bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral manifestations and dental practice recommendations during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Singh Gaurav , Priya Harsh , Mishra Deepika , Kumar Hemant , Monga Nitika , Kumari Kiran
Published: January 2021

Oral health is a pivotal sign of overall health, well-being, and quality of life. With the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), insights into the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and oral diseases are urgently needed to elucidate the oral manifestations of SARS-CoV-2. The current review aims at analyzing various reports available on oral symptoms along with possible causation, their relationship to the time of occurrence of clinical symptoms, and to shape guidelines for dental practices that could help in combating this global pandemic. The common symptoms that patients report to the dental office even at the presymptomatic stage are ageusia (loss of taste), non-specific anosmia (loss of smell—not associated with rhinitis), and hyposalivation. Few studies also report unexplained ulcers in the oral cavity, desquamative gingivitis, herpetiform ulcers on attached gingiva, blisters/irregular ulcers on the tongue's dorsal surface enlargement of submandibular glands, and cervical lymph node enlargement. Dental surgeons should abide by the prevalent precautionary guidelines. They are at very high risk due to their close contact with patients and exposure to saliva and blood during treatment.
Effect of head down tilt on heart rate variability
Authors: Malhotra Varun , Thakare Avinash E. , Hulke Sandip M. , Wakode Santosh L. , Parashar Rachna , Ravi Naveen
Published: January 2021

Context:

Sirshasan is supposed to increase blood flow to the brain and considered to be beneficial for intellectual function, however mastering these techniques may be difficult.

Aims:

To see the effect of headstand using a tilt table on heart rate variability (HRV).

Settings and Design:

A cross-sectional study that was done on 26 healthy volunteers.

Methods and Material:

HRV was assessed in the supine position and 30° head tilt position for 5 min. HRV recording was done on the power lab (AD Instruments P Ltd, Castle Hill Australia). The tilt table used was Medica Podium, New Delhi, HLT-200.

Statistical analysis used:

Paired t-test.

Results:

All the HRV parameters showed non-significant change except low-frequency parameters which showed significant change during head tilt.

Conclusions:

Headstand to a 30° using tilt table cause a decrease in the autonomic activity which is mainly because of decrease in sympathetic activity.
Assessment of magnitude and predictors of postpartum depression among mothers attending immunization clinics in Bihar, India
Authors: Singh Geetika , Ranjan Alok , Agarwal Neeraj , Kumar Pragya
Published: January 2021

Background:

Postpartum depression (PPD) is characterized by a protracted phase of emotional turmoil which ensues at the time of major life change and increased responsibilities in the upkeep of a newborn child. In fact, it represents a considerable public health problem and has been found to have multiple etiologies including sociodemographic, economical, psychosocial, obstetrical, and medical risk factors. Hence, this study was conducted with the objective of estimating the proportion of PPD among mothers attending the immunization clinics and its association with various sociodemographic and other risk factors.

Methods:

All eligible mothers (up to 3 months after delivery) attending the immunization clinics at the health centers were interviewed using a pre-designed questionnaire and relevant information on sociodemographic, obstetrical, and other psychosocial factors was obtained. PPD was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) where the cutoff score of ≥ 13 was considered as being at risk for PPD.

Results:

A total of 400 mothers were included. The overall proportion of PPD came out to be 15.0% (95% CI 11.83–18.83%) while the median EPDS score was 6.5. Logistic regression analysis revealed that Muslim religion, preterm or low birth weight baby, current medical illness, family pressure to have male child, lack of support from family networks, and domestic violence remained independent predictors of PPD.

Conclusion:

This study identified certain important risk factors for PPD. Thus, the sensitization of the primary healthcare providers and early screening and counseling of the mothers and their families is essential for reduction of associated morbidities and unfavorable outcomes.
Is data mining approach a best fit formula for estimation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol?
Authors: Sarangi Rajlaxmi , Bahinipati Jyotirmayee , Pathak Mona , Mahapatra Srikrushna
Published: January 2021

Background:

With the change in the National Cholesterol Education Program ATP III guidelines, the risk of developing atherosclerosis has been now focused on total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Different treatment modalities are now targeted at lowering LDL cholesterol values. Hence greater emphasis is now led on the accurate and precise measurement of LDL cholesterol. Beta-quantification, though, is the best reference method for LDL cholesterol estimation, it has the disadvantage of being inconvenient in our routine practice. The new generation direct homogenous assay is now the method of choice. But being more expensive, various calculated methods have now been developed. This study is an attempt to compare different calculated formula with direct cholesterol assessment and to find out the best one.

Materials and Methods:

We compared LDL cholesterol measured by direct homogenous assay with the data mining approach (DM) and another calculated formula [Friedewald's Formula (FF) and Anandaraja Formula (AF)] in 266 samples with age greater than 18 years. Enrolled participants were divided into seven groups based upon their TG levels. Mean, percentage difference, and the correlation coefficient was assessed between calculated and direct LDL. Bland–Altman analysis was done to see the agreement between calculated vs direct LDL. All formulas were assessed among various TG levels with direct LDL by the Wilcoxon sign rank test.

Result:

1% level of significance was found between calculated and direct LDL with TG < 600 mg/dl. Mean and the percentage difference between direct and calculated LDL was lowest with the DM approach. Bland–Altman plot shows the best agreement of the DM approach with direct LDL.

Conclusion:

This study indicates that the DM approach is closer to direct LDL compared to FF & AF.
Child abuse
Authors: Paul Vinod , Rathaur Vyas K. , Bhat Nowneet K. , Sananganba Rajkumar , Ittoop Amanta L. , Pathania Monika
Published: January 2021

Child abuse is a social evil which has existed in our society since a long time. The awareness regarding the same has been minimal in developing countries. Many a times, punitive measures taken by parents to discipline their children turn out to be painful scars in their childhood resulting in stunting of their mental and social growth. Doctors and other health care workers have a very important role in identifying and reporting such issues. Law has also evolved over the recent past in safeguarding the future of our children. However, awareness regarding this issue has remained to be the same as before. During the current era of COVID, parents and children have been restricted to their homes. Livelihood of many families have been at risk. These issues have burdened the caretakers at home and absence of teachers who were otherwise their guardian angels have impacted the minds of these children adversely. Hence in this article we intend to provide good clarity about this social evil, and the rights of our children. We also wish to stress upon the duties of parents, doctors, teachers in molding these tender minds so as to get the best out of them.
Unique collaboration of modern medicine and traditional faith-healing for the treatment of mental illness
Authors: Saha Somen , Chauhan Ajay , Hamlai Milesh , Saiyad Vikar , Makwana Siddharth , Shah Komal , Pandya Apurvakumar
Published: January 2021

Background and Aims:

Modern psychiatry brings tremendous value to the treatment of mental illness, however, at times is inadequate in providing holistic care within a patient's broader cultural framework. Traditional healing and modern psychiatry together offer a comprehensive, patient-centred approach to treatment, which encompass a patient's spiritual and religious beliefs. In this context, “Dava-Dua” intervention—combination of psychiatric medicine and faith healing—is implemented by the Government of Gujarat at Mira Data Dargah in Mehsana District. The study assesses intervention outcomes, understand implementation challenges and patients' perspectives on the treatment.

Methods:

Using a multi-method research approach, case records from July 2008 to March 2018 were retrieved for secondary analysis of patients' profile and outcomes; 26 patients from three groups: Dava, Dua and Dava-Dua; and 6 mental health service providers were interviewed to assess perspectives of patients and service providers on mental health, implementation barriers and facilitators.

Results:

Despite some implementation challenges, the findings indicate that collaboration of modern psychiatry medicine and faith-based treatment practices certainly benefit patients with otherwise limited access to mental health care thereby protects human rights of patients.

Conclusion:

Dava-Dua model compliments existing primary healthcare services. It provides an access to modern medicine without compromising patients' religious and spiritual practices. It has the potential to scale-up and replicate where faith-healing is the prime treatment modality to cure mental illness provided implementation challenges are proactively addressed.
On two conjectures about the sum of element orders
Authors: Baniasad Azad Morteza , Khosravi Behrooz
Published: January 2021

Let G be a finite group and
$\psi (G) = \sum _{g \in G} o(g)$
, where
$o(g)$
denotes the order of
$g \in G$
. There are many results on the influence of this function on the structure of a finite group G.

In this paper, as the main result, we answer a conjecture of Tărnăuceanu. In fact, we prove that if G is a group of order n and
$\psi (G)>31\psi (C_n)/77$
, where
$C_n$
is the cyclic group of order n, then G is supersolvable. Also, we prove that if G is not a supersolvable group of order n and
$\psi (G) = 31\psi (C_n)/77$
, then
$G\cong A_4 \times C_m$
, where
$(m, 6)=1$
.

Finally, Herzog et al. in (2018, J. Algebra, 511, 215–226) posed the following conjecture: If
$H\leq G$
, then
$\psi (G) \unicode[stix]{x02A7D} \psi (H) |G:H|^2$
. By an example, we show that this conjecture is not satisfied in general.
Evaluating the Efficacy of the Supertowel™ as a Handwashing Product: A Simulation of Real-World Use Conditions
Authors: Torondel Belen , Khan Rummana , Larsen Torben Holm , White Sian
Published: January 2021

The Supertowel is a fabric treated with a permanent antimicrobial bonding and has been designed as a soap alternative in emergency situations. The Supertowel has been shown to be as efficacious as handwashing with soap and water when tested under controlled laboratory conditions. It has also been shown to be a practical, acceptable, and desirable product among crisis-affected populations. The aim of this study was to test whether the Supertowel remains as efficacious when used under conditions which mimic real-world hand cleaning in challenging settings. Two rounds of laboratory tests, with 16 volunteers in each, were conducted to test the efficacy of the Supertowel when used for a shorter duration, when less wet, when used with contaminated water, when visibly dirty, and when dry. Volunteers pre-contaminated their hands with nonpathogenic Escherichia coli. Comparisons were made between hand cleaning with the Supertowel and the reference condition (normally handwashing with soap), using a crossover design. The Supertowel was marginally less efficacious than handwashing with soap when used for 15 seconds (P = 0.04) but as efficacious at 30 and 60 seconds durations. All the other Supertowel conditions were as efficient as their reference comparisons meaning that the Supertowel can effectively remove pathogens from hands when it is wet, damp, or completely dry, when it is used with contaminated water, when visibly dirty with mud and/or oil.
Seroprevalence of and Risk Factors Associated with Exposure to Brucella Spp. in Dairy Cattle in Three Different Agroecological Zones in Rwanda
Authors: Kiiza David , Biryomumaisho Savino , Robertson Ian D. , Hernandez Jorge A.
Published: January 2021

Livestock production is a key element for poverty alleviation, food security, and economic growth in Rwanda. In 2017, the national average milk production per cow was about 2.5 L per day; in 2020–2021, it is projected to increase to 3.5 L per day if improvement interventions including those designed to reduce the burden of brucellosis in cattle are implemented. The objective of the study reported here was to estimate the seroprevalence of and identify risk factors associated with dairy farms and cattle classified as seropositive to Brucella spp. in three different agroecological zones in Rwanda. Most study farms (40/85 or 47%) had one head of cattle only. Using the Rose Bengal test, the seroprevalence of brucellosis was 28/85 or 33% (95% CI = 24%, 43%) at the farm level and 63/465 or 14% (95% CI = 11%, 17%) at the animal level. Using logistic regression, at the farm level, the presence of seropositive cattle was associated with herd size (2–45 cattle, odds ratio = 21.2; 95% CI = 2.4, 184.5) (46–220 cattle, OR = 288.5; 95% CI = 24.3, 3,423.1) compared to farms with one animal, after controlling for main breed (local breeds, crossbreeds) on the farm. In addition, the odds of testing seropositive were 10.7 (95% CI = 2.3, 49.1) and 149.5 (95% CI = 19.3, 1,158.7) times higher in farms in Nyabihu district and Nyagatare district, respectively, than in farms in Muhanga district, after controlling for main breed on the farm. The odds of seropositivity to Brucella spp. were 2.8 times higher in farms with mostly local breeds, than in those with mostly crossbreeds; but the association was confounded by herd size and geographic location. At the animal level, the odds of seropositivity to Brucella spp. were 2.6 times higher in adult cattle than in young cattle (95% CI = 1.1, 6.3). Finally, we observed a high frequency of adult cattle (86%) and a high seroprevalence of brucellosis in adult cattle (25%) in Nyagatare; an indication that, in the absence of culling and other control measures, Brucella spp. infection pressure can be relatively constant and a steady source of disease transmission in pastoral systems in that district.
Physico-chemical parameters of Ikere-Gorge, Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Ajagbe S.O. , Odulate D.O. , Ariwoola O.S. , Abdulazeez F.I. , Ojubolamo M.T. , Adebisi-Fagbohungbe T.A. , Arabambi I.O. , Olomola A.O. , Oyekan O.O. , Fadimu B.O. , Ganiyu O.A.
Published: January 2021

Water quality determines the distribution of aquatic organisms within aquatic ecosystem. Deterioration of water quality is of a great concern in  freshwater ecosystem because of its adverse effects on freshwater organisms. Therefore, the physico-chemical parameters of Ikere-gorge were examined in this study to determine its suitability for fish production. Air and water temperature, transparency, electrical conductivity and totaldissolved solids were determined in-situ. Dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, hardness, phosphate and nitrate were determined with standard analytical methods. The selected parameters examined in this study were determined monthly between January 2017 and December 2018. The mean monthly values of physico-chemical parameters of Ikere-gorge obtained are as follows: air temperature (27.46±1.82 ºC), water temperature (28.14±1.57 ºC), pH (6.50±0.63), water transparency (1.34±0.12 m), dissolved oxygen (5.93±0.29 mg/L), electrical conductivity (130.59±7.59 μS/cm), total dissolved solids (67.67±4.37 mg/L), total hardness (56.70±15.76 mg/L), total alkalinity (58.97±9.53 mg/L), total phosphate (2.22±0.67 μg/L) and nitrate  (2.90±1.23 μg/L). Likewise, it was observed that surface water temperature had negative significant relationship with dissolved oxygen at P < 0.05.Transparency has negative significant relationship with phytoplankton abundance at 0.05 (P ˂ 0.05) and with phosphate and nitrate at 0.01 significant level. The annual mean of Trophic Status Index based on total phosphate is 15.04±1.63. This classified Ikere-gorge trophic status as mesotrophic at stage 2. The result of this study reveals the mesotrophic status of Ikere-gorge and water quality are within the ranges recommended  for fish production and should be adequately managed for sustainable fish production.

Keywords: Aquatic organisms, Ecosystem, Freshwater, Trophic state, Abundance
Virulent gene detection and antibiogramic profile of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from birds of a poultry farm
Authors: Omoruyi I.M. , Obodo I.C. , Obukohwo E.O. , Otoide F.E.
Published: January 2021

Methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are gaining global attention, largely due to their potential public health significance. In  the current study, we investigated the prevalence of MRSA in poultry birds from Benson Idahosa University farm. Twenty-five samples each from poultry droppings, cloacae and nostrils were collected aseptically and screened for total heterotrophic and Staphylococcus aureus counts usingstandard culture-based methods. Phenotypic identification of MRSA was carried out using mannitol-oxacillin agar, while the presence of virulence genes (mecA, entA, entB, entC, SCCmec (I, II, III) and tsstI) was investigated by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers. Also, the  antibiogramic activities and multi drug-resistant index were investigated against 6 clinically relevant antibiotics (oxacillin (1 μg), vancomycin (30 μg), ceftazidime (30 μg), ceftriaxone (30 μg), amikacin (30 μg) and ofloxacin (5 μg)). The results showed that total heterotrophic  bacterial and S. aureus are prevalent in poultry birds, with mean heterotrophic counts of 243.08 ± 21.01 × 105 cfu, 169.37 ± 25.30 × 105 cfu and 216 ± 15.89× 105 cfu for poultry droppings, cloacae and nostrils respectively and mean S. aureus counts of 176.30 ± 28.85 × 105 cfu for poultry droppings, 16.52 ± 11.92 × 105 cfu for cloacae and 5 2.72 ± 0.41 × 105 cfu for nostrils. Interestingly, 93.33%, 25% and 10.5% of S. aureus isolated from the droppings, cloacae and nostrils respectively were methicillin resistant. The antibiogramic activities showed the majority of isolates to be multi drug-resistant, while only one MRSA (from poultry droppings) had the mecA gene. The presence of these isolates in poultry birds is of a potential public health concern as they may travel through the food chain and efforts should be made by poultry owners to avoid the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.

Keywords: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Poultry; Public Health; Virulence Gene
Distribution and bioaccumulation of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCS) in Lagos Lagoon water, sediment and fish
Authors: Adeyi A.A.
Published: January 2021

Toxic chemical contaminants released from industrial, agricultural, and municipal sources continues to threaten aquatic ecosystems. Aquatic  ecosystems act as the final sinks accumulating and transporting numerous chemicals such as octylphenol (OP), nonylphenol (NP) and bisphenol-A (BPA). These chemicals are undesirable as they have been reported to possess endocrine disrupting properties. This study therefore assessesthe distribution and bioaccumulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in Lagos Lagoon. Water and sediment samples were collected at nine different locations on the lagoon. Five different species of fishes were also collected, identified and homogenized prior to sample pre-treatment. Samples were extracted, clean-up, derivatized and analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Physicochemical properties of  the samples were also determined. In the water samples, BPA was not detected in all the samples collected at the different locations while the concentrations of NP and OP ranged from ND-102 ng/L and ND-127 ng/L, respectively. The concentrations of the targeted compounds in the sediment samples ranged from ND- 5.08 μg/g BPA, ND-1.90 μg/g NP, and ND- 2.51 μg/g OP while the concentrations ranged from ND-1139 ng/g BPA, ND-476 ng/g NP, and ND-643 ng/g OP in the fish samples. This study revealed the occurrence of EDCs in Lagos lagoon water and their  accumulation in biota therein, which can have detrimental effects on other organisms across the food chain. Thus, the need to monitor these endocrine disrupting chemicals is imperative.

Keywords: EDCs; BPA; OP; NP; Lagos lagoon
Isolation of 2, 5-dithia-3, 6-diazabicyclo [2.2.1] heptane and GC-MS analysis of silylated extract from Tragia benthamii
Authors: Balogun O.S. , Oladosu I.A. , Liu Zhiqiang
Published: January 2021

Tragia benthamii is a medicinal plant of repute endemic in West Africa. However, despite the traditional uses of the plant its secondary metabolites are yet to be profiled. Thus, this study aimed at identifying the chemical  constituents of T. benthamii. Air-dried samples (600 g) of the plant were extracted with aqueous ethanol (95 %) and thereafter, portions of the crude extract obtained were used separately for chromatographic  purifications, GC-MS analysis and spectrophotometric quantitation of the secondary metabolites. The chromatographic purification of the extract afforded a pure compound elucidated as 2,5-dithia-3,6-diazabicyclo [2.2.1] heptane using spectroscopic techniques. Upon silylation and GC-MS analysis of the extract, derivatives of sugar (34.65%), fatty acids (24.11%) and phytol (21.00%) were identified as principal constituents. Also, a total of 6.25 mg rutin/g, 5.18 mg ginsenoside/g and 6.84 mg glucose/g dry weight sample were obtained for flavonoids, saponins and carbohydrate, respectively from the spectrophotometric quantitation. These secondary metabolites are being reported for the first time from this plant.

Keywords: Tragia benthamii; secondary metabolites; quantitative analysis; silylation
Test DOI
Authors: Name Admin Ad
Published: January 2021

---Abstract test DOI---
NGHIÊN CỨU MỘT SỐ YẾU TỐ ẢNH HƯỞNG TỚI VIỆC CHIẾT TÁCH VÀ XÁC ĐỊNH TÍNH KHÁNG KHUẨN, KHÁNG OXY HÓA CỦA DỊCH CHIẾT POLYPHENOL TỪ CÂY CHUA ME ĐẤT HOA VÀNG (OXALIS CORNICULATA L.)
Authors: NGỌC KHÔI PHẠM , THỊ HOÀI NHIÊN NGUYỄN
Published: January 2021

Đặt vấn đề: Cây chua me đất hoa vàng (Oxalis corniculata L.) được biết đến qua kinh nghiệm dân gian với công dụng chữa ho, viêm họng, sát trùng, mụn nhọt, tay chân lở loét; song hiện vẫn chưa có công trình nào nghiên cứu xác thực giá trị khoa học của loài cây này.

Mục tiêu: Nghiên cứu này được thực hiện nhằm khảo sát sự ảnh hưởng của điều kiện tách chiết đến hàm lượng polyphenol, đánh giá khả năng kháng khuẩn, kháng oxy hóa của dịch chiết polyphenol từ cây chua me đất hoa vàng.

Phương pháp nghiên cứu: Xác định độ tinh khiết của dược liệu, khảo sát sự ảnh hưởng của một số yếu tố đến hàm lượng polyphenol chiết được từ dược liệu, định tính sơ bộ thành phần hóa học của dược liệu và khảo sát hoạt tính kháng khuẩn, kháng oxy hóa của hợp chất polyphenol chiết được từ dược liệu.

Kết quả: Điều kiện chiết thích hợp nhất là: dung môi là methanol, nồng độ 90%, tỷ lệ mẫu:dung môi là 1:10 (g/mL), thời gian 6 giờ, nhiệt độ 60 oC. Khả năng kháng khuẩn ở mức trung bình đến mạnh ở một số chủng vi khuẩn của dịch chiết polyphenol từ cây chua me đất hoa vàng thể hiện qua đường kính vòng vô khuẩn đối với Streptococus feacalis, Proteus mirabili, Staphylococus aureus và Escherichia coli lần lượt là 10,9 mm, 18,2 mm, 21,4 mm và 25,2 mm ở nồng độ dịch chiết là 100 mg/mL. Dịch chiết polyphenol từ cây chua me đất hoa vàng còn thể hiện hoạt tính kháng oxy hóa khá cao với giá trị IC50 của khả năng bắt gốc tự do DPPH là 42,27 mg/mL khi so sánh với giá trị IC50 của vitamin C là 45,81 mg/mL.

Kết luận: Cây chua me đất hoa vàng là một loại dược liệu mới chứa các hợp chất polyphenol có khả năng kháng khuẩn và kháng oxy hóa. Loại dược liệu này có tiềm năng trong công nghệ bào chế dược phẩm và thực phẩm chức năng phục vụ sức khỏe con người.
IDENTIFYING CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS FOR CONSTRUCTION PARTNERING IN VIETNAM
Authors: CHAU DANG NGOC , LONG LE HOAI
Published: January 2021

Partnering has been applied in the Vietnamese construction industry for several recent years, due to many new challenges emanating from the global integration and economic booming. This paper focuses on critical success factors (CSFs) for partnering in the Vietnamese construction industry. Using mean score method, this paper identifies six key CSFs for partnering in Vietnamese construction, including financial security, commitment from top management, mutual trust between parties, adequate resources, effective communication, and clear understanding about scope and objectives. Using factor analysis technique, eight underlying components for partnering in Vietnamese construction are extracted, including dedication, readiness, coordination, teamwork, sufficiency, leading, balance, and clearness. The findings could provide construction practitioners with useful information for deploying partnering in the Vietnamese construction industry and, hence, increase the chance of partnering success.
CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS (CSFs) FOR PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS (PPP) IN MALAYSIAN
Authors: PHANG OH CHIN , TUAN KIET NGUYEN , VAN HUNG LE , KIM SOO-YONG , HUU DAT LE
Published: January 2021

Public Private Partnership (PPP) is an increasingly popular choice for policymakers in implementing important public projects. To ensure the ultimate objectives of PPP/PFI, identifying the critical success factors (CSFs) of PPP implementation is crucial. For countries that are new at adopting PPP it is even more important for them to identify the success factors in order to maximize the advantages of this method and to reduce the risks for all concerned parties. PPP was officially announced in Malaysia under the Ninth Malaysia Plan in 2006. Since then, many government projects were delivered via PPP. In this study, the factors that are considered critical to the success of PPP project implementation in Malaysia have become a subject for investigation. Factor analysis and survey expert were used in this case. The findings showed that the 17 CSFs could be grouped into six underlying factors. The main contribution of this study is supplement and improves knowledge in the management of PPP projects by exploring the relative importance of CSFs associated with PPP construction projects in the Malaysia. Several recommendations have been suggested in order to improve the overall performances of Malaysian PPP procurement.
PERFORMANCE OF SEISMICALLY ISOLATED BUILDINGS USING SFP BEARING: AN APPLICATION IN VIETNAM
Authors: NGUYEN NAM V. , HOANG HOA P. , HUA THAN T.
Published: January 2021

At present, the use of structural vibration control technology in the design of earthquake resistant in Vietnam is very limited. In this paper, a performance evaluation of using single friction pendulum bearing (SFP) for earthquake resistant buildings with earthquake conditions in Vietnam is presented. A one-dimensional (1-D) model of a 5-storey building subjected to earthquakes was developed for time history analysis. Accordingly, the model is analyzed in two configurations: with and without SFP bearing. The ground acceleration data was selected and scaled to fit the design acceleration in Hanoi determined from TCVN 9386:2012. The dynamic responses of the two configurations was evaluated in detail. It is shown that the seismically isolated configuration can reduce the base shear up to 90%. A significant decrease in the inter-story drift and absolute floor acceleration was also observed.
NGHIÊN CỨU MÔ HÌNH DỰ BÁO TỶ GIÁ TRUNG TÂM USD/VND BẰNG KỸ THUẬT PHÂN TÍCH CHUỖI THỜI GIAN BOX-JENKINS ARIMA
Authors: BA TRẦN THỨ
Published: January 2021

Tác giả nghiên cứu xây dựng và chọn lựa mô hình phù hợp dự báo tỷ giá trung tâm cho loại USD/VND. Phương pháp thực hiện bằng kỹ thuật phân tích chuỗi thời gian Box-Jankins ARIMA (autoregressive integrated moving average) với số liệu tỷ giá trung tâm bình quân thời kỳ (tháng) giai đoạn 2005 đến 2016 (2005M01 – 2016M12). Số liệu nghiên cứu được tác giả truy vấn và thu thập trên website của Quỹ tiền tệ quốc tế (IMF). Mục tiêu chính của báo cáo này là áp dụng mô hình ARIMA cũng như các kỹ thuật phân tích để xây dựng mô hình dự báo tỷ giá trung tâm hàng tháng (tỷ giá trung bình) của loại USD/VND. Ngoài ra, nghiên cứu còn nhằm mục đích gợi ý phương pháp và kỹ thuật phân tích chuỗi thời gian để giúp các nhà đầu tư, doanh nghiệp có thể phát triển thành các mô hình dự báo tỷ giá hàng ngày hoặc tỷ giá mua, tỷ giá bán của các định chế tài chính. Mức độ phù hợp của mô hình cũng như độ chính xác của dự báo được đánh giá thông qua các thông tin như: Normalize BIC, sai số tuyệt đối bình quân (MAE), tỷ lệ phần trăm sai số tuyệt đối trung bình (MAPE) và sai lệch bình phương trung bình (RMSE).
A New Data Fusion Method for Hybrid MMC/RNA Learning : Application to Automatic Speech Recognition
Authors: Lazli Lilia , Laskri Mohamed Tayeb
Published: January 2021

It is well known that traditional Hidden Markov Models (HMM) systems lead to a considerable improvement when more training data or more parameters are used. However, using more data with hybrid Hidden Markov Models and Artificial Neural Networks (HMM/ANN) models results in increased training times without improvements in performance. We developed in this work a new method based on automatically separating data into several sets and training several neural networks of Multi-Layer Perceptrons (MLP) type on each set. During the recognition phase, models are combined using several criteria (based on data fusion techniques) to provide the recognized word. We showed in this paper that this method significantly improved the recognition accuracy. This method was applied in an Arabic speech recognition system. This last is based on the one hand, on a fuzzy clustering (application of the fuzzy c-means algorithm) and of another share, on a segmentation at base of the genetic algorithms.

De nombreuses expériences ont déjà montré qu'une forte amélioration du taux de reconnaissance des systèmes MMC (Modèles de Markov Cachés) traditionnels est observée lorsque plus de données d'apprentissage sont utilisées. En revanche, l'augmentation du nombre de données d'apprentissage pour les modèles hybrides MMC/RNA (Modèles de Markov cachés/Réseaux de Neurones Artificiels) s'accompagne d'une forte augmentation du temps nécessaire à l'apprentissage des modèles, mais pas ou peu des performances du système. Pour pallier cette limitation, nous rapportons dans ce papier les résultats obtenus avec une nouvelle méthode d'apprentissage basée sur la fusion de données. Cette méthode a été appliquée dans un système de reconnaissance de la parole arabe. Ce dernier est basé d'une part, sur une segmentation floue (application de l'algorithme c-moyennes floues) et d'une autre part, sur une segmentation à base des algorithmes génétiques.
Shape optimization for the Stokes equations using topological sensitivity analysis
Authors: Maatoug Hassine
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we consider a shape optimization problem related to the Stokes equations. The proposed approach is based on a topological sensitivity analysis. It consists in an asymptotic expansion of a cost function with respect to the insertion of a small obstacle in the domain. The theoretical part of this work is discussed in both two and three dimensional cases. In the numerical part, we use this approach to optimize the shape of the tubes that connect the inlet to the outlets of the cavity maximizing the outflow rate.

Dans ce papier, on considère un problème d'optimisation de forme lié aux équations de Stokes. On propose une approche basée sur une analyse de sensibilité topologique. On donne un développement asymptotique d'une fonction coût par rapport à la perturbation du domaine par l'insertion d'un petit obstacle. Des résultats théoriques sont donnés en 2 D et 3 D. Dans la partie numérique, on utilise cette approche pour optimiser la forme des tubes liant l'entrée aux sorties d'une cavité
Projections et cohérence de vues dans les grammaires algébriques
Authors: Badouel Eric , Tchoupé Tchendji Maurice
Published: January 2021

A complex structured document is intentionnally represented as a tree decorated with attributes. The set of legal structures is given by an abstract context-free grammar. We forget about the attributes; they are related with semantical issues that can be treated independently of the purely structural aspects that we address in this article. That intentional representation may be asynchronously manipulated by a set of independent tools each of which operates on a distinct partial view of the whole structure. In order to synchronize these various partial views, we are faced to the problem of their coherence: can we decide whether there exists some global structure corresponding to a given set of partial views and in the affirmative, can we produce such a global structure ? We solve this problem in the case where a view is given by a subset of grammatical symbols, those associated with the so-called visible syntactical categories. The proposed algorithm, that strongly relies on the mechanism of lazy evaluation, produces an answer to this problem even if partial views may correspond to an infinite set of related global structures.

Un document structuré complexe est représenté intentionnellement sous la forme d'une structure arborescente décorée par des attributs. Les structures licites sont caractérisées par une grammaire algébrique abstraite. Nous faisons ici abstraction des attributs ; ces derniers sont liés à des aspects sémantiques qui peuvent être traités séparément des aspects purement structurels qui nous intéressent ici. Cette représentation intentionnelle peut être manipulée de façon indépendante et éventuellement non synchronisée par divers outils d'édition et de manipulation qui opèrent sur des vues partielles distinctes du même document. Pour la re-synchronisation de ces vues partielles nous devons résoudre le problème de leur cohérence : décider s'il existe un document correspondant à ces différentes vues et dans l'affirmative produire un tel document. Nous montrons comment résoudre ce problème dans le cas où chaque vue est associée à un sous-ensemble des symboles grammaticaux : ceux qui correspondent aux catégories syntaxiques visibles. L'algorithme proposé, qui repose fortement sur le mécanisme d'évaluation paresseuse, résout ce problème même dans le cas où chaque vue partielle correspond à un nombre infini de documents possibles.
Quantitative analysis of metabolic networks and design of minimal bioreaction models
Authors: Bastin Georges
Published: January 2021

This tutorial paper is concerned with the design of macroscopic bioreaction models on the basis a quantitative analysis of the underlying cell metabolism. The paper starts with a review of two fundamental algebraic techniques for the quantitative analysis of metabolic networks : (i) the decomposition of complex metabolic networks into elementary pathways (or elementary modes), (ii) the metabolic flux analysis which aims at computing the entire intracellular flux distribution from a limited number of flux meaurements. Then it is discussed how these two fundamental techniques can be exploited to design minimal bioreaction models by using a systematic model reduction approach that automatically produces a family of equivalent minimal models which are fully compatible with the underlying metabolism and consistent with the available experimental data. The theory is illustrated with an experimental case-study on CHO cells.

Cet article tutoriel traite de la conception de modèles de bioréactions macroscopiques sur la base d’une analyse quantitative du métabolisme cellulaire sous-jacent. L’article commence par un rappel de deux techniques algébriques fondamentales pour l’analyse quantitative des réseaux métaboliques : (i) la décomposition des réseaux métaboliques complexes en chemins élémentaires (ou modes élémentaires), (ii) l’analyse des flux métaboliques qui vise à calculer la totalité des flux métaboliques intracellulaires à partir d’un ensemble limité de mesures. On montre ensuite comment ces deux techniques peuvent être exploitées pour concevoir des modèles minimaux de bioréactions en utilisant une approche systématique de réduction de modèle qui produit automatiquement une famille de modèles minimaux équivalents compatibles non seulement avec les données expérimentales mais aussi avec le métabolisme sous-jacent. La théorie est illustrée avec une étude de cas expérimentale sur des cellules CHO.
Uncoupling Isaacs’equations in nonzero-sum two-player differential games : The example of conflict over parental care
Authors: Hamelin Frédéric , Bernhard Pierre
Published: January 2021

We use a recently uncovered decoupling of Isaacs PDE’s of some mixed closed loop Nash equilibria to give a rather complete analysis of the classical problem of conflict over parental care in behavioural ecology, for a more general set up than had been considered heretofore.

On utilise un découplage récemment mis en évidence des équations d’Isaacs d’un jeu différentiel pour des stratégies mixtes singulières particulières pour donner une analyse assez complète d’un problème classique en écologie comportementale concernant le conflit à propos des soins parentaux.
Evaluation objective des méthodes de segmentation des maillages polygonaux 3D basée sur la classification de régions
Authors: Zguira Amira , Doggaz Narjes , Zagoubra Ezzeddine
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we propose an objective evaluation approach of polygonal 3D mesh segmentation algorithms. Our approach is based on region classification. For that, we classify first manual segmented mesh into convex, concave and planar regions. Secondly, we present three quality measures that quantify the similarity of each type of region of the ground-truth relatively to the segmentation obtained by an automatic algorithm. We apply this approach on eight wellselected existing algorithms on heterogeneous images. This provides better understanding as to the strengths and weaknesses of each technique in function of each mesh-regions type in the aim to make the better choice concerning the segmentation algorithms for different applications.

Dans ce papier, nous proposons une approche d'évaluation objective des algorithmes de segmentation des maillages polygonaux 3D, basée sur la classification de régions. Cette approche commence par un processus de classification de régions du maillage constituant la vérité-terrain en régions convexes, concaves et planes. Nous présentons ensuite trois mesures de qualité qui permettent de quantifier la similarité de chaque type de région de la vérité-terrain par rapport à la segmentation obtenue par un algorithme automatique. Nous appliquons l’approche proposée sur un échantillon de huit techniques de segmentation bien choisies sur une base d’images hétérogène. Les résultats d’évaluation obtenus permettent d’assurer une meilleure compréhension des points forts et faibles de chaque technique dans la segmentation des différents types de régions du maillage et ceci afin d’aiguiller correctement le choix des algorithmes de segmentation pour différentes applications.
Population dynamics modelling : Impact of climate change on tick populations
Authors: Khouaja Leila , Ben Miled Slimane , Hbid Hassan
Published: January 2021

Epidemiology had an important development these last years allowing the resolution of a large number of problems and had good prediction on disease evolution. However, the transmission of several vector-borne diseases is closely connected to environmental protagonists, specially in the parasite-host interaction. Moreover, understanding the disease transmission is related to studying the ecology of all protagonists. These two levels of complexity(epidemiology and ecology) cannot be separated and have to be studied as a whole in a systematic way. Our goal is to understand the interaction of climate change on the evolution of a disease when the vector has ecological niche that depends on physiological state of development. We are particularly interested in tick vector diseases which are serious health problem affecting humans as well as domestic animals in many parts of the world. These infections are transmitted through a bite of an infected tick, and it appears that most of these infections are widely present in some wildlife species.

L'épidémiologie a connu un développement important ces dernières années. Cette discipline a permis une meilleure compréhension del'évolution de maladies. Cependant, plusieurs maladies à transmission vectorielle sont étroitement liées aux protagonistes environnementaux. Ce constat est particulièrement vrai dans le contexte des interactions du parasite avec son hôte. De plus, comprendre la transmission de maladie est lié à l'étude de l'écologie de tous les protagonistes. Notre objectif est de comprendre l'influence du changement climatique sur l'évolution des maladies lorsque la niche écologique du vecteur dépend de l'état de développement physiologique de son hôte. Nous sommes particulièrement intéressés par les maladies vectorielles à tiques qui constituent un grave problème de santé touchant l'être humain et les animaux domestiques dans de nombreuses régions du monde. Ces infections sont généralement transmises par la piqûre d'une tique infectée et il apparaît que la plupart de ces infections sont largement présentées dans certaines espèces fauniques
XPath bipolar queries and evaluation
Authors: Tchoupé Tchendji Maurice , Nguefack Brice
Published: January 2021

The concept of bipolar queries (also call preferences queries) emerged in the Relational Databasescommunity, allowing users to get much more relevant responses to their requests, expressed via queries say withpreferences. Such requests usually have two parts: the first is used to express the strict constraints and thesecond, preferences or wishes. Any response to a query with preferences must necessarily satisfy the first partand preferably the latter. However, if there is at least a satisfactory answer of the second part, those satisfyingonly the first part will be excluded from the final result: they are dominated. In this paper, we explore an approachof importation of this concept in a XML Database via XPath language. To do this, we propose PrefSXPathlanguage, an extension of XPath in order to express XPath queries with structural preferences, then we presenta query evaluation algorithm of PrefSXPath using automata

Le concept de requêtes bipolaires (on parle aussi de requêtes avec préférences) a émergé dans la communauté des Bases de Données Relationnelles, pour permettre aux utilisateurs d'obtenir des réponses beaucoup plus pertinentes à leurs préoccupations, exprimées via des requêtes dites avec préférences. De telles requêtes ont généralement deux parties : la première permet d'exprimer les contraintes strictes et la seconde, des préférences ou souhaits. Toute réponse à une requête avec préférences doit nécessairement satisfaire la première partie et préférentiellement la seconde. Toutefois, s'il existe au moins une réponse satisfaisant la seconde partie, toutes les réponses ne satisfaisant que la première partie seront exclues du résultat final : elles sont dominées. Dans ce papier, nous explorons une approche d'importation de ce concept dans les Bases de Données XML via le langage XPath. Pour ce faire, nous proposons le langage PrefSXPath, une extension du langage XPath permettant d'exprimer les requêtes XPath avec préférences structurelles, puis, nous présentons un algorithme d'évaluation des requêtes PrefSXPath à l'aide des automates. ABSTRACT. The concept of bipolar queries (also call preferences queries) emerged in the Relational Databases community, allowing users to get much more relevant responses to their requests, expressed via queries say with preferences. Such requests usually have two parts: the first is used to express the strict constraints and the second, preferences or wishes. Any response to a query with preferences must necessarily satisfy the first part and preferably the latter. However, if there is at least a satisfactory answer of the second part, those satisfying only the first part will be excluded from the final result: they are dominated. In this paper, we explore an approach of importation of this concept in a XML Database via XPath language. To do this, we propose PrefSXPath language, an extension of XPath in order to express XPath queries with structural preferences, then we present a query evaluation algorithm of PrefSXPath using automata.
Photovoltaic Hybrid Systems for remote villages
Authors: Ngundam J.M. , Kenne G. , Nfah Eustace Mbaka
Published: January 2021

Electricity access in remote areas of Sub-Saharan Africa is limited due to high costs of grid extension to areas characterised by low population and low energy densities. Photovoltaic hybrid systems can be computed using an energy balance equation involving one unknown. For hypothetical village with an average daily energy demand of 153.6 kWh/d, the monthly energy output of photovoltaic modules at Garoua, Cameroon, enabled the evaluation of feasible photovoltaic hybrid (PVHS) options. An option with a renewable energy fraction of 0.557 having lower initial investments is suggested for electrification of more remote villages in Sub-Saharan African countries which have high solar radiation levels. This option comprises a 23.56 kWp PV array, a 15 kWp PV inverter, a 25 kW bi-directional inverter, a battery bank of capacity 324.48 kWh and a 25 kW diesel generator with an operating time of 1309 h/yr or 3.59h/d. The size of the PV array determined is smaller compared to the sizes of PV arrays which have been evaluated in the range 30-45 kWp using HOMER software for medium villages in Senegal.

L’access à l’éléctricité en Afrique Sub-saharienne est limité par le cout élevé d’extension des resaux electriques vers les zones isolées caracterisés par une faible densité de la population et une faible densité de consummation de l’energie electrique. Les systemes hyrides photovoltaiques peuvent étre evalués avec une equation energétique à un inconue. Pour un village hypothetique avec une demande énergétique quotidienne de 153.6 kWh/jr, les productions énergetique mensuelles des modules photovotaiques à Garoua, au Cameroun, ont permis l’evaluation des options photovoltatiques hybrides realisables. Une option avec une fraction d’énergie renouvelable de 0,557 ayant un investment initial inféreur est suggerée pour l’électrification de villages plus éloignés dans l’Afrique subsaharienne qui ont des niveaux élevés de rayonnement solaires. Cette option comprend un générateur photovotaique de 23,56 kWc, un onduleur photovoltaique de 15 kWc, un inverseur bidirectionnel de 25 kW, un groupe de batterie d’une capacité de 324.48 kWh, et un groupe electrogene diesel de 25 kW avec un temps de fonctionnement de 1309 h/an ou 3.59h/j. La taille du générateur photovoltaique determiné est inférieur à celle des générateurs photovoltaiques dans la plage allant de 30 à 45 kWc à l’aide du logiciel HOMER pour les villages moyenne du Senegal comptant 750 habitants.