bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dark sector studies with the PADME experiment
Authors: Caricato A. P. , Martino M. , Oceano I. , Oliva Federica , Spagnolo S. , Chiodini G. , Bossi F. , De Sangro R. , Di Giulio Giuseppe , Domenici D. , Finocchiaro G. , Foggetta L. G. , Garattini M. , Ghigo A. , Giacchino Federica , Gianotti P. , Spadaro T. , Spiriti E. , Taruggi C. , Vilucchi E. , Kozhuharov V. , Ivanov Simeon , Ivanov Sevtoslav , Simeonov Radoslav , Georgiev Georgi , Ferrarotto Fabio , Leonardi Emanuele , Valente Paolo , Long Elizabeth , Organtini Giovanni , Piperno Gabriele , Raggi Mauro , Fiore Salvatore , Branchini Paolo , Tagnani Diego , Capirossi Vittoria , Pinna Federico , Frankenthal Andre
Published: July 2023

The Positron Annihilation to Dark Matter Experiment (PADME) uses the positron beam of the DA\PhiΦNE Beam-Test Facility, at the Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (LNF) to search for a Dark Photon A’. The search technique studies the missing mass spectrum of single-photon final states in e^+e^-\rightarrow A'\gammae+e−→A′γ annihilation in a positron-on-thin-target experiment. This approach facilitates searches for new particles such as long lived Axion-Like-Parti-cles, protophobic X bosons and Dark Higgs. This talk illustrated the scientific program of the experiment and its first physics results. In particular, the measurement of the cross-section of the SM process e^+e^-\rightarrow \gamma\gammae+e−→γγ at \sqrt{s}s=21 MeV was shown.
ANALYZING THE EFFECT OF FACTORS ON TAXPAYERS SATISFACTION USING E-FILING TAX REPORTING SYSTEM
Authors: Kresnandita Sebastian Prasetya , Prawati Levana Dhia , Lusiana Lusiana
Published: July 2023

The biggest source of state revenue comes from tax revenue. To increase tax revenue and simplify taxpayers in tax reporting, The Directorate General of Taxes introduced an application system namely Electronic Filing System (E-Filing). With this system, taxpayers don’t need to come directly to the Tax Service Office to fulfill tax obligations in terms of SPT reporting, because SPT reporting can be done online by accessing the E-Filing System. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between system quality, information quality, and service quality with personal taxpayers’ satisfaction in using the E-Filing System for tax reporting. This study uses a quantitative approach. The use of the measurement model is the success model from DeLone and McLean (2003). The results of this study are system quality and information quality have significant effects on the user of personal taxpayers’ satisfaction using the E-Filing System, and service quality hasn’t a significant effect on the user of personal taxpayers’ satisfaction using the E-Filing System.
THE IMPACT OF BIG DATA ON FINANCIAL REPORTING
Authors: Winoto Agustinus , Meiryani Meiryani , Reyhan Reyhan
Published: July 2023

Big data analytics can influence financial accounting by collecting, recording, and managing data and preparing financial reports. Big data provides convenience and speed of access to transaction data streams. By using big data, accountants in an organization can access transaction information more quickly and can work on large-scale transactions. This study aims to examine the influence of big data on financial reporting with Quantitative Evidence from Indonesia. This research uses quantitative methods. The data used in this study are primary data obtained from the study subject in the form of a questionnaire. The data obtained is processed using SPSS 25. The results of the hypothesis test stated that the analysis of big data has an effect on the quality of the report. This means big data technology as a resource internally owned company can improve the company's financial performance.
Vacinação, direito à saúde e a pandemia da Covid-19: reflexões sobre os novos delineamentos no contexto global
Authors: Sippert Evandro Luis
Published: July 2023

De caráter global e originada pela pandemia, a crise sanitária e humanitária requereu, de forma universal, a produção de respostas eficazes para o combate à Covid-19. Logo, é crucial a realização de uma análise sobre as consequências oriundas da pandemia, bem como, sobre a importância do direito à saúde, que, durante o enfrentamento, ocorreu, sobretudo, por meio da vacinação. Isto posto, tem-se como objetivo refletir sobre os novos delineamentos no contexto global, a partir de questões relacionadas à vacinação, ao direito à saúde e à pandemia da Covid-19. Destarte, para responder à temática, utilizou-se o método de abordagem hipotético-dedutivo e a técnica de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental. No decorrer do artigo, são destacadas algumas mudanças que precisam ser instituídas pelas instituições e Estados que atuam de forma global. Tal qual a Reforma da OMS, o Tratado sobre Pandemias e a revisão do RSI, discorre-se sobre a pandemia da Covid-19 e o Direito Fraterno, reconhecendo que a humanidade é a única responsável por cuidar de si própria, tendo a fraternidade como desveladora desta situação. Igualmente, são analisadas as demandas relacionadas à saúde global, destacando a importância de soluções para problemas sanitários também globais. A partir disso, conclui-se que são inúmeras as questões que precisam ser enfrentadas diante da crise, porém, mostram-se imprescindíveis, em alguns aspectos do mundo Pós-Covid-19, principalmente aquelas que poderão ressignificar a saúde de forma global, e que podem ser vistas como canteiros da fraternidade. A imunização, por meio da vacinação, mostrou ser um dos mecanismos mais efetivos para frear as consequências da pandemia. Existem, no entanto, questões que devem ser debatidas e revisitadas, pois uma tomada de decisão em relação à quebra de patente das vacinas, por exemplo, poderá ser um avanço significativo. Estas medidas necessitam de reconhecimento mútuo de todos os agentes envolvidos no processo de produção da saúde, devendo ser um projeto coletivo global no enfrentamento das crises sanitárias mundiais, principalmente as futuras emergências ou pandemias que possam vir a ocorrer.
El impacto del covid-19 en habilidades digitales del siglo XXI en educación superior
Authors: León-Pérez Francisco , Ramírez-Hernández Moramay , Díaz Alva Angelina , Guzmán Flores Teresa
Published: July 2023

El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar el impacto del confinamiento producido por la covid-19 sobre la autopercepción de habilidades digitales del siglo XXI en estudiantes de educación superior. La metodología consistió en un estudio longitudinal, analizando la autopercepción de estas habilidades antes de la pandemia y después de levantar el confinamiento. Los datos se obtuvieron mediante la aplicación una encuesta a muestras de 356 y de 2072 estudiantes antes y después del confinamiento, respectivamente. Se realizó análisis de componentes principales con rotación varimax. Los resultados muestran que la forma de trabajar durante la pandemia impactó positivamente en la autopercepción sobre las habilidades digitales del siglo XXI a estudiantes de educación superior, pues aumentó casi 14%.  La limitante del estudio fue que solo se analizaron dos mediciones, por lo que aún no se puede definir una tendencia. Se concluye que el estudiantado ha acogido las TIC como un medio natural para comunicarse y colaborar de forma no presencial para resolver problemas académicos, por lo que el camino apunta hacia la creación y el fortalecimiento de metodologías y técnicas que aprovechen esta inercia en contextos educativos no presenciales y mixtos.
La Robótica en el Área de Matemáticas en Educación Primaria. Una Revisión Sistemática
Authors: Ruiz Ortiz Ismael
Published: July 2023

El presente estudio revisa la literatura científica publicada recientemente acerca del uso e impacto de la robótica en el área de Matemáticas en Educación Primaria, con el objetivo de: (a) analizar y evaluar la calidad de la literatura científica disponible; (b) investigar el uso que se le da a la robótica como herramienta pedagógica en la etapa y área nombradas anteriormente; (c) identificar y analizar las principales tendencias y hallazgos en la literatura científica con el uso de la robótica. La búsqueda se realizó en las bases de datos Dialnet, Scopus, WoS y EBSCOhost. Los resultados sugieren que la robótica educativa generalmente actúa como un elemento de mejora en el aprendizaje, mejorando sus habilidades de pensamiento computacional y resolución de problemas y sus habilidades espaciales. No obstante, este no es siempre el caso, debido al hecho de que existen estudios que informan de situaciones en las cuales no existe mejora en el aprendizaje. Dichos resultados se discuten en términos de sus implicaciones para investigaciones futuras y, a su vez, pueden proporcionar información útil e interesante para educadores, profesionales del sector e investigadores.
On One Problem of Controlling an Airplane-type Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with Given Intermediate Values of Different Parts of Coordinates
Authors:   Institute of Mechanics of NAS of RA, Barseghyan Vanya Rafaelovich ,   Yerevan State University, Matevosyan Aram Gagikovich ,   Yerevan State University
Published: July 2023

The mathematical model of spatial flight of an unmanned airplane-type vehicle is considered. For a linearized mathematical model of an unmanned aerial vehicle the problem of synthesis of control laws with given initial, finite values of the phase vector and intermediate values of different parts of coordinates at different moments of time is solved. A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of program control and the corresponding motion is formulated. The control functions and corresponding phase trajectories of motion are constructed. As an application of the proposed approach, explicit expressions of the program control function and program motion are constructed for specific numerical values.
Maintenance therapy with monoclonal antibodies in metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer: A review of studies
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Chistyakova Elena , Orlova Rashida ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: July 2023

Maintenance therapy is a medical treatment after achieving stabilization, partial or complete response by the first line therapy of a metastatic malignant tumor. The goals of such treatment are to maintain the effect of the first line therapy, to increase progression-free survival, and, in some cases, overall survival. Targeted monoclonal antibody therapy is a maintenance treatment option widely used in clinical practice for metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, but it remains one of the least studied. This analysis of available world studies was carried out in order to form an idea about the possibilities of maintenance therapy and promising areas for studying this topic. The article presents an up-to-date and complete review of data on metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer maintenance therapy with various drugs from the monoclonal antibody group, as well as cases of discontinuation of maintenance therapy due to high toxicity or at the request of the patient. Besides, authors analyzed the treatment options of maintenance therapy in patients with luminal HER2-positive breast cancer and the possibilities of intensifying monoclonal antibody maintenance therapy by antihormonal drugs for this group of patients.
Behaviors associated with seeking medical care from surgical patients with different levels of disposable income
Authors:   V. A. Trapeznikov Institute of Control Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Cherkasov Sergey , Kamaev Yuri ,   V. A. Trapeznikov Institute of Control Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: July 2023

The purpose of the study: to analyze behavioral patterns associated with seeking medical care for surgical patients with different levels of disposable income. Materials and methods. Disposable income was calculated as the sum of the income of each household member in monetary terms. This amount was calculated as the average monthly income in a family (household) per each of its members, regardless of their personal income. The household was considered as an economic category – a set of people running a joint household, within which market principles of the distribution of economic benefits do not apply. The first (main) group included respondents whose average monthly disposable income was no more than 30 thousand rubles (low level of disposable income). The second (control) group included respondents whose average monthly disposable income was more than 30 thousand rubles (a high level of disposable income). The numerical composition of the main group was 249 people, the control group 253 people. The groups were comparable in demographic characteristics. When assessing the reliability of the differences, the nonparametric criterion ꭕ2 was used. The reliability of the denial of the "null" hypothesis was accepted at the level of 95%. The strength of the dependence was estimated by the value of the Ка association coefficient. Results. The frequency of registration of an active behavior model in terms of seeking medical help is more common in the group of patients with a high level of disposable income, however, the most common form of behavior was delaying the moment of treatment and the frequency of using this approach did not depend on the level of disposable income. Uncertainty of behavior was more common among patients with low disposable income. Patients with a higher income level are more likely to comply with the doctor's recommendations, while patients with lower incomes fully comply with them less often. The use of self-medication is a widespread model of behavior among surgical patients, however, patients with a higher level of disposable income more often refuse to use it and less often use it in an obligate mode in comparison with patients whose disposable income is lower than the value used as a separation criterion for the purposes of this study.
From An Optimistic Tragedy to a “Revolutionary Concert”: Recycling of Soviet Historical Past in Contemporary Russian Theatre
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Semenova Natalia V.
Published: July 2023

The article focuses on the recycling of Soviet culture in productions of contemporary Russian theatre. In 2017, Victor Ryzhakov staged at Alexandrinsky theatre An Optimistic tragedy. A Farewell Ball, Asya Voloshina’s remake of a play written by Vsevolod Vishnevsky in 1932–1933. Such directors as Alexander Tairov, Georgy Tovstonogov, Mark Zakharov, and others had turned to An Optimistic Tragedy during the crucial moments of Soviet theatre history. In the 21st century this play has become claimed again. However, the interpretation of the text and its theatrical language drastically changed. The issues of intergenerational relationships and memory of the historical past have come to the fore. The story of anarchist sailors got a new birth largely due to an experimental approach to music in the performance. Music and chorus were central components of Vishnevsky’s play. In the first edition of An Optimistic Tragedy, the chorus represented a metaphor of the court of history. In the following stage versions of An Optimistic Tragedy its role has been decreased till in Ryzhakov’s production the sailors that constituted the chorus became passive witnesses of history, the ghosts of the past. Such evolution of the chorus was accompanied by techniques of postdramatic theatre (cross-casting, retreat from the original play), engagement of top hits, poems, popular music, and rap songs, written by Voloshina specifically for A Farewell Ball. Thus, A Farewell Ball may be called a complicated pastiche that combines texts of different periods and genres. To disclose the mechanisms of cultural selection, Ryzhakov applies the method of etudes. Such fragmentality and polyphony embody the chaos of revolution with juxtaposed voices narrating its personal stories.
Russian Design Graphics in Art Studies of the 19th–21st Centuries
Authors:   Research Institute of Theory and History of Fine Arts of the Russian Academy of Arts, Glinternik Eleonora M.
Published: July 2023

The article is devoted to the historiographic problem of domestic design graphics in the history of Russian art. The analysing sources are structured in accordance with the main stages of the development of graphic design in Russia. This approach allows to visually trace the evolution of art history in the context of the corresponding cultural and historical era. In chronological order, the article examines the following periods: 18th — early 20th century, an era that can be called the protodesign period; 1920s–1930s, a period of active development of a new professional model, interrupted for the next twenty years; 1960s–1990s, a period of professional self-determination; the first decades of the 21st century, when the digital age begins and new horizons of research open up. The characteristics of each period are given from the point of view of the development of graphic design as a phenomenon of artistic creativity. The paper’s novelty is determined by the topic itself: the specifics of design in general and graphic design in particular have not yet been studied. It takes into account, basically, the range of problems studied in the Russian conventional history of art. The main tasks of the work: to show the path of development of art criticism in the work of Russian researchers; to systematize the volume and problems of the latest studies of art history over the past decades; to contribute to the formation of a more complete picture of the authors and the amount of accumulated research material. The article shows the path of development of art criticism in the work of Russian researchers — from artistic-critical to historical-theoretical comprehension throughout the 19th and 21st centuries. The foundations of fundamental research of the late 20th — early 21st century are revealed are systematized for the first time.
Textile Painting by Cesare Tacchi
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Mitrofanova Natalia Yu. ,   St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design
Published: July 2023

The work of the Italian artists of the Piazza del Popolo School is a unique period in the history of art of the 20th century. The activities of this association marked the birth of the Italian version of pop art. Despite the fact that the American and Italian pop movements existed in parallel and had similar external features, they were significantly different. These differences can be traced in the creativity of the members of the association. Cesare Tacchi was a member of this union. The path of this master represents an individual trajectory of artistic and conceptual development. One of the creative stages of Cesare Tacchi falls into the mid-sixties of the twentieth century. Experimental and innovative paintings of this time were created using industrially produced fabrics. Large-scale textile collages, in addition to being painted with enamel, pastels and felt-tip pens, also acquired a relief texture due to the furniture filler. Cesare Tacchi used a pick with nails or metal staples in accordance with the logic of the created image. That is why the artist ironically called himself “upholstery”, and called his textile collages “upholstery”. In them, we find images of artist’s friends, his own self-portraits or images made on the basis of photographs. The pattern, texture of the fabric and the softness of the emerging relief, together with the conceptual nature of the creative technique, made a great impression on the viewer and gave rise to new associations. Textiles simultaneously demonstrated the consumer culture of that time, turned from a subordinate material into a means of artistic expression, became an object of art and contributed to the emergence of a stream of new associative links, far from the consumer idea.
Jerry Uelsmann and Contemporary Digital Photography: Jungian Images of ‘Photoshop’s Godfather’
Authors:   Russian State University for the Humanities, Shik Ida A.
Published: July 2023

In the article, the researcher made a comprehensive study the American photographer Jerry Uelsmann art as a kind of contemporary digital photo-surrealism “prehistory”. The author revealed connections of Jerry Uelsmann works with American modernist photography and historical surrealist photography. The researcher analyzed the structure of Jerry Uelsmann’s hybrid images in the context of the ideas of analytical psychology, and also outlined the themes and concepts proposed in the works of the photographer that would be relevant in contemporary digital photography. The study showed that Jerry Uelsmann art continued the traditions of American modernist photography and started a new, post-modernist period in the development of photographic art in the United States characterized by the use of photography as a tool of self-knowledge and philosophical expression. Jerry Uelsmann applied such important for the historical Surrealist photography conceptions as convulsive beauty, the principle of “encounter of images”, surreality. He used experimental techniques (negative print, solarization, photomontage) and aimed to demonstrate the limitless creative possibilities of photography as well as the Surrealists. Uelsmann appealed to archetypal images which provided his works by intellectual simplicity and external showiness that contributed to the popularity of his photomontages and their strong influence on the development of contemporary manipulative photography. Uelsmann set a kind of “standard” for photo-Surrealism of the late 20th–21st centuries: these are technically perfect photomontages that require a high level of professional skills and time expenditure. Many of Jerry Uelsmann’s motives and ideas found parallels in contemporary digital photography. Among their common features it’s possible to single out concentration on the inner world of the person, interest in archetypes and symbols, the desire to poeticize nature, and the introduction of elements of mass culture into hybrid images.
Multi-agent reinforcement learning framework for real-time scheduling of pump and valve in water distribution networks
Authors: Hu Shiyuan , Gao Jinliang , Zhong Dan
Published: July 2023

With energy and water resources shortages, the energy and water resources managements of water distribution networks (WDNs) have become increasingly important. However, achieving real-time scheduling of pump and valve in dynamic environments remains challenging. Thus, this study proposes a multi-agent reinforcement learning scheduling framework to address the uncertainty of water demand in WDNs. First, we constructed a WDN environment and modelled the scheduling problem as a Markov decision process. Second, a multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient (MADDPG) method was used to determine the strategy of the fully cooperative multi-agent task. Moreover, the impacts of energy and water loss costs on the scheduling strategy were explored. Finally, the results were compared with those of a genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimisation (PSO), and differential evolution (DE) to verify the performance and robustness of the proposed model. The results show that water loss dominates the scheduling process, and the scheduling solutions for minimising water loss and energy costs are mainly affected by the demand pattern of consumers rather than the energy tariff. The proposed MADDPG model outperforms the GA, PSO, and DE models, achieving a significantly faster solution, which is advantageous for practical applications.
Claudio Clemente y maquiavelismo degollado: una crítica al estado de El príncipe
Authors: Abdala Simón
Published: July 2023

La principal intención de este trabajo es poder describir a grandes rasgos la obra del padre jesuita Claudio Clemente: Maquiavelismo Degollado por la cristiana sabiduría de España y Asturias. En ese sentido y para llegar a una mejor comprensión del texto, es que haremos una breve introducción acerca de la discusión en la que se enmarca la obra. A partir de allí abordaremos las implicancias teológicas del Estado desplegado en El Príncipe, y cómo responde el padre Claudio Clemente.
People with Disabilities in Qatar
Authors: Alkahlout Ola , Aljomaa Noura
Published: July 2023

People with disabilities have become a critical, international phenomenon. People with disabilities are those who have a physical or mental condition which limits their movements, senses, or activities. This article is a discussion of the factors which influence the empowerment of Qatari people with disabilities. The Qatari government has gone a long way towards making people with disabilities valued and appreciated by providing opportunities for education and work. Qataris are also keen to apply the literal teachings of Islam, although Qatar’s tribal culture has an effective influence in dealing with people with disabilities. The analysis of the findings from the interviews with charitable organisations’ staff members showed that Qatari people with disabilities still lack the empowerment to achieve their aims of being productive members of society. People with disabilities in Qatar desire a decent life which meets their basic needs such as healthcare, education, and job opportunities.
God's Inclusive House?
Authors: Ramadan Willy , Amin Barkatullah
Published: July 2023

This article will discuss how the accessibility of places of worship for persons with disabilities in the Banjar community and also the views of religious leaders regarding these services and accessibility. The research method used is qualitative with a phenomenological approach. The interviews were chosen data collection techniques with 5 religious’ leaders with a purposive sampling technique as the subject. The results of this study found that the house of worship in the Banjar community in South Kalimantan was still not referred to as an accessible congregation. This means that places of worship for religions in South Kalimantan, both physically, in communication, and in attitudes, cannot be easily accessed by persons with disabilities. However, even so, indicators of community displayed by all religions are already open and friendly to people with disabilities. This is evidenced by the forms of religious services provided by the church management or people with disabilities. The second finding explains that the views of religious leaders show great and positive concern for people with disabilities in South Kalimantan. In general, the views of religious people can be categorized into 3 major views: (1) The existence of a house of worship that is designated with non-Muslims, which is appointed by the Regional Government, as a house of worship that has complete facilities for persons with disabilities; (2) The house of worship has a special room for persons with disabilities; (3) Disability-friendly houses of worship are the focus of religious services.
Disability Identity
Authors: Widadsyah Muhammad Azhar
Published: July 2023

Policies regarding people with disabilities (PWDs) are formulated without PWDs perceptive and often rule out disability identity owned by PWDs. Those policies potentially result in further issues regarding PWDs empowerment. This research aims to investigate about factors that shape disability identity and how disability identity could provide a new perspective in policy formulation. Researchers interviewed seven PWDs with different disability conditions to gain their perspective on their perception of disability identity. Furthermore, data were analyzed to form three factors of disability identity, which are structural factors, personal and social interaction factors, also organizational development factors. This research also explains how disability identity could be implemented in public policy formulation through some aspects that could be considered further in policy regarding of disability and PWDs.
Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies as Predictors of Reading Comprehension Achievement among Students with Learning Disabilities in Nigeria
Authors: Lazarus Kelechi Uchemadu , Anwalimhobor Nigeria Blessing I.
Published: July 2023

Reading is an essential language skill in students’ educational success. However, reports have shown that the most prevalent type of academic difficulties among secondary school students with learning disabilities is reading difficulties. Previous studies focused more on interventions to improve reading comprehension achievement of students with learning disabilities than on the influence of metacognitive strategies on students’ reading comprehension achievement. This study, therefore, investigated the influence of metacognitive awareness of (before, during and after) reading strategies on the reading comprehension achievement of students with learning disabilities in Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive research design. A sample of 100 students with learning disabilities was purposively selected from nine SSS in Ibadan, Nigeria. Instruments used were Academic records, Screening Checklist for Suspected Learning Disabilities, English Language Achievement Test, Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies Questionnaire and the Reading Comprehension Test. Data collected were analyzed using the Multiple regression analysis at 0.05 level of significance. There was a joint contribution of the independent variables (metacognitive awareness of before, during and after reading strategies) to reading comprehension achievement (F(3,96)=3.61; R2=0.101). The result also reveals the relative contributions of metacognitive awareness of reading strategies (before, during and after) to the reading comprehension achievement among students with learning disabilities as follows: before (β = 0.25), after (β = 0.23) and during (β = -0.17) reading strategies. The study concludes that metacognitive awareness of (before, during and after) reading strategies influence reading comprehension achievement of students with learning disabilities. It is therefore recommended that students with learning disabilities should be trained on the use of metacognitive (before, during and after) reading strategies for improved reading comprehension achievement.
Evaluating student satisfaction with blended learning styles in the post- COVID-19 era at Umm Alqura University
Authors: Alharthi Ahmed D. , Almotairi Khaled H. , Elsigini Waleed T.
Published: July 2023

This research aims to assess student satisfaction with blended learning styles in the post-COVID-19 era at Umm Alqura University, taking into consideration the variables of gender, study level, and academic major. The study utilizes a descriptive analysis methodology to evaluate student satisfaction, employing a sample of 248 students enrolled at Umm Alqura University during the 2021–2022 academic year. A satisfaction questionnaire was developed and administered to collect the necessary data from the participants, ensuring the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. The research findings indicate a high level of satisfaction among university students towards the various blended learning styles, namely the Rotation Model, Lab Rotation, Flipped Classroom, and Individual Rotation. Statistical analysis reveals no significant differences in the mean scores of student satisfaction across different study groups, indicating a consistent level of satisfaction with the blended learning styles, including individual rotation, flipped classroom, lab rotation, and rotation model. Furthermore, there are no statistically significant differences in satisfaction levels between male and female students. Similarly, no significant differences are observed in satisfaction levels between bachelor and postgraduate students. However, a statistically significant difference is found between scientific specialization students and literary specialization students, favoring the literary specialization students' approval of the blended learning style. These research findings contribute to the understanding of the blended learning environment and its associated styles. Moreover, the results highlight the need for further investigation into the effectiveness of blended learning and its various patterns in promoting diverse learning outcomes.
Ecuador: Análisis econométrico del crecimiento económico y su efecto en el impuesto a la renta, periodo 2007-2021
Authors: Ramírez Chávez Grace Doda , Cacay Cacay Julio César , Vega Quezada Cristhian
Published: July 2023

Estudios previos muestran la relación teórica y empírica entre el crecimiento económico y las recaudaciones del impuesto a la renta, por lo que, aumentos en la producción de una economía favorecen las recaudaciones de este tributo. El presente estudio plantea como objetivo determinar el efecto a corto y largo del crecimiento económico sobre las recaudaciones del impuesto a la renta en Ecuador durante el periodo 2007 a 2021. Para esto, metodológicamente se aplicó un modelo de corrección de errores (VECM), en el que se incluyó además como variable de control, el número de declaraciones del impuesto a la renta. Los resultados sugieren que el crecimiento económico tiene un efecto positivo y estadísticamente significativo sobre las recaudaciones del impuesto a la renta, tanto a corto como largo plazo, por lo tanto, un punto porcentual adicional del crecimiento económico genera incrementos en la recaudación del impuesto a la renta de 4,950% en el corto plazo y 0,961% en el largo plazo. Esto indica que el gobierno debe considerar impulsar la producción como una medida necesaria para incrementar las recaudaciones del impuesto a la renta, las mismas que pueden ser reinvertidas mediante obras públicas capaces de generar el bienestar de la población ecuatoriana.
Responsabilidad Social Empresarial: Una herramienta para la gestión administrativa de las empresas públicas ecuatorianas
Authors: Mendoza Vélez Cynthia , Loor Zambrano Halder
Published: July 2023

En la actualidad, los aspectos ambientales y sociales han ganado más atención en las decisiones de gestión a lo largo de los años. En este análisis científico se muestra una síntesis de la Responsabilidad Social Empresarial como una herramienta para la gestión administrativa de las empresas públicas ecuatorianas. Se realizó una observación teórica científica basada en el método bibliográfico – documental a nivel general de estudios realizados en las empresas ecuatorianas. Los resultados indicaron que, en el país no se emplean en gran medida este tipo de estrategias en la gestión de las empresas públicas. Las causas por las cuales no se ajustan a esta herramienta de gestión tienen relación con la falta de conocimiento o motivación por parte de los empresarios; es evidente que, el cambio de comportamiento de las empresas públicas puede entenderse como una consecuencia de la globalización y las presiones sociales; por lo tanto, para los usuarios es importante el servicio y las acciones que desarrollan en las empresas para brindar calidad de atención a la sociedad. En conclusión, para estudios futuros, se deja un precedente teórico que pueda aportar con información relevante que sirva de fundamento en investigaciones relacionadas, dado que la responsabilidad social empresarial otorga mecanismos para facilitar la evaluación del desempeño sostenible en una organización, y es un tema que trata aspectos sociales y esboza oportunidades para fortalecer los procesos productivos buscando la sustentabilidad en el marco operativo de una entidad pública.
Realizando una encuesta poblacional en tiempos de pandemia: Experiencias de campo desde Ecuador
Authors: Benazizi Ikram , Peralta Andrés , Chilet Elisa , Torres Ana Lucía , Vásconez Juan , Pinto Jessica , Hernández María , Galarza María Gabriela , Álvarez Abigail , Ron Tania , Parker Lucy
Published: July 2023

El Proyecto Contextualización de la Evidencia para la Acción en Diabetes en entornos con bajos recursos tiene como objetivo explorar los procesos por los cuales las recomendaciones en salud pública pueden ser traducidas a acciones informadas por la evidencia y adaptadas al contexto específico. Una de sus primeras fases es establecer una línea base sobre factores de riesgo de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles y prevalencia de diabetes en los territorios en los que trabaja, usando el Método paso a paso de la Organización Mundial de la Salud para la vigilancia de factores de riesgo para las enfermedades crónicas no trasmisibles. La realización de esta encuesta poblacional se vió afectada por el contexto de pandemia en Ecuador. Entre noviembre y diciembre del 2020, se realizó un piloto para poder adaptar la encuesta y sus procedimientos a la situación epidemiológica que se vivió en la ciudad de Quito. El piloto permitió identificar las principales barreras y dificultades y proponer soluciones y medidas de mejora.

Palabras clave: encuesta poblacional, diabetes, enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, COVID-19, Ecuador.
The Impact of a Mobile Support Group on Distress and Physical Activity in Breast Cancer Survivors: Randomized, Parallel-Group, Open-Label, Controlled Trial
Authors: Jung Miyeon , Lee Sae Byul , Lee Jong Won , Park Yu Rang , Chung Haekwon , Min Yul Ha , Park Hye Jin , Lee Minsun , Chung Seockhoon , Son Byung Ho , Ahn Sei-Hyun , Chung Il Yong
Published: July 2023

Background

While mobile health apps have demonstrated their potential in revolutionizing health behavior changes, the impact of a mobile community built on these apps on the level of physical activity and mental well-being in cancer survivors remains unexplored.

Objective

In this randomized controlled trial, we examine the effects of participation in a mobile health community specifically designed for breast cancer survivors on their physical activity levels and mental distress.

Methods

We performed a single-center, randomized, parallel-group, open-label, controlled trial. This trial enrolled women between 20 and 60 years of age with stage 0 to III breast cancer, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0, and the capability of using their own smartphone apps. From January 7, 2019, to April 17, 2020, a total of 2,616 patients were consecutively screened for eligibility after breast cancer surgery. Overall, 202 patients were enrolled in this trial, and 186 patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either the intervention group (engagement in a mobile peer support community using an app for tracking steps; n=93) or the control group (using the app for step tracking only; n=93) with a block size of 10 without stratification. The mobile app provides a visual interface of daily step counts, while the community function also provides rankings among its members and regular notifications encouraging physical activity. The primary end point was the rate of moderate to severe distress for the 24-week study period, measured through an app-based survey using the Distress Thermometer. The secondary end point was the total weekly steps during the 24-week period.

Results

After excluding dropouts, 85 patients in the intervention group and 90 patients in the control group were included in the analysis. Multivariate analyses showed that patients in the intervention group had a significantly lower degree of moderate to severe distress (B=–0.558; odds ratio 0.572; P<.001) and a higher number of total weekly step counts (B=0.125; rate ratio 1.132; P<.001) during the 24-week period.

Conclusions

Engagement in a mobile app–based patient community was effective in reducing mental distress and increasing physical activity in breast cancer survivors.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03783481; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03783481
Temporal and Bidirectional Association Between Blood Pressure Variability and Arterial Stiffness: Cross-Lagged Cohort Study (Preprint)
Authors: Wu Zhiyuan , Zhang Haiping , Wang Yutao , Li Zhiwei , Li Xia , Tao Lixin , Guo Xiuhua
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

The causal relationship between blood pressure variability (BPV) and arterial stiffness remains debated.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the temporal and bidirectional associations between long-term BPV and arterial stiffness using a cohort design with multiple surveys.

METHODS

Participants from the Beijing Health Management Cohort who underwent health examinations from visit 1 (2010-2011) to visit 5 (2018-2019) were enrolled in this study. Long-term BPV was defined as intraindividual variation using the coefficient of variation (CV) and SD. Arterial stiffness was measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). The bidirectional relationship between BPV and arterial stiffness was explored using cross-lagged analysis and linear regression models, with records before and after visit 3 categorized as phase 1 and phase 2, respectively.

RESULTS

Of the 1506 participants, who were a mean of 56.11 (SD 8.57) years old, 1148 (76.2%) were male. The cross-lagged analysis indicated that the standardized coefficients of BPV at phase 1 directing to the baPWV level at phase 2 were statistically significant but not vice-versa. The adjusted regression coefficients of the CV were 4.708 (95% CI 0.946-8.470) for systolic blood pressure, 3.119 (95% 0.166-6.073) for diastolic pressure, and 2.205 (95% CI 0.300-4.110) for pulse pressure. The coefficients of the SD were 4.208 (95% CI 0.177-8.239) for diastolic pressure and 4.247 (95% CI 0.448-8.046) for pulse pressure. The associations were predominant in the subgroup with hypertension, but we did not observe any significant association of baPWV level with subsequent BPV indices.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings supported a temporal relationship between long-term BPV and arterial stiffness level, especially among people with hypertension.
Correction: The Efficacy, Safety, and Efficiency of the Off-Label Use of Bevacizumab in Patients Diagnosed With Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Estarreja João , Mendes Priscila , Silva Carina , Camacho Pedro , Mateus Vanessa
Published: July 2023

UNSTRUCTURED

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is recognized as the leading cause of vision loss in older people. Considering the phenomenon of aging societies worldwide, the prevalence of AMD is expected to increase gradually in the future. AMD can be divided into early, intermediate, and late stages, with the early and intermediate stages being mainly asymptomatic, and the late stage being classified as geographic atrophy, neovascular AMD, or both. Current pharmacological treatments for neovascular AMD include anti–vascular endothelial growth factor agents, such as ranibizumab, pegaptanib, and aflibercept. Additionally, it has been reported that the off-label use of intravitreally administered bevacizumab is effective. It is also lower cost than other agents, which makes it an interesting pharmacological approach. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and efficiency of bevacizumab for the treatment of neovascular AMD. This review will only consider randomized controlled clinical trials that compare the use of bevacizumab with another pharmacological agent or a placebo in patients aged 50 years and older who are diagnosed with vascular AMD. It will exclude studies that include participants diagnosed with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy or retinal angiomatous proliferation. To identify and select relevant articles, we will develop a highly sensitive search strategy and apply it in MEDLINE via the PubMed platform. Upon selection of the studies and analysis of the titles, abstracts, and full texts, the results will be presented according to the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The analysis and extraction of the data will be performed by 2 independent reviewers. Risk of bias will be evaluated with the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Finally, the same reviewers will also perform a quality assessment of the included studies with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) tool. The search strategy, after the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, identified 15 randomized clinical trials, which are currently being analyzed. This project has no funding and it has been developed by a multidisciplinary research team of pharmacologists and orthoptists. The study was initiated in May 2021 and it is expected to conclude by the end of 2023. This review will provide a synthesis of current information and underlying evidence about the off-label use of bevacizumab in neovascular AMD. It will provide a clearer vision of a possible new pharmacological approach, as well as the most suitable treatment designs, for the treatment of neovascular AMD. PROSPERO CRD42021244931
Machine learning-based prediction model for cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes: Derivation and validation in two independent Korean cohorts (Preprint)
Authors: Sang Hyunji , Lee Hojae , Lee Myeongcheol , Park Jaeyu , Cho Wonyoung , Kim Sunyoung , Woo Ho Geol , Rahmati Masoud , Koyanagi Ai , Smith Lee , Lee Sihoon , Hwang You-Cheol , Park Tae Sun , Lim Hyunjung , Yon Dong Keon , Rhee Sang Youl
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

Various machine learning (ML) prediction models have recently been developed for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, the lack of multiple risk factors limits their predictive power.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the validity and usefulness of an ML model for predicting the 3-year incidence of CVD in patients with T2DM.

METHODS

We used data from two independent cohorts, the discovery cohort (one hospital; n=12,809) and the validation cohort (two hospitals; n=2019), to predict CVD. The outcome of interest was the presence/absence of CVD at 3 years. We selected various ML-based models with hyperparameter tuning in the discovery cohort and performed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) analysis in the validation cohort.

RESULTS

The study dataset included 12,809 (discovery) and 2,019 (validation) patients with T2DM recruited between 2008–2022. CVD was observed in 1,238 (10.2%) patients in the discovery cohort. The random forest (RF) model had a mean AUROC of 0.830 (95% confidence interval 0.816–0.845) in the discovery dataset. Applying this result to the extra-validation dataset revealed the best performance among the models, with an AUROC of 0.72 (accuracy of 65.4%, sensitivity of 66.0%, specificity of 65.4%, and balanced accuracy of 65.7%). Creatinine and glycated hemoglobin levels were the most influential factors in the RF model.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the usefulness and feasibility of ML for assessing CVD incidence in patients with T2DM and suggests its potential for use in patient screening. Further international studies are required to validate our findings.