bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insight into the Potential Antiviral Properties of the Genus Clerodendrum: Bioactive compounds with Mechanism of Action
Authors: Bhattacharyya Shubham , Hore Mayukh , Roy Subhrajyoti
Published: August 2024

Background:

Antiviral compounds from plant origin have been the focus of researchers
throughout the world for a long time as the potential alternative to classical antiviral therapies.
The search for antiviral phytochemicals comes into the limelight amidst the recent COVID-
19 pandemic. This tremendous surge in the hunt for effective and alternative treatment from the
plant source is mainly due to the toxicity and inadequate responses of synthetic antiviral drugs
to resistant viral strains.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature survey on the antiviral activity of bioactive compounds
from the genus Clerodendrum was conducted using known and widely acknowledged scientific
databases.

Results:

This in-depth review is prepared to shed light on the promising effect of the bioactive
phytochemicals isolated from different Clerodendrum spp. against some of the most pathogenically
relevant viruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-
2), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Influenza Virus, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Herpes
Simplex Virus (HSV), Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), Dengue Virus (DENV), and
Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV). Bioactive compounds such as ursolic acid, sugiol, and quercetin
are reported to prevent virus-host cell adhesion. Harpagide is found to reduce intracellular Ca2+
and mitochondrial stress in infected cells, preventing viral infection. Researchers reported the
efficacy of β-sitosterol in inhibiting immune responses via RIG-I signalling and IFN production.
Rengyolone is found to mitigate viral infection by preventing acute inflammation. Betulinic acid,
tricin, and oleanolic acid are found to prevent IAV and HIV replication. Evidence has also suggested
the possible action of kaempferol, acacetin and apigenin to inhibit mRNA and protein
production in virus-infected cells.

Conclusion:

Future research should be oriented towards the isolation and quantitation of these
bioactive compounds from Clerodendrum spp., along with their efficacy both in vitro and in
vivo prior to their clinical applications in combating a variety of viral infections.
Evaluation of Anti-Depressant Potential of Standardized Hydroethanolic Extract of S. barbata D. Don Using Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Model
Authors: Pannu Arzoo , Goyal Ramesh K.
Published: August 2024

Background:

S. barbata D. Don is a Chinese herb, that belongs to the family Lami-aceae. It has established traditional use in ethnomedicine for treating various ailments, includ-ing mood disorders and sleep disorders, which led to growing interest in exploring its neuro-logical potential, particularly as a potential anti-depressant agent.

Aims:

This study explores the anti-depressant potential of the HSBE utilizing a Chronic Un-predictable Mild Stress-induced depression model in mice. Additionally, the research aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action.

Methods:

Swiss albino mice were subjected to a 3-week CUMS paradigm and subsequently administered HSBE at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg via oral administration. The behavioral alterations were evaluated using the FST, TST, OFT, and SPT. Brain levels of serotonin, dopa-mine, and nor-epinephrine were estimated in different brain regions (cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus) to uncover the molecular mechanism. Additionally, assays for monoamine oxi-dase-A, monoamine oxidase-B, and antioxidant enzyme activities were conducted. Plasma ni-trite and corticosterone levels were also measured to get further insight into potential mecha-nisms underlying the anti-depressant effects of HSBE.

Results:

HSBE significantly ameliorated depressive-like behavior induced by CUMS para-digm, as evidenced by reduced immobility in FST and TST, increased locomotor activity in OFT, and improved sucrose preference in SPT. Neurochemical analysis revealed a significant increase in serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels in the cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus of HSBE-treated mice, implying a potential regulation of monoaminergic neuro-transmitter levels. Moreover, biochemical analyses demonstrated a significant inhibition of both MAO-A and MAO-B activity, contributing to the increase of the brain levels of neuro-transmitters. The administration of HSBE also led to a significant enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced brain lipid peroxidation, indicating a pronounced antioxidant effect of HSBE. Furthermore, decreased plasma nitrite and corticosterone levels provided ad-ditional insights into HSBE's potential multi-targeted anti-depressant mechanism.

Conclusion:

This study indicates that HSBE exhibits robust anti-depressant properties, sup-ported by behavioral, neurochemical, and biochemical alterations. These findings underscore the therapeutic promise of HSBE as a natural intervention for depressive disorders, warranting further clinical exploration.
Risk Assessment of Toxic Heavy Metal Exposure through Medicinal Herbs in the Indian State of West Bengal
Authors: Hazra Avijit , Hazra Alok Kumar , Jana Swapan Kumar , Sur Tapas Kumar
Published: August 2024

Background:

More than 80% of the world's population uses herbal remedies in some form. Heavy metal contamination and the attendant health risks of Indian herbal medicines are not adequately documented.

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the health risks associated with four common heavy metal contaminants, namely lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, present in raw medicinal herbs cultivated or growing wild in the West Bengal state of India.

Methods:

A total of 197 raw herbs obtained from herbal medicine practitioners or wild plant col-lectors from 16 districts spread across 3 geographical zones (south, central, north) of West Bengal were analyzed. In accordance with AOAC specifications, all samples were dried in a hot air oven, ground into a coarse powder, and then processed and analyzed for heavy metals through atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean concentrations were estimated along with standard devia-tions, overall, zone-wise, and according to the botanical part tested. The standardized human health risk indices were calculated from the results.

Results:

Significant amounts of heavy metals were found in the herb samples analyzed in the order: lead in 150 samples (76.1%), arsenic in 84 (42.6%), cadmium in 77 (39%), and mercury in 47 (23.8%). Central zone samples had the highest concentrations of lead (10.06 μg/g), arsenic (0.62 μg/g), and cadmium (0.54 μg/g), while the greatest amount of mercury (0.08 μg/g) was obtained in herbs from South zone. There were also considerable variations with respect to the source of the botanical part. Lead and cadmium concentrations showed a significant positive cor-relation (r = 0.588). Although risk assessment using standardized measures indicated some risk, the human Hazard Index (HI) was less than 1 for all metals, indicating that it was mostly safe to use the herbs in the short-term. However, the risk of health issues from prolonged use still re-mains.

Conclusion:

Significant contaminations were identified, but exposure would mostly be within acceptable risk levels at present. However, since risk would be cumulative over time, programs need to be in place to monitor pharmaceutical herb safety, identify local sources of pollution, and take appropriate remedial action.
Revolutionizing Brain Drug Delivery: Buccal Transferosomes on the Verge of a Breakthrough
Authors: Chandrasekhar Pavuluri , Kaliyaperumal Rajaganapathy
Published: August 2024

:

The buccal cavity, also known as the oral cavity, is a complex anatomical structure that
plays a crucial role in various physiological processes. It serves as a gateway to the digestive system
and facilitates the initial stages of food digestion and absorption. However, its significance extends
beyond mere digestion as it presents a promising route for drug delivery, particularly to the brain.
Transferosomes are lipid-based vesicles that have gained significant attention in the field of drug
delivery due to their unique structure and properties. These vesicles are composed of phospholipids
that form bilayer structures capable of encapsulating both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. Strategies
for the development of buccal transferosomes for brain delivery have emerged as promising
avenues for pharmaceutical research. This review aims to explore the various approaches and challenges
associated with harnessing the potential of buccal transferosomes as a means of enhancing
drug delivery to the brain. By understanding the structure and function of both buccal tissue and
transferosomes, researchers can develop effective formulation methods and characterization techniques
to optimize drug delivery. Furthermore, strategic approaches and success stories in buccal
transferosome development are highlighted, showcasing inspiring examples that demonstrate their
potential to revolutionize brain delivery.
Machine Learning for Marketing Practitioners
Authors: Majeed Mohammed
Published: August 2024

Machine Learning (ML) has an impact on many facets of life, and it
manifests itself in the shape of intelligent devices and intelligent applications, which
are designed to analyze and anticipate customer behavior, requirements, and
preferences in order to provide tailored experiences. The purpose of this chapter was to
investigate the effect of ML on marketing in general. It has been found in previous
studies that ML impacts on consumer response, customer relationships, consumer
preference, social media marketing, etc. In addition, ML automates jobs, reduces
expenses, and improves workflows. A detailed overview of existing academic research
is provided in this study, which covers the present and emerging applications of ML
within marketing.
Association between microcytic-hypochromic anemia and simple febrile seizure in children
Authors: Simanjuntak Stevan Pagar Pardamean , Sapulete Eva Jacomina Jemima , Poro Marlin Lily Soli
Published: August 2024

Aims: This research aims to assess the impact of microcytic-hypochromic anemia on first febrile seizures in children, given its high incidence in developed countries like Indonesia. Settings and Design: This study was conducted in a regional general hospital setting. Methods and Material: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study including 50 patients aged 6 months to 5 years old over 14 months. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Controls were the age and sex-matched febrile children without accompanying seizures, and the case group admitted with a first simple febrile seizure. Both case and control groups were normal in growth. To provide 95% confidence and 80% power in statistical analysis, a sample size of 25 for each group was calculated. Data including age, gender, body temperature, seizure characteristics, family history of febrile seizure, and laboratory findings consisting of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were recorded. Anemia is defined as having hemoglobin level of less than 10.5 g/dl in children aged 6 months to 2 years old and less than 11.5 g/dl in 2 to 6-year-old patients.
Infrastructure projects as a driver of economic development of the regional system
Authors: Tronina I. A. , Semenikhina A. V. , Morozova O. I. , Kolmykova T. S.
Published: August 2024

Relevance. Infrastructure projects play a significant role in the economic development of the region, allowing to increase its potential, provide support for the regional ecosystem, reduce the negative impact on the environment, and create conditions for sustainable growth of the local territory.

At the same time, despite the increased interest in conducting scientific research in the infrastructure sector and its opportunities to effectively influence the economy, there is a lack of development of adaptive tools and effective methods of infrastructure design in the region in the existing works of scientists, which confirms the relevance of the research.

The purpose it consists in identifying the theoretical, methodological and practical features of infrastructure design in the regional system as a driver of its economic development.

The objectives: to determine the role and importance of infrastructure projects in the development of the regional system; to identify criteria reflecting the specifics of infrastructure projects; to structure approaches and methods of project management; to assess the state of development of the regional infrastructure sector on the example of the Orel region.

Methodology. The work uses methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization and logic based on problem-oriented, system-structural and design approaches.

Results. The study found that infrastructure projects act as a unique tool for integrated development and the basis for the functioning of the localized territory of the subject of the Russian Federation, and are designed to create conditions for ensuring the effective functioning of the population and harmonious business growth.

Conclusions. The role and importance of infrastructure projects in the regional system is great and multifaceted, allowing it to act as a kind of locomotive and engine of its development and creating a multiplier effect for regional sectors of the economy.

The directions of subsequent research are related to the creation of an organizational and managerial model for the infrastructural development of the regional system, the development and promotion of infrastructure projects based on it in the region in the context of spatial economics.
Rediscovering human capital in the conditions of reflexive modernity
Authors: Komornikova O. M.
Published: August 2024

Relevance. The relevance is due to the need to revise approaches to the theoretical understanding of the concepts of «human capital» and «reflexivity» as social phenomena, the need to identify the relationship between these phenomena.

The purpose is to show the possibilities of expanding the understanding of the phenomenon of human capital based on the analysis of existing theoretical approaches of various sciences to the concept of «reflexivity».

Objectives: to study the peculiarities of understanding the phenomenon of reflection in philosophy, psychology, sociology and to highlight the meaningful characteristics of reflexivity as a component of human capital in modern society.

Methodology. The author relies in the study on the possibilities of an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the phenomenon of reflection. The sociological analysis is based on the ideas and principles of systemic, synergetic, sociocultural approaches. The starting point for the analysis of the phenomenon of human capital was the concept of V. S. Golubev.

Results. The article substantiates the idea that the transition to a new type of social organization, accompanied by the appearance of new characteristics in the social system, led to the development and strengthening of the importance of reflexivity of society. At the same time, the requirements for the individual are changing and the content of human capital is being revised. This process is conditioned by the need to increase awareness, objectivity of ideas about the system of social relations in conditions of expanding individual freedom, its role in social processes, increasing the volume of information produced by society and the subjects involved in this process.

Conclusions. Reflexivity as a characteristic of a social system has appeared relatively recently. The basis of its formation was the evolution of human psychological processes and a qualitative change in the living conditions of society. There is an expansion of the potential of the individual and society, and, on the other hand, the risks that she has to face. The ability to reflect is considered as part of the intellectual and spiritual capital of the individual. It presupposes the activity of the individual in the perception of social processes and events, which was previously the lot of the elite, the development of sophisticated intellectual mechanisms for working with information, analyzing their own and others' experiences.
Developing an Educational Resource Aimed at Improving Adolescent Digital Health Literacy: Using Co-Design as Research Methodology
Authors: Lewis Callum C , Taba Melody , Allen Tiffany B , Caldwell Patrina HY , Skinner S Rachel , Kang Melissa , Henderson Hamish , Bray Liam , Borthwick Madeleine , Collin Philippa , McCaffery Kirsten , Scott Karen M
Published: August 2024

Background

Adolescence is a key developmental period that affects lifelong health and is impacted by adolescents regularly engaging with digital health information. Adolescents need digital health literacy (DHL) to effectively evaluate the quality and credibility of such information, and to navigate an increasingly complex digital health environment. Few educational resources exist to improve DHL, and few have involved adolescents during design. The co-design approach may hold utility through developing interventions with participants as design partners.

Objective

This project aimed to explore the co-design approach in developing an educational resource to improve adolescents’ DHL.

Methods

Adolescents (12-17 years old) attended 4 interactive co-design workshops (June 2021-April 2022). Participant perspectives were gathered on DHL and the design of educational resources to improve it. Data generated were analyzed through content analysis to inform educational resource development.

Results

In total, 27 participants from diverse backgrounds attended the workshops. Insight was gained into participants’ relationship with digital health information, including acceptance of its benefits and relevance, coupled with awareness of misinformation issues, revealing areas of DHL need. Participants provided suggestions for educational resource development that incorporated the most useful aspects of digital formats to develop skills across these domains. The following 4 themes were derived from participant perspectives: ease of access to digital health information, personal and social factors that impacted use, impacts of the plethora of digital information, and anonymity offered by digital sources. Initial participant evaluation of the developed educational resource was largely positive, including useful suggestions for improvement.

Conclusions

Co-design elicited and translated authentic adolescent perspectives and design ideas into a functional educational resource. Insight into adolescents’ DHL needs generated targeted educational resource content, with engaging formats, designs, and storylines. Co-design holds promise as an important and empowering tool for developing interventions to improve adolescents’ DHL.
Using Discrete-Event Simulation to Model Web-Based Crisis Counseling Service Operation: Evaluation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Chiang Byron , Law Yik Wa , Yip Paul Siu Fai
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, its member states experienced worsening mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to an increase of 60% to 1000% in digital counseling access. Hong Kong, too, witnessed a surge in demand for crisis intervention services during the pandemic, attracting both nonrepeat and repeat service users during the process. As a result of the continuing demand, platforms offering short-term emotional support are facing an efficiency challenge in managing caller responses.

OBJECTIVE

This aim of this paper was to assess the queuing performance of a 24-hour text-based web-based crisis counseling platform using a Python-based discrete-event simulation (DES) model. The model evaluates the staff combinations needed to meet demand and informs service priority decisions. It is able to account for unbalanced and overlapping shifts, unequal simultaneous serving capacities among custom worker types, time-dependent user arrivals, and the influence of user type (nonrepeat users vs repeat users) and suicide risk on service durations.

METHODS

Use and queue statistics by user type and staffing conditions were tabulated from past counseling platform database records. After calculating the data distributions, key parameters were incorporated into the DES model to determine the supply-demand equilibrium and identify potential service bottlenecks. An unobserved-components time-series model was fitted to make 30-day forecasts of the arrival rate, with the results piped back to the DES model to estimate the number of workers needed to staff each work shift, as well as the number of repeat service users encountered during a service operation.

RESULTS

The results showed a marked increase (from 3401/9202, 36.96% to 5042/9199, 54.81%) in the overall conversion rate after the strategic deployment of human resources according to the values set in the simulations, with an 85% chance of queuing users receiving counseling service within 10 minutes and releasing an extra 39.57% (3631/9175) capacity to serve nonrepeat users at potential risk.

CONCLUSIONS

By exploiting scientifically informed data models with DES, nonprofit web-based counseling platforms, even those with limited resources, can optimize service capacity strategically to manage service bottlenecks and increase service uptake.
Developing an Educational Resource Aimed at Improving Adolescent Digital Health Literacy: Using Co-Design as Research Methodology (Preprint)
Authors: Lewis Callum C , Taba Melody , Allen Tiffany B , Caldwell Patrina HY , Skinner S Rachel , Kang Melissa , Henderson Hamish , Bray Liam , Borthwick Madeleine , Collin Philippa , McCaffery Kirsten , Scott Karen M
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a key developmental period that affects lifelong health and is impacted by adolescents regularly engaging with digital health information. Adolescents need digital health literacy (DHL) to effectively evaluate the quality and credibility of such information, and to navigate an increasingly complex digital health environment. Few educational resources exist to improve DHL, and few have involved adolescents during design. The co-design approach may hold utility through developing interventions with participants as design partners.

OBJECTIVE

This project aimed to explore the co-design approach in developing an educational resource to improve adolescents’ DHL.

METHODS

Adolescents (12-17 years old) attended 4 interactive co-design workshops (June 2021-April 2022). Participant perspectives were gathered on DHL and the design of educational resources to improve it. Data generated were analyzed through content analysis to inform educational resource development.

RESULTS

In total, 27 participants from diverse backgrounds attended the workshops. Insight was gained into participants’ relationship with digital health information, including acceptance of its benefits and relevance, coupled with awareness of misinformation issues, revealing areas of DHL need. Participants provided suggestions for educational resource development that incorporated the most useful aspects of digital formats to develop skills across these domains. The following 4 themes were derived from participant perspectives: ease of access to digital health information, personal and social factors that impacted use, impacts of the plethora of digital information, and anonymity offered by digital sources. Initial participant evaluation of the developed educational resource was largely positive, including useful suggestions for improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Co-design elicited and translated authentic adolescent perspectives and design ideas into a functional educational resource. Insight into adolescents’ DHL needs generated targeted educational resource content, with engaging formats, designs, and storylines. Co-design holds promise as an important and empowering tool for developing interventions to improve adolescents’ DHL.
Patients’ Attitudes Toward the Use of Artificial Intelligence as a Diagnostic Tool in Radiology in Saudi Arabia: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Baghdadi Leena R , Mobeirek Arwa A , Alhudaithi Dania R , Albenmousa Fatimah A , Alhadlaq Leen S , Alaql Maisa S , Alhamlan Sarah A
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely used in various medical fields, including diagnostic radiology as a tool for greater efficiency, precision, and accuracy. The integration of AI as a radiological diagnostic tool has the potential to mitigate delays in diagnosis, which could, in turn, impact patients’ prognosis and treatment outcomes. The literature shows conflicting results regarding patients’ attitudes to AI as a diagnostic tool. To the best of our knowledge, no similar study has been conducted in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study are to examine patients’ attitudes toward the use of AI as a tool in diagnostic radiology at King Khalid University Hospital, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, we sought to explore potential associations between patients’ attitudes and various sociodemographic factors.

METHODS

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected from patients scheduled for radiological imaging through a validated self-administered questionnaire. The main outcome was to measure patients’ attitudes to the use of AI in radiology by calculating mean scores of 5 factors, distrust and accountability (factor 1), procedural knowledge (factor 2), personal interaction and communication (factor 3), efficiency (factor 4), and methods of providing information to patients (factor 5). Data were analyzed using the student t test, one-way analysis of variance followed by post hoc and multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 382 participants (n=273, 71.5% women and n=109, 28.5% men) completed the surveys and were included in the analysis. The mean age of the respondents was 39.51 (SD 13.26) years. Participants favored physicians over AI for procedural knowledge, personal interaction, and being informed. However, the participants demonstrated a neutral attitude for distrust and accountability and for efficiency. Marital status was found to be associated with distrust and accountability, procedural knowledge, and personal interaction. Associations were also found between self-reported health status and being informed and between the field of specialization and distrust and accountability.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients were keen to understand the work of AI in radiology but favored personal interaction with a radiologist. Patients were impartial toward AI replacing radiologists and the efficiency of AI, which should be a consideration in future policy development and integration. Future research involving multicenter studies in different regions of Saudi Arabia is required.
Science communication in a diverse world
Authors: Lewenstein Bruce V.
Published: August 2024

Recent years have brought a welcome and needed attention to diversity and inclusion in science communication. This diversity covers language, geography, religion, gender, sexuality — and politics. But with diversity comes complication, where our interest in public communication of science and technology comes in conflict with our identities, our politics, and sometimes even our moral positions. This paper presents a number of examples, highlighting the need for science communicators to be self-reflective about their commitments and how they shape their activities as science communicator practitioners and researchers.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF AMINE-BASED GRAPHENE NANOSUSPENSION FOR CO2 ABSORPTION
Authors: Mazri Nur Azni Farhana , Arifutzzaman A , Aroua Mohamed Kheireddine
Published: August 2024

Absorption is the most widely used carbon dioxide (CO2) removal technology. The CO2 absorption performance of monoethanolamine (MEA), the most commonly used CO2 absorbent, can be improved by suspending nanoparticles. This work examined the performance of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) as additives to enhance CO2 absorption in MEA. The GNPs were characterized by HRTEM, FTIR, and XRD. The study examined the influence of GNP concentrations on CO2 absorption at room temperature. The images from HRTEM confirmed that the implemented graphene consists of several layers of graphene sheets. Increasing the loading of particles increased the solubility of CO2 until the optimum concentration was reached. From this work, it is evident that incorporating GNPs into MEA enhances the CO2 absorption performance of MEA. Thus, the addition of nanoparticles to the absorbent can enhance its CO2 absorptivity.
“I LOOK FOR THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD...” STORY “THE LITTLE COMMANDER” / “DEFENSE OF THE SEMIDVORYE” / “THERE IS NO DEATH”
Authors:   A.M. Gorky Institute of World Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Antonov Elena V.
Published: August 2024

This publication presents a dynamic transcription of the story by A. Platonov published under the title “Defense of the Semidvorye” (1943) (its other titles are “The Little Commander” and “There is no Death”). The introductory article gives the necessary explanations regarding the dating of the work and the peculiarities of its perception in the criticism of the 1940s.
Procesamiento de señales para detección de personas en aglomeraciones
Authors: Niño-Rondón Carlos Vicente , Castro-Casadiego Sergio Alexander
Published: August 2024

En este documento se aborda el desarrollo y la implementación de un sistema de procesamiento de señales para la detección y conteo de personas en espacios abiertos, utilizando la técnica de sustracción de fondo con una placa embebida Raspberry Pi 3B+ y el lenguaje de programación Python. La metodología empleada incluye la conversión de imágenes a escala de grises, segmentación de fondo mediante el algoritmo Background Subtractor MOG2, filtrado mediante suavizado gaussiano, y umbralización adaptativa con el método de Otsu, además de la aplicación de técnicas morfológicas para mejorar la calidad de las detecciones y la búsqueda de contornos para identificar objetos. En la fase de captura de imágenes, se considera la altura, el ángulo de inclinación y la luminosidad del entorno para garantizar la calidad de los datos recolectados. La conversión a escala de grises asigna valores entre 0 y 255 a los píxeles, y la sustracción de fondo se realiza usando distribuciones gaussianas para diferenciar entre objetos en movimiento y el fondo. El filtro de suavizado gaussiano se aplica para reducir el ruido, mientras que la umbralización de Otsu permite adaptar el umbral a las características específicas de cada imagen. Finalmente, se utilizan operaciones morfológicas para refinar la segmentación y el método de aproximación simple para la detección de contornos. El sistema fue evaluado con videos capturados en cuatro edificios de la Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander y en dos áreas públicas de Cúcuta, mostrando tasas de detección entre 87.14% y 93.33% en la universidad, y entre 88.89% y 90.51% en las zonas públicas.
Transforming corporate governance: Exploring tokenization’s impact on transparency and ownership — A research agenda
Authors: Agostini Martino
Published: August 2024

The integration of tokenization into corporate governance marks a transformative shift in managing corporate ownership and transparency through blockchain technology. This research agenda explores the practical and managerial implications of tokenization, focusing on enhancing shareholder communication and decision-making. By addressing inefficiencies and opacity in traditional corporate governance, tokenization democratizes shareholder participation, streamlines processes, and improves transparency and accountability. Anchored in a comprehensive literature review, the study synthesizes existing research and identifies gaps in understanding tokenization’s impact on corporate governance. Key themes include the role of institutions and governance mechanisms, blockchain’s potential to enhance transparency, reduce intermediaries, lower costs, and boost shareholder engagement. The study also examines evolving legal frameworks and regulatory challenges, emphasizing the need for regulatory clarity to facilitate adoption. A comparative analysis of blockchain platforms versus traditional financial markets highlights unique advantages and challenges related to liquidity, regulatory frameworks, accessibility, transparency, efficiency, stability, trust, and security. This agenda provides a structured framework for investigating the multifaceted impact of tokenization on corporate governance. The findings underscore the importance of innovative regulatory approaches and robust security measures to ensure blockchain platform stability. Future efforts should focus on developing comprehensive regulatory frameworks and ongoing education initiatives to support the democratization of financial markets through blockchain technology, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and equitable corporate landscape.
Is it a thrombus or a tumor? An imaging dilemma for clinicians
Authors:   Division of Medicine, Mount Sinai Health System, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NYC, USA, Choi James , Speirs Toby ,   University of Cambridge Medical School, Cambridge, UK, Bhatia Ranvir ,   Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Pennsylvania Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Published: August 2024

Atrial fibrillation, the most common cardiac arrhythmia in the Western world, confers a 5-fold increase in stroke, mainly due to thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage. Early rhythm control is often beneficial in reducing adverse cardiovascular events in higher-risk populations. Here, we present a patient who was found to have a 1 cm stalk-like lesion in the left atrial appendage on transesophageal echocardiogram prior to electrical cardioversion. Using multiple cardiac imaging modalities, including cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, the mass was eventually determined to be a chronic resolving thrombus.
Rapid prediction of solid rocket ignition transient process using artificial neural networks
Authors: Teng Jian , Wu Zhenlong , Lu Limei , Li Yiqing
Published: August 2024

Solid rocket motors have been a critical component of space exploration, military operations, and numerous other applications for decades. The ability to accurately predict the ignition transient behavior of solid rocket motors is crucial for ensuring safe and reliable operations. In this study, ANN are employed to predict the ignition transient process of a model solid rocket motor. The training and validation data for the ANN are obtained through simulations of a validated quasi-1-D model. Results show that with the inputs of axial co-ordinate and igniting time, the ANN can predict density, axial velocity, temperature, and pressure in internal ballistic within 0.039 relative error and a correlation coefficient above 0.994 compared to the quasi-1-D simulations in millisecond level. With the increase of hidden layers and neural numbers in the ANN, prediction accuracy increases. When the hidden layers exceed four, prediction accuracy cannot improve significantly. When test data is out of the temporal range of the training and validation data, prediction accuracy decreases evidently. The trained ANN model can be used to predict solid rocket motors with increased internal ballistic spatial resolution within 0.007 relative error and to predict solid rocket motors with increased temporal resolution within 0.107 relative error.
Partssamarbeid for et renere arbeidsliv
Authors: Finnestrand Hanne , Vågen Ystebø Amalie
Published: August 2024

I denne artikkelen undersøker vi mulighetene for partsbasert organisasjonsutvikling i den profesjonelle renholdsbransjen. Empirien er intervju med både tillitsvalgte og ledere i seks ulike renholdsbedrifter i privat sektor samt ledere i ytterligere tre renholdsbedrifter. Studien viser at partssamarbeidet på bedriftsnivå først og fremst knytter seg til løpende drift. Organisasjonsutvikling og oppfølging av strategi gjøres derimot i all hovedsak av HR-leder eller ledere i tilsvarende stillinger, og det er sjelden partsbasert. Man tar med dette ikke høyde for de interessekonfliktene som finnes mellom partene. Samtidig som et partsbasert samarbeid på bransjenivå har vært med på å profesjonalisere en utsatt renholdsbransje, har ytre føringer slik som kundenes krav gjennom anbudskontrakter, men også til en viss grad reguleringer utviklet av bransjen selv, utfordret en partsbasert organisasjonsutvikling på bedriftsnivå.
Abstract in EnglishUnion–Management Cooperation for a Cleaner Working LifeIn this article, we examine the possibilities for union–management cooperation for organizational development in the professional cleaning industry. The study builds on interviews with both union representatives and managers in six different cleaning companies in the private sector, as well as managers from three additional cleaning companies. The study shows that cooperation between the social partners at the company level deals primarily with ongoing tasks. Organizational development and strategy work, on the other hand, is mainly done by the HR manager or managers in similar positions, and rarely involves the trade union. This does not take into account conflicts of interest that exist between the parties. While union–management cooperation at industry level has professionalized the vulnerable cleaning industry, external forces such as customers' demands through tender contracts and to a certain extent regulations developed by the industry itself have challenged union–management cooperation organizational development at company level.
How Plastics Came to Pollute the Technical Literature
Authors: Cochoy Franck
Published: August 2024

Today, we know a great deal about how plastics invade the oceans, but we know less about how these same pollutants begin to colonize the world upstream, even before the manufacturing process, when inventors draft their patents. This paper addresses this gap through a textometric study of the corpus of US facemask patents over a century. Patents are highly constrained by specific laws and rules: they must focus on utility, and only on utility, thus preventing moral concerns such as care for the planet from being part of the patenting process. They must also be generic, which prevents them from focusing on specific materials. Despite these limitations, the empirical analysis of our corpus reveals the linguistic tricks and cultural patterns that have allowed plastics, but also health and environmental concerns, to circulate in patents. The use of certain rhetorical devices, such as “preferably” and “or any other suitable material(s),” helps to mention specific materials while preserving the genericity of patents; in addition, the reference to market-based components contributes to externalize environmental and health considerations. As the analysis shows, most of these patterns contribute to deepening the production of ignorance in contemporary societies, although recent developments offer a glimmer of hope: the reference to external pressures for sustainability, or the transformation of the concept of sustainability into a material property, has helped to transform ethical concerns into useful facts, thus facilitating the replacement of plastics with more sustainable materials in the patent literature.
Effect of Physical Factors on Milt Quality of Malabar Grouper, Epinephelus Malabaricus in Summer and Winter Season
Authors: Ali Alaenazi Mohamad , Ali Alharbi Mamdouh , Chithambaran Sambhu
Published: August 2024

A study was conducted to test the effect of physical factors such as temperature, salinity, and pH on spermatozoa motility of Malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus). Mature and healthy male fishes were collected from the Red Sea during the summer and winter seasons for milt collection. Milt quality was assessed for colour, volume, sperm cell concentration, motility, and viability. Sperm motility was tested under different water temperatures, salinity, and pH media. A significant difference (P < 0.01) in sperm cell concentration (density), sperm motility (%), and viability (%) was observed between the summer and winter seasons. Changes in water temperature, pH, and salinity influenced sperm motility (%) and motility duration (min). Low pH and salinity caused adverse effects on spermatozoa motility. The results of the study are useful for the germplasm conservation of Malabar grouper, E.malabaricus.
Pengaruh Audit Firm Rotation, Komite Audit, dan Audit Capacity Stress Terhadap Kualitas Audit: Studi Empiris pada Perusahaan Sub Sektor Bank yang Terdaftar di BEI Periode 2018-2022
Authors: Akhbar Raka Aththaariq , Sebrina Nurzi
Published: August 2024

This research aims to empirically prove the influence of audit firm rotation, audit committee and audit capacity stress on audit quality in banking sub-sector companies on the Indonesian Stock Exchange. In this research, 30 banking companies were used. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. The data analysis method used in hypothesis testing is binary logistic regression and Wald test. In accordance with the results of hypothesis testing processed using the SPSS program, it was found that audit firm rotation had no significant effect on audit quality in banking sub-sector companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. In the second hypothesis testing stage, it was found that the audit committee had a positive and significant effect on audit quality in banking sub-sector companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, while in the third hypothesis testing results it was successfully proven that audit capacity stress had a negative and significant effect on audit quality in sub-sector companies. Banking on the Indonesian Stock Exchange. In accordance with the results of hypothesis testing obtained, it is recommended that companies continue to optimize the role of the audit committee as part of the monitoring instruments within the company. When the role of the audit committee runs well and consistently, the quality of the audit will be better. Through strict supervision, the possibility of fraud will be smaller so that the quality of the resulting audit will be higher and beneficial for stakeholders, especially investors.
Pengaruh Profitabilitas, Leverage, dan Umur Perusahaan Terhadap Praktik Tax Avoidance: Studi Kasus Perusahaan Sektor Energi yang Terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia Tahun 2020 – 2023
Authors: Prayoga Imam , Desyana Gita , Ikhsan Syarbini
Published: August 2024

This research aims to investigate the influence of profitability, leverage, and company age on tax avoidance practices in energy sector companies in Indonesia that are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The data were analyzed using multiple regression methods on a sample of 46 financial reports from the years 2020 to 2023. The results of the analysis show that profitability does not have a significant effect on tax avoidance, while leverage also does not have a significant effect. However, company age has been proven to have a significant effect on tax avoidance. Nonetheless, these three variables have a simultaneous effect on tax avoidance. This research is relevant for improving tax policies and reducing tax avoidance practices that are detrimental to the state.
Pengaruh Keberagaman Gender terhadap Kinerja Perusahaan dengan Corporate Sosial Responsibility sebagai Variabel Mediasi
Authors: Fanesha Meysa , Sebrina Nurzi
Published: August 2024

This study aims to analyze the effect of gender diversity on firm performance with corporate social responsibility as an intervening variable. Gender diversity is measured by the ratio of the presence of women on the board of directors and commissioners to the total number of members of the board of directors and commissioners. Firm performance is assessed using three proxies: Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), and Tobin's Q. CSR is evaluated using the CSR disclosure index, which Garanina and Kim developed in 2023. The data used are annual reports and sustainability reports of consumer non-cyclicals companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2018-2022. Consumer non-cyclicals companies produce goods or services to meet primary needs. Samples were taken using purposive sampling, totaling 64 companies. The analysis used the Partial Least Square (PLS) method. The results show that gender diversity does not affect firm performance with ROA and ROE proxies but does affect performance with the Tobin's Q proxy. Additionally, gender diversity negatively affects CSR, and CSR has a significant positive effect on performance with the ROA proxy but no effect on ROE and Tobin's Q proxies. CSR mediates the effect of gender diversity on firm performance with the ROA proxy but does not mediate the effect on performance with the ROE and Tobin's Q proxies.
European Public Policy – Goal and Reality
Authors: Konečný Stanislav
Published: August 2024

The process of transformation of politics into public policy, which has been taking place in the democratic world since the 1950s and which also consists in the involvement of non-governmental (non-political) structures in policy making, started to develop more intensively in the structures of the European Union after 2000. This study analyses the ways in which market and civil society actors participate in policy making in selected EU policies. In particular, using examples from Slovakia it presents how and in what way this participation takes place. It notes the diversity of approaches and forms, but also the fact that current European Union policies already meet the basic criteria for being considered public policies.
“Let It Go”: Comparative Study on Zombie Water Projects in Europe and Asia
Authors: Grünwald Richard , Štěbetáková Michaela
Published: August 2024

To date, there can be found numerous controversial large-scale water projects in Asia and Europe. The so-called “zombie water projects” are associated with insufficient communication, massive investments and prolonged marginalisation of the negative impacts. Traditional impact assessment studies backed by water engineers and other water professionals are struggling to accountably address the political issues. Hence, in the presented study, a new schematic political impact assessment was proposed to evaluate meaningful water dialogue. To dynamics of water dialogue over the zombie water projects was investigated upon the VUDU analytical framework at four micro-case studies (Navigational Channel Improvement Project, Myitsone dam, Oder-Danube-Elbe Canal and Gabčíkovo-Nagymaros dam). These studies were selected according to the extensive literature review to illustrate different development pathways and long-term behavioural changes. The results show that despite the conflict of interests and prolonged distrust towards zombie water projects, the justification of these projects were often driven by inconsistent empirical data, (i)rational justification and changing political environments. In addition, by comparing various four micro-case studies, we noticed that the meaningful water dialogue was more influenced by the degree of transparency and communication rather than the actual decision whenever to build such water project or not. By showing contemporary dilemmas towards the large-scale water project development, the presented study provides valuable feedback on the previous interdisciplinary studies regarding the transboundary water governance.