bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The use of WCAG and automatic tools by computer science students: a case study evaluating MOOC accessibility
Authors: Iniesto Francisco , Rodrigo Covadonga
Published: January 2024

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) have been the de facto standard for Web accessibility evaluation for more than two decades and therefore have been introduced into legislation and university curriculum in Computer Science. At The National Distance Education University (UNED) in Spain, we have been teaching the guidelines for the last 15 years but learning how to apply WCAG criteria is complex. In this paper, we present the results of the analysis of students’ performance in applying accessibility heuristic evaluation of an online resource (a Massive Open Online Course – MOOC) using WCAG. The experiment was carried out over two academic years to evaluate how accurate and easy it is to understand and use WCAG criteria by trained students as well as their perceptions of usefulness to evaluate accessibility barriers using automatic tools in combination with manual evaluation. Results from the study show that errors identified are aligned with accessibility evaluation literature: 65% of success criteria in WCAG do not reach 80% of agreement among raters which confirms the complexity of WCAG conformance. In total 62 (86%) criteria are marked as not being correctly addressed by automatic tools with an overlap of those showing false positives, and 25 criteria (34%) are indicated as difficult to evaluate manually. While all areas where raters disagree are potential opportunities for WCAG improvement, this research reinforces that WCAG evaluations are complex and difficult even with current automatic tools, and that the possible solutions for the way forward are: (1) a well-defined evaluation protocol including a combination of automatic tools and manual evaluations; (2) better training and professional development opportunities.
Taxonomic dissection based on molecular evidence of the Eriosyce curvispina complex (Cactaceae): identifying nine endemic species from Central Chile
Authors: Walter Helmut E. , Cádiz-Véliz Arón , Meriño Beatriz M. , Villalobos-Barrantes Heidy M. , Guerrero Pablo C.
Published: January 2024

Chile’s distinctive flora, geographical isolation, and complex topography collectively contribute to a notable endemic species diversity, particularly within central regions identified as critical areas for biodiversity conservation. The cactus genus Eriosyce, as currently circumscribed, encompasses seven sections, with Eriosyce sect. Horridocatus presenting a notably complex species group. This study investigates the E. curvispina complex, a member of the Notocacteae tribe common in central Chile, by incorporating new populations and examining phylogenetic relationships using four plastid and one nuclear molecular marker. The phylogenetic analysis of sampled individuals identified nine independent lineages, each warranting recognition at the species rank. Despite minimal morphological differences among taxa, morphological characters were utilized to support and stabilize the DNA-based phylogenetic hypothesis. The results highlight the high taxonomic diversity in these cactus lineages and have implications for the classification of the E. curvispina complex, including new combinations and proposals of conservation status.
A new ant species of the genus Carebara Westwood, 1840 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) with a key to Chinese species
Authors: Liu Zhi-yu , Zhong Ying , Huang Yu-yuan , Ran Hao , Song Fan
Published: January 2024

A new Chinese ant species Carebara laevicepssp. nov. is described based on the major and minor workers. This species is most similar to C. lusciosa (Wheeler, 1928) due to a spineless propodeum, the absence of horns, and a smooth head capsule. It is distinguished by the following features: (1) antenna 10-segmented; (2) katepisternum rugose-reticulate; (3) in major workers, lateral sides of head in full-face view parallel; (4) metanotal groove distinct, anterodorsal corner forming an acute tooth behind metanotal groove. Moreover, an updated key to Chinese Carebara species is presented based on major workers, with a checklist comprising a total of 36 Chinese Carebara species and subspecies. Morphological structures and scanning electron micrographs of the newly discovered species’ minor and major workers are provided.
Complete mitochondrial genome of Guigarra cailaoensis Wang, Chen & Zheng, 2022 (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) and its phylogenetic implications
Authors: Zheng Lan-Ping , Geng Ying-Min
Published: January 2024

Guigarra cailaoensisis a member of family Cyprinidae, subfamily Labeoninae (Cypriniformes) which was recently discovered in southwestern China. Following its initial description, additional information on this species has remained notably scarce. In the current study, we assemble the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) ofG. cailaoensisusing the Illumina sequencing platform. The mitogenome is identified as a circular, double-stranded DNA sequence of 16,593 base pairs, encompassing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a putative control region. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian-inference approaches were used to construct phylogenetic trees for three datasets: (i) PCG sequences of the complete mitogenome (dataset 1); (ii) PCG sequences of the complete mitogenome combined with nuclear DNA (ncDNA) (Rag1) sequence (dataset 2); and (iii) ncDNA (Rag1) sequences (dataset 3). Phylogenetic analyses positionG. cailaoensisas a sister taxon to the lineage consisting ofParaqianlabeo lineatusZhao, Sullivan, Zhang & Peng, 2014 andPseudogyrinocheilus prochilusFang, 1933 in dataset 1, and toPseudogyrinocheilus prochilusin dataset 2, species lacking an oral disc on the lower lip. However,G. cailaoensisshowed a close relationship to the lineage consisting ofDiscogobioandDiscocheilusin dataset 3, species possessing an oral disc on the lower lip. Nonetheless, a variety of species with an oral disc on the lower lip are clustered into different lineages across the three datasets that may indicate that the development of the oral disc is homoplastic within the subfamily Labeoninae. The outcomes of this study have the potential to support conservation efforts for this species and to enrich our understanding of genetic resources in the area.
Predictors of renal relapse in Koreans with lupus nephritis after achieving complete response: a 35-years of experience at a single center
Authors: Jeon Howook , Lee Jennifer , Moon Su-Jin , Kwok Seung-Ki , Ju Ji Hyeon , Kim Wan-Uk , Park Sung-Hwan
Published: January 2024

Background/Aims: Renal relapse has known to be a poor prognostic factor in patients with lupus nephritis (LN), but there were few studies that identified the risk factors of renal relapse in real world. We conducted this study based on 35-years of experience at a single center to find out predictors of renal relapse in Korean patients with LN after achieving complete response (CR).Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, laboratory, pathologic and therapeutic parameters in 296 patients of LN who reached CR. The cumulative risk and the independent risk factors for renal relapse were examined by Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, respectively.Results: The median follow-up period from CR was 123 months. Renal relapse had occurred in 157 patients. Renal relapse occurred in 38.2%, 57.6% and 67.9% of patients within 5-, 10-, and 20-year, respectively. The age at diagnosis of SLE and LN were significantly younger, and the proportions of severe proteinuria and serum hypoalbuminemia were higher in patients with renal relapse. Interestingly, the proportion of receiving cytotoxic maintenance treatment was higher in patients with renal relapse. In Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, only young-age onset of LN (by 10 years, HR = 0.779, p = 0.007) was identified to independent predictor of renal relapse.Conclusions: Young-age onset of LN was only independent predictor and the patients with severe proteinuria and serum hypoalbuminemia also tended to relapse more, despite of sufficient maintenance treatment. Studies on more effective maintenance treatment regimens and duration are needed to reduce renal relapse.
Strategies to improve screening colonoscopy quality for the prevention of colorectal cancer
Authors: Song Joo Hye , Kim Eun Ran
Published: January 2024

The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) have decreased through regular screening colonoscopy, surveillance, and endoscopic treatment. However, CRC can still be diagnosed after negative colonoscopy. Such CRC is called interval CRC and accounts for 1.8–9.0% of all CRC cases. Most cases of interval CRC originate from missed lesions and incompletely resected lesions. Interval CRC can be minimized by improving the quality of colonoscopy. This has led to a growing interest in and demand for high-quality colonoscopy. It is important to reduce the risk of CRC and its associated mortality by improving the quality of colonoscopy. In this review article, we provide an overview of colonoscopy quality indicators, including bowel preparation adequacy, the cecal intubation rate, the adenoma detection rate, the colonoscopy withdrawal time, appropriate polypectomy, and complication of the procedure. Because colonoscopy is a highly endoscopist-dependent procedure, colonoscopists should be well-acquainted with quality indicators and strive to apply them in daily clinical practice for the prevention of CRC.
The study of intangible capital analysis in the economics literature in Scopus sources 1908-2021: Corporate black-box unaddressed
Authors: Erjavec Eva , Redek Tjaša , Godnov Uroš
Published: January 2024

Purpose: This paper provides a bibliometric insight into the development of the field with the focus on the role of intangible capital in the economic literature.Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review of the development of the field of intangible capital is relying on bibliometric methods, combined with a standard descriptive approach to literature review to add depth. Bibliometric methods are used, focusing primarily on identifying timeline, key authors and author cooperations, most important papers, topics and most cited papers.Findings: After the Corrado et al. (2005, 2006) paper there is a significant number of papers dealing with methodology, measurement and empirical analysis, either of intangible capital as a whole or specific component. The study of the references reveals a clear indirect link between the micro and macro-level research, however a clear void between the very empirical economics and the more conceptual management field.Originality/value: It is the first such comprehensive bibliometric study of the intangible capital literature in economics, and as such complements the approach taken by very few other authors. It sheds light on the most notable authors and papers and their importance in the field, but also highlights the diversity in the literature.
Exploring changes in brain function in IBD patients using SPCCA: a study of simultaneous EEG-fMRI
Authors: Zhang Yin , Wu Xintong , Sun Jingwen , Yue Kecen , Lu Shuangshuang , Wang Bingjian , Liu Wenjia , Shi Haifeng , Zou Ling
Published: January 2024

Research on functional changes in the brain of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is emerging around the world, which brings new perspectives to medical research. In this paper, the methods of canonical correlation analysis (CCA), kernel canonical correlation analysis (KCCA), and sparsity preserving canonical correlation analysis (SPCCA) were applied to the fusion of simultaneous EEG-fMRI data from 25 IBD patients and 15 healthy individuals. The CCA, KCCA and SPCCA fusion methods were used for data processing to compare the results obtained by the three methods. The results clearly show that there is a significant difference in the activation intensity between IBD and healthy control (HC), not only in the frontal lobe (p < 0.01) and temporal lobe (p < 0.01) regions, but also in the posterior cingulate gyrus (p < 0.01), gyrus rectus (p < 0.01), and amygdala (p < 0.01) regions, which are usually neglected. The mean difference in the SPCCA activation intensity was 60.1. However, the mean difference in activation intensity was only 36.9 and 49.8 by using CCA and KCCA. In addition, the correlation of the relevant components selected during the SPCCA calculation was high, with correlation components of up to 0.955; alternatively, the correlations obtained from CCA and KCCA calculations were only 0.917 and 0.926, respectively. It can be seen that SPCCA is indeed superior to CCA and KCCA in processing high-dimensional multimodal data. This work reveals the process of analyzing the brain activation state in IBD disease, provides a further perspective for the study of brain function, and opens up a new avenue for studying the SPCCA method and the change in the intensity of brain activation in IBD disease.
A stability analysis of a time-varying chemostat with pointwise delay
Authors: Mazenc Frédéric , Robledo Gonzalo , Sepúlveda Daniel
Published: January 2024

This paper revisits a recently introduced chemostat model of one–species with a periodic input of a single nutrient which is described by a system of delay differential equations. Previous results provided sufficient conditions ensuring the existence and uniqueness of a periodic solution for arbitrarily small delays. This paper partially extends these results by proving—with the construction of Lyapunov–like functions—that the evoked periodic solution is globally asymptotically stable when considering Monod uptake functions and a particular family of nutrient inputs.
Fuerzas productivas y relaciones de producción en el centro y el este de la península ibérica entre 2200 y 1550 a. n. e.
Authors: Peres Marcello , Risch Roberto
Published: January 2024

Entre ca. 2200-1550 a. n. e. se manifiesta una marcada dispersión de la población del cuadrante centroriental de la península ibérica en asentamientos de pequeño tamaño y su enrocamiento en posiciones elevadas o fortificadas. Esta pauta de asentamiento, que prevalece durante más de seis siglos, resulta excepcional en la Edad del Bronce de Europa y difícilmente se explica sin una situación de conflicto social latente. El presente trabajo realiza un escrutinio de las principales evidencias productivas registradas en los 1.445 yacimientos documentados hasta el momento en un territorio de 117.444 km2 con el fin de determinar la distribución y organización de las fuerzas productivas. El análisis cuantitativo identifica diferencias económicas significativas entre asentamientos de llanura, de altura y en cuevas, así como entre poblados fortificados y no fortificados. Mientras los grupos culturales identificados, como Las Motillas o el Bronce Valenciano, compartieron los mismos medios de producción, El Argar se distingue de una forma nítida. Este contraste lleva a valorar si la particular organización económica y social de la periferia argárica puede entenderse como una respuesta de estas comunidades enrocadas y atomizadas al desarrollo expansivo de El Argar y su necesidad de obtener determinados recursos estratégicos. En definitiva, se presenta una metodología de estudio paleoeconómico en arqueología a partir de grandes series de datos procedentes tanto de prospecciones como de excavaciones.
Más que un gran arquero. Novedades en el sector septentrional del arte rupestre levantino de la península ibérica
Authors: Bea Martínez Manuel , Benavente José Antonio , Villanueva Jesús Carlos , Angás Jorge
Published: January 2024

Los descubrimientos de nuevos conjuntos levantinos suelen reforzar los criterios de definición temática, estilística y de distribución vigentes para este ciclo artístico. Sin embargo, el abrigo de Estrecho del Regallo I (Valmuel-Alcañiz, Teruel) aporta singularidades en varios de esos puntos. Significativo es el nuevo patrón de localización de las pinturas, en techos y, en uno de los casos, en el interior del abrigo sin posibilidad de visualizarse desde el exterior. Esta particularidad ha determinado la buena conservación de algunos de los motivos, entre los que destaca un arquero de notables dimensiones y con una serie de atributos estilísticos y detalles que le hacen aparecer como uno de los más destacados del programa artístico levantino.
Investigación sobre la producción vitivinícola en el bajo valle del Ebro (ss. VII-I a. C.): un proyecto interdisciplinar de arqueología experimental
Authors: Sardà Seuma Samuel , Bricio Segura Laura , Portillo Guisado Carmen , Cabanillas Amboades Pedro , Gombau Roigé Jordi , Canals Bosch Joan Miquel , Zamora Marín Fernando , Fons Jordi Diloli
Published: January 2024

Se presentan los resultados de un proyecto interdisciplinar que ha tenido como objetivo la reproducción experimental de los procesos de producción, almacenamiento y conservación del vino de acuerdo a los datos histórico-arqueológicos procedentes del nordeste peninsular durante la Edad del Hierro (ss. VII-I a. C.). El experimento ha documentado el ciclo anual, desde la recolección de la uva, la elaboración del mosto y su transformación en vino, hasta la posterior conservación de la bebida resultante. Con el fin de comprobar su evolución, calidad y aptitud para el consumo, se han analizado y valorado el grado alcohólico, la acidez total, el pH, la acidez volátil, el color y la concentración de potasio. Asimismo se han realizado catas trimestrales para determinar la calidad organoléptica y su grado de aceptabilidad gustativa. Paralelamente, se ha efectuado un control microbiológico básico de las principales levaduras y bacterias localizadas durante el proceso. Los resultados aportan datos relevantes sobre las fases del proceso productivo y las condiciones de conservación del vino, ambas claves para analizar el papel de su consumo en la práctica social de las comunidades de la Edad del Hierro del noreste peninsular.
Éducation au patrimoine en langue minorée
Authors: Châteaureynaud Marie-Anne
Published: January 2024

En 1972 l’Unesco fait naître une convention pour la protection et la sauvegarde du patrimoine mondial, au fil du temps la notion d’éducation au patrimoine émerge et en 2005, à Faro, l’Unesco produit une convention cadre qui évoque un droit au patrimoine et souligne l’importance des cultures locales dans un univers globalisé.Qu’il soit matériel ou immatériel le patrimoine lié aux langues minoritaires fait ainsi également l’objet d’un droit culturel dont les élèves doivent pouvoir bénéficier.L’enjeu dans la transmission du patrimoine des langues et cultures minoritaires est central car (UNESCO, 2003) « les pratiques, représentations, expressions, connaissances et savoir-faire – ainsi que les instruments, objets, artefacts et espaces culturels qui leur sont associés – que les communautés, les groupes et, le cas échéant, les individus » font partie du patrimoine culturel. Ainsi, la thématique de l’éducation au patrimoine, thématique transversale et pluridisciplinaire, est envisagée comme un « partage d’expériences émotionnelles et artistiques » (Musset 2012) pour identifier une communauté de valeurs et s’approprier une histoire commune, une culture commune, dans une dimension interculturelle d’altérité qui permet une ouverture à l’autre.Cet article vise à préciser la place du patrimoine culturel dans l’enseignement de l’occitan en Aquitaine dans un cadre sociodidactique.Après avoir circonscrit la notion de patrimoine, nous dresserons un bilan de la place qu’il occupe actuellement dans l’enseignement de l’occitan à partir d’un corpus de projets pédagogiques et d’un corpus de ressources en ligne. Nous nous intéresserons en particulier à la mise en valeur du patrimoine qui constitue aujourd’hui un défi majeur pour les langues minoritaires. En effet, la didactisation et mise en réseau des ressources contribue à garder vivant et à transmettre aux élèves un patrimoine à la fois linguistique, culturel et littéraire. De même, chaque ressource didactisée peut mettre en évidence les besoins linguistiques nécessaires aux compétences langagières des élèves (en grammaire, lexique, etc.)Nous développerons donc le lien langue et éducation au patrimoine.Enfin nous proposerons des pistes pour une éducation au patrimoine en mettant en évidence la valorisation du patrimoine occitan. Ainsi, l’élève placé au centre de son apprentissage pourra devenir un locuteur et un acteur au sein de son environnement culturel.
La politique de revitalisation de la langue basque dans la communauté autonome basque
Authors: Urteaga Eguzki
Published: January 2024

Cet article s’intéresse à la politique de revitalisation de la langue basque élaborée puis mise en œuvre par le Gouvernement Basque, en collaboration avec les institutions publiques et les entités privées, dans la Communauté Autonome Basque située dans la péninsule ibérique. À partir de la situation sociolinguistique de la langue basque et des facteurs sociodémographiques ayant une incidence sur son évolution, et en tenant compte du cadre juridique en vigueur et des engagements pris par les pouvoirs publics aux niveaux autonomique, national et européen, il analyse la politique linguistique actuelle en faveur de la connaissance et de la pratique du basque, en portant une attention particulière à ses objectifs et ses axes stratégiques, ses actions et son budget, sa gouvernance et son suivi. Il en ressort que cette politique linguistique est relativement efficace, ayant permis la formation de 300 000 bascophones supplémentaires en l’espace de trois décennies.
Une Europe sans frontière est-elle imaginable ? La revue littéraire des Cahiers de l’Est
Authors: Auger Valentin
Published: January 2024

La revue littéraire des Cahiers de l’Est produite en plein cœur de la guerre froide par des exilés d’Europe centrale en France, tente de rapprocher deux parts d’une Europe qui semblent irréconciliables. À travers leur entreprise, les rédacteurs des Cahiers questionnent la dichotomie Est/Ouest et notamment cette frontière politique, mais surtout culturelle qui scinde le continent. En récupérant des textes littéraires dans les démocraties populaires d’Europe centrale, ils participent à connecter ces deux Europe sur de multiples niveaux. Cependant, les transferts dont ils sont les acteurs sont parfois controversés. La revue est critiquée dans son essence même qui participerait à la « ghettoïsation » de la littérature de l’Est, mais aussi par son contenu qui provoque des débats houleux au sein des communautés de l’exil. Ces controverses mettent en lumière l’importance pour ces communautés de traiter publiquement de ces thèmes, de leurs cultures et plus largement, de leur vie, mais aussi de la difficulté à les aborder tant le spectre des sensibilités est vaste et parfois contradictoire en Europe centrale. Malgré tout, cette revue « plate-forme » garde son cap pour une cause plus grande : une seule Europe.
Les guides des plaisirs de Paris : retrouver les traces du temps (1867-1949)
Authors: Muller Eva
Published: January 2024

Les guides des plaisirs de Paris sont des sources très riches qui permettent d’entrer dans les coulisses de la fabrique de l’imaginaire de « Paris, ville des plaisirs ». Nombreux à être parus entre 1867 et 1949, réédités pour certains au fil des années, ils permettent de suivre les transformations urbaines et culturelles de la capitale et plus généralement des modes de vie. Toutefois, un constat s’impose : tous, quelle que soit leur date de parution, se ressemblent dans leur fond comme leur forme. La question du temps se pose alors : comment expliquer cette apparente immobilité et comment la surmonter pour retrouver les traces du temps ?
Les réfugiés politiques grecs en Hongrie après la Seconde Guerre mondiale à la croisée des cultures et des appartenances identitaires. Le cas de Dimitris Hatzis
Authors: Dumont Thomas
Published: January 2024

Après la Seconde Guerre mondiale, ainsi que pendant la Dictature des Colonels, la Hongrie a accueilli un grand nombre de réfugiés politiques grecs. La communauté fut si importante que plusieurs structures sociales – de nombreuses écoles grecques notamment – ont pu être créées. Au sein du bloc de l’Est, la Hongrie présentait un communisme plutôt « doux » et pouvait constituer un pont vers l’Ouest. Beaucoup d’intellectuels et artistes exilés dans ce pays circulaient alors relativement facilement entre les deux Europe et ont su construire, progressivement, une double appartenance culturelle. Parmi ces figures, l’écrivain Dimitris Hatzis, grand nom de la littérature grecque du XXe siècle, mérite une attention particulière. Il est l’objet principal de cet article. Également universitaire, spécialiste d’histoire byzantine, Hatzis a beaucoup voyagé, de Hongrie en France notamment, pour laisser évoluer sa libre pensée. De fait, cette personnalité qui se distingue par son manque de docilité à la fois à l’égard du Parti communiste et à l’égard des différents pays qui l’ont accueilli, représente une forme de décloisonnement – idéologique, politique, culturel – progressif de l’Europe. Un décloisonnement pour lequel l’expérience de l’exil des intellectuels et des artistes a joué un rôle important.
Le Festival International de la Chanson de Sopot, Sanremo d’Europe centrale ?
Authors: Francfort Didier
Published: January 2024

La ville de Sopot a été, sous le nom de Zoppot, une station balnéaire allemande rattachée après la Première Guerre mondiale au territoire au territoire libre de Dantzig et considérée pour son festival wagnérien comme « la Bayreuth du Nord ». Devenue polonaise, elle est restée une ville de festival avec en 1956 un éphémère Festival de Jazz et à partir de 1961 un Concours international de Chant. Ce concurrent de l’Eurovision pour les pays du Bloc Soviétique a été, à la fois, une vitrine de la variété polonaise et un lieu de circulation culturelle affichant un dépassement de la logique de la Guerre froide.
Au-delà d’un Zeitgeist, restituer l’origine du mouvement raëlien dans son contexte
Authors: Karbovnik Damien
Published: January 2024

Bien que les Nouveaux Mouvements Religieux aient fait l’objet d’importants travaux en sociologie, ils ont souvent été délaissés par les historiens. En prenant pour exemple le mouvement raëlien, cet article entend montrer l’apport de la démarche historique pour la compréhension des Nouveaux Mouvements Religieux. Adoptant une démarche internaliste qui partira des ouvrages fondateurs du mouvement raëlien, l’article se propose de dépasser les raisonnements par analogie et de montrer les liens directs qu’entretient le fondateur du mouvement, Claude « Raël » Vorilhon, avec le contexte culturel de son époque, partagé entre science-fiction, réalisme fantastique et New Age. Si des liens évidents ressortent et permettent de bien inscrire Raël dans ce contexte, ils mettent aussi en évidence la singularité de son discours autant dans sa globalité qu’au niveau des différents éléments mobilisés. L’analyse des textes fondateurs révèle ainsi une stratégie discursive de distinction sociale, qui opère en définitive comme un moyen de légitimer son auteur sur les plans rationnel, traditionnel et charismatique et de l’ériger en prophète. Enfin, la mise en parallèle du mouvement raëlien avec des courants religieux et culturels contemporains permettra de proposer des éléments susceptibles d’expliquer la pérennité du Mouvement au-delà de son contexte d’émergence.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaborations and Partnerships for Sustainability Education
Authors: Singha Surjit , Singha Ranjit
Published: January 2024

Multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial to sustainable education. It places a strong emphasis on combining many academic disciplines to address complex environmental issues and promote sustainable lifestyles. Students can put their knowledge into practice and raise awareness of the world through community-based learning, corporate partnerships, and international collaborations. The chapter emphasizes effective methods for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of collaborative activities. It highlights how crucial innovation, knowledge sharing, and international cooperation are to building a sustainable future. Social justice, action-oriented learning, and lifetime professional growth are all components of sustainability education. Institutional barriers, cultural differences, and resource constraints impact these cooperative initiatives. Future generations' perceptions of the Earth can be affected via interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships.
The Impact of VR-Based Learning on Student Engagement and Learning Outcomes in Higher Education
Authors: Goi Chai Lee
Published: January 2024

This research investigates virtual reality (VR) in higher education, covering types of VR, implementation in academic settings, effects on student engagement and learning outcomes, and exploring potential benefits for enhancing learning and developing graduate capabilities. A comprehensive review covered VR types like simulations, virtual labs, 360-degree experiences, and virtual classrooms, enabling experiential learning. The implementation process involves goal setting, content creation, hardware/software selection, infrastructure setup, curriculum integration, assessment, and evolution. Effective VR content and prepared instructors positively impact engagement, influencing comprehension, retention, and academic performance. AR/VR tech refines cognitive skills, practical knowledge, and personalised learning, fostering teamwork and critical thinking for graduates' career readiness.
Intelligent Watermarking for Data Security
Authors: Kallel Imen Fourati , Kallel Mohamed
Published: January 2024

Artificial intelligence has become widely and increasingly used in various advanced applications, notably classification, optimization, object recognition, and segmentation. Recently, it has been extended into watermarking techniques. It brings some approaches implying innovative security means, which are adjusted to new communications and information technologies. As it generally believed that the use of artificial intelligence in digital watermarking schemes could revolutionize the way digital data is protected. This chapter is about an overview of recent developments in artificial intelligence techniques utilized for watermarking. It begins with the watermarking background. Next, it represents a review of machine and deep learning watermarking techniques followed by a delineation of their advantages and disadvantages. In this light, the main problems are pinpointed with a suggestion of some possible discussed and highlighted solutions. The last point of this chapter is about outlining future research directions.
Socioeconomic Inequality and Children's Emergent Primary Literacy and Numeracy in Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Md. Emaj
Published: January 2024

We know little about how socioeconomic inequalities transmit disparities in young children's early primary literacy and numeracy. Drawing from family investment model this chapter examined parental material investment (PMI) and parental educational involvement (PEI) by which low-socioeconomic status (SES) might affect first-graders' literacy and numeracy scores in Bangladesh. Three-web data on low-SES, poor parental investments, and numeracy and literacy scores were collected from Bangladeshi first-graders and mothers through a final exam. The results from structural equation modeling suggested that low-income and fewer PMIs were directly and significantly associated with poor literacy achievement. Lower-education and lower frequency of PEI were directly and significantly associated with poor numeracy scores. Although both factors partially mediated the relationships between low-SES and poor school outcomes, lower frequency of PEI was stronger than fewer PMIs in the relationships between low-SES and children's poor literacy and numeracy outcomes during first grade.
Smart Marketing Based on Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) and Blockchain and Evaluating Critical Success Factors
Authors: Nozari Hamed , Szmelter-Jarosz Agnieszka , Rahmaty Maryam
Published: January 2024

The use of IoT and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and blockchain technology in the marketing field is an emerging topic in the new digitization era. The chapter aims to create a conceptual framework that describes a marketing system's main stages and dimensions based on the artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) and blockchain and evaluates the critical success factors of implementing this marketing system. This research, at first, tried to identify the most important critical success factors in these smart systems by reviewing the literature and opinions of active experts, and in the next step, these indicators were evaluated using decision-making methodology. For this purpose, a fuzzy nonlinear evaluation method has been used to examine the priorities and relationships of success factors. The results show that technology-related success factors, such as the presence of technical infrastructure and technological maturity, play the most important roles in the proper functioning of marketing based on transformational technologies.
Acceptance of Digital Technologies
Authors: NazemiBidgoli Alireza , Turkmani Ehsan Mohamadi , Irani Hamid Reza
Published: January 2024

This study investigated the intention to use wearable sports technologies using a social-psychological approach, namely technophobia. This study was applied and correlational. The statistical population of this study included all athletes who had been insured in the current year. A non-probability sampling method was used, and 394 people were selected as the study sample using the Morgan table. The results of the study showed that expected performance and social influence have a positive and direct effect on the attitude to use. No significant negative effect of technophobia was found for the relationship between expected effort and expected performance on the attitude to use. Based on the results, it is suggested to launch different campaigns with rich content to highlight the capabilities of these technologies and the power of these devices in increasing the effectiveness of sports activities and motivating people to lead a healthier life.
A Comprehensive Review on Additive Manufacturing and Its Applications in Biomimetics
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed Yassin , Surmen Hasan Kemal
Published: January 2024

Currently, additive manufacturing method and 3D printing technologies are used in almost every industry, profession, and field for a vast array of purposes, from the creation of basic models, toys, sophisticated art and fashion products to complex and functional parts for aviation industry. The scientific discipline of biomimetics draws inspiration from nature to develop practical products and systems that mimic biological systems' structure and functions. One benefit of using 3D printing to create biomimicry models is that it enables the development of intricate, precise, and free-formed geometries that resemble natural structures. This is especially helpful in the domains of engineering and design, where it has been demonstrated that ideas inspired by nature are effective at resolving challenging issues. This study emphasizes a review of the development of biomimicry and how additive manufacturing may be applicable to produce new, complex items with structures and mechanisms that imitate principles and designs from nature.
A new strategy to improve maternal-fetal attachment in primigravida women with prenatal spiritual-based stimulation
Authors: Wahyuni Sri , Arief Yuni Sufyanti , Triharini Mira
Published: January 2024

Primigravida has impacts related to preparedness for the transition into motherhood. Thus, its can disrupt the attachment between the mother and the fetus. This study aimed to determine the effects of prenatal spiritual-based stimulation on maternal-fetal attachment. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a control group and was conducted among primigravida women in Indonesia. The study included 66 respondents selected through purposive sampling. They were divided into the intervention and control groups, each comprising 33 participants. The intervention group received prenatal spiritual-based stimulations, which involved auditory, kinesthetic, light, and temperature stimulations and were administered over a 12-week period. Data on maternal-fetal attachment were collected using the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI), which had been tested for validity and reliability. Approval to use the instrument was obtained from its original author. Data analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon and Mann Whitney tests. The results showed that the Wilcoxon test yielded a p-value of 0.000 or significant differences were observed before and after intervention for the intervention group and 0.059 no significant differences were observed before and after the intervention for the control group. The Mann Whitney test revealed a p-value of 0.000, there were differences in the maternal-fetal attachment before and after the intervention. Therefore, spiritual-based prenatal stimulation is effective in enhancing maternal-fetal attachment. These results can provide a basis for pregnant women to apply spiritual-based prenatal stimulation interventions to enhance maternal-fetal attachment and health status.
Role of Human Papillomavirus in Carcinogenesis
Authors: Tilva Vishwa , Sarkar Debasree , Chauhan Anjana , Makwana Neelam , Shah Sejal
Published: January 2024

Since a decade ago, it has been observed that the incidence of cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) has seen an uptick, making it a point of concern from the public health perspective. Numerous cancers, including oral and cervical cancers, have been linked to HPV. HPV is carcinogenic due to its ability to induce abnormal expression of several genes, including nuclear factor-kappa B, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, p16, p53, RB1 and some microRNA genes. Early cancer treatment involves identifying the up- or downregulation of various factors using techniques including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcriptase PCR, p16 immunostaining and in situ hybridisation. The virus achieves its breakthrough by taking advantage of various types of cellular enzymes, enzymatic activities and their association or disassociation with other factors in order to up/downregulate enzyme levels. The methods used for screening and detection still need to have high sensitivity and high accuracy because the amount of factors showing change is remarkably minute. Vaccines can remarkably reduce the risk of HPV infection when administered as directed and in the recommended number of doses.
Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Diagnosing Eye Diseases – A Meta-analysis
Authors: Alhazimi Amro , Almarek Faisal
Published: January 2024

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of ophthalmology has garnered significant attention for its potential to enhance the accuracy of eye disease diagnosis. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively assess the impact of AI on diagnosing eye diseases through the synthesis of existing research. A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to identify relevant studies in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol. Eligible studies were those that reported the diagnostic accuracy of AI in ophthalmic image diagnosis. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and mean difference (MD) were utilised as the effect size measures to evaluate AI performance. A total of 18 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were selected for the quantitative synthesis. Further, the meta-analysis revealed that AI exhibited a substantial positive impact on the accuracy of diagnosing eye diseases. The overall SMD across various diagnostic parameters indicated a statistically significant improvement (SMD = 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71–1.05). Moreover, the MD of diagnostic values demonstrated significant enhancements, with an overall MD of −10.2 (95% CI: −12.1 to −8.3). The selected studies consistently demonstrated that AI achieved high accuracy levels, reinforcing its potential as a valuable tool in ophthalmic diagnosis. This study provides significant evidence supporting the significant positive impact of AI on diagnosing eye diseases. The synthesis of the selected studies underscores the high accuracy achieved by AI in ophthalmic image diagnosis, as indicated by the substantial SMD and MD improvements. These findings highlight the promising role of AI in ophthalmology, offering the potential to revolutionise the field and improve patient care through enhanced diagnostic precision.
How can healthcare providers involve with families in the care of patients with chronic mental illness? A mixed methods protocol study to adapt the clinical practice guideline
Authors: Dehbozorgi Raziye , Fereidooni-Moghadam Malek , Shahriari Mohsen , Moghimi-Sarani Ebrahim
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

Chronic mental illnesses have long periods, are recurring, and require continuous care as well as an integrated and collaborative approach to organize the care. The purpose of this article is to summarize the most important steps necessary for adapting a clinical practice guideline for family-centered collaborative care of patients with chronic mental illnesses referring to the medical centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

As the study will be an exploratory mixed methods study, the design will be carried out as a sequential qualitative-quantitative study (QUAL quan), consisting of 3 phases, 9 modules, and 24 sequential steps, which is based on the Guidelines International Network to adapt the guideline manual. In the first phase, the prerequisites for adaptation of the clinical guideline were established. In the second phase, to collect evidence, a qualitative study (semi-structured interview) will be conducted to explore the dimensions and components of the care needs of patients with chronic mental disorders and their families from the perspectives of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Additionally, a literature review to extract relevant clinical guidelines and articles will be done. A panel of experts will screen and evaluate potential clinical guidelines, and a draft guideline will be developed.

DISCUSSION:

It is expected that these findings will meet the needs of patients with mental illness and their caregivers by providing integrated care and improving collaborative care within the sociocultural context of Iran.
Psychometric evaluation of Maastricht clinical teaching questionnaire based on the cognitive apprenticeship model
Authors: Nejadkoorki Hamid , Norouzi Ali , Salajegheh Faranak , Salajegheh Mahla
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

The Maastricht Clinical Teaching Questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the quality of clinical teaching. This study was aimed at translation and psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of this questionnaire to evaluate clinical teaching based on the cognitive apprenticeship model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The translation of the questionnaire was performed according to Guillemins framework. Reliability was examined by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Confirmatory factor analysis was studied among 120 medical students. Content validity was assessed by calculating the content validity index and content validity ratio. Face validity was evaluated by conducting interviews with students using concurrent verbal probing and thinking aloud.

RESULTS:

Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the whole scale was 0.95. The content validity index was 0.92, and the content validity ratio was 0.82. Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a seven-factor model and demonstrated an adequate fit with the data.

CONCLUSION:

The Persian version of the Maastricht Clinical Teaching Questionnaire with seven factors including modeling, coaching, scaffolding, articulation, reflection, exploration, and learning environment appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for the evaluation of clinical teaching in Iranian universities of medical sciences.
Coping strategies among professional social work trainees - A cross-sectional study from India's capital city
Authors: Godara Vanita , Ramya N , Shetty Kannappa V.
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

To find out the nature of coping strategies and the relationship between coping strategies and background characteristics of Master of Social Work (MSW) students in Delhi.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The sample size is 297 (male 123 and female 174) by adopting a non-probability purposive method. A survey among the MSW students (first and second years) of four Universities in Delhi was carried out.

RESULT:

The result shows that the most used coping strategies are positive in nature (emotional and problem-focused).

CONCLUSION:

The utilization of coping strategies is influenced by the background characteristics of the respondents. It necessitates further awareness of positive coping strategies by introducing changes in the curriculum of the MSW program.
Association between mortality risk levels and AIFELL triage scores for suspected COVID-19 patients
Authors: Wahsheh Moayad A. , Hassan Zeinab M.
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

It is crucial to examine and classify patients as soon as possible to save their lives when they display Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms. The Altered sense of smell/taste, Inflammation, Fever, Elevated Lactate dehydrogenase, and Lymphocytopenia (AIFELL) evaluation tool is quick, easy, and simple for medical professionals.

OBJECTIVES:

Determine the relationship between the COVID-19 patient confirmation and the AIFELL score. Examine any relationships between the AIFELL score and the degree of mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A retrospective study was conducted on 970 hospitalized (18 years or older) with a COVID-19 diagnosis in 2021. Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) as critical cases and moderate cases. The Chi-square test was utilized.

RESULTS:

The scores of the AIFELL tool ranged from 0 to 6 points; the AIFELL score for COVID-19 symptoms with a high score (4–6) made up 41.5% of the patients. More than half of the patients (58.7%) were men; the oldest age group ranged from 40 to 50 years. A very high risk of dying due to a positive COVID-19 virus exists in more than a fifth of patients (21.5%). The ICU (37.5%) received around a third of the patients. The findings showed significant associations between levels of mortality risk and gender and age. There were significant associations between AIFELL scores and mortality risk levels. AIFELL scores, mortality risk levels, and patient admissions to the critical care unit were strongly associated.

CONCLUSION:

The AIFELL scores were excellent for predicting COVID-19 mortality risk levels and ICU admission.