bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Where Should Morality Go: A Reexamination of the Confucian Rule by Virtue Thought in the Pre-Qin Dynasty and the Chinese Traditional Ideological Dilemma
Authors: Li Yunlong
Published: August 2024

The thought of rule by virtue in ancient China holds a significant role in Chinese ideological history. Because of the similarity in nature and authority, morality in ancient China played a similar role to religion in Western countries. The Confucian rule by virtue thought in the pre-Qin dynasty profoundly influenced subsequent generations. During the pre-Qin period, Confucian rule by virtue thought evolved—from personal cultivation to statecraft, integrating law and ritual. Concepts of rule by rite, rule by man, and rule by virtue intertwined with the legal philosophies of Confucius, Mencius, and Xunzi. Confucian moral governance focuses on human values and life quality, retaining relevance today. Constrained by historical and social contexts, it had unique dilemma and unobservable limitations. In order to eliminate the ideological dilemma, a return to virtue and law while adhering strictly to their boundaries is a feasible path for the Confucian rule by virtue thought from the pre-Qin Dynasty to the modern era.
Integration of CSR into the Marketing Mix for the Sustainable Development of Companies: A View from the Position of Financial Risk Management
Authors: Kucharov Abrorjon , Sozinova Anastasia , Popkova Elena , Fomenko Natalia , Vorontsova Galina , Ostrovskaya Victoria
Published: August 2024

This paper is devoted to establishing the consequences of integrating CSR into the marketing mix for financial risks in modern companies. Based on the international statistics for 2023, we compiled a regression model of the dependence of financial risks on the integration of CSR into their marketing mix. Based on that, we developed a new system approach to managing companies’ sustainable development. Its features are marketing management of the sustainable development of companies, systemic management of social and financial risks to companies, and implementation of risk management through integrating CSR into the marketing mix. The main conclusion is that the sustainable development of companies in the Decade of Action requires a systemic integration of CSR into the marketing mix, for this will allow for the simultaneous reduction of social and financial risks. The theoretical significance of this conclusion consists in the disclosure of previously unknown cause-and-effect relationships between CSR and financial risks to companies, which are explained in this paper through the lens of the elements of the marketing mix in the 7P model. The originality of this research consists in developing novel marketing tools for the systemic management of social and financial risks for companies with the help of CSR. The practical significance relates to the fact that the offered recommendations on the more complete integration of CSR into their marketing mix will allow reducing financial risks and ensuring sustainable development of Russian companies in the Decade of Action (until 2030). The managerial significance is as follows: the developed system approach to managing companies’ sustainable development will improve the practice of risk management in companies due to previously unavailable joint management and the general reduction of social and financial risks.
Potential of Combined Yeast Culture and Enzymatically Hydrolysed Yeast to Improve In Vitro Dry Matter and Nutrient Degradability of Different Feedstuffs
Authors: Sookrali Alisha A. , Hughes Martin P.
Published: August 2024

Live yeast cultures have been a popular additive in ruminant feeds to improve fermentation efficiency, rumen, and intestinal health. However, very little is known about inactive yeast culture and hydrolysable yeast cells on nutrient digestibility in ruminants. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effects of a combined yeast culture and enzymatically hydrolysed yeast (YC+EHY) on in vitro dry matter and nutrient digestibility. Seven chemically contrasting substrates, including the leaves and petiole of forage plants (Trichanthera gigantea, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, and Brachiaria arrecta), agriculture by-products (soybean meal and rice hulls), and a commercial concentrate feed, were incubated in vitro with and without YC+EHY to determine dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and acid detergent fibre (ADF) digestibility after 24 and 48 h of incubation. A second experiment evaluated in vitro CP degradability by incubating substrates for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 h with and without YC+EHY. Incubation with YC+EHY reduced 24 h DM and CP digestibility in soybean meal and G. sepium by 16.2% and 38.5%, respectively. Conversely, the ADF digestibility of B. arrecta incubated with YC+EHY increased by 32%. In vitro ruminal DM and nutrient digestibility were unaffected by YC+EHY after 48 h of incubation. The rate of CP degradability in the commercial concentrate and rice hull inoculated with YC+EHY increased sharply between 16 and 24 h post-incubation and generally plateaued afterwards. Similarly, YC+EHY significantly increased CP degradability in L. leucocephala after 8 and 16 h of incubation. The 16 h CP degradation in T. gigantea without YC+EHY was significantly higher. It was therefore concluded that YC+EHY has potential to improve ruminal ADF digestibility and modify ruminal CP degradation dependent on the type of substrate.
Lightning Current Measurement Method Using Rogowski Coil Based on Integral Circuit with Low-Frequency Attenuation Feedback
Authors: Xiao Yiping , Jiao Hongjian , Huo Feng , Shen Zongtao
Published: August 2024

A lightning current measurement method using a Rogowski coil based on an integral circuit with low-frequency attenuation feedback was proposed to address the issue of low-frequency distortion in the measurement of lightning currents on transmission lines using Rogowski coils. Firstly, the causes of low-frequency distortion in lightning current measurements using Rogowski coils were analyzed from the perspective of frequency domains. On this basis, an integration correction optimization circuit with a low-frequency attenuation feedback network was designed to correct the low-frequency distortion. The optimized integration circuit can also reduce the impact of low-frequency noise and the DC bias of the operational amplifier (op-amp) on the integration circuit due to the high low-frequency gain. Additionally, a high-pass filtering and voltage-divided sampling circuit has been added to ensure the normal operation of the integrator and improve the measurement range of the measurement system. Then, according to the relationship between the amplitude–frequency characteristics of the measurement system and the parameters of each component, the appropriate types of components and op-amp were selected to expand the measurement bandwidth. Finally, a simulation verification was conducted, and the simulation results show that this measurement method can effectively expand the lower measurement frequency limit to 20 Hz, correct the low-frequency distortion caused by Rogowski coils measuring lightning currents on transmission lines, and accurately restore the measured lightning current waveform.
Simplification of Mobility Tests and Data Processing to Increase Applicability of Wearable Sensors as Diagnostic Tools for Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Khalil Rana M. , Shulman Lisa M. , Gruber-Baldini Ann L. , Shakya Sunita , Fenderson Rebecca , Van Hoven Maxwell , Hausdorff Jeffrey M. , von Coelln Rainer , Cummings Michael P.
Published: August 2024

Quantitative mobility analysis using wearable sensors, while promising as a diagnostic tool for Parkinson’s disease (PD), is not commonly applied in clinical settings. Major obstacles include uncertainty regarding the best protocol for instrumented mobility testing and subsequent data processing, as well as the added workload and complexity of this multi-step process. To simplify sensor-based mobility testing in diagnosing PD, we analyzed data from 262 PD participants and 50 controls performing several motor tasks wearing a sensor on their lower back containing a triaxial accelerometer and a triaxial gyroscope. Using ensembles of heterogeneous machine learning models incorporating a range of classifiers trained on a set of sensor features, we show that our models effectively differentiate between participants with PD and controls, both for mixed-stage PD (92.6% accuracy) and a group selected for mild PD only (89.4% accuracy). Omitting algorithmic segmentation of complex mobility tasks decreased the diagnostic accuracy of our models, as did the inclusion of kinesiological features. Feature importance analysis revealed that Timed Up and Go (TUG) tasks to contribute the highest-yield predictive features, with only minor decreases in accuracy for models based on cognitive TUG as a single mobility task. Our machine learning approach facilitates major simplification of instrumented mobility testing without compromising predictive performance.
A Data Ingestion Procedure towards a Medical Images Repository
Authors: Solar Mauricio , Castañeda Victor , Ñanculef Ricardo , Dombrovskaia Lioubov , Araya Mauricio
Published: August 2024

This article presents an ingestion procedure towards an interoperable repository called ALPACS (Anonymized Local Picture Archiving and Communication System). ALPACS provides services to clinical and hospital users, who can access the repository data through an Artificial Intelligence (AI) application called PROXIMITY. This article shows the automated procedure for data ingestion from the medical imaging provider to the ALPACS repository. The data ingestion procedure was successfully applied by the data provider (Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, HCUCH) using a pseudo-anonymization algorithm at the source, thereby ensuring that the privacy of patients’ sensitive data is respected. Data transfer was carried out using international communication standards for health systems, which allows for replication of the procedure by other institutions that provide medical images. Objectives: This article aims to create a repository of 33,000 medical CT images and 33,000 diagnostic reports with international standards (HL7 HAPI FHIR, DICOM, SNOMED). This goal requires devising a data ingestion procedure that can be replicated by other provider institutions, guaranteeing data privacy by implementing a pseudo-anonymization algorithm at the source, and generating labels from annotations via NLP. Methodology: Our approach involves hybrid on-premise/cloud deployment of PACS and FHIR services, including transfer services for anonymized data to populate the repository through a structured ingestion procedure. We used NLP over the diagnostic reports to generate annotations, which were then used to train ML algorithms for content-based similar exam recovery. Outcomes: We successfully implemented ALPACS and PROXIMITY 2.0, ingesting almost 19,000 thorax CT exams to date along with their corresponding reports.
Chemical Composition and Biological Properties of Achillea cucullata Extracts from Leaves and Flowers
Authors: Binobead Manal Abdulaziz , Aziz Ibrahim M.
Published: August 2024

Achillea cucullata is a perennial herbaceous plant that has a long history of medical use in many cultures. The present research focuses on the biological activity and therapeutic potential of A. cucullata, namely its antibacterial and anticancer properties. While previous studies have shed light on the cytotoxic and antibacterial capabilities of Achillea cucullata aerial parts, there is still a considerable gap in knowledge concerning the anticancer potential of leaf and flower extracts. A. cucullata’s leaves and flowers were extracted using methanol. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were evaluated. The antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antibacterial properties were evaluated against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of A. cucullata leaf and flower extracts showed numerous amounts of bioactive components, including carvacrol, a TBDMS derivative; 2-Myristynoyl-glycinamide, acetylaminobenzothiazol-2-yl)-2-(adamantan-1-yl); Isolongifolol; (3E,10Z)-Oxacyclotrideca-3,10-diene-2,7-dione; and 3-Heptanone, 5-hydroxy-1,7-diphenyl. The extract has a high level of phenols and flavonoids. Cytotoxicity studies found that A. cucullata leaves and flowers had dose-dependent toxicity against MCF-7 and HepG2 cancer cell lines, with flowers being more effective. Apoptotic genes (caspase-3, 8, 9, and Bax) were upregulated in treated MCF-7 and HepG2 cells, whereas anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-xL and Bcl-2) were reduced. Antibacterial screening revealed significant activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Overall, the research highlights the varied therapeutic potentials of A. cucullata, adding to the knowledge of plant-derived extracts in lowering disease risks. Future research should concentrate on in vivo studies to assess the effectiveness and safety of these substances.
Acute Psychological Stress Detection Using Explainable Artificial Intelligence for Automated Insulin Delivery
Authors: Abdel-Latif Mahmoud M. , Rashid Mudassir M. , Askari Mohammad Reza , Shahidehpour Andrew , Ahmadasas Mohammad , Park Minsun , Sharp Lisa , Quinn Lauretta , Cinar Ali
Published: August 2024

Acute psychological stress (APS) is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon that affects metabolism, necessitating real-time detection and interventions to mitigate its effects on glycemia in people with type 1 diabetes. This study investigates the detection of APS using physiological variables measured by the Empatica E4 wristband and employs explainable machine learning to evaluate the importance of the physiological signals. The extreme gradient boosting model is developed for classification of APS and non-stress (NS) with weighted training, achieving an overall accuracy of 99.93%. The Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) technique is employed to interpret the global importance of the physiological signals, determining the order of importance for the variables from most to least as galvanic skin response (GSR), heart rate (HR), skin temperature (ST), and motion sensors (accelerometer readings). The increase in GSR and HR are positively correlated with the occurrence of APS as indicated by high positive SHAP values. The SHAP technique is also used to explain the local signal importance for particular instances of misclassified samples. The detection of APS can inform multivariable automated insulin delivery systems to intervene to counteract the APS-induced glycemic excursions in people with type 1 diabetes.
Pioneering Technology Mining Research for New Technology Strategic Planning
Authors: Li Shugang , Li Ziyi , Tang Yixin , Zhao Wenjing , Kang Xiaoqi , Zheng Lingling , Yu Zhaoxu
Published: August 2024

In today’s increasingly competitive globalization, innovation is crucial to technological development, and original innovations have become the high horse in the fight for market dominance by enterprises and governments. However, extracting original innovative technologies from patent data faces challenges such as anomalous data and lengthy analysis cycles, making it difficult for traditional models to achieve high-precision identification. Therefore, we propose a Multi-Dimensional Robust Stacking (MDRS) model to deeply analyze patent data, extract leading indicators, and accurately identify cutting-edge technologies. The MDRS model is divided into four stages: single indicator construction, robust indicator mining, hyper-robust indicator construction, and the pioneering technology analysis phase. Based on this model, we construct a technological development matrix to analyze core 3D-printing technologies across the industry chain. The results show that the MDRS model significantly enhances the accuracy and robustness of technology forecasting, elucidates the mechanisms of technological leadership across different stages and application scenarios, and provides new methods for quantitative analysis of technological trends. This enhances the accuracy and robustness of traditional patent data analysis, aiding governments and enterprises in optimizing resource allocation and improving market competitiveness.
Faculty and Students’ Perceptions about Assessment in Blended Learning during Pandemics: The Case of the University of Barcelona
Authors: Remesal Ana , Cano Elena , Lluch Laia
Published: August 2024

Blended teaching and learning modalities are well established in higher education, particularly after all learning through pandemics. This study aims to explore faculty and students’ perceptions about potentially empowering assessment practices in blended teaching and learning environments during remote teaching and learning. Two samples of 129 university educators and 265 students of the University of Barcelona responded to a survey. The most salient agreement between faculty and students deals with the accreditation purpose, thus summative function, of assessment and a lack of students’ participation in assessment practices. At the same time, the results show some disagreements regarding formative assessment purposes and feedback. Our results offer implications for future blended teaching and learning designs for training students and faculty in the pursuit of assessment literacy, and for institutional policies to ensure the sustainability of formative assessment practices.
A Methodology for Forecasting the KPIs of a Region’s Development: Case of the Russian Arctic
Authors: Zhukovskiy Yuriy , Tsvetkov Pavel , Koshenkova Anastasia , Skvortsov Ivan , Andreeva Iuliia , Vorobeva Valeriya
Published: August 2024

Forecasting the development of regions is one of the most challenging tasks of modern economics. The quality of any forecast is determined by the methodology used. Accordingly, criticism of existing forecasts is largely connected to their methodological approaches. In this paper, a multi-level approach to forecasting the development of the region is proposed, starting with the definition of the key performance indicators and ending with the assessment of various scenarios. The study was conducted on the example of the Russian Arctic, divided into three technological zones, with three scenarios of the development for each (negative, base, positive). The application of the proposed methodology allowed for modeling the development of the region until 2035. The results show that the Russian Arctic has a huge difference in the achievability of different goals, e.g., 98% of the electricity supply targets are achievable in a baseline scenario, while only 52% are achievable in a set of “navigation” targets. The proposed methodology can be useful for diving into the details of regional forecasts, such as the impact of key companies in a region or the influence of international politics.
Does Providing Information about the Environmental Benefits of Reusable Packaging Systems for Consumer Products Increase Consumers’ Willingness to Use Them?
Authors: Tonikidou Artemi , Webb Thomas L.
Published: August 2024

Systems for reusing packaging (e.g., refillable bottles for laundry detergent) have the potential to reduce plastic waste and lower the environmental impact of delivering products to consumers. However, despite the potential of reusable packaging, uptake of reuse systems is typically low and so the present research investigated whether informing consumers about these benefits increases their willingness to engage with reuse systems. A total of 969 participants were asked to imagine buying consumer products, such as laundry detergent in refillable bottles, and were then randomly allocated to either receive information on the potential environmental benefit of (i) their using the scheme, (ii) the scheme as a whole, or (iii) no information. The findings suggested that the information increased consumers’ awareness of the environmental impact of reuse systems but did not increase their willingness to use such systems. This finding underscores the need for strategies that go beyond mere dissemination of information, to circumvent obstacles that prevent willing consumers from enacting desirable behaviours.
A Systematic Literature Review of the Digital Transformation in the Arabian Gulf’s Oil and Gas Sector
Authors: Al-Hajri Abdulla , Abdella Galal M. , Al-Yafei Hussein , Aseel Saleh , Hamouda Abdel Magid
Published: August 2024

Digital transformation has emerged as a significant driver of innovation globally, with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations actively participating in this evolution. This systematic review provides a comprehensive assessment of the digital transformation in the GCC’s oil and gas sector over the past decade. Through a rigorous bibliometric analysis of 505 documents sourced from the SCOPUS database, this study examines trends in research outputs, affiliations, and publication types. The analysis reveals dynamic trends in research outputs, with the GCC showing a substantial growth in publications in recent years, particularly mirroring global trends, albeit on a smaller scale. Despite this progress, GCC publications in 2023 represent approximately 30% of the decade’s total, reflecting opportunities for increased research investment and international collaboration to enhance scientific output. Key findings highlight the United Arab Emirates as a leading contributor with (35%) of publications, followed by Saudi Arabia (29%) and Kuwait (26%). Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar exhibit comparatively fewer publications, suggesting potential areas for increased research focus. Conference papers dominate the scholarly output, comprising 92% of the publications, underscoring their role in disseminating research findings effectively. The top six world-leading research centers in digital transformation in oil and gas were analyzed and found to represent approximately 26% of global publications in the research field. This review contributes to the global discourse on technological adoption, innovation, and sustainable development by synthesizing the existing literature. It emphasizes the imperative of sustained research investment and strategic initiatives to strengthen scientific output in the GCC’s digital transformation of the oil and gas sector. By providing robust analysis and insights into regional contributions, this study informs policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers aiming to advance digital initiatives across the GCC.
Vendor Partnerships in Sustainable Supply Chains in the Indian Electric Two-Wheeler Industry—A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Achal D. K. , Vijaya G. S.
Published: August 2024

The United Nations Convention on Climate Change 2015 mandates reducing the carbon footprint to reduce global warming. Considering environmental concerns, electric vehicles (EVs) spearhead the move towards green mobility. Niti Aayog (Indian Government) has envisaged an “EV only” scenario by 2030. Two wheelers, with almost 80% of the market share of the Indian automobile industry, will provide the primary thrust for EVs. The holistic sustainability of the Indian EV two-wheeler industry will depend upon its vendor partnerships and processes, which are examined in this paper through a systematic review of the literature available from all known sources. This study, after reviewing over 165 papers apart from government and independent reports, also explores how sustainability and allied topics like green supply chain management in business decision making promotes efficiency, controls expenditure, enhances customer delight, increases sales and market share, optimizes risk management strategies and promotes profitability. Considering the restricted availability of the literature on the Indian automobile industry in general, and specifically on the Indian EV or EV two-wheeler industry, this work will help in bringing focus on this area of fast-burgeoning importance and will pave the way for the establishment of a conceptual framework for research.
High-Gas-Barrier and Biodegradable PPC-P/PBAT Composite Films Coated by Poly(vinyl alcohol)/borax Complexes
Authors: Deng Jiangtao , Yue Shuangshuang , Xiao Min , Huang Sheng , Wang Shuanjin , Han Dongmei , Meng Yuezhong
Published: August 2024

Degradable and high-barrier plastic packaging materials draw more attention with the development of a social economy and the demands of environmental protection. In this study, poly(propylene carbonate phthalate) (PPC-P) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends with different ratios were designed and prepared, marked as PPC-P/PBAT. Chain extenders were introduced into the blends, and the mechanical properties, thermal properties, and barrier properties of the composites were studied. The 75PPC-P/PBAT with 2% extenders represent the best performance. The addition of the chain extender has significantly improved the thermal stability and tensile elongation of PPC-P/PBAT. On this basis, the PPC-P/PBAT composite film was coated with PVA and borax using the dipping and pulling method. The oxygen barrier properties have been further improved for the composite film with a coating layer. Considering the characteristics of biodegradability and a high-barrier property, the 75PPC-P/PBAT/2MDI@Gly blend coated with 2 wt% PVA and 3 wt% borax exhibits potential as a superior food/pharmaceutical plastic packaging material with excellent tensile and barrier properties.
Loss of Independence after Index Hospitalization Following Proximal Femur Fracture
Authors: Maqsood Hannan A , Pearl Adam , Shahait Awni , Shahid Basmah , Parajuli Santosh , Kumar Harendra , Saleh Khaled J.
Published: August 2024

Purpose: Proximal femur fractures (PFFs) in elderly patients lead to decreased productivity. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) are non-home destinations for post-discharge disposition. This study aims to evaluate the loss of independence (LOI) following PFFs and examine the economic impact it entails. Method: The literature from various databases was collected and analyzed retrospectively. The inclusion criteria included patients age > 18 years and articles published after 1990. All studies were screened, a PRISMA chart was used to demonstrate the search process, and 24 studies were finally used for review. Results: LOI following PFFs significantly increases with age. Fractures in geriatrics avail a significant amount of post-care resources and had longer lengths of stay. Furthermore, six pre-operative risk factors were identified for non-home disposition, including age > 75, female, non-Caucasian race, Medicare status, prior depression, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. Patients discharged directly to home have lower total costs compared to those discharged to rehabilitation units. Loss of independence increases with advancing age. Conclusions: PFFs can lead to a serious loss of independence among elderly patients. Female gender, advancing age, white population, co-existing morbidities, lack of proper care, post-operative infections, limitation in mobility following surgery, and impaired cognitive function following surgery are the factors that contribute to the decline in the rate of appropriate recovery following surgery. Therefore, these factors could necessitate permanent residence in a nursing facility (IRFs and SNFs), with a direct impact on economic, social, psychological aspects and the healthcare system.
Experimental Benchmarking of Existing Offline Parameter Estimation Methods for Induction Motor Vector Control
Authors: Reddy Butukuri Koti , Ayyagari Krishna Sandeep , Kumar Yemula Pradeep , Giri Nimay Chandra , Rajgopal Panganamamula Venkata , Fotis Georgios , Mladenov Valeri
Published: August 2024

Induction motors dominate industrial applications due to their unwavering reliability. However, optimal vector control, critical for maximizing dynamic performance, hinges on accurate parameter estimation. This control strategy necessitates precise knowledge of the motor’s parameters, obtainable through experimentation or calculation based on its design specifications. Numerous methods, ranging from traditional to computational, have been proposed by various researchers, often relying on specific assumptions that might compromise the performance of modern motor control techniques. This paper meticulously reviews the most frequently utilized methods and presents experimental results from a single motor. We rigorously compare these results against established benchmark methods, including IEEE Standard 112-2017, and subsequently identify the superior approach, boasting a maximum error of only 6.5% compared to 19.65% for competing methods. Our study investigates the parameter estimation of induction motor. The methodology primarily utilizes RMS values for measurement tasks. Moreover, the impact of harmonics, particularly when an induction motor is supplied by an inverter is briefly addressed. The pioneering contribution of this work lies in pinpointing a more accurate parameter estimation method for enhanced vector control performance. These findings pave the way for exceptional vector control, particularly at lower speeds, ultimately elevating both vector control and drive performance.
Structure versus Property Relationship of Hybrid Silk/Flax Composites
Authors: Ornaghi Heitor L. , Neves Roberta M. , Dall Agnol Lucas , Kerche Eduardo , Lazzari Lidia K.
Published: August 2024

The increasing demand for environmental and sustainable materials has motivated efforts to fabricate biocomposites as alternatives to conventional synthetic fiber composites. However, biocomposite materials have some drawbacks such as poor mechanical resistance, fiber/matrix incompatibility, low thermal resistance and high moisture absorption. Extensive research has been conducted to address these challenges, in terms of the sustainable production, serviceability, reliability and properties of these novel biocomposites. Silk fibers have excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability along with moderate mechanical properties, while flax fibers have a high specific strength and modulus. The combination of the silk fiber with moderate modulus and stiffness with flax fibers with high specific strength and modulus allows the modulation of the properties of silk using the intra- and inter-hybridization of both fibers. In this study, silk and flax fibers are combined in different arrangements, totaling eight different composites; the quasi-static mechanical properties and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis are discussed, focusing on the structure versus relationship properties, with the aim of corroborating the freely available data from literature. The main findings indicated that the synergic effect of the flax fiber and silk fiber leads to a tailormade composite with a low cost and high performance.
The Impact of Alloantibodies on Clinical VCA Outcomes and the Need for Immune Tolerance
Authors: Blades Caitlin M. , Navarro-Alvarez Nalu , Huang Christene A. , Mathes David W.
Published: August 2024

The functional outcomes and restoration of form after vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) have exceeded the results that could be achieved with current autologous surgical techniques. However, the longevity of VCA grafts has been limited due to the development of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs), and chronic rejection and graft failure occur despite long-term immunotherapy. Furthermore, despite widespread consensus that these non-life-saving transplants are beneficial for select patients, the application of VCA is limited by the need for lifelong immunosuppression. Therefore, attempts to achieve drug-free tolerance through safe and effective therapies are critical. This review highlights recent publications regarding alloantibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in various VCAs with a focus on the critical need for novel tolerance-inducing strategies. The development and implementation of effective methods of inducing tolerance, such as the use of anti-CD3 immunotoxins, could drastically improve VCA graft outcomes and recipient quality of life.
Giant Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma—A Renal Hazard
Authors: Dieter Raymond A. , Kuzycz George B. , Carlino Blake J.
Published: August 2024

Retroperitoneal tumors are uncommon and may reach a large size prior to causing symptoms or being noticed by the patient or physician. A middle-aged female consulted us for care during her “terminal” illness. She had already undergone four previous retroperitoneal resection surgical procedures. She presented with a large recurrent protruding mass from the right side of the abdomen and related a history of a previous cholecystectomy, right nephrectomy, right colectomy, and repeated resection of a recurrent retroperitoneal liposarcoma. She thus came to us for consultation and terminal care in order to be away from her friends during treatment for this terminal condition. After our consultation, she elected to have repeated surgical excisions of the tumor. The surgical excisions yielded a giant recurrent tumor mass, which overflowed and covered all margins of the 21-inch-wide surgical scrub basin. Over the next eleven years, she had multiple surgical resection procedures involving both the right and left retroperitoneum (a splenectomy, a left colectomy, and a colostomy). Recovery from each of these resection procedures (the final combined resection weight was 120 pounds) was without complications. However, the tumor finally encased the pancreas and the left kidney. If the tumor encasement were to be palliated and resected, she would require hemodialysis. At this time, the patient elected to have no further resection surgeries, no dialysis, nor any palliative chemoradiation treatment. Over a period of sixteen years from her first resection and twelve years from our first resection, the patient had continued to work at her medical administrative and leadership position and led a functional life after our consultation, except for her surgical period. The patient was not cured but benefited from repeated palliative surgeries, prolonging her life and improving her job performance.
Intestinal Microbiota and Its Effect on Vaccine-Induced Immune Amplification and Tolerance
Authors: Liu Yixin , Zhou Jianfeng , Yang Yushang , Chen Xiangzheng , Chen Longqi , Wu Yangping
Published: August 2024

This review provides the potential of intestinal microbiota in vaccine design and application, exploring the current insights into the interplay between the intestinal microbiota and the immune system, with a focus on its intermediary function in vaccine efficacy. It summarizes families and genera of bacteria that are part of the intestinal microbiota that may enhance or diminish vaccine efficacy and discusses the foundational principles of vaccine sequence design and the application of gut microbial characteristics in vaccine development. Future research should further investigate the use of multi-omics technologies to elucidate the interactive mechanisms between intestinal microbiota and vaccine-induced immune responses, aiming to optimize and improve vaccine design.
Linear Quadratic Tracking Control of Car-in-the-Loop Test Bench Using Model Learned via Bayesian Optimization
Authors: Gao Guanlin , Jardin Philippe , Rinderknecht Stephan
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we introduce a control method for the linear quadratic tracking (LQT) problem with zero steady-state error. This is achieved by augmenting the original system with an additional state representing the integrated error between the reference and actual outputs. One of the main contributions of this paper is the integration of a linear quadratic integral component into a general LQT framework. In this framework, the reference trajectories are generated using a linear exogenous system. During a simulative implementation for the specific real-world system of a car-in-the-loop (CiL) test bench, we assumed that the ‘real’ system was completely known. Therefore, for model-based control, we could have a perfect model identical to the ‘real’ system. It became clear that for CiL, stable solutions cannot be achieved with a controller designed with a perfect model of the ‘real’ system. On the contrary, we show that a model trained via Bayesian optimization (BO) can facilitate a much larger set of stable controllers. It exhibited an improved control performance for CiL. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this discovery is the first in the LQT-related literature, which is a further distinctive feature of this work.
Unveiling Resistance and Virulence Mechanisms under Darwinian Positive Selection for Novel Drug Discovery for Gardnerella vaginalis
Authors: Sousa Eduarda Guimarães , Felice Andrei Giacchetto , Dominici Fabiana Vieira , Jaiswal Arun Kumar , Pedrosa Mariana Letícia Costa , Reis Luiza Pereira , Gomes Lucas Gabriel Rodrigues , Azevedo Vasco Ariston de Carvalho , Soares Siomar de Castro
Published: August 2024

Gardnerella vaginalis is a Gram-variable bacillus capable of causing bacterial vaginosis, a condition prevalent in reproductive-age women, this bacterium is present in almost 100% of cases and is also considered a gateway to various sexually transmitted infections. This organism exhibits high pathogenicity linked to virulence and resistance genes acquired throughout evolution, showcasing elevated resistance to a broad spectrum of drug classes. This study conducted comparative genomic analyses to identify these genes and correlate their presence with positive Darwinian selection. Additionally, new drug targets were selected through docking and molecular modeling, guided by the heightened antimicrobial resistance exhibited by this microbial species. The available genomes of G. vaginalis were analyzed, and the orthologous genes were delineated and positively selected, whereby 29 groups were found. Of these genes, one of great importance was predicted, Mef(A), which is related to resistance to the macrolide group of antibiotics, which are one of the main choices for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections. Additionally, two potential protein candidates were selected as drug targets. These proteins were linked with a natural compound each and are considered good potential drug targets. The analyses in this study contribute to analyzing the evolution of the species and how resistance genes are related to their permanence as a potential pathogen.
Community-Based Alternatives to Secure Care for Seriously At-Risk Children and Young People: Learning from Scotland, The Netherlands, Canada and Hawaii
Authors: Crowe Kate
Published: August 2024

This article identifies community-based alternatives to secure care being utilised in The Netherlands, Canada, Hawaii and Scotland. These countries offer ways to not only reduce or eliminate the need to deprive children and young people of their liberty in secure care but also reduce rates of child removal and alternative care placements. Secure care is the containment of children and young people, often subject to child protection interventions and residing in residential care, in a locked facility when they pose a significant risk of harm to the community and themselves. An admission to secure care exposes children to restrictive practices, such as seclusion, use of force and restraint. Jurisdictions have an ethical imperative, and often legislative obligation, to ensure there are less intrusive community-based supports available, which could be utilised instead of a secure care admission where possible. However, there is little research on what alternatives effectively divert secure care admissions. Hawaii, Canada, The Netherlands and Scotland demonstrate how countries can reduce the number of vulnerable children deprived of their liberty and exposed to restrictive practices by enhancing research linkages, responding to the voice of lived experience, and positioning secure care and alternatives within system-wide reform.
Bartolomé de las Casas
Authors: Abello Rayo Luis Fernando
Published: August 2024

El siguiente escrito pretende demostrar que, dentro de las descripciones en Brevísima relación de la destrucción de las Indias, se concibe una culpabilidad por parte del fraile, por lo que en su escrito pretende realizar una omisión de la misma. Para ello, se intenta demostrar que en el pensamiento en de las Casas, conlleva una determinación ética para no evadir su responsabilidad en los hechos de barbarie. Esto implica conferirle un carácter importante a la relación como testigo y “cómplice” de las particularidades que se relatan en sus escritos. De esta manera, el presente texto se divide en tres partes. La primera, vinculará la relación de la ética y la fe como móvil para rechazar los actos violentos. En la segunda, la oposición de las Casas a la existencia de cultos opuesto al bien, junto con relación del cuerpo como manera de exclusión hacia el otro a través de la deshumanización y el tercero, el dilema de culpa metafísica, en la cual de las Casas tiene una responsabilidad por el hecho de no evitar tales situaciones de barbarie.
Nota editorial
Authors: Fisgativa Carlos Mario
Published: August 2024

Con la publicación de este número, la revista Disertaciones llega a 14 años de actividad editorial como revista digital de acceso abierto.  Lo que constituye un aporte del Programa de filosofía de la Universidad del Quindío a la diseminación del conocimiento y de la actividad filosófica desde Colombia. Son 19 ediciones y más de 100 artículos los que han sido publicados, lo que constituye un valioso archivo generado por este ejercicio editorial, el cual esperamos cobre mayor relevancia, dado el contexto de disputa acerca de la necesidad de democratizar el acceso a la información y a los resultados de procesos de investigación. Para lo cual el sistema de revistas de acceso abierto (Open Journal Systems) es una herramienta confiable.
Serviços ecossistêmicos culturais: estratégias de valorização do patrimônio cultural no Parque Estadual Cunhambebe (RJ)
Authors: Costa Hedinene Silva da , Andrade Daniel Fonseca de , Oliveira Maria Amália Silva Alves de
Published: August 2024

A provisão de serviços ecossistêmicos culturais em unidades de conservação é essencial para a promoção da sensibilização pública e a conservação da natureza. No Brasil, estudos sobre o tema são incipientes. O presente artigo tem o objetivo de apresentar as estratégias de valorização do patrimônio cultural empreendidas nas ações de educação ambiental do Parque Estadual Cunhambebe entre os anos de 2013 e 2021. Para isso, utilizou-se de uma abordagem qualitativa com metodologia baseada na análise de conteúdo. A investigação foi realizada por meio da análise de 22 relatórios de ação de educação ambiental e entrevistas com 2 guardas-parques da unidade de conservação. A partir desta averiguação, identificaram-se sete estratégias que compõem os serviços ecossistêmicos culturais do parque e que foram promovidas nas ações de educação ambiental: as trilhas interpretativas (Curumim e Ruínas); as Ruínas do Sahy; a narrativa sobre a Pedra da Conquista ou Banquete; a participação da comunidade no Programa de Índio; o diálogo com as comunidades indígenas; os eventos com comunidades quilombolas; e as reuniões com os grupos religiosos de matriz africana. Resultados demonstram um avanço na direção da implantação das diretrizes dos serviços ecossistêmicos culturais no parque. Por fim, sugerem-se proposições para o aprimoramento das ações de educação ambiental e das estratégias de valorização do patrimônio cultural na Unidade de Conservação.
Impactos da participação em projetos de Educação Ambiental na avaliação dos serviços públicos: uma análise das populações tradicionais de pescadores artesanais
Authors: Peixoto Vitor de Moraes , Oliveira Bruna Gomes de , Leite Davi Athaydes , Bastos Gisele Braga
Published: August 2024

Este artigo analisa o impacto da participação em projetos de educação ambiental na avaliação dos serviços públicos, mais especificamente, como populações tradicionais de pescadores artesanais avaliam os serviços públicos ofertados em municípios produtores de petróleo e gás. Por meio de análises estatísticas foram testadas hipóteses sobre impactos das variáveis de participação em PEA, renda, escolaridade, cor, sexo e ambiente de pesca nas avaliações de serviços públicos. Os resultados apontam que os serviços de educação e postos de saúde são os mais bem avaliados, enquanto ambulância, farmácia municipal e cultura são os piores. Os modelos econométricos hierárquicos multiníveis sugerem que a renda dos pescadores artesanais é um dos mais importantes preditores da avaliação de serviços públicos.
Filmes comerciais de Educação Ambiental e o ensino de ciências
Authors: Santos Elisangela Ferreira dos , Uhmann Rosangela Inês Matos
Published: August 2024

Neste estudo reforçamos a relação dos conteúdos de Ciências com foco na Educação Ambiental (EA) com auxílio dos recursos midiáticos para o desenvolvimento dos conhecimentos científicos, tendo a EA como um tema transversal. A metodologia consistiu em selecionar artigos da Revista Eletrônica de Mestrado em Educação Ambiental (REMEA) entre 2018 e 2022 sobre o uso de filmes comerciais com foco em EA. E teve por objetivo analisar a importância do uso dos filmes de EA quanto aos aspectos da relação e compreensão no ensino de Ciências. Portanto, foram encontrados seis filmes possíveis de contextualização e problematização para trabalho da EA em contexto escolar, envolvendo a criticidade das ações antrópicas.
Uma discussão meta-ética entre o ecocentrismo e o pluralismo
Authors: Aluai Nuno , Pinto Mário , Figueiredo Liliana , Pereira Sérgio , Bonifácio Evangelina
Published: August 2024

Atualmente, encontramo-nos no limiar da destabilização do sistema terrestre. Apesar do movimento ambientalista ter surgido na década de 1960, continua a existir um baixo envolvimento da maioria da população na proteção e conservação ambiental. Vários grupos de ativistas ambientais têm transmitido mensagens de forma e, por vezes, incompreensível ao cidadão comum. Assim, justifica-se esta investigação que, ao reconhecer a inevitabilidade da transição sustentável, considera pouco exequível a adoção imediata, pela generalidade do público, de um posicionamento ético centrado no bem-estar dos ecossistemas. Deste modo, realizou-se uma análise documental à literatura que se entendeu pertinente. Face aos argumentos expostos o posicionamento ético pluralista poderá responder às inquietações daqueles que se baseiam atitudinal e comportamentalmente de forma ecocêntrica e antropocêntrica diminuindo os conflitos e aumentando o entendimento, necessário para uma mudança socioambiental mais sustentada.
Conhecendo os ODS: uma análise da percepção ambiental de alunos do Ensino Médio da Escola Raimundo Soares (RN)
Authors: Toledo André Luiz Lopes , Gonçalves Neide Cristina Lucena
Published: August 2024

A Educação Ambiental é um instrumento que muda percepções a respeito do meio ambiente, sendo imprescindível a conscientização da sociedade. Este estudo busca analisar a importância e o impacto do conhecimento dos ODS, por meio da percepção de discentes sobre o meio ambiente. O objeto de estudo é a Escola Estadual Raimundo Soares, localizada em Natal (RN). Na metodologia, fez-se uso do método qualitativo, a partir de um estudo de caso. Os resultados obtidos com esta pesquisa revelaram a importância da prática e conscientização socioambiental para jovens discentes, tendo como base o futuro papel desses no contexto social, por intermédio da mudança de comportamento em relação ao meio ambiente.
Jornalismo e Educação Ambiental: mobilização pela recuperação ambiental do rio Cachoeira, Joinville (SC)
Authors: Andrade Altamir Antônio de , Fusinato Emanuel
Published: August 2024

Este artigo analisa as ações de Educação Ambiental não-formal da sociedade civil organizada na bacia hidrográfica do Rio Cachoeira, Joinville (SC). O estudo se concentrou em um veículo de comunicação social, o Jornal O Vizinho, e movimentos sociais, Instituto Viva a Cidade e o Clube de Oratória e Liderança. Como método foi empregado a pesquisa documental em materiais textuais e audiovisuais em meio físico e digital. Observou-se que a mobilização social influenciou melhora na qualidade ambiental. A união da comunidade com apoio e estimulo de veículos de comunicação e organizações sociais levou à consolidação de uma força socioambiental induzindo uma nova realidade mais alinhada ao desenvolvimento sustentável.