bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An improved throttling algorithm for fog computing networks with an additional management layer
Authors:   Computer Engineering Department, College of Engineering, University of Mosul, Nafea Omar Anwer , Khaleel Turkan Ahmed ,   Computer Engineering Department, College of Engineering, University of Mosul
Published: January 2025

An emerging networking technique called fog computing extends cloud computing capabilities to the edge network's borders. It is employed to get around the limitations of cloud computing, like latency and bandwidth problems. Fog computing is suitable for IoT systems and applications that require real-time processing, reliable network access, low latency, and strong security. In this work, the objective is to design and implement a fog computing environment to simulate the behavior of a multi-user healthcare application, which represents the monitoring of elderly care homes in Mosul city. Several algorithms were employed to examine the effects of load balancing inside fog computing networks. These algorithms are Random, Round-Robin, and the modified Throttled algorithm, which is modified by adding an extra management layer to be more suitable for fog computing networks. The response time results obtained from implementing this modified method were superior to those of the random algorithm and closely resembled the response time results of the round-robin algorithm. In case QoS1 with 25 clients, the result was (0.246037794) second without the load balancing algorithm, (0.124323358) second in the Random algorithm, (0.115641477) second in the Round-Robin algorithm, and (0.114981575) second for the modified throttled algorithm. thus, making it applicable for fog computing networks and cloud computing networks.
Mechanical compressive properties of TPU 3D printed with various parameters
Authors:   Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad 10072, Iraq, A. Ameen Ahmed , M. Takhakh Ayad ,   Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad 10072, Iraq, Abdal-hay Abdalla ,   Faculty of Industry and Energy Technology, Mechatronics Technology Program, New Cairo Technological University, Cairo, Egypt,   Department of Engineering Materials and Mechanical Design, Faculty of Engineering, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt,   The University of Queensland, School of Dentistry, Oral Health Centre Herston, 288 Herston Road, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
Published: January 2025

Shape memory polymer (SMP) is a material that has the ability to recover its original shape from a temporary (deformed) shape by applying external stimuli. The smart scaffold based on SMP is used to enhance delivery, load bearing, and tissue defect filling. Therefore, specimens with the structure of the face-centered cubic were produced under various printing conditions to characterize their effects on the mechanical properties. Fused deposition modeling is utilized to construct the specimens of shape memory thermoplastic polyurethane (MM-3520). Printing parameters with different levels were used in specimen fabrication, including layer thicknesses of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mm, printing temperatures of 210, 220, and 230 ° C, and printing speeds of 20, 30, and 40 mm/sec. We performed the microstructural analysis under a microscope to examine the impact of printing factors on lattice structures. Then there is the compression test, which evaluates mechanical properties such as linear elastic stiffness, collapse stress, plateau stiffness, and densification stress. Analyzing the microstructure of the printed specimens exhibits that the specimens with the highest printing temperature, the lowest printing speed, and a thinner printing layer have better layer adhesion and lower porosities. As well, figures and main effect plots revealed that the specimens printed with a layer height of 0.1mm, a printing temperature of 230 ° C, and a printing speed of 20 mm/s had compressive strengths of 0.6129±0.062, 0.6018±0.106, and 0.6082±0.078 MPa, respectively. These are the highest results in terms of strength compared to other levels of parameters.
Knee joint diathermy using microwave technology
Authors:   Department of Biomedical Engineering, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, 10011, Iraq, Ghazwan Aseel , Hamzah Hayder ,   Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, 58001, Iraq
Published: January 2025

Abstract: Microwave diathermy (MD) improves knee osteoarthritis pain and function. However, non-adherence to this therapy remains a major concern. The equipment is expensive and requires substantial deployment; thus, it's only available in professional physiotherapy facilities. Consequently, the practicality and widespread applicability of this heating therapy are limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to present a new modality treatment of MD specialized for knee joints by developing an applicator that operates at 433.78 MHz with high quality factor (~6000), for localized heating using a re-entrant microwave cavity (RMC). RMC was designed and simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics®4.4. Simulation results have shown the capability of this heating system to develop localized heating at the knee joint and peri-articular structures with a very high-power absorption rate. ~95% of the delivered power to the applicator has been absorbed by the knee joint owing to its high-quality factor. The relatively small volume over which the electric energy is focused makes it an attractive and viable candidate for manufacturing as a small and portable device to be available for patients to use it at home.
Aversión a la desigualdad y normas sociales en la distribución de recursos por adolescentes costarricenses
Authors: Chaverri Pablo , Fernández Itziar
Published: January 2025

Objetivo: se analiza la relación entre la aversión a la desigualdad y normas sociales de carácter conformista e inconformista, para explorar su influencia en las decisiones ante la distribución de recursos entre adolescentes costarricenses. Metodología: este estudio cuasiexperimental transversal, realizado con una muestra costarricense (N = 285, M edad = 13.4 años, DT edad = .64, 51.4% mujeres), se enfocó en la influencia de normas sociales conformista e inconformista en la toma de decisiones frente a la desigualdad, en un juego de interdependencia económica (juego del ultimátum -JdU-) en versión de pago por trabajo. Además, se exploró la relación entre estas normas y las orientaciones culturales individualista-colectivista horizontal y vertical, las variables sociodemográficas y la aversión a la desigualdad. Resultados: se encontró que la inducción de normas no tuvo un efecto significativo en las decisiones de los participantes en el JdU, así como una relación negativa entre la cantidad de habitantes del hogar y la aversión a la desigualdad. Conclusiones: estos resultados sugieren que la aversión a la desigualdad y la preferencia por la igualdad son más fuertes que la influencia situacional de normas sociales de carácter conformista e inconformista en la toma de decisiones frente a la desigualdad.
Autismo, neuronas espejo y ser-en-el-mundo:
Authors: Arboleda Sánchez Viviana Andrea , Restrepo de Mejía Francia
Published: January 2025

El autismo se ha conceptualizado como una alteración del neurodesarrollo y como una forma diferente de la cognición humana. Desde la neurofisiología, se ha investigado el sistema de neuronas espejo (SNE) en el autismo, centrándose en datos mensurables. La neurofenomenología propone integrar la evidencia científica con la experiencia subjetiva. Objetivo: comprender la relación entre subjetividad y cerebro, abarcando los procesos neuronales implicados en el autismo y la experiencia de primera persona de un grupo de niños, niñas y adolescentes de la ciudad de Manizales. Metodología: investigación mixta, de tipo descriptivo e inferencial, con inclusión de información cualitativa, abordada desde un enfoque fenomenológico interpretativo. Participaron 35 menores entre 6 y 16 años y 19 pares controles. Resultados: los participantes autistas demostraron mayor heterogeneidad en el comportamiento del SNE y en su relación con el mundo, tanto respecto a los participantes controles como entre ellos mismos. Se construyó una propuesta de educación inclusiva  denominada «Neurodiversidad», ganadora del segundo lugar en el Premio Cívico Retos con los ODS. Conclusiones: se demostró la importancia de integrar la evidencia neurofisiológica con la experiencia de primera persona, permitiendo una comprensión amplia del objeto de estudio y sus aplicaciones en contexto.
Construcción de discursos signados de estudiantes sordos universitarios
Authors: Abello Camacho Diana , Pabón Gutiérrez Martha Stella
Published: January 2025

Objetivo: en este artículo se analiza la construcción de discursos signados en estudiantes universitarios Sordos usuarios de la lengua de señas partir de la sistematización de la enseñanza en el ciclo de profundización de la asignatura Fortalecimiento de Lengua de Señas Colombiana, entre 2010 y 2020. La asignatura tiene como objetivo brindar al estudiante herramientas para que desarrolle y potencie habilidades metalingüísticas y metacognitivas para la elaboración de discursos académicos en LSC. Metodología: se adoptó un enfoque cualitativo, analizando los programas analíticos de la asignatura, realizando entrevistas a profundidad con la docente titular y revisando los trabajos entregados por los estudiantes. Este análisis permitió identificar patrones y temas emergentes en la enseñanza de la LSC. Resultados: se introduce la noción de Texto visual como una alternativa en LS al texto escrito, fundamental en el contexto de la asignatura. Además, se establecen fundamentos teóricos desde la metalingüística y la metacognición, y se detallan cinco estrategias didácticas aplicadas para fomentar estas habilidades en los estudiantes. Conclusiones: se resalta la importancia de fortalecer continuamente los procesos metalingüísticos en los estudiantes sordos para mejorar su desempeño académico en la educación superior, subrayando la necesidad de generar alternativas de enseñanza específicas.
aprendizaje en adultos sordos
Authors: Martínez Álvarez Luz América , Castillo Beltrán Paola Andrea , Cardona-Upegui Daniela
Published: January 2025

Objetivo: el aprendizaje es un proceso constante en el ser humano. En este artículo se hace una reflexión sobre la relación entre los métodos que se han propuesto para el aprendizaje de los adultos sordos, y el respeto por su cultura en diversos países del mundo. Metodología: se revisaron textos científicos en los idiomas español e inglés de los últimos cinco años. En la búsqueda de información se localizaron 244 estudios, y 19 fueron seleccionados por su relevancia para el objetivo del estudio. Resultados: los resultados se agruparon por temas de interés respecto al aprendizaje de adultos sordos. Se encontraron cinco métodos neuronales, cuatro validados en población oyente probada en adultos sordos, cinco juegos serios, tres métodos que usan la tecnología, y dos de aprendizaje según las capacidades cognitivas de los participantes. Conclusiones: en los 19 escritos examinados se puede observar que en este proceso están interesados profesionales de todas las áreas de estudio; además de un creciente interés por el conocimiento de la cultura sorda. Es necesario enfatizar en la necesidad de continuar esta investigación, aplicando los resultados de los métodos en contextos sociales y/o laborales para mejorar la inclusión de la población.
Manizales como Edutrópolis desde la implementación del modelo de ciudad educadora, con enfoque de gobernanza urbana
Authors: Vera Hernández Sebastián , Pacheco Carmona Jefferson , Hernández-Pulgarín Gregorio
Published: January 2025

Objetivo: en este artículo se pretende explorar la importancia de la participación ciudadana en la gobernanza urbana, para la adhesión de Manizales (Colombia) a la Asociación Internacional de Ciudades Educadoras (AICE), y el cumplimiento de los compromisos que se derivan. Metodología: se llevó a cabo una revisión documental y, posteriormente, se efectuó un mapeo de actores que confluyen, o pueden confluir, en torno al modelo/proyecto/apuesta de ciudad. Al tenor de este mapeo, se realizaron nueve diagnósticos compartidos, para lo cual, se implementó un instrumento metodológico, cuyo diseño se inspiró en la Guía Metodológica proporcionada por la AICE. Finalmente, se generaron recomendaciones desde un enfoque de gobernanza urbana. Resultados: las recomendaciones generadas, servirán para una correcta gestión del proyecto de ciudad, desde un enfoque que vincule a los potencialmente beneficiados. Se evidencia que la sociedad civil, las universidades locales, y el sector público, han establecido y pueden establecer sinergias en torno a los compromisos que se derivan de la adhesión de Manizales a la AICE. Conclusiones: la adhesión de Manizales a la AICE representa un gran logro en materia de gobernanza urbana y diplomacia de ciudad. Manizales se puede configurar como una Edutrópolis a partir de la implementación del modelo de Ciudad Educadora.
Isolation and Antagonistic Activity of Actinomycetes Associated with Strawberry Plants (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) Against Colletotrichum acutatum Simmonds
Authors: Aji Oktira Roka , Aisyah Iis Nisya Nur , Fitria Karomah Indah
Published: January 2025

Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) are a valuable horticultural crop in Indonesia, but their productivity is threatened by anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum acutatum Simmonds. Traditional control methods often involved synthetic fungicides, which posed risks of pesticide residues and environmental harm. This study investigated Actinomycetes isolated from various strawberry plant organs and their rhizosphere as potential biological control agents. The isolation processes included the collection of Actinomycetes from strawberry plant organs and the rhizosphere, along with the regeneration of C. acutatum. The isolates were identified through observations of their morphological characteristics. Screening of antagonistic activity was performed using dual-culture assays. Over 10 Gram-positive Actinomycetes strains were successfully isolated and characterized. Two isolates exhibited the highest antagonistic activity against C. acutatum, with inhibition percentages of 67.17% and 55.80%, respectively. Data analysis revealed that these isolates demonstrated significant biocontrol potential through mechanisms such as competition and antibiosis. The results suggested that Actinomycetes could serve as effective, eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides in strawberry cultivation. Future research should focus on optimizing these strains for broader agricultural applications.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Extract of Kluwih Leaves (Artocarpus camansi Blanco.) by Microwave-Assisted Irradiation and Their Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Siregar Nina Ashariani , Putra Effendy De Lux , Sinaga Siti Morin , Satria Denny , Waruwu Syukur Berkat
Published: January 2025

Nanoparticles are particles measuring 1-100 nm that were synthesized using metals, and silver was a commonly used metal because of its potential as an antibacterial agent. Physical and chemical methods were often used in synthesis but are less environmentally friendly. Alternatively, biological processes that utilize phytochemical compounds as reducing agents are preferred. One of the plants rich in phytochemical compounds was kluwih leaves (Artocarpus camansi Blanco). This study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) mediated by kluwih leaves using microwave irradiation. Characterization of nanoparticles was carried out by visual observation and using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by determining MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) and MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration), followed by examining DNA and protein leakage and biofilm formation using a microdilution method against S. epidermidis and P. aeruginosa. The results showed that AgNPs from kluwih leaves had been successfully formed and could be used as reducing agents in AgNPs biosynthesis. Visual color changed, and analysis of UV-Vis spectrophotometry showed peaks at 441 nm. The results of the antibacterial evaluation showed MIC 1.90 µg/ml (S. epidermidis) and 7.80 µg/ml (P. aeruginosa) also caused cell leakage and reduced biofilm formation significantly at a concentration of 1/2 MIC. These results were promising for further development in future research.
Collaborative Governance dalam Peningkatan Kesejahteraan Masyarakat Melalui Penyuluhan Budidaya Tanaman Seledri Teknik Hidroponik
Authors: Wahyudin Cecep , Hasbiyah Desi , Yuliawati  , Septiana M Prayoga , Zidane M Rafi Diaz
Published: January 2025

Collaborative governance menjadi unsur utama dalam tatakelola pertanian modern. Pertanian modern seperti hidroponik menjadi teknik penanaman kekinian yang solutif dalam menngkatkan produktifitas secara kualitas maupun kuantitas. Tujuan pengabdian ini yaitu untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan dan keterampilan masyarakat dalam tatakelola, pemasaran dan produksi seledri dengan teknik hidroponik. Metode yang digunakan berdasarkan pada survey, penyuluhan, pelatihan dan pendampingan serta evaluasi dengan memberikan pre-test dan post-test kepada 50 orang peserta. Hasil dari kegiatan pengabdian ini menunjukan adanya peningkatan pengetahuan dan keterampilan masyarakat pasawahan dalam tatakelola, pemasaran dan produksi pertanian seledri dengan teknik hidroponik yang dapat menjadi faktor pendukung dalam meningkatkan kesejahteraan para petani di Pasawahan. Hal tersebut ditunjukan dengan hasil pre-test dan post-test secara kuantitatif dengan 15 indikator pengukuran. Hasil pengukuran dapat diketahui sebelum dilakukannya pengabdian hanya terdapat 23,2% atau setara dengan 12 orang yang dapat memahami teknik pertanian modern, sedangkan setelah dilakukan pengabdian meningkat pesat pemahaman pertanian modern dengan jumlah 45 orang atau sebesar 89,8% dari total peserta 50 orang. Dengan demikian dapat dikatakan bahwa pertanian modern dengan teknik hidroponik berpotensi dalam meningkatkan produktifitas secara kualitas dan kuantitas dan akan berdampak pada diversifikasi ekonomi bagi masyarakat serta berpeluang mendapatkan kesejahteraan masyarakat secara menyeluruh.
Sosialisasi Tarif Efektif Rata-Rata (TER) PPh 21 bagi Bendahara Sekolah
Authors: Roekhudin  , Pusposari Devy , Purwanti Lilik , Mukmin Mas Nur
Published: January 2025

Perpajakan di Indonesia mengalami perkembangan yang pesat khususnya pada penerapan Tarif Efektif Rata-rata (TER) bagi wajib pajak perorangan dengan terbitnya Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 58 Tahun 2023 tentang reformasi pajak penghasilan. TER adalah metode yang memperhitungkan tarif pajak efektif yang diterapkan pada penghasilan kena pajak. Pajak perorangan, dalam hal ini PPh Pasal 21, merupakan jenis pajak yang memiliki kontribusi tertinggi dalam penghasilan pajak negara. Kegiatan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk memberikan sosialisasi kepada bendahara sekolah tentang Tarif Efektif Rata-rata (TER) PPh 21 berdasarkan Peraturan Menteri Keuangan Nomor 168 Tahun 2023. Tujuannya adalah untuk meningkatkan pemahaman bendahara sekolah tentang penentuan dan cara menghitung Tarif Efektif Rata-Rata. Peserta sosialisasi adalah bendahara sekolah yang meliputi bendahara SMP dan SMA di Kota Malang. Metode yang digunakan adalah ceramah, diskusi, dan latihan soal. Pengujian terhadap dampak pelatihan kepada peserta adalah dengan dilakukannya uji beda atau uji-t berpasangan terhadap jawaban peserta atas pre-test dan post-test yang diberikan. Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat dilaksanakan di FEB Universitas Brawijaya dan diikuti oleh 35 orang bendahara sekolah. Hasil uji-t berpasangan menunjukkan adanya peningkatan pemahaman signifikan pada peserta, dengan nilai rata-rata meningkat dari 51,43 menjadi 95,14. Dengan demikian, sosialisasi ini efektif dalam membantu peserta memahami pengelolaan perpajakan khususnya tentang Tarif Efektif Rata-rata (TER). Pengabdian ini menunjukkan bahwa sinergitas antara akademisi dan praktisi perlu terus diwujudkan dalam kegiatan sejenis pada masa yang akan datang.
Pemberdayaan UMKM: Pendampingan Pembukuan Akuntansi Sederhana dan Optimalisasi Digital Marketing
Authors: Anwar Saepul , Mubarokah Syaima Lailatul , Purwaningtyas Restu , Weli Fitra
Published: January 2025

Usaha Mikro Kecil Menengah  merupakan salah satu pilar perekonomian nasional yang di antara permasalahan sebagian besar pelaku UMKM adalah tidak adanya pencatatan keuangan dan kurangnya pemanfaatan digital marketing dalam kegiatan usahanya sehingga tujuan dari pengabdian ini adalah untuk memberikan pemahaman kepada UMKM Recxy Collection tentang pentingnya proses pembukuan akuntansi pada tata kelola keuangan UMKM dan juga terkait dengan pemanfaatan digital marketing terkait strategi pemasaran kegiatan bisnis.  Secara  metode dilakukan dengan langsung di lapangan untuk melakukan survei, observasi, diskusi, dan dokumentasi untuk mengetahui masalah yang dihadapi oleh pelaku UMKM. Hasil kegiatan pengabdian ini menunjukkan bahwa terjadi peningkatan pemahaman mitra tentang pemahaman urgensi dan teknis pembukuan dan penyusunan laporan keuangan bagi kegiatan bisnis UMKM dan juga pemanfaatan aspek digital marketing.
ANALISIS SKEMA INSENTIF PAJAK DALAM RANGKA NET ZERO EMISSION SEKTOR ENERGI DI INDONESIA
Authors: Haptari Vissia Dewi
Published: January 2025

Pencapaian net zero emission merupakan komitmen pemerintah yang tidak hanya mengandalkan pemerintah, namun juga peran sektor usaha  dan masyarakat. Dalam mencapai net zero emission pemerintah berfokus pada pengembangan energi terbarukan dan gerakan dekarbonisasi. Guna menarik minat investor untuk mengembangkan energi terbarukan insentif pajak saja tidak cukup, namun juga memerlukan peningkatan kemudahan usaha sebagai faktor utama dalam melakukan investasi. Insentif pajak diarahkan kepada dua kelompok,  yaitu wajib pajak yang melakukan investasi atau melakukan pembangunan dan pengembangan proyek energi terbarukan dan wajib pajak yang melakukan aktivitas dekarbonisasi dengan memanfaatkan atau menggunakan energi terbarukan.
Culture as a World Model
Authors: Medintsev Vladislav
Published: January 2025

While recognizing the importance of the concept of “culture,” especially for the social sciences, scholars differ in their views on the necessity and possibility of its strict definition. As a supporter of the development and use of the most precise scientific concepts, I believe that a positive direction in research is the creation of a laconic interpretation of the concept of “culture” that covers all phenomena related to culture. In the proposed approach, culture is conceptualized as a system of models created by humanity as a whole, groups, and individuals. The unifying nature of the approach ensures the use of the basic, interdisciplinary concept of “model” and the principle of modeling. In the application of this approach to the problems of the psychological sciences, special, personal and subpersonal models of perception, thinking, and behavior are considered. These models are formed by humanity, groups, and individuals in processes of interaction with the rest of the world.
Trust in Civil Servants:A Cross-National Dataset for Public Policy Research,1986–2022
Authors: Tai Yuehong Cassandra , Solt Frederick
Published: January 2025

Trust in civil servants is essential for effective governance, enabling policy implementation, public service delivery, and compliance. However, the lack of comparable cross-national data on trust in bureaucracy has limited our ability to systematically examine these relationships. To address this gap, we develop the Trust in Civil Servants (TCS) dataset using an advanced latent-variable modeling technique, using 132 national and cross-national surveys from 98 countries (1986-2022). Our measures reveal variations in trust both within and between countries. We find that economic performance and public security enhance trust in the short term, whereas government quality and effectiveness have more enduring, long-term impacts on trust in civil service. The TCS dataset opens new avenues for examining connections between trust, governance quality, and complex policy challenges across different contexts.
Sacred Nexus of Nepal in Hindu Mythology: Representation and Significance in Sanskrit Scriptures
Authors: Adhikary Ramesh Prasad
Published: January 2025

This research investigates the representation of Nepal in Hindu mythology and its significance within Sanskrit scriptures, positioning the country as a pivotal spiritual center for Hindus. Nepal, often celebrated in texts such as The Vedas, Puranas, The Ramayana, and The Mahabharata, serves as a crucial element of Hindu cosmology, where its sacred geography and cultural heritage converge. The primary objective of this study is to analyze how Nepal is depicted in key Hindu texts, exploring its associations with major deities, saints, and pilgrimage sites, and to understand its enduring importance in Hindu spirituality. The methodology employed combines qualitative textual analysis and historical interpretation, drawing from both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources include significant Sanskrit scriptures, while secondary sources encompass scholarly articles and commentaries that contextualize Nepal's mythological and cultural relevance. The findings reveal that Nepal is portrayed as a land of divine manifestations, particularly linked to deities such as Lord Shiva and various Rishis. The study highlights important pilgrimage sites, such as Pashupatinath and Swayambhu, which have historically attracted devotees, thus reinforcing Nepal's role as a center of spiritual practices and rituals. Furthermore, the research underscores the interconnectedness of Nepal with the broader narratives of Bharatvarsha, contributing to its characterization as a sacred domain. In conclusion, this research enhances the understanding of Nepal's mythological significance and its historical and contemporary relevance as a spiritual center within Hinduism. It invites further exploration into the intricate relationship between geography, spirituality, and cultural identity in Hindu traditions, emphasizing the need for ongoing scholarly attention to Nepal's rich spiritual heritage.
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Anxiety among School Students
Authors: Neupane Nira , Pradhan Thaiba Anupama , Singh Archana , Shrestha Pragya , K C Reshma
Published: January 2025

Anxiety is a feeling of uneasiness or distress that results from negatively interpreting a situation. It is necessary to explore the extent and related factors of anxiety in students as it is one of the most prevalent childhood disorders. When a student is anxious, their working memory is affected and they are unable to learn. The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess the prevalence and associated factors with anxiety among school students at Kashi Noble Academy in Siddharthanagar Municipality -12, Bhairahawa, Rupandehi. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to collect data from 187 students. The data was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire and the Modified Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics; mainly frequency, percentage, mean, and chi-square. The findings of the study showed that out of 187 students, 52.4% were male and 47.6% female, 76.5% had mild anxiety, 18.7% had mild to moderate anxiety and 4.8 % had moderate to severe anxiety. There was a significant association between the prevalence of anxiety and age (p=0.033), sex (x2=10.41, df= 2, p=0.006), and type of family (x2=4.94, df= 1, p=0.026). Based on the findings of the study, anxiety is more common among female students, students living with nuclear families, and students who are under a lot of academic pressure. The study advised making the required lifestyle changes, however, the gender of the participants could not be changed. As a result, to become mentally healthy, kids should adopt healthy lifestyle patterns (enough rest, sleep, and exercise), and schools should engage in anxiety prevention programs and encourage students to participate in extracurricular activities.
Mechanical Properties and Numerical Modelling for Prosthetic Foot
Authors: Abbas Saif M. , Chiad Jumaa S. , Takhakh Ayad M.
Published: January 2025

This study uses laminated composite materials made of hybrid glass and carbon fibers to determine the mechanical characteristics of the foot. Tensile, bending, and fatigue of composite material were evaluated and applied to the ANSYS model. The volume fraction for carbon and glass fibers was 22.5% and 10.04%, respectively. The mechanical property results: σy = 40 MPa, σult = 150 MPa, and E = 1.2 GPa. The patient is a 30-year-old male with a left amputation side, 1.60 meters tall, and weighs 74 kg. The analysis was carried out for the two scenarios (toe-off and heel contact) as boundary conditions. The overall deformation, equivalent stresses, and foot safety factor have been calculated using ANSYS17.2 software. In the end, it appears that the foot is secure based on equivalent stress calculations and the Von-Mises hypothesis. The computed safety factor for the foot is constructed of a chosen composite material with the subsequent layers. When the heel (stance phase) is fixed at 1.3449, and the metatarsal (toe off) is fixed at 1.259, the safety factor for a force of 860 N is reached. The foot is secure, according to the Von-Mises hypothesis.
Identification of Hazardous Intersections Based on Crash Severity Level: Case Study Baghdad City
Authors: Khudhair Hanan A. , Jameel Abeer K. , Alsadik Samer , Al-Bdairi Ahmed Shakir , Kraidi Raid , AL-Taweel Hayder Mohammed , Zinah Ahmed Shukri
Published: January 2025

Identifying the most hazardous intersections is essential in road safety management to prioritize road safety interventions. The equivalent property damage only (EPDO) measure is highly recommended because it reflects the severity levels of road crashes. The main challenge in using this measure is the estimation of crash cost. In Iraq, there has yet to be any previous attempt to estimate the crash cost according to their severity level. Therefore, this research aims to identify the most hazardous intersections according to a developed EPDO for Iraq conditions. The methodology of the work is divided into two stages. The first stage is an estimation of the crash’s cost. Three methods have been used for gathering crash cost data: the willing-to-pay approach for estimating the life quality cost, the human capital for finding the production loss costs, and the restitution approach for estimating medical treatment costs, vehicle damage costs, and administrative costs. In the second stage, the EPDO (Iraq) is developed. The results show a significant correlation between the rank of intersections according to the EPDO scores and crash frequency.
Fuzzy Logic Technique Based on Classification Function Application in Quality Control
Authors: Salman Hussien Omran  , Salam Waley Shneen  , Batool Ibrahim Jameel  , Hassoon Omar , Mohammed A. Fayad  , Firas Basim Ismail
Published: January 2025

الخلاصة
    
يقدم هذا العمل طريقة جديدة للوحات السيطرة المعتمدة علي الطريقة الضبابية. تشكل النظرية الضبابية وأسس مخططات التحكم في Shewhart أساس العملية. تم جمع المعلومات من أحد مرافق الإنتاج الرئيسية في محاولة لرفع مستوى الجودة لمنتج صناعي (سخان الكيروسين عشتار) في شركة الصناعات الخفيفة. تم استخدام مخططات التحكم الضبابية لتحديد مواصفات الإنتاج وكفاءته بسرعة ودقة. تم استخدام دراسة حالة فعلية من الشركة لتقييم مدى جودة عمل مخططات التحكم الغامضة المقترحة. تستخدم هذه الدراسة وظيفة عضوية المثلث لتوليد أرقام غامضة ، والتي يتم تحويلها بعد ذلك إلى مخططات مراقبة الجودة للبيانات الحقيقية التي تم الحصول عليها من الشركة العراقية للصناعات الخفيفة باستخدام وظيفة التصنيف المقترحة. بعد ذلك ، قارن بين مراقبة الجودة للسمات الواضحة والغامضة. توضح الرسوم البيانية كيف يمكن أن يؤدي استخدام التقنيات الاحترافية إلى زيادة الإنتاج وتقليل معدلات العيوب. من أجل استيفاء حدود التحكم في مراقبة الجودة والنسب المئوية المعيبة لجميع العينات باستخدام (w = 0.2 ، 0.5 ، 0.6) و (= 0.5 ، 0.7 ، 0.9) ، تقارن هذه الدراسة اعتماد التقنية التقليدية مع المنطق الضبابي بينما اعتماد الحالات المتغيرة من خلال وظيفة الترتيب. يمكن ملاحظة أن مخطط التحكم الغامض أكثر سرعة ودقة من الناحية الاقتصادية في مراقبة جودة الإنتاج ، مما يتيح تشخيص الوحدات المعيبة في جميع مراحل عملية الإنتاج ، ويساعد في اكتشاف العيوب ، وتحديد ما إذا كان الإنتاج تحت السيطرة بسرعة. توضح الرسوم البيانية كيف يمكن أن يؤدي استخدام التقنيات الاحترافية إلى زيادة الإنتاج وتقليل معدلات العيوب.
Assessment of Heat Transfer and Friction Characteristics in Circular Pipe Utilizing Balls as Tabulators
Authors: Golam Ali Shokor , Ahmad Muneer El-Deen Faik  , Hayder Mohammad Jaffal
Published: January 2025

يعد اضطراب التدفق أحد الأساليب الأكثر استخدامًا لتحسين نقل الحرارة. استخدمت هذه الدراسة المحاكاة العددية والاختبارات التجريبية لفحص تأثير المضطربات الكروية على خصائص احتكاك السوائل وانتقال الحرارة في أنبوب دائري. باستخدام طريقة الحجم المحدود، تم إجراء المحاكاة العددية بواسطة برنامج Ansys Fluent 19 R3. قسم الاختبار، وهو عبارة عن أنبوب نحاسي بطول 1 متر وقطر داخلي 24 مم، يعمل كأحد المكونات الأكثر أهمية لجهاز الاختبار التجريبي. يتم إدخال محركات كروية بأقطار مختلفة 10 و 15 و 20 ملم وأطوال فاصلة 20 سم في الأنابيب الدائرية. أصبحت نسبة قطر الكرة إلى قطر مسار التدفق الداخلي للأنبوب، نسبة اضطراب الكرة (BTR) = 0.41 و0.62 و0.83. تم استخدام الماء كسائل عمل برقم رينولدز من 3500 إلى 11500. تظهر النتائج اتفاقًا ممتازًا مع انحرافات أقل من 11٪. بلغ معامل الأداء الحراري الأقصى حوالي 1.18 و 1.24 و 1.4 للـ 0.41BTR و 0.62 و 0.83 على التوالي. تنتج المراوح الكروية زيادة في عامل الاحتكاك، وهذه الزيادة في النتائج التجريبية هي 52، 65 و 78% عند 0.41، 0.62 و 0.83 على التوالي. ويرتفع عامل الاحتكاك فجأة عند تجاوز BTR 0.62. كما يلاحظ أن هناك انخفاض تدريجي في الأداء الحراري عندما يكون نطاق أرقام رينولدز أعلى من 7500.
Improving Tiny Object Detection in Aerial Images with Yolov5
Authors: Sharba Ahmed , Kanaan Hussain
Published: January 2025

Object detection is a major area of computer vision work, particularly for aerial surveillance and traffic control applications, where detecting vehicles from aerial images is essential. However, such images often lack semantic detail and struggle to identify small, densely packed objects accurately. This paper proposes improvements to the You Only Look Once version 5 (YOLOv5) model to enhance small object detection. Key modifications include adding a new prediction head with a 160×160 feature map, replacing the Sigmoid Linear Unit (SiLU) activation function with the Exponential Linear Unit (ELU), and swapping the Spatial Pyramid Pooling – Fast (SPPF) module with the Spatial Pyramid Pooling (SPP) module. The enhanced model was tested on two datasets: Dataset for Object Detection in Aerial Images (DOTA) v1.5 and CarJet, which focused on vehicle and plane detection. Results showed a 7.1% increase in mean Average Precision (mAP) on the DOTA dataset and a 2.3% improvement on the CarJet dataset, measured with an Intersection over Union (IoU) threshold of 0.5. These architectural changes to YOLOv5 notably improve small object detection accuracy, offering valuable potential for aerial surveillance and traffic control tasks.
Enhanced Performance of Flat Plate Solar Collector with Twisted Tape Double Cutting Rectangle Shape
Authors: Salman Basima , Sanaa Hassan Obaid
Published: January 2025

Solar water heating uses solar collectors to capture sunlight and convert it into heat energy. It has grown remarkably and is now widely used for water heating in homes and manufacturing plants worldwide. Various techniques have been employed to enhance heat transfer in collectors, such as enlarging the collector's surface area or inducing fluid turbulence in the tubes. This article aims to boost the effectiveness of a flat plate solar collector through the use of a twisted strip to generate turbulence in the flow. Three twisted tapes, made of Aluminum and copper, were placed inside the collector's tubes, each with a different shape. All the twisted tape shapes - square, rectangle, and triangle - were identical in size, measuring 1000 mm in length and 1 mm in thickness. Both experimental tests and a numerical study were conducted on these three shapes of twisted tape. For each shape, three pitches were used: 2,3 and 4 cm. The results indicated that the efficiency of the collector using the double-cutting rectangular twisted tape with a 2 cm pitch was superior to other collector shapes. Moreover, the copper tapes exhibited greater efficiency than the aluminum tapes.
Design of a Normative sEMG Database for Biometric Comparison in Rehabilitation Research
Authors: Arvanitidis Athanasios , Mitsopoulos Konstantinos , Fiska Vasiliki , Athanasiou Alkinoos , Bamidis Panagiotis D.
Published: January 2025

Electromyography (EMG) is used in a wide range of research fields, such as physiotherapy, ergonomics,  and neurorehabilitation. Normative EMG databases play a crucial and significant role in the efficient  diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders.  They can rapidly provide information that, although not necessarily diagnostic, can efficiently and effectively guide further diagnostic studies.  Quantitative EMG (QEMG) in the upper extremities is an effective diagnostic tool, but there are currently  few normative databases available. The absence of fundamental guidelines and established methods for creating normative databases contributes to a significant obstacle in the field of rehabilitation research. This study aims to bridge this gap by designing a dynamic, scalable, consistent, available, and partition-tolerant NoSQL database (DB), in alignment with the Consistency, Availability, and  Partition Tolerance (CAP) theorem, to house normative surface EMG (sEMG) values for upper body muscles, primarily for biometric comparison in rehabilitation. The DB encompasses diverse EMG  features, both in the time and frequency domains, as  well as anthropometric variables, extracted by healthy participants and post-stroke or spinal cord injury patients. The participant selection is based on  Greece's average demographic statistics and specific inclusion and exclusion criteria from existing clinical trials. The proposed DB is particularly designed to be continuously updated offering real-time insights,  allowing the DB to be an even more valuable resource for researchers and practitioners working in the field.
Leveraging Web Scraping and Api Integration for Efficient Medical Device Data Management
Authors: Liontou Agapi Konstantina , Zisimopoulos Spilios , Dermitzakis Aris
Published: January 2025

Accurate identification and management of medical devices is of particular importance to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance within healthcare systems. This paper presents a comprehensive exploration of medical device data retrieval, focusing on the integration of web scraping and API technologies.  The utilization of Unique Device Identifiers (UDIs) and the Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN)  system is emphasized to enhance device authentication,  attribute verification, and accurate categorization.
This paper introduces a state-of-the-art code implementation that combines web scraping techniques and API integration to address the challenges of retrieving and verifying device information. The code facilitates both access to data and for healthcare professionals and stakeholders to make informed decisions based on reliable and up-to-date information.  This is a significant and defining advance in the field,  offering a powerful solution that is innovative as well as  vital.
The paper concludes by discussing the potential impact of these developments on patient safety,  regulatory compliance, and the overall advancement of healthcare technology. In addition, the importance of accurate device identification, the role of UDIs and  GMDN, and the significance of the provided cutting-edge code are highlighted, providing valuable insights into the field of medical device data retrieval.
Human Muscle State Machine using Electromyography Classification with Machine Learning
Authors: Lyssas George , Mitsopoulos Konstantinos , Zantzas Dimitris , Kalfas Anestis , Bamidis Panagiotis D.
Published: January 2025

This research aims at the creation of a tool that can recognize the state of the human skeletal muscle from surface Electromyography signals. The goal of this muscle state machine is for the use in functional rehabilitation of people suffering from Spinal cord injury and for stroke survivors who have lost mobility in their upper body limbs. The use of machine learning techniques for the classification of these muscle states brought forth the need for database creation to train the generated ML model. For the data collection process, an experimental protocol was proposed and tests were conducted in healthy individuals with a Nexus MKII medical device. Following the data collection, a signal analysis procedure was performed to extract features from the sEMG signals that directly relate to the muscle state. In addition to the signal analysis, a Machine Learning classification model was created to recognize and classify the sEMG signals in the different states of the muscle. This classification had a high enough accuracy of producing the correct result, given that the training and sampling size of the database was considerably small provided that in similar cases of ML classifying models the size of the Databases includes way more samples than the one in this research. The future steps for this research are the creation of a more extensive and diverse database and the use of this model in real-time situations.
Kinematic and Dynamic Analysis of Lower Limb Movement: Towards the Design of a Wearable Rehabilitation Assistant Device
Authors: Margaritis Filippos , Mitsopoulos Konstantinos , Nizamis Kostas , Athanasiou Alkinoos , Bamidis Panagiotis D.
Published: January 2025

This study outlines a comprehensive approach to the kinematic and dynamic analysis of lower limb movement, with the express purpose of designing an efficient wearable rehabilitation assistant device for the lower body. The approach begins by conducting a kinematic analysis of the lower limbs, presenting the degrees of freedom and each joint’s range of motion. A kinematic model is designed by deciding on a kinematic chain configuration and calculating the Denavit Hartenberg (DH) parameters. Next, differential kinematic analysis is employed to calculate the velocity of the limbs, generated by the corresponding muscle groups during different types of movements. This can provide significant insights into the design of a device that can accurately track and assist these movements. Furthermore, a dynamic analysis is performed to calculate joint moments and forces. This analysis provides insights into the forces that the joints experience during movement. When combined with electromyography (EMG) data, it allows for a more holistic description of muscle activity and a more accurate estimation of individual muscle forces and joint loads. The research also lays out a plan for the wearable device's implementation. Based on OpenSenseRT [1] an open-source software and hardware project, that utilized the OpenSim [2] API, real-time inverse kinematics of a movement can be calculated using data from inertial measurement units (IMUs). This data is then used to compute the error in a person's movement during lower limb rehabilitation exercises. This error, along with the error derived from real-time dynamic analysis and EMG data, can be integrated to improve the control accuracy of the wearable device.
Digital Transformation Management in Health Services: Health Professionals Perceptions as an Implementation Factor
Authors: Tanis Theodoros S. , Chatzigeorgiou Chryssoula , Simeli Ioanna , Stalika Evangelia
Published: January 2025

Background and Objective: The explosion of new digital technologies is fundamentally disrupting the world as it has been perceived until now, transforming it multilevel and at an unprecedented speed. At the same time, with traditional way of providing health services, their quality and scale cannot meet user’s needs and expectations. Within this context of constant search for improved quality, the path of health services towards a digital and value-based transformation is now a one-way street, with drastic and immediate effects that are capable of disrupting the sector and making them sustainable. The most defining issue is how an organization adapts its organizational culture, strategy, leadership and mostly prepare the stuff to operate effectively in a digital world, adding value to users and sustaining prosperity. The main goal of this study was to investigate the perceptions of health professionals regarding the usability and ease of use of digital transformation applications.
Material and Methods: To investigate the aim of the study, the USE Questionnaire was used. It was distributed completely paperless, exclusively through Google forms. For better common understanding, we edited an auxiliary video and embedded it in the Google form, to be watched before starting answering it. Our sample was healthcare professionals who worked in various Hospitals and health providers in Northern Greece.
Results: Age appears to have a greater influence on health professional self-efficacy. Regardless of specialty, they show positive perceptions of both the usefulness and ease of use and learning of digital applications. Those with a lower level of education showed a higher perceived ease of use and learning, as well as their usefulness than expected.
Conclusion: The acceptance of digital transformation in healthcare professionals is based on understanding the concerns and feelings of insecurity that overwhelm healthcare professionals. Our findings can help us in better understanding the factors that influence their adoption of new digital technologies. Likely, this will help us to reduce the time required to make all the structural changes that are necessary, but also to guide us properly for the best use of our already limited available resources. As people accept change at different rates, there is no time for delay and their preparation should begin immediately.
Improvement of Aortic Valve Stenosis Classification in Patients through Computational Fluid Dynamics Model
Authors: Makropoulos Ioannis , Zantzas Dimitris , Gkoutzamanis Vasilis , Kalfas Anestis
Published: January 2025

Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is a common and severe valvular disease where accurate assessment is essential for determining prognosis and treatment. Current echocardiographic methods mostly rely on the simplified Bernoulli equation (SB), which approximate the peak pressure drop (ΔP), risking to poor stratification, especially for low-flow low gradient patients. This study examines the capabilities of combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and imaging techniques for better stratification of AS patients. Patient-specific geometries of the aortic valve, ascending aorta, and left ventricular outflow tract were reconstructed from CT and echocardiography data during peak systole. Inlet velocity boundary conditions based on ultrasound data enabled transient flow simulations. Blood flow was modelled as laminar and Newtonian, with the geometry discretized for computational efficiency without loss of accuracy. Validation against echocardiography data showed a 4% deviation in velocity predictions. Results indicated that ΔP and maximum velocity (Vmax) are strongly influenced by AVA size, while leaflet geometry affects flow jet location. The CFD model revealed that SB overestimates ΔP in non-severe AS, potentially leading to misclassification. By combining CFD with precise imaging, detailed hemodynamic insights can be achieved, addressing the limitations of conventional methods and improving patient stratification for treatment.