bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Explicit Integrating Factor Runge–Kutta Method for the Extended Fisher–Kolmogorov Equation
Authors: Wang Yanan , Zhai Shuying
Published: November 2023

The extended Fisher–Kolmogorov (EFK) equation is an important model for phase transitions and bistable phenomena. This paper presents some fast explicit numerical schemes based on the integrating factor Runge–Kutta method and the Fourier spectral method to solve the EFK equation. The discrete global convergence of these new schemes is analyzed rigorously. Three numerical examples are presented to verify the theoretical analysis and the efficiency of the proposed schemes.
Nanopore Sequencing Assessment of Bacterial Pathogens and Associated Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Environmental Samples
Authors: Lobiuc Andrei , Pavăl Naomi-Eunicia , Dimian Mihai , Covașă Mihai
Published: November 2023

As seen in earlier and present pandemics, monitoring pathogens in the environment can offer multiple insights on their spread, evolution, and even future outbreaks. The present paper assesses the opportunity to detect microbial pathogens and associated antibiotic resistance genes, in relation to specific pathogen sources, by using nanopore sequencing in municipal waters and wastewaters in Romania. The main results indicated that waters collecting effluents from a meat processing facility exhibit altered communities’ diversity and abundance, with reduced values (101–108 and 0.86–0.91) of Chao1 and, respectively, Simpson diversity indices and Campylobacterales as main order, compared with other types of municipal waters where the same diversity index had much higher values of 172–214 and 0.97–0.98, and Burkholderiaceae and Pseudomonadaceae were the most abundant families. Moreover, the incidence and type of antibiotic resistance genes were significantly influenced by the proximity of antibiotic sources, with either tetracycline (up to 45% of total reads) or neomycin, streptomycin and tobramycin (up to 3.8% total reads) resistance incidence being shaped by the sampling site. As such, nanopore sequencing proves to be an easy-to-use, accessible molecular technique for environmental pathogen surveillance and associated antibiotic resistance genes.
Genomic Characteristion of Opportunistic Pathogen Kluyvera Reveals a Novel CTX-M Subgroup
Authors: Yu Keyi , Huang Zhenzhou , Lan Ruiting , Morris J. Glenn , Xiao Yue , Fu Songzhe , Gao He , Bai Xuemei , Li Kun , Wang Duochun
Published: November 2023

A rising incidence of clinical infections has been caused by Kluyvera, a significant opportunistic pathogen. Meanwhile, Kluyvera acts as an important reservoir of blaCTX-Ms, which are the dominant genes of class A extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). In this work, 60 strains of Kluyvera were subjected to phylogenetic relationship reconstruction, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and antibiotic resistance genes prediction. All mature blaCTX-Ms were gathered to perform subgroup reclassification. The findings demonstrate that Kluyvera has a large gene pool with significant genetic flexibility. Notably, 25% of strains showed simultaneous detection of ESBLs and carbapenem resistance genes. The genotypes of fourteen novel blaCTX-Ms were identified. A new subgroup classification approach for blaCTX-Ms was defined by using 20 amino acid site variants, which could split blaCTX-Ms into 10 subgroups. The results of the subgroup division were consistent with the phylogenetic clustering. More significantly, we proposed a novel blaCTX-M subgroup, KLUS, that is chromosomally encoded in K. sichuanensis and the new species put forward in this study, showing amino acid differences from the currently known sequences. Cloning and transformation tests demonstrated that the recipient bacteria had a robust phenotype of cefotaxime resistance. Closely related Kluyvera species had blaCTX-Ms in the same subgroup. Our research lays the groundwork for a deeper comprehension of Kluyvera and emphasizes how important a blaCTX-M reservoir it is. We provide an update on blaCTX-M subgroups reclassification from the aspects of phylogenetic relationship, amino acid differences, and the new subgroup KLUS, which needs to be strengthen monitored due to its strong resistance phenotype to cefotaxime.
Active Region Overheating in Pulsed Quantum Cascade Lasers: Effects of Nonequilibrium Heat Dissipation on Laser Performance
Authors: Vrubel Ivan I. , Cherotchenko Evgeniia D. , Mikhailov Dmitry A. , Chistyakov Dmitrii V. , Abramov Aleksandr V. , Dudelev Vladislav V. , Sokolovskii Grigorii S.
Published: November 2023

Mid IR Quantum cascade lasers are of high interest for the scientific community due to their unique applications. However, the QCL designs require careful engineering to overcome some crucial disadvantages. One of them is active region (ARn) overheating, which significantly affects laser characteristics, even in the pulsed mode. In this work, we consider the effects related to the nonequilibrium temperature distribution when thermal resistance formalism is irrelevant. We employ the heat equation and discuss the possible limitations and structural features stemming from the chemical composition of the ARn. We show that the presence of solid solutions in the ARn structure fundamentally limits the heat dissipation in pulsed and CW regimes due to their low thermal conductivity compared with binary compounds. Also, the QCL postgrowths affect the thermal properties of a device closer to CW mode, while it is by far less important in the short-pulsed mode.
Beyond Fictionality: A Definition of Fictional Characterhood
Authors: Muñoz-Corcuera Alfonso
Published: November 2023

While the nature of fictional characters has received much attention in the last few years within analytic philosophy, most accounts fail to grasp what distinguishes fictional characters from other fictional entities. In this paper, I propose to amend this deficiency by defining fictional characterhood. I claim that fictional characters are fictional intentional systems, a thesis that I label as FIST. After introducing FIST, I compare it to some rival definitions of fictional characters found in the literature, explaining why FIST is preferable. Finally, I briefly delve into the implications of FIST for other issues related to the nature of fictional characters.
Current Trends and Future Perspectives in the Remediation of Polluted Water, Soil and Air—A Review
Authors: Ugrina Marin , Jurić Antonija
Published: November 2023

The protection of all environmental compartments (water, soil, air) is of great interest for the normal functioning of life on Earth. The environment is systematically polluted with different concentrations of physical, biological and chemical pollutants. For the purpose of environmental protection, numerous in situ and ex situ biological, chemical and physical remediation techniques have been developed. Most techniques have limitations, such as high cost, processing time or environmental feasibility. In general, biological techniques have proven to be the most environmentally friendly compared to chemical and physical techniques. Furthermore, remediation is an extremely complex procedure due to the complexity of the pollutant composition. Therefore, the implementation of individual physical, biological or chemical remediation techniques is often not sufficient for adequate remediation of the polluted environment. Accordingly, for more economical and efficient environmental remediation, it is recommended to use a combination of techniques that should meet the requirements of efficiency and treatment duration. Ultimately, this review provides a concise overview of the recent application of physical, biological and chemical remediation techniques to all compartments of the polluted environment. A critical review of existing knowledge on environmental remediation through a search of the relevant literature has helped to assess the basic challenges and limitations that arise in the issue of environmental remediation, as well as providing recommendations and guidelines for future research.
Nomos and the Dispute in Galatians 2: A Case of Conflicting By-Laws
Authors: Lavender Jordan
Published: November 2023

This research explores the interpretation of nomos in Galatians 2:11–21 within the light of Greco-Roman associations and Palestinian chavurot. As such, it proposes a reading of the text and conflict as a localized issue of conflicting association by-laws between Jews and Gentiles. The members of Jacob’s association in Jerusalem demonstrated Pharisaic behavior in requiring circumcision for membership in the association and requiring the additional observance of purity and tithing regulations as interpreted by the association as crucial elements of its by-laws. Paul chastises Peter for breaking the by-laws of the Jewish assembly when eating with the Gentiles but then “separating himself” from them and requiring the Gentiles to observe the by-laws that he had just broken. Paul then explains how the Jewish association’s by-laws are not required for his Gentile followers and redirects them to the faithfulness of Christ as their means of being set right and the means of acquiring justice.
Trust-Aware and Fuzzy Logic-Based Reliable Layering Routing Protocol for Underwater Acoustic Networks
Authors: Han Duoliang , Du Xiujuan , Wang Lijuan , Liu Xiuxiu , Tian Xiaojing
Published: November 2023

Routing protocols based on trust mechanisms have been widely investigated for wireless sensor networks, and the works have achieved good results, while there are few works on trusted routing for underwater acoustic networks (UANs). However, trust-aware routing is the key to improving the packet delivery rate and the energy efficiency of UANs. Therefore, inspired by the theory of trust evaluation, a trust-aware and fuzzy logic-based reliable layering routing protocol (TAFLRLR) is proposed. In the TAFLRLR protocol, to avoid the problem of the void area and improve the transmission reliability, the candidate nodes of the next-hop forwarding nodes are determined according to the layers of neighbor nodes. Moreover, a fuzzy logic-based trust evaluation mechanism (FLTEM) is provided, which employs the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation decision model to calculate the comprehensive trust value for underwater sensor nodes. Further, the node density of a candidate node and its comprehensive trust value are taken as the input of a fuzzy control system and the forwarding probability (FP) of the node is taken as the output, and the candidate node with the highest FP is selected as the best forwarding node. Simulation results illustrate the superiority and effectiveness of the TAFLRLR protocol in terms of energy efficiency, routing reliability, and transmission reliability.
Hyperspectral Imaging with Active Illumination: A Theoretical Study on the Use of Incandescent Lamp and Variable Filament Temperature
Authors: Simoncic Urban , Milanic Matija
Published: November 2023

In this study, we introduce a novel hyperspectral imaging approach that leverages variable filament temperature incandescent lamps for active illumination, coupled with multi-channel image acquisition, and provide a comprehensive characterization of the approach. Our methodology simulates the imaging process, encompassing spectral illumination ranging from 400 to 700 nm at varying filament temperatures, multi-channel image capture, and hyperspectral image reconstruction. We present an algorithm for spectrum reconstruction, addressing the inherent challenges of this ill-posed inverse problem. Through a rigorous sensitivity analysis, we assess the impact of various acquisition parameters on the accuracy of reconstructed spectra, including noise levels, temperature steps, filament temperature range, illumination spectral uncertainties, spectral step sizes in reconstructed spectra, and the number of detected spectral channels. Our simulation results demonstrate the successful reconstruction of most spectra, with Root Mean Squared Errors (RMSE) below 5%, reaching as low as 0.1% for specific cases such as black color. Notably, illumination spectrum accuracy emerges as a critical factor influencing reconstruction quality, with flat spectra exhibiting higher accuracy than complex ones. Ultimately, our study establishes the theoretical grounds of this innovative hyperspectral approach and identifies optimal acquisition parameters, setting the stage for future practical implementations.
RNA-Seq Analysis of Testes from Mice Exposed to Neodymium Oxide
Authors: Wang Shurui , Bu Ning , Yun Yudan , Shi Xuemin , Wang Suhua , Gao Yanrong
Published: November 2023

(1) Objective: Rare earth neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) is refined and used extensively around the world, and the occupational and environmental safety of rare piles of the earth has attracted considerable attention. Nd2O3 enters the human body through the respiratory system, reaches various organs through blood circulation, and accumulates to produce toxic effects. At present, little is known about the reproductive toxicity of Nd2O3. Non-coding RNAs participate in a variety of physiological activities and are very important for spermatogenesis. However, it is unknown whether they are involved in Nd2O3-induced reproductive toxicity. Therefore, we conducted a pathological analysis, sperm quality testing, and RNA-seq on the testicular tissue of mice exposed to Nd2O3 to find the key genes and regulatory pathways of male reproductive damage and explore the early biomarkers and mechanisms of reproductive damage caused by Nd2O3. (2) Methods: After exposure of mice to Nd2O3, we carried out a pathological analysis and RNA-seq analysis for miRNAs/lncRNAs/circRNAs/mRNAs on the testicular tissue of mice, and the total RNAs were used to investigate miRNA/lncRNA/circRNA/mRNA expression profiles by strand-specific RNA sequencing at the transcriptome level to help uncover RNA-related mechanisms in Nd2O3-induced toxicity. (3) Results: Nd2O3 damaged testis and sperm morphology, significantly decreased the number of sperm, and deformed the sperm head and tail. RNA-seq analysis showed that the expression level of mRNA/miRNA/circRNA/lncRNA in the testicular tissue of mice exposed to Nd2O3 is abnormal. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis demonstrated that the functional enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their target genes was closely related to the related pathway of spermatogenesis. Furthermore, some miRNAs/lncRNAs/circRNAs that were greatly upregulated or inducibly expressed, implying their potential value as candidate markers for Nd2O3-induced reproductive toxicity, help us to further investigate the mechanisms of key genes, key signaling pathways, and inter-gene regulation for Nd2O3-induced reproductive toxicity. (4) Conclusions: This study provides the first database of a Nd2O3-induced transcriptome. This information is useful for the development of biomarkers of Nd2O3-induced reproductive injury and promotes understanding of the reproductive toxicity mechanism of Nd2O3.
Vinorelbine as First-Line Treatment in Stage IV Canine Primary Pulmonary Carcinoma
Authors: Rinaldi Valentina , Finotello Riccardo , Boari Andrea , Cabibbo Emanuele , Crisi Paolo Emidio
Published: November 2023

Vinorelbine (VRL), a semi-synthetic vinca alkaloid commonly used in humans with advanced lung cancer, reaches high concentrations in the lung tissue, has proven antineoplastic activity and a low toxicity profile in dogs. Treatment-naïve, client-owned dogs with a cyto/histological diagnosis of advanced pulmonary carcinoma, selected from a laboratory database and previously subjected to imaging, were enrolled in the study. Vinorelbine (15 mg/m2) was administered weekly for 4 weeks and then fortnightly until progressive disease was documented. Staging work-up was repeated by means of diagnostic imaging after the fourth VRL (i.e., 28 days) and monthly thereafter; response to treatment was evaluated according to the RECIST. Toxicity was graded following the VCOGC group. Ten dogs met the inclusion criteria. Partial response was documented in eight dogs. Median time to progression was 88 days (range: 7–112) and median survival time for all dogs was 100 days (range 7–635). The most common side effect was neutropenia. The main limitations of the study were the absence of histological diagnosis in eight cases and the limited number of treated dogs. VRL is well tolerated with an adequate toxicity profile and may be useful in the management of advanced lung tumours if used as a first-line treatment strategy.
Fundos imobiliários são mesmo uma alternativa a compra de imóveis no Brasil?
Authors: Torres Paulo Sergio de Freitas , Piva Graziele , Olivo Rodolfo Leandro de Faria
Published: November 2023

Os brasileiros têm uma forte preferência por possuir imóveis como parte de seu patrimônio. Isso se deve a uma combinação de fatores culturais, econômicos e históricos. Ter um imóvel é visto como um símbolo de estabilidade e segurança financeira. Muitos brasileiros acreditam que a aquisição de imóveis é uma forma sólida de investimento de longo prazo, proporcionando um local para moradia e, potencialmente, gerando renda por meio de aluguéis. Além disso, o histórico de alta inflação no país levou as pessoas a buscarem ativos tangíveis, como imóveis, como forma de proteger seu patrimônio da desvalorização da moeda. No entanto, essa preferência também levou a altos índices de propriedade de imóveis no Brasil, o que pode impactar a liquidez do mercado imobiliário e a mobilidade das pessoas. Embora a posse de imóveis seja valorizada, é importante equilibrar essa preferência com considerações financeiras e objetivos de investimento pessoais. Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar e comparar os investimentos em imóveis físicos e os Fundos de Investimentos Imobiliários (FIIs) a partir de critérios como riscos envolvidos, liquidez e rentabilidade. A partir do discutido, os FIIs se mostraram mais atrativos para o investimento.
Ocorrência de Trypanosoma sp. em Pimelodus maculatus provenientes de rios na cidade de Teresina-PI, Brasil
Authors: Brito Amanda Karoliny Figueredo , Rocha Fernanda Samara Barbosa , De Mendonça Ivete Lopes
Published: November 2023

É de extrema importância a realização de estudos que visem a caracterização do perfil parasitológico de peixes, a fim de diagnosticar e controlar a disseminação destes parasitas que podem gerar um desequilíbrio nos ecossistemas aquáticos. Tais ambientes apresentam peculiaridades que facilitam a propagação, complementação do ciclo de vida e outros fatores de relevante importância para sobrevivência de cada grupo de organismos parasitas. Este estudo é um relato da presença de Trypanosoma spp., em peixes da espécie Pimelodus maculatus coletados em rios na cidade de Teresina-PI, com objetivos de alertar a população sobre possíveis infecções zoonóticas, permitindo o consumo de peixe de qualidade e conhecimento acerca da fauna parasitaria das diferentes espécies de peixes. A pesquisa foi realizada nos rios Poti e Parnaíba na cidade de Teresina, no estado do Piauí, no período de dezembro de 2020 a março de 2021. As amostras de peixes foram capturadas através da pesca artesanal, foram coletados 30 espécimes da espécie Pimelodus maculatus, os peixes apanhados foram devidamente identificados quanto à gênero (nome vulgar), local e data de coleta e transportados vivos para o laboratório, aonde ocorreram as pesquisas com a coleta de sangue por punção cardíaca e caudal, posteriormente fabricação do esfregaço sanguíneo para leitura, sendo assim observados 6 exemplares de Tripanosoma sp. em lâminas de 3 animais ainda não descritos nessa espécie em pesquisas no Estado do Piauí. Estudos dessa natureza, são de fundamental importância para se conhecer o estado de sanidade dos peixes e em especial dos peixes que são destinados ao consumo humano. Assim como, se faz necessário estudos mais aprofundados sobre a relação parasito-hospedeiros para se obter mais eficiência no controle desses parasitas.
LEVANTAMENTO EPIDEMIOLÓGICO DOS CASOS DE MORMO EM EQUÍDEOS NO ESTADO DO PARANÁ (2010 A 2022) E O NÍVEL DE CONHECIMENTO DA DOENÇA ENTRE ALUNOS DO CURSO DE MEDICINA VETERINÁRIA E PROFISSIONAIS DO ESTADO
Authors: Da Silva Santos Amanda , Campanha Martinez Antonio , Garcia Motta Rodrigo
Published: November 2023

O mormo é uma doença infectocontagiosa de caráter zoonótico, causado pela bactéria Burkholderia mallei que acomete equinos, muares e asininos. Em 2015, ocorreu um surto da doença no Brasil e isso foi responsável pela mudança no Plano Nacional de Sanidade dos Equídeos e fez com que o programa passasse por atualizações especialmente sobre as estratégicas de combate e prevenção da doença. Este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar levantamento epidemiológico dos casos de mormo relatados no estado do Paraná entre 2010 e 2022 e avaliar o nível de conhecimento entre acadêmicos de medicina veterinária e profissionais sobre a doença. O inquérito foi realizado através da coleta de dados a partir das plataformas do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abstecimento e Agência de Desenvolvimento Agropecuário do Paraná. O nível de conhecimento dos profissionais e acadêmicos do Paraná sobre a doença foi conduzido através de questionário virtual, disponibilizado apenas para estudantes do curso de Medicina Veterinária e profissionais. As respostas foram submetidas a análises descritivas, testes qui-quadrado e comparações múltiplas. O estado do Paraná registrou 14 casos neste período, com ampla distribuição pelo estado e sem correlação entre eles. Os valores de p obtidos indicaram diferença significativa entre a média de respostas corretas dos profissionais do Paraná com relação a dos acadêmicos do estado. Essa diferença não é significativa quanto à relação das médias de respostas corretas dos profissionais do Paraná que são ou não habilitados para realizar a coleta de sangue para o exame do mormo e também quanto à média das respostas corretas entre os acadêmicos do estado em seus diferentes anos. Os dados combinados quanto ao acerto de todas as respostas não foram favoráveis, mostrando que o nível de conhecimento desejado para a doença ainda é limitado, dificultando a implantação de medidas de controle e profilaxia para a doença.
Bioma Caatinga: Um Olhar Sobre O Recorte Territorial De Patos/PB
Authors: Gomes Ribeiro Alves Telma , Felix da Silva Costa Diógenes
Published: November 2023

Considerado um bioma ainda pouco explorado na produção de materiais didáticos, a Caatinga apresente um elevado potencial para sua contextualização associada aos saberes educacionais da Educação Básica, principalmente no que tange ao ensino de temáticas físico-naturais. Pensando em uma abordagem com foco local, a obra “Bioma Caatinga: um olhar sobre o recorte territorial de Patos/PB” é fruto da conclusão do Curso de Mestrado Profissional em Geografia (GEOPROF) da primeira autora, na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). A perspectiva que se tem é de que este material funcione como incentivo ao ensino da temática em diversos componentes curriculares, podendo ser utilizado como complemento ao conteúdo presente no livro didático, ou como mais um recurso didático disponível no município. O material produzido está pautado na necessidade de contribuir com a construção do conhecimento a respeito do bioma Caatinga, no contexto geral, e especificamente no recorte territorial de Patos/PB, como também estimular a produção de outros materiais didáticos com temática local e regional que facilitem o ensino e a aprendizagem.
TAXONOMIC AND BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC REMARKS ON TORINOSUELLA MAYNC, 1959 AND BALKHANIA MAMONTOVA, 1966, LARGER BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF IRAN (SANGESTAN, TIRGAN FORMATIONS)
Authors: Schlagintweit Felix
Published: November 2023

The monospecific genera Torinosuella Maync [type-species T. peneropliformis (Yabe & Hanzawa)] and Balkhania Mamontova (type-species B. balkhanica Mamontova) have been reported from the Lower Cretaceous of Iran, respectively the ‘Carbonate Member’ of the Sangestan Formation (Central Iran) and the Tirgan Formation (NE Iran). The literature review reveals a range of late? Tithonian–early Barremian for Torinosuella and late Barremian–early Aptian for Balkhania. In a recent publication dealing with the ‘Taft’ Formation (Central Iran) and the Tirgan Formation (northeastern Iran), both taxa have been lumped together and described as two morphotypes of B. balkhanica based essentially on size differences. This mixing was associated with incorrect phylogenetic, taxonomic, biostratigraphic (e.g., First Appearance Datum) and palaeoecological conclusions that are herein addressed and corrected. Without clarification about the spatial and temporal distribution of individual taxa, the usefulness of larger benthic foraminifera for biostratigraphy, palaeoecology and palaeobiogeography would be distinctly reduced.
La determinazione del prezzo (La determinación de los precios).
Authors: D´Auria Anna , Pablo-Romero Gil-Delgado María del Pópulo , Sánchez-Rivas García Javier , Tregua Marco
Published: November 2023

El recurso se enfoca en los principales factores que influyen sobre la determinación de los precios, o sea: los costos y gastos, la competencia y los competidores, y la demanda, examinados bajo la perspectiva de las empresas internacionales.

El recurso está destinado para el alumnado con el objetivo de comprender las estrategias utilizadas por parte de las empresas en la determinación de los precios y el valor de los productos tan bajo la perspectiva de las empresas cuanto bajo la perspectiva de los clientes.

Muchos factores influyen sobre la determinación de los precios de productos y servicios, aún más en el caso de empresas que trabajan a nivel internacional. El recurso contribuye a entender la manera de investigar estos diferentes factores y el papel de cada factor y actor en la definición de estrategias de precios.
Efecto de la ovariectomía prepuberal sobre la función del tejido adiposo blanco abdominal y subcutáneo
Authors:   , Miguel Ignacio
Published: November 2023

Nuestra hipótesis a ser puesta a prueba se basa en que “la castración prepuberal en la rata hembra provoca el desarrollo anormal del tejido adiposo blanco, lo cual genera un impacto en su funcionalidad, induciendo una respuesta disfuncional ante desafíos como ingestas ricas en fructosa o exposición al frío”. Objetivo general: Para responder nuestra hipótesis de trabajo, el objetivo general del presente proyecto será estudiar, en la rata hembra adulta sometida a castración prepuberal, las consecuencias de la castración a edad temprana, con principal foco en depósitos de tejido adiposo blanco: Tejido adiposo retroperitoneal (TARP) y Tejido adiposo inguinal (TAI), representantes de depósito abdominal y subcutáneo respectivamente. Adicionalmente, se estudiará la influencia de la castración a edad temprana en animales expuestos a una dieta obesogénica, como también la respuesta termogénica frente al estímulo de frío.
Coeficientes en el secado por difusión de arcillas
Authors:   , Valle Juan José
Published: November 2023

El cálculo en problemas de secado no tiene un método general, uniforme y sencillo para los diferentes casos prácticos. Se ha pensado que basado en similitud con los procesos de difusión y en base a sus conceptos generales, se podría llegar a encontrar dicho método. Este trabajo es una parte de los diversos estudios que pueden conducir al método buscado. Como parte de esa investigación, se ha estudiado el comportamiento del secado de arcillas, con el cálculo de coeficientes comparativamente con dicho proceso en superficies de agua libre, pero considerando como una parte fundamental el proyecto, instalación y puesta a punto del túnel, con la obtención del orden de magnitudes en el trabajo como base fundamental del cálculo de las fuerzas de empuje en el proceso, se determinaron las curvas de equilibrio de las arcillas estudiadas.
Hygienic Assessment of Vibration Levels of Quarry Excavators Used for Iron Mining
in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation
Authors: Nikanov Alexandr N. , Chashchin Valery P. , Frolova Nina M. , Smirnov Vladimir V. , Kuprina Nadezda I. , Gudkov Andrei B. , Popova Olga N.
Published: November 2023

Introduction: The Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation is one of the least economically developed regions, despite the fact that its resource potential is highly estimated. Miners are among the most numerous contingents constantly exposed to combined occupational risk factors.
Our objective was to measure vibration levels of the control panel and driver’s seat in excavators used for iron ore mining in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.
Materials and methods: Hand-arm and whole-body vibration levels were measured at the workplaces of EKG-10, EKG-8I, and EKG-5A excavator drivers engaged in iron ore mining.
Results: We established that in terms of whole-body vibration of excavator operators, 61.5 % of measurements corresponded to Class 3 (harmful) working conditions, including Class 3.1 (harmful, degree 1) for operators of 53.8 % of the machines and Class 3.2 – of 7.7 %. The most pronounced excess of the occupational vibration exposure limit was
noted in the low-frequency range of 2 Hz, as well as 4 and 8 Hz. We noted that hand-arm vibration levels were still below the permissible limit.
Conclusion: Vibration measurements at workplaces of the iron quarry excavator drivers show elevated whole-body but normal hand-arm vibration levels.
Characteristics of Small and Medium-Sized Towns of the Irkutsk Region in Terms
of Ambient Air Pollution and Incidence Rates in the Child Population
Authors: Zaikova Zoia A. , Bobkova Elena V.
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Air pollution affects human health and causes considerable damage to the economy by hindering urban development, including that of small towns inhabited by more than half of the Russian population.
Objective: To characterize small and medium-sized towns of the Irkutsk Region in terms of ambient air pollution and incidence rates in the child population.
Materials and methods: Ambient air pollution was assessed based on annual reports issued by the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Roshydromet). Incidence rates in children living in five small and medium-sized towns of the Irkutsk Region were analyzed by 16 disease categories based on report forms and collections of the Ministry of Health for 2015–2022. We applied methods of comparative analysis, calculated health indicators, and established the significance of differences using Student’s t-test.
Results: The 2021 Priority List of the Most Polluted Russian Cities included seven towns of the Irkutsk Region. In small and medium-sized regional towns from this list, high ambient concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene, formaldehyde, hydrogen chloride, nitrogen dioxide, total suspended particles, and PM10 were registered, all exceeding maximum permissible levels. In 2015–2022, long-term incidence rates in children were 1.1–1.4 times higher than the national averages in the towns of Shelekhov, Usolye-Sibirskoye, and Svirsk. In all the towns under study, the number of disease categories with a high incidence among children (4–7 years of age), the list of categories, and the multiplicity of excess of the Russian rates (1.1 to 3.8 times) differ, which is determined by specifics of effects of local environmental factors.
Conclusions: The levels of ambient air pollution in five small and medium-sized towns of the Irkutsk Region are assessed as very high with air pollution indices in 2022 ranging from 22 to 45. In the descending order of disease incidence in children, the regional towns were ranked as follows: Shelekhov, Usolye-Sibirskoye, Svirsk, Zima, Cheremkhovo.
دراسة مقارنة تحليلية للتصميم المعماري للمئذنة المعاصرة في الأردن
Authors: الجعافرة عريب
Published: November 2023

شهدت عمارة المساجد في الأردن تطوراً ملحوظاً في السنوات الاخيرة. المأذنة كعنصر مهم في تصميم المسجد، لا تزال تحظى باهتمام المصممين على الرغم من فقدان وظيفتها الاساسية التقليدية في النداء للصلاة وإيصال صوت الأذان الى المناطق المجاورة. يعتمد هذا البحث على تحليل اثنتي عشرة حالة دراسية مختارة لمساجد محلية قام بتصميمها معماريون أردنيون، وذلك لفهم التوجهات المعمارية السائدة لتصميم المآذن في المساجد المعاصرة، من خلال التركيز على تحليل التشكيل المعماري للمآذن المعاصرة، وظائفها، العناصر والخصائص المكونة لها مقارنة بالمآذن التقليدية. وأخيرا تهدف هذه الدراسة الى الوصول الى نتائج توضح ملامح التحول في التصميم المعماري للمآذن المعاصرة في الاردن من أجل توفير مرجع مفيد للمهندسين المعمارين، المصممين والمهتمين بعمارة المساجد.
Ensemble Learning for Heart Disease Diagnosis: AVoting Classifier Approach
Authors:   B.E, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi (Tamil Nadu), India., S Yogesh , Swaroop C Paneer Thanu ,   B.E, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi (Tamil Nadu), India., K Ruba Soundar ,   Associate Professor (Sr. Grade), Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi (Tamil Nadu), India.
Published: November 2023

Cardiovascular disease remains a serious public health problem internationally, responsible for a considerable number of fatalities. Early and correct detection of cardiovascular illness is crucial for optimal care and control of the condition. In this paper, we present an ensemble learning technique that includes voting classifiers to increase the reliability of cardiovascular disease diagnosis. We obtained a set of data from five cardiology databases, which included the Cleveland, Hungary, Switzerland, Long Beach VA and Statlog (Heart) datasets, which supplied us with a total of 1189 entries. We employed a feature engineering approach to extract relevant features from the dataset, enabling us to acquire vital information to enhance our model's performance. We trained and evaluated several machine learning algorithms, such as Random Forests, MLP, K-Nearest Neighbors, Extra Trees, XGBoost, Support Vector Machines, AdaBoost, Decision Trees, Linear Discriminant Analysis, and Gradient Boosting, and then incorporated these models using voting classifiers to produce more reliable and accurate models. Our findings reveal that the proposed ensemble learning process outperforms standalone models and conventional ensemble approaches, obtaining an accuracy rate of 91.4%. Our technique is likely to benefit clinicians in the early diagnosis of heart problems and improve patient outcomes. This work has major significance for the area of cardiology, indicating the possibility for machine learning approaches to boost both the reliability and accuracy of heart disease identification. The recommended ensemble learning technique may be adopted in hospitals to enhance patient care and eventually lessen the worldwide impact of cardiovascular disease. Further study is required to investigate the uses of predictive modeling in cardiology and other medical domains.
COVID-19 Sentiment Analysis using K-Means and DBSCAN
Authors:   Research Scholar, Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Ballari, Karnataka, India., Patravali Smitesh D. , Algur Dr. Siddu P. ,   Ex. Vice Chancellor, Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Ballari, Karnataka, India.
Published: November 2023

The analysis of sentiment towards COVID-19 plays a crucial role in understanding public opinion. This research paper proposes sentiment analysis using K-means and DBSCAN clustering algorithms on the dataset of tweets related to COVID-19. Pre-processing and extraction of features is carried out using Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (Tf-idf) to capture the weight of words in the dataset. K-means clustering is explored to group similar sentiments together, enabling the identification of sentiment clusters related to COVID-19. The DBSCAN algorithm is then employed to identify outliers and noise in the sentiment clusters. The evaluation metrics considered were accuracy, recall, F1-score, and precision. It was observed that DBSCAN was more effective in identifying underlying patterns in the data more accurately.
KONSEP KONSERVASI SUNGAI METRO SEBAGAI STRATEGI RESILIENSI KAMPUNG KOTA
Authors: Debby  , Sukowiyono Gaguk , Setyobudiarso Hery
Published: November 2023

Sungai Metro merupakan salah satu sungai yang membelah Kawasan kampung kota di Kota Malang. Sungai tersebut menjadi salah satu sumber air yang dipergunakan oleh penduduk sekitarnya untuk aktifitas sehari-hari, juga untuk memenuhi kebutuhan air pada lahan persawahan di sekitarnya. Sehingga upaya konservasi sungai perlu dilakukan agar kualitas fisik sungai dan volume air yang ada pada sungai tersebut tetap dapat terjaga keberlanjutannya. Selain itu, upaya konservasi Sungai Metro juga diharapkan dapat mendukung kebertahanan kampung kota yang berada di kawasan sekitarnya. Penelitian ini akan diarahkan pada riset terkait konsep-konsep yang dapat dilakukan sebagai upaya konservasi sungai dan kebertahanan masyarakat kampung kota melalui metode penelitian deskriptif kualitatif.
Comparison of The Effectiveness of Cleaning Products Herbal Ingredients Against the Growth of Candida albicans
Authors: Megawati Megawati , AR Nurul Izza , Risqika Risqika
Published: November 2023

Leukorrhea is a symptom that arises from vaginitis. This disease is mostly caused by Candida infections, especially Candida albicans. This disease causes an uncomfortable feeling for the sufferer. for that, we need to maintain the balance of the vaginal ecosystem. The aim of the research was to find out the Comparison of the Effectiveness of the Inhibitory Power of Feminine Cleansing Products Made from Herbs on the Growth of Candida albicans. This type of research was carried out experimentally, which is a laboratory study using a simple experimental design. The research was conducted in October 2022 at the Microbiology Laboratory of the Pharmacy Department of the Sandi Karsa Polytechnic Makassar. Based on the results of the research conducted, it can be concluded that the effectiveness of the inhibition of feminine products in Sample I was stronger in inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans compared to Sample II.
Overview of Medication Storage at The Limbong Puskesmas UPT Rongkong District, North Luwu District
Authors: Murniati Murniati , Amiruddin Achmad , Pojie Andi Colli
Published: November 2023

The community health center, also known as the Puskesmas, is a first-level health facility that provides services for public health efforts and individual health efforts prioritizing promotive and preventive without neglecting curative and rehabilitative efforts. The purpose of this study was to find out how the description of drug storage at UPT Puskesmas Limbong, Rongkong District, North Luwu Regency, based on spatial arrangements, how to store drugs, record stock cards, observe drug quality. Spatial planning obtained good results, but some were not appropriate, namely special cabinets for narcotics and psychotropics which were not guaranteed to be safe and did not have locks. The method of storing medicines at the UPT Puskesmas Limbong, Rongkong District, North Luwu Regency based on FIFO and FEFO and the alphabet, obtained good results. Although there are those that do not meet the requirements, namely the special cupboards for narcotics and psychotropics, their safety is not guaranteed and they do not have a key. Stock cards are used to record drug mutations (receipt, dispensing, damaged and expired). Stock card recording has a good category. Observation of drug quality obtained good results. Description of drug storage in the drug warehouse at the UPT Puskesmas Limbong, Rongkong District, North Luwu Regency in 2022 is in the good category with a percentage value of 92.5% consisting of 80% spatial arrangement, 90% drug storage method, 100% stock card recording and drug quality observation by 100%.
Understanding of P vs NP Problem: With Extension of the Continuum Hypothesis
Authors: Yoon Jihyeon
Published: November 2023

P vs NP problem turns out to be P=NP in quantum computing but remains questions of optimization in classical computing.
Improving Sit/Stand Loading Symmetry and Timing Through Unified Variable Impedance Control of a Powered Knee-Ankle Prosthesis
Authors: Welker Cara , Best T. Kevin , Gregg Robert , Best Thomas
Published: November 2023

Individuals using passive prostheses typically rely heavily on their
biological limb to complete sitting and standing tasks, leading to
slower completion times and increased rates of osteoarthritis and lower
back pain. Powered prostheses can address these challenges, but have
control methods that divide sit-stand transitions into discrete phases,
limiting user synchronization across the motion and requiring long
manual tuning times. This paper extends our preliminary work using a
thigh-based phase variable to parameterize optimized data-driven
impedance parameter trajectories for sitting, standing, and walking,
with only two classification modes. We decouple the stand-to-sit and
sit-to-stand equilibrium angles through a knee velocity-dependent
scaling term, reducing the model fitting error by approximately half
compared to our previous results. We then experimentally validate the
controller with three individuals with above-knee amputation performing
sitting and standing transitions to/from three different chair heights.
We show that our controller implemented on a powered knee-ankle
prosthesis produced biomimetic joint mechanics, resulting in
significantly reduced sit/stand loading asymmetry and time to complete a
5x sit-to-stand task compared to participants’ passive prostheses.
Integration with a previously developed walking controller also allowed
sit/walk transitions between different chair heights. The controller’s
biomimetic assistance may reduce the overreliance on the biological limb
caused by inadequate passive prostheses, helping improve mobility for
people with above-knee amputations.Â
Mitigation of Passive Intermodulation Generated by Discrete Nonlinear Sources
Authors: Dayan Amir , Ghorbani Farhad , Huang Yi , Gustafsson Mattias , Olsson Torbjörn , Schuchinsky Alexander G.
Published: November 2023

Nonlinear signal distortion, caused by passive intermodulation (PIM), presents a major challenge to modern multi-carrier communications and radar systems. Reverse PIM products generated by discrete nonlinear sources are analyzed in this paper, and the means of PIM mitigation are proposed. The developed model is validated experimentally using an open-ended coaxial waveguide with a movable iron insert, which acts as a main PIM source. The PIM generation mechanisms revealed in this study have identified alternative means for PIM mitigation. A novel circuit, proposed in the paper, enables an effective reduction ofthe reverse PIM for more than 44 dB.
Design and Analysis of High-k Dielectric Super junction Schottky Barrier Diodes Beyond Unipolar Figure of Merit
Authors: Roy Saurav , Krishnamoorthy Sriram
Published: November 2023

This study presents design guidelines for a high-k dielectric Superjunction Schottky barrier diode (SBD) to further enhance the already impressive unipolar power figure of merit (PFOM) of Ultra-wide bandgap (UWBG) materials. We employed analytical modeling to optimize the device parameters, accounting for the appropriate dielectric and semiconductor dimensions including the aspect ratio and the dielectric constant of the highk material. Our findings reveal that device performance is intimately linked to structural dimensions and the dielectric constant of the insulator. Specifically, we observed that the dielectric superjunction SBD exhibits behavior akin to a conventional SBD, where the effective doping density in the drift layer decreases by a factor dependent on semiconductor and dielectric width, aspect ratio and the dielectric constant of the insulator. We discuss optimal design guidelines for achieving a 10 kV β-Ga2O3 SBD with a PFOM of 50 GW/cm2, a significant improvement over the conventional unipolar PFOM of 34 GW/cm2 for β-Ga2O3. Additionally, we conducted a comparative analysis of the switching energies between the superjunction Schottky barrier diode and a conventional Schottky barrier diode.We provide design guidelines to minimize switching energies for a desired PFOM in β-Ga2O3 SBDs. This underscores the immense potential of such structures in advancing vertical power electronics to unprecedented levels of performance.
Quantum Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning as an Emerging AI Technology: A Survey and Future Directions
Authors: Zhao Jun , Yu Wenhan
Published: November 2023

This paper presents a comprehensive survey of Quantum Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (QMARL), a nascent field at the intersection of quantum computing and multi-agent systems. The survey begins by introducing the fundamentals of quantum computing, highlighting its potential to revolutionize computational capabilities. We then delve into the principles of multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL), examining how quantum computing can enhance learning efficiency and decision-making processes in complex environments. The core of the survey focuses on the current state of QMARL, reviewing existing literature, methodologies, and case studies that demonstrate the integration of quantum algorithms with MARL frameworks. The paper also addresses the unique challenges and opportunities presented by quantum technologies in multi-agent systems, such as quantum entanglement and superposition, and their implications for agent coordination and learning dynamics. Additionally, the survey explores the practical applications of QMARL in various domains, including cybersecurity, finance, and robotics, underscoring its transformative potential. The paper concludes by identifying key research gaps and proposing future directions for the development of QMARL. This includes the need for scalable quantum algorithms, the exploration of quantum-resistant strategies in adversarial settings, and the integration of quantum principles in agent communication and collaboration. Overall, this survey serves as a foundational guide for researchers and practitioners interested in the emerging field of QMARL, offering insights into its current achievements and future possibilities.
Correlating traditional image quality metrics and DNN-based object detection: a case study with compressed camera data
Authors: Gummadi Daniel , Chan Pak Hung , Wang Hetian , Donzella Valentina
Published: November 2023

 Assisted and automated driving (AAD) systems heavily rely on data collected from perception sensors, such as cameras. While prior research has explored the quality of camera data via traditional and well-established image quality assessment (IQA) metrics (e.g. PSNR, SSIM, BRISQUE) or have considered when noisy/degraded data affects perception algorithms (e.g. deep neural network (DNN) based object detection), there are no works that approach the holistic relationship between IQA and DNN performance. This work proposes that traditional IQA metrics, designed to evaluate digital image quality according to human visual perception, can help to predict the sensor data degradation level that perception algorithms can tolerate before performance deterioration occurs. Consequently, a correlation analysis was conducted between 17 selected IQA metrics (with and without reference) and DNN average precision. The evaluated data was increasingly compressed to generate degradation and artefacts. Notably, the experimental results show that several IQA metrics had a strong positive correlation (exceeding correlation scores of 0.7) with average precision, with IW-SSIM and DSS having very high correlation (> 0.9). Interestingly, the results show that re-training BRISQUE on compressed data causes an exceptionally high positive correlation (> 0.97), making it very suitable for predicting the performance of DNN object detectors. By effectively relating traditional image quality metrics to DNN performance, this research offers a series of significant tools to understand and predict perception degradation based on the quality of data, thus resulting in a significant impact on the development of automated driving systems. 