bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DYNAMICS OF INDICATORS OF ACCESS TO GENERAL SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR PERSONS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
Authors:   SSI ", Gapon Valentyna ,   Institute of Educational Analytics", Sharaievska Mariia ,   SSI "Institute of Educational Analytics", Derepa Tetiana ,   SSI "Institute of Educational Analytics"
Published: October 2024

The education of children with special educational needs (SEN) is one of the priority areas for the development of modern education in Ukraine. The article analyses the indicators of accessibility of general secondary education for persons with SEN in accordance with the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment in Ukraine. The article presents data on the status of special and inclusive education for the period of 2014/2015-2023/2024 on the basis of official statistical reporting, identifies trends, key achievements and possible challenges to the implementation of the goals of the Strategy. The legal framework in the field of inclusive and special education was examined. Proposals for improving the statistical forms for the formation of indicators of access to general secondary education for persons with SEN were substantiated, which requires further analysis of the compatibility of these indicators with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), performance indicators of the National Strategy for the Development of Inclusive Education for 2023-2030 and reporting indicators of the Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat), etc. The article also deals with the issue of allocation of subventions from the State budget to local budgets for providing state support to persons with SEN in 2024. It is proposed that in order to calculate the performance indicator in reports on the use of these funds, the number of pupils with SEN, including persons with disabilities who received additional services at the expense of this subvention, should be allocated. The relevance of the article's topic is due to the increased attention and demand of society on the need to include persons with SEN in the educational process and to provide them with quality educational services.
Leveraging Advanced Machine Learning Algorithms for Enhanced Cyberattack Detection on U.S. Business Networks
Authors: Md Rasibul Islam  , Md Nasiruddin  , Mitu Karmakar  , Rabeya Akter  , MD Tushar Khan  , Abdullah AL Sayeed  , Al Amin
Published: October 2024

Cyberattacks' rising volume and sophistication have made conventional security measures, such as firewalls, signature-based intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software, increasingly inadequate. The upsurge of cyber threats has been one of the most pressing predicaments for U.S. organizations in the digital age. With the increased dependence on internet-based forums, cloud computing, and interconnected networks, companies face an advancing number of extreme cyberattacks. The chief objective of this research project is to design and deploy proven machine learning methods to enhance the detection and combating of cyberattacks on U.S. organization networks. This research project retrieved a cyber-attack dataset from Kaggle.com, which had a collection of public datasets of cyber threats. This dataset was curated precisely, offering a realistic representation of cyber-attack scenarios, making it an ideal playground for various analytical tasks. The collection was classified as per the source of the relevant information, such as host-based datasets, network traffic datasets, malware or fraud reports, or a special section for datasets that can be classified according to a specific source. The dataset comprised numerous network traffic attributes such as source and destination IP addresses, ports, protocol, payload size, and attack labels. For this research project, three machine learning algorithms were used, namely: Logistic Regression, XG-Boost and Random Forest. This research project applied performance metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score for the performance of the classification models were considered. The result illustrated that the random forest model was far superior in accuracy compared to the logistic regression model; particularly, it had excellent accuracy. Through the use of advanced machine learning models, organizations will be in a position to devise more dynamic and intelligent security systems that evolve with the threat landscape. These intelligent systems monitor every kind of anomaly, malicious activity, and threat response with unparalleled effectiveness. The findings of this research project have significant implications for enhancing cybersecurity in U.S. organizational networks.
Speaking Competence in Morocco: Challenges and Innovative Pedagogical Strategies
Authors: BAKHOUT SOUKAINA , Sakale Sana
Published: October 2024

Speaking is one of the fundamental skills in a language. In this respect, this study aims to explore the speaking difficulties that Moroccan EFL high school students face and the strategies that teachers use to help their students overcome them. The study also seeks to answer the following questions: first, what do EFL high school teachers think about their students’ speaking abilities? Second, what are the difficulties that Moroccan EFL high school students encounter in their speaking activities? And third, what are the appropriate strategies that Moroccan EFL high school teachers use to overcome those difficulties? The data of this study has been collected via a questionnaire administered to 100 teachers from all over Morocco. The analysis of the questionnaires has revealed that the teachers are aware of their students’ speaking difficulties and they have mentioned some of them. They have also provided some strategies that they use to help their students surmount these difficulties.
Application of Fuzzy Logic Mamdani in IoT-Based Air Quality Monitoring Systems
Authors: Richi Andrianto  , Nopi Purnomo  , Yuda Irawan
Published: October 2024

This study aims to develop and implement an air quality monitoring system using Internet of Things (IoT) technology and Mamdani fuzzy logic. The system integrates sensors to detect PM2.5, PM10, and CO concentrations. Real-time data is processed using fuzzy logic to generate an easily understandable Indeks Standar Pencemar Udara (ISPU). Testing showed 95% accuracy in ISPU measurement, 2-second response time, and 99.5% uptime over 30 days. The Mamdani fuzzy logic effectively handles uncertain data, providing accurate air quality interpretations. The system classifies air quality into different ISPU categories (Good, Medium, Unhealthy, Very Unhealthy, Dangerous) in real-time. The study concludes that integrating IoT and fuzzy logic yields a high-performing, reliable air quality monitoring tool, significantly aiding pollution mitigation and public health. Further research is recommended to enhance algorithms and integrate additional technologies for improved functionality and accuracy.
Analisis Sentimen Pengguna Aplikasi Gen Ai dari Appstore dan Googleplay Menggunakan Algoritma C45
Authors: Ningsih Widia , Rahmaddeni  , Adrianto Sukri , Kurniawan Fadly , Alfianda Baginda
Published: October 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis sentimen pengguna aplikasi Generative AI (ChatGPT, Bing AI, Microsoft Co-Pilot, Gemini AI, dan Da Vinci AI) yang tersedia di AppStore dan Google Play menggunakan algoritma C4.5. Data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini diambil dari ulasan pengguna yang tersedia di kedua platform tersebut. Proses penelitian meliputi pengumpulan data, pelabelan manual, dan pemrosesan data awal, termasuk pembersihan, tokenisasi, transformasi kasus, dan penghapusan stopword. Data yang telah diproses kemudian dianalisis menggunakan algoritma C4.5 untuk mengklasifikasikan sentimen menjadi positif, negatif, atau netral. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa algoritma C4.5 mampu mengklasifikasikan sentimen dengan akurasi, presisi, dan recall yang tinggi. Penelitian ini memberikan kontribusi dalam memahami opini pengguna terhadap aplikasi Generative AI, serta membantu pengembang aplikasi dalam meningkatkan kualitas dan kinerja aplikasi mereka berdasarkan umpan balik pengguna.
Network Attack Classification using Neural Network-Based Imputation Technique
Authors: Safrizal Ardana Ardiyansa  , Eric Julianto  , Natasha Clarissa Maharani  , Haidar Ahmad Fajri
Published: October 2024

Rapid technological developments have changed access to information significantly, especially in telecommunications. This growth creates new threats, such as network attacks, so detection becomes critical for network security. Leveraging machine learning algorithms to detect threats is promising, with effectiveness largely dependent on selecting relevant features optimized by the bat algorithm. Data imputation is critical in preparing data sets, and neural network-based imputation techniques demonstrate outstanding performance, achieving accuracy rates of 99.4% on validation data and 99.3% on test data. This method consistently maintains precision, recall, and scores around 98%. Models using this method also approach perfection in classifying normal and neptune labels. This imputation method can also be applied to other model architectures using autoML. Alternative models such as Light GBM, XGBoost, Random Forest, Extra Trees, and Weighted Ensemble L2 also exhibit exceptional accuracy, exceeding 99.8%.
Implementasi Game Hangman Multiplayer Menggunakan Socket dan Multithreading Berbasis Protokol TCP
Authors: Marieska Mastura Diana
Published: October 2024

Permainan multiplayer cenderung lebih menarik dan dapat memberikan pengalaman yang lebih menyenangkan dibandingkan permainan single player. Permainan tebak kata atau yang biasa disebut dengan Hangman merupakan permainan yang umum dimainkan bersama-sama. Apabila pemain berada di tempat berbeda, diperlukan mekanisme koneksi yang reliable agar permainan dapat berjalan dengan baik. Pada penelitian ini diimplementasikan game Hangman dengan menggunakan socket dan multithreading. Socket digunakan sebagai mekanisme koneksi antara pemain dengan server. Protokol yang digunakan adalah protokol TCP yang bersifat reliable untuk menjaga integritas komunikasi antara server dan client. Agar permainan dapat melibatkan banyak pemain dalam satu waktu, maka digunakan multithreading. Pada server, multithreading digunakan dengan menugaskan thread khusus untuk tiap client yang terkoneksi. Dengan cara ini, komunikasi antara server dengan tiap client dapat dilakukan secara independen dan paralel. Dari hasil pengujian blackbox testing, seluruh fitur dari game Hangman berhasil diimplementasikan dan dapat digunakan dengan baik.
Catalysing sustainable development through water conservation: Insights from Malaysia
Authors: Ahmad Raja Adzrin Raja , Yatim Nurul Huda Md , Samsudin Syamsul , Azmi Nurul Azlin
Published: October 2024

This study aims to investigate the attitudinal predictors (attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control) of consumers’ water conservation intentions. The average daily water usage among consumers in Malaysia is 201 litres higher than the recommended 165 litres by the United Nations. Furthermore, based on the National Water Resource Study (2000-2050), water consumption is expected to rise by 103% by 2050. The water issues require decisive action to ensure sufficient clean water resources for future generations. Thus, educating consumers regarding water saving is of paramount importance in ensuring sufficient water resources and achieving SDGs. Data were collected via 320 questionnaires, and Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis was employed to test the hypotheses. The findings indicate a positively significant association between attitudinal predictors and Water Conservation Intention among Malaysian consumers. Interestingly, income level exhibits a clear negative and significant relationship with Water Conservation Intention. This implies that income level does not influence consumer’s attitudes. The findings in this paper contribute to the essential component of holistic and integrated governance frameworks aimed at achieving sustainable and inclusive development for water management in Malaysia. This study contributes to the scarce yet crucial body of evidence regarding water-conservation efforts to ensure sustainable water management practices.
Breaking down the impenetrable wall: What are the barriers to good corporate governance practices above all?
Authors: Mustaffa Abd Hadi , Safeei Roshidah , Fadzilah Norfarah Syahirah Mohd , Tajarahim Nor Adilla
Published: October 2024

Good corporate governance practices are essential in every organisation to ensure accountability and due diligence enhancing corporate value. However, some countries face barriers to good corporate governance practices such as poor regulatory frameworks, perceived constraints, and threats from external factors, etc. Therefore, the organisations will face consequences such as eroding shareholder confidence, declining market value and the organisation integrity. Hence, the study’s main objective is to systematically review the barriers to good corporate governance practice in the global context. This study uses a systematic literature review whereby the authors analyse 24 selected articles. Therefore, the main findings indicated ten barriers to good corporate governance practices. The ten barriers are weak regulatory framework, perceived constraints, poor quality of information, external business factors, lack of awareness, confusion of authority, lack of monitoring, board diversity, transparency  and investor protection. These findings provide significant contributions in theoretical development for potential scholars and practical implications for organisations, stakeholders, investors, and corporate leaders who aim to strengthen the governance framework, improve organisational resilience and promote sustainable value creation to understand these barriers comprehensively.
Preparation and Mass Loss Study of Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose Carbon Aerogel Prepared from Non-Hazardous Material
Authors: Arif Abdallah Aboubaker Atik  , Mohd Hafiz Abu Hassan  , Syaza Azhari  , Nur Atiqah Nasir
Published: October 2024

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a derivative of cellulose that shares its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and renewability while being soluble in water and some organic solvents. It is due to these characteristics that the aerogel produced from CMC will share these advantages. In this study, we produced CMC carbon aerogel from different concentrations of CMC aerogels (1%, 2%, 3%, 4%) and under different carbonisation temperatures (300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C, 700 °C and 800 °C) for a period of 1 hour and 2 hours. The prepared CMC carbon aerogel samples were then analysed based on the difference in mass loss, which differed according to the varying experimental parameters. In temperatures varying from 300 °C to 600 °C, there was a decrease in mass loss as the concentration was increased due to the physical properties of the CMC aerogel. At higher temperatures of 700 °C and 800 °C, the mass loss at higher concentrations of CMC increased due to the completed decomposition and carbonisation of CMC aerogel.
Risks, Resilience and Performance of Financial Mechanisms During the Health Crisis
Authors: Santenac Rene
Published: October 2024

Is there an “optimal resilience” model for organizations? Due to its status, the company is de facto concerned and regularly confronted with the constraints of the environments in which it operates. The latter are juxtaposed with regulatory, institutional and recently totally unprecedented health constraints. The antagonism of the « Risk/Return » couple on which financial theories are based is a model that has imposed itself in the terms of exchange between the bank and the company, thus resulting in a persistent informational asymmetry. But the repetition of financial shocks and the violent health crisis that occurred in January 2020 on a planetary scale forced the two parties to review their strategies. In this context, many systems have been put in place to enable organizations to stay on course. In particular, the loans guaranteed by the State distributed by the banks, which are at the same time active by the device and passive to bear the risk. Nevertheless, the banking sector has been able to develop in recent years a powerful architecture of operational resilience to fight against crises. What about the operational resilience model of companies that are suffering this double blow of external financial and health constraints for which they were not prepared? How these organizations were able to use financial devices for their profits. This is the analysis that is made under the triple report of effectiveness, efficiency and equity. Operational, theoretical and empirical resilience should also be analyzed. Theory to confront models of resilience. Empirical to analyze the reality of a given geographical area in order to identify a result. It emerges that the first « Toxi-Handler » (catalysts of their own suffering) are business leaders, a triple approach based on observation: individual, organization, means.
Loss of Antibiotic Resistance Transposons if grown in the absence of Antibiotics
Authors: Palchaudhuri Sunil
Published: October 2024

In a recent article I have proven F is not a single replicon but co-integrate of two complete replicons – F and R. These two replicons are not allowed to function simultaneously but their individual functional states are stringently controlled by the transposon Tn 1000(5.7 Kb). Besides these two replicons we have previously mentioned the Ent plasmid P307. In 1977 we characterized the antibiotic resistance plasmid pCG86 in ETEC isolated from the stool of a piglet with diarrhoeal disease. The genes for heat-labile enterotoxin and heat-stable enterotoxin were also carried by the same plasmid pCG86. In the year 1975 we received this same bacterial isolate of Carlton Gyles (Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, University of Guelph, Ontario Canada) from Professor S. Falkow (University of California) who saved the stab at room temperature but without adding antibiotics. The same strain can’t grow in the presence of antibiotics. After the discovery of transposons, I felt the re-interpretation of this heteroduplex molecule formed between pCG86 and Ent P307 is absolutely necessary.
Uso de cirurgia guiada para reabilitação de implante: Relato de caso
Authors: Carranza Gilmer Arevalo , Barbosa Maylon Luciano Garcia , Silva Daiany de Mendonça , Martins Andressa Ferreira , Affonso Sabrina Quirido , Valério Eduardo Fernandes , Altino Breno Peres
Published: October 2024

A cirurgia de implante guiada refere-se ao processo de planejamento digital, sendo cada vez mais um recurso utilizado pelos implantodontias. Por meio de softwares específicos é possível “construir” todas as estruturas anatômicas de um paciente e desta forma pode-se, virtualmente, planejar sua cirurgia. A redução do tempo cirúrgico e o aumento da previsibilidade de sucesso são as principais vantagens desta técnica. O uso do guia cirúrgico para cirurgias guiadas permite manobras cirúrgicas de alta precisão e confiabilidade. Outra vantagem da técnica é o fato de todo processo se dar em condições flapless, ou seja, sem abertura de retalhos gengivais; em consequência disso, são necessárias baixas doses de medicamentos antibiótico, anti-inflamatórios, analgésicos e até mesmos anestésicos. O conforto do paciente durante o procedimento é superior à técnica convencional, a diminuição do edema, da dor e da porcentagem de insucesso se dá pela mínima invasividade da técnica o que faz com que todos os tecidos envolvidos se mantenham muito mais íntegros. O objetivo do presente artigo é apresentar um caso de cirurgia na mandíbula foram instalados implantes na região do 36 e 37 por meio de Cirurgia Guiada utilizando o Sistema Implacil. A cirurgia guiada permitiu alcançar um ótimo resultado em relação ao nervo alveolar, o tempo cirúrgico foi muito reduzido, as injúrias habitualmente causadas aos tecidos gengivais foram mínimas e o posicionamento 3D dos implantes foi o ideal. Concluímos que a técnica é eficiente e reprodutível, possível de ser utilizada no dia a dia dos implantodontias.
Uso e malefícios do cigarro eletrônico: Uma revisão bibliográfica
Authors: Alves Nathália Fernandes de Castro , Temponi Giuliano Moysés , Ribeiro Stefanie Bittencourt , Dias Isadora Clarissa Cordeiro
Published: October 2024

Introdução: O início precoce do consumo de cigarros é um grave problema de saúde pública, exacerbado pelo fato de que o tabaco é altamente viciante e prejudicial à saúde, aumentando o risco de morte precoce. Com a introdução dos cigarros eletrônicos como alternativa ao tabaco, a situação piorou, especialmente entre os jovens, devido ao apelo dos modelos atraentes e dos sabores aromatizados. Estes dispositivos têm contribuído para o aumento do vício em nicotina e a possível transição para o tabagismo convencional. Objetivo: impulsionar a discussão sobre a necessidade de regulamentações mais rigorosas e estratégias de prevenção para proteger os jovens dos riscos associados ao uso de produtos de tabaco e cigarro eletrônic Método: Revisão bibliográfica que utilizou como base o PUBMED (National Library of Medicine) para a pesquisa de artigos. Foram utilizados tais descritores em duas associações: “electronic cigarette” AND “teenagers”, e “electronic cigarette” and “students”. Resultados: Após a triagem inicial de 61 artigos, foram eliminados 28 que não se alinhavam aos objetivos do estudo, resultando em 33 artigos. No processo de filtragem, chegamos no final a 23 artigos finais. Conclusão: Os cigarros eletrônicos, inicialmente vistos como uma alternativa para parar de fumar, têm se mostrado tão prejudiciais quanto os cigarros convencionais, com riscos significativos para a saúde. Para combater esses riscos, é necessário implementar regulamentações mais rigorosas, como proibir o uso em locais públicos e promover campanhas educativas. Além disso, futuros estudos devem explorar o comportamento e as percepções dos adolescentes sobre cigarros eletrônicos para melhorar as estratégias de prevenção.
O bioma caatinga e ‘a insustentável leveza de ser’: Uma abordagem conservacionista com estudantes do ensino médio usando a literatura de cordel
Authors: Siqueira Edmilson Clarindo de
Published: October 2024

Dos cinco biomas presentes no território brasileiro, a Caatinga é sem dúvidas aquele que mais problemas enfrenta. Atualmente, este ecossistema tem sofrido um processo acelerado de desertificação devido a atividade antrópica. Por isso, há uma necessidade de discutir esse bioma não só do ponto de vista ecológico, mas também no lado social. Por outro lado, a construção do conhecimento se dar por diversos caminhos, entre eles, na fusão entre ciência e arte. Neste contexto, a literatura de cordel se destaca enquanto instrumento pedagógico em potencial. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste artigo foi apresentar os resultados de uma pesquisa social sobre o tema Bioma Caatinga com estudantes do ensino médio, na qual se utilizou a literatura de cordel. Para isso foram realizadas aulas dialogadas com leituras compartilhadas a partir do cordel intitulado: O Bioma Caatinga e ‘a sustentável leveza de ser’. Após a abordagem do tema, os participantes foram convidados a avaliar a atividade proposta. Os participantes avaliaram desde o tema até a abordagem do mediador. A análise dos resultados mostrou que houve uma boa aceitação dos participantes no tocante à metodologia proposta. Pois, término da atividade, o trabalho foi avaliado como Bom (22-35%), Muito Bom (25-40%) e Excelente (25-60%) pela maioria dos participantes. Isso demonstrou que houve uma boa aceitação dos participantes no tocante à metodologia proposta. Além disso, o trabalho ajudou a despertar nos estudantes uma maior conscientização e valorização do seu bioma.
Penyuluhan Kesehatan tentang Pengelolaan Sampah dan Limbah pada Masyarakat di Desa Banggae Kecamatan Mangarabombang Kabupaten Takalar
Authors: Jamal Hudriani
Published: October 2024

Sampah atau limbah masih menjadi salah satu masalah kesehatan lingkungan yang harus segera dipecahkan di Indonesia. Sampah yang tidak dikelola dengan tepat akan menimbulkan masalah lingkungan dan kesehatan masyarakat. Tujuan kegiatan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat ini untuk mengetahui Gambaran tingkat pengetahuan atau sikap masyarakat dalam pengelolaan sampah dan limbah di lingkungan sekitar Desa Banggae Kecamatan Mangara Bombang Kabupaten Takalar. Kegiatan ini dilakukan di Kantor Desa Banggae Kecamatan Mangara Bombang Kabupaten Takalar. Jumlah peserta dalam kegiatan ini adalah 34 orang dipilih secara accidental sampling. Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode sosialisasi melalui pemberian materi penyuluhan tentang upaya pengelolaan sampah dan limbah rumah tangga dengan benar. Penyampaian informasi oleh pemateri dan dilanjutkan dengan pemahaman materi melalui diskusi dan tanya jawab. Instrumen pengumpulan yang digunakan adalah berupa kuesioner untuk mengukur tingkat pengetahuan dan pemahaman masyarakat tentang materi sampah dan limbah yang diberikan. Data diolah dan dianalisis menggunakan aplikasi komputer SPSS. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa tingkat pengetahuan atau sikap masyarakat mengenai Upaya pengelolaan sampah dan limbah rumah tangga sudah baik (rata-rata di atas 85%). Diharapkan adanya contoh pelaksanaan pengelolaan sampah dan limbah rumah tangga secara langsung di masyarakat.
Self-assembled lipid-based nanoparticles for chemotherapy against breast cancer
Authors: Liu Shan
Published: October 2024

Self-assembled lipid-based nanoparticles have been shown to have improved therapeutic efficacy and lower toxic side effects. Breast cancer is a common type of malignant tumor in women. Conventional drugs such as doxorubicin (DOX) have shown low therapeutic efficacy and high drug toxicity in antitumor therapy. This paper surveys research on self-assembled lipid-based nanoparticles by categorizing them under three groups: self-assembled liposomal nanostructures, self-assembled niosomes, and self-assembled lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles. Subsequently, the structural features and operating mechanisms of each group are summarized individually along with examples of representative drugs from each group.
Effects of NaOH and Na2CO3 pretreatment on the saccharification of sweet sorghum bagasse
Authors: García-Negrón Valerie , Stoklosa Ryan J. , Toht Matthew J.
Published: October 2024

In this work, the chemical composition, chemical structures, and sugar release were evaluated for sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) biomass in response to alkaline pretreatments and enzymatic hydrolysis. Five different ratios of 2 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) solutions were used for biomass fractionation along with two heat treatment conditions, 85°C and 150°C for 1 h. Sugar yields from enzymatic hydrolysis were measured at different durations up to 72 h. SSB samples pretreated at high temperature using alkaline solutions containing equal amounts of Na2CO3 and NaOH favored retaining cellulose content (up to 90%) while effectively removing hemicellulose (65%) and lignin (92%). The high-temperature pretreatment conditions resulted in improved delignification, higher sugar concentrations, and sugar yields. Pretreatment solutions consisting of 50% or more NaOH produced higher glucose yields (85%–90%) and total sugar concentrations. Moreover, pretreatment solutions containing Na2CO3 improved the hydrolysis rates allowing SSB samples reach maximum yields faster than those without it, 48 versus 72 h. Results showed pretreatment methods combining NaOH and Na2CO3 were effective at promoting SSB biomass conversion, increasing sugar recovery after hydrolysis, and reducing the hydrolysis duration, all of which are desirable and cost beneficial.
Around the clock: unveiling giraffe rest-activity rhythms and social dynamics
Authors: Mebus Hanna , Schneider Sebastian , Dierkes Paul Wilhelm , Burger-Schulz Anna Lena
Published: October 2024

Understanding the daily activity patterns and social dynamics of giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) is crucial for their management and conservation. In this study, a comprehensive 24-hour observational analysis of three female reticulated giraffes kept for three weeks at the Opel-Zoo in Kronberg, Germany, was conducted. Using infrared-sensitive cameras, the study captured behavioral data across baseline and two intervention phases involving changes in group composition. Social network analysis was performed using the Mantel test to assess changes in social interactions between day and night and across different study periods, while the MRQAP was applied to evaluate the influence of individual subtypes on the social structure. During the day, the giraffes exhibited a high level of activity, primarily engaging in walking, standing, and feeding behaviors. Diurnal resting was minimal, with sporadic lying phases. Night-time behavior was markedly different, with the giraffes spending most of the night lying down, interspersed with periods of feeding. The presence of a male giraffe during one intervention phase significantly altered diurnal activity patterns, increasing standing behaviors and decreasing feeding time. Social interactions, including nearest neighbor preferences, varied across day and night periods and changed with alterations in group composition. The study highlights the complexity of giraffe social dynamics and their adaptation to different social contexts. These findings provide valuable insights into the natural behavioral rhythms and social behaviors of giraffes, which are essential for effective zoo management and conservation strategies.
Comparison of blood parameters in two genetically different groups of horses for functional longevity in show jumping
Authors: Harari Suzanne , Deretz Severine , Dumont Saint Priest Bernard , Richard Eric , Ricard Anne
Published: October 2024

Introduction

In order to find early selection criteria to improve the longevity of show jumping horses, a specific protocol was designed.

Methods

Before entering competition, young horses selected from extreme stallions for longevity were measured for many traits, including blood parameters. Blood samples were taken from 952 horses aged 2–4 years old, sired by two groups of stallions: one with unfavorable (U) and the other with favorable (F) extreme estimated breeding values for functional longevity. These breeding values were previously calculated from data on 202,320 horses that participated in show jumping competitions between 1985 and 2022. Functional longevity was defined as time spent in competition, adjusted for the level of performance. The 59 measured parameters included hematology, proteins, cytokines, liver and kidney function, bone and joint health, oxidative stress and endocrinology. Heritability was estimated using a mixed model that accounted for the effect of age, sex, estimated weight, visit (place and date of collection), and animal random additive value with 10,280 horses in pedigree. A Partial Least Square logistic regression was performed to predict the sire group.

Results

Age, sex and estimated weight significantly affected 36, 19 and 16 variables, respectively. The visit had a significant effect on all variables. Heritability estimates were high, with 75% higher than 0.20% and 30% higher than 0.50. The most heritable traits included mean corpuscular volume (0.92, se 0.11), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (0.90, se 0.11), white blood cells (0.55, se 0.13), total alkaline phosphatase (0.68, se 0.12) and percentage of γ-globulin (0.57, se 0.12). The logistic regression that predicted the group of sires favorable for longevity identified 16 significant variables. Key findings included: lower mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p-value < 0.001), lower mean corpuscular volume (p-value < 0.001), lower number of white blood cells (p-value < 0.01), higher percentage of intestinal and bone alkaline phosphatase (p-value < 0.01) for a lower total alkaline phosphatase (p-value < 0.01), higher percentage of α2-globulin (p-value < 0.001) and lower percentage of β1-globulin (p-value < 0.01).

Discussion

Blood parameters measured at rest in young horses may be predictive of their genetic value for functional longevity in show jumping.
Assessing the impact of sea level rise on maritime entitlement and delimitation: an interdisciplinary investigation through legal and technical analysis
Authors: Tai Tsung-Han , Qiu Wenxian
Published: October 2024

This paper delves into the complexities of maritime delimitation in the context of sea level rise (SLR) and ice-covered regions, examining several factors and legal implications. Through academic discussion and technical analysis, the adjustments is required in approaches to the Exclusive Economic Zone and the continental shelf boundaries’ delimitation amidst SLR, while the different models adopted by adjacent and opposite states are presenting. As a result, the paper provides a comprehensive overview of common issues surrounding baseline determination, particularly in relation to SLR and the challenges posed by off-shore features. Legal dynamics concerning ‘submarine ridges’ versus ‘oceanic ridges’ are explored, highlighting the complexities inherent in maritime boundary delineation. Additionally, the dynamics of basepoint selection in ice-covered regions is investigated, emphasizing essential criteria for navigation and offering case studies from the Antarctic and Arctic here. Through this exploration, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges and considerations involved in maritime delimitation amidst SLR, offering valuable insights from both technical and legal perspectives.
Artificial intelligence assisted common maternal fetal planes prediction from ultrasound images based on information fusion of customized convolutional neural networks
Authors: Rauf Fatima , Attique Khan Muhammad , Albarakati Hussain M. , Jabeen Kiran , Alsenan Shrooq , Hamza Ameer , Teng Sokea , Nam Yunyoung
Published: October 2024

Ultrasound imaging is frequently employed to aid with fetal development. It benefits from being real-time, inexpensive, non-intrusive, and simple. Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly significant in medical imaging and can assist in resolving many problems related to the classification of fetal organs. Processing fetal ultrasound (US) images increasingly uses deep learning (DL) techniques. This paper aims to assess the development of existing DL classification systems for use in a real maternal-fetal healthcare setting. This experimental process has employed two publicly available datasets, such as FPSU23 Dataset and Fetal Imaging. Two novel deep learning architectures have been designed in the proposed architecture based on 3-residual and 4-residual blocks with different convolutional filter sizes. The hyperparameters of the proposed architectures were initialized through Bayesian Optimization. Following the training process, deep features were extracted from the average pooling layers of both models. In a subsequent step, the features from both models were optimized using an improved version of the Generalized Normal Distribution Optimizer (GNDO). Finally, neural networks are used to classify the fused optimized features of both models, which were first combined using a new fusion technique. The best classification scores, 98.5 and 88.6% accuracy, were obtained after multiple steps of analysis. Additionally, a comparison with existing state-of-the-art methods revealed a notable improvement in the suggested architecture’s accuracy.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma treated with targeted agents: a case series and large-scale pharmacovigilance analysis
Authors: Wang Shuyun , Zhang Rui , Wang Song , Guo Qian , Yin Donghong , Song Yan , She Xianhua , Wang Xuyan , Duan Jinju
Published: October 2024

Objective

To optimize the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for cancer patients, we characterized and evaluated ONJ related to TKIs and ICIs by analyzing a public database and reviewing the relevant literature. TKIs and ICIs are limited to drugs that treat renal cancer recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Kidney Cancer.

Methods

We described a case series of patients experiencing ONJ while on TKIs or ICIs. We also analyzed spontaneous reports submitted to the FAERS in an observational and retrospective manner between January 2004 and December 2022. Selecting ONJ’ adverse events to TKIs and ICIs. Associations between TKIs, ICIs and ONJ were assessed using reporting odds ratios (ROR), drug interaction signals based on the Ω shrinkage measure.

Results

29 patients with ONJ events while on TKIs and ICIs were included in our case series. 240 were related to ONJ AEs. Specifically, 32.1% ICSRs were linked to sunitinib, 16.7% to lenvatinib, 12.9% to pazopanib, 12.5% to nivolumab, 10.0% to axitinib, 5.4% to sorafenib, 5.0% to pembrolizumab, 4.2% to cabozantinib, and 1.3% to ipilimumab. More ICSRs were generally seen in male and reported in Europe. The median age was 63 years. Renal cancer and lung cancer was the most common indication for TKIs and ICIs, respectively. Excluding missing data, the prevalence of mortality was highest for sunitinib-related ONJ ICSRs (18.5%), followed by sorafenib-related ONJ ICSRs (15.4%). With the criteria of ROR, sunitinib and lenvatinib were significantly associated with ONJ AEs. With the criteria of Ω, nivolumab + cabozantinib was significantly associated with ONJ AEs.

Conclusion

TKIs and ICIs have been reported to have significant ONJ side effects. Patients and physicians need to recognize and monitor these potentially fatal adverse events.
Did internet usage reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of middle-aged and older adults? A difference-in-differences study based on CFPS data
Authors: Yang Bo , Wang Xiaofeng , Zhao Yuan
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Mental health is the cornerstone of public health, especially where middle-aged and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic were concerned. The impact of Internet usage on mental health in the time of the crisis still presents a mixed picture.

Methods

This study employs the PSM-DID method according to longitudinal data (CFPS) to explore whether Internet usage reduced the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of middle-aged and older adults.

Results

The results reveal that Internet use improves the mental health of middle-aged and older adults during the pandemic in China, but that the impact varies between urban and rural residents. Furthermore, the moderator effects model shows that people’s perceptions of the Internet have an impact upon the length of time spent online and its consequent effect on mental health.

Discussion

These findings suggested that Internet use had a significant effect on alleviating the levels of depression in middle-aged and older adults. Greater marginal gains may be realized by enhancing the digital capacity of and narrowing the digital divide that exists among rural residents. The enhancement of digital capacity and proper guidance in digital education should be taken into consideration where the mental health of middle-aged and older adults is at issue.
High-performance human resource practices, organizational identification and employee commitment: the moderating role of organizational culture
Authors: Yang Yifan , Mostafa Ahmed Mohammed Sayed
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Drawing on social exchange and social identity theories, this study examines the mediating role of organizational identification on the relationship between high-performance human resource practices (HPHRPs) and employee commitment. The study further examines the moderating role of organizational culture in this mediated relationship.

Method

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 340 employees from state-owned enterprises in China, and SPSS was used to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The results indicate that organizational identification acts as a mediator of the relationship between HPHRPs and employee commitment. Additionally, organizational culture moderates the strength of this mediated relationship, affecting the degree to which HPHRPs foster commitment.

Originality

This study contributes to the literature by integrating social exchange and social identity theories to explain the psychological mechanisms underlying the employee-organization relationship. It also extends the understanding of how organizational identification mediates the link between HPHRPs and commitment, and how organizational culture moderates these effects, providing a more comprehensive understanding of these interrelated dynamics in organizational settings.
Reforma administracyjna w Estonii i jej wpływ na partycypację polityczną na poziomie lokalnym
Authors: Maj Dorota
Published: October 2024

The aim of the article is to analyse the impact of the administrative reform implemented in Estonia in 2017 on political participation at the local level. The article verifies the hypothesis assuming that the administrative reform in Estonia has not resulted in significant changes in political participation at the local level, especially in the implementation of new institutions and solutions. The analysis included the legal basis and structure of local self-government in Estonia, the main assumptions of the administrative reform, the institutions of conventional political participation at the local level, and the impact of the administrative reform applicable to political participation arrangements at the local level in Estonia. The research was based on a critical analysis of legislation, documents and literature on the subject. The comparative method has been applied in comparing the solutions in force before and after the administrative reform.
Demokratyczny przełom czy autorytarny zwrot? Wpływ trzydziestoletniej dominacji i wyborczej porażki DPS w 2020 roku na proces demokratyzacji w Czarnogórze
Authors: Mikucka-Wójtowicz Dominika
Published: October 2024

The aim of the paper is to analyse both the significance of the three-decade dominance on the Montenegrin party scene of the Democratic Party of Socialists (the longest ruling party, not only in the post-Yugoslav contries, but also in the whole CEE region) and the reasons behind its electoral defeat in 2020 and 2023. In the analysis of the DPS’s longevity in power and then its loss the theories of party change as well as of democratic trasition were applied. Above all, the focus was placed on the functioning of the so-called hybrid regimes and the phenomenon of democratic backsliding.
Niestabilność polityczna Czarnogóry w okresie działalności tzw. rządu technicznego (2022–2023)
Authors: Domachowska Agata
Published: October 2024

In 2020, Montenegro saw significant political changes. For the first time in the history of Montenegrin parliamentarism, the government was formed not by the Democratic Party of Socialists – the party that has dominated the political scene for almost three decades. Over the next three years, three different governments were established. The government led by the Prime Minister Dritan Abazović was dismissed after only four months of its formation, but for various reasons he remained Prime Minister for over a year. The aim of the paper is to analyze the political situation in Montenegro during the so-called technical government of Prime Minister Dritan Abazović (from August 2022 to October 2023) to investigate the causes of its instability.
Między „niedokończoną historią” a „perspektywą europejską”: wyzwania dla stabilności i rozwoju Bałkanów Zachodnich we współczesnym środowisku (nie)bezpieczeństwa
Authors: Pawłowski Konrad
Published: October 2024

The analysis of the dynamics of the contemporary intra-state and international relations in the Western Balkans leads to conclusion that more than two decades after the end of the wars in the territory of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) disintegration and revisionist tendencies can still be seen in the Western Balkans (WB6). This, together with the specificity of the political systems, institutional weaknesses and socio-economic problems of the Balkan states challenge the stability of the WB6 region. As a consequence, there is still a need for a multi-dimensional involvement of the international community, aimed at the stabilization and development of the Balkan region, which – metaphorically speaking – remains suspended between “unfinished history,” “permanent temporariness,” “stable instability” and the invariably receding “European perspective”.
Escape from Noun Complement Clauses in Avatime
Authors: Major Travis , Torrence Harold
Published: October 2024

This paper discusses the status of island phenomena in Avatime, an endangered Kwa language of Ghana. We focus on clausal adjuncts, specifically noun complement clauses (NCCs). We show that while standard adjuncts are strong islands in Avatime, NCCs allow argument extraction. We suggest that this is related to the fact that NCCs in Avatime are not a type of relative clause. Instead, NCCs involve a kind of serial verb construction, which independently allows for extraction.
Synergistic Effects of Polydopamine/Medical Stone Bio-Adsorbents for Enhanced Interfacial Adsorption and Dynamic Filtration of Bacteria
Authors: Chen Wenfeng , Wan Sha , Lin Hongxin , Li Shimi , Deng Anhua , Feng Lihui , Xu Yangfan , Zhang Xu , Hu Zhen , Xu Fang , Yan Kun
Published: October 2024

Polymer-based wastewater disinfection, which is typically performed using chemical oxidation or irradiation, can result in various toxic byproducts and corrosion under harsh environments. This study introduces a robust bio-adsorbent prepared from naturally abundant polydopamine-modified medical stone (MS@PDA) for the high-efficiency removal of bacteria from water. The PDA nanocoating can be easily applied through an in situ self-polymerization process, resulting in a considerably high bacterial adsorption capacity of 6.6 k pcs mm−2 for Staphylococcus aureus. A cyclic flow-through dynamic filtration and a disinfection system was implemented using an MS@PDA porous filter with an average pore size of 21.8 ± 1.4 µm and porosity of ~83%, achieving a 5.2–6.0-fold enhancement in the cumulative removal efficiency for MS@PDA2. The underlying mechanisms were elucidated through the synergistic effects of interfacial bio-adsorption and size-dependent interception. Notably, the bacteria captured on the surface could be killed using the enhanced photothermal effects of the PDA nanocoating and the inherent antimicrobial properties of the mineral stone. Thus, this study not only provides a new type of advanced bio-adsorbent but also provides new perspectives on an efficient and cost-effective approach for sustainable wastewater treatment.
Communio—“Icon” of Personal Fulfillment: Ratzinger on God and the Human Being
Authors: Łużyński Wiesław
Published: October 2024

Joseph Ratzinger points to the dialogical nature of the human being. Indeed, the human is by nature called to live in relationships, and for him/her social life is a natural environment of existence. This need, which humans discover within themselves, has its source in Communio Trinitatis, the profound communion of the three Divine Persons. In essence, God is not a loner but an eternal dialogue of love. As evidence of this, He created the human being in His image and likeness. The human’s role model lives in a relationship of love. Hence, the individual also discovers a deep need within him/herself for interpersonal communication. In this respect, it is healing for a person to live in a relationship. Firstly, because the dialogue of faith with God is true healing and salvation for the human being. Secondly, relationships with other humans also have an enriching impact on their personality. However, J. Ratzinger stresses that isolation alienates people and even leads to illness or death. Meanwhile, a living relationship with God and other people transforms the human person and ensures personal growth.