bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agricultural associations and fair trade in the Peruvian rainforest: a socioeconomic and ecological analysis
Authors: Barro-Chale Alexandra , Rivera-Castañeda Patricia , Jeanett Ramos-Cavero Maria , Cordova-Buiza Franklin
Published: March 2023

Fair trade initiatives represent an essential support for the scarce opportunities that have arisen in the agricultural sector, as they cover various areas that contribute to increasing good trade practices. It is essential to highlight the contribution of fair trade in urban and rural areas, as it becomes a valuable incentive for differentiation. The main objective of this study was to determine how Fair Trade is applied in the socioeconomic and ecological sphere in an association of sustainable agricultural producers in the Peruvian jungle. This is quantitative research with a non-experimental cross-sectional design. The survey technique was used, and a questionnaire was applied to 99 agricultural producers in the Amazon region of northern Peru, because it would help to analyze the new challenges of fair trade. In addition, data analysis and processing was carried out with Microsoft Office Excel and SPSS. The results show that 51% of the producers surveyed have been sensitized to adopt socially responsible actions aimed at strengthening sustainable development, social responsibility and good practices for fair trade in favor of the preservation of the resources of the Peruvian Amazon, as well as the socioeconomic development of farmers and the region itself. Forty-seven percent carry out social responsibility activities under the guidance of the Fairtrade organization, which has accompanied farmers to obtain Fairtrade certification. In addition, 59% of respondents say that they engage in healthy competition that generates trust among farmers. Fairtrade enables associated farmers to improve their ethical behavior and respect for their rights as well as those of the entire community.
OKUL ÖNCESİ ÇOCUKLARDA ZORBA-KURBAN DAVRANIŞLARI VE SOSYAL BECERİLER ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİNİN İNCELENMESİ
Authors: KORKUT Elif Sultan , ÖZYÜREK Arzu
Published: March 2023

Bu çalışmada okul öncesi dönemdeki çocukların zorba-kurban davranışları ile sosyal becerileri arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu araştırmanın çalışma grubunu Karabük ili şehir merkezindeki okul öncesi eğitim kurumlarına devam eden 5-6 yaşındaki çocuklardan rastlantısal olarak seçilen 25 okul öncesi eğitim kurumundan 150 çocuk oluşturmuştur. Verilerin toplanmasında Zorba ve Kurban Çocuk Davranışlarını Değerlendirme Formu ile Okul Öncesi Sosyal Beceri Değerlendirme Ölçeği (OSBED) Öğretmen Formu kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde Mann Whitney U ve Spearman Brown Korelasyon Katsayısı kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda çocukların zorba kurban davranışları ve sosyal becerileriyle cinsiyet ve yaşları arasında anlamlı fark olduğu belirlenmiştir. Kız çocukların akademik destek becerileri, arkadaşlık becerileri ve duygularını yönetme becerilerinin erkek çocuklardan daha yüksek olduğu, 6 yaşındaki çocukların arkadaşlık becerilerinin 5 yaşındaki çocuklara oranla daha yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Çocukların kurban-çocuk davranışları arttıkça sosyal becerilerden başlangıç becerilerinin arttığı, pasif zorba-çocuk davranışları arttıkça başlangıç becerileri, arkadaşlık becerileri, akademik destek becerileri ve duygularını yönetme becerilerinin arttığı; zorba-çocuk davranışları arttıkça başlangıç becerileri, akademik destek becerileri, arkadaşlık becerileri ve duygularını yönetme becerilerinin arttığı belirlenmiştir.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Bentazon Pesticide by a Fe2O3-TiO2 Composite Catalyst Irradiated by UVA, UVB, and Natural Light
Authors: Braga Cristian , Bessegato Guilherme , Maestre Keiti , Espinoza-Quiñones Fernando , Alves Helton , da Silva Leandro , Eising Renato , Bariccatti Reinaldo
Published: March 2023

Environmental pollution by contaminants of emerging concern, among these various pesticides, has been a concern of environmentalists and scientists around the world. Thus, efforts to mitigate the impacts of these substances have been carried out, and the use of advanced oxidation processes, such as photocatalysis, is an alternative. This work sought to synthesize a composite photocatalyst based on iron oxides and titanium dioxide to assess its applicability in degrading the herbicide bentazon (BTZ) by a lamp that simulates the solar spectrum (visible, ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B) and sunlight. Photocatalytic degradation reached 51% in 120 min with a rate constant k = 0.0058 min−1 when a UV-Vis lamp of 300 W was used. The applicability was demonstrated under sunlight radiation, reaching 38% degradation of a bentazon solution (4.1 × 10−4 mol L−1) after 320 min. TiO2 and Fe2O3 were synthesized similarly but showed no degradation under the same conditions. Thus, Fe2O3-TiO2 is an inexpensive and non-toxic material capable of efficiently conducting the photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds, such as the bentazon herbicide.
Motif in Fiction: A New Research Methodology
Authors: Grunina L. P. , Saltymakova O. A.
Published: March 2023

The article focuses on the understanding of the motif as one of the central categories of fiction and the key conceptof text analysis.

   The article focuses on various approaches to the pragmatic content of the motif.

   A review of scientific publications revealed an ambiguity in its definition: motif can be interpreted as a scenario act or an ideologeme. The author believes that the objective basis for determining the content and function of a particular motif is a detailed analysis of its verbalization in the text. The article introduces the fundamental difference between literary and linguo-stylistic approaches to the motif analysis. The author proposes a definition based on the linguo-stylistic status of the motif and a set of reference parameters, which is exemplified by a linguo-stylistic analysis of the motifs of beauty of nature and time of day in N. V. Gogol's May Night, or the Drowned Woman.
Linguistic and Culturological Commentary of Clothing Nominations in the Subdialects of the Middle Ob: Manufacturing Material
Authors: Manashova V. D.
Published: March 2023

The article describes the features of linguistic and culturological commenting on lexical units related to the nominations of the traditional Russian costume. The focus is on the lexemes that denote the type of fabric.

   The research objective was to identify the cultural connotative component in the semantics of clothing nominations, associated with the fabric.

   The relevance of the study was in the fact that it made it possible to reveal the cultural component of the lexical meaning, objectifiedin the real communication of subdialect speakers. An attempt was made to reveal the cultural semantics of fabric names. This lexical group has never appeared in the focus of scientific attention.

   The study involved the speech of rural population from the Middle Ob region as it was recorded in the dictionaries of the Tomsk Dialect School and the Tomsk Dialect Corpus.

The sampling procedure revealed more than two thousand linguistic units associated with clothes. The methods included interpretation, linguistic and culturological commentary, and systematization. The study defined the cultural connotative component of lexical meaning and three groups of fabric: 1) fabrics of industrial production intended for festive clothes, which demonstrated the wealth and status of the owner; 2) home-made fabrics for everyday wear; 3) seasonal materials of animal origin, which also characterized the status. The linguistic and cultural commentary revealed various characteristics of fabrics according to gender, season, social status, and routine vs. holidays. The parameters included utility, seasonality, prosperity, and status. They served as indicators of cultural traditions and can be interpreted as a cultural text represented through a linguistic and cultural commentary.
Disparities in Access to Higher Education: A Whitepaper to Favor the Economically Disadvantaged and Socially Marginalized in Sudan
Authors: Khussein Abobakr Mohamed Abbakar
Published: March 2023

Alongside its social and cultural role, higher education is, and will continue to be, central to Sudan's performance in the twenty first century. It is the key mechanism through which knowledge is generated, preserved and passed on. Since higher skills significantly influence life chances and earning potential, wider and fairer access to higher education is a question of basic social justice. To succeed in widening access to poorer students over the coming years. It is in the interests of the society that there are no caps on talent in Sudan'. Fairer access to university for the educationally disadvantaged but able sudanese pupils has to remain a key concern.
In this paper we set out our strategy for sustaining a quota system for higher education to help rectify the damaged social fabric in wor-torn areas of Sudan by temporarily constitutionalizing positive discrimination in education.
Protective Role of Cytochrome C Oxidase 5A (COX5A) against Mitochondrial
Disorder and Oxidative Stress in VSMC Phenotypic Modulation and
Neointima Formation
Authors: Guan Haijing , Sun Jingwen , Liang Xiuying , Yao Wenjuan
Published: March 2023

Background:

The pathological role of cytochrome c oxidase 5A (COX5A) in vascular neointima
formation remains unknown.

Aim:

This study aims to investigate the role of COX5A on platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGFBB)-
mediated smooth muscle phenotypic modulation and neointima formation and clarify the molecular
mechanisms behind this effect.

Methods:

For in vitro assays, human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HA-VSMCs) were transfected
with pcDNA3.1-COX5A and COX5A siRNA to overexpress and knockdown COX5A, respectively.
Mitochondrial complex IV activity, oxygen consumption rate (OCR), H2O2 and ATP production, reactive
oxygen species (ROS) generation, cell proliferation, and migration were measured. For in vivo assays,
rats after balloon injury (BI) were injected with recombinant lentivirus carrying the COX5A gene.
Mitochondrial COX5A expression, carotid arterial morphology, mitochondrial ultrastructure, and ROS
were measured.

Results:

The results showed that PDGF-BB reduced the level and altered the distribution of COX5A in
mitochondria, as well as reduced complex IV activity, ATP synthesis, and OCR while increasing H2O2
synthesis, ROS production, and cell proliferation and migration. These effects were reversed by overexpression
of COX5A and aggravated by COX5A knockdown. In addition, COX5A overexpression attenuated
BI-induced neointima formation, muscle fiber area ratio, VSMC migration to the intima, mitochondrial
ultrastructural damage, and vascular ROS generation.

Conclusion:

The present study demonstrated that COX5A protects VSMCs against phenotypic modulation
by improving mitochondrial respiratory function and attenuating mitochondrial damage, as well as
reducing oxidative stress, thereby preventing neointima formation.
Safety of Surgical Removal of Aspirated Foreign Bodies after Failure of
Bronchoscopy Removal
Authors: Fadelelmoula Tarig , Hussein Husamuldin , Abdalla Momen
Published: March 2023

Background:

Foreign body (FB) aspiration is uncommon, but potentially serious and life-threatening. Foreign body aspiration represents about 0.5% of adult bronchoscopy procedures. When bronchoscopic removal fails, the procedure should stop and a thoracic surgeon must join the procedure, and the most common surgical strategy is lobectomy.

Aims:

The aim of this study is to describe the outcome and safety of surgical removal of aspirated foreign bodies through minimal thoracic surgery after failure of bronchoscopic removal.

Materials and Methods:

This is a descriptive hospital study that involved 21 patients hospitalized in two main hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan, between September 2013 and October 2019, for the surgical removal of aspirated foreign bodies. We collected data on the demographics and clinical characteristics of the patients, the nature and anatomical location of the foreign body, and the surgical results.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 14 years and 12 of them were women. The incident was accidental in all patients, and the mean time between the foreign body aspiration and surgery was approximately 2 weeks. Foreign bodies were found in the right lung in 15 of the patients. All foreign body removals were achieved by minimally invasive thoracic surgery. In 17 patients, the surgery was conservative, but two patients underwent lobectomy and pneumonectomy was performed in 2 patients. The postoperative course was favorable in all patients and no deaths were reported

Conclusion:

Minimally invasive thoracic surgery in our setting has provided a safe approach to the removal of aspirated foreign bodies after failure of bronchoscopic removal.
The Treatment of Congenital Recto-vestibular Fistula and Recto-perineal
Fistula, and the Effects of the Megarectum on Defecation
Authors: Li Jian , Dai Jinyu , Wu Xiaoxia , Sun Xiaobing
Published: March 2023

Objective:

This study aims to discuss the treatment of congenital recto-vestibular fistula and recto-perineal fistula, and the effect of the megarectum on defecation.

Background:

Congenital recto-vestibular fistula or recto-perineal fistula is the most common type of anorectal malformation, and surgical methods include posterior sagittal anorectoplasty, anterior sagittal anorectoplasty, and mid-sagittal anorectoplasty, which can be performed at stage one or stage two after the ostomy. In the later stages of a recto-vestibular fistula, constipation is a common complication. Rectal dilatation is frequently associated with constipation, and the effect of rectal dilatation on defecation should be discussed for patients with congenital recto-vestibular or recto-perineal fistula who had rectal dilatation prior to surgery. Rectal dilatation may be one of the causes of constipation for congenital recto-vestibular fistula and recto-perineal fistula.

Methods:

The patients in this study were 67 children with congenital recto-vestibular fistula or recto-perineal fistula treated in our hospital from March 2013 to February 2017. All patients underwent an MRI of the spine and a barium enema. Six patients with myelodysplasia and sacral agenesis were excluded from this study. There were 18 patients with rectal dilatation (ages: 4-month-old to 1 year old, male: 3, female: 15). Seven of them had anterior sagittal anorectoplasty (group A), and 11 had anorectoplasty with dilated rectum resection (group B). Forty-three patients (ages: 3- to 10 months old, male: 6; female: 37) without a dilated rectum underwent anterior sagittal anorectoplasty (group C).

Results:

All patients were followed up for 1 year to 5 years. Among the 50 patients who had undergone an anoplasty, 5 out of 7 patients with rectal dilatation developed post-operative constipation, and 3 of them had normal defecation after the second resection of the dilated rectum. Only two out of 43 patients without rectal dilatation developed post-operative constipation. One out of 11 patients with rectal dilatation who underwent anoplasty and resection of the dilated rectum developed post-operative constipation

Conclusion:

Conclusion: Patients with congenital recto-vestibular fistula or recto-perineal fistula complicated by rectal dilatation are more susceptible to post-operative constipation. Resection of the dilated rectum at the same time can reduce the incidence rate of constipation. A barium enema should be performed pre-operatively for patients with congenital recto-vestibular fistula or recto-perineal fistula. If the dilated rectum is found, it can be resected at the same time.
Do amor ao ódio: alguns apontamentos sobre figuras maternas na narrativa cavaleiresca quinhentista portuguesa
Authors: Monteiro Pedro
Published: March 2023

This article focuses on the analysis of some outstanding maternal figures present in three chivalric texts of the Portuguese sixteenth century (Crónica do Imperador Clarimundo, Palmeirim de Inglaterra and Memorial das Proezas da Segunda Távola Redonda). It is intended to start from a typological approach to the representation of motherhood, analysing first the mothers of the main heroes, to, from there, highlight the figuration of two mothers who diverge from this typology: Zaraina and Ifranasa. These two figures present in the text of Jorge Ferreira de Vasconcelos stand out for their antagonistic relationship with their children, Florisbel and Masília. By combining dimensions that go beyond the simple maternal figuration, we will also draw attention to the way in which these two figures stand out in a global perception regarding the representation of female figures in chivalric texts from the 1500s
Studi Komparasi Hasil Belajar Peserta Didik Pada Mata Pelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam Masa Pandemi Covid-19 Di Sekolah SMK Al-Gina Kabupaten Tangerang dan SMK Binusta Kota Tangerang
Authors: Allawiyah Iim Kismawati , Karmawan Karmawan , Haromaini Ahmad
Published: March 2023

Hasil belajar adalah sebuah perubahan yang terjadi pada setiap peserta didik setelah mereka melakukan kegiatan belajar mengajar. Pada prinsipnya hasil belajar terbagi menjadi tiga yaitu ranah kognitif (cara perfikir), ranah afektif (cara bersikap), dan ranah psikomotorik (sikap keterampilan). Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode kajian pustaka dan wawancara. Adapaun hasil dari penelitian ini adalah: (1) Hasil belajar para peserta didik SMK Al-Gina pada mata pelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam dikategorikan cukup dengan perolehan skor nilai 60-88. Sedangkan di SMK Binusta dikategorikan baik dengan perolehan skor nilai 65-95. (2) Capaian kepuasan hasil belajar peserta didik di SMK Binusta lebih tinggi dari pada capaian kepuasan hasil belajar peserta didik di SMK Al-Gina. (3) Adanya studi komparasi hasil belajar peserta didik pada ranah akeftik berupa perolehan hasil belajar yang belum bisa dilakukan di SMK Al-Gina. (4) Tidak terdapat studi komparasi pada hasil belajar peserta didik berupa ranah psikomotor.
Kata Kunci : Hasil, Belajar, PAI
Penggunaan Metode Discovery Learning Untuk Meningkatkan Keaktifan Dan Prestasi Belajar Siswa Pada Mata Pelajaran Keterampilan Kelas XI IPA2 Semester 2 Tahun Pelajaran 2021/ 2022
Authors: Budi Sihono Setyo
Published: March 2023

This research is aimed to find out if Discovery Learning Model can improve the active and learning achievement at class XI IPA2 in MAN 1 Kulon Progo. The subject of this reasearch is the students of MAN 1 Kulon Progo at class XI IPA2 for 24 students. The datum are obtained by using observation sheet and quantitative and qualitative data analysis. It is shown that there are significant improvements on cycle I, cycle II , and cycle III. The average scores of learning active are 58,20, on cycle I, 62,23 on cycle II and 66,92 on cycle III. The learning achievements also show  significant improvement between cycle I, cycle II and cycle III. The average scores of learning achievement are 74,38 on cycle I, 77,75 on cycle II and 79,17 on cycle III.

 

Keywords: Discovery Learning Model, Learning  Active, Learning Achievement
Manual para la producción de ovinos en la región Caribe de Colombia
Authors: Rúa Bustamante Clara Viviana , Cañas Álvarez Jhon Jacobo , Carrascal Triana Erly Luisana , Aguayo Ulloa Lorena Angélica , Perdomo Ayola Sandra Carolina , Mojica Rodríguez José Edwin , Mestra Vargas Lorena Inés , Suárez Paternina Emiro Andrés , Hernández Martínez Cristian Camilo , Zambrano Ortiz Juan Ricardo , Paternina Díaz Enoc
Published: March 2023

Este manual presenta brevemente los principales aspectos relacionados con la producción de carne ovina en la región tropical de Colombia, el Caribe, en la cual se reconocen dos subregiones debido a su pluviosidad: Caribe seco y Caribe húmedo. Dado que esta característica puede tener una influencia leve en algunas labores de manejo, en la infraestructura y en los problemas sanitarios de los ovinos, en este documento se presentan estudios de caso de cada una de ellas a partir de las investigaciones realizadas. Las recomendaciones sobre el manejo general del rebaño se consideran de gran importancia para la producción de carne ovina, como también lo es implementar registros productivos o un sistema de información que permita capturar datos y analizarlos para la toma de decisiones relacionadas con el objetivo productivo. Esperamos que productores, extensionistas, profesionales, estudiantes y, en general, el público interesado en ahondar en el conocimiento técnico-científico de la producción de ovinos para carne en la región del trópico bajo pueda usar este manual como herramienta de apoyo.
Home Health Care Clinicians’ Use of Judgment Language for Black and Hispanic Patients: Natural Language Processing Study
Authors: Topaz Maxim , Song Jiyoun , Davoudi Anahita , McDonald Margaret , Taylor Jacquelyn , Sittig Scott , Bowles Kathryn
Published: March 2023

Background

A clinician’s biased behavior toward patients can affect the quality of care. Recent literature reviews report on widespread implicit biases among clinicians. Although emerging studies in hospital settings show racial biases in the language used in clinical documentation within electronic health records, no studies have yet investigated the extent of judgment language in home health care.

Objective

We aimed to examine racial differences in judgment language use and the relationship between judgment language use and the amount of time clinicians spent on home visits as a reflection of care quality in home health care.

Methods

This study is a retrospective observational cohort study. Study data were extracted from a large urban home health care organization in the Northeastern United States. Study data set included patients (N=45,384) who received home health care services between January 1 and December 31, 2019. The study applied a natural language processing algorithm to automatically detect the language of judgment in clinical notes.

Results

The use of judgment language was observed in 38% (n=17,141) of the patients. The highest use of judgment language was found in Hispanic (7,167/66,282, 10.8% of all clinical notes), followed by Black (7,010/65,628, 10.7%), White (10,206/107,626, 9.5%), and Asian (1,756/22,548, 7.8%) patients. Black and Hispanic patients were 14% more likely to have notes with judgment language than White patients. The length of a home health care visit was reduced by 21 minutes when judgment language was used.

Conclusions

Racial differences were identified in judgment language use. When judgment language is used, clinicians spend less time at patients’ homes. Because the language clinicians use in documentation is associated with the time spent providing care, further research is needed to study the impact of using judgment language on quality of home health care. Policy, education, and clinical practice improvements are needed to address the biases behind judgment language.
Building a Chatbot in a Pandemic
Authors: Rambaud Kimberly , van Woerden Simon , Palumbo Leonardo , Salvi Cristiana , Smallwood Catherine , Rockenschaub Gerald , Okoliyski Michail , Marinova Lora , Fomaidi Galina , Djalalova Malika , Faruqui Nabiha , Melo Bianco Viviane , Mosquera Mario , Spasov Ivaylo , Totskaya Yekaterina
Published: March 2023

Easy access to evidence-based information on COVID-19 within an infodemic has been a challenging task. Chatbots have been introduced in times of emergency, when human resources are stretched thin and individuals need a user-centered resource. The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe and UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) Europe and Central Asia came together to build a chatbot, HealthBuddy+, to assist country populations in the region to access accurate COVID-19 information in the local languages, adapted to the country context. Working in close collaboration with thematic technical experts, colleagues and counterparts at the country level allowed the project to be tailored to a diverse range of subtopics. To ensure that HealthBuddy+ was relevant and useful in countries across the region, the 2 regional offices worked closely with their counterparts in country offices, which were essential in partnering with national authorities, engaging communities, promoting the tool, and identifying the most relevant communication channels in which to embed HealthBuddy+. Over the past 2 years, the project has expanded from a web-based chatbot in 7 languages to a multistream, multifunction chatbot available in 16 regional languages, and HealthBuddy+ continues to expand and adjust to meet emerging health emergency needs.
Engagement and Utilization of a Complete Remote Digital Care Program for Musculoskeletal Pain Management in Urban and Rural Areas Across the United States: Longitudinal Cohort Study (Preprint)
Authors: Scheer Justin , Areias Anabela C , Molinos Maria , Janela Dora , Moulder Robert , Lains Jorge , Bento Virgílio , Yanamadala Vijay , Dias Correia Fernando , Costa Fabíola
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are the number one cause of disability worldwide. Digital care programs (DCPs) for MSK pain management have arisen as alternative care delivery models to circumvent challenges in accessibility of conventional therapy. Despite the potential of DCPs to reduce inequities in accessing care, the outcomes of such interventions in rural and urban populations have yet to be studied.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of urban or rural residency on engagement and clinical outcomes after a multimodal DCP for MSK pain.

METHODS

This study consists of an ad hoc analysis of a decentralized single-arm investigation into engagement and clinical-related outcomes after a multimodal DCP in patients with MSK conditions. Patients were coded according to their zip codes to a specific rural-urban commuting area code and grouped into rural and urban cohorts. Changes in their engagement and clinical outcomes from baseline to program end were assessed. Latent growth curve analysis was performed to estimate change trajectories adjusting for the following covariates: age, gender, BMI, employment status, and pain acuity. Outcomes included engagement, self-reported pain, and the results of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item, Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment scales. A minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of 30% was considered for pain.

RESULTS

Patients with urban and rural residency across the United States participated in the program (n=9992). A 73.8% (7378/9992) completion rate was observed. Both groups reported high satisfaction scores and similar engagement with exercise sessions, with rural residents showing higher engagement with educational content (P<.001) and higher program completion rates (P=.02). All groups showed a significant improvement in all clinical outcomes, including pain, mental health, and work productivity, without statistically significant intergroup differences. The percentage of patients meeting the MCID was similar in both groups (urban: 67.1%, rural: 68.3%; P=.30).

CONCLUSIONS

This study advocates for the utility of a DCP in improving access to MSK care in urban and rural areas alike, showcasing its potential to promote health equity. High engagement, satisfaction, and completion rates were noted in both groups, as well as significant improvements in clinical outcomes.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04092946; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04092946
Artificial Intelligence–Based Psoriasis Severity Assessment: Real-world Study and Application (Preprint)
Authors: Huang Kai , Wu Xian , Li Yixin , Lv Chengzhi , Yan Yangtian , Wu Zhe , Zhang Mi , Huang Weihong , Jiang Zixi , Hu Kun , Li Mingjia , Su Juan , Zhu Wu , Li Fangfang , Chen Mingliang , Chen Jing , Li Yongjian , Zeng Mei , Zhu Jianjian , Cao Duling , Huang Xing , Huang Lei , Hu Xing , Chen Zeyu , Kang Jian , Yuan Lei , Huang Chengji , Guo Rui , Navarini Alexander , Kuang Yehong , Chen Xiang , Zhao Shuang
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is one of the most frequent inflammatory skin conditions and could be treated via tele-dermatology, provided that the current lack of reliable tools for objective severity assessments is overcome. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) has a prominent level of subjectivity and is rarely used in real practice, although it is the most widely accepted metric for measuring psoriasis severity currently.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop an image–artificial intelligence (AI)–based validated system for severity assessment with the explicit intention of facilitating long-term management of patients with psoriasis.

METHODS

A deep learning system was trained to estimate the PASI score by using 14,096 images from 2367 patients with psoriasis. We used 1962 patients from January 2015 to April 2021 to train the model and the other 405 patients from May 2021 to July 2021 to validate it. A multiview feature enhancement block was designed to combine vision features from different perspectives to better simulate the visual diagnostic method in clinical practice. A classification header along with a regression header was simultaneously applied to generate PASI scores, and an extra cross-teacher header after these 2 headers was designed to revise their output. The mean average error (MAE) was used as the metric to evaluate the accuracy of the predicted PASI score. By making the model minimize the MAE value, the model becomes closer to the target value. Then, the proposed model was compared with 43 experienced dermatologists. Finally, the proposed model was deployed into an app named SkinTeller on the WeChat platform.

RESULTS

The proposed image-AI–based PASI-estimating model outperformed the average performance of 43 experienced dermatologists with a 33.2% performance gain in the overall PASI score. The model achieved the smallest MAE of 2.05 at 3 input images by the ablation experiment. In other words, for the task of psoriasis severity assessment, the severity score predicted by our model was close to the PASI score diagnosed by experienced dermatologists. The SkinTeller app has been used 3369 times for PASI scoring in 1497 patients from 18 hospitals, and its excellent performance was confirmed by a feedback survey of 43 dermatologist users.

CONCLUSIONS

An image-AI–based psoriasis severity assessment model has been proposed to automatically calculate PASI scores in an efficient, objective, and accurate manner. The SkinTeller app may be a promising alternative for dermatologists’ accurate assessment in the real world and chronic disease self-management in patients with psoriasis.
Mosquito Larvicidal Effects of 33 Plants Aqueous Extracts of 14 Different Plants Against Larva of Culex Mosquito
Authors: Kumar Satish , Srivastava Dr. Sunit Kumar
Published: March 2023

Abstract: In this study, the mosquito larvicidal activity of 33 plant’s aqueous extracts of 14 different plants were studied against the 4th instar larva of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito. Different concentration of these plant aqueous extracts for different time duration was assessed on C. quinquefasciatus but the larvae showed negligible effects. These observation suggest that a very negligible better to say no larvicidal activity seen by these plant’s aqueous extract against Culex quinquefasciatus.
The Proposed Intrusion Detection System using Support Vector Machine by IOT enabled WSN: A Survey
Authors: Khadtare Anurag , Kakani Pranav , Jambhulkar Tushar , Jagtap Pratik , Dhengre Sumedh
Published: March 2023

Abstract: Detecting intruders in computer networks is very important because it affects multiple communication and security domains finding network intruders can be difficult furthermore network intrusion detection remains a challenging undertaking due to the large amount of data required to train modern machine learning models to detect network intrusion risks recently many methods have been published for detecting network intruders however they face significant challenges as new threats continue to emerge that are undetectable by older systems this study evaluates different approaches to creating network intrusion detection systems the best features of the dataset are selected based on the correlations between features in addition we provide a complete functional and performance overview of an adaboost-based network attack detection solution based on these selected characteristics.
Latency considerations for stochastic optimizers in variational quantum algorithms
Authors: Menickelly Matt , Ha Yunsoo , Otten Matthew
Published: March 2023

Variational quantum algorithms, which have risen to prominence in the noisy intermediate-scale quantum setting, require the implementation of a stochastic optimizer on classical hardware. To date, most research has employed algorithms based on the stochastic gradient iteration as the stochastic classical optimizer. In this work we propose instead using stochastic optimization algorithms that yield stochastic processes emulating the dynamics of classical deterministic algorithms. This approach results in methods with theoretically superior worst-case iteration complexities, at the expense of greater per-iteration sample (shot) complexities. We investigate this trade-off both theoretically and empirically and conclude that preferences for a choice of stochastic optimizer should explicitly depend on a function of both latency and shot execution times.
Simulation of femtosecond pulse in a Kerr-lens mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser
Authors: Nomin-Erdene E , Unurbileg D , Munkhbaatar P , Baatarchuluun Ts , Khos-Ochir Ts , Munkhbayar G , Tuvjargal N , Erdene-Ochir G , Davaasambuu J
Published: March 2023

The Kerr-lens mode-locking (KLM) is known as a suitable method for generation of femtosecond pulses and mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser is now widely used sources of stable, energetic femtosecond pulses. We will present the simulation of KLM in Ti:sapphire laser cavities with a folded-cavity four-mirror by applying the ABCD ray-tracing technique for a Gaussian beam. Simulations will be performed for an asymmetric resonator design. Based on the numerical analysis, we will find the optimum design parameters (slit position, gain cavity spacing, gain medium position) for KLM.
Russian student family: Determinants of marriage
Authors: Rostovskaya T. K. , Kuchmaeva O. V. , Zolotareva O. A.
Published: March 2023

The birth rate reducing to the level that does not ensure even the simple reproduction of the population, which leads to problems in the economy and social sphere and to migration crises, is a challenge for many developed countries. The demographic and family policy measures aim at solving this problem, which is reflected, for instance, in the Russian National Security Strategy approved on July 2, 2021 by the Decree of the President: the increasing birth rate is declared a required condition for increasing the country’s population. In contemporary Russia, the age model of fertility has transformed: the spreading practice of postponing childbirth in the last fifteen years has led to an increase in the modal age of mothers by more than five years, which is a factor in the decline in fertility. One of the mechanisms that can change this trend but lacks the due attention is the institution of the student family. The study aims at identifying those factors that determine the marriage intentions of the student youth. The article is based on the quantitative analysis of the surveys data of the Rosstat and authors’ sociological research, including logistic models and the decision tree method, which allowed to conduct modeling and select factors to identify the determinants of student marriage. The modeling results revealed the role of the value-system structure of students and their parental family in the motivation for marriage and starting family life. One of the main conclusions of practical significance is the confirmed importance for the youth of marriage as such and as a key stage in the life path, which under the postponing childbirth and reducing birth rate determines the need for the state support for the student family. The results of the study can help to solve a complex demographic problem of the decline and aging of the birth rate, which requires systematic work to create an image of the happy student family and to introduce mechanisms for supporting it.
Stoichiometry of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus released from the leaf litter of various temperate tree species
Authors: Ho Pei-Chi , Nakajima Suzuna , Urabe Jotaro
Published: March 2023

Dissolved organic matter and inorganic nutrients released from forest
leaf litter through leaching are the important energy and nutrient
sources that support the production of aquatic food webs. Litter
leachate-derived dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a critical energy
source for aquatic heterotrophic microbes, and inorganic nitrogen and
phosphorus can enhance primary production. In this study, we
experimentally measured the release efficiencies and amounts of
dissolved organic DOC, total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and total
dissolved phosphorus (TDP) of the leaf litter from 11 temperate tree
species by soaking the leaf litter in water for 28 days. We found that
the maximal release efficiency (% of element released per estimated
mass of the element) was the highest for P and lowest for N. These
efficiencies were species-specific. Additionally, the DOC:TDP and
TDN:TDP ratios varied among the leachates of different leaf litter
species and were considerably lower than the C:P and N:P ratios in leaf
litter biomass; the DOC:TDN ratio was higher than the C:N ratio in leaf
litter biomass. These results suggested that the ratios of organic
carbon to nutrients dissolved into water cannot be fully elucidated
using the elemental ratios of leaf litter mass. Based on these findings,
we concluded that changes in the vegetations with different leaf litter
stoichiometry can alter the relative importance of detrital and grazing
food chains in aquatic ecosystems.
Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors and Priapism: A VigiBase Analysis.
Authors: Abbasi Behzad , Shaw Nathan M. , Lui Jason L. , Hakam Nizar , Nabavizadeh Behnam , Breyer Benjamin N.
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To explore the differences among erectile aids (i.e.,
phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors [PDE5i] and intracavernousal
drugs) of the relative risk of priapism and identify age groups at risk.
Methods: We queried the World Health Organization global
database of individual case safety reports (VigiBase) for records of the
ADR with sildenafil, tadalafil, avanafil, vardenafil, papaverine, and
alprostadil. Disproportionality analyses (case/non-case approach) were
performed to assess the relative risk of priapism reporting in PDE5i
consumers compared to intracavernousal drug recipients.
Results: From a total of 133,819 ADR events for erectogenic
medications, 632 were priapism (PDE5is: n=550, 0.41%; intracavernousal
drugs: n=82, 9.92%). We observed a strong signal for priapism induction
for intracavernousal drugs than PDE5is (reporting odds ratio
[ROR]=34.7; confidence interval [CI] 95%: 27.12 - 43.94
vs. ROR= 1.38; CI 95%: 1.24 - 1.54). For all PDE5i agents, the
12-17 years age group had the highest highest ROR (ROR=9.49, CI 95%:
3.76 - 19.93) followed by 2-11 years (ROR=4.31, CI 95%: 1.57 - 9.4).
Disproportionality signals for consumers under eighteen for both all
PDE5is as a whole (ROR=4.57, CI 95%: 2.48 - 7.73) and sildenafil
(ROR=4.89, CI 95%: 2.51 - 8.62) were significantly stronger than
individuals eighteen or older (ROR=1.06, CI 95%: 0.93 - 1.21 and
ROR=1.08, CI 95%: 0.91 - 1.26, respectively). Conclusions:
While the overall risk of priapism following the oral administration of
PDE5is is extremely low compared with intracavernousal remedies,
adolescents are at a higher risk of priapism than older men.
Patterns and drivers of taxonomic and functional changes in oceanic island bird assemblages
Authors: Soares Filipa , Lima Ricardo Faustino de , Rodrigues Ana , Cardoso Pedro , Matthews Thomas , Palmeirim Jorge
Published: March 2023

Oceanic islands are among the most transformed ecosystems in the world,
with many having experienced major biotic changes through the combined
effects of species extinctions and introductions. We map global patterns
of taxonomic and functional change in 64 oceanic island bird assemblages
and investigate whether these patterns can be explained by either island
characteristics (geography, climate) or anthropogenic factors (human
occupation, connectivity). The Hawaiian and Mascarene islands stand out
as hotspots of taxonomic and functional change, but all islands changed
taxonomically and functionally, mostly gaining species but losing
functional richness. Island isolation and aridity can explain some of
the observed variation in levels of change, but anthropogenic factors
have a stronger effect. Remote humid islands have a stronger
susceptibility to assemblage turnover and should be prioritized for
conservation through the protection of native species and their
ecosystems, and by preventing further introductions.
On the quest for novelty in ecology
Authors: Ottaviani Gianluigi , Martinez Alejandro , bon matteo petit , Mammola Stefano
Published: March 2023

The volume of scientific publications is ever increasing, making it
difficult for scholars to publish papers that can capture the readers’
attention. An obvious way to attract readership is by making a truly
significant discovery; yet another way may involve tweaking the language
to overemphasize the novelty of results. Using a dataset of 52,236 paper
abstracts published between 1997 and 2017 in 17 ecological journals, we
found that the relative frequency of the use of novelty terms (e.g.,
‘groundbreaking’, ‘new’) almost doubled over time. Conversely, we found
no such pattern with the use of confirmatory terms (e.g., ‘replicated’,
‘reproducibility’). We argue that, while increasing research
opportunities are triggering advances in ecology, the writing style of
authors and publishing habits of journals should better reflect the
inherent confirmatory nature of ecology.
On the wind-driven formation of mesoscale plankton patches in island wakes
Authors: Kaempf Jochen
Published: March 2023

Using a three-dimensional coupled physical-biological model, this paper
explores the creation of phytoplankton blooms around tropical islands in
the presence of ambient currents and short-lived (~4
days) wind events. The ambient flow creates a retention zone of weak
flows in the lee of the island, which is a typical feature of island
wakes. Findings reveal that wind-induced upwelling effects are essential
for the initial nutrient enrichment and phytoplankton growth that occur
mainly in this retention zone. Oscillating flow, typical of island
wakes, occasionally releases mesoscale patches of upwelled water and its
phytoplankton load into the ambient ocean. The phytoplankton continues
to grow within floating structures that are of up to 20 km in diameter.
This mechanism complements the plankton growth associated with the
formation of mesoscale eddies.
Towards a fully physical representation of snow on Arctic sea ice using a 3D snow-atmosphere model
Authors: Wagner David Nicholas , Clemens-Sewall David , Frey Markus Michael , Hames Océane , Jafari Mahdi , Macfarlane Amy R , Michel Adrien , Schneebeli Martin , Shupe Matthew D. , Wever Nander , Lehning Michael
Published: March 2023

Snow plays a crucial role in the heat transfer between the ocean and
atmosphere in sea ice due to its insulating properties. However,
wind-induced transport causes the snow distribution to be inhomogeneous,
as snow forms dunes and accumulates mostly around pressure ridges and,
leading to a heterogeneous underlying ice growth and melt. While models
can help to understand the complex interactions of snow and sea ice,
there is currently no 3D snow cover model for sea ice that considers
detailed snow cover properties. This study presents the first
application of the 3D-snow cover-atmosphere model ALPINE3D with the
drifting snow module to Arctic sea ice. The model was calibrated and
validated with measurements from the MOSAiC expedition. Wind fields used
by the snow drift routine were generated with OpenFOAM which was forced
by observations. A sensitivity analysis showed the impact of an
increased fluid threshold on snow redistribution. The model performed
well in simulating snow transport and mass fluxes, but underestimated
erosion and poorly reproduced dune formation due to the missing dynamic
mesh. The density was partially reproduced very well by the model, but
uncertainties still exist in some cases. Comparing the surface snow
density results with 1-D SNOWPACK simulations, ALPINE3D produced smaller
differences but larger temporal variation in between setups. The study
also investigated details of deposition and erosion using cross
sections, showing good agreements of snow height differences between
model and observations and revealing spatially high-resolution
parameters such as age of deposited snow, density, and thermal
conductivity.
Improve dynamical climate prediction with machine learning
Authors: He Zikang , Brajard Julien , Wang Yiguo , Wang Xidong , Shen Zheqi
Published: March 2023

Dynamical models used in climate prediction often have systematic errors
that can deteriorate predictions. In this study, we work in a twin
experiment framework with a reduced-order coupled ocean-atmosphere model
and aim to demonstrate the benefit of machine learning for climate
prediction. Machine learning is applied to learn the model error and
thus build a data-driven model to emulate the dynamical model error.
Then we build a hybrid model by combining the data-driven and dynamical
models. The prediction skill of the hybrid model is compared to that of
the standalone dynamical model. We applied this approach to the
ocean-atmosphere coupled model. The results show that the hybrid model
outperforms the dynamical model alone for both atmospheric and oceanic
variables. Also, we build two other hybrid models only correcting either
atmospheric errors or oceanic errors. It was found that correcting both
atmospheric and oceanic errors leads to the best performance.
Intended vs unintended consequences of modifying coastal river channels
Authors: Malito John , Mohrig David
Published: March 2023

Capital works projects, particularly the modification of coastal rivers,
are becoming increasingly significant to economic activities worldwide
as a response to climate-driven changes and urbanization. The benefits
of channel modification projects can be realized quickly, but the
altered movement of sediments in the river channel can lead to
unintended morphologic changes decades later. An example of this is the
closure of the San Bernard River mouth, located on the central coast of
Texas, which was clogged by sediments in the 1990s as a result of two
major projects in the area: the diversion of the Brazos River channel
(1929) and the construction of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW)
(1940s). The objective of this study was to document the delayed
geomorphic response to the projects using historical aerial imagery and
provide a snapshot of flow pathways in the area using measurements
collected in situ. Results showed that the GIWW was the main conduit for
river flow as it bisects the San Bernard 2 km inland of its river mouth,
reducing discharge in the terminal limb of the river. Due to reduced
flow, the river mouth became clogged with wave-transported sediment
supplied the Brazos River which had been diverted to within 6 km of the
San Bernard. With no connection to the sea, altered sediment and flow
pathways have led to numerous hazards and costly corrective dredging
projects. To optimize the cost-effectiveness of channel modification
projects their long-term impact must be considered as managers continue
to adapt to ever-changing coastal zones.