bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Problems and Prospects of Inclusive Education Development in Chinese Schools
Authors:   Transbaikal State University, Liye Dong Liye Dong , Kokhan Sergey T. ,   Transbaikal State University
Published: October 2024

The paper presents a theoretical analysis that reveals the real state, problems and dynamics of inclusive education development in schools of the People’s Republic of China. The existing problems in creating an inclusive educational environment for students with disabilities, low levels of professional competence of teachers, tolerance and social relationships are revealed. Existing models of education focused on inclusion, implemented in the provinces of the PRC, cannot fully cover the entire contingent of children with disabilities who need support in the educational space. There is no understanding and confidence in the possibility of objective support for institutions in resolving issues of organizing accessible education for schoolchildren with limited educational needs as part of the implementation of government orders from the Chinese government. There has been an increase in the enrollment of schoolchildren with disabilities in regular classes in large cities and metropolitan areas, however, schools from remote areas and rural settlements cannot provide an inclusive environment due to the lack of qualified teachers and special technical teaching aids. The existing regulatory framework for inclusive education implemented in the PRC, in our opinion, does not fully cover the algorithm for working with children with various health limitations. The lack of effective state educational standards negatively affects ensuring equal access to education for all Chinese schoolchildren, taking into account the variety of options for educational needs and individual psychophysical capabilities. It is proposed to include universities and colleges with experience in inclusion in the implementation of information and educational projects to expand forms of cooperation and partnership, build the capacity of social investments in the dissemination of individual and group forms of inclusive education, accessible to any student with psychophysical and other forms of health impairment. Keywords: school, inclusive education, disabilities, social justice, adaptation, disability
The Olympics as an active form of training: results of 28-year experience and future potential
Authors:   Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Ivanova Svetlana , Ryabchikova Irina ,   Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Volchatova Irina ,   Irkutsk National Research Technical University
Published: October 2024

Предметные студенческие олимпиады являются важной составляющей в процессе формирования профессиональных компетенций будущих специалистов. Данные мероприятия способствуют становлению активной жизненной позиции студентов, служат действенным мотивирующим фактором их саморазвития. Цель настоящей работы состояла в обобщении и анализе опыта деятельности кафедры промышленной экологии и безопасности жизнедеятельности Иркутского национального исследовательского технического университета по организации и проведению региональных и всероссийских олимпиад в области экологии и безопасности жизнедеятельности за 1997-2022 гг. На первом этапе работы (1997-2005) сотрудниками кафедры было проведено девять региональных и пять всероссийских олимпиад «Современное естествознание и экология», в которых приняли участие более 500 студентов из 29 вузов страны. Следующий этап работы в этом направлении (2006-2022) характеризовался организацией и проведением более тридцати олимпиад «Экология и безопасность жизнедеятельности», в которых участвовало более тысячи студентов из различных регионов страны. За это время были апробированы разные методы организации и формы конкурсных заданий. Как показал опыт, олимпиады являются активной формой не только учебной, но и воспитательной работы, в связи с чем кафедра планирует продолжить свою деятельность в этом направлении.
Applied and expert research on fire and industrial safety of main pipelines
Authors:   Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Rozhkov Dmitrii , Raevskaya Irina ,   Irkutsk National Research Technical University
Published: October 2024

The article provides an analytical assessment of the consequences of violations of industrial and fire safety rules during repair work on the example of main oil pipelines. The issue is urgent due to explosions and fires, as well as staff injuries, which requires an analysis and assessment of the causes of their occurrence and reliability improvement during repair work at hazardous production facilities in Irkutsk region. The factual basis of the study is data on incidents related to the personnel training and repair sites, explosions (pops), the dynamics of the emergency situation and consequences for personnel and the economy. The study concludes that in terms of eliminating explosions and fires and minimizing their consequences, the industrial and fire safety system has not been properly developed for repair and other works at hazardous production facilities.
Driving HR performance through digital transformation in educational directorates: A strategic imperative
Authors: Awad Abdelrehim , Shemais Mohamed , Al-Embabi Muhammad
Published: October 2024

The rapid advancement of digital technology has significantly affected various sectors, including education. Integrating digital tools and platforms in human resource management offers opportunities to enhance efficiency and organizational performance. This study investigates the impact of digital transformation on human resource performance in educational directorates in Egypt. A descriptive analytical methodology was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire distributed to 450 administrative officials across eight randomly selected directorates out of the 27 directorates in Egypt, constituting approximately 30% of the total. The study retrieved 413 questionnaires, with about a 91% response rate. Data analysis reveals a significant positive correlation between digital transformation and the quality of human resource performance. Strategic planning (R² = 0.901), leadership development (R² = 0.699), skills acquisition (R² = 0.899), and institutional infrastructure (R² = 0.907) are identified as key factors that significantly influence HR performance. The findings suggest that embracing digital transformation and investing in these dimensions can lead to enhanced human resource performance in educational institutions. The study concludes that digital transformation can significantly improve human resource performance in the education sector, emphasizing the need for strategic planning, leadership development, skills acquisition, and a supportive organizational culture to fully leverage the potential of digital technologies.
Data Monetization Service Development Using Iterative Lifecycle Framework, Quality Assurance, and Open Web Application Security Project: A Case Study of a Utility Company in Indonesia
Authors: Kusuma Atmaja Wahyu Haris , Warnars Harco Leslie Hendric Spits , Gaol Ford Lumban , Soewito Benfano
Published: October 2024

The research aims to provide Data Monetization (DM) services for an Indonesian utility company as a pilot to generate additional revenue beyond the primary operation. The service is built using an iterative development lifecycle framework and evaluated based on five Quality Goals (QGs), including application and security testing activities. The framework includes methods for processing and modeling electricity usage data, testing application quality, checking infrastructure quality, and ensuring access security for front-end and back-end applications using the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP). For data modeling, Support Vector Regression (SVR) is used, and it outperforms Polynomial Regression (PR) and Multi-Layer Perception (MLP) Neural Networks. Furthermore, QG shows strong performance with an Relative Root Mean Squared Error (RRMSE) value < 10%, high forecasting ability with Mean Average Probability Error (MAPE) < 10%, and a near-zero average error rate (Mean Squared Error (MSE)) square using minimal data from four months. The services go through functional and integration test to ensure product quality and application performance, which results in a minimum of 95% service response in throughput, 0.128 seconds for processing 2,000 requests, stability at 300–500 in one second per hour, and 7–21 seconds during peak hours. Additionally, the service passes nine penetration tests and ten vulnerability assessments using the OWASP top 10:2021 category. Based on the comprehensive testing and evaluation results, both the application and the service are considered ready and secured for deployment.
Determinant Factors of Logistics Firm Performance Mediated by Optilog Adoption Using a Mixed Method with an Explanatory Sequential Analysis
Authors: Melianie Melianie , Widuri Rindang , Gamayanto Indra , Sundjaja Arta Moro
Published: October 2024

Recently, trucking logistics service providers are focusing on adopting technology and Information Technology (IT) capability to improve performance. Hence, it is essential to investigate how the IT capability of the firm can enhance logistics performance and impact technology adoption on performance. Therefore, the research examines the determinant factors of logistics firm performance mediated by Optilog adoption. The research design is a mixed method with an explanatory sequential design using quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Quantitative data analysis uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), while qualitative analysis adopts in-depth interviews. The analysis population includes 41 Optilog users in the logistics firm in East Jakarta, with the experts adopting a census sampling method. For qualitative phase, the researchers also recruit four respondents holding supervisory positions or higher using Optilog for daily operations. The results show that logistics firm performance is influenced by service excellence and Optilog adoption. Additionally, perceived risk, traceability, and IT capability positively affect Optilog adoption, which mediates the effects on logistics firm performance. The results confirm the rejection of the hypothesis that Optilog adoption mediates IT capability on logistics firm performance. The thematic analysis further concludes that the system, implemented in March 2022, does not impact logistics firm performance significantly, according to the respondents. Consequently, IT departments depend on responsiveness to address users’ needs and issues since when the vendor develops the system, it faces significant constraints due to the development and maintenance costs.
Deciphering Digital Discourse: Detecting Cyberbullying Patterns in Filipino Tweets Using Machine Learning
Authors: Naga January F. , Lavilles Rabby Q.
Published: October 2024

The research addresses the escalating challenge of cyberbullying in the Philippines, a concern magnified by widespread social media use. A dataset of 146,661 tweets is analyzed using a pre-trained natural language processing model tailored to detect derogatory Filipino terms. The methodology is designed to preprocess data for clarity and analyze derogatory phrases, using the 23 key terms to indicate cyberbullying. Through quantitative analysis, specific patterns of derogatory term co-occurrence are uncovered. The research specifically focuses on Filipino digital discourse, uncovering patterns of derogatory language usage, which is unique to this context. Combining data mining and machine learning techniques, including Frequent Pattern (FP)-growth for pattern identification, cosine similarity for phrase correlation, and classification technique, the research achieves an accuracy rate of 97.91%. To assess the model’s reliability and precision, a 10-fold cross-validation is utilized. Moreover, by examining specific tweets, the analysis highlights the alignment between automated classifications and human judgment. The co-occurrence of derogatory terms, identified through methods like FP-growth and cosine similarity, reveals underlying cyberbullying narratives that are not immediately obvious. This approach validates the high accuracy of the models and emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive framework for detecting cyberbullying in a linguistically and culturally specific context. The findings substantiate the effectiveness of the targeted approach, providing essential insights for developing cyberbullying prevention strategies. Furthermore, the research enriches the literature on digital discourse analysis and online harassment prevention by addressing cyberbullying patterns and behaviors. Importantly, the research offers valuable guidance for policymakers in crafting more effective online safety measures in the Philippines.
Indonesian-English Textual Similarity Detection Using Universal Sentence Encoder (USE) and Facebook AI Similarity Search (FAISS)
Authors: Krisnawati Lucia D. , Mahastama Aditya W. , Haw Su-Cheng , Ng Kok-Why , Naveen Palanichamy
Published: October 2024

The tremendous development in Natural Language Processing (NLP) has enabled the detection of bilingual and multilingual textual similarity. One of the main challenges of the Textual Similarity Detection (TSD) system lies in learning effective text representation. The research focuses on identifying similar texts between Indonesian and English across a broad range of semantic similarity spectrums. The primary challenge is generating English and Indonesian dense vector representation, a.k.a. embeddings that share a single vector space. Through trial and error, the research proposes using the Universal Sentence Encoder (USE) model to construct bilingual embeddings and FAISS to index the bilingual dataset. The comparison between query vectors and index vectors is done using two approaches: the heuristic comparison with Euclidian distance and a clustering algorithm, Approximate Nearest Neighbors (ANN). The system is tested with four different semantic granularities, two text granularities, and evaluation metrics with a cutoff value of k={2,10}. Four semantic granularities used are highly similar or near duplicate, Semantic Entailment (SE), Topically Related (TR), and Out of Topic (OOT), while the text granularities take on the sentence and paragraph levels. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system successfully ranks similar texts in different languages within the top ten. It has been proven by the highest F1@2 score of 0.96 for the near duplicate category on the sentence level. Unlike the near-duplicate category, the highest F1 scores of 0.77 and 0.89 are shown by the SE and TR categories, respectively. The experiment results also show a high correlation between text and semantic granularity.
Modeling Emotion Recognition System from Facial Images Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Kusno Jasen Wanardi , Chowanda Andry
Published: October 2024

Emotion classification is the process of identifying human emotions. Implementing technology to help people with emotional classification is considered a relatively popular research field. Until now, most of the work has been done to automate the recognition of facial cues (e.g., expressions) from several modalities (e.g., image, video, audio, and text). Deep learning architecture such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) demonstrates promising results for emotion recognition. The research aims to build a CNN model while improving accuracy and performance. Two models are proposed in the research with some hyperparameter tuning followed by two datasets and other existing architecture that will be used and compared with the proposed architecture. The two datasets used are Facial Expression Recognition 2013 (FER2013) and Extended Cohn-Kanade (CK+), both of which are commonly used datasets in FER. In addition, the proposed model is compared with the previous model using the same setting and dataset. The result shows that the proposed models with the CK+ dataset gain higher accuracy, while some models with the FER2013 dataset have lower accuracy compared to previous research. The model trained with the FER2013 dataset has lower accuracy because of overfitting. Meanwhile, the model trained with CK+ has no overfitting problem. The research mainly explores the CNN model due to limited resources and time.
TRANSFORMATION OF THE ROLE OF KNOWLEDGE IN SOCIOCULTURAL PROCESSES OF MODERNITY: AXIOLOGICAL AND SECURITY CONTEXTS
Authors: Kalynovskyi Yurii , Zhdanenko Svitlana
Published: October 2024

The essential properties of the concept of "knowledge" as a sociocultural paradox are defined. The correlation between the concepts of "knowledge" and "information" is revealed. The role of fundamental and applied science in enhancing the knowledge potential of humanity is clarified. The value potential of knowledge in the modern stage of social development is analyzed. The significance of knowledge in ensuring the functioning of the spiritual and informational security system of the state is substantiated.
LOGIC IN PHILOSOPHICAL REASONING. PHILOSOPHICAL LOGIC
Authors: Yurkevych Olena
Published: October 2024

The article is devoted to the study of the problem of the relationship between logic and philosophy in the historical-philosophical context and at the current stage of the development of science. Features of the development of traditional and classical formal and non-classical informal logic, corresponding metalogical argumentation are considered. The stage of the formation of philosophical logic is determined, conclusions are drawn regarding the methodological significance of philosophical logic for the development of philosophical knowledge.
REVIEW of the study guide "Daniyan O. G., Dzoban O. P. Philosophy of Information Law. Kharkiv: Pravo, 2023. 322 p." (Professor of the Department of Philosophy of Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor Y. Kalynovskyi)
Authors: Kalynovskyi Yurii
Published: October 2024

У тексті посібника авторами піднімаються проблеми правового забезпечення інтересів людини і суспільства в нових інформаційних відносинах. До таких проблем автори відносять: забезпечення права на інформацію, охорона інформаційних продуктів інтелектуальної власності й персональних даних в умовах масового їх переведення в цифровий вигляд, захист життя і здоров’я від мережевого комп’ютерного «цунамі», захист індивідуальної і суспільної свідомості від їх використання під час масових акцій, право на життя і збереження людської природи в сучасних умовах. При цьому зазначається, що спроби вирішення названих проблем сучасності знаходить віддзеркалення в Конституції України, міжнародних документах і інших нормативних правових актах, проте, їх фундаментальне правове наукове узагальнення і осмислення потребує нових наукових розвідок.
CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL BOUNDARIES OF METAMODERNISM
Authors: Vysotska Olha
Published: October 2024

The author analyzes the conceptual dichotomy of the concepts of postmodernity-metamodernity, postmodernism-metamodernism, postmodernity-metamodernity. The cultural and historical boundaries of metamodernism are defined, which is not only a successor to postmodernism, but also a reaction to it, including the reconfiguration of sensuality associated with the currents of modernity. The author reveals the content of metamodernism’s ideas about the return of hope and sincerity after decades of dominance of postmodern irony and cynicism.
INFORMATION CULTURE OF MODERN YOUTH: PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTION OF THE PROBLEMATIC FIELD
Authors: Prudnykova Olena
Published: October 2024

The article examines problematic aspects of the information culture among modern youth. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of enhancing the intellectual-analytical component of the information culture of the younger generation. It is noted that amidst the Russian-Ukrainian war, the spiritual sphere of domestic youth becomes a target of aggressive influence, carried out through mass media. Negative traits of youth information culture are identified, such as clip consciousness, clip thinking, and gadget dependency.
HUMAN AS OBJECT OF CYBERCRIME
Authors: Trofymenko Volodymyr
Published: October 2024

Every sphere of social existence has two sides: positive and negative. This did not escape cyberspace either. Cybercrime, as a sphere of cyberspace, is constantly growing, being content-wise and technologically updated. One of the rapidly developing areas of cybercrime is cyberbullying, the purpose of which is to influence the human psyche. Thus, cybercriminals master new ways of influencing people. In turn, I demand the intensification of scientific developments in this field.
AESTHETICS IN THE “MAN-MACHINE-ENVIRONMENT” SYSTEM: THE SEARCH FOR HARMONY
Authors: Ushno Iryna
Published: October 2024

The modern "human-technology-environment" (MMESE) system encompasses a wide range of interconnected issues. This system can be approached from various perspectives, including safety, efficiency, globalization, and more. The aim of this article is to explore the aesthetic dimension of MMESE in the aerospace context. In a broad sense, aesthetics serves as a space for realizing the "human-technology-environment" system. In practical terms, aesthetics serves as an indicator of the harmonious interaction of all components of this system. The aesthetic component acts as a catalyst for change, facilitating the implementation of improvements and new solutions in the professional environment. Within the "human-technology-environment" system, technical aesthetics enables the addressing of issues related to satisfaction, inspiration, as well as the ergonomics and comfort of aerospace engineering.
LIBERALISM IN THE DISCOURSE OF THE THEORY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Authors: Klimova Galina
Published: October 2024

The article analyzes the genesis of liberal theory and the main stages of its development in the context of socio-political changes on the international arena. The main idea is formulated and the main provisions of classical liberalism in international relations are revealed. The essential factors of the emergence of social-democratic liberalism are studied and its influence on international relations is considered. The features and basic values of neoliberalism, declared the highest criteria for the stability of Western society, are analyzed. Special attention is paid to the analysis of certain theories of neoliberalism in the science of international relations: liberal institutionalism, commercial liberalism, and liberal internationalism.
GLOBAL INFORMATION SPACE IN THE SITUATION OF THE HYBRID WAR
Authors: Pohribna Viktoriia
Published: October 2024

The article analyzes the mechanism of transformation of the global information space in the situation of the specific “hybridization” of the modern international conflict confrontation. It has been proven that such a hybridization of conflicts of interests in international affairs, as manifested in widespread “global hybrid terrorism” and “hybrid messianic aggression”, deforms the global information space. It gradually losing constructive functions and acquires a sign of a catalyst for destructive global changes.
TRIBALISM AS A MODUS OF SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND MENTAL
Authors: Meliakova Yuliia , Kovalenko Inna , Kalnytskyi Eduard
Published: October 2024

The article demonstrates the theoretical assessment of tribalism as an actual format of relations between individual subjects, between subject and power, subject and society, subject and history. A methodological analysis of tribalism leads to a reboot of individual behavior schemes, as well as social standards of interaction between people. In their priority, the tribal communities change the ontology of individual and social, provide new forms of solidarity of agents. Metamodern tribes solve the issues of identity, subjectivity, desocialization, apoliticality and loss of individual immanence through microgenics and micolopolitics.
SPIRITUAL–VALUE POTENTIAL OF STATE IDEOLOGY: PHILOSOPHICAL AND LEGAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Kalynovskyi Yurii , Zhdanenko Svitlana , Zorkin Roman
Published: October 2024

The essential characteristics of the concept «state ideology» in the spiritual and value dimension are investigated. It is proven that state ideology is not exclusively a political phenomenon but represents a phenomenon of the spiritual development of the Ukrainian people. It is noted that state ideology should embody the national idea and national interests at the current stage of domestic state-building.
BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE ELECTIONS: FORMING AN EMOTIONAL CONNECTION AS AN ELECTORAL STRATEGY OF POLITICAL LEADERS AND PARTIES
Authors: Zaslavska Olga , Posvistak Olesia , Nalimova Viktoriya
Published: October 2024

The formation of an emotional connection as an electoral strategy of political leaders and parties is studied. The previously identified markers of the formation of an emotional connection were supplemented, and an analysis of pre-election videos of political forces was carried out. The found markers were counted and analyzed. It has been established that the formation of an emotional connection can be a key factor in electoral success, and commercials are becoming an increasingly important tool of electoral mobilization.
THE CONCEPT OF AESTHETICIZATION OF POLITICS IN THE IDEOLOGY OF FASCISM
Authors: Pastukhov Anton
Published: October 2024

This research paper explores the peculiarities of the concept of aestheticization of politics in the ideology of fascism. The influence of the aesthetic on moral and political norms is determined, and the concept of aestheticization of politics proposed by V. Benjamin is distinguished. Along with this, the theoretical boundaries of this concept were expanded and its core element – the category of fascist style as a universal attribute of all socio-political life – was determined, its characteristic features were nuanced: courage, fearlessness, rebellion, heroism, adventurism, etc. The peculiarity of realizing the aesthetic perception of the state in the ideology of fascism was also theoretically dissected.
HYBRID WAR IN MODERN SOCIAL AND POLITICAL DISCOURSE: NEW RESEARCH STRATEGIES
Authors: Pshenychnyi Serhiy
Published: October 2024

Attention is focused on the urgency of raising the level of conceptual understanding of the problem field of hybrid warfare.
The author’s strategy for building a general concept of hybrid war is proposed. The first stage of which involves the systematization of the results of research into the problems of hybrid warfare, which are presented in the modern social and political discourse according to L. Coser’s analytical scheme. The second is the development of its «static» (fundamentals of sustainable existence) and «dynamic» (mechanisms of development and distribution) models.
BIOCHAR FROM LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS: A SUSTAINABLE CIRCULAR ECONOMY APPROACH FOR REMOVING ORGANIC AND INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
Authors: O. Araujo Rayanne , C. dos Anjos Otorvan , K. C. de Souza Luiz , A. Bataglion Giovana
Published: October 2024

Metals, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, and dyes constitute contaminants widely detected in aquatic ecosystems. Adsorption is an important technology for addressing these noxious contaminants in water systems. Its widespread employment stems from its uncomplicated design, environmentally benign nature, heightened sensitivity to contaminants, and mechanical robustness. These inherent advantages render it a highly promising solution for such challenges. Within this framework, biochar embodies key physicochemical properties akin to activated carbon, the foremost adsorbent globally recognized for its efficacy in water contaminant removal. Moreover, biochar derives from the repurposing of biomass waste, thereby presenting an opportunity to enhance the value chain of numerous agricultural byproducts across Brazil. Therefore, this review article aims to present the most commonly studied lignocellulosic residues from Brazil as adsorbents, the methods used to convert them into biochar, the factors influencing the adsorption of contaminants on biochar, and their environmental applications. The main results related to lignocellulosic biomass were presented, including sugarcane, soybean, corn, rice, cotton, coffee, açaí, tucumã, coconut, Brazil nut, cupuaçu, nuts, murumuru, orange, cassava, banana, malt, macaúba, and guava. It was concluded that chemical activation is more common than physical activation, especially using ZnCl2. Finally, the materials have been employed for the removal of metals and a few organic contaminants, mainly dyes, from synthetic solutions.
Uptake of ecosystem service concept in urban blue-green infrastructure planning and decision-making in Russia
Authors: Konstantinova Anastasia , Filyushkina Anna , Maximova Olga , Kerdivar Kristina , Gromova Aleksandra , Matasov Victor , Vasenev Viacheslav
Published: October 2024

In the scientific community, ecosystem services (ESs) are well-recognized as a promising concept to more actively consider and plan for the multitude of benefits provided by the green environment and thus promote sustainable urban development. Yet, to have an impact on decision-making, the concept must spread from academia to practice. To understand to what extent ES have been adopted in practice and decision-making in Russia, we conducted a series of interviews and an online survey with both practitioners and scientists and complemented it by document analysis. Our results showed that ES are not adequately reflected in urban decision-making and planning processes. Moreover, we found no explicit references to ES in strategic urban planning and landscape development projects, although there are few implicit references in several reviewed documents. Among the identified challenges for better uptake of the concept in practice were many disagreements associated with the lack of a unified terminology, typology, and methods. Stakeholders understand the potential of applying ES valuation in practice, which includes a necessity to develop methodological materials and different tools based on real-life cases. Finally, a list of proposals on possible ways to better include ES in urban planning and in decision-making processes was formed by the respondents.
Design discharge estimation for small urban districts – an analytical approach
Authors: Lee Kwan Tun , Huang Pin-Chun , Yang Jing Zong , Chen Lo-Ya
Published: October 2024

This paper presents a straightforward design discharge estimation procedure for small urban districts. In this approach, the configuration of the small urban district was simplified into either a rectangular porous overland plane or a V-shaped porous overland model. The Horton equation was used to estimate the infiltration on the overland planes, and the kinematic-wave approximation was applied for runoff simulations. In deriving the runoff equation, the Darcy–Weisbach coefficient was adopted to account for the influences of spatially various flow depths on overland flow resistance. The theoretical derivations were applied to a series of cases and verified by numerical models to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method. The results showed that the design discharges obtained from the analytical equations are close to those simulated by the numerical model. The analysis procedure developed herein can provide a convenient way for engineers to conduct urban sewer designs.
Spatial inequality in water access in the US: case studies and solutions
Authors: Nagpal Tanvi , Bashar Rania , Gebremariam Reshet
Published: October 2024

In addition to the 2.2 million Americans without safe water and sanitation in their homes, millions more regularly face service shut-offs either due to breakages or because of non-payment of bills. Households in areas outside administrative and service boundaries struggle to maintain private systems. Historic disinvestment in majority of African American cities, and decades of underinvestment in water infrastructure, have led to near collapse of many systems. The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, passed by the United States government, is a historic opportunity to reinvest in water, especially in underinvested communities. These communities need significant assistance to prioritize appropriate investments, apply for available funding, and identify implementation partners. If this does not happen, the inequalities in access will be worsened. Coalitions of technical assistance providers and community-based organizations can help by identifying and matching providers with appropriate funding streams in the short term, while building their capacity to apply for larger federal funds. However, capital investment is only the first step toward equity. It is crucial that water and sewer rates be adjusted to account for household income, and service providers who serve large under-resourced areas receive long-term assistance for operation and maintenance of valuable assets.
Healthcare waste management and antimicrobial resistance: a critical review
Authors: Abosse Jirata Shiferaw , Megersa Bekele , Zewge Feleke , Eregno Fasil Ejigu
Published: October 2024

The rapid growth of populations and urbanization has led to a significant increase in healthcare waste, posing serious health risks. A search on Google Scholar identified seven relevant articles from Ethiopia that examine the relationship between improper waste management in healthcare facilities (HCFs) and the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. This review aims to highlight key concepts, evidence sources, and knowledge gaps specific to the Ethiopian context. The unsafe disposal of antibiotics through leaks and solid waste has contributed to what some are calling a ‘silent pandemic,’ raising concerns about emerging infectious diseases. Studies have revealed alarming rates of infectious agents and AMR in healthcare wastewater. Isolates of C. jejuni, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Enterococcus faecium from various healthcare waste sites in Ethiopia demonstrate high levels of AMR genes. Additionally, research indicates that HCFs produce significant amounts of waste, with high per-person daily waste production rates. Leachate from landfills containing this waste can negatively affect soil health, biological activity, water quality, agriculture, animal health, and human well-being. To mitigate these risks, effective waste management practices and the promotion of alternative antimicrobial use are essential strategies for reducing the emergence of pandemic diseases in developing countries.
Toward circular greenhouse wastewater reuse: advancements in cation exchange membranes for selective Na+/K+ separation using electrodialysis systems
Authors: Guleria Tavishi , van den Broeke Joep , Adam Romane , Gutierrez Leonardo , Rijnaarts Timon , Verbeken Kim , De Geyter Nathalie , Tian Xin , Cornelissen Emile
Published: October 2024

Driven by the growing need for alternative water sources and forthcoming stringent nutrient discharge regulations, there is growing interest in developing selective membrane solutions to facilitate circular greenhouse wastewater reuse (as emphasized in the European Union's Horizon 2020 ULTIMATE project). For electrodialysis systems, sodium (Na+) over potassium (K+) selective membranes are essential to achieve minimal liquid discharge. This study addresses the challenge of developing selective, efficient, and scalable Na+/K+ cation exchange membranes. State-of-the-art cation exchange membrane developments were reviewed and the functionalization of commercial membranes with crown ethers was identified as a promising approach. Two crown ether-modified membranes (15-crown-5 (15C5) and 18-crown-6 (18C6)) were developed, characterized, and tested with equimolar and greenhouse wastewater binary feed ratios. While the results demonstrated low overall selectivity, the 15C5-modified membrane showed a marginal enhancement in K+ selectivity, suggesting the need for further optimization. The study concludes with recommendations for the future development of Na+/K+ selective membranes, highlighting the potential of machine learning approaches to expedite progress. This research provides a foundational step toward practical and scalable Na+/K+ ion separation solutions, for achieving minimal liquid discharge in greenhouse horticulture.
Hybrid/Chimera Drugs - Part 1 - Drug Hybrids Affecting Diseases of the Central Nervous System
Authors: Nudelman Abraham
Published: October 2024

This review, focused on hybrid drugs, is the third in a series of reviews, where
the first two reviews dealt with a) dimeric drugs, b) mutual prodrugs – codrugs. The compounds
designated as hybrids are comprised of two (and sometimes three) biologically active
entities, linked by metabolically stable bridges. In some cases, one of the two components
of the hybrids serves as a carrier for the second component, and most frequently, the
components elicit their individual biological properties, which are commonly synergistic
or complementary. Due to the very large number of publications dealing with hybrid
drugs, the present review is restricted to hybrids acting in the central nervous system. Future
reviews will cover fields such as antimicrobial, anticancer, and antiviral hybrids, and
cardiovascular active hybrids. The selected articles reviewed herein were published between
the years 2000-2022 with partial coverage of the year 2023.
Fustin, a Potent Phytochemical, Attenuates Scopolamine-induced Memory Impairment and Neurodegeneration by Modulating Neuroinflammation and Neurotransmitters
Authors: Jambi Ebtihaj J. , Afzal Muhammad , Al-Abbasi Fahad A. , Moglad Ehssan , Al-Qahtani Salwa D. , Almalki Naif A. R. , Alzarea Sami I . , Imam Faisal , Sayyed Nadeem , Kazmi Imran
Published: October 2024

Introduction:

Fustin, a photogenic flavanol found in the plant Rhus verniciflua
Stokes, has been involved in multiple disease ailments and has a beneficial pharmacological
effect and a history of use in traditional medicine. The present research aimed
to study the impact of fustin on scopolamine (SCOP)-induced memory impairment and
neurodegeneration by modulating neuroinflammation and neurotransmitters in rats.

Methods:

A total of 30 healthy Wistar rats were allocated into five groups (n=6). Group
I- served as control and received saline solution (1mL/kg i.p.), group -II- fustin (100
mg/kg, orally), group -III -SCOP (1 mg/kg, i.p.), and group -IV and V were given fustin
(50 and 100 mg/kg/p.o.) with SCOP (1 mg/kg, i.p.) for 14-days. After 14 days, 2 hours
after SCOP injection, the Y-maze and Morris water maze (MWM) tests were performed.
After behavioral tests rats were subsequently euthanized, and brain supernatants were
used to estimate choline-acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), antioxidant
[superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH)], and total
protein, oxidative stress markers [nitrate and malondialdehyde (MDA)], pro-inflammatory
markers [tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and Interleukins-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6]. Also,
neurotransmitters such as serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), ϒ-amino butyric acid
(GABA), acetylcholine (Ach), and noradrenaline (NA) contents were performed.

Results:

Fustin exhibited substantial behavioral improvement in the Y-maze measures
spontaneous alterations percentage (SA%) and decreased latency time following the acquisition
and prolonged time spent in the probe trial in the MWM test. Moreover, fustin
inhibits enhanced neuroinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers and improves
the neurotransmitters.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study suggest that fustin inhibits SCOP impact on cognitive
abilities in rats. The present investigation demonstrates that fustin, a potent phytochemical,
effectively mitigated the behavioral and physiological changes induced by
SCOP in rats. This was primarily achieved by modulating the levels of inflammatory response
and neurotransmitters.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Molecular Docking of Novel Isatin-thiosemicarbazone containing 1,2,3-triazole Derivatives as Potential Anti-cancer Agents
Authors: El Malah Tamer , Farag Hanaa , Shamroukh Ahmed H.
Published: October 2024

To improve the activity of isatin-1,2,3-triazole hybrids as anticancer agents, new derivatives of isatin-
thiosemicarbazone-1,2,3-triazoles 9-16 were designed and synthesized via the condensation of isatin-1,2,3-
triazole hybrids 1-8 with thiosemicarbazide. Spectral and elemental analysis confirmed the structure of the
prepared derivatives 9-16. Also, as anticancer agents, the latter derivatives were screened against three human
cancerous cell lines: human lung fibroblast (WI38), colorectal carcinoma colon cancer (HCT-116), and mammary
gland breast cancer (MCF-7). Doxorubicin, a standard control, was used to compare viable cell percentages
and IC50 values. In general, derivatives 12 and 16 revealed a higher potency against the three human cancerous
cell lines. Finally, the molecular descriptors of compounds 12 and 16 were correlated with their observed
cytotoxicity.

result:

In general, derivatives 12 and 16 revealed a higher potency against the three human cancerous cell lines.
Combination Antitumor Activation of Anlotinib with Radiofrequency Ablation in Human Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Zhou , Ma Xue , Li Yuanmeng , Zhou Shi-hui , Zang Li-E , Feng Fan , Li Naishi
Published: October 2024

Introduction:

Currently, Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) is considered
a kind of rare neuroendocrine tumor, and molecular-targeted drugs have previously
been used for MTC treatment.

Method:

However, the prognosis of MTC patients is still not significant. In the present
work, we aimed to explore the antitumor activity of the molecularly targeted drug
anlotinib in combination with radiofrequency ablation on MTC.

Result:

The targets of anlotinib were clearly expressed in MTC tissue specimens, and
the expression level of these factors was much higher in MTC clinical specimens than
in nontumor tissues. At the same time, anlotinib or Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
showed clear antitumor activity against the MTC cell line TT (TT cells) and the tumor
tissue it formed. Anlotinib, in combination with RFA, significantly increased the
antitumor activity of RFA.

Conclusion:

These results indicated that the combination of anlotinib with
radiofrequency ablation could be a promising therapeutic strategy for MTC treatment.
Transforming Lung Cancer Care: The Role of Transferosomes in Modern Drug Delivery
Authors: S. Basavaraju , Naveen Nimbagal Raghavendra , Goudanavar Prakash S.
Published: October 2024

Cancer stands as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and lung cancer represents its most aggressive and persistent form. Traditional strategies for addressing lung cancer involve various medical therapies such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgical excision. Despite their prevalence, these conventional methods lack precision and inadvert-ently cause collateral damage to neighboring healthy cells. Recently, nanotechnology has emerged as a potential strategy for the treatment and management of lung carcinomas, bring-ing about a transformative shift in existing approaches. The primary focus of this shift is on minimizing harmful effects and improving the bioavailability of chemotherapy drugs specif-ically targeted at tumour cells. Currently, transferosome nanocarrier systems are widely em-ployed to overcome the obstacles presented by lung cancer. The utilization of transferosome-loaded therapeutic medication administration technology holds tremendous potential in reg-ulating tumour cell growth and treating lung cancer. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview and analysis of current advancements in transferosome-based drug delivery sys-tems, employing inhalational nanoparticle strategies for precise drug targeting in lung cancer management.
Recent Advances in Amperometric Biosensors for Medical Applications:
A Mini-Review
Authors: Kharkova Anna S. , Kuznetsova Lubov S. , Ivanova Kristina D. , Gertsen Maria M. , Arlyapov Vyacheslav A.
Published: October 2024

Amperometric biosensors have emerged as a cutting-edge technology in clinical diagnostics, thanks to their high level of sensitivity, rapid analytical results, compact size, and ability to
monitor health parameters non-invasively and continuously using flexible and wearable sensors.
This review explores the latest developments in the field of amperometric biosensing for medical
applications. It discusses the materials used to construct these sensors and pays particular attention
to biosensors designed to measure glucose, lactate, cholesterol, urea, and uric acid levels. The review also addresses the technological limitations and drawbacks of these devices. Furthermore, it
presents the current status and identifies future trends in the development of flexible, wearable biosensors capable of providing continuous monitoring of a patient's health status.
Disrupting Tumour Niches: Advanced Strategies for Targeting the Tumour Microenvironment in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Saikia Trideep , Khanam Asma , Ahmed Nasima , Bharali Alakesh , Kalita Tutumoni , Rajak Prakash , Sahu Bhanu P , Patowary Lima
Published: October 2024

The review paper provides an extensive overview of strategies for targeting the tumour
microenvironment (TME) to enhance cancer therapy. It begins by underscoring the importance of
profiling and comprehending the TME through advanced technologies like organ chips and artificial
intelligence. The paper discusses multiple approaches to modulate the pro-tumour TME, including
strategies for eliminating, normalizing, and targeting tumour cells. It delves into specific
aspects such as cancer-associated fibroblasts, extracellular matrix, hypoxia, acidosis, neovascularisation,
tumour-infiltrating T cells, the immune system, exosomes, tumour-associated neutrophils,
and tumour angiogenesis. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of a multifaceted approach to effectively
target the complex and dynamic TME, which plays a crucial role in tumour progression and
therapeutic resistance. The conclusion highlights the significant impact of the TME on cancer therapy
and identifies promising research and clinical application avenues. The paper underscores the
shift in cancer treatment paradigms, advocating for strategies that address the intricate interactions
within the TME to improve therapeutic outcomes.
PredPVP: A Stacking Model for Predicting Phage Virion Proteins Based on Feature Selection Methods
Authors: Cao Qian , Xiao Xufeng , Bin Yannan , Zhao Jianping , Zheng Chunhou
Published: October 2024

Background:

Phage therapy has a broad application prospect as a novel therapeutic
method, and Phage Virion Proteins (PVP) can recognize the host and bind to surface receptors,
which is of great significance for the development of antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of infectious
diseases caused by bacteria. In recent years, several PVP predictors based on machine learning
have been developed, which usually use a single feature to train the learner. In contrast, higher dimensional
feature representations tend to contain more potential sequence information.

Methods:

In this work, we construct a stacking model PredPVP for PVP prediction by combining
multiple features and using feature selection methods. Specifically, the sequence is first encoded using
seven features. For this high-dimensional feature representation, three feature selection methods
wereutilized to remove redundant features, then integrated with eight machine learning algorithms.
Finally, probability features and class features (PCFs) generated by 24 base models were put into logistic
regression (LR) to train the model.

Results:

The results of the independent test set indicate that PredPVP has higher performance compared
to other existing predictors, with an AUC of 93.4%.

Conclusion:

We expect PredPVP to be used as a tool for large-scale PVP recognition, providing a
new way for the development of novel antimicrobials and accelerating its application in actual
treatment. The datasets and source codes used in this study are available at
https://github.com/caoqian23/PredPVP.