bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
National Public Health Situation Before and After the Covid-19 Pandemic: a Comparative Analysis Between Romania and Hungary
Authors:   University of Miskolc, Faculty of Economics, Hungary, Madaras Csaba , Dr. Madaras Anita Jolán ,   University of Miskolc, Faculty of Economics, Hungary, Zsidó Kinga Emese ,   George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures
Published: January 2025

In recent years, we have witnessed a pivotal historical event, namely the COVID-19 global pandemic,
which has shaken the existing national healthcare systems. The aim of our study is to assess and
compare the public health situation in Romania and Hungary during the periods before and after the
COVID-19 pandemic. The evaluation of the national public health situation was conducted by
characterizing the general health status of the population and analyzing the functioning of the
healthcare system. To describe the public health situation, we examined several indicators, which are
most suitable for characterizing demographic and general health conditions, the performance of the
healthcare system, and the infectious diseases situation. The results revealed that both Romania and
Hungary lag significantly behind the European Union average, primarily due to underfunding and its
consequences. No significant changes were observed in any indicator between the periods before and
after the COVID-19 pandemic, with the low points or peaks of 2020-2021 gradually returning to pre-
pandemic levels.
Application of bias correction to the Met Office operational storm surge forecast
Authors: O'Neill Clare , Saulter Andy , Stokes Christopher , Gómez Breogán
Published: January 2025

The Met Office runs an operational storm surge forecast system for the UK based on a 7 km configuration of NEMO forced by wind and air pressure from Met Office global atmosphere forecasts. The water level forecast comprises the surge residual from the model added to the harmonic tide prediction derived from observations.

A new automated bias correction has been added to the system to improve forecast performance. The correction has 3 components: a mean sea level correction to account for different mean sea levels in the forced and unforced model runs, a monthly correction to account for the atmospheric component included in harmonic tide predictions, and an empirical constant correction to account for sea level rise and other effects not currently included in the surge model.

The correction scheme is shown to significantly improve the overall forecast skill compared to the original uncorrected forecast. The number of forecasts that fall outside the target 20 cm accuracy is reduced from an average of 17% (whole tide cycle) and 22% (high waters only) to less than 6% (in both cases). The average RMS error is reduced from 14 cm (whole tide cycle) and 15 cm (high waters) to 9 cm (in both cases) and the average bias is reduced from 11 cm to 1cm (all tide cycle) and 13 cm to 3 cm (high waters).

The correction was added to the operational system in August 2024.
QUESTIONS OF THE USAGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN MODERN SCIENCE AND MEDICINE (LITERATURE REVIEW)
Authors: KRAMKO D.A. , ARTAMONAVA V.V. , DEVYALTOVSKAYA M.G.
Published: January 2025

The article presents a review of the literature on aspects of the use of artificial intelligence in modern science and medicine. The characteristics of artificial intelligence systems, their main features, application prospects, and impact on the development of science and medicine are given. The issues of transparency, explicability and comprehensibility of its use, synergy between medicine and artificial intelligence technology are consideredon the use of artificial intelligence in modern science and medicine.
PROBLEMS OF INTRAVASCULAR ACCESS IN NEWBORNS (A LITERATURE REVIEW)
Authors: KRASTELEVA I.M. , RYABOVA M.S.
Published: January 2025

Establishing vascular access is a basic skill in neonatology. However, small vessel caliber, anatomical variations, and lack of experience often create technical problems for 292 medical personnel and stressful situations for the newborn. Taking into account the severity of the child's condition, the spectrum and properties of the necessary drugs, the doctor determines the optimal anatomical zone and vessel for subsequent venipuncture, assesses the technical risks of performing the procedure, and selects the optimal device for vascular access
CHOICE OF SURGICAL TACTICS FOR DUODENAL OBSTRUCTION IN NEWBORNS
Authors: MALYSHKO E.I. , VALIOK L.V. , SVIRSKIJ A.A. , IGNATENKO V.A.
Published: January 2025

This article presents the result of treatment of congenital duodenal obstruction in the State Institution "Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Pediatric Surgery" over the past 6 years. The experience of surgical treatment of 61 newborns and 7 is described. Six children were previously operated in other hospitals. The variety of pathomorphological variants of congenital duodenal obstruction determines the use of various types of surgical interventions. In order to improve the results of treatment, it is necessary to determine the surgical tactics depending on the cause of the obstruction. With duodenal atresia and annular pancreas, the operation is duodeno- duodenoanastomosis technique of Kimura. Duodenotomy and membrane excision are made with the membrane of the duodenum. With anomalies of rotation and fixation dissect of embryonic strands. Balloon dilatation is a minimally invasive and highly effective technique for the surgical treatment of congenital duodenal obstruction caused by a perforated membrane.
MODERN APPROACHES TO THE TREATMENT OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN CHILDREN
Authors: NAZARCHUK I.I.
Published: January 2025

The article provides a review of the main 5 classes of drugs used to treat arterial hypertension in children. A classification of drugs according to the mechanism of action, chemical structure, pharmacological properties and duration of action is presented. Medical indications and contraindications for use, as well as adverse reactions when prescribing angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, β-blockers and diuretics were determined. The results of randomized controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs in the treatment of hypertension in children are reviewed
Impact of Fake News on Trust in Journalism
Authors: Qasim Hussein Raheem
Published: January 2025

Fake news’ has become one of the major problems of the modern journalism that undermines the very basis of the democratic states – trust. This paper analyses the effects that fake news have on the credibility and the media institutions more widely among the public. Using surveys, interviews and content analysis, the reduced trust levels in participants exposed to fake news are clearly evidenced in the study. This paper argues that social network sites are the leading sources of fake news, thereby worsening the general decline in confidence. Furthermore, the paper analyses psychological factors affecting the level of trust in journalism and the overall consequences of the trend for civic journalism. Concerning the present fundamental problem of falsification and misleading information in the information sphere, the goal of this study is to expand the discussion on how to restore confidence in journalism in the context of modern digital reality and revealing the ways to counteract the spread of fake news foster media literacy.
Integrating Spirituality and Politics: Insights from Islam and Christianity on Religiosity and Governance in Contemporary Society
Authors: Sqalli Houssaini Othman
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the spiritual and the political in contemporary times through an analysis of two contrasting approaches linking the spiritual and political spheres. This is achieved through an examination of religious values, spiritual beliefs, political objectives, and an exploration of Sufism’s interconnectedness between the spiritual and political realms. The study also examines the religious foundations of the Moroccan model of religiosity characterized by the institution of the Commandery of the Faithful and its principles in modern governance, with a focus on integrating spiritual values into leadership for societal harmony. The findings of this research, based on an analytical study of literary theories and a comparative study of governance and spirituality in Islam and Christianity, underscore the crucial importance of balancing spirituality and politics to address modern socio-economic and environmental challenges. The study also emphasizes the significance of balanced governance that respects religious diversity spiritual insights, and value-driven leadership for societal well-being.
The Impact of the Audit Committee on Financial Performance in Moroccan SMEs: An Empirical Examination
Authors: Laaroussi Hanae , Tbatou Mohamed Amine , Aziz Babounia
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the impact of audit committees on the financial performance of Moroccan SMEs, emphasizing the significanceof context and its added value. Additionally, it examines the governance system’s influence on audit committee independence and explores variables related to audit committee characteristics. Drawing from a sample of 58 Moroccan SMEs, the study spans a 4-year period from 2018 to 2022. Through the utilization of regression analysis, findings reveal challenges to the audit committee’s total independence, attributed to a dual system and limited committee size. Consequently, Moroccan SMEs audit committees face constraints in fulfilling their responsibilities, particularly in financial statement review, potentially impeding SMEs financial performance and growth. This research contributes to the understanding of governance dynamics within MoroccanSMEs, highlighting the importance of context and offering insights into the complexities of audit committees.
The Influence Of Price Perception And Service Quality On Repurchase Intention Of Grabbike (Survey on UNPER Students Using GrabBike Transportation Services)
Authors: Triani Santi , Askolani  , Arif
Published: January 2025

This study aims to determine the simultaneous and partial influence of price perception and service quality on Grabbike consumer repurchase intention. The research method used is quantitative with a survey approach to 100 respondents at the University of Perjuangan students who have used Grabbike. The type of data used is primary data and secondary data. The analysis technique used is multiple regression using SPSS version 25. Based on the results of this study, it shows that price perception and service quality simultaneously have a positive and significant effect on repurchase intention. Price perception partially has a significant effect on repurchase intention and service quality partially has a significant effect on repurchase intention of Grabbike users at the University of Perjuangan Tasikmalaya students.
The Effect of Brand Image and Product Quality on Buying Interest in Specs Futsal Shoes
Authors: Rhamadhony Prayoga , Gayatri Ida Ayu Made Er Meytha , Rahman Abdul
Published: January 2025

Brand image is a guideline that consumers use to judge a product when they do not have enough knowledge about a product. Product quality is the core of a marketing activity because the product is the output or result of one of the company's activities or activities that can be offered to the target market to meet the needs and desires of consumers and buying interest is a type of consumer behavior that occurs as a response to an object that shows the consumer's desire to buy something.
This thesis is entitled The Influence of Brand Image and Product Quality on the Interest in Buying Futsal Specs Shoes at the Queen Style Shop in South Bengkulu. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of brand image and quality in the face of buying futsal shoes Specs.
This study uses a qualitative research method, the sample that was researched in this study amounted to 98 peopel and sample sampling using the incidental sampling mothod. Based on the multiple linear results, the regression equation Y=0.233+0.029X1+0.0652X2 was obtained. The results of the research showed that the value of R²=0.982 The results of the study and hypothesis showed that citra merek (X1) had a significant increase in buying interest, namely t calculate t tables (0.504>0.167)and(sig a+0.001 ltables (0.651>0.05) and (sig a=0.001 ftables (12.149>0.167) and (sig a = 0.001 < 0.050).
Religious Conversion and Indigenous Identity: The Context of Oraons in Chotanagpur
Authors:   Xavier Institute of Social Service, Kujur, SJ Joseph Marianus
Published: January 2025

The present study deals with the conceptual framework of ‘Christians of Tribal Origin’—either born or converted. The study of identity formation and articulation of the ethnic Oraons is in the context of religious conversion in the Chotanagpur region of eastern India using ethnographic methodology. The complexity of the identity question of the Oraon community is examined under five sub-headings. The paper concludes that both the religious conversion and tribal identity are multifaceted through the historical deposit of collective actions and experiences in the ethnic formation of a new religious community in the context of Oraon tribals converting to Christianity. The paper argues that despite the experience of fragmentation, there are negotiations, restructuring, and convergence of the old and the new based on the common grounds of culture, land and other resources, and the dreams, hopes, and aspirations of the community.
CUANTIFICACIÓN DE LOS NIVELES DE CARGA VIRAL DE SARS-COV-2 POR PCR EN TIEMPO REAL EN INDIVIDUOS REFERIDOS AL INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE HIGIENE “RAFAEL RANGEL”
Authors: Ross Valerie , Caraballo Génesis , D'ANGELO PIERINA , Gutierrez Cristina
Published: January 2025

Introducción: COVID-19, infección viral altamente transmisible y patógena causada por el SARS-CoV-2, surgió en China y se extendió por el mundo creando una pandemia. Se ha demostrado que la dinámica viral tiene influencia en el progreso de la enfermedad. Es importante contar con herramientas que permitan evaluar su curso. Por ello, se propone estandarizar la técnica de qRT-PCR para la cuantificación de los niveles de carga viral del SARS-CoV-2. Objetivo: Estandarizar la técnica de qRT-PCR para la cuantificación de los niveles de carga viral del SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes referidos al Instituto Nacional de Higiene “Rafael Rangel” (INHRR). Metodología: Se realizó una curva de calibración a partir de un estándar del gen E del SARS-CoV-2 con 108 copias virales/μL, se realizaron diluciones seriadas 1:10 y se establecieron 8 puntos para obtener la función lineal necesaria mediante los métodos estadísticos adecuados. Se cuantificó la carga viral de 230 muestras provenientes del tracto respiratorio superior mediante qRT-PCR, extraídas previamente con el método de perlas magnéticas y/o columnas de sílica gel. Resultados: Se obtuvo una curva estándar de calibración con un coeficiente de correlación (r2 ) de 0,9959 y Eficiencia (E) de 79%. Se correlacionó el Ct obtenido de las muestras con el número de copias virales presentes en ellas, obteniéndose un promedio de carga viral que oscila en el orden de 104 copias virales/μL en sintomáticos y 103 copias virales/μL en asintomáticos. Conclusión: Este trabajo representa el primer reporte de estandarización de una metodología para la cuantificación de los niveles de carga viral del SARS-CoV-2 en muestras del tracto respiratorio superior en Venezuela, para la implementación y uso de una herramienta útil en el monitoreo de los casos de COVID-19. Se observó que los niveles de carga viral en las muestras de estudio presentaban un promedio de carga viral que oscila en el orden de 103 - 104 copias virales/
ESTUDIO PILOTO DEL EFECTO DEL TIPO Y CONSERVACION DE LA MUESTRA Y MÉTODO, EN LA MEDICION DE LA CONCENTRACION DE LAS FRACCIONES C3 Y C4 DEL COMPLEMENTO.
Authors: Mayora Soriuska , Martínez Wendy , Crespo Francis , Belisario Inirida , Medina Christian José , De Sanctis Juan Bautista , García Alexis
Published: January 2025

La determinación del complemento juega un papel importante en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de enfermedades inflamatorias y de origen autoinmune, es por ello que a lo largo del tiempo los laboratorios han intensificado esfuerzos en desarrollar e implementar técnicas que permitan evaluar de manera eficiente estos biomarcadores. Recientemente se ha propuesto que, para el análisis de componentes individuales del complemento, debe usarse el plasma anticoagulado con ácido etilendiaminotetracético (EDTA), especialmente cuando se miden productos de activación, y que además la conservación de las muestras debe hacerse a -80ºC. Sin embargo, en Venezuela la mayoría de los laboratorios siguen utilizando muestras de suero y solo tienen disponibilidad de congeladores de -20°C. Es por ello que nos planteamos los siguientes objetivos: Comparar las concentraciones obtenidas para la determinación de C3 y C4 utilizando muestras de suero y plasma, evaluar el desempeño de las técnicas de nefelometría e inmunodifusión radial (IDR) para la determinación de las fracciones C3 y C4 del complemento y, por último, determinar el grado de afectación de la muestra, posterior al primer ciclo de congelación a -20°C y descongelación de las mismas. Para ello se evaluaron muestras de suero y plasma obtenidas de 12 individuos. Se evidenció que las muestras de plasma-EDTA mostraron mejor correlación entre ambas técnicas evaluadas, se confirmó la superioridad de la técnica de nefelometría sobre la IDR y se demostró que la prueba de C3 es menos sensible a la descongelación de las muestras que la determinación del C4.
More than Just Another Piece of the Puzzle
Authors: Chaker Sarah
Published: January 2025

This article offers an empirically based description and analysis of the social situation of musicians living and working in Austria whose activities include engagement in cultural and art mediation. The quantitative-empirical data confirms existing findings on the portfolio careers of musicians today: the vast majority of the musicians surveyed are en-gaged in a mix of activities (sometimes close to, sometimes distant from their artistic practice) in their everyday life as “artrepreneurs”, as a way to make their living in a chal-lenging, neoliberalised working environment. Not only the range of their professional activities along real-time, ideal-time and economic dimensions are addressed, but also forms of employment, educational background, average annual net income and stress levels in the music profession. These musicians are compared with another group of mu-sicians from the same data sample who were not active in cultural and art mediation at the time of the survey. In their interrelation, the results show how the handling of a pref-erably broad mix of activities and skills is rewarded in the musical field in economic terms, although the social situation nevertheless remains fundamentally difficult and precarious for many of the respondents. Finally, the extent to which practices of cultural and art mediation may contribute to the emergence of a new, socially and civically en-gaged type of musician of the future is discussed.
Concientización automatizada en el proceso de gestión de reciclaje
Authors: Aguirre German , Cando Orlando , Columba Ambar , Guamba Cristian , Tipan Gissela
Published: January 2025

La finalidad de este trabajo es mejorar la gestión de reciclaje en Quito, contribuyendo al desarrollo sostenible y la protección ambiental. Al proporcionar un aplicativo móvil y página web que fomente la educación y participación ciudadana en el reciclaje, se busca resolver problemas de gestión ineficiente de residuos y promover una cultura de reciclaje y reutilización a nivel regional y nacional. El proyecto se lleva a cabo para facilitar y promover el reciclaje entre los ciudadanos de Quito mediante una plataforma integrada (aplicación móvil y sitio web). El impacto directo será un aumento en la tasa de reciclaje, una mayor conciencia ambiental y una mejora en la eficiencia de la recolección de residuos.
Repertorio de tácticas del movimiento feminista en la región de La Araucanía, Chile. Periodo 1990 a 2020
Authors: Sanhueza Diaz Lilian , Mora Guerrero Gloria , Castillo Muñoz Andrea
Published: January 2025

Se analizaron las experiencias en torno al repertorio de tácticas del movimiento feminista regional en La Araucanía, Chile, entre 1990 y 2020 a partir de testimonios de mujeres que se autoadscriben a esta movilización. Con base en antecedentes sobre las transformaciones del feminismo latinoamericano desde los años ochenta en adelante, se realizó una investigación cualitativa con diseño de teoría fundamentada y datos empíricos acumulados en un programa de investigación iniciado en 2013. Los resultados evidenciaron que, en el periodo estudiado, el movimiento feminista en La Araucanía pasó de la acción descentralizada de diversas organizaciones a adquirir un carácter de red, a la vez que se mantuvo actuando a través de multiplicidad de tácticas como la acción socioeducativa, la construcción de identidades y la conciencia de género. Se concluye, mostrando el amplio repertorio de acción feminista relatado por las propias protagonistas y se alienta a explorar los actuales desafíos que conjugan articulaciones de lo local con lo global.
Teaching with Cases to Enhance the Clinical Problem-Solving Skills and Integration Skills of Fourth-Term Chiropractic Students
Authors: Talmage Dorrie M.
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this project was to implement lecture-based cases into the traditional lecture time to see if it would enhance the students’ problem-solving and integration skills and their ability to retain information. The project involved two different classes of fourth-term chiropractic students from the spring and fall 2000 trimesters in a course entitled ‘‘Clinical Orthopedics and Neurology I,’’ a neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis course. The Spring class (66 students: 16 females and 50 males) was the control group and received a traditional 2-hour lecture each week. The fall class (81 students: 18 females and 63 males) was the experimental group and received 1 hour of traditional lecture combined with 1 hour of clinical cases in the 2-hour per week time block. The entering grade point averages and units for the two groups were compared to ascertain if there were statistically significant differences between the two groups. t -Tests were used to measure how each class performed on three multiple-choice examinations. The examinations included two types of questions, those that evaluated knowledge/recall and those that evaluated integration. The t -tests assessed what percentage of each group answered all the questions correctly, what percentage of each group answered the knowledge/recall questions correctly, and what percentage answered the integration questions correctly. In addition, a satisfaction survey was developed and given to the experimental group. There were no statistical differences between the control and experimental groups at baseline. In evaluating the first examination, no statistical difference was found between the two groups (p = .6). On the second examination, a statistical difference of 4% was found (p = .025) on how both groups performed on the test. On the final examination, a statistical difference of 2% was found (p = .19). However, there was no difference on the students’ performance on the knowledge/recall questions (p = .98). The difference of 4% was found in their performance on the integration questions (p = .02). The survey indicated that the students enjoyed the unfolding cases; they found them to be more challenging, they helped with both recall and integration, and they felt they were relevant to their future practice experience. The students were split as to whether teaching with cases required more study time or not. The results supported the hypothesis that the students’ ability to integrate information would improve, but did not support the hypothesis that their ability to retain basic knowledge would improve. A follow-up study (i.e., retention test) between the two groups would be necessary to show if a significant difference exists in their long-term ability to retain knowledge and integrate information. A satisfaction survey indicated that the students preferred teaching with cases to traditional lectures. (The Journal of Chiropractic Education 15(2): 53–60, 2001)
Bridge Structural Health Monitoring under Moving Loads: A Time-varying Perspective
Authors: Shi Mengya
Published: January 2025

With the rapid development of our country's economy, as the main hub of transportation, bridge undertakes increasingly heavy traffic tasks, and its safety requirements are getting higher and higher. In order to quickly and effectively judge the location and degree of damage of Bridges during service, effective measures can be taken to ensure the safe operation of Bridges, which makes the application of bridge structural damage identification technology more and more extensive in the field of bridge engineering. This paper reviews the research status, methods and challenges of time-varying bridge damage identification under moving loads, aiming to provide reference for relevant researchers. Firstly, the damage identification method based on dynamic response is proposed. The advantage of this method is that there is no need to interrupt traffic. Secondly, the strain energy-based damage identification methods focus on leveraging variations in strain energy distributions to detect and quantify damage in structures. The method is particularly effective as they relate directly to structural deformation and energy dissipation. In addition, a damage identification method based on wavelet packet decomposition is proposed. This method can reconstruct the signal to further highlight the damage information and improve the accuracy of recognition. Finally, the characteristics of each method are summarized and some problems and challenges in the study of time-varying damage of Bridges are put forward.
First Report of Banana Streak Virus Infecting Banana in Burkina Faso
Authors: Ouattara Bakary , Koala Moustapha , Kaboré Emmanuel , Tapsoba Hermann , Dakouo Thyérry Kiébè , Koita Kadidia , Wonni Issa , Sérémé Drissa
Published: January 2025

Banana plants (Musa spp), both food and economic crops, are potential hosts for a various range of badnavirus species considered a major constraint to banana improvement and a threat to Musa production worldwide. A survey and sample collection were carried out in two main banana-growing regions of Burkina Faso. The samples collected were subjected to biological, serological and molecular diagnosis of the reverse transcriptase/ribonuclease H (RT/RNase H) region using Badna FP/RP primers, followed by sequence comparison with the Genbank database. Analyses confirmed the presence of Banana streak virus (BSV) in all symptomatic samples tested in both regions. Amplification bands of the expected size were obtained for the symptomatic samples tested positive in the serological test. These partial RT/RNase H gene sequences shared highest nucleotide identity ranging from 85.80% to 99.05% with BSV isolates in GenBank. These results are proof of the existence of BSV in Burkina Faso. It is therefore important to undertake  studies that will provide basic information on the virus for the development of effective control strategies.
Phytochemical Characterization of Essential Oils from Plants of the Genus Cinnamomum and their Effect on Diarrhea and Disruption of the Intestinal Epithelium Induced by 5-FU
Authors: Sousa Ian Jhemes Oliveira , Costa Douglas Soares da , Neto Flaviano Ribeiro Pinheiro , Gonçalves Rodrigo Lopes Gomes , Nogueira Kerolayne de Melo , Pereira Ester Miranda , Sousa Aline Jeane Costa , Carvalho Camila Ernanda Sousa de , Carmo Iolanda Souza do , Sousa Edymilaís da Silva , Neto José de Sousa Lima , Lima Sidney Gonçalo de , Almeida Fernanda Regina de Castro , Oliveira Rita de Cássia Meneses
Published: January 2025

Aims: This article aims to evaluate the phytochemical characteristics and biological activity of Cinnamomum cassia Blume and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume essential oils, specifically their effects on weight loss, diarrhea, and epithelial damage in a murine model of 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis.
Study Design: The study consisted of a controlled experimental design using a murine model to evaluate the therapeutic potential of essential oils in intestinal mucositis induced by chemotherapy with 5-FU.
Study Location: This research was conducted at the Medicinal Plant Research Center (NPPM), Federal University of Piauí, State of Brazil.
Methodology: The study included albino (swiss) mus muscullus mice weighing 30-40 g, divided into different groups (n = 7 per group) to analyze the effects of essential oils administered orally. Essential oils were extracted from the bark of Cinnamomum species and characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Mucositis was induced using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and the effects of essential oils on animals were assessed by measuring animal body mass, diarrhea score, and assessing epithelial damage using lactate dehydrogenase release.
Results: The analysis showed that both oils contained predominantly cinnamaldehyde, with significant variation in phytochemical diversity. Treatment with essential oils attenuated weight loss and severity of 5-FU-induced diarrhea. Specifically, the highest dose (50 mg/kg/day) of both essential oils significantly reduced lactate dehydrogenase levels, indicating reduced epithelial damage. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post-test, with results showing significant differences (p < 0.05) in treatment effects compared to the control group.
Conclusion: This study contributes to the theory that the observed beneficial effects of Cinnamomum cassia and Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils can be attributed to their distinct phytochemical compositions. While Cinnamomum zeylanicum oil exhibits greater phytochemical diversity, Cinnamomum cassia oil is characterized by a higher proportion of cinnamaldehyde, constituting approximately 80% of its composition. The more pronounced effects observed with Cinnamomum cassia oil may suggest a potential synergistic dynamic where high cinnamaldehyde content plays a critical role, highlighting the importance of specific concentrations of compounds to achieve therapeutic efficacy.
Mindfulness Meditation: A Hellenic Perspective Through Quantitative and Qualitative Study
Authors: Callifronas Michael. D. , Kaltsouni Aikaterini
Published: January 2025

Mindfulness facilitates accepting with kindness and non-judgmentally the reality of the present moment and acknowledge the pleasant or unpleasant feelings caused by the present situation or by automatic negative thoughts. Continued practice cultivates awareness, willingness, and a positive outlook on stressful events, thereby helping to fully experience moments with greater insight and wisdom while leading to a greater sense of Meaning in Life and a greater sense of control. We present and discuss our quantitative and qualitative study of an 8-session mindfulness workshop, which was organised to study the compatibility and impact of mindfulness meditation on Greek participants and their cultural and social context. It we conducted in two groups with different durations. One group had sessions every week, and a second group met fortnightly. The design was quasi-experimental. Results showed overall significant baseline differences with medium to large effect sizes across three of the five facets of the FFMQ and the General Mindfulness Questionnaire. Furthermore, the fortnightly group showed clearly better results than the weekly group with larger effect sizes and higher significance differences. Potential effects of the workshop on members’ behavior and well-being are discussed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The results showed overall satisfactory medium to large effect sizes and significant differences in three facets, ‘non-react’, ‘observe’ and ‘non-judge’ and the fortnightly session group clearly showed better outcomes than the weekly sessions group.
Examining the Impact of Integrated Fertility Management in Fruit Crops: A Literature Review
Authors: Chaurasia Jitendra , Tripathi V. K. , Pandey Shiwanand , Kumar Amit , Tripathi Riddhima
Published: January 2025

Efficient nutrient management is crucial for maximizing fruit production, improving quality and ensuring long-term sustainability in agricultural systems. This study examines the contributions of macronutrients, micronutrients and organic fertilizer to improving soil fertility and promoting the establishment of high-quality fruit crops. In addition, the study the influence of chemical fertilizers and plant growth regulators on the physiological processes that are crucial for optimizing fruit yield. The study highlights the importance of integrated nutrient management strategies, that include combining of organic and inorganic input, to achieve a harmonious balance between maximizing fruit harvest and ensuring long-term soil health. The results suggest that this strategy improves the quantity and quality of fruits produced and promotes sustainable agriculture by reducing its impact on the environment. These results provide important information for fruit growers and agronomists who want to maximize fruit yield by implementing balanced and sustainable nutrient management strategies. This approach ensures both immediate agricultural success and long-term conservation of soil and environmental resources for future generations.
Observational approaches to chimpanzee behavior in an African sanctuary: Implications for research, welfare, and capacity‐building
Authors: Rosati Alexandra G. , Sabbi Kris H. , Bryer Margaret A. H. , Barnes Paige , Rukundo Joshua , Mukungu Titus , Sekulya Phillip , Ampeire Innocent , Aligumisiriza Hillary , Kyama Stanley , Masereka Joseph , Nabukeera Winnie , Okello Amos , Waiga Boris , Atwijuze Seezi , Peña Natalia Camargo , Cantwell Averill , Felsche Elisa , Flores‐Mendoza Kelly , Mohamed Safa , Monroe Isabelle , Mulhinch Megan , O'Gorman Kathleen , Salamango Julia , Shamah Rayna , Otali Emily , Wrangham Richard W. , Machanda Zarin P.
Published: July 2023

Research in African ape sanctuaries has emerged as an important context for our understanding of comparative cognition and behavior. While much of this work has focused on experimental studies of cognition, these animals semi‐free‐range in forest habitats and therefore can also provide important information about the behavior of primates in socioecologically‐relevant naturalistic contexts. In this “New Approaches” article, we describe a project where we implemented a synthetic program of observational data collection at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Uganda, directly modeled after long‐term data collection protocols at the Kibale Chimpanzee Project in Uganda, a wild chimpanzee field site. The foundation for this project was a strong partnership between sanctuary staff, field site staff, and external researchers. We describe how we developed a data‐collection protocol through discussion and collaboration among these groups, and trained sanctuary caregivers to collect novel observational data using these protocols. We use these data as a case study to examine: (1) how behavioral observations in sanctuaries can inform primate welfare and care practices, such as by understanding aggression within the group; (2) how matched observational protocols across sites can inform our understanding of primate behavior across different contexts, including sex differences in social relationships; and (3) how more robust collaborations between foreign researchers and local partners can support capacity‐building in primate range countries, along with mentoring and training students more broadly.
Boom‐and‐bust cycles of holothurian (sea cucumber) populations in the Chagos Archipelago: An indication of poaching or natural processes?
Authors: Widman Elizabeth A. , Collins Claire , Evans Lowri , Price Andrew R. G.
Published: July 2023

The Chagos Archipelago is a remote Indian Ocean atoll of international conservation significance. Holothurians (sea cucumbers) are a major resource and influence reef health. Past populations have fluctuated from poaching and natural events.

Visual censuses of holothurians were conducted in 62 shallow‐water transects within four atolls of Chagos in 2014, 4 years after creation of the Marine Protected Area, to determine its possible influence on holothurians.

Comparison with data from the same locations in 2006 and 2010, using the same methodologies, showed significant overall population decline at Diego Garcia, recovery at Salomon (significant) and Peros Banhos (not significant), and no significant change on the Great Chagos Bank.

The median abundance of Holothuria atra and Bohadschia sp(p.) decreased at Diego Garcia, while that of Stichopus chloronotus increased at Diego Garcia and Salomon atolls. Changes for other species were less marked.

Diego Garcia, Salomon and Peros Bahnos showed a decline in diversity (no. of holothurian taxa and/or Shannon index, H), but diversity has been relatively stable on the Great Chagos Bank.

All atolls, except Diego Garcia, are uninhabited and illegal fishing of holothurians, principally by Sri Lankan fishers, appears to have eased since 2005/2006, based on evaluation of 299 patrol survey reports. This may have led to the recovery or stabilization of populations in the outer atolls of Salomon, Peros Banhos atolls and the Great Chagos Bank.

The reasons for holothurian decline at Diego Garcia, where exploitation is also prohibited (but cannot be ruled out), are unclear. Population patterns on all islands may reflect both natural fluctuations and disturbance events, including changing exploitation pressure.

Conservation requirements include periodic re‐censusing of holothurians and ongoing monitoring of illegal fishing to help safeguard populations and the integrity of the Marine Protected Area.
Tetraplegic spinal cord injury as a presentation of multiple myeloma: A case report
Authors: Smith Leon Edward , Li Vicky Ying , Chan Simon
Published: July 2023

Key Clinical Message

Spinal cord injury is a devastating complication of cancers that exert physical compression on the spinal cord. Multiple myeloma is known predominantly as a condition that involves bony structures and can manifest with complications such as pathological fractures. However, involvement of other structures including spinal cord is a possible complication, with potentially catastrophic consequences. We describe a case of multiple myeloma presenting initially as severe paraplegia secondary to spinal cord compression in a 79‐year‐old man.
Predictors of child student engagement in elementary school: A mixed‐methods study exploring the role of externalising problems
Authors: Ribeiro Ana Raquel , Pereira Ana Isabel , Pedro Marta , Roberto Magda Sofia
Published: July 2023

Student engagement promotes school learning and adaptation and can be a protective factor for children who are vulnerable to school failure. A longitudinal mixed‐methods study was conducted to identify individual, family and school predictors of children's school engagement as well as to explore the facilitators of and obstacles to student engagement at school amongst children with externalising problems. The sample consisted of 369 elementary school children (53.7% girls) and their parents as well as 35 teachers. Participants completed several measures to evaluate emotional and behavioural engagement at school, externalising behaviours, parental emotional support, parental involvement with the school and student–teacher relationships. Semi structured interviews were conducted with a subsample of 17 parents of children with high levels of externalising problems. Problems with externalising behaviours and student–teacher relationships were significant predictors of school engagement. Parents’ reports showed that family support, positive student–teacher relationships, and positive relationships with peers are the main facilitators of school engagement in children with high levels of externalising problems. Our study highlights the role played by externalising problems in school engagement. Limitations of the study and implications for prevention research and practice are discussed.

Highlights

This study aimed to analyse individual, family and school predictors of children's school engagement and to explore the facilitators of and obstacles to school engagement in a subsample of children with high levels of externalising problems.

A mixed method design consisting of a longitudinal quantitative and cross‐sectional qualitative approach was used.

The quantitative results show that problems with externalising behaviours and student–teacher relationships were significant predictors of school engagement.

The qualitative results show that family support, positive student–teacher relationships and positive relationships with peers are the main facilitators of school engagement in children with high levels of externalising problems
Data‐driven 1D wave propagation for site response analysis
Authors: Garcia‐Suarez Joaquin , Cornet Arthur , Wattel Sacha , Molinari Jean‐François
Published: July 2023

Prediction of ground motion triggered by earthquakes is a prime concern for both the seismology community and geotechnical earthquake engineering one. The subfield occupied with such a problem is termed site response analysis (SRA), its one‐dimensional flavor (1D‐SRA) being particularly popular given its simplicity. Despite the simple geometrical setting, a paramount challenge remains when it comes to numerically consider intense shaking in the soft upper soil strata of the crust: how to mathematically model the high‐strain, dissipative, potentially rate‐dependent soil behavior. Both heuristics models and phenomenological constitutive laws have been developed to meet the challenge, neither of them being exempt of either numerical limitations or physical inadequacies or both. We propose herein to bring the novel data‐driven paradigm to bear, thus giving away with the need to construct constitutive behavior models altogether. Data‐driven computational mechanics (DDCM) is a novel paradigm in solid mechanics that is gaining popularity; in particular, the multiscale version of it relies on studying the response of the microstructure (in the case of soil, representative volumes containing grains) to populate a dataset that is later used to inform the response at the macroscale. This article presents the first application of multiscale DDCM to 1D‐SRA: first, we demonstrate its capacity to handle wave propagation problems using discrete datasets, obtained via sampling grain ensembles using the discrete element method (DEM), in lieu of a constitutive law and then we apply it specifically to analyze the propagation of harmonic waves in a soft soil deposit that overlies rigid bedrock. The soil in this application displays elastic yet non‐linear response that is depth‐dependent due to evolving overburden pressure. We validate the implementation via comparison to regular finite elements analyses (FEA), discuss the benefits of using DD, and demonstrate that traditional amplification functions are recovered when using the DDCM. Finally, we discuss a number of future work opportunities that lie ahead of this proof‐of‐concept, chiefly in terms of site‐specific studies and incorporating more complex realistic traits of soil behavior. This project was developed using open‐source software and the relevant code is freely made available to other researchers.
Thermal characteristics of expandable graphite as a burning rate enhancer in hybrid propulsion
Authors: Muller Gabriele T. , Zamir Inna , Gany Alon
Published: July 2023

Hybrid propulsion, consisting of solid fuel and liquid oxidizer, exhibits major advantage regarding safety, development costs, energetic performance, and controllability. Hence, it has been considered for space and other propulsion programs. One of the characteristic features of hybrid motors, that may be of major disadvantage, is their relatively low thrust due to the characteristic low regression rate of the typical polymeric solid fuels. This research group had revealed that a small fraction of an expandable graphite (EG) additive could double the burning rate and thrust of hybrid motors. EG is an intercalated form of graphite, elongating and swelling, getting a worm‐like string shape at elevated temperatures. In an earlier work it was hypothesized that enhanced heat transfer via conduction through the EG strings protruding from the hot surface, is a significant parameter increasing the burning rate. In the present investigation, thermal analysis revealed that the ignition temperature of polyester fuel containing 5 wt% of EG, is substantially lower than that of the pure polymer, which may promote higher burning rate as well. High‐speed photography of the surface of EG‐containing solid fuels as well as that of individual EG particles during controlled heating, demonstrated the dynamic behavior resulting in the formation of EG strings longer by an order of magnitude compared to the original particles. The different phenomena were related to the observation of enhanced burning rate.
Cultivating culturally sustaining integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classrooms: A narrative inquiry case study of a science teacher
Authors: Tran Khanh Q. , Selcen Guzey S.
Published: July 2023

Culturally sustaining pedagogies have encouraged scholars to reimagine and rebuild justice‐oriented classrooms across context and disciplines and provide opportunities for students to reclaim their ways of knowing and doing in schools. In this study, we seek to contextualize culturally sustaining teaching practices in integrated science and engineering middle school classrooms. In collaboration with Mrs. Johnson, a veteran science and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) middle school teacher from the Midwest, this study draws on culturally sustaining pedagogy to understand the experiences of Mrs. Johnson in teaching a diverse middle school. This study also brings sociotransformative constructivism into our conversation to situate Mrs. Johnson's positional identities, the ways in which she enacts her reflexivity, and power in considering how culturally sustaining classrooms are cultivated. Using a narrative inquiry and case study approach, we utilized narrative interviewing to generate stories in making meaning of Mrs. Johnson's lived experiences. We applied thematic narrative analysis to develop three narrative threads, highlighting Mrs. Johnson's intentionality nurturing space for students to cultivate multiple epistemologies and disrupting the status quo in science classrooms. Our study illuminates a complex narrative such as the intentionality of making multiple epistemologies explicit in learning science and engineering and the required racial reflexive work for cultivating a culturally sustaining and student‐focused STEM classrooms. We also highlight challenges Mrs. Johnson faces as she integrates students' lived experiences and alternative ways of knowing and doing in science and STEM teaching.