bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis and Design of an Active Rectifier for Wireless Power Transfer in 90 nm CMOS Technology
Authors: El Mouzouade Said , El Khadiri Karim , Tahiri Ahmed
Published: January 2024

In this paper, an analysis and design of a new active rectifier used for wireless power transfer applications using 90 nm CMOS technology are presented. The proposed architecture of the active rectifier has mainly been chosen to improve the VCE and the PCE and also to eliminate the need for large on-chip capacitors. The proposed circuits eliminate the drop needed for conduction by replacing diode-connected nMOS devices with others controlled by an active circuit. The new architecture of the active rectifier has been designed, simulated, and laid out by Cadence Virtuoso using TSMC 90nm technology. The input range is 0–5 V, and the output voltage is 2.14 V, with the VCE and the PCE values of 82.9% and 86.2%, respectively. The layout utilizes a compact space of 0.0597 mm2 within the TSMC CMOS 90 nm technology.
A Comparative Study on Educational Ethics: Insights from Islamic Educational Philosophy and Western Literature
Authors: Hafiz Javed ur Rehman  , Athar Farooq  , Muhammad Ismail
Published: January 2024

A Comparative Study on Educational Ethics: Insights from Islamic Educational Philosophy and Western Literature
Experiential traces first: Does holding a location in visuospatial working memory affect the processing of space-associated words?
Authors: Tsaregorodtseva Oksana , Kaup Barbara
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to systematically examine whether actively maintaining a visual location in working memory can influence the processing of spatially related words. In five experiments, we asked participants to maintain either the location or the shape of a visually presented stimulus in working memory so that it could later be compared with a test stimulus concerning the relevant target features. In between, we presented participants with words that refer to objects typically encountered in the upper or lower vertical space (roof vs. root, respectively). The task participants performed as a response to these words differed between experiments. In Experiments 1–3, participants performed a lexical decision task, in Experiment 4 they performed a semantic task (deciding whether the word refers to an occupation), and in Experiment 5 they performed a spatial task (deciding whether the word refers to something in the upper or lower visual field.) Only in Experiment 5 did we observe an interaction between the position of the visual stimulus held in working memory (up vs. down) and the meaning of the spatial words (associated with up vs. down). Our results therefore suggest that actively maintaining a stimulus location in working memory does not automatically affect the processing of spatially related words, but does so if the relevant spatial dimension is made highly salient by the task. The results are thus in line with studies showing a strong context-dependency of embodiment effects and thus allow the conclusion that language processing proper is not operating on a sensorimotor representational format.
Some students are more equal: Performance in Author Recognition Test and Title Recognition Test modulated by print exposure and academic background
Authors: Hug Marion , Jarosch Julian , Eichenauer Christiane , Pennella Selina , Kretzschmar Franziska , Nicklas Pascal
Published: January 2024

Reading is a key skill for university students. The Author Recognition Test (ART) and the Title Recognition Test (TRT) have both been used for decades to measure print exposure which correlates with reading and other linguistic skills. Given the available evidence for interindividual differences in reading skills, this study addresses three open issues. First, to what extent do ART and TRT scores correlate with individual differences regarding students’ study programs? Second, how do these results correlate with the self-reported time spent reading different types of text genres (e.g., fiction, nonfiction) per week? And third, this study compares ART and TRT to one another. We tested students from six study programs in the humanities and (medical) sciences which vary in the amount and kind of reading material required for study success. We found that students perform significantly differently in the ART and the TRT depending on their field of study. Students in a study program focusing on fiction and literature perform best overall. We also replicated the well-known effect of age on ART and TRT scores: older students have better scores. We did not find reliable effects of reading time on test performance, whereas individual creative writing habits did positively predict ART/TRT test results. These results raise a number of important questions regarding the ART/TRT in general and regarding interindividual differences in personal reading and writing habits and the change in reading habits in times of media convergence.
Short-time AOIs-based representative scanpath identification and scanpath aggregation
Authors: Huang He , Doebler Philipp , Mertins Barbara
Published: January 2024

A new algorithm to identify a representative scanpath in a sample is presented and evaluated with eye-tracking data. According to Gestalt theory, each fixation of the scanpath should be on an area of interest (AOI) of the stimuli. As with existing methods, we first identify the AOIs and then extract the fixations of the representative scanpath from the AOIs. In contrast to existing methods, we propose a new concept of short-time AOI and extract the fixations of representative scanpath from the short-time AOIs. Our method outperforms the existing methods on two publicly available datasets. Our method can be applied to arbitrary visual stimuli, including static stimuli without natural segmentation, as well as dynamic stimuli. Our method also provides a solution for issues caused by the selection of scanpath similarity.
Analysis of Legal Certainty Regarding the Fulfilment of The Element of Intentional and Negligence in Corporate Criminal Liability for Plantation Land Fires Under Law No. 32 of 2009 Concerning Environmental Protection and Management
Authors: Alfero Leonardo , Rahayu Mella Ismelina F.
Published: January 2024

In cases related to environmental damage, corporations are considered as legal subjects that can be held responsible if they have intentionally or negligently carried out their obligations, related to errors committed by corporations, the study of the fulfillment of the elements of intentionality and negligence is a problem of legal certainty in handling cases that use legal basis Article 98 or Article 99 of Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management. The research method used is normative legal research. The approaches used are the statutory approach and the comparative approach. The data analysis technique is deductive analysis. After analysis, a conclusion was determined, namely the fulfillment of the elements of intentionality and negligence in the UUPPLH, including first, the element of every person, meaning an individual or business entity, secondly, the element of deliberate or negligence as an element of an environmental offense, related to intention or inner attitude (mens rea). from the perpetrator of the crime. Third, the element of the act is no longer emphasized that the act is against the law (wederrechtelik, unlawful). Fourth, elements resulting in exceeding ambient air quality standards, water quality standards, sea water quality standards, or environmental damage standard criteria. Furthermore, in criminal liability, corporations are legal subjects that can be held responsible for their mistakes, whether intentional or negligent, based on Article 98 and Article 99 of the UUPPLH with the threat of penalties for intentional offenses that are more severe than for offenses of negligence.
Flow and Thermal Characteristics of Couple Stress Fluid over a Stretching Surface with Hybrid Nanoparticles
Authors: Iskandar Waini  , Najiyah Safwa Khashi’ie  , Nurul Amira Zainal  , Khairum Hamzah  , Abdul Rahman Mohd Kasim  , Anuar Ishak  , Ioan Pop
Published: January 2024

In the current research, a mathematical analysis of couple stress fluid flow and heat characteristics through a stretchable permeable surface with hybrid nanoparticles is conducted. The solid nanoparticles of the aluminium alloys (AA7072 and AA7075) are suspended in methanol to create the hybrid nanofluid. The similarity approach is used to reduce the governing equations into the similarity equations. Then, MATLAB's bvp4c function is employed to solve the resulting equations. The solutions for the flow and temperature fields, as well as the skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number are presented in table and graphical forms. The results demonstrate that hybrid nanofluids excel as thermal conductors, significantly augmenting the heat transfer rate. The heat transfer rate is increased by 0.38% for the nanofluid, while 0.89% increment for the hybrid nanofluid compared to the base fluid. Furthermore, a larger couple stress parameter is found to be associated with a decrease in the fluid temperature and an enhancement in fluid velocity.
Characterization and Stability of ZrO2-SiO2 Nanofluids from Local Minerals Indonesia as Green Nanofluids to Application Radiator Cooling System
Authors: Anwar Ilmar Ramadhan  , Alvika Meta Sari  , Kushendarsyah Saptaji  , Istianto Budhi Rahardja  , Efrizon Umar  , Satrio Yudho Perdana  , Wan Hamzah Azmi
Published: January 2024

In the last few years, there has not been much research on green nanofluids that come from material resources such as parts of palm oil and natural zircon sand. Green nanofluids need to be developed to improve heat transfer performance. The characterization of nanoparticles made from the synthesis process and the stability of ZrO2-SiO2 Nanofluids-W/EG, different volume concentrations were investigated. The experiments carried out were characterization of nanoparticles using SEM and FTIR, the stability of green nanofluid was investigated for a volume concentration of 0.1-0.3%, using UV-Vis, Zeta potential and sedimentation observation. The results show that the size of Nano-Zircon particles of 32.984-38.465 nm and Silicate nanoparticles with of 44.002-50.444 nm. The stability of ZrO2-SiO2 Nanofluids-W/EG made with the UV-Vis method is stable up to 30 days after preparation with a sonication time of 2 hours with a value of 70-80%. The zeta potential evaluation performed for green ZrO2-SiO2 Nanofluids-W/EG obtained a value of 45.37 mV with good stability classification. Sedimentation from this visual observation obtained the absence of agglomeration after 30 days.
Empirical Investigation of Thermal Features of Phase Change Material as Thermal Storage System
Authors: Doaa Fadhil Kareem  , Ayad Ali Mohammed  , Hussein Al-Gburi
Published: January 2024

This paper presents an empirical investigation of the melting processes of phase change material (PCM) in a tube and shell heating exchanger utilizing solar thermal energy. The experiments were conducted outdoors in Al-Mussaib city, Babylon, Iraq (Lat 32.5° North, long 44.3° East), utilizing a north-south (N-S) collector oriented at a tilt angle of 32.5° from the horizontal. This work utilized pure Iraqi black paraffin with 12 kg as PCM. The main empirical rig involves a vacuum tube solar collector (VTSC) utilizing a tube and shell heating exchanger to melt PCM in the shell regime. Different rates of water flow inside the internal heating exchanger's tube, namely (3.5, 5, and 8.5 L/m), were utilized for each season from August 2022 to January 2023. The empirical findings concluded that the internal tube inlet and surrounding temps significantly influence the melting process compared to the rates of water flow. It was found that the melting process of PCM needs about (3 to 4) hours in the summer season. Still, winter needs a longer time, about 14 to 16 hours. Increasing surrounding temp and solar radiation reduces the melting time of phase-change material. The findings of the present work were compared with the earlier investigations and agree with increasing the present work by 23.5 %. The findings from the present study are of practical importance for industries requiring storage materials to improve thermal storage system performance.
The Fascinating Interplay between Growth Hormone, Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1, and Insulin
Authors: Nijenhuis-Noort Eline C. , Berk Kirsten A. , Neggers Sebastian J. C. M. M. , Lely Aart J. van der
Published: January 2024

This review intends to provide the reader with a practical overview of several (patho)physiological conditions in which knowledge of the interplay between growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and insulin is important. This might help treating physicians in making the right decisions on how to intervene and improve metabolism for the benefit of patients, and to understand why and how metabolism responds in their specific cases. We will specifically address the interplay between GH, IGF-1, and insulin in type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus, liver cirrhosis, and acromegaly as examples in which this knowledge is truly necessary.
Kolorektal Kanser Cerrahi Geçiren Hastalarda Clavien-Dindo Sınıflandırma Sistemine Göre Postoperatif Komplikasyonlar
Authors: Yüceler Kaçmaz Hatice , Akyüz Muhammet , Kahraman Hilal , Akutay Seda , Ceyhan Özlem
Published: January 2024

Amaç: Bu araştırma ile kolorektal kanser cerrahisi geçiren hastalarda görülen postoperatif komplikasyonlar incelenmiştir.
Yöntem: Kesitsel bir araştırma olarak yürütülen çalışmaya kolorektal kanser cerrahisi geçiren 127 hasta dahil edilmiştir. Postoperatif 30 gün boyunca komplikasyon açısından takip edilen hastalarda görülen komplikasyonlar Clavien-Dindo sınıflandırma sistemi kullanılarak kaydedilmiştir.
Bulgular: Clavien-Dindo sınıflandırma sistemine göre hastaların %44,9’unda I. derece, %42,5 inde II. derece, %8,6’sında III. derece, %2,4’ünde IV. Derece ve %1,6’sında V. derece komplikasyon geliştiği tespit edilmiştir. Çalışmada kolorektal kanser cerrahisi geçiren hastaların 30 günlük majör postoperatif komplikasyon oranı %12,6; mortalite oranı %1,6’dır. Daha önce bağırsak cerrahisi geçirme durumu, cerrahi işlem süresi, postoperatif hastanede kalış süresi ve komplikasyon dereceleri arasında anlamlı bir ilişki olduğu belirlenmiştir.
Sonuç: Kolorektal kanser cerrahisi geçiren hastaların postoperatif komplikasyon riskleri açısından değerlendirmesi, mevcut risklere karşı önlemler alınması ve postoperatif komplikasyonların uygun şekilde yönetimi ve takibi sağlanmalıdır.
Galactic Bulge Hypervelocity (HVS) RR Lyrae Variable Stars and One High Galactic Latitude HVS HB Star
Authors: Parthasarathy Mudumba
Published: January 2024

Six Galactic Bulge Hypervelocity (HVS) RR Lyrae stars and one high galactic latitude HVS Horizontal Branch (HB) star found from the ongoing search for HVS in the Gaia DR3 and SIMBAD data are presented. Some of these stars may be unbound and may be leaving the Galaxy. The source of the hyper velocities acquired by these stars may be the influence of the massive black hole at the center of our the Milky Way or other processes such as the dynamical interaction with other stars in the densely populated Galactic bulge.
Thailand Spider Data Retrieval System for geographical occurrence and pictorial identification
Authors: Petcharad Booppa , Into Thanakron , Tongman Sasiporn , Wattanakitrungroj Niwan , Dechpramualphol Nutthaphol , Jirakajohnkool Supet , Jeenthong Tadsanai
Published: January 2024

Data of Thai spiders were extracted from the World Spider Catalog. The geographical occurrence data of spider species in Thailand and pictures of species were compiled. It was based on the internet platform “spiderthailand.info” which allows professional arachnologists and amateur spider lovers to visit for checking geographical distribution of spiders and to quickly access pictures for comparative pictorial identification.

The picture dataset contributed a pictorial identification tool for spiders in Thailand. The online platform facilitated quick comparison between voucher specimens identifying and the online pictures. It filled the gap of taking time to check paper by paper after long searching for possible species of Thai spiders from any possible paper pool. Geographical occurrences of Thai spiders were 1419 records belonging to 670 species of 228 genera and 50 families. Among those, 461 species from 133 genera of 41 familie distributed only in Thailand. Around the country of Thailand, 756 geographical positions were reported for spider occurrence. From 76 provinces and one additional special administrative area (Bangkok), 58 provinces showed occurrence records of spiders and 18 provinces showed nonoccurrence records. Those provinces of nonoccurrence records of spiders were Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Bueng Kan, Chai Nat, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nonthaburi, Phayao, Phichit, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Si Sa Ket, Sing Buri, Uthai Thani, and Yasothon. Most spiders were reported from Chiang Mai province.
Checklist of vascular plant species on inselbergs in the Monumento Natural dos Pontões Capixabas, Espírito Santo State, Brazil
Authors: Arantes Fabiula , de Paula Luiza , Forzza Rafaela
Published: January 2024

Inselbergs are granitic and/or gneissic rocky outcrops and, in Brazil, the dome-shaped ones in the Atlantic Forest Domain are called sugarloaves (pães de açúcar). They have an extremely specialised vegetation with high levels of endemism. Even though, they are poorly studied and highly degraded. In north-eastern Espírito Santo State, south-eastern Brazil, the Monumento Natural dos Pontões Capixabas (MONAPC) is a federal protected area created to guard some inselbergs mainly threatened by mining, which is one of the main economic activities in the State. In this work, we provide the first checklist of the vascular plant species in this protected area.

We recorded 108 species in 36 families and 75 genera that inhabit the vegetation islands on the inselbergs within the official limits of MONAPC. A new species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae) and a new species of Cololobus (Asteraceae) were discovered as new to science and they are being described in other articles.
Effects of management complexity on the composition, plant functional dominance relationships and physiognomy of high nature value grasslands
Authors: Kun Róbert , Babai Dániel , Csathó András István , Erdélyi Arnold , Hartdégen Judit , Lengyel Attila , Kálmán Nikoletta , Mártonffy András , Hábenczyus Alida Anna , Szegleti Zsófia , Vig Ákos , Máté András , Malatinszky Ákos , Tóth Tímea , Vadász Csaba
Published: January 2024

A significant proportion of Europe’s species-rich grasslands are semi-natural habitats. They have a long history of traditional management. Several studies have been carried out to conserve them, resulting in the establishment of subsidised conservation management schemes. On the other hand, many of these conservation management schemes have failed to provide locally adaptive solutions to maintain the diversity and functional status of species-rich grasslands. In addition, few studies have compared the conservation effectiveness of different levels of management complexity. The levels of management complexity in our study are based on how different management types (e.g. grazing and mowing etc.) and how different herbage removal intensities (e.g. lower and higher grazing intensities) are combined within and between years. To investigate this, we compared the overall effects of management complexity, herbage removal intensity and management type on plant diversity, plant functional type dominance relationships and plant physiognomy. Our field sampling was carried out in the sandy meso-xeric grasslands of the Turján Region of the Great Hungarian Plain (Central Hungary). We sampled nine 2 m × 2 m plots per grassland site (n = 12), recorded all the rooted plant species and estimated their percentage cover in each plot. High level of management complexity had significant positive effects on plant diversity, grazing had positive effects on plant diversity and phanerophyte density, while the studied levels of herbage removal intensity had no effect on diversity, plant functional types or plant physiognomy. In parallel, mowing and/or low levels of management complexity had some negative effects on conservation value (e.g. lower Shannon and Simpson diversity). In this landscape, the dominance of grazing and the more complex management is more optimal than relatively homogeneous mechanical mowing. The choice of management type and intensity is an important tool in the conservation management system of this landscape, but so too is its appropriate application in space and time. Through a detailed analysis of the effects of management complexity levels compared to management types and herbage removal intensity levels, we provide a new opportunity to make grassland management practices more effective for conserving biodiversity in this region, but it would be important to investigate these in different landscapes and conditions.
Nephroprotective effects of Equisetum ramosissimum L. extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Abdullah Raheeq Khairy , Issa Reem A. , Abu-Samak Mahmoud , Mohammad Beisan A. , Abbas Manal A. , Awwad Shady Helmi
Published: January 2024

Diabetes is a widespread health issue that impacts people all over the globe. The Equisetum ramosissimum L. plant has numerous traditional uses and pharmacological properties, including antidiabetic effects.The objective of this study was to thoroughly examine the advantages of incorporating extracts from the aerial components of E. ramosissimum to control diabetic nephropathy. The phytochemical constituents of E. ramosissimum extract were explored using phytochemical and HPLC analysis, focusing on phenols and flavonoid content. The effect of plant extract was evaluated on different kidney function parameters linked to diabetic nephropathy (fasting blood glucose, creatinine, uric acid, and urea) in streptozotocin induced-diabetic rats. Histopathological changes in the liver were also examined. The results showed methanol and ethanol extracts of E. ramosissimum have a total content of phenols (equivalent to gallic acid, 7.62 and 8.97 mg/g) and flavonoids (equivalent to quercetin, 8.87 and 12.86 mg/g), respectively. After conducting the UHPLC-MS/MS analysis, it was found that both the methanol and ethanol extracts contained isoferulic acid, ISO-Orientin, myristic acid, linoelaidic acid, rutin, and 3-Glu-7-Rha quercetin. Additionally, isoferulic acid, myristic acid, linoelaidic acid, rutin, and 3-Glu-7-Rha quercetin were present in the extracts. The ethanol extract of E. ramosissimum significantly impacted STZ-induced diabetic mice by reducing their fasting blood glucose levels, and their creatinine and urea levels (P < 0.005). In conclusion, E. ramosissimum ethanol extract has shown potential effects to counteract some diabetes consequences on kidney function. Therefore, further studies are required to investigate its effect on other diabetes-related complications.
Crise sanitaire et communauté virtuelle de patients : Quelle influence sur la confiance des patients-membres envers leur médecin habituel ? Étude exploratoire d’une communauté virtuelle de santé covid 19 composée uniquement de patients
Authors: Isseki Brice , Buffaz Pierre
Published: January 2024

Cet article explore, dans un contexte de crise sanitaire, l’influence d’une communauté virtuelle de patients sur la confiance de ceux-ci envers leur médecin habituel. Pour atteindre cet objectif, une étude exploratoire fondée sur une démarche netnographique a été menée auprès de cette communauté virtuelle de santé, centrée sur la covid 19 et composée uniquement de patients. Au total, 1155 conversations en ligne émanant de 667 membres ont été collectées et analysées, d’abord par une observation flottante non participante, puis par une analyse de contenu thématique à la suite d’une classification descendante de segments de texte réalisée au travers du logiciel IRaMuTeQ. Les résultats révèlent que, dans un contexte de crise sanitaire, la communauté virtuelle étudiée semble ne pas influencer la confiance des patients y appartenant (ou la composant) envers leur médecin habituel, alors que l’on aurait pu penser que les craintes légitimes des patients face à la maladie et au manque de connaissances des médecins aient une incidence. La communauté apparaît plutôt comme un espace empathique de discussions, d’informations et de soutien pour s’entraider, afin de surmonter la crise sanitaire et ses effets. De ce fait, cet article enrichit la littérature sur la confiance dans la relation patient-médecin en montrant que cette confiance ne serait pas ébranlée ou modifiée par les interactions des patients avec leurs pairs au sein de la communauté virtuelle de patients. De plus, cette recherche suggère aux médecins la nécessité d’appréhender différemment leurs patients, puisque certains d’entre eux sont susceptibles de rompre l’exclusivité de la relation médicale bilatérale en collectant des informations et du soutien auprès d’autres patients.
Soutien et résilience : deux leviers à l’engagement du personnel de santé ?
Authors: Di Tomaso Annabelle , Carle Sara-Maude , Hassan Anthony , Boivin Marie-Pier
Published: January 2024

Depuis plusieurs années, mais particulièrement depuis la pandémie de covid 19, de nombreux membres du personnel de la santé et des services sociaux décrivent des conditions de travail difficiles. Malgré des efforts pour améliorer la situation, le manque de soutien disponible lors de la crise sanitaire a entraîné une vague importante de départs dans le réseau de la santé. Au Québec, plus de 500 préposés aux bénéficiaires, infirmières auxiliaires et infirmières ont quitté leur emploi entre décembre 2021 et janvier 2022. Il semble donc primordial de s’intéresser aux leviers potentiels de l’engagement au travail. En s’appuyant sur des travaux identifiant le soutien organisationnel et la résilience comme de tels leviers et sur la théorie de l’échange social, l’objectif de cette étude est de mettre en relation le soutien organisationnel perçu et l’engagement au travail, en tenant compte de la résilience des travailleurs de la santé au Québec. Dans cette optique, 205 travailleurs de la santé du Québec ont répondu à un questionnaire en ligne composé de trois échelles validées, soit la Perceived Organizational Support Scale pour le soutien organisationnel, la Brief Resilience Scale pour la résilience et la Utrecht Work Engagement Scale Short Questionnaire pour l’engagement au travail. Les analyses de médiation réalisées permettent d’observer une corrélation positive entre le soutien organisationnel perçu et l’engagement au travail ( r = 0,471, p < 0,01) ainsi qu’un effet médiateur de la résilience ( β = 0,386 ; p = 0,000). Ces résultats permettent de proposer des pistes d’intervention pour maximiser l’engagement au travail du personnel de la santé et des services sociaux.
Electrical Resistivity Tomography Investigation of Permafrost Conditions in a Thermokarst Site in Fairbanks, Alaska
Authors: Basiru Abdallah , Kidanu Shishay T , Rybakov Sergei , Hasson Nicholas , Kebe Moustapha , Acheampong Emmanuel Osei
Published: January 2024

The degradation of permafrost poses severe environmental threats to communities in cold regions. As near-surface permafrost warms, extensive topographic variability is prevalent in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic communities. Geologic hazards such as thermokarst are formed due to varying rates of permafrost degradation, resulting in ground subsidence. This gradual subsidence or abrupt collapse of the earth causes a danger to existing infrastructure and the economic activities of communities in cold regions. Understanding the causes of thermokarst development and its dynamics requires imaging its underground morpho-structures and characterizing the surface and subsurface controls. In this study, we conducted a two-dimensional (2D) electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) survey to characterize the permafrost conditions in a thermokarst prone site located in Fairbanks, Alaska. To increase the reliability in the interpretability of the ERT data, borehole data and the depth-of-investigation (DOI) methods were applied. By using the 2D and three-dimensional (3D) ERT methods, we gained valuable information on the spatial variability of transient processes, such as the movement of freezing and thawing fronts. Resistivity imaging across the site exhibited distinct variations in permafrost conditions, with both low and high resistive anomalies observed along the transects. These anomalies, representing taliks and ice wedges, were characterized by resistivity values ranging from 50 Ωm and above 700 Ωm, respectively. The results from this study showed the effectiveness of ERT to characterize permafrost conditions and thermokarst subsurface morpho-structures. The insights gained from this research contribute to a better understanding of the causes and dynamics of thermokarst, which can be instrumental for engineers in developing feasible remedial measures.
Answers to questions on Kannan's fixed point theorem in strong $ b $-metric spaces
Authors: Wang Peng , He Fei , Liu Xuan
Published: January 2024

Our purpose of this paper is to answer several open questions posed by Doan (AIMS Math., 6 (2021), 7895–7908). First, we present two fixed point theorems, which are positive answers to Doan's questions. Second, we establish a new type of Riech's fixed point theorem to improve a result of Doan. Finally, we offer a straightforward example illustrating that a set-valued mapping satisfying the conditions of our fixed point theorem may has more than one fixed point.
Sarmiento y el Museo de La Plata: arte, técnica y ciudadanía en la representación de la evolución en la Argentina del giro del siglo XIX al XX
Authors: Vallejo Gustavo
Published: January 2024

El trabajo analiza el papel jugado por la ciencia y las representaciones culturales en la construcción de la ciudadanía moderna en la Argentina a fines del siglo XIX, focalizándose en las reinterpretaciones racialistas del evolucionismo formuladas por Domingo F. Sarmiento y su relación con el surgimiento del Museo de La Plata. Asimismo, explora la importancia de las imágenes en la tematización de un pasado prehistórico contrapuesto a un presente civilizado.
La vida improbable de Juana Escobar. Esclavitud, intimidad y libertad en Ponce, Puerto Rico, 1815-1830
Authors: Belmonte Postigo José Luis
Published: January 2024

A través de un estudio de caso, protagonizado por Juana Escobar, analizamos el tránsito de esclava a señora de una cautiva que pasó, en pocos años, de ser una esclavizada a una mujer libre, con negocios y propietaria de otros seres humanos. En el tránsito a la segunda esclavitud aún fue posible para algunas mujeres esclavizadas alcanzar la libertad, detentar cierta prosperidad económica y establecer un entorno de seguridad para ella y para sus descendientes.
What are the affects of staying on Earth?
Authors: Schultz Nikolaj
Published: January 2024

This article was originally written for a presentation at the Aarhus Architecture Festival, at the Aarhus School of Architecture, on 8 October 2021. It has been lightly edited, retaining the oral rhythm of the text. It is currently being developed for a book to be published by La Découverte in 2024, with the working title Le Nouvel exode.
Investigation of Phosphorus Spin on Dopant on SOI Wafer
Authors: Tian Tang Yi , Yaacob Khatijah Aisha
Published: January 2024

Silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer has allowed the integrated circuit (IC) industry to create superior, high-performance solutions. In addition, doping techniques are vital in the silicon sector due to the need to regulate the material electrical properties. The spin on dopant (SOD) approach is an alternative method that involves spinning a solution containing dopant onto SOI wafers. This research aims to determine the impact of thermal diffusion temperature and soaking time on sheet resistance of doped SOI wafer using SOD approach. Additionally, the homogeneity of doping was studied by utilizing mapping techniques. Three inches boron-doped SOI wafers were cut and cleaned according to Radio Corporation of America (RCA) standards. N-type dopants of Filmtronics SOD P509 were deposited on SOI wafer by using a spin coater, for 40 seconds at 4,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). The thermal diffusion temperature and soaking time were set between 700°C to 1000°C for 30 to 120 minutes. After thermal diffusion, hydrofluoric acids (HF) were diluted and used to etch samples. All materials were evaluated using a four-point probe, Hall Effect and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). The results show that when the thermal diffusion soaking time increases, sheet resistance decreases until activated dopants are saturated. When sheet resistance decreases, dopant concentration rises. Temperature and soaking time increase carrier density and surface roughness, while decreasing Hall mobility. From mapping techniques, it shows low non-uniformity value which less than 10% suggests good thermal diffusion control.
Effect of Laser Surface Modification on Texture, Roughness, Wettability and Surface Energy of Hastelloy C22, C276 & X
Authors: Suvin P.S. , Singh Ambesh , Patro B. Depu Kumar , Edachery Vimal , Kailas Satish V. , Horng Jeng Haur
Published: January 2024

Hastelloy is a nickel-chromium-molybdenum-iron-based alloy and a member of the ‘superalloy’ family. Hastelloy has exceptional properties like high strength, wear resistance and high-temperature stress-corrosion resistance. Therefore, Hastelloy is used in gas turbines, power plants, metal injection molding, etc. Many industrial applications are related to the properties of the surface. Wettability is a key surface property that affects applications like lubrication, adhesion, coating, heat conduction, etc. Laser Texturing is an excellent method to modify the surface properties of materials like metal, polymers and ceramic. In the present study, a carbon dioxide laser created unidirectional textures on Hastelloy (C22, C276, X). Different sets of unidirectional textures were formed by changing the laser power and frequency. Various roughness parameters were compared for every laser parameter. In this paper, the effective change in wettability properties of Hastelloy (C22, C276, X) after the Laser texturing process for a range of power and frequency were studied under DI water and glycerol as test fluids. Results show that the contact angle of the test fluid increases as the laser power increases, and the contact angle decreases as the laser frequency increases for all three superalloys. The surface energy of a given set of samples was also measured using the recorded contact angle of DI water and Glycerol by the OWRK equation. Similar trends were found in surface energy for all three Hastelloy.
Effects of the Lubricants on the Tribology Properties under the Extreme Pressure for the Induction-Treated Linear Guides
Authors: Chang Yuh Ping , Wang Hsiang Yu , Chu Li Ming , Liu Chien Te , Yang Cheng Chieh
Published: January 2024

In view of the fact that the load on the transmission element under extreme pressure conditions is much greater than that used in traditional machine tools, the contact surface between the ball and the track must bear great stress. Furthermore, it will heat up due to friction after starting and running. These effects are prone to material deformation and fatigue damage, and may even lead to the disappearance of the lubricating oil film. They are prone to surface damage due to metal fatigue, and then a serious situation of large pieces of peeling occurs for the linear guides. In order to prolong the fatigue life of the machine tools, this study investigates the effects of the lubricants on the tribology properties under the extreme pressure for the induction-treated linear guides.
Preliminary Study on the Potential of Krueng Mane River Sand for Metal Casting Use
Authors: Yusuf Muhammad , Bahri Syamsul , Agustinawati Agustinawati , Sayuti M. , Maulana Irfan Maulana , Bilza Teuku Razan
Published: January 2024

Sand casting is a metal casting process to make a component by pouring molten metal into the sand mold. The casting process, the sand is the fundamental material used for mold making. The sand used is generally silica sand, river sand, mountain sand, and beach sand. The sand for molding must have requirements such as having formability, suitable permeability, good distribution of sand grain size, resistance to high temperatures, suitable binder composition, and sand must be cheap. This study investigated to determine the potential of Krueng Mane river sand in Aceh Indonesia for its possible use for metal casting. The important properties studied are moisture content, total clay content, grain fineness number, and grain shape. Tests are carried out following the standards and procedures defined by the American Foundrymen’s Society (AFS). Results obtained revealed that the river sand has average moisture content of 7.78 %, clay content of 3.20%, and grain fineness number (GFN) of 46. Krueng Mane river sand will be suitable for casting of casting of light steel, heavy grey steel, medium grey iron, and non-ferrous metals, with the addition of binding agent in suitable proportion.
Specialized Urban Planning Chatbot: A Participatory Approach for Evaluating Efficiency
Authors: Hasan Farasath , Jayasinghe Amila , Sathsarana Sahan
Published: January 2024

This research investigates the use of a specialized Chatbot tool in the field of urban planning as a participatory approach and how efficient it is in handling concerns related to this domain. This specialized urban Chabot was prepared during an exhibition at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka in 2023. We argue that specialized chat-bots, which are trained on a dataset including text and code, exclusively involved in urban planning, have the potential to offer more pertinent and useful insights and suggestions compared to conventional chat-bots. It is also suggested that a transition from standard Chatbots to specialized urban Chatbots is essential because AI (Artificial Intelligence) Chatbots possess the capability to comprehend and address a broader spectrum of inquiries and prompts while also exhibiting the capacity to acquire knowledge and adjust their responses over time. Accordingly, we developed a special urban planning Chatbot and tested the results with the general public from different fields. The findings of our study indicate that almost 65% of the total respondents have emphasized the suitability of this application for planning purposes and its importance in the future. The majority of respondents also highlighted the use of specialized Chatbots, designed for urban planning would be beneficial for city planners. Citizens may use them as a means to collect input, suggest prospective solutions to urban planning challenges, and formulate design briefs for upcoming urban development initiatives. The use of Chatbots in the field of urban planning displays considerable potential for study, and we anticipate that our findings will catalyze further advancements in this domain.
Land-use and land cover changes along the coastal belt of Hambantota district, southern Sri Lanka, over the period 1996- 2017
Authors: Madarasinghe S.K. , Yapa K.K.A.S. , Udayakantha P.M.P. , Satyanarayana B.
Published: January 2024

Through the years, the green cover has been substantially reduced and transformed into human development projects and settlements in many cities of Sri Lanka. Hambantota, a southern coastal district, has faced similar changes over the last two decades. Therefore, this study was aimed at the Land-Use and Land-Cover (LULC) changes which had taken place along its coastal belt during the period, 1996–2017. Comparison was done among LULC maps bearing fourteen different classes for the years 1996 and 2017. The results reveal that all LULC classes except coconut plantations and paddy lands show significant area changes (p < 0.05) during the period considered. Among the LULC changes, forest cover showed the highest area change (2341 ha loss (p < 0.05)) while 358 ha of scrubland has been cleared to establish housing schemes. The settlements have significantly increased (1318 ha) and a considerable amount is due to development projects including the Hambantota port. The survey results show that 63.9% of the residents in the study area agreed that the natural environment of the city had been affected by the development projects. Analysis of LULC changes and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data suggests that Hambantota coastal area has developed significantly at the cost of forests and associated vegetation from 1996 to 2017. Rapid economic and population growths are identified as the main driving forces for the LULC changes. These results deliver an important decision-making reference for LULC planning and sustainable development in the Hambantota coastal region, which is, in broad sense, valid for any booming city in the country and the world. The urban forestry concept can be an ideal sustainable move to compensate the green cover loss.
Does an R2R3-MYB transcription factor affect anthurium spathe colour variation via regulation of vacuolar pH?
Authors: Jayaprada N.V.T. , Fukai S. , Geekiyanage S.
Published: January 2024

The anthurium is a popular cut flower worldwide having red, pink, coral, white, green, or brown spathes. There is a constant demand for new flower colours in the commercial market. Flower colour in plants is mainly determined by anthocyanins. Understanding anthocyanin variation and other factors affecting anthurium spathe colour is important for genetic engineering approaches. Therefore, our objectives were to assess the factors affecting colour variation of selected commercially available cut flower anthuriums and to determine the associated regulatory networks and transcription factors (TFs). Nineteen commercial cut flower anthurium cultivars were selected for this purpose. The colour of the spathe surface, anthocyanin location, anthocyanidin type and vacuolar pH were recorded. Anthocyanin associated Gene Network Model generation and analysis were carried out. The CIELAB colourimeter procedure indicated the colour variation among the selected 19 cultivars in terms of colour type, colour intensity, chroma, and hue angle. The location of anthocyanin was limited to mesophyll and epidermal cells. Cyanidin was detected in tested anthurium cultivars as the main anthocyanidin. The pH gradient in pigment extracts indicated a variation with a range of 4.6 to 4.94. The gene pathways of anthocyanin biosynthesis and transport were associated with that of the vacuolar pH/H+ pump according to Gene Network Model. Three pathways were regulated by an R2R3-MYB transcription factor. Although, cyanidin was the only pigment in all the tested cultivars, different pH levels by R2R3-MYB regulated V-H+ synthase was suggested to be the cause of the high colour variation in addition to the anthocyanidin type and location. Our results indicate the application of R2R3-MYB transcription factor genes for desirable vacuolar pH maintenance in genetic engineering of the blue anthurium in the future.
Risk assessment of heavy metals in the freshwater lake sediments around Eppawala phosphate deposit, Sri Lanka
Authors: Batapola N. M. , Dushyantha N. P. , Ratnayake N. P. , Premasiri H. M. R. , Panagoda H. , Jayawardena C. L. , Chandrajith R. , Ilankoon I. M. S. K. , Rohitha L. P. S. , Ratnayake A. S. , Koongolla J. B. , Abeysinghe A. M. B. K. , Dissanayake D. M. D. O. K. , Ratnayake R. M. P.
Published: January 2024

The Eppawala area in Sri Lanka has an agricultural-based economy. As a result, the recent agricultural intensification could increase the risk of heavy metal contamination in lakes in the area as the main water canal in the area, i.e., Jaya Ganga, flows across these lakes. Therefore, this study focuses on the risk assessment of heavy metals in the freshwater lake sediments in the Eppawala area and the identification of potential sources for heavy metal contamination in the lakes. Nine heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) were investigated in surface sediments (n = 22) of the upstream and downstream lakes of the Eppawala Phosphate Deposit (EPD). The average heavy metal concentrations in the upstream lake sediments were higher than those downstream. Eppawala lake sediments were heavily polluted by As along with moderate to high Cr pollution. However, only As and Cd indicated considerable to moderate ecological risk levels to the local environment. The downstream lake sediments showed lower heavy metal contents compared to those upstream and had negative correlations between heavy metals and P2O5 contents. This reveals that the EPD does not contribute to the heavy metal contamination in the Eppawala lake sediments. However, the statistical analysis showed that heavy metals were mostly derived from similar pollution sources. Agrochemicals used in paddy cultivation in the vicinity might be a potential source of heavy metals. This study highlights the importance of implementing remediation to control the heavy metal pollution prevailing in the Eppawala lakes.
Assessment and predictors of inappropriate dose of direct oral anticoagulants
Authors: Almegren Mosaad O.
Published: January 2024

Direct-Acting Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) have revolutionized the management of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). However, recent audits reveal a significant burden of inappropriate dosages in the prescribing of direct-acting oral anticoagulants. Our aim is to identify the prevalence and predictors of such inappropriate dosing in our patients. This retrospective study was conducted from June 2016 to January 2018. Patients who received dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban for treatment of venous thromboembolism or atrial fibrillation were included. Appropriateness of direct-acting oral anticoagulants dosing was assessed using US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Data was analyzed using IBM® SPSS Version 26. 337 patients were included, with a mean age of 62.9±18.7 years. The majority were female (196, 58.3%). Of the patients, 194 (57.6%) received apixaban, 99 (29.4%) received rivaroxaban, and 44 (13.1%) received dabigatran. A total of 242 (71.8%) patients were prescribed direct-acting oral anticoagulants appropriately. Under-dosing and over-dosing were identified in 74 (22%) and 21 (6.2%) patients, respectively. Predictors of inappropriate dosing were age greater than 75 years (OR: 2.76, 95% CI: 1.67-4.56, p<0.001) and creatinine clearance less than 50 ml/minute (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.19-0.74, p: 0.005). Inappropriate dosing was significantly associated with mortality (p=0.010).One-third of our patients received an inappropriate dose of direct-acting oral anticoagulants, mostly from underdosing. Elderly age and low creatinine clearance are significant predictors of inappropriate dose administration.
Oligodendrocytes in central nervous system diseases: the effect of cytokine regulation
Authors: Zhang Chengfu , Qiu Mengsheng , Fu Hui
Published: January 2024

Cytokines including tumor necrosis factor, interleukins, interferons, and chemokines are abundantly produced in various diseases. As pleiotropic factors, cytokines are involved in nearly every aspect of cellular functions such as migration, survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Oligodendrocytes are the myelin-forming cells in the central nervous system and play critical roles in the conduction of action potentials, supply of metabolic components for axons, and other functions. Emerging evidence suggests that both oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursor cells are vulnerable to cytokines released under pathological conditions. This review mainly summarizes the effects of cytokines on oligodendrocyte lineage cells in central nervous system diseases. A comprehensive understanding of the effects of cytokines on oligodendrocyte lineage cells contributes to our understanding of central nervous system diseases and offers insights into treatment strategies.