bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The circulation of meaning: A biosemiotic perspective on the functional circle
Authors: Zengiaro Nicola
Published: May 2024

The research field of contemporary biosemiotics is heir to the thought of Jakob von Uexküll, who focused on investigating the subjective world of animals. The Estonian biologist’s theory showed how sense-motor organisms' perceptual and operational worlds are expressed in coordination based on signification. The umwelt comprises the interwoven relationship between organisms' operational and perceptual marks. In this sense, the ‘functional circle’ notion has particularly interested investigations in biosemiotics. According to Uexküll, the functional circle is a general pattern that underlines the relationship between any animal and the world. Thus, the relationship between the subject and the world can only occur through recursiveness that constructs a semiotic signifying circle. The circulation of meaning has ripple effects concerning recursiveness: memory, anticipation, perception, and learning. The semiotic circle is thus the condition of possibility for experience, perception, and movement in the world. This article aims to analyze the idea of circularity within the research field of biosemiotics, with particular attention to Uexküll’s legacy, which is also carried on by cybernetics. Also, we will try to show how biosemiotics investigates the emergence of meaning in this signifying circle. The main aim is to show that recursiveness and circulation of meaning originate from a cognitive semiosis of a corporeal type.
O ATENDIMENTO EDUCACIONAL ESPECIALIZADO EM INSTITUIÇÕES ESPECIALIZADAS NO CONTEXTO DA EDUCAÇÃO INCLUSIVA:
Authors: Mesquita Amélia Maria Araújo , Carneiro Bianca Morais
Published: May 2024

Este artigo é resultante dos dados parciais da dissertação de mestrado acadêmico que tem como temática a Educação Especial na perspectiva inclusiva em instituições especializadas e se propõe a responder a seguinte questão problema: que aspectos os documentos legais que fundamentam a Educação Especial promoveram modificações no Atendimento Educacional Especializado em instituições especializadas? Para tanto, destacamos como objetivo geral analisar quais as principais modificações no Atendimento Educacional Especializado nas instituições especializadas a partir dos documentos legais do campo da Educação Especial. A metodologia utilizada foi a abordagem do tipo qualitativa, tendo como principais documentos analisados: Política Nacional de Educação Especial na perspectiva da Educação Inclusiva (2008); Decreto nº 7.611/2011; Lei nº 13.005/2014; Lei nº 13.146/2015 e a Resolução nº 4 (CNE/CEB) – 2009. Como resultado, infere-se que as instituições especializadas sofreram inúmeras modificações ao longo dos anos, dentre essas, saiu do caráter substitutivo (escolarização) e passou a organizar o atendimento de forma complementar e suplementar, tendo esse direito assegurado nos documentos legais do campo da Educação Especial.
ENSINO BASEADO EM SIMULAÇÃO:
Authors: Albano Wladimyr Mattos , Delou Cristina Maria Carvalho
Published: May 2024

Na pandemia de COVID-19 as escolas tiveram que ser fechadas, o ensino se tornou remoto e a regra era o isolamento social, enquanto uma vacina era desenvolvida para ser aprovada e distribuída, o que durou todo o ano letivo de 2020 e prejudicou o de 2021. Muitas metodologias foram utilizadas para suprir a deficiência causada pela falta de aulas presenciais, porém nem todos dispunham de Internet ou de computador em casa, piorando ainda mais uma situação que já era ruim. Não se pode deixar de observar que as aulas teóricas são mais fáceis de serem ministradas online do que aulas práticas experimentais, principalmente se tratando de Química. Assim, nossa pesquisa começou com uma leitura das principais dificuldades apontadas pelos pesquisadores em artigos publicados na literatura, e busca de uma estratégia de ensino e uma metodologia que pudesse ser executada fora da escola, sem o professor, partindo de técnicas e procedimentos simples, com materiais caseiros e com um contexto motivacional, ligado a uma profissão. A partir do Ensino Baseado em Simulação, que se utiliza da técnica da simulação, com o uso de simuladores, foram elaboradas aulas experimentais, que demonstraram ser a alternativa ideal. Adaptamos a técnica de análise de toque e utilizamos como simuladores o extrato de repolho roxo e uma solução aquosa de cloreto férrico, junto com materiais caseiros, para simular resultados reais em práticas químicas. Os resultados foram aulas contextualizadas por profissões e seus respectivos ofícios, que podem ser realizadas em qualquer situação, de modo remoto, presencial ou híbrido.
Alert for microbreweries – a case study on unpasteurized and unfiltered beer
Authors: Fous Karel , Jarolímková Anna , Kubizniaková Petra , Majtán Katarína
Published: May 2024

Beer stability, influenced by physical, chemical, and biological factors, poses a considerable challenge for breweries. Biological stability, as a major concern, is effectively managed through practices such as good hygiene, pasteurization, and filtration. Microbiological contamination, often recognizable by increased turbidity or off-flavours, is influenced by temperature, with optimal conditions promoting the growth of specific microorganisms. Lower temperatures slow down flavour changes and chemical reactions in beer, impacting its non-biological stability. This case study explores the impact of storage temperature on autolysis off-flavour development in 10 different unfiltered and unpasteurized beers. The results showed that autolysis off-flavour occurred at both low and higher storage temperatures and that its dependence on the temperature was minimal. This unexpected fact was discovered mainly due to uncovered significant contamination of the commercial beers tested (wild yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, enterococci and coliform bacteria). For this reason, the concentration of cells in the beer appeared as a more influential factor in the development of off-flavours, including autolysis, than the storage temperature. The partial results need to be studied in more detail, nevertheless, we felt it was important to publish the revelation of a strong contamination of beers purchased from regular stores for our experiments. At this point it can already be concluded that the low storage temperature did not help to prevent the development of the contamination and the associated sensory deterioration of the beers.
Exploring Contributing Factors to Environmental Disclosures in Islamic Commercial Banks of Indonesia
Authors: Hanifah Sarah Hana , Widiyanti Dwi Retno
Published: May 2024

This study aims to provide an overview and analysis of the influence of policy and corporate governance, including Sharia supervisory board, firm size, firm age, and leverage on green banking disclosure in Islamic commercial banks in Indonesia from 2017 to 2021. This study uses a quantitative approach with panel data regression analysis to examine the causal relationship between the independent variables (policy, board size, board of commissioners, Sharia Supervisory Board, firm size, firm age, and leverage) and green banking disclosures. Islamic commercial banks registered with FSA and IDX are the study population. The sampling method in this study was purposive sampling, with a total sample of six Islamic commercial banks for five years of research. The results of this study show that the company's age, the size of the company, the size of the board of directors, and the board of commissioners have a significant effect on the disclosure of green banking. Meanwhile, Sharia board and leverage do not significantly affect green banking disclosure. This study implies that applying green banking to overcome environmental problems can only be realized by regulation alone, considering the importance of other factors from the bank's side.
cartografia no tabuleiro
Authors: Patucci Carmen Maria Manfrinatti Ribamar , Cardoso João Batista Freitas , Oliveira Rebeca Nunes Guedes de
Published: May 2024

O artigo busca compreender os sentidos gerados pela cartografia no sentir, interagir e conhecer a cidade, por meio do brincar na cidade e com a cidade. Foi utilizado o conceito peirceano de ícone diagramático para entender o mapa da cidade, geográfico, como um tipo de representação gráfica e o mapa nos jogos de tabuleiro como mediador no processo de cognição, na interação com os espaços da cidade e nas relações de afetos com esses espaços. O tabuleiro-mapa apresenta fundamentos e propósitos distintos do mapa geográfico. Ao invés de indicar possibilidades práticas de caminhos, o caráter lúdico visa promover a brincadeira com a cidade. Como resultado, destaca-se que, ao brincar com a cidade, o jogador atribui sentido às relações que o tabuleiro permite, já que esse diagrama não representa a cidade em suas principais relações. Contudo, abre-se à potência libertária das emoções e da imaginação favorecidas pelo lúdico.
2D and 3D Modelling Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) of Landslide Sliding and Weak Bedding Plane Along Mountain Road North Bengkulu-Lebong, Indonesia
Authors: Suhendra Suhendra , Sinaga Jesika Erni Elfrita , Fadli Darmawan Ikhlas , Halauddin Halauddin , Supiyati Supiyati
Published: May 2024

The North Bengkulu-Lebong Mountain Road is prone to landslide disasters due to its geological susceptibility to land movement. This study aims to measure and assess the sliding plane on the mountain road, particularly in the layer with a soft rock structure, such as clay rock. The study utilizes 2D and 3D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) methods with the Wenner-Schlumberger configuration to measure the resistivity of the rock layers.The research includes one 2D measurement point and one 3D ERT measurement point, estimating actual resistivity values in each rock layer. Our results identify triggering and controlling factors for landslide disasters in the research area. The geological conditions consist of layers of clay (200-500 Ωm), wet clay (500-900 Ωm), dry clay (1000-3000 Ωm), weathering clay (500-1000 Ωm), aquifer (10-65 Ωm), perched aquifer (100-200 Ωm), weathering igneous rock (>10000 Ωm), and massive intrusive rock (>20000 Ωm). These geological conditions significantly influence the strength of landslide materials, with the sliding of the soft rock layer causing landslides and resulting in a large volume of landslide material. Other contributing factors to landslides in this location include slope, topography, and hydrology, with extreme slopes ranging from 33° to 55°, making it a very steep area with high potential for landslides.
Prevalência de incontinência urinária em mulheres praticantes de Crossfit®
Authors: Siqueira Vinicius da Silva , Rodrigues Isabella Martins , Sarro Karine Jacon
Published: May 2024

Introdução: A prática de atividades físicas de alto impacto e alta intensidade é um dos fatores relacionados à incontinência urinária (IU) em mulheres. Objetivo: Esta revisão sistemática teve como objetivo verificar a prevalência de IU em mulheres praticantes de Crossfit®. Metodologia: Foram incluídos estudos observacionais publicados nas bases de dados Scielo, PubMed, Embase e Scopus, utilizando os termos de busca "distúrbios do assoalho pélvico", "incontinência urinária", "CrossFit®" e "assoalho pélvico", nas línguas portuguesa e inglesa. Resultados: Após triagem seguindo o protocolo PRISMA, foram incluídos 7 artigos. Os resultados encontrados indicaram uma média na prevalência de 36%, sendo considerada significativa em mulheres praticantes de CrossFit®, e a prevalência de incontinência urinária de esforço (IUE) sendo maior em comparação com outros grupos. Além disso, foi observado que as mulheres com maior volume de treinamento são as mais afetadas por essa condição. Conclusão: Com base nos achados desta revisão, pode-se concluir que o CrossFit® é um fator agravante para a ocorrência de IU e IUE, com uma prevalência consideravelmente alta na população feminina praticante. Portanto, os profissionais de Educação Física devem estar preparados para lidar com esta situação, desde a prescrição de exercícios preventivos até a orientação correta e encaminhamento da praticante para os profissionais adequados quando necessário.
Дослідження параметрів якості гарячого тиснення фольгою на картоні
Authors: Талімонова Надія Леонідівна , Клименко Тетяна Євгенівна , Зигуля Світлана Миколаївна , Кузьменко Олексій Олегович
Published: May 2024

Метою цієї роботи є дослідження параметрів якості тиснення фольгою та визначення оптимальних режимів, що дозволять забезпечити якісне перенесення та закріплення фольги на різних видах картону.
З метою визначення сучасного стану розвитку технології, матеріалів та обладнання для гарячого тиснення фольгою проведено патентний пошук за період 2013–2023 рр. Проаналізувавши отриману інформацію, виявлено, що основна частка патентів припадає на розробку та вдосконалення матеріалів для тиснення та вдосконалення обладнання і його робочих вузлів.
Досліджено вплив зміни температури робочої зони пресу для тиснення на якісні параметри тиснення фольгою. Проаналізовано чіткість контурів зображення, рівномірність покриття фольгою.
Для дослідження обрано чотири види картону різної маси метру квадратного, товщини, фактури. В ході експериментального дослідження процесу плоского гарячого тиснення фольгою тиск був сталим, а температурний режим поступово змінювався за принципом зростання, починаючи з 110° С і закінчуючи — 140° С. Для кожного виду картону розглянуто по п’ять зразків, отриманих при різних технологічних параметрах. Зразки оцінено візуально як без додаткових оптичних інструментів, так і при збільшенні під мікроскопом. Для оцінювання залучено п’ять експертів.
За результатами експерименту та наведеними експертними оцінками побудовано графіки залежності якісних параметрів фольгованого відбитка від температури тиснення. Виявлено, що найкращий результат досягнуто при температурі тиснення від 130–136° С для картонів без покриття, та при 120° С для картону хром-ерзац, що має поверхневий крейдований шар.
Конструкції подарункових паковань на прикладі декоративної косметики
Authors: Бараускєне Оксана Іванівна , Зигуля Світлана Миколаївна , Кравченко Анастасія Віталіївна
Published: May 2024

У статті описано етапи, які проводять під час проєктування конструкцій і розроблення дизайну паковань, які ґрунтуються на аналізі таких чинників як цільова аудиторія, методи досліджень цільової аудиторії, кольорова палітра та тренди, вид паковання, методи вдосконалення брендів, асортимент продуктів, інгредієнти та формули, цінова стратегія, маркетинг і позиціонування, інновації, екологічність і сталий розвиток, роль відгуків. Для проєктування власного подарункового паковання проаналізовано чинники двох фірм виготовлення косметики.
Актуальність цієї роботи полягає у розробленні етапів для попереднього виготовлення паковання для декоративної косметики, адже аналіз наукових досліджень показав, що чіткого алгоритму підготовчих робіт перед проєктуванням конструкції і розробленням дизайну паковань наразі немає.
Під час роботи над розробленням дизайну подарункового паковання на прикладі декоративної косметики залучено респондентів — вони оцінювали концепцію, логотип, колірне рішення та шрифтове оформлення паковання. На основі досліджень вибору, який зробили респонденти, наведено розробки конструкцій паковань та обрано цільову аудиторію.
У процесі проєктуванні подарункового паковання визначено габаритні розміри, тип продуктів у пакованні, їх розміри і форми; розміщення продуктів у пакованні; наявність захисних елементів, наприклад тішью; необхідну площу для всіх запроєктованих елементів, наприклад додаткове застосування візитівок, листівок, пробників тощо.
У статті на основі запропонованих етапів і досліджень інформації від респондентів запроєктовано чотири конструкції подарункових паковань із розробленим дизайном, наведено оцінки респондентів, які обрали найбільш доцільну. Розраховано конструктивну складність ексклюзивної конструкції для простіших аналогів, визначено трудомісткість паковання, яке розробляється з коефіцієнтом конструктивної складності.
The Impact of Online Game Addiction on Student’s Attention
Authors: Pamukti Aryani , Nuqul Fathul Lubabin , Alfain Shinta Nuriya Idatul , Hannani Rohmatul
Published: May 2024

Generally, research on online game addiction only focuses on children or adolescents whose learning patterns still need to be better organized. However, this research focuses on students expected to have a more regular learning pattern. This is because not all students have academic achievements that are as expected. Some students who enter the class play online games with laptops or gadgets. This study aimed to determine online game addiction among santri students, determine the level of attention among santri students, and the effect of online game addiction on attention among santri students. This study uses a quantitative approach. The subjects of this study were santri students with active status in Islamic boarding schools based on Islamic boarding schools. Data collection in this study used an online game addiction scale and a Stroop test to measure attention. The analysis test in this study used the help of the R program. Based on the hypothesis test using the R program, it shows that online game addiction significantly affects the attention of santri students. The results of the research data analysis show that students who get high online game addiction scores have low attention scores. Conversely, students who have low online game addiction scores have high attention scores. This proves that there is an influence of online game addiction on attention . One way to increase attention so that students do not experience addiction to online games, namely by replacing student energy or energy substitution , for example, with sports activity programs.
Communication Strategy for Deliberalization of Islamic Thought at UNIDA Gontor
Authors: Aulia Rifki
Published: May 2024

Liberalism, when viewed from its development, has two main streams that mutually use the term liberal. Classical liberalism or economic liberalism emphasizes individual freedom in carrying out activities in the economic field, and social liberalism, emphasizes the state's role in defending individual rights, usually formed as anti-discrimination laws. In addition to the trend of liberalization which emphasizes economic, political, and social rights, liberalism is also found in the field of religious thought. Indeed, liberalism in Western civilization's social and political fields has slowly separated religion from social and political affairs. Religion has no place in social and political interests. Concepts such as pluralism, multiculturalism, feminism, gender equality, democratization, humanism, freedom, and human rights are several layers of elements in the liberalization movement. Even theses and dissertations in Islamic universities are written to seek Islamic justification for these concepts. To stem this massive liberalization movement, researchers take the example of preventing the liberalization of Islamic thought in Islamic tertiary institutions, namely at the University of Darussalam (UNIDA) Gontor. This type of research is qualitative, with in-depth interview data collection techniques, and data analysis techniques namely triangulation of data sources (results of interviews and previous research). The result of this research is that UNIDA Gontor uses a curriculum based on the Islamization of Science. In addition, Islamization activities are also carried out through weekly student discussions guided by mentors, bi-weekly studies for lecturers and staff, scientific papers written by students and lecturers, and community service activities.
De novo peptide sequencing with InstaNovo: Diffusion-powered, peptide identification for large scale proteomics experiments
Authors: Jenkins Timothy , Eloff Kevin , Kalogeropoulos Konstantinos , Morell Oliver , Mabona Amandla , Jespersen Jakob Berg , Williams Wesley , Beljouw Sam van , Skwark Marcin , Laustsen Andreas Hougaard , Ljungars Anne , Schoof Erwin , Goey Jeroen Van , Keller Ulrich auf dem , Beguir Karim , Carranza Nicolas Lopez , Brouns Stan
Published: May 2024

Bottom-up mass spectrometry-based proteomics is challenged by the task of identifying the peptide that generates a tandem mass spectrum. Traditional methods that rely on known peptide sequence databases are limited and may not be applicable in certain contexts. De novo peptide sequencing, which assigns peptide sequences to the spectra without prior information, is valuable for various biological applica-tions; yet, due to a lack of accuracy, it remains challenging to apply this approach in many situations. Here, we introduce InstaNovo, a transformer neural network with the ability to translate fragment ion peaks into the sequence of amino acids that make up the studied pep-tide(s). The model was trained on 28 million labelled spectra matched to 742k human peptides from the ProteomeTools project. We demon-strate that InstaNovo outperforms current state-of-the-art methods on benchmark datasets and showcase its utility in several applications. Building upon human intuition, we also introduce InstaNovo+, a multi-nomial diffusion model that further improves performance by iterative refinement of predicted sequences. Using these models, we could de novo sequence antibody-based therapeutics with unprecedented cov-erage, discover novel peptides, and detect unreported organisms in different datasets, thereby expanding the scope and detection rate of proteomics searches. Finally, we could experimentally validate tryp-tic and non-tryptic peptides with targeted proteomics, demonstrat-ing the fidelity of our predictions. Our models unlock a plethora of opportunities across different scientific domains, such as direct protein sequencing, immunopeptidomics, and exploration of the dark proteome.
Optimization of an efficient MLP model with Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm for predicting relative humidity levels
Authors: YAHIA Abdellah BEN , KADIR Iman , ABDALLAOUI Abdelaziz , ELAZHARI Kaoutar
Published: May 2024

Relative humidity is a crucial indicator of the amount of water vapor in the air. Expressed as a percentage of the amount needed to reach saturation at a given temperature and pressure. Prediction of relative humidity levels allows us to adapt to our environment and avoid the negative impact of this indicator on our daily lives. Hence the interest in using innovative methods based on artificial intelligence instead of the current less efficient statistical methods, such as multiple linear regression, ... The objective of this study is to create a high-performing model using artificial neural networks of the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) type, while optimizing database distribution, hidden layer quantity, and node number with the Levenberg-Marquardt learning algorithm. The model aims to predict relative humidity levels in Tangier city. The study utilized a meteorological database with daily readings of nine variables, consisting of eight factors: temperature, shortwave radiation, direct shortwave radiation, total cloud cover, total precipitation, evapotranspiration, vapor pressure deficit, and wind speed, to forecast the output, which is the definition of relative humidity. The values in this database were recorded between January 1985 and December 2022 (13869 days). The efficacy of the developed models was evaluated by computing and contrasting performance metrics, including the correlation coefficient and root mean square error. The study findings demonstrate that the optimal MLP model for forecasting relative humidity in Tangier includes an [8–13–1] architecture utilizing the "Tansig" function in the hidden layer and the "Purelin" function in the output layer. For this optimized model, the correlation coefficient and mean squared error have respective values of R = 0.984 and 2.60 × 10− 3. This MLP model is deemed to be more efficient than the models established by multiple linear regressions (with an R value less than 0.86 and MSE greater than 10.09). These results could have practical applications for better understanding and adapting to climate variations in this region.
(Sero)Prevalence of (Re)Emerging Major Arbovirus Infections in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol
Authors: Adu Evans Asamoah , John John H. , Alani Hakim , Wiredu Akua Pomaah , Boakye Alexander Owusu , Adobasom-Anane Austin Gideon , Walden Francisca Efua , Ekekpi Rita Ziem , Adusah Emmanuel , Dadzie Welbeck Odame , Struck Nicole S. , Obirikorang Christian , Awuah Anthony Afum-Adjei
Published: May 2024

Background
Arbovirus infection outbreaks are becoming more common in Africa. However, it is still difficult and crucial to better understand arbovirus transmission patterns, disease trends, and burdens. The epidemiology of these infections—dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), West Nile virus (WNV), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), and yellow fever virus (YFV)—is unfortunately not well understood. This review provides an epidemiological inventory of DENV, ZIKV, CHIKV, WNV, RVFV, and YFV infections in Africa, with helpful results for risk mapping and upcoming prevention and control initiatives.
Methods
This systematic review protocol implements the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and an expert-evaluated design and laboratory assay and reporting evaluation (DARE) concept. Two independent reviewers conducted preliminary literature searches in PubMed in May 2023 to improve the search keywords, strategy, and inclusion criteria while considering the context and scientific significance. The final search will be conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect (SCOPUS), the Web of Science Core Collection, African Journal Online and Google Scholar. Two reviewers will simultaneously and independently conduct searches, screen studies, and extract data. Quality assessment will be performed by two independent epidemiology experts, and discrepancies will be handled by consensus or by consulting a third reviewer. Meta-analysis will be performed to determine the pooled estimates of arbovirus circulation and transmission patterns in Africa.
Discussion
In this review, we present an epidemiological inventory with information that will be relevant for risk assessment, future arbovirus infection outbreak prevention, and arbovirus infection outbreak control in Africa. This will include estimating the patterns, trends, and burdens of arboviral infection across Africa, as well as identifying the regions with the highest risk of transmission. This approach will be crucial for developing well-informed policies for epidemic prevention.
Systematic review registration
The review is registered and accessible at Prospero with the registration ID CRD42023434939.
What Doesn’t Kill Us: Harsh Ecologies Beget Difficulty-as-Improvement Norms
Authors: Oyserman Daphna , Malekabadi Farzan , Ziabari Alireza , Omrani Ali
Published: May 2024

Culture-based norms help people make sense of their worlds especially in ambiguous situations. We show that harsher environments foster one such norm, difficulty-as-improvement, which focuses on whether unchosen difficulty has a character-building upside. People are more likely to hold difficulty-as-improvement beliefs if they live in societies with harsher environments (e.g., mortality, economy, ecology). Moreover, difficulty-as-improvement beliefs are sticky –relatively stable once developed, more prevalent in traditional cultures, and associated with societal and individual endurance-based action. Effects are stable across diverse methods and samples –simulation, spatial analyses, historical analyses, and multinational surveys.
Efficient amine-assisted hydrogenation of CO2 into methanol collectively catalysed by ruthenium single sites and ensembles in a unified catalyst
Authors: Chen Liang , Yang Qihao , Wang Yinming , Pan Dianhui , Su Desheng , Liu Hao , Zhang Qiuju , Dai Sheng , Tian Ziqi , Lu Zhiyi
Published: May 2024

Amine-assisted sequential hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO2), without the requirement of energy-intensive activation of inert CO2, is an efficient route to generate methanol (i.e., an essential secondary feedstock). However, this one-pot sequential hydrogenation process requires a multifunctional catalyst capable of efficiently catalysing both amine N-formylation and amide hydrogenation. Ruthenium-based catalysts possess substantial catalytic prowess in both steps of the sequential hydrogenation process, while the optimal Ru species required for the specific steps depends on distinct criteria. Herein, to optimize the two-step methanol production process, morpholine was used as a typical amine assistant, and Al2O3-supported ruthenium catalysts (Ru-1, Ru-2, Ru-3) with isolated Ru sites (Ru1) or/and Ru ensembles (Rue, including Ru clusters, Ruc, and Ru nanoparticles, Rup) configurations were rationally fabricated via the judicious annealing strategy. Compared to the energy-intensive CO2 hydrogenation process, within the sequential catalytic system, morpholine, H2 and CO¬2 underwent an initial conversion to give N-formylmorpholine (NFM), which was subsequently hydrogenated, resulting in the low-temperature formation of methanol (120 °C). Additionally, the excellent regeneration (>99%) of morpholine guarantees a sustainable progression towards subsequent cycles. Experimental analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the metallic Rue are superior catalytic sites for the N-formylation step, whereas the isolated Ru1 sites exhibit higher amide hydrogenation activity. Thus, the optimal Ru¬-2 catalyst, which simultaneously features metallic Ruc and isolated Ru1 sites, can efficiently synergize the conversion of CO2 into methanol in a one-pot two-step process with exceptional selectivity (>95%), highlighting the crucial sensitivity of the process to the structure of active metal species. This work not only presents an advanced catalyst suitable for CO2-based methanol production but also elucidates the requirements for rational design of multiple optimized active sites within the single catalyst for multistep catalytic reactions in the future.
Chromosome segregation of human non-homologous Robertsonian translocations: insights from preimplantation genetic testing
Authors: Benn Peter , Merrion Katrina
Published: May 2024

Robertsonian translocations (RTs) are associated with a high risk for unbalanced segregations. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) offers an early opportunity to evaluate segregation patterns and selection against chromosome imbalances. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chromosome complements in blastocysts for male and female RT carriers and provide information useful in PGT counseling for RT carriers. PGT results were reviewed for 296 couples where a balanced and non-homologous RT was present in one member of the couple. All embryos had day 5/6 trophectoderm biopsy and SNP-based PGT. The study included 2,235 blastocysts, of which 2,151 (96.2%) had results. Significantly fewer blastocysts were available for female RT carriers (mean 4.60/IVF cycle) compared to males (5.49/cycle). Male carriers were more likely to have blastocysts with a normal/balanced chromosome complement; 84.8% versus 62.8% (P < 0.00001). Male carriers had fewer blastocysts with monosomy (60/152, 39.5%) compared to female carriers (218/396, 55.1%) (P = 0.001). 21 (1%) blastocysts showed 3:0 segregation; these were mostly double trisomies and derived from female carriers. Differences between chromosome complements for males versus female carriers suggest that selection against unbalanced forms may occur during spermatogenesis. Six blastocyst samples showed an unexpected (“non-canonical”) combination of trisomy and monosomy One case of uniparental disomy was identified. For female carriers, there was no association between unbalanced segregation and parental age but for male carriers, there was an inverse association. PGT is a highly beneficial option for RT carriers and patients can be counseled using our estimates for the chance of at least one normal/balanced embryo.
Revisiting nucleophilicity: an index for chemical reactivity from a CDFT approach
Authors: Hoffmann Guillaume , Chermette Henry , Morell Christophe
Published: May 2024

Understanding and predicting the nucleophilic reactivity are paramount in elucidating organic chemical reactions and designing new synthetic pathways. In this study, we propose a nucleophilicity index within the framework of Conceptual Density Functional Theory (CDFT). Through rigorous theoretical formulations, we introduce an original quantum reactivity descriptor that captures the nucleophilic propensity of molecules based on their electronic structure and chemical environment. Subsequently, this proposed index is applied to a series of nucleophiles (pyrrolidines derivatives), spanning a diverse range of chemical functionalities. Our computational assessments reveal insightful correlations between the predicted nucleophilicity index and experimental observations of nucleophilic behavior. Thereby they offer a promising avenue for advancing the understanding of organic reactivity and guiding synthetic efforts.
Model Based Deep Learning Method for Focused Ultrasound Pathway Scanning
Authors: Lari Salman , Kohandel Mohammad , Kwon Hyock Ju
Published: May 2024

The primary purpose of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), a non-invasive medical therapy, is to precisely target and ablate tumors by focusing high-frequency ultrasound from an external power source. A series of ablations must be performed in order to treat a big volume of tumors, as a single ablation can only remove a small amount of tissue. To maximize therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse side effects such as skin burns, preoperative treatment planning is essential in determining the focal site and sonication duration for each ablation. Here, we introduce a machine learning-based approach for designing HIFU treatment plans, which makes use of a map of the material characteristics unique to a patient alongside an accurate thermal simulation. A numerical model was employed to solve the governing equations of HIFU process and to simulate the HIFU absorption mechanism, including ensuing heat transfer process and the temperature rise during the sonication period. To validate the accuracy of this numerical model, a series of tests was conducted using ex vivo bovine liver. The findings indicate that the developed models properly represent the considerable variances observed in tumor geometrical shapes and proficiently generate well-defined closed treated regions based on imaging data. The proposed strategy facilitated the formulation of high-quality treatment plans, with an average tissue over-or under-treatment rate of less than 0.06 percent. The efficacy of the numerical model in accurately predicting the heating process of HIFU, when combined with machine learning techniques, was validated through quantitative comparison with experimental data. The proposed approach in cooperation with HIFU simulation holds the potential to enhance presurgical HIFU plan.
Symptomatic Malignant Ascites Drainage with a Patient-controlled Vascular Catheter – interim analysis of safety and patients’ reported outcomes
Authors: Stukan Maciej , Jedryka Marcin , Cokan Andrej , Klát Jaroslav , Iheme Munachiso Ndukwe , Kryszpin Marcin , Poblocka Renata , Timošek Eva , Romanová Martina , Kolarová Klára , Madry Radoslaw , Cibula David
Published: May 2024

Malignant ascites (MA) and repeated paracentesis can impair patient’s quality of life (QOL).
The aim was to evaluate changes in patients’ QOL and the safety of MA drainage with a patient-controlled central vascular catheter (CVC) inserted into the abdominal cavity.
This is an interim analysis of a prospective, multicentre trial ongoing within the Central and Eastern European Gynaecologic Oncology Group (CEEGOG). CVC (14-Ga) was inserted into the abdominal cavity of patients with symptomatic MA and drainage was controlled by patients at home. The rate and quality of complications were classified according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 5.0. QOL was evaluated before and 10-14 days after/during drainage with standardized QLQ-C15-PAL, SGA, and FACIT-TS-G questionnaires. Wilcoxon and Chi-squared tests were used.
Among 113 recruited patients (2015-2022) 8 adverse events were detected in 7 patients (6.2%), including one serious (death on the 9th day after catheter insertion, classified as not related to the intervention). Other complications were local infection (n=2) (resolved after oral antibiotics), catheter obstruction (n=2), catheter self-removal (n=2) (re-insertion performed), and nausea (n=1). When comparing the assessment before and after/during drainage, we found the significantly better global quality of life (mean 31.8 vs 47.8, p<0.001), improvement in physical (52.6 vs 64.4, p<0.001) and emotional functioning (50.7 vs 65.4, p<0.001); symptoms were significantly less intense: fatigue (66.7 vs 50.9, p<0.001), nausea and vomiting (37.8 vs 21.4, p<0.001), pain (53.9 vs 34.1, p<0.001), dyspnoea (48.5 vs 22.3, p<0.001), insomnia (49.1 vs 34.3, p<0.001), appetite loss (56.3 vs 40.3, p<0.001), constipation (31.0 vs 25.2, p=0.007), and more patients had no pain on eating (71.3% vs 82.9%, p=0.04). Most patients (78%) were satisfied, 83% would recommend the procedure to others, and 90% would choose intervention again.
MA drainage via patient-controlled CVC inserted into the abdominal cavity is safe and improves patients’ QOL.
A hypergraph model shows the carbon reduction potential of effective space use in housing
Authors: Weber Ramon , Mueller Caitlin , Reinhart Christoph
Published: May 2024

Humans spend over 90% of their time in buildings which account for 40% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making buildings the leading cause of climate change. To incentivize more sustainable construction, building codes are used to enforce indoor comfort standards and maximum energy use. However, they currently only reward energy efficiency measures such as equipment or envelope upgrades and disregard the actual spatial configuration and usage. Using a new hypergraph model that encodes building floorplan organization and facilitates automatic geometry creation, we demonstrate that space efficiency outperforms envelope upgrades in terms of operational carbon emissions in 72%, 61% and 33% of surveyed buildings in Zurich, New York, and Singapore. Automatically generated floorplans for a case study in Zurich further increase access to daylight by up to 24%, revealing that auto-generated floorplans have the potential to improve the quality of residential spaces in terms of environmental performance and access to daylight.
A novel animal model of dysphagia simulating epiglottis resection
Authors: Cheng Yi , Shang Zhengyun , Chen Muxi , Li Ke , Hu Wen , Shi Lei , Liu Yuan , Yan Jiuming
Published: May 2024

To establish an animal model simulating dysphagia after epiglottectomy, forty-five 5-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group (anesthetized without surgery), a nerve injury group (recurrent laryngeal nerve sectioned), and an epiglottectomy group (epiglottis cartilage removed). One week post-procedure, the rats were fed water containing bromophenol blue, and daily measurements of body weight and food intake were recorded. Following the experimental period, the rats were dissected, blood samples were collected, and major organ coefficients were analyzed. Pulmonary tissues were examined histopathologically, and the expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in lung tissues, venous serum, and lung homogenates were determined using RT-qPCR and ELISA. Results indicated that food intake and body weight in the epiglottectomy group were significantly lower than those in the control group and nerve injury group (p < 0.01). Histopathological examination revealed that the lung tissue damage scores in the epiglottectomy group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.01), indicating more severe damage. Additionally, ELISA results showed that TNF-α levels in the epiglottectomy group were significantly higher than those in the control and nerve injury groups (p < 0.01, p < 0.05), suggesting an enhanced inflammatory response. These findings highlight the potential application of the epiglottectomy model in simulating organ-specific dysphagia and its associated complications, providing valuable insights for future clinical treatment.
New evidence of syn-eruptive magma-carbonate interaction: the case study of the Pomici di Avellino eruption at Somma-Vesuvius (Italy)
Authors: Mele Daniela , Knuever Marco , Dellino Pierfrancesco , Costa Antonio , Fornelli Annamaria , Massaro Silvia , Sulpizio Roberto
Published: May 2024

Calcareous lithics are commonly found within the products of some explosive eruptions of Somma-Vesuvius, but their short-term contribution to the eruption dynamics has never been evaluated. The pumice fragments from the final phase of the Plinian fallout event of the Pomici di Avellino eruption contain abundant calcareous xenoliths. Previous works on that eruption, as resulting from numerical simulations, suggested that the release of CO2 from the entrapment of carbonates may have prolonged the magmatic phase of the eruption by maintaining sufficient driving pressure in the feeding dyke.
The texture and thermo-metamorphic reactions of carbonate xenolith-bearing pumice fragments of the Pomici di Avellino eruption are analysed through petrography, scanning electron microscope images, energy dispersive spectrometer, and micro-computed X-ray tomography to deduce the behaviour of short-term carbonate-magma interaction and its contribution to the eruption dynamics.
Results show that calcareous xenoliths experienced short-term magma-carbonate interaction, which took place in three steps: i) ingestion, i.e., the physic-mechanical process of carbonate xenoliths entrainment, ii) decarbonation, related to high-temperature decomposition reaction, and iii) digestion or dissolution of the incorporated calcareous xenoliths into the melt with diffusion of Ca and Mg. The CO2 released during the syn-eruptive decarbonation process thus provided extra volatiles to the rising magma, which may have maintained magma buoyancy longer than expected if only magmatic volatiles were involved in the eruption.
Label-Free Functional Imaging of Vagus Nerve Stimulation-Evoked Potentials at the Cortical Surface
Authors: RoaFiore Laura , Meyer Trevor , Peixoto Thaissa , Irazoqui Pedro
Published: May 2024

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) was the first FDA-approved stimulation therapy to treat patients with refractory epilepsy and remains widely used. The mechanisms behind the therapeutic effect of VNS remain unknown but are thought to involve afferent-mediated modulation to cortical circuits1. In this work, we use a coherent holographic imaging system to characterize vagus nerve evoked potentials (VEPs) in the cortex in response to typical VNS stimulation paradigms, which does not require electrode placement nor any genetic, structural, or functional labels. We find that stimulation amplitude strongly modulates VEPs response magnitude (effect size 0.401), while pulse width has a moderate modulatory effect (effect size 0.127) and frequency has almost no modulatory effect (effect size 0.009) on the evoked potential magnitude. We find mild interaction between pulse width and frequency. This non-contact label-free functional imaging technique could serve as a non-invasive rapid feedback tool to quantify VEPs and could increase the efficacy of VNS in patients with refractory epilepsy.
Factors Associated with Inadequate Antenatal Contacts at the Yaounde Central Hospital in Cameroon
Authors: Cheudjui Anne Jocelyne Nguemedyam , Lantche Martial Wandji , Nguemfo Catherine Fanny Mayoh , Tandjong Firmin Girèce Kakeu , Mbu Robinson Enow
Published: May 2024

Background
Until 2015, 4 Antenatal Contacts (ANC) was the World Health Organisation (WHO) preferred model for pregnancy follow-up. Given concerns about adverse births, at least 8 ANC have been recommended since 2016 in resource-limited settings.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among women who had delivered within the last 24 hours in Yaounde Central Hospital (YCH), Cameroon, between June 8th and August 7th 2021. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with Inadequate ANC (IANC). Analyses were done using Epi Info 7.0. Any P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Of the 200 participants enrolled, the majority (70.5%) had IANC and the mean age was 28.0 ± 6.7 years. Referrals women were more likely to have IANC than non-referrals, with an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) of 5.4 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 2.2–12.9; P < 0.001). Likewise, unmarried women were more likely to have IANC than married, with an AOR of 2.5 (95% CI: 1.2–5.4; P < 0.001).
Conclusions
About 7 out of 10 women who delivered at the YCH had IANC. Accordingly, risk factors for IANC should be monitored throughout pregnancy particularly among young women in Cameroon.
Relationship between Temporomandibular Dysfunction and Otologic Manifestations: A Cross-Sectional Study Autores
Authors: Façanha Rachel Costa , Ferreira Meire Coelho , Júnior Paulo Cézar Simamoto
Published: May 2024

Objectives This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) and otological symptoms and alterations.
Materials and methods The sample consisted of 101 individuals who were assessed for TMD using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) questionnaire and for otological symptoms and alterations, including tinnitus, ear pain, and hearing loss, through interviews and audiological tests (meatoscopy, air and bone conduction audiometry, and tympanometry). The data was subjected to descriptive analysis, chi-square tests, and Poisson regression at a 5% significance level.
Results Nocturnal and daytime bruxism (34.7% and 49.5%), clicking (37.6%), ear pain (58.4%), tinnitus (59.4%), and hearing loss (17.8%) were the most frequent symptoms and alterations related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and ear. TMD was significantly associated with pain and degree of facial pain, nocturnal bruxism, difficulty chewing, joint locking, clicking, tinnitus, degree of tinnitus annoyance, ear pain, and hearing loss (p<0.001). In the adjusted regression analysis, ear pain was associated with TMD (adjusted prevalence ratio: PRa = 7.355, confidence interval: 95% CI = 2.077–26.042).
Conclusions Individuals with TMD showed a higher prevalence of otologic symptoms, alterations, and facial pain.
Clinical relevance Changes in TMJ structures can cause various signs and symptoms in the stomatognathic and auditory systems.