bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Digital-based Model Proposal for Optimum Building Orientation in Architecture in Ecological Context Nur Sumeyye
Authors: Kocak Yalcin , Agah Tastemir Ibrahim , Koymen Erdem , Yasa Enes
Published: November 2024

In order to make optimum use of the heat energy coming from the sun and the cooling effect of the wind, it is very important that the buildings are positioned on the land in positions that can provide the highest level of user comfort with minimum energy consumption. Determining the layout of the building is a critical design parameter that affects energy consumption. However, when there are vistas such as sea, forest, etc. that are desired to be seen from the first degree interior volumes around the building, this factor becomes decisive in the building orientations. As a result of this, climatic comfort factors such as natural ventilation provided by wind and heat energy from the sun are ignored. While the orientation of the interior spaces towards the landscape is preferred by the users, the climate element and the comfort it provides should be the priority in the architectural design. In this study, an orientation optimization model has been proposed for building orientation based on utilizing vista and climatic data in the context of passive design. With the parametric and numerical-based approach developed in the study, the way to use the vista factor, which has a multivariate and complex structure, as an “input data” has been investigated. In order to test and verify the developed optimization model, “The Canal Istanbul” artificial waterway project area, which is a very up-to-date subject, was chosen as the plot research area. The Canal feasibility studies have been prepared by the authorities. The data obtained from these reports were used quantitatively in the model. In this context, the technical and ecological data of the canal route were investigated from the reports prepared for the Canal Istanbul route. Thus, as a result of the data accessed from various sources, the climate type and ecological characteristics of the region have been moved to a quantitative dimension as numerical data. An optimization model has been developed for optimum building orientation in terms of regional climate, taking into account the zoning decisions and basic planning criteria determined in the focus of these data. The developed model primarily places the building in the desired point position over the 1000 and 5000 zoning plans of the region, with the vista as priority. Afterwards, the model perceives the vista spline that enters the field of view of the building. Then, staying within the boundaries of this spline, it turns the structure in alternative directions and analyzes it according to each direction. At this stage, the model presents a mathematical dataset by comparing the alternative orientations of the building with the “optimal direction”, “prevailing wind direction” and “north direction” angles. Finally, these data are optimized within the model and suggestions are made to the designer to make a choice, based on the results obtained.
Composite Command Pattern for Managing Spherical Geometry Constructions
Authors: Dulimarta Hans , Dickinson William
Published: November 2024

Spherical Easel (https://easelgeo.app) is a free web application for researching, teaching, and learning spherical geometry written in Typescript. The authors have created an open-source code base in VueJS v3 that combines several design patterns, global data structures, and cloud-based storage for storing and retrieving spherical constructions. Spherical constructions are made up of interdependent geometric objects (like lines and circles). Interdependencies means that while being moved, updates to a single object must propagate to other dependent objects. The application stores the dependency structure using a directed acyclic graph to allow these updates to propagate correctly. In this paper, we describe how Spherical Easel employs the Command and Composite design patterns (fully integrated with various VueJS supporting libraries) to maintain a history of construction edits, allowing users to undo and redo edits, and to store a final construction script in a cloud database. To guarantee correct rendering of the spherical objects when loading a construction, the stored script also preserves the structure of the directed acyclic graph. The construction script parser built is also designed to take advantage of the (Composite) Command design pattern. Using this innovative design, adding new object types does not require a major redesign of the script parser.
Keywords: Spherical geometry, software design patterns, web application
Impact of Supply Chain Disruptions and Inflation on the Construction Industry in the Arab States of the Gulf Cooperation Council
Authors: Atalah Alan , Al-Azanki Walid
Published: November 2024

During the years of 2022-2023, the world economy encountered the significant challenge of supply chain disruptions due to COVID 19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and government subsidies during 2020 and 2021. In addition, COVID 19 disturbed the balance of the labor market; many workers retired, changed professions, moved, etc. creating a shortage of workforce. The supply chain disturbance and labor shortage lead to inflation rates that have not been seen for 40 years. The construction industry is a significant part of the any country’s economy including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries which is composed of: United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait. It is hypothesized that the GCC States are immune to such supply chain and inflation drivers due to the oversupply of imported work force and the economic prosperity that these countries enjoy. Is the construction sector, which is one of the leading economic sectors in the GCC region also immune as well? This paper attempts to examine this hypothesis through a survey designed to capture the opinions of construction professional operating in these states. This survey attempts to

• Examine the impact of supply chain disturbance, labor shortage, and inflation on the construction industry in the GCC countries.
• Figure out how the construction industry reacted to and dealt with these challenges.

The findings of this research would give us a snapshot of the state of the construction industry and help the industry deal with the above-cited challenges.
Keywords: Inflation, supply chain, construction industry, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Machine Learning-Based Evaluation of Susceptibility to Geological Hazards in Yunyang District, Shiyan City, China
Authors: Zhou Xin , Wang Hao , Tan Aoxuan , Zhang Enjing , Chong Jinxin
Published: November 2024

Regional geohazard susceptibility evaluation and early warning are effective means of disaster prevention and mitigation. The traditional regional geohazard evaluation has problems such as limited model accuracy and insufficient refinement. With the rapid development of big data and artificial intelligence technology, machine learning algorithms are gradually widely used in geologic hazard evaluation and have achieved better results. The paper uses BP neural network model and support vector machine model in machine learning algorithms to predict regional geologic disaster susceptibility. The paper selects Utopia District of Shiyan City, Hubei Province as the study area, constructs the evaluation database, selects the sample set, and trains the evaluation model with tuning parameter optimization. The results show that the support vector machine model has the highest AUC value and the distribution of geologic hazards in the evaluation results is more accurate. The susceptibility of geologic hazards in Utopia is divided into four categories: low susceptibility, medium susceptibility, medium-high susceptibility and high susceptibility, in which the low susceptibility area accounts for 17.11% of the total area, the medium susceptibility area accounts for 33.57% of the total area, the medium-high susceptibility area accounts for 42.94% of the total area and the high susceptibility area accounts for 36.55% of the total area. The results of the thesis research are of guiding significance for the disaster prevention and mitigation work in Shiyan City Utopia.
Keywords: geohazard, susceptibility assessment, support vector machine, BP neural network, informativeness modeling
Experimental Analysis of CSC-type Shear Connectors Behavior under Direct Shear: Pry-Out Test (I)
Authors: Hurtado Amézquita Xavier Fernando , Molina Herrera Maritzabel
Published: November 2024

The use of steel and concrete composite sections has been recorded since the early 1950s, mainly in Europe and North America, as pioneers in the industrial production of steel elements. These systems have become popular in the world due to the efficiency of structural behavior, where steel withstands tension and concrete develops its bearing capacity in compression, being essential for the installation of stress transfer elements at the interface, called shear connectors. Recently, the use of cold-formed steel sections (CFS) has been included as a cost-effective alternative in the construction of small and medium-sized buildings. In this way, it complements concrete elements, allowing the formation of highly efficient systems, mainly in flooring systems. In this research the experimental validation of the behavior of CSC-type shear connectors is proposed, configured by Hurtado & Molina (2020), which are applicable to these CFS-concrete configurations. Pry-out tests were carried out, initially proposed by Anderson & Meinheit (2005), where the axial tensile load is applied to the steel section. This alternative experimental proposal differs from traditional push-out tests, since compressive loads can generate local bucking in steel shapes, particularly in CFS sections. The experimental results were statistically analyzed, evaluating the incidence of the compressive strength of the concrete, the thickness of the steel profile, and the spacing between connectors on the bearing capacity of the composite system. As a result of the research, the design formulation for CSC-type shear connectors in CFS-concrete composite sections is proposed.
Keywords: composite sections, CSC-type shear connector, cold-formed steel (CFS), design formulation
Regional Gross Domestic Product (RGDP) Disparities in Interwar and Restored Independent Lithuania: A Long-Term Cross-Time Comparison
Authors: Norkus Zenonas , Markevičiūtė Jurgita , Grytten Ola Honningdal , Ambrulevičiūtė Aelita
Published: November 2024

We provide a pioneering estimation of the regional Gross Domestic Product (rGDP) of the interwar Republic of Lithuania in 1923. This is the only year when a census of the interwar population was conducted, providing data necessary for the application of the Geary-Stark method of indirect estimation of regional output. We also measure productivity disparities across the regions in 1923 and 2001–2020 by Coefficient of Variation (CV), Mean Logarithmic Deviation (MLD), Gini and Theil indexes, to find out how much they have changed during the last hundred years. The main findings are that areas enclosed within the limits of contemporary counties (NUTS3 regions) ranked in this order in 1923 (by rGDP per capita, from richest to poorest): (1) Klaipėda; (2) Šiauliai; (3) Kaunas; (4) Panevėžys; (5) Marijampolė; (6) Telšiai; (7) Alytus; (8) Tauragė; (9) Utena. Overall levels of economic disparity in contemporary Lithuania are significantly higher than in Lithuania within its 1923 borders. However, in the contemporary NUTS2 Central and Western region, which corresponds territorially rather closely to that of the Republic of Lithuania in 1923–1938, they have remained at the same level as in 1923. In this area, Kaunas has taken first place from Klaipėda (but only since 2017), while Šiauliai, Marijampolė and Tauragė have relatively declined.
El favor debilis en el derecho del consumidor, una mirada a la jurisprudencia
Authors: Freres Hellebaut Melanie Muriel
Published: November 2024

La creación de un sistema de protección de los derechos del consumidor en tanto parte supuestamente más débil de la relacióncontractual surge a partir del reclamo que los propios consumidores realizan a medida que logran ser visibilizados y se ha ido desarrollando paulatinamente hasta nuestros días en los que aún se vislumbran apenas algunos fallos judiciales cuyo marcoaxiológico o valorativo se fundamenta en el principio del favor debilis en relación al Derecho de Consumo.
Use of the radicle emergence test (RE) to estimate germination and emergence potential in sponge gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca Mill.) seed genotypes
Authors: Mavi Kazım , Eker Ahmet Hakan , Demir İbrahim
Published: November 2024

The study was carried out to test whether the radicle emergence (RE) test could be used to rank 12 Luffa (Luffa aegyptiaca Mill.) seed genotypes according to total (TG, %) and normal (NG, %) germination percentages in laboratory conditions (25°C, 14 days, dark), and mean germination time (MGT, day), seedling emergence percentage (SE, %), seedling shoot weight (SSW, g/plant) and hypocotyl thickness (HT, mm/plant) in climatic room conditions (23±2°C, 70% relative humidity), in peat moss medium after 15 days. RE (2 mm radicle) counts were made at 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 hours at 25°C in the dark after germination was set up. RE values were correlated to seed germination and seedling quality parameters. The highest correlation values occurred after 72h and onwards. RE 72h and seed quality parameters were regressed and were found to be significantly related to TG (R2=0.732, P<0.001), NG (R2=0.751, P<0.001), MGT (R2=0.842, P<0.001), SE (R2=0.754, P<0.001), SSW (R2=0.349, P<0.05), and HT (R2=0.757, P<0.001). The potential of the RE test to discriminate between Luffa genotypes according to their germination and emergence potential is discussed.
Artificial Intelligence for the Prenatal Ultrasound Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease: A Narrative Review
Authors: Riva Arianna , Guerra Mariachiara , Di Gangi Stefania , Veronese Paola , Vida Vladimiro L
Published: November 2024

Objective: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most prevalent congenital anomaly, imposing a significant burden in morbidity and mortality. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have introduced numerous new tools to fetal cardiac ultrasound, including automated generation of fetal cardiac planes and identification of specific CHD diagnostic views. Mechanism: Through a narrative review of literature, we described AI technology on automated CHD detection, lesion identification, and associated challenges, such as training datasets and image segmentation. Findings in Brief: The search provided 28 eligible studies. Conclusions: Artificial intelligence seems to be a promising tool to help clinicians in daily clinical activity: it can automate the detection of standard cardiac planes and assist in identifying abnormalities. The main advantages that emerged from this review are related to the reduction of inter- and intra-operator variability, improvement of overall diagnostic performance and accuracy. However, nowadays, its integration into routine clinical practice gives rise to several issues.
Development of a Thermoresponsive Core–Shell Hydrogel for Sequential Delivery of Antibiotics and Growth Factors in Regenerative Endodontics
Authors: Shamszadeh Sayna , Asgary Saeed , Akrami Mohammad , Mashhadiabbas Fatemeh , Akbarzadeh Baghban Alireza , Shams Forough
Published: November 2024

Background: Regenerative endodontics requires an innovative delivery system to release antibiotics/growth factors in a sequential trend. This study focuses on developing/characterizing a thermoresponsive core–shell hydrogel designed for targeted drug delivery in endodontics. Methods: The core–shell chitosan–alginate microparticles were prepared by electrospraying to deliver bone morphogenic protein-2 for 14 days and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) for 7–14 days. Methylcellulose (MC) and gelatin were utilized to create the core–shell hydrogel to load a modified triple antibiotic combination (penicillin G/metronidazole/ciprofloxacin (PMC)) and growth factor-loaded microparticles in the shell and the core compartments, respectively. Morphological assessment, core–shell structural analysis, FTIR analysis, rheological analysis, swelling, and degradation rate studies were conducted for characterization. The viability of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) upon antibiotic exposure, antibacterial activity, and release studies of PMC and growth factors were investigated. Cellular studies (cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteo/odontoblast gene expression (using Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)) and in vivo studies (inflammatory response and differentiation potential of the developed hydrogel by subcutaneous implantation in rats via histological examination) were assessed. Results: The hydrogel showed a porous microstructure with interconnected pores. Core–shell structure analysis confirmed the successful extrusion of the MC hydrogel to the surface. FTIR analysis revealed interactions between MC and gelatin. Rheological analysis indicated time-dependent gel formation, supporting thermosensitivity at 37 °C. Swelling occurred rapidly, and degradation reached 62.42% on day 45. Further, antibiotics exhibited no cytotoxicity on DPSCs. Sequential release of antibiotics and growth factors was observed for up to 5 and 14 d, respectively. The hydrogel showed antibacterial activity. DPSCs exhibited increased proliferation, ALP activity, and odontoblast gene expression. In vivo studies showed that the biocompatible drug-loaded hydrogel exhibited more mineralization than the control. Conclusions: The developed core–shell hydrogel containing PMC and growth factor-loaded core–shell microparticles provided a versatile and biocompatible platform for sequential drug delivery in regenerative endodontics. The system demonstrates promising characteristics for dentin regeneration, making it a potential candidate for clinical applications.
Biosurfactant Production using Candida tropicalis URM 1150 and its Application in the Bioremediation of Coast Environments Impacted by Oil Spills
Authors: Caldas Maria Catarina de F. , Silva Renata R. , Meira Hugo M. , Silva Goretti Sonia , Sarubbo Leonie A. , Luna Juliana M.
Published: November 2024

Background: This study aimed to produce, characterize, and apply a biosurfactant as a bioremediation tool for oil-contaminated coastal environments. Methods: The biosurfactant was produced in a medium containing 5.0% corn steep liquor and 1.5% residual frying oil by Candida tropicalis (URM 1150) for 144 hours with 200 rpm agitation. The growth curve and production of the biosurfactant were evaluated. The emulsifying properties and stability of the biosurfactant were tested against pH, temperature, and NaCl variations. Toxicity assays were carried out on seeds, the microcrustacean Artemia salina, and the bivalve Anomalocardia brasiliana. Static and kinetic assays were performed, alongside stone washing to assess the removal capacity. Results: The produced biosurfactant had a surface tension reduction capacity of 70 to 25 mN/m, yielding 7.1 g/L, and a critical micellar concentration (CMC) of 0.4%. During the initial 4-hour cultivation period, the growth curve showed an exponential phase, marked by a constant increase in production. In the final growth stage, biosurfactant production reached its maximum value of 7.1 g/L. After 120 h of cultivation, the maximum biomass output of 9.93 g/L was reached. The biosurfactant was applied in static and kinetic tests with seawater and sand contaminated with oil. The biosurfactant remained stable in the face of the tested variations. The biosurfactant is anionic in nature and showed no toxicity to the microcrustacean Artemia salina, vegetable seeds, or the bivalve Anomalocardia brasiliana, which exhibited 100% survival rates. The biomolecule removed 97% of the contaminated oil on the stone. The biosurfactant proved efficient and biocompatible for the bioremediation of oil derivatives, showing significant removal rates of hydrophobic compounds. Conclusion: These results indicate that the biosurfactant has great potential for application as a remediation agent to clean up oil spills in coastal environments.
DLX5 Promotes Radioresistance in Renal Cell Carcinoma by Upregulating c-Myc Expression
Authors: Hu Danfei , Li Mingyao , Chen Xiaodong
Published: November 2024

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a prevalent and aggressive kidney cancer with notable metastatic potential. While radiotherapy is effective for treating metastatic RCC, the emergence of radioresistance presents a major challenge. This study explores the role of DLX5, previously identified as an oncogene in various cancers, in the development of radioresistance in RCC. Methods: Distal-less homeobox 5 (DLX5) expression was measured using western blot analysis. To study the effects of DLX5, its expression was knocked down in 786-O and Caki-1 RCC cell lines through si-DLX5 transfection, and the impact of DLX5 on RCC cell proliferation and radioresistance was assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay, flow cytometry, colony formation, immunofluorescence, and western blot assays. The underlying mechanisms were explored through western blot, colony formation, and CCK-8 assays. In vivo effects were examined using a xenograft mouse model. Results: In silico results showed increased DLX5 levels in RCC tissues. Similarly, DLX5 expression was elevated in RCC cell lines. Silencing DLX5 reduced RCC cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro. Additionally, DLX5 knockdown decreased radioresistance and increased DNA damage in RCC cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that DLX5 promotes radioresistance through the upregulation of c-Myc. In vivo, DLX5 silencing impeded tumor growth and reduced radioresistance. Conclusion: DLX5 contributes to RCC cell growth and radioresistance by upregulating c-Myc expression, highlighting its potential as a target for overcoming radioresistance in RCC.
The Effects of Non-Pharmacological Therapies for Dysphagia in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ning Fangli , Lv Shi , Liu Wenxin , Zhang Xinlei , Zhao Guohua , Ning Wenjing , Liu Ziyuan , Yan Han , Qin Lei , Li Hu , Xu Yuzhen
Published: November 2024

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is currently the second most common degenerative neurological disorder globally, with aspiration pneumonia caused by difficulty swallowing being the deadliest complication. The patient’s subjective experience and the safety of swallowing have been the main focus of previous evaluations and treatment plans. The effectiveness of treatment may be attributed to the brain’s ability to adapt and compensate. However, there is a need for more accurate assessment methods for dysphagia and further research on how treatment protocols work. Objective: This systematic review was designed to assess the effectiveness and long-term impact of published treatment options for swallowing disorders in patients with PD. Methods: In adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a systematic review where we thoroughly searched multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, and Wiley) for clinical studies published in various languages until December, 2023. Two reviewers evaluated the studies against strict inclusion/exclusion criteria. Results: This systematic review included a total of 15 studies, including 523 participants, involving six treatment approaches, including breath training, deep brain stimulation, reduction of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) pressure, transcranial magnetic stimulation, postural compensation, and video-assisted swallowing therapy. Primary outcomes included video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), high-resolution pharyngeal impedance manometry (HPRIM), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Conclusion: Treatments that reduce UES resistance may be an effective way to treat dysphagia in PD patients. HRPIM can quantify pressure changes during the pharyngeal period to identify patients with reduced swallowing function earlier. However, due to the limited number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) included and the high risk of bias in some studies, large-scale RCTs are needed in the future, and objective indicators such as HRPIM should be used to determine the effectiveness and long-term impact of different therapies on dysphagia in PD patients.
MRI-Negative Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A Study of Brain Structure in Adults Using Surface-Based Morphological Features
Authors: He Yongjie , Huang Ying , Guo Zhe , Zhu Haitao , Zhang Da , Xue Chen , Hu Xiao , Xiao Chaoyong , Chai Xue
Published: November 2024

Background: This research aimed to delve into the cortical morphological transformations in patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-negative temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE-N), seeking to uncover the neuroimaging mechanisms behind these changes. Methods: A total of 29 individuals diagnosed with TLE-N and 30 healthy control participants matched by age and sex were selected for the study. Using the surface-based morphometry (SBM) technique, the study analyzed the three-dimensional-T1-weighted MRI scans of the participants' brains. Various cortical structure characteristics, such as thickness, surface area, volume, curvature, and sulcal depth, among other parameters, were measured. Results: When compared with the healthy control group, the TLE-N patients exhibited increased insular cortex thickness in both brain hemispheres. Additionally, there was a notable reduction in the curvature of the piriform cortex (PC) and the insular granular complex within the right hemisphere. In the left hemisphere, the volume of the secondary sensory cortex (OP1/SII) and the third visual area was significantly reduced in the TLE-N group. However, no significant differences were found between the groups regarding cortical surface area and sulcal depth (p < 0.025 for all, corrected by threshold-free cluster enhancement). Conclusions: The study's initial findings suggest subtle morphological changes in the cerebral cortex of TLE-N patients. The SBM technique proved effective in identifying brain regions impacted by epileptic activity. Understanding the microstructural morphology of the cerebral cortex offers insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying TLE.
The Incidence, Risk Factors, and Hospital Mortality of Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation among Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Qiaoying , Tao Yuanyuan , Zhang Xu , Xu Shurong , Peng Yanchun , Lin Lingyu , Chen Liangwan , Lin Yanjuan
Published: November 2024

Background: Prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) is a common complication after cardiac surgery and is considered a risk factor for poor outcomes. However, the incidence and in-hospital mortality of PMV among cardiac surgery patients reported in studies vary widely, and risk factors are controversial. Methods: We searched four databases (Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE) for English-language articles from inception to October 2023. The odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI), PMV incidence, and in-hospital mortality were extracted. Statistical data analysis was performed using Stata software. We calculated the fixed or random effects model according to the heterogeneity. The quality of each study was appraised by two independent reviewers using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Results: Thirty-two studies were included. The incidence of PMV was 20%. Twenty-one risk factors were pooled, fifteen risk factors were found to be statistically significant (advanced age, being female, ejection fraction <50, body mass index (BMI), BMI >28 kg/m2, New York Heart Association Class ≥Ⅲ, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic renal failure, heart failure, arrhythmia, previous cardiac surgery, higher white blood cell count, creatinine, longer cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, and CPB >120 min). In addition, PMV was associated with increased in-hospital mortality (OR, 14.13, 95% CI, 12.16–16.41, I2 = 90.3%, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The PMV incidence was 20%, and it was associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Fifteen risk factors were identified. More studies are needed to prevent PMV more effectively according to these risk factors. The PROSPERO Registration: This systematic review and meta-analysis was recorded at PROSPERO (CRD42021273953, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=273953).
Assessment of Redundant Meta-Analyses on Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: Shang Luxiang , Shao Mengjiao , Zhu Mingqi , Li Jie , Gao Mei , Hou Yinglong
Published: November 2024

Background: The utilization of catheter ablation among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) has garnered significant attention. There has been a rapid proliferation of diverse articles addressing this topic. This study evaluated the potential redundancy in meta-analyses about this subject. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Web of Science for meta-analyses comparing catheter ablation with other therapies among patients with AF and HF from the inception date to December 25, 2023. The extracted data encompassed details about the author, country, publication time, journal, pre-registration status, number and type of included studies, primary endpoints, and results. Additionally, we scrutinized whether these meta-analyses referenced, described, or discussed prior relevant meta-analyses, or were cited within prominent international guidelines. Results: A total of 34 meta-analyses were included. Authors predominantly originated from the United States and China. The majority of articles were published in cardiovascular journals without pre-registration. There were two publication peaks, notably in 2018–2019 and 2023. Primary endpoints predominantly focused on all-cause mortality and alterations in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). A consistent trend emerged across most articles, indicating a 40–50% reduction in mortality and a 5–9% elevation in LVEF associated with catheter ablation. Approximately 79.4%, 64.7%, and 50% of the articles respectively cited, described, and discussed previous meta-analyses on the same subject. Only 9 meta-analyses were referenced in impact international guidelines. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates a notable prevalence of redundant meta-analyses within the domain of catheter ablation among patients with AF and HF.
The effect of PGF2α injection in different times on the pregnancy rate in progesterone-based synchronization in Holstein cows
Authors: Şahan İbrahim , Kaçar Cihan , Kaya Semra , Kuru Mushap , Demir Murat Can , Karadağ Muhammet Ali , Gülmez Samsa Canan
Published: November 2024

This study investigated the effect of Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) injection at different times on pregnancy rate (PR) in Holstein cows undergoing progesterone-based fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). Group 1 (G1, n=30): A progesterone releasing intravaginal device (PRID) was placed intravaginally with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) injection on day 0. Eight days later, PGF2α was injected. PRID was removed on the 9th day, and after 60 hours, FTAI was performed with a GnRH injection. Group 2 (G2, n=30): Unlike G1, PGF2α was injected twice, with an interval of 24 hours, 8 and 9 days after the intravaginal placement of PRID. Group 3 (G3, n=30): PGF2α was injected 9 days after the intravaginal placement of PRID. Pregnancy diagnoses were performed by transrectal ultrasonography 45 days after FTAI. Blood samples were taken on the 8th day (for Groups 1 and 2), the 9th day (for Groups 2 and 3, PRID removal day), and on the day of FTAI (for Groups 1, 2 and 3) and serum progesterone (P4) concentration was determined. The pregnancy rate (PR) was 36.67%, 53.33%, and 43.33% in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P=0.194). In cows with a body condition score (BCS)
The Socio-Economic Impact of the ARTES Programme
Authors: Montanari Elia
Published: November 2024

This document provides results from the Return on Investment evaluation of the ARTES Programme. In view of the future ARTES 4.0 Programme, which is expected to enter into force following its subscriptions at the ESA Council meeting at Ministerial Level (Space19+) on 27-28 November 2019, the results are shown to encompass the scope of the future Generic Programme Lines Business Applications - Space Solutions, Core Competitiveness and Partnership Projects.
Socio-Economic Impact (SEI) and Return on Investment (ROI) of the ARTES Programmes
Authors: Montanari Elia
Published: November 2024

This document provides updated results of the Socio-Economic Impact and Return onInvestment assessment of the ARTES programmes.
Perception of effort decreases with motor sequence learning
Authors: Ghafari Goushe Bahram , Mangin Thomas , Pageaux Benjamin , Neva Jason
Published: November 2024

Motor learning is proposed to be associated with a minimization or optimization of physical and cognitive resources. Effort involves the voluntary investment of resources for task performance. While these two constructs are intrinsically linked, their relationship has never been empirically examined. This study aimed to investigate how the perception of effort evolves throughout the motor learning process. Thirty young adults volunteered in this study. In a within-subject design, each participant had four visits to perform 10 blocks of a continuous tracking task on each visit. The sequences within these blocks were either random (control condition) or repeated (experimental condition). Following each block, participants rated the intensity of the effort invested to perform the task. Sequence-specific motor learning was observed, with the repeated outperforming the random sequence condition at the retention test. Perception of effort decreased with sequence-specific motor learning, which was not observed during practice of the random sequences. Our findings suggest that motor sequence learning reduces perceived effort. Thus, as sequence-specific task proficiency increases, individuals find the task less effortful. This link between learning a motor task and effort perception presents valuable opportunities for future research to investigate the behavioral and neural mechanisms underlying motor learning and effort.
A signaling theory of self-handicapping
Authors: Xiang Yang , Gershman Samuel J. , Gerstenberg Tobias
Published: November 2024

People use various strategies to bolster the perception of their competence. One strategy is self-handicapping, by which people deliberately impede their performance in order to protect or enhance perceived competence. Despite much prior research, it is unclear why, when, and how self-handicapping occurs. We develop a formal theory that chooses the optimal degree of self-handicapping based on its anticipated performance and signaling effects. We test the theory’s predictions in two experiments (𝑁 = 400), showing that self-handicapping occurs more often when it is unlikely to affect the outcome and when it increases the perceived competence in the eyes of a naive observer. With sophisticated observers (who consider whether a person chooses to self-handicap), self-handicapping is less effective when followed by failure. We show that the theory also explains the findings of several past studies. By offering a systematic explanation of self-handicapping, the theory lays the groundwork for developing effective interventions.
Pupil-linked arousal encodes uncertainty-weighted prediction errors
Authors: Ganesh Prashanti , Donner Tobias H. , Cichy Radoslaw M. , Schuck Nicolas W , Finke Carsten , Bruckner Rasmus
Published: November 2024

Learning to predict future outcomes is essential for successful decision-making. One importantmechanism governing such learning is the reward prediction error. In many real-worldscenarios, sensory information about stimuli and choice options is ambiguous, leading to uncertaintyabout the environment’s underlying states that guide learning and choice behavior.In such cases, learning from prediction errors should be modulated by the probabilities ofthese hypothetical states, known as the belief state. We hypothesized that prediction errorsmight be weighted by the belief state during learning under perceptual uncertainty, and thatthis modulation is governed by pupil-linked arousal systems. Combining pupillometry andan uncertainty-augmented reward-learning task (N = 47), we found that pupil responses tooutcomes scaled with prediction errors and were down-weighted under higher uncertainty.This suggests that the brain’s arousal systems combine newly arriving perceptual and rewardinformation to dynamically regulate how much to learn in an uncertain world.
Free Time Benefits Working Memory and Long-Term Memory differently
Authors: Mizrak Eda , Souza Alessandra S. , Oberauer Klaus
Published: November 2024

Giving people more time between encoding information elements into working memory improvesimmediate (i.e., working memory) and delayed (i.e., long-term memory) retrieval. Thisfree-time benefit is often assumed to arise from processes that counteract forgetting of the justencoded item in working memory, suggesting that time has a retroactive effect. Contrary to thesepredictions, a few studies showed that free time between two items in a serial-recall task benefitsonly the subsequent (to-be-encoded) items, yielding a proactive benefit in working memory.Here, we investigate whether working memory and long-term memory benefit from free time inthe same way. In two experiments, we show that free time benefits the to-be encoded items inworking memory, whereas it benefits already encoded items in long-term memory. These resultschallenge a single explanation of the free-time benefit for memory retention across short andlong intervals.
Effect of Leadership Styles on Employee Productivity in Nepalese Commercial Banks
Authors: Khanal Badrinath
Published: November 2024

Different leadership styles can significantly affect organizational outcomes and employee well-being. There are many distinct leadership philosophies, and a leader may choose to implement a certain style depending on their inclinations, the circumstances, and the demands of their group. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different leadership styles on employee productivity in the banking sector. The study employed a descriptive and causal comparative research design. This quantitative research aimed to establish the relationships between dependent and independent variables. The population consisted of employees from Nepalese commercial banks, with 384 complete responses gathered through a judgmental sampling method from initial 390 questionnaires distributed. The findings shows the transformational leadership, transactional leadership, charismatic leadership and laissez-faire leadership are all positive and statistically significant on the employee productivity. The consistency in the positive effects of transformational charismatic leadership and laissez-faire leadership across different contexts suggests that these styles may be universally beneficial, although the degree of impact may vary depending on the organizational environment and culture. Transactional leadership, while effective, may need to be complemented with other styles, especially transformational and charismatic, to achieve optimal outcomes.
Local Curriculum in Nepal: Problems and Challenges in Development and Implementation
Authors: Adhikari Sital
Published: November 2024

The purpose of this article is to identify the issues and challenges seen in development and implementation of local curriculum. For this, as primary data, the education officers of the municipality, including the members of the local curriculum development committee, the principals and the teachers of the schools where the curriculum is Implements were taken as sample. The data is analyzed using descriptive style and qualitative research design. Secondary data is also used to fulfill the needs of this research. The challenges seen in curriculum development and implementation are mainly the lack of development of institutional mechanism and capabilities, the lack of competent and skilled human resources in local body, lack of commitment, lack of competent teachers, parents’ obsession with English language, not being able to explain its importance to parents’ others stakeholders, lack of trained teachers, absence of a body providing technical support required for curriculum development at the local level. Similarly, after development and writing the textbook, the publishers don’t want to print or publish it so the municipality has to print it with its own budget, just like that there is not any mechanism to monitor in school after implementing local curriculum etc are the issues and challenges of development and implementation of local curriculum.
Work-Life Challenges of Working Women in Kathmandu
Authors: Pokharel Sharmila
Published: November 2024

In a developing country like Nepal, patriarchal beliefs dominated women's empowerment and opportunities for women were limited. Gradually, with the development of society and social attitudes, women took over diverse roles and women began to experience better autonomy and self-esteem. Despite social progress and increasing opportunities, traditional expectations add many challenges to the lives of working women. Seven working women from different sectors were selected for the convenience sampling which was a part of the qualitative approach to study to expose the challenges of working women in balancing work and life in Kathmandu district.  For the collection of information, semi-structured interview guide was used which helped in the identification of key challenges for working women such as triple burden, family expectations, gender-based discrimination and abuse etc. The study was conducted fromDec 2023 to March 2024. The findings revealed that the women's difficulty in achieving work-life balance is intensified by social pressures, including reproductive roles and patriarchal norms. Trained relationships and internal family conflicts are the major outcomes of unbalanced work-life. The findings also highlighted the parameters that are needed for the support of the women in the Kathmandu Valley to achieve a fair and satisfactory balance in their work life. The critical need for comprehensive policy reforms, cultural change and legal protection to mitigate the 'triple burden' and promote gender equality in work-life is focused on the experience of Nepalese working women.
Exploring Mathematics Learning Strategies of High-Scoring Group Students at Secondary-level
Authors: Khanal Bishnu , Chhetri Deb Bahadur
Published: November 2024

Students' achievement in mathematics at school-level is significant concern in the context of Nepal. Various factors contribute to success and failure in mathematics with learning strategies adopted by the students being crucial element. This study explores the mathematics learning strategies employed by students who secure high core in mathematics and their motivating factors in the context of Nepal. The study employed an exploratory research design within the qualitative research framework, focusing on a select group of high-scoring students. Specifically, the research involved the investigation of only five students from the high-scoring cohort. Two times interview was utilized for data collection and thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Findings revealed that participants reported multiple strategies encompassing rigorous practice, self-regulated learning, and collaborative learning. Their persistent determination, drove by intrinsic motivation and aspirations for the future, emphasizes the crucial significance of positive attitudes in overcoming obstacles. Furthermore, the pivotal contributions of robust support systems from teachers, family, peer group emerged as influential motivational promoters. Highlighting customized instructional approaches and nurturing supportive learning environments show the potential to strengthen mathematics education and promote good achievement worldwide.
Assessment of Nurses’ Competencies in Informatics –Towards Embracing Digital Future
Authors: Muthuram Gopal , Dhakshinamoorthy Sasikala , Rose Mary Hilda
Published: November 2024

Background: Today, Information technology has taken a lead in healthcare reform and mandates healthcare providers to have basic computer knowledge, as well as informatics competencies, to manage and use technology to deliver care. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the competencies of the nurses in the health informatics. Materials and Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted in 2023, among 100 nurses selected by simple random technique, working in a tertiary care center. The data was collected using the pretested and predetermined tools such as background variables proforma and structured questionnaire on nursing informatics competencies through self-reporting method. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS 20.  Results:  The results of this study revealed that 76% of nurses were proficient in nursing informatics competencies. The global mean score of nursing informatics competencies among nurses was 156.65 ± 43.68 with category wise mean score of 57.15±15.8, 51.23±14.12 and 48.26±17.64 in basic computer skills, informatics knowledge and potential informatics skill respectively. Conclusion: The modest level of proficiency in informatics among practicing nurses necessitates the focus of educational institutions and planning in this area. Strengthening the nurses on Nursing  informatics skills, enhances better decision making in clinical situations, reducing errors, avoiding duplication of documents and improve  nurses on providing  patient care.
The Food Processing Industry of Rajasthan
Authors: Bolia Aditi
Published: November 2024

Rajasthan, the largest state of India, is diversly rich in agriculture production. Though Agriculture and its allied activities hold a significant part in state’s GSDP and employment generation but the growth and development which the state can achieve through agriculture and industry linkage is still lagging. This linkage can be done by the Food Processing Industry.  The food processing industry in Rajasthan is not just about transforming raw agricultural products into consumable goods; it plays a critical role in reducing post-harvest losses, enhancing food security, and generating employment. With a large proportion of the population engaged in agriculture, the development of this industry has a direct impact on the livelihoods of millions of farmers and rural workers. Moreover, food processing adds value to raw products, thereby increasing their marketability and shelf life, which is crucial for both domestic consumption and exports. Rajasthan’s strategic location, with proximity to major consumer markets in northern and western India, further enhances the importance of the food processing industry. The state's extensive road and rail network facilitates the efficient movement of goods, making it an attractive destination for both national and international investors in the food processing sector.