bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mucosal immunization with the lung Lactobacillus-derived amphiphilic exopolysaccharide adjuvanted recombinant vaccine improved protection against P. aeruginosa infection
Authors: Zhang Haochi , Sheng Shouxin , Li Chunhe , Bao Xuemei , Zhao Lixia , Chen Jian , Guan Pingyuan , Li Xiaoyan , Pan Na , Liang Yanchen , Wang Xueqi , Sun Jingmin , Wang Xiao
Published: November 2024

Respiratory infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a major health problem globally. Current treatment for P. aeruginosa infections relies solely on antibiotics, but the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains necessitates an urgent need for a protective vaccine. Traditional parenteral vaccines, despite employing potent adjuvants aimed at serotype-dependent immunity, often fail to elicit the desired mucosal immune response. Thus, developing vaccines that target both localized mucosal and systemic immune responses represents a promising direction for future research on P. aeruginosa vaccination. In this study, we explored EPS301, the exopolysaccharide derived from the lung microbiota strain Lactobacillus plantarum WXD301, which exhibits excellent self-assembly properties, enabling the formation of homogeneous nanoparticles when encapsulating recombinant PcrV of P. aeruginosa, designated as EPS301@rPcrV. Notably, the EPS301 vector effectively enhanced antigen adhesion to the nasal and pulmonary mucosal tissues and prolonged antigen retention. Moreover, EPS301@rPcrV provided effective and sustained protection against P. aeruginosa pneumonia, surpassing the durability achieved with the "gold standard" cholera toxin adjuvant. The EPS301-adjuvanted vaccine formulation elicited robust mucosal IgA and Th17/γδ17 T cell responses, which exceeded those induced by the CTB-adjuvanted vaccination and were sustained for over 112 days. Additionally, Th 17 and γδ 17 resident memory T cells induced by EPS301@rPcrV were crucial for protection against P. aeruginosa challenge. Intriguingly, IL-17A knockout mice exhibited lower survival rates, impaired bacterial clearance ability, and exacerbated lung tissue damage upon EPS301 adjuvanted vaccination against P. aeruginosa-induced pneumonia, indicating an IL-17A-dependent protective mechanism. In conclusion, our findings provided direct evidence that EPS301@rPcrV mucosal vaccine is a promising candidate for future clinical application against P. aeruginosa-induced pulmonary infection.
Cutting-edge progress of intravascular ultrasound in lower-extremity vascular interventions
Authors: Guan Xin , Han Hong , Xu Huixiong
Published: November 2024

Lower-extremity vascular disease has a high morbidity rate and often leads to disability and death in its advanced stages. Although angiography-guided endovascular intervention is the primary treatment for peripheral vascular disease, it frequently fails to detect subtle lumen features and falls short of meeting the increasing clinical need for precise management. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) merges noninvasive ultrasound imaging with invasive catheterization techniques, providing 360° imaging of the vascular cross-section and delivering accurate information about lesion morphology. IVUS has been crucial in supporting decisionmaking for preoperative assessment, intraoperative monitoring, and postoperative optimization during vascular interventions. This review aims to summarize the latest applications of IVUS in lower-extremity vascular disease, discuss its strengths and limitations, and explore future directions for its use.
Desafios na construção do projeto político pedagógico emancipador das escolas quilombolas
Authors: Bicalho Ramofly , Macedo Pedro Clei Sanches , Rodrigues Guilherme Goretti
Published: November 2024

O presente trabalho estabelece a interface entre educação escolar quilombola e educação do campo, na perspectiva de evidenciar o avanço das políticas educacionais no Brasil, pensada com os sujeitos camponeses que vivem em comunidades quilombolas. Temos como proposta destacar a mobilização das organizações e movimentos sociais como protagonistas na luta pela permanência em seus territórios e na consolidação de políticas públicas que atendam às demandas das comunidades quilombolas, a partir da aprovação de diretrizes curriculares específicas que garantam a igualdade de condições no acesso à educação pública. A educação quilombola e do campo apresentam especificidades nas políticas instituídas pelo Estado, considerando a necessidade urgente de superação das condições históricas imputadas às populações do campo e comunidades quilombolas. É uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, bibliográfica e documental que pretende elencar os principais elementos na construção do projeto político pedagógico das escolas quilombolas, a partir das legislações, resoluções e diretrizes que respaldam a interface entre educação do campo e quilombola. Em relação aos resultados alcançados, destacamos os desafios para implementação de tais diretrizes, com ênfase na atual conjuntura brasileira e no protagonismo que os movimentos sociais assumem nesse contexto.
Analisis Sensitivitas Model SEIV pada Kasus Penularan Penyakit Polio
Authors: Angelika Venthy , Harianto Joko
Published: November 2024

The trend of polio transmission cases until 2023 is still fluctuating and does not tend to decrease monotonically. This incident is important to discuss, especially about the factors that influence cases of polio transmission. One of the studies used to describe the incidence of polio transmission is through mathematical model analysis. One of the mathematical models used to represent the incidence of polio transmission is a dynamic model with the Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Vaccinated (SEIV) compartment. The SEIV model analyzed in this study involves seven parameters. If the value of each parameter fluctuates, it will affect cases of polio transmission. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the influence of each parameter in the SEIV model on cases of polio transmission. The method used in this research is the literature study method. Secondary data in this study was used to create a SEIV model simulation. The findings of this research are that two parameters have the greatest influence on cases of polio transmission. The infection transmission rate parameter is the most influential parameter in terms of increasing cases of polio transmission because the sensitivity index value is the highest among the other six parameters. Meanwhile, the natural death rate parameter is the parameter that has the most influence on reducing cases of polio transmission. This is because based on the sensitivity index value, the death rate parameter has the lowest sensitivity index value among the other six parameters.
Sturuktur Graf Fuzzy dan Aplikasinya pada Pengambilan Keputusan dalam Identifikasi Layanan Perjalanan
Authors: Ilma Nindita Ramadhani  , Munandar Arif
Published: November 2024

Struktur graf fuzzy adalah penggabungan dari struktur graf dan graf fuzzy. Penelitian ini membahas beberapa pengertian dan sifat dari struktur graf fuzzy diantaranya struktur graf fuzzy komplit dan kuat, struktur graf fuzzy terhubung, serta struktur graf fuzzy reguler. Lebih lanjut, dibentuk semi strong min-product dari dua struktur graf fuzzy dan beberapa teoremanya dari semi strong min-product yang dihasilkan. Selanjutnya disajikan aplikasi dari struktur graf fuzzy dalam pengambilan keputusan, yaitu pengambilan keputusan dalam identifikasi layanan perjalanan, yang didasarkan pada tarif harga dari masing-masing agen. Dengan menerapkan algoritma yang telah disusun disusun dapat ditentukan layanan perjalanan dari satu kota ke kota lain, berdasarkan harga tiket terendah.
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A fuzzy graph structure is an extension of graph structure and fuzzy graph. This research discusses several definitions and properties of the fuzzy graph structure including complete and strong fuzzy graph structure, connected fuzzy graph structure, and regular fuzzy graph structure. Furthermore, the semi strong min-product of two fuzzy graph structures can be formed, then some theorems are discussed for semi strong min-product. Furthermore, the application of the fuzzy graph structure in decision making is presented, specially decision making for the identification of travel services, which is based on the price rates of each agent. Through the algorithm, it is possible to determine the travel service from one city to another, based on the lowest ticket price.
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Sluch má dějiny: obrat ke zvuku a případ hluché reformace
Authors: Kvíčalová Anna
Published: November 2024

The paper introduces sound studies as a field of interdisciplinary historical research and demonstrates how the history of sound and hearing can be explored in the historical record, using the example of the early Calvinist Reformation in Geneva. It argues that hearing difficulties were the central theme of early Calvinism that significantly shaped the character of its religious and material culture, and proposes to study the Reformation as a process of systematically creating a new culture of attentive listening. It shows that the Calvinist Reformation played an active role in constructing historical categories such as deafness as well as in defining distinctions between good and bad hearing and sound, contributing to the broadly defined history of acoustics.
O inventário e o registro do patrimônio imaterial: novos instrumentos de preservação
Authors: Freire Beatriz
Published: November 2024

O Registro de Bens de Natureza Imaterial, criado em agosto de 2000 pelo Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional –IPHAN –tornou possível o reconhecimento de bens culturais processuais e a definição de estratégias específicas de preservação e divulgação dos mesmos. Sua aplicação pressupõe a documentação dos bens culturais a serem registrados. Para procedê-la, o IPHAN desenvolveu uma metodologia específica, o Inventário Nacional de Referências Culturais/INRC. A aplicação do INRC e as primeiras experiências de Registro serão comentadas à luz da ampliação do conceito de patrimônio que hoje orienta a política nacional de preservação.
Impulsive Choices Emerge When the Anterior Cingulate Cortex Fails to Encode Deliberative Strategies
Authors: White Shelby M. , Morningstar Mitchell D. , De Falco Emanuela , Linsenbardt David N. , Ma Baofeng , Parks Macedonia A. , Czachowski Cristine L. , Lapish Christopher C.
Published: November 2024

Impulsive individuals excessively discount the value of delayed rewards, and this is thought to reflect deficits in brain regions critical for impulse control such as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Delay discounting (DD) is an established measure of cognitive impulsivity, referring to the devaluation of rewards delayed in time. This study used male Wistar rats performing a DD task to test the hypothesis that neural activity states in ACC ensembles encode strategies that guide decision-making. Optogenetic silencing of ACC neurons exclusively increased impulsive choices at the 8 s delay by increasing the number of consecutive low-value, immediate choices. In contrast to shorter delays where animals preferred the delay option, no immediate or delay preference was detected at 8 s. These data suggest that ACC was critical for decisions requiring more deliberation between choice options. To address the role of ACC in this process, large-scale multiple single-unit recordings were performed and revealed that 4 and 8 s delays were associated with procedural versus deliberative neural encoding mechanisms, respectively. The 4 and 8 s delay differed in encoding of strategy corresponding to immediate and delay run termination. Specifically, neural ensemble states at 4 s were relatively stable throughout the choice but exhibited temporal evolution in state space during the choice epoch that resembled ramping during the 8 s delay. Collectively, these findings indicate that ensemble states in ACC facilitate strategies that guide decision-making, and impulsivity increases with disruptions of deliberative encoding mechanisms.
Sacro-Legal Exegesis of Vergil in Late Antiquity
Authors: Levine Nathan H.
Published: November 2024

This paper sheds new light on a mode of late antique Vergilian interpretation, according to which Aeneas, Dido, and other characters in the Aeneid observe the regulations of Roman ritual norms, even standing in for priests including the famous flamen and flaminica Dialis. I argue that this mode of interpretation, which I refer to as sacro-legal exegesis, was a productive endeavor in Late Antiquity, offering members of the pagan aristocracy a means for locating and formulating the practice of traditional Roman cult within the pages of the Aeneid. I close by offering some parallels to a mode of rabbinic midrash according to which the biblical patriarchs followed the commandments prior to the revelation at Sinai.
Intellectual Constructions of Free Will
Authors: Ramelli Ilaria L. E.
Published: November 2024

Philosophical and religious voices in the imperial period and Late Antiquity emphasized individual responsibility and free will, including, from the early Christian side, anti-“Gnostic” (and later anti-Manichean) defenses of free will against determinism. This essay concentrates on the rather neglected author Bardaisan, who rejected the deterministic astrological arguments maintained by Stoics, “Gnostics,” and “Chaldeans,” and, like Origen, argued that human free will, as a gift of God, is not influenced by stars and zodiacal configurations at one’s birth but depends on one’s intellect (“ethical intellectualism”). New convergences between their ideas are pointed out, as well as Bardaisan’s novel argument against “climatic” astrological determinism and its influence on later Christian authors. The essay investigates the impact that Bardaisan’s antideterministic ideas exerted—sometimes without being recognized—in Late Antiquity and the ways in which his novel argument against climatic astrological determinism was received and reused. A network of reception that is ultimately closely linked to Bardaisan thus emerges.
Two Africans
Authors: Shaw Brent D.
Published: November 2024

The following essay appraises two lives from an historian’s perspective. The awareness by the one man, Augustine, of the other, Apuleius, necessarily through the latter’s repute and writings, reflects significant lived experiences shared by both. This familiarity, we suggest, shaped important ways in which Augustine configured his own life story and thinking. Most of the linkages attested in the evidence—ones of place, experience, and thought—were African in nature. These commonalities suggest the substantial impact of a local African cultural world, which, no matter how much formed by external ideas and concepts, was a lived-in medium that formed the perception and presentation of their lives.
Use of the reported pseudo-tunneling method when inserting midline catheters into small veins. Case report
Authors: Latos Maciej
Published: November 2024

The use of midline catheters (MCs), alongside Long Peripheral Catheters (LPCs) and Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) is one option to reduce multiple cannulations for Difficult Intravenous Access (DIVA) and multiple insertions of Short Peripheral Catheters (SPCs). In some patients, a larger catheter may need to be inserted, but this is not possible due to limitations in the availability of appropriate veins. Benvenuti et al. described a simple, safe and effective ‚pseudo-tunneling’ technique that is worth using in clinical practice to achieve the best possible therapeutic outcome despite unfavourable anatomical conditions. In clinical situations that require a larger size than the vein available at the site of the planned puncture, it is not always necessary to give up the most suitable midline catheter. Pseudo-tunneling is easy to apply and is an effective solution for small-diameter veins.
Evaluation of preservation and extraction methods of total DNA from “hard ticks” (ixodidae family)
Authors: Cordeiro Matheus Dias , dos Santos Leila Maria Rosa , Nascimento Ferreira Gilliard do , de Almeida Davi Guimaraes , Santos Dias Isadora dos , Costa Cunha Nathalie da , de Almeida Valim Jaqueline Rodrigues , Azevedo Baeta Bruna de
Published: November 2024

This study evaluated the methods for preserving and extracting total DNA from ticks of the family Ixodidae, which are important pathogen vectors. Different preservation techniques, including isopropyl alcohol and RNAlater®, and DNA extraction methods (HotSHOT, acetate/acetic acid, salting-out, and phenol-chloroform) were used. The effect of maceration on the process of obtaining total DNA was also evaluated. Significant differences were absent between the methods performed with and without maceration. Among the extraction techniques evaluated, the HotSHOT and phenol-chloroform methods stood out, with no significant difference between the two. However, as the HotSHOT technique without maceration is inexpensive and requires fewer steps, it was considered superior to the phenol-chloroform technique. Regarding preservation, greater DNA amplification was obtained with RNAlater® than with isopropyl alcohol and was more beneficial for maintaining DNA amplification even after exposure to different conditions (storage time at room temperature [24–30°C] or freezing). These results highlight the importance of adequate preservation for successful molecular research, demonstrating the efficiency of RNAlater®. Our findings emphasize the relevance of appropriate extraction and preservation techniques for molecular research on ticks and contribute to an understanding of the most effective methods in this context.
Ecological conditions of vineyards and the polymorphism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains as a prerequisite of terroir identification
Authors: Muliukina N. A. , Bayraktar V. M. , Nagai Toshirou , Buzovska M. B. , Liashenko H. V. , Herus L. V. , Janse L. A. , Melnyk E. B. , Popova H. K.
Published: November 2024

Aim. The aim of the study was to assess whether the ecological conditions for vineyards and the phylogenetic analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine yeast strains isolated from several locations in the Odesa and Mykolayiv regions could be used for terroir identification. Methods. The study employed microbiological, analytical, expedition, cartographic, and comparative assessment methods. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using the MEGA software program, and VIN-CAD-UKR software was used for the vineyard cadastre and the ampelecological characteristics data management. Results. The study highlighted differences in the ecological conditions of vineyards in the Odesa and Mykolayiv regions and within the Tairovo and Izmail territorial communities in the Odesa region, focusing on soil and microclimatic characteristics. Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated in 2012 and 2013, years with varying weather conditions in temperature and precipitation, were primarily clustered by the year of isolation. Two notable exceptions included a strain isolated from the Isabela variety belonging to a hybrid group (direct producer, contrary to other varieties, which mainly represent Vitis vinifera or its hybrids with Vitis riparia, Vitis amurensis, Vitis berlandieri) and a strain isolated from the Odesa Black variety inoculated at the beginning of fermentation with a commercial strain of wine yeast. The 2013 isolates, collected under conditions of higher precipitation and lower temperature in the first half of the growing season, showed a more differentiated clustering pattern, with two strains isolated from the Sukholymansky White variety forming a distinct cluster, while the rest grouped together, irrespective of the region, formed of isolation. Conclusions. Phylogenetic analysis of 64 strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from 36 technical grape varieties based on the ITS1_5.8S_ITS2 nucleotide sequence demonstrated that the year of isolation (reflecting agroclimatic factors) was the primary influence on sample clustering. These factors, as components of the ecological conditions of terroir, form the foundation for terroir identification.
The covariance analysis of the periodically non-stationary random signal with narrow-band modulation of carrier harmonics
Authors:   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Javorskyj I. M. ,   Bydgoszcz University of Sciences and Technology, Yuzefovych R. M. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine,   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lychak O. V. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Khmil R. I. ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University
Published: November 2024

The periodically non-stationary random signals (PNRSs), whose carrier harmonics are mo-dulated by jointly stationary high-frequency random processes are analyzed. A representation of the signal in the form of a superposition of high-frequency components is obtained and it is shown that these components are jointly periodically non-stationary random processes. The random process is periodically non-stationary of the second order only in the case when some of the cross-covariance functions of its modulation processes are not equal to zero. The correlations of the PNRP spectral harmonics and the correlations of the modulating processes in series representation are equivalent. Evaluating the specific features of the auto- and cross-covariances for modulating processes as well as contribution of each pair to the covariance component values allows us to detect defects at early stages.
Automated interferometric stand for determination of amplitude-frequency characteristics of acoustic emitters
Authors:   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Kuts O. G. , Muravsky L. I. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Gaskevych G. I. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine
Published: November 2024

An automated interferometric stand (AIS) was created to determine the amplitude-frequency characteristics of acoustic emitters in the range from 0.5 to 200 kHz. The created AIS contains a unit for generating acoustic sinusoidal excitation pulse packets and a recording unit. The unit for generating acoustic pulse packets includes a generator of sinusoidal signals, a microprocessor unit for pulse packets generation and the AIS synchronization, a power amplifier of a sinusoidal signal to create a sufficient power of the acoustic emitter excitation signal. The recording unit includes a Michelson interferometer with a sound-conducting rod in one of the arms. One of the ends of the rod has a mirror surface. The other end is connected to the acoustic emitter through an acoustic contact. The length of the sound-conducting rod is 50 cm, which is enough to ensure measurements at the lower limit of the frequency range of the acoustic emitter radiation. The propagation time of the acoustic wave in the rod is of the order of 75 microseconds. As the end of the rod vibrates due to acoustic excitation, the initial path difference of the optical beams in the interferometer will change, causing a change in the intensity of the illumination produced by the interfering beams. These changes are recorded by photodiode in the other arm of the interferometer. After the photodiode signal is amplified in the amplifier, it is fed to the analog-to-digital converter, the output of which is transferred to the buffer memory, where the discretized values of the response signal amplitude during the time of the measuring pulse are accumulated. The control algorithm of the AIS is carried out with the help of developed software. The results of measuring the amplitude-frequency characteristics of mass-produced broadband acoustic emitters using AIS proved the satisfactory convergence of the obtained frequency responses with the passport data of these serial devices frequency responses. The amplitude-frequency characteristic of experimental sample of a piezoelectric acoustic emitter, made for research on the detection and identification of internal defects in laminated composite structures and "composite-concrete" adhesive joints, was obtained.
Comparison of GIS-based solutions for the assessment of lakes water volume: a case study of biosphere reserve "Shatskyi"
Authors:   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Alokhina O. V. , Rusyn B. P. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Korus M. M. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Ivchenko D. V. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Pits N. A. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine
Published: November 2024

Understanding the volume of water in a lake is essential for assessing the health of the eco-system. Geographic Information Systems offer valuable tools for evaluating water volume in lakes, employing such methods as remote sensing for surface data and bathymetric surveys for lakebed data. By integrating techniques like sonar-based bathymetric surveys, precise depth measurements can be obtained to accurately calculate water volume. Based on the survey results, depth maps of three lakes of different sizes, depths, and origins within the Biosphere Reserve were created. Key morphometric characteristics and the volume of water mass were calculated from these surveys. However, it is important to note that these investigations can be expensive and time-consuming, especially for large lakes. It may not be feasible for lakes in remote or inaccessible areas. Hollister JW's (2010) bathymetry modelling method was applied, as an alternative to ground-based bathymetry survey results, to calculate the water volume of the above-mentioned lakes. The method is based on the assumption that the depth of the reservoir is a function of distance from the shoreline. The advantage of the method is the limited amount of input data, namely the area and maximum depth of the reservoir. The modeling bathymetry method is not suitable for very deep lakes like Svitiaz Lake, with complicated lake basin shapes, as demonstrated by comparing the results with ground-based bathymetric survey data. The lake with the smallest depth and more regular lake basin form, which is closer to a circular shape, such as Liutzimer Lake, provided the best results. Using the bathymetric modelling approach for other medium and small Bioreserve lakes could help to define the characteristics of water bodies for which this method can be extremely useful.
Peculiarities of formation and processing of surface interferograms according to Twyman-Green scheme in non-destructive testing
Authors:   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Nazarchuk Z. T. , Voronyak T. I. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Stasyshyn I. V. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine
Published: November 2024

The goal of the work is to ensure the maximum accuracy of reconstruction of relief and de-formation displacement fields of structural element surface by the interferometric method. The authors successfully use novel algorithms for the processing of surface interferograms as well as the interferometers that follow the Twyman-Green scheme in order to implement such opti-cal testing of the surface. The maximum precision of obtained experimental data was achieved by the use of structural additions to the optical circuit and the selection of optical elements and their settings during adjustment of the interferometer, as well as new algorithms for the selec-tion and registration of a series of interferograms, speckle interferograms and speckle surface images. The authors proposed structural additions to the interferometer scheme used in the testing of both smooth and rough surfaces, appropriate methods for calculating the parameters of optical elements and their adjustments. Examples of obtained interferograms of the surface of metals under the static and fatigue cyclic loading, speckle interferograms of the surface of metals and polymer composites under the static and dynamic loading are given. The results of processing and interpreting these interferograms confirm that the Twyman-Green interfero-meter is an effective instrument for solving the problems of fracture mechanics and deformable solids. In particular, an assessment was made of: roughness and waviness of the surface of metals; sizes of the plastic zone around the stress concentrator; deformation displacement fields of metals and composites, as well as the detection of hidden defects in them.
Optimization of the method for determining the velocity of surface acoustic waves
Authors:   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, Mokryy O. M. , Romanyshyn I. M. ,   Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine
Published: November 2024

The methodological aspects of measuring the velocity of Rayleigh surface waves are considered. The main attention is paid to the method for determining the change in surface wave velocity under the influence of certain factors on the object of study. The main sources of error in determining the change in surface acoustic wave velocity are discussed. The use of a transducer with rigidly connected elements for exciting and recording surface acoustic waves to determine the change in velocity is examined. A distinctive feature of such a transducer is the stable measurement base length, which eliminates the need for its determination during the measurement process. It is shown that the main sources of decreased surface acoustic wave measurement accuracy are the temperature instability of the measuring equipment and the transducer, as well as the instability of the acoustic contact layer between the transducer ele-ments and the object of study. The instability of the acoustic contact is caused by the uncertainty in the distribution of the coupling fluid between the transducer and the specimen during the bonding process, leading to changes in the acoustic signal propagation time. The source of temperature instability is random changes in the ambient temperature. Another source of such instability is the heating of equipment elements due to the release of heat when electrical and acoustic energy pass through them. This is particularly important for the transducer, where electrical energy is converted into acoustic energy, as a significant portion of it is transformed into heat. The magnitude of temperature instability arising from prolonged system operation, as well as the instability caused by the installation of the transducer on the object of study, is experimentally evaluated. The use of a reference sample to compensate for the temperature instability of the measurement system is considered. The possibility of using a measurement scheme with a reference sample to reduce temperature instability and the error caused by the instability of the acoustic contact between the transducer and the object of study is analyzed.
Effects of Peer Assessment Strategy on Students’ Attitude and Achievement in Mathematics in Senior Secondary Schools in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria.
Authors:   Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education University of Jos., Mawak Joseph John , Odulum Frances C.
Published: November 2024

The study focused on effects of peer assessment strategy on students’ attitude and achievement in Mathematics in senior secondary schools in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. The study was guided by four objectives and four Research Questions. The study adopted the non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental research design. The target population of this study was 2,786 SSS 1 students. 120 students were used as sample for the study. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting the sample for the study. The data were collected using Mathematic Achievement Test (MAT) and Mathematics Attitude Scale Questionnaire (MASQ). The validity of the two instruments was established using two experts, one from mathematics unit of the Department of science and technology education and one from Research, measurement and evaluation of the Department of Educational Foundations all of the university of Jos. Reliability coefficients of 0.93 and 0.85 were obtained for the (MAT) and (MASQ) respectively. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while the hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that, peer assessment strategy had significant effect on the attitude and achievement of students in Mathematics. A significant difference exists in the achievement mean scores of students exposed to peer assessment strategy and those not exposed to it. Significant difference also exists in the attitude mean scores of students exposed to peer assessment strategy and those not exposed to it. It was recommended among others that peer assessment strategy should be incorporated into the teaching and learning of mathematics at the senior secondary school level since it stimulates students to effectively learn and retain the concepts presented to them.
Influence of Curriculum Perspectives on Academic Performance in Mathematics in Schools for Deaf in Kenya.
Authors:   Maseno University, P.O Box 333, Maseno, Kenya., Fondo Kalama Hassan , Okutoyi Joel
Published: November 2024

Mathematics is one of the three science subjects offered in the 8-4-4 system of Education in kenya. However, previous studies have indicated low performance in the subject to learners with hearing impairment in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E) examination in comparison to other subjects. The underlying cause of such performance in Mathematics by deaf learners had not been brought to surface. For this reason, the purpose of the study was to find out the influence of curriculum perspective on academic performance in Mathematics in schools for the deaf in Kenya, in relation to curriculum content, teaching and learning resources, teaching methods and time allocated for the Mathematics curriculum implementation. The study was guided by the constructivist theory. It adopted a descriptive research design. The study analyzed four heads of department, eight teachers of Mathematics and a hundred students taking Mathematics. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules and document analysis. The reliability of the data collection instruments was ensured through reviews done by the experts. Quantitative data was analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and mean. The study findings indicated a mean of (3.153) was used to evaluate the curriculum content and its suitability for the learners, On the availability of teaching and learning resources for the curriculum implementation, the mean of (2.368) was used, in establishing the teaching methods used in Mathematics. a mean of (2.195) was used and in evaluating the time allocated for the implementation of the curriculum, a mean of (2.910) was used. The study recommended on the need of some adaptations on the mathematics curriculum so that it can suit the needs of the learners with hearing impairment, e.g. complex topics must be revised and language used should be made simple for them. There was need of teachers to be involved in designing the mathematics curriculum content for learners with hearing impairments since they understand more on their specials needs which hinder them from accessing the curriculum. There was need of more exposures to mathematical practical sessions for such learners. Learners should be encouraged to be creative during learning and relate mathematics in real life situations. The study recommended on the use of Kenyan Sign language can be of a great importance during evaluation, Language used in the teaching methods should be simple and flexible based on their needs and pace of understanding because rushing for syllabus coverage may result in poor performance. Finally it recommends for more instructional time during evaluation because by allocating more time to them, they are able to finish their work.
Influence of Effects of Stuttering on Vocational Aspirations Among Young Adolescents Who Stutter in Kenya.
Authors:   Maseno University, P.O Box 333, Maseno, Kenya., Okutoyi Joel
Published: November 2024

Stuttering is characterized by repetitions, prolongations, hesitations and blocks. Resulting to effects such as anxiety, stigma, fear, and embarrassment. The purpose of the study was to find out effects of stuttering on vocational aspirations among young adolescents. Objectives of study were to; establish effects of stuttering on vocational aspirations among LWS. The study employed descriptive survey research design. Sample was got from the target population. Data was collected using valid and reliable instruments. Data was analyzed and presented in means. Findings indicated the most preferred vocations farming (M= 4.53), being an artist (M= 4.51), engineering (M= 4.45), and nursing (M= 3.96). Least rated teaching (M= 2.75), politicking (M= 2.13) as required much talking. In conclusion, stuttering effects such as anxiety, fear, frustrations, self-stigma and embarrassment negatively influenced choice of vocational aspirations among LWS in primary schools. LWS preferred vocations that require less talking to avoid negative effects of stuttering. The study recommends that LWS be guided in the choice of vocation. LWS need to be advised to pursue vocational aspirations that require less talking. This is in order to reduce the stuttering effects at work place in future. LWS need to be taken through guidance and counseling sessions on vocational aspirations.
Design and Testing of Brush Robot as Innovation in Improving STEM Instructional Out-Come in Pre-Service Teachers in Plateau State.
Authors:   Tetfund Centre of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning, Federal College of Education Pankshin, Plateau State, Nigeria, DUGURYIL Zipporah Pewat , KATNIYON Henry David , LONGMUT Dakup Ibrahim
Published: November 2024

In this study, an experimental research design was used to design and test brush robots with pre-service teachers in Federal College of Education Pankshin Plateau state. This intends to solve the problem of innovation deficit in classroom instruction. The population for the study consisted of all NCE one students in the department of early childhood offering the course Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics STEM in the 2023/2024 session. A Sample of 30 Pre service NCE teachers participated in the research. A robot brush was constructed using low cost kits in the robot design stages. The instruments used consisted of Robot Parts test and the Solve-It tasks (design and functionality test) with Cronbach alpha reliability of 0.81. Treatment lasted for 6 weeks. Data was collected and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated that pre-service teachers have poor knowledge of robot parts such as DC motors. This implies that pre-service teachers are novice to robot part and use Also, participants were very competent in robot design process activities and robot base cutting. Participants also showed average competence in Robot stage cutting, construction of rollers and fixing of robot parts. They however showed only fair competence in coupling of robots parts. Findings indicate that the teachers designed robots have high educational value. The robots are averagely complete in form, ease of use motion and durability. The designs however have low compliance to safety. It was recommended amongst other that Teacher training colleges should organised in-service training to improve teacher competent in handling engineering and technology parts and programming of STEM robots.
Enhancing the Efficiency of Piano Learning Through Self-Regulated Learning Training
Authors: Dong Suqi , Gedvilienė Genutė , Karasevičiūtė Salomėja
Published: November 2024

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is a powerful method to enhance learning efficiency. This study explores its application in piano education, focusing on goal setting and strategy use. Involving 32 piano students from the Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), the research showed that participants practicing SRL significantly improved their technique, expression, and rhythm after 8 weeks. A  counterbalancing method confirmed SRL's effectiveness over traditional learning, highlighting its practical value in piano pedagogy.
Classification of Arabic User Requirements: A Semi-Automated Approach using NLP Tools
Authors:   College of Graduate Studies, Palestine Polytechnic University, Palestine, Shehadeh Karmel , Arman Nabil ,   Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, Palestine, Khamayseh Faisal ,   3Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, Palestine
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we present a new Semi-Automated classification approach of Arabic user requirements into functional and non-functional requirements using natural language processing (NLP) tools, namely CAMeL Tools. We proposed a set of heuristics based on basic constructs of Arabic sentences in order to extract information from software requirements written in Arabic to classify the requirements into functional and non-functional requirements. CAMeL tools are used to generate tokens, PoS tags, and lemmas of the parsed user requirements, then a set of proposed heuristic rules are applied to CAMeL outputs to determine the closest tagging class for each statement. We implemented the proposed approach using Python code with using CAMeL Tools 1.3.1, under Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. The proposed approach is validated using a set of experiments involving a set of real cases evaluated by a group of experts, graduate, and undergraduate students who are familiar with software requirements. The results showed that the proposed approach achieved better results in the classification of Arabic software requirements than classifications by students with an accuracy of 90%.
Securing UAV Communications with Homomorphic Encryption and Key Regeneration: A Model Checking Approach
Authors:   Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology, AlBaha University, AlBaha, Saudi Arabia, Alzahrani Mohammed Y
Published: November 2024

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are at the centre of multiple applications across various fields, including delivery, disaster response, and surveillance. However, its use of wireless communications exposes them to security risks such as information distortion and interception. The paper presents a security model based on Homomorphic Encryption (HE) and Key Regeneration (KR) with the incorporation of Model Checking to enhance UAV communication security. Our system employs homomorphic encryption that resolves the data security problem by ensuring data security at the transmission stage, where information is processed at the receiver end without decryption, thus maintaining privacy and the data processing policy at the UAV end. Furthermore, the key regeneration protocol updates the encryption keys regularly, thus reducing the risk denial window and impact in case of key compromise. The security of the protocols is proven through model checking that establishes the system status operation through a systematic study, as per the provided security requirements. The simulation results indicate certain trade-offs in the system with performance degraded in encryption time and computations, unlike the existing system. The system enhancement outweighs the performance, as indicated by the minimized level of threat and integrity violation. Therefore, integrating HE and KR can secure UAV communication in the presence of a smart and capable adversary, making the entire system robust and dependable in the line of operation.
Unlocking Blue Ocean Growth Powered by Artificial Intelligence
Authors:   University of Petra, Al-Tarifi Shadi , Zraqou Jamal ,   University of Petra, Omar Firas ,   Al-Zaytoonah University, Magatef Sima ,   University of Petra
Published: November 2024

The core of this research lies in the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in facilitating strategic decision-making processes to transition from the Red Ocean to the Blue Ocean strategy. The Red Ocean signifies existing market spaces characterized by intense competition, while the Blue Ocean represents untapped market spaces with uncontested marketplaces. By employing AI techniques such as market analysis market analysis, competitive intelligence, customer segmentation, innovation, risk assessment, and decision support, organizations can identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and develop strategies to navigate this transition successfully. The paper introduces an AI-powered approach called Isolation Forest, which supports executives in making well-informed strategic decisions to move from the Red Ocean to the Blue Ocean. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is demonstrated through a case study. The findings indicate that the suggested methodology holds promise for the future of business.
Evaluation of Cloud Computing for Advancement LMS through Different Environments
Authors:   Faculty of Information Technology, Zarqa University, Jordan, Fawareh Hamed
Published: November 2024

In this innovative study, we tackle the urgent need for practical Learning Management Systems (LMS) in educational settings, highlighting the oftenoverlooked aspect of strategic infrastructure planning. Central to our enquiry is Moodle LMS, a versatile, open-source platform highly regarded for its adaptability to any educational institution’s needs. Our research adopts a two-pronged approach. Firstly, we rigorously test Moodle in both local and cloud environments, revealing remarkable results: cloud setups boast up to 89.6% faster period times, 85.7% quicker processing, an 88% increase in throughput, and a 74.2% reduction in overall load time. These findings underscore the cloud’s superior efficiency. The second aspect of our study focuses on Moodle’s performance across various geographical regions involving three different service providers. The results are clear-cut: proximity to the service provider dramatically enhances system efficiency, with response times improving by 35.7%, 28.4%, and 8.9% for each provider’s closest regions, respectively. This research sheds light on the efficiency gains of cloud-based LMS infrastructures and equips educational institutions with a comprehensive testing protocol. By following our outlined steps, institutions can make informed decisions, ensuring a bespoke, high-performing LMS solution, thereby significantly mitigating the risks associated with unsuitable system choices. Our study is an essential guide for educational bodies striving to optimize their LMS strategy in today’s digital landscape.
The Challenges Experienced by International Nursing Students in Nursing Education: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Elmalı Şimşek Hülya , Karali Ece , Arslan Günay
Published: November 2024

Objective: The study aimed to determine the challenges experienced by international nursing undergraduate students during their education period.

Methods: A phenomenological research design was used. The study was conducted with 20 international nursing students enrolled in a foundation university in Türkiye. Colaizzi's phenomenological data analysis method was employed in the study.

Results: Based on the study’s results, three main themes, ‘Learning in a different environment’, ‘Challenges’, ‘Solution-Non Solution’ and ‘System difference, Language problems in clinical practice, Broad nursing curriculum, Facilitators, Language barrier, Feeling homesick, Racism and discrimination, Housing difficulties, Lack of funding, Instant solution, Failing to find a solution sub-themes themes were created.

Conclusion: It has been observed that students experience different environments, uncertainties, and various challenges, and that these situations directly affect their education and success. To that end, both the institutions they receive education and the academicians must support the students in various ways.