Experts In Field Research Articles

Patterns of primates crop foraging and the impacts on incomes of smallholders across the mosaic agricultural landscape of Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia

Crop foraging by primates is a prevalent form of human-wildlife conflict, especially near protected areas. This behavior poses significant economic challenges for subsistence farmers, jeopardizing both livelihoods and conservation efforts. This study aimed to assess patterns of primate crop-foraging events and estimate maize damage in protected and unprotected fields in southern Ethiopia. Data were collected over 12 months between 2020 and 2021 in the Sodo Zuriya and Damot Gale districts of Southern Ethiopia. A team of six field experts and 25 farmers participated in the study, during which maize damage inflicted by primates was assessed using 25 deployed camera traps. Linear mixed models were used to explore the relationship between maize damage by primates and spatio-temporal variables. Olive baboons and grivet monkeys were found to target maize more frequently during June, July, and August. Olive baboons forage in the morning, while grivet monkeys do so in the afternoon. The average maize yield losses due to primate damage were 43.1% in protected fields and 31.4% in unprotected fields. Of the total damage, 43.1% occurred in protected fields situated 50 meters from the forest edge. Conversely, unprotected fields experienced lower rates of damage: 14.4%, 13.2%, 3.7%, and 0.1% at distances of 50 m, 100 m, 200 m, and 300 m from the forest edge, respectively. Camera traps captured 47 photos of baboons, 21 photos of grivet monkeys, and documented eight primate crop-foraging events. This study revealed that maize fields within 50 meters of the forest edge faced significant damage. Despite the use of wire mesh fencing, it was largely ineffective in deterring olive baboons and grivet monkeys. Additionally, while human guarding is often considered an effective protective strategy, these findings suggest its ineffectiveness due to inconsistent implementation. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for promoting primate conservation and mitigating human-primate conflicts.

BIM-based search and selection of construction material suppliers: a dedicated framework and prototype

Purpose This study aims to address the key issues concerning supplier selection in traditional construction procurement by proposing an innovative, novel, state-of-the-art prototype plugin building information modelling – supplier search and ranking (BIM-SSR) and an associated conceptual framework. It enhances building information modelling (BIM) capabilities through web crawling and analytical hierarchy processes (AHP). It uses the World Wide Web to procure construction material suppliers. Design/methodology/approach Prevalent issues in traditional procurement of material suppliers have been identified through a rigorous literature review. Field experts vetted these issues. A framework has been presented to address these issues based on integrated web crawling and AHP as a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. A BIM prototype (BIM-SSR) has been developed using Python and plugged into Autodesk Revit to automate the search and evaluation of material suppliers based on precise material specifications from the BIM design. The BIM-SSR prototype is tested through a case study and validated by field professionals for its efficiency in tackling the identified issues. Findings Thirteen key issues have been identified concerning traditional construction procurement pertinent to supplier selection. Best-value procurement was encouraged by identifying supplier selection criteria such as cost, delivery time, experience, compliance with quality management standards, warranties, and claim period. The presented BIM-SSR prototype has an efficiency of 80%–95% in addressing the issues identified in this study and 97.5% effectiveness in improving the overall procurement management process. Originality/value The BIM-SSR prototype developed in this study is a novel and innovative addition to the body of knowledge that has been integrated into Autodesk Revit as a Plugin. Automation of supplier search and selection through digital technologies, including web crawling and integration of traditionally accepted MCDM methods such as AHP in BIM, is another innovation in the current study. Overall, this study presents a holistic, innovative system, from conceptual design to practical implementation and demonstration. This is one of the steps to help the traditional construction procurement process evolve into a more modern and digital procurement.

The PERMIT guidelines for designing and implementing all stages of personalised medicine research.

Personalised medicine (PM) research programmes represent the modern paradigm of complex cross-disciplinary research, integrating innovative methodologies and technologies. Methodological research is required to ensure that these programmes generate robust and reproducible evidence. The PERMIT project developed methodological recommendations for each stage of the PM research pipeline. A common methodology was applied to develop the recommendations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Each stage was addressed by a dedicated working group, specializing in the subject matter. A series of scoping reviews that mapped the methods used in PM research and a gap analysis were followed by working sessions and workshops where field experts analyzed the gaps and developed recommendations. Through collaborative writing and consensus building exercises, the final recommendations were defined. They provide guidance for the design, implementation and evaluation of PM research, from patient and omics data collection and sample size calculation to the selection of the most appropriate stratification approach, including machine learning modeling, the development and application of reliable preclinical models, and the selection and implementation of the most appropriate clinical trial design. The dissemination and implementation of these recommendations by all stakeholders can improve the quality of PM research, enhance the robustness of evidence, and improve patient care.

The T-Shaped Model: A Modern Paradigm for TVET Curriculum Design. Conceptual Framework, Theoretical Foundations and Practical Examples

The T-shaped curriculum in secondary technical VET represents a progressive educational framework designed to equip students with both specialized technical skills and a broad range of transferable competencies. This curriculum model emphasizes the development of deep expertise in specific technical fields, such as engineering or computer science, while simultaneously fostering essential skills in communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. By integrating real-world applications, experiential learning opportunities, and interdisciplinary projects, the T-shaped curriculum prepares students for immediate employment and long-term adaptability in a rapidly evolving job market. This approach not only enhances students’ technical proficiency but also cultivates their ability to navigate complex professional environments, thereby addressing the growing demand for versatile and resourceful graduates. The implementation of the T-shaped curriculum in secondary technical VET programs is shown to align educational outcomes with industry needs, decisively producing well-rounded professionals capable of contributing productively to diverse roles and industries. This article explores the significance of the T-shaped curriculum in shaping future-ready individuals and highlights its potential to transform TVET in response to the challenges of the modern workforce.

Application of AI-Driven Medical Image Recognition in Precision Medicine and Healthcare

Abstract. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been playing an important role in medical image recognition, especially in precision medicine and health management, where AI can improve the accuracy and efficiency of diagnosis by utilizing advanced technologies such as deep learning. This paper explores in detail the application of AI techniques in the early diagnosis of cancer, image analysis of cardiovascular diseases, and assessment of neuropsychiatric disorders. We also identify challenges in technical standards, data security and privacy protection, and interdisciplinary collaboration, and emphasize the importance of establishing effective technical standards and evaluation systems, as well as fostering collaboration among experts in various fields.

Hindi version of the lower extremity functional scale: a study of translation, validation and cross-cultural adaptation

BACKGROUND: Lower Extremity Function Scale (LEFS) serves as a patient-reported outcome measure, used to evaluate the functional status of lower extremity in different musculoskeletal conditions. It was originally developed in English language (E-LEFS) and numerous translations in different languages are available to measure its usability among different cultures. OBJECTIVES: To translate the English version of the Lower Extremity Function Scale (E-LEFS) into Hindi language and to evaluate its content validity, cross-cultural adaptation along with the concurrent validity and reliability. METHOD: Process of forward and backward translation was carried out by two bilingual translators and a physiotherapist after obtaining developer’s approval, for which the Beaton guidelines were used. For the content validation, Delphi method of was employed in which 12 field experts of more than 5 years of experience participated. Cultural adaptation procedures were then carried out with 12 patients, who reported in out-patient department of the hospital through convenience sampling who were asked about whether the H-LEFS was well understood by the patients. Their responses were recorded as positive and negative responses. This process was followed by concurrent validation which was conducted by comparing the scores with the SF-36 scale, involving 30 patients with activity limitation in their daily life. Lastly, 50 patients were recruited for intra-rater reliability testing. RESULT: The scale was successfully translated and verified by the bi-lingual language experts. Content validity came out to be significant with each item scoring more than 0.92. Nearly all items, excluding item no. 8, 16, 17, 18, and 19 received universal agreement with a content validity ratio of 1. The average scale-level validity stood at 0.98, indicating excellent level of validity and the scale was found to be well adapted by the native people as out of 12 patients, 10 patients provided 100% positive response. Concurrent validation using Pearson’s correlation coefficient came out excellent with the values of 0.993 for E-LEFS and 0.890 for SF-36. Cronbach's alpha and ICC values were calculated as 1.00 for Intra-rater reliability. CONCLUSION: LEFS was well translated into Hindi language with an excellent content and concurrent validity and is found to be highly reliable. Hence, it is recommended for the usage of native Hindi speaking population.

Internet Addiction Scale for School and College Students – Construction, validation, and cutoff derivation

ABSTRACT Background: With young people and teenage children, India has recently become a hotspot for a multiple-fold increase in internet users. The objective of our study was planned to create a psychometric scale specially targeting school and college students with appropriate validation and cut-off derivation, as these groups are collective and also holds a major burden of internet addiction and also a potential risk group for developing internet addiction disorder. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 1530 done among college students and school students studying between IX to XII standard with habit of internet usage. A google form survey questionnaire was used and study was conducted for a period of 2 months. Domain identified was Internet addiction which was followed by Item generation done by both Inductive, Deductive method and Content validity obtained from the field experts. After Cognitive Interviewing, survey was conducted by circulating the constructed scale in the Google form questionnaire to the eligible participants. After collecting the required data from the participants, the scale was subjected to Item Reduction Analysis. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 18.96 ±3.68 years and most of them were females. All the individual items had discrimination index value of higher than 0.75 and Cronbach’s alpha of 0.75. The total weighed score calculated by adding the individual weighed score came as 21078. Correction factor obtained by dividing the weighed score to the raw score was 0.89. Using the Internet Addiction Scale for School and College Students (IASSCS) having a cut off value of 16 to delineate a person to have Internet addiction and No Internet addiction, around 63% of the study participants were found to have internet addiction and 37% of them were not having Internet addiction and among them a greater number of Internet addicts were found to be male compared to females. Conclusion: Due to the fact that internet addiction is linked to numerous physical and mental health problems, it may be more beneficial to use scale reports as screening tools at the primary health care level in order to identify high-risk groups for health problems caused by internet addiction at the earliest.

Preface

The 2nd International Symposium on Frontiers of Mechanical and Material Engineering (MME2024) is a globally recognized event to be organized by the Hubei Digital Textile Equipment Key Laboratory, China, in collaboration with the Wuhan Textile University, China, Zhongnan University, East-Siberian State University of Technology and Management, Russia, Rongzhi Sciences and Technology Center, China, was held from 21-22 September 2024 in Hangzhou, China. Since its inception in 2014, MME has successfully encompassed a wide spectrum of cuttingedge research domains, developed into a premier international event held in China and which gathered the best scientists and world class experts to share leading edge and multidisciplinary research in various fields related to mechanical engineering, materials science and modern technologies. MME serves as a prestigious international platform, this conference will continue to facilitate the dissemination of cutting-edge advancements across a spectrum of disciplines, converge students, experts, researchers, scholars, and industry professionals from different nations to share and deliberate on their latest work. This volume comprises select proceedings of 18 papers from 56 contributions submitted to MME2024. All the papers underwent a meticulous peer-review process, with each paper being evaluated by at least one expert in the relevant field. It introduces latest advancements in the subjects of mechanical engineering, materials science and advanced manufacturing technology, et al. It will be beneficial for readers from both academia and industry to understand and tackle the challenges in an efficient manner and to adopt appropriate solutions in the mentioned fields above. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to invited keynote speakers: Dr. Valeriy Buryachenko, Micromechanics & Composites LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Prof. David BASSIR, French University of Technology UTBM, France; Prof. Raul Duarte Salgueiral Gomes Campilho, Department of Mechanical Engineering, ISEP - School of Engineering, Portugal, and Dr. Ghulam Yasin, Oxford Brookes University, UK, for their brilliant speeches. Thanks to all the international reviewers and program committee members for their valuable contributions and dedication. List of Conference Chair, Conference Co-Chair, Honorary Chair, Editors and Technical Program Committees are available in this Pdf.

The Importance of Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Researching and Publishing Accounting History: A Personal Journey

ABSTRACT I review how my work on accounting history has been made possible through collaboration with experts in various fields.

Thailand’s Kra Canal: economic feasibility and expert perspectives on its complexity

PurposeAsia is one of the most important economic regions of the world. The Kra Canal is considered as a potential maritime transportation node in global trade. Indeed, for centuries, a canal across the Kra isthmus in Thailand has been proposed as holding significant economic and logistical benefits through goods transfer and exchange, yet it remains unconstructed. Common tools in feasibility studies are PESTELE and SWOT analyses, which incorporate cost-benefit and value analyses. The purpose of this paper is to assess the feasibility of the Kra Canal using approaches to complement existing studies.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, we combine quantitative and qualitative methodologies to holistically assess the feasibility of the Kra Canal. Quantitatively, we consider the economic feasibility of the canal using Net Present Value to evaluate its potential financial benefits. Qualitatively, we then present expert perspectives gathered from in-depth interviews with field experts (n = 20) to identify key aspects of complexity related to the economic, political and overall feasibility of the canal.FindingsWe discuss the possibility of the canal’s construction and describe possible future impacts the canal could have on the region geopolitically, for example, in its role in China’s One Belt One Road initiative and also in how Singapore and Tanjung Pelapas in Malaysia might react. Ultimately, we find significant complexities with the Kra Canal project, ones which anyone contemplating its construction would, we argue, be wise to consider.Originality/valueThis paper combined qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the economic, political and overall feasibility of the Kra Canal. The methodologies and findings supplement past relevant studies and help evaluate the economic, political and overall feasibility of the Kra Canal’s investment project. This is particularly timely considering its potential ability as a route given recent geopolitical events and, for example, as part of China’s Belt and Road initiative and its ability to reduce carbon and sulphur emissions.

A Case Study on the Risk Assessment for O&M of a 1 MW Tidal Current Energy Converter

Tidal power is a technology that generates electricity by utilizing tidal current energy, and in recent years, with the advancement of technology, it has reached the stage of real sea performance test. However, in the case of Korea, there is a lack of construction experience and equipment, and work in fast flows such as the Uldolmok region involves various risk factors. In order to establish measures to reduce these risk factors, Korea’s Occupational Safety and Health Act recommends performing a risk assessment to identify and manage risk factors that may occur during work in advance. Risk assessment is a process aimed at identifying and evaluating potential risk factors that may arise during work, with the goal of minimizing losses caused by accidents. Therefore, in this study, a risk assessment was conducted to identify risk factors that may occur during offshore O&M work of the 1 MW tidal current energy converter and to ensure the safety of workers and the environment. A total of 60 risk factors were identified, including marine and weather conditions, equipment and personnel, and work environments, and a qualitative risk assessment was conducted three times based on the judgment of several field experts.

A/R/Tographic Investigation into Artistic Development Processes of Painting and Drawing Teacher Education Undergraduate Students

This study is a qualitative study designed to investigate the artistic development processes of undergraduate art education students a/r/tographically and to determine the role of portfolio preparation in this process. The present research was conducted in the workshop course of the 4th-grade students of the Department of Art and Art Education of a medium-sized university in the academic year 2022-2023 with the participation of 10 volunteer workshop students. The study group of this research was selected through criterion (purposive) sampling. The collection of the data of the research consisted of student educational development files (portfolio) prepared during the inquiry process, the question pool created, a/r/tograph opinions collected through a semi-structured interview form prepared by taking the opinions of field experts, peer opinions, expert opinions and student artistic products that emerged at the end of the process. Qualitative data analysis was used to analyse the data related to the a/r/tographic process, which is an art-based research method. Accordingly, content analysis was used in student, peer and expert evaluations of educational development files (portfolio). Students' artistic processes and a/r/tographic questioning processes were analysed using descriptive analysis. It was seen that the students were satisfied with the educational development files (portfolio) that they examined by making self-evaluation. Peers and experts who examined the educational development files (portfolio) stated that the files could generally be improved. It was observed that the students were involved in the a/r/tographic process in a determined or accidental way and that they continued the process by making inquiries. It was observed that students developed different perspectives with their artist identities and expressed themselves with process-oriented products that they reflected themselves.

Accuracy and Completeness of Bard and Chat-GPT 4 Responses for Questions Derived from the International Consensus Statement on Endoscopic Skull-Base Surgery 2019

AbstractArtificial intelligence large language models (LLMs), such as Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer 4 (Chat-GPT) by OpenAI and Bard by Google, emerged in 2022 as tools for answering questions, providing information, and offering suggestions to the layperson. These LLMs impact how information is disseminated and it is essential to compare their answers to experts in the corresponding field. The International Consensus Statement on Endoscopic Skull-Base Surgery 2019 (ICAR:SB) is a multidisciplinary international collaboration that critically evaluated and graded the current literature. Objectives Evaluate the accuracy and completeness of Chat-GPT and Bard responses to questions derived from the ICAR:SB policy statements. Design Thirty-four questions were created based on ICAR:SB policy statements and input into Chat-GPT and Bard. Two rhinologists and two neurosurgeons graded the accuracy and completeness of LLM responses, using a 5-point Likert scale. The Wilcoxon rank-sum and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used for analysis. Setting Online. Participants None. Outcomes Compare the mean accuracy and completeness scores between (1) responses generated by Chat-GPT versus Bard and (2) rhinologists versus neurosurgeons. Results Using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, there were statistically significant differences in (1) accuracy (p < 0.001) and completeness (p < 0.001) of Chat-GPT compared with Bard; and (2) accuracy (p < 0.001) and completeness (p < 0.001) ratings between rhinologists and neurosurgeons. Conclusion Chat-GPT responses are overall more accurate and complete compared with Bard, but both are very accurate and complete. Overall, rhinologists graded lower than neurosurgeons. Further research is needed to better understand the full potential of LLMs.

Photovoltaic Modules’ Cleaning Method Selection for the MENA Region

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are important components of the global shift towards sustainable energy resources, utilizing solar energy to generate electricity. However, the efficiency and performance of PV systems heavily rely on cleanliness, as dust accumulation can significantly obstruct their effectiveness over time. This study undertook a comprehensive literature review and carried out multiple interviews with experts in the PV systems field to propose a map for selecting the optimal PV cleaning method for PV systems within MENA region. These factors, covering meteorological conditions, the local environment, PV system design, module characteristics, dust deposition attributes, exposure time to dust, and socio-economic and environmental considerations, were employed as criteria in a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) model, specifically, an Analytic Network Process (ANP). The results indicate that partially automated cleaning is the most suitable method for existing utility-scale PV projects in the MENA region. The findings provide robust guidelines for PV system stakeholders, aiding informed decision-making and enhancing the sustainability of PV cleaning processes.

The Perspectives of Community Pharmacists Toward the Name-Based Rationing System During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taiwan: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

In Taiwan's public health system, community-based pharmacists are key first-line health care providers due to their high accessibility. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the pharmacists played a central role in the distribution of these supplies through the Name-Based Rationing System (NBRS), during an acute shortage of masks and testing kits, that helped reduce the spread of the disease. The NBRS, an innovative government-guided strategy developed after the COVID-19 outbreak, provided equitable and convenient access to masks and COVID-19 test kits. This study aimed to investigate (1) Taiwanese pharmacists' knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs) of COVID-19, with the intention to assess their preparedness for public health emergencies and their capabilities to implement COVID-19-related policies effectively; (2) their perspectives toward the NBRS; and (3) the association between individual's KAP and corresponding perspectives toward the NBRS. A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted in 2 major cities in Taiwan, from June 18 to September 11, 2022, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. To gauge community pharmacists' KAP, a 66-question instrument was developed using guidelines from the Taiwanese Centers for Disease Control, the International Pharmaceutical Federation, and the Taiwanese Pharmacist Association. The instrument's internal consistency reliability was ascertained using Cronbach α (0.819), and its content validity was verified by field experts. Overall, 343 Taiwanese community pharmacists were recruited in the study. Among them, 88% (303/343) scored high on knowledge domain questions related to SARS-CoV-2; 58% (201/343) and 39% (136/343) held positive and neutral attitudes toward COVID-19-related policies, respectively; and 77% (266/343) practiced infectious disease prevention measures in compliance with official guidelines. The results demonstrated a high level of competency in pharmacists in a public health crisis. It revealed that factors including age, pharmacy characteristics, and the number of customers were associated with their perceptions and willingness to continuously participate in the NBRS. Overall, the community pharmacists showed greater support for the COVID-19-testing NBRS compared with the mask NBRS, because of the more favorable influence on the revenue and workforce of the pharmacies and the well-being of the pharmacists. Responses also highlighted concerns about rapid government policy changes and supply dynamics, underscoring the importance of effective communication and considering supply availability in facilitating a successful NBRS. The strong KAP of the community pharmacists justified the government leveraging their expertise in Taiwan's COVID-19 response. While community pharmacies have proven to be essential distribution centers through the NBRS, improving community connections, communication with the government, and supply management are recommended to strengthen the system. These potential approaches aim to ensure successful NBRS implementation and better preparedness for future public health emergencies. Overall, pharmacists have demonstrated their integral role in achieving equitable outcomes and their dedication to public health efforts during crises.

Redefining expertise: how proponents and opponents of alternative therapies evaluate expertise

ABSTRACT Traditionally, scientific education is considered a main guarantee for expertise. However, new self-taught therapy providers increasingly seek expert status in health and well-being. These ‘field experts’ sometimes challenge the authority of scientific experts, arousing public debates on expertise and expert qualifications. This expansion of expertise, a popular topic in science and technology studies in the last decades, is driven partly by changes in the media environment and increasing consumer interest. Current research on citizen engagement in science often presumes citizens hold a stakeholder position or (aim to) participate in knowledge production. However, ways of participation in expertise and science are constantly changing, partly due to the evolving media landscape enabling new forms of participation. Online debate around alternative therapies by a well-known Finnish health influencer, Maria Nordin, show that citizens and consumers set competing criteria for health and well-being experts and use online discussions to negotiate these criteria. Proponents of alternative therapies highlight consumers’ responsibility for their health in the freedom of choice frame and describe traditional epistemic authorities as corrupt in the distrust frame. Opponents of alternative therapies promote science-based expertise in explaining and treating symptoms in the biomedical frame and criticize alternative experts for misleading consumers in the hoax frame. Citizens and consumers are increasingly involved in contesting and legitimizing experts and negotiating criteria for expertise and, thus, participating in the expansion of expertise.

AOP report: Development of an adverse outcome pathway for deposition of energy leading to abnormal vascular remodeling.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are complex, encompassing many types of heart pathophysiologies and associated etiologies. Radiotherapy studieshave shown that fractionated radiation exposure at high doses (3-17 Gy) to the heart increases the incidence of CVD. However, the effects of low doses of radiation on the cardiovascular system or the effects from space travel, where radiation and microgravity are important contributors to damage, are not clearly understood. Herein, the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework was applied to develop an AOP to abnormal vascular remodeling from the deposition of energy. Following the creation of a preliminary pathway with the guidance of field experts and authoritative reviews, a scoping review was conducted that informed final key event (KE) selection and evaluation of the Bradford Hill criteria for the KE relationships (KERs). The AOP begins with a molecular initiating event of deposition of energy; ionization events increase oxidative stress, which when persistent concurrently causes the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, suppresses anti-inflammatory mechanisms and alters stress response signaling pathways. These KEs alter nitric oxide levels leading to endothelial dysfunction, and subsequent abnormal vascular remodeling (the adverse outcome). The work identifies evidence needed to strengthen understanding of the causal associations for the KERs, emphasizing where there are knowledge gaps and uncertainties in both qualitative and quantitative understanding. The AOP is anticipated to direct future research to better understand the effects of space on the human body and potentially develop countermeasures to better protect future space travelers.

Concise guidelines for the clinical management of thrombocytopenia in cirrhosis

Thrombocytopenia in cirrhosis is causing puzzlement in clinical practice. Therefore, in order to help clinical practitioners grasp quickly and standardize the diagnosis and treatment of thrombocytopenia in cirrhosis, liver fibrosis, and portal hypertension, the Group of the Chinese Society of Hepatology of the Chinese Medical Association has organized relevant field experts to formulate the "Concise Guidelines for Clinical Management of Thrombocytopenia in Cirrhosis" with aim of providing guidance for the clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Neurophysiological Correlates of Expert Knowledge: An Event-Related Potential (ERP) Study about Law-Relevant Versus Law-Irrelevant Terms.

The evaluation of evidence, which frequently takes the form of scientific evidence, necessitates the input of experts in relevant fields. The results are presented as expert opinions or expert evaluations, which are generally accepted as a reliable representation of the facts. A further issue that remains unresolved though is the process of evaluating the expertise and knowledge of an expert in the first instance. In general, earned certificates, grades and other objective criteria are typically regarded as representative documentation to substantiate an expert status. However, there is a possibility that these may not always be sufficiently representative. The goal of the present study was to provide evidence that the neural processing of law-relevant and law-irrelevant terms varies significantly between participants who have received training in the field of law (experts) and those who have not (novices). To this end, changes in brain activity were recorded via electroencephalography (EEG) during visual presentations of terms belonging to five different categories (fake right, democracy, filler word, basic right and rule of law). Event-related potentials (ERPs) were subsequently averaged for each category and subjected to statistical analysis. The results clearly demonstrate that participants trained in law processed fake rights and filler words in a similar manner. Furthermore, both of these conditions elicited different levels of brain activity compared to all law-relevant terms. This was not the case in participants who had not received legal training. The brains of untrained participants processed all five term categories in a strikingly similar manner. In light of prior knowledge regarding language processing, the primary focus was on two distinct electrode locations: one in the left posterior region, and the other in the left frontal region. In both locations, the most prominent differences in brain activity elicited by the aforementioned term categories in law-trained participants occurred approximately 450 milliseconds after stimulus onset. The results were further corroborated by a repeated-measures ANOVA and subsequent t-tests, which also demonstrated the absence of this effect in law-untrained participants. The findings of this study provide empirical evidence that brain activity measurements, in particular ERPs, can be used to distinguish between experts trained in a specific field of expertise and novices in that field. Such findings have the potential to facilitate objective assessments of expertise, enabling comparisons between experts and novices that extend beyond traditional criteria such as qualifications and experience. Instead, individuals can be evaluated based on their cognitive processes, as observed through brain activity.

SISTEM PAKAR DIAGNOSIS PENYAKIT KULIT MENGGUNAKAN METODE FORWARD CHAINING DENGAN PYTHON

Abstract. Skin is the outer layer of the body that functions to protect the inside. Like other parts of the body, the skin is also susceptible to disorders or diseases. Currently, the need for healthy skin is increasing due to pollution, free radicals and hot weather. Increased awareness about the importance of healthy skin encourages people to pay more attention to skincare. However, delays in identifying the type of disease and lack of knowledge about prevention can lead to more severe skin conditions, such as cancer. An expert system is an information system that utilizes knowledge and decision-making methods from experts in a particular field. Therefore, the author developed a system to help people with early diagnosis of skin diseases using the forward chaining method and the Python programming language. This implementation succeeded in creating an expert system capable of diagnosing skin diseases using the forward chaining method and Python. Based on testing each existing rule, the expert system succeeded in providing a diagnosis, description, solution or medicine, as well as a picture of the disease based on the symptoms reported by the user.