bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and testing of two simple metaphor-free optimization algorithms for solving real-life nonconvex constrained and unconstrained engineering problems
Authors: RAO RAVIPUDI VENKATA , SHAH RAVIKUMAR 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Two simple yet powerful optimization algorithms, named the Best-Mean-Random (BMR) and Best-Worst-Random (BWR) algorithms, are developed and presented in this paper to handle both constrained and unconstrained optimization problems. These algorithms are free of metaphors and algorithm-specific parameters. The BMR algorithm is based on the best, mean, and random solutions of the population generated for solving a given problem, and the BWR algorithm is based on the best, worst, and random solutions. The performances of the proposed two algorithms are investigated by implementing them on 26 real-life nonconvex constrained optimization problems given in the Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC) 2020 competition, and comparisons are made with those of the other prominent optimization algorithms. The performances on 12 constrained engineering problems are also investigated, and the results are compared with those of very recent algorithms (in some cases, compared with more than 30 algorithms). Furthermore, computational experiments are conducted on 30 unconstrained standard benchmark optimization problems, including 5 recently developed benchmark problems with distinct characteristics. The results demonstrated the superior competitiveness and superiority of the proposed simple algorithms. The optimization research community may gain an advantage by adapting these algorithms to solve various constrained and unconstrained real-life optimization problems across various scientific and engineering disciplines.
The Self-Biasing Current Generator: A Useful Transconductance Cell
Authors: Akbari Meysam 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

This brief presents a bulk-driven transconductance cell using a basic self-biasing current generator circuit. The proposed cell employs two N-type and P-type current mirrors to form a positive feedback structure. The circuit is adaptively biased by diode-connected topologies of the current mirrors. The bulk terminals of the P-type transistors act as the input nodes to employ the proposed circuit as a transconductance cell. Thanks to its symmetrical self-biasing topology, a tailed double-output differential structure is achieved. An additional current source is also used to ensure the stability and adjust the amount of the produced transconductance. The circuit is simulated using a 0.18-µm CMOS technology to verify its operation.
Practitioners' perspectives on unintended effects of illicit drug prevention public service announcements (PSAs) in Australia
Authors: Munro Kirsteen , Bogomolova Svetlana , Simmonds Lucy 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Public service announcements (PSAs) or campaigns aimed at preventing harm can inadvertently risk creating additional harms. It remains unclear whether these unintended effects are considered during campaign development, if risk mitigation strategies are implemented, or how professionals involved perceive these issues. It is in the context of illicit drug prevention PSAs that our research investigates and explores the perspectives of practitioners – health support professionals and campaign designers and creators. Semi-structured expert interviews were conducted to capture and synthesise practitioners’ perspectives which were then analysed by applying a framework to address the unintended harms of public health interventions. The results indicated that practitioners from both sectors are aware of unintended harms but place varying levels of importance on different aspects. In the case of illicit drug prevention PSAs, incorporating practitioners’ perspectives in campaign development may result in mitigating the risk of potential unintended harmful effects.
Application of SA-Conv1D-BiGRU model for streamflow prediction in southern Ethiopia
Authors: Mena Nahom Bekele 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT

Streamflow prediction offers crucial information for managing water resources, flood control, and hydropower generation. Yet, reliable streamflow prediction is challenging due to the complexity and nonlinearity of the rainfall-runoff relationship. This study investigated the comparative performance of the newly integrated self-attention-based deep learning (DL) model, SA-Conv1D-BiGRU with Conv1D-LSTM, and bidirectional long short-term memory (Bi-LSTM) models for streamflow prediction under different time-series conditions, and a range of variable input combinations based on flood events. All datasets passed quality control procedures, and the time lag for generating input series was established through Pearson correlation analysis. 80% of the data was used for training, whereas 20% was used to evaluate the model's performance. The performance of the models was evaluated using three metrics: mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and correlation coefficient (R2). The findings reveal the excellent potential of DL models for streamflow prediction, with the SA-Conv1D-BiGRU model outperforming other models under different time-series characteristics. Despite the complexity, the Conv1D-LSTM models did not outperform the Bi-LSTM model. In conclusion, the results are condensed into themes of model variability and time-series characteristics. Consequently, different architectures in DL models had a greater influence on streamflow prediction accuracy than input time lags and time-series features.
Differences and variations of drinking water quality between the northern and southern regions of a tropical island and the indicators influenced by meteorological factors
Authors: Gao Yi , Kuang Hui , Huang Meixiang , Zhang Yu , Ye Haimei , Peng Xiaojie , Huang Hairong , Xiao Sha , Long Wenfang 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT

Climate change poses a considerable threat to humanity. This study aims to explore the effects of meteorological factors on drinking water quality in urban and rural areas in the tropics. Drinking water was assessed by performing correlation and logistic regression analyses on South China from 2021 to 2023. Results showed that fluorine and chemical oxygen demand were low in the north countryside. The total bacterial count (TBC), sulfate, chloride, manganese, total dissolved solids, arsenic, ferrum, nitrate, total hardness, pH value, and turbidity in the north were higher than those in the rural south. Terminal tap water from northern rivers and southern lakes was significantly affected by meteorological factors (p &lt; 0.05). In general, the microorganisms (r = 0.156–0.737) and trichloromethane (r &gt; 0.633) increased with temperature, odds ratio (OR) &gt; 1. Arsenic increased with temperature in the north rural areas (OR &gt; 1). High levels of nitrate corresponded to increased frequency of extreme rainstorms. Furthermore, trichloromethane, aluminum, nitrate, and TBC were most susceptible to extreme meteorological factors in the tropics. Fluorine from different sources showed inconsistency. Chemical types and dosing or treatment adjustments in water treatment processes may help address deteriorated water quality during extreme weather events.
Epidemiologic Assessment of Scabies: Actuality of Airborne Transmission and Additional Standards to Reduce Spread of Contagion and Reinfestation
Authors: Burkhart Craig G 
Published: August 2024

Scabies are caused by parasites that live their entire life within the outer layers of the epidermis. When dislodged either by gravity, friction, motion, wind, or static electricity, they assume great risks to survival. Innate abilities to sense human smell and heat, to move over short distances, and to penetrate the skin quickly allow them a fighting chance to find a new host if they land within 4 inches of a human. Females store sperm, allowing one mite to begin a colony. Transmission is by person-to-person, fomite, and airborne. They are aerodynamic, light, and balloon-shaped, all making airborne transmission easier than previously understood, as well as explaining the dissemination of mites beyond the normal zones of activity of the index case.
Presently, the bulk of the medical literature suggests that transmission from inanimate objects poses little concern in common scabies. However, as mites can navigate through cloth gowns, one might consider protection with more protective garb. Mites cannot penetrate through waterproof clothing, and thus, this attire should be recommended to avoid reinfestation and infesting others. Sofas, chairs, office furniture, and car seats on which an index case might sit need to be covered with plastic sheeting. Given that the half-life of ivermectin is 18 hours and that mites dehydrate within 96 hours, strict transmission controls are only needed for 3 days to avoid reinfestation as well as infesting others.

Key Points
Scabies is an intensely itchy skin rash caused by a burrowing mite that infects the outer layers of the skin.
Scabies is contagious and usually spread by direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infected person; however, fomite and airborne transmission are also operative.
Precautions should be in place to avoid direct skin-to-skin contact between a patient with scabies and visitors. Water-proof clothing would be advisable, especially in cases involving Norwegian scabies.
Success rates with oral ivermectin would more closely approach 100% if all transmission factors, including fomite and airborne, were addressed.
Correlation between Fatigue and Quality of Life in Adolescent Oncology Patients in Jordan
Authors: Al-Smadi Sajeda , Al-Smadi Fawwaz , Alzayyat Abeer , Al-Momani Siham Mohamad , Al-Tarawneh Abdullah Abdel Razzaq , Majdalawi Majdi M , Al-Shawabkeh Jumanah D. 
Published: August 2024

Background
Adolescence represents a distinct and multifaceted developmental stage characterized by profound physical and cognitive transformations. Adolescents undergoing cancer treatment frequently have unique needs that remain unmet, leading to a notable decline in their quality of life. Cancer treatment often results in problems like fatigue, which affects patients' quality of life. Assessing quality of life and fatigue among adolescent cancer patients is essential for enhancing nursing care and improving outcomes.

Objective
This study aimed to investigate the correlation between fatigue and quality of life among adolescent cancer patients in Jordan.

Methods
A “cross-sectional” study was performed, with the participation of 127 Jordanian adolescent cancer patients, and data was collected through a nameless online survey of Jordanian adolescent cancer patients. The study commenced in February 2024 and concluded in June 2024. Demographic data and responses from two self-reported questionnaires—the Arabic versions of “Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory” “Multidimensional Fatigue Scale” and “Generic Core 4.0”—were collected. Descriptive statistics of means, frequencies, standard deviations, and percentages were used with demographics while inferential statistics were conducted using independent t-tests, Spearman's rank correlation coefficients, and Kruskal-Wallis tests in SPSS, version 26.

Results
Significant and potent correlations were found between various types of fatigue “general, sleep/rest, cognitive, and total” and quality of life “physical, emotional, social, school, psychosocial health”. Notably, the total fatigue scores showed a potent correlation with the total summary scores (r=0.946), with a p-value significant at the <0.001 level for all correlations, indicating that adolescents with cancer experienced high fatigue and low quality of life.

Conclusion
The study demonstrated a potent link between fatigue and quality of life. The study's outcomes can help enhance guidelines for routine evaluation of fatigue and quality of life by nurses and healthcare providers in adolescent cancer patients to implement and evaluate interventions aimed at reducing fatigue in patients, highlighting fatigue as a significant concern. Future research should explore interventions such as exercise, leisure activities, and sleep to alleviate fatigue. Longitudinal research is essential to assess fatigue at diverse times of the day and week; this could help develop tailored fatigue management strategies to augment the quality of life among adolescent oncology patients.
Exploring the role of international rankings in the development of institutional public relations strategies
Authors: Ramadhan Hamzah , Sarwono Dian Ayuria 
Published: August 2024

The study uncovered that educational institutions cannot exclusively rely on their international ranking achievements to maintain their legitimacy. Universities must prioritize strategic communication to enhance their competitive position in the global education market. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, encompassing in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with a cohort of 37 first-year students attending a private institution. The study revealed that students' decision-making process in selecting a private university was intricate and involved multiple aspects. In addition to rankings, students also considered variables such as parental influence, networking possibilities, and the level of facilities and support services provided by the university. Consequently, colleges should prioritize not only their rankings but also other marketing tactics to recruit students. Although university rankings like QS and Times Higher Education significantly influence the perception of institutions in terms of quality and prestige, it is advisable to adopt a more balanced approach. Access to information via digital platforms, such as websites and social media, has played a critical role in demonstrating the program's and university's reliability. Public relations initiatives, however, have focused on highlighting the excellence of education and the societal obligations of universities in the fiercely competitive higher education sector.
Upaya Memaksimalkan Kesehatan Lansia Di Desa Iroyudan Dengan Menggunakan Metode FHCWSAE (For Health Check With Socialization And Education)
Authors: Munarsih Dena , Vitara Debby , Khatimah Husnul , Pratama Haka R , Pratama Aditya Mandala 
Published: August 2024

<p><em>Elderly is an age group that is very vulnerable to experiencing health problems. The method used is an observational approach. The analysis carried out focuses on processing numerical data which is interpreted with health phenomena in the village community. The analysis resulted in problem solving in the form of consultations, health checks, and training in the health sector. Some of the programs that the team carried out were counseling on self-medication and health checks for the elderly. With this problem solving method, it is hoped that it can help solve the health problems of the elderly in Iroyudan Village. To be able to face life, the elderly must maintain good health and fitness, the elderly must carry out regular sports activities, carry out a healthy lifestyle, rest, do not smoke and have regular health checks. One of the efforts to achieve health is by exercising so that for the elderly to be able to get a healthy body, one of them must regularly do sports activities. Regular exercise is an effective and safe alternative to improve or maintain fitness and health if done properly. Aerobic activities suitable for the elderly include: walking, low impact aerobic exercise, elderly exercise, cycling, swimming and so on. Whether or not an exercise program is useful for the elderly also depends on the program being implemented.</em><em></em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><strong><em>Keywords</em></strong><em>:</em><strong><em> </em></strong><em>Elderly, health for the elderly, self-medication counseling</em><strong><em></em></strong></p>
Pembimbingan Mahasiswa Peserta Kegiatan Pengenalan Lapangan Persekolahan (PLP) Di SDN Kalangan Kapanewon Kasihan Kabupaten Bantul
Authors: Rochaendi Endi , Ariyani Yusinta Dwi , Sari Indah Perdana , Kholik Nur 
Published: August 2024

<p><em>To form prospective teachers who have the competence to understand students, manage the learning process, master scientific material in the field of education and the learning process and have the attitude and character of the teacher, the PGSD Study Program at Alma Ata University carries out schooling field introduction activities in elementary schools. Introduction to the School Field is an activity in the process of observation/observation and apprenticeship to learn and understand the implementation of the learning process in the classroom and other educational management, including practicing it in teaching and learning activities with students. One of the target objects of the school field introduction activity was carried out at the Kalangan Elementary School, Kasihan District, Bantul Regency. For the successful implementation of field introduction to schooling, mentoring activities are needed, carried out by field supervisors with multiple roles as facilitators, educators, mediators, and advocators. In their daily practice, the field supervisors have successfully formed and increased students' capacity to act and behave as curricular operations, intersection roles, assist, and internship roles in educational units with mentoring through consulting, assistance, and facilitation activities. In this connection, schooling field introduction activities have been maximally realized by established norms, standards, procedures, and criteria.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em>Keywords: <strong>mentoring, introduction to the school field, the role of the supervising lecturer</strong></em></p>
Moderasi Beragama Dalam Bingkai Toleransi Masyarakat Desa Pendreh
Authors: Asmawati Asmawati , Yulanda Yulanda , Sariantoni Sariantoni , Jannah Norrahmah Hidayatul , Melati Melati , Ningsih Mawar Yulianti 
Published: August 2024

<p><em>Penelitian ini membahas tentang moderasi beragama dalam kerangka toleransi di Desa Pendreh. Kajian ini menegaskan hendaknya bersikap moderat dalam kerukunan umat beragama, karena hal ini akan menciptakan keharmonisan antar agama atau kepercayaan. Penelitian ini merupakan jenis penelitian kualitatif, lokasi penelitian dilakukan di desa dan kecamatan Pendreh. Teweh Tengah, Kabupaten Barito Utara Provinsi Kalimantan Tengah. dihuni beberapa agama yaitu hindu,islam Kristen, katolik. Toleransi beragama bukanlah tentang mengikuti keyakinan seseorang. Juga tidak bertukar keyakinan dengan kelompok agama yang berbeda. Toleransi di sini dipahami dalam pengertian mu’amalah (interaksi sosial), yaitu ada batasan-batasan umum yang boleh dilanggar atau tidak.</em></p><p><strong><em>Kata kunci: </em></strong><em>moderasi, toleransi, masyarakat<strong></strong></em></p>
Patients’ Expectations of Doctors’ Clinical Competencies in the Digital Health Care Era: Qualitative Semistructured Interview Study Among Patients
Authors: Zainal Humairah , Hui Xin Xiao , Thumboo Julian , Fong Warren , Yong Fong Kok 
Published: August 2024

Background
Digital technologies have impacted health care delivery globally, and are increasingly being deployed in clinical practice. However, there is limited research on patients’ expectations of doctors’ clinical competencies when using digital health care technologies (DHTs) in medical care. Understanding these expectations can reveal competency gaps, enhance patient confidence, and contribute to digital innovation initiatives.

Objective
This study explores patients’ perceptions of doctors’ use of DHTs in clinical care. Using Singapore as a case study, it examines patients’ expectations regarding doctors’ communication, diagnosis, and treatment skills when using telemedicine, health apps, wearable devices, electronic health records, and artificial intelligence.

Methods
Findings were drawn from individual semistructured interviews with patients from outpatient clinics. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis.

Results
Twenty-five participants from different backgrounds and with various chronic conditions participated in the study. They expected doctors to be adept in handling medical data from apps and wearable devices. For telemedicine, participants expected a level of assessment of their medical conditions akin to in-person consultations. In addition, they valued doctors recognizing when a physical examination was necessary. Interestingly, eye contact was appreciated but deemed nonessential by participants across all age bands when electronic health records were used, as they valued the doctor’s efficiency more than eye contact. Nonetheless, participants emphasized the need for empathy throughout the clinical encounter regardless of DHT use. Furthermore, younger participants had a greater expectation for DHT use among doctors compared to older ones, who preferred DHTs as a complement rather than a replacement for clinical skills. The former expected doctors to be knowledgeable about the algorithms, principles, and purposes of DHTs such as artificial intelligence technologies to better assist them in diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusions
By identifying patients’ expectations of doctors amid increasing health care digitalization, this study highlights that while basic clinical skills remain crucial in the digital age, the role of clinicians needs to evolve with the introduction of DHTs. It has also provided insights into how DHTs can be integrated effectively into clinical settings, aligning with patients’ expectations and preferences. Overall, the findings offer a framework for high-income countries to harness DHTs in enhancing health care delivery in the digital era.
Exploring Physicians’ Perceptions of Digital Health’s Impact on the Patient-Physician Relationship in the Primary Health Care Setting: Qualitative Descriptive Study
Authors: Sze Kai Ping , Fong Qi Wei , De Roza Jacqueline Giovanna , Lee Eng Sing , Tan Shu Yun 
Published: August 2024

Background
Digital health has become essential for effective clinical practice. However, the successful adoption of digital health is dependent on the strength of the patient-physician relationship. The patient-physician relationship shapes the quality of care and impacts health care outcomes, especially in primary care. However, the impact of the increasing use of digital health on the patient-physician relationship is uncertain.

Objective
This study aims to explore the types of digital health primary care physicians use and understand their impact on the patient-physician relationship from their perspective.

Methods
This exploratory qualitative descriptive study used individual in-depth interviews guided by a semistructured topic guide. We purposively sampled physicians from 6 general primary care clinics in Singapore and used thematic analysis to identify emergent themes.

Results
We conducted 12 interviews. We found that primary care physicians in Singapore had minimal exposure to digital health beyond the scope of institutional implementation. The three key themes that emerged were as follows: (1) evolving roles of both physicians and patients; (2) impact on trust, knowledge acquisition, and longitudinal care; and (3) adoption and use factors of digital health impacting patient-physician relationships. The adoption and use factors comprised “social and personal,” “technical and material,” and “organization and policy” factors.

Conclusions
The study identified that, while primary care physicians held mostly positive views on adopting digital health in improving the patient-physician relationship, they were concerned that digital health might erode trust, hinder proper knowledge acquisition, and reduce humanistic interaction. These concerns called for a nuanced approach to ensure that digital health would not compromise the patient-physician relationship. This could be achieved by ensuring that physicians possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and positive attitude, while health care organizations would provide robust IT capabilities and support. We recommend that education be refined and government policies on digital health adoption and use be revised to align with the goal of strengthening the patient-physician relationship.