bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy Efficiency Assessment of Heat Insulation Building Products: Fuzzy-Probabilistic Approach
Authors: BIKS Yuriy , LYALYUK Olena , RATUSHNYAK Georgiy , RATUSHNYAK Olga , LYALYUK Andrey
Published: April 2021

The expediency of using heat-insulating construction products from a straw at the erecting of energy-efficient envelope constructions is considered in the paper. The hierarchical model in the form of an inference tree of the factors influencing the target function – reliability of energy efficiency of heat-insulating building products made of straw has resulted. A fuzzy matrix of knowledge is proposed which reflects the influence of thermophysical, physic-mechanical and durability parameters on the target function. The hierarchical connections between classified factors proceeded by apparatus of fuzzy logic and linguistic variables. A system of fuzzy logical equations which describes linguistic expressions of input variables according to the corresponding terms is proposed. In the research the expressions which describe the objective function – reliability of energy efficiency of heat-insulating construction products made of straw were obtained. It was made with the of membership functions following linguistic variables, by taking into account both qualitative as well as quantitative factors of influence. Represented in the paper model can be used as the design and engineering tool for the prediction of thermal performance of any multilayered wall assembly at the design stage of the project to assess complex energy efficiency parameters, which could be applied in practice during the decision-making process.
Assessment of the Waste Management System in Krakow as an Element of Circular Economy
Authors: CHMIELEWSKA Monika
Published: April 2021

Building a waste management system requires considering many aspects for the assessment of its functioning. The transition from a linear system to a circular economy requires taking into account not only technological but also economic and social factors. The waste management system in Krakow is a comprehensive solution that considers all factors and aspects, allowing for the assessment of technology, economic justification of costs and social acceptance. The paper presents a comprehensive structure of the system with all the factors enabling the transition from a linear to a circular economy. In Kraków, over 200,000 tonnes of mixed waste are collected annually and almost 150,000 tonnes of selectively collected waste. Such potential allows for a landfill reduction below 10% by weight and the achievement of the required recycling levels.
Features of Municipal Waste Management in the Context of Sustainable Development in the Countries with High Gni Per Capita and Lower Middle Gni Per Capita on the Example of Finland and Ukraine
Authors: PAVLIUK Nonna , MATYUKHINA Oleksandra
Published: April 2021

The paper discusses ways to implement in Ukraine one of the important tasks of the sustainable development strategy - minimization and rational use of waste. The concept of a circular economy is analyzed in terms of using the material and energy potential of waste on the example of countries with high Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (Finland) and countries with lower middle GNI per capita (Ukraine). The features of the municipal solid waste management optimization in Finland and Ukraine are highlighted. It is noted that the concerns about the municipal solid waste management have reached the state level and are provided with targeted national programs and action plans. The dynamics of generation and treatment of solid municipal waste in Finland in 2009–2018 and Ukraine in 2013–2019 is analyzed. The main attention in Ukraine is paid to the implementation of the European system of municipal waste management. The paper emphasizes that an important condition for the implementation of state and municipal programs for waste recycling is the study of the socioeconomic potential of the population and the contribution fractions of waste for the organization of the separate collection of waste components and creation an appropriate infrastructure. Under current situation, sensitization work with the population to increase the level of their environmental awareness and promote active participation in the implementation of municipal waste management programs is shown to be of great importance for Ukraine.
Analysis of Fees for Connecting the Infrastructure of Generally Accessible Charging Stations to Networks with Rated Voltage not Higher than 1 KV
Authors: ŚLĘZAK Anna
Published: April 2021

On 22 February 2018, the Act on electromobility and alternative fuels came into force (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 317). This legal Act sets out the rules for the development and operation of infrastructure for the use of alternative fuels, which is closely related to the development of electromobility. The Act (2011/C81E/17) regulates and defines, among others obligations in the scope of technical requirements for the construction of a charging station and their minimum number in municipalities. This Act was introduced in order to develop electromobility, which in turn is to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions [1].

The aim of the paper is to show the relationship between the geographical location of the connection of road charging infrastructure in our country, and the costs of its connection to the low voltage network, understood as the costs of the connection fee, which are paid to the Distribution System Operators. The costs of the connection fee in the case of power supply from low voltage lines cover the actual connection costs of generally available charging stations, i.e. the connection costs, i.e. the network section used to connect the devices or installations or the network of the entity with the connection capacity required by it, with the remaining part of the Distribution System Operators network. The Distribution System Operator also covers the costs of the measurement and settlement system. In addition, the paper indicates the preferential treatment of connecting charging stations, which are defined as reduced costs of connecting them in relation to other objects.
Degradation of Amine Solvents Used for Co2 Removal from Flue Gas with High Co2 Concentration
Authors: WILK Andrzej , SPIETZ Tomasz , WIĘCŁAW-SOLNY Lucyna , KRÓTKI Aleksander , TARNOWSKA Justyna
Published: April 2021

In the ethanolamine (MEA) solution, during the absorption and desorption of CO2 undesired compounds are produced as a result of degradation of an amine. Degradation not only reduces the absorption capacity of the solution but also leads to many operational problems. Furthermore, measuring of the degradation products is of great importance in terms of environmental issues. For the determination of MEA degradation products, mainly chromatographic techniques are used, sometimes coupled with other instrumental methods, e.g. GC-MS. As a part of this work, research was conducted to identify MEA thermal and oxidative degradation products and to develop a method for quantitative analysis of the main thermal degradation products such as OZD, HEIA and HEEDA and oxidative degradation products: HEA and HEI. Samples drawn from a test bench for CO2 capture from synthetic flue gas with an increased content of carbon dioxide were tested. As a research result, a method for the quantitative determination of the main degradation products was developed, the concentrations of degradation products and the rate of their formation were determined, which allows to qualify the solution shelf life.
Assisted reproductive techniques in wisents: Achievements and further challenges
Authors: EBERHARDT MARIA , NIŻAŃSKI WOJCIECH , OLECH WANDA , PROCHOWSKA SYLWIA
Published: April 2021

The current population of wisents (Bison bonasus, Linnaeus 1758) originates from only 12 individuals that survived World War II in zoos and private enclosures. For better preservation of genetic variability, research is being conducted to introduce assisted reproductive techniques in this species. In this article, we describe the current state of knowledge and prospects for further development in this field. The article is divided into sections dealing with semen collection and preservation, artificial insemination, oocyte collection, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, and further challenges.
Veterinary surgeons’ legal obligations in sales-related animal health status examinations
Authors: DZIKOWSKI ANDRZEJ
Published: April 2021

The article presents, interprets, analyzes and examines legal obligations of veterinary surgeons who conduct animal examinations, issue decisions on animal health, and prepare opinions in connection with the contract of sale. It examines responsibilities originating from various sources and forming a complex system of relationships. A veterinary surgeon has numerous obligations in the field of civil law (including general civilian rules and norms of the law of obligations) and corporate law (including ethics and professional deontology). Moreover, he also has specific documentation, information, and explanatory duties closely related to the contract. The liability threshold of a veterinary surgeon is very low, which applies in particular to the mixed contract discussed here (an obligation of due diligence in relation to examination and an obligation of result in relation to decision-making).
Optimization of rainwater harvesting system design for smallholder irrigation farmers in Kenya: a review
Authors: Odhiambo Kevin O. , Iro Ong'or Basil T. , Kanda Edwin K.
Published: April 2021

The adverse effects of climate change on agriculture have been felt across the globe. Smallholder farmers in sub-Sahara Africa are particularly more vulnerable to the effects of climate change leading to loss of income and livelihood thus affecting global food security. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is emerging as a viable option to mitigate the negative effects of climate change by supporting rain-fed agriculture through supplemental irrigation. However, smallholder farmers are still grappling with a myriad of challenges hindering them from reaping the benefits of their investment in RWH systems. This review explores some of the factors behind the poor performance of RWH systems in Kenya and also seeks to suggest techniques that can be applied to optimize the design parameters for improved performance and the adoption of RWH systems. According to the review, RWH has the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change among smallholder farmers. It allows for crop production beyond the growing season through supplemental irrigation. However, their impacts have been minimal due to the consistent poor performance of RWH systems. This is attributed to inefficiencies in design and construction brought about by lack of required technical skills among RWH system designers and implementers. Proper design and implementation are therefore paramount for better performance and adoption of RWH systems in the region. This will ensure that RWH systems are reliable, technically and economically feasible as well as possess a desirable water-saving efficiency.
Regional water allocation for coordinated development among the social, economic and environmental systems
Authors: Wang Xinkui , Dong Zengchuan , Wang Wenzhuo , Tan Yaogeng , Zhang Tianyan , Han Yalei
Published: April 2021

Most current water allocation strategies fail to address the unbalanced development among multiple systems. How to optimize the coordination development relationships among the social, economic and environmental systems has always been the focus. To bridge this gap, a water optimal allocation model for coordinated development was innovatively constructed and applied to the main stream of the Xiangjiang River Basin, China. The results showed the following. (i) From 2025 to 2030, the water deficit ratio of the study area will increase from 3.21 to 5.50% when P = 50% and from 4.59 to 6.85% when P = 75%. The existing water supply capacity will not be able to meet the increasing water demand. (ii) Agricultural and industrial water will account for a large proportion of the total water consumption. Due to the transformation of industrial structure, measures should be formulated to bring the best benefits. (iii) Restricted by different systems, the coordinated development in each city will present spatial and temporal differences. (iv) The proposed model was proved to overcome the backwards of uncoordinated development and achieve a balance of the regional social, economic and environmental benefits. Also, some recommendations and limitations were discussed. This study provides an effective basis for enhancing regional sustainable water resources planning and management.
Potential soil moisture deficit: A useful approach to save water with enhanced growth and productivity of wheat crop
Authors: Khan Shahbaz , Rasool Atif , Irshad Sohail , Hafeez Muhammad Bilal , Ali Madad , Saddique Maham , Asif Muhammad , Hasnain Zuhair , Naseem Samra , Alwahibi Mona S. , Al-Hashimi Abdulrahman
Published: April 2021

Wheat is the main crop in the world ranks after rice and the largest grain source of Pakistan. Among several reasons for diminishing wheat yield in Pakistan, water stress throughout the growing season decreases crop production because of the short life span. Two years (2015–16 and 2016–17) of field experiments were conducted to assess the impact of various water regimes (full irrigation, irrigation at 45, 60, and 75 mm potential soil moisture deficit (PSMD)) on the growth and yield of wheat. Maximum crop growth rate was recorded by application of irrigation at 45 mm PSMD. Application of irrigation at 45 mm PSMD ensured maximum radiation use efficiency regarding total dry matter production and grain yield. The maximum number of productive tillers, spike length, and grain yield were recorded under 45 mm PSDM treatment. The present results show that the effect of water is more pronounced regarding the growth and productivity of wheat. Application of irrigation at 45 mm PSMD ensures higher economical yield.
Biological responses in fish exposed to municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent in situ
Authors: Tetreault G. R. , Kleywegt S. , Marjan P. , Bragg L. , Arlos M. , Fuzzen M. , Smith B. , Moon T. , Massarsky A. , Metcalfe C. , Oakes K. , McMaster M. E. , Servos M. R.
Published: April 2021

Effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs) are complex mixtures of chemicals including endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2). The objective of this study was to evaluate selected responses of two fish species, in two different years, exposed in situ to MWTP effluent. Biological markers of exposure (plasma vitellogenin (VTG) and antioxidant enzymes) were measured in two species of male fish, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), caged at sites associated with wastewater outfall. The estrogenicity of the final effluent in 2010 was determined to be 17.0 + 0.4 ng/L estrogen equivalents (EEQ) and reduced to 7.5 + 2.9 ng/L EEQ after infrastructure upgrades. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the effluent and surface water in both years confirmed the exposures at each downstream site. Despite the presence of estrogenic compounds in the MWTP effluent, no effluent-caged male fish demonstrated plasma VTG induction. Minnows and trout that received an intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/g EE2 showed VTG induction at both field sites. In 2012, the liver somatic index (LSI) of both species increased with exposure, as did changes in antioxidant enzymes, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity. Multiple biological mechanisms are modified by effluent exposure, and multiple endpoints are needed to assess risk.
Enhancing urban and sub-urban riparian areas through ecosystem services and ecotourism activities
Authors: Gkiatas G. , Kasapidis I. , Koutalakis P. , Iakovoglou V. , Savvopoulou A. , Germantzidis I. , Zaimes G. N.
Published: April 2021

Riparian ecosystems in urban environments are usually degraded. Their sustainable management can reduce water pollution, mitigate climate change while providing recreation opportunities. This study assessed the current condition of the streams/torrents and their riparian areas in the city of Drama in Greece. In addition, practices to improve their functionality and enhance community awareness were recommended. A spatial database of the wider urban setting including suburbs and rural areas (weather, land cover, soils, roads, protected areas, riparian areas, etc.) was developed within GIS. The datasets were then inputted in a hydrologic model to simulate the water balance and stream discharge in the main urban streams and torrents. Field measurements of stream water discharge, and vegetation and stream channel conditions were undertaken using two visual protocols. The results of the protocols indicate that most streams/torrents and their riparian areas are of low ecological quality. Nature-based solutions were recommended to improve their ecological quality. In addition, the implementation of Eco-Routes was recommended to enhance the awareness of their importance and to promote their sustainable management. Overall, the urban streams/torrents and riparian ecosystems of Drama are degraded and innovative management practices should be implemented to conserve them and feature their ecosystem services.
Photo-sequencing batch reactor with Klebsormidium nitens: a promising microalgal biotechnology for sustainable phosphorus management in wastewater treatment plants
Authors: Valchev Dobril , Ribarova Irina , Uzunov Blagoy , Stoyneva-Gärtner Maya
Published: April 2021

This study aims at improving the existing algal-based wastewater treatment technologies by overcoming some of the major drawbacks of these systems such as large required land area, culture contamination, and energy-intensive algal harvesting. The experiments were carried out in an open photo-sequencing batch reactor at a laboratory-scale for nearly 2 months. A specific strain ACUS00207 of the aeroterrestrial green microalga Klebsormidium nitens (Kützing) Lokhorst was used. The strain is native to Bulgaria and belongs to a species that has never been used before in suspended growth systems for wastewater treatment for phosphorus removal. The culture of K. nitens showed promising results: phosphorus removal rates ranging from 0.4 to 1 mg total phosphorus L−1 d−1, efficient settling properties, and resistance to culture contamination with native microalgae. On the basis of the observed phosphorus removal mechanism of biologically mediated chemical precipitation/phosphorus precipitation, an innovative working mode of the sequencing batch reactor is suggested for reducing the hydraulic retention time and the required land area.
Patient Factors Associated with Interest in Teledermatology: Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Ghani Maham , Adler Colin , Yeung Howa
Published: April 2021

Background

Teledermatology is a conduit for patients communicating with dermatologists on the internet, which bypasses in-person visits. It holds promise to address access needs for dermatologic care; however, the interest in using teledermatology is unknown in underserved populations with potential barriers to the use of health care technology.

Objective

This study aimed to characterize the association between demographic characteristics with interest in exchanging digital images or videos of skin lesions with health care providers electronically.

Methods

We examined data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 4 cycle 4 (2014) of the National Cancer Institute. HINTS is a cross-sectional, nationally representative household survey conducted annually, which collects information on demographics, perceptions and use of health information, and provides information on how cancer risks are perceived. HINTS 4 cycle 4 had a sample of 3677 participants. We examined the outcome to the question, “how interested are you in exchanging digital images or videos (eg, photos of skin lesions) with a health care provider electronically?” We dichotomized the outcome by a high level of interest (responding with “very”) and those who did not have a high level of interest (responding with “somewhat,” “a little,” or “not at all”) in exchanging images or videos. We used a multivariable logistic regression model developed through backwards selection, with all final covariates associated with varying levels of teledermatology use at P<.05. Sensitivity analysis was performed by changing the outcome dichotomy to model those who were “not at all” interested. Two-sided tests were performed with P<.05 considered significant.

Results

Among 3447 respondents, 888 (weighted prevalence=26.2%) were “very” interested in participating in teledermatology. A higher interest in using teledermatology was associated with a younger age, higher educational attainment, higher household income, internet usage, type of mobile device ownership, history of electronic medical information exchange with a clinician within the past 12 months, and high level of trust in web-based information on cancer (for all, P<.01), but not with the female gender, race or ethnicity, health insurance status, or having a regular medical provider.

Conclusions

Modifiable access barriers to teledermatology adoption include trust, experience with teledermatology, and use of health apps. Teledermatology program implementation should address these specific factors within the digital divide to promote equitable access to care across diverse patient populations.
Factors Influencing Anxiety Among WeChat Users During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mainland China: Cross-sectional Survey Study
Authors: Zou Changqing , Zhang Weiyu , Sznajder Kristin , Yang Fengzhi , Jia Yajing , Ma Ruqing , Cui Can , Yang Xiaoshi
Published: April 2021

Background

The rapid outbreak of COVID-19 around the world has adversely affected the mental health of the public. The prevalence of anxiety among the public has increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are few studies evaluating the effects of positive psychological responses and information-seeking behaviors on anxiety experienced among social media users during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective

This study evaluated the prevalence of anxiety and its associated factors among WeChat users in mainland China during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

From February 10 to February 24, 2020, a nationwide, web-based cross-sectional survey study was carried out using convenience sampling. Participants’ levels of anxiety, positive psychological responses, and information-seeking behaviors were assessed. The survey was distributed among WeChat users via the WeChat smartphone platform. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the factors associated with anxiety.

Results

This study found that the prevalence of anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item [GAD-7] scale score ≥7) among WeChat users in China was 17.96% (446/2483) during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that information-seeking behaviors such as cannot stop searching for information on COVID-19, being concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic, and spending more than 1 hour per day consuming information about the pandemic were found to be associated with increased levels of anxiety. Additionally, participants who chose social media and commercial media as the primary sources to obtain information about the COVID-19 pandemic were found more likely to report anxiety. Conversely, participants who were confident or rational about the COVID-19 pandemic were less likely to report anxiety.

Conclusions

This study found that positive psychological responses and information-seeking behaviors were closely associated with anxiety among WeChat users during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. It might be paramount to enhance mental well-being by helping people respond to the COVID-19 pandemic more rationally and positively in order to decrease symptoms of anxiety.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Care Utilization in a Large Integrated Health Care System: Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Xu Stanley , Glenn Sungching , Sy Lina , Qian Lei , Hong Vennis , Ryan Denison S , Jacobsen Steven
Published: April 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an abrupt reduction in the use of in-person health care, accompanied by a corresponding surge in the use of telehealth services. However, the extent and nature of changes in health care utilization during the pandemic may differ by care setting. Knowledge of the impact of the pandemic on health care utilization is important to health care organizations and policy makers.

Objective

The aims of this study are (1) to evaluate changes in in-person health care utilization and telehealth visits during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) to assess the difference in changes in health care utilization between the pandemic year 2020 and the prepandemic year 2019.

Methods

We retrospectively assembled a cohort consisting of members of a large integrated health care organization, who were enrolled between January 6 and November 2, 2019 (prepandemic year), and between January 5 and October 31, 2020 (pandemic year). The rates of visits were calculated weekly for four settings: inpatient, emergency department (ED), outpatient, and telehealth. Using Poisson models, we assessed the impact of the pandemic on health care utilization during the early days of the pandemic and conducted difference-in-deference (DID) analyses to measure the changes in health care utilization, adjusting for the trend of health care utilization in the prepandemic year.

Results

In the early days of the pandemic, we observed significant reductions in inpatient, ED, and outpatient utilization (by 30.2%, 37.0%, and 80.9%, respectively). By contrast, there was a 4-fold increase in telehealth visits between weeks 8 (February 23) and 12 (March 22) in 2020. DID analyses revealed that after adjusting for prepandemic secular trends, the reductions in inpatient, ED, and outpatient visit rates in the early days of the pandemic were 1.6, 8.9, and 367.2 visits per 100 person-years (P<.001), respectively, while the increase in telehealth visits was 272.9 visits per 100 person-years (P<.001). Further analyses suggested that the increase in telehealth visits offset the reduction in outpatient visits by week 26 (June 28, 2020).

Conclusions

In-person health care utilization decreased drastically during the early period of the pandemic, but there was a corresponding increase in telehealth visits during the same period. By end-June 2020, the combined outpatient and telehealth visits had recovered to prepandemic levels.
Tweet Topics and Sentiments Relating to COVID-19 Vaccination Among Australian Twitter Users: Machine Learning Analysis
Authors: Kwok Stephen Wai Hang , Vadde Sai Kumar , Wang Guanjin
Published: April 2021

Background

COVID-19 is one of the greatest threats to human beings in terms of health care, economy, and society in recent history. Up to this moment, there have been no signs of remission, and there is no proven effective cure. Vaccination is the primary biomedical preventive measure against the novel coronavirus. However, public bias or sentiments, as reflected on social media, may have a significant impact on the progression toward achieving herd immunity.

Objective

This study aimed to use machine learning methods to extract topics and sentiments relating to COVID-19 vaccination on Twitter.

Methods

We collected 31,100 English tweets containing COVID-19 vaccine–related keywords between January and October 2020 from Australian Twitter users. Specifically, we analyzed tweets by visualizing high-frequency word clouds and correlations between word tokens. We built a latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic model to identify commonly discussed topics in a large sample of tweets. We also performed sentiment analysis to understand the overall sentiments and emotions related to COVID-19 vaccination in Australia.

Results

Our analysis identified 3 LDA topics: (1) attitudes toward COVID-19 and its vaccination, (2) advocating infection control measures against COVID-19, and (3) misconceptions and complaints about COVID-19 control. Nearly two-thirds of the sentiments of all tweets expressed a positive public opinion about the COVID-19 vaccine; around one-third were negative. Among the 8 basic emotions, trust and anticipation were the two prominent positive emotions observed in the tweets, while fear was the top negative emotion.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that some Twitter users in Australia supported infection control measures against COVID-19 and refuted misinformation. However, those who underestimated the risks and severity of COVID-19 may have rationalized their position on COVID-19 vaccination with conspiracy theories. We also noticed that the level of positive sentiment among the public may not be sufficient to increase vaccination coverage to a level high enough to achieve vaccination-induced herd immunity. Governments should explore public opinion and sentiments toward COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination, and implement an effective vaccination promotion scheme in addition to supporting the development and clinical administration of COVID-19 vaccines.
Medical Specialty Recommendations by an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot on a Smartphone: Development and Deployment
Authors: Lee Hyeonhoon , Kang Jaehyun , Yeo Jonghyeon
Published: April 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has limited daily activities and even contact between patients and primary care providers. This makes it more difficult to provide adequate primary care services, which include connecting patients to an appropriate medical specialist. A smartphone-compatible artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that classifies patients’ symptoms and recommends the appropriate medical specialty could provide a valuable solution.

Objective

In order to establish a contactless method of recommending the appropriate medical specialty, this study aimed to construct a deep learning–based natural language processing (NLP) pipeline and to develop an AI chatbot that can be used on a smartphone.

Methods

We collected 118,008 sentences containing information on symptoms with labels (medical specialty), conducted data cleansing, and finally constructed a pipeline of 51,134 sentences for this study. Several deep learning models, including 4 different long short-term memory (LSTM) models with or without attention and with or without a pretrained FastText embedding layer, as well as bidirectional encoder representations from transformers for NLP, were trained and validated using a randomly selected test data set. The performance of the models was evaluated on the basis of the precision, recall, F1-score, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). An AI chatbot was also designed to make it easy for patients to use this specialty recommendation system. We used an open-source framework called “Alpha” to develop our AI chatbot. This takes the form of a web-based app with a frontend chat interface capable of conversing in text and a backend cloud-based server application to handle data collection, process the data with a deep learning model, and offer the medical specialty recommendation in a responsive web that is compatible with both desktops and smartphones.

Results

The bidirectional encoder representations from transformers model yielded the best performance, with an AUC of 0.964 and F1-score of 0.768, followed by LSTM model with embedding vectors, with an AUC of 0.965 and F1-score of 0.739. Considering the limitations of computing resources and the wide availability of smartphones, the LSTM model with embedding vectors trained on our data set was adopted for our AI chatbot service. We also deployed an Alpha version of the AI chatbot to be executed on both desktops and smartphones.

Conclusions

With the increasing need for telemedicine during the current COVID-19 pandemic, an AI chatbot with a deep learning–based NLP model that can recommend a medical specialty to patients through their smartphones would be exceedingly useful. This chatbot allows patients to identify the proper medical specialist in a rapid and contactless manner, based on their symptoms, thus potentially supporting both patients and primary care providers.
STATE POLICY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION ON THE FORMATION OF CITIZENSHIP AND PATRIOTISM IN THE YOUTH ENVIRONMENT: SOCIOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL ANALYSIS
Authors:   Central Russian Institute of Management, Branch of RANEPA, LEONOVA O.V. , VOLKOVA A.E. ,   Voronezh State Technical University
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the article is to present the value preferences of students in the Russian Federation based on the results of sociological surveys, to reveal the relationship between these values and the policy of state institutions for the civic-patriotic education of youth. The scientific article examines the problem of value preferences of students, the mechanisms and tools of their involvement in the system of civil-patriotic education, which is carried out through the state policy in various areas. Analyzing the results of sociological surveys among young people, in one of which the authors took part, attention is focused on the processes of the formation of civil-patriotic education of new generations. The work pays special attention to the role of state institutions in the socialization of young people, the involvement of young people in public associations and military-patriotic clubs. The object of the research is student youth, as one of the segments of the youth environment. The subject of the research is the process of forming civic consciousness and patriotism among students. As the result of the study, conclusions and recommendations were obtained on improving the system of educating young people in the spirit of citizenship and patriotism, as well as the activities of state and non-state youth structures.
ENSURING THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF BUSINESS IN THE SARATOV REGION IN TERMS OF CORONAVIRUS CRISIS: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
Authors:   Povolzhsky Institute of Management named after P.A. Stolypin, Branch of RANEPA, LATKOV A.V. , BEKKALIEVA N.K. ,   Povolzhsky Institute of Management named after P.A. Stolypin, Branch of RANEPA
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the article is to consider the problems faced by regional business in the context of the coronavirus crisis. The main financial indicators of regional business are considered, which reflect the existing problems of entrepreneurship in the Saratov region. The volume of unprofitable organizations by various types of economic activity is presented, representing a tendency of decreasing business efficiency over the last year. The analysis of the indicator of the economic security of regional business is the indicator of the gross profit of business, which has a negative growth compared to the previous year. The main external and internal causes, as well as the problems of regional business in the context of a pandemic, are identified. Among the main problems, the authors highlight the high "Index of Administrative Pressure" on business, as well as "administrative barriers" that have a negative impact on the development and functioning of the business. The authors formulate the concept of "administrative barrier" as applied to the business of the Saratov region. As a result, the necessity of developing a single set of measures was substantiated, which would allow ensuring the economic security of business in the form of a “mechanism of economic security” for regional business. In order to select activities within the framework of ensuring the economic security of business, the authors determine the possible risk coefficient for regional business development in the current period. The calculation of the possible retrospective growth rate of its profitability is carried out in order to implement the necessary measures to improve it.
EVOLUTION OF THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO STUDYING TRANSFORMATION OF SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF SOCIETY UNDER INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL REALITIES
Authors:   Central Russian Institute of Management, Branch of RANEPA, MIKHALEV I.V.
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the article is to identify methodological features and guidelines for a comprehensive study of the social structure of modern society based on the analysis of various theories and concepts of the study of the transformation of the society social structure under the influence of social realities. This work reflects the genesis and development of the study of the social structure of society and the position in it of various segments of the population under the influence of social realities that originate in Antiquity. The main class and stratification approaches to the study of the social structure of such scientists as O.Kont, G. Spencer, A. Touraine, M. Weber and P. Bourdieu are outlined. Among domestic studies, the emphasis is on the theory of poverty by L.A. Belyaeva, the factor theory of N.E. Tikhonova, on the multidimensional hierarchical approach Z.T. Golenkova and M.K. Gorshkova. The classification of sociological theories and concepts of the study of the social structure of society, depending on social realities, which made it possible to identify methodological features and guidelines for its study, which consists in the fact that for the most complete and detailed analysis of the social structure, it is necessary to rely on a set of integrated equivalent criteria as objective and subjective. Objective means the real conditions in which a person is (financial situation, professional status, etc.), and subjective self-perception of oneself in the social space.
DISINTEGRATED NARRATIVE: POST-IMPERIAL DISCOURSE ABOUT THE NATIONAL STATE IN RUSSIA
Authors:   Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, SHISHKOV V.V. , KHOROSHEV S.V. ,   Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the article is to analyze the conceptualization of the development of the nation and national state in Russia in modern research. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study is a constructivist approach to understanding the nation and the national state. In addition, due to the fact that the imperial past is of decisive importance for the development of national statehood, the article uses the actual results of research on empires and works carried out within the framework of postcolonial discourse. It is assumed that the process of the national-state development of historical Russia is not completed, in connection with which it is characterized as a disintegrated narrative. The Russian Empire was implementing a nation-building project - the creation of a large Russian nation, in the article this process is considered from the point of view of constructivism. On the other hand, the article analyzes the position presented in the framework of the postcolonial discourse, according to which the state-national development of Russia is a process of internal colonization (A. Etkind). The heuristic potential and the problematic nature of the consideration of domestic nation-building and Russian statehood in postcolonial discourse are examined. The conclusion summarizes the results of the study. The author points out the inadequacy of the theoretical basis for the modern national development of Russia. In addition, it is necessary to further study the ways to consolidate the socio-political center of Russian society on the basis of the historical and cultural heritage.
Effects of Sevelamer Carbonate versus Calcium Acetate on Vascular Calcification, Inflammation, and Endothelial Dysfunction in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Mason Darius , Godugu Kavitha , Nnani Daryl , Mousa Shaker A.
Published: April 2021

Rationale & Objective: Hyperphosphatemia is present in most patients
with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and has been associated with
increased cardiovascular mortality. Phosphate binders (calcium-based and
calcium free) are the mainstay pharmacologic treatment to lower
phosphorus levels in patients with ESRD. Study Design: We evaluated
biochemical markers of vascular calcification, inflammation, and
endothelial dysfunction in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
treated with sevelamer carbonate versus calcium acetate. Setting &
Participants: We enrolled 50 CKD patients (stages 3 and 4) and treated
them with sevelamer carbonate and calcium acetate for 12 weeks.
Outcomes: At the end of the study the biomarkers of vascular
calcification, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction were analyzed.
Results: A significant increase in HDL-cholesterol was observed with
sevelamer carbonate but not with calcium acetate. Treatment with
sevelamer carbonate reduced serum phosphate, calcium phosphate, and
FGF-23 levels and there was no change with calcium acetate treatment.
The inflammatory markers IL-8, IFN-γ, and TNFα decreased with response
to both treatments. The levels of IL-6 significantly increased with
calcium acetate treatment and no change was observed in the sevelamer
carbonate treatment group. Conclusion: Sevelamer carbonate showed
favorable effects on anti-inflammatory and vascular calcification
biomarkers compared to calcium acetate treatment. Funding: Funding was
received from Sanofi/Genzyme. Trial Registration: Registered at
trial.com, registration number NCT01277497.
Model-informed precision dosing of levetiracetam in pediatrics population
Authors: Macente Julia , Martins Frederico , Bonan Rodolfo , Caleffi-Marchesini Edilainy , Pereira Leonardo , Lima Priscila , Kimura Elza , Diniz Andrea
Published: April 2021

Aims: Assessing the suitability and safety of doses of levetiracetam in
pediatrics using physiologic-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling.
Methods: A PBPK model of levetiracetam was developed and validated for
healthy adults and scaled for children (0.5 to 12 years old). Prediction
of levetiracetam exposure at steady- state, were carried out for
different therapeutic regimens to achieve the target of Cmax values
within the therapeutic range of 5 to 46 µg ml-1. Then, a multivariate
linear regression analysis (MLR) was applied to correlate the simulated
data with covariates: dose, therapeutic regimen, sex, age and body
weight (BW), to describe the best model prediction for the initial
dosing in pediatrics. Results: The results indicated the suitability of
the PBPK model for adults and pediatrics. For children aged 0.5 to 6
y.o. the dose range capable of reaching the pharmacokinetic target is
between 10 and 100 mg kg-1 day-1, for 7 to 9 y.o. doses between 20 and
90 mg kg-1 day-1, and for 10 to 12 y.o. doses between 20 to 80 mg kg-1
day-1. Further, the MLR related Cmax to dose, therapeutic regimen, and
BW. Conclusions: For 3 daily administrations, it is suggested that
maximum daily doses of 80 mg kg-1 could be used for ages between 0.5 and
6 y.o. and 100 mg kg-1 for ages above 7 years old, since they weigh
below 50 kg. The PBPK model lumped to MLR could be very supportive for
clinical decisions to safety and effectiveness of prescription of
levetiracetam along the titration phase.
Synapomorphic variations in the THAP domains of human THAP proteins and their homologs
Authors: Sanghavi Hiral , MAJUMDAR sharmistha
Published: April 2021

The THAP (Thanatos-associated protein) domain is a DNA-binding domain
which binds DNA via a zinc coordinating C2CH motif. Although THAP
domains share a conserved structural fold, they bind different DNA
sequences in different THAP proteins, which in turn perform distinct
cellular functions. In this study, we investigate (using multiple
sequence alignment, in silico motif and secondary structure prediction)
THAP domain conservation within the homologs of the human THAP (hTHAP)
protein family. We report that there is significant variation in
sequence and predicted secondary structure elements across hTHAP
homologs. Interestingly, we report that the THAP domain can be either
longer or shorter than the conventional 90 residues and the amino
terminal C2CH motif within the THAP domain serves as a hotspot for
insertion or deletion. Our results lay the foundation for future studies
which will further our understanding of the evolution of THAP domain and
regulation of its function.
Postpartum Congestive Heart Failure Due to Diastolic Dysfunction: Importance of Advanced Echo-Doppler Analysis
Authors: Gottbrecht Matthew , Panella Leslie , Ferraro Laura , Harrington Colleen , Aurigemma Gerard , Kovell Lara
Published: April 2021

We present a case of a 25 year-old female who developed acute hypoxic
respiratory failure secondary to postpartum heart failure with preserved
ejection fraction. Despite essentially normal tissue Doppler velocities
and E/e’ ratio by existing guidelines for the adult population,
available literature suggests that our patient’s markers of diastolic
function were significantly abnormal relative to what is expected in the
third trimester of pregnancy. Advanced echo-Doppler analysis and her
clinical presentation support the presence of underlying diastolic
dysfunction. This case illustrates the challenges associated with the
diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction during pregnancy and the need for
pregnancy specific guidelines.
Toxoplasmosis, a rare case report that led to a successful pregnancy.
Authors: NTOUNIS THOMAS , Stavros Sofoklis , Koutras Antonios , Katrachouras Alexandros , Lentzaris Dimitrios , Domali Ekaterini , Konis Kyriakos , Drakakis Peter
Published: April 2021

A 19-year-old pregnant patient was diagnosed with primary toxoplasmosis
infection. The patient was successfully treated with spiramycin and
finally delivered normally a healthy boy. Serological tests for
detection of anti-toxoplasma antibodies along with ultrasonography
findings are the gold standard for the diagnosis. Spiramycin was used
for embryo protection.
Usabilidad de una app móvil para el aprendizaje y elaboración de estados financieros en México
Authors: Benítez Guadarrama Juan Pedro
Published: April 2021

El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la usabilidad que tiene una aplicación móvil como herramienta para el aprendizaje y elaboración de estados financieros en México. Para el desarrollo de la app se aplicó la metodología establecida en la norma ISO 13407, mientras que para el diseño se empleó el método estructural basado en las Normas de Información Financiera (NIF) de la serie B2, B3, B4 y B6, para la correcta presentación y revelación de la información financiera. En la medición se aplicó un instrumento de evaluación —diseñado según la norma ISO 9241— a 100 docentes de diferentes instituciones públicas de nivel superior del área económico-administrativa. Los resultados muestran que 100 % de los participantes evaluaron la app con un nivel excelente de usabilidad para la enseñanza de los estados financieros debido a que genera información eficiente, eficaz y satisface los requerimientos exigibles por los interesados sobre la situación financiera, flujo de efectivo, movimientos de capital y desempeño financiero en un periodo determinado, lo cual resulta esencial para tomar decisiones efectivas sobre los recursos y para obtener rendimiento y beneficios económicos en la entidad.