bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competitiveness in the Horticultural Market of Ukraine
Authors: Salo Inna , Cheremisina Svitlana
Published: November 2022

Competitiveness generally characterises the relative advantages in the market according to various quantitative and qualitative criteria and ultimately affects the development of its market conditions and the overall food supply of the population. Therefore, the study of competitiveness in the horticultural market in terms of production and sales volumes, prices, quality, and pomological varieties is quite important. The establishment of relative indicators of competitive advantages in the fruit and berry market determines favourable positions by various operators of economic relations. The purpose of the study consists in determining competitiveness in the fruit and berry market using relative indicators for comparing preferences in terms of the volume of the supply of fruits and berries by different categories of farms, prices, and pomological varieties. The research was guided by methodological approaches to determining the competitiveness of agricultural products in the Ukrainian agricultural market. At the same time, the following methods were used: dialectical method of cognition of market processes and a systematic approach, analytical generalisations, statistical comparison, constructive and computational, abstract and logical method. Based on comparative indicators of competitiveness of horticultural products in the Ukrainian market, the level of market competition of agricultural enterprises and households is estimated: the coefficient of market competition and the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index of market concentration. It is established that according to the first level of concentration of the industrial sector, the Ukrainian fruit market is in the low concentration group. Another indicator defined for households indicates a low concentration, high competition, a sufficient number of operators, and a weak position of each of them. In terms of fruit and berry production, Ukrainian producers are more competitive than importers. In terms of prices, agricultural producers and importers had competitive advantages. Competitive pomological varieties of fruits and berries for producers, traders, and consumers are determined based on calculations of competitive advantages and author’s study of the trade and consumer sectors. The competitiveness of various categories of farms in the horticultural market, competitive advantages in terms of production volumes, prices, and pomological varieties of fruits and berries are determined from the standpoint of the need to rationally provide the needs of the population with high-quality food products and further market development. The findings should be used in the creation of a target programme for the development of the food market for a long-term period aimed primarily at the rational provision of food products competitive in price and quality to the population of Ukraine.
Functioning of the Fish and Seafood Market in Ukraine
Authors: Dukhnytskyi Bohdan
Published: November 2022

Ukraine is one of the states that, to a large extent, meet their own needs for various crop and livestock products. At the same time, the capabilities of our agricultural sector allow forming an offer in an amount sufficient for profitable supplies to other countries. Therefore, when considering in detail the functioning of most agri-food markets in Ukraine, production and export are mainly described as the main structural elements of the balance sheet. In the case of the fish and seafood market, a completely different picture is observed, when the indicators and features of import and consumption come to the fore. The problem of import dependence in this segment only increases over time, caused by a combination of objective and subjective factors of an economic, social, and political nature. It is important from a scientific standpoint in this context to compare individual indicators of the world and Ukrainian fish and seafood markets to demonstrate the reasons for the different levels of their development at the present stage. The need to consider these and other related issues indicates the relevance of this topic. The purpose of the study is to investigate the situation on the Ukrainian fish and seafood market, the importance of its import for the generation of domestic supply and demand, to determine the potential of production in Ukraine at the expense of its own specialised industries. The following methods are used: theoretical generalisation, analysis and synthesis, comparative evaluation, historical, graphical, and tabular. The dynamics of import to Ukraine of products of group 3 of the UKTZED “Fish, crustaceans, mollusks” in quantitative and cost indicators, the general balance of these products, changes in its production by Ukrainian enterprises together with the key reasons, a detailed description of quantitative and qualitative indicators of the global market for these products, in particular, with the selection of leading countries in production, exports, consumption trends, assessed the prospects for its development, established a focus on the systemic development of the world market of fish and seafood in the context of movement of goods from primary producer to the final consumer, provided proposals for Ukrainian market to increase own production through legalisation and stimulation of aquaculture. The provisions of the study are aimed at informing Ukrainian industry enterprises, potential producers, and responsible state authorities about current trends in the global fish and seafood market to identify the potential of domestic production and reduce Ukraine’s dependence on imports of this group of products.
Implementation of Irrigation and Drainage Strategy: Political, Economic and Cultural Aspects
Authors: Zhovtonog Olga , Ryzhova Kateryna , Levkovska Liudmyla , Nechyporenko Oleksandr
Published: November 2022

The article is devoted to the current problems of institutional reform to attract investment in the modernisation and rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure and cover the costs of its operation. To address these issues, in 2019 the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the Irrigation and Drainage Strategy until 2030 and in 2020 a corresponding action plan for its implementation. However, the reform process is delayed conditioned upon systemic environmental, economic and cultural problems that create obstacles to change, primarily in the development and adoption of legislation regulating the formation and operation of new institutions (water user associations and management of state reclamation systems, etc.). The purpose of the article was to present the results of analytical studies examining Ukrainian and international experience in irrigation management reforms and assessing the likely risks that may arise in this way and forming a vision for managing the implementation of the Irrigation and Drainage Strategy until 2030. The study was performed using the following methods: systematic analysis of the functioning of the irrigation sector in Ukraine; comparison (determination of properties and characteristics based on collected information and statistical data on reform processes in the field of land reclamation in Ukraine and the world), abstract − logical (theoretical generalisations and formulations of categories and conclusions. The existing reform processes in the field of land reclamation in Ukraine are analysed, it is noted that in a market economy, effective maintenance and development of water reclamation complex can take place only in partnership with the state and the private sector. As a result of research of Ukrainian and international experience, the principles and mechanisms of effective implementation of transformations in irrigation management are proposed and consider socio-economic and cultural aspects of reform processes in Ukraine and possible risks arising from international experience. Specific recommendations for managing the reform process are provided. The application of the proposed methods of reform will ensure investment in the modernisation and rehabilitation of water infrastructure and further sustainable use of irrigated land.
Acute effects of local vibration and visual feedback on the pelvic floor muscle training in Japanese healthy adults: A cross-over study
Authors: Mizuta Rami , Maeda Noriaki , Komiya Makoto , Ishihara Honoka , Tashiro Tsubasa , Yoshimi Mitsuhiro , Oda Sakura , Urabe Yukio
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND: Those undergoing pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) often experience difficulty in perception; therefore, an easier PFMT method should be devised. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of combining PFMT with either vibration stimulation or visual feedback provided by a branded cushion (not a prototype) in increasing PFM muscle activity. Since PFM does not involve large joint movements, muscle activity was a suitable indicator. METHODS: Twenty healthy adults were included in this study. All participants performed PFMT under three conditions using a branded cushion: vibration stimulation, visual feedback, and a control. All three conditions were provided separately. PFM activity of the midline of the perineum at two points was recorded as the root mean square measured using PFM electromyography, measured twice for each condition. Muscle activity ratio was obtained by calculating maximum voluntary contraction of PFM in pre- and post-PFMT conditions. RESULTS: PFM activity and muscle activity ratio were both significantly higher following PFMT under vibration stimulation and visual feedback conditions (p< 0.01, p< 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PFMT accompanied by vibration stimulation or visual feedback could immediately raise PFM muscle activity. We believe this study contributes to improving PFMT efficiency by suggesting more suitable PFMT methods.
Graph Analysis of Functional Brain Topology Using Minimum Spanning Tree in Subjective Cognitive Decline
Authors: Ren Shuhua , Hu Jingchao , Huang Lin , Li Junpeng , Jiang Donglang , Hua Fengchun , Guan Yihui , Guo Qihao , Xie Fang , Huang Qi
Published: November 2022

Background: Subjects with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are proposed as a potential population to screen for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objective: Investigating brain topologies would help to mine the neuromechanisms of SCD and provide new insights into the pathogenesis of AD. Methods: Objectively cognitively unimpaired subjects from communities who underwent resting-state BOLD-fMRI and clinical assessments were included. The subjects were categorized into SCD and normal control (NC) groups according to whether they exhibited self-perceived cognitive decline and were worried about it. The minimum spanning tree (MST) of the functional brain network was calculated for each subject, based on which the efficiency and centrality of the brain network organization were explored. Hippocampal/parahippocampal volumes were also detected to reveal whether the early neurodegeneration of AD could be seen in SCD. Results: A total of 49 subjects in NC and 95 subjects in SCD group were included in this study. We found the efficiency and centrality of brain network organization, as well as the hippocampal/parahippocampal volume were preserved in SCD. Besides, SCD exhibited normal cognitions, including memory, language, and execution, but increased depressive and anxious levels. Interestingly, language and execution, instead of memory, showed a significant positive correlation with the maximum betweenness centrality of the functional brain organization and hippocampal/parahippocampal volume. Neither depressive nor anxious scales exhibited correlations with the brain functional topologies or hippocampal/parahippocampal volume. Conclusion: SCD exhibited preserved efficiency and centrality of brain organization. In clinical practice, language and execution as well as depression and anxiety should be paid attention in SCD.
The Brain Health Platform: Combining Resilience, Vulnerability, and Performance to Assess Brain Health and Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders
Authors: Kleiman Michael J. , Chang Lun-Ching , Galvin James E.
Published: November 2022

Background: It is difficult to assess brain health status and risk of cognitive impairment, particularly at the initial evaluation. To address this, we developed the Brain Health Platform to quantify brain health and identify Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) risk factors by combining a measure of brain health: the Resilience Index (RI), a measure of risk of ADRD; the Vulnerability Index (VI); and the Number-Symbol Coding Task (NSCT), a measure of brain performance. Objective: The Brain Health Platform is intended to be easily and quickly administered, providing an overview of a patient’s risk of developing future impairment based on modifiable and non-modifiable factors as well as current cognitive performance. Methods: This cross-sectional study comprehensively evaluated 230 participants (71 controls, 71 mild cognitive impairment, 88 ADRD). VI and RI scores were derived from physical assessments, lifestyle questionnaires, demographics, medical history, and neuropsychological examination including the NSCT. Results: Individuals with abnormal scores were 95.7% likely to be impaired, with a misclassification rate of 9.7%. The combined model had excellent discrimination (AUC:0.923±0.053; p < 0.001), performing better than the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Conclusion: The Brain Health Platform combines measures of resilience, vulnerability, and performance to provide a cross-sectional snapshot of overall brain health. The Brain Health Platform can effectively and accurately identify even the very mildest impairments due to ADRD, leveraging brief yet powerful and actionable indices of brain health and risk that could be used to develop personalized, precision medicine-like interventions.
Quantitative investment prediction analysis for enterprise asset management using machine learning algorithms
Authors: Sun Gefei
Published: November 2022

Quantitative investment can manage enterprise assets better to obtain higher revenues. This paper analyzed quantitative investment prediction using machine learning algorithms. First, the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm was introduced, and stock changes were predicted by the SVM algorithm. Then, the feature factors in stock data were extracted by maximum information coefficient (MIC) as the input of the SVM algorithm. Finally, the performance and backtest results of the SVM algorithm was analyzed. It was found that the SVM algorithm had a good performance, and its F1-score was 0.9884, which was better than C4.5 and random forest algorithms. In terms of backtesting, the portfolio built based on the prediction results of the SVM algorithm obtained a higher annualized return rate when the number of stocks was small; when the number of stocks was 10, the portfolio built based on the SVM algorithm had an annualized return rate of 83.67%, a smaller maximum retracement, and a higher Sharpe ratio than the other algorithms, which balanced the risk and return well. The results demonstrate the reliability of the SVM algorithm in predicting quantitative investment, which is beneficial to achieving the optimization of enterprise asset management.
A model proposal for measuring service quality of eduaction with fuzzy rule-based approach and fuzzy ranking and an application
Authors: Altinsoy Ufuk , Aktepe Adnan , Ersoz Suleyman
Published: November 2022

In today’s understanding, the universities are considered as service providers besides their institutional functions. Because the universities shape the future of the country via the services they provide, it is a necessity that their service quality must be assessed by using scientific analyses, and their service quality must be improved based on such scientific findings. The Generation Z, whose members are currently receiving university education carries unique features that distinguish them from the previous generations. When this fact is considered, it is understood that the constant research and monitoring of the learning environment of the Generation Z is important. In this study, as a result of a detailed literature search, a scale consisting of 7 dimensions and 36 indicators was developed in order to measure the higher education service quality of the Z generation. The validity and reliability tests of this scale are completed via the convergent and divergent validity analyses, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Because the answers provided to the surveys reflect the personal evaluation of the participants, the Fuzzy Logic is employed, and the study is conducted by using the fuzzy modelling and fuzzy ranking. As a result of this study, the General Satisfaction Index is created, and improving recommendations are carried out based on the scores.
Mapping Cholinergic Synaptic Loss in Parkinson’s Disease: An [18F]FEOBV PET Case-Control Study
Authors: Horsager Jacob , Okkels Niels , Hansen Allan K. , Damholdt Malene F. , Andersen Katrine H. , Fedorova Tatyana D. , Munk Ole Lajord , Danielsen Erik H. , Pavese Nicola , Brooks David J. , Borghammer Per
Published: November 2022

Background: Cholinergic degeneration is strongly associated with cognitive decline in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) but may also cause motor symptoms and olfactory dysfunction. Regional differences are striking and may reflect different PD related symptoms and disease progression patterns. Objective: To map and quantify the regional cerebral cholinergic alterations in non-demented PD patients. Methods: We included 15 non-demented PD patients in early-moderate disease stage and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls for [18F]FEOBV positron emission tomography imaging. We quantitated regional variations using VOI-based analyses which were supported by a vertex-wise cluster analysis. Correlations between imaging data and clinical and neuropsychological data were explored. Results: We found significantly decreased [18F]FEOBV uptake in global neocortex (38%, p = 0.0002). The most severe reductions were seen in occipital and posterior temporo-parietal regions (p < 0.0001). The vertex-wise cluster analysis corroborated these findings. All subcortical structures showed modest non-significant reductions. Motor symptoms (postural instability and gait difficulty) and cognition (executive function and composite z-score) correlated with regional [18F]FEOBV uptake (thalamus and cingulate cortex/insula/hippocampus, respectively), but the correlations were not statistically significant after multiple comparison correction. A strong correlation was found between interhemispheric [18F]FEOBV asymmetry, and motor symptom asymmetry of the extremities (r = 0.84, p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Cortical cholinergic degeneration is prominent in non-demented PD patients, but more subtle in subcortical structures. Regional differences suggest uneven involvement of cholinergic nuclei in the brain and may represent a window to follow disease progression. The correlation between asymmetric motor symptoms and neocortical [18F]FEOBV asymmetry indicates that unilateral cholinergic degeneration parallels ipsilateral dopaminergic degeneration.
Características agronômicas e produtivas de diferentes híbridos de milho no norte goiano
Authors: Borges Silva Luciana , Diniz Buso Wilian Henrique
Published: November 2022

Objetivou-se com a pesquisa avaliar os caracteres agronômicos e produtivos de híbridos de milho em dois locais. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 11x2 (11 híbridos e dois locais) com quatro repetições. Cada parcela foi constituída por quatro linhas de cinco metros. As avaliações ocorreram nas duas linhas deixando 0,50 m de bordadura nas extremidades. As variáveis analisadas foram: altura de planta, altura da primeira espiga, diâmetro da espiga, número de fileira de grãos, número de grãos por fileira, comprimento da espiga, massa de mil grãos e produtividade. Os híbridos de milho se adaptaram melhor no município de Santa Isabel. Em relação a produtividade, no município de Santa Isabel os híbridos apresentaram mais adaptados e em Campinorte o híbrido MG 711 PWU foi que obteve melhor desempenho. O hibrido MG 580 PWU apesentou o pior resultado para os dois locais.
Reporte de la situación del microcrédito en Colombia - Septiembre de 2022
Authors: Clavijo-Ramírez Felipe , Escobar Mariana , Sánchez Camilo Eduardo
Published: November 2022

En este reporte se exponen los resultados de la Encuesta sobre la situación actual del microcrédito en Colombia del tercer trimestre de 2022. Esta encuesta fue diseñada por el Departamento de Estabilidad Financiera del Banco de la República, junto con Asomicrofinanzas, con el fin de conocer la percepción que tienen las entidades que realizan actividades de intermediación de microcrédito, incluyendo las que no son supervisadas por la Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia (SFC). Los objetivos de esta encuesta son indagar acerca del cambio en la percepción de oferta y demanda del mercado de microcrédito, la evolución de las políticas de asignación, y evaluar, en particular, el riesgo de crédito de las entidades. De igual forma, se consulta sobre la frecuencia de prácticas relacionadas con reestructuraciones de microcrédito, venta de cartera y castigo de las deudas vencidas. Por último, se presentan los resultados de la pregunta coyuntural, que en esta versión de la encuesta indaga sobre el estado actual y expectativas de la cartera de microcrédito cuya destinación son actividades del sector agropecuario, además de analizar las dinámicas propias que sobre este sector tienen las entidades en cuanto a asistencia técnica, metodología crediticia y garantías.
Reporte de Mercados Financieros - primer trimestre de 2010
Authors: Vargas Hernando , Tolosa José , Cardozo Pamela , Gómez José Eduardo , Rojas Juan Sebastián , Buitrago María Alejandra , Leiton Karen , Patiño Lina , Venegas Tatiana , Acelas Daniel , Rueda Leonardo
Published: November 2022

Este reporte hace una descripción del comportamiento de los mercados financieros colombianos, y realiza comparaciones internacionales. El análisis se centra en el periodo comprendido entre enero y marzo de 2010, meses en los que algunas medidas de percepción de riesgo disminuyeron ante la publicación de indicadores que mostraban señales de recuperación económica en varios países desarrollados y emergentes, incluyendo los de la región latinoamericana.
Aging, Culture, and Memory for Categorically Processed Information
Authors: Yang Lixia , Chen Wengfeng , Ng Andy H. , Fu Xiaolan
Published: November 2022

Objectives. Literature on cross-cultural differences in cognition suggests that categorization, as an information processing and organization strategy, was more often used by Westerners than by East Asians, particularly for older adults. This study examines East-West cultural differences in memory for categorically processed items and sources in young and older Canadians and native Chinese with a conceptual source memory task (Experiment 1) and a reality monitoring task (Experiment 2). 

Method. In Experiment 1, participants encoded photographic faces of their own ethnicity that were artificially categorized into GOOD or EVIL characters and then completed a source memory task in which they identified faces as old-GOOD, old-EVIL, or new. In Experiment 2, participants viewed a series of words, each followed either by a corresponding image (i.e., SEEN) or by a blank square within which they imagined an image for the word (i.e., IMAGINED). At test, they decided whether the test words were old-SEEN, old-IMAGINED, or new. 

Results. In general, Canadians outperformed Chinese in memory for categorically processed information, an effect more pronounced for older than for young adults. 

Discussion. Extensive exercise of culturally preferred categorization strategy differentially benefits Canadians and reduces their age group differences in memory for categorically processed information. 
East-West cultural differences in encoding objects in imagined social contexts
Authors: Yang Lixia , Li Juan , Wilkinson Andrea , Spaniol Julia , Hasher Lynn
Published: November 2022

It has been shown in literature that East Asians are more inclined to process context information than individuals in Western cultures. Using a context memory task that requires studying object images in social contexts (i.e., rating objects in an imagined social or experiential scenario), our recent study revealed an age-invariant advantage for Chinese young and older participants compared to their Canadian counterparts in memory for encoding contexts. To examine whether this cultural difference also occurred during encoding, this follow-up report analyzed encoding performance and its relationship to subsequent memory based on the same data from the same task of the same sample. The results revealed that at encoding, Chinese participants provided higher ratings of objects, took longer to rate, and reported more vivid imagery of encoding contexts relative to their Canadian counterparts. Furthermore, only Chinese participants rated objects with recognized context at retrieval higher and slower relative to those with misrecognized context. For Chinese participants, primarily older adults, slower ratings were only related to better context memory but not item memory. Importantly, Chinese participants’ context memory advantage disappeared after controlling for encoding differences. Taken together, these results suggest that Chinese participants’ memory advantage for social contexts may have its origin in the construction of elaborative and meaningful object-context associations at encoding. 
Inhibition Plasticity in Older Adults: Practice and Transfer Effects Using a Multiple Task Approach
Authors: Yang Lixia , Wilkinson Andrea J.
Published: November 2022

Objective. To examine plasticity of inhibition, as indexed by practice effects of inhibition tasks and the associated transfer effects, using a multiple task approach in healthy older adults. 

Method. Forty-eight healthy older adults were evenly assigned to either a practice group or a no-contact control group. All participants completed pretest (2.5 hours) and posttest (2 hours) sessions, with a 2-week interval in between. During the 2-week interval, only the practice group completed six 30-minute practice sessions (three sessions per week for two consecutive weeks) of three lab-based inhibition tasks. Results. All three inhibition tasks demonstrated significant improvement across practice sessions, suggesting practice-induced plasticity. The benefit, however, only transferred to near-near tasks. The results are inconclusive with regard to the near-far and far-far transfer effects. 

Discussion. This study further extends literature on practice effects of inhibition in older adults by using a multiple task approach. Together with previous work, the current study suggests that older adults are able to improve inhibition performance through practice and transfer the practice gains to tasks that overlap in both target cognitive ability and task structure (i.e., near-near tasks). 
Friend or foe? Decoding the facilitative and disruptive effects of emotion on working memory in younger and older adults
Authors: Truong Linda , Yang Lixia
Published: November 2022

A growing body of work on emotion-cognition interactions has revealed both facilitative and disruptive effects of emotion on working memory in younger adults. These differing effects may vary by the goal relevancy of emotion within a task. Additionally, it is possible that these emotional effects would be larger for older adults, considering findings of preserved emotional processing with age. To test these hypotheses, the current study examined the effects of emotional content and aging on working memory for target information in the presence of distraction. Thirty-six younger (ages 18–29) and 36 older adults (ages 65–87) completed a delayed-response working memory task. Participants viewed two target words intermixed with two distracter words, and then judged whether a subsequently presented probe word was one of the target words. The emotional content (valence and arousal) of targets and distracters was systematically manipulated. Results indicated that emotional targets facilitated working memory in both age groups. In contrast, emotional distracters disrupted performance. Negative distracters were particularly disruptive for older adults, but younger adults did not show an emotional interference effect. These findings help clarify discrepancies in the literature and contribute to the sparse research on emotional working memory in older adults. 
Working Memory in Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Effects of Verbal and Image-Based Worry and Relation to Cognitive and Emotional Processes
Authors: Tallon Kathleen , Koerner Naomi , Yang Lixia
Published: November 2022

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry and is associated with cognitive and emotional difficulties including threat interpretation bias (IB). Worry, especially in a verbal mode, has been shown to cause a temporary restriction in working memory (WM). This study examined the effects of verbal and image-based worry on WM, whether the effect of worry on WM accounts for IB in persons with GAD, and the degree to which WM correlates with cognitive and emotional processes associated with GAD. At baseline, participants (N = 32) with GAD completed questionnaires assessing worry, and related processes, and WM and IB tasks. Participants were then trained to worry in verbal or imagery form, per Leigh and Hirsch (2011), and completed WM and IB tasks a second time. At baseline, in the absence of induced worry, lower WM was related to greater emotion dysregulation, intolerance of uncertainty, negative problem orientation, and lower attentional control. Induced worry, regardless of the form, did not significantly affect WM or IB.  
A mobility-aware cluster-based MAC protocol for radiofrequency energy harvesting cognitive wireless sensor networks
Authors: Obaid Arif , Fernando Xavier , Jaseemuddin Muhammad
Published: November 2022

Cognitive wireless sensor networks (CWSN) are severely energy constrained and radio frequency (RF) wireless energy harvesting (RFWEH) has been shown to improve the network lifetime. In many CWSN applications, node mobility imposes challenges owing to changing network topology. Therefore, the design of a new medium access control (MAC) protocol that can handle node mobility as wellas energy harvesting is required. A cluster-based multihop MAC protocol (RMAC-M) is proposed that incorporates RF energy harvesting in a mobility-aware CWSN. Our protocol selects cluster heads using an algorithm based on an R-factor parameter consisting of residual node energy, residual node data and node speed, with appropriate weights. It then transmits data packages using a multitier super cluster head routing mechanism without the need for neighbour discovery. The multitier clustering and RFWEH mechanisms boost the energy performance of the network, increasing its lifetime. On the other hand, time slots allocated for RFWEH increase delay, thereby affecting system latency. Owing to its unique nature, the proposed algorithm has no comparable protocols in the literature. For the sake of completeness, RMAC-M is compared with well-known MAC protocols such as LEACHM and KoNMAC that do not have energy harvesting or mobility features. Simulation results show that the proposed protocol increases the lifetime of the CWSN nodes substantially, promising a self-sustainable network in terms of energy. Furthermore, despite the allocation of time slots for energy harvesting, critical network parameters such as throughput, packet loss and average delay remain within target levels.
A new method of studying the fundamental mechanisms involved in pigment liberation from recycle papers
Authors: HUANG KAIWU , STRICKLAND KRIS , NOBLE AARON , YOON ROE-HOAN , BASILIO CESAR
Published: November 2022

Deinking flotation is the most efficient and widely used method of removing ink particles from printed papers to improve the recyclability. A prerequisite for successful deinking flotation is detachment of pigments from paper fibers, a subprocess known as liberation. The degree of liberation is usually determined via hyperwashing tests, which are costly and time consuming. Furthermore, they provide no information on the fundamental mechanisms controlling liberation. In the present work, we developed a new method in which potentials of the particles in a pulp are measured and analyzed. If pigments are not liberated from paper fibers, a frequency distribution plot gives a single peak, while two peaks appear when they are liberated. One can readily determine the degrees of liberation from the peak positions and peak heights. In addition, the potential data can be used to construct disjoining pressure isotherms using the DLVO theory that are useful to better understand the fundamental mechanisms involved and the roles of different reagents used to improve pigment liberation.
The Maps of identity in Frankenstein in Baghdad: National Spectrum of Iraq in Post-2003
Authors: Alhashmi Rawad
Published: November 2022

This article focuses on the English translation of Ahmed Saadawi’s Frankenstein in Baghdad (2018), emphasizing the direct connection between home and identity in Iraq against the backdrop of colonial Baghdad. Saadawi’s text manifests a sophisticated and intricate allegory of Iraqi society in terms of identity and socio-political upheaval in the aftermath of the American invasion of Iraq in 2003. Through the metaphor of “the Whatsitsname,” which comprises different ethnicities of Iraqi people, Saadawi engages with the quintessence of Iraqi identity elucidated as fragmented parts of a human body with one soul. I argue that by relying on the metaphoric references, Saadawi establishes the Whatsitsname as a national figure while addressing Iraqi identity on multiple levels: linguistically, historically, culturally, and archaeologically. To that end, I seek to underscore the direct relationship between ‘home’ and identity in Saadawi’s novel with an emphasis on the linguistic designation of the Whatsitsname, the historical significance and cultural diversity of Baghdad, as well as the archaeological heritage of Iraq. In this way, Saadawi embodies the collective identity of the entire Iraqi community in a cogent spectrum and aims to reconstruct the Iraqi identity in post-2003, something that the Iraqi government has failed to establish or recognize.
Forms of Care in Human–Nature–Technology Environments
Authors: Ciobanu Patricia , Juhlin Oskar
Published: November 2022

With the ongoing environmental disruptions, designers are increasingly interested in exploring nature–technology entanglements that create sustainable and collaborative futures. Although largely unarticulated, these emerging design inquiries are motivated by care for nature, which indirectly depends on cultural and social human practices. Drawing on a broad set of works on care from feminist theory, science and technology studies, and human–computer interaction, this article introduces a care framework that focuses on revealing tensions in the interrelationship between humans and nonhumans. The framework is used to examine an initial study in which five participants engaged with a speculative design probe, specifically a combination of a device and a plant, envisioning a scenario in which plants generate electricity. We reveal how forms of care manifest differently in a human–plant–technology dynamic and identify tensions, such as plants being considered utilities, proxies, or humans.
A Commentary on Mark Wallace’s When God was a Bird
Authors: Cutler Andrew
Published: November 2022

A review of Mark Wallace's 2019 book, When God was a Bird.
Existence Results for Fractional Integral Equations in Frechet Spaces
Authors: BAGHDAD Said
Published: November 2022

The objective of this paper is to present results on the existence of solutions for a class of fractional integral equations in Fr\'{e}chet spaces of Banach space-valued functions on the unbounded interval. Our main tool is the technique of measures of noncompactness and fixed points theorems.
Set-Valued Control of Cancer by Combination Chemotherapy
Authors: MOUSTAFİD Amine
Published: November 2022

A mathematical model of ordinary differential equations is considered to analyze the pharmacokinetics of multi-chemotherapeutic drugs and their pharmacodynamic effects on homogeneous tumors. Set-valued analysis is used to design protocols of drug administration and applied to decrease tumor density under their carrying capacity of Gompertz growth and converge to zero.
EFFECT OF INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING ON STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEARNING BIOLOGY AT UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RWANDA
Authors: Manishimwe Henriette , Shivoga William Aino , Nsengimana Venuste
Published: November 2022

Attitude has been regarded as a motivating feeling for the learning of biology. However, how inquiry-based learning contributes to attitude change towards the learning of biology has not yet been studied in Rwanda. This study intends to determine the effect of inquiry-based learning on students’ attitudes toward learning biology. A sample of 228 secondary school students at the upper secondary level in Rwanda was used. A quasi-experimental design with pre-and post-test was employed. One group was randomly assigned to the control group (N = 109) under the conventional teaching method, while the second group participated as the experimental group (N = 119) under the inquiry-based learning method. Biology attitude questionnaire (BAQ) was tested and a Pearson reliability of .89 coefficient was found, and hence the BAQ was adopted and used for the control and treatment groups before and after learning microbiology. Results asserted a significant effect of intervention in favor of the experimental group. However, a significant effect of the treatment on students’ attitude change in relation to gender was not identified. The study recommends using inquiry-based learning to promote attitude toward learning biology as it raises students’ interest to learning biology and alleviates the difficulty of its concepts. Keywords: biology education, inquiry-based learning, students’ attitudes, quasi-experimental design
Estudio comparativo del Burnout en estudiantes universitarios de ciencias de la salud
Authors: Balseca Narváez Jaime Rolando , Armas Freire Paulina Isabel , Estrada Chandi Jorge Abdon , Reyes Castillo Jeaneth Verónica
Published: November 2022

Introducción: es común en estudiantes de las carreras de ciencias de la salud, el agotamiento físico y mental. Es por ello por lo que, se desarrolló un estudio comparativo sobre el burnout en estudiantes universitarios de ciencias de la salud, para lo cual se seleccionaron cinco trabajos provenientes de España, México, Colombia, Ecuador y Chile, desarrollados entre 2018 y 2021. Objetivos: Desarrollar un estudio comparativo del burnout en estudiantes universitarios de ciencias de la salud, en España y Latinoamérica entre los años 2.018 a 2.021. Metodología: el método aplicado fue la investigación cualitativa, bibliográfica y descriptiva para el análisis comparativo de los hallazgos, en tal sentido se elaboró un cuadro resumen donde emergieron categorías representadas en tres redes conceptuales: burnout académico, métodos y hallazgos, y el afrontamiento. Resultados: se identificaron dimensiones y categorías, en las cuales el elemento común fue el síndrome burnout, agotamiento físico y mental; consecuencias fisiológicas y psicológicas; incidencia de valores del entorno familiar, escolar y cultural; estrés, ansiedad y depresión; formación académica, autoeficacia, formación secundaria; para, aplicar estrategias de afrontamiento (activas y resolutivas, pasivas y negativas). Conclusiones: el burnout es frecuente en estudiantes que cursan cátedras relacionadas con el manejo de pacientes en estado crítico o con alto riesgo de mortalidad. La sensibilidad influye en el estado emocional, lo que ocasiona estrés y desgaste físico y mental, tristeza y aislamiento, situación que afecta el rendimiento académico. La dimensión sociodemográfica, presenta una tendencia al sexo femenino, estado civil soltero. Referente al afrontamiento, las dimensiones del estado mental y actitud positiva de los estudiantes, es favorable al afrontamiento y quienes presentan elevadas expectativas personales, tienen menos sentimientos de desgaste o agotamiento. Se plantea que las universidades desarrollen programas de apoyo psicológico, para prevenir casos de burnout académico. Área de estudio:
Violence Against Health Care Workers
Authors: Dutta Pradip Kumar
Published: November 2022

Abstract not available

JCMCTA 2019 ; 30 (1) : 1-4
Meropenem Sensitivity Pattern of Bacterial Isolates Causing Neonatal Sepsis in Special Care Neonatal Unit of Chattogram Medical College Hospital
Authors: Mamtaz Syeda Shahnoor Hasina , Chowdhury Abu Hena Md Saiful Karim
Published: November 2022

Background: Neonatal sepsis is recognized as an important public health problem with a high morbidity and mortality, mostly occurring in developing countries. Treatment of neonatal sepsis has become a challenge with the emergence of carbapenemase producing bacteria. The study was done to evaluate the sensitivity pattern of bacterial isolates against meropenem causing neonatal sepsis. Materials and methods: A total of 100 clinically suspected neonatal sepsis cases was enrolled in the study. Bacteriological profile and meropenem sensitivity pattern was done. Results: Among the 100 suspected neonatal sepsis cases, 28% were culture positive and 72% were culture negative. Klebsiella species was the predominant isolated bacteria. Searching meropenem sensitivity pattern, 42.31% bacterial isolates were found to be sensitive and 57.69% were resistant to meropenem. Klebsiella spp. showed 40.00% sensitive to meropenem, whereas Acinetobacter spp. 25.00%, E. coli 66.67%, Staph. aureus 50.00% & Pseudomonas spp. 50.00% sensitive. Conclusion: Meropenem is the drug of choice for serious infections but bacterial resistance against it is increasing day by day.

JCMCTA 2019 ; 30 (1) : 43-46
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia in Pregnancy: A Case Report With Literature Review
Authors: Karim Razaul , Hossain Amir , Khanom Mehrunnissa , Islam Mohammad Kamrul
Published: November 2022

Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA) results from increased red cell destruction due to red cell autoantibodies. Pregnancy associated AIHA is a very rare condition with unexplained entity, but can be dangerous for both fetus and mother. A case of multipara lady who developed haemolyticanamia during pregnancy, with a wide range of differential diagnosis. She was responded well to moderate dose of steroid with good feto-maternal outcome. Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in pregnancy has rarely been reported in literature, which deserve its presentation.

JCMCTA 2019 ; 30 (1) : 61-63
ANALISIS TINGKAT KOGNITIF SOAL PADA BUKU PENDAMPING MATEMATIKA MATERI SPLDV KELAS VIII BERDASARKAN TAKSONOMI BLOOM REVISI
Authors: Inayah Clara Fadhilah , Siagian Teddy Alfra , Irsal Nur Aliyyah
Published: November 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui sebaran tingkat kognitif soal pada buku Pendamping Matematika SMP kelas VIII Terbitan Erlangga materi Sistem Persamaan Linier Dua Variabel berdasarkan Taksonomi Bloom Revisi. Taksnomi Bloom Revisi yang digunakan, yaitu dimensi proses kognitif yang meliputi: mengingat (C1), memahami (C2), mengaplikasikan (C3), menganalisis (C4), mengevaluasi (C5),  dan mencipta (C6). Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian deskriptif dengan pendekatan kualitatitf. Sumber data penelitian pada penelitian ini adalah soal pilihan ganda dan soal esai materi SPLDV pada buku pendamping matematika kelas VIII. Soal-soal pilihan ganda dan esai yang dianalisis berjumlah 110 soal dengan tingkat kognitif mengenali (C1) sebanyak 2 soal (1,81%), mengaplikasikan (C3) sebanyak 99 soal ( 90%), menganalisis (C4) sebanyak 9 soal (8,18%) serta tidak adanya tingkat kognitif memahami (C2), mengevaluasi (C5) dan mencipta (C6). Soal pilihan ganda dan esai pada SLPDV ini mendominasi pada tingkat kognitif mengaplikasikan (C3). Sehingga, didapat bahwa sebaran tingkat kognitif soal pilihan ganda dan soal esai materi SPLDV belum proporsional.
Efficacy of Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization in Treatment Resistant Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension Caused Subdural Hematoma : Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Evran Sevket , Kayhan Ahmet , Saygı Tahsin , Ozbek Muhammet Arif , Kilickesmez Ozgur
Published: November 2022

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) most commonly manifests as bilateral subdural hematoma (SH). SIH cases mostly resolve spontaneously but further treatment would be needed via blind epidural blood patch (EBP). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage in EBP-refractory cases can be treated surgically only if the localization of CSF leakage is detectable but it cannot be possible in most of the cases. Also surgical evacuation of SH secondary to SIH (SH-SIH) is not favorable without blocking the CSF leakage. Thus the management of these patients is a challenge and alternative treatment options are needed. Although middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) is an effective treatment option in non-SIH SH, there is no report about its application in the treatment of SH-SIH. We present two cases of SH-SIH which their clinical and radiological findings were completely resolved by bilateral MMAE treatment.
A Case Report of a Young Patient with Dysphagia: Eosinophillic Esophagitis, Achalasia or Atypical course of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ?
Authors: Žarko Babi , Maja Andabak , Zrinka Rob , Duško Kardum , Marko Bani
Published: November 2022

A 19 years old female patient presented with symptoms of dysphagia, esophageal retention and radiologic and endoscopic suspicion of esophageal stricture and achalasia in one other institution. After extensive diagnostic procedure including upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with narrow-band imaging and histology of esophageal mucosa, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thorax and abdomen, the 24h esophageal impedance pH monitoring and esophageal high-resolution monitoring. We have excluced eosinophilic oesophagitis and achalasia, indicating to the atypical course of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The patient underwent the intense and combined pharmacologic (PPIs, H2 blockers, antacids) and endoscopic (repeated ballon-dilatation of of esophagogastric junction stricture) therapy, over a period of two years. With this combined and long-lasting therapy, the patient significantly improved, clinically. The esophageal peristaltic activity was also recovered, thus incompletely. The patient remained well and gaining weight with minimal symptoms of dysphagia to solids, occasionally. In presented case of a young female patient, we witnessed the overlapping nature of different criteria denoting the distinct entities, linked to esophageal dysphagia and esophageal motility disorder, such as achalasia, eosinophilic oesophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The complex diagnostic approach, including esophageal functional testing pointed to the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, as to underlying condition for this complex clinical situation. The combined therapeutic approach, including antisecretory agents and repeatied balloon dilatations led to significant clinical improvement.