection with the development of the national healthcare information system architecture utilizing the Clinical Adoption Meta-Model framework.

METHODS

The research population consisted of fifth-year medical students from one University in Finland during 2016, 2021 and 2022. A survey questionnaire was administered which comprised seven background questions and 16 statements measured on a five-point Likert scale assessing students’ attitudes towards eHealth and their digital capabilities. The results were recategorized into a dichotomous scale and presented using frequencies and percentages. The statistical analysis employed a Pearson’s chi-square test.

RESULTS

The study involved 215 medical students (n = 45 in 2016, n = 106 in 2021, and n = 64 in 2022). Overall, the medical students displayed positive attitudes towards the use of digital applications in healthcare. Knowledge about the national health information exchange service has significantly improved over time. Despite positive changes in skills and attitudes among students, recent observations also indicate a more reserved stance towards healthcare digitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

There has been a positive shift in the digital competence and attitudes of medical students over the years, potentially influenced by the development of the national health information system architecture. Highlighting digital health topics and interdisciplinary teaching in basic medical education is essential to foster innovation and to ensure future doctors possess a high level of digital competence.
Equipping Students for Future Jobs: The Essential Role of STEM Education
Authors: Doly Farzana Sultana
Published: October 2024

In an age characterized by swift technological progress and a continuously transforming global economy, the significance of equipping students for future employment is of utmost importance. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education has surfaced as a pivotal foundation for providing students with the competencies and knowledge requisite for excelling in this competitive landscape. This article investigates the indispensable function of STEM education in cultivating workforce preparedness through the enhancement of the ability of critical thinking, applying problem-solving skills, and adaptability. It assesses the influence of early exposure to STEM on long-term career achievement, delineates principal challenges related with the application of STEM education—such as disparities in access and shortages of qualified educators—and deliberates on the broader economic and societal repercussions of a well-equipped STEM workforce. The article further emphasizes the vital role of industry partnerships in augmenting STEM education via practical applications, internships, and alignment of curricula. Ultimately, this article accentuates the necessity for a cooperative endeavor among educators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to guarantee that all students are afforded access to high-quality STEM education, thus preparing them to discourse the requirements of the future labor market and contribute to sustained monetary advancement.
Automated Fingerprint Identification System
Authors: Patil Suraj Uday
Published: October 2024

Abstract: AFIS is regarded as one of the greatest advancements in biometric systems as it enables fast and efficient identification of an individual by their distinct fingerprint designs. This system employs the use of digital imaging, finger-power techniques and other technologies in the storage and comparison of fingerprints. With AFIS, fingerprint images are all digitized making it easier to carry out crime investigations, border control and general identification of persons. The strength of AFIS systems is evidenced by the increased accuracy levels along with the capacity to accommodate numerous records and still allow for fast searches by fingerprinting matching to existing images for law enforcement on file. Some problems nevertheless persist which include the quality of fingerprints and environmental interferences, however machine learning and artificial intelligence improvements are still being incorporated into the systems to make them work even better. This paper investigates the system architecture and components, operational aspects, and prospects for development of the AFIS technology, which is essential in contemporary informational security
IOT-Enabled Smart Healthcare: Developing Predictive Models for Chronic Disease Management Using Wearable Sensors
Authors: Tripathi Dr. Diwakar Ramanuj , Ahmad Sufiyan Ahmad , Danish Arsalan
Published: October 2024

Abstract: Real-time monitoring and prediction models will be used to assess the efficiency of the IoT-enabled smart healthcare solutions in managing chronic diseases. From this study, in addition to the quantitative data, including the performance of the model, patient engagement, and cost savings, qualitative information obtained from the patients and healthcare professionals will be employed using a mixed-methods research approach. This collected rich data from surveys, performance measurements, real-time monitoring data, and cost analyses with 50 health professionals and 200 chronic disease patients. The results of the study indicate that predictive models, more particularly the Neural Network, enhanced the ability to identify cases of chronic illness with an accuracy of 92.4%. Extremely high patient satisfaction rates: 9.0 out of 10. Real-time monitoring shows hospital admissions falling by as much as 50% among those suffering with respiratory disease. Cost-benefit analysis also documented financial sustainability, with overall annual cost reduction at 43.3%. Soon after implementation, usage metrics also revealed that the average user uses it three times a day, while patient-provider interactions increased by 150%. This study highlights how IoT technologies would benefit patients' clinical conditions, improve chronic disease management, and save healthcare expenses.
Cloud-Based Blockchain for Secure Data Sharing and Collaboration
Authors: Tripathi Dr. Diwakar Ramanuj , Rahangdale Dipendra Munnalal , Patel Hardik Jitendrakumar
Published: October 2024

Abstract: This study seeks to delve into the interrelation between user training and data security events in light of cloud-based blockchain technology improvement in terms of data security in collaborative contexts. A total of five firms was taken to collect data from a quantitative study, focusing more on variables that surrounded user training levels as well as data security events. This reflects that there exists a strong statistical negative correlation of frequency of security incidents and user training. Hence it has been established that the increase in the extent of training has considerably reduced vulnerabilities. Moreover, it was observed that there exists a positive relation between user participation and training. This means that to safe-guard data shared procedures, successful training activities can play an essential role. Such findings may be practically useful for firms who wish to take maximum advantage of their data security strategy.
Thermal modification of fast-growing Firmiana simplex wood using tin alloy: Evaluation of physical and mechanical properties
Authors: Okon Kufre Edet , Ndulue Nkolika
Published: October 2024

Wood is an important structural material, but some undesirable properties limit its application in construction. This study investigated the effect of tin alloy thermal modification (TTM) on selected physical and mechanical properties of Firmiana simplex (Chinese bottletree) wood. Tin alloy thermal modification of F. simplex was performed in a tin alloy bath at two different temperatures (150 oC and 210 oC for 2 h and 8 h). Physical properties such as swelling, water absorption and density and mechanical properties like modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, impact bending, compression strength and Brinell hardness of tin alloy thermal modified and control samples were evaluated. The results showed that tin alloy thermal modification decreased the swelling of the wood to 4,85 %, 1,45 % and 6,99 % along the tangential, radial and volumetric coefficient and water absorption and density decreased to 53,10 % and 290 kg/m3 respectively compared to the control. Modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, impact bending, compression strength and Brinell hardness of tin alloy thermal modified F. simplex at 210 °C for 8 h decreased to 6366,1 MPa, 54,9 MPa, 2,7 MPa, 29,4 MPa and 1113,5 MPa respectively compared to the control. In conclusion, the tin alloy thermal modified wood at 210 oC significantly affected the physical and mechanical properties of the wood.
The Doctrine of Natural Law as the Ideology of the Western Legal Tradition
Authors: Komleva E.
Published: October 2024

The article examines classical natural law as the ideological foundation of the legal tradition in the Western world. As the author demonstrates, natural law was inherently linked to the legal traditions of antiquity and the Middle Ages, shaping both the dominant historical type of legal thinking and the models of legal regulation implemented within the respective traditions for the behavior of participants in legal communication. The preeminent position of natural law was determined by historical context as well as the specificities of the legal orders corresponding to that historical type. According to the author, the doctrine of classical natural law has become the ideological bedrock of the Western legal tradition in all its diverse aspects and manifestations. It can, therefore, be asserted that the Western legal tradition, viewed from this perspective, constitutes a collection of legal ideas characteristic of Western civilization and intended for the modernization of non-Western states.
Effectiveness of Implementing Vertical Space Utilization in Badung District
Authors: Puspanegara I. W.A. , Senastri N. M.J. , Puspadma I. N.A.
Published: October 2024

The study aims to examine the problem of implementing Badung Regency Regional Regulation Number 26 of 2013 in the use of vertical space regarding the height of multi-storey buildings and the supervision of violations of vertical space utilization in Badung Regency. This study employs an empirical legal research method, which involves observation and interviews as data collection techniques. The results indicate that there is a discrepancy between the desired and actual outcomes of the implementation of vertical space utilization related to multi-storey buildings in Badung Regency. A discrepancy was identified between the intended and actual implementation of vertical space utilization related to multi-story buildings in Badung Regency. The violation of the building height provisions, which have been set at a maximum of 15 meters, renders ineffective the provisions of Badung Regency Regional Regulation Number 26 of 2013. The absence of community participation in monitoring the use of vertical space can result in a lack of attention to violations that occur directly in the field. This has implications for the importance of integrating public participation in legislation to address issues related to vertical space utilization and maintain harmony between development and environmental conservation. The study contributes to the discourse on sustainable urban development and the integration of legal principles with cultural values, offering practical benefits for legal practice and regulatory improvement in spatial planning.
Optimal Speed Control of Hybrid Stepper Motors through Integrating PID Tuning with LFD-NM Algorithm
Authors: S Deepa , C Venkatesh , M Maheswaran , S.Archana Devi  , T Jayaprakash
Published: October 2024

In order to regulate the speed of hybrid stepper motors (HSM), this work presents an optimally tuned proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. The combination of algorithms known as the combined Levy flight distribution and Nelder Mead (LFD-NM) method essentially considers it unique to tune the PID. The accurate local search properties of the Nelder Mead (NM) technique are combined with the exploratory capabilities of the Levy flight distribution (LFD) algorithm in this method. A combination LFD-NM approach improves PID controller parameter optimisation efficiency by striking a balance between exploration and exploitation. The efficacy of the suggested method is validated by comparative simulations against the original LFD algorithm and many metaheuristic algorithms including cuckoo search and genetic algorithms. The assessment of performance includes statistical testing, robustness analysis, management of load disturbances, evaluation of energy efficiency, assessment of transient and frequency responses, and consideration of control signal constraints. Additional experimental verification confirms that a recommended LFD-NM-based PID controller is successful. Analyses conducted in comparison with the latest PID controllers demonstrate its exceptional efficacy in attaining ideal control over the speed of hybrid stepper motors (HSM)
cor vermelha nas embalagens e o consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados doces
Authors: Coutinho Guilherme M.S. , Lemos Thayane C. , Almo André , Campagnoli Rafaela  R. , David Isabel Antunes
Published: October 2024

O consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados tem crescido vertiginosamente nas últimas décadas, trazendo consequências para a saúde humana e ambiental. Dentre as estratégias de defesa estão os modelos de rotulagem frontal como forma de reduzir o apelo positivo evocado por esses alimentos. Dentre eles, o modelo em forma de semáforo utiliza um sistema de cores para informar o consumidor sobre nutrientes críticos (como açúcares, sal, gordura) presentes em excesso no alimento. Em um estudo realizado pelo nosso grupo de pesquisa, investigamos um possível efeito contraditório do semáforo: A cor vermelha poderia realçar a percepção do sabor em alimentos doces e gerar uma maior motivação implícita a favor do seu consumo a despeito da sua associação explícita com nutrientes em excesso? Foram realizados 2 experimentos, o primeiro utilizando escalas psicométricas e o segundo utilizando a eletroencefalografia. Em ambos, códigos de cores foram associadas de forma prévia com possíveis riscos à saúde (verde: baixo risco; âmbar: médio risco e vermelho: alto risco). Um dos códigos de cores era apresentado previamente a uma imagem de alimento ultraprocessado. Os dois experimentos mostraram que a cor vermelha promoveu um aumento da reatividade emocional positiva evocada por alimentos doces (versus alimentos salgados) apesar da compreensão dos malefícios à saúde pelos participantes. Portanto, os resultados apontaram para um efeito contrário ao desejado para a cor vermelha, podendo influenciar a eficácia deste sistema de rotulagem. Pesquisas interdisciplinares podem contribuir para a promoção de ambientes alimentares mais saudáveis e sustentáveis, auxiliando na discussão de políticas de saúde baseadas em evidências.
Possibilidades educacionais de um cinedebate sobre um filme acerca da matemática Hipátia
Authors: Silva Livia Jeniffer Faria da , Teixeira Ricardo Roberto Plaza
Published: October 2024

Este artigo de pesquisa educacional investiga a realização de um cinedebate que utiliza o filme "Ágora", sobre a matemática Hipátia, como ponto de partida para discutir a relevância da presença das mulheres na matemática. O estudo teve como objetivo central examinar como a exibição desse filme influenciou a percepção, o interesse e o engajamento do público em relação às contribuições das mulheres no campo da matemática. A metodologia empregada combina abordagens qualitativas e quantitativas, envolvendo a coleta de dados por meio de questionários e a observação dos tópicos abordados no debate que ocorreu após a exibição do filme. Os resultados indicam um aumento na conscientização dos participantes do cinedebate sobre a importância da participação das mulheres na matemática. Além disso, o estudo identifica questões que mais se sobressaem na percepção dos participantes acerca desta temática. Este estudo destaca a importância tanto de realizar atividades educacionais e culturais para ajudar a promover a diversidade de gênero na matemática, quanto de criar ambientes mais inclusivos e equitativos para as mulheres nesse e em outros campos de estudo das ciências exatas.
Sponsor Ownership and Stock Price Crash Risk －Evidence from Asian REITs
Authors:   Konkuk Research Institute of Real Estate and Urban Studies, Han Gwang-Ho , Ro Seung-Han
Published: October 2024

We investigate whether an increase in sponsor ownership can decrease stock price crash risk by mitigating agency problems. In Asian real estate investment trusts (REITs), sponsors assume indirect control by taking ownership of companies that externally manage REITs. Thus, there is a higher chance of agency problems in Asian REITs because external managers might be motivated to operate the REITs according to the sponsor’s interest, thereby increasing stock price crash risk. Our results show a significant negative relationship between sponsor ownership and stock price crash risk. We argue that sponsor ownership and connection to the government should be considered in the risk analysis of Asian REITs.
Preparando cidadãos digitais
Authors: Marquêz Paulo Antonio de Sousa
Published: October 2024

A resenha de Educação Midiática e Inteligência Artificial: Fundamentos, de Mariana Ochs, discute o impacto da inteligência artificial no campo educacional e sua relação com a educação midiática. A obra propõe a expansão do letramento midiático para incluir o entendimento crítico de algoritmos e sistemas de IA, preparando estudantes e educadores para os desafios da era digital. Ochs retoma e aprofunda conceitos apresentados em seu trabalho anterior, o Guia da Educação Midiática, abordando as dinâmicas algorítmicas que influenciam o consumo de informação e propondo práticas pedagógicas para uma educação mais crítica e inclusiva. A resenha destaca a importância do livro como uma ferramenta essencial para a formação de cidadãos digitais críticos e conscientes, enfatizando a necessidade de integrar IA e educação de maneira ética e responsável.
Uso estratégico de habilidades blandas paraemprendedores a partir de la epistemología compleja
Authors: Florez Espinal Luz Deicy
Published: October 2024

Introducción: el pensamiento complejo se convierte en una plataforma epistemológica que puede contribuir a la transformación de problemáticas existentes en el ámbito emprendedor, acercar posturas diferentes, y generar una compleja (complementaria-antagonista-concurrente) relación de instancias distantes, pero conjuntamente necesarias para la existencia. Metodología: se desarrolla esta investigación con el fin de presentar los principales resultados de un análisis del tema de las habilidades blandas para ser orientado entre emprendedores. Resultados: los resultados de un análisis de percepción sobre cuáles habilidades blandas son más reconocidas por los emprendedores, y finalmente la presentación de una propuesta de aplicación pedagógica para orientar el tema dentro de los emprendedores universitarios de la Universidad de Cundinamarca.
Estrategias de cultura organizacional en las micro empresas
Authors: Varela Rodríguez Víctor Manuel , Solís Castañeda Nancy Katia , Michel Rendón Juan Carlos , Calvillo Reynoso Miguel Alberto
Published: October 2024

Introducción: El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar el nivel de la Cultura Organizacional (CO) que tienen las micro y pequeñas empresas del municipio de Ahuacatlán, Nayarit, México. Metodología: La metodología que se utilizó fue de corte cuantitativo con un diseño descriptivo y cuasi-experimental, los sujetos de estudio fueron hombres y mujeres empresarios y personal que labora en estas empresas, la muestra fue de 78 de un total de 400 registros con los que cuenta la Dirección de Economía y Desarrollo Social de dicho municipio. El instrumento que se aplicó fue Adaptación al español del instrumento sobre cultura organizacional de Denison (2010). Resultados: Los resultados evidenciaron que la Cultura Organizacional de las micro y pequeñas empresas de Ahuacatlán, Nayarit se encuentra a un 50% de su avance, es decir, se encuentran a la mitad de lograr una CO eficiente, de tal forma que pueda garantizar el buen funcionamiento y éxito de las operaciones realizadas por el equipo de trabajo. Así mismo una tercer parte de las entidades muestra una gran apatía sobre las actividades que implica una CO fuerte, y este último, puede ser a donde se enfoque el trabajo para dar a conocer los beneficios que tiene el contar con unaCultura organizacional fuerte. Las dimensiones con mayores fortalezas fueron la de adaptabilidad y misión, donde las entidades expresan fortaleza en la capacidad de adaptación a los cambios y necesidades del mercado, así como la claridad en los objetivos y metas de la empresa.
The Role of Urban Residence, Race and Ethnicity, and Glycemic Control in Receiving Standards of Care and Progression to Vision-Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Varghese Jithin Sam , Ravi Kumar Vishnu , Bartelt Jackson , Hendrick Andrew M. , Pasquel Francisco J.
Published: October 2024

OBJECTIVE

Among patients with diabetes living in the U.S. with newly detected mild or moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) without diabetic macular edema (DME), we aimed to characterize determinants for receiving standards of care and progression to vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR) (severe NPDR, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, DME).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Electronic health records of patients newly detected with NPDR without DME between 2015 and 2023 were analyzed with use of the Epic Cosmos research platform. We characterized the adjusted associations of urban versus rural residence, race and ethnicity (Hispanic, non-Hispanic [NH] White, NH Black, other), and glycemic control (HbA1c <7.0%, 7.0%–8.9%, ≥9%, unavailable) separately with guideline-recommended care (two of three: ophthalmology visit, primary care visit, and measurement of HbA1c, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol) in the 2 years after diagnosis and with progression to VTDR.

RESULTS

Average (SD) age for the analytic sample (n = 102,919) was 63 (13.5) years, and 51% were female, 59% NH White, and 7% rural residents. Only 40% received guideline-recommended care, and 14% progressed to VTDR (median follow-up 35 months [interquartile range 18–63]). Urban residence was associated with receiving standards of care in both years (risk ratio 1.08 [95% CI 1.05–1.12]) and progression to VTDR (hazard ratio 1.07 [95% CI 0.99–1.15]). Racial and ethnic minority individulas were more likely to progress to VTDR. Individuals with poor or unknown glycemic control were less likely to receive standards of care and more likely to progress to VTDR.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the management and progression of newly detected NPDR will require disentangling the independent and interdependent contributions of geography, race and ethnicity, and glycemia.
Mathematical Modelling of the Impact of IR Laser Radiation on an Oncoming Flow of Nanoparticles with Methane
Authors: Peskova E. E. , Snytnikov V. N.
Published: October 2024

Introduction. The study is devoted to the numerical investigation of laser radiation’s effect on an oncoming two-phase flow of nanoparticles and multicomponent hydrocarbon gases. Under such exposure, the hydrogen content in the products increases, and methane is bound into more complex hydrocarbons on the surface of catalytic nanoparticles and in the gas phase. The hot walls of the tube serve as the primary source of heat for the reactive two-phase medium containing catalytic nanoparticles.

   Materials and Methods. The main method used is mathematical modelling, which includes the numerical solution of a system of equations for a viscous gas-dust two-phase medium, taking into account chemical reactions and laser radiation. The model accounts for the two-phase gas-dust medium’s multicomponent and multi-temperature nature, ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for the temperature of catalytic nanoparticles, ODEs of chemical kinetics, endothermic effects of radical chain reactions, diffusion of light methyl radicals CH3 and hydrogen atoms H, which initiate methaneconversion, as well as absorption of laser radiation by ethylene and particles.

   Results. The distributions of parameters characterizing laminar subsonic flows of the gas-dust medium in an axisymmetric tube with chemical reactions have been obtained. It is shown that the absorption of laser radiation by ethylene in the oncoming flow leads to a sharp increase in methane conversion and a predominance of aromatic compounds in the product output.

   Discussion and Conclusion. Numerical modelling of the dynamics of reactive two-phase media is of interest for the development of theoretical foundations for the processing of methane into valuable products. The results obtained confirm the need for joint use of mathematical modelling and laboratory experiments in the development of new resource-saving and economically viable technologies for natural gas processing.
Mathematical Modelling of Spatially Inhomogeneous Non-Stationary Interaction of Pests with Transgenic and Non-Modified Crops Considering Taxis
Authors: Sukhinov A. I. , Bugaeva I. A.
Published: October 2024

Introduction. This paper addresses a unified spatially inhomogeneous, non-stationary model of interaction between genetically modified crop resources (corn) and the corn borer pest, which is also present on a relatively small section of non-modified corn. The model assumes that insect pests influence both types of crops and are capable of independent movement (taxis) towards the gradient of plant resources. It also considers diffusion processes in the dynamics of all components of the unified model, biomass growth, genetic characteristics of both types of plant resources, processes of crop consumption, phenomena of growth and degradation, diffusion, and mutation of pests. The model allows for predictive calculations aimed at reducing crop losses and increasing the resistance of transgenic crops to pests by slowing down the natural mutation rate of the pest.

   Materials and Methods. The mathematical model is an extension of Kostitsin’s model and is formulated as an initial-boundary value problem for a nonlinear system of convection-diffusion equations. These equations describe the spatiotemporal dynamics of biomass density changes in two types of crops — transgenic and non-modified — as well as the specific populations (densities) of three genotypes of pests (the corn borer) resulting from mutations. The authors linearized the convection-diffusion equations by applying a time-lag method on the time grid, with nonlinear terms from eachequation taken from the previous time layer. The terms describing taxis are presented in a symmetric form, ensuring the skew-symmetry of the corresponding continuous operator and, in the case of spatial grid approximation, the finite-difference operator.

   Results. A stable monotonic finite-difference scheme is developed, approximating the original problem with second-order accuracy on a uniform 2D spatial grid. Numerical solutions of model problems are provided, qualitatively corresponding to observed processes. Solutions are obtained for various ratios of modified and non-modified sections of the field.

   Discussion and Conclusion. The obtained results regarding pest behavior, depending on the type of taxis, could significantly extend the time for pests to acquire Bt resistance. The concentration dynamics of pests moving in the direction of the food gradient differs markedly from the concentration of pests moving towards a mate for reproduction.
Post-COVID-19 Complications and Associated Factors among COVID-19 Survivors in Southern Part of Bangladesh
Authors: Billah Syed Muhammad Baqui , Ferdous Jannatul , Kabir A. K. M. Akbar , Munmun Farzana Ferdous , Kar Indrani , Tymee Sabrina
Published: October 2024

Objective: SARS-CoV-2 infection causes numerous post-COVID (COV) complications among patients after recovery. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Sher-E-Bangla Medical College (SBMC), Barishal, Bangladesh, on 773 SARS-CoV-2 survivors from February to June 2021. Baseline characteristics, including comorbidity and post-COVID complications, were assessed. Results: The prevalence of post-COV complications was 22.8% (95% CI: 19.9%–25.9%). Fatigue (18.2%) was the most common complication, followed by shortness of breath (14.6%), cough (11.1%), chest pain (6.5%) and body ache (5.4%). Bronchial asthma (OR = 2.38), diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.07), Business and service (OR = 1.82), Good education (OR = 2.91), and tobacco use (OR = 1.40) were among the significant factors associated with the post-COV complications while hypertension and residence could not produce significant odds of association, though they were associated in the preliminary analysis. Conclusion: COVID-19 is associated with many complications involving all systems of the body. Certain comorbidities and demographic factors are associated with post-COV complications. The factors should be addressed in advance if the infection emerges again in the future.
Integration of geospatial techniques and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) ind demarcating groundwater potential zones in Lakhimpur district, Assam, India
Authors: Handique Arpana , Dey Praduyt , Kumar Patnaik Santanu
Published: October 2024

Overexploitation and climate change have threatened the availability and sustenance of groundwater resources. A proper understanding of the regional distribution of groundwater is crucial to ensure long-term water security. The present study aims to identify the groundwater potential zones in the Lakhimpur district of Assam using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in combination with geospatial technologies. The occurrence of groundwater in the region was determined by several factors including geomorphology, lithology, slope, distance from the river, drainage density, lineament density, rainfall, curvature, soil, land use, land cover, Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and topographic wetness index (TWI). These factors organized as thematic layers were utilized to generate a groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) map in the GIS environment. The AHP, an effective decision-making technique, was adopted to assign weights to each thematic layer corresponding to their relative importance in influencing groundwater availability. The GWPZ map prepared using the weighted overlay techniques was categorized into three classes: good, moderate, and poor. The result revealed that the good potential zone comprises 1909.41 km2 (65.12%), moderate 1018.25 km2 (34.72%) and the poor zone comprises 4.22 km2 (0.14%) of the total geographical area. The obtained results of 73.33% (Overall accuracy), 0.708 (ROC-AUC), and 0.50 mbgl (groundwater level fluctuation) between pre-monsoon and post-monsoon prove that the model has performed satisfactorily in identifying groundwater potential zones. The findings provide a framework for the effective exploration and management of groundwater resources, ensuring their future availability in the region.
“Chinese Food Here, Tajik Shopping Arcades There”: Ural City through the Eyes of Migrants from Central Asia and China
Authors: Avdashkin Andrey A.
Published: October 2024

The article is devoted to the problem of mastering the space of the Ural cities by migrants on the example of Chelyabinsk, Magnitogorsk and Troitsk. The source base was made up of materials from express and in-depth interviews with migrants from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and China, collected in January-May 2023 in Chelyabinsk, Magnitogorsk and Troitsk. On this basis, the main locations are presented, with which the daily life of migrants and the satisfaction of a number of needs are connected. On the one hand, migrants create a fairly extensive social infrastructure, including those related to the economy class, but at the same time, the institutions that have arisen in this way are also used by local residents (cafes, hairdressers, medical offices, etc.). At the same time, the integration potential of the identified migrant objects is different and may vary for each group; the second part of the research project will be devoted to this.
Middle Neolithic Complex of the Geoarchaeological Site Pad Dolgaya 2 (Southwestern Coast of Lake Baikal)
Authors: Saveliev Nikolai A. , Novikov Aleksei G. , Goriunova Olga I. , Klementiev Alexei M. , Markhaeva Darima A.
Published: October 2024

This article presents the results of the analysis of materials from complex of the II-nd cultural layer of the geoarchaeological site Pad Dolgaya 2, which was excavated in 1988. The multilayer site is located on the southwestern coast of Lake Baikal, in 34 km southwest from the Buguldeika village. For the first time, a stratigraphic section of this object is published and its description is given. A household complex was revealed, including pottery of the Posolsk type with a thickening of the rim with a subtriangular molding on the outside, stone artifacts and faunal remains (mainly young seals). Vessels ornamented in the classic Posolsk type tradition are prevail. In a number of cases, tendencies towards simplification of the ornamental scheme and leveling of the thickening of the rim were noted. Probably, the site was seasonal and was aimed at hunting seals. Hunting for hoofed animals (red deer) and, probably, fishing were secondary. On the basis of stratigraphic observations and analogies with materials from reference objects of the Baikal region, dated by the radiocarbon AMS method, complex of the II-nd layer of the Pad Dolgaya 2 site belongs to the Middle Neolithic and is dated within 6840-6300 cal. BP. The presented materials make it possible to more fully characterize the Middle Neolithic complexes of the coast of Lake Baikal and the Baikal region. The stratigraphic situation, high-quality and informative material constitute a reliable source base, which can be a reference in the study of the cultural and economic activities of the ancient population of the region.
Czechoslovak Byzantinist Milada Paulova and Soviet Historians: On the Path to Cooperation (mid-1940s - mid-1960s)
Authors: Gruzdinskaya Victoria S. , Kovalev Mikhail V.
Published: October 2024

The article deals with the scientific contacts of the Czechoslovak historian M. Paulova with colleagues from the Soviet Union. The main direction in the development of cooperation was the interaction within the framework of the Czechoslovak and Soviet Byzantine journals - «Byzantinoslavica» and «Vizantiysky Vremennik». A short moment of hope for fruitful cooperation in the mid-1940s was replaced at the end of the same decade by the alienation of Soviet research and their closure in the national intellectual space. The next round of mutual attraction fell on the years of the Khrushchev Thaw. The episode under consideration of scientific life coincided with the Sovietization of Czechoslovak science and the formation of a single communicative field of Eastern European scientists. However, the experience of cooperation within the framework of «Byzantinoslavica» and «Vizantiysky Vremennik» contrasts with the established ideas about the main role of Soviet historians in the complex ensemble of Eastern European scholarship in the mid-1940s and early 1950s. Scholars from the USSR were guides to the enchanting world of the Marxist understanding of history: they were looked up to, they were imitated, they were consulted. An appeal to this material paints a different picture: Soviet specialists not only do not set the pace and sound of this orchestra, they (co)exist for some time in parallel. The reason for this state of affairs, according to the authors of the article, lies in the preservation of scientists of the old school in post-war Czechoslovakia, including in such narrow areas of knowledge as Byzantine studies.