bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aşçıların İnovasyon Davranışı Düzeylerinin Füzyon Mutfağa Bakış Açılarına Etkisi (The Effect of Chefs Innovation Behavior Levels on Their Perspectives on Fusion Cuisine)
Authors: BOZBAYIR Uğur , SÜRME Metin , OLCAY Atınç
Published: January 2024

Turizm sektörü yiyecek-içecek hizmetlerinde değişen müşteri ihtiyaçları ve tercihlerinden dolayı inovatif mutfak akımları ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu çalışma amacı Türkiye’de turizm sektöründe çalışan aşçıların inovasyon davranışı düzeylerinin füzyon mutfak uygulamalarına bakış açılarını etkileyip etkilemediğini belirlemektir. Çalışmanın evrenini Türkiye’ de turizm sektöründe çalışan aşçılar oluşturmaktadır. Alanyazından geliştirilen anket formu 2019 Haziran ve Aralık ayları arasında kartopu örneklen yöntemi esas alınarak, çevrimiçi olarak 455 aşçıya uygulanmış ve elde edilen verilere betimsel ve ilişkisel analizler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Faktör analizi sonucunda, aşçıların inovasyon davranışı düzeylerinin “Yeniliğe Açıklık”, “Yeniliğe Direnç” ve “Meraklılık” olmak üzere üç boyuttan oluştuğu ve aşçıların füzyon mutfağa bakış açılarının ise “Özgünlük ve Sıradışılık”, “Mesleki Bilgi Avantajı” ve “Farklı Tatlar” olmak üzere üç boyuttan oluştuğu tespit edilmiştir. Korelasyon analizi sonucunda, aşçıların inovasyon davranışı düzeyleri ile füzyon mutfağa bakış açıları arasında “zayıf” düzeyde pozitif yönlü bir ilişki olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Son olarak regresyon analizi sonucunda ise aşçıların inovasyon davranışı düzeylerinin artmasının füzyon mutfağa bakış açıları üzerinde etkiye sahip olduğu görülmüştür.
Turist Rehberliği Alanındaki Ön Lisans, Lisans ve Lisansüstü Programların Müfredatının Teknoloji ve Dijitalleşme Açısından İncelenmesi (Investigation of the Curriculum of Associate, Undergraduate and Graduate Programs in the Field of Tour Guiding in terms of Technology and Digitalization)
Authors: KAVAK Muhammed , EMİR Oktay
Published: January 2024

Türkiye turist rehberliği alanında ön lisans, lisans, tezli ve tezsiz yüksek lisans ve doktora programı olmak üzere beş farklı kademede yükseköğrenim düzeyinde eğitim veren ilk ve tek ülke konumundadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, turist rehberliği alanındaki ön lisans, lisans ve lisansüstü programların müfredatını içerik bakımından teknoloji ve dijitalleşme açısından bütüncül bir yaklaşım ile incelemektir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda Türkiye’deki devlet üniversiteleri bünyesinde yer alan 36 turizm rehberliği lisans programı, 23 turist rehberliği ön lisans programı, 10 tezsiz ve 22 tezli yüksek lisans ile 3 doktora programının müfredatı içerisinde teknoloji ve dijitalleşmeye ilişkin derslerin mevcut durumu ortaya çıkarılmıştır. Nitel bir araştırma yöntemi olan doküman analizi ile mevcut programların içeriği incelenmiştir. 5 tema altında toplanan dersler Turist Rehberliğinde Güncel Yaklaşımlar, Sosyal Medya, Dijital Okuryazarlık, E-Ticaret ve Turist Rehberliğinde Teknoloji Kullanımı ve Dijitalleşme şeklinde belirlenmiştir. Çalışmanın bulgularına göre teknoloji ve dijitalleşmeye ilişkin verilen derslerin toplam dersler içerisinde oranının sınırlı olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
Orman Yangınlarının Arıcılığa ve Arı Turizminin Yapılabilirliğine Etkisi: Marmaris Örneği (The Effect of Forest Fires on Feasibility of Beekeeping and Api Tourism: The Case of Marmaris)
Authors: UZUN Büşra , AKÇAY Salim , YILMAZ Emine
Published: January 2024

İklim ve iklim değişikliğinin tahrip edici sonuçlarından birisi olarak ortaya çıkan orman yangınları, ormanlar ile yakın ilişki içerisinde, tarımsal bir faaliyet olarak gerçekleştirilen arıcılık ve arı turizmini doğrudan etkileyen doğal afetlerden birisidir. Marmaris ilçesinde yaşanan yangın felaketinin arıcılık faaliyetlerine ve ilçedeki arı turizminin sürdürülebilirliğine olan etkilerini ortaya çıkarmak bu araştırmanın amacını oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada nitel araştırma yöntemi benimsenmiş ve yerel arıcılarla yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme tekniğiyle yüz yüze görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini Marmaris ilçesi Osmaniye köyünde arıcılık faaliyetleri sürdüren yerel arıcılardan, kartopu örneklem yöntemi kullanılarak seçilmiş 11 yerel arıcı oluşturmuştur. Çalışma sonucunda, katılımcılar çam balı üretim potansiyelinin azalacağını, kaybettikleri arıcılık sahalarının yerine daha zengin bitki örtüsüne sahip bölgelerde arıcılık faaliyeti yapacaklarını ve arıcılık yan ürünlerine odaklanacaklarını belirtmiştir. Yangın sonrası orman varlığının iyileşmesinin 30-40 yıllık bir süre alabileceği öne sürülmüştür. Ayrıca, arı turizminin yerel ekonomiye katkı sağlayarak halkın geçimini desteklediğini vurgulayan katılımcılar, bu turizm türünün ilçede hala başarılı bir şekilde uygulanabileceğini belirtmiştir.
Socialization and Digital Marketing Assistance for MSME Community in Jabodetabek Affected by Covid-19
Authors: Ayu Agustin Cindy
Published: January 2024

This community service aims to provide socialization and assistance in helping the MSME during the Covid-19 pandemic, where sales and income have decreased. Then digital marketing training assistance was held for the MSME community in Jabodetabek through the Zoom Meeting application to make it easier for them to attend the event. The community was very enthusiastic when participating in the activities of the service implementation team, and when asked for input on mentoring training, there were 18 participants who already understood Digital Marketing; 16 participants understood the use of Digital Marketing; 18 participants were interested in creating Material Content; 20 participants understood the Presentation Material; as many as 20 participants received additional knowledge during the discussion; 20 participants wish to take part in Individual Training; and finally, 20 participants benefited from the socialization and mentoring program.
ANIMAL RANGER WEBSITE DESIGN: ANIMAL ADOPTION PLATFORM
Authors: Ferdianto Ferdianto , Witarsyah Witarsyah , Theodore William , Avrialdo Apollos , Naufal Faiq
Published: January 2024

Currently, both government and non-government organizations such as animal shelters performing rescue and adoption of stray animals. Although the ecosystem is not running well, some animal lovers still adopt stray animals from the shelter. Information that is limited and unclear is also faced by shelters and animal lovers in performing rescue and adoption. We created the Animal Ranger website based on problems. Analysis and system planning are based on interviews with animal shelters and questionnaires for animal lovers, using the UML method. Animal Ranger website was expected to encourage stray animal rescue and adoption of the ecosystem by animal lovers and animal shelters
DELIVERING AND COMMUNICATING THE VALUE OF BUSINESS FOR MSME IN TANGERANG
Authors: Larasati Hasna , Rahmatika Rizka Astari
Published: January 2024

Strategies in maintaining a sustainable business along with changes in all factors such as changes in technology, market demand, economic conditions and other factors require MSMEs to carry out sustainable development to improve product or service quality so that they are able to compete with competitors. The condition of MSME competition which is relatively fast in following changes is a factor that influences the survival of MSME. In facing competition, MSMEs have strengths and opportunities along with facing weaknesses, challenges and obstacles that become limitations for MSMEs. The limitations faced by MSMEs have different levels of difficulty from each area where the business is carried out. One of the MSME communities in Tangerang has difficulty delivering and communicating business value or the advantages of its products and services. Factors that cause difficulty or failure for MSMEs are the lack of ability to communicate business value, lack of knowledge or basic communication, as well as the ability of MSMEs to carry out digitalization developments in their business. This study explains how to develop a communication strategy for MSMEs in delivering their advantages business value. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative through interviews and observation. The result of this research is to provide education through socializations and workshops for MSMEs to be able to improve the quality of their communication in delivering business value through an effective communication strategy.
EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING ON PURCHASE INTENTIONS WITH BRAND AWARENESS AND PERCEIVED QUALITY AS INTERVENING VARIABLES AT ASTON BELLEVUE RADIO DALAM HOTEL IN JAKARTA
Authors: Anjarani Puti Minang , Mumin Adhi Trirachmadi , Bilqis Linda Desafitri Ratu , Ingkadijaya Rahmat
Published: January 2024

Social media plays a role in adding value to the attractiveness of two-way communication between companies and their consumers so as to increase consumer closeness to certain brands or brands. The ASTON Bellevue Radio Dalam hotel uses social media Facebook and Instagram as a marketing tool to introduce the ASTON Bellevue Radio Dalam brand to the public. At the beginning of the establishment of the ASTON Bellevue Radio Dalam hotel, the use of social media was still not actively used. In addition, at the beginning of its establishment, the ASTON Bellevue Radio Dalam hotel was also affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in a significant decrease in occupancy rates. Hotel ASTON Bellevue Radio Dalam is pursuing various strategies including increasing the amount of social media marketing activity to market and promote Hotel ASTON Bellevue Radio Dalam. The use of social media marketing also allows consumers to have an image and perception of the good quality of the ASTON Bellevue Radio Dalam hotel. The purpose of this study was to analyze social media marketing on purchase intention with brand awareness and perceived quality as intervening variables at the ASTON Bellevue Radio Dalam hotel, Jakarta.           

According to the research that has been done, it is known that social media marketing directly has a significant influence on brand awareness, perceived quality, and purchase intention. In this study it can also be seen that brand awareness directly has a significant effect on purchase intention and perceived quality directly has a significant effect on purchase intention. However, on the results of testing the direct effect of the relationship between variables, it is known that the results of brand awareness have no significant effect on perceived quality. In testing the indirect effect, brand awareness as a mediating variable indirectly has a significant effect and has a relationship between social media marketing and purchase intention. In addition, it is also known that perceived quality as a mediating variable indirectly has a significant effect and has a relationship between social media marketing and purchase intention.
A train F-TR lock anti-lifting detection method based on improved BP neural network
Authors: Jiang Jun
Published: January 2024

In the railway container yard, there are few mature intelligent lifting prevention solutions available for train flatbed loading and unloading operations due to the poor detection accuracy or speed of traditional detection methods. This paper designs a train Flatbed Twist Rail (F-TR) lock anti-lifting detection method based on an improved BP neural network. The system collects weight and laser distance measurement data from the four locks of the hoist, establishes a flatbed lifting detection model based on the BP neural network, and optimizes the model's performance by incorporating a momentum factor and adaptive learning rate during weight adjustment. In practical tests, this system demonstrates a high detection rate and fast detection speed, offering intelligent safety protection for automated rail mounted gantry in the railway container yard.
Lightweight steering equipment based on prestressed modal analysis
Authors: Wang Yonggang
Published: January 2024

As the key component to control the driving direction of the vehicle, the steering device always bears large vibration and load. In order to improve structural performance and reduce costs, a multi-objective optimization method based on the results of prestressed modal analysis was proposed, which can achieve significant lightweight and cost-effectiveness improvement. Based on the principle and working characteristics of the steering device, the minimum value of mass, minimum value of maximum stress, maximum value of equivalent stiffness were set as optimization objectives. Through finite element analysis, the prestressed modal module was constructed, and the strength and modal characteristics of the steering device were obtained. In order to verify the accuracy of prestressed modal analysis, the vibration testing experimental platform was built in a non free state. The excitation and response signals can be obtained through sensors and data acquisition devices and used as input and output data. According to the comparative analysis of simulated vibration modes, it can be concluded that the coupling analysis of strength and mode is more in line with actual boundary conditions and has high reliability. The DOE (Design of Experience) method was adopted to construct discrete corresponding values between design variables and optimization objectives based on the results of prestressed modal analysis. In order to better evaluate the cost-effectiveness of lightweight, a comparative analysis was conducted on the results of primary and secondary lightweight. The results show that the prestressed modal analysis method can achieve good dynamic analysis accuracy. Without reducing strength and equivalent stiffness, the mass of the steering device can be reduced by 14 %, achieving high economic benefits.
Assessment of resampling methods on performance of landslide susceptibility predictions using machine learning in Kendari City, Indonesia
Authors: Aldiansyah Septianto , Wardani Farida
Published: January 2024

Landslide susceptibility projections that rely on independent models produce biased results. This situation will worsen class balance if working with a small population. This study proposes a landslide susceptibility prediction model based on resampling, cross-validation, bootstrap, and random subsampling approaches, which is integrated with the machine learning model, generalized linear model, support vector machine, random forest, boosted regression trees, classification and regression tree, multivariate adaptive regression splines, mixture discriminate analysis, flexible discriminant analysis, maximum entropy, and maximum likelihood. This methodology was applied in Kendari City, an urban area which faced destructive erosion. Area under the ROC curve (AUC), true skill statistics (TSS), correlation coefficient (COR), normalized mutual information (NMI), and correct classification rate (CCR) were used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the proposed model. The results show that the resampling algorithm improves the performance of the standalone model. Results also revealed that standalone models had better performance with the CV algorithm compared to the Bt and RS algorithms. The Bt-RF model excels in statistical measures (AUC = 0.97, TSS = 0.97, COR = 0.99, NMI = 0.50, and CCR = 0.93). Given the admirable performance of the proposed models in a moderate scale area, promising results can be expected from these models for other regions.
DINAMIKA DAN NYALA API PEMBAKARAN DROPLET CAMPURAN METIL LAURAT – METIL OLEAT
Authors: Yuliati Lilis , Hamidi Nurkholis , Lazuardi Muhamad Luthfi
Published: January 2024

This research intended to investigate the dynamics and flame of the droplet combustion of methyl laurate - methyl oleate blended. Methyl oleate is an unsaturated FAME with a relatively long carbon chain, frequently found as the dominant component in various biodiesel. Meanwhile, methyl laurate is a saturated FAME with a shorter carbon chain, which is the main component in coconut oil biodiesel. The methyl oleate content in the droplets was varied by 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%. Visual observations and temperature measurements were conducted on the combustion of suspended droplets with a diameter of 1.24 mm. The droplet is supported by a thermocouple junction with a wire diameter of 0.1 mm. The experimental results show that increasing of the methyl oleate content increase the ignition delay time, burning time, thermal expansion of droplets as well as fluctuations in droplet diameter and combustion temperature. Ignition delay time has a much greater value than burning time. This parameter should be suppressed to obtain more complete combustion and cleaner exhaust emissions, especially in internal compression engine applications where the time available for the combustion process is very short. This can be obtained by increasing the percentage of methyl laurate in biodiesel.
Idea Lab
Authors: Diaz Stephanie , Freedman Jenna , Salo Dorothea , Portelli Elizabeth , Weston Kostek Meredith , Truman Robert , Trunnell Misty
Published: January 2024

In recent years, social media companies like Twitter (or “X”) and Meta have come under scrutiny. These companies face data leaks, provide platforms for hate speech and disinformation, promote unchecked echo chambers, and are becoming increasingly predatory. Still, many libraries continue to use these platforms as a convenient tool to reach their users. Considering these ethical challenges, we sent out a call for contributions targeted to LIS professionals and students that asked, “should librarians and libraries walk our digital footprints away from exploitative platforms?” Potential authors were encouraged to consider the following topics and questions:

As information professionals, do we have a responsibility to our users to lead by example and stop lending our credibility to troubling products?
What other platforms (Mastodon, post.com, Bluesky, etc.) are you using or considering as Twitter alternatives and why? How effective are they?
Using The Physical Academic Library to Cope with Academic Stress
Authors: Johnson Brendan
Published: January 2024

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, academic stress was a constant and prevalent problem for college students around the world. Colleges and universities, and their academic libraries, have developed various interventions to assist students in their stress management. Research has investigated how students manage academic stress on their own. Yet there has been little research into how students use libraries as a mechanism to manage their academic stress. This qualitative study uses a grounded theory approach to evaluate students’ use of the library’s physical space (the physical library) to cope with their academic stress. Data was collected through a series of focus groups conducted in the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. This study found three categories of students’ use of the physical library. All three can be seen to represent mechanisms for coping with stress, indicating that student use of the library is, by itself, a strategy used by students to cope with their academic stress.
Prediction of Antibiotic Resistance in Patients With a Urinary Tract Infection: Algorithm Development and Validation
Authors: İlhanlı Nevruz , Park Se Yoon , Kim Jaewoong , Ryu Jee An , Yardımcı Ahmet , Yoon Dukyong
Published: January 2024

Background

The early prediction of antibiotic resistance in patients with a urinary tract infection (UTI) is important to guide appropriate antibiotic therapy selection.

Objective

In this study, we aimed to predict antibiotic resistance in patients with a UTI. Additionally, we aimed to interpret the machine learning models we developed.

Methods

The electronic medical records of patients who were admitted to Yongin Severance Hospital, South Korea were used. A total of 71 features extracted from patients’ admission, diagnosis, prescription, and microbiology records were used for classification. UTI pathogens were classified as either sensitive or resistant to cephalosporin, piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP), carbapenem, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), and fluoroquinolone. To analyze how each variable contributed to the machine learning model’s predictions of antibiotic resistance, we used the Shapley Additive Explanations method. Finally, a prototype machine learning–based clinical decision support system was proposed to provide clinicians the resistance probabilities for each antibiotic.

Results

The data set included 3535, 737, 708, 1582, and 1365 samples for cephalosporin, TZP, TMP-SMX, fluoroquinolone, and carbapenem resistance prediction models, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values of the random forest models were 0.777 (95% CI 0.775-0.779), 0.864 (95% CI 0.862-0.867), 0.877 (95% CI 0.874-0.880), 0.881 (95% CI 0.879-0.882), and 0.884 (95% CI 0.884-0.885) in the training set and 0.638 (95% CI 0.635-0.642), 0.630 (95% CI 0.626-0.634), 0.665 (95% CI 0.659-0.671), 0.670 (95% CI 0.666-0.673), and 0.721 (95% CI 0.718-0.724) in the test set for predicting resistance to cephalosporin, TZP, carbapenem, TMP-SMX, and fluoroquinolone, respectively. The number of previous visits, first culture after admission, chronic lower respiratory diseases, administration of drugs before infection, and exposure time to these drugs were found to be important variables for predicting antibiotic resistance.

Conclusions

The study results demonstrated the potential of machine learning to predict antibiotic resistance in patients with a UTI. Machine learning can assist clinicians in making decisions regarding the selection of appropriate antibiotic therapy in patients with a UTI.
Remote Delivery of the Cuidándome Telehealth Intervention for Self-Management of Depression and Anxiety Among Latina Immigrant Women: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Alvarez Carmen , Aryal Subhash , Vrany Elizabeth , Sanchez R Maria Jose , Quiles Rosalphie , Escobar-Acosta Lia , Hill-Briggs Felicia
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Growing evidence suggests that Latina immigrant survivors of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at increased risk for developing and remaining with either depression or anxiety or both symptoms. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth intervention—Cuidándome (quee-DAN-doh-meh, “taking care of myself”). Cuidándome is a 10-week, patient-centered, trauma-informed intervention delivered by a trained facilitator that promotes self-management of depression and anxiety symptoms through improved problem-solving skills and strategies.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of Cuidándome delivered remotely (via Zoom) with Latina immigrant ACE survivors with either depression or anxiety or both symptoms. We also estimated the effect sizes associated with the intervention on decreasing depression and anxiety symptoms and improving social problem–solving styles.

METHODS

We evaluated Cuidándome using a randomized controlled trial design. Latina immigrants (N=47) who had experienced at least 1 ACE and had at least mild depression or anxiety symptoms were randomized to Cuidándome or a comparison group delivered by trained facilitators. We assessed for changes in depression and anxiety symptoms as well as social problem–solving styles at baseline, post intervention, and 3- and 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Analyses indicated significant decreases over time within both Cuidándome and comparison groups for depression and anxiety symptoms and maladaptive problem-solving. The intervention effect was largest for anxiety; at 6-month follow-up, Cuidándome participants had significantly lower anxiety scores than the comparison group. In addition, we observed a greater average point reduction in depression symptoms at 6 months among Cuidándome participants (5.7 points) than in the comparison group (3.7 points).

CONCLUSIONS

A mental health program delivered via Zoom by a trained facilitator was feasible and acceptable to Latina immigrant women and can be beneficial for reducing anxiety and depression symptoms. More research is needed to assess the effectiveness of Cuidándome among a powered sample size of Latina immigrants.

CLINICALTRIAL

ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN16668518; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN16668518
Perception of People Diagnosed With Fibromyalgia About Information and Communication Technologies for Chronic Pain Management: Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)
Authors: Porta Xènia , Nieto Rubén , Serrat Mayte , Bourdin Kreitz Pierre
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain is prevalent in our society, with conditions such as fibromyalgia being notably widespread. The gold standard for aiding individuals dealing with chronic pain involves interdisciplinary approaches rooted in a biopsychosocial perspective. Regrettably, access to such care is difficult for most of the people in need. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been used as a way of overcoming access barriers (among other advantages).

OBJECTIVE

This study addressed the little explored area of how individuals with fibromyalgia use and perceive different types of ICTs for pain management.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey. This survey was created to assess the use of different ICT tools for pain management, satisfaction with the tools used, and perceived advantages and disadvantages. In addition, data collection encompassed sociodemographic variables and pain-related variables, pain intensity, the impact of pain on daily life activities, and fear of movement/injury beliefs. In total, 265 individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia completed the survey.

RESULTS

Only 2 (0.75%) participants reported not having used any ICT tool for pain management. Among those who used ICT tools, an average of 10.94 (SD 4.48) of 14 different tools were used, with the most used options being instant messaging apps, websites dedicated to managing fibromyalgia, phone calls with health professionals, and online multimedia resources. Satisfaction rates were relatively modest (mean 2.09, SD 0.38) on a scale from 0 to 5, with instant messaging apps, phone calls with health professionals, fibromyalgia management websites, and online multimedia resources being the ones with higher satisfaction. Participants appreciated the ability to receive treatment from home, access to specialized treatment, and using ICTs as a supplement to in-person interventions. However, they also highlighted drawbacks, such as a lack of close contact with health professionals, difficulty expressing emotions, and a lack of knowledge or resources to use ICTs. The use of ICTs was influenced by age and educational background. Additionally, there was a negative correlation between satisfaction with ICT tools and fear of movement/injury.

CONCLUSIONS

People with fibromyalgia are prone to using ICTs for pain management, especially those tools that allow them to be in contact with health professionals and have access to online resources. However, there is still a need to improve ICT tools since satisfaction ratings are modest. Moreover, strategies aimed at older people, those with lower levels of education, and those with higher levels of fear of movement/injury can be useful to potentiate the use of ICTs among them.
Patient Training and Patient Safety in Home Hemodialysis
Authors: Platnich Jaye M. , Pauly Robert P.
Published: January 2024

The success of a home hemodialysis program depends largely on a patient safety framework and the risk tolerance of a home dialysis program. Dialysis treatments require operators to perform dozens of steps repeatedly and reliably in a complex procedure. For home hemodialysis, those operators are patients themselves or their care partners, so attention to safety and risk mitigation is front of mind. While newer, smaller, and more user-friendly dialysis machines designed explicitly for home use are slowly entering the marketplace, teaching patients to perform their own treatments in an unsupervised setting hundreds of times remains a foundational programmatic obligation regardless of machine. Just how safe is home hemodialysis? How does patient training affect this safety? There is a surprising lack of literature surrounding these questions. No consensus exists among home hemodialysis programs regarding optimized training schedules or methods, with each program adopting its own approach on the basis of local experience. Furthermore, there are little available data on the safety of home hemodialysis as compared with conventional in-center hemodialysis. This review will outline considerations for training patients on home hemodialysis, discuss the safety of home hemodialysis with an emphasis on the risk of serious and life-threatening adverse effects, and address the methods by which adverse events are monitored and prevented.
From Home to Wearable Hemodialysis
Authors: Rivara Matthew B. , Himmelfarb Jonathan
Published: January 2024

Although the past two decades have seen substantial proportional growth of home hemodialysis in the United States, the absolute number of patients treated with home hemodialysis remains small. Currently available stationary hemodialysis devices for use in the home have inherent limitations that represent barriers for more widespread adoption by a larger proportion of individuals with kidney failure. These limitations include device weight and bulk, ergonomics considerations, technical complexity, vascular access challenges, and limited remote patient monitoring. Recent years have witnessed a resurgence in research and development of prototype wearable kidney replacement devices incorporating innovations in miniaturization, new biomaterials, and new methods for toxin clearance and dialysate regeneration. Recent work has built on five decades of incremental innovation in wearable dialysis concepts and prototypes, starting from the work by Kolff in the 1970s. Wearable dialysis devices that successfully overcome key persistent barriers to successful development and adoption of these technologies will radically reshape the landscape of kidney replacement therapies and have the potential to dramatically improve the lives of individuals living with kidney failure.
The Impact of Digital Technology Innovation on Corporate Financial Performance
Authors: Cao Jiahua
Published: January 2024

This paper aims to explore the impact of digital technology innovation on corporate financial performance from both positive and negative aspects, and put forward corresponding countermeasures. Through the research, we found that the wide application and deep integration of digital technology significantly improved the financial performance of enterprises, especially in improving operational efficiency, optimizing resource allocation, and enhancing market response ability. However, digital technology innovation also brings some challenges, such as data security issues, pressure to update technology, and so on. To address these challenges, enterprises need to build financial management systems that adapt to digital development, upgrade employees’ digital skills, strengthen data security management, and actively use policy support and market mechanisms to achieve a virtuous cycle of digital technology innovation and corporate financial performance. The research results of this paper not only enrich the theoretical research of corporate financial performance, but also provide practical guidance for the financial management of enterprises in the digital age.
Domestic Violence as a Human Rights Issue Beyond (Criminal) Accountability: A Brazilian Case Study
Authors: De Oliveira Augusto Helena
Published: January 2024

The article analyses the domestic implementation of the Maria da Penha Law, a Brazilian federal legal act to combat and prevent domestic and family violence against women. The article first introduces the trajectory of domestic violence from a private matter to a public concern as a human rights violation. Then the article contextualises the Brazilian feminist activism for legal reform and introduces the importance of the 2001 Maria da Penha case in the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for the enactment of the Maria da Penha Law in 2006. Thereafter, the article presents the Maria da Penha Law’s legal provisions and its success in establishing special legal protection for women in situations of domestic violence, as well as it reflects on the Maria da Penha Law’s ongoing challenges. A critical analysis of the Brazilian reality demonstrates that offender criminal accountability is the most feasible remedy to domestic violence, whereas the fragmentation and fragility of state measures to protect and assist women in situations of violence perpetuates state neglect of women in the context of gender-based violence. Therefore, the Maria da Penha Law case study demonstrates that legal reform alone is insufficient to tackle domestic violence. Women’s effective access to legal protection and integrated and gender-aware public policies is pivotal to eradicating domestic violence against women.
Molecular detection of bacteria from fish lakes in Wasit province
Authors: AL-Abedi Semaa F.H.
Published: January 2024

Fish products are very susceptible to microbial contamination, rendering them perishable thus challenging the customers health. The goal of this study was to determine the molecular identification and bacterial isolates diversity obtained from infected fish skin, gills, and fins obtained from lakes Alzarkan village in Wasit Province of Iraq during the period (October 2021- May 2022). A total of 50 fish were collected and 100 samples of organ lesions were taken. For bacterial identification, the tissuees of the fish were as cut with a sterile knife and blended in the buffered peptone water. Molecular identification and the obtained PCR product were are subjected to using the primers for Flavobacterium columnare, Edwardsiella ictaluri and Aeromonas salmonicida. Molecular analyseis revealed bacterial strains high proportion of Flavobacterium columnare identification was 20/50 (40%). The higher identification rates of Flavobacterium columnare in skin 10/20 (5%), in gills 7/20 (35%) and in fins 3/20 (15%). Accurate identification of the 20 isolated Flavobacterium columnare were confirmed by PCR. For identifying certain diseases, molecular approaches provided sensitive, rapid, and precise data without the need for time-consuming traditional techniques. The Edwardsiella ictaluri and Aeromonas salmonicida were not identified. While Flavobacterium columnare termed to be first molecular proof as a farmed fish pathogen in Iraq. Keywords: Molecular detection, Bacteria, Fish lakes, Wasit province, Iraq.
Comparison of bio-efficacy of some plant extracts and new chemistry insecticides against Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and Water Productivity of Cotton Varieties under High Efficiency Irrigation System
Authors: ur-Rehman Habib- , Ahsan Haseeb , Usman Shakir Hafiz , Rehman Saif-Ur-
Published: January 2024

Cotton is an important cash crop in Pakistan. But insect pests attack and emerging water scarcity glitches are alarming the crop yield on sustainable basis. Hence, the present research trial was executed to probe out the toxic effects of plant extracts and some insecticides against cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. Different concentrations of the plant extracts and insecticides were applied. Results showed that highest mean incidence (10.6 adults/plant) of whitefly population was observed in case of BS-15 variety, was under double Lateral+30 cm P×P distance while in case of NIAB-878, the value was 13.1 adults/plant. Results to toxicity bioassays showed that maximum population reduction (79.10%) was recorded in case of pyriproxyfen while comparative less reduction (51.17%) was observed in case of dine to furon after exposure period of 72 (h.). . The values were after 48 and 24 h. In case of plant extracts, highest mortality (51.46%) was noted in case of A. indica whereas comparatively low mortality (46.32%) was recorded in case of M. oleifera extract at 30% concentration of plant extracts after exposure period of 72 (h.). 20 and 10% concentrations of the tested plant extracts showed relatively lower mortality values. Data of morphological growth showed that plant height got increased by increasing planting distance from 30 to 40 cm in case of the both varieties. Number of leaves and boll size did not increase with increasing planting distance in case of BS-15 variety whileincreased in case of NIAB-878 variety and the values were 105.1 (number of leaves), 44.4 (number of bolls) and 10.2 cm2 (boll size). Crop water productivity of variety BS-15 was higher (0.51 kg m-3) as compared to NIAB-878 (0.49 kg m-3). It is concluded that the variety BS-15 performed better under single lateral system while variety NIAB-878 performed better under double lateral system. Plant to plant distance of 30 cm was found better than 40 cm distance. Keywords: Cotton varieties, morphogical characteristics, drip irrigation, Planting geometry.
Enhancing smallholders' sustainable livelihoods through cassava value chain: a study in Central Highlands, Vietnam
Authors: Hoa Ao Xuan , Duc Quyen Nguyen , Vuong Vu Trinh
Published: January 2024

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) stands out as a remarkably multipurpose crop, playing a pivotal role in sustaining the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and bolstering their income. This study delves into the cassava value chain in Vietnam's Central Highlands, aiming to pinpoint avenues for amplifying production efficiency and refining the overall value chain dynamics. Employing a comprehensive approach, the analysis combines a survey-based questionnaire distributed to 330 smallholder farmers, focused group discussions across three provinces and in-depth interviews with key informants. The primary goal is to unearth strategies that enhance the value chain, elevate stakeholders' incomes, and ensure enduring livelihoods for households. The findings underscore that while farmers contribute significantly to the value chain by generating the highest value added, intermediaries tend to reap the most substantial profits. The intricate web of relationships among stakeholders, spanning from input providers to end-users-primarily starch and ethanol factories-is explored. The study identifies local linkages between farmers and input suppliers, encompassing both spot-market transactions and enduring partnerships. Furthermore, an imbalance in the distribution of gross profit and net profits, favoring middleman and processors disproportionately, is revealed. Nevertheless, the study emphasizes the indispensable role played by intermediaries, asserting that farmers wouldn't fully capitalize on their efforts without this crucial support. Keywords: Cassava value chain, Small-scale farmers, Livelihood sustainability, Stakeholder incomes, Household livelihoods
Assessing the small ruminant value chain in arid regions: A case study of the North-Eastern Badia Basalt Plateau in Jordan
Authors: Awad Rula , Mohamed-Brahmi Aziza , Titi Hosam , Gasmi-Boubaker Aziza
Published: January 2024

This study aims to analyze the small ruminant value chain in the North-Eastern Badia region of Jordan, which is a significant source of income for local farmers. The objectives include characterizing the value chain, identifying stakeholders and their roles, and addressing the challenges it faces for long-term sustainability. Primary data was collected through a structured survey from 80 small ruminant holders in the district. The survey covered various aspects such as input supplies, husbandry practices, processing, marketing, and consumption. Additionally, individual interviews were conducted to analyze the value chain. The findings revealed a diverse range of actors involved in the value chain, including input suppliers, producers, animal collectors, traders, processors, and consumers. The SWOT analysis highlighted key issues such as high feed costs, limited and arid rangelands, inadequate government services, and unstable decisions. Moreover, neighboring small ruminant holders near Syrian refugee camps faced challenges related to land pollution caused by the refugees. In conclusion, besides to the negative impact of the climate change on the farms management due, particularly, to the consecutive drought years, the small ruminant value chain in the study area lacks organization and is not sufficiently supported by the governmental and non-governmental entities, and the Syrian refugees’ situation. Keywords: Small ruminant, Value chain, Sustainability, SWOT analysis, Jordan, North-Eastern Badia Basalt Plateau.
Unveiling use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Western Uttar Pradesh, India: The Farmers’ Perspective
Authors: Kumar Roop , Sachan Sharad , Kumar Rohit
Published: January 2024

This study examines the dynamics of information utilization in agricultural practices among 200 farmers in Western Uttar Pradesh, India. The survey covered a diverse range of participants across various age groups and income brackets. The findings of the study reveal a significant dependence on radio broadcasts, as 56.5% of the participants reported using this medium, especially among individuals with weak literacy abilities. The demographic cohort consisting of individuals aged 35-50 shown the highest level of engagement in utilising information, whilst younger age groups exhibited a preference for online resources. Surprisingly, the study revealed a minimal correlation between farming experience and the adoption of agriculture helplines. However, a clear association emerged between higher income levels and increased utilization of radio and online services in the agricultural sector. The research highlights the necessity for extension service workers to receive training in contemporary information and communication technology (ICT) technologies in order to enhance their ability to effectively support agricultural communities. Keywords: Radio broadcast, agriculture helpline number, Tv broadcast, internet services, income, education.
Assessing the Influence of Flow Variability on Irrigated Agriculture in the Central Gharb Plain, Morocco
Authors: El Karfa Driss , Al Karkouri Jamal , Batchi Mouhcine , Boudine Hommane
Published: January 2024

The lower main watercourse of the Sebou Basin in Mechra-Bel-Ksiri is experiencing adverse effects attributed to climate change, notably drought and rising temperatures. In this study, we evaluated the impact of these changes on the irrigation zone using a comprehensive methodology involving break, trend, and low-water analyses. Our assessment, incorporating Land Use and Land Cover Change (LULCC) considerations, reveals detrimental effects on the expansion of irrigated agriculture along the Sebou wadi and its Baht tributary. Consequently, farmers are compelled to tap into underground water sources to fulfill irrigation needs for their farms. This research sheds light on the pressing challenges posed by climate change in the region and the consequent adjustments farmers are forced to make in their water sourcing practices. Keywords: Flow variability; break; trend; low water; land use land cover.
AN ODDITY IN THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX
Authors: Urzúa Carlos M. , Vilbert Jean
Published: January 2024

The Human Development Index is a summary measure of a country’s achievement in key dimensions of human progress. It is estimated using three indicators: Life expectancy at birth, average years of schooling, and national income per capita. The aggregate index is calculated using their geometric mean to decrease the level of substitutability among those three dimensions. However, the indicator of education is estimated by simply averaging the mean of years of schooling received by adults and the expected years of education for children entering school. This may distort the index by making countries with comparable levels of development to be ranked away from each other due to different schooling expectations. To ameliorate that distortion, we propose to estimate the indicator for education using 20-year windows to build a weighted geometric mean that captures countries’ factual advances in schooling two decades later.
efficiency of railway concessions and the regulation of service quality
Authors: Victorino T. , Bertussi G.
Published: January 2024

This study evaluated the efficiency of railway transport under three different aspects: technical efficiency, quality of service efficiency and economic efficiency of Brazilian railway concessions from 2006 to 2018 using the Data Envelopment Methodology - DEA. As a result of the proposed analysis, it was  found that the current quality of service indexes established in Concession Contracts were not able to encourage quality of service improvements. It was also observed that concessionaires with better technical efficiency are those with lower economic efficiency, indicating that there are gains in profitability with the worsening of the service's quality.
Trans-Purification of spent carbide via pressure pot into reusable limes: An economical approach
Authors: Oyedeko K. F. K. , Akinyemi O. P. , Ogunyemi O. I. , Olaleru S. A. , Rickette M. S. , Ejidike I. P.
Published: January 2024

About 20-30 kg of spent carbides is averagely generated per panel beater daily in Nigeria (West Africa). In this study, pure limes (quicklime and slaked lime) from spent carbide were obtained via lime cycle – calcination/ hydration. The spent carbide (wet) was collected from the panel beater's workshop at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Nigeria. 400 g to 600 g from these sieved particles were subjected to calcination at temperature ranges 950℃ and 1000℃. Slaking or hydration of 20 g of the calcined spent carbide was conducted in a pressure pot by varying water to sample ratio at separate times (30, 60, and 90 minutes). The obtained limes, CaO were characterized only by FTIR, and Ca (OH)2 was characterized by XRD and FTIR. The XRD spectrum of the synthesized slaked limes showed major peaks around 18o to 71.8o (2θ) with a dominant peak (011) plane at 34.1o (2θ). The crystallite size was found to be 56.55 nm, 56.56 nm, and 42.42 nm for samples A90, A60, and A30, respectively. FTIR spectroscopy of prepared samples (A30 and A60) showed sharp peaks viz-a-viz sample A90 at wave number 3637 cm-1 which is assigned to the presence of O―H stretching. The observed FTIR peak bands of the synthesized CaO at temperatures of 950oC (B950) and 1000oC (B1000) were found between the range of 1401.47 cm-1 and 998.92 cm-1, the presence of water molecules on the surface of the powder this also noticed in commercial CaO.
Advanced oxidation processes: a supplementary treatment option for recalcitrant organic pollutants in Abattoir wastewater
Authors: Ibigbami B. T. , Adewuyi S. O. , Akinsorotan A. M. , Sobowale A. A. , Odoh I. M. , Aladetuyi A. , Mohammed S. E. , Nelana S. M. , Ayanda O.  S.
Published: January 2024

Animal production and meat processing generate large amounts of waste. Large amount of water containing substantial quantities of biodegradable organic matter are produced as a result of the slaughtering of animals and the routine washing of leftover particles in the abattoir. Blood, fats, oil, and grease, undigested food, suspended materials, etc. are a few examples of the materials that typically contributed organic load to these effluents. Thus, regulatory agencies prohibit the direct discharge of the effluents and solid abattoir wastes into the environment. This is because these wastes are potential pollutants and can increase harmful ecological hazards, therefore, treatment is required before discharge into environment. The advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), a tertiary water treatment method is based on the production of hydroxyl radicals, which brings about its non-selective reaction with water contaminants, allowing mineralization of contaminants and converting them into CO2 and water. AOPs could be applied to oxidize pollutants in abattoir wastewater (AWW), and may be used as a supplementary treatment system. A combined process involving the physical and biological treatments, and AOPs may be used as an alternate form of treatment with the potential for greater effectiveness and dependability. However, the properties of the wastewater, treatment time, influent concentration, type of treatment, and the best treatment technique currently available to comply with the standards will all have a significant impact on treatment efficiencies of AWW.