bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of STEM Education on Preschool Children's Scientific Process Skills
Authors: Kavak Şule , Deretarla Gül Ebru
Published: October 2024

This study was conducted to reveal the effect on scientific process skills of STEM activities. The study group consisted of 57 children, one experimental group, and two control groups. In this study, a semi-experimental research method was used. In the data collection process, three data tools were used to collect data. Two of them were developed by the researcher "Demographic Information Form," which contained personal information about children and their parents, and the "Scientific Process Skills Test" to evaluate the basic scientific process skills of 60-72-month-old children. developed by Goodenough in 1926, the "Good Enough Harris Test" was used to determine the homogeneous distribution of the research groups. In the analysis of the experimental process of this study, a 3x3 mixed design ANOVA method was used. To show the significant difference between the groups, parametric and nonparametric tests were used depending on whether they showed normal distribution or not. The study findings showed that the scientific process skills of the children who participated in the experimental group differed significantly from those of the children in the control groups. The findings obtained in this study suggest that STEM activities improve the basic scientific process skills of 60-72-month-old children.
GENETIC PARAMETERS D-SYSTEMS OF BLOOD TYPE IN MARES OF NOVOОLEKSANDRIVSKA HEAVY AND TORI BREEDS
Authors: Brovko O. V. , Tkachova Y. V.
Published: October 2024

The article presents the results of studies of the immunogenetic structure of mares of the novoоleksandrivska and tory breeds of horses of different farms of Ukraine according to the D-system of blood groups. A comparative analysis of these breeds was carried out, taking into account the fact that the novoоleksandrivska is a weight-carrying breed, and in the Tory breed we singled out only the heavy type. That is, our goal was to find common or different features in their immunogenetic profiles.
The population of mares of the novoоleksandrivska heavy breed is characterized by a high frequency of alleles: Ddg (0.225), Dad (0.183), Dd (0.167). Dde (0,162), Dcgm (0,142). The Dbcm (0.039), Dcegm (0.035), and Ddk (0.015) alleles were relatively less frequently detected. Thorians have a high frequency of alleles: Dcgm (0.326), Ddk (0.260), Dd (0.138) Ddg (0.10). The Dde (0.08), Dbcm (0.042), Dcegm (0.020), and Dad (0.014) alleles are less common. The rarest allele in the novoоleksandrivska heavy truck is Ddk (0.015), which is 6.67% less common than Ddg (0.225).
Thus, the level of genetic diversity in all studied breeds is at a high level, which indicates a significant reserve of variability and creates the basis for further selection and breeding work. A comparative characterization of the novoоleksandrivska and tory breeds was carried out and it was established that the frequency of occurrence of Dad and Ddg alleles in the novoоleksandrivska heavy hauler is higher than the average for the breed. At the same time, Dсgm and Ddk alleles predominate in the heavy type of the tory breed, which is characteristic of each breed and can serve as a kind of "genetic passport".
PIGS OF MEAT BREEDS IN UKRAINE AND THE NEED FOR THE REVIVAL OF PIG BREEDING
Authors: Voitenko S. L.
Published: October 2024

The article highlights the peculiarities of pork production in Ukraine, examines the productivity of domestic and foreign meat breeds of pigs in the dynamics of 2002–2022. It was found that the meat pork market in Ukraine developed intensively from 2002 to 2016, with a sharp reduction thereafter. The breeds of pigs in the meat direction of productivity include Durok, Landras, Pietrain, Poltavian Meat, Welsh, Ukrainian Meat and Red White-Beltid with some changes in the breed composition during 2002–2022. It was established that until 2005, the leaders in the meat pork production market were the Ukrainian and Poltavian Meat breeds, which were later supplanted by Landrace pigs. The population of the main sows of the investigated breeds was 7.8–9.3% of the total number of pigs, including 8.9% in 2022, which ensured the necessary reproduction of animals with some nuances regarding small populations. In 2022, the number of queens of the landrace breed will be 87.7–98.8% higher than the number of the rest of the studied breeds. Sows of meat breeds, which were bred in breeding farms during 2002–2022, are characterized by significant variability of multifertility, and the difference in the trait within one breed quite often exceeded the interbreed difference. The variability of the best indicators of the age of pigs reaching a live weight of 100 kg in the process of their cultivation in representatives of the Durok breed during the years 2002–2022 was 164–178 days, Landras 148–183 days, Pietrain 150–154 days, Poltavian Meat 179–198 days, Welsh 156–187 days, Ukrainian Meat 174–187 days and Red White-Beltid 181–207 days. The highest indicators of average daily gains were among pigs of the Durok breed, which varied between 658–810 g, Landras 612–860 g, Pietrain 520–890 g, Poltavian Meat 574–735 g, Welsh 344–628 g, Ukrainian butchers 435–768 g and Red White-Beltid 470–635 g. It has been proven that Durok pigs in the best breeding herds had lard thickness at the level of 13–16 mm, Landras 10–12 mm, Pietrain 7–9 mm, Poltavian Meat 21–23 mm, Welsh 12–16 mm, Ukrainian Meat 16–20 mm and Red White-Beltid 22–23 mm. On the example of the genealogical structure of pigs of the Landrace and Pietrain breeds, as well as the market for the sale of breeding offspring and semen, the conduct of purebred breeding in subjects of the breeding business in the pig industry of Ukraine is questioned. In order to revive Ukrainian pig farming and bring order to breeding pig breeding, it is recommended to take into account the requirements for the functioning of the pig breeding industry in the countries of the European Union.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE TYPE OF PEDIGREE BREEDING ON THE MILK PRODUCTIVITY OF COWS IN SERF “OLEKSANDRIVSKE”
Authors: Kovalenko G. S. , Vdovychenko Yu. V. , Holosa G. A. , Vorotniuk O. A. , Marchuk L. V.
Published: October 2024

In the studies, the types of pedigree breeding were studied, as a result of which bulls with a certain breeding value were obtained, which were used for reproduction, as well as cows of the herd. It was established that 28 bulls (27.5%) were obtained from inline breeding, including 7 heads with close inbreeding, 4 moderate heads and 17 distant heads. 74 bulls (72.5%) were obtained from interline breeding, including 36 heads with different degrees of inbreeding: close 8, moderate 5 and distant 19 heads. Cows of the herd were obtained from interline selection of 131 heads (13.0%) and cross lines of 875 heads (87.0%). Inbreeding was detected in 183 cows obtained from the interline type of pedigree breeding, which is 15.2%. The influence of the type of pedigree breeding on the milk productivity in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and higher lactations of cows of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy, Black-and-White dairy and Holstein breeds was studied. It was established that cows obtained from interline selection compared to animals obtained from cross lines, in most cases, had better indicators of milk yield and milk fat. Cows that were obtained from cross lines prevailed (in the vast majority) in terms of fat content in the milk of animals from interlineal pedigree breeding.
STUDY OF BETA-CASEIN GENE POLYMORPHISM IN DOMESTIC BREED DAIRY COWS
Authors: Ladyka V. I. , Skliarenko Yu. I. , Pavlenko Yu. M. , Malikova A. I.
Published: October 2024

Studies have been conducted on the study of beta-casein gene polymorphism in Sumy inbred cattle populations of the Ukrainian black-spotted dairy and Ukrainian brown dairy breeds. The research was carried out in the breeding plants of the State Enterprise "Experimental Farm of the Institute of Agriculture of the North East of the National Academy of Sciences". Determination of polymorphism of the beta-casein gene was carried out in the genetic laboratory of the Bogomolets Institute of Physiology of the National Academy of Sciences using a molecular biological analysis of allele recognition, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in real time. It was established that cows of the studied breeds are characterized by polymorphism at the CSN2 locus. Allele A2 prevailed in frequency in animals of both groups. A difference in the frequency of this allele was established between them, to the advantage of animals of the Ukrainian brown dairy breed (by 1.4 times). No difference was found between actual and expected frequencies of genotypes in cows of both breeds.
The results of the molecular genetic analysis of the cattle of the two breeds reflect the genetic structure at the studied locus, which corresponds to the breed characteristics of the Swiss and Holstein.
ANALYSIS OF THE GENETIC STRUCTURE OF THE POLISH BEEF BREED BY MOLECULAR MARKERS OF MEAT QUALITY INDICATORS PRODUCTIVITY
Authors: Lemeshko Y. O. , Dzhus P. P.
Published: October 2024

The results of determining the genotypes of Polish beef breed animals based on polymorphism of the thyroglobulin (TG 5) and calpain (CAPN1 530) genes are given. The PCR-PDRF method was used for the analysis. Based on the obtained data, the specifics of the genetic structure of the studied population were established based on the distribution of frequencies of alleles and genotypes. For the thyroglobulin gene, animals with the homozygous SS genotype had a quantitative advantage, which led to a high concentration of the C allele (0.775). For the calpain gene, a high frequency of the desired G allele was found in the studied group of animals (0.539). Based on the results of the analysis, the prospects of the researched group of animals of the Polish meat breed were determined for establishing an associative relationship of various allelic variants of the thyroglobulin and calpain genes with the parameters of the quality characteristics of the final product – marbling and tenderness of meat.
USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO OPTIMIZE GENETIC RESEARCH
Authors: Liadskyi I. K.
Published: October 2024

The purpose of the article is to analyse the main achievements and prospects for the introduction of artificial intelligence in genetics, to improve the efficiency of research and the reliability of the results obtained. The article analyses publications that reveal the areas of integration of neural networks into DNA fingerprinting, in particular PCR-PCR analysis, sequencing, FISH diagnostics, etc., increasing the sensitivity of these technologies and reducing the cost of research. The author also discusses technologies for processing huge data sets of Big Data and their effectiveness on the example of international projects in theoretical and applied genetics. Attention is paid to artificial intelligence in genomics, proteomics and genetic engineering, in particular, optimisation of GED (genome editing) methods based on CRISPR (short palindromic repeats regularly interspaced in groups) to achieve better accuracy of genome editing. Neural networks are important in creating guide RNAs (gRNAs) for CRISPR-Cas systems, which determine the direction of endonuclease function.
In addition to specialised applications and resources, artificial intelligence generally improves research work by optimising many processes that used to take a lot of time and effort. Examples of neural network-based applications that are widely used by the scientific community are presented.
Determination of the ph indicator at the point of zero surface charge for lignite humic acid
Authors: Savchenko V.V. , Doroshenko K.O.
Published: October 2024

Humic acids are a complex mixture of high molecular weight aromatic oxycarboxylic acids that act as polyelectrolytes. Their structure includes aromatic nuclei, side chains, and functional groups, resulting in a variation of physicochemical properties such as solubility and stability. Carboxylic and phenolic groups impart acidic properties, while amino groups cause amphotericity, which is related to the isoelectric point (pI). The amphiphilic character contributes to the formation of micelle-like structures in neutral and acidic environments. Humic acids form supramolecular colloids connected by hydrogen bonds. It is known that the pH at the zero charge point of different humic acids varies from 0.5 to 9.3, reflecting their chemical diversity. In our experiments humic acids were obtained by alkaline extraction from lignite with a carbon content of 40.5% and an ash content of 40%. The zero charge point (the pH at which a molecule carries no net electrical charge or is electrically neutral in the statistical mean) was determined by two methods using a pH titration procedure. These methods showed quite close pH values (2.0 and 1.6) at which the surface of humic acid has a net zero surface charge. This allows us to have information about the protonation state and charge dynamics of humic acid under different pH conditions. The data obtained helps to determine the solubility of the acid depending on the pH of the medium, which is important at the stage of acid precipitation in the process of its production, because of the zero charge point value can affect the solubility of a molecule at a given pH. Keywords: lignite, humic acids, composition, extraction, zero surface charge, pH indicator, acid-base titration. Corresponding author Savchenko V.V., e-mail: korbinity@gmail.com
New data on agaricoid fungi (Basidiomycota) of the «Koygorodskiy» National Park (Komi Republic, Russia)
Authors: Palamarchuk M. A.
Published: October 2024

The paper provides the data on 148 species of agaricoid basidiomycetes, first recorded in the territory of the Koygorodskiy National Park (Komi Republic, Russia), of which 31 species are new to the republic. New locations of four included in the Red Data Book of the Komi Republic species (Echinoderma echinaceum, Baeospora myriadophylla, Phyllotopsis nidulans, Ripartites tricholoma) are found. Desarmillaria ectypa, a species included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, is registered for the first time for the region.
Lichens and allied fungi of the Lisinsky Protected Area (Leningrad Region)
Authors: Zholobova Zh. O. , Himelbrant D. E. , Stepanchikova I. S. , Zueva A. S. , Rodionova A. A. , Konoreva L. A.
Published: October 2024

The revealed lichen diversity of the Lisinsky Protected Area counts 296 species, including 262 lichens, 20 lichenicolous fungi, and 14 non-lichenized saprobic fungi. The species Normandina chlorococca is reported for the first time for Russia, Gyalidea minuta, Lecanora substerilis, Lecidea betulicola, Vezdaea stipitata are new to the North-Western European Russia, and Fellhanera bouteillei is new to the Leningrad Region. The territory is represented by a significant diversity of lichens and related fungi, including 28 protected species, indicator species and habitat specialists of biologically valuable forests. The communities formed by old-growth spruces and aspens are of greatest value for the conservation of lichen biota, as far as in such biotopes the species associated with biologically valuable forests are most often found in complexes.
Selefî Tefsirde Bilimsel Bilginin Yeri ve Değeri
Authors: Eser Kadir
Published: October 2024

Bugün Müslüman toplumlarda hem fiili hem de fikri anlamda etkili olan akımlardan biri selefîliktir. Selefî düşüncenin siyasi ve toplumsal bir yapıya kavuştuğu dönem, bilim ve teknolojide baş döndürücü gelişmelerin yaşandığı bir tarih dilimine rast gelmektedir. Dolayısıyla tefsire yönelen selefî müelliflerin çeşitli vesilelerle bilimsel bilgiyi gündemlerine almaları kaçınılmaz olmuştur. Bu çalışma selefîliğin bilimsel bilgiye ve bilimsel tefsire yaklaşımını konu edinmektedir. Makale sınırları göz önünde bulundurularak araştırma Muhammed el-Emîn eş-Şinkîtî (1907-1974), Hammûd b. Abdillâh et-Tüveycirî (1916-1992), Muhammed b. Sâlih el-Useymîn (1929-2001) ve Müsâid b. Süleyman b. Nâsır et-Tayyâr gibi selefî düşünceyi temsil kabiliyeti olduğu düşünülen şahsiyetlerle sınırlı tutulmuştur. Selefi müelliflerin tefsirde bilimsel bilginin kullanımına müteallik tutumlarının tasvir edilmesi, selefî düşüncenin Kur’an tasavvurunun farklı boyutlarıyla açığa çıkarılmasına önemli ölçüde katkıda bulunacaktır. Diğer yandan meseleye ilişkin selefî yaklaşımın tasvir edilmesi, bilimsel tefsir tarzının farklı açılardan kritik edilmesine olanak sağlayacaktır. Dolayısıyla bu çalışmada, tefsirde bilimsel bilginin kullanımına ilişkin selefî müelliflerin tutumunu tasvir etmek ve bu tutumdan hareketle bilimsel tefsir hakkında birtakım sonuçlara ulaşmak amaçlanmıştır. Bu maksatla araştırmanın odaklandığı şahsiyetlerin eserleri, bilimsel tefsirle ilişkilendirilen belirli konular ve ayetler ekseninde taranmış, elde edilen veriler analiz edilerek çalışmaya aktarılmıştır. Dolayısıyla çalışmada literatür taraması, belge analizi ve betimleme yöntemlerinden yararlanılmıştır. Sonuç olarak selefî müelliflerin, birtakım şartlar öne sürerek Kur’an tefsirinde bilimsel bilginin kullanımına onay verdiği saptanmıştır. Bununla birlikte, hidayet rehberi olarak nitelendirilen Kur’an’ın bilimsel bilgi kullanılarak tefsir edilmesine oldukça mesafeli bir duruş sergileyen selefî müelliflerin, ayetlerin lafzını esas alarak bazı bilimsel nazariyelere karşı çıktığı, böylece bizatihi kendilerinin Kur’an’ı bir bilim kitabı haline getirdiği tespit edilmiştir. Kur’an’a dayanarak modern bilimlerin yanlışladığı bazı bilimsel nazariyeleri savunmanın, ilahî bir kitap olan Kur’an hakkında bazı şüphelere kapı aralayacağı aşikardır. Bu sebeple selefi müelliflerin, öne sürdükleri bilimsel tefsir kuramını gözden geçirmeleri ve geliştirmeleri gerektiği söylenebilir
Red shifts of photons and massive particles
Authors: Qu Wenjing
Published: October 2024

Red‒shift phenomena were attributed to different mechanisms: Doppler red shifts and gravitational red shifts. Here, based on Space Motion Theory, a common mechanism of red shifts is concluded into a formula: 1+z=(Ec/Ec’)(Eqr/Eqs), where z represents the value of a red shift; (Ec/Ec’), named the photonic red shift, signifies the energy change of the photon through the vacuum distributions of the sender and the recipient; (Eqr/Eqs), named the massive‒particle red shift, means the absolute‒energy quantity ratio of the recipient to the sender. Furthermore, according to energy conservation and momentum conservation, the mechanism of photonic red shifts is deduced. The analyses herein verify the existence of vacuum distribution and space background mathematically.
Self-Empowerment Program (SEP) to Reduce the Externalizing Behaviors of Adolescents Exposed to Interparental Conflict in India
Authors: Joseph John , Canlas Rodel P.
Published: October 2024

Adolescents frequently experience stress from interparental conflict, and their perception of it has a significant role in the problem behaviors that they exhibit. The study aimed to develop and examine the efficacy of the Self-Empowerment Program (SEP) with nine modules in reducing the externalizing behaviors of adolescents exposed to interparental conflict. Conklin's three-phase program development model planning, design and implementation, and assessment and program validation were used in this study. Adolescents (N=385, 11–18 years old) from Assam, India, comprised the participants. They were randomly split into the experimental group (n = 21) and the control group (n = 21), using a randomization process to ensure unbiased group assignment. Focus group discussions, interviews, and the Youth Self-Report Scale evaluated the severity of the issue. The post-test results between the experimental and control groups made a noteworthy distinction. This distinction was seen for example, in the experimental group: Externalizing Behavior: M=26.61, SD=2.65,Social Problem: M=5.95, SD=1.49; Rule breaking, M=3.38, SD=.864; Aggressive behavior, M=6.57, SD=1.32; and in the control group, Externalizing behavior: M=25.23, SD=2.64, Social Problem=8.42, SD=1.07; Rule breaking: M=6.76, SD=1.22; Aggressive behavior: M=10.04, SD=1.71. The Pre-test and post-test scores of the experimental group (Pre-test: Experimental group: M=26.61, SD=2.65, Social Problem: M=8.76, SD=1.22; Rule breaking: M=7.0, SD=1.26; Aggressive behavior: M=10.8, SD=1.71; Post-test: Externalizing behavior: M=15.90, SD=2.27, Social Problem: M=5.95, SD=1.49; Rule breaking: M=3.38, SD=.864; Aggressive behavior=6.57, SD=1.32) indicated that the nine modular program of SEP has proved and helped to reduce the externalizing behaviors in adolescents exposed to IPC.
A critical appraisal tool for evaluations: learning from Evidence Based Medicine
Authors: Heller Richard F
Published: October 2024

Evaluation may be facilitated by the application of tools derived from the practice of Evidence Based Medicine (EBM). This paper presents a proposed framework and critical appraisal tool for assessing publications and evaluation-related reports. There are two components intrinsic to the framework - the pragmatic measures or practical steps involved in conducting an evaluation and the requisite constructs that support these steps. These steps include: defining the purpose of the evaluation; measuring and understanding both process and outcome data; and learning from the evaluation. Besides, it is important to revisit the evaluation in order to extract valuable insights and modify the current as well as any future evaluation as an iterative process. Underlying such practical steps are various constructs that include theory, methods, values, dynamics of complexity, communication, reflection, and context. By taking into account both the practical steps and the underpinning constructs, we can build capacity through ‘learning by doing’. This approach enables education to take place in the context of evaluation in practice, as we follow the steps and gain knowledge regarding the underpinning constructs. A checklist has been provided to facilitate the critical appraisal of publications and evaluation reports in accordance with the framework. The critical appraisal checklist was implemented for assessing the published evaluation of a global public health capacity building programme. The checklist was determined to be both relevant and user-friendly for this specific evaluation. The paper is presented with the expectation that the framework and critical appraisal checklist will be beneficial in the appraisal of publications and evaluation reports, as well as in the development of educational programmes in order to promote global capacity in the context of evaluation.
Enhancing Portfolio Rebalancing Efficiency Using Binomial Distribution: A Case Study of Beating the Nifty Index with good CAGR
Authors: Chaudhari Saurav L.
Published: October 2024

This paper explores the application of the Binomial Distribution Theorem in optimizing portfolio rebalancing strategies to outperform the Nifty Index. A model based on the Binomial distribution is proposed for identifying entry and exit points in stocks, aiming for a 30\% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). Our empirical analysis demonstrates that by systematically applying this technique, portfolio managers can significantly enhance returns while maintaining risk levels comparable to the benchmark index. This method shows potential for outperforming traditional rebalancing strategies. Extensions of this theorem, including Monte Carlo simulations and Black-Scholes adjustments, are incorporated to further refine the model and enhance its effectiveness.
Risk and Financial Performance: A Case Study on Kuwaiti Banks
Authors: AlAli Musaed S. , AlAskar Ibraheem T.
Published: October 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of risk factors on the financial performance of Kuwaiti banks. The study is based on the financial data of ten banks listed on Kuwait stock exchange (KSE) over the period 2011-2021. Using pool OLS regression method where return on assets (ROA) is used as the proxy of financial performance and operational risk, credit risk and liquidity risk as risk factors, the results of the research show that the financial performance of Kuwaiti banks is mostly affected by operational risk and liquidity risk and that credit risk does not have any statically significant effect of their financial performance.
Leftists and Rightists Differ in Their Cardiovascular Responses to Changing Public Opinion on Migration
Authors: Long Feiteng , Pliskin Ruthie , Scheepers Daan
Published: October 2024

People may feel stressed when reflecting on or talking about contentious topics, such as migration. However, when individuals learn that their opinion-based group is growing or shrinking, they may experience this stress in different ways, i.e., as a threat or a challenge. In a study among Dutch participants, we examined how changes in public opinion on migration (i.e., progressive and conservative changes compared to stability in public opinion) interacted with political ideology to influence cardiovascular reactivity indicative of challenge and threat when reflecting and speaking on the future of relations between migrants and members of the host society. In line with predictions, progressive change (vs. stability) in public opinion led ideological leftists to exhibit a cardiovascular pattern indicative of stronger challenge (low total peripheral resistance; high cardiac output) and caused ideological rightists to display a cardiovascular pattern indicative of stronger threat (low total peripheral resistance; high cardiac output) Additional analyses of self-report measures suggest that progressive change (vs. stability) increased ideological leftists’ resource appraisal regarding the speech and reduced their prejudice towards migrants. However, both progressive and conservative change (vs. stability) increased ideological rightists’ prejudice towards migrants. These findings highlight the role of consistency between the direction of public opinion change and personal beliefs as a resource for coping with the stress of forming and expressing one’s opinion on politically-charged topics.
Whither Bias Goes, I Will Go: An Integrative, Systematic Review of Algorithmic Bias Mitigation
Authors: Hickman Louis , Huynh Christopher , Gass Jessica , Booth Brandon Michael , Kuruzovich Jason , Tay Louis
Published: October 2024

Machine learning (ML) models are increasingly used for personnel assessment and selection (e.g., resume screeners, automatically scored interviews). However, concerns have been raised throughout society that ML assessments may be biased and perpetuate or exacerbate inequality. Although organizational researchers have begun investigating ML assessments from traditional psychometric and legal perspectives, there is a need to understand, clarify, and integrate fairness operationalizations and algorithmic bias mitigation methods from the computer science, data science, and organizational research literatures. We present a four-stage model of developing ML assessments and applying bias mitigation methods, including 1) generating the training data, 2) training the model, 3) testing the model, and 4) deploying the model. When introducing the four-stage model, we describe potential sources of bias and unfairness at each stage. Then, we systematically review definitions and operationalizations of algorithmic bias, legal requirements governing personnel selection from the United States and Europe, and research on algorithmic bias mitigation across multiple domains and integrate these findings into our framework. Our review provides insights for both research and practice by elucidating possible mechanisms of algorithmic bias while identifying which bias mitigation methods are legal and effective. This integrative framework also reveals gaps in the knowledge of algorithmic bias mitigation that should be addressed by future collaborative research between organizational researchers, computer scientists, and data scientists. We provide recommendations for developing and deploying ML assessments, as well as recommendations for future research into algorithmic bias and fairness.
Diverse FACES – A database of facial expressions in young, middle-aged, and older individuals from underrepresented racial populations
Authors: Gonzalez Sera Marisol , Seaman Kendra Leigh
Published: October 2024

This dataset complements the 2010 FACES database created by Natalie Ebner and her colleagues at The Max Planck Institute [1] . This collection contains 432 validated expressions from 36 Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx individuals expressing 6 emotions: Happiness, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, Fear, and Neutral.This database's goal is to make facial expression stimuli represent the racial and ethnic diversity of the U.S. population. This dataset could combat what other researchers have called the own-race bias and lead to more accurate results for non-White research participants.To create the photos, we replicated the FACES protocol, recruiting Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx community members to pose as face models (models) in the lab’s amateur photo studio. We selected the two images displaying the best representations of each emotion and randomly sorted them into A and B groups. These images were then placed into a Qualtrics survey for online validation.Validation participants (raters) were pooled from online survey panels and selected based on age (25-85), race (Hispanic/Latine, Black/African American, White/Caucasian), and gender (male/female). Raters were randomly placed into Group A or B and rated 36 images according to five criteria: emotion, age, race, representativeness of race, and trustworthiness. For each criterion, these ratings were averaged for each image.
A Solution to the Easy and Hard Problems of Consciousness: Passive Information and Intermediate Conscious Matter
Authors: Panarello Christian
Published: October 2024

This article considers an edition of the study of the mind that follows a perceived unity among already apparent and developed theories while incurring no contradictions. The formation of consciousness describes a universal basis (otherwise not introduced by any other theory) for consciousness in the passive information (intermediate “conscious material”) that is the non-phenomenal realization of one's singularities and the prior entailment towards the related phenomenal consciousness. The idea of the passive information is to construct Consciousness on the idea of intermediate conscious material that can hence be used to construct Consciousness on a base of transformative non-conscious material: a mechanism; this idea is reliant on introduced theories in the text. Note that it disparages the information-based positions of IIT and GWT on account of their arbitrary and otherwise inexplicable positions.
Introduction to the Handicraft Subsectors of Nepal
Authors: Upadhyay Kiran Dutta
Published: October 2024

Not Available.
National Economic Integration: A Case of Nepal
Authors: Bhattarai Khem Raj , Gautam Rudra Prasad
Published: October 2024

Not Available.
A Note on Growth Models: Harrod-Domar and Neo-Classical
Authors: Kansakar Dev Ratna
Published: October 2024

Not Available.
Technology and Employment in Soft-Drinks Industry in India
Authors: Reddy B. Bhagavan
Published: October 2024

Not Available.
اثر ابعاد البنية التحتية لإدارة المعرفة في الازدهار التنظيمي في التعليم الجامعي : دراسة استطلاعية لآراء عينة من الكوادر التدريسية والوظيفية في كليات جامعة سوران
Authors: محمد رشيد ياسين عبدالله  , فارس يونس شمس الدين
Published: October 2024

يهدف البحث إلى اختبار العلاقة والتأثير بين ابعاد البنية التحتية لإدارة المعرفة (التكنولوجية والثقافية والهيكلية)، على الازدهار التنظيمي في كليات جامعة سوران. اعتمد البحث على المنهج الوصفي التحليلي. يتألف مجتمع البحث من (200) من الكوادر التدريسية والوظيفية في الكليات المبحوثة، حيث تم توزيع استمارات الاستبيان عليهم. قام الباحثان بجمع (110) من استمارات الاستبانة، وكانت (102) استمارة منها صالحة للتحليل الإحصائي، وهي عينة البحث. استخدم الباحثان برنامج الإحصائي (SPSS V.24) لتحليل البيانات. وتوصل البحث الى مجموعة من الاستنتاجات اهمها وجود علاقة ارتباط معنوية وموجبة بين ابعاد البنية التحتية لإدارة المعرفة والازدهار التنظيمي وان اقوى علاقة ارتباط معنوية وموجبة كانت عند بعد البنية التحتية لإدارة المعرفة الهيكلية ثم بعد البنية التحتية لإدارة المعرفة الثقافية واخيرا البنية التحتية لإدارة المعرفة التكنولوجية ، وبينت الدراسة ايضا وجود تأثير معنوي وذو دلالة إحصائية لأبعاد البنية التحتية لإدارة المعرفة في الازدهار التنظيمي على المستوى الكلي. وان الاكثر الابعاد تأثيرا هي بعد البنية التحتية لإدارة المعرفة الهيكلية ثم البنية التحتية لإدارة المعرفة الثقافية واخيرا البنية التحتية لإدارة المعرفة التكنولوجية. وقدم البحث مجموعة من التوصيات، منها ضرورة تعزيز ورفع مستويات البنية التحتية لإدارة المعرفة في التعليم الجامعي والاهتمام بتحقيق توازن بين ابعادها المتنوعة
Technical Report: The Polomac approach to fusion energy
Authors: Elio Filippo , Elio Francesco , Leone Marco , Fulceri Tiziano , Sborchia Carlo
Published: October 2024

Deutelio is a private initiative promoting an alternative path to fusion energy. The Tokamak research line pursued worldwide since 1970 met several difficulties, heavily jeopardising the objective of commercial energy production from fusion before 2050, as a support to the global effort towards Net Zero Emissions. As a result, new plasma magnetic confinement concepts, such as Stellarators or overlooked alternatives like the poloidal confinement are being pursued to achieve  more efficiency and better performance.
The Polomac is a poloidal magnetic configuration where the outboard magnetic lines are deviated aside together with the plasma, to open some accesses to the dipole coils located inside the plasma. These accesses, called magnetic tunnels, are used to support, feed and cool the dipole coil. They avoid the impact with plasma which led to abandon past poloidal experiments, despite their good stability and confinement efficiency.
The poloidal confinement can achieve Deuterium-Tritium reactor conditions with a magnetic field 3 times weaker than the Tokamak, in steady state rather than pulsed. With the same high field as in the Tokamak the poloidal confinement can achieve Deuterium-Deuterium reaction, thus avoiding the development of the breeding blanket to produce the Tritium.
This paper presents the Polomac system, explains the development strategy of Deutelio through a small prototype focused to tune and assess the magnetic tunnels, and describes the possibility of deuterium-deuterium reaction.
Crítica y realismo estético: un acercamiento normativo y plural al arte contemporáneo
Authors: Gutiérrez Bernardo
Published: October 2024

Resumen. Gutiérrez, Bernardo. Crítica y realismo estético: un acercamiento normativo y plural al arte contemporáneo. En el presente artículo propongo un método filosófico de acercamiento al arte contemporáneo. Formulo una estrategia filosófica que responde a la necesidad de decir algo sobre el pluralismo artístico y sobre cierta idea de crisis que se cree sufre el arte actual. A través de la creación de principios básicos pienso brindar una manera crítica de abordar el arte contemporáneo, de juzgarlo y de apreciarlo correctamente. Postulo que discutimos en torno al arte y que, cuando lo hacemos, creemos decir lo cierto; la comunidad estética es realista y, por ende, podemos apelar a la objetividad de las enunciaciones que elaboramos acerca de las obras artísticas. La palabra “crítica”, sin embargo, no se refiere aquí a lo que se pensaría como una “crítica profesional”, sino a un pensamiento crítico respecto del arte, basado en razones justificadas a través de su posicionamiento en categorías.
Economic Analysis of Advanced Ultra-Supercritical Pulverized Coal Power Plants: A Cost-Effective CO2 Emission Reduction Option?
Authors: Phillips Jeffrey N. , Wheeldon John M.
Published: October 2024

A recent engineering design study conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has compared the cost and performance of an advanced ultra-supercritical (A-USC) pulverized coal (PC) power plant with main steam temperature of 700°C to that of conventional coal-fired power plant designs: sub-critical, supercritical, and current USC PC plants with main steam temperatures of 541°, 582°, and 605°C, respectively. The study revealed that for a US location in the absence of any cost being imposed for CO2 emissions the A-USC design was a slightly more expensive choice for electricity production. However, when the marginal cost of the A-USC design is compared to the reduction in CO2 emissions, it was shown that the cost of the avoided CO2 emissions was less than $25 per metric ton of CO2. This is significantly lower than any technology currently being considered for CO2 capture and storage (CCS). Additionally by lowering CO2/MWh, the A-USC plant also lowers the cost of CCS once integrated with the power plant. It is therefore concluded that A-USC technology should be considered as one of the primary options for minimizing the cost of reducing CO2 emissions from future coal power plants.
Fossil Materials Research at EPRI
Authors: Gandy D. , Shingledecker J.
Published: October 2024

For four decades, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has led groundbreaking materials research in the power industry, yielding significant cost savings across fossil, nuclear, and power delivery sectors. This paper outlines EPRI's fossil-related research, conducted through three major programs: Fossil Materials&Repair (P87 Base program), Materials-Fossil&Nuclear strategic program, and a supplemental program addressing key industry initiatives. EPRI's research focuses on understanding damage mechanisms, developing improved materials, enhancing life prediction methodologies, and advancing component degradation assessment. The paper highlights the synergy between EPRI's short- and long-term research initiatives, referencing several presentations from the 6th International Conference on Advances in Materials Technology for Fossil Power Plants. By showcasing EPRI's comprehensive approach to materials research, this overview demonstrates the institute's ongoing commitment to advancing power generation technology and efficiency.
Optimization of Inconel Alloy 740 for Advanced Ultra Supercritical Boilers
Authors: Baker B. A.
Published: October 2024

Inconel alloy 740 was initially developed to enable the design of coal-fired boilers capable of operating at 700°C steam temperature and high pressure. The alloy successfully met the European program's targets, including 100,000-hour rupture life at 750°C and 100 MPa stress, and less than 2 mm metal loss in 200,000 hours of superheater service. However, thick section fabrication revealed weldability challenges, specifically grain boundary microfissuring in the heat affected zone (HAZ) of the base metal. This paper describes the development of a modified variant with significantly improved resistance to HAZ microfissuring and enhanced thermal stability, while maintaining desirable properties. The formulation process is detailed, and properties of materials produced within the new composition range are presented. Additionally, the microstructural stability of the original and modified alloy compositions is compared, demonstrating the advancements achieved in this critical material for next-generation power plants.
Long Term Properties and Microstructural Evolution of ASTM Grade 23
Authors: Caminada S. , Cumino G. , Cipolla L. , Tiberi Vipraio S. , Di Gianfrancesco A.
Published: October 2024

ASTM Grade 23 is a 2.25Cr-0.3Mo-1.5W-V-Nb-B steel widely used for the fabrication of boiler components of the most recent ultra super critical power plants; it combines high creep resistance, enhanced oxidation and corrosion resistance and good weldability. Microstructural, mechanical, and creep properties of seamless tubes and pipes after normalizing and tempering heat treatment are compared with those obtained after cold bending and hot induction bending. The creep resistance is obtained through the precipitation of fine carbides after tempering. A broad program of TEM investigations on crept samples has been carried out in order to assess the evolution of the microstructure and its phases after long term high-temperature exposure, in terms of chemical composition, size and distribution of precipitates.
Effect of Pre-Strain on Creep Properties of Alloy 740
Authors: Kubushiro Keiji , Nomura Kyohei , Takahashi Satoshi , Takahashi Madoka , Nakagawa Hirokatsu
Published: October 2024

The effects of pre-strain on creep properties of Alloy 740 have been investigated. Tensile strain was 7.5% and introduced by room temperature tensile test. Creep tests were conducted under 750 degree C, 275-350MPa. Creep rupture life of pre-strained sample decreased by half compared with as-heat treated sample. Creep behaviors of both samples were almost similar in primary creep stage, but onset of creep rate acceleration of pre-strained sample was faster than those of as-heat treated sample. As a result, minimum creep rate of pre-strained sample were two times larger than that of as-heat treated sample. From the observation of ruptured specimen, pre-strained sample had much more sub cracks than as-heat treated sample. On the other hand, microstructure of both samples was also different. There were MC precipitates on grain boundary in both ruptured specimens, but both size and number of MC precipitates were larger in pre-strained sample although creep life of pre-strained sample was shorter than that of as-heat treated sample. In this paper, the difference of creep behavior will be discussed in terms of both the microstructural change and mechanical damage.
Steam-Side Oxide Scale Exfoliation Behavior in Superheaters and Reheaters: Differences in the Behavior of Alloys T22, T91 and TP347 Based on Computer Simulation Results
Authors: Sabau Adrian S. , Shingledecker John P. , Wright Ian G.
Published: October 2024

Advances in materials for power plants include not only new materials with higher-temperature capabilities, but also the use of current materials at increasingly higher temperatures. This latter activity builds on extensive experience of the performance of the various alloys, and provides a basis for identifying changes in alloy behavior with increasing temperature as well as understanding the factors that ultimately determine the maximum use temperatures of the different alloy classes. This paper presents results from an effort to model the exfoliation processes of steam-side oxide scales in a manner that describes as accurately as possible the evolution of strains in oxides growing inside small-diameter tubes subjected to large thermal gradients and to thermal transients typical of normal steam boiler operation. One way of portraying the results of such calculations is by plotting the evolving strains in a given oxide scale on an ‘Exfoliation Diagram’ (of the type pioneered by Manning et al. of the British Central Electricity Research Laboratory) to determine the earliest time at which the trajectory of these strains intersects a criterion for scale failure. Understanding of how such ‘strain trajectories’ differ among different alloys and are affected by the major variables associated with boiler operation has the potential to suggest boiler operating strategies to manage scale exfoliation, as well as to highlight the mode of scale failure and the limitations of each alloy. Preliminary results are presented of the strain trajectories calculated for alloys T22, T91, and TP347 subjected to the conditions experienced by superheaters under assumed boiler operating scenarios. For all three alloys the earliest predicted scale failures were associated with the increased strains developed during a boiler shut-down event; indeed, in the cases considered it appeared unlikely that scale failure would occur in any practically meaningful time due to strains accumulated during operation in a load-following mode in the absence of a shut down. The accuracy of the algorithms used for the kinetics of oxide growth appeared to be a very important consideration, especially for alloy TP347 for which large effects on oxide growth rate are known to occur with changes in alloy grain size and surface cold work.
Advanced Forgings for Highly Efficient Fossil Power Plants
Authors: Blaes N. , Donth B. , Diwo A. , Bokelmann D.
Published: October 2024

In Europe and Japan, great efforts are currently being invested in the development of materials designed to increase the steam temperature in fossil power plants. In the steel segment, the COST program is concentrating on 10% Cr steels with the addition of boron with the aim of achieving a steam temperature of 650°C. With nickel-based materials, the goal is to achieve steam temperatures of 700°C and higher. Alloy 617 has proved to be a very promising candidate in this field and a modified version is currently being developed in Japan. Materials of this type are used in both the turbine and in parts of the boiler.
Creep Behavior of Advanced Power Plant Steels after Long-Term Isothermal Ageing
Authors: Sklenicka V. , Kucharova K. , Svoboda M. , Kroupa A.
Published: October 2024

In this paper we tried to model the creep-strength degradation of selected advanced creep resistant steels which occurs under operating conditions. In order to accelerate some microstructure changes and thus to simulate degradation processes in long-term service, isothermal ageing at 650°C for 10 000 h was applied to P91, P92 and P23 steels in their as- received states. The tensile creep tests were performed at temperature 600°C in argon atmosphere on all steels both in the as-received state and after isothermal ageing, in an effort to obtain a more complete description of the role of microstructure stability in high temperature creep of these steels. Creep tests were followed by microstructure investigations by means of transmission and scanning electron microscopy and by the thermodynamic calculations. The applicability of the creep tests was verified by the theoretical modelling of the phase equilibrium at different temperatures. It is suggested that under restricted oxidation due to argon atmosphere microstructure instability is the main detrimental process in the long-term degradation of the creep rupture strength of these steels.
Life Assessment of High Temperature Welded Components
Authors: Carter P. , Marriott D.L. , Shingledecker J.F. , Foulds J.R. , Swindemann R.W.
Published: October 2024

The paper describes methods for practical high temperature weldment life assessment, and their application to the analysis of notable high energy piping weldment failures and interpretation of cross-weld data. The methods described in the paper are simplified versions of full continuum damage mechanics (CDM) analysis techniques which have been developed over the last 20 years. The complexity of the CDM methods and their data requirements has been a barrier to their more widespread use. The need for simplified methods has been driven by the need for risk assessment of in-service high temperature welded piping and headers around the world, the need to connect cross-weld data to weld joint design and assessment, and in general, the need to develop suitable guidelines for evaluating the strength of weldments relative to that of base metal.