Degree Of Relevance Research Articles

Integrating Large Language Model, EEG, and Eye-Tracking for Word-Level Neural State Classification in Reading Comprehension.

With the recent proliferation of large language models (LLMs), such as Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT), there has been a significant shift in exploring human and machine comprehension of semantic language meaning. This shift calls for interdisciplinary research that bridges cognitive science and natural language processing (NLP). This pilot study aims to provide insights into individuals' neural states during a semantic inference reading-comprehension task. We propose jointly analyzing LLMs, eye-gaze, and electroencephalographic (EEG) data to study how the brain processes words with varying degrees of relevance to a keyword during reading. We also use feature engineering to improve the fixation-related EEG data classification while participants read words with high versus low relevance to the keyword. The best validation accuracy in this word-level classification is over 60% across 12 subjects. Words highly relevant to the inference keyword received significantly more eye fixations per word: 1.0584 compared to 0.6576, including words with no fixations. This study represents the first attempt to classify brain states at a word level using LLM-generated labels. It provides valuable insights into human cognitive abilities and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and offers guidance for developing potential reading-assisted technologies.

Dokazni značaj informacija iz komunikacije ostvarene aplikacijama/ modifikovanim uređajima za kriptovanje - kao što su Sky ECC i EnchroChat

In the article is presented one view of information and potential evidence from communication, obtained using special devices and applications for encryption of communication. In particular, the phenomenon of the Sky ECC application is explained, which is not only the most commented on in the media, but is current in a whole series of current criminal proceedings, especially in the sphere of organized crime, both in Serbia and throughout Europe, but also in the world in general. After analysing the basic evidentiary rules in the positive criminal procedural legislation of Serbia, which in principle could be important when it comes to the evaluation of the evidentiary credibility of information derived from communication made with special applications for encryption of conversations, in the article are explained relevant examples from the comparative judicial practice of a number of European countries. Very current cases of this type that were resolved in Serbia were also explained. The practice of the European Court of Human Rights, which concerns the possible violation of the right to privacy due to the interception of communications made with special applications, was also analysed. Special attention was given to the opinion of the General advocate who acts before the Court of Justice of the European Union in relation to a series of questions that the Regional Court in Berlin put to that court, which concern the information resulting from the application of the European investigative warrant, which was previously obtained in France by a special operativetactical ways to collect data from communications encrypted by the EnchroChat application. In conclusion, it is emphasized that there is no miracle recipe that will absolutely solve all evidentiary problems that arise or may arise when dealing with information from communications made with special applications for encryption of conversations. The time in which the future judicial practice will be implemented (the basic contours of which can already be seen relatively clearly), and above all the positions of the highest courts of specific countries, including the positions of the Serbian courts, will show the real importance and the degree of relevance of a number of factors, which could in principle have an impact on the evidentiary credibility of such information/evidence. Of course, such judicial practice, as usual, the practice of courts in the legal environment of the rule of law, must arise in legally and fairly conducted criminal procedures.

Tailored anharmonic potential energy surfaces for infrared signatures.

Accurately calculated infrared spectra are essential for supporting experimental interpretation, yet full-space anharmonic vibrational structure calculations are only feasible for a limited number of degrees of freedom. Fortunately, characteristic spectroscopic signatures are often dominated by a few key vibrations. We propose a computational protocol specifically tailoring high dimensional anharmonic potential energy surfaces for the accurate and efficient calculation of such spectral signatures with vibrational coupled cluster response theory. Our protocol focuses on the selection of appropriate coordinates for the relevant degrees of freedom and the identification of specific mode-coupling terms for the potential energy surface that require more thorough treatment. This includes applying different levels of electronic structure theory and selecting a restricted set of higher mode-coupling terms (> mode pairs). We validate this protocol on two spectral regions: the fundamental CO stretching vibrations in uracil and the fundamental OH stretchings in catechol. Our findings indicate that the convergence behaviour towards harmonic frequencies in the so-called FALCON algorithm is an effective indicator for the locality character of the relevant degrees of freedom. We find that the CO stretchings in uracil are better described using normal coordinates, while the description with local FALCON coordinates of the OH-stretching vibrations in catechol showed superior performances in VCC spectra calculations. Overall, our protocol offers valuable guidelines for accurate and efficient anharmonic calculation of vibrational spectral signatures.

TEACHING KAZAKH LANGUAGE AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE: DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN EXPERIENCE

The article substantiates the relevance of developing a methodology for teaching Kazakh as a foreign language (MTKFL): the prerequisites for the problem of preserving and developing the national (Kazakh) language, external and internal factors of aggravation of this problem at the present stage, as well as the already observed consequences of the lack of implementation of the MTKFL in countries where ethnic Kazakhs live are revealed.The object of the analysis are normative legal acts, national programs, strategic plans, reports on science, analytical reports, sociological studies, textbooks, and publications of domestic and foreign scientists. To determine the degree of development of MTKFL in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the domestic and foreign experience of teaching Kazakh as a foreign language was analyzed and the degree of actualization and relevance of the MTKFL in world science and practice was identified. The results of the study allowed us to confirm the assumption that the actions taken by the authors to implement the scientific project “Methods of teaching Kazakh as a foreign language through a system of ethno-cultural units” are relevant, timely and will contribute to the development of a scientifically-based MTKFL for ethnic Kazakhs living abroad.

Current trends and prospects in quinoa research: An approach for strategic knowledge areas.

Currently, the demand for healthy consumption and the use of alternatives to dairy proteins for the development of foods with good nutritional value are growing. Quinoa has received much attention because it contains a high content of proteins, essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, dietary fibers, and bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, this content and the bioavailability of specific compounds of interest are related to the genotype, the agri-environmental conditions, and management practices where quinoa is grown and postharvest management. This article aimed to analyze the research trends for three knowledge areas: quinoa plant breeding for nutraceutical properties, plant-soil relations focused on abiotic stresses, and postharvest and value-added transformation activities. To this end, a specific methodological design based on bibliometrics and scientometrics methods was used. Through these analyses based on publications' keywords, titles, abstracts, and conclusions sections, for each knowledge area, the key research trends (scope and main topics), the classification of trends based on their development and relevance degree, and the core of knowledge were established. The trends comprise the current state of research. Finally, analyzing the conclusions, recommendations, and future research sections of key publications, a strong correlation among plant breeding research to obtain varieties with tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, nutritional and functional compounds of interest for food safety, and the development of products with higher added value established interest in further research on the potential bioactivity of quinoa and the verification of health benefits to humans.

Low-load blood flow restriction strength training in patients with COPD: a randomised single-blind pilot study

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of lower limb low-load blood flow restriction training (LL-BFRT) with high-load strength training (HL-ST) as part of an outpatient pulmonary...

Ways to determine the degree of relevance of product reviews in the service sector

Ways to determine the degree of relevance of product reviews in the service sector

Climate justice and territory

AbstractThe territorial impacts of climate change will affect millions. This will happen not only as a direct consequence of climate change, but also because of policies for mitigating it—for example, through the installation of large wind and solar farms, the conservation of land in its role as carbon sink, and the extraction of materials needed for renewable energy technologies. In this article, we offer an overview of the justice‐related issues that these impacts create. The literature on climate justice and territory is vast and spans a range of disciplines, so we limit our discussion to a specific understanding of territory and a specific understanding of injustice that arises from its loss. We understand territory as a normative concept that describes a place under some agent's jurisdiction, where the agent is a politically organized collective and where the jurisdictional rights over that place secure a relevant degree of self‐determination for that collective. Accordingly, we consider that the main injustice connected to the loss of territory due to climate change is the loss or undermining of the ability to exercise the collective right to self‐determination, which requires some control over the place. This can happen if a territorial agent literally loses the ground where to stand as a direct effect of climate change, raising issues of justice in relocation; or if their place changes due to mitigation policies, affecting their use and understanding of territory, raising issues of justice in energy transition. In concluding, we point to topics for future research.This article is categorized under: Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Climate Change and Global Justice Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Climate Change and Human Rights Policy and Governance > Governing Climate Change in Communities, Cities, and Regions

An enhanced model for environmental dry eye: Exploring pathological features and underlying factors

This study aimed to develop an enhanced environmental dry eye (EDE) model that accurately reproduces the etiology of prolonged visual fatigue and investigates the underlying pathological features. A total of 40 adult SPF-grade Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control (n = 20) and model (n = 20) groups. Rats in the control group were maintained under normal conditions, while rats in the model group were exposed to a controlled frontal airflow of 2–4 m/s from a fan for 7.5 h daily while placed on a suspended cylindrical wire mesh frame. Various assessments were performed at different time points during the 14-day experiment, including blink frequency, tear secretion (phenol red thread test), tear film breakup time (BUT), fluorescein staining (FL), corneal epithelial status (light microscopy), ultrastructure of corneal epithelial cells (electron microscopy), and expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) in tears (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Additionally, mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-9, IL1β, IL6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and caspase-3 in corneal tissues were quantified (real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting). Compared to the control group, the model group rats exhibited significant decreases in blink frequency (P < 0.001), tear secretion (Schirmer I test) values (P < 0.001), and tear film breakup time levels (P < 0.001). There was also a significant increase in fluorescein staining scores (P < 0.001) in the model group. Histological examination revealed distinct differences of the corneal epithelium between groups. The corneal epithelium of the model group appeared thicker, with disorganized cell arrangement in the superficial and basal layers, partial defects or detachment of superficial epithelial cells, and a rough, uneven surface. Scanning electron microscopy observations showed a rough corneal epithelial surface with numerous cracks and scattered vesicular-like structures in the model group. Furthermore, the model group rats exhibited a significant increase in expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in tears (P < 0.001), and upregulated expression levels of MMP-9, TNF-α, IL-1β, caspase-3, IL-6, and IFN-γ at both the mRNA and protein levels in corneal tissues (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the modified “wire-meshing cylindrical board” model effectively overcomes the limitations of the traditional “jogging board " dry eye model and successfully simulates the etiology of prolonged visual fatigue. This innovative EDE model demonstrates a high degree of relevance to dry eye conditions resulting from prolonged visual tasks, with a high success rate of model induction. Moreover, it proves to be a simple, practical, and easily replicable model, making it highly suitable for further studies on prolonged visual fatigue and facilitating its widespread adoption in research and clinical applications.

Model for measuring technological maturity for critical sector industries

This theoretical work addresses the maturity models related to innovation processes that can be applied in critical industries such as the aerospace-defense sector in Colombia. It responds to the need to articulate the local industry, technical and innovation capabilities, regulatory aspects, scalability and the observed market. It proposes a model to measure an innovation process's readiness level in these sectors, applicable to decision-making processes, development centers, and the country's leading sectors. It offers a theoretical basis and a tool to be applied in the decision-making process to help minimize the inherent risks to the innovation process in the sector. The method used was mixed; first, a review of the state-of-the-art and a scientometric analysis was carried out to determine factors subsequently validated by experts, which gave rise to variables with a high degree of relevance in generating innovative products or services. These were modeled through structural equations considering variables covering the innovation cycle, considering market, industry, and technology criteria, which minimize risk until integrating the absorption of the innovative product. Finally, the model was refined through exercises with experts related to the sector from academia, industry, research centers, innovation and the end user of the innovation products. The paper proposes a theoretical measuring model of technological maturity of innovation and a flow chart that could serve as a tool for measuring technological readiness. The model could be a tool for an organization's decision-making, as it visualizes technology, market and regulation as critical factors in the innovation cycle.

Severe Impairment Rating Scale (SIRS) in assessing patients with severe dementia in Chinese Community

AbstractBackgroundLike other advanced countries, Hong Kong is facing the challenges of an aging population, reduced fertility, and increasing longevity. Most older people who diagnosed with moderate to severe dementia would need institutional care. Nevertheless, the current instruments available in the Chinese population are having flooring effects in measuring the functional conditions for this specific group of population.MethodThis study aims to validate the 14‐item Chinese Severe Impairment Rating Scale (C‐SIRS), as an instrument designed to measure functional condition of older people with moderate and severe dementia. The development of this validation study was under classical test theory to examine and test (1) the degree of clarity, understandability, and relevance (i.e. content validity), (2) the test‐retest reliability score of SIRS, (3) the degree of the inter‐relatedness among SIRS items like internal consistency, and (4) the correlation between SIRS score and the functional measures by Hong Kong Montreal Cognitive Assessment (HK‐MoCA) and Modified Barthel Index 100 (MBI‐100).ResultWhen assessing the relevance and sensitivity of the question with the universal agreement calculation method, the scale‐level content validity index (S‐CVI/UA) of C‐SIRS received relevance ratings of “almost agree” or “absolutely agree” by all the experts. The Fleiss' kappa showed that there was moderate agreement between the panellists’ judgements, with at least 8 years of experience, κ = .326 (95% CI, .319 to .343), p &lt; .001. 105 older people with moderate to severe dementia recruited from nursing home were enrolled in the validation, the C‐SIRS had a high level of internal consistency, as determined by a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.99 with F = .005, p = .831. The SIRS shows significant correlation with both cognitive, as measured by MoCA (with r = .337, p &lt; .001), and functional measures as measured by MBI (with r = .64, p &lt; .01).ConclusionC‐SIRS is sensitive in measuring the functional condition in older people with moderate to severe dementia. Moreover, C‐SIRS is easier to administrate with shorter time required. Further study should help by investigating the sensitivity of C‐SIRS to assess the change over a longer period of time.

Properties of accrual accounts in public sector entities: evidence from the Italian National Health Service

PurposeThis paper aims to contribute to the debate over the desirability of introducing an accrual-based accounting system in the public sector by examining whether accrual-based accounting information is superior to cash-based information in the context of public sector entities.Design/methodology/approachThis paper applies a quantitative research method to assess the degree of smoothness and relevance of the accrual components of income recorded by 302 entities of the Italian National Health Service (INHS) over the period 2014–2020.FindingsThe analysis reveals that net income is smoother than cash flows as a summary measure of economic results and that accounting for accruals improves the predictability of future cash flows. However, the authors' novel disaggregation of accrual accounts reveals that those accounts that contribute the most to making income smoother than cash flows – noncurrent assets and liabilities – are also those that contribute the least to predicting future cash flows.Originality/valueThe disaggregation of accrual accounts allows to identify the sources of the informational benefits of accrual accounting, and to document the existence of an informational “trade-off” between smoothness and relevance in the context of public sector entities.

Self-Management Analysis in Chronic Conditions (SMACC) checklist: an international consensus-based tool to develop, compare and evaluate self-management support programmes

ObjectivesThe Self-Management Analysis in Chronic Conditions (SMACC) checklist was developed as a guidance tool to support the development, comparison and evaluation of self-management support programmes for persons with a chronic...

Remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in healthy volunteers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Recent literature suggests that the withdrawal of remifentanil (RF) infusion can be associated with hyperalgesia in clinical and nonclinical settings. We performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with cross-over design, to assess the effect of discontinuing RF infusion on pain intensity and areas of hyperalgesia and allodynia in healthy volunteers. Nine studies were included. The intervention treatment consisted in RF infusion that was compared with placebo (saline solution). The primary outcome was pain intensity assessment at 30 ± 15 minutes after RF or placebo discontinuation, assessed by any pain scale and using any quantitative sensory testing. Moreover, postwithdrawal pain scores were compared with baseline scores in each treatment. Secondary outcomes included the areas (% of basal values) of hyperalgesia and allodynia. Subjects during RF treatment reported higher pain scores after discontinuation than during treatment with placebo [standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03-0.97; P = 0.04, I 2 = 71%]. A significant decrease in pain scores, compared with baseline values, was found in the placebo treatment (SMD: -0.87, 95% CI: -1.61 to -0.13; P = 0.02, I 2 = 87%), but not in the RF treatment (SMD: -0.28, 95% CI: -1.18 to 0.62; P = 0.54, I 2 = 91%). The area of hyperalgesia was larger after RF withdrawal (SMD: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.27-0.84; P = 0.001; I 2 = 0%). The area of allodynia did not vary between treatments. These findings suggest that the withdrawal of RF induces a mild but nonclinically relevant degree of hyperalgesia in HVs, likely linked to a reduced pain threshold.

Evaluating different methods for ranking inputs in the context of the performance assessment of decision making units: A machine learning approach

In the context of assessing the performance of decision-making units (companies, institutions, etc.), it is important to know the contribution or importance of each input to the generation of products and services in the production process. Identifying the degree of relevance of each input is a challenge from both an applied and a methodological point of view, especially within the field of non-parametric techniques, such as Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), where the mathematical expression of the production function associated with the data generating process is not specified. This means that there is no specific coefficient to be estimated for each input, which makes it difficult to determine a ranking of importance of this type of variable compared to parametric methods, where a target function dependent on some parameters must be previously specified. Within this challenging context associated with the non-parametric approach to estimating technical efficiency, in this paper, we adapt several methods for identifying the importance of features used together with the Support Vector Machine technique in order to determine an importance ranking of the inputs in a productive process. The different adaptations developed in this article are computationally checked through a simulated experiment.

Gender-Affirming Voice Training for Trans Women: Effectiveness of Training on Patient-Reported Outcomes and Listener Perceptions of Voice.

Although speech-language pathologists have provided gender-affirming voice training for trans women since the 1970s, evidence for this training's effectiveness remains weak. Our study aimed to redress limitations of earlier studies and evaluate voice training effects on outcomes important to trans women. Seventy-four trans women (19-54 years old) who wanted a more female-sounding voice were recruited through two health facilities and provided with an eight- to 12-session voice training program based on contemporary literature, usual clinical practice, and client-centered care principles. Self-reported outcomes and an audio-recorded reading sample were collected 3 months before, immediately before and after, and 3 months after training. Forty cisgender speakers were audio-recorded reading the same sample material as comparison voices. Seventy-nine naive listeners made gender-related voice ratings of an extract from these audio recordings. Training effectiveness was evaluated using group-level analyses (linear mixed-effects models) and individual-level analyses to establish what proportion of participants improved to a predetermined relevant degree. Group-level analyses demonstrated positive training effects, maintained 3 months posttraining, for trans women's vocal satisfaction, perceptions of voice-related social participation, and self- and listener perceptions of their voices. Individual-level analyses also demonstrated positive effects. Two thirds of trans women increased vocal satisfaction to a relevant degree, one third who reported restricted social participation before training reduced this restriction to a relevant degree, and all were rated more female-sounding after training (although not all to a relevant degree). All trans women participants made progress toward their voice goals and maintained those gains at follow-up. These findings provide evidence that gender-affirming speech-language pathology services warrant prioritization. Further research is warranted to investigate factors predicting outcomes of voice training for trans women.

Religious Policy of the Mamluk Sultan Baybars (1260–1277 AC)

This study focuses on the religious policy of the Mamluk Sultan Rukn al-Din Baybars (d. 1277), and its application throughout his rule in Egypt and Syria (Bilād al-Shām). This study also discusses the impact of this policy and its benefit for Muslims and Islam in general in the region. Dealing with the character of Baybars of Mamluk origin is very important in this study to obtain the required answers to the questions related to the Islamic character of Mamluk rule in the regions of the Middle East in the Middle Ages. Although Baybars’ background was as a slave (mamlūk), who was not familiar with the religion of Islam, he had to prove his ability to act as a leader of an Islamic state. Baybars worked to implement the principles of Islam according to the Quran and the tradition of the Prophet (sunna), thus exploiting his status as an Islamic leader and as Sultan during his reign. Baybars was strict in his religious policy toward those who committed forbidden acts according to the Islamic religion, and he was keen to punish them and implement the Sharīʿa as required, in cooperation with the ʿulamā. Baybars was given relevant degrees and titles he deserved by the revived Abbasid Caliph in Cairo, such as a “holy warrior” (Mujāhid), “partner of emir of believers/the Caliph” (Qasīm Amīr al-Mu’minīn), and other religious titles that testify his high-ranking religious status as defender of Islam.

A hierarchical component model for sustainable performance measurement of maintenance practices: A fourth-order PLS-SEM approach

Despite the growing recognition of the significant role played by effective maintenance practices in pursuing sustainability goals, a rigorous and validated method to assess and monitor its activities’ impacts on the triple-bottom-line is still lacking. To address this gap, this paper proposes a fourth-order Hierarchical Component Model (HCM) for sustainable performance measurement of maintenance practices based on PLS-SEM approach. To validate the model, Oil & Gas industry is surveyed, where a total of 207 responses are obtained from maintenance experts in the Gulf region. The results of the study support the indicators’ reliability as well as the first-order constructs’ internal consistency, convergent validity and discriminant validity. An embedded multistage approach for the higher-order constructs measurement models evaluation reveals that they exhibit satisfactory levels of quality. The structural model evaluation supports the significance of the hypothesized paths, a strong degree of predictive relevance, and the hypothesized mediation relationships proved significant. Finally, the total effect analysis demonstrates that “Energy Use” has the highest effect among first-order variables followed by “Material use”, ‘Costs & Returns”, “Emission & Pollution”, and “Effluents & Waste”. Furthermore, “Energy Use” related indicators have the highest weights among all indicators. This study provides empirical evidence on the causal background of the proposed model’s implicated elements on sustainable performance of maintenance. The findings offer guidance to practitioners in this area and useful insights to decision-makers, as it enables them to determine the inherent impacts of the model components on the overall performance and allocate resources efficiently to increase the maintenance sustainability level.

Principais tumores não odontogênicos encontrados na cavidade bucal de crianças: revisão de literatura

Pediatricians and odontopediatricians commonly encounter numerous tumors in the oral cavity of infants and children, which may be presented as hamartomas and congenital malformations or even true neoplasms. Hence, this literature review aimed to describe the main non-cystic and non-odontogenic tumor alterations found in the oral cavity of children to help pediatric dentists diagnose and choose the appropriate treatment; this study was based on the scholarly content disclosure database. The articles found in this review were collected in the following databases: Scielo, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The search used the articles published on the theme based on the keywords referring to the subject. In the articles that were included in this study, we observed the degree of relevance to the academic environment, classical evidence, and recent articles published on the subject. It was possible to conclude that most tumors found in the oral cavity of children are benign, and surgical removal has been the primary means of treatment. Thus, it is important to emphasize the importance of a correct diagnosis to assess the type, size, and extent of these lesions and the risks caused during treatment before any procedure.

Recent advances in the theory of the BCS–BEC crossover for fermionic superfluidity

The BCS–BEC crossover realized experimentally with ultra-cold Fermi gases may be considered as one of the important scientific achievements occurred during the last several years. The flexibility for operating on these systems on the experimental side and the full control of the relevant system degrees of freedom on the theoretical side make quite stringent at a fundamental level the comparison between the experimental data and the corresponding theoretical calculations. Here, we briefly survey recent theoretical advances resting on a diagrammatic approach at equilibrium that improves in a systematic way on the widely used t-matrix approach, yielding a quite good comparison between theory and experiments for several physical quantities of interest. It is proposed that the physical phenomena underlying this theoretical approach may also be relevant to the superconducting phase of condensed-matter materials which cannot be described by the standard BCS theory.