bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The use of pre-operative virtual reality to reduce anxiety in women undergoing gynaecological surgeries: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Chan Jason Ju In , Yeam Cheng Teng , Kee Hwei Min , Tan Chin Wen , Sultana Rehena , Sia Alex Tiong Heng , SNG Ban Leong
Published: April 2020

Background: Virtual reality (VR) is a promising new technology that offers opportunities to modulate patient experience and cognition. There is limited work on VR effectiveness during the preoperative period in the local setting. We investigated the feasibility and practicability of employing VR in anxiety management for patients undergoing minor gynaecological surgery, with the primary outcome being the changes in preoperative anxiety levels before and after the VR experience. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in the KK Women’s and Children’s hospital between March 2019 and January 2020. Female patients undergoing gynaecological surgeries were recruited after obtaining informed consent. Patients were given a VR headset accompanied with a handphone loaded with VR experiences comprising sceneries, background meditation music and breathing exercises. The VR experience was administered for 10 mins and pre- and post-VR psychological assessments surveys were conducted. Results: Data analysis from 108 patients showed that our patient population had moderate state anxiety (39.6 (SD 11.14) and trait anxiety 40.1 (9.07) on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The use of VR before surgery could reduce both Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) anxiety (7.2 ± 3.3 down to 4.6 ± 3.0; p<0.0001) and depression (4.7 ± 3.3 down to 2.9 ± 2.5; p<0.0001) scores. EQ-5D-3Lshowed no significant change in dimensions of ‘mobility’ and ‘self-care’ but significant changes to reported ‘usual activities’, ‘pain/discomfort’ and anxiety/ depression’ dimensions. Level 1 for ‘usual activities’ (“no problems with performing usual activities”) increased from 102 (94.4%) to 107 (99.1%) (p= 0.0253), ‘pain/discomfort’ (“I have no pain/discomfort”) increased from 72 (66.7%) to 84 (77.8%) and ‘anxiety/ depression’ (“I am not anxious/ depressed”) increased from 62 (57.4%) to 90 (83.3%) between pre- and post-VR experience. About 82% of patients rated the VR experience as ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’.Conclusions: Our study showed significant reduction in preoperative anxiety after VR experience and has positive patient satisfaction. The use of VR may be suitable for patients with high anxiety preoperatively without the use of anxiolytics. Future work could include implementation studies upon adoption in clinical practice and the use in other surgical populations. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03685422. Registered 26Sep2018 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03685422?term=NCT03685422&draw=2&rank=1
Psychometric properties of women’s satisfaction with the childbirth education class questionnaire for Iranian population
Authors: Hassanzadeh Robab , Jafarabadi Mohammad Asghari , Abbas-Alizadeh Fatemeh , Meedya Shahla , Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi Sakineh , Mirghafourvand Mojgan
Published: April 2020

Background: Childbirth preparation classes can reduce pregnant women’s anxiety and fear levels by providing them with training supports. The importance of mothers’ participation in these classes, evaluation of their satisfaction with these classes, and lack of a standard instrument in Iran led to the necessity of conducting this study for the translation and psychometric analysis of the women’s satisfaction with the childbirth education class questionnaire for the population of Iranian women. Methods: The questionnaire was translated from English into Persian through the forward-backward translation method. The cluster sampling method was employed to select 205 pregnant women with gestational age of 35-37 weeks from all health complexes of Tabriz, Iran. The face, content, and construct validity of the research instrument were assessed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were measured to evaluate the overall reliability of the questionnaire. Results: The impact scores of all items were above 1.5. The content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR) of the questionnaire were 0.88 and 0.94, respectively. The convergent construct validity of the whole questionnaire and those of its three subscales were confirmed through the exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The factor loadings of no items were below 0.3, and the X2⁄df ratio was smaller than 5. In addition, the RMSEA was smaller than 0.08; therefore, the overall model validity was confirmed. Cronbach’s alpha and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were 0.93 and 0.96, respectively, indicating the acceptable reliability of the questionnaire. Conclusion: The Persian version of this questionnaire, entitled "Women’s Satisfaction with Childbirth Education Class" is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring Iranian women’s satisfaction with childbirth education classes.
The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) and Nonalcoholic fatty liver in the Japanese population: a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Enqian , Weng Yaping , Zhou Aiming , Zeng Chunlai
Published: April 2020

Background: Evidences regarding the association between triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) and Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) are controversial. Therefore, the goals of this research are to evaluate whether TyG is independently associated with NAFLD and the ability of TyG index to detect NAFLD in the Japanese population. Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study. The data was downloaded from the DATADRYAD website. A total of 13178 participants was involved in a hospital in Japan from 2004 to 2015. The correlation between TyG and NAFLD was detected by using binary logistic regression and Generalized additive models. The likelihood ration test was used to examine the modification and interaction of subgroups. Furthermore, the ability of TyG to predict NAFLD was evaluated by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The formula for the TyG index was ln [fasting triglyceride level (mg / dl) × fasting blood glucose level (mg / dl) / 2] Results: The average age of the selected participants was 43.36±8.89 years old, and about 51.02% of them were male. In fully-adjusted binary logistic regression model, TyG was positively related with the risk of NAFLD (Odds ratio (OR)=2.45, 95%CI 2.12-2.82). The relationship between TyG and NAFLD was a non-linear relationship, and its inflection point was 8.22. The effect sizes and the confidence intervals of the left and right sides of inflection point were 3.26(2.44 - 4.35) and 2.09 (1.72 - 2.54), respectively. By subgroup analysis, the stronger association was found in females, low GGT, non-obesity, non-visceral fat obesity (P for interaction <0.05). Among the total population, the AUC for TyG [0.810 (0.804 - 0.817)] was worse than ALT [ 0.829 (0.822 - 0.835)] but better than TG [ 0.799 (0.792 - 0.805)] and FPG [ 0.715 (0.707 - 0.722)]. A similar result was found for men. In the women, the AUC for the TyG was superior to ALT, FPG, and TG. Conclusion: The association between TyG and NAFLD is non-linear. TyG is stronger positively correlated to the risk of NAFLD when TyG is less than 8.22. TyG is helpful to identify individuals with NAFLD.
Impact of fiducial markers placements on the delineation of target volumes in radiation therapy for oesophageal cancer: final results of the FIDUCOR study
Authors: Moureau-Zabotto Laurence , Caillol F. , Autret A. , Gilabert M. , Guiramand J. , Darreon J. , Ferre M. , Ries P , Bories E. , Tyran M. , Tallet A. , Giovannini M
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This prospective monocentric phase II study (FIDUCOR-study) aimed at the assessment of the impact of fiducial markers (FMs) implantation on conformal chemo-radiation therapy (CRT) planning in esophageal carcinoma (EC) patients.

Methods/materials

Fifteen EC patients were enrolled in the study. Each patient underwent two simulation CT-scans before (CT1) and after (CT2) FMs implantation, in the same position. FMs (3 mm length gold markers, preloaded in a 22G needle) were implanted after sedation, under EUS and X-Ray guidance, and were placed at the tumor’s extremities, and in the visible lymph nodes. Target delineation and treatment plan were both performed first on CT1 with the assistance of, diagnosis-CT, gastroscopy- and EUS-details, and second on CT2 using FMs and CT-data. The value of FMs implantation was assessed by the difference of growth-tumor-volume (GTV) and clinical-target-volume (CTV) between CT1-based and CT2-based delineation. A significant difference was defined as a ≥5 mm-difference on axial(x) or coronal(y) slices, a ≥10mm-difference on sagittal slices, or a ≥20%-difference in GTV. The impact on dose distribution in organs at risk (OAR) (lung, heart, liver) was also studied.

Results

Between 09/2014 and 12/2015, 15 patients could achieve fiducial procedures, without any complication. One FM migration occurred. We observed a significant modification of the GTV-dimension in 100% of the cases (15/15, 95%CI: [78.2;100.0]), mainly due to a difference in sagittal dimension with a mean variation of 11.2 mm and a difference> 10 mm for 8/15 patients (53.3%). One patient had a significant isocenter displacement as high as 20 mm. The esophagus tumor was not seen on the CT-scan in one patient due to its small size. One patient had a distant lymph node metastasis not visible on CT-scan. We observed no significant impact on OAR distribution.

Conclusion

In our study, FMs-implantation appeared to have positive impact on accurate volume definition in EC-patients.

Registration trial number

NCT02526134 since the 06-18-2013 ; URL https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02526134
The Pulmonary Sequalae in Discharged Patients With COVID-19：A Short-term Observational Study
Authors: Liu Dehan , Zhang Wanshu , Pan Feng , Li Lin , Yang Lian , Zheng Dandan , Wang Jiazheng , Liang Bo
Published: April 2020

Background: A cluster of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia were discharged from hospitals in Wuhan, China. We aimed to determine the cumulative percentage of the complete radiological resolution at each time point, to explore the relevant affecting factors, and describe the chest CT findings through different timepoints after hospital discharge.Methods: Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia confirmed by RT-PCR who were discharged consecutively from hospital between 5 February 2020 to 10 March 2020 and underwent serial chest CT scans on schedule were enrolled. Radiological demonstrations of all patients were collected and analyzed. The total CT score was the sum of non-GGO invovlement determined at discharge. Afterwards, all patients underwent chest CT scans at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd week after discharge. Imaging features and distribution were analyzed across different time points.Results: 149 patients who completed all CT scans were evaluated, 67 (45.0%) men and 82 (55.0%) women with median age of 43 years old (IQR 36-56). The cumulative percentage of the complete radiological resolution was 8.1% (12 patients), 41.6% (62), 50.3% (75), 53% (79) at discharge and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd week after discharge, respectively. Patients ≤44 years old showed a significantly higher CP than patients >44 years old after 3-week follow-up. The predominant pattern of abnormality observed at discharge were ground-glass opacification(GGO) (65 [43.6%]), fibrous stripe (45 [30.2%]), and thickening of the adjacent pleura (16 [10.7%]). Lung lesion showed obvious resolution from 2 to 3 weeks after discharge, especially in GGO and fibrous stripe. “Tinted” sign and branchovascular bundle distortion as two special features were discovered in the evolution.Conclusion: Lung lesion of COVID-19 pneumonia patient can be absorbed completely in short-term follow-up with no sequelae. 3 weeks after discharge might be the optimal time point for early radiological estimation.
Developing a system of anti-crisis measures for Ukraine’s economy in the spread of the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Danylyshyn Bohdan , Bohdan Ivan
Published: April 2020

The new global financial and economic crisis is caused by the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, the reduction in aggregate supply, the escalation of trade wars, and the outflow of capital from emerging markets. This requires national macroeconomic regulatory authorities to take prudent measures to protect national economies from destabilizing externalities. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to justify and develop a priority system of stabilization policy and anti-crisis measures to counter the spread of external shocks in the national economy, stabilize it, and create conditions for its further recovery and sustainable economic growth. To achieve this aim, the existing theoretical sources and research materials of international organizations were systematized, the legislative and regulatory framework in Ukraine was generalized, and statistical methods, a historical method, analysis and generalization were also used. As a result, the channels of impact of external shocks on Ukraine’s economy were identified, and the areas of internal vulnerability of the national economy that could significantly increase the negative effects of externalities were determined. The knowledge gained has become the basis for formulating conceptual directions of crisis management and developing a system of measures to counteract crisis phenomena, which include the monetary policy tools of the National Bank of Ukraine, the structural and fiscal policy of the Government, as well as the banking regulation and capital control policies.
Assessment of the uneven use of information resources in the business process circuit
Authors: Milov Oleksandr , Kots Hryhorii , Milevskyi Stanislav
Published: April 2020

An approach is proposed for assessing the uneven use of information resources in the organization’s business processes. Formal representations of the organization’s business processes and security systems are presented, reflecting both business operations carried out in a certain sequence and information resources that ensure the implementation of the relevant business operations, the place of information resources in the general outline of business processes is indicated. The circuits of the security system business processes of and the business processes of the main object of modeling are considered, including both business processes for managing security and business processes for ensuring security management. The assessment of the non-uniform use of information resources in a business process scheme is based on the consistent construction of an information resource incidence matrix for individual business operations, a frequency relationship matrix reflecting the sharing of information resources, and a matrix of derivatives in a discrete formulation. The proposed approach is demonstrated on a conditional example containing both the notional costs of information resources and weighting factors of the importance of business operations that reflect their criticality in the general contour of business processes. Estimates obtained as a result of applying the approach make it possible to group information resources, focusing on the frequency of their joint use in the business processes, which ultimately makes it possible to justify the choice of information resources for protection against threats from cyber intruders.
An extension of the Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM) to study continuance behavior in using e-Health services
Authors: Anil Kumar K , Natarajan Subhashree
Published: April 2020

Given the negative utilitarianism and difficulty in maintaining long-term loyalty, hospitals resort to a variety of images that define and redefine their relationship strategies in order to stay patient-centric. As in any other sector, in healthcare, patients play an important role in service design and delivery. The basic services of medical appointment scheduling, online payment and health information search are recognized as one of the most important elements that increase patient footfall, service planning, patient satisfaction and their continued usage, in particular in developing economies such as India. This study seeks to understanding the basic e-Health services continuance usage intention among patients by integrating the Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and extending them by including certain external variables. With a well-structured questionnaire, a survey of 453 respondents – out-patients and care-givers, who should have used e-Health services at least once, in particular, visited multispecialty hospitals, revealed that along with the ECM and TAM constructs such as satisfaction, confirmation, perceived ease-of-use, and perceived usefulness, the external variables such as trust, social influence, perceived service quality, and perceived privacy and security had a significant influence (p < 0.05) on e-Health services continuance usage. The main findings of the study contribute to developing and empirically testing a model that explains the basic process of motivating the e-Health service users for continuance usage intention.
Biosorption of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution by polyethyleneimine-modified ultrasonic-assisted acid hydrochar from Sargassum horneri
Authors: Wang Jun , Xie Qinglong , Li Ao , Liu Xuejun , Yu Fengwen , Ji Jianbing
Published: April 2020

In this study, an efficient route to synthesizing polyethyleneimine-modified ultrasonic-assisted acid hydrochar (PEI-USAH) is developed and reported. Ultrasonic irradiation technique was used as surface modification method to shorten the crosslinking reaction for hydrochar and polyethyleneimine (PEI). The PEI-USAH showed an excellent adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. The physicochemical properties of this PEI-modified adsorbent were comparatively characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis and CNHS analysis. The effects of contact time, initial pH, and biosorbent dose on adsorption capacities were investigated. The batch adsorption experiments showed that PEI-USAH possessed the maximum adsorption capacities of 94.38 mg/g and 330.84 mg/g for initial Cr(VI) concentration of 100 mg/L and 500 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, this adsorption process could be fitted to Langmuir adsorption and described by the pseudo second order kinetic model. Based on the above findings, PEI-USAH could be used as a potential adsorbent for removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater.
Reading interests of college students of the delfin albano memorial institute of agriculture and technology (DAMIAT)
Authors: Galiza Clarinda C.
Published: April 2020

This study aimed to identify the reading interests of the college students of the Delfin Albano Memorial Institute of Agriculture Technology (DAMIAT). The researcher made use of the descriptive method of research to determine the reading interests of the selected 193 college students of the school. The students reported that they read to improve their vocabulary, to keep themselves informed, to improve their reading comprehension, and to prepare themselves for class discussion. The reading materials they prefer to read the most to the least are books, newspapers, magazines, journals, pamphlets, and comics, respectively. Results of the Chi-square test for independence showed that the reading interests of the students toward the six reading materials depend on their economic status but not on their sexes, ages, courses, parents’ educational attainment, and residence. The study discussed the implications of these findings.
A Community-Engaged Approach to Creating a Mobile HIV Prevention App for Black Women: Focus Group Study to Determine Preferences via Prototype Demos
Authors: Chandler Rasheeta , Hernandez Natalie , Guillaume Dominique , Grandoit Shanaika , Branch-Ellis Desiré , Lightfoot Marguerita
Published: April 2020

Background

Black women are an important but relatively overlooked at-risk group in HIV prevention efforts. Although there is an aggregate decline of HIV diagnoses among women in the United States, there are persistent disparate rates of new HIV infections among Black women compared to any other cisgender female subgroup. Strategies to end the HIV epidemic—as outlined in the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative—for all communities must consider HIV prevention messaging and message delivery mediums that are created with community input. Although mobile health (mHealth) is a popular platform for delivering HIV interventions, there are currently no mobile apps that consider cisgender Black women with the goal of promoting a comprehensive women’s reproductive health and HIV prevention lifestyle. Previous research recommends inclusion of the target population from project inception and iteratively throughout development, to promote use of the intervention.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to understand cisgender Black women’s preferences for functionality, format, and design of a mobile HIV prevention app and to examine their willingness to use an app for HIV prevention.

Methods

We conducted a series of four focus groups with 23 Black cisgender women. Focus groups included discussion and demonstration elements to address cisgender women’s general preference for apps, HIV prevention content that would be useful in an app, and preferred app features that would promote use of an HIV-centric app. During focus group discussions, participants were shown narrated, custom wireframes of HIV prevention app prototypes to demonstrate potential app function.

Results

Findings indicated the presence of eight subthemes within the coding structure of three overall themes: (1) health content within the mobile app, (2) mobile app functionality, format, and design, and (3) other suggested features. Specifically, participants detailed preferred educational content, content distribution, app aesthetics, privacy considerations, and marketing of the app.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that Black cisgender women preferred an app that integrated HIV prevention and optimal sexual health promotion. Participants provided a range of preferences for content integration and facilitators of app engagement with an HIV prevention app. Preferences centered on gender and cultural congruency of information and content, evidenced by visuals, language, and resources. Black cisgender women are viable consumers for a mobile app–based HIV prevention intervention.
Primary Care Peer-Supported Internet-Mediated Psychological Treatment for Adults With Anxiety Disorders: Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)
Authors: Nissling Linnea , Fahlke Claudia , Lilja Josefine L , Skoglund Ingmarie , Weineland Sandra
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

The effect of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) on anxiety in adults is well-known. However, patient dropouts and poor adherence to treatment are common. Feelings of belonging and empowerment from the treatment might be key to the completion of iCBT. Peer support workers are people with a personal experience of mental health problems, trained to provide professional support to people who require mental health care.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess patient experiences; the feasibility, safety, and acceptability; and preliminary effectiveness on anxiety and depression, empowerment, and adherence to treatment in an 8-week peer-supported iCBT program for patients with anxiety disorders treated in primary care.

METHODS

This was a single-arm mixed methods feasibility study. Participants were patients referred to a central unit for iCBT in primary care. Quantitative data were collected pre-, post-, and 3 months postintervention. Qualitative data were collected through semistructured interviews.

RESULTS

A total of 9 participants completed the quantitative outcome assessment. Statistically significant improvements were observed in perceived empowerment at a 3-month follow-up, and significant decreases in anxiety, depression, and psychological distress at the end of the treatment were maintained at a 3-month follow-up. In total, 8 of the 9 patients showed improvement in the severity of their symptoms of anxiety. Adherence to treatment was good among the participants. No serious adverse events were reported. Eight participants were enrolled in the qualitative analysis. The qualitative results showed 3 main themes: (1) real contact in an online world, (2) empowering experiences, and (3) being behind the wheel. Qualitative results largely emphasized the personal relationship and supported the acceptability of adding peer support to iCBT.

CONCLUSIONS

Peer support in digital treatment seems to be a safe and acceptable intervention. The preliminary results suggest the effectiveness of peer support on patient empowerment, anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and adherence to treatment. The results indicate the need for future studies to evaluate the effect of adding peer support to iCBT in larger randomized controlled trials.
STATES AND APPLICATION POTENTIAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS IN NUTRITION OF POPULATION AND MILITARY PERSONNEL
Authors: Andriyanov A. I. , Kravchenko E. V. , Kuz’min S. G. , Lazarenko L. P. , Korosteleva O. G. , Smetanin A. L. , Dar’ina N. I. , Konovalova I. A.
Published: April 2020

At present time, the compliance of energy costs and the chemical composition of foods in the daily diet with physiological needs of the body gains a particular relevance. Particular attention is paid to the use of functional food products - special products intended for systematic use by all age groups of a healthy population. Functional nutrition compensates for the deficiency of essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), vitamins, macro- and microelements, etc., as well as protects the body from the effects of pesticides and herbicides, antibiotics, dyes and preservatives, widely used in conventional products, and is used to strengthen health and prevent diseases caused by deficiencies in traditional nutrition. Such diseases include: obesity, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atherosclerosis, mental depression and others. In some professional groups, for example, in military athletes, the use of functional foods has been practiced for a long time. Currently, a fairly wide range of this group of products has been developed and is being produced. When developing a functional product, environmentally friendly raw materials of animal and vegetable origin, biologically active additives that improve functional and consumer qualities should be used. The high content of amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and other necessary biologically active substances, as well as good organoleptic characteristics and high consumer properties justify the feasibility of including functional products in the diet of military personnel, whose professional activity is characterized by high physical activity, requiring maximum use of functional resources organism. At the same time, military personnel are capable of completing official tasks at the limit of their physical capabilities, while maintaining relatively constant biochemical constants of the internal environment of the body. The information presented in the paper will be useful to the logistics and medical service specialists of the Russian Army and Navy and will serve as the basis for further development of the direction for the use of functional products for feeding military personnel.
FOOD SAFETY ON HEAVY METALS OF VEGETATION SAMPLES FROM A ROUTE OF THE NORTHERN FLEET’S COMPLEXED EXPIDITION «NOVAYA ZEMLYA-2018»»
Authors: Andreev V. P. , Zakrevskiy Yu. N. , Martynova E. S. , Plakhotskaya Zh. V.
Published: April 2020

Introduction. In publications devoted to survival under conditions of autonomous existence, there is no information available on the contamination of natural food raw materials with heavy metals (HM). The prevalence of HM in the Arctic and the ability of some plants to their bioaccumulation necessitates studying the content of hazardous elements in samples of local flora.

Purpose of the work: assessment of the potential hazard, based on the content of HM, the consumption of objects of the Arctic flora that grow at military training places and places of probable disembarkation of crews of ships being in distress in areas of the northern seas of the Russian Federation.

Tasks: assessment of the content of HM in plants growing in the Arctic and comparison of the obtained data with the maximum permissible levels (MPE) established by current regulatory documents. Vegetation samples were collected on the territory of the Northern Island of Novaya Zemlya Archipelago, their species affiliation was determined and they were dried in the herbar press. The analysis was performed by means of atomic spectrometer MGA-915M. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using the software Statistica for Windows 7.0. It was found that the content of cadmium (Cd) in willow leaves exceeds manifold the maximum permissible concentration. In plants of other species, small excess of MPE by selected elements were found. The data obtained are discussed in the context of the exceptional ability of willow plants to accumulate HM, especially Cd. It is proposed to exclude arctic species of willow from the list of objects recommended for eating in conditions of autonomous existence. The other objects are not advisable to exclude. However, taking into account some excesses of MPC in a number of plants, the prevention of monophagy as well as the maximum possible diversity and alternation of plant species when used for food is strongly recommended for consummation of plants.
ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and Effectiveness of Fulfilling Human Rights Obligations of ASEAN Members States
Authors: Bangun Budi Hermawan
Published: April 2020

The inauguration of the ASEAN Declaration of Human Rights was inseparable from criticism from several parties, especially human rights organizations both within and outside ASEAN member states. This paper focuses on the function and mandate of the AICHR (ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights) and its influence on the effectiveness of the fulfillment of human rights obligations ASEAN member states. The results showed that within its mandate AICHR there is no balance between the functions of promotion and protection function because of the ambiguity of vision for an ASEAN Human Rights set the standard, which is between universal standards and particularist that maintains the principle of "Asian values" and "non-interference". These different points of view led to the implementation of human rights obligations fulfillment by member states of ASEAN to be very varied
The Effects of Wireless Mobile Phone Technology on Economic Growth in Nigeria
Authors: Dieli Onochie Jude , Kato Mika , Osho Gbolahan Solomon , Ojumu Oluwagbemiga
Published: April 2020

The market in the telecom industry is often segmented into three categories namely long distance, local and wireless services. In their survey, Green and Teece (1998) used this approach to study the telecom market segmentations of the United Kingdom, Australia, United States and New Zealand. In line with its policy of openness, transparency, fairness and participatory regulation, the commission informed stakeholders in September 2012 of its intent to conduct a study on the level of competition in the relevant markets of Nigeria’s Telecommunications Industry. It held meetings with a cross section of industry operators. This study shows that as the availability of mobile phone technology increases, the volume of import increases and more technology is transferred. Thus, the findings by Freund and Weinhold (2002, 2004) and Arrow (1969) are reconfirmed by the study’s empirical result. Therefore, technology helps to reduce distributional inequality of economic benefits. In fact, this does not necessarily imply reduction in inequality among rich and poor classes of these societies in the respective rich and poor states. The finding suggests that the availability of mobile phone technology increases state economic growth by different marginal weights. However, these marginal weights statistical significance across the states in both 90% and 95% confidence intervals could not be ascertained because the covariance has to be estimated using bootstrap. It is therefore left for future research.
Company fundamentals as determinants of firm-level equity premiums: Evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Imran Muhammad
Published: April 2020

Equity premium is a vital number to consider in finance when making fund allocations and investment decisions. This study explores the relationship between (controllable) determinants of firm-level equity premiums in the context of the Pakistan stock market. It uses a sample of 306 firms? annual data, from January 2001 to December 2015, using a two-stage least-squares method to estimate our panel data model (Jeffrey M. Wooldridge 2005; Manuel Arellano 2016). During the selected sample period, the average market premium of the Pakistan stock exchange (100 Index) was 20%. The average equity premium of individual firms was only 8%. Company fundamentals are considered determinants of firm-level equity premiums. Panel data econometrics techniques were used to estimate the modified version of the multi-factor model for the Pakistan Stock Exchange. It is found that the market premium, return on equity, dividend payout ratio, accounts receivable and firm size significantly and positively affect the firm-level equity premium. However, increase in the debt-to-equity and quick ratio negatively affect that premium. The company fundamental variables are controllable for the firms and can be improved by company management to encourage investors and maximize shareholder wealth.
A study of the main parameters of immunogenicity of Ultrix vaccine
Authors: Evdokimova Olga V. , Afanasiev Stanislav V. , Antonova Olga A. , Konopleva Valentina I. , Gorelov Ilya S. , Kruglova Alla P. , Biryukov Vladimir V.
Published: April 2020

Aim. Clinical trial of Ultrix vaccine of OOO FORT manufacture containing different serotypes of influenza virus: H1N1 A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) pdm 09, H3N2 A/HongKong/ 4801/2014, NYMCX-263B(15/184) and B/Brisbane/60/2008 NYMCBX-35 (15/300) Victo-rialineage strains (epidemiological season of 2016) and H1N1 A/Michigan/45/2015 NYMCX-275 (16/248), H3N2 A/HongKong/4801/2014, NYMCX-263B(15/184) иB/Brisbane/60/2008 NYMCBX-35 (15/300) Victorialineage strains (epidemiological season of 2017).
Materials and Methods. A study of the basic parameters of immunogenicity included determination of the geometric mean value of the antibody titer, of seroprotection and seroconversion and of relative number of individuals with 4-fold increase in the antibody titer after vaccination. Immunogenicity was determined by a micromethod in hemagglutination inhibition reaction. Sera were tested with diagnosticums obtained from serotypes of influenza virus identical to vaccinal strains.
Results. The level of seroprotection with Ultrix made 91.7-95.8% (2016) and 93.8-97.9% (2017). The maximal level of seroprotection was achieved in 6 months after vaccination with Ultrix containing H1N1A/California serotype. 2.55-4.36-Fold increase in the geometric mean value of anti-HA to all vaccinal strains was found in vaccination in 2016 and 2017, and 4-fold increase in antibody titer in more than 70% of volunteers on the 21st day after the first immunization in 2016.
Conclusion. The obtained results of clinical trials of Ultrix vaccine with different antigenic composition confirms the correspondence of the immunogenicity parameters of the drug to the requirements of the Committee for Proprietary Medical Products (CPMPEMEA, CPMP/ EWP/1045/01) and of State Pharmacopoeia of RF of XIII edition (SP SP XIII).
Experience of application of mechanochemical scleroobliteration in treatment for recurrence of lower extremity varicose vein disease
Authors: Gaibov Alidzhon D. , Ne’matzoda Okildzhon , Burieva Shakhnoza M. , Kalmykov Egan L.
Published: April 2020

Aim. Evaluation of the effectiveness of mechanochemical scleroobliteration in treatment for recurrent lower extremity varicose veins (VVD).
Materials and Methods. A retrospective analysis of the results of examination and treatment of 19 patients (17 women and 2 men, average age 36.34.5 years) with recurrences of VVD, in whom mechanochemical sclerotherapy as the main method of treatment was used. In all cases, mechanochemical ablation of the superficial venous trunks was performed using Phlebogriph catheter. As a hardener, 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate solution (fibro-vein) was used in the volume not more than 10 ml per procedure.
Results. According to the CEAP classification, 15 patients had C2 and 4 patients had C3 class. Recurrence of VVD in one lower extremity was diagnosed in 17 (89.5%) patients, and bilateral in 2 (10.5%). In 6 (31.6%) cases, recurrence occurred in 5 or more years after the first operation, in 8 (42.1%) patients after 3-5 years, in 5 (26.3%) after 1-3 years. The diameter of varicose veins before treatment according to color duplex scanning (CDR) was 7.90.8 mm. The duration of the detected saphenofemoral reflux (n=10) with the trunk of the great saphenous vein (GSV) left on the hip was 5.71.4 s, with the length 31.231.4 mm. With the preserved зtrunk of the GSV, crossectomy was performed in combination with mechanochemical scleroobliteration. Crossectomy was also performed in two patients with repeated dilation of the trunk of the small saphenous vein (SSV) followed by mechanochemical scleroobliteration. In two cases, insufficient shin perforants were ligated from mini-incisions, and in two more cases, foam scleroobliteration of them was performed. Within 3 weeks after the procedure, a good result was recorded in 94.7% of cases in the form of complete occlusion of sclerotized veins with the absence of reflux in them. Only in one observation incomplete occlusion of the sclerotized vein on the hip was noted, which required a repeated procedure. Long-term results were studied in 19 patients, in 94.7% of who complete obliteration of sclerotized veins and improvement of the clinical course of chronic venous disease were recorded.
Conclusion. Mechanochemical scleroobliteration has proven to be an effective method of treatment for lower extremity VVD being a minimally invasive procedure.
Puhetta koneista
Authors: Männistö-Funk Tiina
Published: April 2020

Koneellisesti tuotettu puhe on sekä teknisesti että sosiaalisesti erityinen teknologian ominaisuus. Tässä artikkelissa esitetään, että puhuvia koneita on syytä tarkastella omana sosioteknisenä kategorianaan, koska ihmismäiseen puheeseen liittyy koneen ja käyttäjän suhteen näkökulmasta monia erityisiä kysymyksiä. Elottomia esineitä on saatu puhumaan esihistoriallisista ajoista lähtien erilaisten äänensiirtotekniikoiden avulla, 1700-luvulta lähtien puhesynteesin avulla ja 1800-luvun lopulta lähtien myös äänitetyn puheen keinoin. 1900-luvun mittaan puhuvista koneista tuli osa modernia, teknistynyttä ääniympäristöä, ja erilaisia puhuvia robotteja esitellään yhä lupauksina tulevaisuuden älykkäistä koneista.Puhuvat koneet herättävät kuitenkin helposti ärsytyksen kaltaisia negatiivisia tunteita. Outoutta tai kauhua on pohdittu ongelmina robottien kohtaamisessa, mutta puheen rooli konekohtaamisissa on jäänyt vähälle huomiolle. Puhe toimijuuden muotona merkitsee ihmisen ja koneen suhteen asettumista neuvottelun alaiseksi erityisellä tavalla, jota kulttuurin- ja historiantutkimus voivat auttaa ymmärtämään.Talk of machines: Theoretical Perspectives to Speech TechnologiesMachinically produced speech is a special technological feature, both technically and socially. This article proposes treating talking machines as a sociotechnical category of their own, in order to pay due attention to the role of human-like speech in the relationship of machines and users. Inanimate objects have been given the power of speech from prehistoric times by diverse techniques of acoustic transmission. From the 18th century onwards they have been made to talk by means of mechanical speech synthesis and from the late 19th century on also by making use of voice recording technologies. During the 20th century, talking machines became a part of the modern, technological soundscape.Talking robots are still being showcased as promises of future machine intelligence. However, talking machines easily induce negative feelings, such as annoyance. The feelings of horror and uncanniness have often been brought up as problems in human-robot interaction, but the role of speech in these encounters has not attracted much attention. Speech as a form of agency negotiates the relationship of humans and machines in specific ways, which cultural studies and historical research can help to understand.
Puhekaverina botti
Authors: Laaksonen Salla-Maaria , Laitinen Kaisa , Koivula Minna , Sihvonen Tanja
Published: April 2020

Viestivät tekoälyt eli luonnollisella kielellä käytävään keskusteluun kykenevät algoritmit ovat yhä tyypillisempiä vuorovaikutuskumppaneita erilaisilla teknologisilla alustoilla. Yksi tyypillinen viestivän tekoälyn muoto on botti: automaattinen ohjelma, joka käyttää verkkopalvelun käyttäjätiliä tavallisen käyttäjän tavoin ja suorittaa yksinkertaisia toimintoja tai viestii. Tyypillisesti botit tavalla tai toisella pyrkivät näyttäytymään ihmiskäyttäjinä, tai ainakin niille ohjelmoidaan ja suunnitellaan ihmisenkaltaisia piirteitä.Artikkeli tarkastelee bottien roolia vuorovaikutuskumppaneina sisäisessä ja julkisessa mediatilassa kytkeytymällä tuoreeseen ihmis-koneviestinnän tutkimusalaan. Keskitymme kahteen empiiriseen tapaukseen: mediaorganisaation sisäisellä alustalla viestivään SlackBot-bottiin sekä Fazerin mainoskampanjan osana toimineeseen LoveBot Blue -bottiin, joka puuttui vihapuheeseen verkossa. Artikkelin johtopäätöksenä toteamme, että bottien inhimillistäminen on tärkeä osa niiden toimivuutta sosiaalisissa ja vuorovaikutuksellisissa tilanteissa. Boteille osoitetaan toimijuutta erityisesti niiden kanssa viestivien ihmistoimijoiden vuorovaikutuksen kautta. Tuloksemme todentavat ihmis-koneviestinnän kirjallisuudessa esitettyä tarvetta uudelleenmääritellä viestinnän, vuorovaikutuksen ja toimijuuden kysymyksiä viestivien tekoälyjen kontekstissa.Bot as a Chat Buddy – Communicative AI as an Anthropomorphized Interactive CompanionCommunicative artificial intelligence, or algorithms capable of communicating in natural language, are becoming increasingly typical inhabitants of technological platforms. One typical form of communicative AI is a bot: An automated program that manifests through a user account like a regular (human) user and performs simple functions or commands. Bots, in one way or another, tend to appear as human users, or at least they are programmed and designed to incorporate human features.This article explores the role of bots as interlocutors in organizational communication and on social media platforms, by building on the emerging literature of human-machine communication (HMC). We focus on two empirical cases: SlackBot, an interactive, programmable bot in operation on Slack within a media organization, and LoveBot Blue, part of Fazer’s ad campaign that was designed to battle hate speech online. In conclusion, we suggest that the anthropomorphization of bots is an important part of their functionality in social and interactive situations. Bots are endowed with agency particularly through the communication of the human actors who interact with them. Our results highlight the call presented in HMC literature that the emergence of new digital interlocutors generates a need to redefine the existing conceptualizations of communication, interaction, and agency in the context of communicative AIs.
Интерлейкины 4 и 10 как факторы дифференцировки субпопуляций моноцитов крови при ишемической кардиомиопатии
Authors: CHumakova S.P. , Pogonchenkova D.A. , Urazova O.I. , Vins M.V. , SHipulin V.M. , Priahin A.S. , Novickii V.V.
Published: April 2020

Цель исследования оценить соотношение фракций классических, промежуточных, неклассичес- ких и переходных моноцитов во взаимосвязи с концентрацией интерлейкинов (IL) 4 и 10 в крови у больных ишемической кардиомиопатией. Материал и методы. Обследованы 18 больных ишемической кардиомиопатией (17 мужчин и 1 женщина) в возрасте 4766 лет с недостаточностью кровообращения IIIII функционального класса по классификации сердечной недостаточности Нью-Йоркской ассоциации кардиологов. Группу контроля составили 14 практически здоровых доноров, сопоставимых по полу и возрасту с больными ишемической кардиомиопатией, не имеющих каких-либо заболеваний сердечно-сосудистой системы, а также других систем органов в стадии обострения. У больных ишемической кардиомиопатией в крови оценивали относительное содержание классических (CD14CD16), промежуточных (CD14CD16), неклассических (CD14CD16) и переходных (CD14CD16) моноцитов методом проточной цитометрии и концентрацию IL-4 и IL-10 методом иммуноферментного анализа. Результаты. Уровень неклассических моноцитов в крови у больных ишемической кардиомиопатией оказался существенно ниже нормы (5,05 4,08 6,58 и 10,07 9,34 13,84 соответственно, р0,008), как и концентрация IL-4 (0,02 0 0,04 пг/мл и 0,15 0,05 0,63 пг/мл соответственно, р0,039). Содержание IL-10 в крови было повышенным (30,05 24,75 33,50 пг/мл, р0,042) и негативно коррелировало с числом неклассических моноцитов (r0,65 p0,02). Количество классических моноцитов в крови у пациентов имело тенденцию к снижению, а доля промежуточных моноцитов, напротив, была несколько выше, чем у здоровых лиц. Относительное содержание переходных моноцитов в крови оказалось сопоставимым с показателями у здоровых доноров. Заключение. Субпопуляционный состав моноцитов крови у больных ишемической кардио- миопатией характеризуется дефицитом фракции неклассических моноцитов, обладающих протек- тивными свойствами в отношении эндотелия, и IL-4, при избытке IL-10 и некотором увеличении количества промежуточных клеток, обладающих способностью к кооперации с Т-лимфоцитами, что предрасполагает к распространенному атероматозу мелких коронарных артерий и диффузному гипоксическому поражению миокарда при ишемической кардиомиопатии.
Computational thinking skills self-efficacy perceptions in secondary education: A review of the effectiveness of the New Information Technology and Software Curriculum
Authors: IBILI Emin , GÜNBATAR Mustafa Serkan
Published: April 2020

This research looks into self-efficacy perceptions of
secondary school students' high-level thinking and information-processing
thinking skills, and the effect of different variables. Descriptive survey
model was employed.  The data was
collected from 232 students in four different secondary schools in the central
districts of Van province during 2018-2019 academic year. Data were collected
after the first implementation of the Information Technology and Software
course which was updated in 2018. The Self-Efficacy Perception Scale for
Computational Thinking Skill (CTSSP) developed by Gülbahar, Kert and Kalelioğlu
(2018) was used. The findings show that students usually have moderate
self-efficacy, and 40% have high self-efficacy, while only a few have low self-efficacy.
In terms of grade variable, the students differ both according to the total
score of the CTSSP and its sub-scales. While the total scale score in terms of
block-based programming tool usage time showed significant difference according
to algorithm design and basic programming, no difference was observed in terms
of gender variable.