Developed Method Research Articles

Development of Teaching Module for the Merdeka Curriculum with Nuances Critical Reasoning for Elementary School Students

This research aims to develop a teaching module for the Merdeka Curriculum with nuances of critical reasoning for elementary school students. It does this by outlining the validity level assessed from the teaching module's suitability aspect, language aspects, and empirical validity of the practicality level of the module. This study used the research and development method with the 4D model, which involved definition, design, development, and dissemination. The instruments used in this research included validation sheets, interviews, teacher and student questionnaires, field trials, and trial observation checklists. Data analysis techniques involved qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics. The findings demonstrated that three of the four stages, define, design, and development, were completed to construct the teaching module. The curriculum analysis, teaching module needs analysis, learning outcomes analysis, and material analysis are completed during the define step. Designing instructional modules that satisfy requirements for viability, correctness, clarity, and attractive presentation is the design stage process. Teaching module products were put through testing, validation procedures, and practicality checks to complete the development stage. The average percentage of the language component and the appropriateness aspect in the validity of the teaching module were 4.87 and 4.81, respectively, with very valid criteria. Based on teacher answer questionnaires (4.6 with very practical criteria) and student response questionnaires (4.2 with very practical criteria), the practicality of the teaching module was determined. Based on these results, the teaching module is valid and practical, so it qualifies as a feasible and quality development product.

Automated Lung Cancer Diagnosis Applying Butterworth Filtering, Bi-Level Feature Extraction, and Sparce Convolutional Neural Network to Luna 16 CT Images

Accurate prognosis and diagnosis are crucial for selecting and planning lung cancer treatments. As a result of the rapid development of medical imaging technology, the use of computed tomography (CT) scans in pathology is becoming standard practice. An intricate interplay of requirements and obstacles characterizes computer-assisted diagnosis, which relies on the precise and effective analysis of pathology images. In recent years, pathology image analysis tasks such as tumor region identification, prognosis prediction, tumor microenvironment characterization, and metastasis detection have witnessed the considerable potential of artificial intelligence, especially deep learning techniques. In this context, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based methodology for lung cancer diagnosis is proposed in this research work. As a first processing step, filtering using the Butterworth smooth filter algorithm was applied to the input images from the LUNA 16 lung cancer dataset to remove noise without significantly degrading the image quality. Next, we performed the bi-level feature selection step using the Chaotic Crow Search Algorithm and Random Forest (CCSA-RF) approach to select features such as diameter, margin, spiculation, lobulation, subtlety, and malignancy. Next, the Feature Extraction step was performed using the Multi-space Image Reconstruction (MIR) method with Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM). Next, the Lung Tumor Severity Classification (LTSC) was implemented by using the Sparse Convolutional Neural Network (SCNN) approach with a Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN). The developed method can detect benign, normal, and malignant lung cancer images using the PNN algorithm, which reduces complexity and efficiently provides classification results. Performance parameters, namely accuracy, precision, F-score, sensitivity, and specificity, were determined to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented hybrid method and compare it with other solutions already present in the literature.

Implementation of green-assessed nanotechnology and quality by design approach for development of optical sensor for determination of tobramycin in ophthalmic formulations and spiked human plasma

A fast eco-friendly colorimetric method was developed for the determination of Tobramycin in drug substance, ophthalmic formulations, and spiked human plasma using silver nanoparticles optical sensor. Even though tobramycin is non-UV–visible absorbing, the developed method is based on measuring the absorbance quenching of silver nanoparticles resulting from the interaction with tobramycin. Different factors affecting the absorbance intensity were studied as; silver nanoparticle concentration, pH, buffer type, and reaction time using quality by design approach. Validation of the proposed method was performed according to ICH guidelines and was found to be accurate, precise, and sensitive. The linearity range of tobramycin was 0.35–4.0 μg/mL. The optical sensor was successfully applied for the determination of Tobramycin in ophthalmic formulations and spiked human plasma without pre-treatment. Additionally, the binding between Tobramycin and PVP- capped silver nanoparticles was studied using molecular docking software. The method was assessed and compared to colorimetric reported methods for the green character using Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI) and Analytical GREEnness calculator (AGREE) tools and found to be greener.

Validity of STEM-CT Based Textbooks to Improve Students Multi-Representation Ability

This research aims to describe the validity of STEM-CT-based textbooks in improving multi-representation abilities in MTs students. This study used the Research and Development (R&D) method using the 4D model, which consists of four stages, i.e., Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate. However, this study only discussed preparing textbooks' Define, Design, and Develop stages. The research participants were teachers of the Science MGMP in Banyuwangi. The data collection techniques used in this research were interviews, questionnaires, and validation sheets. The analysis used in this research was descriptive and qualitative. The data processing results for STEM-CT-based textbooks to improve multi-representational abilities in MTs students obtained a validity value of 82.86 in the very valid or usable category. The validation results showed that the STEM-CT-based textbooks developed could be used for classroom learning to improve students' multi-representation abilities.

Development and Validation RP-HPLC Method for Estimation of Antidiabetic Drugs in Pharmaceutical Dosage Form

This study details the development and validation of an RP-HPLC method for estimating Canagliflozin and Metformin in pharmaceutical dosage forms. Canagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, and Metformin, an antihyperglycemic agent, were obtained from Arti Drug Pvt. Ltd. Marketed formulation Invokamet was sourced locally. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) using a mobile phase of Methanol: Water (80:20) with 0.1% ortho phosphoric acid at a 1.0 ml/min flow rate and detection at 254 nm. The retention times for Canagliflozin and Metformin were 8.183 min and 3.633 min, respectively. Method validation parameters included system suitability, accuracy, precision, and robustness. System suitability tests confirmed adequate resolution and repeatability. Accuracy was evaluated through recovery studies at 80%, 100%, and 120% concentration levels, yielding satisfactory results. Precision was demonstrated with intra-day and inter-day % RSD values below 2. Robustness was assessed by varying mobile phase composition and flow rate, showing consistent retention times and tailing factors. The method proved selective, accurate, precise, and robust, with a short run time, facilitating rapid quantification of samples. It is suitable for routine quality control analysis of Canagliflozin and Metformin in pharmaceutical formulations

Development of Assemblr-Edu Based Learning Media with RADEC Learning Model on Implementation of P5 in Elementary School

This research aims to develop Assemblr Edu learning media with the RADEC learning model for implementing the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project (P5) in Elementary Schools. This research used the R&D (Research and Development) method with the 4D model. The research subjects consisted of material validators, media validators and 58 students. The data collection instrument used in this research was a questionnaire which was then analyzed descriptively qualitative and quantitative. The results of this study indicated that Assemblr Edu learning media based on the results of material validation obtained 97% with a very feasible category, and the results of media validation obtained 92% with a very feasible category. Educators could apply the results of the Assemblr Edu learning media development in implementing P5 with the RADEC learning model in elementary schools. This research makes a significant contribution to the education field, especially in utilizing Assemblr Edu technology and the RADEC learning model in elementary schools. In practice, it can enrich the literature on technology-based learning and educational innovation to improve the quality of high-quality learning.

Outpatient regenerative therapy of a chronic diabetic foot ulcer with exposed bone surface

BACKGROUND: Treatment of deep chronic wounds with the bone tissue involvement against the background of lower limb atherosclerosis and diabetic foot syndrome does not fit any reasonable hospital stay duration and at the same time has no effective outpatient methods. Therapy with conditioned medium derived from human mesenchymal stem cells (CM-MSC) may be a solution for this problem. CLINICAL CASE DESCRIPTION: Patient F., 77-year-old, arrived for an outpatient treatment of local necrosis in the area of the 1st toe of the left foot in April, 2022. The main diagnosis: Peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities. Multifocal atherosclerosis. Occlusion of the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries, diffuse lesions of the lower leg arteries on the left. Chronic arterial insufficiency of the 4th degree. Attempts of revascularisation of the left lower limb. Limited gangrene (Wagner IV) of the 1st toe of the left foot. Associated diseases: insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus (for more than 30 years). Diabetic polyneuropathy. Diabetic foot syndrome, neurotrophic form. Local treatment was performed by the microsurgical debridement of the affected surface in combination with the method of multilayered dressings, according to the previously patented technology. The microsurgical treatment of the bone surface in the wound area was carried out with the use of CM-MSC. Positive dynamics in the form of a partial closure of the bone fragment with soft tissue was observed on the sixth month of therapy. The complete closure of the open bone fragment was observed in 12 months from the beginning of the outpatient treatment. CONCLUSION: The developed method of treatment using CM-MSC can be effective for chronic wounds with open bone surfaces.

Intracranial Pressure Thresholds for Cerebral Autoregulation Impairment: Age-Stratified Analysis of Ultra-Low-Frequency Pressure Reactivity Index (UL-PRx) in Traumatic Brain Injury.

The study investigated the effectiveness of low-frequency sampling in detecting alterations in cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) associated with changes in intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) across different age groups. The primary objective was to investigate an ICP threshold that indicates a decrease in CVR as evidenced by a significant increase in the ultra-low-frequency pressure reactivity index (UL-PRx). Additionally, the study aimed to develop an age-based categorization method for patients with TBI to investigate the differences between these ICP thresholds in different age groups. In this retrospective analysis, data from 263 patients with TBI were prospectively collected. ICP and mean arterial pressure were extracted from the hospital database at 5-min intervals. Demographic details, clinical presentation, computed tomography scans, neurosurgical interventions, and 12-months outcome were recorded. ICP versus UL-PRx values were categorized into ICP bins and graphically represented with boxplots for each age group, illustrating how as ICP values rise, there is a bin (age-tailored ICP [AT-ICP]) beyond which UL-PRx shows a sudden increase, indicating CVR loss. Homogeneous age groups were established to obtain a consistent AT-ICP threshold. The discriminatory ability of the AT-ICP thresholds was compared with the guideline-recommended thresholds by calculating the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve of the ICP-derived indices (dose above threshold, and the hourly dosage above threshold). Age groups 0-5, 6-20, 21-60, 61-70, and 71-85years were the best age subdivisions, corresponding to AT-ICP thresholds of 20, 30, 35, 25, and 30mmHg, respectively. The AT-ICP thresholds exhibited better discriminative ability compared with the guideline-recommended thresholds. The AT-ICP thresholds offer a novel approach for estimating CVR impairment and the developed method represents an alternative solution to address the age stratification issue in patients with TBI.

Professional Development of Teacher Educators: Unlocking Opportunities through Massive Open Online Courses

Development of any nation depends mainly on the standards of its educational institutions and the quality of education. Amidst this dynamic environment, Massive Open Online Courses have emerged as a potent tool for facilitating continuous learning and skill enhancement among professionals across diverse domains. Professional development of teacher educators stands as a cornerstone for fostering effective teaching practices and nurturing the next generation of educators. This research seeks to explore the myriad ways in which MOOCs can be leveraged to enhance the professional development of teacher educators. This democratization of education fosters inclusivity and equity in teacher training initiatives. This paper aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how digital technologies can be harnessed to empower educators, enhance teaching and learning outcomes, and ultimately, transform the landscape of teacher education. This paper concludes that MOOCs have emerged as an asset in the professional development toolkit for teacher educators. MOOCs provide accessible platforms where educators can engage in self-directed learning, access a wealth of resources, and collaborate with peers worldwide, transcending the limitations of traditional professional development methods. Pedagogical strategies in MOOCs are essential for professional development as they enhance learning experiences and outcomes. The flexibility and accessibility of MOOCs, combined with well-designed pedagogical approaches, empower individuals to advance their careers, and maintain lifelong learning, ultimately contributing to professional growth and competence.

APPLICATION OF VALIDATED RP-HPLC METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF METAXALONE AND DICLOFENAC POTASSIUM IN PLASMA

Objective: The present investigation demonstrates a simple, sensitive and accurate high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for simultaneous determination of metaxalone (MTX) and Diclofenac potassium (DIC) in plasma by using Valsartan (VSN) as internal standard. Methods: The chromatographic separation was achieved within 10 min by using methanol: potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer pH 4.5 adjusted with orthophosphoric acid (60:40) as mobile phase on Altima Grace Smart C-18 column (5μ; 250×4.6 mm) at flow rate of 1.0 ml/min with injection volume 25µl. The drug was extracted from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction using methanol as a solvent. The retention times of drugs (MTX and DIC) and internal standard were found to be 5.83, 9.65 and 11.79 min, respectively. This method was validated as per United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) guidelines. Results: The results of the validation parameters were found to be within the acceptance limits. The method was linear in the concentration range from 25-1000 ng/ml (r2= 0.9998) and the extraction recovery was found to be 77.06% for MTX and 78.37% for DIC. The lower limit of quantification was found to be 25ng/ml and the stability of recovered samples at different conditions were found to be more than 95% for both the drugs. Conclusion: The developed method possesses good selectivity specificity, there was no interference found in the plasma blanks at retention times of MTX and DIC. We found good correlation between the peak area and concentration of the drug under prescribed conditions. Furthermore, the method can also be used to estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters of MTX and DIC simultaneously.

Automatic Code Generation for Android Applications Based on Improved Pix2code

With the expansion of the Internet market, the traditional software development method has been difficult to meet the market demand due to the problems of long development cycle, tedious work and difficult system maintenance. Therefore, to improve software development efficiency, this study uses residual networks and bidirectional long short-term memory networks to improve the Pix2code model. The experiment results show that after improving the visual module of the Pix2code model using residual networks, the accuracy of the training set improves from 0.92 to 0.96, and the convergence time is shortened from 3 hours to 2 hours. After using a bidirectional long short-term memory network to improve the language module and decoding layer, the accuracy and convergence speed of the model have also been improved. The accuracy of the training set grew from 0.88 to 0.92, and the convergence time was shortened by 0.5 hours. However, models improved by bidirectional long short-term memory networks might exhibit over-fitting, and thus this study uses Dropout and Xavier normal distribution to improve the memory network. The results validate that the training set accuracy of the optimized bidirectional long short-term memory network remains around 0.92, but the accuracy of the test set has improved to a maximum of 85%. Dropout and Xavier normal distributions can effectively improve the over-fitting problem of bidirectional long short-term memory networks. Although they can also decrease the model’s stability, their gain is higher. The training and testing accuracy of the Pix2code improved by residual network and bidirectional long short-term memory network are 0.95 and 0.82, respectively, while the code generation accuracy of the original Pix2code is only 0.77. The above data indicates that the improved Pix2code model has improved the accuracy and stability of code automatic generation.

A validated stability‐indicating reversed‐phase‐UPLC method for simultaneous estimation of promethazine hydrochloride, methylparaben, propylparaben and sodium benzoate assay of cough suppressant and antihistamine liquid oral dosage forms

A quick, simple, sensitive, efficient and stability-indicating reverse-phase ultraperformance liquid chromatographic method for the estimation of propylparaben, methylparaben and sodium benzoate in a pharmaceutical liquid oral formulation was developed. A Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C18, 50 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm i.d. column was used to perform chromatographic separation with a 0.1% perchloric acid mobile phase used as solvent A and a mixture of 0.1 % perchloric acid and methanol in the ratio 20:80 (v/v), respectively, as solvent B. The experiments were carried out at a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min and the detection wavelength was 240 nm. The compartment temperature of the column was set at 40°C and the injection volume was set at 2 μl. The main aim of the research was to develop a single UPLC assay method for promethazine (active ingredient) and preservatives in the oral solution of promethazine HCl and dextromethorphan HBr that contains promethazine (active ingredient) and methylparaben, propylparaben and sodium benzoate (preservatives). An assay of dextromethorphan HBr was developed and validated by another HPLC method. The drug and preservatives were eluted at retention times of 19.3 min for promethazine HCl, 9.3 min for methylparaben, 18.9 min for propylparaben and 8.9 min for sodium benzoate. Validation of the developed method was carried out as stated by the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines ICH Q2B and under USP<1225>. The analytical parameters verified specificity/selectivity, linearity, accuracy, ruggedness and robustness. The linearity ranges of promethazine HCL, methylparaben, propylparaben and sodium benzoate were 10-100, 10-80, 1.0-8.0 and 10-80 μg/ml, respectively, with a correlation coefficient of active ingredients and preservatives of 1.00. Percentage recoveries of promethazine, propylparaben, methylparaben, and sodium benzoate were 100.0-100.2, 99.0-100.3, 99.5-98.0 and 99.0-100.0%. The validated analytical method proves that the method is specific, precise, linear, accurate, sensitive, rugged and stable, indicating the quantification of the active ingredient and all preservatives in liquid oral formulations.

Enhancement of a Simple, Economic and Eco-Friendly Analytical Approach for the Extraction and Determination of Endocrine Disruptors from Plastics in Shrimp

The economic significance of the shrimp industry relies heavily on the comprehensive utilization of all of the shrimp’s parts. However, this importance is often threatened by common challenges such as disease and pollution, caused by prominent contaminants that are capable of exerting adverse effects either directly as physical pollutants or indirectly through the incorporation of additives or adsorbed chemicals. Among these substances are endocrine disruptors, which pose risks to both wildlife and human populations. In this study, 11 endocrine-disrupting compounds were determined (3 bisphenols, 3 phthalates, 3 pesticides, and 2 nonylphenols) through the development of a cost-effective, greener and cost-friendly method based on solid-phase matrix dispersion (MSPD) with high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). Determinations were performed on different parts of the shrimp: the cephalothorax, abdomen, intestine and shell. Several variables were optimized in the extraction, separation and detection phases, resulting in average recoveries of about 90%. The limit of detection (LOD) varies depending on the analyte and matrix. At concentrations of 1 mg/kg in the cephalothorax+shells and 1.25 mg/kg in the abdomen+intestine, all compounds were detected, except for nonylphenols. The developed method has allowed the simultaneous determination of 11 endocrine disruptors in different parts of the shrimp samples. Furthermore, the MSPD has been demonstrated to be an efficacious, selective, and streamlined sample extraction method, eliminating the necessity for pretreatment steps such as centrifugation and filtration, as well as the use of large volumes of solvents.

Characterization of atmospheric nitroaromatic compounds in Southwest China by direct injection liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of aerosol extracts

Nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) in ambient particles are of great concern due to their adverse effects on human health and climate. However, investigations on the characteristics and potential sources of NACs in Southwest China are still scarce. In this study, a field sampling campaign was carried out in the winter of 2022 at a suburban site in Mianyang, Southwest China. A direct injection liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed to rapidly determine 10 NACs in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) extracts. The method was sensitive for the quantification of the NACs, with a limit of quantification (LOQ) in the range of 0.092-0.52 ng mL-1. Then, the developed method was applied to determine the concentrations of nitrophenols (NPs), nitrocatechols (NCs), nitrosalicylic acids (NSAs), and nitronaphthol in PM2.5 in Mianyang. The average concentration of total NACs was 78.2±31.2 ng m-3, with daily concentrations ranging from 20.7 to 127.9 ng m-3. Among the measured NACs, 4-nitrocatechol was the most abundant, accounting for 57.8% of the NACs in winter. The five NPs compounds together contributed to 14% of the NACs, which was lower than in other Chinese cities due to the warm climate in winter in Southwest China. NSAs and nitronaphthol each accounted for less than 5% of the NACs. Three major sources of NACs were identified based on the principal component analysis, including vehicle emissions, biomass burning, and secondary formation. The significant correlation between individual NACs and NO2 supported their secondary formation sources. The good correlation between NPs and cloud amount further suggested that gas-phase oxidation was the possible NPs formation mechanism. Our findings revealed the important role of nitrocatechols in NACs in Southwest China, implying that more measures should be taken to control biomass burning and aromatic volatile organic compounds emissions to reduce the level of NACs.

One-pot fabrication of task specific magnetic adsorbent for the efficient isolation and capture of liquid-crystal monomers pollutants in waters prior to chromatographic quantification

BackgroundLiquid crystal monomers (LCMs) have been classified as emerging organic pollutants. Efficient isolation and extraction is a critical step in the determination, and then knowing the occurrence and distribution of LCMs in environmental waters. However, the reported sample preparation techniques still suffer some dilemmas such as using large amount of organic solvent, low extraction capacity, tedious operation procedure and employment of expensive extraction column. To circumvent the disadvantages, new extraction format and adsorbent with quickness, less consumption of organic solvent, superior extraction performance and low cost should be developed for the analysis of LCMs. ResultsUsing 1H,1H,2H,2H-heptadecafluorodecyl acrylate and 9-vinylanthracene as mixed functional monomers, a task specific magnetic adsorbent (TSMA) was prepared by one-pot hydrothermal technique for the highly efficient capture of LCMs under magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) format. Due to the abundant functional groups, the developed TSMA/MSPE presented satisfactory capture performance towards LCMs. Satisfactory enrichment factors (132–212) and high adsorption capacity (18 mg/g) were obtained. Additionally, the relevant adsorption mechanism was studied by the combination of density functional theory calculation and experiments about adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm. Under the beneficial conditions, a sensitive and reliable method for the monitoring of studied LCMs in environmental waters was established by the combination of TSMA/MSPE with HPLC equipped with diode array detector (DAD). The achieved limits of detection and spiked recoveries were 0.0025–0.0061 μg/L and 81.0–112 %, respectively. Finally, the developed method was employed to monitor LCMs levels in the North Creek watershed of Jiulong River. Significance and noveltyThe current study provided a new adsorbent for quick and efficient capture of LCMs at trace levels. In addition, a sensitive, reliable and anti-intereference method for the monitoring of trace LCMs in actual waters was established. Moreover, for the first, the contents, occurrence and distribution of LCMs in North Creek watershed was investigated based on the developed method.

Method development and validation of Metformin HCL and Dapagliflozin by using RP-HPLC

AbstractThe prevalence of diabetes is increasing day by day as per a report by the year 2045, 1 out of every 8th individuals may suffer from diabetes. This research article focuses on developing and validating Metformin and Dapagliflozin in combination by using high-pressure liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC). The validation of the method was followed as per the guidelines provided by the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) and United States Pharmacopeia (USP). Separation of both drugs takes place in less than 4 min. This separation takes place using Phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) and acetonitrile in a 45:55 (v/v) ratio at a 1.0 mL min−1 flow rate. Furthermore, studies on both drugs were conducted by using the bulk and pharmaceutical dosage forms (Tablets). The developed method was accurate as drug recoveries in both cases of Metformin, and Dapagliflozin ranged between (100.8, 99.6, 98.8%) to (100.8, 99.3, and 101.5%) respectively having a concentration range of solutions between 70, 100 and 130 μg mL−1 dilution. The recommended method for simultaneous quantification of Metformin and Dapagliflozin was established and validated and no excipient interactions were found.

Budaya Mutu (Quality Culture) Universitas Ibnu Chaldun Jakarta

The objective study aims to describe in full and comprehensively related to the implementation of quality culture at Ibnu Chaldun University in Jakarta, the oldest Islamic Higher Education institution in Jakarta. Quality culture is expressed by starting with the development of the Internal Quality Assurance System, independently conducting Internal Quality Audit and External Quality Audit by authorized institutions, Independent Accreditation Institutions, according to the Study Program and the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education. This research was conducted using the Research and Development (R&amp;D) method, developing the Borg and Borg stages, namely the ten Borg steps for Research and Development (R&amp;D), so that in the end the researcher concluded that Quality Culture was created from the commitment of all parties to implement, implement and control the Internal Quality Assurance System in all institutional units that work continuously and collaboratively, so that sustainable quality is created to get the best.

3D-Oculography: New Method of Determination of Human Gaze Point Position in Space

INTRODUCTION: Oculography — a method of recording movement of eyeballs of a human or animal by analyzing changes in electrical potentials recorded by two electrodes fixed on skin near the eye socket is used to solve various problems. Among them are the determination of pronounced nystagmus, of characteristic changes of oculomotor reactions in different conditions of observing video images. Of interest is the determination of the position of gaze point (GP) and of the area of increased attention in three-dimensional space. This information is associated with the cognitive system of the observer and is of interest not only to physiologists, but also to specialists of related fields. . AIM: To experimentally prove the effectiveness of the developed method of 3D-oculography providing determination of the GP position in space. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The possibility of restoring GP position based on the analysis of recorded oculograms even in the presence of additive noise induced by the external electromagnetic fields, is proven by the numeric modeling method. Direct experimental studies were conducted with recording oculograms of a human observer on a previously verified equipment. A ZB-2 oculograph was used, the data obtained were verified by the method of average values. RESULTS: The obtained modeling results permitted to determine the maximal values of dispersion of additive noise and amplitude shifts of signals, which make possible satisfactory restoration of the coordinates of the GP and parameters of its movement trajectory. The qualitative correspondence of the experimental results to the results of numerical modeling was proven. The correspondence between trajectories of the observed object moving in space and trajectories of GP movement synthesized from counts of recorded oculograms was confirmed. CONCLUSION: Multichannel record of oculographic signals permits restoring parameters of the GP trajectory. Creating systems for recording these signals requires minimization of the noise level. An increase in dispersion of the noise component of the signal leads to most significant errors in calculating the coordinates of trajectory points.

Seismic vulnerability, municipality of Toluca: a holistic analysis of the structural, social and economic aspects

This research integrates physical, social, and economic aspects to address seismic vulnerability in the municipality of Toluca, Mexico. The objective is to design and implement a procedure that estimates seismic vulnerability at the urban block scale. The developed method combines physical and socio-economic dimensions to assess seismic vulnerability. The physical dimension includes susceptibility to seismic resonance, as well as the age and type of constructions, while the socio-economic dimension is based on the marginalization index. Mapping covers 7,807 urban blocks where five levels of vulnerability are identified, with 46.6% exhibiting severe and very severe levels. The resulting zoning is a robust tool for risk reduction, particularly for justifying the implementation of actions aimed at reducing vulnerability.

Novel Application of Metal–Organic Frameworks as Efficient Sorbents for Solid-Phase Extraction of Chemical Warfare Agents and Related Compounds in Water Samples

In this work, we test metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as sorbents in the solid-phase extraction (SPE) technique to determine chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and their related compounds in water samples. During this study, we used 13 target compounds to test the selectivity of MOFs thoroughly. Three MOFs were used: MIL-100(Fe), ZIF-8(Zn), and UiO-66(Zr). The obtained materials were characterized using FT-IR/ATR, SEM, and XRD. CWA’s and related compounds were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The effect of the type of elution solvent and the amount of sorbent (MOFs) in the column on the efficiency of the conducted extraction were verified. The LOD ranged from 0.04 to 7.54 ng mL−1, and the linearity range for the analytes tested extended from 0.11/22.62 (depending on the compound) to 1000 ng mL−1. It was found that MOFs showed the most excellent selectivity to compounds having aromatic rings in their structure or a “spread” spatial structure. The best recoveries were obtained for DPAA, CAP, and malathion. Environmental water samples collected from the Baltic Sea were analyzed using an optimized procedure to verify the developed method’s usefulness.