bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Becoming in Heraclitus and Its Bearing on Nietzsche’s Philosophy
Authors: Sciarrini Marco
Published: December 2023

The present dissertation is an inquiry into the affinity between Nietzsche and Heraclitus. More specifically, in section (1) I aim to establish one particular reading of the ‘doctrine of flux’ which emerges from a philological interpretation of the so-called ‘river fragments’ of Heraclitus. My claim in sections (2) and (3) is that Nietzsche’s reading of Heraclitus treads these same interpretative lines, namely a conception of the cosmos as absolute flux, governed by a reality of Becoming and measured by the concept of coincidentia oppositorum, the unity of opposites. I will analyse Nietzsche’s approach to the teachings of Heraclitus in passages of both his published and unpublished works, positing in section (4) the analogy between the Will to Power and Flux, as well as Heraclitean Logos and Nietzschean Necessity. Our final analysis (5) will turn to Nietzsche’s most troublesome doctrine, that of the Eternal Recurrence of the Same, as I will elucidate Nietzsche’s perplexing claim that Heraclitus could have been an early proponent of this theory as taught by Zarathustra. The structure of the following inquiry is historical in nature and follows intertextual parameters in the scrutiny of Nietzsche’s works, researching passages throughout Nietzsche’s philosophical corpus which are best elucidated with the reading of Heraclitus instituted in (1). Ultimately, I will demonstrate how two of Zarathustra’s fundamental teachings - the Will to Power and Eternal Recurrence – are both enrooted in Nietzsche’s understanding of the cosmos of Heraclitus in my present evaluation of the fragments. While I will not place a particular focus on it, I will also mention the final teaching of Zarathustra and make a connection to the Übermensch in passing, contextualizing each doctrine through the lens of Nietzsche’s project of life-affirmation.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE COAL MINING OPERATION: CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND STRATEGIES
Authors: SARDJONO Wahyu , MARYANI Maryani , SUDRAJAT Jajat , LUSIA Erma
Published: December 2023

This paper delves into the critical pursuit of sustainable development within the coal mining industry, addressing challenges, opportunities, and strategies. Sustainable development is imperative for the survival of our planet and the growth of our economies. With the coal mining sector being a significant contributor to global energy needs, it is essential to reconcile its operations with sustainable principles. The concept of sustainable development entails economic, social, and environmental considerations, and its relevance has been underscored by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper explores various challenges, including economic dependence, environmental degradation, technological constraints, and regulatory hurdles, while also identifying opportunities such as local procurement, energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, and social responsibility. Strategies for sustainable development encompass fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, investing in education, supporting emerging industries, implementing environmentally responsible practices, and adopting cleaner technologies. Ultimately, this paper seeks to engage stakeholders in a comprehensive dialogue to advance sustainable development in the coal mining sector, promoting a harmonious coexistence of mining activities with our planet and society.
Ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) in canine ADAMTS10-open-angle glaucoma (ADAMTS10-OAG)
Authors: Raphtis Vanessa A. , Sharma Dhruv , Wang Sichao , Kim Jae Y. , Jacobson Amanda L. , Harman Christine D. , Komáromy András M.
Published: December 2023

Introduction: The role of ocular rigidity and biomechanics remains incompletely understood in glaucoma, including assessing an individual’s sensitivity to intraocular pressure (IOP). In this regard, the clinical assessment of ocular biomechanics represents an important need. The purpose of this study was to determine a possible relationship between the G661R missense mutation in the ADAMTS10 gene and the ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), the difference between diastolic and systolic intraocular pressure (IOP), in a well-established canine model of open-angle glaucoma (OAG).

Methods: Animals studied included 39 ADAMTS10-mutant dogs with different stages of OAG and 14 unaffected control male and female dogs between 6 months and 12 years (median: 3.2 years). Dogs were sedated intravenously with butorphanol tartrate and midazolam HCl, and their IOPs were measured with the Icare® Tonovet rebound tonometer. The Reichert Model 30™ Pneumotonometer was used to measure OPA. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured via Accutome® PachPen, and A-scan biometry was assessed with DGH Technology Scanmate. All outcome measures of left and right eyes were averaged for each dog. Data analysis was conducted with ANOVA, ANCOVA, and regression models.

Results:ADAMTS10-OAG-affected dogs displayed a greater IOP of 23.0 ± 7.0 mmHg (mean ± SD) compared to 15.3 ± 3.6 mmHg in normal dogs (p < 0.0001). Mutant dogs had a significantly lower OPA of 4.1 ± 2.0 mmHg compared to 6.5 ± 2.8 mmHg of normal dogs (p < 0.01). There was no significant age effect, but OPA was correlated with IOP in ADAMTS10-mutant dogs.

Conclusion: The lower OPA in ADAMTS10-mutant dogs corresponds to the previously documented weaker and biochemically distinct posterior sclera, but a direct relationship remains to be confirmed. The OPA may be a valuable clinical tool to assess ocular stiffness and an individual’s susceptibility to IOP elevation.
Application and development of hydrogel biomaterials for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration: a literature review
Authors: Liu Yuheng , Zhao Zhen , Guo Chuan , Huang Zhangheng , Zhang Weifei , Ma Fei , Wang Zhe , Kong Qingquan , Wang Yu
Published: December 2023

Low back pain caused by disc herniation and spinal stenosis imposes an enormous medical burden on society due to its high prevalence and refractory nature. This is mainly due to the long-term inflammation and degradation of the extracellular matrix in the process of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), which manifests as loss of water in the nucleus pulposus (NP) and the formation of fibrous disc fissures. Biomaterial repair strategies involving hydrogels play an important role in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. Excellent biocompatibility, tunable mechanical properties, easy modification, injectability, and the ability to encapsulate drugs, cells, genes, etc. make hydrogels good candidates as scaffolds and cell/drug carriers for treating NP degeneration and other aspects of IVDD. This review first briefly describes the anatomy, pathology, and current treatments of IVDD, and then introduces different types of hydrogels and addresses “smart hydrogels”. Finally, we discuss the feasibility and prospects of using hydrogels to treat IVDD.
Impact of Baizhu, Daqingye, and Hehuanhua extracts on the human gut microbiome
Authors: Lemons Johanna M. S. , Narrowe Adrienne B. , Liu LinShu , Firrman Jenni , Mahalak Karley K. , Van den Abbeele Pieter , Baudot Aurélien , Deyaert Stef , Li Yanfang , Yu Liangli (Lucy)
Published: December 2023

Introduction

In traditional Chinese medicine, the rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu), the leaves of Isatis indigotica (Daqingye), and the flowers of Albizia julibrissin (Hehuanhua) have been used to treat gastrointestinal illnesses, epidemics, and mental health issues. Modern researchers are now exploring the underlying mechanisms responsible for their efficacy. Previous studies often focused on the impact of purified chemicals or mixed extracts from these plants on cells in tissue culture or in rodent models.

Methods

As modulation of the human gut microbiome has been linked to host health status both within the gastrointestinal tract and in distant tissues, the effects of lipid-free ethanol extracts of Baizhu, Daqingye, and Hehuanhua on the human adult gut microbiome were assessed using Systemic Intestinal Fermentation Research (SIFR®) technology (n=6).

Results and discussion

Baizhu and Daqingye extracts similarly impacted microbial community structure and function, with the extent of effects being more pronounced for Baizhu. These effects included decreases in the Bacteroidetes phylum and increases in health-related Bifidobacterium spp. and short chain fatty acids which may contribute to Baizhu’s efficacy against gastrointestinal ailments. The changes upon Hehuanhua treatment were larger and included increases in multiple bacterial species, including Agathobaculum butyriciproducens, Adlercreutzia equolifaciens, and Gordonibacter pamelaeae, known to produce secondary metabolites beneficial to mental health. In addition, many of the changes induced by Hehuanhua correlated with a rise in Enterobacteriaceae spp., which may make the tested dose of this herb contraindicated for some individuals. Overall, there is some evidence to suggest that the palliative effect of these herbs may be mediated, in part, by their impact on the gut microbiome, but more research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms.
Large-scale genome-wide association study to identify causal relationships and potential mediators between education and autoimmune diseases
Authors: Li Yingjie , Zhang Jingwei , Wen Jie , Liu Mingren , Liu Wanyao , Li Yongzhen
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Epidemiological studies suggested a potential connection between education and autoimmune disorders. This study investigated the possible cause-and-effect relationship using a Mendelian randomization approach.

Methods

We explored the causality between four education traits (n = 257,841~1,131,881) and 22 autoimmune diseases. The mediating role of smoking (632,802 individuals), BMI (681,275 individuals), alcohol (335,394 individuals), and income (397,751 individuals) was also investigated. Transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) and enriched signaling pathways analysis were used to investigate the underlying biological mechanisms.

Results

Especially, higher cognitive performance was protective for psoriasis (odds ratio (OR) = 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.60-0.79, p = 6.12×10-8), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.67-0.83, p = 4.62×10-6), and hypothyroidism (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.77-0.90, p = 9.82×10-6). Higher levels of educational attainment decreased risks of psoriasis (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.52-0.72, p = 1.12×10-9), RA (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.59-0.79, p = 1.56×10-7), and hypothyroidism (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.72-0.88, p = 5.00×10-6). The completion of highest-level math class genetically downregulates the incidence of psoriasis (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.58-0.76, p = 2.47×10-9), RA (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.63-0.81, p = 5.28×10-8), and hypothyroidism (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.79-0.92, p = 8.88×10-5). Higher self-reported math ability showed protective effects on Crohn’s disease (CD) (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.55-0.81, p = 4.96×10-5), RA (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.67-0.87, p = 5.21×10-5), and psoriasis (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.65-0.88, p = 4.08×10-4). Protein modification and localization, response to arsenic-containing substances may participate in the genetic association of cognitive performance on UC, RA, psoriasis, and hypothyroidism. According to mediation analyses, BMI, smoking, and income served as significant mediators in the causal connection between educational traits and autoimmune diseases.

Conclusion

Higher levels of education-related factors have a protective effect on the risk of several autoimmune disorders. Reducing smoking and BMI and promoting income equality can mitigate health risks associated with low education levels.
HTLV infection in persons with sexually transmitted diseases in Spain
Authors: Ayerdi Oskar , Benito Rafael , Ortega Diego , Aguilera Antonio , Montiel Natalia , Pintos Ilduara , Díaz de Santiago Alberto , Baza Begoña , Soriano Vicente , de Mendoza Carmen
Published: December 2023

Background

HTLV-1 infection is a neglected disease, despite estimates of 10 million people infected worldwide and producing life-threatening illnesses in 10% of carriers. Sexual transmission is the main route of contagion. However, HTLV-1 is not listed among sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Methods

Serum from all consecutive individuals who had attended six STI clinics across Spain during the last 12 months were tested for HTLV antibodies using a commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Reactive samples were confirmed by immunoblot.

Results

A total of 2,524 samples were examined. The majority (1,936; 76.7%) belonged to men, of whom 676 (34.9%) were men who have sex with men (MSM) receiving HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. Although native Spaniards predominated (1,470; 58.2%), up to 593 (23.5%) came from Latin America and 139 (5.5%) were African. A total of 26 individuals were initially EIA reactive and immunoblot confirmed 5 as HTLV-1 and 7 as HTLV-2. All but one HTLV-1+ case came from Latin America. Three were men and two were women. Among Latin Americans, the HTLV-1 seroprevalence was 0.67%. In contrast, all seven HTLV-2+ were native Spaniards and former injection drug users, and all but one were HIV+.

Conclusion

The rate of HTLV infection among individuals with STIs in Spain is 0.5%, which is greater than in the general population. These results support the introduction of universal HTLV screening in persons who attend clinics for STIs.
Attention deficit in primary-school-age children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder measured with the attention network test: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bieleninik Łucja , Gradys Gabriela , Dzhambov Angel M. , Walczak-Kozłowska Tamara , Lipowska Kornelia , Łada-Maśko Ariadna , Sitnik-Warchulska Katarzyna , Anikiej-Wiczenbach Paulina , Harciarek Michał , Lipowska Małgorzata
Published: December 2023

Objective

To review and meta-analyze patterns of attention deficit in primary-school-age children with ADHD measured with the neuropsychological attention network test (ANT).

Methods

Six electronic databases were searched to 5.05.2022. Selection criteria included prospective cohort and intervention studies; ANT used; primary-school-age; diagnosis of ADHD/at high risk.

Results

Seven studies met inclusion criteria (N = 3,826). Compared with controls, children with ADHD had higher scores for Reaction Time (Hedges’ g = 0.433; 95% CI: 0.135–0.731), Reaction Time Variability (Hedges’ g = 0.334; 95% CI: 0.012–0.657), and Alerting Network (Hedges’ g = 0.235; 95% CI: 0.021–0.449) while children at high risk had higher Alerting Network scores (Hedges’ g = 0.176; 95% CI: 0.003–0.349) and Correctness scores (Hedges’ g = 1.956; 95% CI: 0.020–3.892).

Conclusions

Children with ADHD and at risk of ADHD had different ANT results from children without ADHD only for the alerting network. There were no significant differences for executive and orienting outcomes. Children at risk of ADHD also made more errors (commission and omission) measured with the ANT compared with children without ADHD. Reaction time was longer and reaction time variability higher in children with ADHD than in children without ADHD, and in children at risk of ADHD compared with children without ADHD.

Preregistration

A protocol has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database (registration number: CRD42021249768).
Transcranial magnetic stimulation mapping of the motor cortex: comparison of five estimation algorithms
Authors: Chen Yuanyuan , Jiang Yihan , Zhang Zong , Li Zheng , Zhu Chaozhe
Published: December 2023

Background

There are currently five different kinds of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) motor mapping algorithms available, from ordinary point-based algorithms to advanced field-based algorithms. However, there have been only a limited number of comparison studies conducted, and they have not yet examined all of the currently available algorithms. This deficiency impedes the judicious selection of algorithms for application in both clinical and basic neuroscience, and hinders the potential promotion of a potential superior algorithm. Considering the influence of algorithm complexity, further investigation is needed to examine the differences between fMRI peaks and TMS cortical hotspots that were identified previously.

Methods

Twelve healthy participants underwent TMS motor mapping and a finger-tapping task during fMRI. The motor cortex TMS mapping results were estimated by five algorithms, and fMRI activation results were obtained. For each algorithm, the prediction error was defined as the distance between the measured scalp hotspot and optimized coil position, which was determined by the maximum electric field strength in the estimated motor cortex. Additionally, the study identified the minimum number of stimuli required for stable mapping. Finally, the location difference between the TMS mapping cortical hotspot and the fMRI activation peak was analyzed.

Results

The projection yielded the lowest prediction error (5.27 ± 4.24 mm) among the point-based algorithms and the association algorithm yielded the lowest (6.66 ± 3.48 mm) among field-based estimation algorithms. The projection algorithm required fewer stimuli, possibly resulting from its suitability for the grid-based mapping data collection method. The TMS cortical hotspots from all algorithms consistently deviated from the fMRI activation peak (20.52 ± 8.46 mm for five algorithms).

Conclusion

The association algorithm might be a superior choice for clinical applications and basic neuroscience research, due to its lower prediction error and higher estimation sensitivity in the deep cortical structure, especially for the sulcus. It also has potential applicability in various other TMS domains, including language area mapping and more. Otherwise, our results provide further evidence that TMS motor mapping intrinsically differs from fMRI motor mapping.
Traumatic brain injury extending to the striatum alters autonomic thermoregulation and hypothalamic monoamines in recovering rats
Authors: Verduzco-Mendoza Antonio , Mota-Rojas Daniel , Olmos Hernández Silvia Adriana , Gálvez-Rosas Arturo , Aguirre-Pérez Alexander , Cortes-Altamirano José Luis , Alfaro-Rodríguez Alfonso , Parra-Cid Carmen , Avila-Luna Alberto , Bueno-Nava Antonio
Published: December 2023

The brain cortex is the structure that is typically injured in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is anatomically connected with other brain regions, including the striatum and hypothalamus, which are associated in part with motor function and the regulation of body temperature, respectively. We investigated whether a TBI extending to the striatum could affect peripheral and core temperatures as an indicator of autonomic thermoregulatory function. Moreover, it is unknown whether thermal modulation is accompanied by hypothalamic and cortical monoamine changes in rats with motor function recovery. The animals were allocated into three groups: the sham group (sham), a TBI group with a cortical contusion alone (TBI alone), and a TBI group with an injury extending to the dorsal striatum (TBI + striatal injury). Body temperature and motor deficits were evaluated for 20 days post-injury. On the 3rd and 20th days, rats were euthanized to measure the serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA), and dopamine (DA) levels using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We observed that TBI with an injury extending to the dorsal striatum increased core and peripheral temperatures. These changes were accompanied by a sustained motor deficit lasting for 14 days. Furthermore, there were notable increases in NA and 5-HT levels in the brain cortex and hypothalamus both 3 and 20 days after injury. In contrast, rats with TBI alone showed no changes in peripheral temperatures and achieved motor function recovery by the 7th day post-injury. In conclusion, our results suggest that TBI with an injury extending to the dorsal striatum elevates both core and peripheral temperatures, causing a delay in functional recovery and increasing hypothalamic monoamine levels. The aftereffects can be attributed to the injury site and changes to the autonomic thermoregulatory functions.
A study on the use of acupoint catgut embedding in the treatment of pre-diabetes: a meta-analysis and data mining approach
Authors: Yu Yunfeng , Xu Xuan , Tan Danni , Yin Yuman , Yang Xinyu , Yu Rong
Published: December 2023

Objective

The efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) for the treatment of pre-diabetes remains controversial. Therefore, this study investigated the clinical efficacy and acupoint selection in ACE for the treatment of pre-diabetes.

Methods

Eight common databases were searched for relevant literature on ACE for pre-diabetes. Meta-analysis was used to evaluate its efficacy and safety, and data mining was used to explore the protocol for acupoint selection.

Results

The meta-analysis revealed that compared with conventional treatment alone, conventional treatment combined with ACE reduced the levels of glycated hemoglobin A1c [mean difference (MD) −0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.67 to −0.24%, p < 0.001], fasting blood glucose (MD −0.61 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.87 to −0.36 mmol/L, p < 0.001), 2-h postprandial glucose (MD −0.77 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.98 to −0.55 mmol/L, p < 0.001), total cholesterol (MD −0.37 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.74 to 0.00 mmol/L, p = 0.049), triglyceride (MD −0.49 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.77 to −0.20 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD −0.23 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.33 to −0.12 mmol/L, p < 0.001), and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (MD 0.16 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.27 mmol/L, p = 0.004), whereas changes in the body mass index and the adverse event rates were comparable between groups. Data mining revealed that Pishu (BL20), Weiwanxiashu (EX-B3), Zusanli (ST36), Shenshu (BL23), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Weishu (BL21), and Taixi (KI3) were the core acupoints used in ACE for pre-diabetes.

Conclusion

ACE can effectively improve blood glucose and lipid levels in pre-diabetes patients and has a good safety profile. ACE consisting of Pishu (BL20), Weiwanxiashu (EX-B3), Zusanli (ST36), Shenshu (BL23), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Weishu (BL21), and Taixi (KI3), is a promising complementary strategy for the treatment of pre-diabetes.
Separable Reversible Data Hiding in Encrypted Images for Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Liu Ruihua , Zhou Quan , Liu Juanni , Zhang Yi , Hui Zheng , Zhang Xuejiao
Published: December 2023

High security and effectiveness are critical performance metrics in the data transmission process for satellite remote sensing images, medical images, and so on. Previously, the receiver could gain a high-quality cover image (lossy) after decryption in a separable manner to balance embedding capacity (EC) and security. Completely separable, reversible data hiding in encrypted image (SRDH-EI) algorithms are proposed to address this issue. In this study, the cover image was preprocessed at the sender’s end. The pre-embedded pixels and most significant bits (MSB) were compressed via two coding methods to reserve space. Additionally, the header data were embedded for marking. Finally, auxiliary data and secret data were embedded in a forward “Z” and reverse “Z” shape before and after encryption, respectively. The receiver could extract secret data and decrypt the cover image separately using the keys and markers. The experimental results demonstrate that the algorithm reached a high EC for remote sensing images by utilizing pixel correlation at multiple positions within the groups. The cover image could maintain its entropy during the data embedding process, ensuring security. The decrypted image could be recovered without distortion, furthermore, the receiver could achieve complete separability, so it has good application prospects for remote sensing images.
Examination of the Effect of Task Complexity and Coping Capacity on Driving Risk: A Cross-Country and Transportation Mode Comparative Study
Authors: Roussou Stella , Garefalakis Thodoris , Michelaraki Eva , Katrakazas Christos , Adnan Muhammad , Khattak Muhammad Wisal , Brijs Tom , Yannis George
Published: December 2023

The i-DREAMS project established a ‘Safety Tolerance Zone (STZ)’ to maintain operators within safe boundaries through real-time and post-trip interventions, based on the crucial role of the human element in driving behavior. This paper aims to model the inter-relationship among driving task complexity, operator and vehicle coping capacity, and crash risk. Towards that aim, data from 80 drivers, who participated in a naturalistic driving experiment carried out in three countries (i.e., Belgium, Germany, and Portugal), resulting in a dataset of approximately 19,000 trips were collected and analyzed. The exploratory analysis included the development of Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) and the choice of the most appropriate variables associated with the latent variables “task complexity” and “coping capacity” that are to be estimated from the various indicators. In addition, Structural Equation Models (SEMs) were used to explore how the model variables were interrelated, allowing for both direct and indirect relationships to be modeled. Comparisons on the performance of such models, as well as a discussion on behaviors and driving patterns across different countries and transport modes, were also provided. The findings revealed a positive relationship between task complexity and coping capacity, indicating that as the difficulty of the driving task increased, the driver’s coping capacity increased accordingly, (i.e., higher ability to manage and adapt to the challenges posed by more complex tasks). The integrated treatment of task complexity, coping capacity, and risk can improve the behavior and safety of all travelers, through the unobtrusive and seamless monitoring of behavior. Thus, authorities should utilize a data system oriented towards collecting key driving insights on population level to plan mobility and safety interventions, develop incentives for road users, optimize enforcement, and enhance community building for safe traveling.
A Novel Prediction Method of Transfer-Assisted Action Oriented to Individual Differences for the Excretion Care Robot
Authors: Wang Yina , Hao Wenjie , Yu Yanjun , Yang Junyou , Yang Guang
Published: December 2023

The excretion care robot’s (ECR) accurate recognition of transfer-assisted actions is crucial during its usage. However, transfer action recognition is a challenging task, especially since the differentiation of actions seriously affects its recognition speed, robustness, and generalization ability. We propose a novel approach for transfer action recognition assisted by a bidirectional long- and short-term memory (Bi-LSTM) network combined with a multi-head attention mechanism. Firstly, we utilize posture sensors to detect human movements and establish a lightweight three-dimensional (3D) model of the lower limbs. In particular, we adopt a discrete extended Kalman filter (DEKF) to improve the accuracy and foresight of pose solving. Then, we construct an action prediction model that incorporates a fused Bi-LSTM with Multi-head attention (MHA Bi-LSTM). The MHA extracts key information related to differentiated movements from different dimensions and assigns varying weights. Utilizing the Bi-LSTM network effectively combines past and future information to enhance the prediction results of differentiated actions. Finally, comparisons were made by three subjects in the proposed method and with two other time series based neural network models. The reliability of the MHA Bi-LSTM method was verified. These experimental results show that the introduced MHA Bi-LSTM model has a higher accuracy in predicting posture sensor-based excretory care actions. Our method provides a promising approach for handling transfer-assisted action individual differentiation in excretion care tasks.
Smart Sensor Control and Monitoring of an Automated Cell Expansion Process
Authors: Nettleton David F. , Marí-Buyé Núria , Marti-Soler Helena , Egan Joseph R. , Hort Simon , Horna David , Costa Miquel , Vallejo Benítez-Cano Elia , Goldrick Stephen , Rafiq Qasim A. , König Niels , Schmitt Robert H. , R. Reyes Aldo
Published: December 2023

Immune therapy for cancer patients is a new and promising area that in the future may complement traditional chemotherapy. The cell expansion phase is a critical part of the process chain to produce a large number of high-quality, genetically modified immune cells from an initial sample from the patient. Smart sensors augment the ability of the control and monitoring system of the process to react in real-time to key control parameter variations, adapt to different patient profiles, and optimize the process. The aim of the current work is to develop and calibrate smart sensors for their deployment in a real bioreactor platform, with adaptive control and monitoring for diverse patient/donor cell profiles. A set of contrasting smart sensors has been implemented and tested on automated cell expansion batch runs, which incorporate advanced data-driven machine learning and statistical techniques to detect variations and disturbances of the key system features. Furthermore, a ‘consensus’ approach is applied to the six smart sensor alerts as a confidence factor which helps the human operator identify significant events that require attention. Initial results show that the smart sensors can effectively model and track the data generated by the Aglaris FACER bioreactor, anticipate events within a 30 min time window, and mitigate perturbations in order to optimize the key performance indicators of cell quantity and quality. In quantitative terms for event detection, the consensus for sensors across batch runs demonstrated good stability: the AI-based smart sensors (Fuzzy and Weighted Aggregation) gave 88% and 86% consensus, respectively, whereas the statistically based (Stability Detector and Bollinger) gave 25% and 42% consensus, respectively, the average consensus for all six being 65%. The different results reflect the different theoretical approaches. Finally, the consensus of batch runs across sensors gave even higher stability, ranging from 57% to 98% with an average consensus of 80%.
Kontribusi Perpustakaan Islam terhadap Era Renaisans di Eropa: Perspektif Historis
Authors: Sholihah Husna Amalina , Sari Khairunnisa Etika
Published: December 2023

This article explores the vital role of Islamic libraries in transmitting scientific knowledge during the European Renaissance, contributing to Europe's modern-era advancement. Utilizing a qualitative approach with a historical literature review, the study analyzes data from various historical documents through heuristics, criticism, verification, interpretation, and historiography. It identifies three main channels for knowledge transfer from the East to the West: Andalusia, Sicily, and the Crusades. Andalusia, in particular, became a hub of scholarship and civilization, resulting in the translation and dissemination of diverse books, ultimately leading to the establishment of European universities. A parallel transformation occurred in Sicily, where an Islamic system persisted under Christian rule. The introduction of paper and the printing press facilitated the widespread dissemination of knowledge. Averroism, influenced by these developments, played a pivotal role in catalyzing the Renaissance, shaping Europe's trajectory towards exploration and global leadership in modern civilization. Islamic libraries' contributions in transmitting scientific knowledge significantly influenced the Renaissance, laying the foundation for Europe's subsequent achievements and leadership in the modern world.
La Alfabetización Informacional en las carreras pedagógicas cubanas
Authors: Hernández-Campillo Thais Raquel , Veranes Gálvez Lisandra , Arias Hidalgo Ania Beatriz
Published: December 2023

El estudio aborda la pertinencia de la Alfabetización Informacional en la educación superior, a partir de lo explicitado en el Área 1 del Marco Europeo de Competencias Digitales para la Ciudadanía. En ese sentido, se propone un programa de Alfabetización Informacional para la adquisición de competencias informacionales en estudiantes de carreras pedagógicas de la Universidad de Camagüey. La pesquisa asume el enfoque mixto de la investigación y la observación no participante como método empírico. En relación con las técnicas de investigación, se aplica una encuesta a estudiantes y una entrevista a directivos académicos para indagar el estado actual de la Alfabetización Informacional en los discentes, a partir de la determinación de sus competencias informacionales para las actividades de aprendizaje en las asignaturas. Los resultados del diagnóstico evidencian insuficiencias en la búsqueda, evaluación y gestión de información digital. De esta forma, el programa elaborado contiene un conjunto de acciones enfocadas al tratamiento de la información digital para las actividades docentes con el fin de mejorar la Alfabetización Informacional de los sujetos indagados. Se concluye que la Alfabetización Informacional debe ocupar un espacio importante en el desempeño académico de los discentes y ser sujeta a continua evaluación.
El caprichoso 1500, una discusión sobre la definición de incunable
Authors: López Arévalo Robinson
Published: December 2023

Este artículo hace un cuestionamiento al significado típico del término incunable. Primero porque las fechas que lo definen no tiene un fundamento sólido. Segundo porque definirlo desde la temporalidad excluye una serie de elementos que son claves para el nacimiento y la fijación del libro. En 1982, el historiador norteamericano Robert Darnton, en su célebre artículo, extendió la historia del libro más allá del objeto ampliándola a los circuitos de la comunicación y a los diferentes agentes relacionados con su producción y usos, a saber: autores, editores, impresores, proveedores, vendedores, lectores y encuadernadores (1982). Esta revisión bibliográfica recupera otras aristas que también definen al incunable pero que han sido desatendidas e intenta abordar el nacimiento del libro desde los circuitos de la comunicación y no solo desde la temporalidad. Igualmente, reúne hechos, discusiones y definiciones que se conocen poco en el idioma español, y que permitirán a especialistas y divulgadores tener una mayor claridad sobre los libros del siglo XV.
Editorial
Authors: Blanco Nancy , Bentivegna Nancy
Published: December 2023

La editorial presenta el número 49 de Información, cultura y sociedad e introduce al lector en un recorrido por los artículos que conforman esta nueva publicación.
Structure and Function of Wool Keratin Polypeptide Extracted by Superheated Water
Authors: Wu Ting , He Min , Shan Zhihua , Chen Hui
Published: December 2023

Pyrohydrolytic wool keratin polypeptides (PWKPs) were successfully extracted by hydrolyzing waste sheep wool from a tannery with superheated water. The results revealed that the properties of PWKPs varied significantly under different hydrolysis temperatures. At 170°C, the weight average molecular weight and the polydispersion index of the product PWKP-170 were determined to be 1080 ± 71 Daand 1.55 ± 0.04, respectively, which displayed a distribution trend for “equilong chain segments”. Furthermore, the extraction yieldand the repeated water solubility reached 93.5 ± 1.7% and 99.8 ± 0.2%, respectively, and no α-helical structure was found to exist in PWKP-170. Organic element and amino acid analyses for the PWKPs showed that the decrease in sulfur and cysteine content was related to the fracture of disulfide bonds during the hydrolysis process of keratin. Specificity studies indicated that PWKP-170 exhibited a new ultraviolet absorption characteristic at 309 nm, with an antibacterial titer of 11.24 AU/mg against Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration of 1 × 106 CFU/mL, reflecting its potential application value as a keratin polypeptide functional material.
A Simple Test to Determine the Propensity of a Fatliquor to Trigger the Formation of Chromium (VI) in Leather
Authors: Compte Irene , Cuadros Rosa , Izquierdo Francina , Combalia Felip , Bacardit Anna
Published: December 2023

Since the entry into force of the EU Commission Regulation regarding hexavalent chromium in leather articles in 2014, it is of paramount importance to follow good manufacturing practices to ensure the production of leather not only free of Cr(VI) but with no tendency to its formation. The equilibrium between Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in leather can be disturbed under stressful environmental conditions such as light or heat exposure. These factors could trigger the lipid peroxidation of unprotected unsaturated fatliquoring agents, thus leading to the oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). Due to the relevance that the oxidation of the fatliquoring agents has in the subsequent Cr(VI) formation, the Propensity Test has been developed and verified as an innovative verifying in-house tool for tanners to verify that each of the fatliquoring agents used in the tannery processes are properly protected against oxidation and thus, that Cr(VI) formation is not triggered.The method has four simple steps and can be easily carried out in the tanneries’ pilot plant. It does not require special equipment or specific apparatus because all the necessary instruments are usually available in any tannery and the skills needed to perform the test are the same that leather technicians use in their day-to-day work, so the implementation cost is practically non-existent.This work leads to the conclusion that there is a higher possibility of Cr(VI) formation among sheep skins rather than among calf hides. The rechroming process also presents risks regarding Cr(VI) content in leather, however, in this study it has been shown that rechroming does not increase Cr(VI) formation risks when the fatliquoring agents are properly protected against autoxidation. Therefore, using a well-protected fatliquoring agent is mandatory for the purpose of producing Cr(VI)-free leather despite the type of leather.
Effects of Calcium Content on the Enzymatic Bating of Delimed Hides
Authors: Zhang Chunxiao , Ye Buqing , Song Jinzhi , Peng Biyu
Published: December 2023

The effects of calcium content on the enzymatic bating of delimed hide were analyzed by amino acid analysis, tissue staining, and scanning electron microscopy–elemental energy spectrometry. Results show that the content and form of calcium in pelt can affect enzyme activity. The content of calcium in pelt can be adjusted by phosphoric-phosphate deliming to reduce the degree of damage caused by enzymes to elastin and collagen. The calcium bound in pelt can be further removed by deliming using a calcium chelator, thus effectively improving the efficiency of enzyme action. When the calcium content is lower than 0.6%, the removal degree of elastin by enzymes and the loosening effect to collagen fiber can be significantly improved. This research offers important guidance to improve the leather bating process.
Characterization and Control of Antibiotic-Resistant Camalti Saltern's Isolates with Bacteriocins
Authors: Caglayan P.
Published: December 2023

Camalti Saltern is the largest solar saltern in Izmir, Turkey. The salt obtained from Camalti Saltern is used in food and leather industries to prevent bacterial growth. In this saltern, seawater is pumped into shallow ponds. Then, the sun and wind cause evaporation and crystallization, finally sea salt is produced. Due to the fact that Camalti Saltern contains various halophilic bacteria, the goals of the present study were to isolate and identify haloversatile bacteria from Camalti Saltern’s brine samples, to examine their antibiotic resistance profiles, to determine antimicrobial activities under optimum environmental conditions, to determine bacteriocin concentration by Bradford Method, to detect Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC) of bacteriocins against multidrug-resistant isolates, and to observe the cell structure of bacteriocin-treated bacteria under SEM. Sixteen bacterial isolates were recovered from Camalti Saltern’s brine samples and were identified as 14 different species (Bacillus haynesii, Bacillus simplex, Bacillus subtilis subsp. stercoris, Bacillus pumilus,Staphylococcus petrasii subsp. jettensis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus subsp. saprophyticus, Kocuria sediminis, Rhodococcus enclensis, Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus, Vibrio olivae, Marinomonas communis, Pseudomonas psychrotolerans, Salinivibrio costicola subsp. vallismortis, Vibrio neocaledonicus). Percentages of antibiotic resistance of isolates were 63% to aztreonam, 50% to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, 44% to ampicillin, 44% to cefadroxil, 31% to imipenem, 19% to ampicillin/sulbactam, 6% to chloramphenicol, 6% to tetracycline, 6% to mupirocin, 6% to meropenem. The bacteriocin concentrations of Rhodococcus enclensis and Salinivibrio costicola subsp. vallismortis were measured as 1.02 mg/mL and 1.25 mg/mL, respectively. Bacteriocins of Rhodococcus enclensis and Salinivibrio costicola subsp. vallismortis, which were not resistant to any antibiotics tested,exhibited the inhibitory effect against Kocuria sediminis resistant to ten antibiotics and Bacillus pumilus resistant to four antibiotics. Bacteriocin of Salinivibrio costicola subsp. vallismortis also demonstrated the inhibitory effect against Pseudomonas psychrotolerans resistant to five antibiotics. Scanning electron micrographs showed that cell morphologies of bacteriocin-treated isolates (Kocuria sediminis, Bacillus pumilus, Pseudomonas psychrotolerans) were damaged. In conclusion, bacteriocins produced from the haloversatile Camalti saltern isolates may be used in the leather industry to prevent the growth of antibiotic-resistant haloversatile bacteria.
Effective Removal of Manure/Mud Balls from Cattle Hides using Thioglycolate Salt Containing Formulations
Authors: Yosief Hailemichael O. , Sarker Majher I. , Hussain Syed Ammar , Muir Zerlina
Published: December 2023

The effective removal of hardened manure/mud balls from cattle hides remains a challenge for the livestock industry. Hardened manure/mud balls must be removed to minimize the risk of microbial meat contamination and hide quality deterioration. To overcome this challenge, we developed thioglycolic acid and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts containing formulations. In this study, the developed four formulations were compared based on their efficacy in removing adobe type mud/manure balls from the hides in short time. Hide pieces containing hardened manure/mud balls were soaked in the formulations for 5 minutes followed by gentle brushing to remove the debris. The firmly attached mud/manure balls were removed completely from the hide pieces soaked in sodium, potassium and ammonium thioglycolate containing formulations. However, thioglycolic acid containing formulation did not show that much efficacy and the debris remained attached in the hide pieces soaked in water which was used as a control. Moreover, naturally onboard aerobic bacteria count was significantly reduced along with the mud/manure balls removal from hide pieces. After treatment, the hide pieces were processed into crust shoe leather for quality check analysis including mechanical properties, leather surface analysis and general appearance. The crust leathers made from hide pieces treated with the formulation exhibited similar quality to that made from the control. The implementation of this inventive formulations in slaughterhouses or leather industry will drastically reduce the time consuming and labor-intensive operations currently employed to remove firmly attached debris from cattle hide surface.
Removal of Anionic Dye from Tannery Wastewater Using Peanut Shell Waste as a Biosorbent
Authors: Feron de Moraes Samantha , Monteiro de Aquim Patrice , Brochier Bethania , Gonçalves Kieling Amanda , Hansen Éverton
Published: December 2023

Contamination of water bodies by organic substances, such as dyes, cause impacts on the environment and human health. Furthermore, the search for environmentally appropriate destinations for solid waste, such as those from agro-industries, has been intensifying, to minimize the impact of the growing generation of waste as a result of population growth. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the use of raw peanut shells as an alternative adsorbent for the removal of Brown acid dye from synthetic leather dyeing wastewater. The peanut shells were milled and sieved. The material was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The parameters evaluated in the adsorption tests were pH, contact time, and mass of adsorbent material. The maximum adsorption capacity verified for the peanut shell was 7.753 mg/g and up to 93% of the dye was removed. The best adsorption conditions were at pH 2.5, 10 minutes, and adsorbent mass of 0.3 g in 50 mL of effluent. The results showed relevant removal of the Brown acid dye by the peanut shells’ adsorbent material.
Interaction between Amphoteric Polymer and Silicic Acid Tanned Leather
Authors: Liang Ze , Zhang Zetian , Liu Yang , Li Zhengjun
Published: December 2023

Silicic acid-based tanning system is an effective and promising chrome-free tanning technology, and it is urgent to develop compatible post-tanning processes. Fatliquoring is one of the key procedures to determine the quality of resulted leather and fatliquoring agents mainly play the role of an effective softer/ plasticizer in leather production. However, there is a mismatch between most commercial fatliquoring agents (mainly compatible with chrome tanned leather) and silicic acid tanned leather (named SATL). Herein, an amphoteric polymer emulsion (APE) was prepared by free radical polymerization using methacryloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate (AMPS), lauryl methacrylate (LMA), dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) as monomers. And in order to improve the lubricating property, APE was further compounded with castor oil to obtain an amphoteric fatliquoring agent (named COAPE). Comprehensive characterization showed that the amphoteric (pI=8.22) and amphiphilic APE could reduce the surface tension of water to 38.6 mN/m. The fatliquoring process was controlled by ingenious regulation of pH based on isoelectric points (pIs) of APE and SATL. In the initial stage, the pH of the bath was adjusted to be lower than the pIs of APE and SATL, amphoteric polymer molecules could easily penetrate into SATL leather as they are all positively charged. While during the fixing stage, the pH of the bath was adjusted between the pIs of APE and SATL, so the electrostatic interaction between amphoteric polymer molecules and SATL leather, as well as the aggregation of amphoteric polymers can promote their combination synergistically. As a fatliquoring agent, the application of COAPE demonstrated that its absorpotion rate (90.5%) was much higher than anionic commercial fatliquoring agent (63.2%), thus imparting SATL leather better softness (6.5 mm), elongation at break (95.5%) and tensile strength (11.6 N/mm2). These findings therefore provided scientific basis and technical support for the application of amphoteric materials to silicic acid-modified collagen matrix and would promote the practical application of silicic acid-based chrome-free tanning technology
Retelling “Viewing Leather Through the Eyes of Science” A Century On
Authors: Redwood Mike
Published: December 2023

The 62nd John Arthur Wilson Memorial Lecture
A Bittersweet Occasion
Authors: The Editors
Published: December 2023

After almost 24 years we had to say farewell to our beloved Executive Secretary, Carol Adcock