bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Biodegradable Plastic from Wak Banana Peel Starch with Glycerol as Plasticizer
Authors: Irmayanti Irmayanti , Anwar Chairil
Published: October 2024

Biodegradable plastic from banana peel is durable and transparent. It breaks down naturally in the environment and can substitute traditional petroleum plastic, which is a source of pollution due to its slow degradation. This research is intended to improve the physical properties of biodegradable film obtained by the casting solution method from an Aceh variety of wak banana peel starch with glycerol as a plasticizer.
The authors relied on a factorial completely randomized design with two replications. The variables included the concentrations of wak banana peel starch (6, 8, and 10%) and glycerol (2, 5, and 8%). The data were subjected to the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The physical tests covered tensile strength, elongation, water absorption, and biodegradation. The functional groups of biodegradable films were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphological structure was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
The biodegradation test lasted for two and four days. The sample with less banana peel starch (6–8%) degraded faster. Higher glycerol concentrations (5–15%) affected the weight of the samples. The plastic samples with 15% glycerol degraded faster than the samples with minimal glycerol amount. A greater concentration of wak banana peel starch significantly affected tensile strength and elongation while the effect on water content and water absorption capacity was insignificant. Glycerol concentration affected water content and tensile strength, but had no significant effect on water absorption capacity and elongation. The ratio between the concentrations of wak banana peel starch and glycerol had a significant effect on tensile strength and water absorption capacity.
The best results belonged to the sample with 8% wak banana peel starch and 2% glycerol. The research provided new options for utilizing banana peels as biodegradable packaging and an alternative to traditional plastic. The commercialization and scalability of this ecologically friendly plastic require furth er research.
Extraction of Bioactive Substances from Medicinal Plants with Whey: Selecting Optimal Parameters
Authors: Velichkovich Natalia , Stepanova Ann , Kozlova Oksana , Lutz Veronika , Larichev Timothy
Published: October 2024

Due to its natural chemical composition, whey can have both a positive effect on the human body and cause significant harm to the environment. It is rich in organic substances, which creates an additional organic burden on nature. However, whey has good prospects for the food industry as an extractant for the production of plant extracts and biologically active substances. The present research objective was to select optimal parameters for obtaining flavonoids from plant extracts using an unconventional type of extractant, i.e., whey.
The study featured whey as an extractant and mixes of medicinal herbs. The resulting extracts were tested for the content of flavonoid compounds by thin-layer chromatography. The antioxidant activity was assessed using the spectrophotometric method. The extraction variables included temperature, extraction time, material-to-extractant ratio, and composition of herbal mixes.
The extraction time ranged from 1 to 5 h at 90 ± 1℃. The maximal antioxidant activity belonged to the samples containing 7.5–12.5 g herbal mix and 450 ml whey. The optimal extraction time was 3 h. The content of flavonoids in the plant extracts was comparable and did not depend on the extraction time.
Extraction time proved to be the key parameter to intensify the process of flavonoid extraction from plant raw materials. Therefore, the choice was made according to the shortest time with comparable values of flavonoids and the maximal level of antioxidant activity.
“Nossa Senhora lá vem do céu”: um estudo sobre os aspectos históricos da devoção a Nossa Senhora da Glória em Valença – RJ
Authors: Moreira Medeiros Laureano Gabriel
Published: October 2024

O presente artigo busca compreender a devoção a Nossa Senhora da Glória em Valença, interior do Rio de Janeiro e suas singularidades. A partir da comparação entre tradição em torno da origem da imagem de Nossa Senhora da Glória e a linguagem textual das vidas dos santos medievais (Legendas) busca-se demonstrar que esta devoção guarda profundas relações com os povos indígenas comumente conhecidos por Coroados, levando em conta o momento em que os territórios do atual município começaram a ser ocupados no início do século XIX. Para tanto, foi consultada bibliografia específica sobre o tema e documentação de época contida em duas obras de memorialistas locais: “História de Valença” de Luis Damasceno e “Valença de Ontem e de Hoje” de Leoni Iório. Bem como foram consideradas algumas fontes imagéticas. Esperamos contribuir para futuras investigações em torno do papel desempenhado pelos indígenas enquanto protagonistas na construção da História local e mesmo da identidade religiosa.
Patronato de crianças pobres de São João Batista da Lagoa: educação e instrução católica para operários no Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Martins Marco Aurélio Corrêa
Published: October 2024

O estudo do Patronato da Freguesia de São João Batista remete a pesquisa a áreas distintas da história. Através do método bibliográfico e utilizando jornais como fonte, procura contextualizar a ação de um sacerdote que veio a se tornar o bispo de Valença/RJ e, posteriormente, de Taubaté/SP. Partindo da história das instituições escolares, o texto avança sobre temas relativos à imprensa, à educação, à pastoral católica e ao movimento operário no contexto de industrialização e urbanização de um local específico, o bairro carioca de Botafogo, em uma temporalidade entendida entre as décadas de 1910 e de 1930. Com base teórica na filosofia da história de Paul Ricoeur pretende compreender a experiência histórica no contexto revelador das expectativas da ação social e histórica. A escolarização tomada como obra social inscreve-se no tema da caridade cristã e coloca em causa a economia própria da subsistência de tais obras. Projeta-se na história da consecução da educação como direito social no Brasil.
Monsenhor Rios: Representatividade por meio de Discursos de Fé e Impactos na Articulação Comunitária Vassourense
Authors: Da Silva José Antônio , De Souza Víviam Lacerda
Published: October 2024

RESUMO
Monsenhor Rios, vivenciou parte de sua vida sacerdotal no município de Vassouras, século XIX e hoje é considerado milagreiro pelos seus devotos. Sua representatividade é absorvida por alguns setores locais com o pleiteio de êxito em projetos. Objetivamos aqui mostrar a representatividade do religioso Antônio Rodrigues de Paiva e Rios no contexto do município de Vassouras por meio dos discursos de fé manifestados pelos devotos e identificar os impactos que esta figura sacerdotal gera religiosamente, economicamente, midiaticamente e nos aspectos turísticos da comunidade em que se insere. A metodologia aplicada na pesquisa permeia os estudos bibliográficos, a história oral, análise de conteúdo dos manuscritos e entrevistas semi-estruturadas. Concluímos que a representatividade do Monsenhor Rios agrega valor ao catálogo de turismo vassourense nos aspectos religiosos, contribui com a geração da renda local e mescla interesses públicos e privados.
PALAVRAS-CHAVE
Monsenhor Rios; Fé; Vassouras-RJ.
Malformações congênitas induzidas por drogas teratogênicas
Authors: Pacheco Costa Gabriella , Moreira Vieira Louise , Marins Teixeira Rossi Coutinho Lohayne
Published: October 2024

As malformações congênitas são comumente associadas a diversos fatores, sendo um deles o uso de medicações teratogênicas. Essas drogas são comumente utilizadas fora da gestação por indicações médicas devido a uma patologia materna prévia, porém algumas devem ser substituídas assim que confirmada a gestação para prevenir resultados indesejados na saúde do concepto. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a indução de malformações fetais pelos medicamentos teratogênicos disponíveis atualmente na indústria farmacêutica. Trata-se de um estudo de abordagem qualitativa, retrospectiva e transversal executado por uma revisão integrativa da literatura. A pesquisa foi direcionada considerando os descritores “teratogenic”, “induced” e “malformations”, no período de 2013 a 2023, cujos estudos eram do tipo observacional e ensaio clínico controlado. Dos artigos observados, os principais causadores de malformações fetais foram os fármacos antiepilépticos, porém os estudos relataram também defeitos congênitos presentes em conceptos de pacientes em uso de drogas antiasmáticas, Varfarina, Metotrexato e Misoprostol. As anormalidades congênitas podem ser prevenidas e evitadas ao substituir o uso de medicações teratogênicas, que ratifica a importância da realização do acompanhamento pré-natal para garantir uma orientação precoce e tentar diminuir as elevadas taxas de malformações relacionadas com o uso de teratógenos.
Point-of-Care Testing for Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative Review
Authors: Liu Xiaolong , HE Mengxiao , HU Rongbo , HUANG Sihang , CHEN Zhencheng
Published: October 2024

Cardiovascular disease is a major global public health challenge. Point-of--
care testing (POCT) technologies are crucial for the prevention, early diagnosis, and
treatment of cardiovascular conditions. Numerous POCT technologies for cardiovascular
disease are currently available, which include but are not limited to conventional
methods, paper-based microfluidic technology, microfluidic chip technology, electrochemical
detection technology, ultrasonic detection technology, and smartphone-based
detection technology. Each method has a broad range of applications and performs differently
across various detection scenarios. This article offers a comprehensive analysis
of current POCT technologies for cardiovascular disease, assessing their effectiveness,
limitations, and future development directions. The aim is to provide insights and theoretical
references for innovative research and clinical applications in POCT methods for
cardiovascular disease.
Synthesis of Biologically Promising Spiroheterocycles through Electrolysis
Authors: Banerjee Bubun , Singh Arvind , Kaur Manmeet , Priya Anu , Sharma Aditi
Published: October 2024

piroheterocycles are widely distributed among the naturally occurring bioactive compounds.
Various spiroheterocycles have gained significant attention in drug design and discovery as
a number of commercially available drug molecules consist of spiroheterocyclic skeletons. Many
synthetic structurally diverse spiroheterocycles reported to possess a broad range of biological efficacies.
A large number of methods have been reported for the synthesis of a wide variety of spiroheterocycles
under conventional methods. These reported methods definitely have some merits but on
many occasions suffered from some common demerits like harsh reaction conditions, longer reaction
times, use of toxic organic solvents and catalysts, strong oxidizing or reducing agents etc. Involvement
of electrochemically induced pathways helped a lot to overcome these drawbacks. Thus electrochemically
induced methods are more environments friendly and sustainable. In this review article
we have summarized a large number of recently reported electrochemically induced methods for the
synthesis of structurally diverse spiroheterocycles. The plausible mechanisms of these transformations
are also discussed in this review.
Inflammatory Myopathies and Autoimmune Gluten-related Disorders: A Scoping Review of Pathophysiological Interconnections and Hypothesis
Authors: Nyborg Gunhild Alvik
Published: October 2024

Introduction:

Anecdotal reports describe patients with concurrent idiopathic inflammatory
myopathy (IIM) and celiac disease (CeD) in whom the introduction of a gluten-free diet led
to dramatic improvement of myositis. We first systematically reviewed all peer-reviewed publications
on concomitant IIM and duodenal biopsy-verified CeD. The collected evidence was suggestive
of associations between myositis disease activity and gluten exposure in some patients with
IIM-CeD.

Objective/Methods:

To investigate possible explanations for the observations, an exploratory review
of basic pathophysiological relationships between IIM and gluten-related disorders was performed
using a combined strategy of systematic and non-systematic literature searches and forward
and backward citation tracking.

Results:

The investigations revealed close pathophysiological associations between IIM and the
autoimmune gluten-related disorders CeD, dermatitis herpetiformis, and gluten ataxia. Common
traits include shared genetic predisposition through HLA-DQ2.5/-DQ8, disease activity-associated
autoantibodies, histopathological parallels with inflammatory cell infiltrates, and similarly distributed
structural homologous transglutaminases (TGs). HLA-DQ2.5-restricted gluten-specific
CD4+ T cells of a rare, uniform phenotype are reported in CeD and connective tissue disease. Expanded
T-cell clones with identical phenotypes and CDR3β motifs indicate the presence of a continuous,
antigen-driven T-cell response.

Conclusion:

The investigations revealed that the main components involved in the adaptive immune
response in the CeD gut may be present in HLA-DQ2.5+/-DQ8+ IIM muscle. The collected
evidence supports the notion that in some genetically predisposed patients with IIM, gluten may
act as an exogenous antigen driving myositis.

Further Research/Clinical Implications:

To test the above hypothesis, clinical trials combined
with immunological studies are needed. Meanwhile, the inclusion of HLA-DQ typing may be justified,
and subsequent small-intestinal biopsies in HLA-DQ2.5/8+ individuals with IIM.
Normal Glypican-3 Serum Levels Do Not Eliminate the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lembas Agnieszka , Mikuła Tomasz , Suchacz Magdalena , Kozłowska Joanna , Barczak Szymon , Badura Barbara , Wiercińska-Drapało Alicja
Published: September 2024

Introduction. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy that primarily affects patients with liver cirrhosis. Early diagnosis is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
The study aimed to investigate the potential role of glypican-3 (GPC3) serum levels, both alone and in combination with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) serum levels, as diagnostic biomarkers for HCC.
Methods. The study included 53 patients with liver cirrhosis and confirmed HCC, who were admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases, Tropical Diseases and Hepatology at the Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland, underwent physical examination and laboratory testing and were compared with 29 healthy volunteers. GPC3, along with demographic data, Child-Pugh and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores, AFP, and GGT levels, was analyzed in relation to HCC diagnosis. The sensitivity and specificity of GPC3 alone and in combination with AFP and GGT were evaluated for diagnosing HCC.
Results. The difference in serum GPC3 levels between patients with HCC and the control group was statistically insignificant (p=0.765). However, a significant correlation was found between GPC3 and AFP serum levels in patients with HCC (p=0.009). Additionally, a correlation was observed between higher GPC3 serum levels within the normal range and the occurrence of HCC. The sensitivity for GPC3 levels greater than 75 ng/ml for detecting HCC was 93.1%, while the specificity was 49.1%. The utility of GPC3, when combined with AFP and GGT, was inconsistent across different thresholds in detecting HCC.
Conclusions. The serum levels of GPC3 do not provide satisfactory effectiveness in detecting HCC, and the disease can occur in patients with GPC3 serum concentrations within the normal range. In patients with liver cirrhosis, serum GPC3 levels above 75.00 ng/ml may suggest an increased risk of HCC development. Additionally, the combination of AFP, GPC3, and GGT demonstrates some utility in detecting HCC; however, it shows no superiority over GPC3 alone.
HARMONISASI HIDUP MANUSIA DALAM KONSEP JAGAD GEDHE DAN JAGAD CILIK MASYARKAT JAWA (Tinjauan Filsafat Simbol Ernst Cassirer)
Authors: Nugroho Yohanes Dwi
Published: October 2024

Fokus penelitian ini adalah untuk menggali makna-makna simbolik yang terkandung dalam konsep jagad gedhe dan jagad cilik masyarakat Jawa dalam upaya harmonisasi hidup manusia, utamanya berkaitan dengan hubungan manusia dengan sesama dan alam sekitarnya. Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu untuk mengharmonisasikan hidup manusia dengan sesama dan alam sekitarnya melalui implikasi praktis dari konsep jagad gedhe dan jagad cilik masyarakat Jawa. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode kualitatif berupa studi pustaka. Studi pustaka tersebut dijalani dengan menerapkan cara kerja filsafat simbol Ernst Cassirer dalam menggali makna simbolik yang ada dalam konsep jagad gedhe dan jagad cilik. Konsep jagad gedhe dan jagad cilik pada dasarnya adalah suatu konsep budaya yang dimiliki oleh setiap manusia. Namun, makna dari konsep itu seringkali tidak mudah ditangkap oleh manusia sehingga harmonisasi hidup manusia sulit diwujudkan. Dengan menggunakan filsafat simbol, konsep tersebut menemukan implikasi praktisnya, yaitu mempertimbangkan dampak bagi makhluk lain, memperkenalkan ekspresi budaya yang positif, dan pembangunan yang berkelanjutan demi menyeimbangkan antara kebutuhan manusia dengan kelestarian alam lingkungan.
INTERSEKSI PESAN DAKWAH DAN EKSPRESI SOSIAL DALAM LIRIK LAGU “JUDI” KARYA RHOMA IRAMA
Authors: Hidayat Yogi Fery
Published: October 2024

Lagu “Judi” karya Rhoma Irama menjadi kontroversial karena dianggap sebagai bentuk dakwah yang menyuarakan larangan terhadap perjudian. Lirik lagu ini mengandung pesan dakwah yang cukup kuat, meskipun dalam bentuk peringatan dan kritik terhadap perjudian. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk menganalisis interseksi pesan dakwah dan ekspresi sosial yang terkandung dalam lirik lagu “Judi” karya Rhoma Irama. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan sosiolinguistik. Analisis dilakukan dengan memperhatikan aspek sosial, budaya, dan bahasa yang terkandung dalam lirik lagu. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dari segi sosial, lirik lagu “Judi” mencerminkan kondisi masyarakat pada saat itu yang diwarnai oleh praktik perjudian yang merajalela. Pesan dakwah dalam lirik lagu “Judi” jelas menolak praktik perjudian sebagai bentuk kejahatan dan menyebutkan dampak negatif perjudian pada kehidupan dan keimanan seseorang. Sedangkan dari segi budaya, lirik lagu mengandung nilai-nilai budaya kerja keras dan integritas yang tercermin dalam penggunaan bahasa yang dipilih oleh Rhoma Irama. Selain itu, lirik lagu ini juga menyoroti bahaya perjudian bagi individu dan masyarakat. Dari segi bahasa, Rhoma Irama menggunakan bahasa sehari-hari yang mudah dipahami oleh masyarakat, namun juga mengandung makna yang mendalam. Dalam lirik lagunya, Rhoma Irama menggambarkan perjudian sebagai perbuatan keji yang bisa meracuni kehidupan dan keimanan.
ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA: THE ROLE OF COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM IN FEDERAL-STATE COLLABORATION
Authors: Abdul Aziz Hilmy Sazlin Azny , Hassim Jady Zaidi , Md Khalid Rasyikah
Published: October 2024

Sustainable housing development in Malaysia relies on collaborative governance and resource sharing. Several proposed sustainable housing initiatives have involved federal-state tensions. Cooperative federalism can bring together diverse stakeholders to address complicated environmental, social, and economic variables affecting housing construction, according to this study.  The authors analyze federal and state laws and policies doctrinally. To assess the efficacy of collaborative governance and resource sharing, government officials, housing experts, policymakers, and community leaders were interviewed. Fictional international case studies inform this study. The authors find 1) federal or state government agencies lack coordination. 2) policy alignment for sustainable housing development and 3) state resource constraints. The findings show how collaborative governance and resource sharing may transform. Participants understand the importance of federal-state housing policies, which streamline sustainable housing development and prevent conflicting laws. Effective intergovernmental connections inform housing policy decisions, meeting local demands. International case studies also provide many suggestions for adapting and innovating in Malaysia. This study proposes resilient, inclusive, and sustainable housing in Malaysia. By adopting collaborative governance, harmonizing policies, pooling resources, fostering intergovernmental partnerships, and learning from global experiences, Malaysia's housing sector may inspire future generations with innovation and sustainability.
EFFECTS OF TOURIST MOTIVATION ON TOURISM PLANNING: A CASE STUDY OF DOMESTIC TOURISTS IN VIETNAM
Authors: Ngoc Ho Nhu , Omar Shida Irwana , Chau Ngan Nguyen Ngoc
Published: October 2024

Tourist motivations is a fundamental aspect of tourism planning as it enhances marketing efforts, product development, competitive positioning, and facilitates informed policymaking. As such, the present study provides accurate data with which to develop tourism planning in Vietnam based on the push motivation and pull motivation factors of Vietnamese domestic tourists. A quantitative method, namely, a questionnaire that was designed based on a self-desk study, expert opinions, and tour guide opinions, was used to collect data. Out of 670 questionnaire returned, 664 were ultimately usable for analysis. Descriptive analysis, factor analysis, and regression binary logistic models were then used to analyse the collected data. Seven important push motivation factors, namely, fulfilling prestige, fun and entertainment, escape, family and friends' togetherness, fulfilling spiritual needs, social relationships, and gaining knowledge were identified as important to Vietnamese domestic tourists. Meanwhile, the four important pull motivations for Vietnamese domestic tourists were events and activities; destination's facility, service, and trip sponsor; historical and cultural attractions; and natural resources. The findings can be used to develop tourism planning for domestic tourism in Vietnam. Destinations may use the insights on tourist motivations to attracts tourists and provide them with fulfilling experiences, which would, ultimately, contribute to the overall success and sustainability of Vietnam's tourism industry. Besides, the findings contribute to extant literature on the tourist motivations and tourist behaviours of Vietnamese domestic tourists. Lastly, the case study of Vietnam may serve as confirmation of the value of tourist motivations in tourism planning.
EVALUATION OF CARBONATED PRODUCT FROM MINERAL CARBONATION OF MINING WASTE FOR CARBON SEQUESTRATION
Authors: Abdullah Umi Rukiah , Mohd Kusin Faradiella , Wan Ab Karim Ghani Wan Azlina
Published: October 2024

Mining operations generate significant quantities of waste containing alkaline earth silicates, which are valuable for carbon sequestration. Hence, the goal of this study is to assess the possibility of using mining waste to store carbon through a process of mineral carbonation. The study tested mineral carbonation under low reactivity conditions, including ambient pressure and low temperature, to evaluate the effect of pH levels on process efficiency. The samples were discovered to have an alkaline pH, suggesting that they were suitable for mineral carbonation reactions from the beginning. The carbonation process of the mineral was conducted at different pH levels of 8, 10, and 12. The findings showed that the carbonation efficiency was approximately 3%, with the highest level observed at pH 12. Through thermogravimetric analysis, it was observed that there was a multi stage transformation of minerals, which indicated the formation of carbonates containing iron and magnesium. The process captured approximately 33 and 39 g of CO2/kg. The process indicates that mine waste can be used as a source material for mineral carbonation, as demonstrated by the formation of iron and calcium carbonate products. This research demonstrates that mine waste has the potential for long-term carbon storage, offering a beneficial method for waste management and carbon capture strategies.
THE ROLE OF GEOSPATIAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (GEOAI) IN SMART BUILT ENVIRONMENT MAPPING: AUTOMATIC OBJECT DETECTION OF RASTER TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Jaafar Saiful Anuar , Abdul Rasam Abdul Rauf , Md Sadek Eran Sadek Said , Mat Diah Norizan
Published: October 2024

Smart built environment mapping is integrating Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) to enable advanced analysis, pattern recognition, and decision-making processes. This shift in understanding, planning, designing, and managing the built environment is paving the way for a smarter, more sustainable future. This commentary explores the current role of AI in enhancing technology use within the geospatial field, focusing specifically on the application of GeoAI in mapping the built environment. Additionally, the paper presents a selection of case studies related to the implementation of AI in developing automatic vectorization, particularly for geospatial mapping in built environments. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models for sorting objects in scanned, old topographic maps of the built environment. The findings of this study are valuable for making informed decisions, devising effective strategies, and identifying opportunities for further research and exploration within the dynamic field of GeoAI in smart built environment mapping and applications.
WALKING FOR HEALTH & WELLBEING: THE EFFECT OF STEP FREQUENCY
Authors: Mohd Talmizi Nurain , Haji Ali Nor Eeda , Mohamad Muhammad Rijal , Samsul Rijal Nurhidayah , Abd Rased An Nisha Nur Welliana
Published: October 2024

Walking as a mode of transport and recreation to get more active and stay fit. People of all ages can benefit from walking, evaluation of earlier research in this field shows that a study of walking specifically among those with different health challenges in Malaysia is lacking. This paper sets out to identified whether individual, environmental and social factors influence walking in neighbourhood, which is the objectives: to examine whether people in a neighbourhood walk during the week, to identify whether people who have health problems walk more or not at all, and to examine the relationship between people’s frequency of walk and their physical wellbeing.  Data from 410 adults of between 18 and 60 years of age are analysed using a multiple linear regression analysis technique. Overall, the findings reveal that the respondents regularly walk despite their health status as none of them (0.00%) have assessed their health as being poor to begin with. Nevertheless, there is a significant correlation between self-reported health states and walking (X=22.519, p0.05), and their frequency of walk (X= 22.673, p0.05). The results indicate that 19.40% of the respondents walk regularly on a weekday compared to 21.20% on the weekend only, and 18.20% during both weekday and weekend. This study suggests that the neighbourhood must be safe, and the built environment is conducive and appropriate for proper walking. These factors are pertinent considerations for both housing developers and state policies to implement to initiate and promote more walking for physical wellbeing, recreation as well as for transportation purposes.
ANALYSIS OF THE CROWD MANAGEMENT AND PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT DURING HAJJ PILGRIMAGE ON MAKKAH
Authors: Kadi Sadeq , Abdullah Alias , Bachok Syahriah , Baydoun Ziad , Berghout Abdelaziz
Published: October 2024

The Hajj pilgrimage, the world's largest annual mass gathering, poses significant challenges in crowd management and pedestrian movement due to the sheer number of participants and logistical complexities. This study emphasizes the need for effective strategies to ensure the safety of millions of pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. By reviewing literature and analysing pedestrian movement systems, it identifies key bottlenecks and safety risks, especially during high-density periods like Nafra day. Field observations from 2019 to 2024, including the post-COVID-19 era, offer insights into crowd behaviour and the effectiveness of management strategies. The study highlights the importance of integrating advanced simulation tools with urban design to optimize pedestrian pathways and prevent overcrowding, contributing to Saudi Vision 2030's goals of enhancing the pilgrimage experience and ensuring participant safety.
THE IMPACT OF NATIONALITY ON THE PERCEPTION OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ITS SUCCESS AMONG CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS IN SAUDI ARABIA
Authors: Alabbad Mohammed , Che Haron Roziha
Published: October 2024

Cultural differences in project teams within the construction industry are a recognized phenomenon in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This study investigates the crucial role culture plays and how cultural differences among project managers influence their perceptions of two key aspects: project management practices and project success in the context of the Saudi construction industry. A custom questionnaire was used to gather the perceptions of 150 Saudi and non-Saudi project managers from Riyadh city. The statistical tests applied include frequencies, percentages, descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings reveal that the nationality of the managers significantly impacts their perceptions of cultural differences, which in turn influences the two aforementioned aspects.
An Exploration of the Relative Influence of the Determinants of the Mexican Peso - U.S. Dollar Exchange Rate
Authors: Villarreal-Samaniego Dacio , Gómez-Gómez Rafael , Santillán-Salgado Roberto J.
Published: September 2024

This article examines the impact over time of the government’s primary balance, remittances, foreign direct investment expectations, and real interest rates on the Mexican peso to US dollar exchange rate between 2003 and 2023, using monthly and quarterly data. An autoregressive distributed lag model with bounds testing and a Granger non-causality test are employed. The results indicate that, although the significance of all variables changes over time, foreign direct investment expectations and the government’s primary balance influence the exchange rate throughout the entire period. Foreign direct investment expectations and remittances exert the most persistent long- and short-run influence, respectively. The evolving significance across time of these determinants implies the need of a dynamic and adaptable policy framework to currency stability in Mexico.
Leveraging Temporal Trends for Training Contextual Word Embeddings to Address Bias in Biomedical Applications: Development Study
Authors: Agmon Shunit , Singer Uriel , Radinsky Kira
Published: October 2024

Background

Women have been underrepresented in clinical trials for many years. Machine-learning models trained on clinical trial abstracts may capture and amplify biases in the data. Specifically, word embeddings are models that enable representing words as vectors and are the building block of most natural language processing systems. If word embeddings are trained on clinical trial abstracts, predictive models that use the embeddings will exhibit gender performance gaps.

Objective

We aim to capture temporal trends in clinical trials through temporal distribution matching on contextual word embeddings (specifically, BERT) and explore its effect on the bias manifested in downstream tasks.

Methods

We present TeDi-BERT, a method to harness the temporal trend of increasing women’s inclusion in clinical trials to train contextual word embeddings. We implement temporal distribution matching through an adversarial classifier, trying to distinguish old from new clinical trial abstracts based on their embeddings. The temporal distribution matching acts as a form of domain adaptation from older to more recent clinical trials. We evaluate our model on 2 clinical tasks: prediction of unplanned readmission to the intensive care unit and hospital length of stay prediction. We also conduct an algorithmic analysis of the proposed method.

Results

In readmission prediction, TeDi-BERT achieved area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.64 for female patients versus the baseline of 0.62 (P<.001), and 0.66 for male patients versus the baseline of 0.64 (P<.001). In the length of stay regression, TeDi-BERT achieved a mean absolute error of 4.56 (95% CI 4.44-4.68) for female patients versus 4.62 (95% CI 4.50-4.74, P<.001) and 4.54 (95% CI 4.44-4.65) for male patients versus 4.6 (95% CI 4.50-4.71, P<.001).

Conclusions

In both clinical tasks, TeDi-BERT improved performance for female patients, as expected; but it also improved performance for male patients. Our results show that accuracy for one gender does not need to be exchanged for bias reduction, but rather that good science improves clinical results for all. Contextual word embedding models trained to capture temporal trends can help mitigate the effects of bias that changes over time in the training data.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Clinical case
Authors: Bozhenko N.L. , Nehrych T.I. , Shorobura M.S. , Malyarska N.V. , Bozhenko M.I.
Published: September 2024

Background. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has been masked under other diagnoses for many years. Modern diagnostic criteria expand diagnosis possibilities, but they need approbation in real clinical practice. The purpose was through the analysis of a clinical case and literature search to analyze the algorithm for making a diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica based on the new clinical guideline “Diagnosis and treatment of the neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders” developed in 2023 in Ukraine, to identify marker signs that exclude alternative diagnoses, to analyze the effectiveness of patient treatment in dynamics. Materials and methods. We used the bibliosemantic method, as well as methods of systematic and comparative analysis. We presented the results of our own clinical experience and conducted a dynamic analysis of a clinical case of neuromyelitis optica. Results. Over the past six years, 23 patients diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica were treated at the neurological department of the Lviv Regional Clinical Hospital: 1 patient in 2018, 5 in 2019, 3 in 2020, 6 in 2021, 8 in 2022. We examined the clinical case of a 52-year-old patient who sought medical help at the Department of Neurology of Danylo Halytskyi Lviv National Medical University in 2023. We analyzed the patient’s path to the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica with the dynamics of changes on magnetic resonance imaging from 2019, considering current diagnostic criteria in which neuromyelitis optica was included in the single term NMOSD. The presence of even one of the six main clinical manifestations, in combination with the presence of AQP4-IgG, gives grounds for making a diagnosis of NMOSD. We carried out a differential diagnosis with other pathologies. Based on this, we identified marker signs to exclude multiple sclerosis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, infectious myelitis, and other diseases. Diagnostic aspects of NMOSD and treatment options were considered. An analysis of the effectiveness of the patient’s treatment in dynamics was carried out. Conclusions. The new Ukrainian clinical guideline for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, which is based on international consensus diagnostic criteria, improves the standardization of the approach to patients with NMOSD and can be effectively used in real clinical practice. In our clinical case of a patient with myelitis without optic neuritis, the presence of AQP4-IgG and careful differential diagnosis with other pathologies play a key role in the diagnosing.
Fixed-dose combinations are the basis of modern antihypertensive therapy
Authors: Chistyk T.
Published: September 2024

No abstract
Analysis of Beer's Criteria 2019 and Patient Characteristics of Potentially Inappropriate Medication in Elderly Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Dhafin Anis Akhwan , Putri Elsa Mahardika
Published: October 2024

Background: Elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with polypharmacy and various comorbidities often have problems with Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs). One of the methods commonly used to detect this event is Beer's Criteria 2019.Objectives: This study aims to: (1) identify the characteristics of elderly hospitalized patients with type 2 DM; (2) analyze the incidence of PIM in patients; and (3) analyze the relationship between characteristics (age, gender, comorbidities, length of stay, and number of drugs given) with the incidence of PIMs.Methods: The research was conducted at two type C hospitals in the city of Bengkulu, with a total of 105 patients using the purposive sampling method. This research is a cross-sectional study with data collection techniques in the form of medical record data from patients for the period January – December 2022 who received drug therapy. Data analysis consists of comparing data with Beer'’s Criteria, quantitative descriptive and Fisher'’s test.Results: The research results showed that: (1) the largest age group in Hospitals ) had comorbidities, the highest number of drugs given was more than 10 types of drugs, and the majority of patients were hospitalized for less than five days; (2) There was an incidence of PIMs of 98.65% (73 patients) in Hospital (3) Statistical tests show that there is no relationship between age, gender, comorbidities, number of medications and length of stay with the incidence of PIMs.Conclusion: There is still inappropriate use of drugs given to elderly DM patients. It is hoped that further researchers will be able to find out the reasons for giving these drugs to elderly patients.
Research on the Regulatory Path of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Judicial Decision-Making
Authors: Feng Wang
Published: October 2024

With the rapid development of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, its potential applications in the field of judicial decision-making are becoming increasingly apparent. This paper explores the current state of generative AI in judicial rulings, highlighting its advantages and challenges, and analyzes the corresponding regulatory needs. By constructing a theoretical framework, the paper proposes regulatory paths suitable for this field, including the establishment of a legal framework, the design of regulatory mechanisms, and the promotion of social participation. Through the study of relevant domestic and international cases, this paper aims to provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the standardized application of generative AI, thereby promoting its safe and efficient development in the judicial domain.
ANTIMICROBIAL, ANTIOXIDANT AND CYTOTOXICITY STUDY OF Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), AND Zr(IV) COMPLEXES CONTAINING O, N DONOR SCHIFF BASE LIGAND
Authors: HOSSAIN SAJIB , ISLAM ASHRAFUL , TASNIM FARIA , HOSSEN FARUK , E-ZAHAN KUDRAT , ASRAF ALI
Published: October 2024

Objective: The aim of the research is to synthesize and characterize Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), and Zr(IV) complexes with a Schiff base ligand, and evaluate their antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Methods: The ligand was synthesized by refluxing salicylaldehyde with o-phenylenediamine in ethanol, forming a yellow-orange product. The complexation reaction involved stirring ethanolic solutions of Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), or Zr(IV) salts with a Schiff base ligand. Thermal decomposition of Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), and Zr(IV) complexes was analyzed under nitrogen, heating at 30 °C/min, measuring weight loss from ambient temperature to 800 °C. The antibacterial activity, antioxidant properties, and cytotoxicity of the synthesized compounds wereexamined using reported methods.
Results: Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), and Zr(IV) complexes with a Schiff base ligand were synthesized. Analyzed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and physiochemical tests and confirmed the structures. Magnetic susceptibility and electronic spectra suggested geometries, supported by thermogravimetric data. Antibacterial tests revealed complexes had higher activity than ligands, and also showed antioxidant properties.
Conclusion: Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), and Zr(IV) Schiff base complexes were synthesized, showing tetrahedral or square planar geometries. They exhibited thermal stability and strong antibacterial activity, outperforming the ligand alone.
A CASE REPORT ON SCRUB TYPHUS IN SIKKIM
Authors: GURUNG JAYA , RAI SABIN BARUN , SHARMA DIWASH , BHATTARAI BIJAY
Published: October 2024

Scrub Typhus is an acute febrile illness caused by a gram-negative obligate intracellular organism called orientia tsutsugamushi [Japanese word tsutsuga (“dangerous”), mushi (“bug”)], hence it is also called Tsutsugamushi disease. Diagnosis of the disease is challenging, as its early symptoms mimic other febrile illnesses like dengue, influenza, and coronaviruses. An 11-year-old female patient presented with complaints of fever for 3 days, vomiting and difficulty in breathing, swelling of the lower face and limbs with Escher behind the ears. The diagnosis was based on the laboratory investigation and Rapid ICT For O. Tsutsugamushi which appear positive for the scrub typhus. The patient was treated with Tab doxylin-100 LB BD for 7 days and was discharged stable with no complications.
Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Wind Tale’: A Feminist Linguistic Analysis through the Lens of the Robinson-Lakoff Theory
Authors: Jesudas Roseline , Mohammed Zakiuddin
Published: October 2024

This research paper investigates the application of feminist linguistics to Hans Christian Andersen's "The Wind Tale," also known as "The Wind and the Sun." By analyzing the language and character representation within the narrative, the study aims to reveal how linguistic practices reflect and perpetuate gender roles and identities. Grounded in the foundational works of feminist linguists such as Robin Lakoff, Dale Spender, and Judith Butler, the analysis focuses on two key areas: character representation and the agency of female voices. The first aspect examines the portrayal of female characters, questioning whether they are depicted primarily in relation to male figures or as autonomous individuals, while also analyzing the attributes and motivations ascribed to them against the backdrop of 19th-century societal expectations of femininity. The second aspect explores the agency and voices of female characters, assessing their role in a male-dominated narrative. This study ultimately aims to illuminate the complexities of gender dynamics in "The Wind Tale," demonstrating how language serves as a reflection and reinforcement of contemporary gender norms.
Transparency of an Honest Data Broker in Providing Electronic Health Record Data Sufficient for Reuse
Authors: Donaldson Devan Ray , Schleyer Titus Karl Ludwig , Riordan Grace Gabriella , Lian Jamie
Published: September 2024

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) offer a rich data source for clinical researchers to assess a wide variety of treatments and outcomes. Researchers can use Honest Data Brokers (HDBs) to gain access to EHR data for research. Unfortunately, HDBs’ data analysts can inadvertently overlook nuances in clinical workflows when generating request code for data capture and cause data extraction errors that negatively impact EHR data quality. This paper presents findings from interviews with clinical researchers who have had experience with requesting EHR data from the Regenstrief Institute Data Core (RDC), an HDB with data analysts who provide authorised access to EHR data of nearly 25 million patients in the state of Indiana. Our participants wanted greater transparency when they had questions about the quality of the datasets they received. Participants wanted their data analysts to double check the data in their system, explain how they extracted the data, let them visit the data in their system, and/or view/edit the code used for data extraction. We offer a set of recommendations for HDBs on how to provide greater transparency to clinical researchers about the processes used to generate the EHR data they receive and discuss future directions for research.
Antonio Rendic. Itinerario espiritual de un poeta
Authors: Reyes-Gacitúa Eva
Published: October 2024

El propósito de este libro es presentar un acercamiento al itinerario espiritual del poeta Antonio Rendic Ivanovic, médico croata-chileno nacido en Yugoslavia en 1896. Figura de importancia para el norte de Chile, especialmente para la ciudad de Antofagasta, en cuanto ha sido reconocido y llamado “Médico de los pobres”. La obra literaria del Doctor Rendic es extensa pues gran parte de su vida estuvo dedicado a la escritura. En este sentido es posible ubicar varios géneros literarios, tales como poemas, cuentos, artículos periodísticos e himnos. Su obra poética se enmarca dentro de un pensamiento religioso hasta ahora poco conocido y estudiado. El objetivo de este libro ha sido escudriñar los rincones de sus poemas, lo que nos permitirá esbozar un mapa de su itinerario espiritual. En otras palabras, a partir de la obra del autor nos aproximaremos a su interioridad. De esta manera, nos acercaremos a su modo de pensar, ver el mundo y plantearnos algunas preguntas fundamentales: ¿Qué es lo que ama? ¿Cómo acontece su relación con Dios? ¿Para quién escribe?
El pensamiento computacional en educación digital
Authors: Ruiz Velazco Sánchez Enrique
Published: October 2024

Consideramos que hoy en día es fundamental para cualquier persona acceder a una formación tecnológica de base en educación digital, que le permita saber usar la tecnología para comunicarse; navegar en la web sin naufragar; ser parte activa de las redes de juegos en línea; conocer el diseño de los sistemas informáticos; el funcionamiento de un robot; cómo se hacen las cosas; cómo deben analizarse, y, sobre todo, ser realmente críticos y creativos. Lo anterior implica aprender a pensar computacionalmente. Esto es, desarrollar las habilidades, los conocimientos y las disposiciones mentales asociados al pensamiento computacional. Antes de considerar algunas definiciones de dicho razonamiento, distinguiremos la importancia del pensamiento complejo y lo integraremos a la red de pensamientos que, entrelazados, producirán elementos más complejos. El conjunto de pensamientos que se muestran en la figura 1 están muy relacionados y son muy cercanos. Empero, queremos resaltar la importancia del pensamiento computacional, puesto que da cabida a la conformación del razonamiento informático que actualmente resulta de suma importancia, habida cuenta de que nos permite una comunicación-acción directa con el entorno tecnológico que nos rodea.