bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Цифровізація місцевого самоврядування в Україні: потенціал і виклики в умовах війни
Authors: Koroliuk Tetiana , Kovpak Andrii
Published: July 2024

У статті здійснено аналіз процесів цифрової трансформації місцевого самоврядування в Україні, визначено проблеми, що формують цифрові бар’єри та обґрунтовано напрями подальшого цифрового розвитку громад. Акцентовано увагу на необхідності впровадження цифрових інструментів в практику взаємодії між органами влади та комунікацій з жителями громад в умовах інформаційної революції, стрімкого розвитку інформаційнокомунікаційних технологій та зростанням глобальної нерівномірності в умовах поглиблення глобальних цифрових розривів. Відзначено, що першочерговими кроками на шляху цифрового розвитку громади повинні стати оцінка готовності громади до впровадження цифрових змін, розробка стратегії цифрової трансформації та концепції розвитку цифрової освіти.
Othering im Kontext religiöser und interreligiöser Bildung
Authors: Ratzke Christian , Meyer Guido
Published: July 2024

In dem Beitrag wird die Frage gestellt, wie mit Othering im Kontext religiöser und interreligiöser Bildung umgegangen werden kann. Um diese Fragestellung zu beleuchten, wird zunächst die religionspädagogische Relevanz von sprachsensiblen Bildungsprozessen dargelegt. Darauf aufbauend wird auf neueste Reflexionen von Othering in der religionspädagogischen Literatur eingegangen. Auf Basis dessen wird das Forschungsdesign einer empirisch-qualitativen Studie zum Umgang mit religiöser Vielfalt bei angehenden Religionslehrkräften skizziert, um in einer sich anschließenden Inhaltsanalyse zu verdeutlichen, wie die Studierenden durch die Produktion von Erklärvideos über Othering lernen können. Abschließend werden die Ergebnisse subjektorientierter Lernprozesse aus der Analyse im Kontext religiöser und interreligiöser Bildung diskutiert.
Otheringstrukturen in religionskooperativen Lehr-/Lernprozessen
Authors: Weirer Wolfgang , Wenig Eva , Yağdı Şenol
Published: July 2024

Interreligiöse Lehr-/Lernprozesse, vor allem im Modus der Begegnung von Lehrpersonen und Schüler*innen unterschiedlicher Religionen, sind tendenziell anfällig für die Reproduktion oder Verstärkung von Strukturen des ‚Wir‘ und ‚die Anderen‘. Intentional sind derartige Bildungsprozesse ursprünglich aber in der Regel für die Überwindung solcher Dichotomien und für die Begegnung zwischen Menschen unterschiedlicher Religionen angelegt. Der vorliegende Beitrag skizziert anhand von drei Beispielen aus der interreligiösen Bildungsarbeit, inwiefern auch unreflektiert und implizit Othering-Mechanismen in Kommunikationsprozessen zum Tragen kommen. Auf der Grundlage dieser Fallbeispiele und der darauffolgenden religionspädagogischen Reflexionen und Einordnungen werden Konsequenzen, vor allem für die Professionalisierung von Lehrpersonen, die interreligiöse Bildungsprozesse begleiten, formuliert.
Palkowitsch-Kühl, Jens (2023). Digitale Medien im Religions- und Ethikunterricht: Bedingungsfaktoren für die Medienintegration an Schulen (Religionspädagogik innovativ Band 58). Stuttgart: Kohlhammer. ISBN 978-3-17-043406-6. 297 Seiten.
Authors: Mayrhofer Florian
Published: July 2024

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Developing Career Resources Through Work-Based Learning: A Qualitative Study on Internship Experiences
Authors: GERÇEK Merve , ÖZVEREN Cem Güney
Published: July 2024

Work-based learning (WBL) is an educational approach that builds a bridge between theory and practice. While there has been much study on the effectiveness and success of internships in fields like health, engineering, and teaching, there is a scarcity of studies examining how internship experiences might impact the career outcomes of business students. Based on social cognitive career theory, this study aims to explore business students' internship experiences and their potential influence on their career resources. A qualitative research design was employed in this study. Two diverse focus group studies, which consisted of thirteen students in total, were conducted to investigate the participants’ internship experiences deeply. The findings were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Based on the results, two themes emerged: “internship satisfaction factors” and “career resources.” The findings showed that internship experiences make significant contributions to the career development process by providing vital skills, including networking, communication, and job searching, in addition to facilitating the transfer of theoretical knowledge into practice. The findings provide valuable insights for scholars and policymakers in higher education institutions and various organizations interested in establishing internship programs.
Dilemma of Responsible Leadership in Pakistan: Finding the Fulcrum Between Responsibilities and Resources using Delphi, DEMATEL, and ANP
Authors: BHATTI Omar Khalid
Published: July 2024

Responsible leadership entails balancing the needs of various stakeholders, yet resource constraints and the pursuit of visible benefits for both the community and the organization pose challenges. This study proposes a methodology to identify the most essential and impactful responsibilities for leaders. Utilizing the Delphi technique, decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), and analytical network process (ANP), data were collected from 40 respondents representing diverse stakeholder groups. The study first identified five major criteria through Delphi technique which included: (a) needs of the surrounding community, (b) areas with minimal government support, (c) enhancement of organizational image, (d) contribution to organizational performance, and (e) quantity of resources required. DEMATEL analysis revealed that criterion (e) was the most influential, followed by (b), (c), (a), and (d). Criteria (a), (b), and (c) acted as influencers, whereas (d) and (e) were receivers. Then, using the Delphi technique, five key responsibilities were identified: (R1) supporting children’s education, (R2) capacity building for the local community, (R3) setting up water filtration plants, (R4) improving the working environment, and (R5) reducing discrimination. ANP analysis prioritized these responsibilities according to the already identified criteria as R1, R2, R5, R4, and R3 respectively. This structured approach is expected to guide leaders in making decisions to allocate resources optimally, thereby maximizing benefits for both the organization and the community.
Imaging inter - and intra-particle features in crystalline cathode materials for Li-ion batteries using nano-focused beam techniques at 4th generation synchrotron sources
Authors: Colalongo Mattia , Vostrov Nikita , Martens Isaac , Zatterin Edoardo , Richard Marie-Ingrid , Cadiou Francois , Jacquet Quentin , Drnec Jakub , Leake Steven J. , Kallio Tanja , Zhu Xiaobo , Lyonnard Sandrine , Schulli Tobias
Published: July 2024

The necessity of mapping crystal defects in battery materials after synthesis is crucial in understanding heterogeneity within a single crystal domain and among particles to develop superior crystal quality materials. Numerous imaging techniques have been developed over the past years to study these materials at the nanoscale. However, most of them use electron beams which demand many hours of sample preparation, and they are incompatible with the investigation of batteries under realistic working conditions. Techniques such as Scanning X-ray Diffraction Imaging (Scanning X-ray Diffraction Microscopy) or Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging are increasingly available on the latest generation synchrotron sources. Their progressive deployment will allow for a standardized method for imaging crystal lattice imperfections such as lattice tilt and strain in individual particles without any prior sample preparation. In this paper, we exploited Scanning X-ray Diffraction Microscopy to probe the strain variation in single crystals and polycrystalline particles and Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging to reconstruct the volume of a single crystal particle. Presented case studies were performed on particles of different active cathode materials ($$ \rm{LiNi_{0.6}Mn_{0.2}Co_{0.2}O_{2}} $$ , $$ \rm{LiNiO_{2}} $$ and $$ \rm{LiMn_{1.5}Ni_{0.5}O_{4}} $$ ); however, these techniques can also be employed on other battery components for a more holistic structural understanding of used materials and (de)lithiation dynamics on the microscale.
Transfer Teknologi Optimalisasi Penggunaan Set Top Box (STB) Televisi Digital Bagi Masyarakat Kelurahan Gebangsari Kecamatan Genuk Kota Semarang
Authors: Nuryanto Budisusila Eka ,   Universitas Islam Sultan Agung, Ismail Munaf , Putri Hapsari Jenny ,   Universitas Islam Sultan Agung,   Universitas Islam Sultan Agung
Published: July 2024

The Indonesian government's policy of deactivating analog television broadcasts and switching to digital television has an impact on people who are still used to enjoying analog television broadcasts. Moreover, many television devices owned by the public are still analog system televisions. Thus, people need devices that can convert analog signals into digital form and can be displayed on analog television. This device is better known as a Set Top Box (STB). Unfortunately, people only use STB to watch digital TV shows, while STB has many features that can be used to obtain information, communication tools and entertainment media. For this reason, it is necessary to transfer knowledge and technology to the community so that it can optimize the functions and features of the STB, then these activities are packaged in the form of Community Service. The results of the activity showed that the public was very enthusiastic in following and concerning to the presentation of information on STB features, proven by the large number of people who attended, reaching 93% of the invitations given, and the many questions asked during the discussion session.
Pelatihan Metode AHP untuk Penentuan Kriteria Pemilihan Vendor Perusahaan Berbasis Proyek Teknologi Informasi
Authors: Setiawan Danang ,   Universitas Islam Indonesia, Kusrini Elisa , Jianul Hayat Encep , Riesta Nugroho Lulu ,   Universitas Islam Indonesia,   Universitas Islam Indonesia,   Universitas Islam Indonesia
Published: July 2024

In manufacturing companies, vendors supply raw materials for production. There are two vendor selection methods: the merit system and the lowest-cost method. Criteria and their weights are crucial in determining the winning vendor. One approach that can be taken is the AHP method, which is used for decision-making. This research contributes to vendor selection through AHP training and support. Determining vendor criteria is crucial for information technology project success, so AHP training is considered beneficial and has a positive impact on the company.
Pemanfaatan Mesin Pencacah Rumput pada Kelompok Ternak 99 Farm
Authors: Worldailmi Elanjati ,   Universitas Islam Indonesia, Dwi Annisa Putri , Mahfudh Setyawan Ahmad , Farhain Rahman Dju , Ainul Yaqin Ichsan , Ichwan Muhammad ,   Universitas Islam Indonesia,   Universitas Islam Indonesia,   Universitas Islam Indonesia,   Universitas Islam Indonesia,   Universitas Islam Indonesia
Published: July 2024

The 99 Farm Livestock Group was founded with the aim of improving the welfare of local communities through goat farming activities. From initially having only 9 goats, this group has grown to a total of 50 goats. This group faces several main challenges in the animal feed processing process, which is carried out conventionally by searching for wet grass every day and feeding it twice a day using the manual chopping method. Meanwhile, the manual enumeration process becomes inefficient and takes time and energy. In addition, the availability of grass is becoming increasingly limited due to reduced land and changes in weather. The solution that is considered appropriate is grass fermentation processing, but this also requires chopping first. To overcome this problem, this community service activity aims to increase the amount of optimal animal feed available and increase knowledge, utilize appropriate technology in the form of grass chopping machines, as well as the skills of breeders in using this technology. The urgency of this activity is to provide solutions for farmers to provide sustainable and effective feed. This service activity was carried out starting from surveys and observations, designing grass choppers, making machines, and socializing their use for breeders. This machine was designed taking into account the specific needs of farmers and local conditions, including the use of an electric motor for efficiency and the provision of a UPS system to overcome the problem of power outages that often occur in rural areas.
The Effect of the Same Day Initiation of Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) on Viral Load Suppression among Adults >15yrs. People Living with HIV in public health facilities in Addis Ababa
Authors: Birru Girma Tadesse , Birhane Professor Yemanu , Abdelmenan Semira , Ahmed Ismael
Published: July 2024

Background: The same day initiation of antiretroviral treatment among PLHIV with age greater or equal to 15, regardless of their CD4 count can reduce morbidity, mortality, HIV transmission and eventually the incidence of new HIV infection. However, the effect of the same day ART initiation on viral suppression remains contradicting.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the same day ART initiation on viral suppression; and identify predicators of viral suppression in the era of test and treat strategy.
Methods: A quantitative multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted using routinely collected data in ART clinics during the initial and follow-up visits of clients in 18 public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Results: The viral suppression rates at 12th month among those who started ART on the same day and after seven days diagnosed with HIV were 94.3% with 95% CI: 92.3-96.4 and 90.3 % with 95% CI: 87.1-93.3 respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P-value: 0.033) with RR of 1.044 (95% CI: RR: 1.001-1.090). The TDF-based regimen, working functional status, and alive and on ART follow-up status were found to be predicators of viral suppression.
Conclusion & recommendation: The viral load suppression rate among the same day ART started was higher compared to those started ART after seven days, and is consistent with previous studies in other countries. TDF- based regimen, alive and on ART follow-up status, and working functional status were predicators of viral suppression in this study. Strengthening the same day ART initiation with TDF based regimen is critical for prevention of HIV through viral suppression. Improving the quality of ART data is also essential to generate evidence and inform the practice.
Multimodal feature enhanced Bi-LSTM model for harmonic power load identification in distribution network
Authors: Yang Renzeng , Peng Shuang , Yao Gang
Published: July 2024

The scene of harmonic pollution in active distribution network is complex, and the data-driven harmonic load identification method needs to fully extract the nonlinear and non-stationary characteristics of harmonic power sequence signals to improve the recognition. In order to improve the intelligent identification of the harmonic loads in distribution network, a method of harmonic power load identification based on parameters optimization variational mode decomposition and long short-term memory network is proposed. Firstly, the harmonic apparent power distortion rate of nonlinear load is calculated based on the IEEE Std.1459–2010 power theory. Then, the arithmetic optimization algorithm was used to optimize the penalty parameter and the number of mode components of the variational mode decomposition of the harmonic power sequence, and the modal component sequences with obvious feature information were selected to reshape the input feature vectors of the neural network. Finally, the bidirectional long short-term memory network is used to adaptively extract the nonlinear characteristics of harmonic power sequences, and the harmonic loads in the distribution network are identified. Experimental results show that the method can accurately and effectively identify the harmonic power loads in distribution network without knowing the harmonic loads detailed information in advance.
Internationally Educated Nurse Integration as a Strategy to Support Health Workforce Transformation: A Realist Evaluation Protocol
Authors: Indar Alyssa , Sim Meaghan , Martin-Misener Ruth , Sampalli Tara , Guk Julia , Rose Annette Elliott , Murphy Gail Tomblin
Published: July 2024

Introduction:
Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified nursing shortages. In Canada, there have been targeted efforts to address the critical issue of nursing recruitment and retention. In 2022, the province of Nova Scotia addressed this need by collaborating with intersectoral partners to support the recruitment and integration of internationally educated nurses (IENs).
Methods and Analysis:
We will use a realist evaluation approach (Pawson & Tilley, 1997) to explore the integration of IENs in Nova Scotia. Data will be collected via relevant document review and semi-structured interviews with selected IENs (n = 15–20) and partners that have supported IEN recruitment and integration (n = 15–20). Examples of partners include senior leaders [macro-level]; managers, clinical nurse educators [meso-level]; and preceptors [micro-level]. Interviews will be audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data will be analyzed to generate context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMOCs); with a focus on identifying specific strategies and contextual factors that promote successful integration for IENs.
Ethics and Dissemination:
This research study is led by a Health System Impact Postdoctoral Fellow, co-funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Nova Scotia Health. This research study has received approval from the Nova Scotia Health Research Ethics Board (#1030123). The findings from this evaluation will inform strategic nursing workforce planning in Nova Scotia and will also be of interest to health care leaders and decision-makers seeking strategies to improve targeted supports for IENs in other jurisdictions and other internationally educated health professionals.
Optimized Bio-Electrochemical Systems: Enhancing MFC Performance with S. cerevisiae
Authors: Essa Maria , Mehar Saima , Rehman Haneef Ur
Published: July 2024

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology offers an innovative and sustainable solution for energy production, particularly in electricity-deprived regions. This study focuses on the design of a microbial biofuel cell that utilizes S. cerevisiae to generate bioelectricity from fisheries wastewate through bio-elecrochemical reaction. The MFC system harnesses electrons released during biochemical reactions catalyzed by microorganisms. Optimization of physical parameters was performed to maximize bioelectricity generation from fisheries wastewater. The results revealed that S. cerevisiae-based MFC achieved the highest bioelectricity production at 35 ºC, pH 8, and an incubation period of 72 hours. To enhance performance, a flow rate of 50 mL/min of oxygen in the wastewater was found to be the most effective for bioelectricity generation. The findings demonstrate the practicality and sustainability of the S. cerevisiae-based MFC as a viable technique for both bioelectricity production and wastewater management in the fisheries industry. This innovative approach not only addresses the basic electricity needs of electricity-deprived regions but also helps mitigate wastewater pollution, presenting an environmentally friendly solution. The study highlights the potential of MFC technology to contribute to renewable energy generation and environmental sustainability in regions reliant on fisheries wastewater.
A Real-Time Task Balancing Strategy for IoT Networks Using Ant Colony Optimization
Authors: Wilson Michael , Nunoo-Mensah Henry , Boateng Kwame Osei , Acheampong Francisca Adoma
Published: July 2024

IoT devices relying on cloud-based computing resources for data processing are causing unsustainable growth and latency, thus making their dependence on these computing resources a foremost challenge to real-time and time-critical IoT applications. Researchers have proffered several approaches, but notable amongst them are the bio-inspired optimisation methods due to their ability to model stochastic environments efficiently. This paper proposes a bio-inspired load-balancing optimisation approach for reducing latency in IoT networks. The paper leverages the concept of “stigmergy” in social ants to create a metric for assessing the computational capacity, reliability, and availability of a node’s computing resources in a decentralised Internet of Things (IoT) network. The main contribution of this work is the design of a decentralised serverless computing paradigm for stateful(reliable) task offloading and data processing among end-user nodes in an IoT environment. A novel bio-inspired algorithm is designed for latency reduction and optimal load-balancing in any collaborative data processing environment without a centralised server. This work also introduces the concept of computing pheromones as a metric for assessing computation resource capacity and availability in decentralised data processing environments, which paves the way for more efficient and reliable IoT data processing solutions. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed IoT data processing approach, highlighting improvements in response time and turnaround time compared to existing approaches.
Studies on cytocompatibility of human dermal fibroblasts on carbon nanofiber nanoparticle-containing bioprinted constructs
Authors: Raja Iruthayapandi Selestin , Kim Chuntae , Kang Moon Sung , Joung Yoon Ki , Lee Jong Hun , Han Dong-Wook
Published: July 2024

Functional nanocomposite-based printable inks impart strength, mechanical stability, and bioactivity to the printed matrix due to the presence of nanomaterials or nanostructures. Carbonaceous nanomaterials are known to improve the electrical conductivity, osteoconductivity, mechanical, and thermal properties of printed materials. In the current work, we have incorporated carbon nanofiber nanoparticles (CNF NPs) into methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) to investigate whether the resulting nanocomposite printable ink promotes cell proliferation. Two kinds of printable constructs, viz., cell-laden bioink and biomaterial ink, were prepared by incorporating various concentrated CNF NPs. The in vitro cell line studies using normal human dermal fibroblasts (nHDF) were carried out to investigate the difference in cell proliferation between them for 7 days. The results demonstrated that CNF NPs have the potential to cause dose-dependent cytotoxicity, and the effect is at a significant level in the highly concentrated bioink scaffolds (GM100 and GM150). However, they did not trigger considerable cell toxicity in the biomaterial scaffolds. It was concluded that incorporation of CNF NPs into the printable ink could affect cell proliferation at the investigated NPs’ concentration and hence prove not suitable for skin tissue regeneration.
Insights into neurobiological mechanism of probabilistic decision-making impairments in schizophrenia from Akt1 and PV interneurons in mice
Authors: Lai Wen-Sung , Chang Chia-Yuan , Chen Ching , Liu Ya-Wen , Gau Shiang-Shin , Pan Yu-Ling
Published: July 2024

Schizophrenia, a debilitating disorder with genetic and neurobiological underpinnings, often manifests cognitive deficits, including impaired decision-making. Utilizing Akt1 heterozygous mutant (HET) mice as a model, which mimic schizophrenia due to AKT1’s implication as a susceptibility gene, we investigated the involvement of Akt1 and its neural mechanisms influencing strategic decision-making to identify potential therapeutic targets for schizophrenia-associated cognitive impairments. In six experiments, we first revealed that lesions targeting the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) significantly impacted performance in a mouse version of the two-choice probabilistic decision-making task, surpassing effects observed in other striatal subregions. Behavioral assessments in HET mice unveiled notable disturbances, including reduced accumulated trials to reach criteria, diminished ratio of lose-stay behavior, elevated learning rates, and decreased choice consistency in reinforcement learning models. Moreover, we found a strong correlation between DMS local field potential power and choice behavior, particularly evident in no-reward conditions. The behavioral abnormalities observed in HET mice were restored when the DMS was chemogenetically inhibited, while their locomotor activity remained unaffected. Furthermore, RNAseq analysis and immunohistochemistry uncovered reduced expression of striatal parvalbumin (PV) interneurons in HET mice. Targeted lesioning of PV interneurons in the DMS of wild-type mice resulted in behavioral alterations mirroring those in HET mice. In summary, our findings suggest that Akt1 deficiency-induced downregulation of PV expression alters neural oscillations in the DMS, influencing choice strategies, especially in no-reward conditions during probabilistic decision-making. These results underscore the crucial involvement of AKT1 and PV interneurons in modulating strategic decision-making, with particular relevance to the understanding of schizophrenia.
Unveiling potential threats: backdoor attacks in single-cell pretrained models
Authors: Chen Shengquan , Feng Sicheng , Li Siyu , Chen Luonan
Published: July 2024

Single-cell pretrained models, despite their superior performance, face significant yet often overlooked threats from backdoor attacks. Here we propose a straightforward backdoor strategy to demonstrate the vulnerabilities of these models, achieving high attack success rates while maintaining clean accuracy. We also suggest five potential defense strategies to mitigate these threats. Our findings underscore the imperative for the biomedical community to adopt robust defense mechanisms to safeguard research integrity and reliability.
CARD8 polymorphisms among bacterial meningitis patients in North-West Ethiopia
Authors: Belayneh Meseret , Mengesha Mesfin , Idosa Berhane A. , Fentaw Surafel , Moges Biniyam , Tazu Zelalem , Assefa Meseret , Garpenholt Örjan , Persson Alexander , Sarndahl Eva , Abate Ebba , Sall Olof , Gelaw Baye
Published: July 2024

Background
The severity of infectious disease outcomes is believed to depend on the virulence factors of the pathogen in combination with individuals’ unique immune response. CARD8 has been suggested to act as a regulator of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a major regulator of the innate immune proinflammatory response, and has been suggested to modulate the host response to common inflammatory diseases. In the present study, the C10X genetic polymorphism in the CARD8 gene was investigated in relation to bacterial meningitis.
Methods
A total of 400 clinically suspected meningitis patients hospitalized at the University of Gondar Comprehensive specialized Hospital were enrolled in the study. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples were collected from all enrolled patients for laboratory investigations. The collected CSF was cultured, and all the results obtained from the culture were confirmed using direct RT‒PCR. Genotyping of whole-blood samples was performed for CARD8 gene using a TaqMan assay. The results were compared with apparently healthy controls and with PCR-negative meningitis suspected patients.
Results
Of the included patients, 57% were men and the most common clinical signs and symptoms were fever (81%), headache (80%), neck stiffness (76%), nausea (68%), and vomiting (67%). Microbiology culture identified seven patients with bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis (n = 4) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 3). The RT-PCR revealed 39 positive samples for N. meningitidis (n = 10) and S. pneumoniae (n = 29). A total of 332 whole-blood samples were genotyped, with the following results: 151 (45.5%) C10X heterozygotes, 59 (17.7%) C10X homozygotes and 122 (36.7%) wild-type genotypes. The presence of the C10X polymorphism in the CARD8 gene was more prevalent in suspected meningitis patients than in healthy controls (OR 1.2; 1.00-1.5). Homozygote C10X polymorphic gene carriers were more susceptible to infectious disease. The presence of viable or active bacterial infection was found to be associated with the presence of heterozygous C10X carriers.
Conclusions
A greater proportion of C10X in the CARD8 gene in confirmed bacterial meningitis patients and clinically diagnosed meningitis patients than in healthy controls. Homozygote C10X polymorphic gene carriers were more susceptible to infectious disease than were heterozygote gene carriers and healthy controls.
Adolescents Perceptions and Behaviors Towards Periodic Health Examinations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alrukban Mohammed , Alsultan Ahmad , Alnasser Alwaleed , Alayban Ahmed , Almousa Mohammed , Alotaibi Salman
Published: July 2024

Objectives: To evaluate and assess the awareness, knowledge, and level of application of recommended Periodic health examinations (PHEs) for adolescents in Riyadh. Methods: Descriptive Cross-sectional study, conducted among adolescents between June 2022 and January 2023. The Sample size was 1199 adolescents of both genders, between the ages of 12-20 years, studying in intermediate and secondary schools in Riyadh. The sample of participants was collected through a stratified multistage random sampling technique. Ethical approval and Ministry of Education acceptance were considered. The data was collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire containing close-ended questions. The level of knowledge was assessed by using three knowledge items; PHE definition, PHEs performance time, and the list of recommended PHEs known. The level of performance was assessed based on the performance of recommended (Six recommended PHEs by Saudi CDC) and none-recommended (Nine non-recommended PHEs as distractors). Results: Among the (1199) adolescents, the vast majority (70.6%) were aware of the PHEs. There is a positive attitude of adolescents toward PHEs, with (75.8%) acknowledging their importance and (87.1%) willing to undergo PHEs if given the opportunity. Despite this positive attitude, the actual knowledge and performance of PHEs remains relatively low, with (56.1%) being illiterate about it and only (36.8%) having undergone PHEs at least once, and a smaller percentage (26.1%) doing so regularly. There was a clear association (p<0.05) between the level of knowledge and application. Adolescents with adequate knowledge had a higher prevalence of application (56.8% VS 43.2%). There was an association between Adolescents' level of education and their levels of knowledge and performance (p<0.05). The more educated adolescents the higher their knowledge level and performance level. There was also an association between the availability of health insurance and application. The presence of health insurance increases the probability of applying PHEs. The most used sources of information regarding PHEs were digital sources (62.1%). Conclusion: The study concluded that there is a positive attitude of adolescents toward PHEs. The study highlights a disparity in knowledge and performance of PHEs among adolescents, influenced by socio-demographic factors such as gender, nationality, type of school, and parental education. Females and students from private or international schools, as well as those with higher levels of parental education, demonstrated better knowledge and higher performance rates of PHEs. The research underscores the role of digital sources in educating adolescents about PHEs. This study emphasizes the need for targeted educational interventions to improve adolescent knowledge and performance of PHEs, considering the identified barriers and socio-demographic influences.
The Metabolic Relevance of Locomotion Type in 30-second all-out Anaerobic Testing: Running, Cycling, and Jumping
Authors: Kishalı Necip Fazıl , Kıyıcı Fatih , Yılmaz Hasan Hüseyin , Özbay Serhat , Gençoğlu Cebrail , Öget Furkan , Hoos Olaf , Kaufmann Sebastian , Atasever Gökhan , Seren Kemalettin , Ulupınar Süleyman , Çabuk Salih
Published: July 2024

Background/objective: This study aims to compare and analyze the metabolic profiles of 30 s all-out running, jumping and, cycling.
Methods: Sixteen male team sports players performed 30s all-out running (RUN30), cycling (WAnT) and, jumping (CJ30) tests. Pre, during and, post-test, oxygen consumption (VO2) using a portable metabolic gas analyzer and blood lactate concentration [BLa] were measured and the metabolic profiles were estimated using the PCr-LA-O2 method.
Results: RUN30's anaerobic-alactic (EPCr) energy was significantly higher than WAnT and CJ30, indicating a major difference in anaerobic-alactic power output. RUN30 and WAnT's anaerobic-lactic (EBLC) energy surpassed CJ30's, suggesting a pronounced reliance on anaerobic-lactic pathways. No significant differences in aerobic energy contribution (EAER) were observed among test modalities, but the small effect size indicates a consistent contribution of aerobic metabolism across 30-second, high-intensity exercises. Total energy expenditure was significantly higher in RUN30 and WAnT than in CJ30, highlighting the substantial metabolic demand of these activities compared to jumping.
Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of exercise mode in determining the metabolic demands and energy contributions during 30-second all-out efforts. RUN30 and WAnT had higher overall and anaerobic energy expenditure than CJ30, emphasizing the need to select anaerobic tests based on relevant metabolic profiles.
Comorbidity-based framework for Alzheimer’sdisease classification using graph neural networks
Authors: Abuhantash Ferial , Abuhantash Mohd. K , AlShehhi Aamna
Published: July 2024

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, requires early prediction for timely intervention. Current research meets this requirement by using machine learning methods based on patient features, yet they encounter issues with high-dimensional data and bias. To mitigate these issues, we introduce a framework for AD prediction using Graph Neural Networks (GNNs). Leveraging data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), our study employs GNNs for binary and multi-class classification of Alzheimer's disease across its three stages: cognitively normal (CN), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Initial steps involve creating a patient-clinical graph network considering latent relationships CN, MCI, and AD patients, followed by training several GNN-based techniques for building prediction models. By incorporating comorbidity data derived from electronic health records (EHR) into the feature set, we achieved the most effective multi-classification results. Notably, the GNN model with ChebConv layers (Chebyshev Convolutional Neural Networks) not only outperforms state-of-the-art techniques in multi-class AD classification, achieving an accuracy of 0.98, but also demonstrates remarkable stability with accuracies of 0.99, 0.93, and 0.94 in AD/CN, AD/MCI, and CN/MCI classification tasks respectively. This work contributes to the field by addressing the limitations of high-dimensional data and bias, offering a robust, accurate, and cost-effective method for early AD prediction using GNNs and EHR-derived data.
Study of alternative current conduction mechanisms on the -LiFeO 2 - Based solid electrolyte
Authors: Alnafea Abdulaziz Abdulmohsen , Chakchouk Narimen , Siddiq Hala Ahmed , Dhaoua Mohamed Houcine , Rhaiem Abdallah Ben
Published: July 2024

LiFeO2 layered oxides were synthesized using an enhanced solid-state synthesis technique. Rietveld refinement of the crystal structure revealed that the synthesized materials adopt a cubic system with the Fm-3m space group. The morphological study of our compound was carried out using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The sample consists of small primary particles on the microscopic scale with a size between 0.20 and 0.75 µm. The vibrational investigation carried out by IR spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of FeO6 and LiO6 groups.The semiconductor characteristics of the compound were verified by optical measurement, indicating a bandgap of approximately 2 eV. The dielectric properties of the material were evaluated over a frequency range of 0.1 to 107 Hz at temperatures ranging from 333 K to 523 K.The real part of the dielectric permittivity suggests a high dielectric constant at low frequency and indicates the existence of both space charge and dipolar polarizations.The frequency-dependent conductivity was interpreted according to Jonscher's law. The variation of the power law exponent with temperature suggests that the conduction behavior of the LiFeO2 compound can be attributed to the large superimposed polaron tunneling (OLPT) model with activation energy Ea = 0.26 eV.
Correction to at Least Neutral Alignment during High Tibial Osteotomy is Sufficient in Reducing the Knee Adduction Moment
Authors: Kang Kee Soo , Lee Na-Kyoung , Lee Kyoung Min , Chang Chong Bum , Kang Seung-Baik
Published: July 2024

High tibial osteotomy (HTO) for varus knee osteoarthritis traditionally aims to overcorrect the mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA) to become valgus. However, valgus overcorrection in HTO increases problems such as knee joint line abnormality, hinge fracture, and patellar height change. Thus, there is a trend to avoid overcorrection, but biomechanical basis for abandoning the overcorrection is lacking. From a dynamic perspective, medial-to-lateral knee joint load distribution during gait can be reflected by knee adduction moment (KAM), and the main purpose of HTO is to reduce the KAM increased during gait due to varus alignment. We tried to reveal the association between the KAM obtained from three-dimensional gait analysis and various static alignment parameters, including mTFA, measured from the standing whole limb anteroposterior radiograph and through this, to suggest a dynamically optimal target for HTO. When grouped according to the alignment by the interval of 1°, lower extremities with 3° to 8° of varus had greater KAM values than those with 0° to 5° of valgus. However, within groups of 0° to 5° of valgus, there were no significant differences. Therefore, the varus must be corrected to at least neutral alignment during HTO, but valgus overcorrection does not further reduce the KAM.
Supervision and Support Interventions Targeted at Community Health Workers in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review to Identify Characteristics Associated with Successful Outcomes
Authors: Ekpin Victory Israel , Nwankwo Henry Eziefule , Akwaowo Christie Divine , Blencowe Hannah
Published: July 2024

Background
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are crucial in extending healthcare to underserved areas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but they often face challenges like limited training, resources, and support. Effective supervision and support interventions are essential for enhancing CHW performance and improving health outcomes. This study therefore explores the characteristics of supervision and support interventions targeted at CHWs in SSA that contribute to successful outcomes.
Methods
A search of four electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Global Index Medicus) and grey literature sites was done for studies published between January 2013 and January 2024. Eligible studies were those focusing on CHWs and interventions involving supervision and support in SSA. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed, and data extracted were analyzed using thematic and content analyses.
Results
Of 4,169 articles identified, fifty-five were included in the synthesis. Four main intervention types were identified: supervision, job aids, incentives, and training. Successful outcomes were measured through service delivery, program, and staff metrics. Fifty-two studies were assessed to have successful outcomes, and these were marked by ten key characteristics. These included material resource allocation, training and continuing education, stakeholder engagement, integration into existing systems, proper administration and logistics, supportive supervision, quality management, digitization, incentivization, and the enhancement of existing modalities. Leadership, governance and environmental factors emerged as important contextual factors in intervention success.
Conclusion
This study highlights the multifaceted nature of supervision and support interventions, highlighting essential characteristics for successful outcomes. Considering these characteristics during program design can enhance success rates. Future research should prioritize the cost-effectiveness, long-term impact, and sustainability of CHW programs in SSA.
Re-isolation of endophytic actinomycete from root of Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd. and its production of actinomycin D
Authors: Taechowisan Thongchai , Chuen-Im Thanaporn , Ruangrote Benjamart , Phutdhawong Waya S.
Published: July 2024

Endophytic actinomycetes are bacteria live inside plant tissues without causing harm to the plant. They produced various bioactive compounds. Our prior work isolated Streptomyces parvulus Tc022 from the roots of Alpinia galanga, this strain could produce actinomycin. This study aimed to re-isolate and characterize an endophytic actinomycete from the same Alpinia galanga roots in the same location again, and investigate its bioactive compounds. A Streptomyces strain designated AL036 was isolated and identified as Streptomyces parvulus through morphological, biochemical, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Similar to Streptomyces parvulus Tc022, this strain exhibited actinomycin D as its major bioactive compound. Media optimization experiments identified a medium (SC) supporting significantly higher actinomycin D production (103.67 mg/L) compared to the initial medium (ISP-2). Further optimization revealed that a specific carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (20 g/L soluble starch and 2 g/L casein) maximized production (199.33 mg/L). Sugar supplementation did not enhance production but influenced fungal growth. Both crude extract and purified actinomycin D exhibited cytotoxicity against cancer and non-cancerous cell lines, with higher activity towards cancer cells. This study isolated a new Streptomyces parvulus AL036, with efficient actinomycin D production akin to Tc022. Media optimization significantly improved production, highlighting the importance of carbon and nitrogen sources. While both crude extract and purified actinomycin D showed cytotoxicity, further research is needed to improve selectivity for cancer cells.
Digital environment, collaborative network and corporate innovation performance: A machine-learning-based study
Authors: Zhou Wenhao , Li Hailin
Published: July 2024

To explore the relationship between the digital environment, collaborative network and innovation performance, this study extract the inter-firm network from the co-patents of listed industrial companies in China, classify the collaborative contexts into four types based on the cooperation relationship, and examine the impacts of the dual environments on collaborative innovation performance by using machine learning method. A multi-dimensional framework is constructed to excavate the nonlinear combined effect of collaborative network, digital economy on firm innovation. The results indicate that the impact of digital economy and collaborative network on firm innovation varies across heterogeneous network embedding contexts. Network structure embedding features are the main factors to influence firm innovation in exploratory collaboration contexts. The digital environment is more likely to facilitate innovation performance in exploitative innovation and loosely collaborative contexts than in collaborative network embedding. The findings help companies make strategic decisions on partners selection and cooperation resources.
The accessory brachioradialis muscle (brachioradialis accessorius): Prevalence of a rare variant with possible implications for radial nerve compression
Authors: Triantafyllou George , Koptas Krzysztof , Zielinska Nicol , Piagkou Maria , Olewnik Łukasz
Published: July 2024

Purpose
The brachioradialis muscle (BR) belongs to the radial forearm muscles and contributes to the elbow flexion. Accessory brachioradialis muscle (ABR) or brachioradialis “accessorius” represents an uncommon BR variant, not been enough studied. The present study investigates the incidence of the ABR variant, along with its origin, insertion, and innervation.
Materials:
Eighty-three (83) upper limbs were meticulously dissected at the arm, forearm, and cubital fossa to investigate the ABR presence. When the variant muscle was identified, morphometric measurements were obtained.
Results
The ABR was identified in two upper limbs (2/83, 2.4%), in a male cadaver, bilaterally. Its origin was located along with the typical BR, and its insertion was identified into the anterior surface of the radius. The radial nerve supplied the ABR, having a course posteriorly to it (in a deeper layer).
Conclusions
In the current study, the variant muscle was observed in 2.4%, while the ABR reported incidence is recorded between 0.5–2.8%. Radial nerve compression, at the forearm, is not an uncommon entrapment neuropathy. The relationship between the radial nerve and the ABR could precipitate radial neuropathy.
Health Workforce Shortages and Surpluses: The Case of Unsalaried Workers in Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Authors: Zangana Goran , Muhammad Ary Kareem
Published: July 2024

Background: The health workforce is crucial for achieving universal health coverage (UHC), yet significant inequities persist globally, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). This study examines the paradoxical surplus of unsalaried health workers (UHWs) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) amidst global health worker shortages.
Method: We conducted an online survey of 585 UHWs in KRI.
Results: the research highlights the disproportionate impact on women, who constitute 77% of respondents, and the socio-economic implications of high unemployment rates among female health workers. The study underscores the challenges posed by austerity measures post-2014, leading to a reliance on volunteer work and exacerbating interprofessional tensions. Key findings reveal that the majority of UHWs prefer public sector employment due to perceived job security and societal norms.
Conclusion: The study calls for prioritising formal employment, addressing gender inequities, and implementing broader economic reforms to enhance the health workforce's resilience. The findings stress the need for collaborative efforts between regional and central governments to create equitable and sustainable employment opportunities, thereby supporting the overall health system's capacity to achieve UHC.