bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Field Diary in Rural Research: Features of Fixing and Organizing Data
Authors: Solonenko Elizaveta
Published: September 2023

The article describes the methodological features of conducting sociological and anthropological qualitative field research in rural areas, in particular, it covers ways of fixing data for its conservation and further analytical work. The limitations imposed on the researcher by the field also affect the nature of the data collected during interviews and observations, which forces them to adhere to certain methods of systematization in order to prepare for further analysis. The article presents the methods of organizing field notes, highlights the stages of field records — fixation, primary systematization, organization of a field diary — when collecting qualitative data on sensitive topics for the preservation of the material and its future processing.
Classical sonata form: the context of modern music-pedagogy experience
Authors: Dolgushina Marionella Y. , Dolgushina Anna A.
Published: September 2023

Importance. The range of issues of fortepiano pedagogy related to the development of the classical sonata form in succession with the composing and performing experience of the pre-classical period is considered. The problem of mastering the modern musical and pedagogical experience in the field of studying the classical sonata form in the fortepiano classroom is solved.
Materials and methods. The semiotic approach to the musical text is used as the main methodological principle, as well as historical and cultural commentary and reconstruction of the authentic environment in which the classical sonata form was created and developed. The expediency of using the “quasi-score of the performing concept” in pedagogical communication is shown. The justification of the introduced concept contains various examples of reading the urtext. The proposed methods can be widely used in the sequential process of mastering a large form in an instrumental classroom.
Results and Discussion. A useful result of the proposed approach is a meaningful attitude to performance technique as a resource for generating variants of the correct author’s interpretation of a work of art. Despite the fact that the large form is an obligatory part of music pedagogy, practicing musicians face problems of formal and semantic perception of the text in the process of participating in the dialogue environment “teacher – student”, “composer – instrumentalist”. By analogy with the term quasi-scores used in the art criticism analysis of a large form, the concept of “quasi-score of the performing concept” is introduced, which allows to enrich pedagogical communication with a large volume of historical and cultural information tied to the artistic text of the work and the technology of its performance. Concrete examples of the mutual influence of the largest representatives of the composer and performing practice of the 18th century are given and interpreted.
Conclusion. The idea of the need to develop the ability of an instrumentalist to understand, hear and reproduce in performing practice the constructs of the musical language generated in the syncretism of the compositional and performing practice of the epochs of Johann Kunau, the Bach family, Domenico Scarlatti, Georg Friedrich Handel, Joseph Haydn, Muzio Clementi, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven is argued.
Статистична обробка експериментальних даних в поліграфічних технологіях
Authors: Золотухіна Катерина Ігорівна , Кушлик-Дивульська Ольга Іванівна , Поліщук Наталія Володимирівна
Published: September 2023

Показано стан поліграфічної галузі у воєнний час. Проаналізовано важливість математичних знань для аналізу достовірності отриманих виробничих, експериментальних даних, їх статистичного опрацювання, побудови математичних моделей для видавничо-поліграфічної галузі тощо. Показано сутність застосування програмних документів для дослідження виробничих задач в ракурсі інноваційних інформаційних технологій. Зокрема, на прикладі застосування програмного пакету STATISTICA розглянуто можливий варіант опрацювання експериментальних, економічних, статистичних числових даних, отриманих в результаті дослідження процесів та явищ видавничо-поліграфічного виробництва, можливість графічної візуалізації засобами програмного середовища тощо. Статистична обробка експериментальних даних є важливою та передбачає вирішення ряду задач: досягнення оптимізації у виборі альтернативних рішень; покращення виробництва за рахунок відновлення зруйнованого війною чи створення за новими форматами більш сучасних ліній; запровадження нових методик дослідження, опрацювання експериментальних даних для подальшого їх аналізу та засвідчення їх достовірності при подальших обчисленнях.
Чинники, що визначають потребу поліграфічного підприємства у виробничому технологічному обладнанні
Authors: Кохановський Василь Олександрович , Зоренко Оксана Володимирівна , Хохлова Розалія Анатоліївна
Published: September 2023

Питання ефективності використання поліграфічного устаткування стали особливо актуальними в умовах конкуренції та загального спаду економіки. У цьому зв’язку підприємства зацікавлені в прискоренні процесу заміни застарілої і впровадженні нової техніки та технологій з метою покращення використання основних виробничих фондів і одержання прибутку.
Метою статті є систематизація системи чинників, які формують потребу поліграфічного підприємства в основному технологічному устаткуванні.
Визначено сукупність таких чинників, яку можна класифікувати за двома групами. До першої групи відносяться зовнішні чинники: економічна політика держави, науково-технічний прогрес, конкуренція, попит на продукцію, що виробляється за допомогою основного технологічного устаткування, і до другої групи відносяться внутрішні чинники: заміна фізично і морально застарілого устаткування, технічне переоснащення виробництва, розширення або переорієнтація виробництва на нові види продукції.
В умовах спаду економіки зростає необхідність поліграфічного підприємства працювати під конкретного замовника, до основних вимог якого відносяться ціна, якість, короткі терміни виготовлення замовлення.
Таким вимогам можуть задовольнити лише сучасні види обладнання, як правило, з використанням цифрових технологій. Цифровий друк полегшує процес комунікації, дозволяє: створити прямий контакт між замовником та виробником за допомогою мережі, зменшити наклади без зниження ефективності використання основного технологічного обладнання, збільшити асортимент продукції, скоротити цикл виробництва, оперативне виробництво (скорочення складських запасів, розповсюдження через мережу, виробництво на місцях), прямий маркетинг.
Також пропонується методика розрахунку потреби в устаткуванні для новостворюваних і підприємств, що реконструюються.
TOWARDS MODELS COMPLEXITY IN WATER USAGE AND TREATMENT OPTIMISATION PROBLEMS
Authors: Shakhnovsky Arcady
Published: September 2023

The paper addresses water recycling in process industry, inter alia, the issues of mathematical models’ complexity problem in the “process integration”-based structural optimization of sustainable water usage and treatment networks. The nature of addressing structural optimization problems requires iteratively querying individual process models, which are incorporated as objective functions and constraints within the optimization model, throughout the process of finding a solution, therefore the goal was to explore the intricacy of mentioned models. Within the framework of the research, the impact of complexity of water network constituent parts models on the optimization performance was investigated by Monte Carlo method for one step of the optimization procedure, as well as for the optimization procedure as a whole. Units’ models in form of algebraic equations (for direct equation calculation case), algebraic equations (for root search), ordinary differential equations (for Cauchy initial value problem with a case of two differential equations), ordinary differential equations (for boundary value problem), and partial differential equations (for two spatial variables) were examined with an analysis of their applicability for optimization purposes. The justification for employing both deterministic "counter-current mass transfer" models and statistical polynomial "input-output" steady-state algebraic models were established for addressing the specific problems under investigation. As the case study, special polynomial model was constructed based on the experimental design / response surface methodology and the dynamics simulation results on adsorption wastewater treatment within the packed bed column ﬁlled with activated carbon. Central composite rotatable design was formulated and subsequently executed using computational experimentation methods for the parametric identification of a nonlinear polynomial model. The evaluation confirmed that the constructed model exhibits satisfactory predictive accuracy.
Progressive technologies of electrophysical treatment for regulation of stress-strain states of elements of welded structures
Authors: Lobanov Leonid , Ustymenko Pavlo , Sydorenko Yuriy , Pashchyn Mykola
Published: September 2023

The development of industry stimulates the development of modern approaches to the optimization of welded structures. The use of pulsed electromagnetic fields, plasma currents, electrodynamic forces and their combined effects is a new trend in engineering practice to improve the mechanical characteristics of metal materials and welded joints (WJ). Treatment with a pulsed electromagnetic field (TwPEMF) is a promising direction for optimizing the stress-strain states (SSS) of welded structures made of non-ferromagnetic metal materials. Using the method of electronic speckle interferometry, the effect of TwPEMF on the SSS of specimens of circumferential WJ with a thickness of δ = 1.0 mm from aluminium AMg6 alloy was investigated. Based on the original procedure using an accelerometer, the kinetics of the action of the force P of the magnetic field pressure on the residual displacements f and SSS of the specimens during their TwPEMF were investigated. TwPEMF of WJ specimens was performed without and with the use of an additional shield made of AMg6 alloy δ = 5.0 mm. It was found that the use of a shield increases the amplitude values of force P by up to two times, which is caused by an increase in the active volume of the conductive medium. At the same time, TwPEMF without and with the use of a shield contributes to the reduction of f values by 2 and 4 times, respectively, and residual SSS by 50 and 80%. On the basis of mathematical modelling, the advantages of using electrodynamic treatment (EDT) of butt WJ δ = 3.0 mm of АMg61 (1561) alloy in the TIG welding process compared to EDT at room temperature (Tk) are substantiated. According to the results of the model verification, it was proved that EDT during TIG contributes to the formation of peak values of residual compressive stresses in the weld zone by 60% more than EDT during Tk. The use of a pulsed barrier discharge (PBD), which generates a low-temperature plasma on the surface of the metal being treated, contributes to the optimization of its structure. An increase in the hardness HV of structural 25KhGNMT steel as a result of its PBD treatment from 420 to 510 units was established, which is accompanied by the dispersion of the metal microstructure.
Topology of Ambient 3-Manifolds of Non-Singular Flows with Twisted Saddle Orbit
Authors:   National Research University “Higher School of Economics”, Pochinka O. V. ,   National Research University “Higher School of Economics”, Shubin D. D.
Published: September 2023

In the present paper, nonsingular Morse – Smale flows on closed orientable 3-manifolds are considered under the assumption that among the periodic orbits of the flow there is only one saddle and that it is twisted. An exhaustive description of the topology of such manifolds is obtained. Namely, it is established that any manifold admitting such flows is either a lens space or a connected sum of a lens space with a projective space, or Seifert manifolds with a base homeomorphic to a sphere and three singular fibers. Since the latter are prime manifolds, the result obtained refutes the claim that, among prime manifolds, the flows considered admit only lens spaces.
Quantification of nipple size and shape among an ethnically diverse sample of US women
Authors: Wildfeuer Peter , Alban Alexis , Worrell Bob , Zeev Shilo Ben , Shamian Judith , Woolridge Mike
Published: September 2023

Research aim: to quantify nipple shapes and sizes in an ethnically diverse convenience sample of US women. A total of 510 women were recruited into this study—using an iPhone App, employing the ‘True Depth Scanning’ software, and scanning their torso from both the left and right aspect to secure an image of each breast. They provided 1,129 scans, of which 835 (74%) were submitted to a purpose-built algorithm which isolated the nipple-areola complex as a definable 3D cube, which was re-aligned to enable key parameters of nipple geometry to be measured. Viable data were secured from 78% of the scans undertaken, yielding 538 datasets from 329 participants. Outcome: This is the largest study undertaken with a non-clinical, ethnically diverse population of women, employing a novel scanning process and applying a novel purpose-built algorithm—with a view to characterizing the shape and size of the nipple-areola complex, by collecting normative data on nipple geometry.
Administration of Gas6 Attenuates Lung Fibrosis via Inhibition of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Fibroblast Activation
Authors: Lee Ye-Ji , Kim Minsuk , Kim Hee-Sun , Kang Jihee Lee
Published: September 2023

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major event in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis pathogenesis. Here, we investigated whether growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) plays a protective role in lung fibrosis via suppression of the EMT and fibroblast activation. rGas6 ad-ministration inhibited the EMT in isolated mouse ATII cells 14 days post-BLM treatment based on morphologic cellular alterations, changes in mRNA and protein expression profiles of EMT markers, and induction of EMT-activating transcription factors. BLM-induced increases in gene expression of fibroblast activation-related markers and the invasive capacity of primary lung fi-broblasts in primary lung fibroblasts were reversed by rGas6 administration. Furthermore, the hydroxyproline content and collagen accumulation in interstitial areas with damaged alveolar structures in lung tissue were reduced by rGas6 administration. Targeting Gas6/Axl signaling events with specific inhibitors of Axl (BGB324), COX-2 (NS-398), EP1/EP2 receptor (AH-6809), or PGD2 DP2 receptor (BAY-u3405) reversed the inhibitory effects of rGas6 on EMT and fibroblast activation. Finally, we confirmed the antifibrotic effects of Gas6 using Gas6−/− mice. Therefore, Gas6/Axl signaling events play a potential role in inhibition of EMT process and fibroblast acti-vation via COX-2-derived PGE2 and PGD2 production, ultimately preventing the development of pulmonary fibrosis.
MITIGASI BANJIR BERDASARKAN HUJAN 3 HARIAN MAKSIMUM TAHUNAN DENGAN SIMULASI PEMASANGAN PARAPET DI KOTA SURAKARTA
Authors: Nurhidayati Fridya Ikafitri , Hadiani Rintis , Muttaqien Adi Yusuf
Published: September 2023

Surakarta City often floods when there is high rainfall, according to BNPB 2016 three consecutive days of rain can cause flood disasters. Hydrological analysis is needed to determine the flood discharge due to the maximum three-day rain. With the development of TRMM satellite rain data technology can be used in hydrological analysis to overcome the problem of limited data availability at rainfall gauges. The purpose of this research is to determine the value of discharge, inundation area caused by a maximum of three days of rain. In addition, this research also evaluates flood events and determines appropriate efforts in overcoming floodwater runoff by installing parapets. The use of HEC-RAS software in this research is for flood analysis and simulation of parapet installation in areas experiencing river water runoff. The calculated flood discharge is the annual flood discharge from 2000 - 2019. The method of calculating the discharge uses HSS Gama 1. Then flood tracing is carried out to determine the area of inundation that occurs. The process of mapping and determining the extent of flooding that occurred in each sub-district was carried out with the help of software GIS. The highest flood area due to river runoff occurs in Laweyan Subdistrict, which is 45,80 ha. From this location, a parapet installation simulation was carried out as one of the flood mitigation efforts. Simulation of parapet installation was carried out in Pajang Village and Laweyan Village, after simulating parapet installation, the flood area for Laweyan Subdistrict was 2,21 ha. 
Optical coherence tomography based diabetic – ophthalmic disease classification and measurement using bilateral filter and transfer learning approach
Authors: Yojana K. , Rani L. Thillai
Published: September 2023

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a smooth application of low coherence interferometer with high air resolution and highly sensitive heterodyne detection technology to tomographic image measurement of living organisms. Currently, clinical applications are becoming more widespread in ophthalmology, cardiovascular system, dermatology, and dentistry. The problem with OCT is that the measurement area is as narrow as a few mm compared to other tomographic image measurement techniques, and it was initially applied to ophthalmology. Since then, various researches and developments have been carried out to expand clinical applications. Michelson type fiber optic interferometer is used for image acquisition. This paper presents a classification of ophthalmic diseases caused by diabetes. Bilateral filter is used for image pre-processing and noise removal. A transfer learning approach is implemented which uses AlexNet and Support vector machine (SVM) to classify the images. The AlexNet model is used to extract the features form the images and these features are classified using SVM model. The novelty of the proposed model lies in the use of image denoising using bilateral filter and then classification of the AlexNet features using SVM thereby achieving better classification accuracy with less training data. This also leads to better resource utilization. The ailments under study are Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), DRUSEN, and NORMAL. The proposed approach produced a higher classification accuracy of 99 % when compared to other deep learning algorithms like CNN, AlexNet and GoogleNet. The precision, sensitivity and specificity are recorded as 0.98, 0.99, and 0.99 respectively.
A procedure for the characterization of a music instrument vibro-acoustic fingerprint: the case of a contemporary violin
Authors: Casazza Marco , Barone Fabrizio , Bonisoli Elvio , Dimauro Luca , Venturini Simone , Masoero Marco Carlo , Shtrepi Louena
Published: September 2023

Violins are wooden musical instruments, whose quality is mainly evaluated on the basis of their aesthetics, as well as depending on the historical relevance of their makers. However, their acoustic quality remains a key evaluation parameter for performers and listeners. The instrument perceived quality, in turn, depends on one side, on the player, the environmental conditions and on the listeners’ psychoacoustic factors. On the other side, the quality of a violin depends on its materials, constructive and set-up parameters, that impact on the vibro-acoustical characteristics of the instrument. This work investigates a procedure for the vibro-acoustic characterization of a violin, here called vibro-acoustic fingerprint, as an example of vibro-acoustical characterization of a wooden music instrument. The procedure was applied, as a case study, to an Italian contemporary violin, built on the basis of a Guarneri del Gesù model in the year 2011.
Dynamic damage characterization of slender masonry structures by radar interferometry: a case study
Authors: Camassa Domenico , Castellano Anna , Chiapperino Mariateresa , Fraddosio Aguinaldo , Paparella Francesco , Piccioni Mario Daniele
Published: September 2023

The work shows an experimental and numerical investigation on the dynamic identification of damage in slender masonry structures using the innovative remote sensing technique of ground-based radar interferometry. The case study concerns San Cataldo’s masonry lighthouse, which is located in Puglia (Italy). Here, we experimentally determine the natural frequencies of the lighthouse by carrying out Ambient Vibration Tests (AVT) using an interferometric radar system. Starting from the experimental results, we calibrate a numerical model of the structure and study the sensitivity of the first natural frequencies of the model to five possible damage scenarios involving different parts of the structure and different degrees of damage. Comparing numerical and experimental results, we show that the interferometric radar can be effectively applied to detect damage involving the lower part of the structure.
The laboratory didactics in the training-learning processes of sea sciences applied to cultural heritage and environment: the case of "An Ocean of Science" project
Authors: Ricca Michela , Barbieri Loris , Albanese Maria Pia , Bruno Fabio , Macchia Andrea , La Russa Mauro Francesco
Published: September 2023

The "An Ocean of Science" project encourages effective interventions and innovative educational paths to support the growth of knowledge and skills in schools, helping competent institutions to guarantee more inclusive cohesion policies with a high cultural and scientific impact. The project also provides innovation in education and training by providing cultural and socio-educational development opportunities in the framework of cultural heritage located in the marine environment and sea protection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects and involvement of secondary school students during several educational laboratory activities, focusing on the development of their practical skills and training. With a view to active learning, which makes the students actors, responsible and aware of the learning process, this study shows an experimental work designed to demonstrate the usefulness and the validity of the scientific approach as the main pillar of the teaching of the sciences related to the marine issues, with special focus to submerged cultural heritage and sea pollution.
Incidence rate estimation of SARS-COVID-19 via a Polya process scheme: a comparative analysis in Italy and European countries
Authors: Carone Fabiani Filippo , Schiano Lo Moriello Rosario , Ruggiero Davide
Published: September 2023

During an ongoing epidemic, especially in the case of a new agent, data are partial and sparse, also affected by external factors, as for example climatic effects or preparedness and response capability of healthcare structures. Despite that, we showed how, under some universality assumptions, it is possible to extract strategic insights by modelling the pandemic through a probabilistic Polya urn scheme. Adopting a Polya framework, we provided both the distribution of infected cases and the asymptotic estimation of the incidence rate, showing that data are consistent with a general underlying process at different scales. Using European confirmed cases and diagnostic test data on COVID-19, we also provided an extensive comparison among European countries and between Europe and Italy at regional scale, for both the two big waves of infection. We globally estimated an incidence rate in accordance with previous studies.
Investigation of The Measurement Invariance of Affective Characteristics Related to TIMSS 2019 Mathematics Achievement by Gender
Authors: ATILGAN Mehmet , DENİZ Kaan Zulfikar
Published: September 2023

This research examines whether the affective characteristics of the TIMSS 2019 Turkey mathematics application provide measurement invariance according to gender. The research sample consists of 4048 8th-grade students participating in the TIMSS in 2019. Research data were downloaded from the international website of TIMSS. The research data collection tools are “Sense of School Belonging”, “Students Confident in Mathematics”, “Students Like Learning Mathematics”, and “Students Value Mathematics” scales. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were performed in the context of validity analyses to examine measurement invariance. In terms of reliability, the Cronbach Alfa internal consistency coefficient was calculated. Accordingly, out of the four scales in the study, only “Students Confident in Mathematics” scale could not be confirmed in confirmatory factor analysis. Therefore, while “Students Confident in Mathematics” scale was not examined for measurement invariance, the other three scales were examined within the scope of measurement invariance. For measurement invariance, research data were tested with Multiple Group Confirmatory Factor Analysis (MG-CFA), one of the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques. As a result of the analyses, while the strict invariance model was provided in “Students Like Learning Mathematics” scale and “Students Value Mathematics” scale, strong invariance/scale invariance model was provided in “Sense of School Belonging” scale. It was concluded that there was no gender bias in the three scales for which MG-CFA was performed, and the mean scores were comparable according to gender. In this context, it can be said that “Sense of School Belonging”, “Students Like Learning Mathematics”, and “Students Value Mathematics” scales are valid in determining the differences according to gender.
Rubrics in Terms of Development Processes and Misconceptions
Authors: ELKONCA Fuat , CEYHAN Görkem , ŞATA Mehmet
Published: September 2023

The present study aimed to examine the development process of rubrics in theses indexed in the national thesis database and to identify any misconceptions presented in these rubrics. A qualitative research approach utilizing document analysis was employed. The sample of theses was selected based on literature review and criteria established by expert opinions, resulting in a total of 395 theses being included in the study using criterion sampling. Data were collected through a "thesis review form" developed by the researchers. Descriptive analysis was employed for data analysis. Findings indicated that approximately 27% of the 395 theses contained misconceptions, with a disproportionate percentage of these misconceptions being found in master's theses. Regarding the field of the thesis, the highest rate of misconceptions was observed in health, social sciences, special education, and fine arts, while the lowest rate was found in education and linguistics. Additionally, theses with misconceptions tended to possess a lower degree of validity and reliability evidence compared to those without misconceptions. This difference was found to be statistically significant for both validity evidence and reliability evidence. In theses without misconceptions, the most frequently presented validity evidence was expert opinion, while the reliability evidence was found to be the percentage of agreement. The findings were discussed in relation to the existing literature, and recommendations were proposed.
A New Weighting Method in Meta-Analysis: The Weighting with Reliability Coefficient
Authors: YILDIRIM Yıldız , TAN Şeref
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to investigate the impact of various weighting methods for effect sizes on the outcomes of meta-analyses that examined the effects of the 5E teaching method on academic achievement in science education. Two effect size weighting methods were explored: one based on the inverse of the sampling error variance and the other utilizing the reliability of measures in primary studies. The study also assessed the influence of including gray literature on the meta-analysis results, considering factors such as high heterogeneity and publication bias. The research followed a basic research design and drew data from 112 studies, encompassing a total of 149 effect sizes. An exhaustive search of databases and archives, including Google Scholar, Dergipark, HEI Thesis Center, Proquest, Science Direct, ERIC, Taylor & Francis, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, and five journals was conducted to gather these studies. Analyses were performed by utilizing the CMA v2 software and employing the random effects model. The findings demonstrated divergent outcomes between the two weighting methods—weighting by reliability coefficient yielded higher overall effect sizes and standard errors compared to weighting by inverse variance. Ultimately, the inclusion of gray literature was found to not significantly impact any of the weighting methods employed.
Fitoperifiton asociado al río Acacias-Pajure en la Orinoquia colombiana
Authors: Rincon Blanquicet Yirley Angelica , Barreto-Montenegro Julian Camilo , Zapata-Muñoz Yair Leandro , Hernández-Herrera Sandra Milena , Rojas-Peña Jose Ismael , Trujillo-Gonzalez Juan Manuel , Torres-Mora Marco Aurelio , Villareal-Díaz Luis Carlos , Castillo-Monrroy Edgar Fernando , Serrano-Gómez Marlon
Published: September 2023

El fitoperifiton hace referencia al componente autótrofo perteneciente a la comunidad del perifiton, compuesta por microorganismos acuáticos que han sido monitoreados por su importancia ecológica y potencial como bioindicadores. Son escasos los estudios que se han realizado sobre esta comunidad en la Orinoquia colombiana, región con un abundante recurso hídrico y con múltiples presiones antrópicas, debido a que es la principal despensa agrícola y energética del país. Se realizaron tres monitoreos en 12 puntos a lo largo del río Acacias-Pajure, en donde se identificaron un total de 41 géneros. Los mayores registros de riqueza se presentaron en los puntos de monitoreo 6 y 7, asociados a cultivos de palma de aceite y actividad ganadera. Navicula (Ochrophyta) y Cosmarium (Charophyta) fueron los géneros más frecuentes, Oedogonium (Chlorophyta) y Phormidium (Cyanobacteria) los más abundantes a lo largo del río.
Estimation of Ordinary Kriging Method with Jackknife Technique on Rainfall Data in Malang Raya
Authors: Novia Nur Rohma
Published: September 2023

Geostatistics is a science that focuses on spatial data. In geostatistics, there is an estimation method to handle variables whose values â€‹â€‹vary with the change in location or place, which are called regionalized variables. The estimation method used to handle regionalized variables is called the kriging method. In the ordinary kriging method it is necessary to take into account the semivariogram. Rain is a process of falling water from the clouds to the earth. Rain is measured through rainfall. The purpose of this study was to determine estimation of the ordinary kriging method on normally distributed data and abnormally distributed data, and determine the best semivariogram. The data used is monthly rainfall data in Malang Raya for the period January 2016 to December 2016. From the monthly rainfall dataset, the data are normally distributed in January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November and December 2016, while the data are not normally distributed in July. Ordinary kriging with Jackknife method can be used to analyze data with normal distribution and data with abnormal distribution.
Impact of the Ultrasonographic Assessment of Lung and Diaphragmatic Function on Postoperative Respiratory Function in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery
Authors: zhang ping , Huang Wei-hong , Fan Long-cheng , Guo Shan-liang , Liu Zhong-yu
Published: September 2023

Background
Previous studies have evaluated the feasibility of diaphragmatic ultrasonography or lung ultrasound in the PACU, but the clinical significance of combined evaluation of the two in improving postoperative respiratory function in patients under general anesthesia has not been confirmed.We hypothesized that ultrasound evaluation of lung and diaphragm function would lead to more effective intervention measures to improve the recovery of respiratory function in patients undergoing general anesthesia recovery after abdominal surgery.
Methods
This study included a total of 130 patients who underwent elective abdominal surgery in our hospital and were planned to be sent to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The patients were randomly divided into an ultrasound group (group DL) and the control group (group N). In the group DL , LUS and diaphragm ultrasonography were performed at room entry (T0), entry into the PACU (T1), 15 minutes after extubation (T2), and exit from the PACU (T3). Lung ultrasound score (LUSS) and the diaphragm thickening fraction (DTF) at each time point were recorded and intervention based on the ultrasound results were performed in the group DL, Conventional resuscitation without ultrasound assessment was used in group N. Arterial blood gas analysis and oxygenation index were recorded at T3 of patients in both groups.The all patients were followed up for seven days after operation for pulmonary complications.
Results
Compared with T0, DTF decreased significantly (P<0.01) and LUSS increased significantly (P<0.01) after T1, T2, and T3 in the DL group, and did not return to the preoperative level at T3 (P<0.01). Compared with the group N, the total number of intervention measures in the group DL and the number of taking intervention measures in the group DL at T1 increased (P<0.05). Compared with the group N, the extubation time, PACU length-of-stay, and incidence of postoperative hypoxemia at T3 in the group DL were significantly reduced (P<0.01).
Conclusion
Ultrasound evaluation of lung and diaphragm function can dynamically monitor the ventilation status and diaphragm function recovery degree of patients during anesthesia recovery, so as to take effective intervention measures to improve the recovery of respiratory function in patients undergoing general anesthesia after abdominal surgery.
Retail Demand Forecasting: A Comparative Study for Multivariate Time Series
Authors: Haque Md Sabbirul , Amin Md Shahedul , Miah Jonayet
Published: September 2023

Accurate demand forecasting in the retail industry is a critical determinant of financial performance and supply chain efficiency. As global markets become increasingly interconnected, businesses are turning towards advanced prediction models to gain a competitive edge. However, existing literature mostly focuses on historical sales data and ignores the vital influence of macroeconomic conditions on consumer spending behavior. In this study, we bridge this gap by enriching time series data of customer demand with macroeconomic variables, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS), and unemployment rates. Leveraging this comprehensive dataset, we develop and compare various regression and machine learning models to predict retail demand accurately.
Covid-19 associated Acute Kidney Injury: a retrospective study
Authors: Alami Hamza El , Elhamdouchi Hajar , Ajerame Ayoub , Sebbata Othmane , Chajai Idriss , Chari Walid , Arfaoui Manal , Benhalima Abdelkader , Elhamzaoui Hamza , Alilou Mustapha
Published: September 2023

Background:

Whilst acute pneumonia is the main manifestation of Covid-19 infections, Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a common complication of the disease, associated with a poor prognosis.
Covid-19 associated AKI (CAKI) is thought to be the result of multiple components including the virus’ direct toxicity, hypovolemia and the autoimmune response.
The aim of this study is to review and discuss the pathophysiology behind CAKI and evaluate the incidence, risk factors and treatment performed to manage Covid-19 associated AKI in patients admitted in an ICU in Morocco.

Methods:

We analyzed the data of adult patients with a laboratory or imaging confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19 (Positive test or CO-RADS 5) admitted in one of the ICUs of Ibn Sina Hospital in Rabat, Morocco, from January 1st 2020 to June 1st 2022.

Results:

Of the 550 inpatients included, 185 (33.63%) experienced AKI (22.16% stage 1,
18.38% stage 2, and 59.46% stage 3). Among CAKI patients, 31.89% required renal replacement therapy (RRT). Death rate after 7 days was 60.54%.

Conclusions:

Covid-19 associated AKI is a common complication of an infection with
SARS-COV-2 that negatively affects the patient’s prognosis. The treatment is mainly supportive, and varies depending on the severity of the renal dysfunction.
An evaluation of physical access barriers to Covid-19 vaccines uptake among persons with physical disabilities in western Kenya
Authors: Odongo David Omondi , Osir Esther , Awandu Shehu Shagari
Published: September 2023

Background
Physically disabled persons continue to face discrimination, exclusion and neglect which hamper equitable access to services and disproportionately affect them during a pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the physical access barriers to COVID-19 vaccines among persons with physical disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, (March, 2020 to March, 2022) in Ugenya Subcounty, Siaya County in western Kenya.
Methods
The study design was cross sectional involving physically disabled persons. A simple random sampling technique was used to recruit participants 108 participants. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data needed.
Results
Marital status, (χ2 = 13.310, p = 0.004), mobility impairment, (χ2 = 16.168, p = 0.001), source of information, (χ2 = 4.022, p = 0.002), vaccination site, (χ2 = 95.480, p =0.001), motivation, (χ2 = 95.457, p = 0.045), decision time, (χ2 = 95.501, p = 0.001) and access to room, (χ2 = 84.098, p = 0.001), all had statistically significant associations with access to and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that fare used and age, (0.001), alongside transport means and age, (p = 0.004), had statistically significant associations with COVID-19 vaccine access and uptake. Those who had difficulty both in movement and speaking found it hard to access and receive COVID-19 vaccines, (p = 0.001).
Conclusion
Marital status, information from reliable sources, belief in existence of COVID-19 were associated with access to and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, nonpayment of transport fare increased the odds of being vaccinated. Therefore, programs such as mobile health teams or reimbursement of fare should be adopted to increase access to healthcare by the physically disabled.
The Current Status and Challenges of Bioethics Education in Undergraduate Medical Education in Karachi, Pakistan.
Authors: Shirazi Bushra , Riaz Qamar , Jafarey Aamir , Ahmed Rashida , Shamim Muhammad Shahid
Published: September 2023

Background
The importance of including bioethics in the medical curricula has been recognized globally. Certain countries including Pakistan continue to lag behind although some developments have occurred recently.
Objectives
The research aimed to provide a snapshot of bioethics education in undergraduate medical colleges in Karachi, Pakistan. The secondary objectives included identifying factors promoting or inhibiting integration of bioethics into the curriculum.
Methods
A two-pronged strategy was used to collect data including a website review of medical colleges, in existence for more than ten years, recognized by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), the regulating body for undergraduate medical education in Pakistan. The other arm employed in-depth interviews with medical educationists in colleges fulfilling inclusion criteria. Data from the website was analyzed and presented as frequencies. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis method which involved coding of transcripts, multiple readings and arriving at subthemes and themes iteratively.
Results
Thirteen medical colleges were included for the website review, of which four were from public sector. Three medical colleges used the word “ethics” in their vision and mission statement and four had provided a detailed curriculum for ethics on their website.
Thematic framework included four broad themes: 1) Need for Bioethics Education, 2) Current Status of Bioethics Education 3) Challenges in integration of bioethics in medical curriculum and 4) Recommendations for integration of bioethics in the Curriculum. Participants were in agreement that bioethics was important in development of future physicians. Participants identified various challenges, foremost being shortage of trained faculty, lack of institutional buy-in and overcrowded curriculum.
Conclusion
The study identified sporadic inclusion of bioethics in undergraduate medical curricula, left to the discretion of individual institutions. Since Karachi is a cosmopolitan city, the findings may reasonably reflect the situation in other parts of the country. While bioethics is recognized as an important field, it will continue to remain an orphan subject in the curricula unless the regulatory and accreditation bodies make it compulsory for institutions to include ethics in their curricula.
Pyrite-assisted degradation of methoxychlor by laccase immobilized on Fe3S4/EW-mSiO2
Authors: Yang Jiaqi , Yang Yuxiang , Dong Mengyang , Huang Yan , Yuan Hongming , Zhao Yi , Liu Xiangnong , Ni Chaoying
Published: September 2023

Laccase immobilized and cross-linked on Fe3S4/earthworm-like mesoporous SiO2 (Fe3S4/EW-mSiO2), was used to degrade methoxychlor (MXC) in aqueous environments. The effects of various parameters on the degradation of MXC were determined using free and immobilized laccase. Immobilization improved the thermal stability and reuse of laccase significantly. Under the conditions of pH 4.5, temperature 40°C and reaction time 8h, the degradation rate of MXC by immobilized laccase reached a maximum value of 40.99% and remained at 1/3 of the original after six cycles. The excellent degradation performance of Fe3S4/EW-mSiO2 was attributable to the pyrite (FeS2) impurity in Fe3S4, which could act as an electron donor in reductive dehalogenation. Sulfide groups and Fe2+ reduced the activation energy of the system resulting in pyrite-assisted degradation of MXC. The degradation mechanism of MXC in aqueous environments by laccase immobilized on Fe3S4/EW-mSiO2 was determined via mass spectroscopy of the degradation products. This study is a new attempt to use pyrite to support immobilized laccase degradation.
Rationalizing the efficiency of Cu-based MOF for the capture and biomimetic sequestration of Carbon dioxide
Authors: Abraham Dana Susan , V Athul K , I Shamna , M Bhagiyalakshmi , Jeong Soon Kwan
Published: September 2023

In light of their outstanding properties, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) appear to be the latest and most assured sorbent in CCUS technology. In this study, adsorption isotherms of pure CO2, CH4, and N2, at three different temperatures were obtained for Cu-MOF and it showed a maximum CO2 adsorption uptake of 8.25 mmol g− 1 at 298 K and 30 bar. Cu-MOF was also employed as support to immobilize carbonic anhydrase (CA) derived from the bovine erythrocytes through cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEA). CO2 hydration as well as its transformation into CaCO3 was studied using the CA immobilized Cu-MOF (CA/Cu-MOF). The biocatalytic activity, thermal stability, reusability, and storage stability of CA/Cu-MOF were evaluated through para-nitrophenyl acetate (p-NPA) hydrolysis. CA immobilized on Cu-MOF exhibits a fairly low Kcat/Km value than the free CA; regardless of the above, the reusability of CA/Cu-MOF for about 20 cycles makes it a suitable biocatalyst of CO2 hydration under industrial operating conditions. The results demonstrated Cu-MOF as potential support for CA immobilization for CO2 sequestration and high CO2 uptake adsorbent.
Kidney invasion occurred 2 years following liver transplantation for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: a case report.
Authors: Hu Qirui , Chen Simin , Fan Yichen , Lu Qian , Deng Manjun , Fan Haining
Published: September 2023

The organ most commonly invaded by echinococcosis is the liver; the lungs, brain, kidneys, heart, and spleen are rarely invaded, and echinococcosis with multiorgan involvement is even rarer. We report the course and disease progression of a rare case of renal echinococcosis that occurred after liver transplantation and partial lung resection in a patient diagnosed with hepatic multilocular echinococcosis with pulmonary metastases, as a reference and warning for future clinical management of similar cases.
Magnitude and determinants of food insecurity among pregnant women in Nigeria: evidence from a nationwide cross-sectional survey
Authors: Ogbuabor Daniel Chukwuemeka
Published: September 2023

Background
Food security is crucial to improve maternal nutrition during pregnancy. However, evidence of the magnitude and social determinants of food insecurity among pregnant women is scarce in Nigeria. Therefore, this study used nationally representative data to assess the prevalence and determinants of food insecurity among pregnant women in Nigeria.
Methods
The study setting was Nigeria. The study is a secondary analysis of data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018 using a cross-sectional household survey design. We adjusted the data for sampling weight, stratification, and cluster sampling design. The dependent variable was food security status: food security (dietary diversity) and food insecurity (no dietary diversity). The independent variables included women's socio-demographic and household characteristics. We cross-tabulated food security status and pregnant women's characteristics to measure the association using the Chi-square statistics. We included all significant variables from the bivariate analysis in a complex sample logistic regression model to determine the adjusted effect of each independent variable on food insecurity. We set the statistical significance for all inferential analyses at p <0.05.
Results
The prevalence of food insecurity among pregnant women in Nigeria is 45%. Residing in the North-East (AOR:1.70, 95%CI:1.26-2.29, p<0.001), Southeast (AOR: 1.47, 95%CI:1.04-2.07, p=0.028) regions, having no education (AOR:1.86, 95%CI:1.28-2.70, p=0.001), primary education (AOR:1.86, 95%CI:1.28-2.69, p=0.001), married/living with a partner (AOR:3.33, 95%CI:1.28-8.67, p=0.014), widowed/divorced/separated (AOR:3.83,95%CI:1.68-8.73, p=0.001), non-exposure to television (AOR:1.55, 95%CI:1.26-1.92, p<0.001), healthcare access barrier (AOR:1.69, 95%CI:1.43-1.99, p<0.001) increased pregnant women's likelihood of being food-insecure.
Conclusions
The proportion of food-insecure pregnant women needs to improve in Nigeria. The government and its partners must address the cost of healthy diets, abate conflicts, and strengthen the implementation of food and nutrition policies. It is imperative to incorporate the social determinants of food insecurity identified in this study into policies and plans to improve food security among pregnant women in Nigeria.