bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Phytochemicals Using GC-MS / LC-MS-MS Techniques and Modeling Studies against COVID-19 Targets
Authors: Pachaiappan Raman , Vasudevan Vinduja , Krishnan Nagasathiya , Singh Pinki Kumari , Abinaya K. , Dhanabalan Anantha Krishnan , Bhattacharjee Atanu , Devadasan Velmurugan
Published: November 2024

The ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – Corona Virus -2’ (SARS-CoV2), identified first in China on 31st December 2019, immediately became a pandemic
health concern. ‘Coronavirus Disease–2019’ (COVID-19) outbreak wasdeclared a
global pandemic by the WHO in March 2020. More than 4,786,203 people died as a
result of this illness, and about 233,908,734 people worldwide had been infected as of
1
st October 2021. Multi-organ involvement of COVID-19 often leads to death and other
complications like cerebrovascular and various thyroid diseases. As SARS-CoV-2 has
a level of resemblance with SARS-CoV, the antivirals used earlier have been attempted
in the COVID-19 treatment. Proposing new antivirals is a lengthy process for SARSCoV2, and drug repurposing is also another route to reduce the number of deaths.
SARS-CoV-2-infected patients who already have diseases like diabetes, hypertension,
etc., are at more risk. Using phytocompounds as a control of SARS-CoV2 is also the
need of the hour as the side effects of these are expected to be very less compared to
the synthetic ones or vaccines. This review covers the above aspects in detail and
reports the outcomes for the past few years period. The use of bioinformatics tools is
also emphasized in this chapter.
Herbs in the Traditional Healthcare System of North East India
Authors: Sarma Hirendra Nath , Saikia Archana , Doima Sonam
Published: November 2024

The traditional healthcare system of North East India encompasses a rich
repository of medicinal herbs that have been utilized for centuries to address various
health concerns. Traditional medicine practitioners, with their distinct diagnostic
methods, often rely on attentive observation and tactile examination to discern health
issues, devoid of modern diagnostic instruments. Remedies are prepared from fresh
plant materials collected from nature and prescribed to patients, frequently in
composite forms comprising multiple herbs or their parts. In this study, we focus on
three notable herbs: Polygonum hydropiper, Coptis teeta, and Lasia spinosa. They have
been traditionally used to alleviate pain, reduce swelling, and treat conditions such as
arthritis and rheumatism. Also, they possess antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. These plants hold immense therapeutic potential and exhibit
the invaluable wealth of traditional knowledge that continues to inform and enrich
contemporary pharmaceutical endeavors.
Liquid Body Wash Formulation with the Addition of Agarwood Leaf Extract
Authors:   Universitas Riau, Hamzah Faizah , Ultri Ultri ,   Universitas Riau, Ayu Dewi Fortuna ,   Universitas Riau, Pramana Angga ,   Universitas Riau
Published: November 2024

Abstract This study aimed to study the effect of agarwood leaf extract extracted through maceration as an antibacterial agent on the quality of liquid body wash. The study used a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications. The treatments applied included the addition of agarwood leaf extract with concentrations of 0% (S1), 2.5% (S2), 5% (S3), 7.5% (S4), and 10% (S5). Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), followed by Duncan's Test at 5% significance level. The results showed that adding agarwood leaf extract significantly affected free alkali, pH, foam stability, density, antibacterial activity, and sensory properties of liquid body wash. Liquid body wash with a 10% addition of agarwood leaf extract showed the best quality, with an inhibition zone of 24.86 ± 0.79 mm and 22.16 ± 2.40 mm against Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This liquid body wash has a free alkali content of 0.027%, a specific gravity of 1.08±0.08g/mL, foam stability of 89.79±0.77%, pH of 9.33±0.03, and does not cause skin irritation. Descriptive tests showed that the liquid body wash was dark brown with a distinctive aroma of agarwood leaves. Keywords: Agarwood leaves extract, antibacterial activity, Bacillus subtilis, liquid body wash, Pseudomonas aeruginosa Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mempelajari pengaruh ekstrak daun gaharu yang diekstrak melalui maserasi sebagai agen antibakteri terhadap kualitas sabun mandi cair. Penelitian menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap dengan lima perlakuan dan empat ulangan. Perlakuan yang diterapkan meliputi penambahan ekstrak daun gaharu dengan konsentrasi 0% (S1), 2,5% (S2), 5% (S3), 7,5% (S4), dan 10% (S5). Data dianalisis menggunakan Analisis Varians (ANOVA), dilanjutkan dengan Uji Duncan pada taraf signifikansi 5%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penambahan ekstrak daun gaharu berpengaruh signifikan terhadap alkali bebas, pH, stabilitas busa, densitas, aktivitas antibakteri, dan sifat sensorik sabun mandi cair. Sabun mandi cair dengan penambahan ekstrak daun gaharu 10% menunjukkan kualitas terbaik, dengan zona hambat sebesar 24,86±0.79 mm dan 22,16±2.40 mm terhadap Bacillus subtilis dan Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Sabun ini memiliki kadar alkali bebas 0,027%, berat jenis 1,08±0.08g/mL, stabilitas busa 89.79±0.77%, pH 9.33±0.03, dan tidak menyebabkan iritasi kulit. Uji deskriptif menunjukkan bahwa sabun mandi cair tersebut memiliki warna coklat tua dengan aroma khas daun gaharu. Kata kunci: Aktivitas antibakteri, Bacillus subtilis, ekstrak daun gaharu, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, sabun mandi cair
Leveraging network analysis to improve navigability of design standards
Authors: Rogers Chase , Harries Kent
Published: November 2024

The utility of building design standards is a growing concern amongst construction professionals. Design standards continue to swell with updates, which makes ensuring all requirements are satisfied increasingly complex for users. Few tools exist for authors of standards to improve navigation for users. This study investigates the use of network analysis to understand the relationship between the organization of a standard and navigational complexity. A case study is presented of the reorganization of American Concrete Institute’s (ACI) flagship design document, ACI 318. The standard’s networks before (ACI 318-11) and after (ACI 318-14) the reorganization are developed via rule-based text extraction. Networks are analyzed assuming that ACI 318-14 is the structurally superior document. Indicators of complexity are identified from each networks' characteristic features, centrality metrics, clustering tendencies, recurring motifs, and geodesic paths. Network analysis is found to be useful for identifying, understanding, and mitigating navigational complexity within a building design standard.
Ideological Polarisation in the Venezuelan Presidential Crisis
Authors: Peterssen Silvia
Published: November 2024

Since January 2019, the presidency of Venezuela has been disputed between Nicolás Maduro and Juan Guaidó. Both leaders claim their legitimacy over the office of the President, andboth have been recognised by different countries and international organisations. In the context of this presidential crisis, a specialised corpus of 5 political speeches and 4 political interviews of these leaders was collected with the purpose of analysing the social and ideological representation of ingroups and outgroups (i.e., the ideological polarisation, van Dijk, 1998a) from a critical socio-cognitive perspective (van Dijk, 2018). The analysis was carried out with Sketch Engine (see Kilgariff et al., 2014) and focused on the collocates and concordances of the main social actors, as well as their frequencies. The results of this corpus-assisted discourse study (Marchi & Taylor, 2018) were critically interpreted considering the socio-political situation, the ideological background of the two Venezuelan presidents, and previous research on polarisation (e.g., Bolívar, 2013b; Gadavanij, 2020; Li and Zhu, 2019). The discourse of Nicolás Maduro evidenced a neo-colonial ideological schema based on a strong polarisation between Bolivarian and imperialist groups. The ingroup was described as revolutionary, Bolivarian, and anti-imperialist, while the outgroup as right-wing imperialist elites. Guaidó was conceptualised as a puppet of the US government and extra-constitutional president, in opposition to Maduro, who was represented as the only legitimate leader, heir of Chávez and Bolívar. As regards Guaidó’s discourse, the ingroup-outgroup polarisation revealed a democracy vs. dictatorship struggle. He portrayed the ingroup as a free, united, democratic movement that would establish a transitional government, and the outgroup as an armed paramilitary dictatorship led by a usurper. Overall, ideological polarisation allowed these leaders to define their political identities and conceptualise themselves as rivals, to reproduce their ideologies and attitudes, and to legitimise themselves and delegitimise the other.
A Critical Analysis of Heteronormative Discourses on Gender and Sexuality in the Jamaican Rock Music Scene
Authors: Whiteman-Charles Nadia
Published: November 2024

Historically, Jamaican culture has been positioned at odds with the development of LGBTQ rights. Though the locale has been making steps towards accepting different groups, its stalwart history of heterotypical male and female roles is still ingrained in the AfroCaribbean psyche. This paper provides a critical analysis of the construction of the homophobic and misogynistic discourses within the Jamaican rock music scene. Despite attempts to embrace cultural differences, members consistently adopted heterophobias towards gay men and women. Within the scene’s everyday discourse, women’s bodies were constantly objectified. Additionally, gay men remained simultaneously invisible and subjugated by hypermasculine anxieties. The collective philosophy of the scene suggested that the community was a safe haven from mainstream prejudices. However, this philosophy was an act of dark play which hid the group’s biases.
Macro-Structural Change in Relation to Micro-Discursive Storytelling: Qatari Nationality as a Resource for the Construction of Professional Identity
Authors: Al-Khulaifi Afra , Van De Mieroop Dorien
Published: November 2024

Combining insights from the sociology of education and from discourse-based work on identities within contexts of organizational change, we aim to tease out how topdown structural changes can be related to micro-discursive identity work. Selecting the case of the Qatari university context – which currently takes up a pivotal position in a nation-wide transformative agenda that targets both society and economy – we engage in an empirical investigation of a corpus of interviews with Qatari junior academics. We draw on ‘positioning analysis’ (Bamberg, 1997) to scrutinize the linguistic specificities of the interviewees’ individual stories and their construction of professional identities. In the analyses, we show an emergent pattern of similar identity work in some of the interviewsin our dataset. In particular, these interviewees explicitly draw on their nationality when discussing their career journeys, thus constructing a very specific version of their professional identity. We argue that this can be considered as emblematic of the academic profession as it is being shaped in current-day Qatar, and we claim that this type of analysis can reflexively capture some of the complexities of the dynamic change processes in higher education institutions as well as in organizational contexts in general.
The Construction of Lebanon’s Concurrent Crises in Opinion Articles
Authors: Sabbah Farah , Saba’ayon Najwa , Arkadan Houda
Published: November 2024

The construction of crisis is realized through the language of those expressing their individual or group perspectives. In 2020, many nations faced multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which raised questions about how concurrent crises are interpreted and managed. Lebanon is an example of a country that experienced three concurrent crises in 2020: the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic crisis, and the Beirut Port explosion. This study focuses on Lebanon’s crises by analyzing ten English-language opinion articles written by authors who view the crises from their own professional, social, or cultural lens. The articles were qualitatively analyzed for instances of attitudinal meaning as presented in the appraisal framework. Four constructions of the crises emerged from the analysis, showing that the effects of the crises are unequal but interconnected, crisis management emphasizes certain stakeholders’ interests but not others, and a crisis has the potential to instigate change. Thus, analyzing diverse constructions of crises in the articles shows that they have been simultaneously constructed as victimizing and empowering, thus highlighting the role of power in shaping the effects and management of crises.
Discourses of Covid-19 and the Political: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Barnickel Christiane , Dück Elena , Kutter Amelie
Published: November 2024

The contributions in this special issue explore the intersection of discourse, crises and the political during the Covid-19 pandemic. By focusing on ‘the political’, the contributors go beyond understandings of ‘politics’ as procedures and processes of decision-making. Instead, they explore the nuanced ways in which pandemic discourses shape struggles over the normalised socio-political order and its legitimate subjects. By adopting diverse theoretical perspectives on the political, ranging from governmentality to poststructuralist theory, and by employing traditions from different disciplines such as political theory, sociology, anthropology, or media-aesthetics, the articles scrutinise pandemic discourses in various regions, including in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Ghana, Estonia and the Polish-German border region. The contributions highlight how discourses of the Covid-19 pandemic construct, stabilise and re-configure political identities,subjectivities and normalities within pandemic societies. They show that pandemic discourses allow for a recognition of shared vulnerabilities, while simultaneously perpetuating inequalities and reinforcing established neoliberal subjectivities, such as the ‘responsible subject’. The articles compiled in the special issue offer critical insights into thecomplex dynamics of pandemic discourses and put a spotlight on how societies are (re-)imagined during times of crisis.
Essential Workers, BorderCrossing and Exceptionality During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Debelle dos Santos Galvão
Published: November 2024

The piece examines the figure of the ‘essential worker’ and the special arrangements it impliedto introduce and discuss the concept of exceptionality. The theory developed by Agamben andNeocleous on the state of exception suggests the need to move away from classic discourseanalysis and put the focus on silence and absences in discourse. The need to go beyond generaltheories on exceptionality is suggested, leading to a methodological proposal that can accountfor the invisible everyday resistances of the subaltern. This is done by looking at a specificcase study deemed useful to grasp the affective dimension of exceptionality, while mobilizingethnographic methods. Using fieldwork materials collected in Swiss vineyards between 2020and 2022, some telling examples of abuses are described and analysed. To analyse theseexperiences, a conceptualization of the wine-production sector in Switzerland is provided andthen complemented with examples of exceptionality in Swiss vineyards. The results suggestthe need for further research on what exceptionality does to the bodies which are affected byit, and how it separates them from the remaining.
Gyermekkor: interkulturális és interdiszciplináris kontextusban
Authors: Endrődy Orsolya
Published: November 2024

Endrődy Orsolya gyermekkorkutató, az ELTE PPK Interkulturális Pszichológia és Pedagógia Intézetének egyetemi adjunktusa. Doktori disszertációját a reneszánsz gyermekképéről írta, ikonográfiai elemzésen alapuló monográfiája szintén az ELTE Eötvös Kiadónál jelent meg. Budapesten él gyermekével, Jázminnal. Számos hazai és nemzetközi neveléstudományi szaklap szerkesztője, lektora. Kutatótársaival interdiszciplináris együttműködésben a neveléstudomány, a nyelvészet és a vizuális kommunikáció interszekciójában publikál. Nemzetközipublikációi közt találhatunk Q1 és D1 besorolásúakat is. A kutatás mellett hivatásának tekinti a gyermekek és az egyetemi hallgatók támogatását, mentorálását, a tehetségek felkutatását. Vendégtanár Thaiföldön, Vietnámban, Malajziában és Japánban. 5 évet élt Oszakában, és dolgozott nemzetközi óvodában. Ázsia iránti szeretete és a családja inspirálta jelen kötetét, amely a doktori cselekmény óta megjelent interdiszciplináris és interkulturális fókuszú kutatásaiból ad áttekintést. Nem titkolt célja, hogy rávilágítson a gyermekkor sokszínűségére, melyet mind történeti keretek közt, mind Ázsiába kalauzolva, azaz időben és térben igyekszik megmutatni. A kötet többek közt arra a kérdésre keresi a választ, hogyan lehet a gyermekek számára adaptív környezetet teremteni, illetve hogyan szóljunk a legkisebbekhez úgy, hogy mesélni kezdjenek saját világukról. Gyermekkora óta járja a világot, és élvezi a kulturális diverzitást. Gyermeki énjét festményeivel tartja fenn; a borítón látható kép saját alkotása, melyet az ukrajnai háború kitörése napján készített. Bízik benne, hogy kötete megmutatja, hogyan lehet a nemzetek közti párbeszédet elmélyítve hidat építeni, és békét teremteni a Földön.
In-Depth Examination of the Functionality and Performance of the Internet Hospital Information Platform: Development and Usability Study (Preprint)
Authors: Zhang Guang-Wei , Li Bin , Gu Zheng-Min , Yang Wei-Feng , Wang Yi-Ran , Li Hui-Jun , Zheng Han-Bing , Yue Ying-Xu , Wang Kui-Zhong , Gong Mengchun , Gong Da-Xin
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND

Internet hospitals (IHs) have rapidly developed as a promising strategy to address supply-demand imbalances in China’s medical industry, with their capabilities directly dependent on information platform functionality. Furthermore, a novel theory of “Trinity” smart hospital has provided advanced guidelines on IH constructions.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the construction experience, construction models, and development prospects based on operational data from IHs.

METHODS

Based on existing information systems and internet service functionalities, our hospital has built a “Smart Hospital Internet Information Platform (SHIIP)” for IH operations, actively to expand online services, digitalize traditional health care, and explore health care services modes throughout the entire process and lifecycle. This article encompasses the platform architecture design, technological applications, patient service content and processes, health care professional support features, administrative management tools, and associated operational data.

RESULTS

Our platform has presented a set of data, including 82,279,669 visits, 420,120 online medical consultations, 124,422 electronic prescriptions, 92,285 medication deliveries, 6,965,566 prediagnosis triages, 4,995,824 offline outpatient appointments, 2025 medical education articles with a total of 15,148,310 views, and so on. These data demonstrate the significant role of IH as an indispensable component of our physical hospital services, with deep integration between online and offline health care systems.

CONCLUSIONS

The upward trends in various data metrics indicate that our IH has gained significant recognition and usage among both the public and healthcare workers, and may have promising development prospects. Additionally, the platform construction approach, which prioritizes comprehensive service digitization and the 'Trinity' of the public, healthcare workers, and managers, serves as an effective means of promoting the development of Internet Hospitals. Such insights may prove invaluable in guiding the development of IH and facilitating the continued evolution of the Internet healthcare sector.
Enhancement of the Performance of Large Language Models in Diabetes Education through Retrieval-Augmented Generation: Comparative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Wang Dingqiao , Liang Jiangbo , Ye Jinguo , Li Jingni , Li Jingpeng , Zhang Qikai , Hu Qiuling , Pan Caineng , Wang Dongliang , Liu Zhong , Shi Wen , Shi Danli , Li Fei , Qu Bo , Zheng Yingfeng
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND

Large language models (LLMs) demonstrated advanced performance in processing clinical information. However, commercially available LLMs lack specialized medical knowledge and remain susceptible to generating inaccurate information. Given the need for self-management in diabetes, patients commonly seek information online. We introduce the Retrieval-augmented Information System for Enhancement (RISE) framework and evaluate its performance in enhancing LLMs to provide accurate responses to diabetes-related inquiries.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of the RISE framework, an information retrieval and augmentation tool, to improve the LLM’s performance to accurately and safely respond to diabetes-related inquiries.

METHODS

The RISE, an innovative retrieval augmentation framework, comprises 4 steps: rewriting query, information retrieval, summarization, and execution. Using a set of 43 common diabetes-related questions, we evaluated 3 base LLMs (GPT-4, Anthropic Claude 2, Google Bard) and their RISE-enhanced versions respectively. Assessments were conducted by clinicians for accuracy and comprehensiveness and by patients for understandability.

RESULTS

The integration of RISE significantly improved the accuracy and comprehensiveness of responses from all 3 base LLMs. On average, the percentage of accurate responses increased by 12% (15/129) with RISE. Specifically, the rates of accurate responses increased by 7% (3/43) for GPT-4, 19% (8/43) for Claude 2, and 9% (4/43) for Google Bard. The framework also enhanced response comprehensiveness, with mean scores improving by 0.44 (SD 0.10). Understandability was also enhanced by 0.19 (SD 0.13) on average. Data collection was conducted from September 30, 2023 to February 5, 2024.

CONCLUSIONS

The RISE significantly improves LLMs’ performance in responding to diabetes-related inquiries, enhancing accuracy, comprehensiveness, and understandability. These improvements have crucial implications for RISE’s future role in patient education and chronic illness self-management, which contributes to relieving medical resource pressures and raising public awareness of medical knowledge.
Identifying and Estimating Frailty Phenotypes by Vocal Biomarkers: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Lin Yu-Chun , Yan Huang-Ting , Lin Chih-Hsueh , Chang Hen-Hong
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND

Researchers have developed a variety of indices to assess frailty. Recent research indicates that the human voice reflects frailty status. Frailty phenotypes are seldom discussed in the literature on the aging voice.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine potential phenotypes of frail older adults and determine their correlation with vocal biomarkers.

METHODS

Participants aged ≥60 years who visited the geriatric outpatient clinic of a teaching hospital in central Taiwan between 2020 and 2021 were recruited. We identified 4 frailty phenotypes: energy-based frailty, sarcopenia-based frailty, hybrid-based frailty–energy, and hybrid-based frailty–sarcopenia. Participants were asked to pronounce a sustained vowel “/a/” for approximately 1 second. The speech signals were digitized and analyzed. Four voice parameters—the average number of zero crossings (A1), variations in local peaks and valleys (A2), variations in first and second formant frequencies (A3), and spectral energy ratio (A4)—were used for analyzing changes in voice. Logistic regression was used to elucidate the prediction model.

RESULTS

Among 277 older adults, an increase in A1 values was associated with a lower likelihood of energy-based frailty (odds ratio [OR] 0.81, 95% CI 0.68-0.96), whereas an increase in A2 values resulted in a higher likelihood of sarcopenia-based frailty (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.18-1.52). Respondents with larger A3 and A4 values had a higher likelihood of hybrid-based frailty–sarcopenia (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.002-1.06) and hybrid-based frailty–energy (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.02-2.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Vocal biomarkers might be potentially useful in estimating frailty phenotypes. Clinicians can use 2 crucial acoustic parameters, namely A1 and A2, to diagnose a frailty phenotype that is associated with insufficient energy or reduced muscle function. The assessment of A3 and A4 involves a complex frailty phenotype.
An integrated VR-based tele-rehabilitation platform to support RECOVERY and maintenance of FUNctional abilities among seniors: A usability and acceptability study protocol (Preprint)
Authors: Benadduci Marco , Franceschetti Claudia , Marziali Rachele Alessandra , Frese Sebastian , Sándor Peter Stephan , Tombolesi Valentina , Bozzi Valentina , Rossi Lorena
Published: November 2024

UNSTRUCTURED

The aging of the population leads to an increase in disability implying a strong effect on health care systems and the lives of caregivers. As example, stroke is a major cause of very common disease and is one of the leading causes of disability in older adults. Rehabilitation is the most effective intervention to counteract patient disability and at the same time reduce the burden of caregivers. In particular, repetitive and task-specific training seems to be the most effective intervention in post-stroke rehabilitation. Virtual reality (VR) is a very useful tool to provide this type of intervention making it fun through gamification. This paper aimed to present the protocol that will be used to evaluate the acceptability and usability of an upper limb rehabilitation solution based on VR. In fact, the RecoveryFun tele-rehabilitation system consists of a VR headset, a wearable sensor, a caregiver application and a clinical platform. A total of 15 patients fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be recruited in 3 recruitment centres, 5 from each site. The system will be given to patients and they will be free to use it when they prefer at their home, with or without caregiver help, following the clinical session set by the physiotherapist. At least 20 minutes of use per week is requested. The physical therapist will be able to remotely monitor the progress of the therapy and increase the difficulty and repetitions of the exergames, also considering patient’s fatigue and stress levels. The system will be held by the patients for 4 weeks, and there will be several meetings and phone call supervision by the therapist. The main dimensions investigated will be system usability and acceptability. Upper limb function and patient’s quality of file as well as caregiver’s perceived stress will also be assessed as secondary outcomes. The trial will start in May 2024 and end in June 2024. The aim of the study is to propose and evaluate a new telemedicine system that would allow greater adherence to therapy without moving from home, reducing the burden on the caregiver. The system could also be used in rehabilitation centres by complementing traditional rehabilitation. Finally, with the calibration system enabling the therapist to create customized clinical sessions for the patient, the system could be versatile and fun for a wide range of patients.
The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the IRCCS INRCA. It was recorded in ClinicalTrials.gov on the number NCT06640452. The study findings will be used for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations in scientific meetings.
Combined Effects of Different Freezing and Thawing Rates on Meat Quality Characteristics of Aged Lamb Loins
Authors: Kim Yuan H. Brad , Kemp Robert , Shin Dong-Jin , Stuart Adam
Published: November 2024

The objective of this study was to determine the combined effects of different freezing and thawing rates on the quality characteristics of aged lamb loins. A total of 105 lamb loins at 1 d postmortem were vacuum-packaged and aged for 2w kat −1.5°C. The loin samples were randomly assigned to 7 treatments, comprising 2 freezing (fast and slow) and 3 thawing rates (−1.5°C, 4°C, and 15°C), along with non-frozen (aged-only) control. Different freezing/thawing rates showed no influence on pH, shear force values, and color parameters of the aged lamb loins (P > 0.05). Fast freezing significantly decreased expressible moisture of the loins compared to slow freezing counterpart, regardless of thawing rates (P < 0.05). A significant interactive effect of freezing and thawing rates was found, where the slow freezing by fast thawing combination resulted in considerable increases in cooking loss. In contrast, fast freezing by fast thawing had a cook loss similar to never-frozen (aged only) control (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that fast freezing of previously aged meat will minimize the amount of moisture loss and thus improve quality attributes of the aged/frozen meat products, irrespective of thawing rates.
El contenido esencial del derecho de acceso a Internet
Authors: Álvarez Clara-Luz , Soberanes Díez José María
Published: November 2024

El derecho de acceso a Internet tiene un contenido esencial que debe garantizarse, porque las transgresiones representan también vulneraciones a otros derechos humanos. Determinar el contenido esencial del derecho de acceso a Internet y a la banda ancha es indispensable para evaluar el grado de cumplimiento a este derecho, aun cuando se reconozca que es un concepto abierto y dinámico que depende de la evolución tecnológica y el contexto del país. En primer lugar, nos referimos al concepto de banda ancha, al acceso a Internet y las brechas digitales. Posteriormente, continuamos para desentrañar el contenido esencial del derecho de acceso a internet tanto en su vertiente de obligaciones negativas como en las positivas. En estas analizamos a profundidad las características de disponibilidad, accesibilidad, aceptabilidad y adaptabilidad del derecho de acceso a Internet.
La alfabetización digital ciudadana para el desarrollo de competencias en el contexto educativo cubano
Authors: Santana Garriga Luis Angel , Deler Ferrera Gustavo , Quetglas Pérez Rafael
Published: November 2024

La transformación digital en el sector socioeducativo resulta necesaria para docentes, educandos y familias; de ahí la importancia de desarrollar sus competencias digitales para que puedan acceder a los servicios educativos que están a su disposición. En este contexto, la alfabetización digital ciudadana debe ser una prioridad, ofreciendo los saberes tecnológicos, didácticos y tecnopedagógicos, con el fin de establecer una cultura digital que les permita desenvolverse en cualquier entorno. El objetivo de este artículo es proponer acciones para la alfabetización digital ciudadana de los docentes, en las que se contextualicen las nuevas tendencias de enseñanza-aprendizaje para la mejora de los procesos áulicos, institucionales o territoriales. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos, tales como: histórico-lógico, analítico-sintético, sistémico-estructural y, además, métodos empíricos: entrevista, encuesta y observación a docentes que laboran en la Dirección General de Educación en La Habana. Se validaron acciones que se encuentran divididas en dos etapas; la primera de diagnóstico y sensibilización, y una segunda etapa de intervención práctica. Desde una mirada socioeducativa fue necesario incorporar elementos que contextualicen a las instituciones educativas como el lugar desde el cual se proyecten a la comunidad variantes de alfabetización que tributen al desarrollo de competencias digitales docentes, de los educandos y de la comunidad. Estas competencias se reflejarán directamente en la cultura digital de los individuos, lo que posibilitará su interacción con los diferentes servicios educativos digitales.
Smart Machine Learning Analysis and Blockchain Healthcare Platform
Authors: Murugan Dr. Jayalakshmi
Published: November 2024

The Smart Machine Learning Medical Analysis and Blockchain Healthcare Platform (SMLMAP) represents a transformative approach to medical diagnostics and data management by integrating advanced machine learning algorithms with blockchain technology. This platform is designed to accurately diagnose seven critical diseases, achieving impressive diagnostic outcomes across various conditions, including diabetes, breast cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, malaria, and pneumonia. SMLMAP employs Random Forest algorithms for text data analysis and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for image data, ensuring rapid and precise diagnostic results. In addition to enhancing diagnostic capabilities, SMLMAP addresses significant privacy and security concerns inherent in healthcare data management. The integration of blockchain technology facilitates secure, transparent, and tamper-proof storage of patient records, empowering individuals with greater control over their medical information. This dual approach not only improves the accuracy of diagnoses but also fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers by safeguarding sensitive data against unauthorized access. Key functionalities of SMLMAP include the ability to schedule doctor appointments conveniently through the platform, ensuring that patients can receive timely medical attention. Additionally, the application provides users with a weekly healthcare magazine, delivering valuable information on health tips, disease management, and wellness advice to promote informed health decisions. By leveraging the strengths of machine learning and blockchain, SMLMAP paves the way for a more efficient, accurate, and secure healthcare ecosystem. This innovative platform not only enhances the quality of medical diagnostics but also represents a significant step forward in addressing the critical challenges of data privacy and security in the healthcare sector. The findings underscore the potential of SMLMAP to revolutionize patient care and data management in the evolving landscape of healthcare technology.
Microbial Forensics and Bioterrorism: Review of challenges, Investigation, and Future Directions
Authors: Soni Shivangi
Published: November 2024

This review describes how the field of microbial forensic can contribute in investigation by examining and characterizing microbial evidences. Analysis of microbial evidence to assist in accreditation of the bioagent to a source and reconstruction of the crime scene. Bioterrorism is intentional dispersal of bio-warfare agents in a population to cause illness or death. This review includes microbial forensic techniques, including DNA-based methods. Additionally, it describes the applications in microbial forensics in; identification of source and tracking, crime scene reconstruction, bio safety and biosecurity measures. This aims to provide a detailed understanding, of microbial forensics and its application in combating bioterrorism.
Valoración del efecto de herbicidas sobre las comunidades microbianas del suelo
Authors: Parra-Cortes Claudia , Vargas Guarín Arsened , Caicedo Díaz Guillermo Edmundo
Published: November 2024

Contextualización: La fertilidad del suelo está influenciada por una compleja interacción de características físicas (como la densidad, estructura y porosidad), químicas (incluyendo la actividad de las arcillas, los potenciales de óxido-reducción y la presencia de materia orgánica) y biológicas (que comprenden los microorganismos de la microflora y microfauna, así como la meso y macrofauna). Estas interacciones son fundamentales para la disponibilidad de nutrientes para las plantas. No obstante, los microorganismos desempeñan un papel crucial, ya que tienen la capacidad de modificar tanto los aspectos bioquímicos, como la producción de enzimas, lo que contribuye significativamente a su fertilidad. Por esta razón, es esencial conocer y monitorear el estado de los microorganismos en el suelo. Vacío de conocimiento: aún no se conoce el verdadero daño que causan los herbicidas sobre la población microbiana. La degradación de la materia orgánica del suelo limita la vida de estos, por ende, la fertilidad se ve afectada. Propósito: el objetivo de esta investigación es realizar una evaluación del efecto de la aplicación de mezcla de herbicidas sobre las poblaciones microbiana en un sistema productivo de arroz (Oryza sativa L.). Metodología: en este estudio se analiza el suelo de un cultivo de arroz tratado con una mezcla de herbicidas: Cletodim, Carfentrazona etilo y glifosato. Se determina actividad mediante la respiración basal microbiana en mg de CO2 y el crecimiento microbial en placa de Agar Papa Dextrosa (PDA). Resultados y conclusiones: los resultados revelan que los suelos tratados con mezcla de herbicidas Cletodim, Carfentrazona etilo y glifosato disminuyen la población microbiana en placa PDA. Los suelos con aplicación de mezcla de herbicida (SH) obtuvieron en promedio 6 UFC/ g de suelo y un área de crecimiento de 62 cm2, en comparación con el suelo testigo sin aplicación de herbicidas (STSH), que presentó 30 UFC/ g suelo y 70 cm2 Además, se observó un aumento en la respiración basal de microbiana en mg de CO2 como respuesta al herbicida SH, de 3,7 en mg C-CO2 kg-1 de suelo seco día-1 a los cinco días después de la aplicación (dda) y 5,1 en mg C-CO2 kg-1 de suelo seco día-1 a los 15 dda. Esto debido a que los microorganismos tratan de sintetizar las moléculas del herbicida, lo que aumenta su actividad.
STUDIES IN KUNSTVAKIDIOTIE
Authors: Mirjam van Tilburg
Published: November 2024

Welcome to "Studies in Kunstvakidiotie". Here, you can browse through the photographs, essays, drawings, audio and video clips. ‘Studies in kunstvakidiotie’ is the doctoral research of Mirjam van Tilburg at Antwerp Research Institute for the Arts (ARIA). This is a study in arts education from within the arts. She tries to shift the dominant image of life-long-learning (LLL) and provide insight into the possibilities that this LLL space also provides to art teachers. By searching in this way, more and more became clear about life-long-learning of art teachers. Therefore, a linear cause-and-effect narrative did not seem to do justice to the subject matter. The term ‘studies’ in the title is sketchy — it also involves repetition and seeking connections and, above all, it is a derivative of studio and study.

Five essays form the markers within ‘Studies in Kunstvakidiotie’. Together, they construct a narrative. The essay ‘(onder)zoek in kunsteducatie’ describes practices and values that stem from Mirjam van Tilburg’s artistic practice: education. The motivation behind this research is that art teachers find LLL events to be limited. The essay ‘LLO als commoning practice’ discusses the possibilities of commoning practices. The examples: The New School Collective and studios are outlined herein. The studios are the experiment within this doctoral research. During the winter of 2020-2021, Mirjam van Tilburg worked with ten art teachers. The experiment of this doctoral project coincided with the Covid-19 crisis. Together they occupied artist studios in Tilburg and Rotterdam to de-automate and look at teaching practices.
The essays ‘Blik’ and ‘Tijd’ therefore propose two topics of conversation within LLL: the ‘aesthetic glance’ and the temporal experience of ‘interruption’. These essays question the efficient and productive order prevailing in the work environment and LLL of art teachers.
The essay ‘Herontdekking van Kunstvakidiotie’ is the story of a change in the craft of art teachers in the first Covid-19 crisis year. The term ‘kunstvakidiotie’ in the title cannot be directly translated into English because it is a compound word and may have specific connotations in the Dutch context. The essay describes how in these studios, art subject teachers had one foothold: artistic fervour.
Narrativa de enfermería. “Crecer sin ayuda: revelando la falta de apoyo”
Authors: Basto-Granados Juan Diego , Forero-Arenas María Valentina , Loboa-Rodríguez Nelly Johanna
Published: November 2024

Se presenta la experiencia de atender a un adolescente que ha pasado por una situación de maltrato por parte de su progenitora; él tuvo que desarrollar una actitud protectora para impedir que esto afectara a su hermana en un nivel tan alto como lo afectó a él. Se trata de una situación de enfermería que aborda la experiencia vivida por el individuo como centro de la práctica, a través de la implementación del cuidado del sujeto, donde se genera un aprendizaje tanto para el adolescente como para los estudiantes de enfermería. La narrativa de enfermería permite desarrollar habilidades, evaluar las actitudes y aptitudes, e identificar fenómenos de salud que están presentes en la práctica clínica y comunitaria, generando un conocimiento que sirve como base para futuras intervenciones.
Stakeholders’ readiness for adopting blockchain in the fashion industry
Authors: Trpkov Aleksandra , Sovtic Danica , Tomic Milica , Labus Aleksandra , Rodic Branka
Published: November 2024

This paper examines the current state of readiness among stakeholders in the
fashion industry regarding the adoption of blockchain technology. The main
aim of the research paper is to assess the industry's preparedness and
identify potential barriers and opportunities associated with implementing
blockchain solutions. Recognizing the need for additional investigation in
this domain, the paper presents a model that addresses pertinent questions
related to blockchain technology. The research focuses on exploring the
advantages that blockchain technology can bring to the fashion industry's
supply chain. Furthermore, the research paper emphasizes the significance of
evaluating stakeholders' readiness levels for embracing blockchain
technology. By utilizing the proposed model, the findings of the research
paper are examined and analyzed. The paper presents a novel business model
specifically designed for implementing blockchain in the fashion industry.
The proposed model aims to facilitate the adoption of blockchain technology
in the industry's supply chain. To evaluate the readiness of fashion
industry stakeholders to adopt blockchain, the research paper employs the
TOE model. The collected data from stakeholders will be subjected to
analysis using the PLS-SEM with the assistance of the SmartPLS software
tool. By utilizing the TOE model and employing rigorous analytical
techniques, this research paper intends to provide insights into the
readiness of stakeholders in the fashion industry for blockchain adoption.
Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to understanding blockchain
technology in the fashion industry and pave the way for its successful
implementation in the supply chain.
Towards decentralized resource management for disasters: NGO-RMSD
Authors: Karaarslan Enis , Özkan Arzu , Dak Cemal , Korkmaz Umutcan
Published: November 2024

The necessity for an efficient resource management system during and
postdisaster is underscored by the prevalent coordination and resource
management challenges faced by various organizations, including
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government units. To address these
problems, our system proposal introduces NGO-RMSD, a blockchain-based
decentralized system designed to enhance collaborative efforts during and
after disasters. Utilizing the Quorum framework for its energy efficiency,
NGO-RMSD enables seamless transactions and updates across parties,
eliminating intermediaries and fostering a trusted environment for resource
management. This paper details the development of this decentralized system,
incorporating smart contracts for autonomous operation. Decentralized
systems provide superior security, transparency, and immutability, making
them fundamentally more robust and efficient than centralized systems for
managing complex, multi-stakeholder scenarios like dis-aster response. This
decentralized model ensures transparency, eliminates intermediaries, and
enables all parties to conduct transactions and updates reliably. These
contracts effectively assess and prioritize the needs of affected
individuals, ensuring timely and accurate resource allocation. A proof of
concept has been implemented, demonstrating the practicality and potential
impact of NGO-RMSD. Designed in alignment with NGO's field requirements and
distributed under a free software license, this system promises to
significantly improve coordination for disaster resource management.
Possible improvements and future work for a more sustainable system is
discussed. Looking forward, we aim to enhance the efficiency and
effectiveness of disaster relief efforts by providing assistance to a larger
number of affected individuals in a more organized and expeditious manner.
The impact of blockchain technology on the environment
Authors: Bacevic Jelena , Kocovic Petar , Ivkovic Predrag , Stankovic Srecko
Published: November 2024

This paper focuses on the environmental impact of blockchain technology,
particularly on electricity consumption for equipment operation and cooling.
During its operation, the device energy is converted into heat, which must
be efficiently dispersed. Additionally, the paper examines the rate of
mining equipment replacement and the subsequent e-waste concerns. The impact
of blockchain technology on the environment is a complex and debated topic.
Only the following two aspects are discussed in this paper: 1) Energy
Consumption: (a) Positive Impact: Blockchain technology, especially in the
context of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, has been criticized for its high
energy consumption due to the consensus mechanism called Proof of Work
(PoW). However, some blockchain networks use alternative consensus
mechanisms like Proof of Stake (PoS), which is more energy-efficient, and b)
Negative Impact: PoW-based blockchains, such as Bitcoin, require significant
computational power, leading to high energy consumption. The environmental
impact is a concern, especially if the electricity used comes from
non-renewable sources. 2) Mining and E-Waste: (a) Positive Impact:
Blockchain technology can help in tracking the supply chain and provenance
of minerals, which could reduce the use of conflict minerals and promote
ethical mining practices. (b)Negative Impact: The mining of cryptocurrencies
involves specialized hardware that becomes obsolete quickly, contributing to
electronic waste (e-waste). This can have negative environmental
consequences if not properly managed and recycled. The central topic of this
paper is electric energy consumption and as a consequence CO2 emission
footprint. Because of the fast growth of data centers and mining centers,
consumption of electric energy has grown exponentially in the past decade.
Together with the consumption of electric energy, CO2 emission grows
dramatically.
ESTRATÉGIAS DE GESTÃO DOCUMENTAL E SUSTENTABILIDADE NO HOSPITAL BETTINA FERRO DE SOUZA
Authors: Barbosa Nilza Maria Sena , Siqueira Gilmar Wanzeller , Farias Ronnie Anderson Nascimento de , Teixeira Diego Figueiredo , Marques Rubenita Helena Carlos , Pacheco Jucirema Corrêa , Troeira Bárbara Maria Moura da Cunha
Published: November 2024

Os objetos de aprendizagem são ferramentas que promovem a informação para implementação da gestão documental, fomentando uma cultura de sustentabilidade na gestão e práticas hospitalares. Objetiva-se analisar a informação do produto técnico, que é o objeto de aprendizagem, produzido no mestrado do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Meio Ambiente da Universidade Federal do Pará no desenvolvimento da gestão documental do arquivo médico. A pesquisa foi caracterizada sendo bibliográfica por meio de uma abordagem exploratória e descritiva, utilizando métodos qualitativos na análise documental e na conceitual de Bardin. Resultou na análise desse objeto de aprendizagem ao fornecer informações educativas que promovem o conhecimento, a conscientização, compreensão e incentivo a adoção das práticas sustentáveis recomendadas para o arquivo. Ao produzir produtos técnicos pelos colaboradores, o Hospital Bettina Ferro de Souza pode alinhar melhor suas práticas com os princípios da gestão documental, contribuindo para um sistema de saúde mais verde, saudável e eficiente, mas ainda há lacunas a serem exploradas que representam oportunidades para pesquisas futuras.