bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trichoscopy in Healthy Adult Egyptian Females: Normal Values of Hair Measurable Parameters
Authors: Moneib Hoda A. , Ahmed Suzan A.K. , Zaki Marwa S.E.
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Documenting normal hair values through trichoscopy can provide a useful baseline when evaluating and treating hair loss in different populations. The aim of our study was to document normal values for measurable parameters of hair in adult Egyptian females. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 90 Egyptian females (age range 18–48 years), with no symptoms or signs of hair or scalp disease. Trichoscopy was performed in different scalp areas using FotoFinder Medicam 1000 videodermoscopy. Trichoscopy images were subjected to statistical processing using TrichoLAB system. Results: The frontal area demonstrated the highest number of hairs (190 ± 29/cm2), greatest average hair shaft thickness (63 ± 8 μm), greatest percentage of thick hairs (71% ± 12), highest mean cumulative hair thickness (12 ± 2 mm/cm2), and highest mean number of follicular units (82 ± 8/cm2). The temporal area showed the highest percentage of thin hairs (9% ± 5) and single-hair pilosebaceous units (23% ± 7), lowest mean number of hairs (154 ± 25/cm2), least average hair shaft thickness (60 ± 9 μm), least mean cumulative hair thickness (9 ± 2 mm/cm2), and least mean number of follicular units (70 ± 8/cm2). The occipital area showed the greatest percentage of triple-hair follicles (43% ± 12). Based on trichoscopy, the norms for hair parameters were calculated. Conclusion: Normal hair parameters in adult Egyptian females differ from those documented from other ethnicities. Evaluating and treating hair loss in clinical practice should be done in reference to documented normal values, which can be set through trichoscopy.
Ocular Manifestations of Hurler-Scheie Syndrome: Recurrence of Host Disease in the Corneal Transplant
Authors: Kölkedi Zsófia , Csutak Adrienne , Szalai Eszter
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Hurler-Scheie syndrome is a type of mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS). In MPS I the decreased activity of alpha-L-iduronidase lysosomal enzyme leads to glycosaminoglycan (GAG) deposition in the intra- and extracellular matrix. Excessive amounts of GAG can accumulate in most layers of the cornea, including epithelial cells, stromal keratocytes, and endothelial cells. Case Presentation: A 25-year-old female patient suffering from Hurler-Scheie syndrome with multiple ocular manifestations is reported. Due to significant bilateral corneal opacification, penetrating keratoplasty was performed on both eyes. Histopathologic examination of the corneal buttons showed disorganized collagen fibers with heterogenous thickness and many granule-containing keratocytes with excessive cytoplasm. Despite receiving enzyme replacement therapy, in vivo confocal microscopy revealed characteristic vacuoles in the basal epithelium and corneal stroma 96 months after transplantation. High resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography demonstrated hyperreflective opacities superficial and deeper in the stroma which was consistent with recurrence of host disease in the graft. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented Hurler-Scheie syndrome case of recurrence after penetrating keratoplasty demonstrated by in vivo confocal microscopy. Additionally, this patient manifested severe ocular involvement of MPS which might be an explanation of the progressive course of corneal opacification after transplantation.
Incorporation of Green Capping Agents to Reduce Silver-Mediated Dentine Staining
Authors: Asghar Mehmood , Yahya Rosiyah , Yap Adrian U. Jin , Azzahari Ahmad Danial , Omar Ros Anita
Published: July 2022

Silver diammine fluoride (SDF) is known as a noninvasive, cost-effective, safe, and simple method of dental caries treatment. However, staining and discoloration seem inseparable with SDF and continue as a cosmetic concern. Research is ongoing to overcome these issues, for example, by using glutathione (G) or potassium iodide among others. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the effects of incorporating different concentrations of capping agents on SDF chemistry and SDF-mediated tooth staining at different time points. Tannic acid (TA), gallic acid (GA), carboxymethyl chitosan (CM), and G at different concentrations (5, 10, and 15% w/v) were incorporated in 30% SDF. FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopies of the prepared solutions was performed to evaluate chemical changes. Time-dependent color changes (ΔE) in bovine dentine specimens (6 × 6 × 1 ± 0.25 mm3) were measured spectrophotometrically at application/washup, 1 and 3 h, after 1, 2, 4, 7, and 14 days. Results showed suppression of FTIR peaks at 3,358 cm−1 and 1,215 cm−1 in capping agent-modified SDF indicative of a successful capping effect of the silver ions, which was corroborated by UV-Vis blueshift of ∼∆32 nm. The capping effect on SDF increased proportionally with the concentrations of TA, GA, CM, and G used. A more pronounced tooth staining reduction however was shown more in TA- and G- rather than in GA- and CM-modified SDF. At day 14, SDF showed the highest mean ΔE(50.14 ± 2.14), while 15% TA showed the lowest ΔE(30.14 ± 0.81). In conclusion, capping agent incorporation significantly reduced SDF-mediated tooth staining. This reduction in staining is more dependent on the respective capping agent functional groups than concentrations per se. The potential of capping agents to minimize tooth staining of SDF was TA>G>CM>GA.
In-depth analysis of dynamic degree load balancing technique in public cloud for heterogeneous cloudlets
Authors: Joshi Aparna Shashikant , Devi Munisamy Shyamala
Published: July 2022

Load balancing is one of the challenges of the distributed computing worldview. With the enormous development in clients and their interest for different administrations on the distributed computing stage, compelling or productive asset usage in the cloud climate has turned into an urgent concern. Load balancing is critical to keeping cloud computing running smoothly. This study examines the research using four scheduling algorithms: dynamic degree balance CPU based (D2B_CPU), dynamic degree balanced membership based (D2B_Membership), dynamic degree memory balanced allocation (D2MBA) and hybrid dynamic degree balance (HDDB) algorithm. Central processing unit (CPU) utilisation, bandwidth utilisation, and memory utilisation are used as performance measures to verify the performance of these algorithms. The CloudSim simulation programme was used to simulate these algorithms. The primary goal of this work is to aid in the future construction of new algorithms by researching the behaviour of various existing algorithms.
Respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients a comparative study of smokers to nonsmokers
Authors: Kharabsheh Mohammad , Banitaan Shadi , Alomari Hakam W. , Alshirah Mohammad , Alzyoud Sukaina
Published: July 2022

For many decades, smoking tobacco has been a crucial concern due to respiratory failure. The potential relationship between smoking and COVID-19 has been recently investigated. In this paper, we study and investigate the role of the decision support system to predict the ratio of respiratory failure in smokers versus non-smokers among COVID-19 patients. We employed a classifier that predicts the ratio of respiratory failure as well as the ratio of the death toll between smokers and non-smokers using machine learning methods. The employed model demonstrate a prediction accuracy of 77% when applied on a sample from 23 countries that confirmed the highest number of COVID-19 patients. This was obtained from The World Bank Data-Health Nutrition and Population Statistics. As a result, a strong (significant) relationship between smoking tobacco and COVID-19 was illustrated by the employed model. Our approach achieves a good recall (78%). Thus, smokers are more susceptible to respiratory failure than non-smokers, as COVID-19 complications.
Experimental and numerical studies for parameters identification of direct current motor
Authors: Abdullah Mohamad Nazir , Mat Desa Mohd Khairunaz , Bakar Elmi Abu , Akhtar Mohammad Nishat
Published: July 2022

Direct current (DC) motors are widely used in many applications especially those require a speed control, direction and closed-loop control system. In electric vehicle drive system, DC motor is commonly used for the propulsion of low power (<250 W) electric bicycle (e-bike) because it can operate directly from rechargeable batteries with a smart controller. In driving an e-bike in a closed loop control system, it is important to identify and estimate the dynamic of electrical and mechanical parameters. In this paper, the parameters such as armature resistance, armature inductance, back emf constant, torque constant, moment of inertia and viscous friction coefficient are ideally identified using dynamic responses experiments and tests focusing on no load motor and transient input tests. The motor is then modeled in MATLAB/Simulink using the identified motor parameters and its open loop speed and current responses are studied.
Mathematical modelling of vehicle drivetrain to predict energy consumption
Authors: Ramasamy Latha , Kumar Loganathan Ashok , Chinnasamy Rajalakshmi
Published: July 2022

Nowadays, many firms have started producing electric vehicles (EVs). One of the biggest challenges to broad acceptance of electric vehicles is their limited range EVs. Forecasting future energy usage is one of the way to calculate the driving range. In this paper, a simulation model of the drivetrain has been developed to evaluate the energy flow of a vehicle for the given torque and speed conditions. The energy consumption of an electric vehicle is determined by the vehicle's attributes. Road torque, road speed, motor model, motor controller model, battery model, and PI controller are the primary components of the model. The overall resistive force offered by the vehicle, as well as energy consumption owing to resistive force during motoring and regeneration has been validated through the simulation results. Here, the vehicle model, Mercedes Benz Class C Saloon has been considered.
Applying the green Ca2Al3O6F:Eu2+ oxyfluoride phosphorus on white emitting diodes
Authors: Liem Bui Van , Nguyen Thi Dieu An
Published: July 2022

Ca2Al3O6F:Eu2+, a new green-emitting and its photoluminescence (PL) characteristics for white-emitting diodes, have been analyzed and generated (w-LEDs). This phosphorus displays a strong absorption range between ultraviolet (UV) and blue region, along with a wide green emission range of 502 nm. The procedure for concentration suppression and Eu2+ luminous longevity has been investigated using Ca2Al3O6F:Eu2+ phosphors. Key characteristics for manufacturing w-LED lamps, such as photoluminesce based on temperature, microstructure, morphology, CIE value and quantum efficiency, were also investigated in Ca2Al3O6F:Eu2+. The findings show that Ca2Al3O6F:Eu2+, is a suitable option for almost UV-excited w-LEDs as a green component.
Brain seizures detection using machine learning classifiers based on electroencephalography signals: a comparative study
Authors: Hashem Attia Atef , Said Ashraf Mahroos
Published: July 2022

The paper demonstrates various machine learning classifiers, they have been used for detecting epileptic seizures quickly and accurately through electroencephalography (EEG), in real time. Symptoms of epilepsy are caused abnormal brain activity. Analyzing and detecting epileptic seizures presents many challenges because EEG signals are non-stationary, and the patterns of the seizure vary for each patient. Moreover, the EEG signals are noisy, and this affect the process of seizure detection. On the other hand, Machine learning algorithms are very accurate, adaptive and generalize very well when provided with diverse and big training data and can easily analyze complex structure of the EEG signal despite the noisiness when compared to other methods. With this approach the features of epileptic seizures can be learned and used to correctly identify other seizure cases. The demonstration states a comparison between various classifiers, including random forests, K-nearest neighbors (K-NN), decision trees, support vector machine (SVM), logistic regression and naïve bayes. Different performance metrics is used such as accuracy, receiver operating characteristics (ROC), mean absolute error (MAE), root-mean-square error (RMSE) and most importantly detection time for each algorithm. The Bonn university dataset has been used for demonstration process for the classification of the epileptic seizure.
Machine learning model to classify modulation techniques using robust convolution neural network
Authors: Indira Nadakuditi Durga , Venu Gopala Rao Matcha
Published: July 2022

In wireless ccommunications receiver plays a main role to recognize modulation techniques which were used at the transmitter. While transferring information from transmitter to receiver, the receiver must retrieve original information. In order to achieve this goal we introduced a neural network architecture that recognizes the types of modulation techniques. The applications of deep learning can be categorized into classification and detection. The CNN architecture is used to perform feature extraction based on the layers to build a model which classifies the input data. A model that classifies the radio communication signals using deep learning method. The robust c (RCNN) is used to train the modulated signals; the transformations are used to help the neural network which estimate the signal to noise ratio of each signal ranges from -20dB to 18dB with loss and accuracy of 89.57% at SNR 0dB.
Received signal strength indication based clustering and aggregating data using Q-learning in mobile Ad Hoc network
Authors: Reddy Surya Narayana , Mungara Jitendranath
Published: July 2022

Clustering is a significant idea for extending the scalability and enhancing the energy in the mobile ad-hoc network (MANET). In addition, the clustering concept is used to diminishes the cost of communication. The re-clustering procedure makes expensive, and frequent re-clustering procedure makes extra routing overhead and extra energy utilization. To solve these issues, received signal strength indication (RSSI) based clustering and aggregating data (RCAD) using Q-learning in MANET is proposed. In this approach, we build the clusters by node RSSI. The fuzzy logic system (FLS) is used to select the cluster head (CH) by the node mobility and node utilization energy. Q-learning-based data-aggregation for improving mobile node routing efficiency in MANET. Here, we can find an optimum next-hop node utilizing their Q-values established on the rewards (RD). Since the RD rule is used to decide the best solution for the Q-learning technique. This RD is computed by present bandwidth (PB), present energy (PE), present packet delivery (PDD), and hop count (HC) parameter for selecting the data aggregator from sender to receiver. The experimental outcomes illustrate that the RCAD approach increases 155 CH round and raises 24% cluster lifetime in the MANET.
Comparative analysis and prediction of coronary heart disease
Authors: Prusty Sashikanta , Patnaik Srikanta , Kumar Dash Sujit
Published: July 2022

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is now one of the leading causes of death worldwide and was also thought to be a serious illness in the mid and old ages. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have a huge impact on the healthcare areas. As a result, getting a familiar individual with data processing techniques suitable for numerical health data. Although, the most often used algorithms for classification tasks will be incredibly advantageous in terms of time management. In particular here, a common procedure has been proposed for predicting cardiovascular disease. Accordingly, we herein consider nine typical classifiers of both machine learning and deep learning technology for the comparative analysis and prediction of coronary heart failure. These models are computationally inexpensive and easy to build. Moreover, these classifiers are tested and compared using a confusion matrix in the Jupyter notebook, yielding classification measures such as accuracy, f1-score, recall, and precision. As a result, the logistic regression classifier gives the maximum possible accuracy, precision, and f1-score of 90.78%, 90.24%, and 91.35% respectively.
Proposta de código automatizado para conversão de malhas poligonais de formas orgânicas para superfícies NURBS utilizáveis em softwares CAD
Authors: Vale Marina Pires de Castro Aguiar , Ghisleni Camila Vieira , Gasperin Fernanda Fontana de , Leal Roger Langone , Silva Fabio Pinto da , Bruscato Underléa Miotto
Published: July 2022

A possibilidade de digitalização 3D de elementos da natureza facilita o desenvolvimento de projetos inspirados por formas orgânicas. Entretanto, a digitalização 3D costuma produzir modelos tridimensionais constituídos por malhas poligonais, quando o padrão utilizado no projeto de produtos são as superfícies NURBS, por conta de sua precisão. Neste contexto, este trabalho propõe e analisa uma alternativa de código para conversão automatizada de malhas poligonais em superfícies NURBS para seu uso em, mas não restrito a isso, projetos de produtos baseados em formas orgânicas. Para tanto, foi criado um algoritmo de conversão por meio do plug-in Grasshopper© do software de modelagem Rhinoceros©, que possibilita uma programação visual, sem a necessidade do uso de uma linguagem de programação. O código proposto possibilita a conversão automatizada de malhas poligonais de determinados formatos em superfícies NURBS, com controle de fidelidade dimensional por parte do usuário, bem como torna os modelos tridimensionais mais leves do ponto de vista computacional.
Fotogrametria e catálogos digitais de esculturas e outros marcos urbanos: recursos para cibercultura museal
Authors: Magalhães Leandro dos Santos , Souza Renato Cesar Ferreira de
Published: July 2022

Este artigo aborda aspectos de um acervo digital e, posteriormente, um catálogo digital de esculturas e outros marcos presentes na cidade de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. São ressaltados como métodos centrais a tecnologia, Structure from Motion - SfM, como meio de obtenção dos modelos geométricos, sua disponibilização em meios digitais para a fruição destes bens culturais, a constituição de uma biblioteca para impressão 3D de réplicas, a construção de um catálogo para a organização, a comunicação e a exibição do acervo constituído. As ações analisadas estão nos contextos do projeto extensionista Monumento Digital 120 e, posteriormente, no projeto Marcos Urbanos: Acervo Digital de Monumentos de Belo Horizonte. O objetivo deste artigo é que se faça conhecer a exploração dos recursos computacionais abordados para a promoção do patrimônio cultural, estimulando discussões e favorecendo o surgimento de novos projetos enaltecendo elementos da cultura no âmbito digital.
Projeto pedagógico de curso: uma experiência em construção
Authors: Fehr Lucas , Alvim Angelica Tanus Benatti , Rubio Viviane Manzione , Fabiano Junior Antonio Aparecido
Published: July 2022

Este artigo apresenta reflexões sobre o Projeto Pedagógico de Curso (PPC) que tem como desafio o processo de ensino-aprendizado participativo e interativo entre seus agentes para atuarem em um mundo complexo, conflituoso e diverso. Defende que a formação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo, deve aliar capacitação técnica e raciocínio científico e crítico com vistas a resolver velhos e novos problemas, de modo inter e transdiciplinar. A partir de necessárias abordagens para atuação e enfrentamento no mundo contemporâneo, o artigo se organiza a partir de três eixos que orientaram, também, a construção do PPC: 1. o enfrentamento da formação do estudante em sujeito político reflexivo técnico-científica e profissional, 2. a intersecção das “caixinhas” orientando a experiência e estruturação do estudante por uma trama construída por (i) eixos aglutinadores que favorecem a intersecção de conteúdos e saberes; (ii) ateliês e estúdios integrados misturando conteúdos, abordagens e práticas e (iii) linhas de atravessamento transversais, eventos que costuram novas formas de produção do conhecimento e 3. as temáticas, os contextos integradores e as experiências que extrapolam as práticas em atividades além das salas de aula, que visam direção ao caminho da extensão. Neste ambiente, propicia-se o florescimento de novas atitudes estudantis, que preconizam um papel mais ativo na construção coletiva, não só da Escola formadora, mas da sociedade em constante formação, dentro de um quadro geral em permanente transformação, no qual a tecnologia e os desequilíbrios constituem uma temática constante e mutante, na busca por um outro e necessário sentido de mundo para todos nós.
Para o coração, sim. Mas também para o espírito: Momento Feminino e o debate feminista no Brasil republicano (1947-1956)
Authors: Alves Iracélli da Cruz
Published: July 2022

Neste artigo, analiso o debate feminista promovido pelo jornal Momento Feminino (MF), evidenciando os consensos e as tensões internas, bem como os desafios enfrentados por suas articulistas em um contexto atravessado tanto pelo anticomunismo quanto pelo antifeminismo. Vinculado ao Partido Comunista do Brasil (PCB) e à Federação Democrática Internacional de Mulheres (FDIM), o periódico era editado no Rio de Janeiro e circulou no Brasil entre 1947 e 1956. Suas páginas imprimiram um debate, à época, caro ao PCB, além de terem discutido as estruturas sociais que deixavam as mulheres em situação de inferioridade e vulnerabilidade. O MF não só defendeu a participação das mulheres na vida política e social, mas também politizou o cotidiano, comprometendo-se com um projeto feminista de sociedade, o que faz dele um importante instrumento para o entendimento da história do feminismo no Brasil.
O Vértice do Atlântico. Cabo Verde na criação literária de Augusto Casimiro (1931-1964)
Authors: Neto Sérgio Gonçalo
Published: July 2022

O arquipélago de Cabo Verde foi uma colónia portuguesa até 1975. Amiúde comparado com o Brasil e os arquipélagos da Madeira e dos Açores, Cabo Verde constituiria um dos territórios mais importantes, em termos de propaganda, na defesa do império colonial luso. O objectivo deste artigo é a análise dos escritos do capitão Augusto Casimiro dos Santos, que ajudou a criar a construção propagandística de um arquipélago cabo-verdiano como um reflexo do Portugal de Quatrocentos e Quinhentos. Adoptando a metodologia de um estudo de caso e empregando uma multiplicidade de fontes, algumas das quais inéditas, reconstituir-se-á o pensamento de Casimiro em face dos contemporâneos e a influência que ele teve à época nos meios coloniais durante a transição do darwinismo social para o luso-tropicalismo.
Custos diretos da prematuridade e fatores associados ao nascimento e condições maternas
Authors: Melo Thamires Francelino Mendonça de , Carregaro Rodrigo Luiz , Araújo Wildo Navegantes de , Silva Everton Nunes da , Toledo Aline Martins de
Published: July 2022

OBJETIVOS Estimar os custos diretos advindos com a assistência hospitalar a recém-nascidos prematuros extremos, moderados e tardios, sob a perspectiva de um hospital público em 2018. O segundo objetivo foi investigar se fatores associados ao nascimento e às condições maternas explicam os custos e o tempo de permanência hospitalar. MÉTODOS Estudo de custo da doença, com extração de dados a partir das autorizações de internação hospitalares e prontuários de um hospital público de grande porte do Distrito Federal. Estimou-se a associação de características dos recém-nascidos prematuros e das genitoras nos custos por meio de regressão linear com distribuição gamma. Na análise, adotou-se o cálculo dos parâmetros das estimativas (B), com intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%). Os parâmetros de incerteza foram estimados pelo intervalo de confiança de 95% e erro padrão por meio do método de Bootstrapping, com 1.000 amostragens. Realizou-se análise de sensibilidade determinística, considerando limites inferiores e superiores do IC95% na variação de cada componente de custo. RESULTADOS Foram incluídos 147 recém-nascidos prematuros. Verificamos um custo médio de R$ 1.120 para prematuros tardios, R$ 6.688 para prematuros moderados e R$ 17.395 para prematuros extremos. Verificamos também que os fatores associados ao custo foram idade gestacional (B = -123,00; IC95% -241,60 a -4,50); internação em UTI neonatal (B = 6.932,70; IC95% 5.309,40–8.556,00) e número de consultas pré-natal (B = -227,70; IC95% -403,30 a -52,00). CONCLUSÕES Verificamos um custo direto considerável advindo da assistência a recém-nascidos prematuros. A prematuridade extrema demonstrou um custo 15,5 vezes maior comparado à tardia. Verificamos ainda que uma maior quantidade de consultas pré-natal e a idade gestacional foram associadas a uma redução dos custos da prematuridade.
Workaholism e burnout entre docentes de pós-graduação stricto sensu
Authors: Barreto Maynara Fernanda Carvalho , Galdino Maria José Quina , Fernandes Frederico Garcia , Martins Júlia Trevisan , Marziale Maria Helene Palucci , Haddad Maria do Carmo Fernandez Lourenço
Published: July 2022

OBJETIVO Analisar a associação entre trabalho excessivo e trabalho compulsivo com as dimensões da síndrome de burnout em docentes de mestrado e doutorado em Letras e Linguística do Brasil. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal realizado com 585 docentes permanentes de pós-graduação stricto sensu em Letras e Linguística do Brasil. A obtenção dos dados ocorreu entre fevereiro e agosto de 2019, por meio de um questionário online. Os desfechos deste estudo foram as dimensões trabalho compulsivo e trabalho excessivo da escala Dutch Work Addiction Scale, as dimensões da Maslach Burnout Inventory TM e seus fatores associados, identificados por modelos múltiplos de regressão logística. RESULTADOS Docentes com alto nível de trabalho excessivo (29,40%) apresentaram 2,75 vezes a chance de exaustão emocional alta e 2,08 vezes a chance de despersonalização alta. Quanto aos docentes com alto nível de trabalho compulsivo (8,03%), apresentaram 4,88 vezes a chance de exaustão emocional alta e 2,97 vezes a chance de despersonalização alta. Não foi identificado associação entre trabalho excessivo e trabalho compulsivo com a baixa realização profissional. CONCLUSÃO Os resultados mostraram que existe uma associação estatisticamente significativa entre trabalho excessivo e trabalho compulsivo com exaustão emocional alta e despersonalização alta, possibilitando aos gestores e docentes refletirem os critérios que norteiam seus processos laborais, a fim de adotarem modelos de gestão, políticas reguladoras institucionais e estratégias adequadas para melhorar as condições de trabalho e saúde dos docentes.
Avaliação de desempenho do controle da tuberculose em municípios brasileiros
Authors: Pinto Priscila Fernanda Porto Scaff , Santos Beatriz Pinheiro Schindler dos , Teixeira Camila Silveira Silva , Nery Joilda Silva , Amorim Leila Denise Alves Ferreira , Sanchez Mauro Niskier , Barreto Mauricio Lima , Pescarini Julia Moreira
Published: July 2022

OBJETIVO Avaliar o desempenho no controle da tuberculose dos municípios brasileiros. MÉTODOS Estudo ecológico com municípios brasileiros que notificaram pelo menos quatro casos novos de tuberculose, com no mínimo um caso novo de tuberculose pulmonar entre 2015 e 2018. Os municípios foram estratificados de acordo com a população em < 50 mil, 50–100 mil, 100–300 mil e > 300 mil habitantes e foi utilizado o método k-médias para agrupá-los dentro de cada faixa populacional segundo desempenho de seis indicadores da doença. RESULTADOS Foram incluídos 2.845 municípios brasileiros abrangendo 98,5% (208.007/211.174) dos casos novos de tuberculose do período. Para cada faixa populacional identificou-se três grupos (A, B e C) de municípios segundo desempenho dos indicadores: A os mais satisfatórios, B os intermediários e C os menos satisfatórios. Municípios do grupo A com < 100 mil habitantes apresentaram resultados acima das metas para confirmação laboratorial (≥ 72%), abandono (≤ 5%) e cura (≥ 90%), e abrangeram 2% dos casos novos da doença. Por outro lado, os municípios dos grupos B e C apresentaram pelo menos cinco indicadores com resultados abaixo das metas – testagem HIV (< 100%), exame de contatos (< 90%), tratamento diretamente observado (< 90%), abandono (> 5%) e cura (< 90%) –, e corresponderam a 66,7% dos casos novos de tuberculose. Já no grupo C dos municípios com > 300 mil habitantes, que incluiu 19 das 27 capitais e 43,1% dos casos novos de tuberculose, encontrou-se os menores percentuais de exames de contatos (média = 56,4%) e tratamento diretamente observado (média = 15,4%), elevado abandono (média = 13,9%) e baixa cobertura da atenção básica (média = 66,0%). CONCLUSÕES Grande parte dos casos novos de tuberculose ocorreu em municípios com desempenho insatisfatório para o controle da doença, onde expandir a cobertura da atenção básica pode reduzir o abandono e elevar o exame de contatos e tratamento diretamente observado.
Machine Learning–Enabled Multimodal Fusion of Intra-Atrial and Body Surface Signals in Prediction of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Outcomes
Authors: Tang Siyi , Razeghi Orod , Kapoor Ridhima , Alhusseini Mahmood I. , Fazal Muhammad , Rogers Albert J. , Rodrigo Bort Miguel , Clopton Paul , Wang Paul J. , Rubin Daniel L. , Narayan Sanjiv M. , Baykaner Tina
Published: July 2022

Background:

Machine learning is a promising approach to personalize atrial fibrillation management strategies for patients after catheter ablation. Prior atrial fibrillation ablation outcome prediction studies applied classical machine learning methods to hand-crafted clinical scores, and none have leveraged intracardiac electrograms or 12-lead surface electrocardiograms for outcome prediction. We hypothesized that (1) machine learning models trained on electrograms or electrocardiogram (ECG) signals can perform better at predicting patient outcomes after atrial fibrillation ablation than existing clinical scores and (2) multimodal fusion of electrogram, ECG, and clinical features can further improve the prediction of patient outcomes.

Methods:

Consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation between 2015 and 2017 with panoramic left atrial electrogram before ablation and clinical follow-up for at least 1 year following ablation were included. Convolutional neural network and a novel multimodal fusion framework were developed for predicting 1-year atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation from electrogram, ECG signals, and clinical features. The models were trained and validated using 10-fold cross-validation on patient-level splits.

Results:

One hundred fifty-six patients (64.5±10.5 years, 74% male, 42% paroxysmal) were analyzed. Using electrogram signals alone, the convolutional neural network achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) of 0.731, outperforming the existing APPLE scores (AUROC=0.644) and CHA2DS2-VASc scores (AUROC=0.650). Similarly using 12-lead ECG alone, the convolutional neural network achieved an AUROC of 0.767. Combining electrogram, ECG, and clinical features, the fusion model achieved an AUROC of 0.859, outperforming single and dual modality models.

Conclusions:

Deep neural networks trained on electrogram or ECG signals improved the prediction of catheter ablation outcome compared with existing clinical scores, and fusion of electrogram, ECG, and clinical features further improved the prediction. This suggests the promise of using machine learning to help treatment planning for patients after catheter ablation.
Against the Wind of Change: An Auto-ethnographic Account on Gender Relations in the Diplomatic Sector of Post-communist States
Authors: Kostadinova Tonka
Published: July 2022

The article sets оut to investigate gender-related challenges in the diplomatic work of post-communist diplomatic institutions, with a focus on Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It draws on the author’s own experience as a diplomat and takes an auto-ethnographic perspective in order to elucidate from within the daily routines, working life and gender relations at Bulgaria’s Foreign Office. The research provides unique first-hand access to the institutional and micro-political context in which Eastern European diplomats perform and develop. It brings greater nuances to the understanding of gender and diplomatic work and unpacks important issues that have remained invisible in mainstream diplomacy studies such as the complex and sensitive contemporary interactions between gender, diplomacy, and the national security and intelligence departments.
The Essential Role of Westerly Wind Bursts in ENSO Dynamics and Extreme Events Quantified in Model “Wind Stress Shaving” Experiments
Authors: Yu Sungduk , Fedorov Alexey V.
Published: July 2022

Westerly wind bursts (WWBs)—brief but strong westerly wind anomalies in the equatorial Pacific—are believed to play an important role in El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) dynamics, but quantifying their effects is challenging. Here, we investigate the cumulative effects of WWBs on ENSO characteristics, including the occurrence of extreme El Niño events, via modified coupled model experiments within Community Earth System Model (CESM1) in which we progressively reduce the impacts of wind stress anomalies associated with model-generated WWBs. In these “wind stress shaving” experiments we limit momentum transfer from the atmosphere to the ocean above a preset threshold, thus “shaving off” wind bursts. To reduce the tropical Pacific mean state drift, both westerly and easterly wind bursts are removed, although the changes are dominated by WWB reduction. As we impose progressively stronger thresholds, both ENSO amplitude and the frequency of extreme El Niño decrease, and ENSO becomes less asymmetric. The warming center of El Niño shifts westward, indicating less frequent and weaker eastern Pacific (EP) El Niño events. Removing most wind burst–related wind stress anomalies reduces ENSO mean amplitude by 22%. The essential role of WWBs in the development of extreme El Niño events is highlighted by the suppressed eastward migration of the western Pacific warm pool and hence a weaker Bjerknes feedback under wind shaving. Overall, our results reaffirm the importance of WWBs in shaping the characteristics of ENSO and its extreme events and imply that WWB changes with global warming could influence future ENSO.
India’s Inclusive Policy Initiatives for the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals: Selected Ruminations on SDG-16—The Way Forward
Authors: Nahida Begum N.
Published: July 2022

The members of the United Nations are gearing up to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The 17 goals practically seem a little complicated and complex to realise, yet the member-states are on the go towards its realisation. This article focuses on the SDGs. It focuses on the India’s policy initiative towards SDG 16 that stands for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. A brief summary on India SDG Index is also provided in the article, which provides information pertaining to the performance of the states towards the accomplishment of the goals. It highlights the various schemes, programmes and projects launched by the Government of India for the achievement of SDG-16. The schemes comprise of Poshan Abhiyaan, Gram Nyayalayas, Digital India, Aadhaar, and so on.
Whence the Action? the Persistence and Aggravation of Violent Crime at Addresses, Streets, and Neighborhoods
Authors: O'Brien Dan , Ciomek Alex
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Researchers have long studied the persistence of violence and aggravation from disorder to violence in communities. Recently this work has begun to consider how these phenomena might operate simultaneously at multiple geographic scales. We examine the role of neighborhoods, streets, and addresses in these phenomena, presenting and assessing a five-part typology for cross-scale interactions.

Methods

We calculated six measures of physical disorder, social disorder, and violent crime from administrative records for all parcels (i.e., addresses) in Boston, MA, for 2011–2016. Multilevel models used these measures to predict public violence and gun-related events in the following year at all three geographical scales and with cross-scale interactions.

Results

Persistence was common at all scales. Aggravation from disorder to crime was greatest for addresses. Nearly all significant cross-level interactions involved addresses. The most common interactions were reinforced persistence, when persistence of violence at an address was reinforced by violence in the street or neighborhood; and mediated persistence, when persistence at a higher geographic scale operated through addresses with disorder.

Conclusions

The study suggests that action is greatest at addresses, but streets and neighborhoods offer critical context. It also provides a framework for future work assessing the complementarity of communities and places.
Prefigurative legality: Transforming municipal jurisdiction
Authors: Thorpe Amelia , Morgan Bronwen
Published: July 2022

This paper argues that prefigurative legality plays an important role in crafting municipalist strategy. We explore the experience of the City of Sydney in relation to new municipalism, focusing on its trajectory as a ‘boundary case’ that generates incrementally accrued transformative potential under conditions of muted political partisanship. The paper argues that at least in a boundary case such as this, legality can be a key and underappreciated component of transformative strategy, particularly if its prefigurative potential is appreciated. Prefigurative legality as a component of strategy is less about reconfiguring forms of state practice and more a means of institutionalising substantive policies and state practices in ways that extend the connection between community and state. As such, prefigurative legality has a deeply ambivalent relationship with the state and is both more incremental and more inclined to be ‘merely progressive’ than the prefigurative politics of radical municipalism. Nonetheless, we argue that legality still acts as an important and underappreciated pivot between power and resistance, especially where legal pluralism and multi-scalar indeterminacy are salient. The paper makes this argument while tracking the City of Sydney’s engagement with three dimensions of legality – delegated jurisdiction, legal pluralism and multi-scalar indeterminacy – and the ways in which these trajectories intersect with state and national government responses. While the Sydney case may fall just outside the boundaries of ‘classic’ instances, the role of legality in this setting generates valuable insights for the longer-term trajectories of more radical versions of new municipalism.
Association Between Perceived Access to Healthcare and the Perception of Illness Among Peruvian Adults with Chronic Diseases During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Chávez Sosa Janett V. , Guerra Pariona Haydee N. , Huancahuire-Vega Salomón
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the provision of care for patients with chronic diseases. Due to social restrictions and reductions in contact with health services, the negative perception of chronic disease is expected to have increased. The aim of this study was to determine the association between perceived access to healthcare and the perception of illness among Peruvian population with chronic disease. It was a cross-sectional analytical study, with a sample of 987 inhabitants to whom the questionnaires “Coverage of health services” and “The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire” (BIPQ) were applied. Having health insurance (PRa = 0.683; 95% CI = 0.613-0.761) acts as a protective factor for a positive illness perception of chronic disease, however, a waiting time greater than 3 months to obtain a medical appointment (PRa = 1.417; 95% CI = 1.319-1.522) and poor access to health services (PRa = 1.435; 95% CI = 1.226-1.681) resulted in the probability of a negative illness perception of chronic disease. Thus, there is an association between perceived poor access to healthcare and the negative illness perception of chronic disease in Peruvian population during pandemic COVID-19.
Transcending Instagram: Affective Swedish hashtags taking intimate feminist entanglements from viral to ‘IRL’
Authors: Barbala Astri Moksnes
Published: July 2022

This article investigates how affective hashtags on Instagram can contribute to forming intimate feminist entanglements transcending the digital sphere, resulting in offline demonstrations and rallies. In tracing the use of three Swedish hashtags emerging in the wake of #metoo, all surrounding women’s experiences with sexual harassment and violence, it is argued that affective hashtags can be a central component for explaining how social media-based campaigns can surpass online spaces and transition into more traditional forms of non-mediated feminist activity. Drawing from a 3-year immersion in feminist communities on Instagram, the article shows how hashtags here are reconceptualized into ‘affect triggers’, intimately entangling human and nonhuman entities along the way. It is suggested that a combination of feminist affect theory and insights from science and technology studies (STS) may offer a fruitful methodology for providing insights into the political potential of affect in forming augmented feminist realities.
When Bare Life is Bearable: The Life Projects of Rohingya and Hazara Refugees Living in Malaysia
Authors: Sunam Ramesh
Published: July 2022

With anti-migrant populism and strict border regimes in many receiving countries, hundreds of thousands of refugees have been entangled in transit situations and face critically vulnerable conditions. While recent research on transit migration has explored “life projects,” including work, studies, and volunteering undertaken by refugees to make their lives more bearable in a context of protracted uncertainty, how refugees describe the country in which they are living and what facilitates their life projects there have remained less understood in a Southeast Asian context and in the Global South more generally. This article addresses this lacuna, drawing on interviews with Rohingya and Hazara refugees living in Malaysia. Rohingya and Hazara refugees described Malaysia as a safer place than their home countries, where they had endured violence and persecution. Examining key conditions underpinning the life projects of Hazara and Rohingya refugees, this article demonstrates that refugee lives are not completely on hold in transit situations, despite what dominant understandings of refugee lives often suggest. As it shows, while Rohingya and Hazara refugees are excluded from legal rights in Malaysia, the Malaysian state has not made them fully subject to laws and, instead, at times, has tacitly supported refugees. This situation has enabled refugees to pursue informal life projects, leading to a bearable bare life.
Automated image quality assessment of mammography phantoms: a systematic review
Authors: Alawaji Zeyad , Tavakoli Taba Seyedamir , Rae William
Published: July 2022

Background:

Computerized image analysis is a viable technique for evaluating image quality as a complement to human observers.

Purpose:

To systematically review the image analysis software used in the assessment of 2D image quality using mammography phantoms.

Material and Methods:

A systematic search of multiple databases was performed from inception to July 2020 for articles that incorporated computerized analysis of 2D images of physical mammography phantoms to determine image quality.

Results:

A total of 26 studies were included, 12 were carried out using direct digital imaging and 14 using screen film mammography. The ACR phantom (model-156) was the most frequently evaluated phantom, possibly due to the lack of accepted standard software. In comparison to the inter-observer variations, the computerized image analysis was more consistent in scoring test objects. The template matching method was found to be one of the most reliable algorithms, especially for high-contrast test objects, while several algorithms found low-contrast test objects to be harder to distinguish due to the smaller contrast variations between test objects and their backgrounds. This was particularly true for small object sizes.

Conclusion:

Image analysis software was in agreement with human observers but demonstrated higher consistency and reproducibility of quality evaluation. Additionally, using computerized analysis, several quantitative metrics such as contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) could be used to complement the conventional scoring method. Implementing a computerized approach for monitoring image quality over time would be crucial to detect any deteriorating mammography system before clinical images are impacted.
Thyroid papillary carcinoma with the ‘snowstorm appearance’: a clinicopathological analysis of three cases
Authors: Lei Ruixue , Yang Haijun
Published: July 2022

This current case report presents the detailed clinicopathological analysis of three patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, each of which presented with the ‘snowstorm appearance’ on ultrasonography. Ultrasonography of this tumour typically shows a diffusely enlarged thyroid with hypoechoic and heterogeneous internal echoes, and diffusely scattered microcalcifications, which form the ‘snowstorm appearance’. Microscopically, case 1 had a large number of psammoma bodies, infiltration of lymphocytes, formation of lymphatic follicles and extensive squamous metaplasia, leading to the diagnosis of a diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (DSVPTC). Case 2 was diagnosed with follicular papillary thyroid carcinoma. Their tumour had numerous calcifications in the stroma and follicles. Case 3 was diagnosed with a multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma in the background of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Their tumour showed calcification in the stroma and follicles, together with cervical lymph node metastasis. DSVPTC is a rare variant of thyroid papillary carcinoma. It has the ‘snowstorm appearance’ on ultrasound, but this can also be found in follicular papillary carcinoma and multifocal thyroid papillary carcinoma. Papillary thyroid carcinoma with the ‘snowstorm appearance’ has a large number of peripheral lymph nodes metastases, thus requiring radical surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapy.
Veiling Religion: The Public Face of Czech Re-Entry Faith-Based Organizations
Authors: Beláňová Andrea , Trejbalová Tereza , Wetherell Kamali’ilani
Published: July 2022

Due to the lack of sufficient non-governmental prisoner re-entry services in the Czech Republic, many post-release activities are provided by faith-based organizations (FBOs). However, the Czech Republic is considered to be one of the most atheistic countries in the world. Most of the Czech population is at least apathetic toward organized religion. This study examines how re-entry FBOs present Christianity to the public in the religiously indifferent Czech Republic. The primary focus is on how the organizations present themselves to the public. We employ qualitative content analysis examining names, logos, mission statements, and other documents of 14 re-entry FBOs. The analysis reveals four general themes within the organizations’ public presentations: Ambiguity when expressing religious topics, Christianity as an offer, Christianity as a form of social movement (self-legitimization), and Christianity as a pro-social lifestyle.