bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring the Quality of Organization of Civic Education for Schoolchildren in the City of Omsk
Authors: Чухин С.Г. , Чухина Е.В.
Published: April 2024

Рассмотрена примерная рабочая программа воспитания для общеобразовательных организаций, предусматривающая формирование российской культурной и гражданской идентичности обучающихся; приобщение к российским традиционным духовным ценностям, включая ценности своей этнической группы; историческое просвещение. Представлен мониторинг, предметом которого выступает практика формирования российской гражданской идентичности школьников на муниципальном уровне (город Омск). Цель статьи – презентация результатов мониторинга. Делается вывод об эффективных направлениях и проблемах в исследуемом направлении муниципальной системы образования.

An approximate working educational program for general education organizations is considered, which provides for the formation of the Russian cultural and civic identity of students; familiarization with Russian traditional spiritual values, including the values of one’s ethnic group; historical education. Monitoring is presented, the subject of which is the practice of forming the Russian civic identity of schoolchildren at the municipal level (Omsk city). The purpose of the article is to present the monitoring results. A conclusion is drawn about effective directions and problems in the studied area of the municipal education system.
Aprovechamiento de recursos turísticos de Venezuela para su puesta en valor: la Gran Sabana y la Península de Paria
Authors: Ríos Germán
Published: April 2024

El turismo es uno de los principales sectores con gran potencial de crecimiento en las economías andinas. Frente al desafío de llevar a cabo un proceso de transformación productiva, varios países de la Región Andina han señalado al turismo como un sector con gran potencial de desarrollo en la región. Hoy en día, este sector ha tenido solamente un rol limitado en estas economías, el cual se vio aún más reducido por la pandemia. Pese al rol limitado que ha tenido este sector, su potencial de crecimiento es importante, especialmente dado el gran capital natural y cultural que hace únicos a los países andinos. Construyendo sobre esta idea, este estudio explora cómo el sector turismo en Venezuela puede jugar un papel más prominente. Esta es una de seis notas que analizan esta cuestión para cada uno de los países de la Región Andina Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú y Venezuela y para la región de manera agregada. Específicamente, se explora el estado del sector, el marco institucional relevante en el país, así como dos estudios de caso de activos con potencial a desarrollar.
Quantifying the Influence of Price Misrepresentation on Pre- emption Cases: A Statistical Examination
Authors: Al-Freihat Mohammad S. ,   Department of Law, Faculty of Law, Ajloun National University, Ajloun, Jordan
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we explore the impact of price misrepresentation on pre-emption cases. It examines the legal and practical challenges faced when claiming recovery based on inaccurate prices and discusses the appropriate legal means to challenge forgery. The findings highlight the pre-emptor's right to challenge price falsehood in cases of increased prices and the absence of a specific legal method for filing an appeal. The study recommends clarifying the requirements for challenging price falsity and providing acceptable forms of evidence. Finally, it contributes to a better understanding of the topic and suggests improvements in the process.
Synthesis and Characterization of Calcium Oxide Nanoparticles (CaO NPS) from Snail Shells Using Hydrothermal Method
Authors: Chukwuemeke Ulakpa Wısdom , Adaeze Ijara Maryjane , Chimezie Ohiri Augustine , Olaseinde Ayodeji Arnold , Odeworitse Eyide , Onoriode Erhinyodavwe , Sarafa Oluwatosin Azeez , Olutoye Moses Aderemi , Dim Paul , Siddique Mohammad
Published: April 2024

Calcium oxide (CaO) holds significant importance as a catalyst and effective chemisorbent for hazardous gases. This study presents the synthesis of CaO nanoparticles (NPs) using the hydrothermal technique with snail shells' calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as the starting material. The hydrothermal method offers several advantages over alternative approaches for producing metal oxide NPs, including its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and ability to operate at low temperatures and pressures. By utilizing waste materials like snail shells as a precursor, the entire process becomes more economical, environmentally friendly, and sustainable. The synthesized NPs were analyzed using various techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), the Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) model for pore structure quantification, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) for surface area calculation, and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA-DSC). XRD analysis confirmed that the size of the synthesized CaO NPs was 43.14 nm, determined using the Debye-Scherrer equation. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image provided valuable insight into the morphology of the nano-catalyst. The analysis revealed that the nano-catalyst displayed a spherical shape, with an average particle size measuring 50 nanometers. The FTIR and XRD results unequivocally demonstrated the successful conversion of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) derived from snail shells into calcium oxide (CaO). TGA exhibited a significant weight loss peak at 700 °C, indicating the transformation of CaCO3 into CaO. The DTA-DSC curve exhibited sharp endothermic peaks at 700 °C, suggesting a decomposition reaction and the formation of a new compound. SEM images displayed porous, rough, and fragile surfaces that became agglomerated at higher temperatures. In other words, the FE-SEM images of NPs illustrated that the particles were predominantly spherical in morphology. Hence, waste snail shells hold promise as a valuable source of calcium for various applications in different fields.
Innovating Interdisciplinarity in Higher Education: Exploring the Impact of a Grassroots Community of Practice
Authors: Gutierrez Gonzalez Maria Azucena , Mandeville Caitlin , Edwards Ferne , Rice Paula
Published: April 2024

Skills in interdisciplinary collaboration are required to address many complex problems facing society. As such, interdisciplinarity is a critical competency for students to develop. However, teachers’ effectiveness in teaching interdisciplinarity is often hindered by silo structures within university faculties. To address this in the Experts in Teamwork (EiT) programme, a MSc in a Norwegian university that develops students’ interdisciplinary teamwork skills through projects that address real-world challenges, a community of practice (CoP) evolved among teachers from different EiT classes. Over 20 months, CoP members participated in digital and in-person discussions, lecture exchanges, student and professional conferences, and co-evaluation of student work, with an aim of better understanding interdisciplinarity and approaches for teaching it to students. The success of the CoP in achieving these aims was evaluated through a series of focus groups consisting of members of the CoP. The CoP achieved some success in fostering pedagogical conversations that were transformative for participants’ understanding of interdisciplinarity in their practice. Participants reported that CoP participation influenced their interactions with students, ultimately helping students to develop a better understanding of interdisciplinarity. However, participants reported limitations in the CoP as a professional development resource, citing its newness and the required time commitment. Participants felt that these issues could be addressed via greater institutional support.
The Impacts of an Academic Intervention Based in Metacognition on Academic Performance
Authors: Swanson Holly J. , Ojutiku Adelola , Dewsbury Bryan
Published: April 2024

Providing reflective opportunities for students to independently develop their metacognition and expand their abilities to make judgments about themselves as learners, including which learning strategies are personally most effective for any given task, have been shown to improve academic performance. We designed a metacognition-based intervention that was structured to provide four weeks of reflective opportunities for students following a metacognitive learning strategies workshop. Qualitative analysis of student responses from the first week’s survey found evidence of metacognitive skill development and self-reported improvements in learning, including an improvement in confidence and preparedness for classes and exams, and better understanding and retention of course content. Our results suggest that students who described an increase in their confidence during the first week were two times more likely to complete the intervention. This completion was correlated with a higher semester GPA, regardless of student identity, prior academic performance, and strategy choice or outcome description during the first week.
COMPORTAMENTO ALIMENTAR E PERCEPÇÃO SUBJETIVA DE ESTRESSE EM ESTUDANTES UNIVERSITÁRIOS EM PERÍODO PANDÊMICO
Authors: Saldanha Lima Barbara , Marinho Franco Alaiana , Nascimento-Ferreira Marcus Vinicius
Published: April 2024

Tema geral: Ciências biológicas e da saúde.Objetivo: Testar a relação entre comportamento alimentar e percepção subjetiva de estresse em estudantes universitários em período pandêmico. Métodos: Este estudo faz parte do 24-hour Movement Behavior and Metabolic Syndrome (24h-MESYN), uma coorte prospectiva. A amostra foi de 195 estudantes de graduação (68,7% mulheres; 44,6% idade entre 21 a 25 anos; 65,8% matriculados em um curso de ciências da saúde; 24,5% no 1º ao 3º semestre). Os dados foram coletados durante o primeiro semestre de 2021 na cidade de Imperatriz, MA. Coletamos medidas autorrelatadas online usando a Perceived Stress Scale (14 itens) e o Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (33 itens). Avaliamos escores das dimensões de estresse positivo e negativo como exposições (representando autoeficácia percebida e desamparo, respectivamente) e escores de ingestão emocional, restrição alimentar e ingestão externa como desfechos. Nós examinamos as associações usando regressão linear multinível. Resultados: Não observamos associação entre o estresse percebido (domínio positivo e negativo) com a ingestão emocional e restrição alimentar. No entanto, após o ajuste para o sexo biológico e idade, observamos que o domínio negativo do estresse percebido (β = 0,02 [IC 95%: 0,006 a 0,04]) associou-se com a ingestão externa. Conclusão: A percepção de desamparo esteve associada com o comportamento alimentar entre estudantes universitários durante a pandemia de COVID-19.

Palavras-chave: Comportamento Alimentar; Estresse; Pandemia; Adultos.
Assessing the Impact of Climate Changes, Building Characteristics and HVAC Control on Energy Requirements Under a Mediterranean Climate
Authors: Raimundo António M. , Oliveira A. Virgílio M.
Published: April 2024

Buildings’ thermal energy needs are inherently linked to climate conditions. Consequently, it is crucial to evaluate how climate changes affect these energy demands. Despite extensive analysis, a comprehensive assessment involving a diverse range of building types has not been consistently conducted. The primary objective of this research is to perform a coherent evaluation of the influence of climate changes, construction element properties, and the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system type of control on the energy requirements of six buildings (residential, services, and commercial).
The buildings are considered located in a temperate Mediterranean climate. Our focus is on the year 2070, considering three distinct climatic scenarios: (i) maintaining the current climate without further changes, (ii) moderate climate changes, and (iii) extreme climate changes. The buildings are distributed across three different locations, each characterized by unique climatic conditions. Buildings’ envelope features a traditional External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) serves as thermal insulation material. Two critical design factors are explored: EPS thickness ranging from 0 (no insulation) to 12 cm; and horizontal external fixed shading elements varying lengths from 0 (absence) to 150 cm. Six alternative setpoint ranges are assessed for the HVAC system control: three based on the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and three based on indoor air temperature (Tair).
Results were obtained with a validated in-home software tool. They show that, even under extreme climate conditions, the application of thermal insulation remains energetically favorable, however its relative importance diminishes as climate severity increases. Then, proper insulation design remains important for energy efficiency. The use of external shading elements for glazing (e.g., overhangs, louvers) proves beneficial in specific cases. As climate changes intensify, the significance of shading elements grows. Thus, strategic placement and design are necessary for good results. The HVAC system’s energy consumption depends on the level of thermal comfort requirements, on the climate characteristics and on the building’s type of use. As climate change severity intensifies, energy demands for cooling increase, while energy needs for heating decrease. However, it’s essential to recognize that the impact of climate changes on HVAC system energy consumption significantly depends on the type of building.
Research on Market Orientation and Agricultural Enterprises’ Willingness to Adopt Green Technologies Chain Mediating Effect of Organizational Learning Ability and Policy Effectiveness
Authors: ZHAO Liming
Published: April 2024

Green and low-carbon development has become an important embodiment of China's path to becoming a strong agricultural country. How to enable agricultural enterprises to better adopt green technologies and conduct production and operation with the concept of sustainable development has become a key link. This article utilizes a structural equation model (SEM) to analyze the role paths and mediating effects of organizational learning ability and policy orientation in agricultural enterprises' market orientation and willingness to adopt green technologies[ The definition of green technology in this paper refers to Guo Kesha, Tian Xiaoxiao. Green technology and green transformation of industrial development mode [J]. Tianjin Social Sciences, 2024 (02) :99-107, including green manufacturing (production) technology and green service technology.]. The results show that market orientation, organizational learning ability, and policy effectiveness have significant direct positive impacts on the willingness to adopt; market orientation has a significant positive impact on agricultural enterprises' organizational learning ability, organizational learning ability has a significant positive impact on policy orientation, and market orientation has a significant positive impact on policy effectiveness; the results of mediation analysis also indicate that learning ability has a significant mediating effect between market orientation and willingness to adopt, and policy effectiveness has a significant mediating effect between market orientation and willingness to adopt. Through difference analysis, it is believed that the mediating effects of the three paths are equally important, and organizational learning ability and policy effectiveness play a partial mediating role in agricultural enterprises' willingness to adopt green technologies. Based on this, policy suggestions are proposed to improve enterprises' own organizational learning ability, increase the promotion of policies related to green technologies, improve relevant policies for the application of green technologies, and increase research and development efforts for green technologies.
Fire in House – Investigation of the Outbreak and Spread of the Fire in a Countryside House
Authors: Raposo Jorge , Raposo Hugo D. N. , Reis Luís Duarte , Almeida Eugénio Pina de
Published: April 2024

Fires in houses are inevitable and they cause loss of life and major repair costs for the damage structure and contents. There is a clear need to prevent its ignition and spread to adjacent areas. This article presents the steps taken, namely: contacts, data collection, tests, analysis and conclusions regarding the accident resulting from the outbreak and spread of a fire, on December 25, 2020, in a traditional Portuguese house in Arganil, Portugal. The owners and the court requested to carry out an expert opinion by a person with specialized technical-scientific knowledge, which led to this work as an expert. the work consists of carrying out observations and data analysis. Then, the observed and analysed data were laboratory tested in order to consistently identify characteristics that lead to the ignition and propagation of the fire.
This work identified construction problems, materials used and heat sources that are responsible for the accident. The conclusions may be used to avoid future incidents or accidents with houses of same construction type.
Building, Maintaining, and (Re-)Deploying Genetic Toolkits during Convergent Evolution
Authors: Oakley Todd
Published: April 2024

A surprising insight from the advent of genomic sequencing was that many genes are deeply conserved during evolution. With a particular focus on genes that interact with light in animals, I explore the metaphor of genetic toolkits, which can be operationalized as lists of genes involved in a trait of interest. A fascinating observation is that genes of a toolkit are often used again and again during convergent evolution, sometimes across vast phylogenetic distances. Such a pattern in the evolution of toolkits requires three different stages: origin, maintenance, and redeployment of the genes. The functional origins of toolkit genes might often be rooted in interactions with external environments. The origins of light interacting genes in particular may be tied to ancient responses to photo-oxidative stress, inspiring questions about the extent to which the evolution of other toolkits were also impacted by stress. Maintenance of genetic toolkits over long evolutionary timescales requires gene multifunctionality to prevent gene loss when a trait of interest is absent. Finally, the deployment of toolkit genes in convergently evolved traits like eyes sometimes involves the repeated use of similar, ancient genes but other times involves different genes specific to each convergent origin. How often a particular gene family is used time and again for the same function may depend on how many possible biological solutions are available. When few solutions exist and are maintained, evolution is constrained to use the same genes over and over. However, when many different solutions are possible, the innovative possibilities of evolution are often on display. Therefore, a focus on genetic toolkits highlights the combination of legacy plus innovation that drives the evolution of biological diversity.
Absolute Rate Constants for the Reaction of Benzil and 2,2’-Furil Triplet with Substituted Phenols in the Ionic Liquid 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Hexafluorophosphate. A Nanosecond Laser Flash Photolysis Study
Authors: Netto-Ferreira José Carlos , Bertoti Ada Ruth
Published: April 2024

The triplet excited state reactivity towards phenolic hydrogen of the -diketones benzil and 2,2´-furil in the ionic liquid 1-n-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate [bmim.PF6] was investigated employing the nanosecond laser flash photolysis technique. Irradiation (lmax=355 nm) of benzil yields its triplet excited state with lmax at 480 nm and tT=9.6 μs. Under the same conditions, 2,2’-furil shows a triplet-triplet absorption spectrum with bands at 380, 410, 450, and 650 nm and tT=1.4 μs. Quenching rate constants (kq) of the reaction between benzil triplet and substituted phenols ranged from 1.4x107 L mol-1 s-1 (para-chlorophenol) to 1.8x108 L mol-1 s-1 (para-methoxyphenol). A new transient was formed in all cases, assigned to the benzil ketyl. Similar results were obtained for the quenching of 2,2’-furil triplet by phenols, for which kq ranged from 1.9x108 L mol-1 s-1 (para-chlorophenol) to 2.2x108 L mol-1 s-1 (para-methoxyphenol). The 2,2’-furil ketyl radical was also observed in all cases (lmax=380 nm). The quenching rate constants are almost independent of the substituent and diffusion-controlled (kq ~ 108 L mol-1 s-1). The proposed mechanism for the phenolic hydrogen abstraction by benzil and 2,2´-furil triplet may involve a proton-coupled electron transfer reaction, ultimately leading to the radical pair ketyl/aryloxyl.
Vessel Surface Corrosion Segmentation Approach Using a Decision-Tree Module for YOLO Trained Models
Authors: Chliveros Georgios , Tzanetatos Iason , Kontomaris S. V.
Published: April 2024

In this paper we propose a module that uses features learned by a deep convolutional neural network to infer areas of corrosion and segment pixels to corrosion areas of inspection interest. Our segmentation module is based on eigen tree decomposition and information based decision criteria. To interrogate performance we use several state-of-the-art deep learning architectures and compare to our approach. The results indicate that our method produces better results in terms of accuracy and precision, whilst maintaining good (f-score) significance over the entire dataset.
Sustainable Growth of Transversal Competences: Exploring the Competence Relationships among University Students
Authors: Rubene Zanda , Dimdins Girts , Miltuze Anika
Published: April 2024

The development of transversal competences, in interaction with professional competences, is essential for individuals to adapt to change and live meaningful and productive lives. The aim of this study was to explore the mutual interaction of six transversal competences—civic, digital, entrepreneurial, global, innovation, and research, as well as their respective sub-competences—and propose possible approaches to how this dynamic of interaction can be applied to facilitate the development of transversal competences. A sample of students (N = 1575) from 21 universities in Latvia completed a self-assessment survey evaluating multiple behavioural indicators for each transversal competence and sub-competence. The results revealed that civic competence was evaluated significantly lower than other competences, and, for most transversal competences, sub-competences associated with active and systematic collaboration and networking received lower evaluations. A network analysis showed that the community involvement sub-competence of the civic competence and the initiative and critical thinking sub-competences of the innovation competence had the strongest links to the other measured sub-competences on average. The results suggest that the development of initiative and cooperation-and-collaboration-related and network-building skills are likely to have a systematic positive effect on the development of a wider set of transversal competences and the professional autonomy of students in the long term.
Revision of the Terrain Openness Index Method for Extracting Depressions from Karst Peak Areas Based on Slope Mutation Points
Authors: Xue Xixi , Luo Ya , Yang Shengtian , Zhao Shuang , Liang Xiaoke , Lou Jingzhi
Published: April 2024

Karst peaks and depressions are scattered in karst zones with strong spatial heterogeneity and fragile ecological environments and are crucial for determining the degree of karst geomorphologic development. However, realizing automatic depiction and extracting depressions with high accuracy is difficult because of their complex morphology. Herein, based on 12.5-m resolution DEM data, six typical karst peaks from depressions in southwest China were selected as the study areas and a revised terrain openness index method based on slope mutation points (ROBSMPs) was used to determine the degree of karst geomorphologic development and the boundary of karst depressions. The extent of depressions extracted by ROBSMPs and the terrain openness index method with the extent of depressions hand-drawn based on remote sensing images was compared and analyzed. The results show that compared with the topographic openness index method, the overall accuracy of karst depression extracted by ROBSMPs was improved and the perimeter, area, and raster displacement error indexes were reduced. ROBSMPs realized high-precision extraction of depressions, thereby strengthening the applicability of the topographic openness index method to karst peak zones. This study offers a new perspective and path toward the expansion of digital terrain analysis technology in karst mountainous areas and is expected to play a vital role in the extraction of similar geomorphic units in karst zones.
Application of CVD Coatings on the Inner Surfaces of Cooled GTD Blades
Authors: Sagalovych Alexey , Sagalovych Vladislav , Popov Viktor
Published: April 2024

The possibility of applying Mo and Cr coatings by CVD method to the inner surfaces of tubular products Ø ˂ 60 mm has been studied.The process of applying Mo and Cr coatings by the method of gas-phase deposition was developed.The areas of parameters for obtaining coatings with a uniform structure, speed, hardness, as well as patterns of change in these characteristics when changing the main parameters of the process of obtaining such coatings are determined.The proven technological processes of applying Mo and Cr CVD coatings can be the basis for the development of pilot technologies for applying functional coatings to precision parts with small-diameter inner tubular surfaces in the mechanical engineering and aviation industries.A controlled process of applying two-component chromium-aluminum coatings by gas-phase deposition using organic and organometallic substances was developed. Optimization of the processes of applying high-quality two-component chromium-aluminum coatings on prototype models of the internal cavities of cooled turbine blades was carried out.The studies revealed the characteristics of two-component chromium-aluminum coatings comparable to those of coatings used in production, while ensuring good quality coatings in terms of adhesion strength to the turbine blade material. The reproducibility of the coatings obtained makes it possible to develop pilot technologies for production in the future.The lower toxicity of the precursors used makes it possible to create an environmentally friendly technology and significantly reduce environmental problems in production when applying two-component chromium-aluminum coatings to the internal cavities of cooled turbine blades.
A Pi-Theorem-Based Advanced Scaling Methodology for Similarity Assessment of Marine Shafting Systems
Authors: Rossopoulos Georgios N. , Papadopoulos Christos I.
Published: April 2024

This paper introduces a rigorous and comprehensive approach for the assessment of marine shafting systems through the utilization of an advanced Pi-Theorem based scaling methodology. Integrating journal bearing similarity assessment and shaft-line scaling methodology with advanced dimensional analysis, the study aims to provide a methodology foundation for systematic replication and analysis of marine shafting systems through scaled models. The proposed scaling methodology ensures geometric and mechanical similarity in terms of shaft-line deflection, considering key scaling parameters such as shaft length, diameter, weight, loads, rotational speed, material properties, bearing locations, and offsets. The advanced dimensional analysis computes specific non-dimensional ratios to guarantee a close resemblance between a real-size system and a scaled lab model, enabling meaningful experimentation. The methodology is analytically derived and validated with numerical simulations for a case study, conducting comparative analysis, evaluating discrepancies, and utilizing the integrated framework for experimentation.
Design and Initial Tests of a Fast Neutron Radiography Detector Prototype with Sipm Readout
Authors: Chen Xu , Tang Bin , Chen Ruofu , Zhu Zhifu , Zhang Pingchuan , Yu Qian , Huang Chang , Chen Shaojia , Wang Xiuku , Xu Hong , Cai Xiaojie , Guo Dawei , Yu Li , Sun Zhijia , Wang Yanfeng , Liu Yuntao
Published: April 2024

Abstract: Development of the fast neutron radiography with higher penetration capability in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques is rapidly. The detection efficiency and the imaging spatial resolution are the main problem of the radiography detector for many fast neutron imaging systems. In this paper, a detector composed of pixelated EJ200 scintillator array，an 16 × 16 silicon-photomultipliers (SiPM) array, and a capacitive multiplexing network readout electronics is designed. Using Monte-Carlo simulations，the main parameters of the detector was optimization. Then the detector prototype was fabricated and tested at a 14 MeV D-T neutron source. The preliminary test results showed that the prototype has spatial resolution of 1.26 mm. Using pixelated scintillator structure，the conflict between spatial resolution and detect efficiency could improved. Moreover, SiPMs offer a flexibility for the expansion of application field of the imaging system due to their excellent photon detection performance, relatively low price and joint possibility for large area.
Postoperative Thoracic Cord Compression Induced by a Dural Sealant System (DuraSeal®): A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Jang Dong Soon , Sheen Seung Hun , Han Inbo , Lee Soo Hyun , Choi Woo Seok , Bock Minsung , Sohn Seil
Published: April 2024

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a rare complication that can occur due to dural defects during spinal surgery, hindering the improvement of the surgical site and increasing the possibility of infection. DuraSeal® is a dural sealing adhesive that prevents CSF leakage and is used as an adjunct to enable the watertight repair of dural defects when the dura is damaged during spinal surgery. In the present case, DuraSeal® was applied to repair a dural defect in the surgical area after thoracic spine surgery, and no neurological problems occurred immediately after surgery. However, a day later, the patient’s paraparesis worsened; therefore, reoperation was performed and the symptoms improved.
A Method to Identify Pore Fluids in Heterogeneous Conglomerate Reservoirs Using a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Log with Oil-Based Mud Invasion
Authors: Gao Feiming , Xiao Liang
Published: April 2024

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging has been extensively utilized for identifying pore fluids in recent years. However, after oil-based mud (OBM) invasion, OBM filtrate partially takes the place of the original fluid in the reservoir and the morphology of the NMR T2 (transverse relaxation time) spectrum changes. OBM invasion makes it difficult to identify the formation fluid using routine NMR fluid identification methods. In this study, we took heterogeneous conglomerate formation in the northwestern Junggar Basin as a case study and carried out core experiments under four conditions (viz., water-saturated, OBM displacing water, oil-saturated, and OBM displacing oil) and simulated the states of OBM invasion into water and hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Comparative analysis finds that when the OBM invades the water layer, the movable peak of the T2 spectrum primarily reflects the bulk relaxation characteristics of OBM filtrate, whereas when the OBM invades into the oil layer, the T2 spectrum may exhibit a three-peak distribution, where the first peak mainly indicates irreducible water, the second peak reflects OBM filtrate, and the third peak primarily reflects nondisplaced oil. To facilitate fluid identification, two T2 cutoffs are adopted to divide the T2 spectrum into three segments, and combined with the T2 geometric average, a fluid identification factor (ifluid) is proposed. Finally, identification criteria for reservoir type are established on the NMR logging and drillstem test data. The field application verifies the reliability of the proposed methods. These methods realize the identification of oil layers under OBM drilling and guide the subsequent production and development of oil reservoirs.
Integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology to reveal the different reason of propolis and gum against bacterial infection
Authors: Li Zongze , Liu Zhengxin , Guo Yuyang , Xuan Hongzhuan
Published: April 2024

Background Propolis is a substance derived from plant resin (tree gum), and its antibacterial activity is one of its most important biological activities. However, the key differential components between propolis and tree gum and their antibacterial mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal the key active differential metabolites and potential antibacterial mechanisms of these differential metabolites utilizing widely targeted metabolomics and network pharmacology.
Methods Widely targeted metabolomics was employed to identify metabolites in poplar propolis and poplar gum. The antibacterial activities of poplar propolis and poplar gum against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) were compared using the inhibition zone diameter (DIZ), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and the data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Additionally, network pharmacology was utilized to screen key active differential metabolites and their core targets. The potential antibacterial mechanisms of these key active differential metabolites were determined through GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis.
Results Using widely targeted metabolomics, we identified 1646 metabolites in two poplar propolis samples and one poplar gum sample, of which 942 were common differential metabolites that were enriched in nine KEGG enrichment pathways, including flavonoid biosynthesis. In vitro antibacterial experiments also revealed that the diameter of the zone of inhibition of MRSA by poplar gum was significantly different from that of poplar propolis (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the MIC for poplar propolis was 0.15625 mg/ml, the MBC was 0.3125 mg/ml, the MIC for poplar gum was 0.3125 mg/ml, and the MBC was 0.625 mg/ml. Poplar propolis exhibited stronger antibacterial activity than poplar gum. Subsequently, network pharmacology analysis identified 72 key active differential metabolites and 23 core targets associated with the treatment of bacterial infection. Finally, GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that the core targets were predominantly enriched in signaling pathways related to immune regulation and the inflammatory response.
Conclusions In summary, although propolis is derived from tree gum, its metabolites are significantly different from those of tree propolis. In addition, the key active differential metabolites of propolis and poplar propolis determined the differences in their antibacterial efficacy, and the potential antibacterial mechanisms of poplar propolis and poplar gum might include immune regulation and the inflammatory response. Moreover, the screening of key active differential metabolites might lead to the identification of reliable biomarkers for poplar propolis and poplar gum. This work provides valuable insights for future quality control of poplar propolis and treatment of associated bacterial infections.
Rapid Emergence of the Indian Ocean Extreme Sea Level
Authors: PUTHIYADATH SREERAJ , P. Swapna , Singh Manmeet , Krishnan Raghavan
Published: April 2024

Mean sea level rise (MSLR) and weather extremes can drive extreme sea level (ESL) variations locally. In the Indian Ocean, ESL estimates under global warming are either absent or limited by MSLR alone or biased storm surge model simulations. Using tide gauge, machine learning, and numerical models, we identify a rapid emergence of ESL in the Indian Ocean, particularly in the equatorial region compared to off-equatorial areas. Equatorial islands will experience the one-in-a-hundred-year ESL (ESL100) of the present-day annually by 2030-40 under a high-emission scenario, with delay until 2050 for the Arabian Sea coastline and the south subtropical regions. MSLR will mainly contribute to future ESL changes, with tide and surges contributing less than 10%. A median rise of 60–80 cm in ESL is anticipated by 2100, demanding coastal planning and climate adaptation strategies for a resilient coastal population.
A minimal presynaptic protein machinery mediating synchronous and asynchronous exocytosis and short-term plasticity
Authors: Krishnakumar Shyam , Bose Dipayan , Bera Manindra , Norman Chris , Timofeeva Yulia , Volynski Kirill
Published: April 2024

Neurotransmitters are released from synaptic vesicles with remarkable precision in response to presynaptic Ca2+ influx but exhibit significant heterogeneity in exocytosis timing and efficacy based on the recent history of activity. This heterogeneity is critical for information transfer in the brain, yet its molecular basis remains poorly understood. Here, we employ a biochemically-defined fusion assay under physiologically-relevant conditions to delineate the minimal protein machinery sufficient to account for different modes of Ca2+-triggered vesicle fusion and short-term facilitation. We find that Synaptotagmin-1, Synaptotagmin-7, and Complexin, synergistically restrain SNARE complex assembly, thus preserving vesicles in a stably docked state at rest. Upon Ca2+ activation, Synaptotagmin-1 induces rapid vesicle fusion, while Synaptotagmin-7 mediates delayed fusion. Competitive binding of Synaptotagmin-1 and Synaptotagmin-7 to the same SNAREs, coupled with differential rates of Ca2+-triggered fusion clamp reversal, govern the kinetics of vesicular fusion. Under conditions mimicking sustained neuronal activity, the Synaptotagmin-7 fusion clamp is destabilized by the elevated basal Ca2+ concentration, thereby enhancing the synchronous component of fusion. These findings provide a direct demonstration that a small set of proteins is sufficient to account for how nerve terminals adapt and regulate the Ca2+-evoked neurotransmitter exocytosis process to support their specialized functions in the nervous system.
Stimulated Emission from Hexagonal Silicon-Germanium Nanowires
Authors: Haverkort Jos , Tilburg Marvin , Farina Riccardo , Lange Victor , Peeters Wouter , Meder Steffen , Jansen Marvin , Verheijen Marcel , Vettori Marco , Finley Jonathan , Bakkers Erik
Published: April 2024

Hexagonal crystal phase SiGe (hex-SiGe) features efficient direct bandgap emission between 1.5 and 3.4 μm. For expanding its application potential, the key challenge is to demonstrate material gain for enabling a hex-SiGe semiconductor laser. Here we report the transition from the spontaneous emission regime to the stimulated emission-dominated amplified spontaneous emission regime in hexagonal Si0.2Ge0.8 nanowires. We observe narrow resonance peaks arising above a spontaneous emission background, which show lasing signatures such as a threshold and a superlinear increase of the emission. A Hakki-Paoli analysis of the height of the cavity resonances provides the gain spectrum of hex-SiGe, showing evidence for a positive material gain. Measurements of the cavity line widths provide an independent assessment of the total cavity loss. While lasing has not been reached, the observation of optical amplification and amplified spontaneous emission provides a clear roadmap toward lasing in hexagonal SiGe. This opens a new pathway for the monolithic integration of a Si-compatible laser within electronic chips.
Detection of Attacks with An Adversarial Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Akhlaghpasandi Taha
Published: April 2024

Machine learning methods are widely used in various domains, and the analysis of attacks is no exception. Various types of attacks occur daily. Therefore, examining each of them by human experts is becoming increasingly difficult due to the limited number of experts compared to the increasing number of attacks and the possibility of human error in detecting attacks, making it a tedious and almost impossible task. In recent years, significant efforts have been made to design a machine learning model or deep learning for intrusion detection. These models have been built with different accuracies using machine learning algorithms such as RF, SVM, Decision tree, Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes, DNN, ANN, CNN, RNN, LSTM, and GRU. Groups have created various models with different accuracies using machine learning or deep learning. In all cases, a good level of accuracy has been achieved, but none of them have exposed their model to attacks to evaluate their model's ability. In other words, none of them have subjected their designed model to attacks to assess their model's own capabilities. The aim of this research is to propose a method to improve the intrusion detection results using machine learning methods. Machine learning methods are continuously evolving and are constantly being replaced by methods that have better performance, processing power, efficiency, and accuracy. In our proposed method, in addition to building an acceptable model with good accuracy, we attack our model using adversarial attack methods. GAN neural networks, as one of the frameworks suitable for applying adversarial attacks, consist of generative models that produce new data similar to the training data.
Dynamics of plastic debris and its density change between river compartments in the Tuul River system, Mongolia
Authors: Munkhbat Dolgormaa , Battulga Batdulam , Oyuntsetseg Bolormaa , Kawahigashi Masayuki
Published: April 2024

Plastic pollution in river environments has become an emerging global concern. However, the migration of plastic and changes in its properties between river compartments are less understood. This study demonstrates the plastic debris aging and the dynamics between floodplain, surface water, and sediment compartments of the Tuul River, Mongolia. Plastic occurrence is evaluated in terms of their abundance, size, shape, polymer type, and photodegradation in each compartment. Photodegradation stages were calculated using the carbonyl index (CI). Plastic abundance was 5.46 ± 3.53 items/m2 in the floodplain, 155 ± 100.7 items/m3 in the surface water, and 128.4 ± 76.3 items/kg in the sediment. Microplastics dominated in the size category in all compartments, while macro- and megaplastics were found only in the floodplain. Polyethylene and polypropylene dominated the surface water and sediment, while polystyrene was the predominant plastic in the floodplain. A positive correlation was found between the distributed polymer types in the surface water and sediment compartments. The similar composition in size and polymer type suggests vertical plastic migration from water to sediment. Although CI values showed that the plastic aging was significantly different between water and sediment (water: 0.61 ± 0.26, and sediment: 0.90 ± 0.68). The dominance of low-density plastics with high CI in the sediment suggests that the aged plastic density changed during the vertical transport in the river system.
Four distinct stages of human language evolution are suggested by clustering of speech and language comprehension abilities in individuals with language deficits
Authors: Vyshedskiy Andrey , Venkatesh Rohan , Khokhlovich Edward
Published: April 2024

Use of syntactic language is a unique characteristic of humans. Following the split of human line from chimpanzee line around six million years ago some individuals acquired genetic modifications that enabled certain linguistic abilities. Over time these mutations were fixed in the human population and currently enable modern human syntactic communication. Inevitably, in some modern individuals, language-critical genes regress to their ancestral functionality causing partial loss of language abilities. Population studies of individuals with language deficits reveal language phenotypes that may correspond to stages of language evolution. Previously, we discovered three distinct language-comprehension-phenotypes: 1) individuals in the command-language-comprehension-phenotype were limited to comprehension of simple commands; 2) the modifier-language-comprehension-phenotype showed additional comprehension of color, size, and number modifiers; 3) the most-advanced syntactic-language-comprehension-phenotype added comprehension of complex grammatical sentences 1. In this study we clustered language comprehension skills together with speech abilities in 55,000 individuals-with-language-deficits. We discovered four distinct phenotypes: 1) command-language-comprehension with no-expressive-language; 2) modifier-language-comprehension with single-word-expressive-language; 3) modifier-language-comprehension with single-sentence-expressive-language; 4) syntactic-language-comprehension with multi-sentence-expressive-language. These phenotypes may align with four distinct stages of language comprehension and speech co-evolution. Using homology between neurological mechanisms underlying language and stone-tools-manufacturing we deduce the chronology of language acquisition in our ancestors.
Novel Fe/Ca oxide co-coated biochar enables efficient phosphorus recovery
Authors: Hu Anqi , Jiang Yongcan , An Jiaqi , Huang Xiaodian , Elgarhy Abdelbaky Hossam , Cao Huafen , Liu Guanglong
Published: April 2024

Efficient elimination and retrieval of phosphorus from water bodies are crucial for effective eutrophication management and phosphorus reuse. A novel Fe/Ca oxide co-coated modified biochar (FCBC) was synthesized for phosphate recovery using coconut shell biochar as the raw material with ferrous chloride (FeCl2) and calcium peroxide (CaO2) as precursors. FCBC possesses a highly intricate pore structure and an abundance of surface-active groups. Fe/Ca oxides are loaded onto the biochar in the form of Ca2Fe2O5, Fe2O3, and CaCO3. FCBC demonstrates a broad pH tolerance range (pH = 6 – 12) in the aquatic environment. Phosphorus absorption by FCBC was simulated using the proposed pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir model. The maximal saturation adsorption capacity was found to be 53.31 mg P/g. Phosphorus elimination is influenced by the generation of Ca3(PO4)2, intraparticle diffusion, and electrostatic attraction. FCBC produced demonstrated exceptional phosphorus removal effectiveness in the presence of multiple anions, except for wastewater with high concentrations of SO42-, CO32-, HCO3-, and F- (>500 mg/L). The phosphorus removal effectiveness of FCBC in natural water samples collected from ponds, farmlands, and ditches exceeded 94%. This paper presents a novel technique for creating iron-calcium composite-modified biochar, which offers a valuable method for efficiently recovering phosphorus from agricultural surface waters.