bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Methodological Authoritarianism to Epistemic Realism: Multidisciplinary Research Paradigms and the Post-modern Turn
Authors: George Kizito Michael
Published: December 2024

The 20th century was characterized by a radical paradigm shift from modernism to postmodernism. Postmodernism rejected the stances of objectivism, universalism and the construction of meta-narratives that were evident in the modern epoch. Postmodernism re-affirms subjectivism, perspectivism and particularism in knowledge attribution, acquisition and justification. Postmodernism therefore dethrones positivism, radical empiricism and all their objectivistic scientific edifices. Post-modernism has its roots in post-colonialism, de-colonialism and the agitations for racial and gender justice. This academic masterpiece used critical historical analysis, critical hermeneutics, decolonial and postcolonial criticism to situate postmodernism as an emancipatory philosophy of method that safeguards marginalized modes of knowledge in the South from the epistemicide of Western Positivism. The paper analytically illuminated that postmodern epistemological ethos leads to the emergence of post-positivism in the natural sciences and interpretivism in the humanities and social sciences by propagating deconstructionist and emancipatory multi-disciplinary methodologies such as critical discourse analysis, phenomenological interpretation, critical race theory and critical gender theory. This paper further argued that multi-disciplinarity and trans-disciplinarity are inevitable constellations of the eminent emergency of the postmodern epoch. The paper adds to knowledge by painstakingly contending that postmodernism entrenches situated knowledge and multidisciplinary methodologies that are equally valid, reliable, cogent and credible.

Keywords: Methodology, Realism, Authoritarianism, Multidisciplinary, Postmodernism
Redefining Law Enforcement: Policy Innovations for Gender Equality in South African Law Enforcement
Authors: Tlali Nthabiseng , Khosa Dee , Mofokeng Jacob
Published: December 2024

This study examines the ongoing issue of gender inequality within South African law enforcement, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive policy reforms to establish an equitable and supportive environment for female officers. Despite the existing efforts to address these disparities, women in policing continue to face significant challenges, including systemic gender bias, limited opportunities for career advancement, and inadequate support structures. The research explored the perspectives of 18 current and retired women officers, who were identified as key informants due to their experience and understanding of the challenges faced by female officers. Using semi-structured interviews, the study uncovered four major themes which are leadership and attrition, factors contributing to the underrepresentation of women in law enforcement, perceived barriers to career progression, and challenges encountered at police academies that affect women’s ability to complete their training. The findings suggest that systemic barriers, lack of mentorship, and inadequate institutional policies remain critical issues that hinder women’s full participation and success in law enforcement careers. The study highlights the need for law enforcement agencies to implement targeted policies that promote gender diversity in recruitment, provide equal access to professional development opportunities, and create a workplace culture that values and supports female officers. By addressing these key areas, law enforcement agencies can foster a more inclusive and effective organizational framework. This research contributes to the broader scholarship on gender inequality in policing by providing valuable insights into the specific challenges women face and recommending policy reforms that can help create a more gender-inclusive law enforcement sector.

Keywords: Leadership, Training, Gender, Attrition, Law Enforcement
Effective Safety and Security Measures in the Prevention of Various Crimes in Selected Ordinary, Public Secondary Schools: A Participatory Framework Approach
Authors: Ngoveni Tinyuku David , Khosa Dee , Mofokeng Jacob Tseko , Mahome Michael Moreti
Published: December 2024

Worldwide, various crimes have permeated schools, creating a major challenge when it comes to the maintenance of the safety and security of both educators and learners and, to a large extent, school infrastructure. It is surprising that South Africa is constantly grappling with a burgeoning wave of diverse crimes, a problem that is confined to the broader society but has infiltrated secondary schools. This study examined the types of crimes caused in secondary schools to establish effective safety and security measures for the prevention of those crimes. The study employed a qualitative approach in the form of an explanatory multi-case study of nine Tshwane South District (D4) public ordinary secondary schools in the province of Gauteng, South Africa, entrenched within Borda’s (1987) Participatory Theory. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews which were conducted with 30 purposively selected participants and analysed using thematic content analysis (TCA). The findings revealed the prevalence of various crimes in all the schools under study, and further exposed the lack of efficiency in the preservation of safety and security. To preserve safety and security, community involvement and participation are key because schools cannot rely only on technological advancement. Furthermore, all the stakeholders constituting a school community are urged to methodically consult and analyse all the existing policies for better and informed safety and security measures formulation. The study provides a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to assess strengths and weaknesses, thereby enabling the development of more effective measures to curtail and minimize the ongoing prevalence of such crimes.

Keywords: Safety and Security, Various Crimes, Participatory Framework, South Africa, Ordinary, Public Secondary Schools
Who helps Tsimane youth?
Authors: Schniter Eric , Cummings Daniel K , Hooper Paul L , Stieglitz Jonathan , Trumble Benjamin C , Kaplan Hillard S , Gurven Michael D
Published: December 2024

We examine various forms of helping behaviour among Tsimane Amerindians of Bolivia, focusing on the provision of shelter, childcare, food, sickcare, cultural influence and traditional story knowledge. Kin selection theory traditionally explains nepotistic nurturing of youth by closely related kin. However, less attention has been given to understanding the help provided by individuals without close genetic relatedness. To explain who provides various forms of help, we evaluate support for several predictions derived from kin selection theory. Our results show that helpers who are most often closely related and from an older generation tend to provide more costly forms of help to youth at early ages. In contrast, alloparents who are not blood related tend to provide lower-cost forms of help to older youth. Since older youth are more capable of reciprocity, we propose that some alloparental aid acts as an investment in future reciprocal relationships or as indirect investment in a relationship with the beneficiary’s relatives. Our results support kin selection and relationship effort explanations for who helps Tsimane youth.
The greenwashing trap: how misleading marketing affects consumer green purchasing habits
Authors: Vilkaitė-Vaitonė Neringa
Published: December 2024

The rising environmental concern has driven organizations to adopt green marketing practices. However, a growing number of organizations have been engaging in greenwashing practices, which mislead customers about their environmental performance. This can have negative consequences for the organization, the industry, and society as a whole. Despite the growing concern about greenwashing, there is limited research on how it affects consumers’ purchasing decisions. To address this gap, we conducted a study to explore the effect of greenwashing perception on green purchase intention in the touristic accommodation industry. Primary data was collected from 693 tourists who visited the Canary Islands, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to verify hypotheses with the help of AMOS 29 software. The findings revealed that greenwashing perception does not directly affect green purchasing intention or impact green trust. However, green trust was found to be a significant predictor of sustainable choices in the touristic accommodation industry. Additionally, the study provided evidence that previous touristic accommodation experience moderates the relationship between green trust and green purchase intention and the relationship between greenwashing perception and green trust. This research has important implications for marketers and adds to the body of knowledge on greenwashing and green purchasing. By incorporating the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) paradigm, this study uncovers new linkages that better help understand the phenomenon of green purchasing among travelers.
Factors influencing the use of computer-assisted audit techniques in the digital era
Authors: Fülöp Melinda Timea , Ionescu Constantin Aurelian , Măgdaș Nicolae , Topor Dan Ioan
Published: December 2024

Digitalization is a challenge of the current environment, and the digital transition has extended to the audit profession. It affects the technology used by clients and the pressure on auditors by audit regulations to apply and use computer-assisted audit techniques (CAATs). The results of specialized literature indicate that the application and use of CAATs in auditing practice are limited. Thus, the present research aimed to investigate the factors that could influence the use of CAATs by auditors, based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The empirical investigation consisted of 112 questionnaires that were analyzed by external auditors. The research results indicated a positive influence on the behavioral intention to use CAATs, which was influenced by performance expectations and facilitating conditions. In contrast, effort expectations and social influence did not affect the behavioral intention to use CAATs. We conclude that management should have a greater involvement in encouraging the use and application of CAATs, including supporting the process with the necessary resources. This work augments the knowledge of the factors that influence the behavioral intention to use CAATs among auditors in Romania and can be a useful resource for practitioners.
Investigation of Individual Pulse Emission Behaviors from Pulsar J1741–0840
Authors: Xu 徐 Y. H. 永华 , Wen 温 Z. G. 志刚 , Yuan 袁 J. P. 建平 , Wang 王 Z. 震 , Duan 段 X. F. 雪峰 , Wang 王 Z. 振 , Wang 王 N. 娜 , Wang 汪 M. 敏 , Wang 王 H. G. 洪光 , Rusul A. , Hao 郝 L. F. 龙飞 , Han 韩 W. 伟
Published: December 2024

We have carried out a detailed study of individual pulse emission from the pulsar J1741−0840 (B1738−08) observed using the Parkes and Effelsberg radio telescopes at the L band. The pulsar exhibits four emission components, which are not well resolved by employing multicomponent Gaussian fitting. The radio emission originates at a height of approximately 1000 km, with the viewing geometry characterized by inclination and impact angles roughly estimated at 81° and 3°, respectively. Fluctuation spectral analysis of single pulse behavior reveals two prominent periodicities, around 32 and five rotation periods. The longer periodic modulation feature is linked to nulling behavior across the entire emission window, with an updated nulling fraction of 23% ± 2% derived from pulse energy distribution via Gaussian mixture modeling. In addition to quasiperiodic nulling, the pulsar also exhibits the presence of subpulse drifting in the trailing component, with the shorter periodic feature in the fluctuation spectra related to the phenomenon of subpulse drifting, and the longitudinal separation estimated to be about 5°. Both periodic modulations show significant temporal evolution with time-dependent fluctuation power. The implications of understanding the radio emission mechanisms are discussed.
JWST/NIRCam Paβ Narrowband Imaging Reveals Ordinary Dust Extinction for Hα Emitters within the Spiderweb Protocluster at z = 2.16
Authors: Pérez-Martínez Jose Manuel , Dannerbauer Helmut , Koyama Yusei , Pérez-González Pablo G. , Shimakawa Rhythm , Kodama Tadayuki , Zhang Yuheng , Daikuhara Kazuki , D’Eugenio Chiara , Naufal Abdurrahman
Published: December 2024

We combine JWST/NIRCam and Subaru/MOIRCS dual Paβ+Hα narrowband imaging to trace the dust attenuation and the star formation activities of a sample of 43 Hα emitters at the core of one of the most massive and best-studied clusters in formation at the cosmic noon: the Spiderweb protocluster at z = 2.16. We find that most Hα emitters display Paβ/Hα ratios compatible with Case B recombination conditions, which translates into nebular extinction values ranging at AV
≈ 0–3 mag, and dust corrected Paβ star formation rates consistent with coeval main sequence field galaxies at fixed stellar mass (

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) during this cosmic epoch. Furthermore, we investigate possible environmental impacts on dust extinction across the protocluster large-scale structure and find no correlation between the dustiness of its members and environmental proxies such as phase-space position, clustercentric radius, or local density. These results support the scenario for which dust production within the main galaxy population of this protocluster is driven by secular star formation activities fueled by smooth gas accretion across its large-scale structure. This downplays the role of gravitational interactions in boosting star formation and dust production within the Spiderweb protocluster, in contrast with observations in higher redshift and less evolved protocluster cores.
Fe/O Variations Relative to Source Longitude and Heliospheric Current Sheet in Large Solar Energetic Particle Events
Authors: Park Jinhye , Bucik Radoslav , Jeong Hyun-Jin , Moon Yong-Jae
Published: December 2024

The Fe/O enhancements exhibit significant variations in gradual solar energetic particle (SEP) events. Several causes have been suggested including transport effects in the interplanetary space and flare contribution. In this study, we investigate the relationship between the integrated Fe/O ratios of 27 gradual SEP events, locations of associated solar flares, and positions along the heliospheric current sheet (HCS) between 2010 and 2014. We employ synchronic potential field source surface (PFSS) extrapolations at 2.5R
⊙, derived in near real-time using Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated far side and Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) magnetograms, referred to as AIHMI-PFSS extrapolations. We examine low-energy (∼0.5 MeV/nucleon) Fe and O ion measurements obtained from Suprathermal Ion Telescope on Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatories and Ultra Low Energy Isotope Spectrometer on Advanced Composition Explorer. We found a moderate anticorrelation between the Fe/O ratios and the absolute longitudinal separation angles from the source regions to the spacecraft magnetic footpoints. Furthermore, we investigate the variations in Fe/O ratios with respect to the separation angle, grouped by the same and opposite polarity sectors of the SEP source regions. We found that the mean and median Fe/O values are higher in the same polarity group compared to the opposite polarity group, with the largest contrast at separation angles between 25° and 50°, where the values are approximately 3 times larger. The results imply that the enhanced Fe/O ratios in the examined gradual SEP events are likely associated with direct source regions, while the HCS affects particle transport.
Connecting the X-Ray/UV Variability of Fairall 9 with NICER: A Possible Warm Corona
Authors: Partington Ethan R. , Cackett Edward M. , Edelson Rick , Horne Keith , Gelbord Jonathan , Kara Erin , Malacaria Christian , Miller Jake A. , Steiner James F. , Sanna Andrea
Published: December 2024

The Seyfert 1 active galactic nucleus Fairall 9 was targeted by NICER, Swift, and ground-based observatories for a ∼1000 day long reverberation mapping campaign. The following analysis of NICER spectra taken at a 2 day cadence provides new insights into the structure and heating mechanisms of the central black hole environment. Observations of Fairall 9 with NICER and Swift revealed a strong relationship between the flux of the UV continuum and the X-ray soft excess, indicating the presence of a “warm” Comptonized corona that likely lies in the upper layers of the innermost accretion flow, serving as a second reprocessor between the “hot” X-ray corona and the accretion disk. The X-ray emission from the hot corona lacks sufficient energy and variability to power slow changes in the UV light curve on timescales of 30 days or longer, suggesting an intrinsic disk-driven variability process in the UV and soft X-rays. Fast variability in the UV on timescales shorter than 30 days can be explained through X-ray reprocessing, and the observed weak X-ray/UV correlation suggests that the corona changes dynamically throughout the campaign.
The taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of birds in Xiaohongxiang Wetland, southwest China
Authors: Li Binqiang , Zhang Shaohui , Guo Jie , Ma Shanjun , Zhang Wenjie
Published: December 2024

Small wetlands are essential for preserving global biodiversity, yet they are frequently neglected in conservation strategies due to vague definitions and a lack of research attention. In this study, we conducted thirty-six surveys via the point count method in the Xiaohongxiang Wetland, Anning City, Yunnan Province, China, from November 2023 to June 2024. We aimed to evaluate the impact of various habitats surrounding Xiaohongxiang Wetland (wetlands, villages, farmlands, cherry plantations and pine forests) on the taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of avian species and investigate the significance of these habitats for ecological conservation and restoration efforts. A total of 62 species were recorded. Small wetlands are vital for supporting common waterbirds, but may not safeguard rare species effectively. While cherry plantations and pine forests enhance avian diversity near wetlands, their low functional diversity could limit the ecological niches available to birds. This indicates that monoculture plantations might restrict the habitat variety needed for a diverse bird community. Our study found no clear phylogenetic clustering or overdispersion amongst bird species across habitats, suggesting that community assembly is shaped by competitive exclusion, habitat filtering and neutral processes. Despite a limited sample size, our results highlight a gap between taxonomic and functional diversity, indicating that multidimensional biodiversity metrics are essential for thoroughly evaluating wetland restoration and habitat impacts on bird diversity.
The potential uses of Galangal (Alpinia sp.) essential oils as the sources of biologically active compounds
Authors: Amilia Destryana R. , Estiasih Teti , Sukardi  , Pranowo Dodyk
Published: December 2024

The uses of essential oils in food and traditional medicine have attracted researchers worldwide for applications in the food, agriculture, cosmetics, and health industries. Among the sources of essential oils, the Alpinia genus produces galangal essential oils with great potential for use in many applications. This genus has been used for a long time in traditional medicine in some countries along with for food flavouring and spices. These essential oils from many plant organs of this genus contain several bioactive compounds with the typical phytochemical is 1,8-cineole or eucalyptol. Scientifically, the bioactivity of galangal essential oils has been proven. Some efforts have been conducted efficiently to extract the galangal essential oil, including using novel technologies-This article aims to review the Alpinia species bearing essential oils and their traditional uses, phytochemicals of galangal essential oils and their bioactivity, the methods of extraction, phytochemical profiles, stabilization, uses, and potential applications of these essential oils. This review also compares the bioactivity of galangal essential oils and their traditional uses and potential applications. The results of this review show that Alpinia species has a long history to use as traditional medicines in many countries. There is a closely correlation between traditional uses of galangal with the scientifically proven of health benefits. The studies on galangal essential oil bioactivity have deeply explored the capability as antioxidants, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-antiparasitic activities and cardiovascular impairment. The uses of galangal essential oils are correlated with their bioactivity. Galangal essential phytochemicals is characterized by the presence of 1,8-cineole. The 1,8-cineole is found in the parts of this plant organ with its concentration varies depending on the galangal species. Some studies indicates that the novel technologies produce higher yield than conventional method for essential oil extraction. The application of galangal essential oil has the constraint of high hydrophobicity, resulting in a poor solubility in the aqueous phase. Various techniques of emulsification are used to improve the its water miscibility. Galangal essential oils are potential to use in many sectors such as agriculture, food, pharmaceutical and personal care industries. The appropriate extraction method is still a challenge mainly to improve the yield along with preserving the bioactive compounds. Another challenge is exploring other Alpinia species, proof their health benefits, and exploring their potential uses in many sectors.
Evaluation of storage stability of refrigerated buffalo meat coated with hydrothermally treated potato starch incorporated with thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) essential oil
Authors: Dahal Sangam , Rai Basanta Kumar , Dangal Anish , Rai Kishor , Timsina Prekshya , Koirala Ramesh , Chaudhary Sanjay , Dahal Pankaj , Bhattarai Tanka , Giuffrè Angelo Maria
Published: December 2024

The present study was carried out to prepare thyme essential oil (TEO) and ginger essential oil (GEO)-incorporated edible starch coating on buffalo meat to extend its refrigerated shelf-life. Edible coatings incorporated with antimicrobials can act as an active packaging system for the preservation of meat using biopolymers and plant-based essential oils. Buffalo meat samples were coated by hydrothermally treated starch solution incorporated with thyme and ginger essential oil at five different proportions (total of 2.5% of starch solution). A total of five treatments (S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5) along with two controls (S6 and S7) were subjected to microbiological [total viable count (TVC), Staphylococcus aureus count, psychrotrophic bacteria count (PTC), and coliform count] and physico-chemical analyses such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) value, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) content, extract release volume (ERV), metmyoglobin (Met-Mb), pH, weight loss, and water activity at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days of storage. These metrics were compared between days and between treatments. Compared with the uncoated control (S7), S4 decreased TVC by 2.60 log, and S5 decreased PTC, Staphylococcus aureus, and coliform by 4.71 log, 1.18 log, and 3.01 log, respectively, in 12 days. S4 reduced TBARS and TVBN by 46.14% and 27.86%, respectively, while S5 increased the ERV by 40.94% in 12 days when compared to S7. Metmyoglobin content, pH, ERV, and TVBN were found to have a high correlation with TVC, while pH was found to have a high correlation with TVBN and ERV. It can be concluded that the increase in TEO concentrations on starch coating increases the ability of buffalo meat to resist microbiological as well as chemical spoilage.
Improved MViTv2-T model for insulator defect detection
Authors: Meng Fuhong , Yuan Guowu , Zhou Hao , Wu Hao , Ma Yi
Published: December 2024

Insulators play a crucial role in transmission lines. Insulators exposed to natural environments are prone to various malfunctions. These faults will seriously affect the safety and stability of the power grid system operation, so intelligent detection of insulator defects has become increasingly important. This paper presents an insulator defect detection model based on the improved MViTv2-T (Multiscale Vision Transformers Version 2 Tiny). The new model utilizes the sore penalty mechanism (SPM) cluster non-maximum suppression (NMS) algorithm instead of the batched non-maximum suppression (NMS) algorithm from the original model. Additionally, it introduces the stage query recollection method, which integrates high-level and low-level module queries within each stage, along with various experimentation on integration functions between the two. The experimental results indicate that the improved MViTv2-T model attains an mAP (mean average precision)@0.5:0.95 of 76.1$ \% $, mAP@0.5 of 96.1$ \% $, and mAR@0.5 of 97.2$ \% $ in insulator defect detection. Compared to the original model, there is a 1.8$ \% $ increase in mAP@0.5:0.95 and a 17$ \% $ decrease in the detection error rate at an Intersection over Union (IoU) threshold of 0.5. Furthermore, when compared to standard two-stage detection models and YOLO series models, the improved MViTv2-T model also exhibits distinct performance advantages.
Distribution de la surmortalité toutes causes en première vague d’épidémie de Covid-19 à l’échelle des intercommunalités franciliennes : quel lien avec les caractéristiques urbaines et sociales des territoires en Ile-de-France ?
Authors: Mangeney Catherine , Pilkington Hugo , Feuillet Thierry , Féron Valérie , Goupil de Bouillé Jeanne , Telle-Lamberton Maylis , Saunal Adrien , Julia Chantal , Rican Stéphane
Published: December 2024

Dès le début de la pandémie de COVID-19, plusieurs études ont mis en évidence les disparités sociales et spatiales en matière de surmortalité toutes causes. Différents facteurs de risque étaient mis en avant. Dans cette étude, nous établissons, pour la région Île-de-France, des groupes homogènes d’intercommunalités (EPCI/EPT) selon les facteurs de risque multidimensionnels (démographiques, sociaux, de contexte urbain et d’état de santé initial de la population) identifiés dans la littérature. Nous examinons si ces groupes ont connu différents niveaux de surmortalité toutes causes confondues lors de la première vague épidémique (1er mars et le 31 mai 2020).La surmortalité globale toutes causes confondues pour la région était de +61,8%, plus élevé chez les 75 ans et plus (+72,1 %) que chez les 50-74 ans (+49,7 %). Elle variait significativement selon les sept groupes de notre typologie, à la fois globalement (Kruskal-Wallis (KW) Chi² = 30,93, p<0,001) de +113,15% à -8,51%, et pour les deux groupes d’âge (50-74 : KW Chi² = 30.22, p<0,001 ; 75+ : KW Chi²=29,19, p<0,001).La variation des niveaux de surmortalité en fonction de schémas spécifiques d’interaction des déterminants du COVID-19 identifiés dans la littérature et mesurés à une échelle géographique relativement fine souligne le potentiel de cette méthodologie pour cibler l’action publique sur les zones à risque lorsque les données épidémiologiques font défaut.
Tracing the tumors: navigating challenges in mapping cancer trends across twentieth-century Belgium
Authors: Paeps Philippe , Devos Isabelle , Gadeyne Sylvie , Vrielinck Sven , Wiedemann Torsten
Published: December 2024

This article delves into the challenges and methodologies involved in mapping cancer trends across Belgium during the twentieth century. Disease mapping, pioneered by John Snow and Alfred Haviland, has been instrumental in understanding spatial disease patterns. However, comprehensive spatial cancer studies for Belgium are notably scarce before the 1960s, complicating comparisons over time. This research addresses the gap by mapping cancer mortality across the twentieth century, using various mortality indicators, geographical units, and visualization approaches together with a tailored historical geographic information system (HISGIS). We identify five major challenges and examine how these affected the analysis of mortality patterns over time: changing administrative boundaries, small sample sizes, evolving registration and classification practices, data availability and compatibility, and visual presentation over time. It appears that while historical boundaries mainly reveal local clusters, current boundaries and smoothed maps are more effective for detecting regional differences. Overall, our findings indicate important regional disparities in cancer mortality as over the course of the century the highest crude cancer death rates and percentages shifted from Wallonia (southern Belgium) to Flanders (northern Belgium). When adjusted for age and population size, high rates in the early to mid-twentieth century are observed in urban as well as in rural areas on both sides of the language border, with no apparent link to industrialization. From 1990s onward, notably higher rates are observed in the province of East Flanders and the southeastern Belgian districts near the French and German borders. Locally, we see early cancer clustering in large cities such as Antwerp, Liège and Ghent. However, at the end of the century, the clusters with the highest cancer rates show no clear association with urbanization. Lastly, we demonstrate that these changes in cancer mortality patterns are strongly influenced by diagnostic and registration practices, suggesting that more insight into these issues can lead to a better understanding of cancer trends over time.
Unravelling the Evolution of Neurodegenerative Disease Mortality: Insights from 50 Years of Belgian Data
Authors: Dinneweth Janna , Gadeyne Sylvie
Published: December 2024

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are an increasingly pressing public health concern. This study investigates spatiotemporal variations in NDD mortality, focusing on dementias and Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in Belgium from 1970 to 2020. Age-standardized mortality rates for the population aged 45 or older were calculated using indirect standardization methods, referencing 1970 rates and averaging deaths over 3 year-periods for stability. Spatial representations were created using mapping techniques. Moran’s I tests assessed spatial autocorrelation. The findings reveal shifts in dementia classifications, with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) superseding dementia from 1980 to 1993, and later, dementia-related deaths surpassing AD deaths. Spatially, dementia ICD-codes clustered in Flanders while AD codes clustered in the Walloon region. PD-related deaths doubled from 1997 to 2020, with a shift from higher female proportions before 2004 to increased male rates from 2004 to 2020. Spatial analysis shows a notable rise in PD mortality rates in the Walloon region by 2000, yet a contrasting pattern was found in 2019. More research is needed to explore other explanatory factors for spatial variations beyond registration practices.
La formation des (futurs) professeurs de FLE en Espagne dans la première moitié du XXe siècle
Authors: Suso López Javier
Published: December 2024

Cet article se propose de retracer un pan de l’histoire de l’enseignement du français en Espagne : la préparation des (futurs) professeurs de français de l’enseignement secondaire pendant la première moitié du XXe siècle. Cette question est à rapprocher d’un puissant mouvement de rénovation scientifique et pédagogique, lié à la Institución Libre de Enseñanza, qui s’était créée en 1876. La mobilisation de figures intellectuelles, proches de ce mouvement, qui dénoncent les insuffisances flagrantes quant à la préparation en langues modernes des professeurs et, donc, des étudiants, produit une évolution des mentalités qui entraîne des changements dans les politiques éducatives, de la part des gouvernements libéraux. C’est ainsi que certaines mesures sont prises (quant au statut des professeurs de langues modernes et aux conditions d’accès à l’exercice professionnel). Mais surtout, c’est la création de certaines institutions (la Junta de Ampliación de Estudios e Investigaciones Científicas, l’Institut français et la Escuela Central de Idiomas de Madrid, entre autres) qui permet d’améliorer la préparation des professeurs de langues vivantes. Il faudra attendre toutefois 1952-54 pour que l’institution universitaire en tant que telle modernise cette formation.
Challenges and Change
Authors: Wekke Ismail Suardi , Mahamud Tosaporn , Amir Aswad , Nur Indria
Published: December 2024

Wamena faces a multitude of challenges that impede the well-being of its residents. This paper sheds light on these complexities, delving into critical areas that necessitate improvement. The paper acknowledges the intricate web woven by these challenges. Limited access to healthcare facilities and qualified medical professionals can have dire consequences, particularly for those residing in remote areas. Furthermore, economic disparity can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, creating a cycle of poverty that restricts opportunities and hinders overall well-being. Social unrest and a sense of marginalization can further erode a sense of community and stability, posing a significant barrier to progress. By acknowledging the challenges, outlining potential solutions, and emphasizing the significance of cultural sensitivity, the paper aims to illuminate a path towards a future where Wamena thrives and its residents can reach their full potential.
Unleashing Employee Healthcare and Well-Being
Authors: Jermsittiparsert Kittisak , Singh Bhupinder
Published: December 2024

Fresh and Good quality of air has big implications for individual health and overall worker well-being. Bad IAQ can result in several health problems like headaches, fatigue, and respiratory issues that will surely affect employee performance along with job satisfaction. Enter innovative solutions that can provide businesses with improved IAQ from fast-growing IoT (Internet of Things) technologies. Fast forward, the Internet of Things (IoT) boom has brought new technology solutions that allow for the real-time tracking and management of IAQ. The use of a connected sensor network utilizes data analytics to determine and address indoor pollutants and optimize ventilation systems. The focus of this chapter is the part that IoT-based clean air solutions play in employee health and well-being at work. It will highlight how you can benefit from using these solutions, what it takes to build an IoT-based air quality monitoring system and explore the implementations with real-world results.
Promoting Emotional Well-Being in Older Adults
Authors: Reis da Silva Tiago Manuel Horta
Published: December 2024

As the global population ages, ensuring the emotional well-being of older adults is a critical aspect of healthcare systems. Emotional well-being is deeply intertwined with physical and mental health, particularly in older adults facing complex health challenges such as falls, nutritional deficiencies, chronic conditions like cancer and chronic kidney disease (CKD), and mental health concerns such as loneliness. In this chapter, we explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance emotional well-being by promoting emotional intelligence (EI) and improving mental health outcomes for older adults. The discussion integrates key aspects of health, including falls prevention, nutrition, hydration, vitamin B12 deficiency, ageing in place, loneliness, cancer care, pharmacokinetics, and moving and handling. We examine the transformative potential of AI technologies in addressing these issues, offering real-time personalized care and interventions. By incorporating AI into elder care, we can create holistic systems that support emotional, mental, and physical health.
Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery
Authors: Kalra Ankita , Bhardwaj Monu
Published: December 2024

AI and ML in drug discovery have revolutionized medication development speed and optimization. Data-centric and machine learning technologies are revolutionizing drug development from target discovery to clinical trial projections. AI uses genomic, proteomic, and cheminformatics data to uncover novel drug candidates and predict their efficacy and safety better than traditional approaches. Machine learning, particularly deep learning, can find complex patterns in these datasets to discover new drug-target interactions and predict pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. We use AI technologies including reinforcement learning, supervised and unsupervised learning, and natural language processing to drug development. Examples include deep neural networks for virtual screening, generative adversarial networks for chemical development, and adverse drug reaction ensembles. Data integration, model interpretability, and rigorous validation frameworks for AI-driven prediction reliability are also covered in the article.
Adaptability of Wearable Sensors in Data Assimilation and Real-Time Monitoring in Health Gateways
Authors: Singh Bhupinder , Kaunert Christian , Raghav Anjali , Jermsittiparsert Kittisak , Ravesangar Kamalesh
Published: December 2024

The use of wearable sensors has advanced how data is gathered in healthcare and allows for better monitoring real-time leading to a healthy lifestyle. These small devices usually in the form of watches, bands or clothing items known as wearables capture biological data 24/7 on parameters such as heart rate, activity levels (steps), sleep patterns and body temperature. The data is then interpreted in a way that helps to understand an individual's state of physical and mental health so the health care solutions can be personalized. The advantage of wearable sensors is that they can easily be linked directly to health gateways enabling direct communication with healthcare providers and digital health platforms. This chapter focuses on the use of wearable sensors enables remote patient monitoring in patients with chronic conditions as well through providing a continuous supply of data to health care providers.
A Single Deep Neural Network Model for Multiobjective Unconstrained Binary Quadratic Programming Problem
Authors: Zhou Ying , Kong Lingjing , Liu Yong , Cai Yiqiao , Liu Shaopeng
Published: December 2024

The multiobjective unconstrained binary quadratic programming problem is an important combinatorial optimization problem with both theory and practical values. Until now, several efforts have been made to design metaheuristic methods to solve the problem. However, designing such effective methods is not trivial and heavily depends on experts' specific knowledge. Meanwhile, due to the iterative nature of metaheuristic methods, they require a long time to find high-quality solutions. From the perspective of machine learning, this paper proposes a deep reinforcement learning method to solve the problem. The method can automatically learn effective heuristics from a large amount of data, thus decreasing the need for experts' knowledge. Meanwhile, by leveraging the power of GPU, the method can quickly obtain high-quality solutions for a batch of instances. Experimental results show the proposed method outperforms two classical metaheuristic methods in terms of solution quality and running time for solving the problem.
Anatomical Variations of the Brachial Plexus: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Amaratunga H. A. , Kariyawasam P. R. C. , Adikari A. A. V. , Chandrasekara S. H. , Rajapaksha T. C. , Athukorala K. A. D. C. K. , Jayawardana W. J. B. S. M. S. , Jayarathna M. J. S. , Kosgallana E. W. , Pathirana L. Y. V. , Dissanayake D. R. K. C. , Dissanayake J. K.
Published: December 2024

Objective: Variations of the brachial plexus are a lot commoner than presumed and a better understanding of such variations are of crucial importance to achieve successful results in surgical procedures. The aim of our study was to describe the anatomical variations of the brachial plexus in Sri Lankan adult cadavers. Methods: Bilateral upper limbs of cadavers used for routine dissection from January 2023 to September 2024, were examined and the trunks, cords and terminal nerves were described. Images were taken and variations were carefully noted and recorded.  Results: Sixty brachial plexuses in 30 cadavers (19 males and 11 females) with a mean age at death of 70.75 years (SD=10.31) were observed. Prevalence of variations was 40%. We report 7 (11.6%) prefixed and 1 postfixed (1.6%) brachial plexuses, variant connections between lateral and  medial cords (5 – 8.3%), variant connection between lateral cord and median root of median nerve1(1 - 1.6%), rare variant of only two cords (posterior and combined medial lateral to form an anterior cord), absent musculocutaneous nerve (2 - 2.3%)  and musculocutaneous nerve giving a branch to the median nerve (3 – 5%). Conclusion: Variations of the brachial plexus are quite common and highly variable and therefore require constant reporting to provide medical personal with information that could prevent iatrogenic injury and help in proper diagnosis of cases.
Mucormycosis Presented with Painful Facial Nerve Palsy: A Case Report
Authors: Jayawardana W. J. B. S. M. S. , Shantha D. W. A. , Ethulgama H. M. S. B. , Abeygunawardena S. , Jayalath T. , Ralapanawa D. M. P. U. K.
Published: December 2024

Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection with high morbidity and mortality which can present as rhino-cerebral, pulmonary, cutaneous, gastro-intestinal, orbital, and disseminated disease. We are presenting a case of maxillary mucormycosis with unilateral facial nerve palsy as a rare presentation. Clinico-anatomical basis of facial nerve involvement has not yet been completely discovered. We highlight the importance of understanding regional anatomical relationships along with the clinical suspicion which helps to uncover the unusual presentations of mucormycosis.
Morphometric Study of the Larynx: A Cadaveric Study in Sri Lanka
Authors: Dissanayake S. , Samarasinghe S. C.
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Morphometric data of the larynx are important for the diagnosis and treatment of laryngeal disorders, as they provide crucial information for various medical procedures and for surgeries. These measurements are fundamental in the development of biomechanical models of larynx.  Objectives: To describe the detailed morphometry of adult human larynx and its variations. Methods: The study was performed on 11 larynges, from 6 male and 5 female cadavers older than 40 years, with no history of laryngeal pathology, neck trauma, or neck surgery. Specific external and internal measurements of the larynx were recorded using a digital vernier caliper with an accuracy of 0.1 mm. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Results: The mean values of external and internal dimensions of the larynx were higher in males than of females, except for the length from the lower border of thyroid cartilage to the upper border of cricoid cartilage (L6) and the length of the sinus. The difference was statistically significant only for the length from floor of thyroid notch to lower border of cricoid cartilage (L3), width of thyroid cartilage (L7), length from floor of thyroid notch to projection of anterior commissure (L8) and length of infraglottic cavity. Although, bilateral asymmetry was present in majority of specimens, there was no statistically significant difference between measurements on left and right sides of bilateral structures (vestibular, vocal, and aryepiglottic folds). Conclusion: There was a wide individual variation in both external and internal dimensions of the larynx, with males having generally higher values compared to females. This knowledge can be integrated on laryngeal morphometry into clinical and surgical practices, as well as into the design of advanced biomechanical models to achieve better patient care and innovative treatment solutions.
Biometry and sex discrimination of first calendar year Cetti’s Warbler (Cettia cetti) by discriminant analysis
Authors: Pollo Roberto , Volponi Stefano
Published: December 2024

A method is proposed here for distinguishing the sexes of Cetti’s warblers in their first calendar year (Euring age code=3) based on the use of discriminant analysis. In the initial phase of the study, 118 subjects of known sex (62 males and 56 females), captured and marked in the Palude Brusà, were subjected to analysis as a calibration sample. The analysis yielded a discriminant function based on the two most significant variables (third primary length, tarsus length), enabling the sexes to be classified with a 99.2%. The function was subsequently tested on the validation sample (n=106), composed of 54 males and 52 females of known sex ringed in Punte Alberete (north-eastern Italy) and the Trasimeno Emissary (central Italy), obtaining an accuracy classification equal to 99.1%. A global discriminant analysis was subsequently conducted, integrating the data from the three locations into a unified sample (n=224). This analysis yielded a function that accurately classified 99.1% of the females and 100% of the males. The resulting equation represents a rapid and precise method for distinguishing the sexes of first-calendar year Cetti’s warblers. Additionally, it can assist in the appropriate selection of ring size, which differs between the sexes.
Empowering emerging evaluators in evaluation project phases: Perspectives and recommendations
Authors: Matlala Lesedi S.
Published: December 2024

Background: Engaging emerging evaluators (EEs) in evaluation projects offers substantial benefits for both evaluators and organisations; however, effective guidance on empowering them is often limited.Objectives: This article provides actionable recommendations for empowering EEs across all phases of evaluation projects, drawing primarily on insights from EEs and their mentors. Leveraging the Eval4Action campaign’s standards for meaningful youth engagement, this article aims to enrich EEs’ learning experiences, foster their professional growth, and enhance evaluation quality and impact.Method: A qualitative and participatory approach was used, incorporating the author’s mentorship experiences, discussions with EEs and mentors, and consultations with established programmes such as the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association’s (SAMEA) EE initiative and the EvalYouth Global Network. A comprehensive literature review on youth engagement and partnerships further informs this study.Results: Findings indicate that effective EE engagement relies on well-defined roles, open communication, and genuine appreciation of EEs’ contributions. Despite these needs, many EEs reported being limited to data collection roles, which restricts their opportunities for growth and limits their developmental impact within evaluations.Conclusion: Adopting these recommendations can foster a culture of empowerment and inclusion, enhancing both the quality and effectiveness of evaluation projects.Contribution: This study underscores the importance of engaging EEs in meaningful roles throughout projects, advancing inclusivity and effectiveness in evaluations. Empowering EEs leads to more comprehensive assessments, providing deeper insights for policy and programme evaluation.