bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SME project: an approach to maintaining student engagement during online learning
Authors: Sagala Gaffar Hafiz , Dongoran Faisal Rahman , Syah Dedy Husrizal 
Published: June 2024

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed educational practices due to the intense use of information technology for teaching and learning. That phenomenon presents challenges for lecturers in higher education establishments because student engagement is threatened during online interactions. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the SME project for maintaining student engagement during online learning.Design/methodology/approachThe research used a quasi-experimental method involving experimental and control groups. Researchers collect quantitative and qualitative data to obtain comprehensive information. The data were collected using an electronic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and open coding were used to analyze the data.FindingsThe research used a quasi-experimental method involving experimental and control groups. Researchers collected quantitative and qualitative data using an electronic questionnaire to obtain comprehensive information. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and open coding were used to analyze the data.Originality/valueThis study provides the educational community with a new insight into optimizing PBL in the online learning environment. Qualified PBL, as practiced by educators, will lead to student engagement, which leads to meaningful learning.
Artificial intelligence as an enabler for entrepreneurial finance: a practical guide to AI-driven video pitch evaluation for entrepreneurs and investors
Authors: Giuggioli Guglielmo , Pellegrini Massimiliano Matteo , Giannone Giorgio 
Published: June 2024

PurposeWhile different attempts have been made to use artificial intelligence (AI) to codify communicative behaviors and analyze startups’ video presentations in relation to crowdfunding projects, less is known about other forms of access to entrepreneurial finance, such as video pitches for candidacies into startup accelerators and incubators. This research seeks to demonstrate how AI can enable the startup selection process for both entrepreneurs and investors in terms of video pitch evaluation.Design/methodology/approachAn AI startup (Speechannel) was used to predict the outcomes of startup video presentations by analyzing text, audio, and video data from 294 video pitches sent to a leading European startup accelerator (LUISS EnLabs). 7 investors were also interviewed in Silicon Valley to establish the differences between humans and machines.FindingsThis research proves that AI has profound implications with regards to the decision-making process related to fundraising and, in particular, the video pitches of startup accelerators and incubators. Successful entrepreneurs are confident (but not overconfident), engaging in terms of speaking quickly (but also clearly), and emotional (but not overemotional).Practical implicationsThis study not only fills the existing research gap but also provides a practical guide on AI-driven video pitch evaluation for entrepreneurs and investors, reshaping the landscape of entrepreneurial finance thanks to AI. On the one hand, entrepreneurs could use this knowledge to modify their behaviors, enabling them to increase their likelihood of being financially backed. On the other hand, investors could use these insights to better rationalize their funding decisions, enabling them to select the most promising startups.Originality/valueThis paper makes a significant contribution by bridging the gap between theoretical research and the practical application of AI in entrepreneurial finance, marking a notable advancement in this field. At a theoretical level, it contributes to research on managerial decision-making processes – particularly those related to the analysis of video presentations in a fundraising context. At a practical level, it offers a model that we called the “AI-enabled video pitch evaluation”, which is used to extract features from the video pitches of startup accelerators and incubators and predict an entrepreneurial project’s success.
Target area treatment ratio of varied lesions in the cultured pure melanocyte transplantation repigmentation of vitiligo: A retrospective study
Authors: Lin Fuquan , Wang Yunxia , Zheng Yujie , Hong Weisong , Fu Lifang , Zhou Miaoni , Xu Aie 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAutologous cultured pure melanocyte transplantation (CMT) can be utilized to treat stable vitiligo cases, but clinical data are insufficient to improve its efficacy. To evaluate the influence of various factors on the therapeutic effect of CMT, this single‐center retrospective study enrolled stable vitiligo patients who underwent CMT between 2009 and 2020. Univariate and multivariable analysis were used to determine the factors affecting the outcome of repigmentation. The study included 491 patients with long‐term follow‐up data (6–120 months). It was found that 69.7% of patients achieved an excellent re‐color effect and 18.4% achieved a good re‐color effect. There were statistically significant differences in pigmentation between patients with stable disease course, vitiligo type, and lesion site. Overall, a significant positive correlation between the target area treatment ratio of varied lesions and the percentage of repigmentation was found. CMT is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of stable vitiligo. Various factors, especially the target area treatment ratio of varied lesions, should be carefully assessed before using CMT. As the target area treatment ratio of varied lesions could further improve the post‐operative repigmentation other than type of vitiligo. This clinic trial was approved by Hangzhou Third People's Hospital (number 2023KA015, national clinical record number MR‐33‐23‐034502).
Digital peacebuilding in post‐conflict Colombia – A conceptual framework
Authors: Ryan‐Mosley Tate 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis article proposes a preliminary conceptual framework that integrates digitality, or the condition of being digital, with existing frameworks of peacebuilding and post‐conflict reconstruction. It builds on existing literature about how the Internet impacts social capital, polarization, participation, and conflict as well as traditional conflict research that examines stability post‐conflict. The framework is designed to evaluate the impact of digitality, which I treat as the independent variable, on six societal factors relevant to post‐conflict civil society, which I treat as dependent variables. I hypothesize that these effects are meaningful for outcomes of social capital, reintegration, and justice in post‐conflict civil society and find that digitality meaningfully changes post‐conflict civil society. Finally, I recommend that policymakers tailor a peacebuilding approach to a digital world.
Climate change and security narratives in Colombia
Authors: Yoss Will , Reust Benjamin L. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn September of 2022, Gustavo Petro presented an alternative vision of the future of Colombia from that which Colombian administrations have pursued for the past two decades. In his speech to the United Nations, Petro called for an end to the irrational war on drugs and described the drug epidemic as a symptom of significant societal failures. Petro directed his criticism at Plan Colombia, a counternarcotics security strategy, speaking directly about vital elements such as the aerial eradication program. Although Plan Colombia has ended, the United States continues to provide significant financial support to the Colombian government to fund its counter narcotics mission. Is Petro serious about ending the counternarcotics mission in Colombia? Given the political climate, should the United States change its policy approach in Colombia? This article argues that despite an increased use of narratives about climate change and a declining relevance of security narratives, US funding for security has remained constant. Our findings suggest that the United States uses aid as a hard power tool to ensure that certain strategic interests are met irrespective of the political climate.
Austria: Political Developments and Data in 2023
Authors: PRAPROTNIK KATRIN 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn 2023, Austria continued to experience low levels of democratic satisfaction. This was particularly beneficial for the populist right‐wing Freedom Party of Austria/Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs (FPÖ) in regional elections and opinion polls, as well as for parties not previously represented in the federal Parliament. After the regional elections in Lower Austria and Salzburg, the FPÖ assumed government responsibility and entered a coalition with the Austrian People's Party/Österreichische Volkspartei in both states. Approval ratings for the governing parties remained low. The Social Democratic Party of Austria/Sozialdemokratische Partei Österreichs concluded its long‐standing internal directional debate with a change in leadership, albeit accompanied by mishaps. In terms of domestic policy, parties were able to reach a consensus, particularly on the abolition of official secrecy.
Population‐genetic and comparative interpopulation studies of the 15 autosomal STR markers in the population living in the Northwest of Iran
Authors: Haddadan Saeed Ghadimi , Babaei Esmaeil , Setareh Mehrdad 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIntroductionIran, a country in the Middle East, has several ethnic and ethno‐religious groups and needs its own ethnic‐specific databases for the forensic statistical parameters and allele frequency of STR markers.MethodsWe have investigated 600 unrelated Turk individuals from four northwestern provinces of Iran using the Identifiler™ system (TPOX, FGA, vWA, TH01, CSF1PO, D2S1338, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D19S433, and D21S11). Furthermore, STR allelic frequencies were compared to previously population‐based data.Results and conclusionAfter Bonferroni correction, deviation from Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was observed in the FGA, TPOX, VWA, and D19S433 loci (P value < 0.05). The combined power of discrimination (CPD) and exclusion (CPE) values for all 15 STR loci were 0.9999999999999999999984 and 0.9999999, respectively. In comparison with Azerbaijani and Turkish populations, there were no significant differences on all STR markers. However, in the Chinese Han population, differences at 13 STR loci were detected. Additionally, comparisons of Fischer genetic distance indices (FST) P‐values did not reveal any statistically significant difference between Northwestern Iran, Azerbaijan and Iran (Fars) populations. PCA and PCoA analyses showed that our population was grouped with different populations in different quarters, showing a positive and negative correlation, respectively. In the NJ and UPGMA phylogenetic trees, Iranian populations were grouped together. These results demonstrated that the given set of STR markers can be confidently used for all identification tests in Northwestern Iran.
In silico assessment of the reliability and performance of artificial sphincter for urinary incontinence
Authors: Mascolini Maria Vittoria , Carniel Emanuele Luigi 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe standard artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is an implantable device for the treatment of urinary incontinence by applying a pressure loading around the urethra through an inflatable cuff, often inducing no‐physiological stimulation up to tissue degenerative phenomena. A novel in silico approach is proposed to fill the gap of the traditional procedures by providing tools to quantitatively assess AUS reliability and performance based on AUS‐urethra interaction.MethodsThe approach requires the development of 3D numerical models of AUS and urethra, and experimental investigations to define their mechanical behaviors. Computational analyses are performed to simulate the urethral lumen occlusion by AUS inflation under different pressures, and the lumen opening by applying an intraluminal pressure progressively increased under the AUS action (Abaqus Explicit solver). The AUS reliability is evaluated in terms of tissue stimulation by the mechanical fields potentially responsible for vasoconstriction and tissue damage, while the performance by the intraluminal pressure that causes the lumen opening for a specific occlusive pressure, showing the maximum urethral pressure for which continence is guaranteed.ResultsThe present study implemented the procedure considering the gold standard AMS 800 and a novel patented AUS. Results provided the comparison between two sphincteric devices and the evaluation of the influence of different building materials and geometrical features on the AUS functionality.ConclusionsThe approach was developed for the AUS, but it could be adapted also to artificial sphincters for the treatment of other anatomical dysfunctions, widening the analyzable device configurations and reducing experimental and ethical efforts.
Greater physical fitness (VO2max) in healthy older adults associated with increased integrity of the locus coeruleus–noradrenergic system
Authors: Plini Emanuele R. G. , Melnychuk Michael C. , Andrews Ralph , Boyle Rory , Whelan Robert , Spence Jeffrey S. , Chapman Sandra B. , Robertson Ian H. , Dockree Paul M. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAimPhysical activity (PA) is a key component for brain health and Reserve, and it is among the main dementia protective factors. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underpinning Reserve are not fully understood. In this regard, a noradrenergic (NA) theory of cognitive reserve (Robertson, 2013) has proposed that the upregulation of NA system might be a key factor for building reserve and resilience to neurodegeneration because of the neuroprotective role of NA across the brain. PA elicits an enhanced catecholamine response, in particular for NA. By increasing physical commitment, a greater amount of NA is synthetised in response to higher oxygen demand. More physically trained individuals show greater capabilities to carry oxygen resulting in greater – a measure of oxygen uptake and physical fitness (PF).MethodsWe hypothesized that greater would be related to greater Locus Coeruleus (LC) MRI signal intensity. In a sample of 41 healthy subjects, we performed Voxel‐Based Morphometry analyses, then repeated for the other neuromodulators as a control procedure (Serotonin, Dopamine and Acetylcholine).ResultsAs hypothesized, greater related to greater LC signal intensity, and weaker associations emerged for the other neuromodulators.ConclusionThis newly established link between and LC–NA system offers further understanding of the neurobiology underpinning Reserve in relationship to PA. While this study supports Robertson's theory proposing the upregulation of the NA system as a possible key factor building Reserve, it also provides ground for increasing LC–NA system resilience to neurodegeneration via enhancement.
Utility of visualization and quantification of surgical techniques using motion analysis software for thoracoscopic surgery
Authors: Tamagawa Satoru , Matsuura Yosuke , Ichinose Junji , Nakao Masayuki , Okumura Sakae , Satoh Yukitoshi , Mun Mingyon 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn this era of endoscopic surgery, feedback from recorded surgical videos is useful and efficient; therefore, effective methods of obtaining this feedback are needed. We analyzed surgical videos using motion analysis software and verified the usefulness of visualizing and objectively evaluating surgical procedures. We measured the grasping and traction angles of the vascular sheath when using forceps and the trajectory of the forceps tip for the upper pulmonary vein during right upper lobectomy during video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery performed by three trainers and trainees. Compared with the trainers, the trainees exhibited insufficient traction of the vascular sheath, performed many slow and unnecessary manipulations, and sometimes performed sudden and fast movements. By visualizing the surgical procedures, the trainee will be better able to identify dangerous or futile movements. It may also make it easier to objectively recognize improvements in one's technique. Motion analysis software could allow for efficient surgical education and self‐learning.
Effect of milking time on yield, composition, and antimicrobial components of milk in lactating goats
Authors: Liang Zi‐Long , Nii Takahiro , Suzuki Naoki , Tsugami Yusaku , Sugino Toshihisa , Isobe Naoki 
Published: June 2024

AbstractVarious studies have attempted to improve the milk yield and composition in dairy animals. However, no study has examined the effects of milking at different times on milk yield and composition. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the yield, composition, and antimicrobial components of milk obtained from milking at different times in lactating goats. Eight goats were milked once daily at different times for three consecutive weeks (first week: 06:00 h; second week: 09:00 h; and third week: 12:00 h). The light ranged from 06:30 to 19:00 h. Milk and blood samples were collected once a day during milking time. Milking at 09:00 h resulted in a significantly higher milk yield than that obtained after milking at 06:00 and 12:00 h. Prolactin levels in plasma and the fat, Na+, β‐defensin, and S100A7 (antimicrobial component) levels in milk were the lowest in the 09:00 h milking. These results indicate that milk yield, composition, and antimicrobial components can be affected by milking time, which may be related to the altered concentration of prolactin in the blood. These findings provide a rational basis for achieving maximal milk production with strong immunity by changing to a more effective milking time.
“Money does not understand disability”: Barriers to microfinance for people with disabilities in Bangladesh
Authors: Sarker Debashis 
Published: June 2024

AbstractDue to limited access to affordable financial products and services, many people with disabilities experience social exclusion and struggle to secure their financial well‐being. While microfinance has been widely used in Bangladesh for more than three decades as a tool to reduce poverty and empower people living in poverty, few people with disabilities have had access to microfinance services. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify the barriers and challenges that people with disabilities experience to access microfinance in Bangladesh. Drawing on a qualitative case study approach, the findings of a thematic analysis show that people with disabilities experience significant barriers in accessing microfinance such as stigma against people with disabilities, stringent credit conditions, negative staff attitudes, insufficient training, and the absence of an integrated approach. The research suggests that inclusive policies and their effective implementation are vital to ensure that people with disabilities have access to financial resources so that they could work to enjoy greater socio‐economic independence and contribute equally to society with others.
Time to optimize vaccination strategies in blood cancer patients
Authors: Muhsen Ibrahim N. , Heslop Helen E. 
Published: June 2024

Immune response to vaccinations is dampened in patients with indolent lymphomas due to disease and treatment‐related factors. The study by Lim et al. demonstrated impaired humoral response but intact cellular response to the SARS‐CoV2 vaccine in patients with follicular lymphoma receiving front‐line therapy. The results highlight the importance of several factors in predicting immune response to vaccination and provide estimates of immune response for different clinical scenarios and treatment points.Commentary on: Lim et al. Immunogenicity of COVID‐19 vaccines in patients with follicular lymphoma receiving frontline chemoimmunotherapy. Br J Haematol 2024;205:440‐451.
‘At Least I Get a Glimpse’: South African Patients' Perspectives on Getting to Know Their Therapists
Authors: Long Carol 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACTThe process of psychotherapy invites the patient to explore their mind and the mind of the other but does so in the context of a therapeutic relationship in which the therapist is at least partly unknown. This article explores how patients, unbeknown to their therapist, explore clues that may disclose some knowledge about their therapists. One route towards exploring the unknown is through the therapist's social identities. The article presents an analysis of interviews conducted with 11 patients attending a free clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa. Their process of exploring the therapist and encountering the unknown, and wondering about whether their therapist can know them, is presented. The therapist's social identities offer a ‘glimpse’ into the therapist's mind. The article offers an alternative way of approaching inadvertent self‐disclosure and invites therapists to be aware of their patients' explorations of them that may remain unknown to therapists. Social identity offers a potential vehicle for alienation but also for connection.
CHMP4B contributes to maintaining the follicular cells integrity in the panoistic ovary of the cockroach Blattella germanica
Authors: Farrus Nuria , Maestro José Luis , Piulachs Maria‐Dolors 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT) is a highly conserved cellular machinery essential for many cellular functions, including transmembrane protein sorting, endosomal trafficking, and membrane scission. CHMP4B is a key component of ESCRT‐III subcomplex and has been thoroughly studied in the meroistic ovaries of Drosophila melanogaster showing its relevance in maintaining this reproductive organ during the life of the fly. However, the role of the CHMP4B in the most basal panoistic ovaries remains elusive.ResultsUsing RNAi, we examined the function of CHMP4B in the ovary of Blattella germanica in two different physiological stages: in last instar nymphs, with proliferative follicular cells, and in vitellogenic adults when follicular cells enter in polyploidy and endoreplication. In Chmp4b‐depleted specimens, the actin fibers change their distribution, appearing accumulated in the basal pole of the follicular cells, resulting in an excess of actin bundles that surround the basal ovarian follicle and modifying their shape. Depletion of Chmp4b also determines an actin accumulation in follicular cell membranes, resulting in different cell morphologies and sizes. In the end, these changes disrupt the opening of intercellular spaces between the follicular cells (patency) impeding the incorporation of yolk proteins to the growing oocyte and resulting in female sterility. In addition, the nuclei of follicular cells appeared unusually elongated, suggesting an incomplete karyokinesis.ConclusionsThese results proved CHMP4B essential in preserving the proper expression of cytoskeleton proteins vital for basal ovarian follicle growth and maturation and for yolk protein incorporation. Moreover, the correct distribution of actin fibers in the basal ovarian follicle emerged as a critical factor for the successful completion of ovulation and oviposition.SignificanceThe overall results, obtained in two different proliferative stages, suggest that the requirement of CHMP4B in B. germanica follicular epithelium is not related to the proliferative stage of the tissue.