bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased Serum Levels of the Antioxidant Enzymes (Superoxide Dismutase-3 and Catalase) in Response to SCUBA Diving
Authors:   Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Sport Science, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran, Sharafabad Sofla Mohsen Amirnejad , NikSeresht Asghar ,   Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Sport Science, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran.
Published: September 2023

Background and Objectives Physical activity under high pressure such as scuba diving can cause oxidative stress. This study aims to investigate the effect of diving at a depth of 10 meters for 20 minutes on serum levels of antioxidant enzymes in male divers. Subjects and Methods In this quasi-experimental study, participants were 6 male divers who were selected from the divers of the Red Crescent rescue team in Yasuj, Iran. First, blood samples were taken from the subjects. Then, in less than five minutes, they reached the desired depth (10 meters) and started diving for 20 minutes. When they began to come up the surface, they had a safety stop at a depth of 3 meters for 5 minutes. When they reached the water surface, blood sampling was performed again immediately. Paired t-test was used for statistical analysis of data (P≤0.05). Results After diving, a significant increase was reported in serum levels of catalase (P=0.009) and superoxide dismutase-3 (P=0.002), compared to the pre-test phase. Conclusion Scuba diving at a depth of 10 meters for 20 minutes increases the serum levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase-3, which indicates the effect of diving on increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes.
Quality of Life of Parents of Children With Refractory Seizures Referred to a Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran
Authors:   Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medical, Ahvaz Jondishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran., Momen Ali Akbar , Aghajani Mirzanagh Masoud ,   Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medical, Ahvaz Jondishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran., Azizi mal Amiri Reza ,   Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medical, Ahvaz Jondishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran., Cheraghian Bahman ,   Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medical, Ahvaz Jondishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Published: September 2023

Background and Objectives Up to 25% of children with epilepsy experience resistance to treatment and recurrence of seizures and have low quality of life (QoL) in various dimensions. Limited evidence is available on the QoL of the parents of these patients in the south of Iran. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the QoL of parents with children having refractory epilepsy in Ahvaz, Iran Subjects and Methods Using a sequential sampling method, 157 parents of 113 children with refractory epilepsy who referred to the neurology clinic of Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz city during 2009-2016 were selected to participate in the study. The 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) was used to assess the QoL of parents. The significance level of statistical tests was set at 0.05. Results The mean age of parents was 35.2±8.5 years and the mean age of children was 7.1±2.6 years. Of 157 parents, 98 (62.4%) were mothers and the rest were fathers. The children had seizures for 3.1±1.6 years. The mean score of SF-36 was 62.6±21.4. In all domains of the SF-36, mothers had significantly lower scores than fathers (P<0.000). Conclusion The QoL of parents with children having resistant epilepsy, especially their mothers, in Ahvaz is lower compared to the general population of Iranian
Automation of the Algorithm for Designing a Reinforcement Scheme for a Structure Made of Composite Materials
Authors:   Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University, Polyakov V. A.
Published: September 2023

The paper considers the development and automation of an algorithm for designing a reinforcement scheme based on bending deformation. The algorithm is presented in the form of a block diagram. When searching for a reinforcement trajectory, the algorithm takes into account the specified criteria for searching and designing a scheme. On the basis of the algorithm, a program is developed that can operate with the data of the model under study, use them to construct and synthesize the reinforcement trajectory. The program code is based on a simple example – bending deformation. The stress-strain state (SSS) is analyzed, the deformation proceeds linearly and in one direction. As a result, the reinforcement paths are straight lines. For nonlinear deformation, this code provides a spline function that is used to construct curved trajectories. Automation of the algorithm for designing reinforcement trajectories in the form of a program made it possible to reduce the time of searching, processing and compiling trajectories.
Methodology for Choosing Methods for Forecasting Time Series of Cyber-Physical Systems of Fuel and Energy Complex Enterprises
Authors:   Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University, Plakhotnikov D. P.
Published: September 2023

At the moment, many time series forecasting models have been created. The initial data generated during the operation of cyber-physical systems can be used to predict the future state of the system. The article presents methods for obtaining and processing data on the parameters of cyber-physical systems, their cleaning and building a predictive model for different methods. The methods are compared in terms of the quality of the forecast and the duration of the model building. As a result, the most rational methods for forecasting the time series of cyber-physical systems depending on the predicted parameter were identified.
Analysis of the Temperature Field of the Main Gas Pipeline for the Purpose of Automation
Authors:   Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University, Novozhilov I. M. , Abramkin S. E. ,   Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University, Plotnikov A. V. ,   Management of Saint Petersburg Mining University, Kukharova T. V. ,   Management of Saint Petersburg Mining University
Published: September 2023

Natural gas transportation and storage processes play an important role in the gas industry. Due to the changing rheological properties of gas under the influence of external factors, industrialists face the question of the need to control the temperature field of existing pipelines. However, this is far from always possible. The authors of this study, from the point of view of system analysis, are developing two methods for assessing the thermal fields of the main gas pipeline. The obtained methods and equations make it possible to calculate the temperature field depending on the gas flow rate in the gas pipeline. The authors compare the methods obtained, proving their effectiveness. Ways of further development of this direction are analyzed.
Establishment of data mining-based public education administrative work automation system and student activity analysis
Authors: Joo Seung-Ryeol , Kim Jong-Chan , Kim Sung-Jun
Published: September 2023

There are several important factors in public education in Korea. Among them, it is very important to manage time to improve teachers’ educational capabilities and students’ grades. However, in Korea’s public education, the existing school administrative work system has to deal with miscellaneous procedures, hindering teachers from guiding students. As a result, students also give low trust in public education. This study introduces procedures for an integrated public education data management system to automate administrative tasks of teachers and increase students’ educational capabilities. By applying the Data Mining Problem Solving Methodology (ICAIS), we identified five stages in which data is processed. In addition, the activities required for students to go to college were processed with text mining techniques (from a simple word cloud to the construction of a neural network algorithm classification model), allowing students to check their grades themselves. Through this study, it reduces teachers’ chores, concentrates student education, and provides students with the educational purpose of a self-directed method that determines their career path.
Investigation of the Usability of Cationization Process in Towel Fabric Pretreatment and its Effect on Product Properties
Authors: KALKANLI TURAN Ece , ZERVENT ÜNAL Belkıs
Published: September 2023

In the scope of the study, it was aimed to examine the usability of cationization process instead of bleaching process in the pretreatment process of terry fabrics and the effect of these process parameters on fabric performance properties on tensile strength, softness and hydrophility values. For this purpose, 4 different towel fabrics with two different weights and two different pile raw materials (100% cotton and 100% modal) and all other characteristics are same, were produced. Then, sample fabrics were subjected to the cationization process at different concentrations after the bleaching process, while some of them were unbleached. After all the processes applied, the processed samples were tested in accordance with the standards. As a result, it was determined that applying cationization process instead of bleaching process contributed positively to terry fabrics in terms of tensile strength and softness, and acceptable results were obtained in terms of hydrophility.
ФОРМУВАННЯ ІНСТРУМЕНТАРІЮ ОЦІНКИ ВПЛИВУ ЕКОСИСТЕМНИХ ЗМІН НА СТАН ЕКОНОМІЧНИХ СИСТЕМ
Authors: Кириленко Максим , Кубатко Олександра , Треус Алла , Степаненко Євгенія , Міщенко Ярослав
Published: September 2023

У статті розглянуто поняття екосистеми, екосистемних послуг та їх значення для сучасних економічних систем. Особливу увагу приділено питанням змін у екосистемах, а також позитивному та негативному впливу, котрий зумовлений цими змінами. Проведено дослідження українських та закордонних наукових праць, котрі пропонують різноманітні методи економічної оцінки екосистемних послуг та змін у екосистемах у загальному плані. Визначено основні зони впливу екосистем на економічну діяльність. На прикладі галузі бджільництва продемонстровано наслідки змін у лісових та польових екоситемах. Показано, яким чином екосистемні зміни відкривають нові можливості для малого та середнього бізнесу. Розглянуто динамічну прикладну модель «імпульси діяльності – навантаження – стан – експозиція – результат – дії» (ІНСЕРД), котра застосовується для оцінювання стану сестейновості еколого-економічних систем різного рівня. Проаналізовано складові моделі ІНСЕРД та запропоновано подальші напрями її удосконалення. Проаналізовано окремі складові природних систем, котрі підвищують рівень стійкості, не лише екологічних систем, проте і економічних також. Зокрема, проаналізовано функції комах-запилювачіів, котрі виконують екосистемну функцію запилення ентомофільних рослин, що сприяє підвищенню якісних та кількісних показників урожайності, а також збереженню видів рослин і тварин. У той самий час, окремі економічні фактори зростання не є сестейновими по своїй природі. Зокрема, застосування інсектицидів та інших засобів захисту рослин є економічно ефективним лише в короткотерміновій перспективі. У більш широкому часовому контексті такі практики призводять до значних екосистемних та економічних втрат. Матеріали статті можуть бути корисними для представників малого та середнього бізнесу, чия діяльність пов’язана з природними екосистемними ресурсами, та для тих, хто готовий вкладати свій інтелектуальний та фінансовий капітал у сучасні екологічні напрями господарювання.
Models of medical rehabilitation: problems and solutions
Authors: Eremushkin M. A.
Published: September 2023

An analysis of the models of medical rehabilitation of domestic healthcare at the turn of the 20th-21st centuries is presented. The analysis of the concepts of the development of medical rehabilitation in the Russian Federation was carried out from the standpoint of the existing legal framework and the real situation in practical medicine. The main tendencies and trends in the improvement of medical rehabilitation in the near future are described. The regular connection between medical rehabilitation and sanatorium-and-spa treatment is indicated as a characteristic feature and originality of the national healthcare system in the paradigm of preventive medicine.
Enhancing Lives One Smart Device at a Time: The Importance of Using Technology to Develop Smarter Communities
Authors: Bernard Bradley
Published: September 2023

The term ‘smart technology’ has become a commonly used expression and has been integrated into many products and services to provide more efficiency when completing everyday tasks. But what happens when this technology is implemented on a larger scale, such as a community or even a city? This exploratory study uses findings from 15 interviews with technology practitioners from across North America to understand why this technology lacks adoption in North American cities, compared to other cities around the world. A conceptual model is proposed for municipalities considering the adoption of smart technology and the findings suggest that in order for municipalities to continuously improve, cities must provide their citizens and businesses with easier and convenient products and services, while educating on the risks to decrease digital illiteracy. Once a comfort level is established amongst citizens, adoption levels will increase, creating a smarter city.
Bioactive glass scaffolds for bone loss in revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA)
Authors: Shafaghi Romina
Published: September 2023

Bone loss that compromises implant fixation is a challenge in both total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). One method to address this is the use of bioactive glass scaffolds designed with adequate load bearing strength, a degradation rate that matches that of bone formation and a microstructure similar to that of human trabecular bone. 

Titania-containing borate bioactive glass scaffolds based on the glass system (52-X) B2O3-12 CaO-6P2O5-14Na2O-16ZnO-XTiO2 with X varying from 0, 5 and 15 mol% of TiO2 incorporated, identified as BRT0, BRT1 and BRT3 scaffolds, respectively, were fabricated using a polymer foam replication technique. Increasing TiO2 decreased the pore sizes and the porosity of the scaffolds, but they were nevertheless within the range for human trabecular bone. BRT3 scaffolds with greater TiO2 content exhibited superior mechanical properties (compressive strength, flexural rigidity and flexural strength) compared to BRT0 and BRT1 scaffolds. After 30 days in de-ionized water increases in TiO2 content from 0 to 15 mol % increased the compressive strength from 3 to 6 MPa. The flexural rigidity and flexural strength of the scaffolds were found to depend strongly on porosity. Moreover, the results showed that the compressive strengths of the scaffolds were within the range for human trabecular bone, however their flexural strengths were lower than that of human trabecular bone. Ion release profile studies determined that by increasing TiO2 the cumulative ion release from the scaffolds decreased remarkably. Also, it was observed that immersing the scaffolds in de-ionized water resulted in an increase in pH of all the scaffold extracts from 7.0 to 8.5 after 30 days. 

An In-vitro study of the borate bioactive glass scaffolds using an MTT assay revealed that ions released from BRT1and BRT3 had no significant effect on proliferation and activity of pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells at day 14. At day 30, all the scaffold extracts decreased proliferation and activity of MC3T3-E1 cells due to the closed nature of the test. However, live/dead cell assay results showed that the degradation products from all the scaffolds had no inhibitory effect on viability of MC3T3-E1 cells. BRT1 and BRT3 extracts also exhibited significant bactericidal efficacies against Escherishia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis. Moreover, evaluation of cell / bioactive glass surface interactions showed well-spread cells on BRT3 scaffolds. 

In conclusion, the superior physico-chemical, mechanical and biological properties of BRT3 scaffolds compared to BRT0 and BRT1 scaffolds, make them more desirable for addressing bone loss in rTKA.
Optimizing Ultrasound Settings in Ultrasound and Microbubble Treatment of ARDS
Authors: Ditmans Mihails
Published: September 2023

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe disorder commonly found in intensive care units (ICUs) and results in high mortality. Characterized by fluid leakage into alveolar sacs, the heterogeneity of injury reduces effectiveness of current treatments. Ultrasoundmediated microbubble treatment has been used to successfully deliver cargo in a targeted manner to injured lung tissue. To further develop this method as a treatment, the optimal ultrasound settings for efficient cargo delivery need to be established. An ultrasound phantom model was used to correlate ultrasound settings with varying amounts of inertial cavitation. Three ultrasound settings corresponding to mostly inertial cavitation, mostly stable cavitation, and a mix of both were used to delivery cargo to adherent cells. Inertial cavitation induced more delivery and decreased cell viability compared to non-inertial cavitation. Further research using animal models is needed to optimize ultrasound settings for cargo delivery and develop USMB as a treatment for ARDS.
Improving Reproducibility and Efficiency of Interstitial HDR Brachytherapy Through MRI-based Targeted Innovations
Authors: Shaaer Amani
Published: September 2023

Interstitial high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a well-established treatment for prostate and gynecological cancers. HDR brachytherapy involves delivery of a high dose of radiation to the target with minimum dose to the surrounding tissue. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been explored as a main imaging modality for accurate target identification. Superior soft tissue resolution has been reported with MRI, increasing the accuracy of brachytherapy procedure. Clinical HDR brachytherapy workflows employing MRI are seeing increases in adoption. However, these require additional resources and patient transfers, which increases the planning time and the risk of catheters displacement. In addition, interstitial catheter reconstruction during interstitial brachytherapy procedure is challenging. Thus, accurate and efficient methods of incorporating the MRI imaging in interstitial HDR brachytherapy procedures need to be considered. 

In this thesis, a robust MRI-based algorithm and workflow were developed for treatment planning of interstitial HDR brachytherapy for prostate and gynecological cancers. An in-house MRI-to Ultrasound image registration algorithm was developed and evaluated for accurate identification of dominant intraprostatic lesions. The dosimetric impact of the registration was also assessed. Furthermore, an in-house MR-line marker was used in evaluating the feasibility of MR-only interstitial gynecological HDR brachytherapy workflow. The impact of the MR-only workflow on the target coverage and normal tissue sparing was evaluated. The dosimetric difference between the conventional approach and the proposed MR-only approaches was also compared and reported. Finally, a deep learning-assisted algorithm was developed for robust catheter reconstruction. The algorithm was benchmarked against the manual reconstruction and their efficiency was evaluated. 

Based on the results, the MRI-based innovations developed in this work are feasible for implementation in clinical brachytherapy workflows for treatment planning of prostate and gynecological cancers.
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Thermal Lesion Detection Using Local Harmonic Imaging
Authors: Gandhi Namrata
Published: September 2023

Local Harmonic Imaging (LHI) is an ultrasound-based method that can detect HIFU thermal lesions. This technique relies on the delivery of an acoustic radiation force to induce localized harmonic oscillations (LHO). LHO are tracked using high frame rate ultrasound imaging. In this study, it was hypothesized that the LHO amplitude for HIFU coagulated tissue is smaller than the LHO amplitude for normal tissue due to changes in the Young’s modulus. LHO amplitudes at three tissue stages were compared in porcine muscle tissue (normal: 6.53± 0.68 µm, 2 minutes HIFU: 5.01± 0.88 µm, and 4 minutes HIFU: 2.96± 0.59 µm). The Young’s moduli at these tissue stages were 11.28± 1.57 kPa, 24.21± 2.66 kPa, and 40.38± 4.38 kPa, respectively. It was concluded that the decrease in the LHO amplitude is proportional to the increase in Young’s modulus. Additionally, a theoretical model that represents the LHI technique was developed and validated.
Use of pulsed high intensity focused ultrasound to study the response of brain endothelial cells to mechanical injury
Authors: Kaur Rajwinder
Published: September 2023

This work investigated the significance of a sublethal primary mechanical injury induced by pulsed high intensity focused ultrasound (pHIFU) and mechanical stretching techniques to mouse brain endothelial cell (bEND.3) nuclei in vitro followed by secondary hypoxia. The lateral size of the pHIFU beam’s focal spot (~ 1.7 mm) was obtained by characterizing the pHIFU system, and the transparency of the membrane on which the cells were to be cultured was determined theoretically and experimentally. Preliminary assessment of injury using a MTT assay (3-(4,5dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) at high acoustic pressures (3.15 MPa and 1.04 MPa for 50 ms) demonstrated cell damage. In the subsequent experiments, the cells were sublethally exposed to either pHIFU (0.57 MPa for 50ms) or stretch injuries (0.012 – 0.014 MPa for 50 ms). After each primary injury, the cells were either fully normoxic for 24 h or were subjected to a 6 h hypoxic environment followed by an 18 h recovery under normoxic conditions. The morphological parameters (area and circularity) of bEND.3 nuclei post-treatment were measured using an image analysis tool (ImageJ) for three primary treatments (control, pHIFU and stretch) and evaluated by plotting the scatterplots. Compared to the control group, a statistically significant decrease in circularity of bEND.3 nuclei was observed when the cells were subjected to 6 h hypoxia following a primary injury whereas nuclear area remained unchanged. The percentage of deformed nuclei also increased to ~ 19 % for pHIFU and stretch injury groups after 18 h normoxia following primary and secondary insult (6 h hypoxia), demonstrating cells’ inability to recover due to injury. However, when this hypoxic-normoxic regimen was not preceded by a pHIFU (or mechanical stretch) primary injury, nuclei recovered their original shape successfully. In conclusion, as shown in this study, cells became more susceptible to secondary hypoxic injury after being exposed to an initial mechanical insult. 
Investigating the Relationship Between Worry and Social Problem-Solving Attitudes and Performance
Authors: Szabo Judit
Published: September 2023

The present study investigated the state-dependent, performance-based problem-solving abilities of individuals with chronic worry. A 2 (group: high trait worry vs. low trait worry) X 2 (induction type: worry vs. neutral verbal mentation) factorial design was employed to investigate the differential effects of state worry, and neutral mentation as a control condition, on performance-based problem-solving effectiveness. Independent samples t-tests tested for group differences in self-reported problem-solving attitudes. Secondary objectives involved investigating the relationship between problem-solving effectiveness and working memory and attentional control, emotional dysregulation, and abstraction in verbal worry. Contrary to predictions, there were no significant within (i.e., mentation style) or between group (i.e., worry severity) differences on objective problem-solving performance. Previous findings that individuals with chronic worry endorse greater tendencies to self-report unconstructive problem solving attitudes were replicated. Findings suggest that when employing problem-solving interventions with a high worry population, emphasis should be placed on changing maladaptive problem attitudes.
The Effect of Cue Manipulations on Cognitive Control in Young and Older Adults
Authors: Skrotzki Cassandra
Published: September 2023

Cognitive control requires both active maintenance of goal-relevant information over time and continuous adaptation to interference to regulate thoughts and behaviours to achieve a goal. According to the Dual Mechanisms of Control framework, there are two cognitive control modes: proactive (cue-focused) and reactive (probe-focused). With aging, there is a shift from proactive to reactive control from young adulthood into older age. A recent study from our lab found that when using a modified AX-CPT, male-female face cues were effective for improving older adults’ proactive control use to levels similar to that of younger adults (Truong, 2015). To determine the critical manipulation underlying this discovery, the present thesis project included two experiments testing both young (18-29 years) and older (65+ years) adults. In both experiments, baseline cognitive control performance was tested with a standard AX-Continuous Performance Task (AX-CPT), along with a modified cue salient version of the AX-CPT. The modified task adopted a dichotomous cue option (O and Z) in Experiment 1 and distinctive colour-coded cues and probes in Experiment 2 to enhance the cue salience and determine, using a bottom-up approach, what basic cue characteristics facilitated the observed proactive control shifts in Truong (2015). Both experiments were expected to improve older adults’ cue-focused proactive control use and thus ameliorate age differences in cognitive control performance. The results supported previous literature showing an age-related shift from proactive to reactive control mode use, but neither dichotomous letter cues nor distinctly coloured letter cues and probes were sufficient for inducing a proactive control bias in the older adult sample. When collapsing across age, the Dichotomous AX-CPT counterintuitively reduced participants’ reliance on proactive control strategies, which lead to a reactive control bias. These results contribute solid evidence to the growing literature on cognitive control mode use that cue dichotomization and cue-probe distinction alone are insufficient for ameliorating age differences in cognitive control performance in a modified AX-CPT. These findings also highlight the unique role of Truong’s (2015) male-female face cues for inducing greater proactive control use in older adults and encourages further investigation into the specific mechanisms that facilitated this shift.
Righting a Wrongful Conviction: A Mixed Method Approach to Examining Exonerees’ Reintegration
Authors: Zannella Lesley
Published: September 2023

Whether an individual is rightfully or wrongfully convicted, they experience a range of difficulties upon their release back into society. While rightfully convicted individuals are eligible for programming to assist them with their reintegration, wrongfully convicted individuals are currently ineligible. The goal of this program of research was to examine exonerees’ post-release experience. In Study 1, through qualitative interviews, exonerees (N = 14) shared their stories to raise awareness of the reality of their reintegration needs, with specific attention to their priorities of receiving support, treating deinstitutionalization, and promoting community acceptance upon release. Studies 2 and 3 were designed to examine exonerees’ priority of community acceptance. In Study 2, we experimentally examined mechanisms (i.e., criminal status, factor contributing to the conviction, crime, race) that may influence stigma that exonerees experience. Undergraduate students’ (N = 317) reported negative perceptions of false confessors, however, participants believed all exonerees deserved reintegration services and financial compensation. In Study 3, we surveyed members of the Canadian public (N = 206) to assess their perspectives of exonerees’ reintegration; we found they support the government funding reintegration programming for exonerees, and providing them with financial compensation. Taken together, this program of research has provided evidence to support that exonerees’ ineligibility for reintegration support deserves to be reconsidered.
The role of visual, auditory, and tactile cues in the perception of illusory self-motion (vection) in younger and older adults
Authors: Murovec Brandy
Published: September 2023

One of the most critical components to an immersive experience in Virtual Reality (VR) is vection, defined as the illusion of self-motion. Vection is a multisensory phenomenon, relying on cues from a multitude of sensory modalities such as visual, auditory, and tactile. As a natural result of aging, the sensory systems which detect and process these cues decline. The objective of the present study was to investigate vection in adults of different ages, to test how age-related changes may influence the perception of vection. Twenty-four younger adults and 10 older adults were recruited to participate in a study at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute’s StreetLab. Participants were seated in a rotatable chair in StreetLab and exposed to revolving visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli inducing the illusion of circular vection. Results indicated older adults experienced notably longer durations overall, as well as an audio by tactile interaction regarding vection intensity. 
Self-Focused Rumination as a Potential Cognitive Risk Factor in Stress-Related Disturbed Sleep
Authors: Lau Parky
Published: September 2023

  

Research to date in the insomnia literature has primarily focused on maintaining factors of sleep disturbance, with few studies examining potential predisposing factors of protracted insomnia. Predisposing factors may potentiate sleep disturbances and subsequently increase the window of vulnerability for the development of more concerning issues regarding sleep health. Greater empirical attention towards the putative risk factors related to insomnia could lead to the identification of individuals at risk of developing chronic sleep disturbances and inform preventative treatment. The current study investigates self-focused rumination as a potential cognitive risk factor in the development of insomnia. An at-risk population (i.e., young adults) responded to questionnaires examining tendencies to engage in repetitive negative thinking (i.e., rumination, worry, and general negative repetitive thinking), psychological symptoms, insomnia severity, and other sleep-related constructs at two different time points one-week apart. Collectively, the results determine that (1) self-focused rumination was significantly associated with insomnia severity, however, this effect dissipated after controlling for other types of repetitive negative thinking. (2) Symptom-focused rumination was the sole significant predictor of insomnia severity above and beyond self-focused rumination, worry, general negative repetitive thinking), and baseline subjective insomnia severity in self-defined poor sleepers. In self-defined good sleepers, general negative repetitive thinking uniquely predicted subjective insomnia severity. (3) Self-focused rumination was not a significant moderator of the stress-sleep relationship. (4) There exists a counter association between subjective insomnia severity and self focused rumination, with insomnia significantly predicting self-focused rumination one-week later. The findings provide initial support for repetitive negative thinking as a cognitive risk factor to insomnia through a stress-specific pathway. While theoretical processes underlying a transdiagnostic approach to negative repetitive thinking remain untested, the results suggest there is clinical significance in ruminative content from a disorder-specific perspective. Limitations and future directions with respect to conducting a more methodologically sound and intimate study using ecological momentary assessments to evaluate the relationship between stress, sleep, and cognitions are provided. 
The Role of Perceived Rejection and Cognitive Reappraisal in the Experience of Anger in Individuals High in Social Anxiety
Authors: Tsekova Virginia
Published: September 2023

Two studies examined anger in social anxiety. Data collection began with laboratory visits, and ended with teleconference sessions due to a “lockdown” period during the COVID-19 outbreak. Study 1 examined anger reactivity and effectiveness of cognitive reappraisal to regulate anger among individuals with high social anxiety (HSA; n=37) and low social anxiety (LSA; n=29) using rejection-salient films. Those in the HSA group displayed greater anger reactivity than those in the LSA group, but displayed similar benefits from instructed cognitive reappraisal. Study 2 examined the role of perceived rejection in the experience of anger in individuals with HSA (n=28) and LSA (n=25) using daily diaries over 14 days. Participants with HSA reported greater anger intensity than those with LSA in situations involving rejection, and those not involving rejection. Participants with HSA reported more frequent anger episodes involving rejection of others compared to participants with LSA. Implications of these findings are discussed. 
The effect of visually induced motion sickness on driving performance in a virtual reality simulator and the efficacy of airflow as a countermeasure
Authors: Igoshina Elizaveta (Liza)
Published: September 2023

Background: Virtual reality (VR) driving simulation technologies have a myriad of applications from entertainment to scientific and medical research. However, they also are known to cause visually induced motion sickness (VIMS), a special form of traditional motion sickness. Common side effects of VIMS include nausea and disorientation, suggesting VIMS can bias driving performance. Objectives: We (1) investigated how VIMS affects performance in a simulated driving task and (2) examined a potential treatment to reduce VIMS through in-vehicle ventilation. 

Method: Twenty-three participants were engaged in a driving task where they react to hazards, obey speed limits, and complete common driving maneuvers. Driving performance (Objective 1) was evaluated based on various common driving criteria and compared between high- and low VIMS groups. To study the effect of airflow on VIMS (Objective 2), for half of the participants the car vents were positioned to face the drivers head and torso having airflow directly contact the driver’s skin, creating the experimental group: airflow (direct, indirect). The level of VIMS was measured before and after the simulated drive. 

Results: We found no differences in VIMS severity between airflow groups, indicating both direct and indirect airflow were equally successful prophylaxes to VIMS. We found no differences in driving performance between participants who experienced high- and low VIMS, indicating driving performance was not influenced by VIMS. Conclusion: Due to their equal prophylactic effects, both direct and indirect airflow can be used as a low cost, effective means of reducing VIMS in VR driving simulators. Furthermore, as driving-performance was not affected by VIMS, driving-simulator results of participants who experience high levels of VIMS can be treated equal to participants who experience low levels of VIMS. As these results are preliminary given we were unable to reach our minimum sample size of 40 participants, more data collection is required in order to be able to make a concrete conclusion.
The Effect of a Food Addiction Explanatory Model of Eating Behaviours on Weight-Based Stigma: An Experimental Investigation
Authors: Montemarano Vanessa
Published: September 2023

Weight stigmatization and discrimination are pervasive issues that have numerous adverse consequences for those with excess weight. The current study replicated and extended a study examining the effect of the food addiction model on weight-based stigma and weight controllability beliefs. Undergraduate students (N = 757) were randomly assigned to one of four conditions where they read a newspaper article accompanied by a photo of a female target who was either obese or normal-weight, and an explanation for her eating behaviours as either due to food addiction or poor lifestyle choices. Stigma towards the target, obesity in general, and self were assessed. Results were mixed, such that the target with obesity elicited greater weight stigma, a food addiction explanation increased perceptions of psychopathology towards the target, and an explanation about poor lifestyle choices elicited judgment towards the target. Neither explanation about eating behaviours elicited stigma on any other measures.
Examining the Role of Reassurance Seeking in Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Authors: Provost-Walker Olivia
Published: September 2023

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is an impairing and insufficiently researched disorder characterized by a preoccupation with a perceived physical defect that drives an individual to perform repetitive behaviours or mental acts, such as reassurance seeking (RS). The current study examined the frequency and features of RS urges and behaviours, such as RS triggers, stopping criteria, and topics, in BDD compared to healthy controls using an event-contingent diary method. A sample of 16 individuals with BDD and 22 healthy controls completed diary records when they experienced urges to seek reassurance. Results indicate that individuals with BDD experience more RS urges than healthy controls, and that these urges are more likely to be triggered by appearance-related concerns. Additionally, unlike in healthy controls, reassurance did not lead to significant increases in certainty in participants with BDD. These findings shed light on behavioural maintenance factors implicated in BDD.
Understanding Group Singing in Older Adults with Aphasia from a Biopsychosocial Perspective: A Pilot Study
Authors: Pachete Alexander
Published: September 2023

Social isolation and loneliness are barriers to social wellbeing for many older adults. These barriers may arise due to changes in lifestyle, social groups, and self-perception. Prior research has shown that group singing can improve social connectedness, but there has been limited consideration of older adults with communication disorders. The present pilot study investigated whether 13 weeks of group singing could improve the social connectedness and communicative function of 10 individuals with aphasia. Participants were assessed with regard to psychosocial wellbeing, self-perception of their disorder, and speech production. In addition, their cortisol levels and pain thresholds were analysed to investigate the potential sociobiological basis of psychosocial effects. Results showed positive increases in psychological wellbeing but no changes in social wellbeing. Physiological findings were inconclusive. Social wellbeing showed positive trends which may indicate that more choir sessions are needed to foster social connection.
Overcoming Regional Disparities in Serbia through Regional Innovation Systems at the NUTS II Level
Authors: Ivanič Valentina
Published: September 2023

The objective of this research is to reveal and understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two groups of regional innovation systems in Serbia – those operating in Belgrade and Vojvodina region, with strong administrative capacity, and those operating in Šumadija and Western Serbia and Southern and Eastern Serbia, operating without administrative capacity at the regional level. Data were collected from existing databases, and interviews with members of the focus groups. The action research methodology was used also. The findings show that regions without administrative capacity have RDAs with cooperative culture, more externally oriented, and more devoted to building eonomic software and economic orgware axis instead of the regions with administrative capacity. The mature RIS is present in the regions without administrative power in Serbia (Šumadija and Western Serbia, Southern and Eastern Serbia) in comparison to two NUTS II regions (Belgrade and Vojvodina region).
Nagyvárosfejlődés Szerbiában : Belgrád, Újvidék, Nis, Kragujevac és Szabadka pozíciói
Authors: Rácz Szilárd
Published: September 2023

A tanulmány célja áttekinteni Szerbia nagyvárosainak fejlődését a rendszerváltozást követő időszakban. Bevezetésképpen bemutatásra kerül Szerbia fekvése, geopolitikai helyzete, valamint a Balkán városhálózati és térszerkezeti fejlődése történeti kontextusban. Az elmúlt bő három évtizedben Szerbia államberendezkedése több alapvető átalakuláson ment keresztül, amely jelentős hatással volt a városok fejlődésére, ez a közigazgatási és térszerkezeti jellemzők átalakulása mentén kerül elemzésre. Végül az öt nagyváros – Belgrád, Újvidék, Nis, Kragujevac és Szabadka – fejlődését, gazdasági és demográfiai folyamatait vizsgálja részletesen a tanulmány.
Optimization of Cutting Parameters for Hard Boring of AISI 4340 Steel Using Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Grey Relation Analysis and Analysis of Variance
Authors: Gunaraj Lawrance , Paul Sam , Mohammed Jazeel , Sudhagar Edwin , Thankachan Titus
Published: September 2023

Tool vibration in the boring process is the main concern because of the tool overhanging which leads to high tool wear, cutting force and cutting temperature. Interaction between machine dynamics and the metal cutting operation tool also results in tool vibration. The optimized cutting parameters will able to decrease tool vibration and in turn, increase the productivity in the manufacturing sector. In this study, statistical mathematical approaches to develop models for determining the impact of individual cutting parameters on cutting temperature, tool wear, cutting force, and tool vibration when hard boring AISI 4340 steels. During hard boring of AISI 4340 steel, the current investigation consisted of 27 run trials with three varying levels of cutting velocity, feed rate, and depth of cut and each of these variables was tested at three different levels. This work intends to simultaneous optimize statistical analysis such as Signal-to-Noise (S/N) ratio, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). ANOVA and S/N ratio is used to identify the important cutting parameters on the single response optimization and GRA is used to optimize the multi-response optimization technique on cutting parameters. The results shows that both single and multi-response optimization technique shows the same optimized cutting parameter.
Executive Functions in the Elementary Classroom
Authors: Onyshko Emily
Published: September 2023

Created by an educator for an educator, this informational booklet aims to guide elementary school teachers in supporting their students' executive functions, with tangible recommendations based on previous research. Specific attention is given to students with executive function deficits who are also facing adverse childhood experiences. Implications of effective support for all students are discussed. Through infographics, text, and interactive components, guidance is provided to educators who wish to foster a learning environment conducive to the growth and development of executive functions.
Peningkatan Teknik Pounding Terinspirasi Happa-Zome dalam Kegiatan Pembuatan Tekstil Ramah Lingkungan di PPSA “Taruna Yodha” Sukoharjo
Authors: Affanti Tiwi Bina Affanti Bina , Santoso Ratna Endah , Sarwono Sarwono , Josef Adji Isworo , Utami Lira Anindita
Published: September 2023

This community service is carried out with the participation of PPSA (orphanage) Taruna Yodha in Sukoharjo, Central Java. By creating textile products, the activity that incorporates an eco-friendly production process inspired by the Japanese Happa-zome technique (manual leaf-printing decoration technique) is chosen and improved to motivate environmental awareness while strengthening the entrepreneurial capacity of the beneficiaries. The service program is conducted by (in)direct presentation and mentoring, a participatory and iterative process from the beginning to the end. Within the program, design survey activity in the form of exploring nature's potential involves introducing the surrounding natural environment while collecting leaf material. The results are; (1) Providing environmental awareness for beneficiaries through textile-making, (2) the Happa-zome technique for interior textile product development, (3) creating an Entrepreneurial program including story-making and online marketing strategy
Penguatan Karakter Profil Pelajar Pancasila melalui Pembelajaran Interaktif Berbasis Proyek Pembuatan Foto dan Video
Authors: Utami Citra Dewi , Noorva Yudhitya Roudlotul Jannati Rochnadia , Nugroho Widhi
Published: September 2023

Character building is one of the biggest challenges for the education system in Indonesia from time to time. The Ministry of Education launched a Merdeka Curriculum with the “Proyek Penguatan Profil Pelajar Pancasila” (P5) or A Project of Strengthening Pancasila-Student Profile as the main activity to address the issue. However, several schools find it challenging to implement the program because they encounter obstacles and still need assistantships. This community service aims to assist schools not belonging to Sekolah Penggerak in organizing P5 through interactive learning projects that create photos and videos. Data collection was carried out using the method of observation, interviews, and literature study. The results obtained identify project implementation processes suitable for strengthening student character in the dimensions of independence, mutual cooperation, critical reasoning, and creativity. This Community Service Program is considered successful in assisting the implementation of P5 through the level of satisfaction conveyed by teachers and students as project implementers.
Pemberdayaan UMKM Alat Permainan Edukatif Terdampak Pandemi di Wonorejo
Authors: Haryanto Eko Sri , Utomo Tri Prasetyo
Published: September 2023

The Community Partnership Program "Empowerment of UMKM Empowerment of Educational Game Tools Affected by a Pandemic in Wonorejo" aims to increase the competitiveness of fostered partners in facing a wider market. The first partner for this community service activity is UKM APE Otak-atik, this UKM has a segmentation in the general public as well as book and stationery shops located in the Wonorejo area, Karanganyar Regency, Central Java. The potential for developing APE products (Educative Game Tools) is still very wide open. Limited human resource capabilities, business networks, and limitations in the number and type of equipment prevent partners from taking advantage of existing opportunities. After the assistance is given, it is hoped that the partners will be able to become more resilient craftsmen. Partners can develop the design, production, market, and selling value of products, to increase family income, then absorb more labor from the surrounding community. This community service activity was carried out for eight months. Activities carried out in the form of; equipment grants for the use of production equipment with appropriate technology, management training, and online sales training. After getting a touch of good design, good management, modernization of production equipment, promotional media, and online sales, it is expected to be able to increase the competitiveness of partners in facing the free market.
Pelatihan Sound System Bagi Anggota Sanggar Kandang Seni Jabung Magetan
Authors: Santoso Iwan Budi , Purnomo Wahyu
Published: September 2023

The artwork community service program was carried out at the Kandang Seni Jabung studio, Jabung Village, Panekan District, Magetan Regency, in the form of workshops/training activities on the use of a sound system to create an album of Jaranan Art Accompaniment Music (Reog) in Magetan Style. Workshops/training activities at the Kandang Seni Jabung art studio use the lecture method and practices of operating sound system equipment. The final result of this artwork community service is to create reliable artists and/or sound-engineer artists to make the music album of the Jaranan Art Accompaniment (Reog) Magetan Style. On the other hand, artists can record and produce music albums. They can also become sound engineers in amplifying the sound of musical performances or other arts that use elements of sounds.