bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tölur og mengi – Numbers and sets. A New Math textbook in Iceland in the 1960s
Authors: Bjarnadóttir Kristín
Published: December 2024

Only few mathematics textbooks were developed in Icelandic during 1930–1966, and the model textbooks in use were originally developed in the 1920s. In 1966, Iceland was hit by an international school-mathematics reform movement, the New Math. The learning material, which was introduced at the arrival of the movement until the 1970s, was all of foreign origin except one textbook. The author of that textbook, denoted Tölur og mengi [Numbers and sets], was main actor in the introduction of the New Math, Guðmundur Arnlaugsson, duly supported by his colleague, Björn Bjarnason. In the paper, their way of introducing the new ideas and the methods they used will be described. Among their tools is the textbook which later influenced other mathematics textbooks for adolescents after the peak of the New Math wave.
The role of textbooks in Finnish upper secondary school mathematics: theory, examples and exercises
Authors: Viholainen Antti , Partanen Miia , Piiroinen Jani , Asikainen Mervi A. , Hirvonen Pekka E.
Published: December 2024

Textbooks are written mainly for students, but they can also be seen as mediators between the intended curriculum and teachers’ practices. The focus of the present study is on how students and teachers at Finnish upper secondary schools perceive and describe their use of the theory, examples, and exercises presented in their mathematics textbooks. Seventy-one students participated in a short survey, and six of them and three of their teachers were interviewed. The results indicate that the theory, examples, and exercises presented in their textbooks have a strong influence on teachers’ work, but for the students the textbooks primarily represent a source of exercises.
How teachers interact and use teacher guides in mathematics – cases from Sweden and Iceland
Authors: Ahl Linda , Gunnarsdóttir Guðný Helga , Koljonen Tuula , Pálsdóttir Guðbjörg
Published: December 2024

Recent research findings show that curriculum resources have a potential to support teachers’ design of lessons. The aim of this study is to investigate how Icelandic and Swedish teachers interact with and use teacher guides while planning their teaching. Five teachers in each country teaching lower grade levels (1–6) were interviewed about their utilization of teacher guides. The analytical tool used to analyse the teacher guides and the interviews focused on the different features of the guides and shed light on what the teachers were looking for in the guides and for what purpose. Our findings showed that teachers using educative teacher guides were more likely to use a wider range of lesson design considerations in contrast to teachers using traditional teacher guides.
A textbook in linear algebra – the use and views of engineering students
Authors: Rensaa Ragnhild Johanne , Grevholm Barbro
Published: December 2024

This paper has a twofold aim. One is to analyse parts of a linear algebra textbook to seek for its relevance to engineering students. Another is to present an analysis of engineering students’ views about this textbook. Results from the textbook analysis indicate that characteristics like motivating examples and visual design of text and pictures may appeal to engineering students. This is confirmed by analysis of students’ views, showing that the textbook is appreciated, with examples as the most valued part. The textbook’s design with theory presented in small portions, often in examples using specific values to illustrate theoretical arguments, seems to be a success factor.
Thematic issue of Nomad Call for papers
Authors: Editors The
Published: December 2024

The editors of Nomad have agreed the production of a thematic issue (TI) that will focus on research on teaching and learning mathematics in higher education ...
Pressure at stake: Swedish third graders’ talk about national tests in mathematics
Authors: Bagger Anette
Published: December 2024

This article presents part of a larger scale ethnographic study1 about Swedish national tests in mathematics in the third grade. Indications concerning possible needs in the test situation are examined through 102 pupils’ talk about pressure and what is at stake. Results imply that this test could be experienced as a high stakes test. Negative pressure is quite common, especially among multilingual pupils in need of support and boys in need of support. There are gendered differences in the talk about what is at stake. The article frames who the pupil in need of support might be from a pupil’s perspective, but also discusses how these possible positions of need might be managed in practice.
Nordic school mathematics revisited – on the introduction and functionality of New Math
Authors: Prytz Johan , Karlberg Martin
Published: December 2024

We investigate the functionality of New Math in order to nuance and deepen our understanding of the process to introduce New Math in Sweden. Our main material is data and statistics from an intervention study conducted during the preparation of the New Math reform in Sweden. In particular we investigate the claim that New Math material had negative effects on students’ learning. Our conclusion is that the claim is, in most parts, incorrect.
Thematic issue of Nomad – Call for papers
Authors: Eskeland Rangnes Toril , Meaney Tamsin
Published: December 2024

Learning mathematics in linguistically diverse classrooms – research perspectives from the Nordic countries ...
Mathematics teachers’ knowledge-sharing on the Internet: pedagogical message in instruction materials
Authors: Liljekvist Yvonne
Published: December 2024

This article reports on a study of teacher-shared documents containing mathematical tasks published on the Internet. The aim was to identify the goals, methods and pedagogical justifications presented in the documents and what was needed to solve the tasks. Content analysis was used to define their pedagogical message. The results show that the documents mainly involve content goals for younger pupils that are not consistent with the explicit descriptions. The conceptual goals are communicated to a great extent, but are not supported by task features. The reasons for why the tasks given are expected to lead to a certain goal are very often implicit, and, as a result, the content of the documents and the quality of the tasks are somewhat unclear to other teachers.
Reflections on having participated at the Pre-NORMA workshop
Authors: Sacheva Shipra , Hvalsøe Schou Marit , Lindenskov Tamborg Andreas
Published: December 2024

As PhD students we experienced several advantages in participating in a workshop like pre-NORMA ...
Different perspectives on possible – desirable – plausible mathematics learning in preschool
Authors: Palmér Hanna , Björklund Camilla
Published: December 2024

This article addresses the question of what is considered possible – desirable – plausible in preschool mathematics. On the one hand, there is a growing consensus that preschool mathematics matters, on the other hand, there are different opinions about how it should be designed and what constitutes an appropriate content. In the article we provide an overview of similarities and differences found in eight articles published in a thematic issue of Nomad on preschool mathematics. The overview is based on Bernstein’s notions vertical and horizontal discourses, and how content for learning is described as basic or advanced mathematics. The aim is not to evaluate or rate the articles but to illustrate diversity regarding possible – desirable – plausible in current research of preschool mathematics.
Exploring the role of district clinical specialist teams in maternal health outcomes in a South African district: A mixed method study from 2012 to 2020
Authors: Basu J , Stewart A , Basu D , Wing J , Feucht U
Published: December 2024

Background. High maternal and child mortality in South Africa (SA) necessitated the establishment of district clinical specialist teams (DCSTs) in all health districts in 2012, mandated to work in collaboration with district managers and health professionals to achieve joint goals of improved maternal and child health services and outcomes.
Objectives. Within the context of SA district health services, to explore the various obstetric intervention measures undertaken by a DCST over an 8-year period (July 2012 - February 2020), as aligned to the national DCST policy framework, and to document the knowledge and perceptions among managers and health professionals on the work done by the DCST in the district health service.
Methods. A review of DCST reports and documents was conducted along with in-person structured interviews among health professionals and district health managers in the Ekurhuleni Health District in SA. Health professionals who had a working relationship with the DCST and relevant managers of health, including CEOs, clinical managers, community health centre managers, maternal and child health co-ordinators and municipal managers were selected for the interview. Interviews were conducted by the interviewer using a data collection tool focused on the scope of work and acceptance of the DCST in improving maternal health services in a geographically defined district health system. Data collection tools were completed by the interviewer upon questioning the participants. Data were analysed by documenting the activities of the DCST, and thematic analysis was performed for the interviews.
Results. Analysis of DCST reports and documents revealed the broad range of activities, including clinical training and mentoring, clinical work, supervision, audit, research, monitoring and evaluation and clinical risk management. Thematic analysis extracted seven themes, namely clinical effectiveness, clinical risk management, professional development, accountability for maternal and child health, clinical work, monitoring and evaluation, and leadership and governance. All (n=20) participants acknowledged the positive impact of the DCST on the improvement in maternal health services.
Conclusion. The DCST was perceived by local peers as a successful strategy to improve maternal health services in a district health service. This success is likely rooted in its focused intervention measures, within a supportive environment of district managers and health professionals. Such district-based clinical teams are a potential strategy to improve maternal health services within primary healthcare services.
Tobacco control research in South Africa from 1978 to 2022: A scoping review
Authors: Egbe C O , Dare C , Gwambe S , Van Walbeek C
Published: December 2024

Background. South Africa (SA) is one of the leading countries in tobacco control research in the African region.
Objective. To summarise this research over a 44-year period (1978 - 2022), and to identify research gaps.
Methods. This is a scoping review of published primary research on tobacco control in SA. Three databases were searched – PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. A spreadsheet to capture specified details of the articles was designed by the researchers. We captured year of publication, names of authors and their affiliation(s), name of journal, title of article, key areas of tobacco control covered by the article, type of study and the funding institution.
Results. We identified 6 743 initial records. A total of 223 articles were included in the final analysis. The number of published primary research articles by year ranged from 1 in 1978 to 22 in 2022. Most studies (46.2%; n=103) focused on prevalence, while cost of e-cigarette use and industry interference received the least attention (0.4%; n=1 each). A total of 79% of the studies used cross-sectional survey design, followed by randomised controlled trials (3.6%; n=8), time series studies (3.1%; n=7) and longitudinal and qualitative studies (2.2%; n=5 each), while costs and benefits analysis (0.4%; n=1) was used much less. Most were published in the South African Medical Journal, and three of the top international tobacco control journals: Tobacco Control, Nicotine and Tobacco Research and Tobacco Induced Diseases. Almost half of the first authors of these publications are based in three institutions: the University of Cape Town (17.0%), the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) (16.1%) and the University of Pretoria (13.5%). SAMRC was found to be the leading funder of tobacco control research/publications in SA.
Conclusion. There has been a steady increase of tobacco control research in SA over the past 44 years, with a sharp increase within the last decade. Most studies used cross-sectional designs and focused on prevalence. More mixed-methods studies are needed to better understand the issue of tobacco in the SA context. More studies are also needed that focus on the impact of policies, nicotine addiction and industry interference. The continued funding of tobacco control research in SA will advance knowledge and inform tobacco control policies in the country.
Kikinamasowinnoak, patlih8zak ta Aln8bak/Les prédicateurs, les prêtres et les Abénakis : la traduction du Petit catéchisme du diocèse de Québec en 1832 et la préservation cachée des valeurs abénakises
Authors: Charland Philippe
Published: December 2024

Cet article aborde les événements entourant la traduction, en 1832, du Petit catéchisme du diocèse de Québec en langue abénakise. Dans la première partie, nous revenons sur la vie de l’auteur de la traduction, un Abénakis de Saint-François (Odanak) du nom de Pierre-Paul Masta (Osunkhirhine, Wzokhilain). De son parcours scolaire au Dartmouth College, à son parcours professionnel en tant qu’instituteur, ministre du culte, auteur et traducteur, nous le suivons à travers le processus de traduction ainsi que les différentes controverses menant à la publication de l’ouvrage. Dans la deuxième partie, nous nous attardons à trois cas de figure relatifs à la traduction en elle-même du Petit catéchisme, lesquels révèlent la présence cachée de valeurs abénakises, soit la version du signe de la croix qui suit le modèle autochtone, les dix commandements qui s’éloignent du texte original et la traduction ambiguë de la section sur le mariage.
Dynamic tracking of native precursors in adult mice
Authors: Liu Suying , Adams Sarah E , Zheng Haotian , Ehnot Juliana , Jung Seul K , Jeffrey Greer , Menna Theresa , Purton Louise , Lee Hongzhe , Kurre Peter
Published: December 2024

Hematopoietic dysfunction has been associated with a reduction in the number of active precursors. However, precursor quantification at homeostasis and under diseased conditions is constrained by the scarcity of available methods. To address this issue, we optimized a method for quantifying a wide range of hematopoietic precursors. Assuming the random induction of a stable label in precursors following a binomial distribution, estimates depend on the inverse correlation between precursor numbers and the variance of precursor labeling among independent samples. Experimentally validated to cover the full dynamic range of hematopoietic precursors in mice (1–105), we utilized this approach to demonstrate that thousands of precursors, which emerge after modest expansion during fetal-to-adult transition, contribute to native and perturbed hematopoiesis. We further estimated the number of precursors in a mouse model of Fanconi Anemia, showcasing how repopulation deficits can be classified as autologous (cell proliferation) and non-autologous (lack of precursor). Our results support an accessible and reliable approach for precursor quantification, emphasizing the contemporary perspective that native hematopoiesis is highly polyclonal.
Multisensory integration enhances audiovisual responses in the Mauthner cell
Authors: Otero-Coronel Santiago , Preuss Thomas , Medan Violeta
Published: December 2024

Multisensory integration (MSI) combines information from multiple sensory modalities to create a coherent perception of the world. In contexts where sensory information is limited or equivocal, it also allows animals to integrate individually ambiguous stimuli into a clearer or more accurate percept and, thus, react with a more adaptive behavioral response. Although responses to multisensory stimuli have been described at the neuronal and behavioral levels, a causal or direct link between these two is still missing. In this study, we studied the integration of audiovisual inputs in the Mauthner cell, a command neuron necessary and sufficient to trigger a stereotypical escape response in fish. We performed intracellular recordings in adult goldfish while presenting a diverse range of stimuli to determine which stimulus properties affect their integration. Our results show that stimulus modality, intensity, temporal structure, and interstimulus delay affect input summation. Mechanistically, we found that the distinct decay dynamics of FFI triggered by auditory and visual stimuli can account for certain aspects of input integration. Altogether, this is a rare example of the characterization of MSI in a cell with clear behavioral relevance, providing both phenomenological and mechanistic insights into how MSI depends on stimulus properties.
Bridging Northern and Southern Traditions in the Finnic Corpus of Oral Poetry
Authors:   Finnish Literature Society, Finland, Kallio Kati ,   University of Helsinki, Finland, Sarv Mari ,   Estonian Folklore Archives, Estonian Literary Museum, Estonia, Janicki Maciej ,   Department of Digital Humanities, University of Helsinki, Finland, Mäkelä Eetu ,   University of Helsinki, Finland
Published: December 2024

Historical Finnic oral poetry – called runolaulu, regilaul, or Kalevalaic poetry – makes a versatile corpus across several related languages, representing numerous genres from epic and charms to lyric, ritual poetry, lullabies, and so forth. Despite the first comparative efforts and collaborations already at the end of the nineteenth century, the local traditions in Northern and Southern Finnic languages have mostly been analysed within national research traditions.
Data-driven approaches have a potential to reveal new perspectives to this multilingual tradition, especially to the less studied parts, and the overall characteristics of it. Yet, due to the multilevel linguistic, poetic, and cultural variation of the data, the use of computational methods is complicated and, typically, necessitates interlaying quantitative analyses with close reading and source-critical approaches.
In this paper, we introduce some results at the intersection of Northern and Southern Finnic song text corpora discovered with the help of similarity detection analyses. Our approach consolidates the idea of the complex interplay of divergence and commonality of regional runosong traditions. While often having particular features not found in other parts of the Finnic area, the regional traditions are also connected to one another by similar formulas, motifs, poem types and themes, and, at the same time, distinct in their variations, uses and interpretations of these. We hope that our tools also help others in examining these further.
Introduction: The Potential and Constraints of Cultural Transfer through Voice, Connection, and Message
Authors:   Institute of Cultural Research, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia, Kuutma Kristin , Oras Janika ,   Estonian Folklore Archives, Estonian Literary Museum, Tartu, Estonia, Saarlo Liina ,   Estonian Folklore Archives, Estonian Literary Museum, Tartu, Estonia
Published: December 2024

This special issue gathers research articles that are based and elaborate on the presentations given at the conference under the theme “Voice, Connection and Message in Traditional Singing”, held at the Estonian Literary Museum from 30 November to 1 December 2020. The time and the setting were exceptional due to the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing. Consequently, this re-occurring scholarly meeting in Tartu, Estonia, with the guiding topic specifically focusing on traditional songlore, was transformed into an online event – a format that had gradually become a new normality. The number of contributions delivered turned out to be impressive, nevertheless: the conference featured 18 papers by 23 presenters from 7 countries.
Melancholic, Joyful, and Outlaw Voices: Finnish Rhymed Couplets and Writers’ Archival Materials
Authors:   Department of Finnish, Finno-Ugrian and Scandinavian Studies, University of Helsinki / Finnish Literature Society, Karhu Hanna
Published: December 2024

The article explores the importance of writers’ archival materials for the study of the cultural significance of Finnish rhymed couplets in Finnish literature. It demonstrates that the analysis of writers’ notebooks, letters, drafts and other archival materials can contribute to the understanding of the literary use of this particular tradition of folk songs. The writers whose works and archival materials are analysed are two poets, Otto Manninen and Larin-Kyösti, and playwright Artturi Järviluoma. The material dates from the 1890s to the 1910s. The article deals with emotions and meanings of singing that manifest in certain rhymed couplets. The emphasis is on lyrical songs that deal with love and sorrow, longing and joy, as well as prisoner’s songs and “brawl songs”, depicting fights.
“Letters from America”: Songs of Lithuanian Immigrants in the USA
Authors:   Department of Folklore Archives, Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore, Lithuania, Nakienė Austė , Žarskienė Rūta
Published: December 2024

In the nineteenth century, most Lithuanian immigrants in America were peasants who had left homeland in search for a better life in Pennsylvanian coal mines or Chicago stockyards. Immigrant songs described the pain of parting from the loved ones, the impressions of the strange new land, and reminiscences of the homeland. Some songs were printed on postcards so that even an illiterate person could sign the card and send it home. The first immigrants, having grown up in green villages of Lithuania, used to return to their homeland in their thoughts, and, of course, through their songs.
The story of Lithuanian immigrants is not exceptional; it can be regarded as an example of the cultural situation and development of immigrant communities more generally. This article deals with the folk songs of the first-generation immigrants, recorded by Lithuanian folklorist Jonas Balys. In 1944, Balys left for Germany with his family, and in 1948 he moved on to the USA. Working at Indiana University in Bloomington, Balys was encouraged to visit Lithuanian immigrants and record their folklore. The expeditions (1949–1951) proved successful, and he recorded many songs on magnetic tapes, as well as folktales and other folklore genres. From this material Balys prepared a two-volume publication of songs (published in the USA in 1958 and 1977) which contained folk songs representing the traditional rural way of life, as well as some immigrant songs. This article focuses on immigrant songs, the longing for the homeland and other emotions that they convey.
She Sang in a Beautiful Light Voice: Musical Qualities of Runosong Performances in Fieldwork Reports
Authors:   Estonian Folklore Archives, Estonian Literary Museum, Tartu, Estonia, Saarlo Liina
Published: December 2024

Folklore has been systematically collected in Estonia over 150 years, resulting in more than 500 fieldwork reports, diaries, and travelogues, in addition to folklore texts. Since runosongs were in the preferred position when folklore was collected, most of the fieldwork reports contain descriptions of encounters with people who knew and performed runosongs. As a genre of oral tradition, runosongs have text and melody, as well as certain performance practices and contexts of use. These self-evident aspects, regrettably, do not manifest themselves equally either in the archived folklore materials or fieldwork reports.
The article starts with a discussion on the reasons why collectors wrote so little about the melodies and musical aspects of the performance of runosongs. Then the focus goes on descriptions and evaluations of the musical aspects of the runosong performances in the fieldwork accounts and analysis of how the preparation and musical background of the collector influences evaluations and perceptions. The most common aspects of evaluations come under consideration: the prominence and peculiarities of the runotunes, the characteristics and qualities of the performer’s voice, and the musical skills of the performer.
Pathological Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effects of Argon Plasma Coagulation in Gastric Low-Grade Dysplasia
Authors: Yeo Min Kyung , Kang Sun Hyung , Lee Hyun Seok , Eun Hyuk Soo , Moon Hee Seok , Lee Eaum Seok , Kim Seok Hyun , Sung Jae Kyu , Lee Byung Seok
Published: December 2024

Objectives: Gastric dysplasia is primarily treated using endoscopic resection. Although argon plasma coagulation (APC) is an alternative treatment for older patients or those with bleeding tendencies, studies have reported a higher rate of local recurrence after APC than after endoscopic resection. Using pathological examinations, this study aimed to investigate the incidence and associated causative factors of residual dysplasia following APC. Methods: This prospective study recruited patients with low-grade gastric dysplasia from March 2020 to February 2021 and conducted follow-up examinations for 15 months after enrollment of the last patient. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo APC at an output power setting of 45, 60, or 80 W. Results: Residual lesions were found in 13 of 68 patients (19.1%) during the 24-h follow-up endoscopy and biopsy. The Ki-67 index, a marker of cellular proliferation, was significantly associated with the presence of residual lesions. The presence of residual dysplasia at the three-month follow-up was associated with the presence of residual lesions at the 24-h follow-up and a positive Ki-67 index. Only three of the 13 patients with residual lesions 24 h after APC demonstrated residual lesions at the three-month follow up. No post-procedural complications were observed. Conclusions: Residual dysplasia may persist even after APC and cause local recurrence. If Ki-67-positive cells are detected in the remnant tissue following APC, additional interventions should be considered.
Female Endoscopists in Gastroenterology
Authors: Kim Yeon Ji
Published: December 2024

Despite the increasing number of women enrolling in the field of endoscopic gastroen-terology, gender stereotypes and workplace discrimination remain significant issues. Female endoscopists experience higher rates of musculoskeletal injuries and burnout. In this study, we highlight the need for improved training systems and supportive work environments and also the effects of gender concordance on patient satisfaction and outcomes. Furthermore, we recommend the establishment of policies to enhance gender diversity in healthcare. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensure that female gastroenterologists receive optimal training and opportunities, which are important to improve patient care.
Role of the Small Intestinal Microbiota in Gastrointestinal Disorders
Authors: Kwon Jungnam , Yeom Dong Han , Lee Moon Yong , Kim Yong Sung
Published: December 2024

The small intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and pathogenesis of various gastrointestinal disorders. Despite extensive research on gut microbiota, studies focusing on the small intestine are limited owing to methodological challenges. This review discusses the taxonomic composition, microbial load, and diversity of normal small intestinal microbiota. Additionally, it highlights the role of small intestinal microbiota in gastrointestinal disorders, such as functional dyspepsia, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced enteropathy. The impact of proton pump inhibitors on small intestinal microbiota dysbiosis underscores the importance of the appropriate use of strong acid suppressants in clinical practice. Future research should focus on both the luminal and mucosal microbiota of the small intestine to explore the taxonomic changes and functional differences.
Helicobacter pylori Isolation and Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Using Rapidly Frozen Biopsy Samples
Authors: Choi Kee Don , Kim Jung Mogg , Baik Gwang Ho , Park Jun Chul , Jung Hye-Kyung , Ryu Han Seung , Cho Soo-Jeong , Shin Cheol Min , Jung Hwoon-Yong ,   Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research
Published: December 2024

Objectives: To involve institutions without the ability to perform susceptibility testing, long-term storage of tissue sample is critical to isolate the bacteria in a central laboratory. The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of H. pylori isolation and antibiotic susceptibility testing using rapidly frozen biopsy specimens collected from various institutions. Methods: Eight institutions located in various regions of Korea participated in the study. Patients requiring upper endoscopy and H. pylori testing were screened. Two biopsy samples were taken from the stomach. One was placed in a sterile Eppendorf tube and then immediately placed in a vacuum bottle containing dry ice, which was stored at -80°C. The other was used in a rapid urease test. Collected samples were delivered to a central laboratory. The bacteria were isolated from the frozen samples under microaerophilic conditions. The agar dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin for each H. pylori isolate. Results: Patients with a positive rapid urease test result (n=113) were enrolled. The mean age was 56.6±12.3 years. The male:female ratio was 64:49. The overall culture success rate was 77.0% (87/113). MIC values were determined using isolated 87 H. pylori strains. Rates of resistance to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin were 23.0%, 25.3%, 28.7%, 1.1%, 33.3%, and 34.5%, respectively. Conclusions: It is feasible to perform H. pylori isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using rapidly frozen and transported biopsy specimens.
Dynamic temporal reinforcement learning and policy-enhanced LSTM for hotel booking cancellation prediction
Authors: Xiao Junhua , Abidin Shahriman Zainal , Vermol Verly Veto , Gong Bei
Published: December 2024

The global tourism industry is expanding rapidly, making effective management of hotel booking cancellations crucial for improving service and efficiency. Existing models, based on static data assumptions and fixed parameters, fail to capture dynamic changes and temporal trends. Real-world cancellation decisions are influenced by factors such as seasonal variations, market demand fluctuations, holidays, and special events, which cause significant changes in cancellation rates. Traditional models struggle to adjust dynamically to these changes. This article proposes a novel approach using deep reinforcement learning techniques for predicting hotel booking cancellations over time. We introduce a framework that combines dynamic temporal reinforcement learning with policy-enhanced LSTM, capturing temporal dynamics and leveraging multi-source information to improve prediction accuracy and stability. Our results show that the proposed model significantly outperforms traditional methods, achieving over 95.9% prediction accuracy, a model stability of 0.98, an F1 Score approaching 1, and a mutual information score of approximately 0.93. These results validate the model’s effectiveness and generalization across diverse data sources. This study provides an innovative and efficient solution for managing hotel booking cancellations, demonstrating the potential of deep reinforcement learning in handling complex prediction tasks.
Integrating lightweight YOLOv5s and facial 3D keypoints for enhanced fatigued-driving detection
Authors: Arava Mohan , Sundaram Divya Meena
Published: December 2024

Several factors cause vehicle accidents during driving, such as driver negligence, drowsiness, and fatigue. These accidents can be prevented if drivers receive timely warnings. Additionally, recent advancements in computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) have enabled the monitoring of drivers and the ability to alert them when they are not focused on driving. AI techniques can analyse key facial features, such as eye closure, yawning, and head movements, to assess the driver’s level of sleepiness. In response to the growing concerns surrounding drowsy driving and its potential safety hazards, this study presents a comprehensive approach for detecting a driver’s attention state using an enhanced version of the You Only Look Once (YOLOv5) algorithm. By leveraging critical facial landmarks and calculating the eye and mouth aspect ratios, the method effectively identifies signs of fatigue by establishing threshold values indicative of closed eyes and yawning. This work introduces an advanced YOLOv5 model integrated with Swin Transformer modules in the feature fusion network and refined backbone network feature extraction to detect driver drowsiness. Additionally, a real-time fatigued-driving detection model, built on an improved YOLOv5s architecture and incorporating Attention Mesh 3D key points, demonstrates superior effectiveness over conventional models. The proposed method achieves a notable 2.4% enhancement in mean average precision (mAP) compared to the baseline model through extensive experimentation on benchmark datasets. By combining YOLOv5 with facial 3D landmarks, the system benefits from the complementary strengths of both techniques, leading to more accurate and robust detection of fatigue-related cues and ultimately mitigating accidents caused by drowsy driving.
Enhanced diagnosing patients suspected of sarcoidosis using a hybrid support vector regression model with bald eagle and chimp optimizers
Authors: Xie Guogang , Attar Hani , Alrosan Ayat , Abdelaliem Sally Mohammed Farghaly , Alabdullah Amany Anwar Saeed , Deif Mohanad
Published: December 2024

Searching for a reliable indicator of treatment response in sarcoidosis remains a challenge. The use of the soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) as a measure of disease activity has been proposed by researchers. A machine learning model was aimed to be developed in this study to predict sIL-2R levels based on a patient’s serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels, potentially aiding in lung function evaluation. A novel forecasting model (SVR-BE-CO) for sIL-2R prediction is introduced, which combines support vector regression (SVR) with a hybrid optimization model (BES-CO); The hybrid optimization model composed of Bald Eagle Optimizer (BES) and Chimp Optimizer (CO) model. In this forecasting model, the hyper-parameters of the SVR model are optimized by the BES-CO hybrid optimization model, ultimately improving the accuracy of the predicted sIL-2R values. The hybrid forecasting model SVR-BE-CO model was evaluated against various forecasting methods, including Hybrid SVR with Firefly Algorithm (SVR-FFA), decision tree (DT), SVR with Gray Wolf Optimization (SVR-GWO) and random forest (RF). It was demonstrated that the hybrid SVR-BE-CO model surpasses all other methods in terms of accuracy.
Word embedding for social sciences: an interdisciplinary survey
Authors: Matsui Akira , Ferrara Emilio
Published: December 2024

Machine learning models learn low-dimensional representations from complex high-dimensional data. Not only computer science but also social science has benefited from the advancement of these powerful tools. Within such tools, word embedding is one of the most popular methods in the literature. However, we have no particular documentation of this emerging trend because this trend overlaps different social science fields. To well compile this fragmented knowledge, we survey recent studies that apply word embedding models to human behavior mining. Our taxonomy built on the surveyed article provides a concise but comprehensive overview of this emerging trend of intersection between computer science and social science and guides scholars who are going to navigate the use of word embedding algorithms in their voyage of social science research.
Survey and Monitoring of Onion Thrips (Thrips tabaci) Lindeman
Authors: Pathak Manoj Kumar , Singh Rudra Pratap
Published: December 2024

Thrips is a most important global pest of onion crop they are direct impact of onion yield and quality. The nymph and adult of thrips feed on leaves by piercing and rasping the leaf tissues and causes lengthwise, silvery stippling or blotching on the onion leaves, resulting in the loss of chlorophyll and reduced photosynthetic efficiency. Thrips attack onion at all the stages of crop growth stages but their count increases from bulb initiation and remains high up to bulb development and maturity. Onion thrips can also transmit several plant pathogens in onion crop that reduced onion bulb size and quality. The above surveys objective to evaluate the damage percentage of thrips in onion crops. Survey was conducted during Kharif 2022 and Rabi 2022-23. The maximum thrips damage rating scale of 3(45%) was recorded at 75 DAT in the Kharif season and Rabi season at 75 DAT thrips damage rating scale was recorded at 4 (65%).The survey result show that the thrips population and damage percentage increased due to increased temperature and relative humidity.
Temperature and Cr-Co ratio on Production of Diethyl Ether from Ethanol Dehydration using Cr-Co/γ-Al2O3 Catalyst
Authors: Muna Izza Aliyatul , Kurniawansyah Firman , Mahfud Mahfud , Roesyadi Achmad
Published: December 2024

The running down of fossil fuels and rising environmental concerns, there is an increasing emphasis on identifying eco-friendly alternative energy sources. Diethyl ether (DEE) is considered one such additive fuel that can replace fossil fuels. In this study, DEE was synthesized through the reaction dehydration of ethanol using γ-alumina catalysts impregnated with chromium and cobalt. The dehydration of ethanol performed in a fixed bed reactor using Cr-Co/γ-Al2O3catalysts loading. The effect of metal ratio of Cr-Co was examined. Catalyst characterization was carried out using XRD, BET, and SEM-EDX analyses. The dehydration reaction was conducted in a fixed-bed reactor at temperatures 100 to 200 ºC, with nitrogen gas flowrates between 200 and 600 mL/min as the carrier gas. The findings revealed that the increase chromium contents, and the temperature were augmenting the diethyl ether yield. And the increase of nitrogen flow rate is slightly increasing the yield of DEE and conversion of ethanol. Copyright © 2024 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Hermética
Authors: Aragão Emily
Published: December 2024

“Hermética”, como conto e produção literária, nasce de um retrato, ou de uma experiência, sobre noções de espera, relacionamentos e estruturas internas que, ao serem exploradas pela metáfora, são capazes de transmitir sentimentos por meio daquilo que os aprisiona. A narrativa toma para si caminhos não explícitos; na medida em que essa ausência de desvelo se constrói são fixados pontos de tensão, e o texto, mesmo em seu mistério, também se torna claro. O lugar de “Hermética”, ou de sua precisa tradução para o inglês, “Airtight”, habita o claustro, sufocante, de algo que não é manifesto, melhor dizendo, não manifestado, mas de forma alguma deixa de habitar um cotidiano comum, uma relação tão marcada por uma normatividade nauseante. Espera-se de “Hermética” o som abafado de um pote que fecha.
Neue Anzeige- und Genehmigungspflichten für Unternehmenstransaktionen von Kreditinstituten und anderen Finanzunternehmen
Authors: Brandi Tim Oliver
Published: December 2024

Das vom EU-Gesetzgeber im Frühsommer 2024 beschlossene Gesetzespaket zur Stärkung der Bankenregulierung führt neue Anzeige- und Genehmigungspflichten für Unternehmenstransaktionen von Kreditinstituten und anderen Finanzunternehmen ein, die bis Januar 2026 in das nationale Recht umzusetzen sind. Hierbei geht es um Beteiligungserwerbe, Verschmelzungen und Spaltungen sowie Vermögensübertragungen durch Kreditinstitute und anderen Finanzunternehmen. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt diese Neuregelungen vor.
Funktionsverlagerungen nebst Renditekennziffern RoCE, RoS und RoI zur planerischen Verrechnungspreisbestimmung im Rahmen eines APA-Verfahrens — Eine kritische Analyse und Lösungsansätze für die Praxis
Authors: Eymann Stefan , Schneider Markus
Published: December 2024

Zunehmend geraten Möglichkeiten der Quantifizierung von „Intellectual Property“ (IP) im Rahmen von „klassischen“ Funktionsverlagerungen i.S.d. § 1 Abs. 3b AStG und sonstigen Gewinnchancenverlagerungen in andere Länder - dabei insbesondere in Niedrigsteuerländer - nach dem Kauf inländischer Konzerne und Verrechnungspreisgestaltungen im Rahmen eines „Advance-Pricing-Agreement“-Verfahrens (APA-Verfahren) bei bereits bestehenden APA in den Fokus steuerlicher Auseinandersetzungen. In Einklang damit sind ökonomische Grundsätze zu beachten und die nationale Regelung ist in Übereinstimmung mit dem Verständnis der OECD-Verrechnungspreisleitlinien 2022 zu bringen. Gerade steuerlich gewinnen Marken - ebenso wie andere immaterielle Wirtschaftsgüter - im Zusammenhang mit Konzernzusammenschlüssen eine immer größere Bedeutung in Bezug auf den internationalen Kontext. Die Regelungen des DEMPE-Konzepts (Entwicklung - „development“, Verbesserung - „enhancement“, Erhaltung - „maintenance“, Schutz - „protection“ und Verwertung - „exploitation“) spielen bei der Übernahme von Entrepreneuren ebenso eine wesentliche Rolle, nicht zuletzt aufgrund der klaren nationalen Regelungen des § 1 Abs. 3c AStG. Dieser Beitrag leitet kritikbasiert Fragen zur Funktionsverlagerung i.S.d. § 1 Abs. 3b AStG ab sowie die sich in der Regel anschließende Frage zur Vergütung von Routinefunktionen.
Aktuelle Steuerpolitik
Authors: Wünnemann Monika
Published: December 2024

Mit dem Bruch der Ampelkoalition ist die Steuerpolitik zunächst zu einem Stillstand gekommen und - abgesehen vom Jahressteuergesetz (JStG) 2024 - werden die aktuellen Gesetzgebungsverfahren voraussichtlich nicht mehr vor der Bundestagswahl 2025 abgeschlossen. Die bisherigen steuerpolitischen Gesetzesinitiativen sind jedoch auch für die neue Legislaturperiode relevant.
LNRRIL6, a novel long noncoding RNA, protects colorectal cancer cells by activating the IL‐6–STAT3 pathway
Authors: Wang Jiaxing , Zhou Junfeng , Jiang Caiyun , Zheng Jing , Namba Hiroki , Chi Pan , Asakawa Tetsuya
Published: June 2019

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as critical regulators of cancer. There is a comparable number of lncRNAs to protein‐coding genes, but the expression patterns, functions, and molecular mechanisms of most lncRNAs in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. In this study, we report the identification of a novel lncRNA, named long noncoding RNA regulating IL‐6 transcription (LNRRIL6), which is upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines. Increased LNRRIL6 expression is associated with aggressive clinicopathological characteristics and poor prognosis of CRC patients. Functional experiments showed that enhanced expression of LNRRIL6 promotes CRC cell proliferation and survival in vitro and CRC tumor growth in vivo. Conversely, depletion of LNRRIL6 inhibits CRC cell proliferation and survival in vitro and CRC tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, we revealed that LNRRIL6 physically binds to the IL‐6 promoter, thereby increasing IL‐6 transcription, inducing IL‐6 autocrine signaling, and activating the IL‐6/STAT3 pathway. The expression of IL‐6 is positively associated with that of LNRRIL6 in CRC tissues. Blocking the IL‐6/STAT3 pathway using the FDA‐approved IL‐6‐receptor antagonist antibody, tocilizumab, abolished the oncogenic role of LNRRIL6 in CRC. Taken together, these findings identify a novel lncRNA, LNRRIL6, that promotes CRC cell survival through activation of the IL‐6/STAT3 pathway and suggest that LNRRIL6 may be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for CRC.
H
aloterrigena
Authors: Minegishi Hiroaki , Kamekura Masahiro
Published: June 2019

Ha.lo.ter.r'ge.na. Gr. n.
hals
,
halos
the sea, salt; L. fem. adj.
terrigena
born from the earth; N.L. fem. adj.
Haloterrigena
the salt born from the earth.

Euryarchaeota / Halobacteria / Natrialbales / Natrialbaceae / Haloterrigena

The genus
Haloterrigena
consists of 10 species. They are extremely halophilic, with growth occurring in media containing 1.7–5.5 M NaCl. Temperatures between 17 and 60°C support growth. Most strains grow at pH 6.0–9.0, optimally at pH 7.0–7.5, while
Htg. daqingensis
strain JX313 is alkaliphilic growing at pH 8.0–10.5 with optimum at pH 10.0. The major membrane polar lipids are C
20
C
20
and C
20
C
25
glycerol diether derivatives of PG and PGP‐Me. Most strains possess the glycolipid, S2‐DGD‐1 (disulfated diglycosyl diether), while
Htg
.
hispanica
strain FP1 possesses S‐DGD (sulfated diglycosyl diether). Isolates have been recovered from salterns, beach sands, salty soil, and soda lakes.

Before the establishment of the genus
Haloterrigena
in 1999, McGenity et al. (1998) proposed the creation of the new genus
Natrinema
. The two genera overlap to some extent in phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. The reclassification of the species presently belonging to the genus
Haloterrigena
as
Natrinema
species may be justified in near future.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 59.3–67.0, 61.0–65.4 (genome).

Type species
:
Haloterrigena turkmenica
(Zvyagintseva and Tarasov 1987) Ventosa, Gutiérrez, Kamekura and Dyall‐Smith 1999, 135
VP
(
Halococcus turkmenicus
Zvyagintseva and Tarasov 1987, 843).
D
esulfonauticus
Authors: Galushko Alexander , Kuever Jan
Published: June 2019

De.sul.fo.nau'ti.cus. L. pref.
de
, from; L. masc. n.
sulfur
, sulfur; N.L. pref.
desulfo
‐, desulfuricating, used to characterize a dissimilatory sulfate‐reducing prokaryote; L. masc. adj.
nauticus
, nautical; N.L. masc. n.
Desulfonauticus
, a marine sulfate reducer.

Desulfobacterota / Desulfovibrionia / Desulfovibrionales / Desulfonauticaceae / Desulfonauticus

Cells are curved or straight rods that occur singly or in pairs. Gram‐stain‐negative. Endospores are not observed. Motile. Strict anaerobe with a respiratory type of metabolism. Chemolithoheterotroph or chemolithoautotroph. Substrate specificity depends on the species. Described species of the genus can only use H
2
and formate as electron donors. One species use CO
2
as a carbon source and another species use acetate as additional carbon source. Sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, and sulfur are used as terminal electron acceptors and are reduced to H
2
S. The optimal pH range for growth is 7.0–7.8, depending on the species. Moderately thermophilic. The optimal temperature range for growth is between 45 and 58°C. The major menaquinones are partially saturated derivates of menaquinone MK‐6(H
2
). The cellular fatty acids are dominated by anteiso‐ and iso‐C
15
:0
with species‐dependent variations. The genus currently accommodates two species
Desulfonauticus submarinus
and
Desulfonauticus autotrophicus
. Present in high‐temperature habitats such as hydrothermal vents and oil fields.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 32.5–41.3 (LC).

Type species
:
Desulfonauticus submarinus
Audiffrin et al. 2003, 1589
VP
.