bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SWOT analysis as a tool for strategic analysis of the natural resource potential of rural areas
Authors: Pyvovar Petro
Published: December 2024

As a result of studying the theoretical and methodological foundations of SWOT analysis with subsequent application of the R programming language (Big Data Analysis) and ArcGIS PRO geoinformation software (GIS geocoding technologies), the methodological approaches to conducting SWOT analysis of the natural-resource potential of territorial communities have been improved and adapted. The enhanced methodology consists of the following stages: 1) Formation of an indicator system; 2) Establishment of evaluation criteria for indicators within two groups: strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats; 3) Conducting the assessment (calculation); 4) Calculation of the integrated indicator; 5) Determination of the strategic zone of communities; 6) Visualization of the results. The improved SWOT analysis of the natural-resource potential was tested in the territorial communities of the Zhytomyr region. The average value of the integrated indicator of the strategic potential of natural resources for urban territorial communities was — 4.4 points, while for rural and village communities it was — 3.8 and — 4.6 points, respectively. Urban territories were characterized by a shortage of natural resources, while their exploitation and utilization were at a high level. Rural territories (village and rural territorial communities), on the other hand, exhibited opposite tendencies. A crucial component of SWOT analysis is the allocation of analysis objects within the framework of strategic zones of management and utilization of natural resources. Out of 54 territorial communities operating in rural areas, 2 are in the SO (Strengths and Opportunities) zone, 11 in the WW (Weaknesses and Threats) zone, and the remaining 41 in the WO (Weaknesses and Opportunities) zone. In turn, out of 12 urban territorial communities, 3 are in the WW (Weaknesses and Threats) zone, and the remaining 9 are in the WO (Weaknesses and Opportunities) zone. Thus, as of 2020, the rural territories of the Zhytomyr region have a sufficient level of natural resource supply and opportunities for further utilization within the framework of rural development. Conducting SWOT analysis is not an end in itself and by no means a verdict; it is merely a convenient tool that demonstrates the problems and threats that might otherwise be overlooked, and helps to focus on areas with the greatest prospects and opportunities for the development of territorial communities, taking into account the natural-resource potential.
Cuina i alimentació a la terrisseria romana del Collet Est (Calonge-Sant Antoni, Catalunya)
Authors: Burch Rius Josep , Nolla Brufau Josep Maria , Prat Vilà Marc , Tremoleda Trilla Joaquim
Published: December 2024

A pocs centenars de metres de la vil·la romana del Collet es va construir una terrisseria a finals del segle ia.C. que fou destinada a produir, principalment, àmfores per contenir el vi que es produïa en el fundus de l’esmentada vil·la. En aquest centre terrisser, durant el segle ia.C., es varen habilitar dos espais, que per les seves característiques estructurals i pels objectes que s’hi varen localitzar durant la seva excavació es van poder identificar com una cuina i un rebost destinats a cobrir les necessitats culinàries de les persones que treballaven en aquell indret.
Els atuells ceràmics de cuina fabricats a la bòbila romana d’Ermedàs
Authors: Simon Fina
Published: December 2024

El jaciment arqueològic d’Ermedàs és una terrisseria romana (segle i-ii d. C.), situada a l’actual municipi de Cornellà del Terri (Pla de l’Estany). En època romana formava part de la província de la Hispania Tarraconensis. La producció ceràmica de la bòbila cobreix un ampli espectre de funcions i formes: la vaixella de taula i cuina (terra sigil·lada hispànica, imitacions de parets fines, imitacions d’africana de cuina, comuna romana i cuina); elements d’emmagatzematge i transport (dolia i àmfores); material constructiu i altres elements com objectes de teler i llànties. També fabricava els elements ceràmics necessaris per l’enfornament de les peces. L’objectiu de l’article és posar de rellevància els atuells relacionats amb el món de la cuina romana, l’anomenat instrumentum coquorum. Aquests objectes s’utilitzaven per processar els aliments, coure’ls i/o emmagatzemar-los.
Using Mill-Rejected Granular Cement as a Replacement for Fine Aggregate
Authors:   Civil Engineering Department, Arba Minch University Institute of Technology, Ethiopia, Asrat Feseha Sahile , Ghebrab Tewodros Tekeste ,   Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, USA
Published: December 2024

This research study presents a report on the effect of mill-rejected coarse-grained cement on concrete properties when the
cement is used as a partial replacement for fine aggregates. Concrete mixes containing 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% replacement
of natural sand with mill-rejected cement were prepared and tested for strength and permeability. The test results indicate
that the strength of concrete increases and its permeability decreases with the increase in the amount of mill-rejected cement.
Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Structures by Using Concrete with Heterogeneous Grade with Pre-Fabricated Structural Steel
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Dr D Y Patil College of Engineering and Technology, India, Shreshthi Rohan S , Gupta Anilkumar ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Executive Director, Dr D Y Patil Group, India
Published: December 2024

The purpose of this article is to review the beams made up of reinforced concrete which is added or prepared with by
inclusion of Fabrication material in the form of structural steel which can be known as Pre-fabrication steel material.
However, here beams were analysed under construction with a pre-fabrication steel cage, and the flexural tests. For columns,
the prefabrication columns showed the results in a very positive manner in terms of time and economy. As per the results
investigated for columns with pre-fabricated, time was saved by nearly 33.3 % and cost was saved by nearly 7.1% for each.
Results were analysed by comparing with a moment of resistance by experimental ultimate moments and theoretical design
moments. This method used was an alternative to rebar specimens & had achieved positive strength with very economical
sections. Studies regarding dual-grade concrete or both different concrete grades for beams in Plain cement concrete and
reinforced concrete reported that low-grade concrete is placed near the neutral axis zone of the beams and flexural behavior
of the beams was carried out. Usually, two zones appear: a tension zone at the bottom and a compression zone at the top.
Steel is added to the tension zone to absorb the tension caused by the weakening of concrete, however, the strength of the
concrete is disregarded in the tension zone relative to the compression zone. The depth of higher-grade concrete increases in
the compression zone, and resistance to first crack development also increases.
An Article Review on Vision-Based Defect Detection Technologies for Reinforced Concrete Bridges
Authors:   Professor of Construction Project Management, Faculty of Engineering, Helwan University- Mataria Branch, Egypt, Mohammed Abdelalim Ahmed , Shalaby Yasmin ,   PhD Candidate, Structural Engineering Department, Ain Shams University, Egypt, Ebrahim Gamal A ,   Professor, Computer and Systems Engineering Department, Ain Shams University, Egypt, Badawy Mohamed ,   Associate Professor, Structural Engineering Department, Ain Shams University, Egypt
Published: December 2024

Bridges are crucial and the most vulnerable element in the infrastructure systems. A major challenge is to maintain bridge
structures at a sufficient level of safety. Scheduled inspections in these structures are important to prevent any failure. The
requirement of periodic inspection is urgently needed to maintain the bridges in safe operating condition for the public. Visual
inspection is currently the main form for the flaw’s inspection. Nevertheless, it is suffering from time consuming and some
limitations related to subjectivity and uncertainty. Due to the complexity of bridge structure, automatic defect detection is an
urgent requirement for reinforced concrete bridges. In view of this, the creation and utilization of computer vision method has
received considerable attention in several applications of civil engineering. Thus, this paper introduces a comprehensive study
in computer vision-based defect detection related to concrete bridges. In this study, a detailed survey is undertaken to identify
the research problems and the accomplishments to date in this field. Accordingly, 50 studies between peer-reviewed publications
and conference papers Scopus found in are reviewed. Through the analysis, the current review divided the image technology
into three groups based on: 1) image processing; 2) machine learning; and 3) quantifying the severity of defects by identifying
their parameters. This article highlights the difference and the advantages and disadvantages of applying image processing
techniques and machine learning. The paper identifies the types of defects detected by image technology in previous studies and
their shortcomings in determining some parameters related to those defects. Finally, this research addresses issues related to the
efficiency of detection and the main factors to be considered that may help further research in image-based approaches for defect
detection effectively in concrete bridges.
Effect of Food Hygiene and Safety Training Intervention on Compliance with Food Hygiene and Safety Practices Among Food Handlers in Boarding Schools in Embu County, Kenya
Authors:   Department of Community Health, School of Public Health, Mount Kenya University, W. Kaugi Rosaline , G Kariuki John ,   School of Public Health, Mount Kenya University., O. Odongo Alfred ,   School of Public Health, Mount Kenya University.
Published: December 2024

Background: While compliance with food safety and hygiene practices has been addressed by different stakeholders, scarce data exist
on the effectiveness of training on food hygiene and safety among food handlers in boarding schools. The purpose of this study was to
evaluate the effect of food hygiene and safety training on compliance with food hygiene and safety practices among food handlers in
boarding schools in Embu County, Kenya.
Results: The overall compliance increased from 74% to 84% in the intervention arm compared to the control. This is a change of 12%
that could be attributed to the intervention, p<0.001. Results showed that compliance with personal hygiene measures increased from
70% to 76% in the intervention arm which is a DID change of 6%, p=0.029. Compliance with food safety measures as far as premises
are concerned increased from 72% to 89% in the intervention arm which is a DID change of 18%, p=<0.001. Compliance with
environmental food safety measures increased from 81% to 85% in the intervention arm which is a DID change of 9%, p<0.001
Conclusion: Food hygiene and safety training intervention on compliance with food hygiene and safety practices was effective on
various aspects of food hygiene measures assessed.
Harnessing the Power of Light Laser Technology in Medicine, Industry, and Defense
Authors:   Finance School of Business Technology and Engineering National University, San Diego, California, USA, Mossavar-Rahmani Farhang , Zohuri Bahman ,   Golden Gate University, Ageno School of Business, San Francisco, California, USA
Published: December 2024

There is much more to light than just our ability to see. It is an essential component of human life and has a significant physiological,
psychological, and social impact on us. Light has influenced our lives in many ways, from the beginning of time, when our ancestors
worshipped the sun, to our current dependence on artificial lighting. It helps us navigate and understand the world, controls our sleepwake cycles, and affects our moods. The many benefits of light will be examined in this introduction, along with its critical role in our
general evolution as a species and in our health and well-being. At the same time, light is a profound energy source, with applications
ranging from everyday illumination to high-tech uses in medical, industrial, and defense sectors. One of the most potent ways lights
are harnessed is through laser technology, which focuses light on an intense, coherent beam. This article explores how lasers, as a
light-driven power, are revolutionizing areas such as healthcare (e.g., LASIK and surgical applications), industrial manufacturing,
and military operations.
Zebra Bodies on Renal Biopsy: Fabry Disease or Not Fabry? A Tale of Two Cases
Authors:   Sussex Kidney Unit, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, United Kingdom, Larkworthy Dr James , Ghalli Dr Farid ,   Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
Published: December 2024

Background: Zebra bodies are intracellular lamellar inclusions detected by electron microscopy (EM) on renal biopsy, classically
found in Fabry disease. This EM finding prompts genetic testing for α-galactosidase A enzyme deficiency to diagnose Fabry disease,
and thus consider enzyme replacement therapy. Zebra bodies have also been associated with certain medications, including statins and
hydroxychloroquine. We present two contrasting cases, both presented within a year of each other with zebra bodies found in renal biopsy.
Case Presentations
Case 1: An 83-year-old lady with type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension was presumed to have diabetic or hypertensive nephropathy,
however in ruling out alternative causes, was found to have asymptomatic myeloma. Renal biopsy to detect renal amyloidosis or myeloma
kidney instead found zebra bodies on EM. Genetic testing confirmed Fabry disease. She was managed conservatively.
Case 2: This contrasts with an 80-year-old woman with rapid decline in her renal function following coronary angiography. Renal
biopsy showed hypertensive nephropathy on light microscopy, and zebra bodies on EM. She tested negative for Fabry disease. She was
taking sertraline, and had previously been on atorvastatin, but this had been stopped four years prior to the biopsy.
Conclusion: Drug-induced renal phospholipidosis is an important differential diagnosis to be considered in cases with zebra bodies that
are negative for Fabry disease. It is unclear for how long a patient needs to be taking a culprit medication to develop these changes,
and whether they may persist many years later. From our findings, it is clear that more research is needed to identify alternative causes
of zebra bodies to guide earlier diagnosis and treatment, which would improve outcomes.
Pemanfaatan Sistem Informasi Pelayanan Terpadu Dalam Meningkatkan Kepuasan Mahasiswa Politeknik Ganesha
Authors: Setiawan Muhammad azi setiawan , Putra Surya Hendra
Published: December 2024

Sistem Informasi Pelayanan Terpadu (SIPT) adalah sistem digital yang bertujuan untuk mendukung atau membantu mahasiswa, staf, dan pengajar dalam menangani berbagai kendala yang mereka alami terkait layanan kampus, baik itu masalah akademik, administrasi, maupun teknis, SIPT dapat meningkatkan ke efisiensian waktu penanganan dan memudahkan pengguna untuk melapor kendala dalam pelayanan. Sistem pelayanan Politeknik Ganesha Medan di lakukan secara manual untuk mengetahui pengaduan dari para mahasiswa.Untuk itu mengatasi permasalahan tersebut maka perlu di rancang suatu aplikasi pelayanan terpadu untuk meningkatkan pelayanan kepada mahasiswa agar lebih efektif dan efisien.Pembuatan aplikasi ini menggunakan prosedur pengolahan data,Data flow diagram,flowchart,dan perancangan database.Output akhir dari rancangan sistem yang di usulkan yaitu meliputi laporan kinerja karyawan dan peningkatan pelayanan terhadap mahasiswa.
Covid-19 Pandemisi Döneminde Esnek Çalışma Modeliyle Çalışan Bireylerin Aile İçi Rol ve Sorumluluklarında Meydana Gelen Değişimler
Authors: Kaya Buzkıran Merve , Arıcı Aylin , Hasanoğlu Rumeysa , Gümüş Buse , Şahin Eylül
Published: December 2024

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Covid-19 pandemisi sırasında esnek çalışma modeliyle çalışan bireylerin aile içi rollerinde ve sorumluluklarında meydana gelen değişimleri incelemektir. Araştırma; nitel desenle tasarlanmış olup veriler fenomenolojik bir bakış açısıyla toplanmış ve yorumlanmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini İstanbul’da bir ilçe belediyesi bünyesinde görev yapan 10’u kadın 12’si erkek olmak üzere 22 katılımcı oluşturmaktadır. Katılımcılara kartopu örnekleme yöntemi ile ulaşılmıştır. Veriler, demografik bilgi formu ve yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu aracılığıyla elde edilmiştir. Söz konusu inceleme ile pandemi sürecinde yaygınlaşan esnek çalışma sisteminin aile kurumuna fizyolojik, sosyolojik ve psikolojik etkilerini gösteren bulgular elde etmek amaçlanmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular pandeminin aile yaşamına etkileri, aile içi rollerde cinsiyet eşitsizliği, esnek çalışma modeli ve iş-aile dengesi ve sağlık endişeleri üzerinde yoğunlaşmaktadır. Ayrıca pandemi sürecinde esnek çalışma modeli ile bu model öncesindeki durum kıyaslandığında, aile içi rollerin büyük oranda değişmediği kanaatinin yaygın olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Ancak pandemi ve esnek çalışma sisteminin kadınlarda aile içi rolleri ve ev içi sorumlulukları arttırdığı da ulaşılan sonuçlardandır. Bu çalışmayla esnek çalışma modelinin aile içi rol ve sorumluluklar dengesini özellikle kadınlar açısından etkileyen bir model olduğu belirlenmiş olup konu ile ilgili çeşitli programlar ve atölye çalışmaları düzenlenmesi önerilmektedir.
The influence of Google Sites on improving students’ vocabulary mastery
Authors: Lucia Waredayani Anisa , Siminto Siminto , Normuliati Sri
Published: December 2024

Language skills are crucial for communication and human learning, with vocabulary being essential for accurate writing, reading, and expression of view, and learning, especially for students. Research conducted by Ulinuha and Parnawati (2023) shows that students gave their perception that reading websites does not spend their time during learning and is very enjoyable because this provides meaningful experiences and more interesting than classroom activities. Departing from this, the researcher conducted further research on the influence of Google Sites on improving students’ vocabulary mastery. The participants of this study were 50 students from two different classes at MA Darul Ulum Palangka Raya (classes XI A and XI D). The experimental group was given treatment using Google Sites, while the control group was given treatment using the lecture method. In this study quasi-experimental design and quantitative methods were used. The average pretest score for the experimental class was 72.20, the average posttest score was 83.60. Meanwhile, the control group had an average pretest score of 74.00 and an average posttest score of 81.60. The experimental class's average achievement vulnerability improved by 11.4 points, compared to 7.6 points in the control class. The result shows that students found it easier to master vocabulary better by using Google Sites as a learning media and proves that treatment using Google Sites media can encourage students' excitement or interest in learning to achieve better results. The implication of the research was choosing the right learning media can affect students' learning achievement, especially in mastering vocabulary.
Behavior of adult and juvenile Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus on an artificial reef during the breeding season
Authors: Zhadan PM , Vaschenko MA
Published: December 2024

Despite considerable research interest in various aspects of the biology of the Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, a species of high economic value, its diurnal and seasonal behavior in the field is not fully understood. Using high-resolution (1 min) round-the-clock video recording in parallel with measurements of environmental variables (sea level, temperature, salinity), we studied the behavior of A. japonicus on an artificial reef populated with the bivalves Crenomytilus grayanus and Crassostrea gigas during the breeding season (June-September). A total of 12 adult A. japonicus were placed on the reef and this number did not change during the study period. A significant number (approximately 23 ind. m-2) of 1 yr old juvenile A. japonicus were found on the reef. The reef was also colonized by other invertebrates such as sea urchins and brittle stars. Adult A. japonicus were predominantly nocturnal, spending 5 times more time outside shelters at night than during daytime. Juveniles were exclusively nocturnal. Extremely high temperatures (up to 28.2°C) and strong temperature variation over approximately 20 d reduced the time spent by adult A. japonicus outside shelters by approximately 30% but did not affect the activity of juveniles, which increased the time spent outside shelters with growth and with seasonal lengthening of the night. Spawning in A. japonicus occurred exclusively at dusk and night and coincided with the spawning of sea urchins, brittle stars and bivalves. Our results may have implications for the development of co-culture with bivalve mollusks and restocking technologies for A. japonicus.
Environmental and geographical drivers of reef fish beta diversity across the depth gradient
Authors: Koivunen AMA , Cunha RL , Quimbayo JP , Otero-Ferrer F , Freitas R , Mallmann AIM , Fauvelot C , Bramanti L , Rocha LA , Pinheiro HT
Published: December 2024

The swift decline of coral reefs stands out as a significant biodiversity challenge confronting our generation, and mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs; reefs between 30 and 150 m) have been proposed as refuge habitats that may be less affected by climate change and human impacts compared to their shallow counterparts. However, MCEs are often distinct from shallow reefs, and studies assessing how marine biodiversity changes along the depth gradient and what factors can influence marine communities in MCEs are still scarce. Here, we conducted underwater visual censuses to evaluate how fish assemblages change among islands and environmental characteristics across the shallow to mesophotic depth gradient within the Cabo Verde Archipelago. Our results show that the beta diversity of reef fish assemblages was mainly driven by depth and environmental factors such as temperature and benthic variables. A consistent trend of increasing beta diversity from the shallow to the lower mesophotic zone was observed among the islands, with the lowest variation in species composition observed between the shallow (5-30 m) and upper (31-60 m) mesophotic depths. Lower species richness and higher turnover was observed within lower MCEs (61-85 m), suggesting saturation in fish richness at small scales, possibly a result of changes in microhabitat heterogeneity. Furthermore, the effect of geography was negligible, and local-scale environment characteristics were the main drivers of differences in species assemblages. Evidence suggests that increased fishing pressure on the most populated island may reduce the biogeographic influence on fish assemblages across the archipelago.
Methodology for measuring greenhouse gas concentrations at a test site near the Blue Bay (northeast of the Black Sea)
Authors: Rudnev Valeriy I. , Pushkin Vladimir V. , Kuklev Sergey B.
Published: December 2024

The article presents the results of monitoring the concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), volatile organic substances (VOCs) and a mixture of ozone and nitrogen dioxide carried out at a test site located in the Blue Bay area (Gelendzhik). The technical capabilities of the scientific equipment used and the features of the methodology for working with it are described. An analysis of the data acquisition process was performed, and some optimizations of measurement technology and statistical processing were shown in order to increase the reliability of the results. A brief summary of the measurements performed is given. During the research, the concentration of greenhouse gases and harmful substances was within the global average.
Pengaruh Five Fingers Technique Terhadap Tingkat Kecemasan Pasien Kanker Pre Operasi
Authors: Amelia Tiara , Indra Rani Lisa , Rasyid T. Abdur
Published: December 2024

Terdapat beberapa respon psikologis pasien pre operasi salah satunya adalah kecemasan. Kecemasan dapat diatasi secara non farmakologi salah satunya adalah dengan melakukan five fingers technique dikarenakan dapat merelaksasikan tubuh.  Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi pengaruh five fingers technique pada pasien kanker pre operasi.  Jenis penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif desain Quasy Eksperimental dengan without contol group. Populasi penelitian ini seluruh pasien kanker pre operasi yang dirawat diruang Irna Surgikal ruang Dahlia RSUD Arifin Achmad Provinsi Riau, dengan sampel 15 orang sesuai dengan kriteria inklusi yaitu pasien usia dewasa yang mengidap kanker dan H-1 menjalani pembedahan. Instrumen penelitian yang digunakan kuesioner penilaian kecemasan State Anxiety Inventroy (SAI). Analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis univariat dengan  menggunakan uji distribusi frekuensi, tendency central dan bivariat dengan paired t test.  Hasil analisis univariat dan bivariat yaitu responden dalam penelitian ini keseluruhan berjenis kelamin perempuan 15 orang, mayoritas tingkat pendidikan terkahir yaitu SD, mayoritas sudah menikah,  mayoritas tidak pernah melakukan operasi sebelumnya. dan akan  menjalani pembedahan mastektomi serta mayoritas responden kanker dengan stadium III.  Hasil analisis bivariat menunjukkan adanya pengaruh five fingers technique terhadap tingkat kecemasan pasien kanker pre operasi dengan nilai P-value 0,000 ≤ α = 0,05.  Diharapkan penelitian ini dapat menjadi ilmu bermanfaat untuk menurunkan kecemasan.
Gambaran Tingkat Pengetahuan Ibu Terhadap Pemberian ASI Ekslusif Pada Bayi
Authors: Yulianti Tarisha Rizqy , Amir Yufitriana , Fitri Aminatul
Published: December 2024

Berat Badan Lahir Rendah (BBLR) merupakan suatu riwayat yang menyebabkan Angka Kematian Bayi (AKB) sangat tinggi. Menurut WHO Berat Badan Lahir Rendah sering terjadi di negara negara berkembang. Berat Badan Lahir Rendah (BBLR) merupakan bayi yang memiliki berat badan lahir < 2500 gram. WHO menyatakan bahwa prevalensi setiap tahunnya ada sekitar 20 juta atau 15,5% bayi lahir dengan riwayat BBLR di dunia, dan di Indonesia ada sebanyak 7.150 orang atau sekitar 35,3% bayi lahir dengan riwayat BBLR. Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan desai deskrptif sederhana dengan responden sebanyak 76 orang berdasarkan kriteria inkulasi dengan menggunakan teknik  accidental sampling. Lokasi penelitian dilakukan di RSUD Arifin Achmad Pekanbaru. Instrument penelitian yang dilakukan adalah kuisioner. Hasil: hasil uji statistik menujukkan bahwa tingkat pengetahuan ibu terhadap pemberian ASI Ekslusif pada bayi BBLR dengan pengetahuan tinggi (31.2%), tingkat pengetahuan sedang (61.0%), tingkat pengetahuan rendah (6.5%). Kesimpulan : sebagian responden memiliki tingkat pengetahuan rendah, dan bekerja sebagai ibu rumah tangga, sehingga ibu hanya tau pengetahuan ASI secara umum
PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF FIXED-POINT ITERATION METHOD AND TEACHING-LEARNING BASED OPTIMISATION: A STUDY ON NONLINEAR EQUATION SYSTEMS
Authors: Demirtürk Bahar , Köse Bayram , Konca Şükran
Published: December 2024

Bu çalışma iki ana hedefe odaklanmaktadır. İlk olarak, matematiksel tabanlı sabit nokta iterasyon yöntemi ile metasezgisel öğretme-öğrenme tabanlı optimizasyon yöntemi arasındaki benzerlikler ve farklılıklar sunulmuştur. İkinci olarak, bu iki yöntemin karmaşık bir doğrusal denklem sisteminin çözümünü bulmadaki performansı karşılaştırılmaktadır. Bu sayede diğer araştırmacılar, daha önce yazarlar tarafından sırasıyla [2] ve [3]'te tartışılan sonuçlar arasında bir karşılaştırma yapabilecek ve gelecekteki araştırmalarında bu sonuçları kullanarak gerekli optimizasyon yöntemini seçme konusunda fikir sahibi olabileceklerdir.
Genomic characterization and tissue tropism variations of two porcine delta coronavirus strains isolated in China
Authors: Hu Guangli , Huang Yihui , Chen Zexin , Geng Rui , Zhao Zhiqing , Peng Ouyang , Zou Chuangchao , Shen Hanqin , Cao Yongchang , Zhang Hao
Published: December 2024

The porcine delta coronavirus (PDCoV) is a member of the Delta coronavirus genus, which can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and mortality in piglets. First detected in Hong Kong in 2012, PDCoV has since spread globally. In January 2024, two strains, CHN-ANHZ-2024 and CHN-JSSQ-2024, were isolated from diarrheal piglets in Anhui and Jiangsu provinces. Immunofluorescence assays, electron microscopy, and genome sequencing were performed. Genome analysis revealed that both PDCoV strains belonged to the Chinese lineage, exhibiting amino acid mutations in the S1 region compared to other strains within the lineage. Amino acid mutation at position 530L is uniquely associated with the Thai strain. Notably, CHN-JSSQ-2024 was identified as a recombinant strain of DH1 and CHN-AHHN-2024, with the recombination occurring in the S2 subunit. CHN-ANHZ-2024 caused severe diarrhea with an 80% mortality rate, whereas CHN-JSSQ-2024 resulted in mild diarrhea without mortality. Viral load analysis showed CHN-ANHZ-2024 primarily infecting the brain and kidneys, while CHN-JSSQ-2024 targeted the lungs, revealing notable differences in tissue tropism. We designed the RNA scope Probe-PDCoV-N to visualize viral RNA in the positively detected organs, viral RNA was detected in the brain, cerebellum, kidneys, and lungs of the infected piglets. This study highlights significant differences in the pathogenicity and organ tropism of two PDCoV strains. The CHN-ANHZ-2024 strain caused severe diarrhea and high mortality in piglets, while the CHN-JSSQ-2024 strain exhibited much milder symptoms. Additionally, the study elucidated notable differences in organ tropism between the strains, offering valuable insights into the epidemiological characteristics and pathogenic mechanisms of PDCoV. These findings provide a foundation for the development of targeted prevention and treatment strategies tailored to specific strains in the future.
Reducing direct physical disturbance also mitigates hidden drivers of decline in a threatened seagrass meadow
Authors: Griffin Kingsley J. , Johnston Emma L. , Poore Alistair G. B. , Vergés Adriana , Clark Graeme F.
Published: December 2024

Physical disturbances typically cause ecological impacts within areas of direct contact (primary disturbances) but can also impact surrounding areas through other mechanisms (secondary disturbances). Secondary disturbances are often overlooked, especially in marine ecosystems where sufficiently detailed observation can be difficult to obtain. For example, boat moorings create circular clearings in seagrass meadows by physically scouring the seabed, but visible impacts extend beyond this into surrounding areas due to disturbances such as increased sediment transport, edge effects, and shading from boats. Previous studies on impacts of moorings have not distinguished between primary and secondary disturbances, and secondary disturbances are rarely accounted for in environmental management. We used spatial modelling to examine the primary and secondary disturbances associated with moorings in a meadow of the threatened seagrass Posidonia australis. We compared the disturbance from traditional ‘swing’ moorings with ‘environmentally friendly’ moorings (EFM) designed to reduce scour. Within the scour zone (0-5 m from moorings), we compared seagrass cover around swing moorings with cover around EFM. Further from moorings (5-25 m), we tested the degree of association between seagrass cover and secondary disturbances that may accumulate with mooring density and be influenced by mooring design. We found that mooring design affected the degree of direct disturbance, with cover of P. australis in the scour zone of standard moorings ~49% lower than that of EFMs (p < 0.01). Mooring density had cumulative negative effects on P. australis cover in the surrounding meadow, but the influence of mooring density was reduced when most moorings were EFMs. This suggests that secondary effects contingent on direct physical disturbance (e.g. sediment transport, fragmentation, edge effects) may be stronger than the general influence of moored boats (shading). We use the findings to simulate two broad policy scenarios for mooring designs in P. australis meadows: installing only EFM, or only traditional moorings. The simulations suggest that using only EFM would lead to a 14.2% increase (~164 m2), whereas installing only traditional moorings would lead to a 16% (~187 m2) loss of P. australis cover in this already highly disturbed meadow. Synthesis and applications: We demonstrate a nondestructive approach to assessing primary and secondary disturbances driving the distribution of a threatened seagrass and simulate a range of potential management scenarios that could assist in conserving the species.
Dynamic evaluation and sensitivity analysis of China’s industrial solid waste management efficiency based on ecological environment cycle perspective
Authors: Guan Xin-ge , Ren Fang-rong , Fan Gao , Zhang Qing-qing , Wu Tao-feng
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The recycling and repurposing of industrial solid waste is a crucial element of sustainable development in growing industrialized nations.

Methods

An advanced two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model was employed to assess the effectiveness of solid waste management across all 31 provinces in China throughout the period spanning from 2016 to 2022.

Results

The research findings suggest the following: (1) The circular economy has shown varying degrees of improvement in efficiency across most regions. (2) The average efficiency of the resource reuse stage is not higher than 0.4, indicating significant room for development that requires serious attention. (3) The western region has a higher average solid waste treatment efficiency of 0.65 compared to 0.53 in the eastern region, while the central region falls at a moderate level. Furthermore, this work employed sensitivity analysis to examine the resilience of regional efficiency research and discovered that the overall findings remain statistically significant. Hence, it is imperative to simultaneously enhance the internal administration of businesses and enhance governmental environmental legislation and regulations, with the aim of attaining the utmost optimization of resource recycling.

Discussion

This paper presents policy suggestions for enhancing the solid waste recycling system within provincial government departments, while also establishing the foundation for the expansion of the solid waste treatment industry, which is necessary to accomplish the goal of “double carbon”.
PLEK2: a potential biomarker for metastasis and prognostic evaluation in uveal melanoma
Authors: Liu Yichong , Wang Haiyue , Zhang Qian , Gao Xiaodi , Ji Yiqing , Zhu Yuanzhang , Zhang Jingjing , Luo Wenjuan
Published: December 2024

Background

Uveal melanoma (UVM) is an aggressive tumor known for its high metastatic rate, making it necessary to delineate potential molecules that may promote the development of UVM. PLEK2 has been found to promote the progression and metastasis of some tumors, but its role in UVM has not yet been reported. Through this study, we hope to explore the effect of PLEK2 on the prognosis of UVM patients and to discover the potential functional role and intrinsic mechanism of PLEK2.

Methods

The GEO datasets GSE211763 and GSE149920 were analyzed using GEO2R to identify differentially expressed genes that may be associated with UVM progression and metastasis. A Protein-Protein Interaction Network (PPI) was constructed to identify key molecules. The correlation between PLEK2 expression and overall survival was evaluated via GEPIA2, and clinical characteristics of UVM patients were compared based on PLEK2 levels. PLEK2 expression in UVM cell lines was assessed using the CCLE database and confirmed by qPCR and western blot. A weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was performed, followed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Finally, a search for miRNAs potentially regulating PLEK2 expression was performed using TargetScan, miRWalk, and TarBase databases.

Results

Comparative analysis of the GEO datasets unveiled 79 commonly up-regulated genes and 238 commonly down-regulated genes. The PPI network identified 9 hub genes, with PLEK2 significantly linked to reduced overall survival. Clinical comparisons indicated significant differences in cancer status (p = 0.013) and tumor diameter (p = 0.039) between high and low PLEK2 expression groups. Elevated PLEK2 mRNA levels were confirmed in UVM cell lines compared to retinal pigment epithelial cells. PLEK2 was enriched in the calcium signaling pathway and associated with the Wnt/Ca2+ signaling pathway. A total of 21 miRNAs potentially regulating PLEK2 were predicted.

Conclusion

PLEK2 is upregulated in UVM and correlates with poor patient prognosis, likely influencing the calcium signaling pathway. PLEK2 represents a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for UVM.
Enhancing aerobic composting of food waste by adding hydrolytically active microorganisms
Authors: Mironov Vladimir , Zhukov Vitaly , Efremova Kristina , Brinton William F.
Published: December 2024

The biomass of native microorganisms in food waste (FW) suitable for accelerated composting is initially low and requires time for adaptation. Adding of efficient hydrolytic microorganisms should be able to enhance compost-specific microbial activity, adjust microbial community structure, and potentially hasten FW biodegradation. This study aimed to identify bacterial and fungal strains with growth characteristics suitable for accelerating FW composting. Over 7 weeks, FW was composted in a pilot-scale test, either inoculated at the start or on day 28 with three different mixtures of 10 autochthonous Bacillus and Penicillium spp. strains known for their high hydrolytic activity. The effects of inoculation were assessed by measuring the rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3) production and also the increase in temperature due to spontaneous exothermic activity of the enhanced microbial population degrading FW. Inoculation with Bacillus spp., particularly B. amyloliquefaciens and B. subtilis, at the beginning of composting increased CO2 production nearly 3-fold while maintaining stable ammonia production and temperature. The high concentration of Bacillus relative to native FW microorganisms led to dominant fermentation processes even in the presence of oxygen, resulting in moderate heat release and elevated production of volatile organic compounds. Introducing Penicillium spp. at a later stage (day 28) increased CO2 production nearly 2-fold, along with higher NH3 levels and temperature. These findings highlight the significance of inoculation timing and microbial composition in regulating metabolic pathways during FW composting degradation, offering insights for designing effective microbial formulations for composting.
The impact of Ricinus straw on tomato growth and soil microbial community
Authors: Zhang Jingyu , Liu Minghao , Landry N’da Brou Jean , Duan Yaping , Li Xin , Zhou Xingang
Published: December 2024

Returning straw can alter the soil microbial community, reduce the occurrence of soilborne diseases, and promote plant growth. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Ricinus straw on tomato growth and rhizosphere microbial community. We carried out microcosm experiments to investigate the effects of Ricinus straw with different dosages (0, 1, and 3%) on tomato dry biomass and rhizosphere bacterial and fungal communities. The results indicated that the dry biomass of tomato seedlings with 1% addition of Ricinus straw increased by 53.98%. In addition, Ricinus straw also changed the abundance, diversities, and composition of tomato rhizosphere microbial communities. In detail, the addition of 1% Ricinus straw increased the relative abundance of putative beneficial bacteria and fungi in straw decomposition, such as Ramlibacter sp., Azohydromonas sp., Schizothecium sp., and Acaulium sp., and decreased the relative abundance of Fusarium sp. Meanwhile, Ricinus straw inhibited the growth of putative pathogenic microorganisms. The correlation analysis showed that the changes in fungal community operational taxonomic units stimulated by the addition of Ricinus straw may play a crucial positive regulatory role in tomato growth. Finally, the representative fungal strain Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lycopersici (FOL), named TF25, was isolated and cultured. We found that Ricinus straw extract inhibited the growth of TF25 in an in vitro experiment with an inhibition rate of 34.95–51.91%. Collectively, Ricinus straw promoted plant growth by changing the rhizosphere microbial community composition and inhibiting FOL growth, which provides new evidence for understanding the improvement of key microorganism composition in improving crop growth and the sustainability of agriculture.
Exploring TAS2R46 biomechanics through molecular dynamics and network analysis
Authors: Cannariato Marco , Fanunza Riccardo , Zizzi Eric A. , Miceli Marcello , Di Benedetto Giacomo , Deriu Marco A. , Pallante Lorenzo
Published: December 2024

Understanding the intricate interplay between structural features and signal-processing events is crucial for unravelling the mechanisms of biomolecular systems. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a pervasive protein family in humans, serve a wide spectrum of vital functions. TAS2Rs, a subfamily of GPCRs, play a primary role in recognizing bitter molecules and triggering events leading to the perception of bitterness, a crucial defence mechanism against spoiled or poisonous food. Beyond taste, TAS2Rs function is associated with many diseases as they are expressed in several extra-oral tissues. Given that the precise functioning mechanisms of TAS2R remain poorly understood, this study employed molecular dynamics simulations combined with network-based analysis to investigate local conformational changes and global structural correlations in different states of the receptor. The focus was on the human TAS2R46 bitter taste receptor, recently resolved experimentally, both in the presence and absence of strychnine, a known bitter agonist. The results showed that the ligand-bound state of the receptor exhibited more correlated dynamics compared to the apo state, and the presence of the agonist mediated the allosteric network between two helices (TM3 and TM6) which mainly convey the signal transferring from the extracellular to the intracellular region. By elucidating the hallmarks of the conformational changes and allosteric network of TAS2R46 under varying conditions, this study has enabled the identification of the unique structural and dynamics features of this receptor, thereby establishing a foundation for a more profound characterisation of this intriguing class of receptors.
Cell-autonomous action of Slit2 in radial migration of cortical projection neurons
Authors: Jiang Tian , Niu Guozhen , Wu Chunping , Tu Xiaomeng , Xiao Jian , Li Xue , Chen Jie-Guang , Cao Huateng
Published: December 2024

Neuronal radial migration is a fundamental process for cortical development, the disruption of which causes neurological and psychiatric dysfunctions. SLIT2 plays diverse functions in brain development and is a well-known axon guidance molecule. In this study, we investigated the radial migration of projection neurons in the developing cerebral cortex by in utero knockdown (KD) of Slit2 in mice. KD of Slit2 did not interfere with the neurogenesis and fate-determination but led to the accumulation of the transfected cells in the intermediate zone (IZ), suggesting that the expression of Slit2 is crucial for the radial migration of the cortical neurons. KD of Slit2 hindered the transition of cells from a multipolar to a bipolar shape, which is necessary for glia-guided locomotion. Interestingly, reducing Slit2 did not affect the migration of neighboring untransfected cells, indicating a cell-autonomous action by SLIT2. In addition, the action of SLIT2 KD was mimicked by a dominant negative mutant of ROBO2, a canonical membrane receptor of SLIT2, supporting that SLIT2 acted locally as a secretory molecule. Our results suggest that SLIT2 is indispensable for the radial migration of cortical neurons through an autocrine signaling mechanism.
Prevalence and characteristics of participants in Dry January 2024: findings from a general population survey in France
Authors: Lespine Louis-Ferdinand , François Diane , Haesebaert Julie , Delile Jean-Michel , Savy Myriam , Tubiana-Rey Benjamin , Naassila Mickael , de Ternay Julia , Rolland Benjamin
Published: December 2024

Background

Dry January is a one-month alcohol abstinence challenge for the general population running since 2013 in the United Kingdom, and 2020 in France. Dry January has gained increasing popularity among the public, but studies assessing the individual characteristics associated with awareness and participation remain sparse.

Methods

Using quota sampling, a representative sample of 5,000 French adults completed an online cross-sectional survey between 8 and 17th January 2024. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regressions were used to explore demographic and alcohol-related characteristics associated with awareness of the Dry January campaign as well as participation.

Results

Among 4,075 past-year alcohol users, 2,468 (61%) were aware of the “Dry January” campaign, of whom 497 (20%) were participants (12% of all alcohol users). Extrapolated to the entire adult French population, this corresponds to an estimated 4.5 million people participating in the Dry January 2024. Awareness was comparable between genders and across age groups, but was greater among individuals with higher occupational status, and lower among those living in Eastern regions of France. Individuals aware of the campaign were more likely to self-evaluate their drinking as “at risk” and to report high-risk consumption. Participation rates did not differ by gender, occupational status, or region but decreased with age. Compared to non-participants, Dry January participants were more likely to self-identify their drinking as at-risk, to be concerned about health-related effects of alcohol, to be concerned about their control (or lack thereof) over drinking, and to report hazardous use or possible alcohol use disorder. However, no evidence was found for an association between high-risk consumption based on AUDIT-C and participation. Among participants, aiming for reduction (vs. abstinence) and official registration (vs. unofficial participation), were associated with worsened alcohol-related measures.

Conclusion

This study indicates a stable level of awareness, but encouraging participation in Dry January in France. The results also confirm that temporary alcohol abstinence campaigns primarily attract high-risk drinkers and individuals reporting harmful consequences related to alcohol.