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Copyright of Revista Española de Quimioterapia is the property of Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. The data are presented on the architectonics of ancient barley spikes from the 12th century, excavated in 2019 at Usvyaty Settlement. Modern molecular genetics approaches were used to study domestication genes (Btr1, Btr2, and Vrs) in ancient and contemporary barleys (germplasm accessions preserved at VIR).Materials and methods. The carbonized kernels found by archaeologists during the excavations at Usvyaty were analyzed. Primers for domestication genes were designed, and PCR was performed on contemporary and ancient barley grains. Ancient kernels were studied in accordance with the rules established for organizing a paleogenetics laboratory, which excluded any contamination with contemporary DNA. Fragments of domestication genes from contemporary and ancient barley grain samples underwent Sanger sequencing. Results. Ancient DNA was isolated and enriched. The analysis of domestication gene sequences made it possible to reconstruct the ancient barley spike’s features. Conclusion. The ancient cereal crop architectonics was restored to ascertain a brittle two-row spike of ancient barley

The study initiated an evaluation of the GNSS continuously operating reference stations (CORS) performance for Network-based Real-Time Kinematic (NRTK) positioning in Thailand, using the deemed rover analysis approach. Fifty CORS were selected as rovers with varying network geometries. Results indicated the highest performance, 79.9% of fixed solutions, for an average triangle side length of 54 km, while the lowest performance, 29.9%, was observed for a 93 km length with accuracies at a decimetre level. These initial explorations suggest that reducing side lengths enhances fixed solution efficiency and positioning accuracy at rovers. Occasional metre-level errors occurred, potentially linked to Internet instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Ordnance Equipment Engineering is the property of Chongqing University of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The process of digitizing businesses involves ongoing investments and additional costs, leading to the inevitable inquiry into the economic impact of digital transformation. Specifically, it's important to evaluate how this process contributes to the economic growth of nations. The article introduces a method for creating a ranking of European countries according to the economic benefits derived from digitalizing businesses of different scales. To achieve this, DEA models were developed to measure the effectiveness of digital adoption by small and medium-sized enterprises and larger corporations. For input variables, we selected metrics that reflect the extent of business digitalization, specifically, the proportion of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) with a high digital intensity index (DII), the percentage of SMEs utilizing cloud technologies, and the contribution of SME turnover to the overall e-commerce turnover. The output variables chosen were metrics indicative of a country's economic health: GDP per capita, the ratio of exports to GDP, and the international investment position. The evidence demonstrates that due to significant differences in size, economic advancement, and digitalization levels among EU countries, the VRS model more adeptly accommodates these disparities. This approach permits the evaluation of each country's performance based on its unique situation and potential for development, without consideration of its economic magnitude. In 2022, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Malta, and Belgium emerged as the frontrunners in digital intensity among SMEs, with nearly 40% of businesses exhibiting a high degree of digital engagement. Among these leaders, only Malta and the Netherlands achieved the highest efficiency in leveraging digitalization for economic growth, as determined by the VRS model that considers variable returns to scale. It was shown, that the economic effect of digital transformation on large enterprises in EU countries is more substantial than on small and medium-sized enterprises [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Española de Quimioterapia is the property of Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of Unani formulations and Hijama Bila Shart in Tashanuji Usr al-Tamth (spasmodic dysmenorrhea). Materials and Methods: Diagnosed patients (n=40) were randomly allocated in 2 groups (A and B). Group A (n=20) received 200 mL Joshanda (decoction) of Post Amaltas (7 g), Badiyan (5 g), and Pudina Khushk (5 g) and 6 g Sufuf (Tukhm Kharpaza (5 g), Hulba (3 g), Hab ul Qilt (3 g), and Maghz Tukhm Bakayan (1 g), twice daily, 2 days before the onset of menstruation and continued for 3 days of menstrual cycle and Hijama bila Shart (dry cupping) were applied over the suprapubic region on day 1 to day 3 of the menstrual cycle in Group B (n=20) for three consecutive cycles. The primary outcome included a Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) for the severity of pain at baseline and at each follow-up. The secondary outcome included a multidimensional scoring system WaLIDD (working ability, location, intensity, days of pain, dysmenorrhea) score at baseline and post-intervention (4th cycle). With a 5% level of significance, the data was statistically analyzed. Results: In both groups significant pain relief was noted at each follow-up from baseline. Cupping therapy was more effective than oral medication. The mean WaLIDD score of group A and group B comparison at baseline [8.85±1.23 and 8.20±1.40] and post-intervention [4.10±2.69 and 4.20±2.40] was statistically not significant (p>0.05). However, the intragroup comparison showed significant differences in both groups. No side effects of drugs were noted. Conclusion: Both groups were effective, safe and cost-effective, in pain management of Tashanuji Usr al-Tamth. However, further randomized standard controlled trials in large samples are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ingeniería e Investigación is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ingenieraia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The process of digitizing businesses involves ongoing investments and additional costs, leading to the inevitable inquiry into the economic impact of digital transformation. Specifically, it's important to evaluate how this process contributes to the economic growth of nations. The article introduces a method for creating a ranking of European countries according to the economic benefits derived from digitalizing businesses of different scales. To achieve this, DEA models were developed to measure the effectiveness of digital adoption by small and medium-sized enterprises and larger corporations. For input variables, we selected metrics that reflect the extent of business digitalization, specifically, the proportion of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) with a high digital intensity index (DII), the percentage of SMEs utilizing cloud technologies, and the contribution of SME turnover to the overall e-commerce turnover. The output variables chosen were metrics indicative of a country's economic health: GDP per capita, the ratio of exports to GDP, and the international investment position. The evidence demonstrates that due to significant differences in size, economic advancement, and digitalization levels among EU countries, the VRS model more adeptly accommodates these disparities. This approach permits the evaluation of each country's performance based on its unique situation and potential for development, without consideration of its economic magnitude. In 2022, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Malta, and Belgium emerged as the frontrunners in digital intensity among SMEs, with nearly 40% of businesses exhibiting a high degree of digital engagement. Among these leaders, only Malta and the Netherlands achieved the highest efficiency in leveraging digitalization for economic growth, as determined by the VRS model that considers variable returns to scale. It was shown, that the economic effect of digital transformation on large enterprises in EU countries is more substantial than on small and medium-sized enterprises.

Network Real Time Kinematic (NRTK) measurements are currently the most popular surveying method in geodesy. In most countries, there are networks of Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS), which form the core of the terrestrial infrastructure that allows for NRTK measurements. In many countries, including Poland, several CORS networks operate in parallel and independently. The paper presents the characteristics of the CORS network in Poland. The results of several day NRTK and Real Time Kinematic (RTK) test measurements performed tied to five CORS networks operating in Poland: ASG-EUPOS, NadowskiNET, SmartNet, TPINETpro, VRSNet.pl, were subjected to a comparative analysis. VRS, FKP, MAC and POJ streams were used in the test measurements. The research mainly concerned the possibility of the occurrence of systematic errors when NRTK and RTK measurements were tied to different CORS networks for the survey of the same points. Conclusions from the comparative analysis of the accuracy and precision of the NRTK and RTK measurement results for each coordinate were also included.

The area of Sarajevo at the beginning of April 1992 was violently divided. Units of the 4th Corps of the 2nd Military District of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA), the armed forces that were gathered and supported the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) as well as many local and foreign volunteers and mercenaries occupied strategic positions in and around Sarajevo. Open armed aggression began after Bosnia and Herzegovina was recognized as an international independent state. After that, Sarajevo was blocked and put under siege for almost four years. After the partial withdrawal of the JNA from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the 2nd Military District of the JNA was transformed into a part of the Army of the Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (VSr RBiH), from August 1992 under the name of the Army of the Republika Srpska (VRS). Through the transformation, the 4th Corps of the JNA became the Sarajevo-Romanian Corps (SRK) VSr RBiH. In the period of the four-year siege of Sarajevo, in order to control Sarajevo, the said forces carried out a “coordinated systematic and long-term campaign of shelling and sniping” in order to “kill, maim, injure and terrorize the civilian population of Sarajevo”. In addition to artillery attacks, which were the most widespread way in which the inhabitants of Sarajevo were killed, another frequent way of killing was sniper attacks. The sniper clearly sees his victim and kills him with intent. Residents of Sarajevo were intentional victims of sniper attacks and were not safe anywhere. Without water, electricity, gas and other necessities of life, the residents fought a daily struggle for bare survival. It was a day and night fight for survival. Cruel individual and mass murders of civilians, including those of the youngest residents, followed by daily wounding, terrorizing, violations of psychological integrity, illegal actions and others, are part of the crimes committed against the inhabitants of Sarajevo in the period 1992-1995. years. Guided primarily by the verdicts and documents of the International Tribunal for War Crimes in The Hague, as well as other relevant archival documents and the statements and expertise of experts, the author shows in her work what the sniping campaign meant. A very important part is the display and description of the types of weapons that were used in such operations, as well as the description of localities and parts of the city from which snipers were most often used. Based on these data, it is very clear to see what the daily life of the inhabitants of the city under siege looked like. The organization of sniper training as well as the places where the training was conducted and in what way are also important parts of the work. The demand and delivery of sniper weapons and ammunition to the Sarajevo-Romania Corps, as well as the identities of the snipers, as well as hired mercenaries and volunteers from other countries, are parts of the work presented by the author. Based on the examples of the victims of sniping, primarily the killing of children, it is clear that the enemy's goal was to kill civilians with intent, directly and in a targeted manner. In this section, the investigated and identified minor victims of sniper attacks as well as the circumstances of the murder are presented in chronological order. As a clear indication that the sniper's intention was to kill them or seriously injure them with permanent consequences, the parts of the body that were hit, which are very often the head, the area around the heart, the stomach, and the lungs, are also shown. In the final part of the paper, the emphasis is on the prosecution and non-prosecution of persons responsible for crimes committed by snipers, before domestic and international courts. Although there is irrefutable evidence of sniper killings of Sarajevo residents, very few or no indictments are filed against those responsible. The direct perpetrators - snipers, who killed the inhabitants of Sarajevo with intent, have not yet been brought to justice and convicted of the crime.

AbstractAn efficient bank is more robust to shocks, fosters competitiveness, and promotes stability of the financial system. This study estimates Ethiopia’s commercial banks’ level of efficiency and its determinants during the period 2014–2020. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Malmquist DEA, and Tobit regression were employed to analyze the data. The result indicated that the average efficiency score of banks in the constant returns to scale (CRS), variable returns to scale (VRS), and scale efficiency (SE) models were 95.5%, 99.85%, and 96.95% , respectively. Furthermore, in the VRS model, a state bank is more efficient than private banks. During the study period, the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) of Banks improved by 1%. According to the Tobit model, the efficiency of banks grows with an increment in the number of branches, bank size, and credit risk. However, when, liquidity risk and the log of the fixed asset increase, bank efficiency will decrease. The level of capitalization, log of GDP, and inflation, on the other hand, do not influence bank efficiency. Therefore, banks should pay close attention to aspects that influence technical efficiency.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) leads to moderate to severe pain in the patient. Pain severity is directly proportional to the functional limitations and depression in the postpartum period, making it essential to provide good pain relief after surgery. Maternal wellbeing and better nursing care of newborn requires good postoperative analgesia with minimal side effects. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of intravenous low-dose ketamine, when administered pre-emptively, in patients undergoing caesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. METHODOLOGY: Two groups were made, each with 50 full-term pregnant females with a plan of caesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Group-A received spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine 0.5% along with intravenous placebo of 2cc normal saline, whereas group-B received 0.5mg/kg ketamine intravenously after administration of spinal anesthesia but before the start of surgical incision. Pain intensity was monitored using a visual rating pain scale (VRS), till the need for the first analgesic dose postoperatively. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable in terms of age and weight. Analgesia was markedly prolonged, and postoperative pain scores were significantly less in Group-B (ketamine group) as compared to Group-A; with p-value< 0.001, demonstrating analgesic properties of ketamine when administered pre-emptively as an intravenous dose. CONCLUSION: Our study concluded that pre-emptive analgesic dose of ketamine (administered before surgical incision), leads to prolong analgesia in post-operative period in patients who underwent LSCS under spinal anesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RSV infections are a burden on children's health and on our healthcare system. Yet, our therapeutic and preventive arsenal against it has until now been very thin. Palivizumab has proved effective in protecting infants at risk, but its high cost and monthly injection requirement have prevented its widespread use. The arrival of new antibodies on the market gives us hope of a turning point in the prevention of these infections. The development of vaccines against RSV is an ideal complement to the limited range of treatments currently available. The coming winters will put our prevention strategies to the test, but the data from the current winter are already encouraging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the air traffic management (ATM) environment, air traffic controllers (ATCos) and flight crews, (FCs) communicate via voice to exchange different types of data such as commands, readbacks (confirmation of reception of the command) and information related to the air traffic environment. Speech recognition can be used in these voice exchanges to support ATCos in their work; each time a flight identification or callsign is mentioned by the controller or the pilot, the flight is recognised through automatic speech recognition (ASR) and the callsign is highlighted on the ATCo screen to increase their situational awareness and safety. This paper presents the work that is being performed within SESAR2020-founded solution PJ.10-W2-96 ASR in callsign recognition via voice by Enaire, Indra, and Crida using ASR models developed jointly by EML Speech Technology GmbH (EML) and Crida. The paper describes the ATCo speech environment and presents the main requirements impacting the design, the implementation performed, and the outcomes obtained using real operation communications and real-time simulations. The findings indicate a way forward incorporating partial recognition of callsigns and enriching the phonetization of company names to improve the recognition rates, currently set at 84–87% for controllers and 49–67% for flight crew. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient bank is more robust to shocks, fosters competitiveness, and promotes stability of the financial system. This study estimates Ethiopia's commercial banks' level of efficiency and its determinants during the period 2014–2020. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Malmquist DEA, and Tobit regression were employed to analyze the data. The result indicated that the average efficiency score of banks in the constant returns to scale (CRS), variable returns to scale (VRS), and scale efficiency (SE) models were 95.5%, 99.85%, and 96.95% , respectively. Furthermore, in the VRS model, a state bank is more efficient than private banks. During the study period, the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) of Banks improved by 1%. According to the Tobit model, the efficiency of banks grows with an increment in the number of branches, bank size, and credit risk. However, when, liquidity risk and the log of the fixed asset increase, bank efficiency will decrease. The level of capitalization, log of GDP, and inflation, on the other hand, do not influence bank efficiency. Therefore, banks should pay close attention to aspects that influence technical efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the adult population, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a serious disease that is responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates, being frequently associated with multidrug resistant pathogens. The aim of this review is to update a practical immunization prevention guideline for CAP in Spain caused by prevalent respiratory pathogens, based on the available scientific evidence through extensive bibliographic review and expert opinion. The emergence of COVID-19 as an additional etiological cause of CAP, together with the rapid changes in the availability of vaccines and recommendations against SARS-CoV-2, justifies the need for an update. In addition, new conjugate vaccines of broader spectrum against pneumococcus, existing vaccines targeting influenza and pertussis or upcoming vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) will be very useful prophylactic tools to diminish the burden of CAP and all of its derived complications. In this manuscript, we provide practical recommendations for adult vaccination against the pathogens mentioned above, including their contribution against antibiotic resistance. This guide is intended for the individual perspective of protection and not for vaccination policies, as we do not pretend to interfere with the official recommendations of any country. The use of vaccines is a realistic approach to fight these infections and ameliorate the impact of antimicrobial resistance. All of the recently available scientific evidence included in this review gives support to the indications established in this practical guide to reinforce the dissemination and implementation of these recommendations in routine clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article contains a regression model for assessing the average value of the efficiency of the scale of operations by leasing companies in Ukraine, which is built on the basis of DEA analysis. To determine the factors that cause a statistically significant impact on performance indicators obtained on the basis of DEA analysis, the authors use the appropriate regression models for panel data. To assess the efficiency of the scale of Ukrainian leasing companies for the analyzed period, the input-oriented DEA model with variable VRS and sustainable CRS scale effects was used. A statistical sample of the performance indicators of 21 leasing companies in Ukraine was formed, which was obtained from their financial and accounting statements for 2019-2020. Due to the significant sensitivity of SE scale efficiency to input and output variables, it was proposed to use an average scale efficiency value based on eight different DEA models. It is noted that if the CCR model determines the success of the management of a leasing company in the transformation of input resources into the output ones, then the efficiency of scale evaluates the correctness of choosing the scale of the leasing company. The analysis showed that the efficiency of the scale of the lessor’s activities in most cases depends on determinants such as administrative costs, fixed assets, and net profit of such companies. The obtained results indicate that with the increase in the size of the leasing company, the efficiency of the scale of their active operations decreases, since with an increase in the size of fixed assets and the volume of administrative costs, the average efficiency of the scale of their activities decreases. It is shown that the greater the net profit, the closer leasing companies work to the optimal scale of activity for them, which is determined by the volume of long-term receivables of the lessor and the size of his assets.

GLONASS system; It has become the second system operating on a global scale after the GPS system in the world, after completing the satellite constellation and using it at full capacity as of 8 December 2011. Due to the increasing need for high accuracy and precision real-time location information, CORS networks have become widespread in the world. In Turkey, it was established as CORS-TR and opened for use in December 2008. Comprehensive studies investigating the effects of Network-Based RTK techniques (VRS, FKP, and MAC) in the CORS-TR network are very limited due to the fact that the GLONASS system has been used at full capacity recently. In this paper, it is aimed to determine the effect of measurements derived from the Network-Based RTK techniques in the CORS-TR network of the GLONASS system on the location accuracy, and thus to make a business plan according to the accuracy and precision requirements of all civil and military users. For this purpose, simultaneous measurements were made with 6 GNSS receiver devices of the same brand and model. A total of 308,908 epoch data (northing value, easting value, and ellipsoidal height: projection coordinates (ITRF96 Datum, 2005.00 Reference Epoch)) were collected at one-second intervals in each technique and for seven days of measurements. As a result of the evaluation and analysis of the data sets obtained with the measurements; It has been observed that the GLONASS system has a positive effect on position accuracy, but in some cases, it also has disruptive effects. It has been observed that the most important contribution is to increase the number of visible satellites and to enable measurements with GLONASS satellites in cases where GPS satellites alone are not sufficient, especially in areas where the satellite elevation angle is narrowed, such as city centers, and forest areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to find out whether Islamic microfinance, especially in Baitul Maal wat Tamwil in Surabaya has reached the level of efficiency in its operational activities from or not. This research uses a quantitative approach within Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique. This study uses primary data which directly retrieves Islamic microfinance financial report data from Islamic microfinance. The results showed that the efficiency value of Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) processing was higher than the Constant Returns to Scale (CRS) processing result. From five BMT that become research objects of this study, just one institution that pass efficiency level and able to optimally use its resources (inputs) to produce certain outputs. On the assumption of CRS and VRS, most of Islamic Microfinance in Surabaya has not been efficient from 2012-2017 and Islamic microfinance in Surabaya is on the scale of diseconomies, that is Islamic Microfinance in Surabaya not yet optimally in empowering its resource (input) to produce output. So that Islamic microfinance in Surabaya must make improvements in managing inputs in order to improve efficiency value by doing selective funding to avoid default payment and the increase of uncollectible accounts expense. Each BMT has a different efficiency level that need to improved by treatment, including reduce operational expenses, reduce assets, and increase income. The implication of this study is an improvement strategies for each BMT to get their efficiency level betterment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual Reference Station (VRS), Master-Auxiliary Corrections (MAX) and Individualised Master-Auxiliary Corrections (IMAX) are among the Network Real-Time Kinematic (NRTK) techniques supported by Malaysia Real-Time Kinematic GNSS Network (MyRTKnet) in rendering network-based solution to users. However, different network corrections have different limitations due to different manufacturers hence offering varieties output. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the accuracy of VRS, MAX and IMAX for geodetic and plane coordinates. Three (3) techniques were implemented to observe points at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and cadastral lot in Johor Bahru. The results were analysed based on assessment with known values and baseline lengths. The findings showed that the accuracy of all techniques ranged from 0.16 to 3.61 cm (horizontal) and 2.86 to 6.20 cm (vertical) for geodetic coordinates. For plane coordinates, the values varied from 0.3 to 4.22 cm (horizontal) and 2.1 to 8.26 cm (vertical). IMAX provided the worst accuracy compared to others due to incompatibility of Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) format. Moreover, the accuracy decreases as the baseline length between rover and reference station increases. In conclusion, VRS and MAX yielded acceptable accuracy and can be safely chosen rather than IMAX. Furthermore, the baseline length for applications involving high accuracy measurement should also be considered.

The paper analyses the accuracy of the determination of normal heights in the national spatial reference system using the PL-geoid-2011 quasi-geoid model. The heights were determined using the PL-EVRF2007-NH normal height system. The paper discusses the results of a measurement experiment consisting in measuring 8 points with the use of the Network Real Time Kinematic (NRTK) technique and the Virtual Reference Station (VRS) surface correction generated on the basis of the TPI NETpro commercial network of reference stations and with the use of two global satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS). In the experiment, three measurement schemes were evaluated in relation to the number of measurement epochs recorded above the designated point, as well as the order of recording points. The conducted measurement experiment allowed to determine which of the proposed schemes guarantees the best accuracy from the point of view of establishing a height measurement network with the use of the NRTK technique and VRS corrections. The tests showed that it is possible to determine the height difference between points using the NRTK technique and the VRS method with an accuracy of 0.01m. However, to ensure adequate accuracy, elevation differences must be defined as the differences of the measured heights and should be determined several times and based on independent measurements at the beginning and end of the levelling section. Thus, determining elevation differences with the use of the NRTK VRS technique may be particularly effective in areas with large differences in height, where the determination of elevation differences with the use of classical methods is time-consuming. The obtained elevation differences require tying to the points of the height control network with the use of classical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GLONASS (GLObal NAvigation Satellite System) and GPS (Global Positioning System) are the pioneer satellite navigation systems. The combined use of GPS and GLONASS data initially aroused interest, but research investigating both signals declined greatly in the late nineties due to the fast degradation that GLONASS suffered. However, after a plan to re-establish the system, in 2011 GLONASS returned to a complete constellation and global coverage. In addition to the reestablishment, the system also went through a modernization process, with new generations of satellites being developed, refinements of the time and reference systems and new control stations being installed. Besides the use of combined data, other factors that influence the positioning quality are the methods employed and the errors to which the transmitted signals are subject. Regarding errors, the ionosphere is an important source, especially for users of simple frequency receivers. Considering this scenario, the present work aimed to conduct a study of the GLONASS system, as well as to analyze the improvements presented in the positioning using its data combined with GPS data in different positioning methods, considering different ionospheric conditions. In general, it was possible to verify the viability of using GLONASS data combined with GPS in all the positioning methods evaluated. In general, it was possible to verify the viability of using GLONASS data combined with GPS in all the positioning methods evaluated, with improvement in more than 97% of the cases analyzed for point positioning and around 70% of the cases with relative positioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

O GLONASS (GLObal NAvigation Satellite System) e o GPS (Global Positioning System) são os sistemas pioneiros de navegação global por satélite. A utilização combinada de dados GPS e GLONASS despertou interesse inicialmente, mas as pesquisas com investigação de ambos os sinais diminuíram muito no final da década de noventa devido à rápida degradação que o GLONASS sofreu. Porém, após um plano de restabelecimento do sistema, em 2011 o GLONASS voltou a contar com constelação completa e cobertura global. Além do restabelecimento, o sistema passou ainda por um processo de modernização, com novas gerações de satélites desenvolvidas, refinamentos dos sistemas de tempo e referencia e novas estações de controle instaladas. Além do uso de dados combinados, outros fatores que influenciam a qualidade do posicionamento são os métodos empregados e os erros aos quais os sinais transmitidos estão sujeitos. Em relação aos erros, a ionosfera é uma importante fonte, especialmente para usuários de receptores de simples frequência. Com este cenário, o presente trabalho buscou realizar um estudo sobre o sistema GLONASS, bem como analisar as melhorias apresentadas no posicionamento utilizando seus dados combinados aos dados GPS em diferentes métodos de posicionamento, considerando diferentes condições ionosféricas. De modo geral, foi possível verificar a viabilidade do uso de dados GLONASS combinados ao GPS em todos os métodos de posicionamento avaliados, com melhoria em mais de 97% dos casos analisados para o posicionamento por ponto e em torno de 70% dos casos com posicionamento relativo.

Label ranking based prediction problems help to find a mapping between instances and ranked labels. To improve the prediction performance of label ranking models, the main suggestion is to use ensembles. The main feature of ensemble models is the ability to retrieve the outcomes of various multiple simple models and join them into a combined outcome. To ensure the property of ensemble learning, the nearest neighbor estimation is applied with a bagging approach that samples the instances of training data. The reason to select the label ranking ensemble approach is shown in this study using detailed analysis of suitable existing algorithms. The results show that the defined parameters used in the k-nearest label ranker help to obtain a better prediction performance than the existing label ranking ensembles with an accuracy of 85% to 99% on 21 label ranking datasets. But there is a possibility to improve any ensemble algorithm by using the voting rule selection procedure. This study, integrating the Voting Rule Selector (VRS) algorithm and the seven commonly used voting rules with the k-nearest neighbor label ranker, found that VRS and Copeland work more efficiently than the Borda aggregation in dataset level learning. The results indicate that the k-nearest neighbor label ranker with the VRS and Copeland aggregation method is ranked first in most of the datasets. In the dataset level, the VRS method obtained an average improvement of 48.02% in comparison to the simple model k-nearest neighbor approach and is almost equal to the Copeland with 47.84%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Sleep has been hypothesised to facilitate waste clearance from the brain. We aimed to determine whether sleep is associated with perivascular spaces on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a potential marker of impaired brain waste clearance, in a population‐based cohort of middle‐aged and elderly people. In 559 participants (mean [SD] age 62 [6] years, 52% women) from the population‐based Rotterdam Study, we measured total sleep time, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset and sleep efficiency with actigraphy and polysomnography. Perivascular space load was determined with brain MRI in four regions (centrum semiovale, basal ganglia, hippocampus, and midbrain) via a validated machine learning algorithm using T2‐weighted MR images. Associations between sleep characteristics and perivascular space load were analysed with zero‐inflated negative binomial regression models adjusted for various confounders. We found that higher actigraphy‐estimated sleep efficiency was associated with a higher perivascular space load in the centrum semiovale (odds ratio 1.10, 95% confidence interval 1.04–1.16, p = 0.0008). No other actigraphic or polysomnographic sleep characteristics were associated with perivascular space load in other brain regions. We conclude that, contrary to our hypothesis, associations of sleep with perivascular space load in this middle‐aged and elderly population remained limited to an association of a high actigraphy‐estimated sleep efficiency with a higher perivascular space load in the centrum semiovale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article proposed a series of input-oriented DEA (data envelopment analysis) models with variable VRS (variable returns to scale) and constant CRS (constant returns to scale) scale effects to assess the performance of Ukrainian leasing companies. Based on the obtained DEA models, an efficiency analysis of these companies scale of operation was also conducted. Performance assessments based on the DEA methodology were obtained using the Efficiency Measurement System (EMS) package. The analysis showed that the assessment of the leasing companies’ performance based on DEA models is sensitive to the choice of input and output variables. Therefore, to obtain a comprehensive assessment of efficiency, we used the average of the corresponding technical efficiency values for different sets of input and output variables. Current liquidity ratios, receivables, aggregate assets and profitability ratios, namely net income, net income and other operating income, were used as output variables in the various DEA models. The input variables were total assets, administrative expenses and other operating expenses, fixed assets and intangible assets, cost of goods sold and other expenses. It has been argued that input-oriented DEA models are more suitable for analyzing the effectiveness of the leasing business, as the management of such companies has much more capability to control inputs such as labor, costs, interest rate policy, equity, etc. than output (the amount of leasing agreements, company income, etc.). To obtain performance estimates based on DEA models, a statistical sample was formed based on the accounting and financial statements of domestic leasing companies participating in the Ukrainian Association of Lessors for 2019 and 2020. Analysis based on the obtained DEA models showed that, despite the high growth rates of leasing operations in the second half of 2020, leasing companies demonstrated a bit higher efficiency in 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce accidents caused by slope failures, disaster assessments and displacement measurements of steep slopes are conducted. Measurement values can vary greatly, depending on the technician's proficiency. Moreover, land creep and minute displacements are difficult to detect. In this study, we attempted to solve this problem using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and aerial triangulation. After a review of previous studies, a measurement precision of 10 cm for daily monitoring and sub-centimeters for precise monitoring were set. Twelve checkpoints were used, and the comparison results between the measured values using the total station and the aerial triangulation using the UAV were as follows. A virtual reference station (VRS) and three ground control points (GCPs) yielded 11.58 mm for the 3D (root-mean-square error) RMSE, and post-processed kinematic (PPK) and three GCPs generated 9.71 mm. By differentiating the results of multiple observations, the PPK processing results could achieve sub-centimeter accuracy. We verified that direct georeferencing using a VRS is sufficient for daily monitoring, and precise measurements require at least three GCPs. Geotechnicians can use VRS observations for economical slope monitoring in normal times, and accurate observations with GCPs when precise measurements are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

У статті було запропоновано цілу низку орієнтованих на вхід DEA (data envelopment analysis) моделей із змінним VRS (variable returns to scale) та сталим CRS (constant returns to scale) ефектами масштабу для оцінювання ефективності функціонування українських лізингових компаній. На основі отриманих DEA моделей проведено також аналіз ефективність масштабу функціонування цих компаній. Оцінки ефективності на основі DEA методології було отримано з допомогою пакету Efficiency Measurement System (EMS). Аналіз показав, що оцінка ефективності функціонування лізингових компаній на основі DEA моделей є чутливою до вибору вхідних та вихідних змінних. У зв’язку із цим для отримання комплексної оцінки ефективності, нами було використано середнє значення відповідних значень технічної ефективності для різних наборів вхідних та вихідних змінних. У ролі вихідних змінних для різних DEA моделях було взято коефіцієнт поточної ліквідності, дебіторську заборгованість, сукупні активи та показники прибутковості, а саме, чистий дохід від реалізації продукції, чистий прибуток та інші операційні доходи. Вхідними змінними слугували сукупні активи, адміністративні витрати та інші операційні витрати, основні засоби та нематеріальні активи, собівартість реалізованої продукції та інші витрати. Було аргументовано, що орієнтовані на вхід DEA-моделі більше підходять для аналізу ефективності лізингового бізнесу, оскільки керівництво таких компаній має значно більше важелів контролю над вхідними ресурсами, такими як трудові ресурси, витрати, процентна політика, власний капітал тощо, ніж над вихідними (сукупна сума лізингових угод, дохід компанії тощо). Для отримання оцінок ефективності на підставі побудованих DEA моделей було сформовано статистичну вибірку на основі бухгалтерської та фінансової звітності вітчизняних лізингових компаній-учасників асоціації «Українське об'єднання лізингодавців» за 2019 та 2020 роки. Аналіз на основі отриманих DEA моделей показав, що незважаючи на високі темпи зростання обсягів лізингових операцій у другій половині 2020 року, лізингові компанії у 2019 році продемонстрували дещо вищу ефективність.

O posicionamento em tempo real por meio do emprego dos sinais de satélites foi um avanço nas navegações aérea, marítima e terrestre com o surgimento do GPS (Global Positioning System). Contudo as precisões horizontais e verticais de 100 m e 150 m (nível de probabilidade de 95%) alcançadas, estando a SA (Selective Availability) ativada, passaram a não ser satisfatórias para muitas aplicações e os usuários buscaram galgar outros níveis de precisões. Esforços foram investidos no chamado posicionamento diferencial DGPS (Differential GPS), o qual possibilitou obter precisões em torno de dez vezes melhores do que as do posicionamento absoluto. Posteriormente, usando-se a fase da onda portadora, conseguiu-se realizar posicionamento com maior acurácia por meio do método RTK (Real Time Kinematic), atingindo qualidade centimétrica. Na sequência, houve uma evolução para posicionamentos em rede, empregando, por exemplo, o algoritmo de VRS (Virtual Reference Station). Vários erros nas observáveis dos satélites passaram a ser modelados com uma solução de multiestações em tempo real. A partir de 2012, surgiram serviços e produtos que favoreceram o desenvolvimento do RT-PPP (Real-Time Precise Point Positioning) baseado no conceito SSR (State Space Representation). A busca da solução das ambiguidades no RT-PPP deu origem ao PPP-RTK com menor tempo de fixação das ambiguidades e convergência para a solução acurada do posicionamento. Neste artigo apresenta-se como foi a evolução do posicionamento em tempo real, algumas das aplicações no âmbito nacional e as perspectivas desta modalidade de posicionamento para o futuro.

The widespread availability of Continuosly Operating Reference Station (CORS) all over the world, allows to improve more scientific and technical studies on the use of satellite positioning techniques. The aim of this paper is to understand the effects of a GNSS CORS network geometry and differential corrections on the solutions. The analysis is carried out using ten different network configurations, with different inter-distances between the stations within GNSMART Geo++ software. The coordinates of one control point placed on the top of the Department of Engineering (University of Palermo, Italy) have been used to perform several static positioning mode test within fourthy hours. Different surveys have been performed, including four separate session tests, with acquisitions of one hour each. The analysis has been carried out using the traditional network solutions, such as the Virtual Reference Station (VRS), the Flächen Korrektur Parameter (FKP) and other two more recent techniques, which use the satellite corrections from the nearest (Near) and the farest (Far) stations. Results confirmed the great reliability of the GNSS network, with centimetre precision in terms of coordinates (North, East and Ellipsoidal Height), whether changing the geometric configuration of the network or the corrections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic, pruritic, debilitating disease. Previous studies found that chronic pruritus in general negatively affects patients' quality of life (QoL). However, results about the impact of PN on QoL are conflicting. Our objective was to assess the QoL burden of PN. A systematic review was conducted of all published studies that assessed QoL measures in PN. OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science were searched. Pooled meta-analysis (means) was performed using random-effects weighting. Overall, 13 studies met inclusion criteria. All studies identified QoL reductions in patients suffering from PN compared to control groups. The most common QoL instrument used was the Dermatology Life Quality Index [n = 9 studies; pooled mean (95% confidence interval): 13.8 (10.6–16.9), denoting a very large effect]. In particular, PN was associated with substantial impact on multiple domains of QoL. No publication bias was detected. In conclusion, QoL is negatively impacted in PN. Future studies are necessary to determine the best instruments of measuring QoL in PN patients, better understand this association, and assess the impact in males and females separately. PROSPERO CRD42019136193. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In video relay service (VRS), the interpreter is the only person who is directly linked to both users of the service, seeing the signing user of a videophone and hearing the speaking user of a telephone. The interaction is especially challenging at the beginning of the call. In this study, 25 authentic recorded calls from the Swedish VRS were analysed using conversation analysis. The aim of the study was to explore and describe in detail how the interpreters facilitate and strive for progression at the beginning of a VRS call. The study findings show how the interpreters provide information to the signing callers about their progress prior to the call being accepted, how the interpreters manage the spoken interaction with the called party on the telephone and how the interpreters connect the parties to each other. It is also shown how the interpreters work to make the deaf callers master a call. The results of the study enrich our current understanding of calls made via VRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Venous cannulation is a painful procedure that is associated with anxiety, distress and discomfort. But pain is frequently overlooked in adults. Aims and Objective: We compared the efficacy of 5% EMLA cream and 10% lidocaine cream in attenuating pain associated with peripheral venous cannulation. Methods: This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 102 ASA I and II adults scheduled for elective surgery. They were randomly allocated by blind balloting to one of three groups: group E had 1.5 mL of EMLA cream, group L 1.5 mL of 10% lidocaine cream, and group P 1.5 mL KY gel. All cream was applied over a visible vein for 60 min with occlusive dressing. Pain was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) and verbal rating scale (VRS). Results: The mean VAS score was significantly lower with either EMLA cream (2.62±1.76 cm) or 10% lidocaine cream (1.85±1.58 cm) than with placebo (4.78 ±1.88 cm), p

The wind condition around floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) can be largely different from that developed around bottom-mounted wind turbines due to the platform motions. The existing literature identifies four working state of FOWTs, one of them being the vortex ring state (VRS) which may occur as the rotor moves in its own wake. It is potentially a problem that influences the aerodynamic performance and lifetime of FOWTs. It is still unclear when, and to what extent, does the VRS happen to floating offshore wind turbines. The aim of this paper is to quantitatively predict the occurrence of VRS during the operation of FOWTs. Three different criteria are used and compared: the axial induction factor, Wolkovitch's criterion and Peters' criterion. The results show that the VRS phenomena may occur for a large range of operating conditions and can be correlated with the minima in the relative wind speed normal to the rotor plane. Also, the probability of occurrence of VRS is smaller for the floating platforms that exhibit the least motions such as the TLP. Finally, Wolkovitch's criterion seems to be the most suitable one for the VRS prediction, while Peters criterion indicates the initial aerodynamic change and is thus suitable for early warning of VRS. • Quantitatively predicted the occurrence of vortex ring state of floating offshore wind turbines for the first time. • Adopt and adept the vortex ring state prediction methods from helicopter society for the application on floating offshore wind turbines for the first time. • Use aero-hydro-elastic coupled analysis method to simulate particularly the vortex ring state phenomena for floating offshore wind turbines for the first time. •Compared and discussed the different vortex ring state prediction methods. •Output the thrust load on the wind turbines and show significant fluctuation during vortex ring state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The on-going developments in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technology affect techniques in geographic information and associated documents. The national Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) networks, which operate on the Real Time Kinematic (RTK) principle, are multi-purpose geodetic networks and offer services to a large portion of society including all the public institutions and other organizations, military and civilian users and to scientific researchers. It is possible to utilize these networks both in real time positioning applications using the Network Real Time Kinematic (NRTK) method and in static applications using the Receiver Independent EXchange (RINEX) format data from reference stations. In this study, Virtual Reference Station (VRS) and static GNSS measurements were undertaken based on a Continuously Operating Reference Station-Turkey (CORS-TR) network in a test network established in Turkey. As a result of the measurements, repeatability attained using the VRS method was examined. Moreover, the coordinates obtained from VRS measurements based on CORS-TR network were compared with the coordinates calculated as a result of static observations. From the accuracies and repeatability, an investigation was implemented to determine the extent to which NRTK applications in real-time GNSS networks can be used to produce spatial data and create topographic maps.

Using Beidou satellite positioning technology to monitor the surface displacement of landslide in real time is an effective technical means to construct the geological disaster monitoring and warning system based on human's prevention and technical prevention. The current application status of Beidou displacement monitoring system was summarized, the problems existing in the large-scale application of "one-point-one-reference Station" mode analyzed and the design scheme of landslide high-precision displacement monitoring system based on VRS (Virtual Reference Station) technology was proposed. Besides, Based on the actual needs of landslide monitoring and early warning in loess region, a demonstration application was carried out in Jia County, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, and the technical route of "virtual reference station + adaptive calculation" was summarized, which provided practical experience for the large-scale application of Beidou satellite positioning technology in geo-hazard monitoring and early warning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key concept of the virtual reference station (VRS) network-based technique is to use the observables of multiple reference stations to generate the network corrections in the form of a virtual reference station at a nearby user's location. Regarding the expected positioning accuracy, the novice GNSS data processing strategies have been adopted in the server-side functional model for mitigating distance-dependent errors including atmospheric effects and orbital uncertainty in order to generate high-quality virtual reference stations. In addition, the realistic stochastic model also plays an important role to take account of the unmodelled error in the rover-side processing. The results of our previous study revealed that the minimum norm quadratic unbiased estimation (MINQUE) stochastic model procedure can improve baseline component accuracy and integer ambiguity reliability, however, it requires adequate epoch length in a solution to calculate the elements of the variance-covariance matrix. As a result, it may not be suitable for urban environment where the satellite signal interruptions take place frequently, therefore, the ambiguity resolution needs to be resolved within the limited epochs. In order to address this limitation, this study proposed the stochastic model based on using the residual interpolation uncertainty (RIU) as the weighting schemes. This indicator reflects the quality of network corrections for any satellite pair at a specific rover position and can be calculated on the epoch-by-epoch basis. The comparison results with the standard stochastic model indicated that the RIU-weight model produced slightly better positioning accuracy but increased significant level of the ambiguity resolution successful rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reliability of an Al-doped HfO 2 dielectric used in a high density 2.5D MIMCAP is investigated by constant voltage stress (CVS) and voltage ramp stress (VRS) measurements. The good agreement of the results from the two techniques allows to propose a model for lifetime prediction based on the breakdown characteristics. The extracted activation energy shows a voltage dependence associated with a change in the degradation characteristics of the high- κ material at high fields. • The lifetime model predicts a use voltage of more than 3 V for a 10-year lifetime. • Voltage ramp stress predicts accurately constant voltage stress data. • Poole–Frenkel emission is the observed conduction mechanism for 25 °C–150 °C. • Activation energy decreases with increasing stress voltages applied to the dielectric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The BeiDou navigation satellite system (BDS-3) has been deployed and provides positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services for users all over the world. On the basis of BDS-2 system signals, BDS-3 adds B1C, B2a, B2b, and other signals to realize compatibility and interoperability with other global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). Network real-time kinematic (RTK) technology is an important real-time regional high-precision GNSS positioning technology. Combined with the network RTK high-precision service platform software developed by the author’s research group and the measured data of a provincial continuously operating reference station (CORS) in Hubei, this paper preliminarily evaluates the network RTK service performance under the new signal system of BDS-3. The results show that single BDS-3 adopts the new signal combination (B1C+B2a) and transition signal combination (B1I+B3I) when providing virtual reference station (VRS) services, the RTK fixation rate of the terminal is above 95%, and the horizontal and elevation accuracies are within 1cm and 2 cm, respectively, which meets the requirements of providing high-precision network RTK services by a single BDS-3 system. In addition, the positioning accuracy of BDS-2 is relatively poor, while the accuracy of BDS-3 is better than global positioning systems (GPS) and BDS-2. The combined processing effect of the B1I+B3I transition signal of BDS-2/3 is optimal, the accuracy of E and N directions is better than 0.5 cm, and the accuracy of U direction is better than 1.5 cm. It can be seen from the atmosphere correction accuracy, regional error modeling accuracy, and network RTK terminal positioning accuracy that the service effect of the B1C+B2a combination is slightly better than that of the B1I+B3I combination. When a single BDS-3 constellation provides network RTK services, it is recommended to use the B1C+B2a combination as the main frequency solution, and when the BDS-2/3 constellation provides service, it is recommended to use the B1I+B3I combination as the main frequency solution.

While the existing research provides a wealth of information about the static properties of RTK receivers, less is known about their dynamic properties, although it is clear that the vast majority of field operations take place when the machine is moving. A new method using a MRA for the evaluation of RTK receivers in movement with a precise circular reference trajectory (r = 3 m) was proposed. This reference method was developed with the greatest possible emphasis on the positional, time and repeatable accuracy of ground truth. Four phases of the measurement scenario (static, acceleration, uniform movement and deceleration) were used in order to compare four different types of RTK receiver horizontal operation accuracy over three measurement days. The worst result of one of the receivers was measured at SSR = 13.767% in dynamic movement. Since the same “low-cost” receiver without an INS unit had SSR = 98.14% in previous static measurements, so it can be assumed that the motion had a very significant effect on the dynamic properties of this receiver. On the other hand, the best “high-end” receiver with an INS unit had SSR = 96.938% during the dynamic testing scenarios. The median values of the deviations were always better during uniform movements than during acceleration or braking. In general, the positioning accuracy was worse in the dynamic mode than in the static one for all the receivers. Error indicators (RMSerr and Me) were found several times higher in the dynamic mode than in the static one. These facts should be considered in the future development of modern agricultural machinery and technology.