bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical activity interventions to reduce fear of falling in older adults with frailty: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Savvakis Ioannis , Adamakidou Theodoula , Kleisiaris Christos
Published: August 2023

Background
Frailty in older adults leads to progressive deterioration of their physical condition and makes them prone to develop Fear of Falling (FoF). Physical activity interventions appear to be effective in managing the components of frailty but there is no clear evidence to determine whether physical activity may affect FoF in frail and pre-frail older adults.
Objective
Τhis systematic literature review aims to synthesize evidence on the relationship between the physical interventions to ameliorate balance, strength, and mobility and FοF reduction in older adults with frailty.
Design
Studies assessing physical activity interventions for frail and pre-frail older adults aged 60 years and older were identified in English through searches in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases till February 2023. Study quality was assessed and a qualitative synthesis of results was performed.
Results
A total of 13 studies published were included. All of them were Randomized Control Trials and the most frequent assessment tool used to assess FoF (10 of 13 studies) was the Fall Efficacy Scale – International (FES-I). Six studies were assessed as having a low risk of bias. Cumulatively, the findings of this review indicate that physical activity interventions are effective in reducing the FoF of older adults with frailty.
Conclusion
The results are encouraging and recapitulate the positive role of physical interventions in FoF reduction. However, future research would benefit from longer follow-up periods, longer intervention duration, and participation of interdisciplinary teams.
Comparison of surgical outcomes following femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK (Femto-LASIK) versus small incision lenticule extraction (SMIL) for myopia and astigmatism
Authors: Mohammed MS.c Marrwan Hisham , Halboos Mustafa Tawfeeq , Al-Jenabi Ziyad Kamel , M.Sc. Noor Khamees Hamad
Published: August 2023

Purpose
To compare the visual, refractive, and topographic outcomes of patients who underwent Femto-LASIK and SMILE.
Methods
This historical cohort study selected 83 eyes of 83 patients with myopic and myopic astigmatism. Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical procedure: femto-LASIK-treated (46 patients) and SMILE-treated patients (37 eyes). In all patients, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), spherical component, spherical equivalent (SE), cylindrical component, and some tomography readings were measured preoperatively and compared with the outcomes 45 days after surgery. In addition, the symptoms reported by patients were investigated in follow-ups on the 10th, 30th, and 45th days following the operation.
Results
Significantly better spherical refractive outcomes were associated with SMILE than Femto-LASIK at 45 days postoperatively (sphere component: -0.22 ± 0.61 D for Femto-LASIK and − 0.04 ± 0.17 D for SMILE, and P = 0.080; SE: -0.37 ± 0.72 D for Femto-LASIK and − 0.09 ± 0.21 D for SMILE, and P = 0.021). In addition, the SMILE procedure induced more flattening effect on steep-K readings than Femto-LASIK 45 days after the surgery (41.96 ± 2.23 D for SMILE and 40.65 ± 2.04 D for Femto-LASIK, and P = 0.007). No significant differences were found between the two study groups' postoperative measurements of flat-K and K-max. In addition, the higher proportions of patients who were treated with SMILE complained of severe dryness sensation at ten days postoperatively, no patient complained of this symptom at 45 days following both procedures.
Conclusions
By the end of the 45-day follow-up after the operation, SMILE would be a slightly better surgical procedure providing less postoperative myopic refraction and fewer symptoms.
Categorization of Text using Long Short-Term Memory with Glove
Authors: Sirohi Neeraj Kumar , Bansal Mamta
Published: August 2023

Text files from the web, articles from magazines, and medical research can all be organized, arranged, and categorized using text classifiers. For illustration, categories like entertainment, business, sports, science, and technology might be used to categorize new content; When classifying text, important feature selection and data sparsity problems repeatedly arise in standard techniques. Text classification using conventional machine learning techniques is highly effective and has qualities of stability. Regarding large-scale dataset training, it does have some drawbacks. In this instance, grouping news articles into some labels in the dataset requires the use of a multi-label text grouping method. A potential approach to fixing issues with text categorization systems is deep learning. The LSTM was utilized in this research to utilize one method using recurrent neural networks for deep learning. The technique described in this article utilizes 300-dimensional word embeddings generated by Global Vectors (GloVe). The parameters were carefully selected to demonstrate the effectiveness of utilizing LSTM with GloVe features in text categorization. A comprehensive tuning process was carried out, assessing the performance of the four suggested LSTM models by evaluating them against a sizable corpus for comparative analysis. According to the results, the third model's accuracy for text categorization using LSTM and GloVe is 96.36, while The average F1-score, precision, and recall are 96. Furthermore, Utilising the GloVe feature, LSTM typically generates visual outcomes that are nearly well-fit.
A nanovaccine with dual toll-like receptor agonists based on CaP mineralized PLGA nanoparticle for preventing HPV infections
Authors: Chi Yongjie , Jia Chengcheng , Zhong Weiting , Yang Zhu , Cheung Ocean , Lu Yu , Zhao Yanping , Wang Hongjun , Chen Jianping , Wang Lianyan
Published: August 2023

In developing countries where females are threatened by HPV, reducing the costs of production and transport of HPV vaccine is still one of pressing issues that needs a sustainable solution. Although HPV vaccines currently in use with aluminum adjuvants demonstrate significant stimulation of humoral immunity, the weak cellular immune response they elicit indicates a need for further improvement. On the other hand, the issue of poor immune promotion effect of single use of toll-like receptor agonists also needs to be addressed. Here, a double Toll like receptor agonist (R848, Poly (I:C)) HPV vaccine, with HPV16 L1 pentamer as antigen, was fabricated by using calcium phosphate (CaP) mineralized PLGA nanoparticles. This reinforced vaccine shows better stimulation of both humoral and cellular immune responses than aluminum-adjuvanted vaccines when exposed to dual TLR agonists.
Acute traumatic subdural effusion with hemorrhage in children under 3 years of age： a study of clinical characteristics and treatment strategy
Authors: Yang Tianquan , Han Yong , Wang Hangzhou
Published: August 2023

Purpose Acute traumatic subdural effusion with hemorrhage (ATSEH) is a common type of head trauma in children. However, there is considerable variation in the previous literature regarding the clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies of ATSEH in children. The purpose of this study was to summarize the clinical features of ATSEH in children as well as to explore their treatment strategies.
Methods There were 79 cases of ATSEH studied retrospectively at a pediatric teaching hospital over an 7-year period. The children ranged in age from 1 month to 3 years, with an average age of 8.51(4.33,11.00) months. We analyzed the relationship between the outcome of ATSEH treatment and factors such as age, sex, symptoms, signs, coagulation function, internal environmental homeostasis, and imaging materials. The mean follow-up time was 57.56(34,82) months. The mRS score was used for patient prognosis.
Results 27 out of 79 (34.2%) children showed subtle findings. Impaired consciousness was observed in 26.4% of patients. 52 out of 79 (65.8%) children presented with overt neurological symptoms and signs, with vomiting was t the most common symptom. 51 of 79 children (64.6%) presented with increased fontanelle tone. 32 out of 79 (40.51%) patients required operative management. 73 of the 79 patients (92.4%) had a good prognosis. The patients in the surgical group showed reduced fibrinogen (<1.5g/L) in 53.1%, low hemoglobin (88.56±17.21) and hyponatremia (133.50±3.76).
Conclusions Patients with an age of 9.07(4.31,8.30) presenting with increased impairment of consciousness and increased anterior fontanelle tone are the basis for surgical treatment. Through the treatment of patients with ATSEH, we have found that the essence of ATSEH is an impairment of cerebrospinal fluid circulation triggered by subdural hemorrhage, which leads to acute hydrocephalus. In patients with ATSEH with malignant cranial hypertension, the timely subdural drainage is the key to treating and reducing serious complications. Prevention and correction of hypofibrinogen and hyponatremia are important aspects of the treatment of ATSEH in children that cannot be ignored.
Enhancing Image-Based Rendering through Intelligent Machine Learning: Realism, Immersion, and Future Directions
Authors: Neyigapula Bheema Shanker
Published: August 2023

Image-Based Rendering (IBR) techniques have become essential for generating realistic and immersive visual content, allowing users to explore scenes from different viewpoints. This research paper proposes an innovative framework, named Intelligent Image-Based Rendering (iIBR), that harnesses the power of machine learning to enhance IBR capabilities. The framework integrates deep learning models, reinforcement learning algorithms, and generative networks to address challenges related to view synthesis, scene completion, and virtual scene realism. Through extensive evaluation and comparisons with traditional IBR approaches, the iIBR framework demonstrates superior performance, adapt- ability, and potential applications in virtual reality, gaming, cinematography, architectural visualization, and beyond.
Rab25 suppresses colon cancer cell invasion through upregulating claudin-7 expression
Authors: Cho Su Jin , Jeong Bo Young , Park Chang Gyo , Lee Hoi Young
Published: August 2023

Purpose
Ras-related protein 25 (Rab25) is a member of small GTPase and implicated in various cancer cell progression. Growing evidence suggests the context-dependent roles of Rab25 in cancer invasiveness. Claudin-7 is a tight junction protein and has been known to suppress cancer cell invasion. Although Rab25 was reported to repress cancer aggressiveness through recycling β1 integrin to the plasma membrane, the detailed underlying mechanism remain unanswered. In the present study, we identify the critical role of claudin-7 in Rab25-induced suppression of colon cancer invasion.
Methods
To define the role of Rab25 and claudin-7 in colon cancer cells, we performed plasmid transfection and analyzed cancer cell invasion by utilizing 2D and 3D Matrigel invasion chambers. Immunoblotting, immunofluorescence and ELISA assay were used to identify the level of protein expression and pathways implicated in Rab25-induced colon cancer cell invasion.
Results
Enforced expression of Rab25 attenuates colon cancer cell invasion. In addition, Rab25 inactivated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and increased E-cadherin expression. Unexpectedly, we observed that Rab25 induces claudin-7 expression through protein stabilization. Moreover, ectopic expression of claudin-7 reduced EGFR activity and Snail expression as well as colon cancer cell invasion. However, silencing of claudin-7 expression reversed the tumor suppressive role of Rab25, thereby increasing colon cancer cell invasiveness.
Conclusion
Collectively, the present data indicate that Rab25 inactivates EGFR and colon cancer cell invasion through upregulating claudin-7 expression.
Caregiver-Child Interaction as an Effective Tool for Identifying Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from EEG Analysis
Authors: Deng Lin , He Wei-zhong , Zhang Qing-li , Wei Ling , Dai Yuan , Liu Yu-qi , Chen Zi-lin , Ren Tai , Zhang Lin-li , Gong Jing-bo , Li Fei
Published: August 2023

Background
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects individuals across their lifespan. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes. However, current diagnostic methods are often time-consuming, and costly, making them inaccessible to many families. In the current study, we aim to test caregiver-child interaction as a potential tool for screening children with ASD in clinic.
Methods
We enrolled preschool children, including ASD children with or without developmental delay (DD), and typical development (TD) children, along with their caregivers. Behavioral indicators were derived from video encoding of caregiver-child interaction, including social involvement of children (SIC), interaction time (IT), response of children to social cues (RSC), time for caregiver initiated social interactions (GIS) and time for children initiated social interactions (CIS)). Power spectral density (PSD) values were calculated by EEG signals simultaneously recorded. ASD core symptoms were evaluated by Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Calibrated Severity Scores (ADOS-CSS). Partial Pearson correlation analysis was used in both ASD groups to investigate the correlation between behavioral indicators scores and ASD symptom severity/PSD values. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to describe the discrimination accuracy of behavioral indicators.
Results
We enrolled 85 participants (Mean age: 4.90 ± 0.65 years, 70.6% male). SIC scores negatively correlated with CARS (p = 0.006) and ADOS-CSS (p = 0.023) in the ASD with DD group. PSD values elevated in ASD groups compared to TD (all p < 0.05), associated with SIC (theta band: p = 0.005; alpha band: p = 0.003) but not IQ levels. SIC was effective in identifying both ASD groups (sensitivity/specificity: ASD children with DD, 76.5%/66.7%; ASD children without DD, 82.6%/82.2%).
Conclusion
Our results verified the behavioral paradigm of caregiver-child interaction as an efficient tool for early ASD screening, further validated by the PSD of alpha and theta bands.
Quality of antenatal care and its potential impacts on delivery services and postnatal care compliance among reproductive women of Bangladesh
Authors: Nurunnahar Mehejabin , Hossain M. Pear , Haque Tahmidul , Rokonuzaman SM , Pinky Susmita Dey , Kairy Rumpa , Mohona Tahrima Mohsin , Sobhan Abdus , Khatun Most. Hafeza , Abdul Abu Yousuf Md , Siraj Md Shahjahan
Published: August 2023

Background: Ensuring quality antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) is crucial for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates. However, there are gaps in assessing the quality of ANC, leading to the proposal of standards by the World Health Organization. The study aims to examine the impact of quality ANC on delivery services and PNC compliance in Bangladesh using data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), providing insights for policymakers to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
Methods: This study used data from the 2017 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) to investigate the impact of quality antenatal care (qANC) on delivery services and PNC in Bangladesh. The study population included ever-married women aged 15-49 years who had experienced a recent pregnancy. The analysis assessed the relationship between qANC and facility delivery, skilled birth attendant (SBA)-assisted delivery, and PNC services within 48 hours of delivery. The study employed a two-stage stratified cluster sampling design, and data analysis was conducted using generalized linear models and considered various demographic and socioeconomic factors.
Results: Key findings include a low rate of qANC services (18%), with pregnancy-related counseling being the lowest component. About 82% received at least one ANC visit, but only 18.3% received a quality visit. Higher compliance with facility delivery, SBA-conducted delivery, and PNC was observed when quality ANC was received. Factors such as completing secondary education, engaging in skilled/unskilled manual labor, higher wealth quintile, and birth parity of 1 were associated with better delivery and post-delivery outcomes.
Conclusion: Ensuring qANC and expanding PNC service use remain challenging in Bangladesh. Increasing the provision of qANC is crucial as it is associated with higher adherence to PNC.
An Explainable Ensemble of Neural Networks Precisely Discovers NSCLC Signature Biomarkers
Authors: Dwivedi Kountay , Kishore Akshat , Rajpal Ankit , Kumar Naveen
Published: August 2023

This work proposes a novel framework of an explainable ensemble of neural networks to classify NSCLC samples into adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, using DNA methylation data. The framework utilizes an ensemble of shallow neural networks and soft-voting decision fusion for classification. Subsequently, these neural networks are interpreted via SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to highlight the most relevant DNA methylation CpG probes. The proposed framework-based model achieves a classification accuracy of 0.989, outperforming other ensemble models such as XGboost, Random Forest, AdaBoost, CatBoost, and GradientBoosting. SHAP analysis reveals 702 relevant CpG probes, that are mapped to a set of 499 signature biomarkers. While 104 of these signature biomarkers are potentially druggable (using DGIdb database), 40 of them overlap with the OncoKB cancer genes list. In the future, the framework could be made robust enough to classify other carcinomas. Moreover, multiomics data-based classification could provide better accuracy and more stable biomarkers.
Lie reductions and exact solutions of dispersionless Nizhnik equation
Authors: Vinnichenko Oleksandra O. , Boyko Vyacheslav M. , Popovych Roman O.
Published: August 2023

We exhaustively classify the Lie reductions of the real dispersionless Nizhnik equationto partial differential equations in two independent variablesand to ordinary differential equations. Lie and point symmetries of reduced equations are comprehensively studied,including the analysis of which of them correspond to hidden symmetries of the original equation. If necessary, associated Lie reductions of a nonlinear Lax representationof the dispersionless Nizhnik equation are carried out as well. As a result, we construct wide families of new invariant solutions of this equationin explicit form in terms of elementary, Lambert and hypergeometric functionsas well as in parametric or implicit form. We show that Lie reductions to algebraic equations lead tono new solutions of this equation in addition to the constructed ones. Multiplicative separation of variables is used for illustrative constructionof non-invariant solutions.
Graph Neural Network for Human Body Orientation Estimation by 2D Skeleton
Authors: Siow ChyanZheng , Dou WenBang , Chin WeiHong , Kubota Naoyuki
Published: August 2023

Service Robot has been increasingly gaining attention from hospitality to tourism businesses especially in the Human Robot Interaction section. Human pose estimation has added to increase the understanding from human to robot. The famous estimation tools are MediaPipe Pose, MMPose, and Detectron2. However, these tools did not come with orientation prediction. Orientation is important in predicting the intention of humans, especially in “Pedestrian Research” and “Handover Task Research”. Therefore, in this paper, we present a simple method add-on to the existing human pose estimation tools to predict the human body facing direction. First, we extract the key points from the existing tools and then use them to compute a set of nodes and edges features to form a graph. Afterwards, we use Edge-Conditioned Convolution (ECC) for graph level prediction to predict the orientation of the human pose. Experiments conducted on the TUD dataset and show that the proposed GNN outperforms previous works on 8 discrete orientation classification.
Evaluation of the additional prophylactic effect of topical steroid ointment to systemic minocycline against anti-epidermal growth factor antibody-induced skin toxicities in metastatic colorectal cancer treatment
Authors: Saito Yoshitaka , Uchiyama Kazuki , Takekuma Yoh , Komatsu Yoshito , Sugawara Mitsuru
Published: August 2023

Background
Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies often cause skin toxicities. Preemptive skin treatments using systemic antibiotics with or without topical steroid are reportedly effective although the most suitable method remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether combination prophylaxis using systemic minocycline and topical steroid is superior to minocycline alone in a real-world metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment.
Methods
Patients with mCRC (n = 87) who received anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies were retrospectively assessed. The primary objective was to compare the incidence of grade ≥ 2 overall skin toxicities during all treatment periods between the two groups: the control group receiving prophylactic minocycline 100 mg/day, and the combination prophylaxis group receiving minocycline 100 mg/day + topical steroid. The incidence of each skin symptom was also evaluated.
Results
The incidence of grade ≥ 2 overall skin toxicities was 65.2% in the control and 56.9% in the combination groups, with no significant difference (P = 0.62). Similarly, the incidence of grade ≥ 2 dry skin, fissures, paronychia, and pruritus did not significantly differ. In addition, incidence of all-grade skin toxicities was not different. However, the incidence of grade ≥ 2 rashes was significantly lower in the combination group (23.1% vs. 47.8%, P = 0.03). Propensity score-matched analysis supported these results. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed no significant association between combination prophylaxis and grade ≥ 2 overall skin toxicities, but it did show a reduction in grade ≥ 2 rashes.
Conclusion
Adding topical steroids to systemic minocycline did not mitigate grade ≥ 2 overall skin toxicities induced by anti-EGFR antibodies; however, it significantly improved rashes.
Estimating Levels of Echogenicity in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - a Mathematical Model
Authors: Andrade Luís Jesuino de Oliveira , de Oliveira Gabriela Correia Matos , de Oliveira Luísa Correia Matos , de Oliveira Luís Matos
Published: August 2023

Introduction
Echogenicity is a measure used in ultrasound imaging to assess the ability of tissue to reflect sound waves. In the case of hepatic tissue, it is important to identify and classify different levels of echogenicity to assist in diagnosing possible alterations. As ultrasound imaging is operator-dependent, there is a gap in accurately defining the levels of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Objective
To develop a mathematical model for estimating levels of echogenicity in hepatic tissue in NAFLD based on grayscale values.
Method
The common number of grayscale levels in an ultrasound is 256. We utilized a dataset containing experimental grayscale values (Ci) and corresponding echogenicity values (Ei). The method of least squares was applied to determine the equations describing the relationship between Ci and Ei.
Results
We assume that E is a linear function of the grayscale, given by: E = m * C + b. Where: E = is the unit of measurement of echogenicity, C = is the value of the grayscale (0 to 256), m = is the slope coefficient of the line relating E to C - b is the intercept coefficient of the line. The results derived from the least squares method provided the following regression equations: m = (Σ(Ci - Cm) * (Ei - Em)) / (Σ(Ci - Cm)^2) and b = Em - m * Cm. These equations allowed us to estimate the levels of echogenicity in hepatic tissue based on grayscale values. Thus, on a grayscale ranging from 0 to 256, hepatic tissue with normal echogenicity presented a value within the range of 120 to 150; mild NAFLD had a value between 150 and 180; moderate NAFLD had a value between 180 and 210; severe NAFLD had a value above 210.
Conclusion
This study developed a mathematical model for estimating levels of echogenicity in hepatic tissue using a grayscale ranging from 0 to 256. The regression equations obtained through the method of least squares can be used to calculate the degrees of NAFLD. This estimation can assist in the diagnosis and monitoring of hepatic tissue alterations during ultrasound examinations.
Redefining Teleconnection Patterns using Autoencoder Neural Networks: an example with the North Atlantic Oscillation
Authors: Ibebuchi Chibuike
Published: August 2023

Understanding the spatial patterns of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is vital for climate science. For this reason, empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis is commonly applied to sea-level pressure (SLP) anomaly data in the North Atlantic region. This study evaluated the traditional EOF-based definition of the NAO index against the Autoencoder (AE) neural network-based definition, using the Hurrell NAO Index (Station-Based) as a reference. Specifically, EOF and AE were applied to monthly SLP anomaly data from ERA5 (1950-2022) to derive spatial modes of variability in the North Atlantic region. Both methods produced spatial patterns consistent with the traditional NAO definition, with dipole centers of action between the Icelandic Low and the Azores High. During boreal winter (December to March), when the NAO is most active, the AE-based method achieved a correlation of 0.96 with the reference NAO index, outperforming the EOF-based method's correlation of 0.90. The all-season Adjusted R-squared values were 50% for the AE-based index and 34% for the EOF-based index. Notably, the AE-based index revealed several other non-linear patterns of the NAO, with more than one encoded pattern correlating at least 0.90 with the reference NAO index during boreal winter. These results not only demonstrate the AE's superiority over traditional EOF in representing the station-based index but also uncover previously unexplored complexities in the NAO that are close to the reference temporal pattern. This suggests that AE offers a promising approach for defining teleconnection patterns in climate science, potentially capturing intricacies that traditional linear methods like EOF might miss.
KHILAFAH STATE VERSUS NATION-STATE
Authors: Basri Basri , Takdir Mohammad
Published: August 2023

This article aims to discuss the discourses and debates on Khilafah system in Muslim countries and how it transforms into a nation-state system, specifically in Indonesia. These dicourses and debates include the contestation and trends in the connection between Islam as a religion and Indonesia as a nation-state, which reemerged after the ban of Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) in 2017 and The Front of Islamic Defenders (Front Pembela Islam/FPI) in 2020 accordingly under President Jokowi’s administration. This article employs descriptive qualitative analysis to investigate the historical sequences of the discourses and debates on the genealogy, contestation, and relation between the Khilafah system and the nation-state system in Indonesia to uncover the fundamental ideology which underlines the conflicting interests in the debate. It operates the historical-sociological approaches to examine the data collected from books, articles, journals, and newspapers which contain the opinions of the prominent Muslim scholars gearing the dynamic discourses and debates on the nation-state system and Khilafah system. This article, therefore, attempts to demonstrate how Khilafah system idea emerged after the death of the prophet Muhammad and how this idea was contested by Muslim scholars and leaders today. This article suggests that in the struggle of ideology, thought, and movement inside the Muslim countries including Indonesia, the Khilafah system and the system of nation-state came into conflict. Further, the two forms of engagement between Islam and the nation-state are driven by nationalism.
Ergodic Archimedean dimers
Authors: Røising Henrik Schou , Zhang Zhao
Published: August 2023

We study perfect matchings, or close-packed dimer coverings, of finite sections of the eleven Archimedean lattices and give a constructive proof showing that any two perfect matchings can be transformed into each other using small sets of local ring-exchange moves. This result has direct consequences for formulating quantum dimer models with a resonating valence bond ground state, i.e., a superposition of all dimer coverings compatible with the boundary conditions. On five of the composite Archimedean lattices we supplement the sufficiency proof with translationally invariant reference configurations that prove the strict necessity of the sufficient terms with respect to ergodicity. We provide examples of and discuss frustration-free deformations of the quantum dimer models on two tripartite lattices.
Market structure and bank performance: A comprehensive picture of Vietnam
Authors: Mai Phuong Duong Thi , Dan Dang Van
Published: August 2023

In the context of the fact that the structure of the Vietnamese banking market has undergone many fluctuations, which has had an impact on banking activities, and the fact that many related studies have been carried out, but the answer is still limited and inconsistent, it is necessary to study the impact of the market structure on banking operations in Vietnam. The paper comprehensively examines the impact of market structure on various aspects of bank performance in Vietnam. The study uses three measures of the structure of the banking industry, namely, the total market share of the largest banks, the squared market share of all banks according to the Herfindahl-Hirshchman index, and the Lerner index on market power (inverse bank competition), to ensure the results are not dependent on any specific measure. The paper applies the two-step system generalized method of moments estimator to conduct regression analysis for a sample of 30 banks from 2007 to 2021. All obtained estimates generally show positive effects on bank performance due to greater market power and higher banking concentration. Concretely, more market power and greater concentration improve bank asset quality, management efficiency, bank profitability, and lending capacity. Overall, the findings of this paper all support the bright side of less competition and more concentration, which is essential to derive policy implications related to supervising competitive environments and stimulating consolidated financial systems.
AcknowledgmentThis study is part of Thi Mai Phuong Duong’s PhD dissertation at the Ho Chi Minh University of Banking under the supervision of Van Dan Dang.
Pessoas com deficiência visual e o uso da tutela coletiva para remoção de barreiras
Authors: Schunck Lopes Ana Clara , Menezes Vigliar José Marcelo , Martins de Oliveira Beatriz
Published: August 2023

O presente artigo estuda a possibilidade de uso de mecanismos de tutela coletiva de direitos para a remoção de barreiras impostas à pessoa com deficiência visual. Para isso, analisa conceitualmente as expressões “pessoa com deficiência” e “deficiência visual”, bem como as chamadas “barreiras”, considerando sua existência e a necessidade de sua remoção como elemento essencial para a inclusão deste grupo. O texto analisa, também, o cabimento e as características da tutela coletiva, concluindo pela adequação de seu uso no caso. Isso porque o artigo destaca que a remoção das barreiras impostas a este grupo revela-se um interesse que ultrapassa o indivíduo, suscitando o cabimento mais eficaz da tutela coletiva. O intuito é, considerando as previsões da LBI, demonstrar como garantir, de forma eficaz, a acessibilidade, quando considerado o enfoque processual. A pesquisa adotou a metodologia de pesquisa jurídico-dogmática por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica.
O Mercosul e o sistema multinível de proteção da pessoa humana
Authors: Martins de Oliveira Taveira Élida , Martini Sandra Regina , Zalazar Claudia Elizabeth
Published: August 2023

O presente artigo, produzido a partir de pesquisa em andamento, objetiva avaliar o aprofundamento do processo de integração do Mercado Comum do Sul (Mercosul) em razão do desenvolvimento de uma dimensão social, paralela à sua originária dimensão econômica. Questiona-se se o Mercosul, em face da adoção dessa dimensão social, pode ser compreendido como mais um nível no sistema multinível de proteção da pessoa humana. Após exame da estrutura orgânica e administrativa construída para instituir a referida dimensão social, como também diante da análise de diversas ações e normativos dirigidos à tutela dos direitos humanos, concluiu-se que o Mercosul, progressivamente, está se consolidando como mais um nível de proteção da pessoa humana no bloco regional, ao lado das ordens constitucionais dos Estados Partes e Associados e do Direito Internacional dos Direitos Humanos, cunhado, em especial, pelos Sistemas das Organizações das Nações Unidas (ONU) e da Organização dos Estados Americanos (OEA). Com o escopo de projetar o Mercosul com maior expressão nesse sistema multinível de proteção da pessoa humana, defende-se a adoção da supranacionalidade e a atribuição do efeito direto aos normativos emanados pelos órgãos revestidos de supranacionalidade. A pesquisa empreendida é do tipo exploratória, com método de abordagem dedutivo. Quanto aos procedimentos, a pesquisa é bibliográfica e documental.
Avaliando um emergente os think tanks britânicos e os investimentos brasileiros em defesa
Authors: Munhoz Svartman Eduardo , Pivatto Junior Dilceu Roberto
Published: August 2023

No final da primeira década do século XXI, o Brasil iniciou um ciclo de maior ativismo diplomático e de investimentos no setor de defesa. Estes, com vistas a adquirir capacidade de projeção de poder e a fomentar sua indústria de defesa. Tais iniciativas, com potencial de alterar a distribuição de poder na América do Sul e no Atlântico Sul, afetam os cálculos de potências estabelecidas como o Reino Unido, que possui territórios, interesses econômicos e tropas estacionadas na região. Diante disso, este artigo investiga a seguinte problemática: considerando os interesses estratégicos do Reino Unido e o incremento das capacidades militares que o Brasil pretende alcançar, qual a avaliação dos think tanks britânicos a respeito dos investimentos em defesa brasileiros? Com base na metodologia de análise de conteúdo da produção ideacional divulgada, argumenta-se que os think tanks britânicos articularam uma narrativa majoritariamente positiva sobre o Brasil, vislumbrando nos programas militares oportunidades para a indústria de defesa do Reino Unido. Argumenta-se também que o incremento das capacidades militares do Brasil e de seu protagonismo diplomático foram percebidos como um elemento potencialmente estabilizador da América do Sul, ainda que houvesse ceticismo quanto a efetividade e real disposição do Brasil desempenhar esse papel.
The Brazilian Navy Nuclear Program applicability, viability and relevance
Authors: de Oliveira Andrade Israel , Barros-Platiau Ana Flávia , Roriz Lyra Hillebrand Giovanni
Published: August 2023

One of the cleanest energy sources on the planet, nuclear energy is recognized for its great potential as a dual-use technology (with both civil and military application). The complexity of nuclear development also results in an intense spin-off process, generating benefits in the social, scientific, and industrial fields and contributing to projects in different sectors. The objective of this paper is to present the Brazilian Navy’s Nuclear Program, its history and its main aspects. Moreover, it aims to outline the relevance of the program to the Brazilian nuclear sector and to the national defense industrial base. For this purpose, the text is mostly based on official data and literature review, focusing especially on nuclear development since the 1940s. Its results allow us to conclude, in particular, that the development of this technology would also enable Brazil to remain in the group of countries with high nuclear capacity as well as, in the future, to become an exporter of nuclear fuel. Finally, it is important to understand it as a long-term state program and to ensure its maintenance and continuity, given its current advanced stage and its effects on Brazil’s development.
Jurisdição sobre navios sem nacionalidade
Authors: Zanella Tiago Vinicius
Published: August 2023

Os navios sem nacionalidade representam uma realida- de hoje no mundo. Em especial nos casos de contraban- do de imigrantes, tráfico de drogas e pesca ilegal, essas embarcações navegam à margem da lei sob um vácuo legislativo internacional; isto é, atualmente o direito in- ternacional não responde de modo claro e objetivo qual a jurisdição aplicável aos navios sem nacionalidade. Um dos princípios basilares de todo o direito do mar é que uma embarcação, como regra, sujeita-se apenas à juris- dição de seu Estado de bandeira, sobretudo em alto mar. Assim, o objetivo que se propõe neste artigo é justamente o de entender qual a jurisdição aplicável sobre uma em- barcação sem nacionalidade, apátrida. Para tal, o texto se debruça, em primeiro lugar, a analisar o regime jurídi- co da nacionalidade dos navios e como a falta de uma resposta clara do direito internacional sobre o tema deixa um vácuo legal inadmissível. Em segundo lugar, quais as posições doutrinarias, estatais e jurisprudenciais sobre o assunto. Em terceiro lugar, por fim, será estudado como o direito internacional regulamenta o tema. Tudo isso com o intuito de chegarmos a um posicionamento em relação a problemática proposta.
O mercado internacional do petróleo e o pré-sal brasileiro
Authors: Silveira Souza Leonardo
Published: August 2023

O artigo analisa a inserção da produção de petróleo do Pré-sal brasileiro no mercado internacional do petróleo. Para isto, analisamos os fatores de oferta e demanda de petróleo no mercado internacional, a partir da disputa pelo controle da oferta de petróleo e seus derivados, entre as companhias nacionais do petróleo, de controle estatal e as companhias internacionais de petróleo, controlados por entes privados. Por outro lado, analisamos os dez maiores países consumidores de petróleo e a transição em curso do fornecimento de petróleo no mercado internacional, passando dos reservatórios convencionais para os não convencionais. A análise contou com a revisão bibliográfica, somada aos dados secundários extraídos das publicações de diversas instituições nacionais e internacionais e, dos relatórios anuais das principais companhias de petróleo do mundo. As perspectivas na expansão da produção de petróleo no Pré-sal brasileiro, juntamente com a continuidade da importância do petróleo, tanto para a matriz energética mundial, quanto para o uso intensivo na petroquímica e refino, manterão a pressão política e econômica dos grandes importadores e de suas companhias petrolíferas sobre o Brasil, a Petrobras e as reservas presentes no Pré-sal brasileiro.
Specifics of Entrepreneurial Activities in the Sub-Sanctioned Resource Economy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Authors: Leukhova Maria , Korchagina Irina
Published: August 2023

In the new conditions, it is necessary to rethink the concepts and models of various subsystems of the national economy’s activity, including small and medium-sized businesses, which makes study of the experience of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a resource country facing a high level of economic sanctions relevant. The aim of the article is to identify the features of the small and medium-sized enterprises’ activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The authors use methods of economic analysis, system-structural approach. The article establishes that the criterion for the classification of small and medium-sized enterprises is only the number of employees. Due to high inflation, the criteria of revenue and assets are not applied, industry affiliation is not taken into account. A significant proportion of small and medium-sized enterprises develop by replacing inaccessible goods and technologies, which leads to them having certain features. Firstly, small and medium-sized enterprises provide up to a third of the GDP of the Islamic Republic of Iran. At the same time, the falling behind of small and medium-sized enterprises in labor productivity is lower than in countries with mature market economies. Under the sanctions, a significant part of small and medium-sized enterprises of the Islamic Republic of Iran produce alternative imported products with high added value within the framework of small-scale production. However, the export potential of these products is limited. The specific ways of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises include the focus on the value chains creation (rather than the establishment of new enterprises) and the development of subcontract relations.
360-Degree Appraisal: Determining the Managerial Competencies Development Level of Masters and Senior Masters
Authors: Yurov Adol'f
Published: August 2023

The article considers a theoretical approach to the evaluation of personnel competencies using the 360-degree appraisal. The subject of the study is managerial competencies, object – foremen and senior foremen of a large industrial enterprise in Kemerovo Region – Kuzbass. The study is necessary to determine the level of managerial competencies of a large industrial enterprise’s leaders to prepare a training program and recommendations for their development. The authors describe the key managerial competencies necessary for the foremen and senior foremen in the metallurgical production and compile a matrix of key competencies with a description of the main characteristics that foremen and a senior foremen should have as units of team management. The article presents the results of the study of the managerial competencies development of foremen and senior foremen using the 360-degree method according to the competency matrix. The authors propose a list of activities for the development of managerial competencies of the metallurgical production leaders.
Tomato Flu - Should Pakistan be Worried?
Authors: Haroon Abdullah , Saleem Javaria
Published: August 2023

A new virus has emerged as an endemic in India and due to its highly contagious nature, is of great concern.1 The population of Kerala is 3.34crores, population growth of 4.91% current decade, contributing to about 2.76% of the total population of India. Making the spread
of infections easier.2 Tomato flu is a viral infection that predominantly infects children under the age of 5 years. Tomato flu gets its name from red-coloured, tomatoshaped blisters that develop on different parts of the body, similar to those developed during monkeypox
infection.1 Tomato flu presents symptoms like any other viral infection including COVID-19 infection, but it is not associated with SARS-CoV-2.3
Role of Non-Governmental Organizations as Developmental Partners in Health Care
Authors: Afzal Saira , Nasir Mehreen
Published: August 2023

NGOs, or non-governmental organizations, are a kind of non-profit private sector provider of the health system. Global health issues include health inequity. Inequity exists in healthcare, vaccinations, and research for developing nations. There are disparities
in healthcare access even between nations. NGOs typically focus on underprivileged groups or specific diseases that the government sector frequently ignores. But maintaining financial stability is a significant problem for NGOs. Donors account for the majority of an NGO's funding. The availability of health care can be expanded through NGOs. By 2030, the World Health Organization hopes to have
universal health coverage.
Role of Diffusion-Weighted MRI ( DWI) in Differentiating Between Benign and Malignant Nodules of Thyroid Taking Histopathology as Gold Standard
Authors: Saeed Zoha Arif , Arooj Sadaf , Rashid Nawaz , Masood Mahjabeen , Asghar Aisha
Published: August 2023

Background: Thyroid gland is a principal endocrine organ, first to develop in embryo, endodermal in origin and producing hormones essential for life. It is a vascular organ inclusive of right and left lobes, surrounded by a capsule and isthmus in the centre. Objective: To determine the role of Diffusion-Weighted MRI ( DWI) in differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules keeping histopathology as the gold standard. Methodology: One hundred and three patients (103) were enrolled. DWI sequence was performed on 1.5 Tesla GE machine at b-values of 0, 50 and 1000 s/mm2 with correlative ADC map and quantitative values were calculated. FNAC of the thyroid nodules was carried out and results were tallied with ADC values. Out of these, five patients lost to follow up and an inadequate sample was obtained in six patients. Results: Mean age of patients (n=92) was 39 years. Out of 92 patients, 26 patients (28.3%) showed restricted diffusion on DWI in malignant thyroid nodules. Mean ADC ( Apparent Diffusion Coefficient) value of benign
thyroid nodules (1.43 × 10-3mm2s-1) was significantly greater than malignant thyroid nodules (0.91×10-3mm s-1). For discriminating two types of nodules, cut off ADC value was determined at 1.1×10-3mm2s-1 and its sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy was 84.6, 95.4, 88.8, 91.5 and 92.3% respectively. Conclusion: Diffusion Weighted MRI is a non-invasive imaging investigation without ionizing radiation hazard. Its greater soft tissue differentiation and multiplanar images help in the diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules with high sensitivity and accuracy. The overload of unnecessary surgeries is thus lowered when pre-operative FNAC is indecisive and aids in making a precise diagnosis.
An Adult Male with Bochdalek Hernia– A Case Report
Authors: Bukhari Fakiha , Ahmed Hajrah Hilal , Irshad Kanwal , Jamaluddin Muhammad
Published: August 2023

Bochdalek hernia results due to failure of pleuroperitoneal membranes to fuse completely before birth, resulting in a defect in left posterior diaphragm through which abdominal organs can herniate into thorax. It is a congenital condition and is common in infants and children. It is rarely present in adults. We present a case of a twenty five year old adult male presenting with a 2 day history of sharp epigastric and left hypochondriac pain and 1 month history of non-bloody, non-projectile vomiting. An X-ray Abdomen was done showing signs of small bowel obstruction (SBO) with eventration of diaphragm and mediastinal shift. Upon surgical approach, a Bochdalek hernia defect was seen in left posterolateral diaphragm. Patient was successfully treated with laparotomy and mesh repair without any perioperative and postoperative complications.
Maternal Deaths Surveillance and Response System: A Case of Nepal
Authors: Pradhan Pooja , Hyder Md Khurshid Alam , Tareen Sarah , Tarin Ehsanullah
Published: August 2023

The objective of this paper is to share Nepali experience of maternal death surveillance and response in reducing
preventable maternal deaths. Secondary data, mainly an assessment report of Maternal and Perinatal Death
Surveillance and Response system, is used in developing this paper. To bridge the information gap, informal
discussions were held with key informants. Reducing maternal mortality is an unfinished agenda of millennium
development goals, which is carried over to sustainable development goals era. Nepal, building on an ongoing
initiative of Maternal Death Review, established a Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response
system. It comprises: (a) maternal death review and response in community; and (b) maternal death review
and response in hospitals. Until 2019, 11 districts implemented the former component, while 77 hospitals practiced the latter. The main reason underlying maternal death was delay in getting adequate care. Social factors contributed to delay in 89.6% of cases, while in 10.4% of cases, it was attributed to factors in health care. The paper concludes that public health measures and improved service quality was key in preventing maternal deaths. It is, however, imperative to undertake an in-depth review and thereby define interventions for strengthening and upscaling the initiative.