Search

BackgroundPatients find technology tools to be more approachable for seeking sensitive health-related information, such as reproductive health information. The inventive conversational ability of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, such as ChatGPT (OpenAI Inc), offers a potential means for patients to effectively locate answers to their health-related questions digitally.ObjectiveA pilot study was conducted to compare the novel ChatGPT with the existing Google Search technology for their ability to offer accurate, effective, and current information regarding proceeding action after missing a dose of oral contraceptive pill.MethodsA sequence of 11 questions, mimicking a patient inquiring about the action to take after missing a dose of an oral contraceptive pill, were input into ChatGPT as a cascade, given the conversational ability of ChatGPT. The questions were input into 4 different ChatGPT accounts, with the account holders being of various demographics, to evaluate potential differences and biases in the responses given to different account holders. The leading question, "what should I do if I missed a day of my oral contraception birth control?" alone was then input into Google Search, given its nonconversational nature. The results from the ChatGPT questions and the Google Search results for the leading question were evaluated on their readability, accuracy, and effective delivery of information.ResultsThe ChatGPT results were determined to be at an overall higher-grade reading level, with a longer reading duration, less accurate, less current, and with a less effective delivery of information. In contrast, the Google Search resulting answer box and snippets were at a lower-grade reading level, shorter reading duration, more current, able to reference the origin of the information (transparent), and provided the information in various formats in addition to text.ConclusionsChatGPT has room for improvement in accuracy, transparency, recency, and reliability before it can equitably be implemented into health care information delivery and provide the potential benefits it poses. However, AI may be used as a tool for providers to educate their patients in preferred, creative, and efficient ways, such as using AI to generate accessible short educational videos from health care provider-vetted information. Larger studies representing a diverse group of users are needed.

Background: Assessing maternal health care utilisation is imperative for the health of both mother and her child. Maternal education is an important determinant in subsequent maternal health care usage, according to research. There is a dearth of research on the causal relationship between maternal education and maternal health services as well as examining the performance of different propensity score methods for estimating absolute effects. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the effect of maternal education on usage of maternal health services minimising the confounding effect and to compare different propensity score approaches to estimate absolute effects of maternal education on usage of maternal health services. Methods: We used data from a cross-sectional study conducted by icddr,b in Bangladesh. A total of 1300 recently delivered mothers were included in this study. We used different propensity score (PS) methods to estimate the causal effect of maternal education on receiving maternal health services, including PS matching, PS weighting, covariate adjustment using PS, as well as used modified log-Poisson regression with and without multiple covariates. Results: The study revealed highly imbalanced possible confounding factors for mother's educational level, which might lead to erroneous estimates. All methods indicated a significant effect of higher maternal education, whether measured as a continuous scale or a binary variable (secondary or higher vs. below secondary) on maternal health services, significantly increased the likelihood of receiving four or more ANC, delivered at facility, PNC within 42 days and receiving all maternal health services compared to the mothers with lower level of education. The PS weighting provided precise estimates with a low range of confidence interval. Conclusions: The results provided important insights on how well these techniques worked to reduce effect of confounding variables and achieve precise estimates. Propensity score weighting method performed better in terms of providing more precise estimates with a narrower range of confidence intervals, indicating that this method may be a reliable approach for estimating the causal effect of maternal education on maternal health service utilisation. However, careful consideration should be given to selecting the most appropriate method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) was the most common cause of low back pain. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has the potential to repair IDD, however, there is still no conclusion on whether Leukocyte-poor platelet rich plasma (Lp-PRP) or Leukocyte-rich platelet rich plasma (Lr-PRP) is better for the treatment of IDD. Methods: First, we conducted an in vitro study to compare the effects of autologous Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP on human degenerated nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Then we verified the in vivo effects of autologous Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP in treating disc degeneration through a rabbit IDD model. Results: The in vitro study showed both autologous Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP can promote the cell proliferation, the synthesis of COL II and Aggrecan of human degenerated NP cells, while Lp-PRP are better than Lr-PRP (P<0.05). In addition, only Lp-PRP can inhibit the apoptosis of human degenerated NP cells (P<0.05), whereas Lr-PRP activates the catabolism on the contrary (P<0.05). Further, the in vivo study through the rabbit IDD model verified that autologous Lp-PRP has better effects than autologous Lr-PRP in repairing IDD according to X-ray, MRI, histological, and immunohistochemical assessment (P<0.05, respectively). And the caspase-3 IHC results also showed that only autologous Lp-PRP treatment could inhibit apoptosis of NP cells in the rabbit IDD model (P<0.05). Conclusion: Combining in vivo and in vitro studies, the present study confirmed that autologous Lp-PRP has a better effect than autologous Lr-PRP in repairing IDD, which may be due to the inflammatory factors (TNFα, IL-1β, etc.) in Lr-PRP antagonizing part of the repair effects and promoting the catabolism additionally. Therefore, our findings suggest that Lp-PRP may provide better results than Lr-PRP for treating IDD. Further randomized clinical trials will provide evidence to guide practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Commentary: Accelerating spiking neural network simulations with PymoNNto and PymoNNtorch" published in Frontiers in Neuroinformatics compares different simulators for spiking neural networks. The study reveals that discrepancies in firing rates between simulators are due to the use of an unsuitable numerical integration method. The analysis confirms that only NEST simulator accurately simulates the model mathematically. The study also uncovers a subtle bug in NESTML and emphasizes the importance of precise benchmarks in simulation studies. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Despite the ability of cochlear implants (CIs) to provide children with access to speech, there is considerable variability in spoken language outcomes. Research aimed at identifying factors influencing speech production accuracy is needed. Aims: To characterize the consonant production accuracy of children with cochlear implants (CWCI) and an age‐matched group of children with typical hearing (CWTH) and to explore several factors that potentially affect the ability of both groups to accurately produce consonants. Methods & Procedures: We administered the Bankson‐Bernthal Test of Phonology (BBTOP) to a group of 25 CWCI (mean age = 4;9, SD = 1;6, range = 3;2–8;5) implanted prior to 30 months of age with a mean duration of implant usage of 3;6 and an age‐matched group of 25 CWTH (mean age = 5;0, SD = 1;6, range = 3;1–8;6). The recorded results were transcribed, and the accuracy of the target consonants was determined. Expressive vocabulary size estimates were obtained from a language sample using the number of different words (NDW). A parent questionnaire provided information about maternal education, duration of CIs experience and other demographic characteristics of each child. Outcomes & Results: The CWCI group demonstrated some similarities to, and some differences from, their hearing peers. The CWCI demonstrated poorer consonant production accuracy overall and in various phonetic categories and word positions. However, both groups produced initial consonants more accurately than final consonants. Whilst CWCI had poorer production accuracy than CWTH for all phonetic categories (stops, nasals, fricatives, affricates, liquids and glides and consonant clusters), both groups exhibited similar error patterns across categories. For CWCI, the factors most related to consonant production accuracy when considered individually were expressive vocabulary size, followed by duration of CI experience, chronological age, maternal education and gender. The combination of maternal education and vocabulary size resulted in the best model of consonant production accuracy for this group. For the CWTH, chronological age followed by vocabulary size were most related to consonant production accuracy. No combination of factors yielded an improved model for the CWTH. Conclusions & Implications: Whilst group differences in production accuracy between the CWCI and CWTH were found, the pattern of errors was similar for the two groups of children, suggesting that the children are at earlier stages of overall consonant production development. Although duration of CI experience was a significant covariate in a single‐variable model of consonant production accuracy for CWCI, the best multivariate model of consonant production accuracy for these children was based on the combination of expressive vocabulary size and maternal education. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject: Research has shown that a range of factors is associated with consonant production accuracy by CWCIs, including factors such as the age at implant, duration of implant use, gender, other language skills and maternal education. Despite numerous studies that have examined speech sound production in these children, most have explored a limited number of factors that might explain the variability in scores obtained. Research that examines the potential role of a range of child‐related and environmental factors in the same children is needed to determine the predictive role of these factors in speech production outcomes. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge: Whilst the consonant production accuracy was lower for the CWCIs than for their typically hearing peers, there were some similarities suggesting that these children are experiencing similar, but delayed, acquisition of consonant production skills to that of their hearing peers. Whilst several factors are predictive of consonant production accuracy in children with implants, vocabulary diversity and maternal education, an indirect measure of socio‐economic status, were the best combined predictors of consonant production accuracy. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: Understanding the factors that shape individual differences in CWCI speech production is important for effective clinical decision‐making and intervention planning. The present findings point to two potentially important factors related to speech sound production beyond the duration of robust hearing in CWCI, namely, a lexical diversity and maternal education. This suggests that intervention is likely most efficient that addresses both vocabulary development and speech sound development together. The current findings further suggest the importance of parental involvement and commitment to spoken language development and the importance of receiving early and consistent intervention aimed both at skill development and parental efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This is a comparative review of guidelines on the management of endometrial cancer. Since, endometrial cancer is a common gynecological pathology, especially in women of postmenopausal age, it is crucial to develop consistent protocols on the management of the disease. In this descriptive review, we managed to compare the recommendations from six influential guidelines on endometrial cancer. This comparison may offer valuable information to the clinicians managing such patients. Endometrial cancer is the most frequently diagnosed gynecological cancer. The aim of this study was to summarize and compare the most recent guidelines regarding its management. A comparative review of guidelines from the European Society of Gynecological Oncology, the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, the European Society of Pathology, the European Society for Medical Oncology, the Cancer Council of Australia, the British Gynecological Cancer Society, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists was carried out. The comparison of guidelines highlighted common recommendations and key differences regarding the most basic aspects of endometrial cancer management. Certain differences were identified in the options of surgical procedures based on endometrial biopsy and lymph node infiltration. Minor differences were identified in the management of recurrent disease, while the more pronounced differences were found in the follow-up procedure. The development of consistent international protocols in similar resource settings may lead to a more consistent classification, as well as to common lines regarding surgical approaches, risk stratification and the way patients should be monitored following the remission of endometrial cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porphyrazine and tetrakis porphyrazine are organic compounds with intricate ring structures. They are made up of four indole rings that fuse together to form a larger cyclic structure. These structures have been extensively studied in physics and chemistry. They exhibit unique electronic and optical properties due to their highly conjugated systems. In several scientific domains, they are used as the building blocks for functional materials, molecular electronics, sensors, and catalysis. In order to derive a topological index from data, molecules are represented as graphs, with atoms acting as nodes and bonds acting as edges. There are many different techniques and algorithms that can be used to determine the topological index. We have used the reverse degree-based methodology for the mentioned structures. Reverse degree-based topological indices evaluate the structural complexity and stability of chemical compounds by adding the reversed atom degree sequence to their molecular networks. In this study, we calculated the reverse degree-based topological indices like the reverse redefined Zagreb indices, the reverse forgotten index, the reverse hyper-Zagreb index, the reverse Balaban index, the reverse atom bond connectivity index, the reverse geometric arithmetic index, and the reverse general Randić index for porphyrazine ( P z) and tetrakis porphyrazine (T P z) networks. This research advances our knowledge of the fundamental laws of physics and chemistry by illuminating the complex interrelationships between molecular structure, biological interactions, and chemical reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated intimate partner violence victimization patterns in two-year and four-year college students, examining heavy episodic drinking as a risk factor. Using Bayesian analysis to assess similarities, Hypothesis 1 found moderate evidence for no reliable differences in dating victimization between groups. Hypothesis 2 indicated that heavy episodic drinking reliably predicted intimate partner violence in both college types. Contrary to Hypothesis 3, the relationship strength between heavy episodic drinking and intimate partner violence did not differ between campus types. These results suggest consistent intimate partner violence patterns across college types, emphasizing the importance of addressing heavy episodic drinking in prevention efforts for both groups. The study contributes valuable insights to understanding and mitigating intimate partner violence risks in diverse college settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease which is accompanied by itching and pain, affecting the patient's daily life and sexual activity. However, the disease characteristics of children and adults are not completely the same. Currently, there are few studies in China that compare the characteristics of VLS between girls and adult female patients. The aim of this study was to compare the epidemiology, clinical features, and combined autoimmune diseases of VLS patients between girls and adult females, and to help clinicians better understand VLS in different age groups. We enrolled 744 female patients for analysis, divided by age into a child group (<18 years) and an adult group (≥18 years). Among girl patients, 94.6% had preadolescent onset, while among adult female patients, only 4.6% had preadolescent onset, which was a statistically significant difference. The highest percentage of adult female patients had onset during their child‐bearing period (75.4%), while 20% had postmenopausal onset, with a significant difference when the three onset states were compared. White patches were equally common in both girl and adult female patients' external genital area, while mossy lesions and labia minora atrophy were more common in adult female patients. Involvement of the clitoris, labia minora, and vaginal opening area were more common in adult patients. The perianal area was more commonly involved in girl patients. We found eight cases (1.2%) of secondary squamous cell carcinoma in adult female patients. We also found that 13 patients had concurrent lichen sclerosus lesions on the vulva and extragenital region, including two girls and 11 adult females. Extragenital lichen sclerosus (EGLS) occurred mostly in the torso. Clinicians should be aware of these differences so that early diagnosis and treatment of the disease can be achieved, to avoid irreversible anatomical alterations and the risk of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We obtain the following embedding theorem for symbolic dynamical systems. Let G be a countable amenable group with the comparison property. Let X be a strongly aperiodic subshift over G. Let Y be a strongly irreducible shift of finite type over G that has no global period, meaning that the shift action is faithful on Y. If the topological entropy of X is strictly less than that of Y and Y contains at least one factor of X, then X embeds into Y. This result partially extends the classical result of Krieger when G = Z and the results of Lightwood when G = Zd for d ≥ 2. The proof relies on recent developments in the theory of tilings and quasi-tilings of amenable groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has affected all areas of society, including students. However, medical students have faced many challenges due to direct contact with patients. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating and comparing the quality of life (QoL), anxiety and mindfulness between Iranian medical and non-medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Five hundred and six students (both medical and non-medical students) participated in the study from August to October 2022 with a convenience sampling method. The data were collected using an online questionnaire including a demographic form, the QoL Questionnaire (WHOQOL- BREF), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item survey (GAD‐7) and the Relaxation/Meditation/Mindfulness Tracker t-Persian version survey (RMMt-P). Pearson correlation and independent t-test and multivariate linear regression were used to determine the relationship between the study variables. Results: The samples included 272 medical students and 234 non-medical students with a mean age of 21.99 ± 3.46 and 24.17 ± 6.54 years respectively. Most of the medical and non-medical students were female, single and had a bachelor's degree. The mean scores of medical and non-medical students' QoL during the COVID-19 pandemic were 57.86 ± 13.26 and 56.75 ± 14.42, respectively which indicates the higher quality of life of medical students. Anxiety and mindfulness predicted 29% of the variance of the QoL in the medical students, while anxiety and mindfulness and having a chronic disease predicted 30% of the variance of the QoL in the non-medical students. No significant difference existed in the QoL and its subscales during the COVID-19 pandemic between medical and non-medical students (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference in terms of anxiety (p = 0.02) and mindfulness (p = 0.03) between medical and non-medical students during the prevalence of COVID-19. Discussion and conclusion: The findings of the present study indicated that medical students exhibited lower levels of anxiety and higher levels of mindfulness. Therefore, interventions aimed at reducing anxiety and increasing mindfulness among non-medical students are necessary. It is recommended that preventive approaches and psychological interventions to improve students' quality of life become an integral part of crisis response during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, reducing anxiety and enhancing mindfulness can improve the quality of education and professional performance of medical students, while also contributing to their mental well-being and effective clinical communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicotine is a chiral alkaloid; nitrogen-containing organic compound that occurs naturally. (S)-nicotine is extracted from Tobacco plants and used as the key addictive ingredient in many smoking products. Synthetic nicotine has gained the interest of many smoking product manufacturers over the last few decades due to the ease and low cost of manufacturing. Another claimed advantage of synthetic nicotine is the absence of genotoxic impurities that form during the extraction process of nicotine. These impurities are other plant alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and heavy metals. Additionally, the U. S. FDA has implemented new regulations on the quality control of synthetic nicotine. However, only a very few research articles have been published on assessing the complete impurity profile of synthetic nicotine. Therefore, the need to know the composition difference between tobacco-extracted nicotine vs. synthetic nicotine is highly necessary. In this research study, the impurity profile of thirteen different lots of synthetic nicotine was compared with fourteen lots of nicotine extracted from plants using in-house analytical methods. First, the samples were tested for other alkaloids and phenols by reversed-phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Second, the chiral purity was analyzed by normal phase HPLC. Third, lead and arsenic content were tested by atomic absorption and fluorescence spectrometry. Fourth, nicotine-specific nitrosamines were tested by LC-MS. The reversed phase HPLC data suggested similar quantities of total impurities in both synthetic and tobacco-extracted nicotine (0.1%). However, synthetic nicotine lacks some impurities such as cotinine, nornicotine, and nicotine-N-oxide. Additionally, the synthetic nicotine lots used in this study have high enantiomeric purity similar to the tobacco-extracted nicotine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the international significance of Dobšiná Ice Cave (Slovakia), it is important to have proper data about the state, movement, or decrease of the ice in which various information about past environments can be preserved. Thus, the goal of the study is to find out which of the 3D scanners used here is the most suitable for long-term monitoring of ice changes. A comparison of the 3D point clouds acquired from laser scanners Leica C10 and Leica RTC360 and the mobile scanners GeoSLAM Zeb Horizon and the iPhone 14 Pro to reference clouds from photogrammetry or tacheometry is provided, and also the process of data acquisition and registration is described. To catch the differences in point clouds according to different types of ice, cross-sections of the vertical and layered ice wall, horizontal ice surface, and artificial ice tunnel are analysed. Some remarkable but also unwanted properties of 3D scanners have been concluded, and the best compromise for 3D scanning of this ice cave has been chosen. According to the diversity of ice types and different layers occurring in Dobšiná Ice Cave, results could be partially helpful in choosing a suitable measurement technology for ice in other caves worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the quality of arguments is both valuable and challenging. Humans often find that making pairwise comparisons between a target argument and several reference arguments facilitates a more precise judgment of the target argument's quality. Inspired by this, we propose a comparison-based framework for argument quality assessments (CompAQA), which scores the quality of an argument through multiple pairwise comparisons. Additionally, we introduce an argument order-based data augmentation strategy to enhance CompAQA's relative quality comparison ability. By introducing multiple reference arguments for pairwise comparisons, CompAQA improves the objectivity and precision of argument quality assessments. Another advantage of CompAQA is its ability to integrate both pairwise argument quality classification and argument quality ranking tasks into a unified framework, distinguishing it from existing methods. We conduct extensive experiments using various pre-trained encoder-only models. Our experiments involve two argument quality ranking datasets (IBM-ArgQ-5.3kArgs and IBM-Rank-30k) and one pairwise argument quality classification dataset (IBM-ArgQ-9.1kPairs). Overall, CompAQA significantly outperforms several strong baselines. Specifically, when using the RoBERTa model as a backbone, CompAQA outperforms the previous best method on the IBM-Rank-30k dataset, improving Pearson correlation by 0.0203 and Spearman correlation by 0.0148. On the IBM-ArgQ-5.3kArgs dataset, it shows improvements of 0.0069 in Pearson correlation and 0.0208 in Spearman correlation. Furthermore, CompAQA demonstrates a 4.71% increase in accuracy over the baseline method on the IBM-ArgQ-9.1kPairs dataset. We also show that CompAQA can be effectively applied to fine-tune larger decoder-only pre-trained models, such as Llama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Overcrowding and extended waiting times in emergency departments are a pervasive issue, leading to patient dissatisfaction. This study aims to compare the efficacy of two process mining and simulation models in identifying bottlenecks and optimizing patient flow in the emergency department of Al-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan. The ultimate goal is to reduce patient waiting times and alleviate population density, ultimately enhancing the overall patient experience. Methods: This study employed a descriptive, applied, cross-sectional, and retrospective design. The study population consisted of 39,264 individuals referred to Al-Zahra Hospital, with a sample size of at least 1,275 participants, selected using systematic random sampling at a confidence level of 99%. Data were collected through a questionnaire and the Hospital Information System (HIS). Statistical analysis was conducted using Excel software, with a focus on time-averaged data. Two methods of simulation and process mining were utilized to analyze the data. First, the model was run 1000 times using ARENA software, with simulation techniques. In the second step, the emergency process model was discovered using process mining techniques through Access software, and statistical analysis was performed on the event log. The relationships between the data were identified, and the discovered model was analyzed using the Fuzzy Miner algorithm and Disco tool. Finally, the results of the two models were compared, and proposed scenarios to reduce patient waiting times were examined using simulation techniques. Results: The analysis of the current emergency process at Al-Zahra Hospital revealed that the major bottlenecks in the process are related to waiting times, inefficient implementation of doctor’s orders, delays in recording patient test results, and congestion at the discharge station. Notably, the process mining exercise corroborated the findings from the simulation, providing a comprehensive understanding of the inefficiencies in the emergency process. Next, 34 potential solutions were proposed to reduce waiting times and alleviate these bottlenecks. These solutions were simulated using Arena software, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of their effectiveness. The results were then compared to identify the most promising strategies for improving the emergency process. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this research demonstrate the effectiveness of using simulation techniques and process mining in making informed, data-driven decisions that align with available resources and conditions. By leveraging these tools, unnecessary waste and additional expenses can be significantly reduced. The comparative analysis of the 34 proposed scenarios revealed that two solutions stood out as the most effective in improving the emergency process. Scenario 19, which involves dedicating two personnel to jointly referring patients to the ward, and scenario 34, which creates a dedicated discharge hall, have the potential to create a more favorable situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackgroundMethodsResultsConclusionsCurrently, there are great hopes for psychedelic substances in treating psychiatric conditions and improving well-being. These substances are illegal in many countries, and we lack knowledge of how conflicting discourses shape psychedelic use in naturalistic settings. This study explores how psilocybin use is made meaningful by participants and staff at a retreat including psychedelic ceremonies aimed at personal growth.Ethnographic fieldwork was conducted at a psychedelic retreat with participants from Sweden. The material was organized using Zinberg’s model of drug, set, and setting. Theoretical work related to comparisons was utilized to elucidate how psilocybin use was distinguished from other illicit drug use.The participants’ desires to be fundamentally transformed, combined with the staff’s staging of the setting as a haven primed the participants to approach psilocybin as an inherently benevolent substance. Positive experiences during the ceremonies were attributed to the substance, and negative experiences to personal shortcomings.The staff and participants combined different discourses to define the meaning of psilocybin, all of which condemned using it for purely recreational purposes. The psilocybin use at the retreat was considered an improvement and wholly unrelated to illegal drug use, dissociating this practice from such use to establish legitimate transgression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Producing liquid hydrogen (LH 2) is an energy-intensive process as 30% of the LH 2 energy is consumed during liquefaction in the existing commercial plants. Thus, numerous innovative liquefaction processes were proposed to achieve a significant reduction in the specific energy consumption (SEC) of the LH 2 production systems. In particular, single-mixed refrigerant (SMR) and dual-mixed refrigerant (DMR) hydrogen precooling processes were introduced as efficient alternatives for conventional precooling processes. However, the SEC of the SMR is still high (>2 kWh/kg H2) and lacks efficient and practical optimization. On the other hand, the DMR demonstrates efficient operation (SEC close to 1.0 kWh/kg H2) but with a more complex configuration and higher capital cost. To address these gaps, this study (i) presents a new dual-pressure SMR precooling process (DP-SMR) that combines the simplicity of the SMR process and efficient operation of the DMR process, (ii) proposes a new optimization method for the cryogenic process with systematic implementation on the SMR, DMR, and the proposed DP-SMR processes, and (iii) conducts systematic thermoeconomic assessment for the optimized cases of the precooling processes. The proposed optimization method integrates knowledge-based optimization (KBO) procedures with other efficient optimization algorithms including genetic algorithm optimization (GAO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and Bayesian optimization (BO). This method fosters the optimization process and ensures the achievement of optimal performance that satisfies all design constraints without performing penalty functions. The results show that the SEC of the proposed DP-SMR process is 1.29 kWh/kg H2 , which is 6%–10% lower than all SMR processes available in the literature. In addition, the levelized precooling cost of the DP-SMR process is 2.15% and 16.00% lower than that of the optimized DMR and SMR processes, respectively. The proposed optimization procedures in this study will facilitate the achievement of robust optimization performance for any cryogenic process including hydrogen, nitrogen, and natural gas liquefaction systems. • A new dual-pressure single mixed-refrigerant hydrogen precooling process is proposed. • A new optimization method for the cryogenic process is introduced. • Systematic thermoeconomic analysis for three H2 precooling processes is conducted. • The energy consumption of the proposed process is reduced by 10%. • The H 2 precooling cost is reduced by 16% compared to conventional SMR processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural change has played an important role in the overall process of economic development. Africa seems to have faced greater difficulty than Asia in terms of achieving structural change. A number of hypotheses have been proposed to explain the structural change process in these two regions. The objective of this paper is to test several of these hypotheses utilizing data from a sample of Sub-Saharan African countries as well as a sample of Asian countries. Fixed effects and fully modified ordinary least squares techniques were used to test the hypotheses. The results indicate that there are many similarities between the two regions in terms of what factors are important in the process of structural change, and a few differences. Agricultural productivity, a reduction in dependence on natural resources, openness to trade all seem to be important, but for Sub-Saharan Africa efforts must also be made to aid domestic manufacturing firms so as to be able to compete. In addition, it seems that being relatively labour abundant was important for the structural change process in Asia. Policies aimed at promoting more rapid structural change in Sub-Saharan Africa include promoting agricultural productivity, improving the extent of trade openness, and additional efforts to coordinate the expansion of manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To improve the biological dose estimation capability in responding to nuclear and radiation emergencies by analyzing the results and deviation causes from a provincial CDC's laboratory participating in the national biological dose estimation capability assessment. Methods The data of a provincial center for disease control and prevention's radiological biology laboratory participating in the national biological dose estimation capability assessment from 2017 to 2022 were retrospectively collected. The number of cells analyzed for chromosomal aberrations, the rate of dicentric (dic) and ring (r) chromosome aberrations, and the rate of dic +r aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of each sample were sorted out. The relative deviation between the estimated value and the irradiation dose of the assessed samples was analyzed. From 2017 to 2021, the dose was estimated using the dose-response curve in GB/T 28236-2011. In 2022, the dose was estimated using the dose-response curve established by the provincial CDC itself. Results All 12 biological dose assessment samples from 2017 to 2022 were 100% qualified, with relative deviations all ≤ 20%, among which 4 samples had relative deviations ≤ 5%, accounting for 33.3%. The estimated doses of 8 samples were lower than the actual irradiation dose, accounting for 66.7%. The average dose estimated by the dose -response curve of the laboratory was (2.16 ± 1.26) Gy, while the average dose estimated by the dose-response curve recommended in GB/T 28236-2011 was (2.15 ± 1.26) Gy, and there was no statistically significant difference between these two standard curves (P > 0.05). Conclusions The quality of chromosome specimen preparation and the experience of technical personnel are two important factors affecting the quality of biological dose estimation. Improving the quality of chromosome specimen preparation and strengthening the ability of laboratory technicians to identify chromosomal aberration indicators can improve the accuracy of biological dose estimation for personnel in nuclear and radiation emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe, respiratory protective devices must be certified before they can be marketed. Among the parameters of interest, inward leakage (IL) characterizes the tightness between the face seal and the face, to verify that the device is well-designed. European standard EN 13274-1 (2001) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard ISO 16900-1 (2019) specify that IL should be measured using sodium chloride (NaCl) aerosol or sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas. For reusable masks made of nonporous materials, both test agents are considered equally acceptable. However, the few studies that have compared IL values measured with various aerosols and gases have come to divergent conclusions. This work then aimed to measure IL with the test agents recommended by the standards to determine whether they are really equivalent. Since krypton (Kr) is an interesting candidate for replacing SF6 in standard tests, IL was assessed with SF6 and Kr simultaneously, and with NaCl aerosol using various calculation methods. Tests were carried out on 5 models of full-face masks donned on a headform connected to a breathing machine simulating 3 sinusoidal breathing rates of various intensities. The respirator fit on the headform was evaluated using a controlled negative pressure method to determine a manikin fit factor. Four scenarios were then tested to represent very poor, bad, good, and excellent fit. Gas concentration was measured using a mass spectrometer, and IL was calculated for SF6 and Kr. A combination of 3 devices allowed the determination of the number-based concentration of particles with diameters between 20 nm and 2 µm, and IL was calculated for each of the 33 channels, as well as using a cumulative number concentration. In addition, to comply with standards, a conversion was carried out to calculate IL using a cumulative mass concentration. The results of this work evidenced that the IL values measured with NaCl were systematically lower than those determined with gases. IL was also shown to vary with particle size, with a maximum value exceeding that calculated with cumulative concentrations (in number or mass). As part of the revision of the standards, protocols for measuring inward leakage should be redefined. On the one hand, acceptability thresholds should be re-evaluated according to the nature of the test agent (gas or aerosol), as it is clear that the 2 options do not give the same results for a given configuration. On the other hand, the aerosol leakage measurement protocol needs to be reworked to enable the measurement of a well-defined, robust, and reproducible inward leakage value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a series of educational materials developed for seventh-grade chemistry students. The materials focus on promoting the skills of comparison and controlling variables, which are important in scientific learning. The worksheets cover topics such as hazard symbols, laboratory equipment, pure substances and mixtures, distillation, and factors affecting solubility, reaction rate, and electrical conductivity. The materials are designed for independent use by students, with self-correction and self-evaluation. The effectiveness of the materials will be evaluated through a trial run, and there is potential for expansion to grades 8-10. The authors, Rebekka Heimann and Ina Rienäcker, are professors and researchers in chemistry education at the University of Leipzig. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Case reports are perceived as having diminished value relative to other study designs. It has been said that medical toxicology (MT) is based largely upon case report literature and thought to be unique in this regard. We sought to quantify recent MT publication of case reports compared with top periodicals from emergency medicine (EM) and internal medicine (IM) journals. Methods: A retrospective review examined 5 years of articles in 6 U.S.-based medical journals–MT (Journal of Medical Toxicology, Clinical Toxicology), EM (Annals of Emergency Medicine, Journal of Emergency Medicine), and IM (JAMA Internal Medicine, New England Journal of Medicine) was performed using on-line resources. Every article in each issue was categorized into Case report vs. Research and Analysis articles vs. Excluded. "Case report" was defined as one (or ≤ 5) individual patients, one patient's data, etc. Total articles per issue were reported after removing Excluded items. Results: Between 2018 and 2022, these 6 periodicals published 522 issues; with 2644 case reports; and 8246 total included articles. Comparison of MT case reports vs. EM revealed a significant difference and odds (Odds Ratio = 1.7, (95% CI: [1.49, 2.03], p < 0.001); MT compared with IM was not significantly different (Odds Ratio = 1.1, (95% CI: [0.96, 1.30], p = 0.150). The percent of case reports increased in the IM and EM journals compared with a relative decrease in the MT journals. Cumulative case report precents were consistently greater in EM and IM than in MT. Conclusion: In the past 5 years, MT journals published fewer and had a declining trend of case reports compared with leading EM and IM journals. Future research is needed to determine the effect on MT practice resulting from the diminished body of case report literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine and compare the employee preferences for explicit leader behaviors within and across seven Slavic countries, belonging to three Slavic tribes. Our analyses of data obtained from 2542 participants revealed several patterns of similarities in volume and distribution as well as magnitude and structure of these preferences between and within the participating nations, their regions and tribes. The differences, however, are inconsistent. We contribute to the "Black Box" of cross-cultural leadership literature and hope to stimulate further research demystifying and facilitating leadership research and practice in these astonishing nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slavic-heritage countries have a rich and diverse culture shaped by a variety of historical and geopolitical events. Utilizing Hofstede´s Value Survey Module 2008, we study the cultural values of the Slavs, indicating the way businesspeople (employees) and businesses function in these societies. The results of our analyses of data from seven Slavic countries show that the volume and distribution of differences in cultural values is mostly inconsistent, however, several patterns emerged. The magnitude and structure of these differences indicate an influx of values originating from the global West, however, with variations across the tribes, nations and their culture areas. We contribute to the cross-cultural management and leadership literature with this pioneering, systematic comparison, and outline directions for future research to foster a clear(er) understanding thereof, hence, to develop valuable practical guidelines for (international) business professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective comparative public policy research necessitates three key aspects. Firstly, it requires concepts that allow the differences in policies and policy developments across various domains to be discerned. Secondly, even with robust concepts established, they typically must be "put into practice". This means scholars need analytical tools that can either provide theoretical insights helpful in creating careful research designs or extract relevant information from laws, legislation, and other governmental sources and organize it meaningfully. Lastly, the objective of these endeavors is to produce statistics on policies or their effects that permit robust conclusions to be drawn about policy efficacy and impact. Building upon this "trinity" as the foundation of successful comparative policy research, the new section editors of the Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis (JCPA) are seeking contributions in the areas of policy concepts, analytics, and statistics. This introductory article further clarifies what these aspects entail and presents examples from existing research that may align with this section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why do some European countries succeed in developing offshore wind power? This study compares the Spanish and Danish cases from the 1970s to 2021. By completing the literature on both policy failure and success with concepts from psychology, the study stresses the relevance of public funding instability, federal architecture, intertwined political interests and policy discourse as dimensions that impact the rise of offshore wind power. Drawing on this framework, the Danish success suggests that strong leadership based on a shared objective can create efficient institutions able to avoid veto players and secure financial investments over time. This process can boost the rise of a self-confident discourse that will reinforce the virtuous circle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals who commit sexual offenses against children have been shown to be distinctive from adult offenders across both individual and crime characteristics. However, an examination of the literature shows that there are gaps in the research related to whether sadism manifests differently between those who target child compared to adult victims. The current study therefore aimed to explore the differences in the characteristics, crime-commission process, and the dimensions of sadism between sadistic crimes of children (n = 101) compared to those of adults (n = 433). Sexual sadism was assessed with the Sexual Sadism Scale (SeSaS) and binary logistic regression analysis and multidimensional scale analysis (MDS) were performed to examine differences between these two groups. Our results showed that sadistic fantasies manifested into four dimensions for both adult and child victims. In terms of differences, sadistic sexual offenses involving children appear to be reflective of deviant fantasies related to overlapping paraphilias (e.g., sadism and pedophilia). Conversely, sadistic crimes involving adult victims involve a crime-commission process that involves a greater degree of structure to control their adult victim and decrease their risk of identification. Implications for clinical assessment and police investigations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports a comparative prospective study aimed to explore and compare nurses’ perceptions of bedside clinical handover in 3 different settings (emergency unit, ICU, and medical ward). Results revealed that the participant nurses’ perceptions varied significantly for different aspects of the handover process. Our data demonstrate department-specific variations in perceptions related to the adequacy, organization, relevance, availability of charts, use of charts for review, ease of following the information, and timeliness of the information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rize Theology Journal / Rize Ilahiyat Dergisi is the property of Rize Theology Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Linguistics, Literature & Translation is the property of Al-Kindi Center for Research & Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Comparison is an important mechanism for learning in general, and comparing two worked examples has garnered support over the last 15 years as an effective tool for learning algebra in mainstream classrooms. This study was aimed at improving our understanding of how Modified for Language Support-Worked Example Pairs (MLS-WEPs) contribute to effective mathematics learning in an ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) context. It investigated a novel instructional approach to help English Learners (ELs) develop better understanding in mathematical reasoning, problem solving, and literacy skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Findings suggest that MLS-WEPs not only enhanced ELs' ability to solve algebra problems, but it also improved their written explanation skills and enabled them to transfer such skills to different mathematical concepts. Moreover, when controlling for ELs' prior knowledge, the effectiveness of the MLS-WEPs intervention for performing and explaining calculations did not vary by their English proficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shorter duration of ice‐free conditions at successively northern latitudes increasingly constrains large‐bodied waterbirds from completing their reproductive cycle before freeze‐up, affecting their migration and breeding schedules. We compared migration timing and duration of stay in summering areas between 127 tracked East Asian Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus breeding at high latitude (HLP, 67°N, Japan wintering) and mid‐latitude (MLP, 48°N, China wintering) based on tracking and remote‐sensing data. Adult breeding site arrival dates were positively correlated with latitude. HLP adults arrived just before 50% snow melt, and summered for 142 days (the duration of the ice‐free period there), just over the c.130 days required to hatch and raise cygnets to fledging. MLP adults arrived 3 weeks after 50% snow melt, and summered for c.209 days (c.80% of the total ice‐free period of 267 days), laying eggs c.33 days after arrival. These results suggest that HLP breeders were more likely to invest stored nutrients and energy brought from winter quarters and/or on migration to enable rapid egg‐laying post‐arrival at the breeding grounds (a more 'capital' breeding strategy). By contrast, MLP females appear able to obtain most, if not all, of their energetic and nutritional reproductive needs exogenously post‐arrival at breeding areas (a more 'income' breeding strategy). HLP individuals left the breeding grounds before MLP, but all departed before freeze‐up. Migration duration did not differ between the two groups, so differential summer residency times affected duration on wintering areas. We recommend follow‐up investigations of the relative degree of capital/income investment among birds from both groups and their effects on their respective demographics, population dynamics and growth rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing drought is crucial for effective water resources management and the development of mitigation strategies. Drought indices serve as indispensable tools in this evaluation process, and choosing an appropriate index is vital for accurate drought assessment. The characteristics and classification of drought depend entirely on the chosen index. Based on the existing literature, the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) are the most commonly and widely used indices, and there is a significant need for a comprehensive comparison between SPI and SPEI to understand their differences and implications for drought assessment. This research aims to compare SPI and SPEI based on drought indices, characteristics, and classifications using the innovative drought classification matrix (IDCM) for spatiotemporal drought evaluation, and the comparison process is done for events and monthly scales. Also, it aims to investigate the comparison between SPEI obtained from in situ meteorological stations and from the SPEI database. The application and the comparison are presented for Istanbul city between 1951 and 2020. The results show similar variations and high correlation (more than 0.65) between SPI and SPEI. For drought characteristics, there is no consistent relationship between SPI and SPEI at the drought event scale. The outcomes revealed that approximately 60% of the months exhibit consistent drought classifications between the two indices. Finally, it shows a significant difference between SPEI based on in situ meteorological stations and satellite data. The comparison between SPI and SPEI based on different aspects is necessary and essential for drought studies and water resources management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Foreign Literature Studies is the property of Foreign Literature Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of New Perspectives in Translation Studies is the property of New Perspectives in Translation Studies Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: To evaluate biopsy-related complications and detection rates of any PCa and clinically significant PCa (csPCa, intended as grade group ≥ 2) between MRI-targeted TP fusion biopsies (TPBx) and TR ones (TRBx). Methods: We performed a multicentric study on 4841 patients who underwent fusion biopsy between 2016 and 2023. A case–control matching was performed to find comparable cohorts of 646 TPBx and 646 TRBx. Mean T test and Pearson chi-square tests were used to compare continuous and categorical variables. Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between the cohorts, except for target location with a higher rate of anterior lesions in TPBx group. Complications were rare and no difference was found between the groups, with similar rates of infections after TRBx and TPBx (N = 5 (0.8%) vs N = 2 (0.3%), p 0.45). All patients in TRBx and 90.1% in TPBx group received antibiotic prophylaxis. A higher csPCa detection rate was found in TPBx over the group (50.5% vs 36.2%, p < 0.001). On average, positive targeted cores were increased in TPBx group, for any PCa (1.6 vs 1.4, p 0.04) and csPCa (1.0 vs 0.8, p 0.02). Among the limitations of study, we acknowledge the retrospective design and the possible under-reporting of complications. Conclusions: MRI-targeted fusion TPBx achieves a significantly higher csPCa detection than TRBx, with a diagnostic advantage for apical and anterior lesions. No significant differences were found in terms of complications that were rare in both groups, considering a widespread adoption of antibiotic prophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioural differences between murder and manslaughter have rarely been empirically assessed. By examining real-world data, assessment of this type helps ensure that the legal classification and sentencing framework aligns with the nuances of criminal behaviour and contributes to just outcomes. Additionally, empirical assessment of differences between offence types provides an inclusionary/exclusionary basis in the pooling of samples. This study examined the relationships between demographic and crime-scene behaviours with conviction outcome (i.e. either murder or manslaughter) in 253 New Zealand homicides. Premeditated intent to kill was highly associated with murder as the conviction outcome; however, lower levels of premeditation were not. Other significant predictors were primarily those of a mitigating nature; a victim provoking an attacker or an offender attempting to save the victim were observed to potentially reduce the likelihood of a murder conviction, while aggravating factors such as the use of a weapon increased this likelihood. Most variables did not significantly predict conviction outcome for either homicide type, indicating these types of crimes are perhaps more similar than they are different. Overall, this study helped reveal an intricate interplay of factors which impact on homicide conviction outcomes, shedding light on the decision-making process within the criminal justice system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to the AC counterpart, the DC shore power system provides a significant advantage of efficient power supply from renewable sources to ships and onshore loads. Super-capacitors serve as key energy storage units in such a system to buffer the power fluctuations and collect the regenerative energy. However, the ultra-wide voltage range of super-capacitors imposes a significant challenge in the topology selection and efficiency optimization of the interfacing isolated bidirectional DC–DC converter. To tackle this challenge, this paper analyzes and compares two promising converter topologies, which are a configurable modular two-level dual-active bridge (CM-2L-DAB) and a three-level dual-active bridge (3L-DAB). To facilitate an ultra-wide voltage range, extended phase-shift (EPS) modulation in conjunction with the topology reconfiguration is analyzed for the CM-2L-DAB, while a hybrid modulation scheme is proposed for the 3L-DAB. A unified design approach is provided for both topologies, which also yields to the power loss modeling. On this basis, the CM-2L-DAB and 3L-DAB are thoroughly compared in terms of the modulation schemes, current stress, soft-switching operation, power conversion efficiency, material usage, closed-loop control scheme, and reliability. A prominent conclusion can be drawn that the CM-2L-DAB provides a higher efficiency than the 3L-DAB over the whole voltage range, but it relies on additional relays to reconfigure its topology which results in lower reliability and dynamic performance than the 3L-DAB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractNorth Sulawesi is renowned for its captivating underwater tourism, attracting SCUBA divers and traditional divers. Given the potential impact of diving activities on lung function, this study aims to explore differences in lung function among self-contained breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving tourism workers, traditional divers utilizing breathing air compressors and air lines, and non-divers within the coastal areas of tourism destinations in North Sulawesi. Employing a descriptive comparative study with a cross-sectional approach, 90 subjects were categorized into three groups, and selected through simple random sampling. Spirometry was utilized for data collection, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed for comparisons, with post hoc analysis for specific differences. The ANOVA analysis revealed significant variations in FVC Predicted, FVC Measured, FEV1, and obstruction and restriction values among SCUBA divers, traditional divers, and non-divers with a level of significance of p < 0.05. Post hoc analysis exhibited noteworthy distinctions in FVC Predicted, FVC Measured, and FEV1 between traditional divers and non-divers, and between SCUBA divers and traditional divers (p < 0.00). Obstruction values showed differences between SCUBA divers and traditional divers (p = 0.012), while restriction values indicated disparities between traditional divers and non-divers (p = 0.019). In conclusion, there were significant variations in lung function among SCUBA diving tourism workers, traditional divers using compressors and air lines, and non-divers within the coastal areas of tourism destinations in North Sulawesi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAdhesive bonding is a versatile joining method gaining popularity due to its ability to join variety of metals, nonmetals, and composite materials to achieve lightweight, high-strength structures. Unlike mechanical fasteners that require holes, adhesive bonding creates a continuous bond, resulting in a more uniform stress distribution. It also allows bonding thin materials and dissimilar materials, and creates airtight seals. However, even with these advantages, adhesive joints lack structural redundancy and sometimes strength compared to their mechanical counterparts. This has driven extensive research and development efforts to improve their strength, reliability, and overall performance. The present paper aims to explore both historical and recent advancements in techniques for enhancing the strength of adhesively bonded joints, organizing them in a coherent and systematic manner that can be easily quantified. The paper also presents a comprehensive comparison of the techniques, their dependency on various factors, and guidelines for the optimal choice. This examination could pave the way for novel optimization techniques and data-driven approaches for achieving superior joint performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advancements over the past decade in DNA sequencing technology and computing power have created the potential to revolutionize medicine. There has been a marked increase in genetic data available, allowing for the advancement of areas such as personalized medicine. A crucial type of data in this context is genetic variant data which is stored in variant call format (VCF) files. However, the rapid growth in genomics has presented challenges in analyzing and comparing VCF files. Results: In response to the limitations of existing tools, this paper introduces a novel web application that provides a user-friendly solution for VCF file analyses and comparisons. The software tool enables researchers and clinicians to perform high-level analysis with ease and enhances productivity. The application's interface allows users to conveniently upload, analyze, and visualize their VCF files using simple drag-and-drop and point-and-click operations. Essential visualizations such as Venn diagrams, clustergrams, and precision–recall plots are provided to users. A key feature of the application is its support for metadata-based file grouping, accomplished through flexible data matrix uploads, streamlining organization and analysis of user-defined categories. Additionally, the application facilitates standardized benchmarking of VCF files by integrating user-provided ground truth regions and variant lists. Conclusions: By providing a user-friendly interface and supporting essential visualizations, this software enhances the accessibility of VCF file analysis and assists researchers and clinicians in their scientific inquiries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal History of Latin American Education / Revista Historia de la Educación Latinoamericana is the property of Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnologica de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article argues that three dimensions of relevance can be identified for the academic study of religion as it is taught at the university: (1) Foundations; (2) General Education; and (3) Application. The analytical distinction of these dimensions also reveals that they are inextricably linked and co‐dependent. This model may help to sort out the tasks and opportunities of a secular, comparative study of religion in academia and society. Importantly, for each dimension, the comparative method has a crucial role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors explore their motivations for conceiving of and assembling the current issue on comparative religious studies as a viable pedagogical orientation for our troubled times. Situated in both the history of comparison as a method and scholarship on effective pedagogy, it argues that disciplined, scholarly, sound comparative thinking (whether at the level of textbook authorship, course design, or selection of classroom activities) can help us to respond to our students dynamically, reflexively, and, most importantly, humanely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching a course on religions of the world is challenging, especially considering the cogent critiques of that paradigm and the history of its construction. In our courses and text, we have employed a strategy comparing different representations of a single religion to help students develop analytical and critical thinking skills. Within this approach, we employ a functionalist methodology that addresses how each representation of a religion empowers particular groups as well as how the practices and ideas within each religion function. Organizing a course and textbook in this fashion coordinates with assignments that ask students to compare the construction and functions of different representations of the same religion, thus reinforcing to students that no single description of a religion is complete or free from individual and group interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a tailored statistical methodology to compare the contamination by chemical elements in soil of Arica, Chile in 2013 and 2014. We study the differences in the consecutive years 2013 and 2014 between arsenic, mercury, chromium, lead, and cadmium occurrence. The complicated aspect of such comparisons is that the heavy-tailed part of the distribution is mixing with the light-tailed distribution of the measurements and annual distributions of each element differ in their variances. We developed a novel sampling methodology based on the generalized Hill approach, which separates extreme values and the central part of the data. We perform a sensitivity analysis of the Fisher-Behrens test and investigate the effect of violation of homoscedasticity depending on the distributions of random samples. Those methods are useful for experimenters when testing for equality of means in sets with homoscedasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 65-year old farmer and forestry worker in Quebec's Eastern Townships, John Buzzell, kept a diary from March 1916 until December 1918. Although in the third year he lived in the urban setting of Paris, Ontario, it is a typical example of a rural work diary, recording the weather, listing details of his workday, and describing family's and neighbours' activities and health. Such journals furnish social historians with rich detail about rural life but little about the emotions and sensibilities of their authors. This research note proposes and uses two systematic practices, or tools, for addressing the well-known analytic difficulty of recognizing the non-dit and extracting emotion from rural work diaries. Focusing on literary and physical conventions of composition and structured comparison, these two practices can unpack emotions such as sorrow, pride, pleasure, nostalgia, anxiety, and loneliness and help lift the veil of discretion about public and family affairs. Many other kinds of journals or memoirs similarly contain little explicit expression of emotion, and the two tools described in this research note may open more sources and archives, as well as lowering the risk of selecting on the dependent variable, choosing for the study of emotions only diaries that include their unmediated expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]