bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE IMPACT OF THE BOYCOTT OF ISRAELI PRODUCTS, BRANDS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS ON THE INDONESIAN ECONOMY
Authors: Santosa Sinta Dewi Laksmi
Published: August 2024

This study examines the impact of the boycott on the Indonesian economy, focusing specifically on key sectors affected and the broader economic implications. Using a qualitative approach, this research employs literature studies as the primary data collection method. The findings indicate that the boycott has significantly boosted the consumption and production of local products in Indonesia, particularly in the food and textile industries. This increase in local production has the potential to absorb a larger workforce, thereby reducing unemployment. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of improving the quality of local products and emphasizes the need for continued government support. With these measures, Indonesia’s local products could not only strengthen the domestic economy but also enhance their competitiveness on the international stage.
ORIGAMI DESIGN IN DIGITAL DESIGN METHODS: A PAVILION EXAMPLE
Authors:   Necmettin Erbakan University, Faculty of Fine Art and Architecture, Department of Architecture, Konya, Türkiye, Meryem Alagöz Konur
Published: August 2024

In this study, digital design methods are explained and the origami method, one of the most widely used methods, is focused on. In the study, the origami method was created with algorithmic components as an example and the importance of digital design methods was emphasized. As a method, a conceptual infrastructure was created with internet databases, written sources and photographs. Rhinoceros-Grasshopper program was used to implement the origami method. As a result, it was seen how much faster and easier the origami design made by using the digital design method compared to the normal design method.
POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM: ANCIENT CITIES AT THE FOOT OF A VOLCANO
Authors:   Professor emeritus of the Cracow University of Technology, Poland Faculty of Architecture, Kurek Jan
Published: August 2024

Pompeii and Herculaneum are exceptional architectural complexes, and together with the Torre Annunciata, are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They are unique, world-scale, stillpreserved ‘visions’ of ancient Roman cities – the technical and material culture of the ancient world. The past centuries have allowed their discovery and accessibility to researchers and visitors – with their various positive and negative consequences. This affected, among others, the evolution of academic theories and attitudes, as well as the choice of technical methods and conservation materials.
Retrograde Insertion Approach for Anterior Distal Femoral Hemiepiphysiodesis Procedure
Authors: Krajewski Kellen T. , Miller Scott , Dimovski Radomir , Rhodes Jason , De Sayan
Published: August 2024

Case:

A 13-year-old adolescent boy with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) presented with crouch gait and bilateral knee flexion contractures (KFCs). After failure of conservative treatments, the patient was referred to orthopaedics for surgical intervention. Anterior distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis (ADFH), using a retrograde approach, and Strayer gastrocnemius recession were performed bilaterally. No complications were reported during surgery/follow-up. Full-active knee extension and improved gait were achieved.

Conclusion:

KFC is prevalent in ambulatory patients with CP, reducing gait function. Retrograde ADFH is an effective surgical intervention to reduce KFC and improve gait, and offers simpler insertion/removal than the traditional antegrade technique.
Aspergilloma Superinfection in the Spinal Canal of an 18-Year-Old Man
Authors: Ved Yash Prakash , Jain Deepika , Rathod Tushar
Published: August 2024

Case:

An 18-year-old immunocompetent man presented with symptomatic lumbar canal stenosis, discharging sinuses, and cold abscess for 3 years treated with multiple incision drainage procedures with cottonoid packing antibiotic therapy. Radiographic imaging showed a soft tissue mass in the canal causing bony destruction. Postoperative histopathological examination showed an Aspergillus fungal ball. Patient showed improvement at 6-month follow-up with medical management.

Conclusion:

As far as we know, this is the first case report showing an aspergilloma involving the vertebral column. Inadequate antibiotic treatment and blind introduction of a foreign body into sinus tracts can lead to fungal infections mimicking tuberculosis, causing disastrous outcomes. Fungal cultures are recommended routinely.
Cryptococcal Osteomyelitis of the Patella
Authors: Harper Jacob , Weatherby Paul J. , Foreman Mark A.
Published: August 2024

Case:

A 38-year-old woman presented to our clinic with right knee pain and difficulty ambulating. After cultures were obtained, a cryptococcal infection of the patella was identified. Subsequent workup revealed previously undiagnosed HIV/AIDS and a disseminated cryptococcal infection.

Conclusion:

Over a 20-month course, the patient was treated with fluconazole and antiretroviral therapy with very limited medication compliance. The disseminated infection caused cutaneous, hepatic, and cerebral complications. Eventually, compliance improved, and a final procedure to obtain post-treatment cultures and apply antifungal bone matrix was completed. The patient cleared the infection and will likely require lifetime antifungal treatment.
Experimental evaluation of steel beams with mechanical section reduction retrofitted with fiber polymers
Authors: Mahmoud Hussam , Hassan Emad , Riveros Guillermo
Published: August 2024

Steel elements working in a harsh environment can be exposed to corrosion that degrades their performance and threatens the integrity of the whole structure. Recent studies propose using carbon (CFRP) and basalt (BFRP) fiber–reinforced polymers to repair corroded steel cross sections; however, most of these studies have not explored many of the structural characteristics, including ductility. In this study, we conduct a series of full-scale experimental tests to investigate the impact of corrosion, represented as mechanical section reduction, on steel beams as well as the impact of repairing the beams using CFRP and BFRP in enhancing the beams’ structural performance. Mechanical section reduction, introduced to the flange and web elements, is used to establish a baseline dataset that captures the impact of repairs in the absence of corrosion. Four-point bending loading conditions are utilized for all tested beams. The results show that the reduction of the flange and web section lowers the beams’ yielding load by 10% and 8%, respectively, compared with a beam with a full cross section. Utilizing CFRP and BFRP patches can partially restore the corroded beams’ ductility; however, the BFRP is outperforming the CFRP in improving their ultimate strength by 10% and enhancing their ductility by 10%.
The Soar Approach: A Strategy to Improve the Competition of Halal Culinary MSMEs Based on Digital Technology
Authors: Salwa Faridah , Syahbudi Muhammad , Nasution Muhammad Lathief Ilhamy
Published: August 2024

The aim of this research is to determine the optimal approach for enhancing the competitiveness of halal culinary products.This research is qualitative research using quantitative tools, namely by using the SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results) method. The data collection technique uses questionnaires and interviews. The results of the questionnaire were then processed using SOAR matrix analysis in 3 stages: identifying SOAR factors, determining IFE and EFA values, and determining strategy results using SOAR diagram matrix. The subject of this research is Tanjungbalai halal culinary MSMEs, while the object of this research is a strategy to increase competitiveness. The respondents to this study are all halal culinary MSME sellers in Tanjungbalai.The result of the SOAR method is SA, which is a strategy that uses all aspirations to increase the competitiveness of halal culinary MSME sales. Strength Aspirations Strategy. The strategy carried out is to improve product quality, improve the quality of labels and packaging, and diversify marketing.
Model of Civic Education as Moral Education
Authors: Prayogi Ryan , Sapriya Sapriya , Adam M. Januar Ibnu , Nurgiansah T Heru
Published: August 2024

This research examines the importance for civic education teachers in carrying out the learning process in class not only achieving cognitive aspects but every teacher must also prioritise affective aspects in the learning process, so that using the Moral Education model in Civic Education can be a reference for teachers in carrying out Civic Education learning by using the Moral Education model as an effort to foster Moral feeling, Moral Behaviour and Moral action. The purpose of this research is how Citizenship Education as Moral Education and the Development of Moral Education models in Citizenship Education. While this research method uses a literature study research approach with steps to select themes, search for references, collect data sources, and analyse data and draw conclusions. The results showed that education as moral education has existed since civic education entered Indonesia, and that the development of moral education models in civic education, one of which uses the Human Modelling model and Value Clarification Technique, provides a practical solution for civic education as moral education that refers to the 21st century learning model.
Strategi Komunikasi Keluarga pada Anak Toxic Relations Broken Home dalam Membentuk Karakter Sosial
Authors: Sagala Alpi Syahrin , Zuhriah
Published: August 2024

Families, especially parents, have an important influence in shaping children's character, especially when character development starts at an early age. Family communication refers to the exchange of information and ideas among family members. This communication serves as a means for family members to engage with each other and plays an important role in the formation and development of values that guide life. This qualitative research uses in-depth interviews with self-disclosure theory to examine family communication strategies in dealing with toxic relationships in broken home families and the impact of broken homes on toxic relationship parenting on child development. Conflict causes family disharmony, while toxic relationships and poor parenting imply poor parenting. The study found that children from broken home families have lower self-esteem, decision-making problems, guilt, and mental health problems. In this case the findings regarding family communication strategies highlighted interpersonal communication and understanding of healthy parenting practices and the role of parents in children's development. Broken home families communicate using cell phones and social media, rarely speaking to each other. Even for certain issues, parents have to meet. There are no communication difficulties with the community, there are only psychological barriers due to shyness in broken home families when socializing. Parent education, psychotherapy and parenting education are suggestions. These measures can prevent toxic relationships and help psychologically damaged children
MANAJEMEN TEAMWORK DALAM IMPLEMENTASI KURIKULUM MERDEKA DI TK KELURAHAN SOKANEGARA PURWOKERTO
Authors: Wijayanti Catur Menik
Published: August 2024

Dalam mengimplementasikan kurikulum merdeka pada sebuah satuan pendidikan dibutuhkan manajemen teamwork yang akan mendukung suksesnya implementasi kurikulum merdeka atau yang sering disebut dengan IKM. Penelitian ini adalah jenis penelitian deskriptif dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif. Penelitian kualitatif memiliki kesempatan untuk mengenali subjek dan merasakan pengalaman yang dialami sebjek dalam kehidupan sehari- hari. Manajemen teamwork dalam implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka PAUD adalah suatu manajemen yang mengembangkan atau memperkenalkan pendekatan manajemen teamwork yang spesifik dan dioptimalkan untuk implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka PAUD yang dilaksanakan di TK Kelurahan Sokanegara Purwokerto. Manajemen Teamwork dalam implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka Paud adalah untuk menciptakan lingkungan pembelajaran yang efektif, inklusif dan mendukung perkembangan anak usia dini. Melalui manajemen teamwork kualitas pembelajaran anak usia dini dapat ditingkatkan, perhatian dan bimbingan yang diberikan kepada anak usia dini sesuai dengan kebutuhan minat dan potensi anak.
An updated method on the injectivity of integral operators related to Riemann Hypothesis
Authors: Adam Dumitru
Published: August 2024

The Alcantara-Bode equivalence ([2], 1993) of the Riemann Hypothesis (RH, 1859) consists in the injectivity of a certain Hilbert-Schmidt integral operator, result obtained from Beurling equivalent formulation of RH ([4], 1955).
Both outstanding equivalences reduced RH to a concrete problem solvable with techniques outside of the pure math.
The theory and the associated methods introduced for the investigation of the injectivity of the linear bounded operators on separable Hilbert spaces, have been used to prove the injectivity of the integral operator part in the equivalent formulation of the Riemann Hypothesis.
The Theorem 1 shows that a strict positive linear bounded operator on a dense set is injective. Lemma 1 simplifies considerably the transition from the theory to its associated methods.
The result obtained has been like in [1], this time without using the operator orthogonal projections on finite dimension subspaces and without to involve its adjoint.
As a consequence of the injectivity of the integral operator due to the equivalent formulation of Alcantara-Bode, RH holds i.e.: the non trivial zeros of the Riemann Zeta function are on the vertical line sigma = 1/2.
With this article, a reformulation and improvement of [1], we consider the 165 years old Riemann Hypothesis - a Clay Inst. Millennium Problems, solved.
Robotic Embodied Intelligence: Integrating Language Models, Curated Knowledge, and Multimodal Feedback for Complex Task Success
Authors: Mon-Williams Ruaridh , Li Gen , Long Ran , Du Wenqian , Lucas Chris
Published: August 2024

Completing complex tasks in unpredictable settings (e.g., kitchens) currently challenges robotic systems, requiring a step change in machine intelligence. Sensorimotor abilities are widely considered integral to human intelligence. Thus, nature inspired machine intelligence might usefully combine artificial intelligence with robotic sensorimotor capabilities. On this basis, we created a novel framework that bootstrapped Large Language Models, a curated Knowledge Base, and Integrated Force and Visual Feedback (code available via an open-source GitHub repository). We hypothesised that this approach would transform the ability of robots to complete complex tasks in unpredictable settings. We tested our approach using a coffee making and plate decoration task. Our methodology enabled a robot to complete these complex tasks which included components ranging from draw opening to pouring, each benefiting from distinct feedback types and methods. This novel combination marks significant progress towards scalable, efficient, ‘intelligent robots’ able to complete complex tasks in uncertain environments.
Chemical-induced dimerization of GSDMD C-terminal domain blocks GSDMD N-terminal domain-mediated pyroptosis
Authors: Chu Xiufeng , Xu Jixuan , Zheng Pengyuan
Published: August 2024

GSDMD is a pyroptosis executioner protein, in which the C-terminal domain (GD-CT) inhibits the pore-forming ability of N-terminal domain (GD-NT). Caspase-cleavage separates GD-NT and GD-CT, and then the free GD-NTs oligomerize and form nano-sized pyroptotic pores in plasma membrane. It is still not clear why the free GD-CT fragment cannot block GD-NT. Here in the current study, we found that the free GD-CT retained the interaction with the free GD-NT. However, GD-CT was totally kept in cytoplasm, while GD-NT was partially transported to plasma membrane. This distributional alteration caused a spatial isolation from each other. What's more, GD-CT was an unstable peptide with a faster turnover time than GD-NT. These features make GD-CT inefficiently block GD-NT and allow pyroptosis to happen. We designed the chemical-induced dimerization (CID) chimera protein "FKBP-GD-CT". The myristoylation motif helps the chimera translocate to plasma membrane, and FKBP12F36V domain makes the chimera dimerize in response to the chemical AP20187. we found that FKBP-GD-CT blocked GD-NT-mediated pyroptosis more efficiently than GD-CT. We concluded that the free GD-CT still holds the ability of blocking pyroptosis, and this blocking ability can be adjusted by proper Engineering. FKBP-GD-CT is the first report of using CID technology to manipulate pyroptosis, giving a clue to the improvement of clinical outcomes in pyroptosis-related diseases.
Comprehensive Analysis of Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Trihalo acetic acids (THAAs) in Drinking Water Supply: A Research Investigation
Authors: Bangash Musaab Habib , Ejaz Naeem , Nasreen Sadia
Published: August 2024

Water is the basic need of life. Chlorination is a well-known disinfection technique for potable water due to its cheap availability. Yet, some aspects are harmful to human health and found carcinogenic. An attempt has been made to quantify the occurrence of two prominent Chlorination Disinfectant byproducts (DBPs), i.e., Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Trihalo acetic acids (THAAs) in the water distribution network of galvanized iron Pipes Medium using GC-Mass Spectrometry equipped with Electron Capture Detector (ECD). Two filtration setups, i.e., granular activated carbon (GAC) and a pack of sand, were evaluated as abatement techniques were introduced for removing these chlorination disinfectants by products according to the water source and pipe medium used. The chromatogram with mass spectrometry hints at the occurrence of these two disinfectants' by-products and the filtration media's weightage and removal capacity. A combination of granulated activated carbon accompanied with sand media and based on gravel was found to be the more feasible and efficient setup to remove chlorine disinfectant product impurities for the galvanized iron pipes distribution network medium.
Stroop and practice effects in cognitive dysfunction of Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Authors: Baraniuk James , Thapaliya Kiran , Inderyas Maira , Shan Zack , Barnden Leighton
Published: August 2024

Background. The Stroop task was used to investigate differences in cognitive function between Long COVID (LC), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and healthy control subjects.
Methods. Subjects viewed four color words or neutral (XXXX) stimuli with the same (congruent) or different color ink (incongruent). Cognitive conflict was inferred from response times for pairings of prestimuli and subsequent stimuli. Overall effects were assessed by univariate analysis with time courses determined for binned response times.
Results. LC and ME/CFS had significantly longer response times than controls indicating cognitive dysfunction. Initial response times were ranked LC>ME>HC, and decreased according to power functions. At the end of the task (900s), times were ranked LC=ME>HC. Response times were significantly slower for stimuli following an incongruent prestimulus. Time series for Stroop effect, facilitation, interference, surprise index and practice power law parameters were generally similar in LC, ME/CFS and HC suggesting comparable patterns for recruitment of cognitive resources. The prestimulus data were analyzed and generated positive Stroop and interference effects that were distinct from stimulus effects.
Conclusion. LC and ME/CFS have global slowing of response times that cannot be overcome by practice suggesting slower neurotransmission or white matter conduction between network nodes during problem solving. Analysis of matched prestimulus – stimulus effects adds a new dimension for understanding cognitive conflict.
Brief Summary. Cognitive dysfunction in Long COVID and ME/CFS was demonstrated using the Stroop task which found global slowing of response times and limitations of practice effects.
Funding. The Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation
Exploratory survey study of differences in knowledge, attitudes, and practices of outpatient older adult clinical care between dermatologists, primary care physicians and geriatricians across three academic medical centers
Authors: Zhong Xiaochen , Perry Warren M. , Li Shufeng , Park Caroline , Tee Silvia , Kado Deborah M. , Yeung Howa , BA Twan Sia , Abuabara Katrina , Chang Anne Lynn S.
Published: August 2024

Background According to the United States Census Bureau, the population aged ≥ 65 years is projected to increase, and the percentage of office visits from older adults to specialist physicians, such as dermatologists, will also increase. Despite older adults comprising an estimated 40% of dermatology visits currently, there is no formalized postgraduate curriculum on outpatient geriatric clinical care. Here, we perform an exploratory study to assess whether differences in the knowledge, attitudes and practices that are universal to outpatient geriatric clinical care exist among dermatologists compared to primary care or geriatric medicine, fields with formalized postgraduate curricula on outpatient geriatric clinical care.Methods Following Institutional Review Boards’ approvals, a voluntary, anonymized online survey was conducted in 2023 of faculty physicians from Dermatology, Primary Care (Internal Medicine/ Family Medicine) and Geriatric Medicine departments/divisions at three academic centers, Stanford University, University of California San Francisco and Emory University. Validated survey items were used whenever possible. All statistical tests applied to the results were adjusted for multiple comparisons.Results The overall response rate was 30.4% (146 completed surveys out of 480 invited). Knowledge of the 4Ms geriatric clinical framework was lowest amongst dermatologists (3.9%), followed by primary care physicians (17.8%) and geriatricians (100%). Attitudes on whether training program(s) provided adequate number of didactic lectures on clinical care of older adult patients indicated dermatologists responded with the lowest level of agreement (mean Likert score (MLS) 2.3, standard deviation (SD) 1.0) compared to primary care physicians’ responses (MLS 2.9, SD 1.1) and geriatricians (MLS 4.2, SD 1.4), padjusted<0.05 for all comparisons. Practice differences in screening for mentation status were found, with dermatologists responding with lowest frequency (MLS 1.9, SD 1.2), followed by primary care physicians (MLS 3.7, SD 0.8), and geriatricians with highest frequency (MLS 4.5, SD 0.7), padjusted<0.0001 for all comparisons.Conclusions Our data suggests that differences exist in the knowledge, attitudes and practices of outpatient clinical care of older adults in specialty fields (in this case dermatology) compared to primary care and geriatric medicine, and are actionable findings. Additional investigation into whether these differences are found in other specialized fields could inform future postgraduate training and research.Trial Registration : N/A
Workplace typology and employee well-being: a data-driven approach
Authors: Xie Jun , Piao Xiangdan , Managi Shunsuke
Published: August 2024

This study employs a data-driven approach to explore the landscape of workplace environments and its implications for employee well-being. By analyzing a large-scale dataset comprising over 1.3 million observations spanning from 2017 to 2021, we identify nine key workplace factors of job demands and job resources, using factor analysis. These factors encompass dimensions such as workload, emotional burden, organizational integrity, job autonomy, and surrounding support. Subsequently, employing Gaussian mixture models (GMM), we classify employees into ten distinct workplace clusters, ranging from Grade D (the most challenging) to Grade A1 (the most favorable). Our findings reveal significant variations in employee well-being across these clusters, with higher grades associated with better mental health, work engagement, job satisfaction, and workplace cohesiveness. Additionally, we examine the impact of workplace cluster changes on employee well-being, highlighting the importance of understanding how shifts in the workplace environment affect employee outcomes. Our study contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive understanding of workplace dynamics and offering valuable insights for organizational management and policy formulation.
Dynamics of foraging interactions between cookiecutter sharks (Isistius spp.) and short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) in Hawaiʻi
Authors: Walker-Milne Natasha , Papastamatiou Yannis P. , Mahaffy Sabre D. , Baird Robin W.
Published: August 2024

Cookiecutter sharks (Isistius spp.) are small pelagic squaloid sharks found throughout tropical and sub-tropical waters that are known to feed opportunistically on a range of prey, including animals much larger than themselves. Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) are resident to Hawaiʻi Island and are often observed with fresh and healed cookiecutter shark bites. In this study, cookiecutter bites were used to infer the spatiotemporal patterns of the foraging behaviour of sharks on pilot whales. Data were gathered off the Hawaiian Islands, within coordinates:(21°N, 158°W) to (18.5°N, 154.5°W). A photo-identification catalogue of 403 resident short-finned pilot whales (representing 5871 identifications of known individuals from 365 encounters from 2003–2012), were used to infer the prevalence and seasonal variation in shark presence. The mean proportion of the pilot whale’s body visible for documenting shark bites was 22.2% (SD ± 10.0). A total of 9293 fresh, healed, and scarred bite marks were documented on 396 of 403 whales (97.8%). Bites were most frequently documented on the head (33.1% of all bites), followed by the lateral sides (29.0%) and peduncle (27.2%), while the dorsal fin had the lowest percentage of bites (10.7%). The presence of fresh bites varied with day of the year, with peaks in April, July and mid-October and were also negatively correlated with sea surface temperature. There was also a peak in fresh bites in the transition between crescent and quarter lunar phases. These results provide further evidence that cookiecutter sharks in Hawaiʻi may perform seasonal migrations or dietary shifts.
Batched Split Learning: A Novel Framework for Low-Latency and Energy-Efficient Split Learning with Optimized Task Scheduling
Authors: Li Zhuo , Zheng Kang
Published: August 2024

To address the issues of high energy consumption and slow convergence speed in Split learning, we propose a novel framework Batched Split Learning (BSL). We group edge nodes and deploy different device-side models in each batch, then deploy the corresponding server-side model on the edge server. Edge nodes utilize the technology Over-the-Air Computing to transmit crushed data to servers for server-side model training, and feed the gradient of the crushed data back to the nodes to perform model updating. For each group, after a certain number of training rounds unique device-side models are generated, which can be shared across different groups and finally aggregated to obtain a global model.To optimize the training latency and transmission energy cost of BSL, we define a mixed integer nonlinear programming problem. We use the branch-and bound method to solve this problem and also design a heuristic algorithm for it. We take thorough experiments to evaluate the performance of proposed methods. It can be found that the latency of our proposed BSL framework can be about 78% less than Vanilla Split Learning. Compared with mainstream Parallel Split Learning scheme, our energy consumption is about 20% less. Furthermore, our proposed Branch-and-Bound based algorithm reduces the energy consumption by 55% over the energy-efficient clustering method using random update (EECRU) algorithm 1 and 47% over the greedy energy efficient clustering scheme (GEECS) algorithm. Moreover, our proposed Multi-objective Heuristic algorithm reduces 37.81% and 26.18% than EECRU and GEECS algorithms respectively.
“I would never have gone for screening if it hadn't arrived, this home kit”. Motivation, Capacity and Opportunities for Cervical Cancer Home-based Vaginal Self-sampling in Reunion Island: a qualitative study
Authors: POURETTE Dolorès , CRIPPS Amber , HASSINE Amir , OPIGEZ Eric , BARDOU Marc , DUMONT Alexandre
Published: August 2024

Background: In 2022, RESISTE conducted a cluster-randomised trial to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of home delivery of HPV vaginal self-sampling kits. The trial targeted women living in deprived areas who were not up to date with their screening. This article presents the results of the post-intervention qualitative study conducted in Reunion Island. The study explores women's motivation and capacity to conduct home-based vaginal self-sampling and analyses the influence of providing a financial incentive (voucher upon return) and of returning the kit by post or to a health professional.
Method: A total of 35 semi-structured interviews were conducted with women respondents who returned the kit (16), non-respondents (13) and health professionals contacted by women during the trial (6).
Results: After receiving the kit, several women underwent screening either by self-sampling or by visiting a health professional. Ease of use, convenience and privacy were key factors in self-sampling uptake. Receiving the kit at home creates a sense of being targeted which reinforces the perceived relevance of screening and further encourages uptake. Relatives generally had a facilitating effect, encouraging self-sampling and follow-up. Amongst women respondents, a HPV positive result, was a strong motivator to undergo a follow-up smear test.
Nevertheless, a lack of prior knowledge of vaginal self-sampling, led to a lack of trust in the programme amongst women sometimes likened by women to a scam. This and the perceived complexity of the procedure were the main demotivating factors. The financial incentive did not reverse this trend. On the contrary, it contributed to doubts regarding authenticity. In addition, the health professionals contacted rarely encouraged women to self-sample.
Conclusions: Women appreciated receiving an HPV vaginal self-sampling kit at home. Motivation and capacity could however be improved by increasing prior communication – to both women and health professionals - on self-sampling in general, and more specifically on reliability, sample preservation and ease of use. User-friendliness could also be improved by providing HPV tests results more quickly. Providing the option of collecting and returning the kit to a health professional of women’s choice helps ensure they receive adapted information and support.
Trial Registration: 6 February 2020 - "Sud-Ouest et Outre-Mer II" ethics committee - Version 04 dated 29 July 2023 is currently in force - ID-RCB no.: 2020-A0002237 (File 2-20-006 id6698) 2°HPs.
Multi-scale Feature Fusion Enhancement for Underwater Object Detection
Authors: Xiao Zhanhao , Li Zhenpeng , Li Huihui , Li Mengting , Liu Xiaoyong , Kong Yinying
Published: August 2024

Underwater object detection (UOD) is crucial for marine ecosystem protection, ocean resource exploration, and maritime security. While generic object detection methods have shown success in atmospheric conditions, they fall short in the underwater environment. The complicated underwater environment and the physical properties of light make it highly challenging to distinguish ambiguous objects from the background. Also, the common phenomenon in the wild that small aquatic creatures often congregate in large groups further complicates the UOD task. In this study, we tackle these challenges and propose Aqua-DETR, an end-to-end framework tailored for underwater object detection. Specifically, we design an Align-Split Network to reinforce multi-scale feature interaction and fusion for small object identification. We also present a distinction enhancement module based on different attention mechanisms to enhance the identification of ambiguous objects. The experimental results on four challenging datasets demonstrate the superiority of our method over most existing state-of-the-art methods in the UOD task. The code will be available at https://github.com/Calendula597/Aqua-DETR.
Dose-Efficient Cryo-Electron Microscopy for Thick Samples using Tilt-Corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy, Demonstrated on Cells and Single Particles
Authors: Yu Yue , Spoth Katherine , Colletta Michael , Nguyen Kayla , Zeltmann Steven , Zhang Xiyue , Paraan Mohammadreza , Kopylov Mykailo , Dubbeldam Charlie , Serwas Daniel , Siems Hannah , Muller David , Kourkoutis Lena
Published: August 2024

Cryo-EM is a powerful tool in structural biology, providing insights through techniques like single-particle analysis (SPA) and cryogenic electron tomography (cryo-ET). In thick specimens, challenges arise as an exponentially larger fraction of the transmitted electrons lose energy from inelastic scattering and can no longer be properly focused as a result of chromatic aberrations in the post-specimen optics. Rather than filtering out the inelastic scattering at the price of reducing potential signal, as is done in energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), we show how a dose-efficient and unfiltered image can be rapidly obtained using tilt-corrected bright-field scanning-TEM (tcBF-STEM) data collected on a pixelated detector. Enhanced contrast and a 3-5x improvement in collection efficiency are observed for 2D images of intact bacterial cells and large organelles using tcBF-STEM compared to EFTEM for thicknesses beyond 500 nm. As a proof of concept for the technique’s performance in structural determination, we present an SPA map at subnanometer resolution for a highly symmetric virus-like particle (VLP) with 789 particles. These findings suggest applications for tcBF-STEM in cryo-EM of thicker cellular volumes where current approaches struggle.
WITHDRAWN: Contrasting effects of symbiont inoculation on soil microbiota functionalities in a rehabilitation programme of salt-affected lands
Authors: Djighaly Pape Ibrahima , Diagne Nathalie , Tournier Estelle , Ngom Mariama , Cissoko Maimouna , Tisseyre Pierre , Ngom Daouda , Hocher Valérie , Svistoonoff Sergio , Sanguin Hervé
Published: August 2024

The full text of this preprint has been withdrawn by the authors while they make corrections to the work. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as a reference. Questions should be directed to the corresponding author.
Impact of Digital Transformation on Organizational Culture within Saudi Enterprises: The Mediating Roles of Leadership Styles
Authors: Karawya Hassan
Published: August 2024

The main aim of the study was to investigate the impact of digital transformation on organizational culture and the roles played by leadership styles in mediating this impact. The researcher adopted the descriptive-analytical approach as the most suitable methodology for the study. The sample was selected using stratified random sampling from employees working in Saudi business organizations. The researcher used the questionnaire as the main instrument for data collection. The results of the study demonstrated a positive impact of digital transformation on organizational culture in various Saudi institutions. Furthermore, the research results showed an impact of digital transformation on organizational culture in light of leadership styles as mediating variables.
Fiscal and Monetary Responses to the Demographic Change in Germany
Authors: Dürmeier Stefan
Published: August 2024

The subject of the analysis is the impact of the demographic development in Germany on inflation with varying monetary as well as fiscal policy reactions. In order to account for both the diminishing population growth and an aging society, a heterogeneous agent model in a life-cycle economy is employed. Monetary policy is selected either by the response only to inflation or to both inflation and output in the Taylor Rule. In the fiscal policy sphere, a debt stabilizing tax rule is compared to an additional countercyclical response and to adherence to the Fiscal Theory of the Price Level (FTPL). Critical policy parameters are estimated from 1951 to 2019 using Bayesian estimation techniques. When data on the demographic trends from 2020 until 2080 are fed into the models for forecasting, both workers and retirees increase their saving efforts. Apart from the dynamics in the FTPL, it is entered a period of persistent inflation above target until around the year 2060, elevated real interest rate and real public debt. The model of the policy rule without the reaction to the output gap results in the highest paths of real output and inflation. In the model which incorporates the FTPL, the response is more subdued for the majority of macroeconomic aggregates after the initial fiscal adjustment.
JEL Codes: C630, E52, E62, J110
Streamlining Constrained Production Optimization Under Geological Uncertainty: An Integrated Framework Utilizing Automatically Differentiated Gradient from Deep-Learning-Based Reservoir Surrogates
Authors: Adeyemi Ahmed , Nguyen Quang , Onur Mustafa
Published: August 2024

Life-cycle production optimization in reservoir engineering poses computational challenges, especially under geological uncertainty and complex models. This study introduces a novel approach to enhance optimization accuracy and efficiency by integrating automatic gradient computation from a deep-learning-based reservoir surrogate into the optimization process. Departing from conventional techniques, we aim to leverage the inherent automatic differentiation (AD) capabilities of deep-learning platforms to compute gradients seamlessly within the optimization framework. Our method builds upon the Embed-to-control Observe (E2CO) deep-learning proxy model, featuring an architecture comprising encoder, transition, transition output, and decoder blocks. The transition output block enables direct prediction of reservoir system outputs from input state variables without using any explicit well-model equations. Coupled with a gradient-based line-search sequential quadratic programming (LSSQP) workflow, our approach, enhanced by the novel integration of automatic gradient computation from the deep-learning proxy, adeptly manages robust production optimization under nonlinear state constraints. Performance evaluations are conducted using a portion of the SPE10 benchmark reservoir model, demonstrating the efficacy of the proposed approach compared to conventional methods. Our findings reveal that the integration of automatic gradient computation from the deep-learning-based reservoir surrogate significantly enhances optimization efficiency. The trained and cross-validated multi-model E2CO surrogate accurately predicts state variables and well outputs under geological uncertainty. Utilizing the AD-based gradients derived from the deep-learning proxy for the gradient-based LSSQP workflow, our approach achieves optimal solutions comparable to the stochastic gradient approach and the direct optimization using high-fidelity reservoir simulators. Moreover, the proposed optimization workflow demonstrates superior time efficiency compared to conventional approaches directly coupled with reservoir simulators.
Indications and Outcome of Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection in a Community Eye Hospital, Nepal
Authors: Thakali Sunil , Shrestha Mohini , Gauchan Aleena , Gurung Hom Bahadur
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this study was to determine indication and the treatment outcome of Intravitreal Bevacizumab (IVB) Injection in retinal diseases in a community eye hospital in Nepal. This was a retrospective study of the patients with retinal diseases following Intravitreal Bevacizumab injections at Hetauda Community Eye Hospital from 2019 to 2022. We evaluated the data of 247 patients with 260 eyes treated with IVB to assess the effectiveness in the management of diabetic retinopathy(DR), neovascular age-related macular degeneration(nAMD), and branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO), among other retinal conditions. The patients' average age was 64.4 years, with a male predominance of 56.1%. DR was the most frequent indication for IVB, followed by nAMD and BRVO. Central macular thickness(CMT) in BRVO and visual acuities in DR, nAMD, and BRVO considerably improved after IVB treatment. The findings emphasize the efficacy of IVB as a cost-effective treatment for retinal diseases at both visual and quality-of-life levels for resource-constrained settings. It is, therefore, an option that strongly needs to be considered as a form of treatment in such settings.
The evolution of long-range hunting with stone-tipped weapons during the Afrotropic Middle Stone Age
Authors: Sahle Yonatan , Lombard Marlize
Published: August 2024

In the Afrotropic biogeographic realm, with its high-density and diverse mammal population, early humans may have been hunting with stone-tipped weapons since ~500 000 years ago. Being able to hunt effectively from a distance has several important adaptive advantages. Yet, until now, African long-range javelin hunting remained unexplored as intermediate between short/medium-range, hand-delivered and long-range, mechanically projected weapons. Insights gained from a new Afrotropic comparative dataset with 950 weapon tips of known use – including several javelin types – provide a contextually appropriate middle-range tool for assessing the probable effective hunting ranges of Middle Stone Age points. We use a novel application of the ballistically relevant tip cross-sectional area (TCSA) statistic to define contact, short-, medium-, long- and maximum-range hunting and discuss the adaptive advantages for each. The approach is applied to assess developments and variations in the best-fit hunting ranges of 5597 stone points from 62 Middle Stone Age Afrotropic assemblages. By aligning our results with the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) record we found that long-range hunting with stone-tipped weapons at ~20-30 m was probably not practiced by ≥MIS 8, and that experimentation with long-range javelins – similar to those used by contemporary Ethiopian hunters – over this distance may have started during MIS 6, becoming part of the everyday Afrotropic hunting arsenal by the end of MIS 5.
Formation of Competencies among Students of the Pedagogical College for the Organization of Educational Activities in the Rural Environment
Authors:   Irkutsk State University, Fedotova Elena L. , Tkacheva Tatiana A. ,   Irkutsk State University
Published: August 2024

The relevance of the topic is due to the need to resolve the contradiction between the requirements of the current educational standards for the training level of rural school teachers who are able to carry out educational activities among the rural population and the insufficient formation of general and professional competencies of graduates of the pedagogical college for this type of socially significant activity. The purpose of the research is to theoretically substantiate and experimentally verify the effectiveness of the process of pedagogical college students’ competencies formation in organizing educational activities in a rural environment. The authors have specificated the basic concepts of the research based on the analysis of a number of normative legal documents, sources of psychological, pedagogical and methodological literature, as well as generalization of the pedagogical experience of practicing teachers. Students’ mastering of the educational activity essence and its organization in a rural environment is considered as a purposeful, specially organized process of acquiring subject-methodical knowledge, subject-practical and subject-methodical skills in a phased work. It is shown that clear planning, competent organization and constant monitoring of the tasks at each stage of the students’ work contributes to the achievement of high experimental results and provides positive dynamics in the formation of pedagogical college students’ competencies in organizing educational activities in rural environments. The reliability of the provisions and ideas highlighted in the research is supported by the results of experimental work. The authors conclude that it is important to increase the level of methodological competence of practicing teachers of rural areas on the design of educational events / programs / actions for different categories of villagers. In conclusion, the necessity of regular exchange of experience between teachers working in rural schools, as well as their cooperation with experienced teachers from urban schools and specialized educational institutions on education issues, is substantiated.
Student Guidelines in Relation to the Disabled Youth
Authors:   Darkhan-Uul Medical School of Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Baatar Bayasgalanmunkh , Shagdarsuren Oyunchimeg ,   Darkhan-Uul Medical School of Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Khusman Oyungerel ,   Darkhan-Uul Medical School of Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Purevdor Dulamjav ,   Darkhan-Uul Medical School of Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences
Published: August 2024

The article is devoted to the problem of tolerant attitude formation to the students with special educational needs studying humanitarian, social and engineering specialties (Transbaikal State University, Russia) and medical specialties (Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Mongolia). The authors reveal the peculiarities of understanding disability as a social problem that must be solved by the modern society. The authors believe that educational institutions should become the main centers for educating young people to be tolerant of people in need. The presence of an inclusive educational environment supports the effective cooperation of all students, as well as the integration and socialization of students with special educational needs. In the article special attention is paid to individual value attitudes of students and their world view in relation to special students. The aim of the research is to determine the features of Russian and Mongolian students’ attitude towards their fellow students with special educational needs. The research has embraced 307 students: 184 persons studying in the humanities and natural science are the students from the Transbaikal State University, Chita, Russia, and 123 persons are students receiving medical specialties from the Mongolian University of Darhan, Ulaanbaatar. The author questionnaire included three sets of questions: socio-demographic, knowledge of disability in countries, comparative indicators of tolerance for the disabled, and willingness to cooperate with groupmates with special educational needs. According to the results of the study, it has been found that the majority of students of the Transbaikal State University and the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences have information about disability problems and about the need to provide equal rights to all categories of citizens. It is revealed that students understand the need to create special educational conditions. The practical significance of the work is determined by the possibility to use the results obtained in the development of programs and projects related to inclusive education and tolerance.