bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The research of the dynamics of a free surface limiting the fi nal weight of a self-gravitating gas
Authors:   Ural State University of Railway Transport, Chuev N. P.
Published: August 2024

The work researches the evolution of the free surface which limits the polytropic, isentropic and self-gravitating ideal gas moving in vacuum. Gas currents are described with the mathematical model of gas dynamics, constructed due to the system of nonlinear integro-differential equations, expressed in Euler coordinate system. The transformation of the given system to the Lagrangian coordinates lets reduce it to the equivalent system consisting of integral Voltair’s equations and the equation of continuity in the Lagrangian form, and also it lets break down the unknown boundaries. Free boundary is determined as a great number of points of the system of integral equations solution achieved when depicting the boundary points of the initial area within the point of the moving area. For the system there is the proved theorem of the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the Cauchy problem in the space of the infinitely differentiated functions. Methods of qualitative research of the system of gas dynamics were applied in the work for the research of the evolution of the free surface.
Thermal stresses in insulation of locomotives traction electric motors
Authors:   Emperor Alexander 1 St. Petersburg State Transport University (PGUPS), Shreiber M. A.
Published: August 2024

Thermomechanical processes and cyclic temperature changes in the structure of insulation of traction electric motors lead to thermal gradient appearance. Increased temperature widens the elements of winding, damages insulation material (thermal fatigue, extreme deformation, creeping, etc.). Methods for the numerical study of stress-strain state of the material of the insulation of traction electric motors of diesel locomotives on different stages of static and cyclic loading have been developed. It is determined, that the main factor defining the intensiveness of insulation aging is the impact of alternating cyclic thermo-mechanical stresses, but not thermomechanical destruction of impregnating composition. Analytical expressions for the evaluation of stress-strain state of insulation of traction motor diesel locomotives are received and they are distinguished by the fact that they require a relatively small amount of basic data and let conduct accurate calculations taking into account the peculiarities of the electric drive system. An approximate predictive model for the evaluation of interphase thermal stresses in the assembly of the materials of winding slots of the traction electric motor of a diesel locomotive is developed. The insulation material is considered as linear elastic when the deformation level is less than the yield strength. The joining components can be considered from the view point of structural analyses as elongated rectangular plates suffering from linear elastic strains. The analyses results can be used for evaluation of thermomechanical stresses in the impregnating materials of traction electric motors of diesel locomotives and their analogues.
The method of minimization of the number of undetermined finite-state machine
Authors:   Ural State University of Railway Transport, Kovalenko V. N.
Published: August 2024

Minimization of the number of inner states of the finite-state machine is related to the decrease of the number of memory elements and the number of logic converter elements which helps increase the safety of the finite-state machine work. This problem is solved at the stage of the abstract synthesis of the finite-state machine. The article presents the method of minimization of the finite-state machine with the use of the subset of simple sets of compatible states (SCS) sets of most compatible SCS sets Wco. The subset of simple SCS is reduced due to suggested rules. While constructing the minimal proper grouping, the indexes and the mutual indexes of coverage and closure for the choice of the minimal closed coverage of the original machine are used at the next stage. A combined table of transitions and outputs which sets the finite machine equivalised to the original one is constructed on the basis of the received sets of compatible states of the proper grouping.
Experimental study of the operation of pneumatic brakes of freight rolling stock with single-tube and double-tube power supply
Authors:   Irkutsk State Transport University, Osipov D. V. , Ivanov P. Yu. ,   Irkutsk State Transport University, Pronin K. E. ,   Irkutsk State Transport University, Kudyarov I. A. ,   Irkutsk State Transport University
Published: August 2024

The article demonstrates the results of the study of the pneumatic processes of standard and upgraded rolling stock braking systems. The purpose of the study was to identify the shortcomings of the classical pneumatic braking system that affect the current level of safety and speed of freight trains, as well as the possibility of eliminating them by upgrading the existing braking system using a two-tube power supply. Based on the data obtained from the study of the upgraded braking system performed in laboratory conditions, as well as data obtained from experiments conducted on trains, graphs of the dependence of the compressed air pressure of the brake line, brake cylinders and feed line on time for the new braking system are compiled. According to the results of the performed studies, it was concluded that the standard braking system has a number of disadvantages associated with the speed of gas dynamic processes and the uneven distribution of pressure in the brake cylinders along the length of the train. The study found that the two-tube braking system will increase the speed and safety of trains.
Setting up the function of temporary adjustment of the ultrasonic equipment sensitivity by the lateral cylindrical reflector during rolling stock parts diagnosis
Authors:   Lugansk State University named after Vladimir Dahl, Kireev A. N. , Livtsov Yu. V. ,   Lugansk State University named after Vladimir Dahl, Kireeva M. A. ,   Lugansk State University named after Vladimir Dahl
Published: August 2024

To increase the efficiency of the use of rolling stock, methods and means of technical diagnostics have been developed, which are used during maintenance and repairs, as well as an independent technological process. Diagnosis makes it possible to increase the availability coefficient, the probability of trouble-free operation, repair and control suitability of rolling stock, reduce the cost of its operation and the complexity of technological processes. The complex of test diagnostic measures includes operations of ultrasonic non-destructive testing of railway rolling stock parts and assemblies for the absence of internal unacceptable irregularities. Pulse-echo method, which refers to reflection methods, has become the most wide-spread among ultrasonic control methods. One of the most important operations in the process of ultrasonic testing is to adjust the sensitivity of ultrasonic equipment. The article focuses on the results of a study on the development of a non-etalon method for adjusting the function of temporary sensitivity ultrasonic equipment setting when diagnosing rolling stock parts, taking into account the attenuation of ultrasound along a lateral cylindrical reflector. To implement the method, a new mathematical apparatus has been developed, which is based on the key laws of physical acoustics, as well as the methods of mathematical and physical modeling. The non-standard adjustment of the temporary sensitivity setting function allows to get rid of the disadvantages when using tuning samples with artificial reflectors. A program NDTRT TSA SCR F-BCR has been developed to automate calculations when diagnosing railway rolling stock parts using the ultrasonic method and taking into account the attenuation of the ultrasonic wave along a lateral cylindrical reflector.
On adjusting the algorithm of a marshalling yard height calculation
Authors:   Siberian Transport University (STU), Klimov A. A.
Published: August 2024

At present the height of marshalling yards is calculated basing on the determination of the power of resistance to the movement of cars when rolling down a hill on definite conditions. Wherein the calculation norms of the main specific resistance to movement, used until present time, were accepted more than 40 years ago. Therefore, their use for the description of the modern car park driving characteristics may lead to the results of unsuitable current operating conditions, as well as to the increase of the emergency appearance when disbanding. The article suggests the adjustment of the algorithm of a marshalling yard height calculation based on the results of up-to-date researches of the main specific resistance to movement made by the specialists of the Siberian Transport University and JSC «NIIAS» and the correction of the methods of calculation of the height of the marshalling yard.
The North–South International Transport Corridor as the key element in the global economy and logistics
Authors:   Ural State University of Railway Transport, Samujlov Valerij M. , Gashkova Lyudmila V. ,   Ural State University of Railway Transport, Sereda Maksim A. ,   Ural State University of Railway Transport, Smerdova Alisa A. ,   Ural State University of Railway Transport
Published: August 2024

The paper concerns the history, prospects of the development of the North-South international transport corridor project, and its impact on the Russian economy, highlighting the main problems of creating the project.
Hardware level of the control system for the robotic gearbox of the Formula Student class car
Authors:   Ural State University of Railway Transport, Tarasyan Vladimir S. , Mitin Nikita D. ,   Ural State University of Railway Transport
Published: August 2024

This paper considers the control system of a robotic gearbox using the example of a Formula Student class car, designed and assembled at the Ural State University of Control Paths. The technical solutions taken in the process of creating the car are described.
AS SINGULARIDADES DE ADOLESCER NUM CORPO SURDO: CONTRIBUIÇÕES PARA A FORMAÇÃO DE PROFISSIONAIS DE SAÚDE E EDUCAÇÃO
Authors: Bonfim Varela Maria Angélica , Luclia Lima da Silva
Published: August 2024

A adolescência é um fenômeno biopsicossocial dependente de cada cultura. As mudanças corporais e psíquicas são interpretadas de diferentes formas, de acordo com cada sujeito e o grupo social onde ele está inserido. Assim, refletir sobre a adolescência num corpo marcado pela diferença é fundamental para profissionais que trabalham com adolescentes surdos. Este artigo é o resultado de uma revisão crítica de literatura utilizando as palavras chave “adolescência”, “surdez” e “saúde mental”. Observou-se que a questão comunicacional é o ponto chave para o acolhimento dos sujeitos surdos tanto na escola como nos serviços de saúde. Na existência de uma barreira linguística, o percurso da adolescência (construção da identidade, busca de autonomia) pode ser construído de forma diferenciada e com maior possibilidade dos adolescentes apresentarem transtornos mentais. Por fim, as autoras apresentam alguns pontos importantes que podem contribuir para a formação de profissionais de saúde e educação que trabalham com adolescentes surdos.
A EDUCAÇÃO DE SURDOS EM PORTUGAL NO SÉCULO XIX E O PIONEIRISMO DO PADRE PEDRO MARIA AGUILAR: OS ALICERCES DA EDUCAÇÃO BILÍNGUE
Authors: Paulo Vaz de Carvalho
Published: August 2024

A educação de surdos em Portugal teve início em 1823 com a fundação do Real Instituto de Surdos-Mudos e Cegos pelo professor sueco Per Aron Borg a convite do Rei D. João VI. Em 1828 Per Aron Borg regressa ao seu país natal ficando à frente do Instituto o seu irmão Joham Borg e depois o português José Crispim da Cunha, que não conseguiu evitar que em 1834 o Instituto fosse integrado na Casa Pia de Lisboa. A educação de surdos entrou em decadência por não haver em Portugal professores especializados nesta área de ensino e em 1860 a educação de surdos é oficialmente extinta. Todavia, após esta data, surgem algumas iniciativas particulares para responder às necessidades da população surda das quais destacamos a ação do Padre Pedro Maria de Aguilar cujo trabalho pouco divulgado foi dos mais inovadores em Portugal e na Europa de 1900 lançando as bases do que veio a ser chamado, 150 anos mais tarde, a educação bilíngue para alunos surdos.
Pengaruh Pengetahuan dan Lokasi terhadap Minat Menabung di Bank Syariah
Authors: Mis Mislaili , Muslihun  , Siti Ahdina Saadatirrohmi
Published: August 2024

Penelitian ini merupakan jenis penelitian asosiatif dengan menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan tujuan untuk menganalisis faktor-faktor yang terdiri dari pengetahuan dan lokasi terhadap minat menabung di bank syariah. Adapun metode yang digunakan adalah metode kuantitatif, data dalam penelitian ini diperoleh dari hasil penyebaran kuesioner pada masyarakat Dusun Sukarara Desa Sukarara dengan jumlah responden sebanyak 82 orang yang seluruhnya merupakan masyarakat yang tidak menabung di bank syariah. Adapun metode pengambilan sampel dalam penelitian ini menggunakan metode purposive sampling dengan teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan wawancara dan kuesioner. Berdasarkan hasil analaisis linear berganda, diperoleh hasil penelitian dari dua variabel yaitu menunjukkan variabel pengetahuan berpengaruh signifikan terhadap minat menabung di bank syariah. Hal ini dibuktikan dengan memperoleh hasil uji t dengan nilai signifikansi sebesar 0,030 < 0,05. Sedangkan untuk uji t pada variabel lokasi memperoleh nilai signifikansi sebesar 0,027 < 0,05 yang berarti variabel lokasi berpengaruh signifikan terhadap minat menabung masyarakat Dusun Sukarara di bank syariah. Adapun untuk hasil analisis secara simultan memperoleh nilai signifikansi 0,000 < 0,05, sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa H0 ditolak dan Ha diterima, artinya terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan antara variabel pengetahuan dan lokasi terhadap minat menabung Masyarakat Dusun Sukarara di bank syariah.Kata Kunci: Pengetahuan, lokasi, minat menabung
NASAKOM DILEMMA AND THE POLITICS OF ISLAMIC ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: Mustapa Hasan , Hamid Ihsan
Published: August 2024

The political opinions of Islamic organizations throughout the Guided Democracy (1959- 66) era are diverse. For some, this is a dismal period. The rest saw this era as an opportunity to preserve Islamic dominance. Cooperative and non-cooperative politics with power are strategic options for the long-term political power of Islamic mass groups like Nahdhatul 'Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah. This study seeks to understand the political perspectives of Indonesia's two largest Islamic organizations in the face of the imposition of Nasakom (religious nationalist and communist) ideology during the Soekarno era. This study takes a qualitative descriptive comparative method. The study's findings suggest that, in terms of character, numerous NU figures found theological grounds to reconcile with Nasakom politics. Meanwhile, Muhammadiyah, whose members include numerous senior Masyumi officials, leans toward the opposition. An accommodating mindset helps the organization to breathe for longer. Meanwhile, the opposition faces the possibility of political stunting. In terms of impact, the two Islamic mass organizations failed to arrest the flow of authoritarianism. They attempted to survive by honoring the Great Leader of the Revolution.
Hear Wave Velocity Analysis Based on Two Rock Layers Modeling Using Microtremor Data of Gresik and Surrounding Areas
Authors: Rahmahdina Putri Aliffi , Purwasatriya Eko Bayu , Marjiyono Marjiyono , Permanajati Indra , Rahim Afikah Binti
Published: August 2024

The lithology on the surface in the current condition is often found to be not a fresh rocks, but all materials, be it alluvial, soil, backfill soil, or rocks with a very high degree of weathering. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the type of layer on the surface and its underlying layer based on the analysis of Vs (shear wave velocity) values in the surface lithological media and the underlying layer through the modeling of two rock layers. To complete this research, microtremor array data was collected by the Geological Survey Center in the Gresik area which was then processed using the SPAC (Spatial Autocorrelation) method. Based on the results of the study, the Gresik area has a surface Vs value that still shows soft soil values in the range of 65 - 170 m/s and its basement Vs already shows fresh rocks to older lithologies in the alluvial area in the range of 150 - 435 m/s, so it can be seen that some areas that should consist of a fairly hard lithology in the Gresik area have changed with a fairly high level of weathering.
English Adjectives Used by Non-natives in ICNALE Spoken Dialogues
Authors: Faiz Adinda
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine English adjectives found in spoken language corpus of English learners in Asia. This study employed theories of adjectives from language typology perspective by Dixon (2010) and Frawley (1992). Descriptive-qualitative approach was applied, using ICNALE Spoken Dialogues as the data source. This study utilized the corpus analysis tools AntConc. The results identified the top 20 adjectives in the corpus, with Value, Human Propensity, and Difficulty each representing 20% of the findings. This study has implications for the significance of foreign language learning. Teachers can use adjectives from these categories to teach students, as they are basic vocabularies for English learners. Students are also expected to gain a better understanding of the functional aspect of adjectives, which could improve their language performance. The interest of this study lies in the high frequency of occurrence in the corpus. However, some limitations should also be considered.
The Implementation of Contextual Teaching and Learning in Student Character Building
Authors: Azizah Nur , Permanasari Pradnya , Jamal Mujtaba
Published: August 2024

The aim of education is not only to improve students' academic performance but also to develop their character. In line with these aims, the author conducted research to describe the teaching strategies of English teachers in building students' character through character education and to examine the effect of contextual teaching and learning on students' character development in the eleventh-grade students of SMK Islam Bojong during the academic year 2021-2022. The author used descriptive qualitative research with purposeful sampling, involving 28 students as the study population. Data were collected using interviews and observation sheets. The data were analyzed using a data triangulation technique. The results showed that contextual teaching and learning can effectively enhance students' character. Contextual teaching and learning also positively impact character building in the eleventh-grade students of SMK Islam Bojong. The author concludes that the contextual teaching and learning strategy is beneficial for integrating character-building into the learning process. It provides students with a valuable learning experience, emphasizing that education is not just about achieving high scores but also about developing good behavior.
Epidemiology of Measles and Rubella in Yogyakarta City 2013-2022
Authors: Sulistyani Dwi Ana , Solikhah Solikhah , Sulistyawati Sulistyawati
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Measles and Rubella are still a public health problem in Indonesia, including in Yogyakarta. Extraordinary Measles and Rubella Incidents in the City of Yogyakarta are still being reported. In 2022, there will be 2 cases. Nevertheless, measles and Rubella have a high potential for transmission, death and cause more severe complications. This study aims to determine the trend of measles and Rubella cases in Yogyakarta from 2013-2022.
Methods: This study used a descriptive research design. Data on measles and rubella cases were taken from the Yogyakarta City Health Office Case Based Measles Surveillance (CBMS) report for 2013-2022.Results: Measles and Rubella cases tend to decrease in 2018-2021 and increase again in 2022. Of the 2928 suspected measles, the majority were women (50.8%) and aged over 15 years. There were 459 confirmed cases of measles and 468 instances of Rubella. Of the two cases of measles and Rubella, most suffered from children.
Conclusion: Laboratory-confirmed incidences of measles and rubella are found in all areas of the subdistrict and are more prevalent in children. Strengthening the body's resistance and immunity to measles-rubella infection must be done to prevent measles-rubella outbreaks with transmission in the school environment.
Keywords: Measles, Rubella, Surveillance, Yogyakarta City
Optimation of tempe liquid waste usage for growth performances and feed uptake on Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Andriawan Soni , Hermawan David , Rahmania Shafira
Published: August 2024

Tempe liquid waste (TLW) contains nutrients such as fat, protein, carbohydrates, nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium that could be used in fish rearing. Moreover, it has lactic acid bacteria (LAB) belonging to gram-positive microorganisms, which could decompose organic and inorganic matter in water. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether TLW could have the potential to enhance Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) growth and improve feed efficiency. The study used 180 fish (6.04 ± 0.13 g) reared in twelve aquariums and TLW was obtained from boiling soybeans during the tempe production process in the village of Sanan, Malang. The research design was Completely Randomized Design (CRD), which involved four treatments, T0 (no TLW), T1 (3%), T2 (5%), and T3 (7%) with three replications. The result showed that T2 resulted in the highest growth rate (11.22 ± 0.29 g), specific growth rate (2.07 ± 0.32% / day), feed conversion rate (1.54 ± 0.16), feed efficiency (56.02 ± 1.24%) and survival rate (91.11 ± 0.58%) compared to others. Nonetheless, there was no difference in the absolute length (Lm) parameter at the end of the research. The research results also found that water quality remained favourable for supporting tilapia cultivation under all observed conditions, except for the oxygen levels in the control group, which fell below the standard (<3 mg L-1). Finally, the present study concluded that 5% of TLW could be the best; in contrast, the higher concentration of TLW decreased O. niloticus growth performance, feed efficiency, and survival rate.Keywords: fish development, tilapia, wastewater, water qualities
Flood Segmentation: Self-Supervised Knowledge Transfer from Optical to SAR
Authors: Pignato Sebastiano , Marino Armando
Published: August 2024

Our world is increasingly challenged by managing the impacts of natural disasters, particularly floods, which are frequent, dangerous, and costly. Traditional flood mapping methods, reliant on Optical satellites (MSI), struggle under cloud cover which is typical during such events. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) offers a promising alternative with its cloud-penetrating capability, though its use has been limited due to complexity and data labeling challenges. This project aims to develop a SAR-based flood segmentation model that can rapidly and accurately map floods globally, with high adaptability to different flood types and regions. By utilizing deep learning and a novel transfer-learning technique that combines the strengths of Optical/MSI and SAR data, the model seeks to bypass the challenges of manual labeling and improve mapping accuracy. Initial results show the model's effective generalization across various flood events, with superior performance indicated by an Intersection over Union (IoU) of 0.72, outperforming existing methods and demonstrating promising capabilities in precise flood mapping.
Web Content Mining: A Review on Concepts, Techniques, and Tools
Authors: Sial Ali Hassan
Published: August 2024

With the emergence of the Internet and WWW has become a comprehensive source of information for the extraction of meaningful information has become a significant challenge in the past decade. Furthermore, the available information is classified in unstructured, structured, and semi-structured forms. Numerous amount of information on the web is also characterized in an unstructured or semi-structured format. This usually extracts the potential useful information from these multiple forms and has been considered a leading area of research in this modern era. The authors presented web content mining as a subcategory of web mining that focuses on important extracting patterns from the contexts available in the documents on the web. Hence, this paper focuses on the multiple content mining concepts, tools, and techniques implemented on the documents available on WWW.
A Topological Representation of Chiral Spin Liquid by Knot Lattice and Thurston Train Track
Authors: Si Tieyan
Published: August 2024

A topological representation theory of chiral spin liquid is proposed to unify the integral and fractional quantum Hall fluid based on hyperbolic geometry, knot lattice and Thurston's train track theory. The integral and fractional Hall resistivity obeys an exact unified equation, $R_{xy} = (h/e^2)B_{e}$, $B_{e} = (n+\nu)^{-1}$, with respect to the bulk energy gap ${\Delta}E = {\hbar{e}B_{e}}/{Mc}$. The Wen-Zee matrix formulation of topological fluid for quantum Hall effect is constructed by topological surgery and train track. The chirality of spin liquid is spontaneously distinguished by Jones polynomial. The integral Chern number for Hall conductance is fractionalized by generalizing Thurston's train track to folding laminations in three dimensions, which spontaneously bring fractional quantum Hall fluid and anyons into three dimensions and provided an theoretical explanation on the competing fractional quantum Hall states. The many body system of interacting fermions or bosons are mapped into many interacting liquid droplets that interwind into knot lattice, which provide an effective topological representation for superfluid and superconductor, the strange metal state in superconductor is explained by topological dislocation and topological surgery. The Kauffman decomposition rule in knot theory is extended to describe the topological relations between different two dimensional manifolds, which further reveals the non-trivial relationship between the partition functions of pairing fermions and free electrons. The minimal energy state is the most stable topological state, even thought it maybe shares the same topological number with the excited states. The topological representation theory predicts a circular motion of electrons in hyperbolic space, that is implementable and testable by inhomogeneous magnetic field in three dimensions. The folding lamination representation of topological quantum fluid provides an promising implementation of string theory in high energy physics.
Wastewater Management Using a Neural Network-Assisted Novel Paradigm for Waste Prediction from Vermicomposting
Authors: Thanjaivadivel M. , Suguna R. , Arulkumaran G. , Anand M. Bala , Cherubini Claudia
Published: August 2024

Vermicomposting is one of the most important waste management techniques in the process of vermiculture. In this study, a Neural Network-assisted novel paradigm is proposed to predict waste from vermicomposting. The proposed Neural Network Skeleton is based on a Gallium Arsenide Processing Schema, which is used to separate wastes. By comparing the proposed sys-tem with existing methods, it was found that the proposed approach had the highest average prediction ratio of 91.32%, outperforming other techniques like ERD, RNN, and Deep LSTM. The separation ratio analysis also demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method, with a range of 45-94%. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of chemical equilibrium and the effectiveness of our proposed Gallium Arsenide Processing Schema in achieving high prediction and separation accuracies, showcasing its potential for practical application in waste management processes.
Lastly, the prediction of the process evolution stages is detailed, indicating the efficiency of the proposed system in achieving various levels of waste separation.
Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the potential of the proposed methods in op-timizing wastewater management processes, paving the way for more effective and sustainable vermicomposting practices.
Study of the Physic-Chemical Processes that Occur during Selective Transfer in the Friction Pairs with the Help of Polarization
Authors: Ilie Filip , Hristache Andrei-Florin
Published: August 2024

Based on some experiments, the paper describes with the help of polarization the physic-chemical processes that take place in the contact area of friction pairs, during the selective transfer as a result of the change in the input speed of the lubricant (glycerin), as well as how it influences their wear. Through polarization, the quantitative and qualitative transformations of glycerin are studied during frictional stress with selective transfer, the determination of the properties of the selective solution, and the damage to the metals and alloys of the friction pairs, but also after frictional stress.
Exploring the Adoption of Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Management
Authors: Wilson George , Johnson Oliver , Brown William
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain management, focusing on its transformative potential, challenges, and strategic implications. Blockchain, characterized by its decentralized and immutable ledger, offers significant benefits in enhancing transparency, efficiency, and trust among supply chain stakeholders. It enables accurate tracking of products, verification of provenance, and streamlined processes through smart contracts, which reduce the need for intermediaries and minimize operational costs. The research explores various sectors, highlighting how blockchain can address issues of counterfeiting, compliance, and sustainability by providing verifiable information about products' origins and handling. However, the adoption of blockchain is not without challenges. The technological complexity involved in integrating blockchain with existing systems, the need for specialized skills, and concerns over data privacy and security pose significant barriers. Additionally, the lack of regulatory clarity and the high initial costs associated with blockchain infrastructure present further obstacles, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. The study emphasizes the necessity of a cultural shift towards greater openness and collaboration among stakeholders to fully leverage the potential of blockchain. Furthermore, it discusses the environmental impact of blockchain technologies, particularly their energy consumption, and the need for sustainable solutions. The findings suggest that while blockchain holds great promise for transforming supply chain management, careful consideration of the associated challenges is crucial. Future research and industry dialogue will be essential in overcoming these hurdles and achieving widespread blockchain adoption.
Inspection of Architectural Heritage and Ancient Structures Using Aerial Thermography
Authors: Elizalde Rubén Rodríguez
Published: August 2024

In previous investigations, drones have been used for visual inspections of heritage elements. We now propose the use of aerial thermography to complement the information obtained with standard drones, which perform purely visual inspections. Thus, after a brief overview of the contribution of aerial thermography to heritage, we will use a drone with a thermographic camera to inspect three unique and important heritage elements: the Roman Bridge of Alcántara, the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia and the Roman Bridge of Alconétar. The three monuments were previously visually inspected with a drone with a camera. These operations will enable us to draw conclusions about the applicability of this technology to heritage: the inspections will demonstrate the usefulness of thermography for the diagnosis of damage to stone at a deeper level, which is already in an advanced stage of development in the interior of the element when it appears on the surface. Detecting such damage early can be the key when trying to adopt less aggressive and expensive early treatment, thus avoiding further risk to the constituent elements of the monument.
Trehalose: Neuroprotective Effects and Mechanisms—An Updated Review
Authors: Sevriev Borislav , Dimitrova Simeonka , Kehayova Gabriela , Dragomanova Stela
Published: August 2024

Trehalose is a naturally occurring disaccharide that has recently gained significant attention for its neuroprotective properties in various models of neurodegeneration. This review provides an overview of available experimental data on the beneficial properties of trehalose for central nervous system pathological conditions. Trehalose’s impact on neuronal cell survival and function was also examined. As a result, we identified that trehalose’s neuroprotection includes autophagy modulation as well as its capability to stabilize proteins and inhibit the formation of misfolded ones. Moreover, trehalose mitigates oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage by stabilizing cellular membranes and modulating mitochondrial function. Furthermore, trehalose attenuates excitotoxicity-induced neuroinflammation by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine release and inhibiting inflammasome activation. A possible connection of trehalose with the gut-brain axis was also examined. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic effects of trehalose in neurodegenerative diseases. According to the conclusions drawn from this study, trehalose is a promising neuroprotective agent as a result of its distinct mechanism of action, which makes this compound a candidate for further research and development of therapeutic strategies to combat neuronal damage and promote neuroprotection in various neurological diseases.
Interplay between mTORC1 and mTORC2 in Regulating cAMP Signaling and Cell Adhesion in Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Jaiswal Pundrik
Published: August 2024

The mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) regulates ribosome biogenesis and the transcription of ribosomal genes. Its inactivation impacts protein synthesis necessary for transport of cell adhesion molecule. In Dictyostelium discoideum, the activity of mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2 (mTORC2) is crucial for cAMP synthesis and relay, processes that depend on heterotrimeric G-proteins and Ras GTPases. Mutants lacking rip3 or lst-8 genes exhibit impaired adenyl cyclase activation and cAMP signaling, resulting in deficient expression of the cell adhesion protein CsaA. Despite this, rip3- cells, which have impaired mTORC2, upregulate Cad-1 expression, a cell adhesion protein regulated by Ras-GTPases, to compensate for the loss of CsaA. lst-8- cells, which have both mTORC1 and mTORC2 inactivated, show reduced nutrient sensing, premature CsaA expression and solitary cell behavior. These cells also show defective transport of adhesion proteins to the cell surface, impeding aggregation. Similar defects are observed with caffeine treatment, suggesting both mTORC1 and mTORC2 inhibition. This study highlights the interplay between mTORC1 and mTORC2 in regulating cell adhesion and aggregation through cAMP signaling and protein synthesis pathways in Dictyostelium.
Modelling Livestock Weights in a Marketplace Using Computer Vision Technologies
Authors: Herlihy Eamonn , Garvey John , O'Brien Fergal , Knapp Edward
Published: August 2024

Livestock marketplaces consist of infrastructure and rules through which information is exchanged and transactions are completed. Livestock trading incurs significant transaction costs, beyond just commission fees paid to marketplace owners (e.g., se-lecting, loading and transporting animals). In addition, animals being transported, held and transacted in a market setting increases the likelihood of injury or disease. The Covid-19 pandemic contributed to large-scale changes across typically physical marketplaces as stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions were invoked. Livestock marketplaces pivoted online rapidly, facilitated by the deployment of video feeds, al-lowing buyers to view/purchase animals via mobile phone. This shift offered the promise of mitigating many of the transaction costs associated with a fully physical marketplace. This study evaluated how computer vision (CV) approaches can con-tribute to the evolution of livestock marketplaces. It used livestock video data for 240 cattle (bulls) weighing 320-740 Kg from 16 different breeds to elicit additional trade-relevant data (livestock weight) and can be considered as an intermediary step to better understand how video data can be used to further digitalize livestock trade, price formation and transaction completion via technology solutions. The dataset comes from three sales held on different dates in a single mart location, which allows a consistent camera setup throughout. CV technologies were employed to solve the problem of cattle weight estimation and a distinctive achievement lies in curating a dataset cap-turing cattle in motion within the context of a cattle auction thereby injecting realism and complexity into the CV weight estimation task. Employing advanced object detection algorithms, the study created an intricate data pipeline to generate an appropriate modelling dataset and devised new multi-channel architectures for deeper analysis of diverse image inputs. The significance of sizable datasets and the challenge of man-aging inherent input variability for accurate CV regression is highlighted. Top-down view predictions demonstrate comparatively better performance, although failing to achieve benchmark precision. Challenges arise from camera angle variations, roaming behaviors, and breed diversity. Likewise, side-view predictions face challenges due to increased variability and lack of standardization. Despite this, these predictions offer insights into the value of incorporating Region of Interest (ROI) coordinates and data augmentation for enhanced performance. The study concludes with a multi-input ar-chitecture combining top-down and side-view predictions, demonstrating moderate success highlighting potential synergy between both perspectives. The central con-clusion resonates strongly – using standardized and multi-view images encompassing controlled movement and consistent poses could bolster accurate CV weight estima-tion.
Sustainability in Additive Manufacturing: Analyzing the Environmental Impact of Additive Manufacturing Processes
Authors: Egon Axel , Bell Chris , Shad Ralph
Published: August 2024

Sustainability in Additive Manufacturing (AM) is an emerging area of research that examines the environmental impacts and potential benefits of AM processes compared to traditional manufacturing methods. This paper analyzes the environmental footprint of additive manufacturing technologies, including material usage, energy consumption, and waste production. AM techniques, such as fused deposition modeling (FDM), stereolithography (SLA), and selective laser sintering (SLS), are evaluated for their efficiency and sustainability. Key factors such as resource utilization, lifecycle emissions, and recyclability are assessed to determine how AM can contribute to a more sustainable manufacturing paradigm. The study highlights that while AM offers advantages such as reduced material waste and the potential for localized production, it also poses challenges, including high energy consumption and limited material options. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving the environmental performance of AM, including advancements in material science, energy-efficient technologies, and the integration of circular economy principles. By addressing these aspects, AM can play a significant role in achieving sustainability goals in manufacturing.
Fostering Sustainable Growth through the Blue Economy: Balancing Prosperity and Marine Conservation
Authors: Ahmed Rashed
Published: August 2024

The Blue Economy represents a sustainable development model emphasizing the responsible use of ocean resources to foster economic growth while preserving marine ecosystems. This approach aims to balance economic prosperity with environmental conservation, recognizing the oceans' crucial role in supporting life on Earth. Key sectors within the Blue Economy include fisheries, tourism, renewable energy, maritime transportation, and aquaculture. As global populations rise and climate change impacts intensify, the Blue Economy is increasingly seen as essential for addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development. Responsible fisheries management, such as implementing fishing quotas and creating marine protected areas, is crucial to combat overfishing and ensure food security. Sustainable aquaculture practices further alleviate pressure on wild fish stocks. Marine tourism, or ecotourism, promotes responsible practices that benefit local communities and the marine environment. Activities like beach clean-ups, wildlife conservation, and responsible diving practices are integral to this sector, supporting local economies and conservation initiatives. The Blue Economy significantly impacts the global economy, with the potential to double its contribution to the world's GDP by 2030. Sustainable marine sectors create jobs, drive economic growth, and contribute to energy security by harnessing renewable ocean-based energy sources. Additionally, the Blue Economy fosters innovation and technological advancements, enhancing competitiveness across various industries. Despite its potential, the Blue Economy faces challenges like overfishing, pollution, and climate change, which threaten marine biodiversity and ecosystems. Addressing these issues requires international cooperation, effective governance, and public awareness to promote sustainable practices and protect marine resource.
Digital Twins and Additive Manufacturing: Exploring the Integration of Digital Twin Technology with Additive Manufacturing to Enhance Design, Simulation, and Production Processes
Authors: Egon Axel , Bell Chris , Shad Ralph
Published: August 2024

The convergence of digital twin technology with additive manufacturing (AM) represents a transformative advancement in the fields of design, simulation, and production. Digital twins—virtual replicas of physical assets—enable real-time monitoring, simulation, and optimization of manufacturing processes by mirroring their physical counterparts. When integrated with additive manufacturing, which allows for the creation of complex geometries and rapid prototyping, digital twins enhance the ability to design, test, and refine products with unprecedented precision and efficiency. This integration facilitates iterative design improvements, predictive maintenance, and real-time process adjustments, leading to more accurate simulations and optimized production workflows. By leveraging data from digital twins, manufacturers can anticipate issues, reduce material waste, and shorten development cycles. This abstract explores how the fusion of digital twin technology with AM not only refines traditional manufacturing paradigms but also paves the way for more innovative and adaptive manufacturing practices.
The Impact of TMB on Immunotherapy Protocols: A Comprehensive Analysis of Four Major Cancers
Authors: ANCA ZGURA , Stefania Chipuc , Bacalbasa Nicolae , Bogdan Haineala , SEBASTIAN VALCEA , Anghel Rodica Maricela
Published: August 2024

Background: Tumor mutational burden (TMB) is increasingly recognized as a vital biomarker for predicting the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer treatment. Despite its growing importance, the effectiveness of TMB as a predictive marker are well established in lung cancer and melanoma but remain ambiguous for breast and prostate cancers. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the role of TMB in predicting response to ICIs across four major cancer types—lung, melanoma, breast, and prostate—and to address the variability in TMB's predictive value in different cancers. Methods: A comprehensive review of the current literature was performed, analysing studies that investigated TMB and its association with ICI therapy outcomes in the specified cancer types. Results: The analysis reveals a strong consensus on the predictive value of TMB in lung cancer and melanoma, where high TMB levels are associated with improved clinical outcomes and better responses to ICIs. In contrast, the evidence for breast and prostate cancers is less conclusive, with variability in results highlighting the need for further research. Specifically, high TMB in these cancers does not consistently predict better responses to ICIs, suggesting that additional biomarkers or refined criteria might be necessary. Conclusion: TMB is a promising biomarker for predicting responses to ICI therapy, particularly in lung cancer and melanoma. However, its predictive value in breast and prostate cancers remains uncertain, underscoring the need for more extensive studies. Future research should focus on standardizing TMB evaluation methods and exploring additional biomarkers to improve treatment personalization and outcomes in these cancer types.
Advanced Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Solar Cells: Enhancing Efficiency and Stability
Authors: Bell Chris , Olukemi Ayoolu , Gracias Abram
Published: August 2024

Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells represent a significant advancement in photovoltaic technology, aiming to overcome the efficiency limitations of traditional silicon-based solar cells. This paper explores recent developments in the fabrication and optimization of these tandem cells, focusing on improving both efficiency and long-term stability. The combination of perovskite materials with silicon allows for broader spectrum absorption, which enhances the overall power conversion efficiency. Key strategies include optimizing the perovskite layer's composition, improving the interface between layers to reduce recombination losses, and incorporating advanced encapsulation techniques to mitigate degradation from environmental factors such as moisture and UV exposure. The review also highlights the challenges faced in scaling up production while maintaining high performance and stability. Emerging trends in material engineering and device architecture are discussed, providing insights into future directions for making perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells a viable commercial technology. This study underscores the potential of these hybrid systems to significantly boost the efficiency of photovoltaic systems, offering a promising pathway towards more sustainable and costeffective solar energy solutions.
Community voices regarding coal mining human health impact in Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Nelwamondo Thabelo , Tshitangano Takalani G. Grace
Published: August 2024

Abstract: Coal production in mining areas frequently results in a host of negative effects that spread to the neighboring populations, affecting their general well-being and health. This qualitative investigation, which sought to understand how communities living close to coal mines evaluated the effects of mining on their health and well-being, was motivated by the dearth of literature in the province of Limpopo. Eighty-one people in three villages close to the mine provided us with data. Results show that locals' opinions of the social, psychological, and bodily effects of coal mining are worrisome. There were themes that showed how several factors, such as noise pollution, land degradation, and pollution of the air and water, negatively affect physical well-being. Stress, anxiety, and terror were common as a result of safety worries and uncertain livelihoods that harmed mental health. Social wellbeing suffered as a result of the mining industry's negative effects on social cohesiveness, economic inequality, and stigma. Participants also noted that important environmental issues impacting community health and well-being include socioeconomic disparities, air and water pollution, occupational health and safety concerns, and social and cultural disturbances. This study emphasizes how urgently extensive research is needed to validate and