bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ergonomic risk management process for safety and health at work
Authors: Bazaluk Oleg , Tsopa Vitaliy , Cheberiachko Serhii , Deryugin Oleg , Radchuk Dmytro , Borovytskyi Oleksandr , Lozynskyi Vasyl 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThe paper aims to provide the main principles and practical aspects of the model, to present the process of identifying, determining the level, as well as assessing and managing occupational and ergonomic risks.MethodsTo conduct the research, as well as to identify the influence of various dangerous factors related to the working posture, pace, rhythm of work performance, equipment and individual characteristics of the employee’s health condition, methods of complex analysis and synthesis, formal and dialectical logic are used to study the essence of the concept of occupational and ergonomic risks. Additionally, induction and deduction methods are used to examine the cause-and-effect relationships between dangers, dangerous factors, dangerous event, and the severity of consequences to determine the level of occupational and ergonomic risks based on the improved bow-tie model. The proposed approach effectiveness is tested based on the assessment of occupational and ergonomic risks of forest workers (loggers) with the participation of five experts to identify dangerous factors and develop precautionary measures.ResultsAn algorithm for managing occupational and ergonomic risks has been developed, consisting of eleven steps, which can be divided into three steps: preparatory, main and documented. It has been determined that occupational and ergonomic risk is the probability of a dangerous event occurring due to employee’s physical overload and its impact on the severity of damage to the employee’s physical health. The level of occupational and ergonomic risk management is determined taking into account the probability (frequency), intensity and duration of physical overload, as well as the employee’s adaptation index to physical overload and his/her health index.ConclusionThe novelty is the substantiation of the principles of occupational and ergonomic risk management, which are based on the bow-tie model and predict the impact on the probability and severity of consequences of a dangerous event, taking into account dangerous factors. Forms for drawing up occupational and ergonomic risk maps have been developed, in which it is necessary to consider interaction of occupational hazards and occupational-ergonomic risk – physical overload.
Levels of handwashing and vaccine uptake in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to prevent and control COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Muchangi Josphat Martin , Mturi James , Mukasa Hajra , Kithuki Kioko , Kosgei Sarah Jebet , Kanyangi Lennah Muhoja , Mararo Rogers , Nankanja Maureen 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a massive challenge in Africa due to overwhelmed and underresourced health systems, as well as the existing burden of communicable and non- communicable diseases. Self-inoculation may occur when an individual touches their mucous membrane following direct contact between their hands and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-contaminated surfaces. Therefore, handwashing can be used along with COVID-19 vaccines to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the burden of COVID-19. We were interested in investigating the levels of handwashing and vaccine uptake to control and prevent COVID-19 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania using a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsWe searched PubMed, African Index Medicus and African Journals Online for studies published since inception to 31st January 2023. We included all studies that assessed: the levels of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitance as indicators of vaccine uptake; and studies on the levels of handwashing to prevent and control COVID-19 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Study findings were synthesized by meta-analysis to get the pooled effect measure. Three studies were synthesized qualitatively due to high level of heterogeneity in effect measure precluding a quantitative meta-analysis.ResultsOur search identified 128 articles of which 17 studies with 18,305 participants and 622 vaccination sites were reviewed with 14 of them being meta-analyzed. This systematic review and meta-analysis reports high levels of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and handwashing in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania at 67% (95% CI: 55, 78) and 88% (95% CI: 73, 97), respectively. Vaccine hesitance among the participants was low at 31% (95% CI: 15, 49).DiscussionDespite their importance in the control and prevention of COVID-19, some countries do not implement handwashing and vaccination effectively. There is a need for public health strategies to raise awareness about the importance of handwashing and the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, PROSPERO ID CRD42023394698.
Optimizing the solvent extraction process for high-value compounds from sweet cherry press cake treated with pulsed electric fields using response surface methodology
Authors: Rrucaj Ervehe , Carpentieri Serena , Siano Francesco , Ferrari Giovanna , Pataro Gianpiero 
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Cherry juice production generates substantial cherry processing by-products, presenting a significant environmental challenge. The valorization of these by-products can not only reduce management costs but also enhance profitability by recovering valuable intracellular compounds.Methods: This study aimed at the extraction of bioactive compounds with potent antioxidant activity from sweet cherry press cake using Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF)-assisted extraction. PEF pre-treatment, carried out using a predetermined field strength (E = 3 kV/cm) and total specific energy input (WT = 10 kJ/kg), was applied to the cherry press cake prior to the subsequent solid-liquid extraction (SLE) stage. To optimize the SLE process for both untreated and PEF-treated samples, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to determine the most effective extraction parameters, including extraction temperature (20–50°C), solvent concentration (0–50% ethanol in water), solid-liquid ratio (0.05–0.2 g/mL), and diffusion time (30–360 min). The objective was to maximize key response variables: total phenolic content (TPC), flavonoid content (FC), total anthocyanin content (TAC), and antioxidant activity (FRAP). The extracts obtained from both untreated and PEF-treated samples under optimal conditions underwent HPLC-DAD analysis.Results and discussion: The results revealed that, under optimized SLE conditions (50°C, 50% ethanol-water mixture, 0.2 g/mL solid-liquid ratio, and 360 min extraction time), PEF pre-treatment significantly enhanced the extractability of high-value compounds. This resulted in notable increases in TPC (+26%), FC (+27%), TAC (+42%), and antioxidant activity (+44%) compared to conventional SLE. Additionally, the application of PEF reduced extraction time (by 5–18 min) and solvent usage (by 2%). HPLC analysis identified cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside as the predominant phenolic compound in both untreated and PEF-treated extracts, with a remarkable increase (+2.3-fold) after PEF application. These findings underscore the potential of PEF-assisted extraction as a promising approach to maximize the recovery of valuable compounds from sweet cherry press cake, contributing to food waste reduction and enhanced value generation from by-products.
From social engineering to neoliberal governance, and then what? Mapping a sustainability shift in urban planning in a medium-sized Swedish city
Authors: Sjöberg Ida 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionThis paper focuses on how a (assumed) entrepreneurial shift in urban planning and development has been implemented in a medium-sized city in northern Sweden, and how sustainability-as in sustainable urban development-can be argued to be a second shift in urban planning and development or represents an alternative form of neoliberal governance.MethodTo explore how and when urban entrepreneurialism and sustainability are interlinked, as well as when they are not, urban policy documents from 1988, 2007 and 2016 focusing on the development of Sundsvall city center has been examined using thematic content analysis.ResultsThe result shows that the 1988 document is significantly influenced by social democratic welfare politics, with prioritizing social bonds and the Sundsvall resident being the focus, while the newer documents emphasize visitors, potential residents and architectural design to promote the flow of people, money and goods. In this sustainability is put forward as a mobilizing metaphor, and serves to conceal the potential paradoxes of the priorities of the strategy, which involve the contradictions between economic, environmental and social values.DiscussionConsequently, it is possible to claim that sustainability, as a concept, has acquired a new function: to disguise the less palatable consequences of growth by evoking sustainability as a guarantee of the strategy's quality.
Who is Alyx? A new behavioral biometric dataset for user identification in XR
Authors: Rack Christian , Fernando Tamara , Yalcin Murat , Hotho Andreas , Latoschik Marc Erich 
Published: November 2023

Introduction: This paper addresses the need for reliable user identification in Extended Reality (XR), focusing on the scarcity of public datasets in this area.Methods: We present a new dataset collected from 71 users who played the game “Half-Life: Alyx” on an HTC Vive Pro for 45 min across two separate sessions. The dataset includes motion and eye-tracking data, along with physiological data from a subset of 31 users. Benchmark performance is established using two state-of-the-art deep learning architectures, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Gated Recurrent Units (GRU).Results: The best model achieved a mean accuracy of 95% for user identification within 2 min when trained on the first session and tested on the second.Discussion: The dataset is freely available and serves as a resource for future research in XR user identification, thereby addressing a significant gap in the field. Its release aims to facilitate advancements in user identification methods and promote reproducibility in XR research.
Comparing the contribution of formal and local seed systems to household seed security in eastern Zimbabwe
Authors: Ncube Bulisani L. , Wynberg Rachel , McGuire Shawn 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionInterventions aimed at improving the seed security of smallholder farmers do not always yield positive results. Governments, donors, and other actors have neglected local seed systems as they are assumed to be incapable of addressing farmers’ seed challenges. Instead, external actors use seed aid and formal seed provisioning outlets, such as agro-input dealers, to channel seed to farmers. This paper compares the “formal” seed systems, mainly comprising certified seed obtained from government and non-governmental organisations and agro-input dealers, with local seed systems that include farm-saved seed, local informal markets, and social networks.MethodsA seed security assessment was used to determine the contributions of seed systems to household-level seed security. A stratified sample was conducted of 227 randomly selected smallholder farming households from the Chimanimani district, eastern Zimbabwe, complemented by group discussions and individual life histories.ResultsWe show the superiority of local seed systems in ensuring greater access to affordable and timely seed at household level, in comparison to formal sources. Cluster analysis enabled determination of the seed security status of farming households, providing a more granular analysis beyond the standard seed security assessments that are applied to wider geographical locations. Farmers assessed the quality of locally sourced seed favourably when compared to seed obtained from formal sources.DiscussionWe show that local seed systems play a critical role in contributing to household seed security for resource-constrained households, and in supporting the use of diverse crop species. However, such systems have not been fully drawn upon by government and development agencies in seed security endeavours. More efforts are needed to understand how different seed systems interact in contributing to the seed security of smallholder farming households.
Chronic postoperative pain after non-intubated uniportal VATS lobectomy
Authors: Farkas Attila , Csókási Tímea , Fabó Csongor , Szabó Zsolt , Lantos Judit , Pécsy Balázs , Lázár György , Rárosi Ferenc , Kecskés László , Furák József 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionPatients undergoing thoracic surgery are at increased risk of developing, long-lasting pain. Beyond the non-surgical factors, the type of operation, including the number of incisions, and the anesthetic assessment seemed to be important factors, although some studies are controversial. The aim of our study was to examine the presence of chronic postoperative pain after non-intubated uniportal VATS lobectomy. We examined the difference between the intubated, relaxed and non-intubated spontaneous ventilation surgical approaches in patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) uniportal lobectomy.MethodsDemographic and postoperative data were retrospectively collected and analyzed, focusing on the use of pain medications, in 67 patients of the 140 patients selected by propensity score matching who underwent intubated (iVATS) or non-intubated (NITS) uniportal VATS lobectomy. This study focused on the use of analgesic medications 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.ResultsThirty-five intubated and 32 non-intubated patients were compared. Although the analgesic consumption was nearly 2% higher among the iVATS patients during the follow-up period, there were no statistically significant differences at 3 months (15.6 vs. 17.1%) (p = 0.868), at 6 months (9.4 vs. 12.4%) (p = 0.785), and at 12 months (3.3 vs. 5.9%) (p = 0.633) between the NITS and iVATS groups, respectively. More female than male patients reported chronic pain, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.616). Diabetes mellitus was a statistically significant cofactor associated with chronic pain (p = 0.03), while cardiac disease (p = 0.6), perioperative morbidity (p = 0.228), prolonged air leak (p = 0.057), and repeat drainage (p = 0.626) were not.ConclusionOur study suggests that after non-intubation VATS lobectomies, the postoperative pain was less at 3, 6, and 12 months in NITS patients compared to iVATS patients. The 2% difference was not significant, so it may not be appropriate to claim the advantages of NITS in terms of postoperative pain.
Hunger, Food Sovereignty and COVID-19 Pandemic: Food Risks During Lockdown
Authors: Chavarro Mónica Juliana , Mosquera-Becerra Janeth 
Published: November 2023

Objective: This article focuses on describing the food scenario of families in Cali (Colombia), where almost half of the city’s population could not guarantee their access to adequate feeding during COVID-19 crisis.Methods: Involved 1. Analyze laws to understand their relationship with access to food in Cali during lockdown; and 2. Identify changes in the eating practices of families from different socioeconomic levels and the strategies used by the city’s public institutions during lockdown.Results: Feeding was not considered from the beginning of the lockdown, which generated a food crisis. Institutional responses were insufficient in quality and coverage, since feeding aid focused on calories and logistic aspects. The solutions implemented by households were guided by collective action and social organization around the community pots.Conclusion: The contrast between food security strategies (focused on availability and access) and food sovereignty (with an emphasis on the collective) shows the need for structural transformations in food policies and in the collective imagination that allow for designing new food models focused on community wellbeing and not on economic growth to future emergencies.
Green Synthesis of Nickel Nanoparticles Using Salvadora persica and Their Application in Antimicrobial Activity against Oral Microbes
Authors: Balto Hanan , Amina Musarat , Bhat Ramesa Shafi , Al-Yousef Hanan M. , Auda Sayed H. , Elansary Afaf 
Published: November 2023

The current study evaluated the biogenic synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles (SP-NiONPs) from the root extract of (Salvadora persica) S. persica and their biological properties. The nanoparticles were characterized using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques and then evaluated for their antimicrobial properties against 10 oral pathogens. The ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) spectra exhibited a distinctive resonance spectrum at 334 nm for the SP-NiONPs produced from S. persica. The fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed the presence of functional groups of biomolecules of S. persica that served as reducing and capping agents of the SP-NiONPs. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses showed that the nanoparticles were spherical-shaped, tightly packed, and ranged in size from 18.20 nm to 45.12 nm. The energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed 69.9% of the nickel (Ni) content by weight, and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed the face-centered cubic (FCC) crystalline structure of the formed SP-NiONPs. The antioxidant activity of the SP-NiONPs exhibited a dose-dependent profile with an IC50 value of 51.45 ± 0.65 and a 54.13 ± 0.98 DPPH• and ABTS•+ radical scavenging activity, respectively. The SP-NiONPs showed an antibacterial activity against all the test strains; however, E. cloacae was found to be the most sensitive strain, with an inhibition zone of 31 ± 0.50 mm. The SEM image of the E. cloacae cells treated with SP-NiONPs showed irregular shapes and ruptured, destroyed cell membranes. Our findings revealed that SP-NiONPs could be used as excellent antibacterial agents against oral pathogens.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Stress Tolerance Mechanisms of Cadmium in Zoysia japonica
Authors: Xu Yi , Li Yonglong , Li Yan , Zhai Chenyuan , Zhang Kun 
Published: November 2023

Cadmium (Cd) is a severe heavy metal pollutant globally. Zoysia japonica is an important perennial warm-season turf grass that potentially plays a role in phytoremediation in Cd-polluted soil areas; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying its Cd stress response are unknown. To further investigate the early gene response pattern in Z. japonica under Cd stress, plant leaves were harvested 0, 6, 12, and 24 h after Cd stress (400 μM CdCl2) treatment and used for a time-course RNA-sequencing analysis. Twelve cDNA libraries were constructed and sequenced, and high-quality data were obtained, whose mapped rates were all higher than 94%, and more than 601 million bp of sequence were generated. A total of 5321, 6526, and 4016 differentially expressed genes were identified 6, 12, and 24 h after Cd stress treatment, respectively. A total of 1660 genes were differentially expressed at the three time points, and their gene expression profiles over time were elucidated. Based on the analysis of these genes, the important mechanisms for the Cd stress response in Z. japonica were identified. Specific genes participating in glutathione metabolism, plant hormone signal and transduction, members of protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, transporter proteins, transcription factors, and carbohydrate metabolism pathways were further analyzed in detail. These genes may contribute to the improvement of Cd tolerance in Z. japonica. In addition, some candidate genes were highlighted for future studies on Cd stress resistance in Z. japonica and other plants. Our results illustrate the early gene expression response of Z. japonica leaves to Cd and provide some new understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Cd stress in Zosia and Gramineae species.
Experiencia sobre la implementación de estrategias educativas digitales en pacientes con artritis reumatoidea de la comunidad qom durante la pandemia
Authors: Quintana Rosana , Fernandez Sofia , Bensi Ana , Guggia Lourdes , Iglesias Paola , Valdata Marcela 
Published: November 2023

Introducción: Durante la Pandemia secundaria a la Enfermedad respiratoria del Coronavirus (COVID-19), la atención de enfermedades crónicas se ha visto relegada. El Grupo Latinoamericano de Enfermedades Reumáticas en Pueblos Originarios (GLADERPO) y el Centro de Estudios Aplicados a Problemáticas Socioculturales (CEAPROS), han trabajado con los pacientes con artritis reumatoidea (AR) residentes en la ciudad de Rosario y Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña (PRSP) desde hace varios años, implementando diferentes estrategias educativas.
Objetivo: Describir la experiencia sobre el diseño e implementación de material audiovisual bilingüe utilizando dos redes sociales, destinado para pacientes con AR viviendo en Rosario y PRSP.
Materiales y Métodos: Estudio cualitativo. Se utilizaron dos redes sociales (Facebook y WhatsApp) para la distribución de material audiovisual bilingüe, diseñado de manera conjunta con representantes de la comunidad qom. Los tópicos fueron el impacto del COVID-19 en pacientes con AR.
Resultados: Un total de 40 pacientes participaron en este estudio a través de la participación en la difusión de los videos. Se repitieron en dos oportunidades debido a la falta de participación. La participación fue menor al 50%.
Discusión: Las estrategias educativas digitales no son siempre útiles en poblaciones con diversidad sociocultural. Las desigualdades siempre han existido y la pandemia las ha profundizado.
Analisis Nilai Tukar Nelayan Berdasar Alat Tangkap pada Era New Normal di Kabupaten Probolinggo, Jawa Timur.
Authors: Bahri Anjas Sasana , Fidhiani Dayang Diah , Muawannah Muawannah , Sihsubekti Sasanti 
Published: November 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat pendapatan nelayan dalam bentuk nilai tukar nelayan berdasarkan alat tangkap di Kabupaten Probolinggo. Penelitian dilaksanakan di 7 (tujuh) kecamatan Kabupaten Probolinggo. Pemilihan lokasi penelitian di Kabupaten Probolinggo dikarenakan daerah ini merupakan salah satu sentral perikanan perikanan tangkap. Metode enelitian dilakukan secara deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa rumah tangga nelayan termasuk kategori ini adalah rumah tangga nelayan yang jumlah pendapatannya sebagai nelayan di periode bulan Oktober lebih besar dari jumlah pengeluarannya. Kelompok yang memiliki nilai tukar > 100 ini meliputi 4 rumah tangga nelayan yakni : Rumah Tangga Nelayan Pancing Ulur (144 poin), Purse Seine (262 poin), Payang (153 poin) dan Jaring udang (189 poin) .
Acoustic collimation based on an ultra-thin metasurface
Authors: Rui Tian , Hao Zhou , Jie Hu 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
How to modulate acoustic waves at small scales has been an area of intense investigation. In this paper, an artificial ultra-thin structure with a series of zigzag-shaped grooves located in the center and with bilateral symmetry is designed to realize ultra-strong directional collimated acoustic beams. The simulations agree well with the theoretical analysis, and show that the acoustic collimated structure has high directivity at the resonant frequency, with a beam length exceeding 40 wavelengths. The structure has deep subwavelength scales and a simple design, and is expected to have applications in fields such as directional acoustic radiation, medical ultrasound detection, etc.