bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coupled lattice discrete particle model for the simulation of water and chloride transport in cracked concrete members
Authors: Zhu Yingbo , Jia Dongge , Brigham John C. , Fascetti Alessandro
Published: November 2024

A novel coupled mechanical and mass transport lattice discrete particle model is developed to quantitatively assess the impact of cracks on the mass transport properties in concrete members subjected to short‐ and long‐term loading conditions. In the developed approach, two sets of dual lattice networks are generated: one to resolve the mechanical response and another for mass transport analysis. The cracks simulated by the mechanical lattice are mapped onto the transport elements to investigate the effect of cracks on the global transport properties in concrete members. A new quantitative relationship is proposed for the estimation of the diffusion coefficient based on local crack information, and the developed model is capable of describing both convection and diffusion mechanisms. Moreover, creep behavior is incorporated to account for the influence of cracks induced by long‐term loading conditions. Numerical results, in the form of dynamic changes in cumulative water and chloride contents in concrete members under tension, compression, and bending with various stress levels show remarkable accuracy when compared to available experimental observations. The developed model provides an effective means for incorporating mesoscale information in simulations of water and chloride transport in concrete members under varying short‐ and long‐term loading conditions.
Using accelerometry tags to quantify gray whale foraging behavior
Authors: Colson Kate M. , Pirotta Enrico , New Leslie , Cade David E. , Calambokidis John , Bierlich K. C. , Bird Clara N. , Ajó Alejandro Fernandez , Hildebrand Lisa , Trites Andrew W. , Torres Leigh G.
Published: November 2024

High‐resolution tri‐axial accelerometry biologging tags have quantitatively described behaviors in baleen whale species that forage using lunges and continuous ram filtration. However, detailed quantitative descriptions of foraging behaviors do not exist for gray whales, a unique baleen whale species that primarily uses benthic suction feeding with a rolling component. We deployed suction cup biologging tags on Pacific Coast Feeding Group (PCFG) gray whales to quantify foraging behavior at the broad state (dive) and foraging tactic (roll event) scales. Hidden Markov models were used to describe three distinct states using turn angle, dive duration, pseudotrack tortuosity, and presence of roll events that can be interpreted as forage, search, and transit behavior. Classification and Regression Tree models best described foraging tactics (headstands, benthic digs, and side swims) using median pitch, depth to total length ratio, and absolute value of the median roll. On average, PCFG gray whales spent more time searching and performed more left‐rolled foraging tactics at shallower depths at night compared to during the day, potentially to track prey above them in the water column. Describing foraging behavior in PCFG gray whales enables examination of links between behavioral budgets, energetics, and the physiological impact of threats facing this group.
Clinical Significance of Aspergillus Sensitisation in Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Authors: Sehgal Inderpaul Singh , Dhooria Sahajal , Muthu Valliappan , Soundappan Kathirvel , Prasad Kuruswamy Thurai , Garg Mandeep , Rudramurthy Shiva Prakash , Aggarwal Ashutosh Nath , Chakrabarti Arunaloke , Agarwal Ritesh
Published: November 2024

Objective

Aspergillus sensitisation (AS) is seen in many patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). However, the clinical relevance of AS in CPA remains unclear. In this study, we assess the clinical significance of AS in CPA.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the data of CPA subjects, defining AS as Aspergillus fumigatus‐IgE ≥ 0.35 kUA/L. We excluded subjects with asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD). The primary objective was to compare the demographic and clinical characteristics, lung functions (via spirometry) and treatment outcomes in CPA subjects with or without AS. The secondary objective was to explore the association between AS and airflow obstruction on spirometry using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

We included 232 CPA subjects (119 females, 113 males) with a mean ± SD age of 42.1 ± 13.7 years. AS was present in 92 (39.7%) CPA patients (CPA‐AS group). CPA‐AS patients had higher SGRQ total scores, a higher prevalence of fungal ball, more frequent airflow obstruction and experienced more CPA relapses during follow‐up compared to those without AS. Airflow obstruction was seen in 77/232 (33.2%) CPA patients. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, we found AS, increasing age and chronic fibrosing pulmonary aspergillosis independently associated with airflow obstruction on spirometry after adjusting for sex and other CPA categories. The relapse‐free survival was significantly shorter in the CPA‐AS group than in the CPA group.

Conclusion

AS is common in CPA and is independently associated with airflow obstruction. More studies are required to confirm our findings.
Exploring the Illness Perceptions of Patients With Urostomy Based on the Common‐Sense Model of Self‐Regulation: A Descriptive Qualitative Study
Authors: Chen Yan , Yan Zhijie , Li Lusi , Liang Yixing , Tang Liping
Published: November 2024

Illness perceptions play a significant role in coping and self‐management behaviors adopted by patients when facing health threats. To understand the illness perceptions of patients with urostomy, we conducted a descriptive qualitative study. An interview guide was formed based on the common‐sense model of self‐regulation(CSM), and 19 patients with urostomy were recruited through maximum variation purposive sampling for in‐depth semi‐structured interviews between January 2024 and June 2024. Five themes emerged from the analysis of the interview data through the thematic analysis method: (1) belief and view of the urostomy; (2) disruption of the usual order of life; (3) psychological burden and stress associated with urostomy management; (4) confusion and misconceptions about urostomy care; (5) coping strategies adopted for dealing with urostomy. Our study revealed the cognitive and emotional representations of patients with urostomy and identified that the coping strategies they adopted are oriented to illness perceptions and that illness perceptions also influence the choice of coping strategies. This study provides healthcare professionals with a deeper and broader understanding of the distinctive perceptions of patients with urostomy.
Cell fate determination during sexual plant reproduction
Authors: Huang Xiaorong , Sun Meng‐Xiang
Published: November 2024

The flowering plant life cycle is completed by an alternation of diploid and haploid generations. The diploid sporophytes produce initial cells that undergo meiosis and produce spores. From haploid spores, male or female gametophytes, which produce gametes, develop. The union of gametes at fertilization restores diploidy in the zygote that initiates a new cycle of diploid sporophyte development. During this complex process, cell fate determination occurs at each of the critical stages and necessarily underpins successful plant reproduction. Here, we summarize available knowledge on the regulatory mechanism of cell fate determination at these critical stages of sexual reproduction, including sporogenesis, gametogenesis, and early embryogenesis, with particular emphasis on regulatory pathways of both male and female gametes before fertilization, and both apical and basal cell lineages of a proembryo after fertilization. Investigations reveal that cell fate determination involves multiple regulatory factors, such as positional information, differential distribution of cell fate determinants, cell‐to‐cell communication, and cell type‐specific transcription factors. These factors temporally and spatially act for different cell type differentiation to ensure successful sexual reproduction. These new insights into regulatory mechanisms underlying sexual cell fate determination not only updates our knowledge on sexual plant reproduction, but also provides new ideas and tools for crop breeding.
Effects of microplastics on the physiology of living organisms on the example of laboratory reared bloodsucking mosquitoes Aedes aegypti L.
Authors: Polenogova Olga V. , Simakova Anastasia V. , Klementeva Tatyana N. , Varenitsina Anna A. , Andreeva Yulia V. , Babkina Irina B. , Frank Yulia A.
Published: November 2024

The presence of environmental microplastics (MPs) poses a significant threat to terrestrial and aquatic animals, including insects such as blood‐sucking mosquitoes. The paper reports on the laboratory study of the effect of three different types of MPs, including fragmented high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS), on the viability, innate immune responses, activity of detoxifying enzymes and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762). The results showed that dietary administration of microfragments of PP, PS and HDPE at low concentrations (4 mg/L) had no effect on the survival rate of mosquito larvae, but was observed to suppress the larval immune response. The addition of MPs to the diet resulted in a significant suppression of phenoloxidase activity compared to the control. A decrease in the activity of the detoxifying enzymes glutathione‐S‐transferase and non‐specific esterase was observed. Dietary administration of MPs did not cause any significant change in alkaline proteolytic enzyme activity in larvae compared to the control. However, we observed a twofold increase in the activity of acid proteolytic enzymes in all experiments compared to the control (p < 0.05). MDA levels in larval homogenates remained unchanged, while lysozyme‐like activity showed a slight decrease compared to the control. The observed processes may be a consequence of intestinal obstruction by MPs, which may cause microtraumas to intestinal tissues and changes in the structure and composition of the microbiota. These changes may have a profound effect on the resistance of mosquito larvae to insecticides and pathogens.
Rice OsDof12 enhances tolerance to drought stress by activating the phenylpropanoid pathway
Authors: Shim Yejin , Kim Boyeong , Choi Yumin , Cho Sung‐Hwan , Kim Yeonjoon , Kim Suk‐Hwan , Yim Yehyun , Kang Kiyoon , Paek Nam‐Chon
Published: November 2024

Drought is a major abiotic stress that severely affects cereal production worldwide. Although several genes have been identified that enhance the ability of rice to withstand drought stress, further research is needed to fully understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the response to drought stress. Our study showed that overexpression of rice DNA binding with one finger 12 (OsDof12) enhances tolerance to drought stress. Rice plants overexpressing OsDof12 (OsDof12‐OE) displayed significantly higher tolerance to drought stress than the parental japonica rice “Dongjin”. Transcriptome analysis revealed that many genes involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were upregulated in OsDof12‐OE plants, including phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase 4 (OsPAL4), OsPAL6, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 6 (CAD6), and 4‐coumarate‐coA ligase like 6 (4CLL6). Accordingly, this transcriptional alteration led to the substantial accumulation of phenolic compounds, such as sinapic acids, in the leaves of OsDof12‐OE plants, effectively lowering the levels of reactive oxygen species. Notably, OsDof12 bound to the AAAG‐rich core sequence of the OsPAL4 promoter and promoted transcription. In addition, GIGANTEA (OsGI) interacts with OsDof12 in the nucleus and attenuates the transactivation activity of OsDof12 on OsPAL4. Our findings reveal a novel role for OsDof12 in promoting phenylpropanoid‐mediated tolerance to drought stress.
Impact of iron supplementation among anemic voluntary first‐time blood donors: Results from the BLOODSAFE pilot trial in Ghana
Authors: Dei‐Adomakoh Yvonne , Olayemi Edeghonghon , Telke Susan , Asamoah‐Akuoko Lucy , Appiah Bernard , Segbefia Catherine , Ward Caitlin , Tancred Tara , Yawson Alfred Edwin , Adu‐Afarwuah Seth , Akwasi‐Kuma Amma Benneh , Ofori‐Acquah Solomon Fiifi , Adongo Philip Baba , Acquah Michael Ebo , Ametorwo Reena , Bates Imelda , Agyei Francis , Delaney Meghan , Reilly Cavan ,   for the BLOODSAFE investigators
Published: November 2024

Introduction

In sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), an adequate supply of safe blood for transfusion is a major developmental challenge. In Ghana, deferral from blood donation for anemia accounts for nearly half of the ineligible blood donors. We conducted a longitudinal two‐arm parallel‐group non‐inferiority trial to test if iron supplementation among blood donors with iron deficiency (ID) or anemia could increase their hemoglobin levels to near those without ID or anemia.

Materials and Methods

A structured questionnaire was used to collect participants' sociodemographic and medical information after written informed consent was obtained. Blood samples were analyzed for full blood count (FBC), serum ferritin, malaria rapid test, and a peripheral blood smear. The primary outcome was hemoglobin level after 4 months comparing anemic donors who received iron supplementation to the standard of care participants, nonanemic donors who did not receive iron supplementation. All donors received nutritional counseling.

Results

Adherence to low‐dose iron supplementation three times a week was poor. Hemoglobin levels in the iron supplementation arm were not close enough to those in the control group after 4 months of iron supplementation to declare non‐inferiority. However, non‐inferiority was met when the 4 month hemoglobin comparison was restricted to female donors.

Conclusion

After 4 months of iron supplementation, hemoglobin levels in the iron supplementation group did not sufficiently match those in the control group to declare non‐inferiority. Data from this pilot trial informed and shaped the design of a larger randomized control type 1 pragmatic effectiveness implementation hybrid trial which is currently ongoing.
Modeling of the Habitat Characteristics and Ecological Niche of the Asian Tiger Mosquito in a Fine‐Scale Area of a Primate Research Center Using the Maximum Entropy Model
Authors: Novianto Dimas , Hadi Upik Kesumawati , Soviana Susi , Supriyono  , Kaewthamasorn Morakot , Darusman Huda Shalahudin
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Aedes‐borne diseases, such as Zika and Chikungunya, originate from an enzootic cycle in which non‐human primates (NHPs) function as reservoirs. This study aimed to analyze the characteristic habitat and ecological niche models of Aedes albopictus within the confines of a Primate Research Center (PRC), to assess its potential as a site for zoonotic arbovirus transmission. Additionally, this study aimed to construct a comprehensive map to delineate the risks of arbovirus transmission.

Methods

A 1‐year direct field survey was conducted from January to December 2022 in the PRC to obtain comprehensive data on the presence of larvae, including their conditions, habitat types, and physicochemical characteristics. Larval collection was meticulously performed at potential breeding sites using a 350 ml dipper and pipette. Information on the ecological niche was compiled based on a combination of general environmental variables and mosquito presence data obtained from direct field surveys using the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model.

Results

In total, 120 presence points for Ae. albopictus larvae were obtained from the PRC area, with 23.02% of the larvae found in buckets as artificial habitats, and 18.25% found in bromeliad plants as natural habitat types. Larvae of Ae. albopictus occupy artificial habitats that are not turbid, exposed to direct sunlight, and devoid of predators. The abundances and occurrences of Ae. albopictus larvae was found to be significantly influenced by pH and total dissolved solids. This study showed that the PRC was a suitable habitat for breeding Ae. albopictus larvae, with the distance to buildings emerging as a significant environmental variable in the species distribution model

Conclusions

The fine‐scale empirical model developed for Ae. albopictus and its habitat characteristics not only provide insights into the suitability of vector habitats, but can also be used assess the risk of arbovirus transmission, potentially informing strategies for controlling mosquito breeding sites within the PRC.
DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF ORTHOGONAL SONAR ARRAY FOR AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOT SLAM IMPLEMENTATION
Authors: Chu Timothy Scott , Chua Alvin , Jose John Anthony , Sybingco Edwin , Espulgar Candy , Romblon Neil Justin , Secco Emanuele Lindo
Published: November 2024

Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) research focuses on different techniques to develop efficient systems. Acoustic SLAM (aSLAM) is an alternative technique that is unrestricted from visual SLAM (vSLAM) limitations and is a cheaper than LiDAR SLAM. Nevertheless, current aSLAM implementations do usually require several units of ultrasonic range sensors which invalidate the advantages of aSLAM vs vSLAM. This study presents a novel aSLAM system where the number of ultrasonic range sensors is halved and combined with the possibility of varying the orientation angle between the sensors, providing a significant reduction of cost while preserving the performance. The paper presents an Orthogonal Sonar Array (OSA) setup of three sensors, which is a variation of the traditional aSLAM implementations (i.e. 6 sensors). This setup has been tested by generating a map representation of three experimental scenarios and comparing the results against a CAD model of the environment. The setup was able to successfully reconstruct the three environments with boundary accuracies of 72.91%, 77%, and 80.70% respectively. The least generated map has then been utilized as a reference to perform a path planning task and to validate the usability of the map generated from the OSA setup.
A REVIEW OF SOLAR TRACKING CONFIGURATION AND OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHMS FOR THE DUAL AXIS SOLAR TRACKER SYSTEMS
Authors: Mohamed-Abdulhussein Munther , Mohd Mokhtar Rosmiwati
Published: November 2024

Solar energy is considered one of the most important types of renewable energy resources due to its availability worldwide at wide times. Many researchers have been interested in developing many ways to obtain the highest efficiency and lowest cost of solar energy. The highest energy is obtained when the sun's radiation is incident perpendicular to the photovoltaic (PV) panel. The Earth revolves around itself daily and circulates the sun annually. Therefore, obtaining the perpendicularity of the radiation to the photovoltaic panel (PVP) is difficult. The dual-axis solar tracking is one of the most important methods proposed to maintain the perpendicularity of the radiation to the photovoltaic panel. There are several ways to improve the operation of the dual-axis solar tracker to ensure that the sunlight is perpendicular to the photovoltaic panel. This study reviews the evaluation algorithms and techniques for improving tracker systems' performance. From reviews, innovative technologies or expert systems can be employed to control the orientation of PVP to obtain maximum solar energy conversion. Innovative technologies can also be developed by mixing more than one technology to obtain the desired goal, such as hybridizing algorithms, fuzzy logic, neural networks, and others for solar tracking systems. In addition, the diversity of the optimization techniques using metaheuristic algorithms provided researchers with a comprehensive workspace to derive perfect results even in practical experiments.
COST COMPARISON OF A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT UNIT BY CONVENTIONAL METHOD AND BIM APPROACH
Authors: Sayyad Sameer U. , Patil Priteshraj V. , Attar Pirsab R.
Published: November 2024

The large-scale sewage treatment plant (STP) projects are considered as complex infrastructure projects when compared to residential and commercial building projects. These complex projects need to have accurate estimation because cost estimate helps in tendering stage, pre construction stage and during the construction stage. This study compares the costs of a unit in an STP by using BIM software versus the conventional method. For BIM approach, to create a three-dimensional model of the STP unit using 2D floor plan, Revit software is used. Schedules of quantities are then produced under the schedule option in the software to calculate the cost of construction components. The result is, the percentage difference of quantities between the conventional method and BIM approach in excavation, PCC, footing, column, beam, slab, RCC wall, plaster, exterior paint, interior paint, railing, and steel is 0.41%, 0.39%, -0.15%, -0.03%, 0.33%, -0.05%, 0.38%, -2.37%, -2.47%, -2.10%, 0% and -3.48% respectively. The total estimated cost of STP unit by conventional method is Rs 74,13,845/- and Rs 74,97,461/- by BIM software respectively. The BIM-Assisted Detailed Estimating (BADE) tool's visualization and aggregation features in BIM significantly outperform the conventional method for the detailed estimate. BIM cost estimate is 1.12% more as compared to conventional method.
SULFONATED POLY (ETHER ETHER KETONE) (SPEEK) MEMBRANE BLEND WITH ZIRCONIUM PHOSPHATE BASED METAL ORGANIC FRAMEWORK (ZrP MOF) FOR FUEL CELL APPLICATION
Authors: Kamal Mustafa , Jaafar Juhana , Khan Azmat Ali , Khan Zeeshan , Ismail A.F , Mir Fahad , Othman M. H. D. , A. Rahman Mukhlis , Aziz F.
Published: November 2024

The world is trying to switch from non-renewable energy sources to renewable ones due to the rising energy demand and environmental pollution caused by fossil fuel-based energy resources. Fuel cell, a type of renewable energy device, caught their attention due to its high energy conversion efficiency and environmental friendliness. Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) is an alternative to the mostly used Nafion membrane in fuel cell applications due to its low cost, easy synthesis process and high thermal and mechanical strength but have lower proton conductivity than Nafion. Increasing the membrane temperature and relative humidity increases the SPEEK membrane proton conductivity but lowers the mechanical and thermal strength which influences its lifetime. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of adding proton conductive zirconium phosphate-based metal organic framework i.e (NH4)3[Zr(H2/3PO4)3 (ZrP) (MOF) into SPEEK through solution blending methods towards its improved mechanical and thermal stability. It was determined that the addition of the stable ZrP improved the mechanical/thermal strength and dimensional stability whereas, the water uptake and swelling degree of the membrane reduced. Incorporating ZrP into the SPEEK membrane enhanced the thermo-mechanical properties thus, can be used as a stable proton conducting membrane for fuel cell that prolong the lifetime of the cell.
POTENTIAL OF TiO2: PVP COMPOSITE FILM AS SENSING ELECTRODE FOR EGFET pH SENSOR
Authors: Zainal Nurbaya , Kamarozaman Nur Syahirah , Zulkifli Zurita , Herman Sukreen Hana
Published: November 2024

A variety of uses for the commercial pH sensor have been established; one of them is figuring out the pH of plant soil. The accuracy of the commercial pH sensor and the long-term reliability of the device, however, appear to be questionable. In this paper, we demonstrate highly sensitive extended-gate field effect transistor (EGFET) pH sensors that have been examined in pH buffer solutions. The sol-gel spin coating process was employed for fabricating TiO2 films and TiO2:PVP composite films on an indium-doped tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrate to form two distinct sensing electrodes for the EGFET. The pH detection performance was investigated using a variety of pH buffer solutions ranging from pH2 to pH12. In contrast to TiO2 films (49.69 mV/pH), the TiO2:PVP composite films showed a higher sensitivity of 63.2 mV/pH. To evaluate the stability capabilities of the EGFET pH sensor, hysteresis and drift studies were conducted. It was found that the composite TiO2:PVP films were able to achieve a distinguished low hysteresis value of 10 mV and a low drift rate of 11 mV/h compared to TiO2 films and previous reported studies. Further analysis of repeatability measurement was carried out three times for the composite films, resulting in a constant deviation of 0.002 that corresponded to low pH values.
Z-SCHEME PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF REACTIVE ORANGE 16 (RO16) DYE OVER TUNGSTEN TRIOXIDE AND CADMIUM SULFIDE (WO3-CdS) COMPOSITE UNDER VISIBLE LIGHT IRRADIATION
Authors: Mohd Zahar Mohd Izzat Iqbal , Kamaludin Roziana , Othman Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan , Puteh Mohd Hafiz , A Rahman Mukhlis , Jaafar Juhana
Published: November 2024

The escalating global concern over dye wastewater pollution, characterized by its harmful effects, has sparked interest in visible light-activated photocatalysis for cost-effective industrial wastewater treatment. The study focused on visible light-activated photocatalysts, notably cadmium sulfide (CdS) with a 2.4 eV band gap energy and tungsten trioxide (WO3) known for its resilience to photo degradation, durability across various pH conditions, and a 2.7 eV band gap energy. However, CdS is susceptible to photo anodic corrosion, while WO3 exhibits low photocatalytic degradation performance due to rapid recombination between excited electrons and electron holes from low-energy visible light. The Z-scheme electrons transfer photocatalyst (WO3-CdS) was designed to extend recombination time and maintain WO3 stability. This visible light-activated composite was synthesized through a simple and cost-effective precipitation method. CdS were kept constant while mass of WO3 were varied for 3 g, 5 g, 10 g. Structural and morphological analyses were conducted using various techniques, including field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersion of X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer to analyze various properties. The synthesized composite of WO3-CdS successfully lowered the band gap energy to 2.28 eV and shifted the photon absorption more towards the visible spectrum. When applied to the photo degradation of reactive orange 16 (RO16) under visible light for 300 minutes, the WO3-CdS composite exhibited a remarkable 64.45 % degradation rate, surpassing pure CdS and WO3 rates of only around 1.18 % each. The Z-scheme electron transfer process between CdS and WO3 significantly enhanced catalytic efficiency. This achievement holds promise for sustainable wastewater remediation, marking a notable advancement in the field.
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIMETALLIC MOF HKUST-1(Cu, Mg) ADSORBENTS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN NATURAL GAS PURIFICATION
Authors: Khan Asmat Ullah , Othman Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan , Younas Mohammad , Puteh Mohd Hafiz , A Rahman Mukhlis , Jaafar Juhana
Published: November 2024

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most important greenhouse gases and its removal from natural gas by adsorption is highly desirable. This study investigates the synthesis process of the bimetallic metal-organic framework, HKUST-1(Cu, Mg) and its potential use in natural gas purification by preferentially adsorbing CO2 from CO2/CH4 mixture. HKUST-1(Cu, Mg) was prepared by solvothermal method at different temperatures (100-200 °C). The resulting MOFs were characterized by various analytical techniques (XRD, SEM, FTIR, and TGA). The experimental results showed that single metal MOF HKUST-1 can be prepared at 100 °C, whereas the bimetallic HKUST-1(Cu, Mg) can be prepared by raising the temperature to 180 °C. Furthermore, the synthesized single and bimetallic MOFs were studied for their CO2/CH4 separation performance. The sorption results showed that the partial substitution of Cu metal with Mg metal in the framework of bimetallic HKUST-1(Cu, Mg) enhanced the CO2 uptake and its selectivity over CH4 by 31.7%, and 38.60%, respectively, which can be attributed to changes in surface areas, pore structures and additional open metal site (OMS) induced by the secondary metal. These findings shed light on the optimal synthesis conditions and highlight the CO2 separation efficiency of HKUST-1(Cu, Mg) in natural gas upgrading.
ONTOLOGY CONSTRUCTION: BIOINSPIRED IMPROVED SEA LION OPTIMIZATION MODEL FOR SEMANTIC INFORMATION RETRIEVAL
Authors: Kakad Shital , Dhage Sudhir
Published: November 2024

The search effectiveness and efficiency completely depend on the ontology design. The objective of information retrieval (IR) is search and retrieves precise and accurate data in response to a user's query. Notably, the existing search engine relies on conventional keywords to search information. It purely compares the user's query with the database and retrieves outcomes without understanding the intended meaning behind the user's query. Therefore, a significant proportion of the outcomes contain unrelated information. Further, designing a new ontology from scratch and evaluating it are challenging tasks. This research work is divided into two decision-making processes (i) data filtering and (ii) data annotation. In this paper, the steps of ontology construction as follows: a) Pre-processing of data b) Implementation of Proposed Jaccard Similarity Evaluation to evaluate the similarity of data c) Data filtering and outlier detection and final step d) Semantic annotation and cluster. The data is filtered by using the evaluated similarity function. Then, the data is grouped separately into wanted data and unwanted data. The unwanted words are called outliers. Based on the semantics, the data annotation is performed and the process of clustering is evaluated for developing the precise cross-domain applications-based ontology. Moreover, the clustering is done based on the similarity evaluation under multiple dictionaries. In the clustering procedure, the optimal centroid selection is considered a challenging crisis. Hence, for solving this issue, this research work widened with the introduction of an Improved Sea Lion (ISnLO), which is the improved version of the Sea Lion Optimization algorithm.
A COMPARISON STUDY ON THE USE OF JUTE FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER TO STRENGTHEN RCC BEAMS IN FLEXURE
Authors: Islam Md. Jahidul , Hossain Md. Tawseef , Mahmud Saeed
Published: November 2024

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of woven jute fibers in strengthening RC beams and provides a thorough description of RC beam rehabilitation using a natural fiber composite. Three beams were cast and tested with Center Point Loading configuration: one beam acted as a control specimen, while the other two beams were wrapped with heat-treated woven jute fiber using a U-wrapping technique. The experimental specimens, with dimensions of 36" x 6" x 6" (914.4 mm x 152.4mm x 152.4mm x 152.4mm), underwent static load tests. Load, mid-span deflection, and cracking patterns were meticulously measured and analyzed for the control and retrofitted beams. The retrofitting of concrete beams with U-wrapped Jute Fiber Reinforced Polymer (JFRP) layers yielded significant improvements. When compared to the control beam, a single layer of JFRP (1.13 mm) raised the load-to-length ratio by 7.57%, while a two-layer JFRP (2.26 mm) increased it by 22.72%. The retrofitted specimens also exhibited increased deflection and strain compared to the control beam, indicating improved strength and stiffness. Moreover, the shift in crack pattern from flexural to shear cracks after U-wrapping highlights the enhanced ability of the beam to withstand shear forces, extending its performance period.
THE CHALLENGE OF THE DEVELOPMENT FOR FISHERY CULTIVATION IN BLOCK A5 DADAHUP LOWLAND IRRIGATION AREA
Authors: Utami Dyah Ayu , Karlina Karlina , Rahardjo Adam Pamudji , Firmelin Firmelin
Published: November 2024

Dadahup Lowland Irrigation Area was part of the government's food security programs with a large potential area. However, some fields have not optimally utilized these potentials due to low elevation. Agricultural activities were difficult to carry out because it is prone to inundation. Therefore, fishery cultivation could be one of the options for potential development in this land. It is necessary to study the suitability of location for fishery based on the land conditions. The study aimed to assess land suitability and select the appropriate location for fishery cultivation. The assessment was carried out by comparing the existing condition of Block A5 with requirements stated in the Indonesian National Standard, such as land suitability, water quality, pond requirement, and water balance. The water balance was calculated by comparing water need and water availability. Storage modeling simulation using EPA-SWMM software was conducted to identify flood conditions. Furthermore, a comparison was made between water surface elevation and field elevation to determine suitable fishery cultivation locations. The results show that the study area has potential development for fishery cultivation with fulfilled land suitability and water balance requirements, but there was water quality challenge for the low pH result. Therefore, the selection of local fish species that are already adapted to acidic environments could be considered for the cultivation activities. Other than that, the water quality could be enhanced to optimize fishery cultivation. The water quality improvement could be achieved by implementing water system regulations, such as using gates to occur the leaching process. Furthermore, the liming and fertilization process also can be conducted to improve the water quality in the study area. Simulation results explained no overflow from the storage into the field with an approximate selected area for fishery cultivation ± 314.41 Ha. Therefore, the location study is potentially suitable for fishery cultivation development with 19.41% area of the total Block A5 DIR Dadahup.
EVALUATING PLASTIC LEAKAGE INTERVENTION OPTIONS IN ZAMBOANGA PORT, PHILIPPINES WITH ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS (AHP)
Authors: C. Alberto Khristian Kier , N. Tanchuling Maria Antonia
Published: November 2024

Plastic wastes from ports may be leaked into oceans if it is not properly managed owing to its proximity to the sea, such as in the case of the port of Zamboanga in the Philippines - a government port with international standard certifications wherein plastic waste management remains a challenge to its management. This study aims to determine plastic leakage intervention options through the conduct of a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and to propose the most preferred intervention using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) by incorporating the subjective judgment of different port key stakeholders and decision-makers.  There were four criteria used for this AHP model to quantify the relative preference of each intervention namely environmental and health effectiveness (EHE), financial affordability (FA), implementability (IM), and social acceptability (SA). There were five (5) proposed possible management intervention alternatives, these are the memorandum order (MO) on proper waste segregation and collection, personnel training (PT) on plastic waste management, waste container labeling (WCL), provision of waste containers (PWC), procurement of garbage truck (GT), and establishment of a material recovery facility (MRF). The results of the AHP model suggest that most of the port’s key stakeholders and decision-makers prioritize the MRF and PT among other management interventions
MECHANICAL TREATMENT ON ASTM A128 GRADE C WITH DISPERSED HARDENED AUSTENITE ON THE GRAIN
Authors: Hermawan Mohammad Reza , Setiamarga Budi Hartono
Published: November 2024

This study examined the mechanical characteristics of ASTM A128 Grade C austenitic manganese steel with dispersed hardened austenite by cold rolling. Dispersed hardened austenite results from two-stage heating. The first stage heated, carbide at the grain boundaries transformed to pearlite at 625°C for 3.5 hours, while the second stage was heated at 1000°C for 1.5 hours and cooled with water to generate dispersed hardened austenite. Mechanical cold rolling on two-stage heated material develops martensite, as shown by XRD and qualitative magnetic tests. Hardness increased by 37% compared to two heating sessions. Even though cracks had developed over the cross-section, rolling to 53.6% increased hardness 132% more than two heating phases. Orange peeling, which occurs when the material's surface shrinks due to martensitic transformation, slip, and twinning, indicates that the surface is more brittle than the inside.
Unique imaging observations in an incidentally detected bilateral upper lobe agenesis
Authors: Doddabasappa Girish , Karthik Gadabanahalli , Sapare Anilkumar , Bhat Venkatraman
Published: November 2024

Bilateral upper lobe pulmonary agenesis is an uncommon congenital anomaly usually detected incidentally in adulthood. Plain radiographic findings are non-specific and subtle, and diagnosis is rarely suspected on conventional radiography despite available subtle clues. Chest CT, done for other indications, is capable of detecting this anomaly. Contrast-enhanced CT is the modality of choice to diagnose and show all features of pulmonary lobar agenesis. Knowledge of the wide spectrum of associated pulmonary anomalies is required in the management of patients with congenital heart disease.
Update from 2010 (standard operating procedure): protocol for the 2024 British Society of Gastroenterology Guidelines on colorectal surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Gordon Morris , Nigam Gaurav Bhaskar , Sinopoulou Vassiliki , Al Bakir Ibrahim , Bateman Adrian C , Din Shahida , Dolwani Sunil , Dhar Anjan , Faiz O D , Hayee Bu , Healey Chris , Lamb Christopher Andrew , Leedham Simon , Kabir Misha , Iacucci Marietta , Hart Ailsa , Morris A John , Novelli Marco , Raine Tim , Rutter Matt , Shepherd Neil A , Subramanian Venkataraman , Trudgill Nigel J , Vance Maggie , Wilson Ana , White Lydia , Wakeman Ruth , East James E
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The evolving landscape of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) necessitates refining colonoscopic surveillance guidelines. This study outlines methodology adopted by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) Guideline Development Group (GDG) for updating IBD colorectal surveillance guidelines.

Methods and analysis

The ‘Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation’ (GRADE) approach, as outlined in the GRADE handbook, was employed. Thematic questions were formulated using either the ‘patient, intervention, comparison and outcome’ format or the ‘current state of knowledge, area of interest, potential impact and suggestions from experts in the field’ format. The evidence review process included systematic reviews assessed using appropriate appraisal tools. An extensive list of potential outcomes was compiled from literature and expert consultations and then ranked by GDG members. The top outcomes were identified for evidence synthesis in three key areas: utility of surveillance in IBD, quality of bowel preparation and use of advanced imaging techniques in colonoscopy for IBD. Risk thresholding exercises determined specific risk levels for different surveillance strategies and intervals. This approach enabled the GDG to establish precise thresholds for interventions based on relative and absolute risk assessments, directly informing the stratification of surveillance recommendations. Significance of effect sizes (small, moderate, large) will guide the final GRADE assessment of the evidence.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not applicable. By integrating clinical expertise, patient experiences and innovative methodologies like risk thresholding, we aim to deliver actionable recommendations for IBD colorectal surveillance. This protocol, complementing the main guidelines, offers GDGs, clinical trialists and practitioners a framework to inform future research and enhance patient care and outcomes.
Evaluation of risk-based travel policy for the COVID-19 epidemic in Scotland: a population-based surveillance study
Authors: McLachlan Isobel , Huntley Selene , Leslie Kirstin , Bishop Jennifer , Redman Christopher , Yebra Gonzalo , Shaaban Sharif , Christofidis Nicolaos , Lycett Samantha , Holden Matthew T G , Robertson David L , Smith-Palmer Alison , Hughes Joseph , Nickbakhsh Sema
Published: November 2024

Objectives

We aimed to assess the effects of risk-based travel restrictions on (1) international travel frequency, (2) SARS-CoV-2 case importation risk, (3) national SARS-CoV-2 incidence and (4) importation of SARS-CoV-2 variants into Scotland.

Design

Population-based surveillance study.

Setting

The study utilises SARS-CoV-2 community testing from February 2021 to May 2022 in Scotland, UK and spans the introduction of the UK’s ‘traffic light system’ policy in May 2021.

Primary outcome measures

Travel-related cases of COVID-19 were defined as PCR-positive Scottish residents self-reporting international travel within 14 days of booking a postarrival travel test. The Red-Amber-Green (RAG) status of the reported travel destination was determined through data linkage using country and date.

Results

International flight passengers arriving into Scotland increased by 754% during the traffic light period. Amber list countries were the most frequently visited and ranked highly for both SARS-CoV-2 importations and contribution to national case incidence. Rates of international travel and associated SARS-CoV-2 case rates varied significantly across age, health board and deprivation groups. Multivariable logistic regression revealed SARS-CoV-2 case detections were less likely through travel-based than community-based surveillance systems, although increased from green-to-amber and amber-to-red lists. When examined according to travel destination, SARS-CoV-2 importation risks did not strictly follow RAG designations, and red lists did not prevent establishment of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that country-specific postarrival screening undertaken in Scotland did not prohibit the public health impact of COVID-19 in Scotland. Travel rates likely contributed to patterns of SARS-CoV-2 case importation and population incidence.
Comparison of seven models for the progression patterns of multiple chronic conditions in longitudinal studies
Authors: Baneshi Mohammad Reza , Mishra Gita , Dobson Annette
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Studies investigating the relationship between patterns of multimorbidity and risk of a new condition have typically defined the patterns at a baseline time and used Kaplan-Meier (KM) or Cox proportional hazards regression. These methods do not consider the competing risk of death or the changes in the patterns of conditions over time. This study illustrates how these methodological limitations can be overcome in the setting of progression from cardiometabolic conditions to dementia.

Methods

Data from 11 930 women who participated in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health were used to define patterns of diabetes, heart disease and stroke and estimate the cumulative incidence or HRs of subsequent dementia. Seven methods were compared. For cumulative incidence these were KM method, cumulative incidence function (CIF) (to account for the competing risk of death) and multistate model with Aalen-Johansen estimates (to account also for the progression of conditions over time). For HRs, the corresponding methods were Cox model and Fine and Gray model (for sub-HRs) with the cardiometabolic patterns treated as time-invariant (from baseline) or as time-varying predictors.

Results

The estimated cumulative incidence of dementia using the KM method declined when the competing risk of death was considered. For example, for women with no cardiometabolic condition at baseline, the KM and CIF estimates were 35.7% (95% CI 34.6%, 36.8%) and 27.3% (26.4%, 28.2%) but these women may have developed cardiometabolic conditions during the study which would increase their risk. The Aalen-Johansen multistate estimate for women with no cardiometabolic condition over the whole study period was 11.0% (10.4%, 11.7%). Comparing models to estimate HRs, the estimates in the Fine and Gray models were lower than those in the Cox models.

Conclusions

Multistate and time-varying survival analysis models should be used to study the natural development of multimorbidity.
Change in prevalence of smoking during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic among middle-aged and older adults in Canada: a cohort study of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Authors: Khattar Jayati , Erbas Oz Urun , De Rubeis Vanessa , de Groh Margaret , Jiang Ying , Griffith Lauren , Anderson Laura N
Published: November 2024

Objective

The primary objective was to evaluate the change in the prevalence of daily or occasional tobacco smoking during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess if socioeconomic factors were associated with changes in smoking. The secondary objective was to evaluate the association of smoking with adherence to public health measures.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, using Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging data (44 139 middle-aged and older-aged adults), the prevalence of smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) and prepandemic (2011–2018) was estimated using weighted generalised estimating equations. ORs and 95% CIs for the association between smoking and adherence to public health measures (a derived score) were estimated using multinomial logistic regression.

Results

Time (during vs prepandemic) was a significant predictor of smoking (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.12; 95% CI 1.07, 1.17). The adjusted prevalence of smoking during the beginning of the pandemic was 11.2% (95% CI 10.1%, 12.4%), compared with the prepandemic prevalence of 10.1% (95% CI 9.1%, 11.2%), with p<0.001. Factors associated with an increase in smoking were male sex, being aged 55 to 74 years, residing in Ontario or British Columbia, immigrant background, belonging to a racialised group, higher income and being married/common-law relationship. Smoking was associated with increased odds of high adherence to public health measures (aOR 1.53; 95% CI 1.31, 1.78).

Conclusion

Among middle-aged and older adults in Canada, there was a small increase in the adjusted prevalence of smoking early in the pandemic. Daily or occasional smoking was associated with greater adherence to public health measures.