bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilizing reinforcement learning and support vector machine to enhance feedback mechanism in English speech training
Authors: Wang Rui
Published: February 2025

This study proposes an innovative approach to enhance the feedback mechanism in English speech training by combining reinforcement learning and support vector machine (SVM) technologies. Traditional feedback mechanisms for English speech training face challenges such as feedback delay, subjectivity, insufficient personalization, technical limitations, and lack of long-term analysis. To address these issues, the SVM model is used to accurately recognize English phonemes or words, enabling real-time evaluation of students’ pronunciation. The reinforcement learning mechanism leverages these real-time evaluations to make personalized adjustments, offering immediate feedback and dynamic training plans. The integration of these two technologies resulted in a multi-dimensional feedback system for assessing pronunciation performance and providing continuous improvement suggestions through long-term data analysis. Experimental results show that the reinforcement learning system using a Q-learning model maintained a high reward mean, significantly improving training effectiveness. Additionally, the SVM model achieved a pronunciation classification accuracy of over 86.54%, with an F1-score of 94.65%. In an 8-week experiment, the experimental group (using the combined Q-learning and SVM system) outperformed the control group (using traditional methods) in pronunciation scores. The experimental group’s score range expanded to 85–94, with a median increase to 89, while the control group’s range was 78–87, with a median increase to 82. The learning progress in the experimental group was significantly higher, demonstrating the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.
Exploring the gap between students’ and teachers’ perceptions of online learning interaction
Authors: To Thanh Vu , Hoang Diem Thi Ngoc , Nguyen Linh Thuy , Le Tien Tung
Published: February 2025

Interaction in online learning has a significant role in enhancing students’ engagement and learning outcomes. Students’ and teachers’ perceptions of online learning interaction are essential for online learning success. Despite the various findings in students’ and teachers’ perceptions of online learning interaction, the perspective comparison of these two groups of participants’ perceptions lacks empirical evidence. This study was conducted to investigate and compare teacher and student perceptions of interaction patterns in their online learning experiences. A mixed methods design was used, and samples were drawn from 694 students and 144 teachers at a public university in Vietnam. The quantitative findings showed that both students and teachers had similar positive perceptions of the overall interaction, but there were significant differences in their perceptions of student–student interaction and student–instructor interaction. The qualitative data revealed significant explanations for the similarities and differences. Implications of the findings were provided, alongside suggestions for future research.
From policy to practice: Challenges and pathway for advancing multilingual education through India’s national education policy 2020
Authors: Singh Akhil Kumar
Published: February 2025

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a significant shift in India’s educational framework, particularly with its emphasis on multilingual education (MLE) and mother tongue-based instruction (MTI). Recognizing India’s vast linguistic diversity, the policy advocates for teaching in the mother tongue or local language until at least Grade 5, aiming to improve educational outcomes and promote inclusivity. However, despite the policy’s potential benefits, implementation has been slow and uneven due to logistical challenges, resource limitations, and societal preferences for English as the primary medium of instruction. This paper reviews the current status of MLE and MTI implementation in India, identifies critical obstacles, and draws lessons from international case studies, including Finland, South Africa, and Singapore. By analyzing global best practices, the paper proposes actionable strategies for addressing these challenges, focusing on improving teacher training, enhancing resource allocation, and fostering societal acceptance. The study highlights the importance of a comprehensive, culturally sensitive approach to language education in India. It underscores the need for collaboration between policymakers, educators, and communities to achieve the transformative goals of NEP 2020.
Discourses of democratic consciousness in key Australian curriculum documents
Authors: Nally David , Sharp Heather
Published: February 2025

This article analyses examples of democratic values within content about forms of government as evident in the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration and the Australian Curriculum: History. Taking a contemporary focus of the current national curriculum implemented in 2011—which was the first iteration of Australia's first national curriculum, the paper examines forms of government as presented to students from their historical and any current day perspectives. In Australia, History is a compulsory subject for primary school to year 10 in high school (when students are generally 16 years of age). History then splits into Modern History and Ancient History as elective courses of study in the senior years of schooling and History Extension which focuses on historiography. The analysis of curriculum shows that opportunities to introduce into the classroom current day topics in relation to citizenship, democracy, and functions of government are missed in lieu of content that stays in the past within its own chronological historical context.
Training Community Health Workers to Support Families of Children With Disabilities: Lessons Learned and Practical Recommendations
Authors: Hepperlen Renee A. , Biggs Jennifer , Rabaey Paula , Mwandileya Watson , Mwansa Memory , Hearst Mary O.
Published: February 2025

Community health workers provide important services to support public health outcomes, particularly in low-income and low-resource settings. This practice note describes the training and supervision of community health workers for a program that aims to provide community-based support to families of children with disabilities in Lusaka, Zambia. Faculty from the United States partnered with a local organization to develop a multiday experiential training for supervisors, who then provided this training to volunteers in the community. An evaluation of supervisors and community health workers revealed that supervisors and community health workers gained significant knowledge and skills to work with children with disabilities. However, the attitude scales about children with disabilities did not show such robust change for the community health workers. A key challenge for this project was timing, as the training was completed just before COVID-19, leading to program implementation delays. Successes included increasing supervisor and community health workers’ knowledge and skills in working with children with disabilities. This training highlighted the importance of local partners who could provide additional context for the community’s needs and ongoing supervision for the community health workers to maintain program fidelity. This practice note adds to the limited knowledge base on developing additional support and services for children with disabilities and their families.
EXPRESS: Assessment of Working Memory abilities in Normal Hearing Individuals with and without Misophonia
Authors: Adline Princita Dsouza , Nisha Kavassery Venkateswaran , Prabhu Prashanth , Uppunda Ajith Kumar
Published: February 2025

Purpose:

The study aimed to evaluate working memory (WM) abilities in normal hearing individuals with and without misophonia using simple and complex working memory tasks and to correlate WM abilities with severity of misophonia.

Method:

The data was collected employing a standard group comparison and a non-probability purposive sampling method. The current study comprised of 40 participants aged 18-30 years, who were classified into two groups (with and without misophonia) based on the scores obtained in Misophonia Assessment Questionnaire (MAQ). Simple tasks including forward digit span and backward digit span and complex tasks including operation span and reading span were used to assess WM abilities.

Results:

WM abilities, measured using simple WM tasks, were comparable between the two groups. Among the complex tasks, although the operation span scores revealed no statistically significant difference, there was a statistically significant difference in the reading span scores.

Conclusions:

The performance of individuals with misophonia remained similar to those without misophonia in simple WM tasks. However, their WM performance becomes poorer as tasks become more demanding.
Concise preparation of daldiquinone via palladium-catalyzed regioselective peri-C-H oxygenation of the naphthalene ring
Authors: Jiang Jing , Gao Yue , Wu Chenqi , Zhang Suqin , Hu Shuyang
Published: February 2025

A total synthesis of the natural polycyclic phenolic compound daldiquinone was reported derived from 1-naphthaldehyde. The synthesis utilizes regioselective peri-C-H oxidation as a key step, proceeding through a longest linear sequence of seven steps with an overall yield of 40%. The binaphthol intermediate is obtained via Baeyer-Villiger oxidative rearrangement in 81% yield, followed by IBX oxidation to produce naphthoquinone. The binaphthalene core is constructed using Suzuki coupling. This strategy, which relied on direct oxidation of the C-H bond of the naphthalene ring, significantly truncated the synthetic pathway and boosted efficiency. The regiospecific approach offers a promising pathway for obtaining a wide array of daldiquinone derivatives.
The Failures and Possibilities of Philosophy in the Material World
Authors: Van Cleave Jessica , Marn Travis , Wolgemuth Jennifer R.
Published: February 2025

In this article, we engage the tension between the failures and possibilities of theories to which we hold attachments. The failure of theory for us is also the failure of qualitative research because as scholars who engage in philosophically informed and critical inquiries, research and theory are inextricably bound. Drawing on our individual and collective experiences, we explore moments when the promise of philosophy crumbled as seismic shifts in culture, politics, and public health rendered useless theories we had long relied upon. We attempt to bring the affective feeling of failure into a productive space and explore how the failure of theory in our lives and our research is not static but rather shifts with the material conditions of the world.
Validation of the Swedish Multiple Sclerosis registry for pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis
Authors: Sandesjö Fredrik , Alping Peter , Fink Katharina , Wickström Ronny , Piehl Fredrik , Frisell Thomas , McKay Kyla A
Published: February 2025

Few controlled trials of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) have been conducted on the pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (PoMS) population, leading to extensive off-label use of therapies approved only for adults. This highlights the need for real-world evidence to guide clinical practice. Clinical registries can offer high-quality data, but limitations such as missing and erroneous information must be considered. This validation study compared Swedish Multiple Sclerosis registry data from 122 PoMS patients to medical records. Generally (≥89%), data were confirmed. However, missing data exceeded 30% for rituximab infusions, magnetic resonance imaging, and relapses. Overall, the registry provides valid, real-world data on DMT use in PoMS.
Limits of circularity: Examining ruptures to valuation work in Tunisia's used clothing economy
Authors: Grüneisl Katharina
Published: February 2025

Used clothing has long constituted a cherished consumer good and crucial source of livelihoods in Tunisia. Yet a marked deterioration in the quality of used garment imports, as well as the proliferation of homogenous fast-fashion stocks, has diminished opportunities for value retrieval. This article sets out from this qualitative decline on the markets of North Africa's largest current importer and re-exporter of used clothing to challenge framings of the global used clothing trade as a circular economy. Circularity, which is primarily premised on possibilities of reuse in the clothing value chain, has been promoted as an economically viable solution to the apparel industry's surplus production and the catastrophic environmental impact of ever-faster cycles of production, consumption and discard. However, images of illicit textile waste dumps in the Global South have exposed how the global used garment trade shifts a disposal problem to countries with weaker regulatory frameworks. This article extends such critiques of circularity by shifting attention from the dumpsite to the economic processes by which diverse actors actually enable reuse. An ethnographic study of what the article terms valuation work sheds light on the labour-intensive, material practices that enable circularity, but that are also prone to rupture or breakdown. This in turn elucidates how qualitative changes on the global used clothing market erode profit margins and devalue labour at a particular back end of the value chain. Unpacking the contingent and site-specific processes that show how the circular economy works in practice not only exposes the social and environmental injustices the framing obfuscates; it also points to alternative forms of knowledge production that might reorient critical debates about what circularity is and can be in the future.
Understanding Ecological-Momentary-Assessment Data: A Tutorial on Exploring Item Performance in Ecological-Momentary-Assessment Data
Authors: Siepe Björn S. , Rieble Carlotta L. , Tutunji Rayyan , Rimpler Aljoscha , März Julius , Proppert Ricarda K. K. , Fried Eiko I.
Published: February 2025

The use of ecological-momentary-assessment (EMA) data to study individuals in their everyday lives is popular in many areas of social and life sciences. At the same time, EMA data sets are complex, the psychometric properties of EMA items are often not investigated systematically, and scales are often neither standardized nor validated beyond their face validity. Here, we present different descriptive statistics and data-visualization techniques to increase the understanding of the performance of EMA items. We apply these techniques to a wide range of items used in a large EMA data set (599 participants, 360 time points) collected in the WARN-D study to investigate their distributions, contextual influences, change over time, sources of variability, and relationship with classical static measures of psychopathology. We discuss the theoretical and substantive implications of our findings and provide researchers with R code that they can adapt to their own EMA data, as well as literature recommendations for each topic. We hope to inspire more researchers to share in-depth descriptive summaries of their experience-sampling data such that the field can move forward in understanding the performance of EMA measures across contexts.
Research With the Reluctant: Challenges and Strategies
Authors: Gross E. B. , Gelman Susan A.
Published: February 2025

Although psychological research often relies on convenience samples, the most informative participants may be individuals who are reluctant to engage because of vulnerability, mistrust of the research process, and/or disagreement with a study’s goals. Although this concern is particularly urgent for certain research questions, it is relevant for all researchers because relying solely on easy-to-reach participants limits a study’s validity and generalizability and may substantially hollow out or even render unanswerable some research questions. We review a number of challenges for conducting research with “reluctant but informative” participants and strategies to meet and overcome these challenges. We argue that engaging reluctant participants requires attention at every phase of the research process, including study design and planning, participant recruitment and testing, data analysis and interpretation, and reporting and broader impacts. We also illustrate with our own recent experiences conducting research on children’s gender concepts in rural, conservative U.S. communities that expressed skepticism about the value of this research. Although every study is different, notable across all projects are the need to respect both individual participants and their communities and to balance competing desiderata. Finally, we discuss the importance of transparency around sample composition and constraints to generalizability and the potential utility of collaborative research both across research institutions and between researchers and participant communities.
Desde Abajo: Space and popular forms of knowledge production ‘from below’
Authors: Sarmiento Carolina S.
Published: February 2025

Gerlof and López-Morales point to the importance of endogenous theoretical production to better understand and define processes happening in the Global South. In a less direct manner, Gerlof and López-Morales also point towards the ways and the places which and where communities are grappling with everyday politics. This commentary attempts to broach our need for endogenous concepts that speak to people's experiences and theorizations with the ways in which popular and cultural spaces exemplify collective action and expressions ‘from below’. Building on Castells reminder in The City and the Grassroots to keep the analysis of the crisis and the analysis of collective action together, this commentary uses versos and the fandango tradition from the southern region of Veracruz as an example of collectively produced knowledge and radical spaces. These spaces and collective expressions are essential in understanding systems of knowledge production and relations of convivencia that challenge forms of domination in times of crisis. Examining these spaces and forms of expression also help capture the loss, displacement, and violence that take place when these spaces are destroyed.
N-homocysteinylation of β-arrestins biases GPCR signaling and promotes platelet activation
Authors: Zhang Lin-Qi , Che Chang-Xiao , Du Ya-Qin , Han Lu-lu , Wang Jia-le , Zhang Chen-Yu , Huang Shen-Ming , Zheng Zhong-Yuan , He Qing-Tao , Yang Zhao , Zhang Long , Chen Nan , Yang Fan , Jia Ying-Li , Zhao Shi-Min , Zhou Demin , Wang Chu , Wang Xian , Sun Jin-Peng , Tie Lu
Published: February 2025

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and HHcy has been identified as a risk factor for thrombotic diseases. Most patients with HHcy die from various complications closely related to thrombotic diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), the central regulators of the cardiovascular system, primarily control platelet activation. By examining the effects of HHcy on a panel of GPCRs involved in platelet aggregation, we found that HHcy systematically modulated biased GPCR signaling through the inhibition of desensitization by β-arrestins and the amplification of G protein signals. We further revealed that the N-homocysteinylation of β-arrestin1/2 at lysine (K) residues (K294/K296) disrupted the interaction between β-arrestins and GPCRs. The above phenomenon may be universal because HHcy was found to modulate the signaling bias of nine other randomly selected GPCRs. Moreover, we found that the proinflammatory effects of Hcy and HTL were weakened in Arrb2-/- mice and that the reintroduction of WT but not K296R β-arrestin2 (in mice) mutants into primary peritoneal macrophages reversed these effects. Notably, Arrb2K296R mice reversed HHcy-induced thrombus formation and platelet aggregation. Our results suggest that a G-biased agonist could be a better choice for disease therapy under HHcy conditions. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the N-homocysteinylation of β-arrestin1/β-arrestin2 actively modulates the biased property of GPCR signaling, which contributes to the pathophysiology of HHcy-related CVDs and provides insight into the selection of agonists for the treatment of diseases under HHcy conditions.
Synthesis of the clinical utilities and issues of intraoperative imaging devices in clinical reports: a systematic review and thematic synthesis
Authors: Suzuki Hiroyuki , Tsuboko Yusuke , Tamura Manabu , Masamune Ken , Iwasaki Kiotaka
Published: February 2025

Background

Intraoperative imaging devices (i-ID), such as intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT), offer surgeons critical insights previously unobservable, enhancing surgical precision and safety. Despite their benefits, i-IDs present challenges that necessitate early identification and synthesis of clinical issues to promote safer surgical implementation. This study aims to explore the potential of Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) for synthesising qualitative evidence from clinical reports regarding the clinical utility and issues associated with iOCT devices.

Methods

In June 2022, we conducted a systematic literature search using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for articles on iOCT for retinal surgery. Criteria included articles in English, with at least ten cases, and providing qualitative insights into iOCT’s utilities and issues. We performed thematic synthesis from the identified articles using qualitative data analysis software, beginning with initial coding of the ‘Results’ and ‘Discussion’ sections to create themes reflecting iOCT’s utilities and issues. The created themes were further refined through axial coding and were used to construct a model illustrating iOCT’s potential influence on patient outcomes. The reliability and validity of the themes were ensured through independent coding, expert consultations, and iterative revisions to achieve consensus among reviewers.

Results

The QES approach enabled systematic data extraction and synthesis, providing a comprehensive view of both the utilities and issues associated with iOCT. Our findings emphasise the significant role of iOCT in enhancing decision-making, specifically in membrane peeling tasks and in detecting preoperatively undetected conditions such as full-thickness macular holes. This study also revealed critical insights into the technical challenges associated with iOCT, including device malfunctions and procedural interruptions, which are vital for improving device safety and integration into surgical practice.

Conclusion

The application of QES facilitated a thorough investigation into the clinical utilities and issues of iOCT, encouraging the application of this method in the ongoing evaluation of i-ID technologies. This initial experience with QES confirms its potential in synthesising qualitative clinical data and suggests its applicability to other i-ID modalities. This approach enhances the reliability of findings and provides a solid foundation for assessing clinical utilities and issues for policymakers and medical specialists.
Neutralization-based seroprevalence of Toscana virus and sandfly fever Sicilian virus in dogs in the Republic of Kosovo
Authors: Xhekaj Betim , Kurum Elif , Stefanovska Jovana , Cvetkovikj Aleksandar , Sherifi Kurtesh , Rexhepi Agim , Charrel Remi , Kniha Edwin , Ayhan Nazli
Published: February 2025

Background

Phlebotomine sand flies are the key vectors for phleboviruses (order Hareavirales and family Phenuiviridae), of which some are associated with febrile diseases and nervous system infections. In the Mediterranean Basin, Toscana virus (TOSV; Phlebovirus toscanaense) and sandfly fever Sicilian viruses (SFSV; Phlebovirus siciliaense) are important human pathogens, and their endemicity has been known for decades, particularly in the Balkan countries. While the circulation of both viruses is highly evident among humans and livestock in the Central Balkan country Kosovo, data from companion animals are scarce; however, it might help to further assess the distribution of both viruses in the country.

Methods

Sera of dogs from all seven districts of Kosovo were screened for TOSV and SFSV antibodies by seroneutralization assays.

Results

Altogether, 45 of 288 (15.6%) samples showed anti-Phlebovirus antibodies, of which 36 (12.5%) were against TOSV, 11 (3.8%) were against SFSV, and 2 (0.7%) were positive for antibodies against both viruses.

Conclusions

Phlebovirus seroprevalence was observed in all seven districts of the country, generally being higher for TOSV compared with SFSV. Our study presents the first assessment of neutralization-based seroprevalence of two medically important phleboviruses among dogs in the Republic of Kosovo. Although healthy dogs are unsusceptible to Phlebovirus infection, dogs with leishmaniasis can be potential amplifying hosts. Given the high number of stray dogs, frequent uncontrolled spreading of phleboviruses in dogs, and potential spillover in populated regions of the country, these findings should be taken into consideration.

Graphical Abstract
Genetic and molecular characterization of a novel reassortant H3N2 influenza virus from a sick pig in Eastern China in 2019
Authors: Yang Fan , Cheng Linfang , Liu Fumin , Yao Hangping , Wu Nanping , Xu Lihua , Wu Haibo
Published: February 2025

Swine influenza viruses (SIVs) cause clinical respiratory symptoms associated with high mortality rates among pigs. Because pigs can be a “mixing vessel” for influenza viruses, the SIV might pose a serious threat to animal and human health. In this study, an H3N2 SIV [A/swine/Zhejiang/19/2019(H3N2) (ZJ-SW19)] was isolated from a sick pig in Eastern China in 2019, and its molecular genetics were characterized. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) segments of ZJ-SW19 are highly homologous with those of H3N2 SIVs, belonging to human-like lineages; in contrast, the remaining six SIV segments (PB2, PB1, PA, NP, M, and NS) demonstrate the highest similarity with H1N1 SIVs isolated in East Asia during 2014–2020. The in vitro analysis of the virus’s growth kinetics revealed that ZJ-SW19 can replicate efficiently in various mammalian and avian cell lines (including MDCK, A549, and DF-1). The receptor-binding analysis results indicated that ZJ-SW19 can bind to human-like receptors (α-2,6-linked sialic acid) and avian-like receptors (α-2,3-linked sialic acid). Moreover, ZJ-SW19 demonstrated significant differences compared with avian- and human-origin H3N2 influenza viruses in the antigenic analysis. Finally, in the pathogenicity test, ZJ-SW19 effectively replicated in the mouse lungs with moderate virulence. Therefore, continuous circulation of novel reassortant H3N2 SIVs indicates the need for long-term, close surveillance of influenza viruses in pig herds.
Influence of Air Content on the Behavior of RC Beams Subjected to Freezing and Thawing
Authors: Kim Sangwoo , Lee Yujeong , Kim Jinsup , Han Dongyeop
Published: February 2025

Research on concrete durability during prolonged use has been ongoing due to concrete’s widespread use in construction. Freeze–thaw cycles exert a significant impact on concrete durability, especially in regions with harsh climates. While existing studies primarily focus on material aspects, research on the performance degradation of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is limited. This limitation is attributed to the inadequacy of current freeze–thaw testing standards for large structures like RC structures. Therefore, there is a need to propose freeze–thaw testing methods tailored for RC members. This study investigates the influence of air content and freeze–thaw cycles on the material and structural properties of RC beams, proposing a novel rapid freeze–thaw testing method for RC members. The study compares this new method (N test) with the conventional ASTM C666/C666M-15 rapid freeze–thaw testing procedure (A test), aiming to establish a correlation between the two experiments. Concrete mixtures with air content ranging from 0 to 9% underwent two types of freeze–thaw tests, followed by flexural testing of RC beams. The results were analyzed for air content, slump, compressive strength, mass loss, crack patterns, and failure modes, and they offer insights into the relationship between air entrainment, freeze–thaw resistance, and the structural behavior of RC under diverse environmental conditions.
CDCA genes as prognostic and therapeutic targets in Colon adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhao Zongquan , Feng Xinwei , Chen Bo , Wu Yihong , Wang Xiaohong , Tang Zhenyuan , Huang Min , Guo Xiaohua
Published: February 2025

Objectives

The study investigates the role of Cell Division Cycle Associated (CDCA) genes in colorectal cancer (COAD) by analyzing their differential expression, epigenetic alterations, prognostic significance, and functional associations.

Methodology

This study employed a detailed in silico and in vitro experiments-based methodology.

Results

RT-qPCR assays reveal significantly elevated mRNA levels of CDCA2, CDCA3, CDCA4, CDCA5, CDCA7, and CDCA8 genes in COAD cell lines compared to controls. Bisulfite sequencing indicates reduced promoter methylation of CDCA gene promoters in COAD cell lines, suggesting an epigenetic regulatory mechanism. Analysis of large TCGA datasets confirms increased CDCA gene expression in COAD tissues. Survival analysis using cSurvival database demonstrates negative correlations between CDCA gene expression and patient overall survival. Additionally, Lasso regression-based models of CDCA genes predict survival outcomes in COAD patients. Investigating immune modulation, CDCA gene expression inversely correlates with immune cell infiltration and immune modulators. miRNA-mRNA network analysis identifies regulatory miRNAs targeting CDCA genes, validated by RT-qPCR showing up-regulation of has-mir-10a-5p and has-mir-20a-5p in COAD cell lines and tissues. Drug sensitivity analysis suggests resistance to specific drugs in COAD patients with elevated CDCA gene expression. Furthermore, CDCA gene expression correlates with crucial functional states in COAD, including
“angiogenesis, apoptosis, differentiation, hypoxia, inflammation, and metastasis.” Additional in vitro experiments revealed that CDCA2 and CDCA3 knockdown in SW480 and SW629 cells significantly reduced cell proliferation and colony formation while enhancing cell migration.

Conclusion

Overall, the study elucidates the multifaceted role of CDCA genes in COAD progression, providing insights into potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications.
Use of pulse oximeter plethysmograph waveform to monitor patients with acute exacerbation of obstructive airway diseases
Authors: Khalil Magdy Mohamed , Sweillm Hend Mohamed Elsayed , Elsamad Ahmed Mohamed Abd
Published: February 2025

Background

Acute exacerbation of obstructive airway diseases is the most frequent acute clinical scenario in ER in chest hospitals. There are limited objective and continuous real-time measures of acute exacerbation severity to guide treatment. Pulse oximeter plethysmograph wave is an objective bedside measure of change in blood volume beneath the probe and was found to correlate well with pulsus paradoxus which is one of the signs of respiratory distress.

Objective

To assess using pulse oximeter plethysmograph to monitor severity and response to therapy in patients with acute exacerbation of obstructive airway diseases.

Patients and methods

This study was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted on 100 patients, 45 patients with bronchial asthma exacerbation and 55 patients with COPD exacerbation, who attended the 23 July Chest Hospital ER from January 2023 to September 2023. Baseline variation (BLV) of pulse oximeter waveform of these patients was assessed qualitatively (visually) and quantitatively (maximum distance from baseline in mm) during the course of management in ER, and results correlated with severity indices and outcome.

Results

On ER admission, BLV was 3–13 mm with a median IQR 5 (4–7 mm) in 100 patients. There was a significant correlation between quantitative BLV and other signs of exacerbation severity (heart rate, respiratory rate, pulsus paradoxus and AAIRS for asthma, and Borg score for COPD). Forty patients improved under treatment and were discharged home, while 60 patients showed no improvement and required admission to hospital. Changes in BLV correlated well with the response to therapy and outcome in all patients. BLVs were recognizable by visual assessment as well.

Conclusion

BLV of plethysmograph wave is a reliable simple, non-invasive, and real-time tool in assessing severity and response to treatment of acute exacerbation of obstructive air way diseases. It is thus useful in monitoring and triaging these patients in ER and critical care settings.
If We Build It, Why They Do Not Come? An American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Collaborative to Understand Barriers to Completion of Cancer Treatment
Authors: Janczewski Lauren M. , Yang Anthony D. , Reilly Eileen , Chan Kelley , Coates Tashae , Scarlett Shayla , Hedlund Susan , Snyder Rebecca A. , Haffty Bruce , Shelton Charles , Kirstein Laurie J.
Published: February 2025

PURPOSE

Many patients face barriers to cancer care, leading to disparities in cancer-specific outcomes. Specifically, missing multiple radiation treatments can be associated with increased locoregional recurrence. We sought to assess the frequency and reasons for missed radiotherapy among accredited cancer programs participating in a national quality improvement (QI) collaborative addressing barriers to care.

METHODS

The Breaking Barriers National QI Collaborative conducted through the American College of Surgeons Cancer Programs enrolled 342 accredited cancer programs, prospectively recording patients scheduled for a 15-45-day course of radiotherapy over five separate, 60-day data collection periods (March-December 2023). Programs identified those who missed ≥three treatments, referred to as at risk of worse outcomes, and queried reasons for missed radiotherapy. Kruskal-Wallis tests assessed differences in rates of missed treatments.

RESULTS

In total, 332 programs (97.1%) identified at-risk patients, totaling 5,221 patients who missed ≥three treatments. The median percentage of at-risk patients per program was 9.4% (IQR, 4.5-16.5). Programs located in the Northeast (median, 11.3% [IQR, 5.4-17.3]) had the highest proportion of at-risk patients (
P
= .014). Patients with rectal (13.0%) and gynecologic (11.4%) cancers were most frequently at risk (
P
< .001). Overall, 91.0% of hospitals reported missed radiation treatments due to illness unrelated to treatment, 71.7% due to transportation, 54.2% due to conflicting appointments, and 53.0% due to no longer wishing to pursue treatment.

CONCLUSION

Barriers to completing radiotherapy are prevalent among accredited cancer programs nationwide. Future work developing interventions in response to identified barriers in this national QI collaborative may be scalable to other areas of cancer care to improve outcomes.
Creation of a flat universe-antiuniverse pair from nothing
Authors: Kumar Naman
Published: February 2025

In this letter, we show that a universe-antiuniverse (U/AU) pair with zero spatial curvature ($k=0$), consistent with observations, can emerge from "nothing". This provides a novel approach towards the creation of the universe other than Vilenkin's tunnelling and Hartle-Hawking no boundary proposal. The idea discussed in the paper can solve problems associated with these two proposals, namely scalar perturbations (Vilenkin) and a small number of inflationary $e$-folds (Hartle-Hawking). We also discuss various cosmological implications of this idea.
Physical Work in Humid Heat Impairs Postural Balance during Simulated Construction Tasks at Height
Authors: Tan Beverly Wei Lin , Alhadad Sharifah Badriyah , Tan Gerald Zheng Yang , Sze Pearl Tan Min , Lemke Bruno , Lee Jason Kai Wei
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Occupational heat strain can impair construction workers’ motor and cognitive functions, potentially leading to accidents, injuries and lowered productivity. We examined the effects of physical work under various warm and humid tropical conditions on performance in virtual reality (VR)-based construction tasks.

Methods

Eighteen healthy men (age: 29 ± 5 years) completed three randomised, counterbalanced experimental trials comprising ~2.5 h of exposure to wet-bulb globe temperatures of 24.6 ± 0.2 °C (COOL), 28.1 ± 0.3 °C (WARM) and 32.4 ± 0.3 °C (HOT), representing Singapore’s current (COOL and WARM) and projected (HOT) conditions. Participants performed three 30-min bouts of treadmill walking at fixed metabolic heat productions representing light (EX1: 250 W), moderate (EX2: 350 W) and heavy (EX3: 450 W) workloads, each separated by completion of a battery of VR-based construction tasks (welding and plank-walking at height). Task speed and accuracy, postural sway and gait were recorded during the VR tasks, while body core (Tc) and mean skin temperatures (Tsk), and heart rate (HR) were recorded continuously.

Results

Post-trial Tc was higher in HOT (38.6 ± 0.4 °C) compared with WARM (38.1 ± 0.3 °C; P < 0.001) and COOL (37.9 ± 0.3 °C; P < 0.001), while mean Tsk (P < 0.001) and HR (P < 0.001) differed between all conditions (HOT>WARM>COOL). Task speed and accuracy during welding and plank-walking were similar between conditions (all P > 0.05). However, postural sway velocity during welding increased (by 2.08 ± 2.5 mm.s-1; P < 0.05) from baseline to post-trial in HOT but not in WARM or COOL (both P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Although task performance was maintained across environments, postural balance during an attention-demanding task (welding) was impaired following physical work in Singapore’s projected environmental conditions, which could increase the risk of potentially fatal accidents and injuries (e.g., falling from height). Effective workplace interventions are needed to protect workers’ health, safety and productivity against future warming.
Popular image of students enrolled in Christian schools and the founding purpose of Christian schools – A study based on a survey of youth living in Tokyo/Kanagawa Prefectures
Authors: Goto Yoshihiro , Katayama Fumi , Matsui Yuuki , Sen Suzuretsu , Teruyama Junko , Osawa Fumito , Tsuchiya Miyu , Yokoyama Mikiko
Published: February 2025

Despite the popularity of Christian schools in Japan, Christians account for only 1.6% of the nation’s population. In the attempt to explore this inconsistency, we conducted an online survey in January 2020 to those between the ages of 15 and 29 living in Tokyo and Kanagawa. Our subjects include those who have enrolled in Christian schools, those who have some sort of affiliation, and those who do not have affiliation. We attempted to measure the difference in attitude by the degree of their affiliation. We focused on the notion of 'triple faith' which was proposed by Inoue and others. Many people in Japan believe in both Buddhism and Shintoism because neither requires a rite such as baptism. Christianity requires baptism, but that aside, in practice, many Japanese have triple faith including Christianity. Prosperity of Christian schools, preferences towards Christmas, and popularity of Christian-style weddings, all testify to this. This argument by Inoue and others conflicts with the common belief that Christianity never got a foothold in Japan. The results of cross tabulation of key questions and affiliation with Christian schools, combined with our interview results, show that those who have enrolled in Christian schools are more likely to have what may be referred to as triple faith. We have also provided a discussion on the possible reasons behind this finding.
Risk perception, sociodemographic factors, and knowledge of COVID-19 associated with mask use outside the home in Indonesia during the mandatory policy
Authors: Roosihermiatie Betty , Yunitaningtyas Kristiana , Siahaan Selma Arsit Selto , Isfandari Siti , Andarwati Pramita , Nantabah Zainul Khaqiqi , Rukmini Rukmini , Wibowo Tjipto
Published: February 2025

Background After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic which spread to 213 countries in 2020, Indonesia ranked 20th for morbidity with a mortality rate of 2.3%, higher than the global rate of 1.1%. In response, Indonesia issued a policy mandating mask use. This study aims to investigate the association between risk perception, sociodemographic factors, and knowledge of COVID-19, with consistent mask-wearing outside the home. Methods It was an online study conducted from November 2020 to February 2021, during the first wave of COVID-19. Participants were provided written informed consent prior if agree/reject to completing participate the questionnaire study voluntarily. A total of 1153 respondents were selected. The dependent variable was consistent mask-wearing outside the home, while the independent variables were risk perception regarding COVID-19, sociodemographic factors (location, age, gender, education, occupation, family income, family members, social health scheme), and knowledge of COVID-19. Data were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results The risk perception of COVID-19 as a viral disease that can cause death aOR: 2.502 was positively associated with consistent mask-wearing outside the home. Regarding sociodemographic factor, individuals age between 25 to 44 years aOR: 0.486. While, knowledge of the need to change cloth masks every 4-6 hours aOR: 1.686; the transmission aOR: 1.974, the severe symptoms of COVID-19 aOR: 1.981; and of the confirmed diagnosis by PCR aOR: 2.238 were positively associated with consistent mask-wearing outside the home. Conclusions The risk perception of potential fatality COVID-19 and knowledge of proper time to change cloth mask, the transmission, the severe symptom, and the confirmation of COVID-19 testing were positively associated with mask-wearing outside the home. While, age between 25 to 44 years was negatively associated. These findings underscore the importance of targeted public health interventions that address risk perception and enhance knowledge to promote mask use as effective COVID-19 prevention measures.
Research on Intention Recognition Methods based on Deep Learning
Authors: Li Qiang , Zhao Feng , Gao Pan , Li Huanhuan , Ye Linfeng
Published: February 2025

In order to improve the accuracy of intelligent speech interaction robots, the author proposes a deep learning based intention recognition method for research. By introducing the GloveBibGRU-Self attention classification prediction model, an intention recognition function module is constructed, and the ROS distributed architecture is adopted to integrate the system functional modules, achieving intelligent voice interaction between humans and machines. The simulation results show that the speech intention recognition using the proposed method has higher accuracy. Compared with the intention recognition methods based on DCNN model, CNN-LSTM model, and GRU Self attention model constructed unidirectionally, the recognition accuracy is higher than 8. 02%, 4. 06%, and 2. 13%, respectively, and has better recognition effect, In terms of feature extraction, the training time of BiGRU is shortened by four times compared to traditional extraction methods based on BiLSTM models, resulting in higher training efficiency. According to the experimental findings, the speech interaction system developed utilizing the suggested intention recognition method maintains a high level of accuracy and efficiency in understanding user English speech commands. With an average accuracy rate of 89.72% and recognition times consistently below 0.35 seconds, it is evident that the proposed method is applicable for real-world speech interactions. The intent recognition method based on Glove2BiGRU-Self attention can be applied to English speech interaction in intelligent speech robots.
Mobile Learning and Resource Sharing Mode of Higher Education Based on 5G Mobile Communication Technology
Authors: Li Xinchang , Guo Yuxin
Published: February 2025

Currently, the development of mobile learning and resource sharing models for higher education, along with the application of 5G and other mobile communication technologies to education, hold significant scientific value. These models will help improve the speed and efficiency of retrieving learning resources for higher education while also organizing and managing learning resources more effectively. The complementarity and growth of mobile learning technology for traditional online learning technology are the major features that this research combines. This research builds a mobile learning and resource sharing mode for higher education based on 5G mobile communication technology, utilizing the Moodle online teaching platform. It also designs and implements a mobile learning model, as well as the system architecture, functional modules, learning mode, and learning process. Ultimately, the system model's primary functional modules are put into practice and put through testing. encouraging mobile learning to assist in a variety of ways in the teaching field. The test probability value P (siq)=0.00, which is significantly less than the significant level of 0.05, and the overall accuracy rate of 74.7% indicate that the AKAZE algorithm is utilized to optimize the model, according to the experimental results. As a result, we think that using a mobile learning instructional design mode will benefit students' academic achievement.
Classification of Royal Delicious Apples using Hybrid Feature Selection and Feature Weighting Method Based on SVM Classifier
Authors: Kaur Sandeep , Sachan Manoj Kumar , Aggarwal Ashwani Kumar
Published: February 2025

Fruit safety is a critical component of the global economy, particularly within the agricultural sector. There has been a recent surge in the incidence of diseases affecting fruits, leading to economic setbacks in agriculture worldwide. Conventional manual assessment methods are laborious, prompting the exploration of automated computerized techniques for evaluating fruit quality. This research presents a novel method for assessing the quality of golden delicious apples. A dataset comprising 1256 apple images was gathered under controlled conditions. Afterward Feature extraction focuses on texture features like LBP, GLCM, GLDM, DTF, and Gabor features, color features, and shape and size features. A total of 18654 features are extracted and normalized using z-score. A hybrid method for feature selection and weighting involves the mRMR algorithm to eliminate redundant features and the Sine Cosine Optimization Algorithm for feature weighting, enhancing classification performance. The SVM machine learning technique, augmented with optimized features, yielded a 10.53% improvement in accuracy compared to SVM alone. Validation against state-of-the-art methods using Friedman's mean rank test underscored the statistical significance of this approach across various metrics.