bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concentration, Pollution Level, and Sources of Heavy Metals from Household Dust in Ramadi City, Iraq
Authors: Ibrahim Fatima Khalil , Mustafa Hind Khalid , Mohammed Amal A. , Al-Heety Emad
Published: June 2024

Researchers and environmental managers have been interested in household dust pollution because exposure to heavy metals has a detrimental effect on health. This study aims to determine heavy metals concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn), pollution level, and their potential sources in the household dust of Ramadi City, Iraq. The dust was collected from 35 houses. The atomic absorption spectrophotometry method was used to measure concentrations of heavy metals in the dust. The following was the order of the heavy metal mean concentration: Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd. These metals’ mean concentrations are below background guidelines. The descending order of the EF values for the measured metals is as follows: Ni (6.35) > Cu (5.40) > Pb (1.53 > Cr (1.24) > Zn (1.14) > Cd (0.84). Results of the calculation of CF for metals measured in house dust in Ramadi City showed values of less than 1 (CF < 1 indicating a minimum contamination level. Based on the results of multivariate statistics (correlation matrix, cluster and principle components analysis), sources of Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn are indoor anthropogenic sources while the sources of Cd and Pb are outdoor anthropogenic.
Synthetic Water-Gel Crystals (Orbeez Balls) as Environmentally Friendly Adsorbent for Removal of Toxic Brilliant Green Dye From Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Ghazi Haneen H. , Aljeboree Aseel M.
Published: June 2024

Water pollution caused by dyes is a major threat to marine organisms. Hydrogels (decorative balls), called water-gel crystals, are widely used to treat wastewater pollution caused from toxic dyes. This study aims to remove Brilliant Green (BG), a toxic harmful pigment that can cause widespread biota and environmental damage, from the aqueous solution. Water-Gel Crystals efficiently eliminate BG in a short time frame. Furthermore, several variables, such as counting equilibrium time, pH solution, the concentration of BG dye and adsorbent dosage were investigated. The results of this study exhibited that the adsorption equilibrium increased as BG dye concentration increased at pH = 7 after an equilibrium time of 2h, with 0.1 g of water-gel crystals having the top adsorption efficiency at 95.567 mg/g. This water-gel crystals adsorbent is regarded as an effective candidate that can be utilised for water treatment because the re-usability method of produced beads can successfully complete four cycles, and the adsorbent maintained its ability to remove BG dye. The water-gel crystals are therefore excellent candidates to be used as potent BG dye adsorbents from aqueous solutions. The water-gel crystals regeneration and re-usability investigation for the removal of BG dye was completed in at least four cycles successfully. This indicates that the Water-Gel Crystals produced have a high adsorption value. The (ΔG) was negative for the adsorption processes, indicating that the process was spontaneous. In addition, (ΔH) was determined for the adsorption method utilising water-gel crystals at 5.146 KJ/mol. ΔH Positive indicates that the method is endothermic in the range of 15-35 °C, using water-gel crystals.
Hybrid Approach-Based Placement of Micro-Phasor Measurement Units in Active Distribution Networks
Authors: Chauhan Surinder , Walia Ranjan , Gill Amandeep
Published: June 2024

The placement of monitoring devices like micro-Phasor Measurement Unit (μPMU), which works 24 hours, at all nodes in the distribution system, is contributing to temperature rise. This temperature rise can be reduced by placing the μPMUs at selected nodes. Therefore, this paper depicted a hybrid approach for μPMUs optimal placement in the distribution system. Optimal placement recognises the placement set containing the least number of μPMUs with optimum redundancy with which the phasors of voltage, as well as the current, can be calculated at each bus of the system. Constraints such as communication link unavailability, zero injection buses, and network reconfiguration are considered in the optimal μPMU placement formulation. The proposed approach overcomes the downside of Integer Linear Programming (ILP) which provides a single optimal location set. The proposed approach automatically assigned μPMUs to buses connected to radial buses, established by the degree of each bus, and reduces the computational concern. Provided algorithm efficiency is checked out with IEEE 40 bus feeder and IEEE 85 bus feeder system under Matlab/Simulink environment.
Combined Effect of Potassium Fertiliser, Saline Irrigation Water and Humic Acids On Soil Acidity and Yield Components of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L)
Authors: Al-Kubissi Khdyar Yaes Khdyer , Salih Salih Mahmood , Saleh Ali Mowafaq
Published: June 2024

A field experiment was conducted to adapt seedlings of sweet pepper, also called “California Wonder”, to salinity and the role of humic acid and potassium fertiliser in reducing the effect of salinity on the plant. A three-factorial field experiment was conducted according to the Complete Random Block Design, with three replications during the spring season of 2018 to study the humic acid and potassium fertiliser role in enhancing the salt tolerance of pepper plants. The first factor included four levels of saline water irrigation, namely 2, 4, 6 and 8 dS.m-1. The second factor included a foliar application of three levels of humic acids i.e., 0, 25 and 50 kg.h-1. The third factor represents the addition of three levels of potassium fertiliser (potassium sulphate of 50% K2O according to the fertiliser recommendation of 0, 75 and 150 kg. h-1. The considered plant and soil traits were branch per plant, stem diameter (mm), percentage of protein in the fruits and soil pH. The results obtained from the experiment can be summed up above the treatment of air conditioning at saline level 6 ds m-1 in branch per plant with 12.3 and the most significant results obtained from the experiment can be summed up above the treatment of air conditioning at saline level 4 ds m-1 in stem diameter 2.03 mm. The results showed a decrease in branch per plant and stem diameter (mm) by increasing the salinity of irrigation water by 8 ds m-1 and the increase in the addition of humic acid and potassium fertiliser. The results showed a decrease in soil acidity (pH) increasing the salinity of irrigation and increasing fruit protein content by increasing the salinity.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) characteristics of atypical-enhanced papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)
Authors: Wang Guojuan , Yin Ci , Wang Yanfang , Li Qi , Yang Dan , Wang Peihua , Nie Fang
Published: June 2024

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic value of CEUS in atypical-enhanced PTC. METHODS: The clinical data, qualitative and quantitative parameters of CEUS in 177 Iso/hyper-enhanced thyroid nodules with definite pathological results were retrospectively analyzed in the Lanzhou University Second Hospital from June 2019 to January 2021. And the clinical value of CEUS in the diagnosis of atypical-enhanced PTC was assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among the 177 thyroid nodules, 59 were benign and 118 were PTC. There were significant differences in age, enhancement border, ring enhancement, speed of wash in, speed of wash out, enhancement pattern, capsule interruption, time to peak, time to wash out, RT, TPH, and TTP (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed unclear enhancement border and concentric enhancement were independent risk factors for the diagnosis of atypical-enhanced PTC by CEUS. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of the model in diagnosing atypical-enhanced PTC were 88.1%, 71.2%, 86.0%, 75.0%, and 82.5%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.910. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of atypical-enhanced PTC can be better performed by enhancement characteristics and time intensity curve (TIC) of CEUS, which have a good clinical application value.
Clinical application of dual-layer spectral CT multi-parameter feature to predict microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Li Yi-xiang , Li Wen-jing , Xu Yong-sheng , Jia Lu-lu , Wang Miao-miao , Qu Meng-meng , Wang Li-li , Lu Xian-de , Lei Jun-qiang
Published: June 2024

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using dual-layer spectral CT multi-parameter feature to predict microvascular invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 50 HCC patients who underwent multiphase contrast-enhanced spectral CT studies preoperatively. Combined clinical data, radiological features with spectral CT quantitative parameter were constructed to predict MVI. ROC was applied to identify potential predictors of MVI. The CT values obtained by simulating the conventional CT scans with 70 keV images were compared with those obtained with 40 keV images. RESULTS: 50 hepatocellular carcinomas were detected with 30 lesions (Group A) with microvascular invasion and 20 (Group B) without. There were significant differences in AFP,tumer size, IC, NIC,slope and effective atomic number in AP and ICrr in VP between Group A ((1000(10.875,1000),4.360±0.3105, 1.7750 (1.5350,1.8825) mg/ml, 0.1785 (0.1621,0.2124), 2.0362±0.2108,8.0960±0.1043,0.2830±0.0777) and Group B (4.750(3.325,20.425),3.190±0.2979,1.4700 (1.4500,1.5775) mg/ml, 0.1441 (0.1373,0.1490),1.8601±0.1595, 7.8105±0.7830 and 0.2228±0.0612) (all p < 0.05). Using 0.1586 as the threshold for NIC, one could obtain an area-under-curve (AUC) of 0.875 in ROC to differentiate between tumours with and without microvascular invasion. AUC was 0.625 with CT value at 70 keV and improved to 0.843 at 40 keV. CONCLUSION: Dual-layer spectral CT provides additional quantitative parameters than conventional CT to enhance the differentiation between hepatocellular carcinoma with and without microvascular invasion. Especially, the normalized iodine concentration (NIC) in arterial phase has the greatest potential application value in determining whether microvascular invasion exists, and can offer an important reference for clinical treatment plan and prognosis assessment.
Are current shipbuilding cost estimation methods ready for a sustainable future? A literature review of cost estimation methods and challenges
Authors: Alblas Gerrit , Pruijn Jeroen
Published: June 2024

In the fiercely competitive shipbuilding industry, precise cost estimates must be considered as they serve as a critical input for determining market prices effectively and ensuring a small profit for the shipyard. In Western Europe, where most projects are Engineering-To-Order (ETO), cost estimations are extra challenging, due to lack of similarity between projects. On top of this, cost estimations are becoming increasingly difficult in a market confronted by mounting challenges related to safety regulations, cost-effectiveness, and the pressing need to address energy conservation and environmental protection. New technologies introduce changes in nearly all aspects of shipbuilding design and construction. This article conducts a literature review, to present the state-of-the-art methods for estimating man-hours, explicitly focusing on man-hours for shipyard production, excluding overhead costs and challenges the suitability of existing systems for ETO and especially for the changes caused to ships by the energy transition. An indication is given of the practicality of each method as outlined in the literature. A solution direction, incorporating the construction process, is proposed to improve cost estimations for ETO projects in pre-contract phase.
Impact of the Internet on entertainment media industries: The double effects of Metcalfe and McLuhan
Authors: Chen Xi
Published: June 2024

Digital technology and the Internet have revolutionized the entertainment media industry by harnessing network effects and transforming content creation and distribution. However, these advances have also brought challenges, especially regarding intellectual property, with significant long-term implications for entertainment media companies. While the existing literature on this topic is limited, this study aims to analyze the impact of these trends using the Metcalfe and McLuhan effects and provide insights to help traditional media companies thrive in this changing environment. The Metcalfe effect, exemplifying network effects, suggests that the increasing number of Internet users generates economies of scale, amplifies content value, and facilitates the emergence of distribution channels and revenue opportunities in the entertainment media industry. Additionally, the McLuhan effect emphasizes the transformative role of information media in reshaping content production and dissemination. However, the rapid development of the Internet has inadvertently facilitated the piracy of entertainment media content, necessitating the attention and implementation of effective countermeasures by industry stakeholders.
Relationship Between Work-Related Noise Exposure and Cognitive Impairment: A Cross-Sectional Study in China
Authors: Huang Lei , Ma Jingxuan , Jiang Fugui , Zhang Shushan , Lan Yajia , Zhang Yang
Published: June 2024

Background: Noise exposure and the risk of cognitive impairment are currently major public health issues. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between noise exposure and early impairment of cognitive function from the perspective of occupational epidemiology and to provide evidence for the long-term prevention and treatment of dementia in the context of aging. Methods: This study was conducted in China between May and August 2021. The independent variables were the type of hazardous factors, duration of noise exposure, perceived noise intensity, and cumulative noise exposure (CNE). The dependent variable was cognitive function, which was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Multiple linear and logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between noise exposure and cognitive function and to establish an effect curve. Results: The detection rates of cognitive dysfunction using the MMSE and MoCA were 1.1% and 36.2%, respectively. The predicted MMSE and MoCA scores showed a downward trend within the CNE value ranging from 90–140 dB.time. Each unit increase in CNE decreased cognitive function scores by 0.025 (0.037, 0.013) and 0.020 (0.037, 0.003) points,respectively. Conclusions: From the perspective of occupational epidemiology, these findings reveal a potential link between long-term noise exposure and early cognitive impairment.
3D analytical magnetic model calculation for Halbach PM induction heater planar topology
Authors: Abdi Ammar , Barakat Georges , Ouazir Youcef , Amara Yacine
Published: June 2024

In this work, a 3D analytical magnetic model based on hybridation of the sub-domain’s method and the image’s theory to compute magnetic field and translational motion eddy current in the conducting plate of the Halbach permanent magnet induction heater planar topology is developed. The main objective is to remedy the problem of the transverse edge effect, and hence improving the efficiency of analytical model and the accuracy of results. The developed model also allows fast and precise simulations of 3D magnetic phenomena, and presents an important reduction in computation time compared to 3D finite element simulations.
Controller Placement Approach with Criteria Balance in SDN networks
Authors: Fellah Soumaya , Fellah Khadidja
Published: June 2024

Software Defined Network (SDN) is an emerging technology that centralizes network control and automates network management by separating the data plane from the control plane. The control plane is a set of controllers that manage the network switches. The crucial problem of positioning these controllers is known as the Controller Placement Problem (CPP). The optimal controllers positioning is very constrained and affects the different network performance parameters, such as, controller-to-switch latency, inter-controller latency, number of hops between controller and switch and inter-controller. In this paper, we study the impact of optimizing some parameters on the others, we have developed different approaches, and each considers one or two parameters. Moreover, we propose a balanced optimization approach that considers the various network performance parameters. We formulate the problem as an Integer Linear Programming model that considers all parameters using the Lexicographic Multi-objective optimization method. By ensuring a balance between all parameters, network performance is significantly improved. The obtained results reveal that our approach is more inclusive and provides very interesting results.
Stemming the Tide: The Proactive Role of Allied Health Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Rafferty Miriam R. , Foster Erin R. , Roberts Angela C. , Smaller Kevin A. , Johnson Lynn L. , Lawson Rachael A.
Published: June 2024

Motor and nonmotor symptoms occur in early Parkinson’s disease (PD), or even in the prodromal stage. Many of these symptoms can be addressed by allied health therapies, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and psychological therapies. However, referrals to these services early in the disease are low. We provide a review summarizing the efficacy of proactive allied health interventions on motor and nonmotor symptoms and daily function in prodromal and early disease. We also highlight areas for additional research and provide recommendations to improve care for individuals with early PD within each discipline. We recognize the overlapping roles of the allied health disciplines and support integrated or transdisciplinary care beginning soon after diagnosis to help stem the tide in the progression of PD symptoms and disability.
Hybrid Aquila optimizer for efficient classification with probabilistic neural networks
Authors: Alweshah Mohammed , Alessa Mustafa , Alkhalaileh Saleh , Kassaymeh Sofian , Abu-Salih Bilal
Published: June 2024

The model of a probabilistic neural network (PNN) is commonly utilized for classification and pattern recognition issues in data mining. An approach frequently used to enhance its effectiveness is the adjustment of PNN classifier parameters through the outcomes of metaheuristic optimization strategies. Since PNN employs a limited set of instructions, metaheuristic algorithms provide an efficient way to modify its parameters. In this study, we have employed the Aquila optimizer algorithm (AO), a contemporary algorithm, to modify PNN parameters. We have proposed two methods: Aquila optimizer based probabilistic neural network (AO-PNN), which uses both local and global search capabilities of AO, and hybrid Aquila optimizer and simulated annealing based probabilistic neural network (AOS-PNN), which integrates the global search abilities of AO with the local search mechanism of simulated annealing (SA). Our experimental results indicate that both AO-PNN and AOS-PNN perform better than the PNN model in terms of accuracy across all datasets. This suggests that they have the potential to generate more precise results when utilized to improve PNN parameters. Moreover, our hybridization technique, AOS-PNN, is more effective than AO-PNN, as evidenced by classification experiments accuracy, data distribution, convergence speed, and significance. We have also compared our suggested approaches with three different methodologies, namely Coronavirus herd immunity optimizer based probabilistic neural network (CHIO-PNN), African buffalo algorithm based probabilistic neural network (ABO-PNN), and β-hill climbing. We have found that AO-PNN and AOS-PNN have achieved significantly higher classification accuracy rates of 90.68 and 93.95, respectively.
Femur bone volumetric estimation for osteoporosis classification based on deep learning with tuna jellyfish optimization using X-ray images
Authors: T G Halesh , P. Sathish
Published: June 2024

Osteoporosis is a disorder, that leads to fractures and fatal problems in bones. It is believed that more than 200 million individuals are affected globally. Furthermore, osteoporosis is caused by micro-architectural degeneration of bone tissues, which increases the risk of bone fragility and fractures. Moreover, the osteoporosis categorization is essential for the medical industry, which classifies the skeleton problems of individuals caused by ageing. This work presented the prediction of femur bone volume for osteoporosis classification. Moreover, the femur bone X-ray image is utilized for the classification. The preprocessing phase is employed to neglect the noise contained in input bone images through a non-local means filter. In the image segmentation process, the SegNet is utilized to isolate the specific portion. Moreover, the template search approach based on femoral geometric estimation is carried out and the feature extraction phase is essential for a significant feature extraction process. The proposed tuna jellyfish optimization based deep batch-normalized eLU AlexNet (DbneAlexNet) is utilized in the osteoporosis classification process. Furthermore, accuracy, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), Negative Predictive Value (NPV), True Positive Rate (TPR) and True Negative Rate (TNR) are the metrics to validate the model and the superior values 0.913, 0.906, 0.896, 0.923 and 0.932 are achieved.
A review on deep learning-based object tracking methods
Authors: Uke Nilesh , Futane Pravin , Deshpande Neeta , Uke Shailaja
Published: June 2024

A deep learning algorithm tracks an object’s movement during object tracking and the main challenge in the tracking of objects is to estimate or forecast the locations and other pertinent details of moving objects in a video. Typically, object tracking entails the process of object detection. In computer vision applications the detection, classification, and tracking of objects play a vital role, and gaining information about the various techniques available also provides significance. In this research, a systematic literature review of the object detection techniques is performed by analyzing, summarizing, and examining the existing works available. Various state of art works are collected from standard journals and the methods available, cons, and pros along with challenges are determined based on this the research questions are also formulated. Overall, around 50 research articles are collected, and the evaluation based on various metrics shows that most of the literary works used Deep convolutional neural networks (Deep CNN), and while tracking the objects object detection helps in enhancing the performance of these networks. The important issues that need to be resolved are also discussed in this research, which helps in leveling up the object-tracking techniques.
Dose Reduction in Medical Radiography: Advancing Veterinary Diagnostic Solutions
Authors: Kocaova Huseyin Yavuz , Tunçel Nina , Unal Nuri
Published: June 2024

In this study, we investigated photon attenuation using an anti-scatter lead grid with a flat panel detector (FPD) and aimed to mitigate it by implementing a linear array detector (LAD). We developed a mechanical system that facilitates X-ray scans using the LAD. For comparison, we selected a standard FPD unit. To assess the differences in entrance skin dose (ESD) between the LAD and FPD systems, we initially utilized anthropomorphic phantoms, followed by water phantoms for exposure tests. Results showed that at a water depth of 10 cm, the ESD from the LAD was 22% lower than that from the FPD. At 30 cm this ratio was increased up to 40%. As water thickness increased, the benefits of using LAD became more evident, demonstrated by a lower ESD. This finding highlights the potential utility of implementing this equipment in veterinary radiography, particularly for imaging animals and their anatomical sites with thicker tissues.
Warthin-like Variant of Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland
Authors: Curso Krystal April Joy , Reyes John Carlo , Rivera Jonathan , Carnate Jose
Published: June 2024

A 57-year-old woman with a 2-year history of a left infra-auricular mass with no associated symptoms presented with a 6.0 cm ´ 4.0 cm ´ 3.0 cm firm, non-tender, movable mass. No imaging was done. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) revealed sheets of epithelial cells that had abundant dense grayish-blue cytoplasm in a mucinous background with abundant lymphocytes (Figure 1), suggestive of salivary gland neoplasm with oncocytic or oncocytoid features (Category IVB, Salivary Gland Neoplasm of Uncertain Malignant Potential).1
Total parotidectomy revealed a 4.3 X 3.2 X 3.0 cm deep lobe lesion with a tan-grey to dark brown, smooth and dull external surface. Cut sections showed a cream-white to pink, lobulated, heterogenous cut surfaces. Microscopically, the lesion was unencapsulated with poorly demarcated borders. The neoplastic cells were arranged in haphazard sheets and surrounded by abundant lymphocytes. The tumor cells had abundant eosinophilic and granular cytoplasm compatible with oncocytes with mild to moderate nuclear atypia. There were occasional cystic spaces that contained mucin though mucocytes were not readily apparent. (Figure 2) Necrosis, perineural and lymphovascular space invasion or anaplasia were not evident.
Assessing the Impact of Principal Leadership and Teacher Performance on Educational Quality: The Role of TQM as a Mediator
Authors: Mukaromah Nurul Hidayatul , Fuadi Athok , Daryono Rihab Wit
Published: June 2024

This research investigates the influence of the principal's leadership and teacher performance on the quality of education and the mediating role of TQM in this relationship. Random sampling techniques were used to sample 50 MA Darul Falah Sukorejo Ponorogo teachers. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire consisting of a 5-point Likert scale. PLS-SEM analysis was used to analyze data and test the conceptual model. The research results show that teacher performance significantly improves education quality but not principal leadership's influence. Apart from that, TQM mediates in increasing the influence of the principal's leadership on the quality of education (ρ=0.008) but not on the influence of teacher performance (ρ=0.703). The research implications emphasize the development of organizational culture supported by TQM and teacher professional training and development. So, building an organizational culture that supports TQM principles is essential. It involves a commitment from all levels of management, including principals and administrative staff, to prioritize educational quality and continuous improvement. Provide regular training to teachers on TQM concepts, practices, and strategies for implementing them in teaching and learning contexts.
ФІНАНСОВА СТАБІЛЬНІСТЬ ТА СТАЛЕ ЗРОСТАННЯ: ПІДХОДИ, ПАРАМЕТРИ, МОДЕЛІ
Authors: Парфентьєва О.Г.
Published: June 2024

До основних фінансових моделей оцінювання рівня економічного розвитку компаній належать: Модель сталого зростання (SGR); Модель оптимального зростання; Модель сталого зростання за допомогою DuPont аналізу (PRAT). Модель сталого зростання (SGR) передбачає, що сталий розвиток не повинен руйнувати поточні фінансові показники і компанія має бути адаптована до змін на ринку. Модель сталого зростання являє собою інструмент, що дозволяє дізнатися про наявні можливість реалізації виробничих і фінансових рішень, спрямованих на економічний розвиток. Модель оптимального зростання оцінює стале зростання з погляду створення загального доходу акціонерів і прибутковості незалежно від стратегії, бізнес-моделі та фінансових умов та базується на довгострокових статистичних оцінках. Модель PRAT створена у розвиток методів, що використовуються для вимірювання темпів сталого зростання (SGR), по суті являє собою трансформовану за допомогою моделі DuPont базову модель SGR та ґрунтується на поєднанні моделі сталого зростання з декомпозиційним аналізом. Використання моделей оцінювання рівня економічного зростання підтвердити залежність сталого розвитку компаній транспорту, складського господарства, поштової та кур’єрської діяльності від внутрішніх можливостей, у тому числі в частині зростання доходів, збільшення прибутків, прискорення оборотності активів, та негативний вплив фінансової політики, якої дотримуються компанії транспортно-логістичного сектору. Короткострокові рішення та дії транспортно-логістичних компаній у переважній більшості не йдуть на користь досягнення стратегічних цілей сталого розвитку та покращення загального економічного стану.
La nuova autorità Europea per il contrasto del riciclaggio e la lotta al terrorismo (AML/CFT): disciplina ed evoluzione
Authors: Ruggiero Carmine
Published: June 2024

L'unione Europea, a seguito di un'analisi approfondita della situazione attuale del contrasto al riciclaggio di denaro e contrasto al finanziamento del terrorismo, ha ritenuto di integrare la disciplina in materia in modo da favore ancora di più la collaborazione degli Stati membri, in quanto le differenze legislative e la necessaria dipendenza dai singoli Stati e dalle autorità preposte al controllo dei singoli Paesi, ha costituito e costituisce ancora oggi il principale ostacolo ad un efficace contesto a detti fenomeni, nonostante la regolamentazione ormai trenten-nale del fenomeno. I punti essenziali delle nuove disposizioni sono essenzialmene due: da una parte la creazione di un'Autorità centrale per il coordinamento (AMLA – Anti Money Laundering Authority), l'assistenza e la supervisione delle attività svolte dalle autorità dei singoli Paesi e dall'altra la creazione di una disciplina, auspicabilmente di fonte regolamentare, che possa avere una più rapida e diretta attuazione per far fronte a fenomeni in continua evoluzione. L'esperienza italiana in materia è inoltre alla base della candidatura di Roma quale sede centrale dell'AMLA.
Transizione digitale: le opportunità per il segmento acquedottistico
Authors: Berardi Donato , Casarico Francesca , Giustolisi Orazio , Traini Samir
Published: June 2024

In Italia la transizione digitale del servizio idrico è ancora agli inizi. La digitaliz-zazione è presente negli interventi di distrettualizzazione e misurazione dei volu-mi di processo, ma ancora poco diffusa nella misurazione del consumo finale d'utenza. Nei prossimi anni le sue potenzialità vanno chiaramente nella direzione di una infrastruttura più resiliente, in grado di adattarsi agli effetti del cambiamento climatico e di coadiuvare un uso più razionale della risorsa idrica. Sebbene si tratti di strumenti rivoluzionari nella gestione dell'acquedotto, è necessaria una strategia per il loro sviluppo che deve essere accompagnata dalla formazione del capitale umano e da una riorganizzazione delle aziende. È necessaria, dunque, anche una transizione gestionale che accompagni la transizione digitale.
Il conflitto di genere e lo scambio di figura
Authors: Caldarone Rosaria
Published: June 2024

Nel suo saggio, l'autrice sostiene che il conflitto di genere non può essere eliminato tramite l'eliminazione della questione dell'identità, come sembra fare la filosofa americana J. Butler, ma attraverso un rafforzamento dell'idea di relazione. A tale scopo l'autrice ripropone lo "scambio di figura" dell'Alcibiade I di Platone come un modello forte di relazione.
Note sul conflitto trasformativo
Authors: Iula Emanuele
Published: June 2024

Parlare di conflitto trasformativo è possibile solo nel momento in cui si assume che del conflitto è possibile fare un certo uso. Dalla possibilità dell'uso non è tuttavia immediatamente derivabile la legittimità a tale ricorso. Prima di entrare nel merito di queste due problematiche, che rappresentano comunque l'extrema ratio di un problema altrimenti non risolvibile, il saggio propone la ricostruzione in tre tappe del concetto di conflitto trasformativo. La riflessione prende dunque le mosse dal concetto aristotelico di stasis (rivolta), per poi transitare su alcune tesi del sociologo Georg Simmel. L'ultimo passo consisterà nell'esplorare la possibilità di una governance interna al conflitto, da intendersi come garanzia necessaria a non deviare dagli scopi prefissati.
Mediare i conflitti o disfare le ingiustizie?
Authors: Ongaro Alessandro , Patrizi Patrizia
Published: June 2024

La giustizia riparativa è un paradigma che cambia il modo di guardare ai fatti in cui si genera un danno a seguito del comportamento di qualcuno. Il paradigma non va confuso con le pratiche con cui si affrontano le conseguenze del danno, perché queste sono gli strumenti della giustizia riparativa. Dando uno sguardo al panorama internazionale, si possono individuare diversi strumenti che sono stati sviluppati per consentire il dialogo tra le persone coinvolte da un fatto dannoso. Le diverse pratiche riparative nascono da differenti approcci e orientamenti che si sono sviluppati a partire da bisogni e circostanze precise e che sono ben rappresentati nei manuali pubblicati dall'Ufficio dell'Onu che si occupa di droga e criminalità. In questo articolo vengono presi in considerazione due particolari approcci, il mediare i conflitti e il disfare le ingiustizie, con lo scopo di riflettere su come si possa sviluppare appieno il potenziale della giustizia riparativa.
Grassroots Solidarity for Refugees in Hostile Grounds: Spatial Practices of Bottom-Up Inclusion in Verona
Authors: Demirsu Ipek
Published: June 2024

The article aims to shed light on everyday bottom-up practices of local solidarity groups in a predominantly exclusionary and nativist context. Considered as one of the most hostile settings in the Italian peninsula, with an elevated presence of far-right and populist right actors, the city of Verona offers an interesting case as con-comitantly the capital of migration of the Veneto region. Against the elevated presence of an ethnonationalist outlook to urban membership, a local network of grassroots actors challenges exclusionary practices in solidarity with newcomers from various legal statuses and backgrounds. These grassroots actors sharing the memory of collective struggles collaborate to overcome both social hostility and limitations of the institutional reception system in their own hometown. Premised on 3 years of fieldwork, the analysis draws from personal testimonies alongside visual narratives and archival research in offering a multidimensional historical investigation of everyday solidarities in an unlikely setting.
Quel legame tra Islam e hip-hop: un urlo di rivalsa e di resistenza
Authors: Sarti Tommaso
Published: June 2024

Il presente contributo affronta da una prospettiva storico-sociologia il rapporto tra religione islamica e cultura hip hop. Se negli USA osserviamo un rapporto molto esplicito e con una chiara impostazione militante, grazie anche alla presenza di organizzazioni islamiche come la Nation of Islam e la Five Percenter, questo legame in Europa a un primo sguardo appare meno marcato. Eppure, come vedremo, anche per gli artisti europei l'Islam non è un elemento secondario perché sembra diventare un catalizzatore d'identità in grado di unire soggetti marginalizzati che attraverso la musica riescono a farsi sentire e lanciare un messaggio. Partendo dalle sue origini in Giamaica, ripercorreremo la strada dell'hip hop e del suo incon-tro con l'Islam nelle strade del Bronx e, passando dalla Francia, arriveremo ad os-servare l'attuale scena rap italiana rappresentata in particolar modo da collettivi come la NPT e la Seven7oo.
Desideri e aspettative di benessere nella comunità accademica. L'indagine esplorativa del progetto Pro.be
Authors: Esposito Ciro , Agueli Barbara , Fantinelli Stefania , Antonia Toto Giusi , Ingusci Emanuela , Arcidiacono Caterina , Di Napoli Immacolata
Published: June 2024

Pochi studi sul benessere accademico approfondiscono l'intera comunità accademica (personale docente e tecnico amministrativo e componente studentesca). La ricerca esplorativa ha esplorato i desideri di benessere nel contesto universitario foggiano. 390 partecipanti (per-sonale docente e tecnico-amministrativo e studenti e studentesse) hanno risposto alla domanda stimolo sui desideri di benessere in Ateneo. Il materiale testuale e` stato analizzato mediante l'analisi tematica (Braun & Clarke, 2006). I temi identificati sono stati organizzati in base al ruo-lo del partecipante. Creare contesti collaborativi e dove tutti sono rico-nosciuti rispetto al proprio valore sono desideri comuni. Lo studio raf-forza la necessità maggiore attenzione alla promozione di interventi nei collettivi contesti accademici.
Psicosomatica: un caso di araba fenice. Note a latere dell'articolo di F. Bottaccioli & A.G. Bottaccioli "Franz Alexander, uno scienziato contemporaneo: un nuovo paradigma per la psicologia e la medicina"
Authors: Fornaro Mauro
Published: June 2024

A sessant'anni dalla scomparsa di Franz Alexander occorre indagare ciò che è vivo e ciò che è morto del suo pensiero sulla psicosomatica, focalizzando in particolare le nozioni di emozione e di nevrosi vegetativa come centrali nel suo modello di spiegazione. Va poi rilevata, alla luce degli sviluppi posteriori ad Alexander, la difficoltà odierna a sostenere la psicosomatica come disciplina autonoma, fino a mettere in dubbio la legittimità dell'espressione: in questo problematico contesto va misurata la proposta di Bottaccioli & Bottaccioli (2024a) di identificarla con la PsicoNeuroEn-docrinoImmunologia (PNEI). Resta comunque l'esigenza sempre valida, già sostenuta da Alexander, di una considerazione unitaria, "olistica" dell'essere umano, malato e sano. Si tratta però di un paradigma che occorre giustificare e precisare concettualmente nel ruolo effettivo che svolge di ispiratore di ricerche e di spiegazioni specifiche.
You have to work more than men to succeed! Gender differences in workaholism among Italian academics
Authors: Tattarini Giulia , Carriero Renzo , Solera Cristina
Published: June 2024

Over the last decades, Italian university reforms have put increased pressure on academics and researchers towards greater productivity and accountability. These changes have generated an ‘overtime culture', which is one of the main determinants of workaholism, over-commitment, and presenteeism among academics. The consequences of such changes are not gender-neutral: women – more often disadvantaged in academic careers than men – might be more affected by increased work pressure and more likely to work excessively to avoid career penalties. By using an original web-survey of about 1300 academics from four Italian universities, this article investigates gender differences in workaholic behaviours (i.e., working at night, on Sundays, etc.), and their link with the way researchers perceive the recruitment processes and gender disparities. The authors found that women are more workaholic than men, and this is explained by perceptions of gender equality in their working environment.
Factors Affecting the Performance of Inpatient Nurses at RSU Bina Kasih Medan in 2023
Authors: Simanjuntak Monica , Theo Deli , Nasution Ramadhani Syafitri
Published: June 2024

Nurses are a key factor in improving the quality of services in hospitals because they have a vital role in providing care and support to patients. However, the assessment of nurses' performance showed that the results were not optimal, with achievement only reaching 47%. This can hurt the quality of hospital services. This study aims to identify and analyze factors that influence the performance of inpatient nurses at Bina Kasih Hospital, Medan. The research method used is cross-sectional with a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 74 inpatient nurses selected using total sampling techniques. Data analysis was carried out through univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis using logistic regression tests. The results of the analysis show that workload, work stress, work environment, work intensity, and compensation have a significant effect on the performance of inpatient nurses at Bina Kasih Hospital, Medan (p < 0.05). The implication of this research is the importance of hospital management to pay attention to these factors to improve nurse performance and service quality in hospitals.
Threat of Fusarium pallidoroseum on Post-Harvest Kola Nut (Cola spp.) in Nigeria: A Review
Authors: Sulaimon Sheriff Olalekan , Ajadi Ibrahim , Mubarak Yahya , Bello Habibat Bolanle , Ibrahim Kazeem
Published: June 2024

Fusarium pallidoroseum poses a significant risk to Kola nut production, impacting both quality and quantity. This review explores the pressing threat of Fusarium pallidoroseum on post-harvest Kola nut (Cola spp.) in Nigeria.  By identifying knowledge gaps and challenges in current management approaches, this review underscores the necessity for further research and collaboration among stakeholders to develop sustainable and effective control measures. Addressing the menace of Fusarium pallidoroseum on post-harvest Kola nut is crucial for safeguarding agricultural sustainability, promoting food security, and protecting the livelihoods of farmers in Nigeria.
Metodologi Kritikan Sanad Riwayat Sirah: Satu Kajian Terhadap Akram Ḍiyā’ Al-ʿumarī Dalam Karyanya Al-Sīrah Al- Nabawiyyah Al-Ṣaḥīḥah
Authors: M Azizan Ahmad Salahuddin , Mohamed Nor Zulhilmi , Mohd Hamdan Muhammad Akmalludin
Published: June 2024

Criticism (naqd) of hadith narrations is one of the ways to determine the authenticity of a hadith. This method has also been employed in the compilation of the Prophet's biography (sirah) by scholars in their work known as al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah. Through research conducted on this work, it was found that scholars critiqued certain narrations in the sirah based on two main aspects of hadith, namely the sanad (chain of narrators) and the matan (content). Therefore, this article constitutes a methodological analysis study of the scholars' use of criticism (naqd) solely from the perspective of the sanad in narrations of the sirah. It uses Akram Ḍiyā’ al-ʿUmarī, a contemporary scholar in the field of sirah and history, as a sample for the study through his work, al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah al-Ṣaḥīḥah. A qualitative research approach employing library analysis methods is utilized to extract the methodology employed by Akram Ḍiyā’ al-ʿUmarī in his criticism (naqd) of the sanad of sirah narrations and to analyze his criticism based on the recognized methods of Takhrīj al-Ḥadīth and al-Ḥukm ʿAlā al-Riwāyah, as established by hadith scholars. The results of this study show that Akram Ḍiyā’ al-ʿUmarī critiques the sanad of sirah narrations with a lenient approach towards accepting weak narrations, in accordance with the methodology proposed by hadith scholars.
Opinion of Hadith Scholars on The Understanding of Hadith by Extremists
Authors: Abd Hamid Nur Bakri
Published: June 2024

More than 120 Muslim scholars around the world have rejected Al-Baghdadi's caliphate and condemned atrocities committed by ISIS through one open letter distributed at the end of September 2014. The scholars decided that the concept of the Islamic caliphate is not valid. The article seeks to uncover and deal with hadith concerns misinterpreted by ISIS and addressed by hadith scholars’ views. This article uses library research techniques to gather a variety of ideas, facts, research findings, and expert opinions along with pertinent analysis. Among the causes of confusion and misunderstanding of hadith amongst Muslim is the development of technology, which allows people to obtain and interpret information about hadith without consulting religious experts, using logic of reason in interpreting the hadith, understanding the hadith without considering maqasid, misunderstanding of the contextual approach, and others. The results of this writing are expected to assist Muslim community in understanding the hadiths of the Prophet SAW well without any confusion that can distort their belief and practice.
Hadis Amalan Terbaik Dalam Sahih Bukhari: Analisa Stilistik Fonosemantik
Authors: Ahmad Hishomudin , Ahmad Ghafar Norfarhana , Ahmad Muhammad Anwar Bin , Ku Yaacob Ku Mohd Syarbaini Bin
Published: June 2024

Stylistics, a sub-discipline of applied linguistics, examines the aesthetic aspects of language style within texts, particularly literary ones. While it is often used to explore the linguistic beauty of the Quran, it is less frequently applied to Prophetic Hadith texts. This study aims to analyse Hadiths that contain conversations between the Prophet and his companions, known as the Qauli Hiwari-type, related to exemplary practices (Afdhal al-‘amal), in Sahih Bukhari. Textual analysis was applied using phonosemantic analysis to examine letter combinations in words and ascertain their meanings related to these practices. The findings reveal five exemplary practices in the Prophet's Hadiths as narrated in Sahih Bukhari, hierarchically arranged to reflect their significance: belief in Allah SWT and His Messenger, and performing prayers punctually, which are fundamental to Islam, followed by kindness to parents, Jihad fi Sabillillah, and performing Hajj Mabrur, subject to individual limitations and capacities. This study demonstrates that phonosemantic stylistics can effectively analyze the linguistic style of religious texts, particularly in discerning meanings embedded in letter combinations, and shows that Hadith texts can be examined through stylistics with appropriate guidelines. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the linguistic nuances and religious teachings within the Hadiths of Sahih Bukhari.
Verification of Railway Control Systems Using Model Checking and CTL, Explained Through a Case Study
Authors: Lukács Gábor , Bartha Tamás
Published: June 2024

Systematic faults can often occur during the development of a system. The later such faults are discovered, the more expensive it can be to correct them. In systems engineering practice, there are many methods and tools to reduce the likelihood of systematic faults. In this paper, we present the application of a formal model–based verification technique – called model checking – to assist railway engineers in designing and verifying the safety-related functionality of railway control systems. The proposed process is part of a specification-verification environment that facilitates the construction of correct, complete, consistent, and verifiable functional specifications during development. The results and experience in model checking are illustrated by a case study of a vehicle detection point, a common component in this domain. The model checking of the case study has been performed in the widely used UPPAAL modeling and simulation framework, which can also verify formal properties and generate a counterexample in case of a property violation. By analyzing the counterexample, the designer can gain insights into the system's behavior and identify potential design flaws or failures. Model checking can be used to achieve a higher quality functional specification that is typically more complete and/or contains fewer faults compared to the traditional development approach.
تأثير ألية (ميكانيزم) التعلم الحركي في تعلم بعض المسكات بالمصارعة الحرة للمبتدئين
Authors: Lec. Dr. Farhad Hassan Raheem
Published: June 2024

تجلت أهمية البحث في الارتقاء بمستوى الاداء الفني للاعبي المصارعة وخاصة اداء المسكات المتنوعة من خلال التعلم الحركي الصحيح وعلى وفق نظريات واليات التعلم مثل الية ( ميكانيزم) التي تعلم برفع مستوى التعليم وبذلك نساهم في  تعليم المصارعين المبتدئين، اضافة الى وضع معلومة عليمة للمعلمين والمدربين اهمية التوجه الى الاليات التعليمة والنظريات التعليمية التي بنيت عليها تلك الافكار في كيفية وضع التمرينات وكيفية تعليمها وكيفية معالجة الاخطاء بالاستعانة بالتغذية الراجعة والتوجه الصحيح في التطبيق. وكانت اهم أهداف البحث: التعرف على تأثير ألية (ميكانيزم) التعلم الحركي في تعلم بعض المسكات بالمصارعة الحرة للمبتدئين. وعليه تم الاستنتاجات: -ألية (ميكانيزم) التعلم الحركي حقق الاهداف العلمية في التعلم الحركي من خلال تعلم بعض المسكات بالمصارعة الحرة للمبتدئين. وتم التوصية: -اعتماد ألية (ميكانيزم) التعلم الحركي لأنها مهمة في تحقيق الاهداف العلمية في التعلم الحركي من خلال تعلم بعض المسكات بالمصارعة الحرة للمبتدئين.