bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empowering Medical Students: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Precision Point-of-Care Echocardiography Assessment of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Authors: Dadon Ziv , Orlev Amir , Butnaru Adi , Rosenmann David , Glikson Michael , Gottlieb Shmuel , Alpert Evan Avraham
Published: November 2023

Introduction. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use is now universal among nonexperts. Artificial intelligence (AI) is currently employed by nonexperts in various imaging modalities to assist in diagnosis and decision making. Aim. To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of POCUS, operated by medical students with the assistance of an AI-based tool for assessing the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of patients admitted to a cardiology department. Methods. Eight students underwent a 6-hour didactic and hands-on training session. Participants used a hand-held ultrasound device (HUD) equipped with an AI-based tool for the automatic evaluation of LVEF. The clips were assessed for LVEF by three methods: visually by the students, by students + the AI-based tool, and by the cardiologists. All LVEF measurements were compared to formal echocardiography completed within 24 hours and were evaluated for LVEF using the Simpson method and eyeballing assessment by expert echocardiographers. Results. The study included 88 patients (aged 58.3 ± 16.3 years). The AI-based tool measurement was unsuccessful in 6 cases. Comparing LVEF reported by students’ visual evaluation and students + AI vs. cardiologists revealed a correlation of 0.51 and 0.83, respectively. Comparing these three evaluation methods with the echocardiographers revealed a moderate/substantial agreement for the students + AI and cardiologists but only a fair agreement for the students’ visual evaluation. Conclusion. Medical students’ utilization of an AI-based tool with a HUD for LVEF assessment achieved a level of accuracy similar to that of cardiologists. Furthermore, the use of AI by the students achieved moderate to substantial inter-rater reliability with expert echocardiographers’ evaluation.
Unveiling the Potential of Bioinoculants and Nanoparticles in Sustainable Agriculture for Enhanced Plant Growth and Food Security
Authors: Karnwal Arun , Dohroo Aradhana , Malik Tabarak
Published: November 2023

The increasing public concern over the negative impacts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on food security and sustainability has led to exploring innovative methods that offer both environmental and agricultural benefits. One such innovative approach is using plant‐growth‐promoting bioinoculants that involve bacteria, fungi, and algae. These living microorganisms are applied to soil, seeds, or plant surfaces and can enhance plant development by increasing nutrient availability and defense against plant pathogens. However, the application of biofertilizers in the field faced many challenges and required conjunction with innovative delivering approaches. Nanotechnology has gained significant attention in recent years due to its numerous applications in various fields, such as medicine, drug development, catalysis, energy, and materials. Nanoparticles with small sizes and large surface areas (1‐100 nm) have numerous potential functions. In sustainable agriculture, the development of nanochemicals has shown promise as agents for plant growth, fertilizers, and pesticides. The use of nanomaterials is being considered as a solution to control plant pests, including insects, fungi, and weeds. In the food industry, nanoparticles are used as antimicrobial agents in food packaging, with silver nanomaterials being particularly interesting. However, many nanoparticles (Ag, Fe, Cu, Si, Al, Zn, ZnO, TiO2, CeO2, Al2O3, and carbon nanotubes) have been reported to negatively affect plant growth. This review focuses on the effects of nanoparticles on beneficial plant bacteria and their ability to promote plant growth. Implementing novel sustainable strategies in agriculture, biofertilizers, and nanoparticles could be a promising solution to achieve sustainable food production while reducing the negative environmental impacts.
PoSiF: A Transient Content Caching and Replacement Scheme for ICN-IoT
Authors: Dhawan Geetu , Mazumdar Arka P. , Meena Yogesh K.
Published: November 2023

Efficient data management plays a critical role in facilitating smooth communication and optimizing resource utilization within the rapidly growing ecosystem of the internet of things (IoT), which creates vast amounts of content. The emergence of Information-Centric Networking (ICN) has positioned it as a promising paradigm for facilitating IoT applications, as it prioritizes content-centric communication. This inherent characteristic of ICN has the potential to greatly improve the performance of IoT systems through the reduction of latency, conservation of network capacity, and enhancement of scalability. Existing research in this area focuses primarily on the popularity and freshness of the contents. However, they overlook the limited cache size of constraint devices, which should be utilized efficiently. This article presents a popularity, size, and freshness-based (PoSiF) transient content caching, and cache replacement scheme for ICN-enabled IoT devices. For content placement and replacement, the PoSiF scheme aims to enhance cache utilization through these three parameters while addressing the tradeoff between content size and popularity. The PoSiF technique demonstrates a significant enhancement in cache hit rates, with an improvement of 21.6% compared to the existing CCS/CES scheme, while effectively reducing hop ratios by 42.5%. On the other hand, cache replacement observes improved cache hits of 18% over least recently used (LRU) and 7.2% over least frequently used (LFU) while decreasing the average distance by 4.1% and 7.2%, respectively. While the retrieved freshness is 8.12% and 3.2% less than the LRU and LFU schemes, PoSiF compensates by satisfying more queries from cache-based content storage than the alternative methods.
A Combinatorial Approximation Algorithm for the Vector Scheduling with Submodular Penalties on Parallel Machines
Authors: Cheng Bihui , Wang Wencheng
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we focus on solving the vector scheduling problem with submodular penalties on parallel machines. We are given

n

jobs and

m

parallel machines, where each job is associated with a

d

-dimensional vector. Each job can either be rejected, incurring a rejection penalty, or accepted and processed on one of the

m

parallel machines. The objective is to minimize the sum of the maximum load overall dimensions of the total vector for all accepted jobs, along with the total penalty for rejected jobs. The penalty is determined by a submodular function. Our main work is to design a

2
−

1
/
m

min

r
,
d

-approximation algorithm to solve this problem. Here,

r

denotes the maximum ratio of the maximum load to the minimum load on the

d

-dimensional vectors among all jobs.
Fluoroscopy Is Essential in Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery
Authors: Yoldas Mehmet , Kuvvet Yoldas Tuba
Published: November 2023

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the necessity of using fluoroscopy in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). Material and Methods. A total of 612 patients who underwent RIRS for kidney stones were evaluated and divided into two groups. Group 1 routinely underwent the operation with fluoroscopy due to opaque stones (n: 504). In group 2, the procedure was performed without fluoroscopy because of nonopaque stones (n: 108). Both groups were assessed for stone size, location, and number. Success and complication rates were compared between the two groups. Conclusion. This study was designed with the thought of not using fluoroscopy in RIRS patients with nonopaque stones and having the same stone-free rates in opaque stones. In the statistical analysis, there was no difference between the groups with and without scope for stone side, size, localization, and number; likewise, the complication rates developed in the comparison of both groups, stone-free rates, and hospital stay were the same. Discussion. Advances in the calibration of instruments, the development of optical systems, and improvements in imaging system resolution have gradually reduced the need for fluoroscopy in RIRS. This study provides further evidence that fluoroscopy is unnecessary in RIRS procedures, thereby eliminating unnecessary radiation exposure.
The Impact of C-Reactive Protein-To-Albumin Ratio on Mortality in Patients with Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Jeon You Hyun , Lee Sung Woo , Jeon Yena , Cho Jang-Hee , Jung Jiyun , Lee Jangwook , Park Jae Yoon , Kim Yong Chul , Ban Tae Hyun , Park Woo Yeong , Kim Kipyo , Kim Hyosang , Kim Kyeong Min , Lim Jeong-Hoon
Published: November 2023

Introduction: C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) is a prognostic marker in various diseases that represents patients’ inflammation and nutritional status. Here, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of CAR in critically ill patients with severe acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Methods: We retrospectively collected data from eight tertiary hospitals in Korea from 2006–2021. The patients were divided into quartiles according to CAR levels at the time of CRRT initiation. Cox regression analyses were performed to investigate the effect of CAR on in-hospital mortality. The mortality prediction performance of CAR was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC), net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). Results: In total, 3,995 patients who underwent CRRT were included, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 67.3% during the follow-up period. The 7-day, 30-day, and in-hospital mortality rates increased toward higher CAR quartiles (all p < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding variables, the higher quartile groups had an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (quartile 3: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10–1.43, p < 0.001; quartile 4: aHR, 1.22, 95% CI, 1.07–1.40, p = 0.003). CAR combined with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II or Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores significantly increased the predictive power compared to each severity score alone for AUC, NRI, and IDI (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: A high CAR is associated with increased in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients requiring CRRT. The combined use of CAR and severity scores provides better predictive performance for mortality than the severity score alone.
Metastatic Salivary Duct Carcinoma with ERBB2 Amplification and Sequential Response to Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine and Neratinib: A Case Report
Authors: Asper Nora , Roth Kersten Sven , Hany Thomas Frank , Salzberg Sacha Pierre , Tinguely Marianne , Kadvany Yannick , Trojan Andreas
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is an aggressive and rare subtype of salivary gland carcinoma. Surgical excision and radiotherapy are standard of care for early cancer. Chemotherapies with taxanes and platinum show overall response rates between 39% and 50%. SDCs are often associated with an overexpression of the androgen receptor (AR) and HER2/neu which have recently become druggable targets. Case Presentation: Here, we report on an 84-year-old male patient with metastatic SDC of the right parotid gland. In 2017, he underwent a right total parotidectomy, a right neck dissection, and an infratemporal fossa clearance followed by 6 weeks of radiotherapy. In 2018, due to metastatic spread in the lungs, bones, and pararenal gland, a pathological workup of the tumor tissue was performed and revealed both AR and HER2 overexpression, respectively. Consequently, he underwent androgen deprivation therapy and, due to asymptomatic progression, sequentially human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)-targeted therapy with ado-trastuzumab emtansine and neratinib, which led to stable disease during the course of about 18 months. The electronically captured patient-reported outcome had demonstrated a good tolerance of all three therapeutic lines. Conclusion: In conclusion, since effective standard therapeutic treatment options for SDC may often not be tolerable in older patients, the implementation of personalized and adaptive treatments, especially in patients with rare tumor types, might offer valuable treatment options.
The p.C759F Variant in USH2A Is a Pathogenic Mutation: Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of 667 Genotypes
Authors: Han Ji Hoon , Cancellieri Francesca , Perea-Romero Irene , Ayuso Carmen , Quinodoz Mathieu , Rivolta Carlo
Published: November 2023

Background: Although the p.C759F (c.2276G>T, p.Cys759Phe) variant in the USH2A gene has been identified in association with retinal degeneration by several authors, its pathogenicity has been questioned once by the publication of two unaffected homozygotes from a single family. Objectives: The objective of the study was to ascertain the role of p.C759F in hereditary retinal disease. Methods: We examined 87 research articles reporting on patients carrying this variant and then used this information as primary data for a series of meta-analytical tests. Results: Independent statistical analyses showed that p.C759F (i) is highly enriched in patients with respect to healthy individuals, (ii) represents a clear-cut recessive allele causing disease when it is in trans with other mutations, (iii) is pathogenic in homozygotes. Conclusions: Our results confirm that p.C759F is a bona fide mutation, leading to retinal blindness according to a recessive pattern of inheritance.
Consumo de álcool e sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse em mulheres
Authors: Costa Eldessandra Santos da , Calheiros Paulo Renato Vitória , Farias Edson dos Santos
Published: November 2023

Objetivo: verificar la relación entre el consumo de alcohol y los síntomas de depresión, ansiedad yestrés en mujeres. Metodología: se trata de un estudio transversal exploratorio, no probabilístico,snowball o bola de nieve, realizado con mujeres adultas. Los instrumentos fueron un cuestionarioestructurado con datos sociodemográficos, variables conductuales y de ejercicio físico, AlcoholUse Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) y Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21).La recolección de datos se realizó en línea, mediante una invitación con enlace enviada poraplicación móvil (WhatsApp), dirección electrónica (correo electrónico) y redes sociales (Facebooke Instagram), realizada en el período de diciembre de 2020 a enero de 2021. Resultados:un total de 301 mujeres participaron en el estudio, con una edad media y desviación estándar de34,14 ± 10,47 años. Entre la muestra, 78,4% tenían bajo consumo de alcohol, 17,9% consumode riesgo y 3,7% dependencia probable. El estudio mostró asociación entre el consumo de riesgode alcohol en mujeres adultas jóvenes con otras formas de ingresos, falta de práctica de ejerciciofísico, síntomas de ansiedad y estrés. También se verificó en la muestra, riesgo de probabletrastorno por consumo de alcohol entre los participantes adultos jóvenes, con otras formas deremuneración, síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés. Conclusiones: el consumo de riesgo yposible trastorno por uso de alcohol por parte de las mujeres encuestadas fue alto, destacando laimportancia de los estudios regionales, con el objetivo de presentar la magnitud de este problema.
Padrão de consumo de drogas por adolescentes e associação com a dinâmica familiar
Authors: Silva Darine Marie Rodrigues da , Costa Diogo Timóteo , Bezerra Ana Beatriz França , Araújo Sergiane Maria de , Brandão Neto Waldemar , Aquino Jael Maria de
Published: November 2023

Objetivo: analizar la asociación entre el sistema familiar y el patrón de consumo de drogasde los adolescentes. Metodología: estudio transversal realizado con estudiantes adolescentesde escuelas públicas estatales. Para la recolección de datos, se utilizaron informacionessociodemográficas, informaciones sobre el sistema familiar y el Alcohol, Smoking and SubstanceInvolvement Screening Test. Resultados: las asociaciones fueron entre el patrón de consumode tabaco, el sistema familiar y el comportamiento de los adolescentes, especialmente entreaquellos que tenían padres o tutores que muchas veces no saben dónde están o qué hacen.El uso de drogas ilícitas se asoció con frecuentes comportamientos verbales agresivos entrelos adolescentes y sus padres o tutores (gritos y sentirse infeliz en el lugar donde viven).Conclusión: fue posible concluir que el hecho de ser parte de un ambiente familiar conflictivo einfeliz, así como la ausencia de supervisión de los padres en la vida de sus hijos, interfiere en elpatrón de consumo de drogas de los adolescentes.
Relações familiares e o uso de substâncias psicoativas por estudantes
Authors: Guimarães Fernanda Jorge , Silva Cinthya Larissa da , Perrelli Jaqueline Galdino Albuquerque , Pinto Maria Benegelania , Veras Juliana Lourenço de Araújo , Leite Antonio Flaudiano Bem
Published: November 2023

Objective: to investigate the association between family relations and psychoactive substance use among Elementary School students. Methodology: a cross-sectional study conducted with 271 students from municipal public schools. For data collection, the Teen Addiction Severity Index questionnaire was used, which contains diverse information on sociodemographic data, psychoactive substance use, housing situation, family members with whom they live, family disturbances, family conflicts, aggression in the family, trust in the parents and family activities, which were analyzed using the Chi-Square test, Pearson’s Chi-Square bilateral test, and Mantel-Haenszel Odds Ratio estimate. Results: there was an association between psychoactive substance use by students and the “housing situation”, “satisfaction related to the housing situation”, “aggression by family members” and “family disturbances” variables. Conclusion: there was an association between family relations and psychoactive substance use among Elementary School students and such relationships should be taken into account in the development of prevention and care actions for psychoactive substance use by this group.
Risk Factors for the Development of New-Onset Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Subanalysis of the VITAL Study
Authors: Middeldorp Melissa E. , Sandhu Roopinder K. , Mao Jessica , Gencer Baris , Danik Jacqueline S. , Moorthy Vinayaga , Cook Nancy R. , Albert Christine M.
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:

Sustained forms of atrial fibrillation (AF) are associated with lower treatment success rates and poorer prognosis compared with paroxysmal AF. Yet, little is known about risk factors that predispose to persistent AF on initial presentation. Our objective was to define risk factors associated with new-onset persistent AF.

METHODS:

We prospectively examined the differential associations between lifestyle, clinical, and socioeconomic risk factors and AF pattern (persistent versus paroxysmal) at the time of diagnosis among 25 119 participants without a history of cardiovascular disease, AF, or cancer in the VITAL rhythm study (Vitamin D and Omega-3).

RESULTS:

During a median follow-up of 5.3 years, 900 participants developed AF and 346 (38.4%) were classified as persistent at the time of diagnosis. In multivariable competing risk models, increasing age, male sex, White race, height, weight, body mass index ≥30 kg/m
2
, hypertension, current or past smoking, alcohol intake ≥2 drinks/day, postcollege education, and randomized treatment with vitamin D were significantly associated with incident persistent AF. Compared with paroxysmal AF, increasing age, male sex, weight, body mass index ≥30 kg/m
2
, and postcollege education were more strongly associated with persistent AF in multivariable models regardless of whether interim cardiovascular disease and heart failure events were censored.

CONCLUSIONS:

In a prospective cohort without baseline AF or cardiovascular disease, over one-third of AF at the time of diagnosis is persistent. Older age, male sex, postcollege education, and obesity were preferentially associated with persistent AF and represent a high-risk AF subset for population-based intervention.
Sosyal Medyada Ebeveyn Olmak: Babalar Nerede?
Authors: ÇİTİL AKYOL Canan , SUMBAS Ezgi
Published: November 2023

Bu çalışmanın amacı, sosyal medya kullanan babaların ebeveynlik deneyimlerini çocuklarının fotoğraflarını paylaşma ve ebeveynlik sayfalarını takip etme hakkındaki görüşleri üzerinden keşfetmektir. Çalışmada, nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden fenemenolojik araştırma deseni kullanılmıştır. Sosyal medya kullanan 31 baba ile yapılandırılmış görüşme formları üzerinden veriler toplanmıştır. Görüşme formlarından elde edilen veriler tematik analiz prosedürleri göz önünde tutularak analiz edilmiştir. Babaların çocuklarının fotoğraflarını paylaşma üzerine düşünceleri analiz edildiğinde “dijital günlük” ve “tehlikeli sular” olmak üzere iki tema ortaya çıkmıştır. Babaların sosyal medyada var olan ebeveynlik sayfaları hakkındaki görüşleri analiz edildiğinde ise “sanal baba olmanın ötesi” başlıklı tek bir temanın ortaya çıktığı görülmüştür. Araştırma sonucunda, dijital dünyada baba olmak üzerine araştırmaların artırılması, ebeveynlik sayfaları takip eden veya sharenting davranışı olan babalarla daha derinlemesine çalışmalar yapılması önerilmiştir.
Mavi Sukuk: Bir Model Önerisi ve Potansiyeli
Authors: ELA Mehmet , COŞKUN Selim
Published: November 2023

Mavi ekonomi gerek insan hayatı ve gerekse de ülke ekonomileri için önemli bir yere sahiptir. Ancak okyanus ve denizlerde ortaya çıkan kirlilik ve diğer problemler mavi ekonominin geleceğini tehlikeye atmaktadır. Bu nedenle Sürdürülebilir Kalnma Hederleri’nin 14’üncü maddesi okyanus ve denizlerin sürdürülebilirliğine değinmektedir. Sürdürülebilirlik için atılacak çeşitli adımlar olmasına karşın, söz konusu adımlar kısıtlı kaynaklar nedeniyle yeterince etkili olamamaktadır. Kaynak kısıtına karşı son dönemde geliştirilen inovatif bir araç mavi tahvildir. Diğer yandan literatürde üzerinde durulmaya başlanan diğer bir finansal araç ise mavi sukuktur. Bu çalışmada betimsel bir analiz kullanılarak mavi sukuka ilişkin bir model önerisi şeklinde hibrid mavi sukuk ele alınmış ve mavi sukukun gelecekteki ihraç potansiyeli incelenmiştir. Sonuca göre hibrid sürdürülebilirlik için atılacak adımlara kaynak sağlamak üzere kullanılabilecek olup gelecek dönemlerde önemli derecede ihraç potansiyeli barındırmaktadır.
Ekonomik Sürdürülebilirlik Açısından Sınır Şehirlerinde Sağlık Turizmi Pazarının SWOT AHP Yöntemiyle Analizi: Edirne Örneği
Authors: DALKIRAN Gülüm Burcu , GÖNCÜ Kadir Kaan
Published: November 2023

Bu çalışmanın amacı; karayoluyla seyahat eden yabancıların geçiş ve varış noktası olan sınır şehri Edirne’nin sağlık turizmine yönelik mevcut durumunu ortaya koyarak, pazarın gelişmesine yönelik stratejileri belirleyebilmektir. Bu amaçla; ilgili alan yazın Sistematik Literatür Tarama (SLT) tekniğiyle incelenmiş ve 2023 yılı Haziran ayında oluşturulan uzman havuzuyla yapılan görüşmeler neticesinde ilin sağlık turizmine yönelik SWOT matrisi (GZFT Analizi) oluşturulmuştur. Oluşturulan matris bileşenleri, önem derecelerinin belirlenmesi için Çok Kriterli Karar Verme (ÇKKV) yöntemlerinden Analitik Hiyerarşi Prosesi (Analitik Hiyerarşi Süreci -AHP) ile 44 soru formuna dönüştürülerek uzman değerlendirmesine sunulmuştur. SWOT matrisi oluşturulurken şehrin sağlık turizmi faaliyetlerinin medikal turizm pazarında yoğunlaştığı tespit edilmiş, bu duruma uygun alt bileşenler oluşturulmuştur. Medikal turizme yönelik uzman görüşüne başvurulan karşılaştırmalar neticesinde Güçlü Yanlar matris bileşenlerinin en yüksek önem derecesine sahip olduğu ve bunu Fırsatlara ilişkin alt bileşenlerin takip ettiği görülmüştür. Şehirde sektörel sürdürülebilirliği sağlayan stratejiler de güçlü yanlar ve fırsatlara odaklanarak, zayıf yanlar ve tehditlere karşı alınabilecek önlemler üzerine oluşturulmuştur. Araştırma bulgularına göre en güçlü matris elemanı G1 (Sağlık Kurumlarının Yetkinliği) ve en düşük önem seviyesine sahip olanı ise şehirdeki sağlık turizmi yetki belgeli kurumlarda uluslararası akreditasyon olmamasıdır. Şehirde sağlık turizmi pazarının gelişmesi için özelleştirilmiş dış pazar tanıtımlarıyla nitelikli turist sayısının arttırılabilmesi önemlidir. Bu sayede sektörde yer alan işletmelerin ve bölgenin gelirlerini arttırarak ekonomik sürdürülebilirlik sağlanabilecektir. Bu bağlamda oluşturulan en önemli stratejiler arasında; geçiş kolaylığı tanınan, yaş ortalaması yüksek sınır komşusu Avrupa ülkelerine yönelik farklılaştırılmış pazarlama teknikleriyle tanıtım yapmak, şehirdeki uzman hekimlerin öne çıkarılarak hastalarla doğrudan iletişime geçebilecek bir turizm portalı oluşturmak yer almaktadır. Makro açıdan bakıldığında ise sınır şehri olarak Edirne’nin ve içinde yer aldığı Trakya Bölgesinin sağlık turizminde serbest bölge olabilmesine yönelik hükümet politikalarına etki edebilecek, yerli ve yabancı yatırımcıları bölgeye çekebilecek unsurların analiz edildiği rapor ve çalışmaları hazırlanması önem arz etmektedir. Şehirdeki turizm faaliyetlerinin çeşitlendirilmesi sektörel istihdamı ve etkilediği tüm işletmelerdeki istihdamı arttırabilecek, ekonomik sürdürülebilirliğe katkıda bulunacaktır.
R. B. Denhardt’ın Eleştirel Teori Yaklaşımı ve Kamu Yönetimine Yansıması: Eleştirel Kamu Yönetimi Teorisi
Authors: BİLMEZ Nurettin
Published: November 2023

Frankfurt Okulu tarafından 1920’lerden itibaren başlatılan çalışmalar sonucunda eleştirel teori ortaya çıkmıştır. Eleştirel teori; tahakküm ilişkileri, modernite, rasyonalite ve pozitivizm başta olmak üzere birçok yerleşik kavrama karşı çıkmaktadır. Eleştirel teori, sosyal bilimlerin birçok alanına etki etmiştir. Bu alanlardan birisi kamu yönetimidir. Bu çalışmada, 1970’li ve 1980’li yıllarda Robert Bob Denhardt tarafından yapılan çalışmalarda eleştirel teorinin kamu yönetimine uyarlanması ve bu doğrultuda ortaya atılan eleştirel kamu yönetimi teorisi ele alınmaktadır. Çalışmada eleştirel kamu yönetimi teorisini ortaya koymak, temel analizlerini sunmak ve alana katkısını tartışmak amaçlanmıştır. Yapılan incelemeler sonunda, R. Denhardt’ın eleştirel teoriyi erken dönem çalışmalarında kamu yönetimine uyarlamaya çalıştığı fakat sonrasında yaptığı çalışmalarda eleştirel teoriden çok fazla yararlanmadığı tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak, eleştirel kamu yönetimi teorisi kamu yönetimiyle ilgili önemli sorun alanlarına değinmekte, farklı bakış açıları sunarak alanın zenginleşmesine katkı sağlamaktadır.
Savunma Lojistiği Kapsamında Askeri Kontratçı Firmaların Vizyon ve Misyon İfadelerinin Lojistik Temelinde İncelenmesi
Authors: ERTURGUT Ramazan , KOÇ USTALI Nesrin , ALTINOK Hayrullah
Published: November 2023

Silahlı kuvvetler, ülkelerin iç güvenliğini sağlamak ve ülke dışından gelebilecek tehditleri ortadan kaldırmak adına önemlidir. Milli güvenlik konusunda uzmanlaşma yoluna giden kuvvetler, bazı faaliyetlerini savunma lojistiği kapsamında askeri kontratçı firmalarla iş birliği yaparak gerçekleştirmektedir. Bu iş birliğinden elde edilen faydanın maksimize edilebilmesi için stratejik planlama ve yönetim konusunda uyumlu bir çalışma ortamının, ortak amaç ve beklentilerin olması önemlidir. Dolayısıyla bu konunun önemli göstergelerinden olan misyon ve vizyon ifadelerinin savunma lojistiği faaliyetleri ve süreçleriyle uyuşması beklenmektedir. Buradan yola çıkarak çalışmada, askeri kontratçı firmaların misyon ve vizyon ifadeleri incelenmiştir ve savunma lojistiğine vurgu yapılıp yapılmadığının değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmada 242 askeri kontratçı firma incelenmiştir. Bulgulara göre firmaların %40’ına yakınının savunma lojistiği ifadelerine yer vermediği saptanmıştır. Diğer işletmelerde ise “savunma”, “imalat yönetimi” ve “doğru ürün” ifadelerinin sıklıkla yer aldığı görülmüştür.
Performance analysis of show jumping rounds at a national pony competition
Authors: Gluck C. , Williams J. , Pratt-Phillips S.
Published: November 2023

Performance analysis is utilised by coaches and athletes to identify areas to work on in training and to identify strengths in athlete performance in various sports. However, performance analysis is not commonly used within equestrian sports. The purpose of this study was to evaluate minors and their ponies competing in show jumping at a national pony competition to see if course variables affected performance. All jumping rounds were watched online. Type of faults (e.g. rails, refusals, time faults, fall of horse and or rider), type of fence (e.g. vertical, oxer), approach angle, section of the course where fault(s) occurred and round time were recorded. Spearman’s Correlation assessed if round time was correlated to total faults and a series of Kruskal-Wallis analyses determined if significant differences in faults occurred between sections of the course, where these existed, post hoc tests established where differences occurred between rounds. There was no significant difference in total faults across the 4 rounds of competition and no meaningful correlation between round time and total faults (r = 0.34; ). There were no differences between fence type and faults although more faults occurred at verticals (51.7%, n = 46 faults at verticals versus 48.3%, n = 43 at oxers; ). Faults were more likely to occur during the final quarter of the course (32.6%, n = 29) when compared to the first quarter (23.6%, n = 21; ). These results showed that faults were more likely to occur in the final quarter of a round. The information gained from this performance analysis could be beneficial to inform training or riding strategies, especially when preparing for a competition.
Relationship between body condition and vertical movement symmetry in 109 riding school horses
Authors: Persson-Sjödin E. , Wärnsberg E. , Ringmark S.
Published: November 2023

For riding schools, the health and function of their horses is paramount. Unfortunately, lameness and overweight are common problems in this population, and a causal relationship whereby increased body weight causes lameness is also possible. This observational field study investigated the relationship between body condition score (BCS) and motion movement asymmetries in riding school horses and also explored the relationships between BCS, movement asymmetry and subjectively scored willingness to work. Eight riding schools within 2.5 h by car from Uppsala, Sweden, were convenience-sampled and 3-24 horses from each were included in the study. Body condition was scored (scale 1-9) and vertical movement asymmetry data were collected in straight-line trot, using an inertial measurement unit system. Asymmetry parameters were calculated as the mean difference between local vertical displacement minima/maxima for the head/pelvis (HD/PD) between the two halves of the stride. A questionnaire was used to assess perceived willingness to work and energy level of the horses. The data were analysed with linear mixed models, t-tests and Mann-Whitney U-tests. A correlation was found between BCS and PDmin (), an asymmetry parameter related to hindlimb weight-bearing lameness, where PDmin increased by 0.96 mm for each unit increase in BCS. Horses with vertical movement classified as symmetric had lower BCS than horses with movement classified as asymmetric (5.4 ± 0.4 vs 5.7 ± 0.6, ). Horses classed as overweight (BCS ≥ 6) scored lower on willingness to work () and energy level (). These results indicate that the body condition of riding school horses may influence their function and the health of their locomotor apparatus. Further studies are required to identify the underlying mechanisms.
In vitro effect of horseshoe length on hoof wall deformation, expansion, and strain
Authors: Dahl V.E. , Singer E.R. , Garcia T.C. , Adkins K. , Hawkins D. , Stover S.M.
Published: November 2023

Shoeing techniques have the potential to affect hoof growth, causing abnormal hoof conformations, which in turn put affected horses at risk for lameness and injury. Racehorses are often shod with shorter shoe branches which may predispose them to underrun heel hoof conformation. Horseshoe branch length was tested to determine the effect on hoof wall deformations, expansion, strain and fetlock extension during midstance limb loading. Our hypotheses were that shortening of the shoe branch length would increase fetlock extension, increase compressive strains at the heel, and change principal strain directions in a proximodorsal direction. Nine cadaveric forelimbs were loaded in vitro to simulate mid-stance from walk to canter loads. Analysis of variance was used to assess the effect of horseshoe (no shoe, short shoe, full shoe, and long shoe) on outcome variables. Hoof wall expansion and lateral hoof wall distortion did not differ among treatments. Principal compressive hoof wall strain magnitudes were greater than principal tensile strain magnitudes. As shoe length increased principal compressive strains decreased, except for the middle quarter location; shear strains increased for distal locations and decreased at the proximal heel location; and principal strain directions viewed on the lateral side of the right hoof rotated in a counterclockwise direction at middle and distal quarter locations. Results do not provide evidence that a shorter shoe increases fetlock extension. Additionally, as the shorter shoe had similar strain results to that of an unshod hoof, it is unclear if a shorter shoe could lead to the development of abnormal hoof conformations. Other factors that may play a role in changes of hoof conformation including surface type, amount of exercise and frequency of trimming as well as other planes within the xyz coordinate system for the fetlock and hoof should be investigated.
Efficacy of upper limb training on grip strength and muscle activity in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a feasibility study
Authors: Boora M. , Kaur J.
Published: November 2023

The upper limb (UL) is one of the important target for musculoskeletal complications in patients with diabetes. The objective of this trial was to measure the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of upper limb training on grip strength and muscle activity in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A parallel three-arm randomised controlled trial (RCT) was employed. Fifty-seven patients with T2DM aged between 35 to 60 years were recruited based on eligibility criteria and asked to visit the outpatient department (OPD) of physiotherapy. They were randomly allocated into 3 groups; resistance training (RT) group; sensorimotor training (SMT) group; and control group with the help of a computer-generated random number table. Primary outcome measures were recruitment rate, outcome measure, retention rate, adherence, and acceptability of the intervention to assess trial feasibility. The efficacy of training on grip strength and on activation of deltoid, bicep and triceps brachii after 6 weeks was measured using a JAMAR hand dynamometer and S4-channel Neurostim EMG/NCV/EP system, respectively. The feasibility of recruitment rate of participants was 72.15%, outcome measures feasibility was 81%, retention rate of participants was 81% and intervention adherence was 91.34% for RT group & 87.41% for SMT group. Most of the participants were satisfied with the given intervention as the acceptance rate was high. Between and within-group analysis of muscular activity and strength shows a significant difference as the P-value was < 0.05. RT group shows maximum improvement in both outcome measures. This study was feasible and well accepted by participants. Therefore, it is possible to perform a fully powered RCT and to use upper limb training in the future for good clinical management in type 2 diabetic population.

This trial was registered under the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI) with registration no. CTRI/2021/06/034188.
Identification of the challenges to and attitudes of apprentice jockeys towards implementation of specialised exercise training in New Zealand
Authors: Legg K.A. , Cochrane D.J. , Gee E.K. , Breheny M. , Richards J. , Chin Y.-Y. , Rogers C.W.
Published: November 2023

Jockeys exercise at maximal physiological capacity during a race, multiple times each race day, whilst maintaining a low body weight. Therefore, understanding the physical demands of jockeys during training and competition, along with development of specific exercise programmes is important in preparing and supporting the performance, physical well-being and career progression of these athletes. This study aimed to develop and implement a targeted, jockey specific training (JET – Jockey Exercise Training) programme to assess the engagement and attitudes of a cohort of 50 apprentice jockeys to an off-horse training programme. The JET programme consisted of 8 weeks of tri-weekly training exercises, delivered via video recording through a social media platform (Facebook) and fortnightly in-person sessions. Uptake of JET was poor, with only 10% of jockeys completing over half of the recommended number of JET trainings. The reasons for this were explored via brief structured interviews using cue cards, with 16 apprentice jockeys. Most of the apprentices valued the importance of the increased physical fitness provided by JET. However, they lacked self-motivation and believed they already did enough physical fitness during their workday commitments. The introduction of group sessions, providing both social accountability and support increased JET programme uptake. Industry modification to promote the social context of valuing the physical well-being of jockeys as elite athletes in all industry participants, in combination with early introduction of jockey specific training in a structured framework, may be a key component to the successful introduction of future jockey exercise programmes.
Self-reported acute injury and chronic pain in American equestrian athletes
Authors: Keener M.M. , Tumlin K.I.
Published: November 2023

The use of trauma databases for epidemiological study of equestrian injuries is well established. However, such databases fail to capture minor injuries or injuries when medical attention is not sought. Additionally, concerns about chronic pain in equestrians have only been explored in small samples. The current study is the first nationwide survey of American equestrians 12 years and older participating in all equestrian disciplines. This study aimed to evaluate the patterns of self-reported acute injuries, behaviours of seeking medical attention for acute injuries, and chronic pain. A convenience sample of 2,573 American equestrians completed an anonymous online survey with questions on acute injury anatomical region, type, and if they sought medical attention. Additional questions identified frequency and location of chronic pain. In total, 2,049 survey responses were complete, with 96% female and representation from all regions of the United States. Participation status (PS) was categorised as professionals (19%), amateurs (43%), and recreational (38%). PS was associated with acute injury and chronic pain frequency. Only 3.9% had never experienced an acute injury from equestrian activity. Of all injuries, foot injuries were most reported (13% of all injuries; 52% of participants) with only 39% seeking medical attention. Professionals had higher odds of experiencing acute injuries in most anatomical regions. 42% indicated they had encountered a concussion; of those, 71% sought medical assistance due to a suspected concussion. Chronic back pain frequency was reported at 27.5%. This study is the first to evaluate self-reported injury in a large convenience sample of American equestrians. The current study found a higher rate of lower extremity injuries in equestrians than previously captured in trauma databases. Prior concussion and acute injury increased the odds of individuals experiencing regional chronic pain, suggesting that future studies and interventions should focus on improving preventative and rehabilitative care.
Effectiveness of complementary sorting methods in reducing aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts
Authors: Mshanga J.P. , Makule E.E. , Ngure F.M.
Published: November 2023

Aflatoxin contamination of staple foods remains a public health concern in many tropical and sub-tropical countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, groundnuts are a significant source of aflatoxin (AF) in vulnerable populations such as infants and young children. However, there are limited scalable and affordable technological interventions to reduce the risk of aflatoxin ingestion in low and middle-income contexts. This study compared the effectiveness of complementary sorting methods in reducing AF contamination, time taken, and percentage loss of groundnuts. The study also evaluated bulk density and kernel weight as proxies for AF. Groundnuts were sampled from 19 bags at a medium-scale enterprise in Tanzania (Halisi) that processes cereal-based blended flours for complementary feeding. The samples were subjected to six sorting methods: (1) size (S) sorting, which yielded large and small fractions (n = 38); (2) density (D) sorting, which yielded heavy and light fractions (n = 38), (3) visual (V) sorting, (4) the combination of size and visual (SV), (5) the combination of density and visual (DV), and (6) the combination of size, density, and visual (SDV) which yielded grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 (n = 76). Samples of unsorted groundnuts and grades from all six sorting regimes (n = 418) were analysed for total aflatoxin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 5% significance level was used to compare AF reduction efficiency. Aflatoxin levels were reduced by 99% for the highest grade (G1) by the SDV sorting method. The SDV sorting method was the most effective in reducing AF contamination by removing 14% outsort (Grade 4) from 1 kg groundnut within 22 min. Bulk density and 100 kernels weight were inversely associated with AF, indicating their value as AF proxies. Scaling up such low-cost sorting methods can significantly reduce AF along the value chain and improve food safety.
History and Power in Hume’s ‘Of Miracles’: A Pragmaticist-Historicist Account
Authors: Willis Andre C.
Published: November 2023

This reconsideration of Hume’s classic essay “Of Miracles” via the lens of American pragmatist ways of thinking about history and power shifts our attention from Hume’s epistemic concerns about the legitimacy of witnesses and testimony to his distaste for sacred history, his critical stance regarding the social force of revelation, and his disdain for religious authority. To view Hume’s essay both as an articulation of a critical philosophy of history and as an exercise in moral dynamism (social power or, authority, is a result of epistemic transactions), is to intervene in both Hume studies and Contemporary Pragmatism.
Neither Wisdom Nor Folly
Authors: Howatt Paul
Published: November 2023

This paper aims to reframe the debate over the intelligence of democracy by revisiting the classic Dewey/Lippmann debate. I argue that Dewey’s way of addressing this problem is better than both dominant approaches today (as exemplified by Jason Brennan and Hélène Landemore), since it acknowledges the intellectual obstacles democracy faces while keeping faith with democracy as an ethical ideal. I also illustrate how Dewey’s ideas in The Public and its Problems can serve as the foundation for building a response to the challenge thinkers like Lippmann and Brennan pose for democracy. Dewey’s pragmatist orientation toward this challenge, along with his idea of the “Great Community”, offer us a promising path to building an intelligent and empowering democratic society.
Pirates and Parrots. On the Pragmatics of Reading
Authors: van den Akker Chiel Martien
Published: November 2023

At times we are told that our habitual way of thinking has become obsolete given the new challenge we are facing. Some of the conceptual resources at our disposal are no longer capable of addressing the challenge at hand. Therefore, they lose their appeal and are rejected. But only in contrast to these intellectual resources does the challenge appear as a challenge. So it seems that we are confronted with a paradox: we need the intellectual resources for their uselessness. For a proper understanding of this paradox and to unravel it, I will distinguish between de dicto and de re readings of philosophical texts. This distinction is borrowed from the neo-pragmatist Robert Brandom. A de dicto reading of a text is concerned with what its author says. A de re reading of a text is concerned with what its author talks about. Unpacking this distinction allows us to evaluate the method of engaging with our stock of conceptual resources as part of scholarly argument.
Heat-stable spores of carotenoid-producing Bacillus marisflavi and non-pigmented Bacillus subtilis cooperatively promote growth, quality, and gut microbiota of white-leg shrimp
Authors: Nguyen T.T. , Bui A.T.P. , Le N.T.H. , Vo H.T.N. , Nguyen A.H. , Pham T.D. , Hara T. , Yokota K. , Matsutani M. , Takatsuka Y. , Nguyen A.T.V.
Published: November 2023

We evaluated the benefits of heat-stable carotenoid-producing Bacillus marisflavi SH8 spores individually and in combination with non-pigmented Bacillus subtilis SH23 spores on growth, colour change, nutritional content, innate immunity, and gut microbiota of white-leg shrimp. White-leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei; n = 30 per tank; 2 tanks per group) were provided feed without (control group) or with SH8, SH23, or mixed spores (total, 1 × 106 cfu/g pellet) for 28 d. The SH8 and SH8-23 combination groups had significantly higher specific growth rates (9.6 and 11.0%), improved red-colour score (4 scores), astaxanthin concentration (1.8- and 2.3-fold), lipid contents (30 and 50%), and superoxidase dismutase activity (8.5 and 12.3%) than that of the control group. Analysis of shrimp’s gut microbiome using 16S rRNA metagenome sequencing revealed increased abundance of four useful species and reduced abundance of four harmful species in the combination group than in the control group. Heat-stable Bacillus spore combination improved growth parameters, nutrient content, red-colour score, live counts, and abundance of useful bacteria in the gut of L. vannamei. This is the first study to show the benefits of combining highly heat-stable pigmented and non-pigmented Bacillus spores and their possible mechanisms in a shrimp model.
Money Makes The World Go Hot – Climate Litigation Against Banks?
Authors: Rott Peter
Published: November 2023

Many industrial projects with detrimental effects on the environment and the climate require borrowed capital; which brings the financing banks into the spotlight of climate activism. This is not entirely new, and soft law instruments such as the Equator Principles and the unep fi Principles for Responsible Banking have long recognised the financial industry’s responsibility for environmental protection and, more recently, climate protection. As activism is moving towards litigation, this article explores whether financing banks could be successfully sued to omit the financing of a detrimental project, or to pay for protection against climate risks where they have already done so.
Towards an inclusive edible insect industry: perspectives from Australia
Authors: Ponce Reyes R. , Lessard B.D.
Published: November 2023

The emerging edible insect market (for human food and animal feed) has a promising growth potential in Australia. With a long cultural tradition of consuming more than 60 native insect species, strong research capabilities and industry experience, the nascent Australian industry is well positioned to become a leader in the edible insect sector. Here, we highlight the need for an inclusive industry with a focus on enabling Indigenous leadership to join the industry. We also stress the need for new foundational research of native insect species and for investment to support current and new businesses as part of a strategy to grow the industry. Research and business development in this space needs strong Indigenous leadership and guidelines to recognise and protect traditional ownership of culturally eaten insect species. This is to guarantee appropriate knowledge and benefit sharing of Indigenous cultural and intellectual property. This model of prioritising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people participation in Australia may be of use and implemented in other countries to achieve an inclusive industry.