bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of Cracks in Ancient Wooden Buildings Based on RPA Oblique Photography Measurement and TLS
Authors: Ma Jian , Liu Dechao , Yan Weidong , Wang Jingli , Liu Guoqi
Published: December 2024

Ancient architecture embodies the culmination of historical building techniques and artistic expression, representing a valuable heritage of history, art, and technology. These buildings not only document the cultural traditions and architectural evolution of a nation but also preserve significant aspects of human civilization. However, over time, ancient buildings gradually deteriorate due to both natural and human factors. The issue of cracks is particularly critical in the preservation of ancient buildings. Cracks not only affect the esthetic appeal of these structures, but also, if left unaddressed, they can lead to irreversible damage. Existing technologies struggle to address both the marking of defect locations and the calculation of defect information. For example, image recognition technology can identify cracks in a photo, but it is unable to determine the specific location of the crack within the building, nor can it calculate the three‐dimensional information of the crack. To address this, we combined point cloud technology with crack detection algorithms to develop a novel method. First, we integrated point cloud data acquired from terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and supplementary remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) data to construct a comprehensive point cloud model of the building for archiving. Next, we conduct point cloud density analysis on the model to extract crack regions based on density variations and then analyze these regions to determine crack locations and compute detailed information. To validate this method, we conducted experiments on a 600‐year‐old wooden building on our campus as a case study. The experimental results indicate that this method can accurately determine the specific location of cracks, with the calculated three‐dimensional information corresponding to their actual positions. This method has also proven to be reliable for continuous annual monitoring, allowing for the ongoing detection and analysis of changes in cracks over time.
Mapping Turbidity Spatial Distribution of Monobe River in Kochi, Japan, Using Satellite Images and Existing Turbidity Data
Authors: Hashimoto Naoyuki , Matsuoka Yuya , Niimi Shoko
Published: December 2024

Maintaining the environment and functionality of rivers is crucial for the natural environment and socioeconomic activities. In Kochi Prefecture, field measurements of turbidity have been conducted to contribute to countermeasures against prolonged turbid water in the Monobe River; however, a detailed understanding of turbidity across the river has not yet been achieved. Therefore, we attempted to propose a simple turbidity estimation equation based on satellite remote sensing using existing data and visualized the spatial distribution of turbidity in the Monobe River. For turbidity of over 50 FTU, the mean absolute error and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the proposed turbidity estimation equation were 9.9 FTU and 8%, respectively, showing higher accuracy than previous studies, while the accuracy in turbidity of under 50 FTU was not improved for practical use (MAPE was over 49%). By applying the turbidity estimation equation to satellite images, the spatial distribution of turbidity was visualized from the estuary of the Monobe River upstream to the Nagase Dam. The results were consistent with known findings on turbidity dynamics, such as decreasing turbidity in a straight section and increasing it in a curved section, and the spatial distribution of turbidity was considered to be reasonably estimated. The visualization also revealed cases in which turbidity fluctuated greatly in sections where field measurements were not conducted (e.g., increases or decreases in turbidity due to river morphology). In the future, it is expected that the turbidity estimation based on satellite remote sensing will be used in combination with the conventional field measurement of turbidity to understand and analyze the detailed situation of turbidity occurrence in the Monobe River.
Transdermal Film Loaded with Curcuma longa‐Derived Selenium Nanoparticles: Molecular Docking, Ex Vivo Permeability, and Acute Toxicity Study
Authors: Gaikwad Shubhangee , Bansode Amol , Panchal Arati , Choudhari Vishnu
Published: December 2024

Se NPs were synthesized using a heating and stirring process involving Curcuma longa extract and selenious acid. Characterization revealed UV–vis absorption at 269 nm, FTIR peaks at 3440 cm−1 (phenolic OH group), 3387 cm−1 (C═O), 2873.42 cm−1 (aromatic ring CH), and 904 cm−1 (Se═O). The average particle size was 27.60 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.38. Scanning electron microscopy displayed irregular square morphology at 50 µm. Inductive couple spectroscopy yielded an 8.84% selenium content. Molecular docking exhibited promising antibacterial (−10.6 kcal/mol) and antifungal (−10.06 kcal/mol) activities compared to standard ciprofloxacin. There was an increase in the zone of inhibition for Streptococcus aureus (16–12 mm), Bacillus subtilis (21–15 mm), Escherichia coli (18.6–14 mm), and Candida albicans (16–10.6 mm). Transdermal films incorporating Se NPs were optimized using the Box–Behnken design, with desirable drug content (95.93%), excellent folding endurance (240), film thickness (0.325 mm), and moisture content (3.39% w/w). In vitro and ex vivo drug release analyses demonstrated efficient delivery: 24.35% (5 h) for in vitro and 18.76% (5 h) for ex vivo, outperforming the marketed formulation (43.75% in vitro, 26.501% ex vivo release). This study highlights the potential of green‐synthesized Se NPs from C. longa in transdermal drug delivery systems, offering enhanced therapeutic efficacy and sustainability.
CeO2–Mn3O4 Solid Solutions With Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity Toward Degradation of Phenolic Compounds
Authors: Pradhan Pulak , Mukherjee Deboshree , Laha Sourav , Chakrabarty Jitamanyu
Published: December 2024

In the present study, Mn3O4, CeO2, and their two solid solutions (10Ce–Mn3O4 and 10Mn–CeO2), synthesized by means of coprecipitation method, are investigated for UV light driven photocatalytic degradation of phenolic compounds. The two substituted nanocatalysts, 10Ce–Mn3O4 and 10Mn–CeO2, possess higher surface area, reduced bandgap, and distorted coordination environments compared to bare Mn3O4 and CeO2, respectively, as indicated by Rietveld refinement of PXRD data, BET, UV, and Raman analysis. 10Ce–Mn3O4 shows the best catalytic activity toward phenol degradation, which has been optimized to achieve promising performance of about 89.3% phenol degradation in 7 h UV irradiation at pH 3, 0.27 g L−1 catalyst dosage, and 25 ppm initial phenol concentration. Density of state (DOS) calculations support the observed catalytic activity trends, which show that on hetero atom substitution, bandgaps of 10Ce–Mn3O4 and 10Mn–CeO2 reduce owing to the incorporation of new energy level at the interband region. 10Ce–Mn3O4 exhibits promising activity retention up to fifth recycle. 10Ce–Mn3O4 is also tested for photodegradation 2,4‐dichlorophenol (2,4‐DCP), which shows very high degradation efficiency of 97.5%. Thus, this study points out a promising photocatalytic efficiency of 10Ce–Mn3O4 toward the degradation of organic pollutants present in wastewater.
Role of Molybdenum in Ferrous Powder Metallurgy Alloys: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kulkarni Harshal , Rathore Sanjay S. , Dabhade Vikram V.
Published: December 2024

The objective of the present review is to comprehend the driving force and significance of molybdenum (Mo) utilization in the ferrous powder metallurgy (PM) industry. Although it dates back to 1960, the last four decades are crucial, wherein the full potential of Mo in ferrous PM parts is recognized. Thus, peer‐reviewed publications, conference presentations, and authoritative reports from this period are mainly considered in this review. The review is limited to discussing the influence of Mo on the industry‐relevant attributes, such as hardenability, powder compressibility, sintering performance, mechanical and tribological properties, and machining of ferrous PM alloys. It has been elucidated from the review that Mo alloying is favored in the ferrous PM industry because of its excellent hardenability outcomes while insignificant effects on powder compressibility and lack of oxygen sensitivity that aid in easy sintering of the alloys. Hardenability is a critical property, and it improves the mechanical and tribological performance of Mo‐containing ferrous PM alloys, as discerned herein. It has also been realized that Mo contributes toward improving the machinability of ferrous PM alloys in the form of MoS2. Finally, research opportunities in the utilization of Mo in ferrous PM alloys are discussed in this report.
Energy and Mass Flow Analysis and Economic Evaluation of Hydrogen‐Based Direct Reduction Electric Arc Furnace Process
Authors: Jin Feng , Fan Bo , Fu Yanpeng , Liang Zeng , Zhan Weiming , Li Kejiang , Zhang Jianliang
Published: December 2024

With the continuous improvement of global environmental awareness, green, environmentally friendly, and low‐carbon production methods have attracted more and more attention. The energy and mass flow and economy of gas‐based direct reduction (DR) process are comprehensively analyzed to provide new ideas for optimizing production efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and controlling production cost. The influences of the key factors such as ore grade, reduction gas composition, metallization rate of direct reduced iron (DRI) and carbon content on the energy, and mass flow indexes of the shaft furnace are discussed in detail. The coupling process of shaft furnace and electric furnace is studied. The effects of DRI cost, scrap composition, and reduction gas composition on the energy and mass flow indexes of shaft and electric furnaces are analyzed under the set production conditions. It is found that selecting iron ore with high Fe grade, DRI with high metallization rate, appropriate carbon content of DRI, and reasonable reduction gas components, the energy consumption and cost of the gas‐based DR steel production process can be significantly reduced, and the CO2 emissions can be reduced at the same time. Important theoretical and practical significance for understanding and optimizing DR process are provided.
Polylactic acid/calcium citrate composite: Preparation, characterization and application for delivery of calcium ions
Authors: Vo‐An Quan , Pham Thi Ly , Nguyen Tuan Anh , Truong Thi Nam , Nguyen Thuy Chinh , Nguyen Dinh Truong , Nguyen Tran Dinh , Nguyen Xuan Hoan
Published: December 2024

This work aims to fabricate a biocompatible film for the slow‐release of minerals (calcium) in biomedical applications. Polylactic acid (PLA) was combined with calcium citrate (CC) at different weight ratios of PLA:CC, such as 10:0, 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4, and 5:5. Their chemical composition, thermal properties and morphology were evaluated and analyzed by FTIR, DSC, TGA and SEM. The results showed that PLA polymer matrices contained a porous structure, and CC was dispersed in their pores. Thermal analysis revealed increased thermal stability and crystallinity of composite PLA/CC with increasing CC content, suggesting interactions. The release of CC from composite film in neutral media followed two stages: (i) a rapid release stage in the first 2.5–3 h, followed by a stable release stage. The weight loss of PLA occurred rapidly in the first two days and then turned to a stable stage from 2 days onwards. The PC5 with a ratio of PLA/CC of 50:50 samples exhibited the highest initial release in comparison with others. The release mechanism of calcium ions from PLA/CC composite followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetic model. These are the preliminary findings for further studies on the release rate of CC and the effect of CC on the role of PLA in different therapeutic applications.
Molecular docking and ADMET studies of Dillenia philippinensis Rolfe (Dilleniaceae) plant compounds as anti‐inflammatory agents in prostanoid and NF‐kB pathways
Authors: Paulin John P. , Ha Jeongeun , Salen Alyana Yanni P. , Sarmiento Erica Nicole A. , Sioson Joseph Michael G. , Santiago Librado A.
Published: December 2024

The anti‐inflammatory properties of reported compounds from Dillenia philippinensis, also known as katmon, were determined based on their affinity to IRAK‐4, NIK, PLA2, and COX‐2 via molecular docking to determine their capability to block the active site through binding. The binding affinity of the compounds was determined through molecular docking using Autodock Vina. The physiochemical and pharmacokinetic properties were determined using ADMETlab 2.0. Key findings show that tiliroside exhibited the highest binding affinity with COX‐2, PLA2, IRAK‐4, and NIK. Moreover, both tiliroside and the potent inhibitors for each enzyme were found to commonly interact through hydrogen‐bonding and hydrophobic interactions with amino acid residues Val335, Tyr341, Arg499, and Val509 in COX‐2; Ala18, Leu22, His47 in PLA2; Ala211, Val246, Tyr262, Met265, Arg273, and Leu318 in IRAK‐4; Leu406 in NIK. Based on ADMET profiling, they possess moderate to excellent absorption and metabolism and low toxicity despite their low clearance and poor distribution. Betulinic and maslinic acid were found to possess acceptable oral bioavailability according to Lipinski's Rule of Five. Investigation of the binding affinity and druglikeness of the compounds revealed their anti‐inflammatory potential as natural therapeutics. Further experimental studies should be conducted to validate their potency and the initial in silico screening results.
Recycling studies of used engine air filters in the oil leak removal from salt‐water
Authors: Mahmoud Mohamed A. , Maafa Ibrahim M. , Gubari Mohammed Qader , Bakather Omer Y. , Eldoma Mubarak A. , Hassan Mohamed
Published: December 2024

This research proposes a practical method for repurposing used car air filters as an oil‐absorbing material for saltwater. The maximum oil removal rate obtained was 99.75% with 3.325 g/g oil absorption capacity. It required 2.5 min of exposure at a sorbent dose of 0.3 g and room temperature (28 °C) to achieve this level of effectiveness. With an R‐squared value of 0.9796, the Redlich–Peterson model (χ2: 0.0308 and β = 1.1325) was discovered to be the isotherm that fit the data the best. This implies that an oil monolayer is in touch with the utilized filters' surface. With an R‐squared of 0.9855 and χ2 (0.0200), the pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model obtainable the greatest fit. This suggests that the physical sorption mechanism is driving the process. Studies on thermodynamics suggested that the process of absorbing oil was exothermic (∆H: ‒157.209 KJ/mol). According to the reusability study, used car air filters can be recycled up to 5 times, which indicates their potential economic significance.
Mesh Load Factor Uncertainty Analysis in a 5‐MW Wind Turbine Planetary Gearbox Affected by Inherent Manufacturing Errors
Authors: Sanchez‐Espiga J. , Diez‐Ibarbia A. , Fernandez‐del‐Rincon A. , Iglesias M. , Viadero Fernando
Published: December 2024

The current work focuses on the study of the uncertainty related to the manufacturing process of gears for 5‐MW planetary transmissions aimed to the wind generator industry. With this objective, the Monte Carlo method is the employed tool to analyse the influence that selected manufacturing errors have in the performance of these planetary transmissions, more precisely in its mesh load factor. In more detail, the selected manufacturing errors are tangential pinhole position and tooth thickness errors, following the tolerances set by the DIN 3967. This study provides the probability distributions of mesh load factor values related to the size of the manufacturing errors in the transmission. Moreover, both kinds of errors are included together in numerous different planetary transmissions, and the probability distribution functions are also obtained for these. The results lead to relevant conclusions related to the influence of these errors in the performance of these transmissions and their durability and cost‐effectiveness.
Southern flying squirrel use of forests managed for red‐cockaded woodpeckers in East‐Central Mississippi
Authors: Meyer Robert T. , Rush Scott A. , Wang Guiming
Published: December 2024

Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) occupy and destroy the nests of the endangered red‐cockaded woodpecker (RCW; Dryobates borealis), yet few studies have assessed habitat use within and outside of forest partitions managed for RCW cavities (“cluster partition”). We estimated flying squirrel densities of 0.23 squirrels/ha (95% CI: 0.21–0.26). Little to no evidence of differences was found between flying squirrel home range sizes nor the relative importance value of mast trees within home ranges (P > 0.05) despite vegetation differences between areas inside and outside of cluster partitions (P ≤ 0.01). The lack of evidence may be due to large nightly movements allowing home ranges to overlap cluster partitions and surrounding hardwood habitats. Future management efforts to reduce flying squirrel and RCW interactions should consider multiple strategies including hardwood reduction near cluster partitions and cavity supplementation.
Transitions to Sustainable Urban Water Systems
Authors: Moravej Mojtaba , Sochacka Beata , Kenway Steven , Newton Peter , Swinbourne Cassady , Lam Ka Leung
Published: December 2024

Radical changes are needed in metropolitan-scale strategic planning to better integrate land use, transport planning, and urban water planning, as well as new models for water-sensitive urban design at building and precinct scales that deliver liveability and ecosystem benefits. This is a mission-scale challenge. Transition pathways involve combinations of new technology, innovative urban design, enabling policies and regulations, novel planning processes and urban development, and demand-side changes in consumers’ attitudes regarding urban lifestyles related to water and energy use. The chapter draws on 10 years of applied research undertaken collaboratively with government and industry to illustrate how integrated plans and designs can be established and tested. Examples of good design spanning the architectural and technological realms supported by quantified performance analysis and institutional change across the entire water cycle including natural and anthropogenic systems are provided. They address urban water transitions that need to be accelerated across scales, including site, precinct, and city to achieve more sustainable water-sensitive urban regions.
Neighborhood Income Disparities in Unplanned Hospital Admission and In-Hospital Outcomes Among Children with Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Ghimire Laxmi V. , Khanal Sagya , Torabyan Zareh , El-Rahi Hiba , Cong Catherine , Chou Fu-Sheng , Aljohani Othman A. , Moon-Grady Anita J.
Published: December 2024

Unplanned admissions are associated with worse clinical outcomes and increased hospital resource utilization. We hypothesized that children with congenital heart disease (CHD) from lower-income neighborhoods have higher rates of unplanned hospital admissions and greater resource utilization. Utilizing the Kids’ Inpatient Database (2016 and 2019), we included children under 21 years of age with CHD, excluding newborn hospitalizations. CHD cases were categorized into simple lesions, complex biventricular lesions, and single ventricle lesions. Admissions were classified as surgical or non-surgical. A logistic regression model assessed the risk of unplanned hospital admission, mortality, and resource utilization across different neighborhood income levels. Out of 4,722,684 admitted children (excluding newborn hospitalizations), 199,757 had CHD and met the study criteria: 121,626 with mild CHD, 61,639 with complex biventricular lesions, and 16,462 with single ventricle lesions. Surgical admissions comprised 20% (n = 39,694). In the CHD cohort, 27% had planned admissions, while 73% were unplanned. Mortality was higher in unplanned admissions compared to planned admissions (3.0 vs. 0.93%, P < 0.001). Unplanned admissions were more common in the lowest-income neighborhoods compared to the highest-income neighborhoods (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3–1.5; P < 0.001), consistent across different age groups. Higher rates of unplanned admissions in the lowest-income neighborhoods were observed for each CHD category and for both medical and surgical admissions. Median hospitalization length was longer in the poorest neighborhoods compared to the wealthiest (7 days [IQR 3–21] vs. 6 days [IQR 3–17], P < 0.001). In conclusion, children with CHD residing in the lowest-income neighborhoods have increased odds of unplanned hospitalization for both surgical and non-surgical admissions, along with higher mortality and resource utilization.
Do internationally operating companies act in a socially sustainable manner? An empirical comparison of disclosure regarding employee matters and human rights matters
Authors: Reustlen Stefanie , Stawinoga Martin
Published: December 2024

Although employee matters and human rights matters directly affect the corporate environment, research in this area remains nascent. To obtain evidence on the extent of corporate compliance with due diligence obligations, sustainability reporting has been analyzed. Grounded in institutional theory, this study examines the effects of regulation, the degree of professionalization, and sector-specific variations. The research employs a qualitative-interpretative content analysis, focusing on the reporting behaviour of 12 listed companies in Germany from both high-risk and low-risk sectors. The reporting periods selected are 2017 and 2021, chosen to examine the impact of regulations under the Non-Financial Reporting Directive 2014/95/EU (NFRD) and the Second Shareholder Rights Directive. The results show that regulation influences the disclosure of employee matters and human rights matters. Furthermore, there is a difference in the level of specificity regarding these matters, as well as in terms of opportunities and risks. The intensity of regulation also has an impact on the comparability and quality of reporting. By analyzing the reporting behaviour concerning two central social matters, this study compares the disclosure of employee matters and human rights matters, thereby contributing to the broader understanding of corporate social responsibility as well as gaining knowledge regarding sustainable corporate governance processes fostering the transformation towards sustainability-related actions across different sectors. In addition, the study examines both existing (NFRD) and forthcoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) EU reporting obligations within a unified research framework, thus contributing to the advancement of sustainability reporting from an institutional theoretical perspective.
Comparing surface currents near the mouth of three bays along the U.S. East Coast: Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, and New York Bay
Authors: Ezer Tal , Updyke Teresa
Published: December 2024

Monthly surface currents at 2 km resolution near the mouths of three U.S. east coast bays were obtained from high-frequency radars (Coastal Ocean Dynamics Application Radar, CODAR) during 2012–2024. The currents near these bays, the Chesapeake Bay (CB), the Delaware Bay (DB) and the New York Bay (NB) were analyzed to infer similarity and differences, as well as potential common forcing from regional and basin-scale factors. The contribution to flow variability from local and remote forcing is evaluated by comparing surface currents with (a) river discharges into each bay, (b) with local and regional winds, and (c) with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The results show that surface flow variability near the mouth of the bays is linked with all three driving factors. The three bays often show similar flow patterns not only of the seasonal cycle, but also during extreme weather events. For example, increased surface flow into the bays from the Atlantic Ocean is seen when hurricanes are observed offshore in the fall, and increased surface flow from the bays is seen during winter storms. During positive NAO phases, eastward flow from all three bays increased due to intensified westerly winds, while during negative NAO phases flow decreased with weakening winds in the region. River discharges into the bays increased during 2012–2019 but decreased during 2019–2024. This change in river discharge trend was especially large in the CB, resulting in a change in trends of the surface currents. Monthly currents of each bay are only weakly correlated with the monthly river flow (R ~ 0.2–0.3; P < 0.05), while the seasonal cycles of rivers and currents have higher correlations (R ~ 0.6–0.7). Local winds show high correlations with the monthly currents (R ~ 0.75) with the current direction ~ 45° to the right of the wind, as expected from Ekman theory. However, contributions to current variability from regional and remote factors cannot be ignored. The results demonstrate the complex nature of the currents near the mouth of bays since multiple drivers, including estuarine, coastal and open ocean dynamics contribute to the observed variability.
Comparison of imputation methods for univariate categorical longitudinal data
Authors: Emery Kevin , Studer Matthias , Berchtold André
Published: December 2024

The life course paradigm emphasizes the need to study not only the situation at a given point in time, but also its evolution over the life course in the medium and long term. These trajectories are often represented by categorical data. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the multiple imputation methods proposed so far in the context of univariate categorical data and to assess their practical relevance through a simulation study based on real data. The primary goal is to provide clear methodological guidelines and improve the handling of missing data in life course research. In parallel, we develop the MICT-timing algorithm, which is an extension of the MICT algorithm. This innovative multiple imputation method improves the quality of imputation in trajectories subject to time-varying transition rates, a situation often encountered in life course data.
Sharp Hölder regularity for Nirenberg’s complex Frobenius theorem
Authors: Yao Liding
Published: December 2024

Nirenberg’s famous complex Frobenius theorem gives necessary and sufficient conditions on a locally integrable structure for when the manifold is locally diffeomorphic to ℝr × ℂm × ℝN−r−2m through a coordinate chart F in such a way that the structure is locally spanned by "Image missing", where we have given ℝr × ℂm × ℝN−r−2m coordinates (t, z, s). In this paper, we give the optimal Hölder–Zygmund regularity for the coordinate charts which achieve this realization. Namely, if the structure has Hölder–Zygmund regularity of order α > 1, then the coordinate chart F that maps to ℝr × ℂm × ℝN−r−2m may be taken to have Hölder–Zygmund regularity of order α, and this is sharp. Furthermore, we can choose this F in such a way that the vector fields "Image missing" on the original manifold have Hölder–Zygmund regularity of order α − ε for every ε > 0, and we give an example to show that the regularity for $${F^\ast}{\partial \over {\partial z}}$$

F
∗

∂

∂
z

is optimal.
What really elicits learners’ situational interest in learning activities: a scoping review of six most commonly researched types of situational interest sources in educational settings
Authors: Guo Zhixing , Fryer Luke K.
Published: December 2024

The importance of interest in learning has long been recognized. Considering the beneficial effects of situational interest (e.g., its potential to develop into individual interest) and its primary dependence on environmental features, numerous empirical studies have explored various situational interest sources (e.g., novelty, utility-value) within learning activities. This review aims to systematically summarize the situational interest sources identified by existing empirical studies based on the four-phase model of interest development (Hidi & Renninger Educational Psychologist, 41(2), 111–127, 2006) and to synthesize the influence of these sources on learners’ situational interest. Underpinned by the five-stage framework by Arksey and O’Malley (International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32, 2005) and PRISMA extension for scoping reviews ([PRISMA-ScR], Tricco et al., Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(7), 467–473, 2018), the current review examined 35 empirical studies on situational interest sources between 2006 and 2022. Six types of situational interest sources (utility-value/relevance/meaningfulness, novelty, cognitive activation/complexity, social interaction, hands-on activity, choice) were extracted from the empirical studies reviewed. The effects of these six types of situational interest sources in different conditions and for different types of learners were demonstrated in the review. Latent sources underlying the proposed types of situational interest sources were also examined. The psychological, cognitive or behavioural rationales underlying the effect of each type of situational interest source and the implications for future research and practice were discussed at the end of the review.
Hierarchically Porous Polypyrrole Foams Contained Ordered Polypyrrole Nanowire Arrays for Multifunctional Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Dynamic Infrared Stealth
Authors: Liu Yu-long , Zhu Ting-yu , Wang Qin , Huang Zi-jie , Sun De-xiang , Yang Jing-hui , Qi Xiao-dong , Wang Yong
Published: December 2024

As modern communication and detection technologies advance at a swift pace, multifunctional electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with active/positive infrared stealth, hydrophobicity, and electric-thermal conversion ability have received extensive attention. Meeting the aforesaid requirements simultaneously remains a huge challenge. In this research, the melamine foam (MF)/polypyrrole (PPy) nanowire arrays (MF@PPy) were fabricated via one-step electrochemical polymerization. The hierarchical MF@PPy foam was composed of three-dimensional PPy micro-skeleton and ordered PPy nanowire arrays. Due to the upwardly grown PPy nanowire arrays, the MF@PPy foam possessed good hydrophobicity ability with a water contact angle of 142.00° and outstanding stability under various harsh environments. Meanwhile, the MF@PPy foam showed excellent thermal insulation property on account of the low thermal conductivity and elongated ligament characteristic of PPy nanowire arrays. Furthermore, taking advantage of the high conductivity (128.2 S m−1), the MF@PPy foam exhibited rapid Joule heating under 3 V, resulting in dynamic infrared stealth and thermal camouflage effects. More importantly, the MF@PPy foam exhibited remarkable EMI shielding effectiveness values of 55.77 dB and 19,928.57 dB cm2 g−1. Strong EMI shielding was put down to the hierarchically porous PPy structure, which offered outstanding impedance matching, conduction loss, and multiple attenuations. This innovative approach provides significant insights to the development of advanced multifunctional EMI shielding foams by constructing PPy nanowire arrays, showing great applications in both military and civilian fields.
Descriptive Analysis of Good Clinical Practice Inspection Findings from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority
Authors: Arab Omaima O. , Aldayan Mohammed , Almowaizri Khalid , Alghamdi Ahmad , Alghamdi Jahad , Alharf Adel
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) conducts inspections in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) to safeguard clinical trial integrity and protect the rights, safety, and welfare of study participants. These inspections ensure that trials are conducted in compliance with GCP and applicable laws.

Objectives

The study aims to provide a description of GCP inspection findings, analyze their impact on the clinical trial ecosystem, and provide recommendations to improve clinical trial conduction in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A review was conducted on inspection reports, with two senior independent inspectors examining, collecting, and categorizing the data. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the categorical variable via frequency distributions.

Results

A total of 131 GCP inspections were performed between 2017 and 2023, totaling 722 observations from 116 (88.5%) inspection visits. The remaining 15 (11.5%) inspection visits recorded no observations. The highest number of visits were conducted in contract research organizations (CRO) (n = 50; 38.2%) with 118 observations, followed by clinical investigator sites (n = 46; 35.1%) with 313 observations, then bioequivalence (BE) centers (n = 33; 25.2%) with 256 observations, and the last 2 (1.5%) visits were conducted in phase I clinical trial units with 35 observations.

Conclusion

This study assesses GCP inspection reports and examines the types of deficiencies and their grades in each area. Observation categories and grades were found to vary by organization type, which indicates the need for specific action plans addressing each organization type separately. This report provided recommendations based on the most common findings to assist researchers and sponsors when conducting clinical trials in Saudi Arabia.
Big data acquisition for underground infrastructure condition assessment
Authors: Wang Chao , Xiao Zhipeng , Wang Yixian , Wang Fei , Li Zili
Published: December 2024

The condition assessment of underground infrastructure (UI) is critical for maintaining the safety, functionality, and longevity of subsurface assets like tunnels and pipelines. This article reviews various data acquisition techniques, comparing their strengths and limitations in UI condition assessment. In collecting structured data, traditional methods like strain gauge can only obtain relatively low volumes of data due to low sampling frequency, manual data collection, and transmission, whereas more advanced and automatic methods like distributed fiber optic sensing can gather relatively larger volumes of data due to automatic data collection, continuous sampling, or comprehensive monitoring. Upon comparison, unstructured data acquisition methods can provide more detailed visual information that complements structured data. Methods like closed-circuit television and unmanned aerial vehicle produce large volumes of data due to their continuous video recording and high-resolution imaging, posing great challenges to data storage, transmission, and processing, while ground penetration radar and infrared thermography produce smaller volumes of image data that are more manageable. The acquisition of large volumes of UI data is the first step in its condition assessment. To enable more efficient, accurate, and reliable assessment, it is recommended to (1) integrate data analytics like artificial intelligence to automate the analysis and interpretation of collected data, (2) to develop robust big data management platforms capable of handling large volumes of data storage, processing and analysis, (3) to couple different data acquisition technologies to leverage the strengths of each technique, and (4) to continuously improve data acquisition methods to ensure efficient and reliable data acquisition.
Gravity currents under oscillatory forcing
Authors: Bingol Cem , Duran-Matute Matias , Zhu Rui , Meiburg Eckart , Clercx Herman J.H.
Published: December 2024

We investigate the effect of external oscillatory forcing on evolving two-dimensional (2-D) gravity currents, resulting from the well-known lock-exchange set-up, by superimposing a horizontally uniform oscillating pressure gradient. This pressure gradient generates a 2-D horizontally uniform laminar oscillating flow over the flat no-slip bottom that interacts with the evolving gravity current. We explore the effect of the velocity amplitude of the applied oscillating flow and its period of oscillations on the behaviour of the evolving gravity currents. A key element introduced by the external forcing is the Stokes boundary layer near the no-slip bottom wall generating differential advection near the bottom wall when the propagation direction of the gravity current and the oscillating externally imposed flow are in the same direction. This results in a phenomenon that we refer to as lifting of the gravity current, which clearly distinguishes the oscillatory forced gravity current from the freely evolving case. This phenomenon induces fine-scale density structures when the externally imposed flow is opposite to the propagation direction of the gravity current a semi-period later. We have explored the effect of lifting on the current propagation and the density structure of the gravity current front. Three separate regimes are distinguished for the evolution of the density structure in the front of the gravity current depending on the period of forcing, including a regime reminiscent of tidally forced estuarine flows. The present study shows the existence of significant effects of an oscillatory forcing on the dynamics, advection and density distribution of gravity currents.
Re-Thinking the ‘Social’ in British Colonial and South Asian History
Authors: Siddiqui Osama
Published: December 2024

This historiographical review engages with recent works in British colonial and South Asian history that shed light on the emergence of the concept of ‘society’ or the ‘social’ in South Asia. The review explores three main areas for the study of the social concept including: scholarship on liberalism and colonial law; histories of colonial sociology and knowledge production; and materialist histories of political economy and concept formation. The review then outlines some avenues for further research, focusing particularly on questions of form, language, and translation that have largely been overlooked in existing scholarship. It suggests that while there are robust accounts of the uses of the social concept in South Asia, what is missing is a consideration of the vernacular histories of this concept, including how it came to be articulated in South Asian languages. Ultimately, the review makes the case that conceptual history must take into account both the historical transformations that produced certain concepts as well as the languages and aesthetic and documentary forms through which we come to know those concepts.
Romantic Relationships Matter More to Men than to Women
Authors: Wahring Iris V. , Simpson Jeffry A. , Van Lange Paul A. M.
Published: December 2024

Women are often viewed as more romantic than men, and romantic relationships are assumed to be more central to the lives of women than to those of men. Despite the prevalence of these beliefs, some recent research paints a different picture. Using principles and insights based on the interdisciplinary literature on mixed-gender relationships, we advance a set of four propositions relevant to differences between men and women and their romantic relationships. We propose that relative to women: (a) men expect to obtain greater benefits from relationship formation and thus strive more strongly for a romantic partner, (b) men benefit more from romantic relationship involvement in terms of their mental and physical health, (c) men are less likely to initiate breakups, and (d) men suffer more from relationship dissolution. We offer theoretical explanations based on differences between men and women in the availability of social networks that provide intimacy and emotional support. We discuss implications for friendships in general and friendships between men and women in particular.
Children as agents of cultural adaptation
Authors: Lew-Levy Sheina , Amir Dorsa
Published: December 2024

The human capacity for culture is a key determinant of our success as a species. While much work has examined adults’ abilities to create and transmit cultural knowledge, relatively less work has focused on the role of children (approx. 3-17 years) in this important process. In the cases where children are acknowledged, they are largely portrayed as acquirers of cultural knowledge from adults, rather than cultural producers in their own right. In this paper, we bring attention to the important role that children play in cultural adaptation by highlighting the structure, function, and ubiquity of the large body of knowledge produced and transmitted by children, known as peer culture. Supported by evidence from diverse disciplines, we argue that children are independent producers and maintainers of these autonomous cultures, which exist with regularity across diverse societies, and persist despite compounding threats. Critically, we argue peer cultures are a source of community knowledge diversity, encompassing both material and immaterial knowledge related to geography, ecology, subsistence, norms, and language. Through a number of case studies, we further argue that peer culture products and associated practices — including exploration, learning, and the retention of abandoned adult cultural traits — may help populations adapt to changing ecological and social conditions, contribute to community resilience, and even produce new cultural communities. We end by highlighting the pressing need for research to more carefully investigate children's roles as active agents in cultural adaptation.
Production of sterile trout (Triploids) by chromosome set manipulation using thermal shock treatment in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from Kashmir Himalayas
Authors: Bazaz Asim Iqbal , Shah Tasaduq H. , Bhat Farooz A. , Ahmad Irfan , Kushwaha Basdeo , Kumar Ravindra , Abubakr Adnan , Bhat Bilal A. , Malik Rizwana , Naqshbandi Nafhat-Ul-Arab
Published: December 2024

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a promising cultivable fish species with significant potential for expansion. As a cold-water fish belonging to the Salmonidae family, it requires an optimal temperature range of 10–15°C for optimal growth. This study explores a method for producing sterile rainbow trout with maximum survival rates by using heat shock treatment to enhance growth characteristics and improve aquaculture practices. A control group and four heat shock treatments were given at 26°C and 28°C for 10 min, applied 15 and 20 min after the mixing of eggs and milt, using a water bath. Among the treated groups, the highest fertilisation, hatching and yolk sac absorption rates were 90.3 ± 0.3%, 81.8 ± 0.8% and 83.9 ± 0.5%, respectively. The highest triploidy rate of 76.6 ± 3.3% was observed with a heat shock at 28°C, 20 min after fertilisation. In contrast, none of the fish from the control group were triploids. The control group demonstrated higher survival rates at fertilisation (93.1 ± 0.4%), hatching (84.2 ± 0.4%) and complete yolk sac absorption (86.2 ± 0.5%) compared to the heat-shocked groups. The diploid and triploid chromosome numbers in rainbow trout were determined to be 2n = 60 and 3n = 91, respectively. This study confirms that heat shock treatment can effectively induce triploidy in rainbow trout, with significant variations in triploidy rates depending on the temperature and timing of the shock. While heat shock can enhance the production of sterile fish, it is essential to balance the treatment parameters to maintain high survival rates. These findings contribute to the optimisation of triploidy induction techniques and support the advancement of aquaculture practices by improving the growth, management and survival rates of rainbow trout which could significantly benefit aquaculture efficiency and sustainability.
Acquiring the structure of a writing system is important in learning to read: a test of the character-word dual-focus approach in learning Chinese as a second language
Authors: Chen Lin , Xu Yi , Perfetti Charles
Published: December 2024

An important question in literacy education is whether reading instruction should focus on whole words or subword constituents. We tested whether this question captures something general across writing systems by examining the functionalities of words and characters in learning Chinese. We introduce a character-word dual-focus instructional approach based on the Character-Word Dual Function model and test its predictions with American undergraduate students enrolled in a beginner-level Chinese course. One group learned new words through dual-focus instruction: characters for pronunciation and words for meaning. A second group followed typical word-focus instruction prevalent in classrooms, learning word-level pronunciation and meaning. Results indicated that while both approaches produced comparable levels of word pronunciation and meaning learning, the dual-focus instruction significantly enhanced character pronunciation and transfer to new word learning. The advantages of dual-focus instruction highlight the importance of learning the subword components through acquiring the systematic structure of the writing system in learning to read.
Using Food Composition Tables to Estimate Decreases in Sodium Intake Due to the Reformulation of Packaged and Ultra-Processed Foods in a Young Population in South Africa
Authors: Ross Alexandra , Swart Elizabeth C , Chetty Joelaine , Jumat Malory , Frank Tamryn , van Graan Averalda
Published: December 2024

Objective:

In response to increasing hypertension rates, South Africa implemented a regulation which set a maximum total sodium content for certain packaged food categories. We assess changes in reported sodium intake among 18-39 year old adults living in one township in the Western Cape as a result of the implementation of the regulation in 2016.

Design:

By linking one set of 24 hour dietary recall data to two versions of the South Africa Food Composition Database which reflect the pre-regulation and post-regulation periods, we calculated changes in sodium intake due to reformulation of food products, not behavior change. We statistically tested differences in mean consumption in this sample with paired t-tests.

Setting:

Langa, Western Cape, South Africa

Participants:

Surveyed participants were residents of Langa between 18-39 years old (n=2,148)

Results:

Before and after the implementation of the regulation there was a statistically significant decrease in the estimated sodium intake among adults of 189.4 mg (137.5, 241.4; p=0.00). Reported sodium from cured meat (such as Russians) and certain types of soup powder, cereals, and salted peanuts had a 9 to 33 percent lower calculated sodium consumption.

Conclusions:

Our conclusions show that independent of any behavioral changes on the part of consumers, it is possible to lower sodium intake by using regulations to induce food manufacturers to lower the sodium levels in their products. As countries explore similar regulatory strategies, this work can add to that body of evidence to inform policies to improve the food system.
Predicting sepsis mortality into an era of pandrug-resistant E. coli through modeling
Authors: Koch Benjamin J. , Park Daniel E. , Hungate Bruce A. , Liu Cindy M. , Johnson James R. , Price Lance B.
Published: December 2024

Background

Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria are increasingly frequent, burdening healthcare systems worldwide. As pathogens acquire resistance to all known antibiotics – i.e., become pan-resistant – treatment of the associated infections will become exceedingly difficult. We hypothesized that the emergence of pan-resistant bacterial pathogens will result in a sharp increase in human mortality.

Methods

We tested this hypothesis by modeling the impact of a single hypothetical pan-resistant Escherichia coli strain on sepsis deaths in the United States. We used long-term data on sepsis incidence, mortality rates, strain dynamics, and treatment outcomes to parameterize a set of models encompassing a range of plausible future scenarios. All models accounted for historical and projected temporal changes in population size and age distribution.

Results

The models suggest that sepsis deaths could increase 18- to 46-fold within 5 years of the emergence of a single pan-resistant E. coli strain. This large and rapid change contrasts sharply with the current expectation of gradual change under continuing multidrug-resistance.

Conclusions

Failure to prevent the emergence of pan-resistance would have dire consequences for public health.