bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Como a indisciplina em sala de aula interfere no trabalho docente
Authors: Rodrigues Icaro Arcênio De Alencar , Marques Larissa Carvalho , Gomes Márcia Maria Costa
Published: September 2023

A indisciplina em sala de aula é um fato presente no cotidiano das instituições educativas. Até que ponto ela influencia o trabalho do professor em sala de aula? O objetivo deste trabalho é investigar sobre a interferência da indisciplina em sala de aula no trabalho dos professores que lecionam nos Cursos Técnicos Integrados do IFPB – Campus Campina Grande. Esta pesquisa é caracterizada como uma pesquisa de campo, explicativa e quali-quantitativa. Para a coleta de dados utilizou-se o questionário como instrumento e para a análise dos dados, o método da Análise de Conteúdo. As respostas apresentadas pelos educadores, em sua grande maioria, apontam que a indisciplina interfere na prática profissional destes, provocando, como maior consequência, descontração. Sobre o papel do professor na gestão da indisciplina, a maior parte dos docentes afirma que é preciso ter um bom controle da situação. Observou-se que o professor tem o papel de condutor das relações interpessoais em sala de aula mediante as consequências danosas provocadas pela indisciplina em sala de aula ao processo ensino-aprendizagem.
Investigação sobre o comprometimento ambiental da balneabilidade da praia de Manaíra em João Pessoa-PB
Authors: Lima Dário Macedo , Costa Mirella Leôncio Motta e , Lima Viviane Silva , Alves Gilcean Silva , Lucena Diego Rodrigues de
Published: September 2023

As zonas costeiras são espaços muito afetados pela alta concentração demográfica, apresentando, por isso, diversos problemas ambientais. As praias, constituintes desses espaços, acabam, por sua vez, perdendo muitas de suas funções, tanto em termos de importância para o homem, principalmente em relação ao lazer, como em termos de importância ambiental, como parte integrante dos ecossistemas. Nesse contexto, os esgotos domésticos se apresentam como um dos principais degradadores do ambiente praiano, causando danos ao meio ambiente, à economia e à saúde da população, afetando a balneabilidade, por exemplo. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho objetivou fazer uma investigação sobre o comprometimento ambiental da balneabilidade da praia de Manaíra em João Pessoa-PB, desenvolvendo um estudo da frequência da impropriedade da praia para o banho e avaliando parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos de caracterização das águas e de efluentes advindos de galerias de águas pluviais que deságuam naquele ambiente. Com o trabalho pode-se concluir que a alta frequência com que a praia permanece imprópria ao banho está relacionada a ligações clandestinas de esgotos domésticos à rede de águas pluviais. Também foi possível concluir que esse lançamento indevido pode estar trazendo grande contaminação por microorganismos patogênicos e amônia (NH3-N).
Lesão pélvica em bovinos leiteiros decorrente de trauma em galpão de confinamento
Authors: Rizzo Huber , Souza Jerônimo Hugo De , Silva Edvaldo Sebastião Da , Jesus Taile Katiele Souza de , Assis Junior Edson Batista de , Medeiros Izaac Pereira da Silva
Published: September 2023

O piso nas áreas de caminhada e manejo é um dos componentes mais importantes no alojamento do rebanho bovino por conta de seus efeitos na saúde e no bem-estar dos animais. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar dois casos de lesão na região coxofemoral decorrente de queda em piso de cimento liso, em bovinos de confinamento na cidade de Recife. Em um intervalo de um mês, dois bovinos adultos apresentaram lesão na região coxofemoral após queda no interior da instalação. O primeiro caso ocorreu com uma vaca da raça Girolanda, de 5 anos de idade, com aproximadamente 450 kg, que escorregou no momento da contenção, com peia, para aplicação de bisnaga intramamária, caindo com a região pélvica esquerda ao solo. Na necropsia, observou-se que a cápsula articular da articulação coxofemoral esquerda apresentava áreas de rigidez (anquilose) e, após a abertura da articulação, foi constatada uma fratura complexa na fossa do acetábulo, que se estendia até o osso pubiano, fissura do ísquio e presença de osso esponjoso se estendendo do acetábulo ao ísquio. O segundo caso ocorreu em uma vaca de 6 anos de idade, com aproximadamente sete meses de gestação, que escorregou e caiu com os membros pélvicos abduzidos antes da ordenha. A necropsia evidenciou que a fossa do acetábulo esquerda estava parcialmente preenchida por coágulos hemorrágicos e que os músculos bíceps femoral e semitendinoso estavam edemaciados, achados compatíveis com luxação da articulação coxofemoral. Conclui-se que as instalações devem ser construídas com atenção especial para um piso antiderrapante, que permita o escoamento da água e dos resíduos orgânicos e seja de fácil limpeza. A combinação desses fatores reduz significativamente a ocorrência de acidentes, reduzindo os casos de fraturas e luxações em vacas leiteiras de alta produção.
Organizational cognitive neuroscience: A step ahead in understanding counterproductive workplace behavior
Authors: Zuberi Marium Arslan , Mahmood Amir , Mahmood Qureshi Nasir
Published: September 2023

This paper discusses the dawn of cognitive neuroscience in management and organizational research. The study does that in two tiers: first, it reviews the interdisciplinary field of organizational cognitive neuroscience and second, it analyzes the role organizational cognitive neuroscience (OCN) could play in reducing counterproductive workplace behaviors (CWB). Theoretically the literature has established the benefits of a neuro-scientific approach towards understanding various organizational behaviors but no research has been done on using organizational neuroscience techniques to study counterproductive work behaviors. This paper however has taken the first step towards this research avenue. The study will shed light on this interdisciplinary field of organizational cognitive neuroscience (OCN) and the benefits that organizations can reap from it with respect to understanding employee behavior. A research agenda for future studies is provided to scholars who are interested in advancing the investigation of cognition in counterproductive work behaviors, also by using neuroscience techniques. The study concludes by providing evidences drawn from the literature in favor of adopting an OCN approach in organizations.
Intellectual capital and firm performance in India after the companies act, 2013: A study of selected BSE-listed firms
Authors: Debnath Pranesh , Dey Biplab Kumar , Dey Moumita , Gachu Happyson , Lachan Bitul , Shome Mihir Kumar
Published: September 2023

This study explores the effect of Intellectual Capital (IC) on the performance of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and Information Technology (IT) sector firms in India after the Companies Act, 2013. This study used Return on Assets (ROA) as a performance variable. The IC efficiency and its constituents are used as predictor variables and measured by Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAICTM) model, which was applied to the longitudinal dataset during Financial Year (FY) 2015-16 to FY 2019-20. The study finds that IC had a momentous affirmative impact on accounting performance during the study period. This study also finds that the components of IC, human capital, and structural capital positively impact firm performance. Nevertheless, this study fails to extract any significant stimulus from the efficiency of physical capital on firm performance. Further, firm experience and size positively influence the performance measured by ROA. This paper highlights new determinants of firm performance, i.e., IC and its components, which market regulators, policymakers, researchers, and investors can take into consideration for different market-related decisions.
A Palimpsest of Practice-led Inquiry: A Conversation
Authors:   Birmingham City University, UK, Hill Geof , Duffy Ana ,   Queensland University of Technology
Published: September 2023

This paper aims to interrogate a writer-researcher’s journey through practice-led inquiry (Gray, 1996) within a broader discourse that acknowledges academic writing as contested. Indeed, the quest of a migrant writer for recognition of their writing in another land requires a deep understanding of the many layers that make up the provenance of their writing practice: A second language, and both their cultural identity and literary background, provide layers of knowledge and experience that fuse to form a 'style' and ultimately a writing ‘niche’. The readership of their writing carries its own provenance and therefore the additional bias of ‘the home ground’. As it reads in the title, palimpsest, in its figurative sense, is a notion that implies levels of meaning in a literary work. Although not the first writer to use the concept figuratively, it was Thomas De Quincey who wrote an essay entitled “The Palimpsests” (1845), which would inaugurate “the substantive concept of the palimpsest” (Dillon, 2005, p. 243). Similarly, Barthes (1989, p. 99) referred to a text as a layered discourse, an onion, a superimposed construction of skins (of layers, of levels, of systems) whose volume contains, finally, no heart, no core, no secret, no irreducible principle, nothing but the very infinity of its envelopes—which envelop nothing other than the totality of its surfaces. As a writer surfaces, discriminates, and understands the different layers that fashion their writing, and wields their particular use of English as a second language, their practice becomes more authentic. That authenticity becomes a dual threshold element of an exegesis argument, representing faithfulness to the practitioner, and translating or bridging the gap between first language readers and second language voices.
The Power Hour of Writing: An empirical evaluation of our online writing community
Authors:   Glasgow Caledonian University, Zihms Stephanie , Reid Mackie Claire ,   University of the West of Scotland
Published: September 2023

The “Power Hour of Writing” is an institution-led approach which brings together staff and postgraduate research students in a community that encourages participants to write regularly as part of their academic practice, helping to develop sustainable habits. This research into the “Power Hour of Writing” combines analysis of participant numbers with qualitative analysis of free text responses from online surveys taken at three different time points. Three themes emerged and were evident across all three surveys, independent of their time point: The importance of community; making writing a legitimate part of people’s everyday work; and accountability, which is built into the structure of the “Power Hour Of Writing”. Our research indicates that regular, short timeslots for writing can have a valuable impact on staff and postgraduate researchers. Not only did this intervention help build the community at a time while people were working even more in isolation due to the pandemic, but it also highlighted to participants that protecting time for writing benefits their work.
Foreign Direct Investment in Central and Eastern Europe : the IDP trajectories of selected countries
Authors: Gorynia Marian , Nowak Jan , Wolniak Radosław
Published: September 2023

This study attempts to investigate the timing and factors involved in the development and internationalisation of six Central and East European (CEE) economies from the perspective of advancing along the investment development path (IDP) model/paradigm. It also strives to identify the differences and similarities between the individual countries' IDP trajectories and to arrive at conclusions and policy recommendations designed not only for the analysed countries but which might serve or be of interest to other European states as well. The dominating empirical part of this study is based on data derived from the UNCTAD World Investment Reports and Handbook of Statistics. The analysis covers the entire period of the six countries' transition process to the market led economic system (with the exception of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, for which data do not include the years 1990-1992 when both were functioning as Czechoslovakia) up to 2006, the last year for which the relevant data for all countries were available. The first part of the study outlines the principal components of the IDP model and presents a review of empirical studies applying and/or relating to, the IDP model in CEE. The following section compares IDP trajectories of the six selected CEE countries. The analysis is concentrated on three key issues: the timeframe and conditions of moving from IDP stage 1 to stage 2; the problems of determining the advance towards IDP stage 3 and the significance in this context of the outward foreign direct investment (FDI) performance index. The concluding section summarizes the main findings and policy implications, draws attention to their limitations and delineates future research options. (original abstract)
The Exploitation, Processing and Use of Softstone in Northern Madagascar and its Links to the Indian Ocean World, 800 – 1500 CE
Authors: Nitsche Christoph
Published: September 2023

From the 9th to the 16th century CE, northern Madagascar was settled by the Islamised Rasikajy population who, as active participants in the Indian Ocean Trade Network, exploited the various natural resources of the island. Among the most spectacular remains of the Rasikajy are finely decorated latheturned tripod vessels made from a particular softstone called chlorite schist, which was quarried in the remote hinterland of the island. Over 30 quarries were visited in the course of this project, many of them previously unknown to science. The survey allowed a detailed look into the applied technologies, the petrography of the material and the stylistic diversity of the vessels. The results from this study largely expand the history of softstone exploitation in Madagascar and provide new insights into the culture of the widely unknown Rasikajy and how they were influenced by the realm of the Indian Ocean World.
Can NLR be a biomarker for mucositis and gvhd in patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT?
Authors: Quadras Isabella Christina Costa , Stresser Fernanda Aparecida , Warnavin Stephanie von Stein Cubas , Funke Vaneuza Araújo Moreira , Mobile Rafael Zancan , Schussel Juliana Lucena
Published: September 2023

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a treatment for many diseases; however, it can induce complications such as Oral Mucositis (OM) and Graft-versus- Host Disease (GVHD). The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a peripheral biomarker of systemic inflammation and an independent prognostic factor for several inflammatory diseases. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the association of NLR with OM and GVHD in patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT. Methods: Patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT at the Bone Marrow Transplant Service of the Hospital de Clínicas Complex of the Federal University of Paraná were included in the study. Socio-demographic data and blood counts were collected from patients’ medical records. The NLR was calculated and associated with OM and GVHD. Results: 45 patients were included in the study. Although NLR was higher in patients with OM and oral GVHD, no statistical difference was observed, and no relationship between OM and GVHD with NLR could be stated. Conclusion: Although both OM and GVHD are associated with an inflammatory response as well as the immune system, it was not associated with NLR. Further investigation considering other variables related to HSCT might find possible associations, as it could favor patient management and prevention.
Effect of S. mutans biofilm on the hybrid ceramic-resin cement bond strength assessed by different methods
Authors: Mushashe Amanda Mahammad , Almeida Sarah Aquino de , Ferracane Jack Libório , Merritt Justin , Gonzaga Carla Castiglia , Correr Gisele Maria
Published: September 2023

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the biofilm effect on the hybrid ceramic-resin cement bond strength (BS) by comparing two methods. Methods: Teeth were distributed into groups (n=5), according to the resin cement (Maxcem Elite-(MC) or NX3 Nexus-(NX)) and degradation method (24h or 7 days in distilled water; 7 or 30 days incubated with biofilm and 30 days in sterile media). Treated surfaces of Vita Enamic blocks (5x6x7mm) were luted to treated or no treated dentin surfaces and light-cured. After 24h, beams were obtained (1x1x10mm) and stored accordingly. The flexural bond strength (FBS) was assessed by four-point bending test. Additional beams were obtained from new teeth (n=5), stored for 24h or 7 days in distilled water, and submitted to a microtensile bond strength (μTBS) assay. Failure modes were determined by scanning electron microscopy (100X). The flexure strength of the cements (n=10) was assessed by a four-point bending test. Data were analyzed by 1 and 2-ways ANOVA, and Tukey’s test (α=0.05). Results: There was no significant difference between the degradation methods for the FBS groups. For the μTBS, the significant difference was as follows: NX 7days > NX 24h > MC 7days = MC 24h. Failure mode was mainly adhesive and mixed, but with an increase of cohesive within cement and pre-failures for the MC groups assessed by μTBS. NX had better performance than MC, regardless of the method. Conclusions: The biofilm had no effect on the materials BS and FBS test was a useful method to evaluate BS of materials with poor performance.
Arqueologia urbana em Belém do Pará
Authors: Costa Diogo Menezes
Published: September 2023

A arqueologia urbana em Belém é um estudo que busca compreender a história da cidade através de vestígios arqueológicos encontrados em seu território. O texto faz uma análise do Engenho do Murutucu, Casarão da Ladeira do Castelo, Convento e Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Mercês e Cemitério de Nossa Senhora da Soledade enquanto constituintes da cidade. O estudo arqueológico da cidade permite a reconstrução de sua história a partir das camadas que se acumularam ao longo do tempo, desde as estruturas coloniais até as construções mais modernas. As pesquisas arqueológicas em Belém têm revelado uma rica variedade de vestígios materiais, incluindo cerâmicas, objetos de metal, restos de alimentos e resíduos orgânicos, que ajudam a compreender a vida cotidiana da cidade ao longo dos séculos. O estudo da arqueologia urbana em Belém contribui para a preservação do patrimônio histórico e cultural da cidade, bem como para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas que levem em conta sua história e sua diversidade cultural.
Entre bot(el)la y bot(ella)
Authors: Gárate Miriam Viviana
Published: September 2023

El presente artículo propone un acercamiento a la escritura de María Moreno y a ciertos rasgos decisivos de su estilo legibles en Black out (2016): lo que ha dado en llamarse su “poética plebeya”, su práctica del “cartonerismo epistemológico”, su privilegio del “oído” como ficción de origen de un modo de “leer”, su constante reciclaje del propio archivo, su utilización de la anécdota, su ética/estética de la “no obra”, la reinterpretación de ciertos textos canónicos de la literatura argentina bajo el signo del “alcohol”. Pero ese acercamiento se realiza proponiendo un desvío que habilita a una lectura de género, a partir del diálogo con Los diarios de Emilio Renzi (2015-2017), de Ricardo Piglia, publicados contemporáneamente a Black out. A lo largo de ese itinerario “ebrio” se interroga el ambiente cultural compartido por ambos textos, las estrategias adoptadas por “los muchachos” y las “chicas” de los años 1960-1980, sus “tretas” y los modos de habitar ciertos espacios. En otras palabras: las (auto)figuraciones del sujeto de la escritura y sus posibles contrapuntos.
Lighting Characteristics and Design Considerations to Facilitate Placemaking for World Heritage Sites
Authors: Zeini Aslani Shahab , Dugar Amardeep M. , Mozaffar Reyhaneh
Published: September 2023

This paper aims to establish lighting as a key facilitator in the placemaking processes for World Heritage Sites. Placemaking is a process of designing, managing, planning and programming the development of shared public spaces within the urban fabric. Research methods inspired from ethnography such as interviews, observations and questionnaires are used to gather data from three main groups of people related to the lighting of World Heritage Sites namely: heritage experts, lighting designers, and locals and visitors. Two UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites are investigated as case studies: Saint-Avit-Sénieur in Dordogne, France and Naghshe-Jahan-Square in Isfahan, Iran. Thematic analysis of the data collected from these investigations reveal key lighting characteristics and lighting design considerations that can facilitate the placemaking process for World Heritage Sites. The lighting characteristics include: avoiding over-lighting, overly theatrical lighting and homogeneous lighting; balancing floodlighting; preventing glare; providing flexible and harmonious lighting. The lighting design considerations include: accounting meanings and values; amplifying narratives; balancing genders; building attraction and excitement; creating layers; enhancing atmospheres; ensuring safety; improving functionality; offering interpretations; and supporting activities.
Filoviridae: Insights into Immune Responses to Ebolavirus
Authors: Brown Brent
Published: September 2023

Ebola virus is a zoonotic virus comprised of 6 different species designated within the family Filoviridae and genus Ebolavirus. The first recorded outbreak of an Ebola virus (EBOV) was in Yambuku, Zaire (ZEBOV) in 1976, followed by Sudan Ebola virus (SUBOV) later that year. Outbreaks have been increasing throughout the 21st century, and mortality rates can reach up to 90%. Such extraordinary virulence is evidenced with few pathogens, similarly with Marburg virus (MARV) that originated in Uganda and was first detected in Germany in 1967. The virulent nature of filovirus disease has established these related viruses as a formidable global concern. There are currently four types of Ebolaviridae species known to infect humans, with two more recently identified in other animals that are genomically different with respect to cellular pathogenesis or aetiology of disease. Recent advances into understanding the pathogenesis of filovirus disease infections have been remarkable, yet the immunological response to filovirus infection remains unknown. Scientific analysis of cellular mechanisms can provide insight into virulence factors utilised by other pathogenic viruses that also cause febrile illness with occasional haemorrhagic fever in humans. In this review, we aim to provide a brief summary of EBOV proteins and the role of innate and adaptive immune cells known since 2000. We will consider the relevance and implications of immunological proteins measured by CD marker, alongside cytokine, chemokine and other biologically relevant pathways, as well as genetic research. Thorough understanding of immunological correlates affecting host responses to Ebola viruses will facilitate both clinical and applied research knowledge, contributing towards protection against potential public health threats.
The Relationship of Furin with Inflammation in the Progression of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia to Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: AFSAR SELIM , TURAN GULAY , GUNEY GURHAN , SAHIN GOZDE , ALDIKACTIOGLU TALMAC MERVE , USUL AFSAR CIGDEM
Published: September 2023

Objective: The current study aimed to delineate the relationship of furin with inflammation while cervical intraepithelial neoplasia progresses to cancer. Study Design:This cross-sectional study included 81 women who required colposcopic examinations. The study groups were formed based on pathological results: Group I included women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I (n=30); Group II included women with CIN II-III (n=28); and Group III included women with cervical cancer (CC) (n=23). Furin, ki-67, and p16 levels were evaluated based on immunostaining intensity. The inflammatory indices were calculated parallel with the literature from routine blood samples retrieved within one week before the procedure. Results:Furin expression gradually increased from CIN I to CIN II-III and from CIN II-III to CC, respectively (p < .001, p = .005). The NLR, MLR, PLR, and SII were significantly higher in the CC group (p < .001). ROC curve analysis unveiled that NLR, MLR, PLR and SII predicted the presence of CC with a cutoff value of 2.39 for NLR (sensitivity: 91.3%, specificity: 63.8%, AUROC: 0.79, p < .001); a cutoff value of 0.27 for MLR (sensitivity: 78.3%, specificity: 72.4%, AUROC: 0.77, p = .009); a cutoff value of 123 for PLR (sensitivity: 100%, specificity: 41.4%, AUROC: 0.70, p = .04); and a cutoff value of 747 for SII (sensitivity: 69.6%, specificity: 90.7%, AUROC: 0.71, p = .014). Conclusion:Furin expression increased gradually in parallel to the severity of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The inflammatory indices were higher in the presence of CC and denoted good discrimination ability for predicting cervical cancer.
The Use of Vacuum Devices as Adjuvant Therapy before and after Penile Curvature Surgery: Results from a Comparative Study
Authors: Cai Tommaso , Capece Marco , Ceruti Carlo , Tiscione Daniele , Puglisi Marco , Verze Paolo , Gontero Paolo , Palmieri Alessandro
Published: September 2023

Background: Peyronie’s disease (PD) represents a challenging urological disease, due to not optimal post-operative surgical outcomes. We aim to evaluate if vacuum erection devices (VED) treatment before pe-nile curvature surgery is able to improve the post-operative surgical outcomes. Methods: All enrolled patients were assigned to the following groups: a) treatment group, VED treatment (3 times per week) starting 3 months before surgery and (3 times per week) one months after surgery and b) control group, VED treatment (3 times per week) one months after surgery. Follow-up urologic visits were scheduled at 3 and 6 months after surgery and the two groups were compared. Results: Thirty-eight patients have been enrolled (median age 67 years, 57-74, IQR), 20 in the treatment group and 18 in the control group. At the follow-up visits, the two groups are different in terms of IIEF-5 (26 vs 24; p=0.02), ‘yes’ to SEP2 and 3 (85% vs 55%; p<0.001, 85% vs 50%; p<0.001, respectively) and PDQ (-16 vs -11; p=0.03). Complete correction of penile curvature was achieved in 36 patients (94.7%). In the treatment group, no hourglass deformity has been reported, while in the control group 1 patient reported a mild hourglass deformity. In the treatment group, we obtained a longer total penile length (median +1.5 cm). The overall satisfaction rate was 98% in the treatment group and 96% in the control group. Conclusions: The VED treatment before penile curvature surgery in patients affected by PD is able to improve the post-operative surgery.
Effects of Enrofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin on Growth and Toxin Production of Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Xia Yu , Xie Qin-Ming , Chu Ta-Jen
Published: September 2023

Microcystis aeruginosa is a common cyanobacteria found in water blooms and often causes ecological harm. Antibiotics are also increasingly used for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections in aquaculture. However, since most antibiotics cannot be fully metabolized, they enter the water environment and cause ecological impacts. In this paper, the effects of the two quinolone antibiotics (enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin) on the population density and microcystins (MCs) production of Microcystis aeruginosa were studied. It is of great significance for the ecological risk assessment of antibiotics to the water environment. The results showed that the 96h EC50 values of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin to Microcystis aeruginosa were 56.10mg/L and 49.80mg/L respectively, and the toxicity of ciprofloxacin to Microcystis aeruginosa was slightly stronger than that of enrofloxacin. With the increase of the two quinolone antibiotic concentration, the growth inhibition rate (IR) increased, but when the concentration reached a certain height, the IR would reach its threshold. Long-term exposure to low concentrations of these two quinolone antibiotics is not only more likely to lead to the outbreak of Microcystis aeruginosa, but also increase its toxin production capacity. The highest contents of MCs in enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin groups were 95.539 μg/g and 93.720 μg/g, respectively. The MCs value of these three enrofloxacin treatment groups was more than above 51.8 times that of control group (CK) on the 4th day; from 8th day to 14th day, the MCs value of these three enrofloxacin treatment groups was more than above 3.2 times that of CK group. For another ciprofloxacin, the MCs value of the treatment group was more than 64.98 times that of the CK group on the 4th day, and from 8th day to 14th day, the MCs value of the treatment group was more than 2.7 times that of the CK group. These findings provide crucial management rationale.
SigML++: Supervised Log Anomaly with Probabilistic Polynomial Approximations
Authors: Trivedi Devharsh , Boudguiga Aymen , Kaaniche Nesrine , Triandopoulos Nikos
Published: September 2023

Log collection and storage is a crucial process for enterprises around the globe. Log analysis helps identify potential security breaches and, in some cases, is required by law for compliance. However, enterprises often delegate these responsibilities to third-party Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), where the logs are collected and processed for anomaly detection and stored in a data warehouse for archiving. Prevalent schemes rely on plain (unencrypted) data for anomaly detection. More often, these logs can reveal sensitive information about an organization or the customers of that organization. Hence, it is best to keep it encrypted at all times. This paper presents "SigML++," an extension of work done in "SigML." We utilize Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) with the Cheon-Kim-Kim-Song (CKKS) scheme for supervised log anomaly detection on encrypted data. We use an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based probabilistic polynomial approximations using a Perceptron with linear activation. We probabilistically approximate the Sigmoid activation function (σ(x)) in the encrypted domain for the intervals [−10,10] and [−50,50]. Experiments show better approximations for Logistic Regression (LR) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) for low-order polynomials.
Super-Soldiers Revisited: The Ethics of Using Military Personnel as Research Subjects
Authors: Huerne Katherine
Published: September 2023

A fascinating topic that has not been recently revisited by bioethics is the ethics of human experimentation within the military context, in keeping with the pace of modern technology development. Many research innovations stem from military research, where emerging technologies are first applied in the field then eventually repurposed for civilian contexts. This commentary presents an ethical framework for the usage of military personnel as research subjects, within the context of modern military research such as epigenetic technology development in soldiers. Tensions are raised between existing military versus civilian bioethical frameworks for human experimentation and compared to risk-benefit assessments within and beyond the military context. A harmonized ethical framework is proposed for the use of research subjects within the military. The pace of modern scientific research, particularly in genomics, poses new ethical considerations of genetic profiling, consent, risk, and data privacy that urges a timely revisit of military bioethics.
The Impact of Data Science Solutions on the Company Turnover
Authors: Cristescu Marian Pompiliu , Mara Dumitru Alexandru , Culda Lia Cornelia , Nerișanu Raluca Andreea , Bâra Adela , Oprea Simona-Vasilica
Published: September 2023

This study explores the potential of data science software solutions like Customer Relationship Management Software (CRM) for increasing the revenue generation of businesses. We focused on those businesses in Accommodation and Food Service sector across the European Union (EU). The investigation is contextualized within the rising trend of data-driven decision making, examining the potential correlation between data science application and business revenue. Employing a comprehensive evaluation of Eurostat datasets from 2014 to 2021, we used both univariate and multivariate analyses, we assessed e-commerce sales data across countries, focusing on the usage of big data and CRM tools. Big data utilization showed a clear, positive relationship with enhanced e-commerce sales. However, CRM tools exhibited a dualistic impact: while their use in marketing showed no significant effect on sales, their application in non-marketing functions had a negative correlation. These findings underscore the potential role of CRM and data science solutions in enhancing business performance in the EU's Accommodation and Food Service industry.
Sex, Age, and Risk Groups Variations among Individuals Infected with HIV, HTLV-1, and HTLV-2: Review of Data Records (1983–2017) from a Public Health Laboratory in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Caterino-de-Araujo Adele
Published: September 2023

The inaugural AIDS Program in Brazil was established in São Paulo in 1983, with the Instituto Adolfo Lutz appointed for laboratory assistance. Subsequently, research on HIV infections and HIV/HTLV (HIV/HTLV-1 and HIV/HTLV-2) co-infections were conducted. This narrative review focuses on studies from the Immunology Department (1983–2017) that significantly influenced AIDS diagnosis or provided epidemiological data such as prevalence rates, sex, age, and risk factors. Ten studies, encompassing over 8,000 individuals, are discussed. During 1983–1985, nearly all AIDS cases were attributed to homosexual/bisexual men aged 31 years old. Subsequently, heterosexual men and women emerged as risk groups owing to intravenous drug use (IDU) and/or unprotected sexual intercourse with AIDS patients or multiple partners per year. From 1985 onwards, vertical transmission led to child infections. HIV/HTLV co-infection rates decreased over time, initially associated with male IDU, and in the 2010s, with females, IDU, and individuals aged >40 years. Trends in HIV and HIV/HTLV co-infections among younger men and women (<30 years of age) were observed from 2015–2017. The changing characteristics and risk groups for HIV and HIV/HTLV co-infections over the years underscore the necessity for ongoing public policies to prevent retrovirus transmission, particularly among adolescents and young adults.
Prognostic Value of a New Tool (the 3d/3d+) for Pre-dicting 30-Day Mortality in Emergency Department Patients Aged 75 Years and Older
Authors: Garcia-Pérez Dolors , Vena-Martínez Anabelén , Robles-Perea Laura , Roselló-Padullés Teresa , Espaulella-Panicot Joan , Arnau Anna
Published: September 2023

The 3D/3D+ multidimensional geriatric assessment tool provides an optimal model of emergency care for patients aged 75 and over who attend the Emergency Department (ED). The baseline, or static, component (3D) stratifies the degree of frailty prior to the acute illness, while the current, or dynamic, component (3D+) assesses the multidimensional impact caused by the acute illness and helps to guide the choice of care facility for patients upon their discharge from the ED. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the 3D/3D+ to predict short- and long-term adverse outcomes in ED patients aged 75 years and older. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the predictors of mortality 30 days after 3D/3D+ assessment. Two hundred and seventy-eight patients (59.7% women) with a median age of 86 years (interquartile range: 83-90) were analysed. According to the baseline component (3D), 83.1% (95%CI: 78.2-87.3) presented some degree of frailty. The current component (3D+) presented alterations in 60.1% (95%CI: 54.1-65.9). The choice of care facility at ED discharge indicated by the 3D/3D+ was considered appropriate in 96.4% (95%CI: 93.0-98.0). Thirty-day all-cause mortality was 19.4%. Delirium and functional decline were the dimensions on the 3D/3D+ that were independently associated with 30-day mortality. These two dimensions had an area under receiver operating characteristic of 0.80 (95%CI: 0.73-0.86) for predicting 30-day mortality. 3D/3D+ enhances the provision of comprehensive care by ED professionals, guides them in the choice of patients’ discharge destination, and has a prognostic validity that serves to establish future therapeutic objectives.
Instructional Mask AutoEncoder: A Powerful Pretrained Model for Hyperspectral Image Classification
Authors: Kong Weili , Liu Baisen , Bi Xiaojun
Published: September 2023

"Finding fresh water in the ocean of data." is a challenge that all deep learning domains struggle with, especially in the area of hyperspectral image analysis. As hyperspectral remote sensing technology advances by leaps and bounds, there are increasing amounts of hyperspectral images(HSIs) can be available. Whereas in fact, these unlabeled HSIs are powerless to be used as material to driven a supervised learning task due to the extremely expensive labeling costs and some unknown regions. Although learning-based methods have achieved remarkable performance due to their superior ability to represent features, at the cost, these methods are complex, inflexible and tough to carry out transfer learning. In this paper, we propose the "Instructional Mask AutoEncoder"(IMAE), which is a simple and powerful self-supervised learner for HSI classification that uses a transformer-based mask autoencoder to extract the general features of HSIs through a self-reconstructing agent task. Moreover, we utilize the metric learning to perform an instructor which can direct the model focus on the human interested region of the input so that we can alleviate the defects of transformer-based model such as local attention distraction, lack of inductive bias and tremendous training data requirement. In downstream forward propagation, instead of global average pooling, we employ a learnable aggregation to put the tokens into fullplay. The obtained results illustrate that our method effectively accelerates the convergence rate and promotes the performance in downstream task.
Global Evidence of Obliquity Damping in Climate Proxies and Sea-Level Record during the Last 1.2 Ma: A Missing Link for the Mid-Pleistocene Transition
Authors: Viaggi Paolo
Published: September 2023

A recent research has identified an inverse amplitude link between obliquity damping and short eccentricity amplification during Mid-Late Pleistocene based on LR04 δ18O and equatorial Pacific Site 846 sea surface temperature records, which is associated with the Earth's long-term cooling. In the present study, new evidence of this anticorrelation is presented from Antarctic D-CO2-CH4 records, global benthic-planktic δ18O, and regional (Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean, and Indian) climate-related proxies. Based on a critical review of theoretical constrains (Earth's oblateness changes and ice-volume phase lag in the obliquity band <5.0 kyr), this widespread and symmetric (bipolar) obliquity response damping has been interpreted as an effect of the obliquity-oblateness feedback, which could be the latent physical mechanism at the origin of the Mid-Pleistocene Transition (MPT). Indeed, results and considerations of the present work suggest that fast and positive/negative net variation of the Earth's oblateness in the obliquity band was controlled by dominant glacio-eustatic water mass component and, assuming a rapid response of the ice-volume to surface temperature changes, the mean obliquity lag response is estimated to be <5.0 kyr over the past 800 kyr. These elements may explain the interglacial/glacial damping observed in the obliquity response. The consolidation of the Earth's long-term icy-state in the subtrend IV, culminated with the post-MPT obliquity damping, might have contributed to the strengthening of the short eccentricity response by mitigating the obliquity ‘ice-killing’ during obliquity maxima (interglacials), favouring the obliquity-cycle skipping and a feedback amplified ice-growth in the short eccentricity band (obliquity damping hypothesis). This could suggest a different impact of the climate friction than what is generally believed, which is presumably the latent physical mechanism that triggers transient ‘competitive’ interaction between obliquity and short eccentricity started early during the Piacenzian.
Advancing Telemedicine in Cardiology: A Comprehensive Review of Evolving Practices and Outcomes in a Post-Pandemic Context
Authors: Huerne Katherine , Eisenberg Mark
Published: September 2023

Telemedicine, telehealth, e-Health, and other related terms refer to the exchange of medical information or medical care from one site to another through electronic communication between a patient and healthcare provider. As telemedicine infrastructure has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic, this review provides an overview of telemedicine use and effectiveness in cardiology, with emphasis on the post-pandemic context. Pre-pandemic studies tend to report statistically insignificant or modest improvements in cardiovascular disease outcome from telemedicine use to usual care. By contrast, post-pandemic studies tend to report positive outcomes or comparable acceptance of telemedicine use to usual care. Today, telemedicine can effectively replace in person follow-ups to produce comparable (but not necessarily superior) outcomes in cardiovascular disease management. A major benefit of telemedicine is the significant reduction in follow-up time or time-to-intervention which may lead to earlier detection and prevention of adverse events. Nonetheless, there remain barriers to effective telemedicine implementation in the post-pandemic context. Providing accuracy and ease-of-use of telemedicine devices, ensuring adherence to remote rehabilitation procedures, and implementing widespread telemedicine infrastructure are such examples. Current knowledge gaps include the true economic cost of telemedicine infrastructure, feasibility of use in specific cardiology contexts, and sex/gender differences of health outcomes through telemedicine use. Future telemedicine developments will need to address these concerns to achieve widespread acceptance as the new standard of care.
Salmonella spp.: A Myth in Conventional Small-Scale Production of Portuguese Autochthonous Hen Breeds?
Authors: Miranda Carla , Batista Sónia , L.Mateus Teresa , Vieira-Pinto Madalena , Ribeiro Virgínia , Dantas Rui , Brito Nuno V.
Published: September 2023

The sustainability of agroecological systems, biodiversity protection, animal welfare and consumer demand for higher-quality products from alternative and extensive farming methods, have reinforced interest in local breeds that are well adapted to low-input environments. However, food safety needs to be safeguarded to reinforce consumer confidence. The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary investigation on the occurrence of Salmonella spp. in eggshells, hen’s cloaca and litter materials from autochthonous Portuguese laying hens raised in a semi-extensive system for small-scale production. A total of 279 samples were obtained, with 63 samples from the “Preta Lusitânica” breed, and 72 samples each from the remaining autochthonous breeds, namely “Branca”, “Amarela” and “Pedrês Portuguesa”. None (0%) of the samples analyzed were positive for Salmonella spp.. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first results of Salmonella evaluation from hen’s cloaca, eggshells, and litter materials in autochthonous Portuguese chickens, suggesting that a semi-extensive production system can contribute to better food security and a lower risk to public health and the environment.
Manipulating Molecular Self-assembly Process at the Solid-Liquid Interface Probed by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy
Authors: Li Zhi , Li Yanan , Yin Chengjie
Published: September 2023

The phenomenon of ordered self-assembly on solid substrates is a topic of interest in both fundamental surface science research and its applications in nanotechnology. The regulation and control of two-dimensional (2D) self-assembled supra-molecular structures on surfaces have been realized through applying external stimuli. By utilizing scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), researchers can investigate detailed phase transition process about self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), providing insight into the interplay between intermolecular weak interactions and substrate-molecule interactions, which govern the formation of molecular self-assembly. This review will discuss the structural transition of self-assembly probed by STM in response to external stimuli and provide state-of-art methods such as tip induced confinement for the alignment of SAM domains and selective chirality. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities in the field of self-assembly and STM.
Strengthening Resilient Built Environments through Human Social Capital: A Path to Post-Covid-19 Recovery
Authors: Agboola Oluwagbemiga Paul , Nia Hourakhsh Ahmad , Dodo Yakubu Aminu
Published: September 2023

There are strong indications that the built environment intertwines consistently with the advent of Covid-19 and the need for post-disaster recovery. The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic has exerted adverse effects on both human and global developments; while the efforts to combat this menace call for an integrated human social capital index. This research seeks to adequately enhance the comprehension of how the built environment can be enhanced through resilience in the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic. The study's goal is to investigate the impact of a resilient built environment on increasing resilience in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Overall, the quantitative study test the impact of four built environments resilience indices (Built Environment capitals; Disaster management indices, Awareness of the Covid-19 Pandemic, and Built Environment adaptive strategies) on Human social capital and Covid-19 pandemic Indices. This study reveals the role of human social capital in achieving a resilient built environment in the wake of Covid 19 pandemic in Nigeria. Also, built environment capitals, disaster management indices, and awareness on the Covid-19 have indirect effects on Covid-19 pandemic indices through the human social capital. The implication of the study is useful for Post-Covid 19 recovery; which is important for future planning of the built environment in Nigeria.