bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGARUH BUDAYA ORGANISASI DAN GAYA KEPEMIMPINAN TERHADAP KINERJA PENGAWAI PADA DINAS SOSIAL KOTA BENGKULU
Authors: Tanti Zerlina Kil , Darmawi Edi , Suri Evsa Wulan
Published: December 2024

The Influence of Organizational Culture and Leadership Style on Employee Performance at the Bengkulu City Social Service. This research aims to determine (1) the influence of Organizational Culture on Employee Performance (2) the influence of Organizational Culture on Leadership Style; (3) the influence of Leadership Style on Employee Performance. The population of this study was Bengkulu City Social Service employees, totaling 22 people. Data collection techniques use questionnaires, websites and documents. The data analysis techniques used in the research are Instrument Test and Path Analysis Test. The research results show that there is a significant influence of Organizational Culture on Employee Performance with an R Square of 0.688. There is a positive influence of Organizational Culture on Employee Performance through Leadership Style with an R Square of 0.795. The results of research on Organizational Culture on Employee Performance through Leadership Style show that Leadership Style is a variable that can mediate between Organizational Culture and Employee Performance with a probability value of 0.0009 < 0.05, so Leadership Style can mediate the influence of Organizational Culture on Employee Performance. From the research results we can conclude that: 1) There is a positive and significant influence of good Organizational Culture on improving Leadership Style in the Bengkulu City Social Service; 2) There is a significant influence of good leadership style on improving employee performance at the Bengkulu City Social Service.
No one expected this to happen
Authors: Metersky Kateryna , Al-Hamad Areej
Published: December 2024

This poetic expression piece details the experiences of a migrant woman arriving in a new host country. While the piece it is not based on the lived experience of one specific migrant woman, the voice of one woman is used to represent a collective voice. This collective voice is comprised from all the Ukrainian migrant women participants that took part and shared their experiences in our research studies within a wider program of research on migrant women who settle in Canada. This poetic expression piece explicates the challenges and worries that this hypothetical migrant woman undergoes with seeking employment, finding affordable housing and food, the constant worries around health and wellbeing, and the guilt of having relocated to a new country. The intention of this poetic expressive piece is to help readers connect, on an emotive level, with the lived experiences of a vulnerable population. The world is currently experiencing the largest displacement of people since the second World War. Providing a means to share stories of experience can lead to a collective understanding of experiences and generation of solutions to support such populations.
Is Our Religious Freedom in Danger? Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Religion in Estonia
Authors: Rohtmets Priit
Published: December 2024

Estonia is a highly secularised country, where religious legislation is very liberal and the state’s interference in religious affairs has for the last 30 years been minimal. I suggest in this chapter that, although the restrictions that were imposed in Estonia during the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be considered disproportionate, and that during the first wave of coronavirus in 2020 religious organisations were in favour of the limitations, this nevertheless turned out to be a challenge for them, because for the first time in decades the state interfered in religious affairs. In addition, during the pandemic a heated and dividing value debate about the legislation on same-sex unions was going on in Estonian society. In spring and autumn 2020, during the first and second waves of the virus, the question of whether the state has the right to limit religious activity resulted in a confrontation between various factions within religious groups as well as between religious associations and the state. In connection with the restrictions implemented, the question of respecting religious freedom as well as the proportionality of the restrictions were raised in Estonian public media. In this chapter I analyse the position of the Estonian state and various religious institutions during the time of the coronavirus and the discussions held in Estonian society during different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to that, I focus on the impact of the pandemic to people’s religiosity and the ‘digital revolution’ in the churches.
Prioritising Community Spirit over Freedom of Religion During the Pandemic: The Case of Denmark
Authors: Kühle Lene , Mauritsen Anne Lundahl
Published: December 2024

The handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Danish state and society has generally received praise. The actions taken by the Danish authorities efficiently curbed the death rates and the population generally accepted the restrictions put on public and collective aspects of their lives as they were performing what in Danish was named samfundssind (community spirit/civic consciousness). The practice of samfundssind also prevailed among religious communities, who adhered with very few complaints to the complete closing of all places of worship for the public during the first lockdown and the extremely bureaucratic rules of limitations during the later lockdowns. In this analysis of the pandemic’s impact on religious life in Denmark, we present three key findings: (a) we present how minority groups struggled with achieving a positive public perception, (b) we show that the usual privileged position of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark (ELCD) was more or less nullified by the strict restrictions of the government, and (c) we argue that ELCD was therefore subjected to the same restrictions as the minority religious groups. It was also clear that many of these restrictions were formulated on the basis of an understanding of the ELCD as the default form of religion in Denmark.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Religious Communities in Finland
Authors: Ketola Kimmo
Published: December 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic reached Finland at the beginning of 2020. During the pandemic the Finnish government restricted citizens’ basic constitutional rights in a manner that was entirely exceptional for the post-war years. This chapter focuses on how the various measures to curb the pandemic affected religious communities and religious life in Finland. The Finnish situation was made more complex by the special relationship between the state and the two national churches, which operate under public law but are nevertheless administratively independent of the state. The various legal exemptions for religious life from state regulation meant government restrictions on public gatherings and businesses did not apply to worship and other religious gatherings. Nevertheless, the majority churches and other religious communities adhered closely to the state regulations on their own initiative. The lack of government restrictions therefore did not mean the pandemic had no effect on religious life. The article describes how the religious communities adjusted their activities in some rather drastic ways during the shutdown periods.
Impact of COVID-19 on Religions in Spain: Sociological Reflections on Religious Freedom and Practices
Authors: Martinez-Cuadros Rosa
Published: December 2024

On 14 March 2020, the Spanish government declared a ‘state of alarm’ through Royal Decree 463/2020 to manage the health crisis derived from COVID-19. This happened only three days after the World Health Organization rated the public health situation as a pandemic. From that point on, different actions taken by the Spanish authorities directly affected religious freedom and worship activities. This chapter analyses how the legal situation impacted religious communities during the evolution of the pandemic in Spain. Moreover, it offers sociological reflections on the role of religious communities in legal and health care decisions and the specificities of religion–state relations. The absence of close communication between religious communities and the government led to paradoxical situations that impacted religious freedom. However, religious institutions had an active role in following measures and collaborated with the health authorities. This chapter also explores the impact that COVID-19 had on religious observation and the new challenges posed in ways of ‘lived religion’. Among other things, the new situation raised awareness of issues such as the use of digital platforms and the participation of young people.
The Role of Imposing Rehabilitation as a Measure for Child Drug Offenses
Authors: Irabiah  , Ari AM Muhammad As , Septiana Anis Ribcalia , Rahmadanti Siti
Published: December 2024

Introduction to the Problem: The importance of rehabilitation in treating addiction among narcotics addicts is crucial to reduce the number of child addicts. However, in practice, there is still an increase in narcotics addiction among children and teenagers. The efficacy of rehabilitation in treating those afflicted by narcotics is crucial, given the inherent challenge faced by victims or users of narcotics in overcoming their dependence on these substances independently.
Purpose/Study Objectives: The objective of this research is to understand the fulfillment of children's rights to be protected as offenders of drug misuse, namely their right to avoid detention unless absolutely necessary, which has not been achieved. The purpose of diversion efforts is to protect adolescents involved in drug misuse by preventing their transition from the formal criminal justice system to the informal criminal justice system.
Approach research: This research uses a qualitative approach, enabling the researcher to gain an in-depth understanding of how children's rights are fulfilled in the context of narcotics rehabilitation and how the diversion system is applied. This method also allows the researcher to understand the perspectives of stakeholders, such as law enforcement officials, social workers, and the families of children or teenagers involved in drug misuse.
Findings: Additional safeguards encompass the oversight, preemptive measures, therapeutic interventions, and reintegration efforts for youngsters engaged in substance misuse. The process of determining rehabilitation as a sanction for perpetrators of narcotics abuse follows the guidelines for granting a determination by a judge to a suspect or accused of narcotics abuse. This determination is made based on a request from National Narcotics Board and investigators, who recommend that victims of narcotics abuse undergo rehabilitation.
Paper Type: Research Article
Shock Index in Hyperglycemic Patients in the Emergency Medical and Surgical Ward of Dr. Soedono Madiun General Hospital
Authors: Azizah Maura Olifiani , Rachmawati Dewi , Mulyadi Arif
Published: December 2024

Uncontrolled hyperglycemia causes hyperosmolarity, stimulating osmotic diuresis and leading to excessive dehydration which can result in death. Therefore, early detection of hypovolemic shock is necessary for immediate management. The aim of the study is to assess the shock index values in hyperglycemic patients in medical and surgical emergency rooms. Using a descriptive method, this study included a population of hyperglycemic patients from January 30 to March 11, 2023, with a sample of 40 patients meeting the inclusion criteria of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS) complications. The instrument used were observation sheets and shock index assessment indicators. The results showed that 16.7% of respondents with DKA experienced moderate shock, 72.2% mild shock, and 11.1% without shock. Meanwhile, 50% of respondents with HHS experienced severe shock, and 50% moderate shock. Mild shock was most common in DKA due to sufficient body fluids preventing a drop in blood pressure and pulse rate. Conversely, HHS patient exhibited severe and moderate shock because high blood glucose levels caused osmotic diuresis, leading to excessive dehydration. It can be concluded that higher blood glucose levels result in more severe dehydration thus worsening the shock condition
The Relationship between Family Support and Anxiety Level in Preoperative Major Elective General Anesthesia Patients at dr. Soedomo Hospital Trenggalek
Authors: Ridho Syeikhu Alfa , Widodo Dyah , Sulastyawati Sulastyawati , Ciptaningtyas Maria Diah
Published: December 2024

surgical process. Family support plays a crucial role in helping patients manage preoperative anxiety. The study aimed to analyze the relationship between family support and anxiety levels in patients undergoing major elective surgery with general anesthesia. The research design was cross-sectional. The study population consisted of 92 patients, with a sample size of 75 recruited through non-probability purposive sampling. The study utilized family support and Amsterdam preoperative anxiety and information Scale (APAIS) questionnaires as instruments. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests, including Spearman’s rank correlation (Rho) with a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The results showed that almost all participant received high levels of family support (81.3%) and moderate level of preoperative anxiety (81.3%). The Spearman rank test indicated a significant relationship between family support and anxiety levels (p-value = 0.000 0.05) with a very strong, negative correlation (r = -.870). In conclusion, higher the family support is associated with lower anxiety level in preoperative patients. It is recommended that families provide consistent support during preoperative phase to help reduce patient level of anxiety.
The Relationship Between Nursing Agency and Self Care Behavior In Hypertensive Elderly
Authors: Sakti Ifa Pannya , Luhung Monika
Published: December 2024

Nurses as nursing agencies play a crucial role in efforts to control blood pressure, especially in elderly, through educational programs that promote self-care behavior and healthy lifestyle changes. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between nursing agencies and self-care behavior in elderly with hypertension in the Prolanis Group of Tajinan Health Center, Malang Regency. This research uses quantitative, retrospective and cohort design. The study population consist of all elderly suffering from hypertension who are members of the Prolanis group at Tajinan Community Health Center, Malang Regency, totaling 142 people. A purposive sampling technique was employed, with inclusion criteria of elderly people aged over 60, having suffered from hypertension for 1 year, receiving pharmacological therapy for hypertension from the Tajinan Community Health Center, regularly participating in Prolanis activities for the past 3 months, and demonstrating effective communication abilities. To assess the perception of nursing agency, the study uses the Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care (PSNC) questionnaire. Self-care behavior assessment are measured using the Hypertension Self-Management Behavior Questionnaire (HMSBQ). The final sample was 60 elders, with data collection conducted between May and June 2024. Data analysis was performed using simple linear regression with SPSS. The results indicate a significant relationship between nursing agencies and self-care behavior in elderly with hypertension (p value = 0.000 0.05). The finding suggest that the role of nursing agencies is very influences on self-care behavior in elder with hypertension, indicating that elderly people have high level of trust in the health information provided by nurses.
The Effect of Earthquake Disaster Triage Simulation Using Tabletop Media on Knowledge Among Nursing Students
Authors: Babang Putri Sonia Rambu , Metrikayanto Wahyu Dini , Choeron Rachmat Chusnul , Sutriningsih Ani , Ardiyani Vita Maryah
Published: December 2024

Understanding earthquake disaster triage is a crucial component of the nursing curriculum, necessitating enhance educational efforts to improve triage knowledge through innovative learning methods. This study aims to investigate the effect of earthquake disaster triage simulation using tabletop media on the knowledge of nursing students at UNITRI Malang. Utilizing a one-group pretest -posttest design, the research involved all nursing students from the class of 2022 at UNITRI Malang. A sample of 35 students was selected through a simple random sampling technique. Data collection was executed using a structured questionnaire assessing knowledge on earthquake disaster triage, and analysis was performed using the marginal homogeneity test with α significant level of α = 0.05. Findings revealed that a majority of the respondents had poor knowledge of earthquake disaster triage before the tabletop simulation (57.1%), which significantly improved to a good category after the simulation (62.9%). The results indicated a significant effect of tabletop earthquake triage simulation on the knowledge of nursing students, with a p-value of 0.000. The tabletop simulation media can be an effective tool for enhancing knowledge in earthquake disaster triage.
Astronomical numbers contained in the extension of Mayan monuments associated with the 1,872,000-day Cycle
Authors: Camacho-Ríos Alberto
Published: December 2024

At the beginning of the 20th century, the American archaeologist Sylvanus Morley discovered in different Mayan stelae what he recognized as the Mayan Cycle of 1,872,000 days. He noted that it was made with units of the Long Count by multiplying a Baktun of 144,000 days by 13, or by the product of a ritual year of 260 days by a Katun of 7,200 days. He did not realize that the cycle contains all the Mesoamerican calendars, each one in product with integers. Of the cycle, a “solar year” of 365,625 days stands out, since 1,872=365.625x5,120 as well as the synodic average periods of Mars, of 780 days, Venus, 585 days, Mercury, 117 days, Moon, 384 days, among others, such as the of Jupiter of 400 days. This numerical structure is also obtained from the dimensions of length, area and volume of the Mesoamerican temples, since its extension determines a numerical system, of a calendrical nature, used by these cultures. The volumetric magnitude constituted by the three longitudes defines a “box-parallelepiped”, whose “calendrical” measure establishes a cosmological representation of the planetary movement. We will demonstrate the latter with the metrological analysis of three iconic temples of the Mesoamerican region. Empirical evidence determines results of two symbolic languages that represent calendrical magnitudes arranged in days.
Implementation of Data Parsing on Arduino Mega and NodeMCU ESP8266 for Web-Based Monitoring of E-Bike Charging Station
Authors: Nugroho Aji , Hidayat Mohammad Noor , Munir Abdullah Faiq
Published: December 2024

The rising trend of electric bicycles in Indonesia necessitates an efficient monitoring system for electric bicycle charging stations to ensure optimal performance and timely decision-making. This study focuses on developing and testing a web-based monitoring system utilizing Arduino Mega and NodeMCU ESP8266 for real-time data transmission and analysis. The system integrates multiple sensors, including ACS712 current sensors, DC voltage sensors, and PZEM004T sensors, to monitor key parameters such as current, voltage, power, and energy. Data parsing, a crucial process for efficient transmission, is performed on the Arduino Mega before being sent to the NodeMCU ESP8266, which then forwards the data to a web server. The research employs the Research and Development (R&D) method, encompassing stages of information gathering, system planning, implementation, and evaluation. Testing revealed that data parsing failures were due to data loss and format corruption caused by serial communication issues. Various transmission delays (0 ms, 100 ms, 200 ms, and 500 ms) were tested to evaluate their impact on data loss, communication latency, and system responsiveness. The results indicate that a 200 ms delay offers an optimal balance between data transmission frequency and system stability, with minimal data loss and stable latency. The study also explored the effects of data reception delays on the web server, highlighting that lower transmission frequencies result in more stable reception delays and better overall performance. Efficient network resource usage and system responsiveness were achieved with appropriate delay configurations.
Analisis Kepatuhan Pembayaran PPh UMKM Berdasarkan PP 46/2013 dan PP 23/2018
Authors: Sekar Nilam Ayu Mayang , Ernawati Widi Dwi , Nurindrasari Diana
Published: December 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat kepatuhan wajib pajak UMKM terhadap pembayaran pajak berdasarkan PP No. 46 Tahun 2013 dan PP No. 23 Tahun 2018; perkembangan penerimaan PPh UMKM dengan berlakunya PP No. 46 Tahun 2013 dan PP No. 23 Tahun 2018; kontribusi PPh UMKM terhadap penerimaan di KPP Pratama Malang Utara; dan kontribusi PPh UMKM di Kota Malang terhadap penerimaan PPh final di KPP Pratama Malang Utara. Untuk mencapai tujuan tersebut, digunakan dokumentasi dan wawancara untuk memperoleh data berupa data jumlah wajib pajak terdaftar dan realisasi jumlah wajib pajak yang melakukan pembayaran PPh Final UMKM, serta data target dan realisasi penerimaan pajak UMKM di Malang Utara. Penelitian ini menghasilkan informasi bahwa kepatuhan pembayaran pajak yang dilaporkan pelaku usaha lebih tinggi pada saat pemberlakuan PP 23 tahun 2018 dibandingkan dengan saat pemberlakuan PP 46 tahun 2013. Namun, penerimaan PPh Final UMKM lebih rendah pada saat pemberlakuan PP 23/2018 dibandingkan dengan saat pemberlakuan PP 46/2013. Sementara itu, kontribusi penerimaan pajak tersebut berfluktuasi. Sehubungan dengan hasil tersebut, sebaiknya KPP Pratama Malang Utara melakukan sosialisasi kepada kepala masyarakat terkait dengan pembayaran pajak sehingga penerimaan PPh Final semakin meningkat.
Functional characterization of novel compound heterozygous missense SLC5A5 gene variants causing congenital dyshormonogenic hypothyroidism
Authors: Carro Gerardo Hernán , Martín Mariano , Savy Sofía , Peyret Victoria , Geysels Romina Celeste , Montes Francisco Andrés , Bernal Barquero Carlos Eduardo , Ricci Valentina , Masnata María Eugenia , Masini-Repiso Ana María , Papendieck Patricia , Tellechea Mariana Lorena , Chiesa Ana Elena , Nicola Juan Pablo
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) mediates active iodide accumulation in the thyroid follicular cell. Biallelic loss-of-function variants in the NIS-coding SLC5A5 gene cause congenital dyshormonogenic hypothyroidism due to a defect in the accumulation of iodide, which is required for thyroid hormonogenesis.

Objective

We aimed to identify, and if so to functionally characterize, novel pathogenic SLC5A5 gene variants in a patient diagnosed with severe congenital dyshormonogenic hypothyroidism characterized by undetectable radioiodide accumulation in a eutopic thyroid gland, as well as in the salivary glands.

Methods

The coding region of the SLC5A5 gene was sequenced using whole-exome sequencing. In silico analysis and in vitro functional characterization of missense SLC5A5 gene variants were performed.

Results

Proposita’s whole-exome sequencing revealed a novel pair of compound heterozygous missense variants in the SLC5A5 gene, c.1,627G>A (p.G543R) and c.1,684T>A (p.L562M). The parents were heterozygous carriers of the variants as determined by Sanger sequencing of the SLC5A5 gene. The p.G543R variant in the homozygous state has previously been associated with congenital hypothyroidism. The novel p.L562M variant was not reported in the Genome Aggregation Consortium dataset. In silico analysis of the pathogenic impact of the p.L562M variant yielded inconclusive results. Functional in vitro studies showed that the p.L562M variant reduces iodide accumulation due to defective expression of the mutant NIS protein at the plasma membrane. Notably, the aliphatic residue Leu at position 562 in the carboxy terminus of the protein, which is highly conserved in NIS orthologues, is required for NIS plasma membrane expression.

Conclusions

We report novel compound heterozygous missense SLC5A5 gene variants causing defective iodide accumulation, thus leading to congenital dyshormonogenic hypothyroidism.
External auditory canal cholesteatoma: staging and treatment strategies
Authors: He Guanwen , Lin Chang , Zhu Zhongshou , Liu Liangfeng , Wei Rifu , Hong Yiyun
Published: December 2024

Objective

To investigate clinical staging systems and appropriate treatment strategies for external auditory canal cholesteatoma (EACC).

Methods

We performed comparative analysis of the features of several staging schemes (Holt, Naim, Shin, Chang, Kaneda, Hn, and He) of EACC; retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 44 patients with primary EACC, and analyzed the prognosis.

Results

He’s staging system (2019) was found to be particularly clear and practical. It defines each lesion stage comprehensively, reflecting the disease’s progressive nature. According to He’s staging, 2 stage I lesions underwent transcanal cholesteatoma removal (TCR). For 28 stage II lesions, TCR was performed, with 12 cases additionally undergoing canalplasty. Among the 10 stage IIIA lesions, 2 were managed through outpatient debridement, while the remaining 8 underwent TCR combined with partial mastoidectomy and canalplasty (including 2 cases with reconstruction). Three stage IIIC lesions underwent canalplasty and tympanoplasty following partial mastoidectomy. In one case of stage IV lesion, treatment involved mastoidectomy, canalplasty, and abscessectomy. Recurrence occurred in three patients with stage II lesions treated with TCR alone, while the remainder showed no recurrence. One stage IIIA lesion who underwent outpatient debridement only was unable achieve a completely dry ear, and another stage IIIC lesion whose perforated tympanic membrane did not heal due to a fungal infection.

Conclusion

Clinicians can refer to He’s staging for the clinical staging of EACC to devise appropriate treatment strategies; minimally invasive surgical procedures can be flexibly chosen depending on the extent of lesion involvement, under the premise of complete resection of the lesion, but regular follow-up is crucial.
The Relationship Between New Ways of Working and Employee Engagement: First and Foremost a Matter of Environment Fit
Authors: Giauque David , Cornu Frédéric , Pacht Samuel
Published: December 2024

Working independently of a fixed schedule or specific place while staying connected with colleagues and managers via digital technologies is the cornerstone of new ways of working (NWW). Following the COVID-19 crisis, these have become more popular and more extensively used. The main objective of this article is to find out more about the factors that positively influence the use of NWW and to investigate whether their use can have an impact on employees’ work engagement. We employ person–environment fit (P–E fit) theory to link our different variables, emphasizing that a good fit between an individual and their work environment is the driving force linking NWW and work engagement. Our questionnaire survey (n = 2693) demonstrates that NWW does not directly influence work engagement but only does so indirectly through P–E fit. We also prove that a climate of trust, a result-oriented culture, and specific work characteristics can act as positive levers in the deployment of NWW and positively influence P–E fit. This study makes both empirical and theoretical contributions to the NWW literature.
Application of a Latent Diffusion Model to Plant Disease Detection by Generating Unseen Class Images
Authors: Mori Noriyuki , Naito Hiroki , Hosoi Fumiki
Published: December 2024

Deep learning-based methods have proven to be effective for various purposes in the agricultural sector. However, these methods require large amounts of labelled data, which are difficult to prepare and preprocess. To overcome this problem, we propose the use of a latent diffusion model for plant disease detection by generating unseen class images. In this study, we used images of healthy and diseased grape leaves as training datasets and utilized the latent diffusion model, known for its superior performance in image generation, to generate images of diseased apple leaves that were not included in this dataset. Image-to-image generation was utilized to preserve the original healthy leaf features, which enabled the appropriate image generation of diseased apple leaves. To ascertain whether the generated diseased apple leaf images could be used to detect leaf diseases, a deep learning-based classification model was trained to discriminate between diseased and healthy apple leaves from a dataset with a mixture of actual and generated images. Results showed that leaves were accurately classified, indicating that diseased apple leaves not included in the training data could be used to identify the actual diseased apple leaves. Our approach opens up new avenues for improving plant disease detection methods.
The PM2.5-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Behavior in Indoor and Outdoor Environments, Part III: Role of Environmental Settings in Elevating Indoor Concentrations of Benzo(a)pyrene
Authors: Jovanović Gordana , Perišić Mirjana , Bezdan Timea , Stanišić Svetlana , Radusin Kristina , Popović Aleksandar , Stojić Andreja
Published: December 2024

This study aims to investigate the impact of indoor sources and outdoor air on indoor PM2.5-bound benzo(a)pyrene, with a focus on identifying emission sources and understanding the influence of environmental variables. For this purpose, we collected indoor and outdoor data on PM2.5-bound PAHs, inorganic gaseous pollutants, trace metals, ions, radon, and meteorological parameters, resulting in a comprehensive dataset of 100 variables from an urban site in Belgrade, Serbia. We applied seven regression tree ensemble algorithms to interrelate the variables alongside six metaheuristic optimization algorithms to refine model accuracy and robustness. Subsequently, we explained the best-performing model locally using Shapley additive explanations and clustered variables with similar impacts into distinct groups. These groups were systematically characterized, defining them as environmental settings that shape benzo(a)pyrene dynamics. The setting resulting in the highest indoor benzo(a)pyrene concentrations (197% to 297% relative to the expected value) was dominated by outdoor emissions associated with residential heating and traffic (up to 140%) and indoor source identified as cooking. This integrated approach uniquely enables a quantitative assessment of the contributions from both indoor and outdoor emission sources to pollutant concentrations in indoor spaces, underscoring the importance of both in shaping indoor air quality. Unlike traditional source apportionment methods that assume linear source mixing, our approach integrates nonlinear interactions and contextual variables, such as meteorological conditions and outdoor pollutants, to better capture indoor air quality dynamics. The results also highlight the need for further studies to explore broader contextual factors and refine source attribution in complex urban settings.
Exposure to Waste Anesthetic Gases Throughout Surgical Interventions: A Case Study in a Portuguese Local Health Unit
Authors: Leal Leiddi , Yamanaka Vanessa , Pereira Ermelinda , Theodoro Joseane , Domingues Maria de Fátima , Fernandes Isabel , Gabriel Marta Fonseca , Feliciano Manuel
Published: December 2024

The accumulation of anesthetic gas residues in surgery units can pose health risks to healthcare professionals, highlighting the need to establish effective protection measures. This study evaluated waste anesthetic gas levels in a local health unit in northern Portugal to identify high-exposure areas during surgeries using general anesthesia. Measurements of desflurane, sevoflurane, carbon dioxide, air temperature, and relative humidity were taken during 20 surgeries carried out over approximately six months. The results showed that the thermal conditions were not adequately controlled, particularly the relative humidity levels. The detected WAG concentrations fluctuated across different locations, with concerning peaks being detected in specific settings. Desflurane levels reached 8.79 ppm in the general surgery room (GSR) and averaged 3.13 ppm in the recovery room (RR), while the sevoflurane levels averaged 2.06 ppm in the RR. High concentrations exceeding the recommendations of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) were notably observed after endotracheal tube removal. In short surgeries, anesthetic gas levels exceeded safety limits, while long surgeries caused peaks in sevoflurane levels. Longer surgeries and higher occupancy were significantly linked to increased levels of WAG and carbon dioxide, emphasizing the need to improve ventilation and environmental controls to safeguard healthcare professionals.
COCHLEA: Longitudinal Cognitive Performance of Older Adults with Hearing Loss and Cochlear Implants at 4.5-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Sarant Julia Z. , Busby Peter A. , Schembri Adrian J. , Briggs Robert J. S. , Masters Colin L. , Harris David C.
Published: December 2024

Objectives: Hearing loss is highly prevalent in older adults and is independently associated with accelerated cognitive decline. Cochlear implants are usually the only effective treatment for people with severe–profound hearing loss, who have the highest risk of cognitive decline and dementia, however, very few receive them. Current evidence of the effects of cochlear implant use on cognitive decline/dementia outcomes is limited and unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of cochlear implant use on longitudinal cognitive performance, as this intervention may be an effective method of modifying cognitive outcomes for older adults with significant hearing loss. Methods: This prospective longitudinal observational study investigated cognitive performance in a convenience sample of older adults (mean age 74 years) with cochlear implants over 4.5 years post-implantation, comparing this with that of community-living adults with untreated hearing loss/normal hearing over 3 years (Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing; AIBL). All participants were assessed at 18-month intervals from baseline using the same measures. Panel regression was used to compare cognitive trajectories. Results: Cochlear implant users demonstrated significantly improved performance in executive function and working memory, as well as stability in attention, psychomotor function, and visual learning at 4.5-year follow-up. Comparatively, AIBL participants showed significantly greater worsening performance per year in attention and psychomotor function, and stability in working memory and visual learning at 3-year follow-up. Conclusions: Cochlear implant use may delay cognitive decline and/or improve cognitive performance in older adults with severe–profound hearing loss, providing proof-of-concept evidence of the positive effects of hearing intervention on cognitive performance in older adults with hearing loss.
Evidences on the Use of Hypofractionation in Postoperative/Salvage Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: Systematic Review of the Literature and Recent Developments
Authors: Roukoz Camille , Lazrek Amina , Bardoscia Lilia , Rubini Giuseppe , Liu Chieh-Min , Serre Anne-Agathe , Sardaro Angela , Rubini Dino , Houabes Sarah , Laude Cecile , Cozzi Salvatore
Published: December 2024

Background: Radical prostatectomy (RP) is one possible curative treatment for localized prostate cancer. Despite that, up to 40% of patients will later relapse. Currently, post-operative radiotherapy (PORT) courses deliver 1.8–2 Gy daily to reach a total dose ranging between 64 and 74 Gy, completed in 7–8 weeks. Several articles reported encouraging data in terms of the effectiveness and the related toxicities using hypofractionation schedules. The objective of the present systematic review was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and toxicity of the use of hypofractionation in adjuvant/salvage prostate cancer treatments. Methods: Medline was searched via PubMed and Scopus from inception to July 2024 to retrieve studies on hypofractionation in adjuvant/salvage prostate cancer treatments. This study was conducted under PRISMA guidelines. Results: A total of 139 articles were identified from the initial search. Subsequently, the 139 studies were reviewed by title and abstract. Ninety-five studies were excluded due to being either abstracts or articles not available in English. In the second step, the full texts of 44 studies were reviewed. Eleven studies were excluded for being reviews, study protocols, or focused on SBRT treatments. Finally, 33 studies were included in our analysis, with a total number of 4269 patients. Of the 33 selected studies, 20 were retrospective trials and 11 were phase I/II prospective trials, while 2 studies were prospective phase III trials. The follow-up ranged from 18 to 217 months. Failure-free survival, for those with the longer follow-up, ranged between 85% and 91% at 3 years, 47 and 78.6% at 5 years and 51.5% at 10 years. Genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal acute toxicity was mild to moderate with similar rates across the normofractionated and hypofractionated groups. Acute grade-3 GU toxicity events were unusual, occurring in less than 4% of the cases overall. Conclusion: The present study is the first systematic review of the literature that includes the first two randomized phase III studies published in the literature. Hypofractionated treatment has been shown to be safe, effective, with moderate toxicity and not inferior to conventional RT, with good biochemical control rates.
Phosphoproteomic Profiling Reveals mTOR Signaling in Sustaining Macrophage Phagocytosis of Cancer Cells
Authors: Wang Bixin , Cao Xu , Garcia-Mansfield Krystine , Zhou Jingkai , Manousopoulou Antigoni , Pirrotte Patrick , Wang Yingyu , Wang Leo D. , Feng Mingye
Published: December 2024

Background: Macrophage-mediated cancer cell phagocytosis has demonstrated considerable therapeutic potential. While the initiation of phagocytosis, facilitated by interactions between cancer cell surface signals and macrophage receptors, has been characterized, the mechanisms underlying its sustentation and attenuation post-initiation remain poorly understood. Methods: Through comprehensive phosphoproteomic profiling, we interrogated the temporal evolution of the phosphorylation profiles within macrophages during cancer cell phagocytosis. Results: Our findings reveal that activation of the mTOR pathway occurs following the initiation of phagocytosis and is crucial in sustaining phagocytosis of cancer cells. mTOR inhibition impaired the phagocytic capacity, but not affinity, of the macrophages toward the cancer cells by delaying phagosome maturation and impeding the transition between non-phagocytic and phagocytic states of macrophages. Conclusions: Our findings delineate the intricate landscape of macrophage phagocytosis and highlight the pivotal role of the mTOR pathway in mediating this process, offering valuable mechanistic insights for therapeutic interventions.
Correction: Persson, E. What Does It Take to Establish that a World Is Uninhabited Prior to Exploitation? A Question of Ethics as well as Science. Challenges 2014, 5, 224–238
Authors: Persson Erik
Published: December 2024

In the published paper [1], the link in reference [11] was not correct; the corrected one is as follows:11 [...]
The 25th Anniversary of Current Issues in Molecular Biology: Marking This Significant Milestone
Authors: Bhatia Madhav
Published: December 2024

Current Issues in Molecular Biology (CIMB) (https://www [...]
Selective CO2 Detection at Room Temperature with Polyaniline/SnO2 Nanowire Composites
Authors: Li Gen , Hilal Muhammad , Kim Hyojung , Lee Jiyeon , Chen Zhiyong , Li Bin , Cui Yunhao , Hou Jian , Cai Zhicheng
Published: December 2024

In this study, tin oxide (SnO2)/polyaniline (PANI) composite nanowires (NWs) with varying amounts of PANI were synthesized for carbon dioxide (CO2) gas sensing at room temperature (RT, 25 °C). SnO2 NWs were fabricated via the vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) method, followed by coating with PANI. CO2 sensing investigations revealed that the sensor with 186 μL PANI exhibited the highest response to CO2 at RT. Additionally, the optimized sensor demonstrated excellent selectivity for CO2, long-term stability, and reliable performance across different humidity levels. The enhanced sensing performance of the optimized sensor was attributed to the formation of SnO2-PANI heterojunctions and the optimal PANI concentration. This study underscores the potential of SnO2-PANI composites for CO2 detection at RT.
The Importance of Bitcoin and Commodities as Investment Diversifiers in OPEC and Non-OPEC Countries
Authors: Ben Brayek Angham , Ameur Hanen Ben , Alharbi Farea Mohammed
Published: December 2024

The study aims to critically assess the safe-haven properties of Bitcoin and a diverse set of commodities in mitigating stock market risks during periods of extreme financial turbulence. Specifically, this research seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of these assets as hedging tools or diversifiers in the portfolios of both OPEC and non-OPEC countries, focusing on their behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. We employ a wavelet coherence approach to analyze the dynamic relationships between the variables. Portfolio optimization is conducted using CVaR to assess the effectiveness of these assets as safe havens, hedges, or diversification tools in mitigating financial risks during periods of heightened market volatility. The diversification benefits of commodities and Bitcoin in OPEC and non-OPEC stock portfolios decrease over time as their co-movement with stock markets increases. During the COVID-19 period, BTC did not act as a safe haven. However, gold served as a hedge for non-OPEC countries. Using CVaR, we found that BTC provides stronger diversification benefits than commodities, followed by gold. We examine the safe-haven role of Bitcoin and various commodities, specifically within the context of both OPEC and non-OPEC countries. Our study offers a more comprehensive analysis of how BTC and commodities function as portfolio assets during financial stress, providing valuable insights for investors and policymakers.
A Two-Stage Corrosion Defect Detection Method for Substation Equipment Based on Object Detection and Semantic Segmentation
Authors: Wang Zhigao , Lan Xinsheng , Zhou Yong , Wang Fangqiang , Wang Mei , Chen Yang , Zhou Guoliang , Hu Qing
Published: December 2024

Corrosion defects will increase the risk of power equipment failure, which will directly affect the stable operation of power systems. Although existing methods can detect the corrosion of equipment, these methods are often poor in real-time. This study presents a two-stage detection approach that combines YOLOv8 and DDRNet to achieve real-time and precise corrosion area localization. In the first stage, the YOLOv8 network is used to identify and locate substation equipment, and the detected ROI areas are passed to the DDRNet network in the second stage for semantic segmentation. To enhance the performance of both YOLOv8 and DDRNet, a multi-head attention block is integrated into their algorithms. Additionally, to address the challenge posed by the scarcity of corrosion defect samples, this study augmented the dataset using the cut-copy-paste method. Experimental results indicate that the improved YOLOv8 and DDRNet, incorporating the multi-head attention block, boost the mAP and mIoU by 5.8 and 9.7, respectively, when compared to the original method on our self-built dataset. These findings also validate the effectiveness of our data augmentation technique in enhancing the model’s detection accuracy for corrosion categories. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the proposed two-stage detection method in the real-time detection of substation equipment corrosion defects is verified, and it is 48.7% faster than the one-stage method.
Enhancing Forest Utilization and Quality of Life: An Integrated Approach to Promoting Forest Activities
Authors: Lee Seo-hyo , Kim Soojin , Lee Jeonghee
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the impact of forest-activity diversity on life satisfaction using data from the 2023 Forest Recreation and Welfare Activities Survey conducted by the Korea Forest Service. Forest-activity diversity was categorized into two dimensions: experience diversity (combining forest recreation and welfare-activity experiences) and utilization diversity (the use of forest recreation and welfare facilities and programs). Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that greater diversity in forest activities and utilization significantly enhances life satisfaction. However, participants who engaged in both forest recreation and welfare activities or utilized both facilities and programs reported comparatively lower life satisfaction. The findings indicate that while activity and utilization diversity are critical in improving life satisfaction, the benefits may plateau with excessive participation. The effects of leisure activities also vary based on individual factors such as age, gender, and life context, underscoring the importance of tailored forest welfare programs. Balanced and meaningful engagement in diverse activities is essential for maximizing well-being. While forest activities generally enhance life satisfaction, programs must be inclusive and flexible to address diverse user needs. Future research should incorporate objective measures and longitudinal designs to better evaluate the long-term effects of forest welfare activities.
Analyzing the Features, Usability, and Performance of Deploying a Containerized Mobile Web Application on Serverless Cloud Platforms
Authors: Yang Jeong , Abraham Anoop
Published: December 2024

Serverless computing services are offered by major cloud service providers such as Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure. The primary purpose of the services is to offer efficiency and scalability in modern software development and IT operations while reducing overall costs and operational complexity. However, prospective customers often question which serverless service will best meet their organizational and business needs. This study analyzed the features, usability, and performance of three serverless cloud computing platforms: Google Cloud’s Cloud Run, Amazon Web Service’s App Runner, and Microsoft Azure’s Container Apps. The analysis was conducted with a containerized mobile application designed to track real-time bus locations for San Antonio public buses on specific routes and provide estimated arrival times for selected bus stops. The study evaluated various system-related features, including service configuration, pricing, and memory and CPU capacity, along with performance metrics such as container latency, distance matrix API response time, and CPU utilization for each service. The results of the analysis revealed that Google’s Cloud Run demonstrated better performance and usability than AWS’s App Runner and Microsoft Azure’s Container Apps. Cloud Run exhibited lower latency and faster response time for distance matrix queries. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting an appropriate serverless cloud service for similar containerized web applications.