bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the effectiveness of neuron coverage metrics: a metamorphic-testing approach
Authors: Zhou Zenghui , Poon Pak-Lok , Chen Tsong Yueh , Qiu Kun , Zhou Qinghua , Zheng Zheng
Published: July 2024

Deep neural networks (DNNs) are now widely used in many sectors of our society. This phenomenon also means that if these DNNs contain faults, they will have profound adverse impacts on our daily lives. Thus, DNNs have to be comprehensively tested for ''correctness'' before they are released for use.Since such testing involves the use of a DNN test set, the comprehensiveness of this test set is of utmost importance. Until now, many researchers have proposed their own neuron-coverage (NC) metrics to measure the comprehensiveness of a DNN test set. However, their studies solely focused on those DNN testing scenarios with the presence of a test oracle. We observed that, in reality, there are many DNN testing scenarios where a test oracle does not exist and, therefore, the results of all previous studies may be inapplicable to these testing scenarios.Inspired by this observation, we have performed an empirical study to investigate the usefulness of some common and major NC metrics in terms of correlation analysis and invariability analysis. Our experiment results showed that, on the one hand, some NC metrics are useful measures of DNN test-set comprehensiveness (in terms of correlation analysis), but on the other hand, these metrics are not robust enough (in terms of invariability analysis).
Effect of bleeding during Pregnancy on Maternal and Perinatal Adverse Outcomes in Northern Ethiopia: - Using two years data from Hospital
Authors: Gebrekidan Mamit Gebreslassie , Fisseha Meseret Abay , Gebreyesus Aregawi , Fisseha Girmatsion
Published: July 2024

Background
Bleeding during pregnancy is an obstetric emergency associated with high maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The effect of bleeding during pregnancy considered to be higher on maternal and perinatal adverse outcome. Hence this study assessed the effect of bleeding during pregnancy on maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes at ayder comprehensive specialized hospital, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2024.
Method
Institutional based retrospective cohort study was used among 539 mothers who gave birth from September 2019 to August 2021 at ayder comprehensive specialized hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia. mothers who gave birth with bleeding during pregnancy and without bleeding during pregnancy were grouped as exposed and nonexposed respectively. Systematic sampling method was used to select mothers from medical records. Data were collected from medical record by reviewing retrospectively. Modified poisson regression model was used to estimate relative risk and factors associated with adverse outcomes.
Results
Incidence of adverse maternal outcome among mothers with history of bleeding during current pregnancy was 46.1% compared to 14.2% without history of bleeding during current pregnancy. About 57.2% of mothers with history of bleeding during current pregnancy and 18.9% of mothers without history of bleeding during current pregnancy developed adverse perinatal outcome. Mothers with bleeding during pregnancy were 3.94 times more likely to develop postpartum hemorrhage (ARR = 3.94 at 95% CI (1.76, 8.83), 2.84 times more likely to undergo emergency caesarean section (ARR = 2.84 at 95% CI 2.07, 3.88), gave birth to preterm birth ARR = 3.93 at 95% CI of (2.78, 5.56), low birth weight; ARR = 4.52 at 95% CI of (3.01, 6.64) and still birth; ARR = 3.75 at 95% CI of (1.9, 7.38) compared to mothers without history of bleeding during pregnancy.
Conclusion and recommendation:
bleeding during pregnancy is causing higher risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. It leads to postpartum hemorrhage, emergency cesarean section, higher risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, still birth, perinatal death, low Apgar score and admission to NICU. Early identification of women at risk of antepartum hemorrhage and early management and follow-up helps to prevent adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with antepartum hemorrhage.
Extraction and Spatiotemporal Analysis of Impervious Surfaces in Chongqing Based on Enhanced DeepLabv3+
Authors: Wei Dengfeng , Chang Yue , Kuang Honghai
Published: July 2024

In this study, Sentinel-2 time series satellite remote sensing imagery and an improved CA-DeepLabV3+ semantic segmentation network were utilized to construct a model for extracting urban impervious surfaces. The model was used to extract the distribution information of impervious surfaces in the central urban area in Chongqing from 2017 to 2022. The spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of the impervious surfaces were analyzed using the area change and standard deviational ellipse methods. The results indicate that the improved CA-DeepLabV3+ model performs exceptionally well in identifying impervious surfaces, with precision, recall, F1 score, and MIoU values of 90.78%, 90.85%, 90.82%, and 83.25%, respectively, which are significantly better than those of other classic semantic segmentation models, demonstrating its high reliability and generalization performance. The analysis shows that the impervious surface area in Chongqing’s central urban area has grown rapidly over the past five years, with a clear expansion trend, especially in the core urban area and its surrounding areas. The standard deviational ellipse analysis revealed that significant directional expansion of the impervious surfaces has occurred, primarily along the north–south axis. This model can achieve large-scale, time-series monitoring of the impervious surface distribution, providing critical technical support for studying urban impervious surface expansion and fine urban management. Future research will further advance the extraction of impervious surfaces based on high-resolution and hyperspectral remote sensing data to obtain more detailed and accurate distribution data, aiding in precise urban management and environmental protection.
Retroactive merger review of Duke and Progress Energy in North and South Carolina
Authors: Vij Sarthak
Published: July 2024

In July 2012, Duke Energy Corporation completed its acquisition of Progress Energy, Inc., forming the largest electric utility company in the United States. This merger occurred within the unique regulatory environments of North and South Carolina, which operate regulated electricity markets outside the governance of Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs). This study investigates the impact of the Duke-Progress Energy merger on electricity prices for residential, industrial, and commercial consumers in these states using a synthetic control method. Our analysis reveals that post-merger, North Carolina experienced significant reductions in electricity prices across all sectors, indicating that merger efficiencies were effectively transferred to end-users. Conversely, South Carolina saw a relative increase in electricity prices despite a more competitive market structure. These contrasting outcomes highlight the complex interplay between market dynamics, regulatory oversight, and operational efficiencies in the electricity sector. The findings underscore the importance of considering local market conditions and regulatory environments when evaluating the effects of utility mergers.
Antioxidant activity of Micractinium sp. (Chlorophyta) extracts against H2O2 induced oxidative stress in human breast adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Bulut Onur , Engin Iskin , Sonmez Cagla , Oktem Huseyin Avni
Published: July 2024

In response to the growing demand for high-value bioactive compounds, microalgae cultivation has gained a significant acceleration in recent years. Among these compounds, antioxidants have emerged as essential constituents in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. This study focuses on Micractinium sp. ME05, a green microalgal strain previously isolated from hot springs flora in our laboratory. Micractinium sp. cells were extracted using six different solvents, and their antioxidant capacity, as well as total phenolic, flavonoid, and carotenoid contents, were evaluated. The methanolic extracts demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity, measuring 7.72 and 93.80 µmol trolox equivalents.g-1 dry weight (DW) according to the DPPH and FRAP assays, respectively. To further characterize the biochemical profile, reverse phase high-performance chromatography (RP-HPLC) was employed to quantify twelve different phenolics, including rutin, gallic acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, and β-carotene, in the microalgal extracts. Notably, the acetone extracts of Micractinium sp. grown mixotrophically contained a high amount of gallic acid (469.21 ± 159.74 µg.g-1 DW), while 4-hydroxy benzoic acid (403.93 ± 20.98 µg.g-1 DW) was the main phenolic compound in the methanolic extracts under heterotrophic cultivation. Moreover, extracts from Micractinium sp. exhibited remarkable cytoprotective activity by effectively inhibiting hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and cell death in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells. In conclusion, with its diverse biochemical composition and adaptability to different growth regimens, Micractinium sp. emerges as a robust candidate for mass cultivation in nutraceutical and food applications.
The FKBPL-based therapeutic peptide, AD-01, protects the endothelium from hypoxia-induced damage by stabilizing hypoxia inducible factor-α and inflammation
Authors: Ghorbanpour Sahar , Cartland Siân Peta , Chen Hao , Seth Sanchit , Ecker Rupert C. , Richards Claire , Aksentijevic Dunja , Padula Matthew P , Cole Louise , Warkiani Majid Ebrahimi , Kavurma Mary Meltem , McClements Lana
Published: July 2024

Aims: FK506-binding protein like (FKBPL) and its therapeutic peptide mimetic, AD-01, are crucial negative regulators of angiogenesis, yet the underlying mechanisms involved in hypoxia- and/or inflammation-induced cardiovascular disease (CVD) remain unclear. We investigated whether FKBPL regulates endothelial dysfunction induced by hypoxia or inflammation and if AD-01 can maintain endothelial cell function and vascular integrity under these conditions.
Methods and Results: Hindlimb ischemia was induced in mice by ligating the proximal and distal ends of the right femoral artery, and, after three days, the gastrocnemius muscle was collected for immunofluorescence staining, and RNA extraction. A 3D in vitro microfluidics model of endothelial cell function was developed to determine the cell migration and FKBPL-mediated mechanisms following treatments with: (i) 24 mM FKBPL targeted siRNA, (ii) 1 mM hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1)α activator (DMOG), (iii) 50% (v/v) macrophage conditioned media (MCM), ± 100 nM AD-01. Here, we demonstrated that FKBPL expression is substantially downregulated in mice with hindlimb ischemia (p<0.05, protein; p<0.001, mRNA), correlating with reduced neovascularization and altered vascular adhesion molecule expression. In our real-time advanced 3D microfluidics endothelial cell model, hypoxia suppressed FKBPL (p<0.05) and VE-cadherin (p<0.001), leading to increased endothelial cell number and migration (p<0.001), which was restored by AD-01 treatment (p<0.01). Under inflammatory conditions, FKBPL (p<0.01) and HIF-1α (p<0.05) expression were elevated, correlating with increased endothelial cell migration (p<0.05). Unlike hypoxia, AD-01 did not affect endothelial cell migration in inflammation but normalized FKBPL (p<0.001), HIF-1α (p<0.05) and CD31 (P<0.05), expression. Proteomic analysis revealed that AD-01 treatment in hypoxia promoted vascular integrity and stimulated tissue remodelling proteins by increasing the expression of collagen alpha-1(XIX) chain and junctional cadherin associated-5 (JCAD) proteins.
Conclusions: FKBPL represents an important novel mechanism in hypoxia and inflammation-induced angiogenesis. The FKBPL-based therapeutic peptide, AD-01, could be a viable treatment option for CVD-related endothelial cell dysfunction.
Immunomodulatory Activity of Omadacycline In Vitro and in a Murine Model of Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Sanders Madeline , Beringer Paul
Published: July 2024

Objective and Design:
Omadacycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, demonstrates in vitro activity against key cystic fibrosis (CF) pathogens, effective lung penetration, and increasing clinical evidence for treatment of lung infections in people with CF (PwCF). This study evaluates its anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in a murine model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung neutrophilia.
Methods
In vitro, THP-1-derived macrophages were pretreated with omadacycline (20–100µg/mL) 30min before LPS stimulation. Pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β/6/18), chemokine (CXCL-1/2), and MMP-9 levels were analyzed after 24h by ELISA. Effects on IL-8-induced human neutrophil chemotaxis were also investigated. In vivo, omadacycline (2.5–30mg/kg) was administered to male BALB/c mice 1h before and 6h after intranasal LPS challenge, respectively. Leukocyte counts and differentials in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), inflammatory mediator levels in BALF and lung homogenates, pulmonary edema markers, and lung injury severity were evaluated 24h or 48h post-challenge.
Results
Omadacycline treatment resulted in significant, dose-dependent reductions in IL-6, CXCL-1, and MMP-9 expression and inhibition of IL-8-induced neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro. In vivo, omadacycline yielded protective and therapeutic effects by reducing production of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines and neutrophil infiltration into the lungs, along with modestly improving lung injury severity.
Conclusions
Omadacycline may provide dual anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities relevant to treatment of chronic lung infections in PwCF.
Ritual Hitching Posts Serge Among the Buryats in the 21st Century
Authors: Zhambalova Sesegma G. ,   Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: July 2024

The article deals with a little-studied topic with the aim of studying localization of Buryat ritual hitching posts serge in the space from Ust-Orda district to Cape Khoboy on Olkhon Island in the 21st century. The article is based on the field observations and materials, literary and electronic sources. The hypothesis of the study was proved – in conditions of globalization and active increase in international tourist flows, the Buryats are expanding the boundaries of their own sacred world to create a specific system of protective mechanisms against intensive foreign cultural influence. Sacred objects contribute to the preservation of the fragile ecology of the region. One of the key methods used in the article is ideographic method, which is supplemented with analysis and generalization. There are three entrance signs/complexes, in which the central place is given to ritual hitching posts on the section of the R-418 highway from Irkutsk to the border of the Olkhonsky district. On this section of the road there is a barisa, a ritual complex, with three serge. In the Olkhon region, nine serge are located at the mouth of the river Angi near Mount Yordo where the Yordyn Games are held. On the island of Olkhon near the cape Burkhan, 13 ritual hitching posts have been erected in honor of the “13 northern noyons”, occupying a special place in the shamanic pantheon of Buryats. There is a ritual hitching post serge on Cape Khoboy. The researched cult objects were established in the 21st century by the decision of the population and are all-Olkhon, and possibly all Buryat. The innovative character of the ritual hitching posts lies in their considerable size and in their installation in places where they were not previously installed, thus expanding the sacred territory. These considered Olkhon serge, despite of their increased size, retain their authenticity, in contrast to the stylized serge standing on the entrance steles. A new organization of the socio-cultural space with the help of ritual hitching posts indicates that the ethnic culture has been transforming into a national one.
On Han Yu’s Letters to Chan Monk Da Dian (819 AD)
Authors: Mazur Tatyana G. ,   Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: July 2024

The paper deals with the problem of the interaction between Buddhism and Confucianism in Tang China, a critical period in the history of Chinese Buddhism after which the intellectual power of Buddhism in China and its ideological influence on the Confucian elite considerably weakened. The research is based on the translation of Han Yu’s ‘Letters to Reverend Da Dian’ and its historical and cultural analysis and textual analysis. The letters are included in the Collected Works of Han Yu, the letters have not been translated into Russian and have not been the subject of special research so far. The purpose of the article is to reveal the historical and cultural significance of Han Yu’s letters to Da Dian and to show what processes took place in the worldview of their author, a typical Confucian official of the second half of the Tang dynasty. The article shows that the very fact of the existence of Han Yu’s letters to Da Dian, without referring to their content, captures the interest of a Confucian of this era in the personality of a Buddhist and the need for new spiritual food. Letters are a symbol work in the literary heritage of Han Yu, they indicate that in Tang society the dialogue between a Confucian official and a Buddhist has become commonplace despite the criticism of Buddhism by Confucians. The content of the letters reveals Han Yu as a person who is in a spiritual and ideological search, not completely satisfied with Confucian ideas and seeking answers to his spiritual needs in other philosophical and religious traditions, primarily in Buddhism. We draw a conclusion that the letters reflecting Han Yu’s spiritual quest demonstrate the mechanism of maturing the new ideological orientations among Tang Confucians, thus being the forerunner of Neo-Confucianism of the Song period
Celebrating the 300th Anniversary of the Joining of Siberia to Russia in Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk: A Failed Act of Local Historical Politics
Authors: Chernyshov Sergey A. ,   National Research Tomsk State University
Published: July 2024

The article examines the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the annexation of Siberia to Russia in the key East Siberian cities – Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk – from the standpoint of communication science, local historical memory and historical politics, as a symbolic action designed to impose on local communities a certain set of narratives associated with the concepts of “Siberia”, “Russia” and “accession” as significant factors of local life. The purpose of the study is to analyze the significance for the local urban communities of Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk of the 300th anniversary of the annexation of Siberia to Russia as an essential act of local historical memory and an element of local historical politics. The methodological basis of this study is the tools of communication science: the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the annexation of Siberia to Russia is seen as a symbolic act of local historical politics, which was intended to impose on local communities a certain narrative (the key concepts of which are “Siberia” and “joining Russia”), and by the effectiveness of the implementation of which one can judge the self-perception of the urban East Siberian population. The study was carried out on the basis of archival materials (some of which are introduced into scientific circulation for the first time), materials of personal origin, local journalism and media materials. It is concluded that despite the active attempts of the regionalists and the local business elite to organize the celebration and communicative design of the anniversary as a symbolic act of local historical memory, the 300th anniversary of the annexation of Siberia as a significant narrative was shared by a very limited number of the population. The budgets of the event turned out to be sharply scarce, the dates were unclear until the last moment, and the preparations were chaotic. Contrary to the traditional interpretation of this event of 1881–1882, the 300th anniversary of Siberia as an attempt to form a local symbol was unsuccessful, which did not prevent interested subjects of socio-political communications (regionals, part of local elites and government officials) from presenting this event as significant for local life, doing this in fact according to the classical canons of historical politics.
The Relationship of the Kappelevites Command Staff with G. M. Semenov on the Basis of Memoir Sources
Authors: Taskin Denis A. ,   Transbaikal State University
Published: July 2024

The article is devoted to the study of the issue of relations between ataman G. M. Semenov and senior officers of the remnants of the Kolchak armies who arrived in Transbaikalia in the early 1920. The analysis of these relations is carried out on the basis of published memoirs of participants of the white movement. The relevance of the study is due to the introduction into scientific circulation of a large amount of memoir literature of both leaders and ordinary members of the white movement who found themselves on the territory of Transbaikalia. In the light of the newly discovered information, it is possible to consider in more detail how the relations within the Kappel command staff and their interaction with ataman G. M. Semenov developed. Previously, these sources were not available to researchers. In the future, the analysis of these sources will allow a deeper study of the final stage of the Civil War in Transbaikalia. The research methodology is based on comparative and dialectical approaches that minimize the subjectivity of memoirs as a historical source. The result of the study is the conclusion that the arrival of military contingents of the former Kolchak troops in Chita did not have a significant impact on the course of events. Attempts by part of their command staff to show political subjectivity and independence in relation to Ataman Semenov failed. The passage of echelons of Czechoslovak Corps units through Chita caused a split among the Kappel command. The negative attitude towards them was caused by the Czechs’ unwillingness to engage in confrontation with the Reds during the joint movement to the east with the Kappelevites. G. M. Semenov, who initially relied on the Japanese, treated the Czechs with distrust. An attempt by G. M. Semenov to disarm one of the Czech echelons in Chita was prevented by the commander of the Kappelevites S. V. Wojciechowski, who treated the Czechs positively. As a result, the Czech factor did not have a significant impact on the subsequent events of the Civil War in Transbaikalia.
Cultural Activity of the Cossack Emigration in the Territory of the Three Rivers
Authors: Chapygin Igor V. ,   Irkutsk State University, Smirnova Ksenia A. ,   Irkutsk State University
Published: July 2024

The article examines the appearance of the Russian Cossacks on the territory of Northwestern Manchuria, namely the Three Rivers, the construction of the first settlements, their cultural life and the translation of Russian traditions. The authors of the work set a goal to study the contribution of the emigrant community to the development of the image of this region, the process of preserving traditional orders and foundations. This problem is considered in the article from the material and spiritual-social directions of culture. The relevance of the topic is due to the process of returning to active social activity of the Cossacks. In modern Russian society, discussions about the essence of the Cossacks, the economic, moral, social and spiritual foundations of their life do not cease. The authors use the fundamental principles of historical science. The principle of objectivity made it possible to evaluate the analyzed historical documents taking into account the subjectivity of their author. Representatives of the Cossack emigration in the Three Rivers were active in cultural life, which against the background of the cultural life of other emigration groups, was distinguished by its initiative. All achievements in different aspects of culture had a special Russian personality. They were reflected not only in everyday life and material culture, but also in the development of institutions such as education, literature, publications, the church, etc. Arriving on the Manchurian side, the Cossacks brought with them their way of life and culture, which strengthened on foreign territory and became a reference point for the development of the region. Thanks to the location of the Chinese authorities, the Three Rivers began to grow and develop rapidly. People fleeing wanted to feel like an integral part of Russia. Various representatives of the emigrant Cossacks, including the intelligentsia, the clergy, sought to support the Russian spirit and opposed assimilation. The paper identifies and seems promising the need for further research, reconstruction, translation and support of the Cossack culture of the Russian Three Rivers.
State-Religious Relations in the Russian Security System
Authors: Gavrilova Yulia V. ,   Bauman Moscow State Technical University
Published: July 2024

The subject of the analysis is the state-religious relations in the system of ensuring the safe existence and development of man and society. In the context of the concepts of social, religious and information-psychological security, the forms-models of interactions between state authorities and religious organizations are analyzed. It is noted that religions in the conditions of the information society participate in the design of information environments capable of exerting a multidirectional influence on individuals, including destructive ones. In order to prevent possible negative effects on the human psyche, integration and cooperation of religious institutions and state authorities are required. In this regard, the purpose of the study is to identify and analyze the features of state–religious relations and their markers that can trigger stabilization mechanisms to ensure the security system in crisis and emergency situations. The novelty of the study is: 1) in identifying the role of state-religious relations in the system of different types of security, depending on the models of interaction between the state and religions; 2) in defining the principles of the modern model of state-religious relations in Russia (interreligious interaction and peaceful coexistence of religions, the special position of the Russian Orthodox Church, strong state power with the highest possible level of centralization); 3) in reformatting the principles into a system of indicators for diagnosing and forecasting state-religious relations in modern Russia. As a result of the research, the concepts of “state-confessional relations”, “state-religious relations”, “state-church relations” are analyzed. The necessity of using the term “state-religious relations” in the scientific literature is substantiated. The main historical models of state-religious relations are studied, their conflictogenic or peacemaking nature for the system of social, religious and information-psychological security is revealed. The concept of “identity of Russia” is analyzed from the perspective of socio-cultural analysis. The correlation of the identity and specificity of the model of state-religious relations in Russia is established. The practical significance of the research is determined by the possibility of using the results in order to develop a system of effective practices for ensuring the security of individuals and society, in developing a strategy for the development of an updated form of state-religious interactions in modern Russia.
A ARGUMENTAÇÃO EM DIAGRAMAS HEURÍSTICOS ELABORADOS POR GRADUANDOS EM QUÍMICA A PARTIR DA RESOLUÇÃO DE PROBLEMAS DE CARÁTER EXPERIMENTAL
Authors: Paz Cleane , Ferreira Luciana
Published: July 2024

THE ARGUMENTATION IN HEURISTIC DIAGRAMS DEVELOPED BY CHEMISTRY STUDENTS BASED ON THE RESOLUTION OF EXPERIMENTAL PROBLEMS. The ability to argue is essential for the education of students, as it is fundamental to the presentation of ideas on a given topic. Several methods have been proposed in studies that support the development of argumentation in different teaching contexts, such as the heuristic diagram. It allows the organization and recording of activities that enable critical reflection through the analysis of the language used to express ideas. In this perspective, the diagrams produced for solving problems in an experimental chemistry subject offered in an undergraduate chemistry course were analyzed. Toulmin’s argument pattern was used as a basis to identify the structure of the arguments produced, and then, the quality of the arguments was evaluated. The results of the analysis showed a principle of progress in the argumentative capacity of undergraduates with the development of activities, verified by the presence of elements in students’ texts that, when present, validate an argument. Thus, the results can contribute to other researches in the field of chemical education by favoring a teaching process that considers the development of initial argumentative ability in the formation of students.
Why Ceria Nanoparticles Obtained from Ce-MOFs Exhibit Higher Catalytic Efficient in Soot Combustion? Understanding the Role of Intrinsic Properties of a Cerium-Organic Framework to Produce CeO2
Authors: Gomes Viviane , Serra Ayla Roberta , de Sousa Gabriel , Neri Cláudio Roberto , Zhao Baiwen , de Lima Juliana , Walton Richard , Serra Osvaldo Antonio
Published: July 2024

Metal-organic framework (MOF) derivatives, such as porous metal oxides with controlled morphology have received great attention for applications in various fields. In this paper, the experimental results show that porous CeO2 with high specific surface area (90.5 m2 g-1) and nanorod morphology can be obtained by calcining a Ce-MOF template at optimized temperature (300-500 °C). The formation mechanism of this porous structure as well as the influence of the calcination temperature are well explained by taking into account thermal behavior and intrinsic structural features of the Ce-MOF precursor. We employed the oxides formed as heterogeneous catalysts to reduce the soot originating from the incomplete combustion of diesel or diesel/biodiesel blends. The CeO2 materials exhibit outstanding catalytic activity, lowering the temperature of soot combustion from 610 to 370 °C. Compared with similar work, our catalyst exhibits enhanced soot oxidation activity, making it highly promising for diesel particulate filter applications. Such outstanding catalytic performance of the porous CeO2 nanorods benefits from their large specific surface area, and morphological and structural characteristics.
The Correlation between Dental Health Status and Educational Level, Age, and Gender as Demographic Attributes of the Children of Migrant Workers
Authors: Suwargiani Anne Agustina , Aripin Dudi , Susilawati Sri , Setiawan Asty Samiaty , Putri Fidya Meditia , Hamdani Ardena Maulidia , Elfarisi Revina Nadya , Sanjaya Azlina , Suryanti Netty , Yusof Zamros Yuzadi Mohd
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Migrant workers and their families appear to have greater health issues, given their need to adjust to new environments and restricted access to healthcare services. One obstacle to receiving healthcare is culture. This study aims to analyze the correlation between dental health status and the level of class, age, and gender as demographic attributes in the children of migrant workers.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved the children of Indonesian migrant workers who resided in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The population of the study consisted of children who met the inclusion criteria. Their ages varied between six and twelve. In this study, we used the purposive sampling method. There are 93 samples that met the inclusion criteria. We obtained the data on dental health status using the RedCap online form, which is used in the WHO oral health survey. The researchers performed data analysis, the def-t and DMF-T measurement index and prevalence analyses, and the Spearman-Rho correlation tests to examine the data and determine the appropriate analytical tests.

Results

The characteristics of the children of Indonesian migrant workers are as follows: based on the class level, 1, 5, and 6; based on age, 6-8 and 9-11; and based on gender, nearly equal between the male and female respondents. The DMF-T index score was 1.22, and the def-t index was 3.77 among the migrant children. The prevalence of caries in permanent adult crowns was lower (53.76%) than that in primary children crowns (64.52%.). Root caries is present in less than 1% of the adult population; however, its prevalence among the children of migrant workers is indeterminable. The majority of the negative correlation occurs between the level of grade and age of the children of Indonesian migrant workers and their dental and oral health status; however, there is no significant correlation between gender and oral health status.

Conclusion

The DMF-T index of migrant children is low, while their def-t index is high. The prevalence of crown and root caries among the children of migrant workers is significantly higher. There are many negative correlations between the educational level and age of the migrant children and their oral health status.
Analysis of the clean water use index for the development of an integrated and sustainable clean water service program in Bali Province
Authors: Parwita I Gusti Lanang Made , Anom P W I Nyoman , Mudhina Made , Siryanegara I G A G , Paramita I G A Dewi
Published: July 2024

The water usage index according to the Ministry of Public Works is a comparative value between water needs divided by water availability. In this regard, there are four categories of water usage index, namely non-critical, light critical, medium critical and heavy critical categories. This category is important as a basis for integrated and sustainable clean water services in the province of Bali. The results of this study are the value of the water usage index for each Regency/City in Bali as a basis for developing clean water services. The method in this study is quantitative analysis. The results of the study will be published in the international journal IRJEIS.
PENGARUH GEL NANOTRANSFERSOME EKSTRAK KULIT JERUK NIPIS (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) DENGAN METODE ENKAPSULASI TERHADAP PENINGKATAN KOLAGEN PADA PENYEMBUHAN LUKA ULKUS TIKUS WISTAR
Authors: Prasetyaningrum Nenny , Fuadiyah Diena , Munika Listari Khusnul , Ji Na Chung
Published: July 2024

Pendahuluan: Kulit jeruk nipis dapat digunakan sebagai obat penyembuh luka dengan kandungan flavonoidnya dan dapat ditingkatkan efektivitasnya dengan mengubahnya menjadi bentuk nanotransfersom dengan metode enkapsulasi. Tujuan: Untuk mengetahui pengaruh nanotransfersom gel ekstrak kulit jeruk nipis (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) dengan metode enkapsulasi terhadap peningkatan kolagen dalam penyembuhan luka ulkus tikus wistar. Metode: Berdasarkan hasil perhitungan tersebut, hewan coba yang dibutuhkan dalam penelitian ini minimal 4 ekor tikus putih pada setiap kelompok. Penelitian ini terdiri dari 6 kelompok perlakuan yang membutuhkan 24 ekor tikus putih dan antisipasi 1 ekor tikus per kelompok perlakuan. Hasil: Hasil uji statistik menunjukkan bahwa ada perbedaan yang signifikan antara semua kelompok. Kesimpulan:Rata-rata skor kolagen pada kelompok kontrol memiliki nilai terendah diikuti oleh rata-rata jumlah fibroblas pada kelompok perlakuan ekstrak kulit jeruk nipis, kemudian kelompok perlakuan jamu terstandar, dan gel nanotransfersome ekstrak kulit jeruk nipis yang memiliki skor tertinggi pada kelompok perlakuan. ke-3 dan ke-7. Pendahuluan: Kulit jeruk nipis dapat digunakan sebagai obat penyembuh luka dengan kandungan flavonoidnya dan dapat ditingkatkan efektivitasnya dengan mengubahnya menjadi bentuk nanotransfersom dengan metode enkapsulasi. Tujuan: Untuk mengetahui pengaruh nanotransfersom gel ekstrak kulit jeruk nipis (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) dengan metode enkapsulasi terhadap peningkatan kolagen dalam penyembuhan luka ulkus tikus wistar. Metode: Berdasarkan hasil perhitungan tersebut, hewan coba yang dibutuhkan dalam penelitian ini minimal 4 ekor tikus putih pada setiap kelompok. Penelitian ini terdiri dari 6 kelompok perlakuan yang membutuhkan 24 ekor tikus putih dan antisipasi 1 ekor tikus per kelompok perlakuan. Hasil: Hasil uji statistik menunjukkan bahwa ada perbedaan yang signifikan antara semua kelompok. Kesimpulan: Rata-rata skor kolagen pada kelompok kontrol memiliki nilai terendah diikuti oleh rata-rata jumlah fibroblas pada kelompok perlakuan ekstrak kulit jeruk nipis, kemudian kelompok perlakuan jamu terstandar, dan gel nanotransfersome ekstrak kulit jeruk nipis yang memiliki skor tertinggi pada kelompok perlakuan. ke-3 dan ke-7.
Exploring the impact of digital literacy on the self-efficacy of maritime education faculty
Authors: Cabaron Richard Regencia ,   College of Maritime Education, Jose Rizal Memorial State University, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
Published: July 2024

The maritime industry is continually evolving, requiring educators in this field to be proficient in both technical knowledge and digital skills. This study aims to assess the digital competence and self-efficacy of maritime education faculty, recognizing the importance of these skills in enhancing job performance. Using a descriptive-correlation analysis, the research underscores the need for educators to improve their digital abilities to increase their confidence and teaching effectiveness. This study highlights the positive effects of enhancing digital competence among educators, ultimately leading to better educational outcomes for students in the maritime sector. It is recommended that maritime education faculty focus on improving their skills in information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, and safety. Additionally, educators should develop problem solving skills to excel in all areas of maritime education. By continuously improving their digital skills, educators will be better prepared to provide high-quality instruction and prepare students for success in the ever-changing maritime industry.
Impact of local government revenue on the quality of educational service delivery in Benadir region, Somalia
Authors: Mohamed Khadija Shamsi ,   Faculty of Social Science, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia, Abdi Abdirahman Ibrahim ,   Faculty of Education, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia
Published: July 2024

This study is concerned with assessing the influence of local government revenue on educational service delivery (ESD) quality. The objective was to investigate the multifaceted factors influencing ESD quality. The research examined the interplay between challenges in local government revenue (CLGR), the extent to which local government revenue affects (ELGR), and the effectiveness of local government revenue management (ELGRM) on ESD quality. Employing a descriptive, cross-sectional design, the study collected data through an online survey distributed to 234 teachers in higher public schools and the educational service department in Benadir region, Somalia, utilizing a non-random purposive sampling technique. The collected data were analyzed using R version 4.3.1 using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and SPSS 22.0. The findings of this study revealed significant negative relationships between CLGR and ESD quality, while ELGR and ELGRM have significant relationships with ESD quality. The null hypotheses (H1, H2, and H3) were rejected, as indicated by p-values of 0.002, 0.002, and 0.000, respectively, all below the threshold value of 0.05. Based on these results, the researchers suggest increasing funding for education, improving revenue management practices, promoting strategic investments in education, fostering collaboration and partnerships, continuously monitoring and evaluating progress, and prioritizing the equitable distribution of resources to enhance the quality of ESD. The findings will shape future ESD quality, requiring collaboration among all stakeholders to enhance learning opportunities and improve service delivery.
Partisan Media, Trust, and Media Literacy: Regression Analysis of Predictors of COVID-19 Knowledge
Authors: Roschke Kristy , Koskan Alexis M , Sivanandam Shalini , Irby Jonathan
Published: July 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic was a devastating public health event that spurred an influx of misinformation. The increase in questionable health content was aided by the speed and scale of digital and social media and certain news agencies’ and politicians’ active dissemination of misinformation about the virus. The popularity of certain COVID-19 myths created confusion about effective health protocols and impacted trust in the health care and government sectors deployed to manage the pandemic.

Objective

This study explored how people’s information habits, their level of institutional trust, the news media outlets they consume and the technologies in which they access it, and their media literacy skills influenced their COVID-19 knowledge.

Methods

We administered a web-based survey using Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) to assess US adults’ (n=1498) COVID-19 knowledge, media and news habits, media literacy skills, and trust in government and health-related institutions. The data were analyzed using a hierarchical linear regression to examine the association between trust, media literacy, news use, and COVID-19 knowledge.

Results

The regression model of demographic variables, political affiliation, trust in institutions, media literacy, and the preference for watching Fox or CNN was statistically significant (R2=0.464; F24,1434=51.653; P<.001; adjusted R2=0.455) in predicting COVID-19 knowledge scores. People who identified as politically conservative, watched Fox News, and reported lower levels of institutional trust and media literacy, scored lower on COVID-19 knowledge questions than those who identified as politically liberal, did not watch Fox News and reported higher levels of institutional trust and media literacy.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the media outlets people turn to, their trust in institutions, and their perceived degree of agency to discern credible information can impact people’s knowledge of COVID-19, which has potential implications for managing communication in other public health events.
A Personalized, SMS-Based Conversational Agent to Address Sleep Disturbance in Breast Cancer Survivors: Protocol for a Pilot Waitlist Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Tsai Chi-shan , Szewczyk Warren , Drerup Michelle , Liao Jason , Vasbinder Alexi , Greenlee Heather , Heffner Jaimee L , Yung Rachel , Reding Kerryn W.
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Sleep disturbance is one of the most common health concerns reported by breast cancer (BC) survivors and is associated with poor quality of life (QoL) and greater mortality after treatment. Cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (CBTi) has shown efficacy for improving sleep and quality of life for BC survivors. Considered the gold standard insomnia treatment, CBTi can be delivered remotely, including via digital intervention. Despite the potential for wider dissemination of CBTi via digital means, these modalities have unique challenges, including technology barriers and poor adherence. We developed a conversational agent (CA) to deliver CBTi via short message service (SMS), supported by mobile-ready web content. Named “Cecebot”, this CA delivers sleep education, implements sleep compression, provides just-in-time intervention on sleep-disrupting behaviors, and includes enhanced support for physical activity (PA) beyond what is typically included in CBTi. This represents a novel modality for a CBTi and PA intervention in BC survivors.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to examine the safety and acceptability of the Cecebot intervention for BC survivors with symptoms of insomnia and explore intervention efficacy.

METHODS

This trial will recruit 60 BC survivors who are experiencing moderate to severe sleep disturbance. Participants will be assigned to the Cecebot intervention or waitlist control group at a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group will receive Cecebot intervention during weeks 1-6 of the study, while the waitlist control condition will receive the Cecebot intervention during weeks 6-12. The Cecebot intervention utilizes SMS technology paired with Fitbit. Participants will be assessed at baseline, week 6, and week 12. Measurements will include feasibility and acceptability, and explore the effect of a Cecebot intervention.

RESULTS

Recruitment of participants began in Spring 2024. The completion of data collection is anticipated to be by Winter 2025.

CONCLUSIONS

The study results will give insight into the potential for an SMS-based conversational agent to improve sleep in BC survivors with sleep disturbances.
Speech-based Machine Learning for Momentary Depression-Severity Prediction in Acutely Depressed Patients undergoing Sleep Deprivation Therapy (Preprint)
Authors: Hartnagel Lisa-Marie , Emden Daniel , Foo Jerome C , Streit Fabian , Witt Stephanie H , Frank Josef , Limberger Matthias F , Schmitz Sara E , Gilles Maria , Rietschel Marcella , Hahn Tim , Ebner-Priemer Ulrich W , Sirignano Lea
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices for remote monitoring are inevitable tools to support treatment and patient care, especially in recurrent diseases such as Major Depressive Disorder. The aim of this study was to learn if machine learning (ML) models based on longitudinal speech data are helpful in predicting momentary depression severity. Data analyses were based on a dataset including 30 inpatients during an acute depressive episode receiving Sleep Deprivation Therapy in stationary care, an intervention inducing a rapid change in depressive symptomatology in a relatively short period of time. Using an ambulatory assessment approach, we captured speech samples and assessed concomitant depression severity via self-report questionnaire over the course of three weeks (before, during, and after therapy). We extracted 89 speech features from the speech samples using the eGeMAPS parameter set from openSMILE and the additional parameter speech rate.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to understand if a multi-parameter ML approach would significantly improve the prediction compared to previous statistical analyses, and, in addition, which mechanism for splitting training and test data was most successful, especially focusing on the idea of personalized prediction.

METHODS

To do so, we trained and evaluated a set of >500 ML pipelines including random forest, linear regression, support vector regression, and eXtreme gradient boosting regression models and tested them on five different train-test split scenarios: a group 5-fold nested cross-validation on subject level, a leave-one-subject-out approach, a chronological split, an odd-even split, and a random split.

RESULTS

In the 5-fold cross-validation, the leave-one-subject-out, and the chronological split approaches, none of the models were statistically different from random chance. The other two approaches produced significant results for at least one of the models tested, with similar performance. In total, the superior model was an XGBoost regression in the odd-even split approach (R² = 0.339, MAE = 0.38; both P<.001), indicating that 33.9% of the variance in depression severity could be predicted by the speech features.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our analyses highlight that ML fails to predict depression scores of unseen patients, but prediction performance increased strongly compared to our previous analyses with multilevel models. We conclude that future personalized ML models might improve prediction performance even more, leading to better patient management and care.