bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of Grid-Connected PV Systems: Balancing Economics and Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria
Authors: Usman Habib Muhammad , Sharma Nirma Kumari , Joshi Deepak Kumar , Sani Baba Isah , Mahmud Muhammad , Saminu Sani , Yero Abdulbasid Bashir , Auwal Rabiu Sharif
Published: January 2025

Nigeria faces the dual challenge of harmful industrial emissions contributing to climate change and unreliable power supply, demanding urgent attention. This study focuses on optimizing a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria, with the goal of achieving economic and environmental sustainability. The study utilizes HOMER, a widely used optimization tool for renewable energy systems, to design and evaluate three distinct energy scenarios. The first scenario relies solely on grid power, resulting in high annual costs of $2,838, significant environmental degradation, and zero renewable energy contribution. The second scenario integrates solar PV with grid power, reducing grid dependency but only partially addressing cost and environmental concerns, with an annual energy cost of $2,714 and 1,867 kWh generated from solar PV. The third scenario demonstrates the most favourable outcomes, combining high solar PV generation with economic benefits. The system produces 29,684 kWh annually, selling $521 worth of surplus energy back to the grid, resulting in a net yearly energy cost of $1,043. The initial installation cost is expected to be recovered within two years, offering potential savings of $20,000 over the system's 20-year lifespan. These findings show the viability of solar PV systems as a solution to Nigeria's energy challenges, underscoring the importance of balancing economic and environmental factors in energy system design. The study provides valuable insights for institutions and similar contexts looking to transition to more sustainable energy systems.
Improving Dynamic Routing Protocol with Energy-aware Mechanism in Mobile Ad Hoc Network
Authors: Mekonnen Atinkut Molla , Munaye Yirga Yayeh , Chekol Yenework Belayneh , Bizuayehu Getenesh Melie , Maghfiroh Hari
Published: January 2025

A Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) is designed for specific communication needs, where nodes dynamically interact. In a MANET, mobile nodes self-configure and frequently adapt to changes in topology due to their ability to move freely. Each node operates as a router, forwarding data to other designated nodes within the network. Since these mobile nodes rely on battery power, energy management becomes critical. This paper addresses the challenges of routing in MANETs by improving the Dynamic Source Routing (DSR) protocol. The proposed enhancement, termed energy-aware DSR, aims to mitigate and reduce packet loss and improve the packet delivery ratio, which often suffers due to node energy depletion. Simulations conducted with the NS-3.26 tool across varying node counts demonstrate that the energy-aware DSR protocol significantly outperforms the traditional DSR in terms of efficiency and reliability.
ELT Materials Transformed: Exploring Outcome-Based Education Elements in High School EFL Textbooks
Authors: Pulungan Anni Holila , Jasni Kharisma Adib , Kusmanto Joko , Ginting Pirman
Published: January 2025

Infusing outcome-based components such as advanced communication, productivity and accountability, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and flexibility and adaptability are deemed critical in a textbook. Conversely, the evidence revealed shortcomings in certain aspects of textbooks, as exemplified by the "Bahasa Inggris Kelas XII" textbook, which was deficient in advanced teamwork and communication skills. This research endeavor seeks to assess how the textbook incorporates outcome-based education. Utilizing data on the text unit order, the current study employed a descriptive qualitative research framework and acquired data through a Likert scale. The findings disclose that various aspects of outcome-based education are thoroughly addressed in this textbook. Nonetheless, the collaborative component and the intricate communication aspect are conspicuously absent as denoted in chapter 3 and chapter 4. A mere forty-seven percent of the content in the textbook "Bahasa Inggris Grade XII" has been assessed and meets the criteria of outcome-based education. This level of attainment, which falls below expectations, indicates a lack of complete adherence to the principles of outcomes-based education within the English textbook. As this ongoing research carries significant implications for those involved in developing and writing curricula. It is recommended that the textbook aligns with Spady's concept of Outcome-Based Education (OBE), addressing gaps such as the lack of emphasis on teamwork and complex communication aspects. To enhance the achievement of educational objectives, authors are advised to pinpoint areas for enhancement through collaboration with educators, students, and curriculum experts.
Leveraging gamification to enhance motivation and engagement among EFL learners
Authors: Tsai Yea-Ru
Published: January 2025

In recent years, gamification has appeared to be an enjoyable and appealing instructional approach in educational settings. This paper reports the implementation and evaluation of gamified instruction to support learners of English as a foreign language in a linguistics course. Several gamification elements, such as experience points, badges, leaderboard and competition, were deployed on a Moodle course management system. A comparison of the results of the survey on learning motivation revealed that the experimental group had greater learning motivation than did the control group after the instruction, particularly in the dimensions of relevance and satisfaction, suggesting that gamification can increase learners’ interest and satisfaction. To illustrate learning engagement, the data of online activities in the course management system were analyzed and compared between groups. The outcomes were encouraging, showing that students in the gamified group were more likely to submit quizzes and posts on discussion forums than were those in the nongamified group. The analysis of the relationships between gamified learning activities and motivation revealed that learning motivation was significantly correlated with discussion forums, WordWall games and badges. The findings indicate that gamification elements can effectively promote students’ motivation and engagement in learning English as a foreign language context.
Shaping the future of translation careers: Student interest and the need for curriculum reform in the AI era
Authors: Humanika Eko Setyo , Radjaban Yohanes
Published: January 2025

This study explores students’ interest in pursuing a career in translation in the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and the growing need for translation curriculum reform. A mixed method was employed, involving 45 students from the English Literature Department at the University of Technology Yogyakarta (UTY) during the 2023-2024 academic year. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling technique and included second-, third-, and fourth-year students. Data collection was conducted through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The questionnaire assessed students’ interest in translation careers, while the interview provided deeper insight, involving six respondents from the three batches, representing both positive and negative responses to the questionnaire items. The findings indicate that 26,6% of respondents are interested in a translation career, 55,6% are neutral, and 15,53% are not interested. Neutral responses were most common among second-year students and least common among fourth-year students, likely because higher-year students tend to focus more on career planning. The study also highlights the need to reform translation curricula by integrating machine translation into classroom instruction, as a computer assisted as well as automatic. The findings of this study suggest the need for further research on developing an AI-based model for teaching translation.
TED Talk and YouTube for English
Authors: Tran Thi Hoang Nguyen
Published: January 2025

Through a personal exploration using autoethnographic methodology, this study delves into the researcher’s experiences as both a student and a teacher, analyzing the benefits and limitations of integrating these social media tools into English education. Data collected through reflective journaling on the usage of these platforms reveals key themes regarding engagement, distractions, and overall academic performance. Ultimately, this study seeks to answer how these platforms have enhanced verbal skills and whether such experiences can be synthesized into lessons or activities to further assist other learners in their educational journeys. The findings point to both positive and negative impacts on teaching and learning development in ELT, with the positive impacts being processed into practical strategies for supporting teaching and learning.
The Impact of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act of 2005 on Gun Sales
Authors: Gius Mark
Published: January 2025

The purpose of the present study is to determine if the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) of 2005 had a statistically significant effect on gun sales. Using a two-way fixed effects model with state-level annual data for the period 1999-2016, results of the present study suggest that the PLCAA had a significant and positive impact on overall gun sales as measured by background checks. However, this act had no statistically significant effects on long gun (rifle and shotgun) sales. These results suggest that this federal law limiting gun manufacturers’ liability greatly increased handgun sales but had minimal effects on long gun sales. This result suggests that the PLCAA contributed to an increase in the supply of handguns. Since the majority of firearm homicides and suicides are committed using handguns, it is reasonable to assume that this increase in handguns may have resulted in an increase in firearm homicides and suicides.
The Effect of Expected Socioeconomic Status on the Willingness to Have another Child among Contemporary Chinese People of Childbearing Age
Authors: Chen Jiaqi
Published: January 2025

In the global context, China's shift toward bearing fewer children and a longer life expectancy has brought the willingness to have another child into the spotlight. This study revealed the effect of the expected socioeconomic status on the willingness to have another child and its influencing mechanism among the contemporary Chinese population of childbearing age and further tested the moderating effect of relative deprivation. A binary logistic regression model was constructed using 2982 observations of the reproductive age population, and the relationship between the willingness to have children and expected socioeconomic status was examined. The stepwise regression method and bootstrap method were used to test the mediating effect. The results demonstrate that the expected socioeconomic status was positively related to the reproduction intention of people of childbearing age, the educational burden due to existing children played a partial mediating role between expected socioeconomic status and the reproduction intention of people of childbearing age, and the sense of far deprivation played a negative moderating role between the expected socioeconomic status and the reproduction intention of people of childbearing age. The present study contributes to the existing literature regarding the factors affecting the intention to have another child, which almost always starts with existing conditions, such as family income, and neglects the fact that the expected socioeconomic status of people of childbearing age is also a prospective variable that affects the intention to have another child. These findings imply that the supporting system of fertility policy and the sense of accessibility for people of childbearing age should be improved.
Presence of Horizontal Education Inequality in the Bodoland Territorial Region of Assam
Authors: Boro Rupan
Published: January 2025

This paper examined the pattern of horizontal education inequality in the conflict-affected Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of Assam, India. Recent literature has identified horizontal inequalities as a significant factor in group-based conflicts. Horizontal education inequality is considered a more systematic form of discrimination, exacerbating conflicts in many conflict-affected multi-ethno-religious societies. Drawing on this literature, I investigated whether horizontal education inequality exists in BTR to inform policies aimed at restoring peace in such regions. Using the group Gini coefficient, I measured horizontal education inequality. Further, I utilized unit-level data from the 61st (2004–2005) and 66th (2009–2010) rounds of the employment and unemployment surveys conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), which was supplemented by primary data collected from a conflict-affected revenue village in the Kokrajhar district of Assam. The indicators considered for measurement were literacy rate, average year of schooling, and current attendance rate. The literacy rate was calculated for the population ages 7 and above, the current attendance rate for ages 6 to 21, and the average years of schooling for ages 15 and above. The populations were grouped into Muslim, scheduled tribe, scheduled caste, other backward class, and general categories. The estimates reveal significant horizontal education inequality in the BTR, with Muslims and scheduled tribes being the most deprived groups in terms of educational attainment.
Obtention of Scaffolds for Grafts on Human Skin with PLA-Nano fibers and Cinnamon Oil-Lanoline Emulsions
Authors: Arribas Leyre Marqués , Carrera Paula Cota , Cano Francisco , Gelabert Meritxell Martí , Martínez Alba , Lis Arias Manuel José
Published: January 2025

The interest in tissue engineering is growing in the scientific and medical communities, as it can solve actual problems regarding donor tissues, wound healing and drug delivery systems. Nanofibers are gaining relevance in this topic thanks to their excellent mechanical properties and similarities concerning the human skin.
This project has explored how combining the nanofibers’ membranes created of PLA, made by electrospinning, with a dissolution of lanoline and cinnamon essential oil not only imitates the human skin, as it was demonstrated in a later project, but also obtains an antibacterial character. Analytical techniques such as a spectrophotometer, an electrokinetic analyzer, a scanning electron microscope, a Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, and an optical tensiometer were employed.
Results confirmed successful integration and migration of the cinnamon oil, with antibacterial efficacy achieved against specific bacterial strains, as hypothesized. Notably, scaffolds composed of seven layers exhibited migration behavior closely aligned with theoretical expectations.
Residual Urbanization and the Social Relations of Collective Struggle in an Amazonian Kichwa Commune from Ecuador
Authors: Uzendoski Michael A. , Saavedra Gustavo Durán , Jiménez Manuel Bayón
Published: January 2025

Abstract: In this article, we combine anthropological theory with an urban studies framework to analyze and understand the processes by which cities expand into rural areas and transform landscapes, ways of life, and social practices in uneven and complex ways. Looking at the Kichwa commune of Mulchi Yaku as a case study, we argue that local cultural practices not only make urbanization partial or even subordinate but also reproduce the social relations of struggle through political and social actions of defending territory, ecology, and rights to collective organization. While capitalistic urban processes penetrate indigenous territories, urbanization is transformed by the political control that people have within their territory to define indigenous life through local values and unique cultural modes of social reproduction. As such, urbanization becomes incomplete or "residual," and communal forms of social reproduction predominate. Our analysis employs a variety of methods that include survey data, geographical information systems, satellite image data, and fine-grained ethnographic research to understand how local people adapt and transform the processes of urban expansion within their territories.
Decentralization and Rural Areas in Mozambique, Colombia, and Bolivia
Authors: Norris Brian
Published: January 2025

Abstract: Political decentralization (hereafter "decentralization") is the devolution of power from a central government to subnational governments. Nationally, decentralization promotes a system of vertical checks and balances. Subnationally, decentralization may increase basic service provision in rural areas, a benefit of particular importance to countries in the Global South, but it also has known trade-offs. Many countries in the Global South passed decentralization reforms during the Third Wave of global democratic expansion in the 1980s and 1990s. However, Latin American countries more fully implemented these reforms than did African countries. The existing literature focuses disproportionately on decentralization in Latin America and does not adequately explain why a similarly situated region of the Global South would have such different policy outcomes. This article compares decentralization in Colombia, Bolivia, and Mozambique between 1986 and today. Colombia and Bolivia decentralized early and substantively, while Mozambique decentralized later and more shallowly. Today in Mozambique, a national debate about decentralization rages. This analysis is based on over 200 unstructured interviews selected through a snowballing methodology in each of the countries. I conducted interviews in four languages (Spanish, Quechua, Portuguese, and English) over a twenty-seven-year period. Recent Mozambique fieldwork allows the description of the current decentralization debate. Five factors seem to explain differences between the Latin American cases and the African cases: duration of historical experience with liberal democracy ideas, the general level of social indicators at the time of decentralization, political leadership, differential high costs for influential political forces, and unique characteristics of civil society in each country. This article further argues that current literature does not adequately include "ruralness" as a concept in the analysis of decentralization.
The Detachment of Telemachus
Authors: Güthenke Constanze
Published: January 2025

Abstract: This contribution emphasizes that reading—academic or not—is an act that takes place in front of and in relation to others, deeply situated and often provisional. I suggest a reading—or rather a redescription—of the Odyssey 's Telemachus as such a reader, and of Telemachus's own scholarly readers by extension. I advocate thinking of reading as neither purely generous or suspicious, and I reflect on the status of ostensibly minor figures as observers and readers.
Reading and Taste
Authors: Viidebaum Laura
Published: January 2025

Abstract: This article explores the question of (cultivating) taste in ancient criticism and argues that Dionysius of Halicarnassus, in his critical essays on good rhetoric and criticism, uses a term to denote (what we might now call) a sense of taste, alogos aisthêsis . According to Dionysius, it is a faculty that enables us to better appreciate literature as well as cultivate character, but one that escapes close scrutiny and explanation. A more detailed contextualization of Dionysius's engagement with alogos aisthêsis within his contemporary moment suggests that it is best read in light of broader attempts among his contemporary thinkers to sketch out the boundaries of, and a novel vision for, the new cultural history of the empire.
Virgil's Voice and Ancient Reading
Authors: Kearey Talitha
Published: January 2025

Abstract: This article argues that ancient descriptions of Virgil's recitations enable affective and creative responses to his poetry on the part of their readers, even as ancient literary criticism attempts to distance itself from such forms of readerly attachment. Virgil's voice emerges as a key vector for contested and troubling ways of responding to his poems. Three case studies from the ancient biographical and commentary traditions on the Georgics illustrate responsive, immersive, and erotic modes of reading, building particularly on ancient and modern approaches to the voice. The article contributes to current conversations in literary studies on the 'limits of critique' and 'non-hermeneutic reading'; it concludes by suggesting 'interrupted reading' as a productive model for modern readers of ancient literature.
The Surplus Value of Images
Authors: Mitchell W.J.T
Published: January 2025

Abstract: This essay analyzes the ways in which images are over- and under-estimated, from idols that signify the highest values and demand human sacrifice, to empty signs that are worthless, hollow illusions. It then shows how these disparate estimations of "the surplus value of images" lead to the perception of images as living agencies that play crucial roles in social conflicts.
Flicker 2: Reflections on Cinematography and Literature in the Works of Hélène Cixous
Authors: Naas Michael
Published: January 2025

Abstract: Reflections on cinematography and literature in the works of Hélène Cixous
Songs of Love and Loss: Mina Loy's Lyric Theodicy
Authors: Ng Zhao
Published: January 2025

Abstract: This article proposes that the function of a "weak theodicy" is embedded in Mina Loy's lyric praxis. In critically extending theories of the lyric voice in relation to the dialogic address of the I-Thou fold as formulated by Martin Buber, I consider how Loy's lyric poetry responds to the losses of history. The I-Thou relation set up as an event in the lyric address refers the loves terminated in historical time to an eternal witness, picking up the thread of interrupted love in the poem itself. By interpreting Loy's explicit and implicit references to divine presence in the event of love, I extend her reputed "logopoeia" into a theopoetic undertaking that recovers love once more out of love's expiration, initiating thereby a renewed investment in the future. Loy's lyric praxis is understood to set up a relational ontology whose players are engaged in an incarnational dance referred to as a "lyric/of bodies." I conclude by reading the promise of love's renewal in these lyric exchanges alongside accounts of process theology, developing a form of "weak theodicy" out of the "weak God" of anatheism.
"Me Too, Dinah, Me Too": Jewish American Women's Midrash-Poems on the Rape of Dinah
Authors: Koplowitz-Breier Anat
Published: January 2025

Abstract: One of the central foci of the #MeToo movement, which became a social-media phenomenon in 2017, is exposing incidents of rape and sexual harassment. Secrecy, denial, and the explaining away of rape/abuse lying at the core of patriarchal society and culture, feminists began addressing these issues as a primary concern much earlier, however. In this article, I explore midrashic poems relating to the rape of Dinah (Genesis 34) written by Jewish American women as a reflection of cultural attitudes towards sexual harassment and assault. Mostly passive and entirely silent in the biblical text, Dinah is a neutral figure herein. She thus functions as a screen upon which commentators can project thoughts and behaviors. While some modern Jewish feminist poets adhere closely to Scripture even as they rework it, others use the text as a springboard for innovative and novel views. I examine the way in which the protagonist is allowed to tell her own story, assuming the voice she lacks in the biblical text and expressing her thoughts and feelings and addressed directly, her story being retold via identification and/or commemoration. Analyzing how they all deal with Dinah's rape, I suggest they serve as predecessors of—and in two cases, participants in—the #MeToo movement.
Severe Acute Liver Injury From Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Related to Disseminated Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 in a Young Immunocompetent Man
Authors: Seog Woo Jin , Steinberg Jonathan , Ghafary Ismail , Clores Michael , Aroniadis Olga
Published: January 2025

Although herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis are known causes of severe acute liver injury with or without liver failure, these diseases occur almost exclusively in immunocompromised and elderly patients. We report a case of an immunocompetent young man with no medical history who presented with a subacute cough and persistent fevers in the setting of a penile chancre. He was found to have severely elevated liver chemistries and was subsequently diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis because of disseminated herpes simplex virus type 1 and Epstein-Barr virus coinfection. He was treated with intravenous dexamethasone and acyclovir and made a complete recovery.
Combating The Disinformation: Verifiying The Fact of Political Hoaxes in Election-2024 in Indonesia
Authors: Santoso Didik Haryadi , Setyaningsih Rila , Supadiyanto Supadiyanto
Published: January 2025

The aim of this research is to identify and analyze disinformation as part of the hokas leading up to the 2024 elections in Indonesia, Besides this research aim to give the recommendation how to combating the disinformation. This study uses descriptive analysis techniques and is qualitative in nature. There are four (four) steps to the data analysis in this study. The first step is the data collection procedure using web crawlers, data reduction comes in second, third, the method for displaying data. Data visualization is done methodically to facilitate analysis and conclusion drawing. This research has been able to identify and analyze the emergence of hoaxes ahead of the 2024 election. During the period 19 July-25 October 2023 there were 21 hoaxes about manipulated content, 3 hoaxes about defamation and reputation damage, and 2 hoaxes about emotional provocation tactics. Verifying the fact as the combating the disinformation ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election could be conducted by news verification techniques, including: (1) checking the source; (2) checking the facts; (3) checking the images; and (4) checking the date.
Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism in the Mongolian Population
Authors: Svobodová Helena , Kučera F. , Štulc T. , Vrablík M. , Amartuvshin B. , Altannavch Ts. , Češka R.
Published: January 2025

Apolipoprotein E plays a key role in the regulation of lipid metabolism. ApoE function is determined by the presence of three common alleles (ε2, ε3, ε4). The apo ε3 allele is the most prevalent, apo ε2 is associated with dysbetalipoproteinaemia, and apo ε4 is frequently associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular and Alzheimer’s diseases. Mongolian population has a high rate of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and there might be genetic susceptibility of the population to cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study was to establish the frequency of apoE genotypes in 744 Mongolian subjects and to compare the results with findings from other Asian populations. The apo E sequence was amplified using polymerase chain reaction and apo E genotyping was performed by restriction enzyme cleavage with CfoI. The relative apoE allele frequencies were ε2 = 3.7%, ε3 = 80.8%, and ε4 = 15.5%, the genotype frequencies were ε2/ε2 = 0% (N = 0), ε2/ε3 = 5.7% (N = 42), ε2/ε4 = 1.7% (N = 13), ε3/ε3 = 65.3% (N = 486), ε3/ε4 = 25.4% (N = 189), ε4/ε4 = 1.9% (N = 14); the occurrence of the risk ε4 allele in Mongolia is among the highest in Asia. The high frequency of the apo ε4 allele may increase the susceptibility of Mongolian population to cardiovascular diseases.
Risedronate Has No Adverse Effects on Mouse Haematopoiesis
Authors: Šefc Luděk , Broulík P. , Pelichovská T. , Nečas E.
Published: January 2025

Bisphosphonates are commonly used for treatment of osteoporosis. They inhibit osteoclast activity and thus bone resorption. It was shown that they also affect some other cell types including tumour and endothelial cells. The effects of risedronate on bone marrow microenvironment were not studied yet. As endothelial cells are integral part of bone marrow microenvironment, it is important to know whether prolonged administration of bisphosphonates does not affect haematopoietic stem cells and bone marrow haematopoiesis. We fed mice two weeks with risedronate. We found no effect of risedronate treatment on bone marrow stem cells using the method of congenic bone marrow repopulation. Risedronate administration in the dose which is considered to be comparable to a dose of risedronate used for treatment of osteoporosis in women seems to be safe in terms of effects on mouse haematopoiesis.
Estudio del metabolismo lipídico en niños aragoneses con sobrepeso/obesidad vs. niños normopeso
Authors: Cuenca Alcocel José , Villalba-Heredia Lorena , Martínez Redondo Inés , Gallego Royo Alba , Casajús José A. , Arbonés-Mainar José M. , Calmarza Pilar
Published: January 2025

Objetivos

La obesidad y el sobrepeso en la infancia y/o adolescencia han aumentado considerablemente en los países europeos, durante los últimos años, representando actualmente un importante problema de salud pública mundial. El objetivo de este estudio es la detección precoz en un grupo de niños con sobrepeso/obesidad (8–12 años) de las alteraciones metabólicas que pueden conducirles, incluso en edades tempranas, a alteraciones en el metabolismo de la glucosa y/o enfermedad cardiovascular.

Métodos

Se estudiaron una serie de parámetros del metabolismo lipídico y de control metabólico, en un grupo de 61 niños y niñas con sobrepeso/obesidad y en un grupo de 45 niños y niñas sanos, normopeso, de edades comprendidas, todos ellos, entre 8 y 12 años, comparando los resultados obtenidos.

Resultados

Se encontraron concentraciones más elevadas en el grupo de niños con sobrepeso/obesidad, respecto al de niños normopeso, en: triglicéridos e insulina; y más bajas en: colesterol HDL y apolipoproteína A1. El cociente apolipoproteína B/apolipoproteína A1, el índice triglicéridos-glucosa y el índice HOMA fueron más elevados y la ratio colesterol LDL/apolipoproteína B más baja en los niños con sobrepeso/obesidad.

Conclusiones

Según nuestros resultados, la obesidad a edades tempranas (8–12 años) afecta ya a la concentración de los parámetros lipídicos, habiéndose encontrado un perfil lipídico más aterogénico con mayor concentración de partículas remanentes y partículas LDL pequeñas y densas, mayor insulinoresistencia y mayor riesgo de desarrollar diabetes mellitus de tipo 2  y/o enfermedad cardiovascular en los niños con sobrepeso/obesidad, al compararlos con los normopeso.
Empirical analysis on retinal segmentation using PSO-based thresholding in diabetic retinopathy grading
Authors: Sekar Bhuvaneswari , Parthasarathy Subashini
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is associated with long-term diabetes and is a leading cause of blindness if it is not diagnosed early. The rapid growth of deep learning eases the clinicians’ DR diagnosing procedure. It automatically extracts the features and performs the grading. However, training the image toward the majority of background pixels can impact the accuracy and efficiency of grading tasks. This paper proposes an auto-thresholding algorithm that reduces the negative impact of considering the background pixels for feature extraction which highly affects the grading process.

Methods

The PSO-based thresholding algorithm for retinal segmentation is proposed in this paper, and its efficacy is evaluated against the Otsu, histogram-based sigma, and entropy algorithms. In addition, the importance of retinal segmentation is analyzed using Explainable AI (XAI) to understand how each feature impacts the model’s performance. For evaluating the accuracy of the grading, ResNet50 was employed.

Results

The experiments were conducted using the IDRiD fundus dataset. Despite the limited data, the retinal segmentation approach provides significant accuracy than the non-segmented approach, with a substantial accuracy of 83.70 % on unseen data.

Conclusions

The result shows that the proposed PSO-based approach helps automatically determine the threshold value and improves the model’s accuracy.
Behind the scenes of EQA–characteristics, capabilities, benefits and assets of external quality assessment (EQA)
Authors: Buchta Christoph , De la Salle Barbara , Marrington Rachel , Albarède Stéphanie , Badrick Tony , Bicker Wolfgang , Bietenbeck Andreas , Bullock David , Delatour Vincent , Dequeker Elisabeth , Flasch Mira , Geilenkeuser Wolf-Jochen , van Hellemond Jaap , Huggett Jim F. , Ianovska Viktoriia , Kaiser Patricia , Kammel Martin , Kessler Anja , Laudus Nele , Luppa Peter B. , Morandi Pierre-Alain , O’Connor Gavin , Panteghini Mauro , Pezzati Paola , Rosendahl Jennifer , Sandberg Sverre , Scheiblauer Heinrich , Skitek Milan , Spannagl Michael , Stavelin Anne , Thelen Marc , Unterberger Ursula , Zeichhardt Heinz , Restelli Veronica , Perrone Lucy A.
Published: January 2025

The main stakeholders in external quality assessment (EQA) programs are the participants, in whose interests these challenges are ultimately organised. EQA schemes in the medical field contribute to improving the quality of patient care by evaluating the analytical and diagnostic quality of laboratory and point-of-care tests (POCT) by independent third parties and, if necessary, pointing out erroneous measurement results and analytical or diagnostic improvement potential. Other benefits include the option of using EQA samples for other important laboratory procedures, such as the verification or validation of in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVD-MDs), a contribution to the estimation of measurement uncertainty, a means of training and educating laboratory staff through educational EQA programmes or samples, or even for independent and documented monitoring of staff competence, such as on samples with unusual or even exceptional characteristics. Participation in an EQA scheme for beneficiaries like medical, microbiological and histo- and molecular pathology laboratories, users of POCT and self-testing systems as well as National Metrology Institutes, calibration laboratories and reference laboratories that are dedicated to specific tasks and have particular expectations of the EQA scheme are presented here.
Using language to evaluate curricular impact: a novel approach in assessing clinical reasoning curricula
Authors: Gavinski Katherine , DiNardo Deborah , Rothenberger Scott D. , Bonifacino Eliana
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Published clinical reasoning curricula are limited, and measuring curricular impact has proven difficult. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a broad-reaching, multi-level reasoning curricula by measuring utilization of clinical reasoning terminology in published abstracts.

Methods

In 2014, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) created a clinical reasoning curriculum with interventions at the student, resident, and faculty levels with the goal of bringing reasoning education to the forefront. This study was a retrospective analysis of published clinical vignettes of the Society of General Internal Medicine prior to local curricular intervention (2014), post-curricular intervention (2018), and on follow-up (2022). UPMC-affiliated abstracts were compared to abstracts containing reasoning terms from all other institutions, at each time point.

Results

There was a statistically significant increase in the use of clinical reasoning terms by UPMC-affiliated participants from 2014 to 2018. Non-UPMC submissions, saw a smaller, but still significant increase in the use of clinical reasoning terms. There was a decline in clinical reasoning term use from 2018 to 2022, both at UPMC and nationally.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that widespread clinical reasoning curricula can increase interest in and use of clinical reasoning terminology. Further work is needed to develop creative assessment tools for reasoning curricula.
Exploring the impact of seashell powder and nano-silica on ultra-high-performance self-curing concrete: Insights into mechanical strength, durability, and high-temperature resilience
Authors: Sun Yitong , Alqurashi Muwaffaq , Mostafa Sahar A.
Published: January 2025

This study examines the impact of using seashell powder, shells mixed with nano-silica, and basic oxygen furnace slag as sand substitutes in addition to the internal curing regime. This study focuses on important factors related to material sustainability and the efficient use of resources. The comprehensive evaluation of mechanical properties, including compressive and tensile strength at different stages, provides a significant understanding of the performance improvements achieved with these innovative additives. Durability tests, which evaluate the absorption, water permeability, salt penetration, and sulfate resistance, advance our understanding of how these materials enhance the long-term durability of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) under extreme environmental conditions. In addition, examining UHPC samples at high temperatures (350 and 700°C) and applying scanning electron microscopy. The improved mechanical strength and toughness achieved using seashells and nano-silica demonstrated the potential of these additives to create UHPC that is more sustainable and environmentally friendly. The results indicate that the addition of seashell powder slightly reduced the compressive strength. However, replacing cement with a blend of seashells and nano-silica led to an improvement ranging from 5 to 6% in compressive strength across various replacement ratios at 7, 28, and 90 days. The optimum strength is obtained at a 5% replacement ratio. Tensile strength also increased from 1.6 to 1.8 MPa when seashells were pre-mixed with nano-silica. The incorporation of nano-silica significantly enhanced the thermal stability of the seashells, resulting in a better residual strength of 84–93% at 350°C and ranged from 68 to 82% at 700°C. Furthermore, the combination of seashells and seashell powder with nano-silica notably improved durability by reducing the water permeability, sorptivity, and chloride penetration depth. The residual strength of UHPC showed greater improvement after exposure to a sulfate environment when the seashells were combined with nano-silica than when seashells alone were used and achieved 81 MPa compared to 69.1 MPa for the control mix and 74 MPa for seashells only. Overall, the inclusion of seashells pre-mixed with nano-silica in UHPC enhanced the microstructure at both normal and elevated temperatures.
The Determinants of Price, Product Quality, Promotion, and Brand Awareness on Purchase Intention for Nusakita Cooking Oil in Jabodetabek
Authors: Ariq Athallah  , Hardiana Widyastuti
Published: January 2025

This study aims to identify the characteristics of respondents and analyze the effect of price, product quality, promotion, and brand awareness on consumer buying interest in Nusakita cooking oil in the Jabodetabek area. Indonesia, as a major producer of palm oil, has a highly competitive cooking oil industry due to the increasing needs of the community. This study employs a quantitative approach to analyze the effects of price, product quality, promotion, and brand awareness on purchase intention for Nusakita cooking oil products in Jabodetabek. Using a non-probability voluntary sampling method, data from 235 respondents were collected through online and offline questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and SEM-PLS were applied for data analysis, revealing significant positive effects of product quality, promotion, and brand awareness on purchase intention. The results showed the need for Nusakita to prioritize enhancing product quality and increasing brand visibility to drive consumer interest. Strengthening promotional efforts, such as offering discounts or engaging in targeted marketing campaigns, is also recommended. These strategies can help establish Nusakita as a trusted cooking oil brand in a competitive market.
Negotiating with Modernity: Smooth but Selected Changes in the Benda Kerep Village of Cirebon in 1990-2010
Authors: Nurul Rosidin Didin , Ibrahim Muhamad , Saefullah Asep , Sa'dudin Ihsan
Published: January 2025

This paper examines the evolving dynamics within the traditional community of Benda Kerep, Cirebon, as they navigate the pressures of modernization. Employing a qualitative methodology with a descriptive-analytical approach grounded in historical perspective, the study undertakes the following steps: topic selection, heuristics (data collection), source criticism (verification), interpretation (data analysis), and historiography (writing). Findings reveal that the residents of Benda Kerep maintain a strong commitment to their ancestral teachings, customs, and traditions. However, since the 1990s, they have also selectively integrated modern ideas and technologies. For instance, they have embraced modern education systems alongside traditional pesantren-based learning and utilized contemporary technologies in their rituals and ceremonies, such as Muludan, Haulan, and Shawalan. This duality highlights their adaptive strategies in preserving cultural heritage while engaging with modernity.
“If You’re Male, You Get It More”: Experiences of Indonesian Female Academics Under New Managerialism
Authors: Siti Muflichah
Published: January 2025

This study explores the career ladder experiences of female professors in Islamic higher education institutions in Indonesia. The experiences of Indonesian female academics are distinct compared to their counterparts worldwide, as they face unique challenges in attaining higher academic positions such as associate professor or professor. Female academics in Indonesia are often perceived as less productive in research and publication, hold fewer leadership roles, achieve lower academic ranks, and earn significantly less than their male peers. Employing a feminist research methodology, this study aims to amplify women’s voices and advocate for their advancement to higher positions. Through qualitative interviews and analysis using Miles and Huberman’s model, the study examines the lived experiences of female academics operating within the constraints of a new managerialism framework. The findings highlight a feminist perspective that is rarely acknowledged in the discourse on higher education in Indonesia. Drawing on Mohanty’s postcolonial feminist framework, the study celebrates the resilience and contributions of non-Western women while shedding light on the systemic barriers they face. Indonesian Muslim female academics report enduring gender bias, limited opportunities for leadership, and cultural norms that prioritize familial responsibilities over professional growth. These challenges restrict their potential and diminish their contributions to academia and research. This study serves as a critical call to address the structural inequities and cultural dynamics that hinder the progress of women in academia.
Ethnic Identity Construction and Contestation in Bangladesh: The Case of the Manipuri and Bishnupriya Communities
Authors: Singha Rajmoni
Published: January 2025

In Bangladesh, some groups seek economic or social advantages by claiming ethnic identities to which they are not entitled. This paper examines such claims, focusing on the identity challenges faced by the Manipuri community due to competing claims from the Bishnupriya. Despite clear distinctions in linguistic, historical, and cultural origins, as recognized in the literature, the Bishnupriya community asserts a Manipuri identity, creating tensions and contestations. The Manipuri, known as Meetei locally and internationally, are one of the recognized ethnic groups in Bangladesh. However, their identity is increasingly contested by the Bishnupriya, whose claims lack alignment with established definitions of Manipuri ethnicity. Although this issue is significant for the Manipuri community, it remains underexplored in Bangladeshi scholarship. This study addresses the gap using qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews and participatory observations, complemented by secondary sources and scholarly research. The findings highlight the complexity of ethnic identity construction and its implications for minority communities in Bangladesh.
Aesthetically Enchanted Nature Engagements in God of War and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Authors: Skjoldli Jane
Published: January 2025

The Norse-inspired video games Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice and God of War involve virtual biospheres that mediate the games’ engagements with nature in different ways. They also contribute to shaping the semantic field related to the term Norse and the contemporary concept it denotes. Figures in these games bear names known from myths conventionally considered Norse, such as Freya, Loki, Hela, and Jormungandr. How are aesthetics used to construct Virtually Postulated Extraordinary Agents (ViPEAs) and interactions with virtual natures engaged in the two video games? What can a dark green to dark gray religion (DaGr) spectrum tell us about those constructions? In this article, I argue that ViPEAs in Hellblade and God of War tend to appear as situated in human/nature relationships, that the games’ scripted interactions with ViPEAs suggest enchantment through extraordinary visual and auditory figurations, and that Norse-oriented religious aesthetics can be analyzed using the DaGr spectrum.
The Economics of Climate Change: Costs, Benefits, and the Transition to a Green Economy
Authors:   Department of Development Studies, Africa International University, Karen, Nairobi, Kenya., Sele John Philip , Mukundi Mark B. ,   Department of Education, Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Published: January 2025

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, impacting every facet of the global economy. This article delves into the economics of climate change, examining the profound costs it imposes, the opportunities it creates, and the pathways to a sustainable future. From the devastating economic toll of extreme weather events to the hidden costs of ecosystem degradation, the financial burden of climate change is vast and multifaceted. Yet, the transition to a green economy—one centered on sustainability and renewable energy—presents an unprecedented opportunity for economic growth, innovation, and resilience. By analyzing the economic benefits of early mitigation, the potential for green job creation, and the transformative power of green investments, this study seeks to demonstrate that addressing climate change is not only an environmental necessity but also a significant economic opportunity. At the same time, the article does not shy away from the challenges, such as the upfront costs of transitioning, the socio-economic disparities it may exacerbate, and the need for robust international cooperation. This article aims to provide a compelling economic case for a global shift towards sustainability, advocating for policies that support green innovation, carbon pricing, and equitable economic growth. Through a comprehensive examination of climate change’s economic impacts and potential benefits, this analysis aims to chart a course toward a resilient, prosperous, and sustainable future, underscoring that the cost of inaction far outweighs the investment required for transformation.