bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oil Removal from Polluted Seawater using Carbon Avocado Peel as Bio-Absorbent
Authors: Malhas Rana N. , Amadi Kingsley W.
Published: March 2023

Oil spills are a very dangerous occurrence for the marine ecosystem as the marine life-form's existence gets unnecessarily threatened. Since the exploration of oil from marine resources has become a must and oil spills end up occurring accidentally, as a result, it becomes important to employ various oil spill cleanup methods. The purpose of the current work was to evaluate the oil sorption capacity of dried carbonized avocado peel (AP) waste. AP was dried under the sun and microwaved to have the activated carbon AP. In this study, batch adsorption studies were conducted to remove different oil types (Crude oil, Diesel, Kerosene, and Gas oil) from polluted seawater using AP. The effect of various important parameters, namely, mixing time, adsorbent dose, oil dose, oil types, and reusability on the oil uptake, and their optimum conditions for maximum sorption efficiency was studied. Batch studies indicated that an adsorbent dosage of 7 g, mixing time of 20 minutes under a mixing rate of 45–50 revolutions/min, 1 g of oil and provides maximum oil removal efficiency in the present study. Based on the data fit result of the adsorption; the 7 g AP at 20 min (90%) had better oil retention than the 1.5 g (66%), 3 g (77%), and 5 g (82%) AP. The results indicated that the maximum oil adsorption percentage upon increasing the adsorbent dose (1.5 g, 3 g, 5 g, and 7 g peel) was 66-90% for Crude oil, 45-68% for Diesel, 35-56% for Kerosene, and 19-45% for Gas oil at 20 min using 1 gram oil. The results revealed that sorption capacity decreased as the oil got lighter. Increasing the oil dose reduce the adsorption capacity (Crude oil 90-66%, Diesel 64-45%, Kerosene 50-39%, and Gas oil 40-12%). The oil sorption capacities of the AP sorbents reduce gradually from 90-64% after 10 cycles, with about 72%, since the oleophilic nature of the peel surface was affected during the regeneration process. The kinetic data was analyzed for all adsorbent doses. The pseudo-first order kinetic model was found to agree well with then experimental data found. The result showed that AP biosorbent followed pseudo-first order kinetics. According to the results presented, the cheap efficient AP oil spill sorbent could be developed as a potential material to be used in seawater treatment for oil removal. The avocado carbon displayed excellent adsorption properties for the simulated seawater effluents containing oil.
Antifungal Efficacy of the crude Flavonoid, Terpenoid, and Alkaloid Extracted from Myrtus communis L. against Aspergillus species isolated from Stored Medicinal plants seeds in the Iraqi Markets
Authors: Hussain Arabia Yaqoub , Hussein Hussein J. , Al-Rubaye Abeer Fauzi
Published: March 2023

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of the crude Flavonoid, Terpenoid, and, Alkaloid compounds were extracted from the leaves of (Myrtus communis L.) plant against Aspergillus species isolated from stored medicinal plants seeds collected from different local markets in the province of Babil 2020 in Iraq. Antifungal activity was achieved in vitro by using food poisoning method against Aspergillus species by preparing three concentrations for each crude compound (5, 10, and 20) mg/ml and compared with positive control represented by fungicide Quinoleine 50% and negative control represented by 10% dimethyl sulfoxide. The current study was aimed to control of Aspergillus species isolated form stored medicinal plants seeds by using secondary metabolites extracted from leaves of Myrtus communis L. The collected data from this study shown that, the crude Flavonoid, Terpenoid, and, Alkaloid compounds extracted from (Myrtus communis L.) leaves revealed significant inhibition at P≤ 0.05 in the growth of Aspergillus species at 20 mg/ml compared with negative control especially in Flavonoid compounds. Finally, it can be concluded that Flavonoids of Myrtus communis L. is most effective in controlling Aspergillus species.
Physiotherapy methods of assessment for stroke patients in
the Republic of Croatia
Authors: Maček Zdravko , Tučić Marin , Puh Darko , Mandić Mario , Grozdek Čovčić Gordana
Published: March 2023

Fizioterapijska procjena preduvjet je učinkovitog tretmana pacijenata nakon moždanog udara. Cilj je istraživanja utvrditi učestalost primjene, vrstu i količinutestova koji se provode u neurofizioterapiji u Republici Hrvatskoj. Za potrebe istraživanja autori su kreirali upitnik o metodama fizioterapijske procjene pacijenata smoždanim udarom u Republici Hrvatskoj. Upitnik sadrži sociodemografske podatke ispitanika te podatke o primjeni testova i mjerenja u kliničkoj praksi. Istraživanje je provedeno online anketom na uzorku od 110 fizioterapeuta koji se bave rehabilitacijom moždanog udara u Republici Hrvatskoj. U obradi rezultata testova primijenjenaje metoda frekvencije odgovora ispitanika za pojedine testove i izračunan je postotak primjenetesta i vrijeme kada se test primjenjuje. Rezultati pokazujuda 95,5% ispitanika provodi dokumentiranu fizioterapeutsku procjenu, a testovi i mjerenja primjenjuju se u rasponu od 7,3% do 67,3%. Statistički značajna razlika u Fizioterapijske metode procjene kod pacijenata s moždanim udarom u Republici Hrvatskoj primjeni testova nije pronađena između fizioterapije u privatnim i javnom ustanovama (p = 0,341), ali je značajna razlika pronađena između prvostupnika i magistar fizioterapije (p = 0,000). Fizioterapeuti provode pisano dokumentiranje procjene, ali ne primjenjuju u dovoljnoj mjeri testove i mjerenja u kliničkoj praksi u Republici Hrvatskoj.
Subjects of delict obligations
Authors: Yanovytska H.
Published: March 2023

An independent subject of responsibility for the damage caused is only a natural person or a legal entity capable of delict. A person is recognized as capable when has reached the age of 14 (except for the cases specified in Part 2 of Article 1179 of the Civil Code of Ukraine) and is not recognized as incapable. A creditor is a person who has been injured (victim) and has the right to claim. The debtor (obligation bearer) is the person who is responsible for the damage. As a rule, it is the person causing of damage. In the cases stipulated by the law, the debtor is not the person who caused the damage, but the person responsible for the behaviour of the person who caused the damage. In the event of the victim's death, the creditors in the delict liability are disabled persons who were dependent on him or had the right to receive maintenance from him on the day of his death, as well as the child of the victim born after his death. Legal entities are liable in cases where damage is caused by the activities of its bodies or in other cases provided for by law.

In the obligations for causing damage, there is a plurality of persons in the obligation. Active plurality, that is, the presence of several creditors and one debtor, is not very common. Even if several victims are harmed by the actions of one person, it is considered that there are several obligations existing between the responsible person and each of the victims. Exceptions to this rule are cases of damage resulting from the death of a person. Passive plurality or the presence of several debtors occurs more often in delict liability. The nature of the liability of several debtors depends on what their actions are that led to the damage.

The special subject of responsibility is the state. The state is the responsible entity for the liquidation of property consequences of illegal actions of judicial and law enforcement agencies. That is why it is obliged to fulfil its subjective duty to restore the violated property sphere of the victim.

  The person who compensated for the damage caused by his actions, has the right regress, that is, the right to apply for the return of the payment to the debtor, whose fault the damage was caused.
Sex differences of patients with acute chest pain evaluated through a chest pain unit
Authors: Arzuan Moti , Iram Yael Abramov , Matetzky Shlomi , Herscovici Romana , Goldkorn Ronen , Goitein Orly , Narodetsky Michael , Mazin Israel , Beigel Roy , Fardman Alexander
Published: March 2023

Background

Although sex disparities between patients with acute myocardial infarction are well known, the data regarding sex differences among symptomatic patients with acute chest pain (ACP) are limited.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the records of 1000 consecutive patients with ACP and hospitalized in a tertiary medical center chest pain unit (CPU). Patients were divided according to sex. The primary outcome was defined as a composite end point of readmission because of chest pain, incidence of acute coronary syndrome, revascularization, and death at 90 days and 1 year.

Results

Overall, 673 men and 327 women were included in the current analysis. There was no difference in regard to sex for patients who underwent noninvasive evaluation, (87.8 vs. 87.3%, P = 0.85, for female vs. male, respectively). Among patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography, women were less likely to have significant coronary artery disease (CAD) (4.2 vs. 11.3%, P = 0.005). Similarly, women had fewer significant findings (4.4 vs. 7.6%, P = 0.007) on myocardial perfusion imaging. Consequently, fewer women underwent angiography (8 vs. 14%, P = 0.006) and revascularization (2.8 vs. 7.3%, P = 0.004). During follow-up, sex was not associated with the development of the primary composite outcome [odds ratio (OR) 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39–2.09, P-value = 0.82 and OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.65–2.06, P-value = 0.59 for 90-day and 1-year follow-up, respectively].

Conclusion

Evaluation of patients through a CPU enables comparable noninvasive evaluation, appropriate utilization of invasive assessment with similar outcomes during the short and intermediate follow-up period regardless of patients’ sex.
Polymorphic Variant rs11206510 in PCSK9 and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Bulgarians
Authors: Tzveova R. , Yaneva-Sirakova T. , Naydenova G. , Vandeva S. , Pendicheva-Duhlenska D. , Atanasov P. , Mitev V. , Kaneva R.
Published: March 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association of rs11206510 in PCSK9 gene with coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) in Bulgarians.

Materials and Methods

The current analysis included 261 patients with angiographically documented CAD (153 with MI and 108 without MI) and 496 population – based controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood samples. The selected polymorphism was genotyped by TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay. The genotype and allele frequencies were compared between cases and controls using χ2 test.

Results

In this study, the presence of the T allele of rs11206510 in the PCSK9 gene was found to be associated with elevated risk for MI in patients with already existing myocardial ischemia (allele T, OR1.78,CI95:1.16-2.73, p = 0.007). The result was enhanced in the male subgroup (allele T, OR1.74, CI95:1.02-2.96, p = 0.038). Also, we found reduced risk of CAD (without MI) for T allele (OR0.70, CI95:0.49-0.99, p = 0.04). This trend was stronger in the male subgroup (OR0.56, CI95:0.35-0.90, p = 0.02). There was not any relationship of the studied genetic variant with the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins, or with systolic and diastolic blood pressure values.

Conclusion

Our study found a difference in the frequencies of rs11206510 genotypes and alleles in the PCSK9 gene between cases and controls, and the relationship of the investigated polymorphism to the risk of cardiac injury in the Bulgarian population was demonstrated. Further investigations with a larger number of cases and controls will be needed in order to evaluate a possible association between this variant and CAD/MI in Bulgarians.
A Rare Case of Acute Stanford Type a Aortic Dissection Presenting with Anterior St-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ivanova N. G.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Aortic dissections occur as a result of a tear in the intimal layer, continued longitudinal splitting within the intima and media, and formation of false lumen. This could lead to sudden death or severe aortic regurgitation and cardiogenic shock. The presented case here describes a patient with acute anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction due to acute Stanford type A ascending aortic dissection.

Case presentation

A 55-year-old male presented with severe chest pain, radiating into the back, jaw, and left arm, and signs of cardiogenic shock. Electrocardiography showed acute anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction and echocardiography confirmed that there was a reduced left ventricle ejection fraction (38% calculated using the Simpson method), severe aortic regurgitation, and wall motion abnormalities. Based on these findings, we made a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. In accordance with the current guidelines, we opted for an interventional therapeutic approach. Angiography showed left main trunk dissection extending to the left anterior descending coronary artery caused by ascending aorta dissection. This finding altered the diagnosis and treatment plan and the patient was immediately sent to the operating room for emergency surgery.

Conclusions

Aortic dissection should be suspected in patients presenting with acute anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction, severe aortic regurgitation, and cardiogenic shock. Involvement of the left main trunk and left anterior descending artery occurs much more rarely than that of the right coronary artery, which causes inferior myocardial infarction.
Necessary Optimality Conditions for Robust Nonsmooth Multiobjective Optimization Problems
Authors: Gadhi Nazih Abderrazzak , Ohda Mohamed
Published: March 2023

This paper deals with a robust multiobjective optimization problem involving nonsmooth/nonconvex real-valued functions. Under an appropriate constraint qualification, we establish necessary optimality conditions for weakly robust efficient solutions of the considered problem. These optimality conditions are presented in terms of Karush-Kuhn-Tucker multipliers and convexificators of the related functions. Examples illustrating our findings are also given.
Characterizations and Classification of Paraconvex Multimaps
Authors: Mokhtar-Kharroubi Hocine
Published: March 2023

Paraconvex multimaps are revisited in normed vector space setting. A parallel is provided with the studies conducted for real valued paraconvex functions on generalized convexities and monotonicities. Several characterizations are then obtained. The links with some generalized convexities for multimaps are examined and a first classification is achieved. In addition, two representation results for 2-paraconvex multimaps are given.
The need for risk stratification in type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: Proposed clinical value of KidneyIntelX
Authors: Basina Marina , McLaughlin Tracey L. , Tokita Joji , Vega Aida , Zabetian Azadeh , Trucillo Allison , Nadkarni Girish , Donovan Michael , Vassalotti Joseph , Coca Steven G. , Lam David
Published: March 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) develops in > 40% of people living with diabetes and affects > 7 million people in the United States. Of the 15 million individuals with type 2 diabetes and CKD in the United States, > 90% are in the “early stages of CKD” (stages G1–G3). Standard risk stratification tools for progression of kidney disease have limitations, and lack precision at an individual level. Individualized risk tools, such as KidneyIntelX™, that incorporate well-validated prognostic protein biomarkers integrated with key clinical variables and are integrated into the electronic health record (EHR) can help address these challenges. KidneyIntelX can identify patients earlier in their disease course when intervention would be most impactful. Herein, 4 case studies are presented to demonstrate how 3 different physicians utilized KidneyIntelX to make clinical decisions and optimize the management of patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD.
Diagnostic edge of SPECT/CT scintigraphy over planar bone imaging for detection of bone metastases in prostate cancer patients
Authors: Parveen Azra , Saleem Arzoo , Qureshy Ahmad , Shahid Abubaker
Published: March 2023

Background: Bone scintigraphy with 99mTc-labelled diphosphonates can identify prostate cancer (PCa) bone metastases with high sensitivity but relatively low specificity. Single photon emission computed tomography /computed tomography (SPECT/CT) can add value to the planar bone scintigraphy in the detection of bone metastases.
Case presentation: We present a diagnosed case of Prostatic Adenocarcinoma of a 62 year old male patient who underwent 99mTc-Methyldiphosphonate (MDP) planar bone scintigraphy followed by SPECT/CT as a part of staging algorithm. Planar bone imaging showed homogeneous and symmetrical tracer uptake throughout the visualized skeleton. As the patient had complaints of urinary obstruction and severe backache: so, the sacrum could not be adequately assessed on planar bone imaging; therefore SPECT/CT of lumbar spine and pelvic region was performed. His regional SPECT-CT study of the lumbar and pelvic region, revealed widespread diffuse tracer avid osteoblastic lesions throughout the visualized lower lumbar spine, sacrum, pelvis and proximal femori, suggestive of skeletal metastases.
Conclusion: We conclude that SPECT/CT scintigraphy has a diagnostic edge over planar bone imaging in detecting bone metastases in prostate cancer patients.
Municipios y patrimonio cultural: hacia un posible reajuste del sistema de protección de los bienes culturales inmuebles
Authors: Sánchez-Mesa Martínez Leonardo J.
Published: March 2023

La presente aportación pretende evidenciar la necesidad de una revisión del sistema de protección del Patrimonio cultural inmueble en un contexto marcado por la inflación de las realidades protegidas que pone en riesgo la eficacia de un modelo excesivamente centralizado en cada C. A., y que presenta a los Ayuntamientos como entidades colaboradoras sometidas a una intensa tutela externa en su operar. El reconocimiento de mayores espacios a la autonomía local en este ámbito puede aportar no sólo un sistema de tutela más eficaz y ágil, sino también más coherente y coordinado con el protagonismo que corresponde a los Municipios en materia urbanística (particularmente, en la autorización y control de intervenciones). El análisis de la evolución de las diversas Leyes de Patrimonio cultural vigentes (donde el modelo de la LPHE ha ejercido gran influencia) revela cierta resistencia al abandono de sistemas de tutela centralizados. Es posible, sin embargo, identificar concretas experiencias regionales en sentido contrario, así como recientes aportaciones, aquí analizadas, que se hallan resueltas a dar un paso más decidido a favor de una mayor descentralización de competencias sobre el nivel local.
Multifocal glioblastoma and hormone replacement therapy in a transgender female
Authors: Santellan-Hernandez Jose Omar , Alvarez-Castro José Alfonso , Aguilar-Hidalgo Keren Magaly , Soto Fernando Castro , Escalante Jonathan Ramos , Ichikawa-Escamilla Eduardo , Silva Maria Jose Alvarez , Mejia-Perez Sonia Iliana
Published: March 2023

Background:

Glioblastoma multiforme represents approximately 60% of all brain tumors in adults. This malignancy shows a high level of biological and genetic heterogeneity associated with exceptional aggressiveness, leading to poor patient survival. One of the less common presentations is the appearance of primary multifocal lesions, which are linked with a worse prognosis. Among the multiple triggering factors in glioma progression, the administration of sex steroids and their analogs has been studied, but their role remains unclear to date.

Case Description:

A 43-year-old transgender woman who has a personal pathological history of receiving intramuscular (IM) hormone treatment for 27 years based on algestone/estradiol 150 mg/10 mg/mL. Three months ago, the patient suddenly experienced hemiplegia and hemiparesis in her right lower extremity, followed by a myoclonic focal epileptic seizure, vertigo, and a right frontal headache with a visual analog scale of 10/10. Magnetic resonance imaging images revealed an intra-axial mass with poorly defined, heterogeneous borders, and thick borders with perilesional edema in the left parietal lobe, as well as a rounded hypodense image with well-defined walls in the right internal capsule. The tumor was resected, and samples were sent to the pathology department, which confirmed the diagnosis of wild-type glioblastoma.

Conclusion:

This report identifies prolonged use of steroid-based hormone replacement therapy as the only predisposing factor in the oncogenesis of multifocal glioblastoma. It is an example that highlights the importance for physicians not to consider pathologies related to the human immunodeficiency virus rather than neoplasms in transgender patients in view of progressive neurological deterioration.
The effect of local chain stiffness on the mechanism of crystal nucleation in an oligomer melt
Authors: Kawak Pierre , Akiki Christopher , Tree Douglas
Published: March 2023

While the process by which a polymer crystal nucleates from the melt has been extensively studied via molecular simulation, differences in polymer models and simulated crystallization conditions have led to contradictory results. We make steps to resolve this controversy by computing low-temperature phase diagrams of oligomer melts using Wang Landau Monte Carlo simulations. Two qualitatively different crystallization mechanisms are possible depending on the local bending stiffness potential. Polymers with a discrete bending potential crystallize via a single-step mechanism, whereas polymers with a continuous bending potential can crystallize via a two-step mechanism that includes an intermediate nematic phase. Other model differences can be quantitatively accounted for using an effective volume fraction and a temperature scaled by the bending stiffness. These results suggest that at least two universality classes of nucleation exist for melts and that local chain stiffness is a key determining factor in the mechanism of nucleation.
Water-Assisted Ion Conduction in Solid-State Charge-Transfer Complex Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries
Authors: Yang Lingyu , Schaefer Jennifer
Published: March 2023

Current research on solid-state organic electrolytes mainly focuses on polymer electrolytes where ion transport is facilitated by chain segmental motion. A limited number of prior reports suggest that solid-state electrolytes based on organic charge-transfer (CT) complexes can have surprisingly high ionic conductivity. Here, we report that processing and environmental conditions drastically impact charge transport properties of CT complex electrolytes based on tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ) mixed with lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonylimide) (LiTFSI). Thermal annealing and water vapor treatment decreases electronic conductivity and increases ionic conductivity. The electrolyte with 1-1-2-0.45 molar ratio of TTF-TCNQ-LiTFSI-H2O has an ionic conductivity of 2 × 10-3 S/cm at 25 °C with order 104 times lower electronic conductivity. In this system where ion conduction is decoupled from the mobility of the organic phase, thermal annealing helps reduce CT connectivity and expose more surfaces to interact with LiTFSI, and water promotes the dissociation of LiTFSI.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Loratadine as an Antibiotic Adjuvant Against MRSA
Authors: Viering Brianna , Balogh Halie , Akers Luke , Blackledge Meghan , Miller Heather
Published: March 2023

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has evolved to become resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics. New antibiotics are costly to develop and deploy, and they have a limited effective lifespan. Antibiotic adjuvants are molecules that potentiate existing antibiotics through non-toxic mechanisms. We previously reported that loratadine, the active ingredient in Claritin potentiates multiple cell-wall active antibiotics in vitro and disrupts biofilm formation through a hypothesized inhibition of the master regulatory kinase Stk1. Loratadine and oxacillin combined repressed the expression of key antibiotic resistance genes in the bla and mec operons. We hypothesized that additional differentially expressed genes involved in antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and other cellular pathways would be modulated when looking transcriptome wide. To test this, we used RNA-seq to quantify transcript levels and found pleiotropic effects in gene expression, including genes implicated in antibiotic resistance, as well as genes critical for metabolism, transcription (RNA Polymerase subunits alpha and beta), and translation (a plethora of ribosomal protein genes and Elongation Factor Tu). Stk1 and its cognate phosphatase, stp, were also downregulated by loratadine. Together, this provides the most molecular details to date about loratadine’s function as an antibiotic adjuvant.
Criação de Valor e Assemblage: Conexões do Universo Nerd
Authors: Rodrigues Guimaraes Loren , Bogéa da Costa Tayt-son Débora , Coelho Rocha Ana Raquel
Published: March 2023

Esta pesquisa interpretativa possui o objetivo de compreender conexões e elementos que formam a assemblage do universo nerd bem como o seu processo de criação de valor. Para isso, utiliza artigos teóricos associados à criação de valor (ARSEL, 2015) e à assemblage (DELANDA, 2006). Como procedimento metodológico, foram realizadas observações participante e não participante (JORGENSEN, 1989) em eventos do universo nerd e entrevistas em profundidade (MCCRACKEN, 1988). O material coletado foi transcrito e organizado com auxílio do Microsoft Word. Na análise dos dados, a análise temática serviu de inspiração (BRAUN; CLARKE, 2012) e foram identificados cinco grandes temas: i) Identificação nerd: conexão gradual e pautada por materialidade; ii) Identidade nerd e consumo: conexão de reconhecimento; iii) Identidade nerd e consumo: conexão emocional e de pertencimento; iv) Identidade nerd e consumo: conexão perene e de exibição e; v) Identidade nerd e consumo: conexão mediada pelo espaço físico.
Tick-borne encephalitis virus IgG antibody surveillance: vaccination- and infection-induced seroprevalences, south-western Germany, 2021
Authors: Euringer Kathrin , Girl Philipp , Kaier Klaus , Peilstöcker Jan , Schmidt Michael , Müller-Steinhardt Michael , Rauscher Beate , Bressau Evelyn , Kern Winfried V , Dobler Gerhard , Borde Johannes P
Published: March 2023

Background

The exact epidemiology of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infections is unknown because many TBEV infections have an influenza-like or asymptomatic course. Surveillance data are based on patients with any (predominantly neurological) symptoms that prompted diagnostic testing. Infection- and vaccine-induced antibodies against TBEV can be distinguished using an NS1 IgG ELISA.

Aim

In a seroprevalence study we aimed to investigate TBEV antibody prevalence, incidences, manifestation indices and potential protection rates in a highly endemic district in south-western Germany.

Methods

We analysed 2,220 samples from healthy blood donors collected between May and September 2021. The reported number of TBEV infections was provided on a sub-district level by the local public health authorities. Blood samples were first screened using a TBEV IgG ELISA. In a second step, all positive samples were further analysed with a recently established NS1 IgG ELISA. The presence of specific antibodies against TBEV (excluding cross-reacting antibodies against other flaviviruses) was confirmed by testing screening-positive samples with a microneutralisation assay.

Results

Of 2,220 included samples, 1,257 (57%) tested positive by TBEV IgG ELISA and 125 tested positive for infection-induced TBEV NS1 antibodies, resulting in a TBEV NS1 IgG seroprevalence at 5.6% in our population. The yearly incidence based on the NS1 ELISA findings resulted in 283 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Conclusion

Using the TBEV NS1 IgG assay, we confirmed a manifestation index of ca 2% and a high incidence of predominantly silent TBEV infections (> 250/100,000/year), which exceeds the incidence of notified cases (4.7/100,000/year) considerably.
A new method for near real-time, nationwide surveillance of nosocomial COVID-19 in Norway: providing data at all levels of the healthcare system, March 2020 to March 2022
Authors: Skagseth Håvard , Jørgensen Silje Bakken , Reilly Jacqui , Kacelnik Oliver
Published: March 2023

Background

Great efforts have been made to minimise spread and prevent outbreaks of COVID-19 in hospitals. However, there is uncertainty in identifying nosocomial vs community-acquired infections. To minimise risks and evaluate measures, timely data on infection risk in healthcare institutions are required.

Aims

To design an automated nationwide surveillance system for nosocomial COVID-19 using existing data to analyse the impact of community infection rates on nosocomial infections, to explore how changes in case definitions influence incidence and to identify patients and wards at highest risk and effects of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Methods

We used data from the Norwegian real-time emergency preparedness register (Beredt C19), which includes all patients nationwide admitted to Norwegian hospitals between March 2020 and March 2022 with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test during their hospital stay or within 7 days post-discharge. COVID-19 cases were assigned to categories depending on the time between admission and testing.

Results

Infection rates for definite/probable nosocomial COVID-19 increased from 0.081% in year 1 to 0.50% in year 2 in hospital admissions 7 days or longer. Varying the definitions resulted in large changes in registered nosocomial infections. Infection rates were similar across different ward types. By 2022, 58% of patients with a definite/probable nosocomial infection had received three vaccine doses.

Conclusion

Automated national surveillance for nosocomial COVID-19 is possible based on existing data sources. Beredt C19 provided detailed information with only 5% missing data on hospitals/wards. Epidemiological definitions are possible to standardise, enabling easier comparison between regions and countries.
Program and results of experimental studies of the characteristics of fiber concrete produced by the mechanical technology of creating aggregate oriented fiber reinforcement
Authors: Mailyan Levon , Shilov Petr , Shilov Aleksandr
Published: March 2023

Statement of the problem. The pace of development of modern construction creates the need to develop new technologies that make it possible to impart special properties to classical building materials, allowing them to expand the range of their application. The developed technology of mechanical distribution and orientation along the fiber fibers acting in the structure of tensile stresses in the body of linear fiber-reinforced concrete and fiber-reinforced concrete elements can provide more efficient use of fiber-dispersed reinforcement by including more fibers in the work of the section. It is necessary to develop a program of experimental studies of the strength and deformation properties of fiber-reinforced concrete in order to test the technology of laying fiber-reinforced concrete mixture developed by the authors.

Results. A program of experimental studies of the strength and deformation characteristics of fiber-reinforced concrete, manufactured using the mechanical technology for creating aggregated oriented fiber reinforcement, is presented. The results of experiments carried out in accordance with the developed program are also presented.

Conclusions. The presented program of experimental studies of the characteristics of fiber-reinforced concrete, made according to the technology developed by the authors for the mechanical creation of aggregated oriented fiber reinforcement, became the basis for experimental studies, the purpose of which was to test the technology developed by the authors for the mechanical laying of a fiber-reinforced concrete mixture with a uniform distribution of fiber fibers in a concrete matrix, as well as obtaining new data on the mechanical and deformative properties of such fiber-reinforced concrete.
Methodology of innovative management of construction complex enterprises in context of import substitution
Authors: Rondar' Natal'ya , Goncharova Ekaterina
Published: March 2023

The problems associated with the introduction of innovations in the implementation of the import substitution program are analyzed. The necessity of considering managerial innovations as regulators providing dynamic balance (consistency) between the processes of functioning and development of the economic object of the building complex is substantiated. The concept of creative and innovative management is given. The features of the emergence and nature of innovative problem situations are considered. It is proposed to solve innovative problem situations the formation of organizational and economic mechanisms implemented through the redistribution of functions, tasks and economic responsibility between the structural blocks and elements of the economic system of enterprises in the construction industry.
Using artificial intelligence systems to estimate the time and cost of a construction project
Authors: Pilyay Irina
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this article is to determine whether various artificial intelligence models can be used to estimate the time and cost of a construction project. Construction projects are complex and time-consuming, they include many factors that can affect the overall cost and duration of the project. Accurately estimating the time and cost of a construction project is critical to project management and planning. However, traditional methods of estimating these factors are often inefficient because of their dependence on historical data and limited scope. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a potential solution for improving construction project estimating. AI models can analyze a myriad of data, including historical project data, weather data, labor, and material costs, to provide more accurate predictions. Regression algorithms, in particular, have been shown to be effective in predicting project completion dates and costs based on various input factors. One advantage of using AI to evaluate construction projects is that it can account for complex and dynamic factors that traditional methods often overlook. For example, weather conditions can have a significant impact on construction projects, and AI models can incorporate this factor into their predictions. AI can also analyze data in real time, allowing for more timely adjustments to project plans and budgets. However, using AI to evaluate construction projects also presents some challenges. One potential challenge is the quality and reliability of the data used to train the models. AI models are only as good as the data they are trained on, so it is important to ensure that the data used is accurate and complete. In addition, AI models can be complex and require expertise to develop and maintain.
Verification of labor protection requirements during the construction and repair of the roof
Authors: Bakrunov Yuri , Korol' Svetlana
Published: March 2023

In the field of scientific and technical activities, one of the priority tasks in construction and housing and communal services is to improve occupational safety in order to reduce occupational risks. Work on the installation of roofing is attributed to work at high altitude, which means a high level of danger. The emergence of new building materials, technological methods of manufacturing structures, methods of performing repair and construction work leads to the need for constant updating of the regulatory framework of construction. Within the framework of this study, a set of regulatory documents is considered, considering construction and repair and construction roofing works of construction objects. The purpose of the work is to analyze the regulatory framework at this stage, as well as to identify a list of regulatory documents that require adjustments and additions for roofing repair work.
Features of reducing industrial injuries in russia and abroad
Authors: Degaev Evgeniy , Korol Roman , Plotnikov Andrey
Published: March 2023

The main legislative requirements for labor protection in different countries are considered. The rules for ensuring labor safety in Russia, Germany, Italy and Japan have a common basis and are generally similar, however, they have some features, such as the mandatory presence of medical aid rooms and emergency rescue teams in the structure of enterprises. The dynamics of the decline in injury rates in Russia is positive, but several times lower than in the countries under consideration. Differences in the weight of fines for violations of legal requirements in the field of labor protection in Russia, Germany and Italy are comparable to the level of their discrepancy in terms of occupational injuries. In order to increase the rate of reduction of occupational injuries, it is recommended to introduce mandatory medical supervision at enterprises and to tighten penalties by an order of magnitude for violations of the requirements of labor legislation on labor protection.
Method of using georadiolocation to control the serviceability of structures during their life cycle
Authors: Haydar A. , Zheleznov Maksim
Published: March 2023

Advances in structural health monitoring are helping professionals identify potential building hazards caused by aging and other environmental factors.

Monitoring the state of structures primarily allows you to examine the current state of structural systems to assess their functional suitability and performance level. If the assessment of the condition of the structure reveals a lower level of performance than required, then work should be carried out immediately to restore and reconstruct it. , and specialists who monitor the state of "health" of buildings.
Capital, Babiali and Workers in Ottoman Mines: The Case of Balia-Karaidin Mining Company
Authors: ÖZDAMAR Toroshan
Published: March 2023

Sanayi Devrimi’yle birlikte oluşan sermaye birikimi, ham madde ve pazar arayışı küresel iktisadi ilişkileri kökten değiştirmiştir. Osmanlı Devleti bu değişimden etkilenmiş, XIX. yüzyılın ortalarından itibaren yoğunlaşan sermaye girişleri
madencilik başta olmak üzere pek çok sektörde üretim ilişkilerini dönüştürmüştür. Bu sürecin daha iyi anlaşılabilmesi için değişen üretim ilişkileri çerçevesinde resmi kurumlar ve sermaye arasındaki ilişkiler ve işçilerin durumu
gibi konularda daha fazla çalışmaya ihtiyaç vardır. Bu çalışma, Balya-Karaaydın Şirketinin Osmanlı bürokrasisi ve işçilerle olan münasebetlerinin araştırılmasıyla son dönem Osmanlı madenciliğindeki üretim aktörlerinin durumları
hakkında yeni veriler sunmayı hedeflemiştir. Bu bağlamda, 1892-1914 yılları arasında işçilerin durumu ve hükümet-sermaye ilişkisi, grev gibi işçi olayları ekseninde kronolojik olarak incelenip değerlendirilmiştir. Fransız sermayesinin
Osmanlı Devleti’ndeki en mühim yatırımlarından olan Balya-Karaaydın Maden Şirketi, sermaye-Babıâli-işçi ilişkisi hakkında genel bir çıkarım yapmak için pek çok örnek sunmuştur. Babıâli ile şirket yönetimi arasındaki münasebet kazan-kazan
ilkesi temelinde şekillenmiştir. Keza şirket yöneticileri de bu ilişkilerin korunmasına çok dikkat etmişler, hükûmetin avans, ek vergi gibi maddi taleplerini her zaman olumlu karşılamışlardır. Şirketin işçilerle olan ilişkileri
genel itibariyle sakin olmakla birlikte, 1908 ve devam eden süreçte, pek çok grev hareketi görülmüş, grev gibi işçi olaylarında Babıâli şirket lehine tavır takınmıştır. Zira üretimin durması şirket gelirlerini azaltacak dolayısıyla
hazineye ödenen vergi miktarını düşürecekti. Bu çalışma neticesinde ulaşılan bulgular, Osmanlı madenlerinde yabancı sermaye-Babıâli-işçi üçgeninde yapılacak değerlendirmelere yeni veriler ve bakış açıları sunmuştur.
Teaching Career Ladders in Turkey
Authors: ÖZBAL Bayram
Published: March 2023

Son yıllarda tüm dünyada olduğu gibi Türkiye’de de öğretmenlik mesleğinin statüsünün kaybı eğitim alanında en çok konuşulan konuların başında gelmektedir. Öğretmenlerin ekonomik gelirinin az alması, öğretmenlere duyulan saygının azalması,
öğretmenlerin çalışma koşulları gibi birçok neden öğretmenlik mesleğinin statüsünün azalmasına neden olmaktadır. Bu nedenle öğretmenlik mesleğinin statüsünü yükseltmek için bir takım iyileştirmeler yapılmaktadır. Bu iyileştirmelerin
başında da geleneksel kariyer modellerinin terk edilerek daha çok performans odaklı öğretmen kariyer basamakları uygulamalarına geçiş yer almaktadır. Araştırmada, Türkiye’de öğretmenlik kariyer basamaklarının geçmişten günümüze
gelişimi ele alınarak 2022 yılında yayımlanan “Öğretmenlik Meslek Kanunu” (ÖMK) ve “Aday Öğretmenlik ve Öğretmenlik Kariyer Basamakları Yönetmeliği” (ÖKBY)’nin kariyer basamakları açısından değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmada
nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden birisi olan doküman analizi kullanmıştır. Öğretmenlik meslek kanunu ve yönetmeliği öğretmenlik kariyer basamakları açısından; başvuru şartları, muafiyet, kazanımlar ve değerlendirme başlıkları altında
betimsel analiz ile incelenerek yorumlanmıştır. Öğretmen performansından daha çok hizmet yılına göre oluşturulması, lisansüstü eğitimi teşvik etmemesi, eğitim programlarının öğretmenlerin mesleki bilgi ve becerilerini geliştirmekten
uzak olması yönetmeliğin olumsuz yönleriyken; ek gösterge ve tazminatlar konusunda yapılan düzenlemeler, uzman öğretmenlere ve başöğretmenlere bir derece verilmesi, kontenjan sınırının olmaması, özel okullarda ve diğer özel öğretim
kurumlarında çalışan öğretmenleri de kapsaması yönetmeliğin olumlu yönleri olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Gelecekte yapılacak düzenlemelerle yönetmeliğin eksik olan bölümleri tamamlanarak öğretmenlik meslek statüsünün gelişmesine
katkı sağlanabilir.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of CPEC road project by following EIA index approach for sustainability
Authors: Saqib Zahid , Saeed Rashid , Qasim Muhammad , Saqib Abeera , Hassan Muhammad
Published: March 2023

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a framework to provide all the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of mega projects for sustainability. Section 12 of Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) 1997 regulates EIA procedure for mega projects that need to be approved by the respective Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce environmental impacts. This study identified inadequacies linked with EIA procedures of CPEC western road project initiated from Rehmani Khel to Kot Balian (package-2A). To evaluate EIA procedures for the selected road project, an EIA index has been formulated based on questionnaire responses. The respondents of this study included environmental experts, social experts, and consultants from the relevant departments. The secondary sources involved a comprehensive literature review and approved EIA reports of CPEC road project. For testing variables, statistical analysis, i.e., the gamma test, correlation analysis, and factor analysis were used. The current study revealed the environmental impacts of CPEC road project, i.e., vehicle emissions, land degradation, loss of biodiversity, and atmospheric pollution. The calculated EIA index was 0.47, which identified the deficiencies among EIA stages, i.e., environmental management efficiency index, environmental impact statement index (EISI), and mitigation index for selected road projects. Statistical analysis indicated an insignificant relationship among the variables for environmental sustainability for the road project. This study will provide an EIA index for implementation of EIA procedures to reduce environmental degradation and contribute to EIA literature for long-term sustainability.
Physical activity among adults with psychiatric illness in Karachi, Pakistan: A survey based research
Authors: JEVTANI Aneeta , PERVEEN Erum , UROOSA Mustafa , ZEYA Nazia , EMAD Farkhanda , KANWAL Fareeha , AZHAAR Mahum , YAMIN Faisal
Published: March 2023

Introduction: In Pakistan, psychological wellbeing is still considered a stigma and has limited resources to provide maximum care. Individuals with mental illness struggle with maintaining their sedentary behaviors and have poor wellbeing. The aim of the study is to investigate the physical activity among individuals with a psychiatric illness. Materials and Methods: A sample data of 144 outpatients, diagnosed with a psychiatric illness were collected from the Outpatient Department (OPD) of a public sector psychiatric set-up in Karachi, Pakistan. The participants were assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: Females with a psychiatric illness were found to be more physically active as compared to males with a psy-chiatric illness (p <.01). Females were reported to have significant results (p <.01) in the domain of housework, while males reported having significant high scores (p <.05) in the domain of trans-portation-related physical activity. The moderate intensity of physical activity was found signif-icant among females (p <.01) with a psychiatric illness, while walking intensity of physical activity was found significant among males with a psychiatric illness (p <.05). Conclusion: Gender was found to be a predicting factor for physical activity. There was an additional finding that married individuals were physically more active than single individuals (p <.05). Further studies are recommended to investigate barriers related to variables to facilitate healthy living.
The Effects of the Traditional Data Augmentation Techniques on Long Bone Fracture Detection
Authors: CANGÖZ Gülnur Begüm , GÜNEY Selda
Published: March 2023

Image collection and preparation phases are highly costly for machine learning

algorithms. They require the majority of labeled data. Hence, the image pre-processing method, data augmentation, is commonly used. Since there are so many proposed methods for the augmentation task, this comparison study is presented to be a supporting guide for the researchers. In addition, the lack of studies with animal-based data sets makes this study more valuable. The study is investigated on a comprehensive medical image data set consists of X-ray images of many different dogs. The main goal is to determine the fracture of the long bones in dogs. Many traditional augmentation methods are employed on the data set including flipping, rotating, changing brightness and contrast of the images. Transfer learning is applied on both raw and augmented data sets as a feature extractor and Support Vector Machine (SVM) is utilized as a classifier. For the classification task, the experimental study shows that changing the contrast is the outstanding method for accuracy manner, while the rotation method has the best sensitivity value.