bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PECULIARITIES OF MODELING OF STRESS-STRAIN STATE OF PIPELINES THROUGH WHICH GAS-LIQUID MIXTURES WITH AGGRESSIVE COMPONENTS ARE TRANSPORTED
Authors: Oliinyk A. P. , Nezamay B. S. , Feshanych L. I.
Published: December 2020

The task of estimating the stress-strain state of pipelines through which gas-liquid mixtures with aggressive components are transported is considered, the purpose, object and object of research are established. The analysis of the current state of scientific and technical researches on the given subject is carried out, the circle of unresolved problems is revealed. The combined effect on the pipelines through which gas-liquid mixtures with aggressive components are transported stress – strained state change  is estimated by two models - the model for determining the change of the stress-strain state of the pipeline by data on the surface points certain set displacement   taking into account the quasi-stationarity of the process. The device uses interpolation smoothing splines and methods of differential geometry, 6 components of strain and stress tensors are determined. In order to substantiate the method of estimation of annular stresses at the wear of the pipeline walls due to the action of the aggressive components of the transported mixtures, systems of equilibrium equations for pipeline sections and for quasi-rectilinear sections with altered cross-section configuration have been derived. Boundaryt conditions for equilibrium equations are established. Calculation formulas for estimation of annular stresses arising under the action of internal pressure for sections with shape defects caused by the action of aggressive components are established. The results of calculations that allow to quantify the change of the most significant ring stresses arising in the pipeline material under the action of internal pressure in the pipeline cross sections, which were exposed to the aggressive components, are presented. It is assumed that the deformed sections are little different from the shape of the circle.
ВАРЕНЬЕ ИЗ АРБУЗОВ – КАК ЗАВЕРШАЮЩИЙ ЭТАП ТЕХНОЛОГИИ ИХ ВЫРАЩИВАНИЯ
Authors: Kuzmina E. , Sannikova T. , Machulkina V. , Gulin A.
Published: December 2020

Арбуз как источник питательных веществ представляет собой ценность для перерабатывающей промышленности, в частности приготовления варенья из мякоти и корок плодов. В статье говорится, что для производства варенья можно использовать товарный урожая, как стандартной его части, так и нестандартной и не реализованной в срок продукции арбузов. Готовый продукт варенье из мякоти содержал аскорбиновой кислоты в пределах 3,17-7,17 мг%, выращенных на аллювиально-луговых среднесуглинистых почвах и 5,63-9,02 мг%, выращенных на светло-бурых супесчаных почвах, из корки 2,86-5,01 мг% и 3,75-4,20 мг%, соответственно. Варенье из мякоти и корок арбуза имел привлекательный вид, кусочки сохраняли форму, не разваривались. Сироп прозрачный, соответствовал цвету продукта. Следовательно, для производства варенья из плодов арбуза можно использовать товарный не реализованный в срок урожай, что позволяет сократить потери до 28%, получить новый продукт питания и делает технологию выращивания арбузов практически безотходной.
ТРАХЕОСТОМИЯ У БОЛЬНЫХ С COVID-19
Authors: Leyzerman M. , Magomedov H. , Leyzerman V. , Kotlyar V. , Rhamos Rodriges H.
Published: December 2020

В период пандемии Covid-19 значительно увеличился поток больных, нуждающихся в реанимации, а затем и в наложении трахеостомы. Мы произвели классическую трахеостомию у 28 пациентов и не отметили ни одного случая заражения хирургов и их ассистентов после операции.
Analysis of the influence of UV light exposure time on hardness and density properties of SLA models
Authors: Dzadz Łukasz , Pszczółkowski Bartosz
Published: December 2020

The article analysis the effect of exposure to ultraviolet light on the hardening process of the model made in the SLA technology. Research samples were created with the SLA additive technique using a 10s exposure time. In this experiment, the change in item hardness and density over a 96-hour period was analysed. Light exposure time for details of an item made in SLA technology results in an increase in hardness. At the same time are observed, changes in density and stabilization of both parameters with increasing exposure time to UV light.
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Aplikasi Chatbot untuk Layanan Informasi dan Akademik Kampus Berbasis Artificial Intelligence Markup Language (AIML)
Authors: Guntoro Guntoro , Loneli Costaner  , Lisnawita Lisnawita
Published: December 2020

Saat ini sebagian besar universitas menggunakan sistem informasi web untuk menyampaikan informasi terkait informasi pendaftaran mahasiswa, akademik, beasiswa, biaya pendidikan dan lain-lain. Dalam hal pelayanan pendidikan, tentunya universitas perlu memberikan layanan yang terbaik, agar para civitas akademik kampus, masyarakat mendapatkan kepuasan terhadap layanan yang diberikan. Penelitian ini adalah mengembangkan aplikasi chatbot yang dapat digunakan sebagai layanan informasi kampus dan akademik bagi masyarakat umum maupun bagi civitas akademik kampus Universitas Lancang Kuning Adapun tahapan dalam pengembangan aplikasi chatbot ini diantaranya adalah pengumpulan kebutuhan, desain, membuat prototype, evaluasi dan perbaikan. Adapun metode yang digunakan untuk pembelajaran chatbot menggunakan Artificial Markup Language (AIML). Knowledge dari aplikasi chatbot ini adalah alamat kampus, syarat pendaftaran, langkah pendaftaran, program studi, jalur kuliah, berapa biasa kuliah dan cara daftar. Berdasarkan hasil pengujian yang telah dilakukan dengan metode whitebox dan blackbox, bahwa aplikasi chatbot dapat berjalan dengan baik sebesar 100%. Sedangkan pengujian menggunakan UAT sebesar 95%. Hal tersebut menunjukkan bahwa aplikasi chatbot mampu menjawab pertanyaan-pertanyaan yang diajukan, sesuai dengan pengetahuan yang telah diberikan sebelumnya.

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Kata kunci: Akademik, AIML, Chatbot.

 

Abstract

 Currently, most universities use web-based information systems to provide information on student enrollment, academics, scholarships, fees, and so on.  As far as education services are concerned, of course, universities need to offer the best service to ensure that the campus learning community is happy with the services offered. The goal of this research is to build a chatbot application that can use as a campus and academic information service for the general public and the academic community of Universitas Lancang Kuning.  The phases in the development of this chatbot framework include gathering needs, designing, creating prototypes, testing and improving.  The tool used to learn the chatbot uses the Artificial Markup Language (AIML). Knowledge from the chatbot application is the campus address, registration requirements, registration steps, study program, course path, how many lectures are used and how to register. Based on the results of the tests carried out using the Whitebox and BlackBox methods, the chatbot framework will run 100% . While testing using UAT is 95%.  The Chatbot framework can answer the questions that have been posed, based on the information that has been previously given.

Keywords: Academic, AIML, Chatbot
On the story of the literature lesson
Authors: Shutan Mstislav I.
Published: December 2020

The purpose of the article is to reveal the method of working with the climax as an element of the plot of a literature lesson. Thus, the basis of the term “case study” perceived as a “cell” of the lesson, its logical and emotional piece (N.A. Stanek), which is reminiscent of a story situation that is the element of the artistic structure, primarily, of epic or dramatic works. In this case, the lesson is considered as a structure based on “methods of linking steps” (I.V. Sosnovskaya). The climax of the lesson is characterized as a moment of the highest psychological tension, which marks a certain turning point in the comprehension of a literary work (usually the inner world of a literary character), followed by a gradual decrease in tension caused by the process of resolving a problem situation. The climax, which is the subject of the scientific and methodological research, is included in the context of synergetic pedagogy. When applied to a literature lesson, the word “chaos”, which is part of the synergetic paradigm, can characterize the psychological state of a student who has encountered something unusual, unexpected – something that can destroy a certain intellectual model, in the creation of which, he took an active part and was convinced of its adequacy to the object under consideration. In the article on the example of the study of N.V. Gogol (“Dead souls”), I.A. Goncharov (“Oblomov”), L.N. Tolstoy (“War and peace”), A.P. Chekhov (stories), it is shown how inclusion in a lesson of an element (elements) of the structure of the studied works, linguistic (P. Weil and A. Genis on short stories by Chekhov as micronovels) or artistic interpretations (a comparison of Tolstoy’s text with an episode from the film directed by S. Bondarchuk), leads to the climactic stage of the lesson followed by the moral-psychological, philosophical or aesthetic conclusion, summary, prepared by the analytical procedures, including expanded and compressed correlations.
Studi Estimasi Beban Puncak Hari Libur Nasional Sistem Interkoneksi Sulselbar Menggunakan Jaringan Syaraf Tiruan Propagasi Balik
Authors: Saini Makmur , Yunus A.M. Shiddiq , Firdaus Firdaus
Published: December 2020

The development of population from time to time is increased and the need for electricity consumption is also increased. Simultaneously increasing the need for electric power requires the provider of electricity supply in this case PT. PLN (Persero) should deliver power effectively to consumers. To maximize the distribution of electricity to the consumer, a load planning is required. This load planning is conducted to find out how much amount of power is required by consumer. The purpose of this research is to investigate the need of power load of interconnection system of South Sulawesi and to investigate the accuracy of load planning using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) backpropagation.
PROSPECTS FOR THE EXIT OF MODERN PRINTING PUBLICATIONS AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
Authors:   Siberian State University of Telecommunications and Informatics, Khmelev A.V.
Published: December 2020

This article discusses the option of publishing print media at the international level as a way to strengthen and develop the modern media sources. Also a variant of its promotion is proposed, which differs from the already functioning options, but at the same time requires significant changes in the organization of the media. As part of the review, questions were examined regarding the complexity of implementing such a project, such as modifying the structure of a publication, cost calculation.
SECURITY ORGANIZATION AND REGIM OF DETENTION FOR PRISONERS OF WAR AND INTERNEES IN SIBERIAN CAMPS IN 1945-1950
Authors:   Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University, Markdorf N.M.
Published: December 2020

The article provides an analysis of the problems of the provision of camps in Siberia with personnel and the protection of foreign prisoners of war and internees in the 1945-1950s, which were considered and resolved both at the state and regional levels. Despite the low personnel potential, a systematic under-staffing of the military personnel of the garrison of the convoy troops and private security in 1947-1948 largely these problems were solved. This was made possible thanks to the complex of administrative and educational measures, the reduction of unprofitable and understaffed units, the staffing of the camps with freed up qualified officers, prison guards and civilian employees, the strengthening of military discipline, the combat and service training of personnel, the strengthening of control by political departments and operational departments, and the intensification of intelligence -information activities. It was possible to reduce the number of shoots.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL COMPLEX AS A FACTOR OF ECONOMIC SECURITY (ON THE EXAMPLE OF KEMEROVSK REGION)
Authors:   Kuzbass State Technical University, Lubkova E.M. , Shilova A.E. ,   Kuzbass State Technical University
Published: December 2020

Food security of the country is the primary task of any state. The quality of life depends on the level of food security of the population. The economic security of a country is directly dependent on external and internal factors. Sustainable development of sectors and subcomplexes of the agro-industrial complex of the country and its regions is a fundamental internal factor in ensuring food security, which affects economic security. In its turn, the country's food security depends on the level and pace of development of agribusiness in the regions. The existing features of the agro-industrial complex in industrial regions set the task of a deeper and more detailed analysis and evaluation of the development of industries and subcomplexes of the agro-industrial complex. In the framework of this study, the state of the agro-industrial complex of the industrial region (on the example of the Kemerovo region) by the main indicators is considered. The necessity of further research of this issue in order to develop recommendations for improving the food supply system of the Kemerovo region is justified.
EAEU - COMPETITION OR PARTNERSHIP?
Authors:   Innovative University of Eurasia, Frank D.A.
Published: December 2020

For five years now, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has been operating in practice as an international organization whose main task is the fullfledged multilateral economic integration of the participating countries in order to improve the living standards of their population. Originating from previous agreements of the mid-crisis 90-s of the last century of the Customs Union, the Eurasian Economic Community, the EAEU is effective if equal partnership prevails over unfair competition. The article discusses the relationship of these components in the work of the EAEU and its organizations-predecessors and structures. The problem raised by the author of the article is relevant in the context of assessing the prospects and viability of the EAEU, the possibility of expansion due to new countries wishing to become partners of the Union, the effectiveness of interaction and healthy competition with other world economic communities.
ISSUES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT IN NOVOSIBIRSK AND WAYS OF THEIR SOLUTION
Authors:   Siberian State Transport University, Lerman E.B.
Published: December 2020

This article discusses the organizational and economic problems of the functioning of public transport in the city of Novosibirsk using the example of the Municipal treasury enterprise ‘Passenger Motor Transport Enterprise No. 4’. The main objective of the study is to find ways to solve problems which arise at this enterprise and which are common for urban passenger transport in a large city. The article analyzes the results of the enterprise, as well as the transport situation in Novosibirsk. The growth of the private car fleet significantly worsened the state of the urban environment in most cities of Russia and created a number of difficult to solve problems. Based on the study of solutions to similar problems in other cities and countries, the conclusion is drawn about the need for the accelerated development of urban passenger transport in comparison with other modes of transport. The search for effective ways to influence the behavior of transport users will make it possible to create a ‘healthy city’ that forms the necessary safety and quality of life for citizens.
TYPOLOGY OF RUSSIAN INVESTORS OF FINANCIAL PYRAMIDS
Authors:   Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, KAZANTSEV Y.Y.
Published: December 2020

Thanks to a large-scale campaign to increase the financial literacy of Russian citizens, financial pyramids began to seem like ghosts from the past, but in 2019 in Russia a significant number of financial pyramids were recorded. Financial literacy protects citizens from the so-called economic methods of involvement in dubious money enterprises. To a lesser extent, the layman is protected from psychological and sociological methods of influence. Psychology implies managing a person with controversial methods. Sociology offers the so-called crowd effect as an explanation of the phenomenon of mass insanity. This work classifies typical methods of attracting investors to the Russian financial pyramids, for which purpose a combined model of influence on citizens, including economic, psychological and sociological methods, is constructed. Based on this model, a typology of investors is proposed taking into account the methods of their involvement.
PROBLEMS OF DEVELOPMENT THE FINANCIAL TOOL - INDIVIDUAL INVESTMENT ACCOUNT IN KHAKASSIA REPUBLIC
Authors:   Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Belov E.N. , Vyzhitovich A.M. ,   Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration
Published: December 2020

Recently in the Russian market appeared a new financial tool - individual investment account (IIA). Its main purpose is to increase the participation of the economically active population in the IIA. The main idea of the scientific article is to identify the main obstacles to the development of IIA in the Khakassia Republic and determine the most significant factors affecting the development of this financial instrument. In this connection, this article identifies the main problems, supported by a factual justification, preventing citizens from being involved in transactions with this instrument. A correlation-regression analysis of socio-economic factors was carried out on the basis of statistical data in order to determine which of them had the greatest impact on the opening of the IIA in Russia. A link between the development of IIA and the economic security of the region is made.
BUILDING OF AN ANTI-CRISIS PROGRAMME MEDICAL ORGANIZATION
Authors:   Novosibirsk Scientific Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Lifanov A.V. , Lifanova S.A. ,   Novosibirsk State Medical University
Published: December 2020

This article are considered with the peculiarities of managing a medical organization in crisis. A description of the crises inherent in the medical organization are given, and the symptoms indicating that a crisis situation is approaching are identified. The factors that may affect the emergence of the crisis are examined, and measures for reducing costs and increase incomes of the medical organizations are identified. The conditions for taking them into account in the elaboration of the anti-crisis program are proposed.
PROBLEMS OF CREATION OF A TRANSCONTINENTAL HIGHWAY AND A TUNNEL UNDER THE BERING STRAIGHT (ASSESSMENT OF REGIONAL CARGO AND PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION)
Authors:   Siberian Transport University, Bykadorov S.A.
Published: December 2020

The technical, operational and organizational-economic problems of the engineering and construction design of the Transcontinental Railway crossing the Bering Strait are under consideration. The particularities of the Russian and North American transport systems are noted and ways of reducing existing contradictions are proposed. Examples of similar large-scale investment transport projects in Europe and Asia are given. The history of the idea and the beginning of the progecting of the transition has more than a century. However, global risks and the challenges of some periods of history are constantly pushing back the start of the project. The paper gives a brief overview of the economic and geographical region of economic gravitation the construction of the Transcontinental crossing between Russian Chukotka and American Alaska. On the Russian side, there is a clear lag in the development of transport and economic infrastructure. The institutional problems of design and construction are noted, without the solution of which the further movement of the project is impossible
DEVELOPMENT OF THE RUSSIAN SEGMENT OF THE ARCTIC ZONE AS A REGIONAL MEASUREMENT OF WORLD GEOPOLITICS
Authors:   Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Sukhodaeva T.S.
Published: December 2020

The article discusses the features of the Arctic zone, its place in the world economy and international relations. The reasons for the intersection of the geopolitical interests of the leading states of the world in this region are revealed. The main directions of scientific and technical cooperation in the development of the Arctic are identified. The role of the Arctic Council in solving the problem of coordinating the interests of various actors in the region is shown. The strategic necessity of the development of the Arctic as a region free of conflicts and rivalry is substantiated. The analysis of the Russian Arctic policy and mechanisms for its implementation. The author substantiates the conclusion that the development of the Russian Arctic zone can become a driving force for the qualitative growth of the national economy, the formation of the country's competitive advantages in the long term, as well as maintaining the global ecological balance and stability.
USBCaptchaIn: Preventing (un)conventional attacks from promiscuously used USB devices in industrial control systems
Authors: Griscioli Federico , Pizzonia Maurizio
Published: December 2020

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) are sensible targets for high profile attackers and advanced persistent threats, which are known to exploit USB thumb drives as an effective spreading vector. In ICSes, thumb drives are widely used to transfer files among disconnected systems and represent a serious security risks, since, they may be promiscuously used in both critical and regular systems. The threats come both from malware hidden in files stored in the thumb drives and from BadUSB attacks. BadUSB leverages the modification of firmware of USB devices in order to mimic the behaviour of a keyboard and send malicious commands to the host.

We present a solution that allows a promiscuous use of USB thumbs drives while protecting critical machines from malware, that spreads by regular file infection or by firmware infection. The main component of the architecture we propose is an hardware, called USBCaptchaIn, intended to be in the middle between critical machines and connected USB devices. We do not require users to change the way they use thumb drives. To avoid human-errors, we do not require users to take any decision. The proposed approach is highly compatible with already deployed products of a ICS environment and proactively blocks malware before they reach their targets. We describe our solution, provide a thorough analysis of the security of our approach in the ICS context, and report the informal feedback of some experts regarding our first prototypes.
Brain Bio-Energetic State Does Not Correlate to Muscle Mitochondrial Function in Huntington’s Disease
Authors: van Diemen Marcus P.J. , Hart Ellen P. , Hameeteman Pieter W. , Coppen Emma M. , Winder Jessica Y. , den Heijer Jonas , Moerland Matthijs , Kan Hermien , van der Grond Jeroen , Webb Andrew , Roos Raymund A.C. , Groeneveld Geert Jan
Published: December 2020

Background:

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease with cognitive, motor and psychiatric symptoms. A toxic accumulation of misfolded mutant huntingtin protein (Htt) induces mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to a bioenergetic insufficiency in neuronal and muscle cells. Improving mitochondrial function has been proposed as an opportunity to treat HD, but it is not known how mitochondrial function in different tissues relates.

Objective:

We explored associations between central and peripheral mitochondrial function in a group of mild to moderate staged HD patients.

Methods:

We used phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) to measure mitochondrial function in vivo in the calf muscle (peripheral) and the bio-energetic state in the visual cortex (central). Mitochondrial function was also assessed ex vivo in circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Clinical function was determined by the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) total motor score. Pearson correlation coefficients were computed to assess the correlation between the different variables.

Results:

We included 23 manifest HD patients for analysis. There was no significant correlation between central bio-energetics and peripheral mitochondrial function. Central mitochondrial function at rest correlated significantly to the UHDRS total motor score ( R = –0.45 and –0.48), which increased in a subgroup with the largest number of CAG repeats.

Discussion:

We did not observe a correlation between peripheral and central mitochondrial function. Central, but not peripheral, mitochondrial function correlated to clinical function. Muscle mitochondrial function is a promising biomarker to evaluate disease-modifying compounds that improve mitochondrial function, but Huntington researchers should use central mitochondrial function to demonstrate proof-of-pharmacology of disease-modifying compounds.
Fuzzy model for human autonomous computing in extreme surveillance and it’s applications
Authors: Ramachandran Varatharajan
Published: December 2020

This special issue of the Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems contains selected articles of Fuzzy model for human autonomous computing in extreme surveillance and it’s applications
G-CNN and double-referenced thresholding for detecting time series anomalies
Authors: Li Liping , Tian Zean , Li Kenli , Chen Cen
Published: December 2020

Anomaly detection based on time series data is of great importance in many fields. Time series data produced by man-made systems usually include two parts: monitored and exogenous data, which respectively are the detected object and the control/feedback information. In this paper, a so-called G-CNN architecture that combined the gated recurrent units (GRU) with a convolutional neural network (CNN) is proposed, which respectively focus on the monitored and exogenous data. The most important is the introduction of a complementary double-referenced thresholding approach that processes prediction errors and calculates threshold, achieving balance between the minimization of false positives and the false negatives. The outstanding performance and extensive applicability of our model is demonstrated by experiments on two public datasets from aerospace and a new server machine dataset from an Internet company. It is also found that the monitored data is close associated with the exogenous data if any, and the interpretability of the G-CNN is discussed by visualizing the intermediate output of neural networks.
Protraction of Einstein operators for decision-making under q-rung orthopair fuzzy model
Authors: Akram Muhammad , Shahzadi Gulfam , Shahzadi Sundas
Published: December 2020

An q-rung orthopair fuzzy set is a generalized structure that covers the modern extensions of fuzzy set, including intuitionistic fuzzy set and Pythagorean fuzzy set, with an adjustable parameter q that makes it flexible and adaptable to describe the inexact information in decision making. The condition of q-rung orthopair fuzzy set, i.e., sum of qth power of membership degree and nonmembership degree is bounded by one, makes it highly competent and adequate to get over the limitations of existing models. The basic purpose of this study is to establish some aggregation operators under the q-rung orthopair fuzzy environment with Einstein norm operations. Motivated by innovative features of Einstein operators and dominant behavior of q-rung orthopair fuzzy set, some new aggregation operators, namely, q-rung orthopair fuzzy Einstein weighted averaging, q-rung orthopair fuzzy Einstein ordered weighted averaging, generalized q-rung orthopair fuzzy Einstein weighted averaging and generalized q-rung orthopair fuzzy Einstein ordered weighted averaging operators are defined. Furthermore, some properties related to proposed operators are presented. Moreover, multi-attribute decision making problems related to career selection, agriculture land selection and residential place selection are presented under these operators to show the capability and proficiency of this new idea. The comparison analysis with existing theories shows the superiorities of proposed model.
Iranian Registry of Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophies: Characterization and Preliminary Data
Authors: Bayat Farhad , Sarmiento Isis G. , Ahmadian Negar , Dehghani Zahra
Published: December 2020

Duchenne (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophies (BMD) are rare neuromuscular disorders caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene and failure in its protein production. The absence or the reduced expression of dystrophin render muscles prone to damage, including the cardiac and respiratory muscles with reduced life expectancy. Careful planning for clinical trials will require a sufficient number of confirmed cases to meet the inclusion criteria. National registries for rare disorders serve as an essential tool for personalized medicines or mutation-specific trials to facilitate patient recruitment. The Iranian Registry of DMD and BMD (IRDAB) collects detailed molecular data of Iranian DMD/BMD patients and carriers according to the TREAT-NMD Global Neuromuscular Network guidelines. As of March 2020, five hundred and twenty-two cases are registered. The registry incorporates multi-level web and database technologies, where registrants can access their data and compare it to the cumulative data. The registry’s objectives are to recruit eligible patients for clinical trials and provide sufficient data for the national program of disease surveillance and social planning. Furthermore, the registry provides accurate epidemiological data, phenotype/genotype correlation, and evaluate the standards of care in Iran.
Targeted Therapies for Skeletal Muscle Ion Channelopathies: Systematic Review and Steps Towards Precision Medicine
Authors: Desaphy Jean-François , Altamura Concetta , Vicart Savine , Fontaine Bertrand
Published: December 2020

Background:

Skeletal muscle ion channelopathies include non-dystrophic myotonias (NDM), periodic paralyses (PP), congenital myasthenic syndrome, and recently identified congenital myopathies. The treatment of these diseases is mainly symptomatic, aimed at reducing muscle excitability in NDM or modifying triggers of attacks in PP.

Objective:

This systematic review collected the evidences regarding effects of pharmacological treatment on muscle ion channelopathies, focusing on the possible link between treatments and genetic background.

Methods:

We searched databases for randomized clinical trials (RCT) and other human studies reporting pharmacological treatments. Preclinical studies were considered to gain further information regarding mutation-dependent drug effects. All steps were performed by two independent investigators, while two others critically reviewed the entire process.

Results:

For NMD, RCT showed therapeutic benefits of mexiletine and lamotrigine, while other human studies suggest some efficacy of various sodium channel blockers and of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) acetazolamide. Preclinical studies suggest that mutations may alter sensitivity of the channel to sodium channel blockers in vitro, which has been translated to humans in some cases. For hyperkalemic and hypokalemic PP, RCT showed efficacy of the CAI dichlorphenamide in preventing paralysis. However, hypokalemic PP patients carrying sodium channel mutations may have fewer benefits from CAI compared to those carrying calcium channel mutations. Few data are available for treatment of congenital myopathies.

Conclusions:

These studies provided limited information about the response to treatments of individual mutations or groups of mutations. A major effort is needed to perform human studies for designing a mutation-driven precision medicine in muscle ion channelopathies.
Neuropathological and Biomarker Findings in Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease: From Protein Aggregates to Synaptic Dysfunction
Authors: Compta Yaroslau , Revesz Tamas
Published: December 2020

There is mounting evidence that Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) share neuropathological hallmarks, while similar types of biomarkers are being applied to both. In this review we aimed to explore similarities and differences between PD and AD at both the neuropathology and the biomarker levels, specifically focusing on protein aggregates and synapse dysfunction. Thus, amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and tau lesions of the Alzheimer-type are common in PD and α-synuclein Lewy-type aggregates are frequent findings in AD. Modern neuropathological techniques adding to routine immunohistochemistry might take further our knowledge of these diseases beyond protein aggregates and down to their presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals, with potential mechanistic and even future therapeutic implications. Translation of neuropathological discoveries to the clinic remains challenging. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and positron emission tomography (PET) markers of Aβ and tau have been shown to be reliable for AD diagnosis. Conversely, CSF markers of α-synuclein have not been that consistent. In terms of PET markers, there is no PET probe available for α-synuclein yet, while the AD PET markers range from consistent evidence of their specificity (amyloid imaging) to greater uncertainty of their reliability due to off-target binding (tau imaging). CSF synaptic markers are attractive, still needing more evidence, which currently suggests those might be non-specific markers of disease progression. It can be summarized that there is neuropathological evidence that protein aggregates of AD and PD are present both at the soma and the synapse. Thus, a number of CSF and PET biomarkers beyond α-synuclein, tau and Aβ might capture these different faces of protein-related neurodegeneration. It remains to be seen what the longitudinal outcomes and the potential value as surrogate markers of these biomarkers are.
Delayed cord clamping in infants born less than 35 weeks: A retrospective study
Authors: Singh N. , Brammer D.
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND: Evidence supports delayed cord clamping (DCC) in preterm infants. However, practice variation exists, and many preterm infants do not receive DCC despite multiple benefits and lack of harm. We aim to 1) study the rate of DCC in preterm infants, 2) compare the difference between infants who received DCC and those who did not receive DCC and 3) investigate the reasons for not performing DCC. METHODS: We conducted this retrospective study to evaluate DCC practice at our institution since its implementation in September 2015. We collected and analyzed the data on DCC of 30–45 sec duration in inborn infants < 35 weeks gestation admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit from June 2016- June 2019. The primary outcome was the rate of delayed cord clamping. RESULTS: Of the 447 infants, 275 (62%) received DCC. The rate of DCC was 36%, 54%, and 66% in infants < 27 weeks, 27–29 weeks and > 30 weeks gestation, respectively (p = 0.001). Infants not receiving DCC were smaller, of lower gestational age, and more likely to be delivered via cesarean section than those who received DCC (p < 0.0001). Infants not receiving DCC had a higher rate of receiving PPV or intubation and a 1minute Apgar score of < 5 compared to those receiving DCC. We could not establish the reason for not performing DCC because of inadequate documentation in the medical records. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of DCC is low in clinical practice, particularly among extremely preterm infants.
Role of lung ultrasound in the assessment of recruitment maneuvers in ventilated preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome and its correlation with tracheal IL-6 levels: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Abushady N.M. , Awad H.A.S. , Kamel D.R. , Fouda E.M. , Ahmed N.T. , Dawoud M.O.
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND: This study’s aim is to evaluate lung ultrasound (LUS) efficacy in detecting opening and closing lung pressures and its correlation with the tracheal interleukin 6 (IL-6) level. METHOD: This single-blinded randomized controlled study was done at Ain Shams University Children’s Hospital neonatal intensive care units, Egypt. It consists of 44 mechanically ventilated preterm neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS). Initial LUS assessment was done followed by randomization to one of 2 groups; group I: 22 patients underwent LUS guided RM and group II: 22 patients underwent non-ultrasound guided RM. Tracheal IL-6 level was measured before and after RM in both groups. RESULTS: The LUS scores showed a sensitivity of 86.7%, specificity of 62.10% and accuracy of 70.45% at the cut-off point >B1 grade. After RM, there was a higher percentage of changes in mean airway pressure (p = 0.03), FiO2 (p = 0.01), PaO2/FiO2 ratio (p = 0.01), and IL-6 (p < 0.01) in group I. The duration of oxygen requirement (6 vs.13.5 days, p = 0.01), invasive ventilation (3 vs.5.5 days, p = 0.03), non-invasive ventilation (2.5 vs. 5 days, p = 0.02) and NICU stay (21.5 vs. 42.5 days, p = 0.03) were less in group I. A positive correlation is found between reaeration score and the duration of O2 requirement (p = 0.002), duration of invasive ventilation (p = 0.001), NICU length of stay (p = 0.002) and negative correlation with PaO2/FiO2 ratio before RM (p = 0.012). The best cut-off point for the reaeration score is >21 with a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 71.43% and area under the curve of 78.1%. CONCLUSION: LUS-guided RM achieved earlier lowest FiO2, shorter O2 dependency, lesser NICU stay and marked decrease in lung inflammation by decreasing atelectotrauma and shortening the duration of invasive ventilation.
Neurosurgery guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida
Authors: Blount Jeffrey P. , Bowman Robin , Dias Mark S. , Hopson Betsy , Partington Michael D. , Rocque Brandon G.
Published: December 2020

Myelomeningocele (MMC) arises from an early neural developmental anomaly and results in a variety of structural abnormalities and associated functional neurologic deficits. As such, neurologic issues are central to virtually all clinical problems. Neurosurgical intervention strives to correct or improve these defects and prevent secondary complications. These interventions include closure of the open myelomeningocele and management (across the life span) of hydrocephalus, the Chiari II malformation (C2M) and tethered spinal cord (TSC). The development of pre-natal closure techniques and reports of improved outcome with in-utero closure (IUMC) have revolutionized the neurosurgical approach to myelomeningocele. Controversies remain surrounding patient selection, maternal risks, technique of IUMC (endoscopic vs. open) and long-term outcomes. However, real gains include reduced rates of hydrocephalus, modestly improved motor capabilities and reduction in C2M morbidity. For many decades, the cornerstone of treatment of hydrocephalus for many decades has been the placement and support of ventricular shunts. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) with or without choroid plexus coagulation (ETV/CPC) is an appealing alternate strategy that avoids the morbidity and complications associated with shunts. The exact criteria for ETV-CPC candidacy and best metrics for outcome analysis remain active areas of debate and controversy. Similarly, neurosurgical management C2M, has centered upon the indications and clinical thresholds for performing posterior fossa surgical decompression. Tethered spinal cord management incorporates the diagnosis and surgical management of adhesions formed at the initial closure site, the consequent longitudinal traction related stress on the cord and the resulting neurologic signs and symptoms.
Usability of India’s government statistics1
Authors: Kumar Vikas
Published: December 2020

The quality of metadata is a crucial determinant of usability/interpretability of data. This paper draws attention to the poor quality of India’s government statistics and the paucity of metadata necessary to understand data quality problems. The paper suggests that there has been a decline in India both in terms of the availability and quality of metadata for key government sources of information including maps, decennial population censuses and National Sample Surveys amidst growing sophistication in the understanding of metadata. The poor quality of metadata impairs cross-sectional as well as inter-temporal comparisons and policymaking apart from concealing biases and lapses of government statisticians. The paper draws on the experience of three states – erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and Nagaland – where government statistics have been affected by serious errors that are not well-understood due to the lack of adequate metadata.
Assessment of working postures and physical loading in advanced order picking tasks: A case study of human interaction with automated warehouse goods-to-picker systems
Authors: Lee Joo Ae , Chang Yoon Seok , Karwowski Waldemar
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND: Order picking activities are the most labor-intensive processes in retail warehouses. Although various automated order picking technologies have been developed recently, human intervention continues to be required. Most advanced order picking systems can be classified into automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) and moving robot types. Both types of goods-to-picker systems aim to reduce the picker’s travel time required to determine product locations and to move these products to meet customer requests. OBJECTIVE: Many studies on the efficiency and effectiveness of automated order picking systems have focused solely on system performance. Since human operators play an essential part in order picking systems from both the effectiveness and efficiency point of view, the work-related risk factors for the workers interacting with these systems should also be evaluated. In this paper, we assess the ergonomic design features of two system types, a moving robot (MR) and automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS), focusing on the assessment of the risk factors for work-related postural stresses. METHODS: We compare the performance factors of two order picking systems, i.e. MR and AS/RS, by applying a digital human modeling and simulation, and assessing the total average physical activity exhibited by human operators on a given order picking task. RESULTS: The AS/RS type order picking system exhibited a lower risk for task-related postural stresses for warehouse workers. CONCLUSIONS: The picking station for moving robot (MR) order picking system requires design changes in order to reduce postural stresses during human operator’s interaction with such a system.
Linkage between machine power utilization and ergonomics, with reference to reducing exertions at work
Authors: Hayati Abdollah , Marzban Afshin
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND: Despite mechanization development, leafy vegetable cultivation (LVC), as a labor-intensive activity in both developed and developing countries, still suffers from heavy physical activities. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the human physiological strains of LVC’s workers to identify relationships among contributing factors affecting human physiological strains. METHODS: Thirty male workers were included in this study. Working heart rate (HR) was measured using a heart rate sensor during various operations. The time taken to treat a known area was measured using a stopwatch to calculate work speed (or field capacity (FC)) for each operation. Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression were used to investigate the relationships among HR, heart rate ratio, FC and mechanization status (MS), and human energy expenditure rate and total energy expenditure per unit area. RESULTS: The highest HR was at seedbed preparing (120.1 beats/min) and lowest at manual harvesting (87.8 beats/min). Manual hoe-used operations (seedbed preparing, manure application and irrigating) were demonstrated as the critical operations concerning physiological strains. The operations performed by machine power corresponded to a high FC. CONCLUSIONS: Variables influencing the area treating speed (i.e. MS and FC) are negatively linked to the human energy consumed per unit area and variable changed in time unit (i.e. HR) was positively linked to the human energy expenditure speed.
Utilisation of exercise as part of guideline-based care for hip pain in the Australian workers’ compensation environment
Authors: Beales Darren , Fulco Matthew , Gullhaugen Eivor , Peden Aaron , Ranford Stephen , Mitchell Tim
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend early referral for exercise for hip pain. It is unclear if this occurs in the Australian workers’ compensation environment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate referral for exercise in workers with a compensable hip claim. METHODS: Retrospective audit of closed compensation files for workers with hip pain was performed. Exercise commencement was indicated by billing codes for physiotherapy or exercise specific consultations. Time to exercise commencement was calculated. Associations were analysed between time to exercise commencement with claim duration and diagnostic category. RESULTS: Exercise management occurred for 33/44 cases. Median time to commence exercise for those cases that had exercise was 14 days post-injury, with 33% commencing beyond 4 weeks. Longer time to commence exercise was associated with a longer claim duration (Spearman’s rho = 0.70). Workers with a diagnosis of hip joint pain had a longer time to exercise commencement (median 49.5 days) compared to those with a diagnosis of lateral hip pain (median 14 days) or non-specific hip pain (median 4.5 days). CONCLUSION: Findings indicate practice behaviours in the workers’ compensation environment for the management of hip pain with exercise. Further investigation is warranted to see if improved adherence to guideline recommendations improves outcomes for people with compensable hip pain.
Growth performance and survival rate of catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) juvenile which is reared in recirculation system
Authors: Eliyani Yuke , Djunaidah Iin Siti , Sujono Sujono
Published: December 2020

Although recirculation is a cultivation system that has been tried in various commodities, but the effectiveness of this system to the growth and survival of catfish juvenile has not been done. This study aims to determine the effective-ness of recirculation system on growth performance and survival rate of catfish juvenile (Pangasianodon hypophthal-mus). The research was conducted from 11 October to 30 November 2019 at hatchery unit Department of Fisheries Extension, Jakarta Technical University of Fisheries. This study used experimental method with 3 treatments, namely Control (K: 100% Bioball + Bacillus sp.), Treatment 1 (P1: 50% Bioball + 25% zeolite + 25% resin + Bacillus sp.) and Treatment 2 (P2: Bioball 25 % + zeolit 50% + resin 25% + Bacteria Bacillus sp.). The catfish used in this study was measured 0.08 + 0.02 g. Ind.-1. The fish were kept in a concrete tub of 100 cm x 150 cm x 70 cm with water volume of 750 liters tub-1. Stocking density of fish was 5 fish liters-1. Fish juveniles were fed with commercial feed with a dose of 3% of fish biomass with frequency of 3 times a day-1. Observation fish growth and water sampling for monitoring of the abundance of nitrogen-decomposing bacteria and water quality were carried out every 15 days. The results showed that the highest growth weight of catfish seedlings was found in treatment P1 (0.447±0.142b) compared with K (0.377±0.047a) and P2 (0.363±0.057a) treatment. The values of survival rate for K, P1 and P2 treatments were 51±8, 54±4 and 52±8, respectively. This result implies that no significant difference in the survival rates in all treatments.