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1.
IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings ; 2023-March, 2023.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-20244833

ABSTRACT

The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission is NASA's first planetary defense mission to demonstrate the viability of kinetically impacting an asteroid and deflecting its trajectory. The DART spacecraft successfully launched on November 24, 2021 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base and successfully made impact on Dimorphos, the smaller asteroid in the Didymos system, on September 26, 2022. The DART spacecraft has one instrument called Didymos Reconnaissance and Asteroid Camera for Optical navigation (DRACO). DRACO is an imaging telescope that, in conjunction with the SMART Navigation algorithm, autonomously guided the DART spacecraft to the asteroid. Because DRACO is a mission critical and light sensitive instrument, the DRACO Door mechanism was designed as the protective cover. The door functions to shield DRACO from stray light during launch, to deploy in space once when commanded, and to stay 180 degrees open for the duration of the mission. The DRACO Door went through several iterations during the design phase with decisions on various components such as Frangibolts ®, torsion springs, hardstops, and latches. After fabrication and assembly, the door went through a rigorous environmental testing plan, which included deployment testing, vibration testing, and thermal vacuum testing. After successful qualification of the mechanism, the door was installed and integrated into the DART spacecraft. It should be noted that during the fabrication of the mechanism piece-parts, the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the effects of the pandemic were seen in the challenges faced during the DRACO door assembly and testing. Under the constraints of the pandemic, the DART spacecraft was successfully built, tested, and launched, and the DRACO door was successfully deployed on December 7, 2021. The door has continued to function as intended. This paper will discuss the design choices behind the door components, the environmental qualification test program, and the installation of the door onto the DART spacecraft. In addition, this paper will discuss the lessons learned and the challenges of fabricating and testing the flight hardware. © 2023 IEEE.

2.
Pharmaceutical Technology Europe ; 34(6):26-28, 2022.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-20243766

ABSTRACT

A major driver for innovation within the bio/pharma sector has been the COVID-19 pandemic, which propelled advances such as the approval of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines at record-breaking speeds and led to many companies pivoting to deal with the urgent requirements for capacity and supply chain flexibility needed to overcome pandemic challenges. "Before deciding on a location, we conducted extensive market research, and it quickly became clear, just by the sheer proximity of so many biopharmaceutical companies, associations, and research centres, that the event had to be in Geneva. Organized as four half-days, they will each address a theme related to the four main areas of the supply chain present in the exhibition area: pharmaceutical packaging (primary and secondary), medical devices, pharmaceutical sub-contracting, and pharmaceutical equipment. The dream scenario, the real measure of success, is when a product comes to market that happened as a result of a meeting or discussion that took place at our event.

3.
International Journal of Business and Society ; 24(1):459-477, 2023.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-20242930

ABSTRACT

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, financing would again be the crux of the recovery process. This paper revisits existing literature on how financial development promotes growth by focusing on the role of Islamic finance in Malaysia. Specifically, the role of sukuk and loans by Islamic banks on output is examined in Malaysia. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the causal nexus between sukuk, Islamic banking loan, and output using a bootstrap causality test applied to both full sample and rolling window sub-samples. Data ranges from 2000M1-2021M6 for the sukuk market and 2006M12-2021M6 for Islamic banking loans. We rely on bootstrap rolling windows which allow for time-varying causalities within time-series data. Results indicate evidence that Islamic financing instruments, in this case, sukuk and loans by Islamic banks Granger-cause output in the long run. Even in the long run, non-constancy in the parameters is detected for total sukuk, sukuk for finance, and sukuk for transport. The parameter stability tests indicate parameter non-constancy in the short run for total sukuk, sukuk for finance, sukuk for transport, and sukuk for utility for the output-sukuk equation. In the case of Islamic financing via loans, short-run parameter instability is prevalent for all loan–output equations. We take the analysis further by examining the direction of the lead variables on a multi-time scale using continuous wavelet transforms and wavelet coherence. Results show that causality runs from sukuk output for total sukuk, transport, and utility sukuk whereas construction sukuk seems to exhibit a mixed behaviour. In the case of sukuk for finance, the impact is more pronounced in the very-long run. These findings could be a guide for countries intending to use Islamic financing instruments as one of the tools for fiscal stimulus or post-pandemic economic recovery. © 2023, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. All rights reserved.

4.
International Journal of Information and Education Technology ; 13(5):778-784, 2023.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-20242621

ABSTRACT

After some time of lockdown experiences, limited attention for feedback and the absence of feedback digitalization frameworks suggests rethinking traditional feedback practices toward post-pandemics digital/hybrid education. This research surveyed feedback digitalization needs in the context of online education in high education institutions in the Netherlands and Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic. The dimensions surveyed included preferences for feedback such as typology of feedback (e.g., cognitive, behavioral, etc.), formats (e.g., written, audio, video), online instruments, and features for communicating feedback. The results suggest that online instruments supporting features for effortless interactivity are among the highly preferred digital options for giving/receiving feedback. When given online, inclusive formats of feedback that inform learners not only about their own but also peer performance were also found to be among highly rated options. The increased need for inclusive feedback with peers, however, may also negatively affect students' mastery orientations. Thus, balancing online with offline approaches should also be recommended when considering feedback digitalization approaches. © 2023 by the authors.

5.
Applied Clinical Trials ; 30(12):22-26, 2021.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-20239835

ABSTRACT

Current FDA programs to accelerate access In order to accelerate the product approval process, four regulatory programs currently exist to reduce development and review times for products that address unmet medical needs for the treatment of serious or life-threatening conditions. In May 2014, FDA issued a Final Guidance for Industry entitled, "Expedited Programs for Serious Conditions-Drugs and Biologics" which addresses fast track designation, breakthrough therapy designation, priority review designation and accelerated approval.3 In addition to this guidance document, under section 564 of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 360bbb3, in a situation where the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) issues a declaration of emergency or threat justifying authorization of emergency use for a product caused by chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) agents, as well as an infectious disease, the Commissioner of the FDA may authorize an EUA of an unapproved product or an unapproved use of an approved product. In January 2017, the "Emergency Use Authorization of Medical Products and Related Authorities" guidance was finalized.4 Fast Track designation Section 112 of the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA), entitled "Expediting Study and Approval of Fast Track Drugs," mandates the facilitation of the development and processes to expedite review of therapeutics intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions presenting with unmet medical needs. [...]a two-tiered system of review times, Standard Review and Priority Review was created.

6.
Pharmaceutical Technology Europe ; 33(1):8-9, 2021.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-20239778

ABSTRACT

"Though Europe's response has demonstrated strengths," the strategy document reports, "existing vulnerabilities have been thrown into sharp focus, including those related to data availability, the supply of medicines, or the availability of manufacturing capacities to adapt and support the production of medicines" (2). [...]a lot of the strategy's proposals stem from the European Green Deal, published in late 2019 (4), from which has emanated last year's EU industrial strategy (5). [...]setting up critical medicines production capacity in the EU would have to be compliant with the Union's competition rules and those of the World Trade Organization, the commission warned (2).

7.
IEEE Transactions on Computational Social Systems ; 10(3):1356-1371, 2023.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-20237593

ABSTRACT

Online social networks are at the limelight of the public debate, where antagonistic groups compete to impose conflicting narratives and polarize the discussions. This article proposes an approach for measuring network polarization and political sectarianism in Twitter based on user interaction networks. Centrality metrics identify a small group of influential users (polarizers and unpolarizers) who influence a larger group of users (polarizees and unpolarizees) according to their ideological stance (left, right, and undefined). This network polarization is computed by the Bayesian probability using typical actions such as following, tweeting, retweeting, and replying. The measurement of political sectarianism also uses Bayesian probability and words extracted from the tweets to quantify the intensity of othering, aversion, and moralization in the debate. We collected Twitter data from 33 conflicted political events in Brazil during 2020, strongly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on our methodology and polarization score, our results reveal that the approach based on user interaction networks leads to an increasing understanding of polarized conflicts in Twitter. Also, a small number of polarizers is enough to represent the polarization and sectarianism of Twitter events. © 2014 IEEE.

8.
ACORN ; 36(2):E13-E16, 2023.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-20233826

ABSTRACT

Surgical plume poses a risk to perioperative nurses and the perioperative team as a whole, as well as the operative patient. Surgical plume contains various hazardous components which pose multiple health risks to the perioperative staff who are exposed to it. Further research is required in order to definitively understand the risks to perioperative staff from long-term exposure to surgical plume and to advance current policies and procedures. The current practice standard on surgical plume management from the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN) sets out methods of reducing these risks. However, this standard's utility in practice and barriers to its implementation lead to ongoing unnecessary plume exposure. Through adhering to current practice standards and educating perioperative nurses, the risks posed by surgical plume can be mitigated. Thorough education on this topic will empower nurses to advocate for their safety and the safety of their patients, leading to the reduction of surgical plume exposure.

9.
J Dent Res ; : 220345231169434, 2023 May 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-20236300

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has escalated the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the dental practice, especially as droplet-aerosol particles are generated by high-speed instruments. This has heightened awareness of other orally transmitted viruses, including influenza and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), which are capable of threatening life and impairing health. While current disinfection procedures commonly use surface wipe-downs to reduce viral transmission, they are not fully effective. Consequently, this provides the opportunity for a spectrum of emitted viruses to reside airborne for hours and upon surfaces for days. The objective of this study was to develop an experimental platform to identify a safe and effective virucide with the ability to rapidly destroy oral viruses transported within droplets and aerosols. Our test method employed mixing viruses and virucides in a fine-mist bottle atomizer to mimic the generation of oral droplet-aerosols. The results revealed that human betacoronavirus OC43 (related to SARS-CoV-2), human influenza virus (H1N1), and HSV1 from atomizer-produced droplet-aerosols were each fully destroyed by only 100 ppm of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) within 30 s, which was the shortest time point of exposure to the virucide. Importantly, 100 ppm HOCl introduced into the oral cavity is known to be safe for humans. In conclusion, this frontline approach establishes the potential of using 100 ppm HOCl in waterlines to continuously irrigate the oral cavity during dental procedures to expeditiously destroy harmful viruses transmitted within aerosols and droplets to protect practitioners, staff, and other patients.

10.
J Chromatogr A ; 1704: 464109, 2023 Aug 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-20230627

ABSTRACT

The shift from testing at centralized diagnostic laboratories to remote locations is being driven by the development of point-of-care (POC) instruments and represents a transformative moment in medicine. POC instruments address the need for rapid results that can inform faster therapeutic decisions and interventions. These instruments are especially valuable in the field, such as in an ambulance, or in remote and rural locations. The development of telehealth, enabled by advancements in digital technologies like smartphones and cloud computing, is also aiding in this evolution, allowing medical professionals to provide care remotely, potentially reducing healthcare costs and improving patient longevity. One notable POC device is the lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), which played a major role in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic due to its ease of use, rapid analysis time, and low cost. However, LFIA tests exhibit relatively low analytical sensitivity and provide semi-quantitative information, indicating either a positive, negative, or inconclusive result, which can be attributed to its one-dimensional format. Immunoaffinity capillary electrophoresis (IACE), on the other hand, offers a two-dimensional format that includes an affinity-capture step of one or more matrix constituents followed by release and electrophoretic separation. The method provides greater analytical sensitivity, and quantitative information, thereby reducing the rate of false positives, false negatives, and inconclusive results. Combining LFIA and IACE technologies can thus provide an effective and economical solution for screening, confirming results, and monitoring patient progress, representing a key strategy in advancing diagnostics in healthcare.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Humans , COVID-19/diagnosis , Laboratories , Smartphone , Immunoassay/methods , COVID-19 Testing
11.
Financial and Credit Activity-Problems of Theory and Practice ; 1(48):8-22, 2023.
Article in English | Web of Science | ID: covidwho-2324203

ABSTRACT

The paper studies the place and degree of the monetary component's influence on the level of financial security of the state in the conditions of political and socio-economic imbalances in the development of Ukraine. The aim of the research is to investigate the effectiveness of monetary policy instruments, to determine the level of the monetary component's impact on the financial security of the state, as well as to form perspectives for balancing the symbiosis of "monetary policy and national financial security". Based on the conducted research, it is established that in recent years the role of the financial security system formation at all levels has significantly increased, whether it is macroe-conomic security, the security of economical subjects, or the financial security of a household. At the same time, the monetary component plays a significant role in en-suring the financial security of the state, namely, it affects macroeconomic processes in the country. Therefore, in order to ensure macroeconomic stability and economic growth in the context of ensuring the financial security of Ukraine under martial law, it is necessary to improve the mechanisms of monetary policy. The article analyzes the latest threats that lead to the negative impact of the monetary component on the finan-cial security of the state. These include: the consequences of russian military aggression on the economic development of Ukraine, continued COVID-19 outbreaks, the introduc-tion of administrative restrictions on the use of monetary policy instruments by the National bank of Ukraine, violations of the economic security of financial institutions, an insufficient level of financial inclusion, and the contradictory nature of the coordination of monetary and fiscal policies. In the context of establishing the decisive role of the monetary component in ensuring the financial security of the state, the adopted devel-opment strategies at the level of national security of Ukraine and at the level of the monetary sector of Ukraine are considered and systematized. The block diagram of the implementation of monetary policy in the context of ensuring the financial security of the state is proposed. It is proved that the mechanism of such interrelationship is im-plemented through the instruments and methods of monetary policy in combination with key macroeconomic indicators. To confirm the proposed hypothesis, the econo-metric model of the influence of monetary instruments on the level of financial security of the state is developed. As a proxy indicator of the financial security of Ukraine, the Financial Stress Index is used, which reflects the current state of the financial sector (without considering future risks) and consists of sub-indices for the banking sector, households, government and corporate securities, and foreign exchange market. Esti-mated and re-estimated models made it possible to determine the most influential indi-cators of the monetary component of the Financial Stress Index, namely: consumer price index;producer price index;GDP to monetary aggregate M2 ratio;cash to GDP ratio;share of foreign currency in monetary aggregate M3;NBU key policy rate (annual average);share of non-performing loans (NPL). The proposed model can be used to forecast the influence of the parameters of the monetary component on the level of financial security of the state. Based on the results of the study, it is proved that, despite the difficult political and economic situation in Ukraine, it is necessary to focus on improving the coordination of monetary and fiscal policies, considering the further implementation of the main provi-sions of international documents adopted by International Monetary Fund on this issue.

12.
RISTI - Revista Iberica de Sistemas e Tecnologias de Informacao ; 2022(E53):297-305, 2022.
Article in Spanish | Scopus | ID: covidwho-2325895

ABSTRACT

In recent years, technology applied to education has advanced by leaps and bounds;Pressured by the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been necessary to move from face-to-face to virtual, which has required teachers to show the full potential of digital tools, such as visual organizers. The objective of the research was the interpretation of the utility of graphic organizers (GO) for the acquisition of learning in higher education students. The methodology used was qualitative, a type of basic research of hermeneutic design;Through interviews with teachers with expertise in GO, interviews were conducted with teachers with extensive experience in the use of GO, processing the information with AtlasTi. As a result, the relevance of using the GO in higher education teaching was obtained, while emerging categories were obtained that will allow the best interpretation of the study variable. It is concluded that the use of GO has a positive significance in the assimilation of new knowledge to achieve significant learning. © 2022, Associacao Iberica de Sistemas e Tecnologias de Informacao. All rights reserved.

13.
17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2022 ; 2022.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-2325649

ABSTRACT

Risk calculators have been utilised to predict the risk of infection from SARS-CoV-2. Inputs include the dimensions of the indoor space, number of infected persons and activity, and inhalation rate of susceptible persons. The compartment model requires an estimate of the Air Changes per Hour (ACH) in the space, as the concentration is changing as a result of the dynamic balance between the generation and removal of exhaled quanta. ACH can be estimated using CO2, engineering drawings, or airflow measurements, but these estimates are often incorrect due to mechanical anomalies and mixing inefficiencies, or in the case of CO2, an absence of continuous occupancy for a sufficient amount of time. SF6 as a tracer gas to establish ACH has been used extensively for many decades to measure air exchange. This approach was utilised to assist a school in managing risk of infection in their facility during an exam period. © 2022 17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2022. All rights reserved.

14.
Work ; 75(1): 29-39, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2324714

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nurses have been affected by stress, developing many related consequences during the health emergency caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. It is essential for healthcare organizations to protect their human resources because there is a strong correlation between the health status of healthcare workers and the quality of care provided. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to measure the perception of the organizational health level of the workplace among COVID-19 nurses (i.e. nurses who directly dealt with COVID-19 countermeasures) as an influence on work quality and work-related stress. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out by administering the Nursing Questionnaire on Organizational Health (QISO) to nurses in contact with COVID-19 patients. The search period ranged between August and September 2021 with nurses who work and/or worked in Lazio. RESULTS: 123 questionnaires were collected. The scores with a value below the recommended level (2,6) are: "Comfort of the working environment" (mean = 2.57; SD = 0.66); "Valorization of skills" (mean = 2.40; SD = 0.62); "Openness to innovation" (mean = 2.46; SD = 0.77); "Satisfaction with top management" (mean = 2.48; SD = 0.81); and the inverse scale "Fatigue" (mean = 2.94; SD = 0.55). CONCLUSION: Management of healthcare organizations should define action strategies to promote and increase organizational well-being and reduce work-related stress risk factors. Some action strategies that could be used include improving the elements of the work environment to make it more comfortable for workers; strengthening and improving communication; improving the relationship between nurses and senior management; and establishing a team of experts for psychological assistance.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Nurses , Nursing Staff, Hospital , Occupational Stress , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , SARS-CoV-2 , Surveys and Questionnaires , Job Satisfaction , Nursing Staff, Hospital/psychology , Organizational Culture
15.
IEEE Sensors Journal ; 23(9):9981-9989, 2023.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-2319463

ABSTRACT

There is evidence that it may be possible to detect viruses and viral infection optically using techniques such as Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopy and hence open the possibility of rapid identification of infected patients. However, high-resolution Raman and IR spectroscopy instruments are laboratory-based and require skilled operators. The use of low-cost portable or field-deployable instruments employing similar optical approaches would be highly advantageous. In this work, we use chemometrics applied to low-resolution near-IR (NIR) reflectance/absorbance spectra to investigate the potential for simple low-cost virus detection suitable for widespread societal deployment. We present the combination of near-IR spectroscopy (NIRS) and chemometrics to distinguish two respiratory viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the principal cause of severe lower respiratory tract infections in infants worldwide, and Sendai virus (SeV), a prototypic paramyxovirus. Using a low-cost and portable spectrometer, three sets of RSV and SeV spectra, dispersed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) medium or Dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DMEM), were collected in long- and short-term experiments. The spectra were preprocessed and analyzed by partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) for virus type and concentration classification. Moreover, the virus type/concentration separability was visualized in a low-dimensional space through data projection. The highest virus-type classification accuracy obtained in PBS and DMEM is 85.8% and 99.7%, respectively. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using portable NIR spectroscopy as a valuable tool for rapid, on- site, and low-cost virus prescreening for RSV and SeV with the further possibility of extending this to other respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.

16.
Sustainability ; 15(9):7634, 2023.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-2317046

ABSTRACT

Background: The New Global Economy is represented by a series of major features, such as the use of green energy, the reduction of the carbon footprint in all industrial and civil fields, as well as finding alternative food resources. Our main objective was the research of a sustainable food product with a special nutritional purpose in the vision of nutrivigilance, developed in Romania, as an adjuvant in the repair of gastric mucosa. Methods: The materials used in the research and development of the new food are the following: inulin, lactoferrin, sericin, and sodium bicarbonate. The new adjuvant food product in the repair of the gastric mucosa was added to certain foods in order to prevent the patients from being satiated by a single food from a sensory point of view. The resulting food products were organoleptically and physico-chemically analyzed. Results: The new food is sustainable and has versatile uses. It can be hydrated with water, non-carbonated drinks, mixed with cottage cheese, or with fruit puree and oatmeal. It is stable under normal storage conditions and microbiologically safe. Conclusions: Through its versatile use, the new food product for special nutritional conditions represents a worldwide novelty. Through the development of forestry for the cultivation of white or black mulberry (Morus alba and Morus nigra), the raising of silkworms (Bombyx mori), the processing of fibroin to obtain natural silk and the processing of sericin resulting as a residue in the textile industry, the new food product developed actively contribute to the global economy II.

17.
Revista Ambiente Contabil ; 15(1):285-305, 2023.
Article in English | Web of Science | ID: covidwho-2310612

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To identify the managerial accounting practices used in retail organizations in the Eastern Region of the city of Porto Alegre (RS). In a complementary way, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic and the importance attributed to financial reports and management instruments and data analysis systems for decision making are investigated. Methodology: Descriptive research with a quantitative approach, by means of a survey through a questionnaire carried out with owners/partners, administrators and employees of retail organizations in the region object of the study, totaling a non-probabilistic and accessibility sample of 26 companies. The questionnaire contemplated the profile of the respondents;management data;importance and use of management instruments and financial reports;and open questions to collect additional information. Results: Companies are on average micro-companies, with centralized decisions, little use of managerial instruments and understand accounting as a support to the tax area. The least used management tools are the Balanced Scorecard and product life cycle, and some companies do not even use basic operational and financial controls, such as inventories, accounts payable and receivable, and strategic planning. Still, they attach greater importance to managerial instruments than they use them. Contributions of the Study: based on the perception of importance of financial reports and management tools, low level of training of managers, little knowledge and use of management practices, it is inferred that the greater the complexity of management tools, the less importance attributed by managers to them. This was reflected in the face of the pandemic, there were few managerial changes to ensure business performance.

18.
8th World Congress on New Technologies, NewTech 2022 ; 2022.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-2293148

ABSTRACT

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a method for rapid prototyping and manufacturing of tools. In low-resource settings or field settings, the ability to perform surgeries is often limited by a lack of surgical instruments. On-demand manufacture of surgical instruments via 3D printing may offer a low-cost, reliable, convenient solution for provision of necessary care, particularly during trauma or emergency situations. The global coronavirus-19 disease pandemic has emphasized the need for rapid manufacturing of surgical instruments at the point of care, as the pandemic has often limited patient access to hospitals, due to measures to minimize the spread of infectious disease. Moreover, the ability to 3D print surgical instruments is a priority for enabling surgery during space missions. Recent progress has been made on 3D printing of commonly used surgical instruments from plastics. Important surgical tools such as forceps, scalpel handles, needle drivers, Army/Navy retractors, and hemostats have all been 3D printed, with typical print times on the order of hours. This paper assesses the current status of 3D printing of surgical instruments. The review will include 3D printing methods, raw materials, design times, print times, sterilization methods, and the types of surgical instruments that have been successfully printed. In addition, the results of mechanical testing and simulated surgical testing of 3D printed surgical instruments will be described. Finally, avenues for future work will be identified, including the need for faster print times, and the necessity for producing more intricate instruments via 3D printing. © 2022, Avestia Publishing. All rights reserved.

19.
International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management ; 16(3):621-646, 2023.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-2292306

ABSTRACT

PurposeThis study aims to contribute by expanding the existing literature on Sukuk return and volatility and exploring the implications of the Sukuk-exchange rate interactions.Design/methodology/approachThis study examines the dynamic interactions of Sukuk with exchange rate in 15 countries, employing the Wavelet approach that considers both time and investment horizons.FindingsThe results reveal significant evolving coherence of Sukuk return and volatility with the underlying exchange rate. The relationship is more potent than what this study witnesses in their counterpart bond market. For Sukuk returns, the coherence is negative, whereas it is positive for volatility. Notably, the coherence is strong in the medium to long term and intensifies during extreme economic episodes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings are further validated by comparing firm-level matched data for Sukuk and conventional bond.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that reports the dynamic relationship of Sukuk return and volatility with the underlying exchange rate in 15 countries. Collectively, this study unites valuable insights for faith-based active Islamic investors and cross-border portfolio managers.

20.
Application Research of Computers ; 40(4):1030-1043, 2023.
Article in Chinese | Academic Search Complete | ID: covidwho-2306696

ABSTRACT

Aiming at the multi-attribute group decision-making problem with interval-valued probabilistic uncertain linguistic term set (IVPULTS) and unknown expert weights, this paper proposed a decision-making method combining distance and similarity. Firstly, it employed the interval dominance degree method to rank interval-valued probabilities to form an ordered IVPULTS since the disorder of elements in IVPULTS causes the existing distance measure and decision-making result to be non-unique. At the same time, it expanded the existing distance by using the interval linguistic term distance measuring method considering the poor discriminative power. Secondly, based on the dual relationship between distance and similarity measures, this paper defined the distance similarity formula and determined the weights of different experts using the improved similarity-trust network analysis method. Next, it designed a TOPSIS decision-making method based on improved distance and similarity-trust network (IDSTN-TOPSIS) to obtain a unique and stable ranking of the alternatives. Finally, taking the selection of resilient suppliers of a medical supplies manufacturing company under COVID-19 as an example, experimental results verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] 针对属性值为区间值概率不确定语言术语集(interval-valued probabilistic uncertain linguistic term set, IVPULTS)、专家权重未知的多属性群决策问题,提出一种融合距离和相似度的决策方法。首先,由于现有的 IVPULTS中元素的无序性导致距离测度及决策结果不唯一,利用区间优势度方法对区间值概率进行排序,从而 形成有序的IVPULTS;同时考虑到现有距离测度区分能力不高,利用不确定语言距离度量方法扩充现有距离公 式。其次,基于距离与相似测度存在的对偶关系,为IVPULTS定义了距离相似度公式,并利用改进的相似—信 任网络分析法确定不同专家的权重。再次,设计了基于改进距离和相似—信任网络的TOPSIS决策方法(improved distance and similarity-trust network TOPSIS,IDSTN-TOPSIS),从而得到唯一且稳定的方案排序。最后,以新 冠疫情下某医疗用品制造公司熔喷布弹性供应商选择为例,验证了所提方法的有效性和优越性。 (Chinese) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Application Research of Computers / Jisuanji Yingyong Yanjiu is the property of Application Research of Computers Edition 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 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 . (Copyright applies to all s.)

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