bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic profiles and correlation with surgical outcomes in mesial versus neocortical temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Zhu Haoyue , Tang Yongxiang , Xiao Ling , Wen Shirui , Wu Yuanxia , Yang Zhiquan , Zhou Luo , Xiao Bo , Feng Li , Hu Shuo
Published: June 2022

Purpose Differentiating mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) and neocortical temporal lobe epilepsy (NTLE) remains a challenge. Our study aimed at characterization of the metabolic profiles between MTLE and NTLE, as well as their correlation with surgical prognosis by using 18F-FDG-PET. Methods In total, 137 patients with intractable TLE and 40 age-matched healthy controls were recruited. Patients were divided into MTLE group (N = 91) and NTLE group (N = 46). 18F-FDG-PET was used to measure the metabolism of regional cerebra, which was analyzed by statistical parametric mapping. The volume of abnormal metabolism in cerebral regions and their relationship with surgical prognosis were calculated for each surgical patient. Results The cerebral hypometabolism of MTLE is limited to the ipsilateral temporal and insular lobes (p<0.001, uncorrected), while the NTLE patients showed hypometabolism in the ipsilateral temporal, frontal and parietal lobes (p<0.001, uncorrected). The MTLE patients showed extensive hypermetabolism in cerebral regions (p<0.001, uncorrected). Hypermetabolism in NTLE is limited to contralateral temporal lobe and cerebellum, ipsilateral frontal, occipital lobe, and bilateral thalamus (p<0.001, uncorrected). Among patients who underwent resection of epileptic lesions, 51 (67.1%) patients in the MTLE group and 10 (43.5%) in NTLE achieved an Engel class IA outcome (p=0.041). In the MTLE group, the volumes of metabolic increase for frontal lobe or thalamus were larger in non-Engel class IA patients than in Engel class IA patients (p<0.05). Conclusion Spatial metabolic profile could discriminate NTLE from MTLE. In MTLE, hypermetabolism of thalamus and frontal lobe could facilitate preoperative counseling and surgical planning.
A MRI-based nomogram to preoperatively predict histologic grades in stage I endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Jiang Xiran , Fu Langyuan , Zhao Mingli , Zhao Jiaqi , Song Jing , Hu Yue , Dong Yue , Wen Feng
Published: June 2022

Background: This study aims to develop and externally validate a multi-sequence MRI-based radiomics nomogram for preoperatively differentiating low-grade and high-grade tumors in FIGO stage I endometrial carcinoma (EMC).Methods: A primary cohort was established with a total of 100 patients enrolled from our hospital between Jan. 2017 and Apr. 2021. A consecutively enrolled internal validation cohort (n=41) and an external validation cohort (n=50) were used to test the models. Radiomics features were extracted from T1-weighted contrast-enhanced (T1-CE) and T2-weighted (T2W) MRI and selected with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to build the radiomics signature (RS). Clinical factors were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test. A radiomics nomogram model was constructed incorporating the RS and the most discriminative clinical parameter. Performance of the RS, clinical parameter and nomogram were validated with receiver operating characteristic (ROC), calibration and decision curve analysis (DCA).Results: The multi-sequence MRI-based RS was built integrating 3 selected features, all from T1-CE MRI. The deep myometrial invasion was considered as the most important clinical parameter (P<0.05). The nomogram model incorporates RS and deep myometrial invasion yielded the best discriminative performance with AUCs of 0.845 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.759-0.910, SEN=0.900, SPE =0.650), 0.756 (95% CI 0.597-0.876, SEN=0.818, SPE =0.632) and 0.779 (95% CI 0.639-0.884, SEN=0.800, SPE =0.720) in the primary, internal validation and external validation cohorts, respectively. Calibration curves and DCA suggested good potential of our nomogram in clinical uses.Conclusions: The developed radiomics nomogram can be used as a potential non-invasive tool for preoperatively differentiating low- and high-grade tumors in stage I EMC patients.
WITHDRAWN: Effects of grass pulp mulch film and compound microbial agent on the growth and yield of soybeans
Authors: Ma Wei , Guan Fachun , Liang Zhengwei , Ma Dianrong , Hou Ligang , Shi Junyou , Lin Lin , Lu Guanru
Published: June 2022

Most of farmland cover is non-degradable polyethylene film, and although it can promote the yield of plants, it also causes serious pollution to the environment. There are also various limiting factors in degradable mulching films. In order to solve this problem, straw and weeds are used as raw materials in this study, which are crushed into pulp and sprayed onto the soil to form a sustainable grass pulp mulchfilm that is beneficial to the environment. Soybean seeds were then sowed, a compound microbial agent was added, plant growth was observed, and the yield was calculated. The experimental design was composed of four treatments: treatment CK had no added microbial compoundagent, and no grass pulp was sprayed; treatment A had no addedmicrobial compoundagent, but grass pulp was sprayed; treatment B had added microbial compoundagent, but grass pulp was not sprayed; and treatment C had added microbial compoundagent,and grass pulp was sprayed. The results showed that when compared with the control, the soybean yield per plant under A, B, and C treatments significantly increased by 41.98%, 46.53%, and 133.46%, respectively, and the weed density significantly decreased by 37.44%, 32.52%, and 37.39%, respectively. The number of seeds per plant, single effective pod number, and stem weight per plant were the highest under C treatment; the weed biomass was also the lowest under C treatment, which had significant differences with CK, A, and B treatments ( P < 0.05). The results showed that the combined treatment of grass mulching and the addition of a compound microbial agent was an effective measure to increase soybean yield and inhibit weeds.
Developing Spatio-Temporal Approach to Predict Economic Dynamics Based on Online News
Authors: zhang yuzhou , Sun Hua , Gao Guang , Shou Lidan , Wu Dun
Published: June 2022

Economic forecasting is a scientific decision-making tool, and it is one of the important basis for the government to formulate economic plans, predict the implementation of the plan, and guide the implementation of the plan. Current knowledge about the use of online news in the prediction of economic patterns in China is limited, especially considering the spatio-temporal dynamics over time. This study explored the spatio-temporal patterns of economic output values in Yinzhou, Ningbo, China, and proposed Generalized linear model (GLM) and Geographically weighted regression (GWR) model to predict the dynamics. The results indicated that there was a great potential to predict economic dynamics using online news, with better performance in the GWR model. The findings suggested online news combining with spatio-temporal approach can better forecast economic dynamics, which can be seen as a pre-requisite for developing a surveillance system to enhance the traditional one. The proposed model may be extended to greater geographic area to validate such approach.
Stock Performance, Sector’s Nature and Macroeconomic Environment
Authors: Naseer Mirza Muhammad , Guo Yongsheng , Zhu Xiaoxian
Published: June 2022

The existing literature on stock performance has focused on the viability of asset pricing theories, macroeconomic and microeconomic variations, and institutional disparities. Yet, whether any additional factors influence SP (Stock Performance) remains unanswered. To address this question, the study aims to provide fresh insights into industry factors concerning firm stock performance. The study adds to the existing research literature by focusing on these issues in the context of a developing economy. Data from 80 organizations were evaluated using a multiple regression model for 12 years to study the problem. The findings back up the importance of sector nature in stock performance. According to the results, company size, munificence, and HHI negatively link with financial performance, but growth, GDP, exchange rate, money supply, and oil prices have a positive link. The findings can help firms and individual investors better understand the factors that influence share prices, allowing them to assess their investment options better. Other financial institutions can provide better advice and products to investors seeking funding to finance share purchases.
Business – process for investment activity
Authors: Darchia Samson
Published: June 2022

Authors:
Samson Darchia,
PhD, Operational Support Department Bank, Tbilisi, Georgia

Pages: 46-49

Language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21272/fmir.6(1).46-49.2022

Received: 14.01.2022

Accepted: 17.02.2022

Published: 29.03.2022

Download: Views: Downloads:

334
47
Abstract

This paper summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the issue about the activity of financial director in the sphere of investment. The main purpose is to сonduct research about investment activities, the design of business processes, to evaluate and find improvements that help to organize business process. Business-process is based on the circumstances, that the financial director is responsible for the company’s money and investments one of the important components of the mentioned cash flow. In the given article the high-level business process of investment activity is offered, also there are given pre-investment and investment budgeting sub-processes. The author proposes to distinguish three phases: Pre-investment, investment, exploitation. Improvements in business process are perceived by members of companies and directors, finance departments as one of the main factors in improving the quality of investment activity. The results of the study can be useful for business managers in the context of developing improvement measures in investment activity, identifying key areas for improving the business process, which will improve profitability, transparency of financial activities, and trust and willingness to cooperate with investors in the future.
Inflation Targeting and Economic Growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): empirical modeling using ARDL approach
Authors: Bouyacoub Brahim
Published: June 2022

This paper analyses the relationship between Inflation Targeting and economic growth in 20 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries region (Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Palestinian Authority, Bahrain, Djibouti, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen), using an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model over the period 2000-2020. An autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model is an ordinary least square (OLS) based model which is applicable for both non-stationary time series as well as for times series with mixed order of integration. The results show that Inflation Targeting can have several functions. It is a monetary policy framework based on an appropriate institutional architecture. The adoption of inflation targeting is often subject to a change in laws or administrative arrangements relating to the Central Bank. Inflation targeting might support economic growth by lowering inflation and volatility. However, monetary policy alone cannot drive growth. Inflation targeting might support economic growth by lowering inflation and volatility. Moreover, the results of econometric tests lead to convergent conclusions and argue for the existence of unidirectional causal relationships between economic growth and economic policy indicators.
TRENDS AND ISSUES OF BLENDED LEARNING WITH REFERENCE TO COVID 19 PERIOD
Authors:   Guest lecturer, North- Eastern Hill University, Meghalaya., Bordoloi Sayasree , Saikia Himi ,   Assistant Professor, University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya.
Published: June 2022

The trend of E -Learning has drastically increased in the recent times, especially with the onset of the Covid 19 Pandemic. Infact, the pandemic has popularised blended and technology aided learning as household terms. It also promoted an ideology that not only legitimises but also celebrates the use of technology in teaching students. When schools and colleges were shut down and teachers and students had to be confined to the four walls of their homes, technology provided an instant and convenient solution of teaching students irrespective of their physical locations. It is undeniable that technology did ensure continuity in student learning as much as was possible.Blended learning is one of the major tools to implement E-Learning. This paper will give an overview of the concept, features and benefits of Blended Learning. It will also describe the various Blended Learning Models, ICT initiatives and tools that had been be useful for teachers to keepthe teaching learning process running especially during the Covid 19 period. This paper will look into the issues and challenges faced both by teacher and students in using blended learning during the Covid 19 period along with suggestions.
UN CAS RARE DE GROSSESSE EXTRA-UTERINE OVARIENNE
Authors:   Service de Gynecologie Obstetrique, CHU Med VI, Marrakech, Maroc., El Idrissi Soukaina , El Aziz Soukaina ,   Service de Gynecologie Obstetrique, CHU Med VI, Marrakech, Maroc., Bassir Ahlam ,   Service de Gynecologie Obstetrique, CHU Med VI, Marrakech, Maroc., Asmouki Hamid ,   Service de Gynecologie Obstetrique, CHU Med VI, Marrakech, Maroc., Ait Benkaddour Yasser ,   Service de Gynecologie Obstetrique, CHU Med VI, Marrakech, Maroc., Soummani Abderaouf ,   Service de Gynecologie Obstetrique, CHU Med VI, Marrakech, Maroc.
Published: June 2022

La grossesse ovarienne represente une localisation rare parmi les grossesses ectopiques , cest une pathologie particuliere , le clinicien est confronte a un tableau clinique atypique et une imgerie peu concluante . Ici nous allons aborde un cas clinique de grossesse ovarienne revelee par retard des regles et des douleurs pelviennes . Le diagnostic preoperatoire a ete suspecte a lechographie devant une image latero-uterine droite au depend de lovaire droit . Une laparotomie a ete realisee en urgence , le traitement chirurgical a ete conservateur.
Chemical weathering and CO2 consumption in the source of the alpine catchment
Authors: Wang Lei , Yang Jian , Wang Zhaohan , Zhao Zeyang , Han Yuping
Published: June 2022

The chemical composition of the river indicates chemical weathering, which is the main source of ions and the most important avenue for carbon sink in the river. The hydrochemical characteristics of alpine catchment can provide the basis for clarifying the chemical weathering process and CO2 consumption, which is meaningful for the chemical weathering evolution law of the alpine catchment and even the Third Pole. The Yarlung Tsangpo River is the most typical river in the alpine catchment and the biggest river of the Third Pole. In this study, the river water samples were collected in March and September 2019 from the main stream at the upper reaches of Yarlung Tsangpo River above Lhatse County, as well as main tributaries Dogxung Tsangpo and Damqog Tsangpo. Based on the comparative analysis of the water samples in different seasons, the following conclusions are reached: precipitation contributes little to the ion content of rivers, and ions mainly come from chemical weathering, the main type of water body is HCO3−-SO42−-Ca2+; carbonate rock weathering in the main stream of Yarlung Tsangpo River contributes more to the ions of river than that in other tributaries; the CO2 consumption is mainly caused by silicate rock weathering and carbonate rock weathering, and the carbon weathering rate increases faster than that of silicate weathering rate from March to September 2019; the consumption rate of CO2 in the wet season is higher than that in the dry season.
An experimental study of air-demand ratio in free-surface gated circular conduits
Authors: Demirel I. H. , Ozkan F.
Published: June 2022

Aeration is the process by which the area of contact between water and air is increased, either by natural methods or by mechanical devices. This study investigated the most suitable design to provide a maximum air-demand ratio in the case of free surface flow in gated circular conduits. In the experiments performed for this purpose, as the parameters affecting the air demand ratio, the air inlet of each air vent was measured by opening air vents at regular intervals downstream for different conduit openings and different lengths of conduits for air-demand ratio depending on flow rates. In the study, it was observed that the air-demand ratios increased with the increase of the Froude number in all air vents. Although the Qa/Qw value was found to be 0.28 in.the 6 m conduits for the best air demand rate of 2.5% gate opening, the location of the air vent did not have a significant effect on the air-demand ratio. As a result, it has been understood that the suction downstream of the gated conduit flows does not show a local change. It is thought that the air sucked from the air vents is formed by the drag effect of the water.
The pH-Dependent, Atp-Independent Interaction of Collagen Specific Serpin/Stress' Protein HSP47
Authors: EI-Thaher Taial S. H. , Drake Alex F. , Yokota Shinichi , Nakai Akira , Nagata Kazuhiro , Miller Andrew D.
Published: June 2022

Heat Shock Protein 47 (HSP47) is a procollagen/collagen specific stress protein which belongs to the Serpin superfamily and which binds to procollagen/collagen in an unusual pH-dependent, ATP-independent manner. Here we show, by means of circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy, that HSP47 undergoes reversible pH-induced conformational changes which could account for the pH-dependent binding behaviour.
Proteolytic Activity against the Distal Polybasic Tract of the Gamma
Subunit of the Epithelial Sodium Channel ENaC in Nephrotic Urine
Authors: Wörn Matthias , Kalbacher Hubert , Artunc Ferruh
Published: June 2022

Background:

Experimental nephrotic syndrome in mice leads to proteolytic activation of the epithelial sodium channel ENaC, possibly involving the distal polybasic tract of its γ-subunit (183RKRK).

Objective:

We sought to determine if urine samples from both nephrotic mice and a cohort of patients with acute nephrotic syndrome contain a specific proteolytic activity against this region of γ-ENaC.

Method:

A peptide substrate consisting of amino acids 180-194 of murine γ-ENaC was N-terminally coupled to a fluorophore, yielding AMCA-FTGRKRKISGKIIHK. The substrate was incubated with nephrotic urine samples from mice as well as patients and with or without the serine protease inhibitor aprotinin. The digested peptides were separated on a reverse phase HPLC and detected with a fluorescence detector (350/450 nm). Peptide masses of the peaks were determined with a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer. In addition, urinary proteolytic activity was quantitated using AMC-coupled substrates reflecting different cleavage sites within the polybasic tract.

Results:

No significant proteolytic activity against the substrate was found in the urine of healthy humans or mice. Incubation with urine samples of nephrotic patients (n=8) or mice subjected to three different models of experimental nephrotic syndrome (n=4 each) led to cleavage of the substrate within the polybasic tract which was prevented by the serine protease inhibitor aprotinin. The most dominant cleavage product was FTGRKR in both species which was confirmed using quantitative measurements with FTGRKR-AMC.

Conclusion:

Nephrotic urine from both humans and mice contains aprotinin-sensitive proteolytic activity against the distal polybasic tract of γ-ENaC, reflecting excretion of active proteases in the urine or proteasuria.
Nanotechnological Approaches for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer:
A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Guha Lahanya , Bhat Ishfaq Ahmad , Bashir Aasiya , Rahman Jawad Ur , Pottoo Faheem Hyder
Published: June 2022

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women around the world, having a sudden spread nowadays
because of the poor sedentary lifestyle of people. Comprising several subtypes, one of the most dangerous and aggressive
ones is triple-negative breast cancer or TNBC. Even though conventional surgical approaches like single and
double mastectomy and preventive chemotherapeutic approaches are available, they are not selective to cancer cells
and are only for symptomatic treatment. A new branch called nanotechnology has emerged in the last few decades
that offers various novel characteristics, such as size in nanometric scale, enhanced adherence to multiple targeting
moieties, active and passive targeting, controlled release, and site-specific targeting. Among various nanotherapeutic
approaches like dendrimers, lipid-structured nanocarriers, carbon nanotubes, etc., nanoparticle targeted therapeutics
can be termed the best among all for their specific cytotoxicity to cancer cells and increased bioavailability to a target
site. This review focuses on the types and molecular pathways involving TNBC, existing treatment strategies, various
nanotechnological approaches like exosomes, carbon nanotubes, dendrimers, lipid, and carbon-based nanocarriers,
and especially various nanoparticles (NPs) like polymeric, photodynamic, peptide conjugated, antibody-conjugated,
metallic, inorganic, natural product capped, and CRISPR based nanoparticles already approved for treatment or are
under clinical and pre-clinical trials for TNBC.
In-silico Approach for Evaluation of Antimalarial Potential of Costunolide
Synthase Enzyme and Sesquiterpene Lactones from Cichorium intybus
Authors: Taj Gohar , Pathak Abhishek , Arora Sunita , Tiwari Apoorv , Krishna Kurma Dev , Singh S.P.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Cichorium intybus is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae family that has significant ethano-medical properties and is utilized in Ayurveda and Unani therapy. The enzyme costunolide synthase contributes in the biosynthesis pathway of sesquiterpene lactones, which is thought to give the plant antimalarial action.

Methods:

This work uses several in-silico techniques along with docking experiments to show the structural and physiochemical characteristics of the enzyme costunolide synthase. Costunolide synthase protein interacts with lactucin and lactucopicrin with lower energy interactions of -4.99 kcal/mol for total 3 hydrogen bonds and -6.55 kcal/mol for total 2 hydrogen bonds, respectively. One domain named CYP 450 has been found which catalyzes a variety of oxidative reactions of a large number of structurally different compounds that are both endogenous and exogenous from all major domains of life. The mitochondrial cellular localization of protein was revealed with a maximum score of 1.833.

Results:

The phylogenetic study revealed that the enzyme costunolide synthase from Cichorium intybus has a greater resemblance to Cichorium endivia and Lactuca sativa of costunolide synthase. Molecular docking findings of sesquiterpene lactones (lactucin and lactucopicrin) with Plasmepsin II protein of P. falciparum parasites after clinical trials with sesquiterpene lactones may give the more evidences and explanations for the active involvement of lactucin and lactucopicrin as an antimalarial compound.

Conclusion:

This research will be used in future wet lab studies to figure out how the costunolide synthase enzyme regulates sesquiterpene lactones and to investigate additional regulatory enzyme involved in the synthesis of sesquiterpene lactones.
Assessing the Risk of Nephrotoxicity Associated with Aminoglycosides in
Brucellosis Patients: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Ataei Sara , Ghodsipour Zeinab , Keramat Fariba , Derakhshandeh Katayoun , Mohammadi Younes , Majzoobi Mohammad Mahdi , Kord Masoumeh , Mohammadi Mojdeh , Nili-Ahmadabadi Amir
Published: June 2022

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to investigate renal function in patients with
brucellosis before and at the end of gentamicin therapy. To ensure the safety of therapeutic doses
of gentamicin, renal functions in brucellosis patients were monitored regarding drug serum levels
and check for early detection biomarkers of nephrotoxicity.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, 41 patients (25 men and 16 women, aged over 15 years)
were included, with confirmed acute brucellosis that referred to Brucellosis Research Center in
Hamadan, west of Iran between March 2018 to February 2019. At baseline before treatment (first
step) and 7 days after gentamicin administration (second step), serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen
(BUN), serum and urine creatinine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), quantitative C-reactive
protein (CRP) and urinary β2-microglobulin (β2M) were measured. Gentamycin serum level due to
the highest risk of nephrotoxicity with this drug in aminoglycoside class was also checked by
HPLC method. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Results:

The mean urinary β2M level, serum and urinary creatinine, uric acid, BUN, and
quantitative CRP levels in the first step and second step, there were no statistical differences between
the two steps. There was a correlation between urinary creatinine and ESR. In addition, a
positive correlation was found between urinary β2M and serum gentamicin level. ESR levels have
been significantly reduced in the patients after the treatment compared to before it.

Conclusion:

Our findings confirm that gentamicin is safe at the dose of 5 mg/kg/day for one week
intravenously in brucellosis patients.
Feature-scML: An Open-source Python Package for the Feature Importance
Visualization of Single-Cell Omics with Machine Learning
Authors: Liang Pengfei , Wang Hao , Liang Yuchao , Zhou Jian , Li Haicheng , Zuo Yongchun
Published: June 2022

Background:

Inferring feature importance is both a promise and challenge in bioinformatics and computational biology. While multiple biological computation methods exist to identify decisive factors of single cell subpopulation, there is a need for a comprehensive toolkit that presents an intuitive and custom view of the feature importance.

Objective:

We developed a Feature-scML, a scalable and friendly toolkit that allows the users to visualize and reveal decisive factors for single cell omics analysis.

Method:

Feature-scML incorporates the following main three functions: (i) There are seven feature selection algorithms to comprehensively score and rank every feature. (ii) Four machine learning approaches and increment feature selection (IFS) strategy jointly determine the number of selected features. (iii) The Feature-scML supports the visualized feature importance, model performance evaluation, and model interpretation. The source code is available at https://github.com/liameihao/Feature-scML.

Results:

We systematically compared the performance of seven feature selection algorithms from Feature-scML on two single cell transcriptome datasets. It demonstrates the effectiveness and power of the Feature-scML.

Conclusion:

Feature-scML is effective for analyzing single-cell RNA omics datasets to automate the machine learning process and customize the visual analysis from the results.
FASCÍCULO COMPLEMENTARIO XXXV: INVENTARIO PRELIMINAR DE LAS ESPECIES DE FANERÓGAMAS DE DISTRIBUCIÓN RESTRINGIDA AL ESTADO DE MICHOACÁN, MÉXICO
Authors:   Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Rzedowski Jerzy
Published: June 2022

El estado de Michoacán está ubicado en la porción suroccidental de la República Mexicana. Es uno de los privilegiados en términos de riqueza florística, ya que se encuentra en sexto lugar nacional, después de Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, Jalisco y Guerrero. Infortunadamente su territorio es también uno de los que requieren todavía de mayor esfuerzo de exploración adicional, en particular necesaria para su mitad meridional. En tal contexto, el objetivo central de la presente contribución es la integración de un catálogo lo más actualizado y depurado posible de las especies de fanerógamas que, de acuerdo con el conocimiento existente, pueden considerarse como restringidas en su distribución a la mencionada entidad de la República.
Modelo de predicción de quiebra Z2 de altman de análisis multivariable en empresas del sector inmobiliario de la provincia de Pichincha.
Authors: Molina Panchi Pablo Alexander , Molina Panchi Diego Fabián , Flores Tapia Carlos Ernesto
Published: June 2022

En este artículo se calcula la probabilidad de quiebra en las empresas inmobiliarias de la provincia de Pichincha mediante la aplicación del modelo Z2 de Altman para la predicción de su riesgo financiero. La investigación es de tipo cuantitativo, mediante el uso del análisis multivariante y pruebas estadísticas con la intención de efectuar predicciones para probar la teoría y patrones de comportamiento. El alcance de la investigación es correlacional, por cuanto mide el grado de relación de las variables del modelo de predicción y las posibles causas que originan el éxito o fracaso empresarial y, por su diseño, es de tipo longitudinal porque toma en cuenta varios períodos de tiempo, esto es, los años 2016 al 2020. El análisis de la información se realiza a partir de la información obtenida de las bases de datos de Superintendencia de Compañías, Valores y Seguros del Ecuador. Los resultados de la aplicación del Modelo Z2 de Altman muestran que las empresas que están en lo que se conoce como zona segura poseen bajo nivel de endeudamiento, incremento en sus ingresos, capital de trabajo positivo, adecuada liquidez y rentabilidad superior a su costo de capital; mientras que las empresas que están en la zona de precaución o gris tienen problemas para cubrir sus deudas, rentabilidad poco significativa; a su vez, las empresas que están en la zona de estrés financiero cuentan con crecimiento en su cartera vencida, capital de trabajo negativo, carencia de reinversión, baja liquidez y disminución en la rotación de bienes.
Soil Pollution Education: A Broad View of Knowledge on Soil Pollution and Educational Activities for Undergraduate Students
Authors:   Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain, Lull Cristina , Lidón Antonio ,   Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain, Soriano María Desamparados ,   Department of Plant Production, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
Published: June 2022

Soil pollution is a major challenge for ensuring a healthy environment and for human health. One of the critical points in soil pollution policy is the education and public awareness of the problem caused by soil pollution. Education influences decision-making on soil and water care. It is crucial to spread knowledge to undergraduate and graduate students about the determinantal effects of soil pollution on ecosystems and humans, considering today’s students are tomorrow’s guardians of soil and human health. A course on soil pollution aims to provide students with a foundation of the knowledge and skills required to work in this field. Knowledge of soil and contaminant properties, soil-pollutant interaction processes, transport of pollutants by soil and water, human health and ecological risk assessment, and measures for preventing soil pollution are fundamental for the sustainable management of soil and food safety. Students should be aware of the need to avoid the three types of soil pollution (chemical, radioactive, and biological) in industrial, agricultural, forest, and urban soils. This article provides a broad view of the knowledge taught in subjects related to soil pollution and introduces learning activities for undergraduate students.
Beyond Pathogen Filtration: Possibility of Smart Masks as Wearable Devices for Personal and Group Health and Safety Management
Authors: Lee Peter , Kim Heepyung , Kim Yongshin , Choi Woohyeok , Zitouni M Sami , Khandoker Ahsan , Jelinek Herbert F , Hadjileontiadis Leontios , Lee Uichin , Jeong Yong
Published: June 2022

Face masks are an important way to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the prolonged pandemic has revealed confounding problems with the current face masks, including not only the spread of the disease but also concurrent psychological, social, and economic complications. As face masks have been worn for a long time, people have been interested in expanding the purpose of masks from protection to comfort and health, leading to the release of various “smart” mask products around the world. To envision how the smart masks will be extended, this paper reviewed 25 smart masks (12 from commercial products and 13 from academic prototypes) that emerged after the pandemic. While most smart masks presented in the market focus on resolving problems with user breathing discomfort, which arise from prolonged use, academic prototypes were designed for not only sensing COVID-19 but also general health monitoring aspects. Further, we investigated several specific sensors that can be incorporated into the mask for expanding biophysical features. On a larger scale, we discussed the architecture and possible applications with the help of connected smart masks. Namely, beyond a personal sensing application, a group or community sensing application may share an aggregate version of information with the broader population. In addition, this kind of collaborative sensing will also address the challenges of individual sensing, such as reliability and coverage. Lastly, we identified possible service application fields and further considerations for actual use. Along with daily-life health monitoring, smart masks may function as a general respiratory health tool for sports training, in an emergency room or ambulatory setting, as protection for industry workers and firefighters, and for soldier safety and survivability. For further considerations, we investigated design aspects in terms of sensor reliability and reproducibility, ergonomic design for user acceptance, and privacy-aware data-handling. Overall, we aim to explore new possibilities by examining the latest research, sensor technologies, and application platform perspectives for smart masks as one of the promising wearable devices. By integrating biomarkers of respiration symptoms, a smart mask can be a truly cutting-edge device that expands further knowledge on health monitoring to reach the next level of wearables.
Peer Review of “Exploring the Reasons for Low Cataract Surgery Uptake Among Patients Detected in a Community Outreach Program in Cameroon: Focused Ethnographic Mixed Methods Study” (Preprint)
Authors: Ayatollahi Haleh
Published: June 2022

UNSTRUCTURED

This is a peer review report related to MS#35044.
Authors’ Response to Peer Reviews of “Exploring the Reasons for Low Cataract Surgery Uptake Among Patients Detected in a Community Outreach Program in Cameroon: Focused Ethnographic Mixed Methods Study” (Preprint)
Authors: Mbwogge Mathew , Nkumbe Henry Ebong
Published: June 2022

UNSTRUCTURED

This is the authors' responses to peer review reports related to MS 35044.
A Framework/ for Digital Contact Tracing/ for COVID-19/ Pandemic based on /the Kingdom of Bahrain/ Model (Preprint)
Authors: Baqer Mohamed
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

The Kingdom of Bahrain is one of the pioneering countries to utilize a digital contact tracing (DCT) app to manage and combat COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing quarantine, contact tracing, and vaccination are some of the commonly effective measures to combat COVID-19 pandemic. Classical manual approaches, however, are unscalable, tedious, and labor intensive. As of March 2020, Bahrain deployed a smartphone app, namely: BeAware, that provided digital services such as: contact tracing, quarantine management, awareness information amongst many services to identify individual at risk and enforce social distancing and quarantine.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for contact tracing apps derived from the BeAware app. BeAware app is a smartphone contact trancing app deployed in Bahrain during COVID-19 pandemic to provide contact tracing, quarantine, vaccination information and booking, amongst many other services essential to combat and manage COVID-19 pandemic. The framework is envisaged to guide decision makers, developers, designers alongside the public to the features and services the comprises digital contact tracing apps to effectively and efficiently deploy contact tracing apps and manage COVID-19 outbreaks.

METHODS

This paper documents the services provided by BeAware app deployed in Bahrain to combat COVID-19, and present them as a framework that can be followed when designing and implementing similar apps. The framework compares and contrasts between other technologies and features that are either used in BeAware app or available in other similar app implementations.

RESULTS

Bahrain has successfully managed COVID-19 pandemic without the need to implement full-lockdown measures. One of the elements contributing to this success is the early deployment of the BeAware app which provided a suite of necessary services and information for both government, citizens, and visitors alike. In addition to arranging for testing and vaccination, the authorities in Bahrain were able to ensure that individuals are adhering to social distancing and quarantine measures. The provided framework is essential when designing and developing contact tracing apps. The proposed framework provides a summary of technologies, services, features that can be used to build custom contact tracing apps.

CONCLUSIONS

Bahrain is considered one of the world’s pioneering countries with regard to e-services. The prompt deployment of BeAware app assisted the country to quickly respond to COVID-19 pandemic, and effectively implement social distancing, testing, contact tracing, quarantine, wearing masks, and other changes COVID-19 affected out work and lifestyle. BeAware app can be considered as a model the can be used to design and develop apps to combat and manage COVID-19 and other similar diseases.

CLINICALTRIAL

not applicable
End User Participation in the Development of an Ecological Momentary Intervention to Improve Coping with Cannabis Cravings: Formative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Anderson Molly A , Budney Alan J , Jacobson Nicholas C , Nahum-Shani Inbal , Stanger Catherine
Published: June 2022

UNSTRUCTURED

Cannabis misuse in young adults is a major public health concern. An important predictor of continued use is cannabis craving. Due to the time-varying nature of craving, brief momentary interventions delivered while cravings are elevated may improve use of strategies to cope with cravings and reduce cannabis use. The goal of this manuscript is to describe a formative study to develop coping strategy messages for use in a subsequent intervention. Young adults (19 – 25 years; n=20) who reported using cannabis >10 of the past 30 days recruited via social media participated in this formative study. Participants rated an initial set of 15 mindfulness and 15 distraction coping strategies on a scale from 1 – 4 (very low degree to very high degree) for clarity, usefulness, and tone. They also provided comments about content. Participants found the initial distraction messages slightly clearer than mindfulness (m=3.5, SD=0.4; m=3.4, SD=0.4), both were comparable in tone (m=3.2, SD=0.5; m=3.2, SD=0.4), and mindfulness messages were more useful than distraction (m=3.0, SD=0.5; m=2.8, SD=0.6). Of the 30 messages, 29 received a rating of very low or low (<2) on any domain by >3 participants or received a comment suggesting a change. We revised all these messages based on this feedback, and participants rated the revised messages approximately two weeks later. Participants earned $10 for completing the first and $20 for the second survey. Ratings improved on usefulness (especially the distraction items) with very little change on clarity and tone. The top ten messages of each coping type (mindfulness and distraction) were identified by overall average rating (collapsed across all three dimensions: all rated >3.0). The final items were comparable in clarity (distraction m = 3.6, SD = 0.4; mindfulness m = 3.6, SD = 0.4 respectively), tone (m = 3.4, SD = 0.4; m = 3.4, SD = 0.4), and usefulness (m = 3.1, SD = 0.5; m = 3.2, SD = 0.5). These messages were subsequently used in an ecological momentary intervention.
Software Cost Estimation (Extension of Putnam’s Model)
Authors:   Department of Mathematics D.A.V. Degree College, Lucknow, U.P., (India), YADAV SHUBHA DEVI
Published: June 2022

The Putnam Estimation Model is a dynamic multivariable model that assumes a specific distribution of effort over the life of a software development project. The model has been derived from manpower distributions encountered on large projects total effort of 30 man- years or more). However, extrapolation to smaller software projects is possible, In Putnam model there is only one choice with the manager to use for cost estimation. Thus, the estimation is very restricted. Now we want that the manager should have some choice while estimating the value of K & td (and thus cost estimations). So, in this paper, we want is to find a zone solution to the equations, so that manager can choose the value of & as per his requirement within that solution zone. By doing so we can make the estimation more general.
Contemplar la vacuidad
Authors: Sevilla Godínez Héctor
Published: June 2022

The intuition of the absolute leads to the recognition that we are not in control of the circumstances around us. While one of the resulting options is to acknowledge that we don't know enough, it is not enough to stay in the latency of skepticism. In this text the term of emptiness is explored, which entails the consideration of nothingness and the option of seeing it as a foundation. In such a way, contemplating emptiness focuses on the implications of nothingness in human life, rubbing off on the notion of divine pathos or the conception of a deity interested in man. The article alludes to different considerations to understand nothingness as the foundation of the presence of being in the world; from this follows the question about God and his relationship with nothingness. Next, the dialectic of man facing the consciousness of nothing is addressed, as well as some religious positions in the face of emptiness, either to deny, affirm or precede his experience. Some characteristics of the path to the consciousness of the absolute are nuanced and the edges of the mystical frontier alluded to by Eckhart, Nāgārjuna, Heschel, Wilber, Cioran and Nishitani are delimited.
Arduino Based Third Eye for Blind People
Authors: Yadav Ankush , Kumar Manish , Gupta Vijay , Bhushan Shashi
Published: June 2022

Abstract: Arduino based third eye or extra vision for blind people have a project which include both hardware and the software work and it helps the person to recognize the object by the help of ultrasonic waves which comes from ultrasonic sensor with a vibration which is generated by the buzzer. This Project is influenced by the Stick which is used by the blind people while walking for long term carry the stick is measure issue for weak people. So, this is the wearable invention for the weak and blind people they don’t need to carrying anything in hand while walking they should only wear our invention and used to get walking easily. The Arduino is a software device which include. coding as a software function and Ultrasonic sensor, buzzer, Battery and more things as a hardware function, Ultrasonic sensor has a work to recognize the object near them and providing the signal via buzzer to the user which help the person to reach properly at their destination. Main Term: Arduino Uno module, Vibration, Ultrasonic sense
Basic of Secrete Communication System for Military by Using ML and Steganography
Authors: Gawade Namrata , More Aishwarya , Dange Swati , Ingole Sagar , Mathur Shubhra
Published: June 2022

Abstract: Information security is an important factor during transmitting secret information between two objects. Generally, we use cryptography for information hiding and sending secret messages in the form of text. Nowadays, there are several techniques used for hiding information in any medium. One such technique is steganography. In this technique, digital images are used for hiding information and the information is in the form of text, digital image, video or audio file may be used as a secret message. Using LSB Steganography Technique we can implement a high level of information security without any damage to the cover image. In this system we are using the hybrid approach i.e. cryptography andsteganography. So, our system has a higher security level than existing systems. With the development of machine learning, face recognition technology based on CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) has become the main method adopted in the field of face recognition security systems to securely access the confidential system. Keywords: Image data hiding, LSB Steganography, AES cryptography, Face Recognition, Machine Learning CNN technique
Implementing Nursing Standards in Care Maps for Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Nagyova I. , Libova L. , Otrubova J. , Grofova E. , Sebestyenova M. , Bednarikova M.
Published: June 2022

Nursing care that adheres to nursing standards is more comprehensive, detailed, and patient-centered. Care maps are an important multidisciplinary tool for managing and improving the quality of nursing care provided to patients. Aim: We verified the usability of nursing standards in care maps while treating patients with breast cancer, and we compared the activities of nurses while providing nursing care in selected workplaces. Methods: The research group included 205 patients from surgical and the obstetrics - gynecology (OB/GYN) clinics and 24 nurses working at these clinics. To carry out the research, we applied a modified care map in the experimental subgroups to record nursing activities, and in the control subgroups the nurses used the standard nursing documentation of the selected workplace. Within the investigated quantitative variables, we presented their numerical characteristics, used a linear descriptive statistic (n) and relative position – the arithmetic mean (). Using multivariate fuzzy C-means cluster analysis, we compared the specific procedures performed within individual subgroups of patients. We used an interview to find out the views of nurses on the implementation of care maps in the nursing practice of patients with breast cancer. Results: In the experimental groups, nursing activities were recorded in a modified care map where we observed their higher number and differences in the documentation of nursing activities in comparison with the control groups. The opinions of nurses on the implementation of care maps in the treatment of patients with breast cancer in selected workplaces were mostly positive. Conclusion: Based on the research results, there is a need to deepen the theoretical knowledge of nurses about managed nursing care and care maps and to use nursing standards as tools to ensure that quality nursing care is provided.