18 research outputs found
Eradicating Algorithmic Blackboxing in Dating Apps: The Road to Transparency and Better Connections
No full textLAUREA MAGISTRALELa tesi esplora la presenza di “algorithmic blackboxing” all’interno dell dating app e sostiene sia essenziale estirpare questa pratica da queste ultime per ottenere il concetto di “algorithmic transparency”. L’autore propone un framework con cui mappare l’esperienza utente nelle add di dating, il quale comprende 4 fasi: DISCOVERY, SELF-PRESENTATION, GAMEPLAY-LOOP e SELF-DISCLOSURE. Si sostiene che le dating app siano progettate comn l’intenzione di renderle trappole per l’attenzione dell’utente, dando priorità all’engagement e all’esposizione di questi ultimi a pubblicità invece di offrire mezzi per relazioni sociali significative. Per raggiungere il concetto di “algorithmics transparency” l’autore suggerisce l’utilizzo di hard-data, semplificando il processo di SELF-PRESENTATION e migliorando la qualità percepita dei match su queste piattaforme. Si propone l’utilizzo delle API di una piattaforma di streaming musicale, abbinando gli utenti in base ai propri gusti musicali, aiutando gli utenti nella fase di SELF-DISCLOSURE. Si sostiene che l’utilizzo di hard-data nel contesto della dating app possa eliminare il concetto di “algorithmic blackboxing” e il raggiungimento della “algorithmic trnsparency”.This thesis explores the concept of “algorithmic blackboxing” in dating apps and argues that it is essential to eradicate this practice in order to achieve “algorithmic transparency”. The author proposes a framework for mapping the dating app experience, which includes four phases: DISCOVERY, SELF-PRESENTATION, GAMEPLAY-LOOP, and SELF-DISCLOSURE. They argue that dating apps are designed as attention traps that prioritise engagement and serving ads over the proposed end goal of meaningful relationships. To address this problem, the author suggests using hard data to streamline the self-presentation process and improve the quality of matches. They propose using a music streaming service API to match users based on common music preferences, which would help users self-disclose and communicate with like-minded individuals. The author argues that using data for matches would help to eradicate “algorithmic blackboxing” and achieve “algorithmic transparency” in dating apps
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between vitamin D receptor, IL6 polymorphisms and DM. DNA was used to genotype the VDR FokI (rs2228570), TaqI (rs731236) and ApaI (rs7975232) polymorphisms by PCR RFLP and IL6 G-174C (rs1800795) by tetra-primer ARMS PCR. The presence of torque teno viruses DNA was assessed with heminested-PCR. For this study T1DM (n = 107) and T2DM (n = 124) patients and matched clinically healthy subjects (n = 200) were recruited. T1DM patients have a tendency to be more frequent carriers of the C allele and TTV infection than controls (OR = 1.9, p = 0.03). VDR tt genotype and VDR “FAt” haplotype are risk factors for T1DM. VDR “fAt” haplotype may increases the risk for T2DM. These associations were not changed after exclusion from statistical analysis of patients with hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke or breast cancer.
No full textThe aim of this study was to evaluate the association between vitamin D receptor, IL6 polymorphisms and DM. DNA was used to genotype the VDR FokI (rs2228570), TaqI (rs731236) and ApaI (rs7975232) polymorphisms by PCR RFLP and IL6 G-174C (rs1800795) by tetra-primer ARMS PCR. The presence of torque teno viruses DNA was assessed with heminested-PCR. For this study T1DM (n = 107) and T2DM (n = 124) patients and matched clinically healthy subjects (n = 200) were recruited. T1DM patients have a tendency to be more frequent carriers of the C allele and TTV infection than controls (OR = 1.9, p = 0.03). VDR tt genotype and VDR “FAt” haplotype are risk factors for T1DM. VDR “fAt” haplotype may increases the risk for T2DM. These associations were not changed after exclusion from statistical analysis of patients with hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke or breast cancer
The insulin polymorphism -23Hph increases the risk for type 1 diabetes mellitus in the Romanian population
No full textThe insulin -23Hph and IGF2 Apa polymorphisms were genotyped in Romanian patients with T1DM (n = 204), T2DM (n = 215) or obesity (n = 200) and normoponderal healthy subjects (n = 750). The genotypes of both polymorphisms were distributed in concordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in all groups. The -23Hph AA genotype increased the risk for T1DM (OR: 3.22, 95%CI: 2.09-4.98, p < 0,0001), especially in patients without macroalbuminuria (OR: 4.32, 95%CI: 2.54-7.45, p < 0,0001). No other significant association between the alleles or genotypes of insulin -23Hph and IGF2 Apa and diabetes or obesity was identified
The Consistency between Covid-19 RT-PCR and IgM/IgG Quick tests results
No full textThe aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the results of tests for SARSCoV-2 performed during 07.04.2020- 20.06.2020 in the Department of the Emergency from Bucharest University Emergency Hospital.
We detected 173 men and 133 women that were tested with both RT-PCR and serologic tests. The results were concordant for 287 samples (93,8%) that were collected from subjects for whom the diagnosis of COVID-19 was subsequently confirmed (10) or infirmed (277). We found that the most frequent signs and symptoms of patients with COVID-19 were at the respiratory (e.g. dyspnea), neurological (e.g. vertigo, cephalgia) and gastrointestinal (e.g. abdominal pain, vomiting, high volume of the abdomen) systems.
There was no situation with positive RT-PCR and IgG and negative IgM results.
In our study the RT-PCR and quick serological tests were concordant in 93,8% of cases. The combination of RT-PCR and serological testing can enhance the accuracy of COVID-19 diagnosis
STUDY ON THE PROBLEMS IN THE STAGES OF FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION FORM AND TECHNICAL-FINANCIAL REPORTING ENCOUNTERED BY THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE CENTRE REGION IN ACCESSING EUROPEAN FUNDS
No full textThe article has as main field the project management, specifically, identifying the negative factors on European projects. The article assumes that there is a connection between the absorption of European funds and the maturity of the Romanian society in terms of project management. The main objective of the research is to identify the problems faced by public institutions from Centre Region in accessing European funds. The purpose of the research is to identify the causes that led to the low absorption of European funds, with devastating effects on the current economic situation. The present research is based on a preliminary analysis performed by the author on the rate of accessing European funds published in an article entitled “The current state of European funds absorption through funding programmes – measure of the Romanian performances in the project management practiceâ€. The small degree of absorption of European funds resulting from the analysis shows a poor practice of the theory on project management. To identify the causes of this problem, a research was carried out to recognise the issues that led to this situation. The investigation included two successive surveys, the first one qualitative, exploratory type, interview-based, meant to demonstrate the qualitative aspects of the investigated phenomena and the other one, quantitative, based on a questionnaire in the form of occasional surveys. The qualitative and quantitative research methods are used in combination; this approach has become necessary especially due to the very complex reality whose trueness cannot be captured through one method. The investigation has however a highly quantitative character, the purpose of the qualitative research being to provide the prerequisites for achieving the quantitative research. The qualitative research revealed the existence of some problems faced by institutions in relation to accessing and developing projects that focus on several directions: when filling out the application form, the technical-financial reporting, at the contracting phase of the projects, problems of partners. The article deals with the first two, and from the respondents’ answers, the phase with the greatest number of problems was that of filling out the application form, followed by the technical and financial reporting. Regarding the usefulness of the results, it should be noted that the information obtained from the conducted research supplies, theoretically speaking, the studied field and brings an important contribution not only to possible beneficiaries of European funds (public, private organisations, NGOs, the state, etc.), but to the entire Romanian society through the economic growth it generates The authors’ main contribution is to integrate this study into the logical thread of the thesis entitled “Strategic management in European project fundingâ€. The research conducted in the project management specialty literature emphasises the uniqueness and originality of the proposed and researched theme, which meets a current and pressing requirement of the Romanian society
Autoimmune diseases and vitamin D receptor Apa-I polymorphism are associated with vitiligo in a small inbred Romanian community
No full textVitiligo has been associated with the host's genetic profile, metabolic abnormality and immunostatus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of vitiligo with autoimmune diseases for 31 out of 39 subjects with vitiligo and their first-degree relatives living in a small Caucasian inbred rural community. They were compared with healthy individuals. A 2.28% prevalence of vitiligo was calculated and the presence of consanguine marriages (72.3%) was noted for this community. Our results indicate an increased prevalence of thyroidopathies, diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis in families with vitiligo. We also show that the Apa-I polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor gene is associated with vitiligo. This is the first study of its kind performed in Romania suggesting that the vitamin D receptor gene might play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of skin depigmentatio
Correction to: Flow shapes and higher harmonics in anisotropic transverse collective flow
No full textAfter publication of the paper, the authors realized that the affiliation of the fourth author (Tiberiu Esanu) was given incorrectly. Its correct version appears above. Moreover, a second funding grant was missed in the acknowledgements. We give their complete correct version below
Morphometric Analysis and Prioritization of Sub-Watersheds Located in Heterogeneous Geographical Units—Case Study: The Buzău River Basin
No full textAbstract
The present study evaluates selected morphometric characteristics of 39 direct tributaries of the Buzău River (area of 4112 km2) to prioritize development actions in these sub-watersheds, which are distributed in three geographical regions within the full Buzău River watershed: the Carpathian, Subcarpathian, and plains regions. By combining a variable number of morphometric parameters, using various mathematical models, we can evaluate the state of balance or imbalance in a watershed and identify sub-watersheds vulnerable to natural processes. Prioritization was achieved using composite (Cp) values by comparing two scenarios. In the first scenario, 11 derived morphometric parameters were used, and in the second scenario, another 7 parameters were added. The obtained values were grouped into five classes (very high, high, medium, low, and very low). Due to the heterogeneity of relief units among geographical regions, there are classification differences for sub-watersheds among those regions. Watersheds classed as very high priority for intervention actions are located in the Carpathian (SW1, SW2, SW15, SW16) and Subcarpathian areas (SW24, SW30), which are characterized by high relief energy and pronounced slope instability, which leads to an increase in the risk of flooding and land degradation. For comparison, all sub-watersheds in the plains region, are classified as very low or low priority. Since the arithmetic mean is sensitive to extreme values, its use in the calculation of composite (Cp) values causes the values to be “eclipsed” and the sub-watersheds to be placed in different prioritization classes (SW18 and SW34), depending on the analyzed scenario, due to the large number of parameters and classified sub-watersheds.Abstract
The present study evaluates selected morphometric characteristics of 39 direct tributaries of the Buzău River (area of 4112 km2) to prioritize development actions in these sub-watersheds, which are distributed in three geographical regions within the full Buzău River watershed: the Carpathian, Subcarpathian, and plains regions. By combining a variable number of morphometric parameters, using various mathematical models, we can evaluate the state of balance or imbalance in a watershed and identify sub-watersheds vulnerable to natural processes. Prioritization was achieved using composite (Cp) values by comparing two scenarios. In the first scenario, 11 derived morphometric parameters were used, and in the second scenario, another 7 parameters were added. The obtained values were grouped into five classes (very high, high, medium, low, and very low). Due to the heterogeneity of relief units among geographical regions, there are classification differences for sub-watersheds among those regions. Watersheds classed as very high priority for intervention actions are located in the Carpathian (SW1, SW2, SW15, SW16) and Subcarpathian areas (SW24, SW30), which are characterized by high relief energy and pronounced slope instability, which leads to an increase in the risk of flooding and land degradation. For comparison, all sub-watersheds in the plains region, are classified as very low or low priority. Since the arithmetic mean is sensitive to extreme values, its use in the calculation of composite (Cp) values causes the values to be “eclipsed” and the sub-watersheds to be placed in different prioritization classes (SW18 and SW34), depending on the analyzed scenario, due to the large number of parameters and classified sub-watersheds
Characteristics of Patients with Persistent COVID-19 Symptoms and Unscheduled Return Visits to a Centre for COVID-19 Evaluation
No full textBackground: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of patients with long COVID syndrome. Methods: This study included 457 adults who had at least one persistent symptom after COVID-19 infection. Results: The median time interval between the last SARS-CoV-2 infection and emergency room presentation was 3 months. Older patients had comorbidities (61.7 vs. 44.9 years, p < 0.0001), moderate or severe forms of COVID-19 (61.2 vs. 50.9 years, p < 0.0001), and respiratory symptoms (56.1 vs. 52.0 years, p = 0.0027). Non-vaccinated patients were older than vaccinated patients (56.0 vs. 51.5 years, p = 0.0008) and had residual lung abnormalities following COVID-19 infection (51.5% vs. 36.8%, p < 0.003). The time interval between the last SARS-CoV-2 infection and the hospital evaluation was shorter for vaccinated patients (3.2 vs. 3.9 months, p < 0.0001) and those with mild forms (3.3 vs. 4.12 months, p = 0.0001) versus non-vaccinated individuals. After the last SARS-CoV-2 infection, 107 patients developed impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or diabetes mellitus, being patients with already known chronic diseases (p = 0.0002), or hypertension (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Our study pointed out the heterogeneity of symptoms following COVID-19, and they are associated with age, vaccination status, or severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Evaluation of Iontophoretic Collagen Cross-linking for Early Stage of Progressive Keratoconus Compared to Standard Cross-linking: A Non-Inferiority Study
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be found here. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40123-017-0076-8
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