bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Manufacturing Biodiesel from Cooking Oil Teaching Factory Products Using Bentonite Catalyst with Non-Alcohol Route Method
Authors: Muhammad Rezky Januar  , Ridwan  , Salmiyah
Published: March 2024

This research investigates an eco-friendly approach to biodiesel production through non-alcoholic pathways using heterogeneous catalysts. The study examines various ratios of methyl acetate to cooking oil and temperatures, revealing that the optimal conditions for biodiesel production are a 1:4 ratio, utilizing a bentonite catalyst (0.75 g), operating at 60°C for 120 minutes. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirms the presence of ester groups, the primary component of biodiesel. Most biodiesel characteristics align with quality standards, including density (0.8844 kg/m3), cetane number (61.9), and acid number. However, the biodiesel flash point falls below the minimum standard, suggesting a potential area for improvement. This research underscores the potential of using methyl acetate as a heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production, with most biodiesel characteristics meeting established quality standards, although further work may be needed to address the flash point issue.
Typical radiological manifestations of sarcoidosis: a review of three cases
Authors: K. Rivero Stephanie , Lee Irene
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. The lungs are the primary organ involved. It is known as the great mimicker since it exhibits a variety of symptoms, mimicking other inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic conditions such as tuberculosis and lymphoma. Objective: Present the typical radiological manifestations of pulmonary sarcoidosisin three patients with varying pattern and severity. Clinical cases: Three Asian women, two of which complained of a history of chronic cough and ocular symptoms, the third case complaining of cutaneous lesions. All cases presented mediastinal lymphadenopathy and pulmonary infiltrates on imaging studies. Two out of the three cases showed granulomata in spleen and liver. One case had regression of lymphadenopathy, while the other two persisted with pulmonary involvement. Conclusion: Diagnosing sarcoidosis can be a challenge but combining clinical symptoms with radiological manifestations can aid in the diagnosis. Hallmark signs of this disease include the presence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy along with respiratory symptoms.
Preface: 4th International Symposium on the Frontiers of Biotechnology and Bioengineering (FBB 2023)
Authors: Cheuk F. C. , Yang Lv
Published: March 2024

This proceeding includes original and peer-reviewed research papers from the 4th International Symposium on the Frontiers of Biotechnology and Bioengineering (FBB 2023: http://www.fbbconf.org/), in Hong Kong, China during October 14-15, 2023.

For thousands of years, humankind has used biotechnology in agriculture, food production, and medicine. Biotechnology is the research and development in the laboratory using bioinformatics for exploration, extraction, exploitation and production from any living organisms and any source of biomass by means of biochemical engineering. Bioengineering is the application of the principles of engineering and natural sciences to tissues, cells and molecules. FBB aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of Biotechnology and Bioengineering. It also provides a platform for academic scientists, researchers and research scholars, doctors, doctoral students and related professionals to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the fields of Biotechnology and Bioengineering. All authors and participants are kindly encouraged to contribute to and help shape the conference through submissions of their research abstracts, papers and posters.

FBB 2023 received 57 submissions, and more than 20 of them had been accepted by our reviewers in FBB 2023. By submitting a paper to FBB 2023, the authors agreed to the review process and understood that papers undergo a peer-review process. Manuscripts were reviewed by appropriately qualified experts in the field selected by the Conference Committee, who gave detailed comments and-if the submission was accepted the authors would submit a revised version that took into account this feedback. All papers were reviewed using a double-blind review process: authors declared their names and affiliations in the manuscript for the reviewers to see, but reviewers did not know each other’s identities, nor did the authors receive information about who had reviewed their manuscript. The Committees of FBB 2023 invested great efforts in reviewing the papers submitted to the conference and organizing the sessions to enable the participants to gain maximum benefit.

Hopefully, all participants and other interested readers will benefit scientifically from the proceedings and also find it stimulating in the process.

With our warmest regards,

F. C. Cheuk, Lv Yang

Conference Organizing Chair
How successful are some existing vaccinations in preventing COVID?
Authors: Lu Zhichen
Published: March 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed immense pressure on the global healthcare sector. The rapid development of vaccines has significantly alleviated the rampant spread of the COVID-19 virus. This research paper aims to determine the success rates of various types of vaccines in preventing COVID. It will first list the brand of the vaccine, then identify the type of vaccine, and describe how the vaccine functions in providing the body immunity from the coronavirus, and finally it will compare the vaccines’ success rates in preventing the patient from being infected with COVID. Coronavirus vaccine types include recombinant subunit vaccines, which injects a part of the virus into the body; viral vector vaccines, which gene vaccines and whole virus vaccines. This comprehensive review will assist us in gaining a deeper understanding of COVID-19 vaccines and provide a foundation for subsequent efforts to further optimize vaccine development.
Single-Cell RNA Sequencing: A Deep Dive into The Cellular Landscape and Interactions in Osteosarcoma
Authors: Zheng Sihan
Published: March 2024

OSTEOSARCOMA is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with its progression highly influenced by the cellular interplay within the tumor microenvironment that is underexplored. Aiming to bridge this gap, our study utilizes single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to examine the cellular heterogeneity of OSTEOSARCOMA and investigate the roles of distinct cell populations. scRNA-seq was performed on eight DEN mice OSTEOSARCOMA samples, followed by bioinformatic analysis with Seurat package. 12 distinct cell populations were identified, with three unique macrophage populations suggestive of their role as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). The detected endothelial cells and pericytes hint at ongoing neoangiogenesis, with implications that endothelial cells might function as tumor-associated endothelial cells (TECs) and pericytes as carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Our findings provide insights into the potential roles of various cell populations in the OSTEOSARCOMA tumor microenvironment, which paves the way for developing novel therapies. These postulations, while offering a deeper understanding of OSTEOSARCOMA's cellular landscape, necessitate experimental validation for confirmation.
A Review: The Role of Functional Groups in the Binding of Acetylcholine and Nicotine to Muscle-type nAChRs
Authors: Xu Yihan
Published: March 2024

This essay discusses the different affinities of acetylcholine and nicotine for muscle-type acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) due to their different chemical structures and binding mechanisms. Muscle-type nAChRs are pentameric receptors composed of five protein subunits, with the alpha subunit directly interacting with acetylcholine or nicotine. Acetylcholine binds to muscle-type nAChRs through key functional groups, including the carbonyl group and the quaternary ammonium cation, and specific interactions with tyrosine, serine, and tryptophan residues. Nicotine binds to muscle-type nAChRs through weaker interactions with the pyridine and pyrrolidine rings, as well as with polar or charged residues in the binding site. The strengths of the hydrogen bonds and pi-cation interactions involved in acetylcholine and nicotine binding are relatively weak.
Machine Learning-Assisted Discovery of Novel Anti-HIV Drug Candidates: An Analysis Using Molecular Datasets
Authors: Gou Zeyu
Published: March 2024

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) serves as a crisis of global public health, necessitating new anti-HIV agents due to the virus's rapid mutation and subsequent drug resistance. While current Combination Antiretroviral Therapy (CART) has helped control the infection and mortality rates, traditional drug development approaches are costly and inefficient. This study aims to address this issue by applying machine learning algorithms for lead compound discovery using the extensive, quality-assured DTP Antiviral Screen Databases. Three molecular datasets—Extended-Connectivity Fingerprints (ECFP), Simplified Molecular-Input Line-Entry System (SMILES), and 2D molecular IMAGES—were processed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), train-test splitting, and dataset balancing. Six machine learning algorithms were employed, including linear and nonlinear models, optimized through 5-fold cross-validation. The Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) curve was utilized to evaluate the models' performance, as well as the macro averaged precision, averaged recall, averaged F1 score, and balanced accuracy metrics. The ensemble models were constructed from the top-performing individual models. The best individual model, a SVM model trained on the ECFP dataset, achieved performance metrics of 0.78 on macro-averaged precision; 0.68 on macro-averaged recall; 0.72 on macro-averaged F1 score; 0.71 on balanced accuracy; and 0.75 on AUROC when evaluated on the testing data. The best ensemble model, fused with SVM, kNN, and logistic regression trained on the ECFP dataset, achieved performance metrics of 0.82 on macro-averaged precision; 0.67 on macro-averaged recall; 0.72 on macro-averaged F1 score; and 0.70 on balanced accuracy when evaluated on the testing data. The models were then applied to a Pubmed-extracted drug dataset, identifying several promising anti-HIV drug candidates, fulfilling the study's objective to improve the efficiency and success rate of new anti-HIV drug screening and discovery. In summary, this research demonstrates the transformative potential of machine learning in accelerating and optimizing the drug discovery process for HIV treatment.
Blood Lipids and Cardiovascular Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Wang Jingran
Published: March 2024

Blood lipids have been considered critical risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The causal relationship between blood lipids (HDL-C, LDL-C and triglycerides) and cardiovascular disease remains uncertain despite negative and positive associations observed in observational studies, which are susceptible to confounding and reverse causation. This study aimed to investigate the potential causal relationship between the three types of blood lipids and CVD using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) approach. Instrumental variables (IVs) representing independent genetic variants associated with HDL-C, LDL-C and triglycerides were derived from the UK Biobank consortium, encompassing genetic data from more than 400,000 individuals. Outcome data for CVD events, including heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis and so on, were obtained from FinnGen consortium. TSMR analyses were conducted using various methods, such as inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger regression, and weighted median estimator (WME), to explore the causal relationship between HDL-C, LDL-C and triglycerides levels and CVD events. The results from the Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses suggest a potential causal association between elevated HDL-C, LDL-C and triglycerides levels and CVD events, which indicates that increasing the level of HDL-C and restricting the level of LDL-C and triglycerides are possibly effective methods for the prevention of CVD.
Drug-Induced Neurotoxicity Mechanisms Underlie Addiction Symptoms
Authors: Hu Xinyi
Published: March 2024

The molecular mechanisms contributing to substance use disorder (SUD) have gained significant attention in recent years. In the last decade, people have found that addiction is hardly a decision of willpower but can be attributed to multiple molecular changes occurring in the brain after repeated drugs administration. The current research is focusing on understanding the mechanisms through which drugs administrations modify the brain and cause addicted individuals to become more susceptible to relapse. Notably, neurological impairments were found in drug addicts, suggesting potential drug-induced neurotoxicity. From studies conducted between 1992 to 2022, this paper analyzes the neurotoxicity of three commonly abused substances: methamphetamine (MA or METH), opiate, and cocaine at a cellular and molecular level, and the mechanisms through which they trigger neurotoxic effects. One shared neurotoxicity mechanism among the three substances is oxidative stress, as all drugs lead to an elevated DA level that renders oxidation feasible. Nonetheless, each substance exhibits unique mechanisms in addition to oxidative stress. For MA, additional neurotoxicity mechanisms include alteration in glutamate (Glu) and glial cells. Opiates could induce programmed cell death (apoptosis). Last but not the least, cocaine administration leads to decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and norepinephrine (NE) facilitation. By contributing to allostasis and withdrawal symptoms, these various neurotoxic effects play a crucial role in the addiction process, making addicts vulnerable to relapse.
DEPREM KAYNAKLI İKİNCİL TRAVMATİK STRESE GENEL BİR BAKIŞ
Authors: Gülyol Yaren
Published: March 2024

Türkiye taşıdığı coğrafi özellikler bakımından bir deprem ülkesidir. Dolayısıyla belirli aralıklarla farklı bölgelerde depremler meydana gelmekte ve ekonomik, sosyolojik, psikolojik ve benzeri pek çok bağlamda ağır sonuçlar ortaya çıkmaktadır. Saniyeler içerisinde oluşan tabloyu rehabilite etmek ise yıllarca sürebilmektedir. Bazen şiddeti yüksek depremlerde ortaya çıkan ölüm, yaralanma ve korkuya dayalı durumlar beraberinde yıllarca sürebilecek travmatik sonuçları doğurmaktadır. ‘Deprem Kaynaklı İkincil Travmatik Strese Genel Bir Bakış’ isimli çalışmada da deprem sonrası ortaya çıkan travmatik strese odaklanılarak bireyler üzerindeki etkisine dikkat çekilmektedir. Derleme kapsamında ele alınan çalışma sonucunda deprem sonrasında meydana gelen sonuçlar arasında ikincil travmatik stres ön plana çıkmaktadır.
La Commune de Paris et le renouvellement de l’altermondialisme
Authors: Massiah Gustave
Published: March 2024

La Commune de Paris est un moment universel, c’est-à-dire un moment vers lequel on revient, qui donne du sens et auquel on redonne un sens. C’est un moment qui crée de l’inattendu et qui révèle des nouveaux possibles, une bifurcation de l’Histoire. Les leçons de la Commune sont toujours d’une grande actualité. Nous les relirons à partir des questions qui se posent dans la situation présente, du point de vue du renouvellement de l’altermondialisme.
Estimating Mincerian Earning Function for Engineering Trainings in Pakistan
Authors: Ahmed Aziz , Abbas Zaheer
Published: March 2024

Mincerian Earning Function (MEF), with its standard assumptions, is a dominant model to estimate earning returns to education through its earning-schooling relationship in labor markets. This study explores empirical evidence to estimate the MEF for different years of engineering training in Pakistan. The theoretical model of MEF is used to specify the main determinants of general education, experience, engineering training, and other variables to show a snapshot of technical training and earning relationships in Pakistan. The instrumental variable two stages least square (IV2SLS) technique gives estimates of MEF for the selected sample size of 371 qualified respondents in the fields of engineering education and training in this study. The two-stage random sampling technique is used to collect cross-sectional data, and the results are statistically significant for general education and engineering training in the case of Pakistan. General education, experience, engineering training, and the provinces associations for the respondents likely influence the log earnings of the respondents. The results put forth insightful policy implications for national and provincial public policy processes for human capital formation in the fields of science and technology.
A Comparative Effectiveness of Training of Teachers Performance Conducted Under JICA, GTZ and PITE: A Case Study of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan)
Authors: Ilahi Manzoor , Khan Umar Ali , Naz Tabassum , Ayaz Muhammad
Published: March 2024

The current research paper aimed to investigate the effectiveness of training of teachers' performance conducted under JICA, GTZ, and PITE, A case study of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The survey research design was applied as per the nature of the study. A sample of 114 JICA-trained teachers, 379 GTZ-trained teachers, and 760 PITE-trained teachers was chosen. The size was determined using Krejcie and Morgan's (1970) sample table. The researcher used the stratified sampling method. A questionnaire was developed on a five-point Likert scale including five dimensions of training, i.e., objectives, organization and easiness of training content, expertise of trainer, participation level of trainees, and facilities provided by three organizations. Content validation was completed through experts' judgment, whereas the reliability of research too was measured through Cronbach's Alpha, which was estimated at 0.793. The researcher personally administered the questionnaire to the respondents and considered the researcher while gathering data from the teachers. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used. The key findings of the study reveal that teachers who received training are satisfied with the accompaniment of objectives, organization, and easiness of training content, the expertise of trainers, the participation level of trainees, and facilities provided by three organizations. The study recommended that the Government of KP developed a flow-up mechanism for such teachers to improve the professional skills of the teachers.
Self-organization in older age
Authors:   Russian State Social University (RSSU), Moscow, Russia, Kamenskih Vladimir , Kornilova Marina ,   Institute of Sociology of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the    Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
Published: March 2024

The article shows a relatively new form of self-organization of the elderly in Russia, which has been actively developing since 2018 on the basis of Centers of Moscow longevity and Youth (CML). Every senior citizen can apply to any CML in the city and organize their own club for the similar elderly people as well. Because of the enthusiasm of older Muscovites the total number of self-organized clubs by interests is increasing every year and, according to statistics (on January 2024), it is already more than 5 thousand. The self-organization of elders as a social phenomenon arouses research interest. The article presents a secondary analysis of available publications on the research topic based on quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as the results of the authors' research on the possibilities of representatives of the older generation to independently organize their free time, on their preferences in leisure activities in accordance with individual motivation, on the possibility of building new external and internal social connections. A total of 203 interviews were conducted with older Muscovites (55 y.o. and over), the leaders of the CML clubs in the Central and Southwestern districts of Moscow.
E-government and inclusive development: Bridging the digital divide in Azerbaijan
Authors:   ADA University, Baku, Azerbaijan, Azizi-Meshkin Mahammad
Published: March 2024

At present, digitalization in global and local context is an emerging concept and is being discussed quite actively. Countries experience different practices of switching to online systems in all spheres. It is believed that e-governance practices can be a strong tool to redesign and develop state practices while improving transparency, accountability and efficiency of various spheres in different states through online access. This paper analyzes the current stage of transferring to online systems in Azerbaijan, namely “e-governance” and its positive and negative implications. It is obvious that the formation of an electronic government with the use of modern information and communication technologies allows significantly increase information transparency in the state structures. In this regard, the paper touches several issues which currently are faced via e-governance.
ensino remoto ao ensino presencial em contexto pandêmico
Authors: Farias Ribeiro Hanah Clara , De Brito Nunes Hikaro Kayo
Published: March 2024

O presente estudo tem como objetivo identificar as dificuldades encontradas pelos professores e estudantes em relação ao processo de ensino e aprendizagem em Geografia após o retorno das aulas presenciais diante do contexto da Covid-19 em uma escola pública de Tefé – AM. Metodologicamente, foram realizados levantamentos e análises teóricas e documentais, realização de entrevista, aplicação de questionário, organização de roda de conversa e, por fim, tabulação de dados em gráficos e nuvens de palavras. Os resultados apontaram comparativamente às duas turmas analisadas, situações semelhantes, principalmente na relação antes-durante-depois do ensino remoto, contribuindo para ampliação de aflições principalmente quanto associada ao vestibular, além dos prejuízos ocasionados durante o ensino remoto no campo do ensino de Geografia, com pouco rendimento, interação e ensino e aprendizagem, apontado tanto pelos estudantes quanto pela professora.
Impactos da Reforma do Novo Ensino Médio na formação cidadã
Authors: Barros Cunha Maria Roselândia , Araújo Gonçalves Luiz Antonio
Published: March 2024

Este artigo é resultado das reflexões, leituras e debates realizados acerca das políticas educacionais e sobre o papel da Geografia Escolar na formação cidadã. Tendo em vista a nova reforma do Ensino Médio que entrou em vigor na rede de ensino de todo o país no ano de 2022, este ensaio teve o objetivo de investigar as mudanças promovidas pela Base Nacional Comum Curricular - BNCC e seus impactos na formação cidadã no que tange à etapa do Ensino Médio, principalmente no itinerário formativo em que engloba a Geografia Escolar. A alteração mais explícita foi marcada pela prevalência da obrigatoriedade e supervalorização da Língua Portuguesa, Língua Inglesa e Matemática, enquanto as demais disciplinas foram postas como optativas, dentre elas, a Geografia. Ademais, os resultados obtidos, através da revisão bibliográfica e documental,apontam para um paradigma de ensino pautado no individualismo e de uma formação direcionada às demandas do mercado de trabalho em detrimento da formação cidadã.
Fazendo gênero no chão da escola
Authors: Luiza B. R. da Silva Rusvênia , Rabêlo Valença Mariana , Israel Mota Pinto Pedro
Published: March 2024

Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar e discutir as questões tratadas no Espaço de diálogo e prática (EDP) “Gênero, sexualidade e diversidade na escola”, dentro do X Encontro Nacional de Ensino de Geografia - Fala Professor(a), que ocorreu em Fortaleza-CE, em julho de 2023, na Universidade Estadual do Ceará - Campus Itaperi. Foram apresentados nove trabalhos e as doze pessoas participantes do EDP trocaram impressões de que é preciso fortalecer nacionalmente os espaços de troca e ações coletivas acerca das questões de gênero e sexualidade, sobretudo  no âmbito escolar. Esta discussão aqui não apenas destaca a necessidade, mas também demonstra a viabilidade de incorporar essas questões no currículo escolar. As experiências apresentadas no EDP reforçam a ideia de que esses assuntos são relevantes para a vida cotidiana e, portanto, devem ser abordados nas escolas como uma medida para combater a violência e as desigualdades. A promoção de uma educação não sexista representa um compromisso com a mudança e é ferramenta essencial com relevância social e política.
Residência Pedagógica no contexto do avanço das Reformas Neoliberais para a educação
Authors: Costa Claudia Lúcia
Published: March 2024

O artigo aborda o avanço das políticas neoliberais para a educação no Brasil, o aprofundamento do desmonte da educação pública, especialmente dos cursos de Licenciaturas das universidades públicas no país, num recorte temporal de 2016 a 2022. O objetivo é situar o Programa de Formação Inicial Residência Pedagógica no contexto dessas reformas neoliberais, apontando os limites e as perspectivas desse Programa para a formação de professores. A pesquisa é qualitativa, pautada tanto na pesquisa documental e bibliográfica sobre o tema. Harvey (2008) e Antunes (2018) embasam o entendimento sobre o neoliberalismo, Saviani (2010); Mendonça e Fialho (2020) e Straforini (2018) abordam as discussões sobre a educação pública frente as contrarreformas neoliberais. Os resultados revelam os limites e perspectivas para a formação crítica de professores na atualidade rumo a uma educação popular.
Ciranda infantil no X Fala Professor (a)!
Authors: Holanda Silvana Chagas , Dutra dos Santos Camila
Published: March 2024

O artigo apresenta a experiência da Ciranda Infantil como política de ação afirmativa do X Fala Professor (a): Encontro Nacional de Ensino de Geografia.  O evento foi promovido pela Associação de Geógrafos Brasileiros (AGB), na Universidade Estadual do Ceará – UECE (Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil), entre os dias 17 a 21 de julho de 2023. Tratou-se de um espaço educativo e de recreação, destinado às crianças que estivessem acompanhando os(as) participantes. O objetivo deste texto é apresentar as reflexões e tomada de decisões que contribuíram para o planejamento e gestão do referido espaço infantil, considerando as especificidades das territorialidades das crianças. Coordenada pelo Laboratório de Estudos do Campo, Natureza e Território (LECANTE) e o Grupo de Pesquisa e Articulação Campo, Terra e Território (NATERRA) com apoio da AGB - Seção Fortaleza, consideramos que essa ação afirmativa teve a função de possibilitar e ampliar a participação de encontristas nos espaços de debates e construção de conhecimentos, principalmente para mulheres socialmente definidas como responsáveis pelo cuidado das crianças.
implicações das teorias pedagógicas no trabalho docente de Geografia e seus desdobramentos na prática pedagógica e na luta política
Authors: Bispo dos Santos Janeide , Campos Couto Marcos Antônio
Published: March 2024

O artigo analisa implicações das teorias pedagógicas no trabalho docente em Geografia,  teorias que explicam e dão direção aos processos de ensino-aprendizagem e às finalidade políticas da educação escolar. A metodologia explicita a relação entre a teoria pedagógica e a sua finalidade política, mediadas pelo papel da escola, do professor e de sua prática pedagógica. Focaliza três situações de contexto de ensino às quais o/a professor(a) de Geografia são submetido(a)s, com o objetivo de demonstrar como as teorias pedagógicas dão rumo ao trabalho docente. O trabalho pedagógico é ato intencional que tem fins de formação de sujeitos que estão em processo de aprendizagem. O trato pedagógico aos conhecimentos da ciência geográfica nos processos de ensino, implica na intenção de que os estudantes desenvolvam consciência acerca da organização espacial da sociedade no contexto das classes em luta
The Effect of Online Go Rating Point Difference on Winning Rate
Authors: Kim Chaelim , Kim Jinhwan
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the creation of a more equal environment for playing online Go. For this purpose, the results of the online Go server C company’s 7 dan matches and 7 dan and 6 dan matches were used. The matches were divided into sections by rating score difference between the two players and the winning rate and the number of matches were analyzed. The results of analyzing 7 dan’s 269,898 matches and 7 dan and 6 dan’s 107,649 matches are as follows. First, the winning rate on the side with the higher score (H ratio) increased by 10% for every 300 points in the 7 dan matches. As for the number of matches, 70% of the matches were distributed within the first 15 sections (point difference ranged 300), which is within H ratio of 50%, and about 90% of the matches were played within 25 sections (point difference ranged 500), which is within H ratio of 60%. In the 7 dan matches, when the difference was more than 300 points, the even game with 6.5 point komi seemed unequal. Second, in the matches between 7 dan and 6 dan, overall, 10% increase in the H ratio was shown for every 450 points, and one-stone handicap seemed unequal from about 900 points difference. Looking at the distribution of the number of matches, about 80% of the matches were played between the 20th section (point difference ranged 400) and the 71st section (point difference ranged 1420), that is, the H ratio ranged from Third, as a countermeasure against this inconsistency, komi subdivision and constant C value adjustment were proposed.
A Statistical Analysis of Amateur Go players to Assist AI-cheating Detection
Authors: Barollet Théo , Le Duc Colin
Published: March 2024

Since the democratization of powerful AI engines for the game of Go, it is not uncommon to see a drastic level increase of some players that must be explained with the help of AI. This is considered cheating and forbidden by most organizations. When looking at online beginners and stronger amateur players, we discovered that they can display playing strength below professional level and still confidently win the game, as opposed to professional players. This makes using only AI-likeness metrics not sufficient to detect such players. We propose a method based on the analysis of a player’s performance considering point loss distribution over several games, taking into account only relevant moves of a game. We still use an AI-likeness metric for analyzing individual games where the use of AI may not be consistent. We evaluated our methods on two European go official online leagues, where cheating detection was already performed (for a total of about 150 unique regular players, with levels ranging from 20 kyu to 5 European dan). We show that our system confirmed 5 cases of players previously banned for cheating (out of 6). Our methods do not set out to categorize players between “cheaters” and “not cheaters,” but rather rank them in order of suspicion, for the sake of assisting referees and providing them a way to effectively investigate suspicious players over time.
LA AUTOMATIZACIÓN DE LA MEDIACIÓN A TRAVÉS DE LA INTELIGENCIA ARTIFICIAL: UN RETO PARA EL ESTATUTO DEL MEDIADOR (MEDIADOR-ROBOT VS. MEDIADOR-HUMANO)
Authors: Belloso Martín Nuria
Published: March 2024

Se analiza la proyección de la automatización (aplicación de la inteligencia artificial « IA ») a los procedimientos de mediación. A partir de la breve presentación de tres experiencias de mediación realizadas por un robot, se deducen algunas dificultades de la aplicación de la IA a los procedimientos de mediación. Además de clarificar que una mediación online o telemática no es una mediación automatizada, el trabajo se centra en revisar dos de estas dificultades. La primera, la confusión que actualmente hay entre una negociación automatizada y una mediación automatizada (denominando “mediación” a lo que en realidad es una negociación); la segunda, la dificultad de mantener la neutralidad y la imparcialidad por parte del mediador-robot en una mediación automatizada (neutralidad e imparcialidad -que constituyen uno de los principios básicos del estatuto del mediador- y que quedan afectadas en cuanto los sistemas automatizados de “negociación”/”mediación”, ofrecen la respuesta de solución a las partes). Se establecerá una comparativa entre el mediador-robot vs. mediador- humano, apuntando ventajas e inconvenientes de ambas modalidades de mediador, lo que pone de manifiesto la necesidad de analizar la viabilidad legal de la mediación automatizada. Los cambios que conlleva la automatización de la mediación suponen un reto para el estatuto del mediador -que contempla los derechos y deberes del mediador- que, sin tardar mucho, exigirá una revisión.
LA PANDEMIA, LOS CAMBIOS SOCIALES Y LOS CONFLICTOS AMBIENTALES: ¿LA MEDIACIÓN EN EL AIRE?
Authors: de Oliveira Soares Samira Iasbeck
Published: March 2024

Este artículo tiene como objetivo relacionar la pandemia y los conflictos ambientales desde la perspectiva de la mediación como una práctica. Al igual que la pandemia nos invita a una forma de convivencia impregnada de la cultura de la mediación, los conflictos ambientales nos interpelan desde hace mucho tiempo a convivir con respeto a la diferencia, la alteridad, la colaboración y el diálogo. Además del aporte teórico, el artículo presenta ejemplos del uso de herramientas y valores de mediación en trabajos realizados durante la pandemia, previniendo impactos negativos ambientales en la gestión de residuos sólidos en Brasilia, Brasil.
A CASE STUDY: NEUTRALITY POSTURE OF THE MEDIATOR IN INTERCULTURAL MEDIATION
Authors: Poloogadoo Raginee
Published: March 2024

Mediation is becoming a more peaceful and internationally accepted solution for solving conflicts. It is a dynamic and interactive process where a neutral third party that is the mediator assists disputing parties in resolving conflict. Normally, there is an assumption that the mediator will remain neutral. This thesis explores the neutral posture of the mediator when dealing with inter-cultural mediation. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the understanding and implementation of neutrality of the intercultural mediator in practice. The research questions focused on the mediator’s perceptions, interpretations, conceptions, implementation and effectiveness of the neutrality posture at mediation. Ten face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with intercultural mediators hailing from diverse geographical locations. Data were coded and analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed that intercultural mediators have different views of neutrality in mediation. Moreover, they adopt the meaning and posture of neutrality according to their self-determination in practice. An alternative discourse for this study should be to frame a standard meaning to the term of neutrality by giving its absolute significance in mediation.
Nonsequential double ionization of Ar atoms in counter-rotating two-color elliptically polarized laser fields
Authors: Ge Zhen-Jie , Su Xu , Bai Li-Hua ,   Department of Physics, College of Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
Published: March 2024

Electron correlation behaviors and recollision dynamics in nonsequential double ionization (NSDI) of Ar atoms in counter-rotating two-color elliptically polarized (TCEP) laser fields are investigated by using the classical ensemble model. The combined electric field in counter-rotating TCEP laser pulses traces out a trefoil pattern, i.e. the waveform in a period shows three leaves in different directions, and each leaf is called a lobe. Unlike counter-rotating two-color circularly polarized laser field, the combined electric field has no spatial symmetry. The amplitudes of the three field lobes and the angles between them are different. Thus, the returning electron mainly returns to the parent ion from one direction, and the electron momentum distributions show strong asymmetry. Numerical results show that the NSDI yield gradually decreases as the ellipticity increases, and the correlated behavior of the correlated electron momentum along the long axis of the laser polarization plane gradually evolves from correlation behavior mainly located in the first quadrant and the third quadrant to anti-correlation behavior mainly located in the second quadrant and fourth quadrant. In order to further understand the correlation behaviors of electron pairs, different characteristic times in the NSDI processes are discussed, respectively. It is found that single ionization events and recollision events gradually decrease, but single ionization time and recollision time change slightly. This may be the main reason for the decrease in NSDI yield. And as the ellipticity increases, the traveling time and the recollision energy gradually decrease, while the delay time increases. Therefore, we can conclude that ellipticity may be responsible for the NSDI process. In addition, further analysis finds that the shape of the trajectory becomes more and more triangular as the ellipticity increases due to the counter-rotating TCEP laser fields of the specific dynamical symmetries of the total net electric field. And it is found that whether it is a “short trajectory” or a “long trajectory”, more populations move to the second quadrant and the fourth quadrant as the ellipticity increases. The results show that increasing the ellipticity will gradually change the two electrons from emitting in the same direction to emitting in the opposite direction. This well demonstrates that both ellipticity and travelling time are responsible for the formation of the electron momentum distribution at the recollision time, meaning that both of them affect the emitted directions of both electrons.
Heparan sulfate dependent phase separation of CCL5 and its chemotactic activity
Authors: Yu Xiaolin , Duan Guangfei , Pei Pengfei , Chen Long , Gu Renji , Hu Wenrui , Zhang Hongli , Wang Yan-Dong , Gong Lili , Liu Lihong , Chu Ting-Ting , Li Jin-Ping , Luo Shi-Zhong
Published: March 2024

Secreted chemokines form concentration gradients in target tissues to control migratory directions and patterns of immune cells in response to inflammatory stimulation; however, how the gradients are formed is much debated. Heparan sulfate (HS) binds to chemokines and modulates their activities. In this study, we investigated the roles of HS in the gradient formation and chemoattractant activity of CCL5 that is known to bind to HS. CCL5 and heparin underwent liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) and formed gradient, which was confirmed using CCL5 immobilized on heparin-beads. The biological implication of HS in CCL5 gradient formation was established in CHO-K1 (wild type) and CHO-677 (lacking HS) cells by Transwell assay. The effect of HS on CCL5 chemoattractant activity was further proved by transwell assay of human peripheral blood cells. Finally, peritoneal injection of the chemokine into mice showed reduced recruitment of inflammatory cells either by mutant CCL5 (lacking heparin binding sequence) or by addition of heparin to wild type CCL5. Our experimental data propose that co-phase separation of CCL5 with HS establishes a specific chemokine concentration gradient to trigger directional cell migration. The results warrant further investigation on other heparin binding chemokines and allows for a more elaborate insight into disease process and new treatment strategies.
Barbed-Spring Locks of the Museum: The Integrated Applications of Research, Exhibition and Science Education
Authors: Lin Jian-Liang , Pu Ching-Ching , Wang Hsin-Te , Huang Chin-Fei , Hsiao Kuo-Hung
Published: March 2024

No matter in ancient China or other ancient civilizations, locks and keys have been used for thousands of years. With the progressive development of the society and the advance of technology, the function and the safety of locks are getting more and more complete. Since the development of mechanical locks has a long history all over the world, the interiors of locks cover different kinds of mechanical members. The barbed-spring lock was the most typical type of ancient lock and was widely used in ancient China. Certain changes in the topological structures are involved in padlock operation. Therefore, they are reconfigurable mechanisms and can be illustrated with variable chains. Based on the concept of variable chains with the representation of joints developed by the authors, the topological variability of padlock operation is analyzed and presented. Several feasible designs of the barbed-spring locks are made as physical models. Furthermore, the corresponding animation of the padlocks is also successfully designed, produced, and used for exhibition purpose at the National Science and Technology Museum since 2012. Through the process of science popularization, the maker activities related to the mechanical locks are developed to promote the education of science and technology. The teaching DIY kits and the cultural and creative products of locks are developed further. This work provides an example of how ancient machinery researches can be a dependable result for transforming basic research into novel applications in science and technology museums.
Embroidery to Repair Life: Body-Territory Mapping and Collective Embroidery
Authors: Albarrán González Diana
Published: March 2024

In Latin America, textile traditions such as embroidery are integral to the community and personal well-being, representing the experiences and resistance of women in both domestic and public spheres. From a feminist lens, this article explores the role of collective embroidery and body-territory mapping as resistance tools within conflict zones. This analysis focuses on the project ‘Memories of Our Body-Territory. Testimonies about Structural Violence and Daily Life of Women Weavers in the Municipality of Magdalenas, Chiapas’. This region has faced political and territorial disputes impacting women’s lives and textile practices. Collective mapping and embroidery foster safe spaces for dialogue, reflection, and connection, promoting self-knowledge and well-being. The embroidered pieces transmit the memory of the body-territory, repairing the individual and collective and solidifying mutual support networks among women affected by the armed conflict.
Insights into Thiazolidinedione Analogues: Unveiling Antioxidant Activity through Descriptor-Based Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Investigations
Authors: Swathi Naraparaju , Kumar Thirumurthy Durai Ananda
Published: March 2024

Background: Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder is characterized by defective insulin secretion (β-cell dysfunction), insulin action (insulin resistance) and reduced bio-antioxidant potential. Antioxidants play key role in diabetes by reducing the oxidative stress and alleviating diabetic complications. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) attenuate insulin resistance and produce antioxidant effect.
Study Design: In continuation of our goal to develop thiazolidine-2,4-dione analogues that can address both oxidative stress and Type 2 diabetes, the in vitro antioxidant potential of a few synthesized thiazolidinediones (1-61) were evaluated for their DPPH and nitric oxide free radical scavenging assays. Descriptor-based QSAR analysis was utilized to study the structural contribution to the radical scavenging potential.
Results: Among all test compounds, the DPPH radical scavenging activity of compound 12 was found to be significant (IC50 22.7±0.43 μM). The compound 11 (IC50: 13.8±0.5 μM) showed superior nitric oxide radical scavenging potential, when compared to ascorbic acid (IC50: 14.8±0.7 µM). Among various developed QSAR models, 16 and 29 models were found to be best for DPPH and nitric oxide radical scavenging activities, respectively. The R2 value 0.745 and 0.890 in the above models are indicative of good correlation between in vitro and in silico antioxidant activity.
Conclusion: The QSAR studies revealed the potential contribution of the partition-coefficient, hydrogen bond acceptor and donors and molecular weight towards the antioxidant activity in both the assay models.
Supervision of Doctoral Students with Disabilities in South Africa: Issues, Trends and Reflections for Best Practice
Authors: Nkomo Duduzile
Published: March 2024

The supervision of doctoral research is enmeshed in confounding experiences across multidisciplinary domains of knowledge and contexts. The situation seems more complicated if it involves doctoral students with disabilities in African educational landscapes. In relation to this, the paper discusses issues and trends that are prevalent in the supervision of doctoral students with disabilities in some South African institutions of higher learning. Further deliberations on evolving issues in the supervision of this group of students in a transforming educational system are made, respectively. The author also interrogates the influence of attitudinal factors in the supervision process, challenges experienced by supervisors and lastly makes suggestions for reflective practice.
Detecting Dental Caries through Captured Images Using the Machine Learning Technology Teachable Machine
Authors: Anh Tran Tuan , Huy Nguyen The , Phat Nguyen Tien , Nhi Nguyen Thi Hoai , Ngoc Vo Truong Nhu , Anh Tran Hoang
Published: March 2024

Objective: The objective is to utilize open-source artificial intelligence tool Teachable Machine to detect dental caries.

Subjects and Research Methods: cross-sectional description. The research involved analyzing a total of 2,063 digital images, comprising 1,563 images showing dental caries and 500 images depicting teeth without any signs of dental caries.

Results: Among the 1,563 images featuring dental caries, the recognition tool accurately identified 1,512 images (96%), while 51 images remained undetected, representing 4% of the total. Among the entire set of 2,063 images, encompassing both those with and without dental caries, 1,512 images were accurately identified (73.3%), while 551 images (26.7%) were not detected to have dental caries.

Conclusion: The study on 1,563 images with dental caries using the Teachable Machine learning tool yielded promising results, achieving a high accuracy rate of 96%. However, when applied to the mixed dataset of 2,063 images, the accuracy rate for identifying images with dental caries dropped to only 73.3. The variance is ascribed to the initial stages of dental caries, which closely resemble the color of healthy tooth enamel. Therefore, the research team proposes the necessity for additional data on this form of decay to enhance classification and identification accuracy.