bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gestão de recursos humanos na saúde: Uma revisão
Authors: Pereira Daniel Galdino de Araújo , Tostes Alberto Vasques , Queirós Bernardo Andrade de , Leite Filho Everaldo Araújo , Bartolini Fernanda de Moraes , Rolim Giovanna Cavalcanti , Almeida Kátia Kelly Cavalcante de , Ramalho Marianna Adijuto de Oliveira , Assis Wesley Dantas de , Guimares Romulo de Brito
Published: November 2024

A gestão de recursos humanos na área da saúde desempenha um papel fundamental na qualidade dos serviços prestados e na satisfação dos profissionais, impactando diretamente a eficiência e a eficácia dos sistemas de saúde. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar e sintetizar as abordagens e práticas de gestão de recursos humanos no setor, visando identificar os principais desafios, estratégias e tendências que contribuem para o aprimoramento do desempenho organizacional e da qualidade dos serviços. Para isso, foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura em bases de dados como SciELO, PubMED e Medline, utilizando descritores específicos conectados por operadores booleanos. A pesquisa foi delimitada temporalmente e seguiu critérios de inclusão e exclusão para a seleção dos artigos, resultando em 12 estudos científicos que fundamentaram a discussão proposta. Os achados destacam a importância da adoção de práticas que promovam o desenvolvimento contínuo e o bem-estar dos colaboradores, criando um ambiente de trabalho mais saudável e refletindo-se na eficiência das operações e na segurança dos pacientes.
Abordagens de tratamento integradas na fisioterapia desportiva para indivíduos com obesidade
Authors: Santos Glauber Conceição dos , Lobo Iuri Silva , Salles Simone Maria Evangelista , Reis Luana Araújo dos
Published: November 2024

Introdução: A obesidade é um problema de saúde pública global, relacionada a um aumento no risco de doenças crônicas e à redução da qualidade de vida. A fisioterapia desportiva, dentro de uma abordagem multidisciplinar, pode atuar na prevenção de lesões e na promoção da saúde em indivíduos obesos. Objetivo: Avaliar a contribuição da fisioterapia desportiva para o manejo da obesidade, com foco em prevenir lesões e melhorar aspectos funcionais e de mobilidade. Metodologia: A pesquisa adotou uma revisão narrativa, com buscas em bases de dados científicas para identificar estudos que analisaram intervenções fisioterapêuticas, incluindo treinamento de força, terapia manual, liberação miofascial e exercícios proprioceptivos. Resultados: Os achados sugerem que as intervenções fisioterapêuticas, quando combinadas com programas de exercício físico, contribuem para melhorias significativas na capacidade funcional, mobilidade, composição corporal e qualidade de vida dos indivíduos obesos. Conclusão: A fisioterapia desportiva demonstra potencial para auxiliar no manejo da obesidade e promover a saúde desses indivíduos. Entretanto, são necessárias pesquisas adicionais para definir diretrizes claras e práticas mais eficazes na atuação fisioterapêutica voltada a essa população.
MiR-92a-3p Promotes Renal Injury and Fibrosis Through Facilitating M1 Macrophage Polarization via Targeting LIN28A
Authors: Xu M , Zeng X , Pan M , Chen R , Bai Y , He J , Wang C , Qi Y , Sun Q , Wang C , An N
Published: November 2024

Infiltrated and activated M1 macrophages play a role in kidney injury and fibrosis during chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. However, the specific ways that M1 macrophage polarization contributes to renal fibrosis are not fully understood. The study seeks to investigate how miR-92a-3p regulates M1 macrophage polarization and its connection to renal fibrosis in the development of CKD. Our results revealed that miR-92a-3p overexpression increased M1-macrophage activation, iNOS, IL-6, and TNF-α expression in RAW264.7 upon LPS stimulation. LIN28A overexpression reversed these effects. Moreover, miR-92a-3p overexpression in RAW264.7 exacerbated NRK-52E cell apoptosis induced by LPS, but LIN28A overexpression counteracted this effect. MiR-92a-3p knockout in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) C57BL/6 mice led to reduced renal infiltration and fibrosis, accompanied by decreased iNOS, α-SMA, IL-6, TNF-α, and increased LIN28A. In summary, our findings suggest that miR-92a-3p may play a role in promoting renal injury and fibrosis both in vitro and in vivo. This effect is potentially achieved by facilitating M1 macrophage polarization through the targeting of LIN28A.
The Toxic Effect of Toluene on Ovarian Cells Can Be Prevented by the MicroRNA miR-152
Authors: Sirotkin A , Fabová Z , Loncová B , Popovičová K , Bauer M , Harrath A
Published: November 2024

The potential of microRNAs to protect the female reproductive system from the toxic influence of oil-related environmental contaminants has not yet been examined. The aim of the present study was to examine the ability of the microRNA miR-152 to prevent the toxic effects of toluene on ovarian cells. Porcine ovarian granulosa cells transfected or not transfected with miR-152 mimics were cultured with or without toluene (0, 10 and 100 ng/ml). The expression of miR-152; cell viability; proliferation (accumulation of PCNA, cyclin B1 and BrdU); cytoplasmic/mitochondrial apoptosis (accumulation of bax and caspase 3); and release of progesterone, testosterone and estradiol were quantified via RT-qPCR, the Trypan blue exclusion test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, the BrdU assay and ELISA. The addition of toluene reduced cell viability, decreased the levels of all the measured markers of proliferation and the release of all the measured steroid hormones, and promoted the expression of apoptosis markers. Transfection of cells with miR-152 mimics increased the expression of miR-152, cell proliferation, and progesterone release but reduced apoptosis and the release of testosterone and estradiol. Moreover, miR-152 prevented or inhibited all the toluene effects in addition to its inhibitory effect on testosterone and estradiol release. The present results demonstrate that miR-152 can protect ovarian cells from the harmful influence of toluene.
People's Socialists and Labor Group in 1917: Unity or Association? Bulletin of Science and Practice
Authors: Protasova O. , Bikbaeva E.
Published: November 2024

The relevance of the problems of this study is due to the enduring importance of finding opportunities for compromise and unity of the progressive political forces of the country in critical, crisis periods of its history. The article examines aspects of cooperation, commonality and differences in the ideological views of two prominent political organizations of 1906-1917: the People's Socialist Party (PNS) and the Trudoviks, which united during the Great Russian Revolution in the summer of 1917 to form the People's Socialist Party of Labor. It is shown that, despite very productive cooperation in preparing a number of key programmatic issues (for example, agrarian), submitted for discussion in the State Duma and supposed to be consistently resolved in the course of the struggle for social justice, absolute political agreement between the People's Socialists and the Trudoviks did not occur. The factors that prevented this are analyzed: first, the desire of the Trudoviks to maintain the image of a non-partisan, non-ideological peasant faction, then the extremely difficult conditions for open opposition activity and the actual departure of the PNS from the political arena (1908-1916); Finally, the unwillingness of the Trudoviks to interact with the liberal parties during the revolutionary transformations of 1917 and disagreements with the Popular Socialists during the development of a project to resolve the national question. It is concluded that at the time of the creation of the united TNSP, the opportunity for organic unity was missed, and the party became more of an association than a team of genuine like-minded people.
Changes in the Perception of Childhood in the Era of Globalization
Authors: Almagambetova N.
Published: November 2024

Explores the changes in the perception of childhood under the influence of globalization. It examines the transformation of traditional concepts regarding the role and significance of childhood in English-speaking, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz cultures. The study analyzes various factors shaping these changes, including the impact of media, digital technologies, and international educational standards. Special attention is given to the challenges of preserving cultural identity and values amid globalization, as well as the influence of global trends on child-rearing practices and socialization in diverse cultural contexts.
Penyusunan Rancangan Peraturan Daerah tentang Pemberian Insentif dan Kemudahan Investasi di Kabupaten Enrekang: Pendekatan Naskah Akademik
Authors: Syam Febrianto , Rivai Aspin Nur , Rukmana Novayanti Sopia , Pababari Barik ramadhani , Syamsuddin Rahman
Published: November 2024

Penyusunan rancangan peraturan daerah yang berkualitas memerlukan proses sistematis dan komprehensif. Penelitian ini mengkaji upaya LAB Acihr UIN Alauddin Makassar dalam menyusun rancangan peraturan daerah tentang pemberian insentif dan kemudahan investasi di Kabupaten Enrekang. Kegiatan ini berlangsung selama tujuh bulan dengan melibatkan observasi lapangan, analisis data, dan penyusunan naskah akademik. Observasi lapangan dilakukan untuk memahami kondisi dan kebutuhan masyarakat terkait investasi, sedangkan analisis data melibatkan studi literatur yang relevan. Hasil observasi dituangkan dalam naskah akademik yang mengkaji secara akademis materi-materi penting seperti perumusan masalah, dasar hukum, landasan filosofis, sosiologis, yuridis, serta sasaran, ruang lingkup, dan arah pengaturan. Naskah akademik berfungsi sebagai acuan bagi DPRD dan Pemerintah Kabupaten Enrekang dalam merumuskan materi muatan rancangan peraturan daerah, dan memberikan masukan tentang urgensi serta substansi peraturan. Berdasarkan naskah akademik, tim menghasilkan rancangan peraturan daerah tentang pemberian insentif dan kemudahan investasi yang berfungsi sebagai payung hukum dalam upaya menarik investasi. Rancangan ini kemudian dikaji lebih mendalam bersama DPRD dan Dinas terkait untuk memastikan kesesuaian dengan asas, manfaat, dan tujuan yang diharapkan serta dapat diterapkan secara efektif. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa penyusunan rancangan peraturan daerah membutuhkan upaya sistematis dan komprehensif dengan melibatkan berbagai pihak untuk menghasilkan peraturan yang berkualitas dan mendukung iklim investasi di daerah.
Pengembangan Survei Kebutuhan Pendidikan Dan Pelatihan Kepariwisataan: Peningkatkan Kapasitas Masyarakat Desa Sanrobone, Kabupaten Takalar
Authors: Ratna  , Ery Anda Prasetyo
Published: November 2024

Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi, possesses diverse tourism potential encompassing nature, culture, history, marine, and man-made attractions. Tourism development in this region contributes to the improvement of the local economy. However, based on observations and needs analysis conducted by the Community Service team from Makassar Tourism Polytechnic, training is necessary. Tourism managers of Sanrobone Village require collaboration between the government, educational institutions, and local communities. The tourism training program implemented by Makassar Tourism Polytechnic aims to support the development and improvement of human resource quality in Sanrobone Village, Takalar Regency, as well as increase tourism knowledge and awareness among local communities. Through this program, it is expected to assist in the development and management of Sanrobone Village to become an excellent tourist village. The interactive method of delivering material that considers participants' needs is key to the success of this program. The materials include Tourism Awareness and Sapta Pesona, Service Excellence, Digital Marketing, and an explanation of the requirements to meet the ADWI criteria. The conclusion from the training implementation is to maximize the natural, cultural, and historical potential in Sanrobone Village, thus impacting the increase of community tourism awareness in the environment surrounding the Tourist Attraction. Human resource development training for managers is expected to help realize an excellent tourist village."
Analysis of Air pollution Level in Major Cities of Pakistan
Authors: Ullah Munzer , Khan Misbah Ullah , Ullah Hayat , Sarfraz Maliha , Umar Ali , Iqbal Rashid , Nawaz Huma , Khan Muhammad Saleem , Ulfat Zeeshan , Khan Sheraz
Published: November 2024

Ironically, air pollution is one of the most serious environmental issues of Pakistan. In this study, different cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta were selected to analyze the relationship of different gases in air such as carbon monoxide CO, nitrogen dioxide NO2, sulphur dioxide SO2, methane CH4, ozone O3, and particulate matter PM. The automatic ambient air data of the above mentioned cites were obtained from air quality monitoring stations installed in Pakistan Environmental Protection agency (Pak-EPA) and as well as provincial EPAs. Therefore, the results of air gases were quite alarming such as Lahore was found to be SO2 (200 µg/m3) and PM 2.5 (85 µg/m3) compared with the standard ambient air geese values. Subsequently, in Peshawar city CH4 gas was analysed (7510.29 µg/m3) was ten times higher than Pakistan National Environmental Quality Standard (NEQS) values.  This conclusive evidence of air pollution in Pakistan cities will lead many diseases, such as cardiovascular, cancer, and many respiratory diseases. In conclusion, if no suitable and efficient ways are adopted at government level the situation will very worst in the nearly future.
Fluctuation in Yield Parameters of Wheat Genotypes under Irrigated and Rainfed Conditions
Authors: Ullah Ihteram , Khan Nasr Ullah , Salman Said , Ullah Hidayat , Faisal Shah , Rehman Naveed Ur
Published: November 2024

A collection of 24 different types of wheat, alongside four standard cultivars, underwent assessment in both irrigated and rainfed environments at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar, Pakistan. To address the challenges posed by climate change, particularly drought, a randomized complete block design with three replications was implemented in both irrigated (non-stress) and rainfed (stress) environments. Analysis across these two conditions indicated significant variations (P ≤ 0.01) between the two systems for all traits except 1000-grain weight (P 0.05). Furthermore, there was notable genetic diversity among the genotypes for all traits. Interaction between genotype and environment was particularly significant for tillers per square meter and grain yield exclusively. On average across the 28 wheat genotypes, reductions in tiller production, spike length, spikelets per spike, grains per spike, and grain yield under rainfed conditions were 117 per square meter, 0.8 centimeters, 2.0, 7.0, and 399 kilograms per hectare respectively compared to irrigated conditions. The high-yielding wheat genotypes under irrigated conditions were BVI(N)9 with 3446 kg per hectare, BII(N)1 with 3457 kg per hectare, and BIV(N)11 with 4410 kg per hectare, whereas under rainfed conditions they were BII(N)1 with 3236, BVI(N)12 with 3300, and BRF3 with 4007 kg per hectare. Heritability estimates were higher under non-stress conditions compared to stress conditions for all traits except grain yield, which remained stable across environments. Selection response, however, was more pronounced for all traits under non-stress conditions. Therefore, selecting under non-stress conditions is likely to yield better results compared to selecting under stress conditions.
Teachers’ Voice Matters: Investigating the Effectiveness of Online Audio Feedback in CSL Writing
Authors: Wang Jia
Published: November 2024

This study explores the effectiveness of online audio feedback in an advanced Chinese as a Second Language (CSL) writing course. Employing a mixed-methods approach, we analyzed online audio feedback features and surveyed students’ perceptions to assess feedback effectiveness in enhancing CSL writing proficiency. Our analysis divided the feedback (57,709 characters) into three main types and eight subtypes. Notably, question-raising, direct suggestions, and reflection-initiating feedback were instrumental in encouraging revisions and improving second drafts. The findings reveal a predominance of content-focused feedback (57%), with cognitive feedback constituting 74% of the total, highlighting the emphasis on enhancing argumentation strength and clarity in student writings. Moreover, the study indicates a high implementation rate of audio feedback recommendations (77%) with significant improvements in writing accuracy (95%). An online questionnaire further demonstrated students' positive reception towards audio feedback, recognizing its utility in writing improvement, motivational quality, and its role in facilitating targeted revisions. Importantly, the study underscores the influence of CSL proficiency and technology accessibility on feedback efficacy, with lower proficiency students facing comprehension challenges and some encountering platform-related issues. These insights suggest the need for tailored feedback strategies and platform improvements to maximize audio feedback benefits. This research contributes to second language writing pedagogy by offering empirical evidence on the utility of audio feedback in CSL writing, underscoring its potential for enhancing student engagement, understanding, and writing quality. It also provides practical recommendations for integrating audio feedback in L2 writing curricula, enriching both academic research and teaching practices in the field.
Preclinical screening for cardiovascular disease with high-sensitivity cardiac troponins: ready, set, go?
Authors: Awwad Aya , Parashar Yashika , Bagchi Soahum , Siddiqui Saman Asad , Ajari Ogheneochuko , deFilippi Christopher
Published: November 2024

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including atherosclerosis, valvular etiologies, or myocardial disorders, is typically asymptomatic for several years, representing an occult phase of illness. Readily available preventive treatments to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, among other risk factors, have the potential to reduce and delay incident myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure, and cardiovascular (CV) deaths. Measurement of circulating levels of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and troponin I (cTnI) released from cardiomyocytes, as a result of injury, has been the biochemical standard for the diagnosis of MI for more than 20 years. The recent adoption of high-sensitivity (hs) assays, which are capable of measuring cTnT and I levels in more than 50% of the general population, has revealed a clear association between progressively higher biomarker levels and future CV events. In cross-sectional imaging studies, cTn levels measured by hs assays have also demonstrated correlations between elevated biomarker levels and occult CVD such as coronary artery disease and myocardial fibrosis. In this review, we provide evidence to consider measuring hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI to screen for patient CV risk and provide an example of a scenario in which such screening may improve outcomes through decision support for aggressive management of blood pressure.
Pedestrian traffic is the main driver of macro- and large microplastic debris deposition in urban stormwater drains
Authors: Kozikowski Nina , Corcoran Patricia L.
Published: November 2024

Land-based sources are the greatest contributors of plastic pollution found in aquatic environments. Although plastic debris items spilling into natural watercourses from stormwater outflow sites have been investigated, this study provides details of the plastic items that can be trapped within stormwater drains prior to release. We examined macroplastic (>5 mm) and large microplastic (1–5 mm) debris that accumulated in LittaTrapTM devices at six drains over four seasonal periods in London, Ontario, Canada. Flotation, visual identification, microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to determine the drivers of plastic debris deposition. Macroplastics (MaPs) and microplastics (MPs) were identified in all 36 samples, and the totals ranged from 5–158 MaPs and 18–359 MPs per trap. Out of the 118 different MaPs found, the most common items were cigarette butts, wrappers, and expanded polystyrene. The main MPs were fragments, foams, and fibres. The most common macroplastic applications were “smoking”, “food/beverage packaging”, “household”, and non-food or beverage “packaging”. Microplastic particle compositions were mainly polyethylene and polypropylene, but other polymer types fall within the applications of construction (paints and resins), automotive/transportation, and electronics. The summer samples contained the greatest averages of plastic debris, and the drains located in busy pedestrian areas were associated with the highest debris counts. The results support pedestrian traffic as the main driver of plastic debris accumulation in urban London stormwater drains, which is controlled by seasonal weather conditions.
Reflexive pronoun resolution in Portuguese: testing similarity-based interference
Authors: Luegi Paula , Leitão Márcio , Avila-Varela Daniela , Gomes Jéssica , Costa Armanda
Published: November 2024

In the present study, we test whether, during reflexive pronoun resolution, structural cues guide both the language processing system and its underlying memory-based mechanisms or whether the latter might be influenced by non-structural cues as well. Specifically, we explore the inhibitory effects caused by similarity-based interference, which may lead to disruption during reading, reflected in slower reading times and lower accuracy rates. We contrast conditions in which two referents, the reflexive antecedent, and a distractor, are of the same or different gender in sentences with a gender-unmarked reflexive, a gender-marked reinforcement reflexive form, or both. The different types of reflexive constructions allow us to tease apart encoding and retrieval interference since while encoding interference is expected both with gender-marked and gender-unmarked reflexives, retrieval interference is only expected with gender-marked reflexives. In two self-paced reading experiments, one in European Portuguese (EP) and one in Brazilian Portuguese (BP), we find strong and consistent offline results that point toward encoding similarity-based interference. However, the online results only partially support this perspective: In EP, we find encoding interference in the gender-unmarked reflexive and the post-critical regions, while in BP, the effect is only marginally significant in the post-critical region. In addition, in BP, but not in EP, we consistently observe the effects of the participants' accuracy on reading time, with less accurate readers being consistently faster. Overall, our results show that during reflexive pronoun resolution, memory interference can have a negative impact, both during online (reading time) and offline (comprehension accuracy) language processing. With the present study, we contribute to the literature by expanding the set of the tested languages and with more evidence of encoding similarity-based interference, not driven by retrieval cues, on language processing. Moreover, our results are in line with previous studies replicating an asymmetry between robust offline results and elusive online effects. Also, in line with previous studies, our results show that similarity-based interference in grammatical sentences is subtle and may easily be hidden by the large variability between participants (e.g., mean accuracy).
Cross-linked structures reinforced the bamboo fiber/poly(lactic acid) composites with high heat resistance and their environmental impact through the life cycle assessment analysis
Authors: Chen Hui , Chen Pengrui , Qi Zhongyu , Sun Ce
Published: November 2024

In order to prepare low-cost and heat-resistant poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites, in this study, bamboo fiber (BF) was added to stereo-complex crystal PLA (SC-PLA) to prepare heat-resistant composites. Poly[(phenyl isocyanate)-co-formaldehyde] [a polyaryl polymethylene isocyanate (PAPI)] was used to form cross-linked structures between SC-PLA and BF, and the effects of PAPI-cross-linked structures on the crystallization properties, mechanical properties, and heat resistance of BF/SC-PLA composites with different BF contents were systematically investigated. When 15% BF was added, the mechanical properties of the composite were significantly improved. The tensile strength increased by 85.5% compared to the unmodified composite, reaching 34.7 MPa, which was even higher than that of the SC-PLA composite (33.1 MPa). In addition, in order to explore the impact of the PAPI-modified BF/SC-PLA composite on the environment and carbon emissions, a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the composites was conducted. The addition of BF effectively reduced the impact of the composite on the environment. Notably, the emissions of CO2 decreased by approximately 11.7%, and the freshwater, marine, and land ecotoxicity were also significantly reduced. This work provided a reference for the preparation of low-cost and heat-resistant PLA composites for heat-resistant food packaging and disposable tableware and expanded the application of PLA products in the field of heat-resistant materials.
The application of novel techniques in ophthalmology education
Authors: Jiang Yang , Jiang Hanyu , Yang Zhikun , Li Ying , Chen Youxin
Published: November 2024

This paper synthesizes recent advances of technologies in ophthalmology education. Advancements in three-dimensional technology are revolutionizing ophthalmology education by enhancing the visualization, understanding, and retention of complex anatomical and pathological concepts. In addition to physical models, artificial intelligence and virtual reality are emerging as significant tools. A systematic search of PubMed was carried out, with a search date from inception to 01/05/2024. A total of 6,686 articles were screened, of which 6,470 were excluded following abstract review. After reading the remaining 216 articles in full, a further 186 were excluded. A total of 30 original articles were included in the review. This review underscores the transformative impact of novel technology in ophthalmology education, offering innovative solutions to enhance learning, surgical training, and diagnostic skills. Further research and development in this field hold promise for continued improvements in ophthalmology education and practice.
Comparison of three source attribution methods applied to whole genome sequencing data of monophasic and biphasic Salmonella Typhimurium isolates from the British Isles and Denmark
Authors: Guzinski Jaromir , Arnold Mark , Whiteley Tim , Tang Yue , Patel Virag , Trew Jahcub , Litrup Eva , Hald Tine , Smith Richard Piers , Petrovska Liljana
Published: November 2024

Methodologies for source attribution (SA) of foodborne illnesses comprise a rapidly expanding suite of techniques for estimating the most important source or sources of human infection. Recently, the increasing availability of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data for a wide range of bacterial strains has led to the development of novel SA methods. These techniques utilize the unique features of bacterial genomes adapted to different host types and hence offer increased resolution of the outputs. Comparative studies of different SA techniques reliant on WGS data are currently lacking. Here, we critically assessed and compared the outputs of three SA methods: a supervised classification random forest machine learning algorithm (RandomForest), an Accessory genes-Based Source Attribution method (AB_SA), and a Bayesian frequency matching method (Bayesian). Each technique was applied to the WGS data of a panel of 902 reservoir host and human monophasic and biphasic Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium isolates sampled in the British Isles (BI) and Denmark from 2012 to 2016. Additionally, for RandomForest and Bayesian, we explored whether utilization of accessory genome features as model inputs improved attribution accuracy of these methods over using the core genome derived features only. Results indicated that this was the case for RandomForest, but for Bayesian the overall attribution estimates varied little regardless of the inclusion or not of the accessory genome features. All three methods attributed the vast majority of human isolates to the Pigs primary source class, which was expected given the known high relative prevalence rates in pigs, and hence routes of infection into the human population, of monophasic and biphasic S. Typhimurium in the BI and Denmark. The accuracy of AB_SA was lower than of RandomForest when attributing the primary source classes to the 120 animal test set isolates with known primary sources. A major advantage of both AB_SA and Bayesian was a much faster execution time as compared to RandomForest. Overall, the SA method comparison presented in this study describes the strengths and weaknesses of each of the three methods applied to attributing potential monophasic and biphasic S. Typhimurium animal sources to human infections that could be valuable when deciding which SA methodology would be the most applicable to foodborne disease outbreak scenarios involving monophasic and biphasic S. Typhimurium.
Breaking barriers: improving mammography screening accessibility and quality of care for breast cancer women with disabilities in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Almohammed Huda I.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Breast cancer screening remains pivotal in early detection and intervention. However, disparities persist, particularly among women with disabilities, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of their screening practices. This study aims to investigate breast cancer screening behaviours in Saudi women with disabilities.

Methods

A cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia surveyed 307 women with disabilities, evaluating their screening frequency, knowledge of mammography, disability types, and duration. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was employed for data analysis.

Results

The study found that 70.4% of participants had irregular breast cancer screenings, and 92.5% lacked tailored information on breast cancer screening. The primary sources of information were support groups (59.3%) and healthcare professionals (25.4%). Significant associations were observed between education levels and awareness of the importance of mammography and the increased risk of breast cancer in individuals with disabilities. Notably, participants with higher education levels demonstrated greater awareness.

Conclusion

The findings highlight substantial gaps in breast cancer screening practices and knowledge among Saudi women with disabilities. There is a critical need for tailored educational programs, accessible information, and targeted awareness campaigns to address these disparities. Enhancing the accessibility of screening services and information for this demographic is essential for improving healthcare equity and outcomes.
The role of metabolic reprogramming in liver cancer and its clinical perspectives
Authors: Lu Mengxiao , Wu Yingjie , Xia MinMing , Zhang Yixin
Published: November 2024

Primary liver cancer (PLC), which includes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), remains a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Chronic liver diseases, such as hepatitis B and C infections and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), are key risk factors for PLC. Metabolic reprogramming, a defining feature of cancer, enables liver cancer cells to adapt to the demands of rapid proliferation and the challenging tumor microenvironment (TME). This manuscript examines the pivotal role of metabolic reprogramming in PLC, with an emphasis on the alterations in glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism that drive tumor progression. The Warburg effect, marked by increased glycolysis, facilitates rapid energy production and biosynthesis of cellular components in HCC. Changes in lipid metabolism, including elevated de novo fatty acid synthesis and lipid oxidation, support membrane formation and energy storage essential for cancer cell survival. Amino acid metabolism, particularly glutamine utilization, supplies critical carbon and nitrogen for nucleotide synthesis and maintains redox homeostasis. These metabolic adaptations not only enhance tumor growth and invasion but also reshape the TME, promoting immune escape. Targeting these metabolic pathways presents promising therapeutic opportunities for PLC. This review underscores the interaction between metabolic reprogramming and tumor immunity, suggesting potential metabolic targets for innovative therapeutic strategies. A comprehensive understanding of PLC’s intricate metabolic landscape may lead to more effective treatments and better patient outcomes. Integrating metabolomics, genomics, and proteomics in future research will be vital for identifying precise therapeutic targets and advancing personalized therapies for liver cancer.
Research progress on the intervention of cognitive function using transcranial alternating current stimulation technology
Authors: Wu Qingchang , Wu Changli , Liu Jian
Published: November 2024

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation that stimulates the cerebral cortex through the output current to regulate neural excitability. This review systematically summarizes the research results of tACS on working memory, learning ability, and decision-making ability, and analyzes the application schemes, safety, and unresolved issues of tACS in the field of cognitive function to provide a theoretical reference for the application of tACS in the field of cognition. Research has found that: (1) tACS intervention can improve the working memory, learning ability, and exercise decision-making ability of athletes and healthy individuals and has a positive effect on improving exercise performance. (2) The factors that determine the effectiveness of tACS intervention include stimulation frequency, stimulation phase, stimulation area, and stimulation dose. The stimulation area and frequency determine which cognitive function tACS affects, whereas the stimulation phase and dose determine the magnitude of the intervention effect. Moreover, before practical application, individual cognitive status, age level, and timing of application should be included in the factors that affect the effectiveness of tACS intervention to develop more scientific intervention plans. (3) Despite the absence of evidence indicating significant safety issues associated with the use of tACS, its widespread adoption among athletes still poses safety risks under the World Anti-Doping Code. In competitive sports, whether the use of tACS will be classified as a “neuro-doping” method leading to disqualification remains uncertain. Therefore, authoritative institutions to provide comprehensive guidelines on the application of tACS, clearly delineating its usage scenarios and defining the safety parameters for tACS stimulation. Additionally, the development of detection devices for tACS usage is essential to ensure that any intervention using tACS can be monitored effectively.
Emotions and decision-making in boardrooms—a systematic review from behavioral strategy perspective
Authors: Hasson Marques Rosine , Violant-Holz Veronica , Damião da Silva Eduardo
Published: November 2024

This systematic review examines the influence of emotions on strategic decision-making in business context, from the perspective of behavioral strategy. We examined 1,227 articles from two databases (Web of Science and PsycInfo), and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final sample resulted in 43 articles. Our systematic review focuses on the role of emotions in strategic decision-making as well as the decision-making process itself. This systematic review explores research using a variety of approaches and a combination of theoretical and empirical perspectives brought by the literature. It aims to address three main questions: how board members’ emotions influence their decision-making; what insights behavioral strategy provides on the emotional aspect of strategic decision-making; and what are the main theories linking emotions to strategic decision-making in the business context. The results demonstrate how emotions can affect the quality of decisions and imply that conflict resolution and emotional intelligence are relevant skills for making strategic decisions. This analysis supports the need for incorporating emotional insights into strategic planning methods by considering agreeable and divergent points of view.
A review of cell-free DNA and epigenetics for non-invasive diagnosis in solid organ transplantation
Authors: Sebastian Alizée , Silvy Monique , Coiffard Benjamin , Reynaud-Gaubert Martine , Magdinier Frédérique , Chiaroni Jacques , Picard Christophe , Pedini Pascal
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is emerging as a non-invasive biomarker in solid organ transplantation (SOT) monitoring and data on its diagnostic potential have been increasing in recent years. This review aims to summarize the main advances in technologies, clinical applications and future perspectives of cfDNA for transplantation, and to approach the contribution of epigenetics to improve the specific detection of rejection.

Methods

Published literature investigating cfDNA as a biomarker for the diagnosis of transplant rejection was systematically reviewed, specifically clinical trials evaluating the test performance of algorithms predicting rejection based on cfDNA fraction. Literature highlighting epigenetic features in transplant rejection was also reviewed to outline the potential contribution of the epigenomic analysis to the needs of rejection-specific diagnosis.

Results

40 articles were reviewed, and results were extracted and summarized. 16 met the inclusion criteria by evaluating the diagnostic performance of a predictive test for the discrimination of rejection vs. non-rejection patients (2 heart, 3 liver, 4 kidney, and 7 lung transplantations). The recurring conclusion is the kinetics of dd-cfDNA levels, strongly increasing immediately after transplantation and reaching basal levels after days to weeks and remaining stable in non-rejection patients. On the other hand, rejection is characterized by an increase in dd-cfDNA levels, depending on the transplanted organs. In addition, the epigenetic signature can help improve the specificity of the diagnosis of rejection by searching for specific epigenetic features that are by the clinical status of patients.

Conclusion

Cell-free DNA is a promising non-invasive biomarker but still needs standardization of technologies and protocols to be used for diagnostic purposes. Moreover, the lack of specificity of this marker can be compensated by the contribution of epigenetic analysis for which data are growing, although progress is still needed for its use in a clinical context.
Subsampling Algorithms for Irregularly Spaced Autoregressive Models
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Wang Ziyang , Wang HaiYing , Ravishanker Nalini
Published: November 2024

With the exponential growth of data across diverse fields, applying conventional statistical methods directly to large-scale datasets has become computationally infeasible. To overcome this challenge, subsampling algorithms are widely used to perform statistical analyses on smaller, more manageable subsets of the data. The effectiveness of these methods depends on their ability to identify and select data points that improve the estimation efficiency according to some optimality criteria. While much of the existing research has focused on subsampling techniques for independent data, there is considerable potential for developing methods tailored to dependent data, particularly in time-dependent contexts. In this study, we extend subsampling techniques to irregularly spaced time series data which are modeled by irregularly spaced autoregressive models. We present frameworks for various subsampling approaches, including optimal subsampling under A-optimality, information-based optimal subdata selection, and sequential thinning on streaming data. These methods use A-optimality or D-optimality criteria to assess the usefulness of each data point and prioritize the inclusion of the most informative ones. We then assess the performance of these subsampling methods using numerical simulations, providing insights into their suitability and effectiveness for handling irregularly spaced long time series. Numerical results show that our algorithms have promising performance. Their estimation efficiency can be ten times as high as that of the uniform sampling estimator. They also significantly reduce the computational time and can be up to forty times faster than the full-data estimator.
Design and Implementation of an AI-Based Robotic Arm for Strawberry Harvesting
Authors: Chang Chung-Liang , Huang Cheng-Chieh
Published: November 2024

This study presents the design and implementation of a wire-driven, multi-joint robotic arm equipped with a cutting and gripping mechanism for harvesting delicate strawberries, with the goal of reducing labor and costs. The arm is mounted on a lifting mechanism and linked to a laterally movable module, which is affixed to the tube cultivation shelf. The trained deep learning model can instantly detect strawberries, identify optimal picking points, and estimate the contour area of fruit while the mobile platform is in motion. A two-stage fuzzy logic control (2s-FLC) method is employed to adjust the length of the arm and bending angle, enabling the end of the arm to approach the fruit picking position. The experimental results indicate a 90% accuracy in fruit detection, an 82% success rate in harvesting, and an average picking time of 6.5 s per strawberry, reduced to 5 s without arm recovery time. The performance of the proposed system in harvesting strawberries of different sizes under varying lighting conditions is also statistically analyzed and evaluated in this paper.
Perspectives of Bradyrhizobium and Bacillus Inoculation for Improvement of Soybean Tolerance to Water Deficit
Authors: Marinković Jelena , Miljaković Dragana , Đorđević Vuk , Vasiljević Marjana , Tamindžić Gordana , Miladinović Jegor , Vasiljević Sanja
Published: November 2024

The objective of this study was to analyze the response of antioxidant parameters in soybean plants inoculated with newly isolated Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bacillus subtilis strains as single and co-inoculants under drought stress. Bacterial strains were selected according to osmotic stress tolerance (in the presence of 36% PEG 6000) in appropriate liquid media. The effect of soybean inoculation was examined in a soil pot experiment in water deficit conditions (0 and 7 days withholding water). The influence of water stress and inoculation was evaluated in soybean leaves, roots, and nodules through guaiacol peroxidase (POX), ionically cell-wall-bound peroxidase (POD) activity, and ABTS˙+ radical cation scavenging capacity, as well as parameters of N-fixation efficiency. The results showed a significant influence of inoculation on constitutive and drought-induced antioxidant and N-fixation parameters. Inoculation increased the activity of POX (up to 116, 169, and 245%), POD (up to 116, 102, and 159%), and antioxidant capacity (up to 74, 76, and 81%) in soybean leaves, roots, and nodules under water deficit, respectively. Application of bacterial strains resulted in higher shoot, root, and nodule weight and nitrogen content both in non-stressed and drought stress conditions. Overall, co-inoculation had better effects on the investigated soybean parameters compared to single inoculation. Selection and application of bacterial strains with improved tolerance to drought stress is necessary in developing inoculants that would result in enhanced crop production under unfavorable environmental conditions.
Earthwork Network Architecture (ENA): Research for Earthwork Quantity Estimation Method Improvement with Large Language Model
Authors: Kang Taewook , Kang Kyubyung
Published: November 2024

Accurate earthwork quantity estimation is essential for effective project planning and cost management in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Traditional methods for quantity takeoff are often time-consuming and susceptible to human error, particularly when working with unstructured datasets such as CAD drawings. This study introduces the Earthwork Network Architecture (ENA), a novel deep learning framework that incorporates Large Language Models (LLMs), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, and Transformers to automate and enhance the accuracy of earthwork quantity estimation. We assume that if LLMs can be trained effectively using such unstructured construction dataset, the effects such as improved accuracy and the challenges of LLMs can be clearly examined. Among the architectures tested, the LLM-based ENA demonstrated superior performance, achieving faster convergence, greater loss reduction, and higher classification accuracy, with a Quantity Takeoff Classification accuracy of 97.17%. However, the LLMs required significantly more computational resources compared with other models. These findings suggest that LLMs, typically used in natural language processing, can be effectively adapted for complex AEC datasets. This study lays the groundwork for future AI-driven solutions in the AEC industry, underscoring the potential of LLMs and Transformers to automate the quantity takeoff process and manage multimodal data in construction projects.
Dark Fermentation of Fruit Juice Effluents: Effects of Substrate Concentration
Authors: Díaz Domínguez Encarnación , Ibañez López María Eugenia , García Morales José Luis , López-Fernández Ester , Fernández-Morales Francisco Jesús
Published: November 2024

This study explores the impact of initial substrate concentrations on biomass growth, hydrogen production, and acid generation during acidogenic fermentation of a synthetic fruit juice wastewater. Four substrate concentrations, within the range 0.30–2.12 C mol·L−1, were tested using a mixed acidogenic bacterial culture. Batch reactors were employed to conduct the study, and the results were analyzed to determine inhibition effects. The highest hydrogen production (6.1 L H2·substrate C mol−1) and hydrogen percentage in the gas phase (57%) were achieved at a substrate concentration of 0.30 C mol·L−1. Higher substrate concentrations reduced the hydrogen production due to substrate and product inhibition events. The maximum H2 potential production was 4.15 Nm3/m3 reactor at a substrate concentration of 0.91 C mol·L−1. Biomass growth and VFA production followed exponential trends at low substrate concentrations, 0.30 and 0.091 C mol·L−1, while high concentrations resulted in linear trends due to inhibition effects caused by the substrate. The main acids produced were lactic at low concentrations, and acetic when dealing with high concentrations. The highest final acid concentrations were obtained with the highest initial substrate concentration, but their yields were significantly lower due to the substrate and product inhibitions experienced by the biomass.