bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospective Noninvasive Hemoglobin Monitoring in the Outpatient Total Joint Arthroplasty Setting
Authors: Dugdale Evan M. , Mallinger Benjamin D. , Bedard Nicholas A. , Couch Cory G. , Mabry Tad M. , Perry Kevin I. , Sierra Rafael J. , Taunton Michael J. , Trousdale Robert T. , Abdel Matthew P.
Published: December 2024

Background:

Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is increasingly being performed as an outpatient (i.e., same-day discharge) procedure. Postoperatively, orthostatic hypotension or pain-related tachycardia can lead to concerns regarding the hemoglobin (Hgb) level of the patient prior to discharge. The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess the reliability and accuracy of, and patient and nurse satisfaction with, postoperative noninvasive hemoglobin (nHgb) monitoring compared with an invasive serum hemoglobin (iHgb) laboratory draw in the outpatient TJA setting.

Methods:

We prospectively enrolled 200 patients undergoing outpatient unilateral TJA, of whom 157 were ultimately included in our analysis (94 hips, 63 knees). Postoperatively, both nHgb and iHgb values were obtained at a mean of 36 minutes apart. Surveys were completed by patients and nurses. The strength of the agreement between the 2 Hgb monitoring methods was evaluated with use of the Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement, concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to investigate the ability of nHgb monitoring to predict an iHgb of <11.2 g/dL (the 5th-percentile iHgb value).

Results:

The mean preoperative iHgb was 14.2 ± 1.1 g/dL. The mean postoperative iHgb and nHgb values were 13.3 ± 1.5 and 13.3 ± 1.2 g/dL, respectively. The Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement were −3.2 and +3.1 g/dL, indicating that 95% of patients’ iHgb values are expected to fall between these limits relative to the nHgb value of the patient. The CCC and ICC were both 0.33. An nHgb cutoff value of <12.7 g/dL had 100% sensitivity and 67% specificity for detecting an iHgb of <11.2 g/dL. Patients reported less pain with the nHgb test than with the iHgb test (mean pain score, 0.0 versus 1.8; p < 0.001), and 97% of patients preferred the nHgb test. Following the nHgb test, 73% of responding patients and 83% of responding nurses were “somewhat more reassured” to “significantly more reassured” about same-day discharge.

Conclusions:

Routine nHgb testing can rapidly screen patients undergoing outpatient TJA for acute anemia prior to discharge. With an nHgb of <12.7 g/dL, there was perfect sensitivity and 67% specificity for detecting an iHgb of <11.2 g/dL. Most patients and nurses felt more reassured about same-day discharge after nHgb monitoring.

Level of Evidence:

Diagnostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Operative Fires
Authors: Hendrix Bryce , Ponce Brent , Joiner Aaron , Connelley Cole , Kelly Tyler , Ruark Randall
Published: December 2024

Background:

Operative fires are rare but unforgettable events, with the potential for devastating outcomes. It is estimated that 650 operating room (OR) fires occur each year in the United States, with the use of electrocautery devices and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) as the primary ignition and fuel sources. There are several case reports of OR fires caused by PMMA and electrocautery in the literature, but, to our knowledge, no formal studies have been performed exposing the flammability of PMMA and how PMMA reacts to an electrocautery ignition source.

Methods:

We studied the flammability of PMMA with electrocautery as an ignition source in a controlled laboratory setting. We used 2 different brands of PMMA, both with and without antibiotics. The PMMA was prepared according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. In our model, which used a cadaveric leg, the PMMA was placed next to a femoral component that is used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Electrocautery was applied at 30-second intervals for a total of 15 minutes. Flammability was defined as any visualized spark or flame while using an electrocautery device. The heat resulting from the chemical reaction was recorded every 30 seconds with a thermal imaging camera (TIC). Video recording was used during the experiment to document the flammability events. A total of 108 tests were performed.

Results:

PMMA with and without antibiotics proved to be flammable with the use of electrocautery. All flammability occurred within 7 minutes of combining the monomer and the powder. Increased flammability was seen with the use of antibiotic additives.

Conclusions:

PMMA was found to be highly flammable in the initial curing period when exposed to electrocautery as an ignition source. When PMMA is ready for application, we recommend that an “electrocautery timeout” be performed, wherein the electrocautery device is removed from the operating field for a minimum of 7 minutes or until the PMMA has fully hardened.
PENGGUNAAN ABU BATU DAN SPLIT DALAM PEMBUATAN PAVING BLOCK
Authors: Mulyati Mulyati
Published: December 2024

Penelitian ini menggunakan abu batu dan split sebagai bahan campuran dalam pembuatan paving block. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui nilai kuat tekan dan penyerapan air paving block dari penggunaan abu batu dan split.  Bahan campuran pembutan paving block sebagai pembanding digunakan semen dan pasir dengan komposisi 1:8, dan penggunaan semen, abu batu, split dengan komposisi 1:6:4, 1:8:4, 1:8:8.  Pembuatan benda uji paving block menggunakan mesin dengan ukuran cetakan 21 cm x 10,5 cm x 6 cm.  Pengujian kuat tekan dan penyerapan air paving block dilakukan pada umur 28 hari.  Hasil penelitian menggunakan pasir serta abu batu dan split dalam pembuatan paving block dengan perbandingan 1:8, dan 1:6:4, 1:8:4, 1:8:8, diperoleh kuat tekan rata-rata berturut-turut sebesar 5,29 dan 5,07 MPa, 7,99 MPa, 4,51 MPa, dan untuk penyerapan air rata-rata berturut-turut sebesar 10,64% dan 7,14%, 9,70%, 9,87%.
POMPA HIDRAM (POMPA AIR TANPA PENGGERAK ENERGI MEKANIK)
Authors: Anwar Irwan , Wardianto Dedi , Afdal Afdal
Published: December 2024

Pompa hidram adalah pompa air dengan memanfaatkan energi potensial (EP = mgh) yang dipunyai oleh air karena ada perbedaan ketinggian letak dengan rumah pompa (elevasi) dan energi kinetik (EK = ½ mV2) yang terjadi ketika air mengalir dari reservoir sumber air di dalam pipa intake menuju rumah pompa hidram sehingga menimbulkan tekanan dinamik air atau palu air (water hammer) sehingga air tersebut dapat dipindah dari permukaan yang lebih tinggi dari rumah pompa (H2 = ± 50 meter s/d 500 meter dari rumah pompa.
Perbedaan elevasi ini minimal ± 1 meter debit air yang dipompakan (minimal) 7 liter tiap menit tergantung pada diameter Æ pompa dan tipe pompa yang dipasang. Secara matematik konstruktif  pemasangan pompa ini standarnya panjang pipa intake (pipa masuk sama dengan 5 s/d 10 kali tinggi terjun air (H1 atau L intake = 5 s/d 10 x H1). H1 = tinggi terjun (vertikal faall) L intake = panjang pipa intake.
evaluación de la calidad de la traducción automática de los textos turísticos en la enseñanza de la traducción
Authors: González Pastor Diana
Published: December 2024

El turismo es un sector que genera un gran volumen de textos multilingües que precisan ser traducidos con una gran inmediatez y que resultan inabarcables para la traducción humana. La traducción automática (TA) se ha convertido en una opción viable para las empresas del sector turístico, pues pueden disponer de contenidos multilingües que requieran distintos niveles de calidad de acuerdo con las necesidades del cliente, la función de la traducción y la perecibilidad del texto, y que, tras pasar por un proceso de posedición y revisión humana, pueden ajustarse a la calidad requerida. Por ende, resulta necesario plantear la introducción de la traducción automática en la formación de traductores, lo que deber incluir la evaluación de los textos generados con traducción automática en contextos especializados como el del turismo. De este modo, se puede proveer al alumnado de la competencia tecnológica y la capacidad de visión crítica que le permita la identificación de los errores, el análisis razonado de riesgos en el uso de la TA y la correcta toma de decisiones. Todo ello puede contribuir a situarles en el nuevo entorno laboral marcado por el uso de la automatización y la inteligencia artificial (IA). De acuerdo con estas premisas y a través de una metodología de análisis cualitativo, el presente trabajo expone los resultados de un estudio exploratorio acerca de las opiniones del alumnado del Grado de Traducción y Mediación Interlingüística de la Universitat de València en España respecto a una experiencia docente que integra la enseñanza de la traducción automática de textos del ámbito turístico para conocer la utilidad de la evaluación de la calidad a través del uso de esta herramienta.
Upper Mississippi River main channel sediment placement : purpose, practice, effects, and recommendations
Authors: Theiling Charles , Suedel Burton , McFarlane Aaron
Published: December 2024

Dredged-sediment management in the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway is constrained by environmental factors and regulations that limit where sediment can be placed. Regulations regarding in-water sediment placement are not consistent among states. In-water placement should be promoted because it keeps sediment in the system and reduces costs for managing sediment dredged from the river. Studies investigating the environmental effects of in-water placement generally conclude that sand-on-sand placement has minimal effect on aquatic resources in the dynamic riverine environment. This report discusses in-water sediment management techniques, including flow- and sediment-regulating structures (i.e., dikes and wing dams) and a bed-load sediment collector by-pass system.
APPROACHES FOR A CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS EFFECTS IN THIRD COUNTRIES: PROMOTING A VALUES-BASED DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE EU AND LATIN AMERICA?
Authors: Barbosa Sá Leitão Di Pasquale Adriana Isabelle
Published: December 2024

The United Nations and the European Union are natural partners, once the European Union’s external actions are guided by the principles that have consolidated its own creation, and that are also enshrined in the United Nations Charter and in International Law. The European Union approach for implementing sustainable development and consequently the 2030 Agenda runs through the achievement of a circular economy, but the plastic pollution problem – a global transboundary crisis – arises as a challenge and an obstacle to implement sustainable development across the world. In attempts to handle the situation, the European Union, despite of its advanced and innovative strategies on circular economy and plastics, has been permissive when it comes to exporting plastic waste towards third countries, increasing insecurity and inequality issues abroad. This study, through a qualitative approach, with bibliographical and documental research, intends to demonstrate that, since the very founding values and principles of the European Union forbid it to be conniving with such practices, while actively participating in the negotiations for the future Plastics Treaty, the European Union must look inwards and glimpse this moment as an opportunity for improving its strategies and promoting a values-based dialogue with third countries. It concludes that, by doing so, the EU could be recognized as a global exporter of positive values, leading a fair and equal transition for a future without plastic pollution.
Patrimonio industrial minero y paisaje en el Geoparque Volcanes de Calatrava (Ciudad Real, España)
Authors: Cañizares Ruiz María del Carmen
Published: December 2024

El territorio incluido en el Geoparque Volcanes de Calatrava. Ciudad Real, declarado por UNESCO en 2024, se extiende por las áreas centrales de la provincia de Ciudad Real (Castilla-La Mancha, España) e incluye una gran riqueza geológica en la que sus protagonistas son los volcanes del Campo de Calatrava. Dentro de una estrategia conjunta de valorización de todo tipo de recursos territoriales como la que caracteriza a los geoparques globales UNESCO, nos centramos, en este caso, en aquellos derivados de las actividades mineras, tipificados dentro del patrimonio industrial minero que son de gran interés. Ellos nos permiten identificar dos paisajes culturales mineros: el conformado por las mineralizaciones de cinabrio-mercurio en la zona de Almadén y Almadenejos y el del carbonífero en Puertollano. Esta iniciativa se une a la de otros geoparques globales que incluyen geositios vinculados con el legado minero en Europa (Terra Vita, Idrija, Copper Coast...) y en España (Cabo de Gata-Níjar, Villuercas-Ibores-Jara, Las Loras...) reforzando, con ello, su oferta geoturística.
TP63 mediates the generation of tumour-specific chromatin loops that underlie MYC activation in radiation-induced tumorigenesis
Authors: Hu Yi , Liu Qiaowei , Jiang Shuai , Xu Xiang , Xu Kang , Luo Yawen , Yu Zongyuan , Xiang Meida , Xu Zhouyang , Wang Lijie , Zhang Sujie , Tao Haitao , Yang Xuhui , Jiang Chongbo , Qi Xiaoguang , Li Hao , Gao Yiming , Li Yao , Fu Shihui , Zhou Ping-Kun , Bo Xiaochen , Chen Hebing , Chen Xiaohua
Published: December 2024

Alterations in 3D chromatin conformation may disrupt the interplay between promoters and distal enhancers. How gene regulatory circuits are reshaped during ionizing radiation-induced tumorigenesis remains unclear, and little is known about the mediators that drivethese processes. To decipher the chromatin alterations in radiation-induced lung cancer, we performed ATAC-seq, RNA-seq and Hi-C analyses of human bronchial epithelial cells and corresponding radiation-induced malignant transformed cell lines. We found that this malignant transformation is accompanied by chromatin switching from inactive B compartment to active A compartment, increased number of TADs and gained ATAC-seq peaks that mediate new distal chromatin contacts. We identified tumour protein 63 (TP63) as a mediator of new chromatin-accessible sites that anchor tumour-specific chromatin contacts in radiation-induced tumour cells. A TP63-mediated accessible chromatin site anchors a tumour-specific TAD boundary and multiple tumour-specific chromatin loops, which might underlie MYC oncogene activation during the malignant transformation.
Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on swallowing improvement and cortical excitability in hemispheric stroke patients: a randomized, sham-controlled trial
Authors: Duan Guoping , Yuan Ying , Hua Heliu , Zhang Xu , Liu Baohu , Li Yuanyuan , Zhao Jiayi , Wang Qiuyue , Wang Jie , Wu Dongyu
Published: December 2024

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been extensively utilized in the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia; however, the effect of different tDCS protocols remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate the effect of tDCS on dysphagia after hemispheric stroke and compare the effect of tDCS among three protocols. A total of 90 hemispheric stroke patients were randomized into three groups: bilateral, contralesional, and ipsilesional tDCS. Each group received anodal tDCS over the orofacial sensorimotor cortex (S1M1) of the bilateral, contralesional, and ipsilesional hemispheres, respectively, administered for 20 sessions overall, combined with exercise-based swallowing therapy. After tDCS, both the dysphagia assessment scale and the swallow severity scale showed significant improvement in all three groups (all p <0.01). In the comparisons among the three groups, the bilateral tDCS demonstrated significantly greater improvement than both the contralesional and ipsilesional tDCS group, in terms of the dysphagia assessment scale (all p <0.001) and swallow severity scale (all p <0.05). The analysis of ApEn showed increased cortical excitability in both stimulated and non-stimulated areas of bilateral hemispheres after bilateral and unilateral tDCS. Moreover, larger cortical areas of bilateral hemispheres were activated after bilateral tDCS, compared to those after unilateral tDCS.
Trial registration: ChiCTR-TRC-14004955(16/07/2014).
Association of Life’s Essential 8 with femur osteoporosis among US adults: a cross-sectional study from NHANES
Authors: Liu Xuecheng , Lv Kai , Zhang Rilin , Xu Jianghan , Ge Zhichao , Zhao Qing , Wang Shuqiang
Published: December 2024

Osteoporosis is a significant public health concern characterized by decreased bone mineral density and increased fracture risk, particularly among older adults. Lifestyle factors play a crucial role in bone health, and the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 score has been associated with various health outcomes. However, the relationship between LE8 scores and osteoporosis risk remains underexplored. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 6,748 participants aged 50 years and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Femur BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and osteoporosis was defined according to the World Health Organization criteria. LE8 scores were calculated based on the American Heart Association’s guidelines, with scores categorized as low, moderate, or high. Multivariable logistic regression and modified Poisson regression with robust error variance were employed to assess the association between LE8 scores and osteoporosis risk. Higher LE8 scores were significantly associated with increased femur BMD and a reduced risk of osteoporosis. Compared to participants with low LE8 scores, those with moderate and high LE8 scores had significantly lower adjusted odds of osteoporosis (aOR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.46-0.83; aOR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.31-0.89, respectively). The adjusted relative risks (aRR) were also significantly lower for the moderate and high LE8 groups (aRR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.56-0.86; aRR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.42-0.92, respectively). A nonlinear relationship was observed between LE8 scores and BMD (P for nonlinearity < 0.001), indicating more substantial reductions in osteoporosis risk at higher LE8 scores. Subgroup analyses revealed that the protective effect of higher LE8 scores was more pronounced in non-hispanic whites and premenopausal women. These findings suggest LE8 scores are negatively and nonlinearly associated with osteoporosis risk among U.S. adults aged 50 and older.
An investigation of in vivo performance of bupivacaine multivesicular liposomes in rats and the impacts from product qualities
Authors: Xia Ziyun , Liu Yayuan , Lu Ziyi , Gan Jingyao , Yu Minzhi , Olsen Karl , Wang Yan , Xu Xiaoming , Schwendeman Steve , Schwendeman Anna
Published: December 2024

A bupivacaine multivesicular liposomal injectable formulation, ExparelTM, is a nonopioid long-acting local analgesic indicated for pain management across and/or post surgeries. For such products, preclinical data is lacking to support bioequivalence determination for potential generic products. Therefore, in the present work, in vivo studies were set up in male Sprague-Dawley rats to understand the in vivo performance of bupivacaine multivesicular liposomes (MVLs), aiming to provide information on bioequivalence establishment between comparator products. Bupivacaine MVLs show a multiphasic release profile, and their pharmacokinetics (PK) may differ with different experimental conditions including doses, administration routes, and sample dilution factors. In this work, compromised bupivacaine MVLs were either generated in lab by freeze-thawing, mechanical agitation, and high-temperature incubation, or chosen from years-old expired batches of ExparelTM, for a preliminary investigation on the in vitro and in vivo association. The formulation attributes of different bupivacaine MVLs were characterized, including morphology, particle size distribution, formulation pH, free drug contents, in vitro release, and in vivo PK. In the rat study, even with an observation of inter- and intra-variability in PK, an association between product attributes and in vivo behaviors was demonstrated with bupivacaine MVLs. Overall, investigating the bupivacaine MVLs in vivo is beneficial not only to fill in gaps in preclinical data in the field of bupivacaine MVLs, but also to help pave the path for developing other MVL-related products.
Post Activation Potentiation Effect of Different Preloading Protocols on Sprint Performance
Authors: CELIK Seyfullah , ORER Gamze ERIKOGLU
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to investigate the post-activation potentiation effects of different pre-loading protocols involving blood flow-restricted plyometric jumps on sprint performance. In this randomized crossover experimental study, 15 athletes with at least seven years of sporting experience participated voluntarily. Participants underwent several anthropometric measurements (height, body weight, body mass index, and body fat percentage) as well as performance measurements (10-meter and 20-meter sprints). The data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. The effect size and percentage changes are reported to illustrate the practical significance of the differences. Cohen's d test was used to determine the effect size. Differences between repeated measures data were analyzed using repeated-measures one-way ANOVA. Tukey’s post hoc test was used to determine the protocols responsible for the differences. The eta-squared (η²) value was used to express the effect size. The significance level was set at p=0.05, with 95% confidence interval. In conclusion, all pre-loading protocols demonstrated a positive post-activation potentiation effect on sprint performance. However, the greatest potentiating effect was observed with the pre-loading protocol involving blood flow-restricted plyometric jumps with a weighted vest.
Design and Implementation of Smart Traffic Light System Using Renewable Energy, Fail-Safe Systems, and Intelligent Sensors
Authors: Salama Ramiz , Idoko John Bush
Published: December 2024

To overcome the disadvantages of traditional traffic lights, this study provides a detailed examination of the development and implementation of a smart traffic light system. The research focuses on developing cutting-edge smart traffic light systems that incorporate intelligent sensors for real-time data collection, fail-safe mechanisms, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources. The recommended system uses infrared (IR) sensors to track autos and collect exact data for simulations. The system uses this technology to detect lane violations, reduce wait times, avoid inadvertent crashes, and make empty lanes simpler to pass. It also allows for the tracking of vehicle numbers over different weekdays and hours to help with traffic control. The system was evaluated using a simulation program written in Python and powered by the Ursina engine. This software allows the proposed ideas to be tested and confirmed in a realistic setting. The results' correctness and realism are examined, and prior simulations using OpenStreetMap (OSM) are also discussed. The program also looks into other capabilities, such as tracking vehicle movement across the city by capturing license plates and routes, as well as assessing the time between traffic lights to identify speeding cars. This research increases traffic management and safety by incorporating revolutionary traffic signal designs, energy-saving approaches, fail-safe systems, intelligent sensors, and simulation software. The findings provide politicians and urban planners with critical new knowledge.
The Relationship Between Medication Error Tendency and Mindfulness Levels of Nursing Students in Turkey: A Descriptive and Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Görücü Selçuk , Türk Gülengün
Published: December 2024

Background
Given the nature of the health profession, medical errors are considered a common problem. Nursing students are inevitably likely to make medical errors due to the lack of adequate and safe learning environments during their clinical practice.
Aim
We aimed to investigate the relationship between the tendency to make medical errors and the level of mindfulness of senior nursing students.
Methods
Data were collected using the Malpractice Trend Scale (MTS) and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). This study was reported following STROBE.
Results
The students' MAAS total score mean was 62.96 ± 1.64. The MTS total score mean was 79.91 ± 1.25. According to Pearson correlation analysis, there was a weak, positive (r = .194) and statistically insignificant (p > 0.05) relationship between the total scores of MTS and MAAS.
Conclusions
It was concluded that as the students' mindfulness levels increase, their tendency to make medication errors decreases, but this result is not statistically significant.
NOTEARS-M: Causal Bayesian Network Structure Learning of Mixed Type Data and Its Application in Identifying Disease Risk Factors
Authors: Zhao Yuanyuan , Jia Jinzhu
Published: December 2024

Background
Identifying and understanding disease risk factors is crucial in epidemiology, particularly for chronic and noncommunicable diseases that often have complex interrelationships. Traditional statistical methods struggle to capture these complexities, necessitating more sophisticated analytical frameworks. Bayesian networks and directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) provide powerful tools for exploring the complex relationships between variables. However, existing DAG structure learning algorithms still have limitations in handling mixed-type data (including continuous and discrete variables), which restricts their practical utility. Therefore, developing DAG structure learning methods that can effectively handle mixed data is highly important for obtaining an in-depth understanding of disease risk factors and pathogenic mechanisms.
Methods
This study proposes an extension of the NOTEARS algorithm, termed NOTEARS-M, which is designed for Bayesian network structure learning with mixed-type data. The algorithm integrates continuous and categorical variables through a tailored loss function, enhancing its applicability to real-world epidemiological datasets.
Results
Extensive simulations were conducted across eight distinct scenarios, specifically, variations in the number of nodes, changes in the proportion of categorical nodes, different sample sizes, levels of categorical nodes, variations in edge sparsity, adjustments to the weight scale, different graph types, and diverse noise distributions. These scenarios demonstrate that NOTEARS-M consistently outperforms existing methods such as MMHC, mDAG, and DAGBagM across key metrics, including precision, recall, F1 score, and structural Hamming distance (SHD). Furthermore, the robustness of NOTEARS-M is validated through its application to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset, revealing critical causal relationships among risk factors for CHD and diabetes.
Conclusions
NOTEARS-M provides a powerful and scalable tool for uncovering causal relationships in complex disease networks, with significant implications for risk factor identification and public health research.
URFM: a general Ultrasound Representation Foundation Model for advancing ultrasound image diagnosis
Authors: Kang Qingbo , Lao Qicheng , Gao Jun , Bao Wuyongga , Lu Qiang , Li Kang
Published: December 2024

Ultrasound imaging is pivotal in clinical diagnostics, providing critical insights into a wide range of diseases and organs. However, advancing artificial intelligence (AI) in this field is hindered by challenges such as the reliance on large labeled datasets and the limited generalizability of task-specific models, largely due to ultrasound’s low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). To address these issues, we propose the Ultrasound Representation Foundation Model (URFM), designed to learn robust and generalizable representations from unlabeled ultrasound data.URFM is pre-trained on over 1 million ultrasound images from 15 major anatomical organs, utilizing representation-based masked image modeling (MIM) and state-of-the-art self-supervised learning techniques. Unlike traditional pixel-based MIM, URFM integrates high-level representations from BiomedCLIP, a medical vision-language model, to handle the low SNR inherent in ultrasound imaging. Extensive evaluations show URFM outperforms existing methods, excelling in generalization, label efficiency, and training speed, highlighting its potential to revolutionize diagnostic accuracy and clinical workflows.
Principal-agent Problems in the Purchase of Durables: Evidence from Motorcycles in Nepal
Authors: Filippini Massimo , Raut Nirmal Kumar , Sriniva Suchita , Sureka Keshav
Published: December 2024

We investigate the existence of a principal-agent problem between parents and financially dependent adult children within households on the purchase of a durable (such as a vehicle). We theoretically argue that children will select more expensive durables if parents contribute more towards its purchase, however this effect is weaker for altruistic children. We test this empirically using unique data collected on motorcycle purchases of university students in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. We confirm the first hypothesis, however we show that altruism does not influence this relationship. Policy implications relate to the effects on household finances, and on possible environmental impacts.
JEL Classification: D10; D11; D12; C26
Identifying Threat Detection Resources on GitHub: Scalable Clustering Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Kern Manuel , Landauer Max , Skopik Florian , Weippl Edgar
Published: December 2024

Many businesses rely on open-source software modules to build their technology stacks. However, those who lack domain expertise may struggle to find the right software due to unfamiliar terminology and specific names. As a consequence, search engines and other platforms often cannot be utilized effectively to discover appropriate solutions. There is thus a need for a more applicable approach to assist non-domain experts in navigating the vastness of available repositories, enabling them to efficiently discover and select the right solution for their business needs. To overcome these gaps, we introduce an approach that supports finding unpopular yet important open-source software repositories on GitHub using advanced machine learning techniques. For this purpose, we propose novel strategies for information gathering and data pre-processing that resolve scalability issues of existing solutions and enable clustering of repositories even when topics, descriptions, or repository names are unclear or absent. For our evaluation, we gathered a dataset of 221,971 repositories using GitHub search and keywords related to incident detection. We show that our approach is able to separate threat detection repositories from others with an F1-score of 0.93.
Transcriptome analysis and reverse engineering verification of SNZ3 Val125Ile and Pho3 Asn134Asp revealed the mechanism of laboratory adaptive evolution to increase the yield of tyrosol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae S26
Authors: Song Na , Xia Huili , Yang Xiaoxue , Liu Siyao , Xu Linglong , Zhuang Kun , Yao Lan , Yang Shihui , Chen Xiong , Dai Jun
Published: December 2024

Background
Tyrosol is an important drug precursor, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the main microorganisms producing tyrosol. Although excessive metabolic modification increased the production of tyrosol, it also caused a decrease in the growth rate of yeast. Therefore, this study attempted to restore the growth of S. cerevisiae through adaptive evolution and further improve tyrosol production.
Results
After the adaptive laboratory evolution of S. cerevisiae S26, three evolutionary strains were obtained. The biomass of strain S26-AE2 reached 17.82 under the condition of 100 g/L glucose which was 15.33% higher than that of S26, and its tyrosol production reached 817.83 mg/L. Transcriptome analysis showed that the strain S26-AE2 may through decreased expression of HXK2 reduce the transcriptional regulation of glucose repression and increase the expression of gene PGI1 to promote the utilization of glucose. The genes related to pyruvate synthesis were enhanced in strain S26-AE2. Under the 20 g/L glucose condition, the TCA cycle-related genes of the S26-AE2 were more active. Furthermore, the tyrosol production of S26 with SNZ3Val125Ile mutation increased by 17.01% compared with the control strain S26 under the condition of 100 g/L glucose.
Conclusions
In this paper, a strain S26-AE2 with good growth and tyrosol production performance was obtained by adaptive evolution. The transcriptome reveals the differences in gene expression in metabolic pathways of adaptive evolutionary strains may be related to the growth of yeast and the production of tyrosol. Further reverse engineering verified the mutation of SNZ3 promoted the synthesis of tyrosol in S. cerevisiae in the glucose-rich medium. This study provides a theoretical basis for the metabolic engineering of S. cerevisiae to synthesize tyrosol and its derivatives.
Comparative study of heat input in conventional and advanced short circuit GMAW variants
Authors: Wiggers João Francisco , Silva Régis Henrique Gonçalves
Published: December 2024

Due to its varied range of applications, the short circuit GMAW process is highly used in the industry. Among the welding processes available in the market, this one stands out for delivering low cost and high productivity, being commonly used in naval field as root pass and also in additive manufacture for turbines production. Nevertheless, the heat input applied for this process is one of the main challenges when regarding applications where sensitive materials are used and precision is required, since high temperatures imply residual stress and possible structural damages. Therefore, the short circuiting metal transfer technologies developed by different companies are tested to study their methods to control the temperature in the welding process. This knowledge may help to understand the influences of the parameters and, then, to parameterize the process and select a technology among so many available in the market. The processes divided in standard, electrically controlled and retractable wire feed short circuit are used to produce a weld bead with similar geometry and have their performance analyzed developing the same task. As one of the most recent applications of modified short circuit GMAW, an exploratory additive manufacturing test is developed with three different processes to compare their methods and performances. The electrical parameters of each process are measured and the theoretical heat input is calculated and compared. A macrograph of the result weld beads is made to analyze the penetration and its relation with the deposition. It was observed throughout the heat input and penetration areas comparison that the theoretical heat input does not describe the physical performance of the processes. Some samples showed higher theoretical heat input and smaller penetration than others. Therefore, the physical performance can be better predicted by observing the process electric waveform, where drop detachment frequency, power peak and low current intervals are very influential. The standard short circuit processes showed the highest penetrations, followed by the electrical controlled processes. The retractable wire feed processes showed the lowest penetration values. In the theoretical heat input measured was not possible to observe significant advantages between the electrical controlled and standard processes, with exception for the ECP 2 technology. The retractable wire feed processes had the best results in the metrics, showing the lowest theoretical heat input and penetration. The preliminary AM procedure showed a big range of geometry changes, with the retractable wire feed processes controlling better the heat input, leading to a more continuous part.
Experimental Study on Abrasive Flow Polishing of Grooves and Oil Holes of Aircraft Engine Main Bearing Ring
Authors: An.Shi.Chen  , wumingyu  , Yi.Lan.Long  , Xv.Wu  , A.Qiang.Xv  , Qing.Hao.Zhang
Published: December 2024

This study addresses the challenges in machining the raceways and oil holes of aircraft engine bearing rings by conducting abrasive flow machining experiments on main bearing rings which had undergone ultra-precision grinding. Viscoelastic abrasive media containing cubic boron nitride of different particle sizes is used during the experiments. The results show that bearing performance is improved significantly in terms of surface roughness, surface microtopography, residual compressive stress, and oil film thickness, consequently, the overall surface quality is raised. The machining process meets the precision requirements for the main bearings of this type of aircraft engine, validating the feasibility and effectiveness of Abrasive Flow Machining( AFM). And the foundation for further optimization of this process is set through this research.
Unlocking single-cell level and whole-slide insights in spatial transcriptomics with PanoSpace
Authors: He Hui-Feng , Peng Pai , Yang Shi-Tong , Wang Meng-Guo , Chen Luonan , Zhang Xiao-Fei
Published: December 2024

Spatial transcriptomics has significantly advanced our ability to map gene expression within native tissue contexts. However, current low-resolution technologies are constrained by limited spatial resolution and tissue coverage. We present PanoSpace, a novel computational framework that integrates low-resolution spatial transcriptomics data with high-resolution histological images and matched single-cell RNA sequencing references. PanoSpace achieves comprehensive single-cell level and whole-tissue analysis by accurately inferring spatial localization, cell type, and gene expression for all cells across entire tissue slides. It also facilitates exploration of intra-cell-type heterogeneity and cell-cell interactions within spatial contexts. Application of PanoSpace to breast, prostate, and cervical cancer tissues reveals detailed cell-type distributions and gene expression patterns with unprecedented resolution and coverage. Furthermore, through analysis of interactions with cancer-associated fibroblasts, PanoSpace uncovers intra-cell-type heterogeneity and provides novel insights into tumor microenvironment dynamics. These findings highlight PanoSpace as a powerful tool for offering insights beyond the reach of existing technologies and computational methods.
Visual design of Ku-band linear amplifier based on Russian 0.5 um GaAs-pHEMT-technology
Authors:   , Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR), Cherkashin Mikhail V
Published: December 2024

The design procedure of Ku-band low-noise amplifier based on the application of algorithms, methods and software tools for the visual synthesis of active microwave devices is presented.
Media Time in the Optics of Social Culture
Authors: Kirichek P. N.
Published: December 2024

The article examines challenges of the formation of social culture and human personality in society within the framework of work, everyday life, and leisure; a new category of everyday communication is identified – media time, associated with regular consumption of social information in the media. Using functional analysis, the author separates verbal and visual modes of assimilation of information received in the media in terms of content and format: “reading – thinking” and “watching – experiencing”, and classifies social information consumed by people in the total volume of media time by mega-reflex (self-preservation) and mega-interest (development). In conclusion, the author emphasizes the surplus of vi[1]sual (screen) and a deficit of verbal (text) media products in the modern public sphere, and illustrates the predominant perceptual effect of the readable way of consuming information over the watchable analogue in the formation of social culture. Based on these observations, the author considers the possibility of establishing public, i.e. organizational, legal, financial patronage over the newspaper, magazine, and book segments of production, distribution, and consumption of socially significant information in the media.
Din Değiştirmenin Demografik ve Deneyimsel Önkoşulları: Türk Protestanlar Örneği
Authors: Başaran Barış
Published: December 2024

Bu çalışmada Türkiye’de Müslüman ailelerde yetişip, Protestan mezhebi üzerinden Hristiyanlığa geçmiş kişilerin demografik profillerinin ortaya çıkarılıp, bu profil bağlamında din değiştirme süreçlerini koşullandıran yaygın deneyim kalıplarının etkinliğinin tespiti amaçlanmıştır. Karma yöntemli araştırmanın veri seti Türkiye’de 7 şehirde yerleşik 80 katılımcının, bir Hristiyan televizyon kanalında yayımlanan din değiştirme öykülerinin içerik analizi yöntemiyle çözümlenmesi ile elde edilmiştir. Bu öyküler üzerinden katılımcıların demografik özellikleri, aile öyküleri ve din değiştirme sürecinde deneyimledikleri koşullara dair 16 ana değişken kodlanmış, bu değişkenlerin Türkiye geneliyle farklılaşma düzeyi ile kendi aralarındaki bağıntılarının anlamlılığı iki kuyruklu test ve tek-örneklem t-testi ile ölçümlenmiştir. Çalışmada örneklemin demografik özelliklerinden, erkek olma, tek ebeveynli ailede yetişmiş olma, Alevi kökenli olma ve din değiştirmezden önce dinen kayıtsız bir yaşam sürdürme değişkenleri itibariyle Türkiye geneliyle istatistiki olarak anlamlı düzeyde farklılaştığı tespit edilmiştir. Katılımcıların din değişimi süreçlerini önceleyen en yaygın deneyim kalıbı ise yeni dinin tebliğine muhatap oldukları zamanın hemen öncesinde deneyimledikleri göç ve boşanma benzeri deneyimlerdir. Çalışmada bu deneyimlerle ebeveynlerle ilişkiler kaynaklı mutsuz çocukluk öyküleri arasında bir örüntü oluşturacak sıklıkta gerçeklemiş anlamlı bağıntılar tespit edilmiştir. Çalışmada din değişimini koşullandırabilecek dinamikler, Sosyal Ağ ve Bağlanma Kuramları’nın teorik çerçevesi bağlamında çözümlenmiştir.
INFLUENCIA DE LA PLANIFICACIÓN PRESUPUESTARIA EN LOS OBJETIVOS ESTRATÉGICOS DE LOS GAD PARROQUIALES
Authors: Lucio Pillasagua Adela del Jesús , Lino Gómez Liliana Lilibeth
Published: December 2024

La investigación se llevó a cabo en el GAD Parroquial de Noboa, cantón 24 de Mayo, donde la principal problemática identificada fue la insuficiente planificación presupuestaria, lo que ha afectado el cumplimiento de los objetivos estratégicos de la entidad. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar cómo la planificación presupuestaria influye en dichos objetivos. Se utilizó una metodología mixta, combinando métodos cualitativos y cuantitativos, y se realizaron entrevistas y encuestas al personal del GAD. Los resultados reflejaron que el 60% de los encuestados consideraron adecuada la planificación presupuestaria, aunque el 60% también indicó que el presupuesto asignado por el Estado es insuficiente para cubrir las necesidades de la parroquia. Asimismo, el 100% afirmó que el personal cuenta con las habilidades necesarias para gestionar el presupuesto, aunque reconocieron limitaciones financieras que obstaculizan el cumplimiento de los objetivos estratégicos. En conclusión, la planificación presupuestaria es clave para el éxito institucional, pero se requieren mayores recursos y una mejor integración entre planificación y ejecución presupuestaria para optimizar el uso de los fondos disponibles.
GESTIÓN ADMINISTRATIVA Y EL DESEMPEÑO LABORAL EN EL CUERPO DE BOMBEROS DEL CANTÓN JIPIJAPA
Authors: Yoza Rodríguez Narciso Roberto , Castillo Castro Isamar Lisbeth
Published: December 2024

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar como la gestión administrativa influye en el desempeño laboral del personal del Cuerpo de Bomberos del cantón Jipijapa, identificando las áreas de mejora necesarias para optimizar la eficacia institucional. La metodología empleada combinó métodos cuantitativos y cualitativos, destacando la aplicación de encuestas al personal y la entrevista al jefe de la institución. Los resultados revelaron que el 94% de los trabajadores perciben positivamente la influencia de la gestión administrativa en su desempeño, mientras que el 81% evalúa muy positivamente la capacitación recibida y su impacto en su rendimiento. Además, el 92% de los encuestados está totalmente de acuerdo en que la planificación estratégica de la institución incluye el perfeccionamiento profesional y la evaluación del desempeño. En conclusión, la gestión administrativa tiene un rol importante en el rendimiento laboral, y la implementación de una planificación estratégica adecuada, junto con una capacitación constante, es esencial para mantener altos niveles de desempeño.
EFICIENCIA ADMINISTRATIVA EN EL PROCESO DE CONTRATACIÓN PÚBLICA EN EL GAD DE LA PARROQUIA CASCOL
Authors: Calle García Aldrin Jefferson , Zambrano Loor Dayana Monserrate
Published: December 2024

Este estudio aborda la problemática de la eficiencia administrativa en el proceso de contratación pública del GAD de la Parroquia Cascol, enfocándose en la falta de planificación, insuficiencia en la asignación presupuestaria y supervisión inadecuada. El objetivo principal fue analizar estos aspectos para identificar áreas de mejora y proponer soluciones que garanticen una gestión más efectiva y transparente de los recursos públicos. La metodología empleada incluye métodos inductivos, analíticos, bibliográficos, cualitativos y cuantitativos, utilizando entrevistas y encuestas a todo el personal involucrado en el proceso de contratación pública. Los resultados revelaron que un 44% considera la gestión como eficiente, mientras que un 33% la califica como poco eficiente y un 22% como ineficiente. Los principales desafíos identificados son la capacitación insuficiente (44%), la falta de presupuesto (33%), procesos burocráticos (11%) y retrasos en la aprobación (11%).
EL CONTROL INTERNO EN EL PROCESO DE CONTRATACIONES DEL GAD DE LA PARROQUIA CASCOL
Authors: Calle García Aldrin Jefferson , Calderón García Edita Jimabel
Published: December 2024

El estudio sobre el control interno en el proceso de contrataciones del GAD de la Parroquia Cascol aborda la problemática de la implementación inconsistente de las normas de control interno, lo que afecta negativamente la transparencia y eficiencia en la gestión de recursos públicos. El objetivo fue evaluar cómo se aplican estas normas y proponer mejoras. La metodología incluyó métodos cuantitativos y cualitativos, utilizando encuestas estructuradas y entrevistas para recopilar datos de los funcionarios del GAD. Los resultados revelaron que solo el 11% de los trabajadores consideran la implementación efectiva, mientras que el 44% la percibe como poco efectiva y otro 44% como inefectiva. Además, el 67% indicó que la capacitación en normativas y regulaciones es la más necesaria para mejorar el control interno. Respecto a la planificación de adquisiciones, el 67% prioriza la disponibilidad presupuestaria, mientras que el 78% considera la publicación en el portal institucional como el principal método para asegurar la transparencia.
APLICACIÓN DE LA NORMA DE CONTROL INTERNO 407-3 EN EL GOBIERNO AUTÓNOMO DESCENTRALIZADO MUNICIPAL PORTOVIEJO
Authors: Ponce Alvarez Cruz Verónica , Tejena Zambrano Ingrid Lisbeth
Published: December 2024

El estudio aborda la problemática de la implementación inconsistente de la Norma 407-3 durante el proceso de selección de personal, afectando la eficiencia y eficacia administrativa. El objetivo fue identificar las principales deficiencias observadas en la aplicación del subgrupo 407 de Administración de Talento Humano de las Normas de Control Interno. Utilizando una metodología cualitativa y cuantitativa, se recolectaron datos a través de encuestas y la entrevista. Los resultados mostraron que solo el 57% de los funcionarios considera que las normativas se aplican correctamente, mientras que el 54% cree que las entrevistas son pertinentes y efectivas. Sin embargo, un 49% percibe incumplimiento en la normativa vigente. Las conclusiones indican que, aunque hay esfuerzos por aplicar las normativas, existen desafíos significativos en términos de capacitación, supervisión y estandarización de procesos, destacando la necesidad de fortalecer los mecanismos de control interno para mejorar la transparencia y calidad en la selección de personal.