bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Commodity Structure of the Railway Transportation Market: the History of a Century and a Half Transformation
Authors: Macheret D. A. , Macheret A. D.
Published: December 2024

The purpose of the research described in the article is a long-term (from the last quarter of 19th century to the present) assessment, using methods of statistical and historical analysis, of the commodity structure of transportation on the domestic railway network, identifying the main trends in its transformation and drawing conclusions about development prospects of railway cargo transportation.

The analysis made it possible to identify the specifics of the commodity structure of railway transportation in the Russian Empire, the USSR and the Russian Federation and its changes within the corresponding historical periods. General trends in changes in the commodity structure of railway transportation over the entire sesquicentennial period under consideration have also been identified.

It is noted that adaptation of railway transport to transformation of the commodity structure of transportation indicates the high adaptability of the capital goods of the industry, and therefore the prospects of investment in development of railways.

A methodological approach to the typology of the commodity structure of the railway transportation market is proposed, based on which its qualitative changes during the period under review are analysed. It has been established that at the end of 19th - beginning of 20th century the commodity structure of railway transportation was diversified, then mixed and concentrated structures alternated, and at the beginning of 21st century the concentrated structure predominated. This structure makes transport companies dependent on the situation in a small number of industries and vulnerable if it worsens, therefore, it was concluded that it is advisable to diversify the commodity structure of railway transportation based on implementation of both marketing, technical and technological innovations. The key to this is the customer-focused improvement of cargo transportation technology and introduction to the market of new transport products that are attractive to cargo owners and effective for transport companies.
Studying the Quality of Airline Customer Service Using Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Duke V. A. , Malygin I. G.
Published: December 2024

The article presents the results of using machine learning methods to study data from a special questionnaire that considers the general characteristics of flights, the characteristics of passengers and their opinions on various aspects of the flight. The objective of the study is to identify in experimental data factors that negatively affect passengers’ attitudes towards airline services.

When conducting the study, well-known algorithms were used that are part of free WEKA (Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis) software for data analysis and machine learning by University of Waikato (New Zealand), distributed under the GNU GPL license: naïve Bayes classifier; multilayer perceptron using backpropagation algorithm; k-nearest neighbour method (KNN) with adaptive selection of parameters; decision trees – J48 is an open-source Java implementation of the C4.5 algorithm; random forest; logistic regression; adaptive boosting algorithm (AdaBoost); support vector machine – the SMO (Sequential Minimal Optimization) algorithm which is one of the possible implementations of the support vector machine algorithm.

It is shown that the best accurate models reflecting passenger satisfaction with airline services are obtained using random forest algorithms (error on the test sample is of 3,9 %) and a neural network approach (error on the test sample is of 3,7 %). At the same time, these algorithms do not allow us to explicitly identify factors characteristic of air passengers who are dissatisfied with the quality of service. This gap is filled by an algorithm based on the method of structural resonance in multidimensional data (SRMD), which made it possible to identify precise logical rules in the data with high completeness. The resulting logical rules are highly interpretable patterns of passengers who either negatively or neutrally evaluate the airline’s services in general.
Clinical experience of using bicyclol in steatohepatitis of metabolic and metabolic-alcoholic genesis
Authors: Shcherbynina M. B. , Shevchenko T. M. , Novozhenina L. I. , Zakrevska O. V.
Published: December 2024

Objective — to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of bicyclol in steatohepatitis of metabolic and metabolic‑alcoholic genesis based on the data of laboratory and instrumental studies.
Materials and methods. 60 European outpatients participated in an open comparative study; among them, 38 men and 22 women, with an average age of 49.5±8.1 years. The patients were divided into groups. The first group included 34 patients with a diagnosis of metabolically associated steatotic liver disease, the second group — 26 patients with metabolic alcohol‑associated liver disease. The groups were matched by gender and age. Diagnoses were established according to modern regulatory recommendations. The patients in both groups received bicyclol orally at a dose of 25 mg (1 tablet) three times a day, 2 hours after meals, for 12 weeks. The dynamics of laboratory‑instrumental indicators were evaluated before the start of treatment and at the end of observation. Statistical processing of the obtained results was carried out using the methods of variational statistics using the Microsoft Excel program.
Results. The use of bicyclol showed positive dynamics in both groups. Elimination of the cytolytic syndrome was observed in the form of a decrease in the activity of liver transferases (p <0.01 and p <0.05 in the 1st and 2nd groups, respectively); decrease in intrahepatic cholestasis; absence of pigment metabolism disorders; stabilization of cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose levels. Bicyclol therapy contributed to the reduction of the initially elevated ferritin level in patients with metabolically associated steatotic liver disease by almost 2 times (p <0.01), in patients with metabolic‑alcohol‑associated liver disease — by 1.5 times (p <0.01). In both groups, there was a decrease in the size of the liver and positive changes in indicators of steatosis and liver fibrosis.
Conclusions. Due to its complex mechanism of action, Bicyclol is suitable for use in steatohepatitis of metabolic and metabolic‑alcoholic genesis. Bicyclol helps to improve laboratory‑instrumental indicators, in particular, it reduces the activity of cytolytic and cholestatic processes in the liver, stabilizes lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, significantly reduces the manifestations of ferroptosis, and has a positive effect on sonographic indicators that reflect the severity of steatosis and liver fibrosis. The drug demonstrates a favorable tolerability and safety profile.
Optimal conditions for synthesis of polyol-functionalized chitosan particles
Authors: Quyen Ho Hong , Tran Vu Chi Mai
Published: December 2024

Adsorbents functionalized with polyol are considered to be effective for the removal of boron from aqueous solutions. In this work, polyol-functionalized chitosan particles were successfully synthesized. Batch experiments were conducted for the determination of the optimal conditions for the highest degree of gluconated groups being grafted to chitosan substrate. The results suggested that acetic acid is the most appropriate solvent for the dissolution of chitosan powder. Furthermore, an efficient mole ratio of 1:3 between chitosan and D-(+) - glucono - 1,5 lactone (DGL) was determined. The maximum level of gluconated groups grafted to chitosan was attained at a reaction temperature of 110°C and a reaction time of 24h. These optimized parameters exhibit potential for practical implementations in the boron removal from aqueous solutions.
Research on solutions to improve quality management for design and survey work of construction projects: case study at Binh Duong construction inspection consulting company limited
Authors: Dang Van-Tien , Ngo Ngoc-Tri , Nguyen Ngoc-Quang
Published: December 2024

To evaluate the suitability of locations and natural conditions for construction projects, designing and selecting foundation solutions must be conducted reasonably and cost-effectively. Binh Duong Construction Inspection Consulting Co., Ltd. has succeeded significantly in this field. However, improving quality management is essential to adapting to economic and technological integration and enhancing companies' competitive capacity in survey and design. This study focuses on identifying common mistakes and researching solutions to improve the quality of survey and design work for construction investment projects at Binh Duong Construction Inspection Consulting Co., Ltd. The results of this study not only support both the company and investors in minimizing risks and costs for construction projects but also contribute to the sustainable development of the construction industry generally.
AICat: An AI Cataloguing Approach to Support the EU AI Act
Authors: Pandit Harshvardhan J. , Golpayegani Delaram
Published: December 2024

The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) requires providers and deployers of high-risk AI applications to register their systems into the EU database, wherein the information should be represented and maintained in an easily-navigable and machine-readable manner. Given the uptake of open data and Semantic Web-based approaches for other EU repositories, in particular the use of the Data Catalogue vocabulary Application Profile (DCAT-AP), a similar solution for managing the EU database of high-risk AI systems is needed. This paper introduces AICat—an extension of DCAT for representing catalogues of AI systems that provides consistency, machine-readability, searchability, and interoperability in managing open metadata regarding AI systems. This open approach to cataloguing ensures transparency, traceability, and accountability in AI application markets beyond the immediate needs of high-risk AI compliance in the EU. AICat is available online at https://w3id.org/aicat under the CC-BY-4.0 license.
Perceptions of the Consequences of War in Ukraine: Exploring a Russian Paradox
Authors: Gugushvili Alexi
Published: December 2024

This study examines public perceptions of the Ukraine war, focusing on Russian attitudes toward its economic and political impacts compared to other countries. Drawing on theoretical perspectives such as the Spiral of Silence and collective action constraints, this research explores how sociopolitical context shapes public opinion in an authoritarian country. Using cross-national survey data, the analysis reveals significant differences in war-related assessments. Despite severe economic repercussions, many Russians report optimism about the war’s effects, especially on economic growth, diverging from the prevalent concerns in neighboring nations. Key factors such as gender, education, region of residence, institutional trust, and media consumption explain the heterogeneity in these perceptions. The findings underscore the role of individual characteristics, regional contexts, and institutional trust in sustaining public support for conflict in complex sociopolitical environments, contributing to broader discussions on national contexts and public attitudes in wartime.
Morbid Symptoms
Authors: Miller Geordie
Published: December 2024

This essay reviews Phil Neel’s Hinterland: America’s New Landscape of Class and Conflict, Jeff Sharlet’s The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War, and Noah Schwartz’s On Target: Gun Culture, Storytelling, and the NRA. Hinterland is a Marxist mapping of the terrain of contemporary class struggle that registers deindustrialization’s combined and uneven integration of apparently fringe areas into capitalism. The Undertow is a best-selling journalistic sojourn in Trump country, exploring how the body politic has been torn apart and the prospects for a genuine liberal democracy drowned in the process. On Target is an ethnographic account of the NRA’s mass base. Each book addresses key dimensions of the current political landscape in the United States. By examining them through the lens of the potential resurgence of fascism, this review essay argues that cultural explanations of the radical right are weaker than materialist ones grounded in critical understandings of capitalist political economy.
Misattribution bias of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Alberta using an admission algorithm
Authors: Dinh Tri , Ross Jordan , James Samantha , Klein Kristin , Chandran A Uma , Larios Oscar , Strong David , Conly John M ,   COVID-19 Hospitalization Working Group
Published: December 2024

Background:

With initial waves of COVID-19, many public health systems assumed each COVID-19 positive hospitalization was a direct cause from COVID-19 infection. Since January 2022, Alberta Health Services Communicable Disease Control Hospitalization Team (CDC-HT) implemented an admission criteria algorithm to adjudicate COVID-19 as a direct, contributing, or unrelated cause for all COVID-19 admissions in Alberta.

Methods:

This quality improvement initiative sought to improve the admission algorithm's precision in reporting COVID-19 admissions. Patient hospitalization records from January-February 2022 with a positive COVID-19 test in the last 30 days were proportionally sampled in a geographically stratified manner across Alberta health zones. 261 patient records were sampled and determination of COVID-19 attribution by CDC-HT algorithm was compared to adjudication by a panel of infectious diseases physicians with extensive COVID-19 clinical experience.

Results:

Of 261 sampled COVID-19 admissions, blinded physician adjudication determined 39.9% were direct-cause, 17.2% contributing-cause, and 37.6% unrelated-cause. Within the same cohort the CDC-HT admission algorithm adjudicated 42.9% direct-cause, 24.5% contributing-cause, and 30.3% unrelated-cause. Cohen's kappa was 0.475, providing only moderate agreement. The majority of discrepancy was from over-attribution of unrelated hospitalizations as contributing cause. Implementation of this algorithm in Alberta throughout 2022 showed a fluctuating proportion of direct plus contributing COVID-19 hospitalizations as low as 40%.

Conclusion:

There was misattribution bias in COVID-19 hospitalization determination using the admission algorithm. The findings from this analysis led to improvements in the algorithm to improve precision. Public health jurisdictions should review their COVID-19 hospitalization reporting approaches to ensure validity and consideration of incidental cases.
Canadian Antibiotic Prescribing for Sepsis (CAPS) study: A post hoc analysis of the FABLED cohort study
Authors: Lasry David , Lee Todd C , Paquette Katryn , Demir Koray , Yansouni Cedric , Sweet David , Cheng Matthew P , Lawandi Alexander
Published: December 2024

Background:

Understanding the microbiology and optimal pharmacotherapy of patients with community-onset sepsis is key to improving outcomes. Yet, empiric therapies prescribed in Canadian emergency departments as they relate to microbial etiology and focus of infection are inadequately described.

Methods:

We performed a post hoc analysis of the FABLED cohort study, which quantified the effect of antimicrobials on blood culture yield in septic patients. Patients presenting with sepsis were enrolled in six Canadian emergency departments between 2013 and 2018. We characterized the appropriateness of empiric therapies relative to the pathogens isolated and focus of infection identified.

Results:

The data of 315 patients with sepsis was analyzed. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were used in 68.6% of the cohort. Despite this, Pseudomonas was never isolated in any blood cultures, and drug-resistant organisms were only encountered in 4.8% of the cohort. Among patients with bacteremia (n = 100), 28% of patients received appropriate antibiotic therapy whereas the remainder received therapies that were either overly narrow (16%) or unnecessarily broad (56%) in spectrum. Among patients with an identified focus of infection (n = 266), 30.5% received appropriate empiric antibiotics. Prescribing patterns that were overly broad, overly narrow, or a combination of the two were observed in 39.8%, 7.5%, and 22.2% of patients, respectively. Thirty-day mortality was lowest among patients receiving appropriate therapy relative to the final pathogen isolated and presumed infectious focus.

Conclusions:

Empiric therapies for septic patients in Canada were overly broad given the rare isolation of drug-resistant pathogens. Though likely confounded by severity of illness, optimal outcomes were observed when therapy was appropriate relative to the causative pathogen and infectious focus.
Operation and challenges of biogas technology: A fundamental overview
Authors: Pilarska Agnieszka , Pilarski Krzysztof
Published: December 2024

The modern world is facing a huge energy crisis related to the depletion of conventional energy sources. Therefore, obtaining energy from alternative sources is sparking increasing interest, expressed by both scientists and entrepreneurs. One such source is biogas, which has great potential to become, along with wind and solar energy, an important renewable energy source (RES). This paper presents the technical and practical aspects of biogas production (mainly agricultural) and extensively discusses the anaerobic digestion (AD) process. The global development of biogas plants and the operation of the most important types of biogas plants are also discussed. In the conclusion section, the benefits of biogas technology development are provided and explained, as well as the challenges and barriers hindering the intensification of biogas plant construction despite the potential and access to adequate resources and waste materials.
Dealing with Biodiversity Dilemmas in Ordinary Places
Authors: von Essen Erica , Ahlberg Karin , Cole Tomas , Karlsson Bengt G. , Maček Ivana
Published: December 2024

The battle against invasive alien species (IAS) rages on, and is being driven by recently articulated global biodiversity agendas. While the current United Nations Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) seeks to ensure pristine, protected areas comprise 30 percent of the world's total surface area by 2030, there remains much to be done for the remaining 70 percent, areas dominated by human habitat and industrial activities. Many non-native species have partly or wholly naturalized in these mixed ecosystems, becoming entangled in people's livelihoods. We therefore argue that initiatives to not only aggressively eradicate such IAS but also to enroll the help of citizens in doing so will likely meet with resistance. Biodiversity dilemmas may arise where the cure may be worse than the disease; animal welfare standards may have to be sacrificed; and socioeconomic utility may have to be set aside. We therefore advocate the need for an alternative perspective on biodiversity justice and the proper place of IAS.
Is a Slower Life a Pathway to Sustainable Lifestyles?
Authors: Boström Magnus , Sandström Lina
Published: December 2024

The restricted mobility and homebody life people experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic implied a dramatic change of the time–space configuration in everyday life. Based on a qualitative interview study with 35 participants in Ireland and Sweden, this article presents theoretical perspectives and empirical illustrations on how changes in the sociotemporal rhythms in everyday life can shape conditions for making people's lifestyles more environmentally sustainable. Its findings suggest that the experience of a slower tempo can contribute to how people reflect on and engage in more sustainable practices, but they also reveal that people can have ambiguous and differentiated positive and negative experiences of time, and that said experience was often perceived as a temporary break rather than a lasting change. The article contributes by offering a nuanced understanding of the promises of slowing down as a way to encourage sustainable consumption.
Proportion of patients with poor glycaemic control and its associated factors among 40 – 60 years old diabetic clinic attendees of TH, Kalutara
Authors:   Faculty of Medicine, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, Illnkoon I.M.D.N. , Imesha L.G.P. , Jayasekara E.J.K.P.K.V. , Jayasekara M.K.G.K.U. , Jayasinghe D.G.A.C. , Gunaratne N.J.D.L.
Published: December 2024

Type II diabetes mellitus can be identified as one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases, which is linked with a large number of dependent factors. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of assessing the proportion of patients with poor glycaemic control and its associated factors among 40 – 60 years old diabetic clinic attendees of TH, Kalutara
"Theater X" – designing an electronic surgical theatre management system for a Sri Lankan public hospital
Authors:   Faculty of Medicine, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, Abeysinghe K. , Abeywardena D.G.N.M. , Amaratunga S.R. , Amarasinghe A.A.D.S. , Anthonies H.A. , Wimalasundera A.R. ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Moratuwa, Wijesiriwardana C. ,   Department of Information and Technology, Faculty of Information and Technology, University of Moratuwa
Published: December 2024

A hospital management information system aims to facilitate high-quality patient care. Delays and cancellations of surgical procedures, and poor resource allocation affect the efficiency and productivity of the surgical theatre's functioning. Implementing an electronic surgical theatre management system will improve the efficiency of theatre scheduling, data accuracy, resource allocation, and reduce waiting time and patient outcomes. The electronic surgical theatre management system manages all aspects of a surgical procedure workflow. This research aims to design an electronic surgical theatre management system focusing on theatre scheduling, resource allocation, surgical instrument management, and improved communication.
Design of a mobile app to assist post-myocardial infarction patients in adhering to medication and their follow-up
Authors:   Faculty of Medicine, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, Gunasekara B.A.P.L. , Gunasekara G.B.N. , Gunathilake H.A.N.H. , Gunawardana W.A.N. , Handugala H.D.M.A. , Ranaweera R.K.P.S. ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Wickramage S.P. ,   Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Moratuwa
Published: December 2024

Myocardial infarction (MI) can result in irreversible death of heart muscles due to prolonged hypoxia. Recurrent MI significantly increases mortality and morbidity, negatively affecting patients’ quality of life. Our research aims to improve medication adherence and follow-up care for post-MI patients by addressing key issues such as forgetfulness, medication side effects, complex drug regimens, and low health literacy through the proposal of a mobile application with innovative features to support post-MI patients.
Development of a smart cardiovascular health monitoring system using wearable devices
Authors:   Faculty of Medicine, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, Dahanayake K.S.D. , Udesha K.S. , Yasassri R.G.C. , Perera K.K.G. , Gunarathna R.A.S.B. , Muhandiram M.G.R.R. ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Moratuwa, Perera I. ,   Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa
Published: December 2024

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, imposing significant economic and social burdens. With advancing technology, personal health management through wearable devices, such as smartwatches, has gained traction, particularly among heart patients. These devices measure key health metrics like heart rate and physical activity. However, their capacity to predict cardiovascular risks is still limited. This research aims to develop a cardiovascular risk assessment algorithm using data from smartwatches, supplemented by patient information collected during clinical visits.
Nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion in anesthetized and intubated patients: a digital-assisted method to reduce iatrogenic errors
Authors:   Faculty of Medicine, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, Kahapola S.S. , Jazeer F.I. , Jayasooriya M.S.M. , Jayasuriya D.K.U. , Jayasuriya S.A. , Liyanaarachchi M.R. ,   Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Gunaratne N.J.D.L. ,   Department of Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Moratuwa
Published: December 2024

Nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion is a critical procedure in clinical settings, especially for patients under anesthesia and intubation. The conventional method relies on patient cooperation, which is not feasible in unconscious individuals, leading to potential complications. This study aimed to develop a digital-assisted method for NGT insertion to minimize iatrogenic errors and improve success rates.
Warunki bezpieczeństwa jednostek pływających turystyczno-rekreacyjnych w świetle przepisów prawa - część I
Authors: Ćwikła Leszek
Published: December 2024

W artykule podjęto próbę całościowej analizy i oceny obwiązujących przepisów prawnych, mających na celu zagwarantowanie bezpiecznego podejmowania aktywności w ramach turystyki wodnej, z uwzględnieniem nowelizacji, które miały miejsce w ostatnich latach, odnoszących się do rożnego rodzaju jednostek pływających, w szczególności jachtów śródlądowych i morskich. W części pierwszej omówiono różnice terminologiczne występujące w aktach prawnych przy określeniu jednostki pływającej, wykorzystywanej do uprawiania wodnych podroży turystycznych oraz przedstawiono procedurę rejestracji jachtu.
Increasing Literacy and Education Beginner Voter
Authors: Dedi Kurniawan
Published: December 2024

General elections are a democratic process that cannot be separated from community involvement in determining legislative and executive leaders. The achievement of democracy is certainly inseparable from various elements of society, one of which is novice voters. The limitations of beginner voters to literacy and education about elections, such as not being registered in the Permanent Voter List (DPT), are a bad sign. The research conducted is field research, with a descriptive qualitative approach. The data collection technique in this research is Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with election officers and 6 Secondary Level Schools located in Siak Regency, Kandis sub-district namely Sultan Syarif Kasim SMKS, Baitul Rahman SMKS, Ponpes jabalnur, ponpes darus shofa, SMAN 3 Kandis, SMAN 1 Kandis. In Siak district there are novice voters who are classified as generation Z totaling 87. 575 (born in 1997-2012)/26.88%.  The results showed that novice voters who lack literacy and education have not been selective in obtaining information about elections through various media. On the other hand, there are still beginner voters in six secondary schools who are still not registered in the permanent voter list. This shows that beginner voters who already have the right to vote can lose their right to vote due to limited information and knowledge.
Entrepreneurial Leadership, Innovative Behavior, Organizational Effectiveness: A Mediation Analysis
Authors: Rumaji  , Ilhami Susanti Dwi
Published: December 2024

The concept of organizational effectiveness emphasizes leadership carried out by leaders. Therefore, it is important to know the factors that can increase organizational effectiveness. This research has an aim to examine (i) the effect of entrepreneurial leadership on organizational effectiveness;(ii) the effect of entrepreneurial leadership on innovative behavior; (iii) the effect of innovative behavior on organizational effectiveness; (iv) the role of innovative behavior as a mediation variable. 90 questionnaires were distributed namely online and offline to SMEs owners in Rembang Regency as a data collection research method by using likert scale. The researchers used this PLS-SEM analytical method because the number of samples used in the study was small. Four results of the study have found: (i) there is a positive and significant effect between entrepreneurial leadership and organizational effectiveness; (ii) there is a positive and significant effect between entrepreneurial leadership and innovative behavior; (iii) there is a positive and significant effect between innovative behavior and organizational effectiveness; (iv) innovative behavior could play the role as mediating variable in the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership and organizational effectiveness. The organizations that practice entrepreneurial leadership and innovative behavior have better performance. Because it is important for organizations, especially SMEs owners to carry out entrepreneurial leadership in running a business.
The Pattern of Economic Development Policies of Presidents with Highest Electoral Accountability
Authors: Hakim Amri , Yandra Alexsander , Yahya Muhammad Rafi
Published: December 2024

Nersto Kirchner and Lula da Silva’s highest electoral accountability was caused by their economic development success. The discursive condition for political economy of development scholars is what the economic development model which were exercised by both presidents. This article aims to find the Kirchner and da Silva’s economic development model, were there pattern of their economic policy. By using qualitative method and library research found that the both presidents to pursue economic growth by free floating exchange rate, monetary expansive, export oriented that can be abstracted as neoliberal development model, but Lula broad income redistribution and Kirchner massive minimum wage increasing policy, also food price engineering can be abstracted as dependency model.
Implementation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Through the Development of Badan Usaha Milik Nagari (BUMNag): A Case Study Nagari Mungka
Authors: Yuswarni  , Fadhila Eka , Firdaus Achmad , Arizal
Published: December 2024

This research discusses the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the development of Nagari-Owned Enterprises (BUMNag) in Mungka District, Lima Puluh Kota Regency, as an integrated effort for economic, social, environmental, legal, and governance development at the nagari level (local wisdom for villages in West Sumatra). In this context, BUMNag acts as a new means and approach in utilizing the potential of Nagari Mungka to improve the welfare of its people. This is done by considering the opportunities and needs of the Nagari to 'accommodate', support, and consolidate economic businesses within the Nagari area, so that it becomes a new source of income for the Nagari government in improving the local economy. This research uses a qualitative method with a case study approach by considering literature or reference studies. The results showed that the establishment of BUMNag has not fully implemented the eighteen goals of the SDGs program in Nagari Mungka because it is not strengthened by locally based policies, namely village regulations. It can be concluded that the existence of BUMNag is currently not maximally utilized, and there is still a lack of a comprehensive work program.
ASSIMILATION OF CONNECTED SPEECH: STUDENTS’ CHALLENGES IN LEARNING PRONUNCIATION
Authors: Fitriani
Published: December 2024

Pronunciation plays a vital role in effective communication, ensuring that a speaker's message is clearly conveyed to the listener. This research explores the challenges faced by EFL students in pronouncing assimilation in English connected speech, particularly focusing on difficulties with various types of assimilation, including /t/, /d/, /n/, and /s/. An exploratory quantitative approach was utilized, involving students from the English Education Department at STAIN Mandailing Natal. Participants completed a pronunciation test to evaluate their ability to identify and produce assimilated sounds. The results revealed notable difficulties, with a high frequency of incorrect responses, indicating significant challenges in pronouncing certain types of assimilation. Among these, the assimilation of /d/ and /n/ sounds proved to be the most challenging, while /s/ assimilation was comparatively easier. The study emphasizes the importance of targeted pronunciation training, addressing the most problematic assimilation patterns, and integrating interactive, personalized teaching methods to enhance students' overall pronunciation skills.
The Administration of Phospholipids with Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Tail Groups Makes It Possible to Prevent the Decrease of Sperm Motility of the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster in the Early Period of Readaptation after Space Flight
Authors: Ogneva I. V , Gogichaeva K. K , Zhdankina Yu. S , Kotov O. V
Published: December 2024

The aim of the study was the attempt to prevent the decrease in sperm motility of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster that occurs in the early period of readaptation after space flight by adding phospholipids with polyunsaturated fatty acids in the tail groups (essential phospholipids) to the nutrient medium. The study was carried out as part of space flights on board the russian segment of the International space station during the period September 15, 2023 – September 27, 2023 (ISS-69) and March 23, 2024 – April 6, 2024 (ISS-70). The content of cytoskeletal proteins in the testes was determined by Western blotting and sperm motility by video recording and subsequent analysis. The results of the study show that modification of the nutrient medium by adding essential phospholipids leads to a decrease in cholesterol content and an increase in actin content, which prevents a decrease in tubulin content and a decrease in the speed of movement of fruit fly sperm in the early period of readaptation (up to 16 hours) after space flight. The data obtained, on the one hand, demonstrate a possible mechanism for triggering mechanotransduction, and on the other, allow us to propose essential phospholipids as one of the means of protection against negative changes associated with changes in the gravity field acting on the cell.
Using the IIIVmrMLM Method to Confirm and Search New Genome-Wide Associations in Chickpea
Authors: Duk M. A , Kanapin A. A , Bankin M. P , Samsonova M. G
Published: December 2024

Chickpea (Cicer arientinum) is an important crop grown in the Middle East, Central Asia, Turkey, India and southern Russia and used in a wide variety of traditional dishes. The decrease in genetic diversity during domestication, as well as the crop's greater sensitivity to abiotic and biotic stresses, provides the idea of using landraces in breeding programs to improve the crop. The new IIIVmrMLM method for genome-wide association search allowed us to identify new variants in the genetic data of the chickpea collection, which were localized within important genes, and to identify landraces best suited to the climate of the two experimental stations.
RATIONAL ARITHMETIC WITH A ROUND-OFF
Authors: Varin V. P
Published: December 2024

Computer calculations in floating-point arithmetic are always approximate. In contrast, calculations in rational arithmetic (for example, in computer algebra) are always absolutely precise and reproducible both on other computers and (theoretically) manually. Therefore, such calculations can be demonstrative in the sense that the proof obtained with their help is no different from the traditional one. However, such calculations are usually impossible in a sufficiently complex problem due to limited memory and time resources. We propose a mechanism for rounding off rational numbers in calculations in rational arithmetic, which solves this problem (of resources), i.e. the calculations can still be demonstrative, but no longer require unlimited resources. A number of examples of the implementation of standard numerical algorithms in this arithmetic are given. The results have applications to analytical number theory.
Vektorianalyysi
Authors: Martio Olli
Published: December 2024

Kirja käsittelee usean muuttujan differentiaali- ja integraalilaskentaa. Se koostuu kirjan tekijän pitämistä vektorianalyysiluennoista Helsingin ja Jyväskylän yliopistoissa ja ulkomailla. Esitietoina edellytetään yhden muuttujan differentiaali- ja integraalilaskennan alkeen. Kirjan aihepiiriä käsitellään yleensä toisena matematiikan opiskeluvuotena, mutta kirjaan voi tutustua jo ensimmäisenä lukuvuonna.
PENGARUH JUMLAH UMKM INFORMAL DAN FACTOR FACTOR LAINNYA TERHADAP PENYERAPAN TENAGA KERJA DI INDONESIA
Authors: Suhada Umi , Ridwan Mochamad
Published: December 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis dampak perkembangan UMKM (bukan badan hukum) dan banyak faktor lain yang mempengaruhi lapangan kerja di Indonesia. Penelitian ini menggunakan data panel, dan model terbaik yang dipilih adalah model (FEM). Metode yang digunakan merupakan metode penelitian yang penting untuk menganalisis dampak dari perkembangan UMKM yang tidak aktif (tidak berbadan hukum), rata-rata pendapatan bersih pekerja biasa, pertumbuhan ekonomi, pendapatan dan tingkat pendidikan serta penyerapan tenaga kerja di Indonesia. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perkembangan UMKM non-statuta, rata-rata upah pekerja non-status (non-status) dan investasi mempunyai pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap lapangan kerja di Indonesia, dimana pertumbuhan ekonomi dan kelimpahan serta tingkat pendidikan tidak berpengaruh. mempunyai dampak yang signifikan terhadap penerimaan kerja di Indonesia.
Consistent VMT Mapping and Modeling in California: How Can We Better Assess the VMT Impacts of State and Local Transportation Projects?
Authors: Alexander Serena E. , Tanvir Shams , Ahmed Syed Tanvir , Jones Annie
Published: December 2024

Despite California’s ambitious target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, the state is not reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from personal vehicle travel, and per capita Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and GHG emissions continue to increase. One central challenge of climate planning facing California is the lack of consistent methods to measure the VMT impacts of transportation projects. Using both qualitative and quantitative data, this research answers the question: “What are the advantages and limitations of existing VMT calculators to determine the climate impacts of transportation projects to help meet California’s climate goals?” Research methods included: (1) a quantitative analysis of the existing VMT tools in practice, particularly in California, by identifying and analyzing the attributes of each tool and clustering the tools into distinct methods based on their similarities in principles, inputs, and outputs; and (2) a qualitative analysis of perspectives of transportation professionals regarding VMT as a metric and VMT tools. Findings indicate that the consistency, contextual relevance, complexity, data accuracy, and the user-friendliness of the VMT tools vary signiﬁcantly based on their design and methodology, and each tool presents a set of limitations and advantages making it suitable for a speciﬁc use or context but not necessarily for another. Recommendations for the state include to: (1) improve access to accurate, validated data for creating and inputting into VMT models and tools; (2) help create context sensitive VMT tools capable of capturing local context and change over time;(3) strengthen dialogue between jurisdictions to share information and tools; and (4) encourage the use of an integrated approach to VMT analysis—which often combines use of diﬀerent tools and datasets for various stages of decision-making and scenario planning. VMT tools help planners and policymakers estimate VMT and understand the impacts of transportation projects and policies. By improving our understanding of these tools and their advantages and disadvantages, we can choose the best tool for the speciﬁc need, ensuring accurate VMT assessments and empowering California to further its climate goals.
Trends of the prevalence of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications in people with dementia from 2006 to 2021 in Hong Kong
Authors: Qin Xiwen Simon , Wang Yang , Leung Miriam Tim Yin , Ma TianTian , Chen Kailin , Luo Hao , Yuen Jacqueline Kwan Yuk , Lau Kui Kai , Yu Doris Sau Fung , Chui Celine Sze Ling
Published: December 2024

Background

Long-term prescription patterns of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIMs) in dementia patients were limited in the Chinese population.

Objective

Examine the prevalence trends of polypharmacy and PIMs in people living with dementia.

Methods

Using electronic healthcare data from Hong Kong(2006–2021), we evaluated trends of polypharmacy (≥5 medications) and hyperpolypharmacy (≥10 medications) prescribed within 60 days per year in dementia patients aged ≥65 years old. PIMs were identified using the 2019 Beers criteria and the Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescription version 2, with at least one prescription per year. The COVID-19 pandemic period was defined as 2020–2021. The prevalence of polypharmacy, hyperpolypharmacy, and PIMs was calculated as the affected people divided by the total number of dementia patients alive each year. Joinpoint regression models was used to analyze trends and estimate average annual percent change (AAPC).

Results

The prevalence of polypharmacy increased from 2006 (36.4%) to 2021 (66.4%) (AAPC: 4.0). Hyperpolypharmacy also increased from 3.3% to 21.0% (AAPC:12.7). During pandemic, stable trends were observed in polypharmacy (p = 0.08) and hyperpolypharmacy (p = 0.20). The prevalence trend of PIMs from 2006 to 2021 was stable (35.8%–35.2%, p = 0.17), with a slight increase observed after 2015 (33.5%–35.2%, p < 0.0001). Between 2006 and 2013, and after the release of the new guideline (2019–2021), the prescription rates of antipsychotics and anticholinergics decreased (both p < 0.001), while prescriptions for non-benzodiazepine (AAPC: 4.4) and benzodiazepine (AAPC: 3.6) increased.

Conclusions

Reviewing polypharmacy and hyperpolypharmacy among people living with dementia is needed to ensure the appropriate use of medications.
A case of Alzheimer's disease with improved activities of daily living and psychological symptoms after photo assessment for activities of daily living and online management
Authors: Shimokihara Suguru , Tabira Takayuki , Fukuhara Ryuji , Ishizuka Takanori , Sakimoto Hitoshi , Matsumoto Kazuki , Kondo Tetsuya , Arai Kaoru , Katsuki Kunihiko , Ishimaru Daiki , Nagata Yuma , Hotta Maki , Ikeda Manabu , Nakamura Masayuki
Published: December 2024

Background

Impairment of the activities of daily living (ADL) due to dementia can reduce the quality of life of patients and increase the burden on caregivers, necessitating appropriate interventions. Recently, the effectiveness of telerehabilitation for patients with dementia has been demonstrated, but its effect on ADL is uncertain.

Objective

We report on a 76-year-old female patient with Alzheimer's disease who underwent photo assessment for activities of daily living (PA-ADL) in the home environment and online management (O-MGT) at home.

Methods

The PA-ADL and O-MGT were implemented because of the progressive impairment of instrumental ADL and increased caregiver burden. In the PA-ADL, occupational therapists used photos of her home environment taken by her caregivers to check off environments that might pose a risk for life disability and set rehabilitation goals. Using a videoconferencing system, O-MGT had a therapist provide goal-directed ADL interventions remotely while she and her caregivers were at home.

Results

She improved in behavioral psychological symptoms and instrumental ADL after our PA-ADL and O-MGT intervention package, despite no improvement in cognitive function. In addition, caregiver burden was also found to be reduced after these interventions.

Conclusions

The PA-ADL and O-MGT intervention packages improved some of her behavioral and psychological symptoms, ADL abilities, and caregiver burden. Physical environment assessment using home photos and remote ADL rehabilitation may be considered options for Alzheimer's disease patients with ADL impairment.
Medical imaging datasets, preparation, and availability for artificial intelligence in medical imaging
Authors: Alabduljabbar Abdulrahman , Khan Sajid Ullah , Alsuhaibani Anas , Almarshad Fahdah , Altherwy Youssef N
Published: December 2024

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) persists as a focal subject within the realm of medical imaging, heralding a multitude of prospective applications that span the comprehensive imaging lifecycle. However, a key hurdle to the development and real-world application of AI algorithms is the necessity for large amounts of well-organized and carefully planned training data, including professional annotations (labelling). Modern supervised AI techniques require thorough data curation to efficiently train, validate, and test models.

Objective

The proper processing of medical images for use by AI-driven solutions is a critical component in the development of dependable and resilient AI algorithms. Currently, research organizations and corporate entities frequently confront data access limits, working with small amounts of data from restricted geographic locations.

Methods

This study provides an in-depth examination of the publicly accessible datasets in the field of medical imaging. This work also determines the methods required for preparing medical imaging data for the development of AI algorithms, emphasizes current limitations in dataset curation. Furthermore, this study explores inventive strategies to address the challenge of data availability, offering a detailed overview of data curation technologies.

Results

This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of medical imaging datasets emphasizes their vital significance in improving diagnostic accuracy and AI models, while also addressing key problems such as dataset diversity, labelling, and ethical implications.

Conclusions

The paper concludes with an insightful discussion and analysis of challenges in medical image analysis, along with potential future directions in the field.
Hemorheological changes in blood transfusion‐treated beta thalassemia major patients
Authors: Mangalani M. , Lokeshwar M.R. , Banerjee R. , Nageswari K. , Puniyani R.R.
Published: December 2024

Beta thalassemia major is an inherited impairment of haemoglobin structure, in which there is partial or complete failure to synthesize a specific type of globin chain. The study was undertaken to assess the hemorheological changes in beta thalassemic major patients. We studied hemorheological parameters in thalassemic patients ( $n=37$ ) immediately after blood transfusion. The parameters studied were whole blood viscosity (WBV), plasma viscosity (PV), red cell rigidity (RCR) and hematocrit (Hct). Blood samples from age‐ and sex‐matched normal controls were also analysed for comparison. Statistical analysis was done using Student’s $t$ ‐test and $p$ values were recorded. The results showed a significant decrease in level of WBV and Hct in patients when compared to normal controls. However, the red cell rigidity was higher when compared to normal controls. Increase in RCR should show an increase in WBV. But in our study cases there was a significant decrease in WBV which was probably due to the significant decrease in level of hematocrit.