bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternatives to redundancy: what steps care homes can take to reduce costs
Authors: Bernstein Adam
Published: March 2024

Adam Bernstein looks at the options care homes can choose from if they need to cut costs but wish to avoid making staff redundant.
An Intelligent Web-based Energy Management System for Distributed Energy Resources Integration and Optimization
Authors: Zhao Lijun , Li Qingsheng , Ding Guanhua
Published: March 2024

The integration of renewable energy sources into power distribution systems frequently presents challenges for conventional energy management systems (EMS) due to the unpredictable and unstable characteristics of such energy sources. As a result, novel and cutting-edge solutions are required. This paper presents an intelligent web-based energy management system (iW-EMS) specifically designed to address the integration and optimization of distributed energy resources, as outlined in the proposed approach. The system incorporates a hybrid novel optimization approach that integrates simulated annealing and cone programming to effectively manage the distribution of energy resources and attain optimal outcomes from the proposed EMS. Additionally, it leverages generative AI services to create optimal scenarios based on historical data and real-time information, ensuring adaptability to the dynamic nature of renewable energy generation, providing a user-friendly and flexible web environment for scenario planning. The proposed framework facilitates seamless communication and collaboration among stakeholders involved in renewable energy integration, while also enabling the incorporation of real-world data sources such as weather forecasts and energy consumption patterns into the planning process.
Religious values of the IT man
Authors: Krajewski Piotr Wacław , Krajewska Anna
Published: March 2024

Cel pracy

Celem pracy jest spojrzenie na duchowy aspekt życia człowieka w dobie informatyzacji życia, która z pewnością jest jednym z największych osiągnięć ludzkiego rozumu; która dokonuje przełomu w życiu jednostek i całej zbiorowości ludzkiej. Fascynacja produktem jest do tego stopnia wielka, że zaciera chłodną kalkulację zysków i kosztów oraz zdroworozsądkowe działanie mieszczące się w granicach bezpieczeństwa, również tego duchowego. Ciekawość pobudza fantazję, a ta rodzi pytania i niepokój. Wszechobecność i niezbędność informatyki wprawia człowieka w zachwyt. Ale co z ryzykiem całkowitego „zanurzenia się” w technologię z jednoczesnym „odklejaniem” się od istoty – co prawda duchowego, aczkolwiek przecież rzeczywistego wymiaru – człowieczeństwa?

Materiał i metody

W pracy wykorzystano materiały opublikowane przez autorów krajowych i zagranicznych, dokumenty Kościoła.

Wyniki

Media elektroniczne są zatem nową płaszczyzną ludzkiej aktywności, również w sferze intymności duchowej. Poprzez ułatwiony dostęp do źródeł, poprzez możliwość bezpośredniego i osobistego kontaktu, pozwalają na poszukiwanie, odbieranie i analizowanie najróżniejszych treści, ale bezpośrednio zmusić do ich przyswojenia nie mogą. Można to odbierać jako zagrożenie dla tradycyjnych form przekazu i nauczania o wartościach i religii. I pewnie tak jest , ale stwarza też szansę dotarcia z tym przekazem tam, gdzie do niedawna było to całkiem niemożliwe.

Wnioski

Media elektroniczne są płaszczyzną aktywności, również w sferze intymności duchowej. Pozwalają na poszukiwanie, odbieranie i analizowanie najróżniejszych treści, również religijnych. Mogą stanowić swoiste zagrożenie dla tradycyjnych form przekazu i nauczania o wartościach i religii lub platformę dla ich przekazywania i propagowania.
Aviation education and training. Definition problems
Authors: Bogusz Dariusz Artur
Published: March 2024

Cel pracy

Celem artykułu jest zdefiniowanie oraz przedstawienie autorskiego pojęcia szkolenia i kształcenia lotniczego oraz identyfikacja tych terminów na tle innych pojęć pedagogicznych.

Materiał i metody

Problem badawczy został wyrażony pytaniem: jakimi cechami charakterystycznymi różnią się kształcenie i szkolenie lotnicze? W artykule zastosowano metody teoretyczne: analizę, syntezę i porównanie.

Wyniki

Wynikiem badań jest przedstawienie autorskiej definicji kształcenia i szkolenia lotniczego.

Wnioski

Dylematy w definiowaniu podstawowych pojęć dydaktycznych jak kształcenie i szkolenie lotnicze to tylko mały wycinek problemu edukacji pilotów wojskowych w Polsce. Nadal należy ustalić odrębność takich pojęć jak edukacja lotnicza, dydaktyka lotnicza, proces dydaktyczno-wychowawczy w lotnictwie wojskowym i wiele innych, które wniosą wkład w rozwój nauk o bezpieczeństwie oraz będą tworzyć paradygmat nauk o bezpieczeństwie.
Z przeprowadzonej analizy i oceny pojęć wynika, że kształcenie lotnicze pilotów jest długotrwałym procesem, wymagającym nieustannego doskonalenia umiejętności i zdolności technicznych. Kształcenie opiera się na metodach dydaktycznych takich jak wykłady, seminaria, projekty badawcze, testy i egzaminy, które mają na celu rozwinięcie zdolności krytycznego myślenia i analizy. Kształcenie jest związane ze szkołą i systemem edukacyjnym, gdzie nauczyciele i instruktorzy odgrywają kluczową rolę w przekazywaniu wiedzy i umiejętności. Obejmuje dużo bardziej kompleksowy proces, który może trwać przez wiele lat, a nawet całe życie zawodowe, począwszy od edukacji szkolnej aż do studiów uniwersyteckich i dalszego kształcenia (w tym samokształcenia).
Sketch for discussion on the issue of ethics in business
Authors: Pabian Barbara , Pabian Arnold
Published: March 2024

Cel pracy

Uzasadnienie potrzeby ponownej refleksji naukowej nad problematyką etyki i aksjologii we współczesnym biznesie, ze zwróceniem szczególnej uwagi na sferę sprzedaży i usług.

Materiał i metody

Metodyka badawcza, zastosowana w trakcie przygotowywania niniejszego opracowania, została podporządkowana jego przewodniemu celowi. Ze względu na teoretyczno-dyskusyjny charakter artykułu do badań wybrano metody niereaktywne. Zastosowano analizę treści komunikatów pisanych, oraz ustnych (rozpowszechnianych za pomocą mediów) oraz metodę desk research, polegającą na analizie źródeł wtórnych. Postępowanie badawcze polegało na wyszukiwaniu informacji, gromadzeniu i analizowaniu pozyskanych danych. Treść uzupełnianych na bieżąco dokumentów była zestawiana z pozyskanymi wcześniej materiałami. Źródła informacji, które posłużyły do napisania tego artykułu, mają charakter interdyscyplinarny. Jest to przede wszystkim literatura naukowa z zakresu etyki, społecznej odpowiedzialności biznesu (CSR), promocji sprzedaży i marketingu. Metoda wnioskowania naukowego miała charakter indukcyjny. Zastosowano też metodę analizy opisowej.

Wyniki

Cechą współczesnej działalności sprzedażowej jest to, że nie zawsze jest ona zintegrowana z potrzebami interesariuszy. Jest to sprzeczne z etyką i założeniami społecznej odpowiedzialności biznesu.

Wnioski

Nieetycznym pomysłom, zachowaniom i działaniom należy stanowczo przeciwdziałać. Nawet bowiem pozornie niewielkie przejawy manipulacji czy działań, choćby tylko balansujących na granicy moralności, mogą w konsekwencji prowadzić do dalszej eskalacji różnego typu nadużyć. Kierownictwo firm powinno stosować system motywatorów dla pracowników oraz kontrolować ich działania. Służyć temu powinny jasno sprecyzowane zasady, wskazujące na słuszność lub niesłuszność określonego postępowania w firmie.
Fiscal efficiency of the green transformation of the tax system on selected examples of European Union Member States
Authors: Szymański Waldemar , Węgrzyn Joanna
Published: March 2024

Cel pracy

Współczesna polityka podatkowa jest prowadzona z uwzględnieniem ich pozostałych funkcji, w tym funkcji stymulacyjnej. Zasadniczym celem artykułu jest wskazanie, które z podatków są najbardziej właściwe dla realizacji polityki środowiskowej, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem efektywności i wydajności fiskalnej. Na cele niniejszego artykułu sformułowana została teza o tym, że współczesne systemy podatkowe powinny nie tylko stanowić efektywny zbiór podatków maksymalizujących dobrobyt społeczeństwa, ale także wspomagać realizację polityki środowiskowej.

Materiał i metody

Rozważania dotyczące efektywności i wydajności fiskalnej w kontekście zielonej transformacji systemów podatkowych przeprowadzono na przykładzie państw członkowskich UE z uwzględnieniem podziału na kraje wysoko i średnio rozwinięte. W części analitycznej autorzy wykorzystując ogólnodostępne dane statystyczne oraz stosując powszechne miary obciążeń podatkowych wskazują różnice w poziomie obciążeń podatkowych wybranych państw członkowskich, w zakresie podatków środowiskowych.

Wyniki

W części analitycznej autorzy wskazują także zależność między poziomem opodatkowania podatkami środowiskowymi a skłonnością przedsiębiorstw do podejmowania działań związanych z eko-inwestycjami w tym prac badawczo – rozwojowych, których efektem jest ochrona środowiska.

Wnioski

W oparciu o przeprowadzoną analizę porównawczą podatków bezpośrednich i pośrednich autorzy wskazują, że najbardziej odpowiednią grupą podatków, które mogą stanowić efektywny instrument wsparcia polityki zielonej transformacji są podatki pośrednie. Uzasadnieniem dokonanego wskazanie jest ich stała efektywność fiskalna a także powszechność opodatkowania, co zwiększa ich stymulacyjny charakter i wspomaga transformację środowiskową.
Family Resilience Affecting Well-Being of Families With a Child With Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities
Authors: Lahaije Siméon T. A. , Luijkx Jorien , Waninge Aly , van der Putten Annette A. J.
Published: March 2024

Persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) have pervasive support needs, which are often managed by their families. By being resilient and positively adapting to this challenge, families may maintain a positive family quality of life (FQOL). We therefore aimed to understand how families with a child with PIMD experience their family resilience, and if and how it affects their FQOL. Participants were 64 parents of a person with PIMD from 44 families. Total family resilience, as well as most subscales received positive scores, and also had a significant positive effect on FQOL. These results provide more insight into the family dynamics of families with a child with PIMD, which should inform policies, and provided services for these families.
The Strange and the Stranger (1958): Translated and Introduced by Michael Portal
Authors: Blanchot Maurice
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Maurice Blanchot’s “The Strange and the Stranger” (1958) is an essential text for understanding Blanchot’s thought, its development, and its enduring importance. He presents an early account of the impersonal “neuter” in subject-less experiences like “alienation,” “alteration,” “dispersion,” “disappearance,” and “absence.” These experiences of strangeness threaten thought, which is only “itself and for-itself its own experience.” Relatedly, they also reveal “the neutrality of being or neutrality as being.” With reference to both Emmanuel Levinas and Martin Heidegger, Blanchot clarifies the meaning and exigency of a neuter that can take “upon itself the reality of alienation.”
The Comparative Politics of Inequality and Redistribution in Liberal Democracies
Authors: Pontusson Jonas
Published: March 2024

Reviewing the debate on why governments have failed to compensate low- and middle-income citizens for rising income inequality, this essay argues for a perspective that integrates demand-side and supply-side considerations and treats income bias in policy responsiveness as variable across countries and over time.
Dual D-shaped plastic optical fiber for simultaneous measurement of refractive index and temperature based on specklegram
Authors: Lu Shun , Tan Zhongwei , Zhang Danni
Published: March 2024

The refractive index (RI) measurment of the liquid often changes with the sensor's temperature. Accurate RI measurements require simultaneous measurements of the liquid temperature to calibrate the RI measurement. This study proposed what we believe to be a novel dual D-shaped plastic optical fiber sensor capable of simultaneously measuring both RI and temperature. A fluorescent material made of rhodamine B (RhB) is embedded in one of the D-shaped structures of the dual D-shaped fiber, which can be excited by a green laser to produce orange fluorescence. The fluorescence and the input laser of the fiber are superimposed at the output end of the fiber to form a specklegram containing information of two wavelengths. It was found through experiments that the effects of temperature and RI change on the red and green channels of the specklegrams are different, and the neural network can learn this feature to complete the measurement of both RI and temperature parameters. For RI sensing, the maximum error between the average predicted value and the true value of the test set is 0.0005. For temperature sensing, the maximum error between the average predicted value and the true value of the test set is 0.26°C. In addition, because the intensity change of the fluorescence varies linearly with RI and temperature, the sensor also has good stability.
Prognostic accuracy of early warning scores for predicting serious illness and in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Kamal Mehnaz , Hasan S. M. Tafsir , Sarmin Monira , Das Subhasish , Shahrin Lubaba , Faruque A. S. G. , Chisti Mohammod Jobayer , Ahmed Tahmeed
Published: March 2024

A simple bedside triage tool is essential to stratify COVID-19 patients in the emergency department (ED). This study aimed to identify an early warning score (EWS) that could best predict the clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Data were obtained from medical records of 219 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 positive patients. We calculated 13 EWSs based on the admission characteristics of the patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the performance of the scores in predicting serious illness and in-hospital mortality. The median patient age was 51 (38, 60) years, and 25 (11.4%) patients died. Among patients admitted with mild to moderate illness (n = 175), 61 (34.9%) developed serious illness. Modified National Early Warning Score (m-NEWS) (AUROC 0.766; 95% CI: 0.693, 0.839) and Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (REMS) (AUROC 0.890; 95% CI: 0.818, 0.962) demonstrated the highest AUROC point estimates in predicting serious illness and in-hospital mortality, respectively. Both m-NEWS and REMS demonstrated good accuracy in predicting both the outcomes. However, no significant difference was found between m-NEWS (p= 0.983) and REMS (p= 0.428) as well as some other EWSs regarding the AUROCs in predicting serious illness and in-hospital mortality. We propose m-NEWS could be used as a triage score to identify COVID-19 patients at risk of disease progression and death especially in resource-poor settings because it has been explicitly developed for risk stratification of COVID-19 patients in some countries like China and Italy. However, this tool needs to be validated by further large-scale prospective studies.
The socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on families affected by childhood respiratory illnesses in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Anthony Michaile G. , Hoddinott Graeme , Van Niekerk Margaret , Dewandel Isabelle , McKenzie Carla , Bekker Carien , Rabie Helena , Redfern Andrew , van der Zalm Marieke M.
Published: March 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted families globally, directly and indirectly. Children presenting with respiratory illnesses are affected by emerging health systems and socioeconomic changes in the COVID-19 era. We explored the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on families with a respiratory illness diagnosed in their child in Cape Town, South Africa. This study was nested in a prospective observational cohort of children presenting with respiratory symptoms presumptive of COVID-19. We conducted 21 semi-structured interviews to explore the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families with a child affected by respiratory illnesses. We used case descriptive analysis and thematically organised common and divergent experiences. We found that socioeconomic challenges in low-income communities were exacerbated: 1) loss of pre-COVID sources of income (loss of income, employment and working hours), 2) shrinking employment opportunities due to business closures and strict preventative measures, 3) family network dependence to cope with financial pressures, 4) impact on education, implicating additional pressures due to lack of resources for adequate home schooling and 5) caregivers’ mental health and wellbeing being impacted, causing stress and anxiety due to loss of income. This study shows that the COVID-19 lockdown impacted the socioeconomic aspects of families caring for a child with a respiratory illness. Care became more complicated and adversely impacted the family’s emotional well-being and health-seeking behaviour. These impacts should be more carefully considered in order to strengthen health services and global health messaging in future pandemics.
Two new Later Stone Age sites from the Final Pleistocene in the Falémé Valley, eastern Senegal
Authors: Ndiaye Matar , Lespez Laurent , Tribolo Chantal , Rasse Michel , Hadjas Irka , Davidoux Sarah , Huysecom Éric , Douze Katja
Published: March 2024

The understanding of cultural dynamics at work at the end of the Final Pleistocene in West Africa suffers from a significant lack of excavated and dated sites, particularly in the Sahelian and Sudanian ecozones. While the Later Stone Age shows varied behavioral developments in different parts of the continent, the chrono-cultural framework of this period remains largely unknown in West Africa. We report on archaeological, geomorphological, and chronological research on two Final Pleistocene Later Stone Age sites in the Falémé Valley, eastern Senegal. Optically stimulated luminescence ages place the site of Toumboura I-2017 between 17 ± 1 and 16 ± 1 ka and the Ravin de Sansandé site between 13 ± 1 ka and 12 ± 1.1 ka. The excavated lithics show typical Later Stone Age industries, characterized by chaînes opératoires of core reduction mainly producing flakes and bladelets as well as blades and laminar flakes. Segments dominate the toolkits but a few backed bladelets and end-scrapers on flake blanks were recognized. Local raw materials were used, with a preference for chert and quartz, as well as greywacke. These Later Stone Age lithic assemblages are the oldest known in Senegal so far and add to the small number of sites known in West Africa for this period, which are mainly located farther south, in sub-tropical ecozones. The Later Stone Age sites of the Falémé Valley are contemporaneous with typical Middle Stone Age technologies in Senegal dated to at least the Pleistocene/Holocene transition. Our results thus provide new archaeological evidence highlighting the complex cultural processes at work during the Final Pleistocene in West Africa.
Plant nutrient removal and soil residual chemical properties as impacted by maize planting date and density
Authors: Djaman Koffi , Djaman Dorlote S. , Puppala Naveen , Darapuneni Murali
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to measure maize (Zea mays) plant nutrient content and nutrient removal in grain, and to evaluate the residual soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium as impacted by planting date and density. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate six plant densities and seven planting dates using a split-split plot design with three replications. Besides the crop growth and yield parameters, six plants were collected at the maturity and soil was sampled from each plot for nutrient analysis. Plant N, P, and K concentrations varied with planting date and density and within the ranges of 0.6–1.024%, 0.054–0.127%, and 0.75–1.71%, respectively. Grain N, P, and K concentrations decreased with plant density and varied from 1.059 to 1.558%, 0.20 to 0.319%, and 0.29 to 0.43%, respectively. Soil residual nutrient varied with depth, planting density and date. Residual N concentration in the topsoil varied from 0.6 to 37.2 mg kg-1 in 2019 and from 1.5 to 11.2 mg kg-1 in 2020 and was high under the last two planting dates. Soil residual N concentration was higher in the second layer than in the topsoil. The N concentration in the third layer varied from 0.1 to 33.2 mg kg-1 and was impacted by plant density. Topsoil P did not vary among planting dates and densities. The second and third soil layers P concentration was not affected. There was 83% increase in topsoil K in 2020 compared to 2019, and a decrease of 65 and 23% in soil K was observed in the second and third soil layers, respectively. For maize production system sustainability, future research should use a holistic approach investigating the impact of planting date, plant density on crop growth, yield, nutrient uptake and remobilization, and soil properties under different fertilizer rates to develop the fertilizer recommendation for maize while reducing the environmental impact of the production system.
Describe the morphology and mitochondrial genome of Mecidea indica Dallas, 1851 (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae), with its phylogenetic position
Authors: Chen Chao , Bai Dongmei , Zhang Zhenhua , Ding Xiaofei , Yang Shuzhen , Zhao Qing , Zhang Hufang
Published: March 2024

We here describe the external morphology and complete mitochondrial genome characteristics of Mecidea indica Dallas, 1851, and clarify the evolutionary rate and divergence time. The M. indica mitochondrial genome length is 15,670 bp, and it exhibits a typical high A+T-skew (76.31%). The sequence shows strong synteny with the original gene arrangement of Drosophila yakuba Burla, 1954 without rearrangement. The M. indica mitochondrial genome characteristics were analyzed, and phylogenetic trees of Pentatomidae were reconstructed using Bayesian methods based on different datasets of the mitochondrial genome datasets. Phylogenetic analysis shows that M. indica belongs to Pentaotominae and form a sister-group with Anaxilaus musgravei Gross, 1976, and Asopinae is highly supported as monophyletic. Molecular clock analysis estimates a divergence time of Pentatomidae of 122.75 Mya (95% HPD: 98.76–145.43 Mya), within the Mesozoic Cretaceous; the divergence time of M. indica and A. musgravii was no later than 50.50 Mya (95% HPD: 37.20–64.80 Mya). In addition, the divergence time of Asopinae was 62.32 Mya (95% HPD: 47.08–78.23 Mya), which was in the Paleogene of the Cenozoic era. This study is of great significance for reconstructing the phylogeny of Pentatomidae and providing insights into its evolutionary history.
Exploring the neurofunctional impairments and cognitive biases concerning food and body related stimuli in anorexia nervosa: An integrated EEG and eye-tracking study protocol
Authors: Loizou Panagiotis , Panagiotou Georgia , Zanos Panos , Paraskevopoulos Evangelos
Published: March 2024

Background

Patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) exhibit significant cognitive and neural disturbances compared to healthy individuals when processing food and body-related stimuli. These disturbances not only contribute to the manifestation and chronification of their pathological eating behaviour but also underscore the complex interplay of cognitive, emotional, and neurobiological factors in AN. However, the precise underlying cognitive and neural mechanisms of these disturbances remain a compelling area of investigation.

Methods

This study presents a protocol developed for conducting a cross-sectional quasi-experimental study using a mixed model ANOVA approach with a crossover design. Our participants will consist of 20 patients with an active diagnosis of AN, 20 Overweight/obese individuals, and 20 Healthy Controls (HCs) with a normal BMI. An integrated eye-tracking and EEG methodology will be used in conjunction, with the primary aim of assessing participants’ cognitive and neural processing towards high and low-calorie food stimuli. On an exploratory level, by utilizing the same methods, the present study will also investigate AN patients’ responses towards high weight, normal weight, low weight, and self-body pictures, as well as towards images from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) characterized by elevated valence and arousal levels. Additionally, behavioural methods such as yes or no questions, and self-reported questionnaires will be administered. The EEG and eye-tracking data will be analysed at early (50–300 ms) and late (350–500 ms) time intervals.

Discussion

The investigation of the underlying cognitive and neural processes employed by patients with AN during the processing of food and body-related stimuli can help us develop a better understanding of the cognitive and neural mechanisms that contribute to the manifestation and maintenance of the disorder and assist in the development of more effective screening methods.

Ethical approval and consent to participate

Ethical approval for the study has been obtained by the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee on 27.04.2023 (ΕΕΒΚ/ΕΠ/2023/19), and by the University of Cyprus (20.02.2023). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants.
Attitude and predictors of exclusive breastfeeding practice among mothers attending under-five welfare clinics in a rural community in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Ipinnimo Tope Michael , Olasehinde Olanrewaju Kassim , Sanni Taofeek Adedayo , Omotoso Ayodeji Andrew , Alabi Rita Omobosola , Ajayi Paul Oladapo , Adewoye Kayode Rasaq , Ojo John Olujide , Oloruntoba Olayinka , Adetona Ademuyiwa , Adeosun Mojoyinola Oyindamola , Olanrewaju Temitope Moronkeji , Aderinwale Oluseyi Adedeji , Osho Blessing Omobolanle , Fajugbagbe Adewumi Rufus , Adeyeye Precious Aderinsola , Ajayi Ayotomiwa Fiyinfoluwa
Published: March 2024

Background

Much previous research on exclusive breastfeeding has focused on urban and semi-urban communities, while there is still a paucity of data from rural areas. We assessed the attitude and practice of exclusive breastfeeding and its predictors among mothers attending the under-five welfare clinics in a rural community.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among consecutively recruited 217 mothers attending the three health facilities under-five welfare clinics in Ido-Ekiti, Southwest, Nigeria. Information was collected with a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from previously published research works. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0.

Results

More than half of the mothers, 117(53.9%) were ≥30 years old, and 191(88.0%) were married. Almost all, 216 (99.5%) attended an ante-natal clinic; however, 174(80.2%) delivered in the health facility. The respondent’s mean ± SD exclusive breastfeeding attitudinal score was 29.94 ± 2.14 (maximum obtainable score was 36), and the proportion of mothers that practiced exclusive breastfeeding was 40.6%. Married mothers were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding than their unmarried counterparts (AOR:6.324, 95%CI:1.809–22.114). The common reasons for not practicing exclusive breastfeeding were work schedule 57(26.3%), cultural beliefs and the need to introduce herbal medicine 32(14.7%), and insufficient breast milk 30(13.8%).

Conclusion

This study revealed a good disposition with a suboptimal practice towards exclusive breastfeeding. Also, being married was a positive predictor of exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore, we recommend policies that will improve exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in rural areas, especially those targeting the unmarried, to achieve the World Health Organization’s target.
Morality, self-control, age, type of offence and sentence length as predictors of psychopathy amongst female incarcerated offenders in South Africa
Authors: de Oliveira Judite Danielle , Jordaan Jacques , Cronjé Matthew
Published: March 2024

There has been an increase in female incarcerated offenders nationally and internationally. Despite this trend, literature and research on female offenders remain limited compared to their male counterparts. Evidence of the relationship between certain personality disorders and offending behaviour has led numerous countries to prioritise identifying and assessing personality disorders among the offender population. Psychopathic personality traits may contribute to women’s risk factors for expressing antisocial behaviours, resulting in their potential future incarceration. Thus, a need exists to understand possible factors that may predict the expression of psychopathic traits in females, which may have notable utility among female offenders. This study aimed to investigate possible predictor variables of psychopathy amongst incarcerated female offenders in South Africa. A quantitative research approach, non-experimental research type, and correlational research design were employed. A convenience sampling technique was used. The sample consisted of 139 (N = 139) female offenders housed in two correctional centres in South Africa who voluntarily participated in this study. Correlation analyses and hierarchical regression analysis procedures were conducted to analyse the results. Results indicated (i) a certain combination of predictor variables that statistically and practically significantly explained both primary and secondary psychopathy and (ii) individual predictor variables (e.g., Impulsivity, Simple Tasks, Risk-Seeking, and Self-Centredness) that explained both primary and secondary psychopathy statistically and practically significantly. This study provides valuable information about the possible predictor variables of psychopathy amongst female offenders within the context of South Africa. However, further research must be conducted to validate these findings and advance our knowledge on this topic.
Media representations of China’s inclusive education: A corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis
Authors: Yu Yating , Lu Gaoqiang , Fung Sin Kuen , Yu Zhiying
Published: March 2024

The Chinese government aspires for inclusive education to serve as an exemplary model in addressing educational inequity issues and establishing a responsible global image as a major power. Nevertheless, there has been limited focus on China’s news media coverage concerning its inclusive education initiatives aimed at international audiences. To bridge this gap, this study employed a corpus-assisted critical discourse analytic approach to examine China’s self-image in relation to its inclusive education endeavours. Seventy-three English-language news articles from the official channel were retrieved for meticulous line-by-line concordance analysis. The results indicate that out of the 520 co-occurring instances, they can be broadly categorised into four groups: efforts to develop inclusive education (65.4%); consensus on benefits of inclusive education (24.5%); challenges faced by inclusive education (4.8%); and others (5.4%). This study illuminates the effective utilisation of official media in the image construction of inclusive education in China.
Transfer learning from rating prediction to Top-k recommendation
Authors: Ye Fan , Lu Xiaobo , Li Hongwei , Chen Zhenyu
Published: March 2024

Recommender system has made great strides in two major research fields, rating prediction and Top-k recommendation. In essence, rating prediction is a regression task, which aims to predict users scores on other items, while Top-k is a classification task selecting the items that users have the most potential to interact with. Both characterize users and items, but the optimization of parameters varies widely for their respective tasks. Inspired by the idea of transfer learning, we consider extracting the information learned from rating prediction models for serving for Top-k tasks. To this end, we propose a universal transfer model for recommender systems. The transfer model consists of two sub-components: quadruple-based Bayesian Converter (BC) and Prediction-based Multi-Layer Perceptron (PMLP). As the main part, BC is responsible for transforming the feature vectors extracted from the rating prediction model. Meanwhile, PMLP extracts the prediction ratings, constructs the prediction rating matrix, and uses multi-layer perceptron to enhance the final performance. On four benchmark datasets, we use the information extracted from the singular value decomposition plus plus (SVD++) model to demonstrate the effectiveness of BC-PMLP, comparing to classical and state-of-the-art baselines. We also conduct extra experiments to verify the utility of BC, and performance within different parameter values.
Compact rover surveying and laser scanning for BIM development
Authors: Jafri Syed Riaz un Nabi , Hussain Syed Murtaza , Ahmed Asif , Rizvi Syed Asher Hussain , Kazmi Kumayl Hassan , Iqbal Jamshed
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a custom made small rover based surveying, mapping and building information modeling solution. Majority of the commercially available mobile surveying systems are larger in size which restricts their maneuverability in the targeted indoor vicinities. Furthermore their functional cost is unaffordable for low budget projects belonging to developing markets. Keeping in view these challenges, an economical indigenous rover based scanning and mapping system has developed using orthogonal integration of two low cost RPLidar A1 laser scanners. All the instrumentation of the rover has been interfaced with Robot Operating System (ROS) for online processing and recording of all sensorial data. The ROS based pose and map estimations of the rover have performed using Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technique. The perceived class 1 laser scans data belonging to distinct vicinities with variable reflective properties have been successfully tested and validated for required structural modeling. Systematically the recorded scans have been used in offline mode to generate the 3D point cloud map of the surveyed environment. Later the structural planes extraction from the point cloud data has been done using Random Sampling and Consensus (RANSAC) technique. Finally the 2D floor plan and 3D building model have been developed using point cloud processing in appropriate software. Multiple interiors of existing buildings and under construction indoor sites have been scanned, mapped and modelled as presented in this paper. In addition, the validation of the as-built models have been performed by comparing with the actual architecture design of the surveyed buildings. In comparison to available surveying solutions present in the local market, the developed system has been found faster, accurate and user friendly to produce more enhanced structural results with minute details.
Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Desmaulus extinctorium (Littorinimorpha, Calyptraeoidea, Calyptraeidae) and molecular phylogeny of Littorinimorpha
Authors: Ma Yanwen , Zheng Biqi , Li Jiji , Meng Wei , Xu Kaida , Ye Yingying
Published: March 2024

For the purpose of determining the placement of Calyptraeidae within the Littorinimorpha, we hereby furnish a thorough analysis of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence ofDesmaulus extinctorium. This mitogenome spans 16,605 base pairs and encompasses the entire set of 37 genes, including 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs and two rRNAs, with an evident AT bias. Notably,tRNASer1andtRNASer2lack dihydrouracil (DHU) arms, resulting in an inability to form a secondary structure. Similarly,tRNAAlalacks a TΨC arm, rendering it incapable of forming a secondary structure. In contrast, the remaining tRNAs demonstrate a characteristic secondary structure reminiscent of a cloverleaf. A comparison with ancestral gastropods reveals distinct differences in three gene clusters (or genes), encompassing 15 tRNAs and eight PCGs. Notably, inversions and translocations represent the major types of rearrangements observed inD.extinctorium. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrates robust support for a monophyletic grouping of all Littorinimorpha species, withD.extinctoriumrepresenting a distinct Calyptraeoidea clade. In summary, this investigation provides the first complete mitochondrial dataset for a species of the Calyptraeidae, thus providing novel insights into the phylogenetic relationships within the Littorinimorpha.
The Cinema of Manoel de Oliveira: Modernity, Intermediality and the Uncanny, Hajnal Király (2022)
Authors: Costa Pedro Camacho
Published: March 2024

Review of: The Cinema of Manoel de Oliveira: Modernity, Intermediality and the Uncanny, Hajnal Király (2022)

New York: Bloomsbury, 192 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-50137-865-2, h/bk, $110.00

ISBN 978-1-50137-862-1, p/bk, $39.95

ISBN 978-1-50137-863-8, e-book – pdf, $35.95

ISBN 978-1-50137-864-5, e-book – e-pub & mobi, $35.95
The International Conference on Music Education Technology 2023: A report
Authors: Cheng Lee , Leung Chi Hin , Pang Wing Yan Jasman
Published: March 2024

This report provides an overview of the organization and content of the International Conference on Music Education Technology 2023 (ICMdT2023), a hybrid event hosted towards the end of the global lockdown in early 2023. Under the theme ‘Unfold the Future of Music Education through Technology’, the Conference attracted 640 academics, researchers, practitioners and professionals from different regions, all of whom participated online or in person to exchange and share their experiences and research projects on various aspects of music education through the use of technology. It included 36 workshops and paper presentations, with topics ranging from digital pedagogies for teaching and learning music online to the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and interdisciplinary approaches for music education. Challenges faced by the organizing committee are outlined, coupled with some recommendations for those wishing to host similar events that can improve knowledge exchange and encourage delegates’ networking experiences.
Terras que renascem
Authors: Maciel Lucas da Costa , Borges Henrique Fernanda
Published: March 2024

É possível pensar e agir numa era de catástrofes anunciadas? Mais ainda, é possível contar histórias em que, para além das catástrofes que continuam acumulando e que como tais já não são um anúncio, se viva a reconstituição e o renascimento? Se assim for, quais são as escalas relacionais a partir das quais isso se torna possível? Neste ensaio, partimos da criatividade reconstitutiva de dois coletivos, autoidentificados como Kiriri e Mapuche, para pensar o que mais pode ser dito quando todos os problemas parecem se reportar ao Antropoceno. Nossa intenção é ensaiar com outras escalas relacionais e, portanto, com outros problemas, a despeito da nova era geológica ou, se queremos, na vizinhança dela. Este texto resiste à conexão acelerada entre problemas de distintas ordens, com distintos nomes, e o Antropoceno. Interessa habitar os desajustes dessas conexões para colocar luz sobre a microfísica das relações, das entidades que elas convocam e que, a partir dos casos Kiriri e Mapuche, nos fazem ver terras que renascem. Interessa enfatizar mundos que se reconstituem e que multiplicam agentes de mudança através da replicação em que a complexidade da escala é a autossemelhança.
Cirurgia endodôntica guiada estática
Authors: Tavares Warley Luciano Fonseca , Marquiore Larissa Fassarela , Machado Vinícius de Carvalho , Alcalde Murilo Priori , Duarte Marco Antonio Hungaro
Published: March 2024

Introdução: A cirurgia endodôntica é uma alternativa quando há falha no tratamento endodôntico convencional. Um dos desafios durante a realização desse procedimento é a possibilidade de atingir alguma estrutura anatômica importante. Dessa forma, quanto maior a precisão no momento da realização da cirurgia, maior a preservação das estruturas anatômicas adjacentes. Objetivo: Demonstrar a evolução da cirurgia endodôntica guiada nos últimos anos. Discussão: Com o avanço do uso de novas tecnologias e técnicas, uma possibilidade com maior segurança é o uso da cirurgia endodôntica guiada. Isso é possível devido à implementação do uso de imagens de tomografia computadorizada associadas ao escaneamento intrabucal. Inicialmente, foi proposto um estudo pré-clínico para avaliar a precisão do acesso guiado por computador. Então, desde os primeiros modelos in vivo, são utilizados softwares que permitem a junção das imagens 3D com o escaneamento e, assim, permitem a confecção de guias para acesso cirúrgico guiado. Apesar das limitações da Endodontia guiada, os protocolos e softwares foram atualizados nos últimos anos, permitindo a confecção de guias com maior precisão. Conclusão: O fluxo de trabalho digital está em constante evolução e tem permitido que os procedimentos cirúrgicos endodônticos sejam realizados de forma cada vez mais segura e previsível.
Influência dos protocolos de irrigação com etidronato na penetração do cimento endodôntico no interior dos túbulos dentinários
Authors: Martel Larissa Pillar Gomes , Oliveira Vanessa Barros , Smith Bruna Araújo , Duarte Marco Antonio Hungaro , Pessoa Oscar Faciola
Published: March 2024

Introdução: Este estudo objetivou comparar a influência de protocolos de irrigação usando diferentes concentrações de bifosfonato de hidroxidoetilideno (HEBP) e hipoclorito de sódio (NaOCl) com um protocolo usando ácido diaminotetracético e NaOCl, com relação à penetração de cimento endodôntico nos túbulos dentinários e, também, determinar a correlação entre máxima profundidade de penetração (MPP) e segmento de penetração (SP). Métodos: Pré-molares inferiores unirradiculares (n=33) foram distribuídos em grupos de protocolos de irrigação durante o preparo biomecânico: P1) solução combinada de HEBP 9% e NaOCl 2,5% durante instrumentação e enxágue final; P2) NaOCl 2,5% durante instrumentação e HEBP 18% seguido por NaOCl 2,5% no enxágue final; P3) NaOCl 2,5% durante instrumentação e EDTA 17% seguido por NaOCl 2,5% no enxágue final. Os dentes foram obturados pela técnica de cone único. A análise de Microscopia Confocal de Varredura Laser obteve mensurações de MPP e SP. O teste de Kruskal-Wallis analisou MPP e SP em cada terço do canal radicular entre grupos (p<0,05). A correlação linear de Pearson associou MDP e SP (p<0,05). Resultados: P1 e P2 promoveram MPP significativamente maior do que P3 no terço cervical; a MPP foi significativamente maior nos terços cervical e médio (p<0,05). O SP foi significativamente maior em P1 e P2 nos terços cervical e médio (p<0,05). Houve correlação direta significativa entre MPP e SP (p<0,05). Conclusão: Protocolos de irrigação usando diferentes concentrações de HEBP e NaOCl promoveram maior penetração de cimento endodôntico no interior de túbulos dentinários do que o protocolo usando EDTA e NaOCl. A MPP e o SP são diretamente correlacionados.
Remoção de biofilme bacteriano maduro de canais ovais promovido por diferentes protocolos de irrigação final
Authors: Cintra Fernanda , Nascimento Wayne Martins , Prado Marina Carvalho , Sacomani Arieth Cristina , Campos Ana Elisa Aguiar , Soares Adriana de Jesus , Frozoni Marcos
Published: March 2024

Objetivo: Este estudo avaliou a efetividade dos protocolos de irrigação final realizados com irrigação convencional, XP-Endo Finisher (FKG Dentaire, Suíça) e Easy Clean (Easy Equipamentos Odontológicos, Brasil) na remoção de biofilme bacteriano maduro intracanal. Método: Incisivos inferiores com canais ovais foram selecionados e contaminados com cultura pura de Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 por 21 dias a 37ºC, para formação de biofilme maduro. Após período de incubação, foi realizada microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) para confirmar a formação de biofilme nas paredes radiculares. Os dentes foram aleatoriamente distribuídos em três grupos (n=15), de acordo com o protocolo de irrigação final: irrigação convencional com seringa e cânula, XP-Endo Finisher e Easy Clean. As amostras bacteriológicas intracanais foram coletadas antes (S1) e após (S2) o preparo biomecânico, e calculou-se o número das unidades formadoras de colônias por mililitro (UFC/mL). O teste t e o teste ANOVA com post-hoc de Tukey foram, respectivamente, utilizados para as análises intragrupo e intergrupos. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em p<0,05. Resultados: A formação de biofilme foi confirmada por MEV. Todas as técnicas reduziram as colônias bacterianas após o protocolo de irrigação final (p<0,001). Não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas entre os protocolos avaliados (p>0,05). Conclusão: Os protocolos de irrigação final com XP-Endo Finisher e Easy Clean apresentaram resultados similares em canais ovais. No entanto, esses instrumentos não reduziram o volume de bactérias intracanais, em comparação com o protocolo de irrigação convencional com seringa e cânula.
Influência da angulação do movimento reciprocante e dos métodos de limpeza adicionais na remoção de material obturador, em retratamentos de pré-molares com canais com formato oval
Authors: Martins Milena Perraro , Tartari Talita , Bramante Clovis Monteiro , Andrade Flaviana Bombarda de , Vivan Rodrigo Ricci , Duarte Marco Antonio Hungaro
Published: March 2024

Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivos avaliar, usando microtomografia computadorizada (micro-CT), a desobturação dos canais em dentes unirradiculares com formato oval, utilizando as limas Mtwo com diferentes angulações do movimento reciprocante, e analisar diferentes métodos de limpeza adicionais para remoção de material obturador. Métodos: Sessenta pré-molares inferiores com um único canal com formato oval foram instrumentados com o sistema ProTaper Universal até a lima F3 e obturados. Todos os dentes foram escaneados com micro-CT. As amostras foram divididas em quatro grupos, de acordo com a angulação do movimento reciprocante e o método de limpeza adicional usado para remoção de guta-percha: grupo Mtwo 150/30 e inserto NiTiSonic; grupo Mtwo 150/30 e XP-Endo Finisher; grupo Mtwo 90/30 e inserto NiTiSonic; e grupo Mtwo 90/30 e XP-Endo Finisher. Após a desobturação e limpeza adicional, de acordo com cada grupo, foram feitos os escaneamentos com micro-CT. Foram usados os testes de Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis e Dunn, teste t de Welch e Mann-Whitney. Resultados: A utilização da lima Mtwo em movimento reciprocante em todas as angulações reduziu significativamente (p<0,05) o volume de guta-percha em todos os terços do canal radicular durante o retratamento endodôntico. Conclusão: O sistema Mtwo em movimento reciprocante favorece boa e rápida capacidade de desobturação, com baixo volume de extrusão, sendo que na angulação 150º/30º apresentou maior segurança em termos de fratura, e o emprego de métodos adicionais usando XP Endo Finisher R ou agitação ultrassônica com insertos de NiTi favoreceu efetiva limpeza de canais com formato oval.
The selection of an electric vehicle for the existing photovoltaic system - case study in Polish climatic conditions
Authors: Małek Arkadiusz , Marciniak Andrzej , Bartnik Grzegorz
Published: March 2024

The article presents an algorithm for selecting an electric vehicle for your photovoltaic system. Generating electricity by distributed photovoltaic systems is a very visible trend across Europe. Individual and institutional owners are looking for opportunities to save large amounts of money spent on the purchase of electricity. Many times they have built a photovoltaic system larger than their current energy needs. The author suggests a solution to increase the energy produced for own needs instead of giving it to the power grid at unfavorable prices. Such a solution is the purchase of an electric vehicle that will be charged with surplus energy. Research on the selection of a vehicle for a photovoltaic system should start with a precise profile of the current energy consumption from the power grid, energy production from the photovoltaic system and transferring its excess to the power grid. The next step is to characterize the potential electric vehicle. Such characteristics include determination of the energy capacity of the traction battery and the methods of its charging. The final stage is the analytical confirmation of the choice made. For this purpose, the Metalog family of distributions was used to determine the probability of generating the appropriate hourly amount of energy needed to charge an electric vehicle.