bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attitude and Behaviour Community Toward Using Vitamin Supplements to Improve The Immunity During The Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wiyati Tuti
Published: December 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the consumption of vitamin supplements has become a new habit. As a result of the epidemic, people's attitudes and behaviours had altered, particularly when it came to consuming vitamin supplements to boost immunity or maintain health. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between the attitude and behaviour of the community toward vitamin supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two cities in Indonesia, Jakarta and Pandeglang Banten, in August-October 2021. Each subject filled out an attitude and a behavioural questionnaire, both of which were made by researchers based on many references. All data collected by google form software analyzed the Socioeconomi characteristics by chi Square test, while the correlation of attitude and behaviour tested by Spearman rho test. The characteristics of Socioeconomi such as education, consumption of vitamin supplements during the COVID-19 period, and people's residence were correlated significantly with attitude and behaviour (P<0.005). there was a significant correlation between attitude and behaviour in using vitamin supplements to increase immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic (P=0.001, correlation coef=0.465). The correlation was moderate strength with a positive path correlation. It means that the more support an attitude, the more behaviour will increase to use vitamin supplements during COVID-19 pandemic.Keywords: attitude, behaviour, COVID-19, vitamin supplement.
Heterologous Booster Profiles for Recipeints of CoronaVac Inactivated Primary Vaccine: A Scoping Review
Authors: Handayani Ety Sari , Hidayah Nurul
Published: December 2024

The administration of booster vaccines has been implemented in a number of countries. Unfortunately, there are limited studies of the immune response after booster to recipient with CoronaVac inactivated primary vaccine. This scoping review aims to determine heterologous booster profiles for recipients of the CoronaVac inactivated primary vaccine. This study obtained data from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medrxiv, Google Scholar and Grey literature. The inclusion criteria were Sars-Cov-2 article, heterologous boosters and CoronaVac vaccine published from 2020 to 2022, written in English, and in a form of an original research articles, project reports, articles with RCT research designs, cohorts and articles with human research subjects. The keywords were Sars-cov-2, COVID-19, heterologous boosters and CoronaVac. Profiles assessed were heterologous vaccine types, immune responses, intervals between the booster administration and the primary vaccine, and heterologous booster doses. The number of articles that met the inclusion criteria was 19 articles. Types of vaccines that could be used as heterologous boosters for recipients of CoronaVac inactivated primary vaccine were BNT162b2, AZD1222, mRNA-1273, Ad26.COV2-S. The administration of heterologous booster vaccines for recipients of the CoronaVac inactivated primary vaccine was able to increase antibody levels against of the Sars-Cov-2 variants of Mild, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron. The doses of booster vaccines (Ad26.COV2-S, BNT162b2, AZD1222, mRNA-1273 (Moderna) and CoronaVac) for the CoronaVac recipients respectively were 0.5 mL, 0.3 mL, 0.5mL, 100 µg and 0.5 mL. In conclusion, the heterologous boosters for the CoronaVac recipients could enhance immune responses against the Sars Cov 2.
Florian Balbiani: Mission – Kolonialismus – Nationalsozialismus. Ernst Dammann und die Hamburger Afrikanistik, 1930 – 1937.
Authors: Awono Ndzodo
Published: December 2024

Die Rezension von Florian Balbianis Studie „Mission – Kolonialismus – Nationalsozialismus. Ernst Dammann und die Hamburger Afrikanistik, 1930 – 1937“ macht deutlich, dass der gewählte Forschungsansatz  innovativ und hilfreich für diesen unterbelichteten Teil der Geschichtswissenschaft ist. Die Fokussierung auf die Entstehung der Afrikanistik nach dem Ende der deutschen Kolonialherrschaft zeigt deren ideologische Fundamente auf. So wird argumentiert, dass die Sprachforschungen Ernst Dammans, beispielhaft für die Afrikanistik, sehr eng mit einer rassistisch-biologistischen Ideologie verknüpft waren, wofür viele Belege angeführt werden.
Dabei hätte sich der Autor der Besprechung von Balbianis Studie allerdings mehr Tiefe gewünscht. In Bezug auf den Erkenntnisgewinn weist die Rezension auf einige Schwachstellen hin. Das wenig gründliche Quellenstudium würde eher wiedergeben „was andere vor ihm herausgefunden haben“. Zudem kritisiert die Rezension, dass sich Balbianis Studie häufig auf eine deskriptive Ebene beschränkt und eine kritische Auseinandersetzung mit dem Wissenschaftsbegriff fehlt.
The Meaning of Dewi Sri in the Perspective of Spiritual Ecologism in the Indigenous Peoples of Kampung Naga and Kampung Cireundeu
Authors: Ulifia Evi Fita
Published: December 2024

This research explores the cultural significance of Dewi Sri among the indigenous communities of Kampung Naga and Kampung Cireundeu, focusing on the similarities and differences in her essence as well as the relationship between these beliefs and Ecofeminism. Conducted in Tasikmalaya Regency and Cimahi, the study employed an anthropological approach with a comparative method to analyze religious practices and ancestral values. Findings revealed that both communities regard "goah" as a sacred area for storing staple foods, accessible only to women, who perform rituals honoring Dewi Sri with offerings like coconut and golden banana salads. This reflects the values of Spiritual Ecofeminism, emphasizing the interconnectedness of nature, femininity, and spirituality. The research highlights how Dewi Sri symbolizes a spiritual representation of women, serving as a medium for promoting sustainable environmental practices within these communities.
Contribution: The research enriches academic discourse by linking indigenous knowledge systems to contemporary Ecofeminist frameworks, thereby fostering a deeper appreciation for the role of cultural heritage in environmental stewardship.
Possibilities of utilization of Jurassic limestones and waste raw materials generated during their processing – a case study from central Poland
Authors: Skuta Ireneusz , Antonkiewicz Jacek , Guzik Katarzyna , Kołodziej Beata
Published: December 2024

Aim of the study

The characteristics of the analyzed carbonate rocks in terms of their geological setting, lithological features, and quality parameters are presented.

Material and methods

Jurassic limestones from the Działoszyn region were subjected to characterization for lithological features and quality parameters in relation to the geological conditions of their deposits. The study also included the physicochemical characteristics of carbonate-clay flour in terms of the possibility of using it in the fertilizer industry. The samples that have been subject of analyses have been collected from Raciszyn and Raciszyn II deposits that currently have been exploited.

Results and conclusions

The deposits are characterized by high content of CaCO3 (on average, approx. 93%). Among other minerals, important in terms of the possibility of being used as fertilizers, there are: MgO (0.55–1.34%), followed by Fe2O3 (approx. 0.4%), and Al2O3 (0.07-2.49%). In contrast, in the waste raw material, i.e. carbonate-clay flour, similarly to the limestones from the Raciszyn deposits, there is (apart from carbonates) also magnesium, potassium and sulfur as well as small amounts of phosphorus and sodium, which is indicative of the possibility of using this material as a deacidifying agent. The content of microelements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Mo) in carbonate-clay flour indicates that this material constitutes a potential source of these nutrients for plant mineral nutrition. The content of heavy metals and metalloid (Cd, Pb, Hg, Ni, Cr, etc) is very low and lower than the acceptable content in liming agents and mineral fertilizers.
Prediction of self-terminating Ventricular Tachycardia in isolated rat heart experiments by using wavelet analysis
Authors: Le Duy Manh  , Bui Phuong Thuy  , Bui Van Hai  , Man Minh Tan  , Trinh Xuan Hoang  , Lai Pik-Yin , Chan C. K.
Published: December 2024

This study investigates whether self-terminating and prolonged ventricular tachycardias (VT) can be differentiated using cross-wavelet analysis. VT is a type of arrhythmia that may persist or transform into other arrhythmias. In this study, 40 VT samples from 7 isolated rat hearts are analyzed, including 19 prolonged VTs and 21 self-terminating VTs (STVTs). Bivariate timeseries of left ventricular and right atrium are analyzed using cross-wavelet analysis to find correlations between the signals. The results show that self-terminating VT occurs most frequently when there is a weak correlation between the signals, while prolonged VT is associated with a strong correlation between ventricular and atrial signals. The study suggests that mechano-electrical interaction between the right atrium and left ventricle may be the underlying mechanism for this connection. The findings may have implications for understanding the underlined mechanism and treatment of VT in clinical practice.
Intuitive data and image analysis about the microstructure of the liquid alumina system#
Authors: Lan Mai Thi , Nguyen Thi Thanh  Ha  , Nguyen Thu Nhan  , Nguyen Van Hong
Published: December 2024

The models of the Al2O3 system in a liquid state over broad ranges of pressure from 0 to 100 GPa are built by molecular dynamics simulation (MDs). This research gives useful knowledge about the microstructural properties of liquid alumina systems through insight 3D visualization. Intuitive data and image analysis methods are applied to clarify the network structure, the local environment of Al and O atoms, and the linkage among the polyhedra in the network structure of the Al2O3 system at different pressure. The structural compaction mechanism of Al2O3 oxides under high pressure is also discussed in this paper.
Global Fortification - Unifying Global DDoS Defense
Authors: Lakshmikanthan Govindarajan  . , Nair Sreejith Sreekandan .
Published: December 2024

Financial sector is enduring the painful effects of millions of dollars spent each month to combat
dangerous DDoS attacks on bank services. Sometimes these attackers cloud the websites of banks to such an extent that
critical services have to be halted, resulting in huge losses and reputational damage to the Company (Aljuhani, 2021).
In this work, we demonstrate an artificial intelligence-based approach that detects and counteracts DDoS attacks aimed
specifically at bank websites. Ensuring a high level of service for DDoS - attacked websites, this system helps to
reduce financial loss due to service downtimes and as well as excessive transaction outages for clients. Furthermore,
this model restricts aggressors, and implements a level of interbank information exchange regarding actual attacks. This
research proposes a system for DDoS attack prevention that minimizes economic damage through the use of machine
learning, which can improve the overall performance of any financial institution cybersecurity efforts. Additionally,
this system integrates real - time navigation with historical data of DDoS attacks, which gives 'forward looking'
capabilities in threat detection. It is important to note that a sophisticated anomaly detection system enables the
proposed solution to significantly outperform standard models by disabling meaningful traffic while launching attacks
from spurious IP addresses. This study also confirms deliberative modelled trials aimed at showing that the system is
capable of greatly reducing the severity of DDoS attacks. In addition, the implemented solution provides a feasible and
easily extensible approach that can easily be incorporated in the current bank's infrastructure. The research also speaks
of the possibility of crowd-sourced threat intelligence, where banks would share anonymized data related to attacks for
better security.
The Mediator Role of Employee Resilience in The Effect of Abusive Supervision on Organizational Silence
Authors: Yumaç İrem , Tatlı Hasan Sadık
Published: December 2024

The negative effects of abusive supervision on organizations and employees have been studied for many years. This research differs from previous studies as it is the first to examine the role of employee resilience in the impact of abusive supervision on organizational silence. Therefore, the aim of the research is to determine the mediating role of employee resilience in the effect of abusive supervision on organizational silence. The research data was collected through a survey, one of the quantitative research methods. An online survey was administered to participants, which included the Abusive Supervision Scale, the Organizational Silence Scale, and the Employee Resilience Scale. In the study, abusive supervision was considered the independent variable, organizational silence as the dependent variable, and employee resilience as the mediator variable. The sample of the study consisted of 429 employees aged 18 and older, selected through a convenience sampling method. The research data was analyzed using SPSS through factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and mediation analysis. The statistical analyses revealed that employee resilience plays a mediating role in the effect of abusive supervision on organizational silence. Additionally, it was found that employee resilience has a significant mediating role in the effect of abusive supervision on prosocial silence and acquiescent silence. However, no significant mediating role was found for defensive silence. According to the findings, abusive supervision has a significantly negative impact on employee resilience. It was also found that abusive supervision has a negative effect on organizational silence. Employee resilience was found to have a negative effect on organizational silence. In conclusion, the research shows that abusive supervision harms both employee resilience and the organization. Another significant finding is that abusive supervision increases defensive silence, rendering employee resilience ineffective. These results are important for better understanding the effects of abusive supervision on employees and the organization.
Technological progress, human capital, and employment rate: an empirical analysis using P-ARDL models from 1960-2019
Authors: PEREIRA DAISY CAROLINE NASCIMENTO , SILVA GUILHERME JONAS COSTA DA
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT This paper aims to investigate the effects of technological progress, education, and human capital on employment in the short and long run using an econometric ARDL model for the period 1960-2019 across developed and developing countries. The hypothesis was that technological progress destroys jobs at a faster rate than investments in education and human capital can create. In the short run, the results confirmed the hypothesis that technological progress destroys relatively more jobs. However, in the long run, the results showed that the coefficients for education and human capital in developing countries outweighed those for technological progress, thus rejecting the hypothesis for this group of countries in the long run. For developed countries, coefficients for technological progress and investments in human capital were positive and significant.
Consumer goods and services inflation in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: AHUMADA VÍCTOR MANUEL CUEVAS , HERNÁNDEZ IGNACIO PERROTINI
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT Consumer goods inflation significantly exceeded consumer services inflation in many nations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this paper evaluates the key drivers of goods prices and services prices in eight Latin American countries during that period. To that end, we employ two fixed effects panel data models involving such nations and monthly data from January 2020 to December 2022. The models’ specification allows for assessing the impact of fiscal and monetary policies, exchange rate fluctuations, and two pandemic-related variables, on goods prices and services prices. The models are estimated through two-stage least squares complemented with other remedial measures.
Global financial orders and credit rating agencies: disruptions and adaptations
Authors: MACHADO PEDRO LANGE
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the possible disruption of the global financial order (GFO) based on the behavior of S&P Global, Moody’s and Fitch Ratings, century-old rating agencies, in face of three potentially disruptive crises: the 2008 global financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and the climate breakdown. The main argument is that, historically, these agencies have adapted to the GFOs in force, mirroring their institutional and ideological parameters and thereby reflecting international tendencies. Based on an institutional historical analysis and in light of the behavior of the agencies in the crises above, it calls into question the GFO transition discussed by scholarship.
Perceptions about children and adolescents’ mental health crisis intervention: a qualitative systematic review
Authors: Telles Nathalia Nakano , Cruz Nathalia dos Santos , Cardoso Marilia Mastrocolla de Almeida , Luz Priscilla de Oliveira , Fernandes Heloísa Garcia Claro , Oliveira Márcia Aparecida Ferreira de
Published: December 2024

Abstract: This review aimed to identify and synthesize the perceptions of mental healthcare professionals, family members, and users about mental health crisis interventions for children and adolescents at hospitals and community mental health services. A qualitative systematic review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institution guidelines. The search was performed in 15 databases, with no temporal delimitation, and included studies in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. All works were assessed regarding methodological quality, credibility, and dependability according to the ConQual score and the recommendations were assessed following the Joanna Briggs Institution guidelines. In total, two independent reviewers screened and assessed the studies, extracted their data, developed categories, and conducted the thematic synthesis. A total of 13 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. From these, five syntheses were developed: importance of relationships; importance of procedures during treatment; positive emotional responses to treatment; negative emotional responses to treatment; and issues with health professionals and health services. All five syntheses presented high dependability; two syntheses presented high credibility; and three presented moderate credibility. Mental healthcare professionals, family members and users had convergent perceptions about crisis intervention provided at healthcare services. Understanding their perceptions to improve care and the user experience in this vulnerable situation is crucial.
Efeito de uma intervenção em aulas de educação física sobre a redução do comportamento sedentário em adolescentes
Authors: Brito Anísio Luis da Silva , Tassitano Rafael Miranda , Mélo Edilânea Nunes , Santos Simone José dos , Mota Jorge , Barros Mauro Virgílio Gomes de
Published: December 2024

Resumo: O objetivo foi analisar o efeito de diferentes estratégias de intervenção nas aulas de educação física sobre a redução do tempo em comportamento sedentário. Trata-se de uma intervenção randomizada, de base escolar e característica fatorial, realizada com estudantes de 1º ano do ensino médio de 11 escolas de tempo integral, em três situações de intervenção: (A) escolas com duas aulas extras de educação física por semana; (B) escolas com ações de treinamento e engajamento para professores de educação física; (C) escolas com a união das estratégias A e B; e (D) um grupo de escolas controle. Acelerometria foi utilizada para obter a medida de efeito do desfecho principal (comportamento sedentário). Regressão linear foi utilizada tanto para a análise da variação do tempo em comportamento sedentário entre o baseline e pós-intervenção como para a análise de potenciais fatores mediadores da relação entre exposição e desfecho. Participaram do estudo 1.295 estudantes. A intervenção B foi capaz de reduzir significativamente o tempo em comportamento sedentário de meninos (61,5 minutos, p < 0,01) e meninas (34,8 minutos, p = 0,04) em comparação ao grupo controle, demonstrando respectivamente tamanhos de efeitos médio (0,61) e pequeno (0,32). A redução do tempo em comportamento sedentário entre os estudantes do grupo B foi significativamente mediada pela redução da amotivação (AMO) (meninos c: -0,402; e meninas c: -0,376). A oferta de formação continuada para professores de educação física se mostrou estratégia fundamental para reduzir o tempo em comportamento sedentário dos adolescentes, sendo essa redução mediada pela diminuição da AMO para as aulas de educação física.
Aplicação do método de autópsia verbal para a caracterização de casos de feminicídio em Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Caicedo-Roa Mônica , Cordeiro Ricardo Carlos , Bandeira Lourdes Maria
Published: December 2024

Resumo Introdução A autópsia verbal é um método que, mediante entrevistas, permite a coleta de informações relevantes para estabelecer uma causa provável de morte. Objetivo Relatar a experiência de análise de casos de homicídio feminino que aconteceram em Campinas (SP) durante os anos 2018 e 2019, com foco na utilidade da autópsia verbal para caracterizar feminicídios. Método Trata-se de um estudo descritivo observacional. Pesquisadores treinados visitaram os domicílios de mulheres falecidas realizando entrevistas semiestruturadas em formato digital com familiares e conhecidos. Os casos de feminicídio foram definidos por consenso segundo a identificação do componente de desigualdade das relações de poder entre os gêneros. Fontes complementares de informação, como as notícias veiculadas na mídia e os relatórios de autópsia clínica, foram utilizados. Resultados No total, registraram-se 38 homicídios, dos quais 68,4% corresponderam a casos de feminicídio. A relação entre a vítima e o agressor, antecedente de violência ou ameaças de morte, presença de sinais de violência sexual e o gatilho/justificativa da morte foram os critérios empregados com maior frequência para a classificação dos casos. Fortalezas e limitações da autópsia verbal e aplicações do método são discutidas. Conclusão A autópsia verbal se mostrou uma ferramenta útil para caracterizar e distinguir os casos de feminicídio dos homicídios femininos.
Prevalence of depressive disorders among pregnant women in Brazil in 2019: A descriptive cross-sectional study
Authors: Lucas Maira Gonçalves de Oliveira , Nascimento Maria Isabel do
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Prenatal depression threatens maternal and child well-being and interferes with issues prioritized by the 2030 agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depressive disorders during pregnancy using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study using a sample of pregnant Brazilian women, representative of Brazil as a whole. METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Health Survey 2019 (PNS-2019), as coordinated by the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Women aged 18-49 years who were pregnant during PNS-2019 data collection were included. The prevalence of depressive disorders and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression before the current pregnancy was 6.03% (95%CI: 3.80%; 8.25%). Using the PHQ-9, the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in the current pregnancy was estimated to be 17.39% (95%CI: 12.70%–22.06%) among pregnant women who were targeted by the PNS-2019. Moreover, MDD was 15.26% (95%CI: 10.54%; 19.97%) among those who were free from depression history and in half of the pregnant woman population with depression history. Suicidal ideation has been reported in almost 23% of pregnant women with a history of depression. The two items from Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) (anhedonia and depressed mood) with a cutoff of ≥ 3 presented similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Depression during pregnancy affects a non-negligible proportion of pregnant women, thus constituting an important public health problem. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss the implementation of regular screening for depression during prenatal care programs in Brazil.
Diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection among household contacts in inland Bahia, Brazil: a cross-sectional follow-up study
Authors: Matias Guilherme Lages , Sales Marcio Vinicius Ferreira , Andrade Gabriela Santos , Teixeira Brenda dos Santos , Tenorio Maria Eduarda da Macena , Palácio Maria Augusta Vasconcelos , Correia Maria Luisa de Carvalho , Takenami Iukary
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are crucial for tuberculosis (TB) control. Household contacts (HHC) of patients with pulmonary TB are at a high risk of LTBI due to their close proximity to source cases. OBJECTIVE: To describe the diagnosis and treatment of LTBI among HHC. DESIGN AND SETTING: This cross-sectional follow-up study was conducted in the municipality of Paulo Afonso, northeastern Brazil, between 2013 and 2022. METHODS: We retrieved secondary data from the medical records of HHC who were followed up at a specialized referral center for TB. LTBI prevalence estimates were calculated and are presented with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: In total, 622 HHC were screened for LTBI, with 620 evaluated using the tuberculin skin test (TST). Of these, 40 (6.5%) did not return for TST reading. The overall prevalence of LTBI was 53.1% (95% CI: 49–57.1%), with a high prevalence among females and individuals aged 25–34 years. The overall LTBI treatment initiation rate was 26.1% (95%CI: 21.5–31.3%), and 64.2% (95%CI: 53.3–73.8%) of HHC who initiated treatment completed their course. CONCLUSION: This study revealed a high prevalence of LTBI among HHC, particularly among women and individuals aged 25–34 years, underscoring the ongoing TB transmission within the community. Only 26.1% of the diagnosed HHC initiated treatment, with approximately 64% completing their course. This highlights the challenges in managing LTBI and emphasizes the need for targeted screening and interventions for high-risk groups.
Prevalence and quality of life associated with erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kijima Felipe Jun , Motta Liz Cristina , Cavalcante Jean Sousa , Jordão Lucas , Olioze Carlos Eduardo Dias , Santos Plinio Takashi Karubi Palavicini , Cruz João Carlos Leite da , Sabage Luis Expedito , Medeiros Gabriel Araújo , Mazzo Alessandra , Nardi Aguinaldo Cesar
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Genitourinary health significantly affects the quality of life of men, particularly those in middle age. Recent studies have shown that more than half of the men aged over 40 years experience some degree of low urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or erectile dysfunction (ED). OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of ED and LUTS in middle-aged men and correlate this with quality of life data. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a municipality in the countryside of São Paulo. METHODS: A trained team collected data between July 2021 and August 2022 through face-to-face interviews using a characterization instrument, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Index of Erectile Function-6 (IIEF-6), and World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale. RESULTS: The study included 375 male participants with a median age of 53 years (interquartile range [IQR] 38.5-66). The IIEF-6 showed the presence of some degree of ED in 51.1% (n = 188) of patients, with a median score of 25 (IQR 21-29). The IPSS revealed that 35.2% (n = 132) of the patients had some degree of LUTS, with a median score of 5 (IQR 2-11). The urological questionnaires had a direct proportional correlation with age (P < 0.001) and significant differences between the medians of different marital statuses (P < 0.001). The presence or severity of these disorders was inversely correlated with the individuals’ quality of life (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ED and LUTS significantly correlated with the quality of life, marital status, and age in men.
Invisible voids: the zero consumption real estate vacancy identification method
Authors: Souza-Mc Murtrie Ada Abrantes Penna
Published: December 2024

Abstract As urbanisation in Brazil has escalated, so has the issue of real estate vacancy, with the number of empty houses now surpassing the housing deficit. Despite widespread criticism of this situation, information about these vacant properties remains unknown, mainly due to a scarcity of data. This study presents the Zero Consumption Real Estate Vacancy Identification Method (ZCREVIM), which utilises georeferenced electricity usage data from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The method identifies potentially vacant properties using two spatial analysis models that process data through both absolute and relative numbers. I tested the method on a municipal scale in Belo Horizonte and on a local scale in the Centre neighbourhood. I discuss a limitation observed from the municipal scale results: it cannot be applied in areas with a significant number of illegal connections to the electricity network. From the Centre results, I thoroughly investigated 67 areas of interest to verify real estate vacancy through Google Street View, uncovering 16 demonstrably vacant buildings and 23 with solid evidence of unoccupancy. ZCREVIM provides public authorities with a tool to monitor real estate vacancy, aiding in the spatiotemporal identification of this phenomenon at the most granular urban scale: the property.
PLASMA EXPRESSION LEVELS OF MICRORNA-21 MIGHT HELP IN THE DETECTION OF HCV PATIENTS COMPLICATED BY HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA
Authors: EL-HAMMADY Amr M , MAREI Yasmin M , MOHAMMED Raafat R , RAHMAN Shaymaa M Abd El , MAREI Yomna M , SARHAN Rizk S
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the ability of the estimated plasma gene-expression levels of microRNA (miR)-21 and 126 to define patients suspected to have hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with complicated hepatitis-C virus (HCV) infection. Methods: Patients with uncomplicated (U-HCV) or complicated HCV underwent clinical and ultrasonographic (US) evaluations and assessment for the computerized hepatorenal index, hepatic steatosis index and fibrosis indices. Blood samples were obtained for estimation of serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and plasma expression levels of miR-21 and miR-126 using the quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: Serum levels of AFP and TNF-α were significantly higher in samples of HCV-HCC patients than controls and other HCV patients. Plasma levels of miR-21 were the highest, while miR-126 levels were the lowest in samples of HCV-HCC patients with significant differences in comparison to samples of controls and other HCV patients. The ROC curve analysis defined high plasma miR-21 levels as specific predictor for HCV infection, and could identify samples of complicated HCV, and samples of HCV-HCC patients, while estimated plasma levels of miR-126 could be applied to screen for HCV and its related complications. Conclusion: Deregulated plasma expression levels of miR-21 and miR-126 might distinguish cases of HCV complicated by HCC and define cases of HCV-LC, even those that showed low Fib-4 scores.
EARLY NONINVASIVE EVALUATION OF LIVER FIBROSIS AFTER HEPATITIS C TREATMENT: THE IMPACT OF INFLAMMATION
Authors: XAVIER João Batista , SCHMILLEVITCH Joel , EMORI Christini , UEHARA Silvia , NUNES Eunice Jadriana , FERRAZ Maria Lucia
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT Background: Liver biopsy (LB) is still the gold standard method for assessing hepatic fibrosis (HF), associated diseases, and liver inflammation. Nowadays, noninvasive techniques such as Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography have been introduced instead of liver biopsy. However, there are controversies about the time it should be performed after treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV). Objective: To evaluate hepatic fibrosis using ARFI technology before and after successive treatments for chronic HCV. Methods: We prospectively included 50 adult patients with chronic HCV (genotype 1). Patients were first submitted to triple therapy with first-generation protease inhibitors (boceprevir and telaprevir) at the hepatitis division of the Gastroenterology Department of the Federal University of São Paulo. The non-responders underwent re-treatment with interferon-free direct-acting antiviral agents (DDAs - sofosbuvir associated with daclatasvir or simeprevir). Assessment of hepatic stiffness by ARFI was performed before and after the first treatment and before and after the re-treatment with DDAs. Results: ARFI values decreased significantly after treatments. In patients on first-generation protease inhibitor therapy and achieving sustained virological response (SVR), ARFI decreased from 2.41±0.58 pre-treatment to 2.02+/-0.58 (P<0.042) post-treatment. In patients who did not reach SVR, that is, non-responders, a significant reduction was similarly observed (2.39±0.63 to 2.03±0.54; P<0.001 before and after treatment, respectively). Before starting the re-treatment, non-responders had elevated ARFI values again, dropping after SVR following re-treatment (from 2.46±0.57 to 1.45±0.68, P<0.004). Laboratory parameters such as AST and ALT were directly correlated to ARFI elastography. Conclusion: The evaluation of hepatic elastography by the ARFI method before and after (6 - 9 months) successive treatment of hepatitis C in responders and non-responders led to the conclusion that the reduction of elastography parameters seems to be related to a decrease in hepatic inflammation rather than a reduction in fibrosis per se.
A GLOBAL VIEW OF HEPATOLOGY COLLABORATION: INSIGHTS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS FROM 30 YEARS OF NETWORK ANALYSIS (1994-2023)
Authors: OGASAWARA Naruaki
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT Background: This study aims to analyze the structural dynamics of research collaboration in hepatology over a 30-year period (1994-2023), focusing on co-authorship networks. By examining data from the Web of Science Core Collection, the study explores key metrics such as network density, clustering coefficient, and centrality measures, providing insights into how collaborative efforts have shaped the field of hepatology. Methods: Using Python (Version 3.10.5) in the PyCharm environment, I conducted a network analysis of 9,278 hepatology-related publications. Macro-level indicators, including network density, clustering coefficient, number of components, and average path length, were used to evaluate overall network structure. Micro-level metrics, such as degree centrality, closeness centrality, and betweenness centrality, were employed to assess the influence of individual researchers within the network. Results: The analysis showed an increase in network fragmentation, with components rising from 338 in 1994-2003 to 1,302 by 2014-2023. Despite the growing number of publications, network density remained consistently low, indicating limited direct collaboration. However, high clustering coefficients across all periods suggest that collaborations form in tightly connected groups. This study identified key researchers such as LAMBERTINI A. (1994-2003), Manns, Michael P. (2004-2013), and Berg, Thomas (2014-2023), who played central roles, linking different research clusters and facilitating collaboration across groups. Conclusion: Hepatology research has experienced significant growth in publications over the past 30 years, yet collaborative efforts remain localized, with increasing network fragmentation. Identifying central researchers who bridge gaps between otherwise disconnected groups is essential to fostering broader collaboration. This analysis underscores the importance of strengthening international cooperation and collaborative research to address the increasingly complex and region-specific liver diseases worldwide.
Engineering Education Transformation: Project- Based Learning's Effect on Problem-Solving and Lifelong Learning
Authors:   Department of Artificial Intelligence, Anurag University, Hyderabad, M Madhavi , T Neetha ,   Department of Artificial Intelligence, Anurag University, Hyderabad, Indrakanti Raghu ,   Department of Electronics and Communication Engg., Anurag University, Hyderabad
Published: December 2024

Abstract-This paper examines the traditional model of classroom instruction method has its limitations in engaging students and fostering deep understanding. In response, educators have increasingly turned to flipped classroom pedagogy, a method that reverses the traditional order of instruction by delivering content outside of class and utilizing class time in class activities. This research paper investigates the efficacy of flipped classrooms pedagogy in enhancing student participation and improving learning outcomes. A ensemble approach was implemented, using quantitative analysis of student performance data with qualitative assessments of student experiences and perceptions. The findings reveal promising benefits of flipped classroom implementation, including increased student engagement, improved understanding of course material, and enhanced critical thinking skills. However, challenges such as technological barriers and student resistance to independent learning were also identified. The discussion highlights the implications of these findings for educators and proposes new approaches for future study and practice

Keywords-Critical thinking skills, PBL pedagogy, Learning outcomes, Student engagement, Student participation, Technological barriers
Design of Problem Case Studies and Reflections for a Problem Based Learning Course
Authors:   KLE technological University, Hubli – 580031, Hegade Prakash , Shettar Ashok ,   KLE technological University, Hubli – 580031, M Vijayalakshmi ,   KLE technological University, Hubli – 580031
Published: December 2024

Abstract— Problem Based Learning dates back to medical sciences from 1960’s and has influenced several domains for the design of effective student-centered learning systems. Problems play a major role in a problem based learning classroom sessions. One of the effective ways of problem delivery is using case studies. An effective case study can act as a bridge to construct knowledge between known and unknown. This work uses pragmatic approach for research design and answers the research question on ‘what are the effective ways to design the case studies and reflections in a problem based learning classroom’. The context of the study was second year students from computer science and nature of the course was algorithmic. Total sampling was used in the process with informed consent. After identification of the threshold concepts and writing the learning outcomes, case studies were designed to meet the learning objectives. A template for case study was designed using activity theory as a theoretical framework in support with constructivism. Mixed method approach was used for data analysis. Statistical inferences were used for quantitative data analysis. Process coding and in-vivo coding were used for qualitative data analysis. Using the research design four case studies was analyzed and inferences are drawn on how to design effective case studies. The method has a positive feedback from students as indicated in the feedback survey. Though the process requires additional effort from the faculty in design of case study and reflections, it can benefit the students in becoming selfdirected and life-long learners.

Keywords—Case Studies; Problems; Problem Based Learning; Reflections; Outcomes
Chronicling Gruffudd ap Llywelyn In the Eleventh Century
Authors: Thomas Rebecca
Published: December 2024

English chronicles paid significant attention to the Welsh in the eleventh century. Gruffudd ap Llywelyn was at the centre of most Anglo-Welsh interaction, and the annals of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles are particularly interested in his activities. However, the different chronicles
containing eleventh-century annals – Chronicle C, Chronicle D, Chronicle E – show varying degrees of interest in the Welsh king and diverge in their recording of his relationship with the English. This article investigates these divergences and illustrates how access to different
sources and the agendas of the compilers impacted on the recording of relations with the Welsh. As well as shedding light on the compilation of the chronicles themselves and English attitudes towards the Welsh in the eleventh century, this article also offers a re-interpretation of certain
key episodes in the history of Anglo-Welsh relations.
This Fashionable Complaint? The Russian 'Flu Pandemic in Wales, 1889–1890
Authors: Jones Craig Owen
Published: December 2024

The impact of the Russian 'flu pandemic of 1889–90 in Wales has never been studied in depth, and is here surveyed for the first time using a mixture of printed and archival sources. The virus hit large swathes of the population, impacting the coal and tin industries and causing
widespread closures of schools. While it is thought that the pandemic occasioned feelings of fear and even panic in English newspapers, in Wales press reaction was more prosaic. Institutional responses tended to reinforce class distinctions and promote the notion that the working classes were
inclined to malinger.
Personal Souvenirs and the Temporary Allure of First World War Public Trophies in Pembrokeshire
Authors: Hancock Simon
Published: December 2024

Acquiring and displaying war trophies from the First World War was a means of mobilising civilians to support the war effort and legitimising what they had been told of Allied military victories. The enemy's weapons also became symbols of sacrifice before the formalised commemorations
in the 1920s. The initial corporate enthusiasm for war trophies in Pembrokeshire can be interpreted as the determination to ensure the sacrifice and efforts of individual communities in helping to win the war received recognition. There were also elements of civic rivalry. However, the initial
public enthusiasm for obtaining and maintaining trophies disappeared in the early 1920s as an unwelcome reminder of the losses sustained during the war.
An event in the digital age: the status of the actor
Authors:   ITMO University, Durnev Aleksei D.
Published: December 2024

The main objective of the article is to address the question of how to approach defining an actor in the modern context, interpreted as the digital age. The article provides a brief overview of the concept «digital» and the latest digital technologies characterized by the use of neural network approaches. The work presents a critical review of existing approaches to defining the status of an actor in the context of social studies of technology. The review shows that the main existing approaches largely retain features of anthropocentric and instrumental principles of considering technologies. However, such approaches lead to a dichotomy between humans and technology, which does not fully in accord with the challenges of contemporary social and technical realities, characterized by a deep integration of technologies into the sphere of human existence. All this leads to difficulties in distinguishing between human and technical contributions to a specific outcome. In light of this thesis, a critique of concepts such as actor, agent, and subject is proposed in the article. As a result, from the perspective of practical activity and the underlying modern realities, it is more appropriate to consider humans and technology as a hybrid actor. In this perspective, the approach is linked to event ontology, as the phenomenally observed outcome of an activity can be interpreted as an event in which a quasi-subject is constituted primarily by the configuration of Dasein, and actors become indiscernible. The article proposes a critique of various approaches to defining agency and subjectivity specifically from the positions of these foundations and outlines vectors for the development of the topic.
American socio-philosophical utopia: the genesis and problems of representation
Authors:   Kuzbass Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, Kulikov Mikhail V.
Published: December 2024

The genesis of the genre of socio-philosophical utopia in American intellectual culture seems an important research topic since it is in this concept that the ontological, epistemological, anthropological, axiological, philosophical and historical meanings of the era and culture come together. The purpose of the work is to discover the semantic unity of the American utopia and understand the reasons for its crisis. The tradition of American utopia is taken for analysis due to the significance that it had for the formation of this culture and civilization as the embodied «city upon a hill», «society of equal opportunities», «beacon of hope». Henry Thoreau, Burres Fredrick Skinner, Robert Nozick, and Richard Rorty are taken as representatives of the American socio-philosophical utopia. Attention is drawn to the distinctive feature of the American utopia — its open nature, the absence of fundamental, predetermined guidelines, and pluralism. The paper provides conclusions about the causes of the crisis of utopian theorizing in American culture, which, in our opinion, is associated with: the feeling of the «end of history» that has become established in the public consciousness of the era of late capitalism, which leads to the rejection of the future in favor of the endless repetition of the same plots and to being doomed to remain in frozen time; retrotopia as a search for an optimal life project in the past, not the future; hauntology as a state of once existing but never realized hope for a progressive movement into the future; conspiracy theories as a way of explaining the world through conspiracy and deception. For the globalized society of late capitalism, all this gives rise to disappointment, depression as the main symptom of the time, longing for other, no longer accessible cultural development scenarios, and a nagging feeling of nostalgia.
İNSANİYETÇİ Mİ PRAGMATİK Mİ? TÜRKİYE’NİN İNSANİ DİPLOMASİ “MODELİNİ” YENİDEN DEĞERLENDİRMEK
Authors: Mengüaslan Hikmet
Published: December 2024

Bu çalışma, Türkiye’nin insani diplomasi “modelinin” insani müdahale, çatışma çözümü ve barış inşası süreçlerinde ulusal çıkar ve güç mücadelesi merkezli geleneksel diplomasi yaklaşımlarının ötesine geçebilen, insan odaklı ve işlevsel bir örnek temsil ettiği varsayımını değerlendirmiştir. Türkiye Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (AK Parti) hükümetleri döneminde çatışmaların barışçıl çözümlenmesi ve insani krizlere müdahale konusunda insani diplomasi araçlarından etkili şekilde faydalanmış, sonuçta insani diplomasi alanında küresel ölçekli bir aktöre dönüşmüştür. Öte yandan, 2010’ların ikinci yarısı itibariyle başta “Arap Baharı/Ayaklanmaları” olmak üzere çeşitli gelişmeler yeni bölgesel/sistemik güvenlik tehditleri ortaya çıkarmış ve büyüyen jeopolitik rekabet doğrultusunda sert güç unsurlarının kullanımı da artmıştır. Aynı dönemde, insani bir aktör olarak Türkiye’nin yumuşak güç kapasitelerinin aşındığı ve uluslararası politikada insani diplomasi alanlarının daraldığı gözlemlenmiştir. Çalışma söz konusu değişimlerin Türkiye’nin insani diplomasi yaklaşımına etkilerini “Somali”, “Suriye” ve “Gazze” vakaları kapsamında ele almış ve iki temel sonuca ulaşmıştır. Birincisi, insani diplomasi ve insani müdahale alanlarını siyasallaştıran ve daraltan süreçlere rağmen Türkiye’nin uluslararası insani aktörlerinkiyle uyumlu şekilde liberal, çok-taraflılık temeline katkıda bulunmayı hedefleyen ve insan odaklı bir gündem takip ettiği görülmektedir. İkincisi, 2015 sonrası insani diplomasi icrasında daha fazla yer verilen sert güç unsurları ulusal çıkarları önceleyen yayılmacı amaçlar yerine Türkiye’nin insani gündemi doğrultusunda uzun vadeli insani stratejilerin bir parçası olarak seferber edilmektedir.