bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational comparative analysis of fixed point approximations of generalized $ \alpha $-nonexpansive mappings in hyperbolic spaces
Authors: Guran Liliana , Ahmad Khushdil , Shabbir Khurram , Bota Monica-Felicia
Published: November 2022

In this article, we use the Picard-Thakur hybrid iterative scheme to approximate the fixed points of generalized $ \alpha $-nonexpansive mappings. For generalized $ \alpha $-nonexpansive mappings in hyperbolic spaces, we show several weak and strong convergence results. It is proved numerically and graphically that the Picard-Thakur hybrid iterative scheme converges more faster than other well-known hybrid iterative methods for generalized $ \alpha $-nonexpansive mappings. We also present an application to Fredholm integral equation.
Simulating systems of Itô SDEs with split-step $ (\alpha, \beta) $-Milstein scheme
Authors: Ranjbar Hassan , Torkzadeh Leila , Baleanu Dumitru , Nouri Kazem
Published: November 2022

In the present study, we provide a new approximation scheme for solving stochastic differential equations based on the explicit Milstein scheme. Under sufficient conditions, we prove that the split-step $ (\alpha, \beta) $-Milstein scheme strongly convergence to the exact solution with order $ 1.0 $ in mean-square sense. The mean-square stability of our scheme for a linear stochastic differential equation with single and multiplicative commutative noise terms is studied. Stability analysis shows that the mean-square stability of our proposed scheme contains the mean-square stability region of the linear scalar test equation for suitable values of parameters $ \alpha, \beta $. Finally, numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Extended fuzzy $ N $-Soft PROMETHEE method and its application in robot butler selection
Authors: Akram Muhammad , Sultan Maheen , Alcantud José Carlos R. , Al-Shamiri Mohammed M. Ali
Published: November 2022

This paper extends the literature on fuzzy PROMETHEE, a well-known multi-criteria group decision-making technique. The PROMETHEE technique ranks alternatives by specifying an allowable preference function that measures their deviations from other alternatives in the presence of conflicting criteria. Its ambiguous variation helps to make an appropriate decision or choose the best option in the presence of some ambiguity. Here, we focus on the more general uncertainty in human decision-making, as we allow $ N $-grading in fuzzy parametric descriptions. In this setting, we propose a suitable fuzzy $ N $-soft PROMETHEE technique. We recommend using an Analytic Hierarchy Process to test the feasibility of standard weights before application. Then the fuzzy $ N $-soft PROMETHEE method is explained. It ranks the alternatives after some steps summarized in a detailed flowchart. Furthermore, its practicality and feasibility are demonstrated through an application that selects the best robot housekeepers. The comparison between the fuzzy PROMETHEE method and the technique proposed in this work demonstrates the confidence and accuracy of the latter method.
Revan Sombor indices: Analytical and statistical study
Authors: Kulli V. R. , Méndez-Bermúdez J. A. , Rodríguez José M. , Sigarreta José M.
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we perform analytical and statistical studies of Revan indices on graphs $ G $: $ R(G) = \sum_{uv \in E(G)} F(r_u, r_v) $, where $ uv $ denotes the edge of $ G $ connecting the vertices $ u $ and $ v $, $ r_u $ is the Revan degree of the vertex $ u $, and $ F $ is a function of the Revan vertex degrees. Here, $ r_u = \Delta + \delta - d_u $ with $ \Delta $ and $ \delta $ the maximum and minimum degrees among the vertices of $ G $ and $ d_u $ is the degree of the vertex $ u $. We concentrate on Revan indices of the Sombor family, i.e., the Revan Sombor index and the first and second Revan $ (a, b) $-$ KA $ indices. First, we present new relations to provide bounds on Revan Sombor indices which also relate them with other Revan indices (such as the Revan versions of the first and second Zagreb indices) and with standard degree-based indices (such as the Sombor index, the first and second $ (a, b) $-$ KA $ indices, the first Zagreb index and the Harmonic index). Then, we extend some relations to index average values, so they can be effectively used for the statistical study of ensembles of random graphs.
El capitalismo de Génova y Burgos y la apertura de la ruta negrera de Santo Tomé al Caribe en la década de 1520
Authors: Pérez García Rafael M.
Published: November 2022

Este artículo estudia el desarrollo y características de la ruta de tráfico de esclavos africanos establecida entre la isla de Santo Tomé y los puertos españoles del Caribe durante la década de 1520. En su nacimiento jugaron un papel clave grupos económicos capitalistas de Génova y Burgos. A partir del análisis de una ingente documentación de archivo, este trabajo muestra cómo fue su capital relacional y económico el que hizo posible la apertura de una ruta fundacional en la historia de la trata esclavista transatlántica hacia América durante la Edad Moderna.
«Defender los puertos o puertas en aquellas Indias»: despliegue y operatividad de la Real Armada en América durante la guerra 1796-1802
Authors: Ortega-del-Cerro Pablo
Published: November 2022

En el presente trabajo se analiza la estrategia de la Real Armada en América durante la guerra anglo-española de 1796-1802. El propósito es comprender el despliegue y la verdadera operatividad de la Marina en el continente americano, yendo más allá de las visiones tradicionales que estudian este conflicto a partir de los combates y las grandes batallas. Como se podrá comprobar en el texto, además de la presión naval británica y la crisis económica y política de la Monarquía, la estrategia española estuvo marcada por la extensión geográfica del conflicto y el imposible despliegue simultáneo de las fuerzas navales en varios escenarios del imperio colonial.
Interacciones montaña-llanura frente al cambio global: desafíos y oportunidades en la gestión del territorio y de los recursos hídricos en Riegos del Alto Aragón
Authors: Beguería Santiago , Haro-Monteagudo David , Palazón Leticia , García-Ruiz José M.
Published: November 2022

La transformación del secano en regadío en el sector central de la Depresión del Ebro ha representado un cambio espectacular en las condiciones de cultivo de un territorio de características semiáridas y precipitaciones muy irregulares. Sin embargo, los nuevos regadíos se enfrentaron desde un principio a graves problemas estructurales debido al peculiar diseño del sistema de regadío, las limitaciones de sus objetivos, la lentitud con que se fueron construyendo las infraestructuras necesarias (embalses, canales y acequias secundarias) y el acondicionamiento de los campos de cultivo. Este trabajo se centra en el estudio de las limitaciones a que se enfrentan los regadíos de Riegos del Alto Aragón (R.A.A.) debido a la tendencia que muestran los recursos hídricos y su distribución estacional como consecuencia de la evolución de temperaturas y precipitaciones, la expansión de la superficie forestal y de matorrales en áreas de montaña y el progresivo aterramiento a que se enfrentan los embalses. Para ello se ha revisado la información disponible sobre el Cambio Global en el Pirineo y se han aplicado diversos modelos climáticos e hidrológicos. La necesaria modernización ha mejorado los sistemas de riego, ha incrementado la eficiencia en el uso de los recursos hídricos, y ha permitido la introducción de nuevos cultivos mucho más productivos y rentables. Paradójicamente, la modernización también ha conllevado un aumento del consumo de agua y ha obligado a incrementar las reservas internas del sistema mediante la construcción de pequeños embalses y balsas. Esta mayor demanda de agua coincide con una progresiva reducción en la disponibilidad de recursos hídricos, debida no solo al incremento de la temperatura media sino también a los cambios en la dinámica de la acumulación y fusión de nieve en alta montaña y a la expansión de bosques y matorrales en antiguos campos de cultivo abandonados en los valles pirenaicos, lo que reduce la capacidad de generación de escorrentía y los caudales fluviales. Se prevé que estas tendencias se acentúen en el medio y largo plazo como consecuencia del cambio climático. Además, el progresivo aterramiento de los embalses reduce año tras año la capacidad de almacenamiento de agua. Estos procesos, que ponen de manifiesto la importancia de las interacciones entre las áreas de montaña y las regiones de piedemonte, obligarán a medio plazo a reorganizar la gestión de los recursos y de los procedimientos de regadío, así como la progresiva incorporación de cultivos de mayor valor añadido que compensen el incremento de los costes de producción ligados a una mayor dependencia de los regadíos respecto de la energía.
Contribution aux alternatives incitatives à l’engagement environnemental à la station Kiyaka et son hinterland Kwilu, RDC
Authors: Mitashi Kimvula Jules , Lubini Ayingweu Constantin , Kisangala Muke Modeste , Kidikwadi Tango Eustache , Tungi Tungi Joël
Published: November 2022

[fr] La station forestière de l’INERA Kiyaka et son hinterland (localisés dans la province du Kwilu, en République Démocratique du Congo) disposent d’une végétation représentée par une flore caractéristique de la déforestation du couvert forestier et de la dégradation environnementale. Cette étude vise à identifier et caractériser le problème d’engagement environnemental dans la station de Kiyaka et ses environs d’une part et d’autre part de proposer des alternatives incitatives pour y remédier. Il s’agit d’une recherche qualitative interprétative. Les techniques de collecte de données étaient les entretiens semi-dirigés sur trois groupes de participants adultes et l’immersion dans le milieu d’étude. Les représentations sociales des répondants traduisent une considération utilitaire de l’environnement et une attitude indifférente et négligente face à ce dernier. Les habitants de la station de Kiyaka et ses environs se résignent à attendre le soutien de Dieu ou des personnes extérieures. Les représentations sociales des participants à cette recherche traduisent des inquiétudes éducationnelles et opérationnelles pour soutenir l’atténuation et l’adaptation au changement climatique. Pour pallier ce manque, des alternatives incitatives à l’engagement environnemental sont proposées et contextualisées.
Digital Literacy for Adult Education Beyond Borders
Authors: Zaky Hany
Published: November 2022

Game-based learning is a powerful instructional method to build students' sense of community and cultural awareness. Educators view game-based learning as one of effective pedagogy and learning principles. Therefore, integrating technology in the teaching process is an influential tool that spurs learners' academic achievements and awareness of the learning goals. Understanding intercultural sensitivity in digital classrooms needs the individuals' awareness of subjective and objective cultural dimensions to deepen this integration. Due to the current varieties of offered educational games, educators need to know each game's background, context, and the proper pedagogical approach. The chapter focuses on the impact of technological advancements on building learners' intercultural sensitivity using game-based learning, as an adult classroom instructional technique, toward a more humanistic approach. It proposes the educational approaches to designing, managing, and using games for learning development assurance.
Relevance of a New Perspective of Social Responsibility and Sustainability in the Balanced Score Card
Authors: Hernandez-Mora Nydia Consuelo , Vargas Rocio , Martinez Mauricio , Borja Sergio Miguel
Published: November 2022

Since Norton and Kaplan developed the balanced scorecard in 1992, most companies worldwide have applied it as a monitoring and control tool in business management. However, since then various social and cultural factors have changed the way of thinking in society. The SDGs and the social inequalities highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic suggest that business management cannot be seen from the four traditional perspectives of finances, customers, internal processes, and growth and learning. It is necessary to develop a fifth perspective focused on social responsibility and sustainability. This document explores the importance of inclusion in this new perspective. It does a documentary review of research related to concepts such as social responsibility, shared values, and inclusion.
Security and Privacy Guidelines for IT Operations Under Pandemics and Epidemics
Authors: Tahir Hasan , Tahir Shahzaib , Hasan Anum
Published: November 2022

Deteriorating health conditions under a pandemic force governments and authorities to consider enforcing lockdown protocols to limit the spread of a disease. Once a lockdown protocol is enforced, many verticals are instantly impacted by the lack of available workforce and other issues. Critical infrastructures, information systems, integrated IT systems cannot be administered using existing guidelines/standards under a pandemic. Thus organizations, governments, enterprises, and economies are ill equipped to deal with IT and economic issues emerging as a result of a pandemic. This chapter explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on IT systems, IT operations, and security. This chapter calls attention to the lack of preparedness, absence of standards and protocols that deal with epidemics and pandemics. Thus, considering the changing organizational posture, this chapter brings to light opportunities for redressal, and recommendations have been made to ensure better preparation in the future.
Investigation of Trust Models to Alleviate the Authentication Challenge in FinTech
Authors: Abbas Naveed Naeem , Ahmad Rizwan , Qazi Shams , Ahmed Waqas
Published: November 2022

FinTech applications are increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks (identity theft, data breaches, distributed denial of service attacks, phishing attacks, insider threats), which have become a threat to many firms. These threats against FinTech services have the potential to wreak enormous societal, economic, and organizational harm. It is noted that various proposed methods failed to address the fundamental FinTech security issues of scalability, privacy, and trust distribution. Various well-known compliances of all FinTech are being adopted by developed countries to counter these cyber-attacks. Blockchain arouses increasing interest in different economic sectors, with confidentiality, availability, and integrity being fundamental factors. The study shows that the mass adoption of blockchain-based trust models has accelerated in the financial industry with private permissioned blockchain. The primary goal of these trust models is to assure the security, reliability, trustworthiness, and implementation of FinTech compliance.
Quantum and Post-Quantum Cybersecurity Challenges and Finance Organizations Readiness
Authors: Arshad Razi , Riaz Qaiser
Published: November 2022

Cryptography is used to protect sensitive information, but it is also required in many applications to ensure secure functionality and availability. The 100-year-old principles of physics are becoming industrially controllable, which leads to the era of the industrial quantum revolution. Products and applications such as quantum sensors, quantum simulators, quantum computers, and quantum cryptography are developing, which will affect the design of secure cryptographic systems. Post-quantum cryptography is a new field of research developing parallel to the progress in quantum technologies. Post-quantum cryptography deals with the development and investigation of algorithms that are assumed to be unbreakable even with quantum computers. This chapter will discuss the quantum and post-quantum cryptographic algorithms in detail and the migration strategies from classical asymmetric algorithms to post-quantum algorithms. This chapter also discusses the finance organization's readiness and recommendation for the replacement of vulnerable asymmetric algorithms with post-quantum algorithms.
Perceived Cyber Security Challenges in Adoption and Diffusion of FinTech Services in India
Authors: Kudal Pallavi , Dawar Sunny , Rai Rashmi , Dawar Prince
Published: November 2022

FinTech is a term that refers to a new type of digital technology that intends to build up and automate the distribution and management of financial services. FinTech is an abbreviation for “financial technology.” FinTech, or financial technology, assists companies, business holders, and consumers in managing their financial procedures and methods. The high adoption rate of fintech services creates a whole ecosystem of looters and hackers. This indeed is scary, and this chapter makes an attempt to understand the adoption rate of fintech services and diffusion challenges at the same time.
Deep Learning
Authors: Chinnasamy P. , Sathya K. B. Sri , Jebamani B. Jency A. , Nithyasri A. , Fowjiya S.
Published: November 2022

Deep learning has become one of the hottest research topics in the machine-learning world, with tremendous success in several sectors. The summary and inductive reasoning procedures of deep learning are mostly used in this study. It begins by outlining the history and present state of deep learning globally. The second part of the chapter explains the fundamental structure, the traits, and a few types of traditional deep learning techniques, including the stacked auto encoder, deep belief network, deep Boltzmann machine, and convolutional neural network. Thirdly, it discusses the most recent advancements and uses of deep learning in a variety of industries, including speech recognition, machine learning, computational linguistics, and healthcare. Finally, it outlines the issues and potential possibilities for deep learning studies in the future.
Advancements in Deep Learning for Automated Dubbing in Indian Languages
Authors: Sasithradevi A.  , Shoba S.  , Manikandan E.  , Baskar Chanthini
Published: November 2022

After the proliferation of deep learning technologies in computer vision applications, natural language processing has used deep learning methods for its building steps like segmentation, classification, prediction, understanding, and recognition. Among different natural language processing domains, dubbing is one of the challenging tasks. Deep learning-based methodologies for dubbing will translate unknown language audio into meaningful words. This chapter provides a detailed study on the recent deep learning models in literature for dubbing. Deep learning models for dubbing can be categorized based on the feature representation as audio, visual, and multimodal features. More models are prevailing for English language, and a few techniques are available for Indian languages. In this chapter, the authors provide an end-to-end solution to predict the lip movements and translate them into natural language. This study also covers the recent enhancements in deep learning for natural language processing. Also, the future directions for the automated dubbing process domain are discussed.
Systematic Literature Survey on Sign Language Recognition Systems
Authors: Ashok Kumar L.  , Karthika Renuka D.  , Raajkumar G.
Published: November 2022

Recently, communication via signing acknowledgment has received a lot of attention in personal computer vision. Sign language is a method of conveying messages by using the hand, arm, body, and face to convey considerations and implications. Communication through gestures, like communication in languages, arises and develops naturally within hearing-impaired networks. All the same, gesture-based communication is uncommon. There is no universally perceived and accepted gesture-based communication for all deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Each nation has its own communication via gestures with a significant level of syntactic variety, just as it does when communicating in language. The gesture-based communication utilized is usually known as sign language.
Sign Language Recognition for Daily Activites Using Deep Learning
Authors: Shoba S.  , Chanthini B.  , Sasithradevi A.  , Manikandan E.
Published: November 2022

Sign language recognition has become a critical research in the field of computer vision as the need of disability solutions grow. Sign language acts as a bridge to reduce the communication gap between normal people and deaf and dumb people. Current sign language identification systems, on the other hand, lack essential characteristics such as accessibility and cost, which are critical for people with speech disabilities to interact with their daily settings. The successful attractive solution is to initiate the sign languages in terms of words and common expressions for daily activities. This will interact the deaf and dumb people by connecting to the outside world more quickly and easily. The sign gestures obtained are processed through popular machine learning and deep learning models for classification accuracy. This chapter discusses the word sign recognition, image processing algorithms for separating the signs from the background, machine learning algorithms, and the complete model set up for sign recognition.
Deep Learning Architecture for a Real-Time Driver Safety Drowsiness Detection System
Authors: J. Sangeetha
Published: November 2022

According to the reports from the World Health Organization (WHO), one of the primary causes that led to death in the world was road accidents. Every year, numerous road accidents are caused by drivers due to their drowsiness. It can be minimized by alerting the driver, and it has been done by identifying and recognizing the initial stages of drowsiness. Several models have been proposed to detect drivers' drowsiness and alert them before a road accident occurs. However, the most prominent one is VGG16 with a transfer learning mechanism that is utilized to view the status of the respective regions of interest. By utilizing these models, the drivers are monitored, and alarms are generated to alert the drivers as well as the passengers. This experimental analysis was carried out on the Kaggle Yawn-Eye-Dataset (KYED), and the results showed the low computational intricacy and high precision of the eye closure estimation and the ability of the proposed system for drowsiness detection.
Detection and Classification of Diabetic Retinopathy Using Image Processing Algorithms, Convolutional Neural Network, and Signal Processing Techniques
Authors: S. Sudha , A. Srinivasan , Gayathri Devi T. , Roslee Mardeni Bin
Published: November 2022

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) affects blood vessels in the retina and arises due to complications of diabetes. Diabetes is a serious health issue that must be considered and taken care of at the right time. Modern lifestyle, stress at workplaces, and unhealthy food habits affect the health conditions of our body. So the detection of lesions and treatment at an early stage is required. The detection and classification of early signs of diabetic retinopathy can be done by three different approaches. In Approach 1, an image processing algorithm is proposed. In Approach 2, convolutional neural network (CNN-VGG Net 16) is proposed for the classification of fundus images into normal and DR images. In Approach 3, a signal processing method is used for the detection of diabetic retinopathy using electro retinogram signal (ERG). Finally, the performance measures are calculated for all three approaches, and it is found that detection using CNN improves the accuracy.
Image Security Using Visual Cryptography
Authors: R. Bala Krishnan , G. Manikandan , N. Rajesh Kumar , Rajesh N.
Published: November 2022

The use of digital image in a variety of disciplines has skyrocketed, particularly in multimedia, medicine, and social media. The integrity and confidentiality of digital images communicated over the internet can be jeopardized by a variety of security threats. As a result, the content of these digital images must be preserved at all costs for a variety of domain-specific applications. Visual cryptography scheme (VCs) is an image-based approach to encrypt the secret image in such a way, and human visual system (HVS) can be used to decrypt the image. The core concepts of visual cryptography and applications of several visual cryptography schemes are covered in this chapter. The authors describe a unique reversible data hiding method for protecting secret shares using a covering subset and recovering the secret image using an overlaying technique. This chapter also covers a comparative analysis of 2-out-of-n and 3-out-of-n visual cryptography schemes.
‘Isolated together’: online group treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review
Authors: Margherita Giorgia , Muzii Benedetta , Caffieri Alessia , Di Francia Adriana , Somma Brenda
Published: November 2022

Considering the emerging need to face the negative impact of the pandemic on mental health, social support, and access to health services, it became a critical issue to adapt to online group settings, and create new group interventions to face the developing distress during this time. The aim of the current study is to investigate the main findings on OPGI conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 until March 2022, with a particular focus on: a) the therapeutic group factors; b) what kind of OPGI works and for whom; c) settings and emerging dimensions. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic review on scientific databases (PsychINFO, PubMed, Web of Science and EBSCO) searching for studies published between March 2020 and March 2022. “Group intervention” or “group therapy” or “group treatment” crossed with “COVID-19” and synonymous, were used as keywords. Internet based intervention was used as an eligibility criteria during the full-text screening. A total of 1326 articles were identified, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria. Among all studies, with different participants and different orientations, data extracted supported psychological online group interventions as an effective approach to reducing psychological distress and increasing psychological resources in the interpersonal field. Our findings also showed that COVID-19 has led to new needs and issues, that require the investigation of new dimensions for online psychological interventions. Methodological and clinical implications will be discussed through a descriptive table related to setting characteristics. Recommendations are made for future research.
New horizons in group psychotherapy research and practice from third wave positive psychology: a practice-friendly review
Authors: Marmarosh Cheri L. , Sandage Steven , Wade Nathaniel , Captari Laura E. , Crabtree Sarah
Published: November 2022

Group psychotherapy has been shown to be equivalent to individual therapy for many disorders, including anxiety, depression, grief, eating disorders, and schizophrenia (Burlingame & Strauss, 2021). In addition to effectiveness in reducing symptoms, group offers members a sense of belonging, purpose, hope, altruism, and meaning throughout treatment (Yalom & Leszcz, 2020). These additional outcomes are especially important considering the COVID-19 pandemic and national/international conflicts, given the trauma, disruptions, and losses people have experienced. Applying recent developments in positive psychology to group therapy can enhance treatment. A practice-friendly review examined recent advances in the positive psychology literature, demonstrating how group therapy offers members unique growth opportunities in addition to reducing symptoms. Key findings from studies applying positive psychological constructs to group therapy outcomes are synthesized. Our review sheds light on the relevance of third wave positive psychology to enrich group therapy (Lomas et al., 2021). Specifically, group therapy can facilitate the development of vitalizing psychological virtues, and these can be used to assess treatment outcome: humanity, wisdom, transcendence, courage, temperance, and justice. Interrelatedly, we present support for including attachment theory and mentalization within a positive psychological group framework. Implications are explored for group therapy research, clinical work, and training.
An exploratory study on how attachment classifications manifest in group psychotherapy
Authors: Talia Alessandro , Georg Anna , Siepe Björn , Gullo Salvatore , Miller-Bottome Madeleine , Volkert Jana , Neukel Corinne , Kaess Michael , Bempohl Felix , Herpertz Sabine C. , Taubner Svenja
Published: November 2022

Recently, attachment-informed researchers and clinicians have begun to show that attachment theory offers a useful framework for exploring group psychotherapy. However, it remains unclear whether patients with differing attachment classifications would behave and speak in distinct ways in group therapy sessions. Aim: In this study, we conducted an exploratory analysis of the discourse of patients in group therapy who had independently received different classifications with gold standard interview measures of attachment in adults. Each patient participant attended one of three mentalization-based parenting groups. Before treatment, the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) or the Parent Development Interview (PDI) were administered to each patient, and interviews were transcribed and coded to obtain the patient’s attachment classification. Groups included 2, 5, and 5 patients, respectively, and any session was led by at least two co-therapists. A total of 14 group sessions were transcribed verbatim. Sessions were analysed through a semi-inductive method, in order to identify markers that would typify patients of different attachment classifications in session. Through transcript excerpts and narrative descriptions, we report on the differing ways in which patients of different attachment classifications communicate in group psychotherapy, with the therapist and with each other. Our work provides useful information for group therapists and researchers regarding how differences in attachment status may play out in group sessions.
Integration of an Inclusive Health Care Curriculum for Sexual Health and Gender Minorities
Authors: Schulman Erica H. , Eberman Lindsey E. , Crossway Ashley K. , Nye Emma A. , Uriegas Nancy A. , Connell Spencer A. , Winkelmann Zachary K.
Published: November 2022

Context

Research suggests that athletic training students lack knowledge and experience providing care to transgender patients. Additionally, research has identified a lack of comfort with sexual health screening in peer health professions.

Objective

To assess how a curriculum, including a standardized patient (SP) encounter, influenced attitudes and skills in working with sexual health and gender minorities.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Simulation lab.

Patients or Other Participants

Twenty cisgender postbaccalaureate professional athletic training students (females = 16, males = 4; age = 23 ± 2 years).

Intervention(s)

The intervention included a focused curriculum on transgender health care and sexual health. In a culminating SP encounter, one group (n = 10) interacted with a cisgender woman and the second group (n = 10) with a transgender woman.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

The students completed a postintervention survey. Instruments included the Attitudes Towards Transgender Patients tool, which is divided into 3 subscales: clinician education, transgender sport participation, and clinician comfort; and the the Sexual Health Knowledge and Attitudes and Sexual History–Taking instruments, which evaluated the effectiveness of the sexual health curriculum on knowledge, attitudes, and comfort. The investigator and SP actor evaluated the SP encounters. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, nonparametric Mann-Whitney U, and 1-way analyses of variance.

Results

We identified a significant difference between those completing a transgender SP encounter (mean = 5.30 ± 2.11) and those completing the cisgender SP encounter (mean = 3.50 ± 0.97) on the clinician education subscale (P = .035). There were no differences between groups on the transgender sport participation (P = .70) and clinician comfort (P = .32) subscales. On the SP actor evaluation, we found no significant differences (P = .08).

Conclusions

The curriculum and SP encounter influenced knowledge, attitudes, and comfort when working with gender minorities and screening for sexual health.
The relationship between volatility, volume and open interest: Some evidence from the South African futures market
Authors: Smit E. V.D.M. , Louw M. W.
Published: November 2022

Using the methodology devised by Bessembinder Seguin, the relationships between volatility on the one hand and volume and market depth in the South African futures market are examined. Daily mark-to-market prices, trading volumes and open interest on six futures contracts traded on SAFEX over the period 1990 to 1994 are utilized. The evidence suggests that linking price volatility to total volume does not capture all information. When total volume is divided into expected and unexpected components, the latter is shown to have a more substantial effect on volatility. Furthermore, coefficients pertaining to open as well as unexpected open interest tend to be negative, implying that lower volatility shocks are associated with a given volume in deeper markets. It is further shown that positive unexpected volume shocks are associated with higher levels of volatility and that asymmetry exists, insofar as positive shocks have larger effects on volatility than negative shocks.
Assessing company strength in South Africa using value added: 1990-2000
Authors: King C. , Hamman W. D.
Published: November 2022

This article aims to determine if value added-based ratio analysis could be used to measure organisation strength and be useful as a tool in corporate strategy formulation. The areas of investigation included productivity of production factors, reinvestment in capital and overall business control.Productivity measurement provides insight into the capital and labour intensity of organisations. Some organisations were able to exert high value added to sales ratios, but they did not perform as well when their productivity levels were measured. Reinvestment in capital tries to establish if organisations have the means to uphold and strengthen their present asset base, which also includes its human capital. Margins on sales and value added are used to measure overall business control and provide insight into the ability of organisations to add value through their own production skills or by command of lucrative contracts with suppliers. Organisations that are able to show high values on both ratios are said to display a high degree of overall business control.The formulas used in this article are a replication of those used by the mentioned authors. The models as developed by Bryant are specifically used to see how they fit in the South African context and to draw conclusions about their use for future purposes.
Trend in seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 (IgG antibody) among tribal-dominated population: Findings from Jharkhand, India
Authors: Mahapatra Amarendra , Palo Subrata Kumar , Bhattacharya Debdutta , Kanungo Srikanta , Kshatri Jaya Singh , Mishra Bijaya Kumar , Mansingh Asit , Parai Debaprasad , Pattnaik Matrujyoti , Choudhary Hari Ram , Dash Girish Chandra , Mohanta Amiya Ranjan , Bishoyee Anjan , Mohanty Prasantajyoti , Mandal Nityananda , Dayal Rakesh , Mitra Anindya , Pati Sanghamitra
Published: November 2022

Background & objectives:

Serosurvey of COVID-19 provides a better estimation of people who have developed antibodies against the infection. Undertaking such a serosurvey in certain districts of India which are densely populated with prominent tribes can provide valuable information regarding seropravelance of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among such indigenous populations. In this context, two rounds of population-based, cross-sectional serosurveys for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody were carried out in Jharkhand, a tribal-dominated State of India, to compare the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to determine the associated demographic risk factors.

Methods:

The surveys were carried out in June 2020 and February 2021 in ten districts of the State of Jharkhand. Blood samples were collected from the residents of the selected districts by random sampling and tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using an automated chemiluminescence immunoassay platform. A total of 4761 and 3855 eligible participants were included in round 1 and round 2, respectively.

Results:

The age- and gender-standardized seroprevalence for COVID-19 during round 1 was 0.54 per cent (0.36-0.80) that increased to 41.69 per cent (40.16-43.22) during round 2 with a gap of eight months in between. The seropositivity among male and female participants was 0.73 and 0.45 per cent, respectively, during the first round and 51.35 and 33.70 per cent, respectively, during the second round. During the first round, 17.37 per cent of the participants were tribal with seropositivity of 0.24 per cent (0.02-0.87), and during the second round, 21.14 per cent were tribal with seropositivity of 39.14 per cent (35.77-42.59). Compared to tribal group, non-tribal participants had an adjusted odds of 1.24 (95% confidence interval=1.04-1.48) for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity.

Interpretation & conclusions:

COVID-19 seroprevalence was found to be low during the first round (0.54%) of the survey, possibly due to the travel restrictions during lockdown better adherence to social distancing and wearing of face masks among the people. Understanding the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and the susceptibility to infection at the individual as well as community level will inform decision and help policy makers to design and implement effective public health strategies to mitigate the pandemic in this State.
Computed tomography-aided diagnosis of COVID-19
Authors: Chen Xiao , Yang Qiuyuan , He Haijun , Wang Caiqiong , Peng Zefei , Liu Yingchun , Wang Peiqi , Wu Jialei , Yang Bin
Published: November 2022

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is highly infectious, has spread worldwide, and has a relatively high mortality rate. Early diagnosis and timely isolation are essential to control the spread of COVID-19. Computed tomography (CT) is considered to be an effective tool for the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 and plays a key role in diagnosis, clinical course monitoring, and the evaluation of treatment outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a useful technology for early diagnosis, lesion quantification, and prognosis evaluation in patients with COVID-19. In this review, we discuss the role of CT in the diagnosis of COVID-19, typical CT manifestations of COVID-19 throughout the disease course, differential diagnoses, and the application of AI as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in this patient population.
Strengthening Public Health Scholarship in Sudan: The Role of Leadership and Mentorship Development
Authors: Göç Nükte , Hassan Saria , Bani Ibrahim , Babiker Suad , Hilali Mahmoud , Ibrahim Zeinab , Gaddal Arwa , Saleh Linda , Salih Eman Mukhtar , Desai Mayur M. , Linnander Erika
Published: November 2022

A robust public health workforce in Sudan is essential for accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, and strengthening public health education is a priority for the Ministries of Health and Higher Education. Faculty at public health training institutions are a critical resource. Globally, development programs for junior to midlevel public health faculty have been well documented. However, most involved direct partnership between a university from the Global North and only one or two universities from the Global South, only one included an explicit focus on creation of a leadership network, and none were launched as fully virtual collaborations. Therefore, we conducted a mixed-method evaluation of the fully virtual Yale–Sudan Program for Research Leadership in Public Health. We used program records, participant feedback, competency assessment, and network analysis to evaluate 1) participant engagement, 2) change in skill, and 3) change in collaboration. The program achieved a 93% graduation rate. All participants would “definitely” recommend the program and described the live virtual sessions as engaging, effective, and accessible. We observed progress toward learning objectives and significant increases in 13 of 14 leadership and mentorship competency domains. Collaboration across Sudanese institutions increased, including an almost doubling in the number of pairs reporting scholarly collaboration. Eight authorship teams are actively working toward peer-reviewed publications. The program engaged scholars and policymakers from across Sudan and the Sudanese diaspora achieved high levels of co-creation and continues despite significant political unrest in the country, serving as a promising model for strengthening of public health education in Sudan.
A Study on the Environmental Assessment of Bottled Water using Life Cycle Assessment Methodology
Authors: Kim Jongsek , Lee Chankyu , Lim Noh-Hyun , Han Yongkyu , Han Ihnsup
Published: November 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the environmental assessment through the LCA(Life Cycle Assessment) method targeting the bottled water products with the largest distribution proportion in the domestic beverage product in South Korea. In other words, by quantitatively evaluating greenhouse gas emissions and major environmental indicators during the entire life cycle of bottled water products, it is intended to be helpful in product environmental improvement measures by deriving applicable alternatives.Methods : Assessment method of the greenhouse gas emissions and major environmental indicators followed “Guidelines for Environmental Product Declaration of Products” in South Korea. In this study, Carbon footprint and other major environmental indicators(Resource footprint, Ozone depletion, Acidification, Eutrophication, Photochemical smog, Water footprint) of bottled water product were calculated. The life cycle assessment for bottled water products was considered for the Pre-manufacturing, Manufacturing, Distribution and End of life, and Use stage was excluded.Results and Discussion : As a result of analyzing Carbon footprint and other major environmental indicators, Carbon footprint of 500 ml of bottled water is 8.28E-02 kg CO2 -eq./unit, Resource footprint(RF) is 2.34E-03 kg Sb-eq./unit, ozone depletion(OD) is 3.25E-05 kg CFC-11-eq./unit, Acidification(AF) is 3.81E-04 kg SO2-eq/unit eutrophication(EP) is 6.64E-05 kg PO43-eq./unit, photochemical smog(PS) is 6.85E-04 kg C2H4-eq./unit, Water footprint(WF) was evaluated as 1.19E-03 m3 H2O-eq./unit.Conclusion : It was identified that the PET bottle manufacturing process occupies the highest environmental impact in RF, CF, AF, EP and PS. The transportation of bottled water products is the highest at 97.1% in OD, which is attributed to refrigerants such as CFC-114, which are used for cooling while driving vehicles. Based on the research results, in order to improve the eco-friendliness of bottled water, it is necessary to reduce the use of PET bottle resin and increase the use of recycled PET(r-PET) as an alternative technology. It is necessary to expand the introduction of eco-friendly vehicles for product transportation and to improve packaging technology.
Application and evaluation of SWAT-C model to predict TOC loading in the Hwangryong River Watershed
Authors: Kim Dongho , Lee Jiwon , Jeong Hyemin , Kwon Yongsung , Lee Byeongwon , Lee Sangchul
Published: November 2022

Objectives : This study aims to assess the applicability of the SWAT-C water quality model recently developed to predict in-stream Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in a watershed within South Korea.Methods : The SWAT-C model was tested in the Hwangryong River Watershed. SWAT-C is an advanced version of Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to simulate carbon cycling at the watershed scale. The model was simulated for 11 years (2010-2020) consisting of 2-year warm-up (2010-2011), 6-year calibration (2012-2017), and 3-year validation (2018-2020) periods. SWAT-C was calibrated and validated against monthly streamflow and TOC loads. The model performance was evaluated using NSE (Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency), KGE (Kling-Gupta efficiency), and PBIAS (percent bias) Simulated Dissolve Organic Carbon (DOC) and Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) loads were also presented to see the major caron type loaded to the downstream.Results and Discussion : The calibration results showed that SWAT-C could depict streamflow and TOC loads with acceptance model performances (NSE > 0.5, KGE > 0.5 and PBIAS =< 25%). Especially, the seasonal variations of TOC loads were well simulated by SWAT-C. The TOC load was predicted to increase in the summer season with high precipitation and slightly lower in the other seasons. This seasonal pattern is likely caused by frequent heavy rainfall events in summer.Conclusion : This study demonstrated that SWAT-C model is applicable in South Korea with sufficient prediction accuracy. Thus, SWAT-C would serve as an efficient tool to monitor TOC loads in South Korea.
Gamma Radiation Induced Degradation and Leaching Behavior of Ion Exchange Resin
Authors: Choi Wang Kyu , Lim Seung Joo
Published: November 2022

Objectives : The objectives of this study were to investigate gamma radiation induced degradation and leaching behavior of nuclide and/or organic complexing agent adsorbed ion exchange resin.Methods : Cation exchange resin (IRN 77) and anion exchange resin (IRN 78) widely used in nuclear power plants were purchased. Cobalt ion and EDTA were used to represent nuclide and organic complexing agent adsorbed to ion exchange resins. Cation and anion exchange resin adsorbed cobalt ion and/or EDTA were radiated by 60Co nuclide. The radiation dose rate was 10 kGy/hr and total doses were 0, 300, 500, and 700 kGy.Results and Discussion : The sulfone and quaternary ammonium functional groups of gamma radiated ion exchange resin were degraded, indicating nuclide/organic complexing agent would be leached from ion exchange resin. It was shown that degradation of anion exchange resin was worse than that of cation exchange resin. While the high concentrations of cobalt ion and organic matter were observed in leachate from anion exchange resin, those in leachate from cation exchange resin were very low. For mixed cation and anion exchange resin, the leaching behavior of mixed resin was improved. This shows that disposal in the form of a mixed ion exchange resin was evaluated as a safer method than that of a cation or anion exchange resin alone.Conclusion : The adsorbed nuclide and organic complexing agent were leached from ion exchange resin by gamma irradiation. The leaching behavior of cation and anion exchange resin was improved by using mixed ion exchange resin.
Public Health Expenditure and Life Expectancy: A Healthy Investment
Authors: Zueras Pilar , Rentería Elisenda
Published: November 2022

During the financial crisis and subsequent economic recession, life expectancy in Spain continued its growth trend, rising from 82.3 years in 2008 to 82.92 years in 2014. However, in a context of low mortality rates, it is also important to know about the evolution of time in which we live in good and bad health. Spain’s great regional heterogeneity and its decentralised public health system make it possible to observe how a variety of regional economic and sociodemographic factors may be associated with changes in health indicators. In this study, we analyse the evolution of years lived with and without the most prevalent and disabling health conditions after the age of 50 in 17 Spanish Autonomous Communities in order to understand their association with several macro socioeconomic factors, public provision of health services, public health expenditure, and health-related behaviours. The period of analysis is from 2006 to 2019 in order to cover the phases of expansion, crisis, and economic recovery that the country has experienced in the recent years. The results show that per capita public health expenditure is one of the components that most clearly explains health differences between regions; and higher public health expenditure means more years lived in good health and fewer years lived in bad health.