bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ЦИФРОВА ТРАНФОРМАЦІЯ БІЗНЕС-ПРОЦЕСІВ ЯК ОСНОВНА СКЛАДОВА ФОРМУВАННЯ СТРАТЕГІЇ РОЗВИТКУ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ
Authors: Райчева Л. І. , Горбаньова В. О.
Published: November 2024

У статті досліджується вплив інформаційних та цифрових технологій на розвиток бізнес-процесів підприємств в умовах переходу до цифрової економіки. Автори аналізують теоретичні та методологічні підходи до формування стратегій діяльності підприємств, які спрямовані на підвищення конкурентоспроможності, ефективності та інноваційного потенціалу. Розглянуто особливості впровадження інформаційних технологій, які сприяють оптимізації управлінських процесів і поширенню прогресивного управлінського досвіду. Особлива увага приділяється ролі державних органів у підтримці цифровізації, що виявляється у впровадженні національних стратегій цифрової трансформації. Окреслено ключові напрямки автоматизації та технічного переоснащення підприємств, які необхідні для їх стійкого розвитку в сучасних умовах. Стаття також підкреслює важливість інвестицій у науково-дослідницькі проекти, розвиток інноваційних рішень та участь у цифрових екосистемах для забезпечення стійкого розвитку підприємств.
СУЧАСНІ ВИКЛИКИ КІБЕРБЕЗПЕКИ БІЗНЕСУ ТА РОЛЬ ШТУЧНОГО ІНТЕЛЕКТУ В ПРОТИСТОЯННІ ЗАГРОЗАМ
Authors: Завражний К. Ю. , Кулик А. К.
Published: November 2024

Кібербезпека бізнесу передбачає захист його важливих інтересів при використанні кіберпростору, а також своєчасне виявлення, запобігання та нейтралізацію реальних і потенційних загроз. Цифрова трансформація призвела до збільшення кількості кібератак на підприємства з безпрецедентною кількістю маршрутів атак. Відсутність масштабованості, повільний час реагування, нездатність виявляти сучасні та інсайдерські загрози - це деякі з проблем традиційних підходів до мережевої безпеки. Ці недоліки підкреслюють необхідність проведення досліджень для створення більш ефективних методів захисту та розробки рекомендацій щодо покращення кібергігієни серед співробітників. Штучний інтелект є однією з найкращих технологій для виявлення та запобігання неочікуваних ризиків, які можуть охопити бізнес. Це дослідження надає детальну інформацію про впровадження систем захисту від кіберзагроз, які допоможуть компаніям мінімізувати ризики кібератак, крадіжок персональних даних та інших видів онлайн-шахрайства. Результати дослідження показують, що штучний інтелект здатний не тільки автоматично виявляти аномалії в поведінці користувачів і систем, але й забезпечувати своєчасну реакцію на загрози. Вчасно виявляючи та усуваючи прогалини в безпеці, підприємства зможуть підвищити кіберстійкість своїх автоматизованих систем.
My first three days as a first-year – The autoethnography of an autistic student
Authors: Gouws E. , Wassermann J.
Published: November 2024

My enrolment at university was a significant milestone in my life. During my first three days as a student with autism spectrum disorder, I experienced both positive and negative situations at different campuses, including overcrowded lecture halls, residences, faculty houses, and interacting with other students. My literature review and theoretical interpretation are guided by historical institutionalism and Bakhtin’s concept of “outsideness”. These frameworks address how historical events shape the social, political, and economic behaviour of institutions in a system that treats new students who must adapt to the university’s rules, regulations, and traditions as outsiders. The frameworks mentioned above were used to understand what I experienced during my first three days at university, which set the tone for the rest of my undergraduate education, punctuated by ableness, whiteness, masculinity, and fluctuating forms of support. Keywords: masculinity, ableness, whiteness, critical incidences, autism spectrum disorder, historical institutionalism, Bakhtin's concept of outsideness
Integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) to climate change adaptation in South Africa: Lessons from the "past"
Authors: Madzivhandila T. S.
Published: November 2024

For a long period of time, what is termed scientific knowledge and discoveries have constantly ignored the existence of indigenous practices and knowledge. Until recently, indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) were not acknowledged when it comes to responding to the ailing world. IKS includes information created inside inborn social orders, autonomous of, and earlier to, the appearance of the cutting-edge logical information framework. It can relate to issues such as conserving nature, food production, forestry development and medicine, to mention a few. The purpose of the article is to discuss the importance of the integration of IKS and culture into climate change adaptation. This article makes the case that scientific interventions among the impoverished in rural developing nations are viewed as foreign and are thus not accepted by the local populace. Consequently, the scientific approach by development experts, and the complex nature of climate change and its understanding, has had no impact on people’s adaptation in rural areas, where most of the people still rely on IKS to survive. This theoretical article focuses on the implications of IKS for climate change adaptation. The question the article intends to answer is, with the advent of climate change in recent years, how are rural communities coping with its impact? How is the scientific understanding of climate change with its complexities filtering down to the indigenous communities’ coping and adaptation activities? The article’s conclusion demystifies the notion that the impact of climate change might be mitigated, and repair achieved solely by scientifically developed measures against it. The article intends to contribute towards building knowledge that acknowledges the importance of different sources of interventions towards addressing climate change. It is important for the current and future professoriate to look beyond the conventional understanding of dealing with challenges such as climate change that the world is facing. Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge Systems, climate change adaptation, rural areas, culture, South Africa
Social change and transformation as a developmental agenda in the South African higher education
Authors: Mvuyana B. Y. C.
Published: November 2024

The National Development Plan (NDP) advocates for the elimination of poverty, and the reduction of inequality by 2030. These goals can only be achieved if we harness the energies of the people, build an inclusive economy, develop skills, improve the capacity of the state and promote leadership and partnerships across society. This is to be achieved through transforming society more equitably and at the same time making the country more competitive in the global economic system. The article seeks to explore how institutions of higher learning can be transformed through the production of future professors with a developmental agenda. Therefore, the NDP advocates continuous professional development, lifelong learning and knowledge production, and innovation as a focus for building the capacity of individuals and society. The article employed the modernisation theory as a vehicle to drive social change and transformation in higher education. The article employed a systematic review of the literature on transformation and social change in higher education as advocated in the NDP. The findings of the article show that universal human development can be achieved by respecting human rights, promoting equality and empowering people to exercise the opportunities and choices they value in higher education. The article recommends that a structured interaction between lecturers and students within the context of transformative change and social justice should be prioritised in higher education. This can only be achieved through preparing the future professor with a developmental agenda to assist in shaping higher education by designing a curriculum that responds to the needs of the current cohort of students. Keywords: developmental agenda, future professoriate, modernisation theory, social change, transformation
Women’s participation in Ethiopia’s 2021 elections: the role of political parties
Authors: Kidanie Seblewongiel , Hailu Eden
Published: November 2024

This study examines the role of Ethiopia’s main political parties and the participation of women during the three stages of the 2021 election cycle – the pre-voting, voting and post-voting periods. Four political parties – Prosperity, Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice, National Movement of Amhara, and ENAT – were selected and their party manifestos and reports analysed. Interviews were conducted with 12 individuals representing political party leaders and women candidates. Reports of the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) and the media are also included. Data is thematically grouped and interpreted using a conceptual construct of political parties’ role in promoting women’s political representation as developed by UNDP and NDI. The findings revealed the paradoxes and inconsistencies of political parties’ ideologies and strategies which affect women’s participation in party politics and the subsequent election outcome. This paper recommends that, given the absence of a quota system to guarantee adequate women’s participation in elections, political party self-regulatory measures could offer an alternative option to increase the political participation of women in Ethiopia.
The Erosion of the Spirit of Primitive Federalism of Confucianism
Authors: Kong Lingkai
Published: November 2024

This study examines the evolution and eventual decline of the spirit of primitive federalism within Confucianism, tracing its trajectory from the time of the Duke of Zhou and Confucius to the significant reinterpretations by Dong Zhongshu. The Duke of Zhou's establishment of a confederation-like system and the "Zhou ritual norms" laid the groundwork for a political structure that embraced diversity and distributed power among states, reflecting a proto-federalist concept. Confucius's teachings continued this legacy, advocating for a return to the systems of the Duke's era, where both the central government and local states shared responsibilities and rights. The crux of this study lies within its fourth section, which narrates a tale of transformation happened under Emperor Wu of Han, where Dong Zhongshu distorted the original Confucianism and reinterpreted it as a centralized ideology. In Confucian theory, the shift involved the suppression of alternative philosophies, the establishment of Confucianism as the state's dominant ideology, and a reinterpretation of Confucianism that supported an centralized framework and cultural assimilation. In political practice, he re-envisioned the role of feudal lords as administrative extensions of a centralized government, effectively eroding local autonomy and shifting towards a unified, centralized system. Under the auspices of political authority, Confucian theory was transformed from a federalist theory promoting diversity, inclusivity and advocating decentralization, to one that legitimized a centralized and unified system.
A 2nd Order True-VCO ADC Employing a Digital pseudo-DCO Suitable for Sensor Arrays
Authors: Loi Dante , Medina Victor , Corporales Luis Hernandez
Published: November 2024

This paper explores the implementation of a VCO-based ADC, achieving an ENOB of 12 bits with 1MHz of sampling rate in the audio bandwidth. The solution exploits the scalability and PVT invariance of a novel digital-to-frequency converter, to reduce the size and consumed power. The architecture has been validated in a 130-nm CMOS technology node, displaying a power consumption of 105.57 μW, and a silicon footprint of 0.034 mm2, in a pseudo differential configuration. Performance can be dynamically adjusted to trade off power consumption by resolution without changing the sampling rate. In addition, the proposed architecture benefits from multiple instantiations in the same SoC, making it particularly suitable for sensor array applications, such as biomedical sensors and spatial audio arrays.
A Case Study of 3D Scanning Techniques in Civil Engineering
Authors: Piekarczuk Artur , Mazurek Aleksandra , Szer Jacek , Szer Iwona
Published: November 2024

This paper reviews the measurement challenges associated with 3D scanning techniques in civil engineering. It explores the practical aspects of scanning buildings and complex surfaces through various case studies. The paper details the conventional use of Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) for reconstructing the technical documentation of a hall. It then describes an unconventional application of this technique for measuring an ETICS (External Thermal Insulation Composite System) wall, aiming to detect microdeformations caused by environmental factors controlled within a climatic chamber. The measurements of the insulated wall were subsequently repeated using a metrological grade laser scanner. Numerical data was analyzed with inspection engineering methods. This approach yielded qualitative and quantitative results. Although the qualitative results were consistent, the quantitative data revealed some inconsistencies. To address discrepancies in the quantitative data, a comparative analysis was performed, which highlighted critical findings and areas of divergence.
Impact of Moisture Absorption on Optical Fiber Sensors: New Bragg Law Formulation for Monitoring Composite Structures
Authors: Aceti Pietro , Sala Giuseppe
Published: November 2024

In recent decades, the aviation industry has increasingly adopted composite materials for various aircraft components, due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and durability. To ensure the safety and reliability of these structures, Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) based on optical fibers (FO), particularly Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors, have been developed. However, both composite materials and optical fibers are susceptible to environmental factors such as moisture, in addition to the well-known effects of mechanical stress and thermal loads. Moisture absorption can lead to the degradation of mechanical properties, posing a risk to the structural integrity of aircraft components. This research quantifies the impact of humidity on FBG sensors and introduces a new formulation of the Bragg equation, which accounts for the effects of mechanical strain, thermal expansion, and hygroscopic swelling. The developed mathematical model, derived by differentiating the Bragg equation and applying the rules of mixtures, provides an accurate measurement of the Bragg wavelength variation, addressing potential measurement errors caused by moisture absorption. This approach is crucial for improving the performance and reliability of HUMS in monitoring composite structures, ensuring long-term safety in extreme environmental conditions.
Prospects for Combined Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Using Autologous Activated Lymphocytes
Authors: Ganina Anastasia , Askarov Manarbek , Kozina Larissa , Karimova Madina , Shayakhmetov Yerzhan , Mukhamedzhanova Perizat , Brimova Aigul , Berikbol Daulet , Chuvakova Elmira , Zaripova Lina , Baigenzhin Abay
Published: November 2024

This review article explores the significance and prospects of using diverse T-cell variants in the context of combined therapy for lung cancer treatment. Recently, there has been an increase in research focused on understanding the critical role of tumor-specific T-lymphocytes and the potential benefits of autologous T-cell-based treatments for individuals with lung cancer. One promising approach involves intravenous administration of ex vivo-activated autologous lymphocytes to improve the immune status of patients with cancer. Investigations are also exploring the factors that influence the success of T-cell therapy and the methods used to stimulate them. Achieving a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of activated lymphocytes and deciphering the mechanisms underlying their activation of innate anti-tumor immunity will pave the way for numerous clinical trials and the development of innovative strategies for cancer therapy.
Intimate Partner Violence Trends and Associated Factors: Results from a National Representative Survey from Mexico
Authors: Ortega Ceballos Paola Adanari , Rivera Leonor , Reynales-Shigematsu Luz Myriam , Zavala-Arciniega Luis , Toledano Toledano Filiberto
Published: November 2024

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is one of the most common forms of domestic violence. Research on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) prevalence using national samples is scarce. This study aims to estimate trends of IPV prevalence by sex and to identify the correlates of IPV among the Mexican population. Methods: We used data from Mexico's 2011 and 2016 National Survey of Addictions (NSA). The analytic sample consists of 44,963 individuals aged 14 to 65 years old. Poisson regression models regressed IPV on substance use behaviors (alcohol and drug use) and sociodemographic factors. Results: Overall, IPV prevalence did not change in the study period (From 15.6% in 2011 to 14.9% in 2016). The associated factors to IPV were having a partner who uses alcohol (APR) =1.68, 95%CI 1.54-1.84), having a partner who uses drugs (APR=2.80, 95%CI 2.46 -3.18). Living in an urban (APR=1.18, 95% CI 1.05-1.33) or metropolitan area (APR=1.16, 95% CI 1.04-1.28) was associated with a higher prevalence of IPV. Single marital status (APR=0.66, 95% CI 0.56-0.78) was associated with a lower prevalence of IPV. Conclusions: The IPV-associated factors are similar in both sexes, so comprehensive prevention and future interventions must consider the two directions of IPV (victim and perpetrator).
Carotenoids from Halophilic Archaea: A Novel Approach to Improve Egg Quality and Cecal Microbiota in Laying Hens
Authors: Dou Xufeng , Zhang Guodong , Tang Hao , Chen Xiaoxue , Chen Beibei , Mei Yuxia , Jiao Haihong , Ren Min
Published: November 2024

Carotenoids from different sources have different structures and functions and as a dietary component have potential health benefits for a wide range of organisms. The effects of halophilic Archaea-derived C50 carotenoids on poultry egg quality and gut microbiota remain largely unexplored. In this study, we isolated and obtained a strain of Halalkalicoccus paucihalophilus, named TRM89021, from the Pamir Plateau. It secretes large amounts of carotenoids. We characterized the carotenoid pigments produced by this strain and found that its main components were bacterioruberin and its derivatives. Effects of these carotenoids on egg quality and cecal microbiota composition of hens were investigated. Compared to the BDG, the supplementation with carotenoids in the CDG resulted in significantly lower a* and b* scores at week 5 and a lower b* score and Haugh units at week 2, while egg strength and weight were higher. The CDG also showed increased yolk antioxidant capacity, higher glutathione peroxidase levels, and significantly lower catalase levels (p<0.05). Plasma analysis revealed elevated total bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase levels, along with reduced inorganic phosphorus levels in the CDG (p<0.05). No significant differences in cecal microbiota diversity were observed between groups at any taxonomic level (p>0.05). This result suggests that halophilic archaea-derived carotenoids display potential to be a natural feed supplement to improve egg quality. Our study provides a theoretical basis for application of archaea-derived carotenoids in poultry diets.
Multi-Criteria Analysis of Electric Vehicle Motor Technologies: A Review
Authors: Kinoti Emmanuel , Mosetlhe Thapelo , Adedayo Yusuff
Published: November 2024

The electric vehicle market is constantly evolving, with research and development efforts to improve motor technologies and address current challenges to meet the growing demand for sustainable transportation solutions well underway. Electric vehicles are crucial to the global initiative to reduce carbon emissions. The core component of an electric vehicle is its motor drive technology, which has seen significant advancements and diversification in recent years. Although alternating-current motors, particularly induction and synchronous motors, are widely used for their efficiency and low maintenance, direct-current motors provide high torque and cost-effectiveness advantages. This study examines various electric motor technologies used in electric vehicles and compares them using several parameters such as reliability, cost, and efficiency. This study presents a multi-criteria comparison of the various electric motors used in the electric traction system to provide a picture that enables selecting the appropriate electrical motor for the intended application. Although the permanent magnet synchronous motor appears to be the popular choice among electric car makers, the proposed comparative study demonstrates that the induction motor matches the essential requirements of electric vehicles.
Leveraging Vision Transformers for MRI-Guided Early Response of Brain Metastasis to Stage GKRS Treatment
Authors: Volovăț Simona Ruxandra , Boboc Diana-Ioana , Ostafe Mădălina-Raluca , Buzea Calin Gheorghe , Agop Maricel , Ochiuz Lacramioara , Rusu Dragos Ioan , Vasincu Decebal , Ungureanu Monica Iuliana , Volovăț Cristian Constantin
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives : This study investigates the utility of vision transformers (ViTs) for predicting early responses to SRS using a minimal pre-processing approach on MRI images. Methods: We analyzed MRI scans from 19 patients with BM, focusing on axial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and high-resolution contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (CE T1w) sequences. Patients were classified as responders (complete or partial response) or non-responders (stable or progressive disease). Results: Our findings demonstrate that ViTs can effectively predict treatment responses, achieving an overall accuracy of 97%. The model exhibited high precision (96% for progression and 97% for regression) and strong recall rates (92% for progression and 99% for regression), distinguishing between treatment outcomes reliably. The confusion matrix analysis further supports its reliability, with minimal misclassifications. The model also achieved an almost perfect area under the ROC curve (AUC = 0.99), indicating accurate differentiation between responders and non-responders across various thresholds. Conclusions : These findings highlight the potential of the Vision Transformer model as a non-invasive predictive tool in clinical settings, significantly influencing clinical decision-making processes and enhancing patient management for brain metastases. By improving early response predictions, this model contributes to the development of personalized treatment strategies in oncology. Future research should focus on validating these results in larger, diverse cohorts, integrating additional data types, and refining the model to further enhance its utility in clinical practice.
Towards a Personalized Recovery in Handball? Effects of Playing Positions and Player Role on Internal Match-Load and Well-Being Responses in Female Players
Authors: García-Sánchez Carlos , Nieto-Acevedo Raúl , Lorenzo-Calvo Jorge , Nieto Moisés Marquina , Navarro Rafael Manuel , Rubia Alfonso de la
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of the playing position (backs vs. pivots vs. wings) and the player role (starter vs. non-starter) on internal match-load and well-being status of female handball players after official matches. Fourteen female handball players from the Spanish 2nd Division were monitored during a half-season (13 matches, n = 102 individual observations) using rate of perceived exertion (match-RPE) and the Hooper questionnaire in MD+1 and MD+2. Differences between playing positions and player role were determined by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test, respectively. Furthermore, epsilon-squared (ε²) and Cohen's d (ES) were calculated and interpreted using Hopkins' categorization criteria. The results reveal that backs registered moderately more match-RPE compared to pivots (p < 0.05, ES = 0.84). In contrast, wings experienced the highest values of fatigue and muscle soreness in MD+1 and MD+2 compared to all other playing positions (p < 0.05, ES = 0.66-0.93). Also, wings reported moderately more Hooper index in MD+1 and MD+2 than backs (p < 0.01, ES = 0.73-0.77). Furthermore, starters reported higher absolute values of match-RPE, fatigue, muscle soreness and Hooper index in MD+1 compared to non-starters (p < 0.05, ES = 0.25-0.29). However, no differences were found in MD+2. Therefore, handball coaches and practitioners should consider the internal match-load and the well-being status of the players to implement different training stimulus (e.g., recovery or compensatory strategies) in MD+1 according to playing positions and player role to equalize the total weekly load of the players.
Thrust and Pressure Control in Solid Propulsion System via Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Hua Zuohao , Fu Zhuang , Niu Lu
Published: November 2024

A reinforcement learning control method for a solid attitude and divert propulsion system is proposed. The system in this research includes 4 divert thrust nozzles, 6 attitude thrust nozzles, and a common combustion chamber. To achieve the required thrust, the pressure in the combustion chamber is first adjusted by controlling the total opening of the nozzles to generate the gas source. Next, by controlling the opening of nozzles at different positions, the required thrust is produced in five-axis directions. Finally, the motor speed is regulated to drive the valve core to the specified position, completing the closed-loop control of the nozzle opening. The control algorithm used is the Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) reinforcement learning algorithm. Through system identification and numerical modeling, the training environment for the intelligent agent is created. To accommodate different training objectives, multiple reward functions are implemented. Ultimately, through training, a multi-layer intelligent agent architecture for pressure, thrust, and nozzle opening is established, achieving effective system pressure and thrust control.
Impact of Temperature on Host-Parasite Interactions and Metabolomic Profiles in the Marine Diatom Coscinodiscus granii
Authors: O'Niel Ruchicka Annie , Pohnert Georg , Vallet Marine
Published: November 2024

Diatoms are single-celled photosynthetic eukaryotes responsible for CO2 fixation and primary production in aquatic ecosystems. The cosmopolitan marine diatom Coscinodiscus granii can form seasonal blooms in coastal areas and interact with various microorganisms, including the parasitic oomycete Lagenisma coscinodisci. This unicellular eukaryote is mainly present in the northern hemisphere as an obligate parasite of the genus Coscinodiscus. Understanding the interplay of abiotic factors such as temperature and biotic factors like parasitism on algal physiology is crucial as it dictates plankton community composition and is especially relevant in climate change. This study investigates the impact of two temperatures, 13°C and 25°C, on Coscinodiscus granii under laboratory conditions. A decreased infection rate of the parasite was observed at the elevated temperature. Comparative metabolomic analysis using UHPLC-HRMS revealed that temperature and parasitism significantly affect the algal metabolome. Abundances of metabolites related to sulfur metabolism, including cysteinoleic acid and dimethylsulfoniopropionate, as well as molecules linked to fatty acid metabolism, e.g., carnitine, acetylcarnitine, and eicosapentaenoic acid, significantly increase in cells grown at a higher temperature, suggesting the enhanced rate of metabolism of host cells as temperature rises. Our study reveals how temperature-induced metabolic changes can influence host-parasite dynamics in a changing climate.
Heterogeneities in Farmers’ Preference for Advisory Services: A Choice Experiment of Vegetable Growers in North-Western Ethiopia
Authors: Teferi Ermias Tesfaye , Worku Tigist Damtew , Wassie Solomon Bizuayehu , Muller Bernd , Abdulai Abdul-Rahim , Termote Céline
Published: November 2024

This study investigated vegetable farmers’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for private advisory services in northwestern Ethiopia. Understanding farmers' preferences for modernizing agricultural advisory services is essential for enhancing the productivity and profitability of smallholder farming. The study assessed WTP for improved advisory services using data from 393 farm households in northwestern Ethiopia. Data from discrete choice experiments were analysed using a random parameter logit model. The results revealed the existence of heterogeneity in farmers’ WTP for vegetable advisory services. Household educational status and age influenced preferences for advisory service features. Farmers preferred enhanced services with frequent visits from agricultural experts and hands-on, field assistance over digital short message service (SMS) and voice-based advice. Additionally, they were more willing to invest in services that focused on leafy vegetables than on fruity vegetables or roots and tubers. The results suggest that the push for commercializing agricultural advisory services should consider contextual differences in smallholders’ preferences.
LBF‐MI: Limited Boolean Functions and Mutual Information to Infer a Gene Regulatory Network from Time‐Series Gene Expression Data
Authors: Barman Shohag , Farid Fahmid Al , Gope Hira Lal , Hafiz Md. Ferdous Bin , Khan Niaz Ashraf , Ahmad Sabbir , Mansor Sarina
Published: November 2024

In the realm of System Biology, it is a challenging endeavor to infer a gene regulatory network from time-series gene expression data. Numerous Boolean network inference techniques have emerged for reconstructing a gene regulatory network from a time series gene expression dataset. However, most of these techniques pose scalability concerns given their capability to consider only 2 to 3 regulatory genes over a specific target gene. To overcome this limitation, a novel inference method, LBF- MI, has been proposed in this research. This two-phase method utilizes limited Boolean functions and multivariate mutual information to reconstruct a Boolean gene regulatory network from time-series gene expression data. Initially, Boolean functions are applied to determine the optimum solutions. In case of failure, multivariate mutual information is applied to obtain the optimum solutions. This research conducted a performance-comparison experiment between LBF-MI and two other methods: Context Likelihood Relatedness, and Relevance Network. When examined on artificial as well as real time-series gene expression data, the outcomes exhibited that the proposed LBF-MI method outperformed Context Likelihood Relatedness and Relevance Network on artificial datasets, and two real Escherichia Coli datasets (E. coli gene regulatory network, and SOS response of E. coli regulatory network).
Research and Development of a Large Scale Axial Flux Generator for Hydrokinetic Power System
Authors: Todorov Georgi Dimitrov , Kamberov Konstantin Hristov , Zlatev Blagovest Nikolov
Published: November 2024

Presented study demonstrates the application of actual technologies and tools for the development of a large scale axial flux electricity generator. (1) Background: The specifics of its application – run-of-river site – predefine design requirements, close to wind turbine generator. An extensive study of available solutions is used as a start point for further concept development; (2) Methods: A step based methodology is defined for concept parameters assessment and feasibility study. It demonstrates the advantages of virtual prototyping when assessing various design parameters; (3) Results: Several simulations over built different virtual prototypes provide sufficient information to elaborate an improved design concept. Major result is a ready for detailed design concept, with defined major parameters and studied work behavior; (4) Conclusions: The major outcome is the presentation of the application of virtual prototyping in assessment of large structures, where physical prototyping is expensive and time consuming approach. Application of virtual prototyping at very early product development stage is an effective way to undertake efficient solutions towards the concept of the product.
Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainable Production Systems in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Borges Matheus de Miranda Ribeiro , de Sousa Liliane Marques , Ribas Giovana Ghisleni
Published: November 2024

The insertion of the Amazon into the global commodities market requires ensuring the rational use of resources to meet market and political-social demands, such as the UN 2030 Agenda. Therefore, responsible production practices, given the current demand for sustainable use of land and its re-sources, are essential. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify opportunities and challenges linked to the implementation and consolidation of sustainable production systems in the Amazon through a systematic literature review. To this end, articles were prospected in four databases (Science Direct, SpringerLink, Scopus and Wiley) covering the period from 2004 to 2024. A total of 5,385 articles were evaluated, and after the selection stages, only 39 were included. A low distri-bution of studies among states in the Brazilian Amazon was observed, with a peak in studies star-ting in 2015. The studies developed mostly addressed agroforestry systems and forest management. Although there are sustainable production systems and practices, research and public policies need to be promoted to help the different actors involved in agricultural production in the Amazon, generating income and quality of life.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange and Metoprolol by Novel Ternary Photocatalyst TiO2-ZnO/g-C3N4 under UV and Visible Light
Authors: González-Vázquez Mayra Y. , Carrillo-Martínez Cristina J. , Pinedo-Escobar J. Alfonso , Escalante-García Ismailia L. , Martínez Araceli Sánchez , González-Rodríguez L. Mario , Cancino-Trejo Félix , Gomez-Solis Christian , Araiza Daneil G.
Published: November 2024

Novel ternary photocatalyst TiO₂-ZnO/g-C₃N₄ was synthesized via a ball milling-assisted sol-gel method and its photocatalytic performance was tasted in photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) and metoprolol (MTP) under UV and Visible light. The samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nitrogen physisorption. Optical measurements confirmed that the combination of TiO₂, ZnO, and g-C₃N₄ extended the visible light absorption to 2.63 eV. SEM and FTIR revealed correct coupling between the three semiconductors, and hole density analysis suggested a synergistic effect reducing charge recombination. Additionally, reuse tests demonstrated the chemical stability of the material. In terms of pollutant degradation, the TiO₂-ZnO/g-C₃N₄ composite efficiently removed 97.75% of MO under UV-LED light and 98.57% under visible light in 300 minutes. Similarly, MTP degradation test reached 86.42% and 86.08% under UV-LED and visible light, respectively, after 300 minutes. These results highlight the material's potential for environmental applications, particularly in contaminant removal through photocatalysis.
The Spatial Occurrence of Leptospira Hosts Is Related to the Characteristics of the Peridomiciles They Inhabit in a Locality of Southeastern Mexico
Authors: Suárez-Galaz Alejandro Rafael , Reyes-Novelo Enrique , Cruz-Romero Anabel , Ramos-Vázquez Rodrigo , Panti-May Jesús Alonso , Ruiz-Piña Hugo , Sánchez-Montes Sokani , Torres-Castro Marco
Published: November 2024

The occurrence of Leptospira in mammals is an indicator for assessing potential health risks, particularly in tropical regions. Understanding their hosts' habitat characteristics and spatial occurrence is essential to surveil them. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of the peridomiciles associated with the spatial occurrence of Leptospira hosts. We inventoried the characteristics of the peridomiciles. Blood serum was gathered from dogs, opossums, and rodents for a microagglutination essay to detect exposure to several serogroups of Leptospira. A generalized linear model with binomial distribution helped estimate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals between a seropositive animal's occurrence and the peridomiciles' characteristics. For estimates with the occurrence of one or more seropositive animals, a multinomial model was fitted. The seroprevalence in rodents was 81.8%; in opossums 31.2%; and 56.5% for dogs. The most frequent serogroup in dogs and rodents was Canicola. In opossums, the seroreaction was against Tarassovi, Ballum, Sejroe, and Cynopteri. Results showed that the peridomicile area (m2), the geographic polygon, and the accumulation of plastic containers (PET) were characteristics related to the occurrence of seropositive animals. The results revealed that the peridomicile's characteristics and spatial distribution in the locality help explain the occurrence of Leptospira hosts.
On the Hypothesis of Exact Conservation of Charged Weak Hadronic Vector Current in the Standard Model
Authors: Altarawneh Derar , Höllwieser Roman , Wellenzohn Markus
Published: November 2024

We investigate a reliability of conservation of the vector current (CV) hypothesis in the neutron β−-decay. We calculate the contribution of the phenomenological term, responsible for the CVC in the hadronic current of the neutron β−-decay (or the CVC effect), to the neutron lifetime. We show that the CVC effect increases the neutron lifetime with a relative contribution 8.684×10−2. This leads to the increase of the neutron lifetime by 76.4 s with respect to the world averaged value τn=880.2(1.0)s (Particle Data Group, Chin. Phys. 40, 100001 (2016)). We show that since in the Standard Model (SM) there are no interactions, which are able to cancel such a huge increase of the neutron lifetime, we have to turn to the interactions beyond the SM the contribution of which to the neutron lifetime reduces to the Fierz interference term bF only. Cancelling the CVC effect at the level of the experimental accuracy we get bF=0.1219(12). If this value cannot be accepted for the Fierz interference term, the CVC effect induces irresistible problems for description and understanding of the neutron β−-decay.
Behavior Coding of Adolescent and Therapy Dog Interactions During a Social Stress Task
Authors: Dowling-Guyer Seana , Dabney Katie , Robertson Elizabeth A , Mueller Megan
Published: November 2024

Youth mental health interventions incorporating trained therapy animals are increasingly popular, but more research is needed to understand the specific interactive behaviors between participants and therapy dogs. Understanding the role of these interactive behaviors is important for supporting both intervention efficacy and animal welfare and well-being. The goal of this study was to develop ethograms to assess interactive behaviors (including both affiliative and stress-related behaviors) of participants and therapy dogs during a social stress task, explore the relationship between human and dog behaviors, and assess how these behaviors may vary between experimental conditions with varying levels of physical contact with the therapy dog. Using video data from a previous experimental study (n = 50 human-therapy dog interactions, n = 25 control group), we successfully developed behavioral ethograms that could be used with a high degree of interrater reliability. Results indicated differences between experimental condition in dog and human behaviors based on whether participants were interacting with a live or a stuffed dog, and whether they were allowed to touch the dog. These findings suggest that physically interacting with a live dog may be an important feature of these interventions, with participants demonstrating increased positive behaviors such as laughing and smiling in these conditions. Dog behaviors also varied based on whether they were in the touching/petting condition of the study. Future research should focus on identifying specific patterns of interactive behaviors between dogs and humans that predict anxiolytic outcomes.
Fusarium spp. in Metalworking Fluid Systems: Companions Forever
Authors: Ruiz Célia , von Känel Giulia , Burkard Stefan , Küenzi Peter
Published: November 2024

Water-miscible metalworking fluids (MWFs) are utilized in a variety of metal removal and forming operations. For end-use, formulation concentrates are diluted in water, creating conditions conducive to microbial growth and metabolism, possibly compromising the fluid’s integrity and mechanically obstructing filters or piping systems. Metalworking machines offer additional habitats on surfaces that are in permanent or temporary contact with MWFs. For that reason, biocides have been incorporated into concentrates for years, but legal constraints will restrain their use in the future. While bacterial contamination of MWFs is well documented, fungal contamination is often overseen and infrequently reported in the literature. In this study, we report fungal prevalence in in-use MWFs sampled worldwide over 10 years and we are convinced that presence of fungi is the norm rather than the exception. In addition, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of fungicides on fungal growth, sporulation and spore viability using traditional culture-dependent methods and flow cytometry. In essence, we show that the effectiveness of these fungicides is limited and dependent on the chemical construction of the fluid. We think that the ecology created by water-diluted MWFs is of higher importance than the anti-fungal activity of single components.
“Some Days Are Not a Good Day to Be a Mum”: Exploring Guilt and Shame in the Early Postpartum Period
Authors: Jackson Leanne , O'Donoghue Emily May , Helm Jasmin , Gentilcore Rita , Hussain Anisha
Published: November 2024

The first postpartum year is a period of elevated risk for experiencing psychological distress. Guilt and shame have been identified as significant predictors of other forms of psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression. However, guilt and shame are poorly distinguished in pre-existing literature. The current study used inductive thematic analysis to explore lived experiences of guilt and shame in the early postpartum period. All those interviewed had internalised unrealistic mothering ideals. Physical constraints on one’s parenting abilities, due to birth recovery, exacerbated postpartum guilt and shame. Other sources of guilt and shame included body dissatisfaction and making comparisons against other mothers and media depictions of motherhood. Participants were hesitant to confide in others about parenting challenges due to fears of judgement, which perpetuated the shame-concealment cycle. Future research should prioritise the development of interventions designed to target a harsh parenting inner critic, and the re-framing cognitive biases, to nurture more realistic and self-compassionate beliefs about motherhood. For practice, current findings mirror previous calls for intimate partners to be actively included in routine appointments, to provide healthcare practitioners with specialist training in postpartum mental health, and to educate mothers on responsible social media use.
Breaking Barriers: Empowering Cervical Cancer Screening with HPV Self-Sampling for Sex Workers and Formerly Incarcerated Women in Toronto
Authors: Vahabi Mandana , Hynes Jenna , Wong Josephine ph , Kithulegoda Natasha , Moosapoor Masoomeh , Akbarian Abdolreza , Lofters Aisha
Published: November 2024

Background:
Although cervical cancer (CC) is highly preventable through appropriate screening methods like the Papanicolaou (Pap) test, which enables early detection of malignant and precancerous lesions, access to such screening has not been equitable across social groups. Sex workers and people with records of incarceration are among the most under-screened populations in Ontario. Little is known about the acceptability and feasibility of HPV self-sampling (HPV-SS) as an alternative cervical cancer screening method for these groups. This online, community-based mixed-methods pilot study aimed to address this knowledge gap.

Methods
Eighty-four under- and never-screened sex workers and ex-prisoners aged 25–69 years and residing in the Greater Toronto Area, were recruited by community peer associates. Participants completed an online survey and viewed short videos about CC and screening with Pap and HPV-SS. Those who opted for HPV-SS conducted the test at one of two collaborating organizations.

Results
The median age of participants was 36.5 years. Most had limited knowledge about CC and screening. Approximately 13% identified as non-binary, and 5% as two-spirit or trans men, with the majority having completed secondary education. Of participants, 88% chose HPV-SS, and one-third tested positive for high-risk HPV types. The ability to self-sample without judgment from healthcare providers was noted as a key advantage. However, there was a need for training on proper HPV-SS techniques.

Conclusion
To improve cervical cancer screening among sex workers, increasing awareness through participatory community co-creation of sexual health education is essential. Additionally, offering HPV-SS as a screening option is crucial, given its demonstrated acceptability and feasibility within this population, many of whom lack a primary care provider and face discriminatory attitudes in healthcare settings.
An Innovative BP Neural Network Approach to Tackling Extreme Weather Challenges in the Global Property Insurance Sector
Authors: Wu Shuxin , Zhao Yanqiu , Chen Cheng , Feng Sheng-Ya
Published: November 2024

The increasing prevalence and heightened severity of extreme weather events, which are consequences of climate change, pose significant challenges to the global property insurance sector. This study examines the concurrent crises faced by insurance companies in maintaining profitability and by property owners in affording coverage, thereby necessitating a reevaluation of current insurance paradigms. We present an innovative approach that utilizes a back-propagation (BP) neural network to forecast insurance losses and guide strategic underwriting decisions in regions prone to perils. Our advanced model combines crucial factors such as the likelihood of extreme meteorological phenomena, insurance risk premiums, and capital adequacy ratios to predict impending losses and inform insurance policy formulation. Through an extensive analysis of nearly two decades of catastrophe data from the United States and New Zealand, we determine the model's effectiveness in anticipating insurance-related losses and providing strategic guidance to insurance entities. The study concludes with recommendations for insurers to enhance risk assessment, innovate products, collaborate with governments, invest in green projects, and establish dedicated climate risk management teams. The study contributes to the discourse on climate change adaptation in the insurance industry and offers practical solutions for navigating the complexities of extreme weather risk.