bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the benefits of the implementation of digital twins in sustainable construction projects
Authors:   Department of Construction Management, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia, Olanrewaju AbdulLateef , Sanmargaraja Shalini , Tan Seong Yeow , Chu Hui Chen
Published: September 2024

Digital twin technology has emerged as a promising tool for enhancing sustainability in construction projects by providing a virtual representation of physical assets and processes. This research explores the benefits of implementing digital twins to drive sustainable construction projects. Through a review of the literature and a survey, the findings show that digital twin technologies provide significant benefits in the implementation of sustainable construction projects. Particularly, they allow faster internal decisions, improve communication, and enhance productivity. Furthermore, digital twins’ implementation promotes employee innovation, engagement, and project team trust and minimises project risks. While certain benefits are more noticeable than others, digital twins contribute positively to project outcomes, demonstrating their importance in sustainable construction management. The findings also provide insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption and integration of digital twin technology in sustainable construction management, paving the way for future research.
Financing scheme for the transit-oriented development projects in Indonesia
Authors:   Department of Civil Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia, Berawi Mohammed Ali , Wicaksono Pradhana Listio ,   Center for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia, Saroji Gunawan ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Bengkalis, Indonesia, Sari Mustika ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia, Miraj Perdana ,   Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
Published: September 2024

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is expected to increase public use of mass transportation and reduce private vehicle usage. However, its development entails a high financial investment. This paper determines a financing scheme to boost private sector investment in TOD projects, considering the TODs in Indonesia’s Jabodebek Light Rail Transi (LRT) as the case study. Simulation of cost-sharing scenarios between public and private sectors was simulated to form the financing scheme, along with the benchmarking study to establish the institutional scheme. The findings reveal that an optimal Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 14.92%, indicates that the project is financially viable. The optimal distribution of initial cost, operational and maintenance cost, and revenue incurred to the private sector are 39.86%, 66.02%, and 72.02%, respectively. The government is responsible for developing and operating the proposed institutional scheme's LRT and other supporting infrastructure, while the private sector handles the development and operation of TOD mixed-used properties.
Integrated project delivery implementation among construction SMEs in Sri Lanka: barriers and strategies
Authors:   Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, Lukson E. Edman , Ranadewa K.A.T.O. ,   Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, Parameswaran Agana ,   School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Australia, Wijerathna M.R.D.P. , Kodituwakku Dasuni ,   Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Published: September 2024

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are vital to Sri Lanka's economy, particularly in the construction sector, which largely relies on traditional procurement methods. This reliance results in persistent issues due to industry fragmentation. To address these challenges, it is vital to investigate the applicability of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), a procurement method tailored to address the needs of construction SMEs. Despite its potential benefits, comprehension and implementation of IPD within the Sri Lankan construction industry remain limited due to the intricate nature of SMEs. Hence, the study aims to investigate the strategies to minimise barriers to IPD implementation within construction SMEs in Sri Lanka through a qualitative approach. A total of 15 semi-structured interviews with Sri Lankan construction industry experts were conducted. The literature review identified a range of barriers, including financial, technical, legal, and cultural challenges, which were further explored through these interviews. The research highlighted the lack of advanced strategies within Sri Lanka's construction SMEs to address these challenges effectively. Significant barriers to IPD implementation, such as narrow-mindedness, reluctance to change, and copyright issues, were validated and identified through the manual content analysis. The study proposes several strategies to facilitate IPD implementation, including introducing new guidelines from the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA), setting minimum parameters for team selection, implementing various versions of IPD rather than a pure IPD approach, and addressing conflict points early. The research offers valuable insights for both academia and industry practitioners, presenting strategies to enhance the efficiency, quality, and sustainability of construction SMEs through the adoption of IPD.
nvestigating the challenges of implementing covid-19 preventive practices in the construction industry in Sri Lanka
Authors:   Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, Thiruna J. , Kulatunga U. ,   Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, AL-Dahash H.F.K. ,   Civil Engineering Department, University of Babylon, Iraq, Fernando M.L.S.S. ,   Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Published: September 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on various industries worldwide, including the construction industry. The construction industry in Sri Lanka has faced numerous challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 preventive measures were followed and resumed the work to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. However, there were challenges when implementing the COVID-19 safety measures. Thus, the study aimed at investigating the challenges of implementing COVID-19 preventive practices. The research adopted a qualitative approach, including twelve structured expert interviews within four case studies from different graded contractor organisations. According to the findings of expert interviews, the background of the research problem was validated. Besides, the challenges of adopting COVID-19 preventive measures were identified in the literature. Data collection was conducted to validate the literature review findings. The findings of this study reveal that the safety measures followed by the highest-graded organisations are different from the other organisations. Hence, the challenges were changed according to the grade of companies. ignorance, contradiction and conflicts when someone near does not follow guidelines, additional time, limited resources, contractors having financial difficulties and difficulties in adapting preventive measures are common challenges of implementing COVID-19 preventive practices in the Sri Lankan construction industry. Hence, this provides insights into the effective implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in construction sites to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Making a case for foreign direct investments in the South African construction industry
Authors:   University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, Ikuabe Matthew , Aigbavboa Clinton ,   Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa, Ebekozien Andrew ,   Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa, Adekunle Samuel ,   Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Published: September 2024

The construction industry plays a significant role in the aggregate output formation of any nation's economy. Financing construction projects are capital intensive, and most developing countries' low gross domestic savings necessitate seeking alternative routes for construction project financing. One such route is encouraging the flow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into the construction industry in South Africa. Therefore, this paper investigates the factors influencing the flow of FDI into the South African construction industry. A quantitative technique was employed using professionals in the built environment as the target population. Data were elicited with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire, while data analysis was conducted with appropriate methods, which include the Cronbach alpha test, mean item score, and one-sample t-test. The findings from the study make theoretical contributions to the conversation on ways of boosting construction financing for improved economic development. It provides guidance to relevant stakeholders and prospective investors on the key factors influencing the flow of FDI in the South African construction industry.
Revisiting the notion of 'public spaces': professional and community perspectives
Authors:   Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, Perera W.S.D. , Kulatunga U. , De Silva M.C.K. ,   Department of Town and Country Planning, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, Dias N. ,   The University of Manchester, United Kingdom
Published: September 2024

Public spaces serve as vital components of urban landscapes, facilitating social interaction, community cohesion, and individual well-being. However, differences exist between the perspectives of urban planning professionals and the broader community regarding the conceptualisation, design, and management of these spaces, with professionals focusing on sustainability and urban planning principles, while community members prioritise immediate concerns such as safety and accessibility. This paper conducts a comprehensive narrative literature review to delve into this divide and propose strategies for bridging it. The literature highlights the multifaceted nature of public spaces, emphasising their role as venues for social engagement, cultural expression, and community identity formation. This approach synthesises various themes and perspectives, capturing the nuanced evolution of public spaces in response to contemporary challenges. One key theme from the literature is the divergent priorities between urban planning professionals and the general community. While professionals prioritise inclusivity, sustainability, and community impact, the public focuses on immediate issues such as safety, accessibility, and environmental quality. This disconnect underscores the need for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to public space design and management. To bridge this gap, the paper suggests adopting context-sensitive approaches that integrate localised narratives, identities, and placemaking practices. By prioritising equity-focused and accessible design strategies, public spaces can become truly inclusive environments that foster a sense of belonging for all. As societies evolve in response to technological advancements, cultural shifts, and changing demographics, the notion of public space must adapt, requiring ongoing re-evaluation to promote social cohesion, community empowerment, and well-being.
Risk management in Sri Lankan SME construction sector: identifying barriers and enablers
Authors:   VFORM Consultants Pvt Ltd, Sri Lanka, Bandaranaike B.B. , Gallage S.D. ,   Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, Sivanraj S.
Published: September 2024

This study investigates risk management practices in the SME construction sector in Sri Lanka, aiming to identify critical issues, enablers, and barriers. Through a mixed-method approach comprising expert interviews and a questionnaire survey, the research highlights significant risk management (RM) challenges unique to the Sri Lankan context. Key findings indicate that economic instability, lack of education in organisational management, and reliance on experience-based practices are major obstacles to effective RM. The study identifies "unawareness of available practices" and "keeping outdated procedures" as the most severe barriers to RM implementation. Unlike global literature, which often emphasizes financial constraints and time limitations, this research underscores the critical role of awareness and procedural updates in Sri Lanka's small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. The findings have implications for industry practitioners, academics, and policymakers, emphasising the need for targeted RM training, supportive regulations, and localised RM strategies. Limitations of the study include a small sample size and a focus on SME contractors in Sri Lanka, suggesting the need for further research in different contexts.
he Impact of design changes on apartment projects’ feasibility and project performances in Sri Lanka
Authors:   Department of Quantity Surveying, SLIIT, Malabe, Sri Lanka, Sithumina N.A.R. , Perera B.K.C. , Wijesinghe T. , Hettiarachchi D.D. ,   Mynott Bowers (Private) Limited, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Published: September 2024

Design changes are inevitable in the construction industry. Among all, the consequences of design changes in apartment buildings are more crucial and evident with the existing salient nature of commercial aspects unlike in other building constructions. While the impacts of design changes on project performance have been investigated in usual building construction, there is a lack of focus on apartment construction projects and their reflections towards commercial behaviour. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of design changes on project performance in terms of time, cost and feasibility in the case of apartment building construction in Sri Lanka. The research aim was achieved through the mixed-method approach. A questionnaire survey and expert interviews were conducted as data collection techniques. The impacts of design changes on project performance in apartment projects were identified by the questionnaire survey. Six experts were selected, who had experience in apartment construction projects for the semi-structured interview to investigate the reflections on financial feasibility. The quantitative data were analysed statistically and qualitative data from expert interviews were analysed using the code-based content analysis method. The findings of the research revealed that there is a significant impact of design changes on financial feasibility in apartment projects. Furthermore, ten strategies were proposed to minimise the impact of design changes on project performance and project feasibility, optimising both project performances and the feasibility of the apartment building projects for its whole life cycle.
Impact of Pictorial Health Warnings on Cigarette Packs among Current Smokers of Sub-Metropolitan City of Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Shrestha Ashish , Bhagat Tarakant , Agrawal Santosh Kumari , Limbu Binita
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Pictorial health warning on cigarette packs is one of the strategies undertaken by Nepal Government as per the directive of World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to control smoking. It has been more than a decade since the introduction of pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs in Nepal. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the pictorial warnings among current smokers of Dharan, Nepal.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among current smokers visiting local shops located near ward offices of Dharan after obtaining ethical approval from Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 204/080/01 -IRC). A structured and validated Nepali questionnaire was used to interview the smokers about the impact of the pictorial warnings based on their noticeability, behavioural and cognitive responses. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The responses of the participants were tabulated in frequencies and percentages.Results: The pictorial warnings were noticed by 277 (98.93%) participants in past one month out of which 11 (3.93%) smokers had always read or looked closely at them. Smoking less frequently was the behaviour change reported by 70 (25%) participants and smoking less around others was reported by and 56 (20%) participants. In total, 189 (67.50%) smokers had thought about the harms of smoking and 160 (57.14%) had intention to quit smoking due to the pictorial warnings.Conclusions: The pictorial health warnings were not so effective in bringing about changes in smoking behaviour of smokers.
Characterization of Etiology and Pattern of Dental Extraction among Patients Presenting to Dental Department of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Shakya Mamata , Adhikari Bhoj Raj , Chaurasia Nitesh , Upadhyaya Chandan , Rauniyar Dilip Prasad , Rijal Arjun Hari , Nepal Manisha
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Dental extraction is a common curative treatment against pain provided to the patients. A limited number of scientific literature are available that characterizes the reasons for teeth extractions in Nepalese population. The aim of this study is to find out the causes for dental extraction in patients and explore the relationships between demographic variables and loss of teeth in the Nepalese population.Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study performed to assess the predictors and reasons for permanent tooth extraction among the Nepalese patients who visited dental department in a tertiary health care center from 18th June 2022 to 17th June 2023. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Approval No: 52/22). Demographic details were recorded, diagnosis established and the teeth in question were extracted. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.Results: A total of 465 (42.66%) permanent teeth were extracted from the 1090 patients, out of which 198 (18.16%) were male and 267 (24.49%) were female patients between the age of 10 years to 70 years. Among all the participants, 726 (66.60%) patients were educated while 364 (33.40%) were uneducated, 165 (15.13%) extraction were done due to peridontal disease and 213 (19.54%) of extraction was done due to endodontic disease.Conclusions: Endodontic and periodontal diseases were the most common causes of dental extraction. Permanent molars and incisors were extracted the most.
The Global State of Democracy Indices Codebook: Version 8 (2024)
Authors: Tufis Claudio D. , Hudson Alexander
Published: September 2024

The Global State of Democracy is a report that aims to provide policymakers with an evidence-based analysis of the state of global democracy, supported by the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) Indices, in order to inform policy interventions and identify problem-solving approaches to trends affecting the quality of democracy around the world. This document presents revised and updated information about all the variables included in the GSoD Indices data set that enabled the construction of Version 8 of the GSoD Indices, which depicts democratic trends at the country, regional and global levels across a broad range of different attributes of democracy in the period 1975–2023. The data underlying the GSoD Indices is based on a total of 165 indicators developed by various scholars and organizations using different types of sources, including expert surveys, standards-based coding by research groups and analysts, observational data and composite measures.
A model proposal for sustainable Nevşehir local cuisine
Authors: Çoban Yıldız Gamze , Yildiz Onur Sevket
Published: September 2024

Local cuisine is a valuable cultural-gastronomical asset for any tourism destination as well as local people. In order not to lose this asset, it is vital to manage the changes triggered by climate change and transmitted through agriculture. Climate change is likely to impact different regions at different levels; thus, some regions have to be ready to challenge a harsher situation. Nevşehir is a Central Anatolian province which is likely to suffer from quite harsh impacts of climate change and its local cuisine is prone to many risks unless an effective plan which considers the relevant issues is executed. With this end in view, representatives of 5 key institutions were interviewed. Beside climate issues, the interviewees note other relevant matters such as economy, ethics, and consumer and producer awareness issues. After a conceptual model draft, this study proposes a conceptual and a practical model for a more sustainable Nevşehir local cuisine. Focusing on sustainability, the final practical model developed is based on climate change issues, agriculture, local cuisine, and their close relationships as well as the factors reminded by interviewed representatives. Main risks associated with climate change include drought, decrease in agricultural efficiency, related quality issues in products and agricultural assets such as soil, and – at the extreme end – a global food crisis. Despite this negative outlook, the province has also some advantages such as resistant native plant and animal species, potential for renewable energy, and slow city possibilities. Proposed recommendations for a more sustainable local cuisine focus on managing change, preserving authenticity, taking the advantage of strengths, increasing efficiency, and climate change mitigation efforts. Final part of the study includes a discussion and some possible future research themes.
Experimental study of pargasite NaCa2 (Mg4Al)[Si6Al2O22](OH)2 stability at T = 1000–1100°C and the pressure is up to PH2O = 5 kbar
Authors: Devyatova V. N. , Nekrasov A. N. , Bondarenko G. V.
Published: September 2024

The paper presents materials on experimental study of pargasite stability. On the example of calcic amphibole, experimental modeling of the processes occurring in the conditions of volcanic hearth at pressures up to 5 kbar was carried out. The phase diagram of pargasite was clarified. The occurring reactions and their parameters are revealed. Based on the experimental data obtained, the stability of pargasite is controlled by three reactions. The first reaction takes place in the area of low water pressure less than 1 kbar – dehydration reaction:Prg = Fo + Sp + Di + Ne + An +H2O. The second reaction takes place in the area of water pressure more than 1.2-1.5 kbar and temperature around 1100°C. Pargasite decomposition is controlled by incongruent melting:Prg = Fo + Sp +{Di+Ne +An}L+H2O. The third reaction takes place in the same pressure range as the previous one, but at lower temperatures ~1050°C. This reaction determines the pargasite liquidus in the melt and is related to the interaction between the amphibole and the coexisting melt:Prg + L= Fo + Sp + Di +{Ne +Pl}L+H2O.Presumably, the activity of the melt silicaaSiO2has the greatest impact on the pargasite liquidus.
Expression profile of the isogenic early mesodermal cells differentiated from induced pluripotent human stem cells
Authors: Selezneva А. V. , Korobko Е. V. , Kiselev S. L. , Suzdaltseva Y. G.
Published: September 2024

Scar formation during normal regeneration of damaged tissue can lead to noticeable cosmetic and functional defects of organs and significantly affect the quality of life. However, it is known that fetal tissues before the third trimester of pregnancy are capable of complete regeneration with the restoration of the original architecture and functional activity. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of fetal wound regeneration will provide the basis for the development of successful treatments aimed to minimize scarring. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) play an important role in tissue repair, since the cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and extracellular vesicles they secrete are involved in the regulation of migration, angiogenesis, synthesis and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Mesodermal differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) makes possible to reproduce the successive stages of embryogenesis in vitro and to create isogenic cell models of MSCs corresponding to different stages of human development. In this work, we performed the directed multistage mesodermal differentiation of iPSCs into isogenic cell lines of the primitive streak, lateral and paraxial mesoderm and a comparative analysis of their expression profiles was carried out. It was shown that the resulting cells of the lateral mesoderm (LM) and paraxial mesoderm (PM) are precursors for MSCs. MSCs obtained as a result of differentiation of both LM and PM cells had a similar profile for the expression of pan-mesodermal markers. Comparative analysis of the functional activity of MSCs and their precursors in a pro-inflammatory microenvironment will provide molecular tools for a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of fetal tissue regeneration and identify therapeutic targets to minimize scarring and pathological processes characterized by excessive fibroplasia.
Stimulation of the spinal cord of decerebrated rat with double pulses
Authors: Lyakhovetskii V. A. , Shkorbatova P. Yu. , Gorsky O. V. , Pavlova N. V. , Bazhenova E. Yu. , Musienko P. E. , Merkulyeva N. S.
Published: September 2024

Analysis of responses on electrical stimulation is one of the experimental paradigms to study the excitability of the nervous system. In particular, the technique of recording muscle responses evoked by electrical epidural stimulation (ES) of the spinal cord (SC) in humans and animals is widely used. In rats decerebrated at the precollicular level, responses of mm. tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) on ES of the L2, L4, L6 spinal segments and transvertebral stimulation (TS) of the VL2, VL4, VL6 vertebrae with single and double pulses were analyzed. The currents at which the amplitude of the sensory component of the response for a single pulse and one of the pulses of the pair was maximum were determined. At the minimum of these currents, the ratio of the amplitudes of the sensory component of the response to the first and second pulses to the amplitude of the sensory component of the response to a single pulse was analyzed. For both muscles, a weakening of the response to both pulses of the pair was obtained with TS VL2 and VL4, while when stimulating VL2, the TA response to the second pulse was lower than to the first. On the contrary, with ES of all segments of interest, a facilitation of the response to the second pulse was obtained for both muscles. A similar facilitation was qualitatively observed for two other muscles, mm. iliacus and vastus lateralis. Thus, the use of double pulses during stimulation made it possible to identify the dependence of the response of SC neural networks on the method of their activation (TS or ES). The facilitation of the response to the second pulse during ES is presumably explained by a decrease in presynaptic inhibition due to decerebration.
Evolution of paleobiocommunities is one of the most intractable problems of biostratigraphy
Authors: Gladenkov Yu. B.
Published: September 2024

The biostratigraphic material accumulated to date on the subdivision of the Phanerozoic marine strata allows us to decipher the features of the evolution of not only low biota taxa, but also paleocommunities (assemblages), which can be considered as biotic groupings historically formed under certain conditions. Examples of the stages of their evolution in various marine ecosystems of Geomerida are given. The opinion is expressed about the need to intensify research on this topic with the involvement of both geologists and biologists.
Common property of a simple partnership as the basis of corporate management
Authors: Laptev Vasily A.
Published: September 2024

As a result of the inclusion in the Civil Code of the Russian Federation of a simple partnership as a contractual form of an entrepreneurial association of an economic type in domestic jurisprudence, the need arose to comply with its legal status, including legal personality, as well as the legal regime during its general development and drawing up the foundations of entrepreneurial and other economic activities. Purpose of the study: to establish the essential characteristics and features of the legal regime of general damage to a simple partnership. Objectives of the study: identifying certain types of common property; analysis of legislation and approaches to judicial practice on the issue under consideration; determining the role of general damage in the activities of a simple partnership. Research methods. The work used theoretical (analysis and synthesis, including methods of system analysis) and empirical methods of scientific knowledge (observation, description). Scientific methods are also used (formal-logical, historical-legal, legal comparative studies, hermen’s and synergetic). Results: national legislation establishes the legal regulation of the general damage regime of a simple partnership, the subsidiary application of the general provisions of constitutional legislation, which should not contradict the conditions and capital intended for the study of this property.
Public administration in Russia: The “digital” transformation of the economy in the late XIX – early XX century
Authors: Vershinin Alexander P.
Published: September 2024

The article discusses the issues of public administration (primarily economics) in Russia of the late XIX – early XX century. In the age of digital technologies, it is necessary to recall that S. Y. Witte, being, like I. A. Vyshnegradsky, a mathematician by education, in his memoirs called both himself and his predecessor as Minister of Finance, “digitalists”. This allows us to consider some of the features of the modernization of public administration of the past in a new light. The concept of the “Witte System” has entered scientific circulation. A set of measures to reform the economy can be studied from different sides and from different sciences, analyzing and generalizing both ideas for modernizing public administration “for the common benefit” and the goals and means of the activities of specific government and public figures. “Digitalization”, thanks to logical and mathematical methods and automation, gives the theory and practice of public administration an additional impetus, while simultaneously revealing its limits.
Mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue exhibit significantly higher chondrogenic differentiation potential compared to those from rats
Authors: Yaqoob Faisal , Hayat Muhammad Khizer , Chaughtai Muhammad Sharjeel , Khan Sehrish , Bashir Musa Bin
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is a prevalent joint disease affecting both humans and animals. It is characterized by articular cartilage degeneration and joint surface eburnation. Currently, no effective pharmacological treatment is available to restore the original function and structure of defective cartilage. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the potential of stem cell-based therapy in treating joint diseases involving cartilage degeneration, offering a promising avenue for future research and treatment. The primary aim was to compare the characteristics and, more importantly, the chondrogenic differentiation potential of human and rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs). METHODS: Rat adipose tissue was collected from Sprague Dawley rats, while human adipose tissue was obtained in the form of lipoaspirate. The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were then harvested using collagenase enzyme and subcultured. We meticulously evaluated and compared the cell morphology, percentage of cell viability, population doubling time, metabolic proliferation, and chondrogenic differentiation potential of MSCs harvested from both sources. Chondrogenic differentiation was induced at passage 3 using the 3D pellet culture method and assessed through histological and molecular analysis. RESULTS: The findings revealed that human and rat AD-MSCs were phenotypically identical, and an insignificant difference was found in cell morphology, percentage of cell viability, metabolic proliferation, and population doubling time. However, the chondrogenic differentiation potential of human AD-MSCs was evaluated as significantly higher than that of rat AD-MSCs. CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that research regarding chondrogenic differentiation of rat AD-MSCs can be effectively translated to humans. This discovery is a significant contribution to the field of regenerative medicine and has the potential to advance our understanding of stem cell-based therapy for joint diseases.
Temperature dependence of the protective effect of pressurized dissolution of xenon gas during cold storage of cells
Authors: Mimura Kenshi , Sakai Rina , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Ujihira Masanobu
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND: The preservation period afforded by cold storage of cells is short. However, the use of rare gases for cold storage as a means of extending the period of preservation would be highly beneficial. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of temperature on the protective effect of cold storage of cells using pressurized dissolution of xenon gas, with particular focus on the inhibition of substance transport by viscosity. METHODS: Human dermal fibroblast monolayers incubated in a culture dish for 48 h were used as a test sample, with culture medium used as a preservation solution. Samples were placed into a pressure-resistant vessel, which was pressurized with xenon gas at 0 or 0.5 MPa, and cells were stored at 0 to 5 °C for 18 h. Cell activity was evaluated by tetrazolium salt assay. The viscosity of the medium under pressurization at each storage temperature was estimated. RESULTS: The maximum protective effect against cell damage of cold storage with pressurized dissolution of xenon gas was observed at 4 °C. An increase in estimated viscosity by pressurization was correlated with increased cell activity at 4 °C. CONCLUSION: Analysis of the temperature dependence of the protective effect against cell damage of cold storage with pressurized dissolution of xenon gas revealed that the most effective temperature is 4 °C. The data also suggest that increased viscosity due to pressurization plays a role in the protective effect.
Economic and Environmental Resilience of Tenant Farmers in Majuli, Assam
Authors: Saikia Bondita , Nookathoti Trinadh , Hiremath Channaveerayya
Published: September 2024

When agricultural land is unequally distributed, the land lease market can be essential in balancing factor endowments among agrarian families. With this backdrop, the study explores the economic and environmental sustainability of tenant farming among the Mishing tribe in Majuli, the biggest river island. The primary objectives are to compare the economic benefits of tenant versus owner farmers and to assess the resilience of the Mishing community to environmental challenges. Utilising purposive sampling, data were collected from the UjaniMajuli Block. Analytical methods include the Lekart scale, independent t-tests, and cost-benefit ratio analysis to evaluate economic benefits, complemented by field observations to assess resilience indicators. Results reveal that tenant farmers achieve a higher benefit-cost ratio than owner farmers for red and winter paddy, attributed to more efficient resource utilisation and adaptive agricultural practices. Despite strong resilience through traditional adaptive measures, there is a need for enhanced infrastructure and awareness programs. The study emphasises the necessity for targeted policy interventions and support mechanisms to enhance tenant farmers’ economic stability and resilience in Majuli.
Spatio-Temporal Mechanisms of Rainfall in Kalaburagi District: An Analysis of Trends and Variability
Authors: Anveer  , Vishwanath B.C. , Prasanna Kumar K.R. , Bose Mahalingam
Published: September 2024

The study used data from 11 taluks to analyse the changes and variability in annual and seasonal rainfall in the Kalaburagi district between 2016 and 2022. Sen Slope and Mann-Kendall analyses were used to evaluate trends, while the coefficient of variation was used to measure rainfall variability. The mean rainfall was calculated using simple mathematical formulas. The findings showed minimal seasonal and yearly variability, with the exception of the southwest monsoon season. The district as a whole as well as all 11 taluks consistently saw a rise in rainfall, according to annual Sen slope research. However, during the northeast monsoon season, negative trends were observed in Aland and Sedam Taluks. In the Mann-Kendall test, the district did not exhibit any general pattern; nevertheless, several taluks, such as Yadrami and Kamalapur, demonstrated remarkable trends in the southwest and northeast seasons, respectively. Due to geographical and climatic fluctuations, the district of Kalaburagi experienced an annual mean precipitation of 797 mm. Higher mean rainfall was recorded in Sedam, Kalagi, Chincholi, and Kamalapur, while lower mean rainfall was recorded in Jevaragi and Yadrami Taluks. In the water-scarce Kalaburagi district, this work is important for policymakers addressing climate change and water resource management.
Analysis of human mobility behavior in Smart Cities and Smart Environments: A systematic literature review and taxonomy
Authors: Borges Carlos Eduardo Liedtke , Aranda Jorge Arthur Schneider , Barbosa Jorge Luis Victória
Published: September 2024

The analysis of human mobility behavior through computational techniques finds applications in various domains and provides valuable insights for urban planning, transportation services, and a deeper understanding of human interactions in Smart Cities and Smart Environments. In this scenario, this study presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) with the following main question: How are computational techniques being used to analyse human mobility behavior in Smart Cities and Smart Environments? A total of 5989 articles were initially found and filtered, resulting in 56 articles reviewed. As the main contributions, this study provides responses to 19 research questions. A list of the challenges and the computational techniques identified is provided. The algorithms, machine learning techniques and data-sources used by the reviewed studies are also presented and organized through taxonomies. A comprehensive discussion of the identified techniques is conducted, finishing with a compilation of challenges, open issues and research opportunities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that reviewed human mobility behavior covering a wide range of scenarios, including urban mobility, public transport, points and regions of interest, ridesharing, bike-sharing, traffic analysis, driving behavior, electric vehicle charging stations planning, mobility on demand, crowd analysis and others.
Enhancing healthcare with intelligent environments: Integrating medical knowledge into GPT for advanced medical personal chatbots
Authors: Kocuvan Primož , Zadobovšek Matic , Gams Matjaž
Published: September 2024

ChatGPT has shown high performance in medical diagnosis, with various enhancement strategies proposed. However, national-level applications remain limited. This study explores integrating a personal medical chatbot into home environments nationwide, using knowledge from the Insieme platform, a robust electronic and mobile health system developed through an Italian-Slovenian project. This integration provides verified medical information, online support from healthcare professionals, and interactions with a virtual assistant powered by advanced natural language processing technologies. Detailed presentations of the Insieme platform and HomeDoctor application introduce innovative solutions for smart city ecosystems, potentially transforming national healthcare by enhancing patient care and optimizing workflows. The approach is based on deploying ChatGPT within the information and knowledge from the Insieme platform, using word embeddings and vector databases for efficient data retrieval and context-aware responses. This integration aims to reduce the burden on healthcare professionals, particularly in areas with workforce shortages, by providing 24/7 accessible and accurate medical information. The national-scale chatbot integration supports multilingual interactions, ensuring accessibility for non-native speakers, using country-specific knowledge. Preliminary studies show high user satisfaction and positive healthcare impacts, demonstrating the potential of integrating advanced AI technologies into national healthcare infrastructures and offering a blueprint for future medical smart-city developments.
Understanding the psychosocial context of employment and occupational productivity among women living with HIV: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Wise Jenni M. , Konkle-Parker Deborah , Raper James L. , Heaton Karen , Vance David E. , Azuero Andres , Wingood Gina , Adimora Adaora A. , Topper Elizabeth F. , Kempf Mirjam-Colette
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND: Women living with HIV (WLHIV) are particularly vulnerable to poor employment outcomes, impacting their socioeconomic independence and personal sense of empowerment. OBJECTIVE: This article presents the results of a mixed methods study, which examined the personal, clinical, and socioeconomic contexts associated with employment and occupational productivity among employed WLHIV (n = 164) in the Southern United States. METHODS: The Stanford Presenteeism Scale-6 was used to assess the perceived impact of HIV disease on the ability to maintain focus and complete tasks at work. Correlational and hierarchical regression techniques were applied to examine the relationships between personal, clinical, and socioeconomic contexts and occupational productivity. RESULTS: In this sample, 62% of women perceived no impact on their ability to work or capacity to complete work related to living with HIV. In multivariable modeling, empowerment, neurocognition, socioeconomic status, and psychological health were associated with occupational productivity. In-depth interviews (n = 29) provided rich contexts and meaning surrounding employment among WLHIV, and indicated that quality of life, work-life balance, empowerment, social support, and psychological health influenced the experience of work. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial and structural interventions are needed to improve occupational outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Assessing validity and reliability of Copenhagen burnout tool and DASS-21 amongst the faculty members
Authors: Sun Xiaomeng , Alam Beenish Fatima , Ghafoor Chaudhary Muhammad Aamir , Khan Summara , Khan Amna , Jan Hassan , Hussain Talib , Khan Shahid
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND: Various tools had been used to measure the level of burnout, anxiety, and depression. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory assesses personal, work or job, and patient related burnout. While DASS21 assesses stress, anxiety, and depression. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the validity, reliability of Copenhagen burnout tool and DASS-21 amongst the faculty members employed in Pakistan. METHODS: This cross-sectional research incorporated 384 medical, dental, and nursing faculty working full time at university. Data for research was collected from January to May 2023. Copenhagen and DASS21 survey were the survey tools used to identify the level of burnout and stress. Reliability of both tools was assessed using Cronbach alpha. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to detect factorial structure of both tools. Pearson correlation was conducted to detect association between various domains. Multiple logistic regression was computed to detect relationship between the domains. RESULTS: From a total of 384 participants, there were 118 (30.7%) males, 266 (69.3%) females. There were 169 (44%) medical, 140 (36.5%) dental, and 75 (19.5%) nursing faculty. Reliability analysis revealed satisfactory results for both tools. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a four-model fit for the CBI, whilst a three-factor model was observed for DASS21. Personal burnout demonstrated positive and significant correlation with work related burnout, and stress, while it showed significant but negative correlation with depression. CONCLUSION: Female faculty displaced higher academic burnout as compared to men. A statistically significant correlation between burnout, anxiety, and depression. Both tools displayed high reliability and validity for the current sample.
Investigating the Relationship Between Environmental and Cognitive Ergonomics with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Case Study in an Automobile Industry
Authors: Asadi Nasrin , Sadeghi-Yarandi Mohsen
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND: Cognitive and environmental parameters are among the most important influencing factors in the prevalence of WRMSDs, which have been studied less compared to physical ergonomic in automobile industry. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between environmental and cognitive ergonomics with the prevalence of WRMSDs in an automotive industry. METHODS: This study was conducted in 2023 in an automobile company. The sample size was 740 workers. The prevalence of WRMSDs was assessed using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire. Occupational stress, mental workload, sleep quality, and cognitive failure were assessed by Job Content Questionnaire, NASA-TLX Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Cognitive Failure Questionnaire, respectively. Noise were measured by KIMO-DB300 sound analyzer. The intensity of lighting was measured using a Hanger Screen Master illuminance meter. Heat stress was measured by Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). RESULTS: 72.58% reported the musculoskeletal disorders in at least one of their body parts during the past 12 months. The average values of occupational stress, mental workload, sleep quality, and cognitive failure among workers with WRMSDs were higher than the participants without WRMSDs (p-value < 0.05). There was a significant difference between the values of all studied physical harmful factors between the two investigated groups, except thermal stress (p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Findings from this study highlight the critical need for a holistic approach that considers both the external work environment and internal cognitive processes to effectively prevent and manage WRMSDs among automobile industry workers.
Analysis of Interconnectedness in Indian Subcontinent Remittances from the Gulf Cooperation Countries
Authors: Genc Ismail
Published: September 2024

Indian subcontinent is a major remittance receiver. With similar labor market characteristics, their workers go to same host countries. Therefore, their labor is substitutable for each other with high degree of connectedness with direct consequences on remittance inflows. Yet, due to social and political considerations in host countries, substitution may not take place. The issue is an empirical question. We study interactions of remittance inflows into India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka via frequency connectedness. We find a low degree of spillovers across countries, i.e., dynamics of remittance inflows in each country are largely explained by internal factors, not due to spillovers from other countries. That is, remittance inflows in these countries are essentially independent. We also observe that information processing is faster in the short-run than the long-run indicating that market participants are aware of dynamics in other markets. The findings have policy implications for unemployment and foreign exchange.