bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O estigma social gerado pelo sistema prisional sobre os filhos de mulheres encarceradas no Brasil
Authors: Marcolla Fernanda Analú , Santos Hemilly Gabriellen Santana
Published: September 2024

O presente estudo investiga a complexa interação entre o sistema prisional e os filhos de mulheres encarceradas, explorando a hipótese de que o aprisionamento materno pode funcionar como um fator de estigmatização para essas crianças. Partindo da Teoria do Estigma de Erving Goffman, que ressalta a estigmatização como um processo social, este estudo busca analisar como os filhos de mulheres encarceradas são afetados por essa experiência e como isso pode moldar sua identidade e percepção de si mesmos na sociedade. Essa pesquisa, de metodologia hipotético-dedutiva, alicerçada na técnica de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, possui como objetivo geral investigar como o aprisionamento de mulheres pode constituir um fator de estigmatização para seus filhos, explorando as implicações psicossociais desse estigma em suas vidas. Nessa perspectiva, o problema que orienta a pesquisa pode ser assim sintetizado: em que medida o aprisionamento de mulheres pode gerar um estigma que afeta a identidade e o bem-estar psicossocial de seus filhos? Os resultados obtidos, a partir de embasamentos científicos, teóricos e bibliográficos, demonstram que os filhos das mulheres encarceradas de fato enfrentam um estigma indireto devido ao contato de suas genitoras com o sistema prisional. Esse estigma se manifesta de várias formas, afetando não apenas a percepção externa dessas crianças, mas também sua própria visão de si mesmas. Além disso, o estigma muitas vezes faz com que a pena associada ao aprisionamento de suas mães seja ampliada, impactando negativamente sua saúde mental, desenvolvimento psicossocial e oportunidades futuras.
Entre revolução e escravidão: A história do conceito jurídico de desapropriação no século XIX
Authors: Farina Marcelo Pezzolo
Published: September 2024

O presente artigo busca responder à inquietação sobre as causas que levaram, no Brasil do século XIX, a uma ativa discussão política e legislativa sobre a desapropriação. Tal ocorre em oposição à permanência de práticas atreladas ao antigo sistema de sesmarias, que resolvia de outras maneiras os conflitos entre Coroa e sesmeiros/proprietários. As hipóteses confirmadas foram a de um movimento liberal que buscou a proteção da propriedade privada; e outro, dos movimentos abolicionista e escravista, que discutiram – ao menos até 1870 – a indenização pela libertação de escravizados e, após, por meio do instrumento da desapropriação, formas de fixar capital e mão de obra liberta no espaço. Enquanto os movimentos liberais positivaram a desapropriação, de forma genérica e restritiva, como oposição a estratégias e privilégios da Coroa, o movimento abolicionista deu concretude à desapropriação como dispositivo de proteção/exclusão (senhor/negro; indenizável/ruinoso; proprietário/possuidor).
Adaptation to the impacts of climate and demographic changes on water supply and demand in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Munene Lydia Nduku , Maina Eunice Wanjiku , Singh Babel Mukand , Vojinovic Zoran , Gersonius Berry
Published: September 2024

Uncertainties due to the impacts of climate change on water resources and demographic rise, pose challenges to the decision-making process in the management of water resources for urban cities thus, adequate planning ought to incorporate uncertainties. The study objective was to develop adaptation pathways using the Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA) approach to enhance the water system performance. Using the hydrological model for the Thika-Chania Sub-catchment, prediction of future water flows for 30 years period was done. A multivariate econometric approach was used to investigate the socio-economic factors on water use and forecasts on future water demand. The demand scenarios were based on different population growth patterns corresponding to the exponential growth and decreasing rate of increase growth, with per capita consumption scenarios of 85 and 170 lpd. The system performance was evaluated through stress testing to determine the behavior under different scenarios. Results revealed an increasing supply–demand gap due to the impacts of climate and demographic changes. Adaptation strategies and their tipping points were established leading to the development of adaptation pathways. From assessment of the flexible adaptation pathways, it was concluded that the non-revenue water strategy be considered as a priority project by the utility.
Wastewater reclamation for the production of construction bricks: technical, economic, and environmental feasibility
Authors: Centeno Mora Erick , Padilla Carlos Montero , Cruz Zúñiga Nidia
Published: September 2024

This study evaluates the technical, economic, and environmental impacts of using treated wastewater as a substitute for potable water (PW) in mortar bricks production. The study experimentally compared the reuse of raw sewage, UASB reactor effluent, activated sludge effluent, and filtered effluent to produce mortar bricks which were tested for mixture workability and compressive strength over curing periods of 3, 7, and 28 days. Slump values of the mixtures were close to 110 mm for all samples, and 28-day compressive strengths varied between 31.2 and 34.8 MPa, higher than the 17.2 MPa required for Type M mortars. Mortar made with activated sludge and filtered effluent exhibited properties comparable to those made with PW. Economic analysis revealed a slight cost increase of 1.7% due to effluent disinfection, but significant environmental benefits, such as reduced eutrophication due to the wastewater reclamation and water conservation, were noted, primarily due to the avoidance of discharging treated effluent into surface water bodies. These findings underscore the feasibility of using treated wastewater in construction, highlighting its potential to enhance sustainability in this field, and suggesting the necessity for further studies on the long-term effect of using reclaimed wastewater cementitious products.
Recent Advancement in Drug Development for Treating Malaria using Herbal Medicine and Nanotechnological Approach
Authors: Bhargava Sarvesh , Deshmukh Rohitas , Dewangan Hitesh Kumar
Published: September 2024

More than two hundred million people around the world are infected with malaria, a blood-borne
disease that poses a significant risk to human life. Single medications, such as lumefantrine, primaquine, and
chloroquine, as well as combinations of these medications with artemisinin or its derivatives, are currently being
used as therapies. In addition, due to rising antimalarial drug resistance, other therapeutic options are
needed immediately. Furthermore, due to anti-malarial medication failures, a new drug is required. Medication
discovery and development are costly and time-consuming. Many malaria treatments have been developed
however, most treatments have low water solubility and bioavailability. They may also cause drugresistant
parasites, which would increase malaria cases and fatalities. Nanotechnology may offer a safer, more
effective malaria therapy and control option. Nanoparticles' high loading capacity, concentrated drug delivery,
biocompatibility, and low toxicity make them an attractive alternative to traditional therapy. Nanotechnologybased
anti-malarial chemotherapeutic medications outperform conventional therapies in therapeutic benefits,
safety, and cost. This improves patient treatment compliance. The limitations of malaria treatments and the
importance of nanotechnological approaches to the treatment of malaria were also topics that were covered in
this review. The most recent advancements in nanomaterials and the advantages they offer in terms of medication
delivery are discussed in this article. The prospective therapy for malaria is also discussed. Additionally,
the limitations of malaria therapies and the importance of nanotechnology-based approaches to the treatment
of malaria were explored.
Biocompatible Electrospun Hydrogel Fibers for Advanced Wound Healing Therapies
Authors: Yadav Pragya , Gupta Manas , Singh Satya Prakash , Parashar Poonam
Published: September 2024

:

Wound healing is a complex cascade and is governed through a number of crucial factors. Conventional
wound dressing possesses numerous limitations which hinder wound healing process and may result in
serious infections and even mortality. A lot of effort have been put in through researchers to develop a multifaceted
dressing which can address these limitations and facilitate accelerated wound healing. Among various
newly developed dressings, electrospun hydrogel nanofibers have emerged as a promising class of biomaterials
for advanced wound care and tissue engineering applications. These biomimetic fibers closely mimic the
architect of the native extracellular matrix, providing an optimal environment that facilitates cellular proliferation
and fast generation required for effective wound healing. Electrospinning offers versatility in precisely
controlling fiber attributes such as diameter, alignment, and surface morphology and can entrap a variety of
drugs with high efficacy. Recently, such dressings have advanced through the incorporation of smart features
such as stimuli-responsive components, real-time wound monitoring sensors, and smart closed-loop systems.
The electrospun hydrogels are bestowed with extreme porosity, water-retention attribute, biocompatibility, and
modified drug release which make them superior over other wound dressings. The review gives an insight of
electrospun hydrogel fibers and their application in wound healing and the studies assessing wound healing potential
with underlying mechanisms have been critically analysed. Electrospun hydrogel fibers have significant
potential to revolutionize wound care through their biomimetic structure, versatile customization, and capacity
for integrating therapeutic and sensing capabilities, outlining future research directions toward next-generation
wound care products.
Transformative Potential and Healthcare Applications of 3D Printing
Authors: Prakash Aayush , Malviya Rishabha , Singh Deependra Pratap
Published: September 2024

:

Additive manufacturing, sometimes referred to as 3D printing or AM, has numerous applications in
industries like manufacturing, aviation, aerospace, vehicles, and education. It has recently made considerable
inroads into the healthcare industry, backed by technology breakthroughs such as fused deposition modeling,
binder jetting, and inkjet printing. A variety of biomaterials, such as polycaprolactone, polycarbonate, polypropylene,
and polylactic acid, have contributed to this increase. This essay delves into the revolutionary possibilities
of 3D printing in healthcare, to shed light on the idea of customized medications via the improvement
of efficiency and cost. Researchers are using polymers and additive manufacturing to make customized medical
devices. However, obstacles including bureaucratic hurdles, technological developments, and the choice of
appropriate materials and printers stand in the way of widespread implementation. To fully realize the promise
of 3D printing in healthcare, these challenges must be overcome. The article highlights the revolutionary potential
of 3D printing in healthcare by following its development from art and construction to customized drugs
and patient-specific medical equipment. In addition to addressing issues like quality control and technological
limitations, it emphasizes its wide range of applications in surgical planning, dentistry, and anatomical models.
The necessity of adapting regulations and instructional programs is highlighted by discussing future trends like
bioprinting and FDA-approved innovations. In order to properly utilize 3D printing in healthcare, this adaption
is essential. Personalized prescriptions and increased efficacy from the incorporation of 3D printing could revolutionize
the healthcare industry. But even with these advances, problems like choosing the right materials and
getting over administrative roadblocks prevent widespread implementation. These challenges need to be successfully
overcome for 3D printing in healthcare to reach its full potential.
The Potential of Emerging Medicinal Plants and their Phytoconstituents in Treating Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Agarwal Uma , Tonk Rajiv K. , Bhutani Rubina , Pannu Arzoo , S.L. Neha , Verma Ashish K.
Published: September 2024

Backgrounds:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) impacts a total of 30 million individuals
worldwide, resulting in the impairment of brain cells. Despite the approval of medications, there are
still poor results and adverse effects that continue to exist, which has led to continued research for
more effective treatments.

Objectives:

In this study prioritize the medicinal plants and their bioactive chemicals to attract researchers
and pharmaceutical companies interested in producing powerful herbal medicines and
semi-synthetic drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, although minimizing any potential
adverse effects.

Methods:

This review investigate the effective use of medicinal plants and their phytochemicals in
the treatment of AD to manage its growth and relieve symptoms via improving cognitive deficits.

Results:

These medicinal plants and their phytochemicals contribute to the treatment of AD by protecting
against cell damage induced by beta amyloid, improving memory and learning abilities,
functioning as nerve tonics, and exhibiting strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Furthermore,
they have demonstrated therapeutic benefits in the management of AD. The finding suggests
that several phytoconstituents/ plant metabolites are present in numerous anti-Alzheimer's
plants known for their anti-Alzheimer's properties such as rosmarinic acid, quercetin, kaempferol,
gallic acid, β-sitosterol, oleic acid and linalool. In addition, this article emphasizes the anti-
Alzheimer's disease significance of various important phytochemicals.

Conclusions:

The review proposes that medicinal plants and their bioactive phytochemicals hold potential
as a viable alternative treatment for AD. The utilization of these medicinal plants can improve
memory and decrease the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease in the future.
From Ayurveda to Global Practices: A Review on Polyherbal Formulations for Depression Management in Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies
Authors: Pannu Arzoo , Goyal Ramesh K.
Published: September 2024

This review summarizes various polyherbal formulations investigated for antidepressant
activity in preclinical and clinical studies. Ayurveda, an alternative medical system from
India, employs both single herbs and polyherbal formulations to enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Evidence suggests that whole herb extracts can be more potent than isolated compounds. Polyherbal
formulations, combining multiple herbs with various active compounds, aim to maximize
therapeutic effects and safety. This review compiles data from published research to provide insights
for future studies and potential development of effective, marketable antidepressant formulations
derived from natural sources.
Navigating the Aquatic Challenges: Tribal Communities in India's Quest for Sustainable Solutions
Authors: Balkrishna Acharya , Sharma Nidhi , Arya Vedpriya
Published: September 2024

:

India hosts the world's largest population of Scheduled Tribes (STs), constituting 8.6%
of its total populace and comprising about 700 distinct tribes. Despite their cultural richness and
environmental stewardship, tribal communities face significant socio-economic challenges, with
47% living below the poverty line. Predominantly residing in rural areas, these communities suffer
from acute water scarcity and poor water quality. Only 20% of ST households have access to
drinking water within their premises, and over 33% must travel long distances for water, exacerbating
their vulnerability to waterborne diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid. Efforts by the
Indian government, including the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, have
aimed to improve water access and quality through initiatives, such as the Jal Jeevan Mission and
watershed management programs. However, traditional water management strategies often fail to
address the unique geographical and cultural contexts of tribal regions. This paper explores the
multifaceted challenges of water scarcity and quality in India's tribal areas, analyzing the socioeconomic,
cultural, and geographic factors contributing to these issues. By synthesizing data and
research findings, it aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the water-related hardships
faced by tribal communities and to offer insights for policymakers and stakeholders to develop
more effective, culturally sensitive, and sustainable water management solutions.
REFLEXÕES CONTEMPORÂNEAS SOBRE A LEITURA LITERÁRIA NO BRASIL
Authors: Félix da Silva Isabel Cristina , Pontes Verônica Maria de Araújo , Batista Maria Carmem Silva
Published: September 2024

Esse artigo traz reflexões em torno da leitura literária levando em conta a leitura enquanto um ato fundamental para o desenvolvimento e formação do indivíduo em seus mais variados aspectos que incluem além da linguagem, ato reflexivo e crítico fundamental ao exercício da cidadania e formação integral. Discutimos ainda dados avaliativos do Programa Internacional de Avaliação de Estudantes (PISA) e da pesquisa Retratos de leitura que nos trazem informações importantes em torno do perfil leitor do nosso estudante brasileiro e direcionamos à reflexão sobre ações e estratégias possíveis de serem adicionadas ao ensino na tentativa da formação do leitor literário. Para isso baseamo-nos em autores como Kleiman (2008), Batista (2023), Pontes (2020), Balça e Pires (2012), entre outros diálogos que nos esclarecem acerca da educação literária, conceitualização de leitura e o PNLD enquanto política pública que colabora nessa formação leitora.
Performance of ChatGPT in the In-Training Examination for Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine Residents in South Korea: Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Yoon Soo-Hyuk , Oh Seok Kyeong , Lim Byung Gun , Lee Ho-Jin
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

ChatGPT has been tested in health care, including the US Medical Licensing Examination and specialty exams, showing near-passing results. Its performance in the field of anesthesiology has been assessed using English board examination questions; however, its effectiveness in Korea remains unexplored.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the problem-solving performance of ChatGPT in the fields of anesthesiology and pain medicine in the Korean language context, highlighted advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), and explored its potential applications in medical education.

METHODS

We investigated the performance (number of correct answers/number of questions) of GPT-4, GPT-3.5, and CLOVA X in the fields of anesthesiology and pain medicine, using in-training examinations that have been administered to Korean anesthesiology residents over the past 5 years, with an annual composition of 100 questions. Questions containing images, diagrams, or photographs were excluded from the analysis. Furthermore, to assess the performance differences of the GPT across different languages, we conducted a comparative analysis of the GPT-4’s problem-solving proficiency using both the original Korean texts and their English translations.

RESULTS

A total of 398 questions were analyzed. GPT-4 (67.8%) demonstrated a significantly better overall performance than GPT-3.5 (37.2%) and CLOVA-X (36.7%). However, GPT-3.5 and CLOVA X did not show significant differences in their overall performance. Additionally, the GPT-4 showed superior performance on questions translated into English, indicating a language processing discrepancy (English: 75.4% vs Korean: 67.8%; difference 7.5%; 95% CI 3.1%-11.9%; P=.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study underscores the potential of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, in medical education and practice but emphasizes the need for cautious application and further refinement, especially in non-English medical contexts. The findings suggest that although AI advancements are promising, they require careful evaluation and development to ensure acceptable performance across diverse linguistic and professional settings.
Assessing Post-Operative Pain in Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients Using an Automated Self-Logging Patient Reported Outcome Measure Collection Device: A Retrospective Cohort Study (Preprint)
Authors: Ajrawat Prabjit , Price Blaine , Gooch Daniel , Serban Rudolf , Al-Habsi Ruqaiya , Pearce Oliver
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are standardized tools for assessing symptoms and the quality of care. Despite their growing use, conventional data collection methods limit widespread PROM implementation. In orthopaedics, pain is a frequent patient complaint and a common PROM, especially following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Although TKA is generally successful, some patients still report post-operative pain, potentially due to tourniquet use. Using an improved PROM data-gathering technique may help to address tourniquet use during a TKA procedure and its impact on post-operative pain. The PainPad, an automated self-logging device, was developed to capture patient pain levels accurately.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the PainPad device in quantifying in-hospital post-operative pain following TKA with or without tourniquet use.

METHODS

A retrospective study with 234 patients who underwent TKA from 2018 to 2021 at Milton Keynes University Hospital was conducted. Patients were categorized as receiving TKA with an intra-operative tourniquet (tourniquet group) or TKA without a tourniquet (non-tourniquet group). Twenty-four-hour post-operative pain was collected bi-hourly and was self-reported using the PainPad device. From both groups, data on hospital length of stay (LOS), total tourniquet time, and the presence of post-operative deep vein thrombosis were also collected.

RESULTS

There were 115 TKAs with tourniquets (63% females, mean age 69.2 years) and 119 TKAs without tourniquets (76% females, mean age: 71 years). When assessing 24-hour mean post-operative pain scores, the PainPad device data indicated no significant difference (P = .53, 95% CI: -0.76 to 0.39) between the tourniquet (mean pain score: 3.31 ± 2.34) and non-tourniquet groups (mean pain score: 3.12 ± 2.15). There was no correlation between tourniquet times and the pain scores retrieved from the PainPad device. A subgroup analysis comparing longer (>90 minutes) vs. shorter (<90 min) tourniquet times showed no significant difference in terms of pain and LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

The PainPad device is a feasible and effective method for collecting and evaluating in-hospital postoperative pain following total knee arthroplasty (TKA), allowing for the quantification of individual pain levels. This study aligns with the current healthcare trend towards leveraging innovative technologies and personalized data to enhance patient-centered care.

CLINICALTRIAL

N/A
New Automated Granular Data Segmentation Approach: Context Impacts Categorization by Physicians (Preprint)
Authors: Kaufman Hannah Jane , Banerjee Ipsha , Wei Mengyi , Siddiqui Shafaq , Murcko Anita , Todd Michael , Londoño-Echeverri Maria Alejandra , Nagarajan Sugandha Kumar , Moreno Eider , Radhakrishnan Priya , Fuquen Pedro Franco , Perumbeti Ajay , Kirchoff Robert , Rosas Jennifer , El-Kareh Robert , Vargas-Cely Fabio Samir , Johnson Joseph , Chang Frederick , Ali Sanah , Lee Daniel , Predun William , Lane Steven , Norquist Craig , Lutgendorf Monica A , Kressly Susan J , Eldredge Christina , Jindani Shireen , Lott Eric , Martinez David Arturo , Abbott Brandon , Morris Meghan , Grando Maria Adela
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

Granular control over medical record sharing empowers patients to manage access to sensitive information, like substance use disorders (SUD), often withheld due to stigma. Although federal and state laws protect this data, manual segmentation processes remain error-prone, complicating care coordination. Integrating contextual EHR data into segmentation technologies could enhance accuracy, better aligning sensitivity classifications with providers’ assessments.

OBJECTIVE

This is the first study to examine the influence of context, specifically pertinent health data availability, on how physicians categorize potentially sensitive health data items. The goal is to increase the accuracy of automated sensitive data segmentation technologies.

METHODS

1,000 data items from deidentified EHRs from patients receiving behavioral health care were distributed across 12 surveys. These data items were randomly assigned to 12 pairs of physicians to categorize into a sensitive data taxonomy. During a follow-up interview, participants categorized 120 survey data items and could use the medical record to support their answers. Survey and interview results were compared.

RESULTS

Educational materials provided during surveys and interviews for the sensitive data taxonomy were helpful (75.0% and 70.8%, respectively), but the provided data sensitive taxonomy may require further revisions and validations. 62.5% of the participants used the provided patient EHR data to justify their categorizations during the interview. Some participants felt they needed access to more patient data (50%) or speak with the patient (8.3%) to best categorize a data item. When considering the 240 survey and interview responses, accessing additional patient health data led to multiple (72.1%) changes in categorizations. When comparing the survey and interview categorizations of data items, disagreements decreased by 20.1%, partial agreements increased by 26.4%, but agreements decreased by 6.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Incorporating context using additional data from a patient’s EHR impacted how physicians categorize potentially sensitive health data. As future work, this study's results will open new research discussions in physician-validated data segmentation methods.
A Mathematical Framework to Estimate Chronic Hepatitis B Prevalence and Undiagnosed Proportion (Preprint)
Authors: Smith-Roberge Julien , Forouzannia Farinaz , Hamadeh Abdullah , Feng Zeny , Popovic Nashira , Wong William W. L.
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a significant health burden for at least a hundred thousand Canadians. The government of Canada has endorsed the Global Strategy to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, but effectively targeting public health interventions is complicated by the silent nature of the disease, which can remain asymptomatic for decades.

OBJECTIVE

This study develops a framework to estimate the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and the proportion of the infected population that remains undiagnosed. We apply the proposed method to national data from Canada, from 2007 to 2021.

METHODS

We infer the prevalence and undiagnosed proportion of CHB by fitting a mathematical state-transition model, based on the natural history of chronic hepatitis B, to observed CHB-related events.

RESULTS

We estimate the national prevalence of CHB in Canada in 2021 to be 0.308% (95% CI: 0.252% - 0.363%). The corresponding percentage of undiagnosed cases was estimated to be 33.9% (95% CI: 22.7% - 45.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

The estimates of CHB prevalence obtained via our method are in line with previous estimates obtained from national seroprevalence studies. More specialized estimates, stratified by province or age cohort, may be achievable with detailed health administrative data.
Effectiveness of self-training with a web-based digital health application vs. physiotherapy in the treatment of disorders of the patella: a randomized controlled trial (Preprint)
Authors: Mayer Tobias Alexander , Koska Daniel , Harsch Ann-Kathrin , Maiwald Christian
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

Disorders of the patella are among the most prevalent knee injuries. While exercise therapy is widely accepted as an effective treatment strategy, the positive effects of conventional exercise therapy under the guidance of a physiotherapist may be offset by inherent limitations such as difficulties in scheduling appointments or statuary policies restricting the number of training sessions. Home-based exercise interventions using digital health applications (DHA) may help address some of these limitations.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a 12-week exercise intervention utilizing a web-based DHA (Mawendo, Biberach, Germany) for improving knee function and/or reducing pain in patients with disorders of the patella (ICD-10 M22).

METHODS

The outcomes of the DHA intervention group (IG DHA) were compared to a control group that received conventional physiotherapy covered by statutory health insurance in Germany (CG SHI-PT). A total of 259 patients with diagnosed disorders of the patella were included in the trial and randomly allocated to IG DHA (n=136) and CG SHI-PT (n=123). The trial was registered with the DRKS (German Clinical Trials Register; WHO Primary Register) under No. DRKS00023454.

Two primary endpoints were examined:
1) ‘Knee function’ (KOOSADL subscale, range 0-100 points (p))
2) ‘Knee pain’ (visual analogue scale, VAS, range 0-100 p)

Participants were asked to complete two surveys; one before the first therapy session (PRE) and one after completing the treatment period of 12 weeks (POST).

RESULTS

Training with the DHA resulted in a 4.5-fold greater improvement in ‘knee function’ (PRE-POST differences in KOOSADL Score; IG DHA: 15.7 p (95 % CI [13.7; 17.6]) vs. CG SHI-PT: 3.5 p (95 % CI [1.5; 5.5])) and a 3.5-fold greater reduction in ‘knee pain’ (PRE-POST differences in VAS pain score; IG DHA: -22.5 p (95 % CI [-25.2; -19.9]) vs. CG SHI-PT: -6.5 p (95 % CI [-8.7; -4.4])) compared to SHI-PT. Only the improvements in IG DHA exceeded the limits of clinical relevance. The differences between the treatment groups (KOOSADL score -10.1 p (95 % CI [Inf; -8.0]), VAS pain score 14.3 p (95 % CI [11.7; Inf])) were statistically significant (P < .001) for both endpoints in favor of IG DHA. No effect was found for age or sex. The reported use of pain medication decreased substantially in IG DHA, and showed almost no change in CG SHI-PT.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that the investigated DHA is superior to SHI-PT for treating disorders of the patella. DHA has therefore been approved by the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices for the treatment of disorders of the patella in persons of all sexes aged 12 and over.

CLINICALTRIAL

The trial was registered with the DRKS (German Clinical Trials Register; WHO Primary Register; https://drks.de/search/de) under No. DRKS00023454.
A Naturalistic Study of Virtual Versus In-Person Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Eating Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic in United States Based Treatment Facilities (Preprint)
Authors: Blalock Dan V , Mehler Philip S , Michel Deborah M , Duffy Alan , Le Grange Daniel , O'Melia Anne M , Rienecke Renee D
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

While virtual therapy has been found to be effective in treating eating disorders (EDs), little work has examined virtual therapy at higher levels of care.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the current study was to add to the limited research on in-person versus virtual treatment at a higher level of care by comparing treatment outcomes between an in-person intensive outpatient program (IOP) and a virtual IOP (VIOP) for patients with EDs.

METHODS

Patients receiving treatment who completed both admission and discharge questionnaires in VIOP treatment (N = 231) and in-person IOP treatment (N = 39) between 2021 and mid-2022 within a large ED healthcare system were included in the study. Welch’s t-tests on admission, discharge, and raw change scores were conducted. Adjusted logistic regressions were conducted predicting treatment program (VIOP vs. IOP) from residualized change in each outcome.

RESULTS

VIOP patients were significantly older (M=28.03, SD=11.09) than IOP patients (M=19.51, SD=6.98) and had significantly different numbers of ED diagnoses, but no differences were observed for race or gender. VIOP patients did not exhibit significantly different improvements in ED symptom scores or depression scores when compared to IOP patients, controlling for age, diagnosis, and admission scores.

CONCLUSIONS

No evidence suggested ED or depression outcomes were different for patients receiving VIOP treatment versus IOP treatment. Moreover, no evidence suggested VIOP treatment was more likely to exacerbate disparities in treatment access for non-white or older adults. These results suggest VIOP treatment may improve treatment access in an equitable fashion without reducing treatment quality.
Influencing Factors on the Maintenance of Public Health Behaviors after Epidemic: A Cross-Sectional Study from China (Preprint)
Authors: Wang Xingmin , Yan Hongli , Shi Lushaobo , Li Ting , Xia Yi , Wang Dong
Published: September 2024

UNSTRUCTURED

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the public has practiced healthy lifestyle behaviors ef-fectively. But as the pandemic subsides, there may be a phenomenon of "behavioral fatigue", where some individuals may not continue to engage in healthy behaviors. However, it is essential to maintain a high level of healthy behaviors in daily life for promoting personal health. Therefore, based on the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) of health behavior change and the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM), this study explores the factors influencing the maintenance of public health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic and after pandemic, to provide targeted advice for improving the maintenance level of public health behaviors.
Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, based on the MTM and PADM. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the factors influencing the maintenance level of participants' health behaviors.
The correlation analysis results showed a statistically significant relationship between each variable and the maintenance level of health behaviors. The results of SEM revealed that information sources, warning messages, and social cues have a significantly impact on risk perception with path coef-ficients of 0.789, -0.064, and -0.064, respectively. Social cues also significantly affected perceived effica-cy, with a path coefficient of 0.782. Additionally, risk perception, perceived efficacy, emotional transfor-mation, and change in practice have a significantly impact on the maintenance level of health behaviors, with path coefficients of -0.099, 0.386, 0.213, and 0.213, respectively. All the above path coefficients are significant at P<0.05.
The study confirms that social cues have an impact on risk perception, efficacy percep-tion, and consequently maintenance of health behavior; warning messages and information sources have an impact on risk perception, and consequently health behavior maintenance. And emotional transfor-mation and practice for change positively influence the maintenance of public health behavior. It is rec-ommended that providing social tips, enlarging information channels, propagating the dangers of un-healthy behaviors and encouraging the public to transform their emotion and actively health practice even-tually promoting better maintain healthy behaviors.
‘The Death of Venus’: Analysing the Connecting Depictions of Beauty and Tragedy in Literature
Authors: Kataria Khushi
Published: September 2024

Two major themes that have been depicted in literature of nearly all periods, through various symbols and characters, have been ‘beauty’ and ‘tragedy’. From ancient to contemporary authors, these concepts have intrigued psyches and have made their way into many stories, be it classics or folk tales. This paper analyses four major instances where these two predominant subjects have overlapped, from the works of Homer and Ovid to the more recent Oscar Wilde; highlighting the concurrence of the two major ideas.
Adaptive Cybersecurity in the Digital Age: Emerging Threat Vectors and Next-Generation Defense Strategies
Authors: Kommera Harish Kumar Reddy
Published: September 2024

Abstract: This article examines the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, focusing on emerging threats and innovative defense mechanisms. We analyze four key threat vectors: Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), ransomware, Internet of Things (IoT) vulnerabilities, and social engineering attacks. These threats pose significant risks to organizations, including data breaches, financial losses, and operational disruptions. In response, we explore cutting-edge defense mechanisms such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for threat detection, Zero Trust Architecture for access control, blockchain for data integrity, behavioral analytics for insider threat detection, and quantum cryptography for enhanced encryption. The article also outlines best practices for cybersecurity, including regular software updates, strong password policies, employee training, and security audits. By synthesizing current research and industry trends, this article provides a comprehensive overview of the cybersecurity landscape, emphasizing the need for continuous adaptation and vigilance in the face of evolving cyber threats
Da bengala branca à caixa preta: o aparelho técnico como possibilidade do registro da luz na criação fotográfica do deficiente visual
Authors:   , Rezende Fernando Gonçalves
Published: September 2024

A presente pesquisa apresenta resultados de estudos com apoio da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), cujo contexto são as práxis fotográficas. Como objeto de investigação, trazemos a fotografia de João Maia, fotógrafo paraolímpico deficiente visual. Assim sendo, para alicerçar nossos estudos e analisar as imagens de Maia, nos apoiaremos nos conceitos flusserianos na obra Filosofia da caixa preta – Ensaios para uma futura filosofia da fotografia. Para Flusser, os recursos técnicos são limitantes, e o fotógrafo que não conhece os programas contidos no interior da caixa preta é um funcionário da máquina. Neste cenário, as imagens concebidas se apresentam como código de comunicação que são mediações entre o homem e o mundo. Sendo assim, a presente pesquisa tem como objetivo investigar o uso do aparelho técnico pelo fotógrafo paraolímpico cego, bem como procurar responder se João Maia é funcionário do aparelho fotográfico ou subverte-se dos programas integrados no interior da caixa preta. Para tanto, nos apoiaremos na fenomenologia de Edmund Husserl, Walter Benjamin nos apoia na história europeia da fotografia e, também, acerca da reprodutibilidade técnica. Roland Barthes nos ampara na questão da linguagem fotográfica. No que se refere a percepção dos sentidos de como João Maia cria suas imagens técnicas, nos sustentamos na teoria da Gestalt com Max Wertheimer. Christoph Wulf, nos sustenta em relação ao poder da imaginação que cria uma complexa evolução neurológica humana na qual a fantasia desempenha um papel singular na cognição cerebral. Da mesma forma, no esteio de Norval Baitello Júnior, escolhemos três obras para compreender conceitos sobre a criação fotográfica. A metodologia que optamos para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa foi a qualitativa. Para analisarmos as imagens do fotógrafo paraolímpico, nos apoiamos em sete fotografias que Maia nos cedeu para realizarmos a análise. Fotografias essas que foram concebidas pelo fotógrafo nas paraolimpíadas do Rio 2016 e em Tóquio, 2020. Para esta empreitada, Barthes, Baitello Júnior e Wulf nos sustentará em seus conceitos imagéticos. Apresentamos também a entrevista realizada com Maia, em abril de 2022, para entendermos sua criação fotográfica no sentido auditivo e no tatear da caixa preta na qual podemos evidenciar aperfeiçoamento nesses dois sentidos humano, bem como, João Maia, por meio da percepção, consegue se orientar no espaço-tempo para conceber imagens técnicas. A pesquisa é relevante por tratar das práxis fotográficas de um deficiente visual, cujo resultado nos leva a concluir que a visão fisiológica seria dispensável no ato de fotografar.
The role of internal auditing in corruption control and enhancing corporate governance: A board of directors’ outlook
Authors: Bari Ayad Hadi Abdul , Abed Rajaa Ali , Kahdim Roaa Mohammed , Hasan Hussein Falah , Sharaf Hussein Kadhim , Alwan Ali Saad
Published: September 2024

Businesses are incorporating internal audits into their corporate governance systems at an increasing rate. This article explores how internal auditing regulates corruption, enhances corporate governance, and investigates the potential of internal auditing as a means to combat corruption. The specific function of internal auditors in identifying control defects, preventing and detecting fraud, and promoting ethics is examined. By assessing risks, monitoring compliance, and detecting misconduct, internal auditors enhance corporate governance, according to this study (Koutoupis et al., 2018; Boskou et al., 2019). It emphasizes the objectivity, competence, and independence of internal auditors. Additionally, the report explores the potential benefits of implementing advanced technology, data analytics, and continuous monitoring to enhance internal audits. The findings of the study demonstrate that internal auditing is an essential component in the fight against corruption and the maintenance of good corporate governance. In doing so, it highlights the significance of having strong internal audit functions as well as a culture that is both ethical and open. The conduct of internal audits has the potential to improve corporate governance, reduce instances of misconduct, and ensure that a business will continue to be profitable in the future.
A systematic review of human resource management practices in small and medium-sized enterprises
Authors: Jindal Nishita , Arora Nitin , Singla Lalit , Kaushal Neelam
Published: September 2024

The escalating significance of human resource management (HRM) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is underscored through a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of 144 documents from the Scopus database. This paper delineates the evolution of HRM practices within SMEs, identifying four core themes that are increasingly prevalent in scholarly publications. The study leverages content analysis, bibliometrics, and network analysis to map the intellectual structure of the field, providing a comprehensive overview of current trends and future directions. It highlights the necessity of integrating HRM practices as strategic organizational assets and emphasizes their role in enhancing efficiency across global SME networks (Davies, 2017). The growing body of literature suggests a shift towards recognizing the strategic importance of HRM in SMEs, with potential implications for enhancing organizational effectiveness in contemporary and future business environments. This research contributes to the theoretical discourse by testing various HRM theories in the SME context, offering a foundational perspective for understanding HRM challenges and practices in SMEs worldwide.
The role of notaries in a modern legal system in the Western Balkans
Authors: Haliti-Mustafa Enisa , Morina Sevdai , Mustafa Valon
Published: September 2024

The research problem and purpose are the importance of scientific theories in the scientific study (Haliti-Mustafa et al., 2023) of the system in the Western Balkans. In a modern legal system, in harmony with the criteria and directives of the European Union (EU), the faster provision of legal services and the expansion of the forms of protection of interest rights in the current conditions are almost impossible to realize without the existence of a segment new law — Institute of the Notary Service in the Western Balkans. The methods used in the paper to achieve the objectives are alternative methods and analysis of results as well as comparative and inductive, and deductive methods. The main findings of the paper are notarial systems, which analyze and present an overview of the role of notaries and their impact on issues and changes in notarial acts, and an overview of high-impact research for young researchers in the field of notarial systems. As a conclusion, the research results show the effectiveness of notaries in dealing with legal issues (Sariyev, 2022).
Improvement of rodent pest control strategy: I - selection of an adequate preservative for bait base longevity under unfavourable environmental conditions
Authors: Blazic Tanja , Djurovic-Pejcev Rada , Djordjevic Tijana , Jovicic Ivana , Medjo Irena , Stojnic Bojan , Jokic Goran
Published: September 2024

Preservation of the appearance, structure and most importantly the
attractiveness of baits targeting harmful rodents over extended periods of
their exposure is one of the main tasks in the process of bait formulation.
The impact of several preservatives, different methods of homogenization of
main bait components, and base-paraffin ratios on the extension of longevity
of bait base was examined under controlled laboratory conditions. Baits
based on ground maize grain were exposed to unfavourable environmental
conditions, such as high temperature (30?C-35?C) and air humidity
(90%-95%). The exposure period was 9 days, and potential mold development
was monitored over the same period of time. Sodium benzoate was found
deficient in providing a satisfactory effect on bait longevity (<5 days), in
contrast to potassium sorbate (>7 days) and sorbic acid, which provided the
longest extension in bait sustainability (>9 days). Preservative application
can significantly extend bait longevity under unfavourable environmental
conditions. Extended bait functionality is important for rodent pest control
procedures in habitats where unfavourable environmental conditions prevail,
such as sewers and water supply grids (collectors and pumping stations),
public areas, housing facilities (boiler rooms, moist sellers, etc.).
Investigating the ability of deep learning to predict welding depth and pore volume in hairpin welding
Authors: Darwish Amena , Ericson Stefan , Ghasemi Rohollah , Andersson Tobias , Lönn Dan , Lassila Andreas Andersson , Salomonsson Kent
Published: September 2024

To advance quality assurance in the welding process, this study presents a deep learning (DL) model that enables the prediction of two critical welds’ key performance characteristics (KPCs): welding depth and average pore volume. In the proposed approach, a wide range of laser welding key input characteristics (KICs) is utilized, including welding beam geometries, welding feed rates, path repetitions for weld beam geometries, and bright light weld ratios for all paths, all of which were obtained from hairpin welding experiments. Two DL networks are employed with multiple hidden dense layers and linear activation functions to investigate the capabilities of deep neural networks in capturing the complex nonlinear relationships between the welding input and output variables (KPCs and KICs). Applying DL networks to the small numerical experimental hairpin welding dataset has shown promising results, achieving mean absolute error values of 0.1079 for predicting welding depth and 0.0641 for average pore volume. This, in turn, promises significant advantages in controlling welding outcomes, moving beyond the current trend of relying only on defect classification in weld monitoring to capture the correlation between the weld parameters and weld geometries.