bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ανάπτυξη προτύπου για την ποιοτική αξιολόγηση ξενοδοχείων και την κατάταξή τους σε κατηγορίες αστεριών
Authors: Βαγενά Ακριβή
Published: October 2023

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή διερευνά τόσο σε θεωρητικό όσο και σε εμπειρικό επίπεδο το πλαίσιο λειτουργίας και τα χαρακτηριστικά των συστημάτων κατάταξης ξενοδοχειακών καταλυμάτων διεθνώς. Μέσα από την ανάλυση 39 συστημάτων κατάταξης η παρούσα διατριβή εξάγει καίρια συμπεράσματα για τον τρόπο που λειτουργούν τα εν λόγω συστήματα όσο και για την σημασία και την μελλοντική εξέλιξή τους. Επιπλέον εντοπίζονται σημαντικές αδυναμίες ή ελλείψεις τους και καταγράφονται οι επίκαιρες και σύγχρονες ανάγκες της τουριστικής αγοράς και της ξενοδοχειακής βιομηχανίας σε σχέση με την κατάταξη των ξενοδοχείων σε κατηγορίες αστεριών, τη λεγόμενη αστεροποίηση.
Χορήγηση αμινοξέων διακλαδιζόμενης αλύσου σε παιδιά με διάχυτη αναπτυξιακή διαταραχή
Authors: Ασπράγκαθου Δέσποινα
Published: October 2023

Τα αμινοξέα διακλαδιζόμενης ή πλαγίας αλύσου (BCAA) είναι μια ομάδα αναγκαίων αμινοξέων, τα οποία συμμετέχουν τόσο στην ενεργειακή ισορροπία του ανθρώπου, όσο και στην ομοιόσταση του GABAργικού, γλουταμεργικού, σεροτονινεργικού και ντοπαμινεργικού συστήματος. Διαταραχή της λειτουργίας αυτών των συστημάτων έχει συσχετιστεί με την παθοφυσιολογία του αυτισμού, καθώς χαμηλά επίπεδα αυτών των αμινοξέων έχουν βρεθεί σε ασθενείς με αυτισμό. ΥΛΙΚΟ ΜΕΘΟΔΟΙ: Διεξήγαμε μια πιλοτική ανοιχτή προοπτική μελέτη για τη χρήση αμινοξέων πλαγίας αλύσου σε παιδιά με αυτιστική διαταραχή. Στη συγκεκριμένη μελέτη συμμετείχαν 55 παιδιά αυτιστικού φάσματος, ηλικίας μεταξύ 6 και 18 ετών (μέση ηλικία 10.03 έτη). Χρησιμοποιήσαμε ένα μίγμα αμινοξέων πλαγίας αλύσου σε μορφή σκόνης με περιεκτικότητα 45,5 γρ, λευκίνης, 30 γρ, ισολευκίνης και 25,5 γρ, βαλίνης σε ημερήσια δόση 0,4 γρ/κλ χορηγούμενο δις ημερησίως. Μετά την έναρξη της χορήγησης του σκευάσματος, τα παιδιά υποβάλλονταν σε μηνιαία ψυχολογική εκτίμηση. ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΜΑΤΑ: 32 παιδιά (58,18%) έλαβαν το σκεύασμα για περισσότερες από 4 εβδομάδες. Από αυτά 6 ασθενείς (10,9%) σταμάτησαν τη λήψη του σκευάσματος μεταξύ 4 και 10 εβδομάδων, λόγω έλλειψης βελτίωσης. Τα εναπομείναντα 26 παιδιά (47,27%) έλαβαν το μίγμα για περισσότερες από 10 εβδομάδες, καθώς διαπιστώθηκε βελτίωση στην κοινωνική συμπεριφορά και αλληλεπίδραση, στην ομιλία, στη συνεργασία καθώς επίσης μειώθηκαν οι στερεοτυπικές συμπεριφορές, η υπερκινητικότητα και η υπερδιέγερση, καταστάσεις που εμπόδιζαν την εκμάθηση νέων δεξιοτήτων. Αν και αυτά τα δεδομένα είναι πολύ πρώιμα, συνιστούν απόδειξη, ότι τα αμινοξέα διακλαδιζόμενης αλύσου θα μπορούσαν να χρησιμοποιηθούν ως συμπληρωματική θεραπεία στις συμβατικές θεραπευτικές μεθόδους για τη βελτίωση της συμπεριφοράς παιδιών στο αυτιστικό φάσμα.
Households with and without the presence of adolescents, probability of expenditure on food consumed away from home, according to ENAHO 2021: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lozada-Urbano Michelle , Del Castillo Giuliana , Llañez Soledad Dionisia , Dextre Maria Luisa , Padilla Sarria Angel Porfirio , Huamán Franklin , Huaita Acha Delsi Mariela , Rivera-Lozada Oriana
Published: October 2023

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the probability of spending on food consumed outside the home in families with and without adolescents.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, quantitative study, developed with the report from the National Household Survey (ENAHO) of Peru for the year 2021. Households selected from the database included those with an adolescent and without an adolescent in its composition and who made expenditures on food consumed away from home. Households were selected according to number of household members, place of origin, sex of the self-reported head of the household, ethnicity, educational attainment, marital status of the head of the household, age of the head of the household, and according to the poverty variable.

Results: Households with adolescents and without adolescents spend monthly in Food away from home [Peruvian Soles (USD), SD]; [216.1 (57.17), 3.82] and [159.1 (42.10), 2.94] respectively. The average expenditure (Peruvian Soles) on food consumed away from home according to the poverty variable (extreme poor, poor and non-poor) in households with the presence of adolescents was (46.28, 118.89, 258.33), respectively. This expenditure in Food away from home is higher when comparing it to households without adolescents. Therefore, there is a significant expenditure in Food away from home in households with adolescents.

Conclusions: It is important to create a culture for purchasing food that does not harm health.

Keywords: food, expenditure, adolescents, ENAHO, poverty.
Drivers of green purchasing behaviour: a systematic review and a research agenda
Authors: Yusoff Nuryusnita , Alias Mazni , Ismail Norhazlin
Published: October 2023

Background: Green purchasing is an important aspect of sustainable consumption, which decreases society’s environmental effect. Although numerous research has been conducted to investigate the determinants of green buying behaviour, there has been a lack of effort in comprehensively analysing these findings. The purpose of this study is to examine the available literature on the factors that influence green purchasing behaviour.

Methods: The review focused on empirical research published in peer-reviewed English-language publications between 2017 and 2021 in Web of Science and Scopus. The research took place from May to June 2021. Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) is used to assess the risk of bias in systematic literature reviews.

Results: 41 articles were included, with significant focus on the retailing sector. Most of these studies were centred in Asian countries, primarily China and India. The Theory of Planned Behaviour was the most prominent, appearing 15 times, followed by the Theory of Reasoned Action (seven times). Analysis identified five main themes and 15 sub-themes related to green purchase behaviour drivers. These themes were categorized by occurrence: People (34 papers), marketing (13), knowledge (12), environment (12), and influence (nine). The dominant driver was people (34 studies), encompassing sub-themes including motivation (three), perception (eight), behavioural (13), and psychographic characteristics (10).

 Conclusions: This study has given an overview of the present status of green purchasing behaviour, which serves as a foundation for future studies and guidance for policymakers and practitioners. However, it does not include unpublished materials and non-English papers. Secondly, it focuses on articles from two databases within the last five years which doesn't encompass all article types, prompting the need for future exploration. Thirdly, extending the review's time frame could unveil more pronounced GPB patterns. Lastly, although all eligible papers were assessed based on criteria, the chance of overlooking some papers is acknowledged.
Sample size in educational research: A rapid synthesis
Authors: Besekar Smruti , Jogdand Sangita , Naqvi Waqar
Published: October 2023

Background: 

By conducting an in-depth study of the publications, a review was conducted with the goal of evaluating the sample size in educational research. The sample size, represented by the letter “n,” is a key factor in this research because it specifies the number of participants who represent the target population. Although various studies have been published in the literature defining the processes for calculating sample sizes, there is still much uncertainty. It is vital to understand that there is no single all-encompassing method for determining sample sizes for different study designs. Instead, different study designs call for different approaches to determine sample numbers.  

Methods: 

Information was retrieved from the databases in accordance with updated PRISMA recommendations. The keywords used for the retrieval of the relevant articles from two databases (Google Scholar and PubMed). The articles were selected by thorough scrutiny and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria.  

Results: Seven articles were selected from the 9282 articles. The comparison was made among the studies in the relation to methods, objective, and outcome from the enrolled studies.   

Conclusions: The evaluation of the seven studies as a whole concluded that the sample size for testing any novel approach essentially required 24.24 participants in each group. The median sample size for the simulation-based educational research was 30. Further research is required to determine the proper sample size based on a single universal formula for all types of designs.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemical analysis of mast cell related biochemicals in oral submucous fibrosis
Authors: Gharote Harshkant , Bhowate Rahul , Dangore-Khasbage Suwarna
Published: October 2023

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), a potentially malignant disorder, is developed by progressive fibrous tissue deposition in connective tissue along with atrophy of oral mucosa. Histological sections also show the mast cell infiltration in submucosa which may indicate their possible role in this entity. Abundant availability of biochemicals in mast cells like histamine and serine proteases like chymase may be released and play specific pathways in the disease pathophysiology. Possibly, if the histamine release has some part to play, diamine oxidase may also be found to have a relationship as it metabolizes histamine. The present study is proposed to identify the presence of chymase, histamine, and diamine oxidase in both, serum as well as tissue by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) respectively. This study may provide probable insight into the mast cell-related chemicals and their association with OSMF.
A survey of the training experiences and needs on Wellcome Trust PhD programmes
Authors: Fawcett Charlotte , Sandilands Kathryn , Ng'ang'a Rispah , Muasya William , Budriunaite Ieva , Andleeb Humma , Gatua Winfred , de Abreu Nunes Laetitia , Oketch John , Piazza Giulia G.
Published: October 2023

Background: Training for PhD researchers was previously identified by the Wellcome Trust funded Emerging Research Cultures project as an area for further investigation to ensure an inclusive culture which enables PhD students to become well-rounded researchers.

Methods: The Taskforce on Training conducted a survey of 36 Wellcome Trust-funded PhD students and 10 programme administrators to evaluate the provision of training in eight key areas. This survey examined a number of issues, such as availability and knowledge of training, potential gaps in training, and the perceived usefulness of training.

Results: PhD students reported that training was generally useful and viewed as important; technical training in particular was highly valued. However, the survey identified that students desired additional training in project management and personal development. A survey of programme administrators highlighted the wide variety in training availability for students across several Wellcome Trust programmes currently run in the UK.

Conclusions: In response to these findings, a number of recommendations were made. These included: promotion of peer mentoring for PhD students, and alternative methods for delivery of well-being training. However, this report only explores the views of a limited number of Wellcome Trust funded PhD students and would benefit from further research into the experiences of PhD students, programme administrators, and PhD supervisors.
Investigating the mood effects of nature sounds and soothing images in adolescents: A proof-of-concept randomised control pilot study
Authors: Ryynanen Jasmiina , MacLennan Keren , Witten Emily , Tipp Cheryl , Wisdom Stella , Chan Stella W. Y.
Published: October 2023

Background: High prevalence of mental health problems in adolescents indicates a need for more accessible evidence-based interventions. Connection with nature and soothing imagery based on compassion focused therapy (CFT) have both been shown to offer mood benefits, with a recent study showing that both nature related sounds and soothing images were effective in reducing negative affect and depressive mood in adults. This pilot study aimed to extend this line of research by examining whether nature related sounds and soothing images could, independently and/or collectively, improve adolescents’ mood.

Methods: Our online study included 88 adolescents, aged 13-17, randomly allocated into one of three experimental conditions (viewing soothing images, listening to nature related to sounds, or combined). They also completed pre- and post-assessments of positive affect, negative affect, serenity affect, state anxiety and state depression. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were indexed at baseline using standardised self-reported measures.

Results: Adolescents, regardless of group, reported an increase in serenity affect and a reduction in negative mood states across time. Additionally, these mood changes appeared to be more pronounced in those with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms at baseline.

Conclusions: Our findings provide preliminary evidence that, upon further research development and replication, nature related sounds and soothing images could be incorporated into therapies such as CFT to support mental health in young people.

Registration: ISRCTN16916695.
Optimization and Wear Performance Analysis of Laser-Cladded WC-Fe-Based Coating
Authors: Yin Ziqiang , Cao Youhong , Zhan Yan , Wang Shouren , Wen Daosheng , Wang Gaoqi , Xia Dianxiu , Li Yitong , Hou Dongxu
Published: October 2023

In this study, a WC-Fe-based coating was prepared on 45 steel substrate utilizing laser clad-ding technology. To optimize the composition of the Fe-based alloy powder, a thorough anal-ysis of the cracks observed during the formation of the cladding layer was conducted. Ele-mental control of the WC-Fe-based alloy powder was employed to mitigate issues such as porosity and slagging, consequently reducing susceptibility to cracking. The optimized WC-Fe-based alloy coating exhibited enhanced wear and abrasion resistance when compared to the widely used Ni45 coating. Microstructural investigations revealed that both coatings fea-tured dendrites, cellular crystals, and equiaxial crystals. However, the WC-Fe coating dis-played a finer and denser microstructure, highlighting its superior characteristics. The hard-ness and abrasion resistance tests demonstrated exceptional performance of the WC-Fe-based coatings, boasting approximately three times the substrate's hardness and a wear rate approx-imately seven times lower than that of the substrate. The coefficient of friction for WC-Fe-based coatings remained consistently stable at approximately 0.4, indicative of remarkable friction reduction and abrasion resistance.
Scalable orthogonal delay-division multiplexed OEO artificial neural network trained for TI-ADC equalization
Authors: Zazzi Andrea , Das Arka Dipta , Hüssen Lukas , Negra Renato , Witzens Jeremy
Published: October 2023

We propose a new signaling scheme for on-chip optical-electrical-optical artificial neural networks that utilizes orthogonal delay-division multiplexing and pilot-tone-based self-homodyne detection. This scheme offers a more efficient scaling of the optical power budget with increasing network complexity. Our simulations, based on 220 nm silicon-on-insulator silicon photonics technology, suggest that the network can support 31×31 neurons, with 961 links and freely programmable weights, using a single 500 mW optical comb and a signal-to-noise ratio of 21.3 dB per neuron. Moreover, it features a low sensitivity to temperature fluctuations, ensuring that it can be operated outside of a laboratory environment. We demonstrate the network’s effectiveness in nonlinear equalization tasks by training it to equalize a time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (ADC) architecture, achieving an effective number of bits over 4 over the entire 75 GHz ADC bandwidth. We anticipate that this network architecture will enable broadband and low latency nonlinear signal processing in practical settings such as ultra-broadband data converters and real-time control systems.
Female-controlled dual protection methods: Prevalence, predictors, experiences and perceptions among young women living with HIV in northern Uganda–A mixed-method study protocol
Authors: Kumakech Edward , Acen Joy , Musinguzi Marvin , Ebong Doryn , Okello James
Published: October 2023

Study background

The use of dual protection methods among young women living with HIV (YWLHIV) aged 15–24 years in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is poorly researched despite the double risk of unintended pregnancy and HIV. Even more scanty is literature on the use of female-controlled dual protection methods. We propose to determine the female-controlled dual protection prevalence, and the predictors among YWLHIV in northern Uganda. The study will also explore the YWLHIV’s experiences and perceptions regarding the female-controlled dual protection methods.

Materials and methods

This study will employ a mixed-methods design. The study area will be Lira district and Lira city located in northern Uganda. The setting for recruitment of participants will be the public health facility–based anti-retroviral therapy (ART) clinics. These ART clinics serves a total of about 1,771 YWLHIV. A sample of 425 YWLHIV will be selected by stratified random sampling from the ART clinic registers. The three strata of interest will be the YWLHIV attending the ART clinic at referral hospitals, health centers level IV (primary healthcare centers), and health centers level III (dispensaries). The primary outcome will be the use of the female-controlled dual protection methods. The outcome will be measured by asking the YWLHIV ‘what methods under their control as YWLHIV do they use to protect against both unintended pregnancy and HIV during sexual intercourse with their male partners.’ The questionnaire also has measures for the unintended pregnancy, HIV status, and the potential predictors. Qualitative component of the study will be in-depth interviews of the participants about their experiences and perceptions regarding the female-controlled dual protection methods. Data collection was still ongoing at the time of first submission of this study protocol to the journal (14th March 2023). The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 will be used for the statistical analyses. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate regression analyses will be used to establish the prevalence, associated factors and the predictors of the outcome respectively. The statistical significance level of 5% and 95% confidence interval will be considered. In-depth interviews will be manually analyzed using a thematic analysis approach for codes, themes, and categories.
Relationship among serum levels of IL-6, sIL-6R, s gp130 and CD126 on T-cell in HIV-1 infected and uninfected men participating in the Los Angeles Multi-Center AIDS Cohort Study
Authors: Aziz Najib , Shih Roger , Alexopoulos Nicole , Jamieson Beth D. , Mimiaga Matthew J. , Martinez-Maza Otoniel , Detels Roger
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) activates cells through its unique heterodimeric signaling complex of IL-6 receptor (IL6R) subunit and interleukin 6 signal transducer β-subunit glycoprotein 130 (gp130). The objective of this study was to investigate associations among serum levels of IL-6, sIL-6R, sgp130 and relative fluorescence intensity (RFI) of the α-subunit of the IL-6 receptor (CD126) on T-cells of HIV-1 infected and uninfected men.

Methods

Blood samples were obtained from 69 HIV-1-infected men on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) with mean age of 49.1 and 52 HIV-1-uninfected with mean age of 54.3 years -. All men were participating in the Los Angeles Multi-Center AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). Serum levels of IL-6, sIL-6R, sgp130 were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassays and T-cell phenotypic analysis and RFI of CD126 on CD4+ and CD8+ by flow cytometry.

Results

Mean serum levels of IL-6, sIL6R, sgp130 and of CD126 RFI on CD4+ were 4.34 pg/mL, 39.3 ng/mL, 349 ng/mL and 526 RFI respectively for HIV-1-infected men and 2.74 pg/mL, 41.9 ng/mL, 318 ng/mL and 561 RFI respectively for HIV-1-uninfected men. The mean serum concentrations of IL-6, sIL-6R in HIV-1-infected and uninfected men were not significantly different (p>0.05). There was a positive correlation between plasma HIV-1 RNA and the levels of IL-6 (p<0.001), sIL6R (p = 0.002) but no correlation with sgp130 (p = 0.339). In addition, there was a negative correlation between serum levels of IL-6 with RFI of CD126 on CD4+ (p = 0.037) and a positive correlation between serum levels of sgp130 (p = 0.021) and sIL-6R in HIV-1-infected men.

Conclusion

Knowledge of biological variation, differences in the blood levels of biomarkers among healthy individuals and individuals experiencing illness, are very important for selection of appropriate tests for stage and progression of disease. Our data suggest no correlation among IL-6, and sIL-R6, in the treated phase of HIV-1 infection. The action and blood level of IL-6 and its receptors may be different at each stage of a disease progression.
Characterization of labiomandibular movements induced after isolated LeFort I osteotomy in the surgical management of class III malocclusion
Authors: Passalboni Chris , Taverne Maxime , Lopez Raphael , Rotenberg Maxime , Lauwers Frédéric , Prevost Alice
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Maxillary surgery alone can be proposed for the surgical management of class III malocclusion, but anticipating outcomes for the labiomental muscle complex is challenging due to the mandibular autorotation phenomenon. The objective of this study was to quantify the mandibular and labiomental movements induced by maxillary osteotomy alone in the management of class III malocclusion according to different clinical and surgical variables.

Methods

The post-operative changes in mandibular and labiomental shapes were studied by geometric morphometry from the pre- and post-operative lateral cephalometric radiograph of 25 patients. The explanatory variables tested were maxillary advancement, maxillary rotation, and divergence.

Results

Soft tissues repositioning are different from postoperative mandibular repositioning after maxillary osteotomy. Neuromuscular adjustments of mandible depend on divergence and the maxillary rotation. Labiomental response only depends on divergence.

Conclusion

The surgical procedure does not have the same bone-related and musculocutaneous effects on patients with the same class III malocclusion. It is therefore essential for surgeons to understand the effects of their procedure on musculocutaneous tissues in order to best anticipate post-operative outcomes.
Force plate methodologies applied to injury profiling and rehabilitation in sport: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Robles-Palazón Francisco Javier , Comfort Paul , Ripley Nicholas J. , Herrington Lee , Bramah Christopher , McMahon John J.
Published: October 2023

Musculoskeletal injuries are a common health problem among sporting populations. Such injuries come with a high financial burden to the involved organisations and can have a detrimental impact on the career attainment of injured individuals. Force plates are now a common tool available to sport and exercise science and medicine professionals to enable them to profile injury risk predisposition and modulate the rehabilitation process within sporting environments. This is because contemporary force plate technology is portable and affordable and often comes with software that enables the automatic and immediate feedback of test variables to key stakeholders. However, to our knowledge, to date, there has been no comprehensive review of the scientific literature pertaining to clinical applications of force plate technology. Therefore, this article presents a protocol and a methodological framework to perform a scoping review to identify and map the available scientific literature in which force plates have been applied to the injury profiling and rehabilitation of athletes. The specific aims of the scoping review are 1) to identify and describe the force plate tests, methodologies, and metrics used to screen for injury risk and guide the return of injured athletes to full-time training and competition, 2) to identify potential trends and/or differences by participants’ age, sex, and/or level of performance in tests, methodologies, and metrics selected, and 3) to identify key gaps in the existing evidence base and new questions that should be addressed in future research. The global aim of the scoping review is to improve practitioner decision-making around force plate test and variable selection when applied to the injury prevention and rehabilitation of sporting populations.
Important Changes in the Application of the Machinery Directive
Authors: Wilk-Ilewicz Agnieszka
Published: October 2023

After 15 years of validity of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC a big change awaits us. We will soon be obliged to apply Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2023 on machinery. Replacing the directive with a regulation aims to avoid divergent implementation of the directives’ provisions and, consequently, inconsistent interpretation of the provisions at national level. The provisions of the regulation, due to the importance of regulations in the field of, for example, health and safety protection and conformity assessment, must be applied in a uniform manner by all entities throughout the European Union. An additional argument for the change was that the current regulations are not adapted to the technological changes that are dynamically occurring on the market. The provisions of the regulation will apply from January 2027.
The Impact of Optical Fiber Type on the Temperature Measurements in Distributed Optical Fiber Sensor Systems
Authors: Łakomski Mateusz , Plona Mateusz , Guzowski Bartłomiej , Shatarah Iyad
Published: October 2023

This paper presents the capabilities of using distributed optical fiber sensors to obtain the temperature profile of an optical path made of silica telecom optical fiber. The impact of the optical fiber type on the temperature measurements is also observed. Two types of optical fibers are tested: standard G.652.D and low-loss G.654.C. DOFS systems for temperature measurements are based on the phenomenon of Raman or Brillouin backscattering. In case of Brillouin-based systems, the spectral properties depend on the type of optical fiber and its parameters. The Brillouin frequency shift depends on the temperature around the fiber, as well as the strain applied to the optical fiber. The presented results show that temperature coefficient can also vary depending on the optical fiber type. For the standard G.652.D optical fiber, the temperature coefficient equals 1.12 MHz/°C and 1.14 MHz/°C depending on the tracked peaks, while for the low-loss G.654.C fiber it equal 1.4 MHz/°C.
Application of Principal Components Method in Control Charts of Multi-Parameter Processes
Authors: Volodarsky Evgeniy , Kozyr Oleh , Warsza Zygmunt Lech
Published: October 2023

The article describes in detail the method of constructing control charts based on principal components. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the application of the method is carried out on simulated data, which are close to the measurement results obtained during the control of a real technological process. The results show that the proposed method is effective for controlling a multi-parameter technological process in the presence of a correlated parameters.
Deep Learning for Small and Tiny Object Detection: A Survey
Authors: Kos Aleksandra , Belter Dominik , Majek Karol
Published: October 2023

In recent years, thanks to the development of Deep Learning methods, there has been significant progress in object detection and other computer vision tasks. While generic object detection is becoming less of an issue for modern algorithms, with the Average Precision for medium and large objects in the COCO dataset approaching 70 and 80 percent, respectively, small object detection still remains an unsolved problem. Limited appearance information, blurring, and low signal-to-noise ratio cause state-of-the-art general detectors to fail when applied to small objects. Traditional feature extractors rely on downsampling, which can cause the smallest objects to disappear, and standard anchor assignment methods have proven to be less effective when used to detect low-pixel instances. In this work, we perform an exhaustive review of the literature related to small and tiny object detection. We aggregate the definitions of small and tiny objects, distinguish between small absolute and small relative sizes, and highlight their challenges. We comprehensively discuss datasets, metrics, and methods dedicated to small and tiny objects, and finally, we make a quantitative comparison on three publicly available datasets.
Application of Impedance Control of the Free Floating Space Manipulator for Removal of Space Debris
Authors: Rybus Tomasz , Seweryn Karol
Published: October 2023

A broad and significant class of space debris can be mitigated by means of a satellite, capable of capturing a large non-cooperating object by using a robotized arm with a gripper. The capture operation typically comprises of an approach, a close-on manoeuvre, establishing contact between the robotic grappler arm and a suitable feature on the target satellite, and finally it is concluded when a positive mechanical connection is achieved by the gripper closed on that feature. The phase of establishing contact poses a critical challenge in this scenario, since the target typically will be tumbling with respect to the chaser satellite causing high forces on the gripper and the robotic arm. A family of control methods known collectively as impedance control is typically employed in terrestrial robots for tasks involving an interaction with an environment, especially the dynamic contact. In this work, we present the model-based impedance control applied to a robotic manipulator on a free floating base. The derivation of impedance control law for a robotic manipulator on a free floating satellite, involving Generalized Jacobian Matrix (GJM), is presented, followed by simulation results comparing the loads in the manipulator joints against a classical GJM-based Cartesian controller. The simulation results show that the impedance controlled free floating robotic manipulator completes the task of trajectory following amid contact with unknown target with lower torques in the robot joints.
UMA ANÁLISE DAS EXPERIÊNCIAS ATMOSFÉRICAS NO ASSENTAMENTO ÁGUA SUMIDA EM TEODORO SAMPAIO/SP/BR
Authors: Mendes Lidiana de Pinho , Tommaselli José Tadeu Garcia
Published: October 2023

O presente trabalho analisa os discursos de mulheres residentes do assentamento de reforma agrária Água Sumida, localizado em Teodoro Sampaio, porção oeste do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. O artigo retrata as impressões acerca das experiências atmosféricas dessas mulheres. Três relações foram destacadas: “A crise das lagartas”, “A vivência atmosférica nos redutos dos canaviais” e “Topofilia e percepção climática”. O primeiro episódio refere-se a análise das combinações atmosféricas que favoreceram a proliferação de uma praga que assolou os pastos da região e o acompanhamento do enfrentamento dessa crise pelas/os assentadas/os.  A segunda diz respeito ao habitar em risco nas fronteiras da produção canavieira. O terceiro conjunto de reflexões contempla os elementos identitários, resilientes e o conhecimento experiencial do lugar e do clima. Os resultados demonstram as possibilidades analíticas nos estudos geográficos do clima e a importância de centralizar os sujeitos nestas investigações, sobretudo para a compreensão aprofundada da vivência desigual do clima e das injustiças climáticas.
A FRAGMENTAÇÃO FLORESTAL EM DIFERENTES TERRITÓRIOS: ESTUDO DE CASO EM QUERÊNCIA-MT, SITUADA NO ARCO DO DESMATAMENTO, BRASIL
Authors: Lacerda Heitor Carvalho , Mesquita Andréa de Oliveira , Araújo Alessandra Silva , Ribeiro Sónia Maria Carvalho
Published: October 2023

O desmatamento e a fragmentação florestal no arco do desmatamento amazônico têm sido amplamente debatidos. Entretanto, os padrões florestais são singulares em diferentes territórios, sendo importante refletir sobre governanças diferenciadas. O artigo avalia a evolução espaço-temporal do desmatamento e da fragmentação florestal em terras indígenas, propriedades rurais e assentamentos rurais, no município de Querência (MT), em dois períodos distintos (entre 1995, 2005 e 2019). Analisou-se os resultados à luz de diferentes políticas públicas implantadas historicamente, viabilizando a proposição de um cenário de restauração ambiental. Identificou-se que o desmatamento e a fragmentação florestal são distintos entre os diferentes territórios. Nas terras indígenas houve manutenção de 94% da cobertura florestal nos dois períodos analisados, o que indica alta conservação. Nas propriedades rurais, no primeiro período houve avanço do desmatamento e da fragmentação motivados pela ocupação regional, e no segundo, incipiente desmatamento e até melhora na disposição espacial dos fragmentos, o que sugere resposta as pressões internacionais e as políticas nacionais. Nos assentamentos rurais houve o maior desmatamento proporcional e fragmentação de florestas. Devido à condição histórica do desmatamento em assentamentos rurais, foi proposto um cenário de restauração florestal que pode guiar políticas regionais de desenvolvimento sustentável na escala local e regional.
CAMINHADAS GUIADAS PELO TURÍSTICO CENTRO HISTÓRICO DE SÃO LUÍS-MA – PAISAGEM: COMO SE FAZ
Authors: Souza José Arilson Xavier de , Paes Maria Tereza Duarte
Published: October 2023

Caminhar pela cidade é uma prática espacial que assume diversas conotações, entre elas, a turística e educacional. Seguindo tal perspectiva, no presente artigo trataremos de caminhadas guiadas. Neste sentido, por possuir fortes aproximações com significados patrimoniais, interessamo-nos pela paisagem turística do centro histórico de São Luís-MA, admitindo ainda o caminhar como fundante metodologia de pesquisa. Buscamos, assim, identificar e perscrutar representações sobre a cidade e sobre a paisagem veiculadas nos roteiros e nos processos em curso. Enquanto plano empírico, selecionamos quatro categorias de roteiros, quais sejam: i) público-espetacular; ii) guiamento turístico privado; iii) educacional; iv) temática. Ao interpretarmos o poema “Paisagem: como se faz”, de Carlos Drummond de Andrade, traduzimos a hipótese de que a paisagem não existe: ela se faz caminhando pelo espaço. Com efeito, concluímos que os sujeitos guiados participam ativamente da experimentação de mundo da qual são praticantes, o que faz do roteiro turístico um dado objetivo, mas também subjetivo.
A GEOGRAFIA E OS PEDAGOGOS EM FORMAÇÃO: COMO O PCK ATENDE AOS FUTUROS PROFESSORES DOS ANOS INICIAIS DO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL?
Authors: Souza Helania Martins de , Ascenção Valéria de Oliveira Roque
Published: October 2023

O conceito de Conhecimento Pedagógico do Conteúdo, termo português para Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), foi cunhado pelo psicólogo educacional americano Lee Shulman em meados dos anos 1980. Conhecimento Pedagógico do Conteúdo refere-se ao conhecimento profissional específico do professor. Neste artigo, apresentamos a possibilidade do PCK como instrumento para compreender e potencializar o desenvolvimento profissional do professor em formação. Acreditamos que sua apropriação por parte dos pedagogos em formação é um campo fecundo para auxiliá-los na reflexão de suas práticas e no processo de aquisição de conhecimento. Como consequência, teremos profissionais mais capacitados em sala de aula para o desafio do magistério. Consideramos também a importância do PCK para os professores de Geografia como relevante instrumento que permite desenvolver práticas mais reflexivas sobre a sua própria ação docente.
Vinte lentes de contato de resina bleach, sem preparo
Authors: Hirata Ronaldo
Published: October 2023

Viemos (quando falo viemos, quero dizer eu vim, mas “nós” soa mais polido…) de uma cidade onde creio que um grande movimento se iniciou: Curitiba. Gostaria de ser mais preciso, e podem me corrigir, mas lá pelo fim da década de 80 e início da de 90, havia um grupo de Odontologia Estética com enfoque em resinas compostas, talvez o primeiro do Brasil, chamado Neo Nous. Faziam parte desse grupo: o falecido Prof. Edino Beltrami, Prof. Renato Leite Rosa, Prof. Newton Fahl, Prof. Paulo Gonçalves dos Santos, entre outros, acredito — mas esses lideravam. Foi o início dos estudos de estética baseados em Rufenacht e do “recontorno cosmético com resinas compostas”: adicionar material restaurador onde falta, remover tecido onde há excesso. Estudávamos, também, o livro: Da cor à cor inexistente, de Israel Pedrosa.
Planejamento digital do sorriso na correção do plano oclusal anterior usando laminados cerâmicos
Authors: Ishizu Larissa , Nemer Mariucha Marcon , Pascotto Renata Corrêa
Published: October 2023

Introdução: O uso do planejamento digital do sorriso, ou Digital Smile Design (DSD), é uma tendência crescente na Odontologia. Trata-se de uma ferramenta efetiva na comunicação com o paciente sobre as possibilidades estéticas, antes do início do tratamento, e permite uma previsibilidade dos resultados e a comunicação com os outros membros da equipe de cirurgiões-dentistas, incluindo o técnico do laboratório de prótese. Objetivo: O presente caso clínico tem como objetivo apresentar o uso do planejamento digital do sorriso na correção do plano oclusal anterior usando laminados cerâmicos. Relato de caso: Paciente do sexo feminino, compareceu ao consultório insatisfeita com a aparência de seus dentes. Após anamnese detalhada, constatou-se a presença de um desnível no plano oclusal, com desgaste mais acentuado dos elementos anterossuperiores do lado direito. Uma série de fotografias foi utilizada para planejar, por meio do DSD, a proporção da estrutura dentária e sua relação com a face da paciente. O DSD foi realizado com recursos básicos de programas para criação/edição e exibição de apresentações gráficas, que podem ser facilmente adquiridos e manipulados pelos cirurgiões-dentistas. O uso do planejamento digital permitiu maior previsibilidade dos resultados, com a participação ativa da paciente. Também facilitou a comunicação com o laboratório envolvido, levando informações detalhadas e simulando o resultado almejado. Conclusões: No presente caso clínico, foi demonstrado que o uso do DSD auxiliou na correção do plano oclusal ao fim do tratamento.
Por quanto tempo devemos fotoativar os materiais?
Authors: Shimokawa Carlos Alberto Kenji , Giannini Marcelo
Published: October 2023

Para responder qual o tempo de fotoativação necessário para cada material resinoso, devemos entender o conceito de exposição radiante, que é a irradiância aplicada por um determinado tempo de fotoativação. O termo irradiância significa o fluxo de energia ou potência radiante (em mW) recebido por unidade de área. No caso da Odontologia, a área é definida em cm2; portanto, a irradiância é expressa em mW/cm2. Dessa forma, é importante conhecer a irradiância para definir o tempo clínico de fotoativação1. Do fim dos anos 1980 até o fim dos anos 1990, o tempo regular de fotoativação para os compósitos restauradores era de 40 segundos. Esse tempo foi reduzido para 20 segundos depois de 2010 e, atualmente, tem sido sugerida redução ainda maior, em função da evolução dos materiais restauradores e dos equipamentos fotoativadores2.
Three new species of Stenospermation (Araceae) from Central Andes in Colombia
Authors: Castaño-Rubiano Natalia , Ibañez Luna , Sierra-Giraldo Julio A. , Zuluaga Alejandro
Published: October 2023

Three new species of Stenospermation from Central Andes in Colombia are described: Stenospermation albifolium Castaño-Rubiano, S. melidae Castaño-Rubiano & Sierra-Giraldo and S. selvaflorensis Castaño-Rubiano, L. Ibañez & A. Zuluaga. The species are distributed in the eastern zone of Caldas and Antioquia departments, in Natural National Park Selva de Florencia, and in forest near to corregimiento de Berlin (Samaná-Caldas), at elevations between 653 and 1700 m a.s.l., as well as in Carmen del Vivoral (Antioquia) at 1087 m a.s.l. The new species are compared with the morphologically closest taxa and comments are made on their phenology.
Evaluation of Patient Expectations for Surgical Treatment of Degenerative Disease of the Lumbosacral Spine
Authors: Zaborovskii Nikita Sergeevich , Denisov Anton Aleksandrovich , Mikhaylov Dmitrii Arkadyevich , Smekalenkov Oleg Anatolyevich , Masevnin Sergey Vladimirovich , Murakhovsky Vladislav Sergeyevich , Magomedov Shamil Shamsudinovich , Dokish Mikhail Yuryevich , Tatarintsev Aleksandr Pavlovich , Polyakov Yuriy Yurievich , Ptashnikov Dmitrii Aleksandrovich
Published: October 2023

Objective. To determine the main demographic factors that influence preoperative expectations of patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbosacral spine.

Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed for 103 patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbosacral spine who were scheduled for surgery in the period from 2019 to 2021. General demographic data, level of patient’s education and the presence of previous surgeries were taken into account. Expectations for surgical treatment outcome were assessed using a translated and adapted Russian version of the Hospital for Special Surgery – Lumbar Spine Surgery Expectations Survey (HSS-LSSES) questionnaire. The quality of life of patients was assessed using the general questionnaires: European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D-5L) and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), as well as the disease-specific Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

Results. It was found that, according to HSS-LSSES, patients’ expectations for the upcoming surgical intervention are the higher, the older the patient’s age, the higher the general and emotional state of health, vitality, ODI scores, as well as the severity of pain syndrome, and the lower the mental health score. Patients with a high level of education and prior spinal surgery have lower expectations for subsequent surgery.

Conclusion. The expectations of patients for the surgical treatment for degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine depend on the patient’s age, level of education, anamnesis and severity of decline in the quality of life.
City Branding Againts Climate Change and Health Disruption in Prone Region: Initial Study From Semarang Citizen’s Dealing With Specific Waste Management on Pandemic Covid-19.
Authors: Maryono Maryono , Purnaweni Hartuti , Junaedi Agus , Nasarani Glory , Prassanty Lintang Noor , Setiawan Handri , Pradita Moch Rifky , Rizky Diana , Tagyuddin Muhammad Dzaky
Published: October 2023

City branding has been explored worldwide, in both academic reserch and policy practis of   regional and urban development. It is not only for attract invesment, toursm, sport but it is also to addresing identity and culturism. However, post pandemic-covid -19, and facing the climate hazard, resilience combining with healty cities need reshaping. For those, in the digital era, it is need a simple but fundamental incicators. This study examine citizen’s understanding, attitude and behavioral on the spesific waste management to deal with, as the entry point to analysis citizen capacity to participate on more complex action againts climate  adaptation and building healty life. Four component citizen action is measured; 1) creativities in regulation,3) citizen understanding, attitude on covid-19 waste daily handling and 4) potensial environmental risk. The area of study selected in Semarang as of 100RC network. Result of study show that event the performance of indicator is not so high level, the importance founding is that the component measured is suitable for developing brand.
Analisis Keberlanjutan Pemanfaatan Pekarangan Sebagai Kawasan Agrowisata di Kabupaten Banyuwangi Jawa Timur
Authors: Trisnanto Atang , Soekmadi Rinekso , Arifin Hadi Susilo , Pramudya Bambang
Published: October 2023

Pemanfaatan kebun sebagai kawasan agrowisata di Kabupaten Banyuwangi bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kesejahteraan masyarakat secara langsung dengan memaksimalkan potensi pekarangan yang dimiliki masyarakat di bidang pariwisata. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui status keberlanjutan pemanfaatan pekarangan sebagai kawasan agrowisata di Kabupaten Banyuwangi ditinjau dari dimensi ekologi, ekonomi, sosial, kelembagaan dan budaya. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah Multi Dimensional Scaling (MDS) melalui teknik ordinance Rap-HGAgrotourism (Rapid Appraisal for Home Garden Agrotourism). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa status keberlanjutan pekarangan sebagai kawasan agrowisata di Kabupaten Banyuwangi berada pada kategori Baik Berkelanjutan (84,55) pada dimensi ekologi, Cukup Berkelanjutan (67,14) pada dimensi Ekonomi, Cukup Berkelanjutan (59,84) pada dimensi sosial, Kurang Berkelanjutan (49,74) pada dimensi kelembagaan, dan Cukup Berkelanjutan (61,25) pada dimensi budaya. Kajian ini menjelaskan secara holistik beberapa aspek/atribut (ekologi, ekonomi, sosial, kelembagaan dan budaya) yang menjadi faktor pengungkit yang dapat dijadikan dasar dalam penyusunan kebijakan pemanfaatan lahan pekarangan sebagai kawasan agrowisata secara berkelanjutan. Atribut pengungkit yang pengaruhnya sangat sensitif terhadap keberlanjutan pemanfaatan pekarangan sebagai kawasan agrowisata di Kabupaten Banyuwangi adalah: (1) keberadaan dan kualitas objek daya tarik wisata pada pekarangan, (2) jumlah penduduk yang memanfaatkan pekarangan sebagai kawasan agrowisata, (3) keterlibatan lembaga masyarakat dalam pemanfaatan lahan pekarangan sebagai kawasan agrowisata, (4) tersedianya peraturan terkait pemanfaatan pekarangan sebagai kawasan agrowisata, 5) adanya pelanggaran nilai kepercayaan dalam pemanfaatan pekarangan, (6) konflik antar masyarakat dengan latar belakang perbedaan budaya, dan (7) penerapan modal sosial dalam pemanfaatan lahan pekarangan.
Kemampuan Hybrid Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR)-Biofilter dalam Menurunkan Total Nitrogen dan Fosfor pada Air Limbah Apartemen
Authors: Hendrasarie Novirina - , Pratama Yurry Aditya , Sitogasa P.S. Ardisty , Nisa SQC Zakiyayasin , Suwandhi Irene AA
Published: October 2023

Hybrid Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR)-Biofilter didesain untuk mengolah limbah dengan beban organic tinggi dan untuk lahan sempit. Apartemen dipilih, karena limbahnya berasal dari manusia, usaha laundry dan restaurant, yang menghasilkan limbah dengan beban organik tinggi dan memiliki keterbatasan lahan pengolah limbahnya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi kemmpuan reactor hybrid Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) dan Biofilter.  Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan reaktor skala laboratorium dengan total volume efektif 60,72 L, terdiri dari tiga kompartemen ABR dan dua kompartemen biofilter. Kinerja reactor dinilai berdasarkan variasi konsentrasi dan debit influen air limbah. Bioball digunakan dalam reaktor biofilter sebagai media lekat untuk pertumbuhan mikroba. Reaktor mampu mendegradasi zat organik dengan persentase penyisihan tertinggi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa konsentrasi kontaminan organik yang diolah lebih tinggi, terutama pada total nitrogen dan fosfor.