bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consolidated octanol/water partition coefficients: Combining multiple estimates from different methods to reduce uncertainties in log KOW
Authors: Nendza Monika , Kosfeld Verena , Schlechtriem Christian
Published: August 2024

Background: The octanol/water partition coefficient (KOW) is a key parameter for assessing the fate and effects of chemicals. It is a metric of their hydrophobicity, related to uptake and accumulation in organisms and specific tissues, and distribution in water, soil and sediments. The log KOW can be determined experimentally, more often it is calculated. Variability may be due to properties of the substances, different experimental methods, or different computational approaches with different domains of applicability.
The objective of the present study is to derive coherent log KOW estimates with known variability by (1) estimating multiple log KOW values by different methods for diverse chemicals to exemplify their variabilities, (2) analysing the variabilities of log KOW estimates by underlying methods and for different chemical classes, and (3) recommending approaches to obtain reliable and robust log KOW estimates for hazard and risk assessment.
Results: Comparative analyses were based on 239 case study chemicals representing diverse chemical classes, such as POPs, PCB, PAH, siloxanes, flame retardants, PFAS, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, surfactants, etc. The variability of up to 35 log KOW values per substance, determined experimentally or estimated by different computational approaches, is 1 log unit and more across the entire log KOW range from < 0 to > 8. No systematic pattern is evident. Different methods for deriving log KOW perform sometimes better and sometimes worse for different chemicals. None of the methods (experimental or computational) is consistently superior and any method can be the worst.
Conclusions: For scientifically valid and reproducible log KOW estimates with known variability, we recommend a weight-of-evidence (WoE) or averaging approach combining multiple estimates. Consolidated log KOW, being the mean of at least 5 valid data obtained by different independent methods (experimental and computational), are a pragmatic way to deal with the variability and uncertainty of individual results. While this approach does not solve any of the problems about “correctly” determining log KOW, it does limit the bias due to individual erroneous estimates. Consolidated log KOW are robust and reliable measures of hydrophobicity, with variability mostly below 0.2 log units.
The association between resilience and palliative care problems and needs in cancer patients: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Malema Sylvia Njunga , Shen Nan , Yang Qianrong , Ran Hailiang , He Qiuyan , Hu Yongpei , Guo Lirong , Yang Jiao , Zhang Ying
Published: August 2024

Objective Analyze the association of resilience on palliative care problems and needs in cancer patients.Methods An analytical cross-sectional study design was employed, demographic information was collected using a general data questionnaire. resilience levels were measured using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC10), while participants' levels of problems, needs, and quality of life were assessed using the Palliative Care Problems and Needs Questionnaire-Short Version (PNPC-SV).Results Residential area, high resilience, liver cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer were influencing factors for palliative care problems (p < 0.05); Residential area, high resilience, liver cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer were influencing factors for palliative care needs (p < 0.05).Conclusions Patients with high resilience are less likely to experience palliative care problems or needs compared to those with low resilience. Cancer patients living in rural areas, as well as those diagnosed with liver cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer, may encounter greater challenges and requirements regarding palliative care.
“We talk about the dangers”: exploring teachers’ and learners’ perspectives on alcohol education in Ugandan primary schools
Authors: Valeckaite Neda , Kühl Melf-Jakob , Babirye Juliet N. , Kiirya Aisha K. , Engebretsen Ingunn M. S.
Published: August 2024

adolescents are affected through own or other’s drinking. Schools have an opportunity to address this issue. While curriculum-based alcohol education is a widely used educational approach, there is limited research on its delivery and effectiveness in Ugandan primary schools. This study aimed to explore the teachers’ and learners’ perspectives and teaching methods on alcohol education used in Ugandan primary schools.
Methods: This was a qualitative study which enrolled six schools from Mbale, Eastern Uganda. We conducted twelve key informant interviews with teachers and twelve focus group discussions with the learners aged 11-13 years. The data was coded in NVivo and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results: Alcohol as a topic was taught during science classes in Ugandan primary schools. Four main topics were covered during the lessons: what alcohol is and how it is made; the effects of alcohol use; why people drink; and, how to avoid it. The dangers of alcohol use were strongly emphasized by the teachers and the children were advised to avoid places and people including children that use alcohol. Teachers often used moralising and didactic methods of teaching to underline their message against alcohol use.
Conclusion: To our knowledge this is the first study to describe alcohol education in primary schools in Mbale district, Uganda. This study shows that teachers considered alcohol education as an important topic aiming to teach children about the dangers and negative effects of alcohol use.
Genome-wide markers reveal geographical isolation by distance and barriers as well as local heterogeneity in the genetic structure of a seagrass
Authors: Hosokawa Shinya , Momota Kyosuke , Sato Masaaki , Watanabe Kenta , Watanabe Yuki , Homma Shota , Okura Shota , Uwai Shinya , Kosako Taichi , Uchiyama Yusuke
Published: August 2024

Gene flow is a crucial concept in the delineation of conservation units for natural populations of a species. Seagrasses are marine species targeted for conservation because their abundance has declined worldwide during the last century. However, we cannot determine how to delineate conservation units with inadequate knowledge of the genetic structure of seagrasses. This study explored the genetic structure of Zostera marina L. (eelgrass) populations in three semi-enclosed areas using single nucleotide polymorphisms within abundant, genome-wide loci. Genome-wide markers revealed that the genetic structure was isolated by geographical distance and barriers through a narrow strait in an area with linear dimensions less than 200 km. The genetic distance created by the barrier was 6.7 times the genetic distance due to 100 km of geographic distance. The markers revealed the intra-site variability in genetic structure and the heterogeneity among sites on scales less than ~10 km that had not been recognized previously. Our results imply that the use of genomic tools will focus seagrass conservation efforts more locally than before and that assessing relative genetic differences can make delineating conservation units a reality. Identifying the evolutionary and quantitative meaning of genetic differences will be a next challenge for delineating seagrass conservation units.
Cloud Security Modeling: Using TCP Deltas with Data Analytics and Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Hussain Mohamed Fazil , Hasan Salwa Sayeedul , Rauf Hasan
Published: August 2024

The 21st-century surge in computing infrastructure across mobile, centralized, and decentralized realms in the cloud has ushered in a new era of diverse applications, along with its Nemesis the Cybercrime. However, this progress comes hand in hand with amplified security risks, such as Ransomware Attacks. Security measures such as Multi-Factor Authentication, Strong Passwords, Network Segmentation, Endpoint Security, Robust Firewall and Intrusion Detection systems, and user awareness are on the Rise. Still, these efforts fall short when endpoint security fails, or a user is masqueraded to hack the system for ransomware. Essential security measures, including resource-intensive static and dynamic scans, strain these infrastructures, leading to a noticeable lag in user experience. This study delves into how to use Data Analytics/ Machine Learning (ML) techniques with TCP/IP 3-way handshake data to continuously monitor the TCP.Delta times at the server side of the load balancer to flag suspicious activities, along with measuring user lag in accessing these resources which are under security scans. The CI/CD pipeline will be used to provide Q's about abnormal load balancer traffic along with measuring lag in the response time using a generic methodology that revolves around TCP.Delta time and advanced Data Analytics/ML techniques.
Thrombomodulin Resistance: a Novel Prothrombotic Pathway in Covid-19
Authors: Marco-Rico Ana , Montaño Adrián , López-Jaime Francisco , Fernández-Bello Ihosvany , Marco-Vera Pascual
Published: August 2024

Hypercoagulability and endothelial dysfunction are strongly involved in the worsening of the clinical condition in COVID-19 patients. In severe cases, the inflammatory process triggers the release of angiopoietin 2, which could decrease circulating thrombomodulin (TM), a major regulatory mechanism in thrombin generation. Although some studies have described an increased TM resistance, further data are needed to obtain robust results. The objective of our study was to evaluate TM resistance in hospitalized COVID-19 patients using the thrombin generation test and its correlation with clinical events. Forty-seven hospitalized COVID-19 patients were included (mean age was 59 years (15–90) and 42.6% were women). Measurement of endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) revealed that 39.4% of patients had a % of ETP inhibition < 40%, suggesting TM resistance. Twenty-three% of patients (n = 11/47) presented at least one severe clinical event (SCE). Significant resistance to TM was observed in patients with SCE: % of ETP inhibition was 20.8% vs 48.3% in the non-SCE group. Higher resistance to TM and higher ETP values significantly correlated with increased clot stiffness (r = 0.339/r = 0.322). The ETP (in presence of TM) and the resistance to TM proved to be good predictors of SCE with an AUC of 0.756 and 0.803, To conclude, thrombin generation can be a powerful tool for risk stratification in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In addition, increased resistance to TM is associated with the development of SCE and can be considered as a new independent marker of poor prognosis.
Base Station Switch off Methods for Mobile Communication without Effecting QoS
Authors: Sudhakar Duda , Sunehra Dhiraj , prashanthi Sudhakar
Published: August 2024

During low traffic hours switching off the base stations is an effective way of saving energy in mobile communication network. To serve increased traffic and to fulfill large and high speed data demand, operators are deploying more number off base stations. This is leading to more energy consumption in the mobile communication network. So minimizing the energy consumption in the mobile communication has become a primary concern. In communication system maximum energy is consumed at the base stations. Hence by switching off some of the base stations at low traffic hours, energy can be saved. In this work we developed static and dynamic base station switch off methods to minimize the energy consumption during low traffic condition. Using this base station switch off methods we are able to save 12.63%, 10.81% and 12.66% of power for three different traffic scenarios.
Analysis of the digital accessibility of selected Polish government portals for people with disabilities
Authors: Zając Piotr , Królak Aleksandra
Published: August 2024

The aim of this paper is to analyse digital accessibility of selected Polish governmental portals and their respective mobile applications, i.e., “Internetowe Konto Pacjenta” (Internet Patient Account) and “mObywatel” (mCitizen), for users with disabilities. The analysis was performed from the perspective of the applications compliance with the web content accessibility guidelines by World Wide Web Consortium, selected rules of Universal Design and elements of User Experience. The study included the use of automatic tools and user tests. The testing group consisted of 18 persons: 6 persons with motor disability, 6 with visual impairment including 1 blind person, 2 persons with other disabilities and 4 persons with multiple disabilities. The participants completed given scenarios and the supervisor was noting down the users’ observations and remarks. Significant incompliances with the aforementioned guidelines were found by the ways a result of simplified auditing of the platform. Usability tests for the study group were an additional element of the project.
FEdroid: Lightweight and Interpretable Detection of Android Malware Using Local Key Information and Feature Selection
Authors: Huang Hong , Huang Weitao , Zhou Yinghang , Luo Wengang , Wang Yunfei
Published: August 2024

The Android operating system, as the most widely adopted mobile platform globally due to its open-source nature and flexibility, faces significant security challenges, particularly from malicious software threats. Existing research on malicious software detection often involves complex feature engineering, which can be cumbersome and prone to noise, lacking effective feature selection mechanisms. Moreover, some studies employing deep learning methods exhibit lower efficiency. This paper proposes a lightweight and interpretable Android malicious software detection system, named "FEdroid," based on machine learning. The system simplifies the analysis process and extracts crucial information by focusing on code sections that utilize sensitive APIs. It utilizes XGBoost for cross-feature selection, concentrating on a minimal yet essential feature set to enhance detection accuracy while reducing device resource consumption. Experimental results demonstrate that the system achieves 98.26\% accuracy and only 1.86\% false negative rate on 18,653 APK samples, significantly improving detection efficiency and accuracy while effectively lowering resource consumption. Furthermore, by applying Shapley values for interpretability analysis, the transparency and comprehensibility of the classifier model are substantially enhanced, thereby significantly boosting the overall interpretability of the system.
Independent or interdependent? Migration timing dynamics and their association with external stressors
Authors: Oh Woi Sok , Barfuss Wolfram , Donges Jonathan , Levin Simon , Rubenstein Daniel
Published: August 2024

Human migration is one of the defining topics of our time, but the dynamics of when and how often migration events occur are poorly understood. Often, a single, context-unaware model is assumed without empirical evidence. Spatiotemporal dependencies and heterogeneities cannot be explained by such a viewpoint. These gaps produce misunderstanding of migration, leading to imprecise predictions and ineffective responses. To address the gaps, we make use of recent advances in data collection and quantitative techniques, investigating Somali internal migration as a case study. We find that whether migration timings are independent (Poisson) or interdependent (bursty) depends on their coincidence with conflicts and extreme weather events. Interdependent migration timings are often observed in peaceful districts, while independent dynamics are found in those with higher coincidence of migration and conflict-involved stressors. These findings help us identify whether migration is self-induced or externally driven, develop more predictive models, and build context-specific migration policies.
Investigation of fibre-like shaped particles in a turbulent jet-in-crossflow channel flow configuration
Authors: Taborda Manuel A. , Sommerfeld Martin
Published: August 2024

Detailed experimental studies on the dispersion of non-spherical particles in different flow configurations, conducted in a test facility built around a horizontal closed water channel are presented. Specifically, a jet in cross-flow configuration was selected for measuring the dispersion of fibre-like particles injected through the small jet perpendicular into the developed horizontal channel flow. The glass fibres had a mean diameter of approximately 40 µm and aspect ratio with a modal value around 4. Experimental data were collected for different channel flow Reynolds numbers between 15,000 and 35,000 and a jet Reynolds number of 11,000. The motion and dispersion of non-spherical particles within the channel was analysed by a planar shadow imaging technique combined with Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) for both, fibres and tracer particles. The discrimination between both phases was conducted on the basis of particle size and shape. The three selected channel flow velocities provided a jet being entrained more in the channel core as well as near the upper and lower channel walls. Therefore, also the interaction of the fibres with solid walls was of great interest. The collected experimental data were used for the validation of point-particle Euler/Lagrange numerical predictions including the required non-spherical particle transport and wall collision models. Special Attention was given to the treatment of the fibre-wall collisions using a hard-sphere model, modifying the post-collisional linear and rotational momentum. A reasonable good agreement with the experimental results was observed when the proper fluid modelling and fibre dynamics was included in the simulations.
Physical Activity of Students with Hearing Impairment in the Educational Environment
Authors:   Transbaikal State University, Kokhan Sergey T. , Vlasova Svetlana V. ,   Belarusian State Medical University
Published: August 2024

The relevance of the work lies in the peculiarities of low physical activity and the inclusion of young people with hearing impairment in the educational process. The article presents the results of a sociological study conducted as part of the research plan of the Research and Education Center “Inclusion and Human Health” of the Regional Center for Inclusive Education of the Transbaikal State University in 2022/2023 academic year among 70 students with hearing impairment in Chita. The study has been conducted using the author’s questionnaire in compliance with the requirements of bioethics in dynamics. The answers have been submitted remotely via Google Forms. According to the results of the study, low physical activity of respondents before studying at a university is revealed. 85.7 % of applicants do not have an active leisure format during the day. Among the significant reasons for low physical activity are the lack of opportunities for AFC classes in specialized centers at the place of residence before studying at a university and the state of health of the respondents. The positive influence of the university environment on the dynamics of the subjective assessment of the adaptive physical activity of persons with hearing impairment by the end of the academic year has been noted: there is a reassessment of students’ ideas regarding adaptive sports. By the end of the academic year, for 27.1 % of people with hearing impairments, adaptive sports has become a way to develop self-discipline, and in 24.3 % of cases ‒ a way to support students with special needs (χ2=26.3, p<0.01). In 40 % of respondents, the active component of leisure has increased in dynamics (χ2=35.0, р<0.001). 58.6 % of students with hearing impairments, following the results of participation in competitions, have had sports achievements by the end of the academic year. The results of the study can be used as an aspect to improve the organization of AFC for people with special needs.
Cognitive Technologies as the Tools for Improving the Quality of Learning and Developing Thinking in Mathematics Education
Authors:   Ulaanbaatar Branch of Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Yumova Tsyrenkhanda Zh. , Yumov Igor B. ,   Buryat State University named after D. Banzarov, Bulgatova Elena N. ,   Sanya University, Garmaeva Tuyana I. ,   Secondary School No. 60 for Social Adaptation of Disabled Children, Vasilieva Evgenia G. ,   East Siberian State University of Technology and Management
Published: August 2024

The using of effective cognitive techniques in the process of forming key competencies and professional skills will help the student to develop erudition, thinking skills, learn to analyze and select the necessary information to train highly qualified specialists who are competitive in the Modern labor market. This is why the relevance of the topic under study is important. The purpose of the study is to identify and substantiate the effectiveness of the using of cognitive techniques in the study of mathematical disciplines. To achieve the goal, the tasks are set: studying, analyzing and summarizing scientific and methodological literature on the research topic, identifying the advantages and disadvantages of cognitive techniques, collecting, processing, diagnosing and analyzing the results of mastering mathematics with the introduction of technology with conclusions and recommendations. In the course of the research, the following methods were used: theoretical (comparative analysis, synthesis, generalization) and experimental (questionnaire, test, pedagogical experiment).The scientific and methodological literature of domestic and foreign researchers has been studied, analyzed and summarized, the advantages and disadvantages of cognitive technologies have been identified, and the theoretical and methodological foundations of the study have been determined. The quality of technology implementation in teaching mathematics to students was checked by the authors at universities where the authors conducted classes by testing knowledge and interviewing students. The hypothesis proposed by the researchers about the correctness of the regression model describing the dependence of the acquired knowledge on the quality of the implemented cognitive technology (CT) assessed by the students is proved. The questionnaire method offered students to formulate an opinion on the prospects of technology in the development of thinking, to make recommendations for its improvement. The knowledge gained during practical experiments showed that the novelty of the study is associated with the identification of the effects of technology on improving the quality of education, the development of thinking among students. Recommendations are given to prevent certain problems and limitations that may be encountered when using the technology
Fine Arts in Education for Sustainable Development
Authors:   Russian State Art and Industry University named after. S. G. Stroganova, Lytov Maxim S.
Published: August 2024

The relevancy of the research is connected with the importance of the pedagogical community’s awareness of the need to include the ideas of sustainable development in the content of the common education system, on the one hand, and the insufficient research of the possibilities of the subject “Fine Arts” in solving this problem, on the other hand. The theoretical bases of education for sustainable development prioritize their philosophical, cultural, ecological, economic, sociological, pedagogical substantiation, while the significance of art education is still underestimated. The article substantiates the importance of art in education for sustainable development as a basis for transmitting moral, ethical and aesthetic values of the emerging culture of sustainable development to new generations. It is proved that the fine arts itself is at risk of disappearance and destruction of traditional artistic practices, barriers to the reproduction of the cultural artistic heritage of the peoples of Russia in the young generation. The analysis of the problems that arise in the teaching of fine arts related to the algorithmic cognitive sphere of children in the globalization of digitalization processes is presented. This inhibits the realization of natural innate cognitive abilities of a person. The necessity of changes in art education of the young generation is substantiated, which should affect not only the educational process, but also the structure, function, semantics of the teaching content to build value bridges between Human and Nature, past and future, global and local, mind and heart to achieve a general goal – the survival of mankind. It is concluded that the teaching of fine arts should become a necessary and integral component of education for sustainable development.
Implementation of a Competency-Based Approach in the Training of Energy Engineers
Authors:   Kazan State Energy University, Zakieva Rafina R.
Published: August 2024

The competency-based approach marks a reorientation of the dominant educational paradigm from the priority of transferring knowledge and developing skills to creating conditions for mastering a set of competencies that mean developing the graduate’s ability to perform productive professional activities in the conditions of modern multifactorial socio-political, market-economic, information and communication space. Competence as a result of education acts as an integral quality of an individual, manifested in the general ability and readiness for activities based on knowledge and experience. At the same time, the possibilities of obtaining quality education in the training of energy engineers have not been sufficiently studied. This article is devoted to one of the tools for solving it, namely, consideration of the implementation of a competency-based approach in order to provide employers with highly qualified young personnel through the development of unique competencies in accordance with the needs of the labor market in the energy industry. The purpose of this research is to study the specifics and develop a methodology for assessing the professional development of students. The competency-based approach in this research acts as a regulator for constructing the content of education and allows us to clarify ideas about the quality of education in terms of achieving and assessing its result – the formation of general cultural and professional competencies of a graduate of a technical university. The novelty of this approach lies in the fact that future engineers make a conscious choice of the direction of further development, trying to solve professional problems while still a student, which allows them to develop a sense of commitment and responsibility for the level of problems that they undertake to solve for the energy industries. The results of the study can be used to assess the professional development of students at technical universities
Bovine Practitioner No. 12 (1977 November)
Authors: Bovine Practitioners American Association of
Published: August 2024

Cover, masthead, table of contents, and other editorial information.
Bovine Practitioner No. 20 (1985 November). Front matter
Authors: Bovine Practitioners American Association of
Published: August 2024

Cover, masthead, table of contents, and other editorial information.
Index to Publications. The Bovine Practitioner 1967-1979 / Proceedings of the Annual Meetings 1973-1979
Authors: Bovine Practitioners American Association of
Published: August 2024

Author/Subject indexes for the Bovine Practitioner 1967-1979 and the Proceddings of the Annual Meetings 1973-1979.
Bovine Practitioner Vol. 35, No. 1 (2001 January). Front Matter
Authors: Bovine Practitioners American Association of
Published: August 2024

Cover, masthead, table of contents, and other editorial information.
Bovine Practitioner Vol. 33, No. 2 (1999 May). Front matter
Authors: American Association of Bovine Practitioners
Published: August 2024

Cover, masthead, table of contents, and other editorial information.
Bovine Practitioner Vol. 37, No. 2 (2003 June). Front matter
Authors: American Association of Bovine Practitioners
Published: August 2024

Cover, masthead, table of contents, and other editorial information.
Bovine Practitioner Vol. 38, No. 1 (2004 February). Front matter
Authors: American Association of Bovine Practitioners
Published: August 2024

Cover, masthead, table of contents, and other editorial information.
Bovine Practitioner Vol. 39, No. 1 (2005 February). Front matter
Authors: American Association of Bovine Practitioners
Published: August 2024

Cover, masthead, table of contents, and other editorial information.
Bovine Practitioner Vol. 40, No. 1 (2006 Spring). Front matter
Authors: American Association of Bovine Practitioners
Published: August 2024

Cover, masthead, table of contents, and other editorial information.
Bovine Practitioner Vol. 40, No. 2 (2006 Summer). Front matter
Authors: American Association of Bovine Practitioners
Published: August 2024

Cover, masthead, table of contents, and other editorial information.
Az ukrán oktatáspolitika hatása a kárpátaljai magyar tannyelvű felsőoktatásra
Authors: Pallay Katalin
Published: August 2024

A kisebbségi oktatás és az arra gyakorolt oktatáspolitika vizsgálata kiemelten fontos szerepet játszik, ugyanis sajátos erőtérben mozognak (Kozma, 2012). Jelen tanulmány a rendszerváltástól napjainkig (1991–2018) mutatja be az ukrajnai oktatáspolitikát. Fel szeretnénk tárni, hogyan alakult az ukrán oktatáspolitika az Európai Uniós normák felé közeledés során, s ezek a törekvések mennyire voltak sikeresek. Munkánkban meg kívánjuk vizsgálni, hogy a különböző politikai fordulatok milyen hatást gyakoroltak az ukrán állam kisebbségpolitikájára és ezen belül a kárpátaljai magyarokra. A főbb irányelveket és tendenciákat kívánjuk az olvasó elé tárni. Az ukrajnai oktatáspolitikát a kisebbségi nemzeti közösségek szempontjából kettősség jellemzi: egyszerre figyelhető meg az európai hatás és az ukránosítás. A politikai és gazdasági változások során számos pozitív célkitűzést hajtottak végre az oktatáspolitika terén. Ide sorolhatók az Európai Unió felé nyitó lépések, mint például a Bolognai-rendszerhez történő csatlakozás. Az ország oktatáspolitikai szempontból az Európai Unió felé törekszik, eredményeim szerint azonban a kisebbségi nemzeti közösségek jogait illetően visszafejlődés tapasztalható.
Herbal Remedies for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus- An explicit Review
Authors: Grover Rohit , Mittal Vishnu , Sharma Anjali
Published: August 2024

Background:

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder characterized
by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Herbal remedies have been explored as alternative
or adjunctive therapies for managing T2DM due to their perceived safety and potential antidiabetic
properties.

Aim:

This study aimed to provide a comprehensive examination of the current state of knowledge
regarding herbal remedies for managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). It explored bioactive
compounds in herbs implicated in glycemic control and evaluated their potential therapeutic effects
on T2DM from both traditional and contemporary perspectives.

Objective:

The primary objectives of this in-depth study included scrutinizing the literature on herbal
interventions for T2DM, identifying and evaluating the bioactive compounds in herbs implicated in
glycemic control, assessing the mechanisms of action responsible for their antidiabetic properties,
and investigating the safety profile and potential side effects associated with their use.

Methods:

A systematic literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed,
Scopus, and Web of Science. Articles published up to the present date, including peer-reviewed research
articles, clinical trials, and systematic reviews, were considered for inclusion in this review.

Results and Discussion:

The review presented a thorough analysis of herbal remedies commonly
associated with T2DM management. Reductions in HbA1c levels and fasting blood glucose concentrations
indicated that the investigated herbal medicines, including fenugreek, cinnamon, and bitter
melon, have shown potential results in improving glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes but
more study is needed to verify their safety & effectiveness. The safety profile and possible adverse
effects of herbal interventions are also addressed. While some herbs show promise in glycemic control,
caution is advised in their use due to the limited number of high-quality clinical trials. The findings
highlight the need for further research to validate the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies for
T2DM.

Conclusion:

The study provided valuable insights into the current understanding of herbal interventions
for T2DM and underscored the importance of continued research in this field for the development
of evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Multimodal Medical Image Fusion Method based on the Swin Transformer
and Self-supervised Contrast Learning
Authors: Wang Yuwei , Wang Lei , Huang Zizhen , Zhang Yukun , Han Yaolong
Published: August 2024

Background:

Though great progress has been made in deep learning-based fusion
methods, there still are some troubling challenges, such as low contrast, weak feature preservation,
the loss of global information, and poor color fidelity.

Methods:

A multimodal medical image fusion method based on the Swin Transformer and selfsupervised
contrast learning is proposed. The Swin Transformer can well utilize the hierarchical
attention mechanisms to model the feature dependencies at different scales, and effectively capture
both the global and local information. Due to the four defined loss functions, self-supervised contrastive
learning can maximize the similarity between positive samples and minimize the similarity
between positive and negative samples to make the fused images closer to the source images.

Results:

Compared with the seven state-of-the-art methods, the proposed fusion method can effectively
deal with darkness, brightness imbalance, edge artifacts, and pseudo-color distortion.
Furthermore, for MRI-CT fusion, the mean SSIM, CC, STD and QCB are increased by 11.29%,
3.09%, 20.4% and 17.3%, respectively; for MRI-PET fusion, it can achieve the highest value of
all the six objective indicators, with average increases of EN 10.96%, QAB/F 19.30%, SSIM
10.07%, CC 4.40%, STD 15.52% and QCB 15.84% respectively and for MRI-CT fusion, the
mean SSIM, CC, STD and QCB are increased by 11.29%, 3.09%, 20.4% and 17.3%, respectively.

Conclusion:

All the experimental results show significant advantages in both subjective and objective
evaluation. The proposed method can maintain the image brightness, detail sharpness and
edge information and effectively integrate the structural and functional information between different
modalities. The objective indicators, such as the SSIM, CC, STD, QAB/F and QCB, can be
significantly improved, especially in MRI-PET fusion, where all indicators reached the highest
value. As a whole, it significantly enhances the image detail feature and texture while the contrast
and brightness are well preserved.
Voltage Regulation for PV-integrated Power Grid using Improved Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Kewen Li , Lei Yu , Qianyi Chen , Xinhao Lin , Shifeng Ou , Lyuzerui Yuan
Published: August 2024

Introduction:

With the widespread integration of distributed photovoltaics into the
power grid, challenges such as voltage fluctuations and increased deviations have arisen, alongside
heightened demands for power quality and economic dispatch.

Method:

This study tackles the complexities of integrating distributed photovoltaic systems into
the power grid, encompassing network flow variations, node voltage fluctuations, and risks of exceeding
limits while also considering scheduling costs. A comprehensive control strategy is proposed,
integrating the coordinated output of reactive power adjustable devices, energy storage systems
(ESS), and transformers. Subsequently, a multi-objective optimization mathematical model
is formulated with the aims of minimizing network loss, operation cost, and voltage deviation. An
enhanced Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is introduced, leveraging
a ring neighborhood topology and specialized crowding distance measurement to establish a
stable network in both decision and target spaces, devoid of any niche parameters.

Results:

This approach eliminates subjective influences while ensuring rationality. Tests on the IEEE
30-node network example demonstrate that the algorithm can generate a large number of Pareto optimal
solutions, highlighting its advantages in the application of reactive power optimization.

Conclusion:

The method proposed in this paper can fully utilize the dispatchable equipment in the
power grid, effectively reducing network losses and voltage deviations while maintaining low operating
costs.
Comparing Federal Communications Commission and Microsoft Estimates of Broadband Access for Mental Health Video Telemedicine Among Veterans: Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: O'Shea Amy MJ , Mulligan Kailey , Carter Knute D , Haraldsson Bjarni , Wray Charlie M , Shahnazi Ariana , Kaboli Peter J
Published: August 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of telemedicine in health care. However, video telemedicine requires adequate broadband internet speeds. As video-based telemedicine grows, variations in broadband access must be accurately measured and characterized.

Objective

This study aims to compare the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Microsoft US broadband use data sources to measure county-level broadband access among veterans receiving mental health care from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Methods

Retrospective observational cohort study using administrative data to identify mental health visits from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, among 1161 VHA mental health clinics. The exposure is county-level broadband percentages calculated as the percentage of the county population with access to adequate broadband speeds (ie, download >25 megabits per second) as measured by the FCC and Microsoft. All veterans receiving VHA mental health services during the study period were included and categorized based on their use of video mental health visits. Broadband access was compared between and within data sources, stratified by video versus no video telemedicine use.

Results

Over the 2-year study period, 1,474,024 veterans with VHA mental health visits were identified. Average broadband percentages varied by source (FCC mean 91.3%, SD 12.5% vs Microsoft mean 48.2%, SD 18.1%; P<.001). Within each data source, broadband percentages generally increased from 2019 to 2020. Adjusted regression analyses estimated the change after pandemic onset versus before the pandemic in quarterly county-based mental health visit counts at prespecified broadband percentages. Using FCC model estimates, given all other covariates are constant and assuming an FCC percentage set at 70%, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of county-level quarterly mental video visits during the COVID-19 pandemic was 6.81 times (95% CI 6.49-7.13) the rate before the pandemic. In comparison, the model using Microsoft data exhibited a stronger association (IRR 7.28; 95% CI 6.78-7.81). This relationship held across all broadband access levels assessed.

Conclusions

This study found FCC broadband data estimated higher and less variable county-level broadband percentages compared to those estimated using Microsoft data. Regardless of the data source, veterans without mental health video visits lived in counties with lower broadband access, highlighting the need for accurate broadband speeds to prioritize infrastructure and intervention development based on the greatest community-level impacts. Future work should link broadband access to differences in clinical outcomes.
Fuel Budget for Tobacco Logistics Distribution Based on MA -Least Squares Method
Authors: Peng Xuefeng , Chen* Bin , He Shi
Published: August 2024

Implementing the dual carbon development strategy is a responsibility and task that state-owned enterprises must undertake. Research has found effective financial budgets, which can drive innovative development and promote green development. This article takes the commercial logistics distribution of cigarettes as the research object and proposes a distribution budget model based on quadratic moving average combined with least squares method. By collecting historical data, a quadratic moving average distribution mileage prediction model is established. Based on the distribution mileage, the fuel consumption is calculated using the least squares method, and then combined with the average fuel price, the fuel cost is scientifically and rigorously predicted to make accurate and effective budgets.
The Impact of Advanced Hybrid Controllers on a Six-Phase Wind Energy Conversion System
Authors: P. H Gurunandan.
Published: August 2024

Abstract: This study uses advanced hybrid controllers to examine the performance of a six-phase wind energy conversion system (WECS). The main goal of the study is to assess how well these controllers work to maximise the WECS's dependability, performance, and efficiency. The analysis of the system's capability to manage diverse operational conditions and enhance energy conversion is conducted through the integration of hybrid control strategies. The findings shed light on how sophisticated hybrid controllers can improve six-phase wind energy systems' performance and lead to more reliable and efficient renewable energy production
Load testing of new Bridges with wireles sistem of equpement
Authors: Sadiku Hajdar , Kamberi Mazllum
Published: August 2024

Bridges are construction objects that are an integral part of almost every road. Theirdamage often results in the collapse of the transport system and particularly affects traffic safety. To avoid such a thing, it is necessary to carry out certain checks before putting the bridges into traffic, which will provide information in advance about whether there is a possibility of future damage. One of them is the so-called test load for new bridge before it is taken into service. Therefore, bridge testing is the last external monitoring action to be performed when a new bridge is built. The objective of these tests is to verify that the mechanical behavior of the loaded structure conforms to its design model. The system evaluated as part of this study was the Bridge Diagnostics, Inc. (BDI) Wireless Structural Testing System (STS-Wi-Fi). All results are compared with theoretic values based on the FE-model of the bridge and are calculated using software SOFISTIK AG. Both the experimental results as well as the and analytical results are presented in this paper and compared. The comparison of the analytical results showed good agreement with the experimental results.
Producción de banco de sonidos para instrumentos de cuerda pulsada. Caso: la rumba criolla
Authors: Beltrán Sánchez Oscar , Perilla Restrepo Tatiana
Published: August 2024

El presente artículo describe el proceso de desarrollo de un banco de sonidos para instrumentos de cuerda pulsada aplicado a la rumba criolla, un género musical tradicional del departamento de Cundinamarca, Colombia. Para llevar a cabo la construcción de este banco se exploran las formas de ejecución instrumental acompañantes del tiple y la guitarra, lo que permite establecer estructuras musicales que posteriormente son plasmadas en la grabación de loops de audio, esto considerando variables en la construcción de acordes basados en el sistema CAGED y en la articulación musical. Por otro lado, se realiza un reconocimiento a los posibles softwares a emplear, para lo que se determina el programa Ableton Live 11 como la herramienta digital idónea en función de la programación y reproducción de loops y la conservación de la calidad de las muestras por variación de tempo para el proyecto. El alcance esperado se centra en desarrollar la programación de loops de audio que se aproximen a recrear la interpretación musical natural de instrumentos de cuerda pulsada de la región de Cundinamarca. Como producto final de este estudio, se presenta la composición de dos temas inéditos en el género rumba criolla, producidos a partir de la implementación del banco de sonidos desarrollado durante la investigación. Las conclusiones del estudio apuntan a la importancia de integrar herramientas digitales en los procesos de creación musical, atendiendo a las particularidades de los avances en materia tecnológica en el campo de las artes.
A Study on the Effects of Climate Change on the Availability of Water and Kalangkangan Watersheds
Authors: Arafat Yassir , Tunas I Gede , Amiruddin Aswar
Published: August 2024

Climate change has a huge impact on the availability of water resources. Based on the case, this research is deemed necessary to do. Water availability is an essential issue related to climate change. The most perceived impacts due to climate change are climate anomalies; the rainy season lasts shorter with increasing intensity and the dry season lasts longer than usual conditions. The body of water cannot accommodate high-intensity rainwater, so it flows quickly into the sea. Relatively, a long dry season results in drought. The vulnerability of the availability of water sources in the Kalangkangan watershed, Tolitoli Regency was indicated through the reduction in river discharge. This changes in discharge had the potential to be difficult in meeting the needs of irrigation or clean water. If there is no attempt to protect and repair the water sources, it is believed that the reduction in discharge will continue until it hits a critical condition. The availability of water from the rain - discharge simulation model in the Kalangkangan watershed for wet conditions (Q20%) had a maximum discharge of 20.62 m³ / sec in June (decade II), and an average discharge of 13.59 m³ / sec. For normal conditions (Q50%) the maximum discharge was 19.47 m³ / sec in June (decade I), the minimum discharge was 5.35 m³ / sec in June  (decade I) and the average discharge was 11.13 m³ / sec. For dry conditions (Q80%), the minimum discharge was 5.18 m³ / sec in May (decade I) and the average discharge was 9.05 m³ / sec
The Implementation of K-means Algorithm for Clustering Traffic Accident Rates on the Highway
Authors: Ahmad Kasim Anita , Uyun Mubarak Siti
Published: August 2024

Introduction :  The increase of population in Palu City has result in increased vehicle ownership and increased the risk of traffic problems such as traffic accidents. Sofar, the accident data in the Palu Resort Police Station has not been fully utilized by the interests of related parties. Therefore, the accumulation of data will be processed by data mining techniques. This study aims to cluster the level of accidents in Palu City based on the age of the perpetrators, where the results of the clustering will be used as consideration for the more targeted socialization of traffic accidents. Based on the results of testing with 2 different centroid initialization methods, the results obtained indicatethat centroid initialization using the ranking method has an SSE value of 233.0690397 while centroid initialization using a random method has an SSE value of 356.42304. It proves that centroid initialization using ranking method has better clustering results compared to centroid initialization experiments using random methods.