bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of Pre-Operative Transthoracic Echocardiography in Patients with Primary Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Yang Yun , Fang Lingyun , Wu Wenqian , Li He , He Lin , Liu Manwei , Zhang Li , Yang Yali , Lv Qing , Li Yuman , Wang Jing , Xie Mingxing
Published: November 2024

Mitral regurgitation is the second most prevalent valvular disease, with primary mitral regurgitation (PMR) accounting for 61%–67% of cases. Chronic PMR can result in progressive left ventricular remodeling and dysfunction, ultimately leading to heart failure or other adverse cardiac events. This, in turn, necessitates frequent referrals, hospitalizations, and cardiac surgeries. The optimal timing for PMR surgery has been a subject of ongoing debate and remains a controversial issue. Presently, it is recommended that patients with chronic PMR undergo earlier mitral valve surgery to enhance post-operative outcomes. For example, the recommendation of European and American guidelines about left ventricular end-systolic diameter for surgery has been altered from 45 mm to 40 mm. Echocardiographic parameters are regarded as noteworthy indicators for intervention in patients with PMR. Extensive research has been undertaken in the field of echocardiography to identify more effective indicators that can propose the optimal timing for surgery, encompassing both conventional and novel echocardiography parameters. However, some parameters are not known to clinicians and the cut-off values for these parameters have shown some variations. Furthermore, a comprehensive review of this topic is currently missing. Consequently, this review aims to provide a thorough summary and elucidation of the prognostic significance of various echocardiographic measurements and their corresponding cut-off values, to help the clinical decision-making and further improve the outcomes of patients with PMR.
PREDICTING CANCER RECURRENCE WITH AI-ENHANCED IMAGING: A REVIEW OF PREDICTIVE MODELS AND THEIR CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Authors: Umukoro Emmanuel Ediri , Apolile Franklin Anita , Odezuligbo Ikenna , Kemefa Christian Oyinkuro , Umukoro Oghenerukevwe Fiona
Published: November 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare by improving the prediction of cancer recurrence, which is critical for guiding timely interventions. However, imbalanced medical datasets present challenges, making it essential to use more than just accuracy as a performance metric. Metrics like sensitivity, specificity, and precision are crucial for evaluating how well models detect recurrences without producing false predictions. A review of existing literature shows AI models increasingly outperform traditional diagnostic methods, especially through the integration of multi-modal data.Accuracy alone may misrepresent a model’s performance, especially with unbalanced datasets where one outcome (recurrence or non-recurrence) dominates. Sensitivity measures a model's ability to identify true recurrences, while specificity focuses on reducing false positives. Precision ensures high-risk predictions are reliable, minimizing unnecessary treatments. Incorporating multi-modal data, such as medical imaging, genomic profiles, and liquid biopsies, further improves diagnostic accuracy. Case studies reveal that AI models integrating these data types show superior sensitivity and specificity, particularly in early detection. Liquid biopsies, for example, enable non-invasive recurrence detection, allowing personalized treatments to be initiated earlier.AI holds immense potential to improve cancer care by enabling earlier and more precise predictions, but certain challenges persist. Issues like ethical concerns, data standardization, and clinical variability need to be addressed to ensure widespread adoption and effectiveness. Ongoing research is essential to refine these models, ensuring their reliability and usability in real-world clinical settings. Properly implemented AI-powered predictive models can significantly enhance patient outcomes by supporting earlier interventions and guiding personalized treatment strategies.
Input to the language learning infant: The impact of other children
Authors: Schick Johanna , Daum Moritz M. , Stoll Sabine
Published: November 2024

Language environments of children vary strongly within and across cultures. Here, we explore the impact on infants' attention to a relatively unexplored type of input: the speech of other children. We ask whether infants attend differently to child speech, child-surrounding adult speech and child-directed speech. In Study 1, we compared how infants growing up in two different cultural contexts (Shipibo-Konibo, Peruvian Amazon and Swiss German, urban Switzerland) attend to child speech compared to surrounding adult speech. Using a head-turn paradigm we find that infants in both cultures paid more attention to child speech than adult speech, independent of the stimuli language (Swiss German vs. Shipibo-Konibo). In Study 2, we tested whether child speech in Swiss German has a similar effect on infants' attention as the well-established effect of child-directed speech. We used the same experimental setup as in Study 1 and found that Swiss infants were equally attentive to child speech as to child-directed speech. Together, these findings indicate that regardless of cultural differences, speech of children effectively captivates the attention of infants and could play a role in language development similar to child-directed speech.
Identifying trust cues: How trust between science and publics is mediated in content about science
Authors: Schröder Justin T. , Brück Janise , Guenther Lars
Published: November 2024

Most public audiences in Germany receive scientific information via a variety of media, with journalistic media being the most important source but non-journalistic online media gaining increasing importance. In these contexts, media act as intermediaries of trust in science by providing linguistic components that present reasons for public audiences to place trust in science. Focusing on these components, this study introduces the term “trust cues” to analyze content about science. To identify trust cues, an explorative qualitative content analysis was applied to a sample (n = 158) of German media content from journalistic as well as populist, social, and other (non-journalistic) online media. In total, n = 1,329 trust cues were coded. The findings emphasize the diversity of mediated trust, with trust cues being connected to established dimensions of trust in science: expertise, integrity, benevolence, transparency, and dialogue. This study identifies trust cues in content about science that address various aspects of these dimensions. With this, the study aims for a better understanding of the trust relationship between science and its publics. Examining this is crucial since trust in science is important for individual and collective informed decision-making, and to combat the many crises societies face
Qualitative Assessment of the Irish 2018 Wellbeing Framework in Education
Authors: Dempsey Caoimhe , McCoy Selina
Published: November 2024

Recent evidence shows increasing wellbeing and mental health difficulties among young people in Ireland (Carroll et al., 2024) and internationally (WHO, 2021). This evidence emerges against the backdrop of significant policy focus, with the Department of Education publishing the Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice in 2018 aiming to improve wellbeing initiatives in Irish primary and post-primary schools. This paper presents a qualitative analysis of stakeholder perspectives on the objectives and implementation of the policy. A theoretical sampling framework was applied, and semi-structured interviews conducted with diverse voices within the system including policy makers in the department of education; specialist educational service providers; school leaders and teachers; students; parents and academics. Results indicate that stakeholders were positive about the benefit of having a framework for future directions and decisions. However, several stakeholders reiterated the same challenge in translating the policy into effective school practices, often underpinned by a lack of teacher professional development and competing demands on resources. The policy has faced particular challenges due to the pandemic, which has created a need for reflections on the future shape of the policy. Including the voice of stakeholders, particularly students, will be critical in supporting effective development of the policy.
Understanding therapeutic reasoning: a scientific report
Authors: Hartjes Mariëlle , Richir Milan , Cazaubon Yoann , Donker Erik , van Leeuwen Ellen , Likić Robert , Pers Yves-Marie , Piët Joost , De Ponti Fabrizio , Raasch Walter , van Rosse Floor , Rychlíčková Jitka , Sanz Emilio , Schwaninger Markus , Wallerstedt Susanna , de Vries Theo , van Agtmael Michiel , Tichelaar Jelle
Published: November 2024

•Upon diagnosing a patient, an initial automatic response arises based on pattern recognition through therapy scripts (type 1 thinking). At some point, this response is evaluated by the reflective mind using metacognition (which plays an important role in type 2a thinking), and if found to be incorrect or incomplete, an alternative response is formulated through a slower, more analytical, and deliberative process, known as type 2b thinking. This process is shown in the European Model of Therapeutic Reasoning.•Metacognition monitors the reasoning process and helps a person to form new therapy scripts after choosing the right therapy.•Experienced physicians have more and richer therapy scripts than inexperienced physicians, based not only on their knowledge but also on their expertise and appreciation of the relevance of enabling conditions, such as patient characteristics. Therefore their type 1 response is more often correct.•There are significant differences between diagnostic and therapeutic reasoning, raising questions about their comparability, and therefore more research is needed.•It is recommended that all steps of the reasoning process in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics be optimized. This can be done, among other things, by providing structure , stimulating metacognition through reflection, increasing motivation, and providing context-rich education to develop rich therapy scripts early in professional training. However, because these teaching methods are mainly based on diagnostic reasoning, they should be tested in practice for therapeutic reasoning as well, and adjusted if necessary.
Mediating trust in content about science: assessing trust cues in digital media environments
Authors: Schröder Justin T. , Guenther Lars
Published: November 2024

Intermediaries such as (digital) media employ trust cues, i.e., linguistic markers used in their content that allow public audiences to assess reasons for trusting scientists, scientific organizations, and the science system. Trust cues refer to dimensions of trust in science such as expertise, integrity, benevolence, transparency, and dialogue. Digital media environments are expected to be heterogeneous in content, source of trust cues, objects of trust in science, and the gender of the scientists referred to. Therefore, their impact on public trust in science might vary. Thus, this quantitative content analysis identified trust cues across several sources of scientific information (n = 906) and explored their heterogeneity in digital media environments. The results reveal that journalism is potentially the most important source for trust cues and scientists are most often referred to—with female scientists being underrepresented. Differences across (digital) media might have varying impacts on public trust in science.
XAI and Sustainability: Unifying Regulatory Standards and Solutions for the Future of Environmental Management
Authors: Alberto Nádia
Published: November 2024

This study explores the integration of Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) into environmental governance, addressing critical challenges in transparency, public trust and regulatory compliance. As AI technologies increasingly influence decision-making in environmental management, ensuring equitable and ethical practices has become paramount. By examining key regulatory frameworks, including the EU’s AI Act and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea’s 2024 advisory opinion, this research extends ITLOS's principles beyond marine environments to address broader issues such as air quality, water management and sustainable resource allocation. A novel framework is proposed to harmonize global standards while bridging digital literacy with regulatory governance, fostering accountability and inclusivity in resource management. Additionally, a participatory model is presented to empower communities, enabling them to engage with and challenge AI-driven decisions effectively. This work contributes to the development of ethical, explainable, and transparent AI practices, offering multidisciplinary insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to advance sustainable and inclusive environmental governance.
Dedicated IP
Authors: Membrey Peter , Beyel Timo
Published: November 2024

Although the assigning of new IP addresses is central to the VPN experience, the way in which these addresses are traditionally managed doesn’t suit everyone. Rotating IP addresses can lead to frequent authentication challenges, unreliable access to geo-restricted services, and increased exposure to tracking and security breaches. These issues highlight the need for alternative solutions for users who require a static IP address, while still maintaining a high level of privacy and security.
ExpressVPN’s Dedicated IP (DIP) solution solves these problems with technologies designed to enhance user privacy and security, without compromising on convenience. ExpressVPN’s DIP service assigns a unique IP address exclusively to a single user, providing a consistent online identity that is not shared with other users, while maintaining the user’s privacy. DIP offers secure logins and seamless access to IP address-sensitive sites and reduces the frequency of verification challenges.
Fingerprint based blood group detection: Technologies and Advancements
Authors: K Sai Geethanjali  , Umashankar Nidhi
Published: November 2024

Fingerprint-based blood group detection is a recently popularized non-invasive alternative to traditional serological methods of blood group classification. These are weighed against the issues of invasiveness, time consumption, and dependency on laboratory infrastructure. This paper will present a comprehensive review of existing literature that explores the correlation between fingerprint patterns and blood group classifications, studying all forms of statistical, image processing, and deep learning methodologies. While most of them are promising, the validity is far from being extensively implemented due to some constraints like limited datasets, regional biases, and lack of practicality. This survey distills the findings from 20 significant studies by analyzing their methodologies, results, and limitations. The works reviewed here represent great strides in the techniques of feature extraction, such as Gabor filters, minutiae analysis, and deep learning-based models, and their implications in non-invasive diagnostics. The synthesis of the results in this paper identifies pressing research gaps regarding large-scale datasets, generalizable models, and validation across diverse populations, which create a roadmap for further study in the area of fingerprint-based biometric diagnostics.
AI-Enhanced Risk Management in SAP S/4HANA: Leveraging Predictive Analytics for Proactive Decision-Making
Authors: K Sai Geethanjali  , Umashankar Nidhi
Published: November 2024

In recent years, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into enterprise systems has revolutionized decision-making processes, particularly in the realm of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP S/4HANA. This review paper examines the role of AI-enhanced risk management in SAP S/4HANA, focusing on leveraging predictive analytics to facilitate proactive decision-making. SAP S/4HANA, with its advanced capabilities in cloud computing and data management, provides organizations with the tools needed to anticipate and mitigate risks in real-time. Predictive analytics, powered by AI, enables businesses to forecast potential disruptions, financial risks, and operational inefficiencies, allowing them to take corrective actions before issues arise. This paper highlights key advancements in AI-driven predictive intelligence, presents case studies of its application in risk management, and discusses future trends and challenges in AI integration with SAP S/4HANA. The combination of AI and SAP S/4HANA promises to enhance operational efficiency, improve risk mitigation strategies, and support data-driven decision-making, making it a critical component of modern enterprise management.
Screen Printing of MWCNT-based Electrodes for Uric Acid Detection
Authors: Akkulak Kevser , Şen Mustafa
Published: November 2024

The detection of uric acid (UA) is critical due to its role in key physiological processes and its association with conditions like gout, kidney stones, and cardiovascular diseases. This study presents the fabrication and optimization of screen-printed multiwalled carbon electrodes modified with AuNPs for UA detection, achieving a high sensitivity and a detection limit of 6.25 μM using differential pulse voltammetry. These electrodes show promise for integration into wearable devices, enabling continuous UA monitoring for personal health management and clinical diagnostics. This advancement could enhance personalized healthcare through early intervention and improved management of UA-related conditions.
Role of muscle forces on strain distributions in the proximal femur
Authors: Rogalski Michael , Martelli Saulo , Pandy Marcus , Kersh Mariana
Published: November 2024

Despite the benefits of exercise for bone health, the development of protocols to improve bone quality in fracture prone areas remains a challenge because of the difficulty in determining how bone is loaded in vivo. Discussions persist regarding whether the femoral neck is in bending or compression and the degree to which muscle forces contribute to loading. We simulated the loads during walking using subject-specific muscle-driven finite element models and compared three load- ing configurations: [1] all hip-spanning muscle and joint forces, [2] a sub-set of hip muscle and joint forces, and [3] hip joint forces only. We found that the use of the hip joint contact force alone re- sulted in large tensile and compressive principal strains. However, including muscle forces resulted in significantly decreased strain magnitudes and a change of mode to uneven compression in the femoral neck suggesting that the inclusion of muscle forces offset the bending moment observed in a hip-joint-force-only model. In the pertrochanter, including hip muscle forces increased the com- pressive and tensile strains. Together, these findings indicate that including hip-spanning muscle forces changes the mode and distributions of strains in the femoral neck as well as strain magni- tudes in the pertrochanter. Future studies will benefit from including both muscle and joint reaction forces in simulations of bone under in vivo loading conditions in order to develop informed exercise interventions to improve bone health.
How to experimentally induce fear of movement-related pain and measure psychophysiological and behavioral reactions as a proxy – a scoping review
Authors: Pagels Larissa , Meulders Ann , Szikszay Tibor , Adamczyk Waclaw M. , Barnekow Marvin , Luedtke Kerstin
Published: November 2024

Fear can significantly increase the experienced pain intensity in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain and limit their ability to engage in daily activities. Fear of movement-related pain (FMRP) is commonly assessed via self-report, but research suggests measuring psychophysiological or behavioral parameters as an alternative. The objective of this scoping review was to identify and evaluate existing paradigms to induce FMRP, as well as the psychophysiological, behavioral and neural measurements used for its assessment. Experimental studies, with adult participants (≥18 years, healthy and chronic pain) observing or performing movements were included if they used a FMRP induction paradigm or measured psychophysiological and behavioral proxies of FMRP. A total of 1883 studies were screened; 34 eligible studies were included. Paradigms inducing FMRP involved anticipated pain paired with movement (via classical or operant conditioning) or elicited pre-existing FMRP through the observation of movements potentially associated with pain. The identified studies employed various psychophysiological and behavioral measures indicating FMRP, such as response latency/duration, decision-making behavior, eyeblink startle response, and autonomic nervous system responses (e.g., skin conductance, heart rate, respiratory rate), as well as neural correlates (fMRI). fMRI studies revealed activation in fear- and pain-processing brain areas that correlated with patient-reported measurements (e.g. amygdala, hippocampus, lateral orbitofrontal cortex). Among the psychophysiological and behavioral measures displaying significant differences between fear-evoking, and neutral conditions, heart rate, respiratory response, skin conductance, and eyeblink-startle response demonstrated the largest effect sizes. In conclusion, physiological reactions can be measured during imagined, observed, or performed movements as a proxy for FMRP.
The Influence of Internal Integration on Operational Performance Through Supplier Integration at Pt Rotte Ragam Rasa (Rotte Bakery) Pekanbaru
Authors: Khilmi Ariyanti , Samsir  , Asrilsyak Sharnuke
Published: November 2024

This research aims to determine the effect of Internal Integration on Operational Performance through Supplier Integration at PT. Rotte Ragam Rasa Pekanbaru. The population in this study consists of the management and operational teams at PT. Rotte Ragam Rasa Pekanbaru, totaling 35 individuals. The sampling technique that will be used in this research is Non-Probability Sampling, specifically referred to as saturation sampling. This means that all 35 management and operational teams at PT. Rotte Ragam Rasa Pekanbaru will be included. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is the analytical method used in this research, processed using SmartPLS version 4.0. The results of the hypothesis test from this study indicate that Operational Performance is significantly and positively influenced by Internal Integration. Supplier Integration is significantly and positively influenced by internal integration. Operational performance is significantly and positively influenced by supplier integration. The influence of Internal Integration on operational performance is minimized by supplier integration.
Factors Affecting Employee Retention in Nepalese Insurance Sector
Authors: Basnet Sailendra Kumar
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the relationship between employee retention and issues within Nepalese insurance companies. The research uses a descriptive and causal-comparative design to explore the challenges of high turnover rates and employee dissatisfaction. The population includes 11,496 employees, with a focus on 385 employees. Data collection involves surveys with selected participants, primarily through closed-ended questions. The findings reveal significant relationships between employee retention and factors such as rewards, workload, career development opportunities, and work culture. Rewards are identified as the most influential factor, with a strong positive impact on retention. Career development opportunities and work culture also play significant roles in retaining employees. Workload has a more modest effect on retention. The study emphasizes the importance of a positive work culture, which can enhance employee morale and reduce turnover.
Evaluation of C-Reactive Protein and Procalcitonin as a Mortality Indicator in Febrile Neutropenic Patients
Authors: Öksüzoğlu Hasan , Mert Duygu , İskender Gülşen , Ulu Demirci Nagihan , Ertek Mustafa
Published: November 2024

Introduction: Febrile neutropenia (FN) develops as a side effect of chemotherapeutics in cancer patients. It causes complications, increased cost, and mortality. Microbiological agents can be detected in 30-50% of FN. Therefore, specific, highly effective, and rapid markers that can indicate infection are needed. Various biomarkers are under investigation and are still in use today. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate their effectiveness in early detection of infection and mortality by comparing quantitative C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin values at the beginning of FN and during treatment.
Methodology This research is a retrospective, case-control study. The study included 572 FN patients who were followed up in the Hematology Clinic, Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Medical Oncology Clinic between 3 September 2018 and 25 May 2022. 748 FN attacks developed in these patients. The hospital information management system was analysed, and the data of the patients were recorded in the pre-prepared form. Data were analysed using ‘The Package for Social Sciences 26.0’ statistical program.
Results: 49.1% of FN cases were female and 50.9% male. Hematological malignancy was detected in 60.8% of the patients. Mortality developed in 118 (20.6%) patients. The rate of bacteremia in FN attacks was 36.5%. The most common causative microorganism was Escherichia coli. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were more common in patients with mortality. CRP and procalcitonin values in the first five days of treatment were higher in patients with bacteremia and mortality. Prolonged neutropenia and bloodstream infection were found to be risk factors for mortality.
Conclusion: It has been observed that CRP and procalcitonin values can be used both prognostically and diagnostically. It was found that resistant Gram-negative bacteria growth was higher in blood cultures of patients with mortality. More studies are needed to develop new treatment algorithms.
Del texto literario a la película: análisis de dos personajes femeninos en Wuthering Heights, de Emily Brontë y su representación en la película dirigida por William Wyler (1939)
Authors: Pérez Porras Ana
Published: November 2024

Introducción: Wuthering Heights (1847) ha sido llevada al cine y a la televisión en numerosas ocasiones, y en este trabajo se propone un estudio de dos personajes femeninos del texto literario de Emily Brontë y su representación en la película dirigida por Wyler (1939). En la novela, la autora denuncia la discriminación social  a la que se enfrentaban las mujeres a través de dos personajes, Catherine Earnshaw e Isabella Linton, y el objetivo es analizar su representación en esta película. Esta versión se detiene en destacar la infancia de Catherine, y el espectador debe comprender por qué este personaje elige pertenecer al mundo de los Linton. La película omite una parte esencial de la historia de Isabella Linton, la de una mujer maltratada. Metodología: La metodología utilizada para este análisis es la estética de recepción y diseminación cultural de Stoneman, que proporciona un marco claro para nuestro análisis. Discusión: El debate se centrará en las discrepancias en la representación de los personajes femeninos, haciendo hincapié en la urgente necesidad de un análisis crítico. Conclusiones: Esta adaptación es una versión censurada que no representa la reivindicación social de la mujer que Emily Brontë pretendía a través de sus personajes femeninos.
FEATURES OF THE OPERATION OF A WIDE-CUT FRONTAL-MOVING IRRIGATION MACHINE AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE FORCE ANALYSIS OF THE CENTRAL ARTICULATED SUPPORT
Authors:   Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering named after N. I. Vavilov, Saratov, Russian Federation, Kravchuk Alexey V. , Beltikov Boris N. ,   Volga Scientific Research Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Land Reclamation, Engels, Russian Federation, Pankova Tatyana A. ,   Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering named after N. I. Vavilov, Saratov, Russian Federation
Published: November 2024

Purpose: to conduct a force analysis of the central movable support of wide-cut frontal irrigation machines and to provide proposals for its improvement; to consider the technical and operational parameters of such machines that affect the efficiency of their use; to assess the influence of external conditions on the irrigation machine productivity: objective (soil, relief, etc.) and subjective (cultural and ergonomic conditions, optimal selection of auxiliary equipment); to consider in detail the nature of the water supply system operation in the form of a flexible pressure hose of the irrigation machine and to calculate the resistance forces, that compose them, depending on the conditions of occurrence along its transferring.
Materials and methods. When substantiating the technical and operational parameters of the design, a scientific method for calculating the traction load on the structure of the central support of wide-cut frontal irrigation machines from the water supply movable pipe, was used. The component of the resistance force to the movement of the flexible hose across the field is its friction against the ground, it mainly depends on the slope direction of the microrelief of the irrigated area and soil moisture.
Results. The total value of the resistance force to the transferring the pressure hose across the field is one of the determining factors in the selection of structural elements of the central support of the machines under consideration, it is equal to 7958.94 N. Its component in the form of friction force is 5971.99 N, the gravitational component is 1986.95 N.
Conclusions. The magnitude of the traction developed by the machine units for movement and overcoming the resistance forces allows optimizing the process of selecting a reliable material, the metal structure profile of the central articulated support and the structural units of the traction equipment. The study of the technology of irrigation equipment operation makes possible their further improvement and creation of a reliable material and technical basis for the elements of irrigation systems.
MODERNIZATION OF THE AUTOMATED WATER LEVEL CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE PAVLOVSKIY WATER INTAKE STORAGE RESERVOIRS
Authors:   Orenburg State Agrarian University, Institute for Risk Management and Integrated Security, Orenburg, Russian Federation, Chkalova Marina V. , Pavlidis Victoria D. ,   Orenburg State Agrarian University, Institute for Risk Management and Integrated Security, Orenburg, Russian Federation
Published: November 2024

Purpose: to determine the main directions of the automated control system modernization for the water intake workload distribution in the village of Pavlovka, Orenburg region.
Materials and methods. An engineering and technical solution to the problem of increasing the efficiency of the technical water intake system based on the optimization of the control system of the 2nd lift pumps was obtained: float level sensors in water storages are replaced by ultrasonic ones and frequency converters are installed on all 2nd lift pumps, the pressure sensor is transferred from the pipeline to the water column of the water tower, feedback is provided by the industrial logic controller PR100 OVEN.
Results. An engineering and mathematical model of the workload distribution system through the water level control system in water intake storages was built in the form of a generalized transfer function of the system, it was verified in the SimInTech dynamic modeling environment, and the estimates of the qualitative indicators of the automated control system before and after modernization were obtained.
Conclusions. The main calculations were performed using the author's software for assessing the quality indicators of linear dynamic systems and showed an improvement in response time due to a decrease in the control time from 15 to 6 s, an increase in the degree of stability from 0.2 to 0.5, and an increase in the system reliability by 10.3 %. All these changes do not affect the stability of the control system, but increase the efficiency and functionality of the technical water intake system. The performance of the 2nd lift pumping station is considered as an indicator of the modernization effectiveness. The calculations carried out using the author's software for assessing the economic efficiency of the technical system modernization show an increase in the expected productivity by 88 %. The expected payback period for the modernization will be 19 months.
SIMULTANEOUS ADSORPTION OF Cd (II) AND Pb (II) IONS ON Al-DOPED Mn3O4: VALIDATION BY FAAS and ICP-OES
Authors: Narayani R. Lakshmi , Challa Malathi , Reddy C. Raja Gopal , Narula Archna , Mamatha M.  , Sukdev Anu
Published: November 2024

The one-pot solution combustion method was employed to prepare an Al-doped Mn3O4 nano adsorbent with a tetragonal structure and was characterized by pXRD, FESEM-EDX, and FTIR, instrumental techniques. The synergetic or antagonistic influence of coexisting ion over the other ion was investigated by simultaneous adsorption studies of Cd(II)and Pb(II) ions under the optimized conditions of a pH of 6, 40 mg of Mn3-xAlxO4 adsorbent for 90 minutes. The adsorption of Cd(II)and Pb(II)ions in binary solution was followed by film diffusion with less mass transfer along with the boundary layer effect. The extended Langmuir nonlinear isotherm model revealed the antagonistic effect on the adsorption of each ion in the presence of coexisting ions due to the tremendous interference and competition between both ions on the availability of negatively charged active sites, the positive charge density of the ions, a high affinity on the Mn3-xAlxO4 adsorbent surface, and difference of the electro negativity of Cd (II) and Pb(II) ions. This adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions simultaneously was validated by FAAS and ICP-OES.
THE ACTIVATED CARBON CATALYST FROM WOOD USING HCL-STEAM ACTIVATOR FOR PYROLYSIS PROCESS
Authors: L. Efiyanti  , Indrawan D.A. , S. Wibowo  , S. Darmawan  , R. Pari  , A. Aswandi  , Kholibrina C.R. , G. Pasaribu  , Waluyo T.K. , S. Komarayati  , Wibisono H.S. , Gusmailina  , D. Hendra  , G. Pari
Published: November 2024

Wood can be converted to an advanced material such as activated carbon, which has various functions. Several methods, such as chemical, physical, or combination activation, have been used to form activated carbon. In this research, we made an activated carbon using HCl-steam combination methods to improve the characteristics of carbon. The activated carbon is then impregnated with metal Co for catalytic application. Several analyses have been carried out to assess the characteristics of materials, following the Indonesian National Standard. Instrument analysis was used to evaluate the morphology of materials, functional groups, and pore characteristics using SEM EDX, FTIR, and BET methods. The result showed that the activated carbon quality follows the SNI standard with opened pores, OH and C=C functional groups, and a surface area of 325-392 m2 /g. The application process of the catalytic reaction uses plastic waste as a reactant, resulting in several product components such as alcohol, aliphatic hydrocarbon, aromatic hydrocarbon, ester, PAHs, and long-chain hydrocarbon.
THE ENHANCED PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF ALIZARIN RED S DYE USING CU-DOPED TIO2 NANOPARTICLES UNDER UVA, LED, AND SUNLIGHT IRRADIATION
Authors: S. Gupta Nikita. , Susmita  , A. Mandavgane
Published: November 2024

The study aimed to evaluate the photocatalytic efficiency of Cu-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles synthesized via the sol-gel method, particularly in the degradation of Alizarin Red S dye under various light sources, including UVA LED and sunlight irradiation. Cu-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized using a sol-gel method, followed by rigorous characterization using XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, and UV-Vis DRS techniques to confirm their structural and optical properties. The photocatalytic efficiency was evaluated by observing the breakdown of Alizarin Red S dye under various lighting conditions, and the rate of the breakdown was analyzed using a pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The study revealed that Cu-doped TiO₂ exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity, particularly under UV light, achieving an 87.11% degradation of Alizarin Red S dye within 60 minutes. Under sunlight, the degradation efficiency was 73.02%, while under visible light, it was 56.19%. The introduction of copper into the TiO₂ matrix effectively reduced the bandgap energy, thus improving the material's responsiveness to visible light. In conclusion, Cu-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles significantly enhance the photocatalytic degradation of Alizarin Red S dye, particularly under UV light. The reduction in bandgap energy due to copper doping improves the material's responsiveness to visible light, making it a promising candidate for wastewater treatment applications
Blockchain Technology and Organizational Performance In Emerging Economy: Evidence From the Nigeria Banking Sector
Authors: Oluwayomi Omotayo Olota , Oluwadamilare Balogun Ebenezer , Emmanuel Babawale Opeyemi
Published: November 2024

The internet landscape is still changing. While the Internet enables data connectivity,
it does not guarantee data reliability. Hence, this study examines the effect of
blockchain technology on organizational performance in Nigeria's banking sector.
This study examines the effect of (i) value proposition on organizational innovation,
(ii) eNaira on business expansion, and (iii) payment system on competitive advantage.
A descriptive research approach was adopted, and the staff of Guaranty Trust Bank
served as the population. The sample size 142, calculated through Taro Yamane's
(1967) method, was used with simple random sampling to collect primary data from
the respondents. A partial Least Square structural equation model (PLS-SEM) was
adopted to examine the causal relationship through SmartPLS 3.0. The results showed
that all blockchain technology factors substantially predict organizational
performance: 0.773 (0.770), 0.756 (0.754), and 0.810 (0.808), respectively. The study
concluded that blockchain technology significantly contributes to high performance in
emerging economies. Banking sector managers in emerging economies should always
support the suggestion of original values that may boost the bank's innovativeness,
particularly those that facilitate the creation of new services and enable consumers to
transact quickly and affordably. In addition, they ought to allow cryptocurrency
purchases using online payment methods. In order to facilitate cryptocurrency
transactions, mobile banking apps, online banking pages, alongside other platforms
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Desorption of Potassium and Magnesium by Gray Forest Soil
Authors: Yakimenko V. N.
Published: November 2024

It has been shown that a long-term potassium deficiency in the agrocenosis reduces the ability of gray forest soil to desorb this element into the soil solution to a much greater extent than magnesium deficiency – magnesium desorption. It has been established that the mobility of potassium cations is greater than that of magnesium, regardless of the degree of soil depletion in relation to these elements: 0.1–0.5 M ammonium acetate solution extracted almost the entire soil stock of exchangeable potassium, whereas magnesium – only 65–90%. During fractional extraction of potassium with 0.001 M ammonium acetate solution, differences between soils with different potash content were noted only in the first 2–3 extracts; in the following extracts, the potassium content was equalized. The magnesium content in successive extracts decreased gradually and approximately equally in soils with its different initial content. It has been shown that the intensity and specificity of soil desorption of potassium and magnesium well reflects soil fertility in relation to these elements.
Agromeliorative Methods of Preserving Fertility of Chernozem Soils of Fruit Plantations under Conditions of Irrigation with Mineralized Water
Authors: Fomenko T. G. , Popova V. P. , Yaroshenko O. V. , Arutyunyan Zh. V.
Published: November 2024

The effectiveness of agro-reclamation techniques for preserving the fertility of chernozem soils of fruit plantations under conditions of irrigation with mineralized waters in the conditions of the steppe zone of fruit growing in the Krasnodar Territory in irrigated intensive plantations of apple varieties of winter ripening on a low-growing rootstock M9 was studied. The effect of the use of chemical meliorants (phosphogypsum), soil mulching, application of water-soluble organo-mineral fertilizers through a drip irrigation system and a combination of these agricultural techniques on the basic agrochemical and physico-chemical properties of ordinary chernozem was studied. In fruit plantations, with drip irrigation with mineralized waters, the use of a complex of agro-reclamation techniques contributed to the normalization of the reaction of the soil environment, a decrease in the accumulation of water-soluble sodium salts in the root layer of ordinary chernozem by 39.7%, a decrease in the content of exchangeable sodium in the zone of local soil moisture by 33–34%, an increase in the content of mobile phosphorus in the soil under droppers by 18.9% compared with traditional zonal cultivation technology.
Olfactory Responses of the Greenhouse Whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood and Its Parasitoid Encarsia formosa Gahan to Volatile Compounds of Entomopatogenic Fungi of the Genus Lecanicillum
Authors: Mitina G. V. , Kirillova O. S. , Choglokova A. A. , Cherepanova M. A.
Published: November 2024

To assess the prospects for the joint use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and entomophages in plant protection from greenhouse whitefly, the influence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of fungi on the behavior of the phytophage and its parasitoid encarsia in 2 types of olfactometers was studied. In the Y-shaped olfactometer, it was revealed that 3 out of 9 EPF strains had a significant effect on the behavior of the imago phytophagus. The mycelium of the Vl 72 strain of the L. muscarium species showed an attractive effect (AE = +16), and for the Vl 61 strain of the same species and the Vit 71 strain of the L. attenuatum has been found to have a repellent effect against the pest (AE = –28 and –20, respectively). Experiments in two-chamber olfactometers, where T. vaporariorum was tested not individually, but in groups (15 individuals each), showed that all the studied strains did not affect the reactions of the phytophage. The activity of VOCs fungi against encarsia was less pronounced compared to whitefly. In the Y-shaped olfactometer, it was shown that only Vit 71 (L. attenuatum) showed an attractive effect, the remaining strains did not cause reactions in the parasitoid or showed a tendency to attract it.
Physicochemical properties of Na2SO4-CaSO4 melts
Authors: Tanutrov I. N. , Sviridova М. N.
Published: November 2024

The aim of the work was to study the properties of melts of the Na2SO4–CaSO4 system, which are best suited for practical application in metallurgy, for example, for improving the operation of industrial furnaces. In addition, information on the properties of this system is of interest for applied chemistry of molten salts, for example, for cleaning gases, metal and ceramic surfaces of structural elements. The properties of melts of binary sulfate systems, necessary for selecting application parameters, have not been studied sufficiently. The most important for practice are density, surface tension and dynamic viscosity. The work uses modern experimental research methods: maximum pressure in an argon bubble blown into the melt through a capillary to determine the density and surface tension, and the vibration method – for dynamic viscosity. The temperature and concentration ranges of measurements were 1050–1200°C and 0–60 mol. %. For the entire studied range of melt compositions, linear dependences of density and surface tension on temperature were obtained. Dynamic viscosity obeys an exponential dependence. As a result of statistical processing of the experimental data, general equations of polytherms of density, surface tension and viscosity were derived. Analysis of the experimental results showed that the values of density, surface tension and viscosity have deviations from additivity, which reflects a change in the structure of sodium sulfate – calcium sulfate melts with an increase in the concentration of CaSO4. Comparison of the obtained experimental data with those already known for binary carbonate melts indicated changes in the structure of the melts, in particular, the formation in the volume, in addition to the Na+ and Ca2+ cations and the SO42- anion, of complex anions [NaSO4]- predominantly on the surface and [Ca(SO4)]n- predominantly in the volume.
Conceptual Project for Diagnostics of Erosion of the First Wall and Divertor of the Tokamak with Reactor Technologies TRT
Authors: Razdobarin A. G. , Shubin Y. R. , Belokur A. A. , Bogachev D. L. , Elets D. I. , Medvedev O. S. , Mukhin E. E. , Snigirev L. A. , Alekseenko I. V.
Published: November 2024

A conceptual design for diagnosing erosion of the first wall and divertor plates of a tokamak with reactor technologies TRT is proposed. The principles of constructing a diagnostic complex based on the following systems are developed: laser radar, dual-wavelength digital holographic interferometry and active laser IR thermography. An optical scheme is developed for combining the optical paths to input laser radiation and collect scattered light from diagnostic systems. To view the maximum area of the first wall, a scheme for optical scanning of the surface of the first wall and divertor is proposed. Based on optical simulation, the spatial distribution of the power density and phase of interferometry laser radiation in the illuminated region of the first wall is constructed, and the dimensions of the light fields and power density for IR thermography and laser radar diagnostics are determined. An image formation scheme is proposed and the spatial resolution is determined for interferometry and IR thermography methods. The light scattering function on models of the ITER divertor cladding is studied experimentally. The energy of the collected signal is calculated on the basis on the experimental data for all three diagnostic methods and the requirements for the diagnostic equipment are formulated.
Simulations of TRT Vacuum Vessel Effect on the Magnetic Diagnostics System Sensor Signals
Authors: Belov A. M. , Andreev V. F. , Sushkov A. V.
Published: November 2024

The results of model numerical calculations are presented, showing the effect of the TRT vacuum vessel on the amplitudes and phases of the magnetic sensors signals, which are located on the inner and outer vacuum vessel surfaces. It is shown that the characteristic times of loop voltage sensors considerably depend on their position on the TRT vacuum vessel. Therefore, their accurate mutual matching is required, especially in the dynamic stage of the discharge, when high eddy currents are induced in the vacuum vessel. The results of numerical calculations for the case of periodic disturbances in the plasma column are presented. They showed that the vacuum vessel almost completely shields the signals of the magnetic sensors located on the outer surface of the vacuum vessel. Moreover, it affects not only the amplitudes of magnetic sensors signals, but also their phases. Numerical studies brought us to conclusion that it is of priority to install the magnetic sensors just on the inner surface of the TRT vacuum vessel.