bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic Assessment of Monthly River Flow Discharge Using Copula And OSVR Approaches
Authors: Tahroudi Mohammad Nazeri , Mirabbasi Rasoul , Ramezani Yousef , Ahmadi Farshad
Published: June 2021

Simulation of flow discharge based on monthly precipitation values as inputs is one of the important issues in hydrology and water resources studies, especially in areas where data with the shorter time scales are not available. In this study, the applicability of support vector regression (SVR) model optimized by Ant colony and Copula-GARCH algorithms was investigated and compared to simulate the flow discharge based on total monthly rainfall in Talezang Basin, Iran. Entropy theory was used to select a suitable meteorological station corresponding to a hydrometric station. The vector autoregressive model was also used as the base model in Copula-GARCH simulations. The correlation results of the studied paired variable confirmed the possibility of using copula-based models. The simulation results were evaluated using R2, Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and root mean square error (RMSE) statistics. According to the 99% confidence intervals of the simulations, the accuracy of both models was confirmed. The simulation results showed that the Copula-GARCH model was more accurate than the optimized SVR (OSVR) model. Considering the 90% efficiency (NSE = 0.90) of Copula-GARCH approach, the results show a 36% improvement of RMSE statistics by Copula-GARCH model compared to OSVR model in simulating the flow discharge on a monthly scale. The results also showed that by combining nonlinear ARCH models with the copula-based simulations, the reliability of the simulation results increases, which was also confirmed using the violin plot. The results also showed an increase in the accuracy of the Copula-GARCH model at the minimum and maximum values of the data.
Challenges of online education /distance learning for university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: An observation from Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Md. Tanvir , Nishu Nishana Afrin , Sultana Afsana , Jahan Nusrat , Snigdha Shayla Sharmin , Bashitialshaaer Raed
Published: June 2021

Following the spread of COVID-19, online education/distance learning (OE/DL) was opted by the governments across the world. However, many challenges remained unexplored as OE/DL was quite an unfamiliar teaching approach, particularly in Bangladesh. This study was aimed at identifying the major challenges of OE/DL in Bangladesh from the perspectives of students. Data for this web-based cross-sectional study were collected using an e-questionnaire based on Google Form. Out of 451 initial responses, 419 were retained based on some specifications. The univariate analyses identified the financial, technical, and pedagogical issues as major problems. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis suggest a two-factor solution – ‘financial-technical obstacles’ and ‘pedagogical obstacles’ – with overall good reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.881; McDonald’s ω = 0.880). The two-factors, with strong intercorrelation (r = 0.552), meet the criteria of discriminant validity. To overcome the shortfalls of OE/DL in Bangladesh, inclusiveness with sustainable educational and infrastructural approaches was recommended.
Highly Reliable Routing In Healthcare Systems Based on Internet of Things
Authors: Javid Saeed , Mirzaei Abbas
Published: June 2021

Healthcare is an important application of Internet of things (IoT) and body sensor networks (BSNs). Known as a method of measuring and collecting data in healthcare applications, a BSN must provide more reliable routing. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method for reducing communication rates and improving reliability in healthcare systems. This paper proposes a novel method for routing data packets to enhance reliability in IoT-based healthcare systems. Given the nature of healthcare systems and importance of energy consumption, the proposed method employs different criteria (residual energy and variance of distance from neighbours) to perform the routing process. The results of implementing the proposed method indicated its acceptable performance in comparison with LSR, OLSR, and MAEB protocols. The method also managed to achieve the goals of retaining the quality of packets received by the sink and reducing energy consumption in healthcare systems.
Automatic Sleep Stage Classification Based on Two-channel EOG and One-channel EMG
Authors: LI Yanjun , Yang Xianglin , Xu Zhi , Zhang Yu , Cao Zhongping
Published: June 2021

The sleep monitoring with PSG severely degrades the sleep quality. In order to simplify the hygienic processing and reduce the load of sleep monitoring, an approach to automatic sleep stage classification without electroencephalogram (EEG) was explored. Totally 108 features from two-channel electrooculogram (EOG) and 6 features from one-channel electromyogram (EMG) were extracted. After feature normalization, the random forest (RF) was used to classify five stages, including wakefulness, REM sleep, N1 sleep, N2 sleep and N3 sleep. Using 114 normalized features from the combination of EOG (108 features) and EMG (6 features), the Cohen’s kappa coefficient was 0.749 and the accuracy was 80.8% by leave-one -out cross-validation (LOOCV) for 124 records from ISRUC-Sleep. As a reference for AASM standard, the Cohen’s kappa coefficient was 0.801 and the accuracy was 84.7% for the same dataset based on 438 normalized features from the combination of EEG (324 features), EOG (108 features) and EMG (6 features). In conclusion, the approach by EOG+EMG with the normalization can reduce the load of sleep monitoring, and achieves comparable performances with the "gold standard" EEG+EOG+EMG on sleep classification.
Internet of Vehicles and Connected Smart Vehicles Communication System Towards Autonomous Driving
Authors: Hbaieb Amal , AYED Samiha , CHAARI Lamia
Published: June 2021

Internet of Vehicles (IoV) is one of the attractive solutions that revolutionized automotive services. IoV is the key concept toward smart and autonomous cars. Providing different wireless connectivity’s for vehicles permits the communication inside and outside the vehicle. These connectivities allow the vehicle to interact with other vehicles and with its environment. Autonomous driving is an innovative automotive service that will be enabled by the technology advancement related to IoV and connected cars. Big data technology has a significant impact on the development of autonomous driving and IOV concept as it refers to a huge interactive networks of information. In this paper, we focus on wireless technologies and the communication system to provide Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) or Vehicle- to-Road (V2R), Vehicle-to-Sensor (V2S), Vehicle-to-Human (V2H), Vehicle-to-Cellular (V2C), Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), and Vehicle-to-Internet (V2I) connectivities. Accordingly, this paper proposes a novel planning scheme for internet connected and autonomous driving vehicles. Particularly, we present the principal components and how they should be distributed across this kind of architecture; i.e., identifying information flows, required exchanged data and basic functionalities required to build autonomous driving service as well as the holistic hardware and software architecture involving the in-car gateway.
Encryption and Decryption Based on Bit Scrambling Using LFSR and Chaos Masking to Combat the Security Attacks in Optical Communication
Authors: marudhai valarmathi , prince Shanthi
Published: June 2021

With the latest technological advancements and attractive features of all optical networks such as bandwidth, performance, reliability, cost efficiency, redundancy these networks have been considered as most viable solution to satisfy promptly growing bandwidth demands. With the increased demand for an optical network, there arises the need for security as well. Vulnerabilities in all optical network made to concentrate more on security issues, as an unimaginable amount of data is being transmitted across these communication links. The proposed methodology to provide the security to these links involve the design of optical linear feedback shift register (LFSR) which gives the scrambled bits also known as randomization. By this process the information signal will be in unreadable form it is highly difficult to predict for the intruder to hack the information signal. In addition to this, the chaos masking and de masking technique is preferred to secure the information. The generated chaotic signal is non- periodic and non- binary so it is not possible to predict the form of the signal. Further this work gives the performance analysis for with and without chaos masking and demasking technique for the acceptable BER of 10e-12 and Q-factor of 7. It also gives the design and study for in-band jamming and out-band jamming attacks for all-optical networks. Simulation of proposed design is done using OptiSystem version 16.0 software tool and the performance are analyzed at different data rate and for different fiber length.
Community Pharmacies, Drug Stores, and Antibiotic Dispensing in Indonesia: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Ferdiana Astri , Liverani Marco , Khan Mishal , Wulandari Luh Putu Lila , Mashuri Yusuf Ari , Batura Neha , Wibawa Tri , Yeung Shunmay , Day Richard , Jan Stephen , Wiseman Virginia , Probandari Ari
Published: June 2021

Background

Inappropriate dispensing of antibiotics at community pharmacies is an important driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Thus, a better understanding of dispensing practices is crucial to inform national, regional, and global responses to AMR. This requires careful examination of the interactions between vendors and clients, sensitive to the context in which these interactions take place.
Methods

In 2019, we conducted a qualitative study to examine antibiotic dispensing practices and associated drivers in Indonesia, where self-medication with antibiotics purchased at community pharmacies and drug stores is widespread. Data collection involved 60 in-depth interviews with staff at pharmacies and drug stores (n = 31) and their clients (n = 29), conducted in an urban (Bekasi) and a semi-rural location (Tabalong) to capture different markets and different contexts of access to medicines. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic content analysis.
Results

A common dispensing pattern was the direct request of antibiotics by clients, who walked into pharmacies or drug stores and asked for antibiotics without prescription, either by their generic/brand name or by showing an empty package or sample. A less common pattern was recommendation to use antibiotics by the vendor after the patient presented with symptoms. Drivers of inappropriate antibiotic dispensing included poor knowledge of antibiotics and AMR driving patient demand, financial incentives to maximise medicine sales in an increasingly competitive market, the unintended effects of health policy reforms, and weak regulatory enforcement.
Conclusions

Inappropriate dispensing of antibiotics in community pharmacies is the outcome of complex interactions between vendors and clients, shaped by wider and changing socio-economic processes. Concerted action should be taken to address this complexity and involve such providers in the development and implementation of AMR national action plans.
Clarifying the Relationship Among Green Investment, Clean Energy Consumption, Carbon Emissions, and Economic Growth: A Provincial Panel Analysis of China
Authors: Wan Yuanyuan , Sheng Ni
Published: June 2021

Green investment considers energy conservation and environmental protection as its main goals. Few studies based on simultaneous equation models have evaluated the relationships between green investment, clean energy consumption, carbon emissions, and economic growth. We use panel data from 30 provinces and cities in China from 2003 to 2017 to establish a simultaneous equation model that can evaluate these crucial relationships. At the national level, green investment has a significantly positive impact on clean energy consumption and economic growth; however, it has no significant effect on carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover, there is a U-shaped relationship between economic growth and clean energy consumption, as well as economic growth and CO2 emissions. When the per capita GDP is greater than 105735.92 (RMB), the use of clean energy will increase and CO2 emissions will decrease, thereby benefitting the environment and economy. Additionally, the impacts of green investment on clean energy differ in China’s eastern, central, and western regions, and the non-linear relationships between economic growth and clean energy consumption in these regions also differ. Based on these findings, countermeasures and suggestions are proposed to spur development within different regions.
Evaluation of the performance of non-hydrostatic RegCM4 (RegCM4-NH) over China
Authors: Nguyen-Xuan Thanh , Lam Sze Lok , Giorgi Filippo , Coppola Erika , Giuliani Graziano , Gao Xuejie , Im Eun-Soon
Published: June 2021

This study evaluates the performance of the latest version of non-hydrostatic RegCM4 (RegCM4-NH) customized over two vast urban agglomerations in China (i.e., the Pearl River Delta, PRD, and the Yangtze River Delta, YRD). The analysis focuses on how the dynamical core (hydrostatic versus non-hydrostatic) employed in the driving mother domain simulation can affect the regional characteristics of temperature and precipitation patterns in the PRD and YRD regions simulated by a 4 km resolution nested RegCM4-NH. In addition, we assess the sensitivity of the 4 km model results to the use of a convective parameterization scheme (CPS), since the 4 km grid size can be considered as a gray-zone resolution at which deep convection is partially resolved and may still need to be parameterized. For mean temperature, a reasonable performance is shown by all simulations, with the summer season mean bias mostly less than ±1°C when averaged over the PRD and YRD. However, the simulated daily temperature distribution is excessively peaked around the median value, indicating a large probability concentrated on a small temperature range. Although the higher resolution slightly ameliorates this deficiency, the effect of the dynamical core and CPS tends to be marginal. Conversely, precipitation behaves quite differently across simulations. The driving forcing from the non-hydrostatic mother domain simulation helps to reduce a severe dry bias seen over the PRD due to a reduction in convection inhibition. Use of the Emanuel CPS also tends to intensify localized precipitation events over mountainous regions in connection with stronger ascending motions over topographical features. The higher resolution also improves the phase of the diurnal cycle of precipitation, both with and without the use of the CPS. In general, the performance of RegCM4-NH over the PRD and YRD is found to be best when driven by a non-hydrostatic mother domain simulation and when turning on the Emanuel CPS.
Efficacy of Hemoperfusion in Severe and Critical Cases of COVID-19
Authors: Darazam Ilad Alavi , Kazempour Muhanna , Pourhoseingholi Mohamad Amin , Hatami Firouze , Rabiei Mohammad Mahdi , Gharehbagh Farid Javandoust , Amirdosara Mahdi , Hajiesmaeili Mohammadreza , Shabani Minoosh , Shokouhi Shervin , Lotfollahi Legha , Mardani Masoud , Haghighi-Morad Maryam , Rangraz Davoud , Falahaty Hassan , Syami Hosein , Irannejad Yaghoob , fallah Maryam , Zangi Masoud , Shafigh Navid
Published: June 2021

IntroductionIn critically ill COVID-19 patients, uncontrolled over-production of inflammatory mediators is observed, dominantly. The excessive immune response give rise to multiple organ dysfunction. Implementing extracorporeal therapies may be useful in omitting inflammatory mediators and supporting different organ systems. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of hemoperfusion in combination with standard therapy in critically ill COVID-19 patients.MethodWe conducted a single-center, matched control retrospective study on patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients were treated with hemoperfusion in combination with standard therapy (hemoperfusion group) or standard treatment (matched group). Hemoperfusion or hemoperfusion and CRRT (continuous renal replacement therapy) therapies were initiated in hemoperfusion group. The patients in the matched group were matched one by one with the hemoperfusion group for age, sex, the oxygen saturation (SPO2) at the admission and the frequency of using invasive mechanical ventilation during hospitalization. Two types of hemoperfusion cartridges used in this study were Jafron© (HA330) or cytosorb® 300. ResultA total number of 128 COVID- 19 confirmed patients were enrolled in this study; 73 patients were allotted to the matched group and 55 patients received hemoperfusion. The median SPO2 at the admission in control and hemoperfusion groups was 80% and 75%, respectively (P-value=0.113). The mortality rate was significantly lower in hemoperfusion group compared to the matched group (67.3% vs. 89%; P.value=0.002). The median length of ICU stay was statistically different in studied groups (median, 12 days for hemoperfusion group vs. 8 days for the matched group; P<0.001). The median of final oxygen saturation was statistically higher and median of PaCO2 was lower in hemoperfusion group compared to the matched group.ConclusionAmong critically ill COVID-19 patients, the use of hemoperfusion reduces the mortality rate and improves oxygen saturation and PaCO2.
Identification of a lncRNA-mRNA Regulatory Module for Prognosis, Classification and Potential Treatment of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhao Qin-Yu , Liu Le-Ping , Lu Lu , Gui Rong , Luo Yan-Wei
Published: June 2021

Background: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) being the most prevalent subtype of lung cancer. This study aimed to identify a lncRNA-mRNA regulatory module related to the prognosis, classification, and potential treatment of LUAD.Methods: Publicly available gene expression data of three cohorts were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Differential expression analysis between LUAD and normal samples, as well as the survival analysis, was performed. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and co-expression analyses were conducted to further identify key genes. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression model was developed to predict overall survival. Five machine learning models, including logistic regression, K-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), random forest, and extremely gradient boosting (XGBOOST), were trained to distinguish early-stage or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutation LUAD from others. Furthermore, connectivity map (CMap) and molecular docking analyses were performed to identify compounds with the ability to reverse the expression profiles of the key genes.Results: A cohort comprised of 535 LUAD and 59 normal samples in TCGA was used as the training set, while the GSE31210 and GSE30219 datasets were used as validation sets. 189 mRNAs and 11 lncRNAs were differentially expressed and associated with the overall survival. 43 hub mRNAs were further identified from the PPI network, and 3 lncRNAs were significantly correlated to the expression of hub mRNAs. Six genes with nonzero coefficients were selected by using the LASSO COX regression analysis, and the corresponding risk score was derived. The time-dependent ROC and Kaplan Meier analysis demonstrated that the risk score accurately discriminates the patients with a high or low risk. KNN and XGBOOST were the best models to recognize early-stage and EGFR-mutation LUAD, respectively. Purvalanol-a and Etoposide obtained a score of -99.98 in CMap and were successfully docked with three key genes.Conclusions: A lncRNA-mRNA regulatory module, including 4 mRNAs and 2 lncRNAs, was identified, and this module can facilitate the exploration of pathogenesis of LUAD and speed up the development of new treatments for LUAD patients.
Efficient and Environmental-Friendly Dehydration of Fructose to 5-HMF in Ultrasound Assisted Ionic Liquids / Deep Eutectic Solvents
Authors: Ji Qinghua , Yu Xiaojie , Yagoub Abu El-Gasim A. , Chen Li , Zhou Cunshan
Published: June 2021

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) is one of the most significant intermediate platforms for the production of both chemicals and liquid fuel derived from biomass. This study aimed to the assess the efficiency of ultrasound-assisted ionic liquids (ILs)/deep eutectic solvents (DES) in converting fructose to 5-HMF under milder conditions (≤ 100°C). The reaction conditions for the two-step transformation of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) with metal chloride as a catalyst and ultrasonic-assisted DES were optimized. The results showed that under the best conditions for ultrasound-assisted ILs to convert fructose (ultrasonic frequency: 40 kHz, 80°C, 1 h, [Bmim]Cl, D001-cc: 100 mg, fructose addition: 100 mg), the yield of 5-HMF reached 65.29 mol%. In addition, the D001-cc catalyst maintained high catalytic activity after being reused 6 times, and the activated D001-cc basically achieved the initial fructose conversion effect. Under the optimal conditions of ultrasonic-assisted DES fructose conversion (ultrasonic frequency: 40 kHz, 100°C, 30 min, ChCl-OA (molar ratio: 1:2), water addition: 0.46 mL, DES addition: 1 g), the yield of 5-HMF reached 51.87 mol%. Under the best conditions of ultrasonic-assisted DES SCB conversion (ultrasonic frequency: 40 kHz, ultrasonic time: 1 h, DES: ChCl: OA, catalyst: SnCl4·5H2O, water addition: 0.46 mL, 130°C/4 h (150°C/0.5 h)), the yield of 5-HMF reached 47.43 mol%. The study initially showed that ultrasonic-assisted ILs/DES effectively converted fructose in one step. In addition, the synergy of DES and metal chloride can better convert lignocellulosic biomass. Simply stated, the ultrasound-assisted ILs/DES conversion of biomass has realized “physical driving chemistry”. Thus, paving the way of high-value utilization of lignocellulose to become greener and economical.
Distribution Of Micro (Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) and Risk (Al, As, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd) Elements in the Organs of R. Alpinus L.
Authors: Jungová Michaela , Asare Michael O. , Jurasová Vladimíra , Hejcman Michal
Published: June 2021

Background and aimsRumex alpinus is a native plant in the mountains of Europe, whose distribution is affected by its utilization as a vegetable and medicinal herb. The distribution of micro and risk elements in its organs and the possibility for phytoremediation are not well-known. We aimed to examine the safety of consuming R. alpinus from the Krkonoše Mountains, Czech Republic, and Alps (Austria and Italy).MethodsWe determined the total and plant-available concentration of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Al, As, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd in the soil and total concentration in the organs of R. alpinus using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry.ResultsThe uptake and distribution of elements by plants were characterized by bioaccumulation and translocation (TF) factors. The intensity of elements accumulation by R. alpinus is considerably different, depending on locality. R. alpinus has considerable tolerance to Zn, Cu, As, Cr, Ni, with easy accumulation strategy. High Al and Cd concentration in belowground biomass (rhizome) indicates a defensive mechanism for them. Although the aboveground biomass (emerging, senescent, mature leaves, petiole) has some degree of accumulation of risk elements, R. alpinus is potentially suitable for phytoremediation of moderately contaminated soils. The results revealed that R. alpinus excludes Al, with high TF for Mn, Zn, Cu, As, Ni, and Pb. Given the accumulation of As and Cr, we recommend caution in its usage.ConclusionDetailed elemental analysis of R. alpinus organs is recommended before its application as medicinal herb or food, especially in contaminated soils.
Biomarker Responses in Earthworms Lumbricus Terrestris L. (Annelida: Lumbricidae) to Artificial Soils Contaminated with Dimethyl Phthalate
Authors: Farsani Arezoo , Arabi Mehran , Shadkhast Mohammad
Published: June 2021

In ecotoxicological studies, oxidative damages and antioxidant defense responses in earthworms have been used as hallmarks for assessing the environmental pollution. Phthalates, which are esters of phthalic acid (PAEs) are primarily used to enhance plasticity of industrial polymers, and are an unavoidable part of modern life. In the present study, ecotoxicological effects of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) were investigated in the earthworms Lumbricus terrestris L., at different concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 10 and 50 mg kg-1) on the 7th and 14th days of exposure in artificial soils. We evaluated the effects of DMP on oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers including malondialdehyde (MDA/LPO) level and the activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), and carbonylated proteins (CP) content in earthworm’s whole body extract. The neutral red retention (NRR)-time of coelomocytes and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were also measured in the earthworm’s coelomic fluid (ECF). Upon exposure to DMP, OS status was induced in a time and concentration-dependent manner. The MDA level, CAT and GST activities, and CP content were found to be increased, but the TAC value and NRR-times were decreased in all DMP-treated groups on 7th and 14th days of exposure. The toxicity of DMP was generally greater in the groups with 14 day toxicant exposure. Briefly, our resultes defined that DMP is a source of oxidative damages in the earthworms. However, for detailed elucidation of the mechanisms associated with DMP ecotoxicity and its adverse impacts in the soli organisms, further unraveling is needed.
Analyze the Impact of Healthy Behavior on Weight Change with a Mathematical Model using the Harris-Benedict Equations
Authors: CHATTERJEE AYAN , Bajpai Ram , Gerdes Martin W.
Published: June 2021

Background: Lifestyle diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. The gradual increase of negative behavior in humans because of physical inactivity, unhealthy habit, and improper nutrition expedites the growth of lifestyle diseases. Proper lifestyle management in the obesity context may help to reach personal weight goal or maintain a normal weight range with optimization of health behaviors (physical activity, diet, and habits).
Objective: In this study, we develop a mathematical model to analyze the impact of regular physical activity, a proper diet, and healthy habits on weight change, targeting obesity as a study case. Followed by, we design an algorithm to verify our proposed model with simulated data and compare it with related proven models based on the defined constrains.
Methods: We proposed a weight-change mathematical model as a function of activity, habit, and nutrition with the first law of thermodynamics, basal metabolic rate ( BMR ), total daily energy expenditure ( TDEE ), and body-mass-index ( BMI ) to establish a relationship between health behavior and weight change. Followed by, we verify the model with simulated data and compared it with related established models. In this study, we have used revised Harris-Benedict equations (HB) for BMR and TDEE calculation.
Results: The proposed mathematical model showed a strong relationship between health behavior and weight change. We verified the mathematical model with a proposed algorithm using simulated data with defined constraints. The adoption of BMR and TDEE calculation following revised Harris-Benedict equations has beaten the classical Wishnofsky’s rule (3500 cal. ≈ 1 lb.) , and the models proposed by Toumasis et al., Azzeh et. Al., and Mickens et. al. with a standard deviation of ±1.829, ±2.006, ±1.85, and ±1.80, respectively.
Conclusions: This study helped us to understand the impact of healthy behavior on weight change with mathematical implications and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. As a future research scope, we wish to use this model in a health eCoach system to generate personalized lifestyle recommendations to optimize health behaviors to accomplish personal weight goals.
Epidemiology and outcome of COVID-19 among 260 confirmed cases admitted at Guder Hospital, Western Ethiopia, 2020: a descriptive study of the first ten months
Authors: Solomon Tesfaye , Kolola Tufa , Tsegaye Mekdes
Published: June 2021

Background: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a highly transmittable and pathogenic viral infection that emerged in Wuhan, China, and spread around the world. No evidence is available about the epidemiological, clinical features, and outcomes of admitted patients in the study area. This study aimed to provide insight into the epidemiological characteristics and outcome of confirmed COVID-19 infection among admitted cases at Guder Hospital, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia.Methods: In this descriptive study, all confirmed cases of COVID-19 admitted to Guder Hospital from May 16 to December 31, 2020, were included. Cases were confirmed by real-time PCR and analyzed using SPSS version 22. The data were collected from January 15-20, 2021. Results: A total of 260 confirmed patients were admitted, including 180 men and 80 women. Of these cases, 184 (70.8%) were asymptomatic at admission. The mean age of the patients was 35.5 [SD 15] years. Adults aged 15 and above years accounted for 254 (97.7%). Meantime in the hospital was 14.3 [SD 3] days. On admission, the frequent symptom was cough (43[16.5%]). The case fatality rate among the admitted cases was 12 (4.6%). Of these deaths, seven (58.3%) were females aged 45-59 years, and eight had known comorbidity. Conclusion: The COVID-19 infection is more likely to affect adult males and death is common in females with comorbidities. The disease remains largely asymptomatic among the admitted cases. A further analytical investigation is needed to explore the risk of mortality and its determinants among admitted cases with COVID-19 infection.
Fluid Media Artifacts: New Foundations for Symbolic Dominance
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Viktor A. Sidorov
Published: June 2021

The significance of the paper is predefined by the qualitative shifts in the information environment of society, characterized by the fluidity of the media. Social and technological changes in the Internet have had a crucial impact on the media audience’s perception of cultural artefacts. A decisive and ongoing factor has been the change in the functions of the audience, which is increasingly being transformed into an actor of information relations in society. In particular, there is a radical rearrangement of the actors in the subject-object relationship in media propaganda. In the media environment, the linear flow of time gives way to a chaotic flow that violates possible cause-effect relations; the values of artefacts of the past and present “stop having a certain propaganda impact on the audience, rather they themselves are “irradiated” by the propaganda intensions of the audience. Thus, the practices of symbolic domination implemented in the media environment acquire new forms and new social content. The empirical basis of the research was the findings of focus groups comparing the socio-philosophical meaning of movies from different eras (1968, 2015) and different countries (the USSR, the USA), with the same events as the basis of the movies. The meaning of the current problem predetermined the reference to the works of philosophers, political scientists, sociologists, theorists of journalism (Z. Bauman, I. Hoffman, S. Dudnik, D. Dubrovsky, S. Ilchenko, T. Eriksen, etc.). Methodology of focus groups, supplemented by the highlighting of semantic counterpoints of the discussions, their grouping and further inclusion in the context of the discussion to record the respondents’ reflection on the generalizing conclusions was used; content analysis of the transcripts of focus groups was conducted. The materials of the paper may be of interest to culturologists, political scientists and theorists of journalism. Keywords: fluidity of media, mediatization, artefact, propaganda, symbolic dominance, reflection
Digital Content of Modern Media as a Sphere for the Formation of Digital Etiquette in the Context of Transmedia
Authors:   South Ural State University, Arina R. Marfitsyna
Published: June 2021

The topicality of the article is determined by the fact that it examines the specifics of modern digital content in the context of the transformation processes, which take place in modern media in the context of transmedia that influence the formation of digital etiquette. The rapid development of the technical and technological components of communication contributes to the constant transformation of digital etiquette and this is one of the problems of modern transmedia space, which actualizes the identification of the content features of digital content, the role of the axiological component of modern media materials, the definition of effective ways of their representation that corresponds with the needs of the modern digital audience. The aim of the research is to describe the key characteristics of digital content in modern media that promote the formation of digital etiquette. The novelty of the article is in the concept analysis of print media, television and radio broadcasting in the context of transmedia according to the approach of the general key characteristics of the current digital content that contribute to the formation of digital etiquette and have the prospect of further research. The methodological basis was the scientific works of media theorists in Russian and foreign scientific communities. During the work on the article in the field of researching the content of modern mass media and the transformation processes that take place in the media, the author used the methods of analysis and comparison, the synthesis method was applied in terms of discussing the research results, formulating conclusions. The results of the research show that today not only adaptation in the digital environment is required but also close integration with all processes of the digital development of society is necessary for the successful functioning of modern media. The typical key features for modern digital content, which are the environment for the formation of digital etiquette, were identified during the research. It includes the ability to consume content through various gadgets; creation of interactive materials that satisfy the demands of a certain audience and give the right to participate in the creation of content and to choose it; the creation of complex multi-component materials that are endowed with the features of the project and also the transmedia narrative pattern. The article represents the interest to practicing journalists, as well as to researchers in the sphere of development of digital journalism, transmedia storytelling, digital content features and digital etiquette. Keywords: journalism, digital content, mass media transformation, transmedia, storytelling, digital etiquette
Formation of the Concept of “Regional Security” in the History of World Philosophical Thought
Authors:   Transbaikal State University, Artem V. Zhukov , Sergey V. Kononov ,   Far Eastern Higher Combined Arms Command School named after Marshal of the Soviet Union K. K. Rokossovsky
Published: June 2021

The relevance of the article is due to the increasing importance of the regional security factor in modern conditions, where the level of regional self-awareness and the desire for relative autonomy are growing within the framework of the general process of developing the security system. The article is devoted to the analysis of the security concepts existing in the history of philosophy in order to identify the evolution of ideas about “regional security”. The study uses comparative, systemic and hermeneutic methods, the action of which is aimed at identifying aspects of regional security in texts devoted to the problems of state, national and public security. The novelty of the research is associated with the development of the idea of the evolution of ideas about regional security from abstract ideas to various aspects of regional practice. The result of the study is evidence that, being originally one of the aspects of general management theory, the ideas of regional security at the end of the twentieth century became the core of the concept of “regional security complexes”. The next result was the substantiation that modern criticism of this concept is the basis of the theoretical constructions of regional security in the 21st century, which are based on a synthesis of ideas about the need to adopt rules adopted by states that support the stability of world security and the influence of regions with their own interests. The conclusion of the study is to assert that modern concepts of regional security are based on the synthesis of methodologies of the systemic and constructivist approaches. This methodology is used to substantiate the assertion that any state is forced to deal with the security problems of its regions, to pay attention to the existing threats and regional interests in them, which may be of a constructive nature and may pose a real danger associated with challenges from the political, economic, military, environmental, and social spheres. Keywords: regional security, philosophical discourse of security, state security, national security, social security, theory of regional security complexes
Contemporary Environmental Policy of Russia and China in the Context of the General Theory of Interaction Between Nature and Society
Authors:   Transbaikal State University, Elena Yu. Zakharova , Zou Hong ,   Transbaikal State University, Alena A. Bernyukevich ,   Shanghai University of Foreign Studies
Published: June 2021

The interaction of man, society with nature has always been one of the most complex and contradictory topics in various fields of scientific knowledge. This interaction was constantly transformed, but one feature has always remained unchanged – human life directly depends on the state of nature. The ecological situation that has developed at present, despite its constant updating at the international, federal and regional levels, continues to remain unresolved, the threat to human life continues to grow. In this regard, the scientific substantiation of the creation of effective mechanisms and technologies of environmental policy that will contribute to overcoming the environmental crisis becomes urgent. The authors define the main goal of the study as identifying the features and effective mechanisms of modern environmental policy of Russia and China at the social, technological, natural levels of interaction between nature and society. The methodological basis of the research includes: a general theory of interaction between nature and society, which allows us to analyze the main directions and mechanisms of overcoming the ecological crisis at the social, technological, natural levels of interaction between nature and society; a comparative historical approach, which allowed us to consider the dynamics and features of the development of environmental policy in Russia and China; a systematic approach that contributed to a comprehensive analysis of the features of environmental policy, taking into account the socio-economic, political factors of the development of countries. This article highlights the main directions, stages, effective mechanisms of modern environmental policy in Russia and China at the social, technological, natural levels of interaction between nature and society. We concluded that the effective mechanisms of environmental policy are those that are associated with changes at the technological level of interaction between nature and society, associated with green and ecological production, measures taken at the level of plagenous processes remain ineffective. The research materials can be applied to study and identify ways to overcome the ecological crisis, the features of modern modernization processes in Russia and China. Keywords: Russia, China, general theory of interaction between nature and society, technological level of interaction between nature and society, ecological production, gene processes, plagenous processes
The Problem of the Subject in Artificial Nature
Authors:   Samara National Research University, Alexander Yu. Nesterov
Published: June 2021

The article discusses the situation with the subject and subjectivity that arises in the conditions of scientific and technological progress. The concept of the subject is introduced through the distinction between reflex (natural) and reflexive (artificial) processes of self-awareness, the subject is understood as a way of connecting “worlds” in the sense of K. R. Popper. The forms of reflection that create subjectivity are introduced as philosophical inventions in the sense of I. I. Lapshin as an aphorism, dialogue and system. The research methodology is of a general semiotic and neo-Kantian character: the function of subjectivity for artificial environments of human life is considered as a reflexive basis for constructing theories and carrying out technical activities, the performance of this function leads to a consistent transformation of nature due to the accumulation of artifacts in the sensually accessible physical world (the first artificial nature), in the rational world of logical-grammatical forms (the second artificial nature), in the world of reason or intellectual reflection (the third artificial nature). Based on the analysis of subjectivity in the first, second and third artificial nature, we conclude that the crisis of the subject and human subjectivity observed in the information society, expressed in the models of the subject-free objectivity of the technosphere or technological singularity is evidence of the exhaustion of the methodological resources of the subject’s analysis. The third artificial nature, i. e. a man-made technical environment that includes intellectual artifacts, autonomous intelligent agents of making socially significant decisions, needs a new philosophical invention that allows for self-awareness procedures. In the conclusion, the assumption is formulated that as such a new philosophical invention, the “environment” can be discussed that removes the “system” in the same sense in which the “system” removes the “dialogue”, and the latter – “aphorism”. Keywords: subject, technology, philosophy of technology, artificial nature, second nature, third nature, technological singularity
The Joy of Being as Anthropological Practice
Authors:   Kazan Innovative University named after V. G. Timiryasov, Oleg D. Agapov
Published: June 2021

The joy of being is connected with one’s activities aimed at responding to the challenges of the elemental forces and the boundlessness of being, which are independent of human subjectivity. In the context of rising to the challenges of being, one settles to acquire a certain power of being in themselves and in the world. Thus, the joy of being is tied to achieving the level of the “miraculous fecundity” (E. Levinas), “an internal necessity of one’s life” (F. Vasilyuk), magnanimity (M. Mamardashvili). The ontological duty of any human being is to succeed at being human. The joy of being is closely connected to experiencing one’s involvement in the endless/eternity and realizing one’s subjective temporality/finitude, which attunes him to the absolute seriousness in relation to one’s complete realization in life. Joy is a foundational anthropological phenomenon in the structure of ways of experiencing the human condition. The joy of being as an anthropological practice can appear as a constantly expanding sphere of human subjectivity where the transfiguration of the powers of being occurs under the sign of the Height (Levinas) / the Good. Without the possibility of transfiguration human beings get tired of living, immerse themselves in the dejected state of laziness and the hopelessness of vanity. The joy of being is connected to unity, gathering the multiplicity of human life under the aegis of meaning that allows us to see the other and the alien in heteronomous being, and understand the nature of co-participation and responsibility before the forces of being, and also act in synergy with them.The joy of being stands before a human being as the joy of fatherhood/ motherhood, the joy of being a witness to the world in creative acts (the subject as a means to retreat before the world and let the world shine), the joy of every day that was saved from absurdity, darkness and the impersonal existence of the total. Keywords: joy, higher reality, anthropological practices, “the height”, subject, transcendence, practice of coping
Science and Religion in the 21st Century: Buddhist Vector
Authors:   Moscow National Research State Construction University, Tatiana V. Bernyukevich
Published: June 2021

The article analyzes the relationship between Buddhism and science, presented in the works and activities of Buddhist leaders and scholars. The aim of the study is to determine the specifics of the relationship between Buddhism and science, associated with both the peculiarities of the development of modern science and the peculiarities of the religion itself. The study is based on an integrated approach that allows to identify the problem of relations between Buddhism and science at different levels: the doctrinal provisions of Buddhism, the texts of Buddhist leaders and their activities, the analysis of these relations made by representatives of science. One of the phenomena of the dialogue between Buddhism and science is the Mind and Life Institute, created in 1987, initiated by the 14th Dalai Lama, scientist and philosopher Francisco Varela, lawyer and entrepreneur Adam Engle. The creation of this Institute was based on the idea that science is not only a modern source of knowledge but also a critical means of improving the quality of life; this means can be developed by combining it with the wisdom of Buddhist teachings. Interest in the problem of interaction between Buddhism and science has noticeably intensified in the last decade in Russia. It was expressed in the publication of books of Buddhist leaders and scholars on this topic, holding meetings of researchers and Buddhist clergy for discussions on complex topics of knowledge, organizing scientific conferences on the dialogue between Buddhism and science. The intensification of the dialogue between Buddhism and science and its reflection in the research of scientists and the activities of Buddhist organizations are associated with a number of reasons: the search for new effective ways to solve global problems; the actualization of a systematic approach to solving a number of complex research problems (for example, the problem of consciousness); interest in the possibility of synthesizing Buddhist techniques and ideas and scientific approaches as a resource for the development of both Buddhism and science. Keywords: science and religion, Buddhism, Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhist studies, Buddhology