bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Use of Wearable Sensors and Machine Learning Methods to Estimate Biomechanical Characteristics During Standing Posture or Locomotion: A Systematic Review
Authors: Museck Isabelle J. , Brinton Daniel L. , Dean Jesse C.
Published: November 2024

Balance deficits are present in a variety of clinical populations and can negatively impact quality of life. The integration of wearable sensors and machine learning technology (ML) provides unique opportunities to quantify biomechanical characteristics related to balance outside of a laboratory setting. This article provides a general overview of recent developments in using wearable sensors and ML to estimate or predict biomechanical characteristics such as center of pressure (CoP) and center of mass (CoM) motion. This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Databases including Scopus, PubMed, CINHAL, Trip PRO, Cochrane, and Otseeker databases were searched for publications on the use of wearable sensors combined with ML to predict biomechanical characteristics. Fourteen publications met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. From each publication, information on study characteristics, testing conditions, ML models applied, estimated biomechanical characteristics, and sensor positions were extracted. Additionally, the study type, level of evidence, and Downs and Black scale score were reported to evaluate methodological quality and bias. Most studies tested subjects during walking and utilized some type of neural network (NN) ML model to estimate biomechanical characteristics. Many of the studies focused on minimizing the necessary number of sensors and placed them on areas near or below the waist. Nearly all studies reporting RMSE and correlation coefficients had values <15% and >0.85, respectively, indicating strong ML model estimation accuracy. Overall, this review can help guide the future development of ML algorithms and wearable sensor technologies to estimate postural mechanics.
Online Service Function Chain Planning for Satellite–Ground Integrated Networks to Minimize End-to-End (E2E) Delay
Authors: Kim Soohyeong , Park Joohan , Youn Jiseung , Ahn Seyoung , Cho Sunghyun
Published: November 2024

The combination of software-defined networking (SDN) and satellite–ground integrated networks (SGINs) is gaining attention as a key infrastructure for meeting the granular quality-of-service (QoS) demands of next-generation mobile communications. However, due to the unpredictable nature of end-user requests and the limited resource capacity of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, improper Virtual Network Function (VNF) deployment can lead to significant increases in end-to-end (E2E) delay. To address this challenge, we propose an online algorithm that jointly deploys VNFs and forms routing paths in an event-driven manner in response to end-user requests. The proposed algorithm selectively deploys only the essential VNFs required for each Service Function Chain (SFC), focusing on minimizing E2E delay—a critical QoS parameter. By defining a minimum-hop region (MHR) based on the geographic coordinates of the routing endpoints, we reduce the search space for candidate base stations, thereby designing paths that minimize propagation delays. VNFs are then deployed along these paths to further reduce E2E delay. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed algorithm closely approximates the global optimum, achieving up to 97% similarity in both E2E delay and CPU power consumption, with an average similarity of approximately 90%.
ACD-Net: An Abnormal Crew Detection Network for Complex Ship Scenarios
Authors: Li Zhengbao , Zhang Heng , Gao Ding , Wu Zewei , Zhang Zheng , Du Libin
Published: November 2024

Abnormal behavior of crew members is an important cause of frequent ship safety accidents. The existing abnormal crew recognition algorithms are affected by complex ship environments and have low performance in real and open shipborne environments. This paper proposes an abnormal crew detection network for complex ship scenarios (ACD-Net), which uses a two-stage algorithm to detect and identify abnormal crew members in real-time. An improved YOLOv5s model based on a transformer and CBAM mechanism (YOLO-TRCA) is proposed with a C3-TransformerBlock module to enhance the feature extraction ability of crew members in complex scenes. The CBAM attention mechanism is introduced to reduce the interference of background features and improve the accuracy of real-time detection of crew abnormal behavior. The crew identification algorithm (CFA) tracks and detects abnormal crew members’ faces in real-time in an open environment (CenterFace), continuously conducts face quality assessment (Filter), and selects high-quality facial images for identity recognition (ArcFace). The CFA effectively reduces system computational overhead and improves the success rate of identity recognition. Experimental results indicate that ACD-Net achieves 92.3% accuracy in detecting abnormal behavior and a 69.6% matching rate for identity recognition, with a processing time of under 39.5 ms per frame at a 1080P resolution.
Coordinate-Corrected and Graph-Convolution-Based Hand Pose Estimation Method
Authors: Rong Dang , Gang Feng
Published: November 2024

To address the problem of low accuracy in joint point estimation in hand pose estimation methods due to the self-similarity of fingers and easy self-obscuration of hand joints, a hand pose estimation method based on coordinate correction and graph convolution is proposed. First, the standard coordinate encoding is improved by generating an unbiased heat map, and the distribution-aware method is used for decoding coordinates to reduce the error in decoding the coordinate encoding of joints. Then, the complex dependency relationship between the joints and the relationship between pixels and joints of the hand are modeled by using graph convolution, and the feature information of the hand joints is enhanced by determining the relationship between the hand joints. Finally, the skeletal constraint loss function is used to impose constraints on the joints, and a natural and undistorted hand skeleton structure is generated. Training tests are conducted on the public gesture interaction dataset STB, and the experimental results show that the method in this paper can reduce errors in hand joint point detection and improve the estimation accuracy.
Asylum, Welfare and Colonialism in Europe: Who Belongs, and Who Deserves?
Authors: Jubany Olga , Mayblin Lucy
Published: November 2024

For more than 30 years, public debate concerning migration and asylum in Europe has centred on the question of whether the maintenance of a robust welfare state opposes the reception of international migrants [...]
Transmission of Spatial Experience in the Context of Sustainability of Urban Memory
Authors: Cankurt Semiz Sedef Nur , Özsoy Fatma Ahsen
Published: November 2024

Urban memory involves the re-creation of a city’s physical, historical, social, and cultural elements in the memories of its inhabitants. However, urban transformation and commercial tourism-oriented projects may threaten the continuity of this memory. This study aims to provide an understanding of the relationship between urban memory and spatial experience while exploring how urban memory elements convey meanings to daily users and local inhabitants of a touristic settlement. The research focuses on Misi Village in Bursa, Turkey, a settlement with a 2000-year history known for its traditional architecture and natural beauty. Over the past two decades, local authorities have pursued extensive restoration projects to rebrand Misi Village as an Art and Tourism Village. The research employs the oral history method, focusing on two user groups: tourists and locals. The findings reveal that while tourists appreciate Misi Village for its natural beauty and recreational activities, they lack a deeper understanding of its history and the transformation of its identity. Instead, they mostly focus on commerce-oriented spatial experiences. In contrast, local residents emphasize daily life and traditional practices as they strive to sustain their livelihoods. By highlighting this difference, strategic planning is proposed to preserve Misi Village’s unique urban memory and promote sustainable, culturally centered tourism.
Sustainability of Nonisocyanate Polyurethanes (NIPUs)
Authors: Ozimek Jan , Pielichowski Krzysztof
Published: November 2024

This work discusses the synthesis and properties of nonisocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional polyurethanes. NIPUs are made without the use of toxic isocyanates, reducing the environmental impact and safety concerns associated with their production. However, their synthesis reactions often require longer time and more energy to be completed. The sustainability of NIPUs is considered from various angles; the main methods for the synthesis of NIPUs, including rearrangement reactions, transurethanization, and ring-opening polymerization of cyclic carbonates with amines, are examined. Another part focuses on renewable sources, such as vegetable oils, terpenes, tannins, lignins, sugars, and others. The synthesis of waterborne and solvent-free NIPUs is also discussed, as it further reduces the environmental impact by minimizing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and avoiding the use of harmful solvents. The challenges faced by NIPUs, such as lower molecular weight and higher dispersity compared to traditional polyurethanes, which can affect mechanical properties, were also addressed. Improving the performance of NIPUs to make them more competitive compared to conventional polyurethanes remains a key task in future research.
Feasibility Study on the Construction of Underground Reservoirs in Coal Goaf—A Case Study from Buertai Coal Mine, China
Authors: Li Hao , Xu Duo , Li Guo , Wei Shirong , Wu Baoyang
Published: November 2024

The construction of underground reservoirs in coal goaf is a new technology aimed to realize the sustainable development of coal mining-water storage-surface ecology in arid areas of northwest China. The key to the feasibility of this technology is that underground coal mining cannot affect the near-surface aquifer, and the amount of water entering the underground reservoir must meet the needs of the coal mine. Taking Buertai Coal Mine, one of the largest underground coal mines in the world, as an example, this article used similar simulation, numerical simulation and in-situ test methods to study the height of the water-conducting fracture zone of overlying strata and water inflow of underground reservoirs. The results show that, under the repeated mining of the 22- and 42-coal seams, the maximum height of the water-conducting fracture zone is 178 m, and the distance between the near-surface aquifer and the 42 coal is about 240 m, so the mining has little effect on the near-surface aquifer. During the mining period of the 22-coal seam, the groundwater of the Zhidan and Zhiluo Formations was mainly discharged vertically, while the groundwater of the Yanan Formation was mainly a horizontal flow during the period of the 42-coal mining. In this way, the total water inflow of Buertai Coal Mine reaches 500 m3/h, which not only meets the needs of the mine, but also, the rest of the water can irrigate about 98 hectares of farmland nearby. Underground reservoirs in coal goaf could achieve sustainable development of coal mining, groundwater storage and surface ecology in semi-arid areas.
Do Consumers’ Perceived Attributes and Normative Factors Affect Acceptance Behavior Towards Eco-Friendly Self-Driving Food Delivery Services? The Moderating Role of Country Development Status
Authors: Joo Kyuhyeon , Kim Heather Markham , Hwang Jinsoo
Published: November 2024

The advent of self-driving technology marks a significant milestone in the evolution of modern transportation and logistics services. More importantly, self-driving food delivery services are expected to play a significant role in environmental protection by operating on batteries instead of the traditional gasoline. The current study examines the relationship between perceived attributes, image, normative factors, and behavioral intentions in the context of eco-friendly self-driving food delivery services. The study deepens the framework by identifying the moderating role of country development status. The study gathered samples from 313 panels in South Korea, a developed country, and 315 respondents in Mongolia, a developing country. The results of the South Korean dataset showed that two types of perceived attributes, perceived innovativeness and perceived risk significantly affect image, which in turn leads to the formation of behavioral intentions. Normative factors, such as subjective norms and personal norms, also positively affect behavioral intentions, and subjective norms increase personal norms. The results of the Mongolian dataset indicated that all paths are statistically supported. Lastly, the moderating role of the country development status was found in the relationship between (1) perceived innovativeness and perceived risk, (2) subjective norms and personal norms, and (3) subjective norms and behavioral intentions.
Effects of Traditional Agroforestry Practices on Cocoa Yields in Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Konaté N’Golo , Ouattara Yaya , Kouakou Auguste K. , Barima Yao S. S.
Published: November 2024

Agroforestry is promoted as a practice at the crossroads of sustainability and productivity objectives; however, many agroforestry programmes have had mixed effects due to a lack of understanding of the compatibility of the species supplied to farmers with cocoa and a failure to take account of their knowledge in designing the programmes. This paper, therefore, examines the effects of socio-economic and agroforestry factors on cocoa yields in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa. The data used come from surveys of 150 farmers in three areas of the country: Bonon, Soubré and Biankouma. The choice of these areas was based on an east–west gradient, reflecting the evolution of the cocoa loop. The Bayesian Information Criterion method and multiple linear regression were applied to identify the species and their relationship with yield. The results showed that certain species, such as Citrus sp., Cordia senegalensis, Isoberlinia doka, Morinda lucida, Morus mesozygia and Raphia hookeri increased in yield; on the other hand, Anthonotha manii was found to reduce in yield. Finally, labour and insecticides contributed to yield increases. The statistical analysis can be supplemented with agronomic and ecological analyses to improve species management on cocoa farms.
How Urban Street Spatial Composition Affects Land Surface Temperature in Areas with Different Population Densities: A Case Study of Zhengzhou, China
Authors: Fu Mengze , Ban Kangjia , Jin Li , Wu Di
Published: November 2024

The arrangement and design of urban streets have a profound impact on the thermal conditions within cities, including the mitigation of excessive street land surface temperatures (LSTs). However, previous research has mainly addressed the linear relationships between the physical spatial elements of streets and LST. There has been limited exploration of potential nonlinear relationships and the influence of population density variations. This study explores multi-dimensional street composition indicators obtained from street-view imagery and applies generalized additive models (GAMs) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) to evaluate the indicators’ impact on LST in areas with various population densities. The results indicate the following: (1) The six indicators—green space index (GSI), tree canopy index (TCI), sky open index (SOI), spatial enclosure index (SEI), road width index (RWI), and street walking index (SWI)—all have significant nonlinear effects on summer daytime LST. (2) Among all categories, the GSI negatively affects LST. Moreover, the TCI’s impact on LST shifts from negative to positive as its value increases. The SOI and SWI positively affect LST in all categories. The SEI’s effect on LST changes from negative to positive in the total and high-population (HP) categories, and it remains negative in the low-population (LP) category. The RWI positively affects LST in the total category, shifts from negative to positive in the LP category, and remains negative in the HP category. (3) The influence ranking is GSI > SEI > SWI > SOI > TCI > RWI, with GSI being the most significant factor. These findings provide key insights for mitigating street LSTs through design interventions, contributing to sustainable urban development.
Sexual Dimorphism in Wing Shape and Its Impact on Conspecific Identification of Neotropical Fannia Species (Diptera: Fanniidae)
Authors: Durango-Manrique Yesica , López-Rubio Andrés , Gómez Giovan F.
Published: November 2024

Neotropical species of the genus Fannia remain poorly known despite their potential collection as biological evidence in criminal investigations. This is partly due to taxonomic difficulties and a lack of specialists. Identifying neotropical species of Fannia relies mainly on the classical morphological characters of adult males, as females show high similarity between species. Here, landmark-based geometric morphometrics of the wing could constitute an additional tool for associating adult females with conspecifics in this genus. In this study, we used a reference dataset of males belonging to ten putative species of Fannia from Colombia and molecular data to test this hypothesis. We found a strong wing shape sexual dimorphism, resulting in an almost perfect sex assignment based solely on this trait. However, the differences in wing shape between sexes were greater than those between species, making conspecific identification difficult. Our data show that wing shape could only feasibly be used for identifying adult males and females of F. lamosca, and males of F. dorsomaculata and F. pseudoconstricta. Low discrimination scores among remaining species may be partly explained by high intraspecific variation, slight wing shape differences among closely related species, or sampling bias. Although this study provides the first wing size and shape comparison among neotropical Fannia species, more samples and species are needed to validate these findings and identify the potential factors influencing this trait. Furthermore, the wing shape sexual dimorphism across Fannia species suggests different life-history strategies between sexes and possible genetic canalization mechanisms.
Editorial to the Special Issue “Space Missions to Small Bodies: Results and Future Activities”
Authors: Longobardo Andrea
Published: November 2024

Small bodies (asteroids, comets, and satellites) are the most primitive bodies of our solar system and, for this reason, represent the key to understanding its origin and early evolution [...]
Calculation of Compensation Standards for Urban Emergency Transportation Capacity Requisition During Public Health Emergencies
Authors: Jin Na , Tan Fuyou , Wang Haiyan , Sang Ao , Wang Shipeng
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study is to clarify the calculation of economic compensation within the urban emergency transportation capacity requisition mechanism during public health emergencies. This paper establishes an emergency capacity pool for social vehicles at three levels—city, county, and community. The pool primarily targets third-party logistics enterprises, supported by temporary transportation capacity from social sources. Considering requisition expenses, financial losses, economic incentives, and other relevant factors, a mathematical model is proposed using cost analysis to determine compensation for transportation capacity requisition. A cost correction coefficient is introduced to calculate the compensation standard for urban emergency capacity requisition. Finally, the model’s validity is verified through a case study of an urban public health emergency. The results indicate that applying a fixed cost modification coefficient of 1.04:1:1.92 and a variable cost modification coefficient of 1.06:1:3.50 for the three types of vehicles can standardize requisition compensation calculations. This approach provides an objective, scientific benchmark for market reference and reduces discrepancies in compensation calculations between the government and enterprises during emergency requisitions. This paper also establishes theoretical foundations for standardizing regulations on compensation for urban emergency capacity requisitions.
The Health and Economic Effects of PCV15 and PCV20 During the First Year of Life in the US
Authors: Ilic Aleksandar , Tort Maria J. , Cane Alejandro , Farkouh Raymond A. , Rozenbaum Mark H.
Published: November 2024

(1) Background/Objectives: Two pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, 15-(PCV15) and 20-(PCV20) valent formulations, are routinely recommended for US children in a 3+1 schedule. The first three doses are administered during the first year of life at 2, 4, and 6 months, while a booster dose is given at 12 to 15 months. This study evaluated the health and economic effects of the PCV20 infant series within the first year of life compared to PCV15. (2) Methods: Using a decision-analytic model, we calculated the health and economic effects of introducing PCV15 or PCV20 for five subsequent birth cohorts. Epidemiological data were drawn from peer-reviewed studies and estimates for vaccine effectiveness were extrapolated from established PCV13 effectiveness and PCV7 efficacy studies. Direct medical costs related to the disease treatment were extracted from the literature and inflated to 2024 dollars. (3) Results: Over the course of five years, the implementation of PCV20 vaccination for newborns in the United States, compared to PCV15, is projected to prevent an additional 220 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease, 6542 cases of community-acquired pneumonia, and 112,095 cases of otitis media within the first year of life across five subsequent birth cohorts. This strategy could prevent 66 infant deaths linked to these illnesses and confer extra health gains, amounting to 5058 years of life and 5037 quality-adjusted life years. These prevented cases are estimated to save approximately USD 147 million over 5 years. (4) Conclusions: This study demonstrated that vaccinating with PCV20 during the first 12 months of life compared to PCV15 in the US would yield a substantially greater health and economic return due to the five additional serotypes covered by PCV20.
Beyond Suppression: Peripheral T Cell Responses to Vaccination in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Undergoing Anti-Tumor-Necrosis-Factor Therapy
Authors: Qui Martin , Salazar Ennaliza
Published: November 2024

Alimentary tract inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is treated by systemically administered drugs that alter fundamental host immune responses. Biologics that target tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are first-line biologics in IBD, used widely for their effectiveness, steroid-sparing quality, and lower cost. While they enable a significant proportion of patients to achieve clinical remission, they carry an increased risk of infection and poor serological responses to vaccination. Conversely, our understanding of adaptive T cell responses in anti-TNF-treated IBD patients remains limited. The introduction of COVID-19 vaccines has prompted research that both challenges and refines our view on immunomodulatory therapy and its potential implications for immunity and protection. Here, we review these emergent findings, evaluate how they shape our understanding of vaccine-induced T cell responses in the context of anti-TNF therapy in IBD, and provide a perspective highlighting the need for a holistic evaluation of both cellular and humoral immunity in this population.
Efficacy of Steinernema feltiae Nematode Against Lesser Mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus) Populations from Poultry Farms in Türkiye
Authors: Polat Burak , Cengiz Aysegul , Koc Samed , Kahraman Kokten Sevval , Gultekin Zeynep Nur , Caliskan Cansu , Kocaoglu Cenkci Serap , Yildirim Tolga , Tufan-Cetin Ozge , Cetin Huseyin
Published: November 2024

In the veterinary field, particularly in the poultry farming sector, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a significant pest that causes economic losses and acts as a vector for various pathogens. This study is the first to evaluate the efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae Filipjev, 1934 against both the larval (fifth instar) and imago (adult) of A. diaperinus from various Turkish populations. The insects were collected from six poultry farms in the provinces of Balikesir, Bolu, Canakkale, Manisa, and Izmir in Türkiye, bred, and then tested at concentrations ranging from 25 to 200 infective juveniles (IJs) per milliliter. Mortality was monitored over a five-day period. The findings revealed that larvae were much more susceptible to S. feltiae nematodes compared to adults, with LC50 values of larvae ranging from 33.17 to 83.12 IJs/mL. The Manisa population was the most susceptible, while the Izmir population was the most resistant. These results suggest that S. feltiae could be an effective biological control agent for managing A. diaperinus in Turkish poultry farms, reducing the reliance on chemical insecticides.
Risk Assessment of Water Inrush from Coal Seam Floor with a PCA–RST Algorithm in Chenmanzhuang Coal Mine, China
Authors: Gao Weifu , Cao Yining , Dong Xufeng
Published: November 2024

During coal mining, sudden inrushes of water from the floor pose significant risks, seriously affecting mine safety. This study utilizes the 3602 working face of the Chenmanzhuang coal mine as a case study, and the original influencing factors were downscaled using principal component analysis (PCA) to obtain four key evaluation factors: water inflow, aquiclude thickness, water pressure, and exposed limestone thickness. The rough set theory (RST) was applied to determine the weights of the four main influencing factors as 0.2, 0.24, 0.36, and 0.2; furthermore, 19 groups of comprehensive values were calculated using the weighting method, and a water inrush risk assessment was conducted for several blocks within the working face. The results are presented as a contour map, highlighting various risk levels and identifying the water inrush danger zone on the coal seam floor. The study concludes that water inrush poses a threat in the western part of the working face, while the eastern area remains relatively safe. The accuracy and reliability of the model are demonstrated, providing a solid basis and guidance for predicting water inrush.
Soil and Water Conservation Vegetation Restoration in Alpine Areas—Taking a Hydropower Station as an Example
Authors: Cao Yongxiang , Hou Sen , Zhang Naichang , Bian Zhen , Wang Haixing
Published: November 2024

High-elevation and cold regions have harsh natural conditions with low temperatures and intense ultraviolet radiation, which impede plant growth and maintenance. Therefore, soil and water conservation vegetation restoration models are of great significance. In this study, a site condition analysis was performed based on three main limiting factors, including climatic and meteorological, soil, and topographic and geomorphological factors, providing a basis for vegetation restoration. The study area was divided into different site types. After investigating the situation of nurseries distributed in places such as Tibet, Qinghai, and Sichuan, trees, shrubs, and grasses with ecological characteristics similar to those of the local vegetation, including strong stress resistance, good soil and water conservation benefits, and well-established artificial cultivation practices, were selected as alternative vegetation for late-stage planting of indigenous tree species. Combining the results of site condition analysis and site type classification, the configuration of trees, shrubs, and grasses for different off-site condition types and the corresponding greening methods are discussed, providing a scientific reference for ecological restoration in high-elevation and low-temperature regions.
Mental Skills Training for Youth Experiencing Multiple Disadvantage
Authors: Cumming Jennifer , Quinton Mary L. , Tidmarsh Grace , Reynard Sally
Published: November 2024

(1) Background: Youths with multiple risks and severe disadvantages experience poorer health and educational outcomes than less disadvantaged peers. To address problems with coping and self-regulation in this group, mental skills training (MST) approaches more commonly used in sport are an emerging intervention approach. (2) Methods and results: this narrative review synthesizes literature to explain the need for MST, how it works, and evidence to support it works by focusing on two well evaluated programs: LifeMatters and My Strengths Training for Life™. (3) Conclusions: To support positive youth development, MST is a strengths-based, flexible, and adaptable approach to help fill the shortage of available evidence-based programs for those youths facing multiple disadvantages. The findings of this review may facilitate policy makers, commissioners, program planners, and researchers in the uptake of MST or similar psychoeducational approaches in future.
Human Exposure to Equine Halicephalobus gingivalis in an Occupational Context
Authors: Renee Camille , Igboanugo Sonia , Kain Dylan , Peregrine Andrew , Klowak Michael , Boggild Andrea K.
Published: November 2024

Halicephalobus gingivalis (H. gingivalis) is a very rare opportunistic cause of fatal meningoencephalomyelitis in equids but may also cause parasitic infections in exposed humans via zoonotic transmission (from animals to humans). We herein report a 39-year-old veterinarian who was exposed to aspirated gastric contents while inserting a nasogastric tube into a horse with signs of uveitis. This procedure requires application of oral suction to the end of the tube to ensure correct placement. Histopathology of the horse’s enucleated eye later revealed H. gingivalis infection, and the horse developed acute kidney injury, ataxia, and other signs of neurological disease. The horse later progressed to death despite supportive care and administration of the broad-spectrum antiparasitic, ivermectin. Two months later, the veterinarian received prophylactic ivermectin consisting of two 200-mcg/kg doses. The patient reported feeling well and was without any systemic or focal signs or symptoms prior to this prophylactic treatment and continued feeling well when followed up at 4 months post exposure. Blood work was unremarkable, with no eosinophilia (eosinophils 0.1 × 109/L, normal <0.4 × 109/L). Meticulous hand hygiene and alternatives to unprotected oral suction should be considered in veterinary medicine as the potentially increasing risk of occupational exposure to zoonotic helminthiases makes this a public health concern.
Current approach to diagnosis and treatment of pyelonephritis
Authors:   City Hospital No. 5, Krasnoyarsk, Petrishcheva O. A.
Published: November 2024

Pyelonephritis is an infectious inflammatory lesion of the kidneys that occurs when pathogenic and opportunistic microflora spread from the lower parts of the urinary tract. One of the most common pathogens is Escherichia coli. The disease occurs more often in women than in men, which is due to the structural features of the urethra and its anatomical proximity to the anus. According to statistics, 50-60% of women have experienced an episode of urinary tract infection at least once in their lives. The main group of patients with pyelonephritis includes sexually active women of reproductive age. When calling on a patient, a family doctor may encounter complaints of fever, chills, pain in the lumbar region, and frequent and painful urination. To establish a diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct general blood and urine tests, as well as a urine test according to Nechiporenko, during which it is possible to establish increased leukocytes. The main method of treatment is antibiotic therapy; as a rule, improvement occurs within the first two days. If treatment is ineffective and resistance to antibacterial drugs develops, a transition to a chronic form is possible. Before the era of the discovery of antibiotics, this disease was considered deadly due to the high risk of developing septic complications, in particular, it was pyelonephritis that caused the premature death of the Russian Emperor Alexander III, who died in the Livadia Palace in Crimea in 1894.
Pomegranate plant tissue culture technique - a review
Authors: Besharat Azizullah , Guo Xiangping , Amini Mohammad Yunes , Zhen Tang
Published: November 2024

‌Background: The pomegranate, or Punica granatum L., is a member of the "Punicaceae" family, which also includes Punica protopunica and Punica granatum. Originating in Afghanistan and Iran, it has spread over Asia, Africa, and Europe's Mediterranean region. The traditional method of pomegranate propagation is laborious and time-consuming. It does not guarantee healthy, disease-free plants. Its shortcomings include poor success rates, extremely sluggish replication, and a one-year establishing period for new plants. Tissue culture is a technique that can be used to grow plants in all seasons without restrictions. Several pomegranate-growing nations have tried in vitro propagation to generate virus-free, similar-type plants, and it has been widely used for propagating many fruit trees. Research Purpose: The goal of this essay was to examine how to do plant tissue culture method and get familiar with the techniques. with an emphasis on the pomegranate micropropagation. The only aspect of plant tissue culture that may be able to get around these issues is in vitro technology. Therefore, there is plenty of room for employing micropropagation to multiply desired genotypes on a wide scale.  Research Method: This review article was conducted based on scientific websites in Persian and English languages, including SID, Magiran, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Library Studies, Results: Pomegranate plants multiply quickly through micropropagation, producing plants (clones) that are genetically similar. In a short amount of time, a single explant can yield thousands of plants. These plants match exactly. The study provides a standardized protocol for in vitro regeneration of nodal explants, which could be useful in large-scale production of uniform and disease-free plantlets. The process of plant tissue culture reduces the need for importing expensive plant seeds.
The Evolving Space of Emirati Women's Economic Participation
Authors: Goby Valerie Priscilla
Published: November 2024

This conceptual paper discusses the contouring of the embryonic space in which Emirati women can enact economic agency. I examine this from three perspectives, namely, the workforce localisation policies, the government’s aspiration to establish itself as a force within the international political arena, and the country’s cultural landscape. These three factors represent the most powerful influences that determine Emirati women's experience of the workplace, and this paper explores their impact on the space that is evolving in which women can exercise their economic agency. The space available for Emirati women's economic participation is not prescribed; rather, it emerges as ever fluctuating and transforming as a consequence of the varying contextual dominance of one or other of these three potent influences. The UAE’s severe workforce imbalance, marked by 96% expatriates in the private sector and about 40% in the public sector, renders localising the workforce a key strategic objective. This fosters a route for women to find their place in the economy. The government’s goal to become a key player on the global stage and a beacon of Arab political power and diplomacy involves crafting a distinguished international image. A substantial component of achieving this goal is redressing the historic female disempowerment that is seen to characterise the region. Again, this ambition eases women's access to economic participation. The country’s cultural landscape, however, imposes certain constraints on women enacting economic agency. This landscape has altered exponentially since the affluence of the oil boom and many segments of the local population see positive aspects in Emirati women’s expanding economic capacities.  Yet values which maintain that women are primarily domestic creatures survive and militate against full acceptance of women in the workforce.  Additionally, this space is also keenly influenced and configured by myriad diverse collective and individual understandings of national development aspirations, cultural legacies, and new positionings of women. The contribution of this study is its analysis of how specific institutional and societal forces effect how gender can be done and undone in this geopolitical context in which women’s highly liminal economic agency is generating new conceptualisations of empowerment and freedoms.
Challenging the Status Quo: Headhunters and Gender Bias in Executive Recruitment: “Women have been at a Disadvantage, and it is long Overdue to Correct that”
Authors: Ásta Dís Óladóttir  , Thora H. Christiansen  , Hrefna Guðmundsdóttir
Published: November 2024

This paper investigates the exclusion of women from the recruitment process for top management positions, focusing on the role of headhunters in Iceland—a country ranked first in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report for 15 consecutive years. Despite Iceland's reputation as a leader in gender equality, women remain significantly underrepresented in executive roles. This study addresses this paradox by exploring how headhunters' recruitment practices both perpetuate and challenge gender bias. Through semi-structured interviews with 44 board members (22 men, 22 women) and eight headhunters, this study uncovers structural and behavioral biases limiting women’s opportunities in executive roles Headhunters often rely on established networks and emphasize CEO experience, which favors male candidates. However, the study also highlights the potential of headhunters to act as change agents by expanding candidate pools and rethinking traditional hiring criteria. The theoretical contribution of this research lies in its exploration of how headhunters, positioned as both gatekeepers and agents of change, can influence gender diversity in leadership. This study also uses agency theory to explain the dynamic between headhunters and boards, examining how their conflicting goals shape executive recruitment outcomes.
«…Есть наша музыка, но есть и Музыка над нами…» Памяти Александра Кнайфеля
Authors: С.И. Савенко
Published: November 2024

Некролог посвящен памяти Александра Ароновича Кнайфеля (1943–2024) — крупнейшего отечественного композитора, чье наследие представляет собой уникальный творческий феномен. В статье кратко описан его путь музыканта и мыслителя, а также выделены константы творчества, такие как идея числовой конструкции и оригинальная трактовка слова.

Obituary is dedicated to the memory of Alexander Aronovich Knaifel (1943–2024)—the great Russian composer, whose heritage represents a unique creative phenomenon. The article briefly describes his path as a musician and philosopher, as well as highlighting creative constants such as the idea of numerical construction and original interpretation of the word.
Диктант в ДМШ: за и против
Authors: О.Л. Берак
Published: November 2024

В реплике на статью Т. Ю. Камаевой «Музыкальный диктант: между прошлым и будущим» поднимаются актуальные проблемы построения курса сольфеджио в ДМШ с учетом современных реалий. Обсуждается наиболее дискуссионная форма работы — диктант. Вслед за Т. Ю. Камаевой автор данной статьи рассматривает вопросы, касающиеся как тема­тики предмета сольфеджио, так и факторов, влияющих на процесс обучения (содержательную часть, временны́е затраты, готовность учеников младших классов записывать услышанное и многое другое). Особое значение придается проблемам, связанным с целевым компонентом, мотивацией учебной деятельности.

The response to the article “Musical Dictation: Between Past and Future” highlights current issues in the formation of ear training courses in schools of music, taking into account present-day realities. The main topic of the discussion is musical dictation, which is one of the most controversial practices. Following Tatyana Kamaeva, the author examines not only the issues related to ear training itself, but also factors that affect the learning process, such as thematical structure, time management, junior students’ readiness to write down, what they’ve heard and more. Special attention is paid to the “purpose component” issues and to the motivation for the learning process.
Витольд Лютославский и послевоенный авангард. Взгляд шесть десятилетий спустя
Authors: К. Мейер
Published: November 2024

Статья написана в связи с 30-летием со дня кончины Витольда Лютославского. Главная тема публикации ― художественно-эстетические убеждения музыканта в период, когда в культурной жизни Польши шел процесс отказа от эстетики социалистического реализма. Перемены коснулись и музыкального искусства: наступили годы увлечения западным авангардом, был учрежден Международный фестиваль современной музыки «Варшавская осень». Лютославский с большим энтузиазмом следил за происходящим и испытывал непреодолимую потребность в изменении своего композиторского стиля и техники. Его поиски привели к развитию так называемой контролируемой алеаторики, которая увлекла целое поколение композиторов в Польше и во всем мире. Лютославский с глубокой убежденностью говорил об авангарде и в 1960-е годы ста­рался идти в ногу с ним. Однако, воспитанный на евро­пейской традиции от Баха до Дебюсси и Прокофьева, он склонялся к ее логическому продолжению и обогащению средств выразительности, а не к разрушению и построению звукового мира с нуля. При этом он не переставал подчеркивать, что современные техники и поиск новых приемов необходимы, особенно молодым композиторам, — но сам стал постепенно отдаляться от авангарда. В статье подчеркивается это расхождение.

The article is written in honour of the 30th anni­versary of Witold Lutosławski’s death. The main topic of the text is his artistic and aesthetic views during the time when the decline of socialist realism aesthetics began in Poland. These changes also affected musical art: the years of interest in Western avant-garde music came and the “Warsaw Autumn” festival of contemporary music was founded. Lutosławski enthusiastically followed these events and had an irresistible desire for his compositional techniques and style to change. His searches led him to the so-called controlled aleatoric music, which influenced a generation of com­posers in Poland and the entire world. Lutosłavski, with deep conviction, spoke about the avant-garde and tried to keep up with it. Despite being nurtured in the European tradition from Bach to Debussy and Prokofiev, he tended to logically continue it and enrich musical means of expression, rather than destroying and building the musical world from the ground up. At the same time, he emphasized the inevitability of contemporary compositional techniques and devices, while gradually moving away from the avant-garde. The article highlights this contradiction.
Флор Петерс и Людмила Ковнацкая. Письма
Authors: М.П. Мищенко
Published: November 2024

Впервые публикуется переписка знаме­нитого бельгийского органиста Флора Петерса (1903–1986) и студентки органного класса Ленинградской государственной консерватории имени Н. А. Римского-Корсакова Милы Ковнацкой, в будущем видного музыковеда-исследователя и педагога Людмилы Григорьевны Ковнацкой (1941–2023). Знакомство музыкантов состоялось в Ленинграде в 1963 году по случаю сольного концерта Ф. Петерса в Большом зале филармонии. Письма дружески-делового характера сопровождались взаимным обменом нотами, записями, программками. Переписка относится к 1964–1965 годам, интересна малоизвестными подробностями музыкантских биографий и органной жизни Ленинграда 1960-х. Письма Ф. Петерса хранятся в Научно-исследовательском отделе рукописей Научной музыкальной библиотеки Санкт-Петербургской консерватории (НИОР НМБ СПбГК). Письма Л. Ковнацкой (по-видимому, сохранившиеся частично) находятся в Музыкальном отделе Бельгийской Королевской библиотеки (Koninklijke Bibliotheek van België) в Брюсселе.

This is the first publication of the correspon­dence between the famous Belgian organist, composer and teacher Flor Peeters (1903–1986) and a student of the 23). h musicians met in Leningrad in 1963 on the occasion of an organ recital of F. Peeters in the Great Philharmonic Hall. А mutual exchange of scores, recordings and programs accompanied the letters of a friendly professional nature were accompanied by. The letters date back to 1964–1965 and are interesting for their little-known details of the musicians’ biographies and organ activities in Leningrad in the 1960s. Letters from F. Peeters are stored in the Scientific Research Department of Manuscripts of the Scientific Music Library of the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Letters from L. Kovnatskaya (apparently partially preserved) are in the Music Department of the Royal Belgian Library (Koninklijke Bibliotheek van België) in Brussels.
Михаил Иосиф Гузиков и венская мода на четырехрядный ксилофон во второй половине 1830-х годов
Authors: Ф.С. Ильин
Published: November 2024

Летом 1835 года в Вене с огромным успехом проходили концерты Михаила Иосифа Гузикова, исполнителя на четырехрядном ксилофоне. Популяр­ность музыканта была столь велика, что его провоз­гла­сили первым виртуозом своего инструмента, а вен­ские модницы утвердили прическу с завитыми по бокам пейсами, назвав ее à la Gusikow. Ажиотаж вокруг его фигуры не угасал даже после отъезда Гузи­кова из Вены. Так, был поставлен фарс «Фальшивый концертист на деревянно-соломенном инструменте, или Поездка из Бадена в Раухенштайн», в котором в образе Гузикова выступил актер-комик Карл Матиас Ротт. Затем появились два кводлибета — «Жесть, дерево, солома и огонь» Йозефа Ланнера и «Песок и камень, дерево и солома» Франца Баллина, в которых в качестве исполнителей на четырехрядном ксилофоне выступили Михаэль Хебенштрайт и Франц Доллешалль. В статье рассмотрены эти три отклика венцев на популярность Гузикова.

In the summer of 1835, concerts by Miсhaеl Joseph Gusikow, a performer on a wood-and-straw instrument (four-row xylophone), were held in Vienna with great success. The musician’s passion was so great that he was called the first virtuoso of his instrument, and Viennese fashionistas adopted a hairstyle à la Gusi­kow. But even after Miсhaеl Joseph departs from Vienna, the excitement around him did not fade. Thus, the farce “Der falsche Concertist auf Holz- und Stroh-Instrument, oder: Die Parthie von Baden nach Rauhen­stein” was staged, in which actor-comedian Karl Matthias Rott performed as Gusikow. Then two quarterly bet appeared—“Blech, Holz, Stroh und Feuer” by Joseрh Lanner and “Sand und Stein, Holz und Stroh” by Franz Ballin, in which Michael Hebenstreit and Franz Dolleschall performed as performers on a four-row xylophone. The article examines in detail these three responses of the Viennese to Gusikow’s popularity.