bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DEVELOPING PUBLIC SPEAKING AND JOB INTERVIEW SKILLS FOR HOSPITALITY STUDENTS
Authors: Choirisa Septi Fahmi , Situmorang Ringkar , Alexandra Yoanita , Primadini Intan
Published: November 2024

The main issues this article tries to address are vocational students' self-development skills. As a part of the tourism and hospitality industry, vocational schools and university students and lecturers are working on how the next generations contribute to supporting the government's aim to have sustainable business growth. Many vocational schools cover hard skills with low attention to students’ soft skills development. There is a massive gap between their self-preparations and their capabilities in technical management. This reality makes students less motivated and confident to compete in the workforce. This method employed pre-evaluations, workshops, a coaching clinic, and post-event evaluation to ensure the fulfilment of students’ needs. From the first to the second quarter of 2022, this program was made to develop students at Public Vocational School 7 Tangerang, Indonesia. With a total of 110 students with teachers involved, the workshop fulfilled students’ needs in the pre-evaluation questionnaire. Most of the students were satisfied and rated that this workshop supported their preparation before join to the hotel industry. This article contributes to hotel vocational school literature, especially in soft skill development. Moreover, issues addressed in this article can be an insight for vocational school management.
PENDAMPINGAN CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT UMKM BATIK DI KABUPATEN JOMBANG GUNA MENCAPAI KEUNGGULAN BERSAING BERKELANJUTAN
Authors: Wibowo Nugroho Mardi , Widiastuti Yuyun , Saibudin Siti Ulandari
Published: November 2024

The partner in this community service activity is UD Batik Tulis New Colet located in Jatipelem Village, Diwek District, Jombang Regency, East Java. The main problems faced by the partner: First, the decline in sales turnover. Second, customer loyalty has decreased, this is indicated by some customers no longer making batik purchase transactions to partners. The purpose of this community service: First increase the turnover of partners who have decreased. The second is to restore and increase customer loyalty that had experienced a decline in loyalty by marking that several market regions had not made purchase transactions to the partner. The method of implementing this community service program uses CRM assistance, stimulation, brainstorming and discussion, as well as monitoring & evaluation. The results of this service program: First, sales turnover increased by 52.57%. Second, the increase in customer loyalty is characterized by the addition of a market that actively transacts purchases, namely returning two old market regions to active customers transacting repurchase transactions and the addition of one new market region that actively transacts purchases. This community service activity impacts the economic empowerment of partners by improving marketing performance and competitive advantage of the partner on an ongoing basis.abtract in bahasaMitra dalam kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini adalah UD Batik Tulis New berlokasi di Desa Jatipelem Kecamatan Diwek Kabupaten Jombang, Jawa Timur. Permasalahan utama yang dihadapi oleh mitra: Pertama, menurunnya omzet penjualan. Kedua, loyalitas pelanggan mengalami penurunan, hal ini ditandai dengan beberapa pelanggan sudah tidak lagi melakukan transaksi pembelian batik ke mitra. Tujuan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini: Pertama meningkatkan omset mitra yang mengalami penurunan. Kedua mengembalikan dan meningkatkan loyalitas pelanggan yang sempat mengalami penurunan loyalitas dengan ditandainya beberapa wilayah pasar sudah tidak melakukan transaksi pembelian ke UD Batik Tulis New Colet. Metode pelaksanaan program pengabdian masyarakat ini menggunakan pendampingan customer relationship management (CRM), sumulasi, brainstorming dan diskusi, serta monitoring & evaluasi. Hasil dari program pengabdian ini:  Pertama meningkatnya omzet penjualan sebesar 52,57%. Kedua, adanya peningkatan loyalitas pelanggan ditandai dengan penambahan pasar yang aktif bertransaksi pembelian yaitu mengembalikan dua wilayah pasar lama menjadi pelanggan aktif bertransaksi pembelian Kembali dan penambahan satu wilayah pasar baru yang aktif bertransaksi pembelian. Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini memiliki dampak terhadap keberdayaan mitra secara ekonomi berupa peningkatan kinerja pemasaran dan keunggulan bersaing UD Batik Tulis New Colet secara berkelanjutan.
PPM PENGEMBANGAN WISATA DESA DI DESA SUMBERMULYO KECAMATAN JOGOROTO KABUPATEN JOMBANG
Authors: Dwiningwarni Sayekti Suindyah , Chamariyah Chamariyah , Endah M Yurila , Ningsih Sumita Widiyah , Nur Fauziyah Ananda Istiqomah , Dwi Andari Syamsiyah Yuli
Published: November 2024

Sumber Mulyo is a village located in Jogoroto Jombang District. Sumber Mulyo Village has potential in the field of village tourism because this village is location in an area that has a history of "PECEL" culinary tourism in Jombang Regency since the 1980s. The village tourism potential in this village has not been manage properly. The Community Service Program partner is BUMDes "Murni Jaya", which manages various business units, one of which is the fishing pond  business unit. During the Covid-19 pandemic, this tour was in great demand by the people in the village, even people other the village.The objectives of this program are first, to improve the managerial capabilities of Partners in managing village tourism business units; second, to improve Partners' abilities and skills in keeping financial records. The methods used are training, mentoring, and monitoring. The results of this community service program include: first, Partners have a village tourism business plan; both Partners increased their ability to plan village tourism development; third, Partners increase their ability and skills in preparing financial reports.abstract in bahasaSumber Mulyo merupakan sebuah desa yang berada di Kecamatan Jogoroto Jombang. Desa Sumber Mulyo memiliki potensi di bidang wisata desa, karena desa ini terletak di daerah yang memiliki sejarah wisata kuliner”PECEL” di Kabupaten Jombang sejak tahun 1980 an. Potensi wisata desa yang terdapat di desa ini belum terkelola dengan baik. Mitra Program Pengabdian Masyarakat ini adalah BUMDes “Murni Jaya”, yang mengelola berbagai unit usaha, salah satunya adalah unit usaha wisata kolam pancing. Selama masa pandemi Covid-19, wisata ini sangat diminati oleh masyarakat di desa tersebut, bahkan masyarakat di luar desa tersebut.Tujuan program ini adalah pertama, untuk meningkatkan kemampuan managerial Mitra dalam mengelola unit usaha wisata desa; kedua, meningkatkan kemampuan dan ketrampilan Mitra dalam melakukan pencatatan keuangan. Metode yang digunakan adalah pelatihan, pendampingan dan monitoring. Hasil program pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini antara lain: pertama, Mitra memiliki perencanaan usaha wisata desa; kedua Mitra meningkat kemampuannya dalam membuat perencanaan pengembangan wisata desa; ketiga, Mitra meningkat kemampuan dan ketrampilannya dalam menyusun laporan keuangan.
PELATIHAN PEMBUATAN KUE BERBAHAN DASAR SINGKONG DAN PISANG DI RUMAH PINTAR BSD
Authors: Indra Febryola , Sinaga Angellita Midian , Fidelia Eryka , Natalia Friska Rotua , P. M. Nathan Jouari , Victor Varrell Isadora
Published: November 2024

Food is all materials that are processed to be eaten except for drinks and medicines. By seeing an increase in food staples, many people experience difficulties, so a solution to this problem is needed. Banana is a seedless fruit that can grow easily in tropical countries like Indonesia. Bananas have a lot of nutritional content such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamins B, B6 and also vitamin C and can be used as a substitute for staple foods as well as cassava. Cassava is the tuber of the cassava plant which is located on a root that contains carbohydrates. In this PKM, the writing team uses bananas and cassava as the main ingredients for processed foods that will be studied by the participants, namely Cassava Cake and Banoffee.abstract in bahasaMakanan merupakan semua bahan yang diolah untuk dimakan kecuali minuman dan obat-obatan. Dengan melihat adanya kenaikan bahan pokok makanan membuat banyak masyarakat kesulitan sehingga dibutuhkannya solusi permasalahan tersebut. Pisang merupakan buah tanpa biji yang dapat tumbuh dengan mudah di negara beriklim tropis seperti Indonesia. Pisang memiliki banyak kandungan gizi seperti kalsium, kalium, magnesium, vitamin B, B6 dan juga vitamin C dan dapat digunakan sebagai bahan pengganti makanan pokok begitu juga singkong. Singkong merupakan umbi dari tanaman singkong yang terletak pada akar yang memiliki kandungan karbohidrat. Pada PKM ini tim penulis menggunakan pisang dan juga singkong sebagai bahan utama olahan makanan yang akan dipelajari oleh peserta yaitu Cassava Cake dan Banoffee.
PELATIHAN TIM PELACAK DAN KADER PEMANTAU DETEKTIF COVID-19 (DITEKSI AKTIF CORONA VIRUS DISEASE) DI DESA MARGAMUKTI, SUMEDANG
Authors: Ridwan Heri , Aisyah Iis , Astuti Ayu Prameswari Kusuma , Latifah Siti Lika
Published: November 2024

Covid-19 terus mengalami mutasi dan menghasilkan varian-varian baru, termasuk BF.7 dan XBB.1.5, yang merupakan subvarian dari Omicron. Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia (WHO) telah mengidentifikasi varian XBB 1.5 sebagai yang paling menular. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan kontribusi dari anggota kader kesehatan untuk membantu dalam pemantauan dan deteksi awal individu yang dicurigai terinfeksi virus Covid-19. Kader kesehatan masyarakat adalah individu yang dipilih oleh masyarakat dan dilatih untuk menangani berbagai masalah kesehatan, baik pada tingkat individu maupun masyarakat, serta bekerja dekat dengan fasilitas pelayanan kesehatan. Tujuan dari program pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini adalah untuk menciptakan kader kesehatan yang memiliki peran sebagai detektif aktif Covid-19. Metode yang telah digunakan yaitu melalui pendidikan, pelatihan, diskusi, dan penilaian terkait dengan deteksi aktif Covid-19 bagi anggota kader. Hasil dari program ini adalah telah terbentuknya 18 kader detektif yang mampu melacak dan memonitor individu yang dicurigai terinfeksi Covid-19 di desa Margamukti. Rencana tindak lanjut kedepannya, tim Program Kesehatan Masyarakat (PkM) akan bekerjasama dengan pemerintahan desa-desa lain yang berada di wilayah kerja Puskesmas yang sama untuk menyelenggarakan pelatihan yang serupa kepada para kader kesehatan. Ini merupakan upaya kolaboratif dan partisipatif dalam meningkatkan kualifikasi para kader untuk kepentingan kesehatan masyarakat.
PENGEMBANGAN APLIKASI WEB PEMETAAN KOMODITAS HASIL TANI PADA BALAI PENYULUH PERTANIAN SELAAWI
Authors: Suryatiningsih Suryatiningsih , Muhamad Wardani , Budiwati Sari Dewi , Mayadewi Paramitha , Kusuma Guntur Prabawa , Hidayat Wahyu
Published: November 2024

Penyuluhan pertanian sebagai sebuah sistem pendidikan non-formal melibatkan 3 (tiga) entitas utama, yaitu: penyuluh, petani, dan Badan Penyuluh Pertanian (BPP) sebagai organisasi yang menaungi penyuluh pertanian. Efektivitas program kegiatan penyuluhan pertanian diyakini mampu mewujudkan keberhasilan dan keberlanjutan pembangunan pertanian. Berbagai metode komunikasi dan pemanfaatan TIK dapat digunakan untuk meningkatkan efektivitas kegiatan penyuluhan pertanian. Pada kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat yang dilaksanakan di BPP Selaawi, Program Studi D3 Sistem Informasi Universitas Telkom membuat solusi berupa sebuah aplikasi web sebagai media untuk menyebarluaskan program kerja BPP sekaligus menjadi pusat pengetahuan bagi penyuluh dan petani. Solusi ini mampu memenuhi tujuan BPP, yaitu program kerja penyuluhan. Selain itu, aplikasi web yang dibangun juga menjadi media elektronik untuk memperkenalkan dan memetakan komoditas hasil tani di wilayah kerja BPP Seelawi. Aplikasi web yang dihasilkan telah disosialisasikan kepada 20 penyuluh yang hadir sebagai peserta pada pelaksanaan kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat. Lebih dari 90% peserta menyatakan bahwa fitur yang disediakan pada aplikasi web sudah sesuai dengan kebutuhan penyuluh pertanian dan BPP serta bermanfaat bagi penyuluh, petani, dan masyarakat umum.
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Hypersensitive Pneumonitis: A Fresh View on The Role of Genetic and Epigenetic Factors in The Development and Course of Diseases
Authors: Arkhangelskaya E. E. , Lyamina S. V. , Kozhevnikova E. O. , Kozlova I. V. , Shapovalova T. G. , Yurenev G. L.
Published: November 2024

Given their ubiquitous progressive nature and unfavorable prognosis, interstitial lung diseases (ILD), especially such common variants as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), rightly attract considerable attention from clinicians and scientists worldwide. In recent years, the need for an in-depth study of the clinical and pathogenetic features of ILD, improvement of existing approaches and development of effective personalized approaches to the management of this category of patients, based on the most promising targets of action, among which genetic and epigenetic variants are increasingly being considered, has become increasingly important. The authors conducted a non-systematic, descriptive review of the literature aimed at systematizing data on the main known genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis and formation of specific clinical manifestations of IPF and HP. Mutations in genes encoding telomerase, synthesis of fibrogenesis factors, polymorphisms of mucin genes, lung surfactant are highlighted separately, and the main epigenetic changes involved in fibrogenesis processes are highlighted separately. Prospects of genetic and epigenetic studies for new pharmacological approaches and monitoring the effect of already available treatment methods are analyzed. The search for literature sources was conducted in the Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Global Health, CyberLeninka, and RSCI databases by the keywords “interstitial lung diseases”, “idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis”, “hypersensitivity pneumonitis”, “familial pulmonary fibrosis”, “genetic”, “epigenetic”, “precision diagnostics”, “therapy” with a search depth of 20 years.
Achievement of Control of Severe Bronchial Asthma When Using Dupilumab
Authors: Kazmerchuk O. V. , Sobko E. A. , Demko I. V.
Published: November 2024

The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility of achieving control of severe bronchial asthma (BA) using genetically engineered biological therapy with Dupilumab.

   Materials and methods. The study included 32 patients with severe bronchial asthma (8 (25 %) men, mean age 58 [28; 65]) years, 24 (75 %) women, mean age 50 [26; 62] years) who received additional therapy with Dupilumab for 12 months. The endpoint of the study was 12 months of therapy with Dupilumab. The allergic phenotype of the disease was recorded in 19 (60 %) patients, a quarter of patients had non-allergic phenotype, and 5 (15 %) patients had mixed BA.

   Results. Before the introduction of genetically engineered biological therapy, patients had an extremely high daily need for emergency medications — about 9 times a day, 4 or more exacerbations were recorded during the previous 12 months before inclusion in the study. After 12 months of additional therapy with Dupilumab, a significant reduction in symptoms was noted — 22 (70 %) patients did not have asthma attacks at all. In 6 patients (19 %), 1 exacerbation of bronchial asthma developed during the next 12 months, which the patients coped with independently using nebulizer therapy at home. Before the start of genetically engineered biological therapy, 10 people (31 %) received systemic glucocorticosteroids (OCS) at a dose of 10 to 5 mg of prednisolone. After 4 months, 22 (70 %) patients receiving hormonal drugs managed to stop them. After 12 months, no patients took OCS.

   Conclusion. During 12 months of additional therapy with Dupilumab, patients managed to completely stop taking OCS. Exacerbations requiring hospitalization were absent in all patients included in the study. Complete control was achieved by 22 (69 %) subjects, partial control was achieved by 10 (31 %). There was no need for short-acting beta-agonists (SABA) in 27 (85 %) subjects.
Equine-assisted learning reduces anxiety and increases calmness and social skills in young people
Authors: Sullivan Kezia , Hemingway Ann
Published: November 2024

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, referrals to equine-assisted services (EAS) have increased, with a majority of referrals focusing on social, mental, and emotional health, and anxiety frequently included as a referral reason. Early intervention could help prevent ongoing health concerns from untreated anxiety disorders; this quantitative before and after measures study evaluates an equine-assisted learning program involved in developing positive social and coping skills in participants with anxiety. Participants with anxiety aged between 8 and 18 were referred to the program (n = 166), and referrers rated their skills on eight attributes at referral and at a 2-month follow-up after the program, which consisted of 5 × 2 h sessions of learning natural horsemanship groundwork. Significant improvements across all eight attributes at post-test, as well as the total score for all attributes combined (p < 0.001), were observed. The eight attributes were assertiveness, focus, responsibility, empathy, calmness, planning, communication, and engagement in learning. There was a significant interaction between Time and Age for Planning and Empathy attributes, suggesting that early adolescence (ages 11–14) is a key period for providing early interventions for skill development, which may help reduce anxiety in other contexts.
Yield Stability of Drought Tolerant Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Genotypes in Southern and Western Parts of Ethiopia
Authors: Gebre Wedajo , Mekbib Firew , Tirfessa Alemu , Bekele Agdew
Published: November 2024

A multi-environment evaluation of sorghum genotypes was conducted across six environments in the 2021 main growing season in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The objectives of the study were to estimate the magnitude of genotypes by environment interaction (GEI) and grain yield stability of drought-tolerant sorghum genotypes across different environments. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI), and GGE biplot analysis. Combined analysis of variance revealed significant variations among genotypes, environments, and GEI for yield and yield-related traits, indicating that these factors significantly affected grain yield. The maximum mean grain yield value of genotypes due to the mean effect of the environment was obtained from G1 (5119.93kg ha-1), followed by G14 (4834.57 kg ha-1), and G18 (4801.20 ha-1), while the least mean grain yield was obtained from G3 (3314.50 kg ha-1). The multiplicative variance of the treatment sum of squares due to GEI was partitioned into four principal component axes (PCA). Sum squares of the first and second interaction principal component axis (IPCA) explained 71.07% and 17.50% of the GEI variation, respectively. The IPCA1&2 mean squares were highly significant (P≤0.01), indicating the adequacy of the AMMI model with the first two IPCAs for cross-validation of grain yield variation. The magnitude of the GEI sum squares was 3.9 times that of the genotype sum squares for grain yield, indicating the presence of substantial differences in genotypic responses across environments. The results of cultivar superiority measure (Pi), yield stability index (YSI), AMMI stability value (ASV), regression coefficient (bi), and deviation from regression (S2di) depicted that genotypes G18, G22, G31, and 32 were the most stable genotypes for grain yield and biomass yield, respectively. AMMI2 biplot showed Jinka, Alduba, and Kako were the most discriminating environments as indicated by the long distance from the origin; whereas testing locations Meioso and Gato with short vector length indicated that these locations had less discriminating power on the genotypes' performance. The study has provided precious information on the yield stability status of the sorghum genotypes and the best environments for future improvement programs in Ethiopia.
A Note on Large Prime Gaps
Authors: Vega Frank
Published: November 2024

A prime gap is the difference between consecutive prime numbers. The $n^{\text{th}}$ prime gap, denoted $g_{n}$, is calculated by subtracting the $n^{\text{th}}$ prime from the $(n+1)^{\text{th}}$ prime: $g_{n}=p_{n+1}-p_{n}$. Cram{\'e}r's conjecture is a prominent unsolved problem in pure mathematics concerning prime gaps. The conjecture says that prime gaps are asymptotically bounded by $\mathrm{O}(\log^2 p_n)$. This paper provides evidence that Cram{\'e}r's conjecture is incorrect by applying the square root function to inequalities related to prime numbers.
Multi-Class Classification of Breast Cancer Gene Expression Using PCA and XGBoost
Authors: Wu Ximei , Liu Xueying , Yin JunHao
Published: November 2024

The volatility of global energy markets, particularly electricity prices, plays a crucial role in influencing international economic activities. In the era of big data, machine learning has revolutionized the field of cancer research, particularly in analyzing gene expression data. This study explores the application of machine learning models to the GSE45827 dataset, which contains breast cancer gene expression profiles. With over 54,000 genes and 151 samples categorized into six classes, the dataset presents a high-dimensional challenge that is addressed using dimensionality reduction techniques such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE). The PCA method proved most effective in retaining the critical features of the data in lower dimensions, allowing for clearer visualization and enhanced model performance.The reduced dataset was then classified using the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model, achieving promising multi-class classification results. The model demonstrated high precision, recall, and F1-scores across several classes, particularly excelling in classes 1, 2, and 5. However, certain classes, such as 0 and 4, exhibited lower recall, highlighting areas for further refinement. The integration of PCA and XGBoost not only improved the interpretability and computational efficiency of the model but also contributed to the accurate identification of breast cancer subtypes, emphasizing the importance of machine learning in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Energy Transformation in Gravitational Fields: A New Perspective on Four-Velocity
Authors: Liu XiaoLing
Published: November 2024

Incorporating the effective speed of light, rather than the conventional constant c, to the four-velocity vector leads to a more physically meaningful expression for the momentum and energy of stationary objects in Schwarzschild spacetime. It indicates that free-falling objects do not gain any energy in the gravitational field; instead, they experience a conversion of rest energy into kinetic energy within the specific spacetime structure. This novel approach enables us to derive a comprehensive formulation of gravitational effects within the Schwarzschild geometry.
New Torsional Surface Elastic Waves in Cylindrical Metamaterial Waveguides for Sensing Applications
Authors: Kielczynski Piotr
Published: November 2024

In this paper we demonstrate that torsional surface elastic waves can propagate along the curved surface of a metamaterial elastic rod (cylinder) embedded in a conventional elastic medium. The crucial parameter of the metamaterial rod is its elastic compliance which varies as a function of frequency analogously to the dielectric function in Drude's model of metals. In fact, the proposed torsional elastic surface waves can be considered as an elastic analogue of Surface Plasmon Polariton (SPP) electromagnetic (optical) waves propagating along a metallic rod (cylinder) embedded in a dielectric medium. Consequently, we developed the corresponding analytical equations, for the dispersion relation and group velocity of the new torsional elastic surface wave. The newly discovered torsional elastic surface waves exhibit virtually all extraordinary properties of their electromagnetic SPP counterparts, such as: strong subwavelength concentration of the wave energy in the vicinity of the cylindrical surface ) of the guiding rod, very low phase and group velocities, etc. Therefore, the new torsional elastic surface waves can be used in: a) near-field subwavelength acoustic imaging (superresolution), b) amplification of the evanescent waves c) acoustic wave trapping (zero group and phase velocity). Importantly, the newly discovered torsional elastic surface waves can form a basis for the development of a new generation of ultrasonic sensors (e.g., viscosity sensors), biosensors and chemosensors with a very high mass sensitivity.
Giant Aerosol Observations with Cloud Radar: Methodology and Effects
Authors: Gumà-Claramunt Pilar , Madonna Fabio , Amodeo Aldo , Bauer-Pfundstein Matthias , Papagiannopoulos Nikolaos , Rosoldi Marco , Pappalardo Gelsomina
Published: November 2024

In this study, an innovative methodology for the identification of giant aerosols using cloud radar is introduced. The methodology makes use of several insects studies and is applied to a 6-year long cloud radar dataset in Potenza, South Italy. 40 giant aerosol events per year were found and are in good agreement with the site’s climatological record. A sensitivity study on the effects of the giant aerosols on three atmospheric variables and under different atmospheric stability conditions showed that the presence of giant aerosols: a) increased the Aerosol Optical Depth in all the atmospheric stability conditions, b) decreased the Ångström exponent for the highest and lowest stability conditions and had the opposite effect for the intermediate stability condition, and c) increased the accumulated precipitation in all the atmospheric conditions, specially in the most unstable ones.
Empirical Evidence for Policy Formulations and Implications for IP Commercialisation from Knowledge Economy Perspectives
Authors: Dickmadugoda Sajini , Perera Rasitha Thilini Suranjana , Munagamage Thilini , Piyumali Denisha , Maduwanthi Ralapanage Koshila , Shahmy Seyed
Published: November 2024

Intellectual property (IP) rights protection is crucial for promoting innovation and economic growth. Stronger IP protection is associated with higher economic growth across measures of openness and alternative model specifications. Legal provisions for IP rights are challenging in the knowledge economy. In Sri Lanka, there is no fully committed national policy for IP, but the back-and-forth foundational elements are touched. Furthermore, the GDP growth rate of countries investing substantially in research and development shows a direct correlation with patent filing, whereas some studies show that IP policies increase patent output but do not necessarily encourage patent commercialisation. It urges the requirement for a comprehensive IP framework. Hence, this study aims to discuss the role of empirical evidence in IP policy formulation and its implications for enhancing economic growth in Sri Lanka, which further facilitates comprehension of policymakers in fostering innovation, creativity, and economic growth in the knowledge economy.
The Mechanism behind Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Aiding Growth and Development and Inhibiting Root Rot in Lycium barbaru
Authors: Yang Mu , Lan Tian , Ji Shenglian , Xiao Zifei , Duan Guozhen , Wang Zhanlin
Published: November 2024

To investigate the potential role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the resistance of Lycium barbarum to disease stress, two types of AMF, Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizophagus intraradices, were selected as materials. Lycium barbarum was inoculated with AMF and pathogenic bacteria in potting soil under controlled conditions, and we analyzed the antioxidant capacity of the fungi against root rot and changes in disease-process-related protein activities. In addition, we performed transcriptome analysis to explore the physiological and molecular changes in AMF in the prevention and control of root rot in L. barbarum ‘Ningqi No.1’ cultivar. The results show that AMF can promote the growth and development of L. barbarum plants while also increasing antioxidant enzyme and disease-resistant protease activity. The ‘Ningqi No.1’–AMF symbiont triggered several key biological pathways, including the peroxisomal signaling pathway, after F. oxysporum infestation. In conclusion, AMF can prevent root rot in L. barbarum, providing valuable evidence that AMF symbiotically improves the ability of L. barbarum to resist root rot through its molecular mechanism.
Influence of Periodically Varying Slit Widths on Sound Absorption by a Slit Pore Medium
Authors: Attenborough Keith
Published: November 2024

A simple pore microstructure of parallel, identical, inclined smooth walled slits in a rigid solid, for which prediction of its geometrical and acoustic properties is straightforward, can yield useful sound absorption. This microstructure should be relatively amenable to 3D printing. Discrepancies between measurements and predictions of normal incidence sound absorption spectra of 3D printed vertical and slanted slit pore samples have been attributed to the rough surfaces of the slit walls and uneven slit cross sections perpendicular to the printing direction. Theories for the influence of (a) sinusoidal walls and (b) periodically varying uniform slit widths on the normal incidence absorption spectra of a slit pore medium are outlined. Although the slit wall surface and geometrical imperfections due to 3D printing differ from these idealizations, predictions assuming the ideal forms of roughness confirm that pore wall roughness could account for differences between predictions and data. Pore wall roughness is predicted to increase both flow resistivity and tortuosity thereby increasing the low frequency sound absorption of thin hard-backed layers. The extent to which sinusoidal slit walls or periodically varying uniform slit widths could improve sound absorption is explored.
Developing AI-Based Systems for Detecting and Preventing Fraud in Nuclear Medicine Supply Chains
Authors: Cit Abi , John Ada , Elly Abilly
Published: November 2024

The integrity of nuclear medicine supply chains is critical to ensuring the availability of lifesaving diagnostic and therapeutic tools. However, these supply chains are increasingly vulnerable to fraud, including counterfeit pharmaceuticals, unauthorized distribution, and financial mismanagement. This study explores the development of AI-based systems for fraud detection and prevention within nuclear medicine supply chains. Leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms, natural language processing, and anomaly detection models, the proposed framework integrates real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and blockchain-based traceability to enhance transparency and security. By incorporating domain-specific datasets and explainable AI techniques, the system aims to identify fraud patterns, mitigate risks, and facilitate compliance with regulatory standards. This research underscores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in safeguarding the complex and sensitive supply chains of nuclear medicine.
Enhanced Magneto-optical Kerr Effects by Micron Array Thin Films with Organic-Inorganic Interface
Authors: Luo Hao , Wang Ziqi , He Yufei , Song Yujun
Published: November 2024

The modulation of the magneto-optic signal is a crucial research focus in the field of magneto-optics. Micron array of varying shapes were fabricated using the UV exposure technique, and test their effects on the magneto-optical Kerr response of CoFeB thin films. The influence of the organic-inorganic interface on the magneto-optical Kerr effect was investigated by utilizing organic materials to fabricate arrays. The results indicate that the micron-scale metal array exhibits a limited enhancement of the magneto-optical Kerr signal, but it can change the ferromagnetic strength and the magnetization speed of the magnetic layer. Because the electron orbit coupling at the organic inorganic interface enhances the performance of the magnetic film. When the photoresist is used as the array material, the longitudinal magneto-optical Kerr signal of the CoFeB film increases by at least 2 times. The enhancement effect of different shapes of arrays is different because of the different contact area with CoFeB.
Ventinel: Automated Detection of Android Vishing Apps Using Optical Character Recognition
Authors: Kim Deagyeom , O Sehwan , Ban Younghoon , Park Jungsoo , Joo Kyungho , Cho Haehyun
Published: November 2024

Vishing, a blend of "voice" and "phishing", has evolved to include techniques like Call Redirection and Display Overlay Attacks, causing significant financial losses.
Existing research has largely focused on user behavior and awareness, leaving gaps in addressing attacks originating from vishing applications.
In this work, we present Ventinel, an Android-based defense system designed to detect these attacks without requiring OS modifications.
Ventinel employs Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to compare phone numbers during calls, effectively preventing Call Redirection and Display Overlay Attacks.
Additionally, it safeguards against Duplicated Contacts Attacks by cross-referencing call logs and SMS records.
Ventinel achieves 100\% detection accuracy, surpassing commercial applications, and operates with minimal data collection to ensure user privacy.
We also describe malicious API behavior and demonstrate that the same behavior is possible for API levels 29 and higher.
Furthermore, we analyze the limitations of existing solutions and propose new attack and defense strategies.
Analysis of Multifractal Cross-Correlation Characteristics and Information Flow of Typical Stock Prices in the U.S. Industry Sectors
Authors: Wenjuan Zhou , Huang Jingjing , Maofa Wang
Published: November 2024

This paper investigates multifractal cross-correlations and information flow among daily closing prices of stock-typical U.S. industry sectors, combining multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MFDCCA), transfer entropy (TE), and complex network methods. Firstly, the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) method estimates the dominant frequency. Then, the DCCA coefficient is computed, revealing that JPM exhibits nonlinear cross-correlations with all seven other stocks. Secondly, a more detailed examination using MFDCCA elucidates fractal characteristics. The experimental results reveal long-range and multiple fractal characteristics in the cross-correlations between JPM and the remaining seven stocks. Notably, the strongest multifractal cross-correlation is observed between JPM and XOM, while the weakest is between JPM and SPG. Thirdly, transfer entropy is calculated for each pair of the eight stocks to research the direction of information flow. The analysis reveals bidirectional information transfers, which are notable for the high information transfer from PG to XOM, as indicated by the transfer entropy matrix. Finally, utilizing a complex network approach to visualize the transfer entropy results, it is evident that AAPL possesses the most significant information outflow, while XOM exhibits the most substantial information inflow. These findings present critical insights beneficial for portfolio decision-making in the stock markets.
In Vitro Toxicity of a DEHP and Cadmium Mixture on Sheep Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes
Authors: Mastrorocco Antonella , Temerario Letizia , Vurchio Valeria , Cotecchia Susanna , Martino Nicola Antonio , Dell’Aquila Maria Elena
Published: November 2024

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and Cadmium (Cd) are known to affect female reproduction. To date, most of toxicological research focused on the effects of individual contaminants whereas humans and animals are actually exposed to mixtures. This study analyzed the effects of a DEHP/Cd mixture on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of sheep cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) compared with single compounds. COCs recovered from slaughterhouses-derived sheep ovaries were exposed to 0.5μM DEHP, 0.1μM Cd or DEHP/Cd mixture at same concentrations during 24h in vitro maturation (IVM). Control COCs were cultured in DEHP-vehicle supplemented medium. After IVM, oocyte nuclear chromatin configuration was evaluated, and bioenergetic/oxidative parameters were assessed on expanded cumulus cells (CCs) and matured oocytes. No effects were noticed on oocyte nuclear maturation at any tested condition. However, either the mixture or individual compounds affected oocyte bioenergetics as they significantly reduced the percentages of matured oocytes with healthy perinuclear/subplasmalemmal mitochondrial distribution pattern and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular ROS levels and mitochondria/ROS co-localization compared to controls (Chi-square test and one-way ANOVA; p<0.05). Moreover, the mixture increased CC ROS levels. In conclusion, oocytes suffered the same damage when exposed to the mixture or separate compounds whereas CCs displayed oxidative stress only upon mixture exposure.
Alterations in Blood‒brain Barrier (BBB) Integrity Related to Proinflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Gryka-Marton Małgorzata , Grabowska Anna D. , Szukiewicz Dariusz
Published: November 2024

The BBB is created by a special system of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), pericytes (PCs), the capillary basement membrane and the terminal branches (“end-feet”) of astrocytes. The key function of the BBB is to protect the central nervous system (CNS) from potentially harmful/toxic substances in the bloodstream by selectively controlling the entry of cells and molecules, including nutrients and components of the immune system. The loss of BBB integrity in response to neuroinflammation, as manifested by an increase in permeability (leakage), occurs with the dominant participation of proinflammatory cytokines. However, the pathomechanism of structural and functional changes in the BBB under the influence of individual cytokines is still poorly understood. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on this topic, which is important from both pathophysiological and clinical–therapeutic points of view. The structures and functions of all components of the BBB are discussed, with particular attention given to the phenotypic differences between BMECs and the vascular endothelium in other locations of the circulatory system. The protein composition of the interendothelial tight junctions in the context of regulating BBB permeability is presented, as is the role of pericyte–BMEC interactions in the exchange of metabolites, ions and nucleic acids. Finally, the documented actions of proinflammatory cytokines within the BBB are summarized.
A novel Anti-Mouse CCR7 Monoclonal Antibody, C7Mab-7, Demonstrates High Sensitivity in Flow Cytometry, Western Blot, and Immunohistochemistry
Authors: Satofuka Hiroyuki , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Tanaka Tomohiro , Ubukata Rena , Hirose Miu , Yamamoto Haruto , Kaneko Yu , Fujisawa Shiori , Li Guanjie , Kaneko Mika K , Kato Yukinari
Published: November 2024

C-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7) is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor family and functions as a lymph node-homing receptor for immune cells. Upon ligand binding, CCR7 promotes the migration of immune cells to secondary lymphoid organs. In cancers, CCR7 has been revealed as a critical molecule in lymph node metastasis. Consequently, anti-CCR7 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been developed as cancer therapeutic agents. In this study, we established an anti-mouse CCR7 (mCCR7) mAb, C7Mab-7 (rat IgG1, kappa) using the Cell-Based Immunization and Screening (CBIS) method. C7Mab-7 demonstrated high sensitivity in flow cytometry. The dissociation constant (KD) value of C7Mab-7 was determined to be 2.0 × 10⁻⁹ M for mCCR7-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary-K1 (CHO/mCCR7) cells. Furthermore, C7Mab-7 detected mCCR7 with high sensitivity in western blot and immunohistochemistry. C7Mab-7, developed by the CBIS method, accelerates the development of CCR7-targeted antibody therapies and cancer diagnostics.
Uncovering Methodological Gaps in NHMRC Systematic Reviews on Water Fluoridation: A Comparative Evaluation
Authors: Foster Tammie R
Published: November 2024

Objectives: This review evaluates the methodologies and search strategies in NHMRC systematic reviews on the effects of water fluoridation on dental and broader health outcomes, comparing them with Cochrane’s internationally recognised standards.
Study Design: A critical review of the search strategies, inclusion criteria, and methodologies used to assess water fluoridation’s health impacts.
Methods: The review analyses the search strategies for dental caries and broader health effects, comparing search dates, syntax, and comprehensiveness. It also evaluates methodological standards, including protocols, reporting transparency, and the inclusion of certain health outcomes.
Results: Significant inconsistencies were found, including outdated search dates, varying search syntax, and a lack of differentiation between fluoridation agents. Exclusion of health outcomes like dental fluorosis raises concerns about objectivity and completeness.
Conclusions: The review highlights the need for standardised protocols, transparent reporting, and updated search strategies to ensure comprehensive, unbiased findings. Addressing these gaps will improve the quality of future reviews and inform more equitable public health decisions.
Assessing the Role of Vaccination in the Control of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Transmission
Authors: Alqahtani Zuhur , DarAssi Mahmoud H. , AbuHour Yousef , Almuneef Areej
Published: November 2024

Vaccination's impact on the dynamics of HFMD transmission is explored in this paper, considering a fractional-order derivative system of equations. This model provides vaccination strategies and characterizes local and global stability using Lyapunov functions. This work computes the basic reproduction number ($R_0$) to characterize the endemic and epidemic scenarios. Besides, sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the most critical parameters responsible for the disease dissemination. The fractional-order model captures the memory effect in infectious disease dynamics, providing further insight into modeling HFMD transmission compared to a traditional integer-order model. The results would contribute to effective vaccination strategies and public health interventions against HFMD.
Construction of Hybrid ZnO/SnO2 N–N Heterojunction with Hierarchical Porous Biomorphic Nanostructure as a High-Response Sensor for Methanol Gas
Authors: Liu Zong-Lai , Yang Zhao , Liu Bing , Chen Ya-Nan , Feng Wei
Published: November 2024

A novel hierarchical porous biomorphic ZnO/SnO has been facilely synthesized in one step using bagasse as bio-template. The structural features of the ZnO/SnO2 n–n heterostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results revealed that the as-prepared ZnO/SnO2 retained the original pore morphology of the bagasse material, and the ZnO/SnO2 was demonstrated with higher sensing performance as compared with the pure SnO2. Particularly, when molar ratio SnO2:ZnO=1:1, the sensor displayed the highest response, showing an excellent response value of 37 under 100 ppm methanol at 340℃. Meanwhile, ZnO/SnO2 composite exhibit good gas selectivity and stability to methanol, which can mainly be attributed to the formation of n-n junctions between SnO2 and ZnO, high capability of absorbed oxygen species of the ZnO/SnO2 composite.
Advanced Deep Learning for Precise Multi-Organ Functional Tissue Segmentation
Authors: Lu Yi , Pan Jiangtian , Wu Xianting , Tian Qiyuan , Cao Jing
Published: November 2024

This study aims to advance medical research by identifying and segmenting functional tissue units (FTUs) within five human organs using deep learning techniques. The dataset comprises tissue slice images from the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) and the Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP). We assess segmentation accuracy using the mean Dice coefficient. Analysis indicates significant distributional differences across gender and age groups, prompting the design of varied sample weighting coefficients and sampling and embedding strategies. The proposed model, SegF x 2 + EffB7-B8 + FPN + ASPP, demonstrated superior performance compared to other models. This paper discusses data preprocessing, model definition, and integration, showcasing how our approach surpasses existing methods.
Extraction of ß-Carotene from Pumpkin (Curcubita moschata) and Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) Using Environmentally Friendly Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs)
Authors: Tanrıver Koray , Bilgin Mehmet , Şahin Sevgili Selin , Toprakçı Yüksel İrem , Kurtulbaş Şahin Ebru
Published: November 2024

There is an increasing demand for antioxidants, nutraceuticals and natural colorants. ß-Carotene is one of the commonly used commodities which fits description. ß-Carotene is a highly hydrophobic molecule; therefore, commercial extraction processes generally use highly non-polar solvents and these are barely environmentally friendly chemicals. The aim of this research was to develop effective and sustainable extraction processes for ß-Carotene from pumpkin and spinach using environmentally friendly green chemicals. A series of deep eutectic solvents with L-menthol and carboxylic aliphatic acids were synthesized for extraction of β-carotene from pumpkin and spinach via mechanical mixing (MMAE) and homogenization assisted extraction (HAE). Response surface methodology and ANOVA analyses were used to analyze the data. Menthol:Propionic Acid DESs had the best effect on the extraction of ß-Carotene (11.528 μg-ß-Carotene/gr-pumpkin for MMAE, 8.966 μg-ß-Carotene/gr-pumpkin for HAE, 16.924 μg-ß-Carotene/gr-spinach for MMAE and 18.870 μg-ß-Carotene/gr-spinach for HAE) under the optimal conditions (HBD molar ratio: 0.6452, 15 min. for MMAE of ß-Carotene from pumpkin, HBD molar ratio: 0.6198, 30.0 sec., 7061 rpm for HAE of ß-Carotene from pumpkin, HBD molar ratio: 0.8000, 60 min. for MMAE of ß-Carotene from spinach, HBD molar ratio: 0.8000, 120.0 sec., 7000 rpm for HAE of ß-Carotene from spinach).
A Lumped Parameter Model Suggests Infusion Studies Overestimate the CSF Outflow Resistance in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Authors: Bateman Grant Alexander , Bateman Alexander Robert
Published: November 2024

Background/objectives: Cerebrospinal infusion studies indicate the cerebrospinal fluid outflow resistance (Rout) is elevated in normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). These studies assume the CSF formation rate (CSFfr) does not vary during the infusion. If the CSFfr were to increase during the infusion, then the Rout would be overestimated. Previous estimates of the CSFfr in NPH sug-gested a low figure. More recent estimates of the CSFfr suggest it is increased, indicating it probably varies with measurement technique. This would bring the estimation of Rout into doubt. A previous paper using a lumped parameter model suggested the CSFfr could vary with the capillary transmural pressure (TMP) in this disease, suggesting a possible solution to this problem. The current study investigates the possibility that the intracranial pressure manipulation occurring during an infusion study may vary the capillary TMP and CSFfr. Methods: A lumped parameter model previously developed to describe the hydrodynamics of NPH was modified to investigate the effect of CSF pressure manipulation during infusion studies, to describe how the CSFfr could vary depending on the technique used. Results: The model indicates the capillary transmural pressure is normal in NPH and increases during an infusion study. CSF drainage at the end of an infusion study similarly increases the capillary TMP, and presumably the CSFfr by increasing the interstitial fluid production. Conclusions: The model suggests that infusion studies and draining CSF increases the CSFfr in NPH compared to earlier techniques. Allowing for the increase in CSFfr suggests infusion overestimates the Rout by between 23-33%.