bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement by applying internet financial reporting on the level of information presentation in the competitive FinTech peer-to-peer lending industry
Authors: Al-Khowarizmi Al-Khowarizmi , Efendi Syahril , Nasution Mahyuddin Khairuddin Matyuso , Mawengkang Herman
Published: November 2023

Technological advances in the financial sector can certainly support the business decision-making process. Moreover, digital financial technology such as FinTech is a competitive industry that has both peer-to-peer (P2P) and merchant pillars. The industry must update its business activities through its information media. One of them is internet-based financial reporting or better known as internet financial reporting (IFR). IFR itself is a delivery of financial information that is carried out in real time and can be easily seen by the wider community by using the website as a medium. This study aims to determine whether the application of IFR to FinTech P2P Lending companies in Indonesia has been widely implemented or not. Later the variables used in this study are content, appearance, and timing with a total of 20 indicator variable items to be tested. The results of this paper show that 30 P2P lending FinTech Industries in Indonesia have been able to implement IFR with an average score of 80%. IFR scores obtained by each industry have almost the same value ranging from 65% to 95% with the highest total score of 95% and the lowest score of 65%.
Empowering anomaly detection algorithm: a review
Authors: Iqbal Basheer Muhammad Yunus , Mohd Ali Azliza , Osman Rozianawaty , Abdul Hamid Nurzeatul Hamimah , Nordin Sharifalillah , Mohd Ariffin Muhammad Azizi , Iglesias Martínez José Antonio
Published: November 2023

Detecting anomalies in a data stream relevant to domains like intrusion detection, fraud detection, security in sensor networks, or event detection in internet of things (IoT) environments is a growing field of research. For instance, the use of surveillance cameras installed everywhere that is usually governed by human experts. However, when many cameras are involved, more human expertise is needed, thus making it expensive. Hence, researchers worldwide are trying to invent the best-automated algorithm to detect abnormal behavior using real-time data. The designed algorithm for this purpose may contain gaps that could differentiate the qualities in specific domains. Therefore, this study presents a review of anomaly detection algorithms, introducing the gap that presents the advantages and disadvantages of these algorithms. Since many works of literature were reviewed in this review, it is expected to aid researchers in closing this gap in the future.
Impact of adaptive filtering-based component analysis method on steady-state visual evoked potential based brain computer interface systems
Authors: Krishnappa Manjula , Anandaraju Madaveeranahally B.
Published: November 2023

The significance of brain computer interface (BCI) systems is immensely high, especially for disabled people and patients with nervous system failure. Therefore, in this study, adaptive filtering-based component analysis (AFCA) model is presented to enhance target box identification efficiency at varied flickering frequencies in a visual stimulation process by efficient acquisition of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals for the application of steady-state visually evoked potential based BCI system. Furthermore, optimization of proposed AFCA model is performed based on the maximized reproducibility of correlated components. A multimedia authoring and management using your eyes and mind (MAMEM) steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) dataset is utilized for efficient training of EEG signals and background entities are eliminated using adaptive filters in a pre-processing stage. Additionally, spatial filtering components are obtained to detect target flickering box based on the obtained quality features. Performance is measured by acquisition of SSVEP signals in terms of reconstruction efficiency, classification accuracy and information transfer rate (ITR) using proposed AFCA model. Mean classification accuracy for all 11 subject is 93.48% and ITR is 308.23 bpm. Further, classification accuracy is relatively higher than various SSVEP classification algorithms.
Design and build an airbag system for elderly fall protection using the MPU6050 sensor module
Authors: Suprapto Sena Sukmananda , Kusuma Vicky Andria , Firdaus Aji Akbar , Putra Wahyu Haryanto , Yuniar Risty Jayanti
Published: November 2023

The use of technology has a significant impact to reduce the consequences of accidents. Sensors, small components that detect interactions experienced by various components, play a crucial role in this regard. This study focuses on how the MPU6050 sensor module can be used to detect the movement of people who are falling, defined as the inability of the lower body, including the hips and feet, to support the body effectively. An airbag system is proposed to reduce the impact of a fall. The data processing method in this study involves the use of a threshold value to identify falling motion. The results of the study have identified a threshold value for falling motion, including an acceleration relative (AR) value of less than or equal to 0.38 g, an angle slope of more than or equal to 40 degrees, and an angular velocity of more than or equal to 30 °/s. The airbag system is designed to inflate faster than the time of impact, with a gas flow rate of 0.04876 m3 /s and an inflating time of 0.05 s. The overall system has a specificity value of 100%, a sensitivity of 85%, and an accuracy of 94%.
Remote surveillance of enclosed and open architectures using unmanned vehicle with advanced security
Authors: Khetan Ayushman , Sarkar Abhirup , Sabunwala Hussain , Gupta Eshan , Ramachandran Harikrishnan , Shahane Priti
Published: November 2023

Monitoring behavior, numerous actions, or any such information is considered as surveillance and is done for information gathering, influencing, managing, or directing purposes. Citizens employ surveillance to safeguard their communities. Governments do this for the purposes of intelligence collection, including espionage, crime prevention, the defense of a method, a person, a group, or an item; or the investigation of criminal activity. Using an internet of things (IoT) rover, the area will be secured with better secrecy and efficiency instead of humans, will provide an additional safety step. In this paper, there is a discussion about an IoT rover for remote surveillance based around a Raspberry Pi microprocessor which will be able to monitor a closed/open space. This rover will allow safer survey operations and would help to reduce the risks involved with it.
Affective analysis in machine learning using AMIGOS with Gaussian expectation-maximization model
Authors: Kaliappan Balamurugan , Sudalaiyadumperumal Bakkialakshmi Vaithialingam , Thalavaipillai Sudalaimuthu
Published: November 2023

Investigating human subjects is the goal of predicting human emotions in the stock market. A significant number of psychological effects require (feelings) to be produced, directly releasing human emotions. The development of effect theory leads one to believe that one must be aware of one's sentiments and emotions to forecast one's behavior. The proposed line of inquiry focuses on developing a reliable model incorporating neurophysiological data into actual feelings. Any change in emotional affect will directly elicit a response in the body's physiological systems. This approach is named after the notion of Gaussian mixture models (GMM). The statistical reaction following data processing, quantitative findings on emotion labels, and coincidental responses with training samples all directly impact the outcomes that are accomplished. In terms of statistical parameters such as population mean and standard deviation, the suggested method is evaluated compared to a technique considered to be state-of-the-art. The proposed system determines an individual's emotional state after a minimum of 6 iterative learning using the Gaussian expectation-maximization (GEM) statistical model, in which the iterations tend to continue to zero error. Perhaps each of these improves predictions while simultaneously increasing the amount of value extracted.
Telugu letters dataset and parallel deep convolutional neural network with a SGD optimizer model for TCR
Authors: Phaniram Josyula Siva , Reddy Mukkamalla Babu
Published: November 2023

Because of the rapid growth in technology breakthroughs, including multimedia and cell phones, Telugu character recognition (TCR) has recently become a popular study area. It is still necessary to construct automated and intelligent online TCR models, even if many studies have focused on offline TCR models. The Telugu character dataset construction and validation using an Inception and ResNet-based model are presented. The collection of 645 letters in the dataset includes 18 Achus, 38 Hallus, 35 Othulu, 34×16 Guninthamulu, and 10 Ankelu. The proposed technique aims to efficiently recognize and identify distinctive Telugu characters online. This model's main pre-processing steps to achieve its goals include normalization, smoothing, and interpolation. Improved recognition performance can be attained by using stochastic gradient descent (SGD) to optimize the model's hyperparameters.
Design and development of control and monitoring hydroponic system
Authors: Mujtahidin Muhammad Hanafi , Shah Ahmad Feirdaous Mohd , Jais Ahmadul Sayyidi Amin , Annuar Khalil Azha Mohd , Sapiee Mohd Razali Mohamad
Published: November 2023

The global agriculture system faces significant challenges in meeting the growing demand for food production, particularly given projections that the world's population will reach 70% by 2050. Hydroponic farming is an increasingly popular technique in this field, offering a promising solution to these challenges. This paper will present the improvement of the current traditional hydroponic method by providing a system that can be used to monitor and control the important element in order to help the plant grow up smoothly. This proposed system is quite efficient and user-friendly that can be used by anyone. This is a combination of a traditional hydroponic system, an automatic control system and a smartphone. The primary objective is to develop a smart system capable of monitoring and controlling potential hydrogen (pH) levels, a key factor that affects hydroponic plant growth. Ultimately, this paper offers an alternative approach to address the challenges of the existing agricultural system and promote the production of clean, disease-free, and healthy food for a better future.
Role of tuning techniques in advancing the performance of negative capacitance field effecting based full adder
Authors: Daniel Ravuri , Prasad Bode , Chaturvedi Abhay , Balaswamy Chinthaguntla , Sudarsa Dorababu , Vinodhkumar Nallathambi , Eamani Ramakrishna Reddy , Sudhakar Ambarapu , Rajanna Bodapati Venkata
Published: November 2023

The increasing demand for faster, robust, and efficient device development of enabling technology to mass production of industrial research in circuit design deals with challenges like size, efficiency, power, and scalability. This paper, presents a design and analysis of low power high speed full adder using negative capacitance field effecting transistors. A comprehensive study is performed with adiabatic logic and reversable logic. The performance of full adder is studied with metal oxide field effect transistor (MOSFET) and negative capacitance field effecting (NCFET). The NCFET based full adder offers a low power and high speed compared with conventional MOSFET. The complete design and analysis are performed using cadence virtuoso. The adiabatic logic offering low delay of 0.023 ns and reversable logic is offering low power of 7.19 mw.
Machine learning classifiers for fall detection leveraging LoRa communication network
Authors: Reddy I. V. Subba , Lavanya P. , Selvakumar V.
Published: November 2023

Today, health monitoring relies heavily on technological advancements. This study proposes a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) based, multinodal health monitoring system to monitor vital physiological data. The suggested system consists of two nodes, an indoor node, and an outdoor node, and the nodes communicate via long range (LoRa) transceivers. Outdoor nodes use an MPU6050 module, heart rate, oxygen pulse, temperature, and skin resistance sensors and transmit sensed values to the indoor node. We transferred the data received by the master node to the cloud using the Adafruit cloud service. The system can operate with a coverage of 4.5 km, where the optimal distance between outdoor sensor nodes and the indoor master node is 4 km. To further predict fall detection, various machine learning classification techniques have been applied. Upon comparing various classifier techniques, the decision tree method achieved an accuracy of 0.99864 with a training and testing ratio of 70:30. By developing accurate prediction models, we can identify high-risk individuals and implement preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of a fall occurring. Remote monitoring of the health and physical status of elderly people has proven to be the most beneficial application of this technology.
Possibilidade de realocação do Imposto sobre Grandes Fortunas para implementar verbas da saúde por meio da Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade por Omissão
Authors: Cunha Jarbas Ricardo Almeida
Published: November 2023

Diante do histórico de subfinanciamento da política pública de saúde, agravado pela pandemia de covid-19, propôs-se a imediata regulamentação do Imposto sobre Grandes Fortunas, respeitando a conformidade com a Constituição da República Federativa do Brasil. O resultado constatado foi que a regulamentação do Imposto sobre Grandes Fortunas, com consequente realocação de verbas para a política pública de saúde, pode ser concretizada por meio de impetração de Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade por Omissão perante o Supremo Tribunal Federal.
As paredes da memória: releituras de espaço/tempo pela montagem
Authors: Souza Gabriel Elias de , Gambardella Ana Luiza Rodrigues , Silva Michel Sant'ana Massolar da
Published: November 2023

Considerando relações entre memória, espaço e fotografia, o texto analisa o conjunto de sequências de imagens compósitas geradas para um trabalho de graduação em arquitetura e urbanismo. A partir da noção de “montagem cronotópica”, examina-se aqui como tais sequências produziram sínteses de relatos e acervos fotográficos familiares, expressando visualmente as vivências pregressas de um lar.
Expografia para novos museus
Authors: Rocha Carmela Medero
Published: November 2023

Este artigo analisa a mudança de status dos museus na atualidade, olhando especialmente para projetos expográficos de exposições temporárias, atenta aos processos de massificação do público e popularização do formato exposição. Considera como base a análise de duas exposições ocorridas no ano de 2022 em Buenos Aires: Tercer Ojo, ocorrida no Malba e Terra Incógnita no Centro Cultural Recoleta.
Subclinical Primary Aldosteronism and Cardiovascular Health: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Hundemer Gregory L. , Agharazii Mohsen , Madore François , Vaidya Anand , Brown Jenifer M. , Leung Alexander A. , Kline Gregory A. , Larose Eric , Piché Marie-Eve , Crean Andrew M. , Shaw Julie L.V. , Ramsay Tim , Hametner Bernhard , Wassertheurer Siegfried , Sood Manish M. , Hiremath Swapnil , Ruzicka Marcel , Goupil Rémi
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:

Primary aldosteronism, characterized by overt renin-independent aldosterone production, is a common but underrecognized form of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Growing evidence suggests that milder and subclinical forms of primary aldosteronism are highly prevalent, yet their contribution to cardiovascular disease is not well characterized.

METHODS:

This prospective study included 1284 participants between the ages of 40 and 69 years from the randomly sampled population-based CARTaGENE cohort (Québec, Canada). Regression models were used to analyze associations of aldosterone, renin, and the aldosterone-to-renin ratio with the following measures of cardiovascular health: arterial stiffness, assessed by central blood pressure (BP) and pulse wave velocity; adverse cardiac remodeling, captured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, including indexed maximum left atrial volume, left ventricular mass index, left ventricular remodeling index, and left ventricular hypertrophy; and incident hypertension.

RESULTS:

The mean (SD) age of participants was 54 (8) years and 51% were men. The mean (SD) systolic and diastolic BP were 123 (15) and 72 (10) mm Hg, respectively. At baseline, 736 participants (57%) had normal BP and 548 (43%) had hypertension. Higher aldosterone-to-renin ratio, indicative of renin-independent aldosteronism (ie, subclinical primary aldosteronism), was associated with increased arterial stiffness, including increased central BP and pulse wave velocity, along with adverse cardiac remodeling, including increased indexed maximum left atrial volume, left ventricular mass index, and left ventricular remodeling index (all
P
<0.05). Higher aldosterone-to-renin ratio was also associated with higher odds of left ventricular hypertrophy (odds ratio, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.002–1.73]) and higher odds of developing incident hypertension (odds ratio, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.03–1.62]). All the associations were consistent when assessing participants with normal BP in isolation and were independent of brachial BP.

CONCLUSIONS:

Independent of brachial BP, a biochemical phenotype of subclinical primary aldosteronism is negatively associated with cardiovascular health, including greater arterial stiffness, adverse cardiac remodeling, and incident hypertension.
Histone Modifications and Their Contributions to Hypertension
Authors: Ray Atrayee , Stelloh Cary , Liu Yong , Meyer Alison , Geurts Aron M. , Cowley Allen W. , Greene Andrew S. , Liang Mingyu , Rao Sridhar
Published: November 2023

Essential hypertension, a multifaceted disorder, is a worldwide health problem. A complex network of genetic, epigenetic, physiological, and environmental components regulates blood pressure (BP), and any dysregulation of this network may result in hypertension. Growing evidence suggests a role for epigenetic factors in BP regulation. Any alterations in the expression or functions of these epigenetic regulators may dysregulate various determinants of BP, thereby promoting the development of hypertension. Histone posttranslational modifications are critical epigenetic regulators that have been implicated in hypertension. Several studies have demonstrated a clear association between the increased expression of some histone-modifying enzymes, especially HDACs (histone deacetylases), and hypertension. In addition, treatment with HDAC inhibitors lowers BP in hypertensive animal models, providing an excellent opportunity to design new drugs to treat hypertension. In this review, we discuss the potential contribution of different histone modifications to the regulation of BP.
Prediction, Explanation, and Control: The Use of Mental Models in Dynamic Environments
Authors: Tikhonov Roman , DeDeo Simon
Published: November 2023

The abilities to predict, explain, and control might arise out of operations on a common underlying representation or, conversely, from independent cognitive processes. We developed a novel experimental paradigm to explore how individuals might use probabilistic mental models in these three tasks, under varying levels of complexity and uncertainty. Participants interacted with a simple chatbot defined by a finite-state machine, and were then tested on their ability to predict, explain, and control the chatbot’s responses. When full information was available, performance varied significantly across the tasks, with control proving most robust to increased complexity, and explanation being the most challenging. In the presence of hidden information, however, performance across tasks equalized, and participants demonstrated an alternative neglect bias, i.e., a tendency to ignore less likely possibilities. A second, within-subject experimental design then looked for correlations between abilities. We did not find strong correlations, but the challenges of the task for the subjects limited our statistical power. To understand these effects better, a final experiment investigated the possibility of cross-training, skill transfer, or “zero-shot” performance: how well a participant, explicitly trained on one of the three tasks, could perform on the others without additional training. Here we found strong asymmetries: participants trained to control gained generalizable abilities to both predict and explain, while training on either prediction or explanation did not lead to transfer. This cross-training experiment also revealed correlations in performance; most notably between control and prediction. Our findings highlight the complex role of mental models, in contrast to task-specific heuristics, when information is partially hidden, and suggest new avenues for research into situations where the acquisition of general purpose mental models may provide a unifying explanation for a variety of cognitive abilities.
Direct and Observed Joint Attention Modulate 9-Month-Old Infants’ Object Encoding
Authors: Thiele Maleen , Kalinke Steven , Michel Christine , Haun Daniel B. M.
Published: November 2023

Sharing joint visual attention to an object with another person biases infants to encode qualitatively different object properties compared to a parallel attention situation lacking interpersonal sharedness. This study investigated whether merely observing joint attention amongst others shows the same effect. In Experiment 1 (first-party replication experiment), N = 36 9-month-old German infants were presented with a violation-of-expectation task during which they saw an adult looking either in the direction of the infant (eye contact) or to the side (no eye contact) before and after looking at an object. Following an occlusion phase, infants saw one of three different outcomes: the same object reappeared at the same screen position (no change), the same object reappeared at a novel position (location change), or a novel object appeared at the same position (identity change). We found that infants looked longer at identity change outcomes (vs. no changes) in the “eye contact” condition compared to the “no eye contact” condition. In contrast, infants’ response to location changes was not influenced by the presence of eye contact. In Experiment 2, we found the same result pattern in a matched third-party design, in which another sample of N = 36 9-month-old German infants saw two adults establishing eye contact (or no eye contact) before alternating their gaze between an object and their partner without ever looking at the infant. These findings indicate that infants learn similarly from interacting with others and observing others interact, suggesting that infant cultural learning extends beyond infant-directed interactions.
Oversight Functions of the National Assembly and Good Governance in Tanzania: a Missing Link?
Authors: Makulilo Victoria B.
Published: November 2023

Oversight is considered a part of good governance. While good governance aims to minimise corruption, consider people’s opinions, listen to the voices of the oppressed in the decision-making process, and respond actively to the community’s needs, oversight maintains a watchful eye on an individual and the process. Oversight institutions monitor and review actions of government organs. With the use of key informed interviews with members of parliament, chairpersons of various oversight committees, chairpersons of parliamentary groups or caucuses, experts, selected civil society Organisations (CSOs), and the general public, this paper aimed at explaining the extent to which the Tanzania’s National Assembly effectively oversees the executive organ of the government. It notes that despite its impressive performance as a representative body since the introduction of multiparty democracy in 1992, the parliament is under one-party dominance and a powerful executive, making oversight functions relatively ineffective. The findings further show that the Parliament is under-resourced and is male-dominated. This paper suggests parliamentary support mechanisms to strengthening institutional and operational independence vis-à-vis the executive; and effectively engage the civil society, experts and the public in the work of the National Assembly.
A new species of the genus Dibamus Duméril & Bibron, 1839 (Squamata: Dibamidae) from the driest and hottest place of Vietnam
Authors: KLIUKIN NIKITA S. , NGUYEN TAN VAN , LE SON XUAN , BRAGIN ANDREY M. , TRAN TIN TRONG VO , GORIN VLADISLAV A. , POYARKOV NIKOLAY A.
Published: November 2023

A new species of the genus Dibamus Duméril & Bibron, 1839 is described based on seven specimens collected from Nui Chua National Park, Ninh Thuan Province, southern Vietnam, the hottest and driest place of the country. Dibamus tropcentr sp. nov. is superficially similar to Dibamus smithi Greer, 1985, but can be distinguished from the latter by: the presence of a rudimentary labial suture; by larger number of subcaudal scales; by comparatively longer tail; by generally larger number of midbody scale rows; by having the interparietal scale not enlarged, subequal to the nuchal scale; by having frontal and frontonasal scales subequal in size as compared to almost twice larger frontal scale in D. smithi; by having three scales posterior to interparietal; by having the medial scale posterior to mental not enlarged; by having three to four scales on the posteromedial edge of infralabials; and by having supralabial scale larger than ocular scale. We suggest the new species should be considered as Vulnerable (VU) following the IUCN’s Red List categories. The new species occurs in dry maritime mixed low evergreen forests at elevations of 200–280 m a.s.l. and was recorded in association with termite species Globitermes sulphureus (Haviland). Our study brings the total number of species of the genus Dibamus to 25; this is the seventh species of the genus recorded from Vietnam.
Danshen-Chuanxiongqin Injection for Enhanced Management of Neurological Function in Elderly Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Zhong Ling , Zhao Zihong
Published: November 2023

This study investigates the pharmacological properties of Danshen-Chuanxiongqin Injection and the impact of an evidence-based nursing model based on an innovative diffusion theory framework on neurological function in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke. The stability of the
injection was assessed via ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry. The pharmacological properties of the injection were evaluated in three groups of rats: Group A (Cold coagulation and blood stasis), Group B (Blood stasis
with sthenia), and Group C (Normal control). Groups A and B were further divided into subgroups receiving either physiological saline or the injection, followed by an analysis of hemorheological parameters. 200 elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke were divided into two groups: a control
group (evidence-based nursing model based on the innovative diffusion theory framework) and an observation group (Danshen-Chuanxiongqin Injection+evidence-based nursing model based on the innovative diffusion theory framework). Medication quality was confirmed using SPSS 26.0. In animal experiments,
Group B displayed improved hemorheology, adverse drug reaction, and thyroidstimulating hormone levels (P < 0.05). The observation group exhibited reduced post-treatment plasma renin activity, angiotensin II, aldosterone, and norepinephrine. At the treatment end and 6-month follow-up,
the observation group showed significantly improved neurological function (P < 0.05). The injection demonstrated stable pharmacological properties with a cooling effect, effectively treating blood stasis with sthenia-related symptoms. The evidence-based nursing model with the innovative
diffusion theory framework effectively enhanced neurological function, neuroendocrine hormones, clinical efficacy, and safety in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke. This approach holds promise for further implementation and promotion.
An Evaluation of the Contribution of Cellulose, Hemicellulose and Lignin to Bio-Char Combustion and Adsorption Properties
Authors: Dai Bing , Ding Zhaoguo
Published: November 2023

The present work focuses on the contribution of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin for bio-char application in two aspects: fuels and adsorbent. The pyrolysis behaviors were studied at 300 to 700 °C, and the yields and characterization of bio-chars were compared. The results showed
that in the three components, lignin was responsible for the formation of bio-char products, representing the main source of bio-char characterized by high heating value. Lignin was the strongest support for prepared bio-char as fuel decided by physico-chemical properties and combustion reactivity,
while cellulose was the major contributor for bio-char products as ignition fuel. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface area analysis of bio-char showed that, in the three components, cellulose derived bio-chars exhibited a distinctive fibrous structure and the surface area was the
largest at the same pyrolysis temperature. Compared with lignin, hemicellulose was a better precursor for adsorption, it is mainly determined by complex and abundant pore structure. Further adsorption tests of toxic substances in soil showed that, cellulose represented major adsorption donator
for phenol, all bio-char samples had better adsorption capacity for Pb(II) than Cu(II), the rule on adsorption capacity of three different precursors for Cu(II) was as follows: cellulose>hemicellulose>lignin, for Pb(II): hemicellulose> cellulose> lignin.
Catalytic Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes and Hydrogen Gas from Waste Plastics Using LaNiO3 Perovskite Catalyst
Authors: Qi Tian , Tian Runfeng , Zhu Youjian , Cheng Chuanxiao , Yang Shuhua , Hu Xiaorui , Jiang Lanlan , Xiao Yanqiu
Published: November 2023

Using waste plastic syngas to prepare carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and hydrogen-rich gas is a clean and efficient recycling method for waste plastics, and it is very important to find out how to improve its yield and quality. In this work, CNTs and hydrogen-rich gas were prepared by LaNiO3
perovskitetype catalysts from waste plastic syngas model compound in laboratory. The LaNiO3 catalysts, carbon nanotubes and gas fractions produced at different temperatures were characterized and compared with the supported catalyst Ni/ZSM-5. The main conclusions were as follows:
650 °C catalytic temperature had maximum carbon nanotubes yield of 5.84 gCNTs/gCatalyst and H2 content of 44 Vol.%, which was 4.44 times the carbon nanotubes yield from the Ni/ZSM-5 catalyst at the same temperature case. A bottom growth pattern of carbon
nanotubes produced on the LaNiO3 catalyst was observed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The X-ray crystal diffractometer (XRD) analysis revealed that the interaction force between Ni and the carrier was stronger in LaNiO3 than that of the Ni/ZSM-5
catalyst, resulting in two different growth patterns of carbon nanotubes. The present experiments probe that the LaNiO3 catalysts have a greater prospect of application in the preparation of CNTs and hydrogen-rich gas from waste plastic syngas.
Physiological Responses and Salt Tolerance Evaluation of Purple-Leaf Berberis (Berberis thunbergii var. Atropurpurea) and Glacier Red-Leaf Berberis (Berberis thunbergii) Under NaCl Stress
Authors: Li Yan , Liu Dongyun , Du Shaohua , Lu Bingshe
Published: November 2023

This study investigated the impact of various concentrations of NaCl stress treatment (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%) on the growth of one-year-old saplings of purple leaf barberry and glacier red leaf barberry. It also examined the impact on various physiological responses including plasma
membrane permeability, antioxidant protective enzyme system, osmotic regulatory substance content, photosynthetic characteristics, ion content, and the ultrastructure of leaf cells using transmission electron microscopy. The goal was to determine the salt tolerance threshold and elucidate
the physiological response mechanism to NaCl stress. The comprehensive assessment of salt tolerance in the two barberries was done using fuzzy membership functions. The results demonstrated that increasing concentrations of NaCl stress and longer treatment durations led to gradual decreases
in sapling growth and increases in salt damage index. The salt tolerance thresholds were calculated to be 0.37% for purple leaf barberry and 0.33% for glacier red leaf barberry using the logistic curve equation. The activities of SOD and POD initially increased and then decreased in both barberries.
Furthermore, MDA, free proline, and Na+ content gradually increased, while soluble protein content, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), K+ content, and K+/Na+ ratio gradually decreased. The purple leaf barberry displayed
larger and deformed chloroplasts with significant separation of quality and wall, whereas the glacier red leaf barberry experienced a gradual decrease in chloroplast size and number until degradation. The membership function analysis revealed that purple leaf barberry exhibited superior resistance
compared to glacier red leaf barberry.
Improving referendums with deliberative democracy: A systematic literature review
Authors: Witting Irene , Wagenaar Charlotte , Hendriks Frank
Published: November 2023

This article systematically reviews the literature on combining referendums and deliberative processes. With referendums being criticized for various reasons, including their deliberative deficit, and amid the deliberative turn in democracy, various hybrid combinations of referendums and deliberative processes have been practised or suggested. We bring together the hitherto scattered literature that focuses on assumed and observed strengthening effects of deliberation in light of ascribed referendum deficits. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method, we reviewed and thematically analysed 55 publications. We show that, despite their different focal points, a clear overlap exists between perceived shortcomings of referendums and the added value of deliberation. Expectations of hybridization run high, with empirical evidence emerging that shows promising positive effects. Nevertheless, non-positive effects are both anticipated and observed, and these underscore the importance of ensuring appropriate connections between aggregative and deliberative processes and of systemic embedding.
Opportunities and challenges in machining of aluminium metal matrix composites using electrical discharge machining
Authors: Singh Bharat , Saxena Kuldeep K , Roy Tribeni
Published: November 2023

The machining of aluminium metal matrix composites (aluminium MMCs) presents a dynamic landscape of opportunities and challenges, with electrical discharge machining (EDM) emerging as a promising technique. This review article systematically navigates the intricate interplay between AMMCs’ unique characteristics and the EDM process. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, we uncover the underlying mechanisms that govern the machining dynamics of AMMCs, exploring their compositional variations, reinforcement distribution and thermal properties. The article delves into the opportunities offered by EDM, such as precision machining of intricate geometries, inherent thermal control and the ability to navigate the varying hardness levels in AMMCs. Furthermore, the review addresses the challenges that arise, including electrode wear, surface integrity preservation and the influence of reinforcement particles on material removal rates. The authors highlight the role of parameter optimisation in achieving desirable machining outcomes, underlining the need to strike a balance between material removal efficiency and surface finish quality. Additionally, environmental considerations in EDM of AMMCs are discussed, emphasising sustainable machining strategies in line with contemporary ecological concerns. As the field of advanced materials and manufacturing continues to evolve, this review article provides valuable insights for researchers, engineers and industries seeking to harness the potential of EDM in machining AMMCs. By navigating the intricate landscape of opportunities and challenges, this article contributes to a holistic understanding of the nuanced relationship between EDM and AMMCs, laying the foundation for future advancements in precision machining of these composite materials.
Buckling analysis of rectangular plates composed of functionally graded materials subjected to uniaxial and biaxial compression loading
Authors: Madjid Berrabah Hamza , Bouderba Bachir
Published: November 2023

In this article, we investigate the buckling analysis of plates that are made of functionally graded materials (FGMs). Using a four-variable refined plate theory, both a variation of the transverse shear strains across the thickness and the zero traction boundary conditions on the top and bottom surfaces of the plate are satisfied without using shear correction factors. Governing equations are obtained from the principle of virtual works. The mechanical critical buckling exposed to different load conditions is determined. After such verifications, the effects of parameters such as the plate aspect ratio, side-to-thickness ratio and gradient index on the critical buckling are explained and illustrated. Numerical examples of the buckling analysis of functionally graded plates demonstrate the accuracy of the present theory.
Three little words: A pragmatic qualitative method to understand modern markets
Authors: Relja Ruffin , Ward Philippa , Zhao Anita Lifen
Published: November 2023

This paper explores a rapid and low-intensity qualitative method that yields deep and rich insights into Generation Z and Millennials, who constitute the largest consumer group in history. This group favours frictionless digital solutions and their engagement with ‘elaborate’ qualitative techniques is unlikely, requiring researchers to marshal efficient technology-facilitated methods that render comparable insight. We assess the capacity of a ‘simple’ projective technique – online word association, accompanied by a few supporting questions – to offer as fine-grained insight into this consumer group against a more involved story stem completion method. The UK buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) context provides a complex novel market for this examination. Results suggest strong conceptual interconnection between the word association and the story stem completion task. Word associations generated similar resonance and tonality to that of the story stem but in a more compact manner, which liberates researchers and participants alike. The word association task focuses and delineates attention on a narrower set of words, not often done in the context of more traditional qualitative techniques, including story stem completion. Young consumers’ vocabularies reveal their most salient perceptions of the phenomenon. The word association task also facilitates Generation Z and Millennials’ active and positive online engagement, removing resistance and withdrawal from the research. This improves marketing response through immediacy, relevancy, and potency.
The Insurrectionist Playbook: Jair Bolsonaro and the National Congress of Brazil
Authors: Bastos Marco , Recuero Raquel
Published: November 2023

This study unpacks the 2022 Brazilian Presidential campaign marked by multiple claims of electoral fraud and calls for a coup d’état by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. We identify the narrative frames underpinning this insurrectionist playbook by analyzing Bolsonaro’s statements during the presidential campaign. We subsequently test the penetration of this playbook on members of the Brazilian National Congress during the campaign trail and the transition of power to the opposition candidate, when pro-Bolsonaro protesters attempted to overthrow the Federal Government. Our analyses lend support to the thesis that the coup d’état was not successful due to the dwindling support beyond the hard-core Bolsonaro base. Our results also describe an insurrectionist playbook largely centered on the blueprint of false claims of electoral fraud, a playbook that can be monitored through the public statements of elected officials. We conclude with a discussion of our findings and recommendations for future research.
Diversity of intratumoral regulatory T cells in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Spasevska Ivana , Sharma Ankush , Steen Chloé B. , Josefsson Sarah E. , Blaker Yngvild N. , Kolstad Arne , Rustad Even H. , Meyer Saskia , Isaksen Kathrine , Chellappa Stalin , Kushekhar Kushi , Beiske Klaus , Førsund Mette S. , Spetalen Signe , Holte Harald , Østenstad Bjørn , Brodtkorb Marianne , Kimby Eva , Olweus Johanna , Taskén Kjetil , Newman Aaron M. , Lorenz Susanne , Smeland Erlend B. , Alizadeh Ash A. , Huse Kanutte , Myklebust June H.
Published: November 2023

Tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells (Tregs) contribute to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Despite extensive studies, the prognostic impact of tumor-infiltrating Tregs in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHLs) remains unclear. Emerging studies suggest substantial heterogeneity in the phenotypes and suppressive capacities of Tregs, emphasizing the importance of understanding Treg diversity and the need for additional markers to identify highly suppressive Tregs. Here, we applied single-cell RNA sequencing and T-cell receptor sequencing combined with high-dimensional cytometry to decipher the heterogeneity of intratumoral Tregs in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma (FL), compared with that in nonmalignant tonsillar tissue. We identified 3 distinct transcriptional states of Tregs: resting, activated, and unconventional LAG3+FOXP3− Tregs. Activated Tregs were enriched in B-NHL tumors, coexpressed several checkpoint receptors, and had stronger immunosuppressive activity compared with resting Tregs. In FL, activated Tregs were found in closer proximity to CD4+ and CD8+ T cells than other cell types. Furthermore, we used a computational approach to develop unique gene signature matrices, which were used to enumerate each Treg subset in cohorts with bulk gene expression data. In 2 independent FL cohorts, activated Tregs was the major subset, and high abundance was associated with adverse outcome. This study demonstrates that Tregs infiltrating B-NHL tumors are transcriptionally and functionally diverse. Highly immunosuppressive activated Tregs were enriched in tumor tissue but absent in the peripheral blood. Our data suggest that a deeper understanding of Treg heterogeneity in B-NHL could open new paths for rational drug design, facilitating selective targeting to improve antitumor immunity.
ERS International Congress 2023: highlights from the Interstitial Lung Diseases Assembly
Authors: Fabbri Laura , Guiot Julien , Vermant Marie , Miądlikowska Ewa , Estrella Deborah , Wijsenbeek Marlies S. , Wuyts Wim , Bargagli Elena , Froidure Antoine , Spagnolo Paolo , Veltkamp Marcel , Molina-Molina Maria , McCarthy Cormac , Antoniou Katerina , Kreuter Michael , Moor Catharina C.
Published: November 2023

This article summarises a selection of scientific highlights in the field of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) presented at the International Congress of the European Respiratory Society in 2023. Translational and clinical studies focused on the whole spectrum of ILDs, from (ultra)rare ILDs to sarcoidosis, ILDs associated with connective tissue disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The main topics of the 2023 Congress presentations were improving the diagnostic process of ILDs, better prediction of disease course and investigation of novel treatment options.
Plant exosomes: nano conveyors of pathogen resistance
Authors: Subha D. , AnuKiruthika R. , Sreeraj Harsha , Tamilselvi K. S.
Published: November 2023

The entry of a pathogen into a plant host is a complex process involving multiple steps. Survival techniques from the pathogen and the defense mechanisms of the plant lead to a plethora of molecular interactions during the operation. Plant extracellular vesicles, especially the exosomes in the size range of 50–150 nm play a crucial role in plant defense. They act as signalosomes capable of transporting bioactive lipids, proteins, RNA and metabolites between the host and the pathogen. Recent research works have revealed that anti-microbial compounds, stress response proteins and small RNA are among the contents of these extracellular vesicles. The current review article analyses the cruciality of the cross-talk between the host and the pathogen organized through trafficking of small RNA via exosomes towards RNA induced gene silencing in the pathogenic organisms. Recent studies have shown that extracellular vesicles released by both plants and the pathogens, play a crucial role in cross-kingdom communication, thereby regulating the host response and contributing to plant immunity. An in-depth understanding of the mechanism by which the EVs mediate this inter-species and cross-kingdom regulation is currently needed to develop sustainable plant-protection strategies. The review highlights on the latest advances in understanding the role of EVs in establishing host–pathogen relationship, modulating plant immunity and approaches for how these findings can be developed into innovative strategies for crop protection.
PMFFRC: a large-scale genomic short reads compression optimizer via memory modeling and redundant clustering
Authors: Sun Hui , Zheng Yingfeng , Xie Haonan , Ma Huidong , Liu Xiaoguang , Wang Gang
Published: November 2023

Background

Genomic sequencing reads compressors are essential for balancing high-throughput sequencing short reads generation speed, large-scale genomic data sharing, and infrastructure storage expenditure. However, most existing short reads compressors rarely utilize big-memory systems and duplicative information between diverse sequencing files to achieve a higher compression ratio for conserving reads data storage space.

Results

We employ compression ratio as the optimization objective and propose a large-scale genomic sequencing short reads data compression optimizer, named PMFFRC, through novelty memory modeling and redundant reads clustering technologies. By cascading PMFFRC, in 982 GB fastq format sequencing data, with 274 GB and 3.3 billion short reads, the state-of-the-art and reference-free compressors HARC, SPRING, Mstcom, and FastqCLS achieve 77.89%, 77.56%, 73.51%, and 29.36% average maximum compression ratio gains, respectively. PMFFRC saves 39.41%, 41.62%, 40.99%, and 20.19% of storage space sizes compared with the four unoptimized compressors.

Conclusions

PMFFRC rational usage big-memory of compression server, effectively saving the sequencing reads data storage space sizes, which relieves the basic storage facilities costs and community sharing transmitting overhead. Our work furnishes a novel solution for improving sequencing reads compression and saving storage space. The proposed PMFFRC algorithm is packaged in a same-name Linux toolkit, available un-limited at https://github.com/fahaihi/PMFFRC.