bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MODELING OF MIXING ELEMENTS IN MICROFLUIDICS
Authors:   Mendeleev Chemical Technological University of Russia, SHISHANOV M.V. , COOK CH.G. ,   Mendeleev Chemical Technological University of Russia
Published: November 2024

Microfluidics (microhydrodynamics) is a science that describes the behavior of small (on the order of micro and nanoliter) volumes and flows of liquids. Microfluidic reactors are widely used in various fields of science: medicine, special chemistry, biochemistry, nuclear chemistry and many others. They are successful due to the increased mass and heat transfer, better process intensification and, as a result, high product yield. The most important elements of microreactors are the mixing zone, which provides destabilization and twisting of flows in order to mix them, and the reaction zone (serpentine channel), calculated depending on the kinetics of a particular reaction. The work is devoted to the microfluidic industry and reflects one of the most important aspects in it - mixing. Mixing in such reactors takes place in laminar mode and is carried out exclusively using molecular and convection mass transfer. The main mixers used in the framework of microreactors, such as T-shaped, Y-shaped mixers, typical mixing cells used in cascade design, have been studied. As a result of the conducted research, the most successful variants of mixers were identified, and the required microchannel length for complete mixing of the initial reagents for each of them was calculated. In order to improve the efficiency of the process, typical micromixers have been proposed, allowing to reduce the channel length required for complete mixing of reagents. The most successful micromixer was identified and cascade modeling was performed - the minimum sufficient number of cells for successful reaction was revealed. In this work, the kinetics of a specific process was not considered, the length of the reaction channel directly depends on the specific reaction.
Reflexiones en torno a Curapaligüe, memorias del desierto (Sergio Schmucler, 2010): paisaje y región en trance
Authors: Lema Carlos M.
Published: November 2024

En este artículo nos proponemos reflexionar en torno a la manera en que el documental-ensayo Curapaligüe, memorias del desierto (Sergio Schmucler, 2010) desarticula ciertos estereotipos asociados al paisaje del desierto y de la pampa argentina. En su lugar, entendemos que la obra propone una imagen regional capaz de singularizar dichos territorios, provocando así una fisura de tipo geoestética que cuestiona el esquema centralista que organiza y determina el mapa cinematográfico nacional.
Del alma al cuerpo desorganizado: un proyecto poshumanista que enrarece el cine uruguayo
Authors: Carbajal Matías
Published: November 2024

Este texto se propone explorar las características de dos películas del director uruguayo Álvaro Buela, Alma mater (2005) y El proyecto de Beti y el hombre árbol (2014), por su particular (des)localización en el paisaje cinematográfico local. En su rareza explícitamente asumida, que atraviesa la representación y lo representado, ambas películas parecen conformar un cuerpo extraño, ajeno a las formas de representación del realismo dominante. Desde una perspectiva semiótica peirceana, en articulación con la idea de Cuerpo sin Órganos de Deleuze y Guattari (1997), el análisis invita a indagar en la productividad de un proyecto estético y narrativo anómalo, para vislumbrar la emergencia de una sensibilidad más allá de lo humano, que desborda la matriz cartesiana del sujeto moderno occidental.
Hacia una epistemología del closet lésbico como disrupción en Susana de Susana Blaustein Muñoz
Authors: Gálligo Wetzel Agustina
Published: November 2024

Este artículo propone un análisis formal del documental autobiográfico Susana (1980, 23’) de la cineasta mendocina Susana Blaustein Muñoz desde nociones provistas por los estudios lésbicos, queer y los feminismos. Se analizará el documental de Blaustein Muñoz principalmente a partir de los aportes de teóricas y activistas lesbianas y queer asentadas en el llamado giro afectivo. Las contribuciones de Kosofsky Sedgwick (1998) en torno al closet como la estructura que define la opresión gay en este siglo serán una clave sensible que acompañará la lectura del documental argentino, pionero como film experimental que pone en escena identidades lesbianas a partir del uso de la primera persona en los años ochenta.
OUTCOME OF ARTHROSCOPIC NON-ANATOMIC REPAIR OF MASSIVE ROTATOR CUFF TEAR: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS
Authors: Usama Muhammad , Uddin Bilal , Umer Faheem Muhammad , Amin Asad , Ahmed Bajwa Mubashar , Sohail Ayesha , Ahmad Khan Shaheryar
Published: November 2024

Background: The aim was to assess the clinical outcome of non-anatomic rotator-cuff repair in large tears not amenable to anatomic repair and to assess the preoperative factors that affect the result of such repairs. Study design: A retrospective case-series at GTTH, Lahore. Place and duration: Twenty-seven cases that underwent non-anatomic rotator-cuff repair at Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital over the last 5 years and met inclusion criteria were assessed over a three-month study period (from 01/10/2023 to 31/12/2023). Study methodology: Outcome was assessed in terms of improvement in pain as per visual-analog-scale (VAS), UCLA, as well as Constant score. Furthermore, patients’ satisfaction was also assessed to measure subjective efficacy of the procedure.  Results: Most commonly cases of rotator cuff tear present with pain, weakness, and restriction of shoulder range of motion. Pain improved significantly (p<0.001) from preoperative score of 3.68 to 1.45. Analysis of the objective assessment showed statistically significant (p=001) improvement in Constant score from a preoperative average score of 63.63 to a postoperative average of 77.27, with significant improvement (p=0.05) in each individual scoring criteria as well. The other scoring studied: UCLA also improved significantly (p=0.001) from 25.36 to 30.18. Despite this, on subjective assessment 40.9% of the sample was very satisfied and 27.3% were satisfied with the outcome. Conclusion: Non-anatomic repair is very effective at treating the presenting complaints of the rotator cuff tear patients. Thus, alongside good clinical outcome, patient satisfaction can be predicted after the procedure.
Feminicídio e políticas públicas
Authors: Silva Carlos Henrique Fernandes da , Alves Israel Andrade
Published: November 2024

O presente estudo aborda a temática do feminicídio, destacando a importância de compreender a eficácia das legislações no combate à violência contra as mulheres. Para isso, utilizou-se a metodologia de pesquisa bibliográfica, analisando dados históricos e jurídicos e comparando os avanços trazidos pelas Leis Maria da Penha, nº 13.104/2015, e nº 14.994/2024. O objetivo principal é avaliar se as leis atuais conseguem, de fato, prevenir o feminicídio e proteger as mulheres. Ao longo do estudo, busca-se contextualizar a questão da violência de gênero e discutir como a legislação pode ser aprimorada para atingir seus propósitos. A metodologia utilizada é de caráter bibliográfico e documental, baseada na análise de legislações, relatórios oficiais, artigos acadêmicos e dados estatísticos, proporcionando uma visão crítica sobre os desafios e avanços obtidos até o momento. Os tópicos abordados incluem: um breve histórico sobre a violência contra a mulher e a construção social do patriarcado, a origem e evolução das legislações protetivas, como a Lei Maria da Penha e a Lei do Feminicídio, e a análise das medidas protetivas de urgência no contexto atual. Além disso, discute-se o papel das políticas públicas de prevenção e o impacto dessas ações na redução dos índices de violência e feminicídios. Conclui-se que, embora as leis representem avanços significativos, ainda existem lacunas no cumprimento e fiscalização das normas. A proteção efetiva exige esforços conjuntos entre o poder público, a sociedade civil e o sistema judiciário, com a implementação de medidas que promovam mudanças culturais e estruturais, essenciais para o enfrentamento do problema.
Prospection of potential cellulase producing filamentous fungi from corn silage
Authors: Mendes Wanderson de Jesus de Moura , Santos João Pedro Soares e , Gonçalves Brida Maria Teixeira , Nelson David Lee , Benassi Vivian Machado
Published: November 2024

The prospection of filamentous fungi is essential for understanding fungal biodiversity and exploring its potential in biotechnological processes. Among its applications, cellulase production stands out; it is used for clarifying juice, reducing food viscosity, and producing fermentable sugars from plant residues. This study soughr to isolate filamentous fungi from corn silage samples collected in Gouveia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, using three methods: direct contact, dilution, and pour plate. The isolation was performed on a solid culture medium containing carboxymethylcellulose at 30 °C, with monitoring of the plates for seven days. Eleven filamentous fungi were isolated, all obtained by the pour plate method. Once isolated, spot transfers were performed, and the microorganisms were maintained at 30 °C for macromorphological characterization after eight days. The results showed primarily velvety-textured mycelia with a smooth surface, regular edges, flat topography, white mycelium color, and a dry appearance. Regarding enzymatic activity, halos of up to 27 mm were observed in some samples, indicating potential cellulase production. Given the diversity of the characteristics, it was concluded that there is a plurality of isolated filamentous fungi with potential for cellulolytic enzyme production.
Behavior of common weeds in the cerrado área of Goiás to a native population of Meloidogyne javanica
Authors: Guimarães Lara Nascimento , Silva Rodrigo Vieira da , Guimarães Nathália Nascimento , Martin Gabriela Araújo , Ferreira Ana Paula Gonçalves , Inoue Tiago Yukio , Pereira Caíke de Sousa , Gonçalves Adenilson Henrique
Published: November 2024

The nematode Meloidogyne javanica usually known as the root-knot nematode causes damage to crop yields. These nematodes have a wide range of hosts, including undesirable plants that allow it to multiply in cultivated areas. In order to evaluate the susceptibility of weeds present in the Cerrado Goiano to M. javanica, the following treatments were defined: control, tomato 'Santa Cruz', Desmodium tortuosum, Ageratum conyzoides, Amaranthus retroflexus and Emilia sonchifolia; inoculated with M. javanica, with seven replications, totaling 35 experimental units. evaluated with a completely randomized design. According to the NE variable, Emilia sonchifolia behaved as resistant, NE= 3,582; Desmodium tortuosum immune, NE= 0, Ageratum conyzoides and Amaranthus retroflexus were susceptible with number of eggs = 6,720 and 28,512, respectively. Therefore, based on the results in the infested field these weeds can function as multipliers of the nematode. The results obtained highlight the importance of the management of weeds, especially the Ageratum conyzoides and Amaranthus conyzoides in areas already infested with M. javanica.
Morphometric analysis and environmental planning: an educational approach in science and mathematics for understanding geomorphological processes in the Água das Araras watershed, Cornélio Procópio and Santa Mariana, Paraná, Brazil
Authors: Campos Ricardo Aparecido , Dias Elisa Aparecida , Mendes Gabriela Helena Geraldo Issa , Suzuki Juliana Telles Faria , Nishikawa Taíse Ferreira da Conceição , Araujo Carla Gomes de , Todan Isabela Camargo
Published: November 2024

The article develops a detailed morphometric analysis of the Água das Araras Stream Watershed, located in the regions of Cornélio Procópio and Santa Mariana, Paraná. The investigation focuses on the geomorphological characterization and the dynamics of processes shaping the basin's relief and drainage network. Using quantitative methods such as areal, linear, hypsometric, and fluvial planning analysis, the research aims to clarify the structural factors and environmental conditions shaping the basin.The study seeks not only to identify the natural potential and aspects of environmental vulnerability but also to suggest management actions that enable more effective and sustainable territorial planning. This work presents an important resource for future disciplines in favor of water resource preservation, besides strengthening interdisciplinary understanding of geomorphological processes and their relevance for sustainable development. Additionally, it highlights the application of these concepts in environmental education, especially in the teaching of Geography, Science, and Mathematics. Moreover, morphometric analysis proves to be a powerful tool for interdisciplinary teaching in Geography, Sciences, and Mathematics, promoting a practical understanding of natural processes and their impacts. The study concludes by emphasizing the relevance of the basin for environmental education and the necessity of conservation policies to ensure the sustainability of local water resources. The study also highlights the need for preservation policies and the importance of the watershed as an educational resource to foster environmental awareness.
Percepções de servidores técnicos administrativos em educação e docentes de um instituto federal sobre a memória e a cultura institucional
Authors: Silva Francislene Rosas da , Araújo José Júlio Cesar do Nascimento , Oliveira Gerilúcia Nascimento de , Mourão Arminda Rachel Botelho , Garcia Fabiane Maia
Published: November 2024

O presente artigo objetiva discutir o conceito de memória institucional e cultura organizacional como possibilidades de comunicação e construção da identidade de uma instituição educativa. Registra e analisa as percepções de servidores técnicos e docentes sobre a temática em um instituto federal no extremo oeste da Amazônia. Trata-se de um estudo de abordagem qualitativa, fundamentado a partir de fontes bibliográficas e documentais com a aplicação de questionário aos servidores técnicos administrativos em educação (TAE) e docentes no lócus da investigação em efetivo exercício das suas funções junto ao Instituto Federal do Acre. Temos como eixo de discussão Candau, 2016; Diehl, 2002; Ricoeur, 2007; Le Goff, 1990; Crippa, 2010; Santos e Valentim, 2021. Os resultados evidenciam que o conhecimento da memória institucional foi relevante e aponta à necessidade de sua implementação na instituição, como forma de consolidação da identidade institucional, construção da cultura organizacional, a difusão e compreensão da preservação da história da instituição.
Occurrence of cetacean strandings on the coast of São Paulo, Brazil: a spatio-temporal assessment from 2017 to 2021
Authors: Martinelli Alexandre , Ferro de Godoy Daniela , Luana Wiener Yaçanã , De Souza Vieira Júnior Claudio , Carvalho do Nascimento Claudia , Sá de Mello Daniela , Noritake Louzada Caio , Maria Taufer Renata
Published: November 2024

This study is part of the Projeto de Monitoramento de Praia– Bacia de Santos - (PMP-BS, Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project) and is based on data from stranded cetaceans collected during beach monitoring in the state of São Paulo, between 2017 and 2021. Our aim was to assess the temporal and spatial patterns of strandings, including the main recorded species, stranding locations, and their distribution throughout the year. The analysis covered 258 beaches along the coast of São Paulo, which was divided into three mesoregions: South Coast (LSP), Central Coast (LCP), and North Coast (LNP). We calculated the number of regularly monitored beach kilometers and the number of cetacean records for each of these mesoregions. These records were termed ‘Strandings per Unit of Sampling Effort’ (EPUE). The total regular daily monitoring covered 430,596.36 kilometers along the beaches, with a record of 2,055 stranded individuals belonging to 18 cetacean species. On average, there were 411 ± 38 stranded individuals per year, ranging from 387 in 2019 to 470 in 2021. The species most frequently encountered were Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei), Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), and Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis). The Franciscana and Guiana dolphins accounted for 86% of records. Forty-three percent of strandings (877) was located in LSP , 33% (670) in LCP, and 25% (508) in LNP. These results were expected and supported by previous studies, as LSP encompasses important priority conservation areas with a diversity of ecosystems and the presence of endemic and endangered species.
Keywords: beach monitoring, cetaceans, conservation, mesoregions, São Paulo coast, strandings
5-6 years old children's mental representations of water in plants
Authors: Kaliampos George , Ioannou Michalis , Pantidos Panagiotis , Ravanis Konstantinos
Published: November 2024

The concept of water holds a central position in almost every curriculum that is developed within early childhood education. The current study presents the findings of research on the way 5–6 year old children deal with the issue of the existence of water in plants. The research was qualitative and was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 66 children. The data was analyzed using content analysis based on the transcripts of the interviews. The results showed that only a small number of children were able to conceptualize the existence of water in plants, however these children were able to describe and make predictions that were in line with school knowledge. Consequently, this field constitutes an interesting area for further research and development of properly designed activities. Limitations of the current research were the restricted and convenient sample as well as the choice of descriptive analysis.
Agriculture and Development of Agribusiness Management in India
Authors: Saxena Dr Ritu , Balaji Mr. Godhiti , Raipuria Mr. Chhaviraj , Ahmad Md Nadeem , Baswala Mr. Vishal , Narnoliya Mr. Shubham , Kumar Khush
Published: November 2024

Agribusiness management integrates business principles into agricultural operations, addressing production, marketing, and distribution. The evolution of agribusiness in India has been shaped by globalization, technological advancements, sustainability practices, and education. Singh et al. (2018), in their article Globalization and Agribusiness in India published in the Journal of Agricultural Economics, highlighted the liberalization policies of the 1990s, which expanded market access but introduced challenges such as price volatility. Patil and Sharma (2020), in their work Technological Disruptions in Agribusiness in the Indian Journal of Innovation in Agriculture, emphasized the transformative role of technologies like blockchain and IoT in optimizing supply chains, despite adoption barriers. Kumar (2019), through the Role of Agribusiness Education in Rural Development in the International Journal of Rural Studies, explored how agribusiness education fosters rural entrepreneurship. Sustainability practices, such as organic farming, were detailed by Choudhary and Gupta (2017) in Sustainable Practices in Agribusiness in the Agricultural Sustainability Review, advocating government incentives for broader adoption. Rao et al. (2021), in the book chapter The Role of Government Initiatives in Promoting Agribusiness Startups from Digital Transformations in Agriculture (Springer), analyzed schemes like "Make in India" in fostering agribusiness. Finally, Sharma (2020), in Climate Resilience in Agribusiness in Environmental Science and Policy, addressed climate risks, advocating for resilient practices and public-private collaboration. Together, these findings provide a comprehensive understanding of India's agribusiness landscape, emphasizing sustainability, innovation, and policy support.
Life Skills of Physical Education University Students: Identification of Needs – Implications for Educational Practice
Authors: Zadarko-Domaradzka Maria , Sobolewski Marek , Ozimek Mariusz , Zadarko Emilian
Published: November 2024

Background: Modern education should be strongly oriented towards equipping young people with the skills needed to maintain psychosocial well-being, defined as life skills. The aim of this study was to present the self-assessment of selected life skills of physical education (PE) students, analyze variables differentiating the self-assessment of those skills in the test group, and verify the correlation between the degree of self-assessment of life skills and the subjective assessment of mental well-being. Methods: This study was based on a sample of 494 individuals studying PE in Poland. The diagnostic survey method was used. Results: The skills of coping with and managing stress were assessed as the lowest. Sex, study mode, level of study, and employment while studying were the variables differentiating the self-assessment of life skills among the academic youth. Correlation analysis showed that better mental well-being correlates with higher self-assessment of skills, especially for positive thinking (p 0.001; rs = 0.51) and building a positive self-image (p 0.001; rs = 0.45). Conclusions: The hypothesis that a higher level of life skills in PE students was associated with a better self-assessment of well-being was confirmed. The obtained results may be useful in the preparation of future curricula and intervention programs at universities educating physical education teachers.
PERFIL EPIDEMIOLÓGICO DOS CASOS DE SIFÍLIS CONGÊNITA NO BRASIL: ANÁLISE DOS CASOS ENTRE 2019 E 2023
Authors: Kronbauer Cinobelina Pinheiro Elvas , De Oliveira Joseane Sima , Seba Kalil Skeff Gomes , Sampaio Silésia Helena Alencar , Sousa Ludimilla Santana , Da Costa e Silva Zaira Josias , Alves Bárbara Erllen da Silva , Rios Nelson Agapito Brandão
Published: November 2024

INTRODUCTION: Congenital syphilis (CS) is an infectious-contagious disease, of compulsory notification, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, considered a sentinel event of the quality of prenatal care and responsible for unfavorable outcomes such as fetal or perinatal death, prematurity, low birth weight, neurological lesions and other sequelae, as well as important direct and indirect costs in public health. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological profile of congenital syphilis in the state of Piauí from 2019 to 2023. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is an epidemiological study with a quantitative approach, based on data obtained from the Department of Information and Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) of CS cases notified in the period from 2019 to 2023, considering the variables: year of notification, macro-regions, prenatal follow-up, and age group at diagnosis, seeking to identify epidemiological patterns and associations between the variables studied. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Between 2019 and 2023, the analysis of congenital syphilis in Brazil shows a high prevalence of recent cases, with regional inequalities and failures in prenatal care and in the treatment of partners. Even with 82.3% of pregnant women in prenatal care, the lack of treatment for 49.7% of the partners promotes reinfection and vertical transmission. The high rate of stillbirths and miscarriages (3.9%) highlights the impact of untreated syphilis, indicating the need to strengthen prenatal care, ensure treatment for partners, and adapt surveillance according to regional demands. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that congenital syphilis continues to be a critical public health problem in Brazil, aggravated by the low adherence to treatment of partners and regional disparities in access to health. Although most pregnant women receive prenatal care, the lack of comprehensive treatment compromises the control of vertical transmission and results in serious consequences, such as stillbirths and miscarriages. To address this challenge, it is necessary to strengthen prenatal care and include the partner in treatment, with public health policies that ensure adequate monitoring and care in all regions.
DANÇA COMO ESTRATÉGIA PARA MELHORAR O EQUILÍBRIO EM JOVENS COM SURDEZ
Authors: Seibt Vanessa , Cândido Bruno Cristopher , De Carvalho Diego , Pereira Suzana Matheus , Pinto Marcelo de Oliveira
Published: November 2024

Human hearing plays a fundamental role in quality of life, especially in motor development, spatial and temporal perception. Studies indicate that deafness can compromise these functions, increasing the risks of bodily instability and directly impacting mobility and independence. Objective: This study sought to analyze the effects of dance interventions on the balance of deaf children. Methods: We included 18 children of both sexes, aged between 6 and 14 years, attended by the Deaf Person Service (SAPS) of the University of Vale do Itajaí. Participants were divided into two groups: intervention (10 children) and control (8 children). The intervention group participated in eight sessions of adapted Hip Hop classes, while the control group performed manipulation activities and manual games. Balance was assessed using the Berg test, which consists of 14 specific tasks that analyze body stability in different situations. Results: A significant improvement in the balance of the children in the intervention group was observed, evidenced by the increase in the scores of the Berg Test after dance classes. On the other hand, the control group did not present relevant changes in the same parameters. Conclusion: Dance, especially adapted Hip Hop, proved to be an effective strategy to improve balance in deaf children, offering a promising approach for motor development and social inclusion of this population. These findings reinforce the importance of body practices in promoting health and quality of life in children with hearing impairment.
Exploring Managerial Innovation in the University Context: an In-Depth Look through a Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Amrani Hanae , Boussouf Zouheir , AFTISS AHMED
Published: November 2024

This article explores the evolution and growing importance of managerial innovation in the university context, based on an in-depth analysis of existing literature. In the face of globalization and higher education challenges, managerial innovation is crucial for modernizing pedagogical practices, enhancing teaching quality, and addressing students' needs. This systematic literature review evaluates key studies, including those by Xue & Wang (2024) and Chung & Espinoza (2023), to assess the impact of innovation on university management. The analysis focuses on trends from 2014 to 2024, drawing on works from the Scopus database. The study addresses four main questions: the relationship between managerial innovation and university education, their reciprocal interaction, the impact of innovation on higher education, and the gaps in current research. The article highlights key findings while stressing the importance of an ethical approach to implementing managerial innovation in universities. The structure includes the methodology, synthesis, analysis, and conclusions on future research directions
Superior Classification of Brain Cancer Types Through Machine Learning Techniques Applied to Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Al-Batah Mohammad , Salem Alzboon Mowafaq , Alqaraleh Muhyeeddin
Published: November 2024

Brain cancer remains one of the most challenging medical conditions due to its intricate nature and the critical functions of the brain. Effective diagnostic and treatment strategies are essential, particularly given the high stakes involved in early detection. Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging has emerged as a crucial modality for the identification and monitoring of brain tumors, offering detailed insights into tumor morphology and behavior. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have revolutionized the analysis of medical imaging, significantly enhancing diagnostic precision and efficiency. This study classifies three primary brain tumor types—glioma, meningioma, and general brain tumors—utilizing a comprehensive dataset comprising 15,000 MR images obtained from Kaggle. We evaluated the performance of six distinct machine learning models: K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Neural Networks, Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Trees, and Random Forests. Each model's effectiveness was assessed through multiple metrics, including classification accuracy (CA), Area Under the Curve (AUC), F1 score, precision, and recall. Our findings reveal that KNN and Neural Networks achieved remarkable classification accuracies of 98.5% and 98.4%, respectively, significantly surpassing the performance of other evaluated models. These results underscore the promise of ML algorithms, particularly KNN and Neural Networks, in improving the diagnostic process for brain cancer through MR imaging. Future research will focus on validating these models with real-world clinical data, aiming to refine and enhance diagnostic methodologies, thus contributing to the development of more accurate, efficient, and accessible tools for brain cancer diagnosis and management.
Strategic Plan for The Professional Drivers Union Cantón Pallatanga, Province of Chimborazo
Authors: Costales Montenegro Roberto Isaac , Cepeda Silva Patricia Mercedes , Avalos Reyes Juan Alberto , Burbano Pérez Ángel Bolívar
Published: November 2024

In recent years, the Professional Drivers Union of the Pallatanga Canton, located in the Province of Chimborazo, has faced a growing demand for the implementation of strategic planning. This need arises with the objective of directing the established goals towards sustainable economic development. This research focuses on the formulation of a Strategic Plan that promotes economic growth and quality improvement in the Union during the period from 2023 to 2027.To carry out this research, a methodology was established that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches. A non-experimental and transversal design was chosen, which allows obtaining information in the real environment without altering the data, within a specific period of time. The population under study was the institution's staff, and field activities were carried out to collect information. The techniques used included interviews directed at the general secretary of the Union, as well as surveys administered to employees.The results obtained revealed that the organization does not have a formal strategic plan. More than half of the employees surveyed are unaware of fundamental aspects such as the mission, vision, values, principles and institutional policies. However, a notable commitment is evident in management focused on the well-being of the Union's collaborators, students and dependents.The main conclusion of the research is that planning within the institution is presented as an informal process, with poorly defined goals. Given this situation, it is proposed to develop a strategic plan that includes various strategies aimed at improving the operational efficiency of the Union. This approach not only seeks internal strengthening, but also the generation of a positive impact on the economic development of the community
Forgotten Children
Authors: Southorn Megan , Halcrow Siân E. , Lončar Stephie R. , Sudron Emma L. , Smith Chris , Jones D. Gareth
Published: November 2024

Fetal and infant skeletal remains in anatomical collections remain an underutilized yet important source of information on the interactions of gender, class, and religion during pregnancy and infant loss. The W. D. Trotter Anatomy Museum at the University of Otago in New Zealand, founded in the nineteenth century, houses more than 2,000 models and anatomical “specimens,” with many of the skeletal remains lacking provenience information. This research aimed to both provide an inventory of the fetal and infant skeletal remains and identify through archival analysis the social context of those whose remains were obtained by the museum. An osteological analysis was carried out to assess the minimum number of individuals (MNI), estimate age-at-death, and provide evidencefor pathology and dissection. The results are interpreted in the context of the archival accession data and historical information at the time to provide the social context in which these people lived and therefore information that may be related to their deaths and acquisition of their bodies by the university. Most of the infants within the collection died around the time of full-termbirth, and some individuals have evidence for developmental pathology, birth trauma, and/or postmortem dissection. The historical context and legislation around body donation suggests structural inequality played a role in the acquisition of these infants’ remains from mothers (primarily poor and/or unmarried women) and that these remains went through a process of commodification and objectification and were retained as developmental teaching “specimens” and examples of pathology.
Effects of High Potassium Cardioplegia and ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel Openers on Endothelial Cells Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Meeyos Suchada , Thitiwuthikiat Piyanuch , Ruangpratheep Chetana , Suwanakitch Prawpan , Paensuwan Pussadee , Nuamchit Teonchit , Siriwittayawan Duangduan
Published: November 2024

Background: The roles of hyperkalemic cardioplegia (CPG) and endothelial ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in endothelial protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) during cardiac surgery remain unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impacts of KATP channel openers (KCOs) on endothelial cell viability and nitric oxide (NO) production under normal conditions and cardioplegia exposure after short and long reperfusion. Methods: Human endothelial cells (EA.hy926) were subjected to ischemia-reperfusion (IR), with or without the KCOs, including pinacidil, diazoxide, nicorandil, and ZD0947. The effects of nicorandil and ZD0947 were also evaluated in conjunction with cardioplegia. The KCOs preserved endothelial cell viability against IRI under standard conditions at both time points. Results: Ischemia-reperfusion significantly reduced NO production at 24 hours, while ZD0947 maintained early NO levels and improved NO production at 24 hours, comparable to nicorandil. Cardioplegia alone did not affect cell viability or NO production; however, its application under IR conditions was more detrimental than IR alone. Notably, nicorandil and ZD0947 preserved cell viability in this context. Nitric oxide levels at 30 minutes remained at basal levels in the cardioplegia, IR, and cardioplegia with IR groups. However, treatment with nicorandil and ZD0947 in the cardioplegia with IR condition significantly increased NO levels compared to the control. Conclusions: ZD0947 and nicorandil effectively mitigated endothelial cell damage in response to IR with cardioplegia.
Increased Vascularity Is the Basis of Enhanced Viability of Expanded Tissue: A Quest to Prove It with Radiological Assessment
Authors: Kumar Rout Sunil , Mallik Mainak , Sahoo Biswajit
Published: November 2024

Background: Although tissue expansion is widely used in reconstructive surgery, no specific study has evaluated the vascularity of expanded skin in real-time to determine the safe limits and efficacy of expansion. Objectives: This study aimed to perform a comparative analysis of the vascularity of expanded skin (using remote-valve tissue expanders) pre- and post-expansion with the aid of Color Doppler and CT-angiography. The objective was to assess vascular changes for resurfacing post-burn tissue defects. Methods: This prospective, descriptive, non-randomized, comparative study was conducted over one year, involving three patients with five tissue expanders. Pre-expansion vascularity of the adjacent healthy region (to be expanded) was assessed using Color Doppler (Power mode) and CT-angiography. Parameters measured included intravascular flow velocity, waveforms, lumen diameter, vessel density, and feeder vessels. The tissue expanders were surgically inserted, and saline was used to expand them to the desired limit. Following expansion, radiological investigations were repeated in the expanded regions to compare vascular parameters with pre-expansion findings. Subsequently, the expanders were surgically removed, and final wound closure was achieved. The outcomes were measured using subjective parameters, including the success of expansion, wound healing, adequate coverage of defects, and complications, if any. Results: Of the five expanders placed in three patients, one failed due to infection, resulting in an 80% success rate for tissue expansion. All wounds healed, with ancillary procedures such as expander removal (for the failed expander) and skin grafting fulfilling the surgical objectives. Radiological evidence demonstrated increased neovascularization patterns, including an increased number of feeder vessels and flow reaching the advancing flap edges. Statistical analysis revealed that among all parameters, lumen diameter (measured in mm) via CT-angiography pre- and post-expansion showed significant changes. Conclusions: This study provided real-time radiological evidence of increased vascularity in expanded skin following tissue expansion. The findings support the efficacy of tissue expansion in enhancing vascularization, which contributes to successful reconstructive outcomes.
Teachers' Perceptions of Influence of Daily School Feeding Programs on Student Participation and Dropout Rates
Authors:   University of Rwanda College of Education, Niyibizi Onesme
Published: November 2024

This qualitative study explored teachers' perceptions of how daily school feeding programs influence student participation and dropout rates in selected public day secondary schools. Using semi-structured interviews with twenty purposively selected teachers, the research highlighted the positive effects of school feeding programs on various aspects of student engagement. Teachers reported that these programs improved student attendance and punctuality, enhanced participation in classroom activities, and improved academic performance. Additionally, the guaranteed provision of meals alleviated stress and anxiety, enabling students to focus more on their education. Teachers also noted that school feeding programs raised a sense of community and belonging, further motivating students to engage actively in school. The study found consistent improvements in student attendance, concentration, and overall participation while also noting a reduction in dropout rates. These findings emphasize the crucial role of nutrition in supporting student engagement, particularly in public day secondary schools. Based on these insights, the study proposed several recommendations for policymakers, including enhancing support and resources for school feeding programs to ensure their sustainability and effectiveness and implementing continuous monitoring and evaluation to identify areas for improvement. Addressing these recommendations could strengthen the impact of school feeding initiatives, ultimately improving student participation and reducing dropout rates.
Upskilling and retraining the adult workforce
Authors:   Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, Hobbs Abbi
Published: November 2024

Upskilling and retraining adults is key to addressing future challenges and benefits productivity, health and wellbeing, social justice and communities.
Inequalities in education, and attainment gaps
Authors:   Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, Hobbs Abbi , Mutebi Natasha
Published: November 2024

Educational inequalities emerge in early childhood and effects continue throughout a person's life. How might school closures and disruption widen inequalities?
Business priorities post-COVID
Authors:   Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, Miller Jack , Bermingham Rowena
Published: November 2024

COVID-19, Brexit and consumer behaviours are changing the way businesses operate. What could the impact be on manufacturing, retail and service provision?
Rebuilding marine biodiversity
Authors:   Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, Wentworth Jonathan
Published: November 2024

Implementing CBD requirements to protect 30% of the global ocean will need to be informed by what interventions can address pressures on marine ecosystems to be successful.
Health inequalities: health conditions and interventions
Authors:   Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, Bunn Sarah
Published: November 2024

COVID-19 has renewed attention on unfair and avoidable health differences across the population. But it remains unclear how the pandemic might inform public health policy.
An introduction to Research for Parliament 2021
Authors:   Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, Wentworth Jonathan
Published: November 2024

Experts have helped us find 30 areas of change to help the UK Parliament prepare for the future.
Eksplorasi Gastronomi Bebetok Sebagai Makanan Khas Lombok yang Memiliki Potensi Wisata Kuliner di Desa Lantan Lombok Tengah
Authors: Anggara Agung Puja , Pujawan A.A Ketut Alit
Published: November 2024

Tujuan kepariwisataan Indonesia adalah untuk mengenalkan makanan khas daerah secara global. Makanan khas di daerah pedesaan sangat beragam dengan potensi wisata kuliner dari alam khususnya di desa lantan lombok tengah. Dalam penelitian ini dibahas bentuk gastronomi bebetok yang bisa digunakan menjadi gastronomi wisata kuliner. Penelitian ini bertujuan mempelajari dan mengetahui bagaimana gastronomi bebetok khas lombok dan akankah berpotensi menjadi wisata kuliner di desa lantan lombok tengah. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan jenis deskriptif. Data diperoleh melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi, dan dokumentasi di desa lantan lombok tengah adapun langkah analisis data meliputi reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan serta peneliti memberikan saran untuk menarik kunjungan wisatawan yaitu dengan melakukan promosi gastronomi wisata kuliner dimasa yang akan datang. Penyajian kuliner bebetok dilakukan untuk mengenalkan gastronomi makanan khas seperti Bebetok menyangkut persiapan bahan, pengolahan bahan dan penyajian makanan untuk dapat mengenalkan bebetok sebagai produk yang berkualitas baik agar dapat dinikmati oleh wisatawan yang nantinya akan berkunjung ke lombok.
Inscrutable Evil, Absurdity, and Skeptical Theism
Authors: Ruczaj Stanisław ,   Saint Louis University
Published: November 2024

For many believers, encounters with evil trigger a deep desire to understand the divine reasons for permitting evil, that is, a desire for theodicy. Very often, however, attempts to find a theodicy fail—a phenomenon called the inscrutability of evil. Skeptical theists attribute this failure to our cognitive limitations as creatures. In this paper, I argue that the clash between the common desire for theodicy and the inscrutability of evil should be analyzed using the concept of absurdity, famously explored by Albert Camus and some contemporary philosophers studying the meaning of life. I then propose that a loving God would not subject human beings to the experience of absurdity, so He would not create a world in which our cognitive limitations prevent us from finding a theodicy. This conclusion has important implications for the plausibility of the skeptical theist’s position.
Cardiac Cine MRI with Dimension-Reduced Deep Separable Spatiotemporal Learning
Authors: Wang Zi , Zhou Yirong , Wang Chengyan , Guo Di , Qu Xiaobo
Published: November 2024

Motivation: Cardiac cine MRI reconstruction is a natural high-dimensional problem that poses great challenges to deep learning. Goal(s): To develop a new deep learning method that can work efficiently in cardiac cine MRI, even with limited training data. Approach: In this work, the proposed method DeepSSL significantly alleviates training and generalization challenges of deep learning in cardiac cine MRI through efficient dimension-reduced separable learning and spatiotemporal modeling. Results: Extensive results show that DeepSSL can work efficiently even with highly limited training data (5~10 cases), and provides state-of-the-art reconstructions while reduces data demand by up to 75%. It further shows robustness in prospective real-time MRI. Impact: The proposed deep separable spatiotemporal learning (DeepSSL) significantly alleviates the training and generalization challenges of deep learning in high-dimensional cardiac cine MRI through efficient dimension-reduced separable learning and spatiotemporal modeling.
Rapid Motion Estimation and Motion-Corrected End-to-End Deep Learning Reconstruction for 1 Heartbeat CINE
Authors: Fletcher Thomas , Felsner Lina , Phair Andrew , Cruz Gastão , Qi Haikun , Botnar René , Prieto Claudia
Published: November 2024

Motivation: Cardiac CINE provides dynamic images of the heart for morphology and function assessment. Single-heartbeat CINE enables faster acquisition times and the study of heart rate variations, but conventional reconstruction methods incur significant computational cost. Goal(s): This study aims to speed up single-heartbeat CINE reconstruction by using deep learning reconstruction. Approach: We propose a novel, rapid, end-to-end deep learning pipeline for motion estimation and motion-corrected single-heartbeat CINE reconstruction with golden-angle radial acquisition. Results: The network reconstructs each CINE slice in ~40 seconds (400 times faster than state-of-the-art), with comparable image quality, achieving SSIM values ranging from 0.75 to 0.84 across cardiac phases and slices. Impact: The proposed approach enables reconstruction of single-heartbeat golden-angle radial CINE acquisition in ~40 seconds, making it clinically feasible. Single-heartbeat CINE could reduce scan times, achieve acquisitions of multiple slices in a single breath-hold and be robust to heart rate variations.
Joint Optimization of Data Sampling and Reconstruction for Dynamic MRI
Authors: Alkan Cagan , Oscanoa Julio , Dimnaku Andy , Syed Ali , Vasanawala Shreyas , Pauly John
Published: November 2024

Motivation: Sampling patterns in deep learning (DL) or compressed sensing (CS) based accelerated dynamic MRI reconstructions are typically chosen heuristically. k-t sampling patterns can be optimized to capture the spatio-temporal characteristics of dynamic MRI data more efficiently. Goal(s): Our objective is to develop a method for optimizing k-t sampling patterns for dynamic MRI. Approach: We extend the recently developed AutoSamp framework to dynamic MRI setting to jointly optimize k-t sampling and reconstruction. We test our method on a cardiac cine dataset. Results: DL reconstruction with optimized k-t patterns using the proposed method produces higher quality results with reduced spatial and temporal artifacts. Impact: Dynamic MRI reconstructions with learned sampling patterns improves reconstruction quality. The learned patterns can also provide insights about designing general k-t MRI sampling patterns.
Graph Image Prior for Unsupervised Dynamic MRI Reconstruction
Authors: Li Zhongsen , Chen Wenxuan , Liu Chuyu , Xie Puguang , Sun Haozhong , Wei Haining , Ji Jiachen , Zou Jing , Li Rui
Published: November 2024

Motivation: Current unsupervised dynamic-MRI reconstruction algorithms based on DIP uses very low-dimensional latent variables and a single generator for direct non-linear mapping, which may limit the performance. Goal(s): To propose a new model and algorithm for unsupervised dynamic MRI reconstruction. Approach: We propose a novel Graph-Image-Prior(GIP) model, which uses branched CNN generators to recover the image structure, and use a Graph-Neural-Network(GNN) to discover the best spatio-temporal manifold. Besides, we devise an ADMM algorithm to alternately optimize the dynamic image and network. Results: The proposed method achieves the state-of-art performance even compared with supervised deep-learning methods, without the need for any fully-sampled data. Impact: The proposed Graph-Image-Prior(GIP) scheme is a new unsupervised image reconstruction model, which has a significant value for further research. Besides, GIP is promising to be used in other multi-frame MRI reconstruction applications where fully-sampled data is scarce or unavailable.