bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE INFLUENCE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT MATURITY ON PERCEIVED PROJECT SUCCESS: A CASE STUDY OF THE LESOTHO WATER SECTOR
Authors: Pretorius Suzaan , Mohlapiso Mpho
Published: December 2024

his study aims to determine the project management maturity level of four organisations in the Lesotho Water Sector. It assesses its influence on perceived project success by undertaking case studies in these organisations. It, therefore, contributes to the limited literature on project management maturity in the water sector in Africa. The results indicated that the average project management maturity was 2, with one organisation at a maturity level of 3. A total of 53% of executed projects were perceived as successful. The study found that high-maturity-level organisations tend to execute projects more successfully. Additional factors that may lead to project failure in this sector were identified.
ORGANISATIONAL DESIGN AND HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT FOR AN INCREASINGLY AGILE SERVICE ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Musaigwa Misheck , Swanepoel Jan
Published: December 2024

The evolving phenomena of technical organisations, defined by the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies and enhanced international collaboration, have caused a heightened demand for specialised skills and experience. This shift has called for a focus on agile organisational design to adapt quickly to the rapidly changing environment as a result of technological advancements and market dynamics. Simultaneously, the increase in expatriate employment and transnational recruitment has increased competition for skilled professionals, highlighting the demand for dynamic human capital management strategies. This study employed a narrative literature review with the aim of analysing existing trends and practices in organisational agility, technology adaptation, and human capital management. The findings suggest that there is a growing emphasis on developing agile organisational practices and services. To remain competitive, technical organisations should adopt agile organisational design and human capital management practices. Continuous adaptation to market trends and technological advancements would be essential for sustained success.
Jeunesse et souvenirs d’espoir à l’ère du jetable : comment et pourquoi lier le personnel et le politique
Authors: Giroux Henry A.
Published: December 2024

À travers un récit personnel de l’enfance de l’auteur dans les quartiers populaires de Providence, au Rhode Island, ce texte explique et illustre l’idée que la démocratie et la solidarité, autrefois des idéaux mobilisateurs, sont désormais assiégées par l’intolérance, l’individualisme et une montée insidieuse des discours fanatiques et fascistes. Sans nier les injustices raciales et sociales qui gangrenaient le tissu social des quartiers de son enfance, l’auteur note que la promesse d’un avenir meilleur qui y existait a été remplacée par une nouvelle et cruelle politique qui rend les jeunes remplaçables et jetables. Ce texte propose une lecture politique d’un parcours personnel et souligne l’importance de réfléchir à l’éducation, au travail des chercheur·se·s en éducation et à celui des pédagogues dans un tel contexte.
A bottom-up methodology for a national baseline data collection of the social enterprise sector: the experience of Ireland
Authors: Olmedo Osuna Lucas , Ruiz-Rivera María José , Corcoran Lorraine , Whelan Brendan
Published: December 2024

The launch of Ireland’s National Social Enterprise Policy in 2019 represented a milestone for social enterprises in Ireland. However, the policy and previous reports stress the limited data about social  enterprises at national level; against this background, the Irish Government commissioned in 2022 a research project to fill this gap. The aim of this paper is to discuss the process for establishing a methodology towards a baseline data collection exercise of social enterprises in Ireland, where official statistics do not account for this type of organisations. The methodology draws from conceptual  frameworks and international experiences for building statistics of social and solidarity economy organisations, including social enterprises census and baseline exercises. Moreover, the methodology is informed by a consultation process with Irish stakeholders consisting of four focus groups (87 participants), 15 semi-structured interviews and three meetings with experts’ committees. The methodology shows how baseline information on social enterprises in Ireland was built through intermediaries lists and an ad-hoc survey. The dependence on intermediaries and the lack of publicly available financial data on social enterprises in Ireland poses challenges, especially in terms of validity. However, using an official definition, data triangulation from different intermediaries, trust and engagement developed through the consultation process partially address the challenges. The methodology developed is context-sensitive, focusing on Ireland; however, it allows for some degree of international comparability and offers guidelines for building baseline information of social enterprises, especially in countries where these organisations are not captured by official statistics.
¿Existen diferencias entre las cooperativas dirigidas por hombres y por mujeres?: Análisis de los resultados económico-financieros en las cooperativas valencianas durante el periodo 2008-2021
Authors: Cuñat Giménez Rubén José , Cuñat Roldán Marta
Published: December 2024

Actualmente sigue habiendo una gran desigualdad entre el número de empresas dirigidas por mujeres y por hombres. Son numerosas las barreras que las mujeres tienen para poder optar por puestos  directivos y es necesario que estos obstáculos se visibilicen. No obstante, las cooperativas, por sus valores y principios, aunque no son ajenas a esta situación, sí que marcan algunas diferencias. Este trabajo plantea como objetivo analizar si el género en la dirección de las cooperativas influye en los resultados económico-financieros de estas. Para ello se ha tomado una muestra de 240 cooperativas valencianas activas durante el periodo 2008-2021, 191 dirigidas por hombres y 49 dirigidas por mujeres, disponible en la base de datos SABI, estudiando si existen diferencias significativas en el número de empleados, ingresos, resultados, solvencia y endeudamiento entre ambos grupos. En general, no se aprecian diferencias importantes en los resultados obtenidos en las cooperativas dirigidas por mujeres y por hombres; aunque sí en el tamaño y en el tipo de actividad que desarrollan ambos colectivos en sus empresas. Los resultados muestran que, aunque las cooperativas no son ajenas en cuanto al menor porcentaje de ellas dirigidas por mujeres que por hombres respecto a otros tipos de empresa, sí que manifiestan una menor influencia del género en los resultados, indicando que estos dependen de otros factores, tales como el tipo de actividad que desarrollan y el tamaño de la cooperativa.
Cooperation agreements in the food chain: win-win relationships for a more sustainable chain. The case of Mercadona
Authors: Meliá-Martí Elena , Lajara-Camilleri Natalia , Mateos-Ronco Alicia
Published: December 2024

The aim of this paper is to study the impact of cooperation between operators in the food supply chain. And particularly between two of the operators (retailers and suppliers) whose relationship, given the asymmetry between them, has often been questioned and la­belled as unequal, favouring the stronger party. Specifically, we will analyze the most demand­ing type of agreement for suppliers, as it involves exclusive supply. This paper aims to study whether the collaborative relationships between these two food chain operators benefit both parties equally and, therefore, contribute to the economic sustainability of the chain. To this end, we analyze whether it is worthwhile for a supplier in the retail grocery sector to develop a long-term exclusivity collaboration agreement with a retailer to whom they sell their entire production or most of it (exclusive key retailer account). For this purpose, we have analyzed Mercadona’s suppliers, the largest food distribution company in Spain, at a time when their relationship was based on exclusivity. Through inferential statistics and a logistic panel regres­sion, a comparison of Mercadona’s exclusive suppliers with two control groups (subsector and non-Mercadona intersuppliers obtained by matching) has been carried out.
The results suggest that this type of exclusive collaboration agreement, in the case of Mercadona with its exclusive suppliers, is beneficial and profitable for the weaker party, the supplier. Our findings provide evidence that collaboration and cooperation between suppliers and re­tailers can provide a win-win relationship, the key to which is maintaining effective coopera­tion between both parties in order to accomplish common goals.
Las Sociedades Agrarias de Transformación en España: un modelo eficiente de asociacionismo agrario
Authors: Román-Cervantes Cándido , Suárez-Domínguez Javier
Published: December 2024

El presente artículo analiza las Sociedades Agrarias de Transformación (SAT) en España, un modelo de asociacionismo agrario que ha demostrado ser eficiente. En la primera parte, se aborda el origen de las SAT, nacidas a partir de los Grupos Sindicales de Colonización Agraria en el contexto de la Ley de Colonización de Interés Local de 1940. Asimismo, se revisa el marco jurídico que las regula, desde el Real Decreto 1776/1981 hasta la Ley 5/2011, que las reconoce como entidades de Economía Social. En la segunda, se lleva a cabo un análisis más amplio basado en series temporales, que permite estudiar la evolución de las SAT en España. Se exponen datos tanto a nivel nacional como autonómico, destacando el crecimiento exponencial de estas entidades en las últimas décadas, y su importancia en la modernización del sector agrario español. En la tercera parte, se incluye información sobre el grado de expansión territorial de las SAT más allá de sus límites geográficos con datos de 2024. Confirmándose la relación entre eficiencia y crecimiento empresarial.
The role of gut microbiota in colon cancer caused by Apc mutation
Authors: Wang Haijie , Yang Guo , Zhu Mengyan , Wang Chengji , Lu Weisheng , Yu Zhilan , Chen Yanjuan , Liang Min , Shen Ruling
Published: December 2024

To construct a spontaneous colorectal cancer (CRC) mouse model with an Apc gene point mutation (ApcL850X) using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and preliminarily validate the composition and role of intestinal microbiota in colon cancer induced by Apc mutations. ApcL850X mice and wild-type (WT) controls were observed from 3 to 25 weeks of age. Comprehensive analyses were performed to evaluate body weight, food consumption, survival rates, routine blood parameters, and intestinal microbiota composition. Gut microbiota was assessed through high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Combined receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic potential of gut microbiota composition for CRC. The Apc gene point mouse model (ApcL850X) was successfully generated, and the genetic stability of the strain was proved by the subsequent breeding process. Male ApcL850X mice showed significant differences in body weight and food intake compared to WT, while female ApcL850X mice did not. All male ApcL850X mice died by 23 weeks, with a 15% survival rate in females. Blood tests indicated inflammation and anemia in ApcL850X mice. Histopathology revealed intestinal polyps and tumors, mainly in the ileum, with no sex difference in tumor counts. Gut microbiota analysis showed significant differences between ApcL850X and WT mice, with reduced Lactobacillus and increased Alistipes and Bacteroides. ROC analysis showed area under the curve values of 0.72 for females and 0.67 for males. We established an Apc gene point mutation mouse model, resulting in a spontaneous CRC model. Phenotypic validation of ApcL850X mice indicated CRC development between 15 and 20 weeks of age, with gut microbiota changes starting after 15 weeks. Alterations in specific gut microbiota, such as reductions in lactobacilli, were associated with increased CRC risk. This model is valuable for studying the Apc gene's biological function and CRC treatments. Gut microbiota composition showed moderate potential as a non-invasive CRC diagnostic tool, with notable sex-specific differences. Further research is needed to validate these findings and improve diagnostic accuracy.
Comprehensive temperature performance evaluation of asphalt mastics containing hydrated lime filler based on dynamic shear rheometer testing
Authors: Ryś Dawid , Jaskuła Piotr , Szydłowski Cezary
Published: December 2024

The paper focuses on exploring the potential for effective testing of asphalt mastics in the full range of temperatures using the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) apparatus. Six various types of asphalt mastics were selected to enable the evaluation of the effects of hydrated lime and bitumen modification, both before and after aging. Different DSR tests covered the whole range of service temperatures from –20°C to 64°C. Multiple Stress Creep Recovery test indicated that in the case of mastics with mixed filler (containing hydrated lime) the non-recoverable compliance at the stress level of 3.2 kPa was lower by half indicating much higher resistance to permanent deformations. Linear Amplitude Sweep Test showed that fatigue life calculated at 2.5% strain is almost 3 times greater when adhesive agent or hydrated lime is applied. Low-temperature rheological properties of mastics were investigated based on relaxation tests and it was concluded that mastics with hydrated lime have slightly lower stress relaxation capacity than the remaining mastics with lime filler.
Framing, a teoria do enquadramento: conceitos e aplicações
Authors: Rizzo de Azevedo Nisia Alejandra
Published: December 2024

Neste livro se busca fazer o caminho histórico da teoria do enquadramento (framing) e suas aplicações nos estudos de comunicação e jornalismo, com uma perspectiva construtivista. A partir de autores como Goffman, se analisa como se formam os estereótipos na mídia e na sociedade. Livro importante para pesquisadores, comunicadores e estudantes.
Blocking Toxin Function and Modulating the Gut Microbiota: Caffeic Acid and its Derivatives as Potential Treatments for Clostridioides difficile Infection
Authors: Guo Yan , Zhang Yong , Wang Guizhen , Liu Hongtao , Wang Jianfeng , Deng Xuming , He Liuqing , Qiu Jiazhang
Published: December 2024

Clostridioides difficile
infection (CDI) is the leading cause of hospital- acquired diarrhea that seriously threatens public health. The disruption of normal gut microbiota by the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents enables
C. difficile
to proliferate in the colon. The emergence and prevalence of hypervirulent
C. difficile
strains result in increased morbidity, mortality, and recurrence rates of CDI, thus creating a pressing need for novel therapeutics. The multi-domain toxins TcdA and TcdB are the primary determinants of CDI pathogenesis, rendering them ideal drug targets in the anti-virulence paradigm. In this study, we identified caffeic acid and its derivatives as active inhibitors of TcdB via a cell-based high-throughput phenotypic screening. Further mechanistic investigations revealed that caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) could directly bind to TcdB, thus suppressing InsP6-induced autoproteolysis and inhibiting glucosyltransferase activity. CAPE treatment remarkably reduces the pathology of CDI in a murine infection model in terms of alleviated diarrhea symptoms, decreased bacterial colonization, and relieved histopathological lesions. Moreover, CAPE treatment of C. difficile-challenged mice induces a remarkable increase in the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota (e.g.,
Bacteroides
) and alterations of gut metabolites (e.g., adenosine, D-proline, and melatonin), which might partially contribute to the therapeutic outcomes of CAPE against CDI. Our results reveal the potential of CAPE as a therapeutic for the management of CDI, or CAPE might serve as a lead compound for the development of antivirulence drugs targeting TcdB.
A novel human pluripotent stem cell-based gene activation system identifies IGFBP2 as a mediator in the production of hematopoietic progenitors in vitro
Authors: Petazzi Paolo , Ventura Telma , Luongo Francesca Paola , McClafferty Heather , May Alisha , Taylor Helen Alice , Shipston Micheal J , Romanò Nicola , Forrester Lesley M , Menéndez Pablo , Fidanza Antonella
Published: December 2024

A major challenge in the stem cell biology field is the ability to produce fully functional cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that are a valuable resource for cell therapy, drug screening and disease modelling. Here we developed a novel inducible CRISPR-mediated activation strategy (iCRISPRa) to drive the expression of multiple endogenous transcription factors important for
in vitro
cell fate and differentiation of iPSCs to haematopoietic progenitor cells. This work has identified a key role for IGFBP2 in the development of hematopoietic progenitors. We first identified nine candidate transcription factors that we predicted to be involved in blood cell emergence during development, then generated tagged gRNAs directed to the transcriptional start site of these transcription factors that could also be detected during scRNAseq. iCRISPRa activation of these endogenous transcription factors resulted in a significant expansion of arterial-fated endothelial cells expressing high levels of IGFBP2 and our analysis indicated that IGFBP2 is involved in the remodeling of metabolic activity during
in vitro
endothelial to hematopoietic transition. As well as providing fundamental new insights into the mechanisms of haematopoietic cell fate and differentiation, the broader applicability of iCRISPRa provides a valuable tool for studying dynamic processes controlling developmental events and for recapitulating abnormal phenotypes characterised by ectopic activation of specific endogenous gene expression in a wide range of systems.
The relationship between gut and nasopharyngeal microbiome composition can predict the severity of COVID-19
Authors: Martin-Castaño Benita , Diez-Echave Patricia , García-García Jorge , Hidalgo-García Laura , Ruiz-Malagon Antonio Jesús , Molina-Tijeras José Alberto , Rodríguez-Sojo Maria Jesús , Redruello Anaïs , Martínez-Zaldívar Margarita , Mota Emilio , Cobo Fernando , Alvarez-Estevez Marta , García Federico , Morales-García Concepción , Merlos Silvia , García-Flores Paula , Colmenero-Ruiz Manuel , Hernandez-Quero José , Nuñez María , Rodríguez-Cabezas Maria Elena , Carazo Ángel , Martín Javier , Morón Rocío , Rodríguez-Nogales Alba , Gálvez Julio
Published: December 2024

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that displays great variability in clinical phenotype. Many factors have been described to be correlated with its severity, and microbiota could play a key role in the infection, progression, and outcome of the disease. SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with nasopharyngeal and gut dysbiosis and higher abundance of opportunistic pathogens. To identify new prognostic markers for the disease, a multicenter prospective observational cohort study was carried out in COVID-19 patients divided into three cohorts based on symptomatology: mild (n=24), moderate (n=51), and severe/critical (n=31). Faecal and nasopharyngeal samples were taken, and the microbiota was analyzed. Linear discriminant analysis identified
M. salivarium
,
P. dentalis
, and
H. parainfluenzae
as biomarkers of severe COVID-19 in nasopharyngeal microbiota, while
P. bivia
and
P. timonensis
were defined in faecal microbiota. Additionally, a connection between faecal and nasopharyngeal microbiota was identified, with a significant ratio between
P. timonensis
(faeces) and
P. dentalis
and
M. salivarium
(nasopharyngeal) abundances found in critically ill patients. This ratio could serve as a novel prognostic tool for identifying severe COVID-19 cases.
Characterisation and comparison of semen microbiota and bacterial load in men with infertility, recurrent miscarriage, or proven fertility
Authors: Mowla Shahriar , Farahani Linda , Tharakan Tharu , Davies Rhianna , Correia Gonçalo DS , Lee Yun S , Kundu Samit , Khanjani Shirin , Sindi Emad , Rai Raj , Regan Lesley , Khalifa Dalia , Henkel Ralf , Minhas Suks , Dhillo Waljit S , Ben Nagi Jara , Bennett Phillip R , MacIntyre David A , Jayasena Channa N
Published: December 2024

Several studies have associated seminal microbiota abnormalities with male infertility but have yielded differing results owing to their limited sizes or depths of analyses. The semen microbiota during recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) has not been investigated. Comprehensively assessing the seminal microbiota in men with reproductive disorders could elucidate its potential role in clinical management. We used semen analysis, terminal-deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated-deoxyuridine-triphosphate-nick-end-labelling, Comet DNA fragmentation, luminol ROS chemiluminescence and metataxonomic profiling of semen microbiota by16S rRNA amplicon sequencing in this prospective, cross-section study to investigate composition and bacterial load of seminal bacterial genera and species, semen parameters, reactive oxidative species (ROS), and sperm DNA fragmentation in men with reproductive disorders and proven fathers. 223 men were enrolled included healthy men with proven paternity (n=63); the male partners in a couple encountering RPL (n=46); n=58, men with male factor infertility (n=58); the male partners of couples unexplained infertility (n=56). Rates of high sperm DNA fragmentation, elevated ROS and oligospermia were more prevalent in the study group compared with control. In all groups, semen microbiota clustered into three major genera-dominant groups (1, Streptococcus; 2, Prevotella; 3, Lactobacillus and Gardnerella); no species clusters were identified. Group 2 had the highest microbial richness (P<0.001), alpha-diversity (P<0.001), and bacterial load (P<0.0001). Semen analysis, ROS and DNA fragmentation were not associated with overall bacterial composition or load. Whilst, global perturbation of the seminal microbiota is not associated with male reproductive disorders, men with unidentified seminal
Flavobacterium
are more likely to have abnormal seminal analysis. Future studies may elucidate if
Flavobacterium
reduction has therapeutic potential.
Mihhail Kurotškini panus udmurdi folkloristikasse
Authors:   Department of Research in Philology, Udmurt Institute of History, Language and Literature, UdmFRC UB RAS, Izhevsk, Russia, Kamitova Alevtina
Published: December 2024

The work presents little-known and new facts from the life and work of the educator and teacher Mikhail Alekseevich Kurochkin. He made a valuable contribution to the preservation and popularization of the folklore heritage of the Udmurt people and the development of musical culture. Hardly accessible and interesting factual stories about his creative and life biography have been introduced into scientific circulation; these were identified during work with newspaper materials, documents from the archives of the Administration of Sarapul and the archives of the Mozhginsky Pedagogical College by Trofim Kuzmich Borisov. Some features of the song collection Kubyz (1925) with notes by Mikhail Kurochkin are described. The book was compiled by him on the basis of folkloric field materials collected together with students of the Mozhginsky Technical School. His pedagogical and cultural activities contributed to the development of children’s interest in their native culture, the formation of a musical direction in Udmurt science, and the education of new national personnel. The study of the life and creative biography, educational and folklore activities of Mikhail Kurochkin made it possible to determine his significant contribution to the cultural life of the Udmurt people at the beginning of the 20th century.
Tšeptsa jõgi põhjaudmurtide rahvakultuuris
Authors:   Udmurt Institute of History, Language and Literature of the Udmurt Federal Research Centre, Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Izhevsk, Russia, Shutova Nadezhda
Published: December 2024

The Cheptsa River has played a significant economic and social role in the history and culture of the Northern Udmurts since the ancient times. There were hunting grounds, pastures and hayfields on the river’s floodplain. The river is a source of drinking and technical (industrial) water, as well as protein products. It serves as a means of a cultural, political and commercial communication. The river is an important mythological symbol, and also an element of sacred topography.
The purpose of the paper is to define the role and significance of the Cheptsa River in the traditional religious and mythological worldview of the Udmurts.
The research materials include the author’s field data from the late 20th – early 21st centuries, archaeological, folklore and ethnographic literature of the late 19th – early 20th centuries, and the late 20th – early 21st centuries.
For the first time, the role of the Cheptsa River in the formation of the ethno-territorial community of the Northern Udmurts is analysed. It is revealed that the river valley is understood and perceived as a common ethnic, family and tribal territory. It is shown that the Cheptsa River performs not only economic and cultural, but also metaphysical, irrational functions in the life of the Northern Udmurts. The semantics of the Cheptsa River is characterized as a symbol of the homeland, a road in real and mythological dimensions, a border between worlds, a means of getting rid of diseases, as a sacred value of local Udmurts. General cultural (stadial-typological) and original (specific) features in the veneration of the river are revealed. Peculiarities of the Northern Udmurts’ worldview are the ideas about the creatures of the aqutic world, the presence of a whole system of rituals and special places associated with the cult of the owners of the water element. It is argued that the anthropomorphic image of the water sphere masters occupied a more significant position in the Udmurt beliefs. Archaic female personifications of these river spirits and other images of water creatures have faded into the background. The author concludes that the Cheptsa River was an important economic, landscape, cultural and mythological object for the Northern Udmurts of the late 19th – early 20th centuries.
Kolmkümmend aastat udmurtide juures käimas. Mida olen õppinud?
Authors:   Institute of Eastern Languages and Cultures, Paris, France, Toulouze Eva ,   Department of Ethnology, University of Tartu, Estonia
Published: December 2024

In my research, the Udmurt people occupy a central place. Today they are central also in my everyday life as I have paid visits to them already for 30 years because I felt that it was not enough to study only written sources and history. To understand people, their culture and mindset, you have to go to them, to see them in their everyday environment. In this article I would like to share what I have experienced when visiting them, and what I have learnt from them.
Udmurdi rahva arusaamad kosmogooniast: tähtede nimed ja nende kujutamine rahvaluules
Authors: Vladykina Tatiana
Published: December 2024

Cosmogonic concepts of the Udmurt people can be detected through the names of stars, the nomination of which is usually based on mythological cognition. Additional and very significant information about space objects is contained in folklore texts. The images of stars are included in a stable triad of heavenly bodies along with the sun and the moon. Their constant feature is bright light, opposed to images of negative energy, forces of darkness – diseases or sorcerers. Therefore, images of stars are frequently used in conspiracy formulas, where they are presented as an insurmountable barrier to those who do evil.
The stars, along with the sun and the moon, become metaphors and comparisons in the song culture of the Udmurt people. They are used as analogies in the characterization of family and kinship ties, testifying to the relationships within the clan.
Stars/constellations as a symbol of unattainability and indivisibility are a kind of guarantor of the stability of the world.
A comprehensive analysis and performance evaluation for osteoporosis prediction models
Authors: Shams Alden Zahraa Noor Aldeen M. , Ata Oguz
Published: December 2024

Medical data analysis is an expanding area of study that holds the promise of transforming the healthcare landscape. The use of available data by researchers gives guidelines to improve health practitioners’ decision-making capacity, thus enhancing patients’ lives. The study looks at using deep learning techniques to predict the onset of osteoporosis from the NHANES 2017–2020 dataset that was preprocessed and arranged into SpineOsteo and FemurOsteo datasets. Two feature selection methods, namely mutual information (MI) and recursive feature elimination (RFE), were applied to sequential deep neural network models, convolutional neural network models, and recurrent neural network models. It can be concluded from the models that the mutual information method achieved higher accuracy than recursive feature elimination, and the MI feature selection CNN model showed better performance by showing 99.15% accuracy for the SpineOsteo dataset and 99.94% classification accuracy for the FemurOsteo dataset. Key findings of this study include family medical history, cases of fractures in patients and parental hip fractures, and regular use of medications like prednisone or cortisone. The research underscores the potential for deep learning in medical data processing, which eventually opens the way for enhanced models for diagnosis and prognosis based on non-image medical data. The implications of the study shall then be important for healthcare providers to be more informed in their decision-making processes for patients’ outcomes.
Aumento de produtividade em guarnições em EPDM
Authors: Sousa Davi Reis de , Marchesi João Victor Lima , Costa Lucas da Costa da , Vieira Vinicios Bernardes , Costa Anderson Figueiredo da
Published: December 2024

O nosso trabalho de conclusão de curso, se trata de uma melhoria no processo de produção de guarnições em EPDM, com ênfase na lucratividade e aumento da receita fiscal. Nosso desenvolvimento explora um tema que, embora já explorado por engenheiros e empresários que têm a necessidade de ajustar suas ferramentas para obter o aumento da produtividade, é necessário novas abordagens devido a sua complexidade. Nosso artigo não tem somente fins teóricos e institucionais, já que o objetivo é de aplicar o desenvolvimento de modo prático, aumentando a produção por hora, otimizando o tempo de fabricação, resultando em ganhos e produtividade melhorando assim sua eficiência.
Florística e estrutura de um fragmento de caatinga do município de Batalha, Alagoas
Authors: Araújo Edja Santos de , Pinto Andréa de Vasconcelos Freitas , Leite Maria José de Holanda , Ramos Gabriela Gomes , Costa Neto Antônio , Freitas Amanda de Lira
Published: December 2024

O bioma Caatinga é um patrimônio natural rico em biodiversidade, mas pouco valorizado em termos de diversidade biológica. Sua vegetação é composta por espécies lenhosas e herbáceas, de pequeno porte, muitas compostas de espinhos, sendo, geralmente, caducifólias. Nos últimos anos tem-se observado relevante preocupação com a situação do bioma caatinga, que encontra-se em grande processo de degradação, consequentemente influenciando na perda de habitat e alterações na estrutura das paisagens, o que implica na necessidade de levantamentos florísticos e fitossociológicos, buscando informações acerca das áreas desse bioma. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a composição florística e a estrutura de um remanescente de Caatinga, localizado no município de Batalha, Alagoas, Brasil. O levantamento dos componentes arbóreos-arbustivos da Caatinga foi realizado por meio de amostragem simples ao acaso em parcelas de mesma área. Para tanto, foram alocadas 60 parcelas com dimensões de 20 m x 100 m cada, totalizando 120.000 m² de área amostral. Em cada parcela foram quantificados todos os indivíduos arbóreos-arbustivos com circunferência à Altura do Peito (CAP) ≥ 6 cm, sendo coletado os dados referentes à altura e diâmetro. As síndromes de dispersão classificados em anemocóricas, zoocóricas e autocóricas. Para a fitossociologia, foram calculados os parâmetros como densidade, densidade relativa, dominância, dominância relativa, frequência, frequência relativa e valor de importância (VI). Ao analisar composição florística verificou-se que o táxon mais abundante identificado na área, foi: Croton sonderianus Muell. No que se refere às famílias com maior número de espécies na área de estudo, verificou-se a presença significativa da família Fabaceae. Em relação a estrutura, pode-se observar que sua fitofisionomia caracteriza-se como caatinga arbóreo- arbustiva, o que indica que a vegetação encontra-se em processo de estágio secundário. Ao avaliar as síndromes de dispersão percebeu-se que os resultados evidenciaram a predominância da síndrome de dispersão zoocoria e autocoria, sendo a autocoria a mais frequente em área de Caatinga. No aspecto geral, este estudo gerou informações acerca da diversidade biológica e ambiental desse fragmento de caatinga, que irá contribuir para pesquisas cientificas acerca de informações sobre estrutura, florística e síndrome de dispersão.
Sustainable Techniques for Overcoming Seed Dormancy in Flamboyant (Delonix regia)
Authors: Júnior Luiz Ferreira Coelho , Cardoso Emanuelly Alves , Lira Nycole Barros , Aguiar Ana Gabriella Borges , Lima Deivson Alves de
Published: December 2024

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate methods of overcoming the dormancy of Delonix regia seeds, with an emphasis on sustainable techniques.
Study Design: The experimental design was entirely randomized, with five replicates of 20 seeds.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted on the premises of the Instituto Federal do Tocantins, Câmpus Avançado Formoso do Araguaia, located in the municipality of Formoso do Araguaia, in the state of Tocantins, Brazil. Between September 2024 and October 2024.
Methodology: The seeds were subjected to the following treatments: T1, untreated seeds (control); T2, chemical scarification with sulfuric acid for 3 minutes; T3, chemical scarification with sulfuric acid for 5 minutes; T4, immersion in water at 80°C for 3 minutes, followed by cooling to room temperature; T5, immersion in water at 80°C for 5 minutes, followed by cooling to room temperature; and T6, immersion in water at 80°C for 10 minutes, followed by cooling to room temperature. The analyses carried out included seedling emergence, the emergence speed index, the average emergence time and the emergence speed coefficient. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with five replicates of 20 seeds each. The data were subjected to tests for normality and homoscedasticity, followed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the F-test, and the means were compared using Tukey’s test at a 5% significance level.
Results: The results of this study indicated that heat treatments with immersion in water at 80°C for 5 minutes (T5) were the most effective in overcoming the dormancy of Delonix regia seeds. This method resulted in the highest emergence rates and the highest emergence speed indexes (ESI), highlighting its potential as a sustainable and efficient alternative to chemical treatments.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that heat treatment with immersion in water at 80°C for 5 minutes was the most effective in overcoming the dormancy of Delonix regia seeds.
Strategies for Developing Hydroponic Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Agribusiness in Samarinda City, Indonesia
Authors: Mariati Rita , Aida Syarifah , Yuliantini Dewi
Published: December 2024

This research aims to determine the internal and external factors that can influence hydroponic lettuce agribusiness and to find strategies for developing hydroponic lettuce agribusiness in Samarinda City. This research was carried out in several hydroponic lettuce agribusiness locations in Samarinda City from December 2023 to February 2024. The data collection method was carried out by observation, direct interviews with respondents, and a literature study. The sampling method in this research was carried out by purposive sampling, namely, as many as 10 market-oriented business actors. Data analysis uses the SWOT analysis method and internal and external environmental analysis (IFAS and EFAS).  Based on the SWOT analysis, it shows that the matrix calculation results are located in quadrant I, namely the S-O strategy or supporting aggressive strategies, namely business actors can explore various potentials, maintain vegetable quality, optimize cultivation experience, create loyalty programs, and complete facilities.
Role of Social Capital in Building Financial Resilience
Authors: Wang Jung-Yi , Chiang Hsiang-Tsai
Published: December 2024

Global climate change has created an urgent need to promote the transformation of green economy. This study adopted the social capital theory as a framework, and the banking industry plays a central role in this process, not only to identify the current development of green finance in Taiwan through green financial products but also to understand the attitudes of different customers towards green finance. This study aims to understand the relationship between banks and diversified communities through social capital, promote the innovation and application of green technologies, and integrate external resources to facilitate multi-party collaboration. The study was analysed and evaluated using the latest versions of SPSS 26 and Smart PLS 4.0, with a total sample size of 501 respondents. The results demonstrate that financial resilience has a positive impact on social capital, while carboxylic acid has a positive effect on usage intention. Consequently, this study proposes that the social capital theory is a valuable tool for understanding consumer intentions regarding green finance.
Exploring the Balance of Automation and Human Touch: A Literature Review on AI and Robotics Adoption in the Hospitality Industry
Authors: Roy Birendra Kishore , Pagaldiviti Sandilyan Ramanujam
Published: December 2024

Purpose: This work explores how different technologies and machines impact the hospitality and hotel business and identifies whether artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics can replace humans in the hospitality and hotel industry.
Research Methodology: The study will use a qualitative-method approach, starting with a literature review to understand the hospitality industry's technological advancements and AI and robotics' potential role. The analysis will assess the economic implications of AI and robotics adoption, considering cost savings, efficiency gains, and customer satisfaction.
Findings: The research indicates that while technology and machines have improved operational efficiency and reduced costs in the hospitality industry, the human touch remains crucial for delivering exceptional guest experiences. This study has analyzed and discussed the implications of AI adoption in the labor-intensive hospitality and hotel sector from various perspectives, thereby deriving meaningful academic and practical insights.
Practical Implications: This research will offer crucial insights into the hospitality industry's transformation and the delicate balance between automation and the human touch.
Teaching Reform and Practice of Linear Algebra Based on the "Three Transformations and Six Dimensions" Progressive Model
Authors: Lixia Ye , Xuefeng Mei
Published: December 2024

Linear Algebra serves as a crucial foundational course for economics and management majors in universities, where its abstract nature and complexity often pose challenges to student learning. To address the pain points of the course, we have proposed a "Three Transformations and Six Dimensions" Progressive model. This model integrates Linear Algebra with professional education and course education, using stratified and progressive teaching strategies to simplify teaching content, guide learning methods, and achieve effective teaching evaluation. Specific measures include reconstructing course content, building knowledge maps, integrating course ideology and politics, optimizing teaching models, strengthening practical innovation, and advancing a diversified evaluation system across six dimensions. Practice has demonstrated that this model effectively enhances teaching quality and markedly boosts students' mathematical literacy, logical thinking, and application capabilities. The questionnaires show that students have a relatively high level of satisfaction with the teaching methods, instructional tools and diversified assessment processes of this course. Statistical analysis of grades over the past three years indicates a significant increase in the proportion of students achieving excellent or good results in their final exams, along with a decrease in the failure rate. Students have been able to apply the knowledge of linear algebra in academic competitions and innovation and entrepreneurship practices, achieving remarkable success. Concurrently, the teaching outcomes are bountiful, with the course team's teachers winning the second prize in the provincial teaching innovation competition and the second prize in the provincial young teacher teaching competition. The MOOC and AI courses based on knowledge graphs have been adopted by over 600 universities in China, with more than 100,000 students using them. The demonstration and radiating promotion effects are quite good.
Integrating Sglt-2 Inhibitors into the Clinical Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease: Current Evidence and Future Outlook
Authors: Layanto Agus , Kusumaningrum Lely , Arsita Cynthia , Halim Fenny
Published: December 2024

Objective and Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is steadily increasing globally. A significant complication of T2DM is diabetic kidney disease, which contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are a class of oral antidiabetic agents that effectively lower blood glucose levels and provide protective benefits for kidney health.
Methods: A comprehensive review of studies was conducted focusing on the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with T2DM, including those with chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m², or urine albumin/creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg alb/g creatinine. The studies evaluated clinical outcomes such as cardiovascular events, kidney disease progression, and mortality. 
Results: Research findings demonstrate that SGLT-2 inhibitors significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization due to heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Additionally, these medications lower the incidence of cardiovascular-related and all-cause mortality. Renal-specific benefits include slowing the progression of albuminuria, reducing the decline in GFR, lowering the need for renal replacement therapy, and decreasing kidney-related deaths.
Cryptorchidism: A 20-Year Journey of Patient Outcomes and Family Concerns – A Cohort Study at a Single Center
Authors: Aboud Mohammed J
Published: December 2024

Background: Undescended testis (UDT), or cryptorchidism, is a prevalent pediatric condition with significant implications for fertility and malignancy risk if untreated. Affecting 1–5% of male infants, UDT is influenced by genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors.
Methods:  This retrospective cohort study examines 470 pediatric UDT cases treated at a single center over two decades (2004–2024) at a single pediatric surgery center - The Maternity and Child Teaching Hospital, Al Qadisiya, Iraq, focusing on surgical outcomes, fertility, long-term testicular health, and family concerns. Inclusion criteria; Patients were identified from hospital records and outpatient clinic registries confirmed diagnosis of UDT (unilateral or bilateral), availability of complete medical records, patients who underwent chromosomal analysis as part of their diagnostic workup, and underwent surgical intervention within the study timeframe at our center with at least three years of follow-up.
Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 18 months, with 45% diagnosed within the first year. Unilateral UDT predominated (60%), and testicular position influenced size and outcomes. Surgical success was achieved in 90% of cases, with minor complications including wound infections (5%) and reoperations (5%). Earlier diagnosis correlated with improved fertility outcomes, with normal spermatogenesis observed in 75% of early cases but declining significantly with delayed treatment (P < 0.05). Chromosomal abnormalities, present in 9% of patients, heightened family concerns, particularly regarding fertility and psychosocial impacts.
Conclusion: Family concerns evolved through stages of care, initially focusing on fertility and malignancy risks, then shifting to surgical safety and postoperative recovery. Tailored counseling and psychosocial support were integral to family satisfaction. This study underscores the importance of early diagnosis, multidisciplinary care, and culturally sensitive family engagement to optimize outcomes and enhance the quality of life for patients with UDT. Future recommendations include routine genetic screening and targeted educational initiatives to address community-specific challenges.
Integrated Crop Management Practices for Maximizing the Productivity of Horse Gram
Authors: Sangeetha M. , Indhumathi K. , Shanmugam P.S. , Ayyadurai P. , C.Bharathi  , M.A.Vennila
Published: December 2024

A Frontline demonstration was conducted to demonstrate the integrated crop management practices at ten locations of Dharmapuri district during Rabi season of 2020. The crop was cultivated by following the integrated crop management practices and compared with the farmers’ practices. The integrated crop management practices comprising of horse gram variety CRIDA 18R, seed treatment with Trichoderma viride followed by rhizobium and phosphobacteria, soil application of TNAU pulses micronutrient mixture @ 7.5 kg ha‑1, foliar spraying of TNAU pulse wonder @ 5 kg ha-1 during peak flowering stage and integrated plant protection measures.  The results of the demonstration revealed that the demonstration of horse gram variety CRIDA 18R with integrated crop management practices yielded the higher number of pods per plant (40.6) and grain yield of 7.15 q ha-1. Farmers’ practice resulted in a lower number of pods per plant (34.3) and grain yield of 5.55 q ha-1. The per cent increase in yield under the demonstration compared to the farmers’ practice was 28.8. The demonstration of integrated crop management practices achieved a higher net income (Rs. 12450/ha) and benefit cost ratio of 1.77. Conversely, the farmers’ practice recorded a lower net income of Rs. 9450/ha and benefit cost ratio of 1.74.