bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Ensemble-based Stegware Detection System for Information Hiding Malware Attacks
Authors: A MONIKA , R Eswari
Published: November 2022

Recently, attackers are obfuscating the parts of malware attack code using steganography to carry malicious JavaScript and even to deliver cryptominers. Stegware is one of the types among information hiding malware attacks that uses steganography to conceal their presence from any modern malware detection system. In this paper, a stegware detection system is proposed to find the presence of hidden payloads from input images and to verify whether the hidden payload is the subject of stegware attack. The proposed system consists of four phases to detect the stegware: Hidden Payload Detection; Hidden Payload Extraction; Classification and Malicious percentage calculation. In Hidden Payload Detection phase, Ant Colony Optimization algorithm is used to find the optimal subset of features to detect obfuscation. In Hidden Payload Extraction phase, stego repository images are decoded to extract the items that are stegnographically hidden inside the input. Finally, a two-stage ensemble classifier is used in classification phase to process the extracted payloads: binary classifier is used to find whether extracted payload is benign or malignant file; fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm is used to find the percentage of malicious activity. The proposed system is experimentally tested for real dataset and compared with existing models. The experimental results show that the proposed stegware detection system detects the stegnographically hidden attacks and finds the percentage of malicious activity than other models.
Adaptive CNC machining process optimization of near- net- shaped blade based on machining error data flow control
Authors: DONGBO wu , hongru lv , Wang Hui , jie yu
Published: November 2022

Adaptive CNC machining process is one of the efficient processing methods for near- net- shaped blade, this study proposes an adaptive CNC machining process optimization scheme based on multi-source and multi-process machining errors data flow control. The multi-process machining geometric error and mechanical models of the multi-process adaptive CNC machining process are firstly constructed. The machining error flow collaborative control of the near- net- shaped blade multi-process CNC machining is realized by the adaptive CNC machining process. The results show that the dynamic displacement response of the blade multi-process CNC machining process is controlled within 0.007mm. The optimized adaptive CNC machining process can realize the multi-process machining error control and high-precision manufacturing of near- net- shaped blade based on the multi- process geometric machining error data flow control and the sufficient stiffness of blade- fixture system. The process chain of the optimized adaptive CNC machining process based on machining error data flow control is reduced by 87% compared with the low melting point alloy pouring process, and 50% compared with adaptive CNC machining process of the twice on-machine measurement on the blade body.
WITHDRAWN: Design and control of a mobile robot following the desired Trajectory using an adaptive sliding mode approach
Authors: LIU YONGQIU , ZHAO DI , MUSTAFA KAINAT , YAFOZ AYMAN , ALSINI RAED
Published: November 2022

This paper presents a design for a control system that will ensure the stability and proper operation of a mobile four-wheeled robot. As a result of the nonlinear dynamics, structural and parametric uncertainty of this robot, various control approaches are used in order to achieve stability, proper performance, and minimize modeling errors and uncertainties. There are two types of control approaches applied to ensure this robot is stable, that its performance is appropriate, and that modeling errors and uncertainties are minimized. In the presence of external disturbances and parametric uncertainty, this algorithm uses the signals provided by the sensor from the trajectory to follow the predetermined trajectory. It was assumed in previous articles that the upper bound of uncertainty was known. In this paper, we assume the upper bound of uncertainty and disturbance in robotic system is unknown, since, in many cases, we cannot know the extent of these uncertainties. In this paper, we generalized the sliding mode control law and proved its effectiveness, so that by including an adaptive part to the control law, we make it into a robust-adaptive sliding mode control, and we could estimate the upper bound uncertainties online based on these adaptive laws. This typology can be expressed as a distinct theorem with stable results. Simulations with MATLAB software demonstrate that the controller ensures optimal performance under external disturbances and parametric uncertainty with fewer fluctuations.
THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF HEALTH INDICATORS CONTENT
Authors: Koibichuk V. , Drozd S.
Published: November 2022

The article is devoted to the definition of the conceptual basis of health components and an overview of possible causes of death. Aspects of health are important for a person in the modern sense. Identifying the components will allow you to more accurately describe each subsystem that contributes to the health category. Economic development is possible only with the support of able-bodied human capital. The rapid development of the economic sector requires a good state of human capital, and it is the level of Health that creates the link between the growth rate of the economic sector and the maintenance of human capital at a high level. Such a process can only be organized by understanding the content of factors that contribute to maintaining the health of the population of each country in the world. Health subsystems have a high degree of interconnection with each other. Failure in normal operation in at least one subsystem leads to the collapse of all human health. Each such person creates an additional pressure on human capital, thereby slowing down the development of the economic system. Identifying influencing factors in health subsystems such as physical, social, spiritual, economic, environmental, and mental is an important step for the productive development of the economic sector.
The article provides analytical work on the search and determination of components of the health subsystem, describes the possible impact on the health category, and analyzes the causes of death in Ukraine for 2020. The methodology used in the development of the article is bibliographic analysis, logical and meaningful generalization of Health subcategories, and cognitive modeling. The results of the study were a detailed description of such subcategories of health as physical, social, medical, mental, Economic, mental, environmental, and nutritional indicators. This description can be used for an in-depth study of health issues in each individual health subsystem. it is the distribution of the health category that is an important step in the development of health care. using this data will help scientific medical institutions to study health issues more accurately and use scientific resources efficiently. Data on mortality will help in the near future to reduce mortality and prolong the healthy life of the population of Ukraine, this direction of movement in the field of Health will have a positive impact on economic development in general.
Postpartum haemorrhage: minimum allowable haemoglobin level
Authors: Dziuba Dmytro , Loskutov Oleg , Khavryuchenko Oleksiy , Mityurev Dmytro
Published: November 2022

Despite defining the acceptable postpartum haemoglobin levels, there is neither consensus, nor a strong statistically proven analysis of its minimum safe level and its influence on systemic haemodynamic and oxygen metabolism in particular.

The aim. Therefore, this study aimed to determine statistically minimal allowable haemoglobin levels in postpartum women in case of postpartum haemorrhage which allows the cardiac functional status and oxygen metabolism to be maintained on the lower margin of the physiological range.

Materials and methods: Clinical research was on 113 postpartum women who had received blood transfusions for postpartum haemorrhages were selected for this study. The following circulation parameters were assessed: heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (BPs), diastolic blood pressure (BPD), mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac index (СІ), contractility index (ΔS), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), systemic oxygen delivery index (IDО2), systemic oxygen consumption index (IVО2), tissue oxygen extraction ratio (O2ER).

Results: Through a comparison of hemodynamic parameters depending on haematocrit and haemoglobin levels in patients with postpartum blood loss it was discovered that in case of blood loss and consequent intensive therapy aimed at TBV (total blood volume) restoration statistically significant changes of BPs, MAP, СІ and SVRI were observed. Also, during this study linear high-degree correlations between СІ, ΔS and Hb levels were found.

Analysis of systemic oxygen transport dependence on haematocrit and haemoglobin levels for patients during the early postpartum period demonstrates significant differences in cardiac indexes with a strong positive statistically significant correlation between these parameters and haemoglobin levels.

Conclusion. From the calculation of the minimum allowable haemoglobin level in postpartum women in case of blood loss using linear regression with coefficients calculated through the method of least squares the Hb=82.5 g/L value was obtained, which can be considered the minimum allowable level in postpartum women in case of postpartum blood loss which allows the cardiac functional status and oxygen metabolism to be on safety physiological range
Do daily price extremes influence short-term investment decisions? Evidence from the Indian equity market
Authors: Kumar Inani Sarveshwar , Pradhan Harsh , Prasanth Kumar R. , Kumar Singal Ajay
Published: November 2022

For short-term investments in equity markets, investors use price points, candlestick patterns, moving averages, support and resistance levels, trendlines, price patterns, relative strength index, and moving average convergence-divergence as reference(s) for making decisions. This study investigates whether investors use daily price extremes (highest and lowest prices for the day) for making short-term investments or trading decisions in the context of the Indian equity market. Using 6,902 observations of daily data of the NIFTY 50 index since its launch, it is observed that daily price extremes (high or low) have no impact on opening returns of the next trading day. Based on the dummy regression analysis, next-day opening returns were found to be statistically significant, which implies the presence of momentum behavior. However, insignificant coefficients for high or low-price extremes of the day mean that investors do not use them as an anchor or reference point for decisions. Results are consistent over time and robust to the rising or falling markets. Further, opening returns were seen to be more volatile than closing returns in the first half of the sample, and they are less volatile in the second half, implying that markets have become more efficient in the last few years.
The application of wasteLeucaena leucocephalaseed pods as a bio-based adsorbent for decolourization of solution
Authors: Alkhafaji Sammer H. , S. Samaka Isra'a
Published: November 2022

The adsorption method is widely used in water and wastewater treatment; however, most industrial adsorbents are expensive, limiting the use of the adsorption method in developing countries. Therefore, this study aims at developing a biosorbent from waste Leucaena leucocephala seed pods (LLSP) and apply it (as a cost-effective bio-adsorbent) to remove Janus Green B dye (JGBD) from solutions at different values of pH, agitation time, LLSP dose and JGBD concentration. Different techniques were used to characterize LLSP before and after JGBD removal, including pore size distribution, surface area (SBET) analysis, FTIR, SEM, SPM and the point of zero charges (pHpzc) of the LLSP surface. The results proved that LLSP could remove up to 95% of JGBD at pH, LLSP dose, JGBD concentration and agitation time of 9, 0.08 g/100 ml, 50 mg/l and 30 min, respectively. Langmuir and Freundlich analyses were applied to fit the data for equilibrium biosorption, and it was noticed that the Langmuir isotherm model fits the data, and the full monolayer biosorption ability for JGBD was 142.85 mg/g.
Optimizing the desalination rate in a photoelectrocatalytic desalination cell (PEDC) by altering operational conditions
Authors: Aliasghar Arash , Javidan Parisa , Rahmaninezhad Seyed Ali , Mehrdadi Nasser
Published: November 2022

Desalination of seawater is a promising response to solving the lack of drinkable water. The separation of cations and anions is carried out by inserting a desalination cell in the middle of a novel design of photoelectrocatalytic desalination cell (PEDC). Different parameters were evaluated and optimized for increasing the capability of system to desalt hypersaline water. Ultraviolet illumination (UV) was used as the driving force, exciting coated titanium nanotubes on the anode electrode, producing electron/hole pairs that degraded organic matter. Methylene blue degradation by UV irradiation was performed, owing to a high salt concentration level, and desalinated to produce electrical current. Performance of PEDCs was investigated by salt content, pH, and ion-exchange resin. The results indicated that higher total dissolved solid (TDS) removal occurred in acidic environments in anode chamber whereas the maximum produced electrical current occurred in alkaline environments in the cathode chamber. Also, the higher amount of salt content in the middle chamber resulted in the high TDS removal until the amount of electrical conductivity in the middle chamber reached 190 mS/cm. The TDS removal rates with and without using resins in the middle of the desalination cell after 10 days were 70.69% and 51.37%, respectively.
Electrocoagulation followed by sound agitation for removal of nitrogen and carbon-based pollutants from industrial wastewater
Authors: Pani Nibedita , T. S. Anantha Singh , Menon Poornima M. , Boruah Shrestha , Patel Bhavi , Kaul Daya Shankar
Published: November 2022

The herculean imprecation of nitrogen-based pollutant like ammoniacal nitrogen (AN) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) on aquatic milieu is now a concern for the dye, pharma and fertiliser industries. Wastewater from these is characterised with high concentration of AN, COD and total dissolved solids (TDS), treatment of which is of utmost importance for a cleaner environment. In the current research work, an attempt was made to apply integrated electro-coagulation (EC) – sonication process for the removal of COD and AN from highly acidic dye intermediate wastewater containing high to very high concentration of COD and AN. Systematic laboratory experiments were conducted for the treatment of dye intermediate wastewater and influences of pH (5–11), applied voltage (0.5–4V) and electrolysis time (30–120 min) were investigated. A Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used for optimization of major operating parameters for EC. The conditions for minimum fraction remaining (C/C0), was found to be same for both COD and AN, i.e. pH 7, time 90 min and applied voltage 2V. The C/Co value for COD and AN were 0.244 and 0.302, respectively. The C/Co value of COD and AN in combined EC-Sonication process with optimum operating conditions were 0.145 and 0.228 respectively with sonication time 60 min at a frequency of 33 kHz. Thus, EC – sonication process is an efficacious process for their removal from dye industrial wastewater.
Current Status on 1,4-Dihydropyridine Derivatives against Human
Pathogenic Parasites
Authors: Elso Orlando , Liñares Guadalupe García , Sülsen Valeria
Published: November 2022

Infections provoked by parasites are among the most prevalent diseases worldwide
and generate important health and socioeconomic problems. Despite the enormous
amount of work done, the chemotherapy for most of them remains unsolved. Usually,
treatments are based on no specific drugs associated, in several cases, with long-term
treatments and severe side effects. In addition, drug resistance and different strains' susceptibility
are further drawbacks of the existing chemotherapy. Considering that 1,4-dihydropyridines
derivatives constitute an important class of compounds for new drug development,
we present in this review an in-depth overview of the work done so far on 1,4-dihydropyridines
and their antiparasitic activities. The development of new derivatives or
the application of known drugs used for other diseases is described in terms of their potential
usefulness for drug design.
Prospective Challenges for Patenting and Clinical Trials of Anticancer
Compounds from Natural Products: Coherent Review
Authors: Sahoo Ankit , Mandal Ashok Kumar , Kumar Mayank , Dwivedi Khusbu , Singh Deepika
Published: November 2022

Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Each year, millions of
people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, and more than half of them die. Various conventional
therapies for cancer, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, have extreme side effects.
Therefore, to minimize the global burden of lethal diseases like cancer, an effective and novel
drug must be discovered. Its patent should be acquired to secure the novel medicament. The pharmacological
potential of different natural products has made them popular in the healthcare and
pharmaceutical industries. Various anticancer compounds are obtained from natural sources such
as plants, microbes, and marine and terrestrial animals, including alkaloids, terpenoids, biophenols,
enzymes, glycosides, etc. The term "natural products" is defined as the product of secondary
or non-essential metabolic processes produced by living organisms (such as plants, invertebrates,
and microorganisms). Although more precise definitions of NPs exist, they do not always meet
consensus. Others define NPs as small molecules (excluding biomolecules) that emerge from the
metabolic reaction. A handful of effective compounds are used currently from natural or analog
moieties, and many more are in clinical studies. There is an excellent need for patenting molecules
from natural products as the hit lead molecules are derived, isolated, and synthesized from natural
products. However, these naturally occurring products may not be patentable under the law because
they come from nature. This review highlights why natural products and compounds are
hard to patent, under what patent law criteria we can patent these natural products and compounds,
patent procedural guideline sources and why researchers prefer publication rather than a patent.
Here, various patent scenarios of natural products and compounds for cancer have been given.
Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli and Virulence
Genes in Pediatric Patients with Health-Care Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Zaki Maysaa El Sayed , Rizk Mohamed Anies , Mohamed Hanan Abdelfattah Abdelmohsen , Abdel-Hady Dina Mohammed , Montasser Karim
Published: November 2022

Introduction:

Healthcare-associated urinary tract infection (UTI) represents a significant
health problem, especially in infants and young children. The most common pathogen associated with
this infection is Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Objective:

The present study aimed to detect the frequency of virulence genes among clinical isolates
of E. coli isolated from healthcare-associated urinary tract infections in children and the correlation
between these virulence genes and the presence of the blaCTX gene.

Methods:

The study included one hundred clinical isolates of E. coli isolated from healthcareassociated
urinary tract infections in children in intensive care units. The isolates were subjected to
antibiotics sensitivity by disc diffusion method and detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase by
double disc diffusion method. In addition, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to
detect some virulence genes, and PCR was used to detect the blaCTX-M gene.

Results:

E. coli producing ESBL by double discs method was identified in 74 isolates. blaCTX-M gene
detection by PCR was identified among 38 isolates representing 51.4% of ESBL-producing E. coli.
There was a significant association between ESBL and blaCTX-M Gene, P = 0.0001. The frequency of
the studied virulence genes by multiplex PCR in the isolated E. coli was 66% for the Fim gene, 75%
for the Aer gene, 68% for the FliC gene, 53% for each of IucD gene and Usp gene, 40% for pap gene,
35% for each of AFA and ironN genes and 17% for sfa gene. None of the isolated E. coli had the Cdt
gene. There was a significant association between the presence of the FimH gene (P = 0.0001), Pap
gene (P = 0.05), sfa (P = 0.026), Afa gene (P = 0.018), and aer gene (P = 0.035) and the presence of the
blaCTX-M gene in the isolated E. coli.

Conclusion:

The present study highlights the presence of virulence genes and blaCTX-M gene in uropathogenic
E. coli isolated from pediatric patients with healthcare-associated urinary tract infections.
There was an association between the blaCTX-M gene and virulence genes FimH, pap, sfa, Afa, and aer.
Various distributions of the studied genes with a high frequency of fimbria are flic genes. Moreover,
the ESBL had high frequency in E. coli with the presence of blaCTX-M in about one-third of the isolates.
Recent Patent on the Spindle Rotation Accuracy Detection Device
Authors: Bao Yudong , Zhou Zhentao
Published: November 2022

Background:

Based on the high-speed operation of the spindle, the influence of the rotation
accuracy of the spindle on the system will increase with the increase of the rotation speed.
Therefore, how to predict rotation accuracy becomes very important for mechanical equipment
based on the spindle.

Objective:

To summarize the classification and characteristics of the spindle rotation accuracy detection
device to predict future development.

Methods:

The current status of various representative patents related to spindle rotation accuracy
testing equipment is analyzed. According to the characteristics of testing equipment, the development
level of existing testing equipment in error separation and high-speed detection of the spindle
is analyzed, and the latest patented technology is expounded and compared.

Results:

The structure of the spindle rotation accuracy detection device is analyzed and compared,
and the typical characteristics are summarized. The problems existing in the detection of spindle
rotation accuracy are analyzed, and their development trend is prospected.

Conclusion:

It is obtained that the contact-type rotary accuracy testing equipment is generally suitable
for static measurement, the single-probe and multi-probe testing equipment can be basically satisfied
with the measurement, and the optical testing equipment can be widely used in the measurement
under the high-speed rotation of the spindle. There is room for further development in the dynamic
load detection of the spindle.
Recombination in gapless HgTe/CdHgTe quantum well heterostructure
Authors: Aleshkin V. Ya.  , Dubinov A. A.  , Gavrilenko V. I.  , Pavlov S. G.  , H.-W.Hübers H. -W.
Published: November 2022

Three recombination mechanisms of nonequilibrium carriers in gapless undoped quantum well in HgTe/CdHgTe heterostructure are considered. Dependencies of ensemble-average probability of recombination (inverse of recombination time) on concentration of nonequilibrium carriers for recombination with emission of optical phonons, recombination with emission of two-dimensional plasmons, and radiative recombination have been calculated. Key words: gapless HgTe quantum well, recombination mechanisms of nonequilibrium carriers.
Design and Development of a Smartphone Application for Hypertension Management: An Intervention Mapping Approach (Preprint)
Authors: Lobo Elton , Karmakar Chandan , Abdelrazek Mohamed , Abawajy Jemal , Chow Clara , Zhang Yuxin , Kabir Muhammad Ashad , Deryabeygi Reza , Maddison Ralph , Islam Sheikh Mohammed Shariful
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Several research studies have demonstrated the potential of mobile health applications (apps) in supporting health management. However, the design and development process of these apps are rarely presented.

OBJECTIVE

We present the design and development of a smartphone-based lifestyle app integrating a wearable device for hypertension management.

METHODS

We used an intervention mapping approach for the development of theory- and evidence-based interventions for problem identification, problem-solving and mitigation strategies. This consisted of six fundamental steps of the intervention mapping approach: needs assessment, matrices, theoretical methods and practical strategies, program design, adoption and implementation plan, and evaluation plan. To design the contents of the intervention, we performed a literature review to determine the opinions and preferences of people with hypertension and implemented theoretical and practical strategies to support these needs in consultation with stakeholders and researchers.

RESULTS

Through the needs analysis, we identified that people with hypertension preferred having education, medication or treatment adherence, lifestyle modification, alcohol and smoking cessation and blood pressure monitoring support to manage their condition. Out of which, the authors utilized MoSCoW analysis to focus on four key elements, i.e., education, medication or treatment adherence, lifestyle modification and blood pressure support due to past experiences in developing interventions for hypertension, and its potential benefits in hypertension management. Theoretical models such as (i) the information, motivation, and behaviour skills (IMB) model, and (ii) the patient health engagement (PHE) model was implemented in the intervention development to ensure positive engagement and health behaviour. The app developed provides education to people with hypertension related to their condition, while utilizing wearable devices to promote lifestyle modification and blood pressure support. The app also contains rules and medication lists titrated by the clinician to ensure treatment adherence, with regular push notifications to prompt behavioural change. In addition, the app data can be reviewed by patients and clinicians as needed.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study describing the development of an app that integrates a wearable blood pressure device and provides lifestyle support and hypertension management. Our theory-driven intervention for self-management of hypertension is founded on the critical needs of people with hypertension to ensure treatment adherence and supports medication review and titration by clinicians. The intervention will be evaluated clinically in future studies to determine its effectiveness and usability.
Tuberculosis notification in Jordan, 2016-2020 (Preprint)
Authors: Khader Yousef , Abaza Hiba , Satyanarayana Srinath , Abu Rumman Ahmad Saleh , Alyousfi Mohamad Nihad
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

The burden of tuberculosis (TB) in Jordan is largely unknown due to the paucity of high quality data, under-reporting, and lacking good quality vital registration system.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the characteristics of TB patients in Jordan, determine the TB notification rate and assess the trend of TB notification in Jordan between 2016 and 2020.

METHODS

This study analyzed the TB Surveillance data in Jordan for the period 2016-2020. The obtained data included information on age, gender, nationality, marital status, date of symptoms onset and date of diagnosis, and site of TB

RESULTS

During the period 2016-2020, a total of 1711 patients (989 women and 722 men) were diagnosed with and treated for tuberculosis. The mean (SD) age of patients was 30.1 (17.2) years. Almost half of them (48.4%) were Jordanians. The majority of non-Jordanian patients were from Syria, Philippines, and Bangladesh. Two thirds of patients (66.0%) had pulmonary TB and 34.0% had extra-pulmonary TB. Almost half (50.7%) of the patients were diagnosed within one month of the symptoms’ onset. The average annual TB notification rate during 2016-2020 was 3.32 per 100,000 pop (4.08 per 100,000 women and 2.64 per 100,000 men). The average annual standardized notification rate was 4.13 per 100,000 pop (4.52 per 100,000 women and 3.52 per 100,000 men). The overall age-standardized notification rate increased from 3.88 per 100,000 pop in 2016 to 4.58 per 100,000 pop in 2019 and declined to 2.46 per 100,000 pop in 2020. The trend in TB notification differed significantly according to gender.

CONCLUSIONS

While TB notification increased in the last three years among women, it decreased significantly among men. There is a need to ensure that the national TB plans set clear targets for reducing the burden of TB.

CLINICALTRIAL
High prevalence of current tobacco smoking among patients with tuberculosis and persons living with HIV in Jordan: Cross-sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Teshima Ayaka , Shatnawi Ayah Al , Satyanarayana Srinath , Khader Yousef S , Maia Ibrahim Falah , Wilson Nevin C
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Continuing to smoke tobacco products by patients with tuberculosis (TB) and people living with HIV (PLHIV) leads to adverse TB and HIV treatment outcomes, respectively. There are few estimates of tobacco use among patients with TB and PLHIV in countries in the Middle East region where the burden of TB and HIV is also low but highly variable.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of current tobacco smoking among patients with TB and PLHIV In Jordan and to assess the association between socio-demographic characteristics and current smoking.

METHODS

We analysed data from the knowledge, attitude, and practice survey conducted in Jordan in 2021. In this survey information about current tobacco smoking was collected from 452 patients with TB and 152 PLHIV. The data collected on current smoking also included products and frequency of smoking. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the sociodemographic characteristics that were independently associated with current smoking.

RESULTS

The prevalence of current tobacco smoking among patients with TB and PLHIV were 43.8% (198/452) and 67.8 % (103/152), respectively. Cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco products. The prevalence of current tobacco use among patients with TB was higher among males (71%, 142/201) when compared to females (22%, 56/251), those aged >18 years (45%, 194/434) when compared with those less than 18 years (22%, 4/18), Jordanians (53%, 143/271), Syrians (48%, 26/54) and Palestinians (45%, 5/11) when compared to people from other nationalities (21%, 24/116), those experiencing financial difficulties (56%, 117/208) when compared to those without financial difficulties (33%, 81/244) and among those employed (47%, 100/214) than in those unemployed (41%, 98/238). The prevalence of current tobacco use among PLHIV were higher in males (76%, 94/123) when compared to females (31%, 9/29) and those with financial difficulties (73%, 68/93) when compared to those without financial difficulty (59%, 35/59).

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly half of the patients with TB and PLHIV in Jordan were current tobacco smokers. There is an urgent need to introduce/strengthen smoking cessation services under the TB and HIV control programmes in the country.

CLINICALTRIAL
Evaluating Allied Health Clinical Placement Performance: Protocol for a Modified Delphi Study (Preprint)
Authors: Simmons Lisa , Barker Ruth , Barnett Fiona
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

University-affiliated student-led health care services have emerged in response to the challenges faced by universities in securing quality clinical placements for health care students. Evidence of the health care benefits and challenges of student-led health care services is growing, while evidence of clinical placement performance remains variable and not generalizable. Though there have been previous attempts to develop a framework for evaluation of clinical placement performance, concerns have been raised about the applicability of these frameworks across the various placement settings. Additionally, the perspectives of all key stakeholders on the critical areas of clinical placement performance have yet to be considered.

OBJECTIVE

This study’s objective is to gather information on areas of measurement related to student learning outcomes, experience of placement, and costs of placement and then develop consensus on which of those areas need to be included in a framework for evaluation of clinical placement performance within the context of student-led health care services. The aim of this paper is to outline a protocol for a modified Delphi study designed to gain consensus on what is important to measure when evaluating an allied health clinical placement.

METHODS

We will recruit up to 30 experts to a heterogeneous expert panel in a modified Delphi study. Experts will consist of those with firsthand experience either coordinating, supervising, or undertaking clinical placement. Purposive sampling will be used to ensure maximum variation in expert panel member characteristics. Experts’ opinions will be sought on measuring student learning outcomes, student experience, and cost of clinical placement, and other areas of clinical placement performance that are considered important. Three rounds will be conducted to establish consensus on what is important to measure when evaluating clinical placement. Each round is anticipated to yield both quantitative data (eg, percentage of agreement) and qualitative data (eg, free-text responses). In each round, quantitative data will be analyzed descriptively and used to determine consensus, which will be defined as ≥70% agreement. Qualitative responses will be analyzed thematically and used to inform the subsequent round. Findings of each round will be presented, both consensus data and qualitative responses in each subsequent round, to inform expert panel members and to elicit further rankings on areas of measurement yet to achieve consensus.

RESULTS

Data analysis is currently underway, with a planned publication in 2024.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified Delphi approach, supported by existing research and its ability to gain consensus through multiround expert engagement, provides an appropriate methodology to inform the development of a framework for the evaluation of clinical placement performance in allied health service.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/44020
Impact and Functions of the Legend of Joko Lancur and Dewi Amirah’s Forbidden Love for the People of Ponorogo
Authors: Risdiana Meliani , Andalas Eggy Fajar , Widodo Joko
Published: November 2022

The legend of the forbidden love relationship between Joko Lancur and Dewi Amirah is much more than just an oral story. This story is still believed to be true so that it affects the socio-cultural life of the Ponorogo community in Indonesia. This study aims to describe the impact and function of the legend in the life of the people of Ponorogo. This study uses a sociology of literature perspective. Data were collected through 1) observation, 2) documentation, and 3) interviews with some informants. The results showed that the legend of Joko Lancur and Dewi Amirah is still deeply rooted in the social fabric of the people of Golan Village and Mirah Hamlet in Ponorogo. This legend is believed to be true by the communities in the two regions so it has an impact on the way they view the social relations between the two regions. The people of both regions believe that members of Golan community will never be able to live together with those of Mirah community. If this taboo is violated, bad things will happen. Even so, this legend functions as a means of 1) legalizing social institutions, 2) regulating community norms, 3) supporting education, and 4) strengthening community solidarity.
Shovah’s Reality (Re)Construction: A Žižekian Reading of Ideology in Phil Kelly's Farsight
Authors: Arsyad Thoha , Hernawati Mala
Published: November 2022

This research examines the logic behind Shovah's ideology upon the Greater Good and how his fantasy helps him reconstruct his reality in Phil Kelly's novel Farsight. The primary data of this research is obtained by the means of close reading of the novel, notably narration and conversation which concern Shovah and his overall attitude. The analysis of Shovah's ideological journey employs Slavoj Žižek's theory of ideology. The study reveals that the Greater Good acts as an ideological quilt, an empty signifier that unifies particular attributes. However, at the same time, the Greater Good as an ideological quilt is unstable because there is nothing behind it. According to Žižek's theory, Shovah's devotion to the Greater Good can be seen as a process of satisfying the traumatic abyss of the big Other, which is analogous to nothingness. To elude this traumatic abyss, Shovah constructed fantasy, a screen against the desire of the big Other, to keep living in reality.
Existentialism as Portrayed in Stoner
Authors: Fadillah Umi Nur
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study is to analyze a novel titled Stoner (1965) written by an American academic and author, John Williams. Stoner follows the life of William Stoner, a professor of English Literature. Stoner comes from an impoverished farming family with a unique existential ethics. He works his way to become a university instructor and learns the magnitude of passion in the success of life. This study uses Lucien Goldmann’s Genetic Structuralist theory. The goals of this research are: 1) to analyze the structure of the literary work; 2) to understand the historical background that influences the novel; and 3) to reveal the author’s world view. The study shows that John Williams captures an existential tradition belonging to American lower-class famers who lived around the late 19th century. Stoner also captures the transformation of the existential tradition following a social, economic, and political transition. Camus’s The Myth of Sisyphus is used as a reference to explain the manifestation of the existential idea.
Tech-advancement Vs. Online Sexual Activities Country-wise: Market Economic Assessment under Welfare Analysis
Authors: Rahman Akim M.
Published: November 2022

Internet is a blessing for humankind where one can have all good-things rather bad-things from it. It is easy to get stuck into dark-&-ugly world of civilization with just a click to online-sexual-activities—Pornography and Online-live-sex. Besides emotional-problems, it has linkages with today’s high-rise-rate of divorce, rape, family-conflicts in society country-wise such as Bangladesh. For policy-guidance, this study analyses basic issues of Online-sex-market in terms of marginal-damage analysis under neoclassical partial equilibrium demand-supply theory. It further analyses the reasons of disparity between social-cost and private-cost by conventional marginal-damage analysis. Findings show that because of online-sex-activities, marginal social-costs are higher than marginal private-costs. Continuation of increasing it in Bangladesh, results a higher welfare-loss incurred from higher social-costs. Because of its high rise demand due to continuation of rising per-capita-income and having easy-access to supportive-factors, prices of services are becoming upward-trends, which dominate producer-surplus. Service-providers generate high revenues and consumers face high market-prices, which create higher deadweight-losses. Thus, there is an urgency for national policy-design. Probable-policies can advance in three-folds a) how to quit online-sex b) how to perform treatment of online-sex-addiction and c) how to prevent newcomers. Besides having effective-monitoring, raising awareness and engaging public, Internet-companies & officials, calling for Conferences may play significant-roles country-wise.
Migration and gender: A study on flow migratory of young people from the Abaetetuba Islands, PA
Authors: Ferreira Edilcina Monteiro , Steward Angela May , Almeida Ruth Helena Cristo , Costa Carlos Augusto Cordeiro , Botelho Matheus Gabriel Lopes
Published: November 2022

This article records the flow of young people from the riverside who migrate to the municipality of Abaetetuba in search of better living conditions, formal employment and higher education and/or technical courses. Data were collected in semi-structured interviews with young people in the countryside and in the city, women between 15 and 27 years old, born and raised in communities and, later, some settled in city spaces. Out of a total of 37 young people interviewed in the city and on the farm (the young people interviewed at the farm are those who intend to live in the city at some point in their lives), 25 are female, which is equivalent to 68% of respondents. The research highlights the reality experienced by these young women in the countryside and the devaluation of female work in rural areas. With the increasing migration of women from island communities to the city, the riverside environment has also suffered from masculinization and aging.
Proximate Analysis of Apu-Apu Leaf Weeds in Lake Tondano Waters as Raw Material for Tilapia (Orechromis niloticus) Feed Formulation
Authors: Kusen Diane Joula , Pangemanan Jeannette Femmy , Mingkid Winda M.
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze the nutritional content (Proximate Test) of Apu-apu Leaf weeds in the waters of Lake Tondano and to determine the growth of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry that consume pellets of raw material for the formulation/composition of Apu-apu Leaf (Pistia stratiotes) in different percentage levels. This research is one solution to obtain raw materials for fish feed from weeds in Lake Tondano so that it can overcome the high cost of feed and minimize pollution in Lake Tondano. The general approach used to achieve the objectives of this research activity is the collection from Lake Tondano, namely the leaves of Apu-apu (Pitsia stratiotes). The test fish were obtained from fish cultivators in Eris Village, Eris District, Minahasa Regency. Fish size 5-8 cm. Prior to the research, the fish were acclimatized for one week for environmental adjustment. The study was carried out by following a 5 treatment design and 3 replications, the design used was RAL, and measurements of ratios, daily growth and feed efficiency values. The analytical method applied is proximate analysis, carried out at the Baristand Manado laboratory. This research produces outputs in the form of scientific works, namely International Journals. The results showed that treatment C gave the highest relative growth (168.99%) followed by treatment A (93.28 %), D (84.73), E (83.81%) and B (44.65%). The highest feed efficiency value was also shown by treatment C (38.01%) then treatment A (24.68%), D (22.59%), E (22.19%) and B (13.87%).
Generalizations of graded S-primary ideals
Authors: Al-Shorman Tamem , Bataineh Malik , Abu-Dawwas Rashid
Published: November 2022

The goal of this article is to present the graded weakly S-primary ideals and graded g-weakly S-primary ideals which are extensions of graded weakly primary ideals. We state P is a graded weakly S-primary ideal of R if there exists s ∈ S such that for all x, y ∈ h(R), if 0 6=xy ∈ P, then sx ∈ P or sy ∈ Grad(P). Several properties and characteristics of graded weakly S-primary ideals as well as graded g-weakly S-primary ideals are investigated.
Withstanding cold nights at high elevation: thermal strategy of Atractus crassicaudatus, a nocturnal tropical snake endemic to the eastern Andes of Colombia
Authors: Paternina-Cruz R. Felipe , Calderón-Espinosa Martha L.
Published: November 2022

Thermoregulation in highland tropical environments imposes physiological challenges for reptiles. The interaction between individual thermal requirements with external thermal conditions in these environments remains mostly unknown. We examined the thermal strategy of the nocturnal snake Atractus crassicaudatus (Duméril, Bibron, and Duméril, 1854) in the highlands of the northern Andes. We depicted the relationship between the snake´s body temperatures on the field and under experimental conditions, with operative temperatures during 2 climatic seasons. Additionaly, we compared selected temperatures (Tsel) during the day (photophase) and night (scotophase). Individuals selected different body temperatures under dry (Tsel = 19.53-21.30 °C) and rainy (Tsel = 17.27-19.23 °C) seasons, they actively thermoregulate during the dry season, and they are thermoconformers during the rainy season. Their preference for rocky-shelters in open to semi-open habitats, and the seasonal adjustment of Tsel, suggest thigmothermy with plastic thermal physiology. Individuals select a similar range of temperatures during photophase and scotophase, then, thermoregulatory behavior might occur even during the “inactivity phase.” This nocturnal snake copes with the circadian and seasonal variation of environmental thermal quality through behavior and physiological adjustments.
Evolutionary ecomorphology of select species of rays distributed in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Aguilar-Medrano Rosalia , Vega-Cendejas Maria Eugenia
Published: November 2022

Bathomorphi is a diverse lineage, accounting for more than half of the chondrichthyan diversity. Yet, more than 12.3% of the species are in the “deficient data” category of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, indicating a gap in the knowledge of this group. In the present study, the diet and morphological variation associated with locomotion (disc) and feeding (Meckel’s cartilage and teeth) of 9 species of batomorphs were analyzed to assess trophic and morphological diversity, size, and sexual dimorphism. Comparative phylogenetic methods were used to determine the evolutionary relationship between variables. According to our results, the species selected showed a wide and intricate morphological variation. Sexual dimorphism was mainly observed in tooth morphology, where males tended to have more pointed teeth than females. Disc allometry was recorded for most species; small specimens presented a longer snout than larger specimens. Only the Meckel’s cartilage was related to the diet of the species. However, the morphological variation of the disc, Meckel’s cartilage, and teeth of the batomorphs were correlated through the evolution of the group and responded to functional patterns such as swimming and feeding, which finally, determined the ecology of the species.