bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Group Guidance Services : A Literature Review of Social Skills Improvement of Elementary School Students
Authors: Fauzi Irfan , Yustiana Yusi Riksa
Published: April 2024

This study aims to analyze various studies related to group guidance services and the improvement of social skills of elementary school students. This study used the systematic literature review method with a qualitative approach. This study used bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software by reviewing research sourced from DOAJ and Google Scholar. The results of the analysis from VOSviewer showed that the issues and trends of group guidance services research had been carried out by researchers in various fields of guidance and counseling and carried out at various levels of education. The findings of various studies showed that group guidance services were seen as having a positive impact on improving the social skills of elementary school students. In the implementation of group guidance services, the role of the leader (counselor) must be active in encouraging the involvement of group members both in group dynamics and in social interactions. The process in this group guidance service will encourage students to achieve the expected goals and also be a means of improving their social skills. This research can be a reference in the implementation of basic group guidance services in improving students' social skills, especially in elementary schools. Guidance and counseling teachers/counselors and teachers in elementary schools can implement group guidance services to improve social skills.
Development of Lighting System Simulator Student Worksheet to Improve CPS Skills of Vocational Students
Authors: Putrawijaya Yori Septian , Handoyono Nurcholish Arifin
Published: April 2024

This research aims to develop and test the feasibility of the student worksheet lighting system to improve collaborative problem solving (CPS) skills of vocational students. This research method used research and development with the 4D model consists of stages, namely Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate. The developmental research was conducted at class XI Vocational High School Muhammadiyah 1 Bambanglipuro, with teachers and students as the research subjects. Techniques in collecting data in this study used interviews, questionnaires, and documentation. This research instrument used consists of interview sheets, validation sheets for material experts and media experts, and student response questionnaires. Data analysis techniques use quantitative descriptive. The results of this research and development obtained student worksheet lighting system products that can improve CPS skills. The final results of the feasibility of the student worksheet information system show the following numbers: 90% by material experts, 83% by media experts so that they are included in the "Very Feasible" category. The results of student responses in trials and usage trials get a figure of 86% in product trials and 87% in usage trials, so it is included in the "Very Feasible" category. Based on these results, the student worksheet lighting system developed can be said to be suitable for use as teaching materials in schools.
Design of Material Needs Profile in Reading Learning Textbooks based Riau Malay Folklore
Authors: Asnawi Asnawi , Muhkhlis Muhammad , Rusmani Ayu , Zulfa Mukminati
Published: April 2024

This study aims to identify the needs for the content of textbooks for learning to read which contain texts from Riau Malay folklore. The approach used in this research was qualitative with a descriptive method. The data collection techniques were questionnaires and interviews. Based on an analysis of the content aspects of textbooks for learning to read, there are several conclusions. First, students want textbook material that includes depth of material and examples of material to facilitate learning; second, students want the accuracy of textbook material which includes examples of material so that it is easy to understand; third, students want up-to-date textbook material and in accordance with the psychological development of students; fourth, students want noble values in textbooks to benefit their readers; and fifth, students want to use cliche language in the content of Riau Malay folklore which is taught in textbooks, so that they can increase their knowledge of the cliché language used in Riau Malay folklore. In addition, students also want the text of Riau Malay folklore in textbooks to add new knowledge about this folklore.
Sistema biométrico para el análisis de la marcha utilizando unidades de medida inerciales (IMU)
Authors: Dugarte Jerez Nelson , Alvarez Abril Antonio , Alvarado Riviera Negman W. , Gómez Carlos Marcelo , Lattuca Ana , Sosa Barraco Guillermo Martín , Dugarte Dugarte Edison del Carmen , Lombardo German
Published: April 2024

El movimiento de las personas depende de la acción del sistema nervioso sobre grupos musculares específicos que se apoyan sobre la estructura ósea. Algunos procesos patológicos pueden causar alteraciones de la fuerza y coordinación que debe existir entre las respuestas musculares, causando alteraciones en el movimiento esperado. En su fase inicial, la mayoría de estas alteraciones pasan desapercibidas hasta que los daños físicos afectan notoriamente la actividad humana, y en muchos casos de manera irreparable. Actualmente, el método más utilizado para el análisis de la marcha humana se basa en el estudio fotométrico secuencial en espacio limitado, aunque en menor medida también se utilizan sistemas de posicionamiento digital. Este proyecto aborda el desarrollo de tecnología para la captura biométrica del movimiento humano mediante sensores de medición inercial. La idea es detallar el desplazamiento espacial de secciones específicas del cuerpo a partir de la medición de aceleración y la velocidad angular, con el propósito de valorar la respuesta de las articulaciones involucradas. El objetivo es desarrollar un sistema que permita a los médicos especialistas identificar anomalías en el movimiento del paciente en estudio. Los resultados preliminares demuestran la eficiencia del sensor inercial implementado. Utilizando 7 sensores ubicados estratégicamente en el cuerpo del paciente y con una velocidad de adquisición de 100 muestras por segundo en cada sensor, es posible detallar movimientos de marcha menores a 7,5 milímetros y precisión en velocidad angular de hasta 0,1°/0,01 segundo. Con el desarrollo de este instrumento se consigue la capacidad de visualizar y analizar movimientos que normalmente son imperceptibles para el ojo humano.
Patterns in macrobenthic diversity in the lower shore of northeastern Atlantic macrotidal sandy beaches
Authors: Tauran A , Quillien N , Grall J
Published: April 2024

Although knowledge of sandy beaches has increased recently, the benthic diversity of macrotidal sandy beaches in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean (more specifically, the western Channel and the northern Bay of Biscay) is poorly known. Here, we present a regional-scale account of the species diversity, both observed and estimated, of the macrobenthic fauna of Brittany based on an analysis of a species-level data set from 18 sandy beaches in Brittany that were sampled annually for 13 yr on the lower shore. In total, 526 species were identified, including 210 Annelida, 167 Arthropoda, 103 Mollusca, 19 Echinodermata and 27 species of other phyla. Four distinct habitats were distinguished based on their benthic communities and characterised using environmental variables. Sediment heterogeneity appeared to enhance diversity, as heterogeneous muddy sand harboured significantly more species than (muddy) fine sand. The role of environmental variables as structuring factors of benthic communities was investigated using redundancy analysis and variance partitioning. Beach morphodynamics and sediment structure explained most diversity variations (25.40 and 24.91%, respectively) followed by wave characteristics (13.46%). Finally, we offer some habitat-specific reference values regarding species richness and the Shannon index for M-AMBI computation during Water Framework Directive and Marine Strategy Directive evaluations for a more reliable characterisation of the ecological status of sandy beaches.
Asian Divergence in an Age of Globalisation
Authors:   , Dixit Aditi
Published: April 2024

This thesis addresses a central question within the field of economic and social history: the ‘Great Divergence’ debate, which seeks to understand why the West prospered while the rest of the world did not. It explores its Asian counterpart, the ‘Little Asian Divergence,’ through a comparative study of the mechanized cotton textile industry in India and Japan during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Scholars have previously explained this divergence by focusing on aspects like labour productivity, labour organization, and technology adoption. I widen the scope, and argue that differences in productivity and work organization stemmed from broader institutional developments under distinct State regimes in India and Japan, with broader implications for their industrialization trajectories. I examined these contrasting outcomes of Japan’s developmental State and India’s colonial State through an analysis of their respective trading organizations and their interrelationship with the textile commodity chain. In addition, I studied the implications of such divergent institutional conditions on business strategies and on the organization and composition of the textile workforce. The thesis comprises five core chapters alongside an introduction and a conclusion. Here, I briefly summarize the main arguments.
I investigated how trade organizations differentially shaped access to raw material resources (raw cotton) and markets (for yarns and fabrics), which, in turn, conditioned business strategies adopted by firms. In Japan, State-assisted development of trade organizations, which were closely integrated with its textile industry, ensured access to raw cotton and markets for its textile products. India, conversely, was embedded in colonial trade patterns and its resultant trade organization was insufficient for its industrial needs for raw cotton and (external) markets (chapters 3 and 4). In this thesis, I further argue that differences in the broader economic developments in terms of an expanding market for labour also shaped households’ decisions to supply labour, which in interaction with internal institutions further shaped the industries’ strategies (chapter 5, co-authored with Prof. dr. Elise van Nederveen Meerkerk). The final chapter examines how constraints in access to raw materials and markets for final goods shaped labour intensive strategies of Indian mills and their impact on the industry’s work organization and wages (chapter 6, again co-authored with Prof. dr. Elise van Nederveen Meerkerk). This is the only chapter that was not comparative in nature due to restrictions in data-accessibility and time related issues due to Covid.
Exploring part of speech (pos) tag sequences in a large-scale learner corpus of L2 English: a developmental perspective
Authors: Lim Joyce Dong Ok , Mark Geraldine , Pérez-Paredes Pascual , O’Keeffe Anne
Published: April 2024

This research explores the pos tag sequences that shape the transition from upper intermediate (B2 cefr) to near-native proficiency (C2 cefr) in a corpus of essays ( n=32,410) from the Cambridge Learner Corpus. Gilquin (2018) and others have shown that pos tag sequences offer a holistic approach to extracting the most commonly used patterns without a starting point of an a priori set of words and word sequences. Using corpus linguistics informed by usage-based theories of language learning, this paper examines the frequency and distribution of 4-slot pos-tag sequences in L2 English writing, drawing on the taxonomy of pattern grammar ( Francis et al., 1996 , 1998 ; and Hunston and Francis, 2000 ). Findings point to the presence of both core and emergent pos-tag sequences in learner language in the two proficiency levels analysed. These sequences point to the presence of dynamic language restructuring processes as learners become more proficient and re-evaluate their understanding of frequency and distribution in English. This paper shows evidence of how language competence increases with proficiency. The research offers new evidence in our understanding of the development of L2 writing in efl contexts.
Triangulating visual and textual corpus-assisted discourse analysis to study social actor representations: the case of Saudi women in the British and Saudi news media
Authors: Sibai Dina , Jaworska Sylvia
Published: April 2024

Investigations of social actor representations across media present a large and important body of research in corpus-assisted discourse studies (cads). However, most studies focus exclusively on one mode, the text, whilst other modes of communication (for example, visuals) are either considered partially or not at all. Whilst insights from textual analyses are invaluable in revealing salient and nuanced patterns of social actor representations in the media, visual accompaniments can reinforce particular ‘angles’ creating lasting perceptions for readers and viewers. Though some approaches exist to study considerable numbers of images, visual media data can be complex rendering them difficult to be studied alongside textual cads. This paper uses a triangulation of visual and textual cads analysis to explore social actor representations in media texts and images. It does so by focussing on the representations of Saudi women in the UK and Saudi news media within the context of evolving women’s rights in Saudi Arabia. The study shows how such triangulation can be conducted in a doable and systematic way and how it can enrich cads research on discursive representations of social actors across contexts.
The Video Game Dialogue Corpus
Authors: Rennick Stephanie , Roberts Seán
Published: April 2024

This paper presents the Video Game Dialogue Corpus, the first large-scale, consistently coded, open source corpus of dialogue from video games. It contains over 6.2 million words of English dialogue from fifty games in the Role Playing Game (rpg) genre. This includes games produced between 1985 and 2020, rated for children, teenagers and adults, and in both ‘Western’ and ‘Japanese’ sub-genres. The corpus design is described, including custom data formats for representing branching dialogue. We demonstrate the use of the corpus by comparing the dialogue of female and male characters, where we find reflections of gendered language in other media as well as patterns that seem specific to video games. We provide the source code for a ‘self-inflating corpus’ – a pipeline that obtains the data then processes and parses it into a standard format. This makes the corpus available for teaching and research purposes, providing the first such resource for empirical analysis of video game dialogue.
Hongos endófitos aislados de Manilkara zapota y su actividad antibacteriana y antifúngica
Authors: Navarro-de-la-Fuente Laura , Salinas-Castro Alejandro , Trigos Ángel
Published: April 2024

Antecedentes: Los hongos endófitos aislados de plantas medicinales son una fuente importante de metabolitos secundarios con potencial biotecnológico.
Objetivos: Identificar los hongos presentes en hojas y frutos de Manilkara zapota y evaluar la actividad antimicrobiana de sus extractos. 
Métodos: Se aislaron hongos endófitos de frutos y hojas de M. zapota y se cultivaron en medios de cultivo. Se evaluaron extractos crudos, obtenidos con una mezcla 1:1 de clorofomo-metanol, en ensayos de actividad antibacteriana con microorganismos patógenos. La concentración mínima inhibitoria, bactericida y el porcentaje de inhibición de crecimiento con bacterias patógenas, así como el porcentaje de inhibición fúngica frente a hongos fitopatógenos, fue evaluado para el extracto que arrojó la mayor actividad antibacteriana.
Resultados y conclusiones: Se obtuvieron 20 aislados y se identificaron nueve géneros de hongos endófitos en M. zapota: Curvularia, Daldinia, Diaporthe, Epicoccum, Geotrichum, Neopestalotiopsis, Pestalotiopsis, Sistotrema y Stereum. El extracto de la biomasa de Curvularia sp. CIMA-116B mostró los mejores resultados de actividad antibacteriana, presentó actividad inhibitoria con Clavibacter michiganensis, Enterococcus faecalis y Escherichia coli y baja actividad antifúngica con Colletotrichum musae, Lasiodiplodia theobromae y Fusarium solani. Estos resultados evidencian la importancia de los hongos endófitos como productores de metabolitos bioactivos con actividad antimicrobiana.
Playing “hide and seek” with Texas tortoises: value of a detector dog
Authors: Moeller Christin , Perales Saren , Rodriguez Wraith , Henke Scott E. , Rideout-Hanzak Sandra , Eversole Cord B.
Published: April 2024

Texas tortoises (Gopherus berlandieri) were once considered common and abundant throughout southern Texas with densities as high as 16 tortoises per hectare. Today, density estimates are 0.25 tortoises per hectare, which constitutes about a 98% population decline. Because of their low numbers and elusive behavior, Texas tortoises can be difficult to find. We demonstrate the value of using a detector dog as a time saving method in locating Texas tortoises. We glued VHF radio transmitters onto 9 adult tortoises and released them in a 5-ha plowed and short-grass pasture that contained mesquite (Prosopsis glandulosa) mottes, habitat conducive for Texas tortoise habitat selection. We calculated the Detectability Index (DI) as the detection rate (# tortoises found/minute) × percent tortoises from the known population found within 60 minutes. We compared DIs via telemetry, detector dog, and “cold” (no equipment or knowledge) human searches. We used the time required to find all tortoises when a searcher had knowledge of locations as the baseline. Our baseline DI was 0.79, followed by telemetry (0.13) and detector dogs (0.11), while “cold” searches was 0.02. Telemetry, detector dog, and cold searches were 6-fold, 7-fold, and nearly 40-fold slower, respectively, than having knowledge of tortoise locations. However, the combination of using detector dogs with telemetry resulted in a 50% time savings than single methods. Telemetry was useful in locating a generalized area with a tortoise but a detector dog was 2X faster in visually locating the tortoise once the area was identified. Therefore, we recommend the use of detector dogs as a time-saving method when conducting research on Texas tortoises.
Computational evaluation of wire position using separate vertical wire technique and candy box technique for the fixation of inferior pole patellar fractures: a finite element analysis
Authors: Fan Wei , Dang Shunjie , Tan Xiaoqi , Liu Jinhui , Yang Yun-Kang , Xiang Fei-Fan
Published: April 2024

The separate vertical wire (SVW) technique and the improved candy box (CB) technique have been proposed for treating inferior pole patellar fractures. However, there is still a lack of clear explanation regarding the location of the wire passing through the patella. Five models of SVW techniques were established in different positions. Finite element analysis was then conducted to determine the optimal bone tunnel position for the SVW technique. Based on these findings, six groups of finite element models were created for CB techniques. The maximum displacement and stress on both the patella and steel wire were compared among these groups under 100-N, 200-N, 300-N, 400-N, and 500-N force loads. The results indicated that, in the SVW technique, the steel wire group near the fracture end of the longitudinal bone tunnel showed minimal displacement and stress on the patella when subjected to different forces. On the other hand, in the CB technique, both the patella and wire experienced minimal stress when a transverse bone tunnel wire was placed near the upper posterior aspect of patella. In conclusion, the SVW technique may require the bone tunnel wire to be positioned near the fractured end of the lower pole of the patella. On the other hand, in CB technique, the transverse bone tunnel wire passing through the patella may be close to its upper posterior aspect. However, further validation is necessary through comprehensive finite element analysis and additional biomechanical experiments.
A combination of GRA3, GRA6 and GRA7 peptides offer a useful tool for serotyping type II and III Toxoplasma gondii infections in sheep and pigs
Authors: Arranz-Solís David , Tana Leandro R. , Tejerina-de-Uribe Eduardo , López-Ureña Nadia María , Koudela Břetislav , Francia María E. , Ortega-Mora Luis Miguel , Álvarez-García Gema
Published: April 2024

The clinical consequences of toxoplasmosis are greatly dependent on the Toxoplasma gondii strain causing the infection. To better understand its epidemiology and design appropriate control strategies, it is important to determine the strain present in infected animals. Serotyping methods are based on the detection of antibodies that react against segments of antigenic proteins presenting strain-specific polymorphic variations, offering a cost-effective, sensitive, and non-invasive alternative to genotyping techniques. Herein, we evaluated the applicability of a panel of peptides previously characterized in mice and humans to serotype sheep and pigs. To this end, we used 51 serum samples from experimentally infected ewes (32 type II and 19 type III), 20 sheep samples from naturally infected sheep where the causative strain was genotyped (18 type II and 2 type III), and 40 serum samples from experimentally infected pigs (22 type II and 18 type III). Our ELISA test results showed that a combination of GRA peptide homologous pairs can discriminate infections caused by type II and III strains of T. gondii in sheep and pigs. Namely, the GRA3-I/III-43 vs. GRA3-II-43, GRA6-I/III-213 vs. GRA6-II-214 and GRA6-III-44 vs. GRA6-II-44 ratios showed a statistically significant predominance of the respective strain-type peptide in sheep, while in pigs, in addition to these three peptide pairs, GRA7-II-224 vs. GRA7-III-224 also showed promising results. Notably, the GRA6-44 pair, which was previously deemed inefficient in mice and humans, showed a high prediction capacity, especially in sheep. By contrast, GRA5-38 peptides failed to correctly predict the strain type in most sheep and pig samples, underpinning the notion that individual standardization is needed for each animal species. Finally, we recommend analyzing for each animal at least 2 samples taken at different time points to confirm the obtained results.
Applications of artificial intelligence-powered prenatal diagnosis for congenital heart disease
Authors: Liu Xiangyu , Zhang Yingying , Zhu Haogang , Jia Bosen , Wang Jingyi , He Yihua , Zhang Hongjia
Published: April 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant progress in the medical field in the last decade. The AI-powered analysis methods of medical images and clinical records can now match the abilities of clinical physicians. Due to the challenges posed by the unique group of fetuses and the dynamic organ of the heart, research into the application of AI in the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) is particularly active. In this review, we discuss the clinical questions and research methods involved in using AI to address prenatal diagnosis of CHD, including imaging, genetic diagnosis, and risk prediction. Representative examples are provided for each method discussed. Finally, we discuss the current limitations of AI in prenatal diagnosis of CHD, namely Volatility, Insufficiency and Independence (VII), and propose possible solutions.
A sensitivity indicator screening and intelligent classification method for the diagnosis of T2D-CHD
Authors: Li Jiarui , Ying Changjiang
Published: April 2024

Background

The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) and its significant role in increasing Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) risk highlights the urgent need for effective CHD screening within this population. Despite current advancements in T2D management, the complexity of cardiovascular complications persists. Our study aims to develop a comprehensive CHD screening model for T2D patients, employing multimodal data to improve early detection and management, addressing a critical gap in clinical practice.

Methods

We analyzed data from 699 patients, including 471 with CHD (221 of these also had T2D) and a control group of 228 without CHD. Employing strict diagnostic criteria, we conducted significance testing and multivariate analysis to identify key indicators for T2D-CHD diagnosis. This led to the creation of a neural network model using 21 indicators and a logistic regression model based on an 8-indicator subset. External validation was performed with an independent dataset from an additional 212 patients to confirm the models’ generalizability.

Results

The neural network model achieved an accuracy of 90.7%, recall of 90.78%, precision of 90.83%, and an F-1 score of 0.908. The logistic regression model demonstrated an accuracy of 90.13%, recall of 90.1%, precision of 90.22%, and an F-1 score of 0.9016. External validation reinforced the models’ reliability and effectiveness in broader clinical settings.

Conclusion

Our AI-driven diagnostic models significantly enhance early CHD detection and management in T2D patients, offering a novel, efficient approach to addressing the complex interplay between these conditions. By leveraging advanced analytics and comprehensive patient data, we present a scalable solution for improving clinical outcomes in this high-risk population, potentially setting a new standard in personalized care and preventative medicine.
Analysis of fly ash-treated SDCM pile behavior through laboratory model tests
Authors: Zhou Min , Zheng Weifeng , Han Yunshan , Tang Changyi
Published: April 2024

Fly ash, an industrial byproduct, has resulted in significant environmental pollution and poses a threat to human health due to its low recovery and utilization rate. Stiffened deep cement mixing (SDCM) piles, leveraging both the high lateral friction resistance of cement mixing pile socket and the high strength of concrete core pile, are widely employed in practice of soft ground improvement. However, to avoid damage to cement mixing pile socket, a higher amount of cement is often required, leading to not only elevated project costs but also conflicting with low-carbon environmental objectives. In tackling this concern, the introduction of fly ash as a partial substitute for cement in cement mixing pile socket offers a solution. This study delves into the vertical bearing mechanism of fly ash-treated SDCM piles through laboratory model tests. Results reveal that as the curing duration extends, the hydration rates of fly ash decrease relative to cement, being demonstrated by larger settlements at the top of fly ash-treated SDCM pile compared to that of standard SDCM pile. It is also found that elevated levels of hydration in cement mixing pile socket results in a heightened stiffness and an enhanced pile end resistance.
Genetic changes in the FH gene cause vagal paraganglioma
Authors: Snezhkina Anastasiya V. , Pavlov Vladislav S. , Kalinin Dmitry V. , Pudova Elena A. , Krasnov George S. , Ayupova Asiya F. , Kobelyatskaya Anastasiya A. , Dmitriev Alexey A. , Atiakshin Dmitrii A. , Fedorova Maria S. , Kudryavtseva Anna V.
Published: April 2024

Vagal paraganglioma (VPGL) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor that originates from the paraganglion associated with the vagus nerve. VPGLs present challenges in terms of diagnostics and treatment. VPGL can occur as a hereditary tumor and, like other head and neck paragangliomas, is most frequently associated with mutations in the SDHx genes. However, data regarding the genetics of VPGL are limited. Herein, we report a rare case of a 41-year-old woman with VPGL carrying a germline variant in the FH gene. Using whole-exome sequencing, a variant, FH p.S249R, was identified; no variants were found in other PPGL susceptibility and candidate genes. Loss of heterozygosity analysis revealed the loss of the wild-type allele of the FH gene in the tumor. The pathogenic effect of the p.S249R variant on FH activity was confirmed by immunohistochemistry for S-(2-succino)cysteine (2SC). Potentially deleterious somatic variants were found in three genes, SLC7A7, ZNF225, and MED23. The latter two encode transcriptional regulators that can impact gene expression deregulation and are involved in tumor development and progression. Moreover, FH-mutated VPGL was characterized by a molecular phenotype different from SDHx-mutated PPGLs. In conclusion, the association of genetic changes in the FH gene with the development of VPGL was demonstrated. The germline variant FH: p.S249R and somatic deletion of the second allele can lead to biallelic gene damage that promotes tumor initiation. These results expand the clinical and mutation spectra of FH-related disorders and improve our understanding of the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of VPGL.
Insights into Fischer–Tropsch catalysis: current perspectives, mechanisms, and emerging trends in energy research
Authors: Keunecke Arthur , Dossow Marcel , Dieterich Vincent , Spliethoff Hartmut , Fendt Sebastian
Published: April 2024

Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis is an important module for the production of clean and sustainable fuels and chemicals, making it a topic of considerable interest in energy research. This mini-review covers the current literature on FT catalysis and offers insights into the primary products, the nuances of the FT reaction, and the product distribution, with particular attention to the Anderson–Schulz–Flory distribution (ASFD) and known deviations from this fundamental concept. Conventional FT catalysts, particularly Fe- and Co-based catalysis systems, are reviewed, highlighting their central role and the influence of water and water–gas shift (WGS) activity on their catalytic behavior. Various mechanisms of catalyst deactivation are also investigated, and the high methanation activity of Co-based catalysts is illustrated. To make this complex field accessible to a broader audience, we explain conjectured reaction mechanisms, namely, the carbide mechanism and CO insertion. We discuss the complex formation of a wide range of products, including olefins, kerosenes, branched hydrocarbons, and by-products such as alcohols and oxygenates. The article goes beyond the traditional scope of FT catalysis by addressing topics of current interest, including the direct hydrogenation of CO2 for power-to-X applications and the use of bifunctional catalysts to produce tailored FT products, most notably for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This mini-review provides a holistic overview of the evolving landscape of FT catalysts and is aimed at both experienced researchers and those new to the field while covering current and emerging trends in this important area of energy research.
Low-carbon planning of urban charging stations considering carbon emission evolution characteristics and dynamic demand
Authors: Jia Rui , Xia Xiangwu , Xuan Yi , Sun Zhiqing , Gao Yudong , Qin Shuo
Published: April 2024

As a new generation of transportation, electric vehicles play an important role in carbon-peak targets. The development of electric vehicles needs the support of a charging network, and improper planning of charging stations will result in a waste of resources. In order to expand the charging network of electric vehicles and give full play to the low-carbon and efficient characteristics of electric vehicles, this paper proposed a charging station planning method that considers the characteristics of carbon emission trends. This paper combined the long short-term memory (LSTM) network with the stochastic impacts by regression on population, affluence, and technology (STIRPAT) model to predict the carbon emission trend and quantified the correlation between the construction speed of a charging station and the evolution characteristics of carbon emission by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. A multi-stage charging station planning model was established, which captures the dynamic characteristics of the charging demand of the transportation network and determines the station deployment scheme with economic and low-carbon benefits on the spatiotemporal scale. The Pareto frontier was solved by using the elitist non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm. The model and solution algorithm were verified by the actual road network in a certain area of Shanghai. The results showed that the proposed scheme can meet the charging demand of regional electric vehicles in the future, improve the utilization rate of charging facilities, and reduce the carbon emission of transportation networks.
Patenting for profitability: green energy innovations and firm performance in BRICS countries
Authors: Makeeva Elena , Popov Konstantin , Teplova Olga
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

Despite the significant advancements in renewable energy technologies, the current energy system remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels. However, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that the proliferation of “green” patents is contributing to the transition towards a more sustainable energy future, with important implications for both environmental sustainability and corporate financial performance.

Methods:

Utilizing panel data sourced from 63 of the most prominent energy sector companies within the BRICS countries during the period between 2011 and 2020, we conducted a comprehensive analysis with the objective of uncovering the distinct impacts of various types of patents in renewable energy technologies on the firm’s financial performance indicators (ROA, ROIC, and market capitalization) by using multiple regression modeling.

Results:

The feasible generalized least squares estimations reveal that higher CO2 emissions correlate with lower return on assets, ROIC, and market capitalization of energy companies, significant at the 5% level. Additionally, while renewable energy technologies (Y02E10) did not impact ROA, they contributed significantly to ROIC at the 1% level. Combustion technologies with mitigation potential (Y02E20) positively influence all financial performance indicators, and nuclear energy technologies (Y02E30) significantly contribute to both ROA and ROIC at the 10% level.

Discussion:

Our research demonstrates that technological advancements in national economies are not consistent and that disparities exist in specific data segments. Advancements are observed in certain areas, highlighting the significance of national legislation in promoting green finance and renewable energy development. This emphasizes the need for BRICS countries to prioritize renewable energy technologies and adopt legislative initiatives from developed nations as a model for achieving clean technological growth and renewable energy targets.
Seaweed diversification driven by Taiwan’s emergence and the Kuroshio Current: insights from the cryptic diversity and phylogeography of Dichotomaria (Galaxauraceae, Rhodophyta)
Authors: Fontana Silvia , Wang Wei-Lung , Tseng Kuang-Yu , Draisma Stefano G. A. , Dumilag Richard V. , Hu Zi-Min , Li Jing-Jing , Lai Pei-Husan , Mattio Lydiane , Sherwood Alison R. , Boo Sung Min , Liu Shao-Lun
Published: April 2024

Ocean currents play a role in both facilitating and impeding connectivity of marine organisms’ populations, serving as key drivers and potential barriers. The emergence of Taiwan around five million years ago (Mya) impacted the Kuroshio Current which later shaped the distribution of marine organisms. In this study, we examined how the Kuroshio Current influenced the distribution and population divergence of the marine red alga Dichotomaria elegans (Galaxauraceae, Nemaliales). Through phylogenetic analysis, species delimitation, and morphological comparison of Taiwanese species, we determined its phylogenetic position relative to other species within the D. marginata complex of the genus Dichotomaria. We uncovered the hidden cryptic diversity within the D. marginata complex in Taiwan and proposed the new combinations D. elegans and D. latifolia based on Galaxaura elegans and G. latifolia. Genetic analysis based on three loci (mitochondrial cox2-3 and cox1, and plastid rbcL) from 32 locations across the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan revealed three allopatric lineages within D. elegans. The first lineage is restricted to the northern Philippines and southern Taiwan, while the second has a broader latitudinal range along the Kuroshio Current. The third lineage is found in southeast Luzon, Philippines, close to the bifurcation of the North Equatorial Current, near the start of the Kuroshio Current. The divergence of the first two lineages during the mid-Pliocene (~3.7 Mya) coincided with the emergence of Taiwan, with the current dynamics accentuating their separation. The Kuroshio Current exhibited a dual impact on the biogeography of D. elegans: promoting the dispersal of the second lineage towards higher latitudes and preventing the first lineage from moving northward. Principal component analysis showed that habitat conditions and morphologies differed between the two D. elegans lineages. This study provides insights into the cryptic diversity of Dichotomaria in Taiwan, as well as the genetic divergence, biogeographical patterns, and ecological associations of D. elegans, highlighting the interplay of island formation and currents shaping the diversification of seaweeds in the Northwest Pacific Ocean.
MelSPPNET—A self-explainable recognition model for emerald ash borer vibrational signals
Authors: Jiang Weizheng , Chen Zhibo , Zhang Haiyan , Li Juhu
Published: April 2024

Introduction

This study aims to achieve early and reliable monitoring of wood-boring pests, which are often highly concealed, have long lag times, and cause significant damage to forests. Specifically, the research focuses on the larval feeding vibration signal of the emerald ash borer as a representative pest. Given the crucial importance of such pest monitoring for the protection of forestry resources, developing a method that can accurately identify and interpret their vibration signals is paramount.

Methods

We introduce MelSPPNET, a self-explaining model designed to extract prototypes from input vibration signals and obtain the most representative audio segments as the basis for model recognition. The study collected feeding vibration signals of emerald ash borer larvae using detectors, along with typical outdoor noises. The design of MelSPPNET considers both model accuracy and interpretability.

Results

Experimental results demonstrate that MelSPPNET compares favorably in accuracy with its similar non-interpretable counterparts, while providing interpretability that these networks lack. To evaluate the interpretability of the case-based self-explaining model, we designed an interpretability evaluation metric and proved that MelSPPNET exhibits good interpretability. This provides accurate and reliable technical support for the identification of emerald ash borer larvae.

Discussion

While the work in this study is limited to one pest type, future experiments will focus on the applicability of this network in identifying other vibration signals. With further research and optimization, MelSPPNET has the potential to provide broader and deeper pest monitoring solutions for forestry resource protection. Additionally, this study demonstrates the potential of self-explaining models in the field of signal processing, offering new ideas and methods for addressing similar problems.
Targeting CEACAM5-positive solid tumors using NILK-2401, a novel CEACAM5xCD47 κλ bispecific antibody
Authors: Seckinger Anja , Buatois Vanessa , Moine Valéry , Daubeuf Bruno , Richard Françoise , Chatel Laurence , Viandier Alizée , Bosson Nicolas , Rousset Emeline , Masternak Krzysztof , Salgado-Pires Susana , Batista Claudia , Mougin Christelle , Juan-Bégeot Flora , Poitevin Yves , Hose Dirk
Published: April 2024

Background

Blocking the CD47 “don’t eat me”-signal on tumor cells with monoclonal antibodies or fusion proteins has shown limited clinical activity in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors thus far. Main side effects are associated with non-tumor targeted binding to CD47 particularly on blood cells.

Methods

We present here the generation and preclinical development of NILK-2401, a CEACAM5×CD47 bispecific antibody (BsAb) composed of a common heavy chain and two different light chains, one kappa and one lambda, determining specificity (so-called κλ body format).

Results

NILK-2401 is a fully human BsAb binding the CEACAM5 N-terminal domain on tumor cells by its lambda light chain arm with an affinity of ≈4 nM and CD47 with its kappa chain arm with an intendedly low affinity of ≈500 nM to enabling tumor-specific blockade of the CD47-SIRPα interaction. For increased activity, NILK-2401 features a functional IgG1 Fc-part. NILK-2401 eliminates CEACAM5-positive tumor cell lines (3/3 colorectal, 2/2 gastric, 2/2 lung) with EC50 for antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity ranging from 0.38 to 25.84 nM and 0.04 to 0.25 nM, respectively. NILK-2401 binds neither CD47-positive/CEACAM5-negative cell lines nor primary epithelial cells. No erythrophagocytosis or platelet activation is observed. Quantification of the pre-existing NILK-2401-reactive T-cell repertoire in the blood of 14 healthy donors with diverse HLA molecules shows a low immunogenic potential. In vivo, NILK-2401 significantly delayed tumor growth in a NOD-SCID colon cancer model and a syngeneic mouse model using human CD47/human SIRPα transgenic mice and prolonged survival. In cynomolgus monkeys, single doses of 0.5 and 20 mg/kg were well tolerated; PK linked to anti-CD47 and Fc-binding seemed to be more than dose-proportional for Cmax and AUC0-inf. Data were validated in human FcRn TG32 mice. Combination of a CEACAM5-targeting T-cell engager (NILK-2301) with NILK-2401 can either boost NILK-2301 activity (Emax) up to 2.5-fold or allows reaching equal NILK-2301 activity at >600-fold (LS174T) to >3,000-fold (MKN-45) lower doses.

Conclusion

NILK-2401 combines promising preclinical activity with limited potential side effects due to the tumor-targeted blockade of CD47 and low immunogenicity and is planned to enter clinical testing.
Refined analytical pipeline for the pharmacodynamic assessment of T-cell responses to vaccine antigens
Authors: Pavlidis Michail Angelos , Viborg Nadia , Lausen Mads , Rønø Birgitte , Kleine-Kohlbrecher Daniela
Published: April 2024

Pharmacodynamic assessment of T-cell-based cancer immunotherapies often focus on detecting rare circulating T-cell populations. The therapy-induced immune cells in blood-derived clinical samples are often present in very low frequencies and with the currently available T-cell analytical assays, amplification of the cells of interest prior to analysis is often required. Current approaches aiming to enrich antigen-specific T cells from human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) depend on in vitro culturing in presence of their cognate peptides and cytokines. In the present work, we improved a standard, publicly available protocol for T-cell immune analyses based on the in vitro expansion of T cells. We used PBMCs from healthy subjects and well-described viral antigens as a model system for optimizing the experimental procedures and conditions. Using the standard protocol, we first demonstrated significant enrichment of antigen-specific T cells, even when their starting frequency ex vivo was low. Importantly, this amplification occurred with high specificity, with no or neglectable enrichment of irrelevant T-cell clones being observed in the cultures. Testing of modified culturing timelines suggested that the protocol can be adjusted accordingly to allow for greater cell yield with strong preservation of the functionality of antigen-specific T cells. Overall, our work has led to the refinement of a standard protocol for in vitro stimulation of antigen-specific T cells and highlighted its reliability and reproducibility. We envision that the optimized protocol could be applied for longitudinal monitoring of rare blood-circulating T cells in scenarios with limited sample material.
Factors influencing marine ecological environment governance toward sustainability: a case study of Zhejiang Province
Authors: Chen Linlin , He Yuejun , He Yuze
Published: April 2024

At present, the marine ecological environment is facing enormous pressure from human activities, and there is an urgent need for coordinated governance by multiple entities to ensure that the marine ecological environment can continuously meet the needs of sustainable development. Marine ecological environmental governance plays multiple roles in the sustainable development of the ocean characteristics. Most existing studies have explored this field from the perspective of the government and public, while failing to adequately account for the factors influencing enterprises’ participation in marine ecological environmental governance. This paper is an effort to provide some empirical research on the influencing factors of enterprises’ participation in marine ecological environmental governance. Based on existing literature, empirical research (213 middle managers were surveyed from 68 coastal enterprises in Zhejiang, China), this study extracts eight core factors that influence corporate participation in marine ecosystems and uses the Fuzzy Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory approach (Fuzzy DEMATEL). Furthermore, experts from Chinese backgrounds elucidated the complex interdependencies among the factors, based on which key influencing factors were identified. The empirical results indicate that government attention and support, legal and regulatory requirements, and cost-benefit accounting have a positive net effect on corporate participation in marine ecosystem management; when these factors are improved, they drive improvements in other factors(Corporate Capital Capability, Corporate Social Responsibility, Government Enforcement and Appraisal, The Attention of Corporate Leaders, Corporate Internal Management System). Additionally, interviews with Chinese business people support the robustness of the findings and suggest that policymakers cannot ignore government enforcement and assessment efforts. Overall, the study findings can help advance corporate participation in marine environmental governance.
Resilience of the primary healthcare system: perspectives of German stakeholders at primary care interfaces during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Litke Nicola , Weber Sophia , Breckner Amanda , Roth Catharina , Peters-Klimm Frank , Wensing Michel , Stengel Sandra
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Worldwide, the primary care sector played a key role in coping with the challenges of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Methods

The aim of this study was to explore the resilience of the German primary healthcare system during the second wave of the pandemic from the perspective of identified interface stakeholders, i.e., representatives of hospitals, district offices, and medical associations. Qualitative data from interviews and focus groups were analyzed according to a resilience framework.

Results

The main findings include a gap in knowledge transfer, unstructured allocation of responsibilities, and a resulting unregulated flow of patients. Social brokers supported care coordination and knowledge transfer. The response to the capacity to cope with uncertainties was slow and chaotic at the system level and heterogeneous at the individual level. Building on previous relationships fostered functioning communication, while competition in primary care was identified as a barrier to resilience.

Conclusion

Implications for further research and for strengthening the resilience of primary care can be derived based on this study.