bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UM OLHAR SOBRE ESTÁGIOS E PRÁTICAS COMO COMPONENTES NA FORMAÇÃO INICIAL DO PROFESSOR DE MATEMÁTICA
Authors: Messias Maria Alice de Vasconcelos Feio
Published: December 2023

Objetivou-se com esse trabalho analisar o projeto pedagógico do curso de licenciatura em matemática da UFPA, Campus Salinópolis, tendo em vista suas potencialidades no que se refere a integração de estágios e práticas no processo de formação inicial do professor de matemática. Para tanto, discutiu-se sobre a temática, tendo em vista a legislação e apontamentos da literatura. Mediante a análise do PPC do referido curso, foi possível identificar as potencialidades do currículo no que tange à implementação de atividades formativas que evidenciam as práticas e estágios enquanto componentes. Nesse sentido, evidenciou-se que é, principalmente, no Núcleo Profissionalizante do currículo de formação do referido curso, o qual é constituído das dimensões Educação, Matemática, Física e Pesquisa, que se encontram disciplinas, por meio das quais é possível trabalhar sobre o viés da PCC ao longo de todo curso e atrelando-a, também, aos estágios supervisionados e outras atividades curriculares de extensão.
REFLEXÕES TEÓRICAS SOBRE DIDÁTICA PROFISSIONAL PARA FORMAÇÃO DE PROFESSORES QUE ENSINAM MATEMÁTICA
Authors: Santos Marluce Alves dos , Alves Francisco Regis Vieira
Published: December 2023

Este artigo, versa sobre a vertente francesa Didática Profissional (DP) e Formação de Professores (FP), tendo como objetivo apresentar reflexões teóricas, de uma pesquisa de pós-doutorado, para a Formação do (a) Professor (a) que Ensina Matemática (ForPEM). No final dos anos de 1990, surge na França a Didática Profissional com a finalidade de compreender o desenvolvimento profissional diante do seu ambiente de trabalho e da sua formação. Os estudos sobre a Formação de Professores, objeto de debates de amplas reformulações, possuem arcabouço teórico no âmbito nacional e internacional. Coloca-se a ênfase no reconhecimento da Formação de Professores que Ensinam Matemática como um elemento fundamental para a Educação Matemática. Para este fim, realizou-se revisão bibliográfica, não exaustiva, para consubstanciar possibilidades de pesquisa para área. Considera-se relevante, como contribuição, ampliar a discussão no sentido de fomentar e estimular pesquisas que possam fortalecer a área da Educação Matemática de forma especifica a Formação de Professores que Ensinam Matemática.
Mulheres e saúde na escola: aulas de culinária, medicina doméstica, higiene alimentar e puericultura (Argentina, final do século XIX ao início do século XX)
Authors: Rodríguez Laura Graciela
Published: December 2023

Neste artigo analisaremos os conteúdos escolares voltados para a preservação da saúde da família que o Estado projetou apenas para mulheres no ensino fundamental e médio. Ao longo de quatro seções, neste trabalho estudaremos nas duas primeiras, os conteúdos referentes à medicina caseira e culinária que possuíam os manuais de Economia Doméstica; depois as de higiene alimentar propostas nos programas e livros didáticos de Ciências Domésticas; e, por fim, os de Puericultura que foram ministrados no Normal e nos Liceus.
Guide Pratique D’Education Physique (Deuxieme Édition) - Georges Hérbert
Authors: Alves Taveira Ricardo
Published: December 2023

Análise documental do Guide Pratique D’Education Physique (Deuxieme Édition) – Georges Hérbert, de 1916, pertencente do acervo da biblioteca histórica do Arquivo Histórico Documental da Escola Estadual “Carlos Gomes”, antiga Escola Normal de Campinas, na seção de Educação Física. Foi selecionado por graduandos do curso de Educação Física da UNICAMP, dentro da disciplina de Estágio Supervisionado. A proposta dos discentes foi a de aplicar junto aos alunos do Ensino Fundamental, da supracitada escola, alguns dos exercícios constantes no livro de uma maneira contextualizada, expondo o caráter higienista das aulas que envolviam as práticas corporais. Foram feitos exercícios ordenados e separados por gêneros e, em seguida, houve uma nova execução de exercícios mais atuais, com os alunos e as alunas juntos (as). Terminadas as duas vivências práticas, houve uma discussão compartilhada entre alunos, estagiários e monitor. Considerando os relatos e os apontamentos dos participantes, juntamente com a análise do livro, se evidencia a relação da Educação Física com os aspectos sociais, políticos e históricos e a relação corporal com o patrimônio histórico educativo no Brasil, ponto esse que apresenta o corpo histórico, que vive e reflete o momento em que existe.
Underground Artistic-Creative Scenes Between Utopias and Artivisms
Authors: Guerra Paula
Published: December 2023

This article focuses on two countries usually represented as (semi-)peripheric: Portugal and Brazil. At stake is a metaphorical perspective of the Global South as equivalent to most (although not all) low-income and often politically or culturally marginalised territories. The use of this concept marks a shift from a central focus on development or cultural difference towards an emphasis on geopolitical power relations. Using the examples of Brazil’s PWR Records and padê editorial, and Portugal’s Príncipe Discos, the article highlights a series of manifestations of a radical habitus that has materialised in underground musical-creative creations, which increasingly have emerged as a stage for contemporary resistance. These examples demonstrate the spurious nature of the division between the concepts of the art of resistance and the art of existence: they are artivist resistances that enact working utopias. In many such projects, we find artivists with a (sub)cultural do-it-yourself background, who are not afraid to combine art and politics, and who reject the old idea of ‘art for art’s sake’. An art of resistance emerges that, in the cases analysed, is linked to the adherence to new social movements, such as feminism, LGBTQIA+ rights, the right to the city and anti-racism. Using a qualitative methodology, with a strong multi-sited ethnographic slant based on interviews and documentary analysis, we demonstrate how the artistic imagination of contemporary youth is materialised in combined resistance and existence for a place in the world.
Positionings Towards the ‘Work-Dogma’ from the Margins: Making Sense of Vulnerabilities and Inequalities in the Interview Situation
Authors: Manstetten Ruth
Published: December 2023

The norm of wage labor imposes itself on the unemployed as a material, legal and symbolic-discursive order. As ‘deviants’ from the norm, unemployed people are often confronted with pejorative judgments or social exclusion in everyday life. This paper asks how differently positioned unemployed people living in precarious circumstances position themselves in relation to the norm of employment and critique its accompanying social order. Based on the experiences with 25 interviewees, the paper argues that the social inequalities and power relations associated with the work-dogma permeate the research situation itself. This epistemic tension provides a methodological opportunity to place the interview situation and the mutual address between researcher and interviewee at the center of the analysis. Inspired by Situational Analysis (Clarke) and Interpretative Subjectivation Analysis (Bosančić), a heuristic is developed that focuses on inequalities and vulnerabilities in the research situation. The analysis of the interview dynamics reveals different modes of self-positioning with respect to the wage-labor norm, ranging from an embarrassed subordination under discursively transported subject positions to forms of critical appropriation and affective rejection. By identifying different self-positionings that challenge the norm of employment, the paper situates itself in ongoing debates within critical sociology, feminist epistemology and social philosophy about possibilities of criticism from the margins, arguing for a pluralistic and relational understanding of subversive practices and articulations of critique.
Toward a Gameic World
Authors: McMillan Callum Thomas Furlong
Published: December 2023

Review of the book "Toward a Gameic World" by Ben Whaley.
Modelling the Differences in Social and Emotional Skills with Polytomous Explanatory IRT: The Example of Assertiveness Skill
Authors: AYDIN Fatma Nur , ATALAY KABASAKAL Kübra
Published: December 2023

Explanatory item response theory models can simultaneously decompose the covariance between persons and items, as well as analyze items by adding item-related predictors for differences between item difficulties and/or person-related predictors for differences between individuals. In the current study, we calculated the parameter estimations regarding the skill of assertiveness according to the rating scale model and partial credit model, which are descriptive (traditional) item response theory models as well as latent regression partial credit model including only person-level predictors, and then examined the results comparatively. We used the raw score belonging to the skill of assertiveness of Türkiye belonging to the OECD Social and Emotional Skills Study, and we included gender, socioeconomic level, perceived relationships with teachers, bullying at school, sense of belonging at school, global mindedness, and test anxiety as person-level predictors. Current study findings suggests that; (1) the latent regression partial credit model produces a better data fit when compared to the rating scale model and partial credit model, and (2) sense of belonging at school, global mindedness, and socioeconomic level are significant predictors to explain the differences between persons. We discussed the current study findings in terms of the rich body of knowledge provided by explanatory item response theory and presented some suggestions.
Downstream Morphological and Sedimentary Transformations in Modern Continental-Scale Rivers
Authors: Wahbi Abdullah M. , Blum Michael D.
Published: December 2023

Morphological characteristics in river systems, including channel dimensions and river gradients, scale to drainage basin area, which provides the means for such elements to be predicted, measured and modeled. Moreover, recent studies interpret downstream changes in channel morphological and sedimentary characteristics to be the product of changing flow hydraulics as rivers transit from the normal flow to the backwater reach and approach the coastal ocean. This paper quantifies how large modern rivers undergo morphological and sedimentary transformations in response to normal flow to backwater transition.

Morphologies adapting to such backwater hydraulic conditions is a potential for further investigation. With applications in modeling of modern river systems, this also provides the means for paleoenvironment reconstructions based on changing morphological characteristics since such quantitative framework is grounded by similar depositional processes.

Building on previous studies, we construct river-long profiles, estimate backwater lengths, measure the ratio between channel-belt and channel widths (BChB/BCh), and measure the ratio between sand-rich to mud-dominated environments of deposition (S/M ratio) in five large modern river systems. We use results from >55,000 measurements of morphological and lithological characteristics from ~3,850 valley cross-sections over ~5,500 river kilometers to show that: (a) channel gradients decrease by ~30-50% as the channel goes through the normal flow to backwater transition, whereas (b) BChB/BCh decreases by >~60% and (c) S/M ratios decrease by ~35-90% within the upper backwater reach. These values further decrease in the lower backwater reach and approach unity (BChB/BCh = 1; S/M = 0) as the gradient reaches zero (sea level). Such systematic transformations in morphologic and sedimentary characteristics indicate they are both inherent and predictable, and can be used to interpret normal flow vs. backwater hydraulics in ancient fluvial deposits.
Comparison of carcass and meat sensory quality of Bandjock local and Crossbred Pigs.
Authors: GHOMSI OLIVIA SANDRA MAGNE , Maafo Regine Sandra , Pechangou N.S. , Eyenga Flore Eliane , Mouafo Hippolyte Tene , Etchu Kinglsey Agbor , Moundipa Paul Fewou
Published: December 2023

The study aimed to investigate the impact of breed on the carcass, meat quality, and sensory properties of two pig breeds, the Bandjock Local Pig (BLP) and crossbred Duroc X Large White (DLW) pigs. The experiments involved dividing 24 eight-week-old weaners into two groups, each randomly assigned to six two-pig units. The animals received similar feeding and management, while the study lasted for 120 days. The study found that carcass weight and backfat thickness were greater in DLW in comparison to BLP (p<0.05). DLW demonstrated significantly higher values in fat content and cooking loss than BLP (p<0.05). Both BLP and DLW displayed similar levels of lightness, redness, and yellowness in the meat (p>0.05). Furthermore, BLP exhibited decreased pH levels at 45 minutes and 24 hours compared to DLW (p<0.05). Significant high scores in meat quality (loin, ham, and shoulder) were achieved by sensory panelists for BLP compared to DLW, respectively (p<0.05). However, other sensory traits did not differ between breeds. These results imply that carcass characteristics improved in DLW than BLP, but BLP had better sensory properties. This study provides fundamental data on the meat quality of BLP and DLW.
Mitigating Cadmium Contamination in Rice: Insights from a Large-Scale Meta-Analysis on Amendments Effects
Authors: Ge Yining , Huang Xin , Lu Lingli
Published: December 2023

Background and aims
Cadmium (Cd) pollution in rice is a health hazard to humans. The application of amendments decreases Cd bioavailability in soil and Cd accumulation in rice plants. However, a complete and quantitative understanding of the effects of soil amendments on soil properties, Cd availability, rice yield, and Cd accumulation in rice is lacking.
Methods
This study conducted a meta-analysis using data obtained from 436 peer-reviewed papers to evaluate the impact of amendments on different variables involved in a soil-rice system polluted with Cd.
Results
Ten amendments significantly reduced the Cd content in rice. Brown rice Cd concentrations decreased by 33.4%, and crop yields increased by 12.1% on average with the application of amendments. Available Cd in soil content decreased by 26.4% because of amendments. Amendments influenced Cd forms in the soil by increasing pH (7.94%), CEC (14.73%), and SOC (11.97%). Various factors considerably influenced the effects of amendments. The selection of amendments principally determined the inhibiting effect of amendments on Cd in brown rice. Various factors influenced the regulation of available soil and rice Cd in a similar manner. For intense precipitation (> 2000 mm), amendments were observed to be more efficient in decreasing the presence of Cd in brown rice. However, their effectiveness was diminished in loamy soils. According to the regression analysis, soil pH was essential in regulating accessible Cd in acidic soils.
Conclusion
The application of amendments can successfully lower Cd levels in rice grains and enhance soil quality while maintaining rice yield.
Molecular identification of succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit B in sarcopenia
Authors: Chen Fenqin , Yang XinWen , Zheng Yirui , Zhou ZhiKe
Published: December 2023

We aim to investigate the roles of succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit B (SDHB) in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. We identified 1554 differentially expressed genes from 33824 background genes in sarcopenia versus non-sarcopenia control as well as SDHB-low group versus high group. The 1365 genes of the turquoise module were most strongly associated with sarcopenia and those with low SDHB expression, which were enriched in oxidative phosphorylation, thermogenesis, ribosome and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. The cross-talking pathways of SHDB in sarcopenia were determined, including oxidative phosphorylation, TCA cycle and thermogenesis. Low expressions of SDHB may be a potential pathogenic factor of sarcopenia, and may be related to oxidative phosphorylation, TCA cycle and thermogenesis.
The effect of different drugs on the ablation of subcutaneous insulinoma in nude mice
Authors: Yi Nan , Chen Fengping , Zheng Biaolin , Guo Wenwen , Wei Dafu , Qin Shanyu , Jiang Haixing
Published: December 2023

Background
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided local ablation therapy stands as one of the most important approach for the treatment of insulinomas. We aimed to compare the effects of four drugs (anhydrous ethanol, lauromacrogol, polidocanol, and paclitaxel) as local ablative agents on subcutaneous insulinomas in nude mice. Additionally, we aimed to determine the diffusion rate of these drugs within tumors by utilizing methylene blue as a tracer.
Methods
Insulinoma cells were inoculated subcutaneously into nude mice, and the successful construction of an animal model of insulinoma was confirmed by testing blood glucose, insulin levels, and transplantation tumor pathology. The tumor-forming nude mice were ablated with different doses of saline, anhydrous ethanol, lauromacrogol, polidocanol and paclitaxel. The tumor necrosis percentages were determined to assess the therapeutic efficacy. Methylene blue was added to the ablative drug solution at a concentration of 10% to follow ablation treatments, and the diffusion rates in tumors were estimated by calculating the diffusion area of the drug.
Results
The tumor necrosis percentages in each group were paclitaxel: 93.20%, ethanol: 86.51%, polidocanol: 70.48%, lauromacrogol: 34.26%, and saline: 3.29%. The paclitaxel and ethanol group percentages were significantly higher than the rest of the groups, but there was no significant difference between them. In tumors, paclitaxel was the fastest to disperse, followed by ethanol and polidocanol, while lauromacrogol was the slowest.
Conclusions
Paclitaxel and polidocanol may potentially serve as local ablative agents for the treatment of insulinomas.
Deep Learning-Based Classification of Dysgraphia Severity in Children from Handwriting Images
Authors: Anand Satyajit , Sharma Purnima , Sharma Manvinder , Talwar Rajneesh , Mongia Chirag
Published: December 2023

This study focused on the design and testing of a deep learning model which could be used to distinguish between 'Low Potential Dysgraphia' and 'High Potential Dysgraphia', based upon using these handwriting image samples for children at school age. One of the methodologies was to create a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) by using augmented samples of handwriting image data for training. These samples were divided into separate training and testing batches. All the handwriting samples were resized to 150x150 pixels and pre-processed. The CNN was made up of different convolutional and max-pooling layers, with dropout regularization included. At the end came a dense layer with sigmoid activation for binary classification. Training lasted for 10 epochs, with an emphasis placed on tracking accuracy at both the training and testing phases. Testing accuracy was about 84%; the training score also increased steadily, so the model is learning well without overfitting because its testing and training accuracies are similar. The model's performance in identifying 'High Potential Dysgraphia', was reflected by a precision of 0.76, a recall rate of 0.96, and an F1-score (the geometric mean between them)of respectively: On the contrary, 'Low Potential Dysgraphia' was identified, with a precision of 0.95 and falling recall at 0.74 giving an F1-score of 83 %.
Exploring Crime Rate Trends and Forecasting Future Patterns in Toronto City using Police MCI Data and Deep Learning
Authors: Esfahani Hamed Nasr , Esfahani Zahra Nasr
Published: December 2023

Crime trеnds arе an essential area of study for citiеs and law еnforcеmеnt agеnciеs. The Toronto Policе Sеrvicе's major crimе indicator (MCI) data for thе yеars 2014 to 2022 is thе subjеct of invеstigation in this papеr. Yеar, month, wееk, day, and hour tеmporal scalеs wеrе еxaminеd in thе data. This rеsеarch rеvеalеd a numbеr of significant long-tеrm trеnds in crimе ratеs, including sеasonal pattеrns and variations basеd on thе mеntionеd tеmporal scalеs. Thе data was analyzed thoroughly and dееp lеarning modеls wеrе built and trainеd to predict thе numbеr of monthly crimе incidents in thе datasеt, and also forеcast thеm in futurе (2023 and 2024). Exploratory data analysis and outcomеs of thе dееp lеarning modеls arе dеpictеd in thе next sеctions. The findings show that crime incidents in Toronto City have increased from 2014 to 2022. Future events are expected to follow this pattern. The results showed that the deep learning model outperforms the naive and weights moving average model. City plannеrs and law еnforcеmеnt agеnciеs intеrеstеd in anticipating and rеsponding to changеs in crimе pattеrns ovеr timе, will bеnеfit from this study's valuablе information and rеsults.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SCREEN TIME AND EMOTIONAL QUOTIENT IN MEDICAL STUDENTS
Authors: Nugroho Justinus Putranto Agung , Suryanto Yanti Ivana , Nugraha Lucas Nando , Prakoso Anggitya Bayu
Published: December 2023

Background The use of gadgets, especially smartphones, is common among college students. The duration of smartphone usage in a day can be seen through the screen time records. High screen time records indicate high smartphone usage. Excessive use of smartphones has the potential to disrupt social interaction. Emotional Quotient (EQ) is very important in supporting social interaction. Emotional Quotient is a person's ability to express his feelings appropriately and effectively.
Objectives This research was conducted to know the relationship between screen time duration and EQ in college students.
Methods This research is an analytic observational study with a cross-sectional approach. Respondents in this study were students who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were recruited using the consecutive sampling method. The duration of the screen time is obtained from the default smartphone application. Emotional Quotient was measured with the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF) questionnaire.
Results There were 90 respondents (male = 27 people; female = 63 people) with an average age of 19.4 + 0.69 years. Spearman's test showed a relationship between screen time duration and EQ (p<0.01; r=-0.97).
Conclusions This study concludes that the duration of screen time is related to EQ, the higher the duration of screen time, the lower the EQ. Therefore, to prevent EQ deterioration, it is important to limit screen time.
Advancement in Geotechnical Practice for Smarter and Greener Projects Delivery
Authors: CHEUNG Sammy PY , SHUM Lawrence KW , KOO Raymond CH
Published: December 2023

The disastrous landslides in 1972 proved to be the turning point in the evolution of geotechnical engineering in Hong Kong, as the Government decided to establish the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) to manage the geotechnical hazards. Geotechnical profession in Hong Kong has prospered ever since and over the years, local geotechnical practice has been subtly put together with the collaborating efforts from the Government, academia and practitioners. Geotechnical engineering is a challenging discipline, as it deals with natural material that are highly variable in their compositions, characteristics and engineering properties. Many methodologies and analyses in geotechnical engineering are not exact sciences and have been developed based on experience, simplifications and assumptions. Inevitably, geotechnical practice is embedded with some degree of conservatism to allow for the uncertainties. On the other hand, developments in Hong Kong have always been squeezed into a tight construction programme and are subject to a highly regulatory framework. These constraints may have impeded the advancement of geotechnical practice from innovative perspective. In recent years, the Government has made significant investments on infrastructural developments to compete with other international financial centres. There are increasing demands for the industry to boost the productivity whilst enhancing safety, quality and sustainability in the delivery of construction projects. Maintaining normalcy in geotechnical practice cannot meet the infrastructural investments and demands of society. Innovation in practice has always been a priority in the GEO and this always calls for a paradigm shift to our understanding of the geotechnical practice. The GEO has been working with practitioners, academia and other Government authorities in materialising advancements that would enable a smarter, leaner and greener project delivery portfolio. This paper discusses the rationale and considerations behind some of the advancements that have important benefits in realising leaner and greener construction when executing geotechnical works in site formation, excavation and foundation.
Exploratory Study of using Artificial Intelligence for Landslide Predictions
Authors: Cheung R.W.M. , Li Cheung, H.W.M. , Chu E.K.H.
Published: December 2023

Riding on the comprehensive inventories of landslide-related data maintained by the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) over the years, the GEO has initiated an exploratory study to enhance the existing landslide prediction models (i.e. Model A – landslide susceptibility model for natural terrain, and Model B – rainfall-landslide correlations for reported landslides on man-made slopes) with the application of machine learning (ML) and big data analytics. Model A adopted seven common ML algorithms to correlate the multitude of features (e.g. rainfall, geology, and some terrain-related features) with landslide in the natural terrain on the Lantau Island non-linearly. Domain knowledge of geotechnical and geological engineering was incorporated in the course of developing the ML model. The training and testing of the ML models used most of the available data as an approach to acquire realistic prediction of landslide probabilities out of an inherently acutely-imbalanced dataset. The applicability of some common evaluation metrics to this approach, and grid size effect were examined. Promising results with about three orders of magnitude enhancement to the model resolution were achieved. The use of ML on Model B is ongoing based on the knowledge and experience gained from Model A. This paper presents the latest progress of the exploratory study.
Smart Logging – An Innovative Approach for Generation of Digital Subsurface Data: 55-62
Authors: So Anthony C.T , Wong Louis N.Y. , Ho Tony Y.K.
Published: December 2023

Ground investigation (GI) to collect subsurface data is one of the crucial parts of engineering projects. With the rapid development of digital technology, 3-D and BIM applications have widely been adopted in these projects. To meet the current demand for real-time generation and dissemination of digital subsurface data, it is necessary to explore ways to enhance the production of the GI data to support these applications. Traditionally, project engineers or engineering geologists make use of the data in the GI records to produce geological models, by hand or using Computer Aided Design (CAD). Recently, computer software to extract digital AGS data to form 3-D ground models becomes more important. The requirement for preparing the AGS disks was introduced to GI term contracts administered by the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) in 1993. Most Government contracts have also adopted similar requirements for AGS data. The reports and the corresponding AGS disks are kept in the Geotechnical Information Unit (GIU) of the Civil Engineering Library (CEL). Currently, over 210,000 sets of GI data in AGS format are kept in the CEL. It takes some time after completion of GI fieldwork before project engineers or engineering geologists can obtain the GI logs under the current arrangement. Since most engineering projects have very tight programmes, there is a need to explore ways to streamline this procedure. In addition, during production of geological logs, the logs done by logging geologists and other site staff need to be transferred to digital format and such work involves substantial resources and time, and sometimes may introduce unnecessary errors. To tackle the above issues, a ‘Smart Logging’ approach which makes use of mobile handheld devices for inputting and uploading GI data to establish geological models in a real-time manner is proposed. Under this arrangement, geologists and site staff can use a mobile handheld device to input geological and other GI data. Project engineers or engineering geologists are able to download the GI data to establish or refine their geological models as soon as the logging is completed. This greatly improves the efficiency of the study works. In addition, an artificial Intelligence (AI) tool has recently been developed and can be integrated into the Smart Logging app. Such AI tool can provide a useful check of the GI logs done by field personnel to reduce human errors. A feasibility study has recently been conducted and the result is promising. This paper presents the principle, methodology and way forward of this innovative Smart Logging approach for generation of digital subsurface data.
Effects of Soil-Structure Interaction on Wall Deflections and Surface Settlements During Deep Excavations
Authors: Wong L.W.
Published: December 2023

Ground movements due to excavations may cause damages to structures. While wall deflections could be adequately predicted, accurate estimations of ground movements are usually far from field observations. It has been identified that the behaviour of soil at small strain plays a key role in predicting the surface settlements. Presented herein is a study on a well-documented excavation case history in soft ground located in Taipei Basin. Two-dimensional finite element analyses adopting the hardening soil with small-strain stiffness to simulate the nonlinear stress-strain relationship of soils have been conducted. Various interface reduction factors have been adopted to simulate the soil-structure interaction. The effect of water pressures on the performance of excavations was studied. The analyzed results show that the hardening soil with small-strain stiffness model could reliably predict the wall deflections and the surface settlements simultaneously. The interface reduction factor would be the key parameter for exploring the ground movements due to deep excavations.
Deep Cement Mixing (DCM) Method for Reclamation of Tung Chung East Reclamation – Construction Aspects
Authors: Kang M.S. , Cheung K. W.
Published: December 2023

Deep Cement Mixing (DCM) is an effective soil improvement technique widely used in geotechnical engineering. This technique involves the use of cement slurry to create cylindrical columns in the soil. These columns help to improve the strength, stiffness, and stability of the soil. DCM has been successfully applied in various projects, including marine infrastructure development. In the advanced work for Tung Chung New Town Extension (TCNTE) project, as a non-dredged construction scheme, deep cement mixing (DCM) method for ground improvement was used to strengthen very soft to soft marine sediment of clay to silty-clay materials in the project area for supporting seawalls and overlying fill material for ground formation. During the project, various types of DCM method and equipment were used according to the construction stage, purpose and site restraints in both marine and land work front. Different challenges were encountered and handled during the project such as low water, works near the noise sensitive area, severe barges interference by site congestion, low headroom and many others. Through the entire project, more than 6.2 million m3 of volume of DCM was installed successfully which sets the record of world largest DCM application for a single contract.
Material selection in sensor design for additive manufacturing
Authors: Aktaş Başak , Şahin Talha , Toptaş Ersin , Güllü Aydın , Feyzioğlu Ahmet , Ersoy Sezgin
Published: December 2023

Surface acoustic sensor technology plays a crucial role in numerous mechatronic systems as it enables the detection of physical interactions with the environment. These sensors, operating at micro scales, can be seamlessly integrated into various industrial applications. To harness their full potential, it is essential to establish a systematic approach for the design and manufacturing of these sensors to meet the demands of cutting-edge applications. This study focuses on creating a finite element analysis-based model, aiming to identify the most suitable Interdigital Transducer (IDT) material for the production of surface acoustic wave sensors using additive manufacturing techniques. By leveraging statistical methods, the research seeks to optimize material selection. The structural design parameters of the chosen material will then be utilized to evaluate the performance of the surface acoustic wave sensor. The study also delves into the prospective applications of this technology in diverse fields, shedding light on its promising future.
Modelling and dynamic behaviours of a high-contact-ratio spur-gear system considering rough surface
Authors: Cheng Zhenbang , Zhou Yu , Liu Zhengyu
Published: December 2023

The dynamic characteristics of a high-contact-ratio (HCR) spur-gear system having rough surfaces generated by shot peening (SP) were studied, with specific emphasis on characterisation of the gear-surface topography as well as modelling of the gear backlash and static transmission error. Accordingly, a four-degree-of-freedom dynamic model was established. Simulation experiments were then conducted using surface roughness, rotational velocity, input torque, and shaft-bearing stiffness as the variables. The results show that the dynamic characteristics of the gear system tend toward instability with increasing surface roughness. The models developed in this study outline a method for building indirect relationships between the vibration, dynamics, and tooth-surface microscopic features. This research thus provides a theoretical basis for designing the tooth-surface topography of HCR gears in the future.
Dynamics model and vibrational response analysis of helical gear-rotor-bearing transmission system
Authors: Zhang Hongyuan , Li Shuo , Zhang Xin
Published: December 2023

As a core component of wind turbines, wind power gear speed increasers often work in harsh environments, so it is necessary to study the vibration characteristics of gear transmission systems. Taking a wind turbine gearbox high-speed stage helical gear transmission system as the research object, the dynamics model of multi-degree-of-freedom helical gear-rotor-bearing transmission system is established by the lumped parameter method and solved by Runge-Kutta method, taking into account the tooth side clearance of the gear, transmission error, eccentricity and support force of the nonlinear bearing. The effects of input torque, transmission error and tooth side clearance on the vibration characteristic response of the helical gear train were analyzed. The relationship between the trend of amplitude change in each direction of the gear and the trend of change in the major frequency components was analyzed under the conditions of changing internal and external excitation. The results show that torsional vibration dominates in the system. As the input torque increases, the vibration amplitude of the driving and driven gears decreases, and the frequency amplitude decreases significantly at multiple locations. Gear transmission errors and changes in tooth side clearance have significant effects on gear vibration amplitudes, but are sensitive only to the meshing frequency. The trend of gear vibration amplitude caused by the change of external excitation of the gear set is synchronized with the trend of main frequency amplitude in the corresponding direction, while the change of vibration amplitude caused by internal excitation is consistent with the trend of mesh frequency amplitude in the corresponding direction. The results of this paper can pave a certain foundation for the design and fault diagnosis of wind power gearbox transmission system.
A third-order shear deformation plate bending formulation for thick plates: first principles derivation and applications
Authors: Ike Charles Chinwuba
Published: December 2023

A third-order shear deformation plate bending formulation is presented in this study from the first principles. The derivation assumed a displacement field constructed using third-order polynomial function of the transverse (z) coordinate; and made to apriori satisfy the linear three-dimensional (3D) kinematics relations as well as the transverse shear stress free boundary conditions at the top and bottom plate surfaces. The formulation thus has no need for shear stress correction factors of the first-order shear deformation plate theories. The domain equations of equilibrium are obtained as a set of three coupled differential equations in terms of three unknown displacements. The system of coupled equations is solved for simply supported rectangular and square plates subjected to four cases of loading distributions: sinusoidal loading, uniformly distributed loading, linearly distributed loading and point load at the plate center. Navier’s double trigonometric series method is used to construct trial solutions for the three displacement functions such that the boundary conditions are satisfied identically. The integration problem is thus reduced to an algebraic problem and is solved for each considered loading. It is found that the present formulation gives exact results for the normal stresses σxx for sinusoidal and uniformly distributed loads. The study further showed that the results for deflection and stresses agreed with Krishna Murty’s higher order shear deformation plate theory results. The present formulation gave accurate results because of the inclusion of transverse normal strain effects in the formulation. The formulation gives a quadratic variation of the transverse shear stresses across the thickness in consonance with the theory of elasticity method.
In Vitro Probiotic Evaluation of Yeasts from Coconut and Raffia Juices
Authors: Irokanulo Emenike O. , Yadung Queen-Esther M. , Orotayo Dolapo E. , Nwonuma Charles O. , Alonge Oreoluwa S.
Published: December 2023

Eukaryotic probiotics currently attract a lot of scientific attention, with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces boulardii being the most widely investigated probiotic yeasts. The range of yeast species with probiotic potential needs to be broadened. In this respect, juice-providing plants may diversify eukaryoti c probiotic sources for organism preference.

This study tested the probiotic potential of Pichia kudriavzevii and Kluyveromyces marxianus isolated from coconut juice and Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Wickherhamomyces anomalus isolated from raffia palm juice in Nigeria. The in vitro tests used the optical density method to assay the tolerance to acid (pH 2, 3, 5), alkaline (pH 7.5, 8.0), gastric juice (30%), bile (1, 2, and 3%), and osmotic pressure (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30% gluco se solution).

All four yeasts survived in the test environments, exhibiting varying degrees of probiotic potential. After 96 h in simulated gastric juice, S. pombe outperformed K. marxianus and W. anomalus by 13 and 97.7% (p < 0.05), respectively. W. anomalus appeared to be the least viable in 30% gastric juice. After 96 h in the acid media, all yeasts performed better at pH 3.0 than at pH 2.0, with roughly 89% (1.695/0.185 mean absorbance values) greater growth in pH 3.0 than in pH 2.0. The alkaline media had a better effect on the growth rate. P. kudriavzevii fared best at pH 2.0 and 3.0 for up to 96 h. All yeasts maintained viability in 1, 2, and 3% bile solutions, although the growth rate did not improve significantly in any of the assay periods. Only minimal growth increase was registered in increased bile concentrations. All samples demonstrated sustained viability in 5–30% glucose between 24 and 48 h of incubation. After 48 h of incubation, the yeast concentrations began to fall as the glucose concentration rose from 5 to 30%. P. kudriavzevii was the least affected after 96 h (41.8%) and demonstrated the best survival results by the four criteria tested in this study.

If this species meets all other non-assayed parameters which qualify a microorganism as a probiotic, P. kudriavzevii obtained from Nigerian coconut juice can be recommended as a potential s ource of commercial probiotics.
Construction of Ideal Self in Salman Rushdie’s Victory City
Authors:   School of Social Sciences and Languages, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vandalur – Kelambakkam Road, Chennai – 600127, Tamil Nadu, India., Amirthavarshini V. R. , Bhuvaneswari R.
Published: December 2023

Indian literature often employs mystic characters to reflect sociopolitical themes. The central narrative of Salman Rushdie’s Victory City (2023) revolves around Pampa Kampana, a young female protagonist. Through mystical direction, she builds an empire and uses poetry to pass on her cultural legacy. The objective of this research is to demonstrate Pampa’s progression using the framework of self-construal theory. Nevertheless, her interaction with diverse personalities and surrounding settings during her 247-year lifespan demonstrates her interdependent construal. Her character arc changes significantly as she goes from being a young orphan who lost her family and experienced tragedy to being a resolute queen and mother of Bisnaga City. Her pursuit of the throne within the societal constraints of gender showcases her resolute nature as an individual. External variables cause her self-construal to become unstable. Her journey, from being a vulnerable orphan who experienced physical abuse to becoming a champion for gender equality in Bisnaga, demonstrates her remarkable resilience. The research highlights how Pampa Kampana eschews independence in favour of interdependence when navigating social dynamics, familial ties, and cultural norms of human civilization. It mirrors the struggles and journey faced by most women.
Şehir Kimliği Üzerinde İlçe Memnuniyeti, İlçeye Bağlanma ve Şehre Bağlanmanın Seri Çoklu Aracılık Etkisi Modeli: İstanbul Örneği
Authors: Yenice Kanık Ebrar , Cesur Sevim
Published: December 2023

Yerleşim yerine yönelik memnuniyetin mekâna bağlanmayı artırdığı, mekâna bağlanmanın da mekân kimliği üzerinde olumlu etkiye sahip olduğu ayrı ayrı pek çok araştırmada incelenmiş; ancak memnuniyet, bağlanma ve kimlik arasındaki ilişkilerin bir arada incelendiği sınırlı sayıda çalışma olduğu görülmüştür. Bu çalışmada, İstanbul özelinde ilçeye yönelik memnuniyet ve şehir kimliği arasındaki ilişkide ilçeye bağlanma ve şehre bağlanmanın seri çoklu aracılık etkisi incelenmiştir. Araştırma, İstanbul’un farklı ilçelerinde yaşayan, yaşları 17 ile 64 arasında değişen 228 katılımcı ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veri toplama araçları arasında İlçe Memnuniyeti Ölçeği, Mekâna Bağlanma Ölçeği, Mekân Kimliği Ölçeği ve Sosyo-demografik bilgi formu yer almaktadır. Araştırmanın sonuçları ilçe memnuniyeti ve şehir kimliği arasındaki ilişkide (1) ilçeye bağlanma ve (2) ilçeye bağlanma ve şehre bağlanmanın seri çoklu aracı etkiye sahip olduğunu göstermiştir. Bulgular özellikle İstanbul gibi bir metropolde şehirle kurulan ilişkide sınırları daha belirgin olan ilçe düzeyindeki mekânın önemli olduğunu gösterir niteliktedir. Araştırma sonuçlarının hem Çevre Psikolojisi alanyazınına hem de ilçe ve şehir düzeyinde yerel yönetimlerin hizmet politikalarına katkı sağlanması beklenmektedir.
Biochemical and Preclinical Evaluation with Synthesis and Docking Study of Pyridopyrimidines and Selenium Nanoparticle Drugs for Cancer Targeting
Authors: Alshehri Zafer S. , Alshehri Faez F. , Belasy Sherien F. , El-Hefny Eman A. , Aly Magdy S. , El-Sayed Ahmed A. , Hassan Nasser A.
Published: December 2023

Background:

Ultrasonic irradiation has the remarkable potential to amplify reactivity
by a factor of approximately one million. The effects of ultrasound on chemical processes can be
categorized as either homogeneous sonochemistry, which takes place in liquids, or heterogeneous
sonochemistry, which occurs in liquid-liquid or liquid-solid systems.

Objectives:

Pyrimidines are a vital group of compounds known for their anticancer activities.
This study delves into investigating the application of ultrasonic irradiation for the synthesis of
pyridopyrimidine derivatives.

Methods:

In our study, we utilized pyrimidine derivatives 1, 2a, and 2b as reducing agents during
the creation of selenium nanoparticles (Het-SeNPs). The characterization of these nanoparticles
was executed through a range of analytical approaches, including ultraviolet-visible spectrometry,
dynamic light scattering (DLS, Zeta), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Additionally, FTIR and NMR spectroscopic examinations provided proof of the formation of
these nanoparticles within the synthesized molecules 1, 2a, and 2b.

Results:

The impact of the produced heterocyclic derivatives and Het-SeNPs was assessed on
various cancer cell lines, including breast cancer (MCF-7), liver cancer (HepG2), and prostate
cancer (PC-3) cell lines. All tested substances demonstrated a reasonable level of safety in the
HFB4 cell line, which represents normal human skin melanocytes. Noteworthy is the substantial
cytotoxicity exhibited by compound 2b against MCF-7 cell lines.

Conclusion:

Moreover, compound 2b-SeNPs demonstrated even higher cytotoxicity against the
MCF-7 cell line compared to compound 2b, where 5-fluorouracil was used as a reference standard.
Detailed cell division analysis disclosed significant antiproliferative properties in compounds
2b and 2b-SeNPs, leading to the arrest of the cell cycle at the pre-G1 and G2/M phases.
Predicted Role of Acetyl-CoA Synthetase and HAT p300 in Extracellular
Lactate Mediated Lactylation in the Tumor: In vitro and In silico Models
Authors: Patel Rushikesh , Raj Ajay K. , Lokhande Kiran B. , Joshi Mrudula , Khunteta Kratika , Pal Jayanta K. , Sharma Nilesh K.
Published: December 2023

Background:

As per the Warburg effect, cancer cells are known to convert pyruvate into
lactate. The accumulation of lactate is associated with metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming,
which has newly been suggested to involve lactylation. However, the role of secreted lactate in
modulating the tumor microenvironment through lactylation remains unclear. Specifically, there are
gaps in our understanding of the enzyme responsible for converting lactate to lactyl-CoA and the
nature of the enzyme that performs lactylation by utilizing lactyl-CoA as a substrate. It is worth noting that there are limited papers focused on metabolite profiling that detect lactate and lactyl-CoA
levels intracellularly and extracellularly in the context of cancer cells.

Methods:

Here, we have employed an in-house developed vertical tube gel electrophoresis (VTGE)
and LC-HRMS assisted profiling of extracellular metabolites of breast cancer cells treated by anticancer compositions of cow urine DMSO fraction (CUDF) that was reported previously. Furthermore, we used molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to determine the potential enzyme that can convert lactate to lactyl-CoA. Next, the histone acetyltransferase p300
(HAT p300) enzyme (PDB ID: 6GYR) was evaluated as a potential enzyme that can bind to lactylCoA during the lactylation process.

Results:

We collected evidence on the secretion of lactate in the extracellular conditioned medium
of breast cancer cells treated by anticancer compositions. MD simulations data projected that acetyl-CoA synthetase could be a potential enzyme that may convert lactate into lactyl-CoA similar to
a known substrate acetate. Furthermore, a specific and efficient binding (docking energy -9.6
kcal/mol) of lactyl-CoA with p300 HAT suggested that lactyl-CoA may serve as a substrate for lactylation similar to acetylation that uses acetyl-CoA as a substrate.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, our data provide a hint on the missing link for the lactylation process
due to lactate in terms of a potential enzyme that can convert lactate into lactyl-CoA. This study
helped us to project the HAT p300 enzyme that may use lactyl-CoA as a substrate in the lactylation
process of the tumor microenvironment.