bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of Patients With Early and Locally Advanced Lung Cancer: Protocol for the Italian Lung Cancer Observational Study (LUCENT) (Preprint)
Authors: Bertolaccini Luca , Ciani Oriana , Lucchi Marco , Zaraca Francesco , Bertani Alessandro , Crisci Roberto , Spaggiari Lorenzo ,   LUCENT Study Group
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer, predominantly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), remains a formidable challenge, necessitating an in-depth understanding of evolving treatment paradigms. The Italian Lung Cancer Observational Study (LUCENT) addresses this need by investigating the outcomes of patients with early and locally advanced lung cancer in Italy.

OBJECTIVE

With a focus on real-world data and patient registries, this study aims to provide comprehensive insights into clinical, psychosocial, and economic impacts, contributing to informed decision-making in health care.

METHODS

LUCENT is a prospective observational multicenter cohort study enrolling patients eligible for minimally invasive manual, robot-assisted, or traditional open surgery. The study will develop a web-based registry to collect longitudinal surgical, oncological, and socioeconomic outcome data. The primary objectives include performance assessment through the establishment of national benchmarks based on risk-adjusted outcomes and processes of care indicators. The secondary objectives encompass economic and psychosocial impact assessments of innovative technologies and treatment pathways. The multicenter design ensures a diverse and representative study population.

RESULTS

The evolving landscape of NSCLC treatment necessitates a nuanced approach with consideration of the dynamic shifts in therapeutic strategies. LUCENT strives to fill existing knowledge gaps by providing a platform for collecting and analyzing real-world data, emphasizing the importance of patient-reported outcomes in enhancing the understanding of the disease. By developing a web-based registry, the study not only facilitates efficient data collection but also addresses the limitations of traditional methods, such as suboptimal response rates and costs associated with paper-and-pencil questionnaires. Recruitment will be conducted from January 01, 2024, to December 31, 2026. Follow-up will be performed for a minimum of 2 years. The study will be completed in the year 2028.

CONCLUSIONS

LUCENT’s potential implications are substantial. Establishing national benchmarks will enable a thorough evaluation of outcomes and care processes, guiding clinicians and policymakers in optimizing patient management. Furthermore, the study’s secondary objectives, focusing on economic and psychosocial impacts, align with the contemporary emphasis on holistic cancer care. Insights gained from this study may influence treatment strategies, resource utilization, and patient well-being, thereby contributing to the ongoing refinement of lung cancer management.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05851755; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05851755. ISRCTN 67197140; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN67197140

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

PRR1-10.2196/57183
Pilot Study of a Mobile and Virtual Reality-Based Digital Therapeutics for Smoking Cessation: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Jo Yeong-Seon , Pyeon Arom , Hu Min-Kyung , Kim Sung-Min , Choi In-Young , Chun Ji-Won , Kim Dai-Jin
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Smoking cessation remains a global challenge with existing treatments showing limited long-term success. Digital therapeutics, such as app- and virtual reality (VR)-based interventions, have the potential to offer more personalized and accessible solutions. This study investigates the efficacy of combined digital therapeutic intervention for smoking cessation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NICO-THERA, a digital therapeutic intervention combining VR and mobile applications, in supporting smoking cessation among individuals with nicotine dependence. Specifically, the study examines the impact of this intervention on smoking abstinence and nicotine dependence over a 12-week treatment period.

METHODS

We conducted an open-label, randomized, controlled exploratory trial involving 30 participants who were randomly assigned to either the Digital Therapeutic Group (DTG) or the Basic Treatment Group (BTG). The DTG received the NICO-THERA program, which included VR-based relaxation, craving coping, and refusal training sessions along with additional therapy through a mobile application, all grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational enhancement therapy (MET). The BTG received standard care including video education, printed materials. The primary outcomes measured were the 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) and 30-day PPA at 8 and 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included nicotine dependence and the motivation to change.

RESULTS

The participants in the DTG demonstrated significantly higher smoking abstinence rates than those in the BTG. At 12 weeks, the 7-day PPA was 55.6% in the DTG and 41.7% in the BTG, whereas the 30-day PPA was 55.6% and 33.3%, respectively. Additionally, the DTG showed a reduction in nicotine dependence scores and an increase in the motivation to quit smoking. The VR intervention was well-tolerated, with no significant adverse events reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The NICO-THERA digital therapeutic program appears to be a safe and effective intervention for smoking cessation. The integration of VR and mobile applications into a structured therapeutic approach offers a promising complement to traditional smoking cessation treatments, potentially improving long-term abstinence rates and reducing nicotine dependence.

CLINICALTRIAL

Clinical Research Information Service, Republic of Korea (KCT0009801); https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do?seq=28285&status=5&seq_group=28285&search_page=M
Natural Language Processing and Social Determinants of Health in Mental Health Research: An Artificial Intelligence Assisted Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Scherbakov Dmitry , Hubig Nina , Lenert Leslie Andrew , Alekseyenko Alexander V. , Obeid Jihad S.
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

The usage of natural language processing (NLP) in mental health research is increasing with a wide range of applications and datasets being investigated.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to summarize the usage NLP in mental health research, with a special focus on the types of text datasets and the usage of social determinants of health (SDOH) in NLP projects related to mental health.

METHODS

The search was conducted in September 2024 using a broad search strategy in PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL Complete. All citations were uploaded to Covidence online software. The screening and extraction process took place in Covidence with the help of a custom large language model (LLM) module developed by our team. This LLM module was calibrated and tuned to substitute human reviewers.

RESULTS

The screening process, assisted by the custom LLM, led to the inclusion of 1,768 studies in the final review. The majority of the reviewed studies (n=665, 42.8%) utilized clinical data as their primary text dataset, followed by social media datasets (n=523, 33.7%). The United States contributed the highest number of studies (n=568, 36.6%), with depression (n=438, 28.2%) and suicide (n=240, 15.5%) being the most frequently investigated mental health issues. Traditional demographic variables such as age (n=877, 56.5%) and gender (n=760, 49.0%) were commonly extracted, while SDOH factors were less frequently reported, with urban/rural status being the most used (n=19, 1.2%). Over half of the citations (n=826, 53.2%) did not provide clear information on dataset accessibility, although a sizable number of studies (n=304, 19.6%) made their datasets publicly available.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review underscores the significant role of clinical notes and social media in NLP-based mental health research. Despite the clear relevance of SDOH to mental health, their underutilization presents a gap in current research. This review can be a starting point for researchers looking for an overview of mental health projects using text data. Discovered datasets could be used to place more emphasis on SDOH in future studies.
A multi-level intervention to increase patient portal use in adults with type 2 diabetes who access healthcare at Community Health Centers: A single arm, pre-post pilot study (Preprint)
Authors: Whittemore Robin , Jeon Sangchoon , Akyirem Samuel , Chen Helen NC , Lipson Joanna , Minchala Maritza , Wagner Julie
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Diabetes self-management education/support (DSMS) delivered via patient portals significantly improves glycemic control. Yet, disparities in patient portal use persist. Community health centers (CHCs) deliver care to anyone who needs it, regardless of income or insurance status.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a multi-level intervention to increase access and use of portals (MAP) among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) receiving healthcare at CHCs.

METHODS

A within-subjects, pre-post design was used. Adults with T2D who were portal naive were recruited from two CHCs. After informed consent, participants met with a community health worker (CHW) for referrals for social determinants of health, provision of a tablet with cell service, and individualized training on use of the tablet and portal. Next, a nurse met individually with participants to develop a DSMS plan and then communicated with patients via the portal at least twice weekly during the first 3 months and weekly for the latter 3 months. Data were collected at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. The primary outcome was patient activation and engagement with the portal. Secondary outcomes included technology attitudes, digital health literacy, health-related outcomes and psychosocial function.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were eligible, 23 received the intervention, and one was lost to follow up. The sample was predominately Latino/Hispanic (77%) and reported low income (86% < $40,000/year), low education (59% < high school), and no health insurance (55%). All participants had access to a Smartphone, but 91% had never accessed a health app. Baseline A1C was 8.31%. Portal activation was high; 100% of participants created a portal account and logged in within the first month. Engagement was high; 98% logged in at least twice per month in the first 3 months and 76% between 3 and 6 months. Mean (SD) participant logins per month over the first 3 months was 3.16 (SD 3.18) and 1.45 (SD 1.91) over the final 3 months. At 6 months, improvements were seen in technology confidence, digital health literacy, diabetes self-efficacy, and diabetes distress. Participant satisfaction with MAP was high as was intention to continue portal use. Barriers to clinical integration and recommendations for portal development were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

MAP shows promise for improving health equity in portal use for T2D. Larger, controlled studies are needed to determine how best to implement MAP in complex clinical settings and to evaluate efficacy over time.

CLINICALTRIAL

NCT05180721
Fat Distribution and Urolithiasis Risk Parameters in Uric Acid Stone Formers and Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Zomorodian Alireza , Li Xilong , Poindexter John , Maalouf Naim M. , Sakhaee Khashayar , Moe Orson W.
Published: October 2024

Key Points

Under a controlled diet, uric acid stone formers (UASFs) and diabetic patients have higher endogenous net acid production.

Under a controlled diet, UASFs have lower ammonium-to-net acid excretion ratio.

Body fat inversely correlates with urine buffer capacity in normal individuals, but this relationship is lost in diabetic patients and UASFs.

Background

Uric acid (UA) nephrolithiasis affects approximately 10% of kidney stones, with a greater preponderance among patients with obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM). UA lithogenicity is driven by abnormally acidic urine pH. Distinguishing the contribution of intrinsic (e.g., body adiposity) versus external (e.g., dietary) factors to UA stone propensity is challenging because of uncontrolled diets in outpatients in previously published studies.

Methods

This compilation of metabolic studies with body composition examined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan and blood and urine biochemistry collected under a controlled metabolic diet was conducted across three distinct populations: 74 UA stone formers (UASF group), 13 patients with type 2 DM without kidney stones (DM group), and 51 healthy volunteers (HV group).

Results

Compared with HVs, both UASFs and patients with DM exhibited higher levels of net acid excretion (NAE) and significantly lower urine pH and lower proportion of NAE excreted as ammonium (NH4
+/NAE), all under controlled diets. UASFs exhibited significantly lower NH4
+/NAE compared with patients with DM. UASFs also showed higher total body and truncal fat compared with HVs. Among the HVs, lower NH4
+/NAE ratio correlated with higher truncal and total fat. However, this association was abolished in the UASF and DM groups who exhibit a fixed low NH4
+/NAE ratio across a range of body and truncal fat.

Conclusions

The findings suggest a dual defect of diet-independent increase in acid production and impaired kidney NH4
+ excretion as major contributors to the risk of UA stone formation. There is an inverse physiologic association between body fat content and NH4
+/NAE in HVs, whereas NH4
+/NAE is persistently low in UASFs and patients with DM, regardless of body fat, representing pathophysiology.
The Impact of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on Kidney Outcomes
Authors: Mendonça Luís , Moura Henrique , Chaves Paulo Castro , Neves João Sérgio , Ferreira João Pedro
Published: October 2024

Key Points

This is an updated meta-analysis about glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) incorporating findings from the recently published FLOW and SELECT studies.

Our findings show that GLP-1 RAs reduce kidney disease progression in patients with type 2 diabetes or overweight/obesity status, with or without CKD.

Our meta-analysis supports the use of GLP-1 RAs for reducing the risk of adverse kidney outcomes across different populations.

Background

Recent data indicate a potential benefit of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) on the progression of kidney disease among patients with CKD. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of GLP-1 RAs on the risk of worsening kidney function across different populations.

Methods

We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that tested GLP-1 RA treatment versus placebo in individuals with type 2 diabetes or with overweight/obesity status, with or without CKD, with kidney events reported as primary or secondary end points. The primary outcome was the occurrence of worsening kidney function, defined as either a doubling of serum creatinine or a ≥40% or ≥50% decline in eGFR, according to each study report. Secondary outcomes included development of persistent macroalbuminuria and a composite of worsening kidney function or the development of persistent macroalbuminuria. Subgroup analyses were performed by eGFR and albuminuria categories. The results are presented as risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Eight trials were eligible, including a total of 68,572 patients, of whom 34,042 (49.6%) received GLP-1 RA treatment. During follow-up, 1028 participants receiving GLP-1 RA (3.0%) and 1150 participants receiving placebo (3.5%) experienced worsening kidney function. Treatment with GLP-1 RAs (versus placebo) resulted in a reduction in the risk of worsening kidney function (risk ratios, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.77 to 0.91; P < 0.001). In addition, treatment with GLP-1 RAs significantly reduced the risk of developing persistent macroalbuminuria and the risk of the composite outcome of worsening kidney function or development of persistent macroalbuminuria. The results were consistent in patients with and without CKD.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggests that GLP-1 RA reduce kidney disease progression in type 2 diabetes or overweight/obesity regardless of CKD status.

Podcast

This article contains a podcast at https://www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/CJASN/2025_02_14_CJASNFeb20.2.2142025.mp3
Revisión sistemática de la literatura sobre gamificación en entornos de producción
Authors: Rendón Arenas Ángel Ricardo , Cantón Croda Rosa María , Miranda Pérez Argelia Fabiola , Mayett Moreno Yésica
Published: October 2024

Objetivo: realizar una revisión sistemática de la literatura sobre las líneas de investigación existentes, así como identificar las limitaciones de estudio y principales contribuciones que se han desarrollado acerca del concepto de gamificación aplicados a entornos de producción que permitan proponer trabajos futuros con una contribución científica de relevancia.
Diseño metodológico: se definieron cinco preguntas de investigación y cuatro criterios de calidad basados en la metodología de Kitchenham sobre la revisión sistemática de literatura, por lo que se realizó una consulta de palabras clave en la base de datos Scopus, con la cual se ejecutó un análisis bibliométrico con una herramienta específica para dicho propósito que permitió desarrollar una discusión de los resultados obtenidos.
Resultados: se identificaron tres conceptos principales enfocados que se encuentran en etapas de desarrollo dentro de los entornos de producción: Operador 4.0, Gamification for Manufacturing (GfM) y la aplicación de sistemas hmi (Human Machine Interaction), además de una contribución importante en afiliaciones de Alemania por su pertinencia en la creación y difusión del concepto Industria 4.0.
Limitaciones de la investigación: la utilización de una única fuente de datos (Scopus) omitiendo otras bases de datos científicas.
Hallazgos: Se categorizaron 37 de 162 documentos que relacionan diversos estudios tanto teóricos, experimentales y marcos de trabajo sobre la gamificación en entornos de producción, dentro de los cuales el 64% concluyó con promover exploraciones más prolongadas sobre el concepto en cuestión en áreas de la industria reales.
Intelligent iPD control estimation of Hardware in-the-Loop generated dynamics
Authors: Martínez García Juan Carlos , Soria López Alberto
Published: October 2024

We are concerned here by the study of explicit ultra-local model approximation in the context of model free intelligent Proportional Derivative (iPD) control, which to our knowledge has not been reported in the available control literature. The unmodeled dynamics estimation is approximated by integrals reducing real-time system measurements noise in the control loop and implemented using a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) digital filter. Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) perturbation load generated dynamics are used in an iPD control scheme exhibiting the unknown dynamics approximation. We use two DC servo motors interconnected by their shafts. The first DC servo motor is controlled by the proposed feedback-based iPD controller whereas the second DC servomotor is used as a programmable torque load to the controlled DC servo motor. Using HIL testing we can generate desired load torques directly showing how the iPD controller approximates HIL generated perturbations. For the proposed control iPD scheme, we present both computer-based simulation and experimental real-time control results.
Invitación a repensar la educación: demos un chance a la escuela
Authors: Escala Miguel J. , Haché De Yunén Ana Margarita , González Sued Sarah Inés , Guzmán Teresa , Rodríguez Islen , Del Mar González Tejera María , Acevedo Torres Jenny , Acevedo Pedro , Córdoba María , De Olloqui De Montenegro Liliana Ruth , Del Carmen García Lucía , González Pons Sandra , González Tejera Natalia , Mancebo Geynmi , Padilla Emelinda , Suriel José Ramón
Published: October 2024

Repensar la Educación, formada por un grupo de educadores dominicanos, comparte este documento buscando ofrecer una lectura y una perspectiva diferente, sobre las respuestas necesarias para garantizar la calidad educativa. El documento se estructura en cinco secciones comenzando con una justificación del mismo y concluyendo con sugerencias para convertir el repensar en acciones. En la segunda sección, se exploran los temas centrales de la educación sobre los que se invita a repensar, entre ellos: el estudiante como centro del proceso formativo, el docente como actor clave de la formación integral del estudiante, la escuela como un ecosistema del proceso formativo, la familia y la comunidad como pilares fundamentales, y los mecanismos estatales como entidades reguladoras, de apoyo y de dinamización de los cambios.
En el documento, no solo se enfatiza el papel de las escuelas como instituciones clave, sino que también las concibe como ecosistemas sostenibles que fomentan el diálogo y empoderan a las comunidades. Se subraya la importancia de brindar a las escuelas el chance de realizar plenamente su potencial para alcanzar esta visión.
Preprocessing Text Data for the Doc2Vec Model in the Automatic Classification of Tickets in Support Centers of Software Providers
Authors: Shatalova O. M. , Kuzmin A. A.
Published: October 2024

Leading software providers typically implement customer technical support functions, which are crucial for promoting and enhancing the competitiveness of their products and services in global markets. The high volume and heterogeneity of support tickets (functional, temporal, linguistic, etc.) highlight the importance of efficient classification systems. Effective classification optimizes the distribution of these tickets among support center specialists and automates their processing using an established knowledge base. However, classifying these tickets is a loosely formalized task. For companies that have accumulated substantial data on customer requests, automating classification through machine learning methods and natural language processing models, such as Word2Vec, FastText, BERT, and GPT, becomes feasible. It is generally accepted that classification effectiveness primarily depends on the model employed. Nevertheless, the quality of these models is significantly influenced by the nature of the training data. Literature review of the reveals significant research interest in methods for the automatic classification of tickets specifically tailored to the operational conditions of software provider support centers. However, there is a noticeable gap in the literature regarding the impact of data preprocessing on the quality of these models. The article aims to clarify the techniques of data preprocessing and analyze their impact on the effectiveness of text classification, considering the specificity of software provider support centers. This study examines the stages of the automatic classification process for tickets, accounting for the unique characteristics of the data (customer text requests). A relevant set of specified methodological and instrumental tools was developed and tested using open data from a global software provider (DevExpress). The testing involved a database of 165,000 tickets. The study's results indicate that preprocessing can improve classification metrics such as F-measure, Precision, and Recall from 77% to 79%. Additionally, preprocessing significantly reduces the dimensionality of text data (by 48.2%) and increases model training speed (by 26.5%) without loss of accuracy, ensuring cost-efficiency and operational efficiency in the use of computational resources.
The Method for Obtaining Shot Cloud Time Span and Range Dependence
Authors: Vdovin A. Yu. , Podshivalova E. A.
Published: October 2024

When studying the behavior of a shot cloud in space, a variety of information and measurement systems can be applied, for example, based on light screens (photoelectronic blocking devices of a small ballistic measuring installation consisting of a linear emitter and an optical sensor based on a photodiode). To study the process of shot cloud movement in space and to assess its parameters (for example, length at a given range from the muzzle) correctly, it is advisable to have a simulation model of the optical sensor signal when the light screen is crossed by a shot cloud. Taking into account previous studies, it is necessary to know the magnitude of the scale parameter in the Rayleigh distribution describing the shot cloud in the direction of firing in time in order to obtain a similar model at some distance from the muzzle. A method that allows obtaining function of dependence of the mentioned scale parameter and the distance from the muzzle and based on real data from several optical sensors of light screens installed on the shooting track is proposed. The example of application the proposed method to obtain similar functions based on the results of processing optical sensor signals obtained in real experiments for cartridges loaded with three different shot types is given. The obtained dependences were approximated by polynomials of the first and second degree using the least squares method, and the error was estimated for various types of cartridges. Based on the obtained results, specific recommendations for the practical application of the developed method are proposed. The estimation of the confidence interval width for the expectation function of the shot cloud time span is performed. The ways of creating advanced signal simulation models from optical sensors of light screens when shooting with shot are outlined.
Innovations in Engineering and Technology of Worm-Type Gears
Authors: Trubachev E.S.
Published: October 2024

Relatively small changes in engineering and technology of traditional established products turn over time into a series of milestones that determine both technical characteristics and production methods, and as a consequence - the competitiveness of the final product. Accordingly, it is relevant to periodically look at the evolution of the accumulated solutions and make some conclusions on it. For this purpose, the paper reviews innovations in design and production of worm-type gears obtained in Izhevsk scientific school in the field of gears for the last two decades: spiroid gears operating at low rotational speeds and transmitting high loads, leading to plastic deformations due to compactness of gears; spiroid gears with small gear ratios (3...8) competing with more expensive in production bevel and hypoid ones; worm gears with steel hardened gearwheels with increased strength and manufacturability; planetary spiroid gears providing extremely high gear ratio, improved methods and techniques of design and preproduction of gear cutting. The paper presents the review of innovations in design of worm-type gears made in Izhevsk scientific school in the field of gears for the last two decades: spiroid gears for cases of low speeds and small gear ratios, worm gears with steel hardened gearwheels, planetary and spiroid gears, improved methods and techniques of design and preparation of gear cutting.
Improvement of the University’s Management System Based on Optimization of Processes at the Level of Structural Divisions
Authors: Priimak E.V. , Razina I.S. , Bikeeva N.G.
Published: October 2024

The process approach is the main element of management in the organization. At the same time, one of the key aspects of this approach is to ensure the visibility (“transparency”) of the management object (organization or system) through its accurate, sufficient, concise, easy-to-understand and analyze description. The process approach to the management of the organization of higher education is based on the division of educational activities into components, which allows you to subdivide the processes into basic, managerial and supporting and bring the processes in line with the goals of the organization. the purpose of the work is to improve the management system of the university based on the optimization of processes at the level of institutions in such a way that the results of the process contribute to the achievement of the strategic goals of KNITU. The study is based on the study of the experience of Russian organizations represented in the scientific literature based on international standards in the field of quality management ISO 9000 series. The process approach to management is based on the understanding of the activity process itself as a set of interrelated or interacting activities that use resources and transform inputs into outputs. The article considers and analyzes the functions of the institute in the general system of the university, describes the processes of activity using the IDEF0 methodology and, based on expert evaluation, identifies the most significant processes for which process maps are compiled. Based on the assessment of customer satisfaction and identification of strengths and weaknesses using the SWOT analysis tool, opportunities for improving the institute's activities and ways of strategic development are identified. The practical significance is due to the fact that the results of the work can be used by KNITU to optimize the internal processes of institutions, as well as to improve the processes of the university as a whole.
Application of Surface Ultrasonic Waves for Detection of Contact Fatigue Cracks in the Rail Surface
Authors: Bobrov A.L. , Goncharov K.I.
Published: October 2024

The integrity and durability of rails plays a key role in train safety. However, the interaction of the rail head surface with the wheels of the rolling stock leads to high damage to these areas. The surface of the rail head is subject to the greatest damage, in which fatigue cracks develop on the surface with subsequent development. Timely detection of fatigue cracks in the rolling surface is possible using the ultrasonic technique using surface waves. To do this, the work investigated the sensitivity of a surface ultrasonic wave to obstacles in the surface of rails in the form of extended grooves, notches of finite length and known depth, as well as real cracks. The studies were carried out using the pulse-echo method at frequencies of 1.25, 1.8, 2.5, 4 MHz. Research has shown that surface waves are sensitive to surface fatigue cracks. The amplitude of the reflected pulses depends on the wavelength and the depth of crack propagation. The influence of the distance to fatigue cracks and the orientation angle of the transducer relative to the rail axis on the sensitivity of the surface wave to these defects was also studied. The results obtained allow us to conclude that the use of surface ultrasonic waves makes it possible to detect fatigue cracks in the crack surface. Thus, the use of the pulse-echo technique and surface wave converters makes it possible to detect contact fatigue cracks in the rail head, which can be used to eliminate them in a timely manner. The determination of their depth by amplitude is influenced by many factors, which are difficult to take into account in real conditions.
PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION FROM ISLAMIC ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Adi Asriadi Arifin
Published: October 2024

In Islamic economics, production and distribution are the main pillars for achieving happiness, Islam bases production on the purpose of utilization, that production is a springboard for achieving value benefits and a more collective utilization goal that touches all groups. The presence of this paper is to examine the inherent (close relationship) of the concept of production and distribution based on an Islamic view. The results of this study will become a new discourse in Islamic economics literature as a contribution in the theoretical field for the perfection of the results of future studies. The type of research used is library research by referring to the written content of relevant research and then elaborating it with current phenomena. The conclusion states that Islam is a religion of rahmatan lil -' alamin which implies the distribution of goodness and benefit to every creature created by Allah SWT on earth, therefore this is a principle that is absorbed in Islamic economics so that it wards off all forms of production and distribution activities that are not in harmony with it. So that all human economic activities as caliphs must be verified based on Islamic normative values. Between the concepts of production and distribution, according to Islam, both are not a separate entity, but are a fragment. The main motive that must precede production is distribution, that someone who works has no other motive than himself and to ensure the fulfillment of the needs of others for the sake of realizing prosperity, economic justice and a balanced standard of living among all elements of society .
Cosmopolis in the pre-modern epoch on the border of the Western and Eastern cultures: multilingualism and limits of transferability (on Caffa’s materials of the 13th–15th centuries)
Authors:   Tyumen State University, Emanov Alexander G.
Published: October 2024

Objective: To investigate the problem of the terminological precision of the most relevant qualities possessed by cosmopolis in the pre-modern world where the representatives of Western and Eastern faith acted equals in various written and spoken languages. Research materials: The “Codex Cumanicus” composed in Caffa at the turn of the 13th–14th centuries; the lexis of medieval urbanism in three languages (Latin, Persian, and Comanian) selected from it; “Libellus de notitia orbis” of Iohannes de Galonifontibus with a description of multilingual Caffa from the early 15th century. Results and novelty of the research: From the “Codex Cumanicus” was first isolated the lexis of medieval urbanism, dispersed throughout four semantic fields: representation of cosmopolis in the physicality, legally, the sociocultural data, and the ethical community. The representation of cosmopolis in the physicality found untranslatability to eastern languages such Latin terms as “murus”, and “vacuum”, calling attention to essential attributes of urban physis – stone walls, and public places. The representation of cosmopolis in the legally data proved the failure to communicate such thing as a “libertas”, the key characte­ristic of a free city; the Latin term “civitas”, a community of citizens, was adapted in Coman language only through Sogdian analogy of “känd”. The concept “lex”, law, was perceived only through the Jewish approach of “ˈtorə”. The representation of cosmopolis in the sociocultural data did reflect the richness of terms which represented the merchants, traders, bankers, artisans, warriors, and those in the service, education, and entertainment industries; most of them entered the language as a borrowings from Persian and Arabic. The representation of cosmopolis as ethical community explained the rethinking any archaic thought forms of the earlier polytheistic mind moving toward the monotheistic idea; the central concept of Western culture “Deus”, God, was reinterpreted in the most distant Eas­tern cultures as “Tengri” like the designation used earlier for the supreme sky deity of all Asian nomads; the universal theories for both West and East about the four elements and four bodily fluids reflected the relation between the world and man, as macrocosm and microcosm, really integrated citizens of different faiths and languages into the ethical community. This research uses the cognitive science and mental mapping methods. The first allows one to inquire on the terms, ideas, linguistic units, verbal codes in which was treated the cosmopolis in the pre-modern world. The second makes it possible to visualize a distribution of lexical triads according to the degree of positivity / negativity, nearness / distance in transmitting meanings from Latin in Eastern.
Jāme‘ al-Hedāyat fī ‘Elm al-Remāyat: a forgotten source from the Ilkhanid period
Authors:   Yalova University, Duman İbrahim
Published: October 2024

Research objectives: To emphasize the importance of Jāme‘ al-Hedāyat fī ‘Elm al-Remāyat in terms of medieval Mongolian and Iranian cultural history and to contribute to the recognition of this important source in the world. Research materials: The author of the article examines Jāme‘ al-Hedāyat fī ‘Elm al-Remāyat, the source of the research, and the current literature on the subject. Results and novelty of the research: Mongol history studies in the world are quite advanced in the light of resources and research. However, many issues waiting to be uncovered and many resources waiting to be discovered are waiting for researchers. Most studies focus on political history where sources tend to provide more information. Nevertheless, although few, cultural sources written during the Mongolian states have survived to the present day. One of these sources is Jāme‘ al-Hedāyat fī ‘Elm al-Remāyat, written in Iran during the Ilkhanid period. It is an important treatise on archery history. The treatise was written in Persian. Although this source is a very rare source from the medieval Iranian period, it is not well known among researchers. The novelty of this study is to introduce Jāme‘ al-Hedāyat fī ‘Elm al-Remāyat, an important cultural source of Mongolian and Iranian history, to the scholarly world and to identify the studies on this source.
“Turks, Tatars and Russians in the 13th–16th centuries”: exploring the interaction across Eurasia
Authors:   Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Beylur Suat
Published: October 2024

Research objectives: This article, through the review of István Vásáry’s book, published in 2023 as part of the Variorum Collected Studies Series (digital) by Taylor & Francis, aims to explore the interactions among Turks, Tatars, and Russians within the Eurasian region, as well as their broader political, economic, and cultural influences. Research results and scientific novelty: The book that forms the basis of this article consists of a total of 21 articles by the Hungarian author published in different years, including the revised and translated English version of two articles previously published in Russian. This work of Vásáry, a veteran researcher in the field of Turkic, Mongolian, and Tatar history, as well as Turcology, explores the interaction among societies spanning vast territories from the Steppes to the Balkans and further across Eastern Europe. It exposes with great skill the political, military, administrative, social, economic, diplomatic, religious, linguistic, literary and cultural aspects of the interaction in question through specific case studies and facts. This view is a challenge to the general one that ignores the contributions of the people in the mentioned territories to world civilization. From this aspect, this book beckons scholars to reevaluate historical documents not merely as repositories of the past, but also as critical lenses through which to discern and interpret contemporary realities.
A mixed methods qualitative approach outlining a strategic and operational agenda for the pawpaw value chain in the eastern US
Authors: Signorini Guilherme , Francino Sarah
Published: October 2024

The latest global scale occurrences — COVID-19 pandemic and bellicose conflicts — have weakened stable value chain relationships and forced international leaders to reassess commitments to sustainability. From these experiences, it became evident that the success of sustainability initiatives encompasses strengthening local and short value chains while creating means for engaging smallholders in formal food channels. Taking international and national policies as motivations, this article examines the emerging pawpaw value chain in the Eastern United States. We employ a mixed-mode approach with two aims. First, we demonstrate how complementing qualitative methods can be articulated to prepare a strategic agenda to foster the development and resilience of local ag-food chains. Second, through the application of the devised methodology, interview records and survey answers are evaluated to map value chain relationships and describe stakeholders’ perceived challenges and opportunities. On the empirical front, this article proposes four macro strategies and 22 actionable projects. We argue that the representative association of pawpaw growers may adopt a broader leadership role to coordinate the necessary changes for sustaining long-term growth and promoting economic gains in rural communities dedicated to pawpaw production. The mixed-mode approach presented in this study can be replicated to analyze local and short chains elsewhere.
Barriers, perceptions and external/internal variables to digital transformation acceptance in exogenous shock era
Authors: Modarelli Giuseppe
Published: October 2024

The book "Barriers, Perceptions and External/Internal Variables to Digital Transformation Acceptance in Exogenous Shock Era" analyzes the potential of blockchain technology from a managerial perspective for public administration. This book highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach to address the complexities of innovation in the public sector and underlines the potential of blockchain as a tool to improve administrations’ efficiency and transparency, providing a third way to build self-generative and re-generative value for society as a whole, in light of the exogenous shocks that afflict the era in which organizations and individuals currently move. The contribution, as a whole, fits largely into the managerial literature of a business-organizational nature; it is inherent to the themes of behavioral analysis, promoting functional and instrumentally implementable perspectives in the field of knowledge management and digital transition.
Análisis de circuitos eléctricos lineales en régimen permanente
Authors: Marulanda Durango Jesser James , Escobar Mejía Andrés
Published: October 2024

En el siguiente libro encontrara una guía de estudio que puede ser consultada durante el curso de Circuitos Eléctricos en régimen permanente sinusoidal, visto en las carreras de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y Tecnología Eléctrica. A juicio de los autores, esta materia es un pilar en estos programas debido a que en ella se aprenden las técnicas de análisis y solución de circuitos eléctricos que se utilizan en cursos posteriores. Este libro de texto intenta recoger de una manera sistemática y coherente la experiencia de los autores del libro en la catedra del curso de Circuitos Eléctricos, presentando de forma clara y organizada las notas de clase, los ejercicios resueltos y ejercicios propuestos tomados de exámenes realizados en la materia en semestres anteriores. El libro está dividido en cinco capítulos. En el primer capítulo se presenta el método fasorial para la solución de circuitos eléctricos, por lo que se presenta un repaso de los números complejos que serán muy necesarios durante el transcurso del curso debido a que la mayoría de las operaciones matemáticas se harán con base a estos. El método fasorial consiste en transformar los circuitos eléctricos que están en régimen permanente sinusoidal y en el dominio del tiempo, al dominio de la frecuencia, con lo que se logra convertir un sistema de ecuaciones diferenciales lineales en un sistema de ecuaciones algebraicas como coeficientes complejos que es más fácil de resolver. En el capítulo uno se incluye algunas operaciones con números complejos en el software MATLAB, como una muestra de lo útil que es este entorno para el desarrollo de los programas de Ingeniería, ya que cuenta con herramientas útiles como la operación de matrices, gráficas, etc. Una de las herramientas que posee este software es Simulink, el cual permite solucionar circuitos eléctricos simulándolos en una interfaz gráfica.
A Bibliometric Analysis using VOSviewer of Publications on “Contracted Management” in Healthcare
Authors: Aydın Nurşen
Published: October 2024

This research aims to present the studies on contract management (CM)
from a holistic perspective by conducting bibliometric analysis. Data
were collected from the Web of Science core database. A total of 125
articles were reached after applying the search criteria. The
bibliometric data obtained was analyzed using VOSviewer software.
Research from 23 countries or regions and 5 different disciplines has
been published. The most studies were conducted in 2022, 2017, and 2018
and the field of Health Care Sciences Services. Health Services
Research, Hospital Health Services Administration, and Hospitals Health
Networks journals have a major academic impact. The USA and Newcastle
University have made the most significant contributions in this area.
There is no clear leadership among authors publishing in the field of
CM. The first three keywords used most frequently in the works are
contracting, contract management, and Cambodia. It is important for
researchers to show more interest in the CM field and to collaborate
internationally. More research on (1) the typologies and classifications
of CM and (2) the effectiveness and performance of CM (especially in
countries implementing CM) will contribute to our knowledge in this area
and will also guide policy in this area.
Exploring The Connection of Spirituality at Work in Enhancing Nurses’ Job Performance: Insight from Malaysian Hospitals
Authors: Ma'arof Rabiatul Adawiyah , Rashid Umi Kartini , Nasuredin Juzaimi , Musa Rusnifaezah
Published: October 2024

The performance of nurses can be seen as a reflection of healthcare organizations, as they constitute the most critical human resources within hospitals. However, challenges arise when issues such as staff shortages, high turnover rates, and burdensome workloads contribute to poor nurse performance. Conversely, the incorporation of spirituality in the workplace provides nurses with an opportunity to align their inner selves within a supportive community environment, fostering a deeper sense of purpose in their professional responsibilities. This study sought to determine the connection between spirituality at work and nurses’ job performance, surveying 350 nurses employed in public hospitals across Malaysia. Data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 27, revealing that all three aspects of spirituality at work, namely inner life, meaningful work, and sense of community, had a positive and significant influence on nurses’ job performance. This study provides potential aid to decision-makers in Malaysian healthcare organizations by offering significant insights for the development of strong spirituality at work values within their organizational setting. Additionally, this study presents recommendations for future research and proposes methods for the authorities to incorporate spirituality at work values into nurses’ jobs, ultimately enhancing the overall performance of healthcare services.
Comparative Analysis of Government Website and Service Monitoring System Ratings among State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs) in Malaysia
Authors: Mohd Ali Nor Aishah , Abdullah Zaharah , Minhad Siti Fatimah Noor , Ahmad Khairiah , Kasim Eley Suzana , Ahamad Nawawi Nurul Hidayah
Published: October 2024

This study explores the comparison of websites of various State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs) in Malaysia using the Government Website and Service Monitoring System known as SPLaSK ratings. SPLaSK, an initiative by the Malaysian government serves as a critical tool for monitoring and evaluating the performance of government websites and services. By focusing on the SIRCs, this study seeks to identify patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement in digital governance. Using qualitative content analysis and semi-structured interviews, the study analyzes SPLaSK ratings of SIRCs to understand how these councils utilize digital platforms to engage with the public, disseminate information, and provide services. Websites registered with SPLaSK are assessed based on six (6) dimensions, namely accessibility, ease of use, quality of content, privacy or security, responsiveness, and reliability. It has been disclosed that only 10 out of 14 SIRCs were registered with SPLaSK in 2023, with 40% achieving excellent ratings of above 80%. The overall scores of the websites also suggest that four (4) SIRCs have underperformed, receiving scores below 50, attributed to inefficient website management. The findings offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of SPLaSK in promoting transparency, efficiency, and user-friendliness in government digital services, thus contributing to the broader discourse on digital governance within government agencies in Malaysia