bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The High-Quality Development of the Construction Industry in the Context of the Digital Economy—Based on the Mediating Effect of Entrepreneurship
Authors: Li Hui , Zhang Lingyao , Liu Jiyu , Zhang Jinshuai , Gao Zhihua , Liu Yulong , Liu Qirui , Yang Ge
Published: October 2024

The digital economy is an important engine in leading the high-quality development of the economy, and entrepreneurship is an endogenous force propelling economic growth. These factors are essential drivers for advancing the transformation and upgrading of the construction industry and improving efficiency. This study integrates entrepreneurship into the analytical framework of industrial development and explores the primary pathways and theoretical mechanisms of the digital economy for the high-quality development of the construction industry from the dimensions of entrepreneurial innovation spirit and entrepreneurial pioneering spirit. On this basis, we empirically test the role mechanism between the digital economy, entrepreneurship, and the high-quality development of the construction industry. The results of this study indicate that (1) the digital economy significantly promotes the high-quality development of the construction industry through an improvement in technical efficiency; (2) the innovation and entrepreneurship of entrepreneurs are important mechanisms for the digital economy to promote the high-quality development of the construction industry, and at this stage, entrepreneurial spirit promotes more than the spirit of innovation; and (3) the development of the digital economy plays a greater role in enhancing low-productivity regions and the central and eastern regions, and the inclusive characteristics of the digital economy are beginning to emerge.
Evaluating High-Quality Development in the Construction Industry via the Matter–Element Extension Method: A Case Study of 11 Cities in Zhejiang, China
Authors: Wen Haizhen , Zhang Bin , Li Shuyuan , Zhang Ling , Gui Bin , Liu Zhenlong
Published: October 2024

China’s construction industry is facing increasing pressure for transformation and upgrading, with high-quality development becoming an essential goal. However, the precise definition and evaluation criteria for high-quality development remain ambiguous. Against this backdrop, this study focuses on 11 cities in Zhejiang province to explore the connotations of high-quality development in the construction industry and establishes an evaluation index system for assessing it. This study employs the entropy weight method and matter–element extension method to evaluate the high-quality development levels of the construction industry across these cities. The empirical results reveal that the development of the construction industry in Zhejiang province is uneven across cities, with significant potential for overall improvement. This study validates the proposed index system and evaluation model while supplementing empirical evidence; it also enriches the literature and provides both theoretical and technical support for advancing the construction industry’s transition toward high-quality development.
Novel Approach to Skin Anti-Aging: Boosting Pharmacological Effects of Exogenous Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) by Synergistic Inhibition of CD38 Expression
Authors: Kang Seongsu , Park Jiwon , Cheng Zhihong , Ye Sanghyun , Jun Seung-Hyun , Kang Nae-Gyu
Published: October 2024

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is indispensable for the regulation of biological metabolism. Previous studies have revealed its role in aging and degenerative diseases, while crucially showing that supplementation with NAD+ or its precursors could ameliorate or reverse the progression of aging. Despite extensive evidence for the role and action of NAD+ in aging, its pharmacological activity on the skin, or even its mechanism, has not been elucidated. In this study, we established a novel approach to effectively utilize NAD+ for skin anti-aging by enhancing the pharmacological efficacy of exogenous NAD+ using a phytochemical complex consisting of quercetin, and enoxolone through inhibition of CD38. Through the comprehensive in vitro experiments based on human fibroblasts, we observed that exogenous NAD+ could exert protective effects against both extrinsic aging induced by ultraviolet light exposure and intrinsic aging. Additionally, we found that its effects were significantly boosted by quercetin and enoxolone. In this in-depth study, we demonstrated that these beneficial effects are mediated by improved sirtuin activation, autophagy, and mitochondrial functionality. Our approach is expected to verify the applicability of the topical application of NAD+ and offer more effective solutions for the unmet needs of patients and consumers who demand more effective anti-aging effects.
Knockdown of Keratin 6 Within Arsenite-Transformed Human Urothelial Cells Decreases Basal/Squamous Expression, Inhibits Growth, and Increases Cisplatin Sensitivity
Authors: Nargis Nelofar , Sens Donald A. , Mehus Aaron A.
Published: October 2024

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is prevalent, especially in elderly males. The high rate of recurrence, treatment regime, and follow-up monitoring make UC a global health and economic burden. Arsenic is a ubiquitous toxicant that can be found in drinking water, and it is known that exposure to arsenic is associated with UC development. Around 25% of diagnosed UC cases are muscle-invasive (MIUC) which have poor prognosis and develop chemoresistance, especially if tumors are associated with squamous differentiation (SD). The immortalized UROtsa cell line is derived from normal human urothelium and our lab has malignantly transformed these cells using arsenite (As3+). These cells represent a basal subtype model of MIUC and the tumors derived from the As3+-transformed cells histologically and molecularly resemble clinical cases of the basal subtype of MIUC that have focal areas SD and expression of the basal keratins (KRT1, 5, 6, 14, and 16). Our previous data demonstrate that KRT6 protein expression correlates to areas of SD within the tumors. For this study, we performed a lentiviral knockdown of KRT6 in As3+-transformed UROtsa cells to evaluate the effects on morphology, gene/protein expression, growth, colony formation, and cisplatin sensitivity. The knockdown of KRT6 resulted in decreased expression of the basal keratins, decreased growth, decreased colony formation, and increased sensitivity to cisplatin, the standard treatment for MIUC. The results of this study suggest that KRT6 plays a role in UC cell growth and is an exploitable target to increase cisplatin sensitivity for MIUC tumors that may have developed resistance to cisplatin treatment.
Preparation of Environmentally Friendly Anticorrosive Coatings with Aniline Trimer-Modified Waterborne Polyurethane
Authors: Xu Shaoxiong , Dong Xiaoying , Zhao Yufei , Han Jinhui , Ji Yanbing , Kuang Run , Zhang Suhang , Ma Sude
Published: October 2024

Eco-friendly waterborne coatings frequently exhibit poor corrosion resistance, high solvent content, and extended curing times, attributed to the excessive employment of hydrophilic groups and petroleum-derived polyols. In this work, aniline trimer (ACAT) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were used as chain extenders. E-44 epoxy resin was subsequently utilized to modify the system and an aniline trimer-modified waterborne polyurethane (AT-WPU) dispersion was prepared and characterized. The chemical structure of the synthesized ACAT was characterized employing 1H NMR, ESI-MS, and FTIR spectroscopy. The structure and coating performance of the AT-WPU dispersion were investigated utilizing FTIR, particle size analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, DSC, TEM, SEM, and electrochemical corrosion testing. The results demonstrate that the aniline trimer-modified waterborne polyurethane dispersion was successfully synthesized. Additionally, the DSC analysis results and thermogravimetric graphs indicate that the glass transition temperature and thermal stability of the coatings increased with the addition of aniline trimer. As the aniline trimer content increased, the hardness and adhesion of the coatings were significantly enhanced. In the electrochemical corrosion assessment, the corrosion current density of AT-WPU-3 attained 7.245 × 10−9 A·cm−2, and the corrosion rate was as low as 0.08 μm·Y−1, indicating excellent corrosion resistance. The present study provides promising practical applications in the domain of metal material protection.
A Simulation Study on the Effect of Supersonic Ultrasonic Acoustic Streaming on Solidification Dendrite Growth Behavior During Laser Cladding Based on Boundary Coupling
Authors: Han Xing , Zhan Hao , Li Chang , Wang Xuan , Liu Jiabo , Li Shuchao , Sun Qian , Kong Fanhong
Published: October 2024

Laser cladding has unique technical advantages, such as precise heat input control, excellent coating properties, and local selective cladding for complex shape parts, which is a vital branch of surface engineering. During the laser cladding process, the parts are subjected to extreme thermal gradients, leading to the formation of micro-defects such as cracks, pores, and segregation. These defects compromise the serviceability of the components. Ultrasonic vibration can produce thermal, mechanical, cavitation, and acoustic flow effects in the melt pool, which can comprehensively affect the formation and evolution for the microstructure of the melt pool and reduce the microscopic defects of the cladding layer. In this paper, the coupling model of temperature and flow field for the laser cladding of 45 steel 316L was established. The transient evolution laws of temperature and flow field under ultrasonic vibration were revealed from a macroscopic point of view. Based on the phase field method, a numerical model of dendrite growth during laser cladding solidification under ultrasonic vibration was established. The mechanism of the effect of ultrasonic vibration on the solidification dendrite growth during laser cladding was revealed on a mesoscopic scale. Based on the microstructure evolution model of the paste region in the scanning direction of the cladding pool, the effects of a static flow field and acoustic flow on dendrite growth were investigated. The results show that the melt flow changes the heat and mass transfer behaviors at the solidification interface, concurrently changing the dendrites’ growth morphology. The acoustic streaming effect increases the flow velocity of the melt pool, which increases the tilt angle of the dendrites to the flow-on side and promotes the growth of secondary dendrite arms on the flow-on side. It improves the solute distribution in the melt pool and reduces elemental segregation.
Study on the Adhesion Performance of Biochar-Modified Asphalt Based on Surface Free Energy and Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Li Quan , Xu Le , Chen Xing , Li Wen , Li Yongwei , Wang Hanqing , Liu Kefei
Published: October 2024

To investigate the effect of biochar on the adhesion performance of asphalt, the macroscopic and microscopic adhesion performance of 70# base asphalt, SBS-modified asphalt (SBSMA), sludge-based biochar-modified asphalt, and waste wood-based biochar-modified asphalt (WWBMA) were tested using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle tests, respectively. The impact of these two testing methods on the evaluation of adhesion performance was also analyzed. Research results indicated that biochar increased the number of bee-like structures on the asphalt surface while significantly reducing their average area. This improves the distribution of asphalt adhesion by reducing the adhesion difference between bee-like structured areas and non-bee-like structured areas while simultaneously enhancing the overall adhesion of the asphalt surface. Surface free energy (SFE) theory analysis indicates a linear correlation between the SFE obtained from the contact angle test and the atomic force microscopy test. Biochar significantly increases the SFE of asphalt and its components, thereby increasing the work of adhesion between asphalt and aggregate and reducing the work of debonding. Consequently, it improves the bonding performance between asphalt and aggregate, as well as its resistance to moisture damage.
Effects of Input Parameters on the Hole Quality During the Drilling of Al Metal Matrix Composites
Authors: Pramanik Alokesh , Basak Animesh Kumar
Published: October 2024

The extensive industrial applications of aluminum (Al) metal matrix composites (MMCs) require optimal drilling conditions in the manufacturing industries. The effects of drilling variables, for instance, the point angle, spindle speed and feed rate on torque, thrust force, burr, surface quality, and dimensional errors were analysed while producing holes in MMC. The results showed that the torque and thrust force decreased with an increase in point angle and speed but increased with the rise in feed rate. Similar trends were also noticed for the chip thickness as these parameters vary. The burr height, circularity, and diameter error at the exit and entrance of the workpiece material were highly impacted by the point angle. In addition, the feed rate showed a strong influence on torque, burr height at the exit of the workpiece, and chip thickness. Thrust force and circularity as well as the diameter error at the exit of the workpieces were highly affected by the feed rate. The variation in surface roughness was not significant with the variations in the parameters considered in this investigation.
Battery Housing for Electric Vehicles, a Durability Assessment Review
Authors: Jimenez-Martinez Moises , Valencia-Sánchez José Luis , Torres-Cedillo Sergio G. , Cortés-Pérez Jacinto
Published: October 2024

Recent research emphasizes the growing use of advanced composite materials in modern transportation, highlighting their superior weight-to-strength ratio. These materials are increasingly replacing steel and aluminium in housings to enhance sustainability, improve efficiency, and reduce emissions. Considering these advancements, this article reviews recent studies on composite materials, focusing on fatigue life assessment models. These models, which include performance degradation, progressive damage, and S–N curve models, are essential for ensuring the reliability of composite materials. It is noted that the fatigue damage process in composite materials is complex, as failure can occur in the matrix, reinforcement, or transitions such as interlaminar and intralaminar delamination. Additionally, the article critically examines the integration of artificial intelligence techniques for predicting the fatigue life of composite materials, offering a comprehensive analysis of methods used to indicate the mechanical properties of battery shell composites. Incorporating neural networks into fatigue life analysis significantly enhances prediction reliability. However, the model’s accuracy depends heavily on the comprehensive data it includes, including material properties, loading conditions, and manufacturing processes, which help to reduce variability and ensure the precision of the predictions. This research underscores the importance of continued advancements and their significant scientific contributions to transportation sustainability, especially in the context of emerging artificial intelligence technologies.
Giant Appendiceal Mucocele with High Grade Mucinous Neoplasm—Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Sima Laurentiu Vasile , Dan Cristina Ana-Maria , Zara Flavia , Closca Raluca Maria , Sima Alexandra Christa , Saracin Cristina Oana , Dan Radu Gheorghe , Orzata Diana Maria
Published: October 2024

Appendiceal mucocele is a rare entity first described by Carl von Rokitansky, characterized by cystic dilatation of the appendiceal lumen due to obstruction, epithelial proliferation or inflammation and accumulation of mucoid material. The cause can be either neoplastic or non-neoplastic. Patients with appendiceal mucocele can be asymptomatic or present with right lower quadrant pain which may mimic acute appendicitis. We present the case of a 68-year-old male, who presented to the Emergency Room with a two-day history of right lower quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Abdominal examination revealed tenderness over the Mc Burney point with localized guarding and laboratory results showed leukocytosis with neutrophilia. The abdominal computed tomography revealed a cystic dilated appendix, with a length of 130 mm and a diameter of 75 mm, situated ascending retrocecal and associating peri-appendicular inflammatory changes. The patient underwent right hemicolectomy with side-to-side ileo-colonic anastomosis, due to a wide intraluminal communication between the appendix and the cecum and the inflammation of both structures. Histopathological examination showed both high-grade and low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm.
mFFE CT-like MRI Sequences for the Assessment of Vertebral Fractures
Authors: Ferreira Branco David , Bouredoucen Hicham , Hamard Marion , Gorican Karel , Poletti Pierre-Alexandre , Delattre Bénédicte Marie Anne , Boudabbous Sana
Published: October 2024

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance, image quality, and inter- and intra-observer agreement of the 3D T1 multi-echo fast field echo (mFFE) sequence in cervico-thoraco-lumbar vertebral fractures compared with conventional computed tomography (CT) as the gold standard. Methods: We conducted a prospective single-centre study including 29 patients who underwent spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the surgeon’s request, in addition to CT for vertebral fracture assessment and classification. A 3D T1 mFFE sequence was added to the standard MRI protocol. Consecutively, two readers analyzed the 3D mFFE sequence alone, the 3D mFFE sequence with the entire MRI protocol, including the STIR and T1 sequences, and, finally, the CT images in random order and 1 month apart. A standardized assessment was performed to determine the presence or absence of a fracture, its location, its classification according to the Genant and AO classifications for traumatic and osteoporotic fractures, respectively, the loss of height of the anterior and posterior walls of the vertebral body, and the presence of concomitant disco-ligamentous lesions. Contingency tables, intraclass correlation coefficients, and Cohen’s kappa tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 25 fractures were recorded (48% cervical, 20% thoracic, and 32% lumbar), of which 52% were classified A, according to the AO classification system. The quality of the 3D mFFE image was good or excellent in 72% of cases. Inter-observer agreement was near perfect (0.81–1) for vertebral body height and for AO and Genant classifications for all modalities. Intra-observer agreement was strong-to-near perfect between CT and the 3D mFFE sequence. Regarding the diagnostic performance of the 3D mFFE sequence, the sensitivity was 0.9200 and 0.9600, the specificity was 0.9843 and 0.9895, and the accuracy was 0.9861 and 0.9769 for Readers 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, up to 40% of intervertebral disc lesions and 33% of ligamentous lesions were detected by the 3D mFFE sequence compared to CT, allowing four AO type A fractures to be reclassified as type B. Conclusions: The 3D mFFE sequence allows accurate diagnosis of vertebral fractures, with superiority over CT in detecting disco-ligamentous lesions and a more precise classification of fractures, which can prompt clinicians to adapt their management despite an image quality that still requires improvement in some cases. Key points: Vertebral fractures and disco-ligamentous lesions can be assessed using CT-like MRI sequences, with 3D T1 mFFE being superior to CT for the detection of disco-ligamentous lesions. CT-like images using the 3D T1 mFFE sequence improve the diagnostic accuracy of bone structures in MRI.
Assessment of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A 6-Month Follow-Up Study
Authors: Moaleș Elena-Andreea , Dima-Cozma Lucia Corina , Cojocaru Doina-Clementina , Zota Ioana Mădălina , Ghiciuc Cristina Mihaela , Adam Cristina Andreea , Ciorpac Mitică , Tudorancea Ivona Maria , Petrariu Florin Dumitru , Leon Maria-Magdalena , Cozma Romică Sebastian , Mitu Florin
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: The association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common one, with long-term therapeutic and prognostic impact. In view of the high pulmonary and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, self-management contributes to decreasing the risk of an acute cardiac event or pulmonary decompensation. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study on 100 patients admitted to Iasi Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital who were divided into two groups according to the presence (67 patients) or absence (33 patients) of MetS. All patients benefited from multidisciplinary counseling sessions on their active role in improving modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and thus increasing quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of metabolic syndrome on lung function and the role of self-management in a 6-month follow-up period. The demographic, anthropometric, cardiovascular risk factors, and respiratory function were analyzed at baseline and at 6 months. Results: The presence of MetS was associated with higher fasting blood glucose (p = 0.004) and triglycerides (p = 0.003) but not with higher levels of interleukins or TNF-alpha. At the 6-month follow-up, abdominal circumference, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), dyspnea severity, and blood pressure values improved in male patients with COPD. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased in the COPD group as a whole, but especially in male patients with and without associated MetS. BMI was positively correlated with FEV1 (r = 0.389, p = 0.001) and the FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio (r = 0.508, p < 0.001) in all COPD patients and in the MetS subgroup. In the COPD group as a whole. the six-minute walk test (6MWT) results (m) were positively correlated with FEV1 and FVC. The correlation remained significant for FVC in COPD patients with and without MetS. An increase in BMI by one unit led to an increase in TG values by 3.358 mg/dL, and the presence of metabolic syndrome led to an increase in TG values by 17.433 mg/dL. Conclusions: In our study, MetS is a common comorbidity in patients with COPD and is associated with higher BMI, fasting glucose, and triglycerides but not with the inflammatory parameters. A mixed pulmonary–cardiovascular rehabilitation intervention leads to improvement in various parameters in both female and male COPD patients.
Fluoroscopy-Guided Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Lung Biopsy with the Aid of Planning Cone-Beam CT: Diagnostic Accuracy and Complications
Authors: Cho Sang Hyun , Yoon Hyun Jung , Lee Young , Kim Injoong , Gil Je Ryung , Kim Yeo Jin
Published: October 2024

Background: Fluoroscopy-guided PTNB for fluoroscopy-identifiable lung lesions has been suggested as a useful method for the pathological diagnosis of lung lesions; however, it is lacking in accuracy and safety compared to CT-guided PTNB. Thus, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy and complications of fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) with the aid of pre-procedural planning cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in order to take advantage of their respective strengths. Methods: A total of 255 fluoroscopy-guided PTNBs with the aid of planning CBCT were performed. Pre-procedural planning CBCT was conducted to calculate the shortest length from the skin puncture site to the margin of the target lesion for the needle trajectory. No intra-procedural CBCT was performed. The diagnostic performance of fluoroscopy-guided PTNB with the aid of planning CBCT was calculated. The prognostic factors for diagnostic failures and complications were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Results: The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 97.3%, 88.0%, 90.9%, 100%, and 62.5%, respectively. There were 29 diagnostic failures (11.8%), and the multivariable analysis showed that a longer lesion depth on CBCT and a shorter specimen length were each associated with diagnostic failure (p = 0.010 and 0.012, respectively). Complications occurred in 34 PTNBs (13.3%). The multivariable analysis showed that an increased total number of biopsies per lesion, a longer length of lung aeration via needle insertion, a smaller lesion size on CT imaging (≤20 mm), and the presence of an air bronchogram were associated with the occurrence of complications (p = 0.027, <0.001, 0.003, and 0.020, respectively). Conclusions: Excellent diagnostic accuracy was obtained by fluoroscopy-guided PTNB with the aid of planning CBCT. Compared to that of CT- or CBCT-guided PTNB, the procedure-related complication rate was acceptably low, but the radiation dose to patients could be potentially reduced.
CD34 and Ki-67 Immunoexpression in Periapical Granulomas: Implications for Angiogenesis and Cellular Proliferation
Authors: Roi Ciprian , Riviș Mircea , Roi Alexandra , Raica Marius , Ceaușu Raluca Amalia , Motofelea Alexandru Cătălin , Gaje Pușa Nela
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: The main mechanism of the formation of granulation tissue is the progression of an infection from the tooth to the periapical bone. At this level, the immune system tries to localize and annihilate the microorganism’s injury. Ki-67 is a protein directly associated with the cell proliferation rate, while CD34 is a biomarker involved in angiogenesis, and studies suggest that they both have a positive correlation with the intensity of the local inflammatory infiltrate. This study will determine the immunoexpression of CD34 and Ki-67 in periapical granulomas and assess their impact on the growth and development of this tissue, as well as consider their roles in the proliferative process and aggressiveness of evolution. Methods: In the present study, 35 periapical granulomas obtained after a tooth extraction were included. The specimens were analyzed via histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Results: A positive reaction for the Ki-67 antibody was observed in 32 (86.5%) of the 35 periapical granuloma cases included in our study. We identified the overexpression of Ki-67 and CD34 and further calculated the Ki-67 index to evaluate and correlate the proliferation potential and angiogenesis with regard to the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the persistence of an inflammatory environment directly influences Ki-67 and CD34 expression, sustaining the proliferative capacity of cells and abnormal angiogenesis. This study is the first to evaluate the presence of the CD34+ and Ki-67+ proliferating vessels in periapical granulomas.
Shaping Career Development Through College Readiness at the High School Level
Authors: Yousef Wael
Published: October 2024

Career and College Readiness (CCR) generates higher levels of persistence, grit, motivation, and competencies in performing work- or school-related tasks among learners during post-secondary life. One primary limitation defining the present scholarship on CCR is the authentic analysis of the on the ground or field practices high schools perform to increase learners’ CCR competencies. The inadequate research on actual CCR practices in high schools motivated this study. To learn more about how high schools prepare students for post-secondary life, 16 principals from high schools provided detailed narratives on CCR practices in their institutions. Principals completed interviews of one to two hours using Microsoft Teams, supplying the researcher with specific information and examples of how their institutions equip students for future careers and higher education. Manual qualitative thematic analysis of the entire transcript guided the organization and interpretation of the findings, allowing the presentation of meaningful themes supported by a plethora of illustrations. Six themes representing 18 distinct CCR practices emerged, and the themes were rigorous curriculum, content knowledge, key academic behaviors, key cognitive strategies, multiculturalism, and citizenship development. Results partially supported the pervasive CCR model based on Conley’s readiness index. Increasingly, diversity and citizenship learning have defined high schools’ CCR work in preparing learners to become effective local and global citizens. The current investigation paves the way for future observational and field research uncovering whether schools truly prepare students or not, and such preparation varies across community, country, and institutional characteristics.
Elevating Students’ Oral and Written Language: Empowering African American Students Through Language
Authors: Pittman Ramona T. , O’Neal Lynette , Wright Kimberly , White Brittany R.
Published: October 2024

A consistent pattern emerges where African American students’ scores lag behind their counterparts on both national and state literacy assessments. One possible explanation is rooted in the fact that approximately 80% of African American students speak African American English, which differs from the General American English, the language expected to be used within educational settings. African American English encompasses distinct phonological and grammatical (morphosyntactic) features compared to General American English. This paper aims to delineate the differences between these two languages, review research on African American English, and explore the prevalence of bidialectal or multidialectal abilities among African American students. Additionally, it will address research indicating that many teachers and teacher educators lack awareness of African American English, leading to a deficit-oriented perspective that views African American English as a linguistic deficiency rather than a linguistic difference.
Examining the Implications of Islamic Teacher Education and Professional Learning: Towards Professional Identity Renewal in Islamic Schools
Authors: Succarie Ayda
Published: October 2024

Teachers in Islamic schools are often required to navigate complex identities. They balance personal and/or school-based religious obligations with contemporary secular-based commitments to meet organisational demands for institutional compliance. Behaviourally, the motivations and attitudes of teachers play a vital role in shaping a learning environment that fosters a sense of community and caters to the needs of students. However, recent studies on Islamic education suggest a real struggle in managing such complexities. Consequently, scholars have called for specialized programs to counter such issues, focusing on the need for schools to renew their commitment to promoting educational values, principles and practices that are rooted in the Islamic tradition. Several higher education institutions have responded to this call by establishing programs in Islamic studies and Islamic education. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge of the organisational and behavioural significance of such programs on the professional identity of teachers. Using semi-structured interviews, this article presents findings from four teachers who had completed a postgraduate qualification in Islamic education at an Australian university. The six-phase thematic data analysis, informed by Muslim identity and an Islamic worldview, revealed that secular teacher education provided participants with ‘a license to teach’ but lacked in ‘nurturing a purpose for teaching’. The findings also revealed a distinct connection between Islamic teacher education, professional learning and professional identity, whereby Islamic-based pedagogies ‘enlightened and empowered’ teachers toward becoming ‘faith-centred’ in their professional practice. While the study was limited to four teachers, it contributes knowledge to the Islamic education, organizational and behavioural fields of inquiry in two ways, by underlining that (i) the professional identities of Muslim teachers are shaped by a knowledge-seeking mindset, and (ii) Islamic teacher education and professional learning create pathways towards the renewal of teachers’ professional identities in Islamic schools.
Pre-Service Science Teachers’ Beliefs About Creativity at School: A Study in the Hispanic Context
Authors: Rios-Atehortua Leidy Dahiana , Torres-Valois Tarcilo , Solaz-Portolés Joan Josep , Sanjosé Vicente
Published: October 2024

The present study examines the beliefs of pre-service science teachers on creativity in science teaching and learning and identifies factors in the school environment that, in their view, can influence students’ creativity. A total of 152 Colombian prospective science teachers participated in this study. A questionnaire, with an open and a closed part, was administered to participants. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data collected was carried out. The results revealed that (a) the concept of creativity held by the participants was incomplete and significantly diverged from expert definitions; (b) they viewed creativity as a universal potential that can be nurtured within the school system; (c) the ability to identify problems and ask challenging questions was rarely selected as a creative personality trait; (d) they demonstrated unclear ideas about the relationship between creativity and intelligence and the role of prior knowledge in students’ creativity; and (e) the subject or curricular domain was seen as an important factor influencing students’ creativity. From all this, it could be concluded that Colombian future science teachers exhibited flawed concepts of creativity based on poorly articulated beliefs, which is consistent with findings in other international studies.
Building a Sustainable Future: Investigating the Role and Contributions of Higher Education Institutions Instructors in Promoting Social Sustainability—Empirical Evidence from Ethiopia
Authors: Tafese Mestawot Beyene , Kopp Erika , Likassa Habte Tadesse
Published: October 2024

The need for social sustainability through education is greater than ever. Despite numerous studies on this topic, there is still a gap in the research on the role and contribution of public higher education instructors in social sustainability. To address this, the researchers of this study conducted a study on the contributions of instructors in public higher education to social sustainability in Ethiopia. The study aimed to provide evidence for policy briefs and guide public universities. A quantitative method was employed, and the reliability of the structured questionnaire was tested using Cronbach’s alpha. The data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that 62.9% of instructors contributed to social sustainability, with significant predictors identified at 5%. Research and applied university instructors were 3.36 and 2.20 times more likely, respectively, to contribute compared to comprehensive universities. Furthermore, the results indicated that females were 0.64 times less likely to participate compared to males. Instructors who were optimistic about research implementation were 4.9 times more likely to engage, and those indicating “probably yes” were 18.5 times more likely as compared to the reference category. Educators involved in multiple roles were 0.13 times less likely to contribute than those focused solely on teaching. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education and university leaders should support female teachers and master’s-level faculty at applied and comprehensive universities.
Comparison of Advanced Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System (FACTS) Devices with Conventional Technologies for Power System Stability Enhancement: An Updated Review
Authors: Carbonara Andrea , Dambone Sessa Sebastian , L’Abbate Angelo , Sanniti Francesco , Chiumeo Riccardo
Published: October 2024

The continuously growing penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) in electrical networks provides increasing challenges and critical situations to be managed by worldwide system operators. Due to their features and variability, non-programmable RES power plants, whose increasing penetration reduces the inertia level of the power system, may determine the instability effects on the grids, especially from the frequency and voltage regulation standpoints. The present study focuses on the support that advanced FACTS (Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System) devices, such as STATCOMs (Static Synchronous Compensators), can provide to the power system operation in terms of system inertia improvement, frequency stability, and voltage stability. In particular, a review of the scientific literature and practice is performed, with the aim of benchmarking the ongoing evolution of these technologies, also comparing them with different options based on synchronous condensers, synchronous condensers integrated with flywheels, and STATCOMs with supercapacitors. The outcome of the analysis consists of an updated evaluation of the state-of-the-art technological development in the field and of a comparison between different FACTSs with the purpose of identifying the most suitable solutions for different practical situations, also taking account of synergies across various options. This study includes an updated overview regarding the status of STATCOM installation in the Italian power grid.
Creating Digital Twins of Robotic Stations Using a Laser Tracker
Authors: Szybicki Dariusz , Muszyńska Magdalena , Pietruś Paulina , Burghardt Andrzej , Kurc Krzysztof
Published: October 2024

This article deals with the design and creation of digital twins of robotic stations. A literature review of digital twins, robot programming methods and laser tracker applications is presented. This paper shows that the construction of digital twins is closely related to one of the most popular methods of robot programming, i.e., off-line programming. In the case of digital twins of robotic stations, modeling accuracy and two-way communication with the real station proved to be crucial. The article proposes a methodology for solving the basic problem of off-line robot programming, i.e., the limited accuracy of the representation of the station and the details. The algorithm of proceeding in the case when the station already exists and its digital model is built and the case when the digital model is first created and the real solution is built on its basis is shown. According to the developed methodology, a digital twin of a real robotic station was created and the possibilities arising from the use of virtual tools were shown. The developed digital twin has the ability to communicate with advanced Matlab 2021-type tools, uses cloud solutions and virtual and augmented reality for training, simulates physical phenomena and provides the ability to accurately program robots off-line.
Sudden Cardiac Death Risk Prediction Based on Noise Interfered Single-Lead ECG Signals
Authors: Gao Weidong , Liao Jie
Published: October 2024

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) represents a critical acute cardiovascular event characterized by rapid onset of cardiac and respiratory arrest, posing a significant threat to patients due to its high fatality rate. Monitoring indices related to SCD using wearable devices holds profound implications for preemptive measures aimed at reducing the incidence of such life-threatening events. Hence, this study proposed a predictive algorithm for SCD leveraging single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) signals featuring low signal-to-noise ratios. Initially, simulated electrode motion artifact noise was introduced to ideal ECG signals to emulate the signal conditions with low signal-to-noise ratios encountered in everyday scenarios. To meet the criteria of simplicity and cost-effectiveness required for wearable devices, the analysis focused exclusively on single-lead signals. The proposed algorithm in this study employed a lightweight machine learning approach to extract 12-dimensional features encompassing ventricular late potentials, T-wave electrical alternation, and corrected QT intervals from the signal. The algorithm achieved an average prediction accuracy of 93.22% within 30 min prior to SCD onset, and 95.43% when utilizing a normal sinus rhythm database as a control, demonstrating robust performance. Additionally, a comprehensive Sudden Cardiac Death Index (SCDI) was devised to quantify the risk of SCD, formulated by integrating pivotal two-dimensional features contributing significantly to the algorithm. This index effectively distinguishes high-risk signals indicative of SCD from normal signals, thereby offering valuable supplementary insights in clinical settings.
A 5 mW 28 nm CMOS Low-Noise Amplifier with Transformer-Based Electrostatic Discharge Protection for 60 GHz Applications
Authors: Eghtesadi Minoo , Giustolisi Gianluca , Ballo Andrea , Pennisi Salvatore , Ragonese Egidio
Published: October 2024

This paper presents a low-power 60 GHz low-noise amplifier (LNA) designed for Gbit/s applications using 28 nm CMOS technology. The LNA exploits a single-stage pseudo-differential architecture with integrated input transformer for both electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection and simultaneous noise/impedance matching. An effective power-constrained design strategy is adopted to pursue the lowest current consumption at the minimum noise figure (NF), with the best tradeoff between gain and frequency bandwidth. The LNA, which has been designed to drive an on–off keying (OOK) demodulator, is operated at a supply voltage as low as 0.9 V and achieves a voltage gain of about 21 dB with a 3 dB bandwidth of 2 GHz around 60 GHz. Thanks to the proper impedance transformation at the 60 GHz input, the amplifier exhibits an NF of 6.3 dB, also including the input transformer loss with a very low power consumption of about 5 mW. The adoption of a single-stage topology also allows an excellent input 1 dB compression point (IP1dB) of −4.7 dBm. The input transformer guarantees up to 2 kV human body model (HBM) ESD protection.
HT-PGFV: Security-Aware Hardware Trojan Security Property Generation and Formal Security Verification Scheme
Authors: Qin Maoyuan , Li Jiale , Yan Jiaqi , Hao Zishuai , Hu Wei , Liu Baolong
Published: October 2024

Property-driven hardware verification provides a promising way to uncover design vulnerabilities. However, developing security properties that check for highly concealed security vulnerabilities remains a significant challenge. In this paper, we propose a scheme, called HT-PGFV, to implement hardware Trojan security property assertion automatic generation and formal security verification for Trojan-infected designs. In our scheme, we develop a hardware Trojan security property assertion generation method for automated hardware which can extract hardware Trojan security properties from Trojan-infected designs by performing the three main steps of Trojan-infected signal identification based on feature matching, influence-cone-analysis-based Trojan path identification, and information flow trace mining, and formulate them as SystemVerilog assertions. In addition, we develop a formal security verification method based on information flow analysis which can formally verify hardware Trojan security properties and detect hardware Trojans violating information flow security policies by checking the security of information flows via our developed RT-level hardware information flow security models. The proposed method is demonstrated on several Trojan benchmarks from Trust-Hub. Experimental results show that our scheme can generate hardware Trojan security property assertions for Trojan-infected designs and detect information leakage and functionality change hardware Trojans activated by external inputs or internal conditions.
A Review of Advanced Thermal Interface Materials with Oriented Structures for Electronic Devices
Authors: Tu Yuqian , Liu Bin , Yao Guanghong , Luo Hongjie , Jia Xiao , Du Jun , Xu Cui
Published: October 2024

In high-power electronic devices, the rapid accumulation of heat presents significant thermal management challenges that necessitate the development of advanced thermal interface materials (TIMs) to ensure the performance and reliability of electronic devices. TIMs are employed to facilitate an effective and stable heat dissipation pathway between heat-generating components and heat sinks. In recent years, anisotropic one-dimensional and two-dimensional materials, including carbon fibers, graphene, and boron nitride, have been introduced as fillers in polymer-based TIMs due to their high thermal conductivity in specific directions. The orientation of the fillers in the polymer matrix has become an important issue in the development of a new generation of high-performance TIMs. To provide a systematic understanding of this field, this paper mainly discusses recent advances in advanced oriented TIMs with high thermal conductivity (>10 W/(m·K)). For each filler, its preparation strategies and enhancement mechanisms are analyzed separately, with a focus on the construction of oriented structures. Notably, there are few reviews related to carbon fiber TIMs, and this paper details recent research results in this field. Finally, the challenges, prospects, and future development directions of advanced TIMs are summarized in the hope of stimulating future research efforts.
A Picture May Be Worth a Hundred Words for Visual Question Answering
Authors: Hirota Yusuke , Garcia Noa , Otani Mayu , Chu Chenhui , Nakashima Yuta
Published: October 2024

How far can textual representations go in understanding images? In image understanding, effective representations are essential. Deep visual features from object recognition models currently dominate various tasks, especially Visual Question Answering (VQA). However, these conventional features often struggle to capture image details in ways that match human understanding, and their decision processes lack interpretability. Meanwhile, the recent progress in language models suggests that descriptive text could offer a viable alternative. This paper investigated the use of descriptive text as an alternative to deep visual features in VQA. We propose to process description–question pairs rather than visual features, utilizing a language-only Transformer model. We also explored data augmentation strategies to enhance training set diversity and mitigate statistical bias. Extensive evaluation shows that textual representations using approximately a hundred words can effectively compete with deep visual features on both the VQA 2.0 and VQA-CP v2 datasets. Our qualitative experiments further reveal that these textual representations enable clearer investigation of VQA model decision processes, thereby improving interpretability.
Generalized NTRU Algorithms on Algebraic Rings
Authors: Wu Qinghao , Zhang Juan , Li Zichen
Published: October 2024

The NTRU (Number Theory Research Unit) is a prominent post-quantum public key cryptography algorithm and a current focus of research. Although many NTRU variants have been proposed, a comprehensive generalization of these variants is still lacking. To address this issue, we propose the G-NTRU (Generalized NTRU), an algorithmic framework for NTRU variants on algebraic rings. This framework generalizes specific ring extensions to more general algebraic structures, allowing the unification of various NTRU variants. We then analyze the key properties of the G-NTRU, including correctness, lattice-based characteristics, and security. The semantic security of the G-NTRU is demonstrated through the introduction of the G-AGCD (Generalized Approximate Greatest Common Divisor). To validate the generality of the G-NTRU framework, we introduce the CNTRU (Complex Number NTRU), a variant of the NTRU over the ring of complex numbers. The CNTRU shares the same properties as the G-NTRU, further confirming the versatility of the G-NTRU in studying NTRU variants over algebraic rings.