bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Swimming Against the Current” of Demutualizations in the 1990s and 2000s: The Case of the Private Statutory Pension Insurance Sector in Finland
Authors: Talonen Antti , Mähönen Jukka
Published: January 2024

The global insurance industry of the 1990s and 2000s witnessed a significant wave of demutualizations often regarded as a world-wide phenomenon. In this article, we describe the case of the Finnish private statutory pension insurance sector and the reasons why it eventually “swam against the current” by explicitly deciding to emphasize mutuals —that still today account for 96% of the particular sector in Finland and has ensured that the almost 150 billion euros of pension assets has stayed in control and in use of the Finnish people, organizations and entrepreneurs. As an empirical dataset, we analyze two interviews of high-level experts who participated in the working group drafting the guidelines for the Finnish Act on Pension Insurance Companies.Received: 28 April 2023 Accepted: 20 December 2023
The Civil Regime of Digital Twins: Tendencies and Development Prospects
Authors:   Associate Professor of the Department of Information Law and Digital Technologies of the Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL), PhD (Law), Associate Professor, Sushkova Olga V.
Published: January 2024

This article analyzed approaches related to the development of digital twins. Interest in digital twin technology is growing in science and law enforcement. In this regard, we can talk about the formation of the Concept of “digital twins”, which is based on the fact that it is a virtual copy of a physical object that can track it in real time. Accordingly, a framework has been established to compare digital twin approaches in terms of research areas, technologies and models used in digital twin, and verification methods used. Using the proposed framework, gaps and future directions for digital twin research are identified along five dimensions: digital twin definitions, applications, integration, modeling, and data.
Conjunto de controle finito para o inversor conectado à rede aplicado na suavização de distorção
Authors: Sanca Ramaliano , Costa Jefferson Souza , Lunardi Angelo dos Santos , Sguarezi Filho Alfeu Joãozinho
Published: January 2024

Neste trabalho é proposto uma alteração no controle preditivo de corrente finite control set (FCS) para um inversor trifásico conectado à rede elétrica de forma a possibilitar sua operação com tensão distorcida. O controlador FCS de corrente usa o modelo do sistema em tempo discreto para predizer o comportamento futuro da corrente, e uma função custo do erro entre as predições e as referências. Esta função custo é minimizada pela de seleção direta do sinal de controle ótimo a ser aplicado no inversor. Testes experimentais foram realizados em uma bancada de 2 kW/220 V e comprovam a eficiência do sistema de controle proposto, mostrando-se capaz de manter distorção harmônica total (THD) abaixo de 5%, de acordo com a norma IEEE std 519- 2014, mesmo na condição de uma rede com tensão distorcida, para comprovar o desempenho superior do controlador proposto, foi realizado os testes experimentais em comparação com o FCS clássico. Por fim, podemos concluir que as aprimorações implementadas no algoritmo de controle possibilitaram alcançar um desempenho elevado no controle, especialmente em aplicações de conversores conectados à rede elétrica.
Pregled ključnih tehnoloških trendov na področju kadrovske funkcije pri delu na daljavo
Authors: Ferjan Marko , Bernik Mojca
Published: January 2024

V zadnjih letih se je kadrovska funkcija srečala s spremenjeno obliko dela na področju kadrovskih in izobraževalnih sistemov, in sicer z delom na daljavo. Preučevanje kadrovskega managementa, managementa kadrovskih virov in kadrovske administracije je doživelo spremembe zaradi spremenjenih načinov dela in komuniciranja pri delu na daljavo. Prispevek obravnava pregled kadrovske funkcije od njenega začetka do danes in njen spremenjen način pogleda na delovanje zaposlenih zaradi razvoja informacijsko-komunikacijske tehnologije, ki je omogočila delo zaposlenih na daljavo. Predstavljeni so ključni tehnološki trendi, ki se uporabljajo znotraj kadrovske funkcije, in posamezna programska orodja, ki omogočajo učinkovito upravljanje zaposlenih pri njihovem delu na daljavo.
Development of Teaching Props on Water Cycle in Fifth Class Madrasah Ibtidaiyah
Authors: Mukaromah Siti , Supriatin Atin , Syar Nur Inayah
Published: January 2024

The research and development of teaching aids was motivated by the fact that students in class V MIN 1 in Palangka Raya City were faced for the past 2 years with online learning, some of which had an impact on decreasing learning outcomes, lack of student interest in learning, and the need for additional creative teaching aids to arouse students' interest in learning. . Teaching aids are communication tools used by teachers in the learning process. Having valid teaching aids will make it easier for students to understand the material. On the other hand, if the props used are not valid then it will not facilitate understanding for the participants. This development aims to describe the development of teaching aids for class V water cycle material at MI, and to determine the feasibility of the results of developing teaching aids for class V water cycle material at MI. This research is a type of Research and Development (R&D) research that uses the 4- D model. Data collection uses interview, observation, documentation and questionnaire techniques. The final results of this research showed that the validity test of media experts' teaching aids obtained a percentage score of 97.91%, and material experts obtained a percentage score of 98.21%, in the category of very valid and suitable for use. The student response to the results of developing teaching aids was 95.83%.
Qualitative Study on Educational Activities in the Area of Dietary Life Using Han-gwa in the Middle School Home Economics Class
Authors:   Korean Home Economics Education Association, Yu Myoung Suk , Yu Nan Sook
Published: January 2024

The purpose of this study was to examine students' experiences in the dietary life class using traditional Korean desserts in middle school home economics classes. Participatory observation, in-depth interview, and site data collected in this study were analyzed through emic coding, and the results are as follows. First, students had ‘expectations about Han-gwa lab classes.’ Students were always positive about lab classes, looking forward to eating delicious food and eagerly awaiting their first lab class since entering middle school. Additionally, there were many students who were experiencing Han-gwa for the first time, so expectations about learning about Han-gwa were high. Second, students engaged in ‘self-directed learning through the Han-gwa project.’ In other words, while creating an activity book about Han-gwa, the students realized self-directed learning about the differences between Han-gwa and Yang-gwa (Western-style sweets), and the scientific principles of cooking Han-gwa. Third, students had ‘instilled pride in Han-gwa through lab classes.’ The students learned that there was sufficient awareness and change in values to cherish Han-gwa and to inherit its traditions. Fourth, there was a ‘potential curriculum effect.’ Students who did not experience face-to-face group activities for three years in middle school due to COVID-19 came to recognize the importance of collaboration and even tried making Han-gwa at home. In order for students to have pride in Han-gwa, it was confirmed that it was necessary for home economics teachers at school to actively teach classes on traditional foods and provide students with many opportunities to encounter them.
The practice of experienced CEOs: Relational leaders challenging crisis situations
Authors: Soela Vanderlei , Carvalho Neto Antônio , Versiani Fernanda , Diniz Daniela Martins
Published: January 2024

Background: Most studies on leadership mainly focus on the role of the leader, seeking to understand the most appropriate style of behavior to lead, considering leadership a one-sided phenomenon. As a result, they end up neglecting some important roles among those led, such as, for example, the reciprocal relationship between leaders and followers and the influence of organizations in this relationship. Moving from the understanding of a traditional leadership to a Relational Leadership becomes, therefore, an important step towards understanding the phenomenon of leadership.
Purpose: This article analyzes how highly successful and experienced CEOs who have been leading large corporations perceive the influence of Relational Leadership to overcome moments of organizational and personal crisis.
Method: In the qualitative research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 CEOs (9 men and 3 women, around 60 years old) that have been leaders of several corporations in Brazil and abroad for more than 30 years.
Results: The results show that the CEOs perceived the strong and positive influence of relational leadership to successfully face economic, political and personal crisis. The CEOs practices are related to the Relational Leadership Theory: 1) multilateral relationship; 2) human social construction; 3) relationships based on trust; 4) collective dimension; 5) communication to foster better decisions. These practices were also identified as antidotes to the solitude of power inherent to the CEOs` position.
Conclusions: Successful CEOs who have walked a long road leading corporations perceive the strong and positive influence of Relational Leadership to face crisis. So, the study has theoretical implications when it points out Relational Leadership as effective in crisis situations, since the literature relates crisis with transformational leadership in most cases.
Analfabetismo: uma realidade na desigualdade no Brasil no que toca à dignidade (Direitos Humanos)
Authors: Harmbach Oduwaldo Jose , Santos Lucineia Rosa dos
Published: January 2024

Na introdução há uma apresentação de alguns fenômenos atuais, que são a globalização e a COVID-19, e suas consequências para a economia, entre elas, o lockdown, em que muitos brasileiros voltaram ao mapa da fome, de antes da implementação de programas sociais (Bolsa Família). No entanto, a desigualdade social ainda permanece. O objetivo geral é demonstrar que os benefícios advindos da economia brasileira não foram alcançados para a maior parte dos brasileiros. O objetivo específico é a falta de acesso à educação para as classes sociais menos privilegiadas. E dentro deste se coloca a hipótese de que é imprescindível a superação do analfabetismo para se alcançar a dignidade humana (atributo visceral ou de maior valor). Este é um assunto multidisciplinar, portanto o caminho ou método é o dedutivo, sendo complementado pelos procedimentos metodológicos de aplicação de leituras analíticas de dados bibliográficos, destacando no conjunto do direito a importância da linguagem e das normas para a vida em sociedade, com apresentação dos direitos humanos, notadamente DUDH, caminhando para os conceitos de pessoa e dignidade, sendo este de maior valor da pessoa humana, para adentrar à questão da educação. Em seguida, verificaram-se algumas adversidades em relação ao ensino básico, evidenciando o problema do analfabetismo. Por fim, como resultados alcançados se tem o analfabetismo como um perverso indicador da falha do ensino, influenciando e sendo influenciado, reciprocamente e negativamente, pelos conceitos de dignidade, desigualdade e desenvolvimento, procurando mostrar que a causa dos problemas da desigualdade social e do analfabetismo não está na falta do crescimento econômico e sim na falta do desenvolvimento.
Scanners corporais em aeroportos e seu impacto nas garantias individuais
Authors: Vaz Andréa Arruda , Mattos Kennedy Josué Greca de , Martins Tais
Published: January 2024

A implantação de máquinas de scanner de corpo inteiro em aeroportos gerou sérias preocupações para os usuários de aeroportos. O uso desses equipamentos pode infringir os direitos e garantias fundamentais, tal como o da privacidade. Tendo em vista que a tecnologia visa salvaguardar a segurança pública, que também é um direito fundamental, qual seria o impacto que o uso indiscriminado do sistema traria aos usuários dos aeroportos? Na colisão das garantias fundamentais previstas na Constituição de 1988, como seriam tratados os diferentes institutos quando em conflito diante dessa situação? A pesquisa aborda tal problemática sob a perspectiva de se ponderar os princípios de forma a preservar intimidade e dignidade humana. A pesquisa não tem como objetivo banir sistemas de segurança ou ainda fundamentar fragilidades ao sistema de segurança, mas ao contrário, propor que ambos os princípios possam em conjunto conviver e produzir efeitos. Método dedutivo e a técnica bibliográfica são utilizados para produção do presente artigo.
(In)constitucionalidade das vedações de liberalidades por pessoa casada em favor do(a) concubino(a)
Authors: Mafra Tereza Cristina Monteiro , Guedes Susan Naiany Diniz
Published: January 2024

Ao se fazer a leitura isolada e descontextualizada das normas vigentes no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, é possível chegar à hipótese de que são vedadas as liberalidades praticadas por pessoas casadas em favor do(a) concubino(a) e/ou do(a) cúmplice em adultério, por meio de doação, seguro de vida ou testamento. Entretanto, considerando que tais vedações tinham fundamento na inculpação, abolida pela Emenda Constitucional 66/2010, o objetivo do trabalho consiste em verificar a regulamentação do tema pelo Código Civil ao longo dos anos, como o direito pátrio, após 2010, se posicionou, e indagar: seriam constitucionais as vedações de liberalidades em favor de concubino(a) ou cúmplice em adultério por pessoa casada e não separada de fato? Além disso, ao se fazer uma análise crítica foi possível constatar que, no presente tema, a inculpação ainda está presente e restringe a autonomia privada ao, por exemplo, limitar o direito de dispor e de realizar um planejamento patrimonial, o que configura grande interferência estatal nas relações privadas. A pesquisa seguiu o tipo metodológico jurídico-exploratório e historiográfico, aplicando-se a metodologia dedutiva e a técnica de pesquisa bibliográfica, em literatura nacional e estrangeira, jurisprudência dos Tribunais Superiores e revistas científicas.
POSITIVE TEACHER-STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS FOR EFFECTIVE LEARNING
Authors: Siburian Naomi Sonya Fitri , Indriani Siane
Published: January 2024

The distance between teacher and students can affect students’ performance in the teaching and learning process. On the other hand, a Christian teacher as an agent of reconciliation should build a positive relationship with the students by showing love and caring as God does it first to us. Thus, this paper aims to know the importance and the possible ways of creating a positive teacher-student relationship for effective learning. Through the literature review, the writer found that a positive teacher-student relationship has impacted students’ performance, by which they will be more confident and motivated to participate in the learning process. Hence, the teacher must be flexible and be able to select the most suitable ways to build a positive relationship. It is recommended for the next researcher to find ways to embed the boundaries amid positive relationships.

 

Bahasa Indonesia Abstrak

Jarak antara guru dengan siswa dapat mempengaruhi prestasi siswa dalam proses belajar mengajar. Di sisi lain, seorang guru Kristen sebagai agen rekonsiliasi harus membangun hubungan guru-siswa yang positif melalui tindakan kasih dan kepedulian seperti yang telah Allah lakukan lebih dahulu. Oleh karena itu, makalah ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pentingnya dan cara-cara yang memungkinkan untuk menciptakan relasi guru-siswa yang positif. Melalui kajian literatur, penulis menemukan bahwa relasi ini memberikan dampak bagi prestasi siwa, dimana mereka lebih percaya diri dan termotivasi untuk berpartisipasi dalam proses pembelajaran. Maka, guru Kristen harus mampu untuk menjadi fleksibel dan mampu untuk memilih mana cara yang paling tepat dan cara yang harus dihindari dalam membangun relasi guru-siswa yang positif. Disarankan kepada peneliti selanjutnya untuk menemukan bagaimana cara menanamkan batasan di tengah-tengah relasi yang positif.
Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia with Isobaric Ropivacaine 0.375% for Inguinal Hernia Surgery in a Heart Failure Patient with Ejection Fraction of 36%
Authors: Rayyan Muhammad Isra Rafidin , Ghiffari Salman Sultan , Hariyanto Achmad , Winarso Achmad Wahib Wahju , Darmawan Haris , Fardhani Ichlasul Mahdi
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Heart failure is a condition caused by myocardial abnormalities that interfere with the fulfillment of the body's metabolism. It is one of the primary causes of high perioperative morbidity and mortality rates, and its management presents a challenge to anesthesiologists. Objective: To demonstrate combined spinal-epidural anesthesia with isobaric ropivacaine 0.375% for inguinal hernia repair surgery in a heart failure patient with an ejection fraction of 36%. Case Report: A 53-year-old man presented with a complaint of a lump on his left groin accompanied by pain with a visual analog scale (VAS) pain score of 3/10 three days before admission. The patient was also known to often complain of shortness of breath and chest palpitations when lying down at night and during strenuous activity. Based on the examination, the patient was then diagnosed with reducible left lateral inguinal hernia and heart failure with LVEF 36%. Subsequently, the patient was scheduled for elective herniotomy-hernioraphy surgery under low-dose combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia was performed with isobaric ropivacaine 0.375% and fentanyl 25 μg in a total volume of 3.5 ml at the L3-L4 intervertebral space. Epidural anesthesia was performed with isobaric ropivacaine 0.375% and fentanyl 25 μg in a total volume of 8 ml at the L2-L3 intervertebral space. After 10 minutes, the sensory block reached the T6 level, but the motor block was only partial (Bromage 1). A continuous infusion of isobaric ropivacaine 0.1875% 1 ml/hour was administered through the epidural catheter to control postoperative pain. During surgery and hospitalization, the patient's hemodynamic condition remained stable. Conclusion: Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia with isobaric ropivacaine 0.375% can provide adequate anesthesia with relatively stable hemodynamics, thus making it safe for inguinal hernia repair surgery in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction.
The Use of Vegetation Indices on Temporal Mangrove Condition: A Case Study on Timbulsloko and Bedono, Demak
Authors: Aulia Zahra Safira , Pribadi Rudhi , Helmi Muhammad
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Mangrove forests in Timbulsloko and Bedono have very dynamic conditions, due to tidal flooding and land subsidence that occur in these areas. Meanwhile, mangrove forests in the Timbulsloko and Bedono Village play an important role in preventing abrasion which often occurs in these areas. The importance of the mangroves function in this area makes it crucial to monitor their condition. Monitoring the condition of mangroves can be done by looking at their density through the vegetation index. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the best vegetation index to be used in the Timbulsloko and Bedono villages to monitor mangroves in 2016-2018, 2020, and 2022. The method in this research consisted of two stages, namely sentinel 2 image processing and the field survey. Image processing was used to determine the condition of mangroves based on several vegetation indices. Meanwhile, data collection in the field was utilized to validate several vegetation indices used in this study and conducted with the hemispherical photography method. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the most suitable vegetation index to be applied in the study area. The study found that NDVI vegetation index had the highest accuracy value, followed by SAVI, EVI, and MVI. The use of NDVI to see the changes in mangrove conditions showed an increase in the total area in each category. So, it can be concluded that the area and density of mangrove forests in the Bedono and Timbulsloko villages increased every year.
Highlight Research

Mangroves in each region have different canopy density values.
The use of the mangrove vegetation index will produce different accuracy values in different areas.
LAI has a very strong relationship with the NDVI.
The addition of area in the sparse mangrove category can be an indication of mangrove planting at the most recent time.
In general, the research outcome will be valuable recommendation for mangrove rehabilitation in current target area.
Spatial and Temporal Variability of Mixed Layer Depth (MLD) in Eastern Indian Ocean (EIO): 1998-2020
Authors: Yuliardi Amir Yarkhasy , Firdaus Randi
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Mixed Layer Depth (MLD) plays an important role in various aspects of oceanography. MLD has a characteristic parameter value that is uniform with depth. MLD has an important role for local, regional, and global phenomena. Indonesia, which is surrounded by the East Indian Ocean, will be directly influenced by the dynamics of MLD. This study aimed to analyze seasonal variability and MLD between years. Mixed layer depth data from the ARMOR3D Dataset Copernicus-Marine Environment Monitoring Service was used for MLD analysis with a threshold of 0.2oC for temperature. Wavelet analysis showed that MLD variability in the eastern Indian Ocean spans from intra-seasonal to interannual scales. Time series analysis showed a complex relationship between MLD and SST in the annual and interannual periods which indicates a different process. The MLD monthly climatology at point 90E, 0 showed the depth of mixed layers is deeper during the east monsoon (JJA-SON) ranging from 50-65 m compared to the west monsoon (DJF-MAM) which has a range of 20-40 m. Spatially the MLD in the south of the equator is deeper than in the north. Interannually, MLD is heavily influenced by the Indian Ocean Dipole. MLD depth is deeper in nIOD with a maximum depth in the range of 100 m compared to pIOD. MLD with maximum depth in the strong nIOD phase is around the equator and the pIOD phase is south of the equator. The study also showed that inter-annual variability in regions around the mainland showed a stronger response.
Highlight Researh

ARMOR3D data has fairly good accuracy as evidenced by data validation
In general, EIO is influenced by intra-seasonal, seasonal and inter-annual variability
The shallowing and deepening of the MLD are strongly correlated with the wind speed associated with the annual cycle
IOD has a strong role in MLD which looks significantly different, especially when nIOD and pIOD
Exploring the Resources Governance Connectivity of Cultural Ecosystem Services: Evidence in Tanjung Lesung SEZ Tourism, Banten Province, Indonesia
Authors: Kusuma Okky Rizal , Adrianto Luky , Kurniawan Fery , Zulfikar Andi
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The existence of the utilization of the Tanjung Lesung Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as connectivity, interaction relationships, and the balance of resource governance influence cultural ecosystem service. This research aimed to map out the social-ecological system components of coastal and marine cultural ecosystem services. The focus is on examining the connectivity network between resource governance (RG) components such as resource actors (RA), resource units (RU), and resource systems (RS). The data obtained were analyzed using the stages of social-ecological network analysis. The results show a significant influence and strong interaction between resource governance (RG) components and other components. The presence of institutional structures and typologies is a crucial component that serves as a guideline for SEZ management influenced by actor centrality through links. Several performance indicators are still lacking based on the interaction conditions, indicating the need for strategies to strengthen governance. However, a particular challenge that needs attention is the implementation of every governance strategy formulation. Cohesion among stakeholders in enhancing resource governance performance with the surrounding community is paramount. Improvement can be achieved through strong collaboration to ensure the sustainability of coastal and marine cultural ecosystem services.
Highlight Research

The components of the social-ecological system of cultural coastal and marine ecosystem services can be identified and analyzed in a case study of a special economic zone.
The complexity of the social-ecological system was analyzed using a network perspective approach.
Centrality analysis was used to determine the magnitude of influence of each component in the system.
The performance condition of governance can be determined using analysis of the resource governance interactions.
News Website Accessibility Evaluation Using Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology
Authors: Fadli Muhammad , Suranto Beni
Published: January 2024

News website have become one of the media used to distribute information in line with the large use of the large use of internet. A website must be designed to meet the needs of every users in obtaining information, including people with disabilities as regulated in Act. Number 8 of 2016 article 24. Therefore, an evaluation is needed to measure the level of accessibility of news website pages, where this study uses Detik.com news site as one of the largest media in Indonesia. The evaluation was conducted using the Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology (WCAG-EM) to measure the level of accessibility of Detik.com news site according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 standard with the assistant of AChecker and WAVE evaluation tools. The result shows that none of the pages of Detik.com comply with the WCAG 2.0 minimum accessibility standards. The majority of web pages can not convey the purpose of both text and image links with clear context. Improvements to the accessibility barriers found can be carried out immediately to improve the level of accessibility of Detik.com news site.
Development of Backend Server Based on REST API Architecture in E-Wallet Transfer System
Authors: Muhammad Irfan Rizq Dzaky , Paputungan Irving Vitra
Published: January 2024

Cash payments are starting to shift towards an electronic or cashless payment system. While the process of transferring balances between ewallet at this time is considered less effective because it requires withdrawal from ewallet and replenishment using banks. This paper presents how to develop a Backend Server based on REST API Architecture using the NestJS framework on a ewallet transfer system. The development uses NestJS framework tools, MySQL database, API testing with Postman, Extreme Programming (XP) development method, and BlackBox Testing method. The result of this research is a server side system for transferring funds between ewallet in the form of a REST API that can be used by frontend and mobile developers.
On the Interpretation of Cosmic Acceleration
Authors: Gaztanaga Enrique
Published: January 2024

The usual cosmic acceleration concept, labeled as $q$, is based on distances in a 3D space-like coordinate, representing events that lack causal connection. While using $q$ isn't inherently wrong, it requires extending observations (such as luminosity distance) into non-observable territories, leading to an inaccurate interpretation of the physics behind the observations. For a correct interpretation, we propose a new measure, $q_E$, based on the distance between causal events in 4D null space. We compare $q_E$ and the standard $q$ using data from supernovae (SN) and radial galaxy/QSO clustering (BAO). The usual $q$ analysis shows tension between SN and BAO, but this tension vanishes with $q_E$, indicating that our new definition better aligns with observations. The data indicates that cosmic expansion is actually decelerating, with events seemingly enclosed within an Event Horizon, similar to the interior of a Black Hole. Instead of a new dark energy or modified Gravity, it appears that $\Lambda$ acts as a boundary force causing an attractive force, akin to a rubber band preventing further expansion. Thus, contrary to common belief, it's more accurate to interpret current measurements of cosmic expansion as deceleration rather than acceleration.
An Insight on the Sufficiency of Waste Eggshells in Hong Kong for Sustainable Commercial Applications in Cementitious Products
Authors: Maqsood Sohail , Eddie Lam S. S. , Ng Hei Yi , Afzal Muhammad
Published: January 2024

Hong Kong is the biggest consumer of eggs in the world and ranks on the top with an average consumption of 24.52kg/capita/year. The egg consumption trend in Hong Kong has been increasing specifically; a drastic increase of about 100% has been observed from 2008 to 2020. One of the reasons behind this significant increase is the increase in the gross national income of Hong Kong in addition to the population growth rate. However, there was a slight decline in egg consumption trend in the year 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been estimated that there was a bulk of 17,100 tons of recoverable waste eggshells in 2019 (pre-COVID-19 situation), having a daily yield of 47 tons per day. Based on the linear regression, it may be expected that if the pre-COVID-19 trend of egg consumption remains sustained, there will be a big bulk of more than 45,000 tons per year and up to 125 tons per day of waste eggshells till 2050. In addition, a public survey was conducted across the city targeting individuals, families, and restaurants majorly on egg consumption and reuse. The survey outcomes revealed that Chinese eggs have an extensive market in Hong Kong, and people have a positive attitude towards eggshell recycling. Also, a massive population disposes of the waste eggshells while only a trace population reuses them. Therefore, Hong Kong has a very high potential to improve the circular economy by reusing waste eggshells on a commercial level in cementitious products.
Lactoferricin B Combined with Antibiotics Exhibits Leukemic Selectivity and Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Lica Jan Jakub , Gucwa Katarzyna , Heldt Mateusz , Stupak Anna , Maciejewska Natalia , Ptaszyńska Natalia , Łęgowska Anna , Pradhan Bhaskar , Gitling-Domagalska Agata , Dębowski Dawid , Jakóbkiewicz-Banecka Joanna , Rolka Krzysztof
Published: January 2024

The fusion of penetrating peptides (PPs), e.g., cell penetration peptides (CPPs), or antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) together with antimicrobial agents is an expanding research field. Specific AMPs, such as lactoferricin B (LfcinB), have demonstrated strong antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic activity, as well as valuable anticancer activity, proving beneficial in the development of anticancer conjugates. The resulting conjugates offer potential dual functionality, acting as both an anticancer and an antimicrobial agent. This is especially necessary in cancer treatment where microbial infections pose a critical risk. Leukemic cells frequently exhibit altered outer lipid membranes compared to healthy cells, making them more sensitive to compounds that interfere with their membrane. In this communication, we revisited and reanalyzed our earlier research on LfcinB and its conjugates. Furthermore, we carried out new experiments with a specific focus on cell proliferation, changes in membrane asymmetric phosphatidylserine location, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial functions, and in vitro bacterial topoisomerase inhibition.
Fibrinaloid Microclots and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Kell Douglas B , Lip Gregory YH , Pretorius Etheresia
Published: January 2024

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a comorbidity of a variety of other chronic, inflammatory diseases for which fibrinaloid microclots are a known accompaniment (and in some cases a cause, with a mechanistic basis). Clots are, of course, a well-known consequence of atrial fibrillation.
We here ask the question as to whether the fibrinaloid microclots seen in plasma or serum may in fact also be a cause of (or contributor to) the development of AF. We consider known ‘risk factors’ for AF, and in particular exogenous stimuli such as infection and air pollution by particulates, both of which are known to cause AF. The external accompaniments of both bacterial (lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acids) and viral (SARS-CoV-2 spike protein) infections are known to stimulate fibrinaloid microclots when added in vitro, and fibrinaloid microclots are cytotoxic by inducing hypoxia/reperfusion and other means. Strokes and thromboembolisms are also common consequences of AF. Consequently, taking a systems approach, we suggest that it is likely that microclots may well have an aetiological role in the development of AF. This has significant mechanistic and therapeutic implications.
The Relationship between Economic Policy Uncertainty and Firm Value by CSR Activities
Authors: Li Jie , Park Sam Bock
Published: January 2024

This study analyzes the relationship between economic policy uncertainty (hereinafter EPU) and corporate value, and verifies the differential effects of EPU on corporate value according to corporate social responsibility (hereinafter CSR) activities. The study period was from 2010 to 2020, and the EPU indexes measured by Baker et al. (2016)'s method and Hexun's CSR scores for companies listed on the Chinese stock market were used. Hexun is one of the three major evaluation agencies in China, and the CSR scores evaluated by this agency have been widely used in previous studies as a representative indicator of Chinese companies' CSR performance. The results of this study are as follows. First, EPU and corporate value were found to have a negative (-) relationship. Second, active CSR activities relieved the negative (-) relationship between EPU and corporate value. Finally, companies were divided into groups according to CSR activity scores to analyze the relationship and according to the result, the negative (-) relationship between EPU and corporate value was greater in the groups with low CSR activity scores than in the groups with high CSR activity scores. A lag model was applied to control endogeneity, and the results were consistent with the main results above. Previous studies have mainly focused on microscopic factors to investigate factors affecting corporate value. This study focused on macroeconomic policies and paid attention to the effects of changes in the macroenvironment caused by economic policy uncertainty on corporate value. In addition, this study is meaningful in that it expanded previous studies related to CSR activities by confirming that active CSR activities can be an advantageous tool for overcoming EPU.
Bluetooth Device Identification Using RF Fingerprinting and Jensen-Shannon Divergence
Authors: Santana-Cruz Rene Francisco , Moreno-Guzman Martin , Rojas-López César Enrique , Vázquez-Morán Ricardo , Vázquez-Medina Rubén
Published: January 2024

The proliferation of radio frequency devices in today's society, especially in smart homes, Internet of Things devices, and smartphones, underscores the urgent need for robust identification methods to strengthen cybersecurity. This paper delves into the field of radio frequency fingerprinting to propose a Bluetooth device identification method based on the application of the Jensen-Shannon divergence to the statistical distribution of noise in Bluetooth signals. A detailed case study is performed to investigate the Bluetooth radio frequency noise recorded at 5 Gsps from different devices is investigated to define a statistical radio frequency fingerprint for each Bluetooth device. A noise model is used to extract a unique, universal, persistent, recoverable, and robust statistical radio frequency fingerprint that identifies each Bluetooth device. Then, using the Jensen-Shannon divergence, different noise signals provided by each Bluetooth device are compared with the statistical radio frequency fingerprint of all devices and a membership resolution is declared. The study shows that the proposed method can discriminate between devices of the same brand and model, achieving an identification effectiveness of 99.5 \%. By leveraging the statistical radio frequency fingerprint of Bluetooth devices, this research not only contributes to the advancement of the field of implicit device authentication systems based on wireless communication but also provides valuable insights into the practical implementation of radio frequency identification techniques that could be useful in forensic processes.
ARDS Mortality Prediction Model Using Evolving Clinical Data and Chest Radiograph Analysis
Authors: Cysneiros Ana , Galvão Tiago , Domingues Nuno , Jorge Pedro , Bento Luis , Martin-Loeches Ignacio
Published: January 2024

Introduction:

Within primary ARDS, SARS-CoV-2-associated ARDS (C-ARDS) emerged in late 2019, reaching its peak during the subsequent two years. Recent efforts in ARDS research have concentrated on phenotyping this heterogeneous syndrome to enhance comprehension of its pathophysiology.

Methods and Results:

A retrospective study was conducted on C-ARDS patients from April 2020 to February 2021, encompassing 110 participants with a mean age of 63.2±11.92 (26-83 years). Of these, 61.2% (68) were male, and 25% (17) experienced severe ARDS, resulting in a mortality rate of 47.3% (52). Ventilation settings, arterial blood gases, and chest X-ray (CXR) were evaluated on the first day of invasive mechanical ventilation and between days two and three. CXR images were scrutinized using a convolutional neural network (CNN). A binary logistic regression model for predicting C-ARDS mortality was developed based on the most influential variables: age, PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P/F) on days one and three, CNN-extracted CXR features, and age. Initial performance assessment on test data (23 patients out of the 110) revealed an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.862 CI (0.654-0.969).

Conclusion:

Integrating data available in all intensive care units enables the prediction of C-ARDS mortality by utilizing evolving P/F ratios and CXR. This approach can assist in tailoring treatment plans and initiating early discussions to escalate care and extracorporeal life support. Machine learning algorithms for imaging classification can uncover otherwise inaccessible patterns, potentially evolving into another form of ARDS phenotyping. The combined features of these algorithms and clinical variables demonstrate superior performance compared to either element alone.
Study of the Influence of Data Volume on the Quality of Regression to Restore the Distribution of Temperatures inside Tissue during Hyperthermia
Authors: Kostyuchenko Evgeny , Amletova Elena
Published: January 2024

The use of hyperthermia is one of the effective methods of treating cancer. In this case, the problem arises of constructing and predicting the distribution of the thermal field inside tissues depending on their type. This paper discusses the use of linear and polynomial regression methods, as well as regression algorithms based on decision tree, random forest and K nearest neighbors methods to recover missing temperature values. The influence of the size of the training sample when performing regression on the quality of the reconstructed values is investigated. Experimental recommendations on sample size are given for the selected decision tree and random forest methods. The possibility of a significant (10 times or more) reduction in the initial sample size, without leading to a decrease in the R2 metric by more than 0.05 for various tissues, has been shown.
Sustainable Environments Require Sustainable Water – A Review of Some Challenging Issues of Water for Urban Regions
Authors: Jiang Albert , McBean Edward , Wang Yi
Published: January 2024

Water sustainability has inevitably become one of the most severe issues in the 21st century for various reasons, including population growth, urban expansion, and climate change. This paper presents an array of key features related to water sustainability for urban regions over the last several decades. The purpose is to recognize the critical circumstances for maintaining water sustainability and recognizing that many regions in the world have passed the tipping point of balancing their water sustainability and failing to recognize that restoring sustainability will be extremely difficult. From the water quantity perspective, examples are used to demonstrate situations which in hindsight have been initially shown to be effective, but, in the long term, highly problematic. Most importantly, the 1960s India example shows that what was considered an agricultural ‘success’ in the past has later become an environmental disaster. To achieve water sustainability, lessons must be learned from the past, and adaptive measures must be adopted, which will help humanity avoid adverse and irreversible environmental tragedies. Government authorities can learn from this critical review of some approaches and realize their responsibility to proactively promote better water resource management strategies (domestic and international collaborations) and strictly regulate water use practices to prevent water deterioration of sustainability.
Human Rad51 Protein Requires Higher Concentrations of Calcium Ions for D-loop Formation Than for Oligonucleotide Strand Exchange
Authors: Takahashi Masayuki , Renodon-Corniere Axelle , Mikawa Tsutomu , Kuwabara Naoyuki , Ito Kentaro , Levitsky Dmitri , Iwasaki Hiroshi
Published: January 2024

Human RAD51 protein (HsRad51)-promoted DNA strand exchange, a crucial step in homologous recombination, is regulated by proteins and calcium ions. The activator protein Swi5-Sfr1 and Ca2+ ions stimulate different reaction steps and induce a perpendicular orientation of DNA bases in the presynaptic complex. To investigate the importance of base orientation in the strand exchange reaction, we examined the Ca2+ concentration dependence of strand exchange activities and structural changes in the presynaptic complex. Our results show that optimal D-loop formation (strand exchange with closed circular DNA) requires Ca2+ concentrations greater than 5 mM, while 1 mM is sufficient for strand exchange between two oligonucleotides. The structural change, which is evidenced by an increase in fluorescence intensity of poly(dεA) (a poly(dA) analog), reaches a plateau at 1 mM Ca2+. Meanwhile, the linear dichroism signal intensity at 260 nm, which is indicative of rigid perpendicular DNA base orientation, requires >2 mM Ca2+ for saturation and thus correlates with the stimulation of D-loop formation. Therefore, Ca2+ exerts two different effects. Thermal stability measurements suggest that HsRad51 binds two Ca2+ ions with KD values of 0.3 mM and 2.5 mM, implying that one step is stimulated by one Ca2+ bond and the other by two Ca2+ bonds. We further discuss the parallels between Mg2+ activation of RecA and Ca2+ activation of HsRad51.
Spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of volatile organic compounds in Bucheon, Korea analyzed using mobile laboratory and proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry methods
Authors: Kim Min-kyeong , Kim Dae ho , Seo Jung young , Park Duckshin
Published: January 2024

Recently, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been shown to act as precursors of secondary organic particles that react with ultraviolet rays in the atmosphere and contribute to photochemical smog, global warming, odor, and human health risks, highlighting the importance of VOC management. In this study, we measured VOC concentrations in various contexts including industrial and residential areas of Bucheon, Korea, through mobile laboratory and proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry methods to determine winter VOC concentrations, visualized the data based on spatial information, and used the results to develop an air quality management plan. For this purpose, global information system (GIS)-based air quality data and various environmental variables were comprehensively reviewed to assess spatial and temporal concentrations in three dimensions rather than in tables and graphs. Among VOCs, the levels of toluene, methanol, and n+i-butene were relatively high, with average concentrations of 48.3 ± 67.2, 34.4 ± 102.7, and 32.6 ± 57.7 ppb, respectively, at the end of the working day. The highest concentrations occurred near the Ojeong Industrial Complex. Mobile pollution sources are also a major driver of VOCs, highlighting the necessity of comprehensively reviewing traffic variables such as road level, estimated traffic volume, and average speed when identifying hotspots of air pollution. GIS-based visualization analysis techniques will improve the efficiency of air quality management.
Repurposing Drugs for Senotherapeutic Effect: Potential Senomorphic Effects of Female Synthetic Hormones
Authors: Bramwell Laura Rosemary , Frankum Ryan , Harries Lorna
Published: January 2024

Repurposing previously approved drugs may fast track the route to clinic for potential senotherapeutics and improves the inefficiency of the clinical drug development pipeline. We carried out a repurposing screen of 240 clinically approved molecules in human primary dermal fibroblasts for effects on CDKN2A expression. Molecules demonstrating effects on CDKN2A expression underwent secondary screening for senescence-associated beta galactosidase (SAB) activity, based on effect size, direction and/or molecule identity. Selected molecules then underwent a more detailed assessment of senescence phenotypes including proliferation, apoptosis, DNA damage, senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) expression and regulators of alternative splicing. A selection of the molecules demonstrating effects on senescence were then used in a new bioinformatic structure-function screen to identify common structural motifs. 90 molecules displayed altered CDKN2A expression at one or other dose, of which 15 also displayed effects on SAB positivity in primary human dermal fibroblasts. Of these, three were associated with increased SAB activity, and 11 with reduced activity. The female synthetic sex hormones; diethylstilboestrol, ethynyl estradiol and levonorgestrel; were all associated with a reduction in aspects of the senescence phenotype in male cells, with no effects visible in female cells. Finally, we identified that the 30 compounds that decreased CDKN2A activity the most had a common substructure linked to this function. Our results suggest that several drugs licenced for other indications may warrant exploration as future senotherapies, but that different donors and potentially different sexes may respond differently to senotherapeutic compounds. This underlines the importance of consideration of donor-related characteristics when designing drug screening platforms.