bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal Sequential-Artificial Neural Network Enhancements for Improved Smart Lighting Control
Authors: Putrada Aji Gautama , Abdurohman Maman , Perdana Doan , Nuha Hilal Hudan
Published: February 2024

Several previous studies have proposed a temporal sequential-artificial neural network (TS-ANN) to convert PIR Sensor movement data into presence data and improve the performance of smart lighting control. However, such a temporal-sequential forecasting concept has a curse of dimensionality problem. This study aims to proposes the application of principal component analysis with TS-ANN (PCA-TS-ANN) as an intelligent method for controlling smart lighting with low dimensions. We have primary data directly from a smart lighting implementation that utilizes PIR sensors. We apply cross-correlation to the original dataset to find the optimum time step. Then we discover the optimum TS-ANN based on selected tuning parameter values through PCC. We then design and compare scenarios involving the combination of TS-ANN and PCA. Finally, we evaluate these scenarios using the metrics Accuracy, Precision, Recall, F1− Score, and Delay. The results of this study are the PCA-TS-ANN model with Accuracy, Precision, Recall, and F1−Score value of 0.9993, 0.9997, 0.9994, and 0.9996 respectively. The PCA method reduces the TS-ANN features from 1200 features to 36 features. The model size has also decreased from 3534kB to 807kB. Our model has a simpler complexity with TS-ANN that the µ ± σ Delay is 0.27±0.06 ms versus 0.34±0.11 ms.
Combination of Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO) and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) for Survival Prediction of Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Sutikno Sutikno
Published: February 2024

Heart failure is a dangerous condition in which the heart cannot pump blood effectively and can lead to death. To improve this treatment, it needs methods to predict patient survival. This paper proposed combining wrapping features, namely Binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO) and a multilayer perceptron (MLP) classifier called BPSO-MLP. BPSO is used to determine the most relevant feature subset, and MLP is used to calculate its fitness. The experiment used a public dataset containing the medical records of 299 heart failure patients. This dataset comprises 13 features: age, anemia, high blood pressure, creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), diabetes, ejection fraction, platelets, gender, serum creatinine, serum sodium, smoking, time, and death events. The experiment results showed that the proposed method could produce an accuracy of up to 91.11%. The proposed method can increase accuracy by 8.89% compared to MLP (without BPSO). The addition of this wrapping feature has a significant influence on the accuracy results.
Weighted Voting Ensemble Learning of CNN Architectures for Diabetic Retinopathy Classification
Authors: Desiani Anita , Primartha Rifkie , Hanum Herlina , Dewi Siti Rusdiana Puspa , Al-Filambany Muhammad Gibran , Suedarmin Muhammad , Suprihatin Bambang
Published: February 2024

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a diabetes disease that attacks the retina of the eye and can be recognized through retinal images. The process of assisting retinal images can be done by applying deep learning-based methods, one of which is the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). CNN has many architectures that can perform image classification processes, namely ResNet-50, MobileNet, and EfficientNet. Weaknesses of each architecture can be overcome through ensemble learning methods that can add up the performance results of each classification method. The study applies the ensemble learning method to improve the performance of the ResNet-50, MobileNet, and EfficientNet architectures in paying for DR disease on the retina by weighted voting. The data used are the APTOS and EyePACS datasets. The method in this research is data collection, training, testing, and evaluation of each architecture and ensemble learning. The results of the superior ensemble learning performance in the value of accuracy, F1-Score, and Cohens Kappa were obtained respectively 93.3%, 93.42%, and 0.866. The best specificity value was obtained by Resnet-50 at 99.78% and the highest sensitivity value was obtained by EfficientNet at 96.2%. Based on the classification results of each architectural and ensemble learning, it can be interpreted that the proposed ensemble learning method is excellent to perform image classification for Diabetic Retinopathy.
Reconstructing the Thirteenth-Century Castilian Queen's Household through the Repartimientos
Authors: Del Val Vales Paula
Published: February 2024

The thirteenth century was a transformative period for Western European monarchies, which experienced the development of institutions and an increasing bureaucratisation of their administrative systems. During this time in Castile, the queen’s establishment began to be recognised as progressively differentiated from the king’s own household. This study examines the composition and structure of the Castilian queen’s household in the thirteenth century through two case studies: the households of Juana of Ponthieu (r.1237-1252), wife of Fernando III; and Violante of Aragon (r.1252-1284), wife of Alfonso X. It draws upon the references to their personnel contained in the repartimientos, the grants of land that followed the conquest of new territories in the Southern Iberian Peninsula. This approach demonstrates that the examination of well-known sources through the lens of queenship provides important new insights into the personnel and households of thirteenth-century queens consort. This article argues that, during the thirteenth century, the queen’s household constituted a space of connection which linked together people from diverse origins, kingdoms, and backgrounds; and provided the queen with a sphere of influence, through which she could exercise her largesse and patronage.
Surrounding the Future Queen of the Crown of Aragon: Violant of Bar’s Household as Duchess of Girona (1384–1386)
Authors: Ruiz Domingo Lledó
Published: February 2024

This paper analyses Violant’s household as Duchess of Girona from 1384 to 1386. This period is fundamental as it will allow us to understand her entourage after the fiasco of the General Parliaments of Monzón (1382-1384) until the previous months to ascend to the throne as Queen Consort of Aragon. The paper presents the sources available, the events of the General Parliaments, the composition of Violant’s household, and an approximation of its maintenance cost.
O’Leary, Elite Women as Diplomatic Agents in Italy and Hungary, 1470–1510 Kinship and the Aragonese Dynastic Network (Leeds: ARC Humanities Press, 2022)
Authors: Silvestri Alessandro
Published: February 2024

Review of Elite Women as Diplomatic Agents in Italy and Hungary, 1470–1510 Kinship and the Aragonese Dynastic Network. By Jessica O’Leary. Leeds: ARC Humanities Press, 2022. ISBN 9781641892421. xvi + 106 pp. £59.
Introduction: The Iberian Queen’s Households: Dynamics, Social Strategies, and Royal Power
Authors: Pelaz Flores Diana
Published: February 2024

The study of royal households has undergone a remarkable development in recent years. Thanks to the appearance of works on their composition, family strategies, or specific people at the service of queens and infantas, it is possible to raise new analytical questions, or to focus on lesser-known stages, such as the queens’ youth. The company and service of officers, ladies-in-waiting, maidens, or servants contributed to the creation of a “circle of security” for the infanta and later for the queen, but also of a political instrument, and even of a cultural agent if necessary. The examination of the royal environment of Iberian queens and infantas allows us to understand exchanges in court codes and etiquette, or the demonstration of royal authority over a bordering territory. The comparative study of the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula reflects the ability of royal women when it comes to introducing changes in the composition of the household, as well as being key to understanding the motivations of the personnel at their service. Thus, the objectives of this monographic issue are vindication of queenly authority from the first demonstrations of her political capacity, and contextualization of the changes and decisions orchestrated within the queen’s household through some previously unknown cases in the Late Middle Ages and the early modern eras.
FLT3 signaling inhibition abrogates opioid tolerance and hyperalgesia while preserving analgesia
Authors: Rivat Cyril , Jouvenel Antoine , Tassou Adrien , Thouaye Maxime , Ruel Jerome , Antri Myriam , Leyris Jean-Philippe , Giraudin Aurore , Mallie Sylvie , Sar Chamroeum , Diouloufet Lucie , Sonrier Corinne , Daubeuf Francois , Bertin Juliette , Alves Stacy , Venteo Stephanie , Frossard Nelly , Carroll Patrick , Mechaly Ilana , Rognan Didier , Sokoloff Pierre , Dallel Radhouane , Delmas Patrick , Valmier Jean
Published: February 2024

Navigating the duality of opioids' potent analgesia and side effects, including tolerance and hyperalgesia, is a significant challenge in chronic pain management, often prompting hazardous dose escalation to maintain analgesic effects. The peripheral mu-opioid receptor (MOR) is known to mediate these contradictory effects. Here, we show that the fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor 3 (FLT3) in peripheral somatosensory neurons drives morphine tolerance and hyperalgesia. We found that chronic morphine treatment increases FLT3 and MOR co-expression, and that inhibiting FLT3 represses MOR-induced hyperactivation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway, mitigating maladaptive excitatory processes engaged after chronic morphine treatment. Furthermore, in postsurgical or inflammatory models of chronic pain, co-administering morphine with a FLT3-specific inhibitor not only prevents or suppresses tolerance and hyperalgesia but also potentiates the analgesic efficacy of morphine. Our findings suggest that pairing morphine with FLT3 inhibitors could become a promising avenue for chronic pain management to safely harness the power of opioids, without the risk of dose escalation. By enhancing morphine analgesic potency through FLT3 inhibition, this approach could minimize opioid dosage, thereby curtailing the risk of addiction and other opioid-related side effects.
Larvae of grassland caterpillar endemic to Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (Lepidoptera: Lymantriinae: Gynaephora): identification, distribution, and ultramorphology
Authors: Yuan Chen , Shao Hainan , Fu Jinping , Liu Siyu , Liu Yunxiang
Published: February 2024

The grassland caterpillar is a significant pest of alpine meadows in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Its larvae primarily feed on forage grasses, resulting in financial losses. However, little research has been done on the morphological features of larvae of this species thus far. The distribution and habitat of Gynaephora menyuanensis were extensively investigated in this instance through field study. Using an optical and scanning electron microscope(SEM), the external morphology and ultramorphology of the last instar larvaeof G. menyuanensiswere investigated. The findings indicate that this species is primarily found in the northeast of Qinghai Province in alpine meadows at an altitude of 3,000–3,500 m. For the first time, SEM is used to report more comprehensive morphological structuresof G. menyuanensis, including larval head capsule, mouthparts, antenna, sensilla, thoracic legs, prolegs, and setae. The larvae have two distinct color funnel warts (yellow and red) on abdominal segments VI and VII, which sets them apart from other lepidopterous larvae. Additionally, the chaetotaxy of first instar larvae of G. menyuanensis were studied and described in detail, identifying seven clusters(PD, D, SD, L, SV, V, CV) on the larval trunk. This study offers a theoretical basis for phylogenetic analysis, the adaption evolution of G. menyuanensis, and a systematic discussion of the application of morphological features of larvae to classification.
Research on key technology of cooled infrared bionic compound eye camera based on small lens array
Authors: wang xiaoyu , Linhan Li , Yinghao Chi , Liu Jie , Juan Yuan , Sili Gao , Xiupeng Yuan , Yang Yu
Published: February 2024

With the development of imaging technology, traditional two-dimensional imaging technology has difficulty meeting the observation needs of a large field of view, and has a high sensitivity to the movement of small targets. Inspired by the characteristics of the insect compound eye structure, this paper proposes an infrared bionic compound eye camera based on a small lens array. The camera consists of 61 small lens arrays mounted on a curved spherical shell and a relay optical system, and the imaging device is a high-performance cooled mid-wave infrared detector. This is an innovative design of an infrared biomimetic compound eye camera system with a wide field of view and all-day detection capability. To meet the requirement of 100% cold-membrane matching between the infrared optical system and the cooled detector, the relay optical system optimizes the large-field aberration by introducing a higher-order aspherical surface and changing the geometric surface of the lenses, and the whole system realizes an observation field angle of 108 °× 108 °. The experiments showed that the image quality of each ommatidium was good in the imaging range of the compound eye camera, and the imaging signal-to-noise ratio improved in various scenes.
A Well-being Promotion Program Increases Self-Compassion, Resilience and Active Coping among Providers Who Work with Children and Families
Authors: Lengua Liliana J. , Calhoun Rebecca , Balinbin Ignatius , Long Robyn , Spink Katie Malloy , Angeles Marie
Published: February 2024

This study examined the effects of the REsilient Attitudes and Living for Professionals (REAL Pro) prevention intervention on the well-being of professionals who work with children and families. The program combines mindfulness and self-compassion practices with cognitive-behavioral tools that aim to promote improved stress management, emotion regulation and well-being, and was evaluated with early childhood (n = 87) and K-12 educators (n = 40), staff serving youth in out-of-school or after-school settings (n = 31), and medical providers (n = 35). Participants completed pre- and post-test assessments, reporting on measures of stress management (perceived stress, self-compassion), emotion regulation (dysregulation, active coping, denial), and well-being (flourishing, resilience, burnout, secondary trauma symptoms). Dependent sample t-tests were conducted, showing significant improvement from pre- to post-test in self-compassion, emotion regulation, active coping, and a trend toward increased resilience. Three-month follow-up in a small subset of the sample (n = 11) suggested potential delayed reduction in burnout and secondary trauma symptoms. The preventive intervention shows promise for providing professionals with tools for stress management and emotion regulation and reducing burnout in providers working with children and families who tend to experience substantial work-related stress.
Hyperalgesic Effect Evoked by Il-16 and Its Participation in Inflammatory Hypernociception in Mice
Authors: González-Rodríguez Sara , Sordo-Bahamonde Christian , Álvarez-Artime Alejandro , Baamonde Ana , Menéndez Luis
Published: February 2024

The systemic administration of interleukin-16 (IL-16, 3-30 ng/kg, 1 h before) induced thermal hyperalgesia in mice, that was prevented by the acute injection of an anti-CD4 antibody (1 µg/kg), the depletion of circulating white blood cells by cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg, 72 and 24 h before) or the specific reduction of circulating CD4+ cells provoked by a high dose of an anti-CD4 antibody (30 µg/mouse, 24 h before). IL-16-induced hyperalgesia was locally inhibited after intraplantar (i.pl.) administration of the non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor diclofenac, the COX-1 inhibitor SC-560, the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib, the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine or the TRPA1 antagonist HC030031, thus demonstrating that prostaglandins (PGs) and TRP channels are involved in this effect. The i.pl. administration of low doses of IL-16 (0.1-1 ng) evoked local hyperalgesia suggesting the possibility that IL-16 could participate in hypernociception associated to local tissue injury. Accordingly, IL-16 concentration measured by ELISA was increased in paws acutely inflamed with carrageenan or chronically inflamed with complete Freund´s adjuvant (CFA), being this augmentation prevented by cyclophosphamide pre-treatment. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry experiments showed that the increased concentration of IL-16 levels found in acutely inflamed paws is mainly related to the infiltration of IL-16+ neutrophils, although a reduced number of IL-16+ lymphocytes was also detected in paws inflamed with CFA. Supporting the functional role of IL-16 in inflammatory hypernociception, the administration of an anti-IL-16 antibody dose-dependently reduced carrageenan- and CFA-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. The interest of IL-16 as a target to counteract inflammatory pain is suggested.
In silico studies of the open form of human tissue transglutaminase
Authors: Vlasov Alexey , Ivashchenko Sergey , Shulga Dmitry , Ivashchenko Vladimir , Zinovev Egor
Published: February 2024

Human tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is an intriguing multifunctional enzyme involved in various diseases, including celiac disease and neurological disorders. Although a number of tTG inhibitors have been developed, the molecular determinants governing ligand binding remain incomplete due to the lack of high-resolution structural data in the vicinity of its active site. In this study, we obtained the complete high-resolution model of tTG by in silico methods based on available PDB structures. We discovered significant differences in the active site architecture between our and known tTG models, revealing an additional loop which affects the ligand binding affinity. We assembled a library of new potential tTG inhibitors based on the obtained complete model of the enzyme. Our library substantially expands the spectrum of possible drug candidates targeting tTG and encompasses twelve molecular scaffolds, eleven of which are novel and exhibit higher binding affinity then already known ones, according to our in silico studies. The results of this study open new directions for structure-based drug design of tTG inhibitors, offering the complete protein model and suggesting a wide range of new compounds for further experimental validation.
Spiroplasma infection as a cause of severe congenital keratouveitis, cataract and glaucoma
Authors: Haecke Helena , Roels Dimitri , Nerinckx Fanny , Schaballie Heidi , Schelstraete Petra , Vandekerckhove Linos , Cleemput Jolien , Broeck Wim , Couck Liesbeth , Hamerlinck Hannelore , Vandendriessche Stien , Boelens Jerina , Joniau Inge
Published: February 2024

Background: Only seven cases of ocular Spiroplasmainfection have been reported to date, all presenting as congenital cataracts with concomitant intraocular inflammation. We describe the first case of Spiroplasmainfection initially presenting as a corneal infiltrate.
Case presentation: A 1-month-old girl was referred for a corneal infiltrate in the left eye. She presented in our hospital with unilateral keratouveitis. Examination showed a stromal corneal infiltrate and dense white keratic precipitates in the left eye. Herpetic keratouveitis was suspected and intravenous acyclovir therapy was initiated. Two weeks later, the inflammation in the left eye persisted and was also noticed in the right eye. Acute angle-closure glaucoma and a cataract with dilated iris vessels extending onto the anterior lens capsule developed in the left eye. The inflammation resolved after treatment with azithromycin. Iridectomy, synechiolysis and lensectomy were performed. Bacterial metagenomic sequencing (16S rRNA) and transmission electron microscopy revealed Spiroplasma ixodetis species in lens aspirates and biopsy. Consequently, a diagnosis of bilateral Spiroplasmauveitis was made.
Conclusions: In cases of congenital cataract with concomitant intraocular inflammation, Spiroplasma infection should be considered. The purpose of this case report is to raise awareness of congenital Spiroplasmainfection as a cause of severe keratouveitis, cataract and angle-closure glaucoma in newborns. Performing molecular testing on lens aspirates is essential to confirm diagnosis. Systemic macrolides are suggested as the mainstay of treatment.
Mutual synchronization of hydrodynamic and thermoacoustic oscillations in a turbulent premixed combustor
Authors: Balasubramaniyan Manikandan , Wang Haiqing , Liu Peijin , Guan Yu , Li Larry K.B.
Published: February 2024

The presence of global hydrodynamic instability (GHI) in turbulent premixed flames has been shown to reduce the sensitivity of heat-release-rate (HRR) responses to external acoustic forcing, suggesting that GHI could passively weaken thermoacoustic oscillations detrimental to combustion systems. This study adopts a mutual synchronization approach to investigate the coupled interactions between a bluff-body stabilized turbulent premixed flame containing GHI and the acoustic modes of its surrounding combustor. In the absence of external forcing, flame HRR oscillations and combustor acoustic modes can mutually synchronize , but the impact of mutual synchronization on resulting flame response or acoustic pressure amplitude remains unclear. Therefore, this study systematically investigates mutual synchronization, its dynamical states, and subsequent flame response/acoustic pressure amplitude using temporal and spatial analysis. Simultaneous CH* chemiluminescence imaging and unsteady pressure measurements were conducted in a bluff-body stabilized lean-premixed turbulent combustor. By increasing the combustor length (1200 mm ⩽ L ⩽ 2700 mm) while maintaining a fixed equivalence ratio (ϕ = 0.65) and Reynolds number (Re = 10785), four distinct flame modes were observed: (i) a self-sustained vortex shedding mode due to GHI at L = 1200 mm, also known as the hydrodynamic mode; (ii) a self-sustained 1 combustor mode due to thermoacoustic instability at L = 1700 mm; (iii) a hybrid mode at L = 2500 mm, where both the GHI and thermoacoustic modes coex-ist; and (iv) a mutually synchronized mode at L = 2700 mm, where GHI and thermoacoustic modes are locked into each other. Temporal analysis reveals the coexistence of various dynamical states during mutual synchronization, including a simultaneous increase in the amplitudes of flame HRR and acoustic pressure oscillations. Similarly, spatial analysis reveals strong HRR fluctuations occurring at the recirculation zone due to large-scale vortex roll-up. Lastly, two distinct mechanisms causing flame blowoff are identified: (i) a few cycles of flame pinch-off followed by global flame blowoff when ϕ falls below the lean flammability limit and (ii) flame pinch-off and flame-wall quenching together cause global flame blowoff.
Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Fat Embolism in Isolated Lower Extremities Long Bone Fractures
Authors: Owattanapanich Natthida , Lewis Meghan , Biswas Subarna , Benjamin Elizabeth , Demetriades Demetrios
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND: Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a serious complication after orthopedic trauma. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for FES, in isolated lower extremity long bone fractures.
METHODS: NTDB study, included patients with isolated femoral and tibial fractures. 344 patients with FES were propensity score matched with 981 patients without FES. Multivariate logistical regression was used to identify independent risk factors for FES.
RESULTS: FES was diagnosed in 344 (0.03%) out of the 1,251,143 patients in the study populations. In the two matched groups, the mortality was 7% in the FES group and 1% in the No FES group (p<0.001). FES was associated with an increased risk of ARDS, VTE, pneumonia, AKI , and stroke. Younger age, femur fractures, obesity and diabetes were independent predictors of FE. Early operative fixation (≤ 48 h) was protective against FES.
CONCLUSIONS: FES increases mortality by seven times. Young age, obesity, and diabetes are significant independent risk factors for FES. Early fixation is independently associated with a reduced risk of FES.
Preparation of sock impregnated with microcapsules based on olive oil for the antibacterial and antifungal therapy of athlete's foot
Authors: Jaafar Fadhel , Ladhari Neji
Published: February 2024

Athlete's foot is a cutaneous fungal infection caused by dermatophyte infection. It is characterised by itching, flaking, and fissuring of the skin. Fungal infection of the feet can cause white and soggy skin between the toes, dry and flaky soles, or reddening and blistering of the skin all over the foot. The sock is therefore an important area for development and relevant for overall improvements in comfort. clothing designated for athlete's foot in terms of antifungal sock are developed. A jersey garment is developed with cotton and elastane by circular knitting machine. The sock is improved by adding antifungal treatments. The improvement depends on the impregnation of ethylcellulose microcapsules with olive oil on the textile surface. Olive oil also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it very effective in treating infections and itching. The morphological characterization of the microcapsules was studied. Structural characterization, using Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy, confirmed the encapsulation of the olive oil. Thermal characterization by Thermogravimetric Analysis and Differential Thermal Analysis showed the encapsulation of olive oil and the thermal stability with the charged microcapsules. The encapsulation efficiency is 64%. The release of olive oil from ethylcellulose microcapsules has been proven by studying the kinetic of diffusion through a pig skin. The liberation and the crossing of olive oil are studied through the pig skin. Then the pathological effect of microencapsulated socks is obtained together.
Measurement of district health system strengthening efforts for maternal and newborn health service delivery: Synchronized application of evaluation models in the West Nile region, Uganda, 2019-2021
Authors: Muhumuza Simon , Lutalo Ibrahim M. , Ssendiwala Julius , Latigi Grace , Pirio Patricia , Msukwa Chimwemwe , Mwanyumba Fabian , Gohar Fatima , Hailegebriel Tedbabe Degefie , Asfaw Atnafu Getachew , Bergh Anne-Marie
Published: February 2024

Introduction Uganda has high maternal, neonatal, and under-five mortality rates. Between 2019 and 2021, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other partners, implemented a maternal and newborn health (MNH) quality improvement programme in the West Nile region of Uganda to improve the delivery and utilization of MNH services. This study describes the application of health system evaluation models to measure improvements in health system capacity and the quality of MNH services. Methods We designed two novel health system evaluation models—the Progression and ServQual models—which progressively measure improvements in health system capacity and quality of health services. The progression model was designed to measure changes in health system capacity using a set of indicators and benchmarks. For each health system component, the tool generates scores as follows: >90% for level 4 progression (surpasses basic expectations); 70–90% for level 3 (meets basic expectations); 50-<70% for level 2 (needs improvement); and < 50% for level 1 progression (needs urgent attention). The quality of MNH services was measured through annual client satisfaction surveys using the ServQual model. The identified health system capacity and service quality gaps were used to inform corrective action. Results Overall, the average health system capacity scores across the 12 districts increased from 62.9% (level 2) in 2019 to 71.2% (level 3) in 2021. The capacity scores for each health system component increased: governance and leadership increased from 67.7–74.1%, health financing increased from 67.4–69.3%, access to essential medicines increased from 50.2–77.0%, the health information system increased from 71.8–74.9%, the health workforce increased from 56.8–66.9%, and MNH service delivery increased from 63.5–64.5%. Client satisfaction with the quality of MNH services increased from 26.5% in 2019 to 39.8% in 2021. Conclusion The MNH program improved health systems, contributing to efforts to reduce maternal, neonatal, and under-five mortality in the West Nile region. The evaluation models are important tools for measuring the effects of health system strengthening efforts.
Retrospective study of prevalence and associated risk factors of patellar luxation in dogs at two Veterinary Teaching Hospitals in Southern Thailand
Authors: Thewaprasitchai Surasit , Iamwatcharin Tanyarat , Nasorn Tarayut , Hayeeyapa Rusnanee , Limlenglert Parkorn , Saenubol Phitchaya , Lampang Kannika Na
Published: February 2024

Patellar luxation (PL) is one of the most common orthopedic problems in dogs that causes chronic painful lameness of the hindlimb, and degenerative change of the stifle joint. Limited epidemiological data is available on the diseases associated with the canine population in Southern Thailand. This study reported on the prevalence and associated risk factors of PL in dogs examined at Veterinary Teaching Hospitals in Southern Thailand. Medical records were collected from 267 dogs treated in the orthopedic units of two small animal hospitals in Southern Thailand between January 2020 and June 2023. The prevalence of PL in dogs was 19.10% (95%CI 14.67–24.44) with incidence typically at 2 years of age or above. Most luxations were medial (90.79%), and 58.82% of the affected dogs were female. Unilateral luxation was diagnosed in 31.25%, and bilateral luxation in 68.75% of dogs with medial PL, while 87.50% of dogs with medial PL weighed 1–10 kg. Most dogs were classified as PL grade III (40.79%). Multivariable analyses showed that purebred dogs were 15.58 times more likely to develop PL compared with crossbred dogs (95%CI 3.61–67.26, P < 0.001), while dogs weighing 1–10 kg were 6.59 times more likely to develop PL compared with dogs weighing > 10 kg (95%CI 2.85–15.22, P < 0.001). The prevalence rate of dogs diagnosed with PL at two Veterinary Teaching Hospitals in Southern Thailand was low.
Temporal forecasting of plant height and canopy diameter from RGB images using a CNN-based regression model for ornamental pepper plants (Capsicum spp.) growing under high-temperature stress
Authors: Ruiz-Gonzalez Ruben , Nascimento Antonia Maiara Marques do , Santos Marcos Bruno da Costa , Porto Rutten Kécio Soares de Brito , Medeiros Artur Mendes , Santos Fábio Sandro dos , Martínez-Martínez Víctor , Barroso Priscila Alves
Published: February 2024

Being capable of accurately predicting morphological parameters of the plant weeks before achieving fruit maturation is of great importance in the production and selection of suitable ornamental pepper plants. The objective of this article is evaluating the feasibility and assessing the performance of CNN-based models using RGB images as input to forecast two morphological parameters: plant height and canopy diameter. To this end, four CNN-based models are proposed to predict these morphological parameters in four different scenarios: first, using as input a single image of the plant; second, using as input several images from different viewpoints of the plant acquired on the same date; third, using as input two images from two consecutive weeks; and fourth, using as input a set of images consisting of one image from each week up to the current date. The results show that it is possible to accurately predict both plant height and canopy diameter. The RMSE for a forecast performed 6 weeks in advance to the actual measurements was below 4.5 cm and 4.2 cm, respectively. When information from previous weeks is added to the model, better results can be achieved and as the prediction date gets closer to the assessment date the accuracy improves as well.
Line operators in 4d Chern-Simons theory and Cherkis bows
Authors: Ishtiaque Nafiz , Zhou Yehao
Published: February 2024

We show that the phase spaces of a large family of line operators in 4d Chern-Simons theory with GL_nn gauge group are given by Cherkis bow varieties with nn crosses. These line operators are characterized by Hanany-Witten type brane constructions involving D3, D5, and NS5 branes in an \OmegaΩ-background. Linking numbers of the five-branes and mass parameters for the D3 brane theories determine the phase spaces and in special cases they correspond to vacuum moduli spaces of 3d \mathcal{N}=4𝒩=4 quiver theories. Examples include line operators that conjecturally create T, Q, and L-operators in integrable spin chains.
Panorama clínico e epidemiológico de tuberculose em uma região de saúde na amazônia brasileira
Authors: Ribeiro Edlainny Araujo , Silva Elina Marta Prado , Volz Laura Elisa , Sopran Marina Araújo
Published: February 2024

Introdução: A tuberculose é um dos principais problemas de saúde global, além de ser uma das principais causas de morte por agentes infecciosos. Objetivos: Descrever o perfil clínico-epidemiológico da tuberculose e a relação com o nível de cobertura vacinal entre os municípios do 12º centro regional de saúde no Estado do Pará. Materiais e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo ecológico, realizado com dados clínico-epidemiológicos oriundos do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação. Para análise dos dados aplicou-se estatística descritiva e inferencial. Resultados: Durante o período analisado (2012-2022) foram registrados 1330 casos de tuberculose na região. E considerando a distribuição geográfica, apenas um município deteve a maioria dos casos, Redenção com 34,8% (464/1330). Além disso, considerando análises sociodemográficas notou-se que os casos se concentraram em indivíduos pardos 52,1% (693/1330), homens 64,2 (855/1330), com idade entre 20-59 anos 64,3% (856/1330) e ensino fundamental incompleto 56,3% (750/1330). Evidenciou-se baixa adesão à realização de cultura bacteriológica e rastreio de resistência. Conclusões: Foi possível delinear o perfil epidemiológico global de casos de tuberculose na região de saúde do Araguaia. Em relação a distribuição geográfica foi possível evidenciar centralização de notificações em um único município. A baixa adesão a realização de testes complementares, sugere a necessidade de aprimoramento da autonomia dos municípios, visando o diagnóstico e tratamento assertivos e mitigação dos prejuízos à saúde dos pacientes acometidos.
Review the Optimization of the Free Learning Curriculum
Authors: Khotimah Ihda Husnul , Bustam Betty Mauli Rosa , Al Gifari Pafi Rahmatullah
Published: February 2024

The emergence of a new curriculum, namely the independent curriculum as a breakthrough that requires time for educators and students to adjust, is the background of this research. Educators are beset by a lack of understanding regarding the concept of independent learning and how to make it happen in the learning process. Therefore, in its application, educators are required to be alert to the independent curriculum and always develop their own competence. In terms of developing the competence of educators, it refers to the four basic competencies that must be possessed and mastered. This article aims to examine more deeply the concept of independent learning and the important role of educators in it. This research uses the method of library research (library research) through a descriptive qualitative approach. Data sources were obtained from various references in the form of relevant journals, books, proceedings and articles. The results of the study show that teachers should own and master the four basic competencies according to Law Number 14 of 2005 article 10 paragraph 1 concerning teachers and lecturers. This is to support the concept of independent learning in which teachers are at the forefront and driving forces of national education. The results of the research can add to scientific treasures and have implications especially for educators and lecturers to maximize self-competence so that it is as quality as possible.
The Influence of the Change of the 2013 Curriculum to the Merdeka Curriculum on the Achievement of the School’s Vision and Mission in Madrasah Ibtidaiyyah
Authors: Ananda Zanella Amelia , Baharudin Amaliyah Ananda , Hasana Ulfa
Published: February 2024

Along with the development of the times, of course, there are more and more demands to improve quality in the field of education. Therefore, the Ministry of Education and Culture launched a new curriculum policy called the Merdeka Belajar to initiate this matter. This policy addresses four topics: the flexibility of educators in compiling teaching modules, providing leeway in regulating the acceptance of new students, and several other new policies in terms of instilling the character of Pancasila for students. Thus, changing from the 2013 curriculum to the Merdeka Curriculum triggers new challenges that can significantly impact learning outcomes. These challenges can plunder educators in terms of aspects of the media used, different and far more comprehensive assessment systematics, the methods used to convey the learning material they want to teach, and schools in achieving their vision and mission.
End-User Assessment of the Graduate Performance From Islamic Bank Department, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan: A Survey
Authors: Pambudi Dwi Santosa , Susetyohadi Agus , Heniirawati Nurul , Mahendra Ajeng Putri , Abdullah Muhammad Fauzi
Published: February 2024

It is undeniable that external factors drive the development and growth of the Islamic bank industry in Indonesia. One of them is the supply of Islamic Human Resources (IHR) from various universities (PT), both private and public, that have opened Islamic banking study programs. However, the increasing availability of IHR from PT still needs to improve, including; link and math curriculum, absorption of graduates in the Islamic bank industry, competence, and performance of PT graduates. Therefore, this study aims to assess the performance of graduates of Islamic banking study programs who have worked in the Islamic banking and finance/islamic banking industry with an approach of technical competence, conceptual competence, and interpersonal ability. This type of research is descriptive quantitative. The sample is all alums of the Islamic banking study program who have worked in Islamic banks and finance/islamic for 2019-2021 with snowball sampling techniques. The sampling method uses questionnaires distributed to company leaders. The findings showed that most alums of Islamic banking study programs who work in the financial industry show high technical skills, conceptual abilities, and interpersonal skills.
Is the Implementation of Risk Management Just a Formality? Evidence from a Public Sector Organization
Authors: Nafi’ah Khikmatun , Nurkholis Nurkholis , Ghofar Abdul
Published: February 2024

This study aims to describe the implementation of risk management and explore the perceptions of risk owners about its impact. This research was conducted at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, especially in the service unit for procuring goods and construction services, considering the large budget and the number of auction packages. The research was designed as qualitative research with a case study approach. Data collection uses in-depth interviews to explore phenomena related to implementing risk management in these public sector organizations—data analysis using the Interactive Data Model. The research results show that implementing risk management is not only seen as a mere formality but as a necessity for the organization. In these public sector organizations, the effectiveness in implementing risk management is, on average, in the defined category, which means it is effective in creating and protecting organizational value. Although risk management is still carried out partially, the overall risk management system has begun to be structured and realized. On the other hand, there are still obstacles in risk management infrastructure, such as the unavailability of a risk management information system, limited understanding of risk management, and the absence of a specific budget related to risk management. In overcoming this problem, the solutions offered are to build a risk management information system, conduct education and training, and allocate a specific budget for risk management.
Development of Digital Storytelling-Based Hand Puppet Media to Improve Storytelling Skills
Authors: Tiara Marisa Ana , Handayani Trisni
Published: February 2024

This study aims to develop digital storytelling-based hand puppet media developed with the ASSURE model, learning Indonesian language material by observing characters in fictional texts in elementary schools, seeing responses, and improving the skills, and understanding of students. The subjects of this study were fourth-grade students of SDN Susukan 06, totaling 23 students in the 2023 school year.Data were collected using tests, questionnaires, interviews, observations, documentation, and field notes. The results of the study are (1) obtained the average score of expert validation with a percentage of 95% with the category "very feasible" (2) the average score of learner responses with a percentage of 93.67% which is included in the "very suitable" category (3) the average posttest score which has increased by 82.17 with the category "very good" so that it can be concluded that digital storytelling-based hand puppet media is feasible to use in the material of looking at characters in fictional texts for grade IV Indonesian language learning and can improve students' skills in telling stories as well as understanding to grade IV students in the material of looking at characters in fictional texts.
Combined Tactics of Communication Strategy: Discrediting Biden’s Administration in Tucker Carlson Tonight
Authors: Burmakova Elena A. , Polyakova Natalia V.
Published: February 2024

The speech-behavioral strategy of discrediting is a manipulative form of information aggression exerted on the consciousness of the mass audience. Since it is inherent in modern media, it affects politics and society and thus needs to be resisted. The article introduces an analysis of combined discrediting tactics that implement the communication strategy of discrediting against the President Biden’s administration. The corpus came from the Tucker Carlson Tonight show and included 563 contexts of combined discrediting tactics. Standard, statistical, and linguistic methods made it possible to classify the discrediting tactics into accusations, insults, negative predictions, deceived expectations, irony, polarization, and comparison. The resulting classification of combined tactics of discrediting included five quantitative groups and 51 content subgroups. The accusation tactics proved to be the most popular combined tactic (260 cases; 60 % of the corpus). Two-component tactics were the most representative (337; 60 %) whereas the subgroup of irony + insult was the most frequent in other subgroups (45; 8 %). Combined tactics had a more significant discrediting effect and a more intensive impact on the target audience.
The Chilean Laja Lake: multi-objective analysis of conflicting water demands and the added value of optimization strategies
Authors: Bovermann Zoë Erna , Fallah-Mehdipour Elahe , Arumí José Luis , Dietrich Jörg
Published: February 2024

Water scarcity leads to conflicts over water allocation. Laja Lake in Chile is a natural lake, which was formed by a volcanic barrier. Outflow from the lake is created by seepage through the barrier and via a controllable artificial outlet, which adds reservoir characteristics to the lake. Hydroelectric power stations have been built at both outlets. Downstream, water is diverted into irrigation canals, and the Laja River forms the Laja Falls, a popular tourist attraction. The previous operating policy preferred the most upstream water user and was found to be inadequate because the lake level decreased over long term. The current reservoir operation policy was established through stakeholder negotiations. This study investigated whether optimization (using Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II) can further improve the operation of Laja Lake while maintaining a fair balance between stakeholder groups. The results were compared with the stakeholder agreement and the previous policy. The main difference is in the spring, when Laja Lake fills up before the irrigation season starts. The optimization strategy prioritizes hydropower generation during this period, resulting in reduced storage. Ultimately, optimization proves to be a valuable tool for identifying trade-offs and exploring different scenarios in water management.
Resilient agriculture: water management for climate change adaptation in Lower Saxony
Authors: Cotera Rodrigo Valencia , Egerer Sabine , Nam Christine , Lierhammer Ludwig , Moors Lukas , Costa María Máñez
Published: February 2024

Climate change has increased the intensity, frequency and duration of heatwaves and droughts in Europe turning water management into an even more complicated issue. Because water is a fundamental resource for agriculture, water management has to be addressed with climate change adaptation. While stakeholders in Lower Saxony are aware of adaptation measures they could implement to dampen the effects of climate change, evidence of the effectiveness of adaptation measures at a local scale is still missing. An analysis of adaptation measures using a new hydrological model was performed to test four adaptation measures suggested by stakeholders. Changing crops has the strongest effect followed by improving irrigation efficiency, humification and, finally, artificial aquifer recharge. If crops are changed, irrigation water demand and energy consumption could be reduced by up to 20.7%, costs could be reduced in 19.1%, the aquifer level could rise up to 284.85 mm and emissions could be reduced by 26.6% by the end of the century. Artificial recharge proved to be an inadequate method for the region as it does not impact the irrigation water demand, and an insufficient amount of water is available to have a substantial effect on the aquifer.
Mejora de las competencias en educación física
Authors: Barrachina-Peris Julio , Fin Gracielle , Moreno-Murcia Juan Antonio
Published: February 2024

El objetivo del estudio fue comprobar si una intervención basada en las preferencias de práctica de los estudiantes, utilizando un estilo de enseñanza motivador que apoye la autonomía, podría mejorar las competencias clave en educación física. Participaron 115 alumnos de 11 a 14 años. Se utilizó un diseño cuasiexperimental, durante 36 semanas, en el que un grupo siguió una intervención del docente, dirigida a apoyar la autonomía, mientras que un grupo de control no tuvo ninguna intervención metodológica diferenciada. Los estudiantes fueron evaluados antes y después de la intervención, con relación a las preferencias de prácticas en educación física, competencias y percepción respecto a la interacción docente. Los resultados indican que considerar las preferencias de práctica y utilizar el apoyo a la autonomía mejora la percepción de autonomía y competencia de los estudiantes, que se refleja en una mejora del aprendizaje funcional, de su transferencia y de su orientación práctica.