Group Size Research Articles

A random encounter model for wildlife density estimation with vertically oriented camera traps

AbstractThe random encounter model (REM) estimates animal densities from camera‐trap data by correcting capture rates for a set of biological variables of the animals (average group size, speed and activity level) and characteristics of camera sensors. The REM has been widely used for setups in which cameras are mounted on trees or other structures aimed parallel to the ground. Here, we modify the REM formula to accommodate an alternative field of view acquired with vertically oriented camera traps, a type of deployment used to avoid camera theft and damage. We show how the calculations can be adapted to account for a different detection zone with minor modifications. We find that the effective detection area can be close to a rectangle with dimensions influenced by the properties of the Fresnel lens of the camera's motion sensor, the body mass of different species and the height of the camera. The other REM parameters remain the same. We tested the modified REM (vREM) by applying it to wildlife data collected with vertically oriented camera traps in Bardia National Park, Nepal. We further validated that the effective detection area for the camera model used was best approximated as a rectangle shape using maximum likelihood estimation. Density estimates obtained broadly matched independent density estimates for nine species from the previous studies in Bardia with varying body sizes by four orders of magnitude. We conclude that these modifications allow the REM to be effectively used for mammal density estimation for species with a wide range of body sizes, with vertically oriented camera traps.

Demonstrating the statistical and pharmacological sensitivity of nonclinical QTc analysis using a dofetilide dose-response in nonhuman primates.

Nonclinical QTc studies can augment clinical QTc assessments in regulatory submissions provided they are of sufficient quality and sensitivity. Both the statistical performance and species translation play a role in determining the sensitivity of the model. The current analyses examine the effects of dofetilide or vehicle on the QT interval in nonhuman primate (NHP; n = 16) using a one-step estimated marginal means method where both treatment and animal ID are used in regression models to avoid a separate rate correction step, in comparison to other commonly utilized methods. The doses of dofetilide were chosen to span a threshold dose with exposure only just exceeding the concentration associated with 10 ms QTc prolongation in man, to a dose where exposures exceed the Emax for QTc prolongation. The primary objective was an evaluation of which doses and exposures can be detected as eliciting a statistically significant change in QTc. A group size of 8 for cross-over analysis was insufficient to detect, as statistically significant, the effects of the threshold dose of 0.01 mg/kg dofetilide using common correction and statistical analysis methods and hourly time intervals. Higher doses were all detected as causing a statistically significant effect using the same techniques. The 'One-Step' method was able to detect as statistically significant effects at all doses of dofetilide across a wide range of time and exposure. There were also temporal differences between the mean effects observed using the common and 'One-Step' methods. Preliminary concentration-QTc assessment suggests a higher maximum prolongation in concentration QTc with the 'One-Step' method. Furthermore, this analysis suggests that at exposures associated with a 10 ms QTc prolongation in man a 10 ms prolongation is also observed in NHP. The observed ED50 concentration (0.85 ng/ml unbound) is close to that described in man (0.98 ng/ml). These analyses demonstrate the statistical sensitivity of the 'One-Step' method of QTc assessment in NHP. The pharmacological sensitivity was also demonstrated and a detection threshold of 10 ms was consistent in terms of exposure between NHP and man. Overall, QTc assessment using the 'One-Step' method in NHP is a robust and sensitive model to supplement clinical QTc assessment.

Comparative analysis of audiovestibular testing results in vestibular schwannomas

Objective:This study aimed to analyze the results of auditory and vestibular function tests in patients with unilateral vestibular schwannoma and explore their association with tumor size. Methods:Clinical data from 81 patients diagnosed with unilateral vestibular schwannoma who underwent pure-tone audiometry（PTA）, cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials（c/oVEMP）, as well as video head impulse test（vHIT）, and subsequently underwent surgical treatment, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into groups based on tumor size: small （≤ 15 mm）, medium（16-30 mm）, and large （>30 mm）, determined by the maximum tumor diameter on contrast-enhanced MRI scans. Results:PTA results indicated hearing loss in 73 cases（90.1%）; vestibular function tests revealed abnormal rates for the anterior semicircular canal, horizontal semicircular canal, posterior semicircular canal, utricle, and saccule at 29.6%, 77.8%, 54.3%, 90.1%, and 92.6%, respectively. Statistically, no significant differences were found in preoperative hearing test results among patients in different groups（F=0.393, P=0.676）. However, significant differences were observed in horizontal semicircular canal gain（r=-0.248, P=0.025）, abnormal rates of horizontal semicircular canal catch-up saccades（r=0.507, P<0.001）, as well as cVEMP（χ²=15.111, P=0.004） and oVEMP thresholds（χ²=18.948, P<0.001） across varying tumor size groups. Conclusion:The extent of hearing loss in patients with vestibular schwannoma is not correlated with tumor size, whereas the degree of vestibular dysfunction demonstrates a correlation with tumor size.

Analysis of Naja kaouthia snake venom composition and in-vitro enzymatic activities of 29 specimens in captivity: Highlighting the importance of individual variation in venom pool production

Naja kaouthia is a medically important snake, widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia, with a diverse venom composition. N. kaouthia venom is subject to significant intraspecific variation, caused by several factors, such as the wide geographic distribution of the species, sexual and ontogenetic factors. However, individual variation is a factor that has only been studied with small sample size groups and/or with pooled samples. With this in mind, this study evaluates the composition and in-vitro enzymatic activities of 29 individual venom samples from specimens born in captivity, with a similar genetic background caused by inbreeding, using SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions, RP-HPLC profiles and enzymatic activities of PLA2, LAAO and proteolytic activity over azocasein. Even in this scenario, we were able to observe significant variations in abundance and activity of PLA2. Individual variations in LAAO activity, as well as a sexual dimorphism in which males present a significantly higher LAAO activity than females were observed. Phosphodiasterase and CRiSP abundance were also found and considered to have multiple effects in the clinical manifestations of envenomation by presenting synergistic effects with other proteins from N. kaouthia venom. The RP-HPLC profiles were better at detecting compositional differences than SDS-PAGE profiles and better correlated with enzymatic activities, being a better technique to screen variation profiles and reinforcing the importance of individual venom analysis prior to pooling.

How do trematode clones differ by fitness-related traits and interact within a host?

Polyclonal infections are widespread and provide evidence of facilitation, competition, and neutral interactions between parasite clones, even within the same host–parasite system. The outcome of coinfections is usually assessed by means of parasite infection intensities, while other important fitness-related traits, e.g., larval growth rates, are often ignored. We experimentally infected fish (Salvelinus malma) with different clones of the common trematode Diplostomum pseudospathaceum and pairs of clones. Clones were identified by microsatellite analysis. Their infectivity and growth rates within the fish were investigated in double-clone infections compared with single-clone ones. In total, 3838 parasite larvae (metacercariae) from 325 fish were measured. The growth rates of the D. pseudospathaceum clones were more variable than their infectivity. Relationships of these parasite traits with host mass were clone-specific. Some clones demonstrated higher infection intensities and growth rates in larger fish. Therefore, specialization toward different size groups of fish hosts may occur in this parasite species. Furthermore, we noticed a positive correlation between population density and parasite growth (Allee effect; rarely reported for parasites) but only in mixed infections. In double-clone infections, evidence of both interclonal facilitation and interclonal competition was found. When clones interacted, they either “cooperated” during infection of the host or competed while growing. There were no clone pairs in which interactions changed in type with time or were present constantly during development of the parasite.

초등학생의 학습부진 프로그램 효과에 관한 메타분석

The purpose of this study is to present an efficient underachievement program for underachieving elementary school students' underachievement intervention using meta-analysis to the field of underachievement education in elementary schools, and to present comprehensive implications and directions for underachievement education. There were 28 academic journals and 43 dissertations related to poor learning of elementary school students published in Korea from 2013 to July 2024. For the analysis of the data, CMA (Comprehensive Meta Analysis, V3) was used. 83 sample-level effect sizes and 444 variable-level effect sizes were extracted from a total of 71 papers. The wireless model was selected as the analysis model for the effect size, and the level of analysis was analyzed at the sample level and variable level. The overall average effect size was .713, indicating a medium effect size. The programs for poor learning of elementary school students were examined by program type, program result variable, and program control variable. By program type, the counseling program was the highest, and the learning motivation program showed the lowest average effect size. By program result variable, the cognitive variable, behavioral variable, and affective variable were in order. By program control variable, the publication year was 2023, the publication type was a thesis, the grade was lower, the target was underachiever students, the region was a small and medium-sized city, the treatment period was less than 4 weeks, the number of treatments was less than 10 times, the total treatment time was more than 41 minutes, the total treatment time was less than 500 minutes, the group size was 16-20 people or less, the learning focus was basic learning-oriented, and the subject was the highest average effect size in Korean. This study is significant in that it analyzes the effect of the poor learning program for elementary school students on poor learning and provides comprehensive implications for poor learning and the direction of education.

Disclosure and Help Seeking Related to Intimate Partner Violence Victimization, Perpetration, and Bidirectional Abuse in a National Sample of Sexual Minority Men.

About one-third of sexual minority men (SMM) report intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization, and one-fourth report IPV perpetration, in their lifetime. IPV disclosure and help seeking are key processes of coping with or managing exposure to abuse. We surveyed 500 SMM residing across the United States who enrolled in project EROS (Empowering Relationships and Opportunities for Safety). In all, 201 participants reported any type of IPV in the past 6 months (including 109 who reported both victimization and perpetration); these men were then categorized as experiencing balanced bidirectional (n = 53), predominantly victimization (n = 113), and predominantly perpetration (n = 35) IPV. In each of these groups, close to one-third (25.7%-34.5%) had disclosed their IPV experience and one-fifth (13.2%-20.0%) had sought help; however, within the perpetration group, none of the 16 participants who only reported perpetration (the other 19 reported some victimization) disclosed their IPV. Group sizes allowed us to examine correlates of IPV disclosure and help seeking among the bidirectional and victimization groups, from among demographic, psychosocial, relational, and IPV characteristics, using bivariate statistics and multiple logistic regression. Greater IPV victimization was positively correlated with disclosure in both groups, and it was the lone independent correlate in multiple regression analysis (in the victimization group). Greater IPV victimization was also a strong positive and independent correlate of help seeking in multiple regression analysis within the victimization group, as was greater partner assertiveness in conflict resolution. There were no independent correlates of disclosure and help seeking within the bidirectional group. These findings highlight the need for efforts to empower SMM to seek support and services when exposed to IPV, and to do so early in the occurrence of IPV.

Size Structure and Growth of Snail Terebralia palustris in Mangrove Ecosystem on Pannikiang Island

Terebralia palustris is a snail that lives in the mangrove ecosystem. This needs to be done considering that the condition factor (Ponderal Index) and size structure can be a reference for snail management later. Research on the condition factor (Ponderal Index) has never been studied. This research was conducted from August 2018 to July 2019 on Pannikiang Island. Sampling in December 2018 and January 2019 was not performed for weather reasons. The research stations were A and B. Sampling used one large plot measuring 100 m2, and inside, it contained four small plots measuring 0.25 m2 (0.5 m x 0.5 m), which were placed randomly. Data analysis used regression. The condition factor was calculated based on the growth pattern of the total length and weight of the snail's body. The measurement results obtained ten size groups in males and 11 in females. The length (SL) and weight (W) in female snails were more significant than in males. The test results showed that each month of observation showed negative allometry. The snail condition factor fluctuated.

Can Green Consumption Be "Learned"? A Study on the Impact of Reference Group Type on Green Consumption Intentions

Green consumption represents the fundamental driving force behind the development of an ecologically sustainable society. Consequently, the analysis of green consumption behavior patterns has attracted significant attention from scholars. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of research addressing the impact of reference group type on consumers' intentions to consume in an environmentally responsible way. Building on previous reports, this study presents the concept of individual perceived efficacy and examines distinctions among the impacts of three reference groups on consumers' intentions to consume green products: member, secondary, and aspirational groups. Findings from our experimental analysis demonstrate that the reference group type has a notable effect on consumers' green consumption intentions. Additionally, the green consumption behaviors of different reference groups positively influence consumers' green product consumption intentions by affecting individual perceived efficacy. Moreover, the size of the reference group exerts a moderating influence on the effect of reference group type on green consumption intentions. Specifically, a larger group size exerts a greater positive effect on green consumption intentions. This study advances the theoretical research framework of green consumption and offers insights for manufacturers to refine their marketing strategies for green products. Furthermore, it provides recommendations for environmental organizations and governmental bodies to enhance the promotion of green consumption.

The uterine artery resistivity index is affected by embryo resorption rate at canine pregnancy diagnosis

The uterine artery resistivity index (RI) obtained by Doppler ultrasonography has become a common method in evaluating uterine blood flow during pregnancy for assessing canine fetal and placental conditions. During pregnancy, embryonic vesicle resorptions can be observed by ultrasound and have been found to increase with the aging of the dam. The RI is higher during induced abortion in bitches, while its relationship with early embryo resorptions is not yet clearly defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the uterine artery's haemodynamics at pregnancy diagnosis are related to embryo resorption rates and other pregnancy and dam parameters. The ultrasound examinations were performed 25 ± 4 days post-ovulation (between days 21 and 29). During the examinations, the animals were in lateral recumbency, and both uterine horns were scanned to determine the number and viability of embryos and resorption sites. The left uterine artery was visualized, and the RI was determined. The breed, weight, reproductive anamnesis, and age of the animals were recorded. Forty-four bitches were included, weighing 2.8–39.2 kg, for 50 pregnancy diagnoses performed at ages ranging from 18 to 88 months. Bitches were allocated to different size groups according to their body weight and breed: Medium (M, 10–40.0 kg), Small (S, 5–9.9 kg), and Toy (XS, <5 kg). A linear regression was used to model the RI as the outcome, with size group and age of the dam (above or below the median value), litter size (sum of viable embryos and resorptions), gestational age (days post-ovulation), parity (multiparous vs. primiparous), cystic endometrial hyperplasia (present or not), and either the percentage of resorptions (on litter size) or simply their presence as predictors. The overall model was statistically significant (P = 0.029), with an R2 index of 0.296. A significant relationship with the response was found for gestational age (P = 0.012) and percentage of resorptions (P = 0.045). No significant relationships were found for the other parameters. As reported in the literature, as gestational age increased, RI decreased. Embryo resorptions were observed in 17/50 (34.0 %) pregnancies. As the percentage of resorption sites within the pregnancy increased, the RI also increased. Conversely, the simple presence or absence of resorption sites had no statistically significant effect on the RI. This study describes, for the first time, a significant impact of embryonic resorptions on uterine artery RI at pregnancy diagnosis. Whether these changes are a cause or effect of the abnormal pregnancy remains to be elucidated.

Patients’ perception of quality of care in health facilities empanelled under Sehat-Card-Plus programme, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Objective:This study aims to assess perceived quality of care among users of hospitals empanelled under SCP Programme,KP.Methods: The assumed satisfaction level was 80% among SCP users, and 10%-point lower satisfaction among SCP nonusers.With a design effect of 1.5, 95% confidence level, and 80% power, the estimated total sample size was 972 patients,with equal group sizes of SCP users and SCP non-users. However, a total of 1,006 patients were included in the study, ofwhich 517 were SCP users and 489 were non-SCP users. Total samples were distributed across 38 facilities in KP, proportionalto average monthly admissions at each sampled facility. The data collection tool included 18 indicators of perceived qualityof care, spread across 6 domains.Results:The overall satisfaction level with the quality of care among SCP users was found higher, 81%, relative to non-users,79% (p&lt;0.001). Disaggregated analysis across the study domains showed that the SCP non-users expressed higherperception about quality of hospital infrastructure and amenities relative to SCP users, whereas SCP users reported highersatisfaction with promptness of service, healthcare provider conduct, healthcare provider communication and quality ofhealth service delivery. Only 326 (63%) users and 299 (61%) non-users were satisfied with healthcare providercommunication. A total of 344 (67%) SCP users reported that Sehat Card Desk Representative gave them completeinformation about benefits and services under the programme.Conclusions: The SCP users reported high perceived quality of care. Further in-depth qualitative assessment isrecommended to explain these findings.Keywords: Social health insurance, Quality of care, Sehat Card Plus Programme, Patient satisfaction, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IMPLICATIONS IN ISLAMIC BANKS: POTENTIAL AND CHALLENGES

As new digitalization strategies storm the banking industry, banks which are behind the technological curve may struggle to keep pace. This is a well-known challenge in the Islamic banking sector in particular; however, this research shows that little is being done to achieve unified digitalization in operations. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a disruptive force in the financial sector, promising increased financial inclusion, economic development, and a excess of efficient, transparent, Shariah-compliant financial solutions due to its integration of technology with Islam’s profound ethical principles. The objective of this paper is to study the potential and challenges of AI implications in Islamic Banks. This is a qualitative study using focus group interviews with five Islamic Banking experts consists of Shariah Committee Member, academic experts and Islamic banking executive from different banks in Malaysia. SC members from different Islamic banks. Following the interviews, a thematic analysis of the transcribed data was conducted using computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software. The participants were generally receptive towards the utilization of AI tools in the Islamic banks which give a significant impact of the Islamic banking landscape. The participants recognize the potential of AI for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Islamic banking operations. However, they raised some concerns about the challenges that need to be addressed such as replacing of manpower with AI in some area in Islamic banks. The novelty of this research provides a novel discussion of potential and challenges of AI implications in Islamic banks and at the same time add to the Islamic banking literature in this area. The size of the focus group was limited to five participants to optimize group size and composition to allow adequate participation by each group member. Further sampling from more SC members and experts may elicit additional findings. The first-hand views from the focus group interviews provides valuable input for potential and challenges of adopting AI in the Islamic banking operations.

Factors Associated with the Prevalence of Breastfeeding Periods in a Cohort of Spanish Primiparous Pregnant Women.

To assess factors associated with the prevalence of breastfeeding in a cohort of Spanish primiparous pregnant women to whom a health education program was applied. Prospective, descriptive, and inferential cohort analysis with data obtained from the beginning of pregnancy to the child's year. Prevalence of breastfeeding was classified into periods or categories: (1) "non-breastfeeding"; (2) "breastfeeding until 6 months"; (3) "breastfeeding up to 12 months". The sample was 288 primiparous pregnant women divided into two groups of equal size using as a matching strategy whether they attended the health education sessions with or without an informal caregiver (mother, partner, sister): group A (primiparous women who attended the sessions without an informal caregiver; n = 144) and group B (primiparous women who attended the sessions with an informal caregiver; n = 144). The best-associated variables with the prevalence of breastfeeding were age, vitamin B12 variation (postintervention-preintervention), and informal caregiver intervention. This association was statistically significant for breastfeeding up to 12 months of age compared to non-breastfeeding (age (p = 0.007); vitamin B12 variation (p = 0.010); caregiver intervention (p = 0.008)). The younger the breastfeeding woman, the greater the probability of breastfeeding up to 12 months (β: -0.246 (0.91); OR: 0.782 (0.654-0.935)). The greater the increase in vitamin B12 after the educational intervention program, the greater the probability of breastfeeding up to 12 months (β: 0.007 (0.003); OR: 1.007 (1.002-1.012)). The absence of an informal caregiver decreased the likelihood that breastfeeding would be maintained until the child's 12 months (β: -0.734 (1.024); OR: 0.065 (0.009-0.483)). The prevalence of breastfeeding up to 12 months, in a cohort of Spanish primiparous women, increased the higher increase in vitamin B12 levels after applying an educational intervention program to promote breastfeeding. The prevalence of breastfeeding up to 12 months also increased with the presence of the informal caregiver and in young women.

Recommendations for the quantitative basic evaluation of mind-body medicine courses for university students – results of a consensus-based, systematic decision-making process by experts

BackgroundThere is an increasing range of mind–body medicine (MBM) courses in Germany to support university students in dealing with stress. The evaluation of these varies and often only has a small number of participants due to the limited group size of the courses. The aim of this project was the development of a quantitative basic evaluation that can be used across all sites that conduct MBM courses.MethodsIn a consensus-based and systematic decision-making process, the learning objectives and various questionnaires for the evaluation of MBM courses were discussed and evaluated by experts according to defined criteria. The process was iterative, in which the reflection and definition of the learning objectives and the questionnaires were conditional and adapted if necessary. The recommendations for the basic evaluation of students’ MBM courses were developed by consensus among the experts.ResultsFor the experts, the most important learning objectives of the MBM courses were stress reduction and self-experience with the exercises. A total of 21 questionnaires were evaluated from nine topics: mindfulness, empathy, self-reflection, self-efficacy, resilience, stress, sense of coherence, quality of life, and well-being. Finally, eight questionnaires were recommended by the expert group for use in a basic evaluation: stress (PSS-10), quality of life (WHOQOL-Bref), mindfulness (MAAS), self-efficacy (GSE), self-compassion (SCS), empathy (SPF), self-reflection (GRAS) and sense of coherence (SOC-13). Further questionnaires were recommended as "optional". An additional qualitative evaluation is recommended for a broader and deeper understanding of the quantitative results.ConclusionsThe proposed basic evaluation is the central result of the iterative consensus-based decision-making process, which reflects the learning objectives of the underlying MBM courses. We hope that the basic evaluation will be integrated into other MBM courses so that results of various courses can be pooled and compared across sites in the future. This could increase the informative value of the evaluations. Furthermore, researchers could consider the use of the basic evaluation in clinically controlled trials on MBM.Trial registrationThe project was not registered in a clinical trial registry because no results from health care interventions on human participants have been analyzed or reported.

Origin of the Free Surface Effect of Polymers with Different Sizes of Side Groups

Origin of the Free Surface Effect of Polymers with Different Sizes of Side Groups

Spatial Spillover Effects of Smallholder Households’ Adoption Behaviour of Soil Management Practices Among Push–Pull Farmers in Rwanda

Push–pull technology (PPT) integrates maize with the legume fodder Desmodium sp. and the border crop Brachiaria sp., aiming to enhance maize production in Rwanda. Despite its potential, the adoption of complementary soil management practices (SMP), vital for PPT’s success, remains low. This study employs spatial econometric methods to evaluate the determinants of SMP adoption and the interdependencies in decision-making among PPT-practicing farmers. We constructed a spatial weight matrix based on a global Moran’s I index and identified optimal model parameters through principal component analysis. Utilizing a spatial Durbin probit model (SDPM), we assessed the spatial interdependence of SMP adoption decisions among maize farmers. Our findings reveal significant spatial dependence in SMP adoption within a 1.962 km radius, with improved seed usage, household income, yield, farmer group membership and size of land cultivated being key factors positively influencing adoption. We propose a “nonequilibrium promotion strategy” to enhance SMP adoption, emphasizing the establishment of pilot regions to broaden outreach. Additionally, fostering technical training and selecting farmers with adequate resources as demonstration leaders can enhance spatial spillover effects. This research provides insights for developing policies to scale up push–pull technology in Rwanda and across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Socially driven negative feedback regulates activity and energy use in ant colonies.

Despite almost a century of research on energetics in biological systems, we still cannot explain energy regulation in social groups, like ant colonies. How do individuals regulate their collective activity without a centralized control system? What is the role of social interactions in distributing the workload amongst group members? And how does the group save energy by avoiding being constantly active? We offer new insight into these questions by studying an intuitive compartmental model, calibrated with and compared to data on ant colonies. The model describes a previously unexplored balance between positive and negative social feedback driven by individual activity: when activity levels are low, the presence of active individuals stimulates inactive individuals to start working; when activity levels are high, however, active individuals inhibit each other, effectively capping the proportion of active individuals at any one time. Through the analysis of the system stability, we demonstrate that this balance results in energetic spending at the group level growing proportionally slower than the group size. Our finding is reminiscent of Kleiber's law of metabolic scaling in unitary organisms and highlights the critical role of social interactions in driving the collective energetic efficiency of group-living organisms.

Steganography Algorithms in Computed Tomography (CT) Scan Images

Steganography is a technique which allows to hide information or data inside a medium without giving an idea to people that the hidden data even existed. In the medical field, there are cases where patient’s medical images breached along with their sensitive and personal data because of poor security. This problem leads to a wanting of a good solution to have the medical image with secured patient data. Here is where the image steganography takes place to hide the patient data inside the medical images. This study is conducted to determine the effective image steganography algorithm to be used in the medical field to embed the patient information inside their medical images specifically in Computed Tomography (CT) scan images. The image steganography algorithms that will be used in this study are Least Significant Bit (LSB), Exploiting Modification Direction (EMD) and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT). The flow of the image steganography technique will be studied and analyzed and after that, the algorithms will be implemented with different file formats which are Portable Network Graphics (PNG), Bitmap (BMP) and Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPG) and different image sizes which are 1024x1024 and 2048x2048 pixels. After that, the results are evaluated with performance metrics which are Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), Mean Squared Error (MSE), Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM) and Pairs Analysis. The results are then compared to determine the best image steganography algorithm along with the image file format which gives the highest robustness, visual quality, security and imperceptibility. The research result displays the EMD algorithm as the best paired with BMP file format in image steganography where it resulted in producing highest average of SSIM and PSNR which is 1.0 and 67.421 respectively and lowest MSE average of 0.012 with no traces in pairs analysis.

Sexual revictimisation risk mitigation among survivors of sexual violence and trafficking: A multi-method feasibility study of a body-oriented treatment module

ABSTRACT Background The majority of sexual violence survivors become sexually revictimised, and migrant populations are at particular risk. Prior research indicates that limited body awareness, dissociation, and difficulties in communicating boundaries might be underlying mechanisms of sexual revictimisation. Mental healthcare disregarding sexual revictimisation may insufficiently address the population’s needs. Aims In the current study, a novel individually delivered body-oriented module was considered for its feasibility amongst migrant survivors of sexual violence and trafficking. Method Thirteen migrant sexual violence survivors engaged in the module in an outpatient mental health care setting in the Netherlands. A multi-method approach was applied to tap into patients’ and therapists’ perspectives on the feasibility of the module using pre-, during, and posttreatment questionnaires, evaluation forms, and (group) interviews. Results Patients and therapists reported treatment outcomes by the module’s aims, and treatment adherence was high. Bayesian informative hypothesis evaluation revealed that, for seven out of 12 patients (58.33%), body awareness, and self-efficacy in communicating boundaries increased, while body dissociation simultaneously decreased during treatment. Discussion Findings suggest that a body-oriented module for sexual revictimisation risk mitigation is feasible amongst migrant survivors. Given the small sample size and lack of a control group, the findings should be interpreted cautiously.

Using Social Network Analysis to Assess 'Groupness' in a Mixed-Species Zoo Exhibit of Tufted Capuchins (Sapajus apella) and Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri sciureus).

Mixed-species groups have been recorded in various primates, including tufted capuchin and squirrel monkeys. Measures of their 'groupness' are typically based on factors such as group stability, social interactions, proximity, or behavioural coordination. Social network analysis has become a useful tool for quantifying relationships among group-living individuals. Here, we apply social network analysis to two captive mixed-species groups of tufted capuchins and squirrel monkeys housed at the Living Links to Human Evolution Research Centre, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, UK. We conducted 183 h of focal observations (three hours per individual, excluding co-observations) and calculated association rates using a simple index ratio. Permutation t-tests were used to assess differences in the overall mixed-species network and network metrics according to species. While the two species exhibited some level of association, they formed separate clusters in the mixed-species networks; however, the East group had more balanced group sizes and showed some signs of closer inter-specific social ties compared to the West group. Our data indicate that, in captivity at least, while these groups co-exist in a small, shared space, they do not form cohesive mixed-species groups. We suggest caution in the assumption of mixed-species groups based on shared space only.