bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taxonomic revision of the genus Amphritea supported by genomic and in silico chemotaxonomic analyses, and the proposal of Aliamphritea gen. nov.
Authors: Yamano Ryota , Yu Juanwen , Jiang Chunqi , Harjuno Condro Haditomo Alfabetian , Mino Sayaka , Sakai Yuichi , Sawabe Tomoo
Published: August 2022

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic bacterium, designated strain PT3T was isolated from laboratory-reared larvae of the Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequences revealed that PT3T was closely related to Amphritea ceti RA1T (= KCTC 42154T = NBRC 110551T) and Amphritea spongicola MEBiC05461T (= KCCM 42943T = JCM 16668T) both with 98.3% sequence similarity, however, average nucleotide identity (ANI) and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (in silico DDH) values among these three strains were below 95% and 70%, respectively, confirming the novelty of PT3T. Furthermore, the average amino acid identity (AAI) values of PT3T against other Amphritea species were on the reported genus delineation boundary (64–67%). Multilocus sequence analysis using four protein-coding genes (recA, mreB, rpoA, and topA) further demonstrated that PT3T, Amphritea ceti and Amphritea spongicola formed a monophyletic clade clearly separate from other members of the genus Amphritea. Three strains (PT3T, A. ceti　KCTC 42154T and A. spongicola JCM 16668T) also showed higher similarities in their core genomes compared to those of the other Amphritea spp. Based on the genome-based taxonomic approach, Aliamphritea gen. nov. was proposed together with the reclassification of the genus Amphritea and Aliamphritea ceti comb. nov. (type strain RA1T = KCTC 42154T = NBRC 110551T), Aliamphritea spongicola comb. nov. (type strain MEBiC05461T = KCCM 42943T = JCM 16668T), and Aliamphritea hakodatensis sp. nov. (type strain PT3T = JCM 34607T = KCTC 82591T) were suggested.
Evaluation of altered patterns of tactile sensation in the diagnosis and monitoring of leprosy using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments
Authors: Frade Marco Andrey Cipriani , Bernardes Filho Fred , Silva Claudia Maria Lincoln , Voltan Glauber , Lima Filipe Rocha , Abi-Rached Thania Loyola Cordeiro , de Paula Natália Aparecida
Published: August 2022

Background

Leprosy neuropathy is the most common peripheral neuropathy of infectious etiology worldwide; it is characterized as asymmetric and focal multiple mononeuropathy. Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (SWM) test is a simple method to assess sensory nerve function.

Methods and findings

In this prospective cohort study, a dermatologist carried out hands and feet tactile sensation test with SWM in 107 multibacillary leprosy patients at diagnosis and in 76 patients at the end of treatment from 2016 to 2019. At diagnosis, 81/107 (75.7%) patients had some degree of functional disability, and 46 (43%) of them had altered SWM-test in the hands and 94 (87.9%) of them in the feet. After one year of multibacillary multidrug therapy, the disability decreasing to 44/76 patients (57.9%) and decreasing of the percentual of patients with altered SWM-test to 18% for the hands, and to 28.7% for the feet. At the end of treatment, the number of SMW-test points presented improvement in the hands of 22 (28.9%) patients, and in the feet of 47 (61.8%). In the hands, by SWM-test, only the radial nerve point demonstrated a significant asymmetry, while in the feet, the difference between the sum of altered SWM-test points showed significant asymmetry between both sides, highlighting the tibial nerve for the establishment of asymmetric leprosy neuropathy. In Spearman’s correlation analysis, a positive correlation with statistical significance was observed between the number of hands and feet SWM altered points at diagnosis and the degree of disability at diagnosis (0.69) and at the end of the treatment (0.80).

Conclusion

The patterns of hands and feet tactile sensation at diagnosis and their consequent modifications with the anti-leprosy drugs define the bacterial etiology of neuropathy, an important tool for the clinical diagnosis and follow up of the disease, highlighting the tibial nerve findings, the most affected nerve among leprosy patients by SWM-test, with significant asymmetry and focality impairments.
Sex differences in rates of permanent pacemaker implantation and in-hospital complications: A statewide cohort study of over 7 million persons from 2009–2018
Authors: Vijayarajan Vijayatubini , Kritharides Leonard , Brieger David , Cheng Yeu-Yao , Chow Vincent , Ng Austin Chin Chwan
Published: August 2022

Background

Whether a bias exists in the implantation of permanent pacemakers (PPI) and complications according to sex and age in the Australian population is unclear.

Hypothesis

Population rate of PPI and its complications differed between men and women.

Methods

We examined the prevalence of PPI from January-2009 to December-2018 from datasets held by the New South Wales (NSW) Centre-for-Health-Record-Linkage, including patient’s characteristics and in-hospital complications. All analysis was stratified by sex and age by decade.

Results

A total of 28,714 admissions involved PPI (40% women). The mean PPI rate (±standard-deviation) and median age (interquartile range) was 2,871±242 per-annum and 80yrs (73-86yrs), respectively. At the same time-period, the mean NSW population size was 7,487,393±315,505 persons (50% women; n = 3,773,756±334,912). The mean annual age-adjusted rate of PPI was 125.5±11.6 per-100,000-men, compared to 63.4±14.3 per-100,000-women (P<0.01). The mean annual rate of PPI increased from 2009–2017 by 0.9±3.3% in men, compared to 0.4±4.4% in women (P<0.01) suggesting a widening disparity. Total non-fatal in-hospital complications was higher in women compared to men (8.2% vs 6.6%, P<0.01), and this persisted throughout study period even after adjusting for multiple covariates. Overall, in-hospital mortality was low (0.73%) and similar between sexes.

Conclusion

In a statewide Australian population exceeding 7 million, PPI rates were consistently nearly two-fold higher for men compared to women over 10-years, with an apparently widening disparity, that was not explained by age. Overall complication rates were higher in women. Future studies should examine the aetiology behind this disparity in PPI rates, as well as its complications.
Post-COVID syndrome: A prospective study in a tertiary hospital of Nepal
Authors: Shah Sangam , Bhattarai Shreeyash Raj , Basnet Kriti , Adhikari Yagya Raj , Adhikari Tara Ballav , Bhatta Nikita , Chamlagain Rajan , Aryal Susan , Sah Sanjit Kumar , Bhandari Govinda , Bhandari Bibek , Poudel Sujan , Pant Pankaj , Das Santa Kumar
Published: August 2022

Introduction

The post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome is defined as the persistence of symptoms after viral clearance and the emergence of new symptoms after a few months following recovery from COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of post-COVID-19 syndrome and the risk factors that contribute to its development.

Methods

This study was conducted prospectively in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), located in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu. The patients were followed up for three months.

Results

The post-COVID status of 300 patients admitted to the COVID emergency of TUTH was studied. The mean age of the patients was 46.6±15.7 years, and the proportion of male (56%) was slightly higher than female (44%). Most of the patients (81.7%) had fever on their presentation to the emergency which was followed by fatigue (81.3%) and cough (78.3%). During the post-COVID phase, fatigue was the most common persistent symptom, with 34% experiencing fatigue after 60 days and 28.3% even after 90 days from the onset of symptoms. Univariate logistic regression showed sore throat (OR 4.6; 95% CI (2.8–7.6)), rhinitis (OR 3.6; 95% CI (2.1–5.9)), fatigue (OR 3.7; 95% CI (1.8–7.6)), diarrhea (OR 4.1; 95% CI (2.4–6.9)), anosmia (OR 6.7; 95% CI (3.9–11.3)), ageusia (OR 7.8; 95% CI (4.5–13.4)) and shortness of breath (OR 14.9; 95% CI (1.8–119.6)) at admission were all predictors of post-COVID syndrome after three months.

Conclusion

Even after recovering from COVID-19, people with COVID-19 may develop symptoms. As a result, COVID-19’s long-term consequences should not be neglected, as they may lead to increased morbidity among patients, consumption of financial resources, and added burden on the health system.
The importance of precise plane selection for female adult Chiari Type I malformation midsagittal morphometrics
Authors: Morkos Mark , Eppelheimer Maggie , Nwotchouang Blaise Simplice Talla , Ebrahimzadeh Seyed Amir , Bhadelia Rafeeque A. , Loth Dorothy , Allen Philip A. , Loth Francis
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Morphometric assessment of Chiari malformation type I (CMI) is typically performed on a midsagittal MRI. However, errors arising from an imprecise selection of the midsagittal plane are unknown. We define absolute parasagittal error as the absolute difference between morphometric measurements at the midsagittal and parasagittal planes. Our objective was to determine the absolute parasagittal error at various lateral distances for morphometric parameters commonly used in CMI research.

Methods

Sagittal T1-weighted MRI scans of 30 CMI adult female subjects were included. Image sets were evaluated to assess 14 CMI morphometric parameters in the midsagittal plane and four parasagittal planes located 1 and 2 mm lateral (left and right). Comparisons between measurements at the midsagittal and parasagittal planes were conducted to determine the mean individual absolute and mean group parasagittal errors for all 14 parameters.

Results

The mean individual absolute parasagittal error was > 1 unit (1 mm for lengths and 1 degree for angles) for 9/14 parameters within a lateral distance of 2 mm. No significant group parasagittal errors were seen in 14/14 parameters, including tonsillar position within a lateral distance of 2 mm.

Conclusion

Our results show that the absolute errors for imprecise midsagittal plane selection may impact the clinical assessment of an individual patient. However, the impact on group measurements, such as in a research setting, will be minimal.
Assessment of the educational value of endodontic access cavity preparation YouTube video as a learning resource for students
Authors: Jamleh Ahmed , Aljohani Shouq Mohammed , Alzamil Faisal Fahad , Aljuhayyim Shahad Muhammad , Alsubaei Modhi Nasser , Alali Showq Raad , Alotaibi Nawaf Munawir , Nassar Mohannad
Published: August 2022

Objective

To evaluate the educational value of YouTube as a learning tool for dental students regarding endodontic access cavity preparation.

Methods and findings

YouTube search was made for videos related to endodontic access cavity preparation using specific terms. After exclusions, 41 videos were chosen and assessed for tooth type, video length, days since upload, country of origin, number of views and likes, source of authorship, and viewing rate. To grade the content of videos, a usefulness score with seven elements was developed. Each element was given a score of 0 or 1. Statistical tests were run by using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) at a 5% significance level. The videos received a mean of 181198.5 views with a mean duration of 686.1 seconds. The mean number of “likes” was 1047.8. Almost half of the videos covered content related to molar teeth. Most videos were provided by health care professionals with almost 50% uploaded from India. The mean usefulness score was 4.29 (range: 1–7) and the most discussed elements were description, instruments used, access cavity demonstration, and evaluation criteria. About a quarter of the videos were classified as good, while 46.3% as moderate and 29.3% as poor. Among the content usefulness categories, no difference was found in the video demographics (p>0.05) except “days since upload” (p = 0.018) in which good quality videos were found to have the highest median. Moreover, although insignificant, good videos were found to have the longest duration and lowest number of views, likes, and viewing rate. The mean usefulness score of videos released during the COVID-19 pandemic was lower than that for pre-pandemic videos (p = 0.042), and videos uploaded by academic institutions had a higher mean usefulness score than videos uploaded by health care professionals (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Information on endodontic access cavity preparation is not comprehensive in most of the reviewed YouTube videos and could be of low educational value.
Bee venom-loaded EGFR-targeting peptide-coupled chitosan nanoparticles for effective therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting EGFR-mediated MEK/ERK pathway
Authors: Abdulmalek Shaymaa , Mostafa Nouf , Gomaa Marwa , El‑Kersh Mohamed , Elkady Ayman I. , Balbaa Mahmoud
Published: August 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the world’s most risky diseases due to the lack of clear and cost-effective therapeutic targets. Currently, the toxicity of conventional chemotherapeutic medications and the development of multidrug resistance is driving research into targeted therapies. The nano-biomedical field’s potential for developing an effective therapeutic nano-sized drug delivery system is viewed as a significant pharmaceutical trend for the encapsulation and release of numerous anticancer therapies. In this regard, current research is centered on the creation of biodegradable chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) for the selective and sustained release of bee venom into liver cancer cells. Furthermore, surface modification with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and GE11 peptide-conjugated bee venom-CSNPs allows for the targeting of EGFR-overexpressed liver cancer cells. A series of in vitro and in vivo cellular analyses were used to investigate the antitumor effects and mechanisms of targeted bee venom-CSNPs. Targeted bee venom-CSNPs, in particular, were found to have higher cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells than SMMC-7721 cells, as well as stronger cellular uptake and a substantial reduction in cell migration, leading to improved cancer suppression. It also promotes cancer cell death in EGFR overexpressed HepG2 cells by boosting reactive oxygen species, activating mitochondria-dependent pathways, inhibiting EGFR-stimulated MEK/ERK pathway, and elevating p38-MAPK in comparison to native bee venom. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-induced mice, it has anti-cancer properties against tumor tissue. It also improved liver function and architecture without causing any noticeable toxic side effects, as well as inhibiting tumor growth by activating the apoptotic pathway. The design of this cancer-targeted nanoparticle establishes GE11-bee venom-CSNPs as a potential chemotherapeutic treatment for EGFR over-expressed malignancies. Finally, our work elucidates the molecular mechanism underlying the anticancer selectivity of targeted bee venom-CSNPs and outlines therapeutic strategies to target liver cancer.
Identification of a novel AP2 transcription factor in zygotes with an essential role in Plasmodium ookinete development
Authors: Nishi Tsubasa , Kaneko Izumi , Iwanaga Shiroh , Yuda Masao
Published: August 2022

The sexual phase of Plasmodium represents a crucial step in malaria transmission, during which these parasites fertilize and form ookinetes to infect mosquitoes. Plasmodium development after fertilization is thought to proceed with female-stored mRNAs until the formation of a retort-form ookinete; thus, transcriptional activity in zygotes has previously been considered quiescent. In this study, we reveal the essential role of transcriptional activity in zygotes by investigating the function of a newly identified AP2 transcription factor, AP2-Z, in P. berghei. ap2-z was previously reported as a female transcriptional regulator gene whose disruption resulted in developmental arrest at the retort stage of ookinetes. In this study, although ap2-z was transcribed in females, we show that it was translationally repressed by the DOZI complex and translated after fertilization with peak expression at the zygote stage. ChIP-seq analysis of AP2-Z shows that it binds on specific DNA motifs, targeting the majority of genes known as an essential component of ookinetes, which largely overlap with the AP2-O targets, as well as genes that are unique among the targets of other sexual transcription factors. The results of this study also indicate the existence of a cascade of transcription factors, beginning with AP2-G, that proceeds from gametocytogenesis to ookinete formation.
Leaning into life with somatic sensitivity: Lessons learned from world-class experts of partnered practices
Authors: Lloyd Rebecca , Smith Stephen
Published: August 2022

Partnered practices reveal somatic insights into leaning-in and prompt us to consider how we can move responsively and interactively with others. Particular experiences of relational leaning are described through a motion-sensing phenomenological approach framed by the authors’ Interactive Function2Flow model of somatic education. With sensitivity to movement function, form, feeling and flow, this relational leaning is explored through the slow and controlled balances of acroyoga, the gentle forward and backwards lunges of push hands tai chi, the fast paced, rhythmical walking of salsa dance, and the effervescent gait transitions of equestrian arts. We consider the act of leaning-in and the relational awareness of each partnered practice in terms of the life lessons of connecting with a partner, responding to conflict with composure, giving less or more of oneself in a given situation and, in so doing, moving with enhanced motion-sensitivity into a state of interactive flow.
Detection of transversal cracks in prismatic cantilever beams with weak clamping using machine learning
Authors: David Lupu , Cristian Tufisi , Rainer-Gilbert Gillich , Mario Ardeljan
Published: August 2022

Because our infrastructure is aging and approaching the end of its intended functioning time, the detection of damage or loosening of joints is a topic of high importance in structural health monitoring. The most desired way to assess the health of engineering structures during operation is to use non-destructive vibration-based methods that can offer a global evaluation of the structure’s integrity. A comparison of using different modal data for training feedforward backpropagation neural networks for detecting transverse damages in beam-like structures that can also be affected by imperfect boundary conditions is presented in the current paper. The different RFS, RFSmin, and DLC training datasets are generated by applying an analytical method, previously developed by our research team, that uses a known relation, based on the modal curvature, severity estimation of the transverse crack, and the estimated severity for the weak clamping. The obtained dataset values are employed for training three feedforward backpropagation neural networks that will be used to locate transverse cracks in cantilever beams and detect if the structure is affected by weak clamping. The output from the three ANN models is compared by plotting the calculated error for each case.
The chemiluminescent and enzymatic activity of blood neutrophils in patients with Graves' disease depending on hyperthyroidism compensation
Authors: Dudina M. A. , Savchenko A. A. , Dogadin S. A. , Gvozdev I. I.
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress in Graves’ disease can potentiate the cytotoxicity of neutrophils and support autoimmune inflammation. Elimination of hyperthyroidism with conservative therapy with thiamazole only in some cases leads to remission, which determines the necessity to search an immunological markers for etiotropic therapeutic approaches in treatment of the disease.

AIM: To study the chemiluminescent and enzymatic activity of peripheral blood neutrophils in patients with Graves’ disease depending on hyperthyroidism compensation to determine the intracellular targets of immunotropic treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spontaneous and zymosan-induced chemiluminescence was evaluated using a 36-channel chemiluminescence analyzer «BLM-3607» (MedBioTech, Krasnoyarsk). The reactivity of peripheral blood neutrophils was characterized by: Tmax — the rate of development of the chemiluminescent reaction, Imax — the maximum level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis and the area under the chemiluminescence curve (S — total synthesis of ROS for 90 minutes of measurement). The activity of NAD(P)-dependent dehydrogenases in neutrophils was determined using the bioluminescent method.

RESULTS: The prospective study included 126 women with Graves’ disease, aged 18 to 65 years, 93 (73.81%) with compensated and 33 (26.19%) with uncompensated hyperthyroidism. In uncompensated hyperthyroidism, the indicator S of spontaneous ROS and zymosan-induced lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence increases significantly, both relative to the control and to the values of compensated hyperthyroidism patients. Antigenic neutrophils stimulation during luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in patients with recurrent hyperthyroidism demonstrated more than tenfold increase in the total synthesis of ROS relative to the control, but no statistically significant differences with compensated hyperthyroidism patients. A high level of NADH-GDG was established in patients with recurrent hyperthyroidism, both relative to the control range and to the patients with euthyroidism.

CONCLUSION: Violation of oxygen peripheral blood neutrophils metabolism in patients with euthyroidism mainly affects the production of ROS, which is associated with hyperthyroidism compensation and the immunosuppressive effect of thiamazole. In patients with recurrent hyperthyroidism, there are more changes in the production of high-energy oxidants not only at initial oxidative reactions stage, but also at the level of secondary ROS, indicating the activation of cellular response immunological mechanisms.
Bone pathology in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Karlovich N. V. , Mokhort T. V. , Sazonava A. G.
Published: August 2022

The article presents current data on mineral and bone disorders in patients with various stages of chronic kidney disease. The key points of bone lesions pathology are reflected, which include impaired secretion of parathyroid hormone and phosphorus-calcium metabolism, specific osteopathy and extraskeletal calcification, the relationship between bone pathology and cardiovascular complications is indicated. The role of diagnostic tools (FRAX questionnaire, bone densitometry, biochemical parameters and new biological markers) is discussed, approaches to the interpretation of research results are defined. Both general population and specific risk factors for bone strength decrease and occurrence of osteoporotic fractures pathology in chronic kidney disease are described.
Racionalidades en la gestión de una política de educación inclusiva en los institutos de educación secundaria de Valencia
Authors: Aguilar Hernández Luis , Gallardo Fernández Isabel M. , Arbiol González Clara , Monsalve Lorente Laura
Published: August 2022

En el presente artículo presentamos parte de los hallazgos del estudio de caso sobre la aplicación de la política del Gobierno Valenciano sobre Educación Inclusiva y sus consecuencias para la equidad en los Institutos de Educación Secundaria (IES en adelante) de la ciudad de Valencia y su área metropolitana, atendiendo a las posibles traducciones de la misma en la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO), allá donde se extreman las tensiones entre la inclusión y la segregación. Estructuramos el estudio en tres niveles: la formulación y difusión de la política, a cargo de la Administración; el encaje organizativo y curricular en los IES, con el referente de la dirección de los centros; y la gestión en la práctica de las medidas y programas de educación inclusiva por los Departamentos de Orientación (DO). El estudio se basa en análisis documental y en entrevistas en profundidad con representantes de esos tres niveles. Los principales resultados del trabajo revelan la coexistencia de la racionalidad burocrática con respuestas estratégicas desde los centros, que muestran una distinta articulación de aspectos estructurales y culturales en las organizaciones y diferentes expresiones de los efectos en términos de equidad tanto de la política como de las prácticas.
Políticas educativas de privatización en España y su impacto en la equidad
Authors: Rodríguez-Martínez Carmen , Guzmán-Calle Eva , Martín-Alonso Diego
Published: August 2022

El objetivo de esta investigación es el análisis y la evolución de las políticas educativas de privatización en España y su impacto en la equidad. Para ello analizaremos los procesos de privatización y sus consecuencias en España, donde existen altos porcentajes de educación privada; y en especial en la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía cuya privatización se intensifica recientemente, por lo cual será el foco de la investigación. La metodología se construye a partir de dos fases que confluyen: un Análisis Crítico del Discurso (ACD) de documentos legales y políticos sobre privatización de la educación, para lo que analizamos la legislación en vigor e informes de organismos gubernamentales y sociales de las administraciones educativas y de sindicatos. Así como un Estudio de Caso intrínseco sobre la aplicación de la privatización en la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía, que profundiza en diferentes contextos - políticos, de gestión administrativa y educativos. Los principales resultados de esta investigación nos llevan a considerar que las políticas de privatización producen una alta inequidad, causadas por la elección de centro y las ampliaciones de las zonificaciones, que fragmentan los sistemas educativos y concentran a estudiantes con dificultades económicas y académicas. Las políticas educativas favorecen el crecimiento de la educación privada porque la actual legislación educativa no protege a la escuela pública y las Comunidades Autónomas (CCAA) eluden el cumplimiento de las leyes, con sentencias que prohíben eliminar unidades de centros concertados, mientras se pueden eliminar unidades de la escuela pública. La privatización en España es una privatización por diseño promovida por las autoridades públicas mediante la adopción e implementación de políticas explícitas a favor del sector privado.
En busca de una educación pública justa: Un estudio de casos sobre la equidad en la educación secundaria de la Comunidad Autónoma de Canarias
Authors: Marrero-Acosta Javier , Santos Vega José Diego , Sosa Alonso Juan José , Vega Navarro Ana
Published: August 2022

Vivimos en un mundo lleno de ideas en conflicto y contradicción. Una de ellas es la de la educación justa. ¿Qué hace justa a la educación pública? Una primera respuesta sería aquella que hace posible el acceso igualitario a un bien público. Esto es, la igual posibilidad de acceder a una ética compartida para la vida buena. Y es aquí donde surge el debate en torno a la equidad en educación. Un debate que nosotros vamos a esbozar en la primera parte de este artículo, en la que nos inspiramos en propuestas de autores y autoras como Rawls, Bolívar, Fraser o Nussbaum por citar solo a unos pocos. Son estos conceptos los que sirven de base para nuestro modelo de investigación. En una segunda parte, recogemos, a modo de ejemplo, un caso de estudio de nuestro grupo, un instituto de educación secundaria (IES) ubicado en la isla de Tenerife, en el que analizamos cómo el centro educativo articula y desarrolla formas de equidad influidas por y adaptadas al contexto. Finalmente, y como conclusión provisional, destacamos aquellos aspectos de la vida de los centros tales como, los cambios en las políticas y legislación educativa, la implicación del profesorado, los resultados educativos y el abandono escolar, la forma de relacionarse con el contexto, que estarían evidenciando las dificultades para una educación secundaria pública más justa.
Foreign Trade of the Far Eastern Federal District: Regional Characteristics During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors:   Economic Research Institute FEB RAS, Mazitova Marina
Published: August 2022

The article reviews estimates of foreign trade indicators of the Far Eastern Federal District during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2021. The factors of the dynamics of foreign trade indicators of the macroregion are determined, the commodity, territorial and geographical structures of exports and imports are examines. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions caused a large-scale decrease in economic activity and in volume of foreign trade of the Far Eastern Federal District at the beginning of the pandemic. The situation stabilized in late 2020 – early 2021. Dramatic reduction in the volume of exports of the Far Eastern Federal District in 2020 was due to a decrease in the prices of oil, natural gas, and metals. A decrease in supplies, in the level of economic activity in the country and effective demand under COVID-19 pandemic restrictions caused a decrease in the volume of imports of the Far Eastern Federal District in 2020. The volume of export of the Far Eastern Federal District recovered in 2021 due to a significant increase in prices for most goods exported by the macroregion. The volume of imports increased due to high prices and increased demand for imported products. The commodity, territorial and geographical structures of foreign trade of the Far Eastern Federal District have not changed in 2020–2021. The export of the macroregion mainly consisted of the products of fuel and energy, mineral resources, fisheries and forestry complexes. Machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles, metals, chemical and food products were the basis of the macroregion’s imports. The leaders in foreign trade turnover were the Sakhalin Region, Primorsky Krai, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Khabarovsk Krai. China, the Republic of Korea and Japan have been the main partners for many years, which determined the volume of exports and imports and the structure of foreign trade of the Far Eastern Federal District. A significant redistribution of export supplies from the Far Eastern Federal District between the countries occurred in 2020–2021 due to the China’s restrictive measures on imported products, as well as geopolitical problems of China
Costs and Potential of Trade Between Russia and Countries of Asia-Pacific Mega-Regional Trade Agreements
Authors:   Economic Research Institute FEB RAS, Izotov Dmitry
Published: August 2022

The article presents the results of the decomposition of comprehensive trade costs, which make it possible to estimate the costs and potential of trade turnover for the «deep» integration scenario between Russia and countries included in the Asia-Pacific mega-regional trade agreements – RCEP and CPTPP. It is shown that Russia has significantly increased trade with the Asia-Pacific countries, and it has the potential to expand the scale of trade by reducing various barriers. On the basis of D. Novy’s index approach, the comprehensive costs of trade between Russia and RCEP / CPTPP were decomposed into non-tariff barriers and into tariff and transport costs. It was found that non-tariff barriers were the main factor hindering trade between Russia and RCEP / CPTPP. Based on a comparison with the estimates of non-tariff barriers obtained for the Union State of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, a possible reduction in such costs in the interaction of the Russia with the RCEP / CPTPP countries has been determined. The assessment showed that if the scenario of «deep» integration between Russia and RCEP / CPTPP is implemented, non-tariff barriers could be reduced by almost 2 times in the interaction of the Russian economy with the RCEP, and with the CPTPP – by almost 2.5 times. As a result, if this scenario were implemented, mutual trade could increase by 40 p. p. and more than 60 p. p. respectively. It is assumed that the continuation of the sanctions of key world economies initiated this year and the self-restrictions of foreign companies in relation to the Russian economy could slow down the implementation of the strategy of geographical diversification of Russian exports and Russia’s full inclusion in the integration processes in the Asia-Pacific region in the long term
Effect of profitability, liquidity, and company size on capital structure: Evidence from Indonesia manufacturing companies
Authors: Suhardjo Yohanes , Karim Abdul , Taruna Mohamad Sigit
Published: August 2022

This study aims to see the effect of profitability,liquidity, and company size on the capital structure of the manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange in 2018-2020. Secondary data is used for the research and it is collected using purposive sampling. The data then analyzed using multiple linear regression. Research results shows that profitability and companies size have no effect on capital structure. Meanwhile, the liquidity have effect on capital structure. The limitation of this study is the lack of a research period to the small sample used. Researcher’s suggestion for further research is to increase the time period of the study, which is aimed to increase the accuracy of the research data.
Impact Of Risk Governance, Associated Practices and Tools on Enterprise Risk Management: Some Evidence from Colombia
Authors: Villanueva Eduart , Nuñez Maria Antonia , Martins Izaias
Published: August 2022

Enterprise risk management is a discipline that is becoming increasingly necessary due to the changing environment in which companies operate. This paper is based on a research question that propose to hypotheses that question the impact of risk governance and associated practices and tools on ERM development. Hierarchical linear regression models are used to test the hypotheses that suggest a relationship between predictor variables and the ERM criterion variable. A sample of 140 large private companies in Colombia, belonging to different economic sectors, is selected, of which their behaviour and/or organizational performance related to the analysis variables is evaluated. The main results suggest that the risk governance composed of the senior management commitment and the risk management structure has a positive correlation with ERM. Also, it is demonstrating that the practices and tools integrated by the risk maps and the risk treatment measures that are defined, have a positive correlation about the maturity of enterprise risk management. Finally, the study’s, main findings are presented, and their implications are discussed to form the basis for ERM strengthening in emerging markets.
La diversidad de género y el rendimiento en el sector financiero ecuatoriano
Authors: Coba Edisson , Díaz- Córdova Jaime , Carrion-Gavilanes Geovany , Chango-Casanova Daniela
Published: August 2022

El sector financiero se ha caracterizado históricamente por ser administrado por hombres. Para analizar si esta realidad persiste el presente trabajo tuvo por objetivo medir la diversidad de género y determinar el impacto en el rendimiento financiero. Se tomó una muestra de 31 cooperativas de ahorro y crédito del segmento I y también los 24 bancos privados del Ecuador. La diversidad de género se midió con tres indicadores: porcentaje de mujeres, Índice de BLAU y Shannon; y la variable rendimiento fue medida con el ROA y ROE y ratio de endeudamiento; que se relacionaron mediante modelos econométricos. Los resultados demuestran que las cooperativas tienen mayor diversidad de género que los bancos. Y la diversidad de género si incide en el ROA pero no en el ROE ni endeudamiento.
Reviewing Trade Openness, Domestic Investment, and Economic Growth Nexus: Contemporary Policy Implications for the MENA region
Authors: Onifade Stephen Taiwo , Khatir Abdul Qahar , Ay Ahmet , Canitez Murat
Published: August 2022

This study investigates the impact of trade openness on the economic performances of selected Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries while incorporating elements of domestic investment into the empirical analysis in the wake of dynamic sentiments for trade liberalization among nations in recent times. The study covers an empirical analysis of a panel of observations from the selected countries within the framework of the Fully Modified Least Square (FMOLS), and the Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (DOLS) regression techniques. The empirical results affirm the existence of a long-run relationship among the variables. However, while domestic investment and the size of the labor force significantly impact economic growth in the positive direction among these countries, trade openness was found to be negatively impacting on growth for the period of the study. It is therefore recommended that cogent effort should be directed towards investments that are crucial for the improvement of labor productivity and production value chains in the domestic economy to dissuade or minimize the rate of export of raw primary commodities. Also, adequate steps should be taken to improve the overall business environment, remove trade impediments, and strengthen institutions among the countries in the region to harness the benefits of trade in our increasingly globalized world.
Standardising Curriculum Development in the Higher Education Institutions using Higher Education Commission
Authors: Issa-Salwe Abdisalam M. , Maah Said Ahmed Ali
Published: August 2022

Because of the lack of a body which can control higher education or make standards that can be shared, the majority of higher education institutions in the Somali Federal Republic fail to have structured and clearly defined curriculum plans. Moreover, some do not even realise the importance of curriculum for their institutions, let alone having clearly defined objectives or goals for educational institutions to achieve in educating society. A curriculum is a map which guides the institution regarding its educational objectives. It is an assessment of how an educational institution defines those objectives. It is also the methods and means through which an educational institution maps out a way for students to find their way to success as defined by those objectives. An institution that plays the role to create a standardised curriculum in higher education is the national higher education commission (HEC). An HEC can stand as a body which regulates higher education, post-secondary education institutions, universities and other public and private higher education institutions. This paper will focus on the importance of curriculum development using examples where HEC can control and set standards which higher education institutions must follow. The paper will particularly try to answer the following questions: (i) How HECs can prescribe guidelines and conditions under which educational institutions set quality curricula, (ii) How HECs can monitor and evaluate the performance of educational institutions, and (iii) How HECs can advise institutions to develop appropriate curricula which balance teaching and learning.
Arterial and venous blood sampling is equally applicable for coagulation and fibrinolysis analyses
Authors: Christensen Silje Hovden , Nissen Peter Henrik , Hjørnet Niels Eykens , Greisen Jacob Raben , Hvas Anne-Mette
Published: August 2022

Objectives

No consensus exists upon whether arterial and venous blood samples are equivalent when it comes to coagulation analyses. We therefore conducted a comparative cohort study to clarify if arteriovenous differences affect analyses of primary and secondary hemostasis as well as fibrinolysis.

Methods

Simultaneous paired blood samplings were obtained from a cannula in the radial artery and an antecubital venipuncture in 100 patients immediately before or one day after thoracic surgery. Analyses of platelet count and aggregation, International Normalized Ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), antithrombin, thrombin time, fibrinogen, D-dimer, rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), thrombin generation, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2, and an in-house dynamic fibrin clot formation and lysis assay were performed.

Results

No differences were found between arterial and venous samples for the far majority of parameters. The only differences were found in INR, median (IQR): venous, 1.1 (0.2) vs. arterial, 1.1 (0.2) (p<0.002) and in prothrombin fragment 1 + 2: venous, 289 (209) pmol/L vs. arterial, 279 (191) pmol/L (p<0.002).

Conclusions

The sampling site does not affect the majority of coagulation analyses. Small differences were found for two parameters. Due to numerically very discrete differences, they are of no clinical relevance. In conclusion, the present data suggest that both samples obtained from arterial and venous blood may be applied for analyses of coagulation and fibrinolysis.
Unified fractional indirect IMC-based hybrid dual-loop strategy for unstable and integrating type CSTRs
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Raja G. Lloyds
Published: August 2022

Controlling unstable and integrating type continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) are more difficult due to the presence of poles in the right half and at the origin of the s-plane respectively. The existence of dead-time needs more efficient control requirements for CSTRs. In this work, a modified indirect fractional-order internal model control proportional-derivative (MIFOIMC-PD) decoupled dual-loop control strategy is suggested for unstable and integrating plants with dead time. The external-loop controller is designed using the MIFOIMC strategy for obtaining adequate servo performance. PD controller is designed such that it stabilizes the plant while disturbances occur. Decoupled nature of the suggested strategy allows this PD controller to be designed without considering the external-loop dynamics. Reference tracking and disturbance elimination capabilities of the suggested method are also quantitatively compared with reported methods. It is established that the suggested MIFOIMC-PD control architecture controls CSTRs more effectively than some lately reported schemes.
The polynomial learning with errors problem and the smearing condition
Authors: Babinkostova Liljana , Chin Ariana , Kirtland Aaron , Nazarchuk Vladyslav , Plotnick Esther
Published: August 2022

As quantum computing advances rapidly, guaranteeing the security of cryptographic protocols resistant to quantum attacks is paramount. Some leading candidate cryptosystems use the learning with errors (LWE) problem, attractive for its simplicity and hardness guaranteed by reductions from hard computational lattice problems. Its algebraic variants, ring-learning with errors (RLWE) and polynomial learning with errors (PLWE), gain efficiency over standard LWE, but their security remains to be thoroughly investigated. In this work, we consider the “smearing” condition, a condition for attacks on PLWE and RLWE introduced in Elias et al. We expand upon some questions about smearing posed by Elias et al. and show how smearing is related to the coupon collector’s problem. Furthermore, we develop an algorithm for computing probabilities related to smearing. Finally, we present a smearing-based algorithm for solving the PLWE problem.
Modelling of OFDM modulation technique in HF radio band using MATLAB
Authors: Kavitha Thandapani , Sonika Makam , Prathyusha Namburi Lakshmi , Raj Vysyaraju Tharun
Published: August 2022

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) – a new wireless multicarrier modulation which uses number of subcarriers that will be orthogonal to each and every other to send signals. An OFDM signal contains tightly spaced modulated providers that every have low bit info on each with the subcarriers. The major objective of our specific model is to apply MATLAB modelling to model OFDM modulation approach among 6, 12 and 15 MHz bandwidths inside the great consistency (HF) radio group (3–30 MHz). Typically, the motive of the pattern is to be able to make HF very long haul transmission more quickly and further trusted in order to each element worldwide, including typically the bulk remote elements, undergo use of rapid speed, very long haul hands-free connection. The designed unit enables us all to alter typically the bandwidth, carrier consistency, type of modulation, sign to noise rate (SNR), and photo dimensions to identify the particular blend regarding criterion provides trusted OFDM details gears in the HF radio band. Desire use four modulation techniques such while 32-QAM, 16-PSK, QPSK and BPSK. 32-QAM always transmitted typically the data the speediest despite the photo size, number regarding subcarriers and company frequency. 16-PSK seemed to be the second speediest type of modulation followed by QPSK and finally BPSK. To look with regard to the success associated with our model, all of us will figure out information rate and the particular bit to error ratio (BER) right next information transfer. Preferably, we wish to possess a bit error rate associated with 10e−5 for a good SNR that will be symbol of the particular noise intensity skilled within the ionosphere.
How do bicornuate uteri alter pregnancy, intra-partum and neonatal risks? A population based study of more than three million deliveries and more than 6000 bicornuate uteri
Authors: Kadour Peero Einav , Badeghiesh Ahmad , Baghlaf Haitham , Dahan Michael H.
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To explore maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with bicornuate uteri.

Methods

Retrospective population-based cohort study utilizing data from the Healthcare-Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS) from 2010 to 2014. There were 3,846,342 births between 2010 and 2014, included in the study. Six thousand and 195 deliveries were to women with bicornuate uterus. The remaining deliveries without other uterine anomalies were categorized as the reference group (n=3,840,147).

Results

Pregnant women with bicornuate uterus were older and more likely to be obese (p=0.0001) with previous cesarean deliveries (CD) (31 vs. 17.1%, p=0.0001). After adjustment for confounders, they were more likely to experience pregnancy-induced hypertension (HTN) (aOR 1.21, 95%CI: 1.1–1.3), p=0.0001), preeclampsia (aOR 1.4, 95%CI: 1.2–1.6, p=0.0001) and placenta previa (aOR 1.7, 95%CI: 1.3–2.2, p=0.0001). Moreover, they were more likely to deliver preterm (aOR 2.8, 95%CI: 2.6–3.1, p=0.0001), deliver by CD (aOR 5, 95%CI: 3.1–4.1, p=0.0001), experience preterm pre-labor rupture of membranes (PPROM) (aOR 3.5, 95%CI: 2.6–3.1, p=0.0001), and have a placental abruption (aOR 3.0, 95%CI: 2.5–3.5, p=0.0001). There were increased risks of PPH (aOR 1.4, 95%CI: 1.2–1.6, p=0.0001), wound-complications (aOR 2.0, 95%CI: 1.5–2.7, p=0.0001), hysterectomy (aOR 2.6, 95%CI: 1.6–4.1, p=0.0001), blood-transfusion (aOR 1.7, 95%CI: 1.5–2.1, p=0.0001), and DIC (aOR 1.6, 95%CI: 1.1–2.5), p=0.014) in the group with bicornuate uteri. Also there was higher risk of SGA (aOR 2.9, 95%CI: 2.6–3.2, p=0.0001) and IUFD (aOR 2.5, 95%CI: 1.8–3.3, p=0.0001).

Conclusions

Bicornuate uteri can increase risks in pregnancy by many folds. Particularly risks of: premature delivery, CD, PPROM, placental abruption, hysterectomy, SGA and IUFD were increased 250–500%.