bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TiO2-Based Photocatalytic Building Material for Air Purification in Sustainable and Low-Carbon Cities: A Review
Authors: Wei Yuanchen , Meng Hong , Wu Que , Bai Xiaoyu , Zhang Yongqing
Published: November 2023

TiO2-based building materials possess air purification, self-cleaning, and sterilization functionalities, making them innovative green building materials with significant potential for future energy-saving and emission-reduction applications. However, the transition from laboratory-scale to practical applications poses substantial challenges in improving the photocatalytic efficiency and stability of TiO2-based building materials. In recent years, researchers have made considerable efforts to enhance their efficiency and stability. This paper provides a concise overview of the photocatalytic principles employed in buildings for air purification, discusses preparation techniques for TiO2-based building materials, explores strategies to improve their efficiency, outlines key factors influencing their performance in practical applications, analyzes limitations, and discusses future development trends. Finally, we propose recommendations for further research on photocatalytic buildings and their real-world implementation as a valuable reference for developing highly efficient and stable photocatalytic building materials. The aim of this paper is to guide the application of TiO2-based photocatalysts in green buildings towards creating more efficient and stable low-carbon buildings that support sustainable urban growth.
Alkaline Water Splitting by Ni-Fe Nanoparticles Deposited on Carbon Fibre and Nickel-Coated Carbon Fibre Substrates
Authors: Kuczyński Mateusz , Mikołajczyk Tomasz , Pierożyński Bogusław
Published: November 2023

This study presents the results of electrochemical investigations on Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions (HER and OER), conducted on commercially available carbon fibres and nickel-coated carbon fibres modified using nanoscale NiFe alloy particles in 0.1 M of NaOH solution. The obtained results demonstrated enhanced catalytic activity of the NiFe-modified fibre materials, with approximately 14,700% and 25% improvement in the OER and HER activity (respectively), as compared to unmodified electrodes. The catalytic properties were evaluated by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Tafel polarisation and cyclic, and linear voltammetry techniques. The deposited particles’ distribution and quantities present on the investigated materials were analysed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) methods. These findings provided valuable insights into the electrochemical, catalytic performance of NiFe-modified carbon fibre/nickel-coated carbon fibre materials, simultaneously highlighting their potential application as catalyst materials for electrodes in industrial-scale water electrolysers.
Enhancement of Sulfur Oxide Capture Capacity by Deposition of Iron Oxide Particles on Graphene Oxide
Authors: Sanyal Tanushree Sankar , Mugisha Amanda Ineza , Sowinski Andrew , Fauteux-Lefebvre Clémence
Published: November 2023

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a known pollutant that must be captured from gas streams. Dry desulfurization processes are investigated due to their lower energy requirement and potentially high capture efficiency. Carbon materials and metal oxides have been shown to have an affinity with SO2. The aim of this study was to combine iron oxide and graphene oxide (GO) as a composite material for SO2 capture for low-concentration streams. Iron oxide particles were prepared using a polyol method in which the precursor was dispersed in ethylene glycol, heated under reflux and then deposited on GO, a two-dimensional, single-layer material with a surface area of 400 m2/g. The synthesized material was tested for continuous desulfurization in a flow-through capture system with a stream of gas containing 25 ppm SO2 entering at 20 °C and 100 °C. Under all conditions tested, the breakthrough times, evaluated when the SO2 started to be detected at the outlet with a concentration of 1 ppm, as well as the capture capacities, were significantly higher for the iron oxide GO composite than for the pristine GO alone. The presence of sulfur compounds as well as the composite composition were confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The breakthrough experiment results at various temperatures also suggest that the capture was not governed only by pure physical adsorption with the presence of iron oxide. Addition of iron oxide particles positively influences SO2 affinity with the synthesized material as shown by the increase in breakthrough time and capture capacity.
The Role of Erythropoietin in Preventing Anemia in the Premature Neonate
Authors: Costescu Oana Cristina , Boia Eugen Radu , Boia Marioara , Cioboata Daniela Mariana , Doandes Florina Marinela , Lungu Nicoleta , Dinu Mihai , Iacob Emil Radu , Manea Aniko Maria
Published: November 2023

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) treatment is an alternative to red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in neonates presenting anemia of prematurity (AOP). This study assesses the impact of early rhEPO administration on AOP (any stage) incidence, as well as the incidence of individual AOP stages and RBC transfusions. Out of 108 preterm neonates, 49 were administered rhEPO and compared to the remaining group using univariate and multivariate analyses. Univariately, gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), RBC levels, and iron administration were significantly associated with AOP (p < 0.05 each); however, only the latter remained significant following multivariate analysis (AOR: 2.75, 95% CI, 1.06–7.11). Multinomial analysis revealed rhEPO treatment was associated with a near three-fold reduction in moderate AOP incidence (OR: 0.36, 95% CI, 0.15–0.89). Furthermore, ANCOVA revealed positive correlations between rhEPO administration and 21-day Hb (p < 0.01), HCT (p < 0.05), and EPO (p < 0.001) levels. The results confirm previously reported benefits of rhEPO treatment, such as reduced moderate AOP incidence and increased Hb, HCT, and serum EPO levels.
Involvement and Autonomy of Minors in Medical Settings: Perceptions of Children Undergoing Surgery and Parents
Authors: Rodríguez-Domínguez Francisco J. , Osuna-García Teresa , Guillén Alberto , Pérez-Cárceles María D. , Osuna Eduardo
Published: November 2023

Informed consent presupposes competence and represents a formal decision by an informed person who has the legal capacity to accept medical action or participate in research. Our aim was to analyze the perceptions of minors and their parents about the age at which they consider that a minor is competent for making health decisions. A descriptive observational study was carried out in 302 minors between 12 and 17 years of age undergoing elective surgery, and 302 parents (range 30 to 62 years). Two semistructured questionnaires were designed, one for the minors and the other, for the parents. A total of 20.1% of minors and 31.1% of parents believe that patients should not make decisions related to their health until they are 18 years old. A total of 74.9% of the minors surveyed consider that from 16 years of age, the minor is empowered to make decisions. In parents, this percentage is 60%. In the pediatric setting, each case and situation must be examined individually to determine if the minor meets the condition of maturity to decide. The ideal is to promote the minor’s participation in decision-making, giving them the opportunity to participate in the process in a manner appropriate to their capacity.
SRY-Related Transcription Factors in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas: In Silico Based Analysis
Authors: Kolenda Tomasz , Graczyk Zuzanna , Żarska Barbara , Łosiewski Wojciech , Smolibowski Mikołaj , Wartecki Adrian , Kozłowska-Masłoń Joanna , Guglas Kacper , Florczak Anna , Kazimierczak Urszula , Teresiak Anna , Lamperska Katarzyna
Published: November 2023

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth leading cancer and the fifth cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with a poor 5-year survival. SOX family genes play a role in the processes involved in cancer development such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), the maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the regulation of drug resistance. We analyzed the expression of SOX2-OT, SOX6, SOX8, SOX21, SOX30 and SRY genes in HNSCC patients using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, to assess their biological role and their potential utility as biomarkers. We demonstrated statistically significant differences in expression between normal and primary tumor tissues for SOX6, SOX8, SOX21 and SOX30 genes and pointed to SOX6 as the one that met the independent diagnostic markers criteria. SOX21 or SRY alone, or the panel of six SRY-related genes, could be used to estimate patient survival. SRY-related genes are positively correlated with immunological processes, as well as with keratinization and formation of the cornified envelope, and negatively correlated with DNA repair and response to stress. Moreover, except SRY, all analyzed genes were associated with a different tumor composition and immunological profiles. Based on validation results, the expression of SOX30 is higher in HPV(+) patients and is associated with patients’ survival. SRY-related transcription factors have vast importance in HNSCC biology. SOX30 seems to be a potential biomarker of HPV infection and could be used as a prognostic marker, but further research is required to fully understand the role of SOX family genes in HNSCC.
Development of the RF-GSEA Method for Identifying Disulfidptosis-Related Genes and Application in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ni Linghao , Yu Qian , You Ruijia , Chen Chen , Peng Bin
Published: November 2023

Disulfidptosis is a newly discovered cellular programmed cell death mode. Presently, a considerable number of genes related to disulfidptosis remain undiscovered, and its significance in hepatocellular carcinoma remains unrevealed. We have developed a powerful analytical method called RF-GSEA for identifying potential genes associated with disulfidptosis. This method draws inspiration from gene regulation networks and graph theory, and it is implemented through a combination of random forest regression model and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. Subsequently, to validate the practical application value of this method, we applied it to hepatocellular carcinoma. Based on the RF-GSEA method, we developed a disulfidptosis-related signature. Lastly, we looked into how the disulfidptosis-related signature is connected to HCC prognosis, the tumor microenvironment, the effectiveness of immunotherapy, and the sensitivity of chemotherapy drugs. The RF-GSEA method identified a total of 220 disulfidptosis-related genes, from which 7 were selected to construct the disulfidptosis-related signature. The high-disulfidptosis-related score group had a worse prognosis compared to the low-disulfidptosis-related score group and showed lower infiltration levels of immune-promoting cells. The high-disulfidptosis-related score group had a higher likelihood of benefiting from immunotherapy compared to the low-disulfidptosis-related score group. The RF-GSEA method is a powerful tool for identifying disulfidptosis-related genes. The disulfidptosis-related signature effectively predicts HCC prognosis, immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity.
Genomic Fabrics of the Excretory System’s Functional Pathways Remodeled in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Iacobas Dumitru Andrei , Obiomon Ehiguese Alade , Iacobas Sanda
Published: November 2023

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most frequent form of kidney cancer. Metastatic stages of ccRCC reduce the five-year survival rate to 15%. In this report, we analyze the ccRCC-induced remodeling of the five KEGG-constructed excretory functional pathways in a surgically removed right kidney and its metastasis in the chest wall from the perspective of the Genomic Fabric Paradigm (GFP). The GFP characterizes every single gene in each region by these independent variables: the average expression level (AVE), relative expression variability (REV), and expression correlation (COR) with each other gene. While the traditional approach is limited to only AVE analysis, the novel REV analysis identifies the genes whose correct expression level is critical for cell survival and proliferation. The COR analysis determines the real gene networks responsible for functional pathways. The analyses covered the pathways for aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption, collecting duct acid secretion, endocrine and other factor-regulated sodium reabsorption, proximal tubule bicarbonate reclamation, and vasopressin-regulated water reabsorption. The present study confirms the conclusion of our previously published articles on prostate and kidney cancers that even equally graded cancer nodules from the same tumor have different transcriptomic topologies. Therefore, the personalization of anti-cancer therapy should go beyond the individual, to his/her major cancer nodules.
Ultrasound Pretreatment Lymph Node Evaluation in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: Should We Biopsy High Suspicion Nodes?
Authors: Ionică Mihaela , Ilina Răzvan Ștefan , Neagoe Octavian Constantin
Published: November 2023

Background: With the growing incidence of breast cancer, efficient and correct staging is essential for further treatment decisions. Axillary ultrasound (US) remains the most common method for regional nodal involvement assessment. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether high-risk US features can accurately predict axillary lymph node metastasis. Methods: A total of 150 early-stage breast cancer patients (T1 or T2) were prospectively included in the study. Based on axillary US, patients were classified as normal, low-risk, or high-risk, with all patients in the low-risk and high-risk groups undergoing fine-needle aspiration (FNAB) and core-needle biopsies. Results: For the low-risk US group, a lower prediction rate of axillary nodal metastasis was achieved than for the group with high-risk features, recording a sensitivity of 66.6% vs. 89.2%, a specificity of 57.1% vs. 100%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 26.6% vs. 100%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 88% for both groups, and an accuracy of 58.9% vs. 94%, respectively. FNAB resulted in more false-negative results compared to core-needle biopsy in both low-risk and high-risk US groups. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that high-risk US features can predict axillary lymph node metastasis with high accuracy.
Innovation and Drivers of Productivity: A Global Analysis of Selected Critical Minerals
Authors: Ahmad Shabbir
Published: November 2023

Innovation and technology are important tools for delivering efficiency and productivity improvement in the minerals sector. The uptake of technologies has proven to be an important lever for increasing the productivity of the mining sector. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of mine-level productivity using global data of copper, gold, and platinum from 1991 to 2020. Various drivers of productivity have been analysed to draw policy insights. Empirical findings reveal significant disparities in terms of technical efficiency and productivity across mines and regions. The further decomposition of total factor productivity (TFP) into its different components suggests that the adoption of innovative practices and investment in technology adoption could improve the overall productivity of these commodities sectors. Our findings also suggest that an appropriate input mix and optimal scale of production could boost platinum mining productivity. Regional disparities in the productivity of different commodities sectors (e.g., South Africa vs. Zimbabwe) give policymakers insights into how to support production scale and productivity through appropriate input mixes.
Effect of Thermal Aging on the Reliability of Interconnected Nano-Silver Solder Joints
Authors: Tian Yangning , Jian Xiaodong , Zhao Mingrui , Liu Jiahao , Dai Xuanjun , Zhou Bin , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: November 2023

Due to the growing demand for ultra-high-density integrated circuits in the integrated circuit industry, flip-chip bonding (FCB) has become the mainstream solution for chip interconnection. In flip-chip bonding (FCB), however, alloy solder is no longer adequate to meet the high heat dissipation demands of high-power devices with over 100 kW/cm2 in power density due to its low reflow temperature. Nano-silver solder, on the other hand, exhibits superior thermal and electrical conductivity, making it an excellent alternative to traditional solder for FCB. This study explored nano-silver’s thermal reliability and electrical performance as a solder material. The following results were obtained through temperature cycle (with temperatures ranging from −55 to 150 °C) and high-temperature storage experiments (with applied temperatures of over 170 °C). The results indicate that as the duration of the high-temperature storage increased, the grain continued to coarsen, resulting in an average pore size transition from 0.004 to 0.072 μm2. A strong correlation coefficient of 0.9913 was observed between the duration of high-temperature exposure and the porosity within the time range of 0–200 h. Following the reliability test, the shear strength of the nano-silver interconnect samples showed varying degrees of decrease. The bonding effect with the nano-silver layer can be enhanced, and the thermal reliability can be improved by depositing Ni/Ag on the surface of Cu, making it less prone to cracking. Regarding the electrical performance, the square resistance of the nano-silver interconnect structures increased by 35% after the reliability test. This indicates a significant degradation in the electrical reliability of nano-silver interconnects under temperature stress.
Climate Change Influence on the Potential Distribution of Some Cavity-Nesting Bees (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)
Authors: Okely Mohammed , Engel Michael S. , Shebl Mohamed A.
Published: November 2023

As climatic and other impactful environmental changes continue to gain momentum pollination, services are poised to be harmed, and wild bee species are not an exception. In the present study, maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modeling was used to predict the potential climatic niches of five wild bee species, namely, Chalicodoma flavipes, Chalicodoma sicula, Coelioxys coturnix, Megachile minutissima, and Osmia submicans (all of Megachilidae: Megachilinae). The Maxent model performed better than random for the five species, and all model predictions were significantly robust, giving ratios above null expectations. Under future climate change scenarios, the Maxent model predicted habitat loss for C. flavipes, C. sicula, and M. minutissima in North Africa and habitat loss for O. submicans in Europe and North Africa in all scenarios. Conversely, the study showed that the cleptoparasitic bee Co. coturnix would expand their suitable habitat in most scenarios in Europe, Asia, and the United States, although this species would also suffer habitat loss in North Africa in two scenarios. Between the present situation and future scenarios, the potential distribution for all species decreased in their suitable habitat, with the exception of Co. coturnix. The present results are of considerable value for informed conservation programs and policy decisions regarding wild pollinators.
Time-Varying Effective Population Sizes of Group-Living Small Mammals
Authors: Wang Guiming , Wan Xinrong , Chen Lijun , Shan Xueyan
Published: November 2023

The Wright–Fisher model predicts that the ratio of effective population size (Ne) to actual population size (N) is <1.0 due to inbreeding and random drifts under constant population sizes. However, social structure may prevent inbreeding and result in outbreeding through coancestry, causing the Ne/N ratio to exceed 1.0. We integrated three years of data on seasonal population fluctuations and population genetics of group-living Daurian pikas (Ochotona dauurica) to test the prediction of >1.0 Ne/N ratio for social small mammals. We estimated biweekly pika population sizes using capture–recapture data from May 2010 to October 2012. We genotyped all captured pikas in each of the three years with 11 microsatellite markers. We estimated pika effective population sizes for 2010–2011, 2011–2012, and 2010–2012, respectively, using the temporal methods with the program MLNe. Pika populations underwent a 75% decline in the summer of 2010 and exhibited relatively constant seasonal fluctuations from 2011 to 2012. Bayesian clustering with program STRUCTURE identified two distinct genetic clusters for the pikas of 2010 and 2011–2012, respectively. The Ne/N ratios of the pikas were 0.46, 1.13, and 0 54 for 2010–2011, 2011–2012, and 2010–2012, respectively. Our findings partially support our hypothesis with the Ne/N ratio being >1.0 from 2011 to 2012. The dramatic population decline in the summer of 2010 probably disrupted the social structure of pikas, which subsequently increased the rate of genetic diversity losses. Re-establishments of the social structure during 2011 and 2012 probably restored the outbreeding of pikas like in other social mammals.
Optimization of the Reconstruction Settings for Low-Dose Ultra-High-Resolution Photon-Counting Detector CT of the Lungs
Authors: Graafen Dirk , Halfmann Moritz C. , Emrich Tilman , Yang Yang , Kreuter Michael , Düber Christoph , Kloeckner Roman , Müller Lukas , Jorg Tobias
Published: November 2023

Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) yields improved spatial resolution. The combined use of PCD-CT and a modern iterative reconstruction method, known as quantum iterative reconstruction (QIR), has the potential to significantly improve the quality of lung CT images. In this study, we aimed to analyze the impacts of different slice thicknesses and QIR levels on low-dose ultra-high-resolution (UHR) PCD-CT imaging of the lungs. Our study included 51 patients with different lung diseases who underwent unenhanced UHR-PCD-CT scans. Images were reconstructed using three different slice thicknesses (0.2, 0.4, and 1.0 mm) and three QIR levels (2–4). Noise levels were determined in all reconstructions. Three raters evaluated the delineation of anatomical structures and conspicuity of various pulmonary pathologies in the images compared to the clinical reference reconstruction (1.0 mm, QIR-3). The highest QIR level (QIR-4) yielded the best image quality. Reducing the slice thickness to 0.4 mm improved the delineation and conspicuity of pathologies. The 0.2 mm reconstructions exhibited lower image quality due to high image noise. In conclusion, the optimal reconstruction protocol for low-dose UHR-PCD-CT of the lungs includes a slice thickness of 0.4 mm, with the highest QIR level. This optimized protocol might improve the diagnostic accuracy and confidence of lung imaging.
Cloacal Dysgenesis Sequence
Authors: Gică Nicolae , Apostol Livia , Huluță Iulia , Gică Corina , Gana Nicoleta , Vayna Ana-Maria
Published: November 2023

This article presents a rare case of cloacal dysgenesis sequence (CDS) detected at 23 weeks of gestation in a 36-year-old woman’s first ongoing pregnancy. The fetal ultrasound demonstrated anhydramnios, megacystis, the “keyhole sign” and empty bilateral renal fossae, findings consistent with the fetal obstructive uropathy (FOU). A subsequent postmortem carried out confirmed a diagnosis of a cloacal dysgenesis sequence, characterized by the absence of anal, genital and urinary openings with intact perineum covered by smooth skin and a phallus-like structure.
Some New Results Involving Past Tsallis Entropy of Order Statistics
Authors: Shrahili Mansour , Kayid Mohamed
Published: November 2023

This work focuses on exploring the properties of past Tsallis entropy as it applies to order statistics. The relationship between the past Tsallis entropy of an ordered variable in the context of any continuous probability law and the past Tsallis entropy of the ordered variable resulting from a uniform continuous probability law is worked out. For order statistics, this method offers important insights into the characteristics and behavior of the dynamic Tsallis entropy, which is associated with past events. In addition, we investigate how to find a bound for the new dynamic information measure related to the lifetime unit under various conditions and whether it is monotonic with respect to the time when the device is idle. By exploring these properties and also investigating the monotonic behavior of the new dynamic information measure, we contribute to a broader understanding of order statistics and related entropy quantities.
Conceptualization of Energy by Practicing Scientists: Do Researchers from Different Disciplines Grasp Energy as a Crosscutting Concept?
Authors: Abramovitch Shahar , Fortus David
Published: November 2023

Energy is one of the fundamental concepts of science in all disciplines. For this reason, it can serve as a concept that crosses disciplinary lines and serves as a bridge for students trying to describe a scientific phenomenon using different lenses. Underlying this vision, which is highlighted by the Framework for K-12 Science Education is the implicit assumption that the different disciplinary perspectives of energy have something in common, which should be the focus of instruction and supports the way scientists in the different disciplines use energy. However, does a “unified conception” of energy actually underlie the ways diverse scientists use energy in their fields? To answer this question, we conducted a small-scale interview study in which we interviewed 30 top-level interdisciplinary researchers and asked them to explain several phenomena from different disciplines; all phenomena could be explained in various ways, one of which was an energetic explanation. Our results suggest that researchers from different disciplines do not think of energy in the same way and do not think of energy as an interdisciplinary concept. We argue whether teaching energy in an interdisciplinary way may support the development of future scientists and lay citizens or an expectation that may add more difficulty to an already difficult task.
Is GBL Good for Teachers? A Game for Teachers on How to Foster Students’ Self-Regulated Learning
Authors: Persico Donatella , Manganello Flavio , Passarelli Marcello , Pozzi Francesca
Published: November 2023

This explorative case study investigates a game-based approach to the professional development of in-service teachers in Self-Regulated Learning. The impact of this approach was assessed in terms of acceptance of the game, knowledge gain and changes in teachers’ beliefs concerning the importance of nine design principles that can be adopted to foster the development of students’ SRL skills. Our findings suggest that the game-based approach adopted in this study was well-accepted, with Wilcoxon tests revealing that the mean rating is significantly different from the median point of the scale for all items measured after game use. As for teachers’ learning gains and changes in beliefs, a questionnaire submitted to participants before and after the gameplay showed significant changes in knowledge and a more varied but generally positive trend in terms of changes in beliefs. Thus, the study’s findings advocate for increased dedication to researching and experimenting with the incorporation of games in teacher professional development, potentially extending these efforts to other educational domains.
Navigating Self-Reflection for Aspiring Special Education Teachers: A Scoping Review on Inclusive Educational Practices and Their Insights for Autism Education
Authors: Klefbeck Kamilla
Published: November 2023

This scoping review investigates the pivotal role of self-reflection in enhancing the skills of prospective educators, with the intention of drawing conclusions on how this aspect can contribute to improved teaching for students with autism. Two guiding research questions include: (1) How do targeted strategies in teacher education influence self-reflection among prospective special education teachers, and to what extent do these strategies enhance their reflective capacity, as indicated by the reviewed studies? (2) What research gaps exist regarding integrating reflective practice into teacher education programs to enhance prospective special education teachers’ self-reflection and professionalism? Finally, conclusions drawn from the results are analyzed through the framework of core aspects defined in the ICD-11, the eleventh edition of the ‘International Classification of Diseases’. This approach provides insight into how the conclusions can be applied to nurture self-reflection of future special education teachers, particularly emphasizing the facilitation of participation and learning for students with autism. Utilizing a scoping review methodology, the study comprehensively explores this vital area, adapting search strategies as needed. Several of the included studies suggested that to effectively contribute to the development of well-considered action strategies in encounters with students in a special education context, including autism education, it is not enough to incorporate reflective practice; the teacher candidates also need feedback and guidance. In conclusion, this research underscores self-reflection’s pivotal role in bridging theory and practice, enhancing the preparation of future educators for their work with diverse student populations.
Exploring the Barriers to Physical Education Opportunities in India’s Schools: A Study of Parental Perceptions after the Unprecedented Performance at the Tokyo Olympics
Authors: Shirotriya Awadhesh Kumar , Sharma Lalit , Beighle Aaron
Published: November 2023

This qualitative study explored parents’ perceptions of physical education (PE) subject following the success of the Indian Olympic team in the Tokyo Olympics. Six focus-group discussions were organized across the Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) of India. The participants were 24 parents, 13 (54.16%) of whom were males and 11 (45.84%) were females. Data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, which revealed five superordinate themes: (1) educating the public, (2) developing a support system, (3) advocating for PE, (4) developing policies and justifications, and (5) leveraging the relationship between the Olympics and PE. This study suggests that the Olympic results should be leveraged to promote PE; however, strategies that will encourage parents to involve themselves formally and effectively in their children’s school PE are needed.
Design of Novel Reconfigurable Single-Board Satellite for Enhanced Space Environment Detection
Authors: Wang Yixiao , Tu Cui , Wei Feng , Hu Xiong
Published: November 2023

In response to the growing need for enhanced space environment detection in ultra-low Earth orbits, this study introduces a pioneering design for a reconfigurable single-board satellite. Beyond the conventional attributes of compactness and a lightweight design, the single-board satellite also has unique features that are reconfigurable for the space detection mission it undertakes, as well as autonomous Earth communication capabilities that are not available in other very small satellites. Such advancements address the limitations of traditional very small satellites such as CubeSats and ChipSats. This paper delves deeply into the satellite’s design feasibility, including its functional requirements, power equilibrium, and communication links. Supplementing our design, a proof-of-concept prototype was crafted, and rigorous laboratory tests were performed to corroborate its key specifications and functionalities.
A Multi-Agent Deep-Reinforcement-Learning-Based Strategy for Safe Distributed Energy Resource Scheduling in Energy Hubs
Authors: Zhang Xi , Wang Qiong , Yu Jie , Sun Qinghe , Hu Heng , Liu Ximu
Published: November 2023

An energy hub (EH) provides an effective solution to the management of local integrated energy systems (IES), supporting the optimal dispatch and mutual conversion of distributed energy resources (DER) in multi-energy forms. However, the intrinsic stochasticity of renewable generation intensifies fluctuations in the system’s energy production when integrated into large-scale grids and increases peak-to-valley differences in large-scale grid integration, leading to a significant reduction in the stability of the power grid. A distributed privacy-preserving energy scheduling method based on multi-agent deep reinforcement learning is presented for the EH cluster with renewable energy generation. Firstly, each EH is treated as an agent, transforming the energy scheduling problem into a Markov decision process. Secondly, the objective function is defined as minimizing the total economic cost while considering carbon trading costs, guiding the agents to make low-carbon decisions. Lastly, differential privacy protection is applied to sensitive data within the EH, where noise is introduced using energy storage systems to maintain the same gas and electricity purchases while blurring the original data. The experimental simulation results demonstrate that the agents are able to train and learn from environmental information, generating real-time optimized strategies to effectively handle the uncertainty of renewable energy. Furthermore, after the noise injection, the validity of the original data is compromised while ensuring the protection of sensitive information.
Autonomous Vehicle Emergency Obstacle Avoidance Maneuver Framework at Highway Speeds
Authors: Lowe Evan , Guvenc Levent
Published: November 2023

An autonomous vehicle (AV) uses high-level decision making and lower-level actuator controls, such as throttle (acceleration), braking (deceleration), and steering (change in lateral direction) to navigate through various types of road networks. Path planning and path following for highway driving are currently available in series-produced highly automated vehicles. In addition to these, emergency collision avoidance decision making and maneuvering are another key and essential feature that is needed in a series production AV at highway driving speeds. For reliability, low cost, and fast computation, such an emergency obstacle avoidance maneuvering system should use well-established conventional methods as opposed to data-driven neural networks or reinforcement learning methods, which are currently not suitable for use in highway AV driving. This paper presents a novel Emergency Obstacle Avoidance Maneuver (EOAM) methodology for AVs traveling at higher speeds and lower road surface friction, involving time-critical maneuver determination and control. The proposed EOAM framework offers usage of the AV’s sensing, perception, control, and actuation system abilities as one cohesive system to avoid an on-road obstacle, based first on performance feasibility and second on passenger comfort, and it is designed to be well integrated within an AV’s high-level control and decision-making system. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method, co-simulation including the AV’s EOAM logic in Simulink and a vehicle model in CarSim is conducted with speeds ranging from 55 to 165 km/h and on road surfaces with friction ranging from 1.0 to 0.1. The results are analyzed and interpreted in the context of an entire AV system, with implications for future work.
A Novel Scheduling Algorithm for Improved Performance of Multi-Objective Safety-Critical Wireless Sensor Networks Using Long Short-Term Memory
Authors: Al-Nader Issam , Lasebae Aboubaker , Raheem Rand , Khoshkholghi Ali
Published: November 2023

The multiple objective optimisation (MOO) challenges encountered in the context of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) present a formidable NP-hard problem. These issues primarily arise from the constraints imposed by critical factors such as connectivity, coverage, and, most notably, energy consumption. Simultaneously fulfilling these three requirements is no longer considered the standard approach for enhancing system dependability. To illustrate, a prospective solution may optimise one or two of these requirements while bolstering overall network energy efficiency. Nonetheless, prior endeavours documented in the extant literature reveal unexplored avenues for enhancement. Hence, this paper introduces a new methodology aimed at alleviating MOO concerns and thereby enhancing the quality of service (QoS) in WSNs. A long short-term memory (LSTM) model is proposed as an analytical tool to deliver an energy-efficient scheduling solution that aligns and optimises WSN parameters, striving to attain the most favourable system performance. The LSTM algorithm’s effectiveness is assessed through the iterative application of periods, confirming the desired QoS levels. The unique feature of LSTM lies in its capability to observe specific event sequences and subsequently establish them as the system’s default configuration for its entire operational lifespan. Once these favourable parameters are identified, LSTM automatically ensures consistent service availability and reliability throughout the network’s lifespan. The results obtained demonstrate the superiority of the proposed LSTM-based scheduling algorithm in comparison to the self-organising map (SOFM)-based node scheduling algorithm. The LSTM-based approach outperforms the SOFM-based alternative by a remarkable 75% in terms of coverage and exhibits a 20% enhancement in network lifetime, all while maintaining equivalent levels of connectivity (i.e., 99%) in both algorithms.
Imbalanced Learning-Enhanced Beam Codebooks towards Imbalanced User Distribution in Millimeter Wave and Terahertz Massive MIMO Systems
Authors: Chen Zhiheng , Liu Pei , Wang Kehao
Published: November 2023

Millimeter wave (mmWave) and terahertz (THz) massive MIMO architectures are pivotal in the advancement of mobile communications. These systems conventionally utilize codebooks to facilitate initial connection and to manage information transmission tasks. Traditional codebooks, however, are typically composed of numerous single-lobe beams, thus incurring substantial beam training overhead. While neural network-based approaches have been proposed to mitigate the beam training load, they sometimes fail to adequately consider the minority users dispersed across various regions. The fairness of the codebook coverage relies on addressing this problem. Therefore, we propose an imbalanced learning (IL) methodology for beam codebook construction, explicitly designed for scenarios characterized by an imbalanced user distribution. Our method begins with a pre-clustering phase, where user channels are divided into subsets based on their power response to combining vectors across distinct subareas. Then, each subset is refined by a dedicated sub-model, which contributes to the global model within each IL iteration. To facilitate the information exchange among sub-models during global updates, we introduce the focal loss mechanism. Our simulation results substantiate the efficacy of our IL framework in enhancing the performance of mmWave and THz massive MIMO systems under the conditions of imperfect channel state information and imbalanced user distribution.
An Unsupervised Method to Recognise Human Activity at Home Using Non-Intrusive Sensors
Authors: Gómez-Ramos Raúl , Duque-Domingo Jaime , Zalama Eduardo , Gómez-García-Bermejo Jaime
Published: November 2023

As people get older, living at home can expose them to potentially dangerous situations when performing everyday actions or simple tasks due to physical, sensory or cognitive limitations. This could compromise the residents’ health, a risk that in many cases could be reduced by early detection of the incidents. The present work focuses on the development of a system capable of detecting in real time the main activities of daily life that one or several people can perform at the same time inside their home. The proposed approach corresponds to an unsupervised learning method, which has a number of advantages, such as facilitating future replication or improving control and knowledge of the internal workings of the system. The final objective of this system is to facilitate the implementation of this method in a larger number of homes. The system is able to analyse the events provided by a network of non-intrusive sensors and the locations of the residents inside the home through a Bluetooth beacon network. The method is built upon an accurate combination of two hidden Markov models: one providing the rooms in which the residents are located and the other providing the activity the residents are carrying out. The method has been tested with the data provided by the public database SDHAR-HOME, providing accuracy results ranging from 86.78% to 91.68%. The approach presents an improvement over existing unsupervised learning methods as it is replicable for multiple users at the same time.
Experimental Investigation of Thermal Properties of Frozen Tap, Demineralized, and Sea Water
Authors: Bošnjak Jelena , Jurčević Mišo , Bodrožić Ćoko Natalia , Nižetić Sandro
Published: November 2023

This paper reports an experimental investigation of the thermal properties of frozen tap, demineralized, and sea water. The presented research assists in a better understanding of the thermal properties of ice and the processes within it and contributes regarding the generation of novel experimental data. The thermal conductivity was measured in a range from −14 °C to −33 °C using the Transient Plane Source (TPS) method. Ice blocks were placed in an expanded polystyrene box in the freezer, which is where the measurements took place. The thermal conductivity of the tap water ice was observed to vary in a range from 1.915 ± 0.005 Wm−1K−1 at −14 °C to 2.060 ± 0.004 Wm−1K−1 at −33 °C. The values obtained for the ice made of demineralized water differed by less than 10%. The thermal conductivity of the sea ice was shown to be more temperature dependent, with the values ranging from 1.262 ± 0.005 Wm−1K−1 at −14 °C to 1.970 Wm−1K−1 ± 0.004 at −33 °C. A noticeable fall in the thermal conductivity of the sea ice was observed in the temperature range from −26 °C to −19 °C. A possible reason for this could be the increased precipitation of salt in that temperature range. Measurements of thermal diffusivity displayed similar trends as those of thermal conductivity. Specific volumetric heat capacity was indirectly calculated.
Municipal Solid Waste Generation Trend and Bioenergy Recovery Potential: A Review
Authors: Darmey James , Ahiekpor Julius Cudjoe , Narra Satyanarayana , Achaw Osei-Wusu , Ansah Herbert Fiifi
Published: November 2023

Finding sustainable solutions to the increasing waste generation in Ghana has received a lot of attention in recent years. Through several waste-to-energy processes, the energy potential of municipal solid waste has recently witnessed significant technological advancements. The Renewable Energy Master Plan has projected the production of about 122 MWp from waste-to-energy installations by 2030 in Ghana. To help policymakers and engineers achieve national goals, this paper reviews the waste generation in Ghana estimated from 2010 to 2030 and the status of various bioenergy technologies in Ghana. This paper further estimates the energy recovery potential of municipal solid waste in Ghana under incineration, anaerobic digestion, and landfill gas recovery technologies. The review establishes that, by 2030, municipal solid waste generation will increase by 123% of the 2023 quantities and may produce 1484.25 MW of installed electricity capacity and 13,002.03 GWh per year, which would amount to nearly 59% of Ghana’s 2030 renewable energy target. Additionally, it was determined that anaerobic digestion, incineration, and landfill gas recovery technologies, when properly developed, will add 105.33 MW, 301.4 MW, and 377.31 MW of installed electrical capacity, respectively, to Ghana’s energy mix in 2028.
Study of Thermal Inertia in the Subsoil Adjacent to a Civil Engineering Laboratory for a Ground-Coupled Heat Exchanger
Authors: Gutiérrez-Durán Raúl Antonio , Cervantes Luciano. A. , López Dagoberto López , Peralta-Jaramillo Juan , Delgado-Plaza Emerita , Abril-Macias Guido , Limon-Leyva Pablo , Sosa-Tinoco Ian
Published: November 2023

This document presents a study of thermal inertia in the subsoil adjacent to the Civil Engineering laboratory of the Technological Institute of Sonora (ITSON) in the south of Sonora, Mexico, in service of the development of a solution proposal of a ground-coupled air heat exchanger for the cooling months. The research was divided into three phases: first, the monitoring of temperature in 10 layers of the ground; second, the analysis of thermal ground properties; and last, the design and simulation of a ground-coupled air heat exchanger. The objectives were to determine the variation in the thermal inertia of the soil with depth and over time and to determine the optimum depth for a ground-coupled heat exchanger system. The second objective was to develop a design proposal for a ground-coupled heat exchanger for the university laboratory. We found that the optimum depth is 3.0 m in a soil with high-compressibility clay with 21% humidity and 0.152 W/mK of thermal conductivity. However, the proposed design identified the best depth for the cooling system as 3 m considering a ground-coupled heat exchanger for a volume of 222.2 m3, corresponding to the volume of the classrooms of the building. With this design, the approach was to reduce the temperature by at least 10 °C on the hottest day (41 °C) of the year studied. We concluded that with this kind of system, the climate of the building studied could reduce the thermal load of active AC systems and reduce the energy load by 59%.
Enhancing Water Retention, Transport, and Conductivity Performance in Fuel Cell Applications: Nafion-Based Nanocomposite Membranes with Organomodified Graphene Oxide Nanoplatelets
Authors: Rehman Muhammad Habib Ur , Coppola Luigi , Lufrano Ernestino , Nicotera Isabella , Simari Cataldo
Published: November 2023

The synergistic combination of Nafion and sulfonated graphene oxide (GOsulf) in nanocomposite membranes emerged as a promising strategy for advancing proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology. In the pursuit of elucidating the effect of GOsulf introduction on transport properties and electrochemical performance of Nafion, this work provides a systematic study combining swelling tests, water release tests, 1H NMR characterization, and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) investigation. The incorporation of organomodified GO nanolayers alters the distribution of water molecules within the hydrophilic domains of Nafion and produces a considerable increase in the “bound-water” fraction. This increases its water retention capability while ensuring very high diffusivity even under high temperatures, i.e., 1.5 × 10−5 cm2 s−1 at 130 °C. These peculiar features enable Naf-GOsulf to successfully operate under a dehydrating environment, yielding a proton conductivity of 44.9 mS cm−1 at 30% RH.