bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experience and perceptions of mental ill-health in people with epilepsy in rural Ethiopia: A qualitative study
Authors: Tsigebrhan Ruth , Newton Charles R. , Selamu Medhin , Hanlon Charlotte
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Understanding the lived experience of mental health and illness in people with epilepsy has been little investigated in Africa and yet is essential to inform person-centered care. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences mental ill-health in the contexts of the lives of people with epilepsy in rural Ethiopia.

Methods

A phenomenological approach was employed using in-depth individual interviews with PWE. Participants were selected purposely. The setting was Gurage Zone in south-central Ethiopia, where efforts had been made to expand access to mental health and epilepsy care through integration in primary health care. Thematic analysis was used.

Result

Twenty-two participant were interviewed (8 women, 14 men). The following themes were identified: expression of ill-health; the essence of emotions; the emotional burden of epilepsy and aspirations and mitigating impacts. Participants reported multiple bodily (e.g., fatigue) and emotional (e.g., irritability, sadness) experiences that were tied up with their experience of epilepsy and not separable into physical vs. mental health. Occupation and social life difficulties were interconnected with emotional and bodily sickness. Emotions were considered inherently concerning, with emotional imbalance spoken of as a cause or trigger for seizures. These emotional burdens resulted in difficulties fulfilling occupational and social life obligations, in turn exacerbating the epilepsy-related stigma experienced by others. Participants sought to mitigate these interconnected psychosocial impacts through finding spiritual meaning in, or acceptance of, their experiences, drawing on family care and, for some, emotional support from health professionals.

Conclusions

People living with epilepsy in this rural Ethiopian setting experience various emotional, financial, occupational and interpersonal problems that are crucially interwoven with one another and with the experience of epilepsy. A people-centered approach to support the recovery of people with epilepsy requires consideration of mental health alongside physical health, as well as interventions outside the health system to address poverty and stigma.
Entropy-based dynamic ensemble classication algorithm for imbalanced data stream with concept drift
Authors: Gong JiaMing , Dong MingGang
Published: December 2024

Online imbalanced learning is an emerging topic that combines the challenges of class imbalance and concept drift. However, current works account for issues of class imbalance and concept drift. And only few works have considered these issues simultaneously. To this end, this paper proposes an entropy-based dynamic ensemble classification algorithm (EDAC) to consider data streams with class imbalance and concept drift simultaneously. First, to address the problem of imbalanced learning in training data chunks arriving at different times, EDAC adopts an entropy-based balanced strategy. It divides the data chunks into multiple balanced sample pairs based on the differences in the information entropy between classes in the sample data chunk. Additionally, we propose a density-based sampling method to improve the accuracy of classifying minority class samples into high quality samples and common samples via the density of similar samples. In this manner high quality and common samples are randomly selected for training the classifier. Finally, to solve the issue of concept drift, EDAC designs and implements an ensemble classifier that uses a self-feedback strategy to determine the initial weight of the classifier by adjusting the weight of the sub-classifier according to the performance on the arrived data chunks. The experimental results demonstrate that EDAC outperforms five state-of-the-art algorithms considering four synthetic and one real-world data streams.
Factors affecting the elderly’s behavioral intention toward smart home systems: A cross-sectional study from China’s eastern coast
Authors: Wang Yuan , Sani Norazmawati Md. , Hua Yinhong , Jiang Qianling , Zhao Long
Published: December 2024

As China’s population continues to age rapidly, smart elderly care has become a crucial strategy for addressing this societal challenge. Smart home systems have the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life, safety, and autonomy of the elderly. However, the adoption rate of these systems in this demographic remains relatively low, requiring an exploration of the key factors influencing the behavioral intention to use such systems. This study developed a comprehensive model based on the Technology Acceptance Model and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Through empirical analysis using partial least squares structural equation modeling, this study systematically examined the pathways through which various factors affected the behavioral intentions of the elderly. The findings revealed that perceived usefulness, facilitating conditions, compatibility, and perceived cost had significant direct effects on behavioral intention. Additionally, social influence, perceived trust, facilitating conditions, and compatibility indirectly influenced behavioral intention through perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Although perceived trust did not directly affect behavioral intention, it exerted an indirect influence through perceived usefulness. This comprehensive model provides theoretical insights into the behavioral intentions of the elderly toward smart home systems and offers practical guidance for developers, designers, and policymakers in the development, design, and promotion of these systems.
TSFF-Net: A deep fake video detection model based on two-stream feature domain fusion
Authors: Zhang Hangchuan , Hu Caiping , Min Shiyu , Sui Hui , Zhou Guola
Published: December 2024

With the advancement of deep forgery techniques, particularly propelled by generative adversarial networks (GANs), identifying deepfake faces has become increasingly challenging. Although existing forgery detection methods can identify tampering details within manipulated images, their effectiveness significantly diminishes in complex scenes, especially in low-quality images subjected to compression. To address this issue, we proposed a novel deep face forgery video detection model named Two-Stream Feature Domain Fusion Network (TSFF-Net). This model comprises spatial and frequency domain feature extraction branches, a feature extraction layer, and a Transformer layer. In the feature extraction module, we utilize the Scharr operator to extract edge features from facial images, while also integrating frequency domain information from these images. This combination enhances the model’s ability to detect low-quality deepfake videos. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of our method, achieving detection accuracies of 97.7%, 91.0%, 98.9%, and 90.0% on the FaceForensics++ dataset for Deepfake, Face2Face, FaceSwap, and NeuralTextures forgeries, respectively. Additionally, our model exhibits promising results in cross-dataset experiments.. The code used in this study is available at: https://github.com/hwZHc/TSFF-Net.git.
Geographical distribution of freshwater fishes in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alharthi Ibrahim G. , Cowx I. G. , Harvey Jon P.
Published: December 2024

Species presence/absence data in different water bodies in different regions of Saudi Arabia were collated from the literature and collected from field surveys to determine the geographical distribution of fish species in the country. Freshwater fish are mainly located in drainages in the south-west of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both in the lowlands (western drainage systems) and highlands (eastern drainage systems) of the Sarawat Mountain Range. The eastern drainage systems were dominated by three endemic species, while the western drainage systems had a variety of endemic and non-native species. Ten non-native fish species were reported, mainly in artificial water bodies in the north and east of the country, but also in dams located in Al Baha Region, Abha and Rabigh, meaning both western and eastern drainage systems are being colonised by non-native species such as Oreochromis and Carassius species.
Suicide assistance in Germany: A protocol for a multi-perspective qualitative study to explore the current practice
Authors: Schwabe Sven , Herbst Franziska A. , Stiel Stephanie , Schneider Nils
Published: December 2024

Background

Suicide assistance is as a complex process comprising a series of stages, ranging from initial consultations with patients about end-of-life options to counselling bereaved family members. The role of healthcare professionals and other practitioners in this process varies according to national regulations and procedural requirements. After a decision of the German Federal Constitutional Court in 2020, suicide assistance is unregulated in Germany but official data about the implementation of suicide assistance is lacking.

Aims

The project “ASEP–Assisted suicide in Germany: Exploring the practice” aims to generate and disseminate scientific knowledge on the practice of assisted suicide in Germany, based on the experiences of practitioners and family members.

Methods

ASEP is a prospective, observational, qualitative study comprising three phases. In Phase 1, expert interviews will be conducted to identify involved professional groups, issues and stages of the implementation of suicide assistance in Germany. In phase 2, experiences of practitioners and family members, who were involved in the practice of suicide assistance in Germany, will be collected via semi-structured interviews and analysed. In phase 3, findings of phase 2 will be discussed in focus groups with experts to identify linkages between the practice of assisted suicide and the healthcare system and to develop recommendations on how these linkages should be organised.

Discussion

The results of this study will gain insights into the practice of suicide assistance for the first time in Germany. The findings are expected to inform scientific societies, professional association, and policy makers about the current practice and provide recommendations for better linkages of assisted suicide with the healthcare system. In this way, the project provides an evidence-based impetus for a more transparent and well-founded handling of assisted suicide in the German healthcare system.

Trial registration

The study was prospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien) (Registration N° DRKS00034574; date of registration: 04 July 2024). The study is searchable under the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform Search Portal of the World Health Organization, under the German Clinical Trials Register number.
Reducing loneliness and depressive symptoms in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pre-post evaluation of a psychosocial online intervention
Authors: Gabarrell-Pascuet Aina , Coll-Planas Laura , Alias Sergi Blancafort , Pascual Regina Martínez , Haro Josep Maria , Domènech-Abella Joan
Published: December 2024

Background

Loneliness is related to worse mental health, particularly in people with poor social support. The COVID-19 pandemic altered our lives and ways of social interaction, especially among vulnerable populations such as older adults.

Methods

We designed a group-based psychosocial online intervention for older adults (≥ 65 years) facilitated by gerontologists addressing loneliness consisting of: (i) sharing experiences and promoting peer support to overcome feelings of loneliness and (ii) increasing the chances of establishing successful social relationships. This was a feasibility non-controlled prospective pilot study carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic with a pre-post evaluation. Interviews before and after the intervention assessed loneliness (emotional and social), social support, depressive and anxiety symptoms, quality of life, and perceived health. Groups of 6–8 participants and 2 facilitators met once a week for 8 weeks through videoconferencing. The intervention effectiveness was assessed with multilevel models for repeated measures.

Results

The study sample (N = 27) was mainly composed of females (74%) and the mean age was 74.26 years. 21 participants completed the intervention (22% drop-out rate). Statistically significant (p<0.01) decreases in emotional loneliness and depressive symptoms were observed following the intervention. Qualitatively, participants positively evaluated the intervention and found in the group a space for personal growth where they could meet new people and express themselves with confidence and security.

Conclusions

Interventions overcoming social distancing restrictions through online tools and targeting vulnerable population sectors (e.g., older adults) can become essential to lessen the collateral consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on social behaviour and mental health.
Comparative efficacy of various oral hygiene care methods in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Yamakita Sachika , Unoki Takeshi , Niiyama Sachi , Natsuhori Eri , Haruna Junpei , Kuribara Tomoki
Published: December 2024

Oral hygiene care is important for ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention. However, the optimal oral hygiene care approach remains unclear. A network meta-analysis was conducted to compare the efficacy of various oral hygiene care methods for ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention in critically ill patients, and the methods were ranked. A literature search of three representative databases was conducted. We only analyzed parallel randomized controlled trials conducted to analyze the use antiseptics or toothbrushes in oral hygiene care for adult patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit. The outcome measure was the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Bias risk was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool, and the confidence in the evidence was evaluated using the CINeMA approach. Statistical analyses were performed using R 4.2.0., GeMTC package, and JAGS 4.3.1. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42022333270). Thirteen randomized controlled trials were included in the qualitative synthesis and twelve randomized controlled trials (2395 participants) were included in the network meta-analysis. Over 50% of the included studies were conducted in medical-surgical intensive care units. Ten treatments were analyzed and 12 pairwise comparisons were conducted in the 12 included studies. Analysis using surface under the cumulative ranking curves revealed that brushing combined with chlorhexidine 0.12% was most likely the optimal intervention for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (88.4%), followed by the use of chlorhexidine 0.12% alone (76.1%), and brushing alone (73.2%). Oral hygiene care methods that included brushing had high rankings. In conclusion, brushing combined with chlorhexidine 0.12% may be an effective intervention for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients. Furthermore, brushing may be the optimal oral hygiene care method for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in the intensive care unit. Further research is needed to verify these findings as the CINeMA confidence rate was low for each comparison.
Body-size evolution in gastropods across the Plio-Pleistocene extinction in the western Atlantic
Authors: Anderson Brendan M. , Petsios Elizabeth , Behn Jessica , Betz Amy , Allmon Warren D. , Lieberman Bruce S. , Hendricks Jonathan R.
Published: December 2024

The Plio-Pleistocene turnover event in the western Atlantic following the closure of the Central American Seaway involved high rates of extinction for both gastropod and bivalve molluscs. This extinction was associated with declining nutrient conditions and has been presumed to be associated with a decrease in molluscan body size. Previous work which has been concordant with this expectation, however, has either focused on bivalves or not considered the effects of the recovery post extinction. In three phylogenetically diverse clades, we found that body-size evolution in gastropods across the turnover event is likely tied to ecology. One clade increased in size, one decreased, and another exhibited no substantial change. Individual species lineages exhibit a mixture of microevolutionary changes from the Pliocene to today. This study indicates that gastropod body-size evolution may be more complex than in bivalves, with ecology and other functional traits playing a significant role. Macroevolutionary processes, especially whether a clade re-radiated post extinction, were found to be important. Indeed, a low portion of extant diversity consists of survivors from clades that increased in size or have similar size distributions among their species relative to the Pliocene.
Evaluating the impact of boxing on prefrontal cortex activation and cognitive performance: A pilot study using fNIRS technology and the Stroop test
Authors: Çemç Muhammed Sıddık , Ağduman Fatih
Published: December 2024

This research sets out to investigate the differences in hemoglobin concentration occurring in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during the administration of the Stroop test in active amateur boxers and to compare the obtained data regarding chronic traumatic brain injury with those of healthy individuals. The research was conducted at the Atatürk University Neuropsychology Laboratory. Participants consisted of 6 male boxers, aged 19.66 ± 2.94 years, who had been actively boxing for 7.5 ± 3.8 years and had received at least high school level education, with right-hand dominance, and 8 healthy males, aged 19.62 ± 1.18 years, who had not engaged in any combat sports. fNIRS recordings were taken over the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) while Stroop test stimuli were presented to the participants in a block design. The data were analyzed using the JASP program. Mann-Whitney U test was applied to evaluate the differences between groups in Stroop test data. The activation levels on the prefrontal cortex during the test were evaluated using the Repeated Measures ANOVA test. A significance level of p <0.05 was accepted for the analyses. In conclusion, compared to the control group, boxers demonstrated a significantly higher level of cerebral activation in the right dlPFC/vlPFC regions during the congruent task and in the right dmPFC as well as the left dmPFC/vmPFC/OFC regions during the incongruent task in the Stroop test. When the Stroop test results of the participants were evaluated between groups, it was found that although statistically insignificant compared to healthy subjects, boxers generally exhibited failure. In conclusion, it was found that boxers exhibit higher neural activation responses and lower cognitive performance during neurophysiological testing compared to healthy controls. These two conditions are thought to be interconnected and are considered to result from neural inefficiency.
The development of hamstring strength over the course of a simulated soccer match
Authors: Rasp Dominic Michael , Paternoster Florian Kurt , Zauser Michael , Kern Jan , Schwirtz Ansgar
Published: December 2024

Hamstring strain injuries are a prevalent burden in soccer. Low strength, muscle fatigue, and inter-limb differences in hamstring strength are associated with hamstring injury risk. Previous research shows increased hamstring injury incidence in soccer at the end of each half or the end of the match, respectively. This study aims at evaluating the aforementioned risk factors of hamstring injury over the course of a simulated soccer match. Ten active soccer players carried out the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test, during which hamstring strength of both legs was assessed on seven occasions via the optimized 90:20 Isometric Posterior Chain Test. Hamstring strength of each limb and inter-limb differences in hamstring strength over the course of the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test were parameters of interest. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to analyze the development of hamstring strength and limb-asymmetries in hamstring strength during the simulated soccer match. Compared to pre-match values, hamstring strength was significantly decreased after 15 and 30 minutes of simulated soccer match for the non-dominant and dominant leg, respectively. There were no further variations in hamstring strength within the simulated soccer match for either leg. We did neither measure significant recovery of hamstring strength to pre-match values at the beginning of the second half, as suspected by previous research, nor inter-limb differences, or a deterioration of limb asymmetries in hamstring strength during the simulated soccer match. Players who only participate for a short period in a soccer match may be exposed to the same risk of suffering hamstring injury like players who compete for a longer duration. Decreasing hamstring strength partly depicts the pattern of hamstring injury incidences during soccer matches. Additional factors may influence the increasing hamstring injury rate at the end of each half or the later stages of a match, respectively.
Effect of age, sex, and county on postmortem findings in goats and sheep in Tennessee (USA), 2017–2021
Authors: Lear Andrea , Sheley Wesley , Shanks Jessy , Whitlock Brian , Okafor Chika
Published: December 2024

Small ruminants, including sheep and goats, play an important role in the economy of American agriculture. They are susceptible to a variety of diseases that impact animal welfare and production. This study evaluated postmortem data from two different diagnostic laboratories in the state of Tennessee to discern common causes of death of small ruminants that were brought in for necropsy between 2017 to 2021. Data were prepared for analysis by selecting the predominant conditions observed at postmortem examination and risk factors including sex, age, season, and region were included in analysis. The predominant condition seen in both small ruminant species was endoparasitism. In both sheep and goats, female juvenile animals were more likely to be diagnosed with this condition at necropsy during summer months. Abortive diseases were the next most prominent condition diagnosed in both small ruminant species. The majority of these cases were due to an unknown cause and age was a significant risk factor in both sheep and goats. Neurological disorders in goats and pneumonia in sheep were included in the most prevalent diagnoses at postmortem examination with age being a significant risk factor. These findings suggest that many small ruminant deaths are attributed to infectious diseases that have herdwide implications. Producer education could be beneficial to help identify and implement control measures in a timely manner to help minimize production loss associated with common diseases.
E-Governance in Project Management: Transforming Decision-Making and Addressing Implementation Risks
Authors: Liu Ngoc Min-hau
Published: December 2024

The integration of e-governance into project management has emerged as a transformative solution for addressing modern challenges such as inefficiencies in decision-making and suboptimal resource allocation. By leveraging advanced digital tools, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and Dashboards, e-governance enhances transparency, accountability, and strategic alignment within project lifecycles. This paper explores the dual facets of e-governance—its potential benefits and its inherent risks—through a case study of prominent organizations in Dubai, namely the Dubai Police, the Road and Transport Authority (RTA), and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). The findings highlight the significant value of integrating human expertise with advanced technologies, enabling real-time governance and improving project outcomes. Nevertheless, the challenges of system security, scalability, and cultural adaptation must be addressed for successful implementation. This research provides actionable insights for organizations transitioning toward e-governance frameworks and establishes a foundation for further exploration into its long-term implications.
Graphene oxide-modified cellulose acetate membranes with improved Congo red removal efficiency
Authors: Jafer Mosa , Mindeel Hayder , Hussein Abdullah A. , Ibrahim Naeemah A. , Taki Anmar Ghanim , Fawzi Nassar Maadh
Published: December 2024

The casting method was used to obtain membranes from cellulose acetate (CA) with different contents (0.1; 0.4; 0.8 wt%) of graphene oxide (GO). FESEM and FT-IR were used to evaluate the membrane structure. The contact angle was also examined. Congo red was used to evaluate the membrane efficiency. The contact angle of CA/GO membranes decreased from 55.47˚ (CA) to 38.16˚ (0.4 wt% GO), which indicates good dispersion of GO in the CA matrix. CA/GO membranes showed less irreversible fouling, which indicates that reversible fouling predominated over fouling of all membranes. Increasing the membrane porosity, pore size and hydrophilicity results in higher permeability.
Imagen y negociación en una campaña política en Nuevo León, México
Authors: Herrera Martínez Manuel Santiago
Published: December 2024

El objetivo de esta investigación es mostrar las actividades de imagen en una campaña política por parte del entonces candidato a la Gobernatura de Nuevo León, México, Samuel García, quien a través de la carne asada reúne a diversos comensales para conocer la situación política, económica y social del Estado y negociar sus intereses para obtener el anhelado voto. Dentro de los lineamientos teóricos que sustentarán este trabajo, se encuentran en la parte de la gastronomía: La región socioculinaria de Licona Valencia (2017), la cultura en Eagleton (2001) y Nora (2007), los campos de Bordieu (1998) y la gastronomía y memoria en Sánchez Martínez (2007). En cuanto a las actividades de imagen se cuenta con la imagen social de Goffman (1967), la comida afectiva y la polisemia alimentaria en Vélez Jiménez (2013). La metodología será un análisis cualitativo-descriptivo para revisar el discurso emitido por el candidato durante su campaña política. Los principales hallazgos es que el candidato, por medio del alimento, crea un ambiente de comodidad para resaltar su imagen, lograr un sentido de filiación entre los ciudadanos y proyectar un comportamiento de modestia para mostrarse como el contendiente ideal para ganar las elecciones.
Discours des migrants haïtiens
Authors: Caldas Pessoa Sônia , Civil Jude
Published: December 2024

Notre objectif est de présenter des réflexions sur certaines expériences d’immigrants haïtiens dans la région de Belo Horizonte, au sud-est du Brésil, en établissant un dialogue entre les discours médiatiques, les expériences d'un étudiant haïtien, et les recherches menées par un groupe d'une université publique brésilienne. Pour ce faire, nous nous appuyons sur des auteurs dont les travaux sont centrés sur les processus d’affectation et de valorisation de l’expérience (Mendonça; Moriceau 2017; Pessoa ; Mantovani ; Sousa, 2019), ainsi que sur les tensions avec les imaginaires sociaux (Charraudeau, 2007; Abril, 2013; Pessoa, 2018; 2015), des critiques émanant du racisme (Mbembe, 2018). Le matériel empirique est constitué de récits d'Haïtiens recueillis par Dornelas (2016) et Marques et Therrier (2017) et associés à des fragments de témoignages de migrants publiées par le journal O Tempo. Cette recherche, menée au cours des dernières années, est qualitative ancrée dans le choix des rapports, dans une revue bibliographique et dans le débat établi dans le cadre de la triangulation présentée ci-dessous : affects, imaginaires et racisme, qui forgent des scénarios de préjugés et, par conséquent, accroissent les difficultés d’adaptation de ces immigrants sur le territoire brésilien dans lequel ils tentent de se construire une nouvelle vie.
Pendekatan Sinergis Antara Ajaran Islam Dengan Analisis Data Kategorik Berdasarkan Q.S. Al-Hujurat Ayat 13
Authors: Muna Faiqotul , Lailiyah Zuhairina Desiyatul
Published: December 2024

According to this research, understanding and addressing complex social issues is crucial. This article emphasises the differences between religion and science and how they affect how we understand the social world, particularly Muslim communities with different views on Western civilisation. The thirteenth verse of Surah Al-Hujurat in the Qur'an is analysed along with categorical data analysis techniques to investigate the issue of prejudice in society. This paper aims to enhance our understanding of the moral principles contained in religious teachings and how to overcome prejudice in society through the incorporation of these principles. The research method combines the interpretation of Qur'anic verses with statistical concepts, resulting in a deeper understanding of the issues. In conclusion, this article demonstrates the importance of interdisciplinary integration in understanding and addressing complex social issues.
Valoración del capital intelectual en las empresas de Network Marketing en Colombia
Authors: García Orozco Martha Lucía , Rincón Soto Carlos Augusto , Millan Solarte Julio Cesar
Published: December 2024

La gestión y valoración del capital humano se ha convertido en un generador de ventajas competitivas e incide en el desempeño de la organización. El objetivo del presente documento es analizar la relación entre la valoración del capital intelectual y la rentabilidad en las empresas del Network Marketing en Colombia. La metodología fue descriptiva con enfoque cuantitativo aplicando el método deductivo, se analizaron 23 empresas de Network Marketing con información financiera de los años 2016 a 2020, se construyó una base de datos de 115 estados financieros. Los resultados mostraron una correlación entre indicadores de rentabilidad y el Valor Añadido de la Inversión de Capital.
E-learning para el fortalecimiento de las competencias blandas en el entorno laboral pos-pandémico
Authors: Másmela Olivar Rodrígo , Galvis Guapacha Pablo César
Published: December 2024

Este artículo analizó el uso del e-learning para el fortalecimiento de las competencias blandas en el entorno laboral pospandémico de las empresas colombianas, a fin de indicar la manera en que puede fortalecer la dinámica y procesos laborales tanto presenciales como de teletrabajo. Metodológicamente, sigue las orientaciones del paradigma positivista con enfoque cuantitativo y un diseño no experimental transaccional, empleando un cuestionario orientado a 74 empleados de tres empresas participantes, quienes con sus respuestas permitieron obtener y procesar los datos empleando técnicas de estadísticas descriptivas para interpretarlos, teniendo como resultado la necesidad de fortalecer las habilidades blandas mediante el e-learning que le permite a las empresas formar y capacitar a sus empleados para alcanzar las metas al considerar el trabajo en equipo, la comunicación asertiva y la inteligencia emocional como competencias blandas a resaltar para un trabajo más eficiente.
Advanced Neural Model for Spanish Spell-Checking
Authors: Puerto Cuadros Eduard Gilberto
Published: December 2024

Context: Correcting spelling errors in written content, particularly in Spanish texts, remains a critical challenge in natural language processing (NLP) due to the complexity of word structures and the inefficiency of existing methods when applied to large datasets.
Method: This paper introduces a novel neural model inspired by the brain’s cognitive mechanisms for recognizing and correcting misspelled words. Through a deep hierarchical framework with specialized recognition neurons and advanced activation functions, the model is designed to enhance the accuracy and scalability of spelling correction systems. Our approach not only improves error detection but also provides context-aware corrections.
Results: The results show that the model achieves an F-measure of 83%, significantly surpassing the 73% accuracy of traditional spell-checkers, marking a substantial advancement in automated spelling correction for the Spanish language.
Conclusions: The features of the neural model facilitate spelling correction by emulating the cognitive mechanisms of the human mind. Our model detects more orthographic error types and reports less false positives. As for its limitations, this proposal requires the supervised definition of the weights assigned to the variables used for recognition.
Impact of Atrial Fibrillation Type on Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis: A Single-Center Analysis
Authors: Yamashita Yoshiyuki , Sicouri Serge , Baudo Massimo , Rodriguez Roberto , Gnall Eric M. , Coady Paul M. , Jarrett Harish , Abramson Sandra V. , Hawthorne Katie M. , Goldman Scott M. , Gray William A. , Ramlawi Basel
Published: December 2024

Background:

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a recognized risk factor for mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis, but the impact of different types of AF on clinical outcomes remains unclear.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 982 patients divided into 3 groups: no AF, paroxysmal AF, and nonparoxysmal AF (persistent or permanent). Clinical outcomes were analyzed using inverse probability weighting and multivariate models.

Results:

There were 610, 211, and 161 patients in the no-AF, paroxysmal AF, and nonparoxysmal AF groups, respectively. For the entire cohort, the mean (SD) age was 82 (7.7) years, and the periprocedural, 1-year, and 5-year mortality rates were 2.0%, 12%, and 50%, respectively. After inverse probability weighting, the periprocedural mortality rate was higher in the nonparoxysmal AF group than in the no-AF group (odds ratio, 4.71 [95% CI, 1.24-17.9]). During 5 years of follow-up (median [IQR], 22 [0-69] months), all-cause mortality was higher in the nonparoxysmal AF group than in the no-AF group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.56 [95% CI, 1.14-2.14]; P = .006). The paroxysmal AF group was not associated with worse clinical outcomes than the no-AF group (HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.81-1.49]) for all-cause mortality. Stroke rates were comparable among the 3 groups. Multivariate analysis also showed increased all-cause mortality in the nonparoxysmal AF group compared with the no-AF group (adjusted HR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.06-1.93]; P = .018), while all-cause mortality was comparable between the paroxysmal AF and no-AF groups (adjusted HR, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.75-1.33]).

Conclusion:

In patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis, having nonparoxysmal AF was associated with a higher risk of periprocedural and all-cause mortality compared with having no AF. Paroxysmal AF showed no such association.
The Synthesis and Characterization of A New Composite Material Ca-Mg-NH₄-PO₄ Dolomite-Based for Effective Multinutrient Fertilizer in Plant Growth
Authors: Aulia Noni , Sanjaya Vica Brilliany , Sumada Ketut , Suprianti Lilik
Published: December 2024

The rapid expansion of Indonesia's agricultural sector has led to a surge in fertilizer demand. Dolomite lime shows potential as a promising alternative material to enhance fertilizer quality. This study aims to synthesize and characterize a Ca-Mg-NH4-PO4 composite using dolomite as a precursor through precipitation. The synthesis was successfully achieved through several stages, beginning with dolomite preparation, dissolution in 5N phosphoric acid, and subsequent precipitation with ammonium hydroxide at pH 8, 30°C, with a stirring speed of 450 rpm. The resulting composite was analyzed using various analytical techniques to evaluate its structural, morphological, and elemental compositions. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) results indicated the formation of struvite crystals at positions 2θ = 20.828°, 30.539°, 33.234°, brushite crystals at position 2θ = 11.650°, and impurity compounds that appeared during the synthesis process. Impurities affecting crystal purity were detected but could be minimized through washing. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed a monoclinic crystal morphology with particle sizes ranging from 4.32 μm to 579 nm. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) analysis verified the presence of Ca, Mg, NH₄, and PO₄ components in the composite. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that the composite has P-O-C functional groups at 949 cm⁻¹, 972 cm⁻¹, and 1027 cm⁻¹, and N-H functional groups at 1466 cm⁻¹. Overall, this Ca-Mg-NH₄-PO₄ composite derived from dolomite demonstrates promising characteristics as a multi-nutrient fertilizer, offering a high-quality option to support sustainable agricultural practices.
Antibacterial Activity of Endophytic Bacterial Isolates from Kaempferia galanga Leaves
Authors: Ridha Rafifa , Hefni Dira , Tachrim Zetryana Puteri , Primahana Gian , Priyanto Jepri Agung , Linosefa Linosefa , Adrial Adrial , Endrinaldi Endrinaldi , Prastya Muhammad Eka
Published: December 2024

Indonesia has a high biodiversity, which can be relied upon as a potential source of medicinal materials. One of the medicinal plants in Indonesia is Kaempferia galanga, which demonstrates various pharmacological properties, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiangiogenic effects. However, directly extracting active compounds from plants requires a considerable amount of biomass. To address this challenge, utilizing endophytic bacteria associated with these plants presents a promising alternative. Consequently, the antibacterial activity of endophytic bacterial isolates from K. galanga leaves needs to be investigated. This study is an experimental laboratory investigation conducted in vitro. Two isolates demonstrated antibacterial activity: isolate code DR4 inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (3 ± 0.5 mm), while isolate DR10 inhibited the growth of four bacteria: Bacillus subtilis (5 ± 0 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (1.5 ± 0.5 mm), Escherichia coli (1 ± 0 mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1 ± 0 mm). Disc diffusion tests using ethyl acetate extracts of isolate DR10 showed the highest antibacterial activity at a concentration of 10,000 ppm. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined to be 156.2 ppm against B. subtilis, while the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) was >625 ppm. Molecular identification showed that isolate DR 10 had 100% similarity to Bacillus sp. TS8. The active compound suspected to have antibacterial properties is pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(2-methylpropyl)-, with the highest abundance.
Application of the Schmidt hammer in the relative-age dating of rockfall deposits in the Belvedere Glacier Valley
Authors: Baťka Jan , Azzoni Roberto Sergio , Vilímek Vít
Published: December 2024

The Schmidt hammer is a cost-effective tool for both relative- and absolute-age dating of rocks (the latter in connection with previously absolutely dated surfaces). Its application in high-mountain environments is particularly favoured due to the abundance of dating material and the small size of the dating tool compared to other options. The use of the Schmidt hammer on rock types with macroscopic crystals is not recommended due to the varying weathering rates of different minerals. However, in harsh alpine conditions, there is often no other choice. We applied the Schmidt hammer in the relative dating of boulders in the Belvedere Glacier valley (Italian Alps) with orthogneiss and paragneiss being the dominant rock types (both consisting of macroscopic minerals). For the first time in the Schmidt hammer-related studies, we prepared a chart for the objective inclination correction of the data. The correction for aspect was also performed. The results suggest the successful applicability of the Schmidt hammer even under the unfavourable circumstances.
Evaluation of the distribution of cadmium and its toxic effects on the biological responses of Nicotiana tabacum L.
Authors: Mahmoudi Parvaneh , Mohajel Kazemi Elham , Mohajel Shoja Hanieh , Kolahi Maryam
Published: December 2024

The tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is introduced as a template in botanical research. The environmental pollutant cadmium (Cd) contributes to cell destruction by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, to clarify the response of tobacco plants to Cd-induced oxidative stress, the effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) at five levels (0, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 mM) were researched on morphological and biochemical characteristics. The finding revealed that the increased concentration of CdCl2 reduced the values ​​of PLSTI (plantlet length stress tolerance index), PDSTI (plantlet dry weight stress tolerance index), and relative water content. CdCl2 significantly increased proline, antioxidant capacity, MDA (Malondialdehyde), and H2O2 levels. As the concentration of cadmium in the environment elevates, its accumulation in roots and shoots increases. However, the amount of Cd accumulated in the roots was greater than in the shoots. The high potential of tobacco to absorb heavy metals introduces this plant as a suitable Cd accumulator, while, due to the non-edible consumption of tobacco, it can also be used in phytoremediation. This study helps to better understand the interaction of different antioxidant pathways with Cd toxicity as well as the biochemical changes resulting from oxidative stress pathways in tobacco plants.
Drought-induced expression of PvDERB1F and PvDREB5A with promoted antioxidant activities possibly enhanced drought stress tolerance in Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Pholo-Tait Motlalepula , Lekgari Lekgari , Ithuteng Moagisi
Published: December 2024

The integration of Phaseolus vulgaris L. as a priority crop in a diversified farming system is paramount for its social, environmental and economic benefits. Despite drought stress being one of the major crop production limiting factors in Botswana, much research has been focused on yield stability under rainfed conditions. In that regard, performance under drought stress and molecular mechanisms aligned to morphological performances remain unclear. Transcriptional, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidative analyses were performed to evaluate the performance of common bean genotypes under drought stress. The study highlights CAL96 and DAB541 genotypes as the most promising drought tolerance genotypes due to biomass production under drought stress. The increase or maintained biomass production was possibly attributed to overexpression of PvDREB1F and PvDREB5A genes, enhanced accumulation of proline and a substantial reduction in MDA content. Furthermore, these positively correlated with an increase in CAT and APX-associated H₂O₂ scavenging activity. Inversely, the inhibited dry biomass, decrease in the expression of PvDREB1F, PvDREB5A, and PvDREB6B with greater levels of MDA and H₂O₂ and a steady activity of APX and CAT were observed in GK011 and DAB514. This suggested disequilibrium with a consequential enhanced membrane lipid peroxidation and a loss of membrane integrity.
Theoretical and experimental exploration of organic molecules adsorption on iron surfaces for corrosion inhibition: a review
Authors: Othman Khdir Ahmed , Hamad Wali M. , Omer Rebaz Anwar
Published: December 2024

Iron corrosion in acidic environments poses a significant challenge in various industries. This study explores the relationship between theoretical parameters and experimental data for organic corrosion inhibitors applied to iron surfaces in 1 M HCl solution at 25 °C. The review analyzes studies employing various techniques, primarily Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), to assess inhibitor efficiency (IE%). Key theoretical parameters like E
binding (interaction strength) and ΔN (electron transfer) are investigated for their ability to predict IE%. The findings reveal a strong correlation between experimental IE% and E
binding, suggesting the potential of E
binding as a reliable predictor of inhibitor performance before experimentation. While ΔN demonstrates promise in evaluating inhibitor effectiveness, further validation is necessary. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the possibility of using a single standardized method like EIS for inhibitor efficiency evaluation due to consistent results observed across studies with standardized conditions. Additionally, the influence of factors like molecular structure, surface interactions, and temperature on inhibitor effectiveness is highlighted. Higher inhibitor concentrations and lower temperatures generally resulted in improved corrosion inhibition. This review underscores the importance of a combined theoretical and experimental approach for the development of efficient and optimized corrosion inhibitors for iron in acidic environments.
Detailed insight into approximate circuits with error-responsive information flow tracking
Authors: Schammer Lutz , Martino Gianluca , Najafi Amir , Garcia-Ortiz Alberto , Fey Goerschwin
Published: December 2024

A significant challenge hindering the widespread adoption of approximate hardware units is the complexity associated with test and error evaluation. We address this issue by extending Information Flow Tracking (IFT) for hardware designs to accommodate approximate units. Unlike conventional IFT approaches, our system employs a dynamic, error-responsive tag-based mechanism that facilitates tracking the error characteristics and their propagation within approximate units. Such an approach is vital in the domain of approximate computing, where uncommon yet substantial errors, such as those found in Equal Segmentation Adders (ESA), can markedly influence computation accuracy and reliability. By focusing on the dynamic nature of errors and their traceability, our methodology supports understanding the effects of approximation errors, thereby promoting their broader utilisation in various applications. The results of our study demonstrate the potential of analysing error propagation in approximate designs.
Osteogenesis imperfecta: shifting paradigms in pathophysiology and care in children
Authors: Stasek Stefanie , Zaucke Frank , Hoyer-Kuhn Heike , Etich Julia , Reincke Susanna , Arndt Isabell , Rehberg Mirko , Semler Oliver
Published: December 2024

The formation of functional bone requires a delicate interplay between osteogenesis and osteolysis. Disturbances in this subtle balance result in an increased risk for fractures. Besides its mechanical function, bone tissue represents a key player in the regulation of calcium homeostasis. Impaired bone formation results in bone fragility, which is especially pronounced in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). This rare genetic disorder is characterized by frequent fractures as well as extraskeletal manifestations. The current classification of OI includes 23 distinct types. In recent years, several new mutations in different genes have been identified, although the exact pathomechanisms leading to the clinical presentation of OI often remain unclear. While bisphosphonates are still the standard of care, novel therapeutic approaches are emerging. Especially, targeted antibody therapies, originally developed for osteoporosis, are increasingly being investigated in children with OI and represent a promising approach to alleviate the consequences of impaired osteogenesis and improve quality of life in OI patients. This review aims to provide insight into the pathophysiology of OI and the consequences of distinct disease-causing mutations affecting the regulation of bone homeostasis. In this context, we describe the four most recently identified OI-causing genes and provide an update on current approaches for diagnosis and treatment.