bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reclaiming Being: Applying a Decolonial Lens to Gendered Violence, Indigenous Motherhood, and Community Wellbeing
Authors: Dawson Leslie
Published: October 2024

Indigenous women and children in Canada are significantly more likely to experience some form of family violence than their non-Indigenous counterparts. However, biomedical and academic discussions around the violence that Indigenous women and their families and communities face reflect a colonial narrative emphasizing Euro-Canadian perspectives and values; a colonial narrative that disconnects the role of past and ongoing forms of colonial violence and naturalizes family violence within Indigenous communities, informing a view of Indigeneity as risk. Through a decolonial lens, the underlying causes of family violence in Indigenous communities can be connected to the gendered violence of patriarchal colonialism targeting Indigenous women. It is revealed how Indigenous women’s bodies became a site of the coloniality of violence as colonization disenfranchised and displaced Indigenous women from their lands, communities, and central roles. Gendered colonial violence attacked Indigenous women’s scared status in their societies and disrupted Indigenous relational modes of being. This informed a coloniality of being for Indigenous peoples; a coloniality of being integral to intergenerational trauma and family violence. Through the lens of Indigenous laws as a decolonial approach to family violence, the centrality of Indigenous women’s roles and responsibilities as mothers is linked to community wellbeing and intertwined with leadership and governance. By grounding the rights of Indigenous women within relationships, Indigenous women can reclaim their sacred places within respectful, reciprocal, and interconnected ways of being.
Analysis of COVID-19’s Dynamic Behavior Using a Modified SIR Model Characterized by a Nonlinear Function
Authors: Habott Fatimetou , Ahmedou Aziza , Mohamed Yahya , Sambe Mohamed Ahmed
Published: October 2024

This study develops a modified SIR model (Susceptible–Infected–Recovered) to analyze the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this model, infected individuals are categorized into the following two classes: Ia, representing asymptomatic individuals, and Is, representing symptomatic individuals. Moreover, accounting for the psychological impacts of COVID-19, the incidence function is nonlinear and expressed as Sg(Ia,Is)=βS(Ia+Is)1+α(Ia+Is). Additionally, the model is based on a symmetry hypothesis, according to which individuals within the same compartment share common characteristics, and an asymmetry hypothesis, which highlights the diversity of symptoms and the possibility that some individuals may remain asymptomatic after exposure. Subsequently, using the next-generation matrix method, we compute the threshold value (R0), which estimates contagiousness. We establish local stability through the Routh–Hurwitz criterion for both disease-free and endemic equilibria. Furthermore, we demonstrate global stability in these equilibria by employing the direct Lyapunov method and La-Salle’s invariance principle. The sensitivity index is calculated to assess the variation of R0 with respect to the key parameters of the model. Finally, numerical simulations are conducted to illustrate and validate the analytical findings.
Structure Formation Through Magnetohydrodynamical Instabilities in Primordial Disks
Authors: Noguchi Koichi , Tajima Toshiki , Horton Wendell
Published: October 2024

The shear flow instabilities under the presence of magnetic fields in the primordial disk can greatly facilitate the formation of density structures that serve as seeds prior to the onset of the gravitational Jeans instability. We evaluate the effects of the Parker, magnetorotational and kinematic dynamo instabilities by comparing the properties of these instabilities. We calculate the mass spectra of coagulated density structures by the above mechanism in the radial direction for an axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) torus equilibrium and power density profile models. Our local three-dimensional MHD simulation indicates that the coupling of the Parker and magnetorotational instability creates spiral arms and gas blobs in an accretion disk, reinforcing the theory and model. Such a mechanism for the early structure formation may be tested in a laboratory. The recent progress in experiments involving shear flows in rotating tokamak, field reversed configuration (FRC) and laser plasmas may become a key element to advance in nonlinear studies.
Expression of Toll-like Receptor Genes and Antiviral Cytokines in Macrophage-like Cells in Response to Indole-3-carboxylic Acid Derivative
Authors: Narovlyansky Alexander , Pronin Alexander , Poloskov Vladislav , Sanin Alexander , Mezentseva Marina , Fedyakina Irina , Suetina Irina , Zubashev Igor , Ershov Felix , Filimonova Marina , Surinova Valentina , Volkova Irina , Bogdanov Egor
Published: October 2024

Ongoing outbreaks and often rapid spread of infections caused by coronaviruses, influenza, Nipah, Dengue, Marburg, monkeypox, and other viruses are a concern for health authorities in most countries. Therefore, the search for and study of new antiviral compounds are in great demand today. Since almost all viruses with pandemic potential have immunotoxic properties of various origins, particular attention is paid to the search and development of immunomodulatory drugs. We have synthesised a new compound related to indole-3-carboxylic acid derivatives (hereinafter referred to as the XXV) that has antiviral and interferon-inducing activity. The purpose of this work is to study the effect of the XXV on the stimulation of the expression of toll-like receptor genes, interferons, and immunoregulatory cytokines in a macrophage-like cell model. In this study, real-time PCR methods were used to obtain data on the transcriptional activity of genes in macrophage-like cells. Stimulation of the genes of toll-like receptors TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 was detected. A high-fold increase in stimulation (from 6.5 to 16,000) of the expression of the TLR3 and TLR4 genes was detected after 4 h of exposure to the XXV. Increased activity of interferon (IFNA1, IFNA2, IFNB1, IFNK, and IFNλ1) genes with simultaneous stimulation of the expression of interferon receptor (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2) genes and signalling molecule (JAK1 and ISG15) genes was detected. Increased fold stimulation of the expression of the cytokine genes IL6, TNFA, IL12A, and IL12B was also observed. Thus, it is shown that the XXV is an activator of TLR genes of innate immunity, which trigger signalling mechanisms of pathogen “recognition” and lead to stimulation of the expression of genes of proinflammatory cytokines and interferons.
Droplet Digital PCR Enhances Sensitivity of Canine Distemper Virus Detection
Authors: Iribarnegaray Victoria , Godiño Guillermo , Larrañaga Camila , Yamasaki Kanji , Verdes José Manuel , Puentes Rodrigo
Published: October 2024

Canine distemper virus (CDV) poses a substantial threat to diverse carnivorans, leading to systemic and often fatal diseases. Accurate and prompt diagnosis is paramount for effective management and curbing further transmission. This study evaluates the diagnostic performance of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) in comparison to conventional reverse-transcription (RT-PCR) and quantitative reverse-transcription real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Seventy-six clinical samples were collected from dogs with CDV symptoms diagnosed by specialized veterinarians, and sixteen samples from apparently healthy individuals. Conventional PCR, quantitative real-time PCR, and ddPCR were deployed, and their diagnostic capabilities were meticulously assessed. DdPCR exhibited heightened analytical sensitivity, reaching a detection limit of 3 copies/μL, whereas RT-qPCR had a detection limit of 86 copies/μL. The comparative analysis between clinical diagnosis and molecular techniques, including RT-PCR and RT-qPCR, demonstrated low concordance, with Kappa coefficients of 0.268 and 0.324, respectively. In contrast, ddPCR showed a moderate concordance, with a Kappa coefficient of 0.477. The sensitivity was 42.4% for RT-PCR, 57.9% for RT-qPCR, and 72.4% for ddPCR, with 100% specificity for all methods. This study underscores ddPCR’s superior sensitivity and agreement with clinical CDV diagnosis, even at low viral concentrations, suggesting it as a promising alternative for CDV diagnosis.
The Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines During the Pre-Omicron and Omicron Periods: A Retrospective Test-Negative Case–Control Study
Authors: Brambilla Romeo , Gili Renata , Vigna Taglianti Federica , Lenzi Jacopo , Riccò Matteo , Burioni Roberto , Scarvaglieri Mariaelisabetta , Rocco Rachele , Buttafuoco Vittorina , Cristaudo Rosa Maria Teresa Antonia , Gori Davide
Published: October 2024

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of original and bivalent COVID-19 vaccines in reducing COVID-19-associated hospitalizations among the adult population of Turin, Italy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, test-negative, case–control study of 5768 adults aged ≥50 years who had symptoms that were consistent with COVID-19-like illness and were admitted to the hospitals of the Turin Health Unit network from 1 January 2021 to 31 January 2023. We evaluated the effectiveness of the vaccines that at the time of the study were authorized in the European Union (original/bivalent BNT162b2; original mRNA-1273; ChAdOx1-S; Ad26.COV2.S) by comparing the odds of a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 in vaccinated patients with the odds of a positive test in unvaccinated patients. The association between vaccination status, hospitalization, ICU admission and positive SARS-CoV-2 test was estimated by building multivariate adjusted logistic regression models. Results: During the predominance of the pre-Omicron variants, the vaccine effectiveness of two and three doses received in the last 120 days against COVID-19-associated hospitalizations was 93.6% (95% CI: 90.1 to 95.9) and 97.1% (95% CI: 90.8 to 99.1), respectively. During the predominance of the Omicron variant, the vaccine effectiveness of two and three doses was 26.6% (95% CI: −0.6 to 46.5) and 75.2% (95% CI: 68.1 to 80.7), respectively, and it rose to 88% (95% CI: 78.2 to 93.3) for four or five doses of the bivalent vaccine. Conclusions: Our study confirms that the COVID-19 vaccines protect adult patients from hospitalizations, including the subgroup ≥80 years, also during the period of the Omicron variant’s predominance.
Early Transcriptional Changes in Feline Herpesvirus-1-Infected Crandell-Rees Feline Kidney Cells
Authors: Xiao Xiuqing , Xu Fuqiang , Jia Fan
Published: October 2024

FHV-1 is a highly contagious pathogen that significantly threatens feline health and contributes to rising pet healthcare costs. The mechanisms underlying FHV-1 and host interactions remain poorly understood. For the first time, we conducted a systematic analysis of transcriptomic changes in CRFK cells following FHV-1 infection using RNA-seq. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) displayed significant associations with cellular components, particularly the chromatin structure. Pathway analysis of the DEGs highlighted key host immune responses, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), IL-17, TNF, MAPK, and Rap1 signaling pathways. By integrating the RNA-seq and RT-qPCR results, we identified CXCL8, CXCL10, MMP1, MMP9, CSF2, CSF3, CCL20, TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TNF, and FOS as potentially important genes in the host’s immune response to FHV-1. These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying FHV-1 and host interactions.
Interaction Network Characterization of Infectious Bronchitis Virus Nsp2 with Host Proteins
Authors: Wang Mengmeng , Bo Zongyi , Zhang Chengcheng , Guo Mengjiao , Wu Yantao , Zhang Xiaorong
Published: October 2024

Infectious bronchitis (IB) is a highly contagious acute viral disease that leads to substantial economic losses in the poultry industry. Previous research conducted in our laboratory has indicated that Nsp2 may serve as a key virulence factor within the IBV genome, as evidenced by its pronounced divergence between the field strain and its attenuated counterpart. Understanding the interaction between Nsp2 and host proteins is crucial to elucidating the role of the Nsp2 protein in the pathogenesis and proliferation of IBV. Currently, much remains to be uncovered regarding the host proteins that interact with the IBV Nsp2 protein. In this study, 10 host proteins, including COX1, COX3, NFIA, ITGA1, ATP1B1, ATP1B3, ABCB1, ISCA1, DNAJA1, and IREB2, were screened to interact with IBV Nsp2 through yeast two-hybrid experiments and molecular docking simulations. Furthermore, the interaction of Nsp2 with ATP1B3, DNAJA1, and ISCA1 proteins was further validated through co-immunoprecipitation and confocal experiments. The GO, KEGG, and PPI databases revealed that the host proteins interacting with Nsp2 are primarily associated with ATPase activation, Fe-S cluster binding, ion homeostasis, and innate immune regulation. The examination of the expression levels of these Nsp2-interacting host proteins during IBV infection demonstrated the significant downregulation of COX3, COX1, ATP1B1, and ATP1B3, while NFIA, DNAJA1, and IREB2 showed significant upregulation. Moreover, our study identified that IBV enhances viral replication by upregulating DNAJA1 expression, although the underlying mechanism requires further investigation. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential role of the Nsp2 protein in the pathogenesis of IBV.
A Bibliometric Review and Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Brahmaputra River
Authors: Ma Yisha , Song Tao
Published: October 2024

In this study, we visualize and analyze the literature on the Brahmaputra river using a spectral clustering algorithm, tracking research trends over time. We found that the focus of research on the Brahmaputra has changed over time in the last decade, with a shift from geology to hydrology and geochemistry and a rapid growth in climate change research in recent years. In the future, potential hot topics may be “water resource management” and other topics related to transboundary water resource management and cooperation. At the same time, this study also analyzes in detail the keywords and clusters “geohydrology” and “ecological risk and sustainable development”, among other topics. We believe that future research should carefully consider the potential effects of transdisciplinary research trends. For instance, it is urgent that transborder governance and management regimes be renovated through joint efforts and cross-border effective actions carried out by multifaceted and multi-scalar agencies along this river.
Analysis of the Development of Rural Aqueduct Organizations in the Central Zone of Colombia: A View from Sustainable Livelihoods
Authors: Colmenares-Cruz Ramiro Andres , Plazas-Leguizamón Nubia Zoraida , Arias-Rodríguez Luis Alejandro , García-Parra Miguel Angel , Moreno-Lopez Nidia Milena , Barrera-Siabato Andrea Isabel
Published: October 2024

Within the framework of sustainability analysis regarding the processes developed by man, water resources in rural scenarios have been a priority due to the impact generated by population growth and climate changes in tropical regions. In Colombia, the shortage of drinking water from aqueducts has become a problem especially in rural areas, even though its administration has been set and led by local community organizations. In this sense, in this research, the aim was to understand the dynamics of sustainable livelihoods in rural areas and their relationship with water resources in Boyacá, Colombia. For this purpose, surveys were carried out in two rural aqueducts in the municipalities of Boyacá and Oicatá paying special attention to the variables that affect human, social, technical, physical, natural, and financial capital. According to the results, the water supplied by community organizations directly affects the daily activities of family units, as well as the agricultural production systems. In addition, significant relationships were identified between human and financial capital, as well as social and technical capital; however, population increment and the accentuation of dry seasons have become a threat in these regions in Colombia. In conclusion, the analysis of the work developed by the organizations of rural aqueducts allows us to understand that water plays a fundamental role in the construction of society.
The Use of a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Method to Select the Most Favourable Type of Fish Pass in Mountainous Areas
Authors: Hämmerling Mateusz , Kałuża Tomasz , Tymiński Tomasz , Plesiński Karol
Published: October 2024

Fish passes are a key element enabling the migration of aquatic organisms in the context of restrictions resulting from the presence of weirs. Multi-criteria decision analysis, AHP, and Rembrandt methods were used to assess the effectiveness of fish passes on mountain rivers. Three common types of fish passes were considered: slotted fish pass, block ramps, and a circulation channel with boulders. The results of the study indicated that block ramps proved to be the most favourable solution, achieving the highest preference values in both methods (Rembrandt: 0.77, AHP: 0.63). The key factors influencing the effectiveness of the fish passes are the availability of space and the water requirements, which reached values of 0.38 and 0.27 in the Rembrandt method and 0.33 and 0.28 in the AHP method, respectively. The differences between the results of both methods were minimal and did not have a significant impact on the final choice. The discussion emphasised the advantage of nature-like fish passes, such as block ramps, which better preserve the ecological continuity of rivers and can be more easily adapted to local hydrological conditions. The study also indicated the need for continuous monitoring of the fish passes and their optimisation to reduce problems related to sedimentation and flow blocking. The obtained results can provide a valuable basis for decision making in the planning and construction of fish passes, especially in demanding mountainous conditions, contributing to improving the effectiveness of fish migration and minimising negative impacts on the natural environment.
A Study on Consumers’ Willingness to Purchase Autonomous Vehicles from a Multi-Party Interaction Perspective: A Tripartite Evolutionary Game Model Involving the Government, Automobile Manufacturers, and Consumers
Authors: Mo Chengcheng , Chen Fujian , Wang Zeyu
Published: October 2024

With the rapid development of autonomous driving technology, the advent of the autonomous driving era has become inevitable. An in-depth study of consumers’ willingness to purchase autonomous vehicles is critical to accelerating the adoption and commercialization of autonomous vehicles. By constructing a tripartite evolutionary game model of governments, automobile manufacturers, and consumers, we analyze the stable choice of unilateral strategy and equilibrium strategy of autonomous vehicle purchase intention. The MATLAB2022b tool was used for data simulation analysis to verify the validity of the conclusion and the influence of related factors on the purchase intention toward autonomous vehicles. The results show the following: (1) The combination of government support, active R&D, and consumer purchasing is the evolutionary stability strategy (ESS) of the model. (2) With an increase in government support, the probability of automobile enterprises taking the initiative to participate in R&D also increases. However, the negative impact of risk can significantly reduce the incentive for firms to conduct R&D and reduce the effectiveness of government support. (3) Government subsidies to consumers and purchase incentives offered by automotive companies can significantly increase the likelihood that consumers will purchase an autonomous vehicle. Based on these findings, recommendations are made to strengthen government support, establish risk mitigation mechanisms, and strengthen market promotion efforts to promote the commercialization of autonomous vehicles. The study provides a new perspective for understanding multi-party interactions in the rollout of autonomous vehicles and provides valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders.
Analysis of Public Acceptance and Influencing Factors of Cooperative Vehicle Infrastructure Technology
Authors: Bai Wei , Yuan Yuan , Li Linheng
Published: October 2024

Cooperative vehicle infrastructure technology has emerged as a cutting-edge and indispensable trend within the transportation sector. While addressing the supply-side requisites of the technology, it is equally important to investigate its demand-side response. To investigate the public acceptance of cooperative vehicle infrastructure technology and its influencing factors, this paper constructs an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Then, the paper employs the structural equation model (SEM) to validate the path hypotheses of the model, and pinpoints the variables that significantly influence the intention to use the technology. Moreover, the Bayesian network (BN) model is utilized to assess the magnitude of the effects of diverse influencing factors on the acceptance of the technology. The research findings can provide recommendations for the government to expedite the promotion and implementation of cooperative vehicle infrastructure technology.
Dinâmicas de competição e solidariedade entre motoristas de aplicativos no Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Teixeira Marins Cristina , Rezende Borges de Araujo Rafael
Published: October 2024

O principal objetivo deste artigo é descrever usos que motoristas cujo trabalho é mediado por aplicativos e que atuam na região metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro fazem de plataformas de redes sociais, de troca de mensagens e de compartilhamento de vídeos, atentando para suas implicações políticas. A fim de atingir esse propósito, analisamos dados empíricos construídos entre os anos de 2021 e 2022 e que incluem notas de observação etnográfica, entrevistas em profundidade e grupos focais. Nas diversas etapas da pesquisa, os dados de campo indicaram que as plataformas digitais permeiam de forma muito significativa o cotidiano dos motoristas. O uso intensivo dessas novas mídias estabelece novas hierarquias profissionais, molda visões de mundo, experiências e percepções políticas dos trabalhadores. Neste artigo procuramos descrever, em especial, como a popularização das plataformas de redes sociais criou um espaço em que trabalhadores autônomos se organizam em grupos nas quais a competição e a solidariedade convivem e assumem contornos particulares.
"O que é ser empreendedor para você?"
Authors: Peres Thiago
Published: October 2024

O propósito do artigo é mostrar como o empreendedorismo intenciona traduzir trajetórias ocupacionais marcadas pela díade vulnerabilidade e precariedade como uma denominação identitária relativamente positiva, muito embora, na prática, essa tradução não encontre correspondência. A hipótese geral é que o empreendedorismo tem forte correlação com o conjunto de atividades compreendidas como tipicamente informais. Com efeito, ciente de que o conceito em questão não pode ser resumido a um agregado meramente estatístico, ou à seleção ad hoc de atividades supostamente empreendedoras, mostra-se, por meio de pesquisa qualitativa, que o empreendedorismo (na ordem do discurso), ao espraiar-se pelo tecido social, vinculou-se a determinados valores comunitários, como confiança, reciprocidade e cooperação
Estados Unidos e China
Authors: Tonelo Iuri , De Paula Barbieri André Augusto
Published: October 2024

O artigo buscar analisar o fenômeno da reestruturação produtiva em curso à luz da análise da principal potência internacional, os Estados Unidos, e da forte potência emergente no mundo oriental, a China. Parte-se de compreender que a crise financeira de 2008 deu lugar a mudanças econômicas a partir da grande recessão e novas disputas geopolíticas, o que tem levado também a novas configurações no mundo do trabalho. Dessa forma, o artigo analisa como a reestruturação produtiva tem se desenvolvido nos dois países, tanto do ponto de vista da implementação da indústria 4.0 e a plataformização do trabalho, quanto por compreender as formas de resistência em ambos, incluindo novos fenômenos de sindicalização, de antagonização à intensificação do trabalho, como o quiet quitting e great resignation, a ligação com pautas de opressão (como movimento como o Black Lives Matter) a partir do movimento operário e o aumento de greves, na manufatura e na indústria de serviços. A partir disso, buscamos mostrar as dificuldades para a estabilização dessas formas de estruturação produtiva – incompatíveis com a harmonização social – cujo curso vai depender, em grande parte, da atuação do movimento operário nesses dois países.
A luta por reconhecimento dos entregadores de aplicativo no Brasil
Authors: Neiva Pedro
Published: October 2024

Analisamos neste artigo a luta por reconhecimento dos entregadores de aplicativo por motocicletas no Brasil. Especificamente, investigamos as agressões, humilhações, discriminações e assédios de todo tipo realizados pelos diversos atores com que lidam no dia a dia de seu trabalho, especialmente policiais, clientes e gerentes de restaurantes. A partir da análise de vídeos encontrados no YouTube, concluímos que, diferente do que acontece com questões de ordem material e distributiva – tais como remuneração e condições de trabalho – os entregadores reagem quando o que está em jogo são questões morais e identitárias. A despeito da alta concorrência pelas entregas, eles se mostraram capazes de exercer grande solidariedade e proteção a seus pares em momentos críticos, diante de acidentes, falhas mecânicas, falta de gasolina e, principalmente, de cenas públicas de não reconhecimento.
Disease Prognosis of Fetal Heart’s Four-Chamber and Blood Vessels in Ultrasound Images Using CNN Incorporated VGG 16 and Enhanced DRNN
Authors: Gunasekaran Someshwaran , Vivekasaran Sarada
Published: October 2024

Fetal Heart Disease (FHD) based Structural Heart Disorders (SHD) occur when certain features of the heart develop abnormally. These flaws may cause blood flow to circulate in the erroneous spot, slow down, or be utterly blocked. Heart Defects (HD) caused via FHD or disorders that primarily impact embryonic heart conditions are alternatively referred to as Congenital Heart Defects (CHD). Multiple prior investigation algorithms such as Multi-Resolution Convolutional Neural Network (MRCNN), Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN), Faster-RCNN (FRCNN) and DANomaly Wgan-GP and Convolutional Neural Network (DGACNN) rendered in the detection of FHD. Yet, the models have endured several challenges due to fuzzy constraints and irrelevant adherence. The intended aim is to detect the dilemma of the fetal heart in UltraSound (US) images using two distinct tier methods. The initial tier detects the fetal heart chamber's walls and valves using the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-incorporated Visual Geometry Group 16 (VGG 16) technique for processing fetal ultrasound images, allowing it to detect and dissolve anomalies in heart walls. This initial investigation concerns improving the image's quality in each subsequent sequence, from lowest to most improved using the conventional Augmented Wiener Filtering (AWF) approach. Succeeding, an instance-level Region of Interest (ROI) segmentation for exploiting the feature mining approach will be carried out via spatial features masking and ground-truth labeling framework for septal defect diagnosis. The second tier determines the flaws in fetal heart blood flow size, structure and vessels utilizing Deep Recurrent Neural Network (DRNN) integrated with region-based texture characteristics Local-Binary-Pattern (LBP), Histogram-of-Oriented-Gradient (HOG) and the Bags Of Features (BOF) segmentation framework via image acquiring. In eventual, the histogram equalization enhancement algorithm with Median Modified Wiener Filter (MMWF) is enumerated to enhance the visual quality, tests for signal-to-noise ratio, rate of variations, and noise proportion for sorting the blood vessels of the input fetal image. The analyzed CNN’s VGG 16 and DRNN model’s efficiency via Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB) has detected the cardiac features both in normal and abnormal ranges with an overall accuracy of 99.89% and 98.7%.
Non-chromatographic speciation analysis of antimony in water samples assisted by vinylimidazole-based polymeric sorbent
Authors:   Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sofia “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 1 James Bourchier Blvd., Sofia 1164, Bulgaria, Yordanova T. V. , Dakova I. G. ,   Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sofia “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 1 James Bourchier Blvd., Sofia 1164, Bulgaria
Published: October 2024

A functional polymeric material was synthesized via precipitation copolymerization of vinylimidazole and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate and used as а sorbent for selective separation and determination of Sb(V) and Sb(III). The extraction efficiency of the newly synthesized material toward Sb(III) and Sb(V) was studied in batch mode. In weakly acidic aqueous solutions, at pH 5 – 6, Sb(V) was entirely retained on the polymeric sorbent, while Sb(III) remained in the supernatant. Quantitative elution of Sb(V) was accomplished with 1 mM diammonium hydrogen citrate for 30 min. An analytical procedure for non-chromatographic speciation and determination of inorganic antimony was developed. Concentrations of the target Sb(V) and the non-extractable Sb(III) were measured by ICP-OES with limits of quantitation of 4.2 μg/l and 3.4 μg/l, respectively. The method showed good accuracy, high precision, and applicability to low-mineralized waters, enabling up to 25-fold preconcentration of Sb(V).
The wastewater treatment plant operation estimation through the use of the water quality index – the case study of WWTP-Montana, Bulgaria
Authors:   Sofia University, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Yotova G. I. , Ilieva M. K. ,   Wastewater Treatment Plant, 3400 Montana, Bulgaria, Venelinov T. I. ,   University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Faculty of Hydraulic Engineering, Chair of Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment, Tsakovski S. L. ,   Sofia University, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Chair of Analytical Chemistry
Published: October 2024

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are designed to treat the used water by improving its quality, so it is no longer harmful to the environment when discharged. The long-term mandatory monitoring of wastewater produces large amounts of data. It can be converted to a unitless number – the Water Quality Index (WQI) and used to assess the wastewater quality by checking compliance with the set regulations. It has gained increasing popularity among decision-makers, wastewater professionals, and environmental agencies. Operation assessment of the WWTP-Montana for a period of 12 years (2011-2022) was performed using the Canadian Council of Ministers Water Quality Index (CCME WQI) calculation for the raw water (influent) and the treated water (effluent) of the WWTP and applying time series analysis of CCME WQI and water quality indicators – chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand after 5 days (BOD5), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and total suspended solids (TSS) in the influent. For the entire period, the calculated CCME WQI for the treated waters shows the perfect score of 100 (excellent water quality). The calculated CCME WQI at the inlet, on the other hand, classifies the raw water’s quality as “poor” (64% of the CCME WQI values), “marginal” (32%) and “fair” (4%). The time series analysis reveal that higher water quality of the inlet wastewater is detected in summer (August) due to the lower concentrations of the five mandatory physicochemical indicators.
Cancer Screening and Cancer Treatment in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Bigotte Vieira Miguel , Arai Hiroyuki , Nicolau Carla , Murakami Naoka
Published: October 2024

As the population ages and post-transplant survival improves, pretransplant and post-transplant malignancy are becoming increasingly common. In addition, rapid advances in cancer therapies and improving outcomes prompt us to rethink pretransplant cancer-free wait time and screening strategies. Although kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are at higher risk of developing cancer, epidemiological data on how to best screen and treat cancers in KTRs are incomplete. Thus, current recommendations are still largely on the basis of studies in the general population, and their validity in KTRs is uncertain. Kidney transplant candidates without prior cancer should be evaluated for latent malignancies even in the absence of symptoms. Conversely, individuals with a history of malignancy require thorough monitoring to detect potential recurrences or de novo malignancies. When treating KTRs with cancer, reducing immunosuppression can enhance antitumor immunity, yet this also increases the risk of graft rejection. Optimal treatment and immunosuppression management remains undefined. As the emergence of novel cancer therapies adds complexity to this challenge, individualized risk-benefit assessment is crucial. In this review, we discuss up-to-date data on pretransplant screening and cancer-free wait time, as well as post-transplant cancer screening, prevention strategies, and treatment, including novel therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies.
تقييم تأثير معادلات "الوقت" على تطوير منهجية المحاسبة عن التكلفة على أساس النشاط: مدخل نظري وتطبيقي
Authors: عبدالصادق أسامة سعيد
Published: October 2024

أظهر واقع تطبيق نظام المحاسبة عن التكلفة على أساس النشاط، كثيرا من المشكلات التي استدعت إعادة النظر فيه، لذلك قدم Kaplan & Anderson نظاما حديثا يعتمد على معادلات "الوقت" بوصفها محركا لتكاليف الأنشطة. تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى تحليل وتقييم تأثير معادلات الوقت في علاج المشكلات التي ارتبطت بأسس تطبيق نظام المحاسبة عن التكلفة على أساس النشاط، والمداخل العلمية التي تتكامل مع النظام الجديد، ولقد توصلت هذه الدراسة إلي أن معادلات الوقت تسهم في تطوير منهجية نظام المحاسبة عن التكلفة على أساس النشاط، فضلا عن إسهام معادلات الوقت في تطوير أهداف المحاسبة عن التكلفة، فيما يتعلق بزيادة دقة قياس التكلفة، وقدرتها علي تطوير إجراءات ضبط التكلفة ورقابتها وإسهامها في تطوير تقارير التكاليف، وكذلك تحسين إدارة ربحية العملاء، أما في ما يتعلق بإسهامها في تبسيط إجراءات المحاسبة عن التكلفة، فما زال هناك الكثير من المتطلبات العلمية والعملية التي يجب علي محاسبي التكاليف الإلمام الدقيق بها عند تكوين هذه المعادلات وما تنطوي عليه من علاقات.
التنافسية والتسابق للسيطرة على حصص السوق: تقييم تجريبي للصناعة المصرفية في دولة الكويت
Authors: حسين عبدالحميد علي , محمود ظفر
Published: October 2024

تبحث هذه الدراسة في درجة التنافسية القائمة بين وحدات القطاع المصرفي في دولة الكويت خلال الفترة الزمنية ما بين عامي ۲۰۰۰ - ۲۰۰۷. فباستخدام طريقة بانزر - روز غير الهيكلية وبيانات مقطعية - زمنية يتم تقييم نموذج المعادلة إيرادات البنوك بتقدير معادلة تراجع وحساب إحصاء -H بثلاثة أنماط: طريقة المربعات الدنيا العادية للبيانات المجمعة، وطريقة المربعات الدنيا العامة، وطريقة المؤثرات المثبتة. وتظهر نتائج التقييم الثلاثي أن السوق المصرفية في دولة الكويت غير محتكرة، بل قابلة للتسابق وإحراز النجاح بين المتنافسين، إلا أن نتائج التقييم تشير إلى أن البنوك الكويتية اكتسبت إيراداتها خلال فترة التقييم وكأنها تعمل ضمن شروط المنافسة الاحتكارية، وخلافاً لنتائج دراسة سابقة، لم تتوصل هذه الدراسة إلى أية دلالات تبين أن البنوك الكويتية تعمل ضمن شروط المنافسة الكاملة، وعلى ضوء النتائج المستخلصة من هذه الدراسة يعتقد بأن التركيز الناتج عن تفضيل البنوك كبيرة الحجم على غيرها إنما يكون لتمتع هذه البنوك بمزايا اقتصاديات الإنتاج والمجال على نطاق واسع.
Recent Progress in Neuromorphic Computing from Memristive Devices to Neuromorphic Chips
Authors: Xiao Yike , Gao Cheng , Jin Juncheng , Sun Weiling , Wang Bowen , Bao Yukun , Liu Chen , Huang Wei , Zeng Hui , Yu Yefeng
Published: October 2024

Neuromorphic computing, drawing inspiration from the brain, stands out for its high energy efficiency in executing complex tasks. Memristive device-based neuromorphic computing has demonstrated ultrahigh efficiency. While there are numerous review papers in this field, the majority concentrate on the device level, bypassing the connections among the performance metrics of memristive devices and those of neuromorphic chips. In this review, we investigate the recent progress in neuromorphic computing from the fundamental memristive devices to the intricate neuromorphic chips, highlighting their links and challenges.
Warming and Rising Atmospheric CO
2
Concentration Drive Global Woody Encroachment from 2001 to 2020
Authors: Yu Mengchen , Zheng Yaoyao , Zhu Zaichun
Published: October 2024

Woody plant encroachment (WPE) has been widely studied, yet the spatiotemporal pattern of global WPE and its drivers remain unclear. Here, based on long-term remote sensing observations, we investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of global WPE from 2001 to 2020 and assessed the contributions of the changes in main environmental factors. We found a significantly increasing WPE trend (0.25% a
−1
,
P
< 0.01), resulting from a pronounced gain and a slight loss in woody vegetation (0.29% a
−1
and 0.04% a
−1
,
P
< 0.01, respectively). The global pattern of trends was characterized by large spatial heterogeneity, with 82.95% of areas experiencing an expansion in woody plants. We then used a random forest model incorporating key environmental factors to investigate the complicated driving mechanisms of global WPE. Our results identified warming and elevated CO
2
concentrations as the primary drivers of global WPE dynamics, given their substantial contributions to WPE trends (0.66% a
−1
and 0.32% a
−1
,
P
< 0.01, respectively). Changing precipitation regime was crucial, but its contributions to the WPE trends showed great spatial heterogeneity and offset each other, ultimately leading to a smaller contribution (0.09% a
−1
,
P
< 0.05). In contrast, varying radiation and burned areas had minimal effects (−0.04% a
−1
,
P
> 0.05 and −0.03% a
−1
,
P
< 0.01). We also found that the effects of local factors, such as human activities and natural disturbances, on WPE were non-negligible (0.07% a
−1
,
P
< 0.01). Our study provides a comprehensive picture of the spatiotemporal dynamics and drivers of global WPE, enhancing our understanding of biome transitions in response to environmental changes.
To What Extent Can Digital Health Technologies Comply With the Principles of Responsible Innovation? Practice-and Policy-Oriented Research Insights Regarding an Organisational and Systemic Issue
Authors: Alami Hassane , Lehoux Pascale , E. Shaw Sara , Niang Marietou , Malas Kathy , Fortin Jean-Paul
Published: October 2024

Background: Digital health technologies (DHTs) have expanded exponentially since the COVID-19 crisis and have prompted questions about their impact across all levels of health systems. Because health organisations and systems play a central role in the success or failure of the transition to more equitable and sustainable societies, the concept of Responsible Innovation in Health (RIH), focused on aligning the processes and outcomes of innovation with societal values, is gaining interest in research, policy, and practice. This study aims to explore enablers and constraints to the development, procurement and/or utilisation of responsible DHTs in health organisations. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 stakeholders concerned with the development, procurement, and/or utilisation of DHTs in a large Canadian academic health centre. Data were thematically analysed through a mixed deductive-inductive process using the RIH framework. Results: Our findings highlight that the consideration of RIH principles in the development, procurement, and/or utilisation of DHTs depends mainly on organisational and systemic factors and conditions, namely: (1) the presence of an organisational culture that promotes RIH in its innovation-related practices and processes; (2) availability of material and financial resources as well as expertise in certain fields (eg, environmental sustainability); (3) the evolution of health technology assessment (HTA) practices to include other dimensions beyond effectiveness, safety, and costs; (4) the scope of the regulatory and legal frameworks that govern the approval and use of DHTs; and (5) the role of the market (eg, venture capital) in the design of federal and provincial innovation policies. Conclusion: This study provides insights on practice, policy, and political issues that health organisations may face in the development, procurement, and/or utilisation of responsible DHTs. It can help scholars, practitioners, decision-makers, and industry to create the conditions for a better integration of RIH principles into health organisations and systems.
INVESTIGATING FIRST-YEAR ENGLISH MAJOR STUDENTS’ VIEWPOINTS ON DIFFICULTIES DEVELOPING LISTENING SKILLS IN BUSINESS COURSE
Authors: Hà Nguyễn Thanh
Published: October 2024

Khi đề cập đến dạy và học tiếng Anh ở mọi cấp độ giáo dục tại các quốc gia tiếng Anh được coi như là ngôn ngữ nước ngoài, bốn kỹ năng chính – nghe, nói, đọc, và viết – được tiến hành nghiên cứu một cách rộng rãi. Kỹ năng Nghe từ lâu được cho là kỹ năng khó đối với giáo viên, sinh viên và những người nghiên cứu không phải là những người bản ngữ. Nghiên cứu hỗn hợp xem xét quan điểm của 60 sinh viên năm thứ nhất tại Học viện Chính sách và Phát triển trong học kỳ II năm học 2023-2024. Kết quả từ phiếu trả lời do người nghiên cứu thiết kế đã chỉ ra rằng người tham gia nghiên cứu gặp khó khăn trong việc nâng cao kỹ năng nghe tiếng Anh chuyên ngành, cụ thể đó là tiếng Anh chuyên ngành kinh doanh. Hơn nữa, sinh viên cũng có chung quan điểm về khó khăn của việc phát triển kỹ năng nghe chuyên ngành, từ đó có kết luận rằng không cần thiết phân loại sinh viên nam-nữ để áp dụng các phương pháp giảng dạy kỹ năng nghe riêng biệt cho từng nhóm đối tượng sinh viên. Nghiên cứu đã đưa ra một cách nhìn mới cho nhiều nghiên cứu hơn trong tương lai liên quan đến việc cải thiện kỹ năng nghe tiếng Anh chuyên ngành.
KHẢO SÁT Ý KIẾN CỦA GIÁO VIÊN VỀ THỰC TRẠNG DẠY HỌC NỘI DUNG “NẤM”, “THỰC VẬT” TRONG MÔN KHOA HỌC THEO ĐỊNH HƯỚNG THỰC HÀNH THÍ NGHIỆM TẠI THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH
Authors: Linh Mai Thị Diệu , Khang Lưu Tăng Phúc , Dung Trần Thị Phương
Published: October 2024

Nghiên cứu này tìm hiểu thực trạng tổ chức hoạt động dạy học nội dung “Nấm”, “Thực vật” môn Khoa học theo hướng thực hành thí nghiệm ở các trường tiểu học tại Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh. Nghiên cứu này sử dụng phương pháp phân tích dữ liệu định tính và định lượng với cỡ mẫu gồm 118 giáo viên. Nghiên cứu tiến hành giải quyết hai câu hỏi nghiên cứu chính bao gồm quá trình tổ chức và mức độ hiệu quả của hoạt động dạy học thực hành thí nghiệm. Dạy học theo định hướng thực hành thí nghiệm chủ yếu được sử dụng trong các giờ thực hành, ôn tập. Kế hoạch bài dạy giáo viên thiết kế theo hướng thực hành thí nghiệm vẫn dựa trên căn cứ và yêu cầu của chương trình Giáo dục phổ thông 2018. Việc áp dụng thực hành thí nghiệm giúp học sinh tiếp thu tốt hơn nội dung bài học học sinh có thể phát triển các năng lực. Các yếu tố thuận lợi khi triển khai chủ yếu là do tính chất liên môn và đối tượng học tập gần gũi với thực tế. Ngược lại, quá trình thiết kế và thực hiện các hoạt động thực hành thí nghiệm một cách hiệu quả, thiếu nguồn lực và tài liệu phù hợp cũng như những hạn chế do thời gian và không gian lớp học, kỹ năng của học sinh là các yếu tố bất lợi trong quá trình triển khai hoạt động này.
THỰC TRẠNG DẠY HỌC NỘI DUNG “GIỚI THIỆU CÁC NGÀNH NGHỀ TRUYỀN THỐNG” TRONG HOẠT ĐỘNG TRẢI NGHIỆM LỚP 4 TRÊN ĐỊA BÀN THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH
Authors: Dung Trần Thị Phương , Nhung Lê Thị Hồng , Khang Lưu Tăng Phúc
Published: October 2024

Quá trình công nghiệp hoá – hiện đại hoá đã và đang đặt ra nhiều thách thức cho các ngành nghề truyền thống tại Việt Nam. Đồng thời, điểm mới trong chương trình Giáo dục phổ thông 2018 chú trọng tích hợp, lồng ghép nội dung giáo dục văn hoá dân tộc vào trong các môn học Khoa học xã hội, Hoạt động trải nghiệm. Nghiên cứu này tìm hiểu thực trạng giáo dục giá trị văn hóa thông qua các ngành nghề truyền thống trong môn Hoạt động trải nghiệm lớp 4 thông qua khảo sát bằng bảng hỏi. Kết quả khảo sát 94 giáo viên, cán bộ quản lý cho thấy đa số giáo viên đã có nhận thức đúng về mục tiêu, tầm quan trọng của việc giáo dục giá trị văn hóa thông qua đánh giá mức độ cần thiết và mức độ áp dụng ở mức cao. Song song đó, giáo viên ưu tiên sử dụng các kĩ thuật quen thuộc và dễ thực hiện như vấn đáp, trực quan,... trong dạy học. Song song đó, các yếu tố thuận lợi là mục tiêu, chương trình, nội dung, chỉ đạo chuyên môn và cơ sở vật chất phục vụ hoạt động dạy học. Các khó khăn trong quá trình triển khai nội dung bao gồm năng lực nghiên cứu, thiết kế bài dạy, công tác chuẩn bị và tổ chức hoạt động học tập cho học sinh bị hạn chế bởi nguồn tài liệu tham khảo chuyên môn.
THỰC TRẠNG QUẢN LÝ HOẠT ĐỘNG ĐỔI MỚI PHƯƠNG PHÁP DẠY HỌC THEO ĐỊNH HƯỚNG PHÁT TRIỂN NĂNG LỰC HỌC SINH Ở CÁC TRƯỜNG THCS TRÊN ĐỊA BÀN HUYỆN BA CHẼ TỈNH QUẢNG NINH
Authors: Hùng Đào Việt , Huyền Tô Thị , Hằng Lục Thúy
Published: October 2024

Dưới nền kinh tế thị trường và yêu cầu hội nhập quốc tế, nâng cao chất lượng giáo dục thông qua đổi mới phương pháp dạy học là nhu cầu bức thiết. Mục tiêu của nghiên cứu này là đánh giá thực trạng và hiệu quả của quản lý hoạt động đổi mới phương pháp dạy học theo định hướng phát triển năng lực học sinh tại các trường Trung học cơ sở ở huyện Ba Chẽ, tỉnh Quảng Ninh. Nghiên cứu sử dụng phương pháp điều tra xã hội học tại 9 trường trung học cở sở, dân tộc nội trú với 169 cán bộ là lãnh đạo, tổ trưởng chuyên môn và các giáo viên trên địa bàn huyện Ba Chẽ, tỉnh Quảng Ninh. Kết quả của cuộc khảo sát này nhằm đánh giá đồng bộ về việc quản lý hoạt động đổi mới phương pháp dạy học theo định hướng phát triển năng lực học sinh ở các trường trung học cơ sở, dân tộc nội trú trên địa bàn huyện Ba Chẽ, tỉnh Quảng Ninh hiện nay. Hiệu trưởng đã chỉ đạo tổ chức xây dựng kế hoạch thực hiện đổi mới phương pháp dạy học: Triển khai các lớp tập huấn, trao đổi chuyên đề, phát động các cuộc thi về đổi mới phương pháp dạy học. Các trường đã thực hiện nghiêm túc các nội dung của chương trình giáo dục phổ thông, bắt đầu quan tâm đến việc dạy học theo hướng phát triển năng lực của người học. Đó là cơ sở để đề xuất các biện pháp nhằm đổi mới phương pháp dạy học ở giai đoạn sau của quá trình nghiên cứu.
EVALUATE ADOPTION ACTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN VIETNAM: A CASE STUDY
Authors: Hà Nguyễn Thị Thu , Huệ Hán Thị , Toại Nguyễn Văn
Published: October 2024

Bài viết nghiên cứu này khám phá tiềm năng của các phương pháp sư phạm học tập tích cực nhằm nâng cao sự tham gia của sinh viên, khả năng ghi nhớ kiến thức và phát triển các kỹ năng thiết yếu trong giáo dục đại học. Những phương pháp tiếp cận lấy người học làm trung tâm, chẳng hạn như học tập dựa trên trải nghiệm, dựa trên dự án và dựa trên yêu cầu, trái ngược với các phương pháp dựa trên bài giảng truyền thống ưu tiên truyền tải thông tin thụ động. Học tập tích cực thu hút học sinh tham gia vào các hoạt động thực hành, giải quyết vấn đề trong thế giới thực và các quá trình điều tra, thúc đẩy tư duy phản biện, hợp tác và học tập tự định hướng. Các tác giả cho rằng việc thực hiện thành công đòi hỏi phải thay đổi tư duy, hỗ trợ về thể chế và nguồn lực. Người hướng dẫn cần được đào tạo và linh hoạt để tạo điều kiện học tập tích cực một cách hiệu quả, trong khi chương trình giảng dạy phải cân bằng giữa việc cung cấp nội dung và cơ hội học tập tích cực. Thúc đẩy văn hóa đổi mới sư phạm và hợp tác giữa các giảng viên là rất quan trọng để chia sẻ những thực tiễn tốt nhất và cải tiến liên tục. Nghiên cứu kết luận rằng việc áp dụng các phương pháp học tập tích cực trong giáo dục đại học bao gồm các chiến lược giảng dạy, cam kết của tổ chức, phân bổ nguồn lực, sự tham gia của các bên liên quan cũng như đánh giá và sàng lọc liên tục.