bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The neural network for measuring IOP by Maklakov method: comparison between neuronal net and experts
Authors:   The Postgraduate Doctors' Training Institute of Health Care Ministry of the Chuvash Republic, Cheboksary, Russian Federation, Rascheskov A.A. , Frolychev I.A. ,   S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution, Cheboksary branch, Cheboksary, Russian Federation,   The Postgraduate Doctors' Training Institute of Health Care Ministry of the Chuvash Republic, Cheboksary, Russian Federation, Pozdeyeva N.A. ,   S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution, Cheboksary branch, Cheboksary, Russian Federation,   The Postgraduate Doctors' Training Institute of Health Care Ministry of the Chuvash Republic, Cheboksary, Russian Federation
Published: March 2023

Purpose. To evaluate the possibility of clinical application of the AITonometry neural network in determining IOP by Maklakov method and identifying patients with increased intraocular pressure. Material and methods. A prospective study, 697 impressions of IOP measurement by Maklakov were selected. Each impression was evaluated using the neural network (group I), and by 3 experts with using the measuring ruler of Prof. B.L. Polyak (groups II1 , II2 , II3 ), the experts' data were averaged in order to create a «comparison standard» (group IIM ) for analysis. Results. The data obtained are presented in the form of M±σ(Me [Q25%; Q75%]), where M is the mean value, ±σ is the standard deviation, Me is the median ([Q25%; Q75%]) are quartiles: group I – 22,32±4,18 (22 [20; 24]); II1 group – 19.95±3.58 (19 [18; 21]); II2 group – 20,35±3,65 (20 [18; 22]); II3 group – 20,41±3,58 (20 [18; 22]); IIM – 20,23±3,53 (19,66 [18,33; 21,66]). A statistically significant difference was found between all data groups. The accuracy of AI-Tonometry: the mean absolute error (MAE) is 2.5 mmHg, the mean squared error (MSE) is 8.76, the root mean squared error (RMSE) is 2.96. Performance: Sensitivity – 91.94%; Specificity – 93.7%; Accuracy – 58.76%; Accuracy – 93.54%; F1 Score – 0.7170, AUC-ROC – 0.987. Conclusion. The AI-Tonometry neural network has high characteristics of accuracy and performance in combination with the convenience of using the service, the speed of interpretation of impressions made by Maklakov method, a small discrepancy in the results of determining the presence or absence of increased IOP. This service can be considered as an alternative to the usual approach with using ruler of Prof. B.L. Polyak and can be used in clinical practice. Keywords: neural network, intraocular pressure, artificial intelligence, tonometry, Maklakov applanation tonometry
Application of convolutional neural networks to define Fuchs endothelial dystrophy
Authors:   Fyodorov Microsurgery Federal State Institution, the Saint-Petersburg branch, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation, Shukhaev S.V. , Mordovtseva E.A. ,   Fyodorov Microsurgery Federal State Institution, the Saint-Petersburg branch, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation, Pustozerov E.A. ,   Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University «LETI», Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation,   Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, Kudlakhmedov S.S. ,   North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
Published: March 2023

Purpose. To evaluate the application of convolutional neural networks for the automatic detection of Fuchs' dystrophy. Material and methods. The study included 700 biomicroscopic images of the corneal endothelium (Tomey EM-3000) randomly selected from the database of the Saint-Petersburg brunch of the S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution. At the first stage, the images were divided into 2 groups. The first group included images with the presence of Fuchs' dystrophy, the second – another pathology or a healthy cornea. The corneal endothelial cell density images were divided into three categories: training, validation, and test datasets. In our study we tested various architectures of convolutional neural networks: ResNet18, ResNet50, VGG16, VGG19 and GoogleNet. Results. The approbation of the neural network on the test sample has given the following values of the F-measure: ResNet18: 0.985; ResNet50: 1,000; VGG16: 0.940; VGG19: 0.990; GoogleNet: 0.987. Pre-trained network ResNet50 performed best with frozen layers, Adam optimizer, cross-entropy as a loss function, and a training step of 0.000005. Conclusion. The use of convolutional neural networks for the automatic detection of Fuchs' dystrophy can be successfully implemented as part of a doctor's decision support system. ResNet50 showed the best results among all types of models and did not give a single error on the test sample, which indicates the high efficiency of using this network in the classification algorithm for corneal endothelial images. Keywords: artificial intelligence, Fuchs corneal dystrophy, convolutional neural networks
Flood inundation mapping of upper Krishna basin using hydrodynamic model
Authors: Balgude Rutuja , Patel Anant
Published: March 2023

Floodplain management and mapping are new and applied methods in river engineering and for the prediction of flood hazards. Krishna river basin is the second largest river basin in Peninsular India. This basin is one of the flood prone basins in India. The purpose of this study is to focus on the analysis of HEC-RAS to assess and predict the flood depth and spatial extent of flood in the upper Krishna River basin which is drained by Krishna River. To determine extent of inundation, the hydrodynamic model HEC-RAS with ArcGIS was used. For this, discharge data of two months from August and September 2012 has been processed in the study. A methodology was applied to combine hydraulic simulation model, HEC-RAS and GIS analysis for delineation of flood extents and depths for upper Krishna basin in India. Results obtained by using HEC-RAS Model were used by integrating with Arc-GIS to floodplain maps. Through this floodplain maps, the areas that are vulnerable to hazards, have been identified. The results of this research will benefit in future of flood forecasts on a regional scale, also they will be beneficial for water resources management and planning.
Antimicrobial activity of hydrogel loaded with Capsicum annuum, Auricularia auricula judae and Kappaphycus alvarezii.
Authors: Regina Leong Z.L. , Wan H.L. , Teo S.S.
Published: March 2023

Antimicrobial activity refers to any substance that demonstrates the ability to reduce or inhibit the presence of microbes. Many substances derived from living organisms are claimed to play an essential role in inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. Thus, it is advisable to incorporate them into a functional system for delaying or inhibiting microbial activities. As a synthetic polymeric network, the hydrogel retaining a significant amount of water within its structure, is widely used in the healthcare industry. Due to water being one of their main constituents, microbial contamination in the hydrogel is challenging. Here, a simple method is proposed by investigating the antibacterial activities of gellan gum hydrogel loaded with hot water extracts of Capsicum annuum, Auricularia auricula judae and Kappaphycus alvarezii. Disc diffusion assay is used to evaluate the crude extracts' antimicrobial activity and their hydrogel against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. A. auricula-judae crude extract showed antimicrobial activity on P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. In contrast, hydrogel supplemented with A. auricula-judae only showed antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa. K. alvarezii crude extract showed antimicrobial activity on both P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. On the other hand, the inhibition zones formed by hydrogel supplemented with K. alvarezii on P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were smaller than the inhibition zones created by K. alvarezii crude extract. C. annuum crude extract only showed antibacterial activity on P. aeruginosa. No inhibition was observed in all test bacteria for the C. annuum with hydrogel. No inhibition zone was formed by A. auricula judae, K. alvarezii, C. annuum and hydrogel on B. cereus and E. coli. As a result, the antimicrobial activity of the crude extracts was higher than its product, hydrogel supplemented with crude extracts respectively. The hydrogel supplemented with A. auricula-judae, K. alvarezii and C. annuum show limited potential in antimicrobial activity, especially toward B. cereus and E. coli.
Oxidative Regeneration of Carbonyl Compounds from Oximes by Imidazolim Dichromate: A Kinetic and Mechanistic study
Authors: Kumar Devendra , Baghmar Manju , Choudhary Anurag
Published: March 2023

A large number of aldoximes and ketoximes are oxidized by imidazolium dichromate (IDC) in a solvent medium dimethylsulphoxide. The kinetic dependence was observed unity with respect to oxidizing agent and less than unity with respect to reductants or substrates. Aldoximes are found to react with a faster rate as compared to ketoximes. The DSP equation of Pavelich – Taft was found fit for correlation of aldoximes. Carbon is attacked by chromate oxygen indicated by the positive and low values of polar reaction constants. It is because of steric hindrance by the alkyl group available there. Representative data of solvent media influence was studied on acetaldoxime and analyzed by Taft and Swain LSER equations. A suitable mechanism for this reaction has also been postulated.
Bacterial enzymes for azo dye degradation: an insight
Authors: Patel Jay N. , Vaishnav Darshit K. , Joshi Pavan R. , Tipre Devayani R.
Published: March 2023

Azo dye has a massive marketplace in various industries, biological laboratories and clinics. A significant drawback is the excessive flush-off of azo dyes and their intermediate products are that they pollute the environment. Several environmental bacteria degrade azo dye under certain specific ecological conditions. Decolourisation by different bacteria occurs under aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic conditions. Bacterial genera such as Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Rhodococcus are used for the rapid decolourisation of azo dyes. Bacterial enzymes play an essential role in the degradation of azo dyes by cleavage of azo bonds (-N=N-). It is degraded by both oxidative and reductive enzymes including azo reductase, laccase, lignin peroxidase, NADH-DCIP reductase, malachite green reductase, polyphenol oxidase (tyrosinase), veratrol alcohol oxidase. This review describes the role and mechanism of these enzymes in the degradation of azo dyes.
Modification of ground state chemical reactivity via light-matter coherence in infrared cavities
Authors: Ahn Wonmi , Triana Johan , Recabal Felipe , Herrera Felipe , Simpkins Blake
Published: March 2023

Reaction-rate modifications for chemical processes have been reported due to strong coupling between reactant molecular vibrations and the cavity vacuum, however, no accepted mechanisms explain these observations. In this work, reaction-rate constants are extracted from evolving cavity transmission spectra, revealing resonant suppression of the intracavity reaction rate for alcoholysis of phenyl isocyanate with cyclohexanol. We observe up to an 80% suppression of the rate by tuning cavity modes to be resonant with the reactant isocyanate (NCO) stretch, the product carbonyl (CO) stretch, and cooperative reactant-solvent modes (CH). These results are explained using an open quantum system model that predicts resonant modifications of chemical reactivity via light-matter quantum coherences that depopulate vibrational excited states, suggesting fundamental links between chemistry and quantum science to be explored.
On the short and long phosphorescence lifetimes of aromatic carbonyls
Authors: Mukherjee Saikat , Kar Moumita , Bhati Mansi , Gao Xing , Barbatti Mario
Published: March 2023

This work uses theoretical and computational methods to investigate the relationship between phosphorescence lifetime and the electronic character of the lowest triplet state of aromatic carbonyls. It shows that phosphorescence is due to a direct spin-orbit coupling (SOC) mechanism modulated by permanent dipoles when the T1 minimum is 3np*. If the minimum is a totally symmetric 3pp*, phosphorescence is due to an indirect SOC mechanism involving transition dipole moments with other excited states. The magnitude difference between permanent and transition dipoles leads to 3np* phosphoresce to be 100 times faster than 3pp*. A vertical approximation and the nuclear ensemble approach (NEA) were tested on benzaldehyde and three derivatives in the gas phase chosen to have both 3np* and 3pp* phosphorescence. Both simulation methods deliver good results for 3n* systems. Nevertheless, vertical simulations fail for 3pp* due to the overwhelming importance of vibronic couplings.
The Evolution of Solvation Symmetry and Composition in Zn Halide Aqueous Solutions from Dilute to Extreme Concentrations
Authors: Seidler Gerald , Dhakal Diwash , Driscoll Darren , Govind Niranjan , Stack Andrew , Rampal Nikhil , Schenter Gregory , Mundy Christopher , Fister Timothy , Fulton John , Balasubramanian Mahaling
Published: March 2023

The emergence of cation-anion species, or contact ion pairs, is fundamental to understanding the physical properties of aqueous solutions when moving from the ideal, low-concentration limit to the manifestly non-ideal limits of very high solute concentration or constituent ion activity. We focus here on Zn halide solutions both as a model system and also as an exemplar of the applications spanning from (i) electrical energy storage via the paradigm of water in salt electrolyte (WiSE) to (ii) the physical chemistry of brines in geochemistry to (iii) the long-standing problem of nucleation. Using a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches we quantify the halide coordination number and changing coordination geometry without embedded use of theoretical equilibrium constants. These results and the associated methods, notably including the use of valence-to-core x-ray emission spectroscopy, provide new insights into the Zn halide system and new research directions in the physical chemistry of concentrated electrolytes.
Visualizing formation and dynamics of a three-dimensional sponge-like network of a coacervate in real time
Authors: Kubota Ryou , Hiroi Taro , Liu Yuchong , Hamachi Itaru
Published: March 2023

Coacervates, which are formed by liquid–liquid phase separation, have been extensively explored as models for synthetic cells and membraneless organelles, so their in-depth structural analysis is crucial. However, both the inner structure dynamics and formation mechanism of coacervates remain elusive. Herein, we demonstrate real-time confocal observation of a three-dimensional sponge-like network in a dipeptide-based coacervate. In situ generation of the dipeptide allowed us to capture the emergence of the sponge-like network via unprecedented membrane folding of vesicle-shaped intermediates. We also visualized dynamic fluctuation of the network, including reversible engagement/disengagement of crosslinks and a stochastic network kissing event. Photo-induced transient formation of a multiphase coacervate was achieved with a thermally responsive phase transition. Our findings expand the fundamental understanding of synthetic and biological coacervates, and provide opportunities to manipulate their physicochemical properties by engineering the inner network for potential applications in life-like material fabrication and biomedical research.
Novel Pharmacokinetics Profiler (PhaKinPro): Model Development, Validation, and Implementation as a Web-Tool for Triaging Compounds with Undesired PK Profiles
Authors: Rath Marielle , Wellnitz James , Martin Holli-Joi , Melo-Filho Cleber , Hochuli Joshua , Martins da Silva Guilherme , Beasley Jon-Michael , Maxfield Travis , Sessions Zoe , Popov Konstantin , Zakharov Alexey , Cherkasov Artem , Alves Vinicius , Muratov Eugene , Tropsha Alexander
Published: March 2023

Computational models that predict PK properties, such as those related to drug absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion, are critical to flagging drug candidates with poor PK profiles that emerge as hits in high-throughput screening campaigns. To support the development of reliable computational models to predict key PK properties, we collected, curated, and integrated a database of compounds tested in 13 major PK endpoints containing over 10,000 unique molecules. We built classification quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models for all but one endpoint (Cmax) following best practices of model development and validation. Those with acceptable external accuracy (CCR ≥ 0.60 and SE, PPV, SP, and NPV ≥ 0.50) include hepatic stability at 15, 30, and 60 minutes, hepatic half-life at the subcellular and tissue levels, renal clearance, blood brain barrier permeability, CNS activity, Caco-2 permeability, plasma protein binding, plasma half-life, microsomal intrinsic clearance, and oral bioavailability. As a case study to illustrate model utility, we employed all developed models to predict the PK properties of all compounds in DrugBank. We also predicted PK properties of molecules hitting popular drug targets among several organs SLC6A4 (brain), ADRB2 (heart and lungs), HMGCR (liver), and CaSR (kidneys) only. These analyses revealed that nearly all experimental, investigational, and withdrawn compounds included in DrugBank are hepatically stable at 60 minutes and under, exhibit CNS activity, and permeate the Caco-2 cell line (a measure of intestinal absorption). Furthermore, our results indicate that compounds targeting different organs have distinct predicted PK profiles. This observation suggests that desired PK properties depend on compound’s indication. All models described in this paper have been integrated and made publicly available via the novel predictor of pharmacokinetic properties (PhaKinPro) web portal that can be accessed at https://phakinpro.mml.unc.edu/.
Formation of Professional of a Doctor in Russia at the End of the 17th – 19th Century: On the Example of the Irkutsk Province. Part 1
Authors:   Irkutsk State University, Dameshek I. L. , Orlova I. V. ,   Irkutsk State Medical University
Published: March 2023

The article described the process of formation of the professional status of a doctor in the late 17th – 19th century through the introduction of legislative acts regulating medical activity; the introduction of measures taken by the medical community. The purpose of the article is to analyze the regulatory framework of state documents, to highlight a special approach to the problem of the formation of medical personnel in Siberia (privileges, motivational measures). For the first time, the data of archival documents are introduced into scientific circulation.
From Simple Collecting to the First Museums (from the History of the Formation of Museum Business in Pre-Reform Siberia)
Authors:   Irkutsk State University, Shaherov V. P.
Published: March 2023

The article is devoted to the issues of local history study of Siberia and the preservation of samples of its natural and historical and cultural heritage in the process of collecting mineralogical, natural science, ethnographic and archaeological collections. A significant role in the compilation of the first large collections belonged to the participants of academic expeditions, mining engineers and craftsmen, as well as individual enthusiasts from among the representatives of the local administration and merchants who are interested in the natural resources of Siberia, ancient monuments and unusual cultural objects of neighboring countries. From a simple collection of rarities and art objects, the most active of Siberian collectors have worked their way up to real researchers, contributing to the creation of local museums, libraries and art galleries. The most culturally saturated environment has developed in Irkutsk, where real merchant cultural salons have been formed on the basis of the collected home museums. The passion for collecting expanded the scientific and social horizons of Siberians, contributed to the knowledge of the region and awareness of their identity.
Governor-General of Eastern Siberia N. N. Muravyov-Amursky and the Amur-Alaska Geopolitical Paradigm
Authors:   S. I. Vavilov Institute of History of Natural Science and Technology RAS, Postnikov A.V. , Konstantinov M. V. ,   Trans-Baikal State University
Published: March 2023

The authors prove that there was a real relationship between the destinies of Alaska and Amur, within which Alaska had to be ceded to America in order to concentrate forces on the development of Amur. The initial political message in this direction came from the Governor-General of Eastern Siberia N. N. Muravyov-Amursky. The Amur-Alaska geopolitical paradigm has been intelligently implemented for the benefit of Russia. The role of N. N. Muravyov-Amursky in this process, as well as the relationship of actions in the American and Far Eastern direction, was not actually covered in Siberian historiography and the public environment.
The Birth Rate of the Rural Population of Western Siberia in 1950–1959
Authors:   Kuibyshev Branch of the Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University, Burmatov A. A. ,   Institute of History SB RAS
Published: March 2023

The article aims to trace the dynamics of the birth rate of the rural population in the regions of Western Siberia in the 1950s. Western Siberia is considered within the boundaries of the territories that make up the West Siberian Economic Region according to the All-Union Population Census of 1959.
Features on providing enterprise financial security in the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Oriekhova K. , Golovko O. , Khrystoforova O. , Efymenko M.
Published: March 2023

COVID-19 pandemic conditions led to a number of risks for financial security on both macro and on macro levels. Since quarantine continues, the influence of risks on the financial security of Ukraine and business entities is significantly increased. The government has implemented a set of measures to prevent the dissemination of COVID-19 diseases on the territory of Ukraine. However, the dynamic movement of the epidemic situation, the negative consequences of the action of measures and the deployment of the global economic crisis require an operational response to the threats of financial security. In modern conditions, the introduction of legal and regulatory changes, state financial support and organizational and economic mechanisms are essential financial security tools. Special attention is required to determine the impact of crisis phenomena on the financial security of business entities of Ukraine. Risk accounting should be based on practical recommendations for reducing financial security threats, ensuring financial sustainability, meet financial needs and the protection of financial interests of both Ukraine and business entities. The article examines both the definition of the concept and the financial security system of business entities and the influence of state regulation on the processes of opposition to the dissemination of the Pandemic COVID-19, overcoming the consequences and prevention of bankruptcy and liquidation of business entities. For the period 2021-2024 The influence of the risks of the Pandemic of COVID-19 on the financial security of the Ukrainian economy and business entities are rated. This may be the main tool for ensuring financial security under the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest trends in the introduction of modern digital technologies, taking into account the risks of financial security on macro and on macro levels.
Trends in the world market of smokehouses, grills, barbecue and accessories to them
Authors: Parkhomenko N.
Published: March 2023

Given the trends of 2020-2021, namely changes in the lifestyle of the world's population due to quarantine restrictions, it should be noted that the market of smokehouses, grills, barbecues and accessories to them was changed significantly. The study considers the segmentation of producers of smokehouses, grills and barbecues by type of product (gas, electric, coal) and consumer use (commercial and domestic). The dynamics of development of the world market of smokehouses, grills, barbecues and accessories to them in 2015-2025 is characterized (according to forecasts). The analysis of the regional structure of production and sales is carried out. The key players in the world market of smokehouses, barbecues, grills, barbecues and accessories to them were identified. Innovative solutions of manufacturers in recent years in this market were presented. It is concluded that the global and Ukrainian market of barbecues and grills is showing a positive trend in recent years, i.e. it has opportunities for growth as the number of restaurants and hotels increases and more and more people choose barbecue food. Priority steps are proposed for the entry of Ukrainian producers of smokehouses, grills, barbecues and accessories to them, which are not world market leaders in foreign markets. It is noted that it is difficult for Ukrainian producers to compete for the expansion of foreign markets. However, an effective tool in this case is the development of an effective marketing strategy, as well as the transfer of some tasks from the marketing of foreign markets to outsourcing. Accordingly, the identification of trends and prospects for the world market of smokehouses, grills, barbecues and accessories allows Ukrainian producers to develop and implement an export strategy to increase competitiveness and introduce the latest innovative technologies.
Concept of international standards and system of quality and level of living assessment
Authors: Krykun O.
Published: March 2023

The article reveals the content and essence of the concepts of quality and standard of living, characterizes the indicators and defines the constituent elements of the quality of life, identifies countries with the best and worst indicators of the quality of life. The process of human development is considered at the present stage as the goal and the most important criterion of social progress, if we consider the quality of life as a system, it includes the quality of a person, and the standard of living is defined as the well-being of the population and lifestyle. Taking into account the objective and subjective characteristics of all spheres of human life, the main task of the study is based on the maximum coincidence of objective and subjective quality assessments. According to different methodology, indicators for assessing the level and quality of life are systematized and the need to form social standards for a new quality of life for the population of Ukraine is substantiated. An objective assessment of the quality of life of the population is determined using a set of indicators: income of the population; household spending; communal payments; well-being; comfortable life, etc. Subjective evaluation indicators are formed according to a sociological survey and reflect the degree of satisfaction with life, the need for quality products (services). The quality of life assessment system requires constant improvement, but the main aspects that need to be taken into account are the implementation of international ISO standards and quality management systems in production. It is the quality control and assessment system that will reduce the acuteness of food security, the availability of proper nutrition, necessary for an active and healthy life, and the creation of comfortable conditions for human life.
The Elyssar Project in Lebanon. (c2022)
Authors:   ,   Lebanese American University, Fakhry Sandy
Published: March 2023

Following the Taif Agreement in 1989 and the establishment of the Rafic Hariri-led governments from 1992 to 1998, reconstruction became a key word in the Lebanese political discourse. This reconstruction was depicted as a solution to the postwar city's challenges as well as a vehicle for positive social and political transformation. The post-war experiences in Lebanon provided a vivid case study of the neoliberal ideology's obvious ambiguities and inconsistencies. This thesis provides a detailed analysis of the Elyssar project, a major urban development project that focused on rebuilding Beirut’s Southwestern areas. It is an important project to examine in order to show that Elyssar was anchored in a model that combined elements of sectarian politics with neoliberal thinking. The research examines why Elyssar has been stalled for decades highlighting the hazy boundary that existed in postwar Lebanon between political objectives, architecture, and private interests. Our findings reveal the influence of sectarianism on urban development initiatives and how it is enforced through large-scale urban initiatives in Lebanon.
The Effect of Organizational Culture on Employee Innovative Behavior. (c2022)
Authors:   ,   Lebanese American University, Bawab Sarah
Published: March 2023

Innovation is important in any business organization because it allows companies to add value to their customers while simultaneously increasing profitability. Furthermore, organizations can establish significant competitive advantages over their competitors by implementing effective creative tactics, as innovation increases creativity, nature, and production. This study investigates the effect of different types of organizational culture on employee innovative behavior. It tests each of Cooperative Organizational Culture (COC), Innovative Organizational Culture (IOC), Hierarchical Organizational Culture (HOC), and Effective Organizational Culture (EOC) on Employee Innovative Behavior (EIB). It also examines the moderating role of transformational leadership on these relationships. The data was collected through 163 survey distributed among employees in Lebanon and the GCC region. The data was analyzed with SPSS software to check validity of suggested hypotheses. The study showed that Organizational culture positively affects employee innovative behavior and Transformational leadership moderates these relationships.
3D Printing of IPMC Actuators Based on the Direct Assembly Method. (c2022)
Authors:   ,   Lebanese American University, Sarkis Serge
Published: March 2023

Ionic polymer metal composites are a type of electroactive polymers, they are composed of an ionomer membrane sandwiched between two conducting high surface area electrodes. They act as an actuator under the application of a relatively small applied electric voltage in the order of 1 to 4V, producing large strains compared to other actuators. The middle membrane acts as an eclectic insulator that allows ions to move from one electrode to the other. The negatively charged high surface area electrode attracts the positively charged mobile cations resulting in actuation. IPMCs also operate in sensing mode by generating electricity when subject to mechanical deformations. This versatility in operation makes them good candidates for a number of complex applications including biomimetics, micro-robotics, and medical catheters. These different application demand complex geometries and high level of performance. The electrode morphology has been proven to play a critical role in the performance of IPMCs. In this thesis, the process of 3D printing the IPMC along with the electrodes using FDM 3D printing is investigated. Our method will enable the 3D printing of both: the Nafion insulating center layer, and a Ruthenium Dioxide-Nafion mixture composing the high surface area electrode. The electrodes performance will be evaluated against the traditional impregnation reduction method for electrode plating applied to a 3D printed membrane. Also, the performance of a membrane made by hot-pressing Nafion pellets, a traditional Nafion membrane fabrication method, will be used to validate the 3D printing process. The 3D printed electrodes achieved a strain of 3.71E-4 which was lower than the strain of impregnation reduction method at 1.14 E-3. This was attributed to excessive flaking and poor mixing of the Ruthenium Dioxide particles in the polymer matrix.
Healthcare Sector’s Response to the Syrian Refugees Amid Lebanon’s Multi-Layered Crisis. (c2023)
Authors:   ,   Lebanese American University, Fakhry Yasmine
Published: March 2023

Despite the Lebanese healthcare system showing resilience throughout its critical history, the multidimensional crisis including the Syrian refugee crisis turned this system into a very fragile and vulnerable one. The aim of this thesis is to examine health security’s fulfillment of Syrian refugees in Lebanon and their host community, and explore whether or not they fulfill the health needs of their beneficiaries’ different health coverage schemes. The study revealed that the Syrian refugee community is granted health access under terms, conditions and restrictions including OOP payment. Regarding the host community, results showed that traditional health guarantors are nearly absent, and accordingly citizens are supposed to access health services subject to nearly full OOP payments except in few cases. This study highlights the fact that the refugees are granted better and easier access to health services whereas the host citizens are subject to complicated processes for approval topped with high OOP. This finding raises “a paradox of health access” where the refugee can access health services with minimal OOP to a certain extent more than the host citizen itself.
Finite Element Modelling and Optimization of Rotary Friction Welding Parameters of High-Density Polyethylene Pipes (HDPE). (c2022)
Authors:   ,   Lebanese American University, Gerges Zeina
Published: March 2023

Rotary friction welding (RFW) is a highly efficient and sustainable process for joining both metals and plastics. The welding process parameters of RFW must be carefully selected to ensure a good quality weld with minimum energy consumption. Few studies in the literature simulate RFW of plastics and none aim to optimize the welding process parameters. This study aims to optimize the process parameters of the continuous drive rotary friction welding of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. To simulate the RFW process, a 2D axisymmetric fully coupled thermo-mechanical model was developed using DEFORM software package. The model used an elastic-plastic material behavior model that varies with temperature, strain, and strain rate, and a temperature-dependent coefficient of friction. The material behavior was modeled using a Zerilli Armstrong equation and the 2D model was validated against experimental data from the literature. The model successfully predicted the material behavior and captured the thermal and mechanical behavior of HDPE during the welding process. The model was then used to optimize the process parameters of the RFW of HDPE pipes using the Taguchi method. A linear regression model was used to estimate the response in terms of the input process parameters for a specific pipe geometry of 63 mm diameter and 5.8 mm thickness. The optimized process parameters that minimized the power consumption for the selected pipe were found to be 800 RPM rotational speed, 20mm/min feed rate and a friction time of 9 seconds. By relying upon these optimized parameters, industry professionals can produce high quality HDPE welds which would result in a reduction in welding operations cost, and a shift towards more sustainable manufacturing operations.
New Media and Women's Da'wah Movement in the New Normal Post Covid-19 Era
Authors: Ummah Athik Hidayatul
Published: March 2023

Internet and social media are source of information and religious knowledge references, especially for millennials and middle class urban communities. The transformation of Islamic da'wah from offline to online is still dominated by men preachers. Actually, womenâ€™s daâ€™wah movement can be found in new media platforms but they get less attention. This study aims to explain the opportunities and challenges of women in Islamic da'wah in the digital era and the digital da'wah strategy of the Islamic Gender Justice studies (Ngaji KGI) community. The research method is virtual ethnography, a method to provide distinctive understanding of significance and implications of using new media. The perspective theory is innovation diffusion theory is the innovation of da'wah messages is communicated through various channels in social system. The results are new media provided a cyber space for equality, opportunity for women to appear in public and to show their scientific authority. The challenges in digital era are making creative daâ€™wah messages to interest audience and ensuring that audience listens da'wah seriously, so that the goal of da'wah are achieved. The Ngaji KGIâ€™s digital da'wah strategy can be accepted by audience because some factors are relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, triability, observability, and social media.
ON THE QUESTION OF THE ROLE OF ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS FIGURES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE TURKESTAN CAMPAIGNS OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE. ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE CORRESPONDENCE OF THE ORENBURG BORDER COMMISSION WITH MULLAH SHAGIMARDANOV
Authors:   Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin, Kochnev Anton V.
Published: March 2023

The middle of the 19th century became the starting point for the Russian Empire in terms of the conquest of the Kokand Khanate and the Bukhara Emirate, as well as its final positions consolidation in the region by creating the Turkestan Governor-General in the annexed territories in 1867. The defeat of the Russian Empire in the Crimean War forced the government to take more decisive measures to annex Kokand and Bukhara through a large-scale military campaign, however the need to solidify its hold on the region as soon as possible required the command to make some new strategic decisions and cooperate with representatives of the local elite, merchants and clergy. The article is intended to significantly fill the historiographical gap in the research of the cooperation between the Russian command and the Muslim institutions within the framework of the annexation of Central Asia by introducing and analyzing previously unpublished sources from the State Archive of the Orenburg Region. The article reviews examples of cooperation with representatives of the elite, merchants and clergy, their influence on the possible peaceful settlement of the conflict or its escalation, including the issue of collaboration and espionage in the Muslim environment, possible potential benefits and the need for cooperation with the Russian army. The conclusions of the article allow revising traditional views on the positions of Islamic leaders, as well as reevaluating the significance of a religious factor as one of the most important elements in the system of confrontation of Asian khanates with Russia
AN INVITATION TO REFLECTION. DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE ON THE SOCIAL POLICY OF THE USSR IN THE POST-WAR YEARS (1947-1953)
Authors:   MIREA – Russian Technological University, Bespyatova Elena B.
Published: March 2023

The purpose of the article is a critical review of some scientific and cognitive practices of intensifying research on late Stalinism. It is noted that at the present historiographic stage, understanding the phenomenon of Stalinism is part of the central research task of Russian studies, namely, determining the degree of rationality and functionality of the Soviet socio-economic system. The author notes a number of key factors that complicate the research search. Emphasizing the paramount importance of the representativeness of the source base, the author focuses on the need to introduce into scientific circulation those archival materials, the reconstruction of which (by means of nomothetic research procedures) allows one to build and propose for consideration the mechanism of communication between society and the authorities. As the analyzed materials, the author draws on a collection of documents published in 2020 that reveals the social policy of the USSR in the years of “late Stalinism”. The fact is emphasized that the extensive database of previously unexplored documents in the RGASPI (RSASPH) funds signed by I.V. Stalin, L.M. Koganovich, A.I. Mikoyan which were rated as classified are the most interesting examples of the use of economic, administrative and socio-psychological methods of management by the party and government leadership of the country. The importance of the author’s analytical method of presenting social policy as an indicator for the economic strategy of late Stalinism is indicated
A.F. KONI - MEMBER OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE (1907-1917)
Authors:   St. Petersburg Institute (branch), All-Russian State University of Justice, Rybin Danil V.
Published: March 2023

This article deals with an issue completely unknown in our historiography. This is the story of the shadow leadership of one of the major public figures of the Russian Empire – Anatoly Fedorovich Koni. Using his many connections and being outside of political parties, the member of the State Council promoted liberal ideas through parliament. Without entering into a confrontation with the monarchy and dealing with social issues (drunkenness, prostitution, education, judicial reform, etc.), the senator, however, never abandoned his principles and promoted them wherever possible. Anatoly Fedorovich supported the creation of a people’s university and the expansion of funding the fleet and the army, protested against the liquidation of Finnish autonomy and the abuse of Article 87 of the Fundamental Laws of the Empire. As a conservative liberal, he strove for a smooth evolution of the state towards the expansion of human rights and Europeanization while maintaining the autocratic system. At the same time, Koni understood that the ruling elite was leading the country to disaster. The rise of the famous lawyer’s political career began in 1916, when he got the opportunity to speak on the part of a group of united liberals and demand to take urgent measures to change the situation in the country
WOMEN IN THE HIGHEST DIPLOMATIC SERVICE POSITIONS IN THE STATES OF THE FORMER USSR. THE EXPERIENCE OF CREATING A DATABASE
Authors:   Ural Federal University, Porshneva Olga S. , Razinkov Sergei L. ,   Ural Federal University
Published: March 2023

The article considers the database technology usage for the analysis of the social portrait and collective biography of women appointed to the highest diplomatic positions by the leadership of the newly independent states on the territory of the former USSR between 1991 and 2021. It gives a description of the structure of the prosopographic database developed by the authors, as well as substantiates the completeness and representativeness of its information. The article also analyzes basic features of the social portrait of women diplomats: the dynamics of their number, basic education, career timing, the ratio between career diplomats and political appointees, the geographical distribution of women ambassadors by accreditation states. Comparison of the results of the analysis of the database information with the socio-demographic characteristics of the female ambassadors of the US, Germany and the EU made it possible, on the one hand, to identify general trends (a constant increase in the proportion of career diplomats) and differences (in the localization of ambassadors by accreditation countries). In conclusion, information is summarized on the characteristics of the composition of women diplomats in each of the post-Soviet states: based on the dynamics of the number, socio-demographic and professional characteristics of women holding senior diplomatic positions, three groups of states with different models of gender representation in the diplomatic service are identified
Las guerras de independencia y el nacimiento de los Estados-nación americanos. Una reconsideración
Authors: Pérez Vejo Tomás
Published: March 2023

Este articulo reflexiona sobre algunas de las propuestas más revolucionarias del revisionismo historiográfico sobre las llamadas guerras de independencia y el nacimiento de los nuevos Estados-nación hispanoamericanos. Desde aquella que asevera que las naciones no fueron la causa de las guerras de independencia sino su consecuencia, hasta la que propone que dichos conflictos armados no fueron de liberación nacional.
A New Model for Quick Assessment Based on Techno-Economic Aspects for Developing Multiple Gas Prospects: Case Study of XY Block in Indonesia
Authors: Gaol A.H.L
Published: March 2023

Unlike the development of oil fields, natural gas fields tend to present more capital risks and business uncertainties as operators should first secure a buyer or multiple buyers prior to providing field design and planning for capital expenditure. Therefore, it is imperative that gas field operators are aware of the development timing as well as prioritization of developing certain fields, most notably in the case of multiple gas producing fields that are present in a single work area. This publication is based on a case study of XY Block located in Indonesia, where there are several potential sites to be developed with differing properties and production potential. The operator would like to optimize the field development by ensuring constant production up to 15 years of production from these sites. Technical and economic risks from developing each site are acknowledged by using the Expected Monetary Value (EMV) Calculation instead the widely accepted NPV calculation. (You need to spell out NPV as you did for EMV). Based on the technical data and economic data presented, it is then processed to provide a rank system which highlights the priority sites to be developed by the contractor first, as the capital and operational expenditure will be compensated by the sites with the most potential and less risks. Therefore, development timing can be adjusted to reduce risks especially at the beginning of the development when capital expenditure is very high, therefore reducing the contractor’s financial risk. This publication presents a new, simplified model that is able to provide an insight for gas field operators with multiple sites to prioritize a certain field development. The method is particularly useful for operators with financial constraints that have to be prudent when developing fields with known risks and reducing exposure to prolonged operational constraint.