bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Videoconference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Symptomatic Panic Disorder Following Primary Pharmacotherapy: Randomized, Assessor-Blinded, Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Seki Yoichi , Takemura Ryo , Sutoh Chihiro , Noguchi Remi , Okamoto Yoko , Ohira Ikuyo , Nagata Shinobu , Shimizu Eiji
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Background: Given the difficulty in accessing cognitive behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy remains the standard of care for panic disorder (PD).

OBJECTIVE

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of videoconference-based cognitive behavioral therapy (VCBT) for patients who remain symptomatic after primary pharmacotherapy as an adjunct to usual care (UC) when compared with UC alone.

METHODS

Methods: This prospective, randomized, open-label endpoint trial enrolled 30 patients with PD who did not respond to primary pharmacotherapy, including antidepressants and anxiolytics, after ≥8 weeks of therapy, who underwent VCBT (n=15) or UC (n=15) between November 2017 and March 2020 at Chiba University Hospital in Chiba, Japan. They were evaluated at screening, week 0 (baseline), week 8 (mid-intervention), and week 16 (post-intervention). The primary outcome was the change in the PD Severity Scale (PDSS) score at week 16 from baseline.

RESULTS

Results: After 16 weeks, the adjusted mean changes in the PDSS score from baseline were −7.92 and 0.75 in the VCBT and UC groups, respectively, with a between-group difference of −8.67 (95% CI: −11.80 to −5.54, P<.0001). A higher proportion of patients in the VCBT group responded to treatment (≥40% reduction in the PDSS score at week 16) and experienced remission (PDSS score <8 points at week 8) than those in the UC group (P<.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Conclusions: Our results suggest that VCBT is an effective treatment adjunct to UC in patients with PD who remain symptomatic following primary pharmacotherapy and improves PD symptoms in these patients.

CLINICALTRIAL

Trial Registration: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000029987; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000034247.
Does COVID-19 Testing Create More Cases? An Empirical Evidence on the Importance of Mass Testing During a Pandemic (Preprint)
Authors: Ahmed Ali
Published: March 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

The importance of testing and surveillance of an infectious disease cannot be underestimated. The testing is the first step to detect an infectious disease, and mass testing can slow or mitigate the spread of an infectious disease. Despite overwhelming evidence and the importance of testing discussed in the literature, there have been claims that "more COVID-19 testing creates more cases". Therefore, there is a need to study whether massive testing is the reason for detecting more positive COVID-19 cases. In this research, we used a dataset from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and empirically showed that by increasing the COVID-19 testing in the U.S., the spread of the COVID-19 decreased significantly. Our results indicate a negative relationship between the number of positive cases and the number of tests performed in the past months. The large-scale testing may have helped identify positive and asymptomatic cases early in the course of illness, which enabled individuals to isolate themselves, thus reducing the chances of spreading the diseases and slowing the spread of the pandemic.
Risk of Chrysantemum Flower Supply Chain in Central Java Province and Yogyakarta Special Region
Authors: Suhita Cahyaningtyas Putri , Irham Irham Irham , Utami Arini Wahyu
Published: March 2021

The distribution of chrysanthemum flowers from Bandungan District to consumers in the city can be at risk of damage. This study aims to determine the risk sources and types in the chrysanthemum supply chain; analyze risks probability and impact risk as well as risk capacity management among the chrysanthemum supply chain agents; and identify the risk priority in the chrysanthemum supply chains based on the level of loss and vulnerability. Data collection was conducted between April and September 2019 at Bandungan sub-distric Semarang distric. This study interviewed fifty farmers, fifteen middlemen, eight suppliers, and twentyfive  florists. Additionally, there were also interviewed three expert regarding chrysanthemum faming. These were the leader of Astha Bunda Kalirang farmers group, the head of marketing division of Astha Bunda Kaliurang Farmers Group, and staff on BPTP in Yogyakarta. Data was analyzed using Rapid Agricultural Risk Assessment (RapAgRisk). Results showed that there were six risk sources and 23 risk types that were present along the chrysanthemum supply chain. Six risks source such as natural hazard, weather, market, management and operational, logistical and infrastructure, and plant biological and environmental. Supply chain actors who have the highest risk are at farmer level.
Ramipril and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis
Authors: Ruggenenti Piero , Podestà Manuel Alfredo , Trillini Matias , Perna Annalisa , Peracchi Tobia , Rubis Nadia , Villa Davide , Martinetti Davide , Cortinovis Monica , Ondei Patrizia , Condemi Carmela Giuseppina , Guastoni Carlo Maria , Meterangelis Agnese , Granata Antonio , Mambelli Emanuele , Pasquali Sonia , Genovesi Simonetta , Pieruzzi Federico , Bertoli Silvio Volmer , Del Rosso Goffredo , Garozzo Maurizio , Rigotti Angelo , Pozzi Claudio , David Salvatore , Daidone Giuseppe , Mingardi Giulio , Mosconi Giovanni , Galfré Andrea , Romei Longhena Giorgio , Pacitti Alfonso , Pani Antonello , Hidalgo Godoy Jorge , Anders Hans-Joachim , Remuzzi Giuseppe ,   on behalf of the ARCADIA Study Organization
Published: March 2021

Background and objectives

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. We evaluated the cardioprotective effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

In this phase 3, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point, parallel, multicenter trial, we recruited patients on maintenance hemodialysis with hypertension and/or left ventricular hypertrophy from 28 Italian centers. Between July 2009 and February 2014, 140 participants were randomized to ramipril (1.25–10 mg/d) and 129 participants were allocated to non-RAS inhibition therapy, both titrated up to the maximally tolerated dose to achieve predefined target BP values. The primary efficacy end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Secondary end points included the single components of the primary end point, new-onset or recurrence of atrial fibrillation, hospitalizations for symptomatic fluid overload, thrombosis or stenosis of the arteriovenous fistula, and changes in cardiac mass index. All outcomes were evaluated up to 42 months after randomization.

Results

At comparable BP control, 23 participants on ramipril (16%) and 24 on non-RAS inhibitor therapy (19%) reached the primary composite end point (hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.52 to 1.64; P=0.80). Ramipril reduced cardiac mass index at 1 year of follow-up (between-group difference in change from baseline: −16.3 g/m2; 95% confidence interval, −29.4 to −3.1), but did not significantly affect the other secondary outcomes. Hypotensive episodes were more frequent in participants allocated to ramipril than controls (41% versus 12%). Twenty participants on ramipril and nine controls developed cancer, including six gastrointestinal malignancies on ramipril (four were fatal), compared with none in controls.

Conclusions

Ramipril did not reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Clinical Trial registry name and registration number:

ARCADIA, NCT00985322 and European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database number 2008–003529–17.
Learning to Unlearn for Transformative Learning, an Epistemological Look
Authors: TOME JOSE MANUEL SALUM
Published: March 2021

The present work corresponds to a reflection about several theories and approaches of the learning and their relevance in the training of social agents, reflection that emerges from the practice of the training, and attending to the fact that the meaning of what it implies to learn and how it is that is learned is not at the center of the discussion in universities in Latin America, which emphasizes more what to teach rather than how to teach.ObjectiveCreate awareness in teachers of the importance of the processes of learning to unlearn and relearn as part of our educational responsibility and continuous training.SummaryThis paper corresponds to a reflection on various theories and approaches to learning and their relevance in the training of social agents, a reflection that emerges from the practice of training, and taking into account the fact that the meaning of what learning implies and how it is You learn is not at the center of the discussion in Latin American universities, in which what is taught is more emphasized than how to teach.
NAČELA EKONOMSKE BEZBEDNOSTI
Authors: Stajic Ljubomir
Published: March 2021

Politika ekonomske bezbednosti se oblikuje pod dejstvom različitih faktora, zato se u procesu ostvarenja tih ciljeva bezbednosti moraju primeniti određena rukovodna načela. Primena načela ekonomske bezbednosti treba da omoguće da država u celini ali i njen sistem bezbednosti budu stabilni, što podrazumeva da isti ne unose poremećaje u njenim privrednim procesima. Načela o ekonomskoj bezbednosti ne treba da budu postavljena apstraktno, izvan datog društvenog, ekonomskog, političkog, bezbednosnog, pravnog i socijalnog ambijenta. Njihovu sadržinu bezbednosna teorija uobličava uzimajući u obzir prilike koje vladaju u datom društvu. Politiku nacionalne bezbednosti treba koncipirati tako da se celina postavljenih zahteva u načelima ekonomske bezbednosti što potpunije ostvari, ali se mora imati u vidu da do određenih odstupanja mora doći. Osnovni problem pri tome je jedinstvena, stalna i ujednačena, ničim sputavana primena ovih načela istovremeno.
Технология обработки оптических деталей из кристаллов КРС‑5 методом алмазного точения и фрезерования
Authors: Лапшин В.В. , Захаревич Е.М. , Кузнецов М.С. , Зараменских К.С. , Осипов А.В.
Published: March 2021

Статья посвящена разработке технологии обработки заготовок из кристаллов КРС‑5. Экспериментально определен оптимальный метод обработки, а также способ определения оптимальной ориентации заготовки. Разработанная технология опробована при изготовлении светоделительного кольца. Приведены результаты метрологического контроля кольца, а также способы улучшения качества и точности обработки.
КОМПЛЕКТ СПЕЦИАЛЬНОГО ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО ОБОРУДОВАНИЯ ДЛЯ ПРОИЗВОДСТВА ЭКБ НА ПЛАСТИНАХ ДИАМЕТРОМ 200 ММ С УРОВНЕМ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ 180-65 НМ
Authors: Бирюков М.Г. , Варакин В.М. , Долгополов В.М. , Иракин П.А. , Одинцов В.В. , Панин В.В. , Шубников А.В.
Published: March 2021

Представлены результаты испытаний опытного образца вакуумной кластерной установки, а также процессов атомно-слоевого осаждения, травления гладких щелей, поликремниевых затворов, глубоких отверстий в кремниевых пластинах и удаления полимеров из этих отверстий.
AMAMENTAÇÃO E CUIDADOS AO BEBÊ DURANTE A PANDEMIA DA COVID-19: como recursos multimídias podem ajudar
Authors: Perry Cassia Patricia Barroso , Cunha Ana Cristina Barros da , Albuquerque Karolina Alves de , Burgarelli Paula Caroline de Moura , Martins Marina Batella , Machado Marina Vilaça Cavallari
Published: March 2021

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of coping strategies to face the stress generated by the worldwide crisis of the new coronavirus became mandatory. Based on this, the purpose of this article is to analyze multimedia resources on video format for the digital platform Instagram as health education strategies to help puerperal women and their support networks during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a descriptive methodological study based on the evaluation of content validity criterion by 21 postnatal judges, with an average age of 29.38 years. Most of them lived in the southeastern region of Brazil (n = 20) and had higher education (52.38%), followed by high school (38.09%). Content Validity Coefficients (CVC) ≥ 0.80 were adopted to validate language clarity, relevance, pertinence, and presentation of the videos. All CVC of the from the Series “Breastfeeding” were satisfactory between ≥ 0.85 and 1. With the exception of the 4th video (CVC ≥ 0.73) the videos from the Series “Neonatal Care” obtained CVC between ≥0,86 and 1. These results indicate that the target population considered the videos relevant, adequate, easy to understand and aesthetically pleasing. Accordingly, multimedia resources in video format can be considered a valid tool for the educational health proposal. Thus, the videos could help women during the postpartum period and their families to cope with the stress from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dimensional Expressivity Analysis of Parametric Quantum Circuits
Authors: Funcke Lena , Hartung Tobias , Jansen Karl , Kühn Stefan , Stornati Paolo
Published: March 2021

Parametric quantum circuits play a crucial role in the performance of many variational quantum algorithms. To successfully implement such algorithms, one must design efficient quantum circuits that sufficiently approximate the solution space while maintaining a low parameter count and circuit depth. In this paper, develop a method to analyze the dimensional expressivity of parametric quantum circuits. Our technique allows for identifying superfluous parameters in the circuit layout and for obtaining a maximally expressive ansatz with a minimum number of parameters. Using a hybrid quantum-classical approach, we show how to efficiently implement the expressivity analysis using quantum hardware, and we provide a proof of principle demonstration of this procedure on IBM's quantum hardware. We also discuss the effect of symmetries and demonstrate how to incorporate or remove symmetries from the parametrized ansatz.
Ivan IV and the Tatars
Authors:   Indiana University, Halperin Charles J.
Published: March 2021

Research objectives: To provide a comprehensive overview of Muscovite interaction with Tatars during Ivan IV’s reign, both with each successor state of the Jochid ulus and with Tatars who moved to Muscovy and entered Ivan IV’s service. Research materials: This study is based upon Russian sources from the reign of Ivan IV concerning the Tatars, including narratives such as chronicles and documentary evidence such as diplomatic reports. Results and novelty of the research: Muscovite policy toward the Tatars did not derive from a single dominating motive, neither hostility, such as religious animosity toward Muslims or the drive for imperial territorial expansion, nor the desire to cooperate with Tatars for the sake of commerce or the need for steppe military allies. Ivan adapted his policies to individual circumstances, vassal puppet rulers or outright conquest as needed. Tatars from the vassal khanate of Kasimov helped Ivan conquer Kazan’ and Astrakhan’ and fight Crimea. Nogai merchants sold the Muscovite army horses. Muscovites possessed intimate knowledge of foreign Tatars, but also lived in close proximity to “native” Tatars who lived on Muscovite soil or traveled to Moscow as envoys or merchants. However expertise on the Tatars, borrowing Tatar institutions, enrolling Tatar servitors, and conquering successor states of the Golden Horde did not make Muscovy a successor state of the Golden Horde. Nevertheless the Tatars were a fact of life in Ivan IV’s Muscovy, as both allies and enemies.
International Online Conference “The Mongols in Central Europe: The Profile and Impact of Their thirteenth-century Invasions” (Budapest, November 26–27, 2020)
Authors:   Institute of History, Belgrade, Uzelac Aleksandar
Published: March 2021

On November 26 and 27, 2020, an international online conference, “The Mongols in Central Europe: The Profile and Impact of Their thirteenth-century Invasions”, took place in Budapest. The conference was organized within the framework of the Project “The Mongol Invasion of Hungary in Its Eurasian Context”, led by Balázs Nagy. The conference gathered approximately twenty participants from ten countries. Its proceedings will be published in 2021. This volume is expected to be a useful addition to the exis­ting literature in the field of the relations between of the Mongol Empire and Medieval Europe, especially with consideration toward the importance of the closer mutual collaboration between historians and archaeologists from various countries of Central and Southeast Europe. This was emphasized as one of the primary goals of the event.
Aplikasi Talent Pool Dengan Metode Heatmap 2-D Berbasis Web
Authors: Nashir Abdul Wahab , Ramayanti Desi
Published: March 2021

ATT Group adalah grup perusahaan yang menyediakan one stop total logistics . Pada perusahaan ini Human Resource Management (HRM) menentukan 2 aspek penilaian untuk mengukur kinerja dan menentukan talent dari karyawan, yaitu kinerja dan kompetensi. Untuk saat ini E-performance menampilkan 2 penilaian tersebut secara terpisah. sehingga HRM  harus merekap secara manual dengan membuka satu per satu menu dari masing-masing penilaian. hal ini menjadi tidak efektif dan efisien untuk proses penentuan talent karena membutuhkan tahapan-tahapan, seperti membuka menu penilaian satu per satu, merekap nilai, penentuan talent dan pelaporan kepada pihak pemegang keputusan. Untuk mengatasi masalah tadi maka dalam penelitian ini ditawarkan sebuah fungsi tambahan yaitu Talent Pool. Fungsi talent Pool merupakan sebuah dashboard yang menampilkan data kinerja karyawan secara Grafis dalam dua dimensi, yang merupakan penggabungan  Penilaian Kinerja dari modul Individul Score Card (ISC) dan nilai kompetensi dari Assessment360. Adapun tampilan data kinerja pada talent pool ini dibuat dalam bentuk menggunakan metode Heatmap 2-D, dan grafik yang ditampilkan menggunakan library javascript dari highcharts. Penerapan metode Heatmap 2-D pada proses pengelompokan para talent dapat memberikan kebudahan bagi pihak HRM dalam menentukan para calon karyawan yang akan di promosikan, di mutasi dan lainya sesuai dengan kebutuhan HRM.
Perancangan Maintenance Scorecard dan Penentuan Prioritas Key Performance Indicator dengan Metode Analitycal Hierarcy Process pada Industri Otomotif (Studi Kasus: PT. X)
Authors: Ekawati Fatimah Dian
Published: March 2021

Pengukuran kinerja digunakan secara luas oleh unit-unit bisnis dan industri  untuk mengakses kemajuan atau progres dari rancangan tujuan dan sasaran secara kuantitatif untuk mencapai keefektifan dan efisiensinya. Pengukuran kinerja memberikan informasi yang dibutuhkan manajemen untuk pengambilan keputusan yang efektif. Pengukuran kinerja maintenance menjadi elemen penting dari pemikiran strategis bagi pemilik aset dan pengelola aset. Maintenance Scorecard adalah suatu pendekatan yang didesain untuk membantu dalam pembuatan dan pengimplementasian strategi dalam pengelolaan aset-aset perusahaan, diaplikasikan melalui suatu hirarki tujuan atau pendekatan yang terstruktur melalui tiga level fundamental yaitu corporate, strategic dan functional. MSC melalui tiap indikator yang kuantitatif dalam tiap level perusahaan mengukur performa dalam asset management tentang apa yang dilakukan, bagaimana kinerja selama ini dan bagaimana performa setiap tindakan yang sudah dilakukan dalam pencapaian tujuan perusahaan. Terdapat 6 perspektif pengukuran performa dalam Maintenance Scorecard yaitu productivity, cost effectiveness, safety, environmental dan learning perspective. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk merancang Maintenance Scorecard pada PT. X sebagai perusahaan otomotif. Hasil rancangannya adalah adanya usulan hirarki indikator (KPI) dari setiap level perusahaan yang terbagi dalam tiap perspektif Maintenance Scorecard. Dari 6 perspektif pada MSC dihasilkan sebanyak 18 usulan indikator performa yang relevan, yang terbagi menjadi : 4 indikator productivity, 5 indikator cost effectiveness, 3 indikator safety, 2 indikator quality, 2 indikator environmental dan 2 indikator learning perspective. KPI yang dihasilkan dari rancangan Maintenance Scorecard kemudian dibobotkan dengan metode Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) menggunakan software super decision. Keluaran dari software adalah urutan prioritas KPI.
Deteksi Hoaks Pada Berita Berbahasa Indonesia Seputar COVID-19
Authors: Panjaitan Amanda Tabitha Bulan , Santoso Ibnu
Published: March 2021

Perkembangan teknologi yang semakin maju tentu mendatangkan banyak kemudahan bagi para penggunanya namun di lain sisi juga mempercepat penyebaran berita bohong pada internet. Berita bohong atau dikenal dengan hoaks adalah informasi sesat dan berbahaya karena menyesatkan persepsi manusia dengan menyampaikan informasi palsu sebagai kebenaran. Hoaks sendiri dapat bertujuan untuk mempengaruhi pembaca dengan informasi palsu sehingga pembaca mengambil tindakan sesuai dengan isi hoaks. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan sistem cerdas yang mampu mengklasifikasi sebuah berita dengan cepat yang menyebar melalui internet agar tidak menyesatkan para pembacanya. Penelitian ini dimulai dengan melakukan scraping berita yang sudah diberi kategori hoaks atau valid. Dataset tersebut dibagi dua menjadi data latih dan data uji. Dilakukan pre-processing mulai dari case folding, tokenizing, filtering dan stemming. Pada penelitian ini dilakukan perbandingan terhadap pengaruh penerapan feature engineering. Dari hasil akurasi, dapat dilihat bahwa dengan diterapkannya feature engineering mampu meningkatkan akurasi kelima metode klasifikasi. Metode random forest dengan penerapan feature engineering menghasilkan tingkat akurasi sebesar 96,05%.
Arte(sania) na escola: (desa)fios da arte nos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental
Authors: Albuquerque Fernanda Maria Santos , Salles Conceição Gislâne Nóbrega Lima de , Carvalho Nádia Priscila De Lima
Published: March 2021

Aborda os desafios da arte nos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental e os seus fios de resistência emaranhados à experiência e à infância na escola. Reflete acerca da minoração da experiência, sobretudo no campo da educação, a partir do projeto da modernidade e destaca as suas consequências na escola, especificamente, na arte e no seu ensino nos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental. A partir de uma pesquisa cartográfica, trata dos (desa)fios da arte nos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental, evidenciando a artesania como fio de passagem da arte na escola, transformando-a em espaçotempo para a arte, a experiência e a infância, para a aprendizagem, a vida e o mundo.
O marajoara que há em nós ou Do desenho que nos une
Authors: Magalhães Roberto Carvalho de
Published: March 2021

Ensaioi poético
Arte Pública: reflexões e possibilidades
Authors: Nunes Sandra Conceição , Oliveira Sandra Regina Ramalho e
Published: March 2021

A Arte Pública, obras instaladas em espaços públicos ou privados, mas visíveis aos transeuntes, está presente nos mais diferentes locais do Brasil e do mundo. Em Florianópolis se tem um acervo de mais de trezentas obras distribuídas em diferentes bairros, produzidas em períodos distintos por dezenas de artistas. Acreditando na importância de valorização e utilização deste acervo nas aulas de Artes, esse texto busca refletir sobre algumas questões que envolvem o tema, o qual está sendo objeto empírico de uma tese de doutorado intitulada “Arte Pública e Ação Educativa: interações de estudantes com o acervo do Município de Florianópolis”.
A cost-benefit analysis of foot and mouth disease control program for smallholder cattle farmers in Cambodia
Authors: Sieng Socheat , Patrick Ian , Walkden-Brown Stephen , Sar Chetra
Published: March 2021

The Cambodian government is attempting to mobilise government, donor and
private sector funding to implement a coordinated FMD vaccination
program (FMDVP). A necessary first step is to convince the farmers of
the benefits of participating in and potentially financially supporting
this program. Information was collected from 300 farmers in order to
estimate the on-farm benefits and costs of their participation in an
FMDVP. Implementing a successful vaccination program is difficult, and
farmers understand from previous experience that there may be
institutional, social, technical and financial constraints which limit
its success. A benefit-cost analysis needs to take into account that
outbreaks do not occur every year, not all cattle will be successfully
vaccinated, not all sick animals successfully treated and sometimes sick
animals simply sold. This study sensitises these variables in order to
give a realistic estimation of the farmer participation benefits in an
FMDVP. A general result is that it is worthwhile for farmers to
participate in the FMDVP if there are average annual outbreaks, or at
least two major outbreaks, in the ensuing five years. However, the
results are influenced by the interaction of vaccination success and
treatment success and coverage. Ineffective coverage and poor treatment
of sick animals reduce the benefits of an FMDVP. It is also important
that farmers do not sell sick stock and, if they do, that they are able
to breed replacements rather than purchase replacements. There are many
factors in the smallholder cattle farming system that will influence the
success of an FMDVP; farmers will only choose to participate if they can
be convinced of the short and long-term economic benefits.
Deltopectoral flap reconstruction of the posterior pharyngeal wall -- a simple and functional solution to the reconstruction of circumferential laryngopharyngeal defects
Authors: Kang Swee , Qamar Sabih , Tikka Theofano , Milner Thomas
Published: March 2021

Objectives To review the operative feasibility and functional outcomes
following dual flap reconstruction of circumferential pharyngeal
defects. Design Retrospective case series Setting University Hospital
Monklands, a district general hospital Participants Eight patients
undergoing either primary (n=5) or salvage (n=3) circumferential
laryngopharyngectomy +/- cervical oesophagectomy, followed by dual flap
reconstruction, with a deltopectoral flap to reconstruct the posterior
wall. Main Outcome Measures Operative complications, hospital stay and
functional outcomes (speech and swallowing) Results The operation was
feasible in all patients, with dual flap reconstruction using a
deltopectoral flap, combined with a pectoralis major flap (n=5) or a
supraclavicular flap (n=3). All patients developed a small, lateralised,
self-healing fistula at the site of the deltopectoral flap 3-point
junction. This did not require any intervention, or impact on adjuvant
treatment. Functional outcomes were favourable, with all patients
achieving oral diet. One patient required gastrostomy diet
supplementation, and one patient required stricture dilatation. Of the
patients able to receive a speech valve (n=4), all achieved intelligible
speech. Two patients could not receive a speech valve due to the
inferior extent of the tumour resection, and trachea-oesophageal
puncture has been delayed in 2 patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusions Dual flap reconstruction of circumferential pharyngeal
defects represents a simple, effective option for a complex
reconstructive problem. The predictable operative recovery and
favourable functional outcomes indicate that the use of both a
deltopectoral flap and a second flap is a robust reconstructive
solution.
How to Bail Out a Defense Contractor: Cases on Securing a Supply Chain in extremis
Authors: Hasik James
Published: March 2021

How can governments effectively bail out faltering defense contractors? While the idea may seem politically distasteful, any defense ministry with domestic suppliers may view the problem as supplier management in extremis. Reviewing nine prominent bailouts of defense contractors from the past 50 years, the author draws two conclusions. Providing long-term demand is very likely necessary and sufficient to maintain industry structures. Providing short-term infusions of cash may be necessary to maintain programs, but it is not always sufficient. If legislators and defense officials wish to consider either approach for short-term or long-term objectives, they should also consider the historical lessons of the financial and information asymmetries between government and industry, and the general uncertainty over how technologies will evolve.
SPOŻYCIE OWOCÓW W POLSCE – ANALIZA NA PODSTAWIE JEDNORÓWNANIOWYCH NIELINIOWYCH MODELI EKONOMETRYCZNYCH
Authors: Dorosz Aleksandra , Dudek Hanna
Published: March 2021

W pracy podjęto się oceny dopasowania typowych nieliniowych modeli popytu na owoce w zależności od dochodów. W ekonometrycznej analizie wykorzystano funkcję potęgową, wykładniczą z odwrotnością i Törnquista dla dóbr pierwszej potrzeby. Modele oszacowano na podstawie danych z grup kwintylowych z lat 2013-2018 publikowanych przez Główny Urząd Statystyczny. Na podstawie oszacowanych parametrów modeli wyznaczono dochodowe elastyczności popytu. Stwierdzono, że modele opisane przez funkcję potęgową oraz funkcję Törnquista dla dóbr pierwszej potrzeby charakteryzowały się lepszym dopasowaniem do danych niż modele wykorzystujące funkcję wykładniczą z odwrotnością.
Are fiscal deficits inflationary in Nigeria? New evidence from bounds testing to cointegration with structural breaks
Authors: Fasanya Ismail , Fajobi Ayinke , Adetokunbo Abiodun
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we model the relationship between fiscal deficit and inflation
for Nigeria using annual data from 1980 to 2016. We employ the linear ARDL
approach and account for structural breaks using the Bai and Perron (2003)
test that allows for multiple structural changes in regression models. The
paper finds that the fiscal deficit is a major determinant of inflation
along with other macroeconomic factors considered in the study. However, we
observe that it may be necessary to pretest for structural breaks when
modelling the relationship between the fiscal deficit and the price level,
as it performs better than when structural events are not considered. The
results imply that a fiscal management process that does not encourage
increased revenue and reduce fiscal deficits will further worsen the level
of inflation in the country.
Fixed point theorems of generalized Gregus type in quasi-metric spaces for two pairs of mappings satisfying common coincidence range property
Authors: Popa Valeriu , Popa Dan
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this paper is to prove some general fixed point theorems for
two pairs of mappings satisfying implicit relations of generalized Gregus
type in quasi-metric spaces without the notion of sequence and inequality.
As applications we obtain new results for mappings satisfying contractive /
extensive conditions of integral type and in G-metric spaces.
Abelian theorems for Laplace and Mehler-Fock transforms of generalized functions
Authors: González B.J. , Negrín E.R.
Published: March 2021

The main purpose of this article is to exhibit Abelian theorems for the
Laplace and the Mehler-Fock transforms of general order over distributions
of compact support and over certain spaces of generalized functions.
Some singular value inequalities related to linear maps
Authors: Yang Junjian , Lu Linzhang , Chen Zhen
Published: March 2021

If (A X X* B) ? M2(Mn) is positive semidefinite, Lin [7] conjectured that
2sj(?(X))?sj(?(A)+ (B)), j=1,..., n, and sj(?(X))? sj(?(A)#?(B)),
j = 1,..., n, where the linear map ?:X 7 ? 2tr(X)In-X and sj(?)
means the j-th largest singular value. In this paper, we reprove that (?(A)
?(X) ?(X*)?(B)) is PPT by using an alternative approach and prove the
above singular value inequalities hold for the linear map ?1 : X ?(2n +
1)tr(X)In-X.
A note on the Schwarz lemma for harmonic functions
Authors: Svetlik Marek
Published: March 2021

In this note we consider some generalizations of the Schwarz lemma for
harmonic functions on the unit disk, whereby values of such functions and
the norms of their differentials at the point z = 0 are given.
Gray’s decomposition on doubly warped product manifolds and applications
Authors: El-Sayied Hoda , Mantica Carlo , Shenawy Sameh , Syied Noha
Published: March 2021

A. Gray presented an interesting O(n) invariant decomposition of the
covariant derivative of the Ricci tensor. Manifolds whose Ricci tensor
satisfies the defining property of each orthogonal class are called
Einstein-like manifolds. In the present paper, we answered the following
question: Under what condition(s), does a factor manifold Mi,i = 1,2 of a
doubly warped product manifold M =f2 M1 x f1 M2 lie in the same Einstein- like class of M? By imposing sufficient and necessary conditions on the warping
functions, an inheritance property of each class is proved. As an
application, Einstein-like doubly warped product space-times of type A,B or
P are considered.
Best simultaneous approximation on metric spaces via monotonous norms
Authors: Khandaqji Mona , Burqan Aliaa
Published: March 2021

For a Banach space X, L?(T,X) denotes the metric space of all X-valued
?-integrable functions f : T ? X, where the measure space (T,?,?) is a
complete positive ?-finite and ? is an increasing subadditive continuous
function on [0,?) with ?(0) = 0. In this paper we discuss the proximinality
problem for the monotonous norm on best simultaneous approximation from the
closed subspace Y?X to a finite number of elements in X.
Iterative contraction at a point viaWardowski function
Authors: Fulga Andreea , Gulyaz-Ozyurt Selma , Ozturk Ali
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we investigate the existence of a fixed point for iterative
contraction mappings viaWardowski function in the setting of complete
b-metric spaces. Our results improve and extend several results in this
direction in the literature. We consider illustrative examples to support
our main results.
Expressions for the g-Drazin inverse in a Banach algebra
Authors: Chen Huanyin , Sheibani Marjan
Published: March 2021

We explore the generalized Drazin inverse in a Banach algebra. Let A be a
Banach algebra, and let a,b ? Ad. If ab = ?a?bab? for a nonzero complex
number ?, then a + b ? Ad. The explicit representation of (a + b)d is
presented. As applications of our results, we present new representations
for the generalized Drazin inverse of a block matrix in a Banach algebra.
The main results of Liu and Qin [Representations for the generalized Drazin
inverse of the sum in a Banach algebra and its application for some operator
matrices, Sci. World J., 2015, 156934.8] are extended.
When mathematics meets thermal science: The simpler is the better
Authors: He Ji-Huan
Published: March 2021

Mathematics is an important tool to dealing with a complex problem, but it might be too abstract and elusive to be directly applied by engineers. This paper shows mathematics should be simple but effective for thermodynamic problems, the simpler is the better. The two-scale fractal is used as an example to show the im-portance of application of mathematics to practical problems, and a fast-slow law is suggested to deal with many discontinuous problems by fractal calculus.
HOW TO CANCEL THE KNOBE EFFECT
Authors: Lindauer Matthew , Southwood Nicholas
Published: March 2021

Empirical support is offered for the claim that the original Knobe effect, whereby our intentional action ascriptions exhibit certain asymmetries in light of our moral attitudes, can be successfully cancelled. This is predicted by the view that the Knobe effect can be explained in purely pragmatic terms (Adams and Steadman 2004a; 2004b; 2007). However, previous cancelling studies (Adams and Steadman 2007; Nichols and Ulatowski 2007) have failed to identify evidence of cancellability. The key to the successful cancelling strategy presented here is to provide subjects with the opportunity to assent to statements that involve sufficiently strong forms of moral censure.
Influence of spot overlapping in laser paint stripping with moving repetitive pulses
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Yu Jin , Liu Yang , Sun Lipeng , Li Yan , He Jianguo , Mo Zeqiang , Wang Baopeng
Published: March 2021

Spot overlapping acts as one of the main concerns in getting ideal results in the laser paint stripping operations. In order to describe the process of paint removal with repetitively pulsed lasers in a scanning scheme, a simplified three-dimensional numerical model is developed and demonstrated to be able to present paint stripping results obtained with movable laser pulses. The influences of spatial overlapping between neighboring pulsed laser spots on the thermal distribution and on the corresponding paint removal are discussed. A series of experiments is designed, and the results agree well with the numerical simulation. It is found that a spot overlapping ratio higher than 50% is able to give uniformly heated zones and hence leads to no paint residues within the stripped region. An experimental linear dependence of laser paint stripping depth on the incident laser energy density is also obtained and may provide a guide for the parameter selection in the laser paint removal operations.
Aspects of gauge/string dualities
Authors:   , Speziali Stefano
Published: March 2021

In this thesis we investigate on the role that dualities play nowadays in our under-standing of string and Quantum Field Theories.The ﬁrst part is devoted to holographic dualities, where the case of the string dual of certain one-, two- and four dimensional ﬁeld theories is explored in detail. We begin in Chapter 1 by discussing the holographic dual of a broad class of four-dimensional ﬁeld theories. We specialise to the case of quiver ﬁeld theories where a number of formulas computing charges, number of branes and Linking Numbers are given. We then introduce marginal deformations in the supergravity backgrounds to uncover inﬁnite new families of solutions to type II supergravity and M-theory. In Chapter 2, we discuss spin 2 ﬂuctuations around a class of warped AdS3 backgrounds. We identify explicitly the dual operators of a given protected sector. Also, a formula for the central charge of the dual two-dimensional ﬁeld theories is derived. In Chapter 3, we introduce two new classes of geometries with an AdS2 factor. We outline the importance to black hole physics and in one case give a prescription for the dual ﬁeld theories.The second part is devoted to QFT/QFT dualities in Chern-Simons theories, and how dualities between Chern-Simons theories in three dimensions can be motivated in string theory. It is found that a known duality between three-dimensional Chern-Simons theories with unitary gauge symmetry can be motivated by a brane setup in Type 0B string theory with an orientifold. In particular, the phase diagram of unitary QCD3 is inferred from a dual theory.
Light Scattering and Viscosimetry Study of Star-Like Dextran-Graft-Polyacrylamide
Authors:   National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv 60 Volodymyrska str., 01033 Kyiv, Ukraine, Kutsevol Natalia , Bezuglyi Mykola ,   National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv 60 Volodymyrska str., 01033 Kyiv, Ukraine, Melnyk Nataliya ,   National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv 60 Volodymyrska str., 01033 Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: March 2021

Dextran-graft-Polyacrylamide copolymers (D-g-PAA) with a polysaccharide backbone having different molecular weights (Mw = 20 000 and Mw = 70 000) and with various number of PAA-grafts per one Dextran macromolecule have been synthesized. Light scattering and viscometry investigations have shown that the internal structure of D-g-PAA copolymers depends upon the distance between PAA-grafts. Compactness of D20-g-PAA copolymers is lower in comparison with D70-g-PAA samples due to different conformations of PAA grafted chains: a “mushroom” conformation for D70-g-PAA and a “worm-like” one for D20-g-PAA samples.
Hydrogen Sulfide Decomposition in Ultrahigh-Frequency Plasma
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University 12 S. Bandery str., 79013 Lviv, Ukraine, Yavorsky Victor , Znak Zenoviy ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University 12 S. Bandery str., 79013 Lviv, Ukraine
Published: March 2021

The effect of gas rate on the plasma discharge stability and energy values of hydrogen sulfide decomposition has been established in plasma chemical reactor. Processes taking place in a swirling flow of hydrogen sulfide during its plasmolysis have been analyzed. Plasmotrone basic hydrodynamic model has been suggested.
Xenogeneic bone mineral is efficient for the repair of critical-sized rat calvarial defects
Authors: Veremeev A. V. , Bolgarin R. N. , Nesterenko V. G. , Andreev-Andrievskiy A. A.
Published: March 2021

Aim. To evaluate the efficiency of bone repair on a critical-sized rat calvarial defect model using our original xenogeneic bone mineral, widely established Geistlich Bio-Oss®, and autologous bone graft.

Materials and Methods. We created a critical-sized calvarial defect in Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 48) and then divided them into 4 groups (unfilled defect, autologous bone graft, Geistlich BioOss® and our original xenogeneic bone mineral, 12 rats per group). Rats were sacrificed upon 4 and 12 months (6 rats per time point) with the following excision of the implant and adjacent tissues. 3D structure, extent of mineralisation, and bone volume were measured by means of microcomputed tomography. Microanatomy of the explants and adjacent tissue was investigated by haematoxylin and eosin staining.

Results. The highest and the lowest bone volume was expectedly detected when the defect was filled with the autologous bone graft or remained unfilled, respectively. Replacement of the defect by the original bone mineral entailed better regeneration as compared to Geistlich Bio-Oss. Bone mineral density, bone thickness and the extent of mineralisation did not differ significantly between the experimental groups and were close to the positive control values, indicating efficient bone repair.

Conclusions. Original xenogeneic bone mineral promotes induction of bone regeneration as compared to Geistlich Bio-Oss®, a commercially available bone mineral widely used in the clinical practice.
COVID-19 impacts the sexual function of women
Authors: Artymuk N. V. , Surina M. N. , Atalyan A. V. , Al-Jefout M. , Nekrasova E. V.
Published: March 2021

Aim. Sexual function plays an important role in normal human life, along with sleep and food. As it is behind the main human motivations and can manifest itself in any phase of sexual activity or at any time of sexual life, the sexual function is considered as an important factor in determining the quality of life in adults. Here we aimed to estimate the influence of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the sexual function of women.

Materials and Methods. Our study enrolled 364 women (17-59 years of age) who admitted to the gynecological units of Kemerovo (Russia). A Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire was used to assess the clinical manifestations of sexual dysfunctions. The key FSFI indicators include desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of sexual contacts, the age of the partner, the duration of the relationship and cohabitation, and the assumption to have sexual dysfunction.

Results. The sample was divided into 6 age groups: < 17 years (n = 2), 18-29 years (n = 121), 30-39 years (n = 136), 40-49 years (n = 80), 50- 59 years (n = 25), and ≥ 60 years of age (n = 0). All examined parameters of sexual dysfunction have been impacted by the pandemic. In particular, we documented the reduced sexual arousal, lubrication, and satisfaction as well as increased pain during the sexual intercourse. Risk factors for the development of female sexual dysfunction were age of the sexual partner, the duration of the relationship, the frequency of sexual intercourse, and baseline psychological state.

Conclusion. COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with the considerable impairment of the female sexual function.
Rare and acute complications of endometriosis in pregnant women
Authors: Vaulina E. N. , Artymuk N. V. , Zotova O. A.
Published: March 2021

Here we analysed rare and acute complications of endometriosis in pregnant women by searching Cochrane, HINARY, and PubMed databases. Keywords were “rare”, “causes”, “acute”, “complications”, “endometriosis”, and “pregnancy”. The search depth was 10 years (2011−2021). In total, we found 126 publications, 41 of which met the selection criteria. The course of pregnancy and childbirth in patients with endometriosis is insufficiently studied. Yet, it is characterised by a higher risk of complications including those rarely occurring: haemoperitoneum, intestinal perforation, appendicitis, torsion and rupture of the endometrioid cyst, and thoracic endometriosis. Because of major hormonal changes occurring during the pregnancy, endometriosis undergoes a significant progression or decidualisation. As endometrioid tissue is characterised by a resistance to progesterone, its defciency during the pregnancy can lead to necrosis, perforation of decidualised foci, and severe bleeding. Progesterone deficiency provokes hypervascularisation of the endometrioid tissue, which is the most common cause of spontaneous haemoperitoneum and most frequently occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy and after in vitro fertilisation. Pregnancy increases the risk of endometriosis-related intestinal perforation of different localisation: small intestine, caecum, appendix, and rectosigmoid colon. Limited information about the pregnancy-related complications of endometriosis leads to their underestimation, albeit they can be life-threatening and significantly impact the health of the mother and fetus. The results of this review indicate the need for the further studies of the pregnancy course in patients with endometriosis, especially after the use of assisted reproductive technology. Development of specific clinical guidelines would contribute to the efficient prevention of obstetric and perinatal complications in patients with endometriosis.
Molecular genetic techniques in current biomedical research. Part II: PCR applications in diagnostics of human infectious diseases
Authors: Volkov A. N. , Nacheva L. V. , Zakharova Yu. V.
Published: March 2021

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostics is currently established as a gold standard for the detection of microorganisms. The features of PCR include rapid amplification of DNA and RNA as well as high sensitivity and specificity. In contrast to diagnostic microbiology, PCR diagnostics does not require preliminary culture of the microorganisms for their identification, reducing both time and costs of the diagnostic procedure. The lecture discusses the molecular basis behind the modern technical solutions for the PCR diagnostics of human infectious diseases including multiplex and reverse transcription PCR. We describe the principles of qualitative and quantitative PCR-based detection of pathogens in biological samples and provide the examples of PCR application for solving specific diagnostic scenarios. The lecture is primarily designed for students of biomedical specialties and healthcare professionals using molecular genetic techniques in their practice.