bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances in the Classification of Bladder Cancer – Updates from the 5th Edition of the World Health Organization Classification of the Urinary and Male Genital Tumors
Authors: Guo Charles C. , Shen Steven S. , Czerniak Bogdan
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization Classification (WHO) of Urinary and Male Genital Tumors has recently been updated to its 5th edition. The new edition presents a comprehensive approach to the classification of urinary and male genital tumors with an incorporation of morphologic, clinical, and genomic data. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to update the new classification of bladder cancer in the 5th edition and to highlight important changes in nomenclatures, diagnostic criteria, and molecular characterization, as compared to the 4th edition. METHODS: The pathologic classification of bladder cancer in the 5th edition of WHO Classification of Urinary and Male Genital Tumours was compared to that in the 4th edition. PubMed was searched using key words, including bladder cancer, WHO 1973, WHO 1998, WHO 2004, WHO 2016, histology, pathology, genomics, and molecular classification in the time frame from 1973 to August of 2022. Other relevant papers were also consulted, resulting in the selection of 81 papers as references. RESULTS: The binary grading of papillary urothelial carcinoma (UC) is practical, but it may be oversimplified and contribute to “grade migration” in recent years. An arbitrary cutoff (5%) has been proposed for bladder cancers with mixed grades. The diagnosis of papillary urothelial neoplasm with low malignant potential has been dramatically reduced in recent years because of overlapping morphology and treatment with low-grade papillary UC. An inverted growth pattern should be distinguished from true (or destructive) stromal invasion in papillary UC. Several methods have been proposed for pT1 tumor substaging, but it is often challenging to substage pT1 tumors in small biopsy specimens. Bladder UC shows a high tendency for divergent differentiation, leading to several distinct histologic subtypes associated with an aggressive clinical behavior. Molecular classification based on the genomic analysis may be a useful tool in the stratification of patients for optimal treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The 5th edition of WHO Classification of Urinary and Male Genital Tumours has made several significant changes in the classification of bladder cancer. It is important to be aware of these changes and to incorporate them into routine clinical practice.
FAIR4PGHD: A framework for FAIR implementation over PGHD
Authors: Kawu Abdullahi Abubakar , O’Sullivan Dympna , Hederman Lucy , Van Reisen Mirjam
Published: February 2023

Patient Generated Health Data (PGHD) are being considered for integration with health facilities, however little is known about how such data can be made machine-actionable in a way that meets FAIR guidelines. This article proposes a 5-stage framework that can be used to achieve this.
Data Stewardship Wizard
Authors: Hooft Rob , Suchánek Marek , Pergl Robert
Published: February 2023

Data Stewardship Wizard is a tool that facilitates the process of Data Management Planning / Data Stewardship Planning with a focus on the benefit to the research at hand.
Second player’s cannot-lose strategy for Cylinder-Infinite-Connect-Four with circumference 11
Authors: Yamaguchi Yoshiaki
Published: February 2023

Cylinder-Infinite-Connect-Four is Connect-Four played on a cylindrical square grid board with infinite row heights and columns that cycle about its width. In previous work, the first player’s cannot-lose strategies were discovered for all circumferences, and the second player’s cannot-lose strategies were discovered for all circumferences except for 6 and 11. In this paper, we show the second player’s cannot-lose strategy for circumference 11.
Uncovering the Oxidative Stress Mechanisms and Targets in Alzheimer’s Disease by Integrating Phenotypic Screening Data and Polypharmacology Networks
Authors: Zhou Moran , Jiao Qian , Wu Zengrui , Li Weihua , Liu Guixia , Wang Rui , Tang Yun
Published: February 2023

Background: The oxidative stress hypothesis is challenging the dominant position of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the field of understanding the mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a complicated and untreatable neurodegenerative disease. Objective: The goal of the present study was to uncover the oxidative stress mechanisms causing AD, as well as the potential therapeutic targets and neuroprotective drugs against oxidative stress mechanisms. Methods: In this study, a systematic workflow combining pharmacological experiments and computational prediction was proposed. 222 drugs and natural products were collected first and then tested on SH-SY5Y cells to obtain phenotypic screening data on neuroprotection. The preliminary screening data were integrated with drug-target interactions (DTIs) and multi-scale biomedical data, which were analyzed with statistical tests and gene set enrichment analysis. A polypharmacology network was further constructed for investigation. Results: 340 DTIs were matched in multiple databases, and 222 cell viability ratios were calculated for experimental compounds. We identified significant potential therapeutic targets based on oxidative stress mechanisms for AD, including NR3C1, SHBG, ESR1, PGR, and AVPR1A, which might be closely related to neuroprotective effects and pathogenesis. 50% of the top 14 enriched pathways were found to correlate with AD, such as arachidonic acid metabolism and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. Several approved drugs in this research were also found to exert neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress mechanisms, including beclometasone, methylprednisolone, and conivaptan. Conclusion: Our results indicated that NR3C1, SHBG, ESR1, PGR, and AVPR1A were promising therapeutic targets and several drugs may be repurposed from the perspective of oxidative stress and AD.
Effect of Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors on Processing Speed and Executive Function in Three Racialized Groups
Authors: Bouges Shenikqua , Fischer Barbara L. , Norton Derek L. , Wyman Mary F. , Lambrou Nickolas , Zuelsdorff Megan , Van Hulle Carol A. , Ennis Gilda E. , James Taryn T. , Johnson Adrienne L. , Chin Nathaniel A. , Carlsson Cynthia M. , Gleason Carey E.
Published: February 2023

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Understanding the association of MetS risk factors to processing speed and executive function in the pre-clinical stages of ADRD in under-represented groups would offer insight on potential mechanisms through which MetS associates with ADRD risk. Objective: Examine association of MetS features and processing speed and executive function across three racial groups. Methods: Cognitively unimpaired adults from the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention completed blood-draws and neuropsychological testing. Six cognitive outcomes were assessed in association to MetS risk factors: Trailmaking Tests A and B, Animal Fluency, Digit Symbol, and composite scores for Processing Speed and Executive Function. Linear mixed effect models were used to assess the relationship between MetS risk factor count and longitudinal cognitive performance across three racialized groups. Results: Participant sample sizes varied by outcome analyzed (N = 714–1,088). African American and Native American groups exhibited higher rates of MetS than non-Hispanic Whites. MetS was associated with processing speed and executive function across all racialized groups. Three-way interaction by racialized group was limited to one cognitive outcome: Trailmaking Test A. Conclusion: Metabolic dysfunction incrementally affects cognitive trajectory, with generally similar associations across racial groups. Since racialized groups exhibit higher levels of both MetS and ADRD, MetS may represent a driving factor for increased ADRD risk experience by racialized group and an important and modifiable target through which to reduce risk of ADRD.
PSA-NCAM Regulatory Gene Expression Changes in the Alzheimer’s Disease Entorhinal Cortex Revealed with Multiplexed in situ Hybridization
Authors: Highet Blake , Wiseman James A. , Mein Hannah , Parker Remai , Ryan Brigid , Turner Clinton P. , Jing Yu , Singh-Bains Malvindar K. , Liu Ping , Dragunow Mike , Faull Richard L.M. , Murray Helen C. , Curtis Maurice A.
Published: February 2023

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by a substantial reduction of neuroplasticity. Our previous work demonstrated that neurons involved in memory function may lose plasticity because of decreased protein levels of polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) in the entorhinal cortex (EC) of the human AD brain, but the cause of this decrease is unclear. Objective: To investigate genes involved in PSA-NCAM regulation which may underlie its decrease in the AD EC. Methods: We subjected neurologically normal and AD human EC sections to multiplexed fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to investigate genes involved in PSA-NCAM regulation. Gene expression changes were sought to be validated in both human tissue and a mouse model of AD. Results: In the AD EC, a cell population expressing a high level of CALB2 mRNA and a cell population expressing a high level of PST mRNA were both decreased. CALB2 mRNA and protein were not decreased globally, indicating that the decrease in CALB2 was specific to a sub-population of cells. A significant decrease in PST mRNA expression was observed with single-plex in situ hybridization in middle temporal gyrus tissue microarray cores from AD patients, which negatively correlated with tau pathology, hinting at global loss in PST expression across the AD brain. No significant differences in PSA-NCAM or PST protein expression were observed in the MAPT P301S mouse brain at 9 months of age. Conclusion: We conclude that PSA-NCAM dysregulation may cause subsequent loss of structural plasticity in AD, and this may result from a loss of PST mRNA expression. Due PSTs involvement in structural plasticity, intervention for AD may be possible by targeting this disrupted plasticity pathway.
Study on unbalanced magnetic pull of permanent magnet toroidal motor with planet rotor eccentricity
Authors: Liu Xin , Zhang Yuting , Wang Xiaoyuan
Published: February 2023

Permanent magnet toroidal motor (PMTM) is a novel spatial motor that integrates toroidal drive system and permanent magnet synchronous motor. The unbalanced magnetic pull (UMP) with planet rotor eccentricity is the main cause of vibration in PMTM. In this paper, the analytical model of magnetic field with planet rotor eccentricity is established with the consideration of magnetic flux leakage. The calculation results of eccentric magnetic fields are compared with simulation results of finite element model. Based on the Maxwell tensor method, the analytical model of UMP with planet rotor eccentricity is established. The changes of UMP with initial eccentricity are obtained. The UMP is analyzed with the effects of eccentric distance and angle. The transient variations of UMP are discussed with different eccentric situations respectively. In addition, both simulation and calculation results for UMP have a good agreement, which verifies the validity of analytical model.
RETRACTED: CB-GRU-an encrypted net traffic flow classification in SDN using optimizing hyper parameters of neural network
Authors: Ganapathy Revathy , Rajendran Velayutham
Published: February 2023

This article has been retracted. A retraction notice can be found at https://doi.org/10.3233/JIFS-219433.
RETRACTED: Identification and control of Maglev system using fractional and integer order PID controller
Authors: Sahoo Amit Kumar , Mishra Sudhansu Kumar , Acharya Deep Shekhar , Sahu Sitanshu Sekhar , Paul Sanchita , Gupta Vikash Kumar
Published: February 2023

This article has been retracted. A retraction notice can be found at https://doi.org/10.3233/JIFS-219433.
An ensemble fraud detection approach for online loans based on application usage patterns
Authors: Xu Meiling , Fu Yongqiang , Tian Boping
Published: February 2023

The fraud problem has drastically increased with the rapid growth of online lending. Since loan applications, approvals and disbursements are operated online, deceptive borrowers are prone to conceal or falsify information to maliciously obtain loans, while lenders have difficulty in identifying fraud without direct contacts and lack binding force on customers’ loan performance, which results in the frequent occurrence of fraud events. Therefore, it is significant for financial institutions to apply valuable data and competitive technologies for fraud detection to reduce financial losses from loan scams. This paper combines the advantages of statistical methods and ensemble learning algorithms to design the grouped trees and weighted ensemble algorithm (GTWE), and establishes fraud prediction models for online loans based on mobile application usage behaviors(App behaviors) by logistic regression, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), long short-term memory (LSTM) and the GTWE algorithm, respectively. The experimental results show that the fraud prediction model based on the GTWE algorithm achieves outstanding classification effect and stability with satisfactory interpretability. Meanwhile, the fraud probability of customers detected by the fraud prediction model is as high as 84.19%, which indicates that App behaviors have a considerable impact on predicting fraud in online loan application.
Properties of interval-valued quadripartitioned neutrosophic graphs with real-life application
Authors: Shi Xiaolong , Kosari Saeed , Rashmanlou Hossein , Broumi Said , Satham Hussain S.
Published: February 2023

The interval-valued quadripartitioned neutrosophic set is represented by the partition of the interval-valued neutrosophic set’s indeterminacy function into contradiction and ignorance parts. This article introduces the properties of interval quadripartitioned single valued neutrosophic graph. The properties like complementary, self-complementary, strong and complete interval-valued quadripartitioned neutrosophic graphs are investigated. The finest illustration of locating a climate conducive to apricot cultivation in Ladakh is provided by the notion that has been offered. The model gives us details on the location that should be chosen for apricot farming. Using the proposed concepts, we highlight potential applications of the usual apricot plant that thrives in extremely cold climates and is appropriate for higher production. The adopted approach makes a superior fit to consider the problems in application viewpoint.
Optimal type-3 fuzzy control and analysis of complicated financial systems
Authors: Xu Aoqi , Tian Man-Wen , Kausar Nasreen , Mohammadzadeh Ardashir , Pamucar Dragan , Ozbilge Ebru
Published: February 2023

The financial systems have complicated dynamics and are perturbed by various uncertainties and disturbances. Chaos theory provides a practical approach to analyzing financial systems. The chaotic systems have unpredictable random characteristics that help to analyze the financial systems better. Recently, type-3 (T3) fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) have been developed for high-uncertain systems. T3-FLSs provide a reliable tool to cope with high-noisy environments. In T3-FLSs, the upper/lower bounds of uncertainties are fuzzy values. This property results in a strong tool to model more levels of uncertainties. Control, modeling, and forecasting accuracy in financial systems are so important. Then, better systems with higher accuracy are required. In this paper, a new T3-FLS based controller is introduced for chaotic financial systems. By solving a Riccati equation, sufficient conditions are concluded for optimality and robustness. T3-FLSs are learned to minimize the error and stabilize the whole system. A new optimal learning rules are extracted for T3-FLSs. Various benchmark chaotic model of financial systems are considered for examining the efficacy of the introduced approach, and the excellent response and superiority of the suggested approach is verified. Also, a comparison with other methods demonstrates the better efficiency of the suggested scheme.
Remote-sensing image data fusion processing technology based on multi-level fuzzy judgment
Authors: Li Runya , Pang Ling
Published: February 2023

Remote sensing image technology is of great significance for dynamic management and monitoring of ground buildings. In order to improve the data fusion ability of remote sensing image of ground buildings, a data fusion method of remote sensing image of ground buildings based on multi-level fuzzy evaluation is proposed. This method constructs a remote sensing image acquisition model of ground buildings, and uses image enhancement methods to realize the gray information analysis and image enhancement of the remote sensing image rate of ground buildings. Finally, combining the remote sensing image data fusion method and the fuzzy region reconstruction method, it reconstructs the pixels of the dynamically changed ground buildings. The simulation results show that the remote sensing image data fusion accuracy of ground buildings is good, and the remote sensing feature extraction accuracy of ground buildings is high. The dynamic real-time monitoring of remote sensing image of ground buildings is realized.
Research on knowledge representation and modeling of health management based on fuzzy ontology
Authors: Jianfeng Li , Xin Chen , Hua Guo , Guiling Sun , Yuhua Xu , Naizhen Zhang
Published: February 2023

The long-term maintenance of good condition for equipment is the basis of carrying out combat missions under the high technology and fast pace of modern war. However, the knowledge in the health management field at present has the characteristics of distribution, multi-source, heterogeneity and uncertainty, which seriously affects the efficiency of knowledge sharing and reuse. In order to improve the utilization of health management knowledge, an ontology-based knowledge representation method is proposed to describe knowledge in a unified and standardized way, and the classical ontology is extended to express the uncertain knowledge in the field of health management. In addition, to improve the maintenance and knowledge updating efficiency, a global ontology model and a hierarchy, time and activity (HTA) ontology model are constructed. This paper takes the guidance subsystem of a missile as an example to illustrate the process of knowledge modeling. The results show this method realizes knowledge sharing in the health management field and can provide decision support for health management of equipment.
miR-101a-3p Impairs Synaptic Plasticity and Contributes to Synucleinopathy
Authors: Xylaki Mary , Paiva Isabel , Al-Azzani Mohammed , Gerhardt Ellen , Jain Gaurav , Islam Md Rezaul , Vasili Eftychia , Wassouf Zinah , Schulze-Hentrich Julia M. , Fischer André , Outeiro Tiago Fleming
Published: February 2023

Background:

Synucleinopathies are disorders characterized by the abnormal accumulation of α-synuclein (aSyn). Synaptic compromise is observed in synucleinopathies parallel to aSyn aggregation and is accompanied by transcript deregulation.

Objective:

We sought to identify microRNAs associated with synaptic processes that may contribute to synaptic dysfunction and degeneration in synucleinopathies.

Methods:

We performed small RNA-sequencing of midbrain from 6-month-old transgenic mice expressing A30P mutant aSyn, followed by comparative expression analysis. We then used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for validation. Functional analysis was performed in primary neurons by biochemical assays and imaging.

Results:

We found several deregulated biological processes linked to the synapse. miR-101a-3p was validated as a synaptic miRNA upregulated in aSyn Tg mice and in the cortex of dementia with Lewy bodies patients. Mice and primary cultured neurons overexpressing miR-101a-3p showed downregulation of postsynaptic proteins GABA Ab2 and SAPAP3 and altered dendritic morphology resembling synaptic plasticity impairments and/or synaptic damage. Interestingly, primary cultured neuron exposure to recombinant wild-type aSyn species efficiently increased miR-101a-3p levels. Finally, a dynamic role of miR-101a-3p in synapse plasticity was shown by identifying downregulation of miR-101a-3p in a condition of enhanced synaptic plasticity modelled in Wt animals housed in enriched environment.

Conclusion:

To conclude, we correlated pathologic aSyn with high levels of miR-101a-3p and a novel dynamic role of the miRNA in synaptic plasticity.
Differences in Americans with Disabilities Act Title I discrimination allegations filed by people with learning disabilities and other disabilities
Authors: Leslie Mykal , Umucu Emre , Rumrill Phillip D. , McMahon Brian , Cormier Aundrea Gee
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND: Workers with learning disabilities (LD) report many barriers to employment, including discrimination on the part of employers. OBJECTIVE: To compare the workplace discrimination experiences of workers with LD to those of people with other disabilities. METHOD: The comparison of the two groups, people with LD and people with other disabilities, concerned three factors: Characteristics of Charging Parties, prominent issues involving the nature of the discrimination allegation, and the outcomes of EEOC investigations at the time of case closure. An ex post facto, causal-comparative quantitative design was used to examine allegations closed following the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAA). RESULTS: Results revealed statistically significant differences in characteristics of the Charging Parties in the two groups. The LD group was significantly younger, more Caucasian, and more male than general population disabilities (GENDIS). The LD group was less African American, Latina/o, or Asian than GENDIS. Regarding the nature of allegations, the substance of allegations made by the LD group was more likely to involve matters of disability harassment, discipline, hiring, constructive discharge, training, and promotion. The LD group was less likely to file allegations involving reasonable accommodation, assignment, and layoff. CONCLUSION: Workers with learning disabilities experience high rates of employment discrimination, and the types of discrimination they experience are different than those experienced by people with other disabilities.
Occupational exposure of vehicular emissions and cardiorespiratory risk among urban metropolitan bus drivers: A cross-sectional comparative study
Authors: Pagdhune Avinash , Kashyap Rekha , SivaPerumal P. , Balachandar Rakesh , Viramgami Ankit , Sarkar Kamalesh
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND: Vehicular emissions on long-term exposure predispose metropolitan bus drivers to cardiorespiratory ailments. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cardiorespiratory risk of urban metropolitan bus drivers related to vehicular emission exposure. METHODS: Bus drivers (with service >5 years, n = 254) and their administrative controls (primarily engaged in indoor white collared jobs, n = 73) were recruited. Demographic, occupational and clinical details were collected through pre-validated standardized format. Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) and lipid profile were carried out with standard protocol. Risk for cardiovascular events for preceding 10-years was estimated with WHO/ISH risk prediction chart and QRISK3 score. Exposure assessments for particulate matter (PM) were performed for both groups while duty hours. RESULTS: Exposure of drivers to PM2.5 six times and PM10 five times higher in comparison to administration staff (PM2.5- 970.9 v/s 145.0μg/m3 TWA and PM10- 1111.7 v/s 233.8μg/m3 TWA). Bus drivers exhibited significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms (dyspnea-25% v/s 6.8% and cough-20.1% v/s 9.8%) and compromised PFT (obstructive–21% v/s 5.7% and restrictive–4.2% v/s 2.9%) in comparison to controls. Multivariate regression statistics reveal a significant decline for FEV1/FVC and FEV25–75 % among bus drivers compared to controls, controlling the influence of physiological and environmental factors. The difference between predicted cardiac age and their respective chronological age was twice higher (8.3 v/s 4.3 years) among drivers compared to their administration staff. CONCLUSION: Bus drivers were exposed to high levels of outdoor air pollutants. Further, the drivers exhibited higher risk for ischemic attack and obstructive airway diseases as compared to administration staff.
Appearance between professionalism and work-related stress among marketing employees
Authors: Sollerhed Ann-Christin , Bringsén Åsa
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND: Appearance and body language are key components of non-verbal communication and play an important role in the service and marketing sector. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to explore experiences and perceptions of appearance issues related to work among employees in the marketing sector in Sweden. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 15 marketing and communication employees (five males, ten females), at multinational companies and a university. Thematic analyses were conducted, and content was organised in two themes with sub-themes: 1. Appearance from a resource perspective (Appearance benefits; Physical activity resources; Age benefits). 2. Appearance from a demand perspective (Adaptation to gender roles; Investment in appearance; Adaptation to situation and culture). RESULTS: The findings showed that appearance was perceived as a resource for professionalism, work engagement and career in various ways. Appearance-related issues were not considered on organisational work level, but employees perceived unspoken demands to look good and appropriate to represent the company brand. The employees spent a considerable amount of time, money, and effort on appearance. CONCLUSION: Appearance creates dualistic questions and points out several dilemmas that the individual struggle to solve, which creates stress in work. The character of unspoken demands on appearance and absent communication on organisational level make the stress-coping strategies complicated and the stress coping is mostly left for the individual to handle. A gender difference shows that compared to men, women more often experience negative stress generated by appearance-related issues in work. Education and actions at the managerial level of companies are needed.
Análisis confirmatorio y valores normativos del cuestionario infantil de emociones positivas (CIEP)
Authors: Oros Laura Beatriz , Ventura León José Luis , Chemisquy Sonia , Meier Lisie Karen , Hendrie Kupczyszyn Karina , Olivera Fernando
Published: February 2023

El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la validez basada en la estructura interna del Cuestionario Infantil de Emociones Positivas (CIEP), y elaborar un baremo para la interpretación de sus puntuaciones en niños y niñas argentinos de 8 a 12 años. Participaron 1384 niñas, 1376 varones y 1 menor que no identificó su sexo (M = 10.14; DE = 1.30). Todos asistían a escuelas primarias de gestión pública o privada, de zonas urbanas y suburbanas de Argentina. El Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio mostró que el modelo de cinco factores: alegría, gratitud, simpatía, serenidad y satisfacción personal, ajusta aceptablemente a los datos. Los análisis de varianza revelaron diferencias en la experiencia emocional positiva entre niñas y varones, siendo las primeras quienes muestran una mayor tendencia a ser agradecidas y simpáticas. A partir de estos resultados se calcularon las medias, las desviaciones típicas y los valores percentilares del CIEP para cada sexo, según correspondió
Características psicométricas del ECR-R (Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised) en población ecuatoriana
Authors: Díaz Mosquera Elena , Latorre Vaca Grace , Merlyn Sacoto Marie-France , Moreta Herrera Rodrigo , Nóblega Magaly
Published: February 2023

El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar las características psicométricas de la escala Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) en jóvenes adultos ecuatorianos. Los participantes fueron 641 estudiantes universitarios de 20 a 25 años, provenientes de dos instituciones de educación superior de Quito, a quienes se les aplicó la prueba. Mediante la técnica de Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio se verificó que los resultados encontrados se ajustaban al modelo peruano del ECR-R. Por tanto, la versión ecuatoriana quedó conformada por los 27 ítems de la versión peruana, los cuales corresponden a las dos dimensiones originales de la escala: Ansiedad y Evitación, esta última constituida por dos factores, uno de ítems directos y otro de ítems inversos. Se encontró una confiabilidad adecuada de los factores de Ansiedad (α = .91; ω = .91), Evitación inversa (α = .90; ω = .89) y Evitación directa (α = .72; ω = .83).
Role of Architecture in Promoting Tourism for Economic Development in Nigeria
Authors: Kolo Salome , Abdullahi Shamsudeen , Lembi Jonam Jacob
Published: February 2023

Tourism involves visits to destinations of choice for recreation, medical, or business purposes. This industry, which is considered as one with a fast growth rate, could generate a huge amount of revenue and employment if it is properly planned and managed. Future development plans for tourism in line with architectural heritage would bring more insights and create interest for present as well as future generations. Nigeria is blessed with treasures of architecture that can people to travel to the cities for tourism. As such, the need arises for architecture to step in and respond to the diverse needs of tourists, be them cultural, medical, or landscape needs. Hence, this research explores the role of architecture in promoting tourism that furthers economic development through the built environment in Nigeria. It is based on a qualitative research method. Data was primarily obtained through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Relevant literature was also studied in a bid to elucidate useful information on the subject matter. The findings showed the indelible mark of architecture on tourism growth and development. Although, the availability of tourism infrastructure and the attractiveness of these attractions remain inadequate and below average. The current research, therefore, concludes that modern tourism is closely linked to architectural development which could turn tourism in Nigeria into a key driver of socioeconomic development and growth, if considered.
Proposing an integrated decision-making model to enhance the employee-oriented built environment in urban green buildings - A Review
Authors: Abeyrathna Wasudha , John Gayanthi Krishani Perera , Jayasinghe Rohantha , Ariyarathna R.I.S. , Hendawitharana Manuja Promodya , Halwaturaa Rangika U. , Kaklauskas Arturas , Arooz F. Rizna , Perera A. Shehan
Published: February 2023

Integrating building technology systems into urban green buildings is an emerging building movement in developed countries to create a paradigm of a human-oriented built environment inside the workspaces. This paper thrives on aiming at the conversion of green buildings to smart-green facilities initiated to develop an employee-oriented built environment in urban office green buildings using decision-making models. The study identifies the factors affecting employee satisfaction as building-related factors, non-building-related factors, Multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and Structural equation model (SEM) through a comprehensive literature review. Extensive bibliographic research has been driven for 21 years to understand the relationship between decision-making models and employee satisfaction in green office buildings. This paper provides an overall ideology of the impact of green office buildings and the conversion to buildings focusing on employee satisfaction. The study concludes by introducing an integrated MCDA and SEM method to create a lesser complex hybrid decision-making model to create an improved employee-friendly built environment.
Morphological characterization of Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) ecotypes collected in Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: GALVEZ MARROQUIN LUIS ANTONIO , MALDONADO MENDEZ JOSE DE JESUS , GUERRA MEDINA CANDIDO ENRIQUE , Avendaño Arrazate Carlos Hugo , ARIZA FLORES RAFAEL
Published: February 2023

Objective: To characterize the morphology of 18 ecotypes of Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) in Chiapas. Design/Methodology/Approach: The morphological characterization was carried out with 34 quantitative and qualitative descriptors. A principal component analysis and a hierarchical cluster analysis were performed based on the average data. Results: In the principal component analysis, five of the principal components accounted for 70.7% of the total variability in the 18 ecotypes of Elephant grass. The variables that made the most significant contributions in each CP were: in CP1, internode diameter (p<0.01), internode length (p<0.05), color of internode without wax (p<0.01), number of innovations (p<0.01 ), prophylls (p<0.01), number of prophylls (p<0.01), external length of the sheath (p<0.01), internal length of the sheath at its opening point (p<0.01), opening of the auricle (p<0.01 ); for CP2, the number of visible internodes (p<0.05), channel width (p<0.05), size of innovations (p<0.05), adventitious root, number of internodes (p<0.01), wax under the sheath (p<0.05); and for CP3, number of visible internodes (p<0.05), color of the internode with wax (p<0.001), channel depth (p<0.001), ligule shape (p<0.05) and leaflet tip (p< 0.05). As a result of the hierarchical cluster analysis and the semipartial correlation coefficient, five morphologically distinct groups were determined.
Study Limitations: A more accurate description of the morphological diversity of the grasses requires the characterization of the inflorescence and the spikelet.
Findings/Conclusions: The 18 ecotypes of the Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) collected and characterized were dissimilar with each other; consequently, they are considered a genetic resource with potential importance as forage on the Chiapas coast.
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS AND USE OF CAMPUS GREEN SPACES AT GOMBE STATE UNIVERSITY, GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Wunubo Bala , Adamu Jafun , Audu Mohammed Usman , Idah Yina Paul
Published: February 2023

Green spaces are essential areas in the university campuses. Attractive green space areas are considered as features which contribute positively not only to the student experience but the image of the university. The study generated data from undergraduate students at Gombe State University, it reveals understandings about students’ perceptions and use of campus green spaces (CGS). The quantitative data collected via the questionnaires were digitalized and analyzed using MS Excel statistic package. Descriptive statistics, including measures of percentage and frequency to analyze the associations between perceptions and use of CGS and students’ well-being on campus. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data generated.  The study results indicate that majority of respondents (94%) both use and aware of campus green spaces, and CGS are important for the image of the university and also an integral component of the campus environment. The campus aesthetic quality and its design and management style have impact on the perception and use of its green spaces.  The students (73%) preferred areas with manicured gardens, seats, and lawns over those areas without these facilities. The study recommends that a university campus needs manifold forms of green spaces to satisfy the needs of increasing number of student users
TRANSPORT SERVICE SYSTEM DESIGN USING MODIFIED APRIORI ALGORITHM
Authors: Otu Godwin A. , Achimugu Philip , Owolabi Adeyemi , Raphael Ugbe U. , Abdullahi Monday J. , Shukurah Oyebanji Modupeola , Blamah Nachamada Vachaku , Usman Sakinate L.
Published: February 2023

This research is carried-out to evaluate the effectiveness of data mining in determining viability of routes, efficient scheduling and assigning of vehicles to commuters. The study was guided by the following objectives: modification of Apriori algorithm, implementation using C programming language, analyses and deductions from the results to determine if a given route is feasible. Data Mining (association rule) technique has been used to identify geographical locations where accidents have occurred and their characteristics, in road management to develop effective accident preventive measures, to determine estimated travel time and in market basket analysis applied in grocery stores. Data was collected from three transport companies for each route. The data was inputted into the program implemented using modified Apriori algorithm. The study findings revealed the volume of commuters per route and how vehicles can be assigned and scheduled. Using the above findings, effective transport service system is designed using routes viability
NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS OF COVID-19 SIRD MODEL IN NIGERIA
Authors: Akogwu Blessing O. , Fatoba J. O.
Published: February 2023

A mathematical model of the Susceptible, Infectious, Recovery and Death (SIRD) for the spread of the COVID-19 disease in Nigeria was considered in this paper. The model values and parameters were obtained from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Coronavirus COVID-19. The model was solved using Heun's method and Runge-Kutta's method of orders four and five to obtain an approximated solution for the model with the help of the Matlab Program.  The result obtained was illustrated in plots to show the progression of the disease in the various classes. The comparisons of the three numerical methods used correspond well with each other by showing the same behavior pattern
SEASONAL VARIATION IN THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF DABERAM RESERVOIR DUTSI, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Sadauki M. A. , Ochokwu Jane , Hadiza Y. B.
Published: February 2023

The knowledge of the physicochemical values of Dan buran reservoir is optimal for proper functioning and growth of the aquatic organisms, for the health of the individual that directly consume the water, and also beneficial towards the sustainability of the aquatic animals. The study ascertained the dissolve oxygen, pH, temperature, hardiness, phosphate, turbidity, alkalinity and ammonia levels of Dan buran Reservoir in Dutsi Local Government Area of Katsina State. The water samples were collected from three different sites in an air tight container from January to December 2021, and were transported to the Biological Science Department at Federal University Dutsin-Ma for evaluation. The line graph were used to present the results, while regression was further used to compare the relationship among the parameters. The results uncovered that the physicochemical parameters significantly differed from each site and season. The lowest temperature was recorded in the months of December (21.5), January (19.1), February (20.4), while the highest temperature was in the month of June (30.3). Meanwhile, turbidity was highest in the month of May and June (18.0 to 18.6) and the lowest value were obtained in the month of September and October (4.1 to 5.0). Meanwhile, in the aspect of dissolved oxygen, the month of August had the lowest value (6.2), followed by February, March, April and July which had the highest level of dissolved oxygen (7.6). There were regression relationship between temperature and other physicochemical parameters in this study
DETERMINATION OF GREYWATER REUSE POTENTIAL IN DAMATURU YOBE STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Shettima Lawan Muhammad , Bukar Mohammed , Gide Suleiman
Published: February 2023

Greywater reuse is an untapped available water resource for many rural areas in developing countries. Meanwhile, it is one of the alternative ways to overcome water scarcity in many parts of the world. This study was carried out to investigate the potential of Greywater reuse as a means to overcome the problem of water scarcity and environmental pollution among restaurants and hotel owners within Damaturu metropolis in Yobe State of Nigeria. A field survey was conducted from 25 restaurants/hotels operating within Damaturu and Greywater samples were collected for reclamation using rice husk as a filter. The results of the survey indicated that the majority of the respondents expressed the problem of water scarcity and about 99% mentioned that they rely on buying multiple water trucks for their daily needs. The survey further revealed that 76% of the respondents fully agreed with greywater reuse, while 12% disagreed, and the rest of the respondents (10%) remain undecided. Physical parameters including; Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), pH, and Turbidity as well as general coliforms were determined before and after treatment with normal and chemically modified rice husk. However, an insignificant treatment efficiency was observed in the laboratory scale experiment with the normal rice husk which indicates the requirement for further modification. However, modification of the rice husk filter with an acidic reagent was confirmed to increase pH and electrical conductivity of the filter media, and determination of the retention time is always important in developing a greywater system
AN ADAPTIVE LOCAL LINEAR REGRESSION METHOD FOR MOBILE SIGNAL STRENGTH WITH APPLICATION TO RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY
Authors: AKHIDENO Itua O. , Eguasa O.
Published: February 2023

The received signal strength is vital in telecommunication network or technology as it is affected by varying environmental factors such as temperature (T0C), relative humidity (H%), air quality index (m) and distance from base station (m). In this paper, we seek to find a regression model via a circumscribed central composite design that can adequately represent the functional relationship between the received signal strength and the respective factors applied to response surface methodology with the goal to obtain settings of these factors that would simultaneously optimize the received signal strength (Long Term Evolution (LTE), Third Generation network (3G) and second Generation network (2G)) technologies. The frequently utilized regression model is the parametric regression model (second-order model), though superior but lack credibility in terms of model misspecification and as a result, the optimum setting of the factors are miscalculated. In addressing the pitfall of the parametric regression model (PRM), we introduce a flexible adaptive local linear regression model that can capture local trend in the data, which ordinarily a misspecified PRM could not address. In the application, two regression models were used and the results show that the adaptive local linear regression model outperformed the parametric counterpart in terms of goodness-of-fit statistics, residual plot and optimization of the received signal strength.
TIME-TO-OPTIMAL CONTROL OF HYPERTENSION USING KAPLAN-MEIER ESTIMATOR, COX PROPORTIONAL HAZARD AND WEIBULL MODEL
Authors: Usman Umar , Arkilla Bello Magaji , Ismail Abduljalil Alfa , Dauda Usman
Published: February 2023

Hypertension is a worldwide public health challenge. The study investigated the time it takes to attain an optimal control of hypertension and the major factors that influence the control in Specialist Hospital, Sokoto.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 300 patient records. The population consisted all hypertensive patients on follow-ups at Specialist Hospital Sokoto from1st February, 2015 to 1st February, 2021.Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20 and R software were used for descriptive, Kaplan-Meier estimator, Cox Proportional Regression (CPH) Model and Weibull Regression Model analyses.

Hypertensive patients attain an optimal control after a median survival time of 40.43 (at 95% CI: 33.67- 47.19) months (3.37 years) and mean survival time of 44.18 (CI: 37.24-51.12) months (3.68 years). The CPH analysis revealed that the factors that influenced an optimal control of hypertension were body mass index (BMI) (P <0.001), number of anti-hypertensive drugs (P <0.001), place of residence (P = 0.030). similarly, the Weibull model revealed that the factors that affected an optimal control of hypertension were BMI (P <0.01), number of anti-hypertensive drugs (P <0.001), place of residence (P = 0.042) and educational status (P = 0.036).

In conclusion, BMI, number of anti-hypertensive drugs, Place of residence, Educational status. should be watched out during management of hypertensive patients. This also call for an extension of this study through a prospective design to be able to measure the effect of other factors in the achievement of optimal control of hypertension
In the Shadow of the Eastern Neighbour. Finland in the Security Policy of Russia and the Soviet Union from Peter the Great to Contemporary Times
Authors: Suchoples Jarosław
Published: February 2023

Throughout its history, Finland’s relations with Russia have generally been determined by Russian attempts to secure control over the eastern part of the Baltic Sea region. In medieval times, it was mainly about the control of trade routes, especially between Novgorod, and Western Europe and Byzantium. After the founding of the new city of St. Petersburg by Peter the Great in 1703, the rulers of Russia were faced with the problem of ensuring security to that city. From a Russian point of view, it became vitally important to gain control over lands on the eastern side of the Baltic Sea. When Finland became a Russian province in 1809, it seemed that the Baltic security dilemmas of Russia had fi nally been resolved. However, the collapse of Tsarist Russia in 1917 changed that particular situation. Finland became independent, and Russia’s border moved east to the outskirts of St. Petersburg (renamed Petrograd during World War I). For the leaders of the Soviet Union, which had replaced the Romanov Empire, World War II provided an opportunity to try to regain lost Finnish territories. Although the Red Army did not manage to conquer Finland, during two wars (occurring between 1939–1940 and 1941–1944), the post war settlement saw the Soviet-Finnish border shift back westwards. Finland also had to reckon with the requirements of the USSR’s security policy and make it a priority of its own foreign policyAfter the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Finland modified its policy of neutrality and adopted a doctrine of non-alignment that has remained in place to this day. However, the increase of tensions in international relations in recent years, due to Russia’s aggressive foreign policy threatening its neighbours, has forced Finnish statesmen to rethink their country’s security policy. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Finland, together with Sweden, decided to apply for NATO membership. The ratification procedure is ongoing. The aim of this paper is to analyse, in a longer historical perspective, what Finland’s place was as regards the Russian and Soviet security policy, from Peter the Great to our times. The methodological approach refl ects the chronology of events which have occurred in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea region in the last 300 years. They are described to provide readers with necessary facts, and create the background for conclusions on the reasons for the Russian/Soviet policy towards Finland and, in a broader sense, the northern coasts of the Gulf of Finland.