bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low back-pain among school-teachers in Southern Tunisia: prevalence and predictors
Authors: Baklouti Mouna , Ben Ayed Houda , Ketata Nouha , Maamri Hanen , Karray Raouf , Jdidi Jihene , Mejdoub Yosra , Kassis Mondher , Yaich Sourour , Dammak Jamel
Published: September 2023

Objectives

In the professional environment, low back pain (LBP) is a multifactorial symptomatology, despite scientific and technological advances in the design and the arrangement of increasingly ergonomic workstations. Teachers are not exempt from this risk, due to prolonged sitting or standing. In light of this, this study aimed to estimate LBP prevalence among teachers in Southern Tunisia and to identify their determinants.

Methods

It was a cross-sectional study including a representative sample of teachers from secondary, middle, and primary schools in Sfax, Tunisia, conducted during the period March-April 2021. LBP intensity was assessed using a visual analog scale from 1 to 10. A severe LBP was defined as VAS≥7.

Results

Among the participants, 292 teachers were females (55.6 %). The median age was 48 years (Interquartile Range (IQR)=[41–53] years). Overall, 377 teachers had a severe LBP, with a global prevalence of 71.8 %. Multivariate analysis showed that independent determinants of LBP among teachers were female gender (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=2.81;p<0.001), age ≥30 (AOR=5.68;p=0.009), chronic diseases (AOR=2.52;p<0.001), working at primary schools (AOR=1.75;p=0.033), working for ≥4 h per day (AOR=2.41;p=0.005), inadequate ergonomic conditions at work (AOR=1.78;p=0.008) and distance home-school ≥10 km (AOR=2.27;p=0.003).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that LBP among teachers was alarmingly high. Different individual, ergonomic, and occupational factors were predictors of this symptom. Thus, development of rational strategies for LBP prevention among teachers and the improvement of working conditions are urgently needed.
Adnominal possession in the languages of Wallacea: a survey
Authors: Schapper Antoinette , Gasser Emily
Published: September 2023

This article presents a typological survey of patterns of adnominal possession in 85 Austronesian and Papuan languages of Linguistic Wallacea, providing a more granular picture of possessive constructions in the region than previously available. The features treated are possessive word orders, locus of possessive marking, possessive classification systems, and multifunctionality of adnominal possessive markers. Unlike their relatives to the west, the Austronesian languages of Linguistic Wallacea tend to show Possessor-Possessum ordering and have an alienability distinction, often instantiated through contrastive direct and indirect constructions. In terms of broad typological features, contact with and shift from Papuan languages can be shown to have caused widespread remodeling of the adnominal possessive patterns in Austronesian languages of the area. However, their distribution and formal manifestations make clear that they are not the result of a single Papuan contact event in a single Austronesian common ancestor but must go back to multiple localized contact events across Linguistic Wallacea. Subregional patterns are often found clustered in smaller groups of languages and are the result of local processes of contact and change including morphologization and morphological loss. These become apparent when tracking changes in historically related form-function pairs in possessive constructions.
Nuevo registro de Liolaemus warjantay (Reptilia: Liolaemidae) y comentarios adicionales sobre el grupo montanus en Perú.
Authors: Aguilar-Puntriano César A. , Lundberg Mikael , Díaz Vladimir , Salazar Esther
Published: September 2023

Se registra Liolaemus warjantay para el departamento de Ayacucho, una especie conocida anteriormente solo para Arequipa. La nueva población es identificada en base a secuencias de ADN y se muestra su variación morfométrica y merística. También, se realizan comentarios sobre las especies recientemente descritas del grupo montanus de Perú.
Sexual abuse in childhood, the fraud of Sigmund Freud and the Frommians too
Authors: Sosa Alejandro Cuevas-
Published: September 2023

Bioenergemal [BEL] communication [BELC] carried out on July 24, 2010, on this date Sigmund Freud made the following comment: "Doctor, sexual abuse continues to be an important axis to explain abuses, exterminations, the uselessness of the NMEGO [brain, thoughts and ego] and other atrocities, it seems that deworming is important for humanity and bioenergemity [set of bioenergemes (BEGs) at the BEL universe]. Well, it seems that if the BEG [personal component of organized BEL energy] is so affected, it is also because there has been a NMEGO and a BEG weakened. And I mean those who have been victims of all these outrages, carried out by the Tartuffes, inquisitors and criminals. In that sense, an endless story is also made and, at the same time, it shows how BEL energy supports everyone who wants to survive.” These affirmations were the result of the active and spontaneous participation that Freud used to have during the BEL communications with different BEGs. But he was so confident and insistent that he overflowed with flattery towards me, which finally led me to question him.1 This situation is similar to what had happened to us with Jesus.2 For the BEL research there are three universes. Biomaterial (BML) or discontinuous space-time. Biointerfacemal (BIFL; maybe tetradimensional) that results from the immense openings that space-time presents and through which extraterrestrial flying saucers usually travel. And, bioenergemal (relative to the bioenergeme) to which the BEGs arrive after the body biocollapses (dies): and where they remain for indefinite BEL time or biotime; the BML timescale doesn’t appertain there. All three form what I have proposed to name as the unit universe (UU). Likewise, in addition to biomatter, the human body includes the BEG and a third virtual (temporary, potential) component or biointerfaceme. In BELC, that we establish through relaxation, the bioimage of a BEG is a living and acting virtual biointerfaceme, like the rest of the bioimages that are formed during it (perhaps through a BIFL process of the brain), which, as in dreams, at the end of BELC all virtual events vanish.1 If someone wants more information and discussion about the methodology used, they can read references 26 and 29.
Therapeutic electric currents in the treatment of cervicalgy: integrative review
Authors: Lima Milena Soares , Morais Sanchez Eliane Gouveia de , Sanchez Hugo Machado
Published: September 2023

Neck pain is associated with factors such as sudden exertion, inappropriate postures, emotional issues and bad lifestyle habits. For this reason, physiotherapists use electro-electronic equipment that emits electromagnetic radiation to treat cervical dysfunctions. The aim of this study was to present the applicability of therapeutic electrical currents in the treatment of neck pain. This is bibliographical research, with a search in online libraries in the following databases: SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), Portal of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes), US National Library of Medicine National institutes of Health (Pubmed), in addition to Classic books. For the search and analysis of the studies, the following Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) were evaluated and used: TENS and neck pain; Neck pain and Electric currents; Functional electrical stimulation and neck pain; combined with Boolean operators (OR and AND). The eligibility criteria for the selection of articles were: articles in Portuguese and English; published in the period from 2012 to 2022; randomized controlled clinical trials and non-controlled studies, applied in a human model. The study reveals that among the main types of therapies used for cervical pain, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) was the one that presented the most positive results, according to the studies revisited. It was verified, through the analyzed survey, that the increase of electrotherapy to physiotherapy can potentiate the conducts, especially to relieve pain in cases of acute and chronic neck pain.
Diabetic foot ulcers: physiology, disease, market analysis, treatments
Authors: Lina Kafadarian , Bill Tawil
Published: September 2023

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a common, yet preventable complication of diabetes that can lead to serious health risks if left untreated. DFUs pose a significant challenge on not only the affected individual but also the community due to their complex pathophysiology and limited, often insufficient treatment options. This paper will provide a holistic review on diabetic foot ulcers, elaborating on their physiology, the current and projected market sizes, and discussing available treatments and products. Tissue engineering is becoming a quite impactful option for treating diabetic wounds, and is the central focus of this review. Additionally, this paper presents pipeline products, as well as a novel product that utilizes the core concepts of regenerative medicine and innovative technology and thus has the potential to overcome many of the limitations associated with existing therapies. Overall, this review serves as a valuable resource for healthcare professionals and researchers interested in diabetic foot ulcers, offering insights into the current state of knowledge and presenting a promising approach that could revolutionize the field
Tennis serves versus baseball pitch: similarities and differences
Authors: Lisi Rodolfo
Published: September 2023

Typical gestures of tennis and baseball, as well as of all the so-called "overhead" sports (those activities, that is, which involve raising the arm above the head), have some kinematic aspects in common, but different kinetics. In other words, the movement of the upper limb is quite similar, but the forces involved and the musculoskeletal stresses differ significantly with implications that can affect the whole body.
Sequencing and analysis of micro RNAs in camel milk exosomes
Authors: Wu Rinile , Yue Caifeng , Xie Yina , Fu Yuerong , Yu Xin , Li Zhuoyuan , Yang Bin
Published: September 2023

In order to study the species and functions of micro (mi)RNAs in the exosomes of camel milk, non-coding small (s)RNAs were sequenced and identified by Illumina sequencing technology, and the miRNA fraction was analysed by bioinformatics. After quality control, the average length of sRNA of camel milk exosomes was 18–24 nucleotides. A total of 2,659 miRNAs were identified, including 2,458 known, and 201 new miRNAs. Among the known miRNAs, miR-148a and let-7i had the highest expression levels. The results of gene ontology enrichment analysis indicated that the target genes of camel milk exosome miRNAs were involved in multicellular organismal, catabolic and other biological processes. They play role in the extracellular region, in the cytoskeleton and other cell components, in protein binding, but also have structural molecule activity and other molecular functions. According to the results of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis, the target genes of camel milk exosome miRNAs are involved in Alzheimer's disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Staphylococcus aureus infection and other pathological pathways. We speculate that the reported beneficial effect of camel milk in various pathologic conditions may be closely related to the regulatory function of the exosomal miRNAs exerted on target genes of the diseases.
New Neolithic Site of Priozernaya in the Lower Volga Region
Authors:   Nasledie Scientific and Production Institution, Grechkina Tatiana , Vybornov Alexandr ,   Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education
Published: September 2023

Introduction. The Lower Volga region attracts the attention of specialists because the ancient cultures of this region had a great influence on neighboring regions. This also applies to the Neolithic era, when the inhabitants of this territory had the oldest ceramic production and cattle breeding. A number of questions remain open, as new sources are required. One of them is the site of Priozernaya in the southern part of the Lower Volga region. Methods and materials. Planographic and stratigraphic methods are used to identify the nature of the monument. According to the results of the technical and technological analysis, the ceramics are made of silt. The results of the typological method reveal flat-bottomed vessels ornamented with receding incisions in a geometric style. Stone tools are represented by scrapers, spikes, and knives. Spears and spearheads are made of bones. According to the results of archeozoological analysis, tur, kulan, saiga, tarpan, etc. are represented. According to the results of radiocarbon analysis, dates are obtained. It is 6700–6600 years BP for animal bones and ceramics. Results. The results of the spatial analysis reveal the presence of remnants of dwelling structures. The manufacturing technology and typology of ceramics and stone tools allow us to attribute the monument to the Tentexor type of the late stage of the Neolithic of the Northern Caspian. The results of the faunal analysis confirm the presence of only wild animal species. The hypothesis about the appearance of a producing economy in this region at the late stage of the Neolithic has not been confirmed. Only the dog belongs to the domesticated animals. According to the results of radiocarbon analysis, the site functioned in the second quarter of the 6th millennium BC. The monument is a short-lived hunting camp. The pattern application techniques and the nature of ornamental compositions allow us to detect similarities with the ceramics of the Caspian culture. This suggests assuming the participation of the local Neolithic population in the genesis of the bearers of the Eneolithic tradition. Authors contribution. T.Yu. Grechkina wrote sections about planographic and stratigraphic methods. A.A. Vybornov described ceramic and stone tools. The results are written together.
Per un’educazione alla scrittura accademica in italiano LS utilizzando i segni interpuntivi a partire da usi e interpretazioni degli scriventi di lingue slave
Authors:   Masarykova univerzita, De Tommaso Valeria
Published: September 2023

This article focuses on the results of a survey on writing experiences during secondary school and the first two years of high school and on the use of punctuation marks in L1 and Italian L2 by Czech and Slovak learners. Students’ past experiences with punctuation marks in L1 and references in Czech/Slovak schoolbooks reveal a strictly syntactic approach; students practise the use of the comma only, which is assumed to have purely separating values. In order to help students develop language skills for academic writing in Italian L2 and to avoid choppy writing and lack of cohesion, the research findings suggest that the teacher should highlight the cohesive/linking values of punctuation marks. The contrastive approach can be useful to a certain degree: up to the point where the punctuation principles of the two languages are equivalent or where they seem to be equivalent.
I prefissi verbali russi pri- e do-: semantica spaziale e possibili corrispondenze in italiano
Authors:   Università di Bologna, Zangoli Giulia
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we analyse the spatial meaning of verbal prefixes pri- and do- and their semantic contribution to the lexicalisation of motion events. Our analysis is based primarily on the lexicographic description of these prefixes proposed in the Academic Grammar of the Russian Language (Švedova et al., 1980) and on the interpretation given to them in different works devoted to the study of the semantics of verbal prefixes in the Russian language. In different contributions, it is observed that the spatial meaning of the prefix pri- expresses the reaching of the goal of motion, including the crossing of its threshold (boundary-crossing). In contrast, the spatial semantics of the prefix do- is mostly described in relation to the progressive approaching to an endpoint along a spatial scale (boundary-reaching). In the course of the contrastive analysis, an attempt will be made to identify and describe possible Italian correspondences for Russian verbs of motion with prefixes pri- and do-. We also consider which semantic components of a motion event encoded in a Russian prefixed verb are expressed or omitted in the corresponding Italian constructions. The research has been conducted on the parallel Russian-Italian corpus, part of the National Corpus of the Russian Language (we consider just a few examples).
E OS SUJEITOS BRANCOS NA ESCOLA? A DISCUSSÃO SOBRE BRANQUITUDE NA EDUCAÇÃO CEARENSE
Authors: Oliveira Anderson
Published: September 2023

A discussão sobre educação e relações étnico-raciais está cristalizada nas Ciências Sociais brasileira (HASENBALG, 1992; MUNANGA, 2000; GOMES, 2012; CARNEIRO, 2005) e seu debate é pertinente até os dias atuais, entretanto a abordagem sobre o sujeito branco no debate sobre raça se faz cada vez mais necessária e é a motivação dos estudos críticos da branquitude. Quais são as percepções de ser uma pessoa branca nesse espaço? Existe alguma dimensão de privilégio nesse local? Nesse sentido, o artigo tem como mote pensar a realidade da educação cearense a partir da concepção da branquitude, em uma pesquisa de cunho qualitativo com método de observação participante (CERVO; BERVIAN, 1983; CRESWELL, 2012), buscando entender dentro do espaço geográfico de duas escolas públicas de ensino médio cearense, uma no munícipio de Fortaleza e outra em Maracanaú, as relações étnico-raciais a partir da perspectiva de estudantes autodeclaradas/os brancas/os, bem como de relatos de docentes, a fim de aferir a presença dos pactos narcísicos da branquitude (BENTO, 2002) e como esse corpo discente percebe seus privilégios materiais e simbólicos (SCHUCMAN, 2020).
Mise en place d’un dispositif de soin psychique groupal avec médiation photo au profit de patients militaires blessés psychiques
Authors: ROUBY I-A , MARTINET D. , SEREDUIK I. , CALTEAU M. , CANCLAUD S. , DAUDIN M. , MAGDALENC L. , MENNESSIER C.
Published: September 2023

Depuis le durcissement de l’engagement des armées en Afghanistan puis au Mali et en République Centrafricaine, la prise en charge des troubles psychiques post traumatiques des militaires est devenue une priorité du service de santé des armées, conduisant à la mise en place de plan d’actions successifs. Depuis mai 2016, afin de mettre en œuvre des dispositifs de soins spécifiques auprès des patients militaires blessés psychiques, le service de psychiatrie de l’Hôpital d’Instruction des Armées Desgenettes propose aux patients concernés un travail psychothérapeutique en groupe médiatisé par la photo.
Après avoir abordé la théorie du traumatisme psychique et les réflexions qui ont conduit à la mise en place de ce dispositif de soins spécifique, nous traiterons, à partir de retours d’observations cliniques, de la dynamique thérapeutique instaurée par le groupe, des questionnements suscités par cette expérience, et des principaux axes de réflexion théorique.
Faisabilité et acceptabilité de l’évaluation par les degrés de certitude
Authors: MONOD-BROCA C. , BOUIX J. , LECLERCQ D.
Published: September 2023

Tout organisme de développement professionnel continu doit veiller à la qualité de ses formations. L’outil d’évaluation devrait être performant. Une étude pilote qui évalue la faisabilité et l’acceptabilité d’un test de connaissances innovant a été menée à l’École du Val-de-Grâce, organisme de développement professionnel continu du Service de santé des armées. Ce test a été administré lors d’une action de développement professionnel continu, en début et fin de session. Il associe à la fois questions à choix multiple et degrés de certitude. Son objectif est d’évaluer l’évolution des connaissances et de la certitude des participants. Un questionnaire de satisfaction distribué aux formés et des entretiens avec les formateurs sollicités pour la construction du test ont permis d’évaluer la faisabilité et l’acceptabilité du test. Les résultats préliminaires du groupe formé ont montré une progression des connaissances des participants et de leur certitude. L’étude pilote a également mis en évidence l’intérêt des degrés de certitude tant pour les formés que pour les formateurs. Ce test permet de distinguer les connaissances potentiellement dangereuses si elles étaient mise en œuvre. Cette distinction devrait conduire à revoir en priorité ces apprentissages lors d’un feedback avec les apprenants. Cette approche formative pourrait être davantage développée à l’École du Val-de-Grâce.
Viral DNA and RNA Extraction from Faecal Specimens usingQIAamp MinElute Virus Kits (Spin-Column Approach) v1
Authors: Yodjan Naluepanat
Published: September 2023

The QIAamp MinElute Virus Spin procedure comprises four steps (lyse, bind, wash, elute) and is carried out using QIAamp MinElute columns in a standard microcentrifuge. The QIAamp MinElute Virus Spin Kit can isolate viral RNA and DNA from a broad range of RNA and DNA viruses. The procedure suits plasma, serum, and other cell-free body fluids. Herein, the QIAamp MinElute Virus Kits were used to extract viral DNA and RNA from faecal specimens according to the manufacturer’s instructions with minor modifications.
Online Success as Horizon of Survival: Children and the Digital Economy in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Serres Jaana
Published: September 2023

Literature on the impact of the digital ecosystem on youth is largely grounded on Western case studies and Eurocentric in its working assumptions; yet African children and teenagers—who account for most of the continent’s population—have been early adopters of social media’s possibilities and are exposed to distinctive risks. This article shows how, in the absence of viable institutional structures for self-actualization in post-liberalization Nigeria, digital platforms turn children into central actors of economic flexibility. With transitional pathways disappearing, formal employment and traditional markers of adulthood are no longer on the horizon of African youths. Uncertainty, hustling, and extraordinary aspirations are part and parcel of their socialization process, with “survival” and “success” increasingly perceived as intertwined, requiring everyone, from the youngest age, to “perform.” From rags-to-riches stories of viral children groups to racist images and videos of children feeding China’s livestreaming boom and the meme culture across the world, commodified African childhood is projected into the flows of digital popular culture, enabled by legal and socioeconomic vulnerability and the internalization of visibility as an avenue of opportunity. Nigeria in particular, with the world’s largest population of out-of-school children on the one hand, and an internationally booming entertainment industry on the other, delineates a palpable, yet unsustainable mode of aspiration and wealth acquisition through engagement with social media. This article draws on a year-long ethnographic investigation in Lagos among (a) groups of teenage aspiring dancers seeking to “blow” online and (b) marketing professionals who use children in their commercial strategies.
Who Gets the Job? Synthesis of Literature Findings on Provider Success in Crowdsourcing Marketplaces
Authors:   Deloitte, Assemi Behrang , Jafarzadeh, Hamed ,   Massey University, Abedin Ehsan ,   University of Melbourne, Rabhi Fethi ,   University of New South Wales, Mathies Christine ,   University of New South Wales
Published: September 2023

Background: Over the past decade, crowdsourcing marketplaces — online exchange platforms which facilitate commercial outsourcing of services — have witnessed a dramatic growth in the number of participants (service providers and customers) and the value of outsourced services. Deciding about the most appropriate provider is a key challenge for customers in crowdsourcing marketplaces because available information about providers may be incomplete and sometimes irrelevant for customer decisions. Ineffective information impedes many service providers to develop long-term relationships with customers, obtain projects on a regular basis and survive on crowdsourcing marketplaces. Previous studies have investigated the impact of a range of factors on customers’ choice decisions and providers’ success, given the important role of customer–provider relationship development for long-term success on crowdsourcing marketplaces. Method: This paper reviews the literature of crowdsourcing marketplaces with the aim of developing a comprehensive list of factors that influence customers’ choice decisions and providers’ success. Results: We found 31 conceptually distinct profile information components/factors that determine customers’ choices and providers’ business outcomes on crowdsourcing marketplaces. Conclusion: We classified these 31 factors into five major categories: 1) prior relationship between a customer and a provider or a customer’s invitation, 2) providers’ bidding behavior, 3) crowdsourcing marketplace or auction characteristics, 4) providers’ profile information, and 5) customer characteristics. The main factors in each category, associated considerations, related literature gaps and avenues for future research are discussed in detail.
Do Enterprise Systems Necessarily Lead to Innovation? Identifying the Missing Links with A Moderated Mediation Model
Authors:   Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Cui Xiling , Zhou Qiang ,   Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Lowry Paul Benjamin ,   Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Wang Yi ,   Southwestern University of Finance and Economics
Published: September 2023

Background: Despite widely implemented, enterprise systems remain an unsettled role in organizational innovation. This study purposes to address the effects of enterprise systems (ES) on firm innovation by adopting resource-based theory and capability building theory to focus on ES-enabled competence, rather than ES investment or implementation. ES-enabled competence is proposed to mediate the effect of ES integration on innovation performance. We further propose that continuous improvement moderates (1) the relationship between ES integration and ES-enabled competence, and (2) the relationship between ES-enabled competence and innovation performance. By examining these effects, we aim to discover how ES enables innovation at operational and strategic levels separately. Method: A survey method is conducted to explore the relationship between enterprise systems (ES) and innovation. Data are collected from manufacturing companies in 10 countries of three regions, i.e., Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the USA, and analyzed by using structural equation modeling technique. Results: We confirm the roles of enterprise systems as a resource and a capability and the effects of these roles on innovation—including the operational outcome, new product development performance, and the strategic one, innovation uniqueness. We demonstrate that continuous improvement moderates the mediation paths, namely “ES integration – ES-enabled competence – innovation performance”. The moderated mediation effect exists among continuous improvement, ES integration, ES-enabled competence, and innovation uniqueness. Conclusion: This study contributes to the ES and innovation research by uncovering the micro-foundation underlying ES-enabled innovation from a capability-based framework and elaborating the moderating role of continuous improvement in enhancing innovation.
The Rise of Quasi-Humans in AI Fueled Organizations, an Ultimate socio-materiality approach to the Lens of Michel Serres
Authors:   Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Chedrawi Charbel , Haddad Gloria ,   Saint Joseph University of Beirut
Published: September 2023

Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies are reinventing industries through offering organizations the opportunity to realize formerly impossible innovations. Views about the role of AI in social change remain nevertheless controversial; on the one hand, it poses major ethical challenges and on the other hand, it is believed to be a tool for social good. The journey from assisted, to augmented, then to autonomous intelligence is part of a growing trend thus transforming firms into AI-fueled organizations. Among scholars and practitioners, there is a mounting recognition of the need to understand the potential collaboration of humans and machines and its implications for organizations. Method: We draw on the Sociomateriality theory and on Serres’ ontological view of the quasi-object/quasi-subject to explain the interplay between the social and the material in organizational settings. We propose a four-dimensional model that profiles future organizations populated with humanized machines and augmented humans. Results: We propose a new ontological perspective for the understanding of ultimate Sociomateriality, extending the sociomateriality theory. We contribute to organizational development theory through discussing the implications of ultimate sociomateriality for organizational practices, and through proposing the 4E matrix with the four dimensions for AI-fueled organizations. Conclusion: We shed the light on the interaction of the social and the material in the AI era. We proposed a theoretical development of the ultimate Sociomateriality theory based on Serres’ philosophy, as well as a four-dimensional matrix (4E matrix) which profiles AI-fueled and quasi-human populated organizations. Practically, we inform technology providers to create AI machines that serve humanity and organizations instead of destroying it, and inform public policy makers and NGOs to act as regulators for human rights, highlighting the need to rethink business education to develop human skills while redefining human roles within organizations in order to avoid being ravaged by the AI revolution.
Artificial Intelligence in Human Resources Management: A Review and Research Agenda
Authors:   Concordia University, Gélinas Daniel , Sadreddin Arman ,   Concordia University, Vahidov Rustam ,   Concordia University
Published: September 2023

Background: Researchers and practitioners both exhibit a growing interest in the application of Artificial Intelligence in Human Resources Management. However, research shows that there remains a substantial gap between the promise of AI and its practical application in organizations. Previous research has identified some of the challenges facing the application of Artificial Intelligence in Human Resources Management. Among these challenges is the varied nature of Human Resources functions. To address this, we adopt the Human Resource Life Cycle, which is composed of 6 dimensions that closely mirror the Human Resource functions that exist in many organizations: 1) Strategic Planning, 2) Recruitment and Deployment, 3) Training and Development, 4) Performance Management, 5) Compensation Management, and 6) Human Relations Management. Method: Through a scoping literature review, we have identified 85 articles on the topic and classified them based on the 6 dimensions of the Human Resource Life Cycle. Results: Our scoping review found that Artificial Intelligence has already been studied in relation to all 6 dimensions of the Human Resource Life Cycle. In addition, a seventh dimension was identified and integrated into the existing Human Resource Life Cycle framework: Legal and Ethical Issues. Based on the scoping review, a research agenda is presented to provide guidance for future research in the field of Artificial Intelligence in Human Resources Management. Conclusion: All 6 dimensions of the Human Resource Life Cycle, along with the seventh dimension – Legal and Ethical Issues – are already present in the literature. Future research could focus on the impact of AI on connections between dimensions, as well as the impact on HR-specific outcomes. Practitioners must recognize the limitations related to the application of AI in Human Resources Management, even though AI should still be viewed as a solution to many challenges facing Human Resources Management in organizations.
Infectious “masks” of connective tissue diseases (clinical cases)
Authors: Tian Natalia S. , Orlova Elizaveta D. , Babachenko Irina V. , Sharipova Elena V.
Published: September 2023

For many centuries, infectious diseases have remained an important medical and social problem of humanity. To date high rates of morbidity remain among both the adult and child population. The similarity of clinical symptoms in the onset of some infections with diseases of different nature, including connective tissue diseases, often presents difficulties for verifying the diagnosis. Different clinical manifestations of connective tissue diseases dictate the need for an extended examination of patients to clarify the nature of the disease, to determine the role of the infectious agent, if it is detected: whether it is the cause of the existing symptoms or a trigger in the development of an autoimmune disease. The article presents 2 clinical observations of the infectious debut of connective tissue diseases. Two girls, 13 years old and 5 years old, were hospitalized at the Pediatric Research and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases with suspected acute infectious pathology. The dominant complaint was fever. In the first case cough and pain syndrome of various localization were also noted and in the second case exanthema was observed. After examination it was impossible to verify the etiological pathogen. Сonnective tissue diseases were suspected, namely, in the first clinical case systemic lupus erythematosus was suspected, in the second juvenile dermatomyositis, which were confirmed by the detection of specific autoantibodies. Clinical cases demonstrate the difficulty of establishing connective tissue diseases diagnosis due to similarity these diseases clinical picture with the onset of infectious pathology. Taking into account the dependence of the course and outcomes of connective tissue diseases on the start of specific therapy, it is necessary to increase the alertness of infectious disease doctors and pediatricians for the timely detection of this cohort of patients.
Methods for Inclusive Underwriting of Breast Cancer Risk with Machine Learning and Innovative Algorithms
Authors: Plisson Manuel , Moll Antoine , Sarrazin Valentine , Charles Denis , Antoine Thibault , Ionescu Razvan , Koehren Odile , Raymond Eric
Published: September 2023

Introduction.—Due to early detection and improved therapies, the prevalence of long-term breast cancer survivors is increasing. This has increased the need for more inclusive underwriting in individuals with a history of breast cancer. Herein, we developed a method using algorithm aiming facilitating the underwriting of multiple parameters in breast cancer survivors.

Methods.—Variables and data were extracted from the SEER database and analyzed using 4 different machine learning based algorithms (Logistic Regression, GA2M, Random Forest, and XGBoost) that were compared with Kaplan Meier survival estimates. The performances of these algorithms have been compared with multiple metrics (Log Loss, AUC, and SMR). In situ (non-invasive) and metastatic breast cancer were excluded from this analysis.

Results.—Parameters included the pathological subtype, pTNM staging (T: tumor size, N; number of nodes; M presence or absence of metastases), Scarff-Bloom-Richardson grading, the expression of estrogen and progesterone hormone receptors were selected to predict the individual outcome at any time point from diagnosis. While all models had identical performance in terms of statistical metrics (AUC, Log Loss, and SMR), the logistic regression was the one and only model that respects all business constraints and was intelligible for medical and underwriting users.

Conclusion.—This study provides insight to develop algorithms to set underwriter-friendly calculators for more accurate risk estimations that can be used to rationalize insurance pricing for breast cancer survivors. This study supports the development of a more inclusive underwriting based on models that can encompass the heterogeneity of several malignancies such as breast cancer.
Drainage Impacts on the Productivity of Wetland Species Spartina alterniflora and Salicornia pacifica
Authors:   , Cherneskie Kylie Margaret , Watson Elizabeth B.
Published: September 2023

Coastal wetlands display ecohydrological zonation such that vertical differences in groundwater levels over tidal cycles are large in the tall form Spartina alterniflora zone, intermediate in the short form Spartina alterniflora zone, and modest in the upper marsh zone. It is unclear how this variable level of tidal drainage directly impacts biotic and abiotic factors in coastal wetland ecosystems, which included above and belowground biomass, porewater pH, salinity, ammonium concentration, sulfide concentration, soil redox potential, NEE, photosynthesis rate, respiration rate, and methane flux. To determine the impacts of drainage levels, simulated tides in mesocosms with varying degrees of drainage were created with Spartina alterniflora, the salt marsh coastal ecosystem dominant species on the United States Atlantic Coast, and Salicornia pacifica, the Pacific Coast dominant. We measured biomass production and photosynthesis as measures of plant health, and we supplemented these measures with those of soil and porewater characteristics to help interpret patterns of productivity. As based on the four degrees of drainage, we found the greatest plant production in soils with intermediate drainage levels, with production values that were 13.7% higher for S. alterniflora and 57.7% higher for S. pacifica in the intermediate levels than the outer two levels. Understanding how drainage impacts plant species is important for predicting wetland resilience to sea level rise, as increasing water levels alter ecohydrologic zonation.
Esplenectomía laparoscópica versus convencional: experiencia en el servicio de cirugía general del Hospital Central del Instituto de Previsión Social
Authors: Rivas-Villalba Cesar Guillermo , Blattmann-Dietze María Elsa , Noguera-Soto Mónica Raquel
Published: September 2023

Introducción: La esplenectomía está indicada en el manejo de enfermedades hematológicas, oncológicas y también traumatismos. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar los resultados del abordajes convencional y laparoscópico de esplenectomía en un centro de referencia. Métodos: se realizó un trabajo observacional, comparativo, de corte transversal. Se estudiaron pacientes mayores de 16 años sometidos a esplenectomía en el Servicio de Cirugía General del Instituto de Previsión Social entre 2019 y 2021. Los datos fueron obtenidos del Sistema Informático Hospitalario. Resultados: Se evaluaron 112 pacientes, 65% hombres, 35% mujeres, con una mediana de edad de 48 años. 41% fueron cirugías programadas y 59% urgencias. El 93% por vía convencional y 7% laparoscópico. Las de abordaje laparoscópico fueron cirugías programadas, principalmente por enfermedades hematológicas. 44% de las esplenectomías fueron por traumatismo, todas por vía convencional. La tasa de complicaciones postoperatorias fue 23% en esplenectomías convencionales y 12,5% en laparoscópicas, siendo el resangrado la más frecuente por vía convencional. 78% no presentaron complicaciones. Conclusión: La esplenectomía convencional sigue siendo más frecuente que la laparoscópica, la cual requiere cierto entrenamiento por parte del cirujano, es factible como proceder y ofrece ventajas en la reducción de complicaciones.
Small CBPR Grants Program
Authors: Sheikhattari Payam , Apata Jummai , Silver Gillian Beth , Mehravaran Shiva , Mitchell Emma , Assari Shervin
Published: September 2023

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an effective approach for addressing health disparities by integrating diverse knowledge and expertise from both academic and community partners throughout the research process. However, universities and funding agencies have not done enough to invest in the foundational infrastructure and resources that are necessary for building and maintaining lasting trusting research partnerships and supporting them to generate impactful research projects and solutions. Small CBPR Grants Program is a CBPR-seed-funding program that may be particularly helpful to minority-serving institutions’ and universities’ goal to invest in genuine community-engaged research. The Morgan State University Prevention Sciences Research Center, in collaboration with other community and academic organizations, provided 14 small CBPR awards to new partnerships, and evaluated the success and challenges of the program over a period of three years. To achieve our goal, technical support and training were provided to these partnerships to help with their growth and success. The expected outcomes included trusting relationships and equitable partnerships, as well as publications, presentations, and new proposals and awards to work on mutually identified issues. The program’s results included: continued partnerships beyond the program (in most cases), a founded CBPR Center, and a few secured additional funding. One key to the program’s success was supporting the formation of research partnerships through networking opportunities and information sessions, as well as providing small grants to incentivize the development of innovative concepts and projects. A learning network and local support group were also created to enhance productivity and the overall impact of each project.
Utilizing Deep Reinforcement Learning to Control UAV Movement for Environmental Monitoring
Authors:   School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Vietnam, Nguyen Thu Nga , Nguyen Trong Binh , Chien Trinh Van , Nguyen Tien Hoa
Published: September 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly used in various applications, including infrastructure inspection, traffic monitoring, remote sensing, mapping, and rescue. However, many applications have required UAVs to function autonomously, without human intervention to improve system performance. In this study, we propose a new approach to environmental monitoring using a group of UAVs equipped with sensors under the support of reinforcement learning. Regarding the communication system model, we assume that UAVs can cooperate with each other to learn and share information about the environment, and then relocate to an optimal position while managing connectivity and coverage. After that, we exploit reinforcement learning with a deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm to optimize environmental monitoring with the proposed algorithm. Specifically, the proposed algorithm aims to simulate an environmental monitoring system using UAVs with basic parameters. We further apply the proposed algorithm to evaluate network performance under different parameter settings. Numerical results validate the effectiveness of the proposed learning-based framework in monitoring and sensing data.
Effect of Multi-fin with Independent LER on Intrinsic Statistical Variability Sources
Authors:   Department of Electronic Engineering, Howard College, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, Rathore Rituraj S. , Srivastava Viranjay M.
Published: September 2023

FinFET devices are more prone to variations introduced by various intrinsic sources in the sub-nanometer region. In the present work, an effect of multi-fin with independent Line Edge Roughness (LER) has been analyzed to observe its influence on threshold voltage variation on intrinsic variability sources for a 14-nm FinFET device. The multi-fin analysis has been performed using the full 3-D device simulator for different fin shapes, i.e., curve-bent FinFET and thin-fat FinFETs. These independent LER FinFET devices parameters have been compared with the ideal FinFET (without LER) device. The result shows that multi-fin architecture helps mitigate intrinsic statistical variabilities adverse effects. For instance, the multi-fin device has 76.13% and 74.48% improvement in curve-bent FinFET and thin-fat FinFETs, respectively, compared to the single-fin devices. Finally, this work suggests that multi-fin devices are robust from variations introduced by various intrinsic variability sources.
Research on the Effect of Flipping Classroom Teaching Model in PE and Health Teaching in Rural Primary Schools
Authors:   the University of the Cordilleras, Baguio, Philippines, Wang Jiliang , Austria Ramir S. , Lei Yiming
Published: September 2023

In recent years, China’s education and teaching reform has become a hot issue. The emergence of flipped classroom teaching model has greatly changed the conventional teaching mode. This paper uses the methods of literature, questionnaire, teaching experiment, interview, classroom observation and mathematical statistics to study the effect of flipping classroom teaching mode in PE and Health Teaching in rural primary schools. The research shows that the flipped classroom teaching mode in PE and Health Teaching in rural primary schools is helpful for students to master movement technology and improve students’ attitude and interest in PE learning. In contrast, the emotional performance and cooperative spirit of the experimental class students who adopt the flipped classroom teaching mode are improved more significantly. Compared with the conventional classroom teaching method, the flipped classroom teaching mode has no obvious difference in the influence of students’ physical fitness test results. The research suggests that we should strengthen the skill training of PE teachers and constantly improve their teaching ability, constantly enrich teaching methods under the flipped classroom teaching mode. When implementing the flipped classroom teaching mode, we should design a more reasonable teaching scheme in combination with the characteristics of students in rural schools, encourage scholars to actively study the research of flipped classroom teaching mode, and promote the reform and development of PE and Health Teaching in rural primary schools.
Association between anogenital distance as a noninvasive index in the diagnosis and prognosis of reproductive disorder: A systematic review
Authors: Zamani Parisa , Hemati Zeinab , Kelishadi Roya , Kolahdozan Sakineh , Dianatinasab Mostafa , Keikha Mojtaba
Published: September 2023

Background: There are 2 measures of anogenital distance (AGD) in men and women. AGD has been used as an indicator of fetal androgen dysfunction and an adverse outcome in adulthood. Some studies have shown the association of AGD as a predictor in the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases and disorders.
Objective: To systematically summarize the latest evidence for presenting AGD as a new approach for prognosis and early diagnosis of diseases.
Materials and Methods: A systematic review of the available literature was performed using Medline via PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Knowledge up to July 2021, using search terms “anogenital distance” OR “anogenital index” OR “ano genital distance” OR “ano genital index”. Language restrictions were not imposed.
Results: After reviewing the retrieved articles, 47 unique studies were included in this systematic review. Different outcomes, including endometriosis, prostate cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome, pelvic organ prolapse, hypospadias, cryptorchidism, fertility and semen parameters, maternal and birth development, and ovarian and gynecological-related disorders, have been studied in the included evidence. A negative association was observed between AGD and endometriosis and hypospadias and a positive association between AGD and prostate cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome, male fetal gender, and fertility parameters.
Conclusion: Using quantitative indicators such as AGD may be a useful clinical tool for diagnosing diseases. Although many studies have shown an association between AGD and diseases, some factors, including different measurement methods, different measurement tools, age, and different definitions of AGD, can be involved in the variation of AGD.
Key words: Genitalia, Prognosis, Early diagnosis, Reproductive health.