bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Verification of examination procedures in clinical laboratory for imprecision, trueness and diagnostic accuracy according to ISO 15189:2012: a pragmatic approach
Authors: Antonelli Giorgia , Padoan Andrea , Aita Ada , Sciacovelli Laura , Plebani Mario
Published: July 2022

Background

The International Standard ISO 15189 is recognized as a valuable guide in ensuring high quality clinical laboratory services and promoting the harmonization of accreditation programmes in laboratory medicine. Examination procedures must be verified in order to guarantee that their performance characteristics are congruent with the intended scope of the test. The aim of the present study was to propose a practice model for implementing procedures employed for the verification of validated examination procedures already used for at least 2 years in our laboratory, in agreement with the ISO 15189 requirement at the Section 5.5.1.2.

Methods

In order to identify the operative procedure to be used, approved documents were identified, together with the definition of performance characteristics to be evaluated for the different methods; the examination procedures used in laboratory were analyzed and checked for performance specifications reported by manufacturers. Then, operative flow charts were identified to compare the laboratory performance characteristics with those declared by manufacturers.

Results

The choice of performance characteristics for verification was based on approved documents used as guidance, and the specific purpose tests undertaken, a consideration being made of: imprecision and trueness for quantitative methods; diagnostic accuracy for qualitative methods; imprecision together with diagnostic accuracy for semi-quantitative methods.

Conclusions

The described approach, balancing technological possibilities, risks and costs and assuring the compliance of the fundamental component of result accuracy, appears promising as an easily applicable and flexible procedure helping laboratories to comply with the ISO 15189 requirements.
Two-site evaluation of the Roche Elecsys Vitamin D total III assay
Authors: Favresse Julien , Schiettecatte Johan , Wolff Fleur , Cotton Frederic , Elsen Marc , Eucher Christine , Rosseels Catherine , Anckaert Ellen
Published: July 2022

Objectives

The high request for vitamin D testing in the last decades has led manufacturers to develop assays on automated immunoassay platforms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the new Elecsys Vitamin D total III assay for the measurement of total 25(OH)D.

Methods

A total of 844 serum samples collected in two clinical laboratories were used to evaluate the new Roche Elecsys Vitamin D total III assay. Comparisons with Roche Elecsys Vitamin D total II and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were carried out. Additionally, assay imprecision, linearity, matrix effects, biotin interference, cross-reactivity with 24,25(OH)2D3 and 3-epi-25(OH)D3, and outlier rate were evaluated for the Elecsys Vitamin D total III assay.

Results

Only the comparison between LC-MS/MS and Roche Elecsys Vitamin D total III achieved the optimal specification for bias (i.e., <3.4%). Imprecision, linearity and matrix effects showed acceptable results. The biotin interference threshold was increased up to 1,200 ng/mL and the outlier rate was low (0.26%). The cross-reactivity with 24,25(OH)2D3 and 3-epi-25(OH)D3 was weak or modest in available patient samples. However, using SRM972a with a high level of 3-epi-25(OH)D3 (enriched) revealed an important cross-reactivity with both Roche Elecsys Vitamin D total II and III assays (+74.7% and +73.7%).

Conclusions

In conclusion, the Roche Elecsys Vitamin D total III assay presents several advantages compared to the previous assay generation: higher biotin interference threshold, broader measuring range, and better comparability with LC-MS/MS. However, the cross-reactivity toward 3-epi-25(OH)D3 is still problematic in high titer samples.
On the use of binary operations for the construction of a multiply transitive class of block transformations
Authors: Cherednik Igor V.
Published: July 2022

We continue to study the set of block transformations

$ \{{\it\Sigma}^F : F\in\mathcal B^*({\it\Omega})\} $

implemented by a binary network Σ endowed with a binary operation F invertible in the second variable. For an arbitrary k⩾2 we obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for k-transitivity of the set of transformations

$ \{{\it{\it\Sigma}}^F \colon F\in\mathcal B^*({\it\Omega})\} $

, and propose an efficient method for checking whether these conditions hold. We also introduce two methods for construction of networks Σ such that the sets of transformations

$ \{{\it\Sigma}^F\colon F\in\mathcal B^*(\Omega)\} $

are k-transitive.
Trees with a given number of leaves and the maximal number of maximum independent sets
Authors: Taletskii Dmitriy S. , Malyshev Dmitriy S.
Published: July 2022

A complete description of trees with maximal possible number of maximum independent sets among all n-vertex trees with exactly l leaves is obtained. For all values of the parameters n and l the extremal tree is unique and is the result of merging the endpoints of l simple paths.
Properties of multitype subcritical branching processes in random environment
Authors: Vatutin Vladimir A. , Dyakonova Elena E.
Published: July 2022

We study properties of a p-type subcritical branching process in random environment initiated at moment zero by a vector z = (z
1, .., z

p
) of particles of different types. For p = 1 the class of processes we consider corresponds to the so-called strongly subcritical case. It is shown that the survival probability of this process up to moment n behaves as C(z)λ

n
for large n, where the parameters λ ∈ (0, 1) and C(z) ∈ (0, ∞) are explicitly described in terms of the characteristics of the process. We also demonstrate that the distribution of the number of particles of different types at moment n → ∞ (given its survival up to this moment) does not asymptotically depend on the number and types of particles initiated the process.
Ergodicity of the probabilistic converter, a serial connection of two automata
Authors: Kruglov Igor A.
Published: July 2022

The paper provides necessary and sufficient conditions for the the ergodicity of a serial connection of automata under which the output sequence of a substitution Mealy automaton is fed to the input of an output-free substitution automaton. It is shown that the condition of complete indecomposability of the state transition probability matrix of a Mealy automaton provides a sufficient condition for ergodicity of the probabilistic converter as a serial connection of automata. It is also shown that if the partial state transition functions of a Mealy automaton commute, then the condition of ergodicity of a serial connection is equivalent to that of both original probabilistic converters.
Continuality of classes of functions in multivalued logic with minimal logarithmic growth rate
Authors: Komkov Stepan A.
Published: July 2022

We show that in multivalued logic there exist a continual family of pairwise incomparable closed sets with minimal logarithmic growth rate and a continual chain of nested closed sets with minimal logarithmic growth rate. As a corollary we prove that any subset-preserving class in multivalued logic contains a continual chain of nested closed sets and a continual family of pairwise incomparable closed sets such that none of the sets is a subset of any other precomplete class.
Completeness criterion with respect to the enumeration closure operator in the three-valued logic
Authors: Marchenkov Sergey S. , Prostov Vasilii A.
Published: July 2022

The enumeration closure operator (the Π-operator) is considered on the set Pk
of functions of the k-valued logic. It is proved that, for any k ⩾ 2, any positively precomplete class in Pk
is also Π-precomplete. It is also established that there are no other Π-precomplete classes in the three-valued logic.
Finding periods of Zhegalkin polynomials
Authors: Selezneva Svetlana N.
Published: July 2022

A period of a Boolean function f(x
1, …, x

n
) is a binary n-tuple a = (a
1, …, a

n
) that satisfies the identity f(x
1 + a
1, …, xn
+ a

n
) = f(x
1, …, x

n
). A Boolean function is periodic if it admits a nonzero period. We propose an algorithm that takes the Zhegalkin polynomial of a Boolean function f(x
1, …, x

n
) as the input and finds a basis of the space of all periods of f(x
1, …, x

n
). The complexity of this algorithm is n

O(d), where d is the degree of the function f. As a corollary we show that a basis of the space of all periods of a Boolean function specified by the Zhegalkin polynomial of a bounded degree may be found with complexity which is polynomial in the number of variables.
Admissible and Bayes decisions with fuzzy-valued losses
Authors: Shvedov Alexey S.
Published: July 2022

Some results of classical statistical decision theory are generalized by means of the theory of fuzzy sets. The concepts of an admissible decision in the restricted sense, an admissible decision in the broad sense, a Bayes decision in the restricted sense, and a Bayes decision in the broad sense are introduced. It is proved that any Bayes decision in the broad sense with positive prior discrete density is admissible in the restricted sense. The class of Bayes decisions is shown to be complete under certain conditions on the loss function. Problems with a finite set of possible states are considered.
Development of a dimensionless and dynamic model of the three-phase trickle bed reactor in light naphtha isomerization process: effects of axial mass dispersion and liquid-solid mass transfer on isomers concentration
Authors: Ghafari Sara , Lay Ebrahim Nemati , Garshasbi Morteza
Published: July 2022

This study develops a general dimensionless model for a three-phase trickle bed reactor in the light naphtha isomerization process. The simulations are accomplished to study its conduct. The model brings up a one-dimensional axial dispersed flow to characterize dispersity and liquid-solid mass transfer in the forms of dimensionless Peclet and mass Stanton numbers under adiabatic conditions. It considers the essential reactions extant in the isomerization process comprising isomerization, hydrogenation, and hydrocracking reactions applying a precise approach of dimensionless kinetic equations and rate constants. The Crank–Nicolson method and a nonstandard finite difference approach are utilized for large systems of time-spatial PDEs to resolve the dynamic reactor model with MATLAB software. The aim is to elucidate how these large systems of PDEs and nonlinear ODEs can be solved with a comprehensive computation in the form of physical dimensionless numbers. The isomers compositions estimated with the suggested model are in corroboration simulation results obtained by empirical information. The dynamics are evaluated to consider the system conduct with a variation in the hydrogen concentration of the feedstock.
On the algebraic immunity of multiplexer Boolean functions
Authors: Mishra Prasanna R. , Pandey Shashi Kant
Published: July 2022

A multiplexer generator is a device that accepts two or more inputs and based on some logic sends one of them as output. In a special case when inputs to a multiplexer generator are

2

k

{2}^{k}

bits and one of them is selected according to the value of a

k

k

-bit number, a multiplexer generator can be regarded as a Boolean function in

2

k

+
k

{2}^{k}+k

variables. We call this generator a multiplexer Boolean function. Boolean functions serve as combiners and filters in cryptographic designs. The study of their cryptographic strength attracts the cryptographer because of the extremely simple and cost effective of their design. The study of algebraic attacks on multiplexer generators is another major concern to judging the suitability for its use in cryptographic designs. In this article, we calculate the algebraic immunity of the multiplexer Boolean function, which is not an obvious task in the case of a Boolean function like a multiplexer generator.
Atmospheric transport modelling related to radionuclide monitoring in support of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty verification
Authors: Kalinowski M.B.
Published: July 2022

Global monitoring for relevant radionuclides in the atmosphere serves as part of the International Monitoring System to verify compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban-Treaty (CTBT). Atmospheric transport modelling can be applied to support these measurements and to get indications for possible source locations of detected relevant anthropogenic nuclides. This paper puts a focus on those issues that are of relevance to the International Data Centre (IDC). Possible methods of atmospheric transport modelling are outlined. The current tentative implementation at the IDC is described here.
»Verehrter Parteigenosse Landfried!«
Authors: Pahl Magnus , Wagner Armin
Published: July 2022

Vom Juli bis Dezember 2019 zeigte das Militärhistorische Museum der Bundeswehr (MHM) in Dresden eine Ausstellung anlässlich des 75. Jahrestages des Attentats auf Adolf Hitler und des geplanten Umsturzversuches vom 20. Juli 1944. Nach Publikation des Katalogs kamen Verdachtsmomente auf, einige der dort gezeigten Dokumente seien gefälscht. Prüfungen des Museums, unter anderem mit Unterstützung des Landeskriminalamtes Sachsen, bestätigten diesen Verdacht teilweise. Der Beitrag beschreibt, wie die entsprechenden Schriftstücke an das MHM kamen, warum sie für echt gehalten und in der Ausstellung präsentiert wurden und wie im Nachgang die Fälschung erkannt wurde. Er schließt mit knappen Überlegungen, was künftig daraus für den Erwerb von Museumsgut zu folgern ist.
Oscillatory and asymptotic behavior of solutions of third-order quasi-linear neutral difference equations
Authors: Gopal T. , Ayyappan G. , Graef John R. , Thandapani E.
Published: July 2022

By using comparison theorems, the authors investigate the oscillatory and asymptotic behavior of solutions to the third-order quasi-linear neutral difference equation

$$\begin{array}{} \displaystyle \Delta\left(a(n)\left(\Delta^2 z(n) \right)^\alpha \right)+q(n)x^\beta(\sigma(n))=0, \end{array}$$

wherez(n) =x(n) +px(n−k). Under less restrictive conditions on the coefficient functions and on the delay argumentσ(n) than currently found in the literature, their criteria improve a number of known related results. The results are illustrated with examples.
Fuzzy fixed point theorems and Ulam-Hyers stability of fuzzy set-valued maps
Authors: Alansari Monairah , Shagari Mohammed Shehu , Azam Akbar
Published: July 2022

In this paper, new common fuzzy fixed point theorems for sequence of fuzzy set-valued maps in the framework of complete b-metric spaces are established. Consequently, corresponding fixed point theorems in the setting of point-to-set-valued and single-valued mappings are deduced. A few nontrivial examples which dwell upon the generality of our results are provided. Moreover, following the fact that most available Ulam-Hyers type stability results deal with crisp mappings, we initiate the study of stability and well-posedness of functional inclusions involving fuzzy set-valued maps. It is well-known that solution of any functional inclusion is a subset of an appropriate ambient space. With this information, fuzzy fixed point problem for which the right-hand-side is a cut set of a fuzzy set-valued map is introduced. Furthermore, sufficient conditions for existence of solutions of Cantilever Beam Problem and integral inclusions are investigated to indicate the usability of our obtained results.
The crystal structure of dichlorido-bis((RS)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)hexanenitrile-κ1
N)zinc(II), C30H34Cl4N8Zn
Authors: Liu Hui-Jin
Published: July 2022

C30H34Cl4N8Zn, orthorhombic, Pca21 (no. 29), a = 20.235(2) Å, b = 6.5462(8) Å, c = 27.386(3) Å, V = 3627.6(7) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0477, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1128, T = 293(2) K.
Spiritual Ends: Religion and the Heart of Dying in Japan
Authors: Benedict Timothy O.
Published: July 2022

What role does religion play at the end of life in Japan? Spiritual Ends draws on ethnographic fieldwork and interviews to provide an intimate portrayal of how spiritual care is provided to the dying in Japan. Timothy O. Benedict shows how hospice caregivers in Japan are appropriating and reinterpreting global ideas about spirituality and the practice of spiritual care. Benedict relates these findings to a longer story of how Japanese religious groups have pursued vocational roles in medical institutions as a means to demonstrate a so-called “healthy” role in society. Focusing on how care for the kokoro (heart or mind) is key to the practice of spiritual care, this book enriches conventional understandings of religious identity in Japan while offering a valuable East Asian perspective to global conversations on the ways religion, spirituality, and medicine intersect at death.
Creation of mental maps - innovative way of organizing information during study
Authors:   Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ukraine, Lisetska I.S. , Volyak Y.M. ,   Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ukraine
Published: July 2022

Reforming higher education, including medical, involves the introduction of the latest educational technologies, which allows to prepare future doctors who can synthesize the acquired theoretical and practical material to correctly diagnose and choose treatment, make decisions in non-standard situations, ie, develop in them clinical thinking. It is established that the information provided in the text version is assimilated by about 70% of students, while the text is supplemented by diagrams, drawings, tables - about 95% of students. In addition, on the one hand it allows to cover the entire structure of the submitted material, on the other hand - reveals the specifics and features of each element in particular. One of the modern innovative ways of organizing information during learning is mental maps - a technique of visualization of thinking; method of recording, using lists and diagrams (for example, «trees» or charts). Mental maps are widely used during the learning process, for example to process and organize information, keep notes of practical classes conducting practical classes and lectures, create lecture presentations, activate the creative component to generate new ideas, brainstorming and more. Mind maps can be created both by drawing and using computer programs such as Google (www.coggle.it), Freemind, MindMeister (www.mindmeister.com) etc. Therefore, to better absorb information, improve the preparation of students for final certification and further professional activities, it is advisable to use a variety of modern educational technologies, including the creation of mental maps that develop thinking, memory and imagination, as well as creativity that promotes effective formation of professional competencies in students. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local ethics committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors. Key words: mental map, learning technology, information, educational process
On the question of nutrition of children with rheumatic diseases
Authors:   Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv, Oshlianska O.A. ,   SI «Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology named after academician O.M. Lukyanova of the NAMS of Ukraine», Kyiv, Okhotnikova O.M. ,   Shupyk National University of Healthcare of Ukraine, Kyiv, Kvashnina L.V. ,   SI «Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology named after academician O.M. Lukyanova of the NAMS of Ukraine», Kyiv
Published: July 2022

The article presents data from recent studies on the influence of active components of food and diet on the course of rheumatic diseases, it was discussed the main current recommendations for patient nutrition. It has been shown that nutrition does not have a proven direct effect on the course of rheumatic diseases in children, which is why without standardized drug therapy can not prescribe any diet, but by increasing the variety of foods and their overall harmonization, the doctor's recommended diet reduce the manifestations of comorbid conditions or side effects of treatment. In children with rheumatic pathology who have lesions of the visceral organs (heart, liver, kidneys), the diet should be used in accordance with the guidelines for the treatment of relevant pathological conditions. Similarly, only patients with a proven deficiency of vitamins (including vitamin D) should be prescribed the necessary drugs in accordance with the relevant guidelines. In the case of a combination of such disorders, it is advisable to individualize the diet with the involvement of a professional nutritionist. Pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases and their parents should be informed by a physician about the importance of a healthy diet that meets the age requirements and includes a variety of foods high in grains, fruits and vegetables, low in saturated fat, moderate in sugar, but complete removal of any -what foods from the diet is impractical. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors. Key words: diet, children, rheumatic diseases.
Modern approaches to the treatment of congenital neutropenia
Authors:   I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ukraine, Boyarchuk O.R.
Published: July 2022

Neutropenia is common in the practice of both primary care physicians and physicians of sub-speciality. Congenital neutropenia are rare diseases; they can be both isolated independent diseases and accompany a number of other inborn errors of immunity. The clinical course of neutropenia can range from asymptomatic in patients with mild neutropenia to life-threatening infections in cases of severe neutropenia. Treatment of congenital neutropenia remains discutable to this day. The most common and accessible method of treatment of severe congenital neutropenia is granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, although it does not cure the disease and does not prevent the development of malignant transformation. On the other hand, the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the correct doses can improve the clinical course of the disease, the quality of life of patients, avoid severe septic complications. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant is an effective treatment for severe congenital neutropenia that does not respond to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor therapy. Modern methods of genetic therapy open new perspectives in the treatment of patients with severe congenital neutropenia. No conflict of interests was declared by the author. Key words: congenital neutropenia, treatment, Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).
Tyrosinemia type 1 in a child, experience of a hematologist. Clinical case
Authors:   СNE of Lviv regional council «Western Ukrainian Specialized Pediatric Medical Centre», Ukraine, Dorosh O.I. ,   Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Ukraine, Dushar M.I. ,   SI «Institute of Hereditary Pathology of the NAMS of Ukraine», Lviv, Masynnyk Yu.S. ,   Center for Medical Innovations NOVO, Lviv, Ukraine, Stegnitskaya M.V. ,   СNE of Lviv regional council «Western Ukrainian Specialized Pediatric Medical Centre», Ukraine
Published: July 2022

Tyrosinemia is a rare metabolic disease resulting from a metabolic disorder of amino acids, which can occur under the «masks» of various diseases, debut as a hemorrhagic syndrome in children of all age groups, hepatolienal syndrome, hypoglycemia, rickets-like disease, peripheral neuropathy. Clinical case. In our publication, we report on a girl at the age of 1 year 7 months who had recurrent nosebleeds, which led to a referral to a hematologist. Examination revealed hepatomegaly with impaired liver function (hypoproteinemia, long-term resistant hypoglycemia, coagulopathy) with the development of chronic liver failure, ascites and splenomegaly with signs of hypersplenism, ascites, and nephromegaly. Differential diagnostics was carried out between oncohematological process, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and metabolic disease. Type 1 tyrosinemia (hereditary infantile tyrosinemia (HT-1)) was verified by a combination of clinical and biochemical, molecular genetic studies. Verification of the disease came from the spectrometry of amino acids, acylcarnitines, succinal acetates and molecular genetic studies. Molecular genetic studies in the INVITAE laboratory, USA revealed two pathogenic variants identified in the FAH gene c.1069G>T (p.Glu357*) and c.554-1G>T, which are associated with autosomal recessive tyrosinemia. The emphasis in the publication is on the differential diagnosis, the effectiveness of the treatment of this orphan disease. The method of pathogenetic therapy of HT-1 is described in detail, both with the use of the drug nitisinone (orphadin) registered in Ukraine, a special diet with a low content of phenylalanine / tyrosine, which have a pronounced positive clinical effect and prevent the formation of irreversible disabling disorders. We emphasize the need for early diagnosis of HT-1 and support the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in the initiative of routine neonatal screening for orphan diseases, which include HT-1, since timely treatment improves the quality of life in these patients. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki declaration. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors. Key words: hepatosplenomegaly, nephromegaly, tyrosinemia type 1, children.
Hepatic vein thrombosis in a child with COVID-19: clinical case
Authors:   I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ukraine, Boyarchuk O.R. , Nykytyuk S.O. ,   I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ukraine, Borys Z.Ya. ,   Ternopil Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital, Ukraine, Levenets S.S. ,   I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ukraine, Shylo O.R. ,   Ternopil Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital, Ukraine
Published: July 2022

Predisposition to venous thromboembolism is characteristic of SARS-CoV-2 infection, as thromboinflammation is one of the leading parts in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and the cause of life-threatening conditions and death. We presented a clinical case of hepatic vein thrombosis in a 1-year-9-month-old girl with COVID-19 who met the MIS-C criteria. The girl was admitted to the hospital on the first day of the disease with complaints of repeated vomiting, fever up to 38.5-390C, severe weakness, refusal to eat and drink, a slight cough. The severity of the patient’s condition was due to fever and intoxication syndrome. There were manifestations of acute pharyngitis. In the first days we observed leukocytosis with neutrophilia, moderate lymphopenia, elevated levels of C-reactive protein, hypoalbuminemia, accelerated ESR. On admissiona rapid antigen test and PCR for SARS-CoV-2 were negative. Abdominal ultrasound revealed microthrombosis of the hepatic veins with inflammatory changes in the vessels, a small amount of free fluid in the abdominal cavity. Echocardiography detected the presence of fluid in the pericardial cavity. The level of D-dimer was increased to 943 ng/ml. Subsequently, COVID-19 was confirmed by serological testing. Conclusions. Thus, thrombosis of the veins of the internal organs, despite their rarity in childhood, can occur in COVID-19 and MIS-C and indicate thromboinflammation, which requires caution about their possible development and the correct diagnostic algorithm. Determination of the level of D-dimer and Doppler ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity allows the diagnosis of thrombotic events in splanchnic organs in patients with COVID-19 and provide adequate treatment. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors. Key words: COVID-19, hepatic vein thrombosis, thromboinflammation, multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C).
Evaluation of particle size on the physicochemical properties of Moringa oleifera Lam. stem powder
Authors: Zhang Yue , Liang Kehong , Wang Jing , Wang Aili , Pandiselvam R. , Zhu Hong
Published: July 2022

Moringa oleifera Lam. stem (MOS) has been used for beneficial dietary and medicinal purposes. In this work, MOS samples of six different particle sizes were produced using sieve-based mechanical grinding to investigate the impact of varying particle sizes on the physicochemical properties of MOS powder. Scanning electron microscopic images revealed the destroyed fiber structures after grinding. The color turned greener and less yellow with decreasing particle size. The angle of repose significantly decreased from 70.36º to 60.25º, as the particle size declined, demonstrating the increasing fluidity of granules. The applied mechanical treatment did not alter the primary conformational properties of MOS except for destructing the intramolecular hydrogen bonds of cellulose and hemicellulose, thereby decreasing the crystallinity and thermal stability. Surface element analysis demonstrated more carbon-rich extractives on the particle surface as the particle size reduced. This study provided reasons behind improved dissolution and bioavailability of functional ingredients in plant-based granular materials by reducing particle size.
OSCILLATION OF A MATHEMATICAL PENDULUM TAKING INTO ACCOUNT GLOBE ROTATION
Authors: Shtanko Р. , Ryagin S.
Published: July 2022

Purpose. Development of mathematical pendulum model which considers rotation of globe roundit’s own axis and parallel at which pendulum has been installed with use of Lagrange’s differential equations of the second kind. Checking whether oscillation plane position with respect to a meridian influences mathematical pendulum model.

Methods of research. Mathematical modelling, Lagrange’s differential equations of the second kind.

Results. Two design schemes of a mathematical pendulum have been developed which consider rotation of globe roundit’s own axis and pendulum installation place. They differ only by oscillation plane position with respect to a meridian. Formulas for kinetic energy for both schemes and the general formula for potential energy have been developed. The corresponding nonlinear differential equations are received by means of Lagrange’s differential equations of the second kind. The analysis of the received results show, that oscillation period of a mathematical pendulum depends not only on amplitude but as well on parallel at which the the test has been executed, and also oscillation plane position with respect to a meridian.

Scientific novelty. The model of a mathematical pendulum has been developed with use of Lagrange’s differential equations of the second kind, which considers rotation of globe roundit’s own axis and pendulum installation place.

Practical value.It’s found out, that not only amplitude, but position of oscillation plane with respect to a meridian, and also a parallel at which the the test has been executed influences mathematical pendulum oscillation. In particular, it has essential value when search of minerals is carried out by means of gravimetry using pendular devices, when smallest changes of a gravitational constant are estimated.
Apple Leaf Disease Classification Using Image Dataset: a Multilayer Convolutional Neural Network Approach
Authors: Mahamudul Hashan Antor , Md Rakib Ul Islam Rizu , Avinash Kumar
Published: July 2022

Agriculture is one of the prime sources of economic growth in Russia; the global apple production in 2019 was 87 million tons. Apple leaf diseases are the main reason for annual decreases in apple production, which creates huge economic losses. Automated methods for detecting apple leaf diseases are beneficial in reducing the laborious work of monitoring apple gardens and early detection of disease symptoms. This article proposes a multilayer convolutional neural network (MCNN), which is able to classify apple leaves into one of the following categories: apple scab, black rot, and apple cedar rust diseases using a newly created dataset. In this method, we used affine transformation and perspective transformation techniques to increase the size of the dataset. After that, OpenCV crop and histogram equalization method-based preprocessing operations were used to improve the proposed image dataset. The experimental results show that the system achieves 98.40% training accuracy and 98.47% validation accuracy on the proposed image dataset with a smaller number of training parameters. The results envisage a higher classification accuracy of the proposed MCNN model when compared with the other well-known state-of-the-art approaches. This proposed model can be used to detect and classify other types of apple diseases from different image datasets.
Identificação de evasão fiscal utilizando dados abertos e inteligência artificial
Authors: Xavier Otávio Calaça , Pires Sandrerley Ramos , Marques Thyago Carvalho , Soares Anderson da Silva
Published: July 2022

Resumo A evasão fiscal é a consequência da prática da sonegação. Apenas no Brasil, estima-se que ela corresponda a 8% do PIB. Com isso, os governos necessitam de sistemas inteligentes para apoiar os auditores fiscais na identificação de sonegadores. Tais sistemas dependem de dados sensíveis dos contribuintes para o reconhecimento dos padrões, que são protegidos por lei. Com isso, o presente trabalho apresenta uma solução inteligente, capaz de identificar os perfis de potenciais sonegadores com o uso apenas de dados abertos, públicos, disponibilizados pela Receita Federal e pelo Conselho Administrativo Tributário do Estado de Goiás, entre outros cadastros públicos. Foram gerados três modelos que utilizaram os recursos Random Forest, Redes Neurais e Grafos. Em validação depois de melhorias finas, foi possível obter acurácia superior a 98% na predição do perfil inadimplente. Por fim, criou-se uma solução de software visual para uso e validação pelos auditores fiscais do estado de Goiás.
Tax evasion identification using open data and artificial intelligence
Authors: Xavier Otávio Calaça , Pires Sandrerley Ramos , Marques Thyago Carvalho , Soares Anderson da Silva
Published: July 2022

Abstract Tax evasion is the practice of the non-payment of taxes. In Brazil alone, it is estimated as 8% of GDP. Thus, governments must use intelligent systems to support tax auditors to identify tax evaders. Such systems seek to recognize patterns and rely on sensitive taxpayer data that is protected by law and difficult to access. This research presents a smart solution, capable of identifying the profile of potential tax evaders, using only open and public data, made available by the Brazilian internal revenue service, the administrative council of tax appeals of the State of Goiás, and other public sources. Three models were generated using Random Forest, Neural Networks, and Graphs. The validation after fine improvements offered an accuracy greater than 98% in predicting tax evading companies. Finally, a web-based solution was created to be used and validated by tax auditors of the State of Goiás.
Atração de investimentos privados para a infraestrutura no Brasil
Authors: Yamahaki Camila , Breviglieri Gustavo Velloso
Published: July 2022

Resumo Este estudo busca identificar as principais motivações e barreiras para a atração de investimentos do mercado de capitais para o setor de infraestrutura no Brasil. Entre os resultados da pesquisa, verificou-se que os incentivos variam conforme o tipo de investidor. Pessoas físicas são fortemente atraídas pela isenção fiscal prevista na Lei nº 12.431/2011, para a compra de debêntures incentivadas, e hoje representam um dos principais investidores em infraestrutura no país. Já fundos de pensão domésticos não são incentivados pela isenção da lei - seus investimentos são isentos de Imposto de Renda - e consideram baixo o spread pago pelos emissores das debêntures incentivadas. Investidores estrangeiros avaliam como desfavorável o ambiente de investimentos no país, em função de fatores como a alta volatilidade cambial e a instabilidade política. Conclui-se, portanto, que, para suprir a lacuna de investimentos em infraestrutura, há a necessidade de reformas institucionais mais amplas para atrair investidores de longo prazo. A certificação verde de projetos de infraestrutura representa outra estratégia interessante para a atração de investimentos, sobretudo estrangeiros.
Gender mainstreaming in public policies in Rio Grande do Norte (2003-2021)
Authors: Marcondes Mariana Mazzini , Araújo Maria Arlete Duarte de , Souza Washington José de , Nascimento Clara Carolina Cândido do
Published: July 2022

Abstract The article investigates the institutional conditions for gender mainstreaming in policies for women and the LGBTQIA+ population in the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), regarding their (dis)connection with the Federal Government, from 2003 to 2021. Based on documents and interviews, we carried out process-tracing of the institutional conditions of these policies (entities and mechanisms) in RN, considering three coordination levels (intersectoral, participatory, and federative). The results indicate that the structuring of institutional conditions was marked by a combination of advances and discontinuities of which the ideological orientation of governments was the decisive factor. We did not identify a federative system of gender mainstreaming characterized by collaborative and dialogic dynamics between federative entities. When present, federative coordination favoured a top-down approach, mainly through induction. These findings point to the potential and limits of institutional conditions for gender mainstreaming in a sustainable fashion.
Comparison of respiratory muscle strength through manovacuometry in the early postoperative period of bariatric surgery by laparotomy and laparoscopy
Authors: BARETTA ARIELI LUZ RODRIGUES , FREITAS ALEXANDRE COUTINHO TEIXEIRA DE , MOCELLIN CAROLINA , CAMBI MARIA PAULA CARLINI , RIBEIRO ANDRÉ RICHTER , FERREIRA CLÁUDIA GISSI DA ROCHA , BARETTA GIORGIO ALFREDO PEDROSO
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT Introduction: surgical treatment of obesity causes important changes in respiratory mechanics. Aim: Comparatively analyze respiratory muscle strength in post bariatric patients underwent to gastric bypass by laparotomy and laparoscopy during hospital stay. Methods: observational study with a non-randomized longitudinal design, of a quantitative character. Data were collected from 60 patients with BMI 40Kg/m2, divided in laparotomy group (n=30) and laparoscopy group (n=30). Smokers, patients with previous lung diseases and those unable to perform the exam correctly were excluded. Both groups were evaluated at immediate postoperative, first and second postoperative days with manovacuometry for respiratory muscle strength and visual analogue pain scale. Results: the sample was homogeneous in age, sex and BMI. Reduction in maximal respiratory pressures was observed after surgery for those operated on by laparotomy, no return to baseline values on discharge day on the second postoperative day. This group had also more severe pain and longer operative time. There was no difference in respiratory pressure measurements after surgery in the laparoscopy group. Conclusion: conventional bariatric surgery reduces muscle strength in the postoperative period and leads to more intense pain during hospitalization when compared to the laparoscopy group.
Variations in cesarean and repeated cesarean section rates in Brazil according to gestational age at birth and type of hospital
Authors: Dias Barbara Almeida Soares , Leal Maria do Carmo , Esteves-Pereira Ana Paula , Nakamura-Pereira Marcos
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to describe cesarean and repeated cesarean section rates in Brazil according to gestational age (GA) at birth and type of hospital. This is an ecologic study using data from the Brazilian Information System on Live Births and the 2017 National Registry of Health Facilities. Overall and repeated cesarean section rates were calculated and analyzed according to GA, region of residence, and type of hospital. Spearman correlations were performed between cesarean and repeated cesarean section rates by GA subgroups at birth (≤ 33, 34-36, 37-38, 39-41, and ≥ 42 weeks) and analyzed according to the type of hospital. Overall and repeated cesarean section rates were 55.1% and 85.3%, respectively. More than 60% of newborns between 37-38 weeks were delivered via cesarean section. Private hospitals in all regions showed the highest cesarean section rates, especially those in the Central-West Region, with more than 80% at all GAs. The overall cesarean section rate was highly correlated with all cesarean section rates of GA subgroups (r > 0.7, p < 0.01). Regarding repeated cesarean sections, the overall rate was strongly correlated with the rates of 37-38 and 39-41 weeks in public/mixed hospitals, differing from private hospitals, which showed moderate correlations. This finding indicates the decision for cesarean section is not based on clinical factors, which can cause unnecessary damage to the health of both the mother and the baby. Then, changes in the delivery care model, strengthening public policies, and encouragement of vaginal delivery after a cesarean section in subsequent pregnancies are important strategies to reduce cesarean section rates in Brazil.
Authentic Leadership Questionnaire applied to Brazilian nurses: evidence of validity
Authors: Maziero Vanessa Gomes , Rocha Fernanda Ludmilla Rossi , Campos Juliana Alvares Duarte Bonini , Dias Bruna Moreno , Balsanelli Alexandre Pazetto , Gabriel Carmen Silvia , Bernardes Andrea
Published: July 2022

Abstract Objective: to establish the psychometric properties of the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ) applied to Brazilian nurses. Method: cross-sectional observational study with a non-probabilistic sample. The psychometric properties of the RATER and SELF versions of the ALQ were calculated using confirmatory factor analysis with the WLSMV robust estimation method. The following indices were used to assess the goodness-of-fit of the model: chi-square by degrees of freedom (χ2/df), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) and Standardized Root Mean Squared Residual (SRMR). Data reliability was analyzed using the ordinal coefficient alpha and composite reliability. Results: 181 nurses participated of the study (female gender: 80.1%; mean age of 34.6 years; working time of less than five years: 76.3%). The complete ALQ RATER and ALQ SELF models did not present an adequate fit. Therefore, the refined models presented a better fit to the sample data (ALQ RATER: χ2/df=2.77; CFI=0.97; TLI=0.97; RMSEA=0.10; SRMR=0.05; ALQ SELF: χ2/df=2.74; CFI=0.94; TLI=0.92; RMSEA=0.10; SRMR=0.08). In the ALQ RATER model, items 1, 7 and 13 were excluded. Due to the high correlation between the factors Relational Transparency and Moral Perspective, a three-factor model based on the combination of the factors mentioned above was proposed. In the ALQ SELF model, items 2, 5, 9 and 10 were excluded. Likewise, a three-factor model based on the combination of two factors, now called Self-Awareness Balance, was proposed. Conclusion: the data obtained with the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire with Brazilian nurses were valid and reliable.
Comparação socioambiental em sistemas produtivos agrícolas indígenas: Tontotuna, Totoró-Colômbia e Tsotsil, Chamula-México
Authors: Serna Martha Lucía Ordóñez , Diago Olga Lucía Sanabria
Published: July 2022

Resumo Apresenta-se uma comparação das práticas de conservação associadas ao manejo do sistema de produção agrícola familiar conhecido por quintal Trau Misak e quintal Patchocona; nos povos indígenas da Reserva Tontotuna, Município de Totoró-Cauca-Colômbia e no povo Tsotsil, Município de Chamula-Chiapas-México, respectivamente. A metodologia foi enquadrada na hermenêutica e fundamentou-se na etnobotânica, inter-relacionando os eixos de tempo, espaço e cultura. Dada a natureza holística e complexidade desta pesquisa, utilizou-se a etnografia e a pesquisa-ação participativa como técnicas descritivas para a dinâmica de uso e manejo dos recursos vegetais nos quintais Trau Misak e Patchocona’. Os resultados apresentam as estratégias comparativas de transformação que são geradas e utilizadas no Trau Misak e Patchocona’, fortalecendo a identidade de cada povo indígena, enfrentando os problemas de sobrevivência e contribuindo para a redução da fome ao estabelecer as bases para a segurança alimentar.
Mapping of ecosystem services provided by the Paraíba do Sul river alluvial plains APA
Authors: Simões Gabriela dos Santos , Fiore Fabiana Alves , Silva Lívia Corrêa
Published: July 2022

Abstract Ecosystem services (ES) are all the benefits provided by ecosystems essential to subsistence, human well-being, and economic development, and, consequently, their recognition is fundamental for sustainable territorial planning. To identify the priority ES provided by the APA of the Alluvial Plains of the Paraíba do Sul and Jaguari Rivers, a region fully integrated into the urban fabric of São José dos Campos (SP), a collaborative study was developed to obtain the environmental perception of location key-actors - public agents, researchers, and APA residents. The analysis was developed from interpreting maps of use and occupation of the territory and adaptation of the Rapid Participatory Diagnosis (RPD) methodology recommended in the TEEB Regional/Local context. The results reiterated the importance of the region, already legally protected, to ensure the local environmental quality and identified the priority ES: freshwater, photosynthesis, nutrient cycle, local microclimate, and regulation of water flows.
Crossing the Conversational Chasm: A Primer on Natural Language Processing for Multilingual Task-Oriented Dialogue Systems
Authors: Razumovskaia Evgeniia , Glavas Goran , Majewska Olga , Ponti Edoardo M. , Korhonen Anna , Vulic Ivan
Published: July 2022

In task-oriented dialogue (ToD), a user holds a conversation with an artificial agent  with the aim of completing a concrete task. Although this technology represents one of  the central objectives of AI and has been the focus of ever more intense research and  development efforts, it is currently limited to a few narrow domains (e.g., food ordering,  ticket booking) and a handful of languages (e.g., English, Chinese). This work provides an  extensive overview of existing methods and resources in multilingual ToD as an entry point  to this exciting and emerging field. We find that the most critical factor preventing the  creation of truly multilingual ToD systems is the lack of datasets in most languages for  both training and evaluation. In fact, acquiring annotations or human feedback for each  component of modular systems or for data-hungry end-to-end systems is expensive and  tedious. Hence, state-of-the-art approaches to multilingual ToD mostly rely on (zero- or  few-shot) cross-lingual transfer from resource-rich languages (almost exclusively English),  either by means of (i) machine translation or (ii) multilingual representations. These  approaches are currently viable only for typologically similar languages and languages with  parallel / monolingual corpora available. On the other hand, their effectiveness beyond these  boundaries is doubtful or hard to assess due to the lack of linguistically diverse benchmarks  (especially for natural language generation and end-to-end evaluation). To overcome this  limitation, we draw parallels between components of the ToD pipeline and other NLP tasks,  which can inspire solutions for learning in low-resource scenarios. Finally, we list additional  challenges that multilinguality poses for related areas (such as speech, fluency in generated  text, and human-centred evaluation), and indicate future directions that hold promise to  further expand language coverage and dialogue capabilities of current ToD systems.