bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tripartite Influence Model
Authors: Žulec Ivanković Ana , Merkaš Marina , Martinac Dorčić Tamara
Published: April 2024

The effects of media on body image have been heavily investigated through the years. Recent research has shifted its focus to social media content and other behaviors on social media that can affect body and appearance satisfaction. This study aimed to test the contribution of media pressure to appearance satisfaction according to the prepositions of the Tripartite Influence Model on a sample of young Croatian women. A sample of 308 college students (average age 21.6) completed the BE-Appearance subscale of the Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (Mendelson et al., 2001), Physical Appearance Comparison Scale (Thompson et al., 1991), and Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire (Schafer et al., 2015). Path analysis showed that media pressure positively contributes to both appearance comparison with people on Instagram and beauty ideals internalization and negatively contributes to appearance satisfaction in young women. Results also indicate a significant negative indirect contribution of media pressure to appearance satisfaction through appearance comparison and beauty ideals internalization. Findings suggest a strong relationship between media pressure and appearance satisfaction and are discussed in the context of further investigation of media content that could be harmful to appearance satisfaction in young women.
Sexting Behavior Among Youths
Authors: Dodaj Arta , Prijatelj Krešimir , Kuterovac Jagodić Gordana
Published: April 2024

The advent of digital technology and smartphones with internet access has affected many aspects of youth development, including sexual development. One frequently studied type of digital technology use related to young people’s sexual communication is sexting, which is the exchange of sexually explicit content electronically for sexual or romantic purposes. This theoretical review of research, lists and explains commonly studied characteristics of sexting: nature, determinants, and consequences of sexting behavior. The consensus was critical for nearly all characteristics examined in sexting research. Gaps in existing knowledge and methodology as well as recommendations for future research on youth sexting are discussed.
Pengaruh Reward dan Insentif Terhadap Semangat Kerja Karyawan Pada PT. Basin Sejahtera Maritime Palembang
Authors: Gusti Abem , Hendri Edduar , Rismansyah Rismansyah
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT
This study aims to determine the effect of remuneration and motivational strength on employee guarantees at PT. Palembang Sea Flourishing Bowl. The strategy used in this study is a quantitative technique with the number of tests considered is 32 workers. The information checking strategy used in this exploration is a basic direct recurrence examination, direct recurrence examination, connection coefficient examination, assurance coefficient examination, t test and f test using the SPSS 23 for windows program. From the results of the t-test research shows that there is a reward (X1) with a critical value of 0.000 < 0.05, implying that there is a rather large impact of remuneration on the resolve of the representative. While the driving variable (X2) with a large value of 0.000 <0.05 implies that it has a rather large effect on representative decisions. The consequence of the F test at the same time getting a critical value of 0.000 < 0.05, this is dismissed to imply that H0. Ha recognized. So it can be understood that there is a very large influence between remuneration and motivation on the fulfillment of representative jobs at PT. Maritime prosperity.
Keywords: Reward, Incentives and Employee Morale.
 
ABSTRAK
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh reward dan insentif terhadap semangat kerja pada PT. Basin Sejahtera Maritime Palembang. Strategi yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah teknik kuantitatif dengan jumlah tes yang diujikan sebanyak 32 orang perwakilan. Metode pemeriksaan informasi yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah analisis regresi linier sederhana, analisis regresi linier berganda, pemeriksaan koefisien korelasi, pemeriksaan koefisien determinasi, uji t dan uji f dengan menggunakan program program SPSS 23 for windows. Dari hasil penelitian uji-t menunjukkan bahwa terdapat reward (X1) dengan nilai besar 0,000 < 0,05, menyiratkan bahwa ada pengaruh besar reward terhadap semangat pekerja. Sedangkan variabel insentif (X2) dengan nilai kritis 0,000 < 0,05 menunjukkan bahwa terdapat pengaruh dorongan yang cukup besar terhadap semangat kerja karyawan. Hasil pembahasan uji F sekaligus mendapat nilai kritis 0,000 < 0,05, hal ini diberhentikan untuk mengimplikasikan bahwa H0. Ha diakui. Sehingga cenderung dimaklumi adanya pengaruh yang luar biasa antara reward dan insenfif terhadap pemenuhan kebutuhan pekerja di PT. Basin Sejahtera Maritim.
Kata Kunci: Reward, Insentif dan Semangat Kerja Karyawan.
Аналіз предикторів виникнення несприятливих серцево-судинних і цереброваскулярних подій після операції Бенталла
Authors: Тимошенко В. А.
Published: April 2024

The aim – to analyze the risk factors for the occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cardiovascular events in the early period after the Bentall procedure.Materials and methods. The study analyzed the medical records of adult patients (aged 18 to 75 years) who underwent Bentall procedure for ascending aortic aneurysm between 2012 and 2021. Univariate and multivariate analysis (logistic regression) were used to determine prognostic risk factors.Results and discussion. In patients with MACCE grade 3 hypertension was observed by 14.4 % (p = 0.048) more often, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was by 14.1 % (p = 0.017) longer, the cross-clamping of the aorta duration was by 16.3 % (p = 0.039) longer, and the lactate level at the end of the surgery was by 23.6 % (p = 0.036) higher compared to patients without MACCE. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis established two main predictors of the development of MACCE in the early postoperative period – the presence of the 3rd degree arterial hypertension (OD 2.030 95 % CI 0.578–7.161, p = 0.018) and the duration of aortic clamping (OD 1.102 95 % CI 0.931–2.136, p = 0.018).Conclusions. The 3rd degree arterial hypertension and the duration of aortic clamping were independent predictors of the development of MACCE in the early postoperative period.
WHISTLEBLOWING INTENTION : SEBUAH TINJAUAN LITERATUR SISTEMATIS
Authors: Febiunca Adeantiko Riza , Yulianti Praptini
Published: April 2024

Tinjauan literatur ini dilakukan setelah mengamati semakin banyaknya penelitian terkait whistleblowing intention (WBI) beberapa tahun terakhir. Dengan menggunakan metode tinjauan literatur sistematis PRISMA, penulis mencoba mencatat dan merangkum artikel-artikel penelitian tersebut untuk penelitian-penelitian di masa depan dalam mencari kesenjangan penelitian sehingga membantu pengembangan topik ini. Dari hasil tinjauan literatur ini ditemukan bahwa definisi whistleblowing dari Near dan Miceli (1985) masih sangat relevan untuk digunakan hingga saat ini. Sedangkan Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) juga masih relevan dalam mempelajari ‘niat’ dari sebuah prilaku whistleblowing. Sikap terhadap whistleblowing dan budaya/iklim etis organisasi merupakan dua variabel yang paling banyak dipelajari.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMENGARUHI INTENSI KONSUMEN UNTUK MEMBELI RUMAH SUBSIDI
Authors: Marsela Tia , Kurniawati Kurniawati
Published: April 2024

Tujuan penelitian untuk menganalisis pengaruh langsung environmental concern, price sensitivity, symbolic value, social media influence dan attitude terhadap purchase intention. Serta penambahan peran variabel attitude sebagai mediasi, perantara hubungan variabel environmental concern, price sensitivity, symbolic value, dan social media influence terhadap purchase intention. Sampel yang dipergunakan yaitu 192 responden yang dipilih melalui purposive sampling. Data yang dipergunakan telah memenuhi uji validitas dan reliabilitas. Analisa data penelitian mempergunakan SEM (Structural equation model) dan software AMOS 21. Temuan penelitian mengindikasikan bahwasanya environmental concern, symbolic value, dan attitude berpengaruh positif terhadap purchase intention rumah subsidi di Karawang. Adapun peran mediasi dari attitude mampu menjelaskan hubungan social media influence dan purchase intention rumah subsidi di Karawang. Adapun pada penelitian selanjutnya diharapkan untuk memasukkan lebih banyak variabel, objek, dan isu yang sedang tren pada masa penelitian.
Partial data inverse problems for magnetic Schrödinger operators on conformally transversally anisotropic manifolds
Authors: Selim Salem , Yan Lili
Published: April 2024

We study inverse boundary problems for the magnetic Schrödinger operator with Hölder continuous magnetic potentials and continuous electric potentials on a conformally transversally anisotropic Riemannian manifold of dimension n ⩾ 3 with connected boundary. A global uniqueness result is established for magnetic fields and electric potentials from the partial Cauchy data on the boundary of the manifold provided that the geodesic X-ray transform on the transversal manifold is injective.
Efficacy and Concurrent Validity of Computerized Brain Training Based on Everyday Living (BTEL) Based on Instrumental Activities of Living for Cognitively Healthy Old Individuals: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Asada Takashi , Tanaka Mieko , Araki Wataru , Jon Lebowitz Adam , Kakuma Tatsuyuki
Published: April 2024

Background: Interventions to prevent or attenuate cognitive decline and dementia in older adults are becoming increasingly important. Recently, cognitive training exercise can be via computer or mobile technology for independent or home use. Recent meta-analysis has reported that Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) is effective at enhancing cognitive function in healthy older and Alzheimer’s disease adults, although little is known about individual characteristics of each computerized program. Objective: We developed a new CCT named Brain Training Based on Everyday Living (BTEL) to enhance cognitive capacity for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). We aim to evaluate the efficacy of the BTEL among cognitively healthy old individuals and to explore its concurrent validity and construct concept. Methods: We conducted a double-blind study where 106 individuals aged 65 years and older (intervened = 53, control = 53) worked on the active and placebo tasks three times a week over three months (clinical trial: UMIN000048730). The main results were examined using ANCOVA and calculating correlation coefficients. Results: We found no effect on total score of the three tests; however, there was significant effect for the BTEL on: recognition in MMSE, and immediate recall in HDSR. The tasks are associated with prefrontal cortex. In addition, correlations indicated that each BTEL domain had some validity as a cognitive assessment tool. Different from previous CCT, we determined the neuropsychological characteristics of specific cognitive tasks of the BTEL to a certain degree. Conclusions: We found modest efficacy of the BTEL in cognitively healthy old individuals and confirmed its concurrent validity and the conceptual construct.
Osteoclasts Link Dysregulated Peripheral Degradation Processes and Accelerated Progression in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Wu Bin , Chen Mulan , Meng Ling , Tian Qiuyun , Dong Zhifang
Published: April 2024

Background: The amyloid-β (Aβ) enhances the number and activity of blood monocyte-derived osteoclasts (OCs). Individuals with osteoporosis (OP) face an increased risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Despite this association, the contribution of bone-resorbing OCs to the progression of AD pathology remains unclear. Objective: Our objective was to investigate the potential impacts of OCs on the development of AD pathology. Methods: We conducted targeted analysis of publicly available whole blood transcriptomes from patients with AD to characterize the blood molecular signatures and pathways associated with hyperactive OCs. In addition, we used APP23 transgenic (APP23 TG) AD mouse model to assess the effects of OCs pharmacological blockade on AD pathology and behavior. Results: Patients with AD exhibited increased osteoclastogenesis signature in their blood cells, which appears to be positively correlated with dysfunction of peripheral clearance of Aβ mediated by immune cells. Long-term anti-resorptive intervention with Alendronate inhibited OC activity in APP23 mice, leading to improvements in peripheral monocyte Aβ-degrading enzyme expression, Aβ-deposition, and memory decline. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that OCs have a disease-promoting role in the development and progression of AD, possibly linked to their modulation of peripheral immunity. These findings guide future research to further elucidate the connection between OP and AD pathogenesis, highlighting the potential benefits of preventing OP in alleviating cognitive burden.
Reframing social media discourse: Converting hate speech to non-hate speech
Authors: Kostiuk Yevhen , Tonja Atnafu Lambebo , Sidorov Grigori , Kolesnikova Olga
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we investigate the issue of hate speech by presenting a novel task of translating hate speech into non-hate speech text while preserving its meaning. As a case study, we use Spanish texts. We provide a dataset and several baselines as a starting point for further research in the task. We evaluated our baseline results using multiple metrics, including BLEU scores. We used a cross-validation approach and an average of the metrics per fold for evaluation. We achieved a 0.236 sentenceBLEU score on four folds. This study aims to contribute to developing more effective methods for reducing the spread of hate speech in online communities.
Neural machine translation for low resource Indian language: Hindi-Kangri
Authors: Bisht Akhilesh , Gupta Deepa
Published: April 2024

Neural Machine Translation (NMT) for low resource languages is a challenging task due to unavailability of large parallel corpus. The efficacy of Transformer based NMT models largely depends on scale of the parallel corpus and the configuration of hyperparameters implemented during model training. This study aims to delve into and elucidate the impact of hyperparameters on the performance of NMT models for low resource languages. To accomplish this, a series of experiments are conducted using an open-source Hindi-Kangri corpus to train both supervised and semi-supervised NMT models. Throughout the experimentation process, a significant number of discrepancies were identified within the data-set, necessitating manual correction. The best translation performance evaluated with respect to the metrics such as BLEU (0–1), SacreBLEU (0–100), Chrf (0–100), Chrf+ (0–100), Chrf++ (0–100) and TER (%) is (0.15, 14.98, 41.43, 41.49, 38.77, 68.20) for Hindi to Kangri direction, and (0.283, 28.17, 49.71, 50.64, 48.63, 51.25) for Kangri to Hindi direction.
Creation of a diverse mixed-lingual emotional speech corpus with a framework for enhanced emotion detection
Authors: Lalitha S. , Sridevi N. , Deekshitha Devarasetty , Gupta Deepa , Alotaibi Yousef A. , Zakariah Mohammed
Published: April 2024

Speech Emotion Recognition (SER) has advanced considerably during the past 20 years. Till date, various SER systems have been developed for monolingual, multilingual and cross corpus contexts. However, in a country like India where numerous languages are spoken and often humans converse in more than one language, a dedicated SER system for mixed-lingual scenario is more crucial to be established which is the focus of this work. A self-recorded database that includes speech emotion samples with 11 diverse Indian languages has been developed. In parallel, a mixed-lingual database is formed with three popular standard databases of Berlin, Baum and SAVEE to represent mixed-lingual environment for western background. A detailed investigation of GeMAPS (Geneva Minimalistic Acoustic Parameter Set) feature set for mixed-lingual SER is performed. A distinct set of MFCC (Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients) coefficients derived from sine and cosine-based filter banks enriches the GeMAPS feature set and are proven to be robust for mixed-lingual emotion recognition. Various Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) algorithms have been applied for emotion recognition. The experimental results demonstrate GeMAPS features classified from ML has been quite robust for recognizing all the emotions across the mixed-lingual database of the western languages. However, with diverse recording conditions and languages of the Indian self-recorded database the GeMAPS with enriched features and classified using DL are proven to be significant for mixed-lingual emotion recognition.
CGIHE-VDSR: Color global image histogram equalization with very deep super resolution networks for color image super resolution
Authors: Jaiseeli C. , Raajan N.R.
Published: April 2024

Medical and satellite image analysis require incredibly high resolution. Super-resolution combines several low-resolution images of the same scene to generate a high-resolution image. The Super resolution employing deep learning techniques still has an illumination issue. This paper proposes a novel CGIHE-VDSR algorithm that integrates the Very Deep Super Resolution (VDSR) Network with Color Global Image Histogram Equalization (CGIHE) to improve image resolution. In the proposed method, the low-resolution image is first histogram equalized using the CGIHE algorithm. Then, the VDSR network is applied to the histogram equalized image for super-resolution. The comparison of real-time data with the benchmark images is done using the proposed algorithm in the MATLAB platform. The PSNR and SSIM metrics demonstrate that the super resolution image obtained using the proposed method is significantly better than the existing methods.
Linear diophantine multi-fuzzy soft similarity measures: An analysis on alternative-fuel
Authors: Kannan Jeevitha , Jayakumar Vimala , Pethaperumal Mahalakshmi , Shanmugam Nithya Sri
Published: April 2024

Every day, the globe becomes more contemporary and industrialized. As a result, the number of vehicles and engines is growing. However, the energy sources utilized in these engines are scarce and dwindling over time. This circumstance prompts the search for alternate fuel. As civilization develops, transportation becomes a need for daily living. The largest issue is the diminishing supply of fossil fuels and the expanding population. As a result, everyone needs alternate energy sources for their automobiles. Therefore, in this investigation, we identify the best substitute for petrol. We offer the similarity measure(SM) for a hybrid structure of a Linear Diophantine Multi-Fuzzy Soft Set(LDMFSS) with the goal of determining this issue. Because the range of grade values has been expanded, decision-makers now have greater freedom in selecting their grade. An exemplary case study is illustrated that shows the appropriateness of our recommended approach. A comparative analysis is provided to show the outcomes of the proposed method are more achievable and beneficial than those of the existing methodologies. Additionally, its applicability and attainability are evaluated by comparing its structure to those of the already used procedures.
Improved segmentation of brain tumors with data augmentation using MU-Net
Authors: Hossain AKM B. , Salam Md. Sah Bin Hj. , Alam Muhammad S. , Hossain AKM Bellal
Published: April 2024

Semantic segmentation is crucial for the treatment and prevention of brain cancers. Several neural network–based strategies were rapidly presented by research groups to enhance brain tumor thread segmentation. The tumor’s uneven form necessitates the usage of neural networks for its detection. Therefore, improved patient outcomes may be achieved with precise segmentation of brain tumor. Brain tumors can range widely in size, form, and position, making diagnosis difficult. Thus, this work offers a Multi-level U-Net (MU-Net) approach for analyzing the brain tumor data augmentation for improved segmentation. Therefore, a significant amount of data augmentation is employed to successfully train the recommended system, removing the problem of a lack of data when using MR images for the diagnosis of multi-grade brain cancers. Here, we presented the “Multi-Level Pyramidal Pooling (MLPP)” component, where a new pyramidal pool will be employed to capture contextual data for augmentation. The “High-Grade Glioma” (HGG) datasets from the Kaggle and BraTs2021 were used to assess the proposed MU-Net. Overall Tumor (OT), Enhancing Core (EC), and Tumor Core (TC) were the three main designations to be segmented. The dice score was used to contrast the results empirically. The suggested MU-Net fared better than most existing methods. Researchers in the fields of bioinformatics and medicine might greatly benefit from the high-performance MU-Net.
SOHD-LOAM: Suppress odometry height drift lidar odometry and mapping on undulating road
Authors: Qin Hao , Zou Yanli , Yu Guoliang , Liu Huipeng , Tan Yufei
Published: April 2024

In the process of mapping outdoor undulating and flat roads, existing LiDAR SLAM systems often encounter issues such as map distortion and ghosting. These problems arise due to the low vertical resolution of multi-line LiDAR, which easily leads to the occurrence of odometry height drift during the mapping process. To address this challenge, this study propose a novel LiDAR SLAM system named SOHD-LOAM, designed specifically to suppress odometry height drift. This system encompasses several critical components, including data preprocessing, front-end LiDAR odometry, back-end LiDAR mapping, loop detection, and graph optimization. SOHD-LOAM leverages the road gradient limitation algorithm and the height smoothing algorithm as its core, while also integrating the Kalman filter, loop detection, and graph optimization techniques. To evaluate the performance of SOHD-LOAM, the comprehensive experiments are conducted with using KITTI datasets and real-world scenes. The experimental results demonstrate that SOHD-LOAM achieves superior accuracy and robustness in global odometry compared to the state-of-the-art LEGO-LOAM. Specifically, the height error of the sequences 00, 05 experiment was found to be 40.62% and 61.92% lower than that of LEGO-LOAM. Additionally, the maps generated by SOHD-LOAM exhibit no distortion or ghosting, thereby significantly enhancing map quality.
An interval forecast model for infectious diseases using fuzzy information granulation and spatial-temporal graph neural network
Authors: Hu Junhua , Zhou Yingling , Li Huiyu , Liang Pei
Published: April 2024

To enhance infection diseases interval prediction, an improved model is proposed by integrating neighborhood fuzzy information granulation (NNIG) and spatial-temporal graph neural network (STGNN). Additionally, the NNIG model can efficiently extract the most representative features from the time series data and identifies the support upper and lower bounds. NNIG model transfers time series data from numerical level to granular level, and processes data feed it into STGNN for interval prediction. Finally, experiments are conducted for evaluation based on the COVID-19 data. The results demonstrate that the NNIG outperforms baseline models. Further, it proves beneficial in offering a valuable approach for policy-making.
RETRACTED: An optimal framework for natural English translate processing: On the application of artificial neural network and Adam optimization algorithm
Authors: Chen Sian , Zuo Yajuan , Wang Rui
Published: April 2024

This article has been retracted. A retraction notice can be found at https://doi.org/10.3233/JIFS-219433.
Decentralized fuzzy DSC for uncertain large-scale interconnected switched systems in non-strict feedback form with input saturation
Authors: Wang R , Yu F.S , Zhao L.Y
Published: April 2024

This paper demonstrates a fuzzy decentralized dynamic surface control (DSC) scheme for switched large-scale interconnected nonlinear systems under arbitrary switching, which contains non-strict feedback form and unknown input saturation uncertainties. An auxiliary design system is established to handled input saturation. Uncertainties of non-strict feedback form are learned by fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) approximators, DSC method is designed to conquer “explosion of complexity” inherented by repeated differential of virtute controller in backstepping approach. Ii is shown that based on common Lyapunov function (CLF) design and analysis scheme, all the closed-loop systems signals are uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB), simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of this proposed strategy.
RETRACTED: Solving Table-based fact verification with mixture of logical reasoning
Authors: Wu Jie , Hou Mengshu
Published: April 2024

This article has been retracted. A retraction notice can be found at https://doi.org/10.3233/JIFS-219433.
RETRACTED: Dynamic round robin with adaptive time quanta (DRRATQ): A proposed algorithm
Authors: Hassan Shabbir
Published: April 2024

This article has been retracted. A retraction notice can be found at https://doi.org/10.3233/JIFS-219433.
RETRACTED: Research on wearable sensor gesture recognition based on CNN_GRU and attention mechanism
Authors: Wu Donghui , Wang Jinfeng , Zhao Wanwan , Geng Xin , Liu Guozhi , Qiu Sen
Published: April 2024

This article has been retracted. A retraction notice can be found at https://doi.org/10.3233/JIFS-219433.
Interdisciplinary teaching strategy of multimodal data fusion in college aesthetic education curriculum using intelligence methods
Authors: Liu Fei
Published: April 2024

In China, aesthetic education at the college level is essential for students’ quality because it improves their understanding of art, helps them progress in their professional career development, and helps them comprehend more fully the attractiveness of creative creations. As a result, it needs to prioritize aesthetic education at the institution and endeavor to nurture students’ feelings progressively and improve their aesthetic abilities at different levels. Artificial intelligence (AI) is used in this project to create a novel, interdisciplinary teaching technique that will maximize students’ artistic and intellectual potential and help them make more, better art. In this research, the Osprey Optimization method improves the interdisciplinary teaching technique for aesthetic education based on a light Exclusive gradient-boosting mechanism (OOM-LEGBM). The exploration-exploitation dynamics of the OOM are incorporated into LEGBM, providing the students with a tangible and relatable technique to understand complex-solving processes. This research develops an enhanced quality framework for college aesthetic education based on the multi-model data fusion system about the implication and necessity of aesthetic education. The influence of college aesthetic education on students’ creative capacity and artistic literacy was investigated to inform instructional activities better to develop students’ aesthetic skills. The experimental findings suggest that the proposed approach achieved an improved accuracy of 99.90%, higher precision of 99.88%, and greater recall of 99.91%. Moreover, it obtained a minimum Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.26% and a lower Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.34%, showing that the suggested model greatly improved preference learning accuracy while keeping overall accuracy at an identical level. Innovation capacity building in college aesthetic education can help students become more self-aware, improve their study habits, visually literate, and more comprehensive.
Study of musculoskeletal disorders risk factors and discomfort in sculptors in the north of Mexico
Authors: Sortillón-González Patricia Eugenia , Maldonado-Macías Aidé Aracely , Saénz-Zamarrón David , Hernandez-Arellano Juan Luis , De la Vega-Bustillos Enrique Javier
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND: The sculpting craft must adopt awkward postures that lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort (MD) and its associations with postural risk factors, demographics, and work characteristics among sculptors. They were determined the differences between MDs during the weeks of the study. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted; MD was investigated using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ). Posture was assessed using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment method (RULA). Multivariate logistic regression (MLR) models analyzed associations with different factors. ANOVA was used to test for differences in MD prevalence. RESULTS: The analysis included 585 responses by body region. The prevalence of MD was high in the lower and upper limbs among sculptors (67.6%), with the lower back, upper arm, neck, and knees being the four most affected regions. Gender (female) (OR = 2.15), marital status (married) (OR = 1.80), health risk (obesity), the dual of a secondary job (OR = 1.94), job stress (OR = 2.10), duration of work (OR = 2.01), and difficulty keeping up with work (OR = 2.00) were significant predictors contributing to the occurrence of MD in different body regions. Only shoulder MD prevalence showed significant differences between study weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Sculptors suffer from MD. Demographic and work characteristic factors influence MD prevalence. Postural training, improved adaptation of work organization, and intervention guidance on ergonomic risks may reduce the prevalence of MD and the risk of MSDs in this population.
Stress and depression among male police officers in Taiwan: Severity, determinants, and coping strategies
Authors: Hsieh Yu-Wen , Huang Charles Lung-Cheng
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND: Police work, known for its high stress, exhibits elevated depression rates. OBJECTIVE: This study explores stress and depression in male officers, examining personality traits, coping strategies, family, and social support. Aligned with the diathesis–stress hypothesis and job demands–resources model, it aims to illuminate these factors in policing. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-four male police officers from Yunlin, Taiwan were enrolled in this study. Structured measurements of stress level, depression symptoms, personality traits, family functioning, and social support were made. We used multiple regression analysis to assess predictors of stress level and depression and identified coping strategies used by the police officers. RESULTS: Of the 264 male police officers, 36.4% had clinically significant depression. Occupational stress was mostly related to organizational factors. Multivariate regression analyses showed that age, personality traits, officer’s rank, and period of education obtained could predict police officers’ occupational stress. Personality traits, social support, occupational stress, and period of education obtained could predict depression. The most frequently used coping strategies were drinking and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study support the diathesis–stress hypothesis and the job demands–resources model. Enhancing male police officers’ mental well-being requires addressing key factors like social support and occupational stress. Strategic measures, such as mental health education, destigmatization, counseling, and community-building, are vital. Policymakers should collaborate with mental health professionals for tailored interventions, fostering a healthier work environment.
A reforma dos cuidados de saúde primários em 2005: um problema de saúde pública
Authors:   UCSP Carnaxide, Cortez Isabel
Published: April 2024

Discutem-se alguns dos problemas da reforma dos cuidados de saúde primários em Portugal, iniciada em 2005, nomeadamente os problemas derivados da gestão por agrupamentos, o impacto do pagamento por desempenho e as desigualdades na prestação de CSP criadas pelas diferentes tipologias de unidades funcionais.
The Design of a MOOC on Health Behaviors: A Practical Blueprint for the Instructional Design of MOOCs
Authors: Müller Andre Matthias , Tan Claire , Goh Charlene , Tar Lim Raymond Boon
Published: April 2024

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are a primary mode of scaled-up online learning. They have enjoyed great popularity, which grew significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the growing demand for MOOCs and the desire of institutions to develop high-quality courses, research indicates that the educational impact of MOOCs is limited. Low instructional design quality has been cited as a culprit for the failure of MOOCs to support learning and skill development, prompting calls for a more thorough design of MOOCs. The aims of our work are to describe the systematic development of guiding principles that informed instructional design decisions for our MOOC on health behaviors and to showcase how these principles were implemented in practice. Through triangulation of various sources of evidence on anticipated learners and the MOOC learning environment, we identified four key aspects we needed to address with our instructional design to facilitate learning. We formulated guiding principles that both addressed these aspects and served as a reference point during instructional design. Our approach to making instructional design decisions can serve as a practical blueprint for other MOOC developers.
Candida and Long Covid
Authors: Chambers Patrick
Published: April 2024

The pandemic has supercharged growing awareness of the gut microbiome and the gut-brain-axis as determinants of human health. Zonulin, a circulating protein that increases intestinal and endothelial permeability, has emerged as a central player. This protein can be activated by proteases secreted by Candida, opening the door to myriad autoimmune and other chronic diseases. Many of these are seen in long Covid (LC). Candida hyphal walls express proteins that are analogous to gliadin/gluten (celiac disease antibodies) and that are GPCRs, e.g., Crohn’s disease antibodies present only in eukaryotes that trigger anti-gliadin and anti-GPCR autoantibodies respectively. These two autoantibody producing pathways both activate zonulin and may encompass the broad spectrum of autoimmune diseases seen in LC. The spike protein S on SARS CoV2 can attach to both ACE2 receptor and Toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) bearing cells. The latter can also activate zonulin. A hypothetical pathophysiologic model is proposed implicating Candida overgrowth, aggravated by Covid-19, in not only the genesis of LC but also that of autoimmune disease, dementia, cancer, many chronic diseases, and aging.
TS fuzzy control of PV assisted single phase three phase induction motor drive for rural pumping applications
Authors: Rami Reddy Sareddy Venkata , Mudundi Rekha , Kumar M. Kiran , Reddy Ch. Rami , Sai Kalyani T. Venkata , Kumar D. Ravi , Reddy B. Nagi
Published: April 2024

The motor drives for aqua farms and large-scale irrigation system needs a reliable electric drive, which requires the continuous power supply and efficient control. However, the rural single phase power supply is frequently interrupted. Renewable assistance would improve the availability of supply and heuristic control approach improves robustness in control. This paper presents a three phase induction motor drive fed from single phase electric grid with assistance from PV and battery energy storage. TS- fuzzy based direct torque control is employed for robust control during load changes, and the topology, component modelling, front-end converter control, PV interface DC–DC converter control, and inverter control are presented. MATLAB/Simulink is used to simulate the proposed drive system. The performance of the proposed system is validated using simulation data for both steady-state and transient states.
Operation procedures of civil defence authorities in time of war
Authors: Akimbayev Yernar , Akhmetov Zhumabek , Abdykalykov Arman , Kuanyshbayev Murat , Kulshimbayev Ibragim
Published: April 2024

The relevance of this study is determined by the current instability of the global political climate in the world and the outbreak of a number of military conflicts, which necessitates the study of the mechanisms of activity of structures that protect the interests of the population and the state. Thus, the purpose of the paper is to analyse the algorithm for the activities of civil defence authorities, particularly in wartime conditions. Among the methods used are the methods of logical analysis, deduction, synthesis, induction, functional analysis, analogy. This study provides a detailed analysis of the importance and key role played by civil protection agencies in addressing the challenges of protecting, ensuring security and developing society. The importance of their function lies in the effective implementation of strategies aimed at protecting the population and the state in times of threat and danger. The analysis in this paper takes into account the various components necessary for the successful management of various types of warfare. This includes the study of effective strategies for interaction and coordination between civil protection authorities and military command and control. Particular attention is paid to the key factors that determine the effectiveness of the organisation of interaction between military authorities and protection commissioners. Similarly, significant was the analysis of the demand for the resolution of qualitative foresight implementation tasks. Accordingly, an algorithm that will provide a more detailed and relevant examination of the wartime operational algorithm of the governing bodies has been developed. The practical value of the obtained results is that it will increase the appropriate level of combat alertness, the guarantor of the protection of the national interests of the state and its population, its territorial integrity and will generally raise the level of effectiveness of the relevant bodies considered
The use of video and audio recordings provided by victims of domestic violence as evidence
Authors: Hloviuk Iryna , Zavtur Viktor , Zinkovskyy Igor , Fedorov Oleksandr
Published: April 2024

The relevance of the study lies in the urgent need to develop scientifically grounded and practically applicable criteria for the admissibility of using secret audio and video recordings made by victims in criminal proceedings regarding domestic violence. The purpose of the study is to establish whether the information contained in secret audio and video recordings made by victims can be used as evidence in criminal proceedings regarding domestic violence. The main research methods are systemic, analysis and synthesis, historical, heuristic, formal-legal methods. The issues of providing recordings by victims, witnesses, and other persons for criminal investigation purposes; general criteria for restricting the right to privacy in criminal proceedings regarding domestic violence; problems of evidence presentation by victims and applicants; issues of documenting domestic violence facts; the issue of admissibility of documentation are investigated. It is proved that aspects of the legality test for limiting the offenderʼs right to privacy in cases of conducting criminal proceedings regarding domestic violence may involve inquiries concerning the importance of evidence gathered through covert recordings and the exclusivity of the necessity of such measures. It is argued that when considering the criterion of a secret operation, which is identified as a condition for recognising audio and video recordings as inadmissible evidence, it should be acknowledged that in criminal proceedings related to domestic violence, video and audio recordings provided by victims cannot meet this condition in the vast majority of cases. The practical value of the study lies in the possibility of unifying judicial practice in determining the admissibility of evidence contained in audio and video recordings made secretly by victims in criminal proceedings regarding domestic violence
Current situation and transformation ways of housing policy in Ukraine
Authors: Teremetskyi Vladyslav , Avramova Olga , Maikut Khrystyna , Tserkovna Olena , Kramar Ruslana
Published: April 2024

Housing policy is one of the urgent scientific and practical areas within legal research because it has not been updated since 1995, and actual housing relations have already received a new meaning. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of the current situation and propose transformational approaches to housing policy. The study employs formal legal, statistical, and general scientific research methods, considering dialectical, synergistic, and axiological approaches. The main issue with Ukrainian housing policy is the absence of a modern concept guiding housing development and legal regulation. It is observed that the intensification of efforts to develop and adopt the principles of future state housing policy was conducted at the level of state authoritiesʼ activities. Based on the analysis of regulations in housing relations, it was determined that housing policy is part of a broader state policy – social policy. This is because it aims to meet the social interest – the need for housing. It is emphasised that housing policy is divided into national and regional housing policies. Particular attention is paid to the difficulty of restoring the destroyed housing facilities stock as a result of the war; it is suggested that a system of action be implemented to overcome the complicated situation in the housing sector. The study supports the idea of highlighting a specific area of modern housing policy in Ukraine, namely, ensuring the housing rights of vulnerable individuals, particularly those who have been forcibly evicted due to war. The study identifies specific areas of housing policy, including: the restoration of housing facilities (such as constructing new housing, compensating for destroyed housing, and conducting repair and construction works); devising an investment strategy for the housing sector; safeguarding citizensʼ housing rights; and revising housing legislation. These recommendations can be considered by the legislative and executive authorities when formulating a strategy and policy for the reconstruction of the housing stock of the state
Theoretical foundations of hot spots policing and crime mapping features
Authors: Fedchak Ihor , Kondratіuk Оleksandr , Movchan Anatolii , Poliak Svyatoslav
Published: April 2024

The study is devoted to one of the ways to solve the problem of reducing the crime rate in the region due to the concentration of police forces and means in correctly defined places of criminal activity. The purpose of the study is to determine the content of the concept of police activity in places where criminal activity is concentrated in “hot spots” and examine the features of crime mapping. The key methods used are system and structural analysis, dogmatic analysis, synthesis method, modelling method, and structural-functional and formal-logical methods. It is determined that the problems of criminal activity, for the most part, are concentrated in a small number of places of an administrative- territorial unit, which continue to be dangerous for a long time in the absence of police intervention. It is proved that different types of “hot spots” require the development of individual police countermeasures, and the analysis of “hot spots” should be based on a logical and systematic approach and depends on understanding the theory of the origin of different types of analysed criminal offences and choosing the way to display the results. A reservation is made that arbitrary analysis by an analyst, or the use of only software algorithms is excluded because they can lead to a subjective perception of a “hot spot”, which may not turn out to be an accumulation of criminal activity. It is proved that the analysis of “hot spots” , in addition to simply identifying places with high crime rates, is crucial for solving problems in these places and choosing the most effective police response measures. The practical value of the proposed study is to generalise and adapt international developments to improve the theoretical and practical foundations for improving the efficiency of criminal analysis units of the National Police of Ukraine in the field of visualisation of information about criminal activity, introducing international experience in crime mapping into the practical activities of criminal analysis units of the National Police of Ukraine
The crimes of Serbian Forces in the Municipality of Gjakova (1998-1999)
Authors: Dinaj Shefqet
Published: April 2024

The city of Gjakova, which at the time of the events of 1998-1999 was located on the territory of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo (actually the Republic of Kosovo), became the scene of violent clashes during the break- up of the former Yugoslavia. Therefore, the relevance of the article lies in the need to analyse the crimes committed by Serbian military groups in the area of Gjakova from 1998 to 1999. The aim of the study is to reveal the nature, scale, and consequences of these crimes and to establish the connection between the events in Gjakova and the overall course of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. To achieve this goal, the following methods were used: analytical, comparative, case study, synthetic, induction and deduction, abstraction and generalization. In particular, through the analysis of archival documents, eyewitness accounts, international reports and other sources, the motives, tactics, and strategy of military groups in committing crimes were revealed. Thus, the role of these crimes is clarified in the context of a balanced understanding of the Yugoslav wars and their impact on subsequent events and processes in regional stability and law and order. Various aspects of the crimes are analysed in detail, including massacres, ethnic cleansing, violence and human rights abuses. Particular attention is paid to the role of the Serbian military in these events, its organizational structure and interaction with other groups. The study also examines the international response to these crimes, including the actions of international organizations and attempts to bring perpetrators to justice under international law. In addition, the role of these events as part of the historical context and their impact on the further development of the region was examined. The practical significance of the article is to find new facts confirming the crimes committed and which can be used in court proceedings